USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1904 > Part 27
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284 Highland avenue.
J. Walter Howard
222 Broadway.
Isaac Sexton
73 Berkeley street.
TABLE I. Streets Accepted in 1904.
STREET.
WARD.
FROM
To
WIDTH, FEET.
LENGTH, FEET.
Edmands st
4{
Located anew
Bonair st.
40
86
Farragut ave.
7
Broadway .
Proposed st. .
40
905
Glendale ave.
7
Cameron ave. .
Yorktown st.
40
410
Hawthorne st. .
7
Willow ave.
Cutter ave.
30
807
Holyoke road
6
Elm st.
Elm st. again
40
637
Josephine ave. .
6
Morrison ave.
Broadway Yorktown st. .
40
410
Milton st. .
7
Orchard st.
Cambridge line
40
223
Moreland st.
5
Main st.
Meacham st. .
40
691
Ossipee road
7
Packard ave ..
Curtis st.
40
682
Pritchard ave.
6
Morrison ave.
Frederick ave.
40
511
Richardson st. .
5
Lowell st.
Lawrence st. .
35
467
Seven Pines ave.
7
Cameron ave.
Cambridge line
40
92
Veazie st.
4
Bradley st.
Marshall st.
40
261
Yorktown st.
7
Cambridge line
Malvern ave.
40
294
Length in feet
.
8,194
.
45
1,718
Malvern ave.
7
Cameron ave.
and extended to
·
J. E. McDonald
Somerville Hospital
340
ANNUAL REPORTS.
TABLE J. Street Crossings Laid. BRICK.
Beacon street, across same, at easterly side of Ivaloo street.
Broadway, across same, at westerly side of Marshall street.
Broadway, southerly side, across Marshall street.
Broadway, across same, opposite easterly side of Glenwood road, from railroad to terrace.
Dartmouth street, across same; at northerly side of Evergreen avenue. Lowell street, across same, at northerly side of Wilton street.
Medford street, across same, at westerly side of Bartlett street.
GRANITE FLAGGING.
Broadway, across same, from estate No. 307 to railroad track.
Broadway, across same, from estate No. 335 to railroad track.
Flint street, northerly side, at Flint avenue.
Somerville avenue, across same, at southerly junction of Linwood street. Tufts street, northerly side, across Knowlton street.
Washington street, across same, west side Franklin street, from railroad to old Asylum grounds.
Washington street, across same, from estate No. 80 to railroad track. Washington street, across same, from estate No. 66 to railroad track.
CONCRETE.
Highland avenue, across same, at easterly side of Putnam street. School street, westerly side, across end of Evergreen avenue.
Street Crossings Re-surfaced.
Broadway, southerly side, at Broadway place.
Pearl street, across same, at easterly side of Rush street.
Pearl street, across same, at westerly side of Rush street.
Pearl street, across same, at westerly side of Glen street.
Pearl street, across same, at easterly side of Glen street.
Pearl street, across same, at easterly side of Hillside avenue.
Pearl street, across same, at easterly side of Franklin street.
Pearl street, across same, at westerly side of Franklin street. Richdale avenue, across same, at westerly side of Essex street.
Length of Accepted Streets in Each Ward.
Ward 1
.
2
·
.
.
.
.
7.086
4
.
8.951
5
10.386
6
11.386
66
7
.
14.715
Total length of accepted streets in the city . 69.294
Respectfully submitted, ASA B. PRICHARD, Street Commissioner.
.
Miles. 9.155
7.615
3
FIRE STATION, UNION SQUARE.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
OFFICE OF COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS, CITY HALL, Somerville, January 1, 1905. > To the Honorable, the Mayor, and the Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville :-
Gentlemen,-I have the honor, as commissioner of public buildings, to submit the following report of this department for the year 1904.
Section 41, article third, of the city charter, relating to this department, is as follows: "The public buildings department. This department shall be under the control of the commissioner of public buildings, who shall have charge of the construction, alteration, repair, maintenance, and care of public buildings, and shall also be the inspector of buildings."
In addition to the regular work of this department during the year 1904, there have been several needed improvements made in some of the public buildings of the city. A description of this special work will be found fully outlined in this report. The inspection of private building construction, which has been made during the year, has been performed systematically, and, as a result, the various builders have carried on their work with very few violations of the building ordinances.
Inspection of Buildings.
There have been issued during the year 1904 permits for 303 new buildings and alterations. This number is sixty-six more than in 1903.
The total estimated cost of new buildings and alterations in 1904 was $959,540, while the same in 1903 was $635,259, show- ing an increase of $324,281.
During the year 1904 there have been 1,043 inspections of private buildings in the course of construction. These have in- cluded the inspection of fire-stopping, chimneys, buildings dam- aged by fire, and foundations.
The following is a table showing the number of permits in each ward for buildings, etc., and the uses for which they were intended :-
342
ANNUAL REPORTS.
WARDS.
Totals.
Buildings.
1
2
3
5
6
7
Dwellings
12
16
12
9
17
69
89
224
Dwellings and stores .
2
1
2
1
3
4
6
19
Stables
2
3
0
4
0
1
0
10
Miscellaneous
10
5
5
8
6
5
7
46
Brick buildings
0
1
0
0
1
1
1
4
Total
26
26
19
22
27
80
103
303
Inspection of Plumbing.
The number of plumbing permits issued during the year was 332
Permits for plumbing in new buildings 161
Permits for plumbing in old buildings . 171
Number of the buildings in which pipes were tested by water 278
Number of master plumbers' licenses, 10 at $2.00
$20 00
Number of journeyman plumbers' licenses, 5 at $.50 . 2 50
Number of master plumbers' licenses renewed, 32 at $.50 . 16 00 Number of journeyman plumbers' licenses renewed, 24 at $.50 . 12 00
One application for journeyman plumber's license was rejected.
Amount received in fees . $50 50
English High School.
The large increase of pupils entering the English High school at the opening of the school year, and the addition of the new course in drawing, made it absolutely necessary to make extensive alterations in that building. The southwest corner room on the first floor was re-arranged and re-furnished for use as a drawing room, and the northerly classroom in the rear was divided into two classrooms, and put into condition for seating pupils. The total cost of these changes, including construction, new furniture, and re-arrangement of furniture, was $967.17.
Bell and Burns School Buildings.
The Bell and Burns school buildings were thoroughly reno- vated during the summer, and are at the present time in excel- lent condition. A basement room at the Burns school was reno- vated to allow for its use as a ward room. The need for a suit- able ward room in this building had existed for a long time, and the new arrangement is filling the requirements in an apparently acceptable manner to the citizens of ward six.
In both of these school buildings the change in classification has made it necessary to provide new school furniture and to re- locate, in some instances, the furniture already installed. The general renovation of these two buildings has been needed for a
343
COMMISSIONER PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
long time, and the total amount of money expended for the work as described was $1,540.
Engine House, Union Square.
During the year 1904, the new engine house located at the junction of Washington street, Prospect street, and Somerville avenue, and Union square, was completed and occupied by the fire department. The construction of the building was started in 1903, and the various contracts on the building were per- formed by the following :-
General contractor, Frederick C. Alexander, 227. Highland avenue. Contractor for heating and ventilating, Chas. H. Sanborn, 50 Walnut st. Contractor for plumbing, M. F. Naughton & Co., 486 Somerville avenue. Foundation work, W. F. McCarthy, 27 Bonair street. Brick, W. A. Sanborn, 472 Broadway.
Plastering, John J. Kennedy, 306 Somerville avenue.
Painting, J. F. Berton, 65-A Dover street.
Interior finish, J. Rush Green, 11 Cambria street.
Lumber, F. C. Ayer, 157 Highland avenue. Hardware, W. E. Plumer & Co., Whitney & Snow, Union square. Stable fittings, W. A. Snow, 17 Francesca avenue.
Special fire department fitting, Charles E. Berry, 234 Washington street. Furniture, Jackson Caldwell, Clifford & Rogers, Union square.
This building is a three-door house, and accommodations are provided for three pieces of fire apparatus, nine horses, and ten permanent men.
On the first floor there are located the apparatus room, nine . single stalls, and one box stall, harness room, toilet room, and the fuel wagon room. On the second floor is located a reading room, a recreation hall for games, etc., eight bedrooms, hay loft, bathroom, work room, drying room, and lockers.
The building is constructed of water-struck red brick, with granite and terra cotta trimmings. The interior finish is of ash and North Carolina pine. The walls of the apparatus room are faced with white Tiffany tile and light brick. The tower of the building has been adorned with an illuminated clock, which adds greatly to the appearance of the building at night, and is a great convenience to the people who pass through Union square both during the day and at night. The total cost of this building, in- cluding the land, was $44,997.
New Dormitory, City Home.
The new dormitory for men at the city home has been con- structed during the year, and is occupied at the present time.
The building is in size seventy feet long and twenty-six feet wide, two stories in height, and has a commodious basement. The first floor is divided into single rooms, which will be used for farm help and such men as it is necessary to isolate. The second floor is divided into two dormitories for the men, which
344
ANNUAL REPORTS.
will accommodate about twenty beds. The basement is to be used for a laundry, day room, and smoking room. The heating arrangement for this dormitory is a temporary one, and I would recommend that during the year 1905 the heating plant in the annex to the Knapp school, which is not in use, be transferred to the city home and used to heat the entire set of buildings there. I feel sure that this plant, when installed, may be run more economically and with better results than the present system of furnaces there.
George O. Proctor School.
The drawings and specifications for this building were pre- pared by Aaron H. Gould, of Columbus avenue. The following architects were invited to submit competitive drawings :-
William A. Dykeman, Belmont street, Somerville. Aaron H. Gould, Columbus avenue, Somerville.
Prescott & Sidebottom, Devonshire street, Boston. Loring & Phipps, Exchange building, Boston. .
And after careful consideration and inspection of the same by the superintendent of schools and others interested in school matters, the commission was awarded to Mr. Gould. The plans and specifications call for an eight-room building, constructed of red water-struck brick, with granite composite and terra cotta trim- mings. The construction was started in the early fall of 1904, and is progressing satisfactorily at the present time. The build- ing will be ready for occupancy at the beginning of the fall term of this year. An appropriation of $30,000 was made for this building, but the appropriation for the heating, plumbing, and furnishings has not as yet been made, and it will be necessary to provide the same early in the year. Estimates were received for the construction of the building as follows :-
Dodge Construction Co.
$45,886 00
Penniman & McGuire .
45,515 00
Stephen Brennan .
39,853 00
Walsh Brothers
39,480 00
Mack & Moore
39,400 00
Dillon Brothers
38,773 00
F. C. Alexander
38,769 00
H. E. Lord
37,974 00
A. H. Hines
36,969 00
William I. Mabie .
36,280 00
Louis Cadario
35,630 00
J. M. Andrews & Son .
35,283 00
G. M. Davis & Son
35,160 00
William Crane
34,960 00
J. E. Locatelli
34,900 00
The lowest estimate being in excess of the amount available, it was decided to revise the plans and specifications, and this hav- ing been done, the four lowest bidders were invited to submit estimates according to the revised plans and specifications. These estimates were as follows :-
GEORGE O. PROCTOR SCHOOL.
345
COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
G. M. Davis & Son $31,250 00
J. M. Andrews & Son
30,700 00
William Crane
30,421 00
J. E. Locatelli
29,490 00
The lowest bidder was J. E. Locatelli, of Somerville, and he was awarded the contract.
Public Buildings, Care and Repair.
The appropriation for the care and repair of the public build- ings has proved inadequate for their proper maintenance during the year 1904.
The larger part of this work being impossible in term time, it was executed during the summer. In addition to this work, the usual monthly requirements were attended to. The amount of money estimated at the beginning of the year as being suffi- cient for this work, although carefully figured, must at times be insufficient, since it is impossible to predict what emergencies may arise during the year. To the building department is en- trusted the care of forty-three buildings. The following table may prove interesting, showing, as it does, some of the various items of property which it is necessary to continually keep in re- pair, and which are contained in the public buildings of the city :-
Steam boilers
44
Furnaces
32
Classrooms (schools) .
261
Sets of school furniture
12,000
Teachers' desks
295
Visitors' chairs
590
Electric motors
2
Motor generators
1
Sanitary systems
43
During the past year the boiler inspectors have given orders for repairs on the steam boilers of the school buildings, which caused an expenditure of $3,318.06. This work was imperative. in order that the heating plants may be safe and secure. The amount estimated at the beginning of the year for the work was $1,395.
There has been expended for fuel in the school buildings during the year $15,427.89. The amount estimated at the begin- ning of the year was $15,000. The amount expended for janitor service in the school buildings was $22,033.62. The amount ap- propriated was $20,380.
At the beginning of the fall term in 1904, it was necessary to open new schoolrooms in the Bingham, Carr, Bennett, Hodg- kins, Knapp, and English High schools, and to make changes in the Highland, Forster, Bell, Edgerly, Morse, Burns, and English High schools. These additional rooms and the changes in clas- sification were not anticipated at the beginning of the year, and the cost of providing furniture and making changes for the same
346
ANNUAL REPORTS.
was not provided for in the appropriation, and in order to take care of the children in these buildings, it was absolutely neces- sary to execute this work. The amount required to carry out these changes was $2,756.22. The amount estimated for such purpose was $592.
The maintenance of the plumbing work in the school build- ings is an item which cannot be estimated accurately in advance, and this year the cost of such work has amounted to $1,624.87. The estimated cost at the beginning of the year was $280.
The amount spent in general repairs, which includes car- penter work, glass breakage, varnishing, roofing, blackboards, fences, care of grounds, concreting, mason work, and general re- pairing, was $7,566.10. The amount estimated at the beginning of the year was $5,598.57.
This mass of work has been handled by the department as efficiently as possible, and the buildings inspected as often as pos- sible. A new system of requisition blanks has been established, in order that the commissioner may be sure that the minor re- pairs are really necessary. By this system each requisition must come from the principal of the school and be approved by the superintendent of schools before consideration is given to the same by the public buildings department.
In view of the work still to be done on the old school build- ings and the rapidly-increasing number of new ones, requiring yearly repairs, for good maintenance, a large appropriation for repairs should be asked for the year 1905. The department has, however, in its recommendation for the yearly appropriation, cut, by $5,000, its recommendation for the same purpose for the year 1904, and this notwithstanding a large overdraw for the year 1904. The increased use of the schools in the evening means not only a material increase of expenditure to equip, but also greatly increases the wear and tear, and makes a steady addition to the amount needed for repairs.
In the latter part of the report may be found tables showing how the repairs, etc., were distributed in the various schools.
Fire Escapes.
At various times during the year the matter of fire escapes has been agitated, but as yet nothing definite has been accom- plished. An appropriation of $1,500 has been made, however. for the construction of a fire escape to be erected at the Bell school. The commissioner has given this matter a good deal of careful thought, and has reached the following conclusion, viz., that an outside iron stairway makes a poor exit for a crowd of frightened school children. The only practical emergency exit is a fireproof stairway or run, broad and safe, enclosed in a fireproof wall, and approached from the various schoolrooms in as direct a manner as possible. The following suggestions are made as practical safeguards in the school buildings, viz .: fire-
347
COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
proofing basement around heating apparatus; fireproof open- ings leading from floor to floor; a complete alarm equipment, and an equipment for extinguishing fire. With these safeguards and the present well-conducted fire drills in the schools, it seems to the commissioner almost impossible that the life of a child should be in the least endangered on account of any fire which might occur.
Schedule of Expenditures, Public Buildings. BAXTER SCHOOL.
Janitor
$600 00
Fuel
180 15
Light, gas
26 60
Repairs
259 70
Supplies
12 26
.
$1,078 71
BELL SCHOOL.
Janitor
$1,087 92
Fuel
294 49
Light, electric
17 25
Light, gas .
175 50
Repairs
938 92
Supplies
148 01
Telephone
17 95
2,680 04
BENNETT SCHOOL.
Janitor
$889 92
Fuel
546 48
Light, gas .
42 00
Repairs
603 24
Supplies
259 21
2,340 85
BINGHAM SCHOOL.
Janitor
$850 00
Fuel
682 68
Light, gas
1 30
Repairs
1,804 51
Supplies
764 10
Telephone
17 03
Assessments
93 04
4,212 66
BROWN SCHOOL.
-
Janitor
.
$600 00
Fuel
572 18
Light, gas .
24 80
Repairs
228 15
Supplies
.
41 88
.
.
1,467 01
348
ANNUAL REPORTS.
BURNS SCHOOL.
Janitor
$600 00
Fuel
304 11
Light, gas .
45 00
Repairs
835 72
Supplies
232 76
$2,017 59
CARR SCHOOL.
Janitor
$1,200 00
Fuel
840 44
Light, gas
25 10
Repairs
426 74
Supplies
132 85
Telephone
17 13
2.642 20
CUMMINGS SCHOOL.
Janitor
$379 92
Fuel
252 75
Repairs
185 30
Supplies
112 10
1,230 07
DAVIS SCHOOL.
Janitor
$480 00
Fuel
306 04
Light, gas
.
.
59 00
Repairs
834 37
Supplies
122 92
1,802 33
DURELL SCHOOL.
Janitor
$569 00
Fuel
121 50
Repairs
86 49
Supplies
93 30
870 29
EDGERLY SCHOOL.
$867 16
Fuel
437 10
Light, gas .
55 20
Repairs
639 33
Supplies
104 46
Telephone
17 04
2,120 29
FORSTER SCHOOL.
$1,863 00
Fuel
1,601 25
Light, electric
38 10
Light, gas
296 30
Repairs
482 84
Supplies
168 62
Telephone
17 85
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Janitor
.
.
.
Janitors
.
4,467 96
.
.
.
·
COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
349
GLINES SCHOOL.
Janitor
$949 92
Fuel
140 43
Light, electric
260 52
Light, gas
30 20
Repairs
331 94
Supplies
158 14
Telephone
15 95
$1,887 10
HANSCOM SCHOOL.
Janitor
$600 00
Fuel
189 88
Light, gas
9 90
Repairs
193 04
Supplies
19 11
1,011 93
ENGLISH HIGH SCHOOL.
Janitor
$1,308 00
Light, electric
157 32
Light, gas
88 40
Repairs
1,667 79
Supplies
473 30
Telephone
29 21
3,724 02
LATIN HIGH SCHOOL.
Janitor
$2,111 16
Fuel
1,648 50
Light, gas
66 70
Repairs
803 35
Supplies
396 04
Telephone
2 63
5,028 38
HIGHLAND SCHOOL.
Janitor
$907 92
Fuel
1,622 00
Light, gas
92 20
Repairs
311 74
Supplies
205 74
Telephone
12 30
3,151 90
HODGKINS SCHOOL.
Janitor
$889 92
Fuel
872 02
Light. gas .
33 10
Repairs
731 76
Supplies
193 09
Telephone
17 67
2,737 56
350
ANNUAL REPORTS.
KNAPP SCHOOL.
Janitor
.
$889 92
Fuel
442 33
Light, gas
93 50
Repairs
599 36
Supplies
169 70
Telephone
16 90
$2,211 71
LINCOLN SCHOOL.
Janitor
$490 10
Fuel
117 31
Repairs
204 73
Supplies
92 98
Insurance
50 00
955 12
LOWE SCHOOL.
Janitor
$600 00
Fuel
613 32
Light, gas
89 00
Repairs
888 33
Supplies
336 48
2,527 13
MORSE SCHOOL.
Janitor
$891 92
Fuel
1,153 11
Light, gas
13 40
Repairs
639 83
Supplies
161 83
Telephone
17 06
2,877 15
PERRY SCHOOL.
Janitor
$625 00
Fuel
577 94
Light, gas .
11 70
Repairs
112 79
Supplies
14 41
1,341 84
POPE SCHOOL.
Janitor
$889 92
Fuel
1,258 15
Light, gas
56 60
Repairs
409 55
Supplies
43 50
Telephone
16 78
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
2,674 50
COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
351
PRESCOTT SCHOOL.
Janitor
$868 92
Fuel
653 73
Light, gas
173 60
Repairs
644 43
Supplies
139 16
Telephone
16 25
$2,496 09
PROSPECT HILL SCHOOL.
Janitor
$24 00
Repairs
13 50
Supplies
12 33
.
49 83
CENTRAL FIRE STATION.
Fuel
$543 40
Light, electric
173 25
Light, gas
83 10
Repairs
891 70
Supplies
253 74
.
$1,945 19
STEAMER NUMBER TWO.
Fuel
$280 71
Light, electric
41 25
Light, gas
26 40
Repairs
397 56
Supplies
37 66
.
783 58
STEAMER NUMBER FOUR.
Fuel
$205 63
Light, electric
42 30
Light, gas
4 30
Repairs
76 05
Supplies
29 02
357 30
HOSE NUMBER TWO.
Fuel
$255 01
Light, electric .
19 73
Light, gas
28 70
Repairs
824 66
Supplies
17 28
1,145 38
HOSE NUMBER THREE.
Fuel
$169 65
Light, electric
38 10
Light, gas .
23 10
Repairs
33 36
Supplies
21 46
·
.
285 67
352
ANNUAL REPORTS.
HOSE NUMBER FIVE.
Fuel
$98 65
Light, electric
72 83
Light, gas
1 20
Repairs
430 56
Supplies
115 29
.
.
$718 53
HOSE NUMBER SIX.
Fuel
$209 40
Light, 'electric
43 13
Light, gas
5 44
Repairs
202 87
Supplies
110 23
571 07
HOSE NUMBER SEVEN.
Fuel
$257 29
Light, electric
15 46
Light, gas .
7 80
Repairs
282 92
Supplies
58 22
621 69
CITY HALL.
Janitor
$1,712 12
Fuel
318 11
Light, electric
212 64
Light, gas
5 82
Repairs
1,010 52
Supplies
344 74
3,603 95
CITY HALL ANNEX.
Janitor
$420 00
Fuel
246 44
Light, electric
10 20
Repairs
187.31
Supplies
11 09
875 04
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Janitor
$1,037 06
Fuel
.
.
612 83
Light, electric
613 80
Light, gas
41 60
Repairs
151 59
Supplies
65 01
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
2,521 89
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
353
POLICE STATION.
Janitor
$1,210 46
Fuel
562 28
Light, electric
62 11
Light, · gas
437 30
Repairs
1,829 89
Supplies
111 07
$4,213 11
HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
Fuel
$70 25
Light, electric
46 95
Repairs
206 25
Supplies
151 36
474 81
HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT.
Fuel
$21 61
Light, electric
22 35
Light, gas
24 55
Repairs
357 41
Supplies
89 28
515 20
PUBLIC GROUNDS.
Fuel
$19 40
Repairs
149 24
Supplies
23 58
192 22
SEWER DEPARTMENT.
Fuel
$6 60
Repairs
81 52
88 12
SUPPORT OF POOR.
Fuel
$338 65
Light, electric .
69 99
Light, gas
30 10
Repairs
468 96
Supplies
74 99
Insurance and assessments
107 12
1,089 81
WATER DEPARTMENT.
Fuel
$177 01
Light, electric
37 05
Supplies
11 50
225 56
354
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Conclusion.
This brief review of the work which has been accomplished during the year 1904 will, I trust, convey some idea as to the work of the department of public buildings. In some respects I feel that I have fallen short in my duty, owing to the utter im- possibility of accomplishing everything needed in the line of im- provement of existing conditions in the public buildings. The various items of work which have been neglected, however, are those which could be best postponed to some future date, when a sufficient appropriation will be available.
I'desire to express my appreciation of the valuable help and advice which I have received from all the members of the board of aldermen, in connection with my work of caring for the public buildings of the city.
I cannot close without a grateful acknowledgment to his honor, the mayor, for his support of everything which has helped to make the department efficient, and for the benefit of his sound and wise advice.
Respectfully submitted, WALTER T. LITTLEFIELD, Commissioner of Public Buildings.
1
REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF ELECTRIC LINES AND LIGHTS.
OFFICE OF COMMISSIONER OF ELECTRIC LINES AND LIGHTS, CITY HALL, January 1, 1905.
To His Honor, the Mayor, and Board of Aldermen :-
Gentlemen,-I herewith submit my ninth annual report, for the year ending December 31, 1904.
Electrical Department.
The two most important branches of this department con- sist of the fire alarm and police signal systems. They have re- ceived the usual careful attention during the year.
Under this department also comes the inspection of all buildings equipped with electric light service, also all poles and wires in the city streets.
During the year 162 buildings have been inspected for elec- tric light service, and permits issued for attachments of wires for same. 'Also 309 poles have been replaced by new ones, divided as follows: Somerville Electric Light Company, 69; Edison Electric Illuminating Company, 226; New England Telephone and Telegraph Company, 14.
Fire Alarm.
Four new fire alarm boxes have been added during the year, located as follows: box 123, corner of Pearl and Cross streets ; box 323, Sycamore street, corner of Montrose street; box 433, Highland avenue, opposite Spring-hill terrace; box 444, Hol- land street, corner of Cameron avenue; making a total of 106 boxes.
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