USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1923 > Part 29
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52
Number of births in other places in 1922 registered 653
Number of cases of twins .
16
Number of cases of triplets
1
Marriages
Number of intention certificates issued in 1923
1,285
More than previous year
71
Marriages registered
1,396
More than previous year.
167
Both parties American
876
Both parties foreign
215
American groom and foreign bride
155
Foreign groom and American bride
150
First marriage of
2,455
Second marriage of
321
Third marriage
16
.
Deaths
(Exclusive of still-births)
Number of deaths in Somerville in 1923
1,108
More than previous year
89
Males
487
Females
621
1,108
Under ten years of age
229
10 and under 20 years of age
26
20 and under 30 years of age
43
30 and under 40 years of age
52
40 and under 50 years of age
71
50 and under 60 years of age
147
60 and under 70 years of age
198
70 and under 80 years of age
219
80 and under 90 years of age
104
90 years of age and over
19
Age of oldest person deceased .
101 years
Born in Somerville
238
Born in other places in the United States
468
Of foreign birth
400
Birthplace unknown
2
.
·
1,108
1,108
1,396 c'pls
1,396 c'pls
412
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Number of deaths in January ..
.
148
Number of deaths in February
113
Number of deaths in March
149
Number of deaths in April
94
Number of deaths in May
93
Number of deaths in June
71
Number of deaths in July
61
Number of deaths in August
61
Number of deaths in September
64
Number of deaths in October
72
Number of deaths in November
81
Number of deaths in December
101
1,108
The number of still-births. during the year was eighty- six. In addition to the above 296 deaths which occurred else- where were recorded in Somerville, almost the entire number of persons deceased having been residents of this city.
413
CITY CLERK.
Liquor License Question.
The following is a statement of the votes, during the sev- eral years of its submission to the people, on the question of granting licenses for the sale of intoxicating liquors (and cer- tain non-intoxicating beverages) in this city, together with the number of registered voters and the estimated population for each year :-
YEAR.
YES.
No.
BLANK.
REGISTERED VOTERS.
ESTIMATED POPULATION.
1881
979
1,222
3,678
26,000
1882
627
1,159
3,778
26,500
1883
767
1,343
4,407
27,000
1884
806
1,709.
4,470
28,000
1885
428
1,604
3,969
*29,992
1886
214
1,321
4,089
32,000
1887
555
2,427
4,574
34.000
1888
744
2,456
5,399
36,000
1889
635
1,706
335
5,286
39,000
1890
999
2,282
409
5,556
*40,117
1891
1,054
2,598
279
5,938
43,000
1892
1,427
3,288
347
7,587
46,000
1893
1,547
2,654
218
7,943
48,000
1894
1,098
2,869
246
8,007
50,000
1895
1,854
4,708
459
8,410
*52,200
1896
1,466
3,680
332
9,379
54,000
1897
1,626
3,815
486
8,925
56,000
1898
1,595
3,501
486
8,657
57,500
1899
1,892
3,340
374
8,838
60,000
1900
1,660
3,427
321
9,620
*61,643
1901
1,579
3,295
374
9,499
63,500
1902
1,645
3,242
360
10,100
65,000
1903
2,248
4,410
550
11,346
67,000
1904
2,022
4,338
447
11,682
69,500
1905
2,483
4,660
531
11,340
*69,272
1906
2,193
5,204
582
11,571
70,000
1907
1,735
4,591
459
11,558
74,000
1908
1,780
4,760
491
12,777
75,500
1909
1,830
4,601
530
12,479
75,500
1910
1,544
3,968
365
12,522
*77,236
1911
2,193
4,841
492
13,226
80,000
1912
2,421
6,182
546
13,854
81,000
1913
2,348
6,431
550
13,417
82,000
1914
2,178
5,535
488
13,404
85,000
1915
1,705
5,262
379
13,805
*86,854
1916
1,100
4,158
271
14,500
88,000
1917
1,291
3,457
232
13,826
90,000
1918
690
1,935
161
13,477
90,500
1919
2,777
2,297
261
14,810
91,000
1920
27,307
*93,091
1921
5,143
8,751 .
2,992
27,545
95,000
1922
96,000
1923
7,266
9,822
4,382
28,149
97,000
*Census.
414
ANNUAL REPORTS.
ORDINANCES.
Somerville, January 1, 1924.
The following ordinances have been adopted since the printing of the annual reports for the year 1922 :-
ORDINANCE NO. 102.
An Ordinance Establishing a Licensing Commission.
Be it ordained by the Board of Aldermen of the City of Somer- ville, as follows :-
Section 1. A licensing commission is hereby established under the provisions of chapter 191 of the Acts of the Legislature of Massa- chusetts for the year 1923, entitled "An Act Authorizing the Estab- lishment of a Licensing Commision in the City of Somerville." The commission shall be composed of three residents of this city.
Section 2. The members of the commission shall be appointed by the Mayor, subject to the approval of the Board of Aldermen as soon as this ordinance takes effect, one to serve until the appoint- ment and qualification of his successor in the year 1924, one to serve until the appointment and qualification of his successor in the year 1925, and one to serve until the appointment and qualification of his successor in the year 1926. There shall be appointed yearly, begin- ning in the year 1924, one member to serve for the period of three years and until his successor is appointed and qualified. Any vacan- cy shall be filled by appointment for the balance if the unexpired term.
Section 3. In addition to the powers mentioned in said chapter 191, the commission shall have in charge the issuing of licenses for garages for not more than two automobiles subject to the provisions of ordinances heretofore and hereafter passed relating to such gar- ages.
Section 4. Whoever erects, occupies, or uses a garage for not more than two automobiles without a license from the commission shall be liable to a penalty of not more than twenty dollars for each offense. This section shall not apply to an erection, occupation or use heretofore licensed by the Board of Aldermen.
Section 5. This ordinance shall take effect upon its passage.
Approved July 18, 1923.
415
CITY CLERK.
ORDINANCE NO. 103.
An Ordinance Relative to Fire Protection of Ceilings of Garage Buildings.
Be it ordained by the Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville as follows:
Section 1. The ceilings or the underside of the roof of all one story second class garages, hereafter constructed, having a capacity of one, two or three motor vehicles, shall be fire protected with metal lath and cement plaster to a thickness of not less than three quarters of an inch.
Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect upon its passage.
Approved August 13, 1923.
416
ANNUAL REPORTS.
ELECTIONS
The following is a statement of the votes cast in the several wards of the city, for the candidates for the various offices and on the question of granting licenses for the sale of certain non-intoxicating beverages in this city, at the city election held December 11, 1923.
CANDIDATE.
PARTY.
1
·2
3
4
5
6
7
Total.
MAYOR
John J. Murphy Democratic
John M. Webster
Republican
1,396 1,098
1,893 269
1,196 1,454
749 1,293
1,485 1,672
1,698 2,050
1,401 3,646
11,482
ALDERMAN-AT-LARGE, WARD 1.
Lyman A. Hodgdon Republican
1,331
416
1,304
1,217
1,704
1,993
3,277
11,242
ALDERMAN-AT-LARGE, WARD 2.
Edwin J. Grant Republican
969
583
1,282
1,139
1,664
1,956
3,203
10,796
ALDERMAN-AT-LARGE, WARD 3
Thomas D. Mitchell Republican
922
420
11,630
1,111
1,611
1,892
3,137
10,723
ALDERMAN-AT-LARGE, WARD 4.
John S. Smith, Jr. Republican
907
358
1.236
1,387
1,616
1,862
3,094
10,460
ALDERMAN-AT-LARGE, WARD 5.
Arthur W. Russell Republican
885
356
1,246
1,101
1,835
1,846
3,096
10.365
ALDERMAN-AT-LARGE, WARD 6.
Albert E. Hughes Republican Henry Miller
941
425
1,244
1,099
1,626
2,243
3,106
10,681
1
1
Enoch B. Robertson
ALDERMAN-AT-LARGE WARD 7.
.
880
339 1,218
1,057
1,571
1,861
13,653
10,579
1
1
Arthur F. Mason
Republican
WARDS.
9,818
417
CITY CLERK.
1 WARDS.
CANDIDATE.
PARTY.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Total.
WARD ALDERMAN, WARD 1.
William F. Burns Democratic
1,356
1,356
Daniel A. Downey Democratic
Wallace E. Loveless Republican
Francis J. Murphy Republican
840
WARD ALDERMAN, WARD 2.
Joseph Haley Democratic
1,741
1,741
John J. Hoban
Democratic
1,587
WARD ALDERMAN, WARD 3.
William C. Abbott Republican
1,287
1,287
George A. Berry Republican
1,344
1,344
William F. Fitzgerald Democratic
879
879
James C. Scanlan Democratic
1,190
WARD ALDERMAN, WARD 4.
Henry J. Connell
Republican
1,514
1,514
Warren A. Perry
Republican
1,305
1,305
WARD ALDERMAN, WARD 5.
Warren C. Blair
Republican
1,629
1,629
Charles C. Grimmons Republican
1,780
1,780
John E. O'Brion
Democratic
1,319
1,319
WARD ALDERMAN, WARD 6.
I. Ormand Jackson Republican
2,026
2,026
William M. Morrison Republican
2,129
2,129
Dennis H. Mckenzie
306
306
David E. Foley
289
289
WARD ALDERMAN, WARD 7.
Paul O. Curtis
3,766
3,766
3,632
3,632
SCHOOL COMMITTEE, WARD 1.
Francis J. Fitzpatrick Democratic
1,332
Emma Prichard Hadley Republican
999
999
Elmer B. Hayes Republican
977
977
John J. Hayes Democratic
1,244
1,244
SCHOOL COMMITTEE, WARD 2.
Daniel H. Bradley Democratic Christopher Muldoon, Jr. Democratic
1,640
1,640
1.425
1,425
1,229
1,229
989
989
840
1,587
1,190
Republican Albert F. McLean Republican
1,332
418
ANNUAL REPORTS.
CANDIDATE.
PARTY.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Total
SCHOOL COMMITTEE, WARD 3.
Charles W Boyer Republican Oscar W. Codding Republican
SCHOOL COMMITTEE, WARD 4.
Katherine C. Coveney Republican Walter E. Whitaker Republican
SCHOOL COMMITTEE, WARD 5.
Harry M. Stoodley Republican Minnie S. Turner Republican
1,867 1,859
1,867
1,859
SCHOOL COMMITTEE, WARD 6.
.
Walter I. Chapman Republican Waiter F. Turner Republican Mrs. Fronie Johnson Robert Ramsy
2,277
2.277
2,247
2,247
1 1
1 1
SCHOOL COMMITTEE, WARD 7.
Herbert Cholerton Republican
3,725 3,678
13,725 3,678
1
1
"SHALL LICENCES BE GRANTED FOR THE SALE OF CERTAIN NON-INTOXICATING BEVERAGES IN THIS CITY?"'
"YES"
1,014
1,114
857
624
954
1,333
1,370
7,266
"NO"
899
488
1,280
1,049
1,575
1,694
2,837
9,822
WARDS.
1,469
1,469 1,449
1,449
1,356
1,356 1,405
1,405
Edwin A. Shaw Republican
George E. Heath
419
CITY CLERK.
ASSESSED POLLS AND REGISTERED VOTERS.
REGISTERED VOTERS.
WARD
Por.
As- sessed Polls, April 1 1923
Nov. 7, 1922 Men
Nov. 7. 1922 Women
Re- vised Lists of July 19:23 Men
Re- vised Lists of July 1923 Women
Add- ed in July 1923 Men
Add- ed in July 1923 Women
Dec. 11, 1923 Men
Dce. 11, 1923 Women
Voted Dec. 11, 1923
Ward 1 ..
1
1,709
810
563
700
492
110
71
772
550
1091
1
2
1,135
597
391
506
332
91
59
544
370
697
..
..
3
590
318
194
287
173
31
21
311
197
430
4
658
205
106
188
100
17
6
206
122
297
4,092
1,930
1,254
1.681
1097
249
157
1,833
1,239
2,515
Ward 2 Pct.
2
2
1.948
882
587
792
518
90
69
909
660
1,217
890
403
215
364
199
39
16
417
248
554
3,954
1,651
989
1,465
872
186
117
1,663
1.085
2,182
Ward 3 Pct. 3
1
1,456
924
732
838
673
86
59
884
759
1,383
1,351
835
649
759
607
76
42
811
696
1,290
2,807
1,759
1,381
1,597
1,280
162
101
1,695
1,445
2,673
Ward 4 Pct. 4
1
1,472
889
672
803
599
86
73
848
649
1,065
2
1,419
798
611
706
531
92
80
746
573
1,000
2,891
1,687
1,283,
1,509
1,130
178
153
1,594
1,222
2,065
Ward 5 Pct.
1
1,592
983
896
874
807
109
89
917
845
1,234
..
..
3
1,075
679
528
606
476
73
52
658
536
973
3,902
2,408
$2,008
2,150
1,813
258
195
2,276
1,960
3,180
Ward 6|Pct.
6
..
2
1,333
738
416
623
356
115
60
694
423
823
..
6
3
1,016
643
463
579
430
64
33
608
480
793
6
4
1,331
893
663
804
607
89
56
849
650
1,117
4,930
2,967
2,055
2,647
1,855
320
200
2,862
2,095
3,769
Ward 7 Pct.
1,168
811
669
754
611
57
58
800
647
1,013
..
7
2
1,450
901
713
779
644
122
69
812
676
1,006
..
3
1,721
1,011
735
923
675
88
60
1006
757
1,235
7
4
1,203
761
613
698
535
63
78
757
579
1,020
7
5
1,059
614
482
575
461
39
21
637
509
814
6,601
4,098
3,212
3,729
2 926
369
286
4,012
3,1.68
5,088
City
29,177
16,500
12,182
14.778|
10,973
1.722
1,209
15 935
12.214
21,472
1
1,116
366
187
309
155
57
:32
337
177
411
..
. .
2
5
2
1,235
746
584
670
530
76
54
701
579
973
5
1
1,250
693
513
641
462
52
51
711
542
1,036
1
..
1
Pct. ..
]
7
..
2
420
ANNUAL REPORTS.
CITY GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS FOR 1923
Mayor. JOHN M. WEBSTER, 76 Boston Street
Board of Aldermen. President, WALDO D. PHELPS Vice-President. ARTHUR F. MASON
1
WARD ONE
Lyman A. Hodgdon, Alderman-at-Large
8 Indiana Avenue
William F. Burns
John R. Spiers
21 Illinois Avenue 52 Franklin Street
WARD TWO
1
Robert C. Harris, Alderman-at-Large
Joseph A. Haley . .
John Joseph Hoban
.
12 Dimick Street 7 Linden Street 39 Mansfield Street
WARD THREE
William C. Abbott, Alderman-at-Large .
George A. Berry .
Thomas D. Mitchell
.
73 Avon Street 60 Prescott Street 25 Warren Avenue
WARD FOUR
Waldo D. Phelps, Alderman-at-Large .
John S. Smith, Jr.
.
.
.
Henry F. Welch
14 Delaware Street 52 Sydney Street 56 Otis Street
WARD FIVE
Fred Allen, Alderman-at-Large
·
J. Freeman Saville .
Arthur W. Russell . . .
.
121 Central Street 64 Sycamore Street 16 Heath Street
WARD SIX
Enoch B. Robertson, Alderman-at-Large Albert E. Hughes . William M. Morrison
39 Highland Road 262 Highland Avenue 97 Rogers Avenue
421
CITY CLERK.
WARD SEVEN
Hiram N. Dearborn, Alderman-at-Large
Emerson J. Coldwell Arthur F. Mason
86 Electric Avenue 27 Hall Avenue 18 Hall Avenue
City Clerk, JASON M. CARSON Assistant City Clerk. HENRY J. ALLEN City Messenger. FRED E. HANLEY
Regular meetings second and fourth Thursday evenings of each month. at eight o'clock, except when such Thursday is a holiday, in which case the meeting is held on the preced- ing Tuesday evening.
Standing Committees of the Board of Aldermen
ELECTRIC LINES AND LIGHTS-Aldermen Mason, Spiers, Hoban, Mitchell and Hughes.
FINANCE-The President, Aldermen Haley, Robertson, Allen, Mason, Abbott and Hodgdon.
LEGISLATIVE MATTERS-Aldermen Saville, Mitchell, Haley, Coldwell and Smith of Ward Four.
LICENSES AND PERMITS-Aldermen Smith of Ward Four, Burns, Ab- bott, Harris, Dearborn, Morrison and Russell.
PUBLIC PROPERTY-Aldermen Burns, Welch, Hughes, Berry, Saville, Hoban and Coldwell.
PUBLIC SÅFETY-Aldermen Hughes, Burns, Mason, Smith of Ward Four and Haley.
PUBLIC SERVICE-Aldermen Harris, Hodgdon, Morrison, Russell, Ab- bott, Welch and Dearborn.
PUBLIC WORKS-Aldermen Robertson, Allen, Welch, Spiers, Hoban, Berry and Coldwell.
School Committee Chairman. HERBERT CHOLERTON Vice-Chairman. Walter I. Chapman
Members
Hon. John M. Webster Mayor, (ex-officio) 76 Boston Street, Waldo D. Phelps, President of the Board of Aldermen, (ex-officio) 14 Delaware Street
WARD ONE
Julia A. Crowley
Francis J. Fitzpatrick
. .
34 Pinckney Street 2 Austin Street
WARD TWO
Daniel H. Bradley
Christopher J. Muldoon .
.
.
19 Concord Avenue 88 Concord Avenue
422
ANNUAL REPORTS.
WARD THREE
Charles W. Boyer
.
Oscar W. Codding .
.
66 Avon Street 59 Vinal Avenue
WARD FOUR
Katherine C. Coveney Edward I. Tripp ·
.
.
73 Marshall Street 21 Wigglesworth Street
WARD FIVE
Harry M. Stoodley
.
Minnie S. Turner .
WARD SIX
Walter I. Chapman
.
Walter Frye Turner
.
18a Central Street 15 Highland Road
Herbert Cholerton
Paul O. Curtis .
94 College Avenue 41 Mason Street
Superintendent and Secretary-CHARLES S. CLARK
Regular meetings last Monday evening of each month, except July and August, when none are held, and December, when meeting is held on the Friday preceding the first Mon- day in January.
Assessors
FRED E. WARREN, Chairman (term expires 1926) WINSOR L. SNOW (term expires 1924) HARRY VAN IDERSTINE (term expires 1926) J. ROBERT FENELON (term expires 1925) DAVID B. ARMSTRONG (term expires 1924)
Assistant Assessors
FRED B. CLAPP LAWRENCE J. WARD JOSEPH O. KNOX
JOHN J. MCCARTHY JOHN M. NANGLE LEONARD C. SPINNEY
Board of Health
WESLEY M. GOFF (term expires 1925) JAMES A. KILEY (term expires 1924) CHESLIE A. C. RICHARDSON. M. D., Chairman (term expires 1924) Clerk-LAURENCE S. HOWARD Agent-GEORGE I. CANFIELD Medical Inspector-FRANK L. MORSE. M. D. Inspector of Animals and Provisions-CHARLES M. BERRY Inspector of Milk and Vinegar-HERBERT E. BOWMAN
Licensing Commission
WILLIAM J. SHANAHAN (term expires 1928) EUGENE M. CARMAN (term expires 1926) WILLIAM H. SMITH (term expires 1924)
WARD SEVEN
.
238 Highland Avenue
64 Hudson Street
423
CITY CLERK.
Overseers of the Poor
FRED E. DURGIN, Chairman (term expires 1926) MICHAEL COLL, Vice-Chairman (term expires 1924) GEORGE G. BRAYLEY (term expires 1925) Agent-WILLIAM E. COPITHORNE Warden, City Home-J. FOSTER COLQUHOUN Matron. City Home-CATHERINE COLQUHOUN
Planning Board
WILLIAM F. RILEY, Chairman (term expires 1926) DAVID J. KELLEY, Secretary (term expires 1924) BENJAMIN J. SURRETT (term expires 1925) JOHN WILLIAMSON (term expires 1927) GEORGE J. RAUH (term expires 1928)
Registrars of Voters
EDWIN D. SIBLEY, Chairman (term expires 1924) DOUGLASS B. FOSTER (term expires 1926) CHARLES LEO SHEA (term expires 1925) JASON M. CARSON, City Clerk
Public Library Trustees
THOMAS M. DURRELL, Chairman (term expires 1925) J. FRANK WELLINGTON, (term expires 1926) WILLIAM L. BARBER (term expires 1925) HERBERT L. BUFFUM (term expires 1926) GILES W. BRYANT (term expires 1924) DAVID H. FULTON (term expires 1924) FRANK M. BARNARD (term expires 1925) ALBERT L. HASKELL (term expires 1924) LEON M. CONWELL (term expires 1924) Librarian and Secretary-GEORGE H. EVANS
Public Welfare and Recreation Commission
ERNEST W. BAILEY (term expires 1925) SOPIIIE C. BATEMAN (term expires 1925) WILLIAM E. COPITHORNE (term expires 1925) GEORGE L. DUDLEY (term expires 1925) FLORENCE B. HAMILTON (term expires 1924) WILLIAM S. HOWE (term expires 1924) MARGARET L. MAGUIRE (term expires 1925) MARY M. McGANN (term expires 1924) ANNIE M. SMITH (term expires 1924)
City Clerk JASON M. CARSON Assistant City Clerk-HENRY J. ALLEN
City Treasurer and Collector of Taxes JOSEPH S. PIKE
424
ANNUAL REPORTS.
City · Messenger FRED E. HANLEY
Mayor's Secretary SUMNER M. TEELE
City Solicitor FRANK W. KAAN
Assistant City Solicitor RALPH M. SMITH
City Auditor HOWARD E. WEMYSS
City Engineer ERNEST W. BAILEY
Commissioner of Streets ASA B. PRICHARD
Commissioner of Public Buildings and Inspector of Buildings GEORGE L. DUDLEY
Commissioner of Electric Lines and Lights WALTER I. FULLER
Water Commissioner FRANK E. MERRILL
Superintendent of Sanitary Department EDGAR T. MAYHEW
Clerk of Committees RICHARD A. KEYES
Chief of Police CHARLES A. KENDALL
Chief Engineer of the Fire Department SEWALL M. RICH
CITY CLERK. 425
City Physician FRANK E. BATEMAN
Inspector of Plumbing DUNCAN C. GREENE
Inspector of Milk and Vinegar HERBERT E. BOWMAN
Inspector of Animals and Provisions CHARLES M. BERRY
Inspector of Petroleum SEWALL M. RICH
Sealer of Weights and Measures BENJAMIN S. ABBOTT
Registration Clerk, City Laborers FLORENCE A. COOK
Fence Viewers
CHARLES M. BERRY HOWARD LOWELL
Agent of Military and State Aid and Soldiers' Relief and Burial Agent BENJAMIN S. ABBOTT
Constables
MAURICE F. AHEARN
CHIARLES M. AUSTIN
CHARLES W. F. BENNETT
CHARLES A. KENDALL
MICHAEL T KENNEDY
WILLIAM E. COPITHORNE
ELBRIDGE G. LAVENDER
WINSLOW W. COFFIN THOMAS DAMERY
EDWARD E. MARSH
JOHN M. NANGLE
WILLIAM J. DIGUISEPPE
HECTOR PALLADINO
CHARLES L. ELLIS
JOHN A. RAY
JOHN F. SCANNELL
ARTHUR L. GILMAN FRED E. HANLEY
WILLIAM E. YOUNG
EUGENE A. CARTER
JAMES M. HARMON FRANK B. KARCHER
-
426
ANNUAL REPORTS.
REPORT OF LICENSING COMMISSION
-
February 25, 1924.
To the Honorable the Mayor, and Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville :-
Gentlemen :
The Licensing Commission respectfully submits the fol -. lowing report for the year 1923. Up to August 9, 1923, the License Commission still functioned for the granting of Lord's Day Licenses only. The same rules and general principles applied to this class of license that had been carried out in former years. One hundred and nine new licenses were granted and five hundred and forty-five dollars paid to the city treasurer for revenue.
On August 9, 1923 the License Commission suspended its activities and work as a body acting under the General Laws of the Commonwealth by virtue of the passage by the Legisla- ture of an Act authorizing the city of Somerville to establish by ordinance a Licensing Commission.
His honor the Mayor following the passage of said ordi- nance appointed to the new Licensing Commission the under- signed who had comprised the old License Commission. The Licensing Commission received by ordinance from the Board of Aldermen the right to grant licenses on all applications for garages holding not more than two automobiles.
The commission approached this new phase of its work with an earnest desire to respond to the intent of the ordi- nance by facilitating the granting of licenses for garages, thus giving to our citizens and residents a speedier report on their applications.
Applications were received and acted upon by the Com- mission as follows :
Garage Licenses
163 Applications received.
137 Licenses granted and issued.
4 Licenses granted but not issued (fees unpaid ).
11 Applications leave to withdraw.
1 Application (motorcycle garage) no action necessary.
10 Applications laid over to 1924.
1
427
LICENSE COMMISSION.
LORD'S DAY LICENSES
49 Applications received.
20 Licenses granted and issued.
1 License granted but not issued (fee unpaid ).
1 Transfer of location.
26 Applications leave to withdraw.
1 Application laid over to 1924.
Fees for the above licenses granted and issued, amount- ing to $374.50 were paid over to the city treasurer.
Respectfully submitted,
EUGENE M. CARMAN, WM. H. SMITH, WM. J. SHANAHAN, Licensing Commission.
Attest :
R. A. KEYES, Secretary.
1
428
ANNUAL REPORTS.
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF ELECTRIC LINES AND LIGHTS
Somerville, Mass., January 1, 1924.
To the Honorable, the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville.
Gentlemen :-
I most respectfully submit my fifteenth annual report as Commissioner of Electric Lines and Lights for the year ending December 31, 1923.
Inspection of Wiring in Buildings
The work of the inspection department has increased greatly over last year.
More new buildings have been erected and more old buildings have been wired than in previous years. To take care of this increase of electrical installations constant super- vision is required.
Old installations should be inspected periodically as it is found that improper connections are often made by un- licensed electricians or by occupants and no permit obtained from or notification sent to this office.
When these are found orders are given to have defects remedied and the work must be done for the second time.
Attaching flat irons, washing machines, cooking and heating appliances is a very bad practice which is increasing and it is found that lighting circuits are being overfused and overloaded which constitutes a fire hazard and is not dis- covered until damage is done to the premises where such conditions exist.
Such attachments to lighting circuits or sockets are not approved and separate circuits must be run for these appli- ances.
The draping of paper and other inflammable material over electric light bulbs is another menace and fires have been caused by such decorations.
529
ELECTRIC LINES AND LIGHTS.
I again call the attention of the public to the necessity of having only reliable licensed electricians do any work of an electrical nature as expense and annoyance will be avoided.
Number of notifications of new work . 2749
Number of inspections of new work . .
4300
Number of re-inspections of new work 518
Number of inspections of old work .
20
Number of defective installations of old work . 5
Number of defective installations remedied
5
Number of re-inspections of old work
5
Total number of inspections 4848
Number of permits issued to the Edison Electric
Illuminating Co. for installing meters, lamps, etc.
5102
Fire Alarm System
The Fire Alarm System is in excellent condition but some replacement of apparatus is required.
The old storage batteries have been replaced by new and are in good condition.
308 bell alarms have been received and transmitted dur- ing the year.
831 telephone calls for fire were received and fire de- partment sent.
5 A. D. T. alarms were received and transmitted.
The central office equipment consists of the following :
2 - 6 circuit operating boards.
5 circuit tapper board.
1 - 5 circuit gong board.
2-16 circuit storage battery charging boards.
-- 32 circuit protector board.
1 -
- 12 circuit automatic repeater.
1 dial, 4 number manual transmitter.
2 - 5 circuit punching registers.
13 punching registers and take up reels ..
2 automatic time and date stamps.
1 master clock.
940 cells storage battery.
5-10 foot 4 shelf battery racks.
4 metropolitan tappers and 2 gongs.
The apparatus outside the central office consists of the following :
134 signal boxes. 7 tower strikers.
45 gongs.
10 punching registers.
20 tappers.
8 private telephones.
1 -
430
ANNUAL REPORTS
About 60 miles of overhead wires and 781/2 miles of underground wires Three new boxes have been installed. Box 723 High Street cor. Boulevard; Box 437 Prichard Ave. cor. Kidder Ave. and Special box at Boston Elevated Car Barn.
12,500 feet of new overhead wire has been run and 29, 650 feet of old wire removed.
2,600 feet of underground cable was installed.
Police Signal System
The police Signal System which was installed 11 years ago begins to show signs of wear and some of the apparatus will have to be replaced.
Some trouble has been found with signal boxes but service has not often been interrupted.
A number of boxes have been overhauled and parts re- placed.
A new register and time stamp for the signal desk is nec- essary.
The system consists of the following :
1-4 circuit police desk.
About 191/2 miles of overhead wire.
4 special boxes.
59 street signal boxes.
About 13 miles of underground cable.
Supervision of Poles and Wires on the Streets.
The same attention has been given to the condition of poles and wires on the streets as in previous years. A num- ber of defective poles have been replaced by the companies owning same.
New poles have been placed in locations granted for the purpose of supplying lighting and telephone service and abandoned poles have been removed.
New poles
Re- placed
Re- moved
Re- set
New England Telephone & Telegraph Company
2
29
16
7
60
153
19
1
8
3
Edison Electric Illuminating Company Boston Elevated Railway Company · Permits given to the New England Tel. & Tel. Co. for attachments to the Edison Company's poles Permits given to the Edison Electric Ill. Co. for attachments to the New England Tel. & Tel. Company's poles
33
71
431
ELECTRIC LINES AND LIGHTS.
Street Lighting.
The matter of street lighting has had the same atten- tion as in previous years and additional lights have been placed in various parts of the City.
More lights are required in the western part of the City as some new streets are inadequately lighted.
Additional spot lights have been installed at places where traffic officers are posted and are of great assistance to them.
The number of street lights January 1, 1924 are as follows :
155 Magnetite lights. 381-600 C. P. lights. 129-125 C. P. lights. 970- 60 C. P. lights.
Recommendation
I respectfully recommend that two assistant inspectors be employed to enable the department to more thoroughly cover all new and old installations of electrical wiring in the City. This is imperative as the work cannot be done by one man.
Conclusion
I wish to thank His Honor, the Mayor, the members of the Board of Aldermen and the several departments for the many courtesies received.
Respectfully yours, WALTER I. FULLER,
Commissioner of Electric Lines and Lights.
432
ANNUAL REPORTS
INDEX.
City Auditor, Report of .
3
Balance Sheet .
4
Cash Statement
6
Taxes - Special Assessments .
8
Departmental Bills .
9
Water Department Accounts .
10
Statement of Estimated Revenue
11
Appropriations
14
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
23
County of Middlesex
24
Revenue and Expenses
24
Temporary Loans
25
Taxes
27
Funded Debt
26, 29
Maturities on Funded Debt .
31, 32
Interest Requirements on Funded Debt
30, 31, 32 33
Abatements, Refunds, State Income Tax, Etc.
34, 35, 36
Overlay Accounts .
36, 37
Excess and Deficiency Account .
38
Receipts and Expenditures, Classification of
39
Schedule of Public Property .
74
City Clerk. Report of
407
Receipts
407
Payments
409
Licenses and Permits
410
Births
410
Marriages
411
Deaths
41:
Assessed Polls and Registered Voters
419
Elections
416
Liquor License Question
413
Ordinances
414
City Engineer, Report of
352
Engineering Department
352
City Engineer Division, Classification of Expenses
353
Streets Accepted as Public Ways in 1923 Table of Street Construction .
355
Sewer Division
361
Sewers and Storm Drains Constructed .
364
Maintenance Account
364
Parks and Playgrounds Division
366
Maintenance Account
367
Public and Private Streets .
.
372
.
357
Borrowing Capacity
-
INDEX. 433
City Government and Officers for 1923 .
420
City Solicitor, Report of 281
City Treasurer and Collector of Taxes, Report of .
77
Revenue and Expense, Statement of
78
Cash Statement
79, 80
Taxes .
86
Street Sprinkling Assessments
87
Overlay and Abatement .
88
Supplementary Assessments
88
Betterment Assessments .
89
Departmental Accounts
90
Revenue Loans .
91
Bonds
93, 94, 95
Borrowing Capacity .
78
Memorandum of Payments on account of Debt
95
Treasury Department
96
Commissioner of Public Buildings (see Public Buildings Commissioner ) . 338
Commissioner of Streets (see Street Commissioner) .
326
Commissioner of Water (see Water Commissioner) . 97
428
Fire Alarm System .
429
Police Signal System
430
Supervision of Poles and Wires on the Streets
430
Street Lighting
431
Recommendations
431
Conclusion
431
Fire Department, Chief of, Report of . Alarms of Fire
291
List of Probable Causes
291
Manual Force
291
Apparatus
296
Hose
296
Resume
296
Recommendations
301
Conclusion
302
Health, Board of, Report of .
122
Organization, Officers, etc
121
Nuisances
122
Permits and Licenses
122
Stables
123
Board of Infants .
124
Deaths .
.
128
Mortality Statistics .
125
Diseases Dangerous to Public Health
130
Specimens and Supplies .
130
Commissioner of Electric Lines and Lights, Report of Inspection of Wiring in Buildings .
428
291
434
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Medical Inspection of Schools
131
Bacteriological Department 133
Undertakers
133
Examination of Plumbers
133
Health Nurses, Report of .
133, 135
Medical Inspection, Report of
137
Inspector of Animals and Provisions
140
Inspector of Milk and Vinegar
.
143
Inspector of Animals and Provisions, Report of . 140
Inspector of Buildings (see Public Buildings Commis- sioner )
338
Inspector of Milk and Vinegar, Report of the .
143
City Physician, Report of
325
Law Department, Report of .
287
Licensing Commission, Report of . 426
Medical Inspection, Report of
137
Visits
137
Contagious Disease Hospital
137
Laboratory Examinations
137
Tuberculosis
138
Infant Hygiene Clinics
139
Ordinances
414
Planning Board, Report of
303
Organization
303
Previous Recommendations
304
Preliminary Survey
304
Revision of Building Laws
305
Recommendations
305
Appropriations .
306
Police, Chief of, Report of .
307
Arrests
307
Crimes and Offenses Against the Person
307
Crimes and Offenses Against Property .
308
Crimes and Offenses Against Public Order
308
Recapitulation .
309
Roster of Department
313
Changes in the Force
314
Liquor Officers, Report of
316
Police Matron, Report of .
317
Conclusion
317
Population
. 239, 322, 413
435
INDEX.
Public Buildings Commissioner, Report of .
338
Inspection of Buildings .
338
Coal
341
Elevators
341
School Buildings
341
Fire Department Buildings
347
Municipal Buildings
347
Libraries
348
Water, Highway, Sanitary and Sewer Buildings
348
Hospital Buildings
349
Police Buildings
350
Bath House
350
Park Buildings .
350
In General
351
Public Grounds (City Engineer) . 160
Public Library
149
Board of Trustees and Officers - Committees
149
Organization of Library and Staff Personnel
150
Report of Trustees
153
Report of Librarian .
154
Statistics .
158
Public Welfare, Department of .
319
Members of the Board, Committees, Officers, etc. .
319
Full Support
321
Partial Support
321
Aid Under 1913 Law
(Mothers' Aid)
321
Cost to City
321
Reimbursements
322
Somerville Hospital
322
Population and Gross Expenditures
322
Overseers of the Poor Since 1885 .
323
Recapitulation .
323
City Home, Report of Warden
324
City Physician, Report of
325
Public Welfare and Recreation Commission . Financial Statement
385
Sanitary Department, Report of .
161
Collection of Ashes and Paper
161
School Department .
163
Superintendent of Schools, Report of
166
Appendix, Contents of
227
Accommodations
186
Dental Dispensary
225
Graduates - High school
259
Junior High schools
263
Vocational schools
272
High School Athletic Association
222
Membership ·
167
405
Report of General Agent,
321
436
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Report of Head Master, High School
193
66
Principal, Vocational school for Boys
199
66
Director of the Continuation Schools and
Americanization Work 201
66 Report of Principal of the Evening High school
216
66 Report of the Director of Household Arts
209
School Committee, 1923-1924 .
164, 272
School Nurses
224
Somerville Teachers' Association
220
Somerville Teachers' Club
221
Somerville Teachers' Council .
223
Teachers in Service .
189
Sealer of Weights and Measures, Report of .
289
Sewers (see City Engineer) .
361
Street Commissioner, Report of
326
Appropriations .
326
Highway Maintenance
327
Bridges
328
Street Railways
328
Underground Wires
329
Crushed Stone
329
Steam Rollers
329
Sidewalks Maintenance
329
Street Sprinkling
329
Street Cleaning
330
Suppression of Moths
330
Shade Trees
331
Highways Construction, New Streets
331
Sidewalks Construction .
331, 334
Streets Constructed in 1923
333
Highways Construction, Permanent Pavement
335
Reconstruction and Resurfacing
335
Miscellaneous
335
Permit
336
Recommendations
336
Public and Private Streets
372
Water Commissioner, Report of
97
Revenue and Expenditures
99
Cost of Water Works
100
Water Works Income and Distribution .
101
Water Distribution System, Construction
101
Hydrants, Gates, etc.
102
Water Services
103
Water Meters
104
Summary of Pipes and Fixtures
106
Water Assessments and Consumption
106
Construction, Maintenance, Operation
108
Class of Premises covered by service installation .
109
Street Mains, Gates, Hydrants, etc.
112
Summary of Statistics
119
Financial Statistics .
.
7516 017
.
120
Snow and 'Ice
328
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