USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1915 > Part 1
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R E
ED
DOM
MUNIC
GIVE
SOMERVILLE
1872.
NA.
CITY
STRENGT
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CITY OF SOMERVILLE
1
MASSACHUSETTS
1
ANNUAL REPORTS
1915
With Mayor's Inaugural Address Delivered January 3, 1916
GIVE
N
EDO
SOMERVILLE
FREE
N
FOUNDED 1842
IV
1872
MUNICIPAL
A CITY
842. ESTABLISHED
NGTH
SOMERVILLE JOURNAL PRINȚ
1916
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
DELIVERED BY
Mayor Zebedee E. Cliff
MONDAY, JANUARY 3, 1916
Gentlemen of the Board of Aldermen :-
On this opening day of the new municipal year, it is a pleasure to once more extend my heartiest greetings to the members of the incoming board.
It is a pleasure to continue my association with so many of you who served in the board of last year and the year before, and I anticipate no less pleasure in coming association with the new members who are just entering upon their legislative life in this year's board.
The co-operation manifested during the past year has made possible, more than any one thing, the continuance of good government. We have differed many times as to details, but these differences helped us both to see and do what was for the right. It is the very evident intent of our charter that the legislative and executive branches, though neither may exercise the powers of the other, shall, to no slight extent, be a check upon each other. This intention may be carried out, as it has been many times the past year, with no feeling of resentment on either side, but rather in the spirit of co-operation which is so necessary to maintain Somerville's high standard of government.
If at any time during the year I can be of any service to the members of your board in any matter under con- sideration, or the executive department may have any facts which will assist you in your deliberations, they will be cheerfully and willingly furnished to the best of my ability. It is my earnest desire, as I feel assured it is yours, to work together during the year with one sole
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ANNUAL REPORTS.
purpose,-the giving to our city the best government possible.
We will have many matters before us which will try our judgment and test our wisdom, but I have no doubt that the government of our fair city will be found today, as it has in the past, standing for the just and the right. We cannot please all the people in all things, but we can- and I know we will-satisfy the great body of our citizens in endeavoring to uphold the good name of our city and in giving justice and consideration to their many demands. There is a time in the life of every public official when he may be criticized for doing that which is right, that which his conscience approves. When such a time comes, we should meet the matters manfully and with courage. No public man so appeals to the people as the one who has convictions and dares to stand by them in the face of opposition.
This is a great corporation. It has the expenditure of two and a half millions a year, and as directors, elected by the people to conduct this corporation, we have the responsibility of its economical and successful adminis- tration. It is a grave responsibility and we should enter upon our duties of the year with a serious appreciation of this responsibility.
Finance.
A statement of the financial condition of the city on January 1, 1916, has been prepared by the city auditor and is incorporated in this address.
The pay-as-you-go basis has been steadily maintained; we have paid every bill; appropriations have been kept · within the budget made at the beginning of the year; and we have in the treasury an unexpended balance of $25,000.
Auditing Department.
The auditing department, set up under authority of the Board of Aldermen of 1914 along the lines of the system recommended by the Bureau of Statistics of the Commonwealth, commenced its active operation in Jan-
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MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
uary and was in full swing by the end of May. The in- stallation of the system was carried on under supervision of state experts on municipal finance and we have every reason to believe that we have today as good an auditing system as any in the state. Municipal auditors are re- quired to make an annual report of all financial transac- tions to the director of the Bureau of Statistics, and by adopting the state system of accounting the accounts are kept in such form as to make the information required readily accessible.
There is no doubt that the operation of the depart- ment along its present lines has resulted in a more careful expenditure of the city's money and has made a saving in all departments, and the executive has been able to keep closer in touch with their work and expenditures.
The present system centralizes accounts in the audit- . ing department and relieves the treasurer of the necessity of keeping departmental accounts, and the methods of accounting in that department have been so adjusted as to make it comparatively simple to check up with the auditor.
Receipts and payments are classified in detail. This will be especially beneficial for comparative purposes in making up future budgets and will enable the mayor and aldermen to more clearly understand the various items of the budget.
The state assessment for installing the system was $1,486.58. This amount includes forms and printed matter for various departments, as well as a complete set of books and accounting forms for the street department. I believe that the expense incurred in establishing this de- partment upon a sound basis has been more than offset already by the saving, direct and indirect, made possible by it.
Public Works Departments.
The custom of 1914 of holding frequent meetings of the Board of Public Works has been continued throughout the year, and from the free and open discussions at these
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ANNUAL REPORTS.
meetings of the work of these departments I believe a great deal has been accomplished, and the spirit of co- operation has strengthened and grown.
We have also had several meetings of all heads of departments, which have resulted in hearty co-operation and have greatly increased the efficiency of the depart- ments. It is my purpose, at an early date, to have all of the heads of departments meet together to formulate plans and discuss matters which will come before each of the several departments during the ensuing year.
We will continue the practice of last year of notifying all public service corporations of work contemplated by the city, giving them ample time in which to do their work before we construct any street or sidewalk.
Water Department.
The outside work of the Water Department was started in January instead of April, as heretofore, in order to give work to the unemployed, and thereby relieve the distress incident to the general lack of employment pre- vailing at that time. The work was given to the men who most needed employment. Over 100 were employed when other work was difficult to obtain. On account of the extra cost of doing trench work and laying water mains during the winter season when the ground was frozen, the men employed agreed to work for $2.00 a day, and this rate was continued until April, when the regular rate of $2.25 was restored. With this slight difference in the usual rate of pay the citizens were put to no extra expense on account of this work, and we had the satis- faction of materially helping more than 100 families.
Over 7,000 feet of new street mains have been laid during the year, the principal line being the extension of the high-service system from Central square, through Medford street, to the entrances of the yards of the packing houses, from which points connections have been made with the pumps and sprinkler systems of the fac- tories.
The North Packing & Provision Company paid the city $1,540.01, this being the total cost of the work of
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
laying that portion from Somerville avenue along Med- ford street in front of its property. Six new fire hydrants have been installed in this line on Medford street for the better protection of that district, and this extension of the high water pressure is considered of much importance, both to the city and the packing houses.
Another important feature of the year's work is the construction of a high-pressure line to the High School buildings.
A large amount of work has been done in renewing service pipes in streets before construction, so as to avoid the necessity of digging up finished streets.
· Application has been made to the metropolitan water and sewerage board for an additional feeding line to our local high-service system, which it is hoped will meet with favorable consideration.
Street Department.
Considerable attention has been paid to the streets of our city the past year. To maintain them in satisfactory condition for all kinds of traffic is one of the problems of this department. There is a demand for smooth streets, although they are more or less dangerous for horses, and numerous complaints have been received from horse owners because of the slippery conditions. We are giving serious thought to this question and are striving to make our streets at least passable for horses, as well as for the automobiles.
Nineteen new streets have been constructed during the past year, and eight reconstructed with macadam pavement. Portions of Broadway, Washington street and Willow avenue have been constructed with cement base and asphalt surface; also, Horace street has been built with vitrified brick. Seven and one-half miles of sidewalks have been laid.
After controversy of many years, an agreement has been made with the Boston & Maine Railroad to construct approaches to bridges over railroad locations, and three of these have been constructed this past year at their expense.
I would recommend that the eastern portion of Broad-
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ANNUAL REPORTS.
way be reconstructed; also the portion of Washington street from Union square to Dane street, a portion of Summer street, and a portion of Pearl street.
It is to be regretted that the Boston Elevated Railway . Company found it necessary to make such extensive re- pairs in Highland avenue and at such a late time in the year. The condition in which this company has left the street is far from satisfactory, and it will be obliged to go over its work thoroughly as soon as the frost is out of the ground in the spring. I shall insist that every corpora- tion digging up our streets for any purpose shall restore them to good condition, and carelessness or neglect in their work will not in any way be tolerated.
One of the most satisfactory operations of the year has been the opening up for public use of Davis square to its full capacity. By agreement with the Boston & Maine Railroad the old station has been moved, a fence built . along the line of the railroad, and the area occupied by the station has been paved uniformly with the rest of the square. With the splendid building development of the last few years, this square is now one of the most attractive in the city. By the removal of this station and the erection of a fence the former dangerous conditions in this square have been eliminated to a large degree.
A new building has been constructed at the highway yard to better care for the operations of this department. The building provides quarters for carpentry, painting and wheelwright branches, and is arranged for much im- proved co-operation and efficiency in turning out work.
Early in the year a bookkeeper was appointed in the street department and a new system of accounting in- stituted, which has relieved the commissioner of much office detail and enabled him to give a greater amount of his time to street supervision.
Alewife Brook Parkway.
Under the petition presented to the legislature, an ap- propriation was made by the commonwealth of $35,000 for the construction of a boulevard to extend from our Powder House boulevard, at a point near the athletic field,
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MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
along Alewife brook in Somerville and Cambridge, to Massachusetts avenue. The park commission informs me that it is expected to undertake this work in the near future. The opening up of this new cross-town route cannot help but relieve traffic congestion in the easterly part of the city.
Engineering Department.
There has been an extension of the storm-drain sys- tem in the western part of the city and separate-system sewers have been constructed in various streets. An unusual amount of work was required the past year in the maintenance of the sewer system on account of the severe storms in the months of July and August, the amount of rainfall being the greatest ever known in this part of the country, with a consequent flooding and damage in many parts. It appears that we have out- grown, in some sections, the old structures, and it will be necessary to reconstruct some of these in the very near future.
Electrical Department.
Last year in my inaugural I stated that our fire-alarm system was inadequate and that there should be a new system installed, providing the finances would permit. The committee on electric lines and lights went into the matter very thoroughly and presented strong arguments relative to the danger of the present system. I hesitated, knowing it would increase to a slight degree the funded debt account, but I feel that we have done the right thing in establishing an up-to-date system. The contracts for a new building and a new system have been signed and the work commenced. When completed, we will have a build- ing known as first-class construction, absolutely fireproof, and a system in every way up-to-date and second to none in the country. This will enable us to install through- out our city more new fire-alarm boxes, which we could not do in the past, owing to the inadequate apparatus at the central station. The expense of the building and
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ANNUAL REPORTS.
equipment will be $38,000-to my mind money well ex- pended, as it is a protection to all life and property.
A marked improvement in our lighting system has been made during the past year. The old-type arc lamps have been discontinued and the new nitrogen lamps in- stalled in their stead. These new lamps give 200 candle- power more light, and the change has not increased the expense of our lighting.
Schools.
During the year, provision has been made for in- creased accommodations for over 700 pupils. This has been accomplished by a six-room addition to the Cutler schoolhouse in Ward Seven and the erection of a new nine-room building in Ward One.
The Cutler addition was completed on September 15th and was ready for occupancy for the fall term. In addi- tion to the new classrooms, a new, wholly enclosed fire exit was constructed, which adds greatly to the safety of the entire building. The total cost of the addition was $34,498.66. There is still a balance in this appropriation, which I believe should be reserved for grading the Ray- mond avenue front of the lot.
The contract for the new building in East Somerville was awarded in August, and the construction work is well under way. It is expected that this building will be com- pleted early in the year and that the total cost of land and building, including heating, plumbing, electrical work and grading, will not exceed $65,000. The location on land adjacent to the Prescott school was decided upon by the Board of Aldermen after many weeks of careful de- liberation, and it is reasonable to believe that when com- pleted this building will furnish ample additional accom- modation for this district.
Adequate provision is now made for so-called higher education, and whatever improvements can be made should be undertaken in behalf of training for those pupils who are obliged to go to work upon or before graduation from the high school.
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MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
High School Athletics.
There has been recently started, among those directly in charge of athletics in the high schools in the Metro- politan district, a concerted movement for their reorgani- zation. This movement has my hearty endorsement. It is generally admitted that the present method of athletic control in high schools is far from the best that can be devised, and credit is due school officials for the courage they are showing in admitting defects and trying to find the right solution of their troubles. I believe the recent action of the school committee will bring about the de- . sired result. The purpose of their action is to formulate a scheme for conducting athletics so as to provide for par- ticipation in the management by postgraduates, under- graduates and members of the high school faculty.
Playgrounds.
The special committee appointed by the Board of Aldermen last year to consider the needs and possibilities of playground and recreation work in Somerville pre- sented, at the last regular meeting of the year, a lengthy and detailed report, a copy of which has been placed in my hands. Owing to the late hour at which this report was received, it has been manifestly impossible for me to give it the careful consideration it merits, and I shall have to refrain from comment on its recommendations until such time as I may be able to give them my careful study.
Good work has been done during the year in our play- ground activities, and I regret that the city cannot appro- priate more money each year for its continuance and ex- tension.
Libraries.
Our libraries have done good work during the past year. It is gratifying to note the extensive use of works of reference and the increased demand for. standard and the more serious literature.
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ANNUAL REPORTS.
The three branches are in excellent condition, and the trustees feel that the reading rooms are doing an immense amount of good missionary work in reaching and helping to educate and Americanize our foreign-born population
Health Department.
The health department has been removed during the year to the new quarters provided for it in the City Hall annex, and with its large and well-equipped laboratory has been able to furnish greatly improved service. An auto- mobile has been purchased for general work of the de- partment and for conveying patients to the contagious hospital. Health conditions in our city are excellent.
Refuse Disposal.
I wish to particularly urge upon your board early con- sideration of my recommendation of last year and the year before relative to the control of this work. As I have stated many times, I do not believe that the present method of collecting ashes and offal under the direction of the street department is anywhere near as satisfactory to the citizens as the former method under direction of the health department. The cost of this work has in- creased in the past few years entirely out of proportion with the rest of the departments, and it is imperative that some action be taken to halt this increase. Our dumping places are almost exhausted, and in the very near future we shall be obliged to provide some method for disposal of ashes. This is a serious matter that I earnestly hope your board will give careful consideration.
Charities.
The people of our city are charitable. They do as much for the unfortunate as do the people of any other city in the country. On the whole, our poor are well taken care of. I do believe, however, that an improvement can be made by having a systematic way of giving. We ought to have some organization to act as a clearing-house on all cases. Instances have been found where the same
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MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
families have been helped by different churches, women's clubs and the Associated Charities, who were also receiv- ing material aid from the city. This, to my mind, is wrong.
If we could formulate a plan of co-operation between our charitable organizations, churches and women's clubs, our charities would be better regulated. A meeting of all in any way interested in charity should be arranged, and I believe the outcome of such a meeting would be the formation of some definite plan.
The work done by our poor department is always creditable, but the manner in which the unusual demands of last winter, largely brought about by so many persons being out of employment, were met, reflects credit not alone upon this department of our city, but also upon other organizations and individuals who rendered great service.
As the result of a suggestion made in my inaugural address last year, the poor department placed 100 bags in as many homes for the receipt of clothing and other cast- off articles, and during the first three months of the year there were collected, with the aid of the highway depart- ment, from various homes, or sent in by the donors, over 300 packages containing more than 4,000 articles of cloth- ing, groceries, toys, etc. A room in the City Hall annex was used for receiving and dispensing these articles, and hundreds of persons were benefited. Splendid work was done here by the ladies of the Somerville Federation for Social Service, whose president gave unsparingly of her time and energy and personally superintended much of this work. This federation, to which seventeen organiza- tions of our city belong, is to be perpetuated and will, I believe, accomplish much in the solving of the problem of caring for the needy and helping them to a better con- dition in life.
Somerville Hospital.
Though our city has no hospital of its own, it is most fortunate in the splendid service which the Somerville Hospital renders our city poor. When we consider that our population is today nearly 90,000, we realize the im-
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ANNUAL REPORTS.
mense amount of need there must be for hospital service in our city. For a number of years we have made an annual appropriation of $5,000 for this institution, and though our demands upon it for the care of the city's sick have greatly increased, the amount paid by the city has remained stationary. I do not feel that we are doing jus- tice in the size of this appropriation. I shall recommend to your honorable board that the appropriation for the present . year be increased to $7,000, for I believe this in- crease is wholly justified.
Public Safety Departments.
The Board of Aldermen has amended the ordinances relative to the fire and police departments to regulate the amount of time to be allowed members of these depart- ments on account of sickness and injury, and this action meets with my hearty approval. These occupations are both more than ordinarily hazardous, and it is. only proper that provision should be made for these men when they are injured in the performance of their duties. There has been more or less dispute in past years as to the length of time for which pay would be continued to those who were sick or injured, and these ordinance amendments es- tablish fixed rules for regulating such cases. I feel that they wholly protect the interests of the city by the re- quirement of physicians' certificates, and that at the same time the men are being treated fairly and justly. All rea- sonable measures which make conditions better for the inen in these departments justly appeal to the public.
Fire Department.
One more piece of motor apparatus has supplanted the horses in the past year, and today four of the eight stations are completely motorized with the best class of equipment obtainable. When the department is fully motorized, which should be done as rapidly as the finances of the city will permit, we shall have a department of the greatest efficiency, maintained at the minimum of ex -. : pense, The chief informs me that a comparison of records
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MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
of cost for two similar pieces of apparatus, one motor- driven and the other horse-drawn, in actual use in the department for a period of five years, shows the main- tenance cost of the motor-driven to be less than one-half that of the other.
There has been a large decrease in fire loss the past year, the total loss for the year being less than one-third that of 1914. To just what extent the present-day move- ment for fire prevention may be responsible for this de- crease it is, of course, impossible to know, but this we do know,-that most fires have their beginnings in some sort of carelessness or neglect. We must continue to be equipped to fight fires after they have started, but we should also, one and all, look after the conditions in and around our own premises. The time has arrived when our firemen must be trained in fire prevention methods as well as in fire fighting. The regulations governing the handling of gasoline have disturbed not a few of the au- tomobile owners, and in many cases compliance with them has worked a hardship, but that they have been produc- tive of good is apparent from the record of the year. Where in 1914 there was a total fire loss of upwards of $40,000 in this city on garages and automobiles, during the past year there have been no fires of this kind whatever.
The entire basement of the high school plant has been equipped with a modern, up-to-date system of automatic sprinklers, an advanced step in fire prevention that will greatly help in safeguarding the many lives in this build- ing, and I believe it would be good policy, from year to year, to similarly equip all our schoolhouses as far as our finances will allow. Insurance statistics show that one educational building is burned in the United States every twenty-four hours and that eighty per cent. of these fires originate in the basements of the buildings.
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