USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1917 > Part 19
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654
$3,976.57
Heath street.
Bond street.
Edgar avenue.
390
2,044.13
Indiana avenue ..
Broadway
Pennsylvania avenue.
384
2,200.77
Leonard street ...
Broadway
P. H. Boulevard.
450
2,727.51
Vermont avenue.
Mystic avenue
Pennsylvania avenue.
433
2,503.83
* Waldo avenue.
Dimick street ..
Beacon street
277
2,124.05
West Adams street.
Conwell avenue.
Medford line.
710
4,128.03
Whitfield road ..
Packard avenue.
Curtis street
..
687
4,664.33
+Mountain avenue
Porter street
near Linden avenue
280
913.13
#Ware street ..
Curtis street
Russell road
749
1,400.00
Recording and Advertising new streets
Length in feet and cost.
5,014
$26,812.35
Above amount includes $96.20, paid in 1916, for advertising ..
96.20
$26,716.15
1
* Waldo avenue was constructed by the city, the others by contract.
Mountain avenue will be completed in 1918.
++ The final payment was made on Ware street in 1917.
257
STREET COMMISSIONER.
....
...
...
..
..
..
...
130.00
Streets Macadamized in 1917.
STREET.
FROM
To
MATERIAL.
LENGTH IN FEET.
COST.
Aldersey street.
at Vinal avenue
Bituminous macadam
25
$14.37
Benton road.
entire length
285
664.33
Burnside avenue ..
entire length.
720
1,885.96
Cedar street
Highland avenue ..
Broadway ..
2,290
7,033.10
Cedar street
Elm street.
Summer street
970
3,144.37
Concord avenue ..
Prospect street.
Beacon street
1,475
3,687.45
Dimick street.
entire length
957
2,720.68
Florence street.
Pearl street.
Washington street
825
2,563.54
Glen street.
Tufts street
Oliver street
690
2,202.81
Glen street.
Broadway
Pearl street ..
-
1,045
2,619.22
Hall avenue
entire length
Highland avenue ..
-
379
1,082.40
Medford street .
Highland avenue.
R. R. So. Division
-
267
717.92
Monmouth street North street
Conweil avenue
Fairfax street.
840
1,948.91
Otis street
entire length.
1,200
3,262.21
Pleasant avenue ..
entire length
543
1,162.16
Powder House Square
(special wearing surface)
Taric pavement .. Bituminous macadam
995
5,311.61
Rogers avenue
1,682
5,326.29
Russell street ..
entire length
700
1,764.56
Summer street
Willow avenue
Cutter square
860
2,569.49
Sycamore street
Medford street
Broadway
1,275
3,551.80
Temple street .
Derby street .
Mystic avenue
635
3,815.28
..
..
Carried forward
21,289
$64,532.74
ANNUAL REPORTS.
258
..
520
1,239.35
Hancock street.
Summer street
Knapp street.
entire length
1,185
4,325.14
Central avenue.
Westerly
926
1,919.79
Streets Macadamized in 1917 .- Continued.
STREET.
FROM
To
MATERIAL.
LENGTH IN FEET.
COST.
Brought forward. Bitnminons macadam
21,289
$64,532.74
Vinal avenue
Highland avenue.
Aldersey street
920
2,369.17
Webster street
Cross street
Glen street ..
485
1,250.24
*Meacham road.
Brick paving.
Orchard street
-
200
65.25
*Bond street
gutter, Heath street
Jagnes street.
Concrete
260
36.05
Bradley street
entire length
Bituminous macadam
762
1,718.54
Length in feet and cost.
23,916
$69,971.99
..
Average cost of bituminous macadam per square yard $0.96
* Meacham road is to be completed in 1918. Bond street was transferred to Permanent Pavement.
All the macadam pavement constructed during the year was laid by the highway department under specifications approved by the Massachusetts Highway Commission.
STREET COMMISSIONER.
259
260
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Highways Construction -. Permanent Pavement.
Permanent pavements were laid by the following named contractors :-
James H. Fannon, Somerville, Mass. "Vitrified" brick on a concrete base.
The Hassam Paving Company, Worcester, Mass. Re-cut granite blocks grouted on a concrete base.
Wm. J. Sullivan, Somerville, Mass.
Re-cut granite blocks grouted on a concrete base.
Independent Coal Tar Co., Boston, Mass.
"Taric Pavement" on a concrete base.
The City laid, on a concrete base, "Shawmut" brick, granite block and bituminous macadam.
Brick paving on a concrete base was laid at an average cost of $2.97 per square yard complete, where work was per- formed by contract, and bricks furnished by the city.
"Taric Pavement" on a concrete base was laid at an aver- age cost of $2.05 per square yard complete, where work was. performed by contract.
Re-cut granite blocks grouted on a concrete base were laid at an average cost of $2.35 per square yard where blocks were furnished by the city and cutting done by the contractor, on an uncompleted contract of 1916, and same type of work under contract of 1917, at an average cost of $2.52 per square yard.
"Bicomac Pavement" was completed contract of 1916, at. a price of $1.52 per square yard, where all excavation was per- formed by the city. Contract was let to the Simpson Brothers Corporation.
On all narrow streets where there are car tracks, paving should be done with granite paving blocks grouted on a con- crete base. With a few more years of permanent paving our main streets will be in a first class condition.
Streets paved with granite blocks . 5.01 miles
Streets paved with concrete
1.42 miles
Streets paved with asphaltic top 2.59 miles
Streets paved with brick 1.29 miles
Streets paved with Bicomac
0.77 miles
Streets paved with bitulithic . 0.06 miles
Streets paved with concrete base and bituminous top 5.98 miles
Total length of Permanent Pavement 17.12 miles Payments on 1916 contracts were made on the following. streets :-
Meacham road.
Union square.
Washington street.
Bow and Summer streets. Pearl street.
$58,411.16 was expended for Permanent Pavement.
Highways Construction - Permanent Pavement.
STREET.
MATERIAL.
FROM
SQUARE YARDS.
Union square and parts of Granite paving blocks grouted on a concrete adjoining streets .. base.
2,985.5
Broadway ..
Machine mixed bituminous top on a concrete base.
P. H. square
Teele square
4,014.4
Concord sq. and part of Newton street ....
Paving brick grouted on a concrete base Granite paving blocks grouted on a concrete base ..
Northerly side ..
234.6
Walnut street ....
Granite paving blocks grouted on a concrete base ..
Highland avenue.
Pearl street
2,152.5
Washington street ..
Recut granite paving blocks grouted on a concrete base
Union square
Medford street
5,082.0
Willow place
Granite paving blocks grouted on a concrete base ..
248.8
North street
Concrete gutter
Conwell avenue
City line.
187.7
Clarendon avenue
Concrete gutter
In front of city
Ledge property
120.0
Bond street ...
Concrete gutter
Heath street
Jaques street ..
107.2
Jaques street ..
Concrete gutter
Bond street
Fenwick street ...
32.8
Meacham road.
Paving brick grouted on a concrete base
Brick paving
Westerly
151.0
Total
16,974.8
STREET COMMISSIONER.
261
1,658.3
Harding street ...
262
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Sidewalks Construction.
I most respectfully recommend that the uncompleted por- tions of sidewalks on the main streets be completed.
Miles of edgestones, granolithic, brick and gravel side- walks in the city :-
Length of edgestones 142.998 miles
Gravel sidewalks . .
24.616 miles
Brick sidewalks .
71.629 miles
Granolithic sidewalks .
50.598 miles
The contract for granolithic sidewalks was let to Denis I. Crimmings, of Somerville, who furnished all material and did the excavation at $1.50 per square yard.
The city laid granolithic on Jaques street from Bond street to Fenwick street, and substituted granolithic for brick on Washington street from Webster avenue to Kingman road, and on Somerville avenue, Union square and Washington street in front of the property of St. Thomas' Episcopal Church, Somerville Union Hall Company, and the Phillip Eberle prop- erty.
Sidewalks Constructed, One-Half the Cost Being Assessed upon the Abutting Estates.
STREET.
SIDE.
FROM
To
FEET OF EDGESTONE.
YARDS OF GRANOLITHIC.
COST.
Albion street.
both sides
Lowell street.
Cedar street
1,760.4
$2,808.40
Ash avenne.
Easterly
Meacham street.
E. Albion street ..
377.2
589.97
Beacon street
Northeasterly
Concord avenue.
Washington street.
1,168.6
1,791.76
Bond street .
both sides
Heath street
Jaques street.
482.2
376.2
1,290.56
Clarendon avenne ..
Westerly
Boston avenne
No. 59 Clarendon avenue
540.0
366.0
1,296.73
Elm street ..
Northeasterly
Est. of Frank McDermott
245.0
367.50
Elm street ..
Southwesterly.
Est. 112-120
12.8
19.20
Fisk avenue
Southwesterly.
Est. No. 38.
67:8
105.03
Glen street ..
Easterly .
Est. No. 27 Tufts street ...
623.5
935.25
Glenwood road.
Southeasterly
Medford street
Vernon street.
93.2
145.10
Heath street
Southwesterly.
Bond street.
Fenwick street.
66.8
100.20
*Highland avenue ..
Southwesterly.
Porter street
Crocker street.
56.1
257.61
Jaques street.
Southwesterly.
Bond street ...
Fenwick street.
147.5
117.4
436.99
Knapp street ..
South westerly
School street.
Granite street ..
126.1
190.15
Kidder avenue.
Sonthwesterly
Highland avenne.
Pearson avenne
62.6
93.90
Medford street.
Southwesterly.
Highland road.
Walnut street.
450.7
737.19
Mystic avenue
Southwesterly.
Austin street.
Conn. avenue.
93.9
586.6
1.130.69
Nathan Tufts park. Southeasterly
Broadway
College avenue.
666.0
1,054.05
North street
Easterly
Conwell avenne.
Medford line.
845.0
554.8
1,900.70
75.5
133.51
P. H. Boulevard ... Northeasterly ..
Est. No. 197-203
197.7
344.44
P. H. Boulevard ... Southwesterly.
Burnham street.
Mason avenue
2,629.8
819.0
5,608.60
Carried forward.
5,189.1
8,770.6
$21,909.50
.
* Highland avenue was brick.
263
STREET COMMISSIONER.
Raymond avenne ... both sides
Curtis street
North street
259.5
434.27
Lowell street ....
Northwesterly
Est. No. 124-126
Highland avenue ....
Sonthwesterly
Somerville Trust Co.
91.8
137.70
Sidewalks Constructed, One-Half the Cost Being Assessed upon the Abutting Estates .- Continued.
STREET.
SIDE.
FROM
To
FEET OF EDGESTONE.
YARDS OF GRANOLITHIC.
COST.
Russell road
Southeasterly
Broadway
Brought forward. north of Ware street
5,189.1
8.770.6
$21,909.50
Union square.
at Ebele.block
403.0
736.35
Washington street .. Southerly ..
Webster avenue.
Kingman road
334.0
391.86
Walker street ...
both sides
Broadway .
Leonard street
273.0
415.80
Waterhouse street .. Northeasterly
Broadway
Woodstock street
584.7
891.42
Wheatland street ...
Northwesterly
Jaques street
Mystic avenue
539.3
852.64
William street
Est. No. 189-193
129.1
220.72
Willow avenue ..
Southeasterly
corner Lexington avenue ..
83.0
129.80
Medford street
Est. No. 501-505
111.9
168.85
Total
5,189.1
11,552.60
$26,205.53
264
ANNUAL REPORTS.
324.0
488.59
265
STREET COMMISSIONER.
Miscellaneous.
Special repairs were made on the following streets :- Summit avenue, entire length.
Hancock street, Highland avenue to Lexington avenue.
Porter street, Summer street to Carver street.
Wellington avenue, entire length.
Montgomery avenue, entire length.
Cross street (north), Broadway to Mystic avenue.
Grove street, Highland avenue to Winslow avenue.
Cutter avenue, entire length.
Morton street, entire length.
Knowlton street, entire length.
Banks street, entire length.
St. James avenue, Summer street to Elm street.
College avenue, Powder House boulevard to Professors' row.
Newton street, Prospect street to Joseph street.
Gilman street, Cross street to Aldrich street.
Driveways constructed, relocated, extended and discon- tinued at the expense of the petitioners cost $1,578.14.
Length of public streets, 83.846 miles.
Four horses were killed on account of their disability and one horse purchased during the year.
The department maintains its own municipal repair shop for the different lines of work.
I have attended meetings of the Public Works and of the different committees of the Board of Aldermen for consulta- tion regarding work and petitions.
A safety zone has been established in Union square and is greatly appreciated by pedestrians.
The subways under the Boston and Maine Railroad need constant attention and employees are assigned to care for the same.
Labor.
The regular employees were given two weeks' vacation and all employees, five months Saturday half holidays without loss of pay. At the last city election on a referendum the city em- ployees were given a Saturday half holiday the year round without loss of pay. Mayor Cliff increased the pay beginning in June to all employees. Laborers to receive $2.75 per day, drivers to receive $2.90 per day, steam roller engineers and mechanics $3.50 per day. Eight hours constitute a day's work.
The city does its own insuring for injured laborers. There are eleven former employees receiving pensions under the act providing for pensioning of laborers.
For the Appropriations and Expenditures of this depart- ment see the Auditor's report.
266
ANNUAL REPORTS.
There were during 1917 :-
162 permits issued to the Cambridge and Charlestown Gas Com- panies.
281 permits issued to occupy streets and sidewalks.
68 permits issued to cross sidewalks.
33 permits issued to feed horses.
36 street watering complaints and requests.
231 notifications to other departments and corporations. 38 accident reports.
961 police reports.
266 brick and granolithic sidewalks repaired.
420 miscellaneous reports and requests.
0 requests to care for moths.
351 poles and guards for trees.
68 drain layers' permits.
459 water department openings.
116 permits to open streets and sidewalks.
23 new signs erected.
39 danger signs erected.
63 signs repainted.
2,242 cubic yards sand and gravel used.
6,626 cubic yards dirt removed.
3,882 cubic yards old macadam used.
2,783 cubic yards of ashes used.
1,872 bags of Portland cement used.
Recommendations.
I most respectfully recommend :-
That traffic rules and regulations be established in our city.
That safety zones, as far as possible, be established in the several squares.
That the incomplete paving and sidewalks on the main streets be completed.
That the re-cut paving on Washington street be extended to Tufts street and from Union square on Somerville avenue to and including Metropolitan square.
The reservation on Broadway from Cross street to Boston line should be paved with granite paving blocks.
A "Topeka" top should be laid on the old Hassam con- crete paving on Medford street from School street to Lowell street and the brick paving in Magoun square be extended to Lowell street.
A garage should be erected at the city yard for the de- partment's automobiles and trucks, and a suitable heating plant installed to heat the several work shops, doing away with individual stoves, thus saving coal and labor as well.
I wish to extend my sincere thanks to all for their support and hearty co-operation.
Respectfully submitted,
ASA B. PRICHARD, Street Commissioner.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
OFFICE OF COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS, CITY HALL, Somerville, January 1, 1918.
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, 1917.
The total valuation of the public property which is in the custody of the public buildings department is $3,533,300. The total expenditure for the year 1917 for the care and maintenance of this property was $159,577.50.
This amount was expended as follows :-
Janitor service,
$46,379 45
Fuel and light,
57,955 82
Care and repairs,
55,242 23
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 1,290 formal inspections of buildings in the process of construction.
The following table shows the number of permits issued for building operations during the year 1917 :-
Buildings
1
2
3
4
5
6
7 Totals
Wood
30
48
5
19
33
11
54
200
Wood and Iron
1
2
3
Wood and Stucco
2
1
3
Wood and Cement
1
1
Wood and Concrete
1
1
Wood, Fireproof
1
1
3
2
2
9
Brick
3
6
5
2
16
Brick and Wood
1
1
1
3
Brick, Steel and Concrete
3
3
Brick and Concrete
2
1
1
1
5
Brick and Cement
1
2
3
Concrete
3
4
3
3
5
12
3C
Concrete, Wood and Steel Cement Block
4
4
10
2
8
3
28
59
Steel
1
1
Stucco
1
1
2
Galvanized Iron
1
1
Terra Cotta Tile
1
1
Totals
48
68
19
30
57
26
100
348
1
1
1
1
2
6
Brick and Steel
.
1
1
WARDS
268
ANNUAL REPORTS.
The total number of permits issued during the year 1917, viz., 348, was seventy-nine less than during the year 1916, when 427 permits for new buildings and alterations were issued.
The total estimated cost of the new buildings and alterations dur- ing the year 1917 was $883,412, while the estimated cost in 1916 was $1,498,932, showing a decrease of $615,520.
WARDS
Buildings
1
2
3
4
5
6
7 Totals
Dwellings
14
29
1 15
33
7 44 143
Stores
1
4
2
2
3
12
Dwellings and Stores
.
10
13
13
7
12
13
40
108
Stables
2
2
4
Stables and Garages
.
1
1
Shops
1
1
1
1
1
2
7
Sheds
2
6
1
4
2
2
17
Manufactories
5
3
1
2
2
4
17
Offices
1
1
2
Storage
4
6
1
1
3
3
18
Office and Storage
1
1
1
1
2
Foundation
1
1
Miscellaneous
3
1
1
1
6
Totals
48
68
19
30
57
26
100
348
Wood
Fire Resisting
Total
New Buildings
93
130
223
Alterations
107
18
125
Totals
200
148
348
The number of plumbing permits issued during the year 1917 was
301
Number of permits for plumbing in new buildings,
145
Number of permits for plumbing in old buildings,
156
Number of buildings in which soil pipes were tested,
229
4
1
1
ยท 1
1
8
Garages
.
-
-
This decrease can largely be attributed to the high cost of materials and to the fact that the available land for build- ing purposes 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 construc- tion of larger and better buildings will show a gradual increase each year. The figures this past year show a tendency in this direction, there being 125 permits issued for alterations against 119 in 1916.
The Commissioner 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 inspec- tion of the installation and care of all elevators, the supervision of the construction of all new municipal buildings, the mainte- nance 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
1
Station
1
Banks
269
COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
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 600 pupils. This has been accomplished by the completion of the fifteen room Junior High School in Ward Seven, known as the West Somerville Junior High.
Upon the completion of this Junior High School, it became necessary to make changes in the arrangement of 700 desks and seats in four school buildings 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 3.
Work was started on this building during October, 1917, and it is expected it will be ready for occupancy next Septem- ber.
The building is located on the lot adjoining the Bell School, situated on Vinal avenue, and is to contain twelve classrooms, which will accommodate 450 pupils.
The equipment will be modern in every respect. The heat- ing will be by the fan system automatically controlled. The sanitary system will include the required number of fixtures and there are to be in the building four rooms fitted up for in- struction in carpenter work, cooking and sewing. The stair- ways are to be absolutely fireproof and so located as to be pro- tected in the case of fire from all other sections of the building.
A new addition has been connected to the Boys' Vocation- al School which contains room for the instruction of machine shop work and the repair of automobiles.
The foundations, framing and roofing were done by con- tract and the school boys put on the clapboards and all the 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.
A new laboratory has been thoroughly equipped on the third floor of the High School filling a long needed want of the Chemistry Department.
A new flag-pole has been set up in front of the West Som- erville Junior High School which makes it possible to raise or
270
ANNUAL REPORTS.
lower the flag in any kind of weather beside removing the strain on the building. New poles have also been put up on the Bingham, Bennett and Lincoln School buildings to replace poles which were in a dangerous condition.
The entire school yard of the East Somerville Junior High School was covered with a concrete surface, also the yard of the Prescott School- was repaired and resurfaced.
Another large area in the rear of the Cutler School has been covered with a concrete surface.
At the Winter Hill Junior High School an assembly hall has been constructed during the past summer with a seating capacity of two hundred. New ventilating skylights have been put in the roof, making possible the opening of another room on the third floor. This room is to be used as a cooking-room, thus making it necessary to install a new sink and gas and wa- ter supply. Also a master clock system for ringing the program bell has been installed in this building. Eight additional rooms have been wired for electric lights and fixtures installed.
Six of our school buildings have been entirely repainted on the outside and in fact such necessary painting, repairs, al- terations and additions were made as the appropriations would permit.
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 school buildings 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 stair- ways.
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 the Edgerly and Highland School buildings.
The furnaces in the Girls' Trade School are in such a condition that provision must be made this year to replace same.
A connecting passageway should be installed between the East Somerville Junior High School and the Prescott School buildings as both these buildings are used as a Junior High School and the pupils are obliged to pass between the buildings many times a day.
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.
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.
271
COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
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.
There has been considerable work done and many improve- ments made in the several fire department buildings.
The Central Fire Station has been partially renovated inside owing to the removal of the Fire Alarm Department to the new building, and on account of the changing over of the stable to a machine shop. New sleeping quarters for the men and new recreation rooms were installed on the second and third floors. Considerable interior painting was done and seventeen new steel lockers have been installed.
Engine Two House has been thoroughly remodelled, the in- terior of the first story painted and a new shower bath and modern sanitary accommodations installed.
Hose Five Station has been equipped with a new shower bath and modern sanitary accommodations installed.
Ladder Two House has been thoroughly renovated. En- larged sleeping quarters for the men have been provided and also private rooms for the officers of the two companies occupy- ing this house. New shower baths and modern sanitary ac- commodations have been installed, and a new hot water heat- ing apparatus to supply the additional demand of the new bath room.
The most pressing needs for this year will be the follow-
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