USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1932 > Part 14
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Police and Fire Alarm (wires are in corporation con- duits)
Total
145.26
All locations for sub-surface construction are assigned by this department.
Lines and grades have been given for laying new city water mains and measurements taken of same. Lengths of new mains, etc. in report of Water Commissioner.
All plans of estates in Somerville recorded at the Reg- istry of Deeds, East Cambridge, including land court plans, have been copied, also titles examined, abstracts from deeds
240
ANNUAL REPORTS
made for the purpose of assessments, and the proportional part of the cost of new work computed, and schedules of assessments made ont showing the property owners.
Total number of plans on file in this office approximately nine thousand, eight hundred.
For the immediate improvement of conditions in this city the highway bridges and approaches over the steam railroads should be rebuilt the full width of the street at Broadway, (North Somerville) Prospect Street and Washington Street, near Union Square; and Northern Artery over the Fitchburg Railroad and the dangerous railroad grade crossing at Park Street should be abolished, as decreed by the courts a number of years ago.
A compiled table of areas showing a sub-division of the city's acreage was published in the 1925 report.
I respectfully refer to some of the more important recom- mendations and suggestions made in reports of the City Engi- neer for a number of years past, which are for the improve- ment of conditions in this city.
SEWER DIVISION
The designing and construction of sewers, storm drains, catch basins, house drains, etc., maintenance of the drainage system and other items in this division are under the direc- tion and control of the City Enginerr.
CONSTRUCTION ACCOUNT 1932
CREDIT
Balance unexpended (1931)
$565.90
Materials on hand Dec. 31, 1931 392.34
Total
$958.24
STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURES
Labor (City)
$321.92
Materials and supplies, etc.
72.66
Expenditure
$394.58
241
CITY ENGINEER
Materials on hand Jan. 1, 1932 392.34
Total Expense $786.92
UNEXPENDED BALANCE DEC. 31, 1932 $171.32
Total length of city's drainage system 125.6739 miles
Cost of construction to date (including catch basins) $1,681,197.74
Assessments for Metropolitan sewerage system, 1932 (City's proportional cost) 70,928.64
Total paid Commonwealth of Massachusetts for state
sewer 1892-1932, inclusive
2,696,050.78
Total length of Metropolitan sewerage system mains run- ning through this city
3.475 miles
17 connections, in Somerville, with Metropolitan sewerage mains. Also 4 connections through Medford and one connection through Cambridge. Locations of City's mains connecting with state sewer in 1912 report, and details of construction in previous reports.
New catch basins constructed in city's highways 1932. 10
Total catch basins maintained by city 2,084
Other catch basins-State Highway Metropolitan Park, B. E. Ry., etc.
298
2,382
Total catch basins in the city for storm drainage purposes Sump manholes on drainage system 139:
The separate sewerage system should be extended each year to assist in the ultimate separation of sewerage and storm water which the Metropolitan District Commission is striving to accomplish. The growing tendency to occupy all land to its fullest extent with houses, garages, granolithic drives and walks, combined with the paved or bituminous streets which prevail, has reduced the soakage area to the extent that the. consequent increased run-off during storms is a heavy tax up- on the capacity of the sewers. It is therefore advisable to ex -. tend the storm drain system as fast as finances permit, particu- larly in the North Somerville District into Two Penny Brook, West Somerville District into Tannery Brook, and Winter Hill' District into the Mystic River, thus relieving the combined' sewerage system of much surface water. The city's drainage problems will be simplified with every move in this direction. The territory in general west of Cedar Street drains to Ale- wife Brook through a tributary known as Tannery Brook which has been replaced by pipe and conduits.
SEWERS MAINTENANCE ACCOUNT 1932 CREDIT
Appropriation
$27,365.00
242
ANNUAL REPORTS
STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURES
Labor
$19,427.10
Teaming and trucking 3,746.50
Maintenance of trucks
1,721.04
Equipment, supplies, and repairing property
2,181.29
Total
$27,075.93
BALANCE UNEXPENDED
$289.07
A permanent force of men, varying in number from ten to thirteen, and hired teams, are kept continually at work, flushing, cleaning and repairing the city's drainage system, in- cluding catch basins, the expense necessarily increasing yearly as sewers, storm drains and catch basins are added to the sys- tem, and the distance increased to the dumping places, only two of which are available at present.
The scarcity of dumping places has confronted the city for some time and various schemes have been considered for efficient and economical methods of disposal but no plan has been adopted.
Cubic yards of material removed from catch basins and hauled to dumps 3654 Average cost per cubic yard (including depreciation of equipment) $3.03 ...
Average annual cost, cleaning, flushing and general main- tenance per basin (including depreciation of equipment) Average annual cost, cleaning and flushing drainage sys- tem, including catch basins, per mile (including depre- ciation of equipment) $147.71 Average number of catch basins to a mile of roadway 21
$5.37
The drainage system, built as required by the growth of the city is composed of units of different type and age. Re- pairs, additions and alterations due to deterioration or chang- ing conditions are necessary very frequently.
One hundred and fourteen permits have been issued for private drain connections from buildings to sewers or storm drains; sixty of these being for repairs, alterations or exten- sions. All work is done subject to inspection by this depart- ment.
Many of the repairs and alterations were made necessary by the growth of tree roots into the private drain pipe. In several cases, these private drains were relaid with iron pipe
243
CITY ENGINEER
and lead joints ; which type of construction is recommended by this department in districts where trees are found.
Only persons that are licensed as drain layers by the city and who have given satisfactory bonds are permitted to lay and repair private drains.
Data concerning each drain connection with the public sewer is on file in this office, and time and expense could be saved by the owner, by applying directly to this department for investigation and advice, where trouble exists.
Many car track catch basins and underground conduit manholes built by public service corporations have been con- nected with the city's drainage system.
A special ordinance should be enacted to enforce a bet- ter system of grease traps in the premises of some of the larger manufacturing plants and rendering companies to prevent large amounts of grease and waste products from escaping into city sewer mains and partially blocking sections of sewers as has occurred at various times.
There are to date about 1844 private drain connections with the city's drainage system.
PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS DIVISION
This division has the control and maintenance of seven- teen parcels of land, (about 75 acres) laid out as parks and recreation playgrounds in about equal proportions.
These areas if completely developed would compare favor- ably with other cities in the vicinity.
MAINTENANCE ACCOUNTS 1932 CREDIT
Playgrounds
Parks
Appropriation for Parks
$20,195.00
$19,915.00 Appropriation for Playgrounds
2.14
ANNUAL REPORTS
STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURES
$16,974.20 Labor
64.00
Teaming
$13,690.17 22.00
360.82 Equipment and supplies
667.48
21.69 Repairing tools and property
305.81
314.79 Fountains and Bubblers Maintenance (Paid Water Dept.
103.08
Trees, Shrubs, Plants, Floral Decorations,
2,964.38
Flags, flagpoles, painting, etc.
Repairing roadways and walks 99.84
F'ences, steps, gates, etc. (maint, and const.) ...
245.11
843.27
Fences, seats, grandstands, backstops, etc. (maint. and const.)
650.94
Calcium Chloride
57.15
Electric Lighting Dilboy Field
Seeding, Grading and Improving Parks ..
671.80
75.93
Damage caused by ball-playing (broken win- dows, etc.)
$19,362.79 Totals
$18,918.03
$552.21 BALANCE UNEXPENDED
$1,276.97
IMPROVEMENT OF PLAYGROUNDS PLAYGROUND FOSS PARK
(About 5.5 acres northerly end Foss Park) CREDIT
Unexpended balance from 1931 $254.56
BALANCE UNEXPENDED DEC. 31, 1932
$254.56
JOHN M. WOODS PLAYGROUND
(Elm Street, Cherry Street and Sartwell Avenue)
CREDIT
Unexpended balance from 1931
$501.25
EXPENDITUES
Labor
$205.58
Lumber
25.62
Guards No. 73-75 Elm Street
53.00
Total Expenditure $284.20
BALANCE UNEXPENDED DEC. 31, 1932. $217.05
IMPROVEMENT WALTER ERNEST SHAW PLAYGROUND
CREDIT
Unexpended balance from 1931
$520.81
trimming and spraying trees, etc.
148.36
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CITY ENGINEER
EXPENDITURES
Backstops, fences, etc. and repairs $328.12
UNEXPENDED BALANCE DEC. 31, 1932 $192.69 Assessments for Metropolitan parks and boulevards (City's proportional cost) $86,245.47 Total paid Commonwealth of Massachusetts-Metropolitan $1,865,313.46 Park System, to January 1, 1933
Total length Metropolitan boulevard in Somerville. 2.33 miles
All of the city's play field areas have been in constant use throughout the year; special supervision was provided by the Recreation Commissioner during the spring, summer and fall months especially for the children's activities, to make the playgrounds popular and successful.
The city has become so densely populated (averaging near- ly 26,000 people a square mile) that some of the larger park areas should be more extensively utilized for public recreation and physical training purposes. On several of the playfields concrete buildings should be constructed, additional apparatus and shelters provided and some of the smaller playground areas should be enclosed by wire fencing for protection.
The work of enlarging, equipping and manning our parks and playgrounds and the acquiring of new areas for play- grounds should be extended as rapidly as finances will permit. A definite plan of action should be developed for the above so that the work may be done in a systematic and progressive man- ner.
In certain localities of the city well-lighted playgrounds should be maintained during the summer evenings for the young men and women who are obliged to work in the day time. Special equipment and apparatus should be installed for night use.
Previous reports are respectfully referred to for sugges- tions and recommendations for improvement of park and play- ground areas.
The Recreation Commission and various public and pri- vate organizations have been of great assistance in advising and promoting the progress of this division.
(See City Auditor's report for total expenditure by city
2.16
ANNUAL REPORTS .
departments and commissions for recreation and play the past year.)
Respectfully submitted,
PHILIP WELCH, City Engineer.
247
RECREATION COMMISSION
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE RECREATION COMMISSION FOR THE YEAR 1932
To the Honorable, the Mayor, and the Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville :
Gentlemen :
The annual report of the Recreation Commission for the year 1932 is herewith respectfully submitted, being the report of the Director for that period.
Respectfully submitted,
The Recreation Commission,
By GEO. H. EVANS, Chairman.
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ANNUAL REPORTS
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR FOR THE YEAR 1932
December 27, 1932.
To the Recreation Commission :
The Annual Report of the Director to your Commission for the year 1932 is submitted herewith.
For the year 1932, as the Commission is aware, its work has been featured by
(1) The greatly increased demand upon our leader- ship, resulting from the greatly increased (enforc- ed) leisure of citizens, attended by decrease in citizens' resources whereby they have previously participated in recreational activities that may be 'purchased"; and
(2) The reduction of the Commission's financial re- sources by 19% of the previous year's appropria- tion.
Obviously, since each of these two problems works direct- ly against the solution of the other, in the effort to meet them the results in each case have been lessened by the effort at best results in the other case.
These two conditions are also the problems of the year im- mediately ahead; since the tendency of the times is towards greater leisure for the worker (Witness the prediction of the permanent 6-hour working day and the permanent 5-day week for workers), and since the pressure for extreme economy is necessary upon all government and governmental functions.
The existence of these two conditions, then, establishes the point of view from which are made both (a) the report of facts concerning the work of the year 1932, and (b) the views and recommendations of the Director for the immediate future.
In the administration of the Recreation program the fol- lowing factors and accomplishments have contributed to part- ial solution of the twofold problem mentioned :-
249
RECREATION COMMISSION
(1) The Commission's initial steps toward that kind or reorganization in the leadership groups which was recommended by the Director at the close of the year 1931;
(2) The stringent economy practiced by the omission of annual replacements of supplies and equipment in this program of activities ;
(3) The growing understanding and appreciation by citizens of the Commission's adult program and its objectives ; and their increasing interest in it;
(4) The increased capacity of the trained Recreation leaders to deal with larger numbers of persons and a more diversified program ;
(5) The improvement in the organization of the adult program and facilities which naturally comes when the initial stages of development have passed ;
(6) The encouragement and development of volunteer leadership by citizens within certain limited spheres ;
(7) The omission of ordinary salary increases to work- ers who have attained the appropriate degree of experience ;
(8) The general decrease in cost of commodities pur- chased ;
(9) Considerable reduction in wages of leaders in cer- tain branches of the service.
Three other items, though not contributing to solution of the twofold problem, but rather accentuating one phase of it- by impairing or lessening the service rendered-do substantial- ly contribute to conservation of financial resources ; namely :
(10) The curtailment of seasons in the Saturday Play- grounds, After-School Athletics, Evening Recrea- tion Centers and Adult Gymnasium ;
(11) The suspension of certain Recreation units ;
(12) The suspension of several positions in leader- ship-chiefly Assistants' positions-with conse- quent diminution in the service rendered.
250
ANNUAL REPORTS
Regarding item "(1)" in the foregoing lists, a statement, opinion and recommendation are submitted below :
The omissions mentioned in item "(2)" leave, as a correl- ary circumstance for 1933, the need for expenditures, for re- placements, greatly exceeding that which would otherwise be needed-a fact to be considered in regard to finances for the coming year.
Items "(3)", "(4)" and "(5)" have particular reference to the Evening Recreation Centers, which are now in their third season. The experience gained and the organization de- veloped in the two previous seasons constitute a great advan- tage.
Item "(6)" applies especially to the Evening Recreation Centers, the Adult Gymnasium and the Summer Playgrounds.
Item "(11)" refers to the suspension of the Bingham Even- ing Recreation Center; The Baxter and John M. Woods units in the Saturday Playground work and the suspension, during the Fall season, of the After-School Athletics program for older girls.
REORGANIZATION In the Director's Report for 1931, was. included the following recommendation for revision of the leadership organiza- tion : -
"About seventy-five persons have been employed . . under your Commission, but this number of persons is employed in about one-hundred-ten positions; since some of these persons have two or more part-time posi- tions, either for seasons occupying limited parts of the calendar year or for sessions that overlap. It has al- ready been pointed out that of these seventy-five per- sons only two are full-time, all-year employes. This arrangement necessarily involves a wide spread of per- sonnel, and a somewhat difficult and complicated proc- ess of administration. For the proper efficiency among so many part-time workers in the various branches of the service, the proper contact of the workers with headquarters and with each other requires careful ad- ministration and supervision. Involved in this proc- ess is the cost of correspondence, postage, clerical ser- vice and telephone service.
251
RECREATION COMMISSION
. . "Under recent development this wide spread of part-time workers seems to be less advantageous than would be a smaller organization in which about four more full-time, all-year persons could be employed without additional expense.
"For such re-organization, it would be a requisite that the full-time employes be trained in the many and varied branches of work that belong to the Recreation Leader's profession and require unusual versatility.
"With four such full-time workers employed, it would be possible (1) to carry on the work of about fifteen of the present part-time employes; (2) to ar- range their activities so as to eliminate the necessity of about ten more part-time employes; (3) to reduce the cost in that part of the administration which ef- fects contacts with the large group of workers; (4) to bring about a more closely knit organization in gen- eral; (5) more effectively to acquaint the citizens and the community with the recreation system and the citizens' opportunities, than the part-time workers at present can do. No additional cost to the City would. be involved by this re-organization, because of the elimination of some part-time positions.
.. "By the addition of these full-time employes, it .. would be possible for the Commission to develop for the future, professionally trained persons with conse- quent improvement in the type of management and leadership of the program."
In the year that has elapsed since this recommendation was presented by the Director, important initial steps by your Commission in the direction pointed out by this recommenda- tion have been taken ; and these steps. as viewed in their rela- tion to future possible developments, constitute an important development of the year now closing. Two permanent, full- time, year round employes-(the foregoing recommendation calls for four) -- have already been assigned by your Commis- sion, chosen from the ranks of the part-time workers previously employed. In addition to their former duties, they have as- sumed and will assume responsible assignments in directing and supervising other leaders. For example: they are at the present time two of the Managers of the Evening Recreation Centers. Their employment in this latter capacity eliminates: two former part-time Managers' positions and also the position of Supervisor for all the Evening Centers. With the recurrence of the various seasons, similar adjustment can be made.
252
ANNUAL REPORTS
Another step in the direction of this recommendation has come in the tie-up that has been effected between the day-time organization of children's play, July and August, and the twi- light supervision of adult activities out of doors, May through August. This tie-up has been effected in 1932 by the special assignment of one of the three Supervisors of the playgrounds organization to special supervision of the Twilight activities. The results have been in accordance with prediction and quite satisfactory.
The employment of the two full-time Leaders results also in eliminating the unnecessary and artificial distinction be- tween playground work as conducted on Saturdays and the Summer Playgrounds work. By placing these two formerly distinct branches under the same supervision of one of these part-time leaders, an effective tie-up is resulting.
The Director respectfully recommends that a third and a fourth full-time worker be similarly added-at least one of them in the year 1933, if possible.
Other features are briefly indicated below and classified with respect to the various divisions of the general municipal recreation program.
The Summer Playgrounds season has SUMMER PLAYGROUNDS been featured by an epoch in the de- velopment of the handwork activities among playground children. Emphasis had hitherto been decidedly upon handcraft for girls, but this summer there were quite as many boys active. Wood work held the highest interest. Toys, boats, household accessories, model airplanes, doll furnitures images of animals, projects based on the newspaper "funnies", and a variety of other activities held the interest and provoked the activity of hundreds of boys all over the City. In the field of girls' handwork there was a decided advance. Entirely new articles, greater emphasis in the instruction of play leaders in handcraft, and the more fre- quent displays of handwork were factors in this marked de- velopment.
Another feature of the Summer Playgrounds was the prog- ress in the development of children as leaders on the play- grounds. In the Director's report for 1931 there is set forth at some length the method of procedure in this regard. The
253
RECREATION COMMISSION
policies and methods of the two previous seasons were more fruitful than ever in the season of 1932. Child leadership has become one of the distinguishing features of our Summer Play- grounds and seems to be serving one of the most worthwhile of their objectives.
The summer of 1932 saw also a decided advance in the re- sults from the practice of accepting and training volunteer leadership by post-adolescent boys and girls and young men and women. Serving without payment in a capacity inter- mediary between that of the play leaders and the child leaders, these young persons have rendered excellent service while de- veloping themselves.
There has been a decided growth in the ADULT ACTIVITIES publie interest in adult activities under your Commission, particularly that in- terest which results in "passive recreation" for large numbers of citizens. This passive recreation is found in their being spectators and followers of those who are active. These statements apply particularly to the adult leagues in baseball and basketball for men, and the dramatic activities and kindred activities represented by the Somerville Commun- ity Theatre, sponsored by your Commission.
Within the year 1932 the Somerville COMMUNITY DRAMA Community Theatre, another expression of interest and activity in community drama, has been organized and active. Six public productions, ten one-act plays, semi-monthly meet- ings and frequent addresses by leading persons in the theatrical and dramatic world, have featured the activities of this Theatre since its organization in February. It has served the commun- ity by acting as the City's medium for presentation of Somer- ville's George Washington Bicentennial program and also the Community Christmas, sponsored by the municipality. Its suc- cess to date and its future plans prompt the Director's estimate that it will come to represent one of the important accomplish- ments of your Commission's community recreation program.
A net appropriation of $27,000 was FINANCES available for the work under your Com- mission for the year 1932. This net ap- propriation results from the roiginal appropriation of $31,724, of which $4,724 was subsequently transferred by action of His
254
ANNUAL REPORTS
Honor The Mayor and the Board of Aldermen to the Depart- ment of Public Welfare. The unexpended balance on December 31 was 28 cents. A financial statement for the year 1932 is ap- pended to this report.
Looking into the future, the Director OUTLOOK judges that the 1933 will place a heavy demand on the service and resources of the Recreation Commission. The workers under the Commis- sion, the Director feels, regard this situation as an opportun- ity for increased service and they face the future with deter- mined optimism and a resolute intention to give their best.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANCIS J. MAHONEY,
Director.
255
RECREATION COMMISSION
APPENDIX
Financial Summary
Appropriated and Transferred
Net Appropriation for the year
$27,000.00
Appropriated, May 12
$31,724.00
Transferred to Board of Public Welfare, Aug. 15
$4,724.00
Paid in wages to laborers as- signed by Soldiers' Relief Dept.
146.40
Transferred from Soldiers' Re-
lief Dept., Dec. 19
146.40
$4,870,40
$31,870.40
4,870.40
$27,000.00
Expended
SALARIES AND WAGES:
Supervisors, Leaders, Instructors, etc.
$15,222.01
General Helpers
820.16
Clerks
1,402.16
Director
4,400.00
OTHER EXPENSES:
Teaming and Trucks
197.43
Equipment and Supplies
3,059.51
Automobile Maintenance :
330.00
Disbursements
91.21
607.03
Postage
240.75
Telephone
219.57
Music
111.60
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