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NEWTON FREE LIBRARY NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Inaugural Address of the Mayor Jan. 2, 1888
Officers of the Newton City Government 1888
(p. vii of Auditor's report) Departmental Reports
Period Covered
Auditor
1888
Board of Health
1888
City Engineer 1888
City Marshal 1888
Fire Department 1888
Newton Free Library
1888
Overseers of the Poor
1888
School Committee 1888
Water Board 1888
3 1323 00360 5242
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https://archive.org/details/publicdocuments 1888newt
PUBLIC DOCUMENTS.
CITY
OF
NEWTON
1888.
PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
WT
LIBERTY AND UN
FOUNDED
CITY1873
1630
NO
NANT
PORATE
NEWTON, MASS., NEWTON GRAPHIC PRESS, 1889.
19352 NV8P 0.1 (1888) NEWTON COLLESTION
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
REPORTS OF
CITY AUDITOR,
CONTAINING OFFICERS OF CITY GOVERNMENT, ELECTED AND APPOINTED), CITY TREASURER'S ACCOUNTS, ITEMS OF RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES, OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES, AND COMPILATION FROM RECORDS OF THE CITY CLERK.
BOARD OF HEALTH.
CITY ENGINEER,
CONTAINING ITEMS UPON HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION, WATER DEPARTMENT, BOARD OF HEALTHI, ETC.
CITY MARSHAL.
CHIEF OF FIRE DEPARTMENT.
NEWTON FREE LIBRARY.
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR. SCHOOL COMMITTEE. WATER BOARD.
Compliments of J. Wesley Kimball, Mayor of Newton
THE
FIFTH INAUGURAL ADDRESS
OF
HON. J. WESLEY KIMBALL
MAYOR OF NEWTON
TO THE CITY COUNCIL
JANUARY 2, 1888
LIBERTY AND UNI
FOUNDED
ION
73.
NONA
N
UM
PORATE
ATO
KAES.
RAND AVERY COMPANY, ELECTROTYPERS AND PRINTERS, BOSTON.
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
Gentlemen of the Board of Aldermen and of the Common Council :
Government is instituted for the common good, for the protection, safety, and happiness of the people, and not to give to any advantages that are distinct from, or prejudicial to, the rights and interests of all the people.
Public officials derive their authority and power from the people alone, are their agents, and are at all times accountable to them for their official acts.
By the suffrages of our fellow-citizens we have been intrusted with the care and management of the city's business for the present year. To secure an efficient and prudent administration, will require a careful study and thorough investigation into the many departments and various needs of the city ; and the same devotion of time and of purpose that characterizes the success- ful management of one's personal affairs, will be neces- sary for its accomplishment.
I congratulate you, gentlemen, and also the city, upon your election to offices of such honor and trust.
4
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
There is unquestionably at present a real demand for the exercise of great caution in the expenditure of the public funds. In the performance of our duties, we should welcome the advice, and be guided by the expressed sentiments, of those of our fellow-citizens whose sincerity of purpose is undoubted, and whose influence is at all times exerted in behalf of the best interests of the city.
It is apparent that the rate of taxation in our city is considered too high; but, since the people them- selves are unmistakably in favor of a less rate, and of course are aware that it means less improvements, it is manifestly our duty to make every possible endeavor to secure the result desired by them. I invite your attention to a paragraph in my inaugural of last year, which is as follows : -
" It appears to be the general opinion that the city government is entirely responsible for whatever may be its policy in regard to expenses ; to a certain ex- tent this is true, but it is an indisputable fact that the responsibility rests chiefly with the people themselves. They are the principals, the electors ; they can and should advise, insist upon, and inaugurate, such a policy as they believe ought to prevail."
I am warranted, I believe, in saying that the mem- bers of the City Council are fully as much inclined to be prudent as the citizens themselves, for many of the expenses have been incurred only after the urgent and
5
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
repeated requests of citizens; and of course, if the demands for improvements are always to be met, the expenses will necessarily increase.
But now, public sentiment having been so strongly expressed in favor of retrenchment, you have good reason to believe it possible to reduce the expenses of the city, since you will have the earnest and hearty co-operation of the people themselves in the practice of greater economy.
It should be borne in mind, however, that any policy which neglects keeping and maintaining the various departments in good order should be avoided; and any plan that allows the city's property to depreciate from lack of reasonable care is not a wise one.
I am sure that no one is more desirous than I to have the best government, the most efficient in the execution of the laws, and the most prudent in the matter of expenditure ; but I have little confidence that permanent gain to the city will be derived from any narrow or unsettled policy in the management of public affairs.
The question of the government of the city is too large and important, and involves too many interests, to be lightly considered. It requires the best thought of experienced and capable men to determine the policy which should control affairs. The best results can be ob- tained only by steadily pursuing the principle of a well- defined plan which clearly and surely reflects the wishes of the community, that not only reasonably provides for
6
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
the present, but also comprehends and is adapted to the future growth and needs of our city.
The city charter requires that the appropriation for the expenses be made in November of each year for the succeeding year; and the chief reason for such action is, that the members of the City Council, having had at least nearly a year's experience, are better qualified to determine the amount necessary to be appropriated than members who have not had the benefit of such experience.
I believe it would be better to require such action, so far as estimating and recommending such amount as their judgment dictates ; but I think the charter should be amended so as to provide that it should be only an estimate, and the final determination of the amount should be the duty of the City Council, who are to have the spending of the money, and therefore are responsible for the amount expended by them, and for the manner in which it is expended.
It is unfair to hold any man, or association of men, responsible, unless vested with a corresponding authority.
The city charter further provides that the appropria- tions made in the manner described can be changed by a two-thirds yea and nay vote. From the fact that the appropriations made in November last for the expenses of this year, have been the subject of much discussion, and there appears to be a large number who entertain the opinion that the public service may be adequately performed at much less cost, it becomes your duty to
7
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
make such careful and thorough examination of the appropriation bill as will enable you, after taking into consideration the demand for less expense, and at the same time the requirements of all the departments, to decide intelligently upon the amount you believe, under the circumstances, to be necessary.
And for that purpose I recommend that three alder- men and three members of the Common Council be appointed a committee to examine into all the city's expenditures, to confer with each committee or board having charge of any department in relation to the expenses of the same, and to report at an early date to the City Council the results of their investigation, and to make such recommendations as in their judgment ought to prevail.
The items of the appropriation order for the year 1888, are as follows : -
Almshouse expenses and repairs $4,000 00
Armory expenses .
1,000 00
Books, Stationery, and Printing
2.500 00
Board of Health 4,500 00
Removal of Ashes . 4,500 00
Burial Grounds 400 00
City Engineer's Department . 7,600 00
City Hall Expenses 2,000 00
Elections and Registration of Voters 1,800 00
Fire Department 26,500 00
8
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
Highways $95,500 00
Indigent Soldiers and Sailors
1,000 00 .
Interest on City Loans . 29,000 00
Interest on Water Bonds 59,800 00
Memorial Day
400 00
Miscellaneous Expenses .
7,500 00
Newton Free Library $10,170 00
Note for Enlarge-
ment of Building, 4,600 00
14,770 00
Newton Cottage Hospital
1,000 00
Parks and Squares
2,000 00
Poor Department .
8,800 00
Police Department
24,700 00
Public Property
10,000 00
Salaries
16,249 00
Schools
117,550 00
School Notes .
14,650 00
Sinking Funds
47,500 00
Street Light Department
27,000 00
State Aid
1,000 00
Water, Use of Hydrants, each $20
11,320 00
Water Maintenance .
14,000 00
Water Meters and Service Pipe
3,500 00
Water, Rebate on Bills . 500 00
Watering Streets . 6,000 00
Watering Troughs and Drinking Posts
1,200 00
Aggregate . . $569,739 00
9
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
Less the estimated receipts : -
Almshouse
$1,500 00
Armory 400 00
City Hall
800 00
Corporation Tax
35,000 00
Curbing
.
1,000 00
Highways
300 00
Indigent Soldiers and
Sailors .
400 00
Interest on Bank Deposit,
500 00
Interest on Taxes .
1,800 00
Meters and Service Pipe,
3,500 00
National Bank Tax
11,000 00
Police Department
800 00
Poor out of Almshouse,
1,500 00
Public Property
300 00
Record and other Fees
500 00
Shipping
2,000 00
State Aid
900 00
Tuition for non-Resident
Pupils
400 00
Water Rates
57,000 00
$119,600 00
Making $459,139 to be raised by the tax levy of 1888 for the payment of the expenses of the year.
Upon several similar occasions I have recommended changes in the city charter, so as to provide a city
10
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
council constituted of one board instead of two, as at present, and also that the members be elected for at least two years instead of one. The more I become acquainted with municipal affairs, the more I am con- vinced of the importance and value of the changes suggested.
I am confident that uniting the two boards would result in greater interest, more thorough investigation and discussion, and, through them, a better understand- ing of the city's affairs, and, consequently, a more com- plete preparation for managing them well.
The chief objection urged to one board is, that there might be too hasty legislation. This does not appear to be a good and sufficient reason, since the rules govern- ing the board may be made with the utmost care, and may be so well guarded as to prevent it.
A longer term of service would increase the useful- ness of the members, the knowledge and experience of affairs acquired by them would insure more reliable and prompt action, and it would also be an advantage to the community to have less frequent elections.
I recommend that a committee be appointed to con- sider the advisability of a revision of the city charter to conform to these suggestions.
11
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
FINANCE.
On account of the transactions of the
year 1887, there is outstanding a temporary loan of .
$101,700 00 .
Bills unpaid . 20,088 97
$121,788 97
Against which there is cash on hand $33,593 39
Uncollected taxes, good .
93,000 00
Due the Treasury for advances made for the extension of water main, to be charged to water construc- tion account, and to be repaid by the issue of water bonds 3,316 04
Total $129,909 43
And due from miscellaneous sources 16,000 00
The total amount of payments made by the City Treasurer for the year ending Dec. 31, 1887, was $1,223,651.48, as follows : -
Ordinary city expenses . $323,822 53
Interest 84,934 48
Sinking Fund commis- sioners . 47,512 15
State aid
. . 1,798 00
12
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
Water construction . $79,166 10
Temporary loans . . 433,700 00
Education . 118,925 65
Funded debt matured 39,250 00
Addition to High School . 25,226 59
Newton Free Library ex- tension 13,020 58
State, county, and nation-
al bank tax
56,295 40
$1,223,651 48
Total receipts from all sources during the year ending Dec. 31, 1887, was $1,212,606.65, as follows : -
City taxes $501,937 88
Corporation and bank
taxes · 50,993 47
City securities sold
.
84,000 00
Interest on bank deposits
504 27
Interest on taxes
2,253 98
Temporary loans · 465,700 00
State aid .
1,450 45
Sinking Fund commission-
ers
. 20,000 00
Water department
·
66,233 66
Betterments
1,010 05
Read Fund
1,600 25
Miscellaneous
16,922 64
$1,212,606 65
13
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
The permanent debt of the city, Dec. 31, 1887, was as follows : -
Town notes, 6} per cent, $46,000 00 66 6 per cent . 127,000 00
Accrued interest 2,475 87
$175,475 87
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 66 5 per cent . 250,000 00
66 4 per cent 265,000 00
Accrued interest . 26,900 00
Public Park bonds, 4% $25,000 00
Accrued interest 250 00
25,250 00
School notes, 4 per cent .
$36,050 00
Accrued interest
624 87
36,674 87
Newton school bonds, 4
per cent .
$44,000 00
Accrued interest
440 00
44,440 00
Uninvested portion Ken-
rick Fund
$3,250 00
Accrued interest
134 67
3,384 67
1,141,900 00
14
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
Newton Free Library
Loan, 3} per cent . $18,400 00
Accrued interest . 155 63
$18,555 63
High School Loan, 3}
per cent
$40,500 00
Accrued interest 330 75
40,830 75
High School Land Loan, $5,000 00
Accrued interest . 45 69
5,045 69
Total amount of funded debt with accrued interest Dec. 31, 1887 $1,526,407 48
The amount of funded debt with ac- crued interest Dec. 31, 1886, was . 1,480,749 25
Total increase in the funded debt for the year 1887
$45,658 23
SINKING-FUNDS.
The condition of the sinking-funds Dec. 31, 1887, was as follows : -
City Debt Sinking-Fund $29,808 95
Water Debt Sinking-Fund . 222,811 66
Public Park Loan Sinking-Fund . 14,153 88
School Loan Sinking-Fund . 9,144 88
Total
$275,919 37
15
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
Amount of sinking-funds Dec. 31, 1886, $237,978 26
Increase in sinking-funds . $37,941 11
Increase in city debt for 1887 45,658 23
Total increase in funded debt for
the year 1887
$7,717 12
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, April 1, 1888, of $30,000, which will be provided for from the City Debt Sinking-Fund. There will also mature a town note, April 21, 1888, of $46,000. Of this amount $23,000 will be provided for from the City Debt Sinking-Fund, and $23,000 may be renewed for one year.
There will mature school notes, Jan. 25, 1888, of $5,150; Sept. 27, $5,000; and Oct. 6, $4,500; and a Free Library note, Oct. 4, $4,600, - to be paid from the tax levy of 1888.
In reference to the increase in the funded debt of $7,700, it should be said, that it was in consequence of extending water-mains.
The amount of water bonds sold in 1887 to be charged to Water Construction was $84,000, thereby increasing the public debt to that amount; the other
16
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
indebtedness of the city was decreased by the payment of a 6% town note of $20,000, and school and library notes amounting to $19,250, and there was also paid into the sinking fund, to pay indebtedness, as fol- lows : -
$4,500 school note ; $21,500 to city debt ; $1,512.15 to park debt; $20,000 to the water debt.
It will be seen that, exclusive of the water debt, the net funded debt of the city was decreased to the amount of about $76,000.
During the past five years six hundred new houses have been erected in the city, and the taxable valua- tion has increased in the same time to the amount of $5,607,069.
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
In 1886 the real estate was valued at . $21,977,061 00 Personal estate .
9,039,869 00
$31,016,930 00
$2,811,844 00
Taxable value of corporate stocks Taxable value of bank stocks 965,000 00 Total .
$34.793,774 00 .
17
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
In 1887 the real estate was valued at . $23,080,866 00 Personal estate valued at 9,196,441 00
$32,277,307 00
Taxable value of bank stocks 935,000 00
Taxable value of corporate stocks 2,939,000 00
$36,151.307 00
Increase in taxable property in 1887 . $1,357,533 00
Value of real and personal property in the city of Newton, which is exempt from taxation under the pro- visions of the third and seventh divisions of section 5, chap. 11, of the Public Statutes : -
Personal
$525,868 00
Real .
935,150 00
Total
$1,461,018 00
The rate of tax per $1,000, in 1884, was as fol-
lows : -
City .
. $13 00
County
40
State
1 00
$14 40
The rate of tax per $1,000, in 1885, was as fol- lows : -
City .
. $12 80
County
30
State
90
$14 00
18
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
The rate of tax per $1,000, in 1886, was as fol-
lows : -
City . . $13 35
County
40
State
65
$14 40
The tax rate for 1887 was as follows : -
City .
. $14 20
County
60
State
1 00
$15 80
READ FUND.
The balance on hand Jan. 1, 1887, from the income of the Read Fund, was $1,090.56, and the amount re- ceived during the year was $1,584.00, making the sum available for the year 1887, $2,678.56.
There has been paid for the purposes designated by the will of the generous donor as follows : -
For a picnic for children $262 80 ·
Scientific lectures . 681 50
Newton Free Library .
403 94
Poor widows of Newton . . 384 00
Total $1,732 24
Leaving a balance on hand, Jan. 1, 1888, of $946.32.
The principal of this fund is $40,000, bearing interest at the rate of five per cent per annum.
19
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
An unusually interesting and instructive course of scientific lectures was delivered by a lady of our city, Mrs. Mary E. Bates, M.D.
HEALTH.
There is no subject of more interest to the individual or to the community, or more important to their welfare, than this. However fortunate an individual may be, and whatever advantages a community may possess, the degree of their enjoyment will depend very largely upon physical conditions.
It is not only the duty of individuals to guard their health, but it is also incumbent upon municipalities to provide such means, and to take such care, as will pro- mote the public health.
Frequent meetings have been held by the Board of Health, which has promptly considered all questions submitted to it, and has given careful attention to the details and general management of the department. The location of our city is remarkably healthful; but with the increase of population, especially in the thickly settled portions, there is an increased risk of conditions deleterious to health, and therefore the responsibilities and duties of the board should be vigorously adminis- tered.
The appropriation for the Health Department was $4,000 ; the amount expended, $3,639.88.
The contracts for the work of the odorless excavator,
20
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
and for the collection of house-offal, have been well performed.
The cost of the removal of ashes for the year 1887 was $3,293.82.
I again remind you that the health and development of many of our young would be greatly benefited by a reasonable provision for play-grounds for their use, and for opportunity for bathing and swimming; and I recommend that they be provided.
I also suggest that it would add very much to their exercise, pleasure and safety as well, to have in each village one or more places flowed for skating. There is plenty of water, and it could be done at slight expense.
These sports and exercises would make the girls and boys more robust and happier.
SEWERAGE.
There is a growing belief that the city must, within a very few years, be provided with a system of sewer- age; that the public health and the prosperity of the city will demand it, and that, therefore, preparation should be made for it.
The great question of the time is how to provide an adequate system, -one that shall surely and thoroughly dispose of the waste-matter, and at a reasonable cost.
While believing that no enterprise is of greater moment to the city, yet, considering the magnitude and expense of such an undertaking, I am convinced, that,
21
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
when any preliminary work is done, it should be in accordance with, and a part of, a well-defined plan.
It would be unwise for the city to spend any money to begin work until it shall, as I have suggested, decide upon the system it will adopt, and with a knowledge of the extent of the cost.
I have confidence in the proposed metropolitan sys- tem of sewerage: it would carry the sewage of Newton miles away from our city, to be emptied into deep water, and probably at much less cost than any inde- pendent system the city could establish. And I recom- mend that you authorize such persons as you may select, to attend the hearings that will be given upon the matter before the Committee on Sewerage at the State House this winter.
I believe there are very serious objections to attempt- ing to utilize the sewage, and the plan of deodorizing it is of very doubtful expediency. The subject being of such importance, and involving so large an outlay of money, it appears to me that the city should at first secure the services and advice of a special engineer of large experience and acknowledged reputation for lay- ing out and constructing sewerage work. There will then be a basis for intelligent action.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Under the statutes of the Commonwealth, the care of the schools and the responsibility for them rest
22
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
entirely with the School Committee, the City Council having no part in their management further than to vote the appropriations required by the Committee for their maintenance, and to provide buildings that are necessary for their accommodation.
The public schools of our city rank among the first in the Commonwealth, and their efficiency, and the advantages they provide for practical education, are understood by our citizens who appreciate the value. of thorough mental training.
The amount expended by the School Department for the year 1887 was as follows : -
Salaries of superintendent and teachers,
$88,878 76
Secretary .
300 00
Janitors
6,408 34
Evening Schools
1,217 89
Conveyance of pupils
676 25
Fuel ·
7,228 55
Incidentals, including text-books, fur-
niture, etc.
11,898 43
Total .
$116,608 22
The increase in expense over the year 1886 being $3,219.97.
The increase is accounted for in the Annual Report of the Committee by the increase in teaching force rendered necessary by the growth of the schools, and
23
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
in the salaries paid in the high school, in the cost of fuel, new furniture, and in other ways.
Estimated per capita, it seems that the cost per pupil is $31.56, being more per pupil than is paid by any other city or town in the State.
This is explained in the report of the Board by the fact that the centres of population in Newton are so scattered as to require a much larger number of gram- mar and primary schools than is necessary in other more compact municipalities of similar size.
The same report shows that in comparison with other cities and towns in the State and county, Newton stands low upon the lists in the amount expended on her schools in proportion to her assessed valuation, being the 34th in the county, and the 221st in the State.
The census of May, 1887, showed 3,893 children between the ages of five and fifteen, and all but nine- teen were accounted for as being in school or at home.
The total enrolment of pupils in 1887 was 4,337, being 231 more than in 1886; the average attendance was 3,357, being an increase of 118 over last year.
The enrolment in the several schools was as follows : -
NAME.
WARD.
NUMBER.
High
2
477
Eliot
1
.
.
151
Lincoln
1
.
. 54
Claflin
2
. 212
Adams .
2
.
269
.
24
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
NAME.
WARD.
NUMBER.
Jackson
2
251
Pierce
3
. 232
Davis
3
. 200
Barnard
3
.
126
Franklin .
3
. 197
Williams .
4
· 361
Hamilton
4
. 125
Hyde
5
245
Prospect
5
278
Oak Hill .
5
28
Mason
6
374
Rice
6
183
Thompsonville .
6
37
Bigelow .
7
353
Underwood
7
. 184
4,337
The number of teachers employed during the past year was 103; the number of schoolhouses owned by the city is 21. One school building is leased. Sixteen janitors are employed.
The evening schools have been a marked success. Nearly two hundred persons attended this year against a hundred and twenty in 1886. Twenty teachers were employed.
The cost of the evening schools for 1887 was $1,217.89.
The truant officer has performed effective service. Three truants are supported by the city at the Law- rence Industrial School.
.
.
.
.
.
.
25
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
The public statutes provide that
" If three or more towns in any county so require, the county commissioners shall establish at the expense of the county, at convenient places therein, other than the jail or house of correction, truant schools for the confinement, discipline, and instruction of minor chil- dren convicted under the provisions of sections ten and twelve [of the truant law]; and shall make suitable provisions for the government and control, and for the appointment of proper teachers and officers thereof."
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