USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1874 > Part 1
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SEL
Somemitle Public tilbrary
THE PUBLIC LIBRARY OF THE
CITY OF SOMERVILLE
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Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012 with funding from
Federally funded with LSTA funds through the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners
http://archive.org/details/annualreportofci1874some
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CITY OF SOMERVILLE =
ANNUAL REPORTS
GIVES
N.
EDOM
SOMERVILLE
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MUNICI
ESTABLISHED
A CITY 1872. STRENGT
1874.
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BOSTON : ALFRED MUDGE & SON, PRINTERS, 34 SCHOOL STREET. 1875.
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STACK 206076 Ref. 352 569 1874.
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
OF
HON. WM. H. FURBER,
DELIVERED JANUARY 5TH, 1874.
Gentlemen of the City Council :-
Deeply sensible of the honor conferred on me by my fellow-citizens, not without anxiety, and many misgivings, I assume the responsibilities of the po- sition assigned me, earnestly believing that it is the duty of every man when called upon, with any de- gree of unanimity by his fellow-citizens, to take part in public affairs, to do so, if he can consistently, re- gardless of his own personal comfort. Advocating, therefore, this principle and duty, I obey the call made upon me, and relying upon your hearty co-ope- ration and the considerate judgment of my constitu- ents, shall labor faithfully and impartially to protect and promote the interests of our entire city.
Thus, having crossed the threshold of the third year of our city government, we have reason, to con- gratulate ourselves and the people whom we repre- sent upon the excellent condition in which our public affairs have been left by those who have preceded us, and whose positions, by the voice of the people, we have been called upon to fill.
MAR 1 3 1922
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Our finances are in a sound and healthy state. All of our branches of education are in a flourishing condition. Our highways and sewers have been greatly improved. Our pure water supply has been considerably extended. The sanitary condition of our city has received constant care and attention. Our Police and Fire Departments have been made more effective and efficient. Our departments for the relief of the poor and needy have been judi- ciously managed, and our Military, both retired and active, have received a due share of attention from those in authority.
That we may better acquaint ourselves with the work devolving upon us, and be prepared to perform it in a manner that shall gratify our constituents and reflect credit upon our labors, let us examine in de- tail the present condition of the various departments.
FINANCES.
By a careful examination of our financial condi- tion it will be seen that the whole amount of the funded debt of our city at this time is $809,354.00, showing an increase during the past year of $166,- 000.00, of which $40,000 was for the extension of the water works, $35,000 on account of sewers, $5,000 on account of Beach Street school-house, $40,000 on account of school-house in Prospect Hill district, $40,000 on account of sidewalks, and $6,000 on account of new hose house on the corner of Highland Avenue and Grove street. The amount of the floating debt and the amount of taxes and assess-
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ments due the city are about equal. There will ma- ture the present year of the public debt $72,000, and I earnestly hope that you will at the proper time ar- range for the payment of a part at least, and not favor the renewal or extension of the entire amount.
In this connection permit me to call your attention to the tendency prevailing in many cities of making the DISTANT future bear ALL the burdens of the PRESENT, and to suggest that duty demands that we profit by the lesson it presents to us. While I desire to favor all judicious improvements, and would not recommend that the cost of those improvements, which are to benefit coming generations, should WHOLLY be borne by the people of the present time, I do most earnestly urge you to protest against thrusting upon posterity the responsibilities that legitimately belong to ourselves. Let us rather boldly meet the issue, and promptly discharge our portion of the obligations, that the good credit of our city may remain unimpaired, and the future not be encumbered with liabilities that the present should unhesitatingly assume.
To explain more clearly my views, I would recom- mend that all loans for school purposes be made for a term of ten years, that all loans for highway pur- poses be made for a term of twenty years, and that all loans for sewer purposes be made for thirty years, the interest in all cases to be paid semi-annually, and a proportionate part of the principal to be paid annually. Such a method would make the expendi- ture less onerous, and bear more equitably on those
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benefited, and I consider it equally desirable, whether our affairs are merged in those of our sister city, or we continue to manage them as an independent corporation.
The Committe on Public Property, assisted by the Assessors, have carefully examined and re-valued the property belonging to the city, and find that in- dependent of the water works, it amounts to $812,750. Cost of Water Works to date, $275,000. Total value at this time, $1,037,750.
I desire to state that these amounts are not in the least inflated, but represent the minimum value of property, and without desiring to censure our Board of Assessors - whose duties are always arduous and trying - to suggest that they guard against the ten- dency of carrying up the valuation of our taxable property to the maximum point as a policy that is fallacious, and sure to lead to unsatisfactory, if not disastrous, results.
The entire amount of taxable property in the city, by the Assessors' valuation of 1873, is $29,613,100, thus showing the entire debt of our city to be less than two and three-fourths per cent. of the taxable property, and $278,396 less than the value of the property owned by the city - an exhibit which can- not fail to be satisfactory to every citizen.
SCHOOLS.
Our Public Schools have received the same foster- ing care and attention that has been bestowed upon them during former years, and it is gratifying to
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know that they still retain their high standard in the Commonwealth.
When we consider that from such institutions the very wealth and strength of the nation is to emanate, it behooves us to watch over them with the utmost care and vigilance, and see to it that nothing is lack- ing on our part to bring them up to the very acme of perfection; for whatever of good or evil proceeds from them reaches every member of the body politic.
The amount appropriated the past year for school purposes was $70,000. The number of schools in operation is 67, showing an increase of 8 the past year. Number of teachers employed, 74. Attending these schools there are,
In the High School 186 pupils.
" " Grammar Schools
1716 66
" " Primary .
1479 66
Making an aggregate of . 3381 66
The accommodations in the various districts are ample, with the exception of those in the Prospect Hill and East Somerville districts. To meet the wants of the former, a ten-room brick building is in process of erection on Vinal Avenue, and a similar structure is urgently needed in the last named section. I trust that the completion of the one, and the erection of the other, will receive your earliest attention.
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The interest manifested in our Public Library has greatly exceeded the expectations of its warmest
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friends, and the Board of Trustees have much to stimulate and encourage them in their labors to make useful and attractive this auxiliary to our ordinary branches of education.
The library was thrown open to the public on Thursday, the first day of May last, with 2386 vol- umes upon its shelves, to which there has since been added 1247 volumes, making the whole number be- longing to the institution at this time 3633, of which 716 volumes were donated, and the remainder, 2917 volumes, were paid for out of the library fund.
The number of books given out during the eight months was 18,036, making a weekly average of about 515. The largest number in any day was 271; largest number in any week, 767; largest number in any month, 3,008, in the month of December; and the number of persons who have registered their names for books up to the close of the past year is 1940. I have aimed to show by this brief statement, the great good which must necessarily be imparted to that portion of our community, who seek to obtain information through this medium, which is to many the only source of education. And I feel that I need not urge you to do all that you can legitimately, to forward this enterprise and to aid in placing it on á firm and substantial basis. Should you deem it ad- visable to provide accommodations for the police court, nearer the police station, as has been hereto- fore suggested, I would recommend that the room now occupied by that department be fitted up as a reading-room, and assigned to the library to be used in connection with it.
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HIGHWAYS AND STREETS.
It needs but a cursory view of our highways and streets to discover the immense labor that has been performed on them since the organization of our first city government, and to observe that much still re- mains to be done. To the latter I would call your prompt attention, not that I would recommend hasty action, or urge you to make too large an expenditure in a single year, either in this or in any department, but on the contrary, would suggest that a moderate amount of improvements be carried on annualiy, and in a permanent and substantial manner. The pecu- liar nature of our soil, together with the fact that our main avenues are great thoroughfares, leading into the very heart of the county, over which are con- stantly passing heavily laden teams, to and from the adjoining cities on our southern and eastern bounda- ries, makes it necessary that large amounts be ex- pended annually, for repairs, until the road-beds of such thoroughfares are made more permanent by paving. There has been expended during the past year in this department, independent of street wi- denings, $130,603.88, which includes $52,677.37 for sidewalks, one half of the last named sum being assessed upon the abutters. No expense, in my opinion, has been more cheerfully borne by our citizens, than that created by this improvement, and I trust the good work in this direction will be vigor- ously prosecuted the coming season. Brick side- walks have been laid, edgestones set and gutters
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paved, during the year just closed -in thirty-five streets of our city. Among the great improvements made in our highways during the same interval, may be mentioned the widening of Highland Avenue to a uniform width of sixty feet, and increasing the width of Milk Street its entire length, from East Cambridge line to North Cambridge.
Although the cost of these changes was necessarily great, it seems insignificant when compared with the benefits to be derived, and must be looked upon with great satisfaction by every unprejudicd citizen. I desire, in this connection, to call your attention to the straightening of the northerly line of Broadway, between Mount Benedict and a point near Temple Street, as suggested by my predecessor. I trust you will favor and secure the change, provided it can be accomplished without too great cost, and will ensure the general improvement of the entire territory lying adjacent thereto, so as to attract to our city many who are seeking homes out of the densely populated districts of the great Metropolis, and who would make a valuable acquisition to our community. I would also ask your earnest attention to the ap- proaches to the various public schools, and especially those to our High School and Public Library, and recommend that brick sidewalks be laid in those streets, where such buildings are located, when the work can be done consistently. I also entertain. the hope that it will be found convenient early the com- ing spring, in connection with the filling that must be required in other localities, to grade the public
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land known as Central Hill, bounded by School, Medford, and Walnut Streets and Highland Avenue, and lay out the same in a manner that will evince a wise economy, as well as exhibit some degree of horticultural taste. This work has been delayed that the surplus material which was sure to be re- quired for use by the city, some in the immediate vicinity, might not be otherwise disposed of, but I trust that the work can now be performed without detriment to the interests of the city, and that the present year will show a decided improvement in the grounds alluded to. It is also due our citizens that a proper ordinance be prepared, compelling the re- moval of snow and ice from our sidewalks, that they may fully meet the wants of the public as intended.
SEWERS.
A good system of sewerage is indispensable to the sanitary condition of every city, and much time and thought have been spent by those who have preceded us in authority, in devising the best plan for the pur- pose, and great progress has been made in improving and increasing the sewerage of our city the past year. During the past twelve months, sewers have been constructed in sixteen streets and parts of streets, the aggregate length of which is 13,326 feet, or about two and one third miles, costing about $40,000, of which the abutters pay about seventy-five per cent, making the net cost to the city about $10,000 for this improvement. This work has been performed with great care by competent and experienced work-
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men, and will be a lasting benefit to those sections in which the sewers are located, or which may be reached by lateral branches. There has also been commenced the past year a sewer of large dimensions, for the purpose of draining the Miller's River District, and to enable the filling up (as authorized by the Legis- lature) of the basin which of late years has become so notorious. That portion of this sewer devolving upon our city to construct, is being done by contract, and, it is expected, will be completed before the lapse of many months. You will doubtless be called upon to furnish sewerage in sections of our city that are without this benefit, and I need not suggest that in all such cases the utmost care should be exercised in causing the work to be done in the most judicious and reliable manner.
WATER WORKS.
There has been laid, during the past year, 16,585 fèet, or about three and one seventh miles of pipe, and eighteen hydrants have also been placed in posi- tion, the entire cost of which is about $28,000. The aggregate length of pipe now laid in the city is about thirty-eight miles, with two hundred and two fire hydrants. The total amount expended by this de- partment up to this time, is $275,000, and we still have authority to issue water bonds as the wants of the city require it, to the extent of $120,000 additional.
As no one can deny the great benefits to be derived from an unfailing supply of pure water, and the pro- tection it affords our whole community when required
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to battle with its opposing element, I trust no effort will be spared on your part to place it within the reach of every family within our borders as speedily as may be consistent with a wise economy.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The fire department consists of seventy-four mem- bers, including the chief engineer and four assistant engineers, showing an increase during the past year of ten members, caused by the organization of an additional hose company, which seemed absolutely necessary as a precautionary measure for the western portion of the city, in which section a brick hose house was erected the past year, of sufficient capacity to accommodate a steam fire engine when needed, at a cost, including that of the land, of $16,000.
The apparatus of the department consists at the present time of one steam fire engine, five horse hose carriages and one hook and ladder carriage, with their necessary appendages. The chief engineer reports that all but the last named are in complete order and suited to the wants of the department. The hook and ladder carriage he reports as not being adapted to our requirements, the ladders being too short to be of much use in case of a fire in any of our high buildings, and should any such calamity befall us, as the burning of one of our large school-houses during the sessions of the schools, they would be wholly ineffective in rescuing children from the upper rooms. He therefore recommends the purchase of one more
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modern and reliable. The same officer reports that considerable of the hose in the department is in very bad order, and he recommends the purchase of twenty-four hundred feet of new hose early the coming spring.
The number of fires in the city during the year was twenty-one, causing the destruction of property to the amount of $11,290, on which there was $10,840 of insurance, thus showing a net loss of only $450. Such a record should cause every one of our citizens to feel grateful, showing, as it does, almost entire exemption from disaster by the devouring element, and evincing the thorough efficiency of the depart- ment.
It does not seem consistent with prudence and economy to ignore the suggestions and recommenda- tions of the chief officer in this department. I there- fore commend them to your early notice, and advise prompt action relative to them.
With regard to a fire alarm telegraph as an adjunct to the fire department of our city, it seems worthy of our consideration, our fire companies being located remote from each other, owing to the sections built upon being widely separated. By such a method the point of danger would be clearly defined, and any unnecessary delay be avoided. I feel that such an important auxiliary would meet with the favor of our citizens, provided it could be secured without too great an expenditure, and I trust the matter will receive due attention during our term of service.
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POLICE.
The Police Department consists of nineteen mem- bers, including a Chief and Captain. Five of the members serve as patrolmen during the day, and twelve during the night, and the good order and quiet of our city during the past is evidence of the fact that the force is well organized and its members faithful in the performance of their duty. The labors in the Department have and will continue to increase with the growth of our city, and we must not over- look the necessity of maintaining the efficiency of this branch of the civil service, but by our watchful care and the appointment of officers and men of un- blemished character, meet the wishes of our citizens who depend upon them for protection against the devices of lawless persons. The net cost of sustain- ing this department the past year, exclusive of the amount paid for improving the building occupied as a Police Station, was $19,641.36.
Larger accommodations will very soon be required to meet the wants of this department, and this should receive our early attention, and not be deferred until the demand for a change becomes urgent.
POLICE COURT.
The Police Court of our city has not sufficient ac- commodations, and its daily business indicates that its present location was not well chosen, being too remote from the Police Station, and too distant from the routes of steam or horse cars, thus rendering it
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inconvenient for officers of the Court, witnesses and other persons interested in cases brought before it. It seems almost imperative, that arrangements should be made without much longer delay for better accom- modations for this and the department so nearly allied to it. A plan for a building to be erected on the site of the Police Station to meet the wants of the Police Court, Police Department, and to furnish convenient apartments for other branches of the Government, was prepared under the direction of a special committee appointed by the first City Coun- cil, which plan was referred to by my predecessor one year ago, and which is now in the possession of the city.
To this I desire to ask your attention, and hope that it will receive your careful consideration for the reasons above mentioned.
THE POOR.
The Overseers of the Poor have given special at- tention to those who have no means of support, and their duties the past year have been exceedingly ar- duous, owing to the epidemic prevailing in the early part of the year, which compelled the isolation of entire families, thus adding largely to the cares of the Board and to the expenses of the department.
Relief was rendered to 765 persons during the year at a cost, including the entire expense of the Board, of $10,239.93, making an average of about $13.38 for each person. There has been paid to the city by various cities, towns, and individuals, liable
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on account of the above, $417.93; and there is still due from similar sources about $500.00, making the net cost for the relief of the poor during the year 1873, independent of that granted to soldiers and their families, about $9,322.00.
I am informed that many applicants for relief are able-bodied men, willing to work, but are unable to find employment, and I would suggest that these be employed upon our public improvements, when con- sistent with the interests of the city, and not be tempted to lead an idle life at the expense of the public charities.
STATE AID AND SOLDIERS' RELIEF.
Every just claim for aid or relief for soldiers who served in the late war, or for their families, has been promptly and cheerfully granted by the Government, and very few attempts have been made to obtain assistance from the city by the misrepresentations of the applicant. But on the contrary, I know of worthy men who served our country faithfully in her time of peril, who, owing to a very sensitive nature, have deferred making any request for assistance, until absolutely compelled to do so by the cravings of hunger and want.
There has been paid out the past year on account of State Aid the sum of $3,779.00, which amount will be reimbursed by the State. In addition to this sum, there has been expended during the same inter- val, $1,056.07 for relief of the deserving of this class, whose claims upon us should always be
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promptly and cheerfully responded to. I need not suggest that these needy, self-sacrificing heroes will still require our watchful care and assistance, and however pressing our other duties may become, their wants should never be neglected.
PUBLIC HEALTH.
Notwithstanding the prevalence of the small-pox in the early part of last year, its ravages were promptly checked by the decided action of the government in relation to it, and the suffering on its account in our midst was comparatively light. With the exception of a few months, our city has experienced a singular immunity from that much dreaded contagion, and at this time not a single case is known within our limits. We can only hope to maintain and preserve this desirable condition by the same care, foresight, and strict adherence to the sani- tary measures now existing. I would suggest and respectfully urge your attention to those places in our city where ponds or pools of stagnant water are allowed to remain from month to month throughout the entire year, as in the vicinity of Franklin, Cedar, and Maple Streets, and other sections, making them a tempting receptacle for all the filth and garbage of their respective neighborhoods, thereby jeopardizing the health of the locality and our whole city, by engendering sickness and disease of the most loath- some character. Initiatory steps were taken by the past administration to remedy the evil in the first named locality, but all such nuisances should be
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abated if possible, before the heat of another sum- mer is upon us. And I trust you will follow up the work begun by our predecessors in the most ener- getic manner.
MILLER'S RIVER.
The filling up of the basins of Miller's River, as authorized by the Legislature, has been commenced by the parties in interest, and the work will doubt- less be vigorously prosecuted until completed. This being done, certainly one cause of the greatest nui- sance ever inflicted upon a civilized community will be removed.
Should the work alluded to fail of remedying the impending evil, the most strenuous measures should at once be adopted by the Government to discover the direct or indirect cause, and without fear or favor labor diligently for its speedy removal, that the sec- tion in which it has already too long existed may be freed of the foul stain created by it, and the air we breathe be purified of its vile and sickening odors.
LOW LANDS.
The past administration have taken the prelimi- nary steps for filling up the low lands in the various sections of our city, and measures freighted with such incalculable public and private benefits should not be unnecessarily delayed, but should be pressed forward with the utmost energy. As a sanitary pro- tection this is urgently demanded, and the cost of the improvement to the owners of such property can
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