Report of the city of Somerville 1925, Part 18

Author: Somerville (Mass.)
Publication date: 1925
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 432


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1925 > Part 18
USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1925 > Part 18


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There has been considerable speculative building of dwellings going on this year, or to be exact there were permits issued for 156 new dwellings housing 568 families.


Single family houses have been altered into two family houses and some of the larger houses have been altered into small kitchenette suites. These types of alteration demand very careful inspection and supervision by this department and entail considerable more time than new construction.


On September 1. 1918 the Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville passed an ordinance requiring a fee to be collected for every building permit issued by this depart- ment. In accordance with this, fees collected for building permits during the year 1925 amounted to $3554.00.


The Commissioner has under his charge and direction the work of maintenance and upkeep of the eighty-four public buildings of this City and the grounds in connection there- with, all janitors in the City's employ, a force of mechanics who perform the work of keeping the buildings in repair, the inspection of installation and care of all elevators, the supervision of construction of all new municipal buildings, the maintenance of the public bathing beach and public muni- cipal baths in the Bennett and Bingham Schools, and Lin- coln Park.


The various activities in connection with the depart- ment work require a vast amount of time and attention in order to keep the property in proper condition for occupancy.


The adoption of the new Fire Zoning and General Zon- ing Ordinance together with the new Building Ordinance just completed has added a considerable amount of labor to this already heavily burdened department.


283


COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS


Every permit issued by this department must be governed by the above ordinances, which in itself, entails a great deal of study.


Coal


As in the past years an invitation was sent out for bids for supplying the necessary tonnage of both Anthracite and Bituminous coal for the city buildings for the winter of 1925 and the spring of 1926.


The contract for Bituminous coal was awarded to the Pratt Coal Company of Boston at a price less than the City of Boston secured, and the contract for Anthracite coal given to Colbert Brothers of Somerville.


The above firms furnished a chemical analysis of the coal which they agreed to supply. A sample from each de- livery was sent to the Arthur D. Little Company for analysis.


In anticipation of the coal srike in the Anthracite coal mines the Commissioner filled every available space in build- ings where Anthracite coal was used, and owing to this fore- sight the city departments have not felt the pressure of the strike that has effected other municipalities.


Elevators


According to an act of the Legislature, the Building Commissioner is required to have every elevator in the city inspected yearly, and a report of the conditions and neces- sary repairs made to the Public Safety Department, State House, Boston.


Plans and specifications of all new installations of eleva- tors must be filed in this office and certificates of approval granted by the Commissioner.


During the year 1925 there were 117 elevators inspected and 32 orders for repairs were sent out to concerns, covering 70 elevators.


School Buildings


The maintenance and care of the school buildings has, as formerly, demanded the most vigilant attention from this department and the appropriation made for that purpose I believe has been expended carefully and judiciously.


284


ANNUAL REPORTS


Every year, before the summer vacation arrives, this department sends out blanks to be filled in by both the prin- cipals and janitors of the school buildings for all requisitions and repairs needed.


These repairs and requests are taken up with the Super- intendent of Schools, and taken care of in the order which he suggests so far as the appropriation will allow.


First fare taken into consideration the requests and repairs absolutely needed for the opening of schools in the Fall. Then the others are taken up in the order of their im- portance. This in itself is a huge task as the wants of every section must be taken into consideration.


There have been several additional school rooms opened since September 1st and new furniture had to be procured and set up to accommodate these additional classes. New office equipment for the offices of the High School and the Junior High Schools have been supplied during the past year. The opening of three additional kindergarden rooms necessitated the purchasing of complete furniture and equipment for these rooms.


Room No. 104 in the High School, formerly use as a stock room, has been fitted up as a bank with all new equip- ment including safe making this department a model bank, equal in facilities to any banking rooms in the City.


Lighting of School Buildings


The most urgent need of the year is the lighting by electricity of the several older buildings in the city.


The care of the pupils' eyesight is one of the most neces- sary things to be taken into consideration, and the Commis- sioner strongly recommends that the twenty school buildings which are not completely and properly lighted will be taken care of by a special appropriation covering cost of same.


Fire Escapes


Somerville has unfortunately several three story school buildings of the older type with stairs running from a com- mon hallway.


The Bell, Prescott and Forster School buildings have been taken care of by enclosed fire stairways of non-com- bustible material, entirely separate from the building but ac- cesible from each floor.


The Commissioner recommends that enclosed stairs of


285


COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS


the same type be built on the Morse, Highland and Edgerly schools.


The High School is now overcrowded and it will be neces- sary at a very early date to make addition to this building, or a new High School erected in the western part of the City.


Whichever is done the present High School must be brought to the standard of the High Schools of today. A careful study of the building as a whole must be made and heating and ventilating system must be modernized. The present electric lighting of the class rooms is inadequate and new lighting facilities must be installed.


A gymnasium is badly needed and as we must take as good of care of the physical condition of the children as of their mental training this must be included in the plans.


The development of the Ten Hills Section and other parts of the Winter Hill section on the Mystic River side will mean an addition to the present Glines School or a new school in this section of the city. This should be look- ed into right away and land procured for same at once.


School Yards


During the past year the Durell, Southern Junior High, Morse, and part of the Hodgkins School yards have been fenc- ed with modern 6' chain wire fencing. This prevents the children, while at play, from running into roadway, there- by saving the possibility of accidents. It is the hope of the Commissioner to continue on this line and to erect several more such fences during the coming year.


Several school yards were resurfaced with tarvia dur- ing the past year and in a few years we hope to be able to have every school yard covered with smooth surface free from dust and mud.


Heating of Schools


Several boilers have been retubed and otherwise repair- ed during the past year.


I sincerely recommend a system of heat control be put into the High School, and the building of a new boiler room and modernizing of the heating equipment. This would en- tail a considerable saving of coal each year, and in a few years would pay for itself.


Also the installation of a steam heating system at the Morse School doing away with the seven antiquated furnaces now in use.


286


ANNUAL REPORTS


Blackboards


Several of the buildings are equipped with paper black- boards, and the surfaces of same have to be renewed every year at a cost of several hundred dollars. I would recom- mend that slate blackboards be installed in place of paper blackboards, as the slate boards last indefinitely and the sav- ing on repairs would more than repay the cost of purchasing same.


Fire Department Buildings


There have been numerous repairs and improvements made in the fire buildings of the city.


I urgently recommend that Engine No. Four building be replaced by a new one as it is in such bad shape that it does not seem wise to spend much on repairs. As a fire sta- tion is needed in this vicinity, I recommend that this sta- tion be torn down and a new one built on less valuable land, and this lot sold for commercial purposes. Much of the ma- terial in the old building could be made use of in a new one.


As the fire department is now all motorized it becomes necessary to alter many stations, putting cement floors in the apparatus rooms in place of the wood floors used for the old horse drawn vehicles, and the separation of the garage from the living quarters of the men. We have already start- ed along this line and expect to do considerably more dur- ing the coming year.


Municipal Buildings


The past year has seen the completion of City Hall. We now have a modern building housing the several depart- ments. New office equipment has been purchased during the past year to complete a modern and up to date equipment second to none in the state.


The front end of City Hall Annex has been thoroughly renovated and equipped for School Committee and Depart- ment uses. The rear end of the building has been fitted up for the G. A. R .. Spanish War Veterans, and other pa- triotic uses.


Libraries


The most urgent need of the libraries at the present time is new lighting equipment. The Union Square Branch. East Somerville Branch and the children's room of the Central Li- brary must be fitted out with new lighting fixtures. The Commissioner hopes to do this at an early date.


287


COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS


The exterior of both the West Branch Library and the Union Square Branch Library have been painted during the past year.


WATER, HIGHWAY AND SANITARY BUILDINGS


Water Buildings


Considerable work has been done on the Water buildings during the past year.


New drop ceilings have been installed, buildings paint- ed both inside and outside, and the electric wiring all over- hauled.


Sanitary Buildings


The Sanitary buildings are in need of considerable re- pairs. A new shed must be erected, and the receiving shed for garbage repaired. The Commissioner hopes to be able to make these additions and repairs during the coming year.


Highway Buildings


An addition to the Highway Garage has been made dur -. ing the past year. Extension of present heating and light- ing systems installed. Many other minor but necessary re- pairs were made.


Hospital


During the past year a complete new refrigerating plant, satisfactory to the hospital authorities, has been in- stalled. The entire inside has been whitened, painted and varnished. Other minor repairs have been attended to.


City Home


Many reparis and the reshingling of buildings have been taken care of this year. A new chain wire fence has been built along the entire length of the Brodway side, and it is the intention of the Commissioner to continue this fence along the Boulevard side during the coming year.


An addition must be built over office for two more sleep- ing rooms for help. A 500 gallon water tank for hot water must be installed with connections to steam boiler for winter use and with gas heater for summer use, to supply the needs of the hospital of this department. A new toilet for the help must be installed in the main house to replace antiquated and worn out one now in use.


ANNUAL REPORTS


A new boiler was installed in greenhouse and heating equipment overhauled. The boiler is large enough to take care of proposed addition to greenhouse.


Police Buildings


The Commissioner recommends that a new model Police Station be erected in a more central part of the city to take the place of the present station which is in a very bad con- dition.


Park Buildings


The completion of the Field House at Dilboy Field has filled a much needed want. The field house is fitted with shower baths and locker rooms for both boys and girls, toilet rooms for the public, electric lights, and modern heating and hot water equipment with an attendant in charge.


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.


This particular recreation has been a great help to many mothers and children during the hot weather of the past season. It is a common sight to see mothers and child- ren arriving at the beach as early as nine o'clock with their lunches to spend the entire day.


The attendance at the beach during the warm weather has sometimes exceeded 1,000 a day.


Owing to the building of the new Ford plant and the changing of the storm drain it becomes necessary to move the Bathhouse. The Commissioner is hopeful of obtaining land at or near the old beach which is on the North side of the Parkway in rear of Ten Hills. If possible the Bath- house will be moved and ready for the opening June 17.


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.


BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE


289


SUPPORT OF PUBLIC WELFARE DEPARTMENT


Board of Public Welfare FRED E. DURGIN, Chairman JAMES D. SHARKEY, Vice-Chairman GEORGE G. BRAYLEY


Committees On Finance, Investigation and Relief, and City Home MR. DURGIN, MR. SHARKEY AND MR. BRAYLEY


Clerks


HELEN E. LINEGAR MARGARET J. PREBLE


General Agent


WILLIAM E. COPITHORNE


City Physician FRANK E. BATEMAN, M. D. Warden and Matron, City Home MR. AND MRS. J. FOSTER COLQUHOUN


Office


City Hall, Highland Avenue


290


ANNUAL REPORTS


Somerville, Mass., December 31, 1925.


To His Honor, the Mayor, and the Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville :


Gentlemen,-


The Board of Public Welfare submit herewith reports of the General Agent, the Warden of the City Home and the City Physician, with tables showing the work.


Respectfully submitted,


FRED E. DURGIN, GEORGE G. BRAYLEY, JAMES D. SHARKEY,


Board of Public Welfare.


291


BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE


REPORT OF GENERAL AGENT


City Hall, January 1, 1926


To the Board of Public Welfare, Somerville, Mass. :-


Gentlemen :-


The following as the report of the general agent for the year ending December 31, 1925 is herewith submitted :-


Table No. 1 FULL SUPPORT (During the year)


In City Home (men 36, women 30) 66


In City Home, December 31, 1925 40


In hospitals for the sick in other cities, towns and state 51


Table No. 2 PARTIAL SUPPORT, (Outside Relief)


Families


109


Persons aided (including hospital cases)


537


Burials


7


Permits to State Infirmary


9


Table No. 3


CHILDREN


In private families 17


In care of state division of child guardianship 18


Table No. 4


AID UNDER 1913 LAW (Mothers' Aid)


Number of mothers' aid cases, January 1, 1925


60


Number of families aided at close of year


62


Number of children


229


Amount allowed each family, from $5.00 to $24.00 per week


Number of out-of-town families 10


Number having no settlement 17


Cost to City


Somerville settlement $25,324 00


Settled in other cities and towns (reside here) 3,370 00


10,228 00


State


Somerville families living in other cities and towns 4,249 99


$43,171 99


292


ANNUAL REPORTS


Table No. 5 REIMBURSEMENTS


Commonwealth of Massachusetts


$31,451 38


City of Boston


3,907 73


,,


Cambridge


2,431 31


Chelsea


17 24


Everett


671 61


,9


Lynn


461 63


,,


Medford


260 00


Newton


105 76


Woburn


56 00


Worcester


65 00


Town of Lancaster


0 00


Plymouth


88 00


Shrewsbury


259 94


Topsfield


304 50


Wakefield


126 00


Individual


299 00


$40,575 10


Table No. 6 SOMERVILLE HOSPITAL (City Patients)


Patients having settlement in Somerville


59


Patients having settlement in other cities and towns


19


Patients having no settlement (chargeable to State)


19


Total number of patients sent to hospital


97


Amount paid to hospital


$10,000 00


Table No. 7 POPULATION AND GROSS EXPENDITURES, 1900 to 1925


Year


1900


-* 61,643


Misc.


$23,697.62


Home,


$5,528.83


Total $29,226.45


1901


- 62,500


66


29,171.15


66


6,622.43


66


35,793.58


1902 - 63,500


66


28,667.04


7,396.64


36,063.68


1903


65,500


66


30,470.20


7,548.39


38,018.59


1904


69,500


20,476.64


6,563.11


27,039.65


1905


*69,272


17,527.88


66


7,474.36


25,002.24


1906


72,000


18,237.53


6,806.79


25,044.32


1907


74,000


17,852.20


7,001.23


60


24,853.43


1908


75,500


60


17,955.34


66


6,875.56


24,830.90


1909


-


75,500


16,843.17


6€


7,562.83


24,406.00


1910


*77,236


66


16,110.42


7,695.89


60


23,806.31


1911


78,000


66


16,327.56


7,842.03


24,169.59


1912 -


81,000


19,201.33


8,998.97


28,200.30


1913


82,000


21,827.73


10,945.95


32,773.68


1914


85,000


35,619.68


60


11,200.25


46,819.93


1915


*86,854


45,490.98


11,218.65


56,709.63


1916


90,000


51,759.62


66


11,593.41


63,353.03


1917


- 90,000


53,653.33


66


13,417.77


67,071.10


1918


90,500


63,420.48


15,411.20


78,831.58


1919


91,000


67,682.53


15,789.34


83,471.87


1921


95,000


87,922.69


15,069.81


.


102,992.50


1922


97,000


95,510.92


60


13,577.07


109,087.99


1923


- 98,000


88,909.21


14,770.97


103,680.18


1924


-100,000


100,013.27


14,891.79


66


114,905.06


1925


-* 99,032


66


108,009.99


17,138.03


125,148.02


-


-


-* 93,033


66


77,456.57


66


17,308.29


66


94,764.86


1920


-


*Census


1


-


-


66


60


66


-


293


BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE


OVERSEERS OF THE POOR OF SOMERVILLE


Since the reorganization in 1885


¡Hon. Mark F. Burns, chairman, ex-offico 1885


1888


inclusive


¡Col. Herbert E. Hill .


1885


1889


fCharles S. Lincoln, Esq., chairman


1885


1887


+Hon. Edward Glines


1885


1887


+Charles G. Brett (president 1888-1892)


1885 Apr. 1893


+Edward B. West (president May, 1894 February 1912)


1888


1912


Daniel C. Stillson


1888 Apr. 1892


*Hon. Charles G. Pope, chairman ex-officio


1889


1891


¡Nathan H. Reed (president 1893 to April, 1894)


1890 Apr. 1894


fHon. William H. Hodgkins, chairman ex-officio.


1892


1895


¡James G. Hinckley


May,


1892


1894


..


Albert W. Edmands


May,


1893 Oct.


1918


¡Herbert E. Merrill


May,


1894


1909


Hon. Albion A. Perry, chairman ex-officio ·


1896


1898


James H. Butler


March


1898


1899


Hon. George O. Proctor, chairman ex- officio


1899


Henry F. Curtis, M. D. (president 1912- 1919)


1910


1921


Philip Koen


1912 Nov. 1916


¡Michael Coll


November


1916 Dec. 1924


*Fred E. Durgin (chairman 1919 to date)


Oct.


1918


date


*George G. Brayley


Jan.


1922


date


*James D. Sharkey


Dec.


1924


date


Table No. 9


RECAPITULATION (Miscellaneous)


Expenditures and transfers


$108,009 99


Reimbursements and refunds


40,946 10


Net cost to city


$67,063 89


Present member


+ Deceased


Respectfully submitted,


WM. E. COPITHORNE,


General Agent.


12


¡Ezra D. Souther


1895 Feb. 1898


294


ANNUAL REPORTS


REPORT OF WARDEN OF CITY HOME


City Home, January 1, 1926


To the Board of Public Welfare, Somerville, Mass. :-


Gentlemen :-


I submit the following as the report of the Warden of the City Home for the year ending December 31, 1925 :-


Table No. 1


Number of weeks' board of inmates


2253


Number of males admitted during 1925


11


Number of females admitted during 1925


10


Number of males discharged during 1925


9


Number of females discharged during 1925


5


Number of males supported during 1925


36


Number of females supported during 1925


30


Number of males died during 1925


6


Number of females died during 1925


4


Number of inmates in home December 31, 1925


40


Table No. 2


Reimbursements


$7,384 60


Net expenditures


9,753 43


$17,138 03


Appropriation and transfers


17,138 03


Respectfully submitted,


J. FOSTER COLQUHOUN,


Warden.


BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE


295.


REPORT OF THE CITY PHYSICIAN


Somerville, January 1, 1926. To His Honor, the Mayor, and the Board of Aldermen :-


Gentlemen :-


The work of your City Physician during the year 1925 is presented in the following abstract :-


Office consultations and treatments


238


Total outside visits


769


Confinements


4


Vaccinations


21


Visits at City Home


172


Attended at Police Station


37


Examinations : -


For legal department


20


For police department


13


For fire department


13


For soldiers' relief department


4


For sanitary department


1


For sewer department


1


For pension


8


Much of the important work of the city physician, such as attendance at hearings, conferences and the like, does not admit of tabulation.


Respectfully submitted,


FRANK E. BATEMAN,


City Physician.


296


ANNUAL REPORTS


REPORT OF THE LAW DEPARTMENT


To the Honorable the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville :


The annual report of the law department for the year ending December 31, 1925, is as follows :


An act was secured from the legislature giving the city council of Somerville the powers and authority of park com- missioners under the provisions of sections 3 and 14 of chap ter 45 of the General Laws, thereby probably making it un- necessary for the city hereafter to secure special acts for the establishment and control of parks and playgrounds.


The metropolitan district commission in October made a taking of lands in East Cambridge and Somerville for the Northern Traffic Artery, so-called, under the provisions of chapter 489 of the acts of 1924 as amended by chapter 319 of the acts of 1925. The act provides that when the work has been completed the part in Somerville shall become a public street of this city. The route of the new way is as follows : Beginning at the Cambridge end of the Cambridge bridge, thence running along the Charles river basin to the Charles river dam; thence along Bridge street through East Cam- bridge to Somerville avenue; thence along Somerville avenue to Medford street; thence along Medford street across Wash- ington street to the westerly end of Chester avenue near the central fire station ; thence across private lands and the loca- tion of the Boston and Maine Railroad, Southern Division to Broadway nearly opposite Fellsway East; thence along Fellsway East to Mystic avenue. The width will be about one hundred feet. The act provides that twenty-five per cent of the cost shall be borne by the commonwealth and that three-fourths of the cost shall be paid by the cities and towns specially benefited in such manner as a commission to be appointed by the supreme judicial court shall determine.


In January the supreme court rendered a decision re- lating to the authority of a school committee in a city to fix the salaries of teachers in the public schools and relating to


297


LAW DEPARTMENT


the appropriation for that purpose by the city government. At the request of the school committee I gave opinions in reply to several questions on this subject.


An attempt by the city of Woburn to secure legislation that would require the construction of a large drain in that city at the expense of the metropolitan sewerage district was opposed and the general subject matter was referred to the metropolitan district commission. A report has recently been made by the commission adverse to the claims of the city of Woburn.


A zoning ordinance prepared by experts who were em- ployed by the city was examined in detail by members of the planning board and members of the legislative committee of the board of aldermen and myself and after being changed in many important respects was enacted by the city govern- ment.


The subject of an extension of the metropolitan water district will soon be before the legislature on a report by a special investigating commission appointed under chapter 491 of the acts of 1924. This district includes nineteen muni- cipalities of which Somerville ranks next to Boston in amount of assessment for expenses. The nature and cost of the ex- tension and the method of apportioning the cost will be im- portant matters for all the municipalities concerned.


A report made to me by Ralph M. Smith, Esq., as as- sistant in this department, is submitted herewith as a part of this report.


Yours very respectfully.


FRANK W. KAAN, City Solicitor.


298


ANNUAL REPORTS


REPORT OF RALPH M. SMITH, FOR THE YEAR 1925 Street Accident Notices


Pending December 22, 1924 184


New Notices 27


Disposed of and settled 143


Pending December 31, 1925


57


A large number included under the disposed of and settled item is because of the fact that I have removed from the files all those notices which are over two years old and on which legal proceedings have not been brought, there be- ing one hundred twenty-eight under this list, the remaining fifteen being cases which were settled.


All of the pending notices have been investigated, in fact, during the last year the investigation has been much more satisfactory than at the time of my last report. I think now that the cases are in fairly good shape considering the amount of appropriation that I have to work with.


Street Accident Cases in Superior Court


Pending December 22, 1924 17


New cases entered 12


Disposed of and settled 12


Cases pending December 31, 1925


17


Two of the cases disposed of represent cases that went to the Supreme Court on report of the presiding Judge, one of which being determined in favor of the City and the other in favor of the plaintiff. One other case was tried out before a Jury and a verdict of $3000 rendered against the City against which there is now pending a motion for new trial not yet disposed of.




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