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WORCESTER PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 8139 0129 6565 5
Worcester Free Public Library
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CITY DOCUMENT, NO. 41.
SECOND INAUGURAL ADDRESS
-OF-
HON. SAMUEL WINSLOW,
MAYOR OF THE CITY OF WORCESTER, JAN. 4, 1887;
WITH THE
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE SEVERAL DEPARTMENTS,
FOR THE
FINANCIAL YEAR ENDING NOVEMBER 30, 1886.
WORCESTER : PRINTED BY CHARLES HAMILTON, 311 MAIN STREET. 1887.
R. 352.07443 W922C v. 41 1886
INDEX.
PAGE.
Mayor's Address . 5
City Treasurer's Report . 39
Report of the Treasurer of City Trust Funds 43
Report of the Auditor .45
-Schedule of City Property 106
Report of the Commissioners of Sinking Funds 115
Report of the Committee on Finance
119
Report of the City Clerk . 121
123
-Report of Trustees .
125
-Report of the Superintendent and Resident Physician 131
Report of the Commissioners of the Jaques Fund and other Funds of the City Hospital
145
Worcester Free Public Library .- Directors in 1887.
-Directors' Report
-Gifts to the Library . 151
164
-Report of the Committee on the Library 168
-Report of the Committee on the Reading-Room 170
-- Report of the Committee on the Building 173
-Report of the Committee on Finance . 175
-Report of the Treasurer of the Reading-Room Fund . 178
Report of the Joint Standing Committee on Sewers 179
Report of the Superintendent of Sewers . 183
Report of the Committee on Water 189
Report of the Water Commissioner 192
Report of the Water Registrar 208
Report of the City Engineer to the Committee on Water 212
Report of the City Marshal . 215
Report of the Overseers of the Poor 231
Report of the Committee on the Truant School 247
Report of the City Physician . 249
Report of the City Solicitor . 253
Report of the Parks-Commission 263
Report of the Commissioner of Highways . 301
Worcester Schools .- Report of Superintendent 313
-Secretary's Report . 353
-List of Schools, Teachers, &c. 374 -- Calendar for 1887 . 382
Report of the Board of Health . 383
Report of the Chief Engineer of the Fire Department . 389
Report of the Superintendent of the Fire-Alarm Telegraph . 3975-
Report of the Commissioners of Hope Cemetery .. 398
Report of the Superintendent of Public Buildings 405
APPENDIX.
City Government and Officers for 1887 . 421
Salaries . 432
Appropriations for 1887
433
150
-Report of the Librarian
154
The City Hospital .- Trustees and Officers
-
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
Gentlemen of the City Council :-
To-DAY it is my honorable privilege to stand before you for the second time as Mayor of the City of Worcester. The distinction attending an election to this position is great under any circumstances, but this year I feel that the honor conferred upon me by my fellow- citizens is unusually complimentary, in view of the moral questions involved in our last municipal contest, to say nothing of the business considerations of the hour. In proportion to the importance of my office I am truly grateful to my constituents, and it is my determination to serve the city to the best of my ability in order that I may add to her interests and attest these expressions of my appreciation.
The usual steady growth of our city has not been lessened during the past year, but on the contrary it has increased, and if we can possibly judge from the statistics at hand, the population is now about 75,000. For- tunately our people are, as a rule, of an industrious and progressive turn of mind, and we are consequently able to pursue our business affairs without the continual fear of outbreaks or ungrounded labor agitations. The char-
2
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 41.
acter of our citizens is such, that any public improve- ment is generally commended and eagerly sought by our tax-payers. For such reasons as these the City of Worcester holds a leading place among the cities of our country, and is looked to as an example to follow. The system of private ownership of homes so noticeable here has much to do with the attainment of sound, sub- stantial government by the people, and the idea ought to be encouraged in every possible way.
The Fire and Police Departments have been man- aged with great ability and efficiency, and they challenge comparison with similar departments in other cities. In speaking of these two departments I do not wish it un- derstood that all others have not been administered with equal skill, but simply to call attention to the fact, that these departments, with which there has been so much internal trouble and external complaint, have been put on a sound and satisfactory business basis. I feel that other branches of the city affairs have been conscien- tiously attended to, and with unprecedented good results, as in the Water and Sewer Departments, where more work has been accomplished for less money than ever before.
It is gratifying to be able to congratulate you on the condition of the city's finances and the great advancement made in the character and extent of public improvements. The facts warrant me in saying that the public money has been judiciously and economically ex- pended. Our financial standing is as high as that of any city in the United States, as can be seen from the rate of
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MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
interest at which we can borrow. We have been able to obtain money on temporary loans at the rate of two and three-fourths per cent., which indicates a satisfactory state of affairs. The net amount of the city's indebted- ness is $2,209,816.34. To offset this we own property consisting of school-houses, engine-houses, and other real estate, to say nothing of fire apparatus, school supplies, etc., etc., to the amount of $1,483,722. From these statements we can see that the city is on a sound financial footing.
There has been more or less public criticism of the work of the City Assessors, and much consequent com- plaint of the rate of taxation of the past year. While I am not disposed to personally defend one side or the other, I do not wish to pass over this question without referring to it. It is undoubtedly true that some prop- erty in Worcester is not properly taxed and the Asses- sors themselves realize the fact. It should, however, be remembered that the vast amount of rise in value of property is in the business portion of the city, and this increase of worth in the central localities keeps pace with the increase of our population. The matter is not an easy one to remedy, as the experience of other municipalities shows.
There is a second reason more important than the first for the inefficiency of the Assessors, and that is the com- paratively useless board of assistants. The fault here is in our method of elections, which is such that the posi- tion of Assistant Assessor amounts, in many cases, to nothing more than a reward for services rendered to
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 41.
some influential political leader. In this way we have a number of property appraisers to whom the value of real estate is a puzzle beyond comprehension. The fault is glaring, but I trust not without remedy. There is now a proposition before the City Council to authorize the Mayor to appeal to the General Court for a change in our City Charter, so that hereafter the Assessors may appoint their own assistants. If this is done it only re- mains with the City Council to elect as Assessors men qualified for the office, if such can be found to assume the duties of the place.
During the present year we shall have to add only $33,000 to the Sinking Fund as against $99,000 in 1886. In this amount alone the rate of taxation will be re- duced about one and one-fourth per cent. Again, if we can estimate the amount we shall receive for licenses by the returns in 1885, we shall make a further reduction of about one per cent. on the total rate of taxation. Since, however, the appropriations will necessarily be larger than those of last year, we cannot fairly count upon a greater reduction over last year's rate than one and one-half or two per cent. If we can do this, it seems to me that there will be no ground for complaint.
Before considering in detail the work of our various departments I wish to say a word in regard to our school system. It has long been known at home and abroad that our educational institutions are of the first order. The past year has been no exception to the rule of steady progress. The attendance has been very large, and the entire management has been carried out without
9
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
the slightest conflict, and altogether free from jealousies and personal discord. This condition is due to the inter- est of all classes of our citizens in school work, and to the liberality shown in the appropriations for that pur- pose. I most feelingly urge a continuance of this policy, and advise that the School Department be the last to feel the drawbacks necessarily arising from limited means.
FINANCES.
On the 30th of November, 1886, the gross funded debt of the city, including all sewer and water loans, amounted to $3,506,700-showing an increase of the gross funded debt during the last financial year of $117,000. On the same date the city debt, less sinking funds and cash in the city treasury, was $2,209,816.34, as against $2,394,914.64 on the 30th of November, 1885, showing a decrease of the net funded debt during the year of $185,098.30. There was no floating debt outstanding November 30th, 1886.
The funded debt, at the close of the year, comprised coupon bonds, to the amount of $521,500, and registered bonds, to the amount of $2,985,200, a total of $3,506,- 700, as before stated. Of the last named amount the sum of $878,300 bears interest at the rate of six per cent. per annum; $760,000 at five per cent. per annum; $140,000 at four and one-half per cent .; $1,578,400 at four per cent., and $150,000 at three and one-half per cent.
Since November 30th, $100,000 of the five per cent. loan, maturing 1st inst., has been paid and cancelled.
10
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 41.
On the first of January, 1888, the second of our new ten-year five per cent. loans, $60,000 in amount, will be paid out of the funds in the hands of the Sinking Fund Commission. Of the old six per cent. funded loans now outstanding, one registered bond for $23,000 becomes due on the first of June, 1887, and will doubt- less be paid by the Commissioners out of money belong- ing to the General Debt Sinking Fund of 1875. In that event there will be no renewal of any funded debt during the current municipal year.
The City Sinking Funds on the 30th of November last, amounted to $860,846.91. Of this amount the sum of $320,139.48 is held for the redemption of the old debt of 1875, whether still outstanding or merged in renewals, and the balance of $540,707.43, which includes the $100,000 paid out on the 1st inst., is pledged for the redemption at maturity of all new city debts created under the provisions of the statutes "regulating muni- cipal indebtedness."
The cash contributions paid over to the Commis- sioners of the Sinking Funds during the last financial year amounted to $139,367.61. This amount includes the sum of $99,000 raised by taxation in 1886, the unexpended balances of appropriations of 1885, and the revenue from sewer assessments, water rates, etc., of that year, the whole amounting to $40,367.61. In con- nection with this it may be proper to add that as the unexpended balances and other items of revenue availa- ble for sinking fund purposes amount to $97,849.01, in 1886, as against $34,567.31, in 1885, it will be necessary
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MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
to provide an additional sum of only $33,000, during the current financial year, in order to fully meet the requirements of the Commissioners in regard to the sinking fund contributions for 1887.
According to the books of the Treasurer the several trust funds belonging to the city on the 30th of Novem- ber, 1886, amounted to $261,012.99 as against the sum of $242,632.65 November 30th, 1885. The increase during the past year is largely due to the sales of real estate, on account of the Jaques Hospital Fund, the proceeds thereof becoming a part of the investments in charge of the Commissioners of the Hospital Funds.
The following list of the trust funds of the city shows their condition at the close of business, November 30th, 1886 :-
A. H. Bullock High School Fund, 1860
$ 1,503 39
Hope Cemetery Fund, .
1863
14,458 76
Dr. John Green Library Fund,.
1868
43,621 24
Isaac Davis Hospital Fund,.
1873
2,313 34
George Jaques Hospital Fund,
1874
175,996 69
Albert Curtis Hospital Fund,.
1876
1,006 39
John B. Shaw Hospital Fund,. .
1877
283 43
Joseph A. Tenney Hospital Fund,
1881
5,000 00
Lake Park Fund, ...
.1884
2,897 68
Stephen Salisbury Hospital Fund,
1884
3,197 09
Bancroft Endowment Fund, ..
1885
10,231 98
Dr. Joseph Sargent Hospital Fund,.
1886
503 00
$261,012 99
For details in regard to receipts and payments on account of these funds I refer you to the annual reports of the several boards and commissions having them in charge, and also to the reports of the City Treasurer.
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 41.
From the accounts of the City Auditor it appears that during the last year the receipts from all sources, trust funds excepted, amounted to,
Adding to this the balance of Dec. Ist, 1885,
$1,923,282 23 273,221 66
The amount is, $2,196,503 89
Deducting payments for the year,
1,760,467 14
The balance November 30th, 1886, was
$436,036 75
For particulars in reference to the appropriations, receipts and payments of the various city departments, and also in regard to the city assets, liabilities and other matters of interest, I need only to refer you to the annual reports of the Auditor and Treasurer, both of which will be presented for your consideration this evening.
SEWERS.
There are now before the Committee on Sewers thir- ty-two petitions for sewers in different parts of the city which, if granted, would call for an expenditure of from $80,000 to $90,000. The Sewer Committee is, however, of the opinion that some of these petitions can be passed over for a year or two without any material inconven- ience to the petitioners. Many others should receive a favorable answer to their petitions, and the Sewer Com- mittee consequently recommends the appropriation of $70,000 for the coming year. This amount to be used somewhat as follows :-
Elm and North Merrick Streets, . $3,181 00
Charlotte and Florence Streets and vicinity, 10.450 00
Parker, Page and Kingsbury Streets, .. 5,731 00
Several Sewers on Union Hill,. 3,000 00
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MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
Suffolk Street to connect with Bloomingdale Road Sewer, . 6,000 00
Belmont and Elizabeth Streets. 4,916 00
Beaver and Florence Streets, 2,085 00
The Hammond Street district, recommended last year
but not constructed,
4,727 00
It is also necessary to extend the work in the South- ern District by the construction of sewers in Southgate, Grand, Canterbury and Wyman Streets with connecting sewers. This work is greatly needed and can be done at a cost of $15,000.00.
The work just mentioned ought to be done, as at present there is the greatest difficulty in taking care of the sewage, since the cesspools are practically useless. Work has already been ordered in a few small sewers, the cost of which will be about $1,845.00.
The committee's recommendation includes the appro- priation of $10,914.75 for the construction of small sew- ers petitioned for, and also an additional amount of $2,150.25 for contingencies. The rapid increase of the extension of the sewer system calls for additional ex- pense in cleaning and repairing the sewers and catch- basins.
The Joint Standing Committee on Sewers has conse- quently asked for an appropriation of $12,000.00 for Sewer maintenance. This is an increase of $2,000.00 over last year's appropriation. The sewer system of the city consists of 56 44-100 miles of sewers, which shows an increase of 5 55-100 miles during the past year. There are also 1221 catch-basins, and 2082 man- holes.
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 41.
SEWAGE DISPOSAL.
The Legislature last year passed an Act to " estab- lish a system of sewage disposal for the city of Worces- ter." This act provides that "the city of Worcester shall, without being limited to any particular system, within four years after the passage of this Act, remove from its sewage before it is discharged into the Black- stone river, the offensive and polluting properties and substances therein, so that after its discharge into said river, either directly or through its tributaries, it shall not create a nuisance or endanger the public health." This is, at the best, a serious matter to the city, and it is apt to call for the expenditure of much money. The City Engineer is at present at work upon the question, and will submit for your consideration, during the early part of the current year, a report with plans for the dis- posal of the sewage of the city in compliance with the law.
STREET CONSTRUCTION.
There are two streets decreed by the City Council which will have to be constructed during the present year in order to hold the locations; one to run from Shrewsbury Street to East Central, and the other to run over the Mill Brook Sewer between Franklin and Pond Streets. The cost of the former is estimated at $8,965.00, of the latter $5,660.00. It is desirable to construct the latter street in connection with the Frank- lin Street Bridge, which, although ordered by the
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MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
County Commissioners, remains unbuilt. There is no question but that this much needed improvement will have to be completed this year. The cost to the city will be $30,000.00. The work was not done last year inasmuch as all persons interested agreed upon a post- ponement, but such delay will probably be no longer possible.
Orders have been adopted for constructing these streets, decreed in 1886: Maywood Street from Main Street to Park Avenue; the Jo Bill Road from Salis- bury to Boynton Street; Hollywood Street from May to Oberlin Street; and Norwood Street from Main to Woodland Street.
The estimates for the above mentioned work are as follows :-
Maywood Street, $ 400 00
Jo Bill Road, .. 1,280 00
Hollywood Street .. 150 00
Norwood Street, . . . 350 00
Owing to the prospective increase of travel through Hermon Street, caused by the removal of the Norwich and Worcester Railroad freight yard from Park Street to the south of Madison Street, thereby practically closing up Jackson Street, it was deemed best to enter into an agreement with the railroad company to move back the abutments to the Hermon Street Bridge, thus obtaining a width of forty feet, and nearly two feet more head room. By the terms of this agreement the railroad company is to do all the work and furnish all the materials necessary to remove said abutments, now
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 41.
projecting five feet on each side, to the street lines, and to place a new bridge across the street. The city is to pay for moving one abutment only, at a cost of about $1,200.00.
The City Council recently adopted an order calling for the widening of Union Street under the Foster Street and Boston and Maine Railroad Bridges. This work, if done this year, will necessitate an outlay of $8,225.00. There are also unpaid damages amounting to $2,560.00. These were in last year's estimates but have not been accepted, and may now be increased since some of the damages are to be settled by the courts.
The Joint Standing Committee on Highways and Sidewalks ask that at least $58,000.00 be appropriated for Street Construction this year.
SIDEWALKS AND PAVING.
Each year there is an increasing demand for side- walks, and there is no work done by the city that con- tributes more to the convenience of the public. A liberal appropriation for this purpose means a decrease in the cost of repairing, as a paved gutter prevents the streets from washing and preserves the outline or crown of the street. It is estimated that $15,000.00 will be required for sidewalks during the present year. The paving ought to be extended as fast as possible, since the rapid growth of the city means a great wear and tear on the streets. A well paved street will wear with
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MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
but little repairing for a period varying from twelve to fifteen years, so that the ultimate cost of such a road is less than the macadmized or gravel road.
Paving is the only method of keeping the business streets in good condition, particularly those in which there are street railroad tracks, since in such streets the travel is confined to a narrow space on each side of the tracks. For this reason streets having tracks should receive the first attention. Southbridge Street from the Norwich and Worcester Railroad to the railroad bridges should be paved, also Trumbull Square and Green Street as far as the Providence and Worcester freight house. If it is thought best to do this work the cost will be- for Southbridge Street $12,776.00; for Trumbull Square and Green Street $5,228.00. Other places of limited extent should also receive attention; so that an appro- priation of $20,000.00 will be needed for the present year.
It is most important that our streets should be kept in repair. Next to paving macadamizing seems to be the most approved method of making streets, and this system has been increasing each year,-a natural out- come of the small supply of gravel. Macadamized roads are cheaper in the end than those made of gravel, but the real worth of the system cannot be realized with the present method of rolling by horse-power. Worces- ter ought to own a steam-roller, a possession of almost every other New England city, all of which testify that their roads so rolled wear longer and remain in much better condition than when rolled by a horse-roller.
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 41.
An appropriation of $60,000.00 is needed for Street Maintenance.
STREET SPRINKLING.
One year ago I spoke of the weak points of the method of payment for watering the streets. At that time I made recommendations for changing the plan then in vogue, and subsequently urged the desirability of in- vestigation into the customs of other cities. It was not my intention to force my own notions upon the city, but rather to have some more just and better way to obtain street sprinkling in streets where the majority of the residents desire it. The matter. was laid before the committee, but to all appearances the members lacked the courage to take action on the question. At this time I again call attention to the matter of watering streets, and renew my recommendations of 1886.
WATER.
The city is again fortunate in possessing an abundant supply of water. All the reservoirs are full and every- thing connected with them is in good condition.
During the past year a new dwelling-house has been built at the Lynde Brook Reservoir, and extensive re- pairs have been made to the barn and shed. The cost of all these improvements was $2,431.50. Many repairs have also been made on the foundation of the south gate house and the dam on the east side of Bell Pond. The cost of these repairs was $1,123.87.
In the year 1885 the amount of new pipe laid was
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MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
2.23 miles, at a cost of $36,967.26. The amount of pipe relaid was 3.25 miles, at a cost of $55,133.90.
In the year 1886 the amount of new pipe laid was 2.38 miles, at a cost of $33,494. The amount of pipe relaid was 4.27 miles, at a cost of $48,270.83.
The amount of new cast-iron pipe laid during the past year was 2.38 miles. The amount of cement-lined main pipe taken up and replaced with cast-iron pipe was 4.27 miles.
The total amount of main pipe now in use is 100 miles; of service pipe, 68 miles.
The number of service pipes added to the works dur- ing the past year was 438, making the total number in use 7,629.
Forty-one miles of cement-lined main pipe are now in use and it causes much annoyance and expense from leaks. It is poor pipe, and it is earnestly recommended that a large amount be taken out each year.
The barn on Thomas street is by all means too small, and I recommend that larger stable accommodations be furnished the Water Department.
The Water Committee ask for an appropriation of $35,000 for water service construction in 1887.
For the year ending November 30th, 1886, bills for water have been rendered to the City Treasurer for col- lection as follows :-
For Metered water,
12,331
Amounting to $106,353 29
For annual rates,
2,015
18,309 29
Total,
14,346
$124,662 58
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 41.
The amount of revenue received for water rates was. .. . $117,851 55 Which was an increase over the year ending November 30, 1885, of .. 7,586 52 The amount of uncollected bills in the hands of the City
Treasurer, November 30th, 1886, was. 14,856 63 The amount transferred from water rates to sinking fund was. 31,962 72
During the year the sum of $4,336.08 has been de- ducted from the amount charged for water rates and metered water, owing to changes from annual rates, adjustment of bills of water takers, and by votes of the committee.
The total cost of the Water Works to December 1st, 1886, was $1,746,404.39.
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