USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1905 > Part 21
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Summary for Three Years, 1903, 1904, 1905. Diphtheria Cultures.
No. examined
Males
Females
0-5
5-10
10-20
Over 20
Age not No. stated growth
1903
817
387
430
282
199
125
185
26
5
1904
1,429
629
800
537
400
231
261
34
29
1905
792
346
446
204
260
139
170
19
4
For Diagnosis Clinical Diagnosis Diph. Clin. Diag. not Diph. Clin. Diag. not stated
Positive
Negative
Positive
Negative
Positive
Negative
1903
360
56
35
11
122
27
109
1904
406
72
37
11
96
59
131
1905
263
15
23
10
76
36
103
For Release
Positive
Negative
1903
95
362
1904
233
761
1905
.. .
Sputum for Tuberculosis.
No. Examined
Males
Females
Positive
Negative
Clin, Diag. Tuberculosis Positive Negative
1903
137
66
71
26
111
15
21
1904
124
54
70
28
96
14
29
1905
162
69
93
22
140
11
38
Clinical Diagnosis not Tuberculosis Clinical Diagnosis not stated
Positive
Negative
Positive
Negative
1903
9
61
2
29
1904
5
59
6
43
Blood for Typhoid Fever.
Clin Diag. Typhoid Fever
No. Examined
Males
Females
Positive
Negative
Positive
Negative
1903
72
39
33
27
45
18
1904
76
53
23
32
44
18
4
1905
78
45
33
26
50
11
L
Clinical Diagnosis not Typhoid Fever Clinical Diagnosis not stated
Positive
Negative
Positive
Negative
2
6
7
32
1903
0
6
14
34
1904
1
5
14
-1-1
1905
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK L. MORSE,
Bacteriologist.
11
43
3
21
1905
139
386
-
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS AND PROVISIONS.
OFFICE OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH, CITY HALL, January 16, 1906.
To the Board of Health of the City of Somerville :-
Gentlemen,-I herewith submit the report of the inspector of provisions and animals for the year ending 1905.
The following is a statement of the number of animals killed during the year at the slaughtering establishments in the city : John P. Squire Corporation, Medford street, 561,251 swine; North Packing and Provision Company, Medford street, 650,629 swine; New England Dressed Meat and Wool Company, Med- ford street, 16,074 cattle, 64,039 calves, 254,628 sheep; Sturtevant &. Haley Beef Supply Company, Somerville avenue, 6,663 cattle ; Henry Gunsenhiser, North street, 1,325 cattle, 560 calves. Total number of animals slaughtered during the year, 1,555,169.
There are 107 cows and 158 swine kept in this city for do- mestic purposes.
I have examined 2,181 horses in stables where contagious diseases were reported to exist. There were 27 horses killed for glanders, and 1 released.
I have made 2,132 visits to stores and markets and inspected pedler carts from which fish, provisions, and produce were sold.
I have made monthly inspections of all bakeries and barber shops through the city, and find them in good condition.
I have inspected, condemned, and caused to be destroyed 287 pounds of fresh beef, 314 pounds of corned beef, 11 cattle, 1,163 pounds of veal, 327 pounds of fresh pork, 42 pounds of pickled pigs' feet, 614 pounds of fowl, 293 pounds of mutton, 19 dozens of eggs, 379 pounds of haddock, 219 pounds of pollock, 197 pounds of fresh cod, 117 pounds of sword fish, 312 mackerel, 163 dozens of smelts, 71 pounds of salt fish, 93 pounds of halibut, 71 lobsters, 4 gallons of oysters, 3 bushels of clams, 4 gallons of clams, 34 bushels of common potatoes, 24 bushels of sweet pota- toes, 14 barrels of yellow turnips, 5 barrels of white turnips, 3 bushels of beets, 2 bushels of carrots, 11 bushels of onions, 23 barrels of squash, 37 bushels of greens, 5 bushels of lettuce, 3 dozen bunches of celery, 11 crates of grapes, 1,532 quarts of strawberries, 6 barrels of cranberries, 619 quarts of raspberries, 321 dozen bananas, 19 boxes of oranges, 5 boxes of lemons, 6 barrels of flour, 27 crates of melons, 293 loaves of bread, 63 pies, 49 cakes, and performed other duties as the board of health re- quired.
Respectfully submitted, CHARLES M. BERRY, Inspector.
REPORT OF MILK INSPECTOR.
OFFICE OF MILK INSPECTOR, - 310 Broadway, Somerville, Mass.
To the Board of Health :-
Gentlemen,-I have the honor to submit the following re- port for the year ending December 31, 1905 :-
The total number of samples collected and analyzed was 768
Samples brought to office 162
Samples brought by citizens and complaint made 7
Samples of cream
8
Total
945
The condition of the milk sold in this city has as a whole proved satisfactory, except for the condition I find in many stores, where it is handled and sold in a very unclean manner.
I desire to recommend that a rule be passed to keep all milk in a separate iced tank, in all places where milk is retailed.
I would recommend a rule having all milk kept at a tem- perature not exceeding fifty-five degrees Fahrenheit at any time while it is for sale. This temperature will prevent the develop- ment of bacteria to a great extent, and will, in my opinion, greatly assist in checking infantile diseases in the hot months, as well as preventing many intestinal troubles in adults arising from the large amount of milk used as food in the hot months.
There has been a marked effort on the part of the majority of milkmen to sell cleaner and better milk, which is to be com- mended.
I am glad to say I have found no milk containing preserva- tives this year.
I have visited some of the stables and milk houses of men outside of Somerville, and find them in very bad condition; this is in part owing to the lax or lack of inspection by the proper authorities in these towns, and think the aid of the state board of health should be asked.
The stables and milk rooms in our city, with a few excep- tions, are in a good sanitary condition.
I have issued to stores 100 licenses, and to milk pedlers 129 licenses, a total of 229.
Paid the city treasurer $114.50 for the same, and sixty cents for stamps; total of $115.10.
279
HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
Summary of prosecutions made during the year :-
One milkman, selling milk below the standard; fined $15 00
One milkman, selling milk below the standard; on file.
One milkman, selling milk without a license; fined 30 00
One milkman, selling milk without a license; on file (sickness).
One milkman, selling milk without name on wagon; on file. One milkman, selling milk below the standard; fined 10 00
One milkman, selling milk below the standard, second offence; fined 100 00
One milkman, selling milk below the standard; fined
10 00
One milkman, selling milk below the standard; on file.
One storekeeper, selling milk below the standard; fined
5 00
One storekeeper, selling milk below the standard; fined
00
One storekeeper, selling milk below the standard; fined
100 00
One storekeeper, selling milk below the standard; fined 10 00
One storekeeper, selling milk below the standard; fined One storekeeper, selling milk below the standard; on file.
10 00
Total amount of fines $295 00
Days in court, eighteen ; one in superior.
One storekeeper paid an appealed fine of $100 at superior court.
I have one case of $100 fine waiting trial in superior court.
This department needs about $250 worth of chemical appa- ratus for inspecting butter and vinegar.
I repeat my statement of last year, that any citizen having any just complaint to make about their milk has a right to do so, and I invite them to do so at my office, which is open every day from 8 A. M. to 9 P. M. Telephone, Somerville 21-137.
Respectfully submitted,
JULIUS E. RICHARDSON,
Inspector of Milk and Vinegar.
SUPPORT OF POOR DEPARTMENT.
Board of Overseers of the Poor. EDWARD B. WEST, President. ALBERT W. EDMANDS, Vice-president. HERBERT E. MERRILL.
Committees.
ON FINANCE, INVESTIGATION AND RELIEF, AND CITY HOME. - Mr. West Mr. Edmands, and Mr. Merrill.
Secretary. CORA F. LEWIS.
General Agent. CHARLES C. FOLSOM.
City Physician. ALVAH B. DEARBORN, M. D.
Warden of "City Home." J. FOSTER COLQUHOUN.
Matron of "City Home." MRS. CATHERINE COLQUHOUN.
Office. City Hall Annex, Highland Avenue.
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
Somerville, Mass., December 31, 1905.
To the Honorable, the Mayor, and Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville :-
Gentlemen,-We beg leave to submit, for the year 1905, the report of our agent for miscellaneous account, and of the warden for the city home, with tables attached, showing re- ceipts and expenditures.
The work in each department has been very satisfactory and the results we believe very creditable.
Some slight alterations and much needed repairs at the city home, which we have every assurance will be done, will place the home in first-class condition for some time to come.
To the agent and assistant and also to the warden and matron, we offer congratulations and thanks for the faithful and satisfactory work of the year.
EDWARD B. WEST, Overseers ALBERT W. EDMANDS, of the
HERBERT E. MERRILL, Poor
1
REPORT OF GENERAL AGENT.
OFFICE OF THE OVERSEERS OF THE POOR, Somerville, Mass., December 31, 1905.
To the Board of Overseers of the Poor, Somerville, Mass .:-
Gentlemen,-I herewith submit my report for the year 1905. As your agent, I have reported matters of interest to the board from month to month, and have conferred with the presi- dent whenever it seemed necessary, but in compliance with the vote of the board, I submit the following :-
Where there is a man in the family aided, who is able to work, I have required him to go to the city farm and do what- ever the warden had for him to do. One hundred and forty-four days' work, such as they were, have been performed during the year, and have been paid for in fuel or groceries from the mis- cellaneous account. More persons have been committed to the state hospital at Tewksbury from Somerville than in any former year. There have been quite a number of perplexing questions in connection with some of the families and persons aided, but no serious friction has resulted, the persons interested having generally been satisfied. A dispute with Worcester in reference to the settlement of a pauper may lead to a friendly lawsuit with very little expense. The same is also true in relation to a family residing here, whose legal settlement is in dispute be- tween Newton and Boston. The town of Braintree contends that a family residing there, which has been aided to quite an extent, is settled in this city. We have denied it, however, and have informed that town that if they will furnish the proof, we will be as willing to pay the bill before a lawsuit as after. The above cases have been reported by me to the board, but I deemed it advisable to refer to them again in this report. The poor people of this city so far this fall and winter have been em- ployed to a greater extent than usual; this fact and the very favorable weather have kept many from being obliged to apply for aid.' The work of the office has been carried on in a quiet, dignified way. No outside influences have given us any trouble, and we flatter ourselves that the department stands well with the tax-payers as well as with the poor people. We are not satisfied when we have aided a poor family, or a poor person, but it is our aim to help in any way we can so that they may become self-respecting and self-supporting if possible. I wish in connection with this report to express my appreciation of the work of the secretary in her correct book-keeping and substantial aid in the office. Thanking the board for courtesies extended, and for their general sympathy and help, I will re- fer you to the following tables, which will give a detailed ac- count of the work.
·
283
SUPPORT OF POOR DEPARTMENT. 1
Table No. 1.
FULL SUPPORT (DURING THE YEAR).
In our city home (men 20, women 9) . 29
In our city home (men 15, women 7), December 31, 1905 . 22
In private families
2
In Somerville hospital
187
In hospitals in other towns and cities for the sick
54
In Massachusetts school for feeble-minded
In hospital for dipsomaniacs
5
In hospital for epileptics
4
Table No. 2. PARTIAL SUPPORT ( OUTDOOR RELIEF).
Families
214
Persons aided
1,205
Burials .
15
Permits to Tewksbury almshouse
13
Table No. 3. REIMBURSEMENTS.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
$1,358 72
City of Boston .
1,244 13
Beverly
49 00
.6
Chelsea
44 64
66
66
Everett
49 45
60
66
Fitchburg
24 00
16
66
Gloucester
52 17
66
Haverhill
80 00
66
66
Lowell
9 00
66
New Bedford
25 00
46
Newton
181 10
66
Quincy
21 00
66
Salem
18 87
66
Springfield
38 00
66
66
Woburn
35 00
66
Worcester
35 50
Town of Acton .
11 75
66
66
Andover
44 56
66
66
Arlington
33 00
66
Belmont
48 25
66
Canton
7 75
66
66
Concord
45 50
66
66 Framingham
29 30
66
Gardner
2 00
66
66 Leominster
36 59
66
Wakefield
15 25
66 West Boylston
21 95
66
66 Winthop
4 00
Guardians and relatives
196 84
Cambridge
295 55
Fall River
200 05
Malden
47 75
Waltham
42 25
$4,347 92
284
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Table No. 4. SOMERVILLE HOSPITAL (PATIENTS ON CITY BEDS).
Patients having settlement in Somerville
74
Patients having settlement in other cities or towns .
43.
Patients having no settlement (chargeable to state)
70
Total number of patients sent to hospital
187
Money paid hospital by the city for patients settled in Somerville
$5,000 00
Amount reimbursed to the city and paid to the hospital
for patients not settled in Somerville .
1,538 55
Total paid to the hospital .
$6,538 55.
Table No. 5. POPULATION AND GROSS EXPENDITURES, 1883 TO 1905, INCLUSIVE.
Year.
Population (Estimated).
Expenditures.
1883
27,000
$15,959 80.
1884
28,000
17,272 52
1885
*29,992
14,341 83
1886
32,000
1887
34,000
13,375 98
1889
39,000
1890
*40,117
15,980 49
1892
46,000
1893
48,000
17,799 58
1894
50,000
19,733 13
1895
*52,200
20,755 46
1896
54,000
21,999 79
1897
56,000
1898
57,500
28,522 21
1899
60,000
28,924 39
1900
.
City home,
5,528.83
1901
62,500
City home, 6,622.43
1902
63,500
City home,
7,396.64
1903
65,500
City home,
7,548.39
1904
. 69,500
City home, 6,563.11
Miscellaneous, $17,527.88
1905
.
.
*69,272
City home,
7,474.36
25,002.24
*Census.
Miscellaneous, $23,697.62
29,226 45
Miscellaneous, $29,171.15
35,793 58.
Miscellaneous, $28,667.04
36,063 68
Miscellaneous, $30,470.20
38,018.59
Miscellaneous, $20,476.54
27,039.65
1888
36,000
15,261 14
189 1
43,000
17,015 30
25,681 47
*61,643
16,430 32
13,430 89
14,610 92
Table No. 6. EXPENDITURES, IN DETAIL, FOR THE YEAR 1905.
1905.
Dry Goods.
Board.
Groceries.
Somerville Poor in Other . Cities and Towns
Boots and Shoes.
Medicine.
Burials.
Salaries.
Fuel.
Sundries.
Cash Paid Out.
Tele- phone.
Stationery and Printing.
Somerville Hospital.
State Hospital.
Foxboxo Hospital.
Feebie- minded School.
Epileptic Hospital.
Total.
january
$6 50
$29 15
$883 40
$718 81
$10 00
$3 00
$15 00
$341 66
$301 38
$1 50
$19 80
$29 75
$133 33
$166 67
$170 84
$152 75
$2,983 54
February .
67 14
308 43
105 75
14 20
30 00
341 66
178 43
2 CO
19 50
$26 02
11 00
133 33
March
32 15
613 40
8 00
2 00
10 00)
341 66
117 85
3 50
18 68
1 60
133 33
167 12
125 36
1,655 60
April
SO 44
549 44
10 00
13 35
34 00
341 66
10 48
11 39
5 75
133 33
150 58
1,340 42
May
33 58
298 84
66 00
341 66
5 10
10 63
16 64
133 33
166 29
June
27 87
394 62
33 30
133 33
51 08
298 07
1,311 45
July
59 86
471 00
. 8 50
35 CO
341 66
2 85
13 78
14 65
133 33
126 75
1,597 32
August
3 00
23 86
386 29
86 27
13 25
40 00
341 66
1 00
12 73
16 22
133 33
209 20
·
128 14
1,524 43
October
54 29
425 01
156 29
15 00
8 01
341 66
1 90
12 28
5 00
133 33
November
32 16
445 25
89 57
341 66
118 13
9 00
24 20
140 57
1,200 54
December
32 72
355 09
12 43
341 74
75 30
6 00
8 35
Totals .
$9 50
$501 09
$5,639 50
$1,676 63
$65 80
$147 49 $194 00
$4,100 00
$816 27
$40 20
$181 19
$92 93
$101 05
$1,538 55
630 06
$368 33
$S92 29
$533 00
$17,527 88
.
.
·
September
27 87
508 73
46 00
29 85
15 00
341 66
2 85
3 20
14 33
17 21
133 33
256 26
1,184 61
·
.
205 25
1,036 88
341 66
1 00
15 00
15 52
389 94
. 2 75
80 95
$114 00
1,351 46
·
1,072 07
1,269 56
15 00
16 84
285
SUPPORT OF POOR DEPARTMENT.
Overseers of the Poor of Somerville. SINCE THE REORGANIZATION IN 1885.
Hon. Mark F. Burns, chairman ex-officio
1885
1888 inclusive
Colonel Herbert E. Hill
1885
1889
66
Charles S. Lincoln, Esq., chairman
1885
1887
66
Hon. Edward Glines
1885
1887
Charles G. Brett, president .
1885 April 1893
Edward B. West, president
1888
to date* 66
Daniel C. Stillson
1888 April 1892
66
Hon. Charles G. Pope, chairman ex-officio
1889
Nathan H. Reed, president
.
1892
1895
66
James G. Hinckley
. May 1892
Albert W. Edmands
May 1893 .
to
date*
Herbert E. Merrill
May 1894
to
date*
Ezra D. Souther
. 1895 Feb.
1898 (Died)
Hon. Albion A. Perry, chairman ex-officio . 1896
1898 inclusive
James H. Butler .
March 1898
1899
66
Hon. George O. Proctor, chairman ex-officio,
1899
*Present member.
Table No. 7. RECAPITULATION ( MISCELLANEOUS ).
Appropriation
Reimbursements
$14,000 00 4,347 92
Total receipts .
Total expenditures
$18,347 92 17,527 88
Balance
$820 04 13,179 96
Net expenditures
Very respectfully,
·
.
·
.
1891
1890 April 1894
66
Hon. Wm. H. Hodgkins, chairman ex-officio,
1894
66
CHARLES C. FOLSOM, General Agent.
286
ANNUAL REPORTS.
REPORT OF WARDEN OF CITY HOME.
Table No. 1. PERMANENT REPAIRS AND FIXTURES.
New curtains, dormitory
$26 86
New beds and bedding, dormitory .
245 75
New bed linen, dormitory
79 00
New furniture, dormitory
213 90
New rubber matting, dormitory
34 48
New, window screens, dormitory
72 40
New concrete walks .
91 65
Glass, putty, hardware, and labor, hothouse,
286 67
Pipe, valves, and piping, hothouse .
75 63
Pipe cement and labor (drain and stone wall)
83 24
Pipe fence on stone wall .
34 59
Storm porch
60 00
Lawn seed .
3 30
2,156 lights glass for new sash
21 56
Living expenses
Total expense
$7,474 36.
Table No. 2. REIMBURSEMENTS.
Board of sundry persons .
$100 50
Produce and pork sold
3,811 74
$3,912 24
Table No. 3. REIMBURSEMENTS.
Produce and pork sold
$3,811 74
Produce used at city home
313 00
$4,124 74
EXTRA EXPENSE ON FARM.
Wages for extra help
.
$1,096 70
Feed for one horse .
117 14
Shoeing for one horse
16 12
Repairs on wagons and harnesses .
86 10
Repairs on sash
9 15
Swill and bedding
308 67
Farm sundries
151 35
Seed and fertilizer
.
116 17
$1,901 40~
Balance
$2,223 34.
·
$1,329 03 6,145 33
287
SUPPORT OF POOR DEPARTMENT.
Table No. 4.
Number weeks' board
1,075 4-7
Average weekly cost of inmates
$2 08
Number of males admitted during 1905
13
Number of females admitted during: 1905
2
Number of males discharged during 1905
8
Number of females discharged during 1905 .
1
Number of males supported during 1905
24
Number of females supported during 1905
9
Number of males died during 1905
1
Number of females died during 1905
1
Number of inmates in home January 1, 1906,
22
Table No. 5. LIVING EXPENSES.
Groceries and provisions
$1,754 37
Salaries and wages .
2,442 18
Dry goods
179 00
Boots and shoes
42 55
Hay and grain .
535 59
Seeds and fertilizer
116 17
House furnishings
12 90
Kitchen furnishings
76 02
Sundries
147 96
Farm sundries
123 07
Cash paid by warden (car fares for warden, inmates, and laborers) .
37 75
Medicine
45 77
Horseshoeing
48 35
Repairs on wagons .
86 10
Repairs on sash
9 15
Telephone
47 92
Ice
20 85
General repairs
41 76
Swill and bedding
353 80
New tools .
22 07
Live stock .
2 00
$6,145 33
Credits :-
Produce and pork sold
$3,811 74
Board for sundry persons
100 50
3,912 24
Net living expenses ,
$2,233 09
Very respectfully, J. FOSTER COLQUHOUN,
Warden. -
REPORT OF THE CITY PHYSICIAN.
OFFICE OF CITY PHYSICIAN, Somerville, February 1, 1906.
To His Honor, the Mayor, and the Board of Aldermen :-
Gentlemen,-The following is a summary of the work done by me during the year ending December 31, 1905 :-
One thousand two hundred fifty-one house visits have been made. Eight hundred sixty-five persons were treated at my office. Twenty-six women were attended in child-birth. One hundred twenty persons were vaccinated. One hundred thirty- five persons have had teeth extracted. Thirty-five visits have been made at the police station.
Under the rules of the board of health, ninety-five cultures for release have been taken in cases of diphtheria.
Seventeen men were examined for the police force.
Respectfully submitted,
ALVAH B. DEARBORN, City Physician.
REPORT OF THE CITY ENGINEER.
OFFICE OF THE CITY ENGINEER, CITY HALL, SOMERVILLE, January 15, 1906.
To His Honor, the Mayor, and the Board of Aldermen :---
Gentlemen,-In accordance with the provisions of the city charter, the following report of the work done and expense in- curred for the year ending December 31, 1905, by the depart- ments and appropriations under my charge and supervision, in- cluding Engineering, Grade Crossings, Sewers Construction, Sewers Maintenance, Public Grounds, and other public works, is herewith presented.
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT.
Statement of Expenses, 1905.
Salary City Engineer (including maintenance of team)
$2,800 00
Salaries of assistants
7,885 39
Stakes, tools, and general supplies (outside work) 94 83
Draughting materials and office supplies (in- side work) · .
100 32
Setting stone bounds for defining street lines (materials)
23 50
Car fares
192 75
Telephone, postage, and incidentals
177 68
Total debit .
$11,274 47
CREDIT.
$11,250 00
Appropriation
Amount received for making acceptance plans, 36 00
Amount received from School Contingent fund for maps .
2 00
Total
$11,288 00
Balance unexpended
$13 53
290
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Classification of Expenses, Assistants' Salaries.
Sewers,-comprising surveys, estimates, profiles, lines,
grades, titles, plans, assessments, and all engineering work relating to sewers
$2,695 00
Highways,-comprising plans, estimates, titles, profiles, lines and grades, and all other engineering relating to the department . · Sidewalks,-comprising profiles, lines, grades, measure- ments, titles, costs, and assessments
570 85.
Water Works,-comprising lines, grades, locations of mains, gates, hydrants and services, and other mat- ter relating to water department . 255 32 .
Public Grounds,-comprising surveys, plans, estimates, profiles and grades, including laying out of parks and grounds and boulevards . 249 30.
Public Buildings,-comprising surveys, estimates, lines and grades, and other work relating to construction, Street Numbering,-comprising locations of buildings, plans, and affixing street numbers on houses .
256 00
Street Lines and Grades,-comprising establishing of lines, grades, and miscellaneous data given parties for building and grading 283 38
City Survey,-comprising establishing of street lines, ac- ceptance plans, and miscellaneous survey work for bridges, etc.
463 10
Middlesex Registry,-comprising copying of plans and .
abstracts from deeds and examination of titles filed at East Cambridge, also tracings of street accept- ance and sewer taking plans filed for record 185 92
Railway, Telephone, Electric Light, and Gas Light Com- panies,-comprising grades, plans, profiles and office notes, locations of poles and conduits .
47 54
Stone Bounds,-locating and setting .
108 29
Office Work,-comprising records of all locations, index- ing, typewriting, calculations, and general draught- ing .
1,100 97
Miscellaneous Work,-comprising preliminary surveys, designs, sketches, etc., relating to various schemes for different committees
186 04
Vacations and Sickness .
350 00
Total .
$7,885 39.
Special work on grade crossings .
(charged to Grade
Crossings account) · ·
. .
$266 22
Office Records and Value of Instruments.
Number of survey note-books, sewer permit books, and deed books, two hundred and fifty.
Number of plans, including sewers, highways, parks, house lots, etc., six thousand.
Value of field instruments, tools, and office instruments, $1,600.
The total cost of maintaining the city engineer's department since it was established (1872-1905, both years inclusive) has amounted to $225,696.15.
1,064 20
69 48
291
CITY ENGINEER.
General Work. The number of assistants employed during the year on engineering work varied from eight to fourteen.
The department has made designs, plans, estimates of cost of contemplated and completed public works, etc., as required by various orders of the board of aldermen and committees. All survey notes, records, and plans made of sewers, drains, highway work, water works, etc., have been filed for future reference.
All plans of estates in Somerville recorded at the Registry of Deeds, East Cambridge, have been copied, titles examined, and abstracts from deeds made for the purpose of assessments,- and the proportional part of the cost of new work computed, and. schedules of assessments made out showing the property owners ..
Plans have been made and photographs taken where acci- dents have occurred on the city's work or where boundaries were. in dispute, for the use of the city solicitor in court cases and. hearings.
A number of street names have been changed and plans made showing a re-numbering of the buildings, and all old num- bering plans revised, new houses plotted, and numbers assigned ; some of the old main thoroughfares should be re-numbered throughout their entire length, so as to eliminate half numbers and letters now being used, as many of these old streets have out- grown their original numbering.
There are many streets, avenues, courts, and places in the city of the same or very similar name, which should be changed: to prevent the confusion and inconvenience now existing.
Stone monuments have been set at a number of street inter- sections and angles to define and preserve the true lines of public streets, and this work should be continued as much as possible each year. By setting these stone bounds, or monuments, in Portland cement concrete at the level of the surface of the ground, or flush with the surface of the sidewalk, they can also be used as permanent "Bench Marks" throughout the city by establishing their exact elevations, and thereby being a great con- venience and saving of time in giving grades, not only for the city engineering department, but also for all other surveyors.
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