USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1876 > Part 8
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1 25
17 cold chisels,
2 00
5 small hammers,
2 75
3 mallets,
50
5 pair snips,
5 50
2 bench shears,
5 00
8 oil cans,
4 00
20 lanterns,
20 00
1 tackle and derrick,
6 00
1 hand hose,
1 50
1 hydrant hose,
1 00
2 saws,
1 00
1 bit-stock and bits,
1 50
1 2-foot square,
75
1 jack plane,
75
1 oil stone,
50
7 drills, 662 lbs. at .20
13 30
3 spoons,
1 00
7 striking hammers,
12 00
3 sledge hammers,
7 00
$725 30
Amount carried forward,
$725 30
21 sheets 2} sand paper,
10
149
Amount brought forward,
$725 30
2 iron bars $3 00
4 frost wedges, 43} lbs. at .20 8 70
2 sand-screens, 50
7 hydrant wrenches,
5 00
2 flush hydrant wrenches,
4 00
2 hose spanners,
25
1 packing-box wrench,
1 25
6 gate wrenches,
14 00
7 mending knives,
1 00
10 pails,
3 00
2 water tubs,
1 50
1 water barrel,
1 00
4 mortar boxes,
6 00
3 hods,
1 00
2 trowels,
1 00
2 tool boxes,
7 00
7 pair rubber mits,
10 00
1 wheelbarrow,
4 00
20 picks,
25 00
17 shovels at .75
12 75
4 kettles,
2 50
1 grindstone,
4 00
2 tape measures,
1 00
1 cutting bench,
2 50
2 rammers,
1 00
1 pair rubber boots,
3 00
1 pipe cradle,
1 00
3 fire furnaces,
1 00
1 pair hydrant tongs,
30
1 branding iron, S. W. W.,
30
1 tank for turning pipe,
45 00
3 tar barrels,
2 50
1 plough and points,
5 00
1 step-ladder,
4 00
183 05
Amount carried forward,
$908 35
150
Amount brought forward,
$908 35
1 ratchet and drills for repairs on hydrants, 15 00
caulking irons and 2 joint pins,
1 00
powder can,
35
2 punches,
20
2 horses,
100 00
3 wagons,
200 00
1 pung,
40 00
1 sleigh,
18 00
4 blankets,
8 00
2 harnesses,
45 00
1 buffalo robe,
6 00
2 surcingles,
1 00
OFFICE FURNITURE.
1 desk, 4 chairs, 1 stove, 1 letter hook file, 2 inkstands, 1 order slate, 1 broom,
20 00
454 55
Total,
$1,362 90
WATER-SERVICE MATERIALS.
31
feet 2 in. galvanized pipe,
at $0 20
$6 20
297 " 1} " unlined pipe,
12
35 64
1,162 " 1¿ " lined to 1 inch,
14
162 68
7993 1 66
3 66 4
12
95 94
3572 lbs. lead pipe,
9
32 17
572 4 solder,
16
9 20
844
old lead,
.
46 42
23
block tin pipe,
30
6 90
15 connecting leads,
15 00
12 12 inch clamps,
2 25
27 00
9 10
2 25
20 25
3 8 66
2 25
6 75
7 6
66
2 25
15 75
Amount carried forward,
$479 90
151
Amount brought forward,
$479 90
20 4 inch clamps, ·
$2 25
45 00
14 3
2 25
37 50
2 4 inch with Ludlow gates,
10 00
2 6
10 00
172 stop and waste, con. nipples,
2 00
344 00
193 12 in. brass Ts,
45
86 85
36 1 " plugs,
07
2 52
4 1} " union nipples,
30
1 20
21
goose necks, 66
50
5 50
4 월
66
40
1 60
3 2
". R. W. stop and water cocks,
4 00
12 00
12 14 " union swivel nipples,
6 60
2 14 "
R. W. stop and waste T handle,
1 67
3 34
4 1 66
6 00
3 4
stop and waste T handle,
1 30
3 90
11
spigot stop and waste,
1 00
7 00
3 ₺
7 14 by 1 in. brass T,
45
3 15
3 1 " stop and waste with nipples,
1 90
5 70
2 2 " brass tap nipples,
50
1 00
51} "
66
30
1 20
6 1 66
25
1 50
6 2
20
1 20
3. 2
66
18
54
2 1
union couplings,
50
1 00
-00
...
40
2 00
2 를
66
30
60
11
" ground seat R. W.,
30
1 50
2 2 " globe valves with wheel,
3 50
7 00
2 2
" gal. Ts,
65
1 30
Amount carried forward,
$1,099 35
2 00
7 5
75
2 25
40
2 00
50
5 2
" } bends hose thread,
1 00
2 00
11 § 66
152
Amount brought forward,
$1,099 35
11 1 by & inch,
$0 20
2 20
12 2 inch Ts,
16
1 92
1 2 " cross gal.,
60
13 " gal. coupling, 6.
35
70
66 4 2
25
1 00
16 & 66 66
9
1 44
2 3 " gal. R. and L.,
20
1 hose nipple for stand pipe,
1 00
7 § gal. couplings,
7
49
1 2} in. " elbow,
45
12 . . 66
40
2 2 66
40
22 “ C.I. “
30
60
6 1} " mal. elbows.
25
1 50
9 1“
20
1 80
34 1 " 66
18
6 12
5 1} " 66 Ts,
25
1 25
1 14 " 66 66
25
5 12 by 1 in. mal. Ts,
25
1 25
32 1
66
20
6 40
12 1 by § “ 66
66
20
2 40
-
38
4 14 66 66
66
25
50
3 1 by & 66
25
75
3 2
C. I. plugs,
15
45
212
66
66
12
24
9 14
66 66
10
90
32 2
66
6. 66
5
1 60
16 5
5
80
21
" stopcocks and nipple,
90
3 80
212
" solder corporations and nipple,
1 75
36 75
Amount carried forwurd,
$1,179 64
1 11 .6 66 cross,
30
1 20
21
66 66
66
55
2 2} "
153
Amount brought forward,
$1,179 64
81 1 inch solder connecting nipples, $0 35
28 00
1 self-closing faucet,
2 80
4 hose bite faucets,
1 00
4 00
2 corporations soldered on,
4 50
2 hose nipples and 1 cap,
75
38 bushings and reducing couplings,
3 80
1 3 in. gal. nipple,
35
4 2} " " 66
35
1 40
72 66 6.
30
2 10
41 ft. small iron pipe,
5
2 05
33 lead pipe tacks,
1 00
90 pipe hooks,
40 00
4 Bartholomew hydrants,
12 00
5 lbs. red lead,
50
3 shut-off rods,
35
1 05
1 service box cover, .
20
Total,
$1,284 14 .
.
4 service wrenches, $3 00
2 pipe cutters and wheels, 12 00
1 2 in. die plate and die,
15 00
11"" 66 3 dies,
9 00
1 & " « die,
8 00
1 press and cones for lining pipe, 2 set cones,
40 00
1 bench vise,
10 00
1 1 in. tapping machine,
8 00
1 5 " 66
15 00
8 pair tongs,
12 50
2 Stilson wrenches,
3 00
4 monkey
2 50
3 fire pots,
2 00
Amount carried forward,
$140 00
INVENTORY OF TOOLS FOR WATER SERVICE.
154
Amount brought forward, $140 00
1 8 in. solder kettle, 154 66
1 00
2 solder ladles,
60
5 doz. service locks at .65
32 50
3 soldering irons,
3 25
6 flat files,
1 25
2 round files,
20
62 clamps for locking service pipe
37 70
1 set washer cutters, 1 50
2 ten pins,
40
1 lining bench,
1 50
5 tunnels, 1 00
10 00
3 force pumps,
1 screw driver and saw set, 60
$233 00
Number of services put in, 137.
Average cost of services, $21.33 each.
NUMBER OF FEET AND SIZE OF SERVICE PIPE LAID.
2 in· galvanized
208 ft.
1 " cement lined,
72
3. " 66 66
4,345
Total,
4,625 ft.
Respectfully,
BENJAMIN ALMY, Superintendent.
1 50
REPORT
OF THE
COMMITTEE ON HIGHWAYS, 1876.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
IN COMMITTEE ON HIGHWAYS, Dec. 28, 1876.
To the City Council of the City of Somerville :
The Committee on Highways deem it proper to submit to the City Council a brief report of their doings during the year now about to close.
Your committee have held sixty-eight meetings, have received . and acted upon one hundred and sixty-three orders, petitions, etc., and have submitted one hundred and fifty-two reports.
No new streets have been laid out, but much labor has been given to the completion of those previously laid out, and the com- mittee have the satisfaction of reporting them all finished, and the betterments assessed thereon.
That portion of Beacon Street lying between Sacramento Street and Somerville Avenue has been greatly improved by being widened to its full width of sixty-six feet, the grade raised from six to twenty-two inches through the lower portions, and the whole roadway thoroughly macadamized : four thousand seven hundred and sixty-three loads of cracked stone having been used, besides a large quantity of earth filling, which was mostly obtained from the surplus remaining after the construction of the West Somerville Sewer. This street is now completed throughout its entire length, and in the opinion of your committee is one of the best thorough- fares in the city.
Fourteen street crossings have been constructed, the repaving of Washington Street under the bridge of the Boston and Lowell Rrailroad, and a large amount of paving required by the resetting of edgestones and gutters, have all been done by the regular high- way force and with but little outlay for paving-stones, the Wake- field gravel having supplied all the round stone pavers required.
No gravel has yet been taken from the land in Waltham, as your
158
committee have not been able to make what they considered advan- tageous terms with the Fitchburg Railroad Company for transpor- tation and loading.
The completion of the Broadway Park, followed by the assess- ment of betterments on eight hundred and thirteen estates under the direction and guidance of the City Council, has added to the labors of your committee.
But little progress can be reported in the construction of brick sidewalks, the amount at the disposal of the committee for this ob- ject being less than $1,000. The construction of sewers has fur- nished a considerable quantity of earth suitable for grading walks, and it has been freely used for this purpose.
The City Engineer, under the instructions of your committee, has numbered twenty-two streets. The principal ones are, Somerville Avenue, Grand View Avenue, Warren Avenue, Mt. Vernon Street, Rush Street, Springfield Street, and Pearl Street. About two thousand numbers have been put upon houses.
The committee desire to express their appreciation of the services of the Superintendent of Streets, and of the clerk of their commit- tee, for the faithful and satisfactory manner in which they have performed their respective duties.
Respectfully submitted.
JACOB T. GLINES, Chairman.
THIRD
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
CITY ENGINEER OF SOMERVILLE, 1876.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
IN BOARD OF MAYOR AND ALDERMEN, March 5, 1877.
Accepted, referred to the Committee on Printing, with instructions to print the same in the Annual Report of the City. One hundred copies separate to be bound in paper. Sent down for concurrence.
CHARLES E. GILMAN, Clerk.
Concurred in.
IN COMMON COUNCIL, March 7, 1877.
SOLOMON DAVIS, Clerk.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
CITY ENGINEER'S OFFICE, Jan. 15, 1877. To his Honor the Mayor, and the City Council of the City of Somerville :
GENTLEMEN, -The City Engineer respectfully presents the following report for the year 1876.
SEWERS.
The following tabular statement will show the lengths, sizes, etc., of sewers built during the year.
11
TABULAR STATEMENT OF SEWERS BUILT IN 1876.
CONSTRUCTION.
COST.
Name of Street.
From
To
Built by
Materials.
size in
inches
Man-holes.
Inlets.
Average
cut.
in feet.
Cost per foot.
Total cost.
&Avon .
School
·
. . .
City .
Brick
15
2
41
8.5
Claycy gravel .
614
$1 46
$939 75
Beacont . . .
Sacramento . .
Somerville Av. .
William Sullivan . .
48
5
48
16.8
Sand . .
. .
1773.5
9 75
17,092 37
Concord Av. .
Springfield . . .
Near Leon . . .
City
·
18
1
31
7.8
Clayey gravel
491
1 23
603 65
Elmt
...
·
Mossland . .
Willow Av. . .
William Sullivan .
48
4
23
24.4
Clay and sand .
1496.5
8 31
12,437 66
*Elmt . . ·
·
Willow Av. . .
Dover . . · ·
William Sullivan . .
42
3
83
11.9
Sand . .
1546
4 24
6,557 58
Leland .
·
.
Near Summer .
City . .
.
18
3
そ!
9.2
Clay .
990
1 322
1,311 11
Mosslandt . .
Somerville Av ..
Elm .
.
William Sullivan . .
·
·
48
0 0
9
30.5
Clay . .
485.5
8 99
4,364 53
South
. .
End of Pipe
. .
Emery .
.
. .
Cement Pipe . .
12
0
17
. .
.
Soft clay .
171.5
1 22
208 65
South
.
·
Willow .
.
. .
·
12
0
13
· .
Soft clay .
128.6
1 22
156 46
Sycamore . .
Sewer
.
Broadway . . .
Francis Mongan . .
Akron Pipe
15
1
.
.
7.1
Clay . . ·
164
1 44
236 72
New Cross . .
Broadway . .
Northeasterly .
Adna C. Winning .
Cement Pipe . .
12
3
5.2
Clayey gravel
.
Built by private parties.
Perkins Place
Perkins
Northeasterly
City . .
Portland Pipe
8
4
7.8
Clayey gravel
.
Built by order of the Board of Health.
Private land .
Avon
Old drain . .
Francis Mongan
·
· ·
1
6.2
Clayey gravel .
7,830.6
$43,908 48
* Unfinished.
§ 79 cubic yards of ledge.
Total length of sewers built by city previous to Jan. 1. 1876 44 during the year 1876 . .
Total .
. 113,945.6 fret = 21.6 miles.
Sewers were built in 1876 as follows, viz. : brick, 7,426.5 feet; cement pipe, 300.1 feet; clay pipe, 164 feet. Total, 7,830.6 feet, or about one and one half miles. In these were built 19 man-holes and 347 inlets.
· .
·
Westerly
. .
·
.
. .
· ·
.
.
15
19 347
162
Michael Collins
Michael Collins
.
· .
¡ Part of Beacon and Elm Streets sewer. . 102 055 lin. feet 7 810.6
LOCATION.
Soil.
.
Elm .
163
BEACON AND ELM STREETS SEWER.
This is an extension of a sewer built in 1875, commencing at point on Beacon Street at its junction with Sacramento Street, thence through Beacon Street, under the Fitchburg Railroad and bridge abutments, crossing Somerville Avenue, through Mossland and Elm Streets to Davis Square at West Somerville. From Sacra- mento Street to Willow Avenue the sewer is forty-eight inches in diameter, and from Willow Avenue to Davis Square is forty-two inches in diameter. The contract was awarded to William Sullivan, of Lawrence, and the work commenced on the twenty-ninth day of June. The rate of progress made by the contractor was not in ac- cordance with the terms of the contract. The contract required the work to be completed before December 1, 1876, and at that date fourteen hundred and ninety-four feet remained uncompleted, and at the close of the year five hundred and ninety-five feet remained uncompleted.
A large portion of the territory through which this sewer was constructed is very wet and sandy, and numerous powerful springs were encountered, making it necessary to use great care in the con- struction. The deepest excavation being thirty-two and eight tenths feet, at the junction of Mossland and Elm Streets.
On August 18, a temporary injunction was issued by the Supreme Court, restraining the city from building the sewer under the Fitchburg Railroad and bridge abutments. After a slight delay the matter was adjusted between the railroad company and the city.
The construction of this sewer will give an outlet for the drainage of a large portion of West Somerville, and by the construction of lateral sewers the people in that vicinity will receive the benefit of a much-needed improvement.
NEW CROSS STREET SEWER.
This sewer was built at the expense of private parties, in accord- ance with lines and grades given by the City Engineer.
164
SYCAMORE STREET AND BROADWAY SEWER.
The contract for this sewer was made with Francis Mongan, but on account of the unfavorable weather he was allowed to discon- tinue the work for the season.
SOUTH AND EARLE STREETS SEWER.
This sewer was commenced in 1875, and finished during the year.
MAN-HOLES.
One man-hole has been constructed on the Marshall Street sewer near Oakland Avenue for the purpose of examining the sewer ; many more are needed on our old sewers, some of which are half a mile or more in length without a man-hole. The wooden covers should be replaced with iron.
CATCH-BASINS.
Thirty-six catch-basins have been constructed during the year at a cost of about sixty-five dollars each. Several of the old ones have been repaired and many others will need early attention. The openings should be made uniform in size, and iron covers substi- tuted for the wooden ones now in use. Forty-one old and decayed covers have been replaced by new ones.
The sewers in Avon and Leland Streets and Concord Avenue have been built by the city under the direction of D. A. Sanborn, Superintendent of Sewers.
There are quite a number of sewers of which there is no location, nor any record showing the depth ; this often causes annoyance, especially in making connections. At all points where connections have been made with these sewers during the year, measurements have been taken to determine the location and depth.
The appropriation for sewers was $10,000, and a special appro- priation of $35,000 for the Beacon and Elm Streets sewer. The amount expended by the Sewer Department, exclusive of the Beacon and Elm Streets sewer was $8,078.15, which includes the salary of the Superintendent, the portion paid by the city for the
165
construction of new sewers, the construction of catch-basins, the cleaning of sewers and catch-basins and general repairs. The Superintendent reports the cost of removing the deposit from catch-basins at about fifty-two cents per load, and for removing the same from the large sewers at about eighty-four cents per load. $29,943.74 was expended in the construction of the Beacon and Elm Streets sewer.
Sewer assessments have been laid as follows, viz. : South and Earle Streets $894.62 ; Concord Avenue, from Springfield to Leon Streets, $453.59 ; Avon Street, $705.02 ; Leland Street, $984.28 ; and Beech and Pitman Streets, $507.50; making a total of $3,545.01.
A sewer was ordered in Chester Street and a contract made with Francis Mongan for its construction, but on account of the delay in the construction of the Beacon and Elm Streets sewer, with which it was to connect, the work was postponed for the season.
CRAGIE BRIDGE OUTLET.
By an Act of the Legislature, approved May 8, 1875, the cities of Cambridge and Somerville are required to extend the main sewer towards or into the deep water channel of Charles River, the work not to be commenced until the plans are approved by the Harbor Commissioners, - the extension to be made within two years.
Acting under instructions from the Committee on Sewers of the cities of Cambridge and Somerville, a plan prepared by J. G. Chase, City Engineer of Cambridge, contemplating the construction of a wooden box attached to the piles of the bridge, was presented to the Harbor Commissioners for their approval. This plan was objected to by the Harbor Commissioners on account of its inter- fering with the free ebb and flow of the tide, and by the Engineer for the Bridge Commissioners on account of the additional weight that would be brought to bear on the piles. In June a plan made by Wm. S. Barbour, City Engineer of Cambridge (successor to Mr. Chase), in which it is proposed to extend the sewer by laying six wrought-iron enamelled pipes, fourteen inches in diameter, below low water, was approved by the Harbor Commissioners, but the construction was deferred until another year.
166
PRIVATE DRAINS.
The new city ordinance in relation to sewers and drains requires that all connections of private drains with common sewers be made by persons licensed in writing by the Mayor and Aldermen, and be- fore performing any work to give satisfactory bonds for its faithful performance. In May, the Mayor and Aldermen adopted certain " Rules in relation to Private Drains." (See Appendix.)
The owner or agent of the premises to be drained is required to make an application to the City Engineer in writing ; the permit is then issued to a licensed drain-layer, who performs the work and makes a return of the same to this office. The adoption of this system has secured a better class of work; still there is room for improvement.
The work of laying private drains should be carefully inspected ; the experience of our city in the past has been such as to teach us that too much care cannot be exercised in this branch of our drain- age. In building the Beacon and Elm Streets sewer through Mossland Street, a portion of an old sewer fifteen inches in diam- eter was taken up, and at a connection of a private drain with the sewer the drain pipe was found to project nearly half-way across the sewer, thus reducing the capacity of the sewer about one fourth. Many other samples of poor workmanship have been found, which, if not discovered, would probably cause serious damage.
VENTILATION OF HOUSE DRAINS.
Several complaints have been made at this office that the sewer gases entered the dwelling-houses. On investigation the trouble was found to be on account of a defect, or a lack of ventilation of the house drain. The soil pipes should be carried through the roof, and a proper ventilator attached, or the soil pipe should be con- nected with the flue of a chimney ; water-closets should be ventilated from the space under the seat; the rain-water conductors from the roofs should connect with the drains, except when located at such points that the prevailing direction of the wind would be liable to convey the gases through an open window into the rooms of the
167
house, which frequently occurs in French-roofed houses. Wherever these arrangements have been applied, the trouble from sewer gases has been entirely removed.
Particular attention should be paid to the proper ventilation of house drains, for the most dangerous gases are not perceptible to the smell, and without warning the occupants quietly breathe these poisons.
Thirteen persons have been licensed by the Mayor and Alder- men as drain-layers.
One hundred and twelve permits for laying private drains have been issued during the year, and the location recorded in a book for the purpose, as required by the city ordinance.
HIGHWAYS.
No new streets have been laid out during the year, but several streets previously laid out have been finished. The following state- ment will show the principal street improvements :-
STREET IMPROVEMENTS IN 1876.
NAME.
FROM
To
IIOW IMPROVED.
AApprox. length mn f et.
Beacon
Kent
Somerville Av. Macadamized .
....
2,425
Broadway
Cutter
Boston Line . .
Remacadamized .
1,600
Chauncey Av'nue Broadway
Mystic Avenue Macadamized .
1,323
Concord Avenue. Springfield
Leon
.
Macadamized . . .
515
Glen
Flint
Oliver
Macadamized .
190
Linwood
Washington . .
Somerville Av
Macadamized
2,050
Mossland
Somerville Av ..
Elm
Macadamized . . .
380
Somerville Av .. .
Cambridge line
Elm .
Gravelled
9,650
Winthrop Av'nue Broadway
...
Mystic Avenue
Macadamized
1,223
Total
19,360
168
The following statement shows the assessments laid on estates benefited by the laying out and grading of the respective streets : -
HIGHWAY BETTERMENT ASSESSMENTS LAID IN 1876.
STREET.
FROM
To
Approx. length in feet.
ASSESSMENT.
Chauncey Av'nue Broadway
Mystic Avenue ..
1,325
$6,507.12
Concord Avenue
Prospect
Springfield .
1,010
2,010.07
Concord Avenue Springfield
Leon
515
380 28
Glen
Flint.
Oliver
190
102 00
Newton
Webster Avenue Concord Avenue
630
685.33
Springfield
Concord Avenue Cambridge Line
790
974.30
Winthrop Av'nue Broadway
Mystic Avenue ..
1,225
5,347.50
Totals
5,685
$16,006.60
STREET LINES.
In 1861, immediately after the Richardson survey, stone bounds were set in all the accepted streets of the town. Most of these were set in the centre of the street. In the construction of sewers, laying water pipes, and changes in grade, many have been removed ; and nearly all the new streets laid out since 1861 are without any permanent bounds or reference marks. When the streets were laid out or constructed, bounds might easily have been set, and at a slight additional expense ; but in many streets it is now necessary to make a resurvey of the street, and even then it is oftentimes impossible to run the line shown on the plan of the laying out, on account of the incompleteness of many of the plans, as shown by the absence of any connection of the lines on the plan with per- manent structures or marks on the ground.
The labor and expense of establishing these lines are great, but it is quite important that the matter should receive early attention, for the data for re-establishing the old street lines are each year growing less.
169
During the year lines have been re-established on twelve streets, and properly recorded ; eighteen new stone bounds have been set and points have been established ready for setting twenty-four more. Four old bounds have been repaired and properly adjusted to line and grade. Street lines for setting fences have been furnished to eleven abutters.
BRIDGES.
In July, 1875, the Mayor and Aldermen petitioned the County Commissioners that the bridges over the Boston and Lowell Rail- road on School, Medford, Cross, and Walnut Streets, and the Low- ell Railroad bridge over Washington Street, might be rebuilt at the proper width and such changes made in the structures as to render the street safe for public travel. Several hearings were given in 1875, and in November, 1876, the County Commissioners, in com- pany with several members of the City Council, visited the several bridges, but thus far no decision has been given by the County Commissioners.
During the year, the Boston and Lowell Railroad Company con- structed a sidewalk on Washington Street under their railroad, and repaired and enlarged the drain near the bridge.
Nearly all the railroad bridges in the city are unsightly, awkward structures, and the safety of many of them for public travel might be questioned. It is recommended that each bridge be carefully examined semiannually, and the result reported in writing to the City Council.
CENTRAL HILL PARK.
In January, the City Council passed the following : -
" Ordered, that the City Engineer be directed to draft and submit a plan for the laying out and grading of the public grounds owned by the city and situated on Highland Avenue."
The survey of the grounds was commenced as soon as the weather would permit, but on account of the pressure of other work was not completed until November. In May, the City Council passed the following : " Ordered, that the Committee on Public Property be and they are hereby authorized and instructed to finish the grad- ing of the area included between Highland Avenue and the circu-
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lar driveway in front of the High School building, and properly sod the same ; also to set a curbing stone of granite similar to that about the City Hall, along the line of Highland Avenue ; also to set out a suitable number of trees on said area, the expense of the same to be charged to Miscellaneous Account." Acting under the above order, the Committee on Public Property instructed the City Engineer to submit a plan and estimates for the improvements in front of the High School building, the same to be a part of the general plan for the improvement of the entire area. The plans submitted were approved by the committee, and proposed the con- struction of a substantial driveway, twenty feet in width with paved gutters on either side provided with catch-basins and drains to remove the surface water, the setting of a granite curb on High- land Avenue in front of the High School building, setting granite steps at the central entrance, and constructing a brick walk twelve feet in width with granite edges, from Highland Avenue to the High School building. The cost of the improvement was as follows :
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