USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1934 > Part 21
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22
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
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.