USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1900 > Part 2
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
Curfew.
The last City Government adopted the Curfew Act, and al- ready the warning bell notifies the children of the city that the place for them is in the house after 9 o'clock, unless attended by their parents or on an errand for them.
While this administration is in no wise responsible for the adoption of the ordinance, it is for us to see to it that it is enforced wisely and well, seeking the ends aimed at by the promoters of the measure. It is a law capable of genuine usefulness, though it may easily be made ridiculous. There can be no question as to the attitude of this administration under the circumstances.
17
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
Water Department.
The year has been uneventful in the Water Department. Recent important changes in the service have given the city many advantages, equal, indeed, to any municipality in the country. At the beginning of the year we had about 28,000 feet of old cement-lined water main in the streets. This has been reduced to approximately 17,000 feet. By replacing those portions which have been longest in service with cast-iron pipe, we have suc- ceeded in getting through the year with only one burst, and that caused no damage to property. In renewal of street mains, 11,896 feet of iron pipe has been laid during the year. In extend- ing the water pipe system, we have laid 14,082 feet of iron pipe of various sizes. A twelve-inch main has been laid in Medford street, from School street, crossing the Boston & Maine Railroad bridge, and connecting the Winter-hill and Central-hill divisions of the high service system. A fire hydrant in Gilman square has been connected to this pipe, and a fire pressure of ninety-five pounds at the outlet is obtained therefrom. The circulation has been generally improved by ridding the system of thirteen dead ends, and twenty-four blow-offs have been constructed to assist in removing any sediment from the pipes. The total number of fire hydrants in the city is 897, an increase of twenty-seven during the year. Two hundred and thirty-five new house connections with the street mains and 8,850 feet of service pipe have been laid. A large amount of work has been done in anticipation of street improvements, such as the paving of Davis square, the proposed paving of Cross street, and the construction of various streets throughout the city, so that it will not be necessary, except for extraordinary requirements, to dig up the new pavements for water works purposes. The per capita consumption of water in the Metropolitan District has been increasing very rapidly, and while it has not as yet been found necessary to resort to restrictive measures, it seems advisable at this time to urge upon all water consumers the necessity of exercising care in the use of the water and in checking the enormous daily waste.
Watering Streets.
Our citizens appreciate every effort to lay the dust, and it is worth while to consider whether it would not be a gain in this - direction, as well as a great improvement in the beauty and fresh-
18
ANNUAL REPORTS.
ness of private grounds, if an effort were made to encourage the well-nigh universal use of hand hose by reducing the price to each householder. Under the new charter, the watering of streets is placed under the Street Commissioner. The city is divided into twenty-five districts, averaging two miles of streets. The city owns a cart for each district, and lets the contract for each district to some competent person, who is required to keep the streets properly watered at all times, Sundays included. It is unfortunate that no provision can be made for the excessively dusty days out of season.
Fire Department.
Some one has recently written of the "greatest army in the world-the firemen." These fire-fighters are as skillful, ener- getic, and heroic as any brigade that ever faced the fire of mus- ketry or cannon. It is not mere good fortune that has for many years exempted Somerville from serious loss by fire. In no other department of the city's service is the great financial advantage of efficiency so readily seen. One great conflagration or the loss of a single life from inefficiency in training or inadequacy in equipment is unpardonable, and we have no cause for regret in these directions, and there must be no occasion for it in the future. That the citizens appreciate the quality of service and devotion of the faithful firemen was abundantly in evidence on election day, when, by a vote of more than two to one (2,785-1,375), it was voted to pension the firemen when they must retire from the ser- vice because of age.
To the Fire Department the business industries look for safety, the mechanic for the preservation of the factory where he earns his daily bread, and all the people look to the firemen for safety while they sleep. It is of the greatest importance that the firemen should be men who can be depended upon for prompt- ness, as well as for wise and intelligent action in emergency. The deportment of our firemen is excellent. The apparatus should be the most serviceable kind, and adapted to our wants. Our city contains about 11,000 dwelling houses, and they are nearly all of wood, with shingled roofs. These houses are built on an area of less than 1,800 acres. The close proximity of buildings to each other adds to the fire hazard, and provides the conditions for a conflagration. The shingled roof is a public menace, and
19
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
such legislation as is necessary should be made to limit their construction. The acceptance of Chapter 267 of the Acts of 1898, authorizing the Mayor and Aldermen to pension firemen, necessitates the adoption of a rule limiting the age at which persons desiring to become members will be eli- gible; also an examination by the City Physician to ascer- tain the applicant's physical ability to perform the duties of a fireman. The apparatus of the department consists of three steam fire engines, six hose wagons, two combination chemical engines and hose wagons, one chemical engine, and two hook and ladder trucks. This apparatus is in excellent condition, with the exceptions here noted : Engine No. 1 has been in service seven- teen years, and needs new axles, wheels, and general repairs. Engine No. 4 has been in service ten years ; the boiler shows evi- dence of weakness, and other repairs are necessary. The boilers of steam fire engines are seldom serviceable after seven years when used with a heater. The Chief Engineer recommends that the city should have a spare engine, for these cogent reasons : First, the city is not reasonably safe without three steam fire en- gines constantly in service. When any repairs are required, then there are only two engines for service. Again, when there is a large fire, an additional engine would be a very valuable auxiliary. While it is true that we always have received assistance from nearby places in times of need, yet, to be good neighbors, we must return the favor when called upon, and we should so equip our- selves as not to jeopardize our own interests while assisting those who assist us. There will not be any expense in maintaining such an engine. The building occupied by Ladder No. 1 and Hose No. 3, situated on the corner of Washington and Prospect streets, is not adapted to house the apparatus necessary to the work re- quired of to-day. The ladder truck should carry forty-foot lad- ders, but this cannot be done, owing to the shortness of the build- ing. This station is also unhealthy and has not the comforts that are in the other stations. The sanitary conditions are in- ferior to those furnished to the other fire companies. The day is not distant when we must erect a new building in the immediate vicinity.
The total appropriation and receipts of the department were $58,312, and the expenditures $57,225.92, leaving an unexpended balance of $1,086.08. During the past year there were 227 fire alarms. On the property burned and damaged there was
20
ANNUAL REPORTS.
$225,910 insurance, and the entire loss from fire and damage was $54,280.50.
Department of Electric Lines and Lights.
This department has the care of all electrical appliances used by the city, which includes the fire alarm, police signal, and all electric lights, bells, and telephone systems used in our schools and other public buildings ; also the supervision of all poles, wires, and lights in the city.
Street Lighting.
This service has been extended during the year by the addition of twenty-eight arc and forty incandescent lights, mak- ing a total of 405 arc, 279 incandescent, and 121 Welsbach gas and naphtha lamps in use.
A contract has just been closed with the Electric Light Com- pany by which it is hoped to greatly improve the service by the use of a lamp of greater lighting capacity.
Fire Alarm Service.
Eight new fire alarm boxes have been added, making a total of ninety-four boxes now in service. Several new boxes should be placed in the West Somerville district on account of the rapid growth in that part of the city. During the coming year the wires of this service should be placed underground, as every year brings more danger in storms from the increased number of high tension electric light wires, which make it very dangerous to the men who repair the fire alarm wires, as well as the risk of burning out the service and leaving the city unprotected, besides the ex- pense of replacing apparatus so destroyed.
The police signal system is in good order. Three new boxes have been added, making a total of forty-eight boxes now in use.
Eight Hours of Labor.
By a vote of almost three to one (3,140-1,183) the citizens at a recent election voted that eight hours shall be a day's work for all laborers, workmen, and mechanics employed by the city. Every such indication of public interest in a
21
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
sympathy for laboring men has its influence on the re- lation of capital and labor in private life. It signifies much more to have a law adopted by so large a majority at a general election than to have the same end attained by a mere vote of the Board of Aldermen. The laborers are to be congratulated, but no more than the city, whose voters take so wholesome a view of the labor question. It is desirable that, so far as possible, the laborers endeavor to do the necessary work in the eight hours, that the strain upon the treasury be not greatly increased. It is claimed by the champions of an eight-hour day that men can ac- complish practically as much work in eight hours as in nine. It will be interesting if this can be demonstrated in our city.
Poor Department.
The Overseers of the Poor are doing good work for the city, with unusual satisfaction to those who have been aided, because of the fact that they have now a proper place to care for those who need entire support. The City Home is a comfortable place, and the inmates, already numbering seventeen, are happy and contented. The expense for the past year has been a little more than former years. The income the past year, however, from the board of sundry persons, the sale of vegetables, and the sale of wood has amounted to about $525, and it is expected that the amount will be very much larger during the year 1901. The board recommends that a shed be erected for the housing of wagons, carts, farming tools, etc., also a place for washing vege- tables for the market, and for sawing and packing away wood. There have been aided during 1900 in all 1,468 persons ; 318 different families were aided more or less in their homes. The city is now paying for the support of eighty-seven insane persons, an increase of nearly twenty during the year 1900. The total ex- penditure for the City Home and the miscellaneous accounts for the year was $29,546.42. It is gratifying to know that while our poor people are well cared for, the cost is less in proportion to our population than any other city in the Commonwealth.
Health of City.
Somerville is to be congratulated that she is one of the most healthful places of residence in the state and country, and
22
ANNUAL REPORTS.
for this no little credit is due the untiring efforts and incessant watchfulness of the Board of Health.
This board has the most miscellaneous mission of any de- partment in the city, as will be seen from the statement that they have issued certificates to 149 peddlers ; have granted licenses to keep 159 cows and refused 9; have licensed 14 stables and re- fused 15; have licensed 15 undertakers and refused one; given permits to keep 19 swine and refused one; licensed 11 persons to collect grease ; have abated 996 nuisances ; and have caused to be killed 41 diseased horses. The board has also had referred to it numerous cases of scarlet fever, diphtheria, and typhoid fever. It has also secured from the State Board of Health for use in Somerville 1,150 bottles of anti-toxin. Your attention is called to Chapter 511 of the Acts of 1894, which requires the erection of a contagious hospital whenever deemed necessary by the Board of Health. I deem it imperative that the Board of Aldermen take immediate action in this matter. Whatever the Board of Health suggests is sure to receive careful attention at the hands of the City Government.
Sealer of Weights and Measures.
The work of the Sealer of Weights and Measures has in- creased rapidly from year to year, until in 1899 the number of tests made by the inspector was 48,535, as compared with 5,624 in 1894. The office of the inspector being far removed from City Hall makes it very inconvenient for those doing business with this office. I would recommend that a suitable room in the base- ment of the City Hall Annex be provided, and that the cabinet containing standard weights and measures be removed from the City Messenger's office thereto.
Law Department,
Each year, as the city increases in population, the work of this department becomes greater and more important. Several highway accident cases have been settled out of court, and an equal number have been tried, the expense being about the same. The trustees of Tufts College have brought a suit for the recovery of taxes assessed in 1899 and paid under protest, and it is inti- mated that a similar suit will be brought regarding taxes assessed in 1900. The Boston & Albany railroad having been leased
23
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
to the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad Com- pany, and the Fitchburg to the Boston & Maine, the petitions for the abolition of grade crossings at Somerville avenue, Medford, Dane, and Park streets and Webster avenue are in process of amendment. As this is a very important matter and requires careful consideration, I would advise the Board of Aldermen to definitely direct what action shall be taken by the City Solicitor. The railroad companies suggest delay, though offering to co- operate in harmony with the city, and, as many complications have arisen, there does not seem to be any chance for a number of years either that work will be begun or any outlay of money by the city be required. Attention has been called by the City Solicitor to Chapter 154 of the Acts of 1882, authorizing cities and towns to establish local boards of park commissioners, with certain powers in regard to the laying out and control of parks and parkways. This act must be accepted by the voters of the city before it can take effect. The city of Somerville has never accepted the act. Would it not be wise to either accept the act or petition the legislature that the City Government be given the same authority which such local boards of park commissioners now enjoy? The apportionment made five years ago for the ex- penses of the Metropolitan park district among the various cities and towns has been set aside by the legislature and a new ap- portionment made by which Somerville is called upon to pay about $6,000 less each year.
Public Grounds and Boulevards.
The public grounds and parks of the city have been main- tained at a very small expense compared with the benefit derived by the people. Park police have been provided on the principal grounds throughout the year, and during the winter ponds main- tained for skating. The water tower that was located on the top of Spring hill has been removed, and the area converted into a small pleasure park. An appropriation has been made for pur- chasing the remaining land for Prospect-hill park, and this, when laid out in the future, will add greatly to the city's park system. The athletic field at Lincoln park has been in constant use through the season for ball games and other sports. A new run- ning and bicycle track has been constructed, and an outdoors gymnasium is to be added. The city's lot at the corner of Broad- way and Cedar street has been partially graded and can be com-
24
ANNUAL REPORTS.
pleted the coming spring, giving that section of the city a long- desired playground. A section of the Tufts College field lying between Broadway and the new Powder-house boulevard is to be enclosed for an athletic field under the control of the city, and when completed Somerville will have the best athletic fields in this vicinity. The Powder-house boulevard has been extended from North street along the easterly line of Alewife brook to the Medford line, at an expense of about $12,000, and it will re- quire an expenditure of $8,000 for completion in surfacing the roadway, lighting, and planting trees. This will give the city within its limits a handsome boulevard a mile and a quarter long, with a total width of eighty feet, the driveway being forty feet wide, connecting directly with the Mystic valley boulevard of the Metropolitan park system. The total area in the city maintained as parks and playgrounds amounts to fifty-two acres, and the cost of maintenance for 1900 has been $10,500, which includes the cost of grading at Lincoln park and the city farm field.
Playgrounds.
Attention has been called in our local journals to the neces- sity of small playgrounds in those communities not provided for by the large parks and athletic fields. Wherever such a play- ground is needed there can be found usually a vacant lot for rent or purchase at slight cost. Desirable as are the athletic fields in the more thickly populated districts, no section should be left wholly unprovided for by the city. Most of the annoyances now complained of because private grounds are invaded by frolicsome and mischievous boys would thus be avoided.
Connecting Fells and Fens.
Somerville has much to hope for from the ultimate connec- tion of the fells and the fens. The Metropolitan park district has two beautiful systems, neither of which is nearly as attractive or as serviceable to the public as it would be if they were connected, and there is no connection that would not open and develop im- portant districts in Somerville and Cambridge. Every argument is in favor of this boulevard connection, and there is nothing of weight to be said against it ; hence, it is the duty of the Somerville City Government, and of every influence in the city to make heroic effort to secure the needed legislative action.
25
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
A Beautiful City.
No city of Massachusetts is so favored by nature for beauty of situation. The women have recognized the advantage of our seven hills in their honored name-Heptorean. These hills lend themselves to beauty of residence and public buildings as do the hills of few other municipalities. Two of these are already beau- tiful beyond description. College hill, already crowned with noble buildings, offers rare opportunities for beautiful homes, and the new boulevard will open up as attractive sites as there are in the Metropolitan district, and Central hill has as beautiful a group of buildings erected at public expense as is to be seen in New England. Something should be done to protect the sur- roundings of this natural historic monument from the defacement of inappropriate tenement houses. When the time shall come for the city to erect on the site of the breastworks of 1775 an armory for the gallant youth who hold themselves ready for military ser- vice at home or abroad, in the new world or in the old, a build- ing in which may be preserved the treasures of the Somerville historical society and an appropriate home for the veterans of the Civil War, Central hill will be matchless in beauty and in associa- tions, combining as it will the memories of three important wars, as well as our civic, educational, and library institutions. When I am more familiar with the resources and other demands upon the treasury, I may send a special message regarding the erection of an armory.
A Convenient City.
No municipality can have more important relations to the railroad and street car service than Somerville. Our steam rail- road corporations have twelve stations, largely for the accommo- dation of our citizens, while the street railway corporation has some twenty lines of cars, with so many opportunities for transfer that a five-cent fare will take one to any place of public interest, and to almost any part of the Metropolitan district. There is scarcely a residence in Somerville that is more than five minutes' walk from some one of these lines of cars. The past year has seen greater extension of this service within our borders than ever before. When the cars are run from Winter hill and East Som- erville to Union square and Harvard square, the system will be wellnigh perfect. It is probably true that the percentage of citi-
26
ANNUAL REPORTS.
zens that use steam and street railways is greater in Somerville than in any other city in the country. In this connection it is interesting to note that the corporation that furnishes our citizens with these conveniences pays us more than $45,000 in taxes, aside from all other expenditures within the city. Several hundred of the employees reside in our midst, as do some of the leading offi- cials.
Railways, Bridges, Paving.
The Boston Elevated Railway Company has laid double tracks in Broadway, from the top of Winter hill to Clarendon hill, and from North street to Alewife brook and the Arlington line. Pearl and Medford streets have been double-tracked from Cross street to Magoun square, and College avenue and a portion of Boston avenue, also Davis square, a length of 31,600 feet, making a total of 28.8 miles of electric railway track within the city limits. In connection with the laying of these tracks on Boston avenue, a new bridge has been constructed over the Mystic river, between Somerville and West Medford, costing about $18,000, the two cities and the railroad company bearing the expense. The structure is a granite arch bridge, 120 feet long, 58 feet wide, with a span of 60 feet over the river. The roadway is 40 feet wide, and the sidewalks are each 8 feet in width. The founda- tions were built of concrete masonry, and the outside of the wing walls-arch, coping, and pilasters-are of rock-faced granite. The designing and supervision of construction was done by our City Engineer. The double track location on Broadway at Ale- wife brook necessitated the widening of the old bridge between Somerville and Arlington. The stone arch was extended west- erly about twenty-four feet and wing walls constructed, making the street sixty-five feet wide, to conform with similar work of improvement done by the town of Arlington. The grade of the street was raised about two and one-half feet at the bridge. Davis square has been paved with vitrified brick, at a cost of about $9,000, exclusive of the space occupied by the double-track loca- tion, which has been paved at the railway company's expense, to correspond with the city's work. The grade of Gilman square has been changed by cutting down the old surface in the centre and flattening the slope, thereby making travel less dangerous in this section during cold weather.
27
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
An examination of the work done by the City Engineer's De- partment the past year has already led me to appreciate the value of the expert skill and businesslike management of the depart- ment, affecting, as it does, the highway and sewer departments, as well as all construction work and improvements in connection with the boulevards, railway extensions, and building of bridges.
Soldiers.
Somerville has held an enviable reputation, both because of the character of her volunteers that responded in the Spanish war, and of the number and character of the men who represented her in the great Civil War. That the city appreciates the services of these heroes is shown by the fact that more than a third of a century after the close of the Civil War she is paying $15,406.49 out of her own treasury to lighten the burdens of these veterans, in addition to the $12,214.50 which the state has paid these same veterans through the city officials.
Schools.
During the year two six-room schoolhouses were built, one on Bolton street, Ward 2, and one on Willow avenue, Ward 6, which will be ready for occupancy before September. The plans for these buildings were made in the office of the Commis- sioner of Public Buildings. For the first time in the history of our city, architectural plans have been provided by an expert in the regular employ of the city, and the quality of the work, as well as economy, justifies this departure. Of course, school- houses must be built and furnished, for no child must be left without the opportunity to obtain an education, even if we are obliged to sacrifice other improvements. Other interests can wait, but the education of the youth must not be neglected. The management of our schools is in the hands of a committee elected by the people, who under our charter have full and abso- lute charge. Theretaining for a series of years of faithful and able men upon our School Board has been one reason why Somerville has such an enviable reputation on all matters pertaining to her different educational institutions. The increase in the number of wards has brought to the Board some younger men than have ever served the city in this capacity, and into the educational councils recent graduates of our schools; their loyalty and in-
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.