USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1912 > Part 1
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CITY OF SOMERVILLE
MASSACHUSETTS
ANNUAL REPORTS
1912
With Mayor's Inaugural Address Delivered Jan. 6, 1913
I GIVES
N
EDO
SOMERVILLE
FREEL
NAL
AL
FOUNDED 1842.
1872
MUNICIF
842. ESTABLISH
IED
A CITY STRENGT
1
SOMERVILLE JOURNAL PRINT
1913
-
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
DELIVERED BY
Mayor Charles A. Burns
MONDAY, JANUARY 6, 1913
Gentlemen of the Board of Aldermen :-
I desire to express to the people my deep appreciation of the honor which they have conferred upon me in electing me for the third time to the highest office within their gift. Having served the city two years as mayor, I fully realize the responsi- bilities of the office. You, gentlemen, have been elected to serve the city as aldermen for the present year. Very important questions will come before us, and it is extremely necessary that we give all matters careful and serious consideration before taking final action. I shall continue to co-operate with your honorable board to the end that business may be transacted harmoniously and expeditiously, and for the best interests of all the people.
We miss this morning the familiar face of the venerable Jairus Mann, who, ever since the incorporation of the city, year after year, so ably looked after the details of the in- auguration of our city governments. Faithful in the perform- ance of his duties, courteous and lovable, he set an example worthy to be emulated not only by city officials, but by all of us in our respective duties.
We have already passed the fortieth anniversary of our incorporation as a city. Our growth has been remarkable in these four decades. The population has increased from 16,000 to substantially 80,000, and our valuation from $22,000,000 to $69,000,000. The number of school children in 1872 was 3,128; in 1912, 13,987. In 1872 the public library was yet to be founded ; last year its circulation was almost 600,000 volumes.
This progress would not have been possible unless the mayors who have preceded me had been men of sterling
4
ANNUAL REPORTS.
character, and conducted the affairs of the city intelligently, always looking into the future, and unless their efforts had been ably assisted by the men who have been associated with them in the various city governments, and by those citizens who, with their money, brains, and influence, have done so much toward the development and upbuilding of our municipality.
At this time I desire to congratulate the Somerville Journal for its very valuable and interesting anniversary number, which contained an admirable exposition of the city's progress.
I am very much pleased to be informed that a booklet is to be issued by one of our organizations, advertising our city as a desirable place in which to live, and also showing its commercial advantages. We have a great many excellent business enterprises, but we need more, and I hope that all of the organizations of the city will do all in their power to induce first-class industries to locate in our midst. Our freight terminal facilities should be increased, and I expect that during the present year something will be accomplished in this direction.
If the Mystic river could be properly developed and widened it would be of great advantage to our city, since we would not have to depend entirely upon the railroads for the transportation of our freight. A certain amount of work is to be done immediately by the United States Government, an appropriation having been secured, but in order to have the work on the river continued, it will require the co-operation of our organizations, and we should urge our representatives in Congress to secure the necessary appropriations. I am of the opinion that the land in the vicinity of the Mystic should largely be used for mercantile purposes. There is also land available on the lines of the railroads. I am willing to co-operate with the boards of trade, and, if necessary, will recommend an appropriation for the purpose of promoting industrial develop- ment.
General Government.
The total funded debt of the city January 1, 1912, was $1,519,000. This debt was increased during the year $332,000. It was decreased $177,000, leaving the net funded debt January 1, 1913, $1,674,000, an increase of $155,000. This increase is
5
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
substantially accounted for by the appropriations for the high school addition and the new public library.
To meet increased maintenance expenses, it was necessary to issue a municipal loan of $35,000, maturing October 1, 1913, on which it will be necessary to pay only one year's interest.
The exact figures have not been ascertained, but there will be a substantial credit balance carried forward to 1913.
The city treasurer has placed in my hands a statement showing the financial condition of the city January 1, 1913. This statement is incorporated in this address, and should be read by every citizen.
From the best forecast I could make one year ago it appeared to me that the departments could be maintained within the limit prescribed by law, namely, twelve dollars on each $1,000 of valuation. But, as the year progressed, there were extra- ordinary demands that had to be met. Wages are higher. The increased cost of supplies enters into the maintenance of a city the same as it does into that of a private business, and as wages are to be even higher this year than last, the main- tenance account will necessarily be higher. It is expected that the present legislature will change the law in reference to the limit. I am somewhat skeptical about abolishing the limit, but the whole question revolves around the tax rate, and possibly the best solution of the problem is to put the whole matter squarely up to the governments of all the cities.
We are in good financial condition. Our credit is second to none. We meet our obligations promptly, and we are endeavoring to manage our affairs efficiently and economically.
We should make a special effort to increase the appropria- tions for the maintenance of our public buildings this year. Steam heating and ventilating systems should be installed in the Morse and Cummings schoolhouses. The land in the rear of the new Cutler school should be graded. A general renova- tion of the police building and the installation of a modern cell system are required. I recommended this latter improvement last year, but we were not able to provide the funds. I earnestly hope that something can be done this year, as the interior of the building and the cells are in bad condition.
The feasibility of charging a nominal fee for the issuance of each building permit is suggested for consideration.
6
ANNUAL REPORTS.
The progress made in the various departments the past year has been steady, and deserves more than a passing word. An immense amount of work was accomplished in the con- structing of new streets and sidewalks, the extension of the water and sewer systems, the continuation of the abolition of grade crossings, the completion of the S. Newton Cutler school, the erection of the new public library building, and many other things that time will not permit me to mention.
I desire at this time to publicly express my thanks to all heads of departments for their co-operation and attention to their respective duties.
Protection of Life and Property.
I shall, at an early date, recommend to your honorable board the retirement of members of the police department who are not in such physical condition that they are able to perform all kinds of police duty. I shall also recommend an amendment to the ordinances to permit of the appointment of two or three sergeants in addition to those whom we now have. I feel that the proper supervision of patrolmen requires a larger number of sergeants for street duty. I urge early consideration of the matter, so that I may request the civil service commission to give an examination for such promotions. The general work of the department the past year has been satisfactory. We are now installing an up-to-date police signal system, covering the entire city.
The fire department has done commendable work. It seems to be the general opinion that motor-driven apparatus should be purchased whenever new equipment is needed. There is now being built for the department a motor-driven combina- tion chemical and hose apparatus. This will be a distinct addition to the equipment, and it will be placed in the central fire station. The men of the department have shown excep- tional ability in constructing a piece of motor apparatus, and deserve a great deal of credit for this work. I hope that something further in this line may be accomplished this year. If, after investigation, I find that our finances will permit, I may early in the year recommend to your honorable board the purchase of another piece of apparatus to further equip the department.
The one day off in five granted the firemen by a
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
referendum vote at the city election has made it necessary to add to the permanent force. This, with the increase of pay granted the firemen, will increase the expense of the department this year about $13,000. On general principles, I am opposed to the referendum, unless the matter to be voted upon can be placed before the voters intelligently. Probably very few voters realized how important this refer- endum was, and the expense it would involve upon the city. Laying aside the justice the firemen may have in this matter, I hope the legislature in the future will place all the facts concerning referendum measures before every voter previous to the election, and I urge our representatives to see that this is done.
The commissioner of electric lines and lights calls my attention to the need, from a fire standpoint, of having all electric wiring inspected. This should apply to all wires for light and power. No work should be allowed by any owner to be done without the inspection and approval of the electrical department.
Health and Sanitation.
There was added to the equipment of the highway depart- ment last year, for the refuse disposal work, an automobile truck. I believe it to be a good business proposition, although I feel that we should give it a trial of six months before making any further purchase of this kind. While the collection work increased materially last year, there was practically no increase in the cost of the work ..
The contagious and tuberculosis hospitals have been doing excellent work the past year. Already the latter has reached the limit of its capacity, and the board of health has requested that an addition be provided. Since early last year there has been a waiting list of men applicants for admission who could not be accommodated. If this state of affairs continues, an addition will have to be erected.
I trust that the board of health will supplement in some way the admirable work begun three years ago in the exter- mination of disease-carrying insects. The fly is a menace to humanity, and is a carrier of disease, as well as the mosquito. Everyone should co-operate in exterminating these pests, and
8
ANNUAL REPORTS.
should see to it that conditions about their premises that breed or attract these insects are removed.
Highways.
A large amount of street construction work and an unusually large amount of sidewalks construction was accom- plished the past year. Not as much permanent construction on our main thoroughfares was done as I had hoped for, and I recommend that the remainder of Beacon street, the entire length of Elm street, a liberal portion of Summer street, and Broadway, from Dartmouth street to Teele square, where not already built, be constructed permanently. Water street has an immense amount of traffic, and while it has only just been accepted, I recommend that it be constructed this year with granite block paving.
A new plan for keeping the streets clean was adopted last year, which has met with considerable success, namely, the following of the refuse collection teams by other teams to pick up litter. We expect to increase the number of such teams this year. Keeping the streets clean is one of the greatest problems, and, as I stated in my inaugural address last year, in order to do it successfully, the city needs the co-operation of all the people. A person who throws litter upon the public highway is a lawbreaker and a hindrance to good government.
The sprinkling of the streets with oil is, I believe, a good sanitary measure. While somewhat objectionable when first applied, the results are much more permanent and satisfactory than by watering. Except on the paved squares, watering has been discontinued.
The lighting of Broadway by magnetite lanps has proved to be such a decided improvement that they are to be installed from Teele square, through Holland street, Highland avenue, Walnut street, Union square, Webster avenue, and Prospect street, to the Cambridge line, and 'in Walnut street, from Highland avenue to Broadway. The good lighting of a city is one of its best assets, and I hope that these lights can be still further installed, especially as there is no material increase in the total cost.
It is expected that during the present year the new bridge
9
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
which will span Alewife brook, including a roadway across the Metropolitan park reservation connecting Woodstock street in Somerville and Henderson street in Arlington, will be com- pleted. The expense to our city for this work will be approximately $3,500. I feel that this improvement will en- hance the value of property in this district to at least the amount of the cost of construction, and be, as well, a great convenience for people and traffic in this locality.
I recommend an appropriation for the purchase of shade trees, so that they can be set out at the proper time this spring. A great many of our old trees are dying, and it is important that new ones replace them. I desire to consider with you in the near future the whole matter of the scientific treatment of our trees, their preservation and beautifying.
Charities.
Our city keeps abreast of the times in its varied work for the support of the needy. I commend to the citizens, for their hearty support, our various charitable organizations, and I recommend that the usual sum of $5,000 be appropriated for the Somerville hospital.
Education.
Every pupil who goes through the high school should, when he finishes his course, know at least one thing well, and be in good physical condition. A recent writer, in an article on "The Twentieth Century School," well says that "the worst possible form of an educational plant is a massive brick and stone building with every device perfected for keeping children quiet in a strait-jacket school seat all day long." Education, he asserts, is not a mere mechanical study of books, nor the child a mere machine. So, in making additions to the high school buildings, we are trying to bring the school up to a higher stand- ard, make it more efficient and modern in which to teach the practical subjects more intelligently, to have each pupil take physical exercise-in fact, to give the best we can to all the pupils of the city. The plans are being prepared, and work will commence as early in the spring as the condition of the ground will permit.
The S. Newton Cutler school, a commodious twelve-room building on Powder House boulevard, was completed and
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ANNUAL REPORTS.
occupied last fall, and it is a creditable addition to our school property.
The two industrial schools, one for boys and one for girls, are meeting with great success along lines of education which, I fear, the people generally do not fully appreciate. I commend both schools for the splendid I work which they are accomplishing.
I recommend an appropriation for the establishing of cooking centres in such school's as the school committee may suggest, and as many as our finances will permit.
The report of the superintendent of schools, Charles S. Clark, has just been made, and I commend its careful perusal to all of the citizens.
Libraries.
The past year has been marked by great activity and the attainment of excellent results for our entire library system. The great need of a new and modern central plant for the successful operation of this large and ever-increasing business is being met by the erection of the new central library building. This building was made possible by the generous gift of Mr. Andrew Carnegie-$80,000-together with $45,000, the allow- ance made by the city as the cost of the old building. The new building will be ready for occupancy in the fall.
The criticism is sometimes made that a large percentage of books taken from a public library are works of fiction. This is true, but certainly the reading of good fiction is at least a harmless amusement. Now, if this is all the reading of fiction does, the library system has furnished over $400,000 worth of amusement to the people of Somerville during the past year, or ten times the amount of money spent on the whole library system. Further than all this, the reading of good fiction does much more than amuse, and it is a constant source of anxiety to see that nothing but good fiction reaches the public through the libraries.
It is planned, after the new library building is completed and occupied, to remove the city hall annex, the city departments now there to be transferred to the present library building. I am absolutely in favor of preserving the annex building. I hope it can be moved to some convenient place near its present location, and I recommend that it be set apart for the use of
11
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
the Grand Army of the Republic and other patriotic organiza- tions that meet there. After this building is removed, and the ground put in proper condition, this corner will be one of the beauty spots of the city.
Recreation.
The summer playgrounds seemed to be more popular the past year than ever before, and the association is to be com- plimented for its splendid system. Two playgrounds were sur- rounded with substantial iron fences, which made a great im- provement, and this work will be continued. Our parks are so popular and so important to health and for recreation that I recommend that more land be purchased for park purposes where possible, when our finances will permit. I should like to see the park area at the junction of Main street and Broad- way increased, as there is no more beautiful spot in our city than this.
Grade Crossings
The largest and most important work being carried on to-day in the city is the abolition of grade crossings. It is important not only on account of preventing loss of human life, but of improving traffic, and is of immense value to the com- mercial development of important business sections. The Med- ford and Dane-street crossings will be completed this year, and, it is expected, work on Park street commenced. We are to be congratulated that this work is being carried on so rapidly.
Metropolitan Boston.
The bill prepared by the Massachusetts Real Estate Ex- change and presented by the governor of the commonwealth, with a special message, to the legislature last year, to incor- porate into a real metropolitan Boston the forty-one cities and towns in the vicinity of Boston, will probably form the basis of any projected scheme that may be introduced in the present legislature. This question is of such vital importance that I wish to bring it to the attention of the people. I think that our citizens are practically unanimous against any such bill.
When riding through a neighboring city recently I noticed this immense electric sign : "Locate Here and Grow with Us."
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ANNUAL REPORTS.
This shows commendable public spirit, and is worthy of imita- tion. But let us not only advertise our city as a good place in which to live,-let us so govern it and lend our best efforts to its highest development, that it may be known far and wide as the best city in this commonwealth.
In opening I called attention to our remarkable growth, and to the ability and intelligence of preceding city govern- ments, all of whom have made this growth possible. And again I wish to express my confidence in and respect for the governments that have preceded us. But we cannot rest on our past, no matter how honorable. This spirit of progress cannot be allowed to abate. Let us have a get-together spirit in our city. Let us work for the common good of all. We are one city, and there should be no sectional differences. Somer- ville is your home and my home. Induce the stranger within our gates to make it his home. Above all, keep her govern- ment, her schools, and all her institutions on the highest plane, so that we will continue in our pride of Somerville.
Financial Statement.
Funded Debt. - The funded debt of the city January 1, 1912, was as follows : -
City Loan $1,080,000 00
Sewer Loan .
334,000 00
Paving Loan . 5,000 00
Water Loan . 44,000 00
Metropolitan Park Assessment Loan
18,000 00
Lowell Street Bridge Loan
38,000 00
$1,519,000 00
The debt was increased during the year by appropriations made by the board of aldermen as follows: -
High School Addition
$125,000 00
S. Newton Cutler School .
10,020 00
School Buildings, Fire Exits
5,000 00
Public Library Construction
45,000 00
Highway Construction
50,000 00
Highways, Paved Gutters and Crossings, 8,000 00
Sidewalks Construction
15,000 00
Sewers Construction .
15,000 00
Police Signal System .
8,000 00
Amount carried forward
$281,000 00
13
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
Amount brought forward
$281,000 00
Fire Department, Additional Equipment,
6,000 00
Refuse Disposal, New Equipment
5,000 00
Electrical Department, Underground Construction
3,000 00
Playgrounds Extension
2,000 00
Municipal Loan
35,000 00
$332,000 00
The debt was reduced during the year by maturities as follows :-
City Loan
$146,000 00
Sewer Loan .
18,000 00
Paving Loan 5,000 00
Water Loan .
6,000 00
Metropolitan Park Assessment Loan
1,000 00
Lowell Street Bridge Loan
1,000 00
$177,000 00
Leaving the funded debt of the city January 1, 1913, $1, - 674,000 (an increase of $155,000 over the previous year), in bonds classified as follows :-
City Loan, at 31/2 per cent. . .
$239,000 00
City Loan, at 4 per cent. 977,000 00
Sewer Loan, at 31/2 per cent. 84,000 00
Sewer Loan, at 4 per cent.
247,000 00
Water Loan, at 4 per cent.
38,000 00
Metropolitan Park Assessment Loan, at 31/2 per cent. 17,000 00
Lowell Street Bridge Loan, at 312 per
37,000 00
cent. .
Municipal Loan, at 4 per cent. . 35,000 00
$1,674,000 00
Taxes .- The assessors' warrant for the tax levy assessed upon the polls and estates of the inhabitants, as of April 1, 1912, was duly submitted to the collector.
The total amount of taxable property, not including non- resident bank shares, was $69,632,540.00, and the rate estab- lished was $18.80 on each $1,000 valuation, as follows :-
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ANNUAL REPORTS.
Real estate, valuation .
. $62,661,600 00
Personal estate, valuation .
6,911,300 00
Resident bank shares .
59,640 00
Total valuation . $69,632,540 00 At a rate of $18.80 on each $1,000 valua- tion
$1,309,091 75
Polls, 22,821 at $2 .
45,642 00
Street sprinkling .
34,143 95
Extermination gypsy and brown-tail
moths . .
.
398 86
$1,389,276 56
Non-resident bank shares, $82,360 at
$18.80 .
1,548 37
Total amount of tax levy
$1,390,824 93
Total number of persons assessed, resident and non-resident, 31,065.
Appropriations were made as follows :-
General Government $73,712 00
Protection of Life and Property
215,400 00
Health and Sanitation .
142,050 00
Highways
122,700 00
Charities
31,300 00
Soldiers' Benefits .
40,650 00
Education
399,500 00
Libraries
38,050 00
Recreation
16,525 00
Unclassified .
1,400 00
Municipal Indebtedness
246,000 00
Water Works
166,640 00
Amounting in the aggregate to .
$1,493,927 00
Less estimated revenue 439,412 05
Amount to be raised by taxation $1,054,514 95
STATE AND COUNTY TAXES, ETC .:-
State Tax
$106,062 50
County Tax
58,374 94
Grade Crossing Tax
11,062 40
State Highway Tax
58 00
Abatement of Smoke, Boston and
vicinity
158 32
Metropolitan Sewer Assessment
65,629 12
Metropolitan Park Assessment 33,049 42
Amount carried forward
$1,328,909 65
15
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
Amount brought forward $1,328,909 65
Charles River Basin Assessment
5,074 86
Alewife Brook Assessment 1,248 75
Wellington Bridge Assessment .
527 47
Overlay and Abatement
18,973 02
Street Sprinkling .
34,143 95
Extermination of Gypsy and Brown-tail Moths
398 86
$1,389,276 56
Collected for state on non-resident bank
shares
1,548 37
$1,390,824 93
The tax rate of $18.80 on $1,000 of valuation may be divided as follows :-
State Tax
$1.195
Metropolitan Assessments .
1.490
Other State Assessments
188
County Tax .
.510
City Tax, Maintenance
11.611
City Tax, Debt Requirements
3.533
City Tax, Overlay
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