Report of the city of Somerville 1894, Part 29

Author: Somerville (Mass.)
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Somerville, Mass.
Number of Pages: 684


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1894 > Part 29


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Width in Feet.


Public.


Private.


Wesley


Pearl st.


Northeast to angle


Private.


40


. .


350


Wesley


Angle


Otis st.


Private.


30


165


West


Broadway


Heath st.


Private.


30


West


Hawthorne st.


Arlington B. R. R. Private.


30


. .


590


Westminster ·


Broadway


Electric ave.


Private.


40


. .


376


Westwood road


Central st.


Benton ave.


Public.


40


487


. .


Wheatland


Broadway


Jaques st.


Public.


40


495


. .


. .


. .


269


Whipple


Hawthorne st.


Arlington B. R. R.


Private.


30


. .


575


White


Elm st.


Cambridge line


Private.


20


. .


200


Wigglesworth


Bonair st.


Pearl st.


Private.


40


..


740


William


Chandler st.


Elm st.


Public.


40


381


..


Williams ct.


Porter st.


Northwesterly


Private.


30


. .


150


Willoughby


Central st.


Sycamore st.


Private.


30


400


Willow ave.


Elm st.


Broadway


Public.


50


3,440


.


Willow place


Cambridge line.


South st.


Private.


25


. .


550


Wilson ave.


Broadway


B. & L. R. R.


Private.


20


. .


310


Wilton


Lowell st.


Lawrence st.


Private.


35


470


Windom


Elm st.


Summer st.


Public.


40


300


..


Winslow ave.


Elm st.


Grove st.


Public.


40


514


. .


Winslow ave.


Grove st.


Clifton st.


Private.


40


..


572


Winter


Elm st.


Holland st.


Private.


30


..


430


Winthrop ave.


Broadway


Mystic ave.


Public.


50


1,170


.


Woodbine


Centre st.


Lowell st.


Private.


30


. .


1,350


Wyatt ct.


South Wyatt st.


Westerly


Private.


13


. .


200


Wyatt (South)


Concord ave.


Northerly


Private.


40


400


Wyatt (North)


Washington st.


Southerly


Private.


40


. .


350


York terrace


Central st.


Harvard pl.


Public.


40


267


..


Total .


274,240


173,226


. .


177


Winter Hill cir.


Broadway


Northeasterly


Private.


25


600


*Woods ave.


North st.


Alewife Brook


Private.


40


150


*Willowdale


Willow ave.


Easterly


Private.


40


. .


300


White St. place


White st.


Southeasterly


Private.


20


. .


525


Wheatland


Jaques st.


Mystic ave.


Private.


40


S55


Wheeler


Pinckney st.


Mt. Vernon st.


Private.


40


250


Weston ave.


Clarendon ave.


Broadway


Private.


40


LENGTH.


Public. 51.9 miles; private, 32.8 miles.


* Proposed.


(30)


478


ANNUAL REPORTS.


APPENDIX G.


ORDINANCE REGULATING CITY ENGINEER'S DEPARTMENT.


Duties of committee on city en- gineering.


SECTION 1. The Committee on City Engineering shall have the care and supervision of the City Engineer's de- partment, and the appointment and discharge of all as- sistants employed therein shall be with its approval, and it shall fix the compensation of every such assistant.


City engi- neer, how elected. Char., § 12.


SECT. 2. The Mayor and Aldermen shall annually, as soon after their organization as practicable, appoint a city engineer, who shall hold his office for the term of one year, unless sooner removed. He shall be removable at the pleas- ure of the mayor and aldermen, and a vacancy may be filled at any time for the unexpired term. He shall receive such compensation as the City Council may determine.


General duties of city engi- neer.


SECT. 3. He shall be at. the head of the department of city engineering, and shall exercise a general supervision of all matters within said department. He shall be consulted in relation to public improvements of every kind, where the advice of a Civil Engineer would be of service. He shall have the charge, under the direction and control of the Committee on City Engineering, of all plans of every kind, not especially belonging to other departments, and shall keep the same properly classified and indexed ; and he may make such rules and regulations concerning the taking of plans from his office as he may deem necessary to insure their safety.


Location of water- pipes, plans, etc.


SECT. 4. He shall, under the direction of the Water Board, have general supervision of the location of all water- pipes in the city, and shall make and keep on file in his office accurate plans of the same, said plans to be carefully preserved for future reference.


Surveys, etc., to be


SECT. 5. He shall, either by himself or his assistants, made by city make such surveys, plans, profiles, estimates, and descriptions engineer.


479


REPORT OF THE CITY ENGINEER.


as may be required of him by the Mayor, either branch of the City Council, or any committee thereof ; and he shall per- form all other such services, and impart such information concerning any department of the city's affairs, properly re- lating to the office of City Engineer, as may be required of him by the Mayor, either branch of the City Council, or any committee, board, or officer thereof.


neer to have


plans, etc.,


out, etc., of


SECT. 6. He shall take charge of all plans and surveys City engi- relating to the laying out, widening, extending, or grading ofcharge of streets, and the establishing of correct lines for the same, and for laying of all such structures and public works of the city as the Citystreets. Council or any committee thereof may direct; and under their direction he shall prepare all plans and specifications for the same, and shall prepare, or cause to be prepared, all con- tracts that they may require, said specifications and contracts to be approved by the City Solicitor ; provided, that nothing in this section shall be so construed as to authorize him to inter- fere with existing departments or boards of officers, or with any that may hereafter be established, whose duties may be clearly defined.


SECT. 7. He shall give to all applicants, so far as theCity engi- files and records of his office will permit, any informationnish infor- neer to fur- they may desire as to the lines and grades of streets on whichpossession mation in their estates are situated, or upon which they intend to build ; department. of his and all information of this character furnished to owners of estates, or persons representing them, or to those intending to build, shall be without charge.


APPENDIX H.


ORDINANCE RELATING TO SEWER DEPARTMENT.


SECTION 1. Main drains or common sewers, which shallcommon be ordered by the Board of Aldermen to be made, shall bes., c. 50, § 1. sewers. P. laid in such places and manner, and shall be made of such materials and dimensions, as the Committee on Sewers shall


480


ANNUAL REPORTS.


direct, unless the Mayor and Aldermen specially determine otherwise.


To be laid only by city


Every sewer or drain, laid in any land, or street, or way, public or private, opened, or proposed to be opened, for public travel and accommodation, for the purpose of draining more than one estate, shall be deemed to be a common sewer, and no such common sewer shall be laid or connected with any existing common sewer, except by the city. No person shall cut into, interfere with, or obstruct a main drain or common sewer, or shall enter, or attempt to enter, a private or other drain or sewer therein, or into any private drain connecting with any main drain or common sewer, except in accordance with a permit in writing from the City Engineer.


Land taken for sewers. § 2.


SECT. 2. When land is taken for the purpose of con- P. S., c. 50, structing a main drain or common sewer, the proceedings shall be the same as provided in chapter fifteen of these ordinances in regard to the laying out of streets or ways in the city.


Entrance of private drains into main drains.


SECT. 3. Said committee shall have full power to direct and control the places and manner of entering all private drains into such main drains or common sewers.


Committee on sewers.


SECT. 4. The Committee on Sewers shall have the direc- tion and control, subject to the orders of the Board of Alder- men, of all the main drains and common sewers of the city, and of the construction, maintenance, repairs, and use of the same.


City engi- neer to supervise construc- tion, etc., of drains.


The City Engineer, under the direction of the Committee on Sewers, shall have the supervision and control of the con- struction, alteration, repairs, and maintenance of such drains and sewers, and all appurtenances thereto and connections therewith ; and when sewers are constructed he shall cause accurate plans thereof to be made, representing their loca- tion, depth, and materials, with a " section plan" of each sewer, indicating its size, shape, thickness, and construction,


481


REPORT OF THE CITY ENGINEER.


and he shall cause to be shown by said plans all existing con- nections with said sewers, and all future connections as they are made.


The location of all catch-basins shall be under the direc- tion of the City Engineer.


The City Engineer and Clerk of the Committee on Sewers shall, on the last day of each calendar week, prepare pay-rolls made up to the end of such week, of all employees in the Sewer Department required by law to be paid weekly, and present the same to the Chairman of the Committee on Sewers for approval, and on the last day of each month (or as soon as practicable, not exceeding four days thereafter) shall prepare pay-rolls for other labor and materials purchased Pay-rolls of in the Sewer Department, and present the same with the bills sewer de- tment. St. 1887, c. 399. to the Committee on Sewers.


SECT. 5. Whenever any street is opened for the laying ofOpening of streets for pipes for water, gas, or other purposes, or for the prosecutiongas-pipes, of any works of construction, such laying of pipes and theetc. work connected therewith, or such work of construction, shall be so executed as not to obstruct in any way the course, capacity, or construction of a common sewer ; and whenever pipes for any purpose or any work of construction are found to exist at such a depth or in such a location as to interfere with any existing sewer, or with the building of any common sewer of the required size and at the proper depth and grades, the department, corporation, or person maintaining the same shall, upon notice thereof, at once remove, change, or alter said pipe or pipes, or other works, in such manner as the City Engineer may direct. If such department, corporation, or person neglects to comply immediately with the terms of such notification, the City Engineer may make such removal, change, or alteration, and the cost thereof shall be paid by such department, corporation, or person.


SECT. 6. The Committee on Sewers shall keep an accu-Committee rate account of the cost of each main drain or common sewerkeep ac- on sewers to constructed, and make report thereof to the Board of Alder-cost, and re- count of men. port.


water-pipes,


482


ANNUAL REPORTS.


Sewer as- sessments to be made by board of aldermen. P. S., c. 50 § 4.


SECT. 7. The Board of Aldermen shall make assessments for all main drains or common sewers heretofore constructed or reconstructed by the city, the expenses of which have not already been assessed and collected, in the same manner as for those which may hereafter be constructed ; and the City Engineer shall render all the services and perform all the duties in regard to the main drains or common sewers hereto- fore constructed, the expenses of which have not already been assessed and collected, which he is required to render and perform in regard to those hereafter to be constructed.


Apportion- ment of sewer as- sessments. § 11. SECT. 8. In making assessments for constructing or re- pairing main drains or common sewers, the Board of Aldermen P. S., c. 50, may deduct from the expenses such part as they may deem expedient, to be charged to, and paid by, the city, and shall apportion and assess the remainder, or the whole, if no de- duction be made, upon the persons and estates benefited by the main drains or common sewers, either by the entry of their drains thereinto, or by any more remote means, and shall prescribe when such assessment shall be paid.


Sewer as- sessments to be given to collector for collec- tion. P. S., c. 50, § 5.


SECT. 9. The Board of Aldermen shall deliver a list of such assessments, when made, to the Collector of Taxes, for collection, who shall forthwith, in writing, demand the same of the parties liable, and proceed in the collection thereof, in the manner prescribed by law.


SECT. 10. Every drain which enters into any common Size, mate- rials, etc., of drains. § 12. sewer in any street shall be built of such size and materials, P. S., c. 80, in such direction, at such grade, and in such manner as shall be satisfactory to the Committee on Sewers, and with a due observance of all regulations of the Board of Health, so far as applicable thereto ; and every opening into such common sewer for the purpose of connecting a drain therewith, and the repairs of every drain laid from any house, building, cellar, or land to such common sewer, and every opening into such drain, and all openings and excavations in any street for the purpose of constructing or repairing any private drain,


ers to be Drain lay-


483


REPORT OF THE CITY ENGINEER.


shall be made by a person licensed in writing for that purpose licensed. P. S., c. 50, § 12.


by the Board of Aldermen, and by no other person.


All licenses under this chapter shall expire on the first day of May annually, unless sooner revoked by the Board of Aldermen.


SECT. 11. Any person licensed as provided in the pre-Require- ments of ceding section shall, before performing any work authorizeddrain lay- ers. P. S., thereby, execute a bond to the city, in such sum as the Boardc. 50, § 13. of Aldermen may prescribe, with one or more sureties, satis- factory to them, conditioned that he will properly make the openings into all common sewers opened by him; that he will construct or repair the drains to be connected by him with the common sewers or with other drains, in a thorough and workmanlike manner ; that he will leave no material or obstruction of any description in the sewer which he may open, or in any drain leading into any sewer; that he will properly close up the excavation, and restore the earth and pavement taken up, and regrade and repave the street, and put it in good and proper condition, and remove all super- fluous material, all to the satisfaction of the superintendent . of streets ; and if he fails so to do, or if at any time within one year from the date of the completion of any drain, the surface of the street shall settle or otherwise become unsafe for public travel, then the Superintendent of Streets shall re- pave and regrade the street at the expense of the said drain layer, and within five days thereafter deliver a bill of the same to the treasurer for collection, and said drain layer shall immediately pay the same, and he shall not be entitled to receive another permit until the said bill and all other bills of expense incurred by the city on account of his negligence or default, shall be paid in full; also, that he will cause a sufficient fence to be placed so as to enclose the excavation, and the earth, stone, and other materials which may be put into the street, and that he will maintain such fence during the whole time such excavation, earth, or other material may obstruct the street, and will cause a sufficient number of lighted lanterns to be maintained in suitable places over such


484


ANNUAL REPORTS.


excavation, earth, material, and fence, from the beginning of twilight every evening and through every night during the time such obstruction in the street may exist ; and, further, that he will comply with the ordinances which may be at any time in force in relation to sewers, drains, and streets, and with such orders and regulations as the Board of Aldermen have adopted, or may from time to time adopt, for the gov- ernment of persons licensed to construct or repair private drains, or open or dig in the streets for that purpose ; and that he will indemnify and save harmless the city from all damages, costs, and expenses which it may incur or sustain, by reason of any and all injuries resulting to any one in per- son or property, from the neglect or carelessness of himself or his servants in opening, closing, making, or repairing any sewer or drain, in performing work connected therewith, or in properly fencing, or in lighting by night any excavation or obstruction caused or made by him or his servants, or which the city may incur or sustain in any manner by reason of the excavation or construction of any sewer or drain by him or his servants or agents, or any work or acts performed or done by him or them connected therewith.


No licensed drain layer shall perform any piece of work such as is specified in section ten of this ordinance, without first obtaining a written permit therefor from the City Engi- neer ; and he shall in all cases comply with every condition of such permit.


Penalty for employing unlicensed drain layer.


SECT. 12. Whoever shall employ any person not licensed to lay private drains in this city, to perform any work such as is specified in section ten of this ordinance, shall be liable for all damages caused by such person, as well as to the pen- alty hereinafter provided.


Owners of private


SECT. 13. Any real estate, to the owner or owners of drains not towhich permission has been or may be given to construct pri- be exempt ment for common sewers.


from assess- vate drains for such estate, shall not by the construction of such private drains be exempted from any assessment law- fully imposed for constructing common sewers in the same vicinity.


485


REPORT OF THE CITY ENGINEER.


SECT. 14. No drain connecting with a common sewer, Drain sub-


'ject to the subject to the action of the tide-water, shall be constructedaction of the without a plug or clapper to prevent completely the reflux ofplug or clapper.


tide to have drainage matter, storm or tide-waters.


SECT: 15. No exhaust from steam-engines and no blow-Exhaust off from steam-boilers shall be connected with any common blow-off. sewer or private drain.


SECT. 16. No person shall place or deposit in any catch-Penalty for interfering, basin any animal or vegetable matter, solid or liquid, or anyetc., with other filthy substance, or any solid matter of any kind. sewer.


SECT. 17. Any person who shall violate any of the pro-Penalty for visions of this ordinance shall be liable to a penalty of notordinance. violation of more than twenty dollars.


REPORT


OF THE


COMMITTEE ON FIRE DEPARTMENT.


·


CITY OF SOMERVILLE.


IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, January 30, 1895.


Referred to Committee on Printing, to be printed in the Annual Reports. Sent down for concurrence.


GEORGE I. VINCENT, Clerk.


IN COMMON COUNCIL, January 30, 1895.


Referred to Committee on Printing, to be printed in the Annual Reports, in concurrence.


CHARLES S. ROBERTSON, Clerk.


CITY OF SOMERVILLE.


IN COMMITTEE ON FIRE DEPARTMENT, January 1, 1895.


TO THE CITY COUNCIL OF SOMERVILLE :


The Committee on Fire Department presents the following report for the year 1894 : -


The manual force of the department consists of one hundred and two men, including the Chief and assistant engineers, and the acting call ladder-men on Ladder Company No. 2, who have not as yet received full appointment.


The apparatus in service consists of three steam fire engines - one of which is held in reserve, two ladder trucks, five hose wagons, one combination chemical and hose wagon, and one chemical engine ; one ladder truck and the chemical engine being additional apparatus purchased and placed in active service during the year by authority of the City Council. The chemical engine was purchased in pur- suance of an order dated March 28, 1894, of S. F. Hayward & Co., for the sum of $1,825, and was received and placed in active service July 1, 1894. Its value to the city and citizens has on several oc- casions been clearly demonstrated, the fires in a number of houses having been extinguished by the chemical engine alone, thereby pre- venting large losses which would have occurred had the houses been flooded with water.


· The ladder truck was purchased in pursuance of an order dated June 13, 1894, of the Combination Ladder Co., for the sum of $2,250, and was received and placed in service December 1. The truck pur- chased is what is known as the "Seagrave Truck," the truck itself and all the ladders being trussed ; they are therefore made lighter, and con-


490


ANNUAL REPORTS.


sequently easier to handle and operate. The workmanship of the whole apparatus is first class, and your committee believes it to be a valuable addition to the department.


LAND FOR ENGINE HOUSE, WARD ONE.


In pursuance of an order, dated March 28, 1894, there was pur- chased of Frank Jones and George H. Goodwin, trustees, a lot of land at the corner of Broadway and Franklin street extension, containing eight thousand, two hundred and seventy-nine feet, for the sum of $6,000.


CENTRAL FIRE STATION.


Under authority of orders of the City Council, dated March 28, May 23, and June 13, plans prepared by Aaron H. Gould, architect, were accepted for the Central Fire Station, proposals received and contracts awarded to George M. Starbird for its construction, for the sum of $24,875, and to the Smith & Anthony Co. for heating, for the sum of $993.


Work was begun under the contract the last of May, and the building was completed December 31, although it was to have been finished December 1. The delay was occasioned by the putting in of a granite foundation instead of blue stone, the committee considering the granite preferable to blue stone, the change being secured at no extra cost to the city.


The committee is of the opinion that the city has in its Central Fire Station a building surpassed by none for the purpose designed. It is as strongly and substantially built as any ever built within the city limits, and is commodious and convenient in its arrangement. It is designed not only for the immediate wants of the department, but also for its future needs. Ample facilities for growth in the de- mands of the fire-alarm system are provided in the arrangement of the battery and the battery room, which are estimated sufficient for the next fifty years.


By an order, dated June 13, the committee was authorized to pur- chase a new fire-alarm repeater, galvometers, and other apparatus connected therewith ; to change the number of fire-alarm circuits ;


491


REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FIRE DEPARTMENT.


and also purchase a new bell, furniture, etc., for the new station. Acting under said order a new eight-circuit repeater was purchased of the Gamewell Fire Alarm Co., the fire-alarm circuits were increased from three to six, and a new bell weighing three thousand and forty- two pounds was purchased of the Blake Bell Co., and placed in the tower of the new station.


HOOK AND LADDER STATION.


By authority of orders, dated March 28, May 23, and June 13, plans prepared by Loring & Phipps, architects, were accepted for a Hook and Ladder Station, on Highland avenue, proposals received, and contracts awarded to George M. Starbird for its construction, for the sum of $9,541.96, and to Albert B. Franklin for heating apparatus for the sum of $494. The construction of the building was begun the first of June, and was completed November 25.


Both the Central Fire Station and Hook and Ladder Station were occupied and used by the department as soon as completed.


FIRE-ALARM BOXES.


Now that ample provision has been made for the fire-alarm bat- tery, your committee would recommend the purchase of a reasonable number of new fire-alarm boxes, to be distributed over the city. A prompt alarm insures a promptness in reaching a fire, which is im- possible unless fire-alarm boxes are within easy reach of every one.


FIRE-ALARM TELEGRAPH.


The experience of the past year in the matter of the care and custody of the fire-alarm telegraph leads your committee to recom- mend that it be placed entirely in the hands of the Committee on Fire Department and the Chief Engineer, and that they be held re- sponsible therefor. Divided authority is not desirable in such an im- portant matter, and it would seem by comparison of the expenses of this year and those of 1892, that considerable saving could be made.


492


ANNUAL REPORTS.


BUILDINGS.


The old buildings used by the department have all been repaired, and some have been painted inside and out. A new floor, or part of a new floor, was put into the stable used by Hook and Ladder Co. No. One, on Washington street, as there was danger of the horses falling through. We especially call the attention of the City Council to this building, which is entirely out of date, and is not adapted to the wants of the department of to-day. It is the most important fire station in the city, as it is surrounded by more valuable taxable prop- erty than any other station. The large buildings in Union square, the churches and schools in the immediate vicinity, the millions of dollars worth of property of the North Packing & Provision Co., John P. Squire & Co., N. E. Dressed Meat & Wool Co., the Fitchburg rail- road freight yard, the Union Glass Co., the several oil companies, and other large establishments near by, and on the other side of Union square, the American Tube Works and Middlesex Bleachery are all within the fire limits of this station.


A proper protection of this valuable area not only requires but de- mands that a steam fire engine be placed in or near Union square. Your committee would therefore recommend that a new fire station be built to accommodate a steam fire engine, hose wagon, and ladder truck, and would suggest that it be erected on the site now occupied by the Prospect Hill School.




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