USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1881 > Part 1
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I
STRENGTE
ESTA
1947
Fou
DINAW
CITY OF SOMERVILLE
ANNUAL REPORTS.
GIVES
FREED
SOMERV
ILLE
FOUN
NAL
AL
CD
1842.
IN
MU
ESTABLISHED
A CITY 1872. STRENGT
1881.
SOMERVILLE, MASS. : SOMERVILLE JOURNAL PRINT. 1882.
ADDRESS OF MAYOR CUMMINGS.
INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF HON. JOHN A. CUMMINGS.
DELIVERED JAN. 3, 1881.
GENTLEMEN OF THE CITY COUNCIL :
IN accordance with the wish of our fellow-citizens, expressed at the recent municipal election, we have this day taken upon our- selves the responsibility of conducting the affairs of our growing city for the ensuing year. Grateful for this evidence of the esteem of our fellow-men, let us endeavor to merit the confidence bestowed by a conscientious and faithful discharge of the several duties placed in our hands.
One of the most important subjects for our care and consideration is that of our city's
FINANCES.
From the Treasurer's forthcoming report, I am able to present the following nearly exact statement of our financial condition.
The funded debt of the city is as follows : -
City debt .
· $1,250,000 00
Water debt
· 335,000 00
Total
· $1,585,000 00
Less sinking funds .
253,000 00
Net funded debt
. $1,332,000 00
To this liability must be added at least $26,000, excess of expend- itures over appropriations in the year past, making the net indebt- edness of the city at this time $1,358,000.
The net debt of this city one year ago, as given by the City Treasurer, was $1,408,000, made up as follows : -
Funded debt
. $1,387,000 00
Deficiency account .
21,000 00
Total .
· $1,408,000 00
6
This amount has been reduced during the past year by contri- butions to the sinking funds, and interest on the same, $55,000. The deficiency account one year ago was $21,000; at this time it is $26,000, showing a net reduction in the debt during the year past of $50,000.
The temporary loans amount to $210,000; and there is due the city on account of taxes, assessments, and from other sources, the same amount, less the deficiency of $26,000 already noted.
The assessors' valuation of the taxable property in the city in 1880 was $20,458,100, which I believe is generally considered a reasonable, if not a low valuation. It is a decrease of nearly eleven millions from the valuation of 1875, the highest point reached during the days of inflation. That the valuation of the assessors is generally considered fair and just is evidenced by the few appeals taken from their decision, and that in the cases appealed only slight abatements have been made in two or three instances during the past four years.
The total value of the public property of the city, including $341,000 for the water works, is $1,121,400. Last year the amount raised by taxation was $402,927.71. Unless the current expenses of the different departments can be reduced, this amount will have to be increased this year. By a statute of the State, cities and towns are required to provide for the deficit of previous years in the levy for the next ; and if the appropriations of last year for current expenses were not sufficient to cover the expenditures by $26,000, we must not only add that sum to the levy for this year, but also another like sum, to prevent a recurrence of the same deficiency, unless we can in some way reduce the current expenses by that amount.
No unusual expenditure is impending except the building of the school-house already begun upon Highland Avenue, unless you should think best to begin the construction of another one on the lot of land owned by the city upon Tufts Street, in Ward One.
SCHOOLS.
The schools of our city are now as heretofore under the charge of a most competent board, and rank among the best in the State.
7
The rapid increase in the number of scholars has made it difficult to provide suitable school-room accommodations in some sections of the city, but this difficulty is being remedied as fast as our finan- cial condition will allow.
The whole number of schools at the present time is eighty-two, classified as follows : One high school, forty six grammar, and thirty-five primary. There are in the high school two hundred and forty-five pupils ; in the grammar schools, two thousand and sev- enty two ; and in the primary schools, one thousand nine hundred and nineteen : making a total of four thousand two hundred and thirty-six pupils. Ninety-two teachers are employed, including one instructor in music.
The amount appropriated for schools in 1880 was $80,000. By the laws of the State, the responsibility for the care and manage- ment of our schools is placed in the hands of a separate board ; and though it will be our desire to make the best possible record in the matter of economy, we must remember that the School Board are accountable to their constituents for the conduct of the affairs of their department, and not to us more than to any other citizens. It is our duty to appropriate for the support of schools whatever sum the School Board may deem necessary.
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The value of our public library is yearly increasing, and its use- fulness and importance as an educator and never-failing source of moral and mental improvement, as well as healthful amusement for young and old, cannot be too highly estimated. Additional accommodations are required, both for the storing of books, and the accommodation of the public who desire to effect or con- sult works of reference. I would repeat the recommendation of my predecessor two years since, that an extension be made to the east en 1 of the City Hall building, one story in height, for the tempo- rary use of the library until such time as the city shall be in condi- tion to erect a new building suitable to its requirements. The opportunity, spoken of by my predecessor, for some public-spirited citizen to connect his name with a benefaction which shall keep
8
him in pleasant remembrance for years to come, still remains open. Our library has never been favored with any bequest or fund out- side of the regular city appropriation.
The whole number of books in the library is 8,189. During the past year 67,895 have been used, and only three have been lost. Valuable books of reference have been added, such as the History of Middlesex County, Genealogies and Estates of Charlestown, Memorial History of Boston, Encyclopædia Brittanica, etc.
HIGHWAYS.
Our public ways are in excellent condition throughout the city, with the single exception of Somerville Avenue, which is greatly in need of substantial repairs. During the past year, by an arrangement with the Fitchburg Railroad, the gravel land at Waltham has been opened, and gravel, pronounced by competent judges to be of excellent quality for our use, is being delivered by the railroad mentioned at reasonable rates.
In the opinion of the last city government, the care of watering the streets should be placed in the hands of the Committee on Highways, and the appropriation usually made for this purpose disbursed under their direction.
By a mutual arrangement between the city and the Lowell Rail- road, a new and handsome bridge has been constructed over the latter road at Medford Street, the city paying $5,000 towards its cost. Consultations have also been held with the authorities of the same road in regard to the construction of a safer and more con- venient bridge at its School Street crossing. It is with you to say whether efforts to secure its final accomplishment shall be con- tinued.
Economy requires that our streets receive constant attention. Slight defects should be remedied at once. We thereby not only save the heavy outlay required for the entire rebuilding of a street after it has been for a long time neglected, but guard against liabil- ity in case of accidents. This seems to have been the wise policy pursued by our predecessors ; for according to data furnished me by the City Solicitor, in only one instance during the past five years has a suit for damages for injuries received upon the high-
9
ways resulted in a verdict against the city. In three or four cases, small amounts have been paid in settlement of suits before trial. It is a record which speaks well for those who have been charged with the care of our sixty to sixty-five miles of streets.
SEWERS.
The demand for sewers during the past year has been such as to cause an expenditure in excess of the appropriation, and still leave many petitions for their construction to be referred to this City Council. The total length of new sewers built during 1880 was one and three fourths miles, and one sewer four hundred and ninety-nine feet in length was rebuilt. There are now a little over thirty miles of sewers laid in the city, and their construction must be continued, not only for the comfort and convenience of residents, but in many cases as a necessity for the health of our inhabitants. Wherever the water works are introduced, sewers must soon follow.
WATER.
The proposed modification of the contract for the supply of Mys- tic water to our city, which was accepted by the City Council of 1879, has not been ratified by the City Council of Boston, and the situation remains the same as last year, when it was so ably and carefully discussed in the inaugural address of my predecessor. Although the modification proposed would return some six thou- sand dollars annually, more than is now received, to the city treasury, there is evidently a difference of opinion as to its wis- dom ; for our sister city of Chelsea, situated exactly as we are, has thus far declined to accept it. By reason of this failure on the part of Chelsea, the subject has not been acted upon by the City Coun- cil of Boston. It might be well to place the further consideration of the matter in the hands of a special committee.
The works in our city are under the efficient management of the Somerville Mystic Water Board.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
This department is in good condition, and will require little out- lay beyond the usual running expenses during the coming year.
10
The apparatus consists of one steam fire engine, five hose carriages, and one hook-and-ladder truck, all of which are reported to be in good condition, - unless it be the engine, the machinery of which is said to be somewhat worn. The force of the department consists of the chief and assistant engineer, and sixty-nine men. The appro- priation for this department last year was $20,000, and the expend- itures about $800 in excess of that amount.
The fire-alarm telegraph is an important adjunct to the depart- ment. It consists of twenty-three miles of wire, twenty-six alarm boxes, battery, gongs, etc. It is cared for by the permanent men of the fire department without expense for labor, and the cost of supplies for its maintenance during the past year was $137.
POLICE.
The police force of our city is regarded as in good condition, and an efficient body for the purposes for which it is employed. The appropriation for its support last year was $22,500, and of this sum a balance of $200 remains unexpended.
POOR DEPARTMENT.
The duties of the Overseers of the Poor have been humanely and faithfully performed. $13,000 were appropriated for the support of this department last year. In addition to this sum, $2,417 were received from other towns and cities. The total expenditures amounted to $16,698. There is now due the department from other towns and cities $947, and about $350 worth of fuel and groceries are on hand.
SOLDIERS' RELIEF.
One thousand dollars was appropriated for this purpose last year, and of this sum nearly one half remains unexpended. Somer- ville has always maintained a reputation for jealous care over the welfare of her patriotic sons, a reputation which all desire to see sustained, and lifted still higher if possible.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
For the past three years the mortality rate in our city has been much lower than during the previous six years, a result which is
11
owing in a great degree to the intelligent and systematic labors of our Board of Health. The management of this department since it was placed under the control of a separate board, in 1878, has been such as to commend itself to all who have noted and understood the work accomplished. Wherever a case of diphtheria or scarlet fever occurs, the inspector of the board makes a careful examina- tion of the sanitary condition of the dwelling and surrounding premises. In many cases the direct cause of the disease is dis- covered. The board reports that in every house where diphtheria has occurred, whenever the suggestions and directions given have been carried out, no subsequent cases have been reported. This disease is one that may be almost if not entirely prevented by cleanliness and proper sanitary regulations. It can be traced in many cases to defective plumbing and imperfect drainage. The board have recently adopted rules and regulations which, if properly enforced, will do much to secure perfect drainage and ventilation in buildings hereafter constructed ; but in houses already occupied they have been slow to interfere, except where sickness has occurred. Our citizens should take advantage of the services of this board, and request the assistance of the inspector in any case where they have reason to believe their own or the health of others may be in danger. The cause of disease will often be discovered by one experienced in its detection, where others would not suspect its existence.
Along the western and northerly sections of our city an alarming nuisance has been created, by the emptying of sewage into Alewife Brook and the lower Mystic Lake. The city of Cambridge has entered three large sewers into Alewife Brook, draining a large area, some portions of which are thickly populated. The sewage has been deposited along the banks of the brook, and has accumu- lated to such an extent as to create a nuisance dangerous to the lives and health of residents in that vicinity. During the past summer, several cases of sickness are believed to have been caused by the offensive odors arising from the deposits of sewage along the banks of this brook. Our Board of Health have sent com- plaints relating to this matter to the city of Cambridge and State Board of Health. The latter body disclaims any authority to act
12
in the matter. Cambridge has during the past year considered the subject of constructing a sewer along the brook, taking up all the sewage now emptied therein and conducting it to Charles River. Some immediate remedy for the present condition of the brook should be devised, if possible, as even at this season of the year the noisome smell arising from the valley is a source of offence to travellers passing over Broadway to and from Arlington.
The emptying of sewage into the lower Mystic Lake has made that basin an immense cesspool, and the banks of Mystic River along the low marshes at the northern extremity of our city are reeking with filth. Though this source of danger is more threaten- ing to our neighbors of Medford and Arlington, being mostly within their territory, yet it is of such importance to our city as to demand our attention, and cause us to unite with those towns in any effort that may be made for its removal.
GENTLEMEN OF THE CITY COUNCIL : -
It cannot be expected that within the limits of a brief address, a full knowledge of the condition and wants of our city can be com- municated. The duties of your several positions will require that you give time and attention to the consideration of all questions affecting the prosperity of our municipality, and especially to those relating to the departments with which you may be immediately connected. Our first duty is economy. The money of the city should be expended with the same prudence and care exercised in the management of private affairs. While it is obligatory upon us to promote the material welfare of the city by providing for the support of schools, for the protection of life and property, for the comfort and convenience of good streets, sidewalks, street lights, pure water, and all necessary health-securing measures, it is our duty to accomplish all this with the least possible outlay of money. It falls to our lot to pay a debt instead of contracting one ; and the realization of the ease "with which obligations may be incurred, in comparison with the difficulty of liquidating them, especially in the case of cities and towns, is an experience by which we should profit. A public debt is not a public blessing ; and believing this, we are annually reducing ours. Our debt was incurred for improve-
13
ments of great value and importance to the prosperity of the city, and the comfort and convenience of its inhabitants ; and while we do not question the wisdom of the outlays, we realize to-day that a larger portion of the cost should have been met at the time the im- provements were made.
Our city possesses great advantages as a place of residence, and evidences of renewed prosperity and growth are seen on every hand. By a wise and judicious administration of its public affairs during the coming year, we may contribute to its continued ad- vancement. Let us endeavor to serve its interests with wisdom, fidelity, and zeal, appreciating fully the responsibility resting upon us, and remembering at all times that while occupying our present positions we are the servants of the people, intrusted by them with arduous and important labors.
TREASURER'S
NINTH ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
FINANCIAL CONDITION
OF THE
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
IN BOARD OF MAYOR AND ALDERMEN, Jan. 8, 1882.
Report received and referred to the Committee on Finance, and sent down for concurrence.
CHARLES E. GILMAN, Clerk.
Concurred in.
IN COMMON COUNCIL, Jan. 10, 1882. DOUGLAS FRAZAR, Clerk.
IN COMMITTEE ON FINANCE, Feb. 4, 1882. To the City Council of Somerville :
The Committee on Finance, to whom was referred the annual report of the Treasurer and Collector of Taxes for the year ending Dec. 31, 1881, respectfully report that they have carefully examined the same in connection with the books, warrants, and vouchers in the Treasurer's office, and compared his report and books with the books and accounts of the Auditor and the several committees, and have found them to be accurate in every particular. We desire to express our great satisfaction with the remarkably neat, careful, and faultless manner in which the accounts of our retiring Treasurer and Collector have been kept; and recommend that his report be accepted.
For the Committee,
MARK F. BURNS, Chairman.
IN BOARD OF MAYOR AND ALDERMEN, Feb. 8, 1882.
Report accepted, adopted, and sent down for concurrence.
CHARLES E. GILMAN, Clerk.
Concurred in.
IN COMMON COUNCIL, Feb. 8, 1882. DOUGLAS FRAZAR, Clerk.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
TREASURER'S OFFICE, Jan. 10, 1882.
To the Honorable the Mayor and the City Council of the City of Somerville :
GENTLEMEN, - The undersigned presents herewith his tenth an- nual report as treasurer of this city.
The value of the public property at the close of the year 1880, as appears by the report for that year, was $1,121,400; and the ac- cessions thereto in 1881, as valued by the Committee on Public Property, were : For Highland School House, land, and furniture, $33,000 ; and additional for Lincoln School House and for furniture, $600, - making the value of the public property Dec. 31, 1881, $1,155,000.
The funded debt of the city remains at $1,585,000, the loans maturing during the past year having been provided for by the issue and disposal of new bonds.
The assets of the city available for the payment of its unfunded liabilities are : Taxes, $166,020.68 ; real-estate liens, $2,007.30 ; sewer assessments, $7,470.26 ; sidewalk asessments, $1,534.58 ; water-service assessments, $836.83 ;. highway betterment assess- ments, $1,945.26 ; public-park betterment assessments, $786.91; State of Massachusetts, on State Aid and Indigent Soldiers and Sailors accounts, $5,659.50 ; and cash, $14,321.76, -a total of $200,583.08.
The unfunded liabilities are : Temporary loans, $190,000 ; sun- dry persons, $1,047.60 ; overplus on tax sales, $67 ; public park, $351.32 ; and Overlay and Abatement account, $49.62, - a total of $191,515.54. Excess of available assets over unfunded liabilities, $9,067.54.
The tax levy for 1881 was on a valuation of $22,569,100, at $19.50 on $1,000 valuation; and 6,424 polls at $2.00 each, - amounting to $452,945.45.
18
The appropriations for the year (provided for by tax levy) and the expenses were :
Appropriation.
Expended.
Fire Department .
$21,500 00
$21,887 08
Health Department
2,800 00
2,519 60
Highways
32,000 00
30,552 86
Indigent Soldiers and Sailors
1,000 00
1,008 00
Interest
74,000 00
Expended over and above $9,526.52, received
from the State as bank and corporation
taxes
62,981 23
Miscellaneous .
6,500 00
Expended over and above $525 00, received for liquor licenses
5,115 95
Police
22,500 00
Expended over and above $1,419.40, received from the Police Court as officers' fees
22,161 60
Police Station Incidentals
2,300 00
1,527 78
Public Library
1,200 00
Expended over and above $927.13, received from the county on dog licenses
1,231 66
Public Park Maintenance
1,200 00
1,540 91
Salaries .
16,400 00
16,759 35
School Contingent .
8,700 00
8,917 90
School Fuel
3,300 00
3,797 07
School-House (Lincoln) on Clarendon Hill .
3,000 00
3,897 52
School-House on Highland Avenue
18,000 00
Expended over and above $7,166.72, credit balance from account 1880 .
18,462 54
School-House repairs
7,000 00
6,042 79
School Teachers' Salaries
62,000 00
62,136 15
Sewers
8,000 00
9,105 52
Sidewalks
2,000 00
1,711 57
Sinking Fund Contributions
45,525 00
45,525 00
Soldiers' Relief
1,000 00
896 25
Street Lights .
7,500 00
7,537 33
Support of Poor
14,000 00
14,097 25
Watering Streets ·
4,000 00
Expended over and above $2,810.05, received
from abutters
3,372 45
Water Maintenance
18,500 00
Expended over and above $14,697.37, received from the city of Boston, return on water rates
13,465 53
19
Excess and Deficiency of 1880
$26,603 94
$26,603 94
State of Massachusetts, State Tax
23,160 00
23,160 00
County of Middlesex, County Tax
11,638 19
11,638 19
Overlay and Abatement .
7,618 32
applied, and to be applied, to abatements
on taxes
7,618 32
Totals
· $452,945 45
$435,271 34
Excess of appropriations over current ex- penses .
$17,674 11
Abatements were made the past year, in ac- cordance with a verdict of jury, on assess- ments laid to defray, in part, the cost of laying out Chauncy Avenue, amounting to $1,917 45 to which add sums charged off and paid in adjustments of disclaimers and surrenders of tax titles, found to be invalid by reason of error in assessments or sale, amount- ing to . 6,689 12
Making an aggregate of . 8,606 57
And leaving the net sum of $9,067 54 to the credit of Excess and Deficiency account at the close of the year, to be appropriated to such purposes as the present City Council may determine.
The financial condition of the city, aside from the public property, is : -
Funded Debt
$1,585,000 00 Excess of available assets over unfunded liabilities 9,067 54
Leaving net . .
$1,575,932 46
The amount of the Sinking Funds, as per report of the
Commissioners, is
312,263 59
And the net debt of the city, Dec. 31, 1881
$1,263,668 87
The gross cash receipts for the year, including the bal- ance from the year 1880, were $1,189,881 85
And the gross cash disbursements 1,175,560 09
Leaving in the treasury the sum of . $14,321 76
Respectfully submitted,
AARON SARGENT, Treasurer.
APPENDIX TO TREASURER'S REPORT.
Table A.
PUBLIC PROPERTY, DEC. 31, 1881.
Central Hill Land (12 acres, 27,920
feet),
$100,000 00
City Hall,
$10,000 00
Furniture,
3,000 00
13,000 00
Public Library,
8,500 00
Steam Fire Engine House,
$10,000 00
Furniture,
500 00
Steam Fire Engine and Appa- ratus,
4,000 00
Steam Fire Engine Hose Car-
riage and Apparatus,
2,000 00
16,500 00
High School House,
$40,000 00
Furniture,
3,500 00
Philosophical Apparatus,
500 00
44,000 00
Prescott School House Land (21,444
feet) and Building,
$40,000 00
Furniture,
2,000 00
42,000 00
Luther V. Bell School House Land
(23,396 feet) and Building,
$40,000 00
Furniture,
3,000 00
43,000 00
Amount carried forward,
$267,000 00
.
21
Amount brought forward, Forster School House Land (32,693 feet) and Building, Furniture,
$267,000 00
$40,000 00
1,500 00
41,500 00
Morse School House Land (29,109
feet) and Building,
$25,000 00
Furniture,
1,000 00
26,000 00
Highland School House Land (23,260
feet) and Building,
$32,000 00
Furniture,
1,000 00
33,000 00
Lincoln School House Land (17,662
feet) and Building,
$8,200 00
Furniture,
300 00
8,500 00
Prospect Hill School House Land (25,- 313 feet) and Building,
$20,000 00
Furniture,
600 00
20,600 00
Jackson School House Land (11,212
feet) and Building,
$8,000 00
Furniture,
300 00
8,300 00
Bennett School House Land (20,560
feet) and Building,
$8,000 00
Furniture,
300 00
8,300 00
Webster School House Land (11,050
feet) and Building,
$8,000 00
Furniture,
300 00
8,300 00
Union School House Land (9,360
feet) and Building, $2,500 00
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