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CITY OF SOMERVILLE
MASSACHUSETTS
ANNUAL REPORTS
1 907
With Mayor's Inaugural Address Delivered Jan. 6, 1908
GIVES
DO
SOMERVILLE
FREE
NAL
FOUNDED 1842
1872.
A CITY
STRENG
ESTA
HED
H.LE
SOMERVILLE JOURNAL PRINT
1908
MUNICIPAL
THIRD INAUGURAL ADDRESS
DELIVERED BY
MAYOR CHARLES A. GRIMMONS
MONDAY, JANUARY 6, 1908.
Gentlemen of the Board of Aldermen :-
We meet this morning to inaugurate the thirty-seventh ad- ministration of our city government. Each succeeding year brings new conditions, fraught with added responsibilities, making each period harder of successful achievement than the preceding one. The year 1907 opened with the general busi- ness and financial conditions of our country in an apparent state of great prosperity, while to-day we are in a state of uncertainty, which calls for the extreme efforts of conservatism and economy in both private and public life.
We have taken upon ourselves solemn obligations and as- sumed the responsibilities entrusted to us by the people. The people ask of us that we give them in our official actions our best efforts, which "the Somerville idea" demands shall be un- selfish, non-partisan, and with an eye single to the best interests of the whole city.
I regret to say that the financial outlook is far from reassur- ing. Our expenses have been, and are, growing in excess of our receipts. Conditions existing in 1907 have been responsible for higher costs, which it was impossible to foresee. The in- terest on temporary loans was $10,319.31 more than in the pre- vious year. We received $8,000 less from the Elevated rail- road than in 1906. Every increase of salary was just and proper, and some salaries are yet below the normal standard of the city. Prices for hay and grain, as well as for all other supplies, have
4
ANNUAL REPORTS.
been abnormally high, but the city has bought only what was absolutely necessary. An additional expense this year will be the increase in the school teachers' salaries, which public senti- ment demanded, and which seemed just and reasonable.
On account of interest rates and market conditions, I refrain at this time from making many recommendations which would require the expenditure of money.
It is a matter for congratulation that the state has recently assumed the cost and interest charges paid on the Somerville armory, which have been an expense to the city for the past five years. It is expected that the additional mileage of the Boston Elevated railway, through Mystic avenue to the metropolitan parkway in Somerville, will be a source of additional income to the city. A small income may be expected from the sale of sand and gravel from the Waltham land, which has been unpro- ductive for many years. Still, these small sources of income will, I fear, be insufficient to care for the added demands which must be met. I therefore urge on you the most unselfish efforts to aid the executive in giving the city as economic an adminis- tration as is possible. It is to be hoped that the impending business readjustment will soon be accomplished, and that nor- mal conditions will prevail. This will somewhat lighten the bur- dens of this year.
Somerville has always been fortunate in having a low tax rate. In comparison with its rate of $17.40 last year, that of Malden was $18.00; Everett, $18.50; Cambridge, $18.80; Med- ford, $20.00; and Chelsea, $20.80. In view of the increased de- mands and of the unusual payments on the funded debt to be provided for, the city must expect to have a slightly increased tax rate for this year, at least, if not for the future.
The total funded debt of the city January 1, 1907, was $1,464,500. This debt was increased during the year $198,000. It was decreased $154,500, leaving the net funded debt January - 1, 1908, $1,508,000, a net increase of $43,500.
The total amount of taxable property is $61,627,200, of which $55,372,500 is real estate, and $6,254,700 is personal es- tate, including non-resident bank shares. At a rate of $17.40 on each $1,000 of valuation, the tax is $1,072,313.28. There are 20,793 polls at $2.00, making $41,586. We received from street watering, $29,036.05, and from the suppression of gypsy and brown-tail moths, $1,499.59, making the total tax levy $1,144,-
5
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
434.92. The total number of persons assessed, resident and non-resident, was 28,365.
Of the amount received in taxes, $167,500 is required for the debt provisions ; $187,213.28 are state and county taxes, metropolitan sewer assessments, etc., matters over which the city has no control; $374,000 is used for current expenses of departments, over which the board of aldermen has no control ; $343,600 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, $3.04 is for state, county, and metropolitan taxes ; $2.72 for debt requirements ; $6.07 for cur- rent expenses over which the board of aldermen has no control ; $5.57 for current expenses within control of the board of alder- men.
In addition to the amount received from taxes, there was available last year the sum of (estimated) $224,672.11 on water income account; we received $27,409.58 from corpora- tion and bank taxes; from the clerk of the courts, $3,538; from the county treasurer, for dog licenses, $4,109.54; from the state, the street railway tax, $40,439.71; from the Boston Elevated Railway tax, $8,908.18; amount charged to the state, $3,357.13; and amount received from the state for rent of armory, $1,098; a total of $313,532.25, making the total amount available from taxes and other sources, $1,457,967.17.
It is a matter for congratulation that we close the year 1907 with a credit balance $3,715.26 on appropriations from the tax levy.
Funded Debt .- The funded debt of the city January 1, 1907, was as follows :-
Funded Debt, City Loan . .
$1,082,500 00
Funded Debt, Sewer Loan 243,000 00
Funded Debt, Paving Loan 30,000 00
Funded Debt, Water Loan 86,000 00
Funded Debt, Metropolitan Park Assess-
ment Loan 23,000 00
$1,464,500 00
The debt was increased during the year by appropriations made by the board of aldermen as follows ;-
6
!
ANNUAL REPORTS.
1
.
Electrical Department, Underground Construction
$3,000 00
Fire Department, Additional Apparatus . 5,500 00
Highways, Construction
20,500 00
Highways Construction, Clarendon Hill Ledge
8,500 00
Highways, Paved Gutters and Crossings,
10,000 00
Highways, Shade Trees
500 00
Public Buildings Construction :-
Addition to Benjamin G. Brown
School
20,000 00
Addition to Sanford Hanscom School . 15,000 00
Bath House
3,000 00
Heating Plant, Charles G. Pope School,
6,000 00
Incinerator
2,000 00
Vault, City Hall
2,000 00
Renewal of Funded Debt
10,000 00
Sewers, Construction .
60,000 00
Sidewalks, Construction
12,000 00
Soldiers' Monument
20,000 00
$198,000 00
The debt was reduced during the year by maturities as fol- lows :-
Funded Debt, City Loan . $118,500 00
Funded Debt, Sewer Loan 13,000 00
Funded Debt, Paving Loan 5,000 00
Funded Debt, Water Loan
17,000 00
Funded Debt, Metropolitan Park Assess-
ment Loan
1,000 00
$154,500 00
Leaving the funded debt of the city January 1, 1908, $1,- 508,000 (an increase of $43,500 from the previous year), classi- fied as follows :-
City Loan bonds bearing interest at 31/2 per cent. . City Loan bonds bearing interest at 4
$314,000 00
788,000 00
per cent. · City Loan Sewer bonds bearing interest at 31/2 per cent. 72,000 00
City Loan Sewer bonds bearing interest at 4 per cent. 214,000 00
Amount carried forward .
$1,388,000 00
..
·
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
Amount brought forward $1,388,000 00 City Loan Sewer bonds bearing interest at 41/2 per cent. 4,000 00 . City Loan Paving bonds bearing interest at 4 per cent. 25,000 00
Water Loan bonds bearing interest at 4 per cent. 69,000 00
Metropolitan Park Assessment Loan bonds bearing interest at 31/2 per cent.
22,000 00
Total Funded Debt January 1, 1908 . $1,508,000 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, 1907, was duly submitted to the collector.
The total amount of taxable property was $61,627,200, and the rate established was $17.40 on each $1,000 valuation, as fol- lows :-
Real estate, valuation · $55,372,500 00
Personal estate, valuation .
6,155,250 00
Non-resident bank shares . 99,450 00
Total valuation . $61,627,200 00 At a rate of $17.40 on each $1,000 valua-
tion
1,072,313 28
Polls, 20,793 at $2 . 41,586 00
Street watering
29,036 05
Suppression of gypsy and brown- tail moths
1,499 59
$1,144,434 92
Total amount of tax levy . Total number of persons assessed, resident and non-resident, 28,365.
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 57
$343,600 00
Amounts carried forward ٥ $5 57
$343,600 00
8
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Amounts brought forward $5 57 $343,600 00
Current expenses of depart- ments over which the board of aldermen has no control ·
6 07
374,000 00
Debt requirements .
2 72
167,500 00
State and county taxes, metropolitan sewer and
park assessments, na-
tional bank tax, and
Overlay account . 3 04
187,213 28
Total amount assesssd on a valu-
ation of $61,627,200 at . $17 40 $1,072,313 28
Poll taxes assessed, credited to state and county
41,586 00
Street watering
29,036 05
Suppression of gypsy and brown-tail
moth tax .
1,499 59
Total amount of the tax levy $1,144,434 92
The appropriations to the various accounts were as fol- lows :-
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
2,300 00
City Treasurer
9,700 00
Clerk of Committees and Departments
4,200 00
Contingent Fund
2,675 00
Election Expenses :-
City Clerk 1,650 00
Commissioner of Public Buildings
900 00
Pay of Election Officers
2,500 00
Registrars of Voters
1,550 00
Electrical Department
8,200 00
Executive Department
4,000 00
Fire Department
42,000 00
Inspection of Buildings
4,300 00
Military Aid
900 00
Police
46,000 00
Printing and Stationery
2,000 00
:
Amount carried forward .
$162,600 00
5
-
9
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
Amount brought forward
$162,600 00
Public Buildings Maintenance :-
City Buildings
10,900 00
Fire Department
3,600 00
Janitors' Salaries
28,500 00
Schoolhouses
30,000 00
Public Grounds
10,700 00
Sealer of Weights and Measures
1,300 00
Sidewalks Maintenance
1,000 00
Soldiers' Relief
22,000 00
Somerville Hospital
5,000 00
Street Lights
64,000 00
Suppression of Gypsy and Brown-tail
Moths .
.
4,000 00
Total amount assessed on a valuation of $61,627,200 at $5.57 $343,600 00
ACCOUNTS OVER WHICH THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN HAS NO CONTROL.
Health Department
$8,000 00
Health Department, Collection of Ashes and Offal 40,000 00
Health Department, Contagious Disease Hospital
1,000 00
Health Department, Medical Inspection in Public Schools . 1,500 00
Public Library
15,000 00
School Contingent 27,000 00
School Teachers' Salaries 265,000 00
Support of Poor, City Home 2,500 00
Support of Poor, Miscellaneous
14,000 00
Total amount assessed on a valuation of $61,627,200 at $6.07 . $374,000 00
ACCOUNTS PROVIDING FOR DEBT REQUIREMENTS. Interest $63,000 00
Reduction of Funded Debt 104,500 00
Total amount assessed on a valuation
of $61,627,200 at $2.72 $167,500 00
PROVIDING FOR STATE AND COUNTY TAXES, ETC. State Tax . $70,160 00
Deduct one-half of poll taxes, 20,793 00
$49,367 00
County Tax
$61,897 01
Deduct one-half of poll taxes,
20,793 00
41,104 01
Amount carried forward
$90,471 01
10
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Amount brought forward $90,471 01
Metropolitan Sewer Assessment
37,575 77
Metropolitan Park Assessment .
28,140 91
National Bank Tax
1,730 43
Overlay and Abatement
21,688 77
Armory Tax
3,868 99
Wellington Bridge Tax
3,737 40
Total amount assessed on a valuation
of $61,627,200 at $3.04 . · $187,213 28
In addition to the above, the following appropriations were made from the various income accounts :-
From the income of the water works :- -
Water Maintenance $25,000 00
Water Loan Interest 3,200 00
Water Works Extension
20,000 00
Sewers Maintenance
.
12,000 00
Fire Department
30,000 00
Reduction of Funded Debt, Water Loan Bonds
7,000 00
Metropolitan Water Assessment
106,334 61
Interest on Sewer Loan Bonds 9,137 50
Reduction of Funded Debt (estimated)
12,000 00
Total $224,672 11
From the income from the state and county :-
Police, the amount received from the state for corporation taxes .
$23,606 35
Amount charged to the state 3,357 13
Police, the amount received from the state for bank taxes 3,803 23
Police, the amount received from the clerk of the courts for fines, costs, etc. 3,538 00
Public Library, the amount received from the county for dog licenses 4,109 54
Highways Maintenance, from Boston Elevated Railway tax . 8,908 18
Highways Maintenance, from street rail- way tax .
40,439 71
School Teachers' Salaries, amount re- ceived from the state for rent of Armory 1,098 00
Total $88,860 14
Total from water income and from state and county
$313,532 25 -
11
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
The aggregate appropriations from taxy levy and from in- come were as follows :-
From tax levy
$1,144,434 92
From income
313,532 25
$1,457,967 17
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
809,354
166,000
1874
1,419,854
610,500
1875
1,571,854
152,000
.
$2 07
1877
1,606,854
10,000
*58,828 58
2 30
66
1878
1,596,854
61,004 64
2 91
1879
1,585,000
64,915 76
3 42
1880
1,585,000
55,739 35
2 72
66
1882
1,585,000
.
61,390 59
2 65
1884
1,585,000
67,719 33
2 78
66
1885
+1,525,000
71,305 66
2 87
66
1886
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
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
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
1902
1,477,000
175,000
159,000 00
2 86
1903
1,505,500
197,500
169,000 00
2 96
1904
1,498,500
132,500
139,500 00
2 40
1905
1,510,000
148,000
136 500 00
2 30
66
1906
1,464,500
100,000
145,500 00
2 41
66
1907
.1,508,000
198,000
154,500 00
2 51
.
58,498 64
2 59
1883
1,585,000
64,479 01
2 70
1887
1,525,000
70,252 88
2 56
1888
1860,500
66,894 23
2 57
1876
1,606,854
45,000
*$55,130 62
1881
1,585,000
*$10,000.00 applied to payment of bonds; balance to sinking funds. Sinking fund applied,
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
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
189'
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
1907
61,627,200
. 1,144,434 92
17 40
I recommend that the customary sum of $5,000 be appro- priated for the care of the sick poor in the Somerville hospital. This corporation and the board of overseers of the poor are the only bodies by which the public funds can be used for charitable work. You will permit me to again remind you of our many other charitable institutions, all doing a good work on broad and non-sectarian lines, which Somerville has always supported with public spirit and private charity. While we are in the midst of a state of financial depression, which always causes additional
13
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
demands in this line, I urge our people not to be lax in their good deeds, for this is a time when the cause is better, if pos- sible, and more necessity prevails for the alleviation of poverty and suffering.
The streets and sidewalks of the city have had the usual efficient efforts of the highway department, which has had an unusually busy year. Many granolithic sidewalks have been constructed in response to the public demand. In the judgment of the department, granolithic appears to be the ideal material for a sidewalk.
Thirteen thousand, eight hundred and fifty yards of perma- nent pavement have been laid on the more heavily-traveled streets. I recommend that further use of this material be made on Highland avenue this year, as far as our resources will per- mit. The plan of the department is to lay permanent pavement on the principal arteries of travel as fast as possible, thereby giving the best roads and minimizing the cost of maintenance.
Much progress has been made on the Broadway improve- ments, and, with the passing of a few more months of good weather, it is expected that this work will be completed. Then we shall have a local boulevard from the Boston line to the foot of Winter hill. Many of the poles on Broadway have already been removed, and the placing of wires under ground has been carried to the extent required by law.
It is expected that this year the Massachusetts highway commission will take Mystic avenue and construct it as a state highway. While this will be of material benefit to the towns beyond Somerville, it will relieve our city of a great cost of main- tenance, which has been a burden since the establishment of the town.
It is a cause for regret that the Lowell-street bridge matter has not yet been settled, owing to the delays due to court pro- ceedings brought by the railroad companies. The case is on the list for an early hearing in the supreme court, and it is hoped that it will be speedily determined. The city has made all rea- sonable efforts to settle the problem outside of the courts, but its propositions have been rejected by the railroad companies.
Considerable progress has been made during the past year toward the abolition of grade crossings on the line of the Fitch- burg division of the Boston & Maine railroad, running through the southwesterly portion of the city. Many hearings have
14
ANNUAL REPORTS.
been held before the special grade crossing commission ap- pointed by the court for this particular work. While the com- mission has not issued its final report on the subject, it has inti- mated what it will be, which, however, I regret to say, does not wholly meet with the views submitted by the city. Courtesy forbids a discussion of the subject before the issuance of this report, but when it is received it will be within the province of the administration to fully consider it, and, if not satisfactory, to present its wishes when the report is presented to the court for confirmation. This subject is one of such vital interest to the city that I ask that, when you consider it, you give it your clos- est study and best effort for the good of the whole city.
Early in last year the city acquired the so-called Clarendon- hill ledge. This desirable action is doubly beneficial to the city, inasmuch as it gives a new stone supply for highway purposes and has abated in a large degree a great menace to public safety. It is hoped that in the early future the city may acquire from the city of Cambridge, for a nominal consideration, if any, land in that locality which will furnish a dumping ground for many years to come.
The fire department equipment has been augmented by the purchase of another fire engine of the first class, which has been placed on Clarendon hill for the better protection of that rapidly- growing district. The small amount of fire losses in Somerville is a silent, though powerful, tribute to the efficiency and dis- cipline of our fire department. I recommend that a new chemi- cal be purchased to replace the old one at Clarendon hill, whichi is not as safe and reliable as is desired.
The executive's suggestion of last year in regard to exces- sive fire insurance rates has been followed up by presenting a petition and bill to the legislature, and he has appeared before the insurance committee several times. It is hoped that it will report a bill early in the year which will safeguard the rights of property holders and protect them from extortion. It is a fact, coincident or otherwise, that shortly after the introduction of the bill in the legislature, the added insurance rates which followed the San Francisco disaster were withdrawn and can- celed. I have urged on the committee the necessity of definite legislation, so that similar conditions may not again arise.
A four-room addition to the Hanscom school building on Webster street has been constructed, in order to relieve the con-
15
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
ditions which existed in the schools of ward one. This addi- tion will accommodate 196 pupils. A four-room addition to the Brown school on Willow avenue has been constructed. This addition became necessary on account of the large increase of population in the Highland district. The increased space will greatly relieve the other school centres in the ward six and ward seven districts. The antiquated system of heating and ventilating the Pope school building by furnaces has been en- tirely removed, and a modern system of steam heating and fan ventilation installed. This improved system greatly adds to the comfort of the pupils and teachers.
The incinerating plant, the construction of which was begun in 1906, was finished last year, and it has been in operation a sufficient length of time to demonstrate its value and efficiency in every way.
A vault has been constructed in the basement of city hall, which will afford the additional space required for the storage of city documents.
In accordance with my recommendation of last year on the subject of building ordinances, a commission of experts was ap- pointed, and it has submitted a draft of building ordinances which, it is believed, will prove to be more in accordance with modern methods of building construction than the old ones, and will materially benefit the city.
By a recent act of the legislature, the installation of water meters is made compulsory, although sufficient time is given, so as not to render it a heavy burden on the city. The work will be commenced this year in ward one, and will be prosecuted until the whole city shall have been equipped. This course ap- pears to be the most equitable and just method of levying and collecting the water tax, as each piece of property thus pays for the actual amount of water that has been consumed.
Somerville maintains its distinguished reputation as the banner no-license city of the state. In the granting of sixtlı- class liquor licenses and of licenses for the transportation of liquors I urge your most careful attention to each and every applicant, in order that this business may be so restricted as to conform in the greatest degree to the public sentiment so strongly expressed at the polls. I pledge the best attention of the executive and of the police department in strictly enforcing the law. There was especial watchfulness last year, with the re-
16
ANNUAL REPORTS. i
sults that there were a great many less arrests for drunkenness and a marked reduction in the number of prosecutions for vio- lation of the liquor laws.
In response to public sentiment and demand, and in fulfil- ment of a long-deferred duty, the city government last year ap- propriated $20,000 for a soldiers' monument. After a full and broad competition by some of the best talent obtainable, a con- tract has been made, and the models are approaching comple- tion. I confidently expect that the result will be pleasing, and that it will be a worthy memorial to those men of Somerville who, on land and sea, served their country during the war of the Re- bellion. It is hoped that the cornerstone may be laid on Memo- rial day of this year, and in a manner befitting the cause which it commemorates. It is especially pleasing to know that many of the participants in that conflict will have lived to see this token of the people's appreciation of their efforts to perpetuate the integrity of the nation.
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