USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1892 > Part 27
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28
260 88
Balance unexpended
$890 00
SCHOOLHOUSE, EDGERLY ADDITION ACCOUNT.
CREDIT.
Appropriation
$20,000 00
DEBIT.
Expenditures : -
George M. Starbird, on account of
$10,500 00
contract
Smith Heating and Ventilating Co., on account of contract . 298 50
Samuel D. Kelley ( architect), on account of contract 400 00
T. Harrington and H. F. White, removing furniture 19 00
Total expenditure
11,217 50
Balance unexpended .
.
$8,782 50
474
ANNUAL REPORTS.
EXPENDITURES BY THIS COMMITTEE FROM MISCEL- LANEOUS ACCOUNT.
City Hall expenses :-
gas
$61 60
electric lighting
315 18
fuel
234 25
water
16 40
telephone connections
113 05
repairs and furniture
945 58
insurance
187 50
ice
35 00
incidentals
97 85
$2,006 41
Preparing rooms for elections and caucuses
227 92
Rent of rooms for elections and caucuses .
40 00
Care of rooms for elections and caucuses .
76 00
Rental of seven sets of telephone instruments in public buildings from Sept. 1, 1892, to Sept. 1, 1893
105 00
Building band stand
100 00
Carpet, Company M, M. V. M.
141 08
Ballot boxes
55 88
Advertising sale Lincoln School lot
96 00
Incidentals .
115 03
City Messenger's team : -
maintenance, including one new horse, $225.00,
less one horse sold
925 95
City Engineer's team :-
maintenance from April 1, 1892, to December 31, 1892
202 50
Total
$4,091 77
475
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC PROPERTY.
POLICE STATION INCIDENTALS ACCOUNT.
At the police station a new shed has been built on the westerly side of the police stable.
The officers' quarters, the court room, the overseers of the poor room, the armory, and the lower hall have been re-frescoed, at an ex- pense of $1,131.76.
SCHOOLHOUSE INCIDENTALS ACCOUNT.
By an order dated September 29, new sanitaries have been placed in the Beach-street schoolhouse, and the building is now in fair con- dition.
At the Bell School the walls on the northwesterly side of the. building have been strengthened by iron rods being placed through. the outside brick walls ; the fence has also been rebuilt and painted.
At the Bennett School the building has been painted outside. during the year; also gravel sidewalks with edgestones have been constructed around the building.
The Brastow schoolhouse has been discontinued during the past year.
At the Cedar-street School new sanitaries have been placed out- side of the building, new steps have been built to the entrances of the building, the ceiling and walls have been whitewashed and tinted, and the inside woodwork has been painted.
At the Cummings School the building has been painted outside and slight repairs made.
At the Davis School the basement floor has been concreted.
At the Forster School a brick sidewalk has been constructed on Evergreen avenue ; two rooms have been painted during the year, the ceilings whitened, and the hall ceiling tinted ; one room has been fur- nished with new desks for the lowest grade of pupils.
At the Glines School edgestones and gravel sidewalks have been constructed.
At the Franklin School the interior of the building has been painted and the ceilings whitened.
At the Harvard School the ceilings and walls have been tinted ..
476
ANNUAL REPORTS.
At the High School four recitation rooms and toilet rooms have been painted and the ceilings whitened; the boilers have received new tubes, and a shaking-grate placed under one of the boilers.
At the Highland School the walls and ceilings of the halls were painted and whitened throughout; brick sidewalks and edgestones have been constructed on Highland avenue and Grove street.
At the Jackson School the inside woodwork has been painted, the ceilings whitened, and the southeast side of the roof has been re- shingled.
At the Lincoln School the building has been painted outside, a brick sidewalk with edgestones has been constructed, and an inside granite curbing has been laid; concrete walks have also been laid on each side of the building.
At the Morse School the walls of six rooms have been painted, the teachers' toilet rooms have been fitted up, and the office of the principal's room has been furnished with a roll-top desk, chairs, and rugs.
At the Prescott School a portion of the basement floor has been concreted, the walls and ceiling of one of the schoolrooms and the halls have been painted and the ceiling whitened ; a new entrance has been made from the hallway to the principal's office.
At the Prospect Hill School a new front fence has been built, and two rooms have been fitted up with new furniture.
At the Charles G. Pope School the grounds have been graded and curbing set on two sides of the building; a new division fence has been placed on the westerly side of the lot.
At the Webster School new furnaces have been placed in the building, the woodwork has been painted, the walls painted, and the ceilings whitened.
EDGERLY SCHOOLHOUSE ADDITION.
By authority of an order dated June 22d, a contract was made with George M. Starbird for an addition of four rooms to the Edgerly schoolhouse, situated on Cross street, in accordance with plans and specifications prepared by Samuel D. Kelley, architect, for the sum of $16,351. The building has been raised and is now nearly completed. The heating appliances are to be furnished by the Smith Ventilating
477
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC PROPERTY.
and Heating Company. The building when finished will contain sixteen schoolrooms, and will rank among the best in the city.
LAND, TUFTS STREET.
By authority of an order dated June 8th, 8,568 feet of land was purchased of the heirs of Charles Robinson, at twenty-five cents per foot, amounting to $2,142. This lot joins the Davis School lot, and was secured with a view to the enlarging of the schoolhouse at some future time.
For the committee,
WILLIAM A. HUNNEWELL, Chairman. WILLIAM P. MITCHELL, Clerk.
*
REPORT
OF THE
INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, January 11, 1893. 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, January 11, 1893. CHARLES S. ROBERTSON, Clerk.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS, January 1, 1893.
To the Honorable the Mayor and City Council : -
GENTLEMEN,-As required by the city building ordinance, I have the honor to submit the report of the business of this depart- ment for the year ending December 31, 1892.
The total number of buildings, etc., for which permits were granted, and the uses for which they are intended, will be found in the following table :-
WARDS.
1
2
3
4
TOTAL.
Single dwelling-houses
Dwellings in blocks
2
29
10
10
51
Additions and alterations to buildings
15
27
35
19
96
Stables
5
15
22
11
53
Factories
2
1
-
-
3
Carriage-houses
2
1
1
1
5
Churches
-
-
-
-
1
Schoolhouses
1
1
1
3
Bakery
1
1
Stores
1
1
3
Car-house
2
-
-
ยท2
4
Office with store
1
1
Undertakers' office and stable
1
3 13
1
2
6
61
188
211
191
651
31
109
136
143
1
1
Shops
1
1
1
Public hall with stores
-
1
1
-
1
1
For storage
-
1
1
Offices
1121 1 1
2
1
Apartment-houses
419
482
ANNUAL REPORTS.
The attention of the inspector of buildings has been called in the following cases where violations of the ordinance occurred or the 1 public safety was endangered :-
Partition wall unsafe (new building)
1
Brick walls substituted for wooden
1
Strength of floor timbers (new building)
2
Strength of floor timbers (old building)
2
Unsafe brick piers
9
Unsafe chimneys (new building)
2
Unsafe fire-places
3
The total number of permits to do plumbing was 483, covering 513 buildings. The soil-pipes in 334 buildings were tested with the water test. Some joints were found that were not tight, and some sections of pipe cracked; but, on the whole, there has been a great improvement in the manner of doing plumbing over that of the previous year.
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS R. ROULSTONE,
Inspector of Buildings.
REPORT
OF THE
SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
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 THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS,
January 1, 1893. 1
To the Honorable the Mayor and City Council : -
GENTLEMEN, - In compliance with the city ordinance No. 50, Sec. 8, this report is respectfully submitted.
The number of public buildings under my care and over which I have supervision of the repairs and alterations is twenty-eight. The following is a brief description of some of the repairs and alterations in same :-
Beach-street School .- Repairs to plastering; walls and ceilings tinted and whitened ; sanitaries constructed in basement for use of Beach-street and Spring Hill schools; door cut through from boys' yard to basement; back steps rebuilt; drain built to sewer; fence repaired.
Luther V. Bell School .- Iron rods have been put into the rear walls to strengthen the building; front fence removed; rear and side fences rebuilt and repaired ; repairs have been made to floors, roof, stairs, etc.
Bennett School .- The building was painted on the outside, two coats ; repairs were made to platform, steps, and janitor's rooms. There is great need of new plumbing in basement.
Bingham School. - Slight repairs have been made to roof, heat- ing apparatus, etc. The woodwork on the outside of the building should be painted.
486
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Brastow School .- The school has not been in use for school purposes during the year.
Burns School .- The building has had but slight repairs; the brickwork to boiler was repaired and basement whitewashed. The outside woodwork of the building needs to be painted.
Cedar-street School. - The inside of the building was renovated by paint and whitewash; chimneys repaired; sanitaries improved and rebuilt; shed new silled ; walks repaired; and new steps built.
Cummings School .- The building was painted two coats on the outside; slight repairs to woodwork, furnaces, and water closets; basement whitewashed.
Davis School .- Cellar floor concreted; a door cut in brick parti- tion to girls' sanitaries from basement.
Edgerly School .- This building has been raised from its founda- tion and four rooms added. It is to be heated by the Smith system, with sanitaries and ventilation complete. At the present time the building is unfinished.
Forster School .- The hall and two rooms have been tinted and painted ; furniture in two rooms dressed off and varnished ; repairs made to roof, etc.
Franklin School .- The walls of the rooms painted and ceiling whitened ; drain relaid ; teachers' water closet put in cellar.
Jacob T. Glines School. - Slight repairs have been made on the building; one of the connecting rooms furnished with fifty No. 1 lid desks.
Harvard School .- The interior of this building has been reno- vated by paint and whitewash ; front fence removed. This building should be painted outside.
High School .- The walls and ceilings of four recitation rooms and toilet room were painted and whitened; toilet room furnished with carpet, etc .; boilers retubed and new shaking grate put in by the Continental Grate Company.
Highland School .- The halls were painted and whitened ; cold air boxes on east and south sides changed; door cut through from basement to girls' yard.
Jackson School .- The inside woodwork, walls, and ceilings have been painted and whitened ; one side of roof reshingled.
O. S. Knapp School .- Slight repairs have been made on the building ; door cut through from boys' basement to stairs.
487
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
Lincoln School .- The outside of the building has been painted ; walls and ceilings painted and whitened ; slight repairs to heating apparatus.
Morse School .- The walls and ceilings of four rooms have been painted and whitened ; office and retiring room fitted up; tin roof painted.
Charles G. Pope School .- Sink put in basement for janitor's use ; new division fence built.
Prescott School .- The walls in the hall, office, and one room were painted ; an entrance made to master's office from the hall ; new slate blackboard in master's schoolroom; basement partly concreted ; desks and chairs of two rooms dressed off and varnished; stairs strengthened.
Prospect Hill School .- Repairs to fences and slight general repairs to building ; one room has been fitted up with adjustable furniture and one room with kindergarten furniture ; all rooms are now in use.
Spring Hill School .- The schoolroom that was unused in 1891 has been fitted up with kindergarten furniture and is now in service ; repairs have been made to chimney, sink, drain, etc.
Union School .- This school building has been sold, together with the lot.
Webster School .- Walls, ceilings, and inside woodwork painted and whitened; stairs strengthened; two new furnaces put in, taking place of stoves ; closet built for supplies; flagstaff put on building.
City Hall .- Slight repairs have been made ; a window put in partition; telephone closet built; lockers built in city clerk's office.
Police Station .- Hard wood floors laid in front and back offices ; walls and ceilings painted and woodwork varnished in front and back offices, lower hall, guard room, court room, office of the overseers of the poor, and officers' rooms, Company M, 8th Regiment, M. V. M. ; eight additional closets built in guard room ; alterations in basement, by changing two rooms into one large room ; putting in water closet, sink, and bunk for accommodation of tramps; carriage shed built in rear of station.
In my report I have named only some of the larger improve- ments and repairs that I have been called upon to make on the build- ings enumerated ; but in addition repairs have been made to black-
488
ANNUAL REPORTS.
boards, furniture, stoves, furnaces, electric bells, roofs, drains, stairs , floors, windows, boilers, plumbing, sanitaries, walks, etc.
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS R. ROULSTONE, Superintendent of Public Buildings,
4
REPORT
OF THE
INSPECTOR OF MILK.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
IN COMMON COUNCIL, January 11, 1893.
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 BOARD OF ALDERMEN, January 11, 1893. CHARLES S. ROBERTSON, Clerk.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR OF MILK, - January 1, 1893.
To His Honor the Mayor and Gentlemen of the City Council :-
GENTLEMEN, - As inspector of milk for the city of Somerville, the following annual report is respectfully submitted : -
During the past year two hundred and thirty-two (232) licenses to sell milk in this city have been issued to the citizens of Somerville and vicinity. Forty-three (43) registers to sell milk from stores have also been given. There are at present about two hundred and fifty (250) registers in force. Counting stores and milkmen together, there are engaged in the sale of milk nearly five hundred (500) of our citizens. I am glad to affirm, from personal acquaintance and knowledge of these people, that the milk business is conducted as honorably and honestly as any other business in this city. Our milk- men furnish as good a quality of milk as can be found in any city in the State.
Nearly three hundred (300) samples have been tested, with very satisfactory results. During all the years of my service as inspector, I have had only three complaints from private families in regard to their receiving poor milk from milkmen ; and the people all know that there is a milk inspector in Somerville.
The number of persons engaged in the sale of oleomargarine and butterine is very limited. These imitations do not appear to find a market in this community. Only eleven (11) licenses have been given.
492
ANNUAL REPORTS.
For licenses and registers during the past year one hundred and forty-three dollars ($143) have been paid into the city treasury.
Very respectfully,
THOMAS CUNNINGHAM,
Inspector of Milk.
REPORT
OF THE
INSPECTOR OF PROVISIONS AND OF
ANIMALS INTENDED FOR SLAUGHTER OR
KEPT FOR THE PRODUCTION OF MILK.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, December 28, 1892. Accepted and referred to the next City Council, to be printed in the annual reports. Sent down for concurrence. GEORGE I. VINCENT, Clerk.
Concurred in. IN COMMON COUNCIL, December 28, 1892. CHARLES S. ROBERTSON, Clerk.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR OF PROVISIONS AND OF ANI- MALS INTENDED FOR SLAUGHTER OR KEPT FOR THE PRODUCTION OF MILK,
December 15, 1892.
To His Honor the Mayor and Members of the City Council :-
GENTLEMEN,-Under your commission and the letter of in- structions from the "State Cattle Commission," I am able to give you a statement of the work accomplished by me to date. The work of inspection commenced the latter part of September. Since that time I have made a thorough inspection of the entire city of Somer- ville.
I have found four hundred and forty-two (442) neat cattle, owned by one hundred and sixteen (116) citizens : three hundred and seventy-four cows producing milk, forty-one cows dry, three bulls, twenty young stock, four fatting stock. All of these animals were free from any contagious diseases. Only three were temporarily sick from local causes. These cattle are distributed from one end of the city to the other, and each one has been personally examined by me. This same report has been made to the Cattle Commission, and it was satisfactory to them.
I have also made an examination of three slaughtering establish- ments in this city, two of which did not really require an examina- tion, as they are fully reported by the State officials. John P. Squire's report that they kill, on an average, 18,000 hogs per week. The North Packing Company report the same in number of hogs. The two establishments together kill about 1,800,000 hogs annually. Another establishment, 104 North street. West Somerville, Hartz
496
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Gunsenhiser, proprietor, kills beef cattle and calves, averaging twenty-five animals per week of four working days. This man kills almost entirely for the Jewish population of Boston. His premises are kept clean and in order.
The North Packing Company have commenced killing sheep and lambs. They will be in full working order by January 1st, 1893. Assuming that a large proportion of the parties engaged in the differ- ent kinds of business described in Chapter 58, Section 2, Public Statutes, do not keep posted in regard to the laws and liabilities, I have, as a notice and caution, sent to each one a copy of the enclosed card, so that in case of prosecution they cannot plead a lack of knowledge : -
SOMERVILLE, November 17, 1892.
The following sections of Chapter 58 are published by the in- spector of provisions and animals intended for slaughter, for the information and caution to all dealers in meats, fish, vegetables, produce, fruits, and provisions of all kinds : -
CHAPTER 58, SECTION 5, PUBLIC STATUTES OF THE STATE OF MASSA- CHUSETTS.
Whoever knowingly sells, or offers or exposes for sale, or has in his possession with intent to sell for food, any diseased animal, or any tainted, diseased, corrupted, decayed, or unwholesome meat, fish, vegetables, produce, fruits, or provisions of any kind whatever, shall be punished by imprisonment in jail for not more than sixty days, or by fine of not more than one hundred dollars.
Attention is also called to Section 3 of the same chapter : -
Said inspector may inspect all veal found in said cities or towns, or offered or exposed for sale, or kept with intent to sell therein, and if said veal is, in the judgment of the inspector, that of a calf killed under four weeks old, he shall seize the same and cause it to be destroyed or disposed of as provided in the preceding section, sub- ject, however, to the provisions therein contained concerning appeal and the disposal of moneys.
THOMAS CUNNINGHAM,
Inspector of Animals and Provisions.
3 Oak street, Somerville, Mass.
497
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF PROVISIONS.
These cards have been sent, or personally delivered, to seventy- seven grocers, forty-four grocers and provision dealers, eighteen pro- vision stores, twelve fish stores, ten fruit dealers; total number, 161.
This list covers about all the places where there is a chance for transgression of the law.
Hawkers and pedlers are not mentioned in this law, still it is undoubtedly a part of my duty to keep an eye on them. I under- stand, from the Cattle Commission, that the inspection of cows and cattle must be repeated every three months. There must also be a constant supervision of all cattle that may be brought to the city from day to day.
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS CUNNINGHAM,
Inspector.
REPORT
OF THE
CITY SOLICITOR.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, March 8, 1893.
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 8, 1893. WILLIAM P. MITCHELL, Clerk pro tem.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
March 8, 1893.
To the Honorable the Mayor and the City Council : -
I respectfully submit my report as city solicitor for the year ending December 31, 1892.
The following are the cases now pending in the courts to which the city of Somerville is a party : -
1. Parker vs. Somerville-Before County Commissioners of Middlesex County. Damages on account of land alleged to have been taken for a sewer by the city.
2. Squire vs. Somerville .- Before Superior Court in Middlesex County. Damages for conversion of box drain.
3. Boston & Lowell Railroad Company vs. Somerville- Before Superior Court in Middlesex County. Petition in regard to repairs and reconstruction of bridges across railroad location in Somerville and assessment of expenses thereof.
4. Philbrook vs. Somerville-Before United States Circuit Court. Action for damages for alleged violation of the Knibbs patent for a relief valve on steam fire-engines. This action was commenced May 20, 1887, and similar actions were brought against other cities. Somerville and the other defendant cities put their cases into the hands of Livermore & Fish, patent solicitors. At a hearing, November 14, 1888, the court decided for the defendant, and the appeal from that decision is now pending. -
5. Norwood vs. Somerville-Before Supreme Judicial Court on exceptions. Action for personal injuries alleged to have been re- ceived upon Cedar street, November 2, 1889.
6. Kelly vs. Somerville-Before Superior Court in Middlesex
502
ANNUAL REPORTS.
County. Action for personal injuries alleged to have been received upon Somerville avenue, November 25, 1890.
7. Williams vs. Somerville - Before Superior Court in Middle- sex County. Action for injuries alleged to have been caused to cattle, July 3, 1891, by the agents of the State Board of Agriculture for the extermination of the gypsy moth.
8. John F. Cole, Collector, vs. Charles H. North - Before Superior Court in Suffolk County. Action for recovery of taxes.
9. McCarthy vs. Somerville - Before Superior Court in Middle- sex County. Action for personal injuries alleged to have been re- ceived upon Somerville avenue, October 31, 1892.
10. Somerville vs. Fitchburg and Albany Railroad Companies - Petition for appointment of commissioners for abolition of grade crossings on Somerville avenue.
The following cases have been disposed of : -
1. Brooks vs. Somerville- Before Superior Court in Middlesex County. Action for personal injuries alleged to have been received upon Summer street, January 27, 1891. Settled by payment ( after verdict in court ), for $2,700.
2. Boston vs. Somerville- Before Superior Court in Middlesex County. Appeal from assessment of taxes. Settled by payment of $140 to plaintiff.
3. Somerville vs. T. P. Beal, Receiver of Maverick Bank-Tried in United States Circuit Court and in Court of Appeals. Judgment for the city for $21,170.40, which was paid to the city.
4. Hadley vs. Somerville- Before County Commissioners of Middlesex County. Appeal from assessment of taxes. Appeal dis- missed.
It thus appears that the total amount expended by the city dur- ing the year on account of actions brought against it was $2,840.
In most of the cases which came before the committee on claims, the petitioners were given leave to withdraw, and as we have not heard from such cases since, I need not trouble you with a recital of them.
All which is respectfully submitted,
S. Z. BOWMAN,
City Solicitor.
REPORT
OF THE
CITY CLERK.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, January 25, 1893. 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, January 27, 1893. GEORGE I. VINCENT, Clerk pro tem.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK, January 25, 1893.
To the Honorable the Mayor and the City Council : -
GENTLEMEN, -The following is respectfully submitted as the- twenty-first annual report of the city clerk of Somerville, and is for- the year ending December 31, 1892 : -
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.