Report of the city of Somerville 1901, Part 1

Author: Somerville (Mass.)
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Somerville, Mass.
Number of Pages: 552


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1901 > Part 1


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DOI SOMERV


LLE


FREE


FO


1872


AL


18


CITY STRENGTH


UNICI


ESTABLIS


M


GIVES


CITY OF SOMERVILLE


MASSACHUSETTS


ANNUAL REPORTS


I90I


With Mayor's Inaugural Address Delivered Jan. 6, 1902


IVES


DO


SOMERVILLE


FREE


FOUNDED 1842


NAL


MUNICIPAL


ESTABLISHED


A CITY 1872. STRENGTH


SOMERVILLE JOURNAL PRINT


1902


INAUGURAL ADDRESS


DELIVERED BY


HON. EDWARD GLINES, MAYOR,


JANUARY 6, 1902.


GENTLEMEN OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN : -


After a year's experience as Mayor of Somerville, I am per- mitted, through the generous support of the citizens, to address you, and, through you, the citizens, upon the condition of city affairs and the needs of the various departments.


While not less appreciative of the responsibilities which are this day assumed, the circumstances justify a confidence not en- joyed a year ago.


Acquaintance nowhere signifies more than in the manage- ment of the business of a city which expends over one million dollars a year under a charter that places large responsibilities upon the Mayor. Fortunately, the experience of the past year has made familiarity with all departments of the city not only possible, but inevitable.


Upon us, gentlemen of the Board of Aldermen, must largely rest the good name and enhanced prosperity of the city ; upon our faithfulness and good judgment, upon our disinterested service to the public, must depend in a large measure the advancement of the city which it is our privilege and honor to serve.


Thirty administrations have already served our city. The first began in 1872, when there was a population of only 12,000, and to-day we enter upon these responsibilities when more than 63,000 people dwell within our borders. Then the streets, public buildings, schools, water works and sanitary conditions corresponded to the light population. Now we are equal to nearly six municipalities-as large, in fact, as several other Massachusetts cities combined.


1


ANNUAL REPORTS.


Somerville affairs have been well administered from the first, and it is a matter of pride that the citizens have, by an increased majority, expressed their confidence in the adminis- tration of the past year, in which it may be safely asserted that partisanship has had no part in the affairs of the city government, that no personal aspiration, individual prejudice, or spirit of favoritism has interfered with the best service of the citizens as a whole.


It is well, before entering upon the duties of another year, to take renewed devotion to the same high civic ideals that we have attempted to attain the past year.


The Financial Problem.


The chief responsibility of a city government is financial. This is the pulse of municipal honor and administrative efficiency. Wherever official corruption has disgraced a community, or inability has brought ruin, it has been closely associated with the monetary condition of the city.


Primarily, a city government is a great business interest. We have to do with the raising and spending of vast sums of money, every cent of which is needed in order to provide for the health and comfort, prosperity and peace, of our 63,000 resi- dents. We could, with perfect ease, and without apparent extravagance or recklessness, expend thirty per cent. more money than we have to use. It is a grave problem to know how to get the maximum of civic and economic results on the mini- mum of income.


We are allowed only twelve dollars on a thousand for city maintenance. This seems severe at times, but it is a wise pro- vision, and one that cannot be forgotten or ignored. Our valuation this year will be about $55,000,000, and twelve dollars on a thousand will yield about $660,000. Of this, nearly $300,000 is needed for the schools alone, leaving less than $400,- 000 for all other requirements.


In order to avoid an increase of debt, it is necessary to exer- cise the most rigid economy and the keenest foresight. Only one with such grave responsibilities can understand what it means to have many worthy causes, often championed by high- minded and influential citizens, clamoring for immediate atten- tion. It would be easy for a well-meaning Mayor and Board of


5


MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.


Aldermen to yield to such pressure and jeopardize the city's well- being for many years.


It is of the utmost importance that the efficiency of every department be maintained. To this end the equipment must be kept up to the standard of effective service. To defer any out- lay required for this is highly prejudicial to the city's welfare. To save money in these ways for use in other directions is thriftlessness, and might bring about conditions from which it would take years to recover.


In view of all these conditions, it is with pardonable pride that we recall the fact that, without permitting the deterioration of the equipment in any department, and without increasing the debt, we made several highly important improvements, and at the same time reduced the tax rate last year.


Funded Debt.


The total funded debt of the city January 1, 1901, was $1,478,000. This debt was increased during the year $146,000. It was decreased $163,000, leaving the net funded debt January 1, 1902, $1,461,000, a net reduction of $17,000.


Taxable Property.


The total amount of taxable property is $53,924,200, of which $48,721,800 is on real estate, and $5,202,400 on personal estate, including non-resident bank shares. At a rate of $15.90 on each $1,000 of valuation, the tax is $857,394.78. There are 17,216 polls at $2, making $34,432. We received from street watering $15,613.04, making the total tax levy $907,439.82. Total num- ber of persons assessed, resident and non-resident, 24,106.


Of the amount received in taxes, $119,000 is required for the debt provisions ; $131,194.78 are state and county taxes, Metro- politan sewer, etc., matters over which the city has no control ; $295,800 is used for current expenses of departments, over which the Board of Aldermen has no control; $311,400 is the amount for current expenses within control of the Board of Aldermen. The same statement, based upon the $15.90 per thousand, is as follows : Of each $15.90, $2.43 are for State, County, and Metropolitan taxes ; $2.21 for debt requirements ; $5.49 for cur- rent expenses, over which the Board of Aldermen has no control ;


-


6


ANNUAL REPORTS.


$5.77, current expenses within the control of the Board of Aldermen.


In addition to the amount received from taxes, there was available last year the sum of $217,626.73 on water income ac- count ; we received $28,156.86 from corporation and bank taxes ; from the Clerk of Courts, $3,815.37; from the County Treasurer for dog licenses, $2,962.60 ; from the state, the street railway tax, $52,200.46 ; unexpended appropriations of 1900, $10,042.98; a total of $314,805.00 ; making total receipts from taxes and other sources $1,222,244.82.


The estimated borrowing capacity of the city January 1, 1902, was $148,000. By the first of October this will be in- creased $121,000, making a total borrowing capacity of $269,000.


The City's Finances.


Funded Debt .- The funded debt of the city January 1, 1901, was as follows :-


Funded Debt, City Loan $1,061,000 00


Funded Debt, Sewer Loan 150,000 00


Funded Debt, Paving Loan 60,000 00


Funded Debt, Water Loan


207,000 00


$1,478,000 00


The debt was increased during the year by appropriations made by the Board of Aldermen as follows :-


Public Library Addition $8,000 00


Public Buildings Construction, School- house in Ward One 40,500 00


Public Buildings Construction, Shed at


City Home 1,500 00


Prospect Hill Park


7,500 00


Sewers Construction


30,000 00


Sidewalks Construction


10,000 00


Powder House Boulevard .


12,000 00


Electrical Department, Bell for Engine Two House 500 00


Contagious Disease Hospital and Land


Contiguous to City Home Property 20,000 00


Renewal of Funded Debt 16,000 00


Amount borrowed during the year $146,000 00


The debt was reduced during the year by payments as follows :-


MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.


Funded Debt, City Loan


$118,000 00


Funded Debt, Sewer Loan


8,000 00


Funded Debt, Paving Loan


5,000 00


Funded Debt, Water Loan


32,000 00


Amount paid during the year . $163,000 00


Leaving the funded debt of the city January 1, 1902, $1,461,- 000 (a reduction of $17,000 from the previous year), classified as follows :-


City Loan Bonds bearing interest at 31/2 per cent. ·


$256,000 00


City Loan Bonds bearing interest at 4 per cent. . City Loan Bonds bearing interest at 41/2 per cent.


738,000 00


65,000 00 -


City Loan Sewer Bonds bearing interest at 312 per cent.


30,000 00


City Loan Sewer Bonds bearing interest at 4 per cent.


132,000 00


City Loan Sewer Bonds bearing interest at 41/2 per cent.


10,000 00


City Loan Paving Bonds bearing interest at 4 per cent.


55,000 00


Water Loan Bondy bearing interest at 4 per cent. 165,000 00


Water Loan Bonds bearing interest at 51/2 per cent.


10,000 00


Total funded debt January 1, 1902 . $1,461,000 00


The foregoing amount represents the net indebtedness of the city, the unfunded liabilities for temporary loans, etc., being equaled by its assets, which consist of uncollected taxes, sewer and sidewalk assessments, etc.


Taxes .- The assessors' warrant for the tax levy assessed upon the polls and estates of the inhabitants, as of May 1, 1901, was duly submitted to the collector.


The total amount of taxable property was $53,924,200, and the rate established was $15.90 on each $1,000 valuation, as follows :-


Real Estate, valuation


$48,721,800 00


Personal Estate, valuation 5,133,400 00


Non-Resident Bank Shares


69,000 00


Total valuation


. $53,924,200 00


8


ANNUAL REPORTS.


At a rate of $15.90 on each $1,000 valua-


tion Polls, 17,216 at $2 . 34,432 00


$857,394 78


Street Watering 15,613 04


Total amount of tax levy $907,439 82


Total number of persons assessed, resident and non-resident, 24,106.


Appropriations .- The amount of revenue provided by the tax levy may properly be classified as follows :-


Rates a 3- sessed on $1,000 valu- ation. Amount.


For current expenses within the control of the Board of Aldermen $5.775 $311,400 00


Current expenses of depart-


ments over which the


Board of Aldermen has no control 5.486 295,800 00


Debt requirements 2.207 119,000 00


State and County taxes, Met-


ropolitan Sewer Assess-


ments, National Bank


tax and overlay account . $2.432 131,194 78


For total amount on a valuation of


$53,924,200, at $15.90 $857,394 78


Poll taxes assessed credited to State and County 34,432 00


Street Watering, in excess of amount ap- propriated 15,613 04


Total amount of tax levy $907.439 82


The appropriations to the various accounts were as fol- lows :--


ACCOUNTS WITHIN THE CONTROL OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN.


Assessors $9,800 00


City Auditor


750 00


City Clerk 6,900 00


City Engineer


11,900 00


Amount carried forward .


$29,350 00


9


MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.


Amount brought forward


$29,350 00


City Messenger


2,350 00


City Solicitor


2,350 00


City Treasurer


11,000 00


Clerk of Committees and Departments


4,000 00


Contingent Fund


4,500 00


Election Expenses :-


City Clerk


1,000 00


Commissioner of Public Buildings


1,000 00


Pay of Election Officers


1,700 00


Registrars of Voters


1,800 00


Electrical Department


7,500 00


Executive Department


3,700 00


Fire Department


60,900 00


Inspection of Buildings


4,500 00


Military Aid


400 00


Police Department


31,500 00


Printing and Stationery


2,500 00


Public Buildings Maintenance :-


City Hall


4,000 00


City Hall Annex .


775 00


Fire Department


4,500 00


Health Department


1,000 00


Highways


500 00


Police


3,500 00


Public Grounds


100 00


Public Library


3,500 00


Schoolhouses


42,500 00


Sewer Department


100 00


Support of Poor


925 00


Water Department


150 00


Public Grounds


9,500 00


Sealer of Weights and Measures


1,300 00


Soldiers' Relief


15,000 00


Somerville Hospital


5,000 00


Street Lights


49,000 00


Total amount assessed on a valuation of $53,924,200, at $5.775 $311,400 00


ACCOUNTS OVER WHICH THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN HAS NO CONTROL


Health Department


$34,800 00


Public Library


14,000 00


School Contingent


21,000 00


School Teachers' Salaries


203,000 00


Amount carried forward


$272,800 00


10


ANNUAL REPORTS.


Amount brought forward $272,800 00


Support of Poor, City Home 4,000 00


Support of Poor, Miscellaneous


19,000 00


Total amount assessed on a valuation of $53,924,200, at $5.486 $295,800 00


ACCOUNTS PROVIDING FOR DEBT REQUIREMENTS.


Interest


$45,000 00


Reduction of Funded Debt 74,000 00


Total amount assessed on a valuation


of $53,924,200, at $2.207 $119,000 00


PROVIDING FOR STATE AND COUNTY TAXES, ETC.


State Tax


$30,625 00


Deduct one-half of poll taxes . 17,216 00


$13,409 00


County Tax $55,129 32


Deduct one-half of poll taxes . 17,216 00


37,913 32


Metropolitan Sewer Assessment


41,195 19


National Bank Tax


1,097 10


Overlay and Abatement


37,580 17


Total amount assessed on a valuation


of $53,924,200, at $2.432 $131,194 78


In addition to the above, the following appropriations were made from the various income accounts :-


From the income of the Water Works :-


Water Maintenance $30,000 00


Water Works Extension


25,000 00


Water Loan Interest . . 8,270 00


Metropolitan Water Assessment


56,816 76


Water Works, Abatements on Water


Charges


500 0C


Sewers, Maintenance


10,350 00


Interest on Sewer Loan Bonds . 6,440 00


Reduction of Funded Debt, Water Loan . 32,000 00


Reduction of Funded Debt, Sewer Loan . 8,000 00


Reduction of Funded Debt, City Loan . 40,249.97


Total


$217,626 73


11


MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.


From the Income from the State and County :-


Police, the amount received of the state


for corporation and bank taxes $28,156 86


Police, the amount received of the clerk of courts for fines, costs, etc. 3,815 37


Public Library, the amount received from the county for dog licenses . 2,962 60


Highways Construction, from the receipts from the state for street railway tax . Highways, Maintenance, from street rail- way tax 18,324 19


10,876 27


Highways, paved gutters and crossings, from street railway tax 18,000 00


Sidewalks, Maintenance, from street rail- way tax 5,000 00


Total $87,135 29


Balance of Excess and Deficiency account for 1900, appropriated for street lights . $10,042 98


Total from Water Income, from State and County, and from Ex- cess and Deficiency balance . $314,805 00


The aggregate appropriations from the tax levy and from income were as follows :-


From tax levy


$907,439 82


From income 314,805 00


Total


$1,222,244 82


12


ANNUAL REPORTS.


The following tables, giving a condensed history of the city's finances, are herewith presented for reference :-


YEAR.


Amount of Funded Debt.


Increase of Funded Debt.


Reduction of Funded Debt.


Tax Rate per $1,000 Valuation on Account of Reduc- tion of Funded Debt.


Town .


$593,349


Dec. 31, 1872


643,354


$50,005


1873


1874


1,419,854


610,500


66


1875


1,571,854


152,000


1876


1,606,854


45,000


*$55,130 62


$2 07


. .


1877


1,606,854


10,000


*58,828 58


2 30


66


1880


1,585,000


.


58,498 64


2 59


1882


1,585,000


61,390 59


2 65


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


1887


1,525,000


70,252 88


2 56


66


1888


1860,500


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


66


1892


1,194,500


253,000


104,000 00


2 73


66


1893


1,279,500


222,000


137,000 00


3 27


66


1895


1,506,500


247,000


85,000 00


1 83


66


1896


1,531,000


177,000


152,500 00


3 11


66


1897


1,548.000


167,000


150,000 00


2 39


66


1898


1,552,000


176,000


172,000 00


3 99


1899


1,492.500


110,000


169.500 00


3 30


1900


1,478,000


152,000


166,500 00


3 17


1901


1.471,000


146,000


153,000 60


3 52


.


·


809,354


166,000


.


.


1878


1,596,854


61,004 64


2 91


1879


1,585,000


64,915 76


3 42


55,739 35


2 72


1881


1,585,000


1,525,000


66,894 23


2 57


1891


1,045,500


45,000


57,000 00


1 55


1894


1,344,500


172,000


107,000 00


2 42


1886


*$10,0 )0.00 applied to payment of bonds; balance to sinking funds. tSinking fund applied.


13


MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.


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


504,475 24


18 60


1877


25,479,400


471,789 14


18 10


1878


20,976,900 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 54


15 70


1895


46,506,300


745,609 02


15 40


1896


49,070,800


786,412 32


15 40


1897


50.231,000


913,574 42


17 30


1898


50,739,700


954,187 11


17 90


1899


51,262,400


882,580 96


16 30


1900


52,578.200


889,916 08


16 00


1901


53,924,200


907,439 82


15 90


Highways.


There is no reform more widely discussed nor more ener- getically advocated than that which involves the improvement of our streets and highways. During the past year large sums of money have been expended for permanent pavements of brick, asphalt, and macadam, and this work has received more careful attention than during any previous year.


In the days of our fathers the question of good roads re- ceived very little attention. They aimed to build as many roads as possible, regardless of their quality, and the roughest specimen of roadway would answer the purpose for which it was intended. With the coming of the bicycle and the automobile the situation has changed, and to-day the demand is for better roads every- where.


Among the works of particular importance done on our highways this year are the following :-


In Union square 3,625 square yards of paving have been relaid, 210.7 yards of crossings relaid, and 111.1 feet of edge- stones reset.


409,497 10


19 00


1879


14


ANNUAL REPORTS.


Cross street, from Broadway to Tufts street, a distance of about 2,150 feet, has been paved with Trinidad asphalt, the contract for the work having been awarded to the Barber Asphalt Paving Company, for the sum of $3.58 per square yard, the company giving a bond of $7,000 and a ten years' guarantee for the work performed. Five thousand, three hundred and eighty cubic yards of old road material were removed from this street and used in raising Mystic avenue and Middlesex avenue to sub-grade ; 4,400 feet of edgestones were reset, 3,370 square yards of brick sidewalks were relaid, and 217.4 square yards of vitrified brick crossings were laid at intersecting streets.


The Boston Elevated Railway Company has laid double tracks in Cross street, from Broadway to Medford street, a total length of 3,000 feet. The parcel of land purchased by the com- pany at the corner of Cross and Medford streets has been deeded to the city, and great improvement has been made by lengthen- ing the curve at this point, and thus doing away with noise of cars rounding the short curve. There are at present 29 1-3 miles of electric tracks in the city.


As suggested in my inaugural of last year, the first and most important work of the Highway Department is to put in first-class condition the main avenues. Following this advice, Highland avenue has been repaired its entire length, from Med- ford street to Davis square, and Broadway has been put in first- class condition from Charlestown Neck to the Arlington line.


Thirteen streets have been accepted during the past year under the betterment act. I strongly advise the continuance of the policy of the past two years,-that streets should be laid out under the provisions of law authorizing the assessment of betterments.


Twenty-eight streets have been constructed or re-surfaced, a total length of about seven and one-half miles, at a cost of about $25,000. An amount of $12,000 has been expended out- side of this for general repairs and patching streets, making a total of $37,000 laid out for work on the roadways. Thirteen streets, a total length of 1.12 miles, have been accepted.


The total length of public streets in the city is 62.96 miles, and private streets, 28.9 miles.


One thousand, one hundred and sixty defects in streets and sidewalks have been reported by the Police Department, and


15


MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.


have received immediate attention. Thirty-three thousand and forty-four feet of streets have been dug up for the purpose of laying sewers, water pipes, gas pipes, and wires.


Eleven thousand, one hundred and twenty-six loads of debris, 4,195 loads of old macadam, 9,280 loads of street sweep- ings, 4,788 loads of snow, and 1,324 loads of ashes have been carted away during the year.


Since the building of the subways at Kent and Sacramento streets, great inconvenience has been encountered during storms by the subways being filled with water. It is expected that by the recent installation of an automatic pump the diffi- culty will be obviated.


Following the suggestion of the Street Commissioner, I would recommend that Pearl street, from Cross street to Gilman square, and Medford street, from Gilman square to Dartmouth street, be resurfaced; that College avenue, from Powder House square to the Medford line, be reconstructed; that Somerville avenue, from Kent street to Elm street, and Medford street, from Broadway to Lowell street, be paved.


Sidewalks.


One of the most urgent requirements of the year will be the relaying of sidewalks in the older portions of the city, notably in East Somerville, where the walks were first laid in the city. Not only were they not made as well in those early days as now, but the growth of the trees and various other causes have combined to make them seriously defective, incon- venient, and unsightly. Practically the entire district should be given new sidewalks.


It is well to re-emphasize the fact that the sidewalks are in even more constant use than the streets, and the comfort of the citizens and the beauty of a city are largely enhanced by good sidewalks.


Ten thousand, eight hundred and ninety-two and seven- tenths square yards of brick and granolithic sidewalks have been laid; 23,006.3 feet, or over four miles, of edgestones have been set ; 655 square feet of granite flagging crossings, and 425 square yards of vitrified bricks (93 square yards of which were in driveways) have been laid or relaid; and 35.5 square


16


ANNUAL REPORTS


yards of paving and flagging crosswalks and 37 square yards of asphalt crossing's have been constructed.


The total length of brick sidewalks with edgestones in the city is 57.84 miles ; gravel sidewalks with edgestones, 32.61 miles.


The completion of the wall at Professor Norton's estate on Beacon street has greatly improved that part of the street. Two hundred dollars, Professor Norton's share of the expense of this work, has been paid to the City Treasurer, as per agreement.


Watering Streets.


An earnest effort has been made the past year to keep the dust laid throughout the entire season. It is no easy matter to accomplish all that is desirable in the early spring and late autumn. This force is under the direction of an efficient assist- ant to the Street Commissioner, and the service has been per- formed in a most satisfactory manner, as is shown by the fact that exceptionally few complaints have been made of the way in which the streets were watered. No money expended is more appreciated by the citizens as a whole than that for watering the streets.


Under an act passed by the Legislature authorizing cities to water streets, and to assess the cost to the abutters, only accepted streets are watered. On private streets the entire cost must be paid in advance before any watering is done. The work of watering the streets is let out by contract, a uniform price of $80 per month, per cart, being paid to each contractor, who furnishes a pair of horses and a driver. There are twenty- six watering carts belonging to the department, and the city has been divided into a corresponding number of districts, each averaging about two miles of streets. Each contractor is re- quired to keep the streets within his district properly watered at all times, Sundays included.


Bridges.


The situation is the same in respect to railroad bridges that it was one year ago, and we can only repeat with added em- phasis that our territory is now so thickly settled that no pains should be spared to bring into the market every building Tot, and whenever possible every section should be given the advan-


17


MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.


tage of every other. It is also of the utmost importance that the greatest safety to life should be provided for. It is important that arrangements be begun for the rebuilding of at least two bridges over the Boston and Lowell railroad, and the replacing of the bridge connecting the two portions of Lowell street. This bridge was one of the first erected over the railroad in Somer- ville, and its abandonment was due to the assumption that "Polly Swamp" was not to be built up; but this street, on both sides of the railroad, is now very thickly settled. It has been thor- oughly rebuilt, almost in its entire length, from Medford street to Somerville avenue, constituting first-class approaches to such a bridge. No improvement would accommodate more persons than the replacing of this structure, and a movement should be at once inaugurated to require the Boston & Maine Railroad to rebuild it as a public necessity, as well as convenience.




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