USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1921 > Part 19
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276
ANNUAL REPORTS.
length of high power cables have been placed in underground conduits.
Plans have been made by the various companies and filed in the city engineer's office, showing the locations of gas mains, poles, tracks and conduits in this city, which have been granted by the board of aldermen during the year; and the work of placing overhead wires in conduits, underground, and remov- ing poles from the streets should be extended as rapidly as possible.
In the city's squares overhead wires should be placed underground, immediately, and practically all poles (except for lights) removed-on the main thoroughfares many of the existing poles should be eliminated, at the present time, being unnecessary.
A special ordinance should be enacted concerning city inspection on all underground work done by private companies or corporations and regulation as to method of street openings.
At the present time there are underground in the city's streets 17.64 miles of telephone conduits, 12.42 miles of electric light conduits, 4.25 miles of electric railway conduits; and about 9.7 miles of underground conduits used for the city's wires.
The Cambridge and Charlestown gas companies have respectively 63.79 and 28.1 miles of gas mains in the city's streets.
Lines and grades have been given for laying new city water mains. New house services, many gates, hydrants, water posts and blow-offs have been located and recorded, sketches and plans made showing the same, and the water works maps corrected to date; also a large number of old water services where new meters were installed, have been located and recorded.
A number of the locations of old hydrants, gates, etc., have been found to be incorrect, a few having been removed entirely ; a new survey of the entire distribution system should be made and the maps and office records compiled. (Length of water mains, details, etc., in report of Water Commissioner).
Lines and grades have been given for the erection of city buildings and plans and sketches made for the laying out of surrounding grounds :- a special plan being made show- ing a proposed development of the West Somerville Junior High School grounds.
Plans have been made where accidents have occurred on the city work, or where boundaries were in dispute and special plans and data prepared for the city solicitor's use in court
277
CITY ENGINEER.
cases and Federal, State and Municipal hearings attended where information was required.
Considerable data has been compiled relating to the various highway bridges in this city for the State Department of Public Works.
All plans of estates in Somerville recorded at the Registry of Deeds, East Cambridge, including land court plans, have been copied, also titles examined, abstracts from deeds made for the purpose of assessments, and the proportional part of the cost of new work computed, and schedules of assessments made out showing the property owners.
Totals number of plans on file in the office approximately eight thousand two hundred and fifty.
A skeleton map of the city has been made for the Somer- ville Board of Trade showing steam and electric car lines, principal streets, public buildings and locations of principal industries :- also a street map for the Automobile Association showing the various routes for auto traffic through the city, details of pavement, land marks, etc.
A plan and data has been compiled showing a proposed widening of Bridge street (East Cambridge) being the exten- sion of Somerville avenue :- a much needed public improve- ment for relieving the present congested traffic and business.
Perambulation of the Somerville-Boston city boundary line :- In November, a committee appointed from each city, city engineers and street commissioners, examined the mon- uments and reference points defining the division line between these two cities and reported their findings in due form to the board of aldermen.
These boundary lines are perambulated every five years as prescribed by the statutes.
No action has been taken by representatives of the city governments of Somerville and Medford relative to the chang- ing of the boundary line between the two cities. From the various studies presented, an exchange of territory can be made that would be equally advantageous.
In addition to the regular work of the department, con- siderable information and assistance has been furnished to the various city departments and citizens of the city ; and special data for the development of real estate etc., given to private engineers, architects, and builders.
For the immediate improvement of conditions in this city the highway bridges and approaches over the steam rail- roads should be rebuilt the full width of the street at Broad- way, (North Somerville) Prospect street and Washington street, near Union square ; and the steam railroad bridge over
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278
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Washington street (East Somerville) reconstructed with in- creased head-room for street traffic, - the dangerous grade crossing at Park street should be abolished, as decreed by the courts a number of years ago, and a foot-bridge should be con- structed over the railroad tracks making a connection between Wilson Square - Craigie Street and Stanford Terrace - Beacon street.
I respectfully refer to some of the more important rec- ommendations and suggestions made in reports of the city engineer for a number of years past.
SEWER DIVISION.
The high cost of materials and labor has prevented the extension of the "separate system" sewers and likewise storm drain construction work, except that absolutely necessary.
Three sewers were petitioned for during the year.
Construction Account, Statement of Expenses, 1921.
Constructing sewers (separate system)
$1,803 26
Constructing storm drains
2,064 24
Constructing catch basins
1,610 50
Constructing manholes on sewers . .
255 76
Cost of new work . .
$5,733 76
Charged to other departments, materials, etc. .
273 06
Materials on hand December 31 .
422 65
695 71
Total
$6,429 47
Credit.
Appropriations
$5,555 00
Balance unexpended, 1920
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62
Received for materials, etc. (other depts.)
130 04
Materials on hand January 1, 1920 .
786 28
916 32
Total
6,471 94
Balance unexpended (over to 1922) .
$42 47
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Two sewers were constructed during the year and two storm drains, a length of 1854 feet of 18" - 15" - 10" and S" pipe, the work being done by the city employing day labor. (See tabular statement for 1921, showing itemized account of work.)
The total length of the city's drainage system is 113.598 miles, and the entire cost of construction has amounted to
5,555 62
TABULAR STATEMENT OF SEWERS AND STORM DRAINS BUILT IN 1921.
LOCATION
ITEMS OF CONSTRUCTION AND COST
Name of street
From
To
Built by
Material excavated
Average Cut
Size in inches
Length in feet
Manholes
Average Cost
Inlets
Excavating,
Refilling and
Pipe Laying
Pipe, including
sub-drain
where laid
Engineering
and inspection
Average Cost
per Linear Foot
Cost to City
Alewife Brook Parkway
High street
Northerly
City Day Labor
Hardpan
6'-1"
1 $48.88
5
$0.95
$0.44
$1.64
$311 41
$287 00
$24 41
North street Storm Drain, N. W. side Sterling street sewer
Powder House B'lv'ard Alewife Brook P'k'way Alewife Brook P'k'way End of above
Raymond avenue Near North street Easterly Near North street
City Day Labor City Day Labor City Day Labor City Day Labor
Hardpan Hardpan & Marl Hardpan & Marl Hardpan & Marl 1
5'-9" 6'-6" 5'-4" 6'-0"
8 15 18 8 10 8
186.5 158 15 747.2 550 197.2
81.71
4 2 2
53 43 ) 10
0.48
0.37
0.85
633 47
633 47
1
1853.9 (.351 miles).
$3,667 48
$1,775 35
$1,892 13
*Cost of removing loam from trench to George Dilboy Field.
1920
Conwell avenue storm drain
North street
Hillsdale road
City Day Labor
Hardpan rock
5'-7"
12 10
623.6 74.9
698.5 (.132 miles).
($200.02 Expended in 1921).
1919
Elmwood street Storm drain
Tannery Brook storm dr'n | N. of Elmwood ter |
City Day Labor | Sand
6'-10"
12
371.5
371.5 (.070 miles).
Total length of public sewers in the city, January 1, 1922 . Total length of private sewers in the city, January 1, 1922 .
502,599.3 ft. 34,748.0
Total length of sewers in the city, January 1, 1922 . 537,247.3 = 101,770 miles (32.521 miles sepa- rate system sewers)
Total length of storm drains in the city, January 1, 1922 . 62,452.5 = 11.828 miles
Total length of city drainage system, January 1, 1922 Total length of Metropolitan Sewerage System running through the city .
113.598 miles 3.475 miles
.
1,488 35
3 50
*
5.60 0.95
1.08 0.50
0.43 0.11
7.11 2.00
1,230 75 1,491 85
1,230 75
Sterling street storm drain Sterling street storm drain
Manholes
Pipe Sewer Cost per Linear Foot
Total Cost
Assessment
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279
CITY ENGINEER.
about $1,362,272.00, exclusive of the amount paid to the state for assessments for the construction of the North Metropolitan sewerage system.
The city's assessment for the Metropolitan sewerage system for the past year was $54,274.37 on construction account and $57,457.22 for maintenance, an increase of $20,900.00 over the previous year - an extraordinary and excessive assessment - more than 50 per cent additional, and the total amount paid the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for this state sewer has been $1,612,937.64 (1892-1921, both years inclusive). The total length of the Metropolitan sewerage system mains running through the city amounts to 3.475 miles.
There are within the city's limits thirteen connections with the North Metropolitan state sewerage system, also four outlets through the city of Cambridge and three outlets through the city of Medford. The locations of the connections of the city's mains with the state sewer are shown in the 1912 report, and details of construction in previous reports.
The 1918 report contains a compiled table of Storm Drains constructed to 1919 showing length, cost, date of con- struction, district benefited, etc.
Eighteen catch basins have been constructed in the high- ways during the year, making a total of 2040 basins in the city for street drainage purposes, constructed and maintained as follows :-
By the city (sewer division) :-
Located in streets and subways
1,848 basins 33
Located in city boulvard
Located in parks (17) and other city lots (12) 29
Total catch basins constructed and maintained by the city ·
1,910
By Boston & Maine Railroad Company on railroad locations .
36 basins
By State, located in boulevards, and highways . 130
66
166
'Total catch basins in the city for storm drainage purposes 2,078
A
The separate system sewers should be extended in the old sections of the city each year, as the appropriation will allow, . and storm drains completed in certain localities as previously recommended :- especially in the North Somerville district, including the B. and M. railroad valley, and at the East Cam- bridge line extending from the Somerville avenue sewer and discharging into Miller's River. In July a terrific storm
280
ANNUAL REPORTS.
occurred-recording the greatest rainfall ever known in this section of the country for a certain period of time.
The city's drainage system will be greatly improved when all the foregoing changes are made and construction work completed.
MAINTENANCE ACCOUNT, STATEMENT OF EXPENSES, 1921.
Maintenance of sewers, including cleaning
and flushing (113.6 miles) $6,122 13
Maintenance of catch basins, cleaning and flushing (1,910) . 14,240 78
Maintenance of storm water pump, Med- ford street
101 08
Changing line and grade and repairing catch basins
462 50
Changing line and - grade and repairing manholes
300 30
Repairing old sewers
428 11
Inspection and location of house drains
826 3
New tools and supplies
446 39
Repairs of tools and property .
90 38
Maintenance of sewer division yards
897 96
Telephone
58 82
Labor, teaming and materials for other departments
75 81
Total expenditures
$24,050 59
Credit.
Appropriation .
$23,930 00
Transfer from Fire Department
45 00
Received from other departments
75 81
Total credit
24,050 81
Balance unexpended
$0 22
Value of tools and property on hand in maintenance of sewers, $2,000.00.
One employee, a faithful laborer for more than a quarter of a century in this division, was retired on a pension the latter part of the year, the first and only one in the depart- ment.
A permanent force of men, varying in number from ten to fourteen, 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 dumping places which are fast diminishing, only two being available at present.
281
CITY ENGINEER.
This question of scarcity of dumping places has con- fronted the city for some time and various schemes have been considered for efficient and economical methods of disposal but no feasible plan has been provided.
Approximately 4,870 cubic yards of material have been removed from the catch basins during the year, at an average cost of about $2.92 per cubic yard, and the average cost per mile for cleaning and flushing the drainage system, including catch basins, has amounted to about $179.25. There are about twenty catch basins (average) to a mile of roadway in this city and the approximate cost of cleaning per basin has been $7.50 the past year.
A number of repairs have been made and sections rebuilt on some of the old sewers, alerations made in the outlets and overflows, and extra manholes built for the purpose of improv- ing the system.
Many catch basins and manholes have been repaired and grade or line changed.
One hundred and forty permits have been issued to licensed drain layers for connecting buildings with main sewers and storm drains, fifty-one being for repairs or altera- , tions ; all of the work being done under the supervision of the city's inspector.
Many of these repairs were made necessary by the growth of tree roots in the pipe. In several cases, these private drains were relaid with iron pipe and lead joints, which is the type of construction recommend by this department, where drain con- nections have become stopped on account of tree roots.
Certain persons are licensed as drain layers by the city and are under bonds, for the purpose of laying these private drains :- none others are permitted to do this work. Reference to data concerning each drain connection with the public sewer is on file in this office.
There are to date about 16,601 private house drain connec- tions with the city's drainage system.
During the year the sewer division has done considerable miscellaneous work for other city departments and outside companies furnishing material and labor, and being partially 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.
282
ANNUAL REPORTS.
PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS DIVISION.
Under this division about seventy-four acres are main- tained as parks and playgrounds, and approximately a mile of city boulevard; 64 acres are owned by the city and certain areas owned by private parties are turned over to the city for recreation purposes, also satisfactory arrangements have been made for a number of years whereby the city has the use of Tufts College playfield during the summer vacation months, and skating areas in the winter. Over 2,000 trees of various varieties are located on these grounds. These areas when com- pletely developed will compare favorably with other cities in the vicinity.
Somerville Field has been re-named "George Dilboy Field" by an order of the Board of Aldermen, May 27, 1921.
Broadway Park has been re-named "Saxton C. Foss Park" by a similar order, December 27, 1921.
These parks were re-named in honor of Somerville young men who lost their lives in the World War.
The narrow strip of land situated in the center of Broad- way between the Charlestown line and Fellsway East, about one-half mile in length, being a portion of a reserved area known as Broadway Parkway, has been reconstructed as a part of the street and is now used for travel of all kinds.
The parcel of land, known as Webster Avenue Playground, formerly a schoolhouse lot situated near the Cambridge city boundary line and containing about 11,000 square feet has been sold to private parties for building purposes.
MAINTENANCE ACCOUNTS, STATEMENT OF EXPENSES, 1921.
$369 76 Saxton C. Foss Park (formerly Broadway Park) (15.9 acres) $1,814 98
Broadway Parkway (1.6 acres) 163 38
94 17
Central Hill Park (13.1 acres)
1,747 95
1,218 68 Lincoln Park (7.2 acres)
1,290 08
4 00 Prospect Hill Park (2.6 acres)
1,525 03
Tufts Park (4.5 acres)
1,574 74
Paul Revere Park (0.02 acre)
15 00
Belmont Street Park (0.4 acre) .
660 74
Powder House Boulvard (0.09 mile long) 1,033 23
Powder House Square Parkway (0.2 acre) 50 00
Cemetery, Somerville Avenue (0.7 acre 175 00
7,678 98
Dilboy Field (formerly Somerville Field) at Alewife Brook ( (11.5 acres) ·
619 93
960 85
Richard Trum Playground, Cedar street and Broadway (4.3 acres) .
240 30
353 88 Playground, Glen street and Oliver street (0.9 acre + 1.5 acres of private land) . 5 78
283
CITY ENGINEER.
360 34 Playground, Kent street and Somerville
avenue (0.08 acre) .
158 15
49 65 Playground, Poplar and Joy street (0.5 acre) · : .
66 00
Washing- Playground, Beacon street near ton street (0.2 acre) .
10 00
108 35 Playground, Mason street and Broadway Tennis Court (0.3 acre) .
199 27 Playground, Fellsway East (2.5 acres private land) · ·
312 64 Tufts College Land Summer and Winter Playground, (5 acres)
216 75
91 50 Plowing, harrowing and fertilizing Park and Playground areas for planting · Plowing, harrow, etc., and repairing Wading Pool for recreation Commission (Private Land) · Total expenditure, maintenance (73.7 acres) 64 acres city property + 9 acres private land, 0.7 acre cemetery and 0.9 mile boulevard, and 0.54 mile parkway roads
$12,018 82
$11,149 59
Credit.
Playgrounds and Recreation
$5,650 00
216 75
Appropriation for Parks Transfer from City Clerk's Department Appropriation for Playgrounds (5050) (600) Received from Recreation and Playground Commission Received from Celebrations Account . Transfer from Contingent Fund . Transfer from Recreation and Playground Commission
Parks $10,950 00 200 00
32 13
6,000 00
120 00
$12,018 88
Total credit
$11,150 00
$0 06
Balance unexpended
$0 41
The number of men employed has varied from seven to twenty.
The city's assessment for Metropolitan parks and boule- vards for the year 1921 amounted to $18,774.76 on construction account, and $44,523.31 being the proportional cost for main- taining the same; in addition to this the city's special assess- ment for the Charles River basin construction and maintenance amounted to $10,037.81; for the improvement of Alewife Brook and maintenance of same $1,112.10 and for the maintenance of Wellington bridge across Mystic River, $3,243.72. The total of these assessments amounts to $77,791.61, being Somerville's proportional payment to the State on account of the Metropol- itan park system for the year 1921.
284
ANNUAL REPORTS.
The total assessment paid to the State for parks and boule- vards amounts to $915,527.23, January 1, 1922 and the length of State boulevard at present constructed in this city consists of seven-tenths of a mile of double roadway, located in the easterly part of the city and extending between Broadway and Mystic River, and one and two-tenths miles bordering Mystic River and Alewife Brook located in the westerly part of the city.
Athletics in general have been very active since the war and the baseball "diamonds," football fields, tennis courts and athletic apparatus located on the various playfields have been in constant use.
During the Daylight saving period "twilight" baseball has been exceedingly popular, practically all of the city's fields being used, and at Lincoln Park games were scheduled for every evening during the season with crowds in attendance. A total of 566 games were scheduled on the city's playfields during the year.
Special supervision was provided during the months of July and August, especially for the children's activities, to make the playgrounds poular and successful.
Part of the money generally spent for flower beds, shrubs, etc., for ornamentation of the various city grounds has been used in cultivating areas of park and playground land, and many school children have devoted their time and energies to the raising of vegetables.
The past year, this division of the engineering department has had the supervision and work of plowing, harrowing, and preparing the various parcels of land used, an expenditure of approximately $308.00.
The original wooden seats built in 1911 as a part of the concrete grandstand erected at Dilboy Field (formerly Somer- ville Field) have been decaying for a number of years, on account of exposure to the weather, and had become unsafe in many places for seating the attending crowds. In June the old seats were torn down and replaced, being constructed of hard pine timbers and spruce plank at an expense exceeding $6,000.00 the work being completed in time for the 4th of July celebration. This new lumber used should be creosoted and painted for the preservation of the structure.
Over the front entrance to this grandstand an appropriate bronze tablet has been erected and made a part of the concrete structure, suitably inscribed George Dilboy Field.
At this enclosed athletic field bordering Alewife Brook, a permanent concrete field house should be constructed with all modern equipment (about $10,000 is available at the present
285
CITY ENGINEER.
time) and the remaining area graded as soon as possible ; when completed as originally designed the city will own one of the best recreation fields in the vicinity. ( In the 1910 report, plan shows proposed complete laying out).
A number of large Poplar trees on the Powder House Boulevard were uprooted, large limbs broken and trees split during terrific wind, rain and ice storms causing considerable damage to abutting property, houses, etc., and costing approx- imately $400.00 for removal - new hardy growth trees should replace these trees the entire length of the boulvard imme- diately.
Four hockey rinks of regulation size were constructed on certain parks and playgrounds and maintained during the winter season, many games being played, and larger areas on the various parks flooded for general skating.
Additional seats have been erected at Lincoln Park and Trum Playground and back-stops on the ball fields have been reconstructed and fences repaired, - additional equipment and shelters for children should be provided on some of the play- fields.
Shower baths have been maintained in the highway stable building at the Trum Playground and the baths located at Lincoln Park have been kept open certain evenings during each week; more of these baths should be established at the various fields. Wading pools for the children have been main- tained at these two places.
All flag poles on the parks were repaired and painted- flags are displayed on all parks every day throughout the year.
Tennis courts have been in use at Mason Street play- ground, Dilboy Field, Broadway, Central Hill and Lincoln parks.
All tar concrete walks on Central Hill Park should be reconstructed and new walks laid out across Broadway Park for public convenience.
The Metropolitan District Commission have furnished band concerts, certain evenings during summer months, at Broadway Park.
The city has become so densely populated (averaging nearly 25,000 people a square mile) that some of the larger park areas should be more extensively utilized for public recrea- tion and physical training purposes ; on several of the play- fields 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 play-
286
ANNUAL REPORTS.
ground areas should be enclosed by wire fencing for the protec- tion 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.
Paul Revere Park area should be enlarged by acquiring additional land and constructing a passageway across from Main street to Broadway, separating the city's park from the adjoining land, thereby preserving an historical spot on the top of Winter Hill for the future, also making a convenient connection for travel.
In connection with the departmental work the Recreation and Playgrounds Commission, the Playgrounds Association and Women's Clubs have been of great assistance in advising, directing and promoting the city's welfare. (Details, etc., in Commission' and Association reports).
The total yearly expenditure by the city departments and other Associations for recreation and play the past year has been approximately $20,000.00.
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