USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1894 > Part 3
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37
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF 1894.
buildings in the State - a city hall, memorial and public library combined, and high school. Instead of building piecemeal, the city obtained authority from the Legislature to borrow the amounts required outside the debt limit, and for the term of thirty years. As the work of erecting these buildings was to require considerable time, and cover the period of several city governments, the construction was placed in the hands of a commission consisting of its leading citizens, and the grand work has been accomplished. These buildings, if we erect them, are to continue for more than one generation. They are to be used by those who shall follow us in a long succession of years. Our borrowing capacity should always remain as large as possible, in order to provide schoolhouses, engine houses, sewers, and other important matters, but the weight of a loan on long time would be comparatively light and be borne in a measure by those who are to receive its benefits. The Somerville avenue paving loan is an illustra- tion of this idea. Newton is to have its grand boulevards, Cambridge its splendid parks. Somerville, with the finest location in this section of the State for its public buildings, will one day have them.
GENTLEMEN OF THE CITY COUNCIL : -
There are many matters of public interest to which I have not referred. Much has been done which time will not permit me to speak of at length, and that has not been mentioned in print. Such matters as the removal of grade crossings, reduction of the price of gas and change of railroad locations have had the close attention of the City Solicitor and the Mayor, the former having attended all hearings in these cases in the interest of the citizens of Somerville. He has been faithful in all his works, and while a trumpet has not been sounded before him he has accomplished much which will bear fruit and be creditable to himself and the city. Let us determine here and now that we will be true to the interests of this dear city now committed to our care. The year stretches out before us. It will be crowded with labors and activities. May we so conduct the public business that at its close our fellow-citizens may gladly say to each, " Well done, good and faithful servant."
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
DELIVERED BY
HON. WILLIAM H. HODGKINS,
JANUARY 7, 1895.
GENTLEMEN OF THE CITY COUNCIL : -
For the third time in the history of Somerville the voters have elected a Mayor for the fourth consecutive term. Renewing my oath of office, it is fitting that I should acknowledge my deep sense of personal obligation to my fellow-citizens for the honor conferred upon me for the fourth time, indicating, as it does, the confidence reposed in me. I should be less than human did I not respond with expres- sions of sincere thankfulness that my public course has been such as to receive this testimonial of high esteem.
But while a new honor has been added, I can but realize that another draught is to be made upon my strength and ability to per- form the duties of the high office. Experience has taught me that the position of Mayor of this growing city demands all the strength, and courage, and patience the incumbent possesses, and more than all else the sustaining grace and power of the Almighty. As I meet the cares and problems of another year, differing, in many respects,
40
ANNUAL REPORTS.
from those of former years, I must rely upon that power for any degree of success, and I exclaim, with one of old, " If Thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence."
We speak of Somerville as a growing city. Do we realize how rapidly it is growing, and what strides it is making? The population in 1872 was estimated to be 16,000; in 1880 it had increased to 24,985 ; in 1885, to 29,922, an increase of twenty per cent .; in 1890, to 40,152, an increase of thirty-three and one-third per cent .; in 1894, or four years and five months, to 52,200, an increase of thirty per cent. The increase of 1894 over 1880 has been 108 per cent.
The past year has been one of great activity in all the departments of the government. The building of the English High and George W. Durell Schools; the enlargement of the Knapp and Bingham Schools ; and much other less important work upon the schools ; the erection and equipment of the central fire station and hook and ladder house on Highland avenue, together with providing apparatus and extending the fire-alarm system ; the large amount of work in the Highway Department, including the building of a new stable; the extensive laying of sewers ; the reorganization of the Health Depart- ment ; the unusual amount of work performed by the Water Board ; the completion of the Nathan Tufts Park; the extra labors of the Poor Department in behalf of the unemployed, and many minor events too numerous to be mentioned in a single paragraph, have fully occupied the attention of the various committees. The year 1894 will be remembered by the members of its City Council and departments as one of hard work and little leisure.
Much of this work has been caused by the very rapid growth of the city. The demand for additional public accommodations --- schools, streets, and other necessities-is increasing yearly, and re- quires constant forethought and oversight to anticipate and provide for. Therefore, I recommend to your careful consideration the great economy of providing adequate accommodations in advance of their need. Something in this direction was done last year in securing the erection of the public buildings, but much more of the same kind of work must be done from year to year. The open ground of Somer- ville in every quarter is being rapidly covered with buildings to pro- vide homes for a class of worthy, industrious, and public-spirited people, who will be imbued with our ideas, if these are far reaching
41
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF 1895.
and for the well-being and permanent benefit of those who make this city their home. Somerville is destined to be a popular city, and there are some, perhaps many, sitting here who will see its population num- ber one hundred thousand.
Following the usual custom on these occasions, I will first direct your attention to the financial condition of the city, which, I think, is of sufficient importance to justify more than passing notice. The voters have a right to know the exact condition of the finances, that they may judge equitably as to the faithfulness of an administration in the discharge of its trust.
STATEMENT OF FINANCES.
The Funded Debt of the city January 1, 1894, was as follows : -
Funded Debt, City Loan
$773,000
Funded Debt, Sewer Loan
53,000
Funded Debt, Paving Loan
95,000
Funded Debt, Water Loan
358,500
Total Funded Debt
$1,279,500
The debt was increased during the year by appropriations made by the City Council as follows : --
Fire Department, central fire station $26,000
Fire Department, central fire station, elec- trical apparatus, etc. 5,250
Fire Department, chemical engine and equip- ments 3,000
Fire Department, hook and ladder station
10,000
Fire Department, hook and ladder station, equipment and furniture ·
3,750
Fire Department, land for fire station, Ward One 6,000
Highways, city stable
14,500
Nathan Tufts Park
15,000
Public Library improvement
3,000
Schoolhouse, Bingham addition
1,000
Amount carried forward
$87,500
42
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Amount brought forward $ 87,500
Schoolhouse, Edgerly addition 2,000
Schoolhouse, High and English High, heating, ventilating and plumbing 35,000
Schoolhouse, O. S. Knapp addition
15,500
Schoolhouse, Ward Four, south side Fitch- burg Railroad 12,000
Sewers, construction
20,000
Total amount of increase
$172,000
The debt was reduced during the year by payments as follows : -
Funded Debt, City Loan
$83,000
Funded Debt, Sewer Loan
1,000
Funded Debt, Paving Loan
5,000
Funded Debt, Water Loan
18,000
Total amount of reduction
$107,000
Leaving the Funded Debt of the city January 1, 1895, $1,344,500 (an increase of $65,000 over the previous year), classified as fol- lows : -
City Loan Bonds bearing interest at 4 per cent. $444,000
City Loan Bonds bearing interest at 43 per cent. . 233,000
City Loan Bonds bearing interest at 5 per cent. 165,000
City Loan Sewer Bonds bearing interest at 4 per cent.
20,000
City Loan Sewer Bonds bearing interest at 4} per cent.
17,000
City Loan Sewer Bonds bearing interest at 5 per cent. . 35,000
City Loan Paving Bonds bearing interest at 4 per cent. 90,000
Water Loan Bonds bearing interest at 4 per cent.
248,000
Water Loan Bonds bearing interest at 5 per cent. .
82,500
Water Loan Bonds bearing interest at 5} per cent.
10,000
Total Funded Debt January 1, 1895 $1,344,500
The above represents the net indebtedness of the city, the un- funded liabilities, for temporary loans, etc., being equalled by its assets, which consist of uncollected taxes, sewer and sidewalk assess- ments, etc.
43
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF 1895.
To provide for the payment of the current expenses, State and County taxes and debt requirements for the past year, the annual tax levy was made as follows : -
Real estate, valuation
$40,598,900
Personal property, valuation
3,544,000
Total valuation
$44,142,900
A rate of $15.70 on $1,000 valuation, with 14,061 polls at $2 each, gives the total amount of tax levy, $721,165.53.
The appropriations provided for by the tax levy were as follows : -
Fire Department
$ 43,000.00
Health Department
12,000.00
Highways
60,000.00
Indigent Soldiers and Sailors
500.00
Interest .
65,000.00
Miscellaneous
6,600.00
Police .
25,000.00
Police Station Incidentals
3,500.00
Printing and Stationery
6,500.00
Public Grounds
4,500.00
Public Library
6,500.00
Reduction of Funded Debt
100,000.00
Relief and Burial of Indigent Soldiers and Sailors
4,000.00
Salaries
35,400.00
School Contingent .
16,000.00
School Contingent, Janitors' Salaries
11,000.00
School Fuel
9,000.00
Schoolhouse Incidentals .
12,000.00
School Teachers' Salaries
125,000.00
Sewers, Maintenance
7,000.00
Sidewalks
10,000.00
Street Lights .
44,000.00
Amount carried forward
$606,500.00
44
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Amount brought forward
$606,500.00
Support of Poor
15,000.00
Watering Streets
7,000.00
For current expenses
$628,500.00
State of Massachusetts, State tax 31,380.00
State of Massachusetts, Metropolitan Sewer assmt. 22,230.79
State of Massachusetts, Non-resident Bank stock 847.80
County of Middlesex, County tax 34,317.59
Overlay and Abatement, added for fractional divi- sions and abatement 3,889.35
Total amount of appropriations provided for by the tax levy $721,165.53
In addition to the above, the following appropria- tions were made from the various income accounts, viz. : -
Police, the amount received of the State for corpo-
22,225.59 ration and bank taxes ·
Public Library, the amount received of the County for dog licenses 2,710.90
Water Maintenance, from the income of the water works 32,500.00
Water Works Construction, from the income of the water works 30,000.00
Water Loan Interest, from the income of the water works
15.415.00
Amount carried forward
$824,017.02
45
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF 1895.
Amount brought forward $824,017.02 .
Reduction of Funded Debt, balance of income of the water works (estimated) · 5,486.30
Total amount of appropriations for the year
$829,503.32
The following tables, giving a condensed history of the city's finances, are herewith presented for comparison and reference : -
YEAR.
Amount of Funded Debt.
Increase of Funded Debt.
Reduction of Funded Debt.
Tax Rate Per $1,000 Valuation on account of Reduction of Funded Debt.
Town
$ 593,349
Dec. 31, 1872
1873
809,354
166,000
1874
1,419,854
610,500
:6
1875
1,571,854
152,000
1876
1,606,844
45,000
$ 55,130.62
$2.07
66
1877
1,606,854
10,000
58,828.58
2.30
66
1878
1,596,854
61,004.64
2.91
66
1879
1,585,000
64,915.76
3.42
1880
1,585,000
55,739.35
2.72
66
1881
1,585,000
58,498.64
2.59
66
1883
1,585,000
64,479.01
2.70
66
1884
1,585,000
67,719.33
2.78
66
1887
1,525,000
70,252.88
2.56
66
1888
*860,500
25,000
37,000.00
1.28
66
1889
952,500
130,000
38,000.00
1.27
66
1890
1,057,500
150,000
45,000.00
1.38
66
1891
1,045,500
45,000
57,000.00
1.55
66
1892
1,194,500
253,000
104,000.00
2.73
66
1893
1,279,500
222,000
137,000.00
3.27
1894
1,344,500
172,000
107,000.00
2.42
1882
1,585,000
61,390.59
2.65
1885
*1,525,000
71,305.66
2.87
1886
1,525,000
66,894.23
2.57
643,354
$ 50,005
* Sinking Fund applied.
46
ANNUAL REPORTS.
YEAR.
VALUATION.
TAX LEVY.
RATE.
1872
$22,755,325
$274,374.45
$13.00
1873
29,643,100
389,214.48
12.80
1874
30,837,700
473,235.50
15.00
1875
31,317,000
518,161.40
16.20
1876
26,573,400
504,745.24
18.60
1877
25,479,400
471,789.14
18.10
1878
20,976,900
409,497.10
19.00
1879
18,950,100
352,553.80
18.00
1880
20,458,100
402,927.71
10.10
1881
22,569,100
452,945.45
19.50
1882
23,162,200
425,721.16
17.80
1883
23,812,900
411,645.43
16.70
1884
24,331,100
418,750.26
16.60
1885
24,878,400
428,605.44
16.60
1886
26,003,200
416,987.28
15.40
1887
27,471,800
424,309.14
14.80
1888
28,765,400
421,458.60
14.00
1889
30,004,600
440,324.40
14.00
1890
32,557,500
447,704.00
14.00
1891
36,843,440
539,137.10
14.00
1892
38,093,100
596,357.50
15.00
1893
41,873,600
675,886.80
15.50
1894
44,142,900
721,165.53
15.70
STATEMENT OF PUBLIC PROPERTY.
The value of the property of the city December 31, 1891, was $1,685,637.46. The property acquired during the year 1892 was as follows : -
Nathan Tufts Park
$21,591.45
Edgerly Schoolhouse addition
11,217.50
Water Works extension .
34,863.17
Land on Tufts street
2,142.00
47
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF 1895.
The value of the property of the city December 31, 1892, was $1,752,351.58. The property acquired during the year 1893 was as follows : -
Estate of the First Congregational Society, Central
Hill $45,000.00
Fire Department, relief engine 3,000.00
Fire Department, land on Highland avenue
2,970.83
Nathan Tufts Park
13,466.33
Schoolhouse in Ward Three (Glines)
1,200.68
Schoolhouse in Ward Four, south side Fitchburg Railroad
3,255.39
Schoolhouse, Edgerly addition
11,825.83
Schoolhouse, Bingham addition
5,710.00
Schoolhouse, English High
2,018.00
Water Works extension .
35,545.30
Total amount of property acquired during the year, $133,992.36
The value of the property of the city December 31, 1893, includ- ing an increase in valuation of old property by the committee of that year amounting to $104,867.88, was $1,981,211.82. The property acquired during the year 1894 was as follows : -
Fire Department, central fire station
$22,286.43
Fire Department, central fire station, electrical apparatus, etc.
2,106.32
Fire Department, chemical engine and equipment
2,498.53
Fire Department, hook and ladder station, Highland avenue
9,232.48
Fire Department, hook and ladder station, equipment and furniture .
3,719.00
Fire Department, land for fire station, Ward One 6,000.00
Highways, city stable
10,351.88
Nathan Tufts Park .
17,649.28
Schoolhouse, Bingham addition
9,206.87
Schoolhouse, Edgerly addition
1,837.19
Schoolhouse, English High
44,185.33
Amount carried forward
$129,073.31
48
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Amount brought forward $129,073.31 Schoolhouse, English High, heating, ventilating and plumbing 27,797.28
Schoolhouse, O. S. Knapp addition
12,623.46
Schoolhouse, Ward Four, south side Fitchburg Rail- road
16,190.10
Water Works extension
28,375,67
$214,059.82
RECAPITULATION OF PUBLIC PROPERTY,
1889 to 1894 inclusive.
Public property December 31, 1888 $1,287,023.44 .
Public property acquired in 1889
. $123,637.42
Public property acquired in 1890 136,507.07
Public property acquired in 1891 138,469.53
Total amount of new property .
398,614.02
Public property December 31, 1891
$1,685,637.46
Amount of public property December 31, 1891, as per
inventory
$1,685,637.46 .
Property acquired in 1892
. $ 66,714.12
Property acquired in 1893
. 133,992.36
Property acquired in 1894
· 211,090.86
Total amount of new property 411,797.34 Increase in valuation of old property by committee in 1893 104,867.88
Total amount of public property Dec. 31, 1894 $2,202,302.68
The unexpended balances of public property accounts, not in- cluded in the above, but represented in the funded debt account, amount to $61,913.77.
Complaint has been made in some quarters that the valuation of the city has been unduly increased during the past three years. This statement is not true. While human judgment is not infallible,
49
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF 1895.
and some property is quite as likely to be undervalued as overvalued, I believe the Board of Assessors is composed of conscientious, dis- criminating and experienced men. I am inclined to the belief that an unexpected increase of the tax rate has caused more complaint than overvaluation, and that " hard times " has been the most potent cause for complaint. An examination of the treasurer's reports will prove the fact that the percentage valuation during the last three years has not increased, but rather decreased.
The valuation of the city in 1880 was $20,458,100. It was in- creased during the four years' term of Mayor Cummings, nineteen per cent. ; during the four years' term of Mayor Burns, twenty-one per cent. ; during Mayor Pope's administration, twenty-seven per cent., and in the last three years, sixteen per cent. But from last year's valuation should be deducted the valuation of property never before assessed in any administration, including the grounds of the McLean Asylum, used for railroad purposes, making the net increase of valua- tion on the natural growth of the city, less than fifteen per cent.
During the previous administration the city debt was increased $185,000. During the past three years, $299,000.
Of this amount $100,000 was borrowed before I came into office, but as this administration has been credited with the payment of $87,500 of this loan, and may possibly have the credit of paying the balance, it is allowed to stand against this administration. Allowing the credit of $12,500, and deducting the special loan of $100,000 for paving of Somerville avenue, the debt of the city for ordinary purposes has been increased only $1,500 over the last administration. A neigh- boring city with a valuation of $44,000,000, has a debt of $3,479,676, or more than two and one-half times that of Somerville.
The value of our public property is $2,202,302.68, not including the amount of $61,913.77, not yet paid out, but represented in the funded debt, not to mention the paving loan of $100,000, or the sum of $785,000 - the cost of our sewer system. There are but few cities in the Commonwealth whose financial standing is superior to that of Somerville.
The average tax rate of the thirty cities of the State is $16.18, our tax, $15.70, being forty-eight cents per thousand below the average and thirty-eight cents below the average tax rate of Somerville since its incorporation. The city tax rate last year was $13.77, but the (4)
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ANNUAL REPORTS.
State, and the increased County and Metropolitan Sewer tax, $1.93, increased the rate to $15.70. It is expected that the State tax will be less than last year, but I am informed that the County tax will be somewhat increased. It is possible that the Metropolitan Sewer tax will be larger than last year. We begin the year in good financial condition, and all the departments are free from any deficiency.
The number of building permits issued during the year by the Inspector of Buildings has fallen somewhat from that of the previous year. The number of permits for dwellings issued has been 339, but the superintendent informs me that these dwellings are designed for 752 families, classified as follows : Ward One, 39; Ward Two, 208; Ward Three, 256; Ward Four, 249; total, 752. If these families average four persons each, the increase of population at the rate of 3,000 per year can easily be accounted for.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Activity in school building has prevailed during the past year. The Bingham and Knapp Schools have been enlarged, and the George W. Durell School ( named in honor of the beloved senior pastor of the city -the dean of Somerville ) has been erected. This building was referred to as the "Kent Street School " one year ago. The new English High School, now in course of rapid completion, crowns our Central Hill, and is a credit to all who have been engaged in its construction. The work of finishing the interior is in progress, and the building will be completed and ready for occupancy in a short time. The School Board, it is understood, does not propose to use it until the beginning of the next school year. Appropriations will be required to fit up manual training rooms and to purchase furniture. This money will soon be required in order that everything may be in readiness for use when wanted. Appropriations will also be required for school accommodations. Time will not permit me to dwell at length upon the recent very practical and interesting annual report of the Superintendent of Schools. Indeed, there is no reason why I should do so, because the press is already discussing its merits. The Superintendent has prepared a school map of the city, whereon is located in circular lines each school district, showing the grammar school centres, the location of every schoolhouse, and the territory it is intended to serve; and additional circles are drawn to show the
51
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF 1895.
proper location of all schools to be erected to cover the portions of the city now being built up. The first recommendations are that a new twelve-room grammar school be built in West Somerville in the vicinity of Holland and Jay streets, and that a four or six-room build- ing be erected on the vacant land adjoining the Prescott School on Myrtle street. The advantage of this location is that these buildings can be heated by the same engine and cared for by the same janitor. This plan was suggested in the report one year ago, but no definite action was taken. The report contains recommendations for erection of other schools, but the two mentioned are deemed to be the most important. It gives me pleasure to state that the cost of each pupil in the average membership has been reduced to $22.90 per annum - seventy-eight cents less than last year, and $1.03 per pupil less than in 1892. The average expenditure on schools account during the past three years has been reduced more than five per cent.
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT.
I have annually reviewed at considerable length the work needed to be done upon some of our important thoroughfares, but not as much of it has been undertaken as could be desired, partly by reason of the limited appropriation beyond the cost of maintaining the department. However, extensive repairs have been made on Washington street, from the Fitchburg Railroad to Beacon street ; Elm street, from Willow avenue to Cedar street; Medford, from Somerville avenue to railroad crossing ; School street, from Berkeley street to Somerville avenue ; besides Central, Greenville, Gorham, Claremon, Hudson and New Cross streets. Twenty-one streets have been laid out, and sidewalks, at a cost of more than $19,000, laid in twenty-seven streets, covering nearly 16,000 square yards with three and one-tenth miles of edgestones. Two miles of private streets have been laid out and accepted. The length of streets, courts and alleys in the city are : Public streets, 51.94 miles; private streets, 32.80 miles ; total, 84.74 miles.
During the year the new city stable has been built and occupied. It is commodious and intended to anticipate some of the future needs of this department. Several difficult problems will confront the High- way Committee this year in relation to the best method of placing the principal thoroughfares in good condition. Among these are Somer-
52
ANNUAL REPORTS.
ville avenue, from the East Cambridge line to Medford street ; Wash- ington street, from the Boston line to Medford street ; Medford street, from the East Cambridge line to Somerville avenue, which should, in my opinion, be paved, as it has been literally cut up by excavations for two sewers, two water mains and one gas main, and for these reasons the subsoil is in very bad condition ; Mystic avenue, which the County Commissioners have ordered the city to rebuild and grade - the work to be completed during the present year. The following- named streets need rebuilding or extensive repairs : Highland ave- nue, from Medford street to Davis square; Webster avenue, from Cambridge line to the Fitchburg Railroad ; Medford street, from Cross to Highland avenue ; and Gilman square to Magoun square, with parts of Pearl, Summer and Beacon streets. I do not know that it will be possible to do all this work within the limits of the year, but the most important part of it can be accomplished, and the work kept in hand until these and other improvements are made. My opinion is that it is of more importance to repair or rebuild some of these old streets rather than at present to build many of the lately accepted streets, although the Highway Committee must judge as to the prior necessity.
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