Report of the city of Somerville 1884, Part 17

Author: Somerville (Mass.)
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Somerville, Mass.
Number of Pages: 364


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1884 > Part 17


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For the committee,


NATHAN A. FITCH, Chairman, pro tem. GEO. I. VINCENT, Clerk.


-


REPORT OF THE CITY SOLICITOR.


CITY OF SOMERVILLE.


IN BOARD OF MAYOR AND ALDERMEN, Jan. 28, 1885. Referred to the committee on printing, to be printed in the annual reports. Sent down for concurrence.


CHARLES E. GILMAN, Clerk.


Concurred in.


IN COMMON COUNCIL, Jan. 28, 1885.


DOUGLAS FRAZAR, Clerk.


CITY OF SOMERVILLE.


SOMERVILLE, Jan. 26, 1885.


To his Honor the Mayor and the City Council of Somerville.


GENTLEMEN, - I beg leave to present the following as my ninth annual report.


Early in the year, acting under your instructions, I attended, with our committee on legislative matters, the hearings before the drainage committee of the General Court, with reference to the abatement of the Alewife Brook nuisance. We were directed to oppose, by all means, the introduction of Cambridge sewage into Somerville sewers at Alewife Brook. An Act (chap. 195, Laws of 1884) was, however, passed by the General Court April 29, 1884, which took effect upon its passage, but, by its own terms, was to become void unless accepted by the city council of each of said cities within thirty days thereafter. Neither city council accepted the Act.


During the year, I have attended all the meetings of the committee on claims, except when confined to my house by illness, and have advised the committee upon all claims presented. The following is a list of all claims that have been referred to that committee, and the disposition thereof made by the committee.


1. Claim of Lucy A. Kendall for personal injuries, Jan. 4, 1884, by falling upon northerly side of Elm Street. Mrs. Kendall's attorney refused to appear before the committee. Suit has been brought, and a trial of the case may be expected at the present December term of the Middlesex Superior Court.


2. Claim of Annie A. Smith for personal injuries, Jan. 6, 1884, upon Newton Street. Committee reported adversely to petitioner. No suit has followed.


3. Claim of James McAuley for injuries to person and property, Jan. 7, 1884, upon Lowell Street. Adverse report. No action since.


318


ANNUAL REPORTS.


4. Claim of Maria T. Ryan for personal injuries, Feb. 28, 1884, upon Day Street. Adverse report. Suit has been brought, and a trial of the case may be expected at the present December term of the Middlesex Superior Court.


5. Claim of George P. Deshon for personal injuries, Feb. 29, 1884, upon Day Street. Adverse report. Suit has been entered at the present December term of the Middlesex Superior Court.


6. Claim of William A. Sampson for personal injuries, March 24, 1884, upon George Street. Adverse report. No action at law.


7. Claim of James Swift for bounty. Adverse report.


8. Claim of Charles A. Cushman for personal injuries, May 30, 1884, upon Highland Avenue. Adverse report. No action at law.


9. Claim of M. W. Granger for damages to property by sewer in Union Place. Adverse report. No action at law.


10. Claim of J. Weild for damages to property by bursting of sewer in Pearl Street, June 24 and Sept. 6, 1884. The committee reported, recommending payment of fifty dollars to avoid the expense of litigation.


11. Claim of James Gavin for damages to estate corner of Somer- ville Avenue and Poplar Street. Adverse report.


There are now upon my docket four accident cases, where the aggregate damages claimed exceed fifteen thousand dollars ; and the disastrous result which might follow a full measure of recovery in these cases leads me to urge the designation of some police officer, whose duty it shall be to investigate every accident upon the high- ways, without waiting till a claim shall be made upon the city. In the case of an alleged defect from an accumulation of snow or ice, a notice, thirty days afterwards, to the city, while it may satisfy the re- quirement of the statute, is generally of no value whatever to the city. The snow or ice has changed in form, or entirely disappeared.


I feel it to be my duty also to call your attention to the want of proper barriers upon Somerville Avenue and Medford Streets, which the city is unquestionably bound to erect and maintain. A small outlay will remedy the defect.


During the year the following cases, seventeen in number, have been finished : -


City of, Somerville vs. Reed et al .; same vs. Fiske et al .; same vs. Massachusetts Brick Company ; same vs. Reed et al .; Hitchings vs. Somerville ; Richardson vs. same; McCormic vs. same; Cushman vs. same ; High vs. same ; Brooks vs. same ; Brackett vs. same ; Frye


319


REPORT OF THE CITY SOLICITOR.


vs. same ; Fuller vs. same ; Fuller et al. vs. same ; Whicher vs. same ; Crowley vs. same ; and Middlesex Railroad Company vs. same. The verdict of Whicher vs. the City of Somerville, amounting, with interest and costs, to the sum of $269.53, recently affirmed by the Supreme Court, has been promptly paid by the Middlesex Railroad Company ; and the city thus loses nothing by that case. The president of the railroad company has also assured me of his intention at once to set up and maintain lights at the place of the accident.


There are now upon my docket eleven cases to which the city is a party, some of which are necessarily in substantially the same condi- tion as set forth in my last annual report ; and the remainder of which I have already sufficiently referred to in a former part of the present report, with the exception of the case of Asa Durgin et al., petitioners for the widening of North Street. This is a proceeding before the commissioners of Middlesex County ; and the city of Somerville, and town of Medford, are made parties to it. The case has been unavoid- ably delayed, owing to a misapprehension of the selectmen of Med- ford as to the width of the way at the boundary-line ; but there is no reason to doubt the favorable action of the county commissioners upon the new petition which has already been prepared.


Respectfully submitted.


SAMUEL C. DARLING, City Solicitor.


REPORT OF THE CITY CLERK.


CITY OF SOMERVILLE.


REPORT OF THE CITY CLERK.


ANNUAL report of the receipts of his office for the year ending Dec. 31, 1884 ; also, the registration of marriages, births, and deaths for the same period.


RECEIPTS FOR YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, 1884.


Recording mortgages and assignments $279 00


Fees for licensing dogs 133 60


Seven auctioneers' licenses 14 00


Thirty-nine junk licenses ($2)


78 00


Marriage certificates issued in 1884


140 50


Pool and billiard tables


14 00


Twelve liquor licenses


12 00


$671 10


All of which has been paid to the city treasurer, and his receipt taken for the same.


MARRIAGES IN 1884.


Number of intentions issued in 1884 ·


281


More than last year . 19


Marriages registered in 1884


· 284


NATIONALITY OF THOSE REGISTERED.


Both parties American


154


foreign . 78


American groom and foreign bride


30


Foreign groom and American bride .


22


284 couples.


324


ANNUAL REPORTS.


First marriage of


489


Second "


74


Third 66


5


568 == 284 couples.


Oldest person married


60


Youngest " "


17


Youngest couple united in marriage : -


Bridegroom


19


Bride


·


17


BIRTHS.


Number of births registered in 1884 . . 711


More than last year .


174


Males


356


Females .


355


711


Born of American parents


263


foreign parents


301


66


American father and foreign mother 67


foreign father and American mother 80


711


Number of cases of twins 4


DEATHS.


Whole number of deaths in Somerville in 1884 .


· 499


Less than last year


45


Number of males


255


" females .


244


Under 10 years of age


231


Between 10 and 20 .


25


20 30.


31


66 30 40 .


33


66 40 50 .


32


50 60 .


42


66 60 70 .


46


66


70 80 .


38


Amount carried forward :478


325


REPORT OF THE CITY CLERK.


Amount brought forward 478


Between 80 and 90 .


17


90 “ 100


4


499


Oldest person deceased, 93 years and 5 months.


NATIONALITY.


Born in Somerville


193


66 66 other places in United States 211


Foreign birth .


95


499


Number of deaths returned by undertakers And occurred as follows : -


499


January .


39


February


29


March


38


April


31


May


36


June


37


July


48


August


45


September


57


October .


47


November


42


December


50


499


For classification of diseases, see report of board of health.


CHARLES E. GILMAN, City Clerk.


REPORT


OF THE


INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS.


CITY OF SOMERVILLE.


IN BOARD OF MAYOR AND ALDERMEN, Dec. 30, 1884. Referred to the next city council, to be printed in the annual reports. Sent down for concurrence.


CHARLES E. GILMAN, Clerk.


Concurred in.


IN COMMON COUNCIL, Dec. 30, 1884.


DOUGLAS FRAZAR, Clerk.


CITY OF SOMERVILLE.


OFFICE OF INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS, SOMERVILLE, Dec. 27, 1884. To his Honor the Mayor and the City Council.


GENTLEMEN, - I assumed the duties of inspector of buildings April 10, of the present year. Since that time, there have been fin- ished and erected, but not entirely completed, buildings as follows : -


189 dwelling-houses, at a cost of $501 900


18 additions to dwelling-houses, at a cost of 11,300


31 stables, at a cost of . 23,635


13 stores and storehouses, at a cost of 39,000


I estimate that there were finished, from January to April, 12 dwelling-houses, which should be included in the present year, at a cost of


30,000


Total cost of taxable buildings built in the year 1884 605,835


I estimate that there have been destroyed by fire, buildings to the value of . 18,350


Increase of taxable property in buildings for the year $587,485


There have been built by the city, buildings at a cost of about $38,000 · There has been built other non-taxable property valued at, 5,700


Estimate of non-taxable buildings built . 43,700 . I estimate the amount destroyed by fire, of buildings not taxed 8,000


Increase of buildings not taxed $35,700


330


ANNUAL REPORTS.


The buildings built the past year have been, in most cases, well constructed as regards comfort, safety, and durability ; and, in most instances, builders have been willing to comply with the spirit of the building ordinances.


No inspector would recommend an increase of duties at the present salary ; but I would respectfully suggest that applications for permits to build be made through the inspector, who shall report and refer them to the city council.


The cost of ordinary repairs on buildings made during the year is not included in the foregoing figures.


Respectfully submitted.


ELIJAH WALKER, Inspector of Buildings.


CITY GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS FOR 1885.


MAYOR. MARK F. BURNS. Residence, 95 Perkins Street ; office, City Hall.


ALDERMEN. HIRAM D. SMITH, President.


WARD ONE.


NATHAN A. FITCH


MOSES G. STEELE


.


·


Franklin Street.


.


Rush Street.


WARD TWO.


SAMUEL G. A. TWYCROSS .


.


Warren Avenue.


FRANKLIN R. PERRY .


. Pleasant Avenue.


WARD THREE.


HIRAM D. SMITH


Cross Street.


DANIEL C. STILLSON


. Tennyson Street.


WARD FOUR.


IRVING L. RUSSELL .


. Broadway.


ALBERT M. ROBINSON


.


. Belmont Street.


CLERK OF BOARD OF ALDERMEN.


CHARLES E. GILMAN.


332


ANNUAL REPORTS.


COMMON COUNCIL. HERBERT C. HALL, President. WARD ONE.


FRANK A. TITUS


. Flint Street.


ELBRIDGE G. PARK .


JOHN MANNING


. .


Arlington Street. . . Medford Street.


. Florence Street.


WARD TWO.


DANA W. BENNETT


SAMUEL W. HOLT


CHARLES A. WOODBERRY


NEWELL F. CASWELL


. Washington Street.


, Washington Street.


. Berkeley Street.


. Union Square.


WARD THREE.


JOHN F. KENNARD


HARRISON ALDRICH .


ALBERTO P. CLARK .


EDWARD O'BRIEN


. Lowell Street.


WARD FOUR.


HERBERT C. HALL


ISRAEL C. EARLE


BERNARD W. LAWRENCE


WALTER C. MENTZER


, Summer Street. .


. Irving Street.


.


. Holland Street.


. Hall Street.


CLERK OF COMMON COUNCIL. DOUGLAS FRAZAR.


JOINT STANDING COMMITTEES FOR 1885.


ACCOUNTS. - Aldermen Twycross, Robinson ; Councilmen Park, Aldrich, Woodberry.


BURIAL-GROUNDS. - Aldermen Perry, Stillson ; Councilmen Ken- nard, Reed, Lawrence.


CITY ENGINEERING. - Aldermen Russell, Steele ; Councilmen Titus, Kennard, Mentzer.


. Howe Street.


. Gilman Street. .


. Main Street.


.


.


NATHAN H. REED


333


CITY GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS FOR 1885.


CLAIMS. - His Honor the Mayor, ex officio ; Alderman Fitch ; the President of the Council, ex officio; Councilmen Woodberry, Clark.


FINANCE. - His Honor the Mayor, ex officio; Aldermen Smith, Twycross ; the President of the Council, ex officio; Councilmen Park, Bennett, Earle, Clark.


FIRE DEPARTMENT. - Aldermen Robinson, Perry ; Councilmen Holt, Kennard, Mentzer.


FUEL AND STREET-LIGHTS. - Aldermen Steele, Robinson ; Council- men Woodberry, Aldrich, Reed.


HIGHWAYS. - Aldermen Smith, Russell ; Councilmen Holt, Man- ning, O'Brien.


LEGISLATIVE MATTERS. - His Honor the Mayor, ex officio; Alder- man Robinson ; the President of the Council, ex officio; Councilmen Titus, Bennett.


.


ORDINANCES. - Aldermen Fitch, Twycross; Councilmen Park, Bennett, Mentzer.


PRINTING. - Aldermen Stillson, Steele; Councilmen Aldrich, Earle, Caswell.


PUBLIC PROPERTY. - Aldermen Perry, Stillson ; Councilmen Titus, Caswell, Lawrence.


SOLDIERS' RELIEF. - Aldermen Fitch, Russell ; Councilmen Man- ning, Earle, Clark.


WATER. - Aldermen Steele, Robinson ; the President of the Coun- cil ; Councilmen Reed, O'Brien.


COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN.


(STANDING COMMITTEES.)


ELECTIONS. - Aldermen Russell, Fitch.


ENROLLED ORDINANCES. - Aldermen Smith, Perry.


LICENSES. - Aldermen Russell, Perry.


POLICE. - His Honor the Mayor, ex officio; Aldermen Fitch, Twycross.


SEWERS. - Aldermen Twycross, Fitch, Stillson.


STATE AID. - Aldermen Steele, Russell, Smith, Perry.


(SPECIAL COMMITTEE.)


BUILDING PERMITS. - Aldermen Smith, Robinson.


334


ANNUAL REPORTS.


STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL.


ELECTIONS AND RETURNS. - Councilmen Caswell, Holt, O'Brien. ENROLLED ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS. - Councilmen Man- ning, Clark, Lawrence.


SCHOOL COMMITTEE.


MARK F. BURNS, Mayor, Chairman, ex officio. HERBERT C. HALL, President of the Common Council, ex officio. (Term, three years.)


WARD ONE.


JOHN H. BUTLER (elected 1884)


HENRY M. MOORE (elected 1882) .


HORACE C. WHITE, M.D. (elected 1883) .


. Pearl Street.


. Myrtle Street.


. Pinckney Street.


WARD TWO.


Rev. GEORGE W. DURELL (elected 1882) .


Mrs. CORNELIA B. SKINNER (elected 1883)


CHARLES I. SHEPARD (elected 1884)


. Summer Street.


. High Street.


. High Street.


WARD THREE.


NORMAN W. BINGHAM (elected 1882)


Q. E. DICKERMAN (elected 1883)


WILLIAM P. HILL (elected 1884)


School Street.


. Central Street. ·


Sycamore Street. .


WARD FOUR.


MARTIN W. CARR (elected 1884)


Craigie Street.


Professor BENJAMIN G. BROWN (elected 1882) . Professors' Row.


H. P. MAKECHNIE, M.D. (elected 1883) . . Elm Street.


Superintendent and Secretary, J. H. DAVIS, Myrtle Street.


PRINCIPAL ASSESSORS. (Term, three years.)


STILLMAN H. LIBBY (elected 1883), Chairman, Elm Street.


GEORGE W. HADLEY (elected 1885)


BENJAMIN F. THOMPSON (elected 1884)


. Perkins Street. .


. Summit Avenue.


335


CITY GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS FOR 1885.


ASSISTANT ASSESSORS.


(Term, one year.)


GEORGE W. BARTLETT, Ward One . Mt. Vernon Street. .


WILLIAM A. FLAHERTY, Ward Two


. Union Square.


. REUBEN A. MELVIN, Ward Three


. Bonair Street.


SAMUEL T. RICHARDS, Ward Four


. Summer Street.


BOARD OF HEALTH. (Term, Physician, three years ; other members, two years.)


GEORGE A. KIMBALL (appointed 1885), Chairman, Office, City Hall.


GEORGE C. SKILTON (appointed 1884) Walnut Street.


THOMAS M. DURELL, M.D. (appointed 1885) . Bow Street.


Clerk, GEORGE I. VINCENT . Office, City Hall.


Inspector, WILLIAM H. BRINE . 40 Houghton Street.


COMMISSIONERS OF THE SINKING-FUNDS.


(Term, three years.)


NATHAN TUFTS (elected 1883) .


. Summer Street.


HENRY F. WOODS (elected 1885)


. Sycamore Street.


EZRA D. CONANT (elected 1884) . Pearl Street.


Treasurer, AARON SARGENT, Broadway.


OVERSEERS OF THE POOR. MARK F. BURNS, Mayor, Chairman, ex officio. HERBERT C. HALL, President Common Council.


(Term, three years.)


THOMAS CUNNINGHAM (elected 1884) Oak Street.


GEORGE W. WASHBURNE (elected 1883 for unex- pired term) . Lincoln Street.


EDWARD GLINES (elected 1885)


.


. Highland Avenue.


.


336


ANNUAL REPORTS.


SOMERVILLE MYSTIC WATER BOARD. (Term, one year.)


J. ORLIN HAYDEN, President Hill Building, Union Square.


WALTER S. BARNES .


Highland Avenue.


CHARLES H. BROWN


.


Sycamore Street.


JOHN M. WOODS


School Street.


MILO CRANE


Rush Street.


Superintendent of Water Works, NATHANIEL DENNETT.


Office, Prospect Street, cor. Somerville Avenue.


TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY. (Term, three years.)


GEORGE A. BRUCE (elected 1884 for unexpired term) . Highland Avenue.


WILLIAM E. WELD (elected 1884) · Harvard Street.


WILLIAM VEAZIE (elected 1884)


· , Walnut Street.


WILLIAM H. BRINE (elected 1883)


Highland Avenue.


SANFORD HANSCOM, M.D. (elected 1885 for un- expired term)


Webster Street.


CHARLES S. LINCOLN (elected 1885). ·


, Laurel Street.


CHARLES G. POPE (elected 1885)


Franklin Street.


J. HENRY FLITNER (elected 1883)


Day Street.


CHRISTOPHER E. RYMES (elected 1885)


Summer Street.


Librarian, HARRIET A. ADAMS. Assistant Librarian, LIZZIE A. STEVENS.


CITY CLERK AND CLERK OF BOARD OF ALDERMEN. CHARLES E. GILMAN. Office, City Hall.


CITY TREASURER AND COLLECTOR OF TAXES. JOHN F. COLE. Office, City Hall.


CITY MESSENGER. JAIRUS MANN. Office, City Hall.


337


CITY GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS FOR 1885.


CITY SOLICITOR. SAMUEL C. DARLING. Office, 18 Rogers Building, Boston.


CITY AUDITOR. DOUGLAS FRAZAR. Office, City Hall.


CITY ENGINEER. GEORGE A. KIMBALL. Office, City Hall.


SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS. FRANK G. WILLIAMS, Albion Street. Office, City Hall.


CHIEF OF POLICE. MELVILLE C. PARKHURST, Police Station, Bow Street.


CHIEF ENGINEER OF FIRE DEPARTMENT. JAMES R. HOPKINS. Office, Engine House, Highland Avenue.


INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS. ELIJAH WALKER, Pleasant Avenue.


CITY PHYSICIAN. THOMAS M. DURELL, M.D., 14 Bow Street.


CLERK OF ASSESSORS AND COMMITTEES. GEORGE I. VINCENT. Office, City Hall.


338


ANNUAL REPORTS.


ASSISTANT CLERK OF ASSESSORS AND COMMITTEES. WILLIAM P. MITCHELL. Office, City Hall.


CONSTABLES.


JAIRUS MANN.


ROBERT R. PERRY.


HORACE B. RUNEY.


CHARLES C. FOLSOM.


EDWARD MCGARR.


WM. H. BRINE (Houghton St.). WILLIAM D. HAYDEN.


SAMUEL R. DOw.


JOSEPH J. GILES.


GEORGE CULLIS.


FIELD-DRIVERS.


CHARLES C. FOLSOM.


JOHN E. FULLER.


JUDSON W. OLIVER.


GEORGE H. CARLETON.


HERBERT H. MILLER. EDD. F. FALES. GEORGE W. BEAN.


FENCE-VIEWERS.


DAVID A. SANBORN. CHARLES D. ELLIOT.


POUND-KEEPER. CHARLES A. SMALL.


SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. NOAH HARDING, Sycamore Street.


SURVEYOR OF WOOD, BARK, AND LUMBER. SAMUEL T. LITTLEFIELD.


339


CITY GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS FOR 1885.


SURVEYOR OF STONE, BRICK, AND PLASTER WORK.


ALFRED M. SIBLEY.


SURVEYOR OF MECHANICS' WORK. CHARLES D. ELLIOT.


PUBLIC WEIGHER. J. C. COUSINS.


UNDERTAKERS.


HORACE B. RUNEY. WILLIAM A. FLAHERTY.


A. L. SANBORN. PATRICK RAFFERTY.


P. H. RAFFERTY. HORACE D. RUNEY.


E. H. MARSH. THOMAS J. BARKER.


POLICE DEPARTMENT.


M. C. PARKHURST, Chief.


R. R. PERRY, Captain.


S. R. Dow, Sergeant.


C. C. FOLSOM, Sergeant.


EDWARD MCGARR, Sergeant.


C. C. CAVANAGH.


P. W. SKINNER.


JOHN E. FULLER.


S. A. BROWN.


A. L. STAPLES.


JOHN HAFFORD.


J. W. OLIVER.


IVAN LAIGHTON.


GEORGE W. BEAN.


M. H. KINSLEY.


GEORGE L. SMITH.


G. A. BODGE.


EDWARD M. CARTER.


DENNIS KELLY.


E. F. FALES.


GEORGE H. CARLETON.


J. F. JOHNSON. E. A. CARTER.


H. H. MILLER.


M. C. PARKHURST, Lock-up Keeper.


340


ANNUAL REPORTS.


MEETINGS.


BOARD OF ALDERMEN. Second and fourth Wednesday evenings of each month.


COMMON COUNCIL. Thursday evenings following the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month.


SCHOOL COMMITTEE. Last Monday evening of each month.


-


INDEX.


City Government and Officers for 1884 .


3


66 1885


331


Mayor's Inaugural Address . 13 29 Valedictory Address 207


Report of the Board of Health


Chief Engineer of Fire Department


285 321


66


66


66 Engineer .


269


66


66


Physician .


227


66


66


66


Solicitor


315


66


66


Treasurer and Collector of Taxes .


37


66


66


Commissioners of the Sinking-Funds Committee on Fire Department


279 307


66


66


Fuel and Street-lights


241


66


Public Property


293


66


66


66 Sewers


261 327 187


66


66 Overseers of the Poor


66


School Committee .


135


66


Somerville Mystic Water Board


175


Trustees of the Public Library


231


66


66


City Clerk


131


66


66


66


Highways


66 Inspector of Buildings


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