USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1895 > Part 1
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GIVES
O
SOMERVILLE
FREE
A
FOUN
AL
DED
A CITY 1872.
184
D
LI
STRENGTH
MUNICI
EST
-
CITY OF SOMERVILLE
ANNUAL REPORTS
1895
GIVES
DO SOMERVILLE
FREED
FOUNDED 1842
AL
MUNICIPAL
1842. ESTABLISHED
A CITY 1872. STRENGTH
BOSTON : AMERICAN PRINTING AND ENGRAVING CO. 50 Arch Street. 1896.
.
CONTENTS.
A - City Government, Committees and Officers for 1895.
B - Mayor's Inaugural Address for 1895.
C - Mayor's Inaugural Address for 1896. D - City Treasurer and Collector of Taxes, report of, with appendix.
E - School Committee (School Department), report of.
F - Public Library, Trustees of, report of.
G - Somerville Mystic Water Board, report of.
H - Board of Health, report of.
I - Overseers of the Poor, report of.
J - City Physician, report of.
K - Highways, Committee on, report of.
L - Sewers, Committee on, report of.
M - City Engineer, report of.
N - Fire Department, Committee on, report of.
O - Fire Department, Chief Engineer of, report of.
P - Fuel and Street Lights, Committee on, report of. Q - Lights, Superintendent of, report of.
R - Public Property, Committee on, report of.
S - Inspector of Buildings, report of.
T - Public Buildings, Superintendent of, report of. U - Electric Lines, Superintendent of, report of.
V - Inspector of Milk, report of.
W - Inspector of Animals and Provisions, report of. X - Sealer of Weights and Measures, report of. Y - City Solicitor, report of.
Z - City Clerk, report of.
a - Ordinances. b - Jury List. c - City Government, Committees and Officers for 1896.
d - Meetings of the City Council and School Committee.
A
CITY GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS FOR 1895.
MAYOR. WILLIAM H. HODGKINS, 188 Central street.
.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
EDMUND S. SPARROW, President.
WARD ONE.
ISAIAH H. WILEY
.
.
WILFRED B. RICH .
.
54 Mt. Vernon street 13 Franklin street
WARD Two.
FRED W. GILBERT MELVILLE D. JONES
101 School street 53 Walnut street
WARD THREE.
CALVIN H. WHITNEY
LEONARD B. CHANDLER
68 Gilman street 45 Jaques street
WARD FOUR.
EDMUND S. SPARROW BENJAMIN J. DOWNS
18 Meacham street 5 Claremon street
CLERK.
GEORGE I. VINCENT.
6
ANNUAL REPORTS.
COMMON COUNCIL. L. HERBERT HUNTLEY, President.
WARD ONE.
L. HERBERT HUNTLEY
ALBERT C. FAIRBANKS JOSIAH N. PRATT
F. DEWITT LAPHAM
1 Pearl street 91 Perkins street 33 Franklin street 3 Hathorn street
WARD Two.
FREDERICK W. PARKER
WILLIAM M. IRVING
GEORGE E. WHITAKER
ROBERT S. WRIGHT
65 Boston street 82 Summer street 19A Greenville street 11 Summit avenue
WARD THREE.
HERBERT L. CLARK
JAMES M. ANDREWS
.
.
JAMES G. HINCKLEY
ANDREW A. LAMONT
124 Sycamore street 172 Broadway 254 School street 43 Heath street
WARD FOUR.
WILLIAM H. BERRY JOHN N. BALL . · HOWARD D. MOORE
ELMER A. STEVENS
.
.
.
39 Cherry street 690 Broadway 73 Curtis street 84 Morrison street
CLERK.
CHARLES S. ROBERTSON.
·
·
1
A-CITY GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS FOR 1895.
7
JOINT STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
ACCOUNTS .- Aldermen Chandler and Rich ; Councilmen Pratt, Whitaker and Stevens.
CITY ENGINEERING .- Aldermen Gilbert and Sparrow; Councilmen Fairbanks, Hinckley and Irving.
CLAIMS .- His Honor, the Mayor, and Alderman Rich; the President of the Common Council, Councilmen Wright and Moore.
FINANCE .- His Honor, the Mayor, Aldermen Whitney and Jones; the President of the Common Council, Councilmen Fairbanks, Parker, Clark and Moore.
FIRE DEPARTMENT .- Aldermen Wiley and Sparrow; Councilmen Berry, Huntley and Lamont.
FUEL AND STREET LIGHTS .- Aldermen Chandler and Downs ; Coun- cilmen Hinckley, Wright and Lapham.
HIGHWAYS .- Aldermen Gilbert and Whitney; Councilmen Berry, Clark and Lapham.
LEGISLATIVE MATTERS .- His Honor, the Mayor, and Alderman Gilbert ; the President of the Common Council, Councilmen Wright and Moore.
ORDINANCES .- Aldermen Rich and Chandler; Councilmen Hinckley, Whitaker and Ball.
PRINTING .- Aldermen Rich and Downs; Councilmen Ball, Irving and Lamont.
PUBLIC GROUNDS .- Aldermen Jones and Wiley; Councilmen Fairbanks, Stevens and Andrews.
PUBLIC PROPERTY .- Aldermen Sparrow and Chandler; Councilmen Pratt, Parker and Andrews.
SOLDIERS' RELIEF .- Aldermen Jones and Chandler; Councilmen Berry, Pratt and Andrews.
WATER .- Aldermen Downs and Whitney ; the President of the Common Council, Councilmen Ball and Irving.
8
ANNUAL REPORTS.
STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
ELECTIONS AND RETURNS. - Aldermen Wiley, Chandler and Sparrow.
ENROLLED ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS .- Aldermen Jones, Downs and Wiley.
LICENSES .- Aldermen Whitney, Downs and Jones.
POLICE .- Aldermen Wiley and Sparrow.
SEWERS .- Aldermen Sparrow, Gilbert and Whitney.
STATE AID .- Aldermen Downs, Gilbert, Whitney and Rich.
SPECIAL BUILDING PERMITS .- Aldermen Gilbert and Wiley.
STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL.
ELECTIONS AND RETURNS .- Councilmen Parker, Lamont and Lapham. ENROLLED ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS .- Councilmen Clark, Whitaker and Stevens.
9
A-CITY GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS FOR 1895.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
WILLIAM H. HODGKINS, Mayor, Chairman, ex officio. L. HERBERT HUNTLEY, President of the Common Council, ex officio. (Term, three years.) WARD ONE. S. NEWTON CUTLER (elected 1894). SANFORD HANSCOM, M. D. (elected 1893). GEORGE S. POOLE (elected 1892).
WARD Two.
THOMAS M. DURELL, M. D. (elected 1893). ALVAH B. DEARBORN, M. D. (elected 1894). HERBERT A. CHAPIN (elected 1892.)
WARD THREE.
QUINCY E. DICKERMAN (elected 1892). THOMAS S. WENTWORTH (elected 1893). FRANK H. HARDISON (elected 1894).
WARD FOUR.
GILES W. BRYANT, M. D. (elected 1892). MARTIN W. CARR (elected 1893). GEORGE A. MILES, M. D. (elected 1894).
GORDON A. SOUTHWORTH, Superintendent and Secretary.
10
ANNUAL REPORTS.
ASSESSORS.
(Term, three years.)
BENJAMIN F. THOMPSON, Chairman (term expires 1896). SAMUEL T. RICHARDS (term expires 1898). NATHAN H. REED (term expires 1897). Clerk of Assessors, ALBERT B. FALES.
ASSISTANT ASSESSORS.
(Term, one year.)
WARD ONE.
FRED. B. CLAPP.
WARD Two. CHARLES C. FARRINGTON.
WARD THREE.
EDGAR T. MAYHEW.
WARD FOUR. HARRY A. TRUE.
BOARD OF HEALTH.
(Term: City Physician, three years ; other members, two years.) ALVANO T. NICKERSON, Chairman (term expires 1896). ALVAH B. DEARBORN, M. D., City Physician (term expires 1898). ALLEN F. CARPENTER (term expires 1897). Clerk, WILLIAM P. MITCHELL. Inspector, CALEB A. PAGE. Superintendent Collection of Ashes and Offal, ROBERT DUDDY (resigned Sept. 30). GEORGE W. S. HUSE (appointed Oct. 1).
11
A-CITY GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS FOR 1895.
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR. Office, Police Building, Bow street. WILLIAM H. HODGKINS, Mayor, Chairman, ex officio. (Term, four years.)
EDWARD B. WEST, President (term expires 1899). ALBERT W. EDMANDS (term expires 1897). HERBERT E. MERRILL (term expires 1898). EZRA D. SOUTHER (term expires 1896). Agent, CHARLES C. FOLSOM. Secretary, CORA F. LEWIS.
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 1898). 7 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 1898). CHARLES E. PARKS (term expires 1896). GEORGE I. VINCENT, City Clerk.
12
ANNUAL REPORTS.
TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY. (Term, three years.) CHARLES S. LINCOLN, Chairman (term expires 1897). CHARLES A. WEST (term expires 1898. JOHN B. VIALL (term expires 1896). J. HENRY FLITNER (term expires 1898). CHRISTOPHER E. RYMES (term expires 1897). ELIJAH C. CLARK (term expires 1898). CHARLES H. BROWN (term expires 1897). J. FRANK WELLINGTON (term expires 1896). CHARLES W. SAWYER (term expires 1896). JOHN S. HAYES, Librarian and Secretary.
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.
CITY ENGINEER. HORACE L. EATON.
SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS. THOMAS H. EAMES.
13
A -CITY GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS FOR 1895. 1
INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS. THOMAS R. ROULSTONE ( died Oct. 17). FREDERICK C. FULLER ( appointed Nov. 1).
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.
INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS AND PROVISIONS. THOMAS CUNNINGHAM.
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. AMMIEL COLMAN.
CLERK OF COMMITTEES. WILLIAM P. MITCHELL.
14
ANNUAL REPORTS.
CLERK OF ASSESSORS. ALBERT B. FALES.
Suitable Persons to Cause to be Properly Interred the Bodies of Honorably Discharged Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines, Under Chapter 395, Acts of 1889. JESSE J. UNDERHILL. JAMES F. DAVLIN.
CONSTABLES.
JAIRUS MANN.
ROBERT R. PERRY.
CHARLES C. FOLSOM.
JOSEPH J. GILES.
EDWARD McGARR.
DENNIS KELLEY.
CHRISTOPHER C. CAVANAGH. CHARLES L. ELLIS.
EUGENE A. CARTER.
CLARENCE TUCKER.
GEORGE H. CARLETON.
JOSEPH W. CURRANT.
FENCE VIEWERS.
LAMBERT M. MAYNARD. AMMIEL COLMAN.
MEASURER OF WOOD AND BARK. SAMUEL T. LITTLEFIELD.
MEASURERS OF GRAIN. JOHN CRAIG. ALBERT C. LYMAN.
PUBLIC WEIGHER IN CHARGE OF CITY SCALES, UNION SQUARE. FULTON O'BRION.
PATRICK J. GARVIN.
JOHN B. McKENNA.
MELVILLE C. PARKHURST.
WILLIAM D. HAYDEN.
15
A -CITY GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS FOR 1895.
WEIGHERS OF COAL.
JOHN CRAIG.
GEORGE K. WALCOTT.
CHARLES H. TUCKER.
GEORGE E. SLACK.
GEORGE E. NEWCOMB.
WILLIAM I. NEWCOMB.
AMMIEL COLMAN.
SIDNEY E. HAYDEN.
IRWIN L. SMITH.
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, Sergt.
DENNIS KELLEY, Sergt.
PHINEAS W. SKINNER.
SAMUEL A. BROWN.
ALBION L. STAPLES.
JOHN HAFFORD.
JUDSON W. OLIVER. .
GEORGE A. BODGE.
GEORGE W. BEAN.
GEORGE H. CARLETON.
GEORGE L. SMITH.
EDWARD M. CARTER.
JOHN F. JOHNSON. (Resigned March 1.)
EDWARD E. HAMBLEN.
CHARLES E. WOODMAN.
ARTHUR E. KEATING.
STEPHEN S. SMITH.
EUGENE H. GAMMON.
IRA S. CARLTON.
JAMES M. HARMON.
CHARLES W. STEVENS.
MICHAEL T. KENNEDY.
ULYSSES G. SKINNER.
EZRA A. DODGE.
JAMES J. POLLARD.
DANIEL G. SIMONS.
SAMUEL BURNS.
JOTHAM CHISHOLM.
FRED H. GOOGINS. WILLIAM J. DAVIDSON.
ELMER E. DREW. MELVILLE C. PARKHURST, Lockup Keeper.
RESERVE POLICE.
GEORGE L. RICE. JOHN A. DADMUN.
HERBERT HILTON.
EUGENE A. WOODSUM. JOHN A. RAY. MYRON S. GOTT.
CHARLES W. REICK.
HUBERT H. MILLER. (Resigned July 23.)
FRANCIS A. PERKINS.
CHARLES S. THRASHER.
WILLIAM H. JOHNSTON.
JOHN G. KNIGHT.
THEODORE E. HERON.
JACOB W. SKINNER.
DAVID A. BOLTON.
ROBERT A. YERXA.
D. WARNER DANFORTH. THADDEUS HARRINGTON.
CLINTON E. SOMES.
EDWARD L. DUNNING.
CHRIS. C. CAVANAGH, Sergt. EUGENE A. CARTER, Sergt. JOHN E. FULLER.
MAYORS' INAUGURAL ADDRESSES.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
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.
IN CONVENTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL, January 6, 1896.
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.
B
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
DELIVERED BY
HON. WILLIAM H. HODGKINS,
JANUARY 7, 1895.
GENTLEMEN OF THE CITY COUNCIL :-
For the third time in the history of Somerville the voters have elected a Mayor for the fourth consecutive term. Renewing my oath of office, it is fitting that I should acknowledge my deep sense of personal obligation to my fellow-citizens for the honor conferred upon me for the fourth time, indicating, as it does, the confidence reposed in me. I should be less than human did I not respond with expres- sions of sincere thankfulness that my public course has been such as to receive this testimonial of high esteem.
But while a new honor has been added, I can but realize that another draught is to be made upon my strength and ability to per- form the duties of the high office. Experience has taught me that the position of Mayor of this growing city demands all the strength, and courage, and patience the incumbent possesses, and more than all else the sustaining grace and power of the Almighty. As I meet the cares and problems of another year, differing, in many respects,
6
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Amount brought forward . $87,500
Schoolhouse, Edgerly addition
2,000
Schoolhouse, High and English High, heating, ventilating and plumbing
35,000
Schoolhouse, O. S. Knapp addition
15,500
Schoolhouse, Ward Four, south side Fitch- burg Railroad .
12,000
Sewers, construction
20,000
Total amount of increase
$172,000
The debt was reduced during the year by payments as follows :-
Funded Debt, City Loan
$83,000
Funded Debt, Sewer Loan
1,000
Funded Debt, Paving Loan
. 5,000
Funded Debt, Water Loan
18,000
Total amount of reduction
$107,000
Leaving the Funded Debt of the city January 1, 1895, $1,344,500 (an increase of $65,000 over the previous year), classified as fol- lows : ---
City Loan Bonds bearing interest at 4 per cent. $444,000
City ,Loan Bonds bearing interest at 412 per cent. 233,000
City Loan Bonds bearing interest at 5 per cent. 165,000
City Loan Sewer Bonds bearing interest at 4 per cent.
20,000
City Loan Sewer Bonds bearing interest at 41/2 per cent.
17,000
City Loan Sewer Bonds bearing interest at 5 per cent. 35,000
City' Loan Paving Bonds bearing interest at 4 per cent. 90,000
Water Loan Bonds bearing interest at 4 per cent.
248,000
Water Loan Bonds bearing interest at 5 per cent. 82,500
Water Loan Bonds bearing interest at 512 per cent.
10,000
Total Funded Debt January 1, 1895 $1,344,500
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 assess- ments, etc.
7
B - MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF 1895.
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 .
$40,598,900
Personal property, valuation
3,544,000
Total valuation
$44,142,900
A rate of $15.70 on $1,000 valuation, with 14,061 polls at $2 each, gives the total amount of tax levy, $721,165.53.
The appropriations provided for by the tax levy were as follows : --
Fire Department
$ 43,000.00
Health Department
12,000.00
Highways
Indigent Soldiers and Sailors .
60,000.00 500.00
Interest
65,000.00
Miscellaneous
6,600.00
Police
25,000.00
Police Station Incidentals
3,500.00
Printing and Stationery
6,500.00
Public Grounds
4,500.00
Public Library
6,500.00
Reduction of Funded Debt
100,000.00
Relief and Burial of Indigent Soldiers and Sailors .
4,000.00
Salaries .
35,400.00
School Contingent
16,000.00
School Contingent, Janitors' Salaries
11,000.00
School Fuel
9,000.00
Schoolhouse Incidentals .
12,000.00
School Teachers' Salaries
125,000.00
Sewers, Maintenance
7,000.00
Sidewalks
10,000.00
Street Lights . .
44,000.00
Amount carried forward
$606,500.00
8
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Amount brought forward
$606,500.00
Support of Poor . ·
. 15,000.00
Watering Streets
. ·
7,000.00
For current expenses $628,500.00
State of Massachusetts, State tax 31,380.00
State of Massachusetts, Metropolitan Sewer assmt. 22,230.79
State of Massachusetts, Non-resident Bank stock 847.80
County of Middlesex, County tax
·
34,317.59
Overlay and Abatement, added for fractional divi- sions and abatement . 3,889.35
Total amount of appropriations provided for by the tax levy $721,165.53
In addition to the above, the following appropri- ations were made from the various income accounts, viz. : -
Police, the amount received of the State for Corpo- ration and bank taxes 22,225.59
Public Library, the amount received of the County for dog licenses . 2,710.90
Water Maintenance, from the income of the water works 32,500.00
Water Works Construction, from the income of the water works 30,000.00
Water Loan Interest, from the income of the water works 15,415.00
Amount carried forward
$824,017.02
9
B-MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF 1895.
$824,017.02 Amount brought forward . ·
Reduction of Funded Debt, balance of income of the water works (estimated) 5,486.30
Total amount of appropriations for the year . $829,503.32
The following 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
1873
809,354
166,000
1874
1,419,854
610,500
1875
1,571,854
152,000
1876
1,606,844
45,000
55,130.62
$2.07
66
1877
1,606,854
10,000
58,828.58
2.30
6.
1878
1,596,854
61,004.64
2.91
6:
1881
1,585,000
58,498.64
2.59
1882
1,585,000
61,390.59
2.65
66
1883
1,585,000
64,479.01
2.70
66
1885
*1,525,000
71,305.66
2.87
66
1887
1,525,000
70,252.88
2.56
66
1889
952,500
130,000
38,000.00
1.27
..
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
2.73
66
1893
1,279,500
222,000
137,000.00
3.27
66
1894
1,344,500
172,000
107,000.00
2.42
1879
1,585,000
64,915.76
3.42
1880
1,585,000
55,739.35
2.72
1884
1,585,000
67,719.33
2.78
1886
1,525,000
66,894.23
2.57
1888
*860,500
25,000
37,000.00
1.28
* Sinking Fund applied.
10
ANNUAL REPORTS.
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
501,745.24
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
1894
44,142,900
721,165.53
15.70
STATEMENT OF PUBLIC PROPERTY.
The value of the property of the city December 31, 1891, was $1,685,637.46. The property acquired during the year 1892 was as follows : -
Nathan Tufts Park
$21,591.45
Edgerly Schoolhouse addition
11,217.50
Water Works extension
34,863.17
Land on Tufts street.
2,142.00
Total
.
$69,814.12
Less property sold : --
Union Schoolhouse, Prospect, land and bldg. $2,600.00 Gravel land in Winchester . 500.00
$ 3,100.00
Net increase
$66,714.12
11
B- MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF 1895.
The value of the property of the city December 31, 1892, was $1,752,351.58. The property acquired during the year 1893 was as follows : ---
Estate of the First Congregational Society, Central
Hill
$45,000.00
Fire Department, relief engine .
3,000.00
Fire Department, land on Highland avenue
2,970.83
Nathan Tufts Park
13,466.33
Schoolhouse in Ward Three (Glines)
1,200.68
Schoolhouse in Ward Four, south side Fitchburg Railroad
3,255.39
Schoolhouse, Edgerly addition
11,825.83
Schoolhouse, Bingham addition
5,710.00
Schoolhouse, English High
2,018.00
Water Works extension
35,545.30
Total amount of property acquired during the year, $123,992.36
The value of the property of the city December 31, 1893, includ- ing an increase in valuation of old property by the committee of that year amounting to $104,867.88, was $1,981,211.82. The property acquired during the year 1894 was as follows : -
Fire Department, central fire station $22,286.43
Fire Department, central fire station, electrical apparatus, etc. .
2,106.32
Fire Department, chemical engine and equipment
2,498.53
Fire Department, hook and ladder station, Highland avenue
9,232.48
Fire Department, hook and ladder station, equipment and furniture
3,719.00
Fire Department, land for fire station, Ward One
6,000.00
Highways, city stable
10,351.88
Nathan Tufts Park
17,649.28
Schoolhouse, Bingham addition
9,206.87
Schoolhouse, Edgerly addition
1,837.19
Schoolhouse, English High
44,185.33
Amount carried forward
$129,073.31
12
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Amount brought forward . $129,073.31
Schoolhouse, English High, heating, ventilating and plumbing . 27,797.28
Schoolhouse, O. S. Knapp addition 12,623.46
Schoolhouse, Ward Four, south side Fitchburg Rail- road . 16,190.10
Water Works extension
28,375.67
$214,059.82
RECAPITULATION OF PUBLIC PROPERTY.
1889 to 1894, inclusive.
Public property December 31, 1888 . .
$1,287,023.44
Public property acquired in 1889 . $123,637.42
Public property acquired in 1890 . 136,507.07
Public property acquired in 1891 . 138,469.53
Total amount of new property ·
398,614.02
Public property December 31, 1891 .
$1,685,637.46
Amount of public property December 31, 1891, as per inventory
$1,685,637.46
Property acquired in 1892 . $ 66,714.12
Property acquired in 1893
. 123,992.36
Property acquired in 1894
.
·
214,059.82
Total amount of new property . $404,766.30
Increase in valuation of old property by committee in 1893
104,867.88
Total amount of public property Dec. 31, 1894 $2,195,271.64
The unexpended balances of public property accounts, not in- cluded in the above, but represented in the funded debt account, amount to $63,355.28.
Complaint has been made in some quarters that the valuation of the city has been unduly increased during the past three years. This statement is not true. While human judgment is not infallible,
13
B-MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF 1895.
and some property is quite as likely to be undervalued as overvalued, I believe the Board of Assessors is composed of conscientious, dis- criminating and experienced men. I am inclined to the belief that an unexpected increase of the tax rate has caused more complaint than overvaluation, and that "hard times " has been the most potent cause for complaint. An examination of the treasurer's reports will prove the fact that the percentage valuation during the last three years has not increased, but rather decreased.
The valuation of the city in 1880 was $20,458,100. It was in- creased during the four years' term of Mayor Cummings, ninteen per cent .; during the four years' term of Mayor Burns, twenty-one per cent. ; during Mayor Pope's administration, twenty-seven per cent., and in the last three years, sixteen per cent. But from last year's valuation should be deducted the valuation of property never before assessed in any administration, including the grounds of the McLean Asylum, used for railroad purposes, making the net increase of valua- tion on the natural growth of the city, less than fifteen per cent.
During the previous administration the city debt was increased $185,000. During the past three years, $299,000.
Of this amount $100,000 was borrowed before I came into office, but as this administration has been credited with the payment of $87,500 of this loan, and may possibly have the credit of paying the balance, it is allowed to stand against this administration. Allowing the credit of $12,500, and deducting the special loan of $100,000 for paving of Somerville avenue, the debt of the city for ordinary purposes has been increased only $1,500 over the last administration. A neigh- boring city with a valuation of $44,000,000, has a debt of $3,479,676, or more than two and one-half times that of Somerville.
The value of our public property is $2,202,302.68, not including the amount of $61,913.77, not yet paid out, but represented in the funded debt, not to mention the paving loan of $100,000, or the sum of $785,000 - the cost of our sewer system. There are but few cities in the Commonwealth whose financial standing is superior to that of Somerville.
The average tax rate of the thirty cities of the State is $16.18, our tax, $15,70, being forty-eight cents per thousand below the average and thirty-eight cents below the average tax rate of Somerville since its incorporation. The city tax rate last year was $13.77, but the State, and the increased County and Metropolitan Sewer tax, $1.93,
14
ANNUAL REPORTS.
increased the rate to $15.70. It is expected that the State tax will be less than last year, but I am informed that the County tax will be somewhat increased. It is possible that the Metropolitan Sewer tax will be larger than last year. We begin the year in good financial condition, and all the departments are free from any deficiency.
The number of building permits issued during the year by the Inspector of Buildings has fallen somewhat from that of the previous year. The number of permits for dwellings issued has been 339, but the Superintendent informs me that these dwellings are designed for 752 families, classified as follows: Ward One, 39; Ward Two, 208; Ward Three, 256; Ward Four, 249; total, 752. If these families average four persons each, the increase of population at the rate of 3,000 per year can easily be accounted for.
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