USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1884 > Part 1
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N
AL
ILLE
OITY 1872.
SOMERT
STABLISH
FREED
FOU
DED 1842
STRANG
١
CITY OF SOMERVILLE
ANNUAL REPORTS.
1884.
GIVES
A
FREED
SOMERVILLE
I
FOUN
NAL
T
1872
MUNICIPA
DED 1842.
A CITY STRENGT
ED
STABLISH
BOSTON : FRANKLIN PRESS: RAND, AVERY, AND COMPANY. 1885.
CITY GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS FOR 1884.
MAYOR. JOHN A. CUMMINGS. Residence, 16 Wallace Street ; office, City Hall.
ALDERMEN. LEVI F. S. DAVIS, President.
WARD ONE.
LEVI F. S. DAVIS
NATHAN A. FITCH
.
Pearl Street.
Franklin Street.
WARD TWO.
SAMUEL G. A. TWYCROSS
FRANKLIN R. PERRY
Warren Avenue.
Pleasant Avenue.
WARD THREE.
ALBION A. PERRY
HIRAM D. SMITH
.
.
Broadway.
Cross Street.
WARD FOUR.
IRVING L. RUSSELL
DANIEL H. HAYWARD . .
.
.
.
Broadway.
Cherry Street.
CLERK OF BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
CHARLES E. GILMAN.
ANNUAL REPORTS.
COMMON COUNCIL. JOSIAH B. MAYHEW, President. WARD ONE.
MOSES G. STEELE
FRANK A. TITUS .
ELBRIDGE G. PARK
JOHN MANNING .
.
Rush Street. Flint Street.
Arlington Street. Medford Street.
WARD TWO.
DANA W. BENNETT
SAMUEL W. HOLT
PATRICK J. WHITE
.
CHARLES A. WOODBERRY .
Prospect Street. Washington Street. Bow Street. Berkeley Street.
WARD THREE.
JOSIAH B. MAYHEW
DANIEL C. STILSON
JOHN F. KENNARD
HARRISON ALDRICH
Earle Street. Tennyson Street. Howe Street. Gilman Street.
WARD FOUR.
ISRAEL C. EARLE
GEORGE R. EMERSON . ALBERT M. ROBINSON .
HERBERT C. HALL
.
CLERK OF COMMON COUNCIL.
DOUGLAS FRAZAR.
JOINT STANDING COMMITTEES FOR 1884.
ACCOUNTS. - Aldermen Twycross, Hayward ; Councilmen Park, Aldrich, Woodberry.
BURIAL-GROUNDS. - Aldermen Perry (ward two), Hayward ; Coun- cilmen Steele, Stilson, Hall.
CITY-ENGINEERING. - Aldermen Russell, Fitch ; Councilmen Steele, Bennett, Kennard.
Irving Street. Broadway.
Belmont Street.
Summer Street.
5
CITY GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS FOR 1884.
CLAIMS. - His Honor the Mayor, ex officio ; Alderman Fitch ; the President of the Council, ex officio ; Councilmen Hall, White.
FINANCE. - His Honor the Mayor, ex officio; Aldermen Smith, Twycross ; the President of the Council, ex officio ; Councilmen Park, Bennett, Robinson, Titus.
FIRE-DEPARTMENT. - Aldermen Davis, Perry (ward two) ; Coun- cilmen Robinson, Kennard, Holt.
FUEL AND STREET-LIGHTS. - Aldermen Russell, Fitch ; Councilmen Holt, Aldrich, Hall.
HIGHWAYS. - Aldermen Smith, Russell ; Councilmen Steele, Holt, Manning.
LEGISLATIVE MATTERS. - His Honor the Mayor, ex officio ; Alder- man Perry (ward three) ; the President of the Council, ex officio ; Councilmen Titus, Bennett.
ORDINANCES. - Aldermen Perry (ward three), Davis ; Councilmen Bennett, Emerson, Park.
PRINTING. - Aldermen Davis, Russell ; Councilmen Aldrich, Wood- berry, Earle.
PUBLIC PROPERTY. - Aldermen Perry (ward three), Perry (ward two) ; Councilmen Titus, Stilson, Emerson.
SOLDIERS' RELIEF. - Aldermen Twycross, Hayward ; Councilmen Stilson, Manning, Earle.
WATER. - Aldermen Hayward, Davis ; the President of the Coun- cil ; Councilmen White, Hall.
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
(STANDING COMMITTEES.)
ELECTIONS. - Aldermen Perry (ward two), Perry (ward three).
ENROLLED ORDINANCES. - Aldermen Hayward, Fitch.
LICENSES. - Aldermen Hayward, Perry (ward two).
POLICE. - His Honor the Mayor, ex officio; Aldermen Fitch, Smith. SEWERS. - Aldermen Perry (ward three), Fitch, Twycross.
STATE AID. - Aldermen Russell, Davis, Smith, Twycross.
(SPECIAL COMMITTEE.)
BUILDING PERMITS. - Aldermen Smith, Davis.
6
ANNUAL REPORTS.
STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL.
ELECTIONS AND RETURNS. - Councilmen Manning, Earle, Emerson. ENROLLED ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS. - Councilmen Titus, Woodberry, White.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
JOHN A. CUMMINGS, Mayor, Chairman, ex officio. JOSIAH B. MAYHEW, President of the Common Council, ex officio. (Term, three years.)
WARD ONE.
JOHN H. BUTLER (elected 1881) . .
Pearl Street.
HENRY M. MOORE (elected 1882)
Myrtle Street.
HORACE C. WHITE, M.D. (elected 1883)
Pinckney Street.
WARD TWO.
OREN S. KNAPP (elected 1881)
Rev. GEORGE W. DURELL (elected 1882)
Mrs. CORNELIA B. SKINNER (elected 1883)
High Street.
WARD THREE.
HENRY F. WOODS (elected 1881) .
NORMAN W. BINGHAM (elected 1882)
Q. E. DICKERMAN (elected 1883) .
Sycamore Street.
School Street.
Central Street.
WARD FOUR.
MARTIN W. CARR (elected 1883 for unexpired term) .
Craigie Street.
Professor BENJAMIN G. BROWN (elected 1882) Professors' Row.
H. P. MAKECHNIE, M.D. (elected 1883) · Elm Street.
Superintendent and Secretary, J. H. DAVIS, Myrtle Street.
PRINCIPAL ASSESSORS.
(Term, three years.)
STILLMAN H. LIBBY (elected 1883), Chairman, Elm Street.
GEORGE W. HADLEY (elected 1882)
Perkins Street.
BENJAMIN F. THOMPSON (elected 1884) · Summit Avenue.
School Street.
Summer Street.
7
CITY GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS FOR 1884.
ASSISTANT ASSESSORS.
(Term, one year.)
JOHN C. TENNEY, Ward One
ADONIRAM J. TAYLOR, Ward Two .
REUBEN A. MELVIN, Ward Three .
SAMUEL T. RICHARDS, Ward Four .
Mystic Avenue.
Aldersey Street.
Bonair Street.
Summer Street.
BOARD OF HEALTH.
(Term, physician three years, other members two years.)
GEORGE A. KIMBALL (appointed 1883), Chairman,
Office, City Hall.
GEORGE C. SKILTON (appointed 1884) .
Walnut Street.
THOMAS M. DURELL, M.D. (appointed 1882) Bow Street. Clerk, GEORGE I. VINCENT. Office, City Hall. Inspector, WILLIAM H. BRINE, 40 Houghton Street.
COMMISSIONERS OF THE SINKING-FUNDS.
(Term, three years.)
NATHAN TUFTS (elected 1883) Summer Street.
HENRY F. WOODS (elected 1882) · Sycamore Street.
EZRA D. CONANT (elected 1884) .
Pearl Street.
Treasurer, AARON SARGENT, Broadway.
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
JOHN A. CUMMINGS, Mayor, Chairman, ex officio. JOSIAH B. MAYHEW, President Common Council. (Term, three years.)
1 ANSEL LEWIS (elected 1883) Webster Street.
THOMAS CUNNINGHAM (elected 1884) Oak Street.
JESSE J. UNDERHILL (elected 1883 for unex- pired term) . Gilman Street.
1 Deceased Feb. 18, 1884, and GEORGE W. WASHBURN elected to fill vacancy.
8
ANNUAL REPORTS.
MYSTIC WATER BOARD. (Term, one year.)
J. ORLIN HAYDEN, President . Hill Building, Union Square.
AARON R. COOLIDGE
Columbus Avenue.
JAMES E. WHITAKER
Sycamore Street.
WALTER S. BARNES
Highland Avenue.
JOHN F. NICKERSON
Flint Street.
Superintendent of Water-Works, NATHANIEL DENNETT,
Office, Prospect Street, corner Somerville Avenue.
TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
(Term, three years.)
Rev. H. H. BARBER (elected 1883), President,
Chestnut Court.
WILLIAM E. WELD (elected 1884)
Harvard Street.
WILLIAM VEAZIE (elected 1884)
Walnut Street.
WILLIAM H. BRINE (elected 1883) Highland Avenue.
MARK F. BURNS (elected 1884) .
Perkins Street.
CHARLES S. LINCOLN (elected 1882)
Laurel Street.
THOMAS J. BUFFUM (elected 1882)
Florence Street.
J. HENRY FI.ITNER (elected 1883) Day Street.
Summer Street.
CHRISTOPHER E. RYMES (elected 1882) Librarian, HARRIET A. ADAMS. Assistant Librarian, LIZZIE A. STEVENS.
CITY CLERK AND CLERK OF BOARD OF ALDERMEN. CHARLES E. GILMAN. Office, City Hall.
CITY TREASURER AND COLLECTOR OF TAXES. JOHN F. COLE. Office, City Hall.
CITY MESSENGER. JAIRUS MANN. Office, City Hall.
9
CITY GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS FOR 1884.
CITY SOLICITOR. SAMUEL C. DARLING. Office, 18 Rogers Building, Boston.
CITY AUDITOR. DOUGLAS FRAZAR. Office, City Hall.
CITY ENGINEER. GEORGE A. KIMBALL. Office, City Hall.
SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS. FRANK G. WILLIAMS, Albion Street. Office, City Hall.
CHIEF OF POLICE.
MELVILLE C. PARKHURST, Police Station, Bow Street.
CHIEF ENGINEER OF FIRE-DEPARTMENT. JAMES R. HOPKINS. Office, Engine House, Highland Avenue.
INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS. DAVID A. SANBORN, Prospect Street.
CITY PHYSICIAN. THOMAS M. DURELL, M.D., 14 Bow Street.
CLERK OF ASSESSORS AND COMMITTEES.
GEORGE I. VINCENT. Office, City Hall.
10
ANNUAL REPORTS.
ASSISTANT CLERK OF ASSESSORS AND COMMITTEES.
WILLIAM P. MITCHELL. Office, City Hall.
CONSTABLES.
JAIRUS MANN.
ROBERT R. PERRY.
HORACE B. RUNEY.
CHARLES C. FOLSOM.
JOHN S. MCADOO.
WM. H. BRINE (Houghton St.).
WILLIAM D. HAYDEN.
SAMUEL R. Dow.
JOSEPH J. GILES.
GEORGE CULLIS.
FIELD-DRIVERS.
CHARLES C. FOLSOM.
JOHN E. FULLER.
JUDSON W. OLIVER.
GEORGE H. CARLETON.
FRED. W. SLADE. DENNIS KELLY.
GEORGE L. SMITH.
CHARLES A. SMALL.
FENCE-VIEWERS.
DAVID: A. SANBORN. WARREN POLLARD. CHARLES D. ELLIOT.
POUND-KEEPER. CHARLES A. SMALL.
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. NOAH HARDING, Sycamore Street.
SURVEYOR OF WOOD, BARK, AND LUMBER. SAMUEL T. LITTLEFIELD.
11
CITY GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS FOR 1884.
SURVEYOR OF STONE-WORK. JAMES R. HOPKINS.
SURVEYOR OF STONE, BRICK, AND PLASTER WORK. ALFRED M. SIBLEY.
SURVEYOR OF MECHANICS' WORK. CHARLES D. ELLIOT. 1
PUBLIC WEIGHERS.
W. DANFORTH. PATRICK O'BRIEN.
UNDERTAKERS.
HORACE B. RUNEY.
A. L. SANBORN. PATRICK RAFFERTY.
WILLIAM A. FLAHERTY. P. H. RAFFERTY. H. D. RUNEY.
E. H. MARSH. THOMAS J. BARKER.
POLICE-DEPARTMENT.
M. C. PARKHURST, Chief.
R. R. PERRY, Captain. S. R. Dow, Sergeant.
C. C. FOLSOM, Sergeant.
C. C. CAVANAGH. P. W. SKINNER.
S. C. ROLLINS.
S. A. BROWN.
JOHN E. FULLER.
JOHN HAFFORD.
F. W. SLADE.
IVAN LAIGHTON.
A. L. STAPLES.
M. H. KINSLEY.
ALBERT FISK.
I. S. CAMPBELL. EDWARD MCGARR.
J. W. OLIVER.
GEORGE W. BEAN.
G. A. BODGE.
GEORGE L. SMITH.
DENNIS KELLY.
EDWARD M. CARTER. GEORGE H. CARLETON.
M. C. PARKHURST, Lock-up Keeper.
12
ANNUAL REPORTS.
MEETINGS.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN. Second and fourth Wednesday evenings of each month.
COMMON COUNCIL. Thursday evenings following the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Last Monday evening of each month.
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
OF
HON. JOHN A. CUMMINGS.
DELIVERED JAN. 7, 1884.
GENTLEMEN OF THE CITY COUNCIL, - Through the partiality of our fellow-citizens we have been selected to manage the business affairs, and care for the present and future interests of Somerville, during the municipal year now commencing. Let us enter upon our duties with a firm determination to be honest, industrious, and energetic in their discharge, that we may look back upon the work of the year, at its close, with satisfaction to ourselves, and that we may receive the approval of our constituents as a reward for our labors.
To render you some slight assistance in your work, it will be my endeavor, at this time, to give you a concise statement of our city's financial affairs, the condition and needs of the various departments, so far as the same are known to me, and offer for your consideration a very few brief suggestions.
FINANCES.
Though the accounts for the fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 1883, are not yet entirely closed, the following statements, furnished me by the city treasurer, may be relied upon as almost exactly correct : -
The net debt of the city, Jan. 1, 1883, was $1,175,265.85. Jan. 1, 1884, the debt is as follows : -
Total funded debt .
$1,585,000 00
Less amount of sinking-fund (estimated)
438,000 00
Funded debt, less sinking-fund
$1,147,000 00
16
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Less excess of assets over liabilities, 1882 $36,079 97 Less-excess of assets over liabilities, 1883 (estimated) 8,000 00
$44.079 97
Net debt of the city, Jan. 1, 1884 .
$1,102,920 03
Our net indebtedness has been reduced, during 1883, as follows : -
Sinking-fund, contribution and accumulation $64,345 82
Surplus saved from appropriations of 1883 (estimated) 8,000 00
Total reduction . $72,345 82
One year ago the unfunded liabilities of the city were $160,000 : at this time they are $135,000. The uncollected taxes, assessments, and accounts due the treasury exceed the unfunded liabilities by about $44,000.
The value of the public property belonging to the city, including $341,000 for water-works, is about $1,172,000, unless we count the new steam fire-engine and other apparatus purchased during the past year at a cost of about $4,000, as an addition to the amount. $15,000 has been expended during 1883 in the maintenance and extension of our water-works ; but this sum has, probably, very little more than made good the annual depreciation in that department.
The assessors' valuation of the taxable property in the city on the 1st of May, 1883, was $23,812,900, an increase of $650,700 from the previous year ; the gain being almost entirely upon new property added to the lists through the rapid building going on in our limits.
The amount raised by taxation last year was $411,645.43, and the rate $16.70 upon each $1,000. As a matter of general interest, and for convenient reference, the annual valuations, tax levies, and rates, since we became a city in 1872, have been collated, and are here presented : -
YEAR.
Valuation.
Tax Levy.
Rate per $1,000.
1872
$22,755,325
$294,374 45
$13 00
1873
29,643,100
389,214 48
12 80
1874
30,837,700
473,235 50
15 00
1875
31,317,000
518,161 40
16 20
1876
26,573,400
504,475 24
18 60
1877
25,479,400
471,789 14
18 10
1878
20,976,900
409,497 10
19 00
1879
18,950,100
352,553 80
18 00
1880
20,458,100
402,927 71
19 10
1881
22,569,100
452,945 45
19 50
1882
23,162,200
425,721 16
17 80
1883
23,812,900
411,645 43
16 70
17
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
A careful study of this table shows that, when the valuation is con- sidered, the actual rate of taxation was less last year than it has been in any other year since we became a city, with the single exception of 1872. The general prosperity with which the country has been blessed during the past few years, has contributed to the rapid growth of our city in wealth and population ; and this, with a conservative and judicious administration of our affairs, has led to great improve- ment in our financial standing.
The increase and decrease in our net indebtedness, since we were incorporated as a city, Jan. 1, 1872, are shown by the following table. From its study we may learn how much easier it is for a municipality to accumulate a debt than it is to discharge it.
EXCESS AND DEFICIENCY.
Sinking- Funds.
Net City Debt.
1872 . 1873 .
.
.
643,354
.
1.513
. . .
641,841
1874
849,354
$11,969
. . .
. . .
861.323
1875
.
1,419,854
84,115
.. .
. . .
1,503.969
1876 .
1,571,854
11,276
1,583,130
1877
1,606,854
. . .
13,040
$45,130
1,548,684
1878
1,606.854
. . .
8,407
93.959
1,504,488
1879
1,596.854
·
19,74S
144,963
1,432,143
1880
1,585,000
21,197
. . .
198,025
1,40S.172
1881
1,585,000
26,603
.
253,764
1,357,839
1882
1,585.000
. . .
9,067
312,263
1,263,670
1883
1,585,000
. . .
36,79
373,654
1,175.267
1884
1,585,000
. .
44.079
438,000
1,102,921
YEAR.
Funded Debt.
Jan. 1.
Dr.
Cr.
$593,349
. . .
$12,988
. .
S580,361
.
The difference between the statement of the net debt, Jan. 1, 1879, in the foregoing, and the figures which appeared in my address of last year, is caused by omitting from the available assets betterment assessments and other accounts, which subsequently proved to be of little or no value. Slight differences in some other years are corrected in the same way.
For the last eight years, it will be seen, our progress towards the final liquidation of the debt has been steady, though slow. During that time, we have reduced it at the average rate of $58,800 annually.
At this rate, it would require eleven years to pay off the debt incurred in the single year of 1874. During the last three years, the average annual reduction has been $85,000. At this rate, it will require thirteen years to wipe out our entire indebtedness. If pros-
18
ANNUAL REPORTS.
perous times continue, and our city increases in population and tax- able property as it has for the last five years, there is no reason why this may not be done, and, at the same time, the rate of taxation be considerably reduced. We have no extraordinary expenses to meet. Our streets, sewers, sidewalks, fire-department, police-department, and other minor interests, are in good condition, and can be kept so with- out any serious increase in the annual appropriations. Our school- department is the only one in which a material increase in the annual expenditures must be made, and this ought to be kept strictly to the purpose of providing instruction and suitable accommodations for the annual increase in pupils, consequent upon the growth of the city.
During the past year bonds to the amount of $64,000, bearing in- terest at the rate of six and one-half per cent, have been renewed at five per cent, and placed in the sinking-fund at par. Our sinking- fund is all invested in the bonds of our own city, bearing interest at this rate. Bonds amounting to $473,500, most of them bearing in- terest at the rate of six and one-half per cent, mature this year. It would be wise to renew such as are not to be placed in the sinking- fund, at four per cent interest, instead of five as has heretofore been the practice, if it can be done, and the bonds sold at par.
Taken as a whole, our present financial condition reflects great credit upon the men, who, under difficult and trying circumstances, have served in our city council during the past eight years. Our fellow-citizens expect us to emulate their example in the discharge of the duties and responsibilities we have this day assumed.
INCREASE IN POPULATION AND POLLS.
The rapid increase in population and polls in Somerville, since 1865, is worthy of note. For reference, a condensed statement of our growth is here presented : -
In 1865, population · 9,353 No. polls . 1,957 .
" 1870, 66
·
·
14,685
66
3,406
" 1875,
· 21,868 ·
66
5,413
" 1880, 66
. 24,993 66 66
. 6,089
The number of polls assessed in 1883 was 6,985, indicating that our present population must be fully 30,000. It is not improbable that in fifteen years from this time we shall number 50,000 souls.
19
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
In 1883 one hundred and twenty-nine new dwelling-houses were erected in the city.
SCHOOLS.
The whole number of schools in our city is ninety-three, classified as follows : -
High school 1
Grammar schools
50
Primary schools .
42
Increase in the past year
4
The estimated value of our school property is $358,500. We have nineteen school-buildings, containing ninety-six schoolrooms. There are three vacant rooms, and one hired for school use.
One hundred and six teachers are employed, not including an instructor in music, divided as follows : In the high school, eight ; in the grammar schools, fifty-five ; in the primary schools, forty-two.
The number of persons in the city May 1, 1883, between five and fifteen years of age, was 5,478 ; increase from May 1, 1882, 376. The number of pupils in attendance in January, 1883, was 4,518. The number in attendance in December was 4,767, divided as fol- lows : In the high school, 275 ; in the grammar schools, 2,286; in the primary schools, 2,206. The whole number of pupils registered during the last year was 5,726 ; the average attendance for the year was 4,191. At the present time six per cent of our pupils are in the high school, forty-eight per cent in the grammar schools, and forty- six per cent in the primary schools.
The total appropriations for the support of schools last year amounted to $89,000, divided as follows : For school-teachers' sala- ries, $68,000 ; for school contingent, $9,000; schoolhouse inciden- tals, $7,000 ; fuel, $5,000. These appropriations were exceeded by $5,266, not including the cost of alterations in the high-school building, which have been made near the close of the year, in order to furnish two schoolrooms in the upper story.
The average annual cost of instruction per scholar varies in the different divisions, from $11.25 in the Prospect-hill district to $16.43 in the Spring-hill district ; the difference being caused mainly by the number of pupils assigned to a teacher. In the Prospect-hill dis- trict each teacher has, on an average, fifty-two scholars ; while there are but thirty-nine to each teacher employed in the Spring-hill dis-
20
ANNUAL REPORTS.
trict. The average annual cost for instruction is about $13.50 for each pupil in the primary and grammar schools of the city.
It will be necessary to provide a new schoolhouse, as a substitute for the one now in use on Cedar Street, during the present year. The building now occupied is too small to accommodate the number of scholars, and otherwise unfit for use. It would be good policy to build more two and four room schoolhouses, located at convenient points in the city, for the accommodation of primary scholars, and thus make room in our large school-buildings for the increasing num- ber of grammar scholars, rather than to construct large buildings, requiring a heavy outlay at the beginning, and a large annual expense for their maintenance thereafter.
Our schools are generally in excellent condition, under the charge of teachers who are as a rule capable and efficient, a superintendent who is active and faithful, and a school board which earnestly en- deavors to advance their standard, and place them among the best in the country.
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Our public library now contains 10,462 books, 783 volumes having been added during the past year. It has been open 306 days, and 70,531 books have been delivered. The largest number taken out in any one day was 690, and in any one month 8,157. Too much can- not be said in behalf of this institution. It is the one valuable source of instruction and amusement, open alike to old and young, rich and poor, in our city. The benefits derived from it are beyond estimate.
It is greatly in need of additional accommodations, and this want is earnestly commended to your consideration.
HIGHWAYS.
Our streets have been faithfully cared for in the past year, and, with few exceptions, are in excellent condition. Newbury Street, Jaques Street, Herbert Street, and Cottage Avenue have been graded and macadamized. Austin Street has been graded, edge-stones set, gutters paved, brick sidewalks laid, and the road-bed prepared for macadam- izing. Mystic Avenue, from the Park to Austin Street, has been filled to its full width on the southerly side ; the road-bed raised, ballasted, and macadamized in a thorough manner ; and a gravel sidewalk con-
21
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
structed on the southerly side. No further work will be necessary on this portion of the street, except ordinary repairs, until the land on the northerly side is filled to grade. Evergreen Avenue, from School Street to Thurston Street, is the only highway accepted during the year past. No work has yet been done upon it by the city.
Edge-stones have been set, and gutters paved, in Aldersey Street, Concord Avenue, Davis Square, Glen Street, and Herbert Street, and brick sidewalks laid in the latter.
The improvement on Central Hill has been carried on, by grading a considerable portion of the ground, in accordance with the plan of the city engineer. I sincerely wish that, as this work goes on, some method might be devised which should mark the outlines, at least, of the Revolutionary earthworks still visible on this hill. If we value our liberties, such a monument to the men who secured them by their self-sacrificing devotion should not be allowed to vanish from our midst. The march of improvement has destroyed nearly all other evidence of the presence upon our territory of the heroic Provincial army. Let us save this, if we can, as a lesson in patriotism for future generations.
One measure inaugurated last year for the beautifying of our city, and carried out by the street-department, will, I hope, be continued indefinitely. By an order adopted early last year, the superintendent of streets, under direction of the highway committee, was authorized to set out trees furnished by citizens, in the public streets and places, the cost of the labor to be paid by the city. Under this order 133 trees have been set, at an expense of $87.50. No money was ever more wisely expended than this small sum, and the policy should be continued. We also need to use every effort possible to protect the trees already growing in our streets from injury and destruction. The statutes of the State, and ordinances of the city, are ample for this purpose, if our citizens will but take the pains to bring to the notice of our officials depredations of this character.
The committee of last year again recommend the purchase of a steam road-roller and picker by the city. Their recommendation is commended to your attention.
The total appropriation for the street-department in 1883 was $38- 000, which included $3,000 for sidewalks, and $3,000 for watering. In addition to this, the Central-hill improvement and the Public-park maintenance were severally under the charge of the highway com- mittee, with an appropriation of $1,500 for each. From these several
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ANNUAL REPORTS.
appropriations a balance of about $1,500 was saved by the committee, and the work of the department carried on in a most satisfactory manner.
FUEL AND STREET-LIGHTS.
The appropriation for school-fuel last year was $5,000; total ex- penditure, $4,889.57 ; balance unexpended, $110.43.
For street-lights the appropriation was $7,500 ; total expenditures, $6,863.41.
Included in the expenditures are the items of $212.61 for new street-lamps ; for new attachments for oil-lamps, $199.50; and for changing oil-lamps to gas-lamps, $40.30. Nine new lamps were added during the year, making the total number in the city Dec. 31 last, 408, -350 gas-lights, and 58 naphtha-lamps. On the 1st of April last the committee in charge of this department secured a re- duction in the price of gas, from $2.25 per thousand feet to $2.15. This action made a saving in expense ; so that, notwithstanding the number of lights was increased by 15 in 1882 and six in 1883, the actual expense for gas last year was less than the year previous. Another economical measure on the part of the committee was the termination of the contract with the Globe Gas-light Company, to whom the city was paying $1.75 per month per light for the use of attachments and care of 55 lamps, and naphtha burned. In February last these attachments were removed, and the lamps supplied with the Eclipse attachment, at a cost of $3.50 each. Thereafter, these lamps were lighted and cared for by the city, at less than one-half the ex- pense previously incurred. By this action the entire cost of changing the lamps, and over $300 besides, was saved, and a saving to the treasury hereafter of at least $700 per year effected. The committee also contracted for the lighting and care of lamps at the rate of forty cents per light per month, - a much lower price than that heretofore paid. These matters may seem to you unimportant, on account of the small amounts involved ; but the same care, calculation, and good judgment applied to all the departments would bring the man- agement of the city's business to such a standard that it would take rank with the best-ordered private business.
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