USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1916 > Part 24
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29
803.2
1,502.94
*North street
Northwesterly
Broadway .
Powder House boulev'd
403.7
410.5
1,092.96
North street
Southeasterly
Broadway .
Powder House boulev'd
527.5
358.4
1,058.46
Pearson road
South westerly
Warner street
Old sidewalk
...
54.8
78.36
*Powder House blvd.
No. 189
No. 193
.. .
244.
442.83
*Powder House blvd.
No. 181
. ..
.
445.6
79.62
*Powder House blvd.
No. 183
46.3
80.62
*Powder House blvd.
No. 249
57.3
107.41
Powder House terrace.
Tufts park, Liberty ave.
Kidder avenue
576.7
832.31
Prospect street .
Southeasterly
Webster avenue .
Cambridge line
786.3
1,292.14
Simpson avenue
Northwesterly
Holland street
Broadway ·
.
. .. .
491.9
702.27
Simpson avenue .
Southeasterly
.
,
·
.
. . . .
597.7
873.40
Summer street .
Northeasterly
Porter street
Linden avenue
·
. . .
254.1
398.22
*Sycamore street .
.
Northwesterly
R. R.
Southwesterly
.. . .
173.9
248.68
Teele avenue
·
·
·
.
Mystic avenue
377.5
342.
1,165.59
Victoria street
Southeasterly
Broadway .
No. 54
·
.
...
28.1
40.18
Victoria street
.
.
.
Broadway . .
Woodstock street
.
. . .
614.2
878.31
Victoria street
North westerly ·
·
Estate No. 62-66 .
.
·
. . . .
67.8
96.95
Victoria street
Southeasterly ·
·
Woodstock street
Cambridge line .
64.1
91.66
Victoria street
.
Northwesterly ·
.
.
.
·
.
Highland road
Willow avenue .
393.1
576.08
Northeasterly
Est. of Barney Price
No. Union street
.
.
·
.
.
At Cutler School
.
.
...
...
.
.
Carried forward
.
1,664.6
15,391.8
$25,498.28
-
.
.
25.7
40.44
Southwesterly
Curtis street
Lot No. 12 .
Temple street
Southeasterly
Sydney street
.
·
.
492.3
703.99
.
.
.
*Not assessed.
316
ANNUAL REPORTS.
...
121.4
211.33
*Powder House blvd.
Easterly and westerly
·
Broadway .
.
.
.
.
Southeasterly
Estate No. 82
Holland street
. .
Morrison avenue
Northeasterly
SIDEWALKS CONSTRUCTED WHERE THE MATERIALS WERE FURNISHED BY THE CITY AND ONE-HALF THE COST WAS ASSESSED UPON THE ABUTTING ESTATES .- Concluded.
STREET.
SIDE.
FROM
To
FEET OF EDGESTONE.
YARDS OF GRANOLITHIC.
COST.
Brought forward
1,664.6
15,391.8
$25,498.28
Washington street
·
Southerly Southeasterly
Estate No. 80 .
.
. .
34.7
61.85
Waterhouse street
.
· .
.
·
... .
589.5
842.99
Wheatland street .
.
Southeasterly
Mystic avenue
Jaques street
559.3
809.15
Willoughby street
Southwesterly
Sycamore street
Old sidewalk
·
.
. .
161.
259.93
Yorktown street
·
Abatement to John La Chane
.
.
.
.
. .
.
10.29
Total
1,664.6
16,736.3
$27,482.49
.
Broadway .
Woodstock street
·
.
STREET COMMISSIONER.
317
318
ANNUAL REPORTS.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Special repairs were made on the following streets :-- Stone avenue.
Washington street (Beacon street to Cambridge line).
Glen street (Broadway to Brook street).
Somerville avenue (Oak square to Cambridge line).
Cross street (Railroad bridge to Central square).
Broadway (at Alewife Brook parkway).
Joy street. Park avenue.
Hall avenue.
Grove street at railroad.
Street openings were made at :--
Smith avenue at Line street.
Carter terrace at Summer street.
Magnus avenue at Washington street.
Driveways were constructed at the expense of the peti- tioners for :-
Lester C. Evans, 21 Claremon street.
A. L. Blondel, 82 Pearson avenue.
Judson. B. Young. 50 Putnam street.
M. P. Gustin, 80 Benton road.
R. M. Rice, 33 Claremon street.
Gilmore H. Small, 16 Conwell avenue.
R. J. Elliot, 78 Liberty avenue.
L. J. Smith, 262 Willow avenue.
Sarah J. Steeves, 33 Cherry street.
Elmer S. Stack, 43 Hall avenue.
Joseph W. Lowell, 264 Willow avenue.
F. H. Newton Co., 2 on Elmwood street and 1 on Cameron avenue. Frank W. Spear, Hamlet street.
John F. McTiernan, 51 Concord avenue.
Michael D. Bingham, 50 Pearl street (Florence street).
H. A. Oliver, 242 Willow avenue.
F. M. Drinkwater, Victoria street.
Mrs. Henry Hill, 315 Summer street.
Frank Larracey, 15 Morrison avenue (Boston avenue).
Louis Quazzaloca, 589 Somerville avenue.
Niles Nelson, 95 Temple street.
Dora C. Towle. 19 Cutter avenue (Hawthorne street).
G. E. Hobbs, 27 St. James avenue.
T. C. Cunningham, 22 Hancock street.
F. A. Teele, Guild Hall, Berkeley street.
1
Wickham and Row, 12 and 16 Garfield avenue.
A. J. Evenson, 114 Prospect street.
Nathan Robinson, 118 and 120 Prospect street.
Alice N. Smith, 2 driveways Oliver street near Glen street.
Alexander Small, 32 Franklin street.
M. Louise Ober Pride, 9 Browning road.
Louis B. Cadario, 79 Grant street. Mansur Byam, 10 Josephine avenue.
Mrs. Julia Adams, 23 Rhode Island avenue.
Mrs. E. S. Simonds, 38 Robinson street.
John H. Mullen, 20 Willow avenue. Emil Zacharian, 102 Electric avenue.
George T. Hunter. 77 Bay State avenue.
A. C. Michie, 183 Highland avenue.
Edward L. Morrison, 97 Rogers avenue.
319
STREET COMMISSIONER.
Z. W. Weisz, 27 Ossipee road.
Arthur D. Raymond, Albion street near Lowell street.
Edgar R. Lyle, 37 Lowden avenue.
Charles Berry, 109 Jaques street. Conceizio Liberatore, 95 Jaques street.
E. F. DeWitt, 15 Day street. Ethel A. Welsch. 49 Bromfield road.
Vincent Preziuso, 40 Adams street.
William F. Burns, 19 Illinois avenue.
Florence Williams, 32 Fosket street.
Nellie M. Perry, 9 Moore street.
Frank L. Sibley, 48 Tennyson street. 1
North Shore Express, Myrtle street.
Peter Forg Manufacturing Co., 16 Vine street.
Charles G. McGlone, 50 Conwell avenue.
H. A. Walker, 464 Broadway.
Thomas C. Griffiths, 39 Ames street.
Ezra Andelman, 109 Prospect street.
Sarah E. Hemenway, 145 Perkins street.
Youlden, Smith & Hopkins, 85 Washington street.
Driveway discontinued :-
Samuel Berkowitz, 307 Broadway.
Length of public streets . 83.041 miles
The department does its own painting, carpentering, black- smithing, horseshoeing and harness repairing at the city stables, maintaining shops for the different lines of work.
Seven horses were killed and one died during the year.
I have attended meetings of the different committees of the Board of Alderinen for consultation regarding work and pe- titions.
The employees had two weeks' vacation and five months' Saturday half holidays without loss of pay. The city does its own insurance for injured laborers and accepted the act provid- ing for pensioning of laborers.
There were during 1916 :-
202 permits issued to the Cambridge and Charlestown Gas Companies.
290 permits issued to occupy streets and sidewalks.
93 permits issued to cross sidewalks.
11 permits issued to feed horses.
37 streets watering complaints and requests.
241 notifications to other departments and corporations. 35 accident reports.
1,073 police reports. 202 brick and granolithic sidewalks repaired.
299 miscellaneous reports and requests. 0 requests to care for moths.
303 poles and guards for trees.
159 drain layers' permits. 1 557 water department openings.
3,180 loads of ice and snow removed.
150 permits to open streets and sidewalks. 30 new signs erected.
38 danger signs erected,
66 signs re-painted,
320
ANNUAL REPORTS.
2,134 cubic yards sand and gravel used.
9,794 cubic yards dirt removed.
10,186 cubic yards scarifying removed from streets.
3,557 cubic yards old macadam used.
3,091 cubic yards of ashes used.
8,776 bags of Portland cement used.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
I most respectfully recommend :-
That traffic rules and regulations be established the com- ing year.
That all the uncompleted paving on the main streets be completed.
Newton street and Concord avenue from Webster avenue to Springfield street be paved with granite paving blocks, grouted on a concrete base.
Gasoline and kerosene storage tanks, with a suitable fire- proof building over the same, be erected at the city stable lot.
I wish to extend my sincere thanks to all for their support and hearty co-operation.
Respectfully submitted, ASA B. PRICHARD, · Street Commissioner.
1
REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
OFFICE OF COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS, 1
CITY HALL, SOMERVILLE, January 1, 1917.
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 subinit herewith the annual report of the public buildings department for the year ending December 31, 1916.
The total valuation of the public property which is in the custody of the public buildings department is $2,575,112.66.
The total expenditure for the year 1916 for the care and maintenance of this property was $129,518.66.
This amount was expended as follows :-
Janitor service
$41,369 74
Fuel and light
43,816 46
Care and repairs
44,332 46
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 1,580 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 1916 :-
WARDS.
Buildings.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Totals.
Dwellings
23
17
11
26
22
93
192
Stores
2
3
3
1
3
2
4
18
Dwelling & Stores
1
2
3
Bank and Stores .
Stables
2
8
1
3
14
Shops
1
2
1
3
2
11
Garages
17
4
6
15
15
22
56
135
Offices
2
1
2
1
6
Storage
6
5
3
3
2
19
Churches
2
2
4
Foundations
2
3
5
Miscellaneous .
5
4
1
1
1
1
2
15
Totals
62
48
29
20
49
57
162
427
1
1
4
Manufactories
4
1
1
322
ANNUAL REPORTS.
The following table shows the number of permits issued for fire-resisting buildings during the year 1916. This is an increase of fifty more than last year or an increase of thirty- four per cent. in relation to the number of permits of this kind issued.
Buildings.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Totals.
Brick
4
5
2
2
7
4
24
Cement
10
2
6
13
6
13
42
92
Concrete
5
3
2
7
6
7
30
Stucco
1
1
1
1
1
Brick and Wood
1
2
1
3
Brick and Cement .
3
2
5
Brick and Stone
2
2
Steel and Wood
3
1
1
5
Stucco and Wood
10
3
1
6
20
Galv. Iron and Wood
1
1
1
1
Wood, Fireproofed
2
1
1
4
Terra Cotta and Wood
1
Totals
37
14
15
17
21
27
65
196
Wood.
Fire Resisting.
Total.
New buildings
131
177
Alterations
100
19
308 119
Totals
231
196
427
The number of plumbing permits issued during the year 1916 was 373
Permits for plumbing in new buildings . . Permits for plumbing in old buildings . 175
198
Number of buildings in which soil pipes were tested . 346
The total number of permits issued during the year 1916, viz., 427, was fifty-three less than during the year 1915, when 480 permits for new buildings and alterations were issued.
The total estimated cost of the new buildings and altera- tions during the year 1916 was $1,498,932, while the cost in 1915 was $1,854,236, showing a decrease of $355,304. This de- crease can largely be attributed to the high cost of materials
1
Terra Cotta
2
Steel
3
Brick and Concrete
2
2
Concrete and Wood
1
WARDS.
323
COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
and to the fact that the available land for building construc- tion in our city is decreasing very rapidly, and this department expects that in the future the number of permits issued for alterations and for the tearing down and construction of larger and better buildings will show a gradual increase each year. The figures this past year show a tendency in this di- rection, there being 119 permits issued for alterations against eighty-six in 1915.
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 build- ings, the maintenance of the public bathing beach and the public municipal baths in the Bennett and Bingham Schools and Lincoln Park.
The various activities in connection with the department work require a vast amount of time and attention in order to keep the property in proper condition for occupancy.
School Buildings.
The maintenance and care of the school buildings has as formerly demanded the most vigilant attention from this de- partment and the appropriation made for that purpose has, I believe, been expended carefully and judiciously.
Additional Accommodations.
During the year provision has been made for additional seating capacity in the schools for 434 pupils. This has been accomplished by the completion of the nine-room Junior High School in Ward 1, known as the Prescott School Annex.
Owing to the formation of a Junior High School system it became necessary to make changes in the arrangement of 1,228 desks and seats in seven schools at a considerable outlay of time and money.
The contract has been let and the work started on a new Junior High School in Ward 7.
Work was started on this building during August, 1916, and it will be ready for occupancy next September.
The building is located on the "old ledge lot," situated on Holland street, and is to contain fifteen classrooms, which will accommodate 600 pupils.
The equipment will be modern in every respect. The heating will be by the fan system automatically controlled. The sanitary system will include the required number of fix- tures and there is to be in the basement four rooms fitted up
324
ANNUAL REPORTS.
for instruction in machine shop work, carpenter work, cook- ing and sewing. The end stairways are to be absolutely fire- proof and so located as to be protected in the case of fire from all other sections of the building.
A new addition has been started at the Boys' Vocational School which should be completed by next fall.
This addition is attached to the present building and will contain a large machine shop and tool room and a room for the repairing of automobiles.
The foundations, framing and roofing were done by con- tract and the school boys are to put on the clapboards and any finish on the inside.
It will be necessary the coming year to install a new heating system, furnish new equipment, and fix up the grounds around these two buildings.
At the Brown and Burns School buildings new assembly halls have been constructed during the past summer with a seating capacity of 200 in each to the great appreciation of the respective principals and the inhabitants of these locali- ties.
The concrete yards of ten school buildings have been re- newed or repaired in various parts of the city.
Three of our school buildings were entirely repainted on the outside and in fact such necessary painting, repairs, al- terations and additions were made as the appropriation would permit.
New sprinkler systems were installed in the basements of the Cummings and Burns Schools during the past summer and two new heaters were installed in the Cummings School.
The most pressing needs this year will be the following :---
That the policy of yard resurfacing be continued so that the school yards may be kept sanitary and free from dust.
That the policy of painting as many schools as possible during the year be continued.
Additional windows in the Edgerly School.
Electric lighting in all buildings with one side lighted rooms.
Outside enclosed fire escapes on the Edgerly, Morse and High- land School buildings. These buildings are three stories high and the old style type of construction with very little distance between stairways.
New heating and ventilating plant in the Morse School, doing away with the present seven furnaces which are in bad condition.
New floors should be installed in both Edgerly and Highland Schools.
New heating and ventilating plant in the Boys' and Girls' Voca- tional Schools as the old furnaces are cracked and in fact worn out and the gas leaks badly.
The installation of electric program clocks in the Junior High Schools.
Installing direct steam coils thermostatically controlled in the new wing of the Brown School. also the Glines and Pope Schools and the High School Annex. This would mean a great saving of coal and would eventually pay for itself.
325
COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
Extending the heat control system in the High School to the re- mainder of the building.
The third story of the Pope School to be fitted up for a hall.
Installing a motor and doing away with the present engine used to run the ventilating fan at the Bell School as this engine is in bad shape and would cost as much to be repaired as a new motor.
Removing the partitions between the fire rooms and coal bins in the Bingham, Durell, Morse and Highland School buildings and the central heating plant and replacing same with an eight-inch brick wall.
Continuation of the policy of installing sprinkler systems, doing as many buildings as possible during the coming year.
Fire Department Buildings.
The new fire alarm building, the construction of which was started in 1915, was completed this fall at a cost of $38,- 246.18, and this building is soon to be dedicated and opened for service. It is a beautifully equipped building of its kind and it would well repay any of our citizens to visit it.
Upon the completion of the fire alarm building; the old apparatus was removed from the Central fire station. This leaves a large amount of work to be done to fix up the rooms thus made available for drill and recreation purposes.
The most pressing needs for this year will be the follow- ing :-
Engine Two, improved sanitary accommodations.
Hose Eight, improved sanitary accommodations.
Ladder Two. improved sanitary accommodations.
Hose Five, improved sanitary accommodations.
Municipal Buildings.
The municipal building's consisting of City Hall and City Hall Annex 'are in good condition generally. It will be nec- essary, however, to remodel the men's toilet on the first floor. Several of the department offices should be renovated by wall and ceiling painting and new floor coverings.
At the present time the Mayor's office is being refinished and the aldermanic chamber is being equipped with new desks for the president of the Board of Aldermen, city clerk and city messenger.
During the past year the vault in the auditor's office was remodeled and a new safe furnished the clerk of committees office.
Some new furniture and metal filing cabinets were pur- chased for the different departments and all necessary repairs made.
Libraries.
The Central Library and its branches are well provided for except the Union Square Branch, which is being extended into the quarters formerly occupied by the Boys' Club. This additional space properly fitted up will provide additional
326
ANNUAL REPORTS.
room which is much needed and I know will be greatly appre- ciated.
The roof of the West Somerville Branch needs extensive repairing and the building needs repainting.
The contract for the construction of a new East Somer- ville Branch Library has been awarded and the work is to be started as soon as the weather will permit.
Water, Highway and Refuse Buildings.
Quite extensive repairs have been made to the water buildings by the installation of additional heating apparatus, the repairing of doors, repainting, etc., while the highway, refuse and incinerator buildings and fences have had the nec- essary repairs made as far as the appropriation would permit.
There are quite a few alterations and repairs necessary to be made on these buildings this year.
Hospital Buildings.
The hospital buildings were quite extensively renovated during 1915 and only such repairs were made during 1916 as were necessary.
This year the roof of the Tuberculosis Camp needs repair- ing, also new screens are needed here.
City Home Buildings.
The most important work at the City Home buildings during the year was the thorough installation of a wet sprink- ler system through the home and hospital and the reconstruc- tion of that portion of the stable occupied by the horses and cows, which is now in a thoroughly sanitary condition.
These buildings are now in good condition with the ex- ception of the fence along North street and the Boulevard, and a few alterations to be made to the heating system.
Police Buildings.
The yard or drive around the police buildings has been relaid with tarvia bound macadam, the court room refinished throughout and a few other minor repairs made. However, the interior and exterior need repairing and repainting and a new heating apparatus is badly needed in the stable.
Bathhouse.
The bathhouse and bathing beach have been operated during the past season and were as popular an attraction as in the preceding years.
The expense of maintenance was kept as low as possible owing to the fact that a new and more commodious bath- house is being constructed on another location, and I feel sure
324
COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
that this new building together with its increased bathing facilities will prove to be a very popular institution.
A considerable appropriation will be needed, however, to construct a suitable beach this coming spring and also to equip the building.
Park Buildings.
There has been an addition made to the shower bath facilities at the Lincoln Park building which has doubled the efficiency there.
The other park buildings have been kept in repair.
The new building at the Somerville Recreation Field was to have been started early in December, but the weather inter- fered. The work will be started, however, as soon as the frost leaves the ground.
This appropriation will need an additional amount in or- der to complete the contemplated project.
In General.
The Commissioner of Public Buildings has had the co- operation of all branches of the City Government, including his honor, the Mayor, the honorable members of the Board of Aldermen and all the city officials, and desires to thank them for their kindly consideration.
Respectfully submitted, GEORGE L. DUDLEY, Commissioner of Public Buildings.
-
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF ELECTRIC LINES AND LIGHTS.
OFFICE OF COMMISSIONER OF ELECTRIC LINES AND LIGHTS,
January 1, 1917.
To the Honorable, the Mayor, and the Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville :---
Gentlemen,-I most respectfully submit my eighth an- nual report as Commissioner of Electric Lines and Lights for the year ending December 31, 1916.
Inspection of Wiring in Buildings.
The number of inspections of electrical work in buildings is greater than any previous year owing to the general demand for electric current for light, heat and power.
Electric ranges, motors, lights, etc., are used more than formerly and constant supervision of new wiring is neces- sary to ensure a proper installation of such electrical equip- ment and to guard against possible danger to life and prop- erty.
The state license law has helped to some extent to im- prove construction as no one but a licensed man can install electric wires for light, heat or power in a building.
After such wiring or equipment has been installed an in- spection is made, and if the rules governing such installations are complied with, permission is given the electric company supplying current to connect its wires to the building and in- stall meters.
The danger from fire and liability of accidents to per .- sons is thereby reduced to a minimum and every one having electrical work done should insist that it is inspected and ap- proved before accepting the same.
Considerable delay and annoyance can be avoided if at- tention is paid to this rule and having only experienced men do the work, and a satisfactory and safe installation is the result.
Number of notifications of new work 1,278
Number of inspections of new work . 1,278
Number of re-inspections of new work 2,535
Number of inspections of old work
140
Number of defective installations of old work 10
Number of defective installations remedied 10
Number of re-inspections of old work
19
Total number of inspections . 3,972
Number of permits issued to the Edison Electric
Illuminating Company for installing meters, lamps,
etc.
1,888
Fire Alarm System.
The new fire alarm central office equipment which has been purchased is being installed in a new fireproof building
329
COMMISSIONER OF ELECTRIC LINES AND LIGHTS.
built for the fire alarm headquarters and will be in operation very soon.
This central office is the latest and best that can be had and will be a credit to the city.
The alarms will be sent out on tappers in the different fire stations at much faster time than before and then will be sent out on the outside bells at the present time.
A branch telephone exchange is being installed whereby all telephone calls for fire are received and duly transmitted to the different fire houses.
Operators will be on duty day and night and will handle all fire alarms and telephone calls.
This central office is in line with the recommendations of the underwriters and should be a help towards reducing the insurance rates.
The present fire alarm system consists of the following :-
128 signal boxes, one eight-circuit automatic repeater, eight tower strikers, thirty-nine gongs, nine punch registers, forty-three tappers, one automatic steam whistle, twelve private telephones, 530 cells of storage batteries, about 132 miles of overhead wires and 65,761 feet of underground cable.
There has been run 25,200 feet of new overhead wire and 2,300 feet of old has been removed.
2.440 feet of lead-covered cable have been placed under- ground on Cedar street, Elm street and Prospect Hill avenue, and preparations made to remove overhead wires in Walnut street, Bow street and Union square, and place same underground.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.