USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1868-1871 > Part 30
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REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON FIRE DEPARTMENT.
SOMERVILLE, Dec. 31, 1870.
With the date of this Report closes a year of remark- able exemption from losses by fire.
The fire department of the town is in good working order; and to a casual observer it might seem that no changes are required to make it more efficient ; but the rapid growth of the town, with the consequent increase of the number of buildings, and the increased danger of fire, from the tendency to crowd buildings together as land rises in value, renders it necessary, in the opinion of the Committee, that some further means should be provided to increase the usefulness of the fire depart- ment; among the most important of which are the fol- lowing :
First. A more suitable building for the accommodation of the Company and apparatus of the hook and ladder truck.
Second. A more suitable house, and an alarm-bell thereon, for the use of the Winter Hill hose company ;
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as, in case of fire in that vicinity, the members of the company are dependent for an alarm upon the bell on the Forster school house, which is altogether too remote from their present house.
Third. An alarm bell in the Spring Hill district.
The Committee believe that the last two measures, if adopted, will answer the purpose for an alarm in case of fire, until the time, not far distant, when a fire-alarm telegraph will be necessary.
For information more in detail concerning the Fire Department, the citizens are referred to the Annual Re- port of the Engineer.
ROBERT A. VINAL, JOHN G. HALL, CYRUS F. CROSBY,
Committee on Fire Department.
REPORT OF CHIEF ENGINEER.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
GENTLEMEN: In accordance with the usual custom I submit the Annual Report of the strength and condition of the Fire Department, with a few suggestions of im- provements which are much needed.
STEAM FIRE ENGINE.
This branch of the department is of the utmost impor- tance in our town, much more so than in many towns for the reason that our town is blessed with such a large amount of elevated ground, which in many places is very thickly covered with wooden buildings, and the pressure on the water pipes is so light in many places, that it is of no service without the aid of a steamer. We are often compelled to force water a great distance, and should a
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fire break out in some of these localities, one steamer would be insufficient to cope with the fiery element. I would therefore recommend the purchase of another steamer to your consideration, with the hope that it will meet with your approval, and be adopted by the inhabi- tants. As the town is growing very rapidly, and is in many places closely settled, every one will see that we are very liable at any time to have one of those de- structive fires which have visited other places, and if we do not provide ourselves with apparatus to help defend our homes, we should not expect that our neighbors will do it for us. And although they stand ready at any time to lend a helping hand, yet it is not fair to expect them to do it all.
WATER.
I would again call your attention to this important subject with a hope that measures may be taken to have a better supply in some localities. On the south side of the Fitchburg Railroad there is a large territory almost wholly without a supply, and the buildings are of such a nature that should a fire break out at any time in this region, we may expect it to be very destructive, and should this happen, we are poorly prepared to battle with the fire. There are other localities very poorly supplied, and I would recommend that hydrants be placed on the pipes in every street at intervals not to exceed five hun- dred feet.
NEW HOSE CARRIAGE.
It was also voted to procure a new hose carriage and hose to take the place of the Steamer in its present house when the steamer should be removed to its new quarter. This carriage is nearing completion, and will add much to the strength of the department.
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HOSE TOWER.
I would again call your attention to the subject of a ower in connection with the present steamer house which is to be occupied by the new hose carriage, as I hink it will be needed in connection with the new tower which is being erected with the new house, which tower vill not accommodate all the hose of the department.
NEW HOUSE FOR HOSE CO. No. 2.
Your Honorable Board are aware that the house occu- ied by this Company does not belong to the town, they being tenants at will and liable at any time to be warned o leave the premises. The company are poorly accom- nodated, the room being small, and very cold. They are lissatisfied with their situation.
It has been some trouble to keep the company recon- iled to their quarters with the hope that they would ave a new house, and I hope you will give it your con- ideration and favor.
TELEGRAPH ALARM.
This is one of the most important subjects for the citi- ens to consider. Some means are needed by which an larm of fire can be given to all the inhabitants at once, hereby saving that delay which is occasioned by the present mode of giving an alarm. I would again refer o our neighbors, Charlestown and Cambridge for infor- nation on this subject.
STRENGTH OF THE DEPARTMENT.
The Department consists at the present time of Steam Engine No. 1, which is at present located on Washing- on street, and is in thorough repair. In connection vith this Steamer there is a four-wheeled hose carriage, nd a company consisting of an Engineer and Driver of
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Steamer, and driver of hose carriage, who are perma nently employed, an assistant Engineer and company ( nine men who do duty only in case of fire.
JOHN E. WOOL HOSE CO. No. 1.
This is a four wheel carriage of the Philadelphia pa- tern, drawn by hand, carries six hundred feet of hose and is in good repair. The company attached to this cal riage consists of a Foreman, first and second assistant: and twelve members, none of whom are permanentl: employed.
WINTER HILL HOSE CO. No. 2.
This company have in their charge a two wheele carriage carrying five hundred feet of hose. The com pany was organized about one year since, and has prove a great addition to the strength of the Department. Th company consists of fifteen men, employed only at fire;
PRESCOTT HOOK AND. LADDER Co. No. 1.
Since my last Report there has been a company org nized for the care of this carriage. It consists of Fore man, first and second assistant foreman, and nine ladde men, on duty at fires only.
SPRING HILL HOSE CO. No. 3.
This carriage is still out of the department, it being il charge of a citizen of Spring Hill. I would suggest tha it be placed in charge of the Department, as it is of no service to the town in its present situation.
HOSE.
There is in the Department at the present time 440( feet of leather hose, a portion of which is old and nearly useless. By vote of the Town last April, the Selectmer were authorized to procure 2000 feet of new hose, which
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s being made, and will be ready when the new carriage s completed, making a total of 6400 feet.
DUTIES OF THE DEPARTMENT DURING THE PAST YEAR.
We have been called out 33 times, 19 times to fires nd alarms in Somerville; 6 times to fires in Charles- own ; 6 times to Cambridge ; 1 to Medford ; 1 to Brook- ne. It will be seen that we have had 13 less alarms han last year, which is a credit to the town, as the num- er of fires and alarms in some of our neighboring cities nd towns have increased.
Our loss has been comparatively small, the largest be- ng that of the Metallic Compression Casting Co., whose oss was increased by the hose being cut by a train of ars on the Fitchburg Railroad. In almost every case the surance has more than covered the loss. The labor has een faithfully performed by the companies, and I think e can say our Department compares favorably with any i the State.
I would take this opportunity to thank the Board of electmen generally, the Committee on Fire Department om the Board, my associates in office, the Members of le Department, the Police Force, and all others who ive in any way assisted me in my labors.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
DAVID A. SANBORN, JR.
Chief Engineer of Somerville Fire Department.
REPORT ON COMMITTEE ON CLAIMS.
The Claim of Massachusetts General Hospital pending the writing of the last Annual Report was decided ad- rsely to the town by the Supreme Judicial Court, the x having been decided illegal by that tribunal. A set. ement however was made in accordance with the vote
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of the town, by which the town is to refrain from tax ing the Hospital lands in future, till other use should be made of the same; than the present, and the town is no to be required to refund the money or taxes already paid
The suit of Mrs. Elizabeth Barrett, and that of Mr. B F. Richardson, for damages sustained on Broadway, have both been settled by arbitration.
The suit of Mrs. Brooks for damages alleged to have been sustained from a fall in the trench of the wate works has been twice tried, the jury disagreeing at the first trial, and rendering a verdict of $8000 against th town at the second trial. Exceptions were taken to th ruling of the Court, and will be argued during the pres ent winter. The defence of this action is assumed b: the Somerville Mystic Water Committee, who hold M: Campbell, the Contractor, responsible under his agreemen The suit of Mr. Campbell is still pending, and trial is pos poned to await the result of the former action.
Miss Ada A. Byrnes has also brought a suit agains the town for damages alleged to have been sustained i Union Square at the estate of Hill, Walker, & Co., an is now pending in the Supreme Judicial Court.
Hugh Mullin has also brought a suit against the tow for damages alleged to have been sustained from fallin into the water trench. This suit is defended under th direction of the Water Committee, who hold Mr. Camy bell responsible.
A claim was made against the town by Geo. C. Gaul for damages sustained by running into a trench, dug b some one on Washington street, without the consent c knowledge of the Selectmen. The Board found it diff cult to fix the responsibility upon any one with reason ble certainty, and settled the claim by the payment q one hundred dollars, to avoid a lawsuit. Mention : made of this matter particularly to show the residents (
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he town, the necessity of obtaining permission before igging up the streets, that the Superintendent may be ognizant of the fact, and erect suitable protection for ublic travel. It must be well-known that the Law for- ids digging up the street, without permission from the roper authorities, and imposes severe penalties against ffenders. It is to be hoped in future no similar offence ill be committed.
NELSON HOWE, CHAS. S. LINCOLN, Committee on Claims.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON GAS.
Your Committee respectfully report that new posts have en erected as near the places petitioned for as the pub- ; good would allow. The constantly increasing number our tax-paying citizens makes the subject of "more ht" on our streets - whether accepted or not - more ud more important. And for the information of all our lizens, we would state that on the deposit of $30 with e Selectmen, which sum pays for the post, they will, as on as possible, cause the same to be set and lighted at e expense of the town.
The whole number of lamps now lighted is 219, of ich 26 are lighted with fluid.
CYRUS F. CROSBY, FRANCIS HOUGHTON.
DEC. 31, 1870.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH.
The Selectmen for the last two years, have been con- tuted by vote of the town, a Board of Health. Its ties have commanded more or less attention, although ยท season has not been marked by unusual sickness, and
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no contagious diseases have prevailed, and the town ma well be congratulated on its general sanitary condition.
With a bountiful supply of water and a matured sy; tem of sewerage, now partially complete, an importan step has been taken towards protecting the inhabitant against diseases and epidemics. Open drains and stag nant water are disappearing, and it can safely be pre dicted that by perseverance in this direction, a few year will entirely relieve the town from this great source ( complaint and cause of sickness. This subject shoul never for a moment be lost sight of by our citizens. very great complaint has been made during the pai year, from the large number of swine kept and maintaine in our midst. It may not generally be known to wh; extent this business is carried on, and the causes th: operate to increase it. Our neighboring cities hay enacted ordinances prohibiting the keeping of swir within their respective limits, and have thus compelle owners of swine either to change their residence or o cupy tenements near the town line, and build and f their pig-pens within the limits of Somerville, subjectir its inhabitants in their vicinity to much annoyance ar discomfort. The population of the town is becoming : dense that stringent measures should be adopted, th this and kindred sources of complaint may be remove Suitable by-laws should be adopted at an early day avert this growing nuisance in our town. The "Swi boys " deserve a passing notice. Quite a trade is drive by a large number of boys in the collection of swill, arl our citizens are beginning to complain of the frequent and untimely visits from those engaged in this traffi It is due to our citizens that some measures should adopted by which the work of collecting swill and hous offal should be subject to proper and official regulation either by requiring license to be granted to a few pet
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ns, by districts, or by the town's taking the entire charge the matter.
Slaughter-houses, Pork and Lard factories, are questions be considered. When ? where ? and to what extent, e they to exist ? Shall they be erected and maintained 1 or near our main thoroughfares, and in the midst of a owded population ? And are they to be permitted to pty their filth and offal into the streams of our town th impunity ? And will the increase of taxable prop- ty compensate for the many annoyances and unhealthy fluences of such institutions ? Does our town become y more attractive, wholesome, or desirable, as a place resort or residence ? The most important avenue, so as the amount of travel is concerned, to our town, res the traveller through just such scenes as are here scribed. How long shall they continue ? Other mat- s might properly be dwelt upon. Vaults, sink-drains, gnant water, low lands, accumulated filth, and personal cleanliness, are all frightful causes of disease, and too at pains cannot be taken to guard against the accu- lation of all kind of impurities.
JOHN G. HALL, JACOB T. GLINES, R. A. VINAL, C. T. CROSBY, CHAS. S. LINCOLN.
GENERAL REPORT.
the Reports of the several Standing Committees of the rd treat the subjects to which they relate with so ch ability and completeness that little remains to be in conclusion.
here are, however, some matters of general interest importance, not included in these Reports, to which r attention is respectfully invited.
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TOWN STABLE.
The subject of building a town stable on the town land was brought before the town at the March meeting; and that meeting instructed the Selectmen to procure plans, with estimates of the cost of building a suitable town stable, and a tenement for the men who have charge of the horses, and report at the April meeting.
When the article relating to this subject was reached. in the April warrant, a motion to indefinitely postpone the subject prevailed, before the Selectmen had an oppor- tunity to submit the plans and estimates.
At present the town has nine horses constantly at work on its highways. Six of these horses are stablec in the town barn, and three in a shed adjoining, where stalls were temporarily fitted up for the summer.
There are about thirty (30) miles of accepted streets and sixteen (16) miles of non-accepted, in this town Many of these streets are opened to lay gas and water pipes, and to construct sewers. When the trenches opened for these purposes, are filled, it is not often tha the streets are left firm and solid as before ; thus, a grea deal of extra labor is required to make repairs on such streets. This adds very much to the general labor upor our streets, and makes the necessity for additional team more pressing.
A large number of cesspools have been constructed along the line of the sewers; and all these have to b cleaned out once a month, and oftener if necessary, dur ing the spring, summer, and autumn.
These cesspools must be kept clear, or the sewers wi fill, and their efficiency be destroyed.
From the foregoing, it must be evident to all, that th street force is insufficient to do all the extra work, an keep the streets in an acceptable condition.
During the past year, quite a number of extra team
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have been constantly employed on our streets. This plan must be continued, unless the number of teams is increased. It is for the town to decide whether addi- tional teams shall be purchased, or the present system continued.
WIDENING STREETS.
The attention of the Selectmen has, at different times, been called to the subject of widening streets ; but thus ar no streets have been widened.
In most instances, many of the abutters living along he lines of such streets have objected to the widening, hrough fear that they should be injured in their property y the application of the Betterment Law.
The widening of some of the more important streets nd thoroughfares cannot much longer be delayed ; for, s the population becomes more dense, and travel in- reases, to meet its increasing wants, additional space nust be given.
In all cases, where the public convenience requires the videning of streets, we would recommend that a liberal policy be pursued toward the abutters along the lines of uch streets; so as to encourage the widening, while land cheap, and it can be done at a comparatively small ost to the town.
The advantage of wide streets are so apparent, and o well understood by the inhabitants, as to need no ords of commendation from us.
WATERING STREETS.
As the town grows, new wants are manifested. During e last very hot and dry summer the subject of water- ig our streets has been often and earnestly discussed by ose who live along the lines of the streets most fre- uented.
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Street material kept moist retains its place much bet- ter than when it is allowed to become perfectly dry hardened by moisture and travel, it offers more successful resistance to the constant wear and tear to which it is subjected. As its power of resistance is increased, the cost of repairs is lessened. This being true, is it not for the interest of the town to encourage the watering of some of our principal streets by contributing a per cent of the cost ?
ROOMS FOR TOWN OFFICERS.
The inconvenience of having the several departments of our town government located in different sections of the town, so widely separated, is augmented, as the busi. ness of the town increases.
If the New High School Building is erected on the lo cation now selected, when the present building is vacated we recommend its removal to a more suitable location on the town land, near where it now stands; and tha its external architecture be modernized, by adding a few modest ornaments, so that the general appearance of this building shall moderately correspond with other buildings erected on this land.
This done, have a suitable "Lock-up," constructed ir the basement ; and retain the rooms as now divided anc finished, in the upper part of the building, for the use of the Selectmen, Town Clerk, Treasurer, Collector, Schoo Committee, Somerville Mystic Water Board, Assessors Overseers of Poor, and Town Surveyor.
The town will then have under one roof, all its rec ords, its maps, its valuable papers of every description which may, with ease and convenience, be consulted as occasion may require. Thus facilitating in a great degree the business of the several departments, with compara- tively a trifling expense ; and deferring for many years the necessity of building a Town House, or City Hall.
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APPROPRIATIONS.
The Selectmen have endeavored to keep as nearly within the Appropriations made as was consistent with a due regard for the best interests of the town.
When the sum was named for Miscellaneous Account, in asking for appropriations, no provision was made for paying damages awarded by the Committee on Claims. By referring to their Report, it will be seen that several claims have been settled, and the damage charged to this account, which is a sort of waste basket, into which are thrown all the bills not otherwise provided for; and n this case, the appropriation has been largely exceeded.
In all cases where settlements have been made, it seemed to be so clearly for the interest of the town to settle, and save the expense of litigation, that the Board felt warranted in using from the available funds in the Treasury of the town, and charge to this account.
INDEXING RECORDS.
During the past year, the Records of the town, and of he Selectmen, have been indexed ; so that any informa- ion, relating to any subject, that has become a matter of ecord, since the incorporation of the town, may be re- erred to at any time, without delay or inconvenience.
Before this was done, not unfrequently great delay was caused by having to look through years of records, o glean therefrom, some item of information, without which, the business under consideration could not be ransacted understandingly.
This much needed and very laborious work has been performed by our ever faithful Town Clerk, Chas. E. Gil- nan, who has spent months of patient labor in perfect- ng the system.
In future, it is intended that the indexing shall keep
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pace with the records ; for no records are complete with- out an index.
STREET BOOK.
A book has been purchased, in which are entered the names of all the streets; their length, width, and their junctions with other streets.
SEWER BOOK.
A book has been purchased, which is to contain a copy of all contracts for building sewers, their size, cost of con- struction, assessments, and any other information relat- ing to the subject that may be deemed of importance.
APPOINTMENT OF COLLECTOR OF TAXES.
A vacancy, in the office of Collector of Taxes, was made by the death of Benjamin Randall. The duty of designating his successor devolved upon the Selectmen, and they appointed Thomas Cunningham to fill the va- cancy.
In making this appointment the offices of Treasurer and Collector were united in one man. The question of uniting these offices has been considered, at some of the preliminary meetings, held to nominate Town Officers, before the annual election, and the decisions have been adverse ; but, when those decisions were made, the be- lief was quite general that the objection was not so much to the offices being united, as it was to that of depriving an old and highly esteemed resident of an office which he desired to retain.
The Selectmen thought it would be generally more satisfactory to the citizens, to place this important trust in the hands of one who had acceptably served the town many years, than to take a new and untried man.
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A statement of the account of the late collector with the town, will be found in the Report of the Auditing Committee.
TOWN LAND.
The purchase of the "Sleeper Land" on Central Hill may be regarded as one of the important transactions of the year; whether it is considered in a pecuniary point of view, or in its bearings upon the future growth and prosperity of the town.
This purchase, definitely settled the question of a rec- ognized Centre. This question being no longer in dis- pute, plans for the future development of the town may be made with especial reference to this fact.
The rapid rise in the price of land, throughout the town, which so quickly followed the consummation of this purchase, clearly indicates the interest felt by the inhabitants in this matter, and shows their estimate of its importance.
The town now has suitable grounds upon which to erect such public buildings as may be required for town purposes.
The beautiful monument erected by the citizens to perpetuate the memory of our " Fallen Heroes," is now situated in an out of the way place, with unattractive surroundings, where it is seldom seen, unless it be by those who are personally interested in the departed whose remains are there deposited. Thus losing to the young, and the public generally, the valuable lessons of self-sacrifice, which the true patriot is required to prac- ice in times of war.
The custom of the age in which we live, forcibly sug- gests the propriety of placing this monument, at the ear- iest practicable moment, upon this lot of land, a portion of which, has, by its revolutionary reminiscences, been
re Ist
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fitted and sanctified for its reception. This will add : new interest to those already clustering around this beau tiful spot.
The plot of ground contains sufficient area for al practical uses, and has some to spare for ornamentation and we would respectfully suggest that the town appoin a Committee, composed of gentlemen of taste and leisure to consider, and bring forward a plan for laying out these grounds.
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