USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1901 > Part 3
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It is apparent that something will have to be done at an early day to relieve the congestion in the English High School. Un- fortunately, it is not so satisfactory from the standpoint of senti- ment or of artistic effect to provide extra accommodations for the English High School as it would be to provide a beautiful new building for the Latin School. The only pressing need of the Latin School is for adequate modern laboratories. It will require wisdom to do that which will be ultimately best for both schools under the circumstances. It will be unwise to make any tem- porary provision. While it would be better to wait, however great the inconvenience, than to do the wrong thing now, I think the Board of Aldermen, Department of Public Buildings, and the School Board should be able to develop some plan by which abundant provision can be made this year for the English High School and its manual training plant, and at the same time pro-
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MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
vide the Latin School with all desired laboratory appointments and lunch room.
The People's University.
The scope of our Public Library has been greatly broadened the past year.
The new stack-room has been completed and is now ready for occupancy. It adds a capacity of upwards of 40,000 volumes to the Library. All the books in circulation are now free of ac- cess to the entire public. This plan will eventually double the usefulness of the institution.
The card catalogue, upon which all the available force of the Library has been engaged during three years, was completed last May. It has been a work of great labor and considerable expense, but one of which there was an imperative need. It is a most valuable addition to the equipment of the Library.
The old card catalogue has been placed with the West Som- erville agency and completely brought up to date.
The Library and the schools have co-operated as closely as if they had been a single department under a common super- vision. The Library management believes that through the schools its most salutary influence may be exerted.
There has been a marked increase of interest in the Art and Music departments.
A system of house-to-house delivery of books has recently been inaugurated. Fifteen sections of the city have been as- signed to boys, who deliver books to patrons at the rate of two cents per book. This system is working well; but it will take a number of months to put it on a stable basis. It ought to work a revolution in library methods.
The people of West Somerville are urging the establishment of a branch reading room in that section of the city. A joint committee of the West Somerville Board of Trade and of the Public Library Trustees now has the matter under advisement.
Assessors' Department.
The Board of Assessors has held during the year, in addition to the work done out of doors in visiting, examining and listing property, fifty-one meetings, a large part of which have been for hearings on applications for abatement and exemption. During
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ANNUAL REPORTS.
the fall months, after the tax bills are issued, an average of about forty cases are heard at each meeting.
Descriptions of the real estate on which the taxes of 1900 remained unpaid have been furnished the Collector of Taxes, preparatory for the sale of said real estate, involving examination of title, preparation of accurate description, and search for all owners subsequent to May 1, 1900, on between 1,150 and 1,200 parcels of real estate.
The work of this department is highly important in the continuance of the financial prosperity of our city, and we are most fortunate in having the services of a board of marked ability and sterling integrity.
Police Department.
The Police Department has maintained its high standard during the past year.
In the matter of liquor raids and seizures it has been un- usually active. The number of persons prosecuted for violating the liquor laws was twenty-three, which is more than in any one year since 1896, and sixteen more than in the year 1900. There seems to be a strange fascination for certain persons in the sell- ing of intoxicants in defiance of the law. The success of the No- license law depends upon the closing of the kitchen bar-rooms and mongrel clubs of unworthy citizens. Such enforcement of law will ultimately drive from the city those base natures that seem to demand for their comfort the privilege of violating law. This warfare must be incessant, until the prison bars close upon those who are persistently defiant.
Another occupation for the police force, that does not prom- ise early escape, is the apprehension of the burglar. The sum total that burglars get in a year from Somerville is a mere trifle, and they seem never to resort to force, and yet such is the inherent love for this special form of misdoing with a certain class in the community that the police must be ever on the alert. With the general use of the telephone, it ought to be the habit of all citi- zens to notify police headquarters of the presence of suspicious characters seen about houses or loitering on the streets.
The department was increased in April by the appointment of three additional regular patrolmen, and now consists of forty- seven regular and eight reserve officers ; total, fifty-five.
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MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
The police station has been thoroughly repaired, a good system of ventilation and a very good bathroom and other necessary sanitary conveniences provided. It will soon be necessary to provide additional lockers for the present number of patrolmen, and a place to accommodate a squad of officers to be held in reserve during the nighttime. Other improvements needed are: More stable room and a new carriage house, to accommodate the men and horses, and for storage of the three wagons, including the ambulance, a pung, and a light driving carriage for the use of the department ; this can be done cheaply by building upon the wooden carriage shed an addition, for which plans have already been prepared.
Fire Department.
The efficiency of the Fire Department challenges our ad- miration. No one unfamiliar with the conditions can appreciate, as does a Mayor, whose thought is at all times upon the protec- tion of all the citizens, what it means to have a fire department so alert that under all provocation it reaches the scene of danger in season to arrest the development of what might easily become a disastrous conflagration.
The past year has been a fortunate one, in that Somerville has suffered few serious losses by fire. Upon each and every occasion when the department has been called upon to respond to an alarm, the firemen have put forth their best efforts to main- tain that high standard of efficiency which their work in the past has gained for the department.
There have been five fires when the situation was such as to necessitate the ringing of a second alarm in order to afford protection to nearby industries. The success with which these fires have been handled demonstrates the value of good fire apparatus, an abundant water supply, and what is of even greater importance-intelligent firemen, endowed with bodily strength to endure the fatigue that is necessarily connected with the ser- vice. The owners of property in all cases have commended the work of the department, and their appreciation of its services has been shown in generous contribution to the relief fund for the benefit of firemen who may have received injuries in going to, working at or returning from a fire.
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ANNUAL REPORTS.
During the year two members of the permanent force of the department have gone from among us: Captain Samuel H. Stevens, who was injured in July, 1899, and died in August last, and Lieutenant Jesse Lipsett, who was killed when returning from a fire on April 1.
There are at present 116 members of the department, eighty- four call men, and thirty-two on the permanent force. The apparatus consists of three steam fire engines with hose wagon tenders, three hose wagons, two ladder trucks, two combination chemical engines and hose wagons, and one chemical engine, all of which are in good condition. The department buildings are in good condition, with the exception of the Union-square station, occupied by Ladder 1 and Hose 3. Necessary repairs on this house should be made early. in the year, as the building is at present barely serviceable, especially the stable.
In the report of the Chief Engineer I find his customary annual recommendation for a new fire engine. He further urges that a combination chemical engine and hose wagon be placed in the house of Hose 3, Union square, in place of the wagon now there.
The total appropriation and receipts of the department were $61,247, and the expenditures $61,108.24, leaving an unexpended balance of $138.76. The department has responded to 232 fire alarms, of which 149 were bell alarms and 83 still alarms. On property burned there was $219,835 insurance, and the entire loss from fire and damage was $60,479.84.
Water Department.
The operations of the Water Department during the year have been conducted along the same general lines as in the past.
In the outdoor work efforts have been mainly directed to the removal of the older cement-lined water mains, the abolish- ment of dead ends, the improvement of the water circulation system, and the laying of supply mains in territory hitherto unoccupied. Cement-lined pipes of various sizes, to the amount of 6,549 feet, have thus been replaced with cast-iron mains, and 11,652 feet of iron mains have been laid in extending the dis- tribution system. In connection with this work fifteen dead ends have been abolished, and ten blow-offs for cleaning out the water pipes have been set.
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MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
An important part of the above work was the laying of a high service main in Central street, from Highland avenue to Monmouth street, and connecting thereto the several streets along its line. The water pipes in these streets had heretofore had dead ends on account of the inability of the old cement- lined main in Central street to withstand the high water pressure; under the present arrangement these dead ends, seven in num- ber, have been done away with, and the whole district is now on a circulating system, thereby greatly improving the quality of the water,
Another important work was the laying of a twelve-inch water main in Highland avenue, from Grove street to Cedar street, thus completing the line commenced the previous year for the purpose of furnishing a high pressure fire service to Davis square, and eventually connecting the high service systems of the western and central sections of the city. On account of unusual conditions attending the laying of this line of pipe, its greater depth, the character of the soil, and especially its proximity to the line of the street railway tracks, it was deemed advisable to have the trenching done by contract, thus relieving the city from liability for any accidents or damage to person or property. The contract provided that only citizens of Somerville should be em- ployed on the work.
The hydrant system, that indispensable auxiliary of the Fire Department, has received very careful attention, and its efficiency has been fully maintained. A net increase of thirty has been made in the number of fire hydrants, making a total in the city of 927. This represents one for each sixty-seven in- habitants (approximately), or one to each 493 feet of main pipe throughout the city. Three hydrants in Davis square have been attached to the high-service line, furnishing a water pressure of about ninety-five pounds per square inch. The hydrant for- merly standing on the "island" in Union square has been re- moved to the sidewalk in front of Hill building, and also connected with the high-service system. Additional hydrants have been set on Somerville avenue, near the packing houses, on Day street opposite the Sprague & Hathaway buildings, and on Elmwood street, near the factory of M. W. Carr & Co., for the further protection of the valuable interests in these districts.
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ANNUAL REPORTS.
A new ice-water drinking fountain has been set in Gilman square, and three other drinking fountains of the "bubbling" type have been set in Lincoln, Franklin, and Belmont parks.
The income from water in 1901 was $214,133.36. Of this amount, $149,093.39 was used for the maintenance, operation and extension of the water works, payment of maturing water bonds, interest on outstanding water bonds, and the Metropolitan water works assessment, leaving a balance of $65,039.97 for other municipal uses, $24,790 of which has been already appropriated, leaving a surplus of $40,249.97 to be applied to reduction of funded debt.
The assessment levied on the Metropolitan water district has been changed the past year in accordance with a plan of the Metropolitan Water Board, whereby the full annual cost of the Metropolitan water works is assessed each year, instead of only a portion of that cost, as was the case under previous legislation. The effect on Somerville has been to increase the water assess- ment from $28,689.24 in 1900 to $56,816.76 for 1901, being prac- tically an increase of one hundred per cent. The assessment for 1902 has been estimated to be $74,500, and it is expected that the annual assessment will still further increase for the next four or five years, when it is supposed that it will have reached its maxi- mum figure for the present of (approximately) $85,000.
In view of all this, it is a matter of grave doubt as to how far into the future we must look for a reduction in water rates, much as this may be desired by our property holders.
Poor Department.
The poor we have always with us. It is well that humanity has that sense of sympathy which compels it to throw the mantle of charity around those who are financially unfortunate for va- rious reasons. Somerville has always attended to the needs of this class in a most creditable manner, and in the past year the ability of the department to adequately meet the demands upon it has been greatly increased.
An area of approximately two acres, purchased from the Russell estate, has been added to the property for farming pur- poses. The City Home supplies a great need in the work, and is a comfortable place for our poor people. In it we have pro-
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MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
vided during the year for twenty-five men and twelve women; two have died, and at present sixteen men and seven women are there comfortably domiciled. The appropriation was $4,000 ; transferred from other accounts, $1,500; we have col- lected for vegetables, wood, and board of inmates, $1,333.57, making a total of appropriations and other income $6,833.57. We have expended $6,622.43, leaving an unexpended balance of $211.14. Quite an amount of the Home appropriation has been expended for permanent supplies. The Board of Over- seers recommends that an addition to the men's dormitory be built.
The appropriation for "Support of Poor-Miscellaneous" was $19,000, to which was added by transfer $4,000, making the total $23,000. There has been collected from the state, cities, towns and individuals $6,382.86, making the total of appropria- tions and income $29,382.86. We have expended $29,171.15, leaving an unexpended balance of $211.71. We have paid pub- lic institutions for the care and support of the insane poor, $15,043.45 ; fuel for poor families has cost $916.71 ; groceries and provisions, $4,312.75; total number of persons aided, 1,421; families, 290. There are now under the care of the department ninety-four persons classed as insane, feeble-minded, and dipso- maniacs. During the year we have disbursed money for the care of 121 insane persons who hold settlements in this city.
Law Department.
Many important matters have engaged the attention of the City Solicitor the past year. His advice has been sought by the various city officials in numerous instances, and he has on a number of occasions been requested by the Board of Aldermen to give opinions on parliamentary matters and other subjects. Several claims against the city have been adjusted with fairness, both to the city and the claimants.
Matters of special importance which have taken a large amount of the City Solicitor's time and effort are :- ,
The taking of land on Prospect Hill for park purposes by right of eminent domain; an agreement with the Boston & Maine Railroad in regard to certain valuable rights of drain- age, concerning which litigation has been pending for sev- eral years ; an agreement, after a controversy covering a period
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ANNUAL REPORTS.
of five years, with the telephone company, whereby the interests of the public in relation to franchises for the location of telephone poles in the streets are protected to a greater degree than by the general law; the passage of a special legislative act for the ac- quiring of additional land near the City Home property; the settlement of the matter by act of the Legislature, after several years' pending, of authority for the construction of a bridge over the Mystic river at Middlesex avenue ; and the proposed abolition of grade crossings, which subject seems likely to require special legislation in regard to the crossings in our city.
Sealer of Weights and Measures.
The Sealer of Weights and Measures has efficiently per- formed his miscellaneous duties in the protection of the people from imposition by unscrupulous dealers.
The number of tests made by him was 43,077.
In accordance with my recommendation of last year, a suit- able room in the basement of City Hall Annex is being provided for his use and, when completed, will make comfortable and con- venient quarters for this department.
Eight Hours of Labor.
In accordance with the vote of the citizens in 1900, eight hours have been made a day's labor for all laborers and mechanics in the city's employ. In referring to this subject one year ago, it was said : "It is desirable that, so far as is possible, the laborers en- deavor 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 accomplish practically as much work in eight hours as in nine. It will be in- teresting if this can be demonstrated in our city."
It is gratifying to state that, practically, it has been demon- strated that the city gets as much work done in eight hours as formerly in nine, and it is confidently expected that the demon- stration will be complete this year. Because of the eight-hour day, and because most of the work upon the highways, sewers and sidewalks must be done in the summer, it was not feasible to grant a Saturday half-holiday in the months of June and July, confining that privilege to the month of August, and there seems to be no reason for not continuing the same limitation this year.
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MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
The Brown=Tail Moth.
The great annoyance of the year was the prevalence of the brown-tail moth. It is needless to enter into the characteristics of this pest, or to dwell upon the extent of the popular affliction in consequence of its sudden possession of our trees. Suffice it to say, there has been no equally serious discomfiture in the his- tory of the city. It must be promptly exterminated, and the Legislature should be asked for authority to enter upon private property and clean the trees effectively at the proper time.
For the past two months a branch of the Highway Depart- ment has been conducting a systematic campaign against this pest. Under a capable superintendent, a force of twelve men has been carefully removing from the street trees the "tents" or nests, which have appeared in such startling abundance all over the city. These nests consist of a dried leaf at the end of a twig, and each one contains a great quantity of eggs, which, if unmolested, threaten our community with an army of destroying and poison- ous caterpillars the coming summer. Between now and the first of March is the time to prevent this trouble, and the method is to cut off the nests and burn them. It is absolutely necessary that every owner of property containing any sort of shrubbery or trees should co-operate by his heartiest endeavor in carefully attend- ing to this matter as regards his own premises.
Armory.
From the days of the old Somerville Light Infantry, before the Civil War, our city has been proud of its military. Its pres- ent company is one of acknowledged excellence,-Company M, of the Eighth Regiment, M. V. M., which performed most credit- able service in the Spanish War.
The quarters for the company have long been inadequate, but so great and pressing have been the demands on the city's finances, no added accommodations have been made, nor does there now appear to be any relief save this: An effort is being made to secure enough desirable men in the western section of the city to form an additional company, and with favorable results. An inspection of these men will soon be made, and we trust the company will be duly accepted. In this event, the State will build a battalion armory under the provision of law, which would give
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ANNUAL REPORTS.
the city a term of thirty years in which to pay for the building. The result would be most gratifying, and not burdensome.
Somerville Hospital.
The Somerville Hospital is an institution which has proved and is every day demonstrating its great usefulness. It has re- ceived substantial support from our citizens, and for several years an annual appropriation has been made to it by the city for the care of the sick poor. In line with the policy adopted, I recom- mend that the sum of $5,000 be appropriated for this purpose.
Approach to City Hall.
The appearance of the front of our City Hall is not in har- mony with the rest of the building; the steps and walk are too abrupt, and are somewhat dangerous ; a porch to correspond with the one at the side of the building would add very materially to the attractiveness of the structure, and would not entail a great expenditure. I therefore recommend that a sufficient appropria- tion for this purpose be made.
Audit of Treasurer's Accounts.
Owing to a change in the administration of the Treasury De- partment, it was deemed advisable early in the year to have an audit of the books. Accordingly, the services of William Frank- lin Hall, an acknowledged expert in the work, were secured. He and his assistants made a thorough examination of the books and accounts, with the result that they were found correct, as was anticipated.
Mr. Hall's report concluded as follows: "Considering the large volume of business which passes through the office of the Treasurer and Collector, it is remarkable that in this important department such excellent order was found, and that the finances of the city are so well cared for."
Such words are indeed a compliment to the able and careful management of both the former and the present Treasurer and Collector.
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MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
Soldiers' Relief.
The city has expended during the past year nearly $16,000 for the relief of veteran soldiers, soldiers' widows and families,- a most worthy object; for no money is more wisely expended than that which gives needed relief to the former defenders of our country, and those whom their patriotic services have made de- pendent. This money is appropriated and spent under the wise provisions of an act of the Legislature of 1890. There is no offi- cial directly responsible for this work, the distribution of the ap- propriation being in charge of a committee of the Board of Al- dermen. I recommend that an agent, who shall be paid a nomi- nal salary for the work entailed, be appointed, so that the interests of the city and of all worthy applicants for such aid may be best served, as well as to relieve the members of the Board of Alder- men from the details of investigation of all these individual cases.
Fourth of July Celebration.
On our national Independence Day we had the pleasure of witnessing one of the best patriotic parades ever held in our city. A special and novel feature was the appearance in line of the en- tire permanent force of the Fire Department and apparatus. The fire stations were meanwhile supplied with reserve men and ap- paratus, and special arrangements had been made with adjacent cities so that better protection than usual, if anything, was afforded. The afternoon was devoted to athletic contests, and the evening to fireworks.
These celebrations are indeed commendable. They arouse the patriotic impulse of the young, and kindle anew the spirit of freedom in older hearts. They draw thousands of people from other cities and towns, and thus become object lessons of our enterprise and loyalty.
Honor to Whom Honor is Due.
The work of the city is superintended almost without excep- tion by men peculiarly endowed and fitted for their particular line. While I have none to condemn, and none to praise unduly, I de- sire to make public acknowledgment of the signal ability and faithfulness of the City Clerk and the City Treasurer, and of the
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