USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1914 > Part 34
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Union square
TABLE H. Driveway Extended at Expense of Abutter.
FOR
LOCATION
Arthur N. Park
161 Broadway
.
TABLE I. Streets Accepted by the Board of Aldermen in 1914.
STREET.
FROM
To
WIDTH IN FEET.
LENGTH IN FEET.
ACCEPTED.
Bristol road
.
.
·
.
.
.
Medford street
40
146
December 30
Gibbens street
·
·
.
.
Ward street
.
.
South street .
30
222
December 30
Sacramento street .
Beacon street.
Cambridge line
40
154
July 10
Stone place ·
Stone avenue
Southeasterly
30
142
December 30
Walker street
Broadway .
Leonard street
40
713
December 30
Ward street .
Medford street
Harding street
.
.
30
433
July 10
Length in feet
2,338
.
40
133
December 30 July 10
Harding street
.
.
·
·
.
.
·
.
.
.
.
Banton road .
Westerly '
·
30
395
Horace street
Ward street
Cambridge line
·
.
.
· ·
.
.
STREET COMMISSIONER.
435
·
·
Broadway
436
ANNUAL REPORTS.
TABLE K. Street Opening. Broadway at Dexter street. Conwell street at College Hill Road.
TABLE J. Street Crossings Laid.
Kingston street across same at Meacham road. Linwood street across same at Congress place. 1
REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
OFFICE OF COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS, CITY HALL, SOMERVILLE, January 1, 1915.
To the Honorable, the Mayor, and the Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville :-
Gentlemen,-In accordance with the provisions of the City Charter, I submit herewith the annual report of the public buildings department for the year ending December 31, 1914.
The total valuation of the public property which is in the custody of the public buildings department is $2,358,414.
The total expenditure for the year 1914 for the care and maintenance of this property was $137,269.00.
This amount was expended as follows :-
Janitor service
$39,723 48
Fuel
38,016 51
Light
14,905 67
Telephone
711 13
Care and repairs
43,145 21
Pensions
767 00
Inspection of Buildings.
The Commissioner of Public Buildings is also the in- spector of buildings according to the terms of the charter, and as such during the past year has made 1,620 formal in- spections of buildings in the process of construction.
The following table shows the number of permits issued for building operations during the year 1914 :-
WARDS.
Buildings.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Totals.
Dwellings
88
15
11
16
26
17
144
317
Stores
.
Dwellings & Stores
1
2
Stables
1
1
1
1
4
Shops
3
1
2
1
7
Manufactories
2
3
1
1
2
3
12
Garages
8
2
5
7
5
4
20
51
Offices
4
5
1
2
2
3
17
Foundations
1
1
2
Miscellaneous .
1
1
2
4
Totals
110
38
26
30
35
30
177
446
7
4
2
1
2
5
21
1
4
1-
Storage
2
1
2
1
1
438
ANNUAL REPORTS.
WARDS.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Totals.
Brick buildings
1
7
4
2
1
1
6
22
Cement buildings .
4
3
6
2
2
11
28
Concrete buildings
2
1
1
Wood and Brick buildings .
1
1
Wood and Concrete buildings
1
1
Wood and Iron buildings .
2
1
2
1
1
3
Concrete and Iron buildings
1
1
Totals
12
8
8 |
11
4 |
6
28
77
Wood
Fire Resisting
Total
New buildings
265
69
334
Alterations
10
8
112
Totals
369
77
446
. 408
The number of plumbing permits issued during the year was Permits for plumbing in new buildings
. 243
Permits for plumbing in old buildings Number of buildings in which soil pipes were tested . 360)
The total number of permits issued during the year 1914, viz., 446 was seventeen more than during the year 1913, when 429 permits for new buildings and alterations were issued. The total cost of the new buildings and alterations during the year 1914 was $1,574,067, while the cost in 1913 was $1,952,179, showing a decrease of $378,112.
The Commissioner of Public Buildings has under his charge and direction the work of maintenance and keeping in repair all of the public buildings of the city and the grounds in connection therewith, the direction of all janitors in the city's employ, the inspection of all new building construction, the inspection of the installation and care of all elevators, the supervision of the construction of all new municipal buildings, the maintenance of the public bathing beach and the public municipal baths in the Bennett School and Lincoln Park
These various activities in connection with the depart- ment work require a vast amount of time and attention in order to at least keep the property in proper condition for occupancy.
-
14
Iron buildings
1
2
9
2
5
Brick and Concrete buildings
1
160
439
COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
School Buildings.
The most time and attention is required in connection with the school buildings of the city which necessarily are receiving all of the time a continual wear and tear.
Our school buildings during the year 1914 have received careful attention especially as regards the matters of lighting, interior decorating, yard improvements, new furnishings, fire exits, and sanitary improvements.
It is impossible in any one year to do all of the various repairs requiring attention, but if we proceed on a systematic basis to make yearly improvements, especially in the older buildings, we will soon have the property in first-class condition.
Interior painting of walls and ceilings was done in the Baxter, Bingham, Burns, Boys' Vocational, Edgerly, Forster, Highland and High Schools during the year and has greatly. improved the appearance of these buildings.
Additional windows were installed in the Edgerly and Morse School buildings which have improved the lighting facilities of the classrooms which have never before had suffi- cient light to properly safeguard the pupils against strain and discomfort of their eyes.
It is proposed by this department to continue the work of interior decorating during the year 1915 so far as possible, and to give especial attention to much outside work needed such as painting, roofing, repairs and yard improvements.
The public bathing at the Bennett School and the Lincoln Park has been taken advantage of by a great many people during the year and has filled a need which has existed for a long time in these two locations. I believe that an extension of the public bathing plants to other sections of the city would be greatly appreciated by the citizens and would be a good investment for the city.
Fire Department Buildings.
The continual increase of the permanent force of the fire department has made it necessary to make many changes in the various buildings provided for their occupancy. At the building in Union Square a dormitory was constructed to provide more bed accommodations for the men. This was done by removing the partitions separating the rooms and making one large room for sleeping purposes.
The labor for making these changes was all performed by the men stationed at this house under the direction of Captain Coneeny, and was performed well. Too much credit cannot be given to Captain Coneeny and his men for the interest and eagerness which they showed in this improvement.
1 -
440
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Similar conditions were improved upon at the house of Engine 6 in Teele Square. Here also the men performed all of the labor under Captain Cribby's direction and are de- serving of much credit for their hard work and efforts.
I desire to express my appreciation to both Captain Coneeny and Captain Cribby, and the men in both of their respective buildings for assisting me in this work.
The introduction of motor apparatus has made it necessary to provide fireproof material for the apparatus room floors in these houses where motors are located. During the year the floor of the Central Fire Station has been reconstructed of concrete. More work of this nature will be necessary as the motors increase and must be done as fast as possible.
The increase of permanent men has also made it neces- sary to provide additional toilet and lavatory accommodations. I hope that funds will be provided during the coming year so that some at least of this work may be performed.
In general the conditions of the fire buildings are very satisfactory.
Municipal Buildings.
The work of remodeling the City Hall Annex for the occupancy of the departments assigned to that building was completed and the School, Overseers of Poor and Sealer of Weights and Measures departments were moved into their new quarters and are very comfortably and conveniently located.
This building provides an excellent Annex to the City Hall and brings the departments nearer the executive center, which is a great convenience to all concerned.
Both of the municipal buildings are now very comfort- ably equipped and all of the departments well provided for.
Public Library.
In the Central Library and the various branches no partic- ular construction work has been required during the year, but it will be necessary soon to decorate the interior of the Central Library and provide additional room for the various branches. Some of this work will be performed during the coming year.
Incinerator Building.
A second story addition was constructed at the Incinerator Building to better provide for the work of caring for the refuse material collected by the Sanitary Division of the Highway Department. This improvement has permitted the intro- duction of modern apparatus and machinery for the equip: ment of this plant and has greatly facilitated its operation.
441
COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
City Home.
All of the City Home buildings were renovated outside during the year and now present a very creditable appearance and correspond well with the beautiful grounds which Mr. Colquhoun, the superintendent, so carefully and successfully maintains.
A much needed improvement was also made in the con- struction of a new home for the superintendent's office and reception room for the visitors and inmates.
The City Home buildings are now in first-class condition.
Contagious Hospital.
At the Contagious Hospital an exit stairway was con- structed on the outside from the third floor ward which tends to safeguard the patients on that floor in the future against danger in case of fire.
I hope that during the coming year it will be possible to renovate the exterior of the hospital buildings to harmonize with the fine appearance of the City Home buildings.
Bathing Beach.
The public bathing beach has continued to prove very popular with the citizens who patronize this recreation ground so liberally. No enlargement was made but improvements such as additional sand and general repairs were made which greatly helped in the comfort to the patrons.
In General.
In addition to the special work as described a large amount of routine work has been performed which cannot be especially mentioned and it is necessary at all times to care- fully consider all requisitions which are received in order to select the most important for execution inasmuch as it is im- possible to do everything that is requested from the various departments.
I feel. however, that fairly satisfactory results have been obtained during the year and that the city has received full value for all expenditures made in the various department activities.
Respectfully submitted, WALTER T. LITTLEFIELD, Commissioner of Public Buildings.
442
MAINTENANCE PUBLIC BUILDINGS
Fuel
Light
Janitors
Care
Telephone
Pensions
Total
School Buildings
$27,471.05
$7.148.53
$30,779.17
$29,685.89
711.13
$507.00
$96,302.77
Fire Buildings .
4,161.71
1,873.45
2,245.46
Highway Buildings
180.45
190.10
283.96
City Home Buildings
999.62
261.34
1,945.21
3,206.17
Hospital Buildings (Contagious) (Tuberculosis)
1,223.15
1,089.25
132.50
731.42
345.28
305.14
132.50
1.85
3,961.09
Central Library
804.52
1,192.35
1,521.99
674.36
4,193.22
West Somerville Branch Library
349.19
335.56
750.00
27.81
1,458.56
East Somerville Branch Library Union Square Branch Library .
₹20.63
77.00
526.00
56.47
980.10
Municipal Buildings (City Hall)
477.80
666.92
2,011.44
1,305.66
393.03
369.67
898.50
2,108.52
260.00
Police Buildings
629.62
562.62
1,292.37
328.00
2,812.61
Polling Places
102.30
144.35
60.00
630.39
937.04
Refuse Buildings
126.45
318.01
.....
28.05
67.95
Water Buildings
319.04
323.38
137.06
780.08
Bathhouse
Sterilizing
2,538.60
Suites 160.95
Totals
$38,016.51
$14,905.67
$39,723.48
$43,145 21
$711.13
$767.00
$137,269.00
. .
608.81
1,053.32
Sewer Buildings
.
39.90
.
..
1,359.01
1,068.64
9mor:
857.09
Park Buildings .
76.17
48.00
260.00
228.36
612.53
(City Hall Annex) (Miscellaneous)
31.20
8,522.74
857.09
·
ANNUAL REPORTS.
..
8,280.62 654.51
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF ELECTRIC LINES AND LIGHTS.
OFFICE OF COMMISSIONER OF ELECTRIC LINES AND LIGHTS
January 1, 1915.
To the Honorable, the Mayor, and the Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville.
Gentlemen,-I most respectfully submit my sixth annual report as commissioner of electric lines and lights for the year ending December 31, 1914.
Inspection of Wiring in Buildings.
The number of inspections of electrical work has in- creased greatly during the last year as the use of electric lights and power has become more general.
This means a great amount of additional work for the inspector.
The work of the electrical inspector is most important and the preventive measures instituted by inspection departments are as necessary and important in their results as those of the sanitary departments, health inspection departments and other organizations having to do with the health and lives of the community.
One of the difficulties of realizing the value of the in- spection department is because the work does not show.
Only those persons having occasion to call on the in- spector are familiar with the amount of time and work needed to insure safe installations of electrical wiring.
In inspecting club houses, hotels, churches, theatres and other places where large crowds of people gather from time to time, it is highly important that inspection work be well done and the public does not know, as a general thing, that very often the detection of a fire hazard has saved a number of lives.
Prevention of fire is as essential as calling the fire de- partment after a fire has started, and every effort has been made to have all electrical work installed in the safest manner possible.
No person should be employed for the installing of electric wiring or appliances except such as are known to be fully competent to do such work in a safe and workman- like manner.
By paying strict attention to this matter a great amount of time and trouble may be obviated and work would not have to be done over, thereby saving a great amount of annoyance.
444
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Number of notifications of new work received
957
Number of inspections of new work .
957 Number of re-inspections of new work 1,704
Number of inspections of old work
446
Number of defective installations of old work
10
Number of defective installations remedied
10
Number of re-inspections of old work
15
Total number of inspections
3,122
Number of permits issued to the Edison Electric Illuminat-
1,459
ing Company for installing meters, lamps, etc. Number of incandescent lamps
20,002
Number of motors
101
Horse power of motors
· 299
Fire Alarm System.
The present fire alarm signal system has done good work during the year, but I would again call your attention to the need of a modern system whereby alarms coming from boxes on the street could be handled more quickly and accurately.
I also call your attention to the same conditions which exist in regard to the housing of motor apparatus in the same building with the fire alarm headquarters.
Not only is there the danger from fire which would com- pletely put the signal system out of commission but the smoke and gas arising from the automobiles when run, cause blacken- ing and the corrosion of the delicate apparatus of the signal sys- tem and necessitates additional precautions to keep the same in working condition.
The fire alarm signal system should be in a separate building.
There have been 266 alarms transmitted during the year.
Five old style boxes have been replaced with modern suc- cessive boxes and keyless doors have been placed on all street boxes.
The fire alarm equipment consists of the following :-
125 signal boxes, one eight-circuit . repeater, eight tower strikers, thirty-two gongs, six indicators, three punch registers, forty-three tappers, one automatic steam whistle, twelve private telephones, 530 cells of storage battery, about 125 miles of overhead wire and 59,998 feet of underground cable.
There has been run 6,240 feet of new overhead wire and 43,200 feet of old has been removed.
1,000 feet of new twisted pair has been run for telephones, etc., and 5,100 feet of old has been removed.
12,350 feet of lead-covered cable, consisting of two, four, six, fourteen and eighteen conductors have been placed under- ground on Pearl, Marshall, Walnut, Medford and Franklin streets and Willow avenue, and the old overhead wire has been removed.
445
COMMISSIONER OF ELECTRIC LINES AND LIGHTS.
Police Signal System.
The police signal system has been given constant atten- tion and is giving excellent service, over 800 calls a day being transmitted from street boxes to the police station.
Supervision of Poles and Wires on the Streets and Underground Construction.
The same attention has been given to the condition of poles and wires on the streets as in previous years.
A large number of defective poles have been replaced by companies owning the same.
New poles have been placed in locations granted for the purpose of supplying light and telephone service, and abandoned poles have been removed.
New Re- Re-
placed
moved
set
Edison Electric Illuminating Co. .
37
194 27 1
Boston Elevated Railway Co.
42
1
Permits given to the New England Telephone and Telegraph
Co. for attachment to the Edison Co.'s poles .
320
Permits given to the Edison Electric Illuminating Co., for at-
tachments to New England Telephone Co.'s poles
58
Street Lighting.
The matter of street lighting has been given the same attention as in previous years and a number of additional lights have been placed in various parts of the city.
Jan. 1, 1914
Jan. 1, 1915
Magnetites
123
128
Arcs
339
342
Incandescents, 100 c. p.
47
81
Incandescents, 40 c. p.
857
876
Electrical Department.
CREDIT.
Appropriation
Credit from Underground Construction ac-
226 00
count
Total credit
DEBIT.
Salaries
$5,746 50
Fire alarm system
3,410 18
Police alarm system
237 04
Inspection of electrical work
315 14
Total debit
$9,708 86
Balance unexpended
.
$17 14
Re-
New England Telephone & Telegraph Co.
Poles 9 53
28
14
$9,500 00
$9,726 00
446
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Underground Construction.
Appropriation (Transfer from
CREDIT. Fire De-
partment additional appropriation
account,
$1,272 00
Balance unexpended, 1913
2,007 82
Total credit
DEBIT.
Materials
$2,339 87
Labor
921 00
Total
debit
$3,260 87
Balance unexpended .
$18 95
Street Lighting.
CREDIT.
Appropriation
Credit on pay rolls May 1, 1914, to Octo-
ber 31, 1914 .
5,421 76
Total credit .
$63,421 76
DEBIT.
Street lighting (Edison Co.) .
$63,396 16
Changes of street lights .
3 00
Incidentals -
·
·
22 60
Account balanced
$63,421 76
Recommendations. Conclusion.
I respectfully recommend that :-
The matter of providing suitable quarters for the fire alarm system be attended to as soon as possible.
The present fire alarm system be replaced by a modern, quick time system when such suitable quarters are provided. Additional ordinances be made to further govern the in- stallation of electric wires and appliances in the city.
I wish to thank his honor, the mayor, the members of the board of aldermen, and the several departments for courtesies received.
Respectfully submitted, WALTER I. FULLER,
Commissioner of Electric Lines and Lights,
$3,279 82
$58,000 00
SOMERVILLE WATER WORKS.
SOMERVILLE, MIDDLESEX CO., MASSACHUSETTS.
Location : Somerville City Hall (near centre of the city) is 234 miles nor therly from State House in Boston.
Greatest extent of the City north and south about 4.2 miles. Greatest extent of the City east and west about 2.1 miles.
Elevation Highland avenue at City Hall 105 feet above mean low water. Lowest building elevation in the city 13 feet. Highest building elevation in the city 145 feet. Area of city, including land and water, about 4.22 square miles. Land, 2,461.50 acres : water and marsh, 238.50 acres. Population 1910, census, 77,236. Present population, estimated, 85,000. Entire population on line of pipe and supplied with water.
Water works owned by City of Somerville. Construction commenced in 1868.
Source of supply : Metropolitan system, taking water of the Nashua river at Clinton, Mass.
Range of pressure on street mains : Low service 35 to 65 pounds. High service 45 to 100 pounds.
Mayor. HON. ZEBEDEE E. CLIFF.
Water Commissioner. FRANK E. MERRILL.
-- Office of the Water Department. Room 10, City Hall.
Department Buildings and Yard. Cedar street, near Broadway,
REPORT OF THE WATER COMMISSIONER.
OFFICE OF THE WATER COMMISSIONER, January, 1915.
To His Honor, the Mayor, and the Board of Aldermen :-- I present herewith my report for the year ending Decem- ber 31, 1914, this being the forty-first annual report of the water department and my fifteenth as water commissioner :-
Revenue and Expenditures.
Water bills have been issued as follows :-
"Annual" water charges, amounting to .
$68,011 10
"Additional" water charges, amounting to
2,966 96
"Metered" water charges, amounting to .
165,559 82
$236,537 88
Annual and Additional
Metered
Abatements on above charges
$2,112 22
$232 42
Refunds on above charges
189 05
40 47
Abatements on 1913 charges
11 35
4 86
$2,312 62
$277 75
$2,590 37
Income from sale of water .
$233,947 51
Receipts from water service assessments
$4,223 54
Receipts for labor and materials sold :- Department accounts
969 31
Miscellaneous accounts
3,433 82
8,626 67
Total income of water works .
$242,574 18
This amount was used as follows :- For water works purposes :-
Water works maintenance . $40,457 11
Water works extension 13,066 17
Pensions
.
657 58
Miscellaneous accounts
8,626 67
$62,807 53
Interest on water loan bonds
1,260 00
Maturing water loan bonds
6,000 00
Metropolitan water works assessment 109,999 13
$180,066 66
For other municipal purposes :-
Public Buildings Department
$780 08
General revenue account .. .
61,727 44
$242,574 18
In addition to the appropriations from water income to other municipal purposes enumerated above, water has been furnished without charge to all the city departments that have required its use and it is paid for out of the income from sale of water,
Refunds on 1913 charges
119
WATER DEPARTMENT.
Department Receipts and Disbursements WATER MAINTENANCE ACCOUNT.
Dr.
Cr.
Amount appropriated by board of aldermen
from estimated sales of water and operating receipts of the water de- partment
$40,500 00
Amount transferred from Water Works Extension account .
4,210 29
Department accounts
969 31
Materials furnished for extension of the water works
11,716 12
Amount expended for labor and ma-
terials for operation, maintenance,
and renewal of the water works
$40,457 11
Amount expended for materials used in extension of the water works
11,716 12
Pensions .
657 58
Miscellaneous accounts
3,433 82
Labor and materials furnished municipal departments
969 31
Unexpended balance
161 78
$57,395 72
$57,395 72
WATER WORKS EXTENSION ACCOUNT.
Dr. Cr.
Amount appropriated by board of alder- men from estimated sales of water and operating receipts of the water department
Amount transferred to Water Mainte-
nance account
$4,210 29
Amount expended for labor .
and
materials used in extension of the water works, $17,289.71 ; less water service assessments paid by abutters, $4,223.54
$13,066 17
$21,500 00
$21,500 00
Cost of Water Works.
The total cost of the water works on December 31, 1913, as represented by the expenditures from appropriations for water works extension was . Expended during the year 1914, on extension account 13,066 17
Total expenditures, December 31, 1914 .
$978,279 93
$991,346 10
Water Debt.
Water loan bonds have been issued on funded debt ac- count to the amount of $1,017,000; this has been reduced by $991,000, leaving the water debt on December 31, 1914, $26,000,
$21,500 00
450
ANNUAL REPORTS.
The outstanding bonds mature as follows :-
YEAR.
AMOUNT.
YEAR.
AMOUNT.
1915
$5,000
1918
$5,000
1916
5,000
1919
4,000
1917
5,000
1920
2,000
Water Works Income from 1898 and its Distribution.
The water income and its distribution from 1898 to 1914; inclusive, is shown in the following table :-
Total water income, years 1898 to 1914, inclusive . 3,865,302 07 Distribution :-
Water Works Account.
Water Works Construction, Renewal,
Maintenance and Operation .
$941,575 66
Water Bonds
248,000 00
Interest
83,295 00
Metropolitan Water Assessments
1,423,177 41
$2,696,048 07
Other Municipal Accounts.
Various municipal departments through
specific appropriations and general
revenue account
.
$1,169,254 00
$3,865.302 07
Revenue and Appropriations.
The net revenue from the sale of water in 1914 was $233,947.51, an amount slightly in excess of that of any other year. The receipts from other sources were $8,626.67, mak- ing the total department revenue for the year, $242,574.18.
The percentage of sales of measured water increases as the installation of meters progresses, and has now reached seventy-one per cent ; the balance, twenty-nine per cent., still being assessed on the flat rate basis.
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