USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1933 > Part 9
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Street Sprinkling Assesments
$48,750.12
Apportioned
Sewer Asst.
1925
$16.64
Int. $3.00
19.64
Sidewalk Asst.
1928
85.59
11.41
97.00
1929
225.56
"
63.44
289.00
1930
112.87
26.88
139.75
1931
69.69
22.79
92.48
1932
32.26
=
10.09
42.35
Highway
1923
12.75
.76
13.51
1925
49.10
8.83
57.93
1926
65.61
7.86
73.47
1927
84.09
19.67
103.76
1929 3,036.32
847.45
3,883.77
"
thority from the Commissioner of Corpora- tion and Taxation
172
ANNUAL REPORTS
Apportioned Highway Asst. 1930 248.39 " 99.43
347.82
1931
103.69
55.94
159.63
Committed Sidewalk
1932
83.73
3.62
87.35
Total amount of all taxes listed in the collector's commit- ment list
4,052,182.46
MOTOR VEHICLE EXCISE TAX
The motor vehicle excise tax was originally created by the passage of Chapter 379 of the Acts of 1928, which law became effective as of January 1, 1929. This act provided that an ex- cise tax should be assessed on all registered motor vehicles, in lieu of the local tax formerly assessed on this class of prop- erty. This law, which became Chapter 60A of the General Laws, was amended April 23, 1930, by the passage of Chapter 244 of the Acts of 1930.
The tax is levied at an average State rate and valuations at which these vehicles are assessed are determined by the Tax Commissioner and forwarded to all assessors of the various cities and towns throughout the Commonwealth. All valua- tions are therefore uniform. Assessments are made on a month- ly basis from card records prepared by the Registry of Motor Vehicles.
Motor Vehicle Excise Tax Rate $31.55
Number of automobiles assessed
16,443
Total valuation assessed
4,138.260.00
Total M. V. Excise Tax assessed
$104,206.75
During this year considerable progress has been made in the preparation of the Block and Lot Plans for the Assessors. Eighty-five precent of the plans have been checked. The plans show the description of all lots and their dimensions, as shown by the deeds or recorded plans. Areas of lots are shown and all lot line changes have been brought up-to-date. During the last of this year, tracing of the plans was started on a project under the Civil Works Administration.
Acknowledgment is hereby made of the splendid coopera- tion given by the City Engineer in the use of the records and plans of this office in the preparation of these plans.
We acknowledge the splendid cooperation given the Board of Assessors by the other departments of our City
Respectfully submitted,
MAURICE F. AHEARN,
Chairman of the Board of Assessors.
173
SOLDIERS' RELIEF
REPORT OF THE SOLDIER'S RELIEF DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable, the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville.
Gentlemen :
I am submitting the annual report of the Soldiers' Relief Department in which is presented a tabulated statement of the aid rendered to the veterans of the Civil, Spanish, German and Mexican Wars for the year ending December 31, 1933.
4,048 cases were aided during the year and the net total expenditures for State Aid, Military Aid and Soldiers' Relief, including medical attention and orders, was $132,240.38.
Because of the changes in pension rates that went into effect July 1, the expenditures for State Aid decreased and those for Military Aid increased.
During the month of December, 163 married men and 35 single men were placed on CW A projects. However, in the cases of men with large families, it was necessary to give some Soldiers' Relief.
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS F. MCGRATH, Commissioner.
174
SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS MADE BY THE SOLDIERS' RELIEF DEPARTMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1933
1933
Military Aid as per Payrolls 437.00
State Aid as per Payrolls
Soldiers' Relief as per Payrolls 3,642.50
Work Relief as per Payrolls 7,246.80 6,443.20
Medical Services 162.24 450.43
Grocery, Coal, etc. Orders 26.65 36.05
Total Relief 12,756.94
374
February
530.00
1,390.75
4,367.45
March
508.75
1,390.75
5.986.00
184.40
1,866.96
9,936.86
406
April
499.50
1,308.75
4.805.69
254.85
3,859.46
10,728.25
382
May
475.00
1,214.75
4,411.80
341.70
6,908.95
13,352.20
359
June
497.25
1,134.75
4,365.45
312.95
5,375.02
11,685.42
347
July
995.80
700.75
4,832.20
123.50
4,479.18
11,131.43
330
August
1,171.00
671.50
4,231.20
203.20
5,358.88
11,635.78
318
September
1,188.25
798.75
3,926.45
278.75
5,383.51
11,575.71
314
October
1,128.00
767.75
4,268.83
350.15
3,638.23
10,152.96
298
November
1.075.00
826.75
4,346.25
262.26
4,641.84
11,152.10
292
December
515.00
593.00
2,019.25
10748
3,523.45
6,758.18
240
Totals
9,020.55
12,040.00
51,203.07
$13,690.00
$3,03191
$45,098.18
$134,083.71
$4,048
Refunds and
Net Dr.
Net Dr.
Net Cr
Net Cr.
Transfers
547.95
66.25
2,457.53
1,843.33
..
Net Totals ....
$9,568.50
$12,106.25
$48,745.54
$13,690.00
$3,031.91
$45,098.18
$132,240.38
4,048
Total Relief Including Medical Services and Orders
$132,240.38
ANNUAL REPORTS
No. Cases
January
1,241.75
13,217.88
388
175
ROARD OF APPEAL
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF APPEAL
January 31, 1934.
To the Honorable the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville.
Gentlemen :
The Board of Appeal of the City of Somerville respect- fully submits the following report of its activities during the year ending December 31, 1933.
During the past year it was necessary to hear and act upon forty-four appeals which had to do with variations of the Zoning, Building or Fire District Ordinances. Out of this number relief was granted on thirty-six of the appeals be- cause of no great variance from the existing laws or because of unnecessary hardship which would have been suffered by the appellants.
It has been the express intention of your Board at all times to act in good faith and without favor or prejudice to anyone, and to grant relief whenever the interests of both city and appellant would be most favorably served.
It was necessary for your Board to refuse the appeals of eight of the appellants because of the fact that the derogation from the real intent and purpose of the zoning and building laws would be too great, and although in these cases which were refused relief would be given to the appellant, the gen- eral community would suffer in the end.
All of the members of your Board have during the year made it a part of their duty, in conjunction with the work of hearing and deciding appeals, to visit the places that would be affected by the appeal, so that when the hearing was held the members had a mental picture of just what the appellant wanted.
Numerous requests have been made from time to time to the members of this board to change the regular meetings from
176
ANNUAL REPORTS
the forenoon of Wednesdays to the evening. It was found by the board that on very many occasions abutters and others that might have an interest in the appeal, did not appear at the hearings because they would suffer the hardship of losing either a day's pay or a half day by getting off from their work. The board felt that every one who was interested had a right to be heard at these hearings and for that reason it was de- cided to change the meetings to Wednesday evenings.
Your board wishes to call your attention to the fact that the present city zoning map was made in 1925. Since that time many changes have been made in the growth of the city. The so-called Northern Artery, now properly named Monsignor McGrath Boulevard is not shown on this map. Traffic condi- tions have greatly changed this area and it is still due for greater changes.
In view of the above your planning board should meet and take these conditions under consideration and make its recommendations to the Board of Aldermen. All of the main highways should also be considered so that the proper develop- ment of our city may be attained.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN D. MEDEIROS, Chairman HERBERT W. CARR, Secretary WILLIAM T. CROTTY EDWARD L. HAGAN FRANCIS R. GAFFNEY
177
SANITARY DEPARTMENT
REPORT OF THE SANITARY DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable, the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville.
Gentlemen :
The report of the Sanitary Department for the year 1933 is respectfully submitted herewith :
COLLECTIONS OF ASHES AND REFUSE
Loads
Yards
Tons
January
1,650
10,725
4,950
February
1,664
10,816
4,992
March
1,584
10,296
4,752
April
2,064
13,416
6,192
May
1,596
10,374
4,788
June
1,584
10,296
4,752
July
1,992
12,948
5,976
August
1,584
10,296
4,752
September
1,980
12,870
5,940
October
1,680
10,920
5,040
November
1,680
10,920
5,040
December
1,992
12,948
5,976
Totals
21,050
136,825
63,150
COLLECTION OF PAPER
Loads
Yards
January
323
2,690
February
305
2,546
March
316
2,632
April
413
3,446
May
356
2,984
June
992
8,036
July
391
3,250
August
312
2,592
September
390
3,240
October
360
3,000
November
325
2,710
December
389
3,242
Totals
4,872
40,368
178
ANNUAL REPORTS
The total estimated collections of garbage amounted to 17,000 cords.
The above figures are approximate and are based on the general average of amount carried by trucks and wagons.
The garbage has been collected by contract which provides for collection twice a week throughout the year, which, as a whole, I believe has been pretty faithfully adhered to.
The ashes and refuse are being collected with motor trucks on account of the distance to the Medford dumps, which are being used by this department subject to the rules and reg- ulations of the Board of Health of the City of Medford. These dumps are fast nearing completion and proper provision should be made for future dumping facilities.
I am thoroughly convinced that a modern Incinerator sufficient to care for the needs of the city for some years to come, is essential to the proper disposition of refuse and gar- bage, and that such a plant should be erected in the near fu- ture.
The department as a whole I believe to be operating ef- ficiently and with the co-operation of the citizens, will en- deavor to carry on the work of collection with increasing satisfaction.
I wish to thank His Honor, the Mayor, the Board of Alder- men, and the heads of departments for the helpful co-operation extended during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
ELBRIDGE G. LAVENDER, Supt. Sanitary Dept.
179
RECREATION COMMISSION
REPORT OF THE SOMERVILLE RECREATION COMMISSION FOR 1933
To the Honorable, the Mayor, and the Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville, Massachusetts
The Annual Report of the Somerville Recreation Commis- sion for the year 1933 is herewith submitted.
In transmitting the report of the Director, which con- stitutes the major portion of the Commission's report, it seems proper to place upon record for the enlightenment of our cit- izens a statement of the policy of the Commission for the year 1933 as affected by the adverse conditions of the period.
It became apparent early in the year that further re- trenchment in departmental expenditures made it impossible to hope for budget support in maintaining the remarkable progress that had attracted nation-wide attention to the Som- erville program. The Commission determined to make every effort to preserve at least the skeleton of the organization built up by the united energy and intelligence of the Director and his devoted staff, and to consolidate our advanced position. There remained the hope that better times were near enough so that activities in abeyance could be resumed more readily by this policy. We refused to accept the conclusion that we must yet abandon the hard won gains, and return to the now antiquated idea of merely providing children's playgrounds and play centers. Therefore, during the first half of the year we carried on our program, though on a restricted scale, re- serving also a reduced but proportionate part of the appro- priation for the summer and fall activities. In June, however, our hopeful plan for preserving our program was completely wrecked by the transfer of a large portion of our funds to wel- fare purposes. This unforeseen catastrophe made it immediate- ly necessary to eliminate three play units, shorten the season 19 per cent., and to dispense with the services of a consider- able number of our trained workers. This would barely carry us to the first of September, when all funds for activities would be exhausted. Such was of necessity the meager summer pro- pram. It proved to be more potent in eliciting expressions of
180
ANNUAL REPORTS
public appreciation of the work of the Commission than we had foreseen. It became unexpectedly possible in September to secure a supplementary appropriation of $2,850, which suf- ficed to carry on for the remaining months our skeleton pro- gram. The additional resources, however, came too late for the favorable months of summer.
The service was further impaired by lack of funds for the maintenance and replacement of apparatus for the two prev- ious years, which brought us into 1933 with depleted equip- ment, and pitiful resources to check depreciation. Respecting this situation, attention is directed to the paragraph of the Director's report dealing with that problem.
The Report of the Director is herewith submitted as a constituent part of the report of the Commission.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE H. EVANS, Chairman.
181
RECREATION COMMISSION
RECREATION COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR FOR THE YEAR 1933
December 29, 1933.
To the Recreation Commission :
The annual report of the Director to your Commission for the year 1933 is submitted herewith.
For the year 1933, as the Commission is aware, its work has been featured by
(1) Greatly increased demand upon our leadership, re- sulting from the greatly increased (largely enforced) leisure of citizens, attended by decrease in citizens' resources for participating in recreational activities that may be "purchased";
(2) Reduction of the Commission's financial resources by 321/2% of the previous year's appropriation, with resulting figure that is only 54% of the 1931 appro- priation ;
(3) The consequent shortening of seasons in some branch- es of the work, serious reduction in the leadership personnel, entire elimination of some playground units, and entire elimination of the Twilight (May to August) out-of-doors program for adults ;
(4) The great impediment of lack of ordinary equip- ment and supplies - resulting from omission of the usual replacements during the year 1932 and the un- availability of funds for replacements in 1933 :
(5) Extraordinary display of personnel sacrifice, devo- tion to the service, and resourcefulness, on the part of the Recreation Leaders and other employees of the Commission.
All of these features are closely inter-related. Obviously the problems presented by the features numbered "(2)", "(3)", and "(4)" work directly against the solution of the underlying problem in "(1)": that is, the lack of funds, reduced personnel,
182
ANNUAL REPORTS
scarcity of equipment and eliminated branches of the service are facts that work against the requirements to serve the in- creased demand by a more leisured citizenship upon our leader- ship : and they are facts that actually lessen results in the ef- fort to provide this service. On the other hand, the last-named feature-the self-sacrificing devotion of the Recreation Lead- ers-has been the greatest asset in meeting this demand for in- creased service in the face of increased leisure.
These conditions are also the problems of the year im- mediately ahead, since the tendency of the times is towards greater leisure for the worker, and since the pressure for ex- treme economy is necessary upon all government and govern- mental functions.
The existence of these conditions, then, establishes the point of view from which are made both (a) report of facts con- cerning the work of the year 1933, and (b) the views and rec- ommendations by the Director for the immediate future.
In the administration of the recreational program the fol- lowing factors and accomplishments have contributed to the partial solution of the problem represented by the foregoing summary of the year's features :
(1) The recently developed initial steps in reorganiza- tion of the leadership corps, as recommended by the Director at the close of the year 1932 and initiated by the Commission a year ago.
(2) The stringent economy practiced and the resourceful- ness of the Recreation Leaders in stimulating and instituting recreational activities requiring absolute minimum of equipment.
(3) The growing understanding and appropriation, by citizens, of the Commission's adult program and its objectives ; and their increasing interest in it.
(4) The ever-increasing capacity of the Recreation Lead- ers to deal with larger numbers of persons and a more diversified program.
(5) The encouragement and development of volunteer leadership by citizens within certain limited spheres.
(6) The continued omission-for the third consecutive year-of the ordinary automatic increase to workers
183
RECREATION COMMISSION
who have attained the appropriate degree of exper- eience.
By action of your Commission, based REDUCTION OF SEASONS, on unforeseen withdrawal of funds by the appropriating body of the City PERSONNEL, ETC. Government, the usual Summer Play- grounds season was reduced in length by nearly 19%. In the judgment of the Director, which is sup- ported by the judgment of other Recreation workers and many citizens, this withdrawal of service was regretted and regard- ed as a serious loss by large elements in the community. At the same time three units were necessarily omitted from the Summer Playgrounds organization ;- namely, those at Nathan Tufts Park, Tufts Campus, and Edgerly School grounds. For the remaining Summer Playgrounds units, the leadership per- sonnel was seriously reduced. Only the remarkable resource- fulness and sacrifice of workers in the service prevented the losses in values and results from being greater than they ac- tually were. During the Summer Playgrounds season 31 play- Leaders were in the service of the Commission as compared with 47 during the previous year and 48 in 1931-notwith- standing that the demand for play leadership during the past summer was greater than ever before, because more families remained in Somerville during the Summer months and be- cause the usual part-time employment for older boys was not available in these times. A most serious consequence of the re- duced personnel was the failure to provide adequate supervi- sion over the work of leaders. The usual positions of super- visors were left unfilled during the entire Summer season. In this circumstance the previous training and experience of the Recreation workers was a great asset ; and it was capitalized to the utmost. The purely administrative (as distinguished from supervisory) duties of the Director made it impossible that the Director personally supervise in any adequate degree the work of playground leaders. Futhermore, because of financial restriction, the usual extra clerical and secretarial assistance for the Summer season in the office of the Commission had to be omitted, making it all the more difficult for the Director to keep adequate contact with the field work.
As indicated above, it has been necessary to eliminate en- tirely in 1933 the program of out-of-door activities for adults during the season May to August.
For similar reason the seasons have been curtailed in After-School Athletics for older boys, and program for older girls has been suspended entirely.
184
ANNUAL REPORTS
The inadequacy of personnel still continues in the conduct of the adult gymnasium activities.
The Bingham Recreation Center, discontinued for finan- cial reasons in the fall of 1932, has not yet been reopened, al- though there has been a widely expressed demand for the ser- vice. A petition signed by about 150 citizens in the Ward Five section of the City has been received, calling for re-establish- ment of this service.
In the Evening Recreation Centers in the Fall of 1932 the three-session week has already been substituted for the four- session week and one Center had been closed. Furthermore, during this latter part of 1932 reduced wages had been ac- cepted by all leaders and managers, and even then the corps was necessarily reduced numerically. During this year of 1933 still further reductions and still further curtailment in the corps has been necessary -- notwithstanding that the ctizens' use of the Centers and participation in the program has been greater than at any time since the Centers have been estab- lished. For the year 1933 there has been a very great increase of attendance and diversity in the program of activities. In this branch of the service the saving circumstance again has been the devotion, energy, resourcefulness, and self-sacrifice of the leadership corps. Incidental to the subject of financing these Recreation Centers it should be of interest to note that, exclusive of the salaries for leadership, the expenditure for operating each Center during 1933 has been less than $1 a week-or only about $22 for an entire 51/2-months' season. Similar figures and similar circumstances prevail in connec- tion with the operation of the Evening Gymnasium.
A year ago the Annual Report of the Di- IMPAIRED EQUIPMENT rector for 1932 included statement that for 1932 the Commission's expenditure for equipment and supplies - under the ex- treme financial conditions prevailing that year-had been only one-half of the amount for the preceding year of 1931. This 1932 report emphasized also that last year's omission of re- placements left a correlary circumstance for 1933 the need for larger expenditure on this item than would ordinarily be need- ed; and the Director's report pointed out that this fact must be considered in regard to finances for the ensuing year of 1933. But for the year 1933-notwithstanding the already im- paired equipment, etc.,-instead of increased expenditure to offset the effect of the preceding "lean" year, the present year's
185
RECREATION COMMISSION
expenditure has necessarily been reduced to 30% of the 1932 expenditure, and to 15% of the expenditure for the normal year of 1931. The figures for expenditure in the three years mentioned are as follows :-
1931-$6,029.75 1932- 3,059.51 1933- 952.82
This condition, restated, means that for every dollar's worth of equipment, and supplies available two years ago, there is now available fifteen cents' worth. Obviously, the year 1934 presents the imperative need of a considerably increased ex- penditure for absolutely necessary apparatus, repairs, sup- plies, and other replacements.
One of the greatest assets and ADVANTAGES FROM saving factors in the whole exper- YEAR-ROUND TRAINED ience of the year 1933 has been LEADERSHIP the availability of the year-round, full-time service of the two thor- oughly trained, versatile and experienced young men leaders whose year-round employment beginning at the end of 1932; represents the first step in the development of that reorganiza- tion of the leadership corps which has been recommended by the Director in the Annual Reports of 1931 and 1932. These young men-Messrs. Charles C. Kelley and John H. McCarthy -have rendered extraordinary service and displayed a re- markable spirit in their work, notwithstanding an extremely meager salary.
The requirements and demands upon their service have called for the greatest versatility.
Each has acted, in season, as Manager of one Recreation Center- a capacity in which their duties call for training sub- ordinates, supervising performance of duties by other (part- time) workers, counseling and aiding these subordinates to the best methods and most skillful technique in leadership, ad- ministering and managering the Centers, ordering and reg- ulation of equipment and supplies, and especially carrying out the pioneer work of aiding the Commission and the citizens at large to a concept of a worth-while Recreation program for adults. To direct the leisure-time occupations of a large group of adults with their varied interests, aptitudes, desires, temper- aments, degrees of education, occupations, home and social backgrounds, ages, etc .- to cope with all these and other in-
186
ANNUAL REPORTS
dividual differences in such way as to arouse and sustain in- terest and crystalize the resulting recreative expression of them .- is far from a simple task. To define for itself a Municipal Department's own concept of worth-while indoor Recreation, to distinguish recreation from mere pastime and again from mere pursuit of pleasure that is dissipative rather than recreative : to interest and enthuse an apathetic public in this definition : to devise practical ways and means for its ap- plication to the various communities within a City like ours, is obviously a complicated and arduous task, for which any striking degree of success demands expert, persistent. sustain- ed, thoughtful study and energetic activity.
In addition, each of these two workers has directed, dur- ing the Summer Playgrounds season, one of the large play- ground units. In this capacity also they have been responsible for the direction, training, and supervision of other workers un- der them. Here again the effect of their spirit, their skill, their experience, and their versatility is disseminated through- out the corps.
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