USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1902 > Part 2
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Petitions are now pending in the Superior Court for the abolition of the five grade crossings on the Fitchburg division of the Boston & Maine Railroad and the crossing of the Boston & Albany at Somerville avenue. The next step would be to bring in the street railway companies as parties to the proceedings, and then to ask for the appointment of commissioners. Such changes in two heavy traffic railroad lines necessarily involve a separa- tion of grades which would extend into the city of Cambridge. The two railroad companies must devise some plan for separat- ing their railroad crossings, and the cities of Somerville and Cam- bridge must act jointly on the matter for the abolishing of their respective highway crossings in both cities. Some feasible plan must first be agreed upon by the parties vitally interested.
There are eleven grade crossings in the City, and the expense of abolishing them, especially those at Davis square and Som- erville avenue, would be very heavy. It is roughly estimated that Somerville's share in the total expense would approach a quarter-million dollars. This fact must not be forgotten in con- sidering the desirability of the abolition of these crossings.
Sanitary Conditions.
Once more we congratulate the City upon the perfection of our sanitation, as estimated by the health of our citizens. The absence of diseases due to imperfect sanitary conditions is note- worthy. The Morse school building gave warning of approach- ing danger, and the plumbing has been entirely renewed. Mod- ern methods are so far beyond the old in this regard that private houses as well as public buildings must be watched with great care. Until the old plumbing is replaced by a scientific equip- ment, danger will always lurk in sanitary arrangements.
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ANNUAL REPORTS.
Fortunately, there is no longer occasion to refer to the drainage on Morrison avenue and Willow avenue, or to that in the Mystic river region.
Another storm drain outlet should be constructed on the other side of the City at the East Cambridge line, from Somer- ville avenue easterly, and under the Southern division of the Bos- ton & Maine railroad into Miller's river.
At present a large section of this City bordering on the city of Cambridge has no outlet into any tide water or river in times of storms, except through some structure, for a long distance, in the city of Cambridge, eventually emptying into the Charles river. An immediate or quick outlet as proposed would be of great benefit to this section of our City, which is flooded badly in times of storms, and would save a large amount of private prop- erty, now damaged continually, as well as the annual cost paid for drainage rights through the city of Cambridge.
The Legislature has been petitioned previously on this mat- ter, but, for some unknown reason, the State Board of Health made an unfavorable report, and the matter was dropped. With the subject properly presented by our representatives at the State House, the City ought to be able to obtain the benefits it desires by an act authorizing the construction of this outlet into Miller's river.
A beginning of the "separate system" of sewers has been made in the East Somerville district, commencing at the Charles- town line, with the outlet through Waverly street, and extending westerly in Washington street, Franklin street, and Palmer ave- nue. This line can be extended as desired, and when the inter- secting streets and house drains are connected with this main sewer, flooding of cellars will be relieved in another section of the City. In the Poplar-street and Linwood-street district "separate system" sewer mains have been commenced, and will be extended each year as required, until this entire flooded section of the City has a new sewerage system.
There must be no delay in adjusting the relations with Cam- bridge and Arlington in connection with the Alewife brook. This has been deferred many years, but now something must be done for the protection of the health, as well as for the comfort, of our citizens in that section of the City. The fact that it is to be a perplexing problem is all the more reason why we should enter upon a solution at once. It will require an act of the Legislature to authorize this improvement.
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MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
The Craigie-bridge sewer presents another problem. It has unexpectedly cost the City $1,600 this year to clean this sewer. Since the completion of the Metropolitan system, we use this sewer only for surface drainage. The old-time agreement re- quired us to clean it about once in five years. We should seek release, if possible, from this obligation.
It is more apparent than ever that, eventually, the Sewer, Street, and Park Departments should be brought under one head.
Health of the City.
One year ago we congratulated ourselves upon our fortunate escape from the ravages of smallpox. By the utmost care the Board of Health had stamped out the early visitation, when, to our amazement, the dread disease was brought in from neighbor- ing municipalities, and our hospital resources and the skill and energy and devotion of the Board of Health were taxed to their utmost to keep the disease within bounds. As it was, there were seventy cases, with four deaths, this being the smallest percentage of death in the Commonwealth. There were twenty-one patients at one time in the contagious hospital. This unwelcome visitor put upon us an expense, wholly unanticipated, of many thousand dollars. Much as we regret the experience with this disease, with its attendant discomfort and expense, we congratulate our- selves that we were prepared to handle it at the minimum of ex- pense and danger.
Compulsory Vaccination.
Every effort has been made to persuade the people to be vac- cinated. Free vaccination stations were maintained from July 27 until September 24, and four physicians were engaged for this work. The Board of Health voted on July 21 to proceed with compulsory vaccination, but nothing was done in this direction until November 24, when six physicians were appointed to carry on house-to-house vaccination.
Under the arrangement for compulsory vaccination, nearly four thousand persons have been vaccinated, in addition to some twenty thousand previously vaccinated after November, 1901. This work has been most thorough, and the Mayor has been pleased to render the Board all possible assistance. .
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ANNUAL REPORTS.
At a time when affairs urgently required the counsel of one wise in the prevention and care of disease, the Board was most fortunate to number in its membership a physician of prominence, and under his direction, and profiting by the experience of our sister cities, the campaign of vaccination was carried on.
The expense of this work has been enormous, but the Mayor, as a layman, has been averse to opposing the judgment of one professionally trained for such work.
Bacteriological Laboratory.
The abolition of the bacteriological laboratory, early in the year, was, in my opinion, wholly uncalled for, and was severely criticised by the medical fraternity. Their urgent demands for its re-establishment have been recognized, however, and this branch of the Health Department is now being carried on under the charge of a physician of experience and ability.
The laboratory is especially needed at such a time as now, when the scarcity of fuel and high prices of necessities, with con- sequent suffering from cold and insufficient nourishment, increase the danger of contagious disease.
Street Lighting.
Once more I express regret that the cost of street lighting is excessive, and we hardly dare hope for an improvement for the coming year. It ought not to cost the City a dollar per year for every man, woman, and child for public lighting. We are not unmindful, however, that Somerville is one of the best-lighted cities in the Commonwealth. This condition is not only a great convenience and comfort, but it is a great protection against crime. Police duty is reduced to the minimum by brilliantly- lighted streets.
The number of arc lights in use having exceeded 475, the price according to the terms of the contract with the electric light company was reduced from $110 to $105 per year for each arc light.
Public Buildings.
Our public buildings are creditable to us as a city. At a slight expense, the City Hall has been greatly improved by the addition of a stately portico, with granolithic approach. The
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MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
newly-completed twelve-room Bennett schoolhouse in Ward 1 is a great improvement to that section of the City. The eight-room building on Morrison avenue will be ready for occupancy in Sep- tember.
Armory.
For many years the City of Somerville has supported a mili- tary company which has always held a high rank in the militia of the Commonwealth. In 1861, when the great Lincoln called for troops to defend the country from the attacks of the slave- holding power of the South, our own Somerville Light Infantry immediately responded to the call, and took part in the first great battle of the Civil War. Captain George O. Brastow, Somer- ville's first Mayor, commanded that company, and at the expira- tion of the time of enlistment brought it back to Somerville, wear- ing the leaf of a major upon his shoulder.
From '61 to '65 Somerville recruited and sent to the front 1,485 men, many of whom gave their lives for the salvation of the Union. The name of Captain Willard C. Kinsley, one of the best soldiers that this or any other country ever produced, and whose memory has been perpetuated by Post 139 of the Grand Army of the Republic, together with hundreds of others, will be remembered to the last hours of recorded time to the honor and glory of our City.
In 1898, when William McKinley issued his summons to loyal America, Somerville again responded, and the old Somer- ville Light Infantry, then Company M of the Eighth Massachu- setts regiment, with the same alacrity and loyalty as in the days of '61, instantly volunteered. In Southern camps, filled with the miasmatic germs of malaria and typhoid, and in a foreign land, under a tropical sun, upon the soil of the Pearl of the Antilles, they added still further lustre to the glorious record of Somer- ville's citizen soldiery.
With such a record as this to encourage the spirit of loyalty and patriotism, is it at all strange that the young men of Somer- ville should feel that they are deserving of better treatment than has been accorded to them in the past? Our armory accommo- dations have been inadequate from the very first. In olden times our military company was quartered in the hall of the en- gine house at the corner of Prospect and Washington streets. Later, when the Police Building was constructed, new armory ac-
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ANNUAL REPORTS.
commodations were established. The continued growth of the City and the consequent enlargement of the Police Department placed the military company again in cramped quarters. The question of the armory has been kept alive all these years, and money has been appropriated from time to time for the purpose of building an armory, but, on account of other and more impera- tive demands, this money was diverted to other purposes.
In 1901 the spirit of loyalty and patriotism burst forth anew in the western section of our City. A new company was formed, which, having been accepted by the Governor and Council, gave to our City two companies, forming a battalion. The need of larger accommodations confronted us now more seriously than ever before, and steps were taken to ascertain the best possible means to obtain the long-looked-for armory.
By a state law, whenever a city contains two or more com- panies of militia in good standing, upon the acceptance of the Armory Act, so-called, by the City Government, and the designa- tion of the sum of money that the City is willing to name for the construction of the armory and the purchase of the land, the State, through the Armory Commission, will construct suitable accommodations for the battalion. On February 14, the City Government accepted the act, and on May 9 named the sum of $75,000 for land and building. The Armory Commission selected a lot of land on Highland avenue, running back to Hudson street, and upon the Highland-avenue front is now constructing an armory, which, at the end of thirty years, becomes the property of the City of Somerville.
Many erroneous ideas have obtained regarding this matter, and, that all may understand it clearly, I will show you just the conditions. The State furnishes the money, namely, $75,000, by issuing bonds, the City to pay one-thirtieth of the amount each year. During these thirty years the State pays back to the City, in lieu of rent, $800 per year, and pays all the expenses of every kind, name, and nature, so that the City is called upon to pay no doit of maintenance, simply to pay the proportional part of the outstanding bonds for the limit of thirty years. At the expiration of thirty years, the State for all time continues to pay for the maintenance, and the property belongs absolutely to Somerville.
The building of the armory will aid us in directions other than for the comfort and convenience of the militia. The drill hall will be one hundred by seventy feet, of sufficient size to hold
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MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
a vast audience, and can be used by the City authorities upon any public occasion.
As Mayor, I gave my hearty endorsement to the scheme for an armory, and time, I believe, will show the wisdom of the venture.
It is my belief that in the not far-distant future such legisla- tion will be enacted as will authorize the State to reimburse all cities and towns in which state armories have been erected, and that such structures will then become state armories in fact. Agitation looking toward this end has already begun.
Public Grounds and Boulevards.
One year ago I said : "Somerville is now admirably supplied with parks and playgrounds. No city in the country, probably, now has a population so universally well provided for in this re- spect." Since then our proud boast has been emphasized by the completion of Prospect Hill Park, which is one of the most beau- tifully located in the state. In the heart of the City, within a mile of nearly all our people, upon one of the highest points of land in the City, looking off upon beautiful and historic surroundings, and on the spot from which floated the first flag of the united colonies, this is a charming place for rest and recreation in the out-door season.
A small portion of the old historic hill has been left in front of Greenville street at its original height, on which it is proposed to erect a handsome granite observation tower, marking an old Revolutionary spot. The top of this proposed tower will be the highest point in Somerville, and from it the surrounding country for miles may be seen in every direction. Within this structure an historical room could be established, under the control of the City, where various relics of the Revolutionary times might be seen.
This park should be formally opened either on Patriots' Day or Bunker Hill Day. We cannot too often call our people to- gether for the purpose of emphasizing the memorable deeds of the fathers.
With the occupation of the new Bennett School, the lot upon which the old building now stands, and for which the City has no other use, becomes available for a playground in Ward 1. This
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ANNUAL REPORTS.
will give the largest return in pleasure for the money invested of any public ground in the City.
The hope expressed last year that the harbor line in Mystic river might be changed to the advantage of Somerville has materialized. A visit to Washington by the Mayor for an inter- view with the officials of the War Department helped to complete arrangements whereby we received an important acquisition of territory which will add materially to our valuation. It is to be hoped that the Metropolitan Park Commission will unite with us in providing an attractive bathing beach at this point, which will afford much enjoyment and be generally beneficial to our citizens.
It is to be regretted that nothing has been accomplished in enlisting the co-operation of the Metropolitan Park Commission in the plan proposed one year ago, whereby that Commission shall accept Powder House Boulevard as a part of its great system, as- suming control of it. There is no good reason why this should not be done, and it is to be hoped that arrangements therefor may be made at an early day.
Broadway Field has been used by our High School boys and many citizens for field athletics. It is by far the most satisfactory athletic field in the control of a city, and available without charge to any organization within the city, to be found in the Common- wealth. It is more serviceable than was anticipated even by the most enthusiastic champions of the project. In this public way we would acknowledge our indebtedness to Tufts College and its officials for the thoughtfulness which has made this field possible.
The lot of land on Glen and Oliver streets could be improved in shape as a playground by exchanging a portion of the City's lot on the Oliver-street front for the vacant land in the rear of the lot.
The Webster-avenue lot could also be enlarged and im- proved by taking the land through to Columbia street, which would make it a desirable playground. When so much pleasure and comfort can be furnished at practically no expense, it should be done without delay.
The Wilson Fountain.
Through the thoughtfulness of the late Joseph F. Wilson, the City has received $2,500 for the erection of a fountain to his memory. From this fund an attractive rockery, with a fountain,
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MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
is to be placed on Central Hill, near the battery. This will add materially to the effect of this charming, historic spot, and will enhance the comfort of those who throng this recreation park in summer time.
Clarendon-Hill Ledge.
Unfortunately, nothing has been done to lessen the menace to life and limb which the Clarendon-hill ledge affords, or to re- duce the unsightliness of the property. This is a dangerous pit- fall, with its eighty-foot excavation. I made definite recommen- dations one year ago, which I renew with emphasis. This is a needless cause of municipal humiliation. It is a wrong to every property owner in that region. It prevents the improvement of property, and thereby robs us of important additions to our taxes. It is doubtful if in any other city of the Metropolitan District there is an equally unsightly and dangerous place, near thoroughfares, and in what would otherwise be one of the most beautiful parts of the City. Attention was called, one year ago, to the fact that the City Engineer had prepared a plan which provides for the lower- ing of the precipice by blasting away stone at the top and filling in the excavation. He would construct Clarendon avenue so as to connect Broadway and Massachusetts avenue, and ultimately would convert the ledge property into a pleasure park.
Connecting Fells and Fens.
Somerville has waited patiently for an opportune time to press the scheme for connecting the Fells and the Fens. That time has arrived, and the City Government, our Senator and Rep- resentatives, and all public-spirited and influential citizens should exert themselves to the utmost to secure a boulevard across our City, from which traffic should be excluded. This would add little to our Metropolitan Park assessment, and would materially increase our taxable property by advancing the value of lands along the route. We are paying more than $20,000 per year to the Metropolitan Park scheme, and, with the exception of a very small street area between Broadway and Wellington bridge, not one rod of Metropolitan park or boulevard is within our City, or is even remotely beneficial to us. Every citizen should join in a public effort to secure the passage by this Legislature of a bill providing for the boulevard to connect the Fells and the Fens.
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ANNUAL REPORTS.
Schools.
The schools continue to be our pride and our glory, as they are also our chief expense. No one can be more appreciative of our public school system than your Mayor, who is indebted to it for his education from the primary to the Latin school, and no one is more delighted with everything that enhances the useful- ness of the schools, or intensifies the pride of the citizens therein. It will be a sad day when we lack that sentiment which glorifies this, the most important feature of American life. America's in- debtedness to her public school system cannot be overestimated ; no more can the contribution of Somerville's schools to her municipal glory. We must face the fact regarding our financial condition, and balance sentiment with necessities. As has been said in another connection, the increased taxes are not sufficient to provide for the extra school expense alone.
In 1900 the entire increase in the tax levy was $7,335. The increase for school maintenance alone was $15,488. In 1901 the entire increase in the tax levy was $17,523; for school mainte- nance alone, $20,393. The increase in valuation in 1897 was $1,160,200; in 1898, $508,700; in 1899, $522,700; in 1900, $1,315,800 ; in 1901, $1,346,000. The law allows us to use only $12 on a thousand for City maintenance. This made an increase of taxes available for City maintenance in 1897 of $13,922; in 1898, $6,104; in 1899, $6,272 ; in 1900, $15,789 ; in 1901, $16,152. In those same years the increased cost of school maintenance was: In 1897, $18,530; in 1898, $10,190; in 1899, $11,451; in 1900, $15,488; in 1901, $20,393. Taking the five years as a whole, our increase in valuation was $4,853,400. At $12 per thousand for maintenance, this made an increase in available taxes of $58,241. In the same years the increase for maintenance of schools was $76,052. The school expenses increased nearly one-third more than the taxes. In these five years we paid out $263,151 for new schoolhouses. Notwithstanding these facts, we must provide schoolhouses for the children. Our population cannot increase at the rate of two thousand per year without an increase in school accommodations. In the last five years there was an increased enrollment of 2,117 pupils. This means an in- crease in our school accommodations of over fifty schoolrooms of forty pupils each, or nearly a twelve-room building per year.
Apparently, this average will be increased before it is re- duced. Judging the future by the past, it will cost about $55,000
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MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
per year to provide common schoolhouses for the elementary schools. Nor is this all. Our high school attendance increases faster than that of the other schools. In five years the high schools have increased twenty per cent. faster than the common schools. There are more than 1,100 students in the high schools, and they are not accommodated as they should be. We are not getting the most out of the fifty-eight dollars per student now ex- pended upon these 1,100 pupils. It would be hard to overdraw the necessity for relief from the present undesirable conditions. It would be a great credit for this administration if it could have the honor of providing for this emergency, and only stern neces- sity tempts me to call attention to the absolute inability of the City to meet the expense of a new building without borrowing beyond the debt limit, which necessitates going to the Legislature for authority to issue bonds. We could provide for the actual necessities by the expenditure of $60,000, but it is improbable that this would give satisfaction. It is likely that if anything is done, it will be necessary to raise something like $200,000 on City bonds. If it shall be deemed desirable to do this, I will gladly co-operate in an attempt to secure legislative permission.
Following the suggestion contained in the communication from the School Board of February 25, 1902, addressed to the City Government, for the construction of a six-room building in the vicinity of Highland avenue and Central street, and the addi- tion of six rooms to the Bingham School, land has been secured in connection with the Armory lot facing on Hudson street.
The selection of this lot was made after consultation with the President of the School Board and the Superintendent of Schools, and I recommend the construction thereon of a six- room schoolhouse.
I further recommend that immediate steps be taken to pro- vide additional accommodations of six rooms to the Bingham School.
High School Semi=Centennial.
One of the most memorable occasions of the City's record during the past year was the semi-centennial anniversary of the establishment of the High School. More interest was manifested in this occasion than in any local celebration for years. Not only was this true of the large graduate and under-graduate body, but of the people in general.
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ANNUAL REPORTS.
The representation of all the classes of the school, from the gray-haired group, who were the first to enter in 1852, to the large body of under-graduates, was most noteworthy, and indica- tive of Somerville's splendid growth and educational influence.
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