USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1889 > Part 2
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The manual force consists of sixty-one men, namely : -
One chief engineer, one assistant engineer, one engine company numbering twelve men, of whom four are permanently employed and eight are call-men, four hose companies of eight men each, and one hook and ladder company numbering fifteen men.
Of the men in the hose companies and the hook and ladder com- pany only five are permanently employed.
The fire alarm telegraph consists of forty miles of wire, forty-one signal boxes, six tower bell-strikers, and eighteen gongs.
The buildings and apparatus are in good condition.
There is in process of erection a hose house at the corner of Somerville Avenue and Lowell Street, which when completed will necessitate the addition of another hose company to the working force of the department.
24
ANNUAL REPORTS.
POLICE.
From a knowledge of the police force derived from experience in another official position, I do not hesitate to express the opinion that ours is as well disciplined, and as efficient for its size, as any police force in the Commonwealth. It consists of :-
One chief, one captain, three sergeants, and twenty-four patrol- men. the number of the latter having been decreased in September last by the death of Patrick J. Bench.
The introduction of the signal system during the past year has added greatly to the strength and effective force of the department. By means of it the officer in charge at headquarters is enabled to have hourly communication with the men on street duty, they being required to report to him either by signal or telephone from the boxes on their route, and can direct their movements from the sta- tion by day or by night ; while the men themselves are made much more valuable in affording protection, because they can remain on their beats and summon assistance to take charge of their arrests. Sometimes in this way a serious disturbance of the peace is pre- vented by the speedy removal of the active cause of trouble. Nearly all the secret signal boxes are located in Wards One, Three, and Four, and the patrol wagon can, when summoned, reach the one farthest away in ten minutes, and very many of them in four or five minutes. The cost of. introducing the system was almost $4,200. This does not include the expense of a stable, with accommodations for the men on duty as drivers, which would have been provided, I am informed, but for a failure of the appropriation. This deficiency in the outfit you will be called upon to supply, and I think inyesti- gation will prove to you its necessity and value.
POOR.
The appropriation for the support of the poor was the same last year as in 1887, namely $14,000. Of this sum the Overseers report an unexpended balance of about $2,700, showing that the net ex- penses of the department were some $600 less than in the previous year. This is believed to be due to good management. and not to a failure to supply in a proper manner the needs of those having a claim upon us for assistance.
The city is paying board at the present time for fifty-one persons.
25
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
twenty-eight of whom are insane and are provided for in various in- sane asylums. Of the remaining twenty-three, thirteen are in private families, and ten in the almshouses and other charitable institutions of neighboring cities and towns. One hundred and ninety-three families have been aided at their homes the past year, and 791 in- dividuals in all.
It is thought by the Overseers, and with good reason, it seems to me, that a city of our size should provide for its unfortunates within its own borders, and under circumstances that will enable it to know that the right thing is done for them at all times.
I therefore renew to you the recommendation of my predecessor to the last two or three City Councils. " that an almshouse be built on the land on Broadway, owned by the city, and known as the City Farm." and trust that it may receive your early and careful con- sideration.
HIGHWAYS. SIDEWALKS AND SEWERS.
The appropriation for highways in 1888 was $44,000. the larger part of which was used In repairing the old streets. Only two new streets were built, making the total length of streets in the city, public and private, 84.24 miles. Five thousand five hundred ninety- seven feet of edgestones were set. Nearly $26.000 were spent for labor.
The sidewalk appropriation was 84,500. and 5.536 feet of brick, and 4,738 feet of gravel sidewalk were constructed.
The length of the system of public sewers in the city is 41.5 miles, 5,218 feet, or .98 of a mile, having been built during the past year. This has been done at an entire cost of $9,906.10, of which the city assessed $8, 744.67 on the abutters, and assumed the balance, namely, $1,161.43. The cost of the system thus far has been about $760,000.
SCHOOLS.
The value and importance of our public schools are not to be ques- tioned. Although not beyond improvement, they compare favorably with any in the Commonwealth. Our citizens have always intrusted their care to intelligent, able, and earnest representatives of their number, and provided liberally the means to secure the best instruc- tion for the children and youth to be benefited.
26
ANNUAL REPORTS.
There was appropriated for school purposes last year about. $125,000, nearly one-third of the entire tax levy, and of this sum $85,693.16 was expended for salaries of teachers.
The whole number of schools is 114: 1 High, 62 grammar and 51 primary ; an increase of six over 1887. These are under the care of 128 teachers.
Whole number of pupils registered during the year is 7,264 ; High, 559 ; grammar, 3,145, and primary, 3,560.
Number in attendance in December last is 5,909 : High, 415, grammar, 2,910, and primary, 2,584.
Average daily attendance for the year, 5,184, an increase over 1837 of 306.
To provide for this large and increasing number in daily attend- ance on our schools, it is to be expected that there will be calls from time to time for further accommodations. School buildings must be provided according to the need. and with due regard to the future. It belongs to the School Committee to say what is required and in what part of the city. To you is given the duty of deciding how much of the demand shall be complied with at any one time.
The forthcoming report of the Board will show that increased accommodations must be furnished in the near future for the High school, and for the pupils in Wards Two, Three and Four. From the best information I can obtain, it seems to me that the most pres- sing need is in the Prospect Hill District. It contains more than one-third of the entire school population below the High School grade, and nearly as many pupils as in East Somerville and Winter Hill sections combined. These last two sections are much better provided with suitable buildings, and have the benefit of the services of three male instructors, The Prospect Hill District has one grammar school and master only, and very inadequate accommoda- tions for a large part of its pupils.
I trust you will second the requests of the School Board for relief in this locality, when made, and furnish the buildings that may be- required.
STREET LIGHTS.
The city has 70 electric lights, 340 gas lights, and 76 oil lamps, and the appropriation for lighting the streets during the past year- was $16,000.
27
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
More than half of this amount was used to pay the expense of the electric lights, they costing $25.90 per night, or thirty-seven cents each.
Although the public are very much better provided for in this re- spect than ever before, still many of them are not satisfied either with the number of the lights or the time they burn, and undoubt- edly you will be asked during the year to increase the accommodation in one or the other particular.
I respectfully request that you will carefully consider the subject before taking any action in the matter.
WATER WORKS.
The appropriation for water maintenance the past year was $19 .- 000, and there was borrowed on funded debt account, as previously stated, the sum of $25,000 for the extension of the works.
The Board have relaid 9.831 feet of old mains, extended the works 10.678 feet. laid 414 new services. nearly all for new houses, and set fourteen post hydrants during the year.
The importance of this department cannot be overestimated. Your every day experience and observation furnish you the evidence, and make argument unnecessary.
The question of a high-water service will. without doubt. be pre- sented to you for consideration. So much has been said in the local papers of late in regard to the matter, that you must be fully in- formed of the advantages to be derived from its introduction, and any repetition of them cannot but be superfluous.
If the residents on the hills can be supplied with water as those in other parts of the city, the vacant lands now practically out of the market for building purposes can thereby become available, and the protection from fire can be so increased that it shall mean something where practically it has not heretofore ; then I think it is your duty, in the interest of the whole city, to thoroughly investigate the subject, and act as the facts may warrant and your judgment may dictate. Perhaps there has never been a better time than now to undertake this matter. Taking even the extreme estimate of cost, the income from the works as they now exist would pay for the im- provement in a very few years.
I would not advise any definite action, however, until the cost has been ascertained, so far as it is possible to do so, and the ability of the city to undertake the matter fully and carefully considered.
28
ANNUAL REPORTS.
GENTLEMEN OF THE CITY COUNCIL : -
I have endeavored to present to you in brief the condition of the various departments of the city and its financial standing as we are called upon to assume its management. For more minute particu- lars I refer you to the various reports made to and by the retiring officials. They may not furnish fascinating reading, but it will be profitable, and I think it is your duty to examine them carefully.
In addition, there are a few things I wish to say before closing, because I can say them. at this time without being accused of indulg- ing in criticism of any one's action. It is apparent to you all, un- doubtedly, that the city is now on a good financial basis and in a prosperous condition. We wish our successors to find it so. To accomplish this it seems to me that the same policy should be ad- hered to that has produced this result. An economical adminis- tration of affairs is what should be aimed at, and it is what the public have a right to expect at our hands. I do not mean by this that no money should be spent except what we are absolutely obliged to furnish. If that is economy, it is not the kind in my judgment that we are expected to practise. A wise economy is what is de- manded, which may mean withholding or expending money, according to the reasonable needs of the city considered in the light of its future growth and development. And here your most careful in- vestigations and best judgment will be required. In this it will be necessary to mark the wide difference between want and need. Many wants will be brought to your attention. After the needs 1
have been attended to, then let the wants be thought of, and not till then. And of the needs, let those be met first that are the most pressing, and all be responded to with due regard to the ability of the city to meet them.
While it is true that each of you is indebted to his friends for his election rather than to his enemies, if he has any, I trust that each will recognize the fact that even his friends had no right to elect him to be other than a representative of the whole city, and in the consideration of matters presented to him will forget ward lines and act. as I believe you intend, for the best interests of the entire public.
Perhaps I may be allowed to say one thing further. In the con- duct of the city's affairs it is necessary to subdivide the labor and appoint committees. Do not, however, consider that the whole care and responsibility for the highways, the sewers, etc., is given to the
-
29
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
committees on those departments, and that no one else in the govern- ment has any right to question their acts, or do aughi but acquiesce in their conclusions. You cannot in that way be true to your oath of office. They are but the eyes and ears of the City Council, to watch, and listen, and report. It is not only the province, but the duty of each member of the Council to consider what they bring to his attention, taking time for further investigation, if he thinks it necessary, and understanding the subject matter. to direct their future movements as his judgment may dictate. In this way, and this only. it seems to me, can you do your whole duty.
We are the only government, gentlemen, in town or city, that has ever been assembled within our municipal limits. except at the call of one who can no longer speak to us by word or pen. One year ago, when on a similar occasion our predecessors were inducted into office, Charles E. Gilman performed his last day's work for the citizens of Somerville. Annually elected to his office since the in- corporation of the town in 1842, he yearly gave to the people faith- ful, conscientious service. Let us hope that at the end of our term we may have furnished proof that we have profited by his example.
REPORT
OF THE
TREASURER AND COLLECTOR OF TAXES.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, Jan. 22, 1890.
Referred to Committee on Finance. and sent down for concurrence.
GEORGE I. VINCENT, Clerk.
IN COMMON COUNCIL. Jan. 22, 1890,
Referred to committee on finance in concurrence.
CHARLES S. ROBERTSON, Clerk.
IN COMMITTEE ON FINANCE, Feb. 10, 1890.
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 1889, reports that it has. in conjunction with the city auditor. examined the books and vouchers of the treasurer and collector of taxes for the year ending December 31st, 1889. in the manner prescribed by the ordinances. and has compared the same with the auditor's book, and with the statements received from the several committees, boards, and officers of the city, by which examination and comparison it appears that the report of the treasurer and collector of taxes agrees with the books and vouchers, and that the treasurer's accounts are correct.
· The cash on hand has been found to agree with the cash balance reported. by actual count and an inquiry at the banks of deposit, and our inspection of the work of the treasurer has proved highly satisfactory. It is, therefore. recommended that his report be accepted and printed in the annual reports.
CHARLES G. POPE, CHARLES M. HEMENWAY, ALBERT W. EDMANDS, CHARLES B. OSGOOD, L. ROGER WENTWORTH, WILLIAM E. PULSIFER, ISAAC R. WEBBER,
Committee.
IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, Feb. 12. 1890.
Accepted and referred to the committee on printing, to be printed in the annual reports. Sent down for concurrence.
GEORGE I. VINCENT, Clerk.
Concurred in.
IN COMMON COUNCIL, Feb. 13. 1890.
CHARLES S. ROBERTSON, Clerk.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
TREASURER'S OFFICE, JAN. 20, 1890.
To the Honorable the Mayor and City Council of the City of Somerville.
GENTLEMEN,-The undersigned presents herewith the eighteenth annual report of the financial condition of the city, and a statement showing in detail the receipts and disbursements for the year ending Dec. 31, 1889.
The value of the property of the city, December 31, 1888, was $1,287,023.44. The property acquired during the year was as follows :-
Equipments for Highway repairs (steam road roller) $4,750.00
Hose House, Ward Four, No. 5 13,744.62
Police stable
3,858.35
School-house, in Ward Two (unfinished)
14,727.14
Morse School-house, addition unfinished
5,439.88
Water-Works extension and improvement 81,117.43 making the value of the public property, Dec. 31, 1889, as per Table A, $1,410,660.86.
The funded debt of the city, Dec. 31, 1888, as per Table B of the last annual report, was $835,500.00.
The debt was increased during the year by appropriations as follows :-
For the erection of a School-house in Concord Square, $25,000.00 ; addition to Morse School-house, $25,000.00, and for the extension and improvement of the Water Works, and construction of a high service system, $80,000.00, making the total increase $130,000.00. Water Loan Bonds, No. 57 to 65 at 5 per cent. int. $9,000 00 .
No. 278 at 4 per cent. int. 1,000 00
66 66 No. 46 to 54 at 5 per cent. int. 9,000 00
City Loan Bonds, No. 508 to 575 at 4 per cent. int. 68,000 00
Amounting to · . $87,000 00 became due during the year, and to provide for the amount which
34
ANNUAL REPORTS.
the city was authorized to renew, and the appropriations above men- tioned, the following new bonds, bearing interest at four per cent. were issued :-
Water Loan Bonds, No. 303 to 329, $1,000 each, $3,000 payable annually 1890 to 1898 $27,000 00 Water Loan Bonds, No. 330 to 342, $1,000 each, pay- able 1899 13,000 00
Water Loan Bonds, No. 343 to 352, $1,000 each, $2,000 payable annually 1900 to 1904 . 10,000 00 Water Loan Bonds, No. 353 to 382, $1,000 each, $3,000 payable annually 1905 to 1914 30,000 00
Water Loan Bonds, No. 383 to 392, $1,000 each, $2,000 payable annually 1915 to 1919 10,000 00
City Loan Bonds, No. 914 to 948, $1,000 each, $5,000 payable annually 1890 to 1896 35,000 00
City Loan Bonds, No. 949 to 969, $1,000 each, pay- able 1897 21,000 00
City Loan Bonds, No. 970 to 993, $1,000 each, pay- able 1898 24,000 00
City Loan Bonds, No: 994 to 1002, $1,000 each, pay- able 1899 9,000 00
Amounting to .
. $179,000 00 making $38,000 in bonds retired during the year, and leaving the funded debt of the city, Dec. 31, 1889, $952,500.00.
The current expenses, public improvements, State and county taxes, and debt requirements were provided for by the following
RESOURCES :
Assessors' warrant for the tax levy, assessed upon the polls and estates of the inhabitants as follows, viz. :-
Real estate, valuation . $27,830,700 00
Personal property, valuation . 2,173,900 00 .
Total valuation
. . $30,004,600 00 At a rate of $14.00 on $1,000 valuation
2,202 property polls.
7,920 single polls.
10,122 polls at $2 each, and
32 polls (women ) at $0.50 each
.
440,324 40
. $440,324 40 Amount carried forward,
35
REPORT OF THE TREASURER AND COLLECTOR OF TAXES.
Amount brought forward, . $440,324 40 Borrowed on funded debt account to provide for the cost of public improvements 130,000 00 . Received of City of Boston for return on water contract 51,470 91
Received from all other sources . 65,885 36
making the total amount of resources for the year end- ing Dec. 31, 1889 . $687,680 67
The appropriations, credits, and balances of the various accounts were as follows :-
Accounts.
Appropriations.
Additional
Expenditures
Credits.
and Balances.
Fire Department : ---
Appropriation, $32,000 00
Received for old materials,
$ 231 35
Expenditures, .
Deficiency,
$32,696 65 465 10
Health Department : - -
Appropriation, $5,500 00
Received for permits, licenses, etc. 226 00
Expenditures,
5,226 54
Unexpended balance,
499 46
Highways : -
Appropriation, $42,000 00
Transferred from " High- ways Steam Road Rol-
ler " account, 250 00
42,250 00
Received for labor and materials, .
3,809 44
Expenditures, 46,608 95 549 51
Highways, Steam Road Roller : ---
Appropriation,
$5,000 00
Transferred to " High-
ways " account, 250 000
4,750 00
Expended,
4,750 00
Hose House in Ward Four : - Unexpended balance from 1888, 7,486 60
Expenditures,
7,320 06
Unexpended balance,
166 54
Deficiency,
36
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Accounts.
Appropriations '
Additional
Expenditures-
Indigent Soldiers and Sailors : -
Appropriation,
600 00
Received from State of Massachu- setts,
614 50
Expenditures,
1,229 00
Deficiency,
14 50
Interest : -
Appropriation,
30,000 00
Received interest, corporation and bank taxes, etc.,
28,355 14
Expenditures,
45,824 16
Unexpended balance,
12,530 98
Miscellaneous : -
Appropriation,
4,000 00
Received for costs on taxes, licen- ses, etc.,
2,159 54
Expenditures,
9,373 25.
Deficiency,
3,213 71
Police : -
Appropriation,
$31,200 00
Transferred to " Police
Stable " account, . 358 35
30,841 65
Received for court fees, fines, etc.,
4,886,04
Expenditures, 34,854 15 873 54
Unexpended balance,
Police Stable : -
Appropriation,
$3,500 00
Transferred from " Po-
lice " account, 358 35
3,858 35
Expenditures,
3,858 35
Police Station Incidentals : -
Appropriation, 2,000 00
Received for rent, 568 00 Expenditures,
2,528 58
Unexpended balance,
39 42
Public Library : -
Appropriation, .
3,000 00
Received for dog licenses, etc.,
2,736 21
Expenditures, 6,151 66 415 45
Deficiency,
.
Credits.
and Balances.
37
REPORT OF THE TREASURER AND COLLECTOR OF TAXES.
Accounts. Appropriations. Additional Expenditures
Credits. and Balances.
Public Grounds : -
Appropriation,
7,000 00
Expenditures,
9,10% 58
Deficiency,
2,109 58
Printing and Stationery : -
Appropriation,
4,000 00
Expenditures,
5,189 11
Deficiency,
1,189 11
Reduction of Funded Debt :
Appropriation,
38,000 00
Expended,
38,000 00
Relief and Burial of Indigent Soldiers and Sailors : -
Transferred from " Support of
Poor " account,
500 00
Expended,
271 00
Unexpended balance,
229 00
Salaries :
Appropriation,
25,900 00
Expended,
25,494 91
Unexpended balance,
405 09
School Contingent : -
Appropriation,
18,000 00
Received for tuition of non-resi-
dent pupils, etc.,
104 18
Expenditures,
20,556 00
Deficiency,
2,451 82
School Fuel :-
Appropriation,
7,000 00
Expended,
6,049 90
Unexpended balance,
950 10
School House Incidentals :
Appropriation,
13,000 00
Expenditures,
14,225 38
Deficiency,
1,225 38
School Teachers' Salaries : -
Appropriation,
40,000 00 1
Received from "City of Boston Water rates",
51,470 91
Expended,
93,065 49
Deficiency,
1,594 58
-
38
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Accounts. Appropriations. Additional Expenditures Credits. and Balances.
Sewers : -
Appropriation
11,000 00
Received for permits, etc.,
123 57
Expenditures,
15,716 07
Deficiency,
4,592 50
Sidewalks : -
Appropriation,
8,200 00
Received for edgestones, labor, etc. 470 87
Expenditures,
8,654 89
Unexpended balance,
15 98
Street Lights : -
Appropriation,
18,000 00
Received for repairs, etc.,
12 60
Expenditures,
16,986 17
Unexpended balance,
1,026 43
Support of Poor :-
Appropriation,
$14,000 00
Transferred to "Relief and Burial of Indigent Soldiers and Sailors, 500 00
13,500 00
Received for support of paupers, .
Expenditures, .
14,610 92
Unexpended balance,
1,129 70
Watering Streets : -
Appropriation,
3,500 00
Received from abuttors,
5,478 32
Expenditures, . 9,228 28
Deficiency,
246 96
Water Maintenance : -
Appropriation, 18,000 00
Received for labor, materials, etc., 559 24
Expenditures,
16,542 35
Unexpended balance,
2,016 89
County of Middlesex, County Tax : -
Appropriation,
21,367 03
Expended,
.
21,367 03
State of Massachusetts, State Tax : Appropriated, 27,560 00
Expended,
27,560 00
Overlay and Abatement : Appropriated, . 6,997 37
Applied and to be applied to abate- ments on taxes, . 6,997 37
2,240 62
39
REPORT OF THE TREASURER AND COLLECTOR OF TAXES.
Accounts. Appropriations. Additional Expenditures Credits. and Balances.
School-house in Ward Two : -
Appropriation by borrowing on Funded Debt account,. 25,000 00
Expended, Balance to be expended in 1890,
10,272 86
Morse School-house Addition : -
Appropriation by borrowing on Funded Debt account,. 25,000 00
Expended,
5,439 88
Balance to be expended in 1890, .
19,560 12
Water Works Extension : -
Appropriation by borrowing on Funded Debt account, 80,000 00
Balance from 1888,
5,661 11
Received for pipe, labor, etc.,
161 83
Expenditures,
82.279 26 3,543 68
Balance to be expended in 1890,
$570,324 40 8117.356 27 $705,751 87
Credits from various sources.
117,356 27
Accounts overdrawn.
18,071 20
$687.680 67
$687,680 67
RECAPITULATION.
Appropriations : - -
As per tax levy, . $440,324 40
Funded debt account,
130,000 00
Received from City of Boston, water account,
51,470 91
Received from various sources,
65,885 36
Expenditures.
$652,492 08
Unexpended balances, $23,022 26
Expended in excess of
appropriations, . . 18,071 20
Balance to credit of excess and deficiency account, 1,811 93
33,376 6€
Balances to be expended in 1890,
$687,680 67
$687.680 67
14,727 14
40
ANNUAL REPORTS.
The assets of the city available for the payment of its unfunded liabilities are as follows :-
Taxes
·
$140,892 12
Real-estate liens
55 44
State of Massachusetts, State aid
4,380 00
State of Massachusetts, indigent sailors and soldiers
602 50
Sidewalk assessments
6,855 04
Sewer assessments
15,928 09
Water service assessments
2,102 79
City of Boston, water rates
1,329 08
Cash
21,002 02
Total amount of available assets The liabilities are : -
$193,147 08
Temporary loans
$150,000 00
Overplus on tax sales
102 13
Sundry persons
55 10
School-house in Ward two
10,272 86
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