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CITY OF SOMERVILLE
ANNUAL REPORTS.
1 888.
GIVE S
N
FREED
SOMERVILLE
FOUN
NAL
IVAIDINAW ED 1842.
A CITY 1872. STRENGT
ESTABLISHED
BOSTON: CASHMAN, KEATING & CO., PRINTERS. 1889.
CITY GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS FOR 1888.
MAYOR. MARK F. BURNS.
Residence, 61 Mt. Vernon Street; office, City Hall.
ALDERMEN.
BERNARD W. LAWRENCE, President.
WARD ONE.
NATHAN H. REED
GEORGE D. WEMYSS .
.
. Florence Street.
.
Austin Street.
1
WARD TWO.
CHARLES L. NORTH
. High Street.
TIMOTHY C. DWYER
.
. Somerville Avenue.
WARD THREE.
JOHN F. KENNARD .
.
.
ROBERT DUDDY
.
.
Howe Street.
.
Bond Street.
WARD FOUR.
BERNARD W. LAWRENCE ·
.
Holland Street.
EDWARD H. BRADSHAW ·
. . Central Street.
CLERK OF BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
CHARLES E. GILMAN (deceased Feb. 22). GEORGE I. VINCENT (elected Feb. 28).
4
ANNUAL REPORTS.
COMMON COUNCIL. GEORGE O. PROCTOR, President. WARD ONE.
GEORGE M. STARBIRD
CHARLES M. HEMENWAY
CHARLES B. SANBORN
. Austin Street.
BYRON L. FRENCH .
. Florence Street.
WARD TWO.
PATRICK F. DEADY
JOHN W. MACDONALD
JEREMIAH J. LYONS
LYMAN H. BROWN
. Oak Street.
. High Street.
. Washington Street.
. Somerville Avenue.
WARD THREE.
EDWARD O'BRIEN
EZRA D. SOUTHER
MARTIN L. KING
ALVANO T. NICKERSON
. Lowell Street.
. Pembroke Street.
. Cross Street.
. Broadway.
WARD FOUR.
GEORGE O. PROCTOR
Spring Street.
ALBERT W. EDMANDS
Summer Street.
. Broadway.
JOSEPH CUMMINGS
. Broadway.
CLERK OF COMMON COUNCIL.
CHARLES S. ROBERTSON.
JOINT STANDING COMMITTEES FOR 1888.
ACCOUNTS .- Aldermen North, Duddy; Councilmen King, Edmands, Lyons.
CITY ENGINEERING .- Aldermen Reed, North; Councilmen Starbird, O'Brien, Nickerson.
CLAIMS .- His Honor the Mayor; Aldermen Wemyss; the President of the Common Council; Councilmen Hemenway, Cummings.
CHARLES F. BERTWELL
. Pearl Street.
. Perkins Street.
5
CITY GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS FOR 1888.
FINANCE .- His Honor the Mayor ; Aldermen Wemyss, Brad- shaw ; the President of the Common Council; Councilmen Souther, Hemenway, Deady, Cummings.
FIRE DEPARTMENT .- Aldermen Lawrence, Kennard ; Council- men Macdonald, Bertwell, Sanborn.
FUEL AND STREET LIGHTS .- Aldermen Dwyer, Reed; Coun- cilmen King, French, Edmands.
HIGHWAYS .- Aldermen Reed, Bradshaw ; Councilmen O'Brien, Starbird, Brown.
LEGISLATIVE MATTERS .- His Honor the Mayor; Alderman Bradshaw; the President of the Common Council; Councilmen Cummings, Deady.
ORDINANCES .- Aldermen Wemyss, Lawrence; Councilmen Hemenway, Souther, Bertwell.
PRINTING .- Aldermen Kennard, Lawrence; Councilmen King, Sanborn, Edmands.
PUBLIC GROUNDS .- Aldermen Kennard, Reed; Councilmen Macdonald, Nickerson, French.
PUBLIC PROPERTY .- Aldermen Duddy, Wemyss; Councilmen Starbird, Nickerson, Lyons.
SOLDIERS' RELIEF .- Aldermen Reed, North; Councilmen O'Brien, Sanborn, Lyons.
WATER .- Aldermen Bradshaw, Dwyer; the President of the Common Council; Councilmen Souther, Brown.
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
STANDING COMMITTEES.
ELECTIONS .- Aldermen Lawrence, North.
ENROLLED ORDINANCES .- Aldermen Duddy, Dwyer.
LICENSES .- Aldermen Lawrence, Duddy.
POLICE .- His Honor the Mayor; Aldermen Dwyer, Wemyss. SEWERS .- Aldermen North, Lawrence, Kennard.
STATE AID .- Aldermen Bradshaw, Dwyer, Duddy, North.
SPECIAL COMMITTEE.
BUILDING PERMITS .- Aldermen Reed, Lawrence.
6
ANNUAL REPORTS.
STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL.
ELECTIONS AND RETURNS .- Councilmen Deady, Macdonald, Bertwell.
ENROLLED ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS .- Councilmen Souther, French, Brown.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
MARK F. BURNS, Mayor, Chairman, ex. officio.
GEORGE O. PROCTOR, President of the Common Council, ex officio.
(Term, three years.)
WARD ONE.
S. NEWTON CUTLER (elected 1885) . Pearl Street. HORACE C. WHITE, M. D. (elected 1886) . Arlington Street.
HORACE P. HEMENWAY, M. D. (elected 1887) Perkins Street.
WARD TWO.
ALPHONSO H. CARVILL, M.D. (elected 1885) Bow Street.
JAMES F. BEARD (elected 1886)
. Prospect Hill Av.
CHARLES I. SHEPARD (elected 1887)
. High Street.
WARD THREE.
'NORMAN W. BINGHAM (elected 1885) . School Street.
QUINCY E. DICKERMAN (elected 1886) WILLIAM P. HILL (elected 1887)
. Central Street.
. Sycamore Street.
WARD FOUR.
MARTIN W. CARR (elected 1887) Craigie Street.
Professors' Row.
Prof. BENJAMIN G. BROWN (elected 1885) HORACE P. MAKECHNIE, M. D. (elected 1886)
Elm Street.
Secretary, JOSHUA H. DAVIS
.
Myrtle Street.
Superintendent of Schools, JOSHUA H. DAVIS to May 1.
CLARENCE E. MELENEY from May 1.
7
CITY GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS FOR 1888.
PRINCIPAL ASSESSORS.
(Term, three years.)
STILLMAN H. LIBBY (elected 1886), Chair-
man .
Elm Street. .
GEORGE W. HADLEY (elected 1888)
.
Perkins Street.
BENJAMIN F. THOMPSON (elected 1887)
Summit Avenue.
ASSISTANT ASSESSORS.
(Term, one year.)
GEORGE W. BARTLETT, Ward One . Mt. Vernon Street.
DEXTER F. BENNETT, 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.)
THOMAS M. DURELL, M. D. (appointed
1888), Chairman
Office, Police Building.
J. FRANK WELLINGTON (appointed
1887),
Vinal Avenue.
CHARLES H. CRANE (appointed 1888),
Webster Street. Office, City Hall.
Clerk, GEORGE I. VINCENT
Inspector, WILLIAM H. BRINE (to May 14), 40 Houghton Street.
CALEB A. PAGE (from May 14), Webster Avenue.
COMMISSIONERS OF THE SINKING FUNDS.
(Term, three years.)
HENRY F. WOODS (elected 1888) Sycamore Street.
CHRISTOPHER E. RYMES (elected 1887 for unexpired term) Summer Street.
JOHN F. NICKERSON (elected 1887 for un- expired term)
Flint Street. Treasurer, AARON SARGENT, Broadway.
8
ANNUAL REPORTS.
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR. MARK F. BURNS, Mayor, Chairman, ex officio. (Term, four years.)
HERBERT E. HILL (elected 1886)
Mt. Vernon Street.
CHARLES G. BRETT (elected 1885) . Hall Street.
EDWARD B. WEST (elected 1888 for unex- pired term) . Prescott Street.
DANIEL C. STILLSON (elected 1888) . . Tennyson Street.
Agent, CHARLES C. FOLSOM, Office, Police Building, Bow Street. Secretary, FRANK W. KAAN, Office, Police Building, Bow Street.
REGISTRARS OF VOTERS.
CHARLES E. GILMAN, City Clerk (deceased Feb. 22). GEORGE I. VINCENT, City Clerk (elected Feb. 28). (Term, three years.)
CROMWELL G. ROWELL, Chairman (appointed 1888).
SAMUEL G. A. TWYCROSS (appointed 1886).
OTIS M. CURRIER (appointed 1887).
SOMERVILLE MYSTIC WATER BOARD.
(Term, one year.)
J. ORLIN HAYDEN, President . Hill Building, Union Square. WALTER S. BARNES
Highland Avenue.
JOHN B. VIALL
.
Webster Street.
ADNA C. WINNING . Fremont Street.
RICHARD DOWD
Charles Street.
Clerk, FREDERIC W. STONE.
Superintendent of Water- Works, NATHANIEL DENNETT. Office, Prospect Street, corner Somerville Avenue.
9
CITY GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS FOR 1888.
TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
(Term, three years.)
CHARLES S. LINCOLN (elected 1888), President, Laurel Street. CHARLES G. POPE (elected 1888) . Summit Avenue. J. HENRY FLITNER (elected 1886), Secre- tary . . Day Street.
GEORGE A. BRUCE (elected 1886) . Highland Avenue.
WILLIAM E. WELD (elected 1887) . Harvard Street.
JAMES E. WHITAKER (elected 1887)
. Sycamore Street.
WILLIAM H. BRINE (elected 1886) · Highland Avenue.
SANFORD HANSCOM, M.D. (ele ted 1887) . Webster Street.
CHRISTOPHER E. RYMES (elected 1888) Summer Street.
Librarian, HARRIET A. ADAMS.
CITY CLERK AND CLERK OF BOARD OF ALDERMEN. CHARLES E. GILMAN (deceased Feb. 22). Office, City Hall. GEORGE I. VINCENT (elected Feb. 28).
CITY TREASURER AND COLLECTOR OF TAXES. JOHN F. COLE. Office, City Hall.
CITY MESSENGER. JAIRUS MANN. Office, City Hall.
CITY SOLICITOR. SELWYN Z. BOWMAN. Office, 23 Court Street, Boston.
CITY AUDITOR. DOUGLAS FRAZAR. Office, City Hall.
1
10
ANNUAL REPORTS.
CITY ENGINEER. HORACE L. EATON. 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.
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.
11
CITY GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS FOR 1888.
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. War. H. BRINE (Houghton St.).
ROBERT R. PERRY.
WILLIAM D. HAYDEN.
CHARLES C. FOLSOM.
SAMUEL R. DOW.
EDWARD MCGARR.
JOSEPH J. GILES.
CHRISTOPHER C. CAVANAGH.
GEORGE CULLIS.
FENCE VIEWERS.
DAVID A. SANBORN. CHARLES D. ELLIOT.
FIELD DRIVERS.
JOHN E. FULLER.
DENNIS KELLY.
JUDSON W. OLIVER.
CHARLES S. THRASHER.
PATRICK BENCH.
HUBERT H. MILLER.
GEORGE W. BEAN. CHARLES L. ELLIS.
JAMES F. FOLEY.
POUND KEEPER. CHARLES A. SMALL.
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. AMMIEL COLMAN, 34 Marshall Street.
MEASURER OF WOOD AND BARK. SAMUEL T. LITTLEFIELD.
12
ANNUAL REPORTS.
WEIGHERS OF COAL.
J. C. COUSINS.
D. W. DANFORTH.
MEASURER OF GRAIN. JOHN C. CRAIG.
UNDERTAKERS.
WM. A. FLAHERTY. P. H. RAFFERTY. PATRICK RAFFERTY.
EDWARD H. MARSH. THOMAS J. BARKER. HORACE D. RUNEY. ALFRED E. MANN.
POLICE DEPARTMENT. MELVILLE C. PARKHURST, Chief.
ROBERT R. PERRY, Captain.
SAMUEL R. Dow, Sergeant.
EDWARD MCGARR, Sergeant. CHRIS'R C. CAVANAGH, Serg't.
JOHN E. FULLER.
P. W. SKINNER.
ALBION L. STAPLES.
SAMUEL A. BROWN.
JUDSON W. OLIVER. JOHN HAFFORD.
GEORGE W. BEAN.
IVAN LAIGHTON.
GEORGE L. SMITH.
MYRON H. KINSLEY.
EDWARD M. CARTER.
GEORGE A. BODGE.
PATRICK J. BENCH.
JOHN F. JOHNSON.
GEORGE H. CARLETON.
EUGENE A. CARTER.
HUBERT H. MILLER.
EDWARD E. HAMBLEN.
FRANCIS A. PERKINS.
JAMES F. FOLEY.
CHARLES S. THRASHER.
CHARLES L. ELLIS.
WILLIAM H. JOHNSTON.
CHARLES E. WOODMAN.
DENNIS KELLY.
MELVILLE 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 CONVENTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL, Jan. 2, 1888.
RESOLVED, That His Honor, the Mayor, be and is hereby requested to furnish the committee on printing with a copy of his Inaugural Address for publication.
Read twice and adopted.
CHARLES E. GILMAN, City Clerk.
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
OF
HON. MARK F. BURNS,
DELIVERED JAN. 2, 1888.
GENTLEMEN OF THE CITY COUNCIL : -
CONTRARY to my own expectations, I have been called upon for the fourth time to prepare and deliver the customary address at the inauguration of the new City Government. While not expecting or desiring to be called to this important duty, still I am not unmindful of the great honor conferred, nor ungrateful for the kind expression of the confidence reposed in me by my fellow-citizens. I am ready to join with you in promising to repay them, in part, for their kindness by giving them twelve months of honest, faithful service.
It should be remembered that an address of this kind is pre- pared, not for the purpose of entertaining those who may happen to hear it read, but for the sole purpose of giving the information which should be in the possession of every member of the City Council before he undertakes to legislate for the city; also, for the purpose of making such recommendations as may seem, under the circumstances, important. All financial statements should be absolutely correct.
Not only should the address furnish information for members of the City Council, but should, and it is supposed to, contain information interesting to all tax-payers and investors. It should be a ready reference, by means of which the financial condition of the city may be correctly and easily ascertained. For these reasons some of the tables contained in the inaugural address of last year are repeated.
18
ANNUAL REPORTS.
FINANCES.
It appears by the forthcoming report of the Sinking Fund Commissioners that the sinking funds, Jan. 1, 1887, amounted to $584,052.41, to which was added during the year, from con- tributions from the city and interest on investments, the sum of $70,252.88, making the total amount of sinking funds now on hand $654,305.29. Of this amount all but $1,805.29, 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, 1887, namely, $1,525,000. If from this amount the sinking funds now on hand are taken it leaves the net funded debt, Jan. 1,1888, $870,694.71.
The unfunded liabilities are for temporary loans, $170,000, and this amount is equalled by uncollected taxes, assessments, and accounts due.
The real estate in the city was valued last year at $25,219,900 ; the personal property, $2,251,900 ; total valuation, $27,471,800. The tax rate was $14.80 on each $1,000, and, together with 8,862 polls assessed, brought $424,309.14, 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
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
1886
26,003,200
416,987.28
15.40
1887
27,471,800
424,309.14
14.80
The funded debt reached its largest amount in 1876, and rep- resented the amount borrowed for the following improvements, viz. : -
19
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
Public buildings, land, town debt, &c.
$502,354
Public park .
200,000
Street improvements
292,500
Sidewalks .
50,000
Sewers .
227,000
Water-works.
335.000
Total
$1,606,854
.
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 " 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. The contributions to that sinking fund, and assessments on each $1,000 of the valuation necessary to meet it, have been as follows : -
Year.
Amount.
Rate per ≥ 1000 of Valuation.
1876
$45,130.62
$1.70
1877
48,828.58
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
2.78
1885
71,305.66
2.87
1886
66,894.23
2.57
1887
70,252.88
2.56
making the total amount contributed towards the final extin- guishment of the debt, as provided for by the Act of 1875, $714,305.29, and the average tax rate for that purpose, $2.52 on a $1,000 valuation. It will be seen by the foregoing figures that the requirements of the law regulating " Municipal indebt- edness " 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
20
ANNUAL REPORTS.
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. The reason why over $700,000 has been raised by taxation for this purpose, and the annual tax rate increased over $2.50 on the average dur- ing this time is because the law of 1875 required it. Considering the fact that the property of the citizens has been taxed to this extent during all these years to carry out the provisions of the law, and that the rate each year has been $2.50 higher than it would have been had we not been obliged to provide for the payment of the debt, it must be acknowledged that the debt has been a burden, and the property of the citizens has been taxed so high as to materially impair our prosperity ; and, furthermore, the city has been unable to make permanent improvements, which were very much desired, and in some cases absolutely necessary. The Legislature of 1887, recognizing these difficul- ties, passed a new law, giving Somerville certain privileges, among which are the following: It provides in the first place that it may apply its "existing sinking funds, consisting wholly of its own bonds, and any accumulation of interest thereon, toward the payment of the existing funded debt." Our funded debt to-day is $1,525,000. As we have in the sinking funds $654,305.29, if we apply this sumn toward paying off the debt, we shall only owe $870,694.71, and instead of allowing everybody to think we owe $1,525,000, we can publish to the world, what is a fact, that the debt of Somerville is only $870,000. The same law provides that, after a portion of the debt is paid with the sinking funds now on hand, a new sinking fund shall be re-established, and contributions made thereto annually from the tax levy, which shall be sufficient, with its accumulations, to pay it in twenty years from the time when the existing bonds come due. Exactly the same course must be pursued with this new debt as was followed with the old. The only difference would be, the debt would be $870,000 to start with, instead of $1,571,- 854, as it was when the fund was first established, and the time for its payment some years longer, requiring us to set aside for the purpose some $20,000 or $25,000 instead of $70,000, and making the tax rate $1.50 lower each year. Shall the property be taxed $2.50 on a $1,000 or only $1.00 on account of the city debt? Understand, that I have always advocated the policy of
21
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
paying as we go, and the reduction of the debt as fast as we are able ; but I am of the opinion that we are paying it faster than is necessary or wise, for reasons which were stated in the inaugural address of last year, and which are here repeated. As the debt was contracted for such improvements 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 burdens, and that the tax-payers 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 pro- viding 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 twelve years ; but to do so we have been obliged to impose upon the tax-payers a rate of taxation so oppressive as to materially im- pair 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 ac- count to the amount of two and one-half per cent. of the valua- tion, 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 muni- cipal indebtedness are all the legislation which is necessary upon this subject, and cities and towns could be safely left with these safeguards to manage their own municipal debt in their own way. If it is necessary to clear cities entirely from debt, or reduce it to a lower amount, the Legislature 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
22
, ANNUAL REPORTS.
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. Members of any City Council will be more careful in their ex- penditures 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 property 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 providing 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 pro- vide for her future needs.
We have not borrowed any money on funded debt account for twelve years, not because none was needed, but simply be- cause 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.
The tax rate should not be over one and four tenths per cent. of the valuation, or $14.00 on a thousand. The debt of Somer- ville is not large enough to give any one uneasiness. It should not be made a burden or allowed to interrupt our prosperity. It should be paid no faster than is required by law. The City Council can pay it as fast as it desires. We must by law pay a part of it each year. We can, as far as the law is concerned, pay the whole of it. The National Congress, and the people of this whole country, are beginning to see the folly of raising more money by taxation than is required for the support of the Gov- ernment, and for the reduction of the national debt faster than the law requires. You will be called upon to decide how much
23
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
money shall be raised this year on account of the city debt. My recommendation is, that only so much be raised as will fulfil the conditions of the law of 1887, and that the provisions of that law be carried out by applying to the debt the existing sinking funds. If this is done, it will be proper, in my opinion, to provide for all expenses of the city, except for the extension of the water-works, in the annual tax levy.
If this recommendation does not appeal to your judgment, and you conclude to raise $70,000 for the debt, as usual, I recom- mend that the amount which will be required for new school houses, almshouse, hose house, and such permanent improvements as may be absolutely necessary, be raised by issuing bonds of the city, payable in twenty years, and not by immediate taxation, for I am firmly convinced that the tax rate should be further reduced. This cannot be done by increasing the valuation put upon the property by the assessors, for they will, as the law requires, assess it for what they consider its real value, regardless of consequences to the tax rate. That this plan may be followed will be seen from the following statement : The net funded debt of the city, exclusive of the water debt, is $615,000. By referring to the Public Statutes, Chapter 29, and the Acts and Resolves of 1885, Chapter 312, it will be seen that when the net municipal debt of a city falls below two and one-half per cent. of the average valuation for the three preceding years, it may increase the same until it reaches said limit. As the average valuation for the past three years is $26,000,000, and two and one-half per cent. of this amount is $650,000, we can, under the law, this year realize $35,000 from the sale of bonds, and also an amount equal to whatever you see fit to place in the sinking funds from the tax levy of 1888. In other words, it will be legal to borrow $35,000 in addition to the amount appropriated for sinking funds, if you desire to. To my mind, the objection to this plan is that improvements may be made and schemes put through which ought to be postponed until the city can better afford it, or never done at all. I am firmly convinced that the first-mentioned course is far preferable ; it is safer and more economical, and I sincerely hope it will be adopted.
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