USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1924 > Part 23
USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1924 > Part 23
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29
Libraries
The interior of the Central Library has been thoroughly repainted and redecorated. The appearance is such that it has called forth many favorable comments from both Library Trustees and the public.
The interior of the West Somerville Branch and the Union Square Branch Libraries are in such a condition that the Commissioner hopes to be able to thoroughly renovate them this year.
Water, Highway and Sanitary Buildings
WATER BUILDINGS
Many needed repairs have been made to these buildings and they are now in good shape.
A new storage building has been completed for the stor- age of valves, hydrants and other fittings. The completion of this building supplies a long felt want in the Water depart- ment.
347
COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
Hospital
The tuberculosis camp which has been closed for several years was reopened this year for a Preventorium. Many re- pairs were needed to the plumbing system, and new screens were fitted to the piazza. The interior of the building was painted and tinted, and building put in first class condition so that it may be used another year for the same purposes.
In the Contagious Disease Hospital many needed repairs have been made and the Commissioner hopes to be able to paint a great deal of the interior of the hospital this year.
City Home
Many much needed repairs have been completed on this building during the past year. The interior of both mens' and womens' dormitories were thoroughly renovated. The matrons quarters papered and painted.
I would recommend the removal of the old wooden fence along the boulevard and the substitution of a chain link wire fence which would make a more sightly fence on this much travelled roadway.
Police Buildings
The removal of the Courthouse to the new building now nearing completion on Walnut Street will necessitate many changes in this building if it is retained.
The Commissioner questions whether it would not be more profitable to build a new model station in a more central part of the city than to thoroughly renovate this old structure. The present building is in a very bad condition, and a careful study is necessary to adequately plan this building to satisfy the growing need of this very essential department.
Bath House
The public bathhouse on the Mystic River at Wellington Bridge was opened and maintained as usual this year with a good attendance.
About 150 tons of sand were purchased for resanding the beach.
348
ANNUAL REPORTS.
This particular recreation has been a great help to many mothers and children during the hot weather of the past seas- on. It is a common sight to see mothers and children arriv- ing at the beach as early as 9 o'clock with their lunches to spend the entire day.
The attendance at the beach during the warm weather has sometimes exceeded 1000 a day.
In General
The Building Commissioner has had the co-operation of all branches of the City Government, including His Honor, the Mayor, the honorable members of the Board of Aldermen and all the city officials, and desires to thank them for their kindly consideration.
Respectfully submitted, GEORGE L. DUDLEY, Commissioner of Public Buildings.
349
ELECTRIC LINES AND LIGHTS.
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF ELECTRIC LINES AND LIGHTS
Somerville, Mass. January 1, 1925.
To the Honorable, the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville.
Gentlemen :-
I most respectfully submit my sixteenth annual report as Commissioner of Electric Lines and Lights for the year ending December 31. 1924.
Inspection of Wiring in Buildings
The inspecting of interior wiring for light, heat and power is a very important part of the work of the electrical department and every effort has been made to have all instal- lations of electric wiring done in a safe and workmanlike manner.
The greater percentage of electrical contractors and wire- men co-operate with the inspection department but there are some of the incompetent and careless workmen who cause considerable trouble. Unapproved wiring and attachments and over-fused cut-outs are to be carefully considered as many fires are directly traced to such conditions.
Having work done by unlicensed wiremen is another source of danger as no permit to do work can be issued to such men and consequently no inspection is called for by them.
With the increased use of electricity for lighting, heat- ing and power great care should be exercised to have every- thing up to the standard of safety.
Flat irons, washing machines, stoves and heaters must be on separate circuits and not attached to lighting fixtures. If this rule is followed the consumer will not have to call in a repair man so often.
350
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Number of notifications of new work
3003
Number of inspections of new work 4801
Number of re-inspections of new work 459
Number of inspections of old work 30
Number of defective installations of old work .
10
Number of defective installations remedied
10
Number of re-inspections of old work
10
Total number of inspections
5310
Number of permits issued to the Edison Electric
Illuminating Co. for installing meters, lamps, etc. .
6291
Fire Alarm System
The Fire Alarm System is in excellent condition but some of the older apparatus should be replaced.
326 bell alarms have been received and transmitted dur- ing the year.
937 telephone calls for fire were received and fire depart- ment sent.
8 A. D. T. alarms were received and transmitted.
The central office equipment consists of the following :
2- 6 circuit operating boards.
1-5 circuit tapper board.
1- 5 circuit gong board.
2-16 circuit storage battery charging boards.
1-32 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.
About 581/2 miles of overhead wires and 80 miles of un- derground wires. One new box has been installed No. 454
351
ELECTRIC LINES AND LIGHTS.
Powder House Boulevard corner Dow Street and one box No. 113 has been discontinued.
9,000 feet of new overhead wire has been run and 17,300 feet of old wire removed.
9,925 feet of underground cable was installed.
Police Signal System
The police Signal System is now about 12 years old and 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 ser- vice 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 necessary.
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 141/2 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
5
9
Edison Electric Illuminating Co. .
98
51
4
11
Boston Elevated Railway Company Postal Telegraph Company .
3
2
2
2
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 .
100
75
352
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Street Lighting
A number of new lights have been added and some have been changed. The lights on Medford Street from Gilman Square to Magoun Square have been changed from 600 C. P. to 1000 C. P. and mounted on underground posts as the entire street is to be cleared of overhead wires.
The number of street lights January 1. 1925 are as fol- lows :
182 Magnetite lights. 20 -1000 C. P. lights. 383- 600 C. P. lights. 129- 125 C. P. lights. 986- 60 C. P. lights.
Recommendation
I respectfully recommend that one assistant inspector 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.
353
CITY CLERK.
REPORT OF THE CITY CLERK
OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK, January 1, 1925.
To the Honorable, the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen :-
Gentlemen :- The following is respectfully submitted as the fifty-third annual report of the city clerk of the City of Somerville, and is for the year ending December 31, 1924. The receipts and payments were as follows :-
Receipts
Balance from year 1923 being for dog li-
censes issued in December 1923
7 males at $2.00
$14 00
1 female at $5.00
5 00
1 spayed at $2.00
2 00
21 00
Less city clerk's fees paid to the city
treasurer, 9 @ $.20 .
1 80
$19 20
For dog licenses issued in 1924:
783 males at $2.00
1,566 00
195 females at $5.00
975 00
100 spayed at $2.00
200 00
3 kennel at $25.00
75 00
For hunting and fishing licenses issued in 1924 :-
147 hunting and fishing at $2.00 .
294 00
164 hunting and trapping at $1.50
246 00
5 alien £ hunting and trapping at $15.00
75 00
2 trapping at $.25
50
206 fishing at $1.00
206 00
4 alien fishing at $2.00
8 00
1 non-resident fishing at $2.00 .
2 00
Recording mortgages, assignments, etc. 864 papers
1,236 68
Certificates of marriage intentions,-
1283 licenses and 1 duplicate
1,284 00
Furnishing copies of records .
330 25
Carried forward .
$2,850 93
3,666 70
.
2,816 00
831 50
354
ANNUAL REPORTS
Brought forward
$2,850 93 $3,666 70
Licenses : --
Auctioneers, 33 licenses at $2.00 . 66 00
Billiard and pool tables and bowling
alleys, 162 licenses for 104 tables and 58 alleys including 1 table granted in 1923 at $2.00
324 00
Drain layers, 6 licenses at $1.00
6 00
Drivers, 96 at $1.00
96 00
Engines and motors,-
17 licenses for 12 motors, 3 boilers and 2 engines including 1 boiler and 2 motors granted in 1923 at $1.00 17 00
Garages 187 licenses including 11
granted in 1923 at $2.00 374 00
Gasoline tanks. 52 licenses including 4 granted in 1923 at $1.00 . 52 00
Hackney carriages. 259 at $1.00 259 00
Intelligence offices, 5 at $2.00 . 10 00
Junk and second hand licenses,-
28 licenses including 3 granted in 1923 at $10 280 00
17 licenses including 2 granted in 1923 at $25 ·
425 00
Liquor licenses (third class) 24 includ- ing 1 granted in 1923 at $1.00 . 24 00
Lodging house licenses, 49 including 2 granted in 1923 at $2.00 .
98 00
Second hand auto licenses, 38 including 2 granted in 1923 at $25.00 .
950 00
Slaughtering, 7 at $1.00 .
7 00
Street Musicians, 4 at $.50
2 00
Victualler licenses, 73 at $2.00
146 00
Wagons, 63 at $1.00
63 00
Wagon stands, 15 at $1.00
15 00
License to operate motor busses 1 at $25.00 .
25 00
Storage of rags 1 at $1.00
1 00
Permits for projections over sidewalks,
49 permits for 11 electric signs, 15 stationary signs, 6 swing arms, 1 swinging sign, 5 awnings, 1 coal hole, 1 revolving barber pole and 1 marquee including 1 electric sign granted in 1923 at $1.00 .
49 00
Filing Certificates 9 at $.50
4 50
Interest on deposits
19 40
Badges
4 75
Witness fees
: 00
Physicians' Registration, 9 at $.25
2 25
Miscellaneous
.
5 88
6,182 71
Total receipts
9,849 41
355
CITY CLERK.
Payments
To Charles E. Hatfield, county treasurer, June 1 and December 1, receipts for dog licenses from December 1, 1923 to November 30, 1924, both inclusive
778 males at $2.00 .
$1,556 00
195 females at $5.00
975 00
100 spayed at $2.00 .
200 00
3 kennels at $25.00
·
2,590 80
To the Commissioners on Fisheries and Game, for licenses for hunting and fish- ing in 1924,-
147 hunting and fishing at $2.00 . 294 00
246 00
164 hunting and trapping at $1.50 5 alien hunting and trapping at $15.00
75 00
2 trapping at $.25
50
206 fishing at $1.00
206 00
4 alien fishing at $2.00
8 00
1 non-resident fishing at $2.00 .
2 00
831 50
Less city clerk's fees 287 at $.15 and
242 at $.25 103 55
727 95
To the city treasurer, monthly :-
City clerk's fees for issuing and record- ing dog licenses, 1081 at $.20 . 216 20
City clerk's fees for issuing and record- ing fishing and hunting licenses 287 at $.15 and 242 at $.25 . .
103 55
All the receipts above specified except for dog licenses and hunting and fish- ing licenses
6,182 71
6,502 46
Total payments
9,821 21
Balance, January 1, 1925, being for dog licenses issued in December, 1924 :-
12 males at $2.00 $24 00
1 female at $5.00 . 5 00
1 spayed at $2.00 . 2 00
31 00
less city clerk's fees paid to the city treasurer 14 at $.20 2 80
28 20
9,849 41
75 00
2,806 00
Less city clerk's fees, 1,076 at $.20
215 20
2,590 80
356
ANNUAL REPORTS
Licenses and Permits
Besides the licenses mentioned in the foregoing list of receipts, licenses and permits have been granted by the Board of Aldermen, without charge, as follows :-
Children under fifteen to take part in entertainments 4
Operate whippet tank
1
Parade in streets, with music, etc. 11
To hold religious services in streets and squares
1
To hold fireworks 1
13
To move buildings through streets
4
Births
1924
Number of births reported by physicians and midwives for 1924
Males
1089
Females
952
2041
A canvass of the city is at present being made under the direction of the city clerk as required by section 5. chapter 29. of the Revised Laws, to ascertain the facts required for record relative to children born during the year.
As the information derived from such canvass will not be available in time sufficient for its incorporation in this report, a statement in full of the births of 1924 will be given in the city clerk's report for the year 1925.
1923
The following is a statement in full of the births for 1923.
Number of births (exclusive of still births) in Somerville
Males in 1923 registered . 996 1,955
Females
959
1,955
Born of American parents 875
Born of foreign parents . 676
Born of American father and foreign mother 182
Born of foreign father and American mother .
203
Born of American mother and father un- known nationality 17
Born of foreign mother and father of un- known nationality
2
1,955
Newsboys .
CITY CLERK. 357
Number of still-births in Somerville in 1923 as registered Number of births in other places in 1923 registered . .
88
685
Number of cases of twins .
26
Marriages
Number of intention certificates issued in 1924
1,285
(Same as previous year )
Marriages registered ./
1,286
Less than previous year
100
Both parties American
770
Both parties foreign
240
American groom and foreign bride
133
Foreign groom and American bride
143
1,286
First marriage of
2,245
Second marriage of .
306
Third marriage of
19
Fourth marriage of
2
1,286 c'pls
Deaths
(Exclusive of still-births)
Number of deaths in Somerville in 1924
979
Less than previous year
129
Males
443
Females
536
979
Under ten years of age .
159
10 and under 20 years of age .
27
20 and under 30 years of age .
42
30 and under 40 years of age .
44
40 and under 50 years of age .
68
50 and under 60 years of age .
125
60 and under 70 years of age
191
70 and under 80 years of age .
206
80 and under 90 years of age . 90 years of age and over .
18
Age of oldest person deceased 99 years
Born in Somerville .
180
Born in other places in the United States . 430
Of foreign birth
366
Birthplace unknown
3
99
979
979
358
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Number of deaths in January
98
Number of deaths in February
84
Number of deaths in March
90
Number of deaths in April
91
Number of deaths in May
99
Number of deaths in June
68
Number of deaths in July
80
Number of deaths in August
57
Number of deaths in September
66
Number of deaths in October
72
Number of deaths in November
82
Number of deaths in December
92
·
979
The number of still-births during the year was seventy- six. In addition to the above, 254 deaths which occurred elsewhere were recorded in Somerville, almost the entire num- ber of persons deceased having been residents of this city.
359
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
1924
98,000
.Census.
360
ANNUAL REPORTS.
ORDINANCES
Somerville, January 1, 1925.
The following ordinances have been adopted since the printing of the annual reports for the year 1923 :-
(Ordinances Nos. 104, 106, 107, 108 and 109)
ORDINANCE NO. 104
An Ordinance Relative to the Salary of the Mayor.
Be it ordained by the Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville as follows :-
Section 1. The salary of the Mayor shall hereafter be at the rate of five thousand dollars a year beginning with the next municipal year, to wit, the municipal year nineteen hundred and twenty-four.
Section 2. The Ordinance shall take effect upon its passage.
Approved January 5, 1924.
ORDINANCE NO. 106
An Ordinance establishing Dover and Day Streets as One Way Streets.
Be it ordained by the Board of Aldermen of the city of Somerville, as follows :-
Section 1. No person shall cause or allow a vehicle other than a vehicle propelled by hand to pass along any portion of Dover street except in a southwesterly direction or along any portion of Day street except in a northeasterly direction.
Section 2. Whoever violates any provision of this ordinance shall be liable to a penalty of not exceeding twenty dollars for each offense.
Section 3. This ordinance shall take effect May 15, 1924.
Approved May 5, 1924.
ORDINANCE NO. 107
Be it ordained by the board of aldermen of the city of Somerville as follows: --
Section 1. The following orders, rules and regulations are here- by made and adopted relative to the transportation and carriage of passengers for hire by motor vehicles under the provisions of sections 45 to 49 inclusive of chapter 159 of the General Laws of Massachusetts.
Section 2. Every application for a license for the transportation and carriage of passengers as aforesaid shall set forth the name and the place of residence if any, and the place of business of the applicant and shall designate the route over which it is desired to operate and the termini and rates of fare to be charged. Such route and termini and rates of fare may be changed only with the consent of the board of aldermen.
361
CITY CLERK.
Section 3. A schedule of operation shall be filed with the appli- cation for said license and shall provide for the regular operation of such motor vehicle between the termini and over the route to be designated in the license. The licensee shall regularly operate such motor vehicle in substantial accordance with the schedule of operation except in cases of accidents, breakdowns or other emergency and shall always operate the motor vehicle to the terminus of the route before turning around and shall not operate or permit to be operated any motor vehicle elsewhere than on the routei stated in the license ex- cept in case of emergency. Nothing herein shall be construed to pro- hibit the operation, in addition to the service described in the schedule, of special or extra trips over said route or portions thereof.
Section 4. Every such license shall be signed by the city clerk. It shall set forth the name of the person, firm or corporation receiving the license and the place of residence, if any, and the place of busi- ness of the licensee. A fee of twenty-five dollars shall be paid the city clerk for every such license.
Section 5. No such license shall be issued until the licensee shall have deposited with the city treasurer a bond of a surety company approved by the city treasurer and by said board in accordance with the provisions of section 46 of said chapter 159. The bond shall cover each and every motor vehicle operated by the licensee as follows:
For a vehicle having a seating capacity of five passengers or less, $10,000.
For a vehicle having a seating capacity of six or more passengers, $10,000 and $1,000 additional for each passenger seat in excess of five.
Provided however, that a bond of $25,000 shall be deemed sufficient to cover all the vehicles operated by any one licensee, or in lieu of such bond an automobile liability insurance policy of the commercial type accompanied by a bond of the licensee, such policy insuring pay- ments to the amount herein specified.
If said board shall at any time, determine that any bond is in- sufficient, it may require an additional bond.
Section 6. No person shall operate or cause to be operated a motor vehicle for the transportation or carriage of passengers as aforesaid unless said vehicle has been licensed by said board. Every application for such license shall set forth the name and the place- of residence, if any, and the place of business of the owner and a description of the vehicle and the number of persons exclusive of the operator which the vehicle is to carry. The description shall state- the trade name of the motor vehicle, the type of body, the engine or motor number, the kind of power, the manufacturer's name and num- ber, the year of make and the length of wheel base. No vehicle shall be licensed until it has been inspected by or for the committee on licenses of said board and reported by said committee to be in its. opinion safe and suitable.
Section 7. Every license for a motor vehicle shall be signed by the city clerk. It shall set forth the name and the place of residence, if any, and the place of business of the owner and a description of the vehicle similar to that required by section 6. A fee of ten dollars shall be paid the city clerk for every such license for a motor vehicle carrying six passengers or less exclusive of the driver and two dollars additional for each passenger in excess of six which the license author- izes the vehicle to carry, but in no case shall said license fee exceed twenty-five dollars.
362
ANNUAL REPORTS
Section 8. The license issued for a motor vehicle shall designate the number of passengers, exclusive of the operator, the licensee is authorized to carry in said vehicle, and no person operating said vehicle shall cause or allow more persons to be carried thereon at any time than the number designated in the license or allow any person to stand or sit upon the running board, step, fender, dash or hood thereof' or allow any person otherwise to ride on such motor vehicle outside the body thereof; provided, however, that in addition to the number of passengers which said motor vehicle by the terms of its license is permitted to carry, children under seven years of age may be carried therein in arms or seated on the laps of adult persons accompanying them, but no passenger with a child in arms or seated on the lap shall be permitted on any front seat of the vehicle.
Section 9. The licensee shall not reconstruct or materially change a motor vehicle after the license thereof has been issued, without the consent of the board.
Section 10. Change of ownership of such motor vehicle shall operate as a revocation of its license.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.