USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Newton > Town of Newton annual report 1875-1877 > Part 1
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NEWTON FREE LIBRARY NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Inaugural Address of the Mayor
Jan. 1, 1877
Officers of Newton City Government 1876 1877
Departmental Reports
Period Covered
Auditor
1876
Overseer of the Poor
1876
Police
1876
Treasurer
1876
School Committee
1876
Newton Free Library
1876
Fire
1876
Park Commissioner
1875
School Committee
1877
Newton Free Library
1877
Water Board
1877
Fire
1877
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ADDRESS
NO
NEWTON,
OF
ALDEN SPEARE,
MAYOR OF NEWTON,
TO
THE CITY COUNCIL,
JANUARY 1, 1877.
ERTY AND
UNION
FOUNDED 1630.INCO
679.A CITY 1873.
N
ON
TUM.
ORATEL
A.TOY
BOSTON : PRESS OF RAND, AVERY, AND COMPANY. 1877.
2352 N48P 3.1 (1876-77) NEWTON COLLECTION
ADDRESS.
GENTLEMEN OF THE CITY COUNCIL, -
IN electing us to the various offices of this munici- pal government, our fellow-citizens have committed to our charge an important trust. While we are pro- foundly grateful for the honor conferred, we ask, in return for the time and labor necessarily demanded to discharge these duties, the kind forbearance and hearty co-operation of all good citizens, to further the various measures which shall be adopted for the pros- perity, protection, and good government of our city.
FINANCE.
As our financial year closes Dec. 31, it will readily be perceived that it is impossible to give an exact statement of the indebtedness of the city, when the statement must be made the following day, as is the case at this time.
We therefore give you the best approximate we can obtain, and shall class our indebtedness under two heads, - City Debt and Water Loan. The former will include what is unpaid of Town Debt.
4
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
City debt as stated a year ago $400,052.80
Wåter debt
400,000.00
$800,052.80
City debt of to-day, maturing at vari-
ous dates, 1879 to 1895
$353,000.00
Municipal bonds Temporary loans,
34,000.00
Less cash on hand, very nearly .
45,000.00
$432,000.00
Less available assets, $ 100,250.63
sinking fund, 1 2,209.20
I 12,459.83
Present city debt
A reduction of
$319,540.17 80,512.63
from debt of Jan. 1, 1876, say
$400,052.80
Water loan of to-day
$771,000.00
Less sinking fund
9,1 35.00
An increase of
from
361,865.00 400,000.00 361,865.00
as above. If from this sum we deduct 80,512.63
$761,865.00
the amount the general indebtedness is reduced, we have 281,352.37 the increase of all indebtedness for the year. An aggregate net in- debtedness, both city and water debt, of . $1,081,405.17
5
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
In the $88,252.80, " temporary loan," Jan 1, 1876, was included $18,642.05 premium and accrued interest on water bonds, received in 1875, but used in 1876, and should be deducted from $80,512.63 ; leaving $61,870.58 as the actual reduction in general indebtedness for the year 1876.
The expenditures for the year, exclusive of Water Expenditures, and including $30,000 interest on Water Bonds, were very nearly $378,300, against $480,928.65 in 1875.
The following will show the valuation of the prop- erty of the city on which taxes were assessed for the year 1876, with the amount of taxes, and rate of taxa- tion : -
Value of real estate . $21, 128, 1 20.00
Value of personal estate 7,074,945.00
$28,203,065.00
Taxable value of corporate stocks, 1, 192,310.00
Taxable value of bank stocks 1, 101,623.00
$ 30,496,998.00
City grant for current expenses,
$363,609.20
Excess of expenditures Dec. 31,
1875, over appropriation assessed for that year 57,680.97
$421,290.17
Deduct estimated receipts for 1876, 71,285.18
$ 350,004.99
6
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
State tax
$28,944.00
County tax
10,100.12
Overlay
3,216.58
$392,265.69
Assessments on corporate stocks 15,261.57
Assessments on bank stocks
14,140.78
Total assessments
$421,668.04
Rate of taxation, $ 13.60 on $1,000.
The low rate of interest of last year enabled the City Council to place the bonds that have been sold at highly favorable rates : $50,000 were sold at $106; $150,000 at $106.1. Finding that our bonds at five per cent could be placed at par, or above, it was de- cided to issue no more at a higher rate; $171,000 of the Water Bonds, and $34,000 Municipal Bonds, have been placed at from par to three per cent pre- mium, the latter sum retiring all debts prior to 1876 that could be reached before the year 1879.
The low rate of interest also enabled them to make a saving of $8,170.58 on the appropriation for interest on loans for the year.
The legislature of last winter readily granted authority to issue $250,000 additional Water Bonds, all of which have been issued and sold, except $79,000, which will be sold as proceeds are needed for the pur- poses of the Water Commission.
Should the Drainage and Sewerage Commission, which will be mentioned hereafter, recommend any
T
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
considerable expenditure for these purposes, you will probably issue twenty-year bonds to nearly the amount thus expended ; but we trust, that except for the two last-named purposes, there will be no increase of in- debtedness the present year.
At the commencement of the last municipal year, a reduction in salaries was made in nearly all depart- ments of the city, but no greater than seemed to be demanded in justice to the tax-payer ; and the reduc- tion was not carried to that extreme which does injus- tice to the employees. In determining the amount to be paid to each employee, three parties are to be con- sidered : first, the tax-payer who is to furnish the money ; secondly, the present incumbent ; thirdly, the outside party who wants the place and the pay. We firmly believe in always giving preference to present incumbents who satisfactorily fill their positions. But when, at the close of the year's engagement, others seek the positions at the salaries the City Council have determined upon paying, if the incumbents prefer to remain at the fixed compensation, is it just for them to grumble at the prices paid, while still retaining the offices, and preventing their being filled by others who would be thankful for them at the prices fixed for the position ?
We fear the tax-payer and those out of positions and employment have very little consideration from present incumbents, not only in Newton, but through- out the land. We however, as the representatives of the tax-payers, must be just to all.
8
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
SCHOOLS.
The schools of our city are watched with jealous care by all classes of our citizens, as all alike are the recipients of their benefits, or suffer if the schools are not up to the requirements of the times. We believe that the schools have not deteriorated during the past year; on the contrary, while not so much time or money has been expended on the ornamental branches as formerly, more time is devoted to the study of what were formerly considered the fundamental branches, - studies which many begin to realize are more essen- tial to the boy or girl who will enjoy the privileges of the schoolroom no longer, after they are fourteen years of age.
During the year, Mr. H. M. Willard, who had so acceptably filled the office of Superintendent of Schools, resigned, to take charge of an educational institution in Vermont. He left with the entire respect and confidence of the committee. We think it fortunate that they were able to secure the services of Mr. Warren Johnson, late Superintendent of Edu- cation in Maine, who has entered upon his duties with enthusiasm and apparent adaptation for and apprecia- tion of his work.
Many complaints are made from time to time of the great expense of our schools, and frequently with- out a due consideration of the fact that there are so many different villages in this city, and so far apart,
9
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
that the pupils must attend the primary and grammar schools in their respective villages. It is found impos- sible to so consolidate the schools as to have the maxi- mum number of pupils in each class, where there is any attempt to conform to the graded system. It is, there- fore, a necessity that some of these shall be smaller than would be judicious in a more compact city.
Early in the year, a special committee was appointed to take into consideration the expenditures ; and on their recommendation, the salaries were reduced some ten per cent, and schools consolidated as far as practi- cable. The two changes resulted in a saving to the city of $7,850 per annum.
There are those who entertain the opinion that our teachers are not properly paid. To such we will relate a single incident of the last year which oc- curred after the reduction of salaries before mentioned.
At the close of the last school year, one master and one female teacher resigned. A special com- mittee was authorized to advertise for proposals from parties desiring to fill the vacancies. Over one hundred applied for the position of master at the reduced salary, including superintendents of schools, masters of high and grammar schools in other places; and nearly all were graduates of colleges. For the position of female assistant, there were be- tween two and three hundred applicants; and the vacancies were filled to the satisfaction of the com- mittee. The present salaries are twenty-five to fifty
IO
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
per cent higher than ten years ago, and higher than in other cities of like size and wealth in this State. As stated by our Superintendent in a late report, "We believe that our teachers are liberally paid."
The amount expended for schools in 1875 was $96,649.23 (exclusive of $24,880.19 paid for enlarge- ment of high schoolhouse in 1875). In 1876, the amount was $86,533.64, or $10,115.59 less than in 1875; and for the present year the appropriation for school-purposes will probably be some $8,000 to $10,000 less than last year, unless you should deem it wise for the city to purchase and own all text-books used by pupils in our public schools. This plan has been strongly recommended by both our former and present Superintendent.
There can be no question that it would be a large saving of money in the aggregate for the city to own these books, and to retain them until worn out; and the burden would be removed from those to whom the purchase of books is a positive burden, to the tax- payers generally.
Such is and has been the practice for many years in New York, and it has also been adopted in many cities in New England; and, as far as we have been able to ascertain, the change has proved highly satis- factory.
II
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
SCHOOL APPROPRIATIONS. FOR 1876.
General appropriation for support of schools, $78,000.00
Balance unexpended Dec. 31, 1875, 1,751.19
Received from the dog-tax, 975.17
Received from non-resident pupils, 254.50
$80,980.86
Amount paid to superintendent and teachers, $65,957.17 Amount paid to janitors, 3,463.70
Amount paid for fuel, 5,213.86
74,634.73
Balance unexpended Dec. 30, 1876,
$6,346.13
Appropriation for Industrial Drawing,
$700.00
Balance unexpended Dec. 31, 1875, 605.55
1,305.55
Amount expended to Dec. 30, 1876, $1,168.96
Amount transferred to school incidentals,
115.53
1,284.49
Balance Dec. 30, 1876,
$21.06
Appropriation for school incidentals,
$9,000.00
Amount received from the sale of books,
204.50
Amount transferred from industrial drawing, 115.53
Amount transferred from appropriation for
conveyance of pupils, 100.00
-
$9,420.03
Amount expended to Dec. 30, 1876,
9,420.03
Appropriation for conveyance of pupils to the high school, $800.00
Balance unexpended Dec. 31, 1875,
200.00
$1,000.00
Amount expended to Dec. 30, 1876,
$900.00
Amount transferred to school incidentals,
100.00
$1,000.00
12
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
Appropriation for evening school, $400.00
Amount expended to Dec. 30, 1876, 409.92
Amount expended in excess of appropriation, $9.92 6,346.13
Balance unexpended on general appropriation,
Balance unexpended on industrial appropriation, 21.06
$6,367 19
Excess of expenditure on evening school,
9.92
Net balance Dec. 30, 1876, $6,357.27
RECAPITULATION.
Expenditure for the support of schools for 1876, $76,213.61
Expenditure for school incidentals 66 66
9,420.03
Expenditure for conveyance of pupils to the high school for 1876, 900.00
$86,533.64
Expenditure for 1875 (not including enlarge-
ment of the high school building, $24,880.19), 96,649.23
Reduction for 1876,
$10,115.59
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
The only public building erected during the past year was a lock-up in Ward Six attached to the en- gine-house, at an expense of about $3,000. A new hose-carriage house should be erected as early as practicable in Ward Five; and possibly a room for a primary school in Ward Six will need to be fitted up, which can be done at the expense of a few hundred dollars, also the hall in grammar schoolhouse at West Newton changed to accommodate two schools.
I3
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
All the public buildings of the city are in good con- dition.
The water has been introduced into some of our schoolhouses, and will be as soon as practicable into all the public buildings; and it has been thought best to carry the water in good sized pipes to the upper floor of each building, with hose permanently attached, that may be used in case of fire. With this additional means of protection, and one or more small fire-extinguishers in each building, we suggest for your careful consideration whether the city should not, in future, insure its own buildings.
HIGHWAYS.
With the exception of the settling over the water- pipes, which probably cannot be avoided, especially where the larger mains are laid, the streets are in excellent condition. The amount expended is $77,- 524,14, exclusive of amount paid for land-damages and gravel, little more than one-half the amount thus used the previous year ; and we are of the opinion that certain changes, which we will not detain you to enumerate, can be made, whereby the expenses may be further reduced one-third, and the same amount of work performed.
During the year, Beacon Street should be graded to thirty-five feet in width. The County Commis- sioners have stated that this width will be entirely satisfactory to them, which is as wide as will probably be necessary for many years to come.
14
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
There is no need of or use for sidewalks, beyond those already constructed on the above street, and they are not called for by order of the Commissioners.
Possibly one or two other widenings should be com- pleted this year; but in the present state of financial affairs and of our own community, we hope that not exceeding $60,000, including land-damages and for gravel, will be either appropriated or expended the present year.
We wish to call your especial attention to the fact that in May, 1874, the City Council adopted the " Sidewalk Act;" and having adopted it, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, and they alone thereafter, are authorized to "grade and construct sidewalks in such manner and of such appropriate material as they may judge the public convenience and necessity require." Possibly some of our citizens still suppose that if they will agree to pay one-half the expense, they can have the sidewalks in front of their premises constructed and covered with concrete, as was formerly the case under town government.
While it may be a great personal convenience, yet it is in no sense such a "common necessity " as would warrant the Board of Mayor and Aldermen in assum- ing for the city, one-half of the expense.
DRAINAGE AND SEWERAGE.
In the opinion of the last City Council, the time had arrived when a careful survey of the city should deter-
15
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
mine the proper grade of our streets, and a competent commission should decide on a general system of drainage and sewerage, and also determine when and where the work should be commenced, and what should be accomplished the present year.
Believing in the necessity of this Commission, and that it was the one subject of paramount importance, and knowing that it would not be a prudent or wise expenditure of money to construct more drains which can serve but a temporary purpose, and form no part of a general system, but little has been done or attempted the past year. Some parties have felt aggrieved that drains have not been constructed where there seemed to them to be a great necessity ; and while they, with all who have given the subject any consideration, must admit that the $30,000 to $50,000 already expended cannot be utilized in any general system, they still feel that something should be done and at once in their particular case.
Looking to this end, the following order was unani- mously passed by both branches of the City Council.
CITY OF NEWTON.
IN BOARD OF MAYOR AND ALDERMEN, Aug. 8, 1876.
Ordered, That His Honor the Mayor nominate, subject to con- firmation by a concurrent vote of the City Government, three commissioners, who shall be known as the "Commissioners for Drainage and Sewerage for the City of Newton."
That two of them shall be gentlemen qualified for the position by ability, experience, or study of the subject of sewerage.
16
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
That one of them shall be a civil engineer of well-known and recognized ability, that shall qualify him for the duties of the posi- tion. That to the said commissioners shall be confided the survey- ing of the city, so far as may be necessary (where other surveys made by the authority of the town or city may not be adequate), for the purpose of establishing a regular defined grade or level that shall be as a standard, from which all other grades shall be made and determined, for a systematic drainage of the city. That the com- missioners be especially charged to give their earliest practicable attention to locating and laying out such main drain or drains, or sewer or sewers, that shall, in their judgment, be sufficient for the proper drainage of those wards where immediate action seems to be called for. The commissioners shall make a report of their pro- ceedings at an early date as possible, embodying in the same the necessity of any special legislation, if such necessity should, in their judgment, exist.
The commissioners shall serve without pay, but may employ com- petent assistants to enable them to carry out the above expressed intentions of this Order.
The Hon. J. F. C. Hyde, I. T. Burr, Esq., and J. Franklin Fuller, Esq., were nominated and unani- mously confirmed. We had hoped the commission would have been organized, and possibly have favored us with some suggestions before this time; but in November, Mr. Burr, and in December, Mr. Hyde, declined to accept the positions, and the vacancies have been filled by the election of Hon. Charles Robinson, jun., and Edmund W. Converse, Esq. We believe when their report is presented, it will command the confidence of our citizens, and inspire in them a willingness to meet the expenditure neces- sary to carry out their suggestions.
17
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
The subject is now in able hands; and we will not venture any opinion as to what may be the proposi- tions, nor will we throw any possible embarrassment in the way by any suggestions.
We now have an abundance of water; but we must not permit it to become a scourge, instead of a bless- ing, to our citizens.
Possibly you will be asked for an appropriation for drainage and sewerage purposes early in the coming summer; but as this, like the introduction of water, has been designated as one of the few proper objects for which cities and towns are authorized to issue bonds, it will not be necessary that a large amount shall be included in the grant for this object the present year.
WATER.
One year ago we expressed the hope that we should be in the enjoyment of an unfailing supply of good water before the close of the year. This hope has been so far realized, that through more than forty-eight miles of our streets runs as pure water as can be found, with two hundred and fifty-five hydrants ready when the unwelcome necessity demands their use. Had our citizens promptly responded to the request of the Water Commissioners, signifying their desire to have the water introduced into their houses (instead of the comparative few who are now enjoying it), it would have been the greatest satisfaction to the
18
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
Commissioners to have had it in the house of every citizen on the line of the pipes; but when they commenced to lay the service-pipes, they had received less than two hundred applications, and of course, organized their force accordingly ; but as it drew near the time when work must close until spring, the number increased, but too late for any large number to be accommodated until another season.
On the 13th of November, by invitation of the Water Commissioners, the members of the City Gov- ernment visited the reservoir, the pumping-station, and also witnessed the trial of the use of water from the hydrants by the Fire Department at various points in the city. The trial at Newton Centre showed that there would still be a necessity for engines on the south side and higher points in the city; while the trial at West Newton, with six streams from the same line of pipe (one through six hundred feet of hose), seemed to indicate that the use of an engine on the line of the Boston and Albany Railroad would be of no advantage, and if attempted when steam was not fully up, would only diminish the usefulness of the hydrants.
In June, the contractors for laying the pipes aban- doned the work. As soon as satisfied that the con- tractors did not intend to complete the work under the contract, the Commissioners, acting in accordance with the right reserved in the contract, took the work into their own hands, and pushed it forward with such
1
19
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
energy, that the pipes were laid in (as before stated) 48.31 miles of streets, and most of it accomplished before the ground commenced to freeze.
The reservoir and a filter gallery were constructed by contract, and to the satisfaction of the Commission- ers, as were also the pumping-station, engines, and boilers.
The expenditures to Dec. 15, 1876, were as fol- lows : -
For account of pumping-station, includ-
ing filter-basin, river-crossing, build- ing, and pump . $85,645.20
For account of reservoir 80,186.12
66 " distribution
. 451,823.13
66
66
" engineering department 16,872.14
60
" general expenses 11,627.73
66
66
" maintenance and supply 945.87
$657,604.89
66
" services 10,504.70
Within the present year, we believe that the work contemplated by the Commissioners will be passed over to the City Council substantially completed, or as nearly so as the water-works in a growing city can be. Undoubtedly, the Commissioners will then furnish a full statement of the work, - a work which will be an enduring monument to the energy, perseverance, and good judgment of the Commissioners who planned
20
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
and executed this grand undertaking, - an undertak- ing accomplished none too soon, and one that has already come to be generally appreciated.
Before it is delivered to you, it will be necessary to determine upon the manner in which you will provide for its further supervision.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The past year has been marked by an unusually large number of fires ; and we regret to say, most of them are believed to have been the work of incen- diaries. The demands upon the department have been frequent ; yet they have been promptly met, and to the best of the ability of its members with the facilities at their disposal. We believe that the fire- men have been diligent and faithful in the discharge of their duties, and have merited the approbation of our citizens.
The great want has been WATER; and until its introduction two months ago, the department has been able to do but little, except preventing the spread of the flames beyond the building where it originated. But since the hydrants have been ready for use, three fires have occurred and the value of water has been fully demonstrated. In each of these cases, the build- ings in which the fires originated were but partially destroyed ; while with only the reservoirs, which were formerly our sole dependence, not only these buildings would have been destroyed, but it is painful to con-
2I
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
template the destruction of property, and consequent personal suffering, which must inevitably have fol- lowed.
The introduction of water renders necessary a re-organization of the Fire Department. There will be no further occasion for the hand engine com- panies ; but instead, a hose company should be organ- ized at each the Upper and Lower Falls, and the number of men to the several hose companies may possibly be reduced.
As the hydrants must have constant attention, we would suggest that a person should be appointed as chief engineer, who shall also be superintendent of fire alarm telegraph, and have the entire care of the hydrants, and a salary be paid for his whole time, who, with one competent assistant engineer, would satisfactorily control the department. The chief should attend all fires ; and the assistant, all on the side of the city on which he resides. The latter should of course, receive a larger compensation than is at present paid to each of the six assistants.
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