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CITY OF SOMERVILLE
ANNUAL REPORTS.
1887.
I GIVES
SOMERVILLE
FREED
NAL
MUNICIPAL
FOUNDED 1842.
1872.
CITY STRENGT
ESTABLISHED
BOSTON : RAND AVERY COMPANY, PRINTERS. 1888.
/
CITY GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS FOR 1887.
MAYOR. MARK F. BURNS.
Residence, 95 Perkins Street ; office, City Hall.
ALDERMEN.
ELBRIDGE G. PARK, President.
WARD ONE.
ELBRIDGE G. PARK .
. Arlington Street.
NATHAN H. REED
. Florence Street. .
WARD TWO.
SAMUEL W. HOLT
. Washington Street.
DANA W. BENNETT
Washington Street.
WARD THREE.
HARRISON ALDRICH
Gilman Street.
JOHN F. KENNARD
. Howe Street. .
WARD FOUR.
WALTER C. MENTZER
. Cedar Street.
BERNARD W. LAWRENCE
. Holland Street.
CLERK OF BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
CHARLES E. GILMAN.
4
ANNUAL REPORTS.
COMMON COUNCIL.
CHARLES L. NORTH, President.
WARD ONE.
GEORGE D. WEMYSS .
. Austin Street.
GEORGE M. STARBIRD
CHARLES M. HEMENWAY
.
Perkins Street.
RICHARD DOWD
Charles Street.
WARD TWO.
CHARLES L. NORTH .
. High Street.
. Somerville Avenue.
Oak Street.
. High Street.
WARD THREE.
EDWARD O'BRIEN
.
·
Lowell Street.
Bond Street.
. Pembroke Street.
Cross Street.
WARD FOUR.
LOUIS E. MERRY
Dover Street. .
EDWARD H. BRADSHAW
GEORGE O. PROCTOR .
D. WALLIS TUCKER . .
.
.
. Cambria Street.
. Spring Street.
. . Elm Street.
CLERK OF COMMON COUNCIL.
DOUGLAS FRAZAR.
JOINT STANDING COMMITTEES FOR 1887.
ACCOUNTS. - Aldermen Aldrich, Mentzer ; Councilmen King, Hemenway, Proctor.
CITY ENGINEERING. - Aldermen Holt, Bennett; Councilmen Merry, Starbird, King.
CLAIMS. - His Honor the Mayor ; Alderman Holt; the Presi- dent of the Common Council ; Councilmen Hemenway, Merry.
ROBERT DUDDY . .
.
EZRA D. SOUTHER
MARTIN L. KING
·
.
PATRICK F. DEADY .
JOHN W. MACDONALD
·
.
.
Pearl Street.
TIMOTHY C. DWYER .
5
CITY GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS FOR 1887.
FINANCE. - His Honor the Mayor; Aldermen Park, Bennett ; the President of the Common Council ; Councilmen Bradshaw, Wemyss, Souther, Deady.
FIRE DEPARTMENT. - Aldermen Lawrence, Kennard ; Council- men Wemyss, Tucker, Duddy.
FUEL AND STREET LIGHTS. - Aldermen Aldrich, Reed ; Coun- cilmen Dwyer, Proctor, King.
HIGHWAYS. - Aldermen Holt, Reed ; Councilmen O'Brien, Brad- shaw, Dwyer.
LEGISLATIVE MATTERS. - His Honor the Mayor; Alderman Mentzer; the President of the Common Council; Councilmen Starbird, Hemenway.
ORDINANCES. - Aldermen Bennett, Reed ; Councilmen Souther, Tucker, Dowd.
PRINTING. - Aldermen Kennard, Lawrence ; Councilmen Duddy, Deady, Wemyss.
PUBLIC GROUNDS. - Aldermen Reed, Kennard ; Councilmen Merry, Souther, Macdonald.
PUBLIC PROPERTY. - Aldermen Park, Mentzer; Councilmen Duddy, Starbird, Macdonald.
SOLDIERS' RELIEF. - Aldermen Reed, Holt ; Councilmen O'Brien, Merry, Dowd.
WATER. - Aldermen Mentzer, Kennard; the President of the Common Council; Councilmen O'Brien, Dowd.
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
STANDING COMMITTEES.
ELECTIONS. - Aldermen Park, Lawrence.
ENROLLED ORDINANCES. - Aldermen Aldrich, Park.
LICENSES. - Aldermen Lawrence, Holt.
POLICE. - His Honor the Mayor ; Aldermen Aldrich, Mentzer. SEWERS. - Aldermen Bennett, Aldrich, Lawrence.
STATE AID. - Aldermen Bennett, Park, Mentzer, Kennard.
SPECIAL COMMITTEE.
BUILDING PERMITS. - Aldermen Holt, Lawrence.
6
ANNUAL REPORTS.
STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL.
ELECTIONS AND RETURNS. - Councilmen Tucker, Dowd, Mac- donald.
ENROLLED ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS. - Councilmen Souther, Deady, Proctor.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
MARK F. BURNS, Mayor, Chairman, ex officio.
CHARLES L. NORTH, 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 1886)
Pearl Street.
Pearl Street.
Arlington Street.
WARD TWO.
A. H. CARVILL, M.D. (elected 1885)
JAMES F. BEARD (elected 1886)
CHARLES I. SHEPARD (elected 1884) .
. Bow Street.
Prospect Hill Av.
. High Street.
WARD THREE.
NORMAN W. BINGHAM (elected 1885)
Q. E. DICKERMAN (elected 1886)
WILLIAM P. HILL (elected 1884)
School Street.
. Central Street.
Sycamore Street.
WARD FOUR.
MARTIN W. CARR (elected 1884)
Cragie Street.
Prof. BENJAMIN G. BROWN (elected 1885) .
Professors' Row.
H. P. MAKECHNIE, M.D. (elected 1886) . Elm Street. Superintendent and Secretary, J. H. DAVIS, Myrtle Street.
PRINCIPAL ASSESSORS.
(Term, three years.)
STILLMAN H. LIBBY (elected 1886), Chair- man
Elm Street.
GEORGE W. HADLEY (elected 1885) . . Perkins Street.
BENJAMIN F. THOMPSON (elected 1887) . Summit Avenue.
·
7
CITY GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS FOR 1887.
ASSISTANT ASSESSORS.
(Term, one year.)
GEORGE W. BARTLETT, Ward One Mt. Vernon Street.
WILLIAM A. FLAHERTY, Ward Two
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 1887, re-
signed in June) .
Office, City Hall.
GEORGE C. SKILTON (appointed 1886) . Walnut Street.
THOMAS M. DURELL, M.D. (appointed 1885) Bow Street.
J. FRANK WELLINGTON (appointed June
22, 1887) .
·
Vinal Avenue.
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, died Oct.
20, 1887) .
Summer Street. .
Sycamore Street.
HENRY F. WOODS (elected 1885) . EZRA D. CONANT (elected 1887, died Sept. 10, 1887) .
Pearl Street.
CHRISTOPHER E. RYMES (elected Nov. 9, 1887) . Summer Street.
JOHN F. NICKERSON (elected Nov. 9, 1887), Flint Street. Treasurer, AARON SARGENT, Broadway.
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR. MARK F. BURNS, Mayor, Chairman, ex officio. HERBERT E. HILL (elected 1886 for 4 years) ·
CHARLES S. LINCOLN (elected 1885 for 2 years)
Mt. Vernon Street. .
Laurel Street.
Washington Street.
8
ANNUAL REPORTS.
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.
REGISTRARS OF VOTERS.
CHARLES E. GILMAN, City Clerk.
CROMWELL G. ROWELL (appointed 1886 for unexpired term) . JOHN R. CONANT (appointed 1884 for 3 years) .
SAMUEL G. A. TWYCROSS (appointed 1886 for 3 years) .
SOMERVILLE MYSTIC WATER BOARD.
(Term, one year.)
J. ORLIN HAYDEN, President Hill Building, Union Square.
WALTER S. BARNES .
. Highland Avenue.
Sycamore Street.
. Webster Street.
. Somerville Avenue.
Superintendent of Water Works, NATHANIEL DENNETT.
Office, Prospect Street, corner Somerville Avenue.
TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
(Term, three years.)
CHARLES S. LINCOLN (elected 1885), Presi- dent . Laurel Street.
CHARLES G. POPE (elected 1885) · Franklin Street.
J. HENRY FLITNER (elected 1886), Secre- tary .
GEORGE A. BRUCE (elected 1886)
WILLIAM E. WELD (elected 1887)
JAMES E. WHITAKER (elected 1887) . . Sycamore Street.
WILLIAM H. BRINE (elected 1886)
. Day Street.
. Highland Avenue.
. Harvard Street.
. Highland Avenue.
CHARLES H. BROWN .
JOHN B. VIALE
RICHARD T. BLACKWELL
9
CITY GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS FOR 1887.
SANFORD HANSCOM, M.D. (elected 1887) . 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.
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 (to April 30, resigned). Office, City Hall. HORACE L. EATON (from April 30).
SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS.
FRANK G. WILLIAMS, Albion Street. Office, City Hall.
SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND LIGHTS.
THOMAS R. ROULSTONE. Office, City Hall.
10
ANNUAL REPORTS.
SUPERINTENDENT OF TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE LINES.
JAMES R. HOPKINS, Summit Avenue.
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. JAMES R. HOPKINS, Summit Avenue.
INSPECTOR OF MILK AND VINEGAR. THOMAS CUNNINGHAM, Oak Street.
CITY PHYSICIAN. THOMAS M. DURELL, M.D., 14 Bow Street.
CLERK OF ASSESSORS AND COMMITTTES. GEORGE I. VINCENT. Office, City Hall.
ASSISTANT CLERK OF ASSESSORS AND COMMITTEES.
WILLIAM P. MITCHELL. Office, City Hall.
11
CITY GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS FOR 1887.
CONSTABLES.
JARIUS MANN.
ROBERT R. PERRY.
CHARLES C. FOLSOM.
EDWARD MCGARR.
C. C. CAVANAGH.
WM. H. BRINE (Houghton St.). WILLIAM D. HAYDEN.
SAMUEL R. Dow.
JOSEPH J. GILES.
GEORGE CULLIS.
FIELD DRIVERS.
JOHN E. FULLER.
JUDSON W. OLIVER.
GEORGE H. CARLETON.
PATRICK BENCH.
DENNIS KELLY. CHARLES S. THRASHER.
GEORGE W. BEAN. CHARLES L. ELLIS.
JAMES F. FOLEY.
FENCE VIEWERS.
DAVID A. SANBORN. CHARLES D. ELLIOTT.
POUND KEEPER. CHARLES A. SMALL.
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. NOAH HARDING, Sycamore Street.
SURVEYOR OF WOOD, BARK, AND LUMBER. SAMUEL T. LITTLEFIELD.
SURVEYOR OF STONE, BRICK, AND PLASTER WORK
ALFRED M. SIBLEY.
12
ANNUAL REPORTS.
SURVEYOR OF MECHANICS' WORK. CHARLES D. ELLIOT.
PUBLIC WEIGHERS.
J. C. COUSINS.
D. W. DANFORTH.
JOHN CRAIG.
UNDERTAKERS.
WILLIAM A. FLAHERTY. P. H. RAFFERTY. PATRICK RAFFERTY.
E. H. MARSH. THOMAS J. BARKER. HORACE D. RUNEY.
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
M. C. PARKHURST, Chief.
R. R. PERRY, Captain.
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.
H. H. MILLER.
EDWARD E. HAMBLEN.
FRANCIS A. PERKINS.
JAMES F. FOLEY.
CHARLES S. THRASHER.
CHARLES L. ELLIS.
WILLIAM H. JOHNSTON.
PATRICK BENCHI.
M. C. PARKHURST, Lock-up Keeper.
13
MEETINGS.
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.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
IN BOARD OF MAYOR AND ALDERMEN, Jan. 11, 1887.
ORDERED, That the Committee on Printing be and is hereby author- ized and instructed to have printed for public use seven hundred copies of the Address delivered by his Honor the Mayor at the inauguration of the present City Government, the expense to be charged to Printing and Stationery account.
Read twice and adopted and sent down for concurrence.
GEO. I. VINCENT, Clerk pro tem.
IN COMMON COUNCIL, Jan. 11, 1887.
Read twice and adopted in concurrence.
DOUGLAS FRAZAR, Clerk.
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
OF
HON. MARK F. BURNS,
DELIVERED JAN. 3, 1SS7.
GENTLEMEN OF THE CITY COUNCIL : -
In assuming the duties that have been assigned to us by our fellow-citizens, let us resolve that we will work together in peace and harmony, each assisting the others in the transactions of the city's business, in such a way as to give entire satisfaction to those who have complimented us by an election to the important positions which we now hold. If we give the time, and bring to bear upon all questions which come before us for discussion our best judgment and ability, we shall give the citizens what they have a right to expect, - a good; safe, economical, and business- like administration of their affairs; one which will advance the material prosperity of all, regardless of section, faction, or party. Our thanks will not pay the voters the debt of gratitude we owe them for thus honoring us. Only by a constant effort to so con- duct the affairs placed in our charge that the greatest good may come to the greatest number, can we hope to cancel the debt.
In accordance with the usual custom, I shall lay before you a brief statement of the condition of the various departments for your information, and some suggestions for your consideration. The recommendations are not to be adopted unless they appeal to your best judgment.
FINANCES.
It appears by the forthcoming report of the Sinking Fund Commissioners that the sinking funds, Jan. 1, 1886, amounted to $517,158.18, to which was added during the year, from contri- butions from the city and interest on investments, the sum of
18
ANNUAL REPORTS.
$66,894.23, making the total amount of sinking funds now on hand $584,052.41. Of this amount all but $2,552.41, which is on deposit at the bank, is invested in Somerville City Bonds.
The funded debt of the city remains the same as it was Jan. 1, 1886 ; namely, $1,525,000. If from this amount the sinking funds now on hand are taken, it leaves the net funded debt, Jan. 1, 1887, $940,947.59.
The unfunded liabilities are for temporary loans, $150,000, and this amount is exceeded by uncollected taxes, assessments, and accounts due, by about $20,000 (it is impossible on account of our financial year beginning on the first day of January to give the exact amount of surplus ; it is probable that it will overrun these figures a few dollars), which, being taken from the net funded debt, leaves the net debt of the city, Jan. 1, 1887, $920,947.59. The net debt one year ago was $999,786.84 ; consequently it has been reduced during the past year about $79,000.
The following table shows 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
1886
79,000 00
The real estate in the city was valued last year at $24,124,- 700 ; the personal property, $1,878,500 ; total valuation, $26,003,- 200. The tax rate was $15.40 on each $1,000, and, together with 8,269 polls assessed, brought $416,987.28, the amount of the tax levy.
The following is the valuation, tax levy, and rate each year since 1876 : -
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
19
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
Year.
Valuation.
Tax Levy.
Rate.
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
1835
24,878,400
428,605 44
16 60
1886
26,003,200 .
416,987 23
15 40
The funded debt reached its largest amount in 1876, and repre- sented the amount borrowed for the following improvements : viz., -
Public buildings, land, town debt, etc.
$502,354 00
Public Park
200,000 00
Street improvements
292,500 00
Sidewalks
50,000 00
Sewers
227,000 00
Water-works
335,000 00
Total
$1,606,854 00
Of this amount $10,000 was paid in 1878, $11,854 in 1879, and $60,000 in 1885, leaving the funded debt $1,525,000, as before stated.
Somerville has fulfilled the provisions of the law which was enacted by the Legislature of 1875. That law obliged us to " es- tablish a sinking fund and contribute thereto from year to year an amount raised annually by taxation sufficient, with its accumula- tions, to extinguish the debt at maturity," or in twenty years from that time, except the water debt, which must be paid in thirty years. The contributions to that sinking fund, and assessment on each $1,000 of the valuation necessary to meet it, have been as follows : -
Year.
Amount.
Rate per $1,000 of valuation.
1876.
$45,130 62.
. $1 70
1877.
48,823 58.
1 92
1878.
51,004 64.
2 43
1879.
53,061 76 .
2 80
1880.
55,739 35.
2 72
1881 .
58,498 64.
2 59
1882.
61,390 59 .
2 65
1883 .
64,479 01 .
2 70
1884 .
67,719 33.
: 78
1885 .
71,305 66.
, 87
1886 .
66,894 23 .
2 57
20
ANNUAL REPORTS.
making the total amount contributed towards the final extinguish- ment of the debt, as provided for by the Act of 1875, $644,052.41, and the average tax-rate for that purpose $2.52 on a $1,000 valua- tion. It will be seen by the foregoing figures that the require- ments of the law regulating " municipal indebtedness " have been rigidly complied with ; but the burden it has imposed upon us has been heavy, and the rate of taxation largely increased in excess of that required to provide for our current expenses, and pay for the permanent improvements which are constantly being made. In my opinion it is not necessary or reasonable to ask that the debt be paid as rapidly as this, neither do I think it is in the interest of economy to do so. As the debt was contracted for such improve- ments as will be more useful and valuable in future years than they are to-day, it seems just and proper for us to ask the tax- payers of the future to assist in paying for them. I believe it is right to distribute the debt among the years that receive the benefit. I know it may be said that each year brings its own bur- dens, and that the taxpayers of the future will have all they can do to provide for their own wants ; but this might also be said of the present. We are providing for present wants, paying a debt contracted years ago, and making permanent improvements, which will become more valuable as the city grows older. This we have done for eleven years; but to do so, we have been obliged to impose upon the taxpayers a rate of taxation so oppressive as to materially impair our prosperity. It was not expected by the Legislature that cities and towns would clear themselves entirely from debt, for the law allows them to borrow money on funded- debt account to the amount of two and one-half per cent of the valuation ; so, when a city's net debt is less than that amount, it is allowed to increase its funded debt until it reaches that limit. Why should it be necessary to continue to pay each year so large an amount towards the debt, especially after the net debt falls below the amount we are allowed to owe? It will be seen that, if we fail to make any further contributions to the sinking funds, we shall be able in 1895, when the debt is to be paid, to borrow. under the law, money enough to pay off the whole of it. In my opinion, the laws limiting the rate of taxation and municipal indebtedness are all the legislation which is necessary upon this subject, and cities and towns can be safely left with these safeguards to manage their own municipal debt in their own way. If it is necessary to clear
21
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
cities entirely from debt, or reduce it to a lower amount, thie Legis- lature could reduce the limit. This, I think, it should and would do, as it has once done already.
It tends to a more economical administration of a city's affairs to keep its debt about up to the limit allowed by law. It would be impossible, as the history of Somerville will show, to get an extravagant scheme through the City Council, if the entire cost of the same must be put into the tax levy of that year. The right to borrow increases the desire and invites extravagance. Mem- bers of any city council will be more careful in their expenditures, if every dollar used must be provided for in their own tax levy, and they themselves held responsible for the tax rate. The rate should not be higher in Somerville than in Boston, Cambridge, or any other city. It seems very important that the tax on our prop- erty should be reduced. I think this should be our policy. It is a policy which, if adopted and continued for a few years, will so increase the value of property that we shall be able to make all necessary improvements without increasing the burden of taxation. I would not be understood as advising a parsimonious economy in the administration of the city's affairs, but would advise pro- viding for the maintenance of the various departments in a decently liberal manner ; and would not forget that our city is destined to become a very large and populous one, and we should, with wise forethought, look ahead and provide for her future needs.
We have not borrowed any money on funded-debt account for eleven years ; not because none was needed, but simply because the law did not allow us to. In getting along without borrowing, we have been obliged to impose a burden which was hard to bear, as will be seen by reference to the table of tax rates. It is true the people do not complain now ; but the reason they do not is not because the rate is low, but because it is lower than it has been. In view of these facts, I renew my recommendation of last year, which was that an earnest effort be made to induce the Legislature to so modify the law as to allow more time in which to pay the debts of cities and towns. There is no question in my mind regarding the propriety of this recommendation, and I do not hesitate to suggest that the measure offers the following considerations : ---
First, It precludes the possibility of increasing our city-loan indebtedness for a long time.
22
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Second, It will prevent the accomplishment of extravagant measures by the postponement of that time.
Third, It provides for the extinguishment of our present debt by annual payments within our means, without incurring the burden of a high rate of taxation.
Fourth, It provides for a more equitable liquidation of the debt, by distributing the payment among those who are to derive the benefit of the improvements for which it was incurred.
Fifth, It furnishes us with the means of making permanent im- provements, which are now nearly cut off by the law regulating the rate of taxation.
Sixth, It will enable us to materially relieve our citizens of the heavy burden which they have borne for so many years, by a large reduction in the amount of taxes annually assessed, and, conse- quently, add to the future growth and prosperity of our city.
HIGHWAYS.
Much to the satisfaction of the travelling public, the larger part of the appropriation for highways has been used in making repairs on the older streets ; and while many of them have been improved, there are many others which need the attention of the committee. It seems to me more money should be devoted to their use. An unusual number of sidewalks were built last year, requiring large expenditures from the highway appropriation to pave the gutters and grade the streets. It would be well to remember that a large appropriation for sidewalks requires a corresponding appropriation for highways.
Last year the city's gravel bank at Waltham was opened and connected by a side track with the Fitchburg Railroad ; so that in the future this department will have an abundant supply of good gravel, and a long-felt want will be filled. In accordance with an order passed by the City Council some time ago, the committee having charge of the highways set out all trees upon the streets, which were provided by the owners of property free of charge. Nothing adds more to the attractiveness of a place than plenty of shade-trees. I am happy to say that the committee was called upon to plant no less than two hundred and fifty-two shade-trees during the past season.
The amount expended in this department last year for highways was $32,209.17, and the city's portion of the cost of new sidewalks was $3,631.62. In the city there are 65 miles of streets.
23
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
STREET LIGHTS.
There are used in the city for street-lighting purposes at the present time 413 gas and 81 oil lamps, an increase during the past year of 19 gas and 11 oil lights. The cost of lighting and main- taining them in 1886 was $8,464.75. The 70 naphtha lamps used in 1885 have all been changed to oil lamps. The city has been divided into four districts, and the lighting and care of the lamps placed in charge of four different individuals, all under the direc- tion of the superintendent of street lights. By this change the lamps have been kept cleaner, and, consequently, have given more light. Three large gas lamps of three burners each have been placed in Union Square, one at the corner of Broadway and Franklin Street, one at the corner of Broadway and Marshall Street, and one in Davis Square, They give a good light, and are a great improvement, and one which cannot fail to give satisfaction to the citizens.
The question of lighting our streets with electricity is one which has been discussed some during the past year, and is one which you undoubtedly will be soon called upon to decide. No doubt I am expected to refer to the matter and express my opinion.
While there is nothing which I desire to say against electric lights, there is a question about the advisability of introducing them into Somerville for street-lighting purposes. The ground for objection is one of expense. It is necessary for us to count the cost ; and if we do, it will be seen that to light our streets properly with electricity would require an increase in our street-light appro- priation of at least twenty thousand dollars. While it is not likely that as much money would be used this year, it is probable that not less than thirty thousand dollars would be required in this depart- ment in a very short time. Of course the people will say, " Give us electric lights." The people are quite apt to favor any expen- diture, and no doubt there will be quite a pressure brought to bear upon you for the location of a light on this spot, or that corner ; the people of one street claiming as much right to have an electric light as those of another, and it is an argument which cannot be answered. Everybody will lose sight of the fact that increased expenditure brings increased taxes ; but you should remember that you have been selected to decide what the city can afford to have, and what it must do without. The lighting of streets is a conven-
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