USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1868-1871 > Part 17
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21,490.70
| 1,032.00
39,468.05
49,767.39
22,719.63
1855
±5806
6.40
32,728.69
3,579.30
42,621.05
52,990.39
21,669.63
1856
5.80
31,573.92
4,079.82
42,996.63
63,815 97
31,888.58
1857
7.20
42,659.52
5,361.20
54,373.63
75,492.97
44,518.58
1858
6.60
41,448.32
3,416.90
54,373.63
75,992 97
44,338.58
1859
6.30
40,557.84
3,407.58
not apprized
not apprized
42,554.00
1860
+8025 6,033.053
5.70
35,913.31
3.380,34
45,054,00
1861
5,777.600
8.00
49,027.30
7,732.05
63,650.00
85,335 00
53,049.00
1862
5,760.000
9,00
54,701.50 16,761.59
66,650.00
88,355.00
90,924.00
1863
5,849.900
11.80
72,674.20 20,721.59
66,650.00
85,495.00
84,224.00
1864
5,809.300 11.50
70.951.50 20,714.97
66,650.00
85,495.00 131,224.00
1865
£9353
6,590.807
15.50 106,865.57 31,248.00
not apprized
not apprized
142,724.00
1866
7,052.400 17.00 124,825.30 21,859.86 105,300.00 146,875.00 149,274.00
1867
8,890.500 15.50
142,734.14 33,929.44 159,950.00|206,125.00 189,474.00
1868 *12535 9,374.150 19.00 183,484.85 16,832.64 185,550.00 233,725.00.178,924 00
* Town Census. t U. S.Census. # Mass. State Census. ‘ County Tax only. | State Tax only
13
176
BIRTHS AND DEATHS IN SOMERVILLE IN 1868.
BIRTHS.
Whole number of births in Somerville for the year 1868, 396.
Males, 200
Females, 196
Children born of foreign parentage, . 212
Children born of American parentage, . 133
Where the father or mother were foreign, 27
Parentage unknown,
24
There were one pair of twins, and one pair of triplets.
DEATHS.
Whole number in 1868, . .
271
Persons born in Massachusetts, 65
Persons born in Maine, 12
Persons born in Vermont,
2
Persons born in New Hampshire,
4
Persons born in Connecticut, 1
Persons born in New York, 1
Persons born in Ireland, 40
Persons born in England, 8
Persons born in Scotland, 2
Persons born in Sweden, . r
1
Persons born in Nova Scotia, 2
Persons born in Canada, . 2
Persons born in Washington, D. C., Unknown, . 10
1
Children of foreign parentage,
94
Children of American parentage,
26
Two aged 87.
Fourteen between 80 and 90.
Twelve between 70 and 80.
Twelve between 60 and 70.
Seventeen between 50 and 60.
OFFICERS
OF THE
TOWN OF SOMERVILLE,
FOR 1868.
CHAS. E. GILMAN,
Town Clerk. Walnut St., near Lowell R. R.
Selectmen.
FRANCIS HOUGHTON, Chairman, Prospect Street,
SILAS H. HOLLAND,
Broadway (upper),
JACOB T. GLINES,
Broadway, Winter Hill,
CHARLES S. LINCOLN, Laurel Street,
JOHN A. PAINE,
Florence Street.
School Committee.
O. S. KNAPP, Chairman, Washington Street,
JOSHUA H. DAVIS, Sup't & Sec'y, Myrtle Street, LEONARD ARNOLD, Bow Street,
JOHN A. HUGHES,
Perkins Street,
SAM'L A. CARLTON, Broadway,
ENOCH R. MORSE,
Spring Street,
HENRY F. SPENCER, Broadway,
REV. GEO. W. DURELL,
Summer Street.
Treasurer. -
THOMAS CUNNINGHAM,
Oak Street.
Collector.
BENJAMIN RANDALL,
Office, Medford Street.
178
Assessors.
JOHN C. MAGOUN, Chairman, JOHN C. TENNEY, GEORGE W. IRELAND,
Broadway, Turnpike Street, School Street.
Overseers of the Poor.
CLARK BENNETT,
ABRAM WELCH,
PATRICK RAFFERTY,
Prospect Street, Linden Street, Columbia Street.
Auditors.
AARON SARGENT, Chairman,
Pinckney Street,
HENRY FRANK WOODS,
JAMES N. CLARK,
Central Street, Glen Street.
Fence Viewers.
JOHN C. MAGOUN, MARK FISK, CALEB BUCKNAM,
Broadway, Bond Street, Milk Street.
Constables.
HORACE B. RUNEY,
Cross Street,
CHARLES TRULL,
Vine Street,
GRANVILLE LELAND,
MICHAEL HANLEY,
Milk Street,
JAIRUS MANN,
Washington Street.
Public Weigher.
N. W. EDSON, Union Square.
Sealer of Leather. THOMAS CUNNINGHAM, Oak Street.
Sealer of Weights and Measures. JOHN C. MAGOUN, Broadway.
Board of Health.
THOMAS CUNNINGHAM, Chair'n, Oak Street, HORACE B. RUNEY, Clerk, Cross Street,
CLARK BENNETT, Prospect Street,
DR. N. J. KNIGHT, Myrtle Street,
JOHN G. HALL, Summer Street.
Elm Street,
179
Surveyors of Wood, Bark, and Lumber.
EDWIN L. WEEKS, SAM'L LITTLEFIELD,
J. F. EDSON, 3. B. BENSON, N. W. EDSON,
IARK FISK, C. T. TEMPLE,
Bond Street,
Broadway.
Field Drivers.
Everett Street,
Turnpike Street,
Near Spring Street,
Vine Street, Washington Street,
AIRUS MANN, 'HEO. C. JOSSLYN,
Broadway,
Elm Street,
Milk Street,
Cross Street,
Central Street,
Kent Street,
Central Street.
Surveyors of Highway.
HE BOARD OF SELECTMEN, FRANKLIN HENDERSON, Superintendent, Central Street.
Committee on Fishing.
EVI RUSSELL, Broadway.
Somerville Mystic Water Committee.
ARON SARGENT, Chairman,
Pinckney Street,
OBERT A. VINAL,
Walnut Street,
EUBEN E. DEMMON,
Cherry Street,
. E. RYMES, UTLER DOWNER,
Summer Street,
Central Street.
. Finance Committee. EUBEN E. DEMMON, Chairman, Cherry Street, UTLER DOWNER, ARON SARGENT,
Central Street, Pinckney Street.
1. D. SNOW, D. C. ROBBINS,
D. P. BUCKNAM, CHARLES TRULL,
GRANVILLE LELAND, CALEB BUCKNAM, I. B. RUNEY,
'RANKLIN HENDERSON,
EDWARD PEPPER, V. S. TUFTS,
Marshall Street,
Broadway, Milk Street, Broadway, Union Square,
180
Fire Engineers.
DAVID A. SANBORN, Chief,
Prospect Street,
SAMUEL H. GOODING,
Joy Street,
ALFRED HORTON,
Pearl Street,
HENRY A. ANGIER,
Broadway,
GEO. CUTTER,
Elm Street,
Police Officers.
THEO. C. JOSSLYN,
Broadway,
STEPHEN SMITH,
Beacon Street,
HENRY SHAW,
Walnut Street,
N. L. PENCOCK,
Fitchburg Street,
EDWARD PEPPER,
SAM'L H. GOODING,
EDWIN L. WEEKS,
ORR N. TOWNE,
WILLIAM S. TUFTS,
JOEL A. HUNTER,
THOMAS CUNNINGHAM,
JAMES HANLEY, HUGH BLACKWELL,
FRANKLIN HENDERSON, DAVID A. SANBORN, JR.,
S. D. WILLIS,
F. D. SNOW,
ROBERT R. PERRY,
JOSHUA H. SAWIN, THOS. GOODHUE,
Kent Street, Joy Street, Marshall Street,
Mt. Vernon Street, Central Street,
Pearl Street,
Oak Street, Milk Street.
Kent Street,
Central Street,
Prospect Street, Walnut Street, Everett Street,
Franklin Street, Elm Street,
Washington Street.
REPORTS
OF THE
fficer
OF
SOMERVILLE,
FOR THE YEAR 1869.
BOSTON:
W. F. BROWN & Co., PRINTERS, NO. 50 BROMFIELD STREET. 1870.
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REPORT
OF
THE SELECTMEN.
FELLOW CITIZENS : - In preparing the Annual Report of the doings of your Selectmen for the year 1869, we are reminded that a season of unusual quietness, but still one of much apparent prosperity to the town, has passed.
The subject which usually takes precedence in our Reports, and one which is of the most importance to the interests and progress of the town, is the condition of its Streets and
HIGHWAYS.
The large and constantly increasing amount of travel over our streets, and the increasing demand for estab- lishing the grade of streets and sidewalks, caused by the large amount of building, calls for an increase of appro- priation for the purpose of enlarging the work upon our highways.
The expenditure the past year has considerably ex- ceeded the appropriation, for reasons set forth in the Report of the Committee on Highways, and to which we ask your attention.
The extension of Pearl street, from Cross to Medford street, has been completed to its full width, fifty feet, and is now open for public travel.
A hearing of interested parties was given by the
.
4
County Commissioners, October 22d, concerning the ex- tension of Pearl street southerly from Mount Vernon street to the Charlestown line, and they subsequently ordered the extension to be made, the abuttors agreeing to give the necessary land therefor.
The work of cutting and grading Franklin street has been successfully done. The completion of this work has caused an increased value to the estates abutting and those in the immediate vicinity, as it enabled the laying of a sewer and water pipes, thereby affording opportunity for proper drainage and a supply of pure water, with hy- drants, for the extinguishment of fires.
Too lively an interest cannot be entertained by our fellow citizens in encouraging the grading of our streets and sidewalks, and the building of sewers.
Temple street has been graded according to the plan adopted.
The subject of accepting those portions of Putnam and Prescott streets, and the extension of said streets straight down to Milk street, was brought before your Board by petition of the several abuttors upon said streets, and a hearing was granted them, after which the matter was referred to a Committee to examine the premises and report. Subsequently the Committee reported, That they did not find said streets suitably graded for accep- tance, and that when said streets are extended they should be made straight to Milk street, which views your Board adopted.
A plan has been obtained and adopted by the Board for grading Flint street, which work we recommend to be proceeded with as early as possible in the Spring, to enable the laying of water pipes through the street.
NEW STREETS.
The order of the County Commissioners for the exten-
5
sion of Summer street southerly from Laurel to Bow street and northwesterly to Elm street, has been received, and the time specified for the building of these exten- sions is made to terminate with the year 1870, there- fore a special appropriation will be required at the next April meeting, to enable us to comply with the condi- tions of said order.
The project of a new road from Medford across the Wellington Farms, so called, and opening out near and upon the street leading to Malden Bridge in Malden, or across Mystic River to Mystic Avenue in Somerville, was considered by the County Commissioners, before whom the several interested parties were allowed a hearing in the matter, your Board voted to oppose the latter project of opening the proposed road to Mystic Avenue, or at any other point in Somerville, not feeling that benefits equal to the large expense to be incurred could ever be derived by the town.
For the further consideration of the subject of streets, &c., we ask your attention to the Report of the Commit- tee on Highways, which has been adopted by your Board.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON HIGHWAYS.
At the last April Meeting the following Streets were referred to the Selectmen to examine and accept or re- ject, as their judgment might dictate, viz.
Aldersey, Boston, Belmont, Clark, Ivaloo, Spring, Ben- edict, Oliver and Union Streets.
After the reference of the above named Streets to your Committee on Highways, each of said streets were carefully inspected. Ivaloo and Clark streets were recom- mended to be accepted, the latter upon condition that said street could be made safe for public travel by the County Commissioners causing a watchman, or suitable
6
gates to be placed at the Fitchburg Railroad Co.'s cross- ing over said street and maintained by said Corporation. Accordingly your Committee petitioned the County Com- missioners in the matter, causing an examination of the premises and a hearing before the Commissioners, which was held September 4th, since which time the matter has remained in their hands, and we await their report.
Subsequently Union and Benedict streets were ac- cepted. Belmont street was examined, but your Com- mittee did not find it in a fit condition for acceptance, for three reasons, viz., want of uniformity in width, crooked lines and bad grade, and your Committee cannot recom- mend its acceptance until said street is made straight from Summer to Milk street and of uniform width, both of which considerations will allow a much better grade. Your Committe feel that this is a case where the better- ment law should be made to apply, unless the abuttors upon said street can arrange a proper line among them- selves.
Spring street, south of Milk - better known as Kent street - is merely a Court, as it does not open across the Fitchburg Railroad. The Court is from one to two feet below grade, and bounded northwesterly by the Frank- lin School-House lot and southeasterly by a vacant lot. The near proximity of this street to Clark street before- mentioned would cause your Committee to recommend its non-acceptance, even were it a street and properly graded.
Oliver street was not found to be in a proper condi- tion to be accepted, nor had the time arrived, in our opin- ion, for its acceptance.
Boston and Aldersey streets were not recommended for acceptance, as they did not open out to other streets, and were not, in our opinion, suitably graded.
Some of the contemplated alterations and repairs of
7
streets have not been made as intended and desired by your Committee, but a good deal of work has been done which was not contemplated in early spring as will be seen by our Report.
^ School and Medford streets have both been but partially repaired, the former between Highland avenue and Med- ford streets has been widened and graded; this portion of said street heretofore had scarcely been in passable con- dition. A slight fill is required in this street near Broad- way, and Macadamizing where the cut was made between Broadway and Medford streets, also below Highland ave- nue towards Milk street, and the grade requires changing.
Medford street requires Macadamizing from its junc- tion with Broadway to Central street, and from its junc- tion with Highland avenue to Cross street ; also from Washington to Milk streets.
Your Committee desire to call your especial attention to the condition of that part of Medford street between Milk street and the Fitchburg Railroad. This street is laid out fifty feet in width, but the passage over the bridge at this point is only twenty feet, and the Bridge so much decayed that, in the opinion of your Committee, it should be rebuilt early in the spring, and that the water-course under it be reduced to the natural capacity of the water course above the Bridge, say 4 ft. to 5 ft. in width, and your Committee would also recommend that said street, from the bridge to Milk street, be filled to its full width, fifty feet, and guarded by a substantial railing.
The work of grading and Macadamizing Cedar street is being proceeded with, and before spring your Com- mittee hope to see it completed.
In addition to the before-mentioned streets, Macada- mizing is also required on Broadway in the hollow, Elin street from its junction with Milk street to Cedar street, Beacon street from Washington street nearly to the
8
bridge across the Fitchburg Railroad and Linwood street its entire length. Especial attention is recommended to this street, as it is at times almost impassable. A heavy body of Macadamizing is required on this street, as nearly the whole road-bed is little better than a mass of clay.
Washington street has long needed repairs, and we would also recommend the attention of the Board to this street, from the Charlestown line to the Railroad Bridge.
A portion of the work on the above streets will be done the present winter.
Your Committee would invite especial attention to the fact that a large item has been drawn from the highway fund for setting edge-stones and the attendant expenses of grading and paving gutters, &c., and we recommend that a separate appropriation be asked for at the next April Meeting, to meet this uncertain expense.
Your Committee would recommend, that no impedi- ment be put in the way of those who desire to have edgestones set, but rather that an inducement should be offered, as the setting of edgestones necessarily requires establishing the grade of the street, paving the gutters and filling the sidewalks, thereby completing a street.
The number of feet of edgestones set the past year is seven thousand five hundred and fifty-five feet, which work required about four thousand yards of paving, in- cluding cross walks, &c. The total cost to the town of the above work, including the filling of the streets and sidewalks and Macadamizing the same is nearly seven thousand dollars.
Seventeen cesspools have been constructed the past year at a cost of about seven hundred dollars.
Your Committee feel that a very desirable object would be obtained could Milk street be widened from the northerly end of Bow street southerly to the Cambridge
9
line - this portion of the street is now only fifty feet wide, while from the first named point northerly to the Cambridge line, it is sixty feet, the inconsistency of this difference in width, will manifest itself to any one by a moment's reflection, when you consider that the several converging streets entering Milk street at or below Union Square throw all the travel from those points over the narrowest part of said street, and therefore for all reasons the lower end should be the wider of the two.
There is now but one side-walk on this street, from Medford street to the line of East Cambridge. Your Com- mittee need not remind you that nearly twice the travel passes over Milk street than of any other avenue through the town, notwithstanding its imperfect condition.
The time is not far distant when additional room will be required for the use of the town teams; the present premises are fully occupied, both stable and sheds, and no additional stable or shed-room can be made on the present premises.
The town farm is centrally located and well situated for the purpose of keeping the teams, and your Board recommends that a portion of the farm be devoted to the purpose of erecting suitable stables and sheds for the town teams, and a small block of tenements for the teamsters.
In conclusion, your Committee, without suggesting any amount, earnestly recommend a large increase in the ap- propriation for highways, feeling that the interests of the town require and demand it.
FRANCIS HOUGHTON, JACOB T. GLINES, HORACE HASKINS, SILAS H. HOLLAND, JOHN G. HALL,
Committee on Highways.
-
10
SEWERS.
An increased interest in the matter of sewerage has been manifested the past year, and a number of petitions have been answered by causing sewers to be constructed in different parts of the town. In view of the numerous calls for sewers, your Board thought it desirable for the interests of the town that a systematic plan of sewerage for the whole town should be made, as main outlets must be decided upon soon.
For particulars and further suggestions in this depart- ment, we refer you to the Report of the Committee on Sewers, which was adopted by the Board.
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON SEWERS.
The importance of providing for the town a thorough system of drainage can hardly be overestimated. Con- sidered merely as a sanitary measure it deserves the at- tention of every friend of humanity, and of every one who has sufficient intelligence to comprehend its bear- ings upon his own case, or that of his family.
It may be assumed as an established fact that there is less mortality in well-drained districts from almost every variety of disease, than in those imperfecty drained. This is particularly true in respect to epidemics. It is plain that our community are beginning to be aware that one great cause of the prevalence of disease is neglecting to provide suitable drainage.
It thus appears in its first aspect as a matter demand- ing outlays of money ; and therefore essentially unpalat- able to many, though it be to secure an immunity not too dear at any price within their ability. But sagacious owners of property have not failed to remark the advance in values by which this outlay will be, on the whole, and speaking in a wide view of the matter, much more than repaid. The town of Somerville cannot afford to avoid
2
11
the cost and care of all such improvements as enhance the valuation of lands, and supply for her vacant territory conditions of comfort demanded as indispensable by the better class of occupants; and which establish, perhaps for an indefinitely long future, the character of localities at a mark far above what they would touch if left unim- proved.
As a matter of plain necessity, as well as of common wisdom and economy, our sewers must be built on some general and harmonious plan - and under public direction rather than by private companies or individ- uals.
Thus far no suitable outlets or main channels of dis- charge have been constructed, and for that reason the relief aimed at in the few common Sewers now completed has been but partially afforded. While the population, in whose vicinity under-ground drains have been built, enjoy improved conditions, other sections not merely remain unimproved, but are led to apprehend absolute detri- ment through the conveniences accorded to their neigh- bors. No open drains (to which still other and more ob- vious objections apply,) should be tolerated in any place or for any space of time not absolutely and inevitably necessary. Ample and early provision should be made to insure that, in removing a nuisance from one section, it shall not be conducted to another, and there serve to aggravate evils already claiming abatement.
As the sole means of obviating a liability to such ex- periences, it is evident that some general system should immediately be adopted. A candid consideration of the importance of this matter is earnestly urged upon every citizen of the town. The subject of sewerage is in its very infancy with us. From the extent of our territory and the general sparseness of our population over the greater portion of it, it is but recently that. efforts in that
12
direction have been made. A few, and only a few, com- mon sewers have been constructed in this town.
As our population becomes more dense, by natural in- crease and the expected accessions arising from the growth of Boston, and the increasing necessity of providing houses conveniently near the city for her business men, the inconvenience and disadvantage to property arising from deficient sewerage and like causes becomes more apparent. The recent introduction of the Mystic water supply, in itself a grand and most beneficial improve- ment, only renders the necessity for action still more obvious and urgent.
In accordance with the vote of the board, ordering a general survey of the town to be made, your Committee have had plans prepared, showing the two districts claim- ing, as we conceive, the earliest consideration, the means to be used, and the route to be followed, in their con- struction.
It is the recommendation of your Committee that every branch sewer should be constructed in reference to the general plan thus inaugurated; and further that some order should be taken looking to the construction of trunk sewers upon, or in some way corresponding to, the two lines already surveyed. A general map of the town also accompanies this report, in which the division of its territory into districts is indicated as closely as the present progress of the survey affords the means of de- ciding the same. The system has been prepared with much care, under the direction of Edward Frost, Esq., an engineer and surveyor of much experience in this branch of his profession. The adoption of such a system will necessarily involve a large outlay directly by the town. It is a difficulty which must be met without much further delay. From a merely pecuniary point of view, there can be no doubt that a wise policy will dictate that ample
13
provision should at an early day be made to meet this pressing want. From the numerous applications for sew- ers during the last year, it is evident that the citizens of the town are strongly impressed with the importance and necessity of immediate action. From the inadequate appropriations made by the town, it has been found im- possible to comply with many of the numerous requests of our fellow citizens.
During the past year common sewers have been es- tablished as follows :
Franklin Street, 715 feet.
Flint Street,
408 «
From Pit-hole across Franklin Street, 211 6.
From Pit-hole across Myrtle Street, . 300
From Franklin Street to Cutter Street, . 377
Pearl Street, 278
Laurel Street,
1065
Purchased of Sewer Company.
2078
Chestnut Street, . .
612 6:
Total,
6064
The entire expense of the above-named sewers charge- able to sewer account, is $12,021.44.
Of this sum the town assumes, 2,890.47
Assessed on Abuttors, . ·
9,130.97
Amount appropriated, $3,500.00.
The amount required of the town is, of course, liable to be increased by abatement of assessments.
The sewers constructed during the last season have been unusually expensive and difficult, on account of the ledge through which they passed. It was thought, how- ever, that something would be saved by building the sewer through Franklin street at the same time the street was graded. A difficult ledge was also encoun-
14
tered on Pearl street, much more serious than was antici- pated. The ledge on Laurel street, although extending over three hundred feet, was found comparatively easy to excavate.
The subject of Sewers has been, more than usually, pressed upon the consideration of the Board during the last year. Many difficult questions have arisen, some of them new to most.of our members. The matter of as- sessments on the abuttors and persons benefited is one of great perplexity, and it is frequently difficult to deter- mine what rule or principle to apply in justice to the parties assessed, as well as to the town, so that the same may not be liable to objection. The Sewer Committee have made inquiries as to the rule adopted by other municipalities, and although no great uniformity prevails in the methods adopted, they have made use of such in- formation as they obtained in their methods of assessing in this town, so far as applicable.
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