Report of the city of Somerville 1906, Part 1

Author: Somerville (Mass.)
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Somerville, Mass.
Number of Pages: 552


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1906 > Part 1


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CITY OF SOMERVILLE


MASSACHUSETTS


ANNUAL REPORTS


1906


With Mayor's Inaugural Address Delivered Jan. 7, 1907


GIVE.


N


SOMERVILLE


FREE


FOUNDED 1842


ONAL


MUNICIPAL


A CITY 1872. STRENGT


ESTABLISHED


HJ


SOMERVILLE JOURNAL PRINT


1907


PHOTO BY F. A. GEORGE.


SOMERVILLE'S VETERAN MESSENGER, JAIRUS MANN.


SECOND INAUGURAL ADDRESS


DELIVERED BY


MAYOR CHARLES A. GRIMMONS


MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 1907


Gentlemen of the Board of Aldermen :---


Once again we are assembled, in accordance with custom, for the beginning of a new year's administration of the city's af- fairs. Again we take upon ourselves the responsibilities of the offices entrusted to us and record our solemn pledges to serve our city lawfully, honestly, and to the best of our abilities. To- day we drop party ties and obligations and stand forth as the representatives of the whole city and people. It is pleasant to greet so many of last year's board and to extend a welcome to the new members. The retiring members have rendered excel- lent service to the city, and the city expects a similar service from the new ones. In our official family we carry out the first law of private hospitality, as we "speed the parting and welcome the coming guests."


I call your attention to the following facts, bearing on the financial condition of the city :---


The total funded debt of the city January 1, 1906, was $1,510,000. This debt was increased during the year $100,000. It was decreased $145,500, leaving the net funded debt January 1, 1907, $1,464,500, a net decrease of $45,500.


Ordinance No. 59 was approved July 27, 1906. This gave authority for the exchange of coupon bonds for registered bonds, and $257,000 have been exchanged under this provision.


4


ANNUAL REPORTS.


The total amount of taxable property is $60,371,500, of which $54,367,700 is real estate, and $6,003,800 is personal es- tate, including non-resident bank shares. At a rate of $17.40 on each $1,000 of valuation, the tax is $1,050,464.10. There are 20,069 polls at $2.00, making $40,138. We received from street watering $22,309.64, and from the suppression of gypsy and brown-tail moths $1,111.88, making the total tax levy $1,114,023.62. The total number of persons assessed, resident and non-resident, was 27,511.


Of the amount received in taxes, $160,000 is required for the debt provisions : $185,789.10 are state and county taxes, metropolitan sewer assessments, etc., matters over which the city has no control; $365,000 is used for current expenses of departments, over which the board of aldermen has no control ; $339,675 is the amount for current expenses within control of the board of aldermen.


The same statement, based upon the $17.40 per thousand, is as follows: Of each $17.40, $3.08 is for state, county, and metropolitan taxes ; $2.65 for debt requirements ; $6.04 for cur- rent expenses over which the board of aldermen has no control ; $5.63 for current expenses within control of the board of al- dermen.


In addition to the amount received from taxes, there was available last year the sum of $231,593.44 on water income ac- count ; we received $30,608.45 from corporation and bank taxes ; from the clerk of the courts, $3,840; from the county treasurer, for dog licenses, $4,386.83; from the state, the street railway tax, $48,329.06; and from the Boston Elevated Railway tax, $8,447.89 ; a total of $327,205.67. making the total amount avail- able from taxes and from other sources, $1,441,229.29.


Funded Debt .- The funded debt of the city January 1, 1906, was as follows :-


Funded Debt, City Loan . $1,114,000 00


Funded Debt, Sewer Loan


235,000 00


Funded Debt, Paving Loan 35,000 00


Funded Debt, Water Loan


102,000 00


Funded Debt, Metropolitan Park Assess-


ment Loan


24,000 00


$1,510,000 00


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


.


5


MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.


Sewers Construction


.


$20,000 00


Public Buildings Construction, High


School Building Completion


15,000 00


Highways, Paved Gutters and Crossings.


17,500 00


Highways, Construction


25,000 00


Highways, Shade Trees


500 00


Sidewalks, Construction


12,000 00


Renewal of Funded Debt


10,000 00


$100,000 00


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


Funded Debt, City Loan .


$111,500 00


Funded Debt, Sewer Loan


12,000 00


Funded Debt, Paving Loan


5,000 00


Funded Debt, Water Loan


16,000 00


Funded Debt, Metropolitan Park Assess-


ment Loan .


1,000 00


$145,500 00


Leaving the funded debt of the city January 1, 1907, $1,464,500 (a decrease of $45,500 from the previous year), clas- sified as follows :---


City Loan bonds bearing interest at 31/2 per cent.


$350,000 00


City Loans bonds bearing interest at 4 per cent.


732,500 00


City Loan Sewer bonds bearing interest at 31/2 per cent.


75,000 00


City Loan Sewer bonds bearing interest at 4 per cent.


163,000 00


City Loan Sewer bonds bearing interest at 41/2 per cent.


5,000 00


City Loan Paving bonds bearing interest at 4 per cent. · Water Loan bonds bearing interest at 4 per cent. ·


30,000 00


Metropolitan Park Assessment Loan


86,000 00


bonds bearing interest at 31/2 per cent.


23,000 00


Total Funded Debt January 1, 1907 . $1,464,500 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.


6


ANNUAL REPORTS.


Taxes .- The assessors' warrant for the tax levy assessed upon the polls and estates of the inhabitants, as of May 1, 1906, was duly submitted to the collector.


The total amount of taxable property was $60,371,500, and the rate established was $17.40 on each $1,000 valuation, as follows :-


Real estate, valuation


. $54,367,700 00


Personal estate, valuation .


5,907,960 00


Non-resident bank shares . 95,840 00


Total valuation . $60,371,500 00


At a rate of $17.40 on each $1,000 valua-


tion


$1,050,464 10


Polls, 20,069 at $2 . 40,138 00


Street watering


22,309 64


Suppression of gypsy and brown- tail moths .


1,111 88


Total amount of tax levy . · ·


$1,114,023 62


Total number of persons assessed, resident and non-resident, 27,511.


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


Rates assessed on $1,000 valuation.


Amount.


For current expenses within the control of the board of aldermen .


$5 63


$339,675 00


Current expenses of depart-


ments over which the


board of aldermen has no control


6 04


365,000 00


Debt requirements .


2 65


160,000 00


State and county taxes, met-


ropolitan sewer and park


assessments, national bank tax, and Overlay account, 3 08


185,789 10


Total amount assessed on a valuation of $60,371,500 at $17.40 $1,050,464 10


Poll taxes assessed, credited to state and county


40,138 00


Amount carried forward .


$1,090,602 10


MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.


Amount brought forward $1,090,602 10 Street watering, in excess of amount ap- propriated 22,309 64 Suppression of gypsy and brown-tail moth tax 1,111 88


Total amount of the tax levy


$1,114,023 62


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


ACCOUNTS WITHIN THE CONTROL OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN.


Assessors


$10,000 00


City Auditor


725 00


City Clerk


5,500 00


City Engineer


11,500 00


City Messenger


2,000 00


City Solicitor


2,350 00


City Treasurer


9,300 00


Clerk of Committees and Departments


4,200 00


Contingent Fund


3,450 00


Election Expenses :-


City Clerk 1,650 00


Commissioner of Public Buildings


900 00


Pay of Election Officers


2,500 00


Registrars of Voters


1,650 00


Electrical Department


8,500 00


Fire Department


45,500 00


Inspection of Buildings


4,100 00


Military Aid


1,000 00


Police


41,600 00


Printing and Stationery


2,100 00


Public Buildings Maintenance :-


City Buildings


11,000 00


Janitors' Salaries .


27,000 00


Schoolhouses


27,700 00


Public Grounds


10,4400 00


Sealer of Weights and Measures


1,050 00


Sidewalks Maintenance


3,000 00


Soldiers' Relief


22,000 00


Somerville Hospital


5,000 00


Street Lights


67,000 00


Suppression Gypsy and Brown-tail Moths,


3,000 00


Total amount assessed on a valuation of $60,371,500, at $5.63 $339,675 00


Executive Department


4,000 00


8


ANNUAL REPORTS.


ACCOUNTS OVER WHICH THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN HAS NO CONTROL.


Health Department $6,400 00


Health Department, Collection of Ashes and Qffal


36,600 00


Health Department, Contagious Disease Hospital 6,000 00


Public Library


14,500 00


School Contingent


25,000 00


School Teachers' Salaries


260,000 00


Support of Poor, City Home 2,500 00


Support of Poor, Miscellaneous


14,000 00


Total amount assessed on a valuation of $60,371,500, at $6.04 . $365,000 00


ACCOUNTS PROVIDING FOR DEBT REQUIREMENTS.


Interest


$58,000 00


Reduction of Funded Debt


102,000 00


Total amount assessed on a valuation


of $60,371,500, at $2.65 $160,000 00


PROVIDING FOR STATE AND COUNTY TAXES, ETC.


State Tax


$61,600 00


Deduct one -half of poll taxes, 20,069 00


$41,531 00


County Tax $61,272 24


Deduct one-half of poll taxes, 20,069 00


41,203 24


Metropolitan Sewer Assessment


49,319 97


Metropolitan Park Assessment .


21,865 18


National Bank Tax


1,667 62


Overlay and Abatement


16,775 69


Armory Tax


3,908 21


Wellington Bridge, Special Assessment


9,264 32


Purifying Mystic River


253 87


Total amount assessed on a valuation


of $60,371,500, at $3.08 . $185,789 10


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


From the income of the water works :--


Water Maintenance ·


$27,946 76


Water Loan Interest - 3,935 00


Water Works, Abatements on Water Charges 448 10


Amount carried forward .


$32,329 86


-


9


MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.


Amount brought forward


$32,329 86


Water Works Extension


19,195 86


Sewers Maintenance . 12,000 00


Fire Department


24,500 00


Suppression of Brown-tail Moths 1,000 00


Reduction of Funded Debt


10,792 96


Reduction of Funded Debt, Water Loan Bonds . 6,000 00


Metropolitan Water Assessment 97,160 08


Interest on Sewer Loan Bonds .


8,827 50


Sewer Loan Bonds


18,000 00


Excess and Deficiency


1,787 18


Total


$231,593 44


From the income from the state and county :-


Police, the amount received from the state for corporation taxes . $24,404 92


Amount charged to the state 2,803 54


. Police, the amount received from the state for bank taxes .


3,399 99


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


3,840 00


Public Library, the amount received from the county for dog licenses . 4,386 83


Highways Maintenance, from Boston Ele- vated Railway tax 8,447 89


Highways Maintenance, from street rail- way tax .


18,329 06


Total . $95,612 23


Total from water income and from


state and county .


.


$327,205 67


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


From tax levy


$1,114,023 62 .


From income 327,205 67


$1,441,229 29


10


ANNUAL REPORTS.


The following tables, giving a condensed history of the city's finances, are herewith presented for reference :-


YEAR.


Amount of Funded Debt.


Increase of Funded Debt.


Reduction of Funded Debt.


Tax Rate per $1,000 Valuation on Account of Reduc- tion of Funded Debt.


Town .


$593,349


Dec. 31, 1872


643,354


$50,005


1873


809,354


166,000


66


1874


1,419,854


610,500


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


1879


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


1882


1,585,000


61,390 59


2 65


1883


1,585,000


64,479 01


2 70


66


1884


1,585,000


67,719 33


2 78


1885


+1,525,000


25,000


37,000 00


1 28


1889


952,500


130,000


38,000 00


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


60


1895


1,506,500


247,000


85,000 00


1 83


1896


1,531,000


177,000


152,500 00


3 11


1897


1,548,000


167,000


150,000 00


2 39


1898


1,552,000


176,000


172,000 00


3 99


66


1899


1,492,500


110,000


169,500 00


3 30


1900


1,478,000


152,000


166,500 00


3 17


66


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


1904


1,498,500


132,500


139,500 00


2 40


66


1905


1,510,000


148.000


136,500 00


2 30


1906


1,464,500


100,000


145,500 00


2 41


1886


1,525,000


66,894 23


2 57


1887


1,525,000


70,252 88


2 56


1888


1860,500


71,305 66


2 87


1,596,854


61,004 64


2 91


.


·


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


1878


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


1905


59,233,000


. 1,144,000 14


18 30


1906


60,371,500


. 1,114,023 62


17 40


The past year has been a busy one in all departments of the city's administration. The principles of the administration, pro- claimed at the beginning of the year, were: A proper enforce- ment of the city charter, economy and efficiency. These tenets of action have been followed as closely as possible in accordance with business principles. Each head of department has been held strictly responsible for the proper conduct of his office, and in no case has he been hampered by the executive for any politi- cal reasons or for anything which would impair a business-like administration of his department. I believe that this plan has worked admirably, and that the city has received excellent ser- vice and the best results for all moneys expended.


The matter of uniform accounts, which I hope to see at some time universally adopted, has been deferred, pending probable legislation by state and nation. This year we have in- stituted an annual audit of the city's finances, which I hope will


12


ANNUAL REPORTS.


be continued by my successors, so that, at the beginning of each year, the incoming finance committee may adopt as its report the report of the expert accountant, which has been brought up to the end of the year. Throughout the history of the city the finance committee's report, which is provided for by ordinance, has been nominal and perfunctory and of little or no value in the light of modern methods.


An innovation in the treasurer's department is the adoption of a method by which every city bond is issued and certified to as to its proper issue and legality by one of the largest financial corporations of the state, and in the near future it is expected that this practice will be extended to all negotiable paper issued by the city. These safeguards render impossible any over- issues and insure the city's receiving the highest prices for its bonds and obligations.


It may be well at this time to record the city's method of purchasing and paying for supplies. All articles of any amount are purchased, after full and free competition, by the heads of departments, with the sanction of the executive. When goods are received, the bills are properly checked and verified and entered on the records by the proper accountant. All bills then go to the committee on accounts or a department committee, when from three to five men-the people's representatives- examine each bill, and every bill is certified on the pay-roll by the chairman of the committee. All bills then go to the city auditor for his examination and certification. It is not uncom- mon for him to lay aside bills and call the attention of the ex- ecutive to them. All bills and pay-rolls are then presented to the mayor for his inspection and approval. All cash discounts are availed of and exacted. I believe that this method of numerous inspections and examinations by different competent people- a method that is not complex-insures and safeguards the city's best interests. Beyond this, every bill and account is, under the law, so open to the inspection of every citizen that "he who runs may read."


The board of health has this year inaugurated and opened the contagious hospital, which I believe to be one of the model institutions of its kind in the state. They have also organized the medical inspection of the schools, as required by law. I be- lieve that the general health of the city is excellent.


It was a matter of regret to the executive that the danger of rabies necessitated the muzzling of all dogs. The best en-


13


MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.


deavors were made to carry out the necessary safeguards with as little annoyance to the public as possible. As a result of the discharge of their duties, three officers were sent to New York for the Pasteur treatment for rabies. In case of a similar con- dition arising, the city will endeavor to comply with the obliga- tion of the state with as little friction and trouble to the citizens as possible.


During the year the addition to the Latin school has been completed, adding fifteen of the most attractive schoolrooms in the city. Modern sanitary plumbing has replaced the out-of- date and much-criticized conditions in the Bell, Bingham, and Edgerly schools. Additional school accommodations will be needed, and I ask your consideration and approval of additions to the Hanscom and Brown schools. Our schoolhouses, as a whole, have no superiors in the state, and this opinion is from unbiased and competent authority.


The duties of the commissioner of public buildings, who is also the inspector of buildings, are so numerous and exacting that I propose that he shall appoint a head janitor, who shall oversee and supervise the janitor service of all public buildings, more especially that of schoolhouses. This will not necessarily create a new official, and will add very little to the existing expense.


The recent receipt of a letter at the mayor's office from Saint Petersburg, Russia, the writer of which stated his interest in Somerville's excellent school system, is but one of many in- cidents which show how widely known and how highly appre- ciated the Somerville school standard is. It may be that the intelligence of enlightened Somerville will illumine and improve the prospects of Darkest Russia! Our high school graduates are admitted by college and university authorities to be among the very best fitted of those who seek the higher education.


The installation of water meters is being forwarded as fast as the finances of the city will permit, thus insuring an equitable charge to all such consumers of water. This work is also im- portant in preventing water waste, concerning which the metro- politan commission is much interested, and has an important bearing on our finances, in that it aids in postponing the further enlargement of the metropolitan system of supply.


New electric street lights have been installed as occasion demanded, and I feel that I can say that Somerville is one of the best-lighted cities in the country.


14


ANNUAL REPORTS.


It is a pleasure and satisfaction to report material progress in the efforts in behalf of the city on the subject of the abolition of grade crossings on the Fitchburg railroad. Many hearings have been held before the commissioners, and the city offi- cials have used their utmost and best endeavors to forward this great and absolutely necessary improvement. The plans sub- mitted by the city call for an expenditure of about $1,000,000, of which ten per cent., or $100,000 (approximately the sum ex- pended for paving Somerville avenue), will be the city's share. This will be payable through a long term of years, making the annual expense a very light financial burden to the city.


I regret that no more progress has been made on the sub- ject of the Lowell-street bridge, the construction of which has been delayed by an appeal to the courts by the railroad com- pany. The city will do its utmost in this matter to prosecute it to completion.


Good work has been done on the highways in such amounts and in different parts of the city that it seems unnecessary to enumerate the different undertakings. More granolithic side- walks have been constructed during the year than ever before, and I trust that in the future this material will be used in much greater amounts. Twenty-four thousand square vards of per- manent pavement have been laid on the main arteries of travel, and it is of such a nature that automobiles, the common use of which has rendered necessary the adoption of a more permanent roadway than macadam, will not affect it. This pavement has been acquired at a price one-third less than ever before for simi- lar pavement and with a ten-year guarantee to maintain it with- out cost to the city. The price was less than the estimated cost of maintaining a macadam road for the same length of time, without regard to the original cost.


The plans of previous administrations have been matured and brought to fruition on Broadway, in East Somerville. In a short time I confidently expect the completion of the improve- ments, and then Somerville will have one of the finest ap- proaches of any city in the metropolitan district. The perma- nent pavement on the sides of the street, the removal of the poles from the sidewalks, and a grass plot between the railroad tracks will give an ideal roadway and complete a long-desired condition. The public safety will be greatly enhanced by plac- ing under ground all wires carrying electricity for light and tele- phone service. The expenditures for this purpose by public


15


MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.


service corporations from their own resources this year have been $40,000, and the city has spent $3,000 in placing its own wires under ground. This plan of burying the wires I believe to be a great step in the interests of utility, safety, and beauty of the city.


All details of the city's business will be found in full in the annual reports, which will be obtainable by any citizen.


The public service of the city has lost during the year by death four of its most faithful and efficient servants. James F. Beard, who died July 2, was the third treasurer of the city, which position he had occupied for six years. He was ever careful, cautious, painstaking, an invaluable adviser of the city's servants, and beloved by all with whom he was associated. Every mayor under whom he served joins with me in his praise and in testifying to his great ability for the office which he filled so creditably and well.


Dr. Alvah B. Dearborn was one of the grandest types of which Somerville can boast. He, the city physician, who ad- ministered to the people in charity, yet not with the manner of mere charity, was beloved by all with whom he was associated, and fulfilled the duties of his office in a manner and spirit em- blematic of the Great Physician. He rendered distinguished services to the city as a physician, as an educator, and as a citizen.


Levi F. S. Davis died shortly after his re-appointment as a registrar of voters. He had always been noted for his interest in public affairs. He was well thought of by all and had served the city well and faithfully in all of the positions which had been entrusted to him. Pleasant, genial, large-hearted, he was mourned by a legion of friends and by the whole city.


Edward Backus, commissioner of electric lines and lights, who died March 26, was of the quiet type of public servant. Every hour of the day at duty's call, he watched and safe- guarded property and life. Reserved and unassuming, he ful- filled the duties of his office with ability, fidelity, and zeal.


Other highly esteemed citizens who have passed on during the year and who have rendered good service to the city in va- rious lines and offices are: Henry M. Moore, Elbridge G. Park, Nathan A. Fitch, and Samuel W. Holt. These were mourned by many of the older citizens as well as by later ones. Their deaths are a great loss to the community, for these men were representatives of our highest standard of citizenship.


16


ANNUAL REPORTS.


The poor we have always with us, and again I would urge all citizens, in public spirit and charity, not to forget Somer- ville's benevolent institutions, and, in proportion as they them- selves have been prospered, to do all in their power for the les- sening of the sufferings of the poor. The overseers of the poor are doing a grand work, and the city home is one of the model institutions of its kind in the state. The Somerville hospital continues its good work on broad and non-sectarian lines, and I recommend that the customary sum of $5,000 be appropriated for the care of the sick poor at this institution.




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