USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1926 > Part 17
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Single family honses 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 col- lected for every building permit issued by this department. In accordance with this, fees collected for building permits during the year 1926 amounted to $3,262.00.
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 therewith, all janitors in the City's employ, a force of mechanics who per- form the work of keeping the buildings in repair, the inspec- tion of installation and care of all elevators, the supervision of construction of all new municipal buildings, the mainte- nance of the public bathing beach and public municipal baths in the Bennett and Bingham Schools, and Lincoln Park.
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COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS
The various activities in connection with the department 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 Zoning Ordinances together with the new Building Ordinance just completed has added a considerable amount of labor to this already heavily burdened department.
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 1926 and the spring of 1927.
Owing to two bids for Bituminous coal being the same the contract was divided between the Somerville Coal Com- pany and Thomas Walsh & Sons, both of Somerville, 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 delivery was sent to the Arthur D. Little Company for analysis.
Elevators
According to an act of the Legislature, the Building Com- missioner is required to have every elevator in the city in- spected yearly, and a report of the conditions and necessary re- pairs made to the Public Safety Department, State House, Boston.
Plans and specifications of all new installations of ele- vators must be filed in this office and certificates of approval granted by the Commissioner.
During the year 1926 there were 127 elevators inspected and 33 orders for repairs were sent out to concerns, covering 50 elevators.
288
ANNUAL REPORTS
School Buildings
The maintenance and care of the school buildings has, as formerly, demanded the most vigilant attention from this de- partment and the appropriation made for that purpose I be- lieve has been expended carefully and judiciously.
Every year, before the summer vacation arrives, this de- partment sends out blanks to be filled in by both the principals and janitors of the school buildings for all requisitions and re- pairs 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 are taken into consideration the requests and re- pairs absolutely needed for the opening of schools in the Fall. Then the others are taken up in the order of their importance. This in itself is a huge task as the wants of every section must be taken into consideration.
Several new school rooms were opened up in September among which were two rooms in the Forster School building and two rooms in the Edgerly School Building. Changes in furniture in two rooms of the Bennett School and one room of the Cummings School necessitated buying of complete new furniture equipment for these rooms.
The High School is so overcrowded that His Honor, the Mayor has taken the matter in hand, and engaged Frank Irving Cooper and Walter T. Littlefield as architect and as- sociate architect to draw up tentative plans which are now ready. These plans are so arranged that there will be class- rooms to allow for a normal growth for several years to come, also provides a suitable gymnasium. A new modern heating plant will be installed with a modern system of heating and ventilation.
Lighting of School Buildings
The most urgent need of the year is the lighting by elec- tricity 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 has during the past year equipped the following schools
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COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS
with a complete lighting system of the most modern type at a cost of about $8,000.00 : Highland, Hanscom, Perry, Glines, Durell, Prescott and Bingham Schools.
There are still several schools that are without any arti -- ficial lighting and the Commissioner hopes to be able to con- tinue the installation of lighting systems until every school building is properly equipped.
Fire Escapes
Somerville has unfortunately several three story school buildings of the older type with stairs running from a common hallway.
The Bell, Prescott and Forster School buildings have been taken care of by enclosed fire stairways of non-combustible material, entirely separate from the building but accessible. from each floor.
The Commissioner again recommends that enclosed stairs of the same type be built on the Morse, Highland and Edgerly schools.
School Yards
During the past year the Perry School yard has beenr fenced with modern six foot chain wire fencing. This pre- vents the children, while at play, from running into roadway, thereby 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.
The Bingham School vard has been resurfaced and proper drainage system put in. The Commissioner hopes to continue this work until every school yard is covered with a smooth sur- face free from dust and mud.
Heating of Schools
Several boilers have been retubed and otherwise repaired during the past year.
During the past summer a new heating system was in- stalled at the Morse School doing away with the antiquated furnace system that has long been in use in this building.
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ANNUAL REPORTS
The new heating and ventilating system is of the vacuum type and will give perfect satisfaction as well as a saving in the cost of fuel.
Two new return tubular boilers were installed in the Hodgkins School to replace worn out boilers.
The Commissioner recommends the installation of a new heating and ventilating system at the Cummings School to replace old furnaces now in use.
Every summer an internal inspection is made by state inspectors on every boiler, and recommendations for repairs made. Repairs are made during the summer vacation, the boilers reinspected and a certificate for operation granted. These certificates are hung in every boiler room. Besides this inspection there are three external inspections made while boiler is in use.
General Repairs
The Boys' Vocational School, Burns School and the Southworth Building have been painted on the outside. The Commissioner plans each year to paint some of the City Build- ings that all may be kept in good condition.
During the summer vacation all school toilets have been painted, all kindergartens painted, 3000 desk tops refinished, 2000 chairs refinished. Ceiling whitened, walls retinted and woodwork varnished in Teachers' room at Western Junior High School. The Glines School has been thoroughly gone over, ceilings whitened, walls retinted and woodwork varnished.
Plaster repairs have been made in fifteen different schools.
Window cords replaced in over one hundred windows.
Plumbing repairs made in twenty-five school buildings.
In the Hodgkins School both boys' and girls' toilets have been replaced with sanitary plumbing. There are still three schools which are equipped with old plumbing and the Com- missioner hopes to be able to put in modern fixtures during the coming year.
Steam repairs were made in twenty-five school buildings.
Roof repairs made in seventeen buildings. The Com- missioner hopes to be able to renew the roofs on at least four
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COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS
school buildings during the present year as these roofs are in such a condition that leaks may be expected at any time.
During the summer vacation carpenters were busy in all school buildings repairing buildings and furniture.
The curtain contract was given to the Crown Shade and Screen Company of Boston for the replacement of nearly 500 curtains.
100 chairs were recaned by the Massachusetts Institute of the Blind.
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 recommend that slate blackboards be installed in place of paper blackboards, as the slate boards last indefinitely and the saving 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.
As it does not seem probable that Engine No. 4 building will be replaced by a new station in the immediate future this department has repaired and repainted the exterior of this building and put in new plumbing fixtures to meet the tempo- rary need of the men stationed there.
The installation of the new ladder truck No. + necessi- tated considerable change in the fire station formerly occupied by Ladder No. 2 on Highland Avenue.
New dormitory was fitted up in Union Square Fire Sta- tion.
Engine No. 2 building was painted outside and interior whitened, walls tinted and woodwork varnished.
Engine No. 6 house was whitened, walls tinted and wood- work varnished.
New hot water boilers installed at Hose 5, Engine 6 and Ladder No. 2.
Loft at Engine No. 2 needs to be fixed over into additional sleeping quarters so as to relieve the crowded conditions that now exist.
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ANNUAL REPORTS
Libraries
The most urgent need of the libraries at the present time is new lighting equipment. During the past year the Com- missioner has installed new lighting fixtures at the Union Square Branch and in the Children's room at the Central Li- brary.
The exterior of the East Somerville Branch Library has been painted during the past year.
WATER, SANITARY AND HIGHWAY BUILDINGS
Considerable work has been done on the Water buildings. during the past year.
Sanitary Buildings
Owing to a fire in the Sanitary stables considerable re- pairs were made necessary. A runway to the incinerator in- stalled, and repairs made to office building.
ยท Highway Buildings
Extensive repairs were made to the exterior and roof of this building, and exterior painted.
It is necessary to replace stall floors at least twice a year.
New toilet facilities were installed in the office in this building.
Hospital
A new boiler was installed to heat the nurses' quarters.
The 500 gallon hot water boiler corroded out and a new one was installed.
New kitchen range installed.
Owing to the re-opening of the Tuberculosis Camp to be used for a preventorium for boys and girls during the summer vacation it was necessary to rescreen the building, install a new hot water boiler, and make other minor repairs.
City Home
The exterior of this building and hospital attached has been painted throughout.
A new 500 gallon hot water boiler and summer heater in-
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COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS
stalled. This has been badly needed and is proving a very sound investment.
The bathrooms in the Men's dormitories should have the wood floors replaced with Terrazzo floors, and new plumbing installed. It is hoped to complete this work and also put in new plumbing fixtures in bathroom in nurses' quarters this year.
A six foot chain wire fence should be erected on the , boulevard side.
Interior of the superintendent's home has been repainted and papered.
Electric lights have been installed in the greenhouses, garage and boiler house doing away with the old keresene oil lamps and removing a fire menace.
Police Buildings
Offices and cells have been renovated and painted, and several minor repairs made.
As this building is of antiquated design and wholly inad- equate for the needs of the present force the Commissioner recommends that an early consideration of a modern station be contemplated.
Park Buildings
Numerous repairs have been made to these buildings during the past year, new toilets have been installed and re- pairs to shower baths, heating apparatus, electric light fix- tures, and repairs in general.
Excessive damage has been done owing to the rough ele- ment which collect about these buildings after they are closed at night. Doors and windows have been broken and forced, toilet fixtures ripped from the walls and broken, electric light fixtures destroyed and tile roofs badly damaged.
Bath House
The public bathouse on the Mystic River at Wellington Bridge was opened and maintained as usual this year.
Owing to the building of the new Ford plant and the changing of the storm drain it was necessary to move the bath house from its old location to a location across the boule- vard. A six foot wire fence has been erected around the lot.
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ANNUAL REPORTS
The Commissioner hopes to be able to plant shrubs around fence with trees for shade, grade and grass over a por- tion, and resand the beach.
About 100 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 children 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.
Election Booths
The change this year in the ward and precinct lines added quite a number of additional voting places. To meet this demand the Commissioner drew up plans and let out con- tracts for the building of four additional booths, some of these are located permanently on city land and others were moved to rented land and returned to city land after election for storage. Where possible new ward rooms were fitted up in school house basements. A number of new voting stalls, tables and list boards had to be built in time for the fall election.
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.
295
FIRE DEPARTMENT
REPORT OF CHIEF ENGINEER OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable, the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen, Gentlemen :
In compliance with the City Ordinance, I have the honor of submitting, for your information, the annual report of the fire department for the year ending December 31, 1926.
Alarms and Losses
Number of bell alarms
367
Number of still alarms
691
Total alarms
1,058
Number less than 1925
131
Value of buildings at risk
$1,029,269 00
Insurance on buildings
1,497,000 00
Damage to buildings
174,239 55
Value of contents
387,395 08
Insurance on contents
337,980 00
Damage to contents
82,605 30
Total value at risk
1,416,663 08
Total damage
256,844 85
. Approximate per capita loss
2 56
Classification of Causes of Alarms
Chimney fires
102
Bonfires
95
Dump
91
Out of town
82
Children playing with matches
61
Automobiles
61
Sparks on shingle roof
52
Careless smoker
41
False alarm
39
Grass fire
36
Rubbish in cellar
23
Food on stove
22
Unnecessary
21
Carlessness with matches
20
Overheated heaters
20
Leaves and Christmas trees
17
Unknown
17
Defective heaters
16
Electric wires
12
Oil burners
10
Spontaneous ignition
8
Trolley cars
7
Miscellaneous
205
1,058
ANNUAL REPORTS
296
Engine 1.
Engine 2.
Engine 3.
Engine 4.
Hose 5.
Engine 6-
Hose 7 ..
Hose 8.
Ladder 1,
Ladder 2.
Ladder 3.
Total
Bell alarms
254
243
223
106
92
73
170
238
120
122
130
367
Still alarms
78
23
104
35
51
137
70
135
22
18
18
691
Miles traveled
570
256
395
209
242
339
3821/2
338
126
2401/2
182
3,280
Ft. of hose used
15,900
24,350
22,500
12,300
7,350
45,450
10,150 11,250
19,050
Chemical hose
15,550
12,950
7,550
2,250
11,500
9,800
Feet of ladders
168
20
40
280
40
240
2,698
3,083
4,062
10,631
Extinguishers
21
8
77
17
9
27
20
18
6
7
9
219
Gals. of chemical
2,030
2,351
1,168
950
1,675
950
1,880
Covering
1
Out of town
5
10
11
1
1
26
Covers used
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...
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..
..
..
......
..
..
...
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..
..
..
...
..
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2
4
5
2
1
.. ......
28
..
..
..
6
8
10
26
427
11,431
15
82
..
2
157,050
2,250
73,100
...
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FIRE DEPARTMENT
Manual Force
The manual force consists of one hundred and thirty (130) permanent men, during the year one has resigned and one retired and placed on the pension list; thirteen have been added from the eligible list of the Civil Service. The roster of the department is as follows,-
1 Chief Engineer,
1 Deputy Chief,
2 District Chiefs,
7 Captains,
1 Master Mechanic,
12 Lieutenants,
2 Engineman,
104 Permanent men.
Apparatus
There was added to the department equipment, on De- cember 12th, a 75 ft. aerial ladder truck and placed in the station on Highland Ave. between Lowell and Cedar Streets, practically the geographical center of the city, for the purpose of meeting the rapid increase of lofty apartment houses which require a quick hoisting ladder, of sufficient length, to quickly assist in saving life and property, this piece of apparatus re- sponds to every locality where its use can be effective. The installation of this aerial has made it possible to have a ladder truck located at Clarendon Hill, this section of the city has needed such service for some time due to the rapid growth of this section. The apparatus of the department is as follows,-
1 Motor driven, 1,300 gallon pumper and hose wagon,
1 Motor driven, 900 gallon pumper and hose wagon,
2 Motor driven, 750 gallon pumper, hose wagon and chemical,
1 Tractor drawn, 800 gallon steam fire engine,
5 Motor driven, combination hose and chemical wagons,
1 Motor driven, combination ladder truck and chemical,
2 Motor driven, tiller steering ladder trucks,
1 Motor driven, tiller steering 75 ft. aerial ladder truck,
1 Automobile, Chief's car,
1 Automobile, Deputy Chief's car,
1 Automobile, District Chief's Car,
1 Automobile, Master Mechanic's car,
1 Automobile, Service car.
298
ANNUAL REPORTS
Hose
The amount of serviceable hose is 9,550 feet of two and one-half (21/2) inch double jacket, rubber lined, water hose and 2,100 feet of three quarter inch chemical hose. There has been 1,500 feet of new two and one-half inch purchased and 1,400 feet condemned, fifty feet of which was given to the Sanitary Department, also 300 feet of chemical hose purchased and 250 feet condemned. Eleven hundred and fifty feet, of our present equipment, has been repaired for further use.
There should be at least 2,000 feet of new hose purchased the coming year.
Brief Resume
One third of the year's total loss was during the month of February. The great amount of snow-fall during the month made the streets practically impassable for the motor apparatus thereby necessitating the employment of six pungs and twelve horses to carry hose to the fires, also the full manual force of the department, both platoons, were kept on duty for twenty-six days. The losses, by months, follow,-
January
$30,847 07
February
85,515 91
March
22,822 66
April
25,506 85
May
5,440 48
June
11,212 00
July
2,561 00
August
37,782 67
September
7,331 00
October
5,376 00
November
10,870 61
December
11,578 60
$256,844 85
Chimney Fires. There have been fifty-eight more fires of this character than the previous year and unless the prop- perty owners give proper attention to their chimneys, fires due to this cause will continue to increase : The rapid increase of oil-burner installations, of which there are, at present, one hundred and sixty-one different makes allowed to do business in this state under the Regulations of the Department of Pub- lic Safety, requires extra precautions for the proper discharge of heat and smoke, therefore, the chimney should be given
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FIRE DEPARTMENT
thorough attention before the oil-burners, or in fact any kind of fuel, are allowed to function.
Dump. Ninety-one times, or sixty less than the previous year, the department has been called upon for dump service, this is still all too many, however the matter has been taken in hand by the cities of Somerville and Cambridge, assisted by the State Board of Health, so that the many calls for this class of fires will be reduced to a minimum if the plans adopted and being effected have the proper results.
Needless Alarms. Twenty-five per cent of the year's total alarms are sounded for bonfires, false alarms, grass, etc. This class of calls are all too numerous, the fire department is maintained for the purpose of saving lives and property, the tax-payers are spending their money for the purchase and upkeep of the best equipment that can be procured and it should not be used to satisfy the pranks of children and irre- sponsible people.
Inspection. This is the third year that a systematic inspection, by members of the department, has been in force, the past year the number of inspectors has been increased from four to seven and the city divided into seven inspection districts. There has been a total of 5,317 inspections, 3,817 of which have been original, the balance re-inspections. 1,141 notices have been sent out to correct violations of the Regula- tions of the Department of Public Safety. The reduction of the fire loss is in a measure due to this careful supervision of menacing conditions. In a very short time, due to the great agitation of fire prevention, the cellars of private dwellings, in addition to the many mercantile, manufacturing plants, garages, theatres and apartment houses, will be subject to the supervision of the inspection department.
Recommendations
As in previous reports, I recommend the replacement of the tractor drawn steam fire engine, at the Central Station, with a motor driven pump with, at least, a capacity of one thousand gallons. At the time, fourteen years ago, when the steam fire engine was put into service. it was being universally installed in all the large cities, being a great step forward over the horse-drawn type, again this class of pump is being replaced by a motor driven pump, being less expensive to main-
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ANNUAL REPORTS
tain and more efficient. More than two-thirds of the fires are answered by the apparatus from the Central station, there- fore, it is essential to have the most effective and up-to-date equipment for that purpose.
The continuation of the Engine No. 4 equipment in its present insufficient and uninhabitable building should be given the very earliest consideration. The rapid growth of the business section of Davis Sq. has gradually surrounded the present property thereby rendering this corner as a valu- able business proposition. A more suitable location should be secured and a modern building erected.
In Conclusion
In concluding this report, I express to His Honor, Mayor Conwell and to the members of the Board of Aldermen, my appreciation of their expressed confidence, consideration and co-operation in all matters pertaining to the fire department.
I also desire to thank those officers and members who have so voluntarily and willingly helped to maintain the good reputation and high standing of the fire department.
Respectfully submitted, SEWALL M. RICH Chief Engineer.
301
LICENSING COMMISSION
REPORT OF LICENSING COMMISSION
January 24, 1927.
To the Honorable the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville :-
Gentlemen :
The Licensing Commission respectfully submits the fol- lowing report for the year 1926. The Commission has fol- lowed its established policy with reference to the matters within its jurisdiction and has kept in close touch with the office of the State Fire Marshal regarding garages in new developments in the city and changing types of construction.
There has been no increase in the number of establish- ments operating with Lord's Day Licenses at all incompatible with the changing conditions and rising growth in population.
The Commission desires to acknowledge its apprecia- tion of the confidence placed in and the many courtesies ex- tended to it by Mayor Leon M. Conwell, its activities having been thereby rendered pleasant to perform. The Commission also wishes to acknowledge the splendid co-operation of other departments of the City Government connected with its opera- tion.
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