USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1903 > Part 1
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DOM
GIVES
EE
SOMERV
ILLE
NA
T
1872
IDED 1842
CITY STRENGTH
UNICI
ESTA
CITY OF SOMERVILLE
MASSACHUSETTS
ANNUAL REPORTS
1903
With Mayor's Inaugural Address Delivered Jan. 4, 1904
GIVE S
O
D
SOMERVILLE
FREE
TV
AL
FOUNDED 1842
1872.
MUNICIP
A CITY
STRENGTH
1842. ESTABLISHED
G
I
SOMERVILLE JOURNAL PRINT
1904
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
DELIVERED BY HON. LEONARD B. CHANDLER, MAYOR,
MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 1904.
GENTLEMEN OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN : -
By a provision of the city charter, it becomes the duty of the mayor on this occasion to address your board, and, through you, the citizens of Somerville, upon the condition of the various departments of the city, and to make such recommendations as he may deem proper. A newly-elected mayor is personally un- familiar with the needs of the different departments, and there- fore I have deemed it advisable at this time to make only such recommendations as appear to me to be absolutely necessary.
Gentlemen, I am confident that this day we assume the duties of the respective positions to which our fellow-citizens have chosen us with a clear realization of the responsibility that rests upon us, and with the single desire to discharge those duties to the best of our ability. Personally, I begin my term as mayor of Somerville untrammeled by pledges or promises of any kind, with no personal ambition to gratify, and with the firm deter- mination to do all in my power to advance the interests of our municipality. I thoroughly believe that every member of your honorable board has the same intention, and by working harmo- niously together, as I have no doubt we shall do, we shall be able to accomplish much that will redound to the credit and advan- tage of Somerville.
Finance.
The chief problem confronting every municipality is that of finance. To successfully solve this problem taxes to the utmost the administrative capacity of every city government. It is necessary for us to meet the increasing needs of our growing municipality without laying too heavy a burden of taxation upon
4
ANNUAL REPORTS.
our citizens; to meet all immediate and indispensable demands upon our treasury, and yet to observe a wise economy. For the past few years there has been a gradual increase in our tax rate, until last year it reached the rate of $17.20 per $1,000, which ap- pears to me to be somewhat higher than it ought to be. There- fore, I strongly recommend that an effort be made to retrench expenditures so far as is practicable without impairing the effi- ciency of any of the city departments.
Funded Debt.
The total funded debt of the city January 1, 1903, was $1,477,000. This debt was increased during the year $197,500. It was decreased $169,000, leaving the net funded debt January 1, 1904, $1,505,500, a net increase of $28,500.
Taxable Property.
The total amount of taxable property is $57,062,000, of which $51,296,100 is real estate, and $5,765,900 is personal estate, including non-resident bank shares. At a rate of $17.20 on each $1,000 of valuation, the tax is $981,466.40. There are 18,381 polls at $2.00, making $36,762. We received from street water- ing $20,621.44, making the total tax levy $1,038,849.84. The total number of persons assessed, resident and non-resident, was 25,049.
Of the amount received in taxes, $170,000 is required for the debt provisions; $151,414.63 are state and county taxes, metropolitan sewer, etc., matters over which the city has no con- trol; $341,930 is used for current expenses of departments, over which the board of aldermen has no control; $318,121.77 is the amount for current expenses within control of the board of aldermen. The same statement, based upon the $17.20 per thousand, is as follows: Of each $17.20, $2.65 is for state, county and metropolitan taxes; $2.98 for debt requirements ; $5.99 for current expenses, over which the board of aldermen has no control; $5.58, current expenses within control of the board of aldermen.
In addition to the amount received from taxes, there was available last year the sum of $225,615.36 on water income ac- . count; we received $32,065.33 from corporation and bank taxes ; from the clerk of the courts, $5,239; from the county treas-
5
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
urer for dog licenses, $3,393.02; from the state, the street rail- way tax, $47,392.51; and from the Boston Elevated Railway tax, $7,744.52 ; a total of $321,449.74, making the total amount avail- able from taxes and from other sources $1,360,299.58.
The estimated borrowing capacity of the city January 1, 1904, was $96,500. By the first of October this will be increased $114,500, making a total borrowing capacity of $211,000.
The City's Finances.
Funded Debt .- The funded debt of the city January 1, 1903, was as follows :-
Funded Debt, City Loan $1,066,000 00
Funded Debt, Sewer Loan . 188,000 00
Funded Debt, Paving Loan 50,000 00
Funded Debt, Water Loan
146,000 00
Funded Debt, Metropolitan Park Assess-
ment Loan
27,000 00
$1,477,000 00
The debt was increased during the year by appropriations made by the board of aldermen as follows :-
Public Buildings Construction :-
Bingham Schoolhouse Addition
$34,500 00
Historical Building and Observatory on Prospect Hill 7,000 00
Engine House in Ward Two
43,000 00
Martha Perry Lowe School
18,000 00
Public Grounds :-
Completion of Prospect Hill Park
1,000 00
Improvement of Playground, Poplar, corner of Joy Street 250 00
Highways :-
Construction
15,000 00
Paved Gutters and Crossings
20,600 00
Thorndike-street Subway
3,800 00
Sidewalks Construction
11,350 00
Sewers Construction
25,000 00
Renewal of Funded Debt
18,000 00
Amount borrowed during the year $197,500 00
The debt was reduced during the year by payments as follows :-
6
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Funded Debt, City Loan . .
$130,000 00
Funded Debt, Sewer Loan . 10,000 00
Funded Debt, Paving Loan 5,000 00
Funded Debt, Water Loan
23,000 00
Funded Debt, Metropolitan Park Assess-
ment Loan
1,000 00
Amount paid during the year $169,000 00
Leaving the funded debt of the city January 1, 1904, $1,505,- 500 (an increase of $28,500 from the previous year), classified as follows :---
City Loan bonds bearing interest at 31/2 per cent. ·
$329,000 00
City Loan bonds bearing interest at 4 per cent. 779,500 00 · City Loan Sewer bonds bearing interest at 31/2 per cent. 52,000 00
City Loan Sewer bonds bearing interest at 4 per cent.
143,000 00
City Loan Sewer bonds bearing interest at 41/2 per cent.
8,000 00
City Loan Paving bonds bearing interest at 4 per cent.
45,000 00
Water Loan bonds bearing interest at 4 per cent.
113,000 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. 26,000 00
Total Funded Debt January 1, 1904 . $1,505,500 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, 1903, was duly submitted to the collector.
The total amount of taxable property was $57,062,000, and the rate established was $17.20 on each $1,000 valuation, as follows :-
Real estate, valuation . $51,296,100 00
Personal estate, valuation 5,685,260 00
Non-resident bank shares 80,640 00
Total valuation
· $57,062,000 00
7
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
At a rate of $17.20 on each $1,000 valua-
tion
$981,466 40
Polls, 18,381 at $2 36,762 00 Street watering 20,621 44
Total amount of tax levy . $1,038,849 84
Total number of persons assessed, resident and non-resident, 25,049.
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 58 $318,121 77
Current expenses of depart-
ments over which the
board of aldermen has no control
5 99
341,930 00
Debt requirements .
2 98 170,000 00
State and county taxes, met- ropolitan sewer and park
assessments, national
bank tax, and Overlay
account
. 2 65
151,414 63
For total amount on a valuation of $57,062,000 at $17.20
$981,466 40
Poll taxes assessed, credited to state and county
36,762 00
Street watering, in excess of amount ap- propriated
20,621 44
Total amount of tax levy $1,038,849 84
The appropriations to the various accounts were as fol- lows :-
ACCOUNTS WITHIN THE CONTROL OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
Assessors
$10,075 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
Amount carried forward
$42,350 00
S
ANNUAI. REPORTS.
Amount brought forward
$42,350 00
Clerk of Committees and Departments
4,200 00
Contingent Fund .
3,800 00
Election Expenses :-
City Clerk 750 00
Commissioner of Public Buildings
1,000 00
Pay of Election Officers
1,700 00
Registrars of Voters
1,600 00
Excess and Deficiency
2,101 77
Electrical Department
7,000 00
Executive Department
3,900 00
Fire Department .
35,000 00
Highways :--
Maintenance
2,100 00
Removing Brown-tail Moths
3,000 00
Watering Streets
1,000 00
Inspection of Buildings
4,100 00
Military Aid
500 00
Police
31,000 00
Printing and Stationery
2,500 00
Public Buildings Maintenance :-
City Hall
3,800 00
City Hall Annex
800 00
Fire Department
4,400 00
Health Department
250 00
Highways
200 00
Police
2,600 00
Public Grounds
75 00
Public Library
3,800 00
Schoolhouses
51,170 00
Sewer Department
125 00
Support of Poor
600 00
Water Department
100 00
Public Grounds
10,500 00
Sealer of Weights and Measures
1,200 00
Sidewalks Maintenance
6,000 00
Soldiers' Relief
16,000 00
Somerville Hospital
5,000 00
Street Lights
63,900 00
Total amount assessed on a valuation
of $57.062,000, at $5.58 $318,121 77
ACCOUNTS OVER WHICH THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN HAS NO CONTROL.
Health Department
$39,000 00
Public Library
14,800 00
School Contingent
24,000 00
Amount carried forward
$77,800 00
9
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL, ADDRESS.
Amount brought forward $77,800 00
School Teachers' Salaries
238,000 00
Support of Poor, City Home 4,500 00
Support of Poor, Miscellaneous
21,630 00
Total amount assessed on a valuation of $57,062,000, at $5.99 $341,930 00
ACCOUNTS PROVIDING FOR DEBT REQUIREMENTS.
Interest
$52,000 00
Reduction of Funded Debt 118,000 00
Total amount assessed on a valuation
of $57,062,000, at $2.98 . $170,000 00
PROVIDING FOR STATE AND COUNTY TAXES, ETC.
State Tax
$43,750 00
Deduct one-half of poll taxes . 18,381 00
$25,369 00
County Tax $57,308 97
Deduct one-half of poll taxes . 18,381 00
38,927 97
Metropolitan Sewer Assessment
46,588 33
Metropolitan Park Assessment .
21,809 23
National Bank Tax
1,387 01
Overlay and Abatement
13,468 06
Armory Tax
3,865 03
Total amount assessed on a valuation
of $57,062,000, at $2.65 $151,414 63
In addition to the above, the following appropriations were made from the various income accounts :-
From the Income of the Water Works :-
Water Maintenance $39,076 31
Water Loan Interest 5,610 00
Water Works Extension 11,530 00
Water Works, Abatements on Water Charges
1,137 84
Interest on Sewer Loan Bonds .
7,120 00
Sewers Maintenance
12,300 00
Fire Department
31,000 00
Reduction of Funded Debt, Sewer Loan
Bonds
10,000 00
Reduction of Funded Debt, Water Loan Bonds
23,000 00
Reduction of Funded Debt . 7,552 78
Metropolitan Water Assessment
77,288 43
Total
$225,615 36
10
ANNUAL REPORTS.
From the Income from the State and County :-
Police, the amount received from the state for corporation and bank taxes . $32,065 33 · Police, the amount received from the clerk of the courts for fines, costs, etc. 5,239 00 . Public Library, the amount received of the county for dog licenses 3,393 02
Highways Maintenance, from Boston Elevated Railway tax . 7,744 52
Highways Maintenance, from street rail- way tax 47,392 51
Total
$95,834 38
Total from water income and from
state and county
$321,449 74
The aggregate appropriations from the tax levy and from income were as follows :-
From tax levy
$1,038,849 84
From income . . 321,449 74
$1,360,299 58
.
11
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
Dec. 31, 1872
643,354
$50,005
1873
809,354
166,000
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
1879
1,585,000
61,390 59
2 65
66
1883
1,585,000
64,479 01
2 70
1884
1,585,000
67,719 33
2 78
66
1886
1,525,000
66,894 23
2 57
66
1887
1,525,000
70,252 88
2 56
1888
៛860,500
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
66
1891
1,045,500
45,000
57,000 00
1 55
1892
1,194,500
253,000
104,000 00
2 73
66
1894
1,344,500
172,000
107,000 00
2 42
66
1896
1,531,000
177,000
152,500 00
3 11
66
1898
1,552,000
176,000
172,000 00
3 99
66
1899
1,492,500
110,000
169,500 00
3 30
66
1900
1,478,000
152,000
166,500 00
3 17
6
1901
1,461,000
146,000
163,000 00
3 02
1902
1,477,000
175,000
159,000 00
2 86
66
1903
1,505,500
197,500
169,000 00
2 96
66
1882
1,585,000
64,915 76
3 42
1880
1,585,000
55,739 35
2 72
1881
1,585,000
58,498 64
2 59
1885
+1,525,000
71,305 66
2 87
1893
1,279,500
222,000
137,000 00
3 27
1895
1,506,500
247,000
85,000 00
1 83
1897
1,548,000
167,000
150,000 00
2 39
*$10.000.00 applied to payment of bonds; balance to sinking funds. t Sinking fund applied.
$593,349
1,596,854
61,004 64
2 91
1,419,854
610,500
12
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
504,475 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
1 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
5 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
1903
57,062,000
1,038,849 84
17 20
Highway Department.
There is no other department with whose work the average citizen is brought so much in daily contact as with that of the highway department, and there is no department whose work the public observes with a more critical eye. The citizens of Somerville require that our highways and sidewalks be main- tained at the highest possible degree of excellence, and that par- ticular attention be given to those main thoroughfares over which the bulk of local and out-of-town travel passes. The past year has seen a great deal accomplished in this respect, but much remains to be done. Eight new streets have been accepted, in- creasing the mileage of our public streets to 67.1 miles, and re- ducing that of our private streets to 25.5 miles. Much construc- tion and repairing has been done on our highways the past year, 17,744 tons of crushed stone having been used in this work, of which 16,440 tons were crushed by the stone crusher of the de- partment, and the remainder purchased. Eighteen thousand two hundred seventy-three feet of edgestones and inside curbing have
13
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
been set, and 5,988 square yards of stone gutters and 548 square vards of vitrified brick, granolithic, granite and concrete cross- ings have been laid. Eleven thousand eight hundred ten feet, making over two miles, of edgestones have been reset, and 6,328 square yards of brick sidewalks relaid. Eighty square yards of crossings, driveways, sewer trenches, etc., have been paved or re-paved with granite blocks; 230 square yards of granite cross- ings surfaced with concrete; and thirty square yards of drive- ways paved or repaved with bricks. Seven thousand five hun- dred three square yards of brick and 215 square yards of grano- lithic sidewalks have been laid.
The new subway at Thorndike street has been completed, is open for traffic, and fills a long-felt want in that district.
Seventy-eight trees have been set out, and forty-two have been cut down during the year. The city is not yet free from the brown-tail and gypsy moths, although vigorous work has been done to rid the city of the pest. A careful inspection by the highway department has resulted in discovering that most of the remaining nests are on private property, very few being found on the trees on the highways. With the experienced force at the disposal of the highway department,it would seem to me to be to the advantage of the property owners to enlist the ser- vices of the department in cleaning their trees, as the work would doubtless be performed in a more economical and satisfactory manner than if done by the individual owners.
The condition in which streets are left after the work of lay- ing water, sewer and gas pipes, replacing poles and laying underground wires, demands serious attention. Making water service and sewer connections and replacing pavements by un- skilled workmen destroys the streets more than all the ordinary wear to which they are subjected. I would strongly recommend that the various departments and companies making such open- ings be obliged to do all work of this description under the supervision and to the satisfaction of the street commissioner, with the exception of repaving, which should be done by the highway department itself; the entire expense to be borne by said departments or companies.
Street Watering.
In the street watering the taxpayer seems to receive the quickest and most apparent return for his money. This work
14
ANNUAL REPORTS.
not only keeps dust out of our residences, but it aids greatly in preserving our streets.
Bridges.
It gives me great pleasure to state that the Boston & Maine Railroad has completed the construction of highly acceptable bridges over its tracks at Sycamore and School streets, all the expense of construction being borne by the road.
A new bridge under construction by the metropolitan park commission, over the Mystic river, on the line of the Fellsway boulevard and Middlesex avenue, has been completed, though not yet open for traffic. The boulevard in Somerville, between this bridge and Mystic avenue, is to be widened.
Steps should immediately be taken to have the Boston & Maine Railroad replace the bridge they removed from Lowell street some years ago. Lowell street is now a most important cross-town thoroughfare, and it is of the utmost importance that this matter receive prompt attention.
Grade Crossings.
Petitions filed by the city are now pending in the superior court, for abolishing all the crossings on the Fitchburg division of the Boston & Maine Railroad, and are awaiting further action by the city government or by the railroads concerned. I believe that these crossings are a constant menace to the safety of our citizens, proof of which is almost daily furnished, and I would recommend that this matter be pressed without further delay.
Boulevards.
At the last session of the legislature, a bill was passed ap- propriating $3,000,000 for parks and boulevards, to be expended under the direction of the metropolitan park commissioners. It appears to me that this is the proper time to urge upon the commissioners the construction of the boulevard through the cities of Somerville and Cambridge, connecting the Fells and Fenway, and to call their attention to the advisability of taking the banks of the Mystic river for park purposes. Both of these projects were favorably considered by the committee on met-
15
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
ropolitan affairs of the legislature of 1903, and would have been reported upon favorably but for the fact that it was deemed ad- visable to report a blanket bill placing the matter in the hands of the metropolitan park commissioners. To properly press this matter before the commissioners, I would recommend that a special committee of your honorable board be appointed, and as this seems to me to be a subject in which our citizens at large should take an active interest, it is my purpose at an early date to appoint a citizens' committee, to consist of twenty-five emi- nent citizens of Somerville, to co-operate with and aid your com- mittee in this matter.
Health of the City.
We have every reason to be thankful for the healthfulness of our city during the past year. We have been entirely free from epidemics of all kinds, and have not had a single case of smallpox during the year. The record of the board of health for 1903 is, briefly, as follows :-
The number of permits issued to pedlers was 106; number of permits renewed to pedlers, 142.
Forty-three permits were issued to keep 112 cows, and four persons were refused permission to keep twenty-six cows. Seven permits were granted to keep eight goats, none being re- fused. Out of fourteen applications to keep twenty-nine swine, eleven permits were granted to keep twenty-two swine. Nine- teen applications were received to collect grease, seventeen of which were granted, and seven applications were granted to carry on the business of melting and rendering. Sixteen undertakers have been licensed. Twenty-eight petitions were received for permission to erect stables, eleven of which were granted. Nine hundred sixty-four nuisances have been investigated, most of which have been abated. Forty-six cases of glanders have been reported, with the result that forty-four horses were killed and two released.
Contagious Diseases.
Number of cases of diphtheria reported, 183; deaths from same, seventeen. Number of cases of scarlet fever reported, 143 ; deaths from same, thirteen. Number of cases of typhoid fever reported, twenty-nine; deaths from same, ten.
16
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Bacteriological Laboratory.
The wisdom of establishing a bacteriological laboratory at the city hall has been realized.
The number of diphtheria cultures received was 772, of which 174 were positive and 598 negative. One hundred thirty- four specimens of sputum were examined for tuberculosis, twenty-five of which proved positive and 109 negative. Seventy Widal tests were received for examination for typhoid fever, twenty-six of which were positive and forty-four negative.
Physicians can leave specimens at any hour during the day or night at the city hall and obtain their results the next morning.
Sanitary Conditions.
It is impossible to place too much importance upon perfect- ing the sanitary conditions of the city. It is imperative that our sewers and drains be absolutely perfect, and that every modern improvement be immediately utilized and taken advantage of. During the past year the sewer department has done important construction work, a brief outline of which follows.
An agreement has been executed with the owners of the property lying between Mystic avenue and Middlesex avenue, near Winthrop avenue, whereby the city has obtained a perma- nent right of way for drainage purposes. For many years the city has paid an annual rental for the use of an old water course across this private property, and by the construction during the year of a permanent storm drain in the right of way obtained, the main drainage outlet for the eastern district of the city has been completed. The new structure extends from the tide-gate chamber, constructed in Middlesex avenue the previous year, southwesterly across the marsh land to Mystic avenue at Winthrop avenue, where it connects with the bell-mouth chamber previously built, and takes the drainage from three large struc- tures discharging at this point. This new drain is constructed principally of concrete and expanded metal with I beams. It is ten feet wide and seven and one-half feet high, and is the largest drainage structure in the city.
The "separate system" sewers (those built for house drainage only) have been extended in various streets, and this work should continue yearly as the appropriation will allow, until all flooded areas in the city have a new sewerage system. All house drains
17
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
in these districts should be re-connected with the new sewers as soon as built.
A number of sewers have been constructed as petitioned for in different sections of the city, and portions of the cost of con- struction assessed upon the abutting estates. Fifteen sewers and drains have been constructed during the year, a length of 6,433 feet (1.2 miles). Thirty-nine catch-basins have been constructed on the highways during the past year, and the drainage of a number of streets improved. This makes a total of 1,267 catch- basins for street drainage purposes. Two hundred fifty-eight permits have been issued to licensed drain layers for connecting buildings with the main sewers under the supervision of the city's inspector. There are at present about 12,500 private drains con- nected with the city's drainage system. The total length of this system is 88.3 miles, 17.5 miles being under the new "separate system" sewers, and 4.7 miles being storm drains. The total cost of new sewer construction work for the year has amounted to about $31,000, and the cost of maintaining the system for the past year (not including $1,585 paid the city of Cambridge) has been about $11,500.
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