Report of the city of Somerville 1892, Part 25

Author: Somerville (Mass.)
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Somerville, Mass.
Number of Pages: 554


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SOULE, DILLING- HAM, & Co.


MICHAEL J. COL- LINS AND BENJAMIN A. HAM.


HORATIO GORE & Co.


WILLIAM H. GORE & Co.


QUANTITIES.


Price.


Amount.


Price.


Amount.


Price.


Amount.


Price.


Amount.


Price.


Amount.


13,190 sq. yds. paving


$1 38


$18,202 20


$1 15


$1 02


$1 00


$ 985


$ 2,992 15


5,498 lin. ft. edgestone set and reset


23


1,264 54


30


16


1,833 sq. yds. sidewalk relaid


65


1,191 45


49


85


48


879 84


43


788 19


457 sq. yds. crossings relaid


1 50


685 50


1 25


1 48


1 12


511 84


1 13


5'6 41


Totals


-


$21,343 69


$18,287 32


$16,567 89


-


-


$15,561 29


,


.


30


$13,1:0 00 1,649 40


23


1,264 54


33


$20,163 60 2.053 59


30


$17,176 40 1,866 90


20


-


-


-


1


-


-


1


-


$16,231 08


1,441 00 457 00


1,283 80 571 25


$15,168 50 1,649 40 898 17 571 25


$13,453 80 879 68 1,558 05 676 36


REPORT


OF THE


COMMITTEE ON FIRE DEPARTMENT.


'CITY OF SOMERVILLE.


IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, January 11, 1893. 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, January 11, 1893. CHARLES S. ROBERTSON, Clerk.


CITY OF SOMERVILLE.


IN COMMITTEE ON FIRE DEPARTMENT, - January 2, 1893.


To the City Council of Somerville : -


The following is the final report of the committee on fire depart- ment for the year ending December 31, 1892: -


The manual force of the department consists of eighty-three members, including one chief and one assistant engineer.


A new fuel wagon has been purchased during the year of Messrs. E. Teel & Co., of Medford, for Hose 5, at a cost of $73.50; also a new hose wagon has been purchased from the above named party for $480.00, and placed in Steamer House No. 1.


A three-horse hitch has been purchased for Hook and Ladder Company No. 1; there has also been ordered, but not yet received, one patent three-horse engine pole, complete, for Steamer 1.


A brick hose trough for the washing of hose has been placed in Steamer 4 house, at a cost of $150.00.


Fifteen hundred feet of hose has been purchased during the year, of the Boston Belting Company, at a cost of $900.00.


Two fire-alarm boxes have been added during the year, one placed in Gilman square and one in Prospect street, near Oak street.


One old hose carriage has been sold during the year.


The usual repairs for the several houses have been made during the year as required, and the buildings are in good condition.


The price paid for water from the hydrants for the year was $3,220.00 net, while in 1891 there was a discount of ten per cent., which reduced the bill to $2,898.00.


The committee recommends that the addition be built to the steamer house on Central Hill Park, in accordance with plans already


428


ANNUAL REPORTS.


secured, and that a chemical engine be placed therein; also a ten- circuit repeater for the fire-alarm telegraph.


They also recommend that a new hook and ladder truck be added to the department, and located in West Somerville.


We present herewith the report of the chief engineer, and recommend that it be printed with the annual reports.


The appropriation, receipts, and expenditures are shown by the following statements : -


FIRE DEPARTMENT ACCOUNT.


CREDIT.


Appropriation


$37,000 00


Receipts : -


For manure sold $54 00


old copper, zinc, etc. 125 73


old hose carriage 15 00


194 73


Total credit


$37,194 73


DEBIT.


Expenditures : -


For salaries of permanent men $16,224 28


salaries of call-men 8,314 00


substitute drivers . .


966 51


improvements and repairs of


apparatus and vehicles .


1,197 84


new vehicles and apparatus . 560 00


improvements and repairs of buildings and furniture, and new furniture . ·


1,293 48


maintenance and extension of fire-alarm telegraph 1,435 51


hose and hose-pipe and repair- ing same 1,539 98


grain and feed


938 40


Amounts carried forward . $32,470 00


$37,194 73


429


REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FIRE DEPARTMENT.


Amounts brought forward


$32,470 00


$37,194 73


hay and straw


1,131 05


horseshoeing


393 27


horse medicine and doctoring,


87 05


harnesses and repairing same,


298 56


fuel


870 17


supplies


161 56


water for hydrants


.


3,220 00


water for department build- ings


130 00


gas


656 95


ice


49 50


washing and ironing


130 85


telephones


129 30


hand fire-extinguishers


164 18


insurance


131 25


incidentals


968 25


Total debit


40,991 94


Amount overdrawn


.


$3,797 21


.


For the committee, FRANK E. FITTS, Chairman. WILLIAM P. MITCHELL, Clerk.


ו


REPORT


OF THE


CHIEF ENGINEER OF FIRE DEPARTMENT.


CITY OF SOMERVILLE.


IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, January 11, 1893. 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, January 11, 1893. CHARLES S. ROBERTSON, Clerk.


CITY OF SOMERVILLE.


OFFICE OF CHIEF ENGINEER OF FIRE DEPARTMENT, - December 31, 1892.


To the Committee on Fire Department : -


GENTLEMEN, -I herewith present to you a report of the opera- tions of this department for the year 1892.


In presenting this report, I desire to thank his honor the mayor, the chairman, and other members of the committee, for the interest they have shown in all matters appertaining to its welfare; to the officers and other members of the department, I extend my thanks for their good work, as evinced in their successful efforts in extin- guishing fires.


NUMBER OF FIRE ALARMS.


The total number of bell alarms was 116


The total number of still alarms was


. 16


The loss by fire was


$65,537 00 .


The insurance on property was


. 142,250 00


The causes for which the alarms were given were as follows: -


No. of Alarm.


1. Hot irons in closet.


2. False alarm.


3. Chimney fire.


4. Overheated oil stove.


5. Breaking of lighted lamp.


6. Fire in Medford.


7. Gas jet in contact with wood.


8. Igniting of japan on hot stove.


434


ANNUAL REPORTS.


9. Drying of plastering.


10. Igniting of naphtha from other fire.


11. Unknown.


12 Sparks on shingled roof.


13. Making fire with kerosene oil.


14 Fire in Cambridge.


15 Unknown.


16 Alarm from automatic signal.


17. Chimney fire.


18. Fire in Arlington.


19. Sparks in picker room from machinery.


20 Burning of rubbish.


21. Sparks on roof.


22 Caught from fire box in boiler room.


23. Hot ashes in barrel.


24. Overheated oil stove.


25 Railroad fence set on fire by sparks.


26. Fire in Medford.


27. Children playing with matches.


28. Overheated oil stove.


29. Burning of rubbish. 1


30. Fire in Medford.


31. Smoke mistaken for fire.


32. False alarm.


33. Breaking of kerosene lamp.


34. Unknown.


35. Unknown.


36. Slacking of lime.


37. Supposed incendiary.


38. Sparks on roof.


39 Burning of rubbish set fire to building.


40. Igniting of kettle of tar from candle.


41. Chimney fire.


42. Smokestack against wooden roof.


, 43. Curtain in contact with gas jet.


44. Children playing with matches.


45. Igniting of oil waste.


46. Breaking of kerosene lamp.


47. Boiling over of a pan of fat.


435


REPORT OF THE CHIEF ENGINEER OF FIRE DEPARTMENT.


48. Smokestack in contact with roof.


49. Sparks on roof.


50. Sparks on roof.


51. False alarm.


52. Fire-crackers on roof.


53. Fire·crackers on roof.


54. Overheated oil stove.


55. Tree blown down.


56. Sparks from a tobacco pipe.


57. Breaking of kerosene lamp.


58. Electric light wire ( defective insulator).


59. Burning of rubbish.


60. Sparks from tobacco pipe.


61. False alarm.


62. Unknown.


63. Sparks on roof.


64. Smoke mistaken for fire.


65. Killing vermin with naphtha. ·


66. Accidental dropping of matches in closet.


67. Fire in Medford.


68. Unknown. Supposed rats and matches.


70. · Sparks entering hay-loft through open door.


71. Chimney fire.


72. Rags round stove pipe.


73. Overheated oil stove.


74. Smoking in shed.


75. Sparks from tobacco pipe.


76. Electric wire setting fire to a tree.


77. Sparks on roof.


78. Sparks on roof.


79. Fire in Medford.


80 .· Unknown.


81. Unknown.


82. Igniting of gas from lantern.


83. Unknown.


84. Fire set by boys.


85. Supposed incendiary.


86. Fire in Cambridge.


-


436


ANNUAL REPORTS.


87. Burning of old mattress.


88. Filling lighted lamp.


89. Igniting of paper from hot stove.


90. Chimney defective.


91. Fire in Medford.


92. Sparks on roof.


93. Sparks on roof.


94. Escaping steam mistaken for fire.


95. Alarm from automatic signal.


96. Unknown.


97. Falling of lighted lamp in repair shop.


98. · Boiling over of a cement pot.


99. Sparks from hoisting engine fire box.


100. Unknown.


101. Burning of hay-stack.


102. Tablecloth in contact with lamp.


103. Defective fire-place.


Rags round stove pipe.


104. 105. Unknown.


106. Oily rags in closet near hot-water tank.


107. Dropping of lighted match.


108. Defective chimney.


109. Smokestack in contact with roof boards.


110. Hot stove set fire to casing.


111. Sparks from burning grass.


112. Unknown.


113. Wood floor timbers built into chimneys.


114. Unknown ( caught in closet).


115. Drying of plastering.


116. Chimney fire.


APPARATUS IN SERVICE.


The apparatus in service consists of two steam fire-engines, one hook and ladder truck, five hose wagons, one combined chemica engine and hose reel. The hose wagons are equipped with 900 feet of hose each, forty-three feet of ladders, and two portable chemical extinguishers.


There is 8,000 feet of good hose in service.


437


REPORT OF THE CHIEF ENGINEER OF FIRE DEPARTMENT.


MANUAL FORCE.


The manual force consists of eighty-three men, divided follows: -


Chief engineer


1


Assistant engineer · ·


1


Two engine companies, 14 men each .


28


Two hose companies, 9 men each


18


Two hose companies, 10 men each .


20


One hook and ladder company, 15 men


15


Total


83


.


as


RECOMMENDATIONS.


The rapid growth of the city in combustible buildings, placed in close proximity to one another, renders our city especially liable for fires to extend from one building to another, and thus become a con- flagration. With these conditions there is no piece of fire apparatus we need so much as a chemical engine, and it should be located in the building occupied by Engine No. 1 or the immediate vicinity ; it will then be of equal value for service in Wards One, Two, and Three.


LADDER SERVICE.


As there is but one ladder truck to cover the whole city, another truck should be put in service in the westerly section of the city, as the one we now have is located in Union square, remote from West Somerville.


FIRE-ALARM SYSTEM.


The fire-alarm system as now constituted is unreliable by reason of its being divided only into three circuits to cover the entire city. If one of these circuits breaks, one-third of the city is without any means of giving an alarm. I therefore earnestly recommend, as in previous years, that a ten-circuit repeater be put in service, so that the city can be divided into as many circuits as thought desirable ; then if one circuit is broken, the close proximity of a box on another circuit will furnish the means of giving an alarm.


438


ANNUAL REPORTS.


FIRE-ALARM BOXES.


Many fire-alarm boxes are required, but none of these additions, either increased number of circuits, new repeater, or additional boxes, can be provided until more room is furnished for the battery.


ENLARGING STEAMER HOUSE.


Plans for the enlarging of Engine House No. 1 were procured by the committee of 1891 for the purpose of providing room for these improvements.


These plans will have to be carried out, or other arrangements made, before any increase or change can be made in the telegraph system.


The purchase of land and erection of a new station for Ward One is now in the hands of the committee on fire department.


PERMANENT MEN.


The number of permanent men should be increased. I recom- mend that a permanent captain be appointed for Engine Company No. 1, and two permanent men on Engine No. 4, one of them to be detailed as hoseman on the chemical engine, and a permanent man on Hook and Ladder No. 1.


FIRE-ALARM BOXES AND HYDRANTS.


Fire-alarm boxes and hydrants are very important factors to the successful working of the fire department in putting out fires. To arrive at a fire soon after it is discovered and quickly put it out requires signal boxes to be placed in frequent positions and hydrants not more than 300 feet apart. I recommend that eight new alarm boxes be put in service, and fifty hydrants.


TABLE SHOWING THE NUMBER OF MILES RUN BY EACH COMPANY.


Engine Company No. 1 214


Hose Company No. 1 . 152


Hose Company No. 2


138


439


REPORT OF THE CHIEF ENGINEER OF FIRE DEPARTMENT.


Hose Company No. 3


80


Engine Company No. 4


221


Hose Company No. 5


149


Ladder Company No. 1


215


TABLE SHOWING NUMBER OF FEET OF HOSE USED BY EACH COMPANY.


Engine Company No. 1, 21/2-inch hose


18,150


Hose Company No. 1, 21/2-inch hose


16,350


Hose Company No. 2, 272-inch hose


12,950


Hose Company No. 3, 21/2-inch hose


11,950


Engine Company No. 4, 21/2-inch hose


10,300


Hose Company No. 5, 21/2-inch hose


16,450


Hook and Ladder Company No. 1, small hose


300


Chemical Engine No. 4, small hose .


5,800


Total number of feet of 21/2-inch hose


86,150


Total number of feet of 1-inch hose


6,100


TABLE SHOWING NUMBER OF FEET OF LADDERS USED BY EACH COMPANY.


Engine Company No. 1


60


Hose Company No. 1


129


Hose Company No. 2


215


Hose Company No. 3


69


Engine Company No. 4


525


Hose Company No. 5


280


Hook and Ladder Company No. 1


3,279


TABLE SHOWING THE NUMBER OF BELL ALARMS ON EACH DAY OF THE WEEK.


Sunday


17


Monday


.


20


Tuesday


14


Wednesday


16


Thursday


28


Friday


.


12


Saturday


9


.


440


ANNUAL REPORTS.


TABLE SHOWING THE NUMBER OF BELL ALARMS DURING THE DAY AND NIGHT.


From 7 A. M. to 7 P. M. 65


From 7 P. M. to 7 A. M. . 51


NUMBER OF ALARMS IN EACH MONTH.


January


4


February


.


7


March


5


April .


13


May


15


June


17


July .


10


August


16


September .


5


October


6


November .


9


December .


9


ACCIDENTS TO FIREMEN.


Daniel R. Spike, Hose Company No. 2, fell from ladder ; bone fractured.


William H. Dennis, Engine Company No. 4, fell through floor ; hip injured.


Nathaniel C. Barker ( assistant engineer ) fell from wagon; arm and leg injured.


Martin S. Lacey, Hook and Ladder Company No. 1; arm cut by falling slate.


Merrill N. Bent, Hose Company No. 5; face burnt by fire blast.


441


REPORT OF THE CHIEF ENGINEER OF FIRE DEPARTMENT.


ROSTER OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT OF THE CITY OF SOMERVILLE OF 1892.


Chief Engineer, JAMES R. HOPKINS. Assistant Engineer, NATHANIEL C. BARKER. Fire-alarm Operator, EDWARD F. BACKUS.


ENGINE COMPANY NO. 1.


NAME.


RANK.


AGE.


OCCUPATION.


RESIDENCE.


Frank Langer


Captain .


37


Wood-moulder .


Oxford St. Vinal Ave.


Benjamin H. Pond


Lieutenant .


23


Poultry dealer


.


Wm. H. Whitcomb


Hoseman


32


Janitor


Prescott St.


Joseph Young


Hoseman


57


Janitor


Highland Ave.


Geo. L. Blackbird


Hoseman


37


Janitor


Highland Ave.


Fred Young .


Hoseman


24


Plumber


School St.


Jesse A. Lipsett


Hoseman


26


Wood-turner


Highland Ave.


Sewall M. Rich .


Hoseman


30


Real estate


Medford St.


Oscar J. Lingley


Hoseman


24


Milkman


Berkeley St.


Fred'k A. Blackburn


Hoseman


22


Painter


Webster St.


Henry A. Byrnes


Engineman.


52


Engineman


Steamer House.


William A. Burbank


A't Engine'n


50


Asst. Engineman


Steamer House.


William A. Perry


Driver


39


Driver


Steamer House.


George F. Harris


Driver


33


Driver


Steamer House.


HOSE COMPANY NO. 1.


NAME.


RANK.


AGE.


OCCUPATION.


RESIDENCE.


Thomas H. Daley


C'pt.& Driv.


47


Driver .


John Frizzell .


Lieutenant .


36


Painter


Webster St. Everett Ave.


Edgar F. Shaw


Hoseman


40


None


Cross St.


Clarence V. Cook


Hoseman


34


Rubber-worker . Fish dealer


Pearl St. Cutter St.


Edward Grant


Hoseman


39


Carpenter


Webster St.


John W. McDonald


Hoseman


39


Milkman


.


Webster St.


John W. Logan .


Hoseman


50


Painter


Cross St.


James E. Lovejoy


Hoseman


32


Undertaker


Webster St.


.


George North


Hoseman


30


.


442


ANNUAL REPORTS.


HOSE COMPANY NO. 2.


NAME.


RANK.


AGE.


OCCUPATION.


RESIDENCE.


Frank W. Ring .


Captain . .


33


Teamster .


Wheatland St.


Daniel R. Spike


Lieutenant .


48


Janitor .


Broadway.


Joseph H. Hollis


Hoseman


58


Painter


Jaques St.


Charles H. Timson


Hoseman


.


31


Teamster .


Marshall St.


Edwin R. Perham .


Hoseman


41


Expressman .


Marshall St.


John H. Pattee .


Hoseman


31


Clerk


Gilman St.


William F. Marble


Hoseman


.


40


Fish dealer


Jaques St.


Charles A. Woodbury


Hoseman


41


Teamster .


Sargent Ave.


Albert Irish


Hoseman


24


Clerk


Marshall St.


Edward W. Ring


Driver


46


Driver .


Marshall St.


HOSE COMPANY NO. 3.


NAME.


RANK.


AGE.


OCCUPATION.


RESIDENCE.


Charles Trull


C'pt.& Driv.


65


Driver


Prospect St.


Alfred R. Higgins


Lieutenant .


43


Cooper


Prospect St.


Frank L. Draper


Hoseman ·


40


Machinist


Medford St.


Charles H. Bridges


Hoseman


44


Machinist


Medford St.


John H. Cuddy .


Hoseman


40


Teamster .


Bow-st. Pl.


James A. Ferguson .


Hoseman


33


Cooper


Warren Ave.


Thomas W. Joy


Hoseman


37


Cooper


Joseph St.


Joseph H. Cribby


Hoseman


28


Cooper


Prospect St.


Henry J. Turner


Hoseman


29


Teamster


Hawkins St.


ENGINE COMPANY NO. 4.


NAME.


RANK.


AGE.


OCCUPATION.


RESIDENCE.


Samuel H. Stevens


C'pt.& Driv.


50


Driver .


Steamer House. Morrison St.


Edwin F. Trefren .


·


Lieutenant .


36


Water works


Danforth S. Steele


Hoseman


40


Cabinet-maker


Highland Ave. Park Ave.


Eugene H. Jones


Hoseman


27


Lineman


Frank A. Hersey


Hoseman


36


Janitor


Highland Ave.


John F. Burton .


Hoseman


36


Painter


Highland Ave.


James J. Watkins


Hoseman


40


Tinsmith


Broadway.


James I. King


Hoseman


27


Painter


Broadway.


Joseph A. Sander


Hoseman


28


Teamster .


Willow Ave.


Ephriam P. Cook .


Hoseman


50


Janitor


Elm St.


Charles H. Stearns


Driver


37


Driver .


Steamer House.


Lindorf D. Bixby


Engineer


51


Engineman


Steamer House.


John Gillooly


Asst. Engi'n


37


Asst. Engineman


Steamer House.


.


.


·


.


.


443:


REPORT OF THE CHIEF ENGINEER OF FIRE DEPARTMENT.


HOSE COMPANY NO. 5.


NAME.


RANK.


AGE.


OCCUPATION.


RESIDENCE.


Irving C. Jackson .


C'pt.& Driv.


45


Driver


Lowell St.


William J. Blaisdell


Lieutenant .


46


Painter


Quincy St.


Charles H. Hilt .


Hoseman


42


Carpenter


Porter St.


James H. Banks


Hoseman


40


Cabinet-maker


Beacon St.


Frederick G. Jones


Hoseman


27


Paper-hanger


Somerville Ave.


Oscar P. Sheltus


Hoseman


35


Cabinet-maker


Hose House.


Merrill N. Bent .


Hoseman


29


Cabinet-maker


Beacon St.


H. W. Hutchins


Hoseman


26


Teamster .


.


Dane St.


Daniel W. McDermott


Hoseman


46


Painter


Somerville Ave.


H. G. Curtis


Hoseman


28


Draper


Somerville Ave.


ROBERT A. VINAL HOOK AND LADDER COMPANY NO. 1.


NAME.


RANK.


AGE.


OCCUPATION.


RESIDENCE.


Melvin B. Ricker


C'pt.& Driv.


51


Driver .


Washington St.


Horace P. Ewell


Lieutenant .


35


Carpenter


Bow-st. Pl.


William A. McLane


Ladderman


33


Engineer .


Clark St.


John E. Hill .


Ladderman


47


Salesman .


Rush St.


Patrick J. Follen


Ladderman


33


Upholsterer


Allen St.


Frank S. Brown


Ladderman


47


Cooper


Washington St.


James M. Gould


Ladderman


47


Printer


Otis St.


James D. Perkins, Jr ..


Ladderman


32


Paper-hanger


Bow-st. Pl.


Charles A. Southwick


Ladderman


35


Laborer


Clark St.


Martin S. Leacy


Ladderman


30


Painter


William J. Jones


Ladderman


38


Machinist


Washington St. School St.


George A. Page


Ladderman


37


Laborer


Webster Ave.


Charles E. Shaw


Ladderman


38


Paper-hanger


Highland Ave.


Richard F. Clarkson


Ladderman


33


Painter


Linden St.


J. E. Thompson


Ladderman


22


Laborer


Webster St.


·


.


JAMES R. HOPKINS,


Chief of Fire Department.


444


ANNUAL REPORTS.


LINEMAN'S REPORT.


SOMERVILLE, December 31, 1892.


Chief J. R. Hopkins, Superintendent of Fire Alarm : -


I herewith submit to you the annual report of the fire-alarm department for the year ending December 31, 1892. During the year the system has been maintained in good condition, alarms hav- ing worked correctly. Two new boxes have been added during the year - box 224, located on Prospect street, near Oak street, and box 331, in Gilman square.


A larger battery room is needed, as the present room is crowded to its utmost capacity. As the number of wires in the city has increased very materially, especially the electric light wires, an additional permanent man is needed in this department; it being exceedingly difficult, at a moment's notice, to get a competent man temporarily. Great care must be used in handling the wires to prevent their coming in contact with electric light and trolley wires. It is impracticable for one man to accomplish this without great risk and with sufficient rapidity, especially during a storm; and in many cases it is absolutely impossible. A wagon to carry tools and supplies is needed to maintain the alarm safely and repair breaks quickly.


The system at present consists of the following : -


Fifty miles of wire, 53 boxes, 6 tower-bell strikers, 6 box indica- tors, 26 gongs, 1 five-circuit repeater, and 257 jars gravity battery.


Respectfully submitted,


EDWARD F. BACKUS,


Fire-Alarm Operator.


REPORT


OF THE


COMMITTEE ON FUEL AND STREET LIGHTS.


CITY OF SOMERVILLE.


IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, January 11, 1893. 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, January 11, 1893. CHARLES S. ROBERTSON, Clerk.


CITY OF SOMERVILLE.


IN COMMITTEE ON FUEL AND STREET LIGHTS, January 2, 1893.


To the City Council of Somerville : -


The following is the final report of the committee on fuel and street lights for the year ending December 31, 1892 : -


SCHOOL FUEL ACCOUNT.


CREDIT.


Appropriation ·


$7,150 00


DEBIT.


Expenditures :-


For fuel to Beach-street School $97 80


Bell School


225 83


Bennett School


136 15


Bingham School .


176 00


Burns School


155 45


Cedar-street School


26 18


Cummings School


144 13


Davis School


176 03


Edgerly School


297 50


Forster School


351 50


Franklin School .


130 96


Glines School


533 13


Harvard School .


32 99


Amounts carried forward . $2,483 65


$7,150 00


448


ANNUAL REPORTS.


Amounts brought forward


$2,483 65


$7,150 00%


High School


306 70


Highland School


480 78


Jackson School


219 20


Knapp School


605 27


Lincoln School


346 92


Morse School


673 04


Prescott School .


441 20


Pope School


1,138 52


Prospect Hill School


313 97


Webster School .


138 43


Total debit .


7,147 68.


Balance unexpended .


$2 32


STREET LIGHTS ACCOUNT.


CREDIT.


Appropriation


$27,000100;


DEBIT.


Expenditures : -


For lighting and care of oil lamps,


$42 90


electric lighting .


26,327 15


electric mast arms


10 00


moving street lamps


·


49 50


advertising for contract (elec-


tric lighting) .


18 40


carriage hire


46 50


cutting off gas supplies


35 00


Total debit


26,529 45.


Balance unexpended


$470 55


FUEL.


Under an order dated July 13, authorizing this committee to make contracts with Messrs. Horatio Wellington & Co., B. F. Wild


REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FUEL AND STREET LIGHTS. 449


& Co., and George M. Winslow & Co. for the furnishing of such fuel as may be required at the various schoolhouses and public. buildings to December 31, at the following-named prices :-


FURNACE COAL.


EGG COAL.


STOVE COAL.


SOFT WOOD.


HARD WOOD.


$5 20


$5 20


$5 20


$5 75


$7 75


the fuel was furnished as authorized by said order, at the prices as stated, and placed in the various schoolhouses and public build- ings.


STREET LIGHTS.


The city is now lighted exclusively with electric lights, with the exception of Boston avenue, near the Medford line, where three oil lamps are used and cared for by the Wheeler Reflector Company, at a cost of five cents per night, and lighted, as last year, on moon schedule. The cost of lighting the oil lamps for the year was $42.90.


The city has been lighted during the year by electricity under the old three-year contract, made with the Somerville Electric Light Company October 1, 1889, which included 140 arc lights and 275 incandescent lights, for the sum of $20,000.00 per year. This num- ber was increased from time to time, and on January 1, 1892, there were 158 arc and 356 incandescent lights. The number of arc lights was increased to September 1 of the present year, and at the expi- ration of the contract there were 186 arcs, while the incandescent lights were decreased twenty-eight.


Under the old contract the arc lights were used each and every night from dusk to 1 o'clock A. M., while the incandescent lights were used only on moon schedule.


Under the new contract, made October 1 of the present year, with the Somerville Electric Light Company, for five years, the city is now lighted every night and all night with half arc and incandes- cent lights. The price paid for the arc lights under the new con- tract is $120 each per year, until the number shall reach 400, after which the price will be $115 per light per year ; the price paid for incandescent lights to be $25 each per annum.


450


ANNUAL REPORTS.


The committee would recommend that the next City Council appoint a suitable person to look after the street lighting, as under the new contract the city is to receive six cents per hour for all arc lights out, and one cent per hour for all incandescent lights out. There are many lights reported out each night, but your committee are of the opinion that not more than fifty per cent. of the total outs are reported. The present superintendent of lights is also superin- tendent of public buildings, building permits, and plumbing, and is unable to give the time to the street lighting which the city should receive.


OIL LAMPS.


ARC ELECTRIC


LAMPS.


INCANDESCENT


ELECTRIC LAMPS.


TOTAL.


Lamps in the city January 1, 1892, as per last report


Erected during the year .


115


-


115


Discontinued during the year


134


134


Lamps in the city January 1, 1893


3


273


222


498


3 co


158


356


517


-


-


For locations of the above lights see report of the superintendent of street lights.




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