USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1898 > Part 4
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IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, December 31, 1898. Adopted and sent down for concurrence.
GEORGE I. VINCENT, Clerk.
IN COMMON COUNCIL, December 31, 1898. CHAS. S. ROBERTSON, Clerk. Adopted in concurrence. .
VALEDICTORY ADDRESS
DELIVERED BY
HON. ALBION A. PERRY,
DECEMBER 28, 1898.
GENTLEMEN OF THE CITY COUNCIL: -
At the close of official service extending over three succes- sive years, it seems proper to review briefly some of the more important work performed by the City Councils with which I have been so pleasantly associated. This I desire to do, not because the record of the last three years has any strikingly exceptional features, but merely to show that steady and com- mendable progress has been made along the lines established by those who were first charged with the duty of shaping the municipal policy of Somerville. It is enough to be able to say in general that no backward step has been taken, that the development of the city has not been checked by narrowness or parsimony, and, on the other hand, that the financial condi- tion of the city has not been impaired by recklessness and extravagance. If, in passing, I throw out a few suggestions as to the future, do not attribute it to a desire to forestall the policy of my successor. He knows I am wholly free from such an ambition, and that, as a citizen, I have the fullest con- fidence in his ability to deal with all public questions as they . shall arise.
58
ANNUAL REPORTS.
I have intimated that the legislation of the last three years has not been characterized by any extraordinary features, and yet, during that period, many improvements have been under- taken and problems solved that had long perplexed the govern- ments of the city. The years have been marked by quiet, earnest work. The City Council chambers have not resounded with the tones of bitter invective uttered by one member against another; no sensational investigations have been set on foot; there have been no wars or rumors of war. The official business committed to your hands and to the City Councils, with which I have been previously associated, has been trans- acted diligently and decorously, and you have fairly won the gratitude of your constituents by your painstaking efforts in their behalf.
For convenience, I shall group some of my remarks under specific heads, but in the main they will be of a somewhat rambling character.
INCREASE OF FUNDED DEBT.
Nothing in the official record of the last three years gives me greater satisfaction than the conservative policy pursued in adding to the funded debt. The increase from year to year during my administration has been as follows : -
1896
$24,500.00
1897
17,000.00
1898
4,000.00
Total
.
$45,500.00
Average of annual increase
15,166.66
During the seven years preceding 1896, the increase is shown by the appended table : -
1889
$ 92,000.00
1890
105,000.00
1892
149,000.00
1893
.
85,000.00
Amount carried forward
$431,000.00
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MAYOR'S VALEDICTORY ADDRESS.
Amount brought forward
$431,000.00
1894
65,000.00
1895
162,000.00
Total gross increase
$658,000.00
1891 decrease
12,000.00
Total net increase for seven years
$646,000.00
Average of annual increase for 7 years, $92,285.71. Let it not be understood that these figures are given for the purpose of instituting a comparison unfavorable to earlier city councils. Nothing could be farther from my thought. Each period has its own needs, and I believe the expenditures which added so largely to the city debt from 1889 to 1895 met with the general approval of tax-payers. I present the tables chiefly to show that the increase of late in the tax rate is not due to debt requirements created while I have held the office of mayor. The exhibit would have been still more pleasing if my veto of certain items in this year's appropriation bill had been sus- tained. This I say in no complaining spirit, for I know you all voted for what you considered the best interests of the city, and it is quite possible that you, and not I, were in the right.
It is peculiarly gratifying to me that there has been no bor- rowing of money outside the statutory debt limit during my terms of service. Two attempts were made in 1896 to petition the Legislature for such a purpose, but both were thwarted by veto messages. The objects for which it was desired to create this questionable form of indebtedness were meritorious, but I believed they could be safely postponed until the financial con- dition of the city was strengthened. The result was in accord- ance with my belief, and Lincoln park has been acquired, and subways at Sacramento and Kent streets are now in use, with- out seeking special favors from the General Court.
EXPENDITURES ON FUNDED DEBT ACCOUNT.
One of the largest appropriations which the city council is compelled to make from year to year is entitled "Reduction of Funded Debt." In 1897 it amounted to $110,000, in 1898 the
60
ANNUAL REPORTS.
requirement was $155,200. This large increase, which was in nowise within the control of the city council, added about ninety cents to the tax rate of the present year. You will be glad to know that next year's appropriation need not exceed $127,000, a reduction of $28,200. This means a decrease in the tax rate of about fifty-five cents. As fast as city bonds mature, they must be paid, and the amount of such maturities from year to year is determined by the action of preceding city councils. I refer to these facts at the present time to empha- size the importance of keeping down the public debt, and thus lessening the burden which those who come after us will be compelled to bear.
In addition to the city bonds maturing next year, to which I have already referred, water loan bonds, to the amount of $32,500, will also come due. These bonds, in the sum of $15,500, can be renewed if the city council deems it expedient so to do. As the requirements of the water debt are met from the water income, no appropriation from the tax levy will be necessary for the payment of the last-named bonds. This year, unnecessarily as it now proves, the water loan bonds were included in the appropriation for reduction of funded debt, and thus more than forty cents was added to the tax rate.
In order that you may see at a glance what use has been made of the money appropriated on funded debt account during the last three years, I have prepared the following table. The first column of figures shows the actual disbursements down to the present time, while the second column indicates the balances now remaining on hand.
EXPENDITURES ON FUNDED DEBT ACCOUNT IN
1896, 1897 AND 1898.
Expenditures.
Unexpended Balances. $20,000.00 10,122.76
Almshouse
Armory
City Hall Annex
$11,587.43
City Hall Improvement
32,085.27
Amounts carried forward . $43,672.70
$30,122.76
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MAYOR'S VALEDICTORY ADDRESS.
Amounts brought forward
$43,672.70
$30,122.76
Electrical Department .
4,063.66
11.34
Fire Department, Fire Station No. 1
4,310.46
Fire Station No. 4
7,054.42
66
Fire Station, Claren- don Hill
6,814.20
13,650.00
66
Land on Medford street
948.00
Highways, City Stable
66
Paving Somerville avenue
9,533.72
66
Paving Webster avenue
7,003.35
253.25
66 Steam Road Roller
6,690.00
310.00
66
Subway in Kent street
3,264.18
66
Subway in Sacramento street
37,972.87
51.13
Public Grounds, Lincoln park
Prospect Hill park
20,356.21
Schoolhouse, Burns Addition
66
English High
8,343.73
66
Jacob T. Glines
26,500.00
66
Luther V. Bell Improve- ment
6,500.00
66
Martin W. Carr
62,121.03
66
Prescott Improvement
3,350.96
2,649.04
66
Sanford Hanscom
40,595.19
66
William H. Hodgkins
9,000.00
28,224.97
Sewers Construction
50,000.00
Sidewalks
5,000.00
$376,523.37
$87,272.49
The foregoing figures do not represent all the expenditures for permanent improvements, as I have excluded the balances brought forward from the year 1895, together with the sum of $75,000, received from water rates and used for the construction of storm-water drains.
NEW SOURCE OF REVENUE.
The city has received this year the first instalment of the so-called " compensation tax," which the Boston Elevated Rail- way Company is obliged under its charter to pay. Somerville's
2,487.66
12,000.00
66
Ward Two
9,750.03
.
1,191.00
62
ANNUAL REPORTS.
share of the tax was found to be $6,031.55. This is a new source of revenue, and will continue from year to year, increas- ing slightly with the growth of the corporation's earnings.
Next year, in addition to the compensation tax, the city will receive its share of the tax on the capital stock of the Elevated Company and leased lines, as apportioned under the street rail- way law of 1898. Somerville is a gainer by the provisions of this law to the extent, probably, of not less than $20,000 a year. If two annual installments should be paid in 1899, as seems likely, the revenue of the city would be increased from forty to fifty thousand dollars. It is expressly provided that this money shall be expended on the highways, and it will be a great help in the care of our streets. I have been sharply criticised in some quarters for appearing before legislative committees in advocacy of laws more favorable to the poorer cities of the Commonwealth, and very bitter things were said against me because of my attacks upon the law giving to a few favored localities the bulk of the corporation tax. The new law govern- ing the distribution of the tax on street railway stock is a recognition of the merits of the cause in which I have long labored.
SEWERS AND STORM-WATER DRAINS.
It seems proper to make special reference to what has been done to perfect the drainage system of Somerville. The amount of work performed in the sewer department during the last three years has exceeded that of any like period in the recent history of the city. The Tannery brook valley system of storm- water drainage was constructed in 1896, although it was pro- jected, and the money to defray the cost was borrowed, during Mayor Hodgkins' administration. In my second inaugural address I commented at length upon the importance and magnitude of the undertaking, and it is not necessary to dwell upon it at this time. It was also in the year 1896 that nearly all the complicated and expensive structures were built which connect our local sewers with the Metropolitan sewerage system.
In 1897 a beginning was made upon the system of storm- water drains devised for the relief of the low lands in Wards
63
MAYOR'S VALEDICTORY ADDRESS.
One and Three. A drain four feet and two inches in diameter was built in Mystic avenue, between Winthrop avenue and Wheatland street, and another immense structure, more than seven feet in diameter, was laid in Winthrop avenue throughout its entire length. Through this last-named drain all the storm water of the so-called Eastern drainage district of the city will be conducted to the Mystic river.
During the present year, the work begun in 1897 has been greatly extended. Two branches have been built from the southerly terminus of the Winthrop avenue drain, - one extend- ing to the corner of School and Medford streets (and running through Broadway, Sargent avenue, Sherman court, Marshall street, Gilman square, and Medford street ), the other branch running through Broadway and Cross street to the junction of the last-named street with Pearl street.
Much other important work has been done in the sewer department this year, including a storm relief drain from Union square through Bow and Summer streets, and a new sewer main, for house drainage only, in Somerville avenue, between Poplar street and Prospect street. Existing trunk sewers, in a part of the district lying south and east of Union square, will be used as storm-water drains when the new system for house sewage is completed.
Nearly a quarter of a million dollars has been expended in the construction of sewers and drains during the last three years, about $40,000 of which has been assessed on estates benefited in a special manner. Great credit is due to the City Engineer and his assistants, as well as to the men who have served on the sewer committee, for the energy and skill which they have displayed in carrying on these important public enterprises.
In view of the much talked of increase in the tax rate, I will say further under this head that about $75,000, in round num- bers, has been expended the present year in the construction of storm-water drains. The outlay was necessary and com- mendable, and will not be condemned by the intelligent and public-spirited tax-payer. The districts relieved by these new drains had suffered year after year from flooded cellars, and the
64
ANNUAL REPORTS.
inmates of the houses were compelled to live under conditions which not only produced great discomfort, but also created a serious menace to health.
The money expended the present year in building storm- water drains was obtained from water rates. If I had desired to make a good financial showing, rather that to promote the welfare of the people, I should not have recommended such a use of the surplus water revenue. By applying it to the pay- ment of maturing debt, or appropriating it for current expenses, a reduction of about $1.50 could have been made in the tax rate.
Some of our citizens have felt that it was not just to use water income except for the maintenance of the water depart- ment, and they have suggested that the water rates should be reduced so as to represent the exact cost of the water. But it is to be remembered that the entire cost of a water supply can not be computed until the expense of conducting away all the waste water is ascertained. It is the free use of running water in our houses and industrial establishments that makes a sewer system necessary in the first instance, hence there is no in- justice in using a part of the water revenue for the construction of drains. The volume of waste water in the sewers had become so great, that we were forced to build a separate system of drains in many parts of the city to carry off the storm water. A part of the expense thus incurred has been met from water rates, and with propriety, as I believe.
It should also be borne in mind, in considering this ques- tion of the application of water revenue, that for many years the water department was not self-supporting, and the defi- ciency was provided for in the general tax levy. Owners of vacant lands have been taxed year after year in order to keep down water rates for the benefit of householders. Now, when the income from water has been greatly increased by the adoption of the Metropolitan system, it is only fair that water takers should repay a part of the debt which they owe to the general public. This equitable debt, as nearly as can be esti- mated, amounts to $403,347.65.
1
65
MAYOR'S VALEDICTORY ADDRESS.
METROPOLITAN WATER SUPPLY.
The introduction into our city of the new Metropolitan water supply was one of the most notable events of the present municipal year. The quality of the water is declared by experts to be good, and the quantity is abundant. No intelligent citizen of Somerville regrets that henceforth he will be able to look upon the beautiful surface of Mystic lake, without being compelled to drink the noxious substances which its waters hold in solution.
The pecuniary advantages of the new water system are also important. No increase was made in the water rates the present year, and yet the income was sufficient for the needs of the department, and, as I have elsewhere shown, a surplus of not less than $75,000 remained for other public uses. The return for 1899 is likely to be still more favorable, as the expenses of the water department have been unusually large during the last twelve months,' owing to the erection of new buildings and the relaying of defective pipe.
The profits obtained this year from the sale of water are an indication of the advantages which might be derived from public ownership of street railways, gas and electric lighting plants, telephone franchises, and other enterprises of like char- acter. All that is lacking is courage on the part of the people to take possession of these monopolistic industries, and operate them for the benefit of the entire public instead of a few rich stockholders.
ARMORY.
The sum of $15,000 was appropriated on funded debt account the present year for the erection of an armory to be occupied by our local militia company. I vetoed this item in the appropriation bill because, on the statement of the captain of the company, it seemed to be excessive. The veto was not sustained, however, and the money was borrowed. No step has yet been taken toward the erection of an armory. A part of the money has been transferred to other accounts, and the balance will be available for such uses as the incoming city council may be pleased to make of it.
66
ANNUAL REPORTS.
In my last inaugural address you will find these words :- " A radical change should be made in the laws relating to the establishment and maintenance of armories and drill-rooms. Not a single sound argument can be adduced in support of the present practice of requiring cities and towns to erect and maintain costly buildings for the use of the State militia. The militia is established for the protection of the entire Common- wealth and not for the comparatively few cities and towns which have military organizations within their borders. Hence, it would seem that the cost of equipping and housing the various companies should be borne by the State."
Still later, in the month of February, I called the attention of the city council to a resolve which had been introduced into the Legislature for the appointment of a commission to inquire into the advisability of changing the militia laws so that the Commonwealth should provide all armories. I sug- gested that it might be well to defer action in relation to a new armory until the report of the commission was received. On the twenty-third day of February, Capt. Herbert W. Whitten and others appeared before the city council to urge immediate action upon the petition of Company M for a new armory. At this hearing Captain Whitten stated, among other things, that he had made an investigation at the State House of the ques- tion of State ownership of armories, and " the only thing there was a resolve for a committee to investigate and consider the question of State control of armories and rifle ranges, with a view of securing unanimity of management. There was noth- ing in it," he said, "to provide for the State building armories."
I did not think it proper to enter into a discussion with Captain Whitten, whom we all so highly honor, as to the scope of the legislative resolve, but from the language of the resolve itself, as well as from statements made to me by gentlemen high in military affairs, I felt that Captain Whitten might have been misled in his interpretation of the functions of the commission. Within a few days the Commissioners' Report has been filed, and from it I quote the following :-
67
MAYOR'S VALEDICTORY ADDRESS.
" Armories and ranges should be owned or leased and con- trolled solely by the State. They should not be used except by the organizations of the volunteer militia, and should be restricted in their use to purely military purposes. Cities and towns should not, as now, be required to provide armories and ranges. The State decides where they are to be located; the State should bear the entire expense." The commissioners recommend that the laws be changed to conform to their suggestions.
I have referred to this matter at some length in confirma- tion of statements heretofore made by me to the city council, and for the further purpose of urging that no money should be expended in the erection of an armory until the Legislature takes action on the recommendations of the commission.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
In my inaugural addresses I have briefly commented upon the rapid growth of the fire department in recent years,-a growth which has been out of proportion to other equally important departments. While recognizing the necessity for a well equipped and efficient service for the extinguishment of fires, I believe it is easy to magnify the actual requirements of the fire department in a city situated as is our own. In the case of a great conflagration, we are not compelled to rely wholly upon our own resources in battling with the flames. The departments of neighboring cities cheerfully respond to calls for aid, in return for a like service on our part. This reciprocal service among adjacent municipalities is of great advantage to all, and materially decreases the cost of maintain- ing fire departments.
The liberal provision made for the fire department in this city has added to the volume of the funded debt, and calls for an annual appropriation of somewhat formidable proportions. With the completion of the building now in process of erection on Clarendon Hill, nearly every part of the city will be pro- vided with ample protection. I can not think of any outlay for fire stations, involving the making of debt, which will be required for several years, with the exception of extensive
68
ANNUAL REPORTS.
improvements upon the building at the corner of Washington and Prospect streets.
With the introduction of the Metropolitan high-service water supply, the means of extinguishing fires in the more elevated districts of the city ought to be materially improved. By enlarging and extending the high service throughout the Metropolitan district, it would be possible to do away in part with the use of steam fire engines in the several cities and towns, thus reducing by thousands of dollars the annual appropriation for fire department purposes. This is a subject of great importance not only to Somerville, but to every city and town using the Metropolitan water supply. I am glad to know that Chief Engineer Hopkins has taken the initiative in the public discussion of the question.
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
We have all been disappointed in not being able to increase the police department during the present year. The force is actually smaller to-day than it was three years ago, notwith- standing the growth of the city has called for the employment of additional patrolmen. It is to be hoped that our successors will at least find a way to make up the full number of the reserve force, from which appointments to the regular force may be made. The Chief of Police has modestly refrained from pressing his just claim for more patrolmen, and has practised the most rigid economy in the management of his department.
OVERDRAFTS IN 1897.
The present city council received from its predecessor a legacy of unpaid bills amounting to $26,772.50. This sum was, of necessity, provided for in the tax levy of 1898, and added a little more than fifty cents to the tax rate of the present year. It is gratifying to know that not a dollar's deficiency will exist when the books of the treasurer are balanced next Saturday,- that the incoming city council will start with an absolutely clean score.
IMPORTANT PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS.
If time permitted, it would be interesting to refer in detail to some of the most important improvements carried on during
69
MAYOR'S VALEDICTORY ADDRESS.
the last three years. I can only make briefest mention of a few.
The city hall building has been enlarged and newly furnished, giving ample accommodations to the several departments. This measure had been under discussion for many years, and it was feared that a heavy debt would be incurred in the erection of a new building. The tax-payers are elated over the satisfactory and inexpensive solution of a problem that had taxed the inge- nuity of city governments for a quarter of a century.
The abandoned engine house, at the corner of Highland avenue and Walnut street, has been remodelled and fitted up for the use of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Overseers of the Poor, and our local Grand Army Post. It furnishes excellent accommodations to its occupants, and no longer stands in a dilapidated condition to mar the beauty of Central Hill park.
Sanborn Field has been purchased and laid out as a public park and playground, and land has been acquired for park purposes on historic Prospect hill. Subways have been built at Kent and Sacramento streets, enabling our people, and especially school children, to cross the Fitchburg railroad with- out risk to life and limb. Funds have been provided for the purchase of a site for an almshouse.
The Sanford Hanscom and Martin W. Carr schoolhouses have been built, both of them ornaments to the city and a boon to our rapidly increasing school population. A third school building is now in process of erection in Ward Two. Extensive alterations and improvements have been made in other school- houses.
A new fire station on Clarendon Hill is approaching completion, and large expenditures have been made on some of the old buildings of the fire department. More than $16,000 has been expended for granite paving in Somerville and Webster avenues. Other projects, of great magnitude, I have referred to under separate heads.
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