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NEWTON FREE LIBRARY NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Inaugural Address of the Mayor
Officers of Newton City Government (p. vii of Auditor's Report)
Jan. 7, 1884 1884
Departmental Reports
Period Covered
Auditor
1884
Oveerseers of the Poor
1884
Board of Health
1884
City Marshal
1884
Water Board 1884
School Committee
1884
Newton Free Library
1884
Fire
1884
City Engineer
1884
3 1323 00360 5168
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352 N48P 1887
THE
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
OF
J. WESLEY KIMBALL,
mayor of fetoton,
TO THE CITY COUNCIL,
JANUARY 7, 1884.
EW
AND
LIBERTY
FOUNDED 163
NC
N
TT
88. A CITY 1873
BOSTON : ALFRED MUDGE & SON, PRINTERS, 24 FRANKLIN STREET. 1884.
NU8F 1 (1884)
NEWTON COLLECTION
INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF MAYOR KIMBALL.
GENTLEMEN OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN
AND OF THE COMMON COUNCIL.
The oath of office which we have just taken, and by which we have solemnly sworn to perform the du- ties of the various offices to which we have been elected, according to the best of our ability and un- derstanding, agreeably to the rules and regulations of the Constitution and the laws of the Commonwealth, involves grave responsibilities. Rightfully consid- ered, it should be a restraining influence, calling for deliberation in our public acts, and demanding con- scientious execution of the administrative power, when such careful consideration shall have indicated the proper course for its exercise.
To insure this, it is important that the responsible duties you have assumed should not be lightly re- garded, but that you should give punctual attendance upon all meetings of your respective boards and va- rious committees for the consideration of public affairs.
For the first time in our municipal history we enter upon the duties of the year with the appropriations
4
for the various departments already made by the gov- ernment which has preceded us.
As the city charter under which this change has been made was accepted by a significant majority of our citizens, we should recognize the wisdom of its provisions and see to it that no expenditure shall be authorized which exceeds the sums thus legally ap- propriated.
The appropriations for the succeeding year it will be your duty to determine after you have had experi- ence in the details of your boards and committees, and, therefore, at a time when this experience will enable you to estimate intelligently the amounts re- quired for the city's expenses, and which will then be readily foreseen. Permit me, at this early day, to remind you that the adoption of an economical and wise policy in the expenditure of the public funds is necessary for the permanent growth and prosperity of the city. I shall endeavor, in the discharge of the duties of my position, to indicate at the proper time my opinion on these important matters.
From various causes into which it is not necessary to enter at length, the tax rate has reached an amount unprecedented in our municipal history. Believing that the surest way to invite accession to our popula- tion and to increase our wealth is to reduce this rate to the lowest figure compatible with the maintenance of good government and the assurance of safety and convenience, I would recommend the exercise of great caution in incurring extraordinary expenditures.
5
FINANCE.
The credit of our city is second to none. Such loans as it has been necessary to make have been negotiated at the lowest prevailing rates of interest. I am enabled to submit to you a statement of the expenditures and receipts for the past year, and the liabilities and assets to Dec. 31, 1883, inclusive, as shown by the books of the Treasurer, and from which data you will be able to form a correct judgment of the condition of the finances at the time when we assume the management of municipal affairs.
On account of transactions of the year 1883, there is outstanding a temporary loan of . $90,000 00
Bills unpaid for the month of December, $37,500 00 Less bills for new schoolhouses at Au-
burndale and Nonantum due Jan. 1,
1884, to be provided for this year by sale of the city's notes 3,400 CO
Balance due water construction account from sale of water bonds 6,900 00
34,100 00
$131,000 00
Against which there is cash on hand $58,435 98
Due to the treasury for money's paid by order of the City Council for new schoolhouses at Auburn- dale and Nonantum, to be provided for by the sale of the city's notes in 1884 . 27,120 99
Uncollected taxes, good
74,000 00
$159,556 97
As near as can be ascertained, after paying all bills of 1883, there will be a balance of unappro-
6
priated moneys in the treasury amounting to $28,- 556.97, and due the city from miscellaneous sources good, $11,225.00.
The full details of the assets will be given in the Auditor's Report for the year 1883.
The total amount of payments made by the City Treasurer for the year ending Dec. 31, 1883, was $1,072,700.57, as follows: -
Ordinary city expenses
$302,485 76
Interest
76,177 61
State and county and bank tax
40,365 88
Sinking fund commissioners .
36,800 00
State aid
875 50
Water construction
43,630 02
Temporary loans ^
315,000 00
Funded debt matured
70,000 00
Education
95,244 81
Read fund
40,000 00
Farlow Park
25,000 00
Advanced on new schoolhouses
27,120 99
$1,072,700 57
Total receipts from all sources for the year ending Dec. 31, 1883, was $1,092,506.20, as follows: -
City taxes
$409,528 07
Corporation and bank tax
51,104 89
City bonds sold . 75,000 00 .
Premium and accrued interest on bonds sold . 2,584 16
Interest
2,631 27
Temporary loans
360,000 00
State aid
930 00
Sinking fund commissioners .
70.000 00
Read fund .
40,000 00
Water department
60,293 86
Miscellaneous
20,433 95
$1,092,506 20
7
The permanent debt of the city, Dec. 31, 1883, was as follows: -
Town and city notes
· $253,000 CO
Accrued interest on same .
3,649 22
$256,649 22
Municipal bonds
$34,000 00
Accrued interest on same .
850 00
34,850 00
Water bonds .
$950,000 00
Accrued interest on same .
25,250 00
975,250 00
Public park bonds .
$25,000 00
Accrued interest on same .
250 00
25,250 00
Uninvested portion of principal of
the Kenrick fund .
$1,740 00
Accrued interest on same .
52 20
1,792 20
Total
· $1,293,791 42
Amount of funded debt, with accrued interest,
Dec. 31, 1882 .
·
1,288,598 96
Increase during the year
$5,192 46
To which should be added the sum of .
30,500 00
Being amount paid and incurred on account of new schoolhouses at Auburndale and Nonantum, to be provided for by sale of city notes . .
$35,692 46
Less balance on hand from sale of water bonds
6,900 00
Increase in city debt
$28,792 46
SINKING FUNDS.
The condition of the sinking funds, Dec. 31, 188"?, was as follows: -
-
8
City debt sinking fund
$21,348 68
Water debt sinking fund .
· 124,242 35
Amount of sinking funds Dec. 31, 1882
$145,591 03 172,695 92
Decrease during the year
$27,104 89
Increase in city debt for 1883
28,792 46
Total increase in funded debt for the year
$55,897 35
During the year there has matured and been paid two town notes amounting to $70,000, which sum was paid from the city debt sinking fund, which accounts for the decrease of the sinking funds for the year.
Of the funded debt there will mature a town note, Oct. 1, 1884, of $20,000, which will be provided for from the city debt sinking fund.
The following is a comparison of the taxable property in the city for the last two years, viz .: -
In 1882 the real estate was valued at . $18,930,485 00 Personal estate valued at
· 7,405,233 00
Making . $26,335,718 00
Taxable value of corporation stock 2,253,950 00
Taxable value of bank stock
·
819,660 00
$29,409,328 00
In 1883 the real estate was valued at
Personal estate valued at
. $19,794,805 00 . 7,329,283 00
$27,124,088 00
Taxable value of corporate stocks
2,570,150 00
Taxable value of bank stocks
850,000 00
$30,544.238 00
Increase in taxable property in 1883
$1,134,910 00
.
.
9
Value of real and personal property in the city of Newton, which is exempt from taxation under the provisions of the third and seventh divisions of section 5, chapter eleven of the Public Statutes: Per- sonal, $426,587.00; real, $834,600.00.
Total, .$1,261,187.00.
The rate of tax per $1,000, in 1882, was as follows:
City .
$12 82
County
30
State
1 08
$14 20
The rate of tax per $1,000, in 1883, was as follows:
City .
$14 28
County
.
.
.
40
State .
72
$15 40
READ FUND.
There has been received from the executors of the late Charles A. Read the sum of $10,000, of which amount $300 was paid to the Newton Cemetery Corporation for the perpetual care of the lot of the donor, and the sum of $39,700 was paid over to the trustees of the "Read Fund," which sum, with its accumulation of interest, on Jan. 1, 1884, amounted to $10,268.27. This amount has been in- vested by the trustees in undoubted securities, bearing interest at the rate of four per cent per annum.
1
10
HEALTH.
The importance of greater attention to this subject, which so intimately concerns the welfare of all our citizens, demands more thoughtful consideration and increasing care. While it may truly be said that the general health is good, and that Newton is a healthy city, yet the increase of population in localities already thickly settled, the lack of sewerage, and the existence of many causes deleterious to the city, render such action necessary.
The Board of Aldermen constitute the Board of Health, and while deserving praise for the care already bestowed, still their duties are so many, and the amount of time required for the management of municipal matters is so great, that the tendency is to overlook or defer the consideration of matters pertain- ing to health. I desire, particularly, to remind you of the necessity of stated and regular meetings of the Board of Health, and Committee on Health, for the careful consideration of these important matters, that the best methods may be adopted, and that the agent of the board may receive your instructions and co- operation in the enforcement of the rules.
The amount expended by this department for the year 1883 was $2,216.34.
SCHOOLS.
General education is of the highest importance, and it is a wise provision that enables every child in our
11
community to enjoy the benefits of our public schools. While the cost of maintaining the schools is large, yet our citizens demand a high standard, though ex- pecting judicious and economical methods and an ample equivalent for every dollar expended. The control of the schools and the expenditure of the ap- propriation are under the sole direction of the School Board, who are elected by vote of the people with re- gard to their special qualifications for the manage- ment of educational matters.
The number of pupils attending our public schools is 3,353; average attendance, 3,148; number of teach- ers, 77. The superintendent and teachers are entitled to praise for the diligent and faithful performance of their duties. During the year two new school- houses were contracted for and are nearly ready for occupancy. One is located in Ward 4 (Auburn- dale), containing eight rooms, the other in Ward 1,
containing four rooms. Improvement has been made in the sanitary condition of many of the school build- ings; the sum of $17,464.37 was expended for such improvement, including heating and ventilation. The number of schoolhouses now occupied is seventeen.
It is well known that additional school accommoda- tions are needed this year in several wards; this is rendered necessary by the rapid increase in the num- ber of pupils averaging about 150 a year. I recom- mend your early consideration of this matter. The cost of maintaining our schools for the year 188 3was $95,942.27. The maximum average whole number of
12
pupils at the public schools in 1873 and 1883, respec- tively, was as follows: -
SCHOOLS.
1873.
1883.
High .
201
313
Mason
265
404
Oak Hill
42
28
Thompsonville,
40
Hyde .
76
185
Prospect
244
232
Hamilton
118
103
Williams
197
268
Pierce
165
195
Davis
222
203
Franklin
,
62
160
Adams
146
210
Claflin
123
166
Jackson
228
299
Bigelow
390
312
Underwood
185
Lincoln
82
50
Total
2,561
3,353
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The Public Library is a beneficent institution, and may be properly classed as a valuable part of our educational system, affording, as it does, such ample opportunity for reading and study to the pupils of our public schools, and to all other persons who avail themselves of its privileges. Great care has been exercised in the selection of the books that all rea- sonable demands of readers may be satisfied.
The number of volumes in the library is 20,000. The circulation for the year was 83,400. Nearly one half of this number was taken out of the library,
13
the balance were distributed, by means of a daily de- livery, to the various villages. This arrangement for delivery of books to citizens residing at a consider- able distance has proved a great convenience and sat- isfaction; its cost for the year having been $1,200. The reading-room is supplied with ninety-seven dif- ferent magazines and newspapers, and is visited daily by more than a hundred persons, - a number which would be largely increased were it not for the imper- fect ventilation of the room. This defect should be promptly remedied. In addition to the appropriation made by the city, moneys are received from the fol . lowing generous donations: -
Spear Art Fund . $70 00
Jewett Art Fund
350 00
Read Fund
600 00
The net cost for maintaining the Public Library for the year 1883 was $8,499.99. For several years the city has annually appropriated the sum of $250 toward the maintenance of a free reading-room in Ward 3, which is a wise expenditure and should be continued. The establishment of public reading- rooms in the various wards, to be supported by the citizens and city equally, would promote intelligence and good citizenship.
PUBLIC PARKS.
The question of taking certain lands, under the Park Act, for a public park, was a prominent one be-
14
fore the City Council of last year, and received con- siderable attention. Several hearings were held, that all persons interested in the subject might be heard and given an opportunity for public discussion. The matter having been referred to the present City Council, it will be your duty to decide this question ; the impor- tance of which will demand a most careful consid- eration, and should receive from you such thorough and complete investigation that the decision made may clearly be the result of unbiassed and independ- ent judgment, influenced and guided solely by what you are convinced will be for the greatest benefit to the city.
By a generous deed of gift, the city has acquired a valuable lot of land for a public park in the seventh ward. In compliance with certain conditions of the deed, a larger outlay has been found necessary than was at first contemplated; sufficient work has been done, however, to indicate the city's appreciation. The outlay upon Farlow Park for the present year should be only such sum as may fairly and legally ac- quit the city of the obligation accepted in the deed of gift.
There are several quite small parks belonging to the city, variously located, that should be properly cared for. Application is likely to be made for the city to accept gifts of parcels of land for park pur- poses. I think the only condition or restriction prop- erly to be considered is the general one that lands so given shall be forever held and maintained for the
15
purposes of public parks. The amount expended dur- ing the year for labor and material on parks was $6,719.89; for purchase, $25,000.
Recognizing the very great value, both as regards comfort and beauty, of forest trees as an adornment of our highways, I would recommend that the setting out of such trees along the roadsides connecting our various villages be encouraged, and that the Com- mittee on Parks be requested to aid in inaugurating such a system of ornamentation, and that a reasonable appropriation be made for that purpose.
SEWERAGE.
The common convenience and health of our people demand that, at no distant day, such provision for sewerage shall be made as may be found to be wise and practicable. The necessity for the adoption of some comprehensive plan is each year more apparent, and it has become simply a question of time and method. While the introduction of water through a system of public works has proved an unqualified blessing as a promoter of health and comfort, the great increase of waste flowage necessitates increased facility for its disposal, our present cesspools, usually altogether too small, and infrequently emptied, prov- ing inadequate. I desire to particularly emphasize the great importance of a consideration of this sub- ject, as one intimately concerning life and health, and which should not longer be neglected. I invite your
١٠
16
careful perusal of the report of the committee ap- pointed by the last city government to consider this matter.
I recommend that a special committee be appointed at an early day to give this subject such thorough consideration as its importance demands, that there may be the least possible margin of uncertainty con- cerning the practicability of the plan or system which may be brought before you for adoption, and that a reasonable appropriation for necessary expenditure in this direction be authorized.
CITY ENGINEER'S DEPARTMENT.
The business of this department has rapidly in- creased. The Engineer is required to make all plans, surveys, and levels pertaining to the streets, drains, sewers, lands, and water works; to prepare all orders and other papers relating thereto, and to keep a record of the work of his department. He is also required to make plans and estimates for the con- struction and alteration of the public buildings, and surveys and plans for parks; and by a recent order of the Board of Health, is also required to inspect all plumbing. These manifold duties have kept him and his assistants constantly busy. Preparatory to the adoption of a system of sewerage, this department will be called upon for a large amount of work. I recommend that the Engineer be relieved in future from the duty of preparing plans and supervising
17
work in connection with public buildings, and that hereafter, when such work is required, an architect be employed. The cost of maintaining this department for the year 1883 was $6,269.80.
PUBLIC PROPERTY.
The public buildings of the city, with very few exceptions, are in excellent condition. The City Hall should be repainted, and a few of the school- houses need to be provided with proper ventilation. During the year steam-heating and ventilating appa- ratus were put into the Bigelow Schoolhouse. Re- pairs, including improved sanitary conveniences, were made upon the Claflin, Jackson, Hyde, and Prospect Schoolhouses, and the hose-houses at Au- burndale, Lower Falls, and Upper Falls. Extensive alterations were also made in the stable connecting with Steamer No. 1 house. The amount expended by this department for the year 1833 was: -
For improvement on schoolhouses
$17,464 37
For other public buildings
15,287 98
Total
$32,752 35
CLAFLIN GUARD.
Our military company is in a prosperous and flour- ishing condition. The ranks are full, and the officers and men are interested and enthusiastic to maintain its well-deserved popularity. The company has
18
attained a marked proficiency, and ranks high in the regiment to which it belongs. It is justly entitled to the support and encouragement of our city. The net cost to the city for the year 1883 was $643.31.
STREET LIGHTS.
The whole number of street lights is 1,190; 755 are supplied by gas, 435 by oil. Ten lights have been added, and the location of twelve changed during the past year.
The quality of the gas and oil used appears, at times, to be of inferior grade and of small illuminat- ing power. Complaint is made that the lights are often extinguished before the hour agreed upon in the contract. By the present agreement the streets are lighted a specified number of lights in each month. I recommend that when another contract is given, provision be made for lighting the streets every night when artificial light is needed. Well-lighted streets contribute greatly to comfort and safety, and are re- quired and appreciated by the public.
Petitions for a large number of street lights were referred to you by the last City Council, and will be submitted for your consideration. The net cost of this department for the year was $19,966.94.
The cost for fuel for the various public buildings- except pumping station-for the year 1883 was $7,638.90.
19
POOR DEPARTMENT.
The almshouse and appurtenances are in good con- dition, the buildings being convenient and well ar- ranged. During the year a bath-room and shed have been added, and an additional horse, also hose for protection from fire purchased. Under the care of the matron, the house is well managed and a model of neatness. It now contains twenty-eight inmates, - somewhat less than the usual number, - but the pro- portion of aged and feeble persons, requiring more than ordinary care, is unusually large, and the cx- pense of maintenance is, thereby, slightly increased.
The farm contains sixty-three acres, mostly arable land, well adapted to farming purposes; by utilizing the available labor of the inmates this has materially aided in the support of the institution.
The Overseers of the Poor have rendered aid to about the usual number of applicants. There has been no epidemic or unusual sickness, and less than the average number of persons have been out of em- ployment. The amount expended for the relief of poor out of almshouse, for the year 1833, was $8,- 016.11.
Those persons whose necessitous circumstances have compelled them to apply for public assistance have been properly cared for; kindly consideration for our worthy poor being limited only by careful ex- ercise of good judgment, that in the distribution of charity no imposition should be permitted. The net
20
expenses for the maintenance of the almshouse during the year 1883 was $4,753.84.
Recently, the City Council have voted to donate, under certain circumstances, a strip of land running through the centre of the farm, some eighty feet in width, and containing in all about five acres, to the Boston and Albany Railroad Company, for the pur- poses of a road-bed for the Circuit Railroad (so called) to be laid out and constructed for the purpose of affording rapid and easy communication between our several villages. The conditions upon which this right was granted are as follows: -
1. That a fence shall be built and maintained at the expense of said railroad company upon each side of said location.
2. That two crossings and approaches thereto shall be constructed and maintained, at the expense of said railroad company, upon said lands, at such points, at such grades, and of such width, not exceed- ing forty feet, as the City Council of said city shall determine.
3. That said Newton Circuit Railroad shall be completed and in operation within one year from the date of said deed, and that the consideration of said conveyance be an agreement of said Boston and Albany Railroad to take said conveyance upon the conditions and for the purposes named in this order, and to keep and perform the same.
21
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT.
This department requires the largest appropriation of any over which the City Council has control. To keep our streets in good condition, that they may be safe and convenient for travel at all seasons of the year, demands a large outlay. The topography of our city is peculiar, differing from all others in the Commonwealth. The extent of territory is large, comprising about one hundred and fifty miles of ac- cepted and unaccepted streets. The population is not centred, but is divided into a number of distinct villages, each widely separated from the others. The expense of providing for such large municipal terri- tory is apparent, and necessarily increases the cost in this and all other departments of our city. There- fore, it is essential that intelligent care and more than ordinary diligence should be exercised, that judicious and economical use be made of all moneys appro- priated.
The total amount expended under various appro- priations by the Highway Department for the year 1883, including $9,000 paid for gravel lands and $2,400 for a portable engine and crusher, was $99,- 115.45.
Among the many items of expense, aside from the maintenance and reconstruction of the roads during the year, are: -
22
Removing the snow
$6,300 00
Cleaning gutters and catch-basins
6,200 00
Removal of ashes . 2,250 00
Picking stones from the streets
1,278 00
Construction of drains
11,234 00
Sidewalks and curbing
8,487 00
Keeping of horses
7,300 00
These apparently small items amounting in the aggregate to $43,049.
While the general condition of the roads is proba- bly better than at any previous time, there is still a large amount of work required to be done. Some of the main items calling for expenditure the present year are: -
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