USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1929 > Part 23
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Bonair st.
Public
40
744
......
William
College ave.
Chandler st.
Public
. 40
381
......
William
Broadway
Medford line
Private
50
......
154
Willoughby
Central st.
Sycamore st.
Public
40
427
.....
Willow ave.
Elm st.
Broadway
Public
50
3,450
......
Willow pl.
Cambridge line
South st.
Public
25
125
......
Wilson ave.
Broadway
B. & L. R.R.
Public
20
307
Wilton
Lowell st.
Hinckley st.
Public
35
415
......
Winchester
Broadway
Medford line
Private
40
.....
65
Windom
Elm st.
Summer st.
Public
40
300
...
...
Windsor rd.
Willow ave.
Hancock st.
Public
40
575
......
Windsor
Cambridge line
Northerly
Public
40
40
Windsor
End of above
Fitchburg R.R.
Public
27
490
Winslow ave.
College ave.
Clifton st.
Public
40
1,087
......
Winter
College ave.
Holland st.
Public
30
402
......
Winter Hill cir.
Broadway
Northeasterly
Private
25
......
177
Wisconsin ave.
Broadway
Penn. ave.
Public
50
499
Woodbine
Centre st.
Westerly
Private
30
......
212
Woods ave.
North st.
Alewife Bk pky
. Public
40
1,152
......
Woodstock
Victoria st.
Alewife brook
Public
40 to 32
361
...
Wyatt cir.
Wyatt st. around to Wyatt st.
Private
20
......
315
Wyatt
Concord ave.
Lincoln pky
Public
40
505
......
Yorktown
Cambridge line
N. E. line
Malvern ave.
Public
40
294
......
Yorktown
N. E. line
Northerly
Private
40
......
110
......
......
Wesley
Pearl st.
Medford line
Public
40
292
......
Whipple
Willow ave. Elm st.
Highland ave.
Private
30
.....
....
.. 307
50
Williams ct.
Porter st.
Northwesterly
Private
30
.....
461
Woodbine Ex.
End of above
Lowell st.
Private
35
......
f Sidewalk in Somerville.
......
350
Washington pl.
Washington st.
Southerly
Private about 7.5
114
Washington ter. End of above
Westerly and Easterly
Private
40
......
269
Private
40
Public
40
403
Westwood rd.
Bailey st.
Cambridge line
Public
White St. pl.
......
Public
Width in
Length
......
Malvern ave.
368
ANNUAL REPORTS
Table Showing the Location, Length and Width of Public and Private Streets-Continued
Street
From
To
Public or Private
Width in Feet Public Private
Court
39 Adams st.
Southeasterly
Private
8
......
90
Court
Albion st.
Central st.
Private
12
......
216
Court
11 Albion st.
Northeasterly
Private
9
178
Court
21 Albion st.
Northeasterly
Private
10
100
Court
292 Broadway
Southwesterly
Private
15
90
Court
Buena Vista rd.
Easterly
Private
15
145
Court
Cambria st.
Northerly
Private
9
59
Court
12 Carlton st.
Southeasterly
Private
25
75
Court
113 Central st.
Southeasterly
Private
20
150
Court
227 Columbia st. Northwesterly
Private
10
117
Court
Conlon ct.
Windsor st. ex.
Private
20
240
Court
36 Craigie st.
Westerly
Private
25
126
Court
58 Dane st.
Easterly
Private
10
70
Court
20 Dimick st.
Southwesterly
Private
39.25
136
Court
91 Franklin st.
Westerly
Private
12
171
Court
35 Lexington av.Northerly
Private
21
90
Court
66 Lowell st.
Westerly
Private
25
101
Court
101 Medford st.
Easterly
Private
8
75
Court
335 Somerville ave.
Northerly
Private
15
60
Court
10 Stone ave.
Northwesterly
Private
20
113
Court
Windsor st. ex. E'ly and W'ly
Private
20
370
Court
Washington ave.Franklin st.
Private
6
95
Court
Irvington rd.
Boston ave.
Private
20
...
157
Total
475,226
54,622
......
..
...
188
Court
112 Central st.
Northwesterly
Private
10
..
168
Court
612 Broadway
Southwesterly
Private
20
......
Public, 90.005 miles [includes 1.406 miles of City Boulevard and Park Roadways, 2.331 miles of State Boulevard (Metropolitan Park Commission), and 0.98 miles State Highway]; private 10.345.
Total length of streets in the city, 100.350 miles.
..
...
..
...
..
Length
369
BOARD OF ELECTION COMMISSIONERS
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ELECTION COMMISSIONERS
January 1, 1930.
To the Honorable, the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville :
Gentlemen :
The Board of Election Commissioners respectfully submits the following for the year 1929.
Registration was held at the City Hall daily from July 8 to September 24 from 8:00 A. M. until 4:00 P. M., except on Saturdays when the hours were from 8:00 A. M. until 12 Noon. On Wednesday, September 25th, and on Wednesday, October 16th the hours were from 12 Noon until 10:00 P. M.
Outside registration dates were as follows :
Outside Sessions from 7:30 to 9:30 P. M.
Carr Schoolhouse, Atherton Street, Tuesday, September 10th. Perry Schoolhouse, Washington Street, Tuesday, September 10th. Western Junior High School, Holland Street, Thursday, September 12th. Burns Schoolhouse, Cherry Street, Thursday, September 12th. Bingham Schoolhouse, Lowell Street, Friday, September 13th. Glines Schoolhouse, Jaques Street, Friday, September 13th. Knapp Schoolhouse, Newton Street, Tuesday, September 17th. Southworth Schoolhouse, Myrtle Street, Tuesday, September 17th. Brown Schoolhouse, Willow Avenue, Wednesday, September 18th. Cutler Schoolhouse, Powder House Blvd., Wednesday, September 18th. Edgerly Schoolhouse, Cross Street, Friday, September 20th. Bennett Schoolhouse, Poplar Street, Friday, September 20th.
Evening Sessions at City Hall, apart from Wednesday, September 25th, and October 16th, were Friday, September 6th, Monday, September 23rd, and Tuesday, September 24th.
370
ANNUAL REPORTS
THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF ASSESSED POLLS AND REGISTERED VOTERS
Assessed Polls Nov. 8 1929
Registered Voters Nov. 1928
Revised Lists July 1929
Names Added Sept. & Oct. 1929
Registered Voters Nov. 1929
Ward
Pct.
Men Women
Men Women Men Women Men Women
1
1 1,374
799
635
665
523
70
44
735
567
1
2
1,294
813
714
677
615
63
51
740
666
1
3
812
545
466
472
403
38
27
510
430
1
4
1,133
767
710
682
625
43
38
725
663
4,613
2,924
2,525
2,496
2,166
214
160
2,710
2,326
2
1
1,237
532
317
422
266
70
17
492
283
2
2
1,230
724
627
617
554
57
29
674
583
2
3
598
372
328
319
295
21
13
340
308
2
4
1,240
752
663
631
561
57
44
688
605
2
5
1,312
763
610
642
509
48
33
690
542
5,617
3,143
2,545
2,631
2,185
253
136
2,884
2,321
3
1
866
648
644
570
579
42
5
612
574
3
2
792
569
658
506
595
40
30
546
625
3
3
1,139
809
860
737
807
49
46
786
853
3
4
1,209
874
977
764
852
38
44
802
896
4,006
2,900
3,139
2,577
2,833
169
115
2,746
2,948
4
1
966
699
717
598
615
32
32
630
647
4
2
1,172
1,255
1,161
597
523
84
71
681
594
4
3
767
573
743
493
637
33
30
526
667
4
4
897
691
811
631
773
39
43
670
816
4
5
928
......
...
515
501
28
34
543
535
4,730
3,218
3,432
2,834
3,049
216
210
3,050
3,259
5
1
1,094
777
787
697
691
58
52
755
743
5
2
1,130
760
704
659
594
53
41
712
635
5
3
1,192
842
801
739
713
37
38
776
751
5
4
1,101
826
781
692
668
41
43
733
711
4,517
3,205
3,073
2,787
2,666
189
174
2,976
2,840
6
1
941
770
822
652
731
26
34
678
765
6
2
902
682
756
592
652
26
24
618
676
6
3
1,052
746
795
609
689
54
33
663
722
6
4
885
774
890
685
820
19
28
704
848
3,780
2,972
3,263
2,538
2,892
125
119
2,663
3,011
7
1
928
688
714
609
625
45
44
654
669
7
2
866
615
602
522
498
37
25
559
523
7
3
824
716
732
620
653
26
32
646
ยท 685
7
4
802
539
514
502
466
37
27
539
493
5
826
655
652
577
581
39
36
616
617
4,246
3,213
3,214
2,830
2,823
184
164
3,014
2,987
Total
31,509
21,575
21,191
18,693
18,614
1,350
1,078
20,043
19,692
371
BOARD OF ELECTION COMMISSIONERS
This being the year of the biennial election for the various municipal officers, nomination papers were received for the office of Mayor, Board of Aldermen and School Committee and names certified ; also, referendum petitions were received and names certified.
A recount of Democratic ballots cast at the primary elec- tion, October 15th, for the office of Mayor, Ward Alderman, Ward 2; Ward Alderman, Ward 5; School Committee, Ward 5, and Alderman at Large, Ward 6, was held Monday and Tues- day evenings, October 21st and 22nd, without any material change from the original count.
In accordance with chapter 234, of the General Laws, as amended by chapter 311 of the Acts of 1924, the Election Com- missioners prepared a list of the inhabitants of Somerville, liable to serve as jurors. The Board has established a system of having each person provisionally selected for jury duty fill out a questionnaire and appear before a member of the Board at the office and make oath to the statements contained therein. This gives the Board an opportunity to meet each individual and note, if any, his physical defects or disability to render the county the service that would be required of him as a juror. These personal examinations also, enable the Board to know the educational qualifications of each prospective juror.
The members of the Board make an impartial selection from all parts of the city, of men of various occupations, and are of the opinion that the persons finally selected represent an average of our citizenship. The jury list prepared by the Board for 1929 contains the names of 1157 voters of Somerville.
The expense of the Election Department for the year ending December 31, 1929. Board of Election Commissioners, $11,394.22. Pay of Election Officers, $4,712.00. Total $16,106.22.
A vault has been erected for the storage of supplies and records. The Commission has made changes in the method of handling election returns, which has worked out, in their opinion very satisfactorily.
The Board of Election Commissioners has had the co- operation of His Honor, the Mayor, the Honorable Members of the Board of Aldermen and the City Officials, for which it is deeply grateful.
WILLIAM F. BURNS, Chairman CHARLES LEO SHEA, FRANCIS W. K. SMITH, ARTHUR G. BURTNETT, Secretary, Board of Election Commissioners.
372
ANNUAL REPORTS
STATISTICS
Record of City Election Primary, October 15, 1929. Record of City Election, November 5, 1929. Record of Total number of Votes Cast.
PRIMARY.
ELECTION.
Candidates
Ward One
Ward Two
Ward Three
Ward Four Ward Five
Ward Six
Ward Seven
Candidates
Ward One
Ward Two
Ward Three
Ward Four
Ward Five
1
2
Ward Seven
Total
MAYOR
Warren C. D C. Harris
Inm S. Howe
noch .Roberston
David
ALDERMAN AT LARGE
1028
mik
142
John h J.
Were Three
3Jichael
Daily ...
- .....
Ward Four
1.00 B.
James
George
Frederick
Ward SIN
William F.
George
Van Auker
30: 310
1691
WARD ALDERMEN
Ward One %. Carreti
VARD ALDERNEN
Ward On John J.
Democratle
Republico.n Demeerntle
Democmile
Detnocrafle
Ward Three
Demeernllc
Glurnl
Repulillean Repubdlean Republican Demoeralle
Jacob H. Lamn Fico9 11. Lampert Thomas F. Mackey whitney'
Frnach:
Demoeralle
Richard J. Mel &leh 3clAlchlin Democratie
Arthur G.
Repoliican Republicsn
Perry Wintlead Patterson Ward Flv
wallle P. Elliott
-
Caulder
& C. Cobron _...
ce C
Watson
Ward Sever
Ward Four
John Joseph Brower
Edward H. Rtlley
134
44-44
....-
Philly Sherman
ERS OF
Ward One
Charles
Walter R. Whittaker
Ward Two
-John M
Ward Three
Fred
Conwell
Walter 1 Valter L Chapman
.....
-
Republican
moerallC
Delhormillo
Republican Recubilear
13
Freu Fletcher
Republican Democralle
Scanla
Demnneralle
De. Wallter
Ward Four
Democratie
Republican
Republican
Is Buckley
Pidech J. Corney
William F IN
Rtmund M. Tantgan
[tomueral
Democratic
.....
Republican:
1346
Gilwin
Ward Seven
Jennie G, Cribe Crawford K. Sweeley
Orville S. Walcron
Elizabeth 3
Ward Four
Mary E Morrissey
Louls B. C
Edmund M. Lanigan
D. Frank MeNetil, Jf. Powrotu Perry P. Nangle Ward Slx
Elizabeth Culens
-
444444
. Crine
Jennie E. Crire
Elizabeth Coires
.....
-
......
-...
Ifred E. Magele
Ward Six
Francis
Donovan
TTE4
william LA. @' Brien
Ward Seven
WillInm G. Barrett
444444
-- 444 4444-
WARD ALDERMAN . Ward One
CROWLEY
Daniel A, D
LA Hasicell ..............
Ernest Caff mm
Oskor Couding
Pred GlIt-Ft
Ward Four
Winfield S
Patterson
Arthur G.
150
-- 44
.. 44
Daniel J. Griffin Thomas H. Kenned
John J Portunni1
Patrick
. Greenwood
Arthur . While
William J william J. wright, Jr. Sealtered v
Ward Three
. Kelleher
Democralle
Patrick Henry Rtyin
Waldo
tepublican
Ward Seven Laalle Edgar Jereminh J, Began Philip Sherman
Repabilcam
.....
-
--
-.
-
Ward Six
Nu Candidates Ward Seven
Jereminh J. Regn
denale . Crine
Pelllp Sherman
Manuel Seus1 .
Bloger Blanchard Try P. Nangle
-
& F.
Harriet C.
444 44
Ward Six
893
Herbert Cholerlos
4444
Crawford 16 Sweeley Orville S. Waldron
-
-
-
--
.....
Francis Arkinsont
Candidates
Ward One
Ward Two
1 Ward Three
Ward Four
Ward Five
Ward Six Ward Seven
Total 16336
MAYOR Arthur J. Healey Robert W. Howley . Murphy
ALDERMAN AT LARGE Ward Ont
John M. Gmtuin
Timothy . Cronin ...........
Eliner E Hayes - Ward Twp
268 217
.....
44444
.....
Ward Three
Demoeralle Republienn 376
Ward Four Mavidson
Republican 363 Dymoeralle 534
Deenacralle
Frederick W. WoliTer
Ward Six william
Ttepullpean Democralle 631
BE SE
321 381 32%
265 328 524 150T
Francis
Harold G.
3. Kcmapp
Ward Two
No Candidales
Ward Three
Gloral Incoh H. Lampert
Walsh Ward Two Moran
WILIlim I Joseph Stokes Eines F. Walsh Ward Two Lt. Conway J. Greeley
P. Slynes
ani
Warren
Jolin LA
Democratic
.. ..
-
. Perry
Ward Six
76
Dwyer
Ilchard J. Melaughlin Ward Five
.....
John
Atthur P. Dlenne
-
Saward 1. Hughes ..
-
Charles O X Martienetle
Daniel P. 3 . Sturpay
Fletcher
Scattered Y
4444
Ward Four
-4444
-444
1844
Ward Five
Jesse J. Enox
MEMBERS SCHOOL COMN. Ward One
Fratele J. Fitzpatrick
44 44
.....
Eugene H. Clroux Ward Two
Franela a. s . Marion Merrill
S. Turner
Ward Five
lease J
153
Ward Si
Herbert Cholerton
Republican
Ward Three
Paul I L. McCarchy
Republican
--
-
1501
Ward Seven Willlun G, Barrett George While Van Auken
Democratie El Gi3 4112 539
Republican 352
339
Republican Jetoperalle
J. Murphy D. Healey
4511 ALDERMEN AT LARGE Ward One . Grattan Alter I
Ward Two Timelhy
Democralle G49
15150
1507
422 650
410 957 308
1490
Wailer Ward Four ward Four . Davidson
1429
Ward Five
And Five
Havican Marmanyd. Ward Five
Robert C. Donovan
44G 659 250
Part
RECORD OF VOTES CAST IN THE CITY ELECTION, HELD NOVEMBER 5. 1929,
Record of votes cast at the City Election Primary, October 15, 1929. DEMOCRATIC
Record of votes cast in the Election Primary, October 15, 1929. REPUBLICAN
Total
-
.....
rd Seven
131
Pourl M. Woodward
Cristopher J. Muldoor
MEMBERS OF SCHOOL COMMA
Ward One
Francis J. Plixpatrick
Themocratie
Lucene H. Giroux R. Whitlake
Ward Two Elizabeth J. Caires llam F. Dewire
Jelan 31. Holden John 31. Ward Three
Ware slx
613
....
.....
ard Five
-
##144
-
.....
+4444
144-4
....
....
-....
446
82 78
-
-
6
Daniel A. O' Brien .. un
G10 133 441 679 1347
. Donovan
Ward Six
373
BOARD OF ELECTION COMMISSIONERS
RECORD OF VOTES CAST AT THE CITY ELECTION PRIMARY OCTOBER 15, 1929
Ward
Pct.
Democratic
Republican
1
1
348
302
1
2
343
309
1
3
269
201
1
4
315
351
2
1
508
42
2
2
694
190
2
3
283
110
2
4
851
76
2
5
536
136
2,872
554
3
1
425
298
3
2
265
362
3
3
448
518
3
4
501
383
1639
1,561
4
1
194
404
4
2
369
226
4
3
191
397
4
4
249
445
4
5
227
254
1,230
1,726
5
1
595
268
5
2
356
310
5
3
297
418
5
4
316
371
1,564
1,367
6
1
153
479
6
2
129
439
6
3
96
509
6
4
108
651
486
2,078
7
1
153
473
7
2
107
371
7
3
97
541
7
4
155
355
7
5
136
380
648
2,120
Total
9,714
9,714
10,569
10,569
1,275
1,163
374
ANNUAL REPORTS
RECORD OF VOTES CAST AT THE CITY ELECTION NOVEMBER 5, 1929
Ward
Pct.
1
1
1,049
1
2
1,103
1
3
769
1
4
1,106
4,027
2
1
684
2
2
1,085
2
3
545
2
4
1,101
2
5
970
3
1
1,041
3
2
1,004
3
3
1,413
3
4
1,386
4
1
997
4
2
942
4
3
925
4
4
1,198
4
5
774
5
1
1,229
5
2
1,075
5
3
1,245
5
4
1,147
4,696
6
1
1,147
6
2
1,057
6
3
1,087
6
4
1,259
4,550
7
1
1,064
7
2
861
7
3
1,044
7
4
837
7
5
958
4,764
Total
32,102
32,102
4,385
4,844
4,836
375
COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS
REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS
City Hall, Somerville, January 1, 1930.
To the Honorable, the Mayor, and the Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville.
. Gentlemen :
In accordance with the provisions of the City Charter, I submit herewith the annual report of the public buildings de- partment for the year ending December 31, 1929.
The total valuation of the property which is in the custody of the public buildings department is approximately $4,922,800.
The total expenditures for the year 1929 for the care and maintenance of the property was $282,391.84.
This amount was expended as follows :
Janitors
Fuel
Light
Care and Repairs
Total
School Buildings
$89,035 39 $27,205 70 $18,487 94 $78,031 99 $212,761 02
Municipal Bldgs.
5,553 86
1,566 73
4,780 43
11,901 02
Polling Places
15.18
21 47
1,207 27
1,243 92
Police Buildings
2,941 78
534 02
1,442 66
2,034 66
6,953 12
Fire Buildings
2,522 18
3,366 87
4,391 14
10,280 19
Electrical Bldgs.
1,274 71
401 44
98 10
498 74
2,272 99
Contagious Hospital 416 00
1,357 86
730 22
1,003 41
3,507 49
Sewer Buildings
89 67
45 08
103 38
238 13
Sanitary Bldgs.
149 61
899 15
1,048 76
Highway Bldgs.
1,278 70
247 72
682 34
2,208 76
City Home Bldgs.
906 35
353 53
5,352 44
6,612 32
Central Library
3,908 42
708 48
1,571 99
1,238 15
7,427 04
West Br. Library
1,743 72
684 00
555 86
483 40
3,466 98
East Br. Library
1,457 71
382 65
290 51
844 98
2,975 85
Union Sq. Library
1,457 71
259 89
229 57
141 75
2,088 92
Park Buildings
722 80
90 82
1,953 27
2,766 89
Bathhouse
1,641 84
1,040 57
2,682 41
Water Buildings
368 41
352 36
884 38
1,605 15
Bandstand
350 88
350 88
..
Total
$109,431 14 $37,437 33 $29,601 04$105,922 33 $282,391 84
Inspection of Buildings
The Commissioner of Public Buildings is also the in- spector of buildings according to the terms of the charter and
376
ANNUAL REPORTS
as such during the past year has made over 3,000 formal in- spections of buildings in the process of construction.
The following table shows the number of permits issued for building operations during the year 1929 :
WARDS
Buildings
1
2
3
4
5
6
Dwellings
36
70
47
70
40
25
43
7 Totals 331
Dwellings & Stores.
1
1
1
2
....
....
6
Stores
4
12
8
2
3
8
2
39
Storage
2
7
....
....
1
1
....
11
Shops
2
....
....
....
1
....
4
Garages
13
22
16
29
25
13
31
149
Apartments
....
....
....
3
....
4
....
7
Manufactories
3
4
....
....
....
....
9
Stables
1
....
....
....
....
....
1
Sheds
4
8
2
2
....
....
16
Bakeries
1
2
1
....
....
....
7
Restaurants
1
....
....
....
1
1
....
3
Warehouses
1
1
....
....
....
....
....
4
Filling Stations
2
3
1
2
3
....
....
11
Shops
1
....
....
....
....
....
....
1
Shops
1
....
....
....
....
....
....
1
Launderies
....
....
....
....
....
....
2
Miscellaneous
1.
3
5
1
....
3
....
13
Torn Down
4
7
4
2
2
3
....
22
Totals
78
146
84
115
82
62
76
643
Wood
Fire-resisting
Totals
New Buildings
57
182
239
Alterations
339
43
382
Totals
396
225
621
WARDS
Buildings
1
2
3
4
5
6
7 Totals
Wood
45
99
50
76
50
33
42
395
Wood & Iron
1
....
....
....
....
2
Fireproofed Wood
....
....
....
....
....
....
1
Brick
7
8
9
3
3
10
2
42
Brick & Wood
3
4
5
3
1
2
....
18
Brick & Stone
1
....
....
....
....
3
Brick, Steel & Wood
....
2
1
....
....
....
....
6
Brick Veneer
1
....
....
....
....
....
3
Brick and
Cement
Block
....
....
....
....
....
2
Hen Houses
1
1
....
....
2
....
....
1
Hospitals
....
1
....
....
....
....
....
3
Club Houses
..
....
1
1
....
....
....
2
Wood & Metal
....
1
....
....
1
....
....
3
Brick & Concrete ......
2
1
1
1
....
1
....
2
2
1
3
..
....
1
1
1
2
2
....
3
Offices and Machine
3
1
1
1
377
COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS
WARDS
Buildings
1
2
3
4
5
6
7 Totals
Cement Block
11
16
16
27
24
13
31
138
Cement Block and
Steel
....
....
....
....
....
....
8
Metal
4
8
1
2
1
....
....
16
Corrugated Iron
1
....
....
....
....
....
....
1
Stucco
....
....
...
....
....
....
-
-
Totals
78
146
84
115
82
62
76
643
The number of plumbing permits issued during 1929 was
284
Number of permits for plumbing in new buildings
90
Number of permits for plumbing in old buildings
194
Number of buildings in which soil pipes were tested
220
Fees collected for 284 plumbing permits amounted to
$464 00
The total estimated cost of new buildings and alterations during the year 1929 was $3,086,154, while the estimated cost in 1928 was $3,513,417.00, showing a decrease of $427,263.00.
The total number of permits issued during the year 1929, viz 643, was 89 less than during the year 1928, when 732 per- mits for new buildings and alterations were issued.
There has been considerable speculative building of dwell- ings going on this year, or to be exact there were permits is- sued for 59 new dwellings housing 305 families.
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 buildings during the year 1929 amounted to $1,604.00.
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 all buildings in repair, the inspection of installation and care of all elevators, the super- vision of construction of all new municipal buildings, the main- tenance of the public bathing beach and public municipal baths in the Bennett and Bingham Schools, and Lincoln Park.
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.
Coal
As in the past years an invitation was sent out for bids for supplying the necessary tonnage of both Anthracite and
1
Concrete
3
2
1
....
1
1
....
1
1
1
378
ANNUAL REPORTS
Bituminous coal for the city buildings for the Winter of 1929 and the Spring of 1930.
1
The contract for both Bituminous and Anthracite coal was awarded to the Commonwealth Fuel Company of Somer- ville.
The above firm furnished a chemical analysis of the coal which they agreed to supply. A sample from each delivery was sent to 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 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. There have been 7 elevators installed during the past year, and 131 elevator inspections made. 25 orders for repairs were sent out to owners covering 46 elevators.
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 principles 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 are taken into consideration the requests and re- pairs absolutely needed for the opening of schools in the Fall.
379
COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS
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.
Lighting of School Buildings
The care of the pupils' eyesight is one of the most nec- essary things to be taken into consideration, and the Com- missioner has during the past year equipped the last of the grade schools with a complete lighting system of the most modern type at a cost of about $1,683.
There is still one school, The Continuation School, that is not fully equipped with artificial lighting and the Commission- er hopes to be able to install a lighting system in this build- ing during the coming year.
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-combustible material, entirely separate from the building but accessible from each floor.
The Commissioner again recommends that the Morse, Highland and Edgerly Schools be immediately equipped with enclosed fire stairways.
School Yards
During the past year the Hanscom, Edgerly, Pope, Cutler, Forster and Bingham School yards have been fenced with modern six-foot chain wire fencing. This prevents the child- ren, while at play, from running into roadway, thereby sav- ing the possibility of accidents. It is the hope of the Com- missioner to continue on this line and to erect several more such fences during the coming year.
There are several school yards that need resurfacing bad- ly as they are very rough and this creates the danger of child- ren being hurt while playing. The Burns, Carr, Hanscom,
380
ANNUAL REPORTS
Forster and Durell School yards have been resurfaced during the past year at a cost of $4,724.43. The Commissioner hopes to resurface several more yards during the coming year.
As in past years an invitation was sent out for bids for the care of lawns at the various school buildings. The con- tract was awarded to William Kelleher, the lowest bidder. His bid was $550.
Heating of Schools
Several boilers have been retubed and otherwise repaired during the past year.
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