Report of the city of Somerville 1890, Part 2

Author: Somerville (Mass.)
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Somerville, Mass.
Number of Pages: 494


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1890 > Part 2


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HIGHWAYS, SIDEWALKS, AND SEWERS.


The appropriation in 1889 for the usual expenditures chargeable to highways was $42,000, to which was added for the purchase of a steam road-roller the sum of $5,000. No new public streets were built during the year, but sixteen, classed as private streets in 1888, were accepted and put in proper condition. A little more than one and one-half miles of new private streets were constructed. Thir- teen thousand four hundred and forty-three linear feet of edgestones were set.


The sidewalk appropriation was $8,200, nearly double that of the previous year, and 8,673 linear feet of brick, and 10,417 linear feet of gravel sidewalk were constructed.


Two and thirty-six hundredths miles of public sewers were built during the past year, making the total length of the system forty-three and eight-tenths miles. The expense was $21,852.86, of which amount the city paid $4,503.57, and assessed the balance on the abutters. The total cost of the system to date has been about $782,000.


In some of our sister cities plans have been perfected by which a certain definite sum, arrived at by careful calculations and com- parisons, has been decided upon as the cost per linear foot of all sewers laid within their limits, and a certain percentage of that cost, divided between the frontage and area, has been fixed by ordinance as the amount to be assessed on the abutters. By this method peti- tioners for sewers can determine in advance precisely what their assessments will be, and will better know how to determine their action. It might not be easy to accomplish something of the same kind in our city, but if it could be done, the Board of Aldermen would be relieved from some embarrassments to which it is now sub- jected. I think the matter is worthy of your investigation.


At the present time three different departments, acting independ-


26


ANNUAL REPORTS.


ently of each other, perform their work in and on the public streets, and it frequently happens that what one does is rendered of no avail, or is very materially interfered with, by the action of the other. If the sewer and water departments should complete their labors before the highway department graded and macadamized a street, then the money expended by the latter would not appear to be wasted, as is now the case. It may be desirable, perhaps, at some time in the future to combine these departments under one management, and to elaborate a plan by which a commissioner of public works, with com- petent assistants, shall direct and control all street work. It would have its advantages, and experience might show that it would not be any more expensive than the present arrangement.


PUBLIC GROUNDS.


Nearly the entire appropriation for public grounds was expended on the Broadway Park. The portion in the vicinity of the pond, which had been gradually sinking for several years, has been raised, the curbing of the pond reset, and a large part of the paving relaid. About half an acre at the easterly end has been raised nearly a foot, a drain constructed to connect with the Chauncey-avenue sewer, walks gravelled, and the fence painted. It is to be hoped that no further expenditure, except for ordinary maintenance, will be required at the Park for some time.


The plan adopted for the improvement of the Central Hill Park has been pushed towards completion to a certain extent during the year.


SCHOOLS.


The standard heretofore reached by our schools has been main- tained, I think, during the past year, notwithstanding the difficulties under which some of them have labored because of the inadequate and unsuitable accommodations furnished while new buildings were in process of erection.


The whole number of pupils registered during the year is 7,757 ; the number in attendance in December last, 6,236; and the average daily attendance for the year, 5,585, an increase over 1888 of 411.


An eight-room building is being constructed in Concord square, and six rooms are being added to the Morse Schoolhouse. When


27


MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.


the plans for this addition are carried out, and the contemplated changes in the original building made, the city will have a schoolhouse of the first class, and will be able to do away with some of the school accommodations in the Spring Hill District that have furnished cause for criticism. Land has been negotiated for, also, at the corner of Washington and Boston streets, with a view to the erection of a twelve-room building and the establishment of another grammar school centre in Ward Two. This building you will undoubtedly be called upon to provide during the present year. Relief for the High School, and new buildings in other parts of the city, must be fur- nished in the near future. It should not be expected, however, that more than one building will be constructed each year, and a thorough examination of the whole subject should be made by you, and the deliberate judgment of the entire School Board obtained, before final action is taken.


The appropriation for school purposes last year, exclusive of cost of new buildings, was about $130,000, - thirty-six per cent. of the current expenses of the city, -and of this sum $92,000 was expended for school teachers' salaries. The necessarily large and ever-increasing expenditures of the School Board, for which the City Council is in no way responsible, and over which it has no control, call for rigid scrutiny of every item by those having them in charge. The public interest requires it, as much as it demands the same care of you in dealing with the appropriations for which you are responsible.


STREET LIGHTS.


A three-years' contract for lighting the streets was made by your predecessors with the Somerville Electric Light Company. By the terms of it the company were to furnish seventy-four additional arc lights, making the number, with those in use, one hundred and forty- four, and two hundred and seventy-five incandescent. The total cost per year, burning till one o'clock, is $20,000, being thirty cents for arc, and six cents for incandescent lights each night. The contract provides for an increase in the number of lights whenever the City Council may so desire. This provision is important, and as new streets are laid out and buildings erected the city will probably avail itself of it. Indeed, a demand is already made that it should do so now. If


28


ANNUAL REPORTS.


you should deem it wise to respond in any degree to this call, I would advise that the lights be located according to some well-considered plan, caring first for the principal streets and most populous regions, and acting always for the public interest, without regard to private wishes when they conflict with it.


WATER WORKS.


The City Council appropriated for water maintenance the past year the sum of $18,000, and borrowed on funded debt account for the extension and enlargement of the works $80,000.


For the accommodation of new buildings more than two miles of pipe have been laid, four thousand two hundred and sixty-six feet of the old cement pipe have been replaced by new iron pipe, and four hundred and seventy-five new services have been put in, the largest number in any one year.


In addition to the above, the Water Board have contracted for and substantially completed high-service works, for the supply of water to the elevated portions of the city, and have laid nearly two and one-third miles of pipe in connection therewith. The area im- mediately benefited embraces the higher parts of Spring and Winter Hills. This area is to be extended from year to year until the whole city is included, and with this in view the pumping station has been built to accommodate a second pump and boiler when needed. This structure is situated on Cedar street at the westerly corner of the city farm, near the railroad, and is a substantial brick building, with granite and freestone trimmings, about seventy-five feet in length by about thirty-four feet in width. The chimney erected in connection with it is ninety-six feet high. The Worthington pump, to be soon put in position, is designed to supply two million gallons of water every twenty-four hours.


The reservoir is located on Belmont street, opposite the church on Spring Hill, is thirty feet in diameter and one hundred feet high, made of wrought iron, and estimated to hold about five hundred and thirty thousand gallons. It rests on a foundation of block stone masonry, forty feet in diameter on the bottom course, and thirty-two feet on the upper course, and weighs, when empty, about one hun- dred and fourteen tons. The pumping station and chimney have cost about $10,000, the pumping plant about $9,000, and the reservoir


29


MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.


a little more than $13,000. The land for the reservoir has cost $3,988.25, and the pipe laid for the high service $33,290.86.


I desire to call attention to the forthcoming report of the board, and to the unusual amount of gratuitous service performed by them during the year, a service that deserves more than a passing mention.


The large and important interests intrusted to the Water Board, interests that will grow no less as the years go by, seem to suggest the propriety of giving it a more permanent character than it now has. As you well know, the practice has been continued from the first of electing a new board each year. While some members are usually re-elected, there is always the possibility of a board composed entirely of inexperienced persons. It has even happened that those who have shown their fitness for the position by valuable services have been displaced for questionable reasons, or pushed aside by those eager for municipal honors.


In my opinion, the city will not be benefited by adhering longer to the custom of annual elections. I would therefore advise that you petition the Legislature to so amend our charter that a board of five persons may be appointed by the Mayor, subject to the approval of the aldermen, as in the case of other appointments, who shall serve, one for one year, one for two years, one for three years, one for four years, and one for five years ; and at the expiration of one year after such appointment, and annually thereafter, that the Mayor may appoint, subject to said approval, one person, who shall hold his office for the term of five years, and until another shall be appointed and confirmed in his place


By this method a majority of experienced persons will always be in charge, a well-considered plan of management can be adopted and carried out, and a larger number of citizens, I think, induced to perform this honorable service.


GENTLEMEN OF THE CITY COUNCIL :-


In closing this neccessarily brief survey of the condition of the several departments of the city, I desire to renew to you the recom- mendations made to your immediate predecessors with reference to the manner in which their duties should be performed.


To wish to serve in public station is a laudable ambition. To make that service valuable is a task requiring patient study of the problems submitted, and the rigid application of business principles


30


ANNUAL REPORTS.


to their solution. Pet schemes of private parties, however dear as friends the originators may be, can have no place in such delibera- tions. The public welfare is alone to be considered. In so far as that is promoted by the expenditure or withholding of money, a wise economy should always be practised. It is easy to spend money. Very little ability is needed to furnish the opportunities. But it is not easy to wisely administer the financial affairs of a municipal corporation.


This is the undertaking, however, to which we have been called by the suffrages of our fellow-citizens, and to the successful comple- tion of which we have pledged our most careful thought and earnest endeavor. Somerville has had much to be thankful for in the con- duct of her affairs. Let us bend our energies to the work before us with the determination, if possible, to lay her again under a debt of gratitude for services well performed.


REPORT


OF THE


TREASURER AND COLLECTOR OF TAXES.


CITY OF SOMERVILLE.


IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, Jan. 28, 1891.


Referred to committee on finance, and sent down for concurrence.


GEORGE I. VINCENT, Clerk.


IN COMMON COUNCIL, Jan. 28, 1891.


Referred to committee on finance in concurrence.


WILLIAM P. MITCHELL, Clerk pro tem.


IN COMMITTEE ON FINANCE, Feb. 12, 1891.


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 1890, 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, 1890, 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 com- mittees, 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, recom- mended that his report be accepted and printed in the annual reports.


CHARLES G. POPE, ALBERT W. EDMANDS, CHARLES B. OSGOOD, FRANK E. DICKERMAN, S. WALKER JANES, FRANK E. FITTS, WILLIAM L. BARBER, FRANKLIN F. PHILLIPS, L


Committee.


IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, Feb. 25, 1891.


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. 26, 1891.


CHARLES S. ROBERTSON, Clerk.


CITY OF SOMERVILLE.


TREASURER'S OFFICE, Jan. 18, 1891.


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


GENTLEMEN,- The undersigned presents herewith the nineteenth annual report of the financial condition of the city, and a statement showing in detail the receipts and disbursements for the year ending December 31, 1890.


The value of the property of the city December 31, 1889, was $1,410,660.86. The property acquired during the year was as follows : -


Highland Schoolhouse addition $14,176 74


Morse Schoolhouse addition 13,344 25


Schoolhouse in Ward Two (O. S. Knapp.) 26,591 59


Schoolhouse in Ward Two, Prospect Hill District


16,287 68


Schoolhouse in Ward Three 8,180 02


Steam Fire-engine and Equipment


4,515 00


Water-Works extension


53,411 79


making the value of the public property December 31, 1890, as per Table A, $1,547,167.93.


34


ANNUAL REPORTS.


The funded debt of the city December 31, 1889, as per Table B of the last annual report, was . $952,500 00 .


Water Loan Bond No. 279 $1,000 00 66 No. 55 . 9,000 00


66 Nos. 303 to 305 3,000 00


City Loan Bonds Nos. 914 to 918 · 5,000 00


Nos. 576 to 646 . 71,000 00


amounting to $89,000 00


became due during the year. Of this amount $45,000.00 was paid, and $44,000.00 renewed, making a reduction of


45,000 00


and leaving the total amount of funded debt


The debt was increased during the year by appropri- ations as follows : For the purchase of land and erec- tion of a twelve-room schoolhouse on Washington street, Ward Two, $50,000.00 ; purchase of land and erec- tion of an eight-room schoolhouse on Jaques street, Ward Three, $35,000.00 ; Highland Schoolhouse improve- ment, $15,000.00 ; and for the extension and improve- ment of the water works, $50,000.00; making the total appropriation provided for by borrowing on funded debt account


$907,500 00


150,000 00


and leaving the net funded debt, December 31, 1890, $1,057,500 00


'The following bonds were authorized to be issued October 1, 1890, but in consequence of the unfavorable condition of the money market have not yet been disposed of : -


City Loan Bonds Nos. 1,003 to 1,092, $1,000 each, $10,000 payable annually 1891 to 1899 $90,000 00


City Loan Bonds Nos. 1,093 to 1,120, $1,000 each, payable 1900 28,000 00


City Loan Bonds Nos. 1,121 to 1,137, $1,000 each, payable 1901 17,000 00


Amount carried forward .


$135,000 00


35


REPORT OF THE TREASURER AND COLLECTOR OF TAXES.


Amount brought forward . $135,000 00 City Loan Bonds Nos. 1,138, to 1,141, $1,000 each, payable 1902 4,000 00


Total amount of City Loan Bonds bearing in- terest at 4 per cent. . $139,000 00


Water Loan Bonds Nos. 393 to 408, $1,000 each, $2,000 payable annually 1891 to 1898


$16,000 00


Water Loan Bonds Nos. 409 to 415, $1,000 each, pay- able 1899 7,000 00


Water Loan Bonds Nos. 416 to 419, $1,000 each, $2,000 payable annually 1900, 1901 4,000 00


Water Loan Bonds Nos. 420 to 425, $1,000 each, $3,000 payable 1902 and 1909 6,000 00


Water Loan Bonds Nos. 426 to 447, $1,000 each, $2,000 payable annually 1910 to 1920 22,000 00


Total amount of Water Loan Bonds bearing interest at 4 per cent. $55,000 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


$29,981,700 00


Personal property, valuation


2,575,800 00


Total valuation


$32,557,500 00


At a rate of $14.00 on $1,000 valuation.


2,352 property polls. 8,596 single polls.


10,948 polls at $2.00 each, 6 (women) at $0.50 each, $477,704 00 Borrowed on funded debt account to provide for the cost of public improvements, etc. 150,000 00


Received of City of Boston for return on water contract


55,879 72


Amount carried forward


$683,583 72


36


ANNUAL REPORTS.


Amount brought forward .


$683,583 72


Received from various sources


49,141 55


Unexpended balances of 1889


33,376 66


Excess and Deficiency account of 1889


4,951 06


Total amount of resources for the year end- ing December 31, 1890 . $771,052 99


The appropriations, credits, and balances of the various accounts were as follows : ---


Accounts.


Appropriations.


Additional Credits.


Expenditures and Balances.


Fire Department : -


Appropriation $32,900 00


Received for old materials, etc.


$99 23


Expenditures


$32,013 51


Unexpended balance


985 72


Health Department : -


Appropriation 6,000 00


Received for permits, licenses, etc. 229 00


Expenditures


5,971 81


Unexpended balance


257 19


Highland Schoolhouse Addition : -


Appropriation


15,000 00


Expenditures


13,790 94


Balance to be expended in 1891


1,209 06


Highways : -


Appropriation · $45,000 00


Transferred from Street


Lights account . 1,000 00


46,000 00


Received for labor and materials, 7,160 51


Expenditures 55,138 50


Deficiency


1,977 99


Indigent Soldiers and Sailors :


Appropriation


900 00


Received from State of Massachu- setts


661 00


Expenditures


1,322 00


Unexpended balance


239 00


.


37


REPORT OF THE TREASURER AND COLLECTOR OF TAXES.


Accounts.


Appropriations. · Additional Credits.


Expenditures and Balances.


Interest : -


Appropriation · $34,000 00


Transferred to other


accounts . 3,332 20 $30,667 80


Received interest, corporation and bank taxes, etc.


$17,396 31


Expenditures


Deficiency


$50,736 50 2,672 39


Miscellaneous :


Appropriation


.


6,500 00


Received for costs on taxes,


licenses, etc.


2,290 59


Expenditures


9,941 47


Deficiency


1,150 88


Morse Schoolhouse Addition : - Unexpended balance from 1889, Transferred from Excess and De- ficiency account


19,560 12


-


Transferred from Interest ac-


count


1,383 89


Expenditures


25,895 07


Police : ---


Appropriation 32,000 00


Received for court fees, fines, etc. 5,602 64


Expenditures


35,900 42 1,702 22


Police Station Incidentals : -


Appropriation 2,600 00


Received for rent 500 00


Expenditures


Unexpended balance


2,969 27 130 73


Public Library : - Appropriation .


3,000 00


Received for dog licenses, etc.


3,002 83


Expenditures 5,870 92


Unexpended balance to 1891 131 91


4,951 06


Unexpended balance


38


ANNUAL REPORTS.


Accounts.


Appropriations.


Additional


Credits.


Expenditures and Balances.


Public Grounds : -


Appropriation


$6,000 00


Transferred from Relief


and Burial of Indigent


Soldiers and Sailors'


account


. 1,500 00


$7,500 00


Received for filling, etc.


$390 38


Expenditures


Unexpended balance


$7,816 61 73 77


Printing and Stationery : -


Appropriation


5,000 00


Expenditures


5,212 89


Deficiency


212 89


Reduction of Funded Debt :


-


Appropriation


45,000 00


Expended


45,000 00


Relief and Burial of Indigent Soldiers and Sailors : -


Appropriation $4,000 00


Transferred to.Pub-


lic Grounds 1,500 00


2,500 00


Expenditures 2,365 00 238 50


Salaries : -


Appropriation


28,000 00


Expenditures


27,900 52


Unexpended balance


99 48


School Contingent : -


Appropriation


20,500 00


Received for tuition of non-resident pupils, etc. .


111 66


Expenditures


22,364 12


Deficiency


1,752 46


School Fuel : -


Appropriation


7,000 00


Expenditures 5,586 01


Unexpended balance


1,413 99


Received from State of Mass., etc. 103 50


Unexpended balance


REPORT OF THE TREASURER AND COLLECTOR OF TAXES.


39


Accounts.


Appropriations. Additional Credits.


Expenditures


and Balances.


Schoolhouse Incidentals : -


Appropriation


Received for old materials, etc.


$46 00


Expenditures


$19,172 92


Deficiency


3,126 92


School Teachers' Salaries : -


Appropriation 43,500 00


Received of "City of Boston, water rates "


55,879 72


Expenditures


100,733 72


Deficiency


1,354 00


Sewers : -


Appropriation . 10,000 00


Received for permits, etc.


785 08


Expenditures


Unexpended balance .


9,020 26 1,764 82


Sidewalks : -


Appropriation 10,000 00


Received for labor and materials


718 40


Expenditures


Unexpended balance


9,866 78 851 62


Street Lights : -


Appropriation ·


$22,000 00


Transferred to Highways, 1,000 00


21,000 00


20,554 26


Unexpended balance


445 74


Support of Poor : -


Appropriation


12,000 00


Received for aid furnished 2,109 89


Expenditures


15,261 14


Deficiency


1,151 25


Steam Fire-engine and Equipment :


Appropriation


4,600 00


Expenditures


4,515 00


Unexpended balance


85 00


.


$16,000 00


4


Expenditures


40


ANNUAL REPORTS.


Accounts.


Appropriations.


Additional


Expenditures


Credits.


and Balances.


Schoolhouse in Ward Two : -


Balance from 1889


$10,272 86


Transferred from Interest account


$1,948:31


Expenditures


Balance to be expended in 1891


$11,621 17 600 00


Schoolhouse in Ward Two, Prospect Hill District : -


Appropriation by borrowing on Fund- ed Debt account 50,000 00


Expenditures


16,287 68


Balance to be expended in 1891


33,712 32


Schoolhouse in Ward Three : -


Appropriation by borrowingjon Fund- ed Debt account 35,000 00


Expenditures


8,180 02


Balance to be expended in 1891


26,819 98


Watering Streets : -


Appropriation 4,000 00


Received from abutters


6,024 36


Expenditures


9,845 16


Unexpended balance


179 20


Water Maintenance : -


Appropriation


18,000 00


Received for labor, materials, etc.


830 63


" Water Service acct.


736 02


Expenditures


·


19,264 63


Unexpended balance


302 02


Water Works Extension : -


Appropriation by borrowing on Funded Debt account 50,000 00


Balance from 1889


3,543 68


Received for labor and materials


343 52


Expenditures


53,755 31


Unexpended balance to 1891 acct.


131 89


County of Middlesex, County Tax : -


Appropriation


22,188 84


Expended .


22,188 84


41


REPORT OF THE TREASURER AND COLLECTOR OF TAXES.


Accounts.


Appropriations. Additional Credits.


Expenditures and Balances.


State of Massachusetts, State Tax : -


Appropriation


$24,115 00


Expended .


$24,115 00


Overlay and Abatement : -


Appropriation $12,900 16


Transferred to Excess


and Deficiency ac-


count . 4,629 78 8,270 38


Applied and to be applied to abate- ments on taxes


S,270 38


Excess and Deficiency : -


Transferred from Overlay and


Abatement account to provide


for accounts overdrawn .


4,629 78


$627,704 00


$143,348 99


$771,052 99


Credits from various sources . 143,348 99


$771,052 99


$771,052 99


RECAPITULATION.


Appropriations : -


As per tax levy


. $477,704 00


Funded Debt account


. 150,000 00


Received from City of Boston, water rates


55,879 72


Received from various sources .


49,141 55


Balances from 1889 . ·


33,376 66


Excess and Deficiency account, 1889,


4,951 06


Expenditures .


$708,447 83


62,605 16


Balances to be expended in 1891 .


$771,052 99


$771,052 99


.


42


ANNUAL REPORTS.


The assets of the city available for the payment of its unfunded liabilities are as follows : -


Taxes


$164,632 78


Real-estate liens


55 44


State of Massachusetts, State aid


4,919 50


State of Massachusetts, indigent soldiers and sailors,


649 00


State of Massachusetts, burial of indigent soldiers and sailors . 70 00


Sidewalk assessments


4,548 24


Sewer assessments


6,931 10


Water-service assessments .


2,196 45


City and water loan bonds .


194,000 00


Cash .


20,285 15


Total amount of available assets . $398,287 66


The liabilities are :


Temporary loans


$323,000 00


Overlay and abatement


12,207 77


Overplus on tax sales


102 13


Sundry persons .


372 60


Public Library .


131 91


Schoolhouse in Ward Two


600 00


Schoolhouse in Ward Two, Prospect Hill District


33,712 32


Schoolhouse in Ward Three


26,819 98


Highland Schoolhouse addition .


1,209 06


Water-works extension


131 89


Total amount of unfunded liabilities $398,287 66




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