USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1921 > Part 18
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At its meeting on December 16, the Commission voted to make the recommendations given below. Some of these can be made without expenditure of money while the others will cost little compared with the benefits derivable therefrom.
The Commission recommends that the Kent Street Play- ground be enlarged by the inclusion therein of the roadway of Kent Street. This roadway is now practically waste land as there is very little need for its use by vehicles. A right of way over the playground for pedestrians would preserve the bene- fits of a short-cut from Somerville Avenue to the subway. This change would add materially to the size of this playground, thereby increasing greatly its value to the neighborhood. As this park furnishes the only open space for the children and the adults of this densely populated section, any improvement of the playground conditions would be beneficial.
The Commission recommends that the "ledge lot," so- called, the site of the Western Junior High School, be improved with a view to its use for sports and games. There is space enough here to furnish a ball field which could be used for baseball or football and to furnish room for tennis and other smaller games. The Commission goes on record as opposing the building of a roadway or sidewalk through this area in such a way as to interfere with the uses just named. A
263
RECREATION AND PLAYGROUND COMMISSION
sidewalk along the westerly borders of this field, however, would be unobjectionable.
The Commission also recommends that Dilboy Field be improved in accordance with the plans prepared by the En- gineering Department, and that a suitable recreation house be erected.
There are other projects for the benefit of the public. which the Commission has considered and which it would like to have put into effect but as its work is completed with this re- port, it does not deem it appropriate to enlarge upon such plans for the future. The Commission believes that in view of the present state of public interest in this work there will be no retrogression but that there will be a forward movement which will have for its purpose the improving of all the recreational facilities under the control of the City Government.
Respectfully submitted, CHARLES S. CLARK,
Supt. of Schools, Chairman. MRS. A. H. WEEKS,
MRS. CHARLES E. MONGAN, ERNEST W. BAILEY, City Engineer,
J. FOSTER COLQUHOUN, City Warden, GEORGE L. DUDLEY,
Commissioner of Pub- lic Buildings, Secretary.
264
ANNUAL REPORTS.
REPORT OF SOMERVILLE PLANNING BOARD.
December 31, 1921.
To His Honor, the Mayor, and Board of Aldermen. Gentlemen :
As required by the provision of Chapter 494 of the Acts of 1913 the Planning Board herewith submits its annual report together with recommendation, for the year 1921.
The personnel and organization of the Board have been the same since the preceding year, and the vacancy then exist- ing still remains unfilled.
The several subjects considered in this report have been arranged in the same general manner as followed in previous reports of the Board, with the addition of new subjects not treated heretofore.
Fire Protection.
The Planning Board has recommended the establishment of Fire Districts in its reports for the years 1915, 1916, 1917, 1918, 1919, 1920 and again calls attention to the need for the establishment of Fire Districts by ordinance of the City Gov- ernment. Unless a start is made in this direction before build- ing operations begin again, it will be very difficult, if not practically impossible to establish Fire Districts in or about the public squares of the city.
Steps should be taken without delay to prevent the erec- tion of any more wooden buildings on the land adjoining the several public squares of our city.
The Board is well aware of the difficulties to be overcome, and that successive Boards of Aldermen have considered the subject, but believes the time opportune for action by the present city government-
The Board therefore recommends that the subject of Fire Districts receive careful consideration by the present city government, and hopes that some definite action be taken by the Board of Aldermen.
Public Parks and Playgrounds.
The Board again respectfully suggests that the land used as a playground in Ward Five and known as "Richard Trum Playground" be laid out as a public park, in order to provide a permanent playground for the people of that section of our city. It is also necessary that the playground be provided with
265
PLANNING BOARD.
a locker building, similar to the one in Lincoln Park, for the convenience of those who use the park for recreation and amusement. At present it is necessary to use the City Stables, which is a very unsatisfactory arrangement.
The Board also recommends that small playgrounds be established in different parts of the city for the exclusive use of small children.
Although the Board has called attention to the necessity of beautifying the only bathing beach in our city, no improve- ments of any importance have been undertaken. The beach still needs to be cleared of mud, and some sand should be dumped there, in order to make it possible for the people who use the beach to do so in comfort. This improvement should not be very expensive, and is needed beyond any reason- able doubt.
Bridge Street Widening.
The Board has recommended in its reports for the past five years that the city government should take some action tending toward the widening of Bridge Street.
Bridge Street is one of the chief highways leading to Somerville, and has been the scene of many accidents result- ing in the congestion of the street car traffic, as well as automobiles and teams. It is the only exit and entrance for the main line of street cars running on Highland Avenue and Somerville Avenue. It is barely thirty feet wide, and should be at least one hundred feet wide to properly care for the heavy traffic going over it every day. Now is the time to widen it before the old dilapidated buildings are town down, and replaced with new structures. If the City of Cambridge is unable to co-operate, resort should be had to the Legislature for a remedy.
Clean-up Week.
The Board recommends that the city government set apart a week to be known as "Clean up and Paint up Week," as has been- the custom in previous years.
Survey of City.
The Board is of the opinion that it is desirable that a general survey of the city be made for the purpose of classifying the various kinds of industrial enterprises, and their location, also the location of desirable industrial sites. This survey would also show the various parks, public buildings, and purely residential districts of the city.
266
ANNUAL REPORTS.
The Board therefore recommends that a sufficient sum be appropriated for the use of the Planning Board to enable it to carry out this plan. The value of a survey of this nature cannot be over estimated.
Bill Boards.
The attention of the city government is directed to Chapter 545 of the Acts of 1920, which provides for the regula- tion of advertising signs and devices on public ways.
The enforcement of this law will do much to cure the bill board evil, and in all cases where a bill board may be con- sidered a nusiance a hearing may be had before the Department of Public Works on the question of its removal. The removal rests solely in the discretion of the Department of Public Works.
Zoning.
On June 4, 1920 an Act was passed by the Legislature of the Commonwealth, which appears in the Acts of 1920 as Chapter 601, entitled "An Act to authorize cities and towns to limit buildings according to their use and construction to specified districts." The zoning movement is one which has spread rapidly throughout the country, and has been put into practice in Cambridge, and is also in effect in some parts of Brookline, and in over forty important cities of our country, including the large cities of New York, Washington and Mil- waukee.
The constitutionality of the law has been decided by the Supreme Court, and the Planning Board is of the opinion that this year's city government should do something to work out a zoning plan in the City of Somerville, under the direction of the Planning Board.
The old motto "A place for everything and everything in its place" should be made to apply to buildings erected within the city limits. In many instances citizens have bought houses for homes, only to find within a few short years, a factory or a business block erected next to their dwelling house, greatly depreciating its value, and spoiling its use as a home. To correct a wrong such as this the zoning law was passed by the Legislature.
The Board recommends that a zoning ordinance be draft- ed by the Board of Aldermen, after due consideration, and public hearings, in order to determine what is best in the mat- ter of zoning for a city of the size of Somerville.
The Board is of the opinion that a great improvement can be made by setting off some districts for residential pur-
267
PLANNING BOARD.
poses exclusively, and other districts for mixed business and residential purposes, until such time as the character of the district changes. The Board also believes that some districts should be unrestricted because circumstances may exist in certain districts at the present time that would make it im- possible to work out a satisfactory restriction.
The real object of the zoning system is that it seeks to create permanent residential districts. Then if a person pur- chases a house in such a district, he will be protected by law from the encroachment of business blocks or factories.
The zoning system would also take care of a matter which is continually coming before the city government for action, and that is, the question of the advisability of allowing a license for a public garage. The Board is of the opinion that public garages should be restricted to certain districts, and not allowed to be erected in a purely residential district.
The Board is also of the opinion that the zoning system, if adopted, would protect the finances of the City, by preventing rapid depreciation in residential real estate values, which inevitably follows a change in the character of the neighbor- hood caused by the erection of public garages, or any other building of a business nature. The Board believes that it would be for the benefit of various business enterprises to be in a certain district, and would have the effect of increasing the value of real estate for business purposes.
This is a matter which deserves serious consideration, and should not be acted on hastily. Therefore the Planning Board respectfully requests that the Board of Aldermen au- thorize it to submit a zoning plan to be used as a basis for discussion, in order to arrive at a satisfactory arrangement of our city. The proposal of the plan can do no harm, and will at least raise the question of the advisability of adopting a plan for the arrangement of restricted districts in our city.
Appropriation.
The sum of Fifty dollars was appropriated for the Plan- ning Board for the year 1921. The Board realizes that the city government is desirous of being economical with the tax payer's money, but respectfully calls the attention of Your Honor, and Members of the Board of Aldermen to the fact that it is impossible for the Planning Board to attempt to draw up plans, or draft ordinances such as a Planning Board should do, in order to be helpful to the city government, unless the Planning Board receives a sufficient appropriation to en- able it to at least make a start on these various projects.
268
ANNUAL REPORTS.
The Board is anxious and always has been willing to give its time free to the city, but believes that the city government should be more generous in its appropriation. In looking over reports received by the Board from various city and town Planning Boards, the Board is unable to find but one or two instances where towns nowhere near the size of Somerville have appropriated the sum of $50. In practically all cases the appropriation has been at least $200.00 up to $2000. What- ever sum of money is appropriated by the city government, the Board wishes to assure Your Honor, and Board of Aldermen, that it will not be wasted, but will be used to formulate various plans, and collect information which will be of great value to the city, and to the business men of the city. The work of the Planning Board is a work for the future. The results obtained we believe will be for the advantage of all citizens, and whatever sum is appropriated will be carefully used.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM F. RILEY, Chairman PAUL R. VALENTINE GEORGE J. RAUH DAVID J. KELLEY, Secretary
269
CITY ENGINEER.
REPORT OF THE CITY ENGINEER.
OFFICE OF THE CITY ENGINEER,
CITY HALL, SOMERVILLE, January 19, 1922.
To His Honor, the Mayor, and the Board of Aldermen :-
Gentlemen, - In accordance with the city ordinances, the following report of the work done and expense incurred for the year ending December 31, 1921, by the Engineering Depart- ment and appropriations under my charge and supervision, in- cluding the accounts of city engineer, sewers construction, sewers maintenance, parks maintenance, playgrounds main- tenance, and other public works, is herewith presented :- my twenty-sixth annual report as city engineer.
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT.
In previous reports the general work, charter require- ments and city ordinances relating to the duties of the city engineer have been fully described - he shall be consulted in relation to public improvements of every kind when the advice of a civil engineer would be of service - and no pipes, conduits, railway tracks, poles or other structures shall be placed be- neath or upon the city streets unless a plan showing proposed location threof has first been approved by the city engineer.
On account of the excessive cost very little new construc- tion work has been attempted, the greater part of the work done, being for repairs and maintenance in the various divi- sions.
Divisions
Appropriations and Credits Expenditures Balances
City Engineer
$14,545 00
$230 00
$14,771 07
$3 93
Parks Maintenance
10,950 00
200 00
11,149 59
41
Playgrounds Maint.
11,650 00
368 88
12,018 82
06
Sewers Maintenance
23,930 00
120 81
24,050 59
22
Sewers Construction
5,555 62
130 04
5,643 19
42 47
Stock Account
786 28
363 63
422 65
$67,996 89
(Expenditures in the various divisions are shown in detail in the City Auditor's annual report).
CITY ENGINEER DIVISION, CLASSIFICATION OF EXPENSES, 1921.
Sewers and Storm Drains, - comprising surveys, es- timates, profiles, lines, grades, titles, plans, assess- ments, all engineering work relating to same and supervision
$895 24
270
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Highways, - comprising plans, estimates, titles, profiles, lines and grades, inspection of paving and all other engineering work relating to the department · Sidewalks, - comprising profiles, lines, grades, measure- ments, inspection, titles, costs and assessments · Water Works, - comprising lines, grades, locations of mains, gates, hydrants, services and other matters relating to the department . Parks and Playgrounds, - comprising surveys, plans, es- timates, profiles, and grades, including laying out of parks, playgrounds, boulevard and supervision · Public Buildings, - comprising surveys, estimates, lines and grades, and other work relating to constructing and laying out of grounds .
1,751 50
423 85
611 42
236 99
Street Numbering, - comprising locations of buildings, plans, assigning street numbers, etc. 233 22
Street Lines and Grades, r comprising establishing of lines, grades, and miscellaneous data given parties for build- ing and grading
222 49
Bridges and Grade Crossings, - comprising surveys, plans, profiles, estimates, lines and grades, etc. 117 97
City Survey, - comprising establishing of street lines, acceptance plans, and miscellaneous survey work for city map, etc.
950 01
Middlesex Registry and Land Court, - comprising copy- ·
ing of plans, and abstracts from deeds and examina- tion of titles filed at East Cambridge, also tracing of street acceptance and sewer taking plans filed for record
114 09
Private Corporations, Railway, Telephone, Electric Light and Gas Light Companies, - comprising grades, plans, profiles and office notes, locations of poles and con- duits
49 71
Setting Stone Bounds and Brass Rods, - defining street lines and city boundary lines .
78 40
Miscellaneous Work, - comprising preliminary surveys, designs, sketches, etc., relating to various schemes
for committees 131 63
Holidays, Vacations and Sickness 1,268 38
National Guard Duty 65 00
General Departmental expenses (all divisions) - compris- ing city engineer's salary, auto, telephone, car fares, postage and incidentals
5,775 93
Total
.
$14,771 07
Value of field instruments, tools and office instruments, $1,500.00
The total cost of maintaining the Engineer's Division since it was established, 1872-1921, both years inclusive, has amounted to $424,861.00.
Six assistants have been employed the entire year, on engineering work.
1,797 99
Office Work, - comprising record of all locations, index- ing, typewriting, bookkeeping, calculations, reports, and general draughting
47 25
271
CITY ENGINEER.
A number of plans were made during the year for street acceptance and ten streets have been accepted as public high- ways, under the betterment act.
There are plans for acceptance of eleven private streets on file in this office, that for various reasons have not been made public ways.
Many streets and avenues in the city are of the same, or very similar name and could be changed at the present time (renamed in memory of deceased veterans of World War) eliminating the confusion now existing.
Some of the old main thoroughfares should be re-number- ed their entire length, so as to eliminate half numbers and letters now being used; and certain streets where traffic is congested should be made "one way" streets.
-
272
STREETS ACCEPTED AS PUBLIC HIGHWAYS IN 1921, UNDER THE BETTERMENT ACT.
Name of Street
Ward
From
To
West Adams street .
40
420
December 27, 1921
College Hill Road .
7 North street .
·
.
Around to .Conwell ave.
40
449
December
9, 1921
Eustis street .
·
6 Beacon street .
·
Lewis street
40
429
December
9, 1921
Maple avenue
4 School street .
Near Marshall street
40
319
December
9, 1921
Mead street ·
7 Moore street .
Near Cameron avenue
40
345
December
9, 1921
Pennsylvania avenue 1 Cross street ·
Wisconsin avenue ·
40
350
December
9, 1921
Pitman street ·
6 Beech street .
Spring street .
30
377
February
11, 1921
Rose street .
2 Washington street .
Lewis street
40
450
December
9, 1921
West Quincy street
7
Bailey street .
. Medford Line®
40
292
December
9, 1921
Total .
(0.677 miles) .
.
.
·
.
30
146
December 27, 1921
Magnus avenue
2
Washington street .
.
·
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
·
·
.
·
.
.
in ft.
Date of Acceptance
Bailey street
·
7 North street .
·
·
Width in ft.
Length
3577
ANNUAL REPORTS.
·
·
.
.
Cambridge Line ·
273
CITY ENGINEER.
Summary. - Public streets 85.281 miles (includes 1.406 miles of City Boulvard and Park Roadways, 2.331 miles of State Boulevard (Metropolitan Park Commission), and 1.596 miles State Highway) ; private streets 15.502 miles.
Total length of streets in the city 100.783 miles.
In the 1910 report, tables were published showing old names of certain streets as formerly known, and names of public squares in the city.
(Name of Oak Square changed to Wilson Square, - 1918.) (Name of Metropolitan Square changed to Gerrior Square, -1921.)
Length of Public Streets in Each Ward.
Miles
Ward one
10.798
Ward two
9.739
Ward three
7.630
Ward four
10.026
Ward five
12.388
Ward six
13.788
Ward seven
20.912
Total length of public streets in the city .
85.281
Street "Markers" - (Stone Bounds) (Brass rods set in cement sidewalks).
1921 - stone bound set Myrtle Street - east side at Perkins street.
City Line bounds No. 10 and No. 19 on Cambridge bound- ary line were raised to grade and set in concrete.
Stone bounds have been rest in Portland cement concrete at a number of street intersections and angles, to define and , preserve the true lines of public streets, and this work should be continued as much as possible each year. These bounds are also of great convenience in establishing permanent "Bench Marks" throughout the city for giving grades.
In the 1907 report a table was compiled from old reports, maps, and office notes, showing the location of stone bounds ; the year when set, and whether existing or removed from 1860 to 1907 inclusive, and additional lists in the reports of 1908, 1910, 1911, 1913, 1919, 1920 and 1921 will show location of all street bounds set to 1922.
There are at the present time a total of 658 bounds or brass rods set for defining street lines.
Four new streets have been constructed, under the better- ment act, with a bituminous macadam wearing surface, con-
274
ANNUAL REPORTS.
crete gutters and granite edgestones, a total of 1,624 feet (.308 mile) ; the work being done by contract.
The average cost of this type of construction complete, for these streets, was $9.70 per linear foot, a high rate, on account of the unusual cost of materials and labor.
Assessments have been levied on abutting property owners for approximately one-half of the cost of constructing these streets.
New granite block pavement has been laid on a concrete base with a cement grout in sections of Linwood street, Beacon street and Tufts street ; 9,898 square yards (2,924 feet in length) of this type of pavement were constructed by contract at $7.45. per yard complete.
In constructing the granite pavement, new streets and sidewalks 3,010 feet (0.570 mile) of new edgestone were set.
The total length of permanent paved streets in the city amounts to 18.07 miles.
Permanent street pavement should be extended as rapidly as possible, using old granite block, re-cut and laid on a con- crete base, the best and most economical pavement for this city.
Grades were given and measurements taken for the re- construction of ten streets with a bituminous wearing surface, a length of 8,765 feet (1.66 miles) .
TABLE OF STREET CONSTRUCTION.
Square yards
Miles
*Streets paved with granite blocks
140,987
6.14
** Streets paved with concrete .
23,990
1.42
Streets paved with asphaltic top
42,215
2.59
Streets paved with vitrified brick
20,958
1.29
Streets paved with "Bi-co-mac"
10,100
0.77
Streets paved with bitulithic
(patent)
3,059
0.06
bituminous top)
87,200
5.80
¿Streets macadamized (bituminous binder)
43.55
Streets macadamized (water bound)
23.07
Streets graveled or unimproved .
16.09
Total
100.78
*Also 31.9 miles (single track) electric railway paved with granite, asphalt, bitulithic, etc.
** Includes 0.42 mile state highway.
Includes 1.16 miles of state highway.
#Includes 1.406 miles of city boulevard and park roadways and 2.331 miles of state boulvard (Metropolitan Park Commission).
Combination pavement (concrete base with
275
CITY ENGINEER.
There are a number of very dangerous crossings in this city at intersecting public thoroughfares, where the corners should be cut back and the roadway widened for the safety of traffic and improvement in appearance.
Lines and grades were given for constructing sixteen new granolithic sidewalks, 4,647 square yards (1.4 miles), and assessments computed, the abutting property owners paying one-half the cost.
In laying out new work, under orders passed for construc- tion of sidewalks, etc., occasionally portions of buildings and fences are found to be encroaching on the sidewalk and on some of the old rangeways these encroachments have existed for many years ; as improvements are made, the full width of sidewalk should be maintained.
In sections of the city where brick sidewalks have been laid many years, and must necessarily be relaid on account of deterioration and unevenness, granolithic should be substituted in place of brick.
Miles of Edgestone, Granolithic, Gravel and Brick Sidewalks in Each Ward.
Edgestone
Gravel Sidewalk
Brick Sidewalk
Granolithic Sidewalk
Ward one
19,925
3.615
12.093
4.758
Ward two
16.807
6.591
6.423
3.609
Ward three
14.325
0.840
11.572
1.911
Ward four
15.309
1.334
9.993
3.914
Ward five
22.679
4.509
12.155
5.946
Ward six
25.201
4.099
10.678
11.269
Ward seven
32.891
2.018
8.389
22.594
147.137
23.006
71.303
54.001
(Details, etc., streets and sidewalks in report of Street Commissioner).
The Boston Elevated Railway Company has petitioned for a relocation of tracks in certain streets and has made extensive repairs in its roadbed in this city during the past year, replac- ing long sections of old tracks with new and heavier rails. There are, however, a number of miles of trackage, orders having been granted for widening in the city's main thorough- fares, where the old granite block pavement, within the rail- road location, should be relaid and grouted with cement and additional catch basins constructed between the rails to relieve the flooding of sections of certain streets in times of heavy storms. There are 32 miles of electric railroad (single track length) at the present time in the city's streets. A considerable
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