USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1887 > Part 10
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178
ANNUAL REPORTS.
STOP-GATES.
Thirty-eight gates were set, -34 on extensions, and 4 on old mains, viz. : -
On old mains, -
1 three-inch gate, corner of Ashland and Summer Streets.
1 four-inch gate, corner of Clyde and Murdock Streets.
1 66 corner of Auburn Avenue and Cross Street.
1 corner of Howe and School Streets.
On extensions, -
1 six-inch gate on Joy Street near Washington Street.
1 on Joy Street near Poplar Street.
1
" on Joy Street, midway.
1 four-inch gate on Aldrich Street, corner of Pearl Street. 1 six-inch gate on Appleton Street, corner of Lowell Street. 1 66 " on Austin Street, corner of Mystic Street.
1 " on Berkeley Street, corner of Central Street.
1 66 " on Berkeley Street, half way to Central Street.
1 " on Bigelow Street, corner of Boston Street.
1 eight-inch " on Bow Street, corner of Somerville Avenue.
1 four-inch " on Bow-street Place.
1 two-inch
" on Bradford Avenue.
1 six-inch
" on Cedar Court, corner of Cedar Street.
1 " on Chestnut Street, corner of Cedar Street.
1 66 " Fiske Avenue, corner of Lowell Street.
1 66 " on Garden Street, corner of Concord Avenue.
1 " on George Street, corner of Lincoln Street.
1
66 " on Hillside Avenue, corner of Walnut Street.
1 66
" on Jay Street, corner of Holland Street.
1 66 " on Lexington Avenue, corner of Willow Avenue.
1 " on Montgomery Avenue, corner of Broadway.
1 " on Poplar Street, corner of Somerville Avenue.
1
" on Poplar Street, corner of Linwood Street. No. 66
1. 1 2.
66
" on Poplar Street, corner of Linwood Street. No.
1
66
" on Runey Street.
1
66 " on St. James Avenue, corner of Summer Street.
66 " on Stickney Avenue, corner of Marshall Street. 1
179
REPORT OF SOMERVILLE MYSTIC WATER BOARD.
1 six-inch gate on Sunnyside Avenue, corner of Walnut Street.
1
66 " on Sunnyside Avenue, corner of Dana Street.
1 " on Union Glass Co.'s premises.
1
" on Vernon Street, corner of Trull Street.
1
66 " on Virginia Street, corner of Aldrich Street.
1 " on Wellington Avenue, corner of Walnut Street.
1
66 " on Wheatland Street.
On account of re-laying pipe, the following changes in sizes of stop-gates have been made : -
Gate corner of Somerville Avenue and Poplar Street changed from four inches to six inches.
Gate corner of Poplar and Linwood Streets, from four inches to six inches. No. 1.
Gate corner of Poplar and Linwood Streets, from four inches to six inches. No. 2.
Gate corner of Joy and Poplar Streets, four inches to six inches.
Gate corner of Joy and Washington Streets, from four inches to six inches.
Gate on Bow Street, from six inches to eight inches.
Twenty-two gates were packed, 7 had general repairs, and 24 new gate-boxes were substituted for old ones. All gates were carefully inspected and kept constantly in working order.
The total number of gates in the city is 516.
SERVICE PIPES.
The number of services laid in 1887 was 370, at an average cost of $18.16.
The total number of services in the city is now 4,996; total length of pipe 32 miles, 1,162 feet.
Sixty-one services were cleared of rust, sediment, etc. ; 14 of eels ; 40 were dug up and tapped at the corporation ; and 10 were thawed.
Fifty-two new services were substituted for old ones ; of which number 31 were paid for by private parties, and the balance by the service department.
Twenty-four new boxes were set on old services; 101 old wooden service-boxes were replaced by an equal number of new iron ones ; 78 services were shut off for repairs.
180
ANNUAL REPORTS.
There were 53 leaks on services, the causes of which were, -
Pipes burst .
· 8
Broken stopcocks
·
6
Broken leads
15
Broken gates
4
Broken couplings
10
Rust holes
1
Freezing
1
Broken joints
3
Corporation cock .
1
Broken tees
4
HYDRANTS.
Twenty-seven hydrants were set, - 9 on old mains, and 18 on extensions. They were located as follows : -
On old mains, -
Beacon Street, near Park Street.
Bow Street, opposite Bow-street Place.
Joy Street, midway.
Joy Street, near Poplar Street.
Joy Street, near Washington Street.
Lowell Street, near Appleton Street.
Lowell Street, midway.
Somerville Avenue, near Granite Street.
Tufts Street, opposite schoolhouse.
On extensions, -
Appleton Street, leading from Lowell Street. Berkeley Street, near Central Street.
Boston Street, near Bigelow Street. Chandler Street, opposite Chapel Street. Chandler Street, near Park Avenue. Fiske Avenue, near Hinckley Street. Hillside Park, leading from Walnut Street. Jay Street, near Cambridge line. Lake Street, near New Church Street. Pearl Street, near Aldrich Street. Preston Street, leading from School Street.
181
REPORT OF SOMERVILLE MYSTIC WATER BOARD.
Sunnyside Avenue, near Dana Street.
Vernon Street, near Trull Street.
Warwick Street, leading from Cedar Street. Wellington Avenue, near Montgomery Avenue. Wheatland Street, leading from Broadway.
Wyatt Street, leading from Concord Avenue. Union Glass Co.'s yard.
Five flush hydrants were removed and new Chapman hydrants substituted on the 24-inch main, in accordance with agreement with city of Boston. These were : 1 on Fremont Street, near the corner of Main Street ; 1 on Brooks Street, corner of Heath Street ; 1 on Jacques Street, corner of Heath Street ; 1 midway of Heath Street; and 1 near the corner of Temple and Heath Streets.
The flush hydrants on Joy Street and corner of [Myrtle and Washington Streets were abandoned.
Eight hydrants were taken out, repaired with new valves and wastes, and reset ; 18 had other repairs ; 4 were found frozen and thawed out ; 270 were repacked. Chains, etc., were repaired on 25. Five decayed wooden jackets were replaced by 5 iron ones. All hydrants were carefully looked over, oiled, and received other attentions.
The following are the private hydrants : -
One on C. H. North & Co.'s premises.
One on American Tube Works' premises.
Five in grounds of McLean Asylum.
Two on premises of Middlesex Bleachery.
Three on premises of John P. Squire & Co.
One on premises of Union Glass Co.
STAND-PIPES.
Two new stand-pipes were set, - one on the corner of Linwood and Poplar Streets, the other midway of Gilman Street.
One stand-pipe was removed from Pearl Street to Otis Street for the sake of convenience.
All stand-pipes were kept in thorough repair, and no complaint was received concerning them.
The total number in the city is twenty-six.
182
ANNUAL REPORTS.
It has been customary in years past to use the hydrants for sup- plying the street watering-carts, for which purpose they were not intended and are not adapted. The practice invariably causes trouble, by changing the currents and roiling the water, and I rec- commend that a sufficient number of stand-pipes be set to fully meet the requirements of the city.
DRINKING FOUNTAINS.
These received all customary care, and are in good condition. The one in Union Square was destroyed by a heavy team, and the fountain formerly located there was repaired and replaced in posi- tion. It is now in perfect working order.
MISCELLANEOUS WORK.
In the shops, 422 services were cut and fitted ; 500 lead connec- tions were made ; 14,167} feet of 1-inch, 14-inch, and 12-inch pipe were lined ; gates and hydrants altered and repaired ; gate-boxes constructed ; and all incidental work was performed.
As usual, a large number of trenches were repaired, and many places paved.
MACHINERY, TOOLS, AND FURNITURE.
Stable department
$1,264 00
Tools and machinery for water works
658 72
Office furniture .
280 00
Tools and machinery for water service
500 00
STOCK AVAILABLE FOR FUTURE USE, JAN. 1, 1888.
Cast-iron pipe .
$3,016 80
Cement-lined pipe
119 50
Service pipe, lined and unlined .
374 60
Iron hubs . 19 89
Service materials
1,934 73
Materials for water works . .
153 13
REPORT OF SOMERVILLE MYSTIC WATER BOARD.
183
EXTENSION OF PIPE IN 1887, GATES AND HYDRANTS SET.
EXTENSION.
STOP-GATES.
LOCATION.
2 in.
4 in.
6 in.
8 in.
2 in. 3 in.
4 in. 6 in.
8 in.
Hydrants.
Aldrich Street
264' 0'
418' 0''
Ashland St., cor. Summer
-
1
1
1
ʼ
1
Berkeley Street
744/ 04/
Bigelow Street .
208' 0''
1
Boston Street
Bow Street
Bow-street Place
173' 0''
117' 0''
285' 0"
Chandler Street
7' 0'
1
Chandler Street
7' 0'
1
Chestnut Street
218' 0"
1
1
1
Fremont Avenue
244' 6''
121' 0"
1
George Street
79' 0'
Hillside Avenue
221' 0'
1
Howe Street, cor. School
553' 0'
1
Joy Street
462' 0''
647' 0'
1
Lowell St., near Appleton . Lowell Street, near Wilton. Maple Street .
''ס 'ד
12' 0''
Montgomery Avenue
314' 0''
1
1
Murdock Street
123' 0'
North & Co.'s yard
24' 0'
Oxford Street
87' 0'
Park Street, to Beacon
11' 0'
Parker Street
50' 6"
7' 0"
Poplar Street
-
6' 6ª
59' 0'
Runey Street
176' 0''
1
1
Stickney Avenue
508' 0'
Sunnyside Avenue
347' 0'' 7' 0"
1 1
Union Glass Co.
137' 0'
1
Vernon Street
623' 6''
1
1
Virginia Street .
410' 0'
Wellington Avenue
260' 0''
1
1
Wheatland Street .
277' 0'
1
1
Wyatt Street
312' 0'
Warwick Street
6' 0"
Beacon Street
1032' 0'
Bow Street
-
470' 0'
Bow-street Place
31' 0''
Cross Street
36' 0'
Cross Street .
36' 0'
Durham Street
22' 0''
Joy Street
1139' 0'
Medford Street
15' 0''
Park Street
22' 0''
-
Poplar Street
730' 0'
School Street
51' 0'
Summer Street
46' 0'
Vine Street
22' 0'
-
1
Lake Street
Lexington Avenue
7' 0'
Preston Street
Richdale Avenue
Somerville Av., nr. Granite
St. James Avenue
294' 0'
Tufts Street .
50' 0'
509' 6"
1
1
Bradford Avenue
1
Buckingham Street
Cedar Court .
1
I
Appleton Street
1
Auburn Avenue
Austin Street
81' 0''
Beacon Street
408' 9''
Clyde Sreet .
Fiske Avenue
Garden Street
1
1
Jay Street
Mystic Avenue .
Pearl St., near Aldrich
1 1
Respectfully submitted,
N. DENNETT, Superintendent.
1
REPORT
OF THE
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, Jan. 25, 1888.
Referred to the committee on printing, to be printed in the annual re- ports. Sent down for concurrence.
DOUGLAS FRAZAR, Clerk pro tem.
Concurred in.
IN COMMON COUNCIL, Jan. 26, 1888.
CHAS. S. ROBERTSON, Clerk.
BOARD OF OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
COL. HERBERT E. HILL .
Ward One.
CHARLES S. LINCOLN, EsQ., Chairman .
Ward Two.
HON. EDWARD GLINES
. Ward Three.
MR. CHARLES G. BRETT .
. Ward Four.
C. C. FOLSOM, General Agent.
188
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
REPORT OF THE GENERAL AGENT OF THE. BOARD OF OVERSEERS OF THE POOR, 1887 ..
To the Overseers of the Poor of the City of Somerville.
GENTLEMEN, - I herewith submit to you my annual report for the year ending Dec. 31, 1887.
The amount appropriated for the expenses of the Poor Depart- ment for the year was $14,000, or $1,000 less than for the preceding year. This amount has been sufficient ; and we now have on hand an unexpended balance of $2,126.44.
The year past has been quite noticeable in the decrease in number of persons calling for " temporary aid," and in the reduction of expenses in this department.
Every case of destitution coming to my notice has been relieved ; yet I believe there will always be more or less suffering among that class of poor persons who are brought to their poverty by the use of strong drink, because, however large the amount of aid the city may give, they will cling to their old habits, and spend their small earnings for drink rather than for food and clothing for their fami- lies. But I believe that the year past has been as free from suffer- ing and destitution as any year in the history of this city, or any other in the commonwealth.
The need of an almshouse grows more apparent every year, owing to the increase in the number of paupers who have to be fully supported.
We have at present in neighboring almshouses nine paupers, distributed as follows : Boston two, Lowell one, Taunton two, and Peabody four. We are liable at any time to receive orders to remove any or all of these paupers, owing to the crowded condi- tion of the several almshouses. And it seems hardly fair or reason- able to expect other towns to provide accommodation for our paupers, even though we are willing to pay for the same.
We have at present sixteen persons boarding in private families in this city and vicinity, and we may be called upon to remove them at any time.
189
ANNUAL REPORTS.
In addition to the above, we always have quite a large number of sick or disabled persons whom we are obliged to support a few weeks or months in the year. The number the last year has been 29. I have had to send them either to a Boston hospital or into some private family. The last named who are willing to take pauper boarders are very hard to find.
The whole number of persons aided during the year has been 685, or 211 less than the previous year.
The number of families aided temporarily during the year has been 171, or 30 less than the previous year.
I will call your attention for particulars to the statistical tables.
CHARLES C. FOLSOM,
General Agent Overseers of the Poor.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
To the Honorable the City Council of Somerville.
GENTLEMEN, - At the request of the Overseers of the Poor, the General Agent has submitted to them his report, giving an account of the work of the Board for the year ending Dec. 31, 1887; so it becomes hardly necessary to make a detailed report, as it would simply involve a needless repetition ; they therefore adopt as the official report that of the General Agent, as containing all the information generally required, and request that the same may be printed.
They deem it important, however, to emphasize his appeal for the erection of an almshouse for the accommodation of the unfor- tunate poor.
Frank W. Kaan has been elected Clerk in place of George T. Lincoln resigned, and has entered upon the duties of the office.
They present herewith schedules which will show the monthly expenditures and the different purposes for which the appropriation has been distributed.
CHAS. S. LINCOLN, Chairman: EDWARD GLINES. HERBERT E. HILL. CHAS. G. BRETT.
TABLE NO. 1.
OUT-DOOR RELIEF.
Number of families aided during the year . 171
66 " persons
685
having a settlement in this city ·
410
" other towns and cities 148
Number of persons aided having no settlement, chargeable in part to State 137
191
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
Number of persons aided in other towns and cities, charge- able to Somerville 102
Number of persons given permits to State almshouses 8
aided in House of Correction 3
refused assistance for good reasons 15
6 " visits of General Agent to paupers, examining
records, etc.
225
TABLE NO. 2.
FULL SUPPORT.
Number of persons who have been fully supported during
the whole or any part of the year in hospitals, alms- houses, private families, etc. ·
66
Number of persons supported during the whole year . 34
39
Number of sane persons supported during the whole or any part of the year . · Number of insane persons supported during the whole or any part of the year . ·
27
Number of sane persons supported during the whole or any part of the year in almshouses · Number of persons supported during the whole or any part of the year in private families (including one insane ) . 21
10
Number of sane persons supported during the whole or any part of the year in Boston hospitals
8
TABLE NO. 3.
PAY ROLLS FOR
1884.
1885.
1886.
1887.
January
$2,913 20
$2,578 43
$3,296 01
$2,769 44
February
980 45
1,198 38
965 30
834 62
March .
1,487 43
2,293 47
90S 12
1,296 90
April
1,716 54
1,400 97
1,805 75
1,073 43
May .
718 23
639 81
662 41
691 49
June
1,750 43
1,211 58
972 22
927 13
July .
1,415 09
2,373 39
1,663 89
1,500 01
August.
1,231 11
710 83
590 00
510 11
September
2,072 35
S98 50
774 84
1,431 86
October
1,023 72
1,773 42
1,395 11
725 01
November.
S28 79
434 94
669 28
696 69
December
1,135 1S
916 60
638 90
974 20
Total .
$17,272 52
$16,430 32
$14,341 83
$13,430 89
192
ANNUAL REPORTS.
TABLE NO. 4.
ITEMS OF EXPENDITURES.
Paid for rent of paupers $1,467 00
" board of " 1,665 23
" groceries for paupers 1,761 26
to other cities and towns for support of pau- pers ò
1,643 35
to public institutions, hospitals, etc., for sup- port of paupers 4,003 85
for fuel for paupers
665 64
" boots and shoes for paupers .
186 00
" dry goods and clothing for paupers
41 25
" burials of paupers
80 00
" sundries *
467 31
" salaries of general agent and secretary
1,450 00
Total expenditure
. $13,430 89
* This item includes $182.20 expended in repairing the McKone house on South Street, given to the city by Mrs. Ann McKone, who is over ninety years old.
TABLE NO. 5.
RECEIPTS, EXPENDITURES, AND BALANCE.
Received for the support of paupers from common- wealth of Massachusetts ·
$441 22
Received for the support of paupers from city of Boston .
275 37
Received for the support of paupers from city of Cambridge 27 65 · Received for the support of paupers from city of Newburyport . 25 70 · . Received for the support of paupers from city of Lowell . 38 65 .
Received for the support of paupers from city of Fitchburg 42 21
Received for the support of paupers from town of Arlington · . Amount carried forward
32 55
$883 35
193
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
Amount brought forward $883 35
Received for the support of paupers from town of Natick . 9 90
Received for the support of paupers from town of Manchester 49 50
Received for the support of paupers from town of Medford · 64 55
81 82
Received for the support of paupers from town of Woburn · Received for the support of paupers from town of Revere . · Received for the support of paupers from town of Melrose · · Received for the support of paupers from town of Milford . ·
9 90
3 70
4 70
Received for the support of paupers from town of Hopkinton · Received from Westboro' Insane Asylum, check re- turned . 42 71 ·
19 40
Received for furniture from F. H. Mixon .
5 00
from (cash returned) William Ross 5 00
for board of insane person from S. W. Dow, guardian 109 77
Received for board of insane person from O. S. Knapp, guardian . .
172 96
Received for board of insane person from Martha Osgood, guardian . 42 71
Received for board of insane person from C. C. Folsom, guardian . 42 71
9 65
Received for barrels, work, etc., from C. C. Folsom, Appropriation
14,000 00
Total receipts
$15,557 33
Total expenditures
13,430 89
Balance
$2,126 44
194
TABLE NO. 6. RECAPITULATION OF EXPENDITURES.
Rent.
Board.
Groceries.
Towns and Cities.
Public Institutions.
Boots and Shoes.
Dry Goods.
Burials.
Salaries.
Fuel.
Sundries.
Monthly Total.
January.
$120 50
$134 11
$239 25
$913 26
$980 97
$59 00
$6 00
-
$116 66
$162 95
$36 74
$2,769 44
February
126 50
120 00
298 00
60 00
8 00
-
-
116 66
99 10
6 36
834 62
March
126 50
146 53
114 63
28 72
584 17
14 00
$35 00
116 66
113 90
16 79
1,296 90
April.
.
156 50
144 63
164 10
444 SS
3 00
133 33
26 99
1,073 43
May .
.
114 50
130 54
111 50
110 30
37 75
4 00
10 00
120 83
25 45
26 62
691 49
June . .
118 50
147 06
132 00
109 00
261 49
8 00
120 83
30 25
927 13
July .
116 50
137 18
186 92
289 51 5
60S 22
7 50
5 00
120 83
28 35
1,500 01
August .
·
116 50
123 43
68 50
27 14
21 71
1 25
3 50
120 83
27 25
510 11
September .
116 50
149 03
103 00
717 27
15 50
10 00
120 83
199 GS
1,431 86
October . .
116 50
146 47
106 82
56 21
SS 93
6 25
7 50
10 00
120 83
39 25
26 25
725 01
November .
116 50
123 36
13S 54
49 21
5 50
10 00
120 83
104 51
28 24
696 69
December .
121 50
162 S4
98 00
296 21
28 25
12 25
-
120 SS
120 48
13 79
974 20
Total . .
$1,467 00
$1,665 23
$1,761 26
$1,643 35
$4,003 85
$186 00
$41 25
$S0 00
$1,450 00
$665 64
$167 31
$13,430 8
-
-
-
-
-
.
·
.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
·
ANNUAL REPORTS.
-
-
-
-
1
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, Feb. 1, 1SSS.
Referred to the committee on printing, to be printed in the annual re- ports. Sent down for concurrence.
GEO. I. VINCENT, Clerk pro tem.
Concurred in.
IN COMMON COUNCIL, Feb. 9, 1SSS. CHAS. S. ROBERTSON, Clerk.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
OFFICE OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH, CITY HALL, Jan. 30, 1888.
To his Honor the Mayor and the City Council.
GENTLEMEN, - The following is respectfully submitted as the tenth annual report of this board.
MEMBERSHIP.
Jan. 26, George A. Kimball was re-appointed for two years. March 23, Mr. Kimball tendered his resignation, to take effect on the appointment of his successor ; and June 22, J. Frank Welling- ton was appointed to succeed him. Otherwise the membership ' has been the same as in 1886. Mr. Kimball had been a member of the Board ever since its formation in 1878 ; and his services to the city in that capacity have been invaluable, while his relations with his fellow-members were always of the most pleasant char- acter.
ORGANIZATION.
Feb. 7, the Board was organized as follows : -
Chairman, GEORGE A. KIMIBALL.
Clerk, GEORGE I. VINCENT.
Inspector, WILLIAM H. BRINE (40 Houghton Street).
July 7, Thomas M. Durell, M.D., was chosen chairman, to fill the vacancy caused by Mr. Kimball's resignation.
NUISANCES.
The number of nuisances abated is shown in the following table, which is arranged by the months when the complaints were received : -
198
ANNUAL REPORTS.
NUISANCES ABATED IN THE YEAR 1887.
January. *
February.
Mareh.
April.
May.
June.
July.
August.
September.
October.
November.
December.
Total.
Cellar damp
Cesspool defective
66 offensive
overflowing
Connections of drainage pipes defective .
8
1
2
5
1
1
4
3
1
31
Drainage defective
5
1
2
2
3
3
1
3
8
3
1
32
1
1
1
1
5
1
2
12
6 not ventilated
12
3
5
3
4
5
5
1
57
Drain-pipe clogged . 66 defective
9
20
Hennery offensive
1
1
1
Horse kept in L of house .
1
1
24
Offal on land .
1
1
8
Offal barrel offensive
Offensive odor in and about
dwellings
1
IHIN
1
3
6
11
-
4
5
1
2
2
1
1
9
Water-closet defective
4
1
- 1
-
2
1
2
11
insufficiently sup- plied with water .
5
1
1
2
-
-
1
1 1
-
14
Water-closet offensive
13
1
4
2 HNI 1
5
5
2
1
41
Wooden waste-pipes and
drains .
1
1
9
Total
127
17
26
87
57
55
78
46
43
58
40
18
652
* Including nuisances referred to us by the Board of 1886.
Number of nuisances abated
652
66
66 referred to the Board of 1888
79
66
66 complained of .
731
" complaints (many covering more than one nui-
sance) .
of houses ordered vacated
15
66 " same since made habitable .
12
66
" " vacated in compliance with our orders .
1
-
1
1
1
Privy-vault defective
full
3
66 offensive
10
1
12
80
Slops thrown on surface
2
5
Stable and stable premises filthy and offensive
1
2
·2
4
1
2
10
3
10
121
not trapped
25
2
16
16
7
12
12
IN TIHNI
1
1
2
22
Offensive odor from factory .
1
Opening in drain-pipe in cellar, Premises filthy
1
1
5
Premises without privy or
water-closet
1 - IHHTH HIHN |HTATI 1
1 1 NOOIT HITO INIHI
5
2 1
6
Furnace without cold-air box
1
3
Hens kept in cellar .
5
HHIH
1
4
1
1
-
-
-
6
66 emptying into cellar emptying on surface
2
1
-
2 IHINI! 1
1
1
-
-
-
35
21
1
1
1
5
4
9
13
Waste-pipe defective
1
1 8 1 011HI
2
2
-
1
Water-closet not supplied with water .
3 co 201
2
1 6 1 1 91
1
1 1 N HIHI 2
18
Stagnant water in house cellar . on surface
1
10 2
2
2
24
1
Manure exposed and offensive . No house drainage .
3
1
1 2
-
1
1
2 1 1 NI
299
·
13
199
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH.
Number of houses caused to be vacated by the chief of
police at our request
4
of notices mailed 325
66 served by constables · 33
66 " letters written . 53
PRIVATE STREETS. - Occasionally some of our private streets require attention for sanitary reasons ; and, as it is seldom prac- ticable for the abutters to unite iu working a remedy, it becomes the duty of the city to take action.
South Street, until the coming of the cold weather, was in a condition dangerous to the health of the people. The heavy team- ing, the rains of the fall season, and the refuse materials deposited there, caused an accumulation of mud and filth which will again become a serious nuisance when milder weather returns. The street is much lower than the abutting lands, and should be filled to the proper grade.
Columbia Street became so bad late in the fall, that we felt compelled to act in the matter. The street is at a low grade, and its surface is uneven, and, in consequence, stagnant water stood there in such quantities as to make the street nearly impassable, as well as to endanger health. We therefore employed the sewer department to build a catch-basin in the street, and connect it with a common sewer, and engaged the ashes collector to dump ashes, which are spread so as to make the surface of the street regular and turn the water toward the catch-basin, thus abating the nuisance for the time being. Nearly all the abutters have raised their houses to a proper grade, and have put them in good repair, and they are now anxious to have the city lay out and construct the street under the betterment law, as they are ready to pay their part of the cost. We hope the City Council will see its way clear to accede to their wishes, as such action would not only subserve the public health, but would also improve very materially the appearance of that portion of our city.
SLAUGHTER-HOUSES. - An investigation, under the joint direc- tion of the Boards of Health of Cambridge and Somerville, has been prosecuted during the year, for the purpose of ascertaining to what extent the sewage from the slaughter-houses on the borders of the two cities, contributes toward the nuisance at the mouth of the Bridge Street sewer, and also to learn the cause of
200
ANNUAL REPORTS.
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