Report of the city of Somerville 1934, Part 21

Author: Somerville (Mass.)
Publication date: 1934
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 420


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1934 > Part 21


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JOSEPH R. CORISH, Assistant City Solicitor (1935)


349


WATER COMMISSIONER


SOMERVILLE WATER WORKS


SOMERVILLE, MIDDLESEX CO., MASSACHUSETTS


Settled, when part of Charlestown, 1630 (Home of Colonial Governor John Winthrop) Incorporated a Town, 1842 Established a City, 1872


Location: Somerville City Hall (Near centre of the city), in 234 miles northerly from State House, in Boston. Greatest extent of the City north and south about 4.2 miles. Greatest extent of the City east and west about 2.1 miles. Elevation Highland Avenue at City Hall 105 feet above mean low water. Highest building elevation in the city 145 feet. Lowest building elevation in the city 13 feet. Area of City, including land water, about 4.22 square miles. Land, 2,461.50 acres; water and marsh 238.50 acres. Population, 1920 census, 93,033. Present population, Est. 108,830 Entire population on line of pipe and supplied with water.


Water works owned by City of Somerville. Construction commenced in 1868. Source of supply: Metropolitan system, taking water of the Nashua River at Clinton, Mass. Range of pressure on street mains: Low service 35 to 65 pounds; High service 45 to 100 pounds.


Mayor HON. JAMES E. HAGAN


Water Commissioner JOSEPH P. PHILLIPS


Office of the Water Department City Hall, Highland Ave., corner School St.


Department Buildings and Yard


Cedar Street. near Broadway


350


ANNUAL REPORTS


ADMINISTRATION OF WATER WORKS VESTED AS BELOW


1861-1871 SOMERVILLE MYSTIC WATER COMMITTEE (5) Acts 1868; Chap. 202


1872-1890 SOMERVILLE MYSTIC WATER BOARD (5) Acts 1871; Chap. 182


1891-1897 SOMERVILLE MYSTIC WATER BOARD (3) Acts 1890; Chap. 218


1898-1899 BOARD OF WATER COMMISSIONERS (3) Acts 1898; Chap. 33


WATER COMMISSIONER (1)


1900- Acts 1899; Chap. 240


351


WATER COMMISSIONER


1


REPORT OF THE WATER COMMISSIONER


OFFICE OF THE WATER COMMISSIONER


January 3, 1935.


To His Honor, the Mayor, and the Board of Aldermen :


I present herewith my report for the year ending Decem- ber 31, 1934, this being the sixtieth Annual Report of the Water Department :


WATER REVENUE AND EXPENDITURES


REVENUE


Quarterly


Monthly or Commercial


Additional


Total


Brought forward Jan. 1, 1934


Metered Charges


20,710.83 278,152.84


7,272.48 230,507.97


62.41


28,045.72 508,720.25


Total


298,863.67


237,780.45


121.85


536,765.97


Less : Adjustments


334.50


84.00


418.50


298,529.17


237,696.45


121.85


536,347.47


Less: Carried


forward


18,550.10


6,740.57


58.45


25,349.12


TOTAL INCOME


FROM WATER


279,979.07


230,955.88


63.40


510,998.35


Add :


Receipts: Water ser-


354.52


vice assessments .. Receipts: Labor and materials sold :


Miscellaneous accounts charged, 1933


889.91


Miscellaneous accounts charged, 1934


2,993.67


3,883.58


Less: Adjustments. 50.43


Carried forward


872.98


923.41


2,960.17


3,314.69


TOTAL INCOME OF WATER WORKS


514,313.04


59.44


352


ANNUAL REPORTS


This Amount was used as follows :-


Under Control of the Water Commissioner


Water Works Maintenance 99,002.87 Water Works Extension 2,888.85


101,891.72


Not Under Control of the Water Commissioner


Metropolitan Water Assessment


290,805.59


Maintenance Water Works Buildings


1,692.25


292,497.84


394,389.56


Balance to City Treasury


119,923.48


TOTAL


$514,313.04


In addition to the appropriations from water income to other municipal purposes enumerated above, water has been furnished without charge to all the city departments that have required its use and it is paid for out of the income from sale of water.


APPROPRIATION AND EXPENDITURES Water Maintenance Account


Appropriations made by Board of Aldermen ..


$93,340.00


Additional Appropriations


1,196.57


Water Works Extension Account: Transfers ..


4,261.15


Water Works Extension Account: Receipts .... City Departments: Receipts


923.83


Amount expended for labor and materials for operation, maintenance and renewal of water works


99,002.87


Amount expended for materials used in ex- tension of the water works


1,156.94


Labor and materials furnished to department by other departments


358.83


Balance


359.85


$100,878.49


$100,878.49


Water Works Extension Account


Appropriations made by the Board of Alder- men


7,150.00


Transfer of Appropriation to Maintenance.


4,261.15


Amount expended for labor and materials used in extension of the water works


2,888.85


$7,150.00


$7,150.00


. 1,156.94


353


WATER COMMISSIONER


Cost of Water Works


The total cost of water works on December 31, 1933, as represented by the expenditures from appropriations for water works ex- tension was $1,479,904.05


Expended during the year 1934 on extension account including $1,731.91 E. R. A. and C W A. labor paid by the city 2,888.85


Total expenditures, December 31, 1934 $1,482,792.90


WATER WORKS INCOME FROM 1898 AND ITS DISTRIBUTION


The water income and its distribution from 1898 to 1934, inclusive, is shown in the following table :


Total water income $10,571,578.13


Water Works Account


Water Works Construction, Renewal, Main-


tenance, operation and Miscellaneous Ac- counts


$3,072,738.05


Water Bonds 274,000.00


Interest 86,575.00


Metropolitan Water Assessments 4,848,262.84


Maintenance Water Works Buildings 32,666.20


8,314,242.30


Other Municipal Accounts


Various municipal departments through spec- ific appropriations and general revenue ac- count 2,257,336.04


$10,571,578.13


354


ANNUAL REPORTS


The pipes constructed and replaced during the year are as follows :


LAID


REMOVED


Street


Size


Feet


Size


Feet


Gould Avenue Connection


8"


2


8"


3


Gould Avenue


4"


164


2"


165


Kidder Avenue (C. W. A.)


10"


464


Malloy Court


4"


134


2"


134


Saxon Foss Park Connection


6"


4


6"


4


Saxon Foss Park


8"


32


4"


24


Fellsway West E. R. A.


12"


1356


6" & 8"


1356


2156


1686


Hydrant Branches


6"


28


0


Blow-off Branches


4"


4


0


2188


1686


SUMMARY


2"


0


2"


299


4"


302


4"


24


6"


32


604


8"


34


8"


759


10"


464


10"


0


12"


1356


12"


0


2188


1686


NET EXTENSION


502


Number of linear feet of Service Pipe replaced during 1934 :


5 / 8 "


3 /4 "


1"


11%"


2"


Total


Brass


...


2957


105


22


0


3084


Lead Lined I. P.


4


Lead


630


517


48


2


15


1212


Galvanized Iron


2


23


25


Total


630


3476


180


24


15


4325


Services cleaned during 1934


662


Service Leaks repaired during 1934


667


Main Pipe leaks repaired during 1934


10


...


4


355


WATER COMMISSIONER


HYDRANTS, GATES, ETC.


Number of fire hydrants in city, January


1, 1934


1,310


Number set during the year


13


Number removed during the year 10


Net increase in number of hydrants


3


Total number of public fire hydrants ..


1,313


Number of private fire hydrants, January 1, 1934


88


Total number of private fire hydrants receiving their supply from the city mains


88


Number of gates in the city, January 1, 1934 2,543


Number set during the year for streets 8


Number of section gates set


0


Number set on hydrant branches


12


Number set on blow-off branches


1


21


Number of gates removed


0


Net increase in number of gates


21


Total number of gates in city


2,564


Number of check-vales in city, January 1, 1934


9


Number added during the year


0


Total number of check-valves


9


Number of blow-offs in city, January 1, 1934 Number added during the year


1


Total number of blow-offs


218


Number of waterposts in city, January 1, 1934


61


Number removed during the year


0


Total number of waterposts


61


Number of drinking fountains in city, Jan- uary 1, 1934


8


Number added during the year


1


Number now in city


9


Number of car-sprinkler connections in


12


Number set during year


0


Number discontinued


0


Number now in the city


-


217


-


1


city, January 1, 1934


-


12


356


ANNUAL REPORTS


WATER METERS


Number of water meters in city, January 1, 1934


13,936


Number installed during the year (new)


5


Number reset


888


893


Number removed :


Vacancy and Temporary non-use


216


Replaced by other meters


780


996


Decrease in the number of operating meters


103


Number of motor registers (included in above) 1


Total number of meters in actual use


13,833


Per cent of services metered


100%


Operating Meters, December 3.1, 1934


Size 5/8" 3/4"


11/2"


2"


3"


4" 6"


12"


No. 13,317 285


112


32


55


16


10


3


2


13,832


Motor and elevator registers


1


13,833


WATER SERVICE CONNECTIONS


Total number of services required to be metered in actual use


December 31, 1934 (see above)


13,833


Services supplying public property 158


Total number of services 13,989


In addition to the above there are fire supplies for private sprinkler systems, which are not required to be metered .. One new fire supply installed in 1934 at the Lowell Street Garage, 226 Lowell Street, is included in the above total.


Size, number, and length of services installed in 1934:


1 3/4" Service 12'


1 1" Service 23'


2 2" Service 35'


4 70


98


357


WATER COMMISSIONER


FIRE SERVICES IN PUBLIC BUILDINGS


No.


Size Installed


Atherton Street, Carr School


1


6"


1927


Boston Street, Pope School


1


6"


1927


Broadway, Lincoln School


1


6"


1927


Broadway, City Home


1


6"


1916


Cherry Street, Burns School


1


6'


1916


Concord Square, Knapp School


1


6"


1927


Craigie Street, Morse School


1


1927


Cross Street, Edgerly School


1


6"


1927


Evergreen Avenue, Forster School Annex


1


¿0


1923


*Gov. Winthrop Road, Charles A. Grimmons School


1


6"


1929


Grove Street, Highland School


1


6"


1927


Highland Avenue, Central High School


1


8'


1916


*Holland Street, Western Junior High School Holland Street, Western Junior High School Holland Street, Hodgkins School


1


6"


1928


Jaques Street, Glines School


1


6"


1928


Lowell Street, Bingham School


1


6"


1927


Maple Street, Bennett School


1


i


1927


School


1


6"


1923


Myrtle Street, Prescott School


1


6"


1927


Powder House Boulevard, Cutler School


1


6"


1927


School Street, Cummings School


1


6"


1916


School Street, High School (West Wing)


1


6"


1928


Summer Street, Southern Jr. High School.


1


6"


1930


Sycamore Street, Forster School


1


6"


1927


Willow Avenue, Brown School


1


6"


1928


Total


26


* No sprinklers installed.


NUMBER OF SERVICES SUPPLYING PUBLIC PROPERTY


City Hall


1


Police Station, Bow Street


1


Bath House, Shore Drive


1


City Home, Broadway, 3 (1 shut-off)


2


Contagious Hospital


1


Tuberculosis Hospital


1


Water Works


1


Incinerator


1


City Stables, City Road


1


Garbage Plant


1


Sewerage Yard


1


Public Libraries


4


Fire Stations


7


Schools


32


Public Grounds


17


Water Posts


61


Street Sprinklers


15


Drinking Fountains


9


New Police Station


1


Total


158


1


1916


1


6"


1930


*Marshall Street, Northeastern Jr. High


358


ANNUAL REPORTS


SUMMARY OF PIPES AND FIXTURES OF THE WATER SYSTEM


December 31, 1934


Feet of main pipe (approximately)


589,732


Miles of main pipe (approximately )


111.7


Services in use (approximately )


13,833


Services supplying public property


158


Private fire supplies (Sprinkler system )


98


Fire supplies to public buildings


26


Sprinkler systems installed in public buildlings ..


0


Public fire hydrants


1,313


Private fire hydrants


88


Gates


2,564


Check Valves


9


Meters (including 1 motor register)


13,833


Waterposts


61


Car-sprinkler connections


12


Blow-offs


218


Drinking fountains and troughs


9


WATER ASSESSMENTS AND CONSUMPTION


The assessment paid to the Commonwealth by this city as its proportionate part of the cost and operation of the Metro- politan Water Works for the year 1934 was as follows :-


Sinking Fund


$7,956.12


Maintenance


57,184.61


Interest


143,516.81


Maturing Bonds


72,222.89


Brookline Credit


9,925.16


Total payment for 1934


$290,805.59


The amount paid by the city since the beginning in 1898 is as follows : -


$505,450.54


Maintenance


1,156,564.28


Interest 2,673,551.73


Maturing Bonds


285,681.97


Miscellaneous (consist of improvements, etc., if


any; also Brookline credit) 36,301.45


Total payments to date


$4,657,549.97


Sinking Fund


359


WATER COMMISSIONER


The consumption of water for the city of Somerville for the year 1934, total quantity, average daily and per capita, the per capita consumption being figured on an estimated popula- tion for the year of 108,830.


Month


Gallons per day


Gallons per capita


January


9,064,900


84


February


9,831,300


91


March


9,510,300


88


April


9,002,000


83


May


8,723,400


80


June


9,364,600


86


July


9,894,500


91


August


9,095,500


83


September


9,008,400


83


October


8,867,600


81


November


8,612,200


79


December


9,027,300


83


Year 1934


9,163,200


84


Total consumption for the year 1934:


High-service Low-service


702,247,000 gals. 2,642,331,000


Total city


3,344,578,000


The following table shows the daily per capita consump- tion of water in the cities and towns in the Metropolitan Water District for the year 1934. as registered by the Metropolitan meters.


City or Town


Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Yr.


Arlington


50


53


54


48


53


53


66


50


45


43


44


45 50


Belmont


49


52


50


49


56


59


79


59


53


49


48


47


54


Boston


114


125


115


109


109


115


120


114 72


71


110 72


108 68


113


114


Chelsea


69


78


76


75


67


72


77


84


90 85 67 54


87 65 65 47


86 63 65 47 67 48 179 63 59


85 54 67


81 52 62 44 59 44 116 60 53 79 63 79 52 61 S6


51 62


56


Winthrop


58


62


61


61


65


73


93


83


68


Met. Dist.


91


100


94


88


89


93


100


93


91


61 48 131 61 53 81 65 82 53 63 89


69 87 54 59 49 63 42 119 60 55 83 64 87


67


Milton


46


46


46


46


53


Nahant


101


117


122


170


178


211


Quincy


58


60


60


59


61


64


72


Revere


55


57


55


52


56


60


76


65


Somerville


84


91


88


83


80


SE


Stoneham


66


155


134


73


79


80


Swampscott


56


98


83


70


74


85


112


Watertown


56


58


56


56


60


58


66


56


83 72 80 52


45


49


Medford


48


51


54


49


45


Melrose


66


66


70


63


67


68 52


85 65 243


70 53 220 64


91 93


83 79 90


Everett


87


98


88


81 55


58


62


Malden


62


67


63


58


61


60 62 50


Lexington


53


74


77


63


49


159


62


58


84 85


83


67


92


90


72


82


86


114


360


ANNUAL REPORTS


SUMMARY OF STATISTICS


FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1934 In form recommended by the New England Water Works Association. SOMERVILLE WATER WORKS SOMERVILLE, MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASS.


GENERAL STATISTICS


Population: Census 1920, 93,033; Census 1930, 103,604; Est. 1935, 108,830.


Date of construction : Commenced in 1868.


By whom owned : City of Somerville.


Source of supply. Metropolitan Water System.


Mode of supply : Water is delivered into the city's mains, under


both high and low pressure, by the Metropolitan Water Works.


STATISTICS OF CONSUMPTION OF WATER


Census population; 1920, 93,033; Est. 1935, 108,830.


Population on lines of pipe, December 31, 1934, Est. 108,830.


Population supplies, December 31, 1934, Est. 108,830.


Total consumption for the year, 3,344,578,000 gallons.


Average daily consumption, 9,163,200 gallons.


Gallons per day to each inhabitant, 84.


STATISTICS RELATING TO DISTRIBUTING SYSTEM, 1934


MAINS


Kind of pipe, cast iron.


Sizes from 4-inch and under to 20-inch.


Laid 2,188 feet; discontinued 1,686 feet; net extension 502 feet.


Total now in use, 111.7 miles.


Number of hydrants added during the year: Public, 3; private, 0. Number of hydrants (public and private) now in use, 1401.


Number of stop gates added during year, net increase, 21.


Number of stop gates now in use, 2564.


Number of blow-offs, 218.


Range of pressure on mains, 35 pounds to 100 pounds.


SERVICES


Kind of pipe: Lead; lead-lined wrought iron; cement-lined wrought iron; cast iron; brass.


Sizes, one-half to eight inches.


Laid 70 feet.


Number of service connections made, 4.


Services in use, approximately, 13,834.


Number of private fire supplies (sprinkler systems), 98.


Number of meters added, 893; meters and motor registers discon- continued, 996; net decrease, 103.


Number now in use, 13,834.


Percentage of services metered, 100.


Number of motors and elevator registers added, 0; removed, 0.


Number now in use, 1 (included in number of meters.)


RECOMMENDED WATER MAINS


In many sections of the city the water mains, which were laid 30 to 50 years ago, are now of insufficient capacity and in some places in the city there are dead ends which should be connected.


In order to strengthen the distribution system I recommend the early installation of the water mains given in the table below. These mains would increase the circulation and fire protection.


Dia. Ins. Service


Along


From


To


12"


H. S. Washington Street


Bonner Avenue


Boston Street


12"


H. S. Summit Avenue & Boston Street


Vinal Avenue


Washington Street


12"


H. S.


School Street


Medford Street


...


12"


H. S. Elm Street & Somerville Avenue


Linden Avenue


Belmont Street


1400'


10"


H. S.


Seven Pines Avenue, Yorktown Street, Seven Pines Avenue & Newbury Street


Cameron Avenue


Newbury Street


650


Connecting dead ends


12"


L. S.


College Avenue


Hall Avenue


Broadway


1225'


Replacing 6"


10"


L. S.


Fremont Street


Mystic Avenue


Connection With 10"


175'


12"


L. S.


Kidder Avenue


College Avenue


Liberty Avenue


675'


Replacing 6"


12"


L. S. Somerville Avenue


Mossland Street


North Cambridge Line.


450'


Replacing 6"


Morrison Avenue


Broadway


1700'


Replacing 6"


12"


L. S. -


Prichard Avenue


Boston Avenue


Kidder Avenue


500'


Replacing 6"


12"


L. S.


Pearson Avenue


Boston Avenue


Kidder Avenue


650'


Replacing 6"


16"


L. S.


Mansfield Street


Washington Street


Somerville Avenue


700'


Replacing 16"


Cedar Street


Medford Street


1000'


Auxiliary line from Metro-


16" 16"


H. S. Medford Street


Broadway


Central Street


2000'


politan connection Replacing 8"


Supplementing 20" L. S. Main Replacing 6" and 8" Conn. 12" on Medford Street with 10" at Evergreen Ave. Replacing 12"


12"


L. S.


Lowell Street Bridge


Vernon Street


Princeton Street


300'


Connecting dead ends on both sides of bridge


12"


L. S.


Beacon Street


Somerville Avenue


Washington Street


3000'


Replacing 6"


12"


L. S. Thorndike & Kingston Streets


Holland Street


Meacham Road


1000'


Replacing 6"


12"


L. S. H. S. Dearborn Road


Boston Avenue


College Avenue


460'


Replacing 12"


Josephine Avenue


16"


H. S. Broadway


Evergreen Avenue


Length 900' 2400' 875'


Purpose


...


Connecting dead end


REVENUE


EXPENDITURES


Water Works Maintenance :- Operation (Management, Re- pairs and renewals Water Works Buildings


$99,002.87 1,692.25


Water Works Construction :-


Mains


$2,623.41 261.97


Meters


3.47


Total from consumers


$510,998.35


From other sources :-


Water Service assessments ....


354.52


Labor and materials :- From private parties


2,960.17


119,923.48


Total


$514,313.04


Total


$514,313.04


WATER COMMISSIONER


Disposition of balance: applied to municipal purposes :- Cost of work to date


$1,482,792.90


Bonded debt at date


None ..


1


Respectfully submitted,


JOSEPH P. PHILLIPS,


Water Commissioner.


B61


From Meter Rates :- Temporary supplies for build- ers and contractors


Meter Rates


$59.44 536,706.53


$536,765.97


Abated and forwarded


25,767.62


Services


Total Construction 2,888.85


Metropolitan water assessment Balance


290,805.59


362


ANNUAL REPORTS


REPORT OF THE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT


Office of the Street Commissioner,


City Hall, Somerville, Massachusetts,


January 1, 1935.


To His Honor, the Mayor, and the


Board of Aldermen :-


Gentlemen :- I respectfully submit the fifty-ninth annual report, containing a brief summary of the work performed by the Highway Department, during the year 1934, with recom- mendations for necessary additions the coming year.


This department has charge of the construction, altera- tions, repair, maintenance and management of ways, streets, sidewalks and bridges; the setting out and care of shade trees ; the suppression of gypsy and brown tail moths, elm leaf beetles and other pests injurious to trees ; and the oiling, cleaning and watering of the streets.


HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT


Ap- propriations


Ex- penditures


Highway Maintenance


$206,023.05


$206,014.18


Sidewalks Maintenance


18,200.00


18,200.00


Street Sprinkling


20,952.00


20,951.34


Street Cleaning


33,800.00


33,798.99


Suppression of Moths


5,449.00


5,446.93


Care of Trees


6,775.00


6,770.00


Sidewalks Construction


1,117.32


1,117.32


$292,316.37 $292,298.76


SNOW AND ICE


Snow around all public buildings and grounds was re- moved by this department, also at many places where there were funerals, weddings, parties, etc. Warning signs were erected on streets where coasting was allowed and ashes spread at the foot of the hills for the protection of the public.


363


HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT


$66,324.77 was expended for removal of snow and ice.


9,236 cubic yards of snow and ice removed.


238 cubic yards of sand for icy sidewalks.


30 cubic yards of ashes for icy sidewalks.


SIDEWALKS MAINTENANCE


Police and public reports pertaining to all kinds of defec- tive sidewalks were given prompt attention. General repairs were made on brick and granolithic sidewalks, edgestones re- set and gutters relaid. The dirt sidewalks were graded and filled.


$18,200.00 was expended on Sidewalks Maintenance.


STREET SPRINKLING


Nearly all public streets were given a surface treatment during the summer, thus preserving them from wear. All others are flushed with water by the power sprayer.


STREET CLEANING


All streets are thoroughly cleaned during the year. The public squares and business sections receive daily attention. Special requests and reports of dirty streets were promptly at- tended to.


$33,798.99 was expended for Street Cleaning.


4,838 cubic yards of scrapings were removed.


SUPPRESSION OF MOTHS


This department cares for all trees both public and private in regard to moths. The moth situation in this City is well un- der control. The department should have a new motor power sprayer to do efficient work.


7,529 Street trees were inspected and cared for.


11,686 Private trees were inspected and cared for.


22,862 Gypsy moth nests were painted with creosote.


5,166 Satin moth nests were painted with creosotē.


45,464 Tussock moth nests were destroyed.


20,318 Tent moth nests were destroyed.


11 Brown tail moth nests destroyed.


$5,446.93 was expended for Suppression of Moths.


364


ANNUAL REPORTS


CARE OF TREES


The majority of the public shade trees in the city are in good condition. There are many old and unsightly trees that should be removed and replaced by the city. There has been considerable trouble in regard to poplar tree roots growing into and obstructing drainage systems. When necessary these trees have been removed.


11 trees were set out. 86 trees were removed. 238 trees were trimmed on request. 48 tree guards and supports installed.


$6,770.00 was expended for Care of Trees.


SIDEWALKS CONSTRUCTION


Owing to conditions there has been very few petitions for new sidewalks, where the abuttor is assessed one-half of the cost of construction. No money was appropriated in this ac- count.


MISCELLANEOUS


37 driveways were constructed.


125 accident reports received. 978 police reports received.


2,315 miscellaneous reports received. 365 streets cleaned by request.


29 requests from aldermen attended to.


26 requests from the mayor attended to.


The department maintains its own municipal repair shops for different lines of work. These shops are in need of up-to- date equipment to do efficient work.


TRAFFIC CONTROL


Traffic lines were painted and warning signs erected at schools, playgrounds and dangerous corners.


32 danger and traffic signs erected.


79 new street signs erected.


190 signs repainted.


Many sickness signs, when requested, were placed on the streets to notify traffic to make no unnecessary noise.


365


HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT


PERMITS


There were in 1934 :-


53 permits to open streets to gas corporations.


32 permits issued to cross sidewalks.


111 permits issued to occupy portion of streets and sidewalks.


120 permits issued to open streets and sidewalks.


833 Water Department openings.


RECOMMENDATIONS


I recommend that, as far as possible, granolithic sidewalks be substituted for the old brick sidewalks throughout the city. I also recommend the purchase of eight three ton trucks, one Ford coupe and a new steam roller.


The old iron fence on either side of the Medford Street underpass should be replaced.


I wish to extend my sincere thanks to the members of the Board of Aldermen and the men of the department for their support and cooperation.


Respectfully submitted,


JOHN J. HAGAN, January 31, 1935.


366


ANNUAL REPORTS


REPORT OF THE RECREATION COMMISSION


July 30, 1935.


To The Honorable Mayor and the Board of Aldermen :


Respectfully the Recreation Commission reports that its procedure and activity during the year 1934 have consisted in strenuous effort to maintain its service to the public by con- tinuing in a "skeleton" form the major features of its year- round program as gradually evolved over a series of previous years. This effort has, of course, been attended by extreme dif- ficulties resulting from the withdrawal of municipal funds in such drastic degree.


This extreme situation has existed in the face of the fact that during the past year, the demands, requirements and needs of the public for recreation service have-as a consequence of the abnormal times with unprecedented leisure for citizens- been greater than in any previous year.


The Recreation Commission judges that the difficulties and the degree of accomplishment, and also the details of the pro- gram as sustained, are sufficiently well-known to the public and to your honorable body to make unnecessary here a detailed analysis or summary. This judgment is largely induced by these reasons :- (1) In previous Annual Reports of this Com- mission, and in frequent recommendations, the background of the present situation has been clearly set forth; and (2) the conditions which distinguish this year's situation and pro- cedure from those of previous years result from actions and procedure taken by your honorable body.


The loss of adequate trained leadership in many phases of the work, the shortening of seasons, the inadequacy of equip- ment, the unavailability of buildings and other facilities, and the impairment of morale in some branches of the service, are obvious consequences of the difficulties suggested above. On the other hand, salutary factor's have been afforded by (1) the extremely loyal and devoted service given by the greatly re- duced corps of Recreation leaders, even exceeding their tradi- tionally loyal and self-sacrificing service in the past; (2) the




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