USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1941 > Part 16
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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
8ª
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.
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