USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1843-1859 > Part 28
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Simonds, Samuel M.
12 80
Skinner, Otis A.
25 60
Stevens, Seth,
20
Simonds, J. B .*
5 76
Stearns, James W.
16 00
Sider, Maria, 2 56
Sinclair, Samuel, , 84
Sinclair, John, . 3 84
Stearns, William B. 7 C8
Stearns, Joshua B.
60 16
Sprague, Jos. E., Heirs of . 70 40 Stearns, William, . 62 08
Silver, Eliza, 69 76
Stearns, Sarah W .. 64 46
Stearns, Harriet, 70 40
Stearns, Wm. S. and Sisters, 6.4 00
Shipley, Mr. . 68
1 92
Mitchell, William, . 2 56
$27 52
Pedrick, Joseph, 1
50
Smith, Stephen, $2 56
Tufts, Daniel, . . $79 36
Saxton, John M.
6 40
Topliff, Benjamin, . 137 60
Stone, Thaddeus, 3 20
Tenney, William P. 32 00
Sawyer, Asa,* 15 36
Trefren, Jonas, *
11 52
Swain, John, 3 20
Sumner, Bradford, 9 60
U.
Underwood, Mrs. Hannah, . 14 72
Small, Samuel, .
2 56
Stevens, James M.
11 52
Sherburne, Reuben,
9 60
V.
Sabine, Dr.
3 20
Simonds, Mr.
2 56
Sleeper, Jacob, .
96 00
Seavey, Joshua R ..
8 96
Seavey, Moses, .
8 96
Stewart, Mr. 6 40
Smith & Sumner, 19 20
Stockbridge, L. N.
3 84
Welch, Gardner R.
9 60
Stone, Daniel, . 5 12
Wilson, Joseph B. . 11 52
Spinney & Richardson,
6 40
Wheelock, Dwight, 19 20
Skinner & Sweet, . 3 84
Wellington, Charles, 3 20
Sullivan, Richard, . 336 00
Wright, Samuel, 3 20
Sweeney, Pat, 1 92
Stearns, Harriet, Executrix, 66 50
T.
Williams, Oliver, 2 56
Tillson, David, . 17 92
Williams, Tillson,
6 40
Tuttle, Orvey S .* 5 12
Turner & Snow,
3 20
Teel, Andrew, . 00 40
Whitney, Mrs. Lydia,
5 12
Tapley, Lydia, 6 40
Watson, Samuel, Heirs of, .
10 24
Turnpike Co., Medford, 11 52
Williams, David H. 9 60
Whitmore, N. M. . 12 80
Taylor, John, 6 40
Ward, Artemas, Heirs of, 115 20
Tapley, Robert, 3 20
Wheeler, Increase S. 211 20
Teel, Ammi C. .
32 00
Warren & Hall, 22 40
Tufts & Brothers, Joseph F., Estate of, 10 24
Wyman, William, . 28 80
Wood & Bacon, and Heirs of
Tube Works, American, . 384 00
Melvin,
96 00
W.
Williams, Edson, 19 20
Wellington, Mr .* 16 00
Winn, David,* 8 96
Warren, Gardner, . 9 60
Sullivan, Heirs of, . 6 40
Waldren, B. F. . 14 08
Whitaker, William H. Wait, Charles,*
19 20
9 60
Wason, James P .*
12 80
Willis, Mr.
6 40
Wilkinson, Mr.
16 00
Thomas, George A. 12 80
Those marked with an asterisk, (*) have not paid their tax.
-
Smith, Edwin P.
2 56
Ursuline Convent, . 576 00
Varnum, William,
2 56
1856
REPORTS
OF THE
SELECTMEN AND TREASURER
OF THE
TOWN OF SOMERVILLE,
TOGETHER WITH A LIST OF THE
TAXES ASSESSED,
For the Year 1856-7.
BOSTON: WM. WHITE, PRINTER, 4 SPRING LANE. 1857.
1
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SELECTMEN
OF THE
TOWN OF SOMERVILLE,
MARCH, 1857.
BOSTON: WILLIAM WHITE, PRINTER, 4 SPRING LANE. 1857.
REPORT.
In compliance with custom, the Selectmen present the following abstract of their official transactions, accompanied with a few suggestions for the considera- tion of their fellow townsmen.
In the minds of many of our citizens the condition of the roads is a matter of paramount interest, and as the comfort and convenience of every resident is also to some extent affected, no duty engages more of the attention of the Selectmen than does the supervision and care of the highways.
This branch of the public service has been under the direct oversight of an efficient superintendent, and it is owing in a great degree to his good management, that the expenses have been confined within the limits of the appropriation made at the beginning of the year.
An extra force has been employed a part of the present winter in removing the large quantities of snow
4
which encumbered the roads, this work being accom- plished the more promptly by material aid furnished by the free labor of private citizens. Should the practice be more generally adopted of individuals spending a few hours, after a heavy fall of snow, in opening the roads, the town would not only be saved from a large outlay for this purpose, but also from the risk of suffering in damages on account of encum- brances in the highways.
The question raised last year again recurs : Shall the present method of patching up the highways be continued ? It is time that every citizen who has an interest in the welfare and improvement of the town should look the matter in the face, and say if he is willing annually to pass the subject over to the Select- men with an appropriation merely sufficient to con- tinue this patching process. The expenses of the town, it is true, are now very large. Shall they be in- creased ? or shall they be apportioned differently ? Shall a thousand dollars be applied by way of experi- ment upon half a mile of road, or shall good avenues be provided at any cost ? In a matter involving so great an outlay, the Selectmen are unwilling to recom- mend any particular measures ; but the subject has a very considerable bearing upon the value of the pro- perty of our citizens, and it is left with them to say whether the town shall become as much distinguished for the excellence of its roads as it is for the beauty of
5
its situation, the salubrity of its air, and its educational advantages.
During the year, Myrtle, Linwood and Laurel Streets have been graded, at an expense of about $2,300, and the amount has been assessed upon the abutters. All the assessments upon Laurel Street having been paid, the Selectmen have accepted it as a public way, and ask the town to ratify their doings by a vote. The payments on the two other streets not being yet complete, it is recommended that the ac- ceptance of these streets be delayed for the present. It is to be hoped that, before the April meeting the Treasurer will receive the balance still due on account of. this improvement, so that the new Board may be saved from the necessity of exposing for sale any delinquent estate.
Lime, Pearl, Summer and Cherry Streets are found not to be in a condition warranting their acceptance by the town ; but should the action of the Selectmen the past year, in grading streets at private expense, meet the exigencies of the citizens in cases of like de- scription, the next Board will be justified in applying the same system to the streets above-named, or to a portion of them.
Russell Street, opening from Elm Street, (passing the residence of Mr. Philemon R. Russell, and sup-
6
ported by him for a dozen years,) is in good order, has been accepted by the Selectmen as a public way, and they ask the town to ratify their action in this case also by the necessary vote.
Florence Street, being in proper condition, would have been accepted under the license from the town, but for encroachments on the part of some of the abutters, which rendered it expedient to delay action until this difficulty should be removed.
In March last the Selectmen were directed to widen and grade School Street, from Milk Row to Broadway, provided the requisite land should be furnished with- out cost. Upon that portion lying north of Church Street, sufficient land having been given, a large amount of work has been done, rendering it probable that early in the coming season this section of the street will be opened for public travel. A bridge over the Lowell Railroad, commenced last year, has been completed by the corporation. South of Church Street, one party only objects to the condition contained in the vote of the town; and, notwithstanding a long strip of land,-in its widest part upwards of twenty feet,-is required from this individual, the Selectmen, believing that the value of the remainder of the lot- 16 acres-would be greatly enhanced by the widening of this avenue, have not deemed it expedient to alter the present straight line of their survey.
7
The County Commissioners have -recently laid out a road from Medford, over Walnut Hill, to Broadway ; and the town has been ordered to build, the present season, that portion-more than half a mile-lying within its limits. To enable the Selectmen to meet the requirement, an extra appropriation of from $500 to $600 must be called for at the April meeting.
Under an Act of the last Legislature, the Fitchburg Railroad Company have lowered their track where it crosses Milk Street, not only improving the whole neighborhood, but adding greatly to the public con- venience.
Liberty having been granted to the Cambridge Gas Light Company to lay their pipes under the roads in the southerly side of the town, the residents of that section are now in the enjoyment of one important luxury of city life.
By authority of a vote of the town about $275 from the highway appropriations have been paid to- wards a fund of four times that amount raised by private subscription for watering streets the last sum- mer. While the members of the Board are not agreed as to the propriety of an outlay of this kind, it is the opinion of many judicious persons that, taking into view the saving of labor and materials which would otherwise be necessary, the comfort of our citizens
8
may be promoted in this manner, without any essen- tial increase to the expenses of the highways.
Before leaving the subject of highways, the Select- men desire to suggest, for the action of the town at some future meeting, whether, considering the nature of our soil, and the entire absence of material for making hard and dry roads, the citizens may not pro- perly, at the public expense, adopt a general system in reference to sidewalks, which shall rid those at least who travel on foot from the annoyances of mud and dust. It is known that a law exists, under which one- half of the expense for making sidewalks can be assessed upon the owner of contiguous land. This system cannot often be rendered equitable, and will, therefore, be resorted to only in extreme cases. Be- sides, the difficulties attending its enforcement, added to the cost and trouble of collecting assessments of from one to three dollars, leave the matter really in a much worse condition in every respect, than would be the case if the town should take the whole burden upon itself, and make it a part of the duty of its surveyors to provide for the comfort of the pedestrian.
The Superintendent of Highways, Mr. Abram Welch, has long been employed in this department, has uniformly managed its affairs with good judgment and economy, and deserves an increase to his present
9
salary as an evidence that the value and faithfulness of his services are duly appreciated.
The Cambridge boundary, near the corner of Milk and Cottage Streets, was changed by Act of the last Legislature, this town losing thereby a small amount of unoccupied territory, and gaining several dwellings, with an addition to the population of thirty persons.
The line between Somerville and Cambridge was carefully perambulated in June, the bounds adjusted, and a record of the same deposited with the town clerk.
A building,-ordered at the April meeting to be placed at the corner of Prospect and Washington Streets,-for the accommodation of the Firemen, Mili- tary and Police, has been erected at an expense of nearly $5,000. This building is now occupied, and meets in all respects the wants of the various organi- zations for which it was designed. The cost-increased somewhat by the use of faced brick, and the addition of a roomy and substantial cellar, not contemplated when the subject was presented to the town-exceeds the appropriation by about $400.
On the same lot, it became necessary to erect a new barn for the highway department, and this has been done at an outlay of not far from $500.
2
10
A reservoir for water has been built under Temple Street, Winter Hill, at an expense of $400, parties residing in that locality contributing one-half the amount.
In March last, the sum of $2,000 was placed at the disposal of the Selectmen, to aid in the prevention of incendiary fires. For obvious reasons, no explanations in regard to the manner in which they have endeav- ored to carry out the wishes of their fellow townsmen in this matter, can here be made. A large amount has not been expended, but it is recommended that a liberal sum be voted, the coming year, for the same purpose.
An application for a Fire Engine is reported to be in contemplation from two different sections of the town. Leaving out of view the first outlay, including perhaps the cost of expensive buildings, the yearly drafts upon the treasury for the support of each additional company will not fall short of a thousand dollars. While the present organization is beyond all question necessary to the public security, may it not be expedient to ingraft upon it, in lieu of expansion in the direction indicated, another system, adapted to the position and circumstances of the town. A fire-engine of recent invention, designed for small villages and factorics, occupying but little room, capable of being moved and worked by as few as four persons, and not
11
liable to derangement if out of use for months, can now be purchased for $250. The yearly cost of a single new company would be sufficient to provide four such engines, and these could be placed upon the premises of citizens who could be relied upon for care and judgment in the use of them. The little space required admits of their being easily stored, and they might be suitably covered as a protection from damage. A very moderate sum expended in this way, and upon additional reservoirs, would, connected with our present system, furnish facilities for the extinguishment of fires not equalled in any place in this neighborhood.
A claim of the town upon land on Prospect and Milk Streets, formerly held by Mr. Clark Bennett, was referred to this Board, and in adjusting the matter, a valuable building site, containing nearly 8,000 feet, on the southerly corner of the streets above named, has been acquired.
The report of the Treasurer, giving in detail the items which this Board has sanctioned, will show that, while, in the usual and specified objects of expense, the appropriations therefor have hardly been exceeded, the sum set apart for miscellaneous purposes has been largely overdrawn. Unusual and unavoidable calls® have been made, such as those for the barn and reser- voir above referred to, additional horses for the service of the highway, a very considerable sum for surveys,
12
and no small amount for legal services, the Selectmen schooling themselves in law at the charge of the town in order to avoid sacrificing its interests through their ignorance.
The new institution of horse railroads, which has of late occupied so much of the attention of residents in towns near to the city of Boston, is already at the verge of Somerville. Whatever may be the effect of this mode of travel upon the interests of Boston, it seems quite clear that, when improved and perfected by time and experience, no place is so likely to be benefited by its adoption as our own pleasant town. Notwithstanding its promises as to the future, in dealing with applicants for privileges over the streets of the town,-some of these applicants having char- ters extending through a period of fifty years,-this Board has not been willing, by undue haste or a want of proper caution, to embarrass the action of any future government, or to jeopardize the interests of particular localities in the town. The position of Somerville is such that the consideration of these charters, and va- rious questions more or less connected therewith, de- mands the exercise of good judgment and careful re- flection on the part of a board of Selectmen. The course to be pursued will very soon be clearly devel- oped, and any delay necessary to a full understanding of a subject so important will be of trifling conse- quence when compared with the infliction of an irrep-
13
arable injury upon a considerable portion of our citi- zens. These remarks are not intended to apply to individuals, or to any particular corporation. Parties connected with these enterprises are men of practical wisdom, and they will carefully avoid any act which will be likely to prove injurious or annoying to the public ; but as they are governed necessarily by per- sonal interests, the town must depend for its protection mainly upon its sworn officers.
Our citizens have too often, heretofore, done them- selves great injustice by neglecting to attend the most important town meeting of the year, that usually held in April, when most of the appropriations are made, and when those measures which are to affect, for good or for evil, the permanent interests of the town, are dis- posed of. Migrating from cities, accustomed to a different administration of affairs, many of our people forget that on them personally rests the responsibility and the consequences of the acceptance or defcat of the various measures proposed for their consideration. The Selectmen have each but a single vote, and yet they are not unfrequently expected to overcome the results of remissness on the part of those whose duty alone it is to propose, discuss, carry and find means to execute, the plans which are best adapted to promote the future welfare of the town.
The rapid growth of the town, the consequent
14
changes in the uses of its territory, and the wants of a denser population, involve a corresponding addition to the duties of its officers, rendering their labors oftentimes more arduous than is the case in places of older date. Besides the frequent and uncertain calls upon the time of individual members, this Board has held more than fifty evening sessions, many of them extending even into the next day, most of them securing a full attendance, harmony and cheerfulness always prevailing, and the duties lightened by a con- sciousness that devotion to the interests of their fellow citizens would secure a hearty approval.
Adopted in Board of Selectmen, February 28, 1857.
JAMES M. SHUTE, JOHN S. EDGERLY, CHAS. C. WALDEN, JOHN C. TENNEY, N. C. HAWKINS,
Selectmen of Somerville.
In Town Meeting, March 2, 1857. Voted, That the Report of the Selectmen be accepted, printed, and distributed to the inhab- itants of the town.
CHARLES E. GILMAN, Town Clerk.
STATEMENT
Of the Receipts and Disbursements of the Treasurer of the Town of Somerville, from March 1, 1856, to March 1, 1857.
RECEIPTS.
Cash received of R. Vinal, ex-treasurer, . $255 98
of the Commonwealth for taking census, Borrowed and received of the Lechmere Bank, in an- ticipation of taxes,
88 00
2,000 00
Borrowed and received of the Cambridge Port Savings Bank, on five years, . 4,500 00 Borrowed and received of the Lechmere Bank, in an- ticipation of taxes, · Borrowed and received of the People's Five Cents Sav- ings Bank, on five years, . . Received of one Mr. Young, for use of Town Hall, for exhibition, 5 00
1,000 00
5,000 00
Borrowed and received of the Lechmere Bank, in an- ticipation of taxes, 2,000 00 Borrowed and received of Columbus Tyler, in anticipa- tion of taxes, 1,000 00 . Received of the Mechanics' Mututal Insurance Co., for loss of Prescott School-house, . 2,500 00
Received of Musical Troup, for use of Town Hall, 5 00
of Commonwealth, for School fund, 212 48 for State pauper account, 18 15
Borrowed and received of Levi Jones, on six years, . 5,000 00 John Peabody, on six years, 2,500 00
16
Borrowed and received of Malvina F. Bennett, in an- ticipation of taxes, . $550 00
B. G. Kelley, in anticipa- tion of taxes, 170 00
Received of the Universalist Society, for use of Town
Hall, 1 00
Received of Francis Tufts, Esq., as fines for violation of by-laws, .
3 00
Received of Samuel John Pike, for books sold, .
42 00
of Evans Cushing, for fall feed, . 8 00
for use of Town Hall, for exhibition of Hub- bard's Varieties, 10 00
for dog licenses, 2 00
Received of the late Hugh Moore, as taxes for 1855, . 790 86
1854, . 83 26
1853, . 19
Received of the late Hugh Moore, as assets for grad- ing side walk, (Broadway,) . .
10 00
Received of the administratrix of the estate of Hugh Moore, as taxes for 1853, . ·
56 83
Received of the administratrix of the estate of Hugh Moore, as taxes for 18.55, . 277 35
Received for old engine house and junk, . of the Commonwealth, for Militia of 1855, . 1856, .
131 00
301 50
250 00
Armory for 1856,
100 00
Paupers for 1856, 28 00
Received of F. L. Raymond, taxes assessed for 1855,
682 50
of C. E. Gilman, for use of Town Hall, ·
36 00
A. Welch, for junk sold, .
·
5 00
Amount of taxes assessed for 1856, .
$31,573 92
Less discounts and abatements, $912 66
County tax,
. 2,015 82
Uncollected taxes of 1856,
. 3,705 48
6,633 96
24,939 96
$54,578 06
17
DISBURSEMENTS.
SCHOOLS.
Paid D. B. Wheeler's bill, for books and ink, $1 91
Arthur W. Tufts, for coal and bark, . 39 74
Geo. T. Littlefield, for crayons, &c., . 3 18
O. S. Knapp, for building fires in Prospect Hill School, books, &c., 33 33
James O. Hill, building fires in Franklin School, 15 00
Daniel Kelley & Co., for repairing stoves, . 5 61
Daniel Kelley & Co., for repairing stoves, 2 25
W. W. Howard, for cleaning stoves, . 6 13
Miss Andrews, tuition in Foster Primary School, 6 00
Geo. B. Watson, for printing reports, 13 00
Joseph Giles, for building fires, 5 00
Daniel Kelley & Co., for stoves, &c., 5 73
Wm. W. Howard, for cleaning school yard, 1 00
D. B. Wheeler, building fires in Prescott School, 16 65
W. Bartholomew, tuition in drawing, High Sch., 18 75
Thos. Young, for building fires in High School, 49 00
John Emerson, for building fires, 7 50
Charles Adams, for building fires, . 20 00
Geo. W. Whiting, for building fires, . 5 00
Thos. Manning, for building fires, . 5 17
I. E. Locke, for books for indigent children, 2 10
M. B. Cutter, for tuition in Prescott Primary School, 75 00
B. P. Burgess, tuition in Spring Hill Primary, School, 75 00
A. A. Hall, for tuition in Prescott Intermediate School, 75 00
N. A. Durgin, tuition in Prescott High School, 75 00 E. F. Wyeth, tuition in Foster Primary School, 34 25 L. W. Locke, tuition in Franklin Intermediate School, 75 00
M. N. Howard, for tuition in Franklin Grammar School, 3
62 50
18
Paid M. O. Giles, tuition in Medford Street Primary School, $75 00 Geo. T. Littlefield, tuition in Franklin Grammar School, · .
225 00
O. Gulliver, tuition in Cherry St. Primary Sch., 75 00
I. E. Locke, for tuition in Prospect Hill Primary School, 75 00
D. B. Wheeler, for tuition in Prescott Grammar School, 225 00
A. A. Gillis, for tuition in High School, 100 00
Anna Woodcock, for tuition in Prospect Grammar School, 75 00
Leonard Walker, for tuition in High School, 300 00
M. A. Merriam, for tuition in High School, 100 00
J. H. Ellis, for tuition in Harvard Primary Sch.,
75 00
O. S. Knapp, tuition in Prospect Hill Grammar School, 225 00
John Jameson, tuition in Foster Grammar Sch., 225 00 Jane E. Plympton, tuition in Prospect Hill Sch., 75 00
Meacham, West & Co., for coal, 8 00
D. A. Marratt, for pail, 35
Emeline F. Wyeth, for tuition in Foster Primary School, 3 25
L. L. Blodgett, tuition in Foster Grammar Sch., 75 00
John Jameson, for ink, writing books, &c., 10 38
Graves & Weston, printing report of 1855, 60 00
Wm. Bartholomew, for tuition in drawing, High School, 25 00
Susan C. Russell, tuition in Walnut Hill School, 100 00
Susan C. Russell, for sundries furnished, . 3 83
A. Woodbury, tuition in Foster Primary School, Mrs. Rogers, for cleaning School-house,
17 30
4 40
Jennett Reed, for cleaning School-house, .
9 84
Bridgett McGraw, for cleaning School-house, 9 40
Mrs. Callahan, for cleaning School-house, . 3 12
Mrs. Callahan, for cleaning School-houses,
9 36
Mrs. Mullagan, for cleaning School.houses,
7 20
Mary N. Howard, additional tuition, 12 50
Thomas Young, for cleaning School-houses, 16 00
19
Paid Amos Pierce, repairing Medford Street Primary School-house,
1
$25 00 Amos Pierce, for repairing Prospect Hill School- house, .
171 50
Amos Pierce, for repairing High School-house, . 108 11
Phillips, Sampson & Co., books for Prescott Sch., Nathaniel Waterman, for rugs, . 116 56 6 00
Mary Lines, for cleaning house in 1855,
10 31
T. S. Woodbury & Co., painting School-house, Geo. T. Littlefield, for ink,
2 30
Henry Hills, repairs on Franklin School-house,
10 00
J. E. Plympton, tuition in Prospect Hill Inter- mediate School, 75 00
John Jameson, tuition in Foster Grammar Sch., Ophelia Gulliver, for tuition in Cherry Street Primary School, . ·
75 00
I. E. Locke, tuition in Prospect Hill Primary School, 75 00
Anna Woodcock, for tuition in Prospect Hill Grammar School, . 75 00
M. O. Giles, tuition in Medford Street Primary School, 75 00
M. A. Merriam, tuition in High School, 100 00
A. W. Tufts, for fuel, 81 57
O. S. Knapp, for tuition in Prospect Hill and sundries furnished, 226 00
A. A. Gillis, tuition in High School, . 100 00
B. P. Burgess, for tuition in Spring Hill Primary School, 75 00
M. N. Howard, tuition in Franklin Grammar School, 75. 00
L. W. Locke, tuition in Franklin Intermediate School, 75 00
L. L. Blodgett, tuition in Foster Grammar Sch., Geo. H. Allen, for paper hanging, .
75 00
43 50
E. F. Wyeth, tuition in Foster Primary School, 75 92 Geo. T. Littlefield, tuition in Franklin Grammar School, 225 00
Leonard Walker, tuition in High School, . .
300 00
102 79
225 00
20
Paid A. A. Hall, for tuition in Prescott Intermediate School, $75 00 N. A. Durgin, tuition in Prescott Grammar Sch., 75 00 M. B. Cutter, tuition in Myrtle Street Primary School, 75 00
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