Report of the city of Somerville 1941, Part 16

Author: Somerville (Mass.)
Publication date: 1941
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 430


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1941 > Part 16


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 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25


We face a serious personnel problem in the coming year if there should be any decrease in the National Youth Adminis- tration Project. Under present conditions we can barely cover all schedules adequately and if we should face an epidemic of sickness it would be physically impossible to operate all loca- tions with the present personnel. In the closing months of the year there were three resignations with no replacements.


During the drive for volunteers for the Civilian Defense Courses, under direction of the Somerville Committee on Pub- lic Safety, of which Mr. McGann is Chairman, the library build- ings were used as headquarters for registration. The members of the staff gladly gave their time to assist in this work. Many staff members are taking defense courses and arrangements are in progress for Red Cross First Aid classes for the entire group, that they may be prepared to cope with any emergency which might arise.


The W. P. A. Projects continue their helpful assistance. The Library Services group performed an outstanding piece of work in stamping in bold type SOMERVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY on all exposed sides of each book in our collection. This has done much to reduce our losses as the name of the library appears prominently from any position the book may be placed. The Art Project is most co-operative and continues to furnish us means of publicity which proves most valuable.


Resignations were received from Marion E. Smith, First Assistant at the East Branch, Frances M. Hayes, Senior As-


253.


PUBLIC LIBRARY


sistant in the Central office, Beatrice M. Buss, Junior Assist- ant at the West Branch, Margaret M. Brooks, Junior Assistant at Central, and Barbara F. Sheridan and Eleanor M. Stanaway of the Ungraded Service.


Under the Scheme of Service the following appointments and promotions were made :


Appointment to the Professional Grade, First Year Junior Assistants: Margaret M. Brooks, Katherine Austin, Elizabeth W. Hennigan, John T. Mackey, Mary F. Warren, and Mary M. Witham.


Appointment to the Non-Professional Grade: Winifred J. Maguire.


Appointment to the Ungraded Service : Thomas E. McGrath, John R. Crispo, Charles R. McCrossan, and Leo J. Conroy.


Promotions : Marjorie L. Holt, First Assistant at the West Branch to Branch Librarian, and Rita Finn, Acting Children's Librarian at the West Branch to First Assistant.


To the members of the staff I am again indebted for their loyalty and willingness to co-operate for the best interest of the library. placing their personal interest secondary in their endeavor to render cheerful and courteous service to our patrons.


To the Board of Trustees I extend my appreciation for their interest, assistance, and co-operation.


Respectfully submitted,


JOHN D. KELLEY, Librarian


254


ANNUAL REPORTS


APPENDIX A


American Library Association Form of Uniform Statistics City: Somerville County: Middlesex State: Massachusetts


Name of Library: The Public Library of the City of Somerville Date of Founding: 1872


Name of Librarian: John D. Kelley


Report for fiscal year ending: December 31, 1941


Governmental unit of support and service: City


Population served (1930 U. S. census) 103,908


Terms of use: Free for lending; free for reference Total number of agencies


Consisting of: Central Library


1


Branches: In library buildings .. 2


In municipal buildings 2


In rented room ....


1


Stations: In schools 265


Other


7


CIRCULATION AND USE


Number of volumes of adult non-fiction lent for home use ..


75,284


Number of volumes of adult fiction lent for home use


208,195


Number of books for children lent for home use 267,116


Total number of volumes lent for home use


550,595


Period of loan for the majority of adult book stock: 14 days Number of inter-library loans:


Volumes lent, 83; volumes borrowed: 94


Number of reference questions answered: 15,586


REGISTRATION


Adult


Juvenile 8,532


Total 21,084


Total number of registered borrowers


12,552


Borrowers registered during year


5,979


3,960


9,939


Registration period, 2 years


BOOK STOCK


Adult


Juvenile · 24,976


Total 120,208


Number of volumes added during year


5,629


4,172


9,801


Total


100,861


29,148


130,009


Number of volums withdrawn during year


9,422


2,682


12,104


Number of volumes December 31, 1941


91,402


26,503


117,905


Number of newspapers currently received excluding duplicates: 10 Number of periodicals currently received excluding duplicates: 215


FINANCE


Assessed valuation of city, $113,273,800.00


Rate of library tax levy for fiscal year reported, 75/100 of a mill.


278


Number of volumes December 31, 1940.


95,232


255


PUBLIC LIBRARY


RECEIPTS :


Local Taxation :


Library Department


$71,959.00


Fines included in above


$2,823.55


Dog licenses included in above


3,868.48


Public Buildings Department ....


13,152.16


$85,111.16


Invested Funds:


Income, current year


478.84


Balance, previous year


1,850.69


2,329.53


Total


$87,440.69


PAYMENTS:


Salaries, Library Staff


$52,558.35


Salaries, Public Buildings Depart- ment


8,069.09


Books (Funds included, $564.34)


11,538.66


Periodicals (Funds included, $10.75)


617.73


Binding


1,242.94


Rent, Public Buildings Department


600.00


Heat, Light, Public Buildings De- partment


3,729.61


Other Operating Expenses:


Library Department (Funds in- cluded, $13.48)


$4,462.65


Public Buildings Department


753.46


Total


$83,572.49


Transfers to other departments: From Library Department


1,853.90


Balance on hand December 31, 1941: Library Department: Appropriation


273.34


Invested funds


1,740.96


2,014.30


Grand Total


$87,440.69


.


5,216.11


256


ANNUAL REPORTS


SOMERVILLE WATER WORKS


SOMERVILLE, MIDDLESEX CO., MASSACHUSETTS Settled, when part of Charlestown 1630 Incorporated a Town, 1842 Established a City, 1872


Location: Somerville City Hall (Near centre of the city), 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 and water, about 4.22 square miles. Land, 2,461.50 acres; water and marsh, 238.50 acres. Population, 1940 Census, 102,304. Population, State Census, 1935, 100,773 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. Range of pressure on street mains: Low service 35 to 65 pounds; High service 45 to 100 pounds.


Mayor HON. JOHN M. LYNCH


Water Commissioner JOHN T. FORD


257


WATER COMMISSIONER


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


Department Buildings and Yard 275 Cedar Street, near Broadway


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


1891-1697 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


258


ANNUAL REPORTS REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONER


OFFICE OF THE WATER COMMISSIONER


January 2, 1942.


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


I present herewith my report for the year ending December 31, 1941, this being the Sixty-seventh Annual Report of the Water Department.


Water Charges committed to the City Treasurer and Col- lector of Taxes during the year 1941 :


Quarterly Accounts :


Committed


$263,700.37 265.20


Less: Adjustments


$263,435.17


Commercial Accounts :


Committed


201,108.06


Additional Accounts:


Committed


312.08


Service Assessments :


Committed


1,135.00


Maintenance Charges:


Committed


$558.97 3.20


Less: Adjustments


555.77


TOTAL COMMITMENTS


$466,546.08


Adjustments on account of previous years ....


$205.57


NOTE :- See report of City Treasurer and Collector of Taxes for Collections.


Water Liens created during the year amounted to Less: Adjustments 1.50


$1,069.74


$1,068.24


259


WATER COMMISSIONER


APPROPRIATIONS AND EXPENDITURES


Water Maintenance and Extension Account


Appropriations made by the Board of Alder- men


$78,104.37 350.00


Transfers


Labor and materials for operation, mainte- nance and renewal of the Water Works


$77,691.44


Transfers


27.75


Balance


$78,454.37


$78,454.37


CHAPTER NO. 44 WATER BONDS


Balance January 1, 1941


$19,458.15


Band Issue


50,000.00


$69,458.15


Expended during 1941


69,345.29


Balance December 31, 1941


$112.86


WATER ASSESSMENTS


The assessment paid to Commonwealth by this City as its proportionate part of the cost and operation of the Metropoli- tan Water Works for the year 1941 was as follows:


Sinking Fund


$2,139.18


Maintenance


74,757.54


Interest


107,164.32


Maturing Bonds


87,518.46


Brookline Credit


9,456.42


Total payment for 1941


$281,035.92


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


$556,760.40


Maintenance


1,696,990.33


Interest


3,525,195.92


Maturing Bonds


842,449.60


Brookline Credit and Miscellaneous


107,935.17


Total payments to date


$6,729.331.42


The pipes constructed and replaced during the year as fol- lows :


Sinking Fund


735.18


260


ANNUAL REPORTS


Street


Size


Feet Laid


Feet Dis- continued


Size


Albion Street


1350


1350


6"


Bellevue Terrace


12


12


4"


Charles Street


12"


238


222


0


Chester Street


29


29


Cottage Avenue


14


14


6"


Cummings Street


12"


75


75


8""


Day Street


4"


109


109


2"


Dover Street


4"


99


99


2"


Elm Street


12"


25


20


12"


Fellsway


12"


110


....


....


Franklin Avenue


8"


624


624


Meacham Road


12"


287


287


8""


Murray Street


8"


18


18


6""


Orchard Street


12"


1513


1513



Roland Street


12"


510


....


....


8"


16


....


....


Russell Street


12"


565


565


4"


8


...


....


Vinal Avenue


12"


685


685


8"


Summit Avenue


12"


577


574


Talbot Avenue


12"


7


3


12"


10"


32


3


10"


Waverley Street


8"


25


25


6"


Washington Street


12"


6


6


12"


8,475


6,307


HYDRANTS, GATES, ETC.


Number of fire hydrants in City, January 1, 1941


1,345


Number set during the year


6


Number removed during the year


2


Net increase in number of hydrants


4


Total number of fire hydrants


1,349


Number of private fire hydrants, December 31, 1941


89


Number of gates in the City, January 1, 1941


2,953


Number set during the year for streets


37


Number set on hydrant branches


10


Number set on blow-off branches


0


47


Number of gates removed


4


Net increase in number of gates


43


Total number of gates in City


2,996


Number of check-valves in City, January 1, 1941


9


Number added during the year


0


Total number of check-valves


9


....


...


3


10"


8'


1470


....


....


71


71


2"


261


WATER COMMISSIONER


Number of blow-offs in City, January 1, 1941


233


Number added during the year


0


Total number of blow-offs


233


Number of waterposts in City, January 1, 1941


59


Number removed during the year


0


Total number of waterposts


59


Note: These waterposts are not in use.


Number of drinking fountains in City, Janu- ary 1, 1941


9


Number added during the year


0


Number now in City


9


Number of car-sprinkler connections in


City, January 1, 1941


12


None set or discontinued during the year Total number of car-sprinkler connec-


0


tions


Note: These are not in use.


Operating Meters, December 31, 1941


Size


5/8" 3/4"'


1" 11/2''


2"


3"


6" 10" 12"


Total


13,293 270


113


37 53 18


9


3


1


1


13,798


Motor and elevator register


1


Total


13,799


Per cent of services metered 100%


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, Ryan Road


1


Garbage Plant


1


Sewerage Yard


1


Public Libraries


4


Fire Stations


7


Schools


32


Public Grounds


20


Drinking Fountains


9


New Police Station


1


Total Services in use supplying Public Property


85


12


262


ANNUAL REPORTS


Water is furnished without charge to all City Departments and Municipal buildings.


Summary of Pipes and Fixtures of the Water System December 31, 1941


Feet of main pipe (approximately ) 601,386


Miles of main pipe (approximately )


113.89


Services in use (approximately )


13,799


Services supplying public property


85


Private Fire Supplies (sprinkler system )


113


Fire supplies to Public Buildings


26


Public Fire Hydrants


1,349


Private Fire Hydrants


89


Sprinkler Systems installed in public buildings ...


0


Gates


2,996


Check Valves


9


Meters (including 1 motor register)


13,799


Waterposts (not in use)


59


Car-sprinkler connections (not in use)


12


Blo v-offs


233


Drinking Fountains and Troughs


9


Total number of services required to be metered in actual use


13,799


Services supplying public property Total number of services


13,884


In addition to the above there are fire supplies for private sprinkler systems, which are not required to be metered


113


Size, number and length of services installed in 1941 :


5


3/4"


Services


113'


2


4"


Services


15'


1


2" Services


9'


1


11/2"


Service


13'


4


6"


Fire Services


85'


1


10" Fire Service


30'


265


Fire Services in Public Buildings


No. No.


Size


Size Installed Installed


Atherton Street, Carr School


1


1927


Boston Street, Pope School


1


1927


Broadway, Lincoln School


1


6"


1927


Broadway, City Home


1


1916


Cherry Street, Burns School


1


6""


1916


Concord Square, Knapp School


1


1927


Craigie Street, Morse School


1


1927


Cross Street, Edgerly School


1


1927


Evergreen Avenue, Forster School Annex ..


1


1923


*Gov. Winthrop Road, Charles A. Grimmons School


1


6" 1929


85


263


WATER COMMISSIONER


Grove Street, Highland School


1


1927


Highland Avenue, Central High School


1


8'


1916


*Holland Street, Western Jr. High School


1


1916


Holland Street, Western Jr. High School


1


6"


1930


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


1927


*Marshall Street, Northeastern Jr. High


School


1


6"


1923


Myrtle Street, Prescott School


1


1927


Powder House Boulevard, Cutler School


1


6"


1916


School Street, High School (West Wing)


1


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.


The consumption of water for the City of Somerville for year 1941, total quantity, average daily and per capita, the per capita consumption being figured on and estimated population for the year of 102,300.


Gallons per day


Gallons per capita


January


10,319,600


101


February


10,150,000


99


March


9,625,300


94


April


9,485,800


93


May


9,522,100


93


June


9,911,300


97


July


10,448,700


102


August


10,085,100


99


September


10,227,600


100


October


10,020,700


98


November


9,508,000


93


December


9,657,700


94


Total consumption for the year 1941:


9,913.000


97


High-service


825,986,000 gals.


Low-service


2,792,253,000


Total City


3,618,239,000


1916


School Street, Cummings School


1


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 1941, as registered by the Metropolitan meters.


264


ANNUAL REPORTS


City or Town


Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec. Yr.


Arlington


50


49


50


51


56


60


68


63


66


57


56


52 56


Belmont


53


54


54


54


61


63


69


63


74


55


54


58


59


Boston


131


128


124


121


120


127


133


130


131


124


121


130


127


Brookline


98


98


98


101


106


104


103


101


112


96


94


92


100


Chelsea


85


84


84


81


76


91


93


91


92


91


87


87


87


Everett


111


111


117


112


120


118


127


131


134


129


130


133


123


Lexington


42


41


42


48


56


68


82


68


67


50


48


47


55


Malden


70


68


69


69


70


76


82


82


82


80


78


74


75


Medford


56


57


56


54


54


58


57


Melrose


55


54


54


53


54 56


56 61 58


58 67 62


60


61 63


59 56 57 121


58 54


55 52


55


Nahant


87


97


96


98


135


173


228


215


185


91


72


98 68


68


76


Quincy


67


66


63


60


62


69


77


72


69


64


66


66


67


Revere


55


54


54


50


54


61 97


102


100


93


94


97


Stoneham


60


62


62


63


62


65


71


64


59


55


54 69


66


76


Watertown


71


74


75


77


79


85


91


88


98


98


88


89


84


Winthrop


68


69


72


76


79


94


105


106


98


77


72


73


82


Met. Dist.


Supplied


105


103


100


98


99


105


112


109


109


103


101


105


104


Milton


49


45


48


53


Newton


70


70


70


72


79


81


90


84


64 99


56


49


49


56


Somerville


101


99


94


93


93


Swampscott


69


63


61


61


73


87


105


98


89


72


96


136


69


58 61


62


58


57


53 98


53


61


265


WATER COMMISSIONER


SUMMARY OF STATISTICS


For the Year Ending December 31, 1941


SOMERVILLE WATER WORKS SOMERVILLE, MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASS.


GENERAL STATISTICS


Population, State Census 1935, 100,773; Federal Census, 1940, 102,304.


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


STATISTICS OF CONSUMPTION OF WATER


Population supplies, December 31, 1941, Est. 102,300.


Total consumption for the year, 3,618,239,000 gallons.


Average daily consumption 9,913,000 gallons.


Gallons per day to each inhabitant, 97.


STATISTICS RELATING TO DISTRIBUTING SYSTEM, 1941


Mains


Kind of pipe, cast iron.


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


Laid 8,475 feet; discontinued 6,307 feet; net extension 2,168.


Total now in use, 113.89 miles.


Number of hydrants added during the year: Public 4; private, 1.


Number of hydrants (public and private) now in use, 1,438.


Number of gates added during the year, net increase, 43.


Number of gates now in use, 2,996.


Number of blow-offs, 233.


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, copper tubing.


Sizes, one-half to eight inches.


Laid 265 feet of new service pipe during the year.


Number of service connections made, 9.


Services in use, approximately, 13,884.


Number of private fire supplies (sprinkler systems), 112.


Number of meters now in use, 13,799.


Percentage of services metered, 100%. (Public services not metered.)


266


ANNUAL REPORTS


I am sincerely grateful for the interest and co-operation accorded me during the year by His Honor the Mayor; the members of the Board of Aldermen; the employees of the Water Department and to those men engaged on W. P. A. pro- jects, and I earnestly solicit their continued support for the coming year.


Respectfully submitted,


JOHN T. FORD, Water Commissioner.


267


FIRE DEPARTMENT


REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT


April 28, 1942.


To the Honorable, the Mayor,


and the Board of Aldermen


Gentlemen :


In compliance with Revised Ordinances of the City of Somerville, I have the honor of submitting, for your informa- tion the Annual Report of the Fire Department for the year ending December 31, 1941.


ALARMS AND LOSSES


Number of First Alarms


676


Number of Second Alarms


9


Number of Third Alarms


2


Number of A. D. T. Alarms


12


Number of Still Alarms


847


1,546


Number of Alarms during the year 1940


1,425


Increase in number of Alarms during year 1941


121


Value of Buildings at risk


$2,202,650.00


Insurance on Buildings at risk


2,237,875.00


Insurance damage on Buildings


137,173.91


Value of Contents at risk


597,322.00


Insurance on Contents at risk


566,078.62


Insurance damage on Contents


68,966.68


Total value at risk


$2,799,972.00


Total insurance damage


$206,140.59


APPROXIMATE PER CAPITA LOSS


$1.98


MANUAL FORCE


The manual force consists of one hundred and sixty-three permanent men.


268


ANNUAL REPORTS


The roster of the department is as follows:


1 Chief Engineer


0 Deputy Chief


2 District Chiefs (1 Acting Deputy)


5 Captains


1 Master Mechanic


21 Lieutenants


119 Privates, 3rd Grade


7 Privates, 2nd Grade


7 Privates, 1st Grade


APPARATUS


The motor appartus in the department is as follows :


1 1300 gallon pumper and hose wagon


3 1000 gallon pumpers and hose wagons


1 900 gallon pumper and hose wagon


2 750 gallon pumpers and hose wagons


1 500 gallon pumper and hose wagon (reserve)


5 combination boosters pumpers and hose wagons


1 combination chemical and hose wagon


1 100 foot aerial ladder truck with booster pump


1 85 foot aerial ladder truck with booster pump


1 75 foot aerial ladder truck


1 city service tiller ladder truck


1 combination rescue, salvage and lighting truck 1 wrecking truck


1 automobile, Packard Sedan, Chief's car


1 automobile, Lafayette Sedan, Deputy Chief's car


2 automobiles, Hudscn Sedans, District Chief's cars


1 automobile, Ford Sedan, Master Mechanic's car


MULLANEY, PATRICK M. (Private retired) Died at Middlesex Sanatorium, Waltham January 7, 1941 Appointed as Permanent Fireman April 30, 1930 Pensioned from Department August 4, 1940


COPITHORNE, GEORGE A. (Private) Died at home, March 1, 1941 Appointed as Permanent Fireman April 26, 1915


LYDON, JAMES J. (Private) Died on way to Somerville Hospital, after falling from apparatus in response to Box 441 March 30, 1941 Appointed as Permanent Fireman March 14, 1926


SERVICES PERFORMED BY COMPANIES DURING ,1941


Engine No. 1


Engine No. 2


Engine No. 3


Engine No. 4


Engine No. 5


Engine No. 6


Engine No. 7


Bell Alarms Answered


447


271


335


210


230


130


311


Still Alarms Answered


85


117


180


38


63


166


94


Miles Traveled


905


611.9


943


351.5


594


758


782


Ft. 21/2" Hose Used


21,450


28,000


25,100


8,200


7,700


9,400


27,150


Ft. 11/2" Hose Used


1,450


2,300


1,700


1,350


850


850


3,450


Ft. 3/4" Hose Used


31,500


33,200


44,250


14,250


20,950


24,000


14,750


Ft. Ladders Used


48


0


80


40


0


24


0


Extinguishers Used


21


17


6


1


0


11


6


Gas Masks Used


4


8


6


-


-


6


6


Out-of-City Calls


11


41


55


9


19


67


29


FIRE DEPARTMENT


269


270


Ladder No. 1


Ladder No. 2


Ladder No. 3


Ladder No. 4


Rescue No. 1


Bell Alarms Answered


391


351


144


378


641


Still Alarms Answered


117


58


92


33


68


Miles Traveled


783.1


597


322


703


1,768


Ft. 21/2" Hose Used


0


0


0


0


3,450


Ft. 11/2" Hose Used


0


0


0


0


0


Ft. 34" Hose Used


1,250


1,500


0)


0)


3,100


Ft. Ladders Used


4,213


3,791


1,015


2,812


0


Extinguishers Used


23


6


5


0


17


Salvage Covers Used


4


12


0


68


Gas Masks Used


3


8


1


7


93


Flood Lights Used


401/2 hrs.


Portable Light Unit Used


4


Inhalators Used


20


Sprinkler Heads Replaced


14


Smoke Ejector Used


3


Out-of-City Calls


1


17


15


0


0


Refrigerator Calls


21


..


..


..


..


..


..


..


ANNUAL REPORTS


271


FIRE DEPARTMENT


RECOMMENDATIONS


Last year's annual report presented a detailed description of Somerville's fire equipment.


It emphasized in particular the decreased efficiency of sev- eral fire pumps and one ladder truck as a result of extremely long service.


With the passing of another year, conditions have become increasingly worse.


Moreover, it will be only a matter of a short time when we will probably be compelled to put this equipment out of service, since it is unreliable for travel and undependable for use at a fire.


Since we have twenty pieces of important extinguishing ap- paratus in service, we should obviously replace at least one piece of fire fighting equipment on the average every year.


Our citizens, influenced by the reports of competent fire protection authorities, are aware of the fact that Somerville constitutes one of the worst conflagration hazards in the United States because of its closely built wooden construction.


Now, threat of air raids and of sabotage, make it even more imperative that our equipment be ready for efficient action. To supplement Somerville's standard equipment, 500 gallon pumps are to be allotted, according to report, to various defense areas by the Civilian Defense authorities.


Such units would be furnished to a City only after the com- munity had met normal requirements for a proper fire fighting force. Thus, these pumps units, if and when they are provided by the government, will in no way act as substitutes for basic equipment. The problem of replacing antiquated equipment is, however, complicated by the war priorities.


The war has not only affected the supply of materials, it has introduced vital problems in regard to personnel.


At present we are in the process of organizing an auxiliary fire department.


272


ANNUAL REPORTS


There are at the moment, nearly 200 men in training.


Our ultimate goal is an auxiliary branch of 800 men before the year 1942 comes to an end,


Furthermore, there are definite indications that our war ef- fort will soon bring about an appalling depletion of our perm- anent personel, because of induction into the Armed Forces of our country.


Extreme care must be exercised to maintain the full strength of our regular department. since modern total war rains des- truction on civilian life and property from the air.


Experience and observation in other countries has shown the important role played by to-day's fire fighters.


CONCLUSION


In concluding my report I wish to state that I fully rec- ognize the support and confidence accorded me, the past year, by His Honor, the Mayor, and the Honorable Board of Alder- men ; I wish also to take this opportunity to thank the Officers and Members of the Department for their faithfulness and efficiency.


Respectfully submitted,


J. C. MCNALLY, Chief Engineer


273


ELECTRIC LINES AND LIGHTS


REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF ELECTRIC LINES AND LIGHTS


March 23, 1942.


To the Honorable Mayor and the


Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville


Gentlemen :


I respectfully submit the Annual Report of the Department of Electric Lights and Lines, for the year ending December 31, 1941 :


INSPECTION OF WIRING IN BUILDINGS


Strict and careful inspection of electrical wiring and at- tachments thereto have been carried on as in the past.




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.