Report of the city of Somerville 1904, Part 27

Author: Somerville (Mass.)
Publication date: 1904
Publisher: Somerville, Mass.
Number of Pages: 496


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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