USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1858-1867 > Part 34
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52
THE TRUANT ACT.
Among the questions put to the School Committee by the State officials the present year, is the following :
. " Has the town made the provisions and arrangements concerning Truants and Absentees required by law ?"- Act, chap. 207, 1862.
16
This question the Committee must answer in the negative. In the belief that the good of the schools, as well as the require- ments of the statute, demanded the Truant Act, the Committee, in former years, have endeavored to get the subject before the town at its April meetings, but in every case the time for action came at a late hour, and hence postponement seemed to be a necessity. But now that we are formally called upon to heed the statute, the town, at its April meeting, will, we doubt not, take the requisite means to carry the law into effect.
In concluding this Report, the Committee feel that they may assure their fellow citizens that the average condition of the schools is at least good, even if not, in all particulars, fully up to the standard of former years. Uniformity of excellence, though ever to be desired and aimed for, cannot always be reached. The new Board will, we doubt not, find the materials ample and the opportunities good, to bring the schools up to a very high standard of merit.
Respectfully submitted,
CHAS. S. LINCOLN, ISAAC STORY, JOHN G. HALL, AUSTIN BELKNAP, JOSHUA H. DAVIS, HEMAN A. DEARBORN, JOSIAH L. LOMBARD, LEONARD ARNOLD,
GEO. H. EMERSON.
REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN.
Fellow Citizens, - As the years roll by we naturally review the past and contemplate the future, and by so doing correct errors and mistakes, and, if wise, profit by the lessons we have learned ; and as the municipal year of 1864-5 has closed, you require of us an account of our doings, that you may see wherein we have erred, by omission or commission, and so enable the next Board the better to perform the duties of the office.
In fulfilling the trust committed to our care, we have not been unmindful of their importance ; and all that has been done (although it cannot be expected in the nature of things every one will be pleased), in the opinion of the Board, was fairly and impartially and for the best good of the Town; and if all our doings should not prove correct, you will, we trust, look upon us as human and liable to err, and judge us accordingly.
HIGHWAYS.
The streets and sidewalks are in (for the most part) as good condition as the appropriation would allow, and it will be clearly seen that the appropriation was small when taking into account the high rates of everything connected with making or repairing highways. The
3
19
roads of our Town are, more than most any other, sub- jected to hard usage from the constant travel with heavy teams, and the material used in repairing, is not in our opinion, such as is wanted to make good roads ; and their being no better within the limits of the Town, your Board recommend the purchase of a gravel bank (if a suitable one can be found within a reasonable distance), · where a large proportion of it will be stone, that can be ' broken and used with more economy than that now used and at the same time make a more acceptable road. To work economically it appears best to use more of our ledge stone, and it is advisable to have what is called a " Stone Crusher," not a hammer in the 'hands of a lazy man, but a machine driven by steam, that will do the labor of many men.
While there has been good improvement in some of the streets and sidewalks, by edgestones, grading, &c., and all compare favorably with former years, the main thoroughfares are not in a condition satisfactory to us, except one which leads from the flagstaff to Cambridge line, (i. e.) Milk street; that, we are pleased to say, is in better condition than ever before, and will be kept in good order at less expense to the Town, than any other of same length ; from Medford street to Cambridge line it has been widened twelve feet, and the whole expense to the Town for widening, building wall, and grading street, does not exceed $700.
Washington street, from Charlestown line to flagstaff, and Milk street, from flagstaff to Cambridge line, is in bad order, and will be until the railroad is put into the centre of the street, then it can be graded to give good drainage, and the road can then be put in such order as
19
the public have a reasonable right to require ; and your Board are of the opinion, that it will be wise, at an early day, to make an arrangement with the Railroad Corporation to have the rails so moved, and the Town make a reasonable appropriation for same.
We trust you will fully consider this matter, and take such action as the case demands.
On Beach street, in front of Mr. Hamman's, we have straightened the line as per instruction from Town, by survey and plan made and drawn by Mr. Richardson, and by so doing, have in our opinion, enhanced the value of his and the property around it; and, although we do not acknowledge that he has any legal claim, be- lieving it to be the wishes of the Town to deal justly with all, have offered him a sum for land taken, which we trust will be satisfactory.
And it is to be hoped that the next Board will remove other obstructions where the public good requires it.
Your Board having been fully convinced that the safety to life and property required the closing up of a private way called " Clark's crossing" leading from Milk street to Beacon street, gave notice to the Officers of the Fitchburg Railroad to close it, and they have done so, leaving suitable gateways to accommodate the abuttors.
The Town Farm (so called) from long neglect had become almost a barren waste, and to reclaim it a large expenditure was needed, but your Board thought it would be well expended and meet the approval of the Town, and have accordingly laid 750 feet of 6 inch and 2800 feet of 2 inch pipe to drain it, and have
20
removed brush and stone, and had the whole piece ploughed ; the expense so far has mostly been taken from the highway appropriation amounting to $800. This sum, with the extra amount paid L. R. R. to bring the gravel from Winchester, has made the amount expended on highways small.
As the Stable and Sheds do not well accommodate the wants, your Board advise that all buildings required for highway purposes be put upon the Town Farm, and by erecting a cheap house, some whom the Town are obliged to maintain, could be boarded with the help, and be made to earn something toward their support. This is a subject of much importance, and we trust will receive due consideration.
School street from Broadway to Ledge, about 900 feet has been widened 5 feet by J. R. Poor, with the expectation that all the other abuttors on either side will do likewise, and so make it more desirable for resi- dence.
Broadway from Estate of late Edward Cutter to a point near Temple street, (as per plan) needs to be straightened, and if done, the value of real estate would be much increased on line so straightened, and if the abuttors will give the land needed to straighten, the Town can well afford to grade same.
The Report of G. L. Richardson not having been printed, we herewith publish it.
21
REPORT IN REGARD TO. THE TOWN SURVEY.
The survey of highways, boundaries, &c., which was com- menced in July, 1859, having been completed, and the original design fully carried out, it was thought advisable to give an explanation of the object of the work and the results obtained. Many of the county and town ways in Somerville have had no well defined legal boundaries for many years. The crude descriptions which remain upon the Charlestown records refer to objects which have been long since obliterated, and were intelligible only to those of the oldest inhabitants who were familiar with objects and titles at the time of its being made. Mr. . - Cutter and Mr. Nathan Tufts assisted the select- men in this respect to a considerable extent.
The original location having thus been ascertained as nearly as practicable, it became evident that extensive encroachments had been made, and were being annually made, upon the rights of the Town. As abuttors would, in the lapse of time, come into legal possession of the lands thus enclosed, it was deemed advisable not only to ascertain the present legal right of the Town, but to erect a barrier against further encroachments. The most extensive encroachments were found to have been upon Washington, Milk, Bow, Cross and Beacon streets.
According to the General Statutes, chapter 46, section 1, " When buildings or fences have been erected and continued for more than twenty years, fronting upon a street, and from the length of time or otherwise the boundaries thereof are not known, or cannot be made certain by the records, or by monu- ments, such fences and buildings shall be taken to be the true boundaries thereof. Where such boundaries can be made certain, no length of time less than forty years shall justify the continuance of such fences."
Many of the encroachments already referred to have taken place within forty years. It was not deemed practicable to
22
insist upon the ancient boundaries in all cases, as in some cases they could not be legally established from lapse of time, and in other cases good lines could be obtained without so doing. There was such a case in Washington street, at the foot of Prospect Hill, where. it had been made twenty feet narrower than it was originally. In other cases the land of abuttors has been taken for the purpose of regularity and simplicity.
Preliminary or working plans having been made first of all, the streets requiring any alteration, showing the present posi- tion of fences, buildings, &c., and the names of the abuttors, and the Committee having established the future boundaries upon the ground, these boundaries were recorded upon said plans, thus showing the amount and shape of the alteration, and who were affected by it. Considerable delay was occa- sioned in this part of the work, as the rights of abuttors were to be considered as well as those of the Town. The main objects sought for in the new location. were symmetry, sim- plicity and economy. In some cases curved lines have been adopted instead of a succession of short irregular straight lines, because the former are in reality shorter and more simple than the latter, a curve requiring to be defined only at its com- mencement and terminus. By the adoption of curved lines, finish and elegance is substituted for an irregularity. The location of Cross street affords an illustration of Hogarth's waving line of beauty, which is technically a reversed curve.
The new locations having been finally decided upon by the Committee, were recorded in a book of plans showing the position of monuments, and the length of lines.
The perishable nature of wooden stakes and similar boun- daries has been the cause of much perplexity in defining both public and private estate. On many of those streets which had been laid out within a few years by the Town, and of which plans had been recorded, the original bounds had been nearly all destroyed, so that it was difficult to find a starting point. It was then decided by the Committee that every
23
angle should be defined either directly or indirectly, and in accordance with the Statute, by a stone monument sunk in the ground to the grade of the street, or a few inches below. For security, simplicity and economy, the monuments were to be sunk in the centre or travelled way of each street, and the exact point indicated by a drill hole. (Revised Statutes chap. - 44, sec. 88.)
· On all streets with parallel sides, the monuments represent the intersections and angles of the centre lines. On those streets whose sides were not parallel, they are placed upon the side lines bounding private estates.
. A general map of the whole showing this new location of . streets has also been made; the different surveys having been connected together by triangulation with the State survey ; parallels of latitude and longitude having been drawn, with distances in feet north and west from the State House. Gene- ral topography, water lines, soundings, &c., are also repre- sented upon this map.
GEO. L. RICHARDSON, Engineer.
STREET LAMPS.
They now number 115, and it is conceded that they are among the indispensable things required in all thickly settled neighborhoods. We think they have been well managed and given general satisfaction.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The Report of the Chief Engineer to us we publish in full, and it will be well for the Town not to over- look the suggestions by the board of Engineers.
24
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
GENTLEMEN,-Agreeable to your request, I would respect- fully submit the following Report :
The engine has been in service at seventeen fires in Town the past year; the losses have been small considering the combus- tible material in their immediate vicinity, probably not exceed- ing $11,000, most of which was covered by insurance. We have been assisted at five fires by a portion of the Cambridge department, and at one fire by the entire Charlestown and a portion of the Malden departments.
During the year an addition has been made to the depart- ment by the purchase of a hook and ladder carriage, which has proved to be quite useful; it is housed and run by a party with whom a contract has been made by the selectmen for that pur- pose. Seven new hydrants have been placed on the pipes of the Charlestown Water Works. The engine has done good service but now needs some considerable repairs, which will be attended to very soon.
Fifteen years ago the inhabitants, in order to the better secu- rity against fire, purchased a new engine. Since that time the population and the taxable property has more than trebled, and several hundred buildings have been erected, yet no additions have been made for the means of extinguishing fires, with the exception of building a few reservoirs, and procuring a few hundred feet of hose; they have been contented to go on in the same old way, until last year, when they purchased a hook and ladder carriage, which is a very important part of the department, and should have a small company attached to it to take care of and manage at fires.
There is no town in the State as large as Somerville, which is so poorly supplied with the means of extinguishing fires. As the neighboring cities and towns have adopted the steam-engine system, we cannot expect much assistance from them, except in
25
cases of very large fires; we shall, therefore, in future, have to rely on our own resources, which are very limited.
Probably but few of the inhabitants realize the exposed con- dition of different sections of the Town in case of fire, owing to the difficulty of procuring water. We have, in past years, been greatly favored in regard to having large fires, but the past is no guarantee for the future; we are liable at any moment to have them in our midst; we, therefore, would espe- cially call your attention to a few suggestions in relation to those parts of the town where water is very much needed. Spring Hill is one of the most exposed, and, should a fire break out there, it would be almost impossible to obtain a sup- ply, there being none to be relied upon in the vicinity ; the houses being all of wood, and near together, there would likely be an extensive conflagration. One or two reservoirs should be built near the top of the hill, from which water could be carried to a great distance and to almost all parts of the hill.
At a small expense, by placing gates to stop the water, Miller's Creek could be made to afford a good supply in that vicinity. Winter Hill is now better supplied than heretofore by a number of hydrants set by the Charlestown Water Works. Central Hill is in about the same condition as Spring Hill, although not so densely populated, yet there is a great chance for an extensive fire. A reservoir, situated near the Church and High School-house, and filled by the water from the roofs of both those buildings, would be a great protection to that locality. A reservoir should be built on Prospect Hill, near the Brastow School-house.
Franklin street, and the neighborhood at the foot of Prospect Hill, is now protected by water in old clay pits, which furnish a good supply, but as they are private property they are liable to be filled up at any time. A reservoir should be located in that vicinity, and hydrants should be placed on the pipe which supplies the McLean Asylum.
4
26
Cutter and Glen streets are very densely populated, and without any protection whatever.
That portion of Somerville, familiarly known as " Brick Bottom," is better protected than any other part of the Town. An abundant supply can always be obtained when "tide is up," and from numerous duck ponds in that locality ; but as those ponds may be filled up, it is very necessary that a reser- voir should be built in Linwood street, which could be filled by the surplus water from the Lowell Railroad water-works, which pass through that street.
A hose carriage, with a good supply of hose, should be located somewhere in the east village, and a company should be raised for the same, and some arrangement should be made whereby the bells in that section shall be rung in case of fire in Town.
It will be seen the town is poorly furnished with the means to extinguish fires, and whether we have a hand or steam department, it will avail but little, if we are deprived of that most important part-water.
The following is a schedule of the entire force of the department :
1 Engine and apparatus.
1 Hose carriage.
300 feet leading hose-good.
300 “ " -fair.
400 " -poor.
1 hook and ladder carriage, carrying 8 ladders, 2 hooks, 2 crotch poles, 2 axes, 2 rakes, 2 hay forks, 2 buckets, 4 lanterns.
2 ladders and 1 hook, located on Winter Hill.
2 ladders and 1 hook, located near the engine house.
6 reservoirs.
10 hydrants.
In behalf of the Board of Engineers.
S. H. GOODING, Chief.
27
CEMETERY.
The Town is still without a suitable place for burial, and your Board recommend the purchase of one, if to be had at reasonable price within the limits of the town, or near to. There is a desirable piece in Medford, near our line, that we are told can be had at a low rate.
In the old burial ground, on Milk street, where the military monument in honor of our gallant dead is erected, there is a vacant lot, but little used, belonging to the McLean Asylum. It is of suitable size, and it should be dedicated as the last resting place for the remains of the fallen heroes of Somerville, and it is hoped the Trustees of that institution will relinquish their claim in favor of the noble souls who have sacri- ficed their lives in this war.
CHARLESTOWN WATER WORKS.
The main pipes that were being laid at the time of last Report, have been completed, and we think in a substantial manner, and much to the relief of your Board ; for, while the work was going on, we had much trouble to protect the public from accident by the care- less manner in which they left the ditches, piles of earth, &c. By the grant of the Legislature we think they are obliged to put in hydrants at their own expense, and so stated in last Report, that they would be put in on distributing pipe when laid; this they now refuse, and say they are not obliged to, only on main pipe. They also say, that if, by any means, they are compelled to put in hydrants on distributing pipes, they will lay
28
no more in Town. Therefore, it may be policy to relin- quish our claim for hydrants, except on main pipe, that the citizens who wish, may be supplied with water, and the Town be at expense of hydrants on distributing pipes.
HORSE RAILROADS.
The railroad, as per location granted, from flagstaff in Union square, over Milk street, to Cambridge line, has been completed to the satisfaction of your Board, and the cars have been run, but at all times not according to location ; circumstances have caused us to be lenient with them. We are told that the road will soon fall into other hands, and the cars to be run according to terms of location. . The location petitioned for on Broadway, to Franklin street, through Franklin to Pearl, and through Pearl to Cross street, was granted and accepted.
POLICE.
This department has, we believe, given very general satisfaction, and we are happy to say that among the Officers, all has been harmony. The number of warrants issued between March 1st, 1864 and March 1st, 1865, are eighty. As follows :
For Assault and Battery, 43
Polygamy,
1
Malicious Mischief, 6
Larceny, .
11
Common Drunkard, 3
29
Violation of Lord's day, 3
Attempt to set fire, 1
Disturbance of the Peace, 3
Obtaining goods by false pretence, 1
Setting fire to Stable, 1
Burning Dwelling House, 1
Stealing Fruit, 3
Breaking and Entering and Committing Larceny, 3
-
80
Acquitted and discharged, 12
Sentenced to pay fine and costs, 42
Bound over to Superior Court, 9
Sentenced to House of Correction,
4
66 School Ship, 2
Settled by parties acknowledging satisfaction, 7
Warrants not used, . 4
80
By this it will be seen that there has not been much ground for complaint of intemperance, and we think good order has generally prevailed.
BOARD OF HEALTH.
There have been some complaints made, and the nuisances abated. And there are others that must be ; and as the parties have taken no notice, the com- plaints unless abated will be presented to the Grand Jury. And we trust this will be sufficient notice to all parties interested, and save the next Board further trouble.
30
REPORT OF WAR COMMITTEE.
The following circular, and the results therefrom, are published for the information of the citizens of the Town :
SOMERVILLE, July 15, 1864.
At a very large assemblage of citizens on the 5th instant, the undersigned were selected to confer with the Selectmen ; with them to take measures for recruiting for the national army, in anticipation of a call for troops by the Federal Government ; and to levy upon the inhabitants of the town such sum as might appear to be necessary to accomplish this purpose, with a view to avoid any necessity for a future draft.
We are unanimous in the opinion that it is desirable to raise the sum of $30,000; and the assessment upon you is for what is deemed to be your equitable proportion of that sum, as established by a basis agreed upon by us.
Enrolled persons have been assessed in a higher ratio than other citizens, the payment by them being considered somewhat in the nature of an insurance against a liability to draft.
A prompt response to this demand will be likely to prevent much of the trouble and anxiety which have been experienced heretofore, and will reflect great credit upon the people of the town.
Should it appear that the call upon you is for less than you believe to be your just share, the amount can be increased ; and any reasonable cause for abatement will be heard and consid- ered by the committee.
Columbus Tyler, Esq., has been appointed Treasurer of this fund, and will receive payments at the Armory Hall, corner of Prospect street, on the 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 22d, and 23d instant, at from 4 to 9 o'clock, P. M.
We hope that you will not burden the committee with the necessity for a personal application for payment; but will con-
31
stitute yourself an agent to induce others to respond, as also to aid the Selectmen in obtaining recruits.
A printed report of the contributions, in the order in which the money is received, will be distributed throughout the town.
JAMES M. SHUTE. COLUMBUS TYLER. CHARLES POWERS.
ROBERT A. VINAL. EBENEZER DAVIS.
THOMAS CUNNINGHAM.
TREASURER'S REPORT.
Whole amount assessed by committee on citizens,
$30,000 00
Amount collected on same, .
7,407 59
Amount uncollected,
$22,592 41
Amount received from enrolled men, under guarantee
from Board of Selectmen of no draft,
$8,202 00
Assessed as above,
7,407 59
Whole amount received,
$15,609 59
Whole amount paid out,
15,621 59
Over paid,
$12 00
COLUMBUS TYLER.
MILITARY.
This part of our Report (although last) is by no means of the least importance, and it has been a part of our duty that has required much time and patience ; and in our labors have received much aid from the Town's War Committee, and general co-operation of the citizens, and although it appears impossible to please every one, your Board feel that they have in all
32
cases used their best judgment in answering the calls for men, and as you will see that the present call was filled in advance, and there is now to the credit of the Town 111 men, we have followed the sug- gestions of the War Committee. Since October 17th, 1863, to present time, and that call was extended to February 1st, 1864. Our Town has been called upon to furnish 509 men. The calls have all been met, having put in 620 which leaves a balance to our credit for future call of 111 men paid for ; and your Board flatter themselves that the amounts expended by them for men will compare favorably with any Town in the Commonwealth.
The amount paid for State Aid from January, 1864, to January, 1865, is $15,852.31. This amount has been paid to 184 families, being an average of $86 to each.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.