Report of the city of Somerville 1903, Part 1

Author: Somerville (Mass.)
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Somerville, Mass.
Number of Pages: 492


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1903 > Part 1


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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34


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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