Report of the city of Somerville 1904, Part 1

Author: Somerville (Mass.)
Publication date: 1904
Publisher: Somerville, Mass.
Number of Pages: 496


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1904 > 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 | Part 35 | Part 36


R


E


E


MUNIC D 184


SOMER


M GIVES


ESTABLISHED


ILLE


187 2


NAL


A CITY STRENGT


.


.


7 . 04.


CITY OF SOMERVILLE


MASSACHUSETTS


ANNUAL REPORTS


I 904


With Mayor's Inaugural Address 1


Delivered Jan. 2, 1905


GI TE


N


0


SOMERVILLE


FREEI


AL


1872.


MUNICIPAL


A CITY


42


ESTABLISHED


STRENGTH


SOMERVILLE JOURNAL PRINT


1905


FOUNDED 1842. 8


INAUGURAL ADDRESS


DELIVERED BY


HON. LEONARD B. CHANDLER, MAYOR,


MONDAY, JANUARY 2, 1905.


GENTLEMEN OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN :


Somerville is a city of which much may well be said. Each one of our municipal departments has done and is doing work that is both interesting and profitable for us to consider. But the records of this work will be found in detail in the forthcoming annual reports.


I have decided, therefore, to condense as much as possible the story of the past year's work, and shall endeavor to give you, apart from the usual financial statement, which will be printed, but not read at this time in full, a brief summary of the chief items of interest, together with some recommendations for your consideration.


This method is a departure from my own course of one year ago, and also from that followed by my predecessors for a long time, but is in accord, I find, with that pursued by the mayors of many cities in their inaugural addresses or annual messages.


In brief, the year just closed has been another one of ad- vancement for our honored municipality. It has grown in popu- lation, in wealth, and in beauty.


Funded Debt.


The total funded debt of the city January 1, 1904, was $1,505,500. This debt was increased during the year $132,500. It was decreased $139,500, leaving the net funded debt January 1, 1905, $1,498,500, a net decrease of $7,000.


4


ANNUAL REPORTS.


Taxable Property.


The total amount of taxable property is $58,137,900, of which $51,836,200 is real estate, and $6,301,700 is personal estate, including non-resident bank shares. At a rate of $17.20 on each $1,000 of valuation, the tax is $999,971.88. There are 19,203 polls at $2.00, making $38,406. We received from street water- ing $20,914.68, making the total tax levy $1,059,292.56. The total number of persons assessed, resident and non-resident, was 26,466.


Of the amount received in taxes, $157,000 is required for the debt provisions ; $165,201.88 are state and county taxes, metro- politan sewer, etc., matters over which the city has no control ; $346,500 is used for current expenses of departments, over which the board of aldermen has no control; $331,270 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, $2.84 is for state, county, and metro- politan taxes ; $2.70 for debt requirements ; $5.96 for current expenses, over which the board of aldermen has no control ; $5.70, 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 $216,847.65 on water income account; we received $27,683.77 from corporation and bank taxes ; from the clerk of the courts, $4,189.30; from the county treasurer, for dog licenses, $4,193.50; from the state, the street railway tax, $43,655.40; and from the Boston Elevated Rail- way tax, $7,965.91; a total of $304,535.53, making the total amount available from taxes and from other sources, $1,363,- 828.09.


The estimated borrowing capacity of the city January 1, 1905, was $141,000. By the first of October this will be in- creased $120,500, making a total borrowing capacity of $261,500.


The City's Finances.


Funded Debt .- The funded debt of the city January 1, 1904, was as follows :-


Funded Debt, City Loan $1,108,500 00


Funded Debt, Sewer Loan . 203,000 00


Funded Debt, Paving Loan 45,000 00


Amount carried forward .


$1,356,500 00


5


MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.


Amount brought forward $1,356,500 00


Funded Debt, Water Loan . 123,000 00 Funded Debt, Metropolitan Park Assess- ment Loan 26,000 00


$1,505,500 00


The debt was increased during the year by appropriations made by the board of aldermen as follows :-


Public Buildings Construction :- -


Dormitory at City Home $6,000 00


Engine House in Ward Two 4,000 00


Primary School Building (to relieve the schools in Ward Six) 30,000 00


Public Grounds :-


Completion of Prospect Hill Park . 2,000 00


Highways :-


Construction


10,000 00


Paved Gutters and Crossings


14,000 00


Paving Broadway, Bow and Summer Streets


21,500 00


Sidewalks Construction


10,000 00


Sewers Construction


25,000 00


Renewal of Funded Debt


10,000 00


Amount borrowed during the year . $132,500 00


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


Funded Debt, City Loan . $107,500 00


Funded Debt, Sewer Loan .


11,000 00


Funded Debt, Paving Loan 5,000 00


Funded Debt, Water Loan .


15,000 00


Funded Debt, Metropolitan Park Assess- ment Loan


1,000 00


Amount paid during the year .


$139,500 00


Leaving the funded debt of the city January 1, 1905, $1,498,- 500 (a decrease of $7,000 from the previous year), classified as follows :-


City Loan bonds bearing interest at 31/2 per cent. $299,000 00


City Loan bonds bearing interest at 4 per cent. 809,500 00


Amount carried forward . . $1,108,500 00


6


ANNUAL REPORTS.


Amount brought forward $1,108,500 00 City Loan Sewer bonds bearing interest at 31/2 per cent. 50,000 00 City Loan Sewer bonds bearing interest at 4 per cent. 160,000 00


City Loan Sewer bonds bearing interest at 41/2 per cent. 7,000 00


City Loan Paving bonds bearing interest at 4 per cent. 40,000 00 . Water Loan bonds bearing interest at 4 per cent. 98,000 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., 25,000 00


Total Funded Debt January 1, 1905 . $1,498,500 00


The foregoing amount represents the net indebtedness of the city, the unfunded liabilities for the 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, 1904, was duly submitted to the collector.


The total amount of taxable property was $58,137,900, and the rate established was $17.20 on each $1,000 valuation, as follows :---


Real estate, valuation


$51,836,200 00


Personal estate, valuation


6,220,500 00


Non-resident bank shares 81,200 00


Total valuation . $58,137,900 00


At a rate of $17.20 on each $1,000 valua- tion


999,971 88


Polls. 19,203 at $2 . . .


38,406 00


Street watering


20,914 68


.


Total amount of tax levy $1,059,292 56 .


Total number of persons assessed, resident and non-resident, 26,466.


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


7


MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.


Rates assessed on $1,000 valuation.


Amount.


For current expenses within the control of the board of aldermen . · Current expenses of depart-


$5 70


$331,270 00


ments over which the


board of aldermen has no control


5 96


346,500 00


Debt requirements


2 70


157,000 00


State and county taxes, met- ropolitan sewer and park


assessments, national bank tax, and Overlay account, 2 84


165,201 88


For


total amount on a valuation of


$58,137,900 at $17.20


$999,971 88


Poll taxes assessed, credited to state and county


38,406 00


Street watering, in excess of amount ap- propriated


20,914 68


Total amount of tax levy


· $1,059,292 56


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


ACCOUNTS WITHIN THE CONTROL OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN.


Assessors


$10,200 00


City Auditor


750 00


City Clerk


6,100 00


City Engineer


11,900 00


City Messenger


2,300 00


City Solicitor


2,300 00


City Treasurer


9,500 00


Clerk of Committees and Departments


4,400 00


Contingent Fund


3,600 00


Election Expenses :-


City Clerk


1,700 00


Commissioner of Public Buildings


1,000 00


Pay of Election Officers


3,000 00


Registrars of Voters


1,600 00


Electrical Department


7,250 00


Excess and Deficiency


8,401 43


Executive Department


3,900 00


Fire Department


23,900 00


Amount carried forward .


$101,801 43


.


8


ANNUAL REPORTS.


Amount brought forward Highways :-


.


$101,801 43


Maintenance


5,375 00


Removing Brown-tail Moths .


3,000 00


Shade Trees


500 00


Tree Guards


1,000 00


Inspection of Buildings


4,100 00


Military Aid


1,000 00


Police


33,000 00


Printing and Stationery


2,500 00


Public Buildings Maintenance :-


City Hall


4,200 00


City Hall Annex


800 00


Fire Department


4,900 00


Health Department


375 00


Highways


250 00


Police


3,200 00


Public Grounds


50 00


Public Library


4,500 00


Schoolhouses


51,643 57


Sewer Department


50 00


Support of Poor


600 00


Water Department


325 00


Public Grounds


11,000 00


Sealer of Weights and Measures


1,100 00


Sidewalks Maintenance


6,000 00


Soldiers' Relief


20,000 00


Somerville Hospital


5,000 00


Street Lights


65,000 00


Total amount assessed on a valuation of $58,137,900, at $5.70 . $331,270 00


ACCOUNTS OVER WHICH THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN HAS NO CONTROL.


Health Department


$40,000 00


Public Library


15,000 00


School Contingent


.


24,000 00


School Teachers' Salaries


249,500 00


Support of Poor, City Home


4,000 00


Support of Poor, Miscellaneous


14,000 00


Total amount assessed on a valuation


of $58,137,900, at $5.96 . $346,500 00


ACCOUNTS PROVIDING FOR DEBT REQUIREMENTS.


Interest $53,500 00


Reduction of Funded Debt 103,500 00


Total amount assessed on a valuation


of $58,137,900, at $2.70 . $157,000 00


.


.


·


9


MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.


PROVIDING FOR STATE AND COUNTY TAXES, ETC.


State Tax $44,000 00


Deduct one-half of poll taxes . 19,203 00


$24,797 00


County Tax $59,484 41


Deduct one-half of poll taxes,


19,203 00


40,281 41


Metropolitan Sewer Assessment


50,404 54


Metropolitan Park Assessment .


24,033 70


National Bank Tax


1,396 64


Overlay and Abatement


20,298 46


Armory Tax


3,990 13


Total amount assessed on a valuation of $58,137,900, at $2.84 . $165,201 88 -


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


From the Income of the Water Works :-


Water Maintenance $25,429 35


Water Loan Interest 4,850 00


Water Works Extension


19,282 13


Water Works, Abatements on Water


Charges


982 91


Interest on Sewer Loan Bonds


7,705 00


Sewers Maintenance


11,800 00


Fire Department


34,061 33


Reduction of Funded Debt, Sewer Loan Bonds


11,000 00


Reduction of Funded Debt, Water Loan


Bonds


15,000 00


Metropolitan Water Assessment 86,736 93


Total


$216,847 65


From the Income from the State and County :-


Police, the amount received from the state for corporation taxes $22,934 84


Police, the amount received from the state for bank taxes . Police, the amount received from the clerk of the courts for fines, costs, etc. .


4,748 93


Public Library, the amount received of the county for dog licenses . 4,193 50


Highways Maintenance, from Boston


Elevated Railway tax . 7,965 91


4,189 30


Amount carried forward . $44,032 48


10


ANNUAL REPORTS.


Amount brought forward $44,032 48 Highways Maintenance, from street rail- way tax 43,855 40


Total


$87,687 88


Total from water income and from


state and county


$304,535 53


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


From tax levy


$1,059,292 56


From income


304,535 53


$1,363,828 09


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


66


1873


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


1878


1,596,854


61,004 64


2 91


1879


1,585,000


64,915 76


3 42


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


1886


1,525,000


66,894 23


2 57


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


1891


1,045,500


45,000


57,000 00


1 55


66


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


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


1,461,000


146,000


163,000 00


3 02


66


1902


1,477,000


175.000


159,000 00


: 86


1903


1,505,500


197,500


169,000 00


2 96


1904


1,498.500


132,500


139,500 00


2 40


.


.


809,354


166,000


.


1,419,854


610,500


.


55,739 35


2 72


1881


1,585,000


*$10,000.00 applied to payment of bonds; balance to sinking funds,


tSinking fund applied.


11


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


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


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


1902


55,558,300


964,535 80


16 40


1903


57,062,000


1,038,849 84


17 20


1904


58,137,900


. 1,059,292 56


17 20


Highways.


The maintenance and improvement of the highways has ne- cessitated a vast amount of work upon the part of both the street commissioner and the city engineer and their assistants.


The chief item of work accomplished is the paving of Bow and Summer streets, from Union square to School street, with bitulithic pavement, and the consequent widening of the roadway and laying of double tracks therein.


The complete removal of the Holland-street ledge, now al- most accomplished, will give opportunity for a great improve- ment. A sixty-foot street should be laid out through this prop- erty, to connect with Cameron and Packard avenues. A fine thoroughfare would thus be afforded between North Cambridge and Tufts college.


Arrangements will soon have to be made for a substantial supply of trap-rock or other high-grade stone for our highways.


Ten streets, a total length of over two miles, have been con- structed, and twenty-nine streets, a total length of nearly four


12


ANNUAL REPORTS.


miles, have been macadamized or re-surfaced. Nearly four and one-half miles of edgestones have been set.


I recommend that Pearl street, from Cross street to Gilman square, and Medford street, from Gilman square to Magoun square, be paved with bitulithic, vitrified brick, or some perma- nent paving, other than granite blocks.


Bridge at Lowell Street.


One of the most needed improvements in our city is a bridge over the Boston & Lowell railroad tracks at Lowell street. Authority has already been given to the city solicitor to bring the matter before the county commissioners, and it is expected that this bridge, long anticipated by many people, will soon be a reality.


Health Department.


The mortality in our city has been about the same as in the previous year, less than 1,000 persons having died from all causes.


The number of contagious diseases, however, was largely in excess of that of 1903. I firmly believe in the necessity of a contagious disease hospital, and I recommend that a sufficient appropriation be made to properly equip the house which has al- ready been placed in the custody of the board of health for this purpose.


This board has taken an important step in line with the war- fare which is now becoming general against that terrible disease, consumption. It has issued a regulation by which it "adjudges that pulmonary tuberculosis is an infectious and contagious dis- ease, dangerous to the public health," and which compels special precautions in every case for the protection of the public.


The great slaughtering industry in our city, which, while now carried on under United States inspection, is still subject to the oversight of our inspector of animals and provisions, shows a decided increase over 1903 in the amount of work done, the number of animals killed being considerably over one and one- half millions.


Water and Sewerage Systems.


Those of our public works which are under ground, like the water and sewerage systems, do not, of course, attract such public


13


MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.


attention as do the highways, the public buildings, etc. They are, however, highly important to our health and convenience.


Over one mile of new water main has been laid the past year. The installation of meters should be extended until their use be- comes general, as this is the fairest method of water distribution. I believe that they should be placed in all apartment houses for more than two families this year. The rates for metered water have been reduced, so that now consumers pay only sixteen cents. per thousand gallons, which is the lowest rate in the metropolitan water district.


Over two miles of sewers and storm drains have been con- structed. The "separate system" sewers (for house drainage only) should be extended each year until all areas which are sub- ject to becoming flooded are thus improved. Our storm-drain system should be added to in the near future by the construction of drains, as follows: In the North Somerville district; along the northeasterly side of Highland avenue, between Cedar and Lowell streets; and near Somerville avenue, at the East Cam- bridge line.


Some idea of the extent and importance of our water and sewerage systems may be had from the statement that there are ninety miles of water mains and over ninety-one miles of sewers. Our water system has cost us over $800,000 to construct, and the sewerage system over $1,100,000. Since the establishment of the metropolitan water system (in 1895) and the metropolitan sewerage system (in 1889), we have paid to the state for water assessments nearly $350,000, and for sewer assessments nearly a. half-million dollars.


Sealer of Weights and Measures.


The work of the sealer of weights and measures has further increased. He has sealed about 1,400 scales, varying from 5,000- pound platform scales to spring balances, nearly 4,000 weights, and about 85,000 dry and wet measures. Over 150 scales, weights, and measures have been adjusted, and about 2,000 con- demned.


Poor Department.


The number of individuals and families requiring aid from the board of overseers of the poor has somewhat exceeded that of the year 1903. The total expenditures of the department, how-


14


ANNUAL REPORTS.


ever, have been less than during that year, owing to the assum- ing by the state of the payment of the expenses for the care of the insane. The receipts from the sale of produce and wood and the board of certain inmates at the city home have exceeded those of 1903.


Somerville Hospital.


I recommend that the usual sum of $5,000 be appropriated for the Somerville hospital for the care of the sick poor.


Public Library.


Our progressive librarian is much alive to the idea that a library whose books were not read would be of little value. A statement published this year by the librarian of congress shows that the Somerville library now leads all the libraries in New England in circulation, with the single exception of the great Boston public library.


The supplying of special libraries to the public schools and church Sunday schools is a means of circulation which gives many advantages and has proven very popular.


Electrical Department.


Pursuant to a recent order of the board of aldermen, the mayor has petitioned the legislature for such legislation relative to poles, wires, and other electrical appliances, apparatus, and structures as will cause the greater part of such objectionable fea- tures to be removed from our streets. This important work will, of course, require some years to complete.


Five additional miles of wire have been run for our fire alarm and police signal systems, much of the old wire has been replaced by new, and the systems have been otherwise improved.


Street Lights.


Somerville is one of the best-lighted cities in the common- wealth, but the amount expended for this service is very large. We now have 491 arc and 483 incandescent lights.


The price, per year, of an arc light is $105, and of an incan- descent, $30. On residential streets, except where they join or intersect each other, two incandescents, instead of one arc, will fill every need, and I recommend this substitution whenever pos-


15


MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.


sible. The number of arc lights can be reduced from 491 to 475 without affecting the price per light.


Buildings Department.


Much important work has engaged the attention of the commissioner of public buildings. The new engine house in Union square has been completed, a large dormitory for men added to the city home, the construction of the George O. Proc- tor school building on Hudson street has been begun, three rooms in the English high school have been re-arranged, and the Bell and Burns schoolhouses have been thoroughly renovated.


By an order just passed, a system of fire escapes will soon be installed on the Bell schoolhouse.


Appropriations will have to be made this year for the fur- nishings, etc., of the new engine house in Union square and for the heating, plumbing, and furnishings of the Proctor school- house.


The heating arrangement for the new dormitory at the city home is but temporary. There is a heating plant in the annex to the Knapp schoolhouse, which is not in use, that would make an excellent equipment for the entire set of city home buildings. The furnace systems in the Pope and Morse schoolhouses should be replaced by steam heating plants. I recommend that suffi- cient amounts be included in the appropriations for public build- ings to admit of at least two of these three improvements, which would ultimately result in a financial saving.


Three hundred permits for new buildings and alterations have been issued, and, as a result of this construction work, prop- erty to the value of $785,000 has been added to the city.


Soldiers' Relief.


The sum of $21,000 was paid out under the soldiers' relief law for the support of Civil war veterans, their widows and fami- lies. Such is Somerville's eloquent tribute to the men who saved the nation. The city has also dispensed for the state the sum of $14,000 for state aid, and paid out $2,100 for military aid, one- half of which latter amount is returned by the state. Nearly $500 has also been expended for the state for soldiers' burials. In addition, the city spent over $700 for turkeys, which were dis- tributed as its Thanksgiving donation to 300 needy survivors of the Civil war, or the families of such veterans.


16


ANNUAL REPORTS.


Parks and Playgrounds.


At least the usual amount of work has been done in beauti- fying our parks, which are among Somerville's chief attractions.


Great attention has been paid to the matter of providing and equipping playgrounds in all parts of the city. Five fields have been maintained for baseball and football playing; also an out- door gymnasium, bicycle track, and tennis courts. The fine Broadway athletic field at West Somerville has been greatly im- proved, at the expense of the High School Athletic association, by additional seats, so that the seating capacity of the grand- stands is now nearly 5,000. The Glen-street playground has been enlarged by obtaining the use of adjoining land. Permis- sion, without expense to the city, to use private lands east of Broadway park and at the corner of Highland avenue and Cedar street has also been secured, and these have been converted into admirable playgrounds. Another portion of the city's land at the corner of Broadway and Cedar street, in front of the city's buildings, has been partly graded, and, if completed this spring, will make another fine playground, and add to the appearance of our public property there.


Shade Trees.


Eight hundred and thirty shade trees have been set out on the highways, which will soon result in greatly added beauty to our city. Hardy maples have been placed on Broadway, from the Charlestown to the Arlington line, except where shade trees al- ready existed. Powder House boulevard has been adorned with the fast-growing Carolina poplars between Powder House square and Curtis street, and numerous trees have been set out for the owners in front of single estates. There are now 10,000 public trees in the city, and nearly 16,000 on private lands.




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