USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1868-1871 > Part 39
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
Laurel street .
·
500 00
Rush street, partial grading of . .
850 00
Glen street
204 84
Pearl street
367 75
Broadway, from Charlestown line to Cross street, 3,294 50
Sanding sidewalks 1,145 00
Fifty-five cesspools have been constructed at a cost of ·
3,645 77
Paid Franklin Mead, for crushing stone 3,085 25
The following purchases have been made and charged to highway appropriations: -
Two horses
$650 00
Two carts
210 00
Two cart harnesses . 95 00 ·
Three snow plows .
75 00
One large stone roller
300 00
.
The town appropriated eleven thousand dollars to defray the expense of removing the Somerville Horse Railroad track into the centre of the street, from Union square to Cherry street. We were instructed by the town to pay nine thousand dollars of this
9
amount to the railroad company when the work of laying the track was completed. The cost of grading Milk and Elm streets, on the sides of the track, was twelve thousand fifty-two dollars and seventy-five cents, all but eighteen hundred eighteen dollars and twenty-five cents of which has been charged to high- way appropriations. This work was commenced on the ninth day of May, and was completed on the tenth day of August, during which time all the town teams, with one exception, were employed on this work, together with all the extra teams that could be hired at current prices. This work proving more formidable than was anticipated, has prevented the grading of other streets as was contemplated in the spring.
Extensive repairs have been made on Elm street, at its junction with Holland street. The construc- tion of the Lexington Branch Railroad at a grade above that of Elm street, precipitated this work, which might otherwise have been omitted. A part of the expense of this work has been borne by the railroad, as will appear by reference to the report of the committee on railways. Repairs have been made on Broadway from Charlestown line to Cross street, with crushed stone, in order to test the relative value of this material for making repairs on our principal streets as compared with that of ledge- stone. The comparison, in the judgment of your committee, is decidedly in favor of crushed stone.
*
10
EDGESTONES.
The number of feet of edgestone set during the year is eight thousand nine hundred and ninety-three at a cost of five thousand eight hundred ten dollars and eighty-one cents. A much greater interest has been manifested during the year in this department than ever before, showing that the people are begin- ning more fully to appreciate the advantage of having edgestones set in front of their estates. Many of our streets where edgestones have to be set are con- structed, and accepted with a surface grade which has to be made uniform before the stones are set; this change of grade is not unfrequently attended with greater expense to the town, than the setting, and is charged to the highway appropriation.
MEDFORD STREET BRIDGE.
The town appropriated five thousand dollars for building Medford street bridge, and to grade the street out to its full width. Estimates were obtained and the contract awarded to Franklin Meade for the sum of twenty-two hundred dollars. Upon remov- ing the timbers of the old bridge the abutment walls were ascertained to be insecure and unfit to build upon. An agreement was made with the contractor to take down and rebuild the same, for the sum of three hundred and seventy-five dollars .- The bridge has been completed, and accepted by the selectmen and the town teams are now at work grading its ap- proaches and the street out to its full width.
11
TOWN STABLES.
A town stable and hay barn separated by a brick wall and fire-proof door has been built on the south- west corner of the town land, situated on Broadway and Cedar street, in which stalls for twenty horses have been made. Attached to the hay barn is a shed one hundred feet long of sufficient capacity to ac- commodate the town with storage room for all the carts, sleds and other tools used in the construction of streets. Also, a neat and convenient double tene- ment for the use of the men who have charge of the stable and teams.
The land set apart for yard room has been enclosed with a high board fence. The contract for building was awarded to W. J. Vickery, for the sum of nine thousand two hundred and ninety-five dollars. The building of a fence, alterations and other addi- tional work, not provided for by the specifications, was performed by the contractor at a cost of fourteen hundred forty-eight dollars and fifty-eight cents.
The town has three ledges in working order; one near the junction of Broadway and Holland street, one on Milk street near its junction with Elm street, and one on Bond street, Winter Hill.
It will be seen that the stable is located near the centre of a triangle, the angles of which are located at the different ledges. By extending Vernon street (so called) to Cedar street, these buildings will, when this street is finished, abut on a street leading from Central to Cedar street. Another street has been
*
12
laid out and formed from Summer street to Highland avenue, which is to cross the Lowell Railroad a few feet east of these buildings, and go in a straight line to Broadway. By the foregoing explanation, it will readily be seen that when these streets are opened the teams can go direct from the stable to the ledge nearest the work on which they are engaged. Land is rapidly increasing in value, and if at any future time the city should wish to dispose of this land for building purposes, the stable as it is now located will not injure the sale of this property.
HORACE HASKINS, AUSTIN BELKNAP, FRANCIS HOUGHTON, JOHN G. HALL, PERSON DAVIS,
Highway Committee.
SOMERVILLE, January 1, 1872.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON SEWERS.
TOWN OF SOMERVILLE,
BOARD OF SELECTMEN, Dec. 29, 1871.
THE efforts made by the selectmen during the past four years to inaugurate a system of sewerage gives promise of many gratifying results. The magnitude of the work, beset with a variety of difficulties, not at first fully comprehended or appreciated; the want of a thorough acquaintance with, and knowledge of,
13
many important elements necessary to make its appli- cation meet the growing demands of the place and the hour; the unprepared condition of the public mind fully to welcome and encourage an improvement of this kind, as well as the increase of public burdens it threatens to impose,-all conspire to make this branch of our official duties one of great delicacy and per- plexity, and yet one whose responsibilities must be assumed and borne, however arduous or unpalatable.
The work to be accomplished must of necessity be slow, or so graduated as not to draw too heavily from the public treasury ; at the same time be so conducted and distributed to meet the incoming demands as to equalize its benefits and still provide for more urgent emergencies as they may arise.
The great difficulties in determining on a plan or system of sewerage in this town are in the location and construction of the trunks or outlets; involving, as they do, a large outlay at the expense of the town, with only a small proportion to be returned in the form of assessments, no small care or pains should be bestowed in the steps first taken.
In the report of 1870, certain routes were indicated as the result of a careful investigation, by the engineer employed; not, indeed, as irrevocably fixing them as the only feasible lines, but as those which seemed most obvious at this stage of inquiry. And the purpose of the report was as much to invite friendly and candid inquiry and reflection among our fellow-citizens, as to give our own views in respect to the matter. It is a subject in regard to which there may be a diversity of
14
opinion, and upon which most people of observation, however limited, may have something to say or advice to give; all such inquiries when candidly and intelli- gently made cannot but be productive of good.
There have been no trunk sewers or outlets con- structed during the past season. Several causes conduce to this. The contemplated trunk in Milk street has been postponed to await the action of the county commissioners on the long pending petition to widen this street. It is obvious that the widening of this street and the possible change of grade would somewhat vary the location of. the proposed sewer.
The agitation of the nuisance question in regard to Miller's creek and the slaughter-houses bordering thereon, is likely to result in the adoption of some plan by the joint action of the city of Cambridge and Somerville, for the construction of a sewer running nearly parallel to Milk street, and for filling
up the adjoining flats. A petition to the legislature has already been published, praying for an act which will clothe the two municipalities with sufficient power to forever remove this great nuisance and cause of complaint from our midst. People unacquainted with the law as it has existed, and the inadequacy of the power it confers on municipal officers to handle and dispose of an affair of this magnitude, will not readily see how little can be done.
The proposed outlet for the accommodation of the Washington street district, East of the Lowell rail- road, has been necessarily postponed, although it had been adjudged a necessity by the selectmen. The
15
construction of the trunk sewer required the taking of and passing through private lands. A strong remonstrance sprang up among the abutters and owners, and much delay was occasioned by the hearings and objections made. These outlets are both important, and the urgent demands for their completion deserves immediate attention. Other outlets will be required if the wants of the other sections of the town are to be regarded. The north- westerly portion of the town adjacent to Cambridge, is yetto be provided for. Two methods are presented for consideration; one by an arrangement with the city of Cambridge to use their trunk sewer in North avenue, the other by an independent route wholly in Somerville, entering Alewives' brook near Cambridge almshouse. The report of the engineer on the sub- ject is very full, and has been placed on file for future reference.
The following sewers have been built during the past season : -
Feet.
1. In Bolton from Houghton to Oak st.,
456
Cost. $810 12
2. In Summer and Bow streets, from School street to Union square
1,822
5,076 92
4. In Prescott street .
1,093 .
1,676 00
5. In Marshall street, near Pearl
165
330 36
6. From Centre to Glen street, in Glen street to Brook street, thence to Cross street
994
2,076 49
7. In Cross street, from land of Sam'l Poor to land of Edgar Paine ·
994
3,228 75
Amount carried forward,
6,753 $15,042 14
3. In Putnam street . 1,229
1,843 50
16
Feet.
Cost.
Amount brought forward,
6,753 $15,042 14
8. In Everett street, from Cross street,
700
1,114 97
9. In Glen street, southerly from Brook street
292
452 60
10. In Rush street, northerly from Brook street
341
528 55
11. In Otis street, westerly from Cross street
843
1,346 65
12. In Vinal avenue, easterly from Sum- mer street .
983
1,720 45
13. In Pinckney street, easterly from Pearl street,
306
673 28
14. In Porter street, from Elm street, .
558
954 05
15. In Marshall st., near Oakland ave.,
226
361 60
16. In School street, easterly from Sum- mer street,
935
1,848 00
Total
11,937 $24,042 29
Total assessments,
$17,336 67
Several other sewers have been called for, but from the want of a suitable outlet, and other causes, they have necessarily been deferred. As nearly or quite all of thése applications have been referred to the favorable consideration of the incoming city govern- ment and are to be spoken of in another place, they hardly need be mentioned here.
The method of assessment is substantially the same as that adopted last year, and it has been the effort and desire of the committee to apportion this tax according to the benefit received, having regard to
17
the area of the land to be drained, not computing on more than one hundred feet in depth. It has been the aim of the Board to make the assessment as uni- form as the circumstances of the case would permit.
There have been less applications for abatements this year than heretofore, and it is quite generally acknowledged that sewers are a public necessity, and a general readiness is evinced to share the burdens they impose.
There have been few cases of appeal from the ac- tion of the board for a jury. The case of Arthur W. Tufts, was referred to arbitration and has been adjusted. The cases of the Stearns heirs on their application for a jury to revise the assessment on Mystic avenue, are still pending. In neither of these cases are the parties residents of the town.
In closing our report, we are impelled to congratu- late our fellow-citizens that this great branch of public improvement has been so liberally encouraged, and that the opposition to its progress has become so inconsiderable; and we still heartly commend this subject to the favorable consideration of our succes -. sors in office and of the inhabitants of the town.
CHAS. S. LINCOLN. JACOB T. GLINES. CYRUS F. CROSBY.
2
18
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON RAILWAYS AND BRIDGES.
THE consideration of the subject of reconstructing that portion of the Somerville Horse Railroad Com- pany's track lying between Union square and Elm street, and placing the same in the centre of the street, occupied the first attention of the committee.
Before the above work could be commenced, a petition was presented to the board, praying that the reconstruction of said track might be extended from Milk street on Elm to Cherry street.
Action having been taken on the petition, it was referred to the committee, who proceeded to make arrangements with the railway company to lay a track in the centre of the street from Union square on Milk street to Elm, and thence on Elm to Cherry street.
The sum paid by the town to the railroad company toward this work was nine thousand dollars, and the committee feel that a more judicious expenditure for the interests of the town could not have been made.
The committee anticipated the widening of the bridge on Washington street over the Fitchburg Railroad early last spring; but circumstances beyond the control of the committee prevented the accom- plishment of the work as proposed, and the bridge was rebuilt upon the old plan and abutments.
The committee consider that it is a matter of re- gret that the plan as arranged last spring should not have been carried out.
19
Dane street, having been laid out as a highway across the Fitchburg railroad, is an important im- provement, one which will be much appreciated, especially as it is now protected by a flagman placed there by the company.
The committee feel that the bridge over the water course at the above crossing should be rebuilt, so that the full width of the street at this crossing can be used, and they recommend early attention to this matter.
Efforts have several times been made to have Clark street protected by a flagman, or otherwise, as we consider it a dangerous crossing; but nothing has been accomplished yet.
In accordance with arrangements made by the committee with the Boston and Lowell Railroad Company, the rebuilding and widening of the Cedar- street bridge above their road has been commenced, and it is expected that it will be completed early in the spring.
The building of the Arlington Branch Railroad across Elm and Holland streets necessarily hastened the grading of the square at the junction of said streets, and the railroad company having contributed a liberal amount towards the work it has been com- pleted and the result is a great improvement in that locality. The committee presented to the railroad company the fact of the selectmen having purchased the small lot of land lying between Holland and Elm streets and in front of the depot now being built, and suggested that it seemed to us to be a case of
20
mutual benefit between the town and the railroad company, that said lot of land should be made a part of the highway, as otherwise it might become a nui- sance. The company took this view of the case, and have agreed to pay half the expense paid for said land by the selectmen.
The new depot now being erected at this point is 50 × 20 feet, and is nearly complete.
The sum agreed upon for the railroad company to pay the town is as follows, viz .: -
324 yards of Macadam, at $1.50 per yard . $486 00
Three cesspools, at $50 150 00
Twenty-five yards of excavating, at.30 cents ·
7 50
And one-half of the amount paid for lot of land be-
fore referred to, $389.50 194 75
$838 25
The subject of removing a portion of the Medford and Charlestown Horse Railway Company's track situated on Main street adjoining Broadway, has not yet been accomplished. The railroad company hav- ing brought a bill in equity to enjoin the selectmen from removing their track on Broadway, this impor- tant matter has necessarily been subject to the law's delay.
We will state the case as briefly as possible, that all may understand.
In September, 1869, the selectmen voted to set edgestones on Main street, against the estate of Mr. E. C. Byam, and on the second of October following,
21
the company were requested to remove their track, so that the same should not interfere with the sidewalk; the president of the company requested a delay, until the following spring, promising a compliance with the order of the selectmen; but failing to do so, the selectmen, on the second day of April, 1870, again voted, that the company be requested to remove their track on Main street, and a special committee was at the same time appointed to carry out the vote.
Several interviews were held with the officers of the company, who claimed that their road was leased to the Middlesex Horse Railroad Company, and that really they had no control over the matter; but that their lessees stood in their place, and were bound to assume their obligations in law, and to carry out the orders of the selectmen.
On conferring with the officers of the Middlesex Horse Railroad Company, it was found that very dif- ferent views were entertained by that company, and it then became apparent, that whatever action was taken must be under the statutes of the common- wealth; therefore, on June 4th, 1870, an order was passed in accordance with the provisions of the statutes, giving notice to all parties interested that a hearing would be had on a petition to alter the location of the track on the 22d day of June, another on the 29th of July, and again on the 20th of August, and on the last date the selectmen passed an order requiring the track to be taken up and placed in the middle of the street on or before October 1st, 1870. The track not having been removed on the eighth
22
day of October, the superintendent of streets was instructed by a majority of the selectmen to remove the track unless the company should commence be- fore the following Thursday to take it up themselves. Before the time arrived to carry out the instructions of the selectmen, the Medford and Charlestown Rail- road Company brought a bill in October, 1870, to restrain the officers of the town from taking up their track, and a temporary injunction was granted in Octo- ber, 1870, and after a full hearing in November, the in- junction was confirmed; insufficiency of the terms of the order was the ground taken, - Mr. Lincoln, legal adviser of the board, being absent at the time, the order was drawn by other counsel.
The action of the parties necessitated the com- mencement anew of further proceedings, and legal notices were accordingly given November 26th, 1870, - this being as soon as practicable after the decision of the court, - that a hearing would be given in accordance with the statutes, on the petition of Samuel A. Carlton and others, for the alteration of the track on Main street; and on the 21st day of January, 1871, the selectmen ordered the track placed in the middle of the street. This order not having been complied with on the 5th day of June last, the location of the Medford and Charlestown Railroad, on Main street, was revoked.
Before the expiration of the thirty days within which the company were bound by law to remove their track, the Medford and Charlestown Railroad applied again to the supreme judicial court for an
23
injunction restraining further action of the selectmen until the questions of law involved in the case might be determined by the full bench of that court - where the case is now pending, - and will be heard in January, at Boston, which is the first term for Mid- dlesex cases since the bill in equity was drawn. No unnecessary delay has been allowed in our efforts to bring this matter to a close at the earliest possible time.
FRANCIS HOUGHTON, JACOB T. GLINES, CHAS. S. LINCOLN,
Committee.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON POLICE.
IN submitting our annual report on the condition of the police department, it gives us great pleasure to assure our fellow-citizens that the officers and men have, individually and collectively, been prompt, faith- ful, and efficient in the performance of their several duties; that Somerville has a police force second to no one in its vicinity.
The resignation of H. B. Runey as captain of police made a vacancy, which was filled by the ap- pointment of M. C. Parkhurst. This gentleman served in the army during the war. He went out as corporal in a Somerville company, and returned as first lieutenant, commanding a Springfield company. Taught by his military experience the necessity of a
24
cheerful and prompt obedience to the orders of supe- rior officers, and of having thorough discipline in the ranks, tempered with firmness, moderation, and kind- ness, he was deemed a suitable person for the posi- tion, and was appointed by a unanimous vote.
The town is still divided into seven police districts as before. The officers of the force consist of a chief, captain, first and second lieutenant and clerk. There are under pay one captain, eight night watchmen, and four day policemen. These last ought to have their pay increased.
Soon after the re-organization, rules and regula- tions for the government of the department were prepared by the committee and adopted by the board; for up to this time, the police force had practically no rules and regulations for its govern- ment. It was, to a very great extent, the creature of circumstances, subject to such temporary orders as were suggested by any emergency that should arise.
In these rules and regulations the necessary qual- ifications for appointment as a police officer are de- fined with considerable exactness; also, the duties of both officers and men, the manner in which those duties are to be performed, and the general deport- ment of all its members while on duty towards the citizens and those composing this body.
In making appointments, time has been taken to carefully investigate the claims and character of ap- plicants; and as there have usually been several for each opening, the police committee has had an oppor-
25
tunity to select good men, and, at the same time, make a great many enemies among disappointed applicants and their friends.
Regardless of personal considerations, the mem- bers of this committee, and the selectmen, have tried to so discharge their duties as to promote the public good.
Perfection is rarely attained in this life, and with all the time and labor expended in trying to perfect this department of the town government, by those who have had it in charge, it is undoubtedly suscep- tible of further improvement. At the same time, it gives us great pleasure to commend this department to the favorable consideration of the New City Gov- ernment.
For details see report of the secretary of police which follows.
AUSTIN BELKNAP, HORACE HASKINS, ROBERT A. VINAL, Committee on Police.
REPORT OF CHIEF OF POLICE.
TO THE HONORABLE BOARD OF
SELECTMEN OF SOMERVILLE:
Gentlemen, - I herein present your honorable body my report for the year ending December 31st, 1871, to which is appended a synopsis of the doings of the department, accompanied by such explanations and suggestions as may be deemed of interest.
26
DOINGS OF THE POLICE FOR THE YEAR ENDING DEC. 31st, 1871.
Arrested and held for trial
473
Males
391
Females
82
Total
473
STATISTICAL STATEMENT.
Amount of property reported stolen $1,424 25
Amount of property reported recovered 695 50
Amount of fines and costs imposed
3,608 60
Aggregate amount of imprisonment (8)
8 years.
NATURE OF OFFENCES FOR WHICH ARRESTS WERE MADE.
Assault and battery 84
Assault and battery aggravated .
13
Assault with intent to kill .
·
1
Assault with intent to rescue prisoners .
1
Assault with intent to carnally know . ·
1
Assault mutual . 2
Breaking and entering
3
Common drunkards .
6
Common railer and brawler
2
Cruelty to animals
5
Drunkenness 139
Drunkenness, second offence
10
Disturbing peace .
64
Doing business on Lord's day
6
Disobedience 1
Gaming on Lord's day 38
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.