USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1902 > Part 1
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GIVES
M
EED
SOMERVILLE
AL
FOIN
1872
ED 1842
A CITY STRENGTH
MUNICI
ESTABLIS
.
A
CITY OF SOMERVILLE
MASSACHUSETTS
ANNUAL REPORTS
1 902
With Mayor's Inaugural Address Delivered Jan. 5, 1903
GIVES
SOMERVILLE
FREEL
N
FOUNDED 1842 18
AL
1872
MUNICIPAL
A CITY
STRENGTH
42. ESTABLISHED
SOMERVILLE JOURNAL PRINT
1903
THE CITY HALL.
44494
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
DELIVERED BY
HON. EDWARD GLINES, MAYOR,
MONDAY, JANUARY 5, 1903.
GENTLEMEN OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN : -
Once more it is my privilege to address you, and, through you, the various city officials and the citizens, upon the oppor- tunities and responsibilities of modern municipal life.
Ungrateful indeed should we be if we did not appreciate the endorsement expressed in the recent election, and the least we can do at the opening of a new municipal year is to take renewed devotion to every interest of our City.
It is impossible to forecast what a year may bring forth, what emergencies may arise, what complications may confront us. We do well to be grateful for the lessons of experience, and to enter upon the duties of a new year content to record our pur- pose to maintain the good name of our fair City and to advance her prosperity, knowing that upon our action must depend in no small measure the public safety and the comfort of the citizens.
Somerville's past is secure. Her future will depend upon what her citizens make it. One is tempted to refer to sacred memories and associations, but, in a nobler spirit, we face the new day with its problems. He honors the fathers who does his work as they did theirs. As we enjoy the fruits of other men's labors, let us live for and serve those who must enter into our labors.
A second year's administrative experience has not lessened the strenuousness of official life, but rather, has deepened the conviction that only by the utmost diligence and intelligent effort can one meet the demands of a modern city upon her public servants. He who accepts a public office as a public trust, who would have every branch of the City Government administered as economically and efficiently as a successful private business, finds
4
ANNUAL REPORTS.
it no light task to raise and expend one and a quarter millions of dollars a year wisely.
Some citizens are slow to learn that one has no right to ex- pect personal advantages, that place the citizens as a whole at a disadvantage, in city employment or contracts. This is not an easy lesson to learn, and is all too easily forgotten.
A city could not be more free than is ours from suspicion that the administration of any public interest is for private gain. Only by eternal vigilance can this proud distinction be main- tained. There are serious hindrances to conducting city affairs on the same business principles as a private corporation. The wonder grows that it is possible to secure such efficient and disin- terested service from our Board of Aldermen. In view of all these conditions, it is remarkable that our City affairs are admin- istered practically on the same principles as successful private business.
Public service means service of the public. There is no virtue in economy that does not serve the public. Any mayor and board of aldermen could be economical, if that were the only requisite. Virtue lies only in serving the public satisfactorily, while serving the city economically. Public service is two-fold : first, maintaining the efficiency of every department; second, investing in improved equipment and conveniences. The former is most essential and the least appreciated. New parks, boule- vards and public buildings catch the eye of the public and stimu- late civic pride, but there is no poetry in maintaining the efficiency of street and sewer, fire and police departments. To this un- poetic phase of public service special attention has been given the past two years.
To the best of my knowledge and belief, there has been no neglect and no deterioration in any department, but rather, a steady expansion and advance toward perfection all along the line. Eternal vigilance is the price of efficiency in any business. You cannot presume upon the reliability of human endeavor, except as you watch it and inspire it.
Wear and tear are inevitable, and the more complicated the mechanism, the greater the wear and tear. This makes a heavy draft upon the City treasury to maintain the efficiency of the equipment. The increase in prices of all materials is another factor that has militated against economy, and yet, notwithstand- ing all these conditions, there is no feature of our public service
5
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
that is not in as good condition as it was two years ago, and in many regards it has been materially improved.
The Financial Problem.
The financial problem must always be with us, and it will be more intricate each year. With close attention to our financial condition, I have come only gradually to understand how diffi- cult it will be for the City to meet all the demands upon her from year to year, and maintain the present reasonable tax rate. It is not only the part of wisdom, but it is a necessity for us to face the facts. It will be next to impossible to maintain the efficiency of every department and to provide the improvements that are absolutely necessary without placing upon posterity a burden too great for it to bear. The Legislature has fixed a debt limit which it considers a fair proportion of the expenses of to-day for pos- terity to bear, and this limit can be extended only in case of great necessity.
The increase in taxable property has varied from $500,000 to $1,500,000 in recent years. The law allows us to use but twelve dollars on $1,000 for city maintenance. Our taxes avail- able for City maintenance, therefore, have never increased more than $18,000 in a year, and sometimes as little as $6,000, whereas the School Department alone has never increased less than $10,- 000 for maintenance, and sometimes more than $20,000. It has always increased more than the entire increase in City taxes for the maintenance of all departments. When we realize that this is only one of the many departments constantly growing, the financial difficulties will be easily appreciated.
Our expenses must continue to increase much more rapidly than our income. Our population is increasing about 2,000 per year, or three per cent. Their proportionate part of the expenses of the City would be $40,000, whereas our total tax increase at sixteen dollars on a thousand has never been more than $25,000. Somerville must prepare herself for a ceaseless struggle with her financial problem. Many of the burdens which we bear are in- herited from the fathers, and we must not place upon posterity greater burdens than it can bear. In view of all the circum- stances, it is with commendable pride that we announce that there has been no deterioration in any department, either in equipment or in standard of service, that we have practically a
6
ANNUAL REPORTS.
perfect working plant in every department, and that we have made some important improvements.
Funded Debt.
The total funded debt of the City January 1, 1902, was $1,461,000. This debt was increased during the year $175,000. It was decreased $159,000, leaving the net funded debt January 1, 1903, $1,477,000, a net increase of $16,000.
Taxable Property.
The total amount of taxable property is $55,558,300, of which $49,697,500 is on real estate, and $5,860,800 on personal estate, including non-resident bank shares. At a rate of $16.40 on each $1,000 of valuation, the tax is $911,156.12. There are 18,022 polls at $2, making $36,044. We received from street watering $17,335.68, making the total tax levy $964,535.80. Total number of persons assessed, resident and non-resident, 25,017.
Of the amount received in taxes, $134,000 is required for the debt provisions ; $134,581.12 are State and County taxes, Metro- politan sewer, etc., matters over which the City has no control ; $333,700 is used for current expenses of departments, over which the Board of Aldermen has no control; $308,875 is the amount for current expenses within control of the Board of Aldermen. The same statement, based upon the $16.40 per thousand, is as follows : Of each $16.40, $2.42 are for State, County, and Metro- politan taxes ; $2.41 for debt requirements ; $6.01 for current ex- penses, over which the Board of Aldermen has no control ; $5.56, 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 $215,010.79 on water income ac- count ; we received $33,795.89 from corporation and bank taxes ; from the Clerk of Courts, $5,155 ; from the County Treasurer for dog licenses, $3,230.95; from the State, the street railway tax, $52,406.28; unexpended appropriations of 1901, $6,974.75; a total of $316,573.66, making the total amount available from taxes and other sources, $1,281,109.46.
The estimated borrowing capacity of the City January 1, 1903, was $157,000. By the first of October this will be in- creased $136,000, making a total borrowing capacity of $293,000.
1
1
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
The City's Finances.
Funded Debt .- The funded debt of the City January 1, 1902, was as follows :-
Funded Debt, City Loan $1,059,000 00
Funded Debt, Sewer Loan
172,000 00
Funded Debt, Paving Loan 55,000 00
Funded Debt, Water Loan
175,000 00
$1,461,000 00
The debt was increased during the year by appropriations made by the Board of Aldermen as follows :-
Public Buildings Construction :-
Schoolhouse in Ward One $8,000 00
Schoolhouse in Ward Seven
34,000 00
Sewers Construction
25,000 00
Public Grounds :-
Glen-Street Addition
800 00
Athletic Field in Ward Seven
1,000 00
Land on Prospect Hill for Park Pur- poses
13,500 00
Prospect Hill Park
8,000 00
Sidewalks Construction
16,000 00
Highways :-
Paved Gutters and Crossings 19,000 00
Construction Munroe Street and Stone Avenue
5,500 00
Electrical Department, Steam Fire Alarm Whistle 200 00
· Renewal of Funded Debt
17,000 00
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Metro-
politan Park Assessment
27,000 00
Amount borrowed during the year $175,000 00
The debt was reduced during the year by payments as follows :-
Funded Debt, City Loan . $116,000 00
Funded Debt, Sewer Loan .
9,000 00
Funded Debt, Paving Loan
5,000 00
Funded Debt, Water Loan
29,000 00
Amount paid during the year $159,000 00
Leaving the funded debt of the City January 1, 1903, $1,477,- 000 (an increase of $16,000 from the previous year), classified as follows :-
8
ANNUAL REPORTS.
City Loan Bonds bearing interest at 31/2 per cent. $359,000 00
City Loan Bonds bearing interest at 4 per cent. . 672,000 00 City Loan Bonds bearing interest at 41/2 per cent. 35,000 00
City Loan Sewer Bonds bearing interest at 31/2 per cent.
54,000 00
City Loan Sewer Bonds bearing interest at 4 per cent.
125,000 00
City Loan Sewer Bonds bearing interest at 41/2 per cent. 9,000 00
City Loan Paving Bonds bearing interest at 4 per cent. 50,000 00
Water Loan Bonds bearing interest at 4 per cent.
136,000 00
Water Loan Bonds bearing interest at 51/2 per cent. 10,000 00
Metropolitan Park Assessment Loan
Bonds bearing interest at 31/2 per cent. 27,000 00
Total Funded Debt January 1, 1903 . $1,477,000 00
The foregoing amount represents the net indebtedness of the City, the unfunded liabilities for the temporary loans, etc., being equalled 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, 1902, was duly submitted to the Collector.
The total amount of taxable property was $55,558,300, and the rate .established was $16.40 on each $1,000 valuation, as follows :-
Real Estate, valuation . $49,697,500 00
Personal Estate, valuation .
5,787,870 00
Non-resident Bank Shares . 72,930 00
Total valuation · $55,558,300 00
At a rate of $16.40 on each $1,000 valua-
tion
$911,156 12
Polls, 18,022 at $2 36,044 00
Street Watering 17,335 68
Total amount of tax levy $964,535 80
Total number of persons assessed, resident and non-resident, 25,017.
9
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
Appropriations .- The amount of revenue provided by the tax levy may properly be classified as follows :-
Rates as- sessed on $1,000 valu- ation. Amount.
For current expenses within the control of the Board of Aldermen
$5.56
$308,875 00
Current expenses of depart- ments over which the
Board of Aldermen has no control
6.006 333,700 00
Debt requirements
2.412
134,000 00
State and County Taxes, Met-
ropolitan Sewer and Park
Assessments, National
Bank Tax, and Overlay account
2.422
134,581 12
For total amount on a valuation of $55,558,300, at $16.40 .
$911,156 12
Poll taxes assessed, credited to State and County
36,044 00
Street Watering, in excess of amount ap- propriated
17,335 68
Total amount of tax levy " . $964,535 80
The appropriations to the various accounts were as fol- lows : -
ACCOUNTS WITHIN THE CONTROL OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
Assessors
$10,050 00
City Auditor
725 00
City Clerk
6,350 00
City Engineer
11,900 00
City Messenger
2,000 00
City Solicitor
2,300 00
City Treasurer
9,000 00
Clerk of Committees and Departments
4,000 00
Contingent Fund .
3,800 00
Election Expenses :---
City Clerk
700 00
Commissioner of Public Buildings
700 00
Pay of Election Officers
1,600 00
Registrars of Voters
1,500 00
Amount carried forward .
$54,625 00
10
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Amount brought forward
$54,625 00
Electrical Department
7,500 00
Executive Department
3,800 00
Fire Department
39,800 00
Highways :-
Construction
2,350 00
Removing Brown-Tail Moths
3,500 00
Inspection of Buildings
4,500 00
Military Aid
350 00
Police
33,000 00
Printing and Stationery
3,200 00
Public Buildings Maintenance :-
City Hall
3,500 00
City Hall Annex
750 00
Fire Department
3,800 00
Health
500 00
Highways
400 00
Police
3,000 00
Public Grounds
50 00
Public Library
3,500 00
Schoolhouses
45,500 00
Sewer Department
50 00
Support of Poor
500 00
Water Department
100 00
Public Grounds
9,500 00
Sealer of Weights and Measures
1,100 00
Soldiers' Relief
16,000 00
Somerville Hospital
5,000 00
Street Lights
63,000 00
Total amount assessed on a valuation of $55,558,300, at $5.56 . · $308,875 00
ACCOUNTS OVER WHICH THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN HAS NO CONTROL.
Health Department
$44,500 00
Public Library
14,500 00
School Contingent
21,000 00
School Teachers' Salaries
228,000 00
Support of Poor, City Home
4,400 00
Support of Poor, Miscellaneous
21,300 00
Total amount assessed on a valuation
of $55,558,300, at $6.006 . $333,700 00
ACCOUNTS PROVIDING FOR DEBT REQUIREMENTS.
Interest $45,500 00
Reduction of Funded Debt 88,500 00
Total amount assessed on a valuation of $55,558,300, at $2.412 . $134,000 00
11
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
PROVIDING FOR STATE AND COUNTY TAXES, ETC.
State Tax ·
$26,250 00
Deduct one-half of poll taxes . 18,022 00
$8,228 00
County Tax $54,994 82
Deduct one-half of poll taxes . 18,022 00
36,972 82
Metropolitan Sewer Assessment
45,160 25
Metropolitan Park Assessment .
33,916 19
National Bank Tax
1,196 05
Overlay and Abatement
9,107 81
Total amount assessed on a valuation of $55,558,300, at $2.422 . $134,581 12
In addition to the above, the following appropriations were made from the various income accounts :-
From the Income of the Water Works :-
Water Maintenance $27,789 27
Water Loan Interest
6,790 00
Water Works Extension
19,864 12
Water Works, Abatements Charges
on Water
360 20
Interest on Sewer Loan Bonds
6,622 00
Sewers Maintenance
10,500 00
Fire Department .
22,000 00
Reduction of Funded Debt, Sewer Loan Bonds
9,000 00
Reduction of Funded Debt, Water Loan
Bonds
29,000 00
Reduction of Funded Debt, City Loan Bonds
13,187 31
Metropolitan Water Assessment .
62,397 89
Health Department
7,500 00
Total
$215,010 79
From the Income from the State and County :-
Police, the amount received of the State for corporation and bank taxes . $33,795 89
Police, the amount received of the Clerk of the Courts for fines, costs, etc. 5,155 00 · Public Library, the amount received of the County for dog licenses . 3,230 95
Amount carried forward . $42,181 84
12
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Amount brought forward $42,181 84
Highways, Construction, from the receipts from the State for street railway tax . 10,000 00 Highways, Maintenance, from street rail- way tax 36,406 28
Sidewalks, Maintenance, from street rail- way tax
6,000 00
Total
$94,588 12
Balance of Excess and Deficiency account for 1901 appro- priated as follows :-
Public Buildings Maintenance, City Hall
Annex Improvement $600 00
Highways, Maintenance 6,374 75
$6,974 75
Total from Water Income, from State and
County, and from Excess and Defi-
ciency balance
$316,573 66
The aggregate appropriations from the tax levy and from income were as follows :-
From tax levy
$964,535 80
From income
316,573 66
$1,281,109 46
13
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
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
809,354
166,000
66
1874
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
1878
1,596,854
61,004 64
2 91
1880
1,585,000
55,739 35
2 72
1882
1,585,000
61,390 59
2 65
1883
1,585,000
64,479 01
2 70
66
1886
1,525,000
25,000
37,000 00
1 28
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
1893
1,279,500
222,000
137,000 00
3 27
1894
1,344,500
172,000
107,000 00
2 42
1895
1,506,500
247,000
85,000 00
1 83
1896
1,531,000
177,000
152,500 00
3 11
66
1897
1,548,000
167,000
150,000 00
2 39
1898
1,552,000
176,000
172,000 00
3 99
1899
1,492,500
110,000
169,500 00
3 30
66
1900
1,478,000
152,000
166,500 00
3 17
1901
1,461,000
146,000
163.000 00
3 02
1902
1,477,000
175,000
159,000 00
2 86
1881
1,585,000
58,498 64
2 59
1884
1,585,000
67,719 33
2 78
1885
+1,525,000
71,305 66
2 87
1887
1,525,000
70,252 88
2 56 .
66
1888
+860,500
66,894 23
2 57
1879
1,585,000
64,915 76
3 42
1,419,854
610,500
·
*$10,000.00 applied to payment of bonds; balance to sinking funds. tSinking fund applied.
14
ANNUAL REPORTS.
YEAR.
VALUATION.
TAX LEVV.
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
409,497 10
19 (
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
4 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
4 00
1892
38,093,100
596,357 50
15 00
1893
41,873,600
675,886 80
5 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
1902
55,558,300
964,535 80
16 40
Highways.
There is a universal demand for good roads in city and coun- try. Massachusetts expends hundreds of thousands of dollars each year to improve the roads in rural communities. In this she leads, as in everything else progressive, and the Metropolitan District leads Massachusetts. The nearer one gets to Boston the greater the tax upon him. Somerville's expenditures, in propor- tion to her valuation, are in most regards the largest in the Met- ropolitan District.
Our streets are more used for outside travel than those of any other city of the size in the State. We are the highway for Bos- ton traffic from West Malden and Stoneham to Arlington and Lexington, a reach of nearly ninety degrees, and including such places as Medford, Winchester, and Woburn. The Boston traffic from nearly one-third of the land area about the metropolis comes through Somerville. We are coming to be very thickly settled, and the day is not distant when a larger percentage of our area will be public streets than is the case with any other city in
15
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
the State. This fact, together with that of the use of our thor- oughfares, indicates the unusual outlay required for the making of new streets and for the maintenance of highways. This drain upon our treasury is unavoidable, and must be kept in mind in considering the financial problem.
I would recommend that edgestones be laid in Washington street, and that the gutters on the southerly side be paved with block stone from the Boston line to Tufts street ; that Pearl street, from Cross street to Mount Vernon street, be macadamized ; that Mystic avenue be brought to grade sixteen ; that Somerville ave- nue, from Medford street to the Cambridge line, be macada- mized ; that Medford street, from Broadway to Lowell street, be paved with block stone; and that Beacon street be put in thor- ough condition throughout its entire length.
More highway work has been done during the past year than for many years, especially in the constructing of new streets, and this has required an unusual amount of engineering services.
Sidewalks.
It is scarcely necessary to refer to the relation of good side- walks to the comfort of our citizens. The present methods of making walks provide against any considerable expense in relay- ing, but most of the walks laid more than twenty years ago are in bad condition, and those laid much earlier are in many cases in almost a scandalous condition. During the past two years many of the worst of the old walks have been relaid, and this work must go on as fast as possible. The many new streets make too heavy a drain upon the appropriation to admit of any- thing like the amount of relaying which should be done. Citi- zens must be patient with their officials.
Watering Streets.
The highway conditions already referred to, together with the urgent demand that the City water practically all the streets, make this an increased expense. It is recognized, however, that few expenditures give so much satisfaction to the people as a whole as this. Whether riding or walking, whether indoors or out, unwatered streets cause much discomfort, and this is liable
16
ANNUAL REPORTS.
to be as great during the few windy days in March and November as in July and August. It is gratifying, therefore, to know that the streets have been more generally watered, and for more days, than ever before.
Bridges and Subway.
The Boston & Maine Railroad corporation is building, at its own expense, a highly acceptable bridge on Sycamore street, and as soon as this is completed, will begin one on School street. These long-needed improvements will be greatly appreciated. Unfortunately, the difficulty of getting the iron work for the Syca- more-street bridge has caused long, but unavoidable delay, not only to the completion of this bridge, but also to the beginning of operations on the School-street bridge. It is with special satisfaction that announcement is made of the perfection of plans for the building of these bridges without expense to the City, as there has been much said regarding them for many years. is confidently believed that when these are completed, the Boston & Maine Railroad will replace the bridge over Lowell street. This bridge was one of the first erected over the railroad in Somerville, and its abandonment was due to the assumption that "Polly Swamp" was not to be built up, but the street on both sides of the railroad is now very thickly settled.
Needed legislation has been secured, plans made, and con- tracts signed for the removal of the old Middlesex-avenue, or Wellington bridge, and the construction of a wide, substantial, and attractive modern bridge.
There must be provided at an early day a subway at Thorn- dike street, and it is hoped that arrangements for the building of it without serious expense to the City will be completed early this year.
Of the many long-time disagreements between the City and the Boston & Maine Railroad which remained unsettled two years ago, practically all have been adjusted, and if all goes well, this year will see most of the remaining ones settled.
Grade Crossings.
There is no question that the matter of grade crossings de- serves the most careful consideration. The present numerous street crossings over railroads at grade are the cause of great
It
17
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
inconvenience, both to pedestrians and to persons using street cars and other vehicles. They are also a constant source of danger.
No one would rejoice more than the City Government in the elimination of these crossings, but we must not forget, as we arouse the public interest, that the financial condition of Somer- ville will make it practically impossible for her to bear her share of the expense at the present time. Much as the railroads may hesitate to enter upon so large an expenditure, they are in much better condition to bear the burden it would impose than we are.
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