Report of the city of Somerville 1886, Part 2

Author: Somerville (Mass.)
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Somerville, Mass.
Number of Pages: 330


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1886 > Part 2


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If the plans of the commission should be adopted, it would place a burden upon Somerville which would be very hard to bear, and which, it seems to me, the circumstances do not warrant. I do not feel that there is any danger to be apprehended by our citizens, or the citizens of the neighboring cities, from the sewage which now flows into the Mystic and Charles rivers. The time may come when it will be necessary to take the sewage out of those natural channels for drainage, but there is no necessity for immediate action. I advise opposition to all such legislation for the present,


22


ANNUAL REPORTS.


and recommend that the City Council request the representatives from this city to do all in their power to postpone any such action. I would also recommend the employment of counsel to assist them in so doing. If the Legislature would oblige the cities and towns to abate the nuisances which now exist within their limits, in some of the tanneries, slaughter-houses, and rendering establishments, the atmosphere might be improved to such an extent as to justify the expenditure.


SCHOOLS.


The amount of money used in the support of schools and the care of school buildings, exclusive of amount required for new buildings, in 1885 was $104,390, and the amount appropriated for new buildings, $12,240, making the total cost of schools, $116,630, a sum which seems to me too large. I have no doubt the cost of our schools can be reduced without impairing their efficiency. We now have twenty school buildings, containing one hundred and four school-rooms ; we also hire two rooms. We have 105 public day schools, three evening grammar schools, and one evening draw- ing school. They are under the charge of 121 teachers. The average daily attendance for the year was 4,656 scholars, an in- crease of 122 over 1884. There is an urgent need of more school accommodations in Wards Three and Four. A new school build- ing, containing at least four rooms, is very much needed in each of these wards. It is hoped you will be able to build them this year, as it must be evident to every one that we must continue to erect new buildings to provide for the rapidly increasing number of scholars. When we realize that nearly 500 new dwelling-houses have been erected in the city during the past two years, it must be apparent to every one that more schoolhouses are needed. I renew the recommendation of last year, which was to build large enough to not only provide for present needs but for future neces- sities. Make them double the size required at present, or in such a way that their capacity may be doubled at some future time. All school buildings containing more than two school-rooms should be built of brick, as brick buildings are not only more substantial and ornamental, but are safer and more economical in the end.


23


MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.


FIRE DEPARTMENT.


The apparatus in active service has not been increased during the past year. It consists of one steam fire engine, five hose car- riages, and one hook and ladder truck. In addition to these we have a relief steamer, hook and ladder truck, and one relief hose carriage, all in good condition and well supplied with good service- able hose. The manual 'orce is the same as last year, namely : -


One engine and hose company, twelve men.


One hook and ladder company, fifteen men.


Four hose companies, eight men each, thirty-two men.


One chief of department.


One a-sistant engineer.


To some it would appear that the apparatus and force of this department are entirely too small for a city of 30,000 inhabitants ; and while I think it is, it does not seem to be absolutely necessary to increase it at present. Our buildings for the most part are low, and fires are easily controlled. We have unlimit d amount of water, which has sufficient force to be applied without the aid of power. It is hardly to be expected that we shall constantly main- tain a department large enough to meet the possible contingency of a conflagration or even a fire in our largest establishments. It would be much cheaper to give the large manufactories extra pro- tection by means of numerous hydrants and free and unlimited supply of water. It would be wise to set more hydrants through- out the city. If we cannot at present increase the apparatus, we can afford to increase the hydrants; only one new one was set last year. So important does this appear to me that I would rec- ommend a separate appropriation for hydrants.


The cost of the fire department in 1885 was $22.500.


THE POOR.


Agreeably with the recommendation made in a communication to the City Council one year ago, a change has been made in this department. An amendment to the city charter was procured, so as to provide for a board of four members - one from each ward - to serve without pay for four years, the term of office of one of them to expire each year, and which allows the board to elect such


24


ANNUAL REPORTS.


subordinate officers outside of their number as they deem neces- sary, and to establish such rules and regulations as they see fit for the management of the business. The salaries of such subordinate officers are fixed by the City Council. Among the advantages of this plan are the following : The Board has a subordinate officer who is on duty at all times, ready to receive applications and ren- der prompt aid when necessary ; immediate investigation of all cases is made, and all aid rendered under the direction of the Board ; no one is allowed to suffer, and no one receives assistance unless they are entitled to it. It will be seen that the change was made in the interest of humanity, and the short experience we have had proves it to have been in the interest of economy, as consider- able money has been saved already, and there is no doubt but the change was a good one.


The Board earnestly recommended the erection of an almshouse, and it will be your duty to carefully consider the recommendation. With an almshouse the business of the department could be much more easily and pleasantly conducted, and some of the paupers would have a better and more comfortable home than can now be procured for them. Whether the department can be run with less money or not is a matter upon which there is some doubt. Whether it is best under the circumstances to erect an almshouse this year or not is for you to determine. It is hoped you will give the matter your early attention. If one is to be provided, I would recommend that it be placed on the lot at the corner of Cedar Street and Broadway, known as the city farm, not only because the city owns the land, but because it is the proper place for it, and it is in a convenient locality. I would also recommend that a small por- tion of said lot be set off and devoted to the use of the poor department for a burial ground, to satisfy the request of the Over- seers, which I think should be granted.


1


PUBLIC LIBRARY.


The appropriation in 1885 was $2,500, and the amount received from dog licenses, $1,402, making in all, $3,902. This amount was expended principally for new books and in the payment of salaries of the librarian and her assistants. The whole number of books now in the library is 12,134, an increase since last January of 937. The library is well patronized, and contributes largely to


25


MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.


the education and happiness of the people. During the year the new library building was completed and occupied. It is an elegant and substantial building, and cost $28.338.45. It is expected that under the management of its very efficient board of trustees it will increase in usefulness. It should be liberally supported.


CITY HALL.


An appropriation of $5,000 was made last year with which to alter and improve the City Hall, in order to make use of the room vacated by the Public Library and provide suitable vaults aud im- proved accommodations for the city officers. In accordance with the plans adopted by the City Council, the lower story of the building was altered; new and roomy vaults were built, one for the treasurer and one for the assessors ; the city clerk's vault was enlarged ; the partitions were changed in such a way as to give each office and committee-room sufficient accommodation, good light, and everything to make them pleasant and the work of the officer easy, and the whole lower story was refinished in hard wood and refurnished in an elegant manner, so as to make them compare favorably with the offices of a similar kind in other cities. New windows were put in throughout the building. The work of com pleting the improvement by refinishing the upper story to corre- spond with the lower one can be done at a small expense, as no change would be required in the partitions, no new vaults, no new windows and floors, and but a small portion of the plastering removed. I would therefore recommend that an appropriation be made this year sufficient to complete the improvement. The cost of the whole change in the building will be scarcely more than the annual interest on the cost of a new building, and it will then be good enough and large enough to accommodate the city's business for many years to come. I believe the whole plan an economical one, for the reason that it will be likely to postpone for many years the building of a new city hall.


POLICE.


The police force consists of a chief, captain, three sergeants, and twenty patrolmen.


It is evident that this force is not large enough to prevent crime.


26


ANNUAL REPORTS.


It cannot be expected that our property can be protected and our buildings watched so constantly that burglaries will never be com- mitted or other crimes perpetrated ; neither would it be good policy to increase the force to such an extent as would make us reasona- bly sure that no crime would be committed, as the city is not able to maintain such a force, but the force should be composed of men who are able to detect crime and bring the criminals to justice. Our police, as usual, have been remarkably successful in this direc- tion during the past year ; and, while we have not as many patrol- men as I think we ought to have, I am happy to say the city has not as yet suffered in consequence.


The department cost the city $23,000 last year, beside the care of the Police building.


WATER CONTRACT.


The question of obtaining a new contract with the City of Bos- ton for the supply of Mystic water bas occupied much of the atten- tion of the authorities during the past year. The recommendations contained in the inaugural address of last year were referred to the Water Board, and the members of that board have taken a very active interest in the matter and spent a great deal of time in their efforts to bring about the desired result. They have been so far successful as to convince the members of the Boston Water Board that we are entitled to a more liberal contract, as it appears, for they have asked of their City Council for the necessary authority to make a new contract with us on the basis suggested by our city. The terms of the new contract would be substantially the same as those of the old one, except that under the new one Boston would pay to Somerville one half of the amount paid by the water takers of our city, instead of the graduated scale of fifteen, twenty, twenty five, thirty, and forty per cent, as at present. Owing to the trouble and change in the Boston Water Board, the question of a new contract was not submitted to the Boston City Council until very late in the season. For this reason, at the last meeting of their City Council the matter was referred to the next city gov- ernment. So just is our claim, and so favorable the action of the Boston Water Board, that we feel that our request will soon be granted.


27


5


MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.


SUITS AT LAW.


There are now pending nine cases to which the city is a party, none of which appear to be very important. During the past year five cases have been disposed of. Two verdicts have been rendered against the city. One was the case of Kendall v. Somerville for personal injuries from falling on the sidewalk; the verdict was $1,048.18. and costs of court, $59.91, in all $1,108.09. The other was the Stepp case, which was an action for personal injuries re- ceived from falling into a sewer trench; verdict, $579.85 ; costs, $137.69 ; in all $717.59. The other three cases were decided in favor of the city.


There have been twelve petitions presented to the City Council for damages. personal or otherwise, which have been disposed of as follows : Upon five of them the City Council voted no action necessary ; in five of them the petitioners were given leave to with- draw ; and in the remaining two the claims were referred to the city solicitor, as suits had at the time of reference been brought against the city. Five of them were for personal injuries, two related to matters of taxation, and the remaining three were for grade damages. One case was settled without reference to the City Council.


WATERING STREETS.


The usual appropriation ($3,000) was made for street watering the past year. This amount seems to be all the city can afford to apply to this purpose, and it is quite sufficient to keep the carts owned by the city in constant use. Without an increase in the number of carts no more money could be used. It is my belief that the property owners should contribute a larger portion of the cost of watering the streets.


WATER MAINTENANCE.


Owing to the change made by the Water Board in substituting iron pipe for cement pipe, a larger appropriation than usual was required in this department. Nearly one half of the sum appro- priated ($21,200) was usel in the purchase of a supply of pipe of various sizes, not all of which bas yet been used. Some sizes bave been used more than others, and will need to be replenished


28


ANNUAL REPORTS.


the coming year. Although not so large an outlay for new pipe will be required as last year, consequently not so large an appro- priation will be absolutely necessary ; at the same time, all of the money which can be spared can be used to good advantage in this department.


Tirere seems to be some difference of opinion as to the policy of substituting iron for cement pipe, but where there is so great a pressure of water, experts seem to be unanimous in the opinion that it is good economy to do so.


CONCLUSION.


Gentlemen of the City Council: In closing this address it seems proper for me to introduce a word of caution or advice. Do not pledge yourselves to support any measure until you have heard the arguments which may be produced against it. While it is necessary and expected of you to understand and be governed some- what by public sentiment, it is usually safer to consult with your associates in the City Council than to take a lvice of interested par- ties outside your number. Members of the City Council certainly ought to know better than private individuals, who usually have some private interest at stak", what they ought to do and what they can afford to do. Outside influence usually favors getting some- thing new rather than the taking care of that which we already have. Your own sense of justice and propriety will be your safest guide. Notwithstanding the present necessity of keeping down the late of taxation and curtailing expenses, Somerville is destined, in my opinion, to become one of the most prosperous cities in the Commonwealth. It cannot help being prosperous, in a financial point of view, from the fact that we have no expensive improve- ments to make, unless it be to take care of the sewage to which reference has been ma le ; we have no bridges to build or maintain of any consequence, as most cities have ; no ferries to support, and, in fact, no very great expenses to meet, except to maintain our regular departments and support the poor. For years we have been laboring under the disadvantage of a large debt, but it must be remembered that for ten years we have been rapidly reducing it insteal of increasing it, and at the rate it is being reduced at the present time we shall be in a few short years free from it entirely. While we are reducing the debt at the present rate, it


.


29


MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.


will be necessary to keep the expenses down to the lowest possible limit consistent with the growth and prosperity of the city. It is fortunate indeed for us that we have the law to assist us.


I hope, gentlemen, to have the assistance and hearty co-opera- tion of each and all of you in conducting the affairs of our city in such a way as will meet the approval of all the citizens and give entire satisfaction to ourselves. He who conducts public business for the benefit of all the people, merits, and generally receives, the approval of all men.


REPORT


OF THE


TREASURER AND COLLECTOR OF TAXES.


CITY OF SOMERVILLE.


IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, Jan. 26, 1887.


Referred to the committee on finance, and sent down for concurrence. GEO. I. VINCENT, Clerk pro. tem.


IN COMMON COUNCIL, Jan. 27, 1887.


Concurred in.


DOUGLAS FRAZAR, Clerk.


IN COMMITTEE ON FINANCE, Feb. 10, 1887.


To the City Council of Somerville :- The committee on finance, to which was referred the annual report of the treasurer and collector of taxes for the year 1886, reports that his books and vouchers have been examined by this committee and the auditor, and have been compared with the auditor's book, and with the statements received from the several com- mittees, boards and officers of the city, in accordance with ordinance, and no errors appear in his accounts, which are kept in a very intelligible and businesslike manner, and agree with his report. We have also verified his cash balance by actual count, and by visiting the banks of deposit; and it is hereby recommended that the report be accepted and printed in the annual reports.


MARK F. BURNS, CHARLES L. NORTH, EDWARD H. BRADSHAW, GEO. D. WEMYSS, EZRA D. SOUTHER,


Committee.


IN BOARD OF MAYOR AND ALDERMEN, Feb. 23, 1887.


Accepted and 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, Feb. 24, 1887.


DOUGLAS FRAZAR, Clerk.


CITY OF SOMERVILLE.


TREASURER'S OFFICE, Jan. 20, 1887.


To the Honorable the Mayor and City Council of the City of Somerville :


GENTLEMEN, - The undersigned presents herewith the fifteenth annual report of the financial condition of the city, and a statement showing in detail the receipts and disbursements of the several de- partments for the year ending Dec. 31, 1886.


The value of the property of the city Dec. 31, 1885, as appears by the schedule published with the last annual reports, was $1,234,- 926.64 ; and the additions thereto were for amounts expended on the schoolhouses now in the course of construction in Wards Three and Four, viz. : -


On Bingham Schoolhouse (Lowell Street) . $7,831 74 On Burns Schoolhouse (Cherry Street) 7,683 32 .


making the value of the public property, Dec. 31, 1886, as per Table A, $1,250,441.70.


The funded debt of the city stands the same as at the close of last year, viz., $1,525,000.


City-loan Bonds, Nos. 175 to 182 $40,000 00


66 183 to 185


15,000 00


66 66 No. 186 .


5,000 00


66 187 1,000 00


Water-loan bonds, Nos. 23 to 27


50,000 00


. . No. 28


5,500 00


Amounting to


. $116,500 00 bearing interest at five and one half per cent, became due during the year, and were provided for by the issue of 3


34


ANNUAL REPORTS.


City-loan Bond, No. 883


$1,000 00


“ 884


60,000 00


Water-loan Bond, No. 228


7,500 00


Amounting to


$68,500 00


bearing interest at five per cent, which were purchased by the commissioners of the sinking fund at par ; and


Water-loan Bonds, Nos. 229 to 238 . . $10,000 00


66 Nos. 239 to 256 . ·


·


18.000 00


66 66 Nos. 257 to 266


· 10,000 00


66 Nos. 267 to 276 . . 10,000 00


Amounting to .


. $48,000 00


bearing interest at four per cent per annum, sold in open market at a premium of $8.53, amounting to $4,094.40, making the total amount of the bonds issued $116,500.


To provide for the payment of the State and county taxes, and for the current expenses of the city, the assessors' warrant was received for the tax levy on a valuation on real estate of $24,124,- 700 ; valuation on personal property. $1,878,500 ; making the total valuation $26,003,200, at a rate of $15.40 on $1,000 valuation, and 8,269 polls at $2 each, amounting to $416,987.28.


To this amount is added the sum standing to the credit of excess and deficiency account, being the amount of unexpended appropri- ations Jan. 1, 1886, $8,054.98 ; the amount received from the City of Boston for returns on water contract, $21,444.91 ; and the ad- ditional credits received from all other sources by the various departments, amounting to $45,780 75 ; making the total amount of resources for the year 1886, $492,267.92.


The appropriations for the year provided for by the tax levy, the amounts transferred from other resources of the city, the additional amounts credited, the amounts expended, and the unexpended balances of the various accounts were as follows : -


REPORT OF TREASURER AND COLLECTOR OF TAXES.


35


Accounts. Appropriations. Additional Expenditures Credits. and Balances.


Broadway Park Maintenance : -


Appropriation $1,000 00


Received for hay sold


$10 05


Expenditures .


$932 29


Unexpended balance


77 76


Fire Department :


Appropriation 24,000 00


Received for old materials


89 50


Expenditures .


24,057 03


Unexpended balance


32 47


Health Department :


-


Appropriation


3,500 00


Received for permits, licenses,


etc.


303 00


Expenditures .


3,588 64


Unexpended balance


214 36


Highways : --


Appropriation $32,000 00


Transferred from In-


terest account 200 00


32,200 00


Received for labor and materials .


Expenditures .


.


Unexpended balance .


81 35


Indigent Soldiers and Sailors : - Appropriation


600 00


Received from State of Massachu-


setts


463 00


Expenditures


926 00


Unexpended balance .


137 00


· Interest : -


Appropriation $55,000 00


Transferred to other


accounts 8,902 73


46,097 27


Received interest, corporation and bank taxes, etc. .


23,666 42


Expended


62,428 33


Unexpended balance


7,335 36


. Miscellaneous : -


Transferred from excess and de- ficiency account . 8,054 98 . Received for costs on taxes, li- censes, etc. 1,749 65


Expenditures .


·


8,452 68


Unexpended balance · .


1,351 95


.


2,673 61


34,792 26


.


.


36


ANNUAL REPORTS.


Accounts.


Appropriations. Additional Expenditures Credits. and Balances.


New Fire Hydrants : -


Appropriation


$1,000 00


$995 84


Unexpended balance


4 16


Police : -


Appropriation


$23,500 00


Transferred from in-


terest account 231 38


23,731 38


Received for court fees, fines, etc.,


$2,596 05


Expenditures .


.


26,327 43


Police Station Incidentals :


-


Appropriation


$1,500 00


Transferred from in-


terest account


300 00


1,800 00


Received for rent of hall, etc.


418 33


Expenditures .


1,950 51


Unexpended balance


267 82


Public Library : -


Appropriation $2,500 00


Transferred from in-


terest account 409 73


2,909 73


Received for dog licenses, etc.


2,443 63


Expenditures .


5,353 36


Printing and Stationery : -


Appropriation 3,000 00


Received for advertising


3 00


Expenditures .


2,773 43


Unexpended balance


229 57


Public Library Building : -


Balance from 1885


311 55


Expenditures .


258 75


Unexpended balance


5º 80


Salaries : -


Appropriation $21,900 00


Transferred from in-


terest account 377 40


22,277 40


Expenditures .


.


22,277 40


School Contingent : -


Appropriation $13,000 00


Transferred from in-


terest account


695 58


12,695 58


Expenditures .


REPORT OF TREASURER AND COLLECTOR OF TAXES.


37


Accounts.


Appropriations.


Additional Expenditures


Credits.


and Balances.


Received for tuition of non-resi- dent pupils, etc.


$298 56


Expenditures .


$13,994 14


School Fuel : -


Appropriation $5,200 00


Expenditures .


4,928 94


Unexpended balance


271 06


Schoolhouse Incidentals : -


Appropriation $8,000 00


Transferred rfom interest


account 705 92


8,705 92


Received for old iron sold


26 57


Expenditures


8,732 49


School Teachers' Salaries : - Appropriation .$76,000 00


Transferred from interest


account


4,942 26


80,942 26


Expenditures


80,942 26


Schoolhouse in Ward Three : -


Appropriation · $8,500 00


Expenditures


7,831 74


Balance to be expended in 1887 .


668 26


Schoolhouse in Ward Four : -


Appropriation · $8,500 00


Expenditures


7,683 32


Balance to be expended in 1887


816 68


Sewers : -


Appropriation · . $8,000 00


Received for permits, etc.


175 05


Expenditures


7,665 54


Unexpended balance


509 51


. Sidewalks : -


Appropriation . $4,000 00


Expenditures


3,631 62


Unexpended balance .


368 38


Sinking Fund Contributions : -


Appropriation $40,725 00


Expenditures


40,725 00


Street Lights : -


Appropriation . $9,500 00


Received for lamp-posts, etc.


409 98


Expenditures


8,862 37


Unexpended balance


1,047 61


.


.


.


38


ANNUAL REPORTS.


Accounts.


Appropriations. Additional Expenditures Credits. and Balances.


Support of Poor : -


Appropriation


$15,000 00


Received for support of paupers .


$2,481 77


Expenditures


$14,341 83


Unexpended balance


.


.


3,139 94


Watering Streets : -


Appropriation · $3,000 00


Transferred from inter-




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