USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1915 > Part 20
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279
CITY ENGINEER.
placed by some difficult construction work. All materials have been furnished by the city, and the prices paid for sup- plies for the season have been by contract with the lowest bidder as follows :-
Sewer pipe (3 foot lengths) 7734% discount from list price on cars Sewer pipe fittings 784% discount from list price on cars
Portland cement per barrel $1.00 on cars (net)
Sand per cubic yard · 0.70 on cars
Sewer bricks per M. .
9.75 on cars or at yard
Iron manhole and catch basin castings, per hun- dred weight
1.28 on cars or at yard
Catch basin traps, each
1.39 on cars or at foundry
A number of sewers have been constructed as petitioned for in various sections of the city, or as considered necessary for the improvement of the drainage system, and portions of the cost of construction assessed on the abutting estates un- der orders passed by the board of aldermen.
Short lines of storm drains and overflows from congested sewers have been constructed during the year in the most needed districts.
The "separate system" sewers (those built for house drainage only) have been extended in a number of streets in the older districts, and this system should be extended yearly until all the flooded districts in the city have two complete systems of drainage, the old sewer to be used for storm and surface water. The city pays the entire cost of these new sewer extensions for house drainage, and wherever con- structed the house plumbing should be changed where neces- sary ; and the house drains and conductor, or surface water drains, reconnected with both systems as soon as possible.
New sewers and drains were constructed during the year varying in size from eight-inch pipe to twenty-four-inch pipe in the following localities :-
"Separate system" sewers in :-
Charles street,-Washington street southerly (both sidewalks).
Magnus avenue,-Washington street southerly.
Maine avenue,-Mystic avenue to near Pennsylvania avenue.
Passageway off Maine avenue,-easterly.
Pearl street,-Cross street to Franklin street (both sidewalks).
Private lands,-near Thorndike street to Buena Vista road.
"Combined system" sewers in :--
Lowell street,-Kimball street northeasterly.
Medford street,-end of sewer built in 1899 to near Walnut street.
280
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Storm drains in :-
Magnus avenue.
Pearl street,-(both sides) Cross street to Franklin street.
Somerville Field, Powder House boulevard and North street,-Powder House boulevard, North street and Hamilton road.
SUMMARY OF WORK.
Nineteen new sewers and drains have been constructed during the year, a total length of 8,580 linear feet (1.625 mile) at a cost of $10,892.93 ; plans have been made showing these sewers in detail, and assessments levied on a portion of them, amounting to $1,386.43. (See tabular statement of sewers and drains for 1915, showing itemized statement of work and cost.)
The total length of the city's drainage system is 110.331 miles ; 31.209 miles being on the "separate system" and 9.991 miles of storm drains, and the entire cost of construction has amounted to about $1,323,501.00 exclusive of the amount paid to the state for assessments for the construction of the North Metropolitan sewerage system.
Twenty-eight new catch basins have been constructed in the highways during the year, making a total of 1,763 basins in the city for street drainage purposes, constructed and maintained as follows :-
By the city (sewer division) :-
Located in streets and subways 1,708 basins 66
Located in city boulevard
30
Located in parks (13) and other city lots (12) 25
Total catch basins constructed and maintained by the city 1,763
By Boston & Maine Railroad Company on railroad locations . 33 basins
By state, located in boulevards .
52
85
Total catch basins in the city for storm drainage
purposes
1,848
Metropolitan Sewer Connections. All of the city's connec- tions with the North Metropolitan state sewerage system are in good condition.
Wherever the city's "combined system" sewers are con- nected with the Metropolitan sewer, the flow is automatically regulated so that in times of storms the connection closes and the discharge continues through the old channels to the "rivers ; the "separate system" connections are always in op- . eration under all conditions. The locations of the connections
TABULAR STATEMENT OF SEWERS AND STORM DRAINS BUILT IN 1915.
LOCATION.
NAME OF STREET.
FROM
To
CONTRACTOR.
MATERIAL EXCAVATED.
Average Cut.
Size in inches.
Length in feet.
Size in inches.
Length in feet.
Cubic yards Rock
Price per cubic
yard, Rock.
Manholes.
Average cost, Manholes.
Main
Sewer.
Sub-
drain.
Price, including
Engineering and
Miscellaneous.
Repaving Side-
walks, Resurfac-
Average Cost per
Assessment.
Cost to City.
Charles street (both sides) .
Washington street +
Southerly
Denis I. Crimmings
Sand
7.8
357.5
5
287
1.0
$3.50
$47.50
$0.80
$0.20
$0.23
$0.04
$0.55
$0.09
$2.29
$817.68
$817.68
Lowell street (sewer extension) .
Sewer built 1901
Sewer built 1891
Day labor
Hardpan
6.8
12
51.6
74.64
74.64
Magnus avenue, sewer
Washington street .
Montvale street
Denis I. Crimmings.
7.2
8
416.2
2
46.87
26
1.17
0.17
0.06
1.55
765.32
$762.42
2.90
Magnus avenue, sewer
Montvale street
Southerly
Denis I. Crimmings
Clay
7.3
6
76.2
00
514.8
2
38.75
31
0.26
0.15
0.56
288.49
288.49
Maine avenue, sewer .
Mystic avenue
Near Pennsylvania ave.
Day labor
Hardpan and filling
7.6
271.2
1
52.00
22
0.51
0.24
0.04
0.08
1.00
287.26
287.20
0.06
Maine avenue (storm-drain)
Mystic avenue
Near Pennsylvania ave.
Day labor
Hardpan and filling
6.6
8
270.2
1
16.05
0,21
0.19
0.02
0.47
128.15
204.04
153.09
50.95
Medford street, sewer
End of sewer, built 1899.
Near Walnut street
Bartholomew Burke
Hardpan
9.6
10
144.0
1
43.50
10
0.88
0.18
0.06
0.05
1.00
184.09
183.72
0.37
Passageway off Maine avenue, sewer.
Maine avenue
Southeasterly
.
Hardpan
7.5
8
186.5
1
8
1
16.05
8
0.20
0.18
0.02
0.49
91.35
91.35
Passageway off Maine ave.(storm-drain)
Maine avenue
Southeasterly
Day labor
Hardpan
G.5
8
186.5
10
1059.3
50.0
3.00
47.50
0,93
0.25
0.06
0.17
1.73
1832.01
1832.01
Pearl street, sewer (north side) .
Cross street
Franklin street
Denis I. Crimmings
Hardpan and clay .
9.3
8.0
12
1057.3
...
38.75
35
0.23
0.22
0.01
0.61
644.28
644.28
Pearl street, storm-drain (north side) .
Cross street
Franklin Street
Denis I. Crimmings
Hardpan and clay .
Hardpan and rock
8.0
8
870.2
88.0
3,50
50.50
29
1.03
0.17
0,09
0.23
2.11
1838.82
1838.82
Pearl street, sewer (south side) .
Cross street
Near Franklin street
Bartholomew Burke
Bartholomew Burke
Hardpan and rock
7.0
8
870.2
18
130,3
180 .- 4
1.3
1
46.33
0.85
0.49
0.04
0.30
North street (storm-drain) .
Raymond avenue .
Conwell avenue
Charles A. Kelley .
Hardpan
5.0
15
239.7
564
- 1
Hamilton road (storm-drain)
North street .
Barton street
Day labor
Hardpan
6.0
10
200
1
52.23
0,57
0.25
0.03
0.90
1,017.20
1,017.20
Hamilton road (storm-drain)
Barton street .
Russell road .
Day labor
Hardpan
6.0
8
370
Somerville avenue, sewer
Northwesterly
Incline to F.R.R. Bridge
Day labor
Filling .
4 8
24
261 ) 949.5
4.0
18
53.0
8,579.6 (1.625 miles. )
$11,253.75
$1,386.43
$9,867.32
Total length of public sewers in the city, January 1, 1916 Total length of private sewers in the city, January 1, 1916 .
495.050.7 feet. 34,748.0 feet.
Total length of sewers in the city, January 1, 1916 Total length of storm drains in the city, January 1, 1916
529,798.7 52,757.8
=
100.340 miles (31.210 miles separate system sewers) 9,992 miles
Total length of city drainage system, January 1, 1916. Total length of Metropolitan sewerage system mains running through the city .
110.332 miles 3.475 miles
...
.. 1
5
0.97
1
Magnus avenue (storm-drain)
Washington street .
South of Montvale street
Denis I. Crimmings
Sand and filling
6.2
SEWER.
SUB-DRAIN.
PIPE SEWER, COST PER LINEAR FOOT.
Inlets
Excavating, Re- filling, and Pipe Laying.
Sub-drain
where laid
Inspection.
Lumber.
ing Streets, etc.
linear foot.
Total Cost.
2.63
1,484.55
1,484.55
Powder House Boulevard (storm-drain)
Alewife Brook
E.side Powder House Blvd.
Denis I. Crimmings
Filling and hardpan 5.0
Brick Sewer Re-inforcing and Reconstruction.
361.77
361.77
Somerville Field and .
4
52,53
1.39
0.76
0.11
.. . . .
0.15
0.01
0.66
492.62
492.62
Pearl street, storm-drain (south side) .
Cross street
Point in gutter, Boulevard
North street .
Charles A. Kelley .
Hardpan
Charles A. Kelley.
Hardpan
7.0
20
3.50
1
46,33
0.52
Powder Ho. Blvd and North st.(st'm-dr.); Near Somerville Field
Hamilton road
Day labor
Hardpan
6.0
12
1
46.33
0.63
0.42)
1.35
741.48
741.48
North street (storm-drain) .
Near Powder House Blvd.
Raymond avenue
Day labor
45.75
0.46
0.23
35
4
4
40.50
28
0.22
Near Franklin street
Powder House Boulevard (storm-drain)
14
2
0.99
0.35
0.10
1.44
Sand and filling
ITEMS OF CONSTRUCTION AND COST.
Excavation.
-
128.15
1.42
5.0
281
CITY ENGINEER.
of the city's' mains with the state sewer are shown in the 1912 report.
The city's assessment for the Metropolitan sewer system for the past year was $13,340.79 on construction account and $27,341.82 for maintenance, and the total amount paid the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for this state sewer has been $1,100,266.40 (1892-1915, both years inclusive). The total length of the Metropolitan sewerage system mains run- ning through the city amounts to 3.475 miles.
New Work. The separate system sewers should be ex- tended in the old section of the city each year, as the appro- priations will allow. The construction of the storm drainage system commenced in the vicinity of North Somerville, where buildings and new streets are being rapidly con- structed, should continue, the cutlet for this district being through the city of Medford into Mystic river; and in con- nection therewith, the boundary line between Somerville and Medford should be changed in the vicinity of Pearson road and Boston avenue, so that this outlet, Two Penny brook, can be improved by Somerville, and the covered channel ex- tended to the Boston & Maine railroad, to conform with the work already done within the present city limits.
A large storm overflow drain has been contemplated for some time at the East Cambridge line, across private lands from Somerville avenue, discharging into the head of Miller's river ; and this matter of improving the city's drainage sys- tem should be carried out without further delay.
Some agreement should be made whereby a storm drain and sewers may be constructed in the valley along the loca- tion of the southern division of the Boston & Maine railroad, between Gilman square and Cedar street, this being the natural outlet for a number of the city's streets and house lots, which at the present time have either very poor or no means of drainage, and would abolish two syphons under the railroad tracks.
This work, if completed, would be of great benefit to the railroad company, and give relief to sections of the city's overcharged drainage system during heavy storms by divert- ing through this proposed conduit the proper drainage area which is now flowing in other directions.
During the month of July and the first part of August, 1915, a number of very heavy storms occurred with an ex- cessive amount of rain, causing unusual flooding of streets and cellars and damaging property; probably the greatest precipitation ever known in the eastern section of this coun- try, approximately twelve inches within a month's time, be- ing about one-quarter of the average rainfall for a year.
282
ANNUAL REPORTS.
The city's drainage system will be greatly improved when- ever the foregoing changes are made and construction work completed.
MAINTENANCE ACCOUNT.
Statement of Expenses, 1915.
Maintenance of sewers, including cleaning and flushing (110.4 miles)
$3,943 79
Maintenance of catch basins, cleaning and
flushing (1,761)
9,830 85
Changing line and grade and repairing catch basins
245 97
Changing line and grade and repairing manholes
101 94
Repairing old sewers
1,295 39
Inspection and location of house drains
325 15
New tools and supplies
401 98
Repairs of tools and property .
37 20
Maintenance of sewer division yards and buildings
542 05
Sundry expenses, car fares, telephone, expressing, etc.
58 95
Total debit
$16,783 27
CREDIT.
Appropriation
$14,500 00
Transfers from other departments and
accounts
2,283 40
Total credit .
$16,783 40
Balance unexpended $ 13
Value of tools and property on hand used in maintenance of sewers, $1,500.00.
A permanent force of men and teams are kept continually at work flushing, cleaning and repairing the city's drainage system, catch basins, etc., the expense necessarily increasing yearly as lengths of sewers, drains and catch basins are added to the system, and the distance increased to the dumps.
About 6,350 cubic yards have been removed from the catch basins and sewers during the year, at an average cost of $1.55 per cubic yard, and the average cost per mile for cleaning and flushing the drainage system, including catch basins, has amounted to $124.77.
A number of repairs have been made and sections rebuilt on some of the old sewers, alterations made in the outlets and overflows, and extra manholes built for the purpose of improving the system.
Many catch basins and manholes have been repaired and grade or line changed.
Three hundred and sixty-one permits have been issued to licensed drain layers for connecting buildings with the main sewers, seventy-four being for repairs or alterations; all of
3
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
Statement made to the Commissioners on Apportionment of Expenses of the Metropolitan Park District, June, 1915.
PREPARED BY ERNEST W. BAILEY, CITY ENGINEER.
NAME AND LOCATION OF PROPERTY.
AREA IN ACRES.
YEAR ACQUIRED.
ORIGINAL COST OF LAND.
FIRST COST OF CONSTRUCTION.
ADDITIONAL COST OF CONSTRUCTION AND IMPROVEMENTS (Various years).
ESTIMATED PRESENT VALUATION 1914
MAINTENANCE.
Broadway Park-Ward 4
15.85
1874-1875
$126,854.63
$86,138.57
- $5,928.98 | [ Bldg. 2,000.00 }
$420,000.00
Amounts expended under Public Grounds Account for maintenance, 1910-1914, inc.
Central Hill Park-Ward 4
13.10
1893 (0.5 acre) remainder
111,109.00
31,624.70
(38,490.09 ) Memorial (20,000.00)
445,000.00
1910. ... $3,700.00
$10,128.34
8,175.00
11,575.79
Prospect Hill Park-Ward 3
2.62
1898-1902
48,964.91
(tower) 8,103.03 } 21,794,74 5
244.03
75,000.00
1912 .... 3,648.01
8,722.38
12,370.39
Lincoln Park-Ward 2
8.26
1895-1897
37,592.92
16,467.18
2,821.91 } ¿ Bldg. 3,000.00) 1
95,000.00
1914 ... 3,300.00
9,975.00
13,275.00
Tufts Park-Ward 7.
4.54
1892
(1,54 acres donated) ¿ 19,424.55
33,478.51
63.94
900.00
Paul Revere Park-Ward 5.
0.04
1901
1,259.70
Originally High ) Services Water Tower Lot.
260.61
5,100.00
Belmont Street Park-Ward 6
0.39
1889
4,015.40
(Con. by Tufts } College
115.14
Playgrounds Tufts College Land used by permission Summer and Winter months-Ward 7
11.50
1891
4,000,00
{Originally City's } Gravel Pit
22,421.18
75,000.00
Playground, Broadway, corner Cedar street-Ward 5 .
4.25
1872
Originally
1
937.61
12,000.00
Playground, Somerville avenue, cor. Kent street-Ward 6
0.75
schoolhouse lot 1850
-
Originally schoolhouse lot 1869
1
100.00
516.33
4,500.00
Playground, Broadway, opposite Simpson avenue-Ward 7
0.25
Originally schoolhouse lot 1843
1
750.00
159.64
2,900.00
Playground, Beacon street, near Washington street-Ward 2
0.22
Originally schoolhouse lot 1848 1
1
Playground, Webster avenue, near Cambridge line-Ward 2
0.25
Originally 1 schoolhouse lot 1868 1
1,878.50
100.00
3,000.00
Playground, Glen street, corner Oliver street-Ward 1
(leased) (0.92 (own))
1877
11,252.60
Originally Highway Dept. Lot.
500.75
15,000.00
Playground, Fellsway East-Ward 4 .
$ 250 (leased)
( Part of highway made Parkway 1892-1908
6,735.00
Powder House Parkway-Ward 7 ,
0.24
Part of highway ? made Parkway 1908
Somerville Avenue Cemetery-Ward 2 .
0.71
( Act of Legislature Į 1893 Maintained by City 1899-1901
1,389.52(0.02acres) ! Remainder donated.
36,177.05
82.96
$368,591.13
$240,518.78
$103,245.95
$1,283,900.00
S
Previous to
1
§ Originally City } Farm Lot.
3,350.98
25,500.00
Playground, Poplar street, corner Joy street-Ward 1
0.47
695.43
5,000.00
1.5
-
.
100.25
Broadway Parkway-Wards 1-4
2.00
95.00
1,444.08
Powder House Boulevard-Ward 7 (length 11/3 miles) .
12.60
PLAYGROUNDS. Amount.
PARKS. Amount.
Total. $13,828.34
1851-1869
1911 .... 3,400.79
1913 .... 3,434.01
8,457.88
11,891.89
100,000.00
Year.
A number of schoolhouse yards are used for playground purposes during the summer months.
New Athletic Field, Boulevard-Ward 7
283
CITY ENGINEER.
the work being done under the supervision of the city's in- spector.
At the present time there are eight persons licensed as drain layers by the city, and under bonds, for the purpose of laying these private drains.
There are to date about 15,967 private house drain con- nections with the city's drainage system.
During the year the sewer department has done consid- erable miscellaneous work for other city departments and outside companies, where alterations and new construction work have been required, furnishing materials and labor, and being reimbursed for the same.
Some of the old trunk sewers which were constructed many years ago are in a dangerous condition ; sections, where the arch is badly cracked and liable to collapse any time, should be immediately rebuilt.
PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS DIVISION.
At the present time there are twenty separate parcels of land located in all parts of Somerville, used for parks and playgrounds, amounting to 75.0 acres, and also a boulevard about one and one-third miles in length, maintained by the city. Included in this total area are playgrounds where the land is owned by private parties, and leased to the city for use, in the following localities; on Fellsway, east, 2.5 acres; Knowlton street, 1.5 acres ; Tufts College land, 4.8 acres ; and the city also maintains the cemetery on Somerville avenue, containing 0.7 acre. Satisfactory arrangements have been made during the past year whereby the city has the use of Tufts College playfield during the summer vacation months, and "the artificial" during the skating season.
Four of these larger pleasure parks are famous his- torically.
There are eight baseball "diamonds" and three football fields in use and under the city's supervision, as well as numerous smaller playgrounds, on which are located an out- door gymnasium, running track, tennis courts, and various kinds of athletic apparatus for recreation and rest, where children can play and enjoy themselves and are safe from the dangers of a thickly settled city.
These areas are constantly in use by the many athletic teams, the games being arranged for and regularly scheduled on the various grounds throughout the season, about three hundred ball games being provided for by schedule the past year.
The larger areas have been policed by regular officers from the police department, when required, the expense being paid from the police appropriations ; trees and shrubs added to the various grounds, and bulbs, plants and flowers fur-
284
ANNUAL REPORTS.
nished in their seasons, and during the winter time ponds flooded for skating when the weather was favorable.
This area of parks and playgrounds compares favorably with other cities, Somerville being very small in area and the most densely populated city in the state, averaging about 21,000 in population to a square mile. (About 33 per acre.)
At Lincoln Park a wading pool having an area of about 1,850 square feet has been constructed, with a concrete bot- tom and side walls and has been a source of much enjoyment to a very large number of children in the immediate vicinity. At Prospect Hill Park a bubbler drinking fountain has been installed.
An area was laid out on Somerville Field for playing girls' hockey, which was used considerably.
Tennis courts were maintained at Mason street play- ground, Broadway Park, Central Hill Park, and Somerville Field, and used continually throughout the season.
Three thousand, seven, hundred and eight square yards of granolithic sidewalks have been constructed in sections of Powder House boulevard during the past year as petitioned for by the abutting property owners.
The grounds in the rear of the city hall annex and high school buildings should be regraded and walks and drives constructed.
On several of the playfields concrete buildings should be constructed in place of some of the old wooden structures, additional apparatus provided on some of the principal parks and playgrounds for the smaller children's pleasure, where a regular park employee can have the care of the same, and some of the smaller playground areas should be enclosed by wire fencing for the protection of children.
In certain localities of the city well-lighted playgrounds, during the summer evenings, should be maintained for the young men and women working in the factories daily.
The city has become so densely populated that portions of some of the larger park areas should be utilized for public recreation and physical training purposes : Broadway park (northerly end) ball field and children's playground; Central Hill park, tennis courts and children's playground; Tufts park, children's playground, gymnastic apparatus, etc.
Paul Revere park area should be enlarged by acquiring additional land, constructing a street across from Main street to Broadway separating the city's park from the adjoining land, and thereby preserving an historical spot on the top of Winter Hill for the future, also making a convenient con- nection for travel.
The Playgrounds Association has continued its good work in the city, and funds contributed by citizens and a sum appropriated by the city for the special equipment of
285
CITY ENGINEER.
grounds and supervision of playfields during the summer months have been expended under the direction of the school committee.
Certain areas were used in the city's parks, playgrounds, and school yards, which had been equipped with swings, sand boxes, and various kinds of gymnastic apparatus, and super- visors were employed during the months of July and August. Many children enjoyed themselves at these outdoor kinder- garten schools, while the larger boys were instructed in base- ball, basket ball and other games, and in the use of gymnas- tic apparatus, teams being formed and athletic competitions held between the various teams.
A very successful field day was held by the Somerville schools on the city's recreation field, and the Boy Scouts of America gave an interesting exhibition on Central Hill park, both festivals being largely attended.
Probably still better results in this city could be obtained by establishing a system with a permanent director of ath- letics and gymnastics, who would have charge and instruct in every form of athletics and recreation ; including all sports and games for the high schools, grammar schools, and all others using the city's playfields and buildings.
Somerville field located in the northwesterly part of the city, bordered by Powder House boulevard and Alewife brook, has proven to be very popular with the various clubs and athletic teams in our city, and a number of outside school teams and associations have had the use of this field, the city receiving a small income each year.
The present temporary dressing rooms have had some small improvements made during the year, but a permanent concrete building with all modern improvements should be immediately constructed.
The centre sections of the grand-stand should be pro- vided with a covering for the convenience of the public.
Some progress has been made in the development of the large ungraded portion of the field, and an appropriation should be made annually for this purpose.
If this area is laid out and completed as originally designed, Somerville will have one of the finest recreation fields owned by any city, and would include areas for base- ball, football, basket ball, tennis, cricket, croquet, playfield for children, outdoor gymnasium, running track, swimming pool, and boating and skating on the brook, a concrete grand- stand and field houses, equipped with shower baths, lavatories, dressing rooms, lockers, etc. In the 1910 report a plan was published showing the proposed laying out.
An area owned by the city, and known as the Collins and Ham ledge property, located on Clarendon hill, near the Cambridge boundary line, might be developed in the future
286
ANNUAL REPORTS.
into a pretty pleasure park, similar in nature to the Powder House park; also the Holland street ledge property, owned by the city and situated in West Somerville, could be devel- oped in the future by laying out a portion of the area for streets and house lots, and the remainder for a children's playground.
There are a number of vacant lots in the city owned by private parties, large enough for the purpose of establishing recreation grounds and breathing spaces, which undoubtedly could be obtained for short-term leases by payment of the taxes to the owner of the property, and be of great benefit to a large number in the congested parts of the city.
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