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AND UN
1688.A CITY 18
FOUNDED 1630
IN OR
Son. William P. Ellison.
NR
3 1323 00360 5218
The Inaugural Address
Hon. J. Wesley Kimball, OF
Mayor of Newton,
To the City Council,
January 4, 1886.
IBERTY AND UN
FOUNDED
CITY1873
A
NON
TUM
OBAT
DATOY
Boston : Printed by Rand, Avery, & Company, 1886.
NR 352 W48P 1886
NEWTON
NEW
.RARY
ALIG
NEWTON, MASS.
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
Gentlemen of the Board of Aldermen and of the Common Council.
Election to the City Council is not to be regarded as an honor chiefly to be conferred upon individuals, but rather as a selection of the persons who ought, and are presumed by their fellow-citizens, to hold the interests of the people and the prosperity of the city paramount, and to be possessed of such qualifi- cations, aptness, and experience for the various posi- tions of public trust, as will insure an economical, just, and efficient administration of public affairs.
To secure the accomplishment of such a result will require a knowledge of the City Ordinances, and of the laws which are to govern your action, and a thorough investigation of the many departments and the diversified interests of the city. The basis of intelligent action is gained by punctual attendance upon all committee meetings, for it is in the com- mittee that plans and expenditures are discussed and examined in detail.
4
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
I remind you that it will be your duty to make the general appropriation for the year 1887 in the month of November next. The amounts thus appro- priated should not exceed the sum actually necessary to defray the expenses of a prudent and efficient admin- istration of the government. The object in changing the time for making the annual appropriation, from the beginning of the year to the month of November next preceding, is plainly to secure the advantages gained by the experience and knowledge acquired by the members of the needs of each department; and unless it shall be considered a serious obligation by each City Council to keep the expenditures within the sums thus appropriated, the purpose and great benefits to be derived from the change will be defeated.
I regret that there has been any departure the past year from this excellent rule.
It has many times occurred that money appropri- ated for a certain work has been used, without the sanction of the City Council, to complete other under- takings, the expense of which was incorrectly esti- mated, and the work contemplated by such order entirely omitted.
Such action is an injustice to citizens, who are warranted in assuming that an order appropriating money for a particular object will be applied only for the purpose indicated. To correct this a recent ordinance wisely provides that no appropriation made
5
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
for a specific purpose shall be used for any other object, unless by vote of the City Council.
Before any appropriation is made to begin a work, the plan and specifications and a careful estimate of the cost should be submitted by the committee having the same in charge, whether the amount asked for is to do the whole or a part of the work during the year, that the City Council may know the full extent and cost of the work contemplated, before entering upon it.
And if, at any time, a committee finds its estimate to have been incorrect, and the appropriation insuffi- cient, they should not assume the responsibility of exceeding the sum appropriated, but at once inform the City Council, and await its action.
The monthly statement of the Auditor shows the amount of the general appropriation, the sums ex- pended, and the amount unexpended, to its date. I recommend that in addition to these, another column of figures be added, showing the amount of expense incurred but not paid, which when deducted from the unexpended column will show the real balance available for expenditures.
There will then be placed before the City Council an exhibit of the actual standing of the accounts of each department. It will also serve as a check to the tendency to exceed the appropriations.
I recommend that the Rules and Orders of each
6
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
branch, and the Joint Rules and Orders, be referred to the appropriate committee for the necessary revision ; and that a suitable edition bound with the Muni- cipal Register be furnished the members of the City Council and City Officers.
FINANCE.
On account of transactions of the year
1885 there is outstanding a tem- porary loan of
$75,000 00
Bills unpaid
33,000 00
$108,000 00
Against which there is cash on hand, $55,218 93 Uncollected taxes good 61,900 00
$117,118 93
After paying all bills of 1885, there will be an estimated balance of un- appropriated moneys in the treasury amounting to . ·
$9,118 93
And due from miscellaneous sources · 10,218 41
The total amount of payments made by the City Treasurer for the year ending Dec. 31, 1885, was $1,074,960.74, as follows : -
7
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
Ordinary city expenses
$296,195 15
Interest
78,241 03
State, county, and bank tax
43,408 04
Sinking-fund Commissioners
48,625 48
State aid 869 00
Water construction
35,367 25
Temporary loans
410,000 00
Education . 106,775 10
Funded debt matured . 25,150 00
New schoolhouses
24,932 61
New armory
5,397 08
$1,074,960 74
Total receipts from all sources during the year end- ing Dec. 31, 1885, was $1,084,531.76, as follows: - City taxes . $419,744 29
Corporation and bank taxes 47,350 30
City bonds sold . 76,000 00
Premium on school bonds . 1,716 00
Interest on deposits
819 24
Interest on taxes
2,092 56
Temporary loans .
415,000 00
State aid
813 00
Sinking-fund Commissioners
20,000 00
Water department
61,822 53
Miscellaneous
.
27,561 89
Betterments Farlow Park
. 11,611 95
$1,084,531 76
8
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
The permanent debt of the city, Dec. 31, 1885, was as follows : -
Town notes, 62 per cent, $46,000 00
Town notes, 6 per cent, 167,000 00
Accrued interest 3,062 54
$216,062 54
These notes all mature by March 10, 1894.
Municipal bonds, 5 per
cent
$34,000 00
Accrued interest .
850 00
34,850 00
Water bonds, 6 per cent, $600,000 00
Water bonds, 5 per cent, 250,000 00
Water bonds, 4 per cent, 147,000 00
Accrued interest . ·
25,720 00
1,022,720 00
Public park bonds, 4
per cent .
$25,000 00
Accrued interest .
250 00
25,250 00
School notes, 4 per cent,
$46,350 00
Accrued interest .
803 40
47,153 40
Uninvested portion of
Kenrick fund .
$2,740 00
Accrued interest . ·
49 17
2,789 17
9
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
Newton school bonds, 4 per cent $44,000 00
Accrued interest . 440 00
Total amount of funded debt with accrued interest, Dec. 31, 1885 . $1,393,265 11 The amount of funded debt with ac-
crued interest, Dec. 31, 1884, was . 1,363,416 86
Increase in city debt . $29,848 25
SINKING-FUNDS.
The condition of the sinking-funds Dec. 31, 1885, was as follows : -
City debt sinking-fund $24,516 20
Water debt sinking-fund 169,072 30
Public park loan sinking-fund 10,862 55
Total
$204,451 05
Amount of sinking-funds, Dec. 31, 1884, 179,671 68
Increase in sinking-funds $24,779 37
Increase in the city debt for 1885
29,848 25
Total increase in funded debt for the
year 1885
$5,068 88
During the year, there has matured and been paid a note of $20,000, which sum was paid from the city debt sinking-fund.
There will mature a town note, Oct. 3, 1886, of $20,000, which will be provided for from the city debt sinking-fund.
10
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
There will also mature a school note, Jan. 25, 1886, of $5,150, to be provided for from the tax levy of 1886.
In 1884, the real estate was valued at $20,467,295 00 Personal estate valued at . 7,347,266 00
$27,814,561 00
Taxable value of corporate stocks $2,746,700 00
Taxable value of bank stocks . 946,970 00
Total . $31,508,231 00
In 1885, the real estate was valued at $21,134,820 00 Personal estate valued at . 7,865,000 00
$28,999,820 00
Taxable value of corporate stocks · $2,650,600 00
Taxable value of bank stocks . .
962,870 00
Total
$32,613,290 00
Increase in taxable property in 1885, 1,105,059 .00
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 sec- tion 5, chap. 11 of the Public Statutes : -
Personal
$550,165 00
Real .
.
866,300 00
Total
.
$1,416,465 00
11
TIIE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
The rate of tax per $1,000, in 1883, was as follows : -
City
$14 28
County .
.
0 40
State
0 72
$15 40
The rate of tax per $1,000, in 1884, was as follows: -
City
$13 00
County ·
0 40
State
1 00
$14 40
The rate of tax per $1,000, in 1885, was as follows: -
City
$12 80
County ·
0 30
State ·
0 90
$14 00
READ FUND.
There was on hand Jan. 1, 1885, a balance of the income from this fund of $903.51.
During the year there has been received the sum of $1,608.81.
The disbursements made in accordance with the will of the generous donor were as follows : -
For a picnic for children $225 00
+ For scientific lectures 622 50 .
For the free library 398 77
For poor widows of Newton
345 00
For incidentals
3 00
Total . $1,594 27
12
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
Leaving a balance unexpended of $918.05.
The principal, $40,000, is invested, bearing interest at the rate of four per cent per annum.
HEALTH.
It is gratifying to state that the City Council has adopted a recommendation made a year ago in refer- ence to a new Board of Health.
The ordinance creating it is as follows : -
" A Board of Health is hereby established, which shall consist of the Mayor, ex officio, and five other persons appointed as provided by section six of the City Charter; of whom one shall be a member of the Board of Aldermen, one a member of the Common Council, and three persons not members of the City Council.
" The Board shall have and exercise all the powers which any Board of Health of the City of Newton may have by law."
The active and comprehensive manner with which this Board has dealt with the important and often per- plexing questions of the Department has fully proved the wisdom of the Act.
Its influence has been beneficial. Our citizens are * becoming more interested in matters pertaining to the public health, and have a better understanding of the means to be used to improve the sanitary condition
13
THIE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
of their homes and of the city at large. On recom- mendation of this Board, as a health measure, the City Council have voted to supply Station Street and Thompsonville with city water.
The collection of house offal has been regularly and satisfactorily made.
Also the contract for work of the odorless excavator has been well performed.
I recommend that vacant land of suitable size and location in each ward be rented by the city for public play-grounds, where the needed exercise and sports of boys may be properly enjoyed by them.
I renew a former recommendation, that arrangements be made to provide convenient places for bathing and swimming, for the benefit of the public. The advan- tages to health are apparent to all. The lakes and ponds in central locations are becoming so surrounded by residences, that the former opportunities no longer exist. Therefore there is a greater necessity for mak- ing the provision suggested.
The cost of this department for the year 1885 was $2,280.69.
SEWERAGE.
I remind you that this subject is. one of vital importance. Its magnitude, and influence upon the health and development of the city, are so great that it should receive your earnest and serious consideration.
14
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
The Metropolitan Drainage Commission, of which a prominent citizen of this city is a member; appointed by his Excellency the Governor for the purpose of investigating and reporting a plan for the drainage of the valleys of the Charles, Mystic, Neponset, and Blackstone rivers, will soon submit their report to the Legislature. The results of their investigation will be of great value in determining the best plan for the disposition of the sewage of Newton. I recom- mend the appointment of a special committee on sew- erage, and that a reasonable appropriation be made for necessary expenditures.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Our citizens justly regard general education as in- dispensable to the progress of mankind, a sure means to secure peace, order, and good citizenship.
Under the management of the School Board, the schools maintain their usefulness and popularity.
The superintendent and teachers rightly appreciate the important positions they occupy, and their respon- sibilities in the mental and moral training of the pupils under their charge.
The number of teachers employed, 93.
The total enrolment of pupils in the public schools for the year 1885 was 4,027.
15
TIIE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
The average attendance was as follows : -
SCHOOL.
Ward.
Number.
High
2
319
Eliot
1
108
Lincoln
1
35
Claflin .
2
161
Adams
2
185
Jackson
2
172
Pierce .
3
197
Davis .
3
184
Franklin
3
146
Williams
4
232
Hamilton
4
97
Hyde .
5
179
Prospect
5
198
Oak Hill
5
19
Mason .
6
347
Thompsonville
6
35
Bigelow
7
280
Underwood .
.
7
153
Total
3,047
The pupils at the Rice School are included in the enumeration of the Mason School, and the pupils of the new school at West Newton are included in the Pierce and Davis Schools.
The appropriation for schools was . $106,350 00 Received from dog tax 1,841 45 ·
Making
.
$108,191 45 ·
16
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
The expense of the School Department for the year 1885 was as follows : -
Superintendent and teachers
$80,048 26
Janitors .
5,875 14
Secretary
300 00
Evening schools
717 54
Conveyance of pupils
900 00
Fuel
6,333 11
Furniture and incidentals
13,811 02
Total .
. $107,975 07
The evening school held at the Lincoln schoolhouse was well attended; the whole number of different pupils, mostly adults, was 110 ; average attendance, 62. Common English branches, including bookkeep- ing and mechanical drawing, are taught.
Early in the year a truant officer was employed, who has rendered prompt and faithful service.
By ordinance the Lawrence Industrial School, at Lawrence, Mass., has been designated as the place of confinement for truants.
Within the past three years four new schoolhouses, containing twenty rooms, have been built.
The cost of the buildings, land, etc., was $96,248.76, as follows : -
Williams, Auburndale . $35,497 81
Eliot, Nonantum . . 17,747 63
17
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
Rice, Newton Centre . $21,419 63
-, West Newton . 21,583 69
The furniture for the same cost about 5,000 00
Additional school accommodation is needed at the High School, which is referred to elsewhere.
More room will soon be required at the Claflin, Adams, and Hyde Schools.
NEWTON FREE LIBRARY.
The establishment of a free library to furnish all citizens an equal opportunity for reading and study is a wise and public benefaction. It is an institution whose restraining and refining influences are widely extended.
The number of volumes in the library is 23,311. 1,456 books have been added during the year. The circulation the past year was 83,938. Of this num- ber, 41,518 were distributed by the daily delivery, as follows : -
Newtonville 9,472
Newton Centre
8,983
Auburndale 5,709
Newton Highlands . 5,349 .
West Newton. 4,637 .
Upper Falls
.
· 4,443
Lower Falls
.
2,498
Nonantum
427
.
.
18
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
The cost to the city of maintaining the Library for. the year 1885 was $7,498.98.
The Library has received for several years income from the following generous donations : -
Speare Fund . $70 00
Jewett Fund
315 00
Read Fund .
398 77
The intention, I think, of donors is to provide means to furnish extra advantages to the Library, and not to contribute to the ordinary expenses of maintenance. If this were the custom, and so understood, it would undoubtedly influence many of the liberal friends of the Library to make gifts for special departments, thus adding largely to its attractiveness and influence.
The Trustees have recommended that the Library building be enlarged to provide needed additional facil- ities. The estimated expense is about $9,000.
I recommend that the city continue its contribution towards the maintenance of the free reading-room in Ward 3.
WATER DEPARTMENT.
The Water Board has pursued a well-defined and approved policy in the management of this important department, which is so intimately related to the welfare and growth of the city.
19
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
The works are in good condition ; the pumping- station, reservoir, and filter-basin are well kept.
There was laid in 1885, 17,605 feet of water main, making a total of 727% miles.
215 services were added, making the whole num- ber 3,134.
The number of hydrants is 444.
The average daily use of water in 1885 was 614,968 gallons.
The receipts of the Water Department for the year 1885 were $53,846.66.
EXPENDITURES.
Maintenance . $12,873 40
Interest on bonds . 53,100 00
Sinking-fund for water debt 17,000 00
Amount of water bonds issued to date . 997,000 00
From a careful calculation, it is estimated that about 15,000 of the population are supplied by city water, and about 5,000 from wells and other sources.
For the better water service of certain districts of the city now insufficiently supplied by the present reservoir, notably Chestnut Hill, Beacon-street Hill, and Institute Hill, a high-service supply is necessary.
This is a matter of great importance to these local- ities, and I recommend it to your careful investiga- tion.
20
THIE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
I recommend for your consideration the advisability of a general use of meters. By this means, the water used is accurately measured, and consumers pay for the actual quantity used. It is not only an equitable way, but would result in decreasing the wasteful use of water. Its effect would be beneficial on the water supply. The meters should be owned, furnished, and kept in order by the city, and rented to water-takers at a fair annual rate.
PUBLIC PROPERTY.
The public buildings of the City, except in some cases where faulty sanitary conditions exist, are in good condition.
To keep so many buildings in satisfactory order requires constant care and frequent small repairs.
The City Hall has been well painted, and its appear- ance greatly improved.
The Prospect and Hamilton schoolhouses and Steamer No. 1 House have also been painted.
Additional heating capacity has been added in several of the schoolhouses.
By order of the State inspector of buildings, a fire- escape has been placed in the Adams, and a small partition in the Claflin schoolhouse.
Your attention is particularly called to the dangerous
21
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
condition of the drainage at Hose House No. 7, Upper Falls, and at Steamer House No. 2, West Newton.
The High School has outgrown the capacity of the present building, and additional room is needed. The matter has been carefully considered by a joint com- mittee of the School Board and Committee on Public Property, who have investigated various propositions relative to increased accommodation.
Plans of a substantial building, adapted in design and size to the purposes of the High School, have been submitted to the joint committee, and have been approved. It is proposed that a section only of the con- templated new building be built immediately, the new part to be erected in the rear of the present building.
By this plan the new portion, used in connection with the present building, will provide ample accommoda- tion for many years to come.
While an entirely new building would undoubtedly be in many respects more satisfactory, yet under the circumstances it would be so large an expense as to be entirely unwarranted.
The building of a drill-hall for military and calis- thenic purposes is also recommended.
The appropriation for this department, outside of constructing new buildings, was $10,000; the amount expended was $11,315.23.
The excess was largely in consequence of work ordered by the State Inspector of Buildings. '
22
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
PARKS.
The work upon Farlow Park has been completed in accordance with plans adopted by the City Govern- ment. The total cost of the park is $40,655.35, less the amount of betterments, $14,181 99, and sale of buildings, etc., $3,150.50; making an actual cost to the city of $23,322.86. To the expense of mainten- ance should be added the interest on $25,000 four per cent park bonds due April 1, 1908. The park contains about three and one-fourth acres.
A number of the smaller parks have been re-graded, furnished with trees, and otherwise ornamented. The amount expended on the parks for the year 1885 was $9,860.85. I am gratified to state that an appro- priation has been made for the adornment of our highways, by setting out shade-trees along the road- sides connecting the various villages.
STREET LIGHTS.
The large number of petitions received for addi- tional street lights indicates the requirement and appreciation of the public for well-lighted streets.
The whole number of street lights is 1,313, of which 790 are supplied with gas, and 523 are supplied with oil. 80 new lights have been added during the past year.
23
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
The extra large lights in some of the public squares are a great convenience to travellers, and a valuable aid to the night patrolmen. These lights and those at the drinking-fountains should be left burning all night; by a simple automatic arrange- ment, they can be made self-extinguishing. Prompt attention should be given to the necessity of lighting the streets every night when artificial light is needed.
The cost of this department for the year 1885 was $20,493.66.
The fuel supplied for the public buildings cost $4.88 per ton, the expense for the year being $5,811.58.
The contract for the street lights expires May 14, 1887. I recommend, before making another con- tract, that a special examination be made as to the adaptability and cost of electric lighting for a portion of the streets.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The duties of this Department have been performed with characteristic promptness and efficiency.
The Fire Alarm has been maintained in excellent order.
The apparatus is all in good working condition except Steamer No. 2, which needs a new boiler. It has been in service for 14 years.
It will be necessary to purchase additional fire-hose, probably about 1,500 feet, early in the year.
24
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
During the year the Department has responded to 83 alarms, being 32 more than in the previous year.
In addition to the above, 10 fires have been ex- tinguished by the police and citizens without alarm.
The loss resulting from these fires was as follows : -
Loss on buildings $13,175 00
Insurance paid 11,462 00
Loss on contents 6,151 73 .
Insurance paid 3,771 73
Loss over insurance paid 4,093 00
Total insurance at risk .
. 157,200 00
Assessed valuation of real estate at risk . 167,100 00
Two new fire-alarm signal boxes have been added during the year, making the total number 53.
11 hydrants have been added, increasing the num- ber now in use to 444. The Chief of Department recommends the addition of 13. The locations sug- gested by him are well selected.
Many citizens of Wards 1 and 2 request that a · tower striker be placed in some suitable locality at Nonantum, on or near either of the great mills there. They desire the benefit of it not only to obtain the fire alarms readily, but also to accommodate the schools.
I would suggest to mill-owners the advisability of placing private fire-alarm boxes upon their premises for their exclusive use, with which the Fire Depart- ment will make connection.
25
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
I renew a recommendation previously made, that the various schoolhouses be provided with private fire-alarm signal boxes.
The Chief recommends the placing in reserve one of the steamers, and the purchase of a chemical en- gine. He suggests that the contemplated repairs upon Steamer 2 may be delayed, and the money used to make such purchase. The recommendation should receive your very careful consideration.
From my observation of the workings and advan- tages of chemical engines, I have no hesitation in saying that I regard them as superior fire extin- guishers.
The appropriation for this Department for the year 1885 was $22,900; the amount expended was $24,752.17.
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT.
It has been the practice in Newton, for many years, to maintain superior roads. The demand for them has become so general that it is apparently a necessity with our citizens.
This extensive and growing department involves the expenditure of large sums of money, and great care and skill in its management. The amount of the general appropriation for highways, for the year 1885, was $89,600.
26
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
EXPENDITURES.
Curbing.
$2,463 75
Drains and culverts
.
5,791 14
Gravel land . 3,296 58
Highway general repairs
54,286 92
Widening and reconstruction . .
21,110 67
Land damage
3,595 71
Sidewalks and crossings
11,737 82
Making a total of
. $102,282 59
To maintain the streets in good order, I believe it to be essential that the plan should be adopted and adhered to, of taking good care of what we have; of thoroughly repairing and redressing the roads at the beginning of the year before other work is begun. This would not only insure a uniformly good condition of the streets, but would also result in a great saving, by preventing the deterioration of our highways which are so expensive to rebuild.
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