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AL
1872.
ERVILLE
STRENGTH
GIVES
A CITY
OM
STABLISHE
FOUN
D 18 42
COINAW
CITY OF SOMERVILLE
ANNUAL REPORTS.
1886.
GIVES
N
DO
SOMERVILLE
AL
FOUNDED 1842
TVN
1872.
MUNICIP
CITY
N
STRENGT
M
ESTABLISHED
SOMERVILLE, MASS. : SOMERVILLE JOURNAL PRINT. 1887.
FREEI
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
CITY GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS FOR 1886.
MAYOR. MARK F. BURNS. Residence, 95 Perkins Street ; office, City Hall.
ALDERMEN. IRVING L. RUSSELL, President.
WARD ONE.
MOSES G. STEELE
ELBRIDGE G. PARK
. Arlington Street.
WARD TWO.
SAMUEL W. HOLT
· Washington Street.
DANA W. DENNETT
.
.
. Washington Street.
WARD THREE.
DANIEL C. STILLSON
.
. Tennyson Street.
HARRISON ALDRICH
·
.
. Gilman Street.
WARD FOUR.
IRVING L. RUSSELL
. Broadway.
ALBERT M. ROBINSON
. Belmont Street.
CLERK OF BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
CHARLES E. GILMAN.
. Rush Street.
4
ANNUAL REPORTS.
COMMON COUNCIL. WALTER C. MENTZER, President.
WARD ONE.
JOHN MANNING . NATHAN H. REED
FRANK G. LOMBARD
GEORGE D. WEMYSS .
.
Medford Street.
Florence Street. ·
. Mt. Vernon Street.
. Austin Street.
WARD TWO.
Laurel Street. .
High Street.
Springfield Street.
Somerville Avenue.
WARD THREE.
JOHN F. KENNARD
EDWARD O'BRIEN
ROBERT DUDDY . O
.
ELISHA B. SEARS
.
0
· Medford Street.
WARD FOUR.
BERNARD W. LAWRENCE
WALTER C. MENTZER .
LOUIS E. MERRY
EDWARD H. BRADSHAW
0
. Holland Street.
. Cedar Street.
. Dover Street.
. Cambria Street.
CLERK OF COMMON COUNCIL
DOUGLAS FRAZAR.
JOINT STANDING COMMITTEES FOR 1886.
ACCOUNTS. - Aldermen Aldrich, Robinson ; Councilmen Brad- shaw, Lombard, North.
BURIAL-GROUNDS. - Aldermen Park, Aldrich ; Councilmen Ken- nard, Reed, Lincoln.
CITY ENGINEERING. - Aldermen Russell, Stillson ; Councilmen Manning, Duddy, Merry.
CHARLES P. LINCOLN .
CHARLES L. NORTH .
ABRAHAM A. ELSTON .
.
TIMOTHY C. DWYER
o
.
.
.
.
Howe Street.
. Lowell Street.
. Bond Street.
0
.
.
5
CITY GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS FOR 1886.
CLAIMS. - His Honor the Mayor, ex officio; Alderman Holt ; the President of the Common Council, ex officio; Councilmen Dwyer, Wemyss.
FINANCE. - His Honor the Mayor, ex officio; Aldermen Park, Bennett ; the President of the Common Council, ex officio; Coun- cilmen Kennard, Lombard, Bradshaw, North.
FIRE DEPARTMENT. - Aldermen Robinson, Holt ; Councilmen Kennard, Lawrence, Wemyss.
FUEL AND STREET LIGHTS. - Aldermen Steele, Aldrich ; Coun- cilmen Reed, Sears, Dwyer.
HIGHWAYS. - Aldermen Russell, Holt; Councilmen Manning, O'Brien, Merry.
LEGISLATIVE MATTERS. - His Honor the Mayor, ex officio; Alderman Robinson ; the President of the Common Council, ex officio; Councilmen Sears, Lincoln.
ORDINANCES. - Aldermen Bennett, Stillson ; Councilmen Sears, Elston, Wemyss.
PRINTING. - Aldermen Robinson, Stillson ; Councilmen Law- rence, Lincoln, Duddy.
PUBLIC PROPERTY. - Aldermen Stillson, Park ; Councilmen Lawrence, Elston, Duddy.
SOLDIERS' RELIEF. - Aldermen Holt, Russell ; Councilmen Manning, Dwyer, Merry.
WATER. - Aldermen Steele, Robinson; the President of the Common Council ; Councilmen Reed, O'Brien.
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
(STANDING COMMITTEES.)
ELECTIONS. - Aldermen Bennett, Steele.
ENROLLED ORDINANCES. - Aldermen Aldrich, Park.
LICENSES. - Aldermen Aldrich, Holt.
POLICE. - His Honor the Mayor, ex officio; Aldermen Aldrich, Robinson.
SEWERS. - Aldermen Stillson, Bennett, Russell.
STATE AID. - Aldermen Bennett, Russell, Steele, Stillson.
(SPECIAL COMMITTEE.)
BUILDING PERMITS. - Aldermen Russell, Robinson.
6
ANNUAL REPORTS.
STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL.
ELECTIONS AND RETURNS. - Councilmen Bradshaw, North, Lom- bard.
ENROLLED ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS. - Councilmen Law- rence, O'Brien, Elston.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
MARK F. BURNS, Mayor, Chairman, ex officio.
WALTER C. MENTZER, President of the Common Council, ex officio. (Term three years.)
WARD ONE.
JOHN H. BUTLER (elected 1884)
S. NEWTON CUTLER (elected 1885)
HORACE C. WHITE, M. D. (elected 1883)
. Pearl Street.
. Pearl Street.
.
Arlington Street.
WARD TWO.
A. H. CARVILL, M. D. (elected 1885) Bow Street.
JAMES F. BEARD (elected in convention in 1886 for unexpired term)
CHARLES I. SHEPARD (elected 1884)
. High Street.
WARD THREE.
NORMAN W. BINGHAM (elected 1885)
Q. E. DICKERMAN (elected 1883) .
WILLIAM P. HILL (elected 1884) .
. School Street.
. Central Street.
Sycamore Street.
WARD FOUR.
MARTIN W. CARR (elected 1884) .
Craigie Street.
Professors' Row.
H. P. MAKECHNIE, M.D. (elected 1883) . Elm Street.
Superintendent and Secretary, J. H. DAVIS, Myrtle Street.
ASSESSORS. (Term, three years.)
STILLMAN H. LIBBY (elected 1886), Chairman, Elm Street.
GEORGE W. HADLEY (elected 1885) . Perkins Street.
BENJAMIN F. THOMPSON (elected 1884)
. Summit Avenue.
Professor BENJAMIN G. BROWN (elected 1885)
Prospect Hill Av.
CITY GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS FOR 1886.
ASSISTANT ASSESSORS.
(Term, one year.)
GEORGE W. BARTLETT, Ward One
Mt. Vernon Street.
WILLIAM A. FLAHERTY, Ward Two
. Washington Street.
HIRAM D. SMITH, Ward Three .
Cross Street.
SAMUEL T. RICHARDS, Ward Four
.
Summer Street.
BOARD OF HEALTH. (Term, Physician, three years; other members, two years.)
GEORGE A. KIMBALL (appointed 1885), Chairman. Office, City Hall.
GEORGE C. SKILTON (appointed 1886) Walnut Street.
THOMAS M. DURELL, M. D. (appointed 1885), 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 1886) . Summer Street.
HENRY F. WOODS (elected 1885) . Sycamore Street.
EZRA D. CONANT (electe l 1884) · · Pearl Street.
Treasurer, AARON SARGENT, Broadway.
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR. MARK F. BURNS, Mayor, Chairman ex officio.
HERBERT E. HILL, elected 1886 for 4 years . Mt. Vernon Street. CHARLES S. LINCOLN, elected 1885 for 2 years . Laurel Street.
EDWARD GLINES, elected 1885 for 3 years . Highland Avenue. CHARLES G. BRETT, elected 1885 for 4 years Hall Street. Agent, CHARLES C. FOLSOM ; Office, Police Building, Bow Street. Secretary, GEORGE T. LINCOLN ; Office, Police Building, Bow Street.
8
ANNUAL REPORTS.
REGISTRARS OF VOTERS.
CHARLES E. GILMAN, City Clerk. SAMUEL G. A. TWYCROSS (appointed 1886 for 3 years). JOHN R. CONANT (appointed 1884 for 3 years). CROMWELL G. ROWELL (appointed 1886 for unexpired term) .
SOMERVILLE MYSTIC WATER BOARD.
(Term, one year.)
J. ORLIN HAYDEN, President
Hill Building, Union Square.
WALTER S. BARNES
.
Highland Avenue.
CHARLES H. BROWN
.
.
Sycamore Street.
JOHN M. WOODS > School Street.
MILO CRANE
Rush Street.
Superintendent of Water Works, NATHANIEL DENNETT.
Office, Prospect Street, cor. Somerville Avenue.
TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY. (Term, three years.)
CHARLES S. LINCOLN (elected 1885), President, Laurel Street.
CHARLES G. POPE (elected 1885) . J. HENRY FLITNER (elected 1886), Secretary, GEORGE A. BRUCE (elected 1886) . Highland Avenue.
Franklin Street. Day Street.
WILLIAM E. WELD (elected 1884)
Harvard Street.
JAMES E. WHITAKER (elected 1885 for un- expired term)
Sycamore Street.
WILLIAM H. BRINE (elected 1886)
·
Highland Avenue.
SANFORD HANSCOM, M. D. (elected 1885 for unexpired term) . . Webster Street.
CHRISTOPHER E. RYMES (elected 1885)
Summer Street.
Librarian, HARRIET A. ADAMS. Assistant Librarian, LIZZIE A. STEVENS.
CITY CLERK AND CLERK OF BOARD OF ALDERMEN
CHARLES E. GILMAN. Office, City Hall.
9
CITY GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS FOR 1886.
CITY TREASURER AND COLLECTOR OF TAXES. JOHN F. COLE. Office, City Hall.
CITY MESSENGER. JAIRUS MANN. Office, City Hall.
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.
SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND LIGHTS THOMAS R. ROULSTONE. 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. ELIJAH WALKER, Pleasant Avenue.
10
ANNUAL REPORTS.
INSPECTOR OF MILK. THOMAS CUNNINGHAM, Oak Street.
CITY PHYSICIAN. THOMAS M. DURELL, M. D , 14 Bow Street.
CLERK OF ASSESSORS AND COMMITTEES GEORGE I. VINCENT. Office, City Hall.
ASSISTANT CLERK OF ASSESSORS AND COMMITTEES.
WILLIAM P. MITCHELL. Office, City Hall.
CONSTABLES.
JAIRUS MANN.
ROBERT R. PERRY.
HORACE B. RUNEY.
CHARLES C. FOLSOM.
EDWARD MCGARR.
WM. H. BRINE (Houghton St.) WILLIAM D. HAYDEN.
SAMUEL R. Dow.
JOSEPH J. GILES.
GEORGE CULLIS.
C. C. CAVANAGH.
FIELD-DRIVERS.
JOHN E. FULLER.
JUDSON W. OLIVER.
GEORGE H. CARLETON.
HERBERT H. MILLER. EDD. F. FALES. GEORGE W. BEAN.
FENCE-VIEWERS.
DAVID A. SANBORN. CHARLES D. ELLIOT.
POUND-KEEPER.
CHARLES A. SMALL.
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. NOAH HARDING, Sycamore Street.
11
CITY GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS FOR 1886.
SURVEYOR OF WOOD, BARK, AND LUMBER, SAMUEL T. LITTLEFIELD.
SURVEYOR OF STONE, BRICK, AND PLASTER WORK. ALFRED M. SIBLEY.
SURVEYOR OF MECHANICS' WORK.
CHARLES D. ELLIOT.
PUBLIC WEIGHERS.
J. C. COUSINS. JOHN CRAIG.
UNDERTAKERS,
HORACE B. RUNEY. A. L. SANBORN. PATRICK RAFFERTY.
WILLIAM A. FLAHERTY. P. H. RAFFERTY. HORACE D. RUNEY.
E. H. MARSH. THOMAS J. BARKER.
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
M. C. PARKHURST, Chief.
R. R. PERRY, Cuptain.
S. R. Dow, Sergeant.
EDWARD McGARR, Sergeant.
C. C. CAVANAGH, Sergeant.
JOHN E. FULLER.
P. W. SKINNER.
A. L. STAPLES.
S. A. BROWN.
J. W. OLIVER.
JOHN HAFFORD.
GEORGE W. BEAN.
IVAN LEIGHTON.
GEORGE L SMITH. .
M. H. KINSLEY.
EDWARD M. CARTER.
G. A. BODGE.
E. F. FALES.
DENNIS KELLY.
J. F. JOHNSON.
GEORGE H. CARLETON.
E. A. CARTER.
ANSON H. EATON.
H. H. MILLER. EDWARD E. HAMBLEN.
M. C. PARKHURST, Lock-up Keeper.
12
ANNUAL REPORTS.
MEETINGS.
-
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
Second and fourth Tuesday evenings of each month.
COMMON COUNCIL.
Wednesday evenings following the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Last Monday evening of each month.
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
IN BOARD OF MAYOR AND ALDERMEN, JANUARY 13, 1886.
ORDERED, That the Committee on Printing be and they are hereby authorized to cause to be printed for public use three hundred and fifty copies of the Inaugural Address of his Honor the Mayor, delivered at the inauguration of the present City Government.
Order received its first and second readings and final passage, and sent down for concurrence.
CHARLES E. GILMAN, City Clerk.
IN COMMON COUNCIL, JANUARY 13, 1886.
Order adopted by receiving its first and second readings and final passage in concurrence.
DOUGLAS FRAZAR, Clerk.
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
OF HON. MARK F. BURNS,
DELIVERED JAN. 4, 1886.
. GENTLEMEN OF THE CITY COUNCIL : -
Before calling your attention to the business and wants of the various departments of our City Government, I desire to thank the citizens of Somerville for again honoring me with an election to the important position of chief executive officer. All that I can give in return for this generous mark of their confidence will be freely given. I shall devote my time and best efforts that they may have a substantial and economical administration of the city's affairs.
In accordance with the usual custom, I have prepared for your information and assistance the following statement of the business and requirements of the different departments. The recommenda- tions herein contained are such as my experience leads me to think should be adopted, but if they do not appeal to your best judgment you should reject them.
Your attention is first called to the following financial state- ment : -
FINANCES.
It appears by the forthcoming report of the Sinking Fund Com- missioners, an abstract of which has been kindly furnished me by their treasurer, Mr. Aaron Sargent, that the sinking funds, Janu- ary 1, 1885, amounted to $505,852.52, to which amount was added during the year from contributions by the city and interest on investments the sum of $71,305.66, making total amount $577,- 158.18. From this amount $60,000 has been paid to the city treasurer to provide for the extinguishment of that part of the
16
ANNUAL REPORTS.
funded debt of the city which matured as final maturity July 1, 1885, leaving the amount of the sinking funds now on hand $517,- 158.18. All of said funds are invested in Somerville City Bonds, except $4,158.18 which is on deposit at Maverick National Bank ; that is, the Sinking Fund Commissioners actually have in their possession $513,000 of our bonds, upon which they receive annually from the city $25,850 for interest.
The inaugural address last year was written before the annual report of the Commissioners was received, and an error of $1,780.48 was made in the statement of the amount of sinking funds then on hand ; in the following statement the error has been corrected : -
Funded debt of the city, January 1, 1885. $1,585,000 00
Less sinking funds .. 505,852 52
Which made the net funded debt. $1,079,147 48
The funded debt, January 1, 1886, was. $1,525,000 00
Less sinking funds on hand . 517,158 18
Leaves the net funded debt at the present time, $1,007,841 82
The unfunded liabilities are for temporary loans, $175,000, and this amount is exceeded by uncollected taxes, assessments, and accounts due by $8,054.98, which being taken from the funded debt leaves the net debt of the city, January 1, 1886, $999,786.84. The net debt of the city one year ago, according to the report of the treasurer, was $1,065,389.02, which shows that the net indebted- ness of the city has been reduced the past year, $65,602.18. The following table, furnished by the city treasurer, will show the annual reduction in the net debt since 1876, when the city debt was largest : -
1877
$34,446 00
1878
44,196 00
1879.
72,345 00
1880
23,971 00
1881
50,333 00
1882
94,169 00
1883
74,172 00
1884
35,705 00
1885.
64,602 00
It will be noticed that the indebtedness of the city was reduced $29,897 more in 1885 than in 1884.
17
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
The real estate in the city was valued last year at $23,063,900 ; the personal property at $1.814,500 : total valuation, $24,878,400. The tax rate was $16.60 on each $1.000, and together with 7,812 polls assessed brought $428,605.44, the amount of the tax levy.
The following is the valuation, tax levy, an I rate during the past ten years : -
YEAR.
VALUATION.
TAX LEVY.
RATE.
1876.
$26,573.400
$504.745 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
1884
24,331,100
418.750 26.
16 60
1885
24,878,400
428,605 44
16 60
1876
Number of polls assessed.
4,105
1885.
66
. 7,812
Increase in
66
66
3,707
The Legislature of 1875 enacted a law which obliged Somerville to "establish a sinking fund, and contribute thereto from year to year an amount raised annually by taxation sufficient, with its accumulations, to extinguish the debt at maturity," or in twenty years from that time, except the water debt, which must be paid in thirty years. In the same law the limit of municipal indebted- ness was fixed at three per cent of the valuation. As the funded debt of Somerville at that time was, and has been ever since, more than three per cent of the valuation, the debt has not been in- creased since that time for any purpose ; but the sinking fund was established and contributions have been made thereto in accord- ance with the provisions of the law until we now have in the sink- ing funds $517,158.18, as above stated, leaving our net funded debt at about $1,000,000. The law was a very wise one, intended to check municipal extravagance, and it accomplished the object, but it was a hard law for us to obey, as our funded debt was very large in proportion to our valuation, and the sinking fund contri- butions required to be made each year have been a heavy tax upon our people, but it has been accomplished and the provisions of the law fulfilled to the very letter. As the debt of the city was con-
2
18
ANNUAL REPORTS.
tracted for improvements which will benefit the people of future generations, it seems wrong to require it to be paid in so short a time. If the city could be allowed ten or twenty years longer in which to pay the balance of the debt, the burden of taxation would be very much lightened. The lesson of economy has been taught and the object of the legislation accomplished, and it seems to me the law should now be changed so that we may have more time in which to extinguish the debt. I would therefore recommend that an earnest effort be made to induce the present Legislature to so modify the law as to allow the sinking funds to be applied to the payment of the debt, and the time for the payment of the bal- ance extended twenty years. If this can be done, the rate of taxation in our city may be reduced two dollars on a thousand. Such a change in the law would contribute materially to the pros- · perity of our city. Without it there seems but little chance to reduce the rate of taxation, at least as long as we are obliged to meet the requirements of a rapidly increasing population. Somer- ville has increased in population during the past five years at the average rate of one thousand a year, of course requiring increased expenditure for educating the children and cost of providing streets, sidewalks, sewers, and water for the houses in which they ៛ live. While this continues the necessary expenses will be high, and it seems to me we are entitled to some relief from the Legis- lature.
During the last session of the Legislature, that of 1885, a law was passed reducing the limit of municipal indebtedness to two and one half per cent of the valuation, and limiting the rate at which property could be taxed to twelve dollars on a thousand, exclusive of State tax, county tax, and sums required by law to be raised on account of city debt ; also repealing the law which has allowed us to borrow money in anticipation of the next year's taxes. The operation of this law will oblige every committee and board, including the School Committee, to confine their expendi- tures to the amount appropriated by the City Council, since, if there should be no surplus in any appropriation which could be transferred, there would be no possible way in which the bills could be paid. It will be very readily seen that as our indebted- ness is now above the limit established by law, namely, two and one half per cent of the valuation, the funded debt cannot be in- creased, we cannot increase our temporary loans in anticipation of
19
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
the taxes of the next year, the treasurer can pay out no money' except upon the Mayor's warrant, and the Ordinances prohibit the Mayor drawing his warrant for the payment of money after an appropriation is exhausted ; so if there are no unappropriated funds there would be no possible way in which the bills could be paid. It was clearly the intention of the Legislature to confine the expend- itures of committees and boards to the amount appropriated by the City Council. I believe this is right. The amount appro- priated for any department, while perhaps it may not be as much as a member of that committee may desire, or as much as he thinks should be used for the purpose, it nevertheless represents the sum the City Council, in their united wisdom, have determined should be expended in that department. This legislation is very important, and, in my opinion, eminently wise. A large debt is burdensome to the tax-payers ; a high rate of taxation injurious to the city ; certainly nothing can be more dangerous than a thought- less expenditure of money, regardless of the sum appropriated. It is, therefore, the duty of the committees and boards to cease operations whenever their appropriation appears to be exhausted, and if they do not they should be stopped by order of the City Council.
HIGHWAYS.
The amount expended on highways in 1885 was $33,200. The recommendation of last year, that of applying the principal part of the appropriation to the repairs of old streets, was adopted by this department, and with good results. Substantial repairs were made on Linwood, Medford, and Washington streets, which have been long needed. The improvement has been of great benefit to the property owners, and must be very gratifying to all who use those streets. I believe this policy should be continued until all of our streets are placed in first-class condition.
Early in the season the street watering was transferred from the charge of the highway committee to the committee on water, much to the satisfaction of all parties. I would recommend as a still further improvement that the care of the Park and of Central Hill, including the grounds about the City Hall and Public Library, be transferred to the committee on burial grounds, and that the style of the last-named committee be changed to committee on public grounds. If this change is made, the labor of the committee on
20
ANNUAL REPORTS.
highways will be very much reduced and the other committee be given something to do, thereby dividing the work more equally among the committees. The work can be as economically done, with less confusion in the accounts, and be done more satisfactorily every way, with less danger of the money appropriated for one purpose being used for another.
STREET LIGHTS.
One naphtha and sixteen gas lamps have been added to our street lights the past year, making 394 gas and 70 naphtha lamps used in lighting the streets at the present time. Their care and maintenance and the lighting of the streets cost the city $8,773 in 1885.
While the lamps have been kept cleaner and in better condition, and been kept burning more nights than usual the past year, still the people are not wholly satisfied, and probably will not be until the lamps are lighted every night and kept burning until near morning. It is doubtful if the work can ever be done satisfactorily under the contract system, but if it is continued under the old plan it is hoped that the City Council will be able to provide a more liberal appropriation.
An ordinance was enacted last year which provided for the ap- pointment of a superintendent of public property and street lights, who is to have charge of the repairs and alterations of the public buildings, under the direction of the committee on public property, and the care and management of the street lights, under the direc- tion of the street light committee. This superintendent should have the general management of these departments, as is done in other departments. If he is allowed proper authority, as contemplated in the ordinance, the result must be highly favorable to the city, and make the labor of these committees easier as well as more agreeable.
SEWERS.
The expenses of the sewer department were considerably reduced the past year, only $1,375.15 having been expended by the city in building new sewers. This amount, together with the sum of $7,521.36 contributed by the owners of the property drained, enabled us to build 5,776.8 feet of new sewers. This added to the 193,165
21
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
feet we already had makes 198,941.8, or 37.7 miles, as the total length of the sewers owned by the city at the present time, which have cost the city and the property owners about $650,000, beside some $30,000 expended for maintenance. The cost of mainte- nance in 1885 was $5,360. Of this amount $i,335 was for clean- ing and dredging at the mouth of the Bridge Street sewer, in Cambridge. As our city is now well drained, it will probably not be necessary to increase the appropriation this year.
The Massachusetts Drainage Commission appointed to devise a plan for taking the sewage out of the Charles and Mystic rivers, are about to report to the Legislature the results of their labor. They have concluded to ask the Legislature to cause the large Boston sewer, which empties at Moon Island, to be extended to Waltham, on the southerly side of the Charles River, and to have a sewer built which would begin at a point near the outlet of our sewer, which empties into the Mystic River near the Park, and run- ning down through Charlestown Neck, acro-s the flats by the Asylum grounds to Cambridge ; thence running up near the Charles River to a point above the Brookline Street bridge, where the sew- age will be pumped across the river into the Boston sewer. This sewer is to take nearly all the sewage of Charlestown, Cambridge, and Somerville, and the cost of construction of the whole system is to be apportioned among the cities and towns benefited. The commission's estimate of Somerville's portion of the cost is $250,- 000, and the annual assessment, to pay for pumping and mainte- nance, about $8,000. The Alewife Brook sewage coming from Cambridge, Arlington, and Somerville is to be carried in another sewer along the brook to the Mystic Pumping Station, where it is to be pumped across the river into a large sewer which is to be built on the northerly side of the Mystic River. The cost to us of this part of the undertaking has not yet been estimated.
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