USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1899 > Part 2
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ANNUAL' REPORTS.
could be thereby secured. Furthermore, I know of no good rea- son why the cost of converting a mere beaten track between two rows of houses into a well-macadamized street should be borne by the city any more than should the cost of constructing side- walks or laying a sewer. In the earlier years of the city there was a well-understood rule that the City Council would not lay out or accept a street until the abutters had first brought it to sub-grade. An exception to this rule was made when land was to be acquired for the extension of å street, in which case the proceedings were taken under the betterment law. A mistaken idea has prevailed to some extent that the collection of highway betterment assess- ments is difficult. This has not proved true in the city's experi- ence when the proceedings have been regular and the assessments have been limited to estates abutting on the street immediately affected.
I would also recommend a separate appropriation for the maintenance of sidewalks. About fifty-three miles of brick side- walks have been laid during the twenty-eight years Somerville has been a city, but no adequate provision has ever been made for keeping them in repair. Many of them need to be relaid, and a specific sum should be appropriated each year for that purpose.
I recommend, also, a separate appropriation for the construc- tion and maintenance of street crossings and for the construction and maintenance of paved gutters.
With all the above-mentioned items provided for, an ap- propriation for highways-maintenance can be made and devoted almost exclusively to the purpose indicated by its title ; namely, keeping the streets in repair.
The total amount of the appropriation for highways in 1899 was $71,507.95.
Sidewalks.
The sum of $10,000 was appropriated for sidewalks last year, making it possible, with the amount to be assessed upon abutters, to expend $20,000 for these improvements.
The highways department has laid 11,760 square yards of brick sidewalks and set 13,030 linear feet, or about 2.47 miles, of edgestones, this latter item involving the laying of a similar length of paved gutters, which are paid for from highways ac- count. In addition to the above, 6,185 square yards of brick sidewalks have been relaid and 6,130 linear feet, or 1.16 miles, of edgestones have been reset.
The total length of sidewalks provided with edgestones is now some 78.4 miles, of which 53.1 miles are covered with bricks.
Short sections of granolithic or artificial stone sidewalks have been laid in different parts of the city, the longest being on the easterly side of Benton road, from Highland avenue to Hud- son street, and on the southerly side of Monmouth street, from Central street westwardly. If the cost of the material can be
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MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS
brought down to that of a brick sidewalk without impairing its quality, it would seem advisable to make its use more general, as it is a very neat, smooth walk, and seems to be durable, if we may judge by those sections which have been used in our city some two or three years.
I believe that. in judging of the necessity for sidewalks, the main thoroughfares should first be considered, and that edge- stones should be set, the gutters paved, and permanent sidewalks laid therein as rapidly as the means of the city will allow.
Parks and Boulevards.
The year just passed has been a notable one in the matter of parks and boulevards. Lincoln park on Washington street has been practically completed during the year as an athletic field and pleasure park, with a driveway surrounding the playgrounds ; the old Wyatt pit, so called, which has been the receptacle for all kinds of rubbish and filth for a number of years past, has been pumped out and cleaned. the shores trimmed up and enclosed by a fence, so that at present it is a respectable pond. About 40,000 cubic yards of good filling, the surplus material from all the dif- ferent trench excavations where construction work has been car- ried on during the past year, has been deposited in this pit, and in the future, by utilizing all the available surplus material, the pond can be left shallow and in a safe condition. Trees and shrubbery have been planted in different parts of the park, so that in a short time Somerville will have one of the best playgrounds in this vicinity. Its popularity has already been shown by the throngs of young people who are daily seen playing on the field. In removing a menace to the health of the community, in improv- ing the general appearance, and in providing a suitable place for healthful, outdoor recreation in one of the most crowded sections, the city has undertaken a successful and most commendable work. The amount expended in construction during the year was $10,300.
Two of the old schoolhouse lots, one located on Webster avenue, near the Cambridge line, the other at the corner of Som- erville avenue and Kent street, have been transferred to the public grounds department. The old Franklin building on the latter lot was sold, and the proceeds devoted to the improvement of the premises. Both of these lots have been regraded and laid out as small parks, with walks and grass plots, and, thus preserved, they will become attractive open spaces in crowded districts of our city This little Franklin park, in particular, makes an im- portant addition to our park system, covering, as it does, about 35,000 square feet, and having a very nice grove of beautiful shade trees. £ Every taxpayer should visit this park to see what has been accomplished for a very small outlay of money. All vacant lots in the city, until they are needed for some other purpose,
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ANNUAL REPORTS.
should be cleaned up and put to use as recreation grounds, espe- cially if they are located in sections of the city where open spaces are scarce. The standpipe lot on Spring hill, the highest point in the city, which will not be required any longer for water purposes, on account of the completion of the high-service reservoir near Spot pond by the Metropolitan Water Commission, has been transferred to the public grounds department.
The total area maintained as parks and playgrounds in the city is 51.7 acres, and the cost of maintenance for the year has been about $9,500.
The agreement made in December, 1898, between the city and the Metropolitan Park Commission has been carried out to good effect, with the result that the beauties of both the local and the Metropolitan systems have been very much increased. The iron fence which enclosed the Broadway park has been removed, and the Metropolitan Park Commissioners have taken the ave- n11es on either side of the park and re-constructed them as boule- vards, each one-quarter of a mile long, making a very suitable entrance to the Fellsway drive, crossing over Mystic river. It is a pleasure to know that probably within two or three years this boulevard, which extends in one direction to the Middlesex Fells, will branch off in the other direction just beyond the Wellington bridge, and extend to Revere beach and along the North shore.
By an act passed by the last Legislature, the city has been able to acquire land for boulevard purposes extending from Pow- der-house square, opposite Nathan Tufts park, westerly, across land of Tufts College and other private lands to North street, and thence along the easterly bank of Alewife brook to the city of Medford boundary line, opposite the old pumping station of the Boston Water Works. The distance is about a mile and a quarter.
About $8,500 has been expended during the latter part of the year in removing the loam and sub-grading the roadway, building the sub-drains and catch-basins, and general grading between Powder-house square and North street.
When completed, this boulevard will have a roadway forty feet in width, with grass plots, planting spaces for trees, and side- walks on either side, the total width being eighty feet; there are restrictions as to location, cost, and character of the buildings to be erected, so that, in future, Somerville will have a boulevard that will compare favorably with those in other cities.
The principal advantages of this boulevard are that it will open up for development large tracts of land, a large part of which belongs to Tufts College, and has hitherto been exempt from taxation ; and also that it will give a connection with the Mystic Valley parkway of the Metropolitan system. The latter now ex- tends to High-street bridge in West Medford, but it will be ex- tended down the river, meeting the end of our own boulevard at the pumping station, and further along down the river valley to
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MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
Medford Centre and Wellington bridge, the land for the purpose having very recently been taken. The land for our new Somer- ville boulevard, about 528,000 feet, was all acquired without ex- pense to the city, with the exception of one small lot, which was taken at the assessed valuation.
Water Department.
We were fortunate in being able to start the year with about 500 tons of iron water pipe on hand, which was purchased at the extremely low rates which prevailed last year, prices having since risen $12 or more per ton, or about sixty-five per cent.
The total number of feet of pipe laid during the season has been 37,397, of which 17,066 feet has been laid in extending the works, and 20,331 feet in replacing cement-lined mains.
Particular attention has been given during the progress of the work to the construction of blow-offs, which serve the double purpose of cleaning out the sediment which accumulates to a greater or less extent in all water systems, and of flushing out the sewers with which they are connected. Thirty-three of these blow-offs have been constructed during the year.
A feature of the department work which has received special attention is the removal of dead ends. A large number of these were formed upon the introduction of the high service system, and have continued a source of annoyance to the present year. During the year this system has been greatly improved by laying lines of circulation pipes and connecting the dead ends into these pipes, thereby preventing the water from becoming stagnant. Forty-four of these dead ends have been removed during the year.
In connection with the removal of dead ends in the Union- square district, the water mains have been so re-arranged as to give the high-service pressure to a number of fire hydrants in that section, the water now being delivered at a pressure of 103 pounds to the square inch, making a very effective fire stream without the use of steam fire engines.
It is planned to give a similar fire service to Gilman square next year, and perhaps extend it to other business sections of the city. The chief of the fire department is particularly desirous of having it extended to Davis square.
The high-service reservoir of the Metropolitan Water Works in the Middlesex Fells has been completed, and although the sys- tem is not yet in entire operation, this city is now receiving the full benefit which will come to it in the way of increased water pressure. This pressure has been steadily gaining since last August throughout our entire high-service district, and now shows an increase of eighteen pounds per square inch over the former standpipe pressure. In the Clarendon-hill and College- hill districts the high-water service was turned on about the first of the year, and the pressure is now about fifty pounds greater
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ANNUAL REPORTS.
than formerly under the low-service system. The large increase in water pressure has led to the discontinuance of the standpipe - on Spring hill, which has been used as a high-service reservoir for the past ten years, and this structure with some 10,000 feet of land on which it stands has been turned over to the public grounds department for such use as may hereafter be determined.
Forty-eight public fire hydrants have been set, making the total number in the city 870, or one to about every seventy in- habitants.
There is now in use in the city about 28,000 feet of the cement- lined water mains, and as this kind of pipe is apt to prove defective when least expected, I recommend its early removal. I also rec- ommend that the removal of dead ends be followed up, and such other work continued as will maintain the greatest possible purity and healthfulness of the excellent water now furnished us by the Commonwealth, believing that, in the matter of water for do- mestic uses, the very best to be obtained is none too good, and is what all our consumers are entitled to receive.
The high-service pumping plant has been operated during the year for the Metropolitan Water Board, arrangements having been made whereby we run the pump continuously, and allow the surplus water over our local consumption to enter the Metro- politan northern high-service district for the benefit of the entire district, the Metropolitan Water Board reimbursing this city for the entire expense thus incurred. This arrangement will con- tinue until the Metropolitan pumping station at Spot pond is completed, when it is expected that the operation of our plant will cease. The pump has made a remarkable record this year, and has been an important factor in meeting the requirements of the Metropolitan Water System.
There have been no serious breaks on any of the water mains during the vear, no claims for damages on account of the works have arisen, and no complaints for any cause have been received. The works at the present time are in better condition than ever before, and, with a reasonable appropriation next year, they can be put into such shape that the expenses of the department there- after can be materially reduced.
Sewers and Storm Drains.
Considerable work in sewer construction has been accom- plished toward the relief of flooded cellars in the low, flat district situated between Union square and the East Cambridge line, in the vicinity of Concord square.
These sewers are what are termed the "separate system" sewers, designed for taking house drainage only (roof and ground water being excluded), and have their outlet into the Metro- politan sewerage system, so that, in times of storm, they will al-
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MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
ways have a free discharge. In each street these sewers have been laid under the sidewalks, on both sides of the street, and abutters at a small expense can now have relief from flooded cel- lars by providing new and separate connections.
The construction work was commenced on Prospect street at Somerville avenue, and extended through Newton street under the Fitchburg railroad tracks by a single line of sewer. At this point a branch was extended southerly through Webster avenue and Prospect street and other adjacent streets, namely, Concord avenue, Oak street, Bolton street, and Houghton street, and another branch was extended westerly from the Fitchburg rail- road on Newton street, through Concord avenue and Springfield street and the adjacent streets, namely, Joseph, Adrian, Marion, Cook, and Dickinson streets.
The sewers vary in size from a 22x33-inch brick to a six-inch pipe, the length laid amounting to 15,261 feet (2.9 miles).
This "separate system" of sewers should be extended through Union square and along both sides of Somerville avenue until they give relief to the flooded cellars in the vicinity of Park, Spring, Belmont, and Lowell streets.
A short length of storm drain has been constructed in School street, between Summer and Berkeley streets, for the purpose of relieving flooded cellars in times of storm.
Another section of the city badly flooded in times of storm . is an area in the vicinity of Vernon and Lowell streets, and the only means of relief is by storm water overflows into the Boston & Lowell railroad valley.
The two large outlets for storm water on each side of the city into Mystic river and Miller's river, respectively, are not as yet completed ; plans and estimates of cost have been made, but the outlets have not yet been obtained. The outlet into Mystic river, across the Reed land and land of the Boston & Maine Railroad Company will probably be available during the coming year.
The outlet into Miller's river at the East Cambridge line necessitates going through a small section of Cambridge, for which the Legislature of 1899 granted this city permission, with the proviso that the State Board of Health should first approve of the plans. These plans and a general description of the work contemplated were submitted in July to the State Board of Health, and in December the city was informed that the outlet into Miller's river was not approved by the Board. The State Board of Health apparently does not grasp the situation as it exists in regard to Somerville, for it is allowing the cities of Cam- bridge and Boston to discharge through many outlets into Charles river polluted water, contaminated fifty per cent. more than would be the one overflow asked for by Somerville.
Eighty catch-basins have been constructed during the year, all of which tend to keep our streets in better condition. The total length of sewer construction during 1899 was 3.67 miles.
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ANNUAL REPORTS.
The total length of sewers now in the city is ?2.44 miles ; of storm drains, 3 miles ; number of catch-basins, 1,020.
The total cost of construction in the sewer department during 1899 has amounted to about $32,000.
The maintenance of the sewerage system is one of the most important items in the city's work, as the general health of the city depends largely on its sanitary condition ; a force of men are kept continually cleaning and flushing the catch-basins and sewer mains, and repairing the old structures throughout the city. The cost of maintenance for 1899 has amounted to about $9,000.
Fire Department.
The fire department consists of 102 men, divided as follows : One chief and one assistant engineer, three engine companies, two hook and ladder companies, three hose companies, one chemical company, and one combination chemical and hose com- pany. This last is an addition to the force, the company having been organized during the last year.
The new fire station on Clarendon hill, West Somerville, was completed last year, and a company, with a combination chemical and hose wagon, placed therein. The wisdom of placing this ap- paratus in this locality has already been demonstrated. A new hose wagon has been placed with engine 4, in place of the combi- nation wagon, which was transferred to the Clarendon-hill station.
The buildings of the fire department are in good condition. Only slight repairs are required to make them first-class. There is one exception ; namely, the old building at Union square. This can be maintained in serviceable condition until other neces- sities are supplied.
A combination hose and chemical wagon, to be placed in the house with ladder No. ? (?65 Highland avenue), is recommended to furnish proper protection to this neighborhood, which, from the top of Spring hill to Highland avenue, and from Highland avenue to the Boston & Lowell railroad, has become a congested district of wooden buildings. A light piece of fire apparatus that can be quickly handled might be used to advantage.
The high-water service pressure has been increased and very effective streams can be thrown, sufficient to control fires in some places without the use of engines. Owing to the unevenness of the grade of our city, the water pressure on this high service varies from sixty to 100 pounds. It is, however. a great assistance in bringing fires under control, and if there is any way in which it could be extended over the entire city, it would be of immense ad- vantage to the public safety.
The fire alarm telegraph has worked admirably. There has not been any great storm to disarrange the wires. When they are placed under ground we shall be more secure from accident.
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MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
and ladders can be more quickly placed against buildings where wires are now a hindrance. There have been only two dangerous fires during the year, although fires have been more numerous than heretofore. The number of fires has been about 180. This does not include twenty-one false alarıns.
The fire department is efficient, as is evidenced by the fact that, although fires have been more numerous this year than in any preceding year, yet in only two instances was it necessary to sound a second alarm and bring in the reserve force. Our fire department merits entire confidence.
Some action should be taken to prohibit shingle roofs and to regulate the size of wooden buildings.
Police Department.
The police department of the city now consists of a chief, one captain, five sergeants, thirty-four patrolmen, and eight reserve police officers ; total, forty-nine. Early this year four vacancies in the reserves were filled, making the force number fifty men. On November 4, 1899, one of our respected patrolmen, George A. Bodge, died, thus causing a vacancy which has not been filled. Having in mind that it is our first duty to prevent crime as much as possible, this fact, I think, is worth noting ; that while the force was increased by an addition of four men, the number of arrests has been considerably less than before.
The illegal sale of intoxicating liquors has been carefully guarded against during the past year, and more than usual atten- tion has been given to prevent juvenile depredations. There has been a great deal of complaint about boys playing ball in the streets, but, with the new playgrounds provided, it is hoped that there will be less tendency to use the streets for this purpose.
In order to keep pace with the increase of population, I rec- ommend an increase in the regular force of three patrolmen, which would enable the chief to officer one new route day and night, and reduce the size of three routes which are now poorly protected. The health of the men in the force at present is ex- ceptionally good, and they are all on active duty.
The Public Library.
The Somerville Public Library, in point of circulation, is the second in the state, ranking next to the Boston Public Library. Many libraries in the state doing a smaller business are granted a much larger appropriation. The library's present appropria- tion is $11,000. Its new building, with more than double the capacity of the present building, and with the increased help and expense it demands, will necessitate increased expenditures. The addition was made the past year, the contract price being $15,675.
·
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ANNUAL REPORTS.
The management contemplates, during the coming year, do- ing much more for the schools than it has hitherto been able to do. It now sends special libraries of twenty-five books each to eighty-five schoolrooms. This is an inadequate supply ; one book for every pupil in the room should be furnished. Besides, there are 135 other rooms that are not supplied at all. To supply all these rooms adequately a larger number of new books would be required.
In the new annex to the library, which will be completed in a few weeks, the children's room will be the largest in the build- ing. It will require a special attendant, with an assistant at cer- tain hours. An increased supply of the best juvenile books should be purchased for this room.
À newspaper room will also be opened in the annex. The Boston dailies, the best New York dailies, the London Times, a French and a Spanish paper, and some of the best weeklies will be subscribed for.
When the new addition is finished the library should be opened to the public every evening in the week. This will re- quire two extra attendants.
Health Department.
As in recent years, the health of the city has been excellent, thanks to our natural situation, the care of the people, and the vigilance of the health department. Although the conditions were not quite so favorable as in the preceding year, which was an exceptionally good one, there has been no serious outbreak of contagious disease. In June an epidemic of scarlet fever threat- ened the city, but it was prevented by the closing of the Luther V. Bell School, among whose pupils it prevailed, and the thor- ough washing with corrosive sublimate and fumigation of the schoolhouse. Every precaution is taken by the health depart- ment against the spreading of contagious disease, especially in immediately notifying the school and public library authorities.
Weights and Measures.
A great deal of work has been done the past year by the sealer of weights and measures ; a kind of work which is of im- · portance to a very large number of people. At a salary of $600, the officer in charge has tested 48,361 scales, weights, measures, etc., including many thousands of milk jars. As many as twenty scales, five weights, forty-eight dry measures, 1,777 wet measures (milk jars, etc.). and three coal baskets were condemned. A very close watch has been kept on pedlers and certain other dealers, with the result that there has been a saving to many pur- chasers among the very class of our citizens who most need pro- tection of this kind.
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