USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1941 > Part 25
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Only persons that are licensed as drain layers by the city and who have given satisfactory bonds are permitted to lay and repair private drains.
TABULAR STATEMENT OF SEWERS BUILT IN 1941 BY W. P. A. UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE CITY ENGINEER
LOCATION
ITEMS OF CONSTRUCTION
SIZE
LENGTH IN FT.
Street
From
To
Beech St.
East side
Cypress St.
Atherton St.
Excavated Ledge Sand, Ledge
Manholes S.D. C.S. 2
8"
124
Beech St.
West side
Somerville Ave.
Atherton St.
4
8"
327
Beech St.
Across
West side
East side
Ledge
0
8"
54
*Beech St.
Center Ifne
Somerville Ave.
Pitman St.
Gravei
1
12"
156
Bradford Ave.
South side
School St.
Opposite No. 25
Gravei
1
8"
139
Dartmouth St.
East side
Evergreen Ave.
Broadway
Gravel, Ledge
4
8"
691
Dartmouth St.
West side
Evergreen Ave.
Broadway
Gravel, Ledge Clay, Gravel
4
8"
697
Evergreen Ave.
South side
Marshall St.
Near Sycamore St.
10
10"
1218
Florence St.
East side
Opposite No. 27
Pearl St.
Gravei, Ledge
3
350
Florence St.
West side
Opposite No. 50
Pearl St.
Gravel, Ledge
3
398
Frankiin St.
East side
Opposite No. 97
Clay
2
8"
100
Franklin St.
East side
Opp. Palmer Ave.
Opposite No. 97
Clay
2
314
Franklin St.
Across
East side
West side
Clay
0
8"
30
Frankiin St.
East side
Opp. Palmer Ave.
Opposite No. 42
Gravel, Ledge
3
G53
Frankiin St.
East side
Pearl St.
Opposite No. 42
Ledge
1
8"
530
Laurel St.
East side
Park Pl.
Opp. No. 45 Lanrel St. .
Ledge. Clay, Gravel
4
8"
785
Mt. Vernon St.
East side
Washington St.
Ledge, Gravel
4
8"
G55
Mt. Vernon St.
West side
Washington St.
Pearl St.
Ledge, Gravei
Myrtle St.
West side
Washington St.
Pearl St.
Gravel, Ledge
5
8"
494
Myrtle St.
East side
Washington St.
Peari St.
Gravel, Ledge
3
465
Oakland Ave.
South side
Marshall St.
School St.
Olay, Gravel
3
8#
439
Oakland Ave.
North side
Marshall St.
School St.
Clay, Gravel
?
445
Pearl St.
South side
Myrtle St.
Franklin St.
Gravel
8"
190
Pearl St.
South side
Fiorence St.
Pinckney St.
Gravel
1
8"
198
Pearl St.
South side
Franklin St.
Opp. No. 80 Pearl St.
Gravel
1
198
Pearl St.
South side
Pinckney St.
Opp. No. 20 Peari St. .
Gravel
1
8"
274
Pinckney St.
East side
Washington St.
Pearl St.
Gravel, Ledge
G
8"
712
Pinckney St.
West side
Washington St.
Pearl St.
4
62G
*Pltman St.
Center fine
Beach St.
Opp. No. 18 Pitman St. ..
12"
219
School St.
West side
Evergreen Ave.
Opp. No. 262 School St.
Gravel, Ledge
3
547
School St.
East side
Evergreen Ave.
Oakland Ave.
Gravel. Ledge
0
202
School St.
East side
Oakland Ave.
Broadway
Gravel, Ledge
2
410
Thurston St.
East side
Evergreen Ave.
Broadway
Gravel, Ledge
3
8"
731
Thurston St.
West side
Evergreen Ave.
Broadway
Gravel. Ledge
3
8"
753
ยท Rebuilt Combined System Sewers
375' = Length of sewers reconstructed in 1941. 16,407' = Length of sewers added to system in 1941.
16,782' = 3.1784 Miles. Total Construction in 1941.
Total Length of Public Sewers in the City, January 1, 1942
Total Length of Private Sewers In the City, January 1, 1942
637,990.7' = 120.8316 Aliles 34,896.0' = 6.6091 Miles
Total Length of Sewers in the City, January 1, 1942
672,88G.7' = 127.4407 Miles
(Including 58.0110 Miles
Total Length of Storm Drains in the City. January 1, 1942
123.393.3' = 23.3699 Miles
Separate System Sewers)
Total Length of City Drainage, January 1, 1942
796,280.0' = 150.810G Mlles
Total Length of Metropolitan Sewer Mains in the City, January 1, 1942
18,348.0' 3.4750 Miles
8
10"
1318
Evergreen Ave.
North side
Marshall St.
Sycamore St.
Clay, Gravei, Ledge
Franklin St.
West side
Oliver St.
Pearl St.
Ledge
4
542
Laurel St.
West side
Somerville Ave.
Opp. No. 46 Laurel St. ..
Ledge, Gravel
5
Near Pearl St.
638
Washington St.
Material
S.S. S.D. C.S. S.S.
Gravel, Ledge Gravei
0
1GO
-
385
CITY ENGINEER
Data concerning each drain connection with the public sewer is on file in this office and time and expense could be saved the owner, where trouble exists, by his applying directly to this department for investigation and advice.
Many car track catch basins and underground conduit man- holes built by public service corporations have been connected with the City's drainage system.
A special ordinance should be enacted to enforce a better system of grease traps in the premises of some of the larger manufacturing plants and rendering companies to prevent large amounts of grease and waste products from escaping into city sewer mains and partially blocking sections of sewers as has occurred at various times.
There are to date about 18,587 private drain connections with the city's drainage system.
NEW CONSTRUCTION
During the past year one of the largest industrial develop- ments within the city has been undertaken under the direction of the City Engineer, and that area bounded by the Mystic River, the main line of the Boston and Maine Railroad, and Mystic and Middlesex Avenues has been made very desirable for the location of industrial and manufacturing establish- ments.
Two new streets, approximately 1000 feet long and 50 feet in width, have been laid out as public ways. A new reinforced concrete storm drain, 36" in diameter, and a tide-gate chamber, for storm water only, totalling 3,000 feet in length from a point near the land of the Pennsylvania Oil Company to the Mystic River, has been laid out, and part of this line has al- ready been completed. The new sanitary separate system sewer has been constructed approximately 3,000 feet in length and 12" in diameter to discharge into the Metropolitan trunk sewer at North Union Street.
In all of this work the best engineering practises were car- ried out, both in the design and in the construction of these structures. When all underground work has been completed, the roadways will be paved with a high type permanent sur-
386
ANNUAL REPORTS
face. All this work was designed and construction supervised by the City Engineer. The construction was carried on by the the Works Progress Administration, and the City furnished a portion of the materials and the equipment, and the re- mainder of the materials was furnished by the Federal Gov- ernment and by the Boston and Maine Railroad.
As a result of this work, an area containing approximately 50 acres has been developed into a very desirable industrial site. Already a large warehouse containing over seven acres of floor space has been constructed by the Sears Roebuck Com- pany, and negotiations are now being carried on with several other well known concerns to interest them in constructing buildings on this site. It is hoped that during the coming year this enture area will furnish a much needed source for addi- tional, taxable property for the City of Somerville.
PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS DIVISION
There are at the present time nineteen parcels of land laid out as parks and playgrounds and maintained and im- proved by this department. Many of these areas are badly in need of improvement, and more play areas should be developed in the more densely populated sections of our City.
During the past year several of our parks and playgrounds were reconstructed and beautified under the direction of the City Engineer. Most of this work was done with the aid of the Works Progress Administration.
Lincoln Park. The improvements outlined in previous re- ports have been completed. To complete this excellent park a new field-house should be constructed, plans for which have already been prepared by the City Engineer.
Foss Park will also be improved by constructing tennis courts and new drains and reconstructing the large pond in the park. Provision will be made for additional ice hockey rinks at this park.
Dickerman Park is being constructed on land graciously donated to the City of Somerville by Mrs. Minnie L. Dickerman for a children's playground. A wading pool, swings and other play equipment, sand boxes and bubblers have been completed.
387
CITY ENGINEER
The entire park will be landscaped, trees and lawns planted, and an artistic rubble masonry wall has been erected around the park.
The City has become so densely populated (averaging nearly 26,000 people a square mile) that some of the larger park areas should be more extensively utilized for public recreation and physical training purposes. In several parks, field houses should be constructed, additional apparatus and shelters pro- vided and some of the smaller playground areas should be enclosed by wire fencing for protection.
MAINTENANCE ACCOUNTS 1941
Playgrounds
Credit
Parks
Appropriation Parks and Playgrounds. .... $26,259.00
Statement of Expenditures
$12,850.90 Labor
$10,277.06
2.00
Maintenance of truck
122.52
35.51 Equipment and supplies
518.31
123.16 Repairing tools and property
224.34
3.92 Flags, flag poles, painting, etc.
45.57
Maintenance of fountains and bubblers
48.52
34.35
Damage caused by ball-playing (broken
windows, etc)
Telephone
46.12
2.55
Lighting Dilboy Field*
11.08 Repair seats, fences, backstops, doors, etc.
Trees, shrubs, plants, etc.
85.00
New truck
770.00
Grading, beautifying, fence, etc. East Som-
erville Branch Library
1,048.90
** $13,063.47 Totals
$13,186.34
** 13,063.47
GRAND TOTAL EXPENSE
$26,249.81
BALANCE UNEXPENDED $9.19
* (For evening games, etc. Discontinued Jan. 29, 1942.)
GENERAL
During the year, at the request of His Honor, Mayor John M. Lynch, special studies and plans have been made looking toward the development of a Rapid Transit System for Som-
388
ANNUAL REPORTS
erville. In this connection the City Engineers has conferred with the Metropolitan Division of Planning, the Boston and Maine Railroad, and others. The present main line of the Southern Division of the Boston and Maine Railroad could feasibly serve as the location of this proposed extension. Studies of this proposal are still being carried on by the City Engineer.
The City Engineer has been called upon to assist the Law Department by preparing plans of locations of accidents in- volving the City of Somerville. On several occasions the City Engineer appeared in court in connection with law suits in- volving the City.
For the Assessors several plans and data for tax appeal cases were prepared including computed areas of buildings and lots. Floor areas on buildings were computed and furnished to the Assessors from measurements taken in the field. In this connection, it would be of great value, not only to the Assessors, but to other departments, if Architects and En- gineers were required to furnish with each set of plans the cubical contents of all buildings to be constructed.
The problem of attracting new industries to the City of Somerville has been given a great deal of thought and study by the City Engineer, in co-operation with the Mayor and other department heads. Several of the vacant industrial sites of this city have been studied, their advantages have been analysed and noted, and this information has been brought to the attention of many well known concerns, with the idea of attracting them to locate in the City of Somerville. The Mayor and the City Engineer, in company with the Chair- man of the Board of Assessors, have personally interviewed sev- eral firms and endeavored to bring them to Somerville. It is felt that attracting new industries to Somerville is one way of making our city a better place in which to live and of light- ening the burden of taxation from the shoulders of home own- ers to industry.
I have mentioned in another section of this report one def- inite example of how these efforts have met with success.
CHAPTER 90 HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION
During the year 1941 the City of Somerville continued its program of reconstructing main highways under so-called
FINAL ESTIMATE OF WORK DONE ON CHAPTER 90 CONTRACTS
Items
Units
Contract Prices
Quantity
Prices
Rdwy. Earth Excavation
C.Y.
.50
2933
1,466.50
Cl. A Rock Excavation
C.Y.
2.50
12
30.00
Street Rail. Excavation
C.Y.
2.50
1527
3,817.50
Trench Excavation
C.Y.
1.20
70
84.00
53
63.60
57
68.40
Gravel Borrow
C.Y.
.55
3152
1,733.60
2889
1,588.95
2250
1,237.50
Fine Grading R & F
S.Y.
.04
7782
311.28
5777
231.08
3707
148.28
Cl. B Rock Excavation
C.Y.
3.75
2
7.50
3
11.25
Cr. Stone for base
Tons
2.30
1468
3,376.40
1527
3,512.10
891
2,049.30
Bitumen for Base
Gals.
.12
10672
1,280.64
12306
1,476.72
6577
789.24
Cl. I Bit. Concrete
Tons
5.12
910
4,659.20
815
4,172.80
591
3,025.92
Catch Basins
Each
57.50
7
402.50
3
172.50
3
172.50
Manholes
Each
55.00
1
55.00
C.B. or M.H. Adj. to Line Grade
Each
10.00
11
110.00
17
170.00
4
40.00
12" R.C. Pipe
L.F.
1.15
68.6
78.89
10" H.W.C.I. Pipe
L.F.
2.00
149.6
299.20
74.4
148.80
Gran. Curb Inlets
Each
18.00
7
126.00
1
18.00
3
36.00
Curbing R & R
L.F.
.45
244
109.80
77
349.65
602
270.90
Town Line Posts
Each
10.00
1
10.00
1
10.00
Loam Borrow
C.Y.
1.35
12
16.20
Seeding
S.Y.
.05
168
8.40
Gran. Block Excavation
C.Y.
2.00
676
1,352.00
513
1,026.00
Conc. Base Excavation
780
1,560.00
717
1,434.00
Portland Cem. Mortar
C.Y.
15.00
6.5
97.50
4.8
72,00
8" H.W.C.I. Pipe
L.F.
1.50
25
37.50
149.9
224.85
10" V.C. Pipe
L.F.
.50
40
20.00
107
53.50
Gran. Walk
S.Y.
2.30
77
177.10
C.B. or M.H. Remod.
Each
20.00
5
100.00
Traffic Men
315.00
Gravel Overhaul
$200.00 $1,353.47
200.00
$570 $1,488.41
1,488.41
$315 $1,159.20
1,159.20
Extra Work
No. 1 .- 1 Grano. Walk
S.Y.
2,30
215
494.50
No. 1-2 6"x20" Str. Gran. Curb.
L.F.
1.10
123
135.30
No. 1-3 6"x20" Cvd. Gran. Curb
L.F.
1.50
35
49,50
TOTAL
$20,215.38
$18,332.71
$12,971.84
WASHINGTON ST. (NORTH SIDE) Contract No. 8174 Amounts at Contract Prices 738.00
COLLEGE AVE. Contract No. 7928 Amounts at Contract
WASHINGTON ST. (SOUTH SIDE) Contract No. 8068 Amounts at Contract Prices 1,116.00
Quantity 2232
Quantity 1476
570.00
1,353.47
C.Y.
2.00
389
CITY ENGINEER
Chapter 90 plan. Under this plan the State contributes ap- proximately 50%, the Commissioners of Middlesex County contribute 16 2/3% of the cost of reconstructing main or con- necting highways, and the City of Somerville pays the balance of the cost. All this work is done under supervision of the State Highway Department. and the unit prices are set by the same department.
In 1941 College Avenue from the Traffic Circle at Powder House Square to the Medford City Line was entirely recon- structed and paved. The abandoned street car rails were re- moved. This work cost $20,215.38. The State contributed $10,108, The County $3,370, and the City the balance.
Washington Street from Station 6 + 95 to Station 25 + 23 on the southerly side and from Station 7 + 00 to Station 25 + 23 on the northerly side was also completely constructed, using a Bituminous Concrete surface on a penetrated asphalt stone base. The total cost of these two projects was $31,722, of which the State paid $15,405, the County $6,615, and the City the balance.
Attached herewith are statements showing quantities of work done on these Chapter 90 Projects.
INSPECTION OF MATERIALS
I am pleased to report at this time that during the past four years testing of certain materials, used in construction and purchased by the City, has been carried on by an independ- ent Testing Laboratory. The results of this work have justified the insignificant expense entailed. This work should be ex- tended to include testing of all materials purchased by the City.
May I extend at this time my personal appreciation for the excellent spirit of co-operation extended to this department by all City departments and Municipal officials ?
390
ANNUAL REPORTS
REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD
To the Honorables, the Board of Aldermen City of Somerville Somerville, Mass.
July 11, 1942.
Gentlemen :-
The Planning Board of the City of Somerville respectfully submits the following report for the year ending December 31, 1941 :
There were seven petitions presented to the Board seeking a change in the Building Zone map of the City of Somerville, and public hearings after due notice were held by the Board on these petitions.
The Board also met in executive session on many other occasions to take action on these petitions and other business of the Board.
Considerable aid was given by this Board to the Somerville High School and Massachusetts Institute of Technology in their planning survey of the City.
Respectfully submitted,
KATHERINE J. KILEY, Clerk
391
INDEX
INDEX
Appeal, Board of, Report of 363
Assessors, Board of, Report of
134
Estimated Receipts and Available Funds 135
City Auditor, Report of
9
Appropriations
Insert 20
Balance Sheet
12
Borrowing Capacity, Dec. 31, 1941
37
Cash Statement
18, 19,20
Classified Debt Jan. 1, 1941
29
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
26
County of Middlesex
26
Detail of Estimated Receipts
21
Excess and Deficiency Account
41
Funded Debt 29, Insert 30
Interest Requirements on Funded Debt 1942
34
Interest Requirements on Funded Debt (Six Years)
36
Interest Requirements on Present City Debt to Maturity .. Insert 30 Loans Increasing the Debt 30
33
Maturities on Funded Debt (Six Years)
35
Net Funded or Fixed Debt
16
Other Revenue Accounts
24
Overlay Accounts
38-40
Receipts and Expenditures, Classification
42-82
Refunds
46
Revenue and Expenses
27
Schedule of Public Property
85-87
Somerville Retirement System 88-91
Statement of Appropriations (Revenue) Insert 20
Statement of Revenue and Expenses 1941
27
Statement of Other Revenue Accounts
24
Statement of Appropriations (Non-Revenue)
Insert 20
Tailings
38
Taxes
31
Tax Titles
38
Temporary Loans
28
City Clerk, Report of
365
Births
367
Deaths
368
Licenses and Permits
367
Marriages
368
Payments
366
Receipts
365
Maturities on Funded Debt 1942
392
INDEX
City Engineer, Report of
378
Chapter 90 Highway Construction
388
General Financial Statement
379
Inspection of Materials
389
Length of Public Streets in Each Ward
380
Length of Streets
380
Maintenance Accounts
387
Miles of Edgestones and Sidewalk in Each Ward
381
New Construction
385
Parks and Playgrounds Division
386
Sewers Built by W. P. A.
Insert 380
Sewer Division
382
Table of Street Construction
381
Testimonial, Frederick Elmer Jones
377
Underground Conduits
381
City Government and Officers for 1941
369
City Physician, Report of
285
City Solicitor, Report of
362
City Treasurer and Collector of Taxes, Report of
92
Bonds Due in 1942
98
Bond Interest Due in 1942
99
Bond Maturities with Interest, Yearly
97
Cash Statement
93
Funded Debt as of December 31, 1941
96
Motor Vehicle Excise
94
Loans, All other
97
Tax Title Loans
95
Temporary Loans
95
Commissioner of Public Buildings (see Public Buildings Com- missioner ) 293
Commissioner of Streets (see Street Commissioner)
336
Commissioner of Water (see Water Commissioner) 258
Commissioner of Electric Lines and Lights, Report of 273
Fire Alarm System
273
Inspection of Wiring in Buildings
273
Police Signal System
276
Street Lighting, Poles and Trackless Trolleys
277
Supervision Poles and Wires 277
276
Dental Hygiene, Report of 120
Election Commissioners, Board of, Report of
300
City Election Nov. 4, 1941 Insert 311
Expenses
302
Jurors and Jury List 301,315
Traffic Lights
393
INDEX
List Registered Voters
305
Listing Board, Report of
303
Nomination Papers Referendum Petitions
301
Preliminary Election Oct. 7, 1941
Insert 307
Recount
302
Registration
300
Fire Department, Chief of, Report of
267
Alarms of Fire
267
Apparatus
268
Classification of Alarms
269,270
In Memoriam
268
Recommendations
271
Health, Board of, Report of 100
Bacteriological Work
112
Board of Infants
101
Dental Hygiene, Report of
Insert :20, 121
Diseases Dangerous to Public Health
109
Funeral Directors
112
Health Nurses, Report of
114, 115
In Memoriam, Charles L. McCrossan, M. D.
113
Infant Hygiene Clinics
113
Inspection of Animals and Provisions, Report of
119
Inspector of Animals and Veterinarian, Report of.
120
Inspection of Milk and Vinegar, Report of
122
Lying-In Hospitals
101
Medical Inspection of Schools
109
Medical Inspection, Report of
116
Mortality Statistics
102
Nuisances
100
Permits and Licenses
100
Specimens and Supplies
109
Inaugural Address, Hon. John M. Lynch
5
Inspector of Milk and Vinegar, Report of
122
Law Department, Report of
362
Licensing Commission, Report of
131
List of Streets 340
Medical Inspection, Report of
116
Diphtheria Immunization
118
Laboratory Examinations
117
Open Air School
118
Tuberculosis
117
Visits
116
Planning Board 390
394
ANNUAL REPORTS
Police, Chief of, Report of
125
Arrests
125
Changes in Department
126
Roster of Department
127
Recommendations
129
Public Buildings, Commissioner, Report of
293
Buildings, under jurisdiction of
293
Estimated Cost New Buildings and Alterations
295
Fees Collected
295
Recommendations
298, 299
Maintenance of Municipal Buildings
297
Public Grounds (City Engineer)
378
Public Library
247
Board of Trustees and Officers
247
Report of Librarian
250
Report of Trustees
246
Organization of Library and Staff Personnel
248
Statistics
254
Public Welfare, Department of
Aid to Dependent Children
Children
City Home, Reports of Warden
City Physician, Report of
285
Full Support
282
Members of Board, Committee, Officers, etc.
279, 280
Old Age Assistance
284
Partial Support
282
Population and Gross Expenditures
287
Recapitulation
Insert 284
Report of General Agent
282
Reimbursements
283, 284
Retirement System
88-91
Sanitary Department, Report of
137
Collection of Ashes and Paper
137
School Department
139
Appendix, Contents of
171
Graduates-High School
207
Junior High Schools
215
Evening High School
226
Vocational School
227
School Committees and Office Force
140, 141
Somerville Teachers' Club
169
Somerville High School
166
Somerville High School Athletic Committee
168
Superintendent of Schools, Report of
143
Teachers in Service
231
Statement of Work of School Nurses
Insert 172
Building Permits Issued
294
279
283
282
286
395
INDEX
Sealer of Weights and Measures
290
Sewers (see City Engineer)
378
Soldiers' Relief Commission 361
Street Commissioner, Report of
List of Streets
340
Miscellaneous
338
Snow and Ice
336
Street Cleaning
337
Suppression of Moths
337
Traffic Control
338
Recommendations
339
Water Commissioner, Report of
258
Chapter 44 Water Bonds
259
Fire Services
262
Hydrants, Gates, etc.
260
Number of Services Supplying Public Property
261
Revenue and Expenditures
259
Summary Pipes and Fixtures
262
Summary and Statistics
256,265
Water Assessments
259
Water Consumption
263
...
337
Sidewalks and Highway Maintenance
336
Per Capita Consumption of Water in Cities and Towns
264
1
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