USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1929 > Part 13
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I further recommend that a suitable school of instruc- tion be established for the inspectors and that an invitation be extended to all manufacturers and apartment house owners in this city to send their watchmen to this school. Conditions have proved in past years at fires in the various establishments that the watchmen have not handled the situations presented to them in emergency in an efficient manner.
The support of the Chief of the Fire Department with the conscientious work of the past inspectors and the co-operation of the owners and occupants of the inspected premises have made it possible for the successful results obtained.
Respectfully,
H. W. HUTCHINS JR.,
Captain, In charge of Bureau.
JOSEPH A. CRIBBY, Chief Engineer
237
ELECTRIC LINES AND LIGHTS
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF ELECTRIC LINES AND LIGHTS
Somerville, Mass., January 1, 1930
To the Honorable, The Mayor and the Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville.
Gentlemen :-
I most respectfully submit my twenty-first annual report as Commissioner of Electric Lines and Lights for the year end- ing December 31, 1929.
Inspection of Wiring in Buildings
The same rigid inspections of electrical wiring and at- tachments thereto have been carried on as in previous years.
An increased use of unapproved and improperly con- structed appliances has been the cause of numerous small fires which might have developed into larger ones.
Overloading of circuits, making attachments to lamp sockets and attaching wires and cords of all kinds introduce very serious hazards to life and property.
It should be borne in mind that every circuit carrying or using electricity for light, heat or power purposes con- tains the elements necessary to start a conflagration if it is improperly installed.
The electrical hazard is more insidious than the mechan- ical hazard because the dangerous elements are invisible.
Numerous cases of unapproved work have been found done by unlicensed persons with no regard for regulations or knowledge of safety requirements. No work should be accept- ed unless done by a licensed wireman and approved by the in- spector.
238
ANNUAL REPORTS
Number of notifications of new work 2550
Number of inspections of new work 3529
Number of re-inspections of new work 783
Number of inspections of old work 150
Number of defective installations of old work 50
Number of defective installations remedied
40
Number of re-inspections of old work
50
Total number of inspections 4602
Number of permits issued to the Edison Electric
Ill. Co for installing meters, lamps, etc. .. . . . . 1930
Fire Alarm System
The Fire Alarm System is in excellent condition but some of the older apparatus should be replaced.
357 Box alarms have been received and transmitted dur- ing the year.
8 A. D. T. alarms and 2 special alarms.
665 telephone calls for fire wire received and fire depart- ment sent.
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- 1 dial 4 number manual transmitter.
2- 5 circuit punching registers and take up reels.
13- punching registers and take up reels.
2- automatic time and date stamps.
1- master clock.
962- cells storage battery.
5- 10 foot 4 shelf battery racks. 4- metropolitan tappers and 2 gongs.
Apparatus outside the central office consists of the fol- lowing :-
147 signal boxes.
7 tower strikers.
45 gongs.
10 punching registers.
20 tappers.
8 private telephones.
3 traffic horns.
About 69 miles of over head wires and 84 miles of un- derground wires.
239
ELECTRIC LINES AND LIGHTS
One new box has been added during the past year.
Box 154 Middlesex Avenue corner Fellsway.
All of the old storage batteries for the fire alarm have been replaced with new.
A new truck was purchased this year replacing the very old truck formerly used.
29,550 feet of overhead wire has been run and 29,550 feet of old wire removed.
Police Signal System
The Police Signal System is in good condition after 17 years of service.
A number of boxes have been overhauled and parts re- placed.
Two new boxes have been installed.
Box 135 Farragut Avenue at Hooker Avenue.
Box 225 Mystic Avenue at Shore Drive.
New Batteries are needed and desk overhauled.
The system consists of the following :-
1-4 circuit police desk.
About 18 miles of overhead wire.
3 Special boxes.
62 street signal boxes.
About 18 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 aband- oned poles have been removed.
New poles
Re- Re- Re- placed moved set
New England Telephone & Telegraph Co. Edison Electric Illuminating Co.
10
41
2
10
44
133
16
3
Boston Elevated Railway Co.
4
30
Permits given to the New Eng. Tel &
Tel. Co. for attachments to the Edison Company's poles 20
Permits given to the Edison Electric Ill. Co. for attachments to the New England Tel. & Tel. Company's poles 12
240
ANNUAL REPORTS
Street Lighting
A number of new lights have been added and some have been changed.
The number of street lights January 1, 1930 are as fol- lows :-
285 1500 C. P. lights. 52 1000 C. P. lights.
411 600 C. P. lights.
166 100 C. P. lights.
990 80 C. P. lights.
Conclusion
I wish to thank His Honor, the Mayor, and 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.
241
LAW DEPARTMENT
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, 1929, is as follows :
A special act of the legislature was obtained amending the act of 1928 relative to the Somerville board of election com- missioners and providing that the city clerk should not be ex officio a member of the board. Acts of 1929 chap. 178.
An act was passed making an apportionment of the cost of the Northern Traffic Artery and remitting all betterment assessments. Acts of 1929 chap. 382.
At the request of the legislative committee of the board of aldermen I prepared a contributory pension bill to be pre- sented to the legislature for city employees not entitled to pensions under existing laws and drew a traffic ordinance and helped make a general revision of the ordinances.
Orders and ordinances of various kinds were drawn and many releases, bonds and agreements were prepared or ap- proved as to form.
Settlements were arranged of all the remaining claims for land damages in connection with the laying out of North Union street and the widening of Medford street and Highland avenue.
Several claims before the state industrial accident board were disposed of by trial or by agreement.
In proceedings for the abolition of railroad grade cross- ings a single decree in the superior court was made in 1910 covering Medford street, Webster avenue, Dane street and Park street. The work of construction was completed during the next few years at all the crossings except that at Park street. The delay at this street was due to unfavorable con- ditions, some of them of a general nature growing out of the
242
LAW DEPARTMENT
war and others specially affecting the railroad company, The Park street crossing is dangerous and should be abolished as soon as conditions warrant this public improvement.
William J. Ennis, Esq., as assistant had charge of street accident claims and collections for the city treasurer and col- lector of taxes and conveyancing.
I have held the office of city solicitor ever since September 2,'1897 always feeling that it was a privilege to be associated with others in helping carry on our city government. During that period my principal occupation was the general practice of law and I held two other positions in the public service : one as a special attorney for the United States Food Adminis- tration at Washington in 1918 for the last seven months of the war, the other as a special assistant attorney general of Mass- achusetts in 1925 and 1926, the latter appointment being "to handle the legal details of any takings necessary and the settle- ment of land damages" in connection with the Northern Traffic Artery. In my mind, however, the work for the city was the one most important thing. My relations with members of the city government and officers and employees of the city were most pleasant and although for several years I have desired to be relieved from the duties and responsibilities of the office I shall retire with sincere regret.
Yours very respectfully, FRANK W. KAAN, City Solicitor.
243
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE CITY OF SOMERVILLE
School Committee Rooms, December 16, 1929.
Ordered, that the annual report of the Superintendent of Schools be adopted as the annual report of the Board of School Committee, it being understood that such adoption does not commit the Board to the opinions or recommendations made therein; that it be incorporated in the reports of the City Officers ; and that 1,000 copies be printed separately.
EVERETT W. IRELAND, Secretary of School Board.
244
ANNUAL REPORTS
SCHOOL COMMITTEE, 1929
EDWIN A. SHAW .
Chairman
FRANCIS A. FITZPATRICK
Vice-Chairman
Members EX-OFFICIIS
LEON M. CONWELL, Mayor . .
DAVID Y. Ross, President Board of Aldermen . .
WARD ONE
FRANCIS J. FITZPATRICK WALTER E. WHITTAKER
2 Austin street . 135 Walnut street
ELIZABETH J. CARNES WILLIAM F. DEWIRE
10 Mossland street 5 Magnus avenue
JOHN C. KELLEHER JAMES C. SCANLAN
8 Bigelow street 36 Munroe street
+A. MARION MERRILL
ALICE P. RUSSELL
MINNIE S. TURNER
WARD FIVE
107 Bartlett street 136 Lowell street
HERBERT CHOLERTON ยท EDWIN A. SHAW .
94 College avenue 63 College avenue
WARD SEVEN
211 Holland street . 25 Curtis street
Superintendent of Schools EVERETT W. IRELAND
Office : West Bldg., High School, Highland Avenue. Residence: 137 Powder House Blvd.
The Superintendent's office will be open on school days from 8 to 5; Saturdays, 8 to 10. His office hour is 4 o'clock on school days, and 8.30 on Saturdays.
Assistant Superintendent of Schools WALTER P. SWEET, 71 Hume Ave., Medford.
Superintendent's Office Force
Mary A. Clark, 15 Pleasant avenue. Mildred A. Merrill, 26 Cambria street. Marion E. Marshall, 30 Gilman street. S. Regina Truelson, 38 Rogers avenue Alice I. Amidon, 27 Gorham street. Bernice A. Tuck, 95 Belmont street. Anita Sumner, 276 Summer street.
.
WILLIAM NEWBOLD CRAWFORD K. SWEELEY .
+ Elected June 13, 1929.
# Resigned May 27, 1929.
. 17 Monmouth street 73 Sycamore street
WARD TWO
WARD THREE
WARD FOUR
2 Madison street 233 School street 64 Hudson street
FRANCIS J. DALEY EDMUND M. LANIGAN
WARD SIX
245
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Board Meetings
January 7 January 28 February 18 March 18
April 29 May 27
June 24 August 26
September 30
October 28
November 25
December 16
246
ANNUAL REPORTS
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE :
In accordance with your Rules and Regulations, I submit herewith the report which the Superintendent of Schools is required annually to prepare as the report of the School Com- mittee. This is the fifty-eighth in the series of such reports and the second which I have written.
A report of this sort is of value only when it brings about a keener interest in the schools by a more enlightened public, which in turn shows its appreciation of the public-spirited sacrifice of the members of the School Committee by giving its whole-hearted support to the policies developed by the Com- mittee.
The School Committee, which is charged by law with the establishment and maintenance of a public school system, has as its chief business the task of offering the highest possible type of education to every child in the community. This requires that the Committee shall prescribe the general educa- tional policy of the city, determining (1) the number and kind of buildings needed and (2) what shall be taught. To accom- plish this purpose the members must constantly keep in mind that they are agents of all the people and that the "best inter- ests of the children" is the only consideration which should affect their actions. The members then, in carrying out their duties which are solely legislative, must bring together the best ideas and ideals of all the people of the community and, being fully informed concerning the best educational thought and practice of the day, deal with all their problems for the best interests of the children.
The members of our Committee, cognizant of their respon- sibilities, have contributed to our community life the highest type of service which can be rendered.
In accordance with these statements, this report is offered to the community as an account of the stewardship of the School Committee for the year 1929.
The usual statistical tables, which are a part of this report, fully set forth the comparative figures of facts concern-
247
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
ing enrollment, membership and attendance, cost of instruction and maintenance, and other matters of organization, over a period of years.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Schoolhouses are a very necessary part of the equipment which makes possible the education of the youth of a commun- ity. Facilities adequate to the demands of modern education are necessary. Our City Charter places the control and main- tenance of school buildings in the hands of the Public Build- ings Department. This plan is not in accord with the best practices throughout the country, but Somerville has been indeed fortunate in obtaining excellent results with an out-of- date system by having a wonderful spirit of cooperation exist- ent between the City Government and the School Committee.
During the last six years, through the fine cooperation of the City Government and the School Committee and the generosity of the citizenry of our city, a considerable amount of money has been expended to provide adequate and suitable housing conditions for the school children.
In 1924 the very modern Chandler Building on Marshall Street was completed and placed at the disposal of the School Committee by the City Government. The organizations of the Northern and Eastern Junior High Schools were combined to form the Northeastern Junior High School. At the same time partial relief was obtained for the overcrowding at the South- ern Junior High School on Vinal Avenue by building an ad- dition of eight rooms.
High School
The high school project, now practically completed, is the outstanding accomplishment of the last City Government with respect to school accommodations. The additions and alterations to the high school plant, begun in June, 1927, have progressed by four distinct steps :
1. The erection of a thoroughly modern and well- equipped gymnasium which, "Dedicated to the Preparation of Youth for the Responsibilities of Life," provides the means for the fulfillment for high school students of the first cardinal principle of education,-Health.
2. The erection, equipment, and occupancy of the new West Wing.
248
ANNUAL REPORTS
3. The remodelling of the entire Central Building during the summer of 1928, which included enlarging the auditorium to a seating capacity of 1800, and the cafeteria which daily accommodates 1800 students during the lunch period.
4. The completion of the West Wing and the remodel- ling of the Central Building allowed for the demolition of the old Latin School Building and the erection of the fourth unit now practically completed and known as the East Wing.
The entire plant was placed at the disposal of the School Committee at the opening of schools in September of this year with the following accommodations :-
Classrooms 61
Special Classrooms (Household Arts-Elocution) 2
Manual Training rooms
3
Mechanical Drawing rooms
2
Print Shop
1
Science rooms
9
Chemistry 3, Physics 2, Biology Laboratories 2,
Science Lecture room 1, Science Library 1.
Household Arts S
Sewing rooms 2, Cooking rooms 2, Suite 4.
Commercial Department
9
Bookkeeping rooms 4, Clerical Practice room 1, Typewriting rooms 4.
Bank
1
Emergency rooms
2
Library
Reading and Stock room 1, Conference rooms 2,
Work rooms 2.
Auditorium
1
Check Rooms 2
Dressing rooms connected with stages 6
Music Hall 1
Offices 22
Superintendent's Offices 5, Head Master's Offices 2,
Vice Head Master 1, Miscellaneous 14.
5
249
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
School Committee room
1
Lunch rooms
2
Locker room
1
Store rooms
8
Extra Basement rooms
2
Janitors' Room
1
Dark room
1
Work rooms
1
6
Teachers' rooms
6
Book rooms
?
Book closets
9
Motion Picture booths
2
Toilet rooms
20
Gymnasium
7
Exercise Hall 1, Dressing rooms 2, Shower
rooms 2, Locker rooms 2.
During the autumn the grounds have been redesigned. Granolithic walks have been laid out and a fine fifty-foot Warrenite pavement drive will make easy approach to all units. When complete, with newly graded lawns and with shrubbery and trees at appropriate places, this historic hill will be a thing of beauty.
Principal John A. Avery of the High School, in his report about the building, writes :- "The completion of this program will mark an epoch in education in Somerville. A structure to meet the demands for the thorough training of our youth will have been completed.
"Much credit is due all those who have been instrumental in its consummation. Young people who attend in the future will have an opportunity that is to be envied. May they in their new home appreciate their wonderful opportunity. We are not ashamed of our past record under trying conditions. May our greatly improved conditions incite us to greater effort and greater success."
Charles A. Grimmons School
It was noted in the Report for 1928 that the Mayor and
1
I
1
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250
ANNUAL REPORTS
Board of Aldermen, at the request of the School Committee, had investigated the situation of the rapid growth of school popu- lation in the Glines School district, caused by the construction of homes in the Ten Hills Farm property, and very wisely pur- chased land in that district for an eight-room primary school and an adequate play area.
During the past year this very encouraging step towards. relief in that district has been developed effectively and speed- ily by having plans made for the building, awarding the con- tract, and completing so much of the construction that our hopes are almost realized that the building will be ready for occupancy by March 1, 1930.
This building, the cornerstone of which was laid with simple, appropriate exercises by Mayor Conwell and other city officials on October 3, 1929, is located on Shore Drive, between Puritan Road and Winthrop Road.
It is a rectangular, two story and basement, eight-room building, constructed of red brick, with the front entrance on Shore Drive. The classrooms, which are arranged two on either side of the first and second floor corridors, have accom- modations for forty pupils each.
Each classroom has built-in wardrobes and closets, bur- lap wainscots and slate blackboards with cork carpet card racks above. The kindergarten includes a large room and a small room separated by folding doors with a complete equip- ment of built-in cases, closets, and wardrobes.
The master's office is on the first floor and there are on the second floor a teachers' room, health room, and a book storage room. The basement has a large play room running the entire length of the side of the building, boys' and girls' sanitaries, boiler room, and storage room. Stair halls and corridors are fireproof throughout. The corridor floors are of Terrazzo and the walls are salt glazed brick with buff brick above.
Junior High Schools
A report of progress may well be a part of this statement concerning accommodations with reference to the contemplated additions to the Southern Junior High and Cliff Buildings. Plans have been prepared for both, those for the Southern Junior High School by the Frank Irving Cooper Corporation of Boston and those for the Cliff Building by Desmond & Lord, Boston.
251
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Land and buildings on Summer Street have been pur- chased by the City Government in order to make way for the proposed addition to the Southern Junior High School. It is proposed to erect a three story building without basement on the Summer Street side of the lot, with a fine auditorium to seat 1,000 persons, at the corner of Vinal Avenue and Summer Street. The project also calls for the demolition of the old Bell School section of the present building and the rebuilding of that section in accordance with the plan laid out at the time of the recent addition of eight rooms in 1924.
The plans for the addition to the Cliff Building call for building wings at either end of the present plant and an ex- tension in the rear, thus furnishing additional accommodation of 20 classrooms, adequate shops, and slightly larger provision for physical training.
It is hoped that the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen of 1930 will take steps immediately to award the contracts so that the building construction may soon be under way.
In my opinion, upon the completion of these projects, the senior and junior high school buildings will be in such shape that no further consideration need be given to housing accommodations for at least twenty years.
It is also my opinion, since the possible school population is fast approaching the saturation point in our community, that with the building of the Grimmons School and the releasing of the Hodgkins building for elementary school purposes, the accommodations for elementary schools will be adequate for a number of years, except as some of our very old buildings now in use have to be replaced in the interest of safety of the pupils and of providing more modern plants.
Improvements to Present Buildings
It is with extreme gratification that the statement is made that the physical condition in general of all school buildings is better than it has been for a number of years. Much has been done this year to make our buildings more habitable and many things have been accomplished that have needed attention for some years. Especially noteworthy is the co-operation of the Building Commissioner in the accom- plishment of all major undertakings desired by the School Committee.
An active electric lighting program has been carried nearly to completion. In fact, when a few more rooms are
252
ANNUAL REPORTS
added to the present lighting system in the Lowe School, every school building in the city will be electrically lighted.
Considerable work has been done to improve the play conditions at the various schools. A number of yards, includ- ing those at the Hanscom, Forster, Durell, and Carr Schools, have been resurfaced. In order to make the yards safe for large numbers of children to play, and to prevent damage to buildings, a very desirable development has been carried on this year by which all school yards will eventually be enclosed with wire fences.
Several buildings, including the Glines, Edgerly, South- worth, and Bingham, were redecorated and repaired during the year and the Forster building was completely renovated, with new lighting fixtures, refinished desks, and newly tinted walls and ceilings.
Sanitation and heating and ventilating have also been given attention. Several of the toilets have been repainted and an entirely new equipment has been installed at the Durell School with the additional feature of new and more modern means of ventilation.
A study of the inefficiency of the heating plant at the Boys' Vocational School resulted in the installation of new units which greatly increased the capacity of the plant. A new unit was also added to the Bingham School equipment.
All elementary schools whose type of structure is such as to make sprinklers necessary are now so equipped. It is planned by the Public Buildings Department to extend the sprinkler system to the junior high schools during the coming year.
The School Committee has already had called to its attention the crying need for larger and more modern accom- modations for our Vocational School which is considerably overcrowded and never was actually suitable for trade or voca- tional instruction. I hope that serious consideration may be given to this problem in the near future so that the boys of our community may have the same opportunities for this very important instruction that are provided for the boys of other communities in the Commonwealth.
In view of the foregoing, it is germane that the School Committee recommend that the City Government give immed- iate and serious consideration to
1. Construction of the additions already proposed to the Southern Junior High School and the Cliff Buildings.
253
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
2. The provision for a new Boys' Vocational School.
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