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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