Report of the city of Somerville 1882, Part 13

Author: Somerville (Mass.)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Somerville, Mass.
Number of Pages: 338


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IMPROVEMENTS.


We believe it is true policy to encourage by public improvements the enterprise which is developing in all parts of our city, and, as a large portion of the expense of these improvements falls upon the appropriations managed by this committee, it would seem that they should be as liberal as a due regard for economy will permit.


Additional details of the work performed during the year may be found in the accompanying schedules.


For the committee,


ASA DURGIN, Chairman. GEO. I. VINCENT, C.erk.


STREETS MACADAMIZED AND GRAVELLED.


NAME.


FROM


To


Beacon


Washington.


Somerville Avenue. .


4,200 feet.


Central


Lowell R. R. Bridge


Southwesterly


300


"


Linden Avenue.


Summer


Southwesterly


400


Medford


Sycamore


School


1,000


Mystic Avenue


Winthrop Avenue. . .


Southeasterly . .


400


Newton.


Webster Avenue


Concord Square. . ..


600 "


Pearl


Cross


Northwesterly


450


Pinckney


Pearl


Southerly


225 "


Somerville Ave.


Beacon Street


Cambridge Line


450 “


Summer


Bow


Putnan


800


"


Wallace


Broadway


Holland


1,320 “


Washington


Lowell R. R. Bridge


Westerly


250 “


234


ANNUAL REPORTS.


STREETS GRADED.


NAME.


FROM


To


Cross


Broadway


Mystic Avenue.


1,100 feet.


Cross


Medford


High


600


North


Broadway


City Bound No. 17 ..


1,900 "


Vinal Avenue


Highland Avenue .. .


Summer


1,400 "


PRIVATE SIDEWALKS CONSTRUCTED.


NAME.


STREETS.


Feet of edgestones.


Yards of brick.


John Medina


Broadway, cor. Curtis.


400


Andrews and Lovering


Broadway, near Cross


67


G. C. Bonner


Columbus Avenue


45.5


C. W. Kingsley


Cottage Avenue


250


163.5


I. H. Brown


Day Street.


65


47.5


E. S. Conant and others ,


Hillside Avenue


311.5


165.5


A. Foster


Laurel Street.


81.5


CROSSINGS CONSTRUCTED.


Bonair Street, at New Street, opened by R. A. Melvin.


Cross Street, at Boston Street.


Lincoln Street, at Arlington Street.


Orchard Street, at Chester Street.


Somerville Avenue, at Loring Street. Wallace Street, at Holland Street.


Washington Street, at Florence Street.


Washington Street, at Linwood and Medford Streets.


Webster Avenue. at Emerson Street.


CULVERTS CONSTRUCTED.


Mystic Avenue (wooden), Mystic Avenue (pipe), North Street (stone),


1


1


2


235


REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON HIGHWAYS.


DANGER SIGNS ERECTED.


At Brastow Avenue. At Oxford Street. At Summit Avenue.


STREET SIGNS ERECTED.


Aldersey Street,


Merriam Street,


Arlington Street (2),


Monroe Street,


Boston Street,


Mystic Street,


Broadway,


Oakland Avenue,


Central Square,


Orchard Street,


Craigie Street,


Porter Street,


Cross Street,


Powder House Square,


Ellsworth Street,


Prospect Street,


Elm Street,


Rush Street,


Evergreen Avenue,


School Street,


Flint Street,


Somerville Avenue,


Garfield Avenue,


Springfield Street,


Houghton Street,


Union Street,


Linden Street,


Walnut Street,


Medford Street,


Webster Street (2).


PAVING AND EDGESTONES.


Whole number of square yards of brick paving laid (including 382 yards relaid), 1,757.82; whole number of square yards of stone paving laid (including 300 yards relaid), 4,293.5 ; whole number of lineal feet of edgestones set (including 780 feet reset), 11,341.42.


TREES.


Permits issued for setting out trees,


86


Number of trees cut down, 14


PERMITS ISSUED.


For digging up sidewalks,


2


Digging up streets,


2


Setting hitching posts,


3


Occupying sidewalks,


1


2


Setting out trees (as above), 86


REPORT


OF THE


COMMITTEE ON SEWERS.


CITY OF SOMERVILLE.


IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, Dec. 30, 1882.


Report accepted, and referred to the Committee on Printing, with instruc- tions to print the same in the Annual Reports. Sent down for concurrence. CHARLES E, GILMAN, Clerk.


IN COMMON COUNCIL, Dec. 30, 1882.


Concurred in.


DOUGLAS FRAZAR, Clerk.


CITY OF SOMERVILLE.


IN COMMITTEE ON SEWERS, Dec. 30, 1882. To the Board of Aldermen of Somerville : -


THE following is the final report of the Committee on Sewers for the year 1882 : -


APPROPRIATION, 14,000 00


Receipts for fees for entering sewers, 75 12


Credit, from Sidewalks account for catch-basin curbs, .


39 52


Value of materials on hand Jan. 1, 259 05


Tools and property


60


192 40


Total,


14 566 09


EXPENDITURES AND DEBITS : -


Cost of 16 sewers, as per table, 14,500 74


Less assessments 9,134 50


Cost to city,


$5,366 24


Less sum not paid to


contractor,


99 33


Net expenditures, 5,266 91


Cost of rebuilding sewer in


South Street, 309 57


Less bills unpaid, 16 00


293 57


For extension of Bow Street sewer, in Union Square, 958 50


Sewer in Russell Square, 33 67


Proposed sewer in Sewall, Grant, and


Temple Streets (advertising and sounding for ledge), 30 80


Amounts carried forward,


6,583 45


14,566 09


240


ANNUAL REPORTS.


Amounts brought forward, 6,583 45 14,566 09


For proposed sewer in Jaques Street and Chauncey Avenue (advertising),


10 80


Repairing Bridge Street sewer,


328 05


15 catch-basins (average $66.62), 999 39


1 cost catch-basin Beacon Street,


46 25


2 man-holes,


110 25


Part cost of man-hole Rush Street,


11 25


Clearing mouths of catch-basins,


141 62


Cleaning catch-basins,


1,028 60


Repairing 66


629 74


Examining


1 88


Changing lines and grades of catch-


basins, 16 37


Repairing sewers and drains, 63 43


Flushing sewers,


132 00


Cleaning " A


88 32


Examining "


14 25


Repairing man-holes,


47 50


Changing lines and grades of man-


holes,


79 97


Cleaning man-holes,


23 24


66 ditches, 59 27


Blow-offs into Berkley Street and


Bow Street sewers, one half the cost, 43 15


Pipe culvert under Temple Street, 84 24


Drain in Perkins Street, near Mt. Vernon Street, 28 80


Surveys on Mystic River,


40 25


Private work, the bills for which re- main unpaid, 24 75


Abatement of sewer assessments, 2 53


Tools and personal property (includ- ing new tool house, $95.87), 205 82


Repairing tools and personal property, 63 87


Amounts carried forward, 10,909 04


14,566 09


241


REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON SEWERS.


Amounts brought forward, 10,909 04


14,566 09


For arranging tools and personal property, 3 00


Books and stationery, 41 65


Sundry small expenses,


41 53


Value of materials on hand Dec. 30,


312 47


66 tools and prop-


erty Dec. 30. 289 57


Less purchases this year,


as above, 205 82


83 75


Net depreciation of tools, property,


and materials, 114 25


Total debit,


11,505 69


Balance unexpended,


$3,060 40


For the committee, J. L. NORCROSS, Chairman. GEO. I. VINCENT, Clerk.


16


242


ANNUAL REPORTS.


SEWERS BUILT IN 1882.


Street.


From


To


Length in feet.


Total Cost.


Assess- ment.


Cost to City.


Alston ..


Sha wmut Pl.


Cross St ..


581.0)


Shawmut . . .


Washington St ...


Shawmut Pl ..


198.2 :


1,800.81


1,221.81


579.00


Shawmut Pl ..


Shawmut St ... . ..


Alston St ..


229.5 7


Washington .


Linwood St.


shawmut St.


J01.0 j


Ashland


Summer St.


Southwesterly


282.5


416.11


320.77


95.34


Bedford


South St.


Cambridge line.


159.5


183.90


142.57


41.33


Bond .


Temple St ..


Near augle .


,94.5


2,807.14


1,440.95


1,366.19


Broadway . ..


Marshall St


Near School St.


375.5


1,393.71


588.94


804.77


Belmont


End of old sewer.


Northwesterly


437.0


596.98


506.66


90.32


Cottage Ave ..


Russell St.


Near Chester


471.3


493.01


418.89


74.12


Cross


Medford St.


Boston St.


224.0


659.01


494.50


164.51


Eliot


Vine St ..


Near Park St


242.5


261.40


197.26


64.14


Jaques


Wheatland St.


Grant St ..


227.5


2,446.15


1,384.20


1,061.95


Jaques


Grant St ..


Temple


799.0}


Joy . .


End of old sewer.


Washington St.


601.5


1,152.39


882.96


269.43


Mt. Vernon ..


Broadway


Near Perkins St. ..


448.0


775.92


636.46


139.46


Nevada Ave ..


Village St.


Near Hanson St. ..


239.2


190.36


162.00


28.36


Passageway ..


L nwood St.


Southwesterly ...


124.0


108.13


92.88


15.25


Rush


Webster St


Near Brook St ..


268.0


428.23


172.23


256.00


Sacramento


Beacon St.


Miller St. .


204.0 }


787.49


471.42


316.07


Miller


Sacramento St. . ..


Near a new street .


270.0


14,500.74


9,134.50


5,366.24


Union Sq ..


Washington St ....


Bow St.


227.6


958.50


958.50


7,928.8


$15,459.24


$9,134.50


$6,324 74


REBUILT.


South.


Medford St.


Bedford St.


131.0


309.57


309.57


8,059.8


$15,768.81 $9,134.50 $6,634.31


.


Cross


Boston St.


Near High St.


275.5


Washington ..


Joy St ...


Near Shawmut ..


148.0


·


REPORT


OF THE


CITY ENGINEER.


CITY OF SOMERVILLE.


IN BOARD OF MAYOR AND ALDERMEN, Feb. 1, 1883.


Referred to the Committee on Printing, with instructions to print the same in the Anuual Reports. Sent down for concurrence.


CHARLES E. GILMAN, Clerk.


IN COMMON COUNCIL, Feb. 1, 1883.


Concurred in.


DOUGLAS FRAZAR, Clerk.


CITY OF SOMERVILLE.


CITY ENGINEER'S OFFICE, Jan. 24, 1883. To his Honor the Mayor and the City Council : -


GENTLEMEN, - In accordance with the provision of the city ordinance in relation to city engineering, I herewith present my annual report for the year 1882.


SEWERS.


Seven thousand nine hundred and twenty-eight and eight-tenths feet of sewers were built during the year, of which 659.1 feet were of brick and 7,269.7 feet of Akron pipe. In these sewers were built thirty-nine man-holes.


The following table will show the location, size, length, cost, assessment, etc., of each sewer : -


246


TABULAR STATEMENT OF SEWERS BUILT IN 1882.


LOCATION.


CONSTRUCTION.


COST.


Name of Street.


From


To


Built by


Materials.


Size in


Inches.


Man-holes.


Inlets.


Length


in Feet.


Average


Cost per Average


Foot.


Total Cost.


Assess- ment.


Cost to City.


Alston .


Shawmut Pl ..


Cross St ....


Richard Falvey ....


Akron pipe ..


12


3


18


581.0


7.9) 13.3 |


$1.62


$1,800.81


$1,221.81


$579.00


IShawmut Pl. ..


Shawmut St. ..


Alston St ....


Richard Falvey ....


.


12


0


17


229.5


11.9


2Washington. ..


Linwood St ...


Shawmut St ..


Richard Falvey ....


. .


12


2


4


101.0


7.3 ]


Ashland ...


Summer St. .


Southwesterly ..


Maurice Terry . . . . .


.


12


2


15


282.5


8.1


1.47


416.11


320.77


95.34


Bedford .


South St ...


Cambridge Line ...


Patrick Terry .....


.


12


2


24


437.0


9.4


1 37


596.98


506.66


90.32


3Bond ...


Temple St ..


Near Angle ..


John J. Dorey . ...


..


12


2


23


375.5


9.6


3.60


1,393.71


588 94


804.77


Cottage Ave .. ..


Russell St. ..


Near Chester St .. ..


Chas. A. Mongan ..


12


32


471.3


6.5


0.91


493.01


418.89


74.12


Cross .


Medford St. ..


Boston St ..


Chas. A. Mongan ..


12


1


13


224.0


8.3


1.31


659.01


494.50


164.51


Cross ..


Boston St ....


Near High St ..


Chas. A. Mongan ..


10


1


12


275.5


8.2 )


7.5


1.07


261.40


197.26


64.14


Jaques . .


Wheatland St ..


Grant St ....


John J. Dorey .


Brick


30


2


18


227.5


7.8 }


2.38


2,446.15


1,384.20


1,061.95


EJaques


Grant St ..


Temple St .....


John J. Dorey ....


15


3


42


799.0


7.65


6Joy


End of old sewer ..


Patrick Terry ..


12


2


39


601.5


7.9}


1.53


1,152.39


882.96


269.43


Joy St ..


Near Shawmut St ..


Patrick Terry .....


12


2


12


148.0


7.3


448.0


8.4


1.73


775.92


656.46


139.46


Nevada Ave ....


Village St ....


City.


10


1


12


239.2


5.7


0.80


190.36


162.00


28.36


Passageway ....


Linwood St ...


City.


0


10


2


11


268.0


7.3


1 59


428.23


172 23


256.00


17× 24


1


13


204.0


8.2 ₺


1.66


787.49


471.42


316.07


Miller. ..


Sacramento St .....


Akron pipe. .


12


1


21


270.0


8.3


227.6


10.5


4.21


958.50


958.50


Union Sq . . ..


Washington St .. . . .


City.


Brick ..


36


1


. .


7,928.8


$15,459.24


$9,134.50


$6,324.74


REBUILT.


South ..


Medford St. ... ... |Bedford St. . ... ..


City . ..


: · | Akron pipe. .


15


1


131.0


6.3


$2.36


$309.57


..


$309.57


19.5 cubic yards of rock.


3 508 cubic yards of rock.


5 196 cubic yards of rock.


7 8.2 cubic yards of rock.


9 13.5 cubic yards of rock.


2 57.5 cubic yards of rock.


4 210 cubic yards of rock.


6 154 cubic yards of rock.


8 34.4 cubic yards of rock.


.167,507.3 feet.


Total length of sewers built previous to Jan. 1, 1882. Total length of sewers built during the year 1882.


7,928.8 4


Total length of sewers in city, Jan. 1, 1883.


.175,436.1 fect, or 33.2 miles.


ANNUAL REPORTS.


2,807.14


1,440.95


1,366.19


4 Broadway.


Marshall St ...


School St ...


Maurice Buitimer ..


12


3


51


794.5


8.7


2.53


183.90


142.57


41.33


Belmont.


Near Summer St ...


Northeasterly ...


Patrick Terry .....


12


I


12


159.5


6.3


1.15


Shawmut ....


Washington St . ...


Shawmut Pl.


Richard Falvcy. ..


12


1


10


198.2


..


.


..


12


1


13


242.5


Eliot . ..


Vine St ..


Near Park St .....


Chas. A. Mongan ..


7Washington .. 8Mt. Vernon.


Broadway ..


Richard Falvey ...


12


2


33


12


124.0


8.9


0.87


108 13


92.88


15.25


9Rush. . . ..


Webster St ....


Near Brook St ...


Chas. A. Mongan ..


Sacramento


Beacon St. ...


Miller St ....


Patrick Terry ....


Brick


.


·


·


12


·


Near a new street .. Bow St ...


Patrick Terry.


..


..


Akron pipe. .


Washington St .. ...


Near Perkins St ... Near Hanson St. .. Southwesterly .. ..


..


.


Cut.


247


REPORT OF THE CITY ENGINEER.


SEWER OUTLETS.


The several sewer outlets are in the same condition as mentioned in my report for the year 1880; those in the vicinity of Mystic Avenue and that at Waverly Street are the cause of nuisances, and the sewers should be extended to deep water.


DEFECTIVE SEWERS.


The Bow Street sewer, which is three feet in diameter, was con- nected in 1871 by a short 2-foot sewer with the 3-foot sewer in Somerville Avenue; the 2-foot sewer, being less than half the capacity of the Bow Street sewer, prevented its free discharge during heavy rains, and thereby caused the flooding of basements and cellars on Summer Street.


During the year the Bow Street sewer was extended in Union Square a distance of 2276 feet, and connected with the 52-foot sewer.


It is expected that this improvement will prevent further dam- age, and will also relieve the Somerville Avenue sewer.


The 15-inch cement-pipe sewer on South Street, between Med- ford Street and Bedford Street, was found defective in grade and the pipe was badly cracked. The sewer was rebuilt with Akron pipe.


There are several streets in the city in which there are defective sewers that should be rebuilt at an early day.


THE METROPOLITAN SEWERAGE SYSTEM.


The matter of metropolitan sewerage was referred by the last Legislature to the Legislature of 1883.


It is important to Somerville that the plan for a metropolitan sewerage system should be adopted, and then our new work could be laid out with a view of connecting therewith.


PRIVATE DRAINS.


Two hundred and fifty permits were issued for laying private drains, 232 for new connections, and 16 for repairs.


MAN-HOLES.


Two man-holes were constructed on the Summer Street sewer ; many more are needed on our old sewers to furnish proper facili- ties for frequent examination.


248


ANNUAL REPORTS.


CATCH-BASINS.


Fifteen catch-basins were constructed during the year, at an average cost of $66.62. A large number of old and decayed wooden covers were replaced by cast-iron covers.


BRIDGES.


The bridges over the Boston and Lowell Railroad at Cross Street, Walnut Street, and School Street are all in an unsafe con- dition, and, in my opinion, are dangerous to public travel; those over the same railroad at Cedar Street and Broadway are in fair condition. The Central Street and Medford Street bridges are substantial structures and are in good condition.


The Prospect Street bridge over the Fitchburg Railroad is too narrow to accommodate public travel, otherwise the bridge is in a safe condition ; the bridges over the same railroad at Washington Street and Beacon Street are in good condition.


All the above-named bridges are over railroads and are maintained by the several railroad corporations.


The stone arch bridge over Alewife Brook, at the dividing line between Somerville and Arlington, is maintained jointly with the town of Arlington, and is a substantial structure and in good condition.


The bridge over Mystic River, at Boston Avenue, is maintained by Medford and Somerville. The bridge is of wood, resting on stone abutments and piers, and is in good condition.


The bridge over Mystic River, at Middlesex Avenue, is a wooden pile bridge with draw. Many of the timbers are badly decayed, the bridge is unsafe, and should be thoroughly repaired. By an order of the County Commissioners the bridge and draw are maintained and repaired by the town of Medford, the city of Somerville to pay one half the expense.


PERAMBULATION OF CITY LINES.


The lines between Medford and Somerville were perambulated by the Selectmen of the town of Medford and a committee from the Board of Aldermen, with the City Engineer.


249


REPORT OF THE CITY ENGINEER.


SIDEWALKS.


The following table will show the sidewalks laid during the 6


year : -


Street.


Side.


From


To


Materials.


Length of walk in feet.


Cost.


Concord Ave.


North


Prospect St ....


Newton St. ..


Gravel and edgestone, Gravel and


579.8


$412 38


Cross


Both'


Medford St ...


High St.


edgestone,


1,212.8


927 24


Day


Southeasterly.


Elm St.


Cambr'ge line.


Brick and


917.8


1,255 01


Newton


Southeasterly.


Webster Ave.


Concord Ave ..


edgestone, Gravel and edgestone , Gravel and


631.2


460 60


Pearl


Northeasterly.


Cross St ..


Westerly. . . . .


edgestone,


433.3


302 57


Vinal Ave ...


Both


Summer St ... .


Highland Ave.


Gravel and


2,832.1


1,996 79


Wallace.


Both


Holland St ....


Broadway ....


edgestone, Gravel and edgestone,


2,830.2


1,992 18


Total.


9,437.4


$7,346 77


The Board of Alderman assessed one half the cost on the abutters.


STREETS.


The following table will show the streets accepted by the City Council during the year : -


STREETS ACCEPTED IN 1882.


Name of Street.


From


To


Width in feet.


Length in feet.


Austin


Broadway


Mystic Avenue


40


716


Cottage Avenue


Russell Street.


Chester Street.


40


551


Herbert


Chester Street.


Day Street.


40


338


Jaques


Chauncey Street


Temple Street


40


1,190


Newbury


Holland Street


Cambridge line


40


1,261


Vinal Avenue


Summer Street


Highland Avenue


45


1,429


A large number of water pipes were located and recorded, benches established, street lines and grades furnished, and other miscellaneous work.


Four assistants have been employed most of the time.


250


ANNUAL REPORTS.


The expenses for the department for the year 1882 were as follows : -


Appropriation for assistants' salaries


$1,200 00


Expended 66 66 1,197 87


Balance unexpended


$2 13


Salary of City Engineer, including the maintenance of team


$2,000 00


Salaries of assistants


1,197 87


Repairing instruments, stationery, spikes, tools, car- fares, etc.


218 07


Total expense of department


$3,415 94


Respectfully submitted,


GEORGE A. KIMBALL, City Engineer.


REPORT


OF THE


COMMITTEE ON FIRE DEPARTMENT.


CITY OF SOMERVILLE.


IN BOARD OF MAYOR AND ALDERMEN, Dec. 30, 1882.


Report accepted ; referred to the Committee on Printing, with instruc- tions to print the same in the Annual Reports, and sent down for concur- rence.


CHARLES E. GILMAN, City Clerk.


Concurred in.


IN COMMON COUNCIL, Dec. 30, 1882.


DOUGLAS FRAZAR, Clerk.


CITY OF SOMERVILLE.


IN COMMITTEE ON FIRE DEPARTMENT, Dec. 30, 1882. To the City Council of Somerville : -


THE Committee on Fire Department presents the following final report for the current year : --


APPROPRIATION,


$22,000 00


RECEIPTS : -


For articles sold,


$177 44


Insurance (damage to hose


carriage),


22 00


199 44


Total credit,


$22,199 44


EXPENDITURES : -


For pay of permanent men,


$8,539 99


Pay of call men,


4,617 25


Substitute drivers,


308 00


Repairs of apparatus,


1,206 45


Repairs of buildings and furniture,


531 24


Signal boxes, repairs and supplies for fire-alarm telegraph,


805 83


Harnesses and repairs of same,


204 03


Hose,


450 00


Hose pipes, nozzles, etc.,


70 00


Repairing hose,


155 20


Fire-alarm indicators (2),


200 00


Water for hydrants,


1,428 00


Water for houses,


110 00


Grain,


632 63


Hay and straw,


1,090 41


Fuel,


595 80


Amounts carried forward, $20,944 83


$22,199 44


254


ANNUAL REPORTS.


Amounts brought forward,


$20,944 83 $22,199 44


For supplies,


369 53


Shoeing horses,


229 56


Gas,


99 88


Ice,


29 00


Insurance,


108 12


Washing and ironing,


107 73


Incidentals,


236 24


Total debit,


22,124 89


Balance unexpended,


$74 55


During the year the steam fire engine has been thoroughly repaired and made as serviceable as can be expected, when it is considered that it has been in constant use for sixteen years. The hook and ladder truck and the hose carriages of the steamer com- pany and of hose companies Nos. 2 and 3 have also been repaired, painted, and varnished.


We have purchased five hundred feet of cotton hose, and repaired the old hose, and have added two signal boxes to the fire-alarm telegraph.


For the committee, C. A. PAGE, Chairman. GEO. I. VINCENT, Clerk.


REPORT


OF THE


CHIEF ENGINEER OF FIRE DEPARTMENT.


CITY OF SOMERVILLE.


IN BOARD OF MAYOR AND ALDERMEN, Jan. 24, 1883.


Received and referred to the Committee on Printing, with instructions to print the same in the Annual Reports. Sent down for concurrence. CHARLES E. GILMAN, Clerk.


IN COMMON COUNCIL, Jan. 25, 1883.


Concurred in.


DOUGLAS FRAZAR, Clerk.


CITY OF SOMERVILLE.


SOMERVILLE, MASS., Jan. 22, 1883.


To his Honor the Mayor and the City Council : -


GENTLEMEN, - I respectfully present to you a report of the Fire Department for the year 1882, giving the condition of its appara- tus and fire-alarm telegraph, a roster of the different companies, with the name, age, residence, and occupation of each member, and a schedule of alarms, fires, losses, and insurance during the year. I also submit certain recommendations for the maintenance and in- crease of the department's efficiency.


The whole number of alarms during the year was fifty, and the causes of the same, and of fires, were as follows : -


Incendiary


8


Defective chimneys


.


. . .


·


5


Kerosene lamps broken


5


Accidental


4


False alarms


5


Sparks from locomotives


4


Burning of rubbish


5


Sparks from chimneys


3


Fire-crackers


3


Fire in Medford


1


Burning of a pot of beef


1


Boiling over of a tar kettle


.


1


Sparks from fire in Boston


1


Drying clothes near stove


1


Explosion of gas


1


Bursting of water pipe


1


Unknown . .


.


1


.


50


17


258


ANNUAL REPORTS.


The loss by fire during the year was $19,742


Insurance paid .


17,779


APPARATUS.


The apparatus in service consists of one steam fire-engine, with hose tender, four horse hose carriages, and one hook and ladder. truck. There is also one relief hose carriage, and one relief ladder truck. The condition of the hook and ladder and hose carriages is first class, excepting that of Hose No. 4, which needs painting and a wheel-brake.


The steamer is not reliable for fire service, and, as we have but one, that one should be thoroughly reliable for an effective fire stream. The combustible property situated upon our hills is wholly dependent upon a steamer for proper protection, on account of the light water pressure from hydrants. It is unsafe to longer depend upon the engine now in use. I therefore recommend that a new one be purchased as soon as possible.


FIRE-ALARM TELEGRAPH.


This important branch of our fire service has continued to work well. Three new boxes were put in last year, two by the city, and one at the expense of the Fitchburg Railroad Company. We now have twenty-four miles of wire and thirty-one signal boxes. I recommend that two new boxes be added the present year. It is very important that these boxes be numerous, in order that the person discovering a fire may promptly notify the department. The firemen are expected to be ready to move with their apparatus in twenty seconds from the time of receiving the alarm, yet it is believed that the average time that a fire burns after its discovery, and before an alarm is given, is seven minutes. This is valuable time lost, and the only remedy lies in having more signal boxes.


Below is a list of our fire-alarm boxes, with their numbers and locations.


Box.


12. Somerville Avenue, junction Linwood Street.


112. John P. Squire & Co., Somerville Avenue.


13. McLean Asylum.


REPORT OF CHIEF ENGINEER OF FIRE DEPARTMENT. 259


Box.


113. Fitchburg Railroad Yard.


14. Cross Street, opposite Tufts.


15. Washington Street, corner Myrtle.


16. Hose House No. 1, Webster Street.


17. Lincoln Street, corner Perkins.


18. Broadway, corner Union Street.


21. Medford Street, corner South.


23. Lincoln & Chamberlain's Pork House.


24. School-House, Webster Avenue.


25. Hose House No. 3, Washington Street, cor. Prospect.


26. Concord Square, corner Springfield Street.


27. Summer Street, junction Bow Street at Police Station.


227. American Tube Works.


28. Somerville Avenue, corner Laurel Street.


29. Washington Street, corner Dane.


31. Steamer House No. 1, Highland Avenue, corner Walnut Street.


32. Bonair Street, opposite Dana.


34. Hose House No. 2, Marshall Street.


35. Broadway, junction Main Street.


38. Cedar, corner Clyde.


4. Broadway, corner Elm Street.


41. Summer Street, corner Cedar.


42. Beacon Street, corner Kent.


45. Summer Street, opposite Spring.


46. Elm Street, opposite Elm House.


47. Hose House No. 4, Highland Avenue, corner Grove Street.


48. Broadway, corner Curtis Street.


49. College Hill (Professors' Row).


55. No School.


HOSE.


The department possesses hose of various kinds, as follows : Fabric (good), 5,550 feet. Leather (fair), 1,500 feet. Leather (useless), 500 feet.


260


ANNUAL REPORTS.


LADDERS AND FIRE EXTINGUISHERS.


I renew my recommendation of last year, that the hose carriage in Ward 4 be altered to carry ladders, or that the truck now there be equipped with ladders. Also that portable fire extinguishers be placed upon the hose carriages.


THE MANUAL FORCE.


This consists of seventy-one men, as follows : -


1 Chief Engineer


1


1 Assistant Engineer .


1


1 Steamer Company, 14 men


14


1 Hook and Ladder Company, 15 men


15


4 Hose Companies, 10 men each .


· 40


Total .


71


ROSTER OF THE DEPARTMENT.


Chief Engineer, James R. Hopkins, residence, Summit Avenue. Assistant Engineer, Nathaniel C. Barker, residence, Ellsworth Street.


ENGINE COMPANY NO. 1.




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