USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1900 > Part 3
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28
ANNUAL REPORTS.
terest were well manifested by their choice of the name-George L. Baxter, their faithful teacher-for the new building in Ward 2. When you consider the time and patient endeavor on the part of the School Committee, given freely and without compen- sation, for no other purpose than to aid and assist in the upbuild- ing of the youth of our city and training them for the battle of life, so that the future may be an improvement upon the past, we ought to give careful thought and consideration to recommenda- tions coming from such a reliable source.
During the year the heating and sanitary arrangements of the Knapp school have been entirely changed. Steam has re- placed furnace heat, the ventilation has been perfected, and modern closets have been provided. The advantages of these changes more than justify the expenditure required.
The Pope school was thoroughly fumigated and cleansed, and during the summer vacation a complete change in the sani- tary department of the building was made, the most modern con- veniences being provided. As far as it may affect the health of its occupants, the building is beyond criticism.
The English High schoolhouse is built to accommodate 600 pupils. Since September 776 pupils have been registered, and the membership at the present time is ?28. To accommodate these, the lecture hall has been converted into classrooms; the original recitation rooms have all disappeared. One of the laboratories is used as a classroom. Clothes closets have been utilized for recitation purposes. Notwithstanding this conges- tion, the work of the school has gone steadily forward, but it has been at the expense of the comfort and convenience of teachers and pupils. In September of another year, according to the pretty well established law of increase, the membership will be 760. This number will doubtless be stowed away in the build- ing, even if stairways and corridors are brought into requisition, but surely something better should be provided.
The Latin school received 100 freshmen in September. This experience will probably be repeated in 1901. If so, the ca- pacity of the building will be exceeded. At least 200 pupils more than the present buildings can accommodate will then demand high school privileges, but the question is larger than the simple one of seating pupils. Facilities for doing the work well are lacking. The Latin school is now without laboratories and li-
29
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
brary, and in need of requisites for teaching by the most modern methods. The English school has no recitation rooms, is re- stricted in its growing business department, and in the drawing and manual training section, while special rooms are required if the best work is to be done in science, or if provision is to be made for all features of the present course of study.
Manual Training and Domestic Science.
Every town and city of 20,000 or more inhabitants, by Public Statute, is required to maintain as part of botli its elementary and its high school system the teaching of manual training. Somerville has not as yet complied with this law in regard to ele- mentary schools. There is no penalty for violation, and, for that reason, the city cannot be forced to comply. The teaching of cooking is authorized by law, but not made compulsory. The request for compliance with the letter and spirit of the law comes from numerous organizations representing the most intelligent class of women in the city, such as :--
The Heptorean Club.
Daughters of Maine Club.
Daughters of the American Revolution.
Daughters of the Revolution.
Woman's Suffrage League.
Coenonia Club. Browning Club.
Forthian Club.
Hillside Club.
Woman's Christian Temperance Union.
The interest manifested by so many organizations certainly demands attention, and no purely economical view of the situa- tion should be allowed to thwart the laudable purposes of those who have so much at stake in this matter.
Somerville Hospital.
The Somerville Hospital continues its good work, and the people show their interest by liberal contributions when called upon for some special occasion, but I fear we do not realize that every day brings with it something special, and that the necessity for help is constant. A hospital with a proper standard must be prepared for every kind of emergency. That our hospital is do-
30
1
ANNUAL REPORTS.
ing this just as far as its limited means will allow we had evidence of last July, when fifteen patients were received from the oil tank explosion on the Boston & Maine Railroad, and, although no notification was sent in advance, in less than ten minutes the doctors were in attendance, the night corps of nurses was twice doubled from the day force, thus giving the poor sufferers prompt relief. Six of these cases were fatal. There is an average of over 100 per month free treatments given to the patients who come to the hospital requiring medical advice or who have minor surgical injuries, a very necessary and helpful charity. To those who realize the responsibility of good citizenship it must be a comfort and a pride to know that there is a place always ready for the relief of the sick and injured. Under our charter the Board of Aldermen may appropriate money from time to time in aid of the Somerville Hospital ; therefore I would advise the con- tinuance of the appropriation of last year, and that the money collected by the city from the state, cities, and towns for the care of their sick be also paid to the Somerville Hospital.
Public Library.
The past year has marked an epoch in the history of the Li- brary. The completion of the annex furnished an equipment that enables the management to carry out some long-cherished plans, and to adopt newer and more progressive methods. A few of the improvements which this new annex has made possible have been :-
A newspaper room. An art room. An exhibit room. A magazine and periodical room. A children's room.
There has been an unusual increase in the business of the Library during the past twelve months, and its growth in circula- tion has been remarkable. This is especially true of its children's department. This, as a distinct department, is of very recent origin, but it has already grown to such an extent that a larger number of books is given out from its children's room than from any other children's room in the state. A school department has also been organized in the Library, with a special librarian at its head, with the object of bringing the schools and the Li-
31
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
brary into closer co-operation, and of placing the resources of the Library more effectively at the disposal of the schools.
Owing to the great and sudden increase of its business and the broadening of its work, the needs of the Library at the present time are great and urgent. A Public Library is established pri- marily for the dissemination of books. This purpose cannot be accomplished by our Public Library satisfactorily without a much larger equipment. Its greatest need is a vastly increased number of books. The Library contains only about 40,000 books avail- able for general circulation. When it is remembered that its monthly circulation is liable to exceed 30,000, it will be seen how very inadequate is its supply of books. The inadequacy of this supply is most apparent in the children's room. This room con- tains 4,000 books. Its circulation is 3,000 a week. Often there is not much above 1,000 books left on the shelves. This supply should be doubled, and doubled at once. A very largely in- creased number of general books, chiefly duplicates of books al- ready on the shelves, should be added to the Library. An appro- priation of $15,000 is imperative if the Library is to satisfy the demands put upon it by the public. This sum would be much less than is appropriated for many other public libraries doing a smaller business. The unfinished wing of the Library should be completed in the near future. When this is done, the public should be allowed free access to all the books in the Library.
The Passing of the Century.
This is the dawn of a new century. Looking back over the vista of years covering the nineteenth century, what a wonderful change has taken place in men and in methods.
At the beginning of the nineteenth century we were recover- ing from the effects of the Revolution, had just thrown off the yoke of tyranny and oppression, and, like the toddling infant, were struggling with what little strength we had to catch the step and begin that upward and onward march to prosperity and power that culminated in the last years of the century. Is it possible that "from a beginning so feeble, so frail, so worthy, not so much of admiration as of pity, there has gone forth a progress so steady, a growth so wonderful, a reality so important, a promise yet to be fulfilled, so glorious."
Step by step, slowly but surely, our country, rising trium-
32
ANNUAL REPORTS.
phant from the effects of the Revolution, has in this century that is now numbered in the past increased in wealth and population, in power and in strength, in influence and example, until, as God's chosen people, we see to-day a nation of over 70,000,000 of free- men, strong, vigorous, enterprising, and philanthropic, spreading its power, influence, and example even to the uttermost parts of the world. Our flag now floats in distant and far-off tropical countries, and the influence of our example is felt and recognized in every country on the entire globe. The sun of prosperity, contentment, and happiness rises resplendent with this twentieth century and casts its beneficent rays and influence upon a nation of freemen, educated, patriotic, faithful, loyal, and true, prosper- ous beyond the dream of avarice, and destined in the years that lie before us ere we reach the next century to even eclipse the marvelous growth and advancement which has been the wonder of the world.
It is wise, perhaps, to pause in our contemplation of the present and look backward, gaining knowledge and education from experience which will equip us for the work that is in store- for us. But only for that knowledge and example do we turn our eyes to the distant past. Webster has said, "The past is se- cure," and so it is, and cannot be changed. All that is good, we cherish, and all that is bad, we abhor; and, learning by the past, we turn our eyes and minds to the future, and wonder if it be possible to achieve a record equally profitable.
As with our country, so with our beloved city of Somerville. It is with pride that we contemplate her glorious past and wonder at the marvelous strides she has made since "Webb Cowett and Squaw Sachem, in 1639, sold unto the inhabitants of the town of Charlestown all the land within the lines granted them by the court for twenty and one coats, nineteen fathoms of wampum, and three bushels of corne."
A few short years after the landing of the Pilgrims from- "that one solitary adventurous vessel, the Mayflower of a forlorn hope," adventurous and enterprising men, appreciating the loca- tion and looking for a home, sought this desirable spot, and, sail- ing up the waters of the Mystic, established here the first settle- ment and laid the foundation upon which has been constructed this beautiful and rapidly growing city. These surroundings were early appreciated, for no less a personage than Governor Winthrop chose here his dwelling place, and on the banks of that.
33
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
same calm and placid Mystic made his home. "This was the Governor's farm, where he built, lived, planted, raised cattle, and launched the first ship in Massachusets, 'The Blessing of the Bay,' July 4, 1631." Ten Hills Farm still retains the name given to it in those good old days long since departed, though no ves- tige of farm or house now remains to mark the dwelling place of Governor Winthrop. Until recently on this site stood an old mansion, built in 1740, in whose wide halls and vaulted chambers I have passed many happy hours in schoolboy days. In recent years we have been careful to retain and preserve his- toric landmarks, and I sincerely hope that the march of improve- ment and modern advancement will not remove those places of historic interest, alas, too few, still remaining.
In 1842 we became a town; in 1872 a city ; and it is with the city that we have to do to-day. From the lamented Brastow to the enterprising and successful business mayor of 1900, our city has been governed by superior men. The foundation was laid sound and deep, and administration after administration has added its own element of strength, forming a fabric of govern- ment which has been appreciated year by year, until to-day we find our city one of the best governed and best regulated cities in this good old Commonwealth. With our miles and miles of streets, sewers, and sidewalks, with our fire and police depart- ments, our parks and boulevards, our institutions of learning, and every branch of government well governed and well managed, we accept the trust reposed in us by our fellow-citizens, and, with an eye single to the best interests of our city, pledge our best efforts to keep and to hold to the economic management of affairs, at the same time appreciating the fact that with the advance of time and the march of improvement, progression must go on if we desire to keep in the race of events.
Let us meet all questions of finance and expenditure with a modern and progressive spirit, keeping ever in mind that every department must be efficient, and that when money is appro- priated and spent, value received must be obtained.
REPORT OF THE CITY TREASURER AND COLLECTOR OF TAXES.
Treasurer's Office, February 1, 1901. To the Honorable, the Mayor, and the Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville :-
Gentlemen, -- The undersigned presents herewith the twenty-ninth annual report of the financial condition of the city, and a statement showing, in detail, the receipts and dis- bursements for the year ending December 31, 1900.
Public Property.
The value of the public property of the city December 31, 1899, was $2,895,243.14. The property acquired during the year was as follows :-
Fire Department, Fire Apparatus for Ladder Two Station
$3,030 00
Fire Department, Fire Station No. 1
702 75
Public Library Addition
7,074 27
Schoolhouse, Charles G. Pope, Improvements 1,898 39
Schoolhouse, Forster, Improvement
15,033 88
Schoolhouse in or near Ward Seven
15,004 27
Schoolhouse in Ward Two
18,131 09
Schoolhouse, O. S. Knapp, Improvements
7,971 48
Schoolhouse, Ward Two
1,362 59
Water Works Extension
24,927 06
.
.
Total amount of property acquired during the year $95,135 78 Making the value of the public property December 31, 1900, as per Table A, $2,990,378.92.
Funded Debt.
The funded debt December 31, 1899, as per Table B of the last annual report, was $1,492,500.
The debt was increased during the year by appropriations as follows :-
Schoolhouse in Ward Two $40,000 00
Schoolhouse in or near Ward Seven
45,000 00
Schoolhouse, O. S. Knapp, Improvements 8,000 00
Schoolhouse, Charles G. Pope, Improvements
2,000 00
.
Amount carried forward
. $95,000 00
36
ANNUAL REPORTS.
$95,000 00
Amount brought forward
Fire Department, Fire Apparatus for Ladder Two
3,000 00
Highways, Boston-avenue Bridge
6,500 00
Highways, Paving Davis Square
3,500 00
Powder-House Boulevard
12,000 00
Public Grounds, Land for Park Purposes
12,000 00
Sidewalks Construction
8,000 00
Renewals of Funded Debt
12,000 00
Total amount of appropriations on Funded Debt account
$152,000 00
To provide for the above-mentioned appropriations the fol- lowing bonds were issued, viz .:-
City Loan Bonds Nos. 2626 to 2637, payable 1901, interest 31/2 per cent.
$12,000 00
City Loan Bonds Nos. 2638 to 2649, payable 1902, interest 31/2 per cent. . · City Loan Bonds Nos. 2650 to 2661, payable 1903, interest 31/2 per cent. · . City Loan Bonds Nos. 2662 to 2673, payable 1904, interest . 31/2 per cent. City Loan Bonds Nos. 2674 to 2685, payable 1905, interest ·
12,000 00
12,000 00
12,000 00
31/2 per cent. · . City Loan Bonds Nos. 2686 to 2695, payable 1906, interest
12,000 00
31/2 per cent.
10,000 00
. . City Loan Bonds Nos. 2696 to 2705, payable 1907, interest 31/2 per cent. City Loan Bonds Nos. 2706 to 2715, payable 1908, interest 31/2 per cent.
10,000 00
City Loan Bonds Nos. 2716 to 2725, payable 1909, interest 31/2 per cent. City Loan Bonds Nos. 2726 to 2735, payable 1910, interest 31/2 per cent. . . City Loan Bonds Nos. 2736 to 2740, payable 1911, interest
10,000 00
31/2 per cent.
5,000 00
31/2 per cent.
5,000 00 City Loan Bonds Nos. 2746 to 2749, payable 1913, interest
31/2 per cent.
4,000 00
· . City Loan Bonds Nos. 2750 to 2753, payable 1914, interest 31/2 per cent.
4,000 00
31/2 per cent.
4,000 00
31/2 per cent. · City Loan Bonds Nos. 2762 to 2765, payable 1917, interest
4,000 00
31/2 per cent.
4,000 00
City Loan Bonds Nos. 2766 to 2769, payable 1918, interest 31/2 per cent.
4,000 00
31/2 per cent.
4,000 00
City Loan Bonds Nos. 2774 to 2777, payable 1920, interest 31/2 per cent.
4,000 00
Total amount of bonds issued in 1900
$152,000 00
Station
·
.
10,000 00
· · City Loan Bonds Nos. 2741 to 2745, payable 1912, interest
City Loan Bonds Nos. 2754 to 2757, payable 1915, interest ·
· . City Loan Bonds Nos. 2758 to .2761, payable 1916, interest
· . City Loan Bonds Nos. 2770 to 2773, payable 1919, interest ·
10,000 00
37
REPORT OF THE TREASURER AND COLLECTOR OF TAXES.
The following. bonds became due and were paid during the year, viz. :-
City Loan Bonds Nos. 1629 to 1637, interest 4 per cent. ·
. 18,000 00
City Loan Bonds Nos. 1810 to 1827, interest 4 per cent.
10,000 00
City Loan Bonds Nos. 2088 to 2097, interest 4 per cent.
11,000 00
City Loan Bonds Nos. 2245 to 2255, interest 4 per cent. City Loan Bonds Nos. 2376 to 2386, interest 4 per cent.
11,000 00
City Loan Bonds Nos. 2516 to 2523, interest 4 per cent.
8,000 00
City Loan Bonds Nos. 1093 to 1102, interest 4 per cent.
10,000 00
City Loan Bonds Nos. 1139 to 1142, interest 4 per cent.
4,000 00
City Loan Bonds Nos. 1203 to 1208, interest 4 per cent.
6,000 00
City Loan Bonds Nos. 1469 to 1492, interest 41/2 per cent.
24,000 00
City Loan Bonds Nos. 1304 to 1313, interest 4 per cent ..
10,000 00
City Loan Paving Bonds Nos. 36 to 40, interest 4 per cent.
5,000 00
Sewer Loan Bond No. 59, interest 4 per cent. . .
1,000 00
Sewer Loan Bond No. 176, interest 4 per cent.
1,000 00
Sewer Loan Bond No. 200, interest 4 per cent.
1,000 00
Sewer Loan Bond No. 42, interest 41/2 per cent.
1,000 00
Sewer Loan Bonds Nos. 90 to 93, interest 4 per cent.
4,000 00
Water Loan Bonds Nos. 183 to 195, interest 5 per cent.
12,500 00
Water Loan Bond No. 289, interest 4 per cent.
1,000 00
Water Loan Bond No. b451, interest 4 per cent.
1,000 00
Water Loan Bonds Nos. 200 to 202, interest 4 per cent.
3,000 00
Water Loan Bonds Nos. 343 to 344, interest 4 per cent.
2,000 00
Water Loan Bonds Nos. 416 to 417, interest 4 per cent. 2,000 00
Water Loan Bonds Nos. a448 to a458, interest 4 per cent. .
11,000 00
Total amount of bonds paid during the year . $166,500 00
Leaving the net funded debt December 31, 1900, as per Table B, $1,478,000, classified as follows :-
City Loan Bonds bearing interest at 31/2 per cent. $152,000 00
City Loan Bonds bearing interest at 4 per cent. 820,000 00
City Loan Bonds bearing interest at 41/2 per cent. 89,000 00
City Loan Sewer Bonds bearing interest at 4 per cent. 139,000 00
City Loan Sewer Bonds bearing interest at 41/2 per cent. 11,000 00
City Loan Paving Bonds bearing interest at 4 per cent. 60,000 00
Water Loan Bonds bearing interest at 4 per cent. 197,000 00
Water Loan Bonds bearing interest at 51/2 per cent.
10,000 00
Total Funded Debt, City Loan $1,131,000 00
Total Funded Debt, Water Loan
207,000 00
Total Funded Debt, Paving Loan (outside legal limit) 60,000 00
Total Funded Debt, Sewer Loan (outside legal limit)
80,000 00
·
.
$1,478,000 00
Resources.
The assessors' warrant for the tax levy, assessed upon the polls and estates of the inhabitants, was duly received.
$9,000 00
38
ANNUAL REPORTS.
The total amount of taxable property was $52,578,200, and the rate of taxation was $16.00 on each $1,000 valuation, as follows :-
Real Estate, valuation
. $47,430,000 00
Personal Estate, valuation
5,148,200 00
Total valuation . $52,578,200 00
At a rate of $16.00 on $1,000 valuation
$841,251 20
Polls, 16,848 at $2.00
33,696 00
Street Watering
14,968 88
Total amount of tax levy -
$889,916 08
Borrowed on Funded Debt account to provide for cost of public improvements and renewals of debt
152,000 00
Water Works Income
223,367 57
National Bank and Corporation Taxes, applied to Police
27,161 93
Court fees, fines, etc., applied to Police
3,545 51
Library
3,257 45
Excess and Deficiency account, applied to Street Lights
36,991 52
Street Railway Tax for the year 1900, applied to Highways Construction
10,000 00
Street Railway Tax for the year 1900, applied to Highways Maintenance
55,776 28
Total amount of resources . . $1,402,016 34
Assets and Liabilities.
The assets of the city available for the payment of its un- funded liabilities are as follows :-
Deficiency of appropriations from Funded Debt account :-
Highways, Paved Gutters, and Crossings
$8,302 44
Highways, Boston-avenue Bridge
2,292 32
Highways, Paving Davis Square
316 80
Public Library
8 01
$10,919 57
Cash
$103,858 87
Metered Water Charges
13,599 10
Highway Betterment Assessments
931 99
Real Estate Liens
2,740 09
Sewer Assessments
11,459 83
Sidewalk Assessments
10,941 63
State of Massachusetts, Soldiers' Burials
420 00
State of Massachusetts, Military Aid .
341 50
State of Massachusetts, State Aid
11,254 00
Taxes
374,729 29
530,276 30
Total amount of assets
$541,195 87
Excess of appropriations from Funded Debt account :-
Fire Department, Fire Station No. 1 . $297 25
Fire Department, Fire Apparatus for Lad- der Two Station
2 72
Amount carried forward
$299 97
.
County of Middlesex, dog licenses, applied to Public
39
REPORT OF THE TREASURER AND COLLECTOR OF TAXES.
Amount brought forward
$299 97
Highways Construction
1,123 73
Highways Maintenance 40,402 45
Highways, Paving Cross Street
12,000 00
Highways, Paving Washington Street
212 46
Powder-House Boulevard
687 78
Public Grounds, Land for Park Purposes
1,500 00
Public Grounds, Athletic Field, Ward
Seven
3,000 00
Public Grounds, Athletic Apparatus · . .
1,000 00
Public Grounds, Land on Prospect Hill for Park Purposes
15,000 00
Public Library Addition
133 76
Schoolhouse, O. S. Knapp, Improvements .
28 52
Schoolhouse in or near Ward Seven
21,995 73
Schoolhouse, Charles G. Pope, Improve- ments
101 61
Schoolhouse, Highland, Sanitary Improve- ment
21 36
Schoolhouse in Ward Two
14,368 91
Sewers Construction
15,456 99
Sidewalks Construction
669 03
Support of Poor, Almshouse
5,732 25
Overplus on Tax Sales
$868 13
Overlay and Abatement
15,964 11
Sundry Persons
25,586 10
Temporary Loans
350,000 00
Isaac Pitman Fund, Poetry
1,000 00
Isaac Pitman Fund, Art
4,000 00
397,418 34
Total amount of liabilities
$531,152 89
Excess of available assets over liabilities
10,042 98
$541,195 87
Total cash receipts for the year, including a balance of $71,312.12 from the year 1899
$2,237,084 95
Total cash disbursements
2,133,226 08
Balance in the treasury
$103,858 87
A detailed statement of the public property, funded debt, and the receipts and disbursements of the several accounts will be found in the following appendix.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES F. BEARD,
Treasurer and Collector of Taxes.
$133,734 55
APPENDIX TO TREASURER AND COLLECTOR'S REPORT.
TABLE A .- PUBLIC PROPERTY DECEMBER 31, 1900.
Central Hill land (13 acres, 5,032 feet) .
$200,000 00
City Hall
.
$40,662 73 10,000 00
50,662 73
Public Library building
30,967 58
Public Library
25,000 00
City Hall Annex
Latin High Schoolhouse
52,000 00
Furniture
3,500 00
Philosophical apparatus
500 00
English High Schoolhouse
129,579 39
Furniture
5,000 00
Philosophical and manual training ap-
7,000 00
141,579 39
Prescott Schoolhouse, land (21,444 feet) and
building .
45,000 00
Furniture
.
.
.
2,000 00
47,000 00
Luther V. Bell Schoolhouse, land (23,396 feet) and building
45,000 00
Furniture .
2,000 00
47,000 00
Forster Schoolhouse, land (27,499 feet) and buildings ·
79,462 84
Furniture · .
3,175 00
82,637 84
Morse Schoolhouse, land (29,109 feet) and building
45,000 00
Furniture . .
2,000 00
47,000 00
Edgerly Schoolhouse, land (26,428 feet) and building
45,000 00
Furniture
. .
2,000 00
47,000 00
Highland Schoolhouse, land (23,260 feet) and building
53,300 84
Furniture
2,000 00
.
.
Charles G. Pope Schoolhouse, land (27,236 feet) and building
61,898 39
Furniture
2,000 00
63,898 39
Amount carried forward
$915,634 20
·
.
. .
.
.
55,300 84
Furniture
55,967 58 21,587 43
56,000 00
paratus
APPENDIX TO TREASURER AND COLLECTOR'S REPORT.
41
Amount brought forward
$915,634 20 .
William H. Hodgkins Schoolhouse, land (35,034 feet) and building
58,289 34 2,500 00
Furniture .
60,789 34
George L. Baxter Schoolhouse
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