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TAI
STRENGTH
A CITY 1872.
GIVES
ESTABLISH
1842 MUNICI
FOUND
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012 with funding from Federally funded with LSTA funds through the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners
http://archive.org/details/annualreportofci1894some
CITY OF SOMERVILLE
ANNUAL REPORTS
1 894
GIVES N
DO
SOMERVILLE
FREE
TVN
1872.
MUNICIPAL
FOUNDED 1842
A CITY
STRENGTH
ESTABLISHED
BOSTON: A. L. WINSHIP & Co., PRINTERS. 1895.
CITY GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS FOR 1894.
MAYOR. WILLIAM H. HODGKINS, 188 Central street.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN. JOHN ANDREWS, President.
WARD ONE.
ISAIAH H. WILEY
LEWIS STOCKBRIDGE
54 Mt. Vernon street . 33 Pinckney street
WARD TWO.
FRANKLIN J. HAMBLIN
30 Walnut street ·
FRED W. GILBERT
·
101. School street
WARD THREE.
JOHN ANDREWS
34 Albion street
CALVIN H. WHITNEY
68 Gilbert street
WARD FOUR.
FRANKLIN F. PHILLIPS
EDMUND S. SPARROW
. 211 Holland street . 18 Meacham street
CLERK.
GEORGE I. VINCENT.
4
ANNUAL REPORTS.
COMMON COUNCIL.
FRANK W. KAAN, President.
WARD ONE.'
WILFRED B. RICH . ALBERT C. FAIRBANKS
L. HERBERT HUNTLEY JOSIAH N. PRATT
13 Franklin street 10 Union street 1 Pearl street 33 Franklin street
WARD TWO.
GEORGE B. CLARKE .
ARTHUR W. HAYNES
FRANK W. KAAN
FREDERICK W. PARKER
. 31 Berkeley street 11 Parker street . 12 Pleasant avenue 65 Boston street
WARD THREE.
LEONARD B. CHANDLER
45 Jaques street 98 Central street
G. FRANKLIN WILKINS
GEORGE H. RUSS
. 28 Montrose street
HERBERT L. CLARK
124 Sycamore street
WARD FOUR.
FREDERICK A. P. FISKE
BENJAMIN J. DOWNS
WILLIAM H. BERRY .
G. LESLIE NICHOLS .
52 Cherry street 5 Claremon street 75 Harris street
. 20 Chapel street
CLERK.
CHARLES S. ROBERTSON.
10
CITY GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS FOR 1894.
JOINT STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
ACCOUNTS .- Aldermen Stockbridge, Phillips ; Councilmen Clarke (Ward 2), Nichols, Pratt.
CITY ENGINEERING. - Aldermen Gilbert, Phillips ; Councilmen Downs, Chandler, Fairbanks.
CLAIMS .- His Honor the Mayor; Alderman Hamblin; the Presi- dent of the Common Council ; Councilmen Rich, Fiske.
FINANCE. - His Honor the Mayor; Aldermen Phillips, Stock- bridge; the President of the Common Council; Councilmen Fiske, Rich, Nichols, Clark (Ward 3).
FIRE DEPARTMENT. - Aldermen Hamblin, Wiley ; Councilmen Wilkins, Huntley, Berry.
FUEL AND STREET LIGHTS .- Aldermen Wiley, Gilbert; Council- men Haynes, Chandler, Berry.
HIGHWAYS. - Aldermen Gilbert, Whitney; Councilmen Clarke (Ward 2), Downs, Fairbanks.
LEGISLATIVE MATTERS .- His Honor the Mayor ; Alderman Whit- ney ; the President of the Common Council; Councilmen Russ, Nichols.
ORDINANCES .- Aldermen Phillips, Hamblin ; Councilmen Russ, Fiske, Rich.
PRINTING .- Aldermen Whitney, Stockbridge; Councilmen Clark (Ward 3), Fairbanks, Parker.
PUBLIC GROUNDS. - Aldermen Sparrow, Whitney ; Councilmen Chandler, Haynes, Huntley.
PUBLIC PROPERTY .- Aldermen Andrews, Sparrow ; Councilmen Russ, Pratt, Parker.
SOLDIERS' RELIEF. - Aldermen Andrews, Wiley; Councilmen Clarke (Ward 2), Berry, Huntley.
WATER .- Aldermen Sparrow, Stockbridge; the President of the Common Council ; Councilmen Downs, Wilkins.
6
ANNUAL REPORTS.
STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
ELECTIONS .- Aldermen Wiley, Andrews, Hamblin.
ENROLLED ORDINANCES .- Aldermen Sparrow, Gilbert, Andrews. LICENSES .- Aldermen Stockbridge, Gilbert, Sparrow. POLICE .- His Honor the Mayor ; Aldermen Andrews, Wiley.
SEWERS .- Aldermen Phillips, Hamblin, Andrews.
STATE AID .- Aldermen Wiley, Gilbert, Whitney, Phillips. SPECIAL BUILDING PERMITS .- Aldermen Gilbert, Hamblin.
STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL.
ELECTIONS AND RETURNS. - Councilmen Pratt, Parker, Clark (Ward 3).
ENROLLED ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS .- Councilmen Haynes, Nichols, Wilkins.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
WILLIAM H. HODGKINS, Mayor, Chairman, ex officio. FRANK W. KAAN, President of the Common Council, ex officio. (Term, three years.)
WARD ONE. S. NEWTON CUTLER (elected 1891). SANFORD HANSCOM, M. D. (elected 1893). GEORGE S. POOLE (elected 1892).
7
CITY GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS FOR 1894.
WARD TWO.
THOMAS M. DURELL, M. D. (elected 1893) . ALVAH B. DEARBORN, M. D. (elected 1891). HERBERT A. CHAPIN (elected 1892).
WARD THREE.
NORMAN W. BINGHAM (elected 1891). QUINCY E. DICKERMAN (elected 1892). THOMAS S. WENTWORTH (elected 1893).
WARD FOUR.
GILES W. BRYANT, M. D. (elected 1892). MARTIN W. CARR (elected 1893). BENJAMIN G. BROWN (elected 1891).
GORDON A. SOUTHWORTH, Superintendent and Secretary.
ASSESSORS. (Term, three years.)
BENJAMIN F. THOMPSON, Chairman (term expires 1896) SAMUEL T. RICHARDS (term expires 1895). NATHAN H. REED (term expires 1897). 1 Clerk of Assessors, ALBERT B. FALES.
ASSISTANT ASSESSORS. (Term, one year.)
WARD ONE.
FRED. B. CLAPP.
WARD TWO.
CHARLES C. FARRINGTON.
8
ANNUAL REPORTS.
WARD THREE. EDGAR T. MAYHEW.
WARD FOUR. HARRY A TRUE.
BOARD OF HEALTH. (Term : City Physician, three years ; other members, two years.) THOMAS M. DURELL, M. D., Chairman (term expires 1895). ALVAH B. DEARBORN, M. D., City Physician (term expires 1895) . ALVANO T. NICKERSON (term expires 1896). Clerk, WILLIAM P. MITCHELL. Inspector, CALEB A. PAGE.
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR. Office, Police Building, Bow street.
WILLIAM H. HODGKINS, Mayor, Chairman, ex officio. (Term, four years.) EDWARD B. WEST (term expires 1895). JAMES G. HINCKLEY (term expires 1896). ALBERT W. EDMANDS (term expires 1897). HERBERT E. MERRILL (term expires 1898). Agent, CHARLES C. FOLSOM.
Secretary, CORA F. LEWIS.
9
CITY GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS FOR 1894.
SOMERVILLE MYSTIC WATER BOARD.
Office, Prospect street, corner Somerville avenue. (Term, three years.)
GEORGE D. WEMYSS, President (term expires 1897). 5 Austin street.
GEORGE A. KIMBALL (term expires 1895). 5 Munroe street.
WILLIAM FRANKLIN HALL (term expires 1896). 345 Broadway. NATHANIEL DENNETT, Supt. Water Works.
FRANK E. MERRILL, Clerk.
REGISTRARS OF VOTERS.
(Term : City Clerk, one year ; other members, three years.) CROMWELL G. ROWELL, Chairman (term expires 1897). CHARLES P. LINCOLN (term expires 1895) . CHARLES E. PARKS (term expires 1896). GEORGE I. VINCENT, City Clerk.
TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
(Term, three years.)
CHARLES S. LINCOLN, Chairman (term expires 1897).
CHARLES A. WEST (term expires 1895).
10
ANNUAL REPORTS.
JAMES E. WHITAKER (term expires 1896). JOHN B. VIALL (term expires 1896). J. HENRY FLITNER (term expires 1895). CHRISTOPHER E. RYMES (term expires 1897). ELIJAH C. CLARK (term expires 1897). CHARLES H. BROWN (term expires 1897). J. FRANK WELLINGTON (term expires 1896) . JOHN S. HAYES, Secretary and Librarian.
CITY CLERK AND CLERK OF BOARD, OF ALDERMEN.
GEORGE I. VINCENT.
CITY TREASURER AND COLLECTOR OF TAXES. JOHN F. COLE.
MESSENGER TO CITY COUNCIL. JAIRUS MANN.
CITY SOLICITOR. SELWYN Z. BOWMAN.
CITY AUDITOR.
CHARLES S. ROBERTSON.
11
CITY GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS FOR 1894.
CITY ENGINEER. HORACE L. EATON.
SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS. THOMAS H. EAMES.
INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS. THOMAS R. ROULSTONE.
CHIEF OF POLICE. MELVILLE C. PARKHURST.
CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. JAMES R. HOPKINS.
SUPERINTENDENT OF ELECTRIC LINES AND LIGHTS. LEIGHTON W. MANNING.
CITY PHYSICIAN. ALVAH B. DEARBORN, M. D.
INSPECTOR OF MILK AND VINEGAR.
THOMAS CUNNINGHAM.
12
ANNUAL REPORTS.
INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS AND PROVISIONS. THOMAS CUNNINGHAM.
CLERK OF COMMITTEES. WILLIAM P. MITCHELL.
CLERK OF ASSESSORS. ALBERT B. FALES.
Suitable Persons to Cause to be Properly Interred the Bodies of Hon- orably Discharged Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines, Under Chapter 395, Acts of 1889.
JESSE J. UNDERHILL.
JAMES F. DAVLIN.
CONSTABLES.
JAIRUS MANN.
WILLIAM D. HAYDEN.
ROBERT R. PERRY.
JOSEPH J. GILES.
CHARLES C. FOLSOM.
DENNIS KELLEY.
EDWARD MCGARR.
CHARLES L. ELLIS.
CHRISTOPHER C. CAVANAGH.
CLARENCE TUCKER.
EUGENE A. CARTER.
GEORGE H. CARLETON.
PATRICK J. GARVIN.
JOSEPH W. CURRANT.
FIELD DRIVERS.
CHRISTOPHER C. CAVANAGH.
GEORGE H. CARLETON. JOHN E. FULLER. JACOB W. SKINNER.
CHARLES S. THRASHER. GEORGE W. BEAN. JOHN G. KNIGHT. THECDORE E. HERON.
13
CITY GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS FOR 1894.
FENCE VIEWERS.
LAMBERT M. MAYNARD.
AMMIEL COLMAN.
POUND KEEPER. (Office vacant.)
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. AMMIEL COLMAN, 34 Marshall street.
MEASURER OF WOOD AND BARK. SAMUEL T. LITTLEFIELD.
MEASURER OF GRAIN. JOHN CRAIG.
PUBLIC WEIGHER IN CHARGE OF CITY SCALES, UNION SQUARE.
FULTON O'BRION.
WEIGHERS OF COAL.
JOHN CRAIG. GEORGE K. WALCOTT. CHARLES H. TUCKER. GEORGE E. SLACK.
GEORGE E. NEWCOMB.
D. WARNER DANFORTH. THADDEUS HARRINGTON. CLINTON E. SOMES. EDWARD L. DUNNING. WILLIAM I. NEWCOMB.
14
ANNUAL REPORTS.
WEIGHERS OF BEEF.
D. WARNER DANFORTH.
THADDEUS HARRINGTON.
CHARLES H. TUCKER.
GEORGE K. WALCOTT.
FREDERICK A. GEILING.
GEORGE E. SLACK.
CLARENCE EDWARDS.
CLINTON E. SOMES.
POLICE DEPARTMENT. MELVILLE C. PARKHURST, Chief.
ROBERT R. PERRY, Captain.
EDWARD MCGARR, Sergeant.
CHRIS. C. CAVANAGH, Sergeant.
DENNIS KELLEY, Sergeant.
EUGENE A. CARTER, Sergeant.
PHINEAS W. SKINNER.
JOHN E. FULLER.
SAMUEL A. BROWN.
ALBION L. STAPLES.
JOHN HAFFORD. GEORGE A. BODGE.
JUDSON W. OLIVER.
GEORGE W. BEAN.
GEORGE H. CARLETON.
GEORGE L. SMITH.
HUBERT H. MILLER.
EDWARD M. CARTER.
FRANCIS A. PERKINS.
JOHN F. JOHNSON.
CHARLES S. THRASHER.
EDWARD E. HAMBLEN.
WILLIAM H. JOHNSTON.
CHARLES E. WOODMAN.
JOHN G. KNIGHT.
ARTHUR E. KEATING.
THEODORE E. HERON.
STEPHEN S. SMITH.
JACOB W. SKINNER.
DAVID A. BOLTON.
IRA S. CARLTON.
JAMES M. HARMON.
CHARLES W. STEVENS.
MICHAEL T. KENNEDY.
ULYSSES G. SKINNER.
JAMES J. POLLARD.
EZRA A. DODGE. DANIEL G. SIMONS.
MELVILLE C. PARKHURST, Lockup Keeper.
EUGENE H. GAMMON.
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESSES.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
IN CONVENTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL, January 1, 1894.
RESOLVED : That His Honor the Mayor, be, and he is hereby requested to furnish the Committee on Printing with a copy of his inaugural address for publication.
Read twice and adopted.
GEORGE I. VINCENT, Clerk.
IN CONVENTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL, January 7, 1895.
RESOLVED : That His Honor the Mayor, be, and he is hereby requested to furnish the Committee on Printing with a copy of his inaugural address for publication.
Read twice and adopted.
GEORGE I. VINCENT, Clerk.
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
DELIVERED BY
HON. WILLIAM H. HODGKINS,
JANUARY 1, 1894.
GENTLEMEN OF THE CITY COUNCIL : -
It is a cause of congratulation that we enter upon our public duties upon the first day of the New Year. I cordially greet you, with the sincere wish that it may be to each of us a " Happy New Year." The past has carried its record to the Judge of all the earth, and as our feet touch the boundary of another year, we have suppli- cated His blessing to rest upon us and direct all our actions.
In accordance with the terms of the city charter we have sub- scribed to the oath of office, and have called Almighty God to wit- ness that we will faithfully perform the duties which our fellow-citi- zens have elected us to discharge.
Appearing for the third time in compliance with the expressed wishes of my fellow-citizens to assume the obligations and responsi- bilities of this high office, I desire to return my sincere thanks for the honor conferred upon me, and for the warm and generous appreciation of my humble efforts to conduct public affairs for the
(2)
18
ANNUAL REPORTS.
best interest of the city. I accept it, also, as an endorsement of the views I have expressed as to the general policy to be pursued with reference to the welfare of Somerville in all that will tend to develop municipal prosperity and a lofty public spirit. With each succeed- ing year the burden of responsibility is more weighty ; and I approach this year's duty feeling more than ever my own weakness, yet relying upon the promise of strength and wisdom from our Father in Heaven, who will never forsake or suffer to be misguided any who put their trust in Him.
FINANCES.
The funded debt of the city January 1st, 1893, was as follows : - -
Funded Debt, City Loan
$676,000
Funded Debt, Sewer Loan
43,000
Funded Debt, Paving Loan
100,000
Funded Debt, Water Loan
375,500
Total Funded Debt
. $1,194,500
The debt was increased during the year by appropriations made by the City Council as follows : -
Estate of the First Congregational Society, Central Hill $45,000
Fire Department, steam fire engine . 3,000
Fire Department, land on Highland avenue 3,000
Highways, paving Washington street . Nathan Tufts Park
24,000
10,000
Schoolhouse (Glines) in Ward Three
1,500
Schoolhouse in Ward Four, south side of Fitchburg R. R. 15,000
Schoolhouse, English High
80,000
Schoolhouse, Edgerly addition .
·
3,500
Schoolhouse, Bingham addition. ·
10,000
Sewers, construction . 10,000 .
Renewals of Funded Debt
17,000
Total amount of increase $222,000
19
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF 1894.
The debt was reduced during the year by payments as follows : -
Funded Debt, City Loan . $115,000
Funded Debt, Paving Loan 5,000
Funded Debt, Water Loan
17,000
Total amount of reduction $137,000
Leaving the Funded Debt of the city January 1st, 1894 . $1,279,500
(An increase of $85,000 over the previous year) classified as fol- lows : -
City Loan Bonds bearing interest at 4 per cent. $351,000
66
" 43 per cent. 257,000
66 66
“ 5 66
165,000
66 Paving Bonds bearing interest at 4 per cent. .
95,000
City Loan Sewer Bonds bearing interest at 42. per cent. . ·
18,000
City Loan Sewer Bonds bearing interest at 5 per cent. .
35,000
Water Loan Bonds bearing interest at 4 per cent.
254,000
66 66 66 10 94,500
66
66
" " 5} " 10,000
Total Funded Debt January 1st, 1894 . $1,279,500
The above represents the net indebtedness of the city, the un- funded liabilities, for temporary loans, etc., being equalled by its assets, which consist of uncollected taxes, sewer and sidewalk assessments, etc.
To provide for the payment of the current expenses, State and County taxes and debt requirements for the past year, the annual tax levy was made as follows : --
Real estate, valuation . $38,538,700
Personal property, valuation 3,334,900
Total valuation
$41,873,600
20
ANNUAL REPORTS.
A rate of $15.50 on $1,000 valuation, with 13,423 polls at $2 each, gives the total amount of the tax levy . $675,886.80
The appropriations provided for by the tax levy were as follows : -
Fire Department
. $ 41,000.00
Police
25,000.00
Police Station Incidentals .
3,500.00
Health Department .
12,000.00
Highways
60,000.00
Indigent Soldiers and Sailors
500.00
Interest
55,000.00
Miscellaneous .
7,000.00
Public Grounds
7,500.00
Public Library
5,500.00
Printing and Stationery
6,000.00
Reduction of Funded Debt
75,000.00
Relief and Burial of Indigent Soldiers and Sailors . 3,500.00
Salaries
34,000.00
School Contingent, Janitors' Sal- aries
10,000.00
School Contingent
16,000.00
School Fuel
8,000.00
Schoolhouse Incidentals
12,000.00
School Teachers' Salaries .
125,000.00
Sewers, Maintenance
7,000.00
Sidewalks
10,000.00
Street Lights
42,000.00
Support of Poor
14,000.00
Watering Streets
6,000.00
For current expenses £ $585,500.00
State of Massachusetts, State tax . 39,225.00
State of Massachusetts, Metropolitan Sewer assessment
7,996.50
Amount carried forward
.
$632,721.50
·
21
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF 1894.
Amount brought forward $632,721.50
State of Massachusetts, Non-resident bank stock 819.95
County of Middlesex, County tax
32,029.82
Overlay and Abatement, for the sum added
for fractional divisions and abatements . 10,315.53
Total amount of appropriations provided for by the tax levy . $675,886.80
In addition to the above, the following appropriations were made from the various income accounts, viz. : -
Police, the amount received of the State for cor- poration and bank taxes $17,108.43
Public Library, the amount received of the County for dog licenses 3,655.64
Water Maintenance, from the income of the water works . 25,000.00
Water Works, construction of the water works 35,000.00
Water Loan Interest, balance of income of the water works 16,285.00
Reduction of Funded Debt .
2,174.73
Total amount of appropriations for the year
$775,110.60
A careful examination of the various accounts before the books can be closed for the year, warrants the statement that the total ex- penditures will be within the amount appropriated.
22
ANNUAL REPORTS.
The usual tables, giving a condensed history of the city's finances, are herewith presented for comparison and reference : -
YEAR.
Amount of Funded Debt.
Increase of Funded Debt.
Reduction of Funded Debt.
Tax Rate Per $1,000 Valuation on account of Reduction of Funded Debt.
Town
$ 593,349
Dec. 31, 1872
643,354
$ 50,005
..
66
1873
809,354
166,000
4 4
1874
1,419,854
610,500
66
1875
1,571,854
152,000
66
1876
1,606,854
45,000
$ 55,130.62
$2.07
66
1877
1,606,854
10,000
58,828.58
2.30
66
1878
1,596,854
61,004.64
2.91
66
1880
1,585,000
55,739.35
2.72
66
1882
1,585,000
61,390.59
2.65
66
1883
1,585,000
64,479.01
2.70
1884
1,585,000
67,719,33
2.78
1885
*1,525,000
71,305.66
2.87
66
1886
1,525,000
66,894.23
2.57
1887
1,525,000
70,252.88
2.56
1888
*860,500
25,000
37,000.00
1.28
66
1889
952,500
130,000
38,000.00
1.27
66
1890
1,057,500
150,000
45,000.00
1.38
1891
1,045,500
45,000
57,000.00
1.55
1892
1,194,500
253,000
104,000.00
1.58
66
1893
1,279,500
222,000
137,000.00
1.79
* Sinking Funds applied.
YEAR.
VALUATION.
TAX LEVY.
RATE.
1872
$22,755,325
$274,374.45
$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
504,745.24
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
1888
28,765,400
421,458.60
14.00
1889
30,004,600
440,324.40
14.00
1890
32,557,500
447,704.00
14.00
1891
36,843,400
539,137.10
14.00
1892
38,093,100
596,357.50
15.00
1893
41,873,600
675,886.80
15,50
. .
1879
1,585,000
64,915.76
3.42
1881
1,585,000
58,498.64
2.59
23
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF 1894.
Territorially, Somerville is one of the smallest cities of the State, two only - Chelsea and Everett - having less taxable acreage. The average taxable acreage of the cities of the Commonwealth is 10,457 ; Taunton, with 25,222 acres, being the largest, while Somerville num- bers less than 1,900 acres, Everett 1,816, and Chelsea, the smallest, has 961. The population of Taunton averages a little more than one to the acre ; Chelsea, 31 ; Everett, 6} ; and Somerville, with 25 per- sons per acre, has more dwellings to the acre than any city or town in the State, excepting Chelsea, and nearly as many as that city. The average tax rate in the 30 cities of the Commonwealth is $16.31, our tax being 81 cents below the average. The average tax rate of Som- erville since its incorporation as a city - a period of 22 years - has been $16.08 ; last year, $15.50. The lowest was $12.80, in 1873 ; the highest, $19.50, in 1881.
It seems almost unnecessary that I should at this time review at length the condition of the various departments of the city. Two thirds of last year's government, seven members of the new Board of Aldermen, and nine members of the Common Council returning with only a Sabbath's intermission from the duties and responsibilities of the last year's service, need not to be reminded of the various sub- jects which have been acted upon and completed, or have been, after more or less consideration, referred to this City Council. After one. night's bivouac on the field of action, we open our eyes to behold the situation but slightly changed, with many of the same subjects still seeking or demanding solution.
It gives me pleasure to record my appreciation of the faithful ser- vice of all the boards and heads of the city departments, the City Treasurer, City Clerk, City Solicitor, and all the employes at City Hall, without whose constant and efficient service, official life would be more difficult and burdensome than it now is. After many years of experience with many public officials, I can truly say that, in my opinion, no city in the Commonwealth has more honest, intelligent and loyal officials, and I take pleasure in thus publicly bearing witness to their worth. We begin the new year without incumbrance, with no unpaid bills, and with all the departments in excellent working condition.
At this time I would impress upon your minds the wisdom of a careful scrutiny of all items of expenditure in the regular ap-
24
ANNUAL REPORTS.
propriations and the imperative necessity of "living within our means."
I recommend to your careful consideration the proposition that the appropriations for the running expenses of the city to be raised under the twelve-dollar tax limit be levied upon the average valuation for the past three years, instead of upon the valuation of last year alone. The law permits either course, and last year, owing to the demand for increased expenditure, it was deemed best to avail our- ' selves of the privilege of levying the larger amount, viz. : upon the valuation of 1892, which admitted of an appropriation of $455,632. Then, again, certain very valuable estates were to be taxed for the first time, which, together with the increase of assessed values, increased the valuation to $41,873,600 - a gain of $3,780,500.
This year the prospect of a corresponding increase of valuation is not as promising, and if the valuation of last year shall be made the basis, the tax rate will be likely to be increased. The basis of the average valuation for the past three years will' afford an appropriation of $463,501, an increase of $7,869. In addition to this should be added a considerable sum brought forward from the account of 1892 and paid from the appropriation of 1893. If this recommendation is carried into effect, the tax rate will not exceed $15 per thousand.
The Inspector of Buildings reports that permits for the erection of 482 buildings were issued during the last year. Although this is a slight reduction compared with the year 1892 - owing doubtless to the stringency of money during a portion of the year - it indicates a healthy and substantial growth of the city and adds about 2,500 to the population of the city, which is estimated to be nearly, if not quite, 50,000 souls.
One year ago there were in use in the city three oil lamps, 276 arc and fourteen incandescent lights. During the year there have been added forty-one arc and fourteen incandescent lights. Twenty- five incandescents have been discontinued, leaving the number at the present time 317 arc lights, three being placed on public grounds, one on Central Hill and two on Broadway Park, 211 incandescent, and three oil lights.
25
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF 1894.
STREET DEPARTMENT.
During the past year the action of the Highway Committee has been in strict accordance with the course pursued the year previous, and consequently a very large amount of work has been performed. The object has been the rebuilding of thoroughfares on a lasting basis and taking care of the new streets which have been opened so rapidly in the different sections of the city ; also, the temporary repair of such main streets upon which the committees have been unable to make permanent improvements this year, but which under the general plan would receive early attention. The paving with granite blocks of Washington street between Union square and Medford street, which was recommended one year ago, has been accomplished, and that portion of the street which was one of the worst in the city is now in splendid condition. The most extensive piece of macadamizing undertaken has been in Ward One, on Broadway ; the entire distance between the Boston line and Cross street has been brought to grade, changing the former dangerous grade in a portion of it ; a new foun- dation has been put in, and the whole covered with a wearing surface of Salem hard stone. Broadway, from the boundary to the top of Winter Hill, is now one of the finest streets in the vicinity. In Ward Four, Elm street, from Davis square to Willow avenue, has been rebuilt with Waltham hard stone. I recommend that the work of rebuilding this street in the same manner be continued to Somerville avenue during the present year. The calls for the building of new streets recently opened and built upon have been greater than ever before. In my opinion the committee has responded to these demands in every ward to the full extent of the appropriation, and each section has had its equal share of improvements. A large amount of sidewalk building has been accomplished, nearly 15,000 feet of edgestones and more than 13,000 square yards of brick sidewalks having been laid.
The subject of enlarging the city stables, which was considered last year, and for which plans have been prepared and estimates pro- cured, is one that will require your early attention. The department is crippled for lack of horses and teams to do the necessary work, and 'is forced by lack of stable room to considerable expense in hiring
26
, ANNUAL REPORTS.
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