USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1868-1871 > Part 28
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
A liberal provision is made for musical instruction and training in these schools, and it gives us pleasure to report that there is reasonable progress in this department. The facilities that are afforded to all, however limited may be their means for acquiring a sound practical education are rightly appreciated by the people generally, and they may well indulge a laudable pride in having schools that compare so favorably with the best in the State. It is well known that home influences extend to the school- room, and an unguarded word of a father or mother is not unfrequently the secret cause of disrespect and ill be- haviour on the part of a child.
We desire to repeat, with marked emphasis, all that was said in the report last year of the need of great delib- eration and caution in the administration of discipline.
188
The consciousness of possessing physical, legal and mort power over the child is in itself a strong temptation to th teacher. The question of expediency, as well as righi must often be considered, and a wise discretion must b observed in making rules for the government of the school
THE HIGH SCHOOL.
The annual examination of this School, was held during two days, and the result was very creditable to teachers and pupils. In all departments the instruction seemed to have been equally thorough, and the general deportment of the scholars indicated self-respect, and a correct appre- ciation of the necessity of maintaining good order in a room crowded to repletion.
We should fail in our duty to these teachers, and schol- ars, if we did not urge the need of better accommodation in rooms, sufficiently large to hold each class separately, as is now done in the Grammar Schools. The latter have all outgrown their old School Houses with a single School room, and miniature recitation rooms, and there seems to be no good reason for continuing this policy in the High School. If our citizens were disposed to send a large por- tion of their children to private teachers, as is done in many places, where an ill-founded predjudice exists against public instruction, there would be no increased accommo- dations needed for many years. But fortunately for Som- erville, private seminaries of learning are not indigenous to its soil, nor have they been able when imported, to flourish by the side of our excellent public schools.
This we feel is a matter for sincere congratulation, and while our High School continues to send out such noble young men and women, fully prepared for college, and thoroughly trained for the industrial pursuits of life, we cannot fail to see that it is for our real interest to furnish every means for promoting its prosperity.
189
We may refer here with a just pride to the spirit which actuates the graduates of this excellent school, in creat- ing and maintaining a lively interest among the youth of the town, in literature and science. During the past two years, the High School association composed of the past members and graduates, have formed classes in the Lan- guages and Natural Science, for the purpose of pursuing still further the study of those branches of education. Courses of lectures, and musical concerts have been in- stituted under their patronage which the citizens of the town have been invited to attend, free of expense. We have yet to learn, that this has been done in any other town in the Commonwealth. Similar associations have been formed, in other places, but their ambition seems to have been satisfied with an annual supper, and a dance, or they have foundered on the rocks of private feud or dis- sention. As long as the graduates of this school show such a praiseworthy spirit of mutual improvement, and a desire to promote the public morality and intelligence, we feel confident that their efforts will meet earnest encour- agement from all wise citizens. At the same time the fact of the existence, and prosperity, of such an associa- tion, reflects great credit upon the High School, and gives stronger evidence, than any assertions of the School Board could do of the wise management and elevating influences of this school.
JOHN P. MARSHALL, Chairman.
ORRIN S. KNAPP, SAMUEL A. CARLTON, -
ENOCH R. MORSE, LEONARD ARNOLD, JOHN A. HUGHES, HENRY F. SPENCER, GEORGE W. DURELL, JOHN P. MARSHALL, JOSHUA H. DAVIS,
School
Committee.
Somerville, Feb. 1, 1870.
16
STATISTICS OF SOMERVILLE. Annual Current Expenses of the Town from its incorporation to the present time.
Date.
Schools.
Highways.
Fire Dept.
|Miscellane's.
Support of Poor.
Police.
Str't Lights.
Board of Health.
Interest.
Salaries.
Sewers.
Soldiers' Relief.
Water Distribut'n
1842
1,287.96
2,076.57
2.50
204,13
16.00
250.00
1843
3,337.89
1,629.61
63.70
126.54
87.12
270.00
1844
2,717.58
1,909.97
2.87
384,30
295.00
1845
2,270.06
2,027.62
50.00
367.86
267.66
295.00
1846
3,107.41
2,002.16
536.55
292.58.
380.00
1847
3,434.19
2,297.06
1,052.90
217.92
180.78
532.54
270.00
1848
4,238.02
2,746.68
625.07
140.51
1849
5,387.74
2,367.78
205 51
1,027.66
17.79
145.33
994.23
485.00
1850
4,877.12
2,544.21
234.69
$670.21
82.36
1851
5,760.70
3,035.41
398.79
632.04
637.30
879 23
535.00
1852
6,897.98
2,925.03
488.62
1,057.57
833.14
13.22
1,205.21
675.00
1853
8,971.40
3,886.23
147.39
1,130.93
874.28
39 38
1,185.27
705.00
1854
9,822.18
4,003,36
157.86
1,280.12
559.05
60.52
1,156 93
875.00
1855
|12,582.23
4,390.15
1,380.05
1,419.75
388.36
55.50
1,617.83
945.00
1857
15,639.27
8,980.59
1,495.25
1,568.74
1,095.19
2,447.31
1,120.00
1858
14,966.14
5,881.82
1,328.96
2,995.98
922.68
2,656.93
1,363,10
1859
16,615.07
5,708.84
1,223.52
1,682.10
796.19
2,176.25
1,174.45
1860
16,818.91
6,989.39
1,821.41
2,661.06
1,660.81
2,580.50
1,453 45
1861
17,171.28
7,021.77
1.225.61
4,390.88
1,485.17
2,837.60
1,645.06
1862
15,374.46
5,281.16
1,264.41
458.67
1,599.12
184.51
3,479.22
1,792.04
1863
18,431,80
6,747,33
1,478.41
4,121.09
2,095.37
253.30
5,260.68
2,336.32
1865
23,979.88
12,023.02
4,720.57
2,310.64
469.22
2,931.38
1866
31,065.46
12,868,32
4,598 30
2,639.83
2,422,55
705.37
2,833.76
215 60
9,203.59
3,477.12
503,44
1867
35,561.63
15,869.70
6,534.13
5,688.27
1,521.19
1,676.00
5,139.48
270.50
8,480.46
3,125.01
391.81
1868
45,376.93
23,403.59
5.785.19
** 7,347.38
1,721.63
3,115 52
5,030.85
100.50
13.554,73
5,178.33
3.120.52
809.78
1869
41,924.28
30,405.24
8,490.40
*5,014.97
2,390.21
5,832.11
5,827.08
22.60
|11,547.82
7,103.53
4,036.25
912,08|
2,815.87
* Including Incendiary Fund Account.
190
3,000 00 13,435,28
1864
23,124.52
10,311.79
2,027.95
5,147.30
2,244.65
331.61
2,398 10
5,891.51
2,451 02
1,531,28
1856
13,552.66
4,980.76
992,85
2,585.90
660.27
1,577.39
904.99
693.64
460.00
959.77
510.00
8,420.47
3,214.37
1,338.82
4,376.12
191
MARRIAGES.
Number of Intentions of Marriages issued in 1869, 106
Number of Marriages registered, 74
Oldest Groom, 59. Oldest Bride, 39.
Youngest Groom, 20. Youngest Bride, 16.
DEATHS.
Number of Deaths in Somerville in 1869,
. 269
Males,
127
Females,
142
American Parentage,
91
Foreign
138
Mixed 66
18
Unknown
22
The oldest person deceased in Somerville during the year 1869, was Thomas Park, aged 89 years 9 months.
The following persons, whose ages were between 80 and 90 years, died in Somerville, during the year, viz :
Thomas Park, 89 years, 9 months.
Martha Hadley, 87 years, 3 months.
Eliza Spear, 84 years, 3 months, 24 days.
Arnold Cook, 80 years, 7 months.
Nancy Nason, 81 years, 4 months.
H. C. Machay, 82 years.
James Dennett, 87 years, 11 months, 15 days.
Phebe P. Adams, 84 years, 9 months, 13 days.
Sarah A. Titcomb, 84 years.
Elizabeth Taggard, 83 years, 10 months. Alexander Robinson, 81 years.
Stillborn, 5
30 and under 40,
28.
Under 5 years, 130.
40
50, 16.
5 and under 10, 6.
50
66
60,
16.
10 " 15, 6.
60
6 66 70, 8.
15 « 20, 9.
70
66 66
80,
17.
20 “ 30, 19.
80
66 66
90,
11.
188
The consciousness of possessing physical, legal and mora power over the child is in itself a strong temptation to the teacher. The question of expediency, as well as right must often be considered, and a wise discretion must be observed in making rules for the government of the school
THE HIGH SCHOOL.
The annual examination of this School, was held during two days, and the result was very creditable to teachers and pupils. In all departments the instruction seemed to have been equally thorough, and the general deportment of the scholars indicated self-respect, and a correct appre- ciation of the necessity of maintaining good order in a room crowded to repletion.
We should fail in our duty to these teachers, and schol- ars, if we did not urge the need of better accommodation in rooms, sufficiently large to hold each class separately, as is now done in the Grammar Schools. The latter have all outgrown their old School Houses with a single School room, and miniature recitation rooms, and there seems to be no good reason for continuing this policy in the High School. If our citizens were disposed to send a large por- tion of their children to private teachers, as is done in many places, where an ill-founded predjudice exists against public instruction, there would be no increased accommo- dations needed for many years. But fortunately for Som- erville, private seminaries of learning are not indigenous to its soil, nor have they been able when imported, to flourish by the side of our excellent public schools.
This we feel is a matter for sincere congratulation, and while our High School continues to send out such noble young men and women, fully prepared for college, and thoroughly trained for the industrial pursuits of life, we cannot fail to see that it is for our real interest to furnish every means for promoting its prosperity.
189
We may refer here with a just pride to the spirit which actuates the graduates of this excellent school, in creat- ing and maintaining a lively interest among the youth of the town, in literature and science. During the past two years, the High School association composed of the past members and graduates, have formed classes in the Lan- guages and Natural Science, for the purpose of pursuing still further the study of those branches of education. Courses of lectures, and musical concerts have been in- stituted under their patronage which the citizens of the town have been invited to attend, free of expense. We have yet to learn, that this has been done in any other town in the Commonwealth. Similar associations have been formed, in other places, but their ambition seems to have been satisfied with an annual supper, and a dance, or they have foundered on the rocks of private feud or dis- sention. As long as the graduates of this school show such a praiseworthy spirit of mutual improvement, and a desire to promote the public morality and intelligence, we feel confident that their efforts will meet earnest encour- agement from all wise citizens. At the same time the fact of the existence, and prosperity, of such an associa- tion, reflects great credit upon the High School, and gives stronger evidence, than any assertions of the School Board could do of the wise management and elevating influences of this school.
JOHN P. MARSHALL, Chairman.
ORRIN S. KNAPP, SAMUEL A. CARLTON, ENOCH R. MORSE. LEONARD ARNOLD, JOHN A. HUGHES, HENRY F. SPENCER, GEORGE W. DURELL, JOHN P. MARSHALL, JOSHUA H. DAVIS,
School
Committee.
Somerville, Feb. 1, 1870.
STATISTICS OF SOMERVILLE. Annual Current Expenses of the Town from its incorporation to the present time.
Date.
Schools.
Highways.
Fire Dept.
Miscellane's.
Support of Poor.
Police.
Str't Lights.
Board of Health.
Interest.
Salaries.
Sewers.
Soldiers: Relief.
Water Distribut'n
1842
1,287.96
2,076.57
2.50
204,13
16.00
250.00
1843
3,337.89
1,629.61
63.70
126.54
87.12
270.00
1844
2,717.58
1,909.97
2.87
384,30
295.00
1845
2,270.06
2,027.62
50.00
367.86
267.66
295.00
1846
3,107.41
2,002.16
536.55
292.58
1847
3,434.19
2,297.06
1,052.90
217.92
180.78
532.54
270.00
1849
5,387.74
2,367.78
205 51
1,027.66
17.79
145.33
994.23
485.00
1850
4,877.12
2,544.21
234.69
' 670.21
82.36
1851
5,760.70
3,035.41
398.79
632.04
637.30
879 23
535.00
1852
6,897.98
2,925.03
488.62
1,057.57
833.14
13.22
1,205.21
675.00
1853
8,971.40
3,886.23
147.39
1,130,93
874.28
39 38
1,185.27
705.00
1855
12,582.23
4,390.15
1,380.05
1,419.75
388.36
55.50
1,617.83
945.00
1857
15,639.27
8,980.59
1,495.25
1,568.74
1,095.19
2,447.31
1,120.00
1859
16,615.07
5,708.84
1,223.52
1,682.10
796.19
2,176.25
1,174.45
1861
17,171.28
7,021.77
1.225.61
4,390.88
1,485.17
2,837.60
1,645.06
3,000 00 13,435,28
1864
23,124.52
10,311.79
2,027.95
5,147.30
2,244.65
331.61
2,398 10
5,891.51
2,451 02
1,531,28
1866
31,065.46
12,868,32
4,598 30
2,639.83
2,422,55
705.37
2,833.76
215 60
9,203.59
3,477.12
503,44
1868
45,376.93
23,403.59
5.785.19
*7,347.38
1,721.63
3,115 52
5,030.85
100.50
13.554,73
5,178.33
3.120.52
809.78
1869
41,924,28
30,405.24
8,490.40
*5,014.97
2,390.21
5,832.11
5,827.08
22.60
11,547.82
7,103.53
4,036.25
912,08 2,815.87
1854
9,822.18
4,003,36
157.86
1,280.12
559.05
60.52
1,156 93
875.00
1856
13,552.66
4,980.76
992,85
2,585.90
660.27
1,577.39
904.99
1858
14,966.14
5,881.82
1,328.96
2,995.98
922.68
2,656.93
1,363.10
1860
16,818.91
6,989.39
1,821.41
2,661.06
1,660.81
2,580.50
1,453 45
1862
15,374.46
5,281.16
1,264.41
458.67
1,599.12
184.51
3,479.22
1,792.04
1863
18,431,80
6,747,33
1,478.41
4,121.09
2,095.37
253.30
5,260.68
2,336.32
1865
23,979.88
12,023.02
4,720.57
4,376.12
2,310.64
469.22
2,931.38
8,420.47
3,214.37
1,338.82
1867
35,561.63
15,869.70
6,534.13
5,688.27
1,521.19
1,676.00
5,139.48
270.50
8,480.46
3,125.01
391.81
1848
4,238.02
2,746.68
625.07
140.51
693.64
460.00
959.77
510.00
380.00
* Including Incendiary Fund Account.
190
191
MARRIAGES.
Number of Intentions of Marriages issued in 1869, 106
Number of Marriages registered, 74
Oldest Groom, 59. Oldest Bride, 39.
Youngest Groom, 20. Youngest Bride, 16.
DEATHS.
Number of Deaths in Somerville in 1869,
. 269
Males,
127
Females,
142
American Parentage,
91
Foreign 66
138
Mixed
18
Unknown
22
The oldest person deceased in Somerville during the year 1869, was Thomas Park, aged 89 years 9 months.
The following persons, whose ages were between 80 and 90 years, died in Somerville, during the year, viz :
Thomas Park, 89 years, 9 months.
Martha Hadley, 87 years, 3 months.
Eliza Spear, 84 years, 3 months, 24 days.
Arnold Cook, 80 years, 7 months.
Nancy Nason, 81 years, 4 months.
H. C. Machay, 82 years.
James Dennett, 87 years, 11 months, 15 days.
Phebe P. Adams, 84 years, 9 months, 13 days.
Sarah A. Titcomb, 84 years.
Elizabeth Taggard, 83 years, 10 months. Alexander Robinson, 81 years.
Stillborn, 5
30 and under 40,
28.
Under 5 years, 130.
40
50, 16.
5 and under 10, 6.
50
66 60,
16.
10 «
15, 6.
60
66 66 70,
8.
15 “ 66 20 9.
70
66 66
80,
17.
20 “ 66 30, 19.
80
66 66
90,
11.
192
BIRTHS.
Number of Births registered in Somerville in the year 1869, 4 Number of Births Foreign Parentage, 239
66
American . 0
124
66 Mixed 66
30
Unknown
18
7 pair Twins, and in one instance Triplets. Males,
· 219
Females,
192
ERRATA.
On p. 28, for " $43.95," read " $743.95."
pp. 29 and 30, omit the words " 1st series."
p. 30, for " Bonds No. 1, School Loan," read " Bond No. 1, School Loan ' and for "Bond No. 1 (for payment of Town Debt) " read " Bon( No. 2, Town Loan."
p. 40, third line from the bottom of the page, for " assessment " read " div. idend."
OFFICERS
OF THE
TOWN OF SOMERVILLE,
FOR 1869.
Selectmen.
FRANCIS HOUGHTON, Chairman,
Prospect street. Broadway, (upper)
SILAS H. HOLLAND,
Broadway, Winter Hill.
CHARLES S. LINCOLN,
Laurel street.
JOHN A. PAINE, JOHN G. HALL,
Summer street.
HORACE HASKINS,
Franklin street.
AUSTIN BELKNAP,
Central street.
ROBERT A. VINAL,
Town Cierk.
CHARLES E. GILMAN,
Walnut St., near Lowell R.R.
Treasurer.
THOMAS CUNNINGHAM, Oak street.
Collector.
BENJAMAN RANDALL, Office,
Medford street.
School Committee.
O. S. KNAPP, Chairman. Washington Street.
JOSHUA H. DAVIS, Supt. & Sect'y. Myrtle strect. LEONARD ARNOLD, Bow street. JOHN A. HUGHES, SAMUEL A. CARLTON,
Perkins street.
Broadway. Sycamore street.
HENRY F. SPENCER,
Spring street.
ENOCH R. MORSE, JOHN P. MARSHALL,
Tufts College.
REV. GEO. W. DURELL,
Summer street.
JACOB T. GLINES,
Florence street.
Walnut street.
194
Somerville Mystic Water Committee.
AARON SARGENT, Chairman, ROBERT A. VINAL,
REUBEN E. DEMMON, C. E. RYMES, CUTLER DOWNER,
Pinckney street. Walnut street. Cherry street. Summer street. Central street.
Assessors.
JOHN C. MAGOUN, Chairman. JOHN C. TENNY,
GEORGE W. IRELAND,
Broadway. Mystic avenue. School street.
Assistant Assessors.
ROBERT A. VINAL, BENJAMIN RANDALL,
SILAS H. HOLLAND,
Walnut street. Washington street. Broadway, (upper)
Overseers of the Poor.
CLARK BENNETT, ABRAM WELCH, PATRICK RAFFERTY,
Prospect street. Linden street. Columbia street.
Finance Committee.
REUBEN E. DEMMON, Chairman, CUTLER DOWNER, AARON SARGENT,
Cherry street.
Central street.
Pinckney street.
Auditing Committee.
AARON SARGENT, HENRY FRANK WOODS,
JAMES N. CLARK,
Pinckney street.
Forster street.
Glen street.
Board of Health. - (Selectmen.)
Surveyors of Highways. - The Board of Selectmen,
FRANKLIN HENDERSON, Supt. Central street.
195
Constables.
HORACE B. RUNEY, CHARLES TRULL,
MICHAEL HANLEY, JAIRUS MANN, FRANKLIN F. SNOW, MILO SCOTT,
Cross street.
Vine street.
GRANVILLE LELAND,
Elm street.
Milk street.
Washington street.
Union Square.
Spring Hill.
Police Officers.
THEODORE C. JOSSLYN, STEPHEN SMITH, V. L. PENNOCK,
Broadway.
Beacon street.
Fitchburg street.
EDWARD PEPPER,
Kent street.
SAMUEL H. GOODING,
Joy street.
Marshal street.
Mt. Vernon street.
Pearl street.
Oak street.
Milk street.
Kent street.
Central street.
Prospect street.
Walnut street.
Franklin street.
Broadway.
Medford street.
Webster avenue.
Highland avenue.
Clyde street. Central street.
Fire Engineers.
AVID B. SANBORN, Chief.
AMUEL H. GOODING,
ENRY A. ANGIER,
EORGE CUTTER,
AMES R. HOPKINS,
Prospect street.
Joy street.
Broadway.
Elm street.
Bonaire street.
Fence Viewers.
DHN C. MAGOUN, ALEB BUCKNAM,
Broadway Milk street.
EDWIN L. WEEKS,
ORR N. TOWNE, TOEL A. HUNTER, THOMAS CUNNINGHAM, JAMES HANLEY,
HUGH BLACKWELL,
FRANKLIN HENDERSON, DAVID A. SANBORN, JR., . D. WILLIS, ROBERT R. PERRY,
THOMAS G. TEMPLE, } W. HOLDEN, 1. J. COLBY,
CHRISTOPHER C. CAVANAGH, IELVIN C. PARKHURST, OSEPH YOUNG, BERNARD McCARROLL,
AMES L. WHITAKER, . N. STEVENS.
196
Public Weighers.
N. W. EDSON, CHARLES E. BENT, PATRICK O'BRIEN.
Union Square.
Sealer of Leather.
THOMAS CUNNINGHAM, Oak street.
Sealer of Weights and Measures. JOHN C. MAGOUN, Broadway.
Surveyors of Wood, Bark, and Lumber.
EDWIN L. WEEKS,
Marshall street.
SAMUEL LITTLEFIELD,
Broadway.
C. F. EDSON,
Milk street.
S. B. BENSON,
Broadway. Union Square.
N. W. EDSON,
E. T. TEMPLE,
Broadway.
DANIEL L. DEMMON,
Cherry street.
JACOB EMERSON,
Broadway.
Committee on Fishing.
LEVI RUSSELL, Broadway.
Field Drivers.
JAMES R. HOPKINS, F. D. SNOW,
D. C. ROBBINS,
D. P. BUCKNAM, CHARLES TRULL,
Vine street.
JAIRUS MANN, THEODORE C. JOSSLYN,
Washington street. Broadway. Elm street.
GRANVILLE LELAND,
CALEB BUCKNAM,
Milk street.
Central street.
FRANKLIN HENDERSON, EDWARD PEPPER, W. S. TUFTS,
DAVID P. HORTON, JOEL A. HUNTER, ROBERT R. PERRY,
Everett street. Turnpike street,
Near Spring street.
Kent street. Central street.
Pearl Street. Pearl street.
Franklin street.
REPORTS
OF THE
Officers
.
OF
SOMERVILLE,
FOR THE YEAR 1870.
BOSTON : W. F. BROWN & Co., PRINTERS, NO. 50 BROMFIELD STREET.
1871.
C
C
C
נ
( (
1
C
c
CCCC
C
D
ت
1 .
+
م
-
ـب
REPORT
OF THE
SELECTMEN.
CITIZENS OF SOMERVILLE :- Agreeably to a long and well established custom, it becomes the duty of the Selectmen, at the close of the year, to submit for your consideration a general statement of the condition of affairs in Town. This they will try to do as briefly as is consistent with a clear understanding of the several subjects to which your attention is invited.
The Selectmen are charged with the care and conduct of many important public interests, several of which, have about equal claims to precedence in this Report. Some order of arrangement being necessary to facilitate this work, and the subject of good roads being one of those interests which most deeply concerns the inhabi- tants of the Town, we first submit for your consideration the
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON HIGHWAYS.
Among the various subjects of interest connected with our Town affairs, that of Highways is one of the most prominent ; as good roads are essential to its welfare and prosperity. It is the first object that attracts, and en- lists, the attention of the public, as the true index of the public-spiritedness of its inhabitants.
We cannot therefore afford to avoid the cost of main-
4
taining this important branch of public improvemen Liberal expenditures for building, and maintaining goo roads, are but so many evidences of a well devised, an judicious public policy, towards enhanced valuations, an largely increased taxable property.
STREETS ACCEPTED.
The following streets have been accepted by the Se lectmen, during the year, and the Town has ratified thei action, viz. :
Glen, between Pearl and Flint streets.
Mount Vernon, between Perkins and Pearl streets.
Heath, between Temple and Bond streets.
Evergreen Avenue.
Mount Vernon, from Pearl to Washington streets, upo condition that the abuttors cut and grade the same, b ginning at Pearl street and extending two hundred an fifty feet towards Washington street, three feet in dept at the brow of the hill, graduating each way in an eas grade.
Dane street, upon condition that it can be made saf for public travel, by the County Commissioners causin a watchman, or suitable gates to be placed at the Fitcl burg Railroad Company's crossing over said street, an maintained by said corporation.
Petitions for acceptance of various other streets hav been received, and referred to your Committee, and i: each case carefully examined and considered ; their width and condition ascertained.
The following are recommended for acceptance at th next Town meeting, viz. :
Belmont and Forest streets.
REPAIRS.
The principal repairs, (which include stoning and
5
covering) and expenditures, have been made as follows, viz. :
dCedar, from Broadway to Clyde street, and a portion
between Summer and Elm streets at a cost of, . $1,225.00 Medford, from Broadway to Central street, 2,912.00
Broadway, between Cross and Walnut streets, . 1,315.00 Elm street, from its junction with Milk street to Cherry street. 2,406.00
e
Porter street, 255.00
Flint street, its entire length, .
1,178.00
Belmont street, its entire length. Three hundred dol-
lars of which was paid by the abuttors, 871.00 Webster Avenue, between the Fitchburg Railroad and Prospect street, 545.00
Medford street, between the Fitchburg Railroad and Cambridge line, 1,270.00 Washington street, from Charlestown line to Tufts street, 6,305.00
Paid Middlesex Horse Railroad Company towards re- moving track into the centre of Washington street,
2,833.00 School street, from Highland Avenue to Milk street, . 1,590.00 Webster, between Cross and Glen streets, 539.00
School, between Medford street and Broadway, 613.00
Twenty-eight cesspools have been constructed the past season, at a cost of about, . 2,000.00
Paid Franklin Meade on account of contraet for crush- ing stones, 2,500.00
The expenditures upon Washington street may seem large to those unacquainted with the circumstances, but when it is understood that the Richardson survey widen; ed and straightened the street, and in making the repairs, we had to fill the widening from one and a half, to two and a half feet deep; the cost will not appear excessive. This widening covers about one half the width of the street, and could not well be deferred.
General repairs have been made in all parts of the
6
town, from time to time, as occasion required. In mak ing repairs, it has been the intention of your Committer to give precedence to the most urgent cases.
One team has been constantly employed in patching streets, and cleaning cesspools, and we are satisfied that a larger force might be employed to advantage in this particular direction. The amount of labor performed upon our streets the past season, has largely exceeded that of any previous year. The result is before the citizens of the town, and we hope it will meet their approbation. Your committee have endeavored, that the repairs upon the roads should be performed in a permanent, and satis- factory manner. Special attention has been given to the principal main thoroughfares, and the process of mac- adamizing, (which is the only substantial, and practical method, of building roads capable of sustaining the large amount of heavy travel constantly passing over them) has been conducted as nearly upon scientific principles, as circumstances would admit. .
It has been suggested, that some system of under- drainage should be devised for the removal of the surface water from our principal streets, but the construction of sewers which has wisely been commenced, furnishes cess- pool drainage which is superior to any method of under- drainage that can be adopted.
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.