Report of the city of Somerville 1950, Part 1

Author: Somerville (Mass.)
Publication date: 1950
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 420


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ERDOM GIVES


SOMETT


1


CITY OF SOMERVILLE MASSACHUSETTS


ANNUAL


REPORTS


1950


GIVES


NA


SOMERVILLE


FREED


FOUNDED 1842


NAL


PAL


MUNIC


A CITY 1872 STRENGT


ESTABLISHED A


Somerville Printing Co., Inc. 1951


HON. JOHN M. LYNCH Mayor of Somerville


Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2017 with funding from Boston Public Library


https://archive.org/details/annualreportofci1950some


INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF MAYOR JOHN M. LYNCH


JANUARY 2, 1950


Mr. Chairman, Members of the Board of Aldermen, Members of the School Committee, Reverend Clergy and My Fellow Citizens of Somerville:


To all my dear friends, loyal supporters and all the citizens of Somerville, I extend sincere best wishes for a New Year filled with good health, happiness and prosperity.


At the beginning of this inauguration of a new city govern- ment for Somerville, my thoughts go back to twelve years ago today when I first assumed office as Mayor.


Although the condition of the city then was bad, it was not as critical and dismal as it is today.


We faced a difficult task then, but despite the obstacles, we were able to make progress for six years, even with the ex- istence of the holocaust of war. To support this statement, I would like to quote from the Somerville Journal-Press of No- vember 25th 1943, in which the Journal-Press said, and I quote:


"Municipal Financial Picture Unusually Sound" "If Mayor-elect G. Edward Bradley knows, as he does, the financial condition of the city as of No- vember 1, 1943, then he must be quite pleased at the rosy condition he will find when he takes of- fice in January.


"He will find that the city's debt picture is unusu- ally sound.", end of quote.


6


ANNUAL REPORTS


That was the condition of the city at the end of my official term of office as Mayor, and since that time, I am sorry to state, we have had six years of steady decline in the character and efficiency of our city government.


It has always been my practice, when addressing the citi- zens of Somerville, to speak frankly. I am convinced that the people demand honesty in government and appreciate intel- lectual honesty on the part of their public officials. For that reason, I intend today, to make you acquainted with the true conditions of your city as we find it now.


At the outset, may I say that the facilities are not yet avail- able to me to obtain sufficient information whereby I can in more detail accurately and properly portray conditions as they exist. However, I intend immediately, to make a thorough probe and survey of all the departments of the city government of Somerville, and from time to time, will report to the people of our city just what the facts reveal.


Needless to say, our city government is in a deplorable state of chaos, caused by the tyrannical and unwarranted abuse of power, by those who were in control of our city during the past six years.


In no city anywhere, at any time, has there existed the chaos, confusion, and lack of confidence in city government, as exists in Somerville today. The incidents which brought about the present plight of our city resulted in an aroused elec- torate marching to the voting booths last November, and issuing a thunderous mandate for a change in the type of gov- ernment in Somerville.


What were some of these incidents?


The highest tax rate in the history of our city, and with that, the highest assessed valuations ever known, made the tax bill on real estate owners the largest ever received. These record-breaking high taxes resulted in the Federal Rent Con- trol officials, authorizing an increase in rents in Somerville, the second largest increase of any city in this area, which affected many thousands of tenants who occupy homes in our city. Added to these high taxes, high assessments, and higher rents, we have also been subjected to the humiliating spectacle of our city being brought into public disgrace, by the gross mis- management and questionable actions of some of our city of-


7


MAYOR'S ADDRESS


ficials and those doing business with the city. The results of these actions, which were first revealed by an audit of the city's accounts made by the State Auditors, have resulted in the indictment of certain city officials and certain persons do- ing business with the city, with the net result that Somerville today stands as a community disgraced.


Only recently a Judge of the Superior Court rendered a de- cision invalidating a contract illegally entered into, for the collection of garbage given by the previous administration.


As I have said before, an indignant electorate made it em- phatically clear last November that they desired a change in the character of the city government of Somerville. Notwith- standing this, during the past two months, the actions of the outgoing administration, were more scandalous than they were before the election. Never before have we witnessed an out- going administration manifest such flagrant disregard for all lawful procedure as we have seen in Somerville since Novem- ber 8th.


Not content with having practically destroyed the fragile fabric of city government which was left; by their ruthless dis- regard for everything that is right and proper, they have deliberately and maliciously plunged our city into a pit of financial obligations.


Additional and un-necessary jobs, wholesale increases in numbers in the personnel of the Police and Fire Departments, an unprecedented number of last-minute promotions in these departments, with the result, that it will be many years before any of the younger men in our Police or Fire Departments will have an opportunity for advancement. The official records show that in the Police Department there is a superior officer on the average of every four and one-half men; and in the Fire Department there is a superior officer for every three and one- half men.


The whole result of these unwise actions has seriously af- fected the morale of both departments, and I am appealing to the members of these departments to place the welfare of the city above their personal feelings. I make this appeal with the assurance that I shall do everything within my power in an endeavor to remedy this situation.


Since the last election, this administration has again granted another contract for the collection of garbage, with the same favored individual, and under similar circumstances, to the great disadvantage of the taxpayers of Somerville. The


8


ANNUAL REPORTS


people may rest assured in this matter that action has already been commenced to ascertain the validity of this contract.


Since election day, the outgoing administration has em- barked on a widespread practice of awarding questionable pensions, and the placing on the pay roll of numerous persons by political preferment in absolutely unnecessary positions. They have also granted salary increases on a wholesale scale to persons who stand in their political favor, and in some in- stances, the salary increases were dated back many months.


Thus, you can see by their actions of the past two months, they have committed the city to an inevitable increase in taxes, over which we have no control whatsoever, and which will vi- tally affect the taxpayers this year.


In addition, as of today, there is a deficit in estimated re- ceipts of over $200,000.00 and a deficit in the overlay account of over $135,000.00; making a total of $335,000.00 which must be included in this year's tax rate. This is a burden which was imposed upon us before we even begin the business of the year.


Sincerely, I state to the people of Somerville that our task is a difficult one and our road a hard one to travel. There is no easy approach to the solution of the gigantic task before us. If we are to be realistic, every citizen must realize that the "municipal extravaganza" of the past six years must be paid for now! The day of reckoning has come. The "honeymoon" is over - and we must get about the serious business of the city in a determined effort to once again restore Somerville to its proper position among the municipalities of the Common- wealth.


To do this, we must set our sights on definite objects.


First, we must strive to reduce taxes in Somerville, which have already reached a confiscatory figure. We must realize that now everyone is affected by taxes, and, therefore, the rent payer, as well as the home owner, must take an active interest in the city government.


We are fortunate in Somerville in having an intelligent and virile Taxpayer's Association, which has banded together, for the purpose of protecting the home owners and taxpayers of


9


MAYOR'S ADDRESS


our city from unnecessary and unwarranted expenditures of public funds.


We are likewise fortunate in having an aggressive Chamber of Commerce, composed of business and professional men in our city. Their purpose is to advance the business opportuni- ties of Somerville. During my administration, both these organizations will be invited from time to time, to assist me by their suggestions and advice in the many complicated problems which will arise.


I am determined, in so far as I am able, to do everything possible to assist business in Somerville. We must keep present business establishments in our city and endeavor to obtain new industries for Somerville, having in mind that the revenue re- ceived from these sources will contribute toward lessening our tax burdens, and will provide employment for many of our citizens.


It is my intention to do everything possible to make greater parking facilities available in the various shopping centers in our city, in order that those who wish to trade with Somerville merchants may do so comfortably and conveniently.


I believe that the employees of the city should be ade- quately compensated and that their working conditions be made as pleasant as possible. And I pledge to them that I shall so conduct the city that these conditions will prevail in so far as humanly possible.


During my term of office, city employees will not be ex- ploited for political purposes, and it is my contention that they should not allow themselves to be exploited, because the action of a few can often bring dire results to the majority.


No regular permanent employee of the city, holding a necessary job, need have any fear during my term of office. However, those persons who, by political preferment, were placed in un-essential positions and in unnecessary numbers, and who constitute a padded pay-roll, will be removed. During my administration, the city pay-roll will not become a haven for political favorites who do nothing but increase the cost of taxes, and by their unnecessary presence on the public pay roll, jeopardize the welfare of all the good and faithful city em- ployees whose jobs are necessary to the essential functioning of our city government.


.10


ANNUAL REPORTS


I am mindful of the necessity for maintaining suitable rec- reational facilities for both adult and juvenile enjoyment and I shall give further consideration to this department after hav- ing had an opportunity of making a proper appraisal of the existing condition.


In keeping with the campaign pledge I made, I have had filed with the State Legislature, a petition to have the Metro- politan District Commission erect a suitable athletic stadium on the site of Dilboy Field, which land is owned by the State. Through the legislation I have proposed, we merely asked the Metropolitan District Commission to construct the stadium and then the city will assume the responsibility for maintaining it.


I have likewise had legislation filed for the erection of a swimming pool on Somerville Beach at Shore Drive. On this project also, we have merely asked the Metropolitan District Commission to construct the swimming pool and then the cost of maintaining it would be borne by the city. The reason for making these proposals is that Somerville has not benefited like so many communities from the vast facilities of the Met- ropolitan District Commission, and, therefore, there should be no valid objection to them bearing the cost of construction and the city afterward assuming the cost of maintenance.


During the coming two years I shall at all times be mind- ful of the requirements of our less fortunate citizens who are forced to seek assistance from the city. Their requirements will be provided for with a sympathetic understanding of the real needs of our relief problem. I have a most sympathetic understanding of the problems of our aged citizens and I in- tend to give them considerable attention. This worthy govern- mental agency will be administered at all times humanely and fairly.


When I entered the Naval Service during the last World War, and thereby interrupted my term as your Mayor, the con- duct of the liquor business in Somerville was at the peak of efficiency. During the time that I was your mayor, there were no permits granted for entertainment in liquor establishments; because it is my belief that these places use entertainment as a means of attracting the younger element into drinking estab- lishments. During the administration which has just passed out of existence, entertainment licenses were granted to certain places.


When I was your Mayor before, all drinking establishments in the city were closed at midnight, but during the last admini-


11:


MAYOR'S ADDRESS


stration, some of these establishments were permitted to stay- open until 1 a. m.


Recently, a number of additional liquor licenses have been granted in Somerville and are now pending before the State Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission for approval.


Now, as to the whole liquor situation, may I publicly state, that I recommend the immediate revocation of all entertain- ment permits in liquor establishments in Somerville. I also recommend that the closing hour for liquor establishments be returned to midnight, where it was before. I am unalterably opposed to the granting of any additional liquor licenses in any form whatsoever in Somerville.


As I previously stated, our task is going to be hard and dif- ficult. The actions of the previous administration were, before election, and have been so outrageous since election, as to plunge the city into its present deplorable condition. I am not satisfied that everything has been all right in the conduct of our city's affairs and I intend to make a thorough survey and study of all that has taken place. In the event it is necessary, I guarantee positive action and will even go so far as to ask for legislative permission to remedy any wrongs which have been committed against the people of Somerville.


At this time in the interest of economy and efficiency, I recommend that the Sanitary Department of our city be merged with the Highway Department; and all the duties be directed by the Highway Commissioner. This action will be the first step in the direction of obtaining a Public Works Depart- ment, which is sorely needed to consolidate all the Public Works activities of the city.


Notwithstanding all the statements that have been given to the contrary, the condition of Somerville's school buildings is below accepted standards, and just as soon as I am able to ob- tain a complete picture of these conditions, I shall consider a. long-range school building program, including provision for accommodating the children who live in the vicinity of the Pope School, which is now closed.


My fellow citizens, as Chief Executive, it is my solemn pledge to conduct the affairs of our city with dignity and cour- age, sincerity and honesty, to the end that sane and orderly government be restored in Somerville.


12


ANNUAL REPORTS


I cannot do it alone. I must receive the wholehearted co- operation of the Members of the Board of Aldermen, the School Committee, the Board of Assessors, and all the em- ployees of the city, to the end that Somerville might be a better place in which to live.


I shall not transgress upon the functions of the Board of Aldermen, the School Committee, or the Board of Assessors; but I realize that only by "teamwork" can we succeed in the difficult task which lies before us.


We must all do our share to bring credit upon the city and happiness to its people. I sincerely appeal to all the citizens for their co-operation and assistance. Confident of our com- bined abilities to courageously and intelligently meet the problems before us, and with Divine Guidance and assistance, we will restore the good name of Somerville.


Respectfully submitted,


JOHN M. LYNCH, Mayor


13


CITY AUDITOR


REPORT OF THE CITY AUDITOR


Office of the City Auditor January 31, 1951


To the Honorable, the Mayor, and the Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville.


Gentlemen :-


In accordance with the requirements of Chapter 7, Section 3 of the Revised Ordinance of 1929, I herewith submit a report of the expenditures and receipts during the year 1950, as shown by the records in this office, giving in detail the ap- propriations, expenditures and the receipts from each source of income. Also a statement of the funded debt and temporary loans, table relative to maturities and interest, a balance sheet showing the assets and liabilities at the close of the fiscal year.


Respectfully submitted,


HELEN E. VARNERIN, Temporary City Auditor


BALANCE SHEET, DECEMBER 31, 1950 REVENUE ACCOUNTS


Assets


Liabilities


Cash:


In Offices and Banks ..... $1,361,282.76


$1,361,282.76


Accounts Receivable:


Taxes, 1944


2.00


Taxes, 1945


33.28


Taxes, 1946


180.03


Taxes,


1947


3,004.14


Taxes,


1948


5,564.71


Taxes,


1949


14,118.87


Taxes, 1950


391,476.47


414,379.50


Water Deposits


50.00


Tax Titles


121,860.99 5,231.05


Income of Trust Funds .... Revenue Appropriations ..


4,260.76 270,883.07


Tax Possessions Motor Vehicle Excise Tax, 1946 14.91


Motor Vehicle Excise Tax, 1947


3,219.99


Motor Vehicle Excise Tax, 1948


4,002.42


Motor Vehicle Excise Tax,


1949


5,697.98


Motor Vehicle Excise Tax,


1950


92,298.44


105,233.74


4,838.10


Departmental Bills Receivable: Health Department 3,573.66


Contagious Hospital 14,490.71


Sanitary Department ..... ..


300.00


Cashier's Overages


Unidentified Cash Tailings


Temporary Loans 1950


School Deposits, Forfeited Fees


290.16


City Clerk's Deposits


508.25


School Dept. Evening School Deposits


910.50


School-Book Deposits


110.50


Highway Deposits


115.00


Unexpended Balances:


Reimbursements, Aid De-


pendent Children


155.00


Reimbursements, Old Age


3,050.00


Assistance


Payroll Deductions for Pur- chase of Savings Bonds .... Federal Tax Withholding 610.25 .... Parking Meter Receipts 47,210.88 538.60 ...... Employees Insurance Deduc- tions .. 250.38


Blue Cross Deductions Hot Lunch Project Receipts- Elementary 2,813.26


Hot Lunch Project Receipts -- High and Jr. High School-Athletic Receipts ...


5,563.32


3,525.26


$439.52 24.37 897.49 700,000.00


14


ANNUAL REPORTS


....


BALANCE SHEET-Continued


Welfare Miscellaneous ..... 38,354.46


Old Age Assistance


20,248.09


Aid Dependent Children .. 55,643.42


Revenue Reserved until Collected:


Departmental 161,513.45


Water 69,319.78


Tax Titles


121,860.99


Veterans' Services


12,022.42


City Owned Property Rent- tals


40.00


Inspection Milk


184.00


161,513.45


Water Department Accounts


69,319.78


230,833.23


State Taxes and Assessments County Assessment, T. B.


$21,514.42


County-Dog Licenses


61.80


Hospital 1950


44.78


23,743.09


Overlay 1944


27.25


Overlay 1945


72.52


Overlay 1946 ... .....


1,413.10


Overlay 1947


222.32


644.61


Overlay 1948 ....


6,853.27


Sale of Real Estate


82.38


Overlay 1949


596.80


54,220.85


Overlay 1950


5,759.13


County Tax 1950 .. Excess and Deficiency ..


222,794.65


$2,275,324.86


$2,275,324.86


.......


.......


....


George Barden Fund Smith-Hughes Fund


1,793.35


1,224.00


City Home


3,208.29


School Contingent


13,448.40


Tax Possessions 5,231.05


Motor Vehicle Excise .... 105,233.74


463,159.01


Somerville Housing - Unex- pended Balances . .. Somerville Housing-Reserve


453,789.35 6,767.10


Somerville Housing Subsidy .. Refund Mass. Teachers' Re- tirement Board


CITY AUDITOR


15


BALANCE SHEET-Continued NON-REVENUE ACCOUNTS


Cash in Offices and Banks ...


$10,243.69


Non-Revenue Appropriations State and County Aid to High-ways ..


$10,243.69


Accts. Rec. State & County Aid to Highways .. 19,715.08


19,715.08


29,958.77


$29,958.77


NET FUNDED OR FIXED DEBT


Net Bonded Debt


$2,934,000.00


Loans within statutory debt limit:


Junior High School Loans


$4,000.00


Garage Loan


4,000.00


Chapter 44 Sewer Loan ...


121,000.00


Municipal Relief Loan .... School & Munic. Bldgs.


617,000.00


Loan


525,000.00


Macadam Pavement Loan


180,000.00


1,451,000.00


Loans outside statutory debt limit:


Municipal Relief Loan ....


141,000.00


P. W. A. Sewer Loan


14,000.00


P. W. A. School Loan


60,000.00


Chap. 44 Water Main Loan


55,000.00


Veterans' Housing Loan ..


500,000.00


Transit Assessment Loan ..


713,000.00


1,483,000.00


$2,934,000.00


16


ANNUAL REPORTS


. . . ...


$2,934,000.00


BALANCE SHEET-Continued TRUST AND INVESTED FUNDS


Trust Funds: Cash and Securities .....


$56,396.59


Contagious Hospital ..


$1,000.00


School Funds


10,523.60


Library Funds


39,475.78


Welfare Funds


1,751.45


Recreation Funds .


3,645.76


Invested Funds:


Municipal Bldgs. Insur-


ance Fund


3,609.37


Retirement System Funds 4 % and 5%


1,296,439.91


$1,356,445.87


$1,356,445.87


..


..


17


CITY AUDITOR


Trust Funds:


Investment Funds: Cash and Securities ..


1,300,049.28


7.8


ANNUAL REPORTS


CASH STATEMENT-DECEMBER 31, 1950 REVENUE


Receipts


General:


Taxes


$6,903,709.18


Cashiers Overages


446.14


Motor Vehicle Excise


408,768.14


.C. of M. Franchise Tax


7,173.13


.C. of M. Boxing Commission


163.73


C. of M. Income Tax


755,376.14


C. of M. Corporation Tax


345,027.88


C. of M. Meal Tax


33,135.01


C. of M. Alewife Brook Parkway Re- fund


5,420.36


C. of M. in Lieu of Taxes


113.51


'City Property Rentals


630.00


Tax Titles


32,196.27


Licenses and Permits


141,786.00


Fines and Forfeits


10,575.37


Grants and Gifts


1,017,618.48


Parking Meters


35,993.10


Somerville Housing Authority


555,868.71 643.62


All Other


$10,254,644.79


Departmental:


General Government


12,564.66


Protection Persons and Property


5,458.08


Health and Sanitation


39,538.25


Highway


2,370.00


Welfare


82,304.41


Aid Dependent Children


167,131.87


City Home


6,978.61


Old Age Assistance


772,597.93


Veterans Services


47,841.75


"Schools and School Buildings


131,109.63


Libraries


3,346.33


Recreation


547.90


Retirement Deductions


117,441.81


Teachers' Retirement Deductions


101,474.47


Federal Tax Withholding


433,460.00


Payroll Deductions for Purchase of Savings Bonds


6,618.00


Blue Cross Deductions


49,499.65


Municipal Credit Union Deductions ..


114,381.51


Insurance Deductions


1,182.85


All Other


785.80


$2,096,633.51


'Water Department Accounts


$496,426.90


Interest on Taxes, etc.


10,207.40


Trust Fund Income


1,463.07


Refunds


27,303.22


Temporary Loans


4,200,000.00


Municipal Relief Loan


354,000.00


19


CITY AUDITOR


Premiums on Bonds


102.66


Loan in Anticipation of Relief Loan


200,000.00


Accrued Interest


352.87


Deposits


11,025.00


$5,300,881.12


Total Receipts 1950 to date


17,652,159.42


Cash Balance January 1, 1950


709,195.41


Adjustment in Cash


.90


Transfer from Non-Revenue


4,333.70


$18,365,689.43


CASH STATEMENT -DECEMBER 31, 1950


Payments


Appropriations


$9,647,833.05


Interest


72,431.13


Reduction Funded Debt


685,000.00


Loan in Anticipation of Relief Loan


200,000.00


County Tax 1950


239,962.93


Retirement Deductions


119,691.25


Credit Union Deductions


118,636.97


Refunds


61,981.17


Federal Grant, Hot Lunch Project


5,163.78


Teachers' Retirement Deductions


101,489.05


Smith-Hughes Fund


2,281.48


George Barden Fund


5,847.09


Temporary Loans


4,400,000.00


Payroll Deductions for Insurance


1,118.69


Parking Meters Receipits


28,234.79


School Deposits


560.00


Savings Bond Deductions


8,297.50


Blue Cross Deductions


48,601.20


Income Trust Funds


1,610.12


Federal Tax Withholding


509,437.07


Premiums on Bonds


2,334.88


City Clerk's Deposits


1,072.50


State Taxes and Assessments 1950


558,201.46


County Assessment T. B. Hospital


98,364.12


County, Dog Licenses


5,110.80


Water Deposits


1,570.00


Health-Bottling Licenses


50.00


Highway Deposits


2,925.00


Hot Lunch Receipts


39,518.77


Athletic Receipts


2,903.98


Cash Overages


6.62


Tailings


14.98


Total Payments 1950 to date


$16,970,250.38


Cash on Hand December 31


1,361,282.76


Transfer to Non-Revenue


34,000.00


Adjustment in Cash


156.29


$18,365,689.43


20


ANNUAL REPORTS


CASH STATEMENT - DECEMBER 31, 1950 NON-REVENUE


Receipts


State and County Aid to Highways ..... $55,284.92


55,284.92


Balance at Beginning of Period


7,476.98


Transfer from Revenue


34,000.00


$96,761.90


CASH STATEMENT - DECEMBER 31, 1950


Payments


Appropriations


$82,184.51


$82,184.51


Cash on Hand


10,243.69


Transfer to Revenue


4,333.70


$96,761.90


SUMMARY


Total Revenue Receipts ..


$17,652,159.42


Total Non-Revenue Receipts


55,284.92


17,707,444.34


Adjustment in Cash


.90


Total balance at beginning of period


716,672.39


$18,424,117.63


Total Revenue Payments


16,970,250.38


Total Non-Revenue Payments


82,184.51


17,052,434.89


Adjustments in Cash


156.29


Total Balance on Hand


1,371,526.45


$18,424,117.63


..


STATEMENT OF APPROPRIATIONS 1950 (REVENUE)


Unencumbered Balances


Unliquidated Encumbrances


Unexpended Balances


Total Expenditures




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