USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1926 > Part 24
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236
Number of Pedlers' scales 78
Number of Junk scales 12
Number of Ice scales
18
Number of Gasoline devices
55
Number of Pedlers' Licenses
130
Transient Vendors
1
Taxi Meters
37
Vehicle Tanks
8
Oils and Measuring Cans
4
Oil Bottles Non-Sealed
87
Condemned for repairs or replacement on road:
Number of scales and measures inspected and C D.
103
Number repaired or replaced and sealed
94
Number not reported ready for sealing
9
Condemned for repairs or replacement at office:
Number of scales and measures inspected and C D.
130
Number repaired or replaced and sealed
127
Number not reported ready for sealing 3
Gasoline Station Tests:
Total number of calls
126
Number of different stations
101
Number of call backs to stations previously inspected.
24
Total number of gallons of gas drawn for tests
4904
Average gallons of gas drawn per pump
22 1-5
Total number of pumps inspected
256
Number of pumps sealed
221
Number of pumps N. S.
34
Number of Pumps C D
1
Total number of oilpumps
389
Number of oil pumps sealed
64
Number of oil pumps non-sealed
325
Summary of tests and inspections:
Total Number
Correct
Under
Over
Loaves of Bread
142
106
24
12
Packages of Butter
75
71
5
0
Coal in paper bags
109
76
16
17
Confectionery
56
50
0
6
Dry Commodity
1223
900
293
30
Bags of Flour
85
58
27
0
Fruits and Vegetables
417
260
144
13
Grain and Feed
9
6
0
3
Ice
16
0
16
0
Meats and Provisions
324
196
120
8
3
0
3
0
Hay
-
Total
2459
1723
647
89
373
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Other Inspections:
Marking of Bread
142
Paper or Fibre Cartons
90
Milk Jars
500
Wholesale Milk Cans
1500
Metal Ice Cream Containers
600
Taximeters
27
Miscellaneous :
Complaints Investigated
8
Total Number Licenses Issued 331
Amount paid City Treasurer for Pedlers' Licenses $1050.00
Amount paid City Treasurer as Sealing Fees
941.97
B. S. ABBOTT,
Sealer of Weights and Measures.
374
ANNUAL REPORTS
REPORT OF THE STREET COMMISSIONER
OFFICE OF THE STREET COMMISSIONER,
City Hall, Somerville, January 1, 1927.
To His Honor, the Mayor, and the Board of Aldermen :-
Gentlemen :- I most respectfully submit the fifty-first an- nual report, containing a brief summary of the principal work performed by the Highway Department, by day labor and con- tract, during the year 1926 with recommendations for neces- sary additions the coming year.
This department has charge of the construction, altera- tion, repair, maintenance and management of ways, streets, sidewalks and bridges ; the setting out and care of shade trees ; the suppression of gypsy and brown tail moths, elm leaf beetles and other pests which destroy trees; and the oiling and water- ing of streets.
Highway Department Appropriations
Appropriations
Expenditurey $141,920.13
Highway Maintenance
$142,239.36
Sidewalks Maintenance
8,800.00
8,785.07
Street Sprinkling
42,208.10
42,204.63
Street Cleaning
25,100.00
25,097.02
Suppression of Moths
4,700.00
4,695.41
Care of Trees
6,500.00
6,119.08
New Streets
66,608,07
63,189.76
Permanent Pavement
56,201.64
56,196.09
Sidewalks Construction
26,232.37
25,901.92
Reconstruction and Resurfacing
36,551.44
36,377.07
$415,140.98
$410,486.18
It is plain to be seen that the ever increasing burden of vehicular transportation imposes an obligation that must be met, if roads are to serve effectively the purposes for which they are built. Tremendous strides have been made to im- prove the construction of pavements, but it is a common truth the road that does not require maintenance is not in existence. Progressive cities and towns are meeting this need effectively
375
STREET COMMISSION
through the adoption of a sound, systematic plan of road re- pair. No one thing that can be named is of greater use to more people most of the time than our roads and streets. Smooth roads are the pride of every road official as well as every taxpayer.
The construction of the new Northern Arteryway was started this year and will be completed the coming year. When the city accepts the arteryway from the state this de- partment must maintain the same in regard to repairs, clean- ing, sprinkling and the care of ice and snow.
1926
Highway Maintenance
Appropriations
$108,460.00.
Credits
33,779.36
$142,239.36
Street Commissioner
$ 3,300.00
Bookeeper-clerk
3,123.50
Office expenses
485.80
Equipment and repairs
4,245.37
Harnesses
1,246.57
Tools and machinery
4,504.18
Steam rollers
883.84
Mixers
283.47
New automobiles
1,131.97
Automobile maintenance
9,719.72
New tractors and maintenance
12,642.79
Stable expenses
6,594.51
Hay, grain and feed
7,160.90
Shoeing and veterinary
2,059.76
Fuel
382.53
Towing automobiles
375.35
707.38
Repair subways
504.42
Care of highway property
1,225.57
Lanterns and traffic signs
6,003.90
Snow and ice
24,718.85
Signs
1,638.68
Sawing wood
746.03
Horses
690.00
Holidays and vacations
8,679.27
Driveways
7,391.85
Charges to other departments
3,683.58
Bills receivable
970.03
Miscellaneous
222.86
Materials for other appropriations
13,187.27
Balance
319.23 $142,239.36
Emergency calls
Repairs to streets, gutters and crossings.
13,410.18
376
ANNUAL REPORTS
Snow and Ice
Each winter the question of snow removal assumes greater importance. More than sixteen million motor vehicles are registered in the States lying within snowfall area. Failure to keep the roads open always means inconvenience to the public and sometimes causes actual suffering. Food, fuel and other necessities are distributed largely by motor truck nowadays, and even a one-day snow blockade brings discomfort cr worse. Physicians must be able to reach their patients regularly. The fire hazard increases in winter and the fire apparatus is useless unless the roads are kept open. The public demands year-round use of the highways.
A five-ton tractor with plough, a Fordson caterpillar trac- tor with plough were purchased this year, also a five-ton Mack truck that is equipped with a plough in the winter and street sprinkling apparatus in the summer.
This department cares for the sidewalks around all pub- lic buildings and grounds, and removes snow from streets on request where there is to be a funeral, wedding or party.
Warning signs were erected and ashes spread at the foot of hills where coasting was allowed.
$24,718.85 was expended for the removal of snow and ice. 420 requests and reports were attended to. 13,611 cubic yards of snow and ice were removed. 57 cubic yards of sand and 55 cubic yards of ashes were used in caring for icy sidewalks, streets and crossings.
Bridges
The bridges are in good condition. The bridges over the Boston and Maine Railroad known as the Willow Bridge and the Prospect Street Bridge should be widened to conform with the width of the roads approaching the same. Two new bridges were built on the new Arteryway.
Street Railways
The Boston Elevated Railway Company reconstructed double tracks on Broadway from Westminster street to the Arlington line and on Somerville avenue at their new buss garage. New rails and paving were laid on Boston avenue from the Medford line to Alewife Brook and on the new Artery- way on Somerville avenue and Medford street from the Cam- bridge line to Highland avenue. They also removed the double and single tracks on Summer and Bow streets from near Cen- tral street to Walnut street, and on Washington street at the
377
STREET COMMISSION
entrance to their new buss garage. The double tracks on Highland avenue, Main street and Somerville avenue from Union square to the new Arteryway should be reconstructed.
Underground Wires
Permits were issued the Edison Electric Illuminating Company to open streets for the construction or enlarging of conduits on Highland avenue from Willow avenue to School street. This company and the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company reconstructed and relaid their conduits on the new Arteryway. The Boston Elevated Railway Com- pany removed their feed and trolley wires on Summer and Bow streets when they removed their tracks, and will remove their poles the coming year.
Crushed Stone
Crushed stone purchased during the year :- 66 tons $2.95 from Coleman Brothers.
199 tons No. 1 $2.10 from General Crushed Stone Co.
160 tons No. 4 $2.60 from General Crushed Stone Co.
23 tons No. 2 $2.50 from General Crushed Stone Co.
71 tons $2.30 from Rowe Contracting Co.
20 tons $2.85 from Rowe Contracting Co.
6711 cu. yds $2.85 from Sullivan Stone Co.
Sidewalks Maintenace
Police reports pertaining to all kinds of defective side- walks were promptly attended to and charged to this account.
3,482 linear feet of edgestone were reset. 1,308 square yards of brick sidewalks were relaid, and 167 square yards of granolithic relaid. 2,681 square yards of granolithic were sub- stituted for old brick sidewalks. This kind of work should be continued.
$10,285.07 was expended for Sidewalks Maintenance.
Street Sprinkling
This division of the department is self-supporting. The cold tar was applied by employees of the department. The car sprinkler sprinkles streets where there are car tracks. This year a five-ton Mack truck was purchased and a tank which the department had was mounted on the same. This cared for streets where there are no car tracks and on streets where tar or oil could not be applied. The depatment has its own storage tanks for cold tar, situated on its siding at the city yard. Cold tar was purchased from the Trimount Oil Com-
378
ANNUAL REPORTS
pany of Everett for $.0948 per gallon delivered into the yard tanks.
Dust layers used during the year :-
167,753 gallons of Tarco B, Trimount Oil Company. 7,500 pounds Calcium Chloride.
$43,704.63 was expended for Street Sprinkling.
Street Cleaning
The demand for cleaner streets is constantly increas- ing, and with our two motor pick-up sweeping machines the department has tried to comply with this demand. Clean streets give the city a good appearance and I earnestly ask the co-operation of all citizens in helping by not throwing their papers and rubbish in the streets.
4,782 cubic yards of street sweepings were removed. $25,097.02 was expended for Street Cleaning.
Suppression of Moths
This department cares for all trees both public and pri- vate in regard to moths. What few brown tail moth nests were found were cut off and burnt. The gypsy moth nests were painted with creosote. All the street trees were sprayed with arsenate of lead, and where caterpillars were found on private property they were sprayed by contractors. The leopard moth is destroying many of our trees. The satin moth is a new comer and is found on the poplar and willow trees.
The old horse-drawn spraying machine that was pur- chased in 1911 is near worn out and a new motor spraying machine should be purchased.
7,044 street trees were inspected and cared for.
15,542 private trees were inspected and cared for.
24,839 bushes were found moth infested.
13,449 fences and buildings on which moths nested.
22,324 gypsy moth nests were painted with creosote.
1,412 brown tail moth nests were gathered and destroyed.
5,223 satin moth nests were painted with creosote.
6,441 trees were sprayed by the gasoline spraying machine to exterminate the different kinds of caterpillars and beetles. 32,572 tussock moth nest were destroyed.
1,354 tent moth nests were destroyed.
$4,795.41 was expended for the Suppression of Moths.
379
STREET COMMISSION
Shade Trees
There are at the end of this year sixty-four stumps of trees to be removed that have been topped.
101 trees were set out. 184 trees were removed. 179 trees were trimmed by request. 108 tree guards and supports were installed.
$6,119.08 was expended for the Care of Trees.
NEW STREETS CONSTRUCTED IN 1926
Street
From
To
Width 40
Cost
Bailey road
.Fellsway reservation
Temple road
$10,309.21
Boston Avenue
Kidder avenue
. Prichard avenue 40
6,429.09
Gov. Winthrop road
Fellsway reservation
Temple road .40
8,971.41
Hardan road
Powder House boulevard
southerly
.40
2,079.83
Irvington road
Mystic Valley parkway
southeasterly
.40
5,262.74
Puritan road
.Fellsway reservation
Temple road
.40
7,079.70
Putnam road
Ten Hills road
Temple road
40
5,269.84
*Smith avenue
.Beacon street
Line street
25
2,468.38
Ten Hills road
.Puritan road
Temple road
40
7,526.65
Upland road ... Curtis street
Hillsdale road .40
6,914.30
The above streets were constructed on a cracked stone base with Asphalt mixed top. *Asphalt penetration.
PERMANENT PAVEMENT 1926
Street
From
To
Cost
Boston avenue
Medford line
.southeasterly
$ 6,002.62
Broadway
Teele square
Arlington line
17,439.07
Summer street-Bow street ...... near Central street
Walnut street
56,196.09
RECONSTRUCTION AND RESURFACING 1926
Street
From
To
Width Length
Cost
Bonner avenue
. Washington street
Columbus avenue
.40
376
$1,049.99
Columbus avenue
Washington street Walnut street
40
1425
4,614.70
Concord square
4,335.77
Kensington avenue
Broadway
Blakeley avenue 40
455
2,436.15
Knowlton street
Tufts street
northeasterly
40
461
1,721.83
Morrison avenue
Cedar street
Willow avenue
50
1366
9,498.36
Morton street
Glen street
Knowlton street
.40
287
1,916.15
Newbury street
Holland street
Cambridge line
.40
1260
5,382.48
Vernon street
Central street
Lowell street
30-40
1388
5,361.10
The above streets were constructed with Asphalt penetration.
380
ANNUAL REPORTS
SIDEWALKS CONSTRUCTION-1926
Street
Location
Cost
Alfred street Beacon street
In front Union Chapel Assembly and on Broadway. $ 285.38
Smith avenue to and including No. 110 Beacon street .. 622.72
Broadway
In front estate No. 345 869.98 No. 1024 to Paulina street .. 355.44
Broadway
In front estate No. 1254-1258
177.81
Broadway
S'wly side in front estate Royal Furniture Company
454.56
Broadway
In front estate No. 333
424.75
Broadway
In front estate No. 465-475.
1,034.45
Broadway
In front estate Somerville Trust Company, cor. School street 427.62
In front estate No. 138-146 and on Rush St. side 146 Broadway 572.72
992.60
Claremon street
S'ely side Holland street to Mead street ..
1,188.35
Curtis avenue
N'ely side from Curtis street to Hillsdale road.
1,270.19
Dover street
N'wly side from Meacham Rd., Meacham Rd. from Dover St.
1,038.02
Elm street
No. 268 Elm street to Day street and on Day street.
587.39
Elm street
In front estate No. 241
143.49
Gordon street
N'ely North street to Harold street.
1,252.91
Hall street
S'wly side where not already laid.
817.61
Holland street
In front estate No. 18-24
138.82
Holyoke road
No. 68 Elm street to bend, N'ely side said road to No. 9
554.49
Kensington avenue
Both sides, Broadway to Blakely avenue.
3,807.20
Marion street
Where already laid to No. 84 inc.
173.36
Middlesex avenue
At Ford Plant.
5,832.29
Morrison avenue
In front estate No. 2-4 and on Cedar street.
410.17
Munroe street
In front estate No. 81 (brick)
11.73
Smith avenue
Both sides
678.31
Summer street
S'wly side from Belmont street 180', S'ely in front No. 192 ...
449.37
Temple street
S'ely side from Broadway N'ely about 12' 43.90
Waldo avenue
Both sides, Beacon street to Dimick street.
1,259,65
Broadway
Cedar street
N'wly side Broadway to Boston & Maine R. R. bridge.
STREET COMMISSION
381
Broadway
382
ANNUAL REPORTS
Highway Construction-New Streets
Ten new streets were constructed during the year under the Betterment Act, by contract, viz :-
Setting edgestones 60c per linear foot.
Gutter construction $3.50 per square yard.
Construction of macadam roadway with Asphalt top $2.00 per square yard.
The city furnished the edgestone delivered on the line of work for $1.27 per linear foot, and also the asphalt for 16c per gallon.
Eleven new streets were accepted this year.
One new street constructed by City employees.
$63,189.76 was expended for New Streets.
Sidewalks Construction
This year there was a large appropriation for this kind of work. The average cost of granolithic sidewalks con- structed by department employees, including excavation and all materials, was $3.18 per square yard, the abuttors paying half the cost of construction. No brick sidewalks were con- structed this year. Granolithic sidewalks constructed in the business sections of the city give a good appearance to the property.
Miles of edgestones, granolithic, brick and gravel side- walks in the city :-
Edgestones 155.417 miles
Gravel sidewalks 18.217 miles
Brick sidewalks 69.849 miles
Granolithic sidewalks 60.74 miles
$25,901.92 was expended for Sidewalks Construction.
Highway Construction-Permanent Pavement
One of the big problems of today is how to build roads to sustain the terrific demands of modern traffic at a cost within the bounds of public wealth. On Summer street and Bow street from near Central street to Walnut street the Boston Elevated Railway Company removed their double and single tracks, and the city constructed a concrete base with a Warrenite mixed top for a wearing surface from curb to curb. On Broadway from Teele square to the Arlington line the tracks were reconstructed, the old mixed top removed from the con- crete base and a Warrenite top constructed. On Boston ave-
383
STREET COMMISSION
nue north side from the Medford line to Alewife Brook edge- stones were set, concrete gutter constructed and a Warrenite top constructed on an asphalt penetration base, the Boston Elevated Railway Company laid a new track.
$56,196.09 was expended for Permanent Pavement.
Reconstruction and Resurfacing
Nine streets were reconstructed or resurfaced this year at an average cost of $1.40 per square yard by city employees. This kind of work makes a great improvement in our city and satisfies a number of residents and tax payers.
$36,377.07 was expended for Reconstruction and Resur- facing.
Miscellaneous
142 Granolithic driveways constructed.
90 Brick driveways constructed.
43 Edgestones dropped for driveways.
5 Driveways extended.
4 Driveways discontinued.
Driveways are constructed, discontinued, relocated or ex- tended at the expense of the petitioners.
Five horses were killed on account of disability.
Three horses were purchased during the year.
The department maintains its own municipal repair shop for the different lines of work.
I have attended meetings of the Public Works, Mayor Conwell as Chairman, Public Works Committee, and the Board of Aldermen for consultation regarding work and petitions.
Traffic Control
This department maintains all the traffic signs, lanterns, lines and lights. I most respectfully recommend the purchase of a power marking machine to take the place of hand labor, which is an expensive way of doing the work, and the demand for center traffic lines is increasing rapidly.
Traffic lines were painted in the squares, at school houses and at theatres, also center traffic lines were painted on Med- ford street, Pearl street, Washington street and College ave- nue. More safety zones were established. "Be Careful" signs were erected at dangerous corners and crosses (indicating cross roads) and "Danger" were painted on the streets at dangerous crossings.
384
ANNUAL REPORTS
There were one hundred and four automobiles and trucks towed to the city stables that were wrecked or stolen and blocking traffic in the streets. When the new Arteryway is opened for travel there should be traffic signals of some kind placed at the intersections of main streets.
When requested this department places sickness signs on the streets notifying the public to make no noise.
Permits
There were during 1926 :-
160 permits issued to the Cambridge and Charlestown Gas Com- panies.
73 permits issued to cross sidewalks.
494 permits issued to occupy streets and sidewalks.
18 permits issued to feed horses.
99 notifications to other departments and corporations.
75 accident reports.
1001 police reports.
516 brick and granolithic sidewalks repaired.
1783 miscellaneous reports and requests.
170 drain layers permits.
363 water department openings.
183 permits to open streets and sidewalks.
106 danger and traffic signs erected.
91 new signs erected.
178 signs repainted. 239 streets cleaned by request.
3732 cubic yards of sand and gravel used.
5830 cubic yards of dirt removed.
2161 cubic yards of ashes used.
1790 cubic yards of old macadam used.
1858 barrels of Portland cement used.
5 cubic yards of loam used.
Recommendations
I most respectfully recommend the repaving of Somer- ville avenue from Union square to the new Arteryway. The relocating of tracks on Mystic avenue from near Austin street to Middlesex avenue and the paving of same with grouted granite blocks on a concrete base. To finish the paving on the northerly side of Beacon street. Relaying the tracks and paving the sides of Main street. Finish removing the car tracks on Bow, Newton and Springfield streets and the paving of these streets. Repave Davis square. The granite paving blocks should be removed, re-cut and placed on a new concrete base on Medford street between the new Arteryway and the Cam- bridge line. The old mixed top on Prospect street between
385
STREET COMMISSION
Webster avenue and the Cambridge line should be removed and cut granite paving blocks laid on the existing concrete base.
This department should have a fireproof garage.
The City is building so many Bituminous and Asphalt streets that this department should have a small portable Asphalt plant.
I wish to extend my sincere thanks to all for their sup- port and cooperation.
Respectfully submitted,
ASA B. PRICHARD,
Street Commissioner.
386
ANNUAL REPORTS
BOARD OF HEALTH
Organization - 1926 C. A. C. RICHARDSON, M. D., Chairman JAMES A. KILEY JESSE S. NEWCOMB
Executive Clerk LAURENCE S. HOWARD
Assistant Clerk OLIVE M. STANLEY
Agent GEORGE I. CANFIELD
Medical Inspector and Bacteriologist FRANK L. MORSE, M. D.
Inspector of Animals and Provisions CHARLES M. BERRY, V. S.
Inspector of Milk and Vinegar HERBERT E. BOWMAN, Ph. G.
Milk Collector and Dairy Inspector WILLIAM H. WALLIS
Technician GEORGIA H. MORELAND, Ph. C.
Milk Collector FRANCIS W. SMALL
Plumbing Inspector DUNCAN C. GREENE
School Nurses
GRACE M. ANDREWS, R. N. GLADYS M. GRANT, R. N. (Resigned Sept. 1, 1926)
DOROTHY E. HOOPER (Appointed Sept. 15, 1926)
HELEN B. BERRY
Health Nurses MARY L. SCOTT, R. N.
GRACE E. PICKERING, R. N.
Matron at Contagious Hospital LILLIAN E. GOULD, R. N.
387
HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Office of the Board of Health, City Hall, January 3, 1927.
To His Honor, the Mayor, and the Board of Aldermen :-
Gentlemen :
We respectfully submit the following as the forty-ninth annual report of the Board of Health in which is presented a statement, tabulated and otherwise, of the sanitary condi- tion of the city and the business of the board for the year ending December 31, 1926.
Nuisances
A record of the nuisances abated during the year, in compliance with notices issued by the board, or under the board's direction, is presented in the following table :
Complaints referred from 1925 10
Complaints received during 1926 504
514
Complaints received with no just cause
15
Complaints abated on verbal notice of Agent
96
Complaints abated on notices sent
389
Complaints referred to 1927
14
514
First notices sent
374
Second and third notices sent
36
Total notices sent
410
Annually the cellars and alleyways of the city are ex- amined and the owners of property where unsanitary condi- tions exist are required to remedy the same.
Record of Licenses and Permits Issued
GOATS. Four applications were received for permits to keep five goats, all of which were granted. The fee is one dollar for each goat.
HENS. Thirty-four applications for permits to keep 474 hens were received. Twenty-five to keep 295 hens were granted and nine permits were refused.
388
ANNUAL REPORTS
COWS. Three applications for permits to keep three cows were received, which were granted.
GREASE. Twenty-six applications were received for permits to collect grease, which were granted. The fee is two dollars for each team.
MELTING AND RENDERING. Three parties have been licensed to carry on the business of melting and render- ing, for which a fee of one dollar is charged.
MASSAGE AND MANICURE. Eighty-nine persons have been licensed to practice massage and manicure. The fee is one dollar for each license.
SALE OF ALCOHOL. The statutes provide that no person, firm or corporation other than a registered druggist shall engage in the business of manufacturing, buying, selling or dealing in methyl alcohol, or wood alcohol so called or de- natured alcohol, or any preparation containing more than three percent of any of the said alcohols, without being li- censed so to do by the board of health.
Under the provisions of this act fifty-three licenses have been issued. A fee of one dollar was received for each li- cense.
BOTTLING. CARBONATED BEVERAGES. Chapter 303, Acts of 1921 provides that no person shall engage in the manufacturing or bottling of carbonated non-alcoholic bever- ages, soda waters and mineral and spring water without a permit from the board of health. Four such permits were granted, a fee of ten dollars being charged in each case.
Stables
No person has the legal right to erect, occupy or use any building in this city, as a stable, without obtaining a license from the board for such occupancy. Each applica- tion is referred to the Agent of this board and no license is granted unless all regulations of the board are complied with. The following is a record of applications received and licenses granted :
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