USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1868-1871 > Part 18
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As the Statutes of this Commonwealth do not prescribe any definite method, it is left to the discretion of the Selectmen to determine a rule or method, which in their judgment, shall seem to meet the peculiar circumstances of each case as it arises. The Selectmen sincerely desire that no harsh, arbitrary, or unjust rule shall be adopted, and in the numerous cases of applications for abate- ment, they have endeavored to give a candid hearing to the various complaints and views which have been expressed on the subject. From the authority given by our Legislature, it is clear that all persons more or less remotely benefited can be held to contribute their pro- portion.
CHARLES S. LINCOLN, JOHN A. PAINE, AUSTIN BELKNAP, Committee on Sewers.
15
RAILWAYS AND BRIDGES.
The subject of the removal of the horse-railway tracks to the centre of our several streets over which they now pass is one of much importance to the interests of the town.
The Committee on Railways and Bridges have had an interview with the officers of the Union Railway Co., in regard to the removal of the track on Milk street from Union Square to its junction with Elm street.
The officers of the Company expressed a willingness to put the track in the middle of the street over the above-named portion of Milk street, provided the town would meet them fairly in regard to the expense. No definite proportion was named by either party, they not being authorized to act definitely.
The Committee urge the importance of first construct- ing a sewer through this portion of Milk street, before the track is removed, and the Railway Company, desire it also - so that the centre of the street can be perma- mently paved between, and each side of the track. The Committee recommend early action to be taken to com- plete arrangements with the company, if suitable terms can be agreed upon.
Your board would respectfully recommend that the earliest possible action be taken by the town to carry out the plan of building, and assisting in the removal of the horse-railway track to the centre of Milk street, and we believe that the whole expense necessary to be incurred by the town would be saved to it in three years.
The Committee further report that the President of the Medford Horse Railroad Co., has promised early ac- tion in the matter of removal of a portion of said Com- pany's railway track on Winter Hill, as prayed for by Mr. Byam.
16
Your board would ask your attention to the condition of the Cedar street Bridge over the Boston & Lowell Railroad; it is so narrow that teams cannot pass each other upon it, and it stands at an angle with the lines of the street. A large amount of travel now passes over this Bridge, and much of it heavy teams. We recommend steps be taken to cause said Bridge to be properly widened.
STREET LAMPS.
The number of street lamps lighted by the town is two hundred and thirteen, a portion of which are still lighted by fluid, as pipe cannot be laid to reach them without too much expense.
The small expense to the town in lighting these lamps, compared with the real value to its interests, is trifling, and we trust that the value of well-lighted streets is sufficiently appreciated to cause the number of lamps to be increased.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
It is gratifying to find that we have passed another year with such a small loss by fires.
The department has been increased the past year by the addition of two small hose carriages with hose, and this addition to the former quantity renders it impossible for the department, with its present facilities, to take proper care of the hose; the present hose-tower has been for a long time unfit and insufficient for the pur- pose of cleaning and drying the hose, and the propriety of the erection of an engine-house on the town land on Highland Avenue is respectfully submitted to the earnest consideration of the citizens of the town.
The Reports of the Committee on the Fire Department
17
and of the chief engineer will give you particulars in this department.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON FIRE DEPARTMENT.
SOMERVILLE, Dec. 31, 1869.
At the Town Meeting in April last, an appropriation of three thousand dollars was voted, for the purpose of furnishing two hose carriages, with the necessary fixtures and hose ; one of said carriages to be located at Winter Hill, and one at Spring Hill.
The purchase of said carriages, &c., was referred by the Board of Selectmen, to the Committee on Fire Depart- ment, with full powers, who made a contract with Hun- neman & Co., for furnishing the two hose carriages with the necessary fixtures complete, at a cost of $536.00, and with Boyd & Sons, for 1600 feet of first quality double riveted hose, with all necessary fixtures complete, at a cost of $2508.07, the cost of the necessary drag-ropes, hose-ropes, and hose straps, has been $10.36, making the cost of everything in complete running order, as follows :
Cost of two Hose Carriages and fixtures, $536 00
of 1600 feet of Hose and fixtures, . 2508 07
of drag ropes, &c., 10 36
Total,
$3054 43
The carriages, &c., were located, when received from the manufacturers, as directed by vote of the town, the one on Winter Hill being placed in charge of Henry A. Angier, and the one on Spring Hill in charge of C. E. Rymes.
Since the location of the Winter Hill Carriage it has been placed in charge of an organized Company. The one on Spring Hill is still in charge of the gentleman who received it from the hands of the Selectmen.
As the Board of Engineers make a statement in detail
2
18
of all matters relating to their department, it has not been deemed necessary by your committee to furnish any ex- tended remarks for insertion in the Annual Report, and they would therefore leave it for the Chairman of the Selectmen to make such general remarks as he thinks proper.
R. A. VINAL, SILAS H. HOLLAND, JOHN A. PAINE, Committee on Fire Department.
REPORT OF CHIEF ENGINEER.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.
GENTLEMEN : In compliance with the usual custom, I submit the Annual Report of the Board of Engineers of the Fire Department for the past year, with a few recommendations for necessary improvements.
Since our last Report the Department has been called out 46 times; 33 times to fires, 17 of which were in Som- erville, 5 in Charlestown, and 11 in Cambridge, and by 13 false alarms.
The Department has rendered assistance in Charles- town 5 times, in Cambridge 3 times, and has received assistance from both Cambridge and Charlestown twice.
It will be seen that we have had fifteen alarms and nine fires more than last year. Yet the losses have been comparatively small.
WATER.
Since our last Report there has been a great addition to the supply. Yet there are a great many places with- out any water; but we trust that before another year these wants will be supplied. I would call your atten- tion again to the introduction of supply pipes into the reservoirs, as it would prove of great advantage.
19
HOSE TOWER.
I would again call your attention to this important improvement, as I believe it to be a great necessity. It is not a local improvement, but is greatly needed, as the hose for three companies has to be washed and dried at this station, and as the present tower is capable of con- taining only about six hundred feet of hose, it is impossi- ble to take proper care of it, besides the delay occa- sioned. I believe it would be a great saving in hose, as well as in expense, and hope you will give the subject your earliest attention.
STRENGTH AND CONDITION OF THE DEPARTMENT.
Steamer No. 1 was built by Hunneman & Co., of Rox- bury, and is a credit to the builders. It has been re- paired the past year, and is in good order. There is in connection with the steamer a four-wheeled horse hose- carriage, carrying 1000 feet of hose. Attached to the steamer is a Company consisting of an engineer and dri- ver; also a driver of the hose-carriage, who are perma- nently employed, and a foreman, assistant foreman, and eight hosemen, who do duty only in case of fire.
JOHN E. WOOL HOSE NO. 1.
This is a four-wheeled carriage, and was placed in the Department in 1867. It carries 600 feet of hose, and is in good repair. It has a Company attached consisting of a foreman, assistant foreman and thirteen hosemen, none of whom are permanently employed.
One two-wheeled carriage was placed in the Depart- ment during the present year. It is capable of carrying 500 feet of hose, and has a Company consisting of a fore- man, assistant foreman, and thirteen hosemen, doing duty only at fires. This Company occupies, at present, a room
20
rented for the purpose in the Winter Hill district, but is poorly accommodated, and I would recommend that bet- ter accommodations be provided.
A similar carriage, with same amount of hose, is sta- tioned on Spring Hill, but is in private hands. I would recommend the formation of a Company for this carriage, and that it be placed in the charge of the Department, as it is of little use without an organized Company.
PRESCOTT HOOK AND LADDER TRUCK.
This truck carries eight ladders, varying in length from twelve to fifty feet, with hooks, ropes, axes, rakes and forks in good order, but is without a Company, as it is impossible to organize one while the house has such poor accommodations. I would recommend that the car- riage be placed in that part of the building now occupied as a sleeping-room and station.
TELEGRAPHIC ALARM.
I would call your attention to this subject, and refer you to our neighbors in Charlestown and Cambridge for a proof of the benefits to be derived.
HOSE.
There is in use by the Department four thousand four hundred (4,400) feet of leather hose, 1,200 feet of which were purchased the present year by the Committee on Fire Department from your Board.
Twelve Hundred ft. purchased in 1863. One Thousand ft. purchased in 1865. Five Hundred ft. purchased in 1868.
Five Hundred ft. belonged to the Hand Engine, and is in poor condition.
21
The subject of moving the Steamer from its present location has been discussed, but I believe it would prove a disastrous experiment. It would leave that portion of the town most liable to fires, containing many manufac- tories representing nearly a million of dollars in taxable property, without any adequate means of protection, as there are no hydrants in these localities, and I would propose that it remain in its present locality.
I would take this opportunity to return my thanks to the Committee on Fire Department from your Board, and to the Board generally for their kind support during the past year; also to the Members of the Department for the prompt manner in which they have performed their duties.
I would not fail to thank our Police and Night Watch for the valuable assistance rendered on many occasions.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
DAVID A. SANBORN, JR.
Chief Engineer of the Somerville Fire Department.
POLICE AND WATCH.
The records of the past year show an increase in the number of arrests. In addition to the regular duties of the night watch they have been on duty the past season on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons. This arrangement was found to be necessary. We would recommend that two day police officers be placed on duty the coming year.
We refer you to the Police Secretary's Report for the classification of crimes and other particulars in this de- partment.
22
REPORT OF SECRETARY OF POLICE.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of Somerville.
In accordance with custom, I have the honor to sub- mit my annual report, of the doings of the Police De- partment of this town, for the year ending December 31, 1869.
The whole number of cases brought into court is three hundred and forty-one, which were charged with the following offences :
Adultery, 1
Assault and Battery, 61
Assault of Officers,
4
Assault (Simple,) 22
Attempt to Rescue,
1
Attempt to Rape,
1
Attempt to Break and Enter,
3
Assault with Stones,
8
Aggravated Assault,
4
Breaking and Entering,
7
Breaking Glass,
2
Bastardy,
1
Concealing Stolen Goods,
2
Common Beggar,
1
Cruelty to Animals,
4
Common Drunkard,
4
Defacing Public Property,
2
Discharging Fire Arms at Dwelling House,
1
Disturbing the Peace,
33
Doing Business on Sabbath,
1
Drunk, 62
Felonious Assault,
3
Feeding Animals on Street,
5
Fornication,
2
Indecent Exposure of Person,
1
Keeping Unlicensed Dogs,
37
Larceny,
18
Mutual Assault,
2
23
Obtaining Money under False Pretenses,
1
Stubborn and Ungovernable,
1
Showing without a License,
1
Setting a Bonfire,
2
Setting Fire to Lock-up,
1
Stealing Fruit, ·
14
Violation of Liquor Law,
20
This is an increase of one hundred and twenty-nine over last year, and does not include any arrest made in town by the State force. They were disposed of as fol- lows :
Sent to the House of Correction and Jail, 45
Acquitted and Discharged, .
41
Sentenced to pay Fine and Costs, 195
Sent to School Ship,
1
Bound over to Superior Court,
36
Appealed,
14
Discharged on Payment of Costs,
38
Respectfully submitted,
JAIRUS MANN, Secretary.
HEALTH.
This subject, although not placed in our report in the order which its importance merits, demands vigilant and careful attention.
The increase of filth in various forms which now accu- mulates upon the low lands and flats in some sections of the town, is a matter for serious consideration, and a method to remedy the evil effects is required. Our own has been free from epidemic and contagious dis- eases, and a general state of health has prevailed, but notwithstanding, we cannot be too careful of its sanitary condition.
Numerous complaints have been made to the Board against parties keeping swine in a filthy condition, and
24
it has generally been found that the principal cause for complaint arose from an accumulation of foreign swill being kept on the premises.
We suggest that a form of license be adopted by the town so that this matter can be better controlled.
CLAIMS.
The several demands made upon the town for damage, &c., the past year, have not in all cases been settled, and could not, in the opinion of your Board, be consistently adjusted, either from the exorbitance of amount of dam- age claimed, or other causes.
The Committee's Report is herewith appended.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON CLAIMS.
Of the various claims made against the town from different causes, a few only are of that character as to re- quire any special mention.
The Mass. General Hospital purchased, in 1867, an additional tract of land known as the Barrell farm, con- taining about 80 acres, in Somerville. This land, it was claimed, was exempt from taxation under the 11th Chap- ter of the General Statute, sect. 5, which provides as follows :
" The personal property of literary, benevolent, chari- table and scientific institutions incorporated within this Commonwealth, and the real estate belonging to such insti- tutions occupied by them or its officers for the purposes for which they were incorporated," shall be exempted from taxations.
This Hospital claims to be a " charitable and benevo- lent " institution.
By vote of the town the assessors imposed a tax on this land and a small dwelling-house let by the Hospital
25
to one of its employees, at a valuation of $40,000 making a tax of $620, or thereabouts. This tax was paid under protest, and a suit instituted against the town for its re- covery.
The suit is defended on several grounds; Ist, The land in question was not reasonably required and was not actually occupied by the institution or its officers for the purposes for which it was incorporated. It was claimed by the Hospital that the land was required for the pur- poses of light and air, and to prevent the near approach of nuisances, as well as for the general purpose of cultiva- tion in order to furnish the inmates with suitable produce, and to afford patients the means of exercise, recreation and amusement. It was also claimed that the tax was illegal inasmuch as the description of the property was not in compliance with the Statutes of 1862 relating thereto. 2d, A part of the property, to wit : the dwelling- house, was certainly liable to taxation, even if the rest were not, and that the proper and only remedy was by ap- plication to the assessors for abatement, and the Hospital having failed within the time required by law, to resort to this remedy, had lost or waived any claims for abatement. The suit has been tried twice before the Superior Court, and argued twice before the Supreme Judicial Court, on all the grounds above stated, and is now held by the full bench of that Court under advisement. A decision will undoubtedly be rendered before another town meeting, when the legal rights of the town will probably be fully determined in the matter, As this matter has been re- ferred by the town for investigation to a Committee of fifteen, it is presumed that a more elaborate and compre- hensive report will be made by them directly to the town at an early day. The suit of T. J. Smith for damages sustained from an incumbrance in Medford street has been settled by the person causing the incumbrance,
26
the town contributing a small proportion of the amount paid.
The suits brought by Mr. Richardson and Mrs. Elizabeth Barrett for damages alleged to have been sustained by a defect on Broadway and now pending before the Superior Court for this County, will probably be disposed of the present Winter. The suit brought by Mr. Campbell on an alleged breach of Contract for trenching for the water pipes, and the suit brought by Mrs. Brooks for damages alleged to have been sustained by stepping into the trench dug for water pipe, are pending, and are defended under the direction of the Mystic Water Com- mittee, who have assumed the charge of the same.
CHARLES S. LINCOLN, FRANCIS HOUGHTON,
Committee on Claims.
Your Board have not considered it necessary to ap- pend to their Report figures showing expenditures in the several departments referred to, as reference to the Treasurer's account will show the result in figures. It was our intention to keep expenditures within the ap- propriation, but we have not in all cases been able to do so. We have considered the interests of the town rather than the arbitrary line of exact appropriations, and feel that the expenditures have been judiciously made.
In accordance with a vote of the town passed in April last, your Board were authorized to purchase a lot of land for town purposes, and we were restricted by said vote to make a selection upon Highland Avenue; con- sequently a choice in lots seemed to present itself at once.
The lot agreed upon and purchased is bounded by Walnut street, Highland Avenue and Medford street; the frontage on the Avenue and Medford street is four
27
undred and fifty feet each, and occupies the entire cont on Walnut street, between said Avenue and Med- ord street. The lot contains 149,524.6 feet.
The agreement in purchasing the above lot of land is uch that the town is required to build a forty foot street djoining the land of Jacob Sleeper - of whom the pur- hase was made - within two years.
Your Board trusts that very soon this lot of land will e crowned with a noble structure, which all citizens can ok up to with pride and pleasure, feeling that they old an interest in it.
The rapid progress made in building, and in various dditions to the value of our town, calls for enlarged leas for improving the public ways and grounds.
Your Board respectfully presents the foregoing Report nd views for your consideration.
FRANCIS HOUGHTON,
JACOB T. GLINES,
CHARLES S. LINCOLN,
HORACE HASKINS,
ROBERT A. VINAL,
SILAS H. HOLLAND,
JOHN A. PAINE,
JOHN G. HALL,
AUSTIN BELKNAP,
Selectmen of Somerville.
REPORT
OF
THE TREASURER.
In accordance with the Laws of the Commonwealth I hereby present to the Citizens of Somerville, my Seventh Annual Statement of the Receipts and Expen ditures of the Treasury Department for the year 1869 By reference to the Reports of the various Boards and Committees herewith presented, they will receive a col rect idea of the financial affairs of the town, and the causes of the necessary large increase in expenditures, &c which will render it superfluous for me to make any ex tended remarks ; I therefore hope that the annexed state ment may meet the approval of the citizens.
THOMAS CUNNINGHAM,
Treasurer of Somerville
TAXES.
Dr.
Received from B. Randall, Collector of Taxes, 1867, $43 95 Received from B. Randall, Collector of Taxes, 1868, 11,984 90 Received from B. Randall, Collector of Taxes, 1869, . 128,086 50
29
eceived from J. H. Loud, State Treas-
urer, Balance Corporation Taxes, 1868,
$ 314 17
received from J. H. Loud, State Treas- urer, on account of. Corporation Taxes, 1869,
2,736 67
143,866 19
Cr.
aid J. H. Loud, State Treasurer, State Patent, 1869, . aid Mr. Stone, County Treasurer, County Tax, 1869,
14,400 00
5,862 22
aid Isaac Pitman, Taxes, refunded on 1868, .
154 00
aid John A. Paine, Trustee, Taxes, re- funded on 1868-69, 167 02
aid Jessie Simpson, Taxes, refunded on 1869,
45 19
20,628 43
Balance, .
$123,237 76
NOTES PAYABLE.
1869. Dr.
an. 1. Received from sale of Water Bonds, 1st Se- ries, Nos. 1, 2 and 3, each for $10,000, at par, payable 10 years from date, with interest coupons attached, at 6} per cent, interest payable semi-annually, $30,000 00
lay 25. Borrowed of Cambridge National Bank, on demand in anticipation of Taxes, interest 7 per cent per annum, 10,000 00
une 12. Borrowed of Jacob Sleeper for one year, for payment of Land on Highland Avenue, at 7 per cent interest per annum, 20,933 44 . une 24. Borrowed of Miss Alice Hawkins, on de- mand, in anticipation of Taxes, interest 7 per cent per annum, 3,000 00
30
June 25. Borrowed of Nathan Tufts, on demand, in anticipation of Taxes, interest 7 per cent per annum,
July 13. Borrowed of Cambridge National Bank, on demand, in anticipation of Taxes, interest 7 per cent per annum,
July 19. Borrowed of Arthur W. Tufts, on demand, in anticipation of Taxes, interest 7 per cent, per annum,
July 29. Borrowed of Arthur W. Tufts, on demand, in anticipation of Taxes, interest 7 per cent per annum,
Aug. 17. Received from sale of Water Bonds, 1st Se- ries No. 4, to Mass. Hospital Life Insurance Company, payable three years from Date, interest coupons attached, at 7 per cent per annum, payable semi-annually, . 50,000 0C
Dec. 1. Received from sale of Bonds No. 1 School Loan (for land, and building the Morse School House,) from the Boston Five Cent Savings Bank, coupons attached, at 7 per cent interest per annum, payable semi-an- nually. Bond payable 5 years from date, . Dec. 1. Received from sale of Bond No. 1 (for pay- ment of Town Debt) from the Boston Five Cent Savings Bank, coupons attached, at 7 per cent interest per annum, payable semi- annually,
$9,000 00
10,000 00
5,000 00
2,500 00
27,000 0C
35,000 00,
$202,433 44
Cr.
July 1. Paid Estate of Martha Hadley, note due this day, $700 00
Sept. 25. " Alice E. Hawkins, note on demand, dated June 24, 1869, . 3,000 00
Sept. 25. Nathan Tufts, Esq., note on demand, dated June 25, 1869, . 9,000 00 Sept. 25. Cambridge National Bank, note on demand, dated May 25, 1869, . 10,000 00
31
Sept. 25. Paid Cambridge National Bank, note on demand, dated July 13, 1869, . $10,000 00
Sept. 28. " A. W. Tufts, note on demand, dated July 29, 1869, 2,500 00
Sept. 29. A W. Tufts, note on demand, dated July 19, 1869, 5,000 00
Nov. 11. " Warren Institution for Savings, note dated Nov. 10, 1862, ·
20,875 00
Dec. 31. " Estate of Henry Partridge, time note, dated July 1, 1867, 8,00 000
Dec. 31. Mrs. Sarah Moore, time note, dated July 1, 1867, 4,000 00 Dec. 31. ‹‹ Mrs. Susan Curtis, time note, dated Jan. 1, 1868, 1,000 00
$74,075 00
Increase of our Town Debt, $128,358.44, as follows :
Water loans, . $80,000 00
Land on Highland Avenue, 20,933 44
Morse School House, . 27,000 00
Excess of amount borrowed on loan to
pay old debts,
425 00
$128,358 44
INTEREST ACCOUNT.
Paid Lucius R. Paige, 6 months' interest on $1,500, $45 00 Cambridgeport Savings Bank, 6 months' interest on 4,500, 135 00
Mrs. Lucy Bell, 6 months' interest on 5,454, 150 00 Warren Institution, 6 months' interest on 12,000, 420 00 Boston Five Cent Savings Bank, 6 months' in- terest on 30,000, 1050 00
630 00
Warren Institution, 6 months' interest on 21,000, East Cambridge Five Cent Savings Bank, 6 months' interest on 10,000, . Safety Fund Bank, 6 months' interest on 14,400, 396 00
350 00
Warren Institution, 6 months' interest on 20,875, 574 06
32
Paid Warren Institution, 6 months' interest on 7,495, 66 66 66
$215 48
66 " 5,000, 150 00
Miss M. Crudden, 6 months' interest on 20,000, Jacob Sleeper; 11 days interest on 20,933.44,
44 66
Estate of H. Partridge, 6 months' interest on 8,000, ·
280 00
35 00
140 00
24 00
135 00
Lucius R. Paige, 6 months' interest on 1,500, . Warren Institution, 6 months' interest on 5,500,
45 00
192 50
Mrs. Lucy Bell,
" 5,254,
150 00
Warren Institution, " 66 " 12,000,
420 00
Boston Five Cent Savings Bank, 6 months' in- terest on $0,000, ·
1,050 00
Warren Institution, 6 months' interest on 21,000,
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