USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1898 > Part 41
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 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43
Plans and specifications were prepared by Prescott & Sidebottom, architects, for a six-room brick building, two stories in height, with a ward-room in the basement; and a contract has been made with John A. Dodge for the construction of the building for the sum of $23,300.00.
The work is now being carried on, under the contract, and will be completed, and the building ready for occupancy, for the fall term of 1899.
750
ANNUAL REPORTS.
MARTIN W. CARR SCHOOL.
This building, which was commenced by the committee of 1897, has been completed during the present year and was occupied at the beginning of the fall term in September.
There are fourteen large schoolrooms (it having been found necessary to convert the hall on the third floor into two school- rooms), besides several smaller rooms originally designed for recitation rooms, but in which chairs and desks have been placed and which are being utilized as classrooms, making this the largest grammar school building in the city.
The total cost of the land and building, including heating and ventilating apparatus, furniture, fittings, etc., was $62,121.03.
PRESCOTT SCHOOLHOUSE, HEATING AND VENTILATING.
The old heating apparatus at this building, which had become too much worn to give satisfactory service, has been entirely removed and new apparatus substituted.
Plans and specifications for the work were prepared by A. A. Sanborn, and the contract was awarded to Alexander Duncan & Co. for the sum of $5,509.00.
The present apparatus is of the most approved kind for steam heating and ventilating, and the ventilation is now most satis- factory and fully meets the requirements of the State inspection.
ENGLISH HIGH SCHOOL.
During the summer vacation the draughting room on the upper floor has been considerably enlarged, the heating and ventilating system on this floor greatly improved and put in good order, and other general repairs and improvements have been made throughout the building.
A complete telephone system has been installed, bringing the several rooms into communication with the office.
MISCELLANEOUS IMPROVEMENTS.
At the Forster schoolhouse the woodwork has been thoroughly cleaned and painted and new floors and stairs laid throughout the building.
751
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC PROPERTY.
The Davis, Jackson, and Prospect Hill schoolhouses have all been painted outside, and necessary repairs have been made upon them.
A detailed statement of the various repairs and improve- ments which have been made in the schoolhouses and public buildings during the year will be found in the report of the Superintendent of Public Buildings.
For the Committee,
SILAS L. CUMMINGS, Chairman. WILLIAM P. MITCHELL, Clerk.
REPORT OF THE
SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, January 25, 1899.
Referred to Committee on Printing, to be printed in the annual reports. Sent down for concurrence.
GEORGE I. VINCENT, Clerk.
IN COMMON COUNCIL, January 26, 1899.
Referred to Committee on Printing, to be printed in the annual reports, in concurrence.
CHARLES S. ROBERTSON, Clerk.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS,
January 2, 1899.
TO THE HONORABLE, THE MAYOR, AND THE CITY COUNCIL.
Gentlemen : - In compliance with City Ordinance No. 19, Section 8, this report is respectfully submitted.
Repairs, alterations, and additions have been made during the past year at the several city buildings, as follows : -
Luther V. Bell School .- Principal's office enlarged ; furni- ture changed ; new curtains to all windows; upper floors newly piped for gas and new fixtures for four rooms.
Bennett School .- Heating apparatus repaired ; furniture repaired.
Burns School .- Furniture repaired ; heating apparatus repaired.
Bingham School .- Heating apparatus repaired.
Cedar Street School .- Small repairs.
Martin W. Carr School .- This new building, which has been finished during the past year, is located on Beech street, and is one of the finest in the city. It contains 14 school- rooms and several recitation rooms, fitted with all modern improvements.
Cummings School .- Roof repaired ; furniture cleaned and varnished ; heating apparatus repaired.
Davis School .- Newly painted outside ; ceilings whitened and furniture repaired.
George W. Durell School .- Heating apparatus repaired ; furniture repaired.
Edgerly School .- Blackboard repaired; new adjustable furniture in one room ; old furniture scraped and varnished.
756
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Forster School .- New floors in all rooms ; halls and stairs, all standing finish,- doors, etc., painted, grained, and var- nished ; ventilation improved ; and the whole building put in fine condition. The wardroom has been used for school pur- poses since last April.
Franklin School .- This was discontinued on the opening of the Beech Street school.
Jacob T. Glines School .- Walls and ceilings in all the rooms and corridors tinted ; furniture repaired ; grading around the building finished ; sods laid at the edge of all walks and the balance seeded down, making fine lawns.
Sanford Hanscom School .-- Few repairs done.
Harvard School .-. Heating apparatus repaired; furniture repaired.
English High School .- Improvements were made by enlarging drawing-room ; heating and ventilating were improved ; furniture repaired and varnished.
Latin High School. - Heating apparatus repaired. Small repairs needed this year.
Highland School. - Furniture repaired ; new conductors for part of building ; heating apparatus repaired.
Jackson School. - Newly painted outside; new outside steps ; heating and plumbing repaired ; furniture repaired ; new curtains to all windows.
O. S. Knapp School. - Blackboard repaired ; new shades in rooms, so that all windows have them ; heating apparatus repaired ; new cases put in four rooms ; carpets in principal's and teachers' rooms.
Lincoln School. - Repairs on furniture and heating appa- ratus.
Morse School. - Heating apparatus and furniture repaired ; new blackboards in several rooms.
Charles G. Pope School. - New shades in all rooms ; furni- ture repaired, also heating apparatus.
Prescott School. - New heating and ventilating fan system adopted ; blackboards in several rooms. A small fire between two floors caused some repairs, - two new floors being laid, walls painted and ceilings whitened. Adjustable furniture has been placed in two rooms.
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 757
Prospect Hill School. - Painted outside ; steps changed out- side ; heating apparatus repaired, and such other repairs as were needed.
FREDERICK C. FULLER, Superintendent of Public Buildings.
REPORT OF THE
INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, January 25, 1899.
Referred to Committee on Printing, to be printed in the annual reports. Sent down for concurrence.
GEORGE I. VINCENT, Clerk.
IN COMMON COUNCIL, January 26, 1899.
Referred to Committee on Printing, to be printed in the annual reports, in concurrence.
CHARLES S. ROBERTSON, Clerk.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS,
January 2, 1899.
To HIS HONOR, THE MAYOR, AND THE CITY COUNCIL.
Gentlemen : - In accordance with city ordinance, the follow- ing report of this department for the year ending December 31, 1898, is respectfully submitted.
The number of building permits issued during the year was 344, covering 380 buildings, classified as follows : -
WARDS.
TOTALS.
1 1
3
4
Single dwellings .
S
15
34
114
171
Double dwelling-blocks
2
2
1
5
Alterations and additions
7
26
32
34
99
Stores
S
15
13
6
42
3
3
2
8
Offices
1
2
·
·
.
·
.
7
4
3
20
Storehouses
2
·
3
5
Brick buildings
35
72
106
167
380
Families
19
44
73
207
343
Stables
3
2
13
7
25
Shops
3
Stores and tenements
1
·
1
Sheds
6
1
1
.
Frequent examinations have been made of buildings in course of construction or alteration, and in all cases of faulty construction, violation of ordinance, or danger from fire, the owners and builders have, on notice, complied with the orders of the Inspector.
762
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Special attention has been given to the following cases : -
Woodwork too near chimney 5
Cellar walls improperly built 2
Brick partition wall ordered 1
Great assistance was rendered by the police, by sending parties after permits before they had done any work. This gives the Inspector a chance to see the foundation put in.
City buildings have been erected, or additions made thereto, as follows : -
One new fourteen-room schoolhouse on Beech street. A new six-room schoolhouse is being erected on Washington street, Ward Two, to be completed before the September term opens. A new fire station is being erected on Holland street, Ward Four, which will be completed at an early date.
The best of results have been obtained from changes made in the building ordinance. I recommend that the present ordinance be revised this year and an ordinance made govern- ing gas piping.
The number of plumbing permits issued during
the year was 457
Permits for plumbing in old buildings 255
Permits for plumbing in new buildings 202
Number of buildings in which pipes were
tested with water 403
The Inspector has kept himself informed of the condition of the plumbing as the buildings have progressed, and, as necessity required, given directions how the work should be done.
The following is the number of licenses and renewals of licenses issued to plumbers during the year, under the Acts of 1893 and 1894, and receipts for the same paid to the City Treasurer : -
Number of master plumbers' licenses issued, 6 $12.00 Number of journeymen plumbers' licenses issued, 7 . 3.50
Number of master plumbers' licenses re-
newed, 21 10.50
Amount carried forward . $26.00
763
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS.
Amount brought forward $26.00
Number of journeymen plumbers' licenses renewed, 14 7.00
$33.00
Applications for master plumbers' licenses rejected, 2. Applications for journeymen plumbers' licenses rejected, 2.
Respectfully submitted,
FREDERICK C. FULLER,
Inspector of Buildings.
REPORT OF THE
INSPECTOR OF MILK AND VINEGAR.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, January 11, 1899.
Referred to Committee on Printing, to be printed in the annual reports. Sent down for concurrence.
GEORGE I. VINCENT, Clerk.
IN COMMON COUNCIL, January 11, 1899.
Referred to Committee on Printing, to be printed in the annual reports, in concurrence.
CHARLES S. ROBERTSON, Clerk.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR OF MILK AND VINEGAR, 50 MORRISON STREET, January 7, 1899.
To HIS HONOR, THE MAYOR, AND THE CITY COUNCIL.
Gentlemen :- I present herewith the following report for the year ending December 31, 1898 : -
I have given to dealers in milk 165 licenses, and received in fees $127.50. Of the 165 that took out licenses I find but fifty that confine their sales to this city alone, the remainder going into the surrounding cities and towns also. These dealers sup- ply daily to their customers an average of 94 1-2 gallons, or a total of 15,728 gallons daily. Of this amount, only 1,138 gal- lons are raised by the dealers themselves, the balance coming in on the cars from the country towns.
While the number of licenses taken out is less than in some past years, the sales per license have greatly increased. This concentration of business has been the general tendency in most lines of trade the past few years. The rapid growth of the city has crowded out those that used to keep from one to three cows each.
There have also been taken out ninety permits to sell milk in stores of various kinds, showing a large increase of small stores or change of proprietors in old ones. These stores get their supply from the before-mentioned dealers.
I have during the year taken, from time to time, from differ- ent dealers, 425 samples, and tested the same by the lactoscope, and also taken the specific gravity of each sample, together with many samples brought in by dealers for that purpose, and made a record of each sample tested.
The tests for cream, or fat, show a much higher average than in the last two years, owing doubtless to the abundance of good
768
ANNUAL REPORTS.
grass the past year, and also to the weeding from the herds of those breeds of cows whose milk has been found by tests made to be lacking in quality although abounding in quantity. While the quality has varied some in different months, owing to natural causes, there has been no indication of adulteration, and while some samples have been found defective in cream, I have traced the trouble to the defective manner of sales as gen- erally made in most stores. If some uniform mode of sale could be established in stores and markets, each customer would get an average part of the cream, which all recognize as the most valuable part of milk. I have sent the customary notices in all cases where I have found a sample below the standard, and upon later tests have found the desired improve- ment.
I have kept office hours at Union, Gilman, and Davis squares, in May, for the convenience of the dealers in the differ- ent sections of the city in obtaining their annual licenses. I have found quite a number selling milk from carriages without a license, and quite indifferent as to the law in this respect, even after a personal notification. I have entered complaints against the most indifferent, and two have paid fines in the municipal court as the law provides.
I find most of the vinegar sold in Somerville is from the well-known works of Amos Haynes, the quality of which is always of the best, and considered everywhere as up to the standard. Have therefore had no complaint from any source in regard to that article.
Respectfully submitted, CHARLES S. PHILBRICK,
Inspector of Milk and Vinegar.
REPORT OF THE
INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS AND PROVISIONS
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, January 25, 1899.
Referred to Committee on Printing, to be printed in the annual reports. Sent down for concurrence.
GEORGE I. VINCENT, Clerk.
Reference concurred in.
IN COMMON COUNCIL, January 26, 1899. CHARLES S. ROBERTSON, Clerk.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS AND PROVISIONS,
January 2, 1899. To HIS HONOR, THE MAYOR, AND THE CITY COUNCIL.
Gentlemen : - I present the following report of the records of this office and duties performed by me for the year ending December 31, 1898.
There are five slaughtering establishments in the city, the proprietors and location of which and the number of animals slaughtered during the year are as follows : -
John P. Squire & Co. Corporation, Medford street, 759,380 swine; North Packing & Provision Co., Medford street, 877,093 swine; New England Dressed Meat & Wool Co., Medford street, 8,790 cattle, 40,443 calves, 405,767 sheep, 663 swine ; Sturtevant & Haley Beef and Supply Co., Somerville avenue, 5,611 cattle; Mrs. Hertz Gunsenhiser, 104 North street, where slaughtering is done principally for the Jewish population, 724 cattle, 351 calves ; total number of animals slaughtered in the city during the year, 2,098,822. All of the slaughtering establishments are at the present time in very good condition. Somerville is the third largest slaughtering city in the United States.
The number of animals received for export at the New England stock yards during the year was 51,572 cattle, 18,321 sheep, and 595 swine.
I have made 416 visits to slaughter houses, inspected the animals and the premises hereinafter referred to, and per- formed other duties, as follows : -
There are 287 cows in our city, 59 swine, and 3 sheep, kept for domestic purposes. Seven horses were quarantined, which were afterward killed by order of the State Board of Cattle
772
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Commissioners, and 34 were killed by consent of the owners. All of these horses had contagious diseases. There are 391 grocery and provision stores in Somerville, and 313 wagons from which produce and provisions are sold on the street. Of these wagons, 200 are registered.
I have condemned and caused to be destroyed 29 calves, 7 cows, 3 swine, 4 sides of beef, 237 mackerel, 155 pounds of fish, 793 pounds of poultry, 7 livers, 10 bushels of vegetables, 77 boxes of berries, 95 dozen bananas, and 11 crates of tomatoes.
So far as possible, I have kept myself informed in regard to the duties of my office.
Respectfully, CHARLES M. BERRY, Inspector of Animals and Provisions.
REPORT OF THE
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, January 11, 1899.
Referred to Committee on Printing, to be printed in the annual reports. Sent down for concurrence.
GEORGE I. VINCENT, Clerk.
IN COMMON COUNCIL, January 11, 1899.
Referred to Committee on Printing, to be printed in the annual reports, in concurrence.
CHARLES S. ROBERTSON, Clerk.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
OFFICE OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES,
42 SARGENT AVENUE, SOMERVILLE, January 5, 1899. To HIS HONOR, THE MAYOR, AND THE CITY COUNCIL.
Gentlemen :- The report of the Sealer of Weights and Measures for the year 1898 is respectfully submitted, and is as follows : -
Number of weights and measures tested and sealed.
Scales
1,017
Weights
2,881
Dry measures
1,245
Liquid measures .
1,115
Coal baskets
31
Yard sticks
87
Tin milk cans .
5,112
Glass milk jars
2,317
Glass cream jars
10,393
24,198
Number of weights and measures tested and condemned.
Scales
28
Weights
8
Dry measures
26
Liquid measures
17
Milk jars .
135
Cream jars
1,785
1,999
Scales tagged
13
26,210
776
ANNUAL REPORTS.
In the year 1898 I tested double the number of weights and measures ever tested in any one year in this city. Of the whole number, 19,742 were tested in my office, and the balance, 6,468, were tested on the streets and in business places.
In April, notice was given through the Somerville papers for parties using weights or measures for buying or selling to bring them to the office to be tested ; and in June, July, August, September and October, I visited all places in Somerville where goods were bought or sold, tested and sealed all found correct, adjusted a great many, tagged 13 scales, and con- demned all found beyond repair and useless.
Two hundred and seventy-seven peddlers and junk collectors have brought their weights and measures to the office to be tested, and I have looked over and tested their weights and measures every time I have met them on the streets. I found a great improvement in this class of dealers over 1897.
I find the glass milk and cream jars worse than any other measures. Of these measures I have tested 14,630, of which number 12,710 were correct, and sealed, and 1,920 were found to be incorrect and were condemned. People should take pains and see that these jars left at their houses as quarts, pints and half pints are sealed, as it will be seen that nearly 15 per cent. have been found incorrect. The seal is S., and the year '98 or '99, as the case may be, written with acid on the glass. As the acid eats in and cannot be erased, a bottle once sealed can always be identified. The Sealer marks the year in which the sealing is done, and before it the initial letter of the city or town in which he serves. Bottles sealed by me are marked S. '98 ; those sealed in Cambridge, C. '98, etc.
The expenses and receipts for the year 1898 are as follows : -
Printing, advertising and postage 16.25
Stamps, brands and acid . 14.72
Man and team 105.00
Sealer's salary .
400.00
$535.97
777
REPORT OF THE SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
Fees collected and paid to treasurer $278.93
Fines collected and paid to treasurer
25.00
Net expense
232.04
$535.97
JOHN H. DUSSEAULT, Sealer of Weights and Measures.
REPORT OF THE
CITY SOLICITOR.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, February 8, 1899.
Referred to Committee on Printing, to be printed in the annual reports. Sent down for concurrence.
GEORGE I. VINCENT, Clerk.
IN COMMON COUNCIL, February 9, 1899.
Referred to Committee on Printing, to be printed in the annual reports, in concurrence.
CHARLES S. ROBERTSON, Clerk.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
January 23, 1899.
TO THE HONORABLE, THE MAYOR, AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOMERVILLE : -
Gentlemen : - I present herewith my report as City Solici- tor for the year 1898.
The following cases pending in the courts were on the trial list or otherwise acted upon : -
1. Osborn vs. City of Somerville .- Before Superior Court for Middlesex County. Action for damages alleged to have been suffered by reason of change of grade of Porter street and Mountain avenue, opposite plaintiff's premises. Tried before Wm. Schofield, auditor, in September. Decision not yet rendered.
2. City of Somerville vs. City of Waltham .- Before Superior Court for Middlesex County. Action to recover back taxes paid on plaintiff's land in Waltham. Judgment for Somerville, and defendant appealed. The Supreme Court rendered a decision in favor of Somerville. This case was conducted by my predecessor in office. Judgment collected from defendant.
3. Reed vs. City of Somerville .- Before Superior Court for Middlesex County. Appeal from assessment of taxes of 1896.
4. Reed et al. vs. City of Somerville .- Before Superior Court for Middlesex County. Appeal from assessment of taxes of 1896.
5. Keef vs. City of Somerville .- Before Superior Court for Middlesex County. Action for personal injuries alleged to have been received on Bow street, October 16, 1896.
782
ANNUAL REPORTS.
6. Wilkinson vs. City of Somerville .- Before Superior Court for Middlesex County. Action for personal injuries alleged to have been received on Russell street, November 17, 1896. Settled for $125.
7. Knowles vs. City of Somerville .- Before Superior Court for Middlesex County. Action for personal injuries alleged to have been received on Franklin street, July 28, 1896. Tried and verdict rendered for $450. Subsequently settled for $400, without costs.
8. A. W. Bryne Construction Company vs. City of Somerville .- Before Superior Court for Middlesex County. Claim for damages on account of Tannery Brook sewer contract.
9. City of Somerville vs. A. W. Bryne Construction Com- pany et al .- Before Superior Court for Middlesex County. Claim for damages on account of breach of Tannery Brook sewer contract.
10. City of Somerville vs. A. W. Bryne Construction Company. Before Superior Court for Middlesex County. Claim for damages on account of breach of Tannery Brook sewer contract. The above three cases were referred to an auditor.
11. Annie E. McCarthy et al. vs. City of Somerville .- Before Superior Court for Middlesex County. Petition for damages on account of land taken for Tannery Brook sewer.
12. John Byrnes vs. City of Somerville .- Before Superior Court for Middlesex County. Petition for damages on account of land taken for Tannery Brook sewer. Settled for $450.
13. Daniel L. Demmon vs. City of Somerville .- Before Superior Court for Middlesex County. Petition for damages on account of land taken for Tannery Brook sewer.
14. Martin W. Carr vs. City of Somerville .- Before Superior Court for Middlesex County. Petition for damages on account of land taken for Tannery Brook sewer.
15. Patrick Flynn vs. City of Somerville .- Before Superior Court for Middlesex County. Action for personal injuries alleged to have been received on Concord avenue, May 28, 1897. Tried, and jury rendered a verdict in favor of the city.
783
REPORT OF THE CITY SOLICITOR.
16. Berry et al. vs. E. F. Staples, City of Somerville, trustee. - Before Police Court of Somerville. Question of trusteeing amounts due contractor for Sanford Hanscom School.
17. William A. Sanborn vs. E. F. Staples, City of Somer- ville, trustee .- Before Somerville Police Court. Question of trusteeing amounts due contractor for Sanford Hanscom School.
18. Reed vs. City of Somerville .- Before Superior Court for Middlesex County. Appeal from assessment of taxes of 1897.
19. Read et al. vs. City of Somerville. - Before Superior Court for Middlesex County. Appeal from assessment of taxes of 1897.
20. Quirk vs. City of Somerville .- Before Superior Court for Suffolk County. Action for personal injuries alleged to have been received on Broadway, July 23, 1897. Settled for $276.59.
21. Davis vs. City of Somerville .- Before Superior Court for Middlesex County. Action for personal injuries alleged to have been received on Beacon street, November 10, 1896. Set- tled by payment of $215 by the Somerville Electric Light Com- pany and $100 by the city.
22. McCarthy vs. City of Somerville .- Before Superior Court for Middlesex County. Petition to enforce a mechanic's lien on the Sanford Hanscom Schoolhouse. Dismissed by agreement.
23. McCarthy vs. Staples and City of Somerville, trustee .- Before Police Court of Somerville. Question of trusteeing amounts due contractor for Sanford Hanscom Schoolhouse.
24. Berry et al. vs. Staples and City of Somerville, trustee. - Before Police Court of Somerville. Question of trusteeing amounts due contractor for Sanford Hanscom Schoolhouse. Second action.
25. Staples vs. City of Somerville .- Bill in equity, Supe- rior Court, to determine rights of parties claiming the balance due contractor for erection of Sanford Hanscom Schoolhouse.
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.