USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1891 > Part 2
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In this connection it should be added that there was expended,. under the direction of a committee of the Board of Aldermen, for the relief and burial of indigent soldiers and sailors the sum of $2,347.
HIGHWAYS, SIDEWALKS, AND SEWERS.
The amount expended for highways in 1890 is $55,138.50. The. city accepted and laid out fourteen streets, thereby adding one and sixty-nine hundredths miles to the length of public streets, and three- and thirty-three hundredths miles of private streets were opened by abutters. Two and five-tenths miles of macadamized streets have. been rebuilt, and four-tenths of a mile of new streets have been macadamized. The total length of streets in the city, public and private, as computed by the city engineer, is eighty and thirty-six hundredths miles. Sixteen thousand and twenty-seven feet of edge- stones were set.
The amount appropriated for sidewalks is $10,000, and 9,115 lineal feet of brick and 14,120 lineal feet of gravel sidewalk were- constructed. In addition to this, 655 lineal feet of gravel and 551 lineal feet of brick sidewalk have been built, the labor for which has. been paid from the appropriation for highways, the abutters furnishing the materials.
Three hundred and forty-four plans for street numbering were prepared, and under the direction of the committee on highways. 3,750 doors were numbered previous to May 15 last. This, although otherwise valuable, was of special benefit to the assessors in the per- formance of their duties. Much was also accomplished by this depart- ment in erecting signs showing the names of the various streets, 385 having been placed in position.
One and sixty-four hundredths miles of public sewers were built during the past year, at a cost of $9,107.40, of which sum the city paid $592.77, and assessed the balance on the abutters. About half a
26
ANNUAL REPORTS.
mile of private sewers were constructed under the supervision of in- spectors employed by the city. The length of public sewers is forty- five and forty-four hundredths miles, and the total cost of the system to date is about $791,100.
PUBLIC GROUNDS.
The greater part of the money appropriated for public grounds during the year was expended on the Central Hill Park. A large amount of grading was done here, thereby substantially finishing the work proposed on the land between the High School house and the engine house. The whole expense of preparing this part of the hill for a park, since the improvement was begun in 1883, exclusive of the battery, is about $17,000. Probably no like expenditure has yielded so great an amount of pleasure to our citizens as this, and no city government, in my judgment, should ever allow this territory to be appropriated for other uses than those to which it is now applied.
Under the direction of the committee on public grounds, there have been erected during the past year seven memorial tablets to mark points of historic interest in the city, as follows : -
On Washington street, at the northwest corner of Dane street, near which place John Woolrich, the first white settler within our limits, built in 1630.
On the northwest side of Main street, at Broadway, telling of the midnight ride of Paul Revere over this road, and marking the sight of the " Winter Hill Fort," a stronghold built by the Americans while besieging Boston.
On Elm street, at the northeast corner of Willow avenue, where a sharp fight occurred between the patriots and the British April 19, 1775, and where British soldiers were buried.
On the northwest side of Washington street, near the residence of Mr. Samuel W. Holt, where, on the neighboring hillside, James Miller, a minuteman, aged sixty-five, " too old to run," as he said, was slain by the British April 19, 1775.
On the house of Mr. Abner Blaisdell, located on the southwest side of Somerville avenue, nearly opposite Loring street, designating the headquarters of Brigadier-General Nathaniel Greene while com- manding the Rhode Island troops during the siege of Boston.
On the southwest side of High street, opposite Prospect Hill
27
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
avenue, marking the site of the Citadel, the most formidable work in the American lines during the siege of Boston, and the hill on which the "Union Flag, with its thirteen stripes, - the emblem of the united colonies, - first bade defiance to an enemy " ; and
On the stonework of the Battery in Central Hill Park, locating the " French Redoubt," which was "built by the Revolutionary Army in 1775 as a part of the besieging lines of Boston."
I allude to these tablets thus fully in order to call attention to the points of interest within our borders and to what has been done, and to advise that you continue this work until the scenes of all occur- rences of historic importance which we can properly claim to have taken place within our limits have been located and marked.
Through the generosity of one of the families that has been identified with the history of Somerville from the first, the city has recently come into possession of the "only ancient ruin " within the Commonwealth. The story of the Powder House, so far as known, has often been repeated. Erected at some time between 1700 and 1720, as the records show, it was at first used as a grist-mill. The Province of Massachusetts bought it in 1747, and in the deed given it is spoken of as the stone edifice formerly a windmill. It was then remodelled for a powder magazine, and used as such by the Province and Commonwealth until 1822. It was the scene of one of the early events in the stirring days of the Revolution, as you all well know.
Mr. Nathan Tufts, of Charlestown, came into possession of it at some time between 1822 and 1836, the date of his death.
Many of our citizens have long felt that this structure should be- long to the city, in order to insure its preservation, and the descend- ants of Mr. Tufts, yielding to this desire, have generously donated it, with about 65,000 feet of land, on certain conditions, which your prede- cessors have accepted, and which you will be called upon to fulfil.
SCHOOLS.
Those having them in charge report that the schools have main- tained their usual standard of excellence during the past year, although in some sections the pupils have been subjected to many inconveniences because of the changes that have been going on in the school buildings. Many circumstances have contributed to extend these over a longer period of time than was at first thought necessary,
28
ANNUAL REPORTS.
but it is hoped that the value of the improvements made will com- pensate for the delay in obtaining them.
The whole number of pupils registered during the year is 7,878 ; the number in attendance in December last, 6,544; the average daily attendance for the year, 6,074; and the number of teachers employed, 158.
The addition to the Morse schoolhouse was completed during the past year, the Highland schoolhouse was increased by four rooms, contracts were made and work begun on a twelve-room building at the corner of Washington and Boston streets, and on an eight-room building on Jaques street in Ward Three. Very little was accom- plished on the last two, however, owing to the lateness of the season, and their construction is virtually to be effected this year. I trust they will be urged forward with all reasonable speed, that they may be ready for occupancy at the opening of the schools in September next.
Relief for the High School is desired by the committee, and must be furnished without doubt at no very distant day. But considering the amount of work in building that is already on hand, it seems hardly reasonable to expect that more should be done this year, and I advise that it be not undertaken. Should you decide otherwise, I recom- mend that the present building be enlarged, rather than that a new one be constructed The school committee asked the City Council ·of 1888 to provide an addition to the west side of the building forty- five feet by sixty-five feet, and three stories high above the basement. This was favorably reported on, and the council agreed to the propo- sition. A competent authority has recently examined the building at my request, and says that all probable requirements of the school for many years to come can be met in this way at a comparatively small expense. I am aware that adopting this method will temporarily dis- turb the working of the school ; but that is an inconvenience that can be endured, and would be, I have no doubt, without much complaint, in view of the great saving to the city in furnishing accommodations in this way.
STREET LIGHTS.
Under the terms of the contract made with the Somerville Elec- tric Light Company, six arc and seventy-two incandescent lights have been added during the past year, making a total at the present time of
29
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
151 arc and 347 incandescent lights. Before the company is asked to increase this number, I would advise that a careful inquiry be made as to the manner in which it is fulfilling its contract, in order that the city may get the full benefit of the service that was promised and that it has the right to expect.
Three oil lamps have been put in service during the year on Bos- ton avenue, near the Medford line.
WATER WORKS.
The principal work accomplished under the superintendence of the water board the past year was one that was begun by their predecessors, viz., the establishment of a high-service system. The Hon. Christopher E. Rymes, who rendered valuable service as in- spector in the erection of the stand-pipe and machinery for the system, says in his report to the board that the city " has a plant for high- water service that is as perfect in its construction and detail as any other of the same magnitude in the country." The successful opera- tion of the system is attested by all who have examined into its work- ing. Aside from this, the work of the board has not varied particu- larly from that of previous years, except perhaps in amount.
Their report in reference to this department is quite exhaustive, and to that I refer you for particulars. In accordance with the sug- gestion made to your predecessors, though not precisely in the form recommended, a change has been made in our charter whereby a water board of three persons will be appointed by the mayor, subject to the approval of the aldermen, whose places as the term of each expires will be filled by an appointment in the same manner for three years. It is expected that the experience that thus will be always retained on the board will prove of advantage to the city.
In dealing with the earnings of the water works, it seems to me that the present practice of applying them to the payment of current expenses should not be continued longer. I believe that this de- partment should be made self-supporting, and to that end that the earnings should be devoted to the improvement and maintenance of the works. I, therefore, recommend that an ordinance be prepared for your early consideration defining the finances of the water board, providing substantially that from the amount to be received from the city of Boston for returns on water rates, according to the terms of
30
ANNUAL REPORTS.
our present contract, there shall be deducted, first, the amount appro- priated by the City Council for water maintenance; second, the amount so appropriated for water works extension ; and the balance then remaining shall be applied towards the payment of the interest on the water loan bonds and the liquidation of the debt.
CITY ORDINANCES.
The present edition of the municipal register is substantially exhausted, only five copies remaining in the hands of the city clerk for distribution. Since the date of its publication many ordinances have been enacted, some amending or repealing older ones, and others relat- ing to new subjects. They are scattered in various publications of the city, and are not readily accessible to the public or the government. Changes in the statute law in some instances during the period have made necessary some modifications of the city's enactments. A much more thorough and comprehensive building ordinance than now exists is needed, and should be drafted and adopted at once. In a city grow- ing as rapidly as ours, and composed very largely of wooden build- ings, the inspection should relate not only to the internal arrange- ments, but the outside finish and the nearness of structures one to the other. Perhaps a more complete supervision could be obtained by making the superintendent of public buildings the inspector of all buildings erected in the city, and requiring all plans to be presented to him for approval, and allowing him, except in certain cases, to issue all permits to build.
There is much revision that should be attended to, and the coun- cil should not content itself with reprinting the ordinances in their present form. Treating the subject as it should be dealt with involves labor, I know, but the interests of the city demand it, and I trust you will give it the prompt attention it deserves.
SOLDIERS' MEMORIAL.
In November, 1887, a petition was received from W. C. Kinsley Post, 139, G. A. R., asking that a portion of the land on Central Hill, owned by the city, might be assigned to their use for the purpose of erecting thereon a memorial hall, which should become the property of the city when their organization ceased to exist. This petition was
31
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
referred at the close of the year to the next City Government, and in the following April a hearing was granted, but no action was taken. Subsequently the original plan was abandoned, a Memorial Hall Association was formed among the citizens, and in February, 1889, they petitioned that the city erect a suitable memorial to the soldiers of the late war, and requested that a hearing be given them. This was had during the following month, but no action was taken by that or the last City Council.
Much criticism, public and private, has been indulged in by a portion of the citizens interested in the subject, because those in authority from time to time since the petitions were received have not seen fit to act with reference to them. The reasons for such a course, should they be made known, would, I feel sure, commend themselves to impartial minds. Inquiry, if I am not misinformed, would develop the fact that previous governments have properly represented the majority of the tax-payers in this matter. Indeed, their attitude has been endorsed by many of those whose deeds it is proposed to com- memorate.
Not that the people of Somerville are indifferent to the welfare of the veteran soldier among them, nor of the widow and children of him who sacrificed his life for country. The record shows the oppo- site. They have never forgotten the services of those who went forth to battle for others and for themselves, and have never failed to re- deem the promises that were made at that time. They will always hold in grateful remembrance the heroic deeds of the fallen, and will accord to the living, in whatever station of life, the full measure of consideration and respect that their character and citizenship entitles them to receive.
The truest and best memorial, that without which all else is worthless, already exists in the hearts of the people. Its outward embodiment in material form is purely a business proposition. At present the financial condition of the city does not admit of its taking the form of a hall, and may not for some time to come.
The suggestion that an application should be made to the Legis- lature for authority to borrow outside of the present legal limit for this purpose should not be considered for a moment. Somerville's pros- perity and good name among her sister cities rests on a financial policy of a different nature from this, and no greater blow could be struck at both, in my judgment, than to pursue such a course.
32
ANNUAL REPORTS.
The present means of the city, however, would probably justify the erection of a suitable memorial in the form of a monument, if it should be thought desirable to do so. Such a design would have this advantage over the other, that it would stand exclusively and unmis- takably for the soldier, and could never be put to a different use. Placed on Central Hill Park, as it might be, -than which no better . site exists for miles around, - it would rival the shaft on Bunker Hill in teaching lessons of patriotism and self-sacrifice to the thousands to whom it would be visible. I commend this phase of the subject to your careful consideration.
GENTLEMEN OF THE CITY COUNCIL : -
The service to which you have pledged your best energies is one, as you will find, that requires them. The fact that it is gratuitous will not excuse you from giving to it all the time that its proper perform- ance demands. Neither flattery nor criticism, the influence of friend- ship nor its opposite, should lead you to swerve from the course that good business judgment points out. You represent the whole city, and it is the interests of all its inhabitants that you are to guard. In handling the appropriations committed to your care, remember that economy in expenditure is the duty of all, that the amount fixed for each department is the maximum for the year, and that the most satisfactory ending of a committee's work is a balance to its credit. Acting in line with these suggestions, you will have nothing to regret, and the public much to applaud, when your official term shall end.
REPORT
OF THE
TREASURER AND COLLECTOR OF TAXES.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, January 27, 1892.
Referred to committee on finance, and sent down for concurrence.
GEORGE I. VINCENT, Clerk.
IN COMMON COUNCIL, January 27, 1892.
Referred to committee on finance in concurrence.
WILLIAM P. MITCHELL, Clerk pro tem.
IN COMMITTEE ON FINANCE, February 11, 1892.
To the City Council of Somerville : The annual report of the treasurer and collector of taxes having been referred to this committee, the committee reports that, in conjunction with the city auditor, and in compliance with the provisions of ordinance, it has examined said report and the books and vouchers of the treasurer and collector of taxes, making comparisons with the books of the auditor and with the statements received from the several committees, boards, and officers of the city, and finds the treasurer and collector's books and accounts, as well as said report, correct, and most methodically and satisfactorily kept and prepared.
We have also verified his cash balance by actual count and inquiries at the banks of deposit, and hereby recommend that his report be accepted and printed in the annual reports.
WM. H. HODGKINS, FRANK E. FITTS, S. WALKER JANES, I. H. WILEY, FRANKLIN J. HAMBLIN, FRANKLIN F. PHILLIPS, THOS. S. WENTWORTH, LEWIS STOCKBRIDGE,
Committee.
IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, March 8, 1892.
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, March 10, 1892.
CHARLES S. ROBERTSON, Clerk.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
TREASURER'S OFFICE, January 25, 1892.
To the Honorable the Mayor and City Council of the City of Somerville :
GENTLEMEN,- The undersigned presents herewith the twentieth 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, 1891.
The value of the property of the city December 31, 1890, was $1,547,167.93. The property acquired during the year was as follows : -
Highland Schoolhouse addition $6,129 83
Schoolhouse in Ward Two ( Charles G. Pope ) 48,603 54
Schoolhouse in Ward Three ( Jacob T. Glines ) . 39,027 68
Water-Works extension 40,708 48
Gravel Land on North street 4,000 00
making the value of the public property December 31, 1891, as per Table A, $1,685,637.46.
The funded debt of the city December 31, 1890, as per Table B of the last annual report, was . $1,057,500 00 ·
Water Loan Bond No. 280 $1,000 00
No. 306 to 308 3,000 00
66
No. 393 to 394 2,000 00
City Loan Bonds No. 647 to 720 74,000 00
66
No. 919 to 923 5,000 00
66
66
No. 1,003 to 1,012, 10,000 00
66
66 No. 1,103 to 1,106, 4,000 00
amounting to $99,000 00 became due during the year. Of this amount $57,000 was paid, and $42,000 renewed, makinga reduction of $57,000 00 and leaving the total amount of funded debt . $1,000,500 00
Amount carried forward,
. $1,000,500 00
36
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Amount brought forward . $1,000,500 00
The debt was increased during the year by appro- priations as follows : For the completion of the Charles G. Pope schoolhouse, $14,000.00 ; for the completion of the Jacob T. Glines schoolhouse, $12,000.00; for the completion of the Highland schoolhouse addition, $5,000.00 ; for the extension and improvement of the water works, $10,000.00; and for the purchase of gravel land on North street, $4,000.00; making the total appropriations provided for by borrowing on funded debt account .
45,000 00
making the net funded debt December 31, 1891, as per Table B . $1,045,500 00
The following bonds, bearing interest at four per cent., have been issued during the year : -
City Loan Bonds Nos. 1,142 to 1,146, and Water Loan Bonds Nos. 448 to 449, amounting to $7,000.00, to take the place of Water Loan Bonds Nos. 411 to 415, 422 and 425, amounting to $7,000.00, cancelled.
City Loan Bonds Nos. 1,147 to 1,202, $1,000.00 each, $7,000.00 payable annually, 1892 to 1899
$56,000 00
City Loan Bonds Nos. 1,203 to 1,208, $1,000.00 each, payable 1900 6,000 00
City Loan Bonds Nos. 1,209 to 1,223, $1,000.00 each, $3,000.00 payable annually, 1901 to 1905 .
15,000 00 Water Loan Bonds Nos. 450 to 459, $1,000.00 each, $2,000.00 payable annually, 1904 to 1908 ·
10,000 00
Total $87,000 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 $32,767,200 00 4,076,200 00
Personal property, valuation
Total valuation .
$36,843,400 00
37
REPORT OF THE TREASURER AND COLLECTOR OF TAXES.
At a rate of $14.00 on $1,000 valuation, with 9,139 single polls,
2,519 property polls.
11,658 polls at $2.00 each, and 7 (women ) at $0.50 each, gives the total amount of the tax levy $539,127 10
Borrowed on funded debt account to provide for the cost of public improvements, etc. . Received of City of Boston for return on water rates
45,000 00
60,150 80
Received from various sources
63,734 72
Unexpended balances of 1890
62,605 16
Total amount of resources for the year end- ing December 31, 1891
$770,617 78
'The appropriations, credits, and balances of the various accounts were as follows : -
Accounts.
Appropriations.
Additional Credits.
Expenditures and Balances.
Fire Department : -
Appropriation
$32,000 00
Received for old materials, etc.
$62 27
Expenditures
$36,105 87 4,043 60
Health Department : ---
Appropriation .
7,000 00
Received for permits, licenses, etc. Expenditures
7,352 23 109 23
Deficiency
Highland Schoolhouse Addition : -
Unexpended balance from 1890 1,209 06
Appropriation, Funded Debt Acct. Expenditures
5,000 00
Unexpended balance to 1892
5,891 03 318 03
Highways : -
Appropriation
45,000 00
Received for labor and materials Expenditures
9,440 07
54,609 02 168 95
Deficiency
243 00
Deficiency
38
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Accounts.
Appropriations. Additional Credits.
Expenditures and Balances.
Indigent Soldiers and Sailors : -
Appropriation
$500 00
Received from State of Massa- chusetts
$430 50
Expenditures
Unexpended balance
$861 00 69 50
Interest : -
Appropriation 55,000 00
Received interest, corporation and
bank taxes, etc. .
29,935 88
Expenditures
59,871 25 25,064 63
Miscellaneous : -
Appropriation 6,500 00
Received for costs on taxes,
licenses, etc.
2,989 68
Expenditures
9,250 89
Unexpended balance
238 79
Ordinances, Revising : -
Appropriation 500 00
Expenditures
460 00
Unexpended balance
40 00
Police : -
Appropriation 20,000 00
Received for court fees, fines, etc. 4,912 81
Expenditures
36,677 32
Deficiency
11,764 51
Police Station Incidentals :
Appropriation 2,500 00
Received for rent
445 00
Expenditures
2,889 23
Unexpended balance
55 77
Public Library : -
Appropriation 3,000 00
Received for dog licenses, etc. 3,115 11
Expenditures
6,111 63
Unexpended balance to 1892
3 48
Public Grounds : -
Appropriation
3,500 00
Expenditures
2,947 03
Unexpended balance
552 97
Unexpended balance
REPORT OF THE TREASURER AND COLLECTOR OF TAXES.
39
Accounts.
Appropriations. Additional Credits.
Expenditures and Balances.
Printing and Stationery :
Appropriation Expenditures
$6,000 00
$5,166 14
Unexpended balance
833 86
Reduction of Funded Debt : -
Appropriation
57,000 00
Expenditure
57,000 00
Relief and Burial of Indigent Soldiers and Sailors : -
Appropriation
3,000 00
Received from State of Massa- chusetts
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