USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1887 > Part 1
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WORCESTER PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 8139 0129 6577 0
Worcester Free Public Library
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CITY DOCUMENT, NO. 42.
THIRD INAUGURAL ADDRESS
- OF- -
HON. SAMUEL WINSLOW,
MAYOR OF THE CITY OF WORCESTER, JAN. 4, 1888;
WITH THE
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE SEVERAL DEPARTMENTS,
FOR THE
FINANCIAL YEAR ENDING NOVEMBER 30, 1887.
WORCESTER :
PRINTED BY CHARLES HAMILTON, 311 MAIN STREET. 1888.
R 352.07443 W9220 v. 42 1887
INDEX.
PAGE.
Mayor's Address . . 5
City Treasurer's Report 27
Report of the Treasurer of City Trust Funds 31
Report of the Auditor . 33
-Schedule of City Property 90
Report of the Commissioners of City Sinking Funds 100
Report of the Joint Standing Committee on Finance 104
Report of the City Clerk . 106
Report of the City Marshal 107
Report of the Joint Standing Committee on Sewers
128
Report of the Superintendent of Sewers 130
Report of the Committee on Water
135
Report of the Water Registrar . 153
158
Report of the Overseers of the Poor 171
Report of the City Physician .
Report of the Chief Engineer of the Fire Department 189
192
The City Hospital .- Trustees and Officers 199
-Report of Trustees .
201
-Report of the Superintendent and Resident Physician 208
Report of the Commissioners of the Jaques Fund and other Funds of the City Hospital . 224
Report of the City Solicitor . 228
Report of the Commissioners of Hope Cemetery 233
Worcester Free Public Library .- Directors in 1888 238
-Directors' Report 239
-Report of the Librarian 243
-Gifts to the Library . 251
-Report of the Committee on the Library 256
-Report of the Committee on the Reading-Room 257
-Report of the Committee on the Building 260
-Report of the Committee on Finance . 261
-Report of the Treasurer of the Reading-Room Fund. 265
Report of the Superintendent of Public Buildings 267
Report of the Parks-Commission .. 281
Worcester Schools .- Report of Superintendent
319
-Secretary's Report . 353
-List of Schools, Teachers, &c. 374
-Calendar for 1888 . 383
Report of the Board of Health . 385
Report of the Committee on the Truant School 393
APPENDIX.
City Government and Officers for 1888 395 Salaries . 406
Appropriations for 1888
407
Report of the Water Commissioner
138
Report of the City Engineer to the Committee on Water Report of the Commissioner of Highways 159
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
Gentlemen of the Board of Aldermen,
AND
Gentlemen of the Common Council:
IT is with feelings of great pride that I stand before you to- day to assume, for the third time, the office of Mayor of the City of Worcester, and I can assure my fellow-citizens that I highly appreciate the honor of an election to such a responsible place in our local government as that, which I now hold. There is certainly in this grand old Commonwealth no city with greater or brighter prospects than our own. We excel in the arts of manufacturing, and stand high in the pursuits of trade. We have citizens who take an interest in our future welfare that is beyond all expectation. I cannot proceed to the consideration of strictly public affairs without making mention of the liberal gifts of Jonas G. Clark, Esq. and of Stephen Salisbury, Esq., to the cause of education, not only so far as they concern Worcester, but even as they will extend their influence throughout our land. Such contributions as these men have made to us are beyond our ability to repay, but we can certainly hope for the unending success of the work they have begun.
The financial condition of the city is good. In 1886 the city debt was reduced $185,098.30, and in 1887 it was re- duced $242,463.64, making a total reduction in two years of $427,561.94.
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 42.
All the work of the departments for 1887, was done within the appropriations and the amount of $131,940.70 was contributed to the sinking fund. The rate of taxation was also reduced one dollar per thousand of valuation.
The amount of appropriations asked for 1888 is $1,075,726.50.
The increased amount asked for the current year is to meet the wants of our departments, and for this reason no reduction in rate of taxation need be expected.
THE FIRST PARISH.
On the 24th of April, 1871, the first communication to the City Council in relation to the removal of the Old South Meet- ing-house from the Common was sent by Edward W. Lincoln, who asked that his communication might be referred to the Com- mittee on Education, which should confer with the Parish Com- mittee of the Old South Society. On the 12th of July, 1871, the Mayor made a report, in behalf of the Committee on Educa- tion, to the effect that they had held a conference with the Parish Committee, and that they had failed to get any satisfactory ex- pression therefrom, and they recommended that the City Solicitor be requested to furnish the City Council his written opinion as to the legal right of the Old South Parish to longer occupy the Common as a site for their Meeting-house.
On October 30th, 1871, a communication from Edward W. Lincoln, in relation to the Old South Church, was referred to the Committee on Finance.
On November 6th, 1871, the communication of Edward W. Lincoln, dated October 30th, 1871, in relation to the Old South Church, came up for consideration, and it was ordered that the Mayor be authorized to petition the Legislature for the authority necessary to remove the structure referred to in said communica- tion. As a result of this petition a hearing was ordered before
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MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
the Judiciary Committee of the Legislature, and an act was passed granting the city the power to take and remove the Old South Church.
On October 7th, 1872, another communication was received from Edward W. Lincoln, in relation to accepting the act relating to the Old South Church. This communication was referred to the Committee on Education.
On October 14th, 1872, the Committee on Education made a report and recommended that an article with reference to the Old South Church be embodied in the warrant for the approach- ing city election, and in the warrant issued November 18th, 1872, the following was inserted: "Do the voters of the City of Worcester approve an act entitled, an Act to authorize the City of Worcester to acquire the interest of the First Parish in Wor- cester in the old common in said city for the purpose of a Public Park." The vote was taken by ballot at the election held Dec. 9th, 1872, and resulted, yea, 2,297-nay, 2,480. This ended all public controversy on this question until Dec. 15, 1884, when a petition was sent to the City Council by J. H. Walker and others to secure the removal of the Old South Church from the com- mon. A reference was made to this petition in the Mayor's inaugural address of 1885, and an order was subsequently adopted authorizing the appointment of a joint special committee to con- sider that portion of the Mayor's address in reference to the removal of the Old South Church from the commnon. This special committee reported Jan. 26, 1885, an order authorizing the Mayor to petition the Legislature for such legislation as might be necessary to enable the city to acquire the title of the First Parish of Worcester in the common with a view to the use of said common for the purposes of a City Hall.
On the 24th of May, 1886, a petition was presented by the First Parish to raise their Meeting-house high enough to put a
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 42.
story of brick or stone under the same, and to otherwise repair the building. In consequence of this petition, an order was introduced May 24, 1886, appointing a Joint Special Committee to consider and report what action should be taken by the City Council with reference to Chapter 139, Acts of the year 1885, entitled-" An Act to authorize the city of Worcester to take the Old Common for purpose of a public park or a City Hall." The committee had several conferences with a committee from the First Parish, but was unable to make any satisfactory ar- rangement, or to come to any agreement as to the value of the Parish rights. The committee on the part of the city offered to recommend to the City Council the payment of $50,000, but such an offer was not entertained, inasmuch as the members of the Parish Committee were divided between the amounts of $75,000 and $90,000. The committee acting for the city was not inclined to be hasty in closing with them, as they expected another inter- view. There were, however, no further interviews, but on July 7th, 1886, the city clerk received from Albert F. Smith, clerk of the First Parish, a letter addressed to Mr. E. H. Towne, clerk of the Joint Special Committee, as follows :-
" The following is a copy of a resolution unanimously adopted at a special meeting of the First Parish (Old South) last evening :-
"Resolved, That it is the sense of this meeting that the Old South Parish relinquish all its rights and title in the Common and the land on which the Old South Church now stands to the City of Worcester for the sum of $125,000, the Parish reserving the Meeting House and their right to take it down, or remove the same to any other location the Parish may select.
"Resolved, That, if the city reject the proposition made to it in the foregoing resolution or refuse or neglect to take action in the
9
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
matter within reasonable time, the Parish proceed at once to raise and repair the church on the present site according to plans and specifications already made."
Upon the receipt of this communication of July 7, 1886, from the First Parish the Joint Special Committee had no alternative than to proceed in accordance with the terms of the act and accordingly voted to make the following report and ask for the passage of the order, accompanying their report, which was the following :
"Ordered: That in the exercise of the authority vested in the City of Worcester by the one hundred and thirty-ninth chapter of the acts of the year eighteen hundred and eighty-five, all the title and interest of the First Parish in Worcester in the Old Common in said city is hereby taken by said city for the pur- poses of a public park and the purpose of a city hall."
The report was accepted and the order passed with but one dissenting vote in the Board of Aldermen, and with no opposi- tion, whatsoever, in the Common Council. The committee, which had this matter in charge, did everything they thought best to bring about an agreement, but it was evident from the beginning that no settlement could be made, as there seemed to be a determination to lay the whole question before a commission. This was done, and the commissioners made their award, which we all felt was unjust to the city. In spite of the feeling in the matter it seemed best to settle the claim if possible, and for this purpose another Joint Special Committee was appointed, Nov. 21, 1887, with full power to act for the City Council. This committee met a committee with similar power from the First Parish, but the representatives of the church had the advantage of having in their favor the commissioners' award of $148,400, with interest accumulating at a rapid rate. The first proposition from the committee of the City Council was to settle by the pay-
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 42.
ment of $100,000. The Parish Committee set their price at $130,000. The city then offered $115,000, and at this net ex- pense to the city the affair has been settled. The First Parish received, however, the amount of $395, which is the sum for which the city sold the church building. It gives me great pleasure to feel that the city is at last free from further annoy- ance in this direction.
FINANCE.
On the 30th of November, 1887, the city debt, less sinking funds and cash in treasury, amounted to $1,967,352.70, as against $2,209,816.34, November 30th, 1886, showing a decrease of $242,463.64 in the net debt of the city during the last financial year. No floating debt was then outstanding. When we bear in mind the fact that, during the year, our gross funded debt,-includ- ing therein all city, sewer and water loans,-was reduced from $3,506,700 to $3,383,700, and the further fact that, during the same period, our assessed valuation was increased from $54,566,389 to $59,465,575, it seems that the financial standing of the city cannot be regarded as otherwise than satisfactory.
The city sinking funds, on the 30th of November last, amounted to $903,651.94, a net increase of $42,805.03 since November 30th, 1886. During the last financial year the Com- missioners paid $123,000 of the city debt of 1887, and, in 1888, will redeem $63,000 of the city indebtedness as it matures. Since last November the Commissioners have received from the city the sum of $131,940.70, which includes the several unexpended balances of appropriations for 1887, and sundry items of revenue, added to the several sinking funds under the provisions of Chapter 42, of the City Ordinances, and as that amount will fully meet the requirements of the Commissioners, under said chapter,
1
11
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
it will be unnecessary for the city to provide for any additional contributions in the tax levy of 1888.
The several trust funds of the city, comprising eight Hospital Funds and also the Bullock High School, Hope Cemetery, Green Library, Lake Park and Bancroft Endowment Funds, amounted to $288,257.82, November 30th, 1887, showing an increase of $27,244.83 during the year. Full details in regard to these funds can be obtained from the reports of the various boards and Com- missions having them in charge, and from the statements of the City Treasurer appended thereto.
For further particulars in reference to the financial condition of the city I need only to refer you to the annual reports of the Auditor and Treasurer, both of which will be laid before you this evening for consideration.
SEWERS.
It can be truly said that Worcester has a sewerage system which has no superior in the Commonwealth. The good health of our inhabitants is more dependent on good drainage facilities than upon any other one condition. For a detailed account of the operations of the Sewer Department you are referred to the Reports of the Joint Standing Committee on Sewers to the City Council, and to the Report of the Superintendent of Sewers. The system of sewers has been extended about twelve miles in the past two years. It might seem to a casual observer that the sewers must be nearly completed, and that the outlay for con- struction about ended. Such would be the case if our city had finished its growth, but fortunately Worcester is prosperous and steadily increasing in every way, and, so long as it is, sewers must be built. About one-half of the amount expended for Sewer Con- struction during the past year will be turned over to the Sinking
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 42.
Fund in the form of assessments. The sewer system now con- sists of 62.89 miles of sewers and the necessary appurtenances.
The Joint Standing Committee on Sewers, in whose charge was left the consideration of sewage disposal, has given the subject careful attention. It is the opinion of the Committee that the time has arrived when the question must be settled, inasmuch as only two years remain in which the city can complete its system of sewage disposal in compliance with the act passed in June, 1886. This enactment was an order to the City of Worcester to so purify its sewage, before its dis- charge into the Blackstone river, as to rid it of all its polluting qualities that endanger the public health or cause a nuisance therein.
The Joint Standing Committee therefore recommends the con- 4 struction of an outfall sewer beginning at or near the terminus of the present sewer and extending through Quinsigamond Vil- lage to the area of land selected for its final treatment before discharging into said river. For the purchase of all necessary land and the construction of said sewer they ask for an appro- priation of $75,000. If the above suggestions are adopted by you, I would recommend that the city borrow money and issue bonds for the same. In order to grant the petitions for sewers now before the Committee an appropriation of $75,000 will be necessary, and in addition $13,000 for maintenance account, mak- ing a total appropriation of $88,000, against $82,000 granted last year.
STREET CONSTRUCTION.
The City Council has under consideration several projects for street impovements, which, if made, will call for large expendi- tures. The widening of Mechanic Street is the most expensive, the estimated cost being $75,000. There are on file many peti-
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MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
tions for the construction of streets, all of which are worthy of consideration and attention. The amount asked for street con- struction for 1888 is $105,200.
Quite a number of streets made public during the past year are in an unfinished state, and it is estimated that $4,000 will be needed to finish them.
The Franklin Street Bridge will be finished early in the present year, and there seems to be no reason why the cost should exceed the estimate, unless the damages are unexpectedly and excessively heavy. The balance of the appropriation for this work was carried forward from last year's appropriation.
HIGHWAYS, SIDEWALKS AND PAVING.
The Highway Department calls for $60,000 for street main- tenance, which is somewhat in excess of last year's appropriation. This is rendered necessary by the additional work required of the department, owing to the opening of new streets, making streets public, etc.
There are now filed with the Committee on Highways petitions enough to call for an expenditure of $34,500 for sidewalks if they are all answered favorably. As a great many new petitions will undoubtedly be presented during the year it will be seen that in order to keep pace with the demand a much larger appropriation than usual will have to be made and the Committee on Highways recommend that $25,000 be appropriated for this purpose.
With the increase of heavy travel on our streets, the amount of paving done each year will also have to be increased. This is particularly the case where street-railroad tracks occupy a portion of the travelled way. It has been found almost impossible to keep a street in good repair without paving where the travel is confined to the limited space between the track and the curb.
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 42.
There are localities that need attention at once. Washington Square should be finished; Church Street should be paved ; Trumbull Square and Green Street as far as the Boston and Albany railroad, at least, should receive early care, while that portion of Southbridge Street lying between the Norwich and Worcester railroad and Madison Street should be paved as soon as the railroad tracks are taken up in the Spring .. The commit- tee asks for an appropriation of $20,000 for paving.
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. .
Our Public Schools are conducted by a board, the members of which are directly responsible to the people of the city in the several wards. The mayor is the only member of the board who has the whole city for his constituency and is elected yearly. This direct responsibility is fitting, since no branch of the munici- pal service comes so near to the hearts of our citizens as do the schools. To them twelve thousand children come from homes, where, for the most part, they are the pride, the hope and the joy of their parents, who are vitally concerned in what so directly affects their offspring. Fortunately the welfare of our school system is not entrusted to any party, or creed, or set of men. In our schools, supported by all, irrespective of nationality or faith, our future citizens are being trained in sentiments of mutual forbearance and respect.
During my two years' service I have been pleased to note the singular absence of friction, both in the meetings of the com- mittee and in the schools themselves. This is due to the readiness with which any substantial ground of complaint can be removed through the agency of the local committee and the earnest purpose of all concerned to do what is best for the cause of education.
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MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
The City Council, in the matter of education, is charged with the important duty of providing money and school-houses. The free-text-book law has added about $15,000 to the yearly expenses but not without benefit to the schools. The Smead- Ruttan system of heating, ventilating and closets, has been intro- duced into the Dix Street school with satisfactory results, so far. Except for minor alterations and repairs no large outlay for school-houses is expected the coming year.
The increase of the year is shown by the following table :-
1886.
1887.
School Census. .
13,795
14,048
Pupils Registered including Evening Schools
13,813
14,479
Average Number belonging to Schools.
11,180
11,323
Largest Attendance.
11,039
11,425
In High School.
695
748
ESTIMATE OF EXPENSES.
Expenditure 1887.
Instruction .
$192,748 79
Estimate 1888. $198,700 00
Care of School-houses, Rents and
Ordinary Repairs
35,625 26
36,500 00
Permanent Repairs
8,444 73
6,000 00
Evening Schools
4,354 54
6,500 00
Total Expenditure,
$241,173 32
Less Revenue.
809 87
$240,363 45
Appropriation asked
$247,700 00
-
FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The Library has continued, during the past year, to do good work, and is filling a large field of usefulness. The whole num- ber of volumes given out to readers and students was 198,000, which is 3,815 less than during the year preceding. This loss is only apparent, however, and is wholly in the reference depart-
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 42.
ment. The loss grew out of the efforts to have books used out- side of the library building, no record of which was kept. This was done to relieve the crowded state of the upper reading- room. There was an increased use of the circulating depart- ment.
The whole number of volumes in the library is 70,350, an increase during the year of 3,441.
The constant increase in the number of books, etc., in the library, is rapidly reducing the spare room in the building, and it is evident that in a few years there will be no space in which to care for the necessary additions. This will necessitate a larger building than the present, and in view of this fact it will be wise for us to look about for a suitable piece of land on which to build.
RECEIPTS.
City Appropriation. $15,000 00
Dog Money ...
3,961 16
Fines, Sale of Books, Catalogues, etc. 894 88
Total receipts
$19,856 04
EXPENDITURES.
Expenditures for all purposes. $19,853 14
Amount carried to Sinking Fund. 2 90
$19,856 04
The estimate of expenses for the coming year is $14,909 and the dog money.
WATER.
All the reservoirs connected with our water supply are full at the present time. These reservoirs and the grounds around them have received much care and attention during the preceding year, and every effort is being made to improve them as much as
17
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
possible each season. A new two-story brick barn 38x40 feet in size has been built in the rear of the Thomas Street repair shops, also a shed 38x80 feet, conveniently arranged for the storage of tools, at a cost of $3,159.54. The yard now is a neat and tidy place, and in marked contrast to its former unsightly appearance.
The appropriation in 1887, was $35,000 00 The amount asked for 1888, is $30,000 00
The total cost of water works to November 30th, 1887, was.
$1,776,177- 96 The amount of metered water for 11 months. 584,169,275 gallons. The amount of revenue received for water $129,609 98 The amount of uncollected bills in the hands of the City Treasurer. $3,966 05
The amount appropriated from the water rates to the
sinking fund.
$45,463 70
Which is $13,500.90 more than in 1886.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The general condition of the Fire Department is excellent. The members are not only interested and enthusiastic in their work, but they have received the confidence of the public as well. There is need, however, of a greater number of permanent men, for the city has outgrown the call system. There should be in the centre districts at least one man in attendance all the time, as many calls are made by individuals and by telephone messages. Under the present method, during meal-time, the stations are left without any attendant about three hours each day. This is of course unsafe and should receive consideration.
The Amount of the appropriation for 1887 was $55,000 00
The revenue was. . 2,854 33
Total receipts, $57,854 33
The Amount expended in 1887 was
. 56,226 29
Balance turned over to Sinking Fund $1,628 04
The Amount asked for 1888 is $59,065 00
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 42.
PARKS-COMMISSION.
The Parks-Commission has asked the City Council for a special appropriation of $34,000 to enable them to take for Park purposes the tract of land lying between Crystal and Gates Streets, and extending easterly from Main Street in front of Clark University to the Park lately purchased. I cannot doubt but that this action of the Commission was largely, if not wholly, influenced by facts imparted to its members by myself, and which may become the subject of a separate communication to you here- after. I can only say now, that the prospect is bright for a very large increase of our educational facilities, and that too in behalf of a sex which has not always been favored with its full share.
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