USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1944 > Part 26
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DANIEL J. O'DONOGHUE
JOHN F. SCANNELL
JOHN M. SMITH
405
BOARD OF ASSESSORS
BOARD OF ASSESSORS
January 1, 1945.
To the Honorable, the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen :
The following report is respectfully submitted as the Annual Report of the Board of Assessors for the year ending Decem- ber 31, 1944 :
CITY OF SOMERVILLE-1944 RECAPITULATION
A. City or Town: All appropriations since 1943 Tax Rate was Fixed
1. Total to be raised by taxation $5,592,791.39
2. Total from available funds:
(a) 1944: $42,459.31 (b) 1943: $122,527.66 $164,986.97
$5,757,778.36
3. Deficits due to abatements in excess of overlay of prior
years.
1932
$6,083.78
1933
276.30
1934
177.60
1935
776.64
1936
1,412.01
1937
1,482.09
1938
1,319.72
1939
1,009.87
1940
1,017.30
1941
4,932.94
18,488.25
B. State: Tax and Assts:
1943 Under- Estimates
1. State Tax
1944 Estimates $208,725.00
2. State Audit of Municipal Accounts
3,190.66
3. Care Civil War Vets.
470.89
113.66
4. Smoke Insp. Service
1,193.11
5. Addl. State Assts.
414,123.89
35,064.85
627,703.55
35,178.51
662,882.06
C. County: Tax and Assts .:
1. County Tax
133,510.01
6,810.12
2. Tuberculosis Hosp. Asst. ....
57,828.10
191,338.11
6,810.12
198,148.23
115,000.00
D. Overlay of current year
E. Gross amount to be raised
$6,752,296.90
406
ANNUAL REPORTS
F. Estimated receipts and Avail- able Funds:
1. Income Tax $344,336.81
2. Corporation Taxes 212,381.85
3. Gasoline Tax
107,761.16
4. Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise 50,000.00
5. Licenses
96,632.11
6. Fines
5,465.00
7. Boston El. Def.
9,025.93
8. Spec. Assts. Kenmore Sq. Def.
62,363.30
9. Gen. Gov.
10,662.24
10. Protections of Persons and Prop.
1,476.04
11. Health & Sanitation
31,413.11
12. Highways
318.00
13. Charities
99,514.33
14. Old Age Assistance
210,912.89
15. Old Age Tax (Meals)
10,567.63
16. Soldiers' Benefits
18,278.85
17. Schools
54,290.59
18. Libraries
3,148.99
19. Recreation
428.25
20. Public Service Enterprises
487,500.61
21. Electrolysis
500.00
22. Interest: On Taxes & Assts.
29,010.77
23. Dog Licenses
4,775.51
24. Tax Title Int. Ref. 1,856.79
25. Lieu of Taxes
246.72
Total Est. Receipts $1,852,867.48
26. Overestimates of Prev. year
(a) Smoke Insp. Service ... 328.20
$328.20
27. Amts. to be
taken from
available funds:
$1,000.00 June 21/43
$1,118.80
Sept. 17/43
6,140.68 July 14/43
1,865.00
Sept. 30/43
635.00 July 21/43
16,430.68
Oct. 19/43
856.52 Aug. 6/43
14,575.00 Oct. 21/43
3,000.00 Aug. 11/43
309.52
Nov. 9/43
800.00 Aug. 20/43
625.00
Nov. 19/43
1,000.00
Nov. 29/43
38,815.71
Jan. 12/44
168.47
Dec. 3/43
800.00
Mar. 2/44
28,037.79
Dec. 7/43
1,550.00
May 11/44
40,850.10
Dec. 15/43
1,293.60
June 12/44
5,115.10
Dec. 20/43
$122,527.66
$42,459.31
164,986.97
$165,315.17
2,018,182.65
Total Available Funds
NET AMOUNT TO BE RAISED BY TAXA- TION ON POLLS & PROPERTY
$4,734,114.25
407
BOARD OF ASSESSORS
G. Number of polls 33,805 at $2 ea. $67,610. ... 67,610.00
H. Total Valuation:
Pers. Prop. 7,473,950. STax Rate 301,200.19 Real Est. 108,320,200. {$40.30 4,365,304.06
I. TOTAL TAXES LEVIED ON POLLS and PROPERTY 4,734,114.25 J. TOTAL AMOUNT OF 1944 TAXES ON POLLS AND PROPERTY AND OF ASSESSMENTS ADDED TO TAXES AS COMMITTED TO COLLECTOR. ..... $4,734,114.25
The Board of Assessors wishes to thank the other depart- ments for the co-operation extended during the year, partic- ularly to the Legal Department.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES R. BRUNELLE MAURICE F. AHEARN FRANCIS MACDONALD WINFIELD S. PATTERSON JOHN B. CARR
Board of Assessors
408
ANNUAL REPORTS
REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRIC LINES AND LIGHTS
February 6, 1945.
To the Honorable, the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit the Annual Report of the Department of Electric Lines and Lights for the year ending December 31, 1944.
INSPECTION OF WIRING IN BUILDINGS
The policy of strict inspections and adherence to the rules and regulations regarding installation of electrical work and attachments thereto have been enforced throughout the year.
Re-inspection of old installations reveals the tendency of occupants to install additional outlets by means of cord wiring attached to baseboards, door casings, mouldings etc., connected to flimsy unapproved attachments.
As this is a dangerous practice both from a life and fire hazard angle, such installations are condemned and ordered cor- rected wherever discovered.
The number of permits issued for work and inspections thereto are as follows :
Permits (new work)
871
Inspections (new work)
864
Re-inspections (new work)
392
Re-inspections (old work)
1,151
Defective Installations (old work)
176
Defective Installations remedied 142
Permits issued to Boston Edison Co.
222
Total fees collected for permits
$1,066.00
409
ELECTRIC LINES AND LIGHTS
FIRE ALARM SYSTEM
As storage batteries are our only alternate means of supply- ing energy to this system in case of failure of our Edison serv- ice, it will be necessary to purchase additional new batteries to augment the 285 purchased this year.
The need of an independent auxiliary power supply of the gasoline driven type as mentioned in the 1943 report was dem- onstrated during the hurricane last September, when it was necessary to hire such portable equipment of this type as was available to insure constant fire alarm and police signal pro- tection. Due to the precautions taken and the vigilance of the maintenance crew, the signal systems were in perfect working order at all times during this storm. The installation of suit- able equipment of this type is hereby recommended.
It is urged that the recommendations of last year regarding the tower strikers be adopted.
Trouble calls of various types 250.00
Accident damage to signal boxes 331.85
Eight Ideal Signal Boxes completely rebuilt and 50 Signal Boxes painted and varnished during the year.
ALARMS RECEIVED AND TRANSMITTED
First Alarms
790
Second Alarms . 8
A. D. T. Alarms
5
803
Still Alarms
939
Mutual Aid
229
1,168
Total 1,971
The central office equipment consists of the following :
2- 6 circuit operating boards.
1- 5 circuit tapper board.
1 -- 5 circuit gong board.
2-16 circuit storage battery charging boards.
1-32 circuit protective board.
1- 4 circuit punching register and take up reel.
2- 5 circuit punching registers and take up reels.
13- 1 circuit punching registers and take up reels. 2- Automotive time and date stamps.
1- 4 dial manual transmitter.
1- masterclock.
.
410
ANNUAL REPORTS
1- local telephone used on still alarm system.
531- cells storage battery.
3- 10 foot 4 shelf battery racks.
32- low rate rectifiers.
5- metropolitan tappers and gongs.
ยท 1- high rate rectifier.
Apparatus outside the central office :
66 Gardner Type Fire Alarm Boxes.
79 Ideal Type Fire Alarm Boxes.
30 Peerless Type Fire Alarm Boxes.
2 Ideal Master Boxes with remote contral ..
29 Peerless Master Boxes with remote control and equipped with auxiliary stations located in various private and public build- ings.
1 new box was added during the year.
7 Tower strikers (only 3 in service).
25 cable terminal boxes.
9 punching registers.
28 closed circuit tappers and 5 open circuit tappers. 8 closed circuit tappers (secondary ).
13 still alarm bells-local house system.
7 local telephones used as a company service system.
2 private interior telephones consisting of 12 stations.
4 traffic sirens.
11 house call bells.
POLICE SIGNAL EQUIPMENT
The Police Signal equipment is in good operating order. However, due to the difficulty of obtaining replacement parts constant and careful maintenance is necessary.
Number Wagon Calls 614
Number Telephone Calls 64,475
Number Duty Calls 244,555
Total
309,644
Number maintenance trouble calls. 241
Six Police Signal Boxes were completely overhauled. (Paint- ed inside and out - completely rewired and modernized.)
Number Police Signal Boxes 92
Accident damage to Signal Boxes $107.00
Value of Police Signal System $100,000.00
Police Headquarters signal equipment consists of the fol- lowing :
411
ELECTRIC LINES AND LIGHTS
1 Type "C" Police Signal Desk.
3-5 circuit Registers.
35 Secondary Batteries.
1 Charging Panel.
2 Automatic time and date stamps.
2 Takeup Reels.
6 Official Phones connected with police desk.
The installation of an auxiliary power supply would greatly assure continuity of service of the police and radio signal sys- tem. This was demonstrated during the September hurricane when it was necessary to make a temporary installation of a hired power unit in order to maintain service. As this was installed before the storm we were able to maintain perfect signal service during this period.
The Police Radio System consists of the following :
1 Central Station Transmitter and Receiver.
3 Remote Central Stations.
1 Vertical Antenna.
1 Lampkin frequency monitor.
1 Tuning meter.
12 F. M. 2-way mobile radio telephone units.
TRAFFIC SIGNALS
There are 31 intersections controlled by traffic signals, 15 of which are equipped with pedestrian push buttons.
Some of our traffic light controllers have been in service from twelve to fifteen years, and not only have reached the saturation point as regards repairs, but it is almost impossible to obtain necessary replacement parts due to discontinuance by manufacturers.
It is recommended that at least two new controllers be pur- chased each year until this condition is remedied.
Negotiations are now being carried on with the State De- partment of Public Works and the Metropolitan District Com- mission regarding the taking over by them of the traffic lights at the intersection of Mystic Avenue and Temple Street; Bos- ton Avenue and Mystic Valley Parkway; and Broadway and Alewife Brook Parkway.
If these discussions prove successful, it should help reduce our maintenance costs.
412
ANNUAL REPORTS
Number maintenance trouble calls 388
Amount cable renewed 1,600 feet Collision damage $ 1,243.92 Value of system 50,000.00
STREET LIGHTING
There is no question as regards modernized street lighting having an important part in post war planning. Not only be- cause it increases the attractiveness and enhances the com- munity value of the street, but because a well designed in- stallation, properly spaced and at the right height, will pro- duce the illumination necessary for good visibility at night, and through good visibility promote safer use of streets.
There is room for considerable improvement in our street lighting, especially on our heavily travelled roadways, where illumination is inadequate and spotty. Therefore we must be on the alert if we are to keep pace with other cities of the Commonwealth. Last available costs shows that out of four- teen cities in Massachusetts, we have the lowest per capita cost (88 cents) with one exception.
It seems that since the installation of the first street light and all additions thereto on that section of Mystic Avenue under the jurisdiction of the State Department of Public Works, this city has borne the entire cost.
It is our opinion that as all other maintenance costs are the responsibility of the State, so should the street lighting cost, which amounts to approximately $940.00 per year.
Legislation to bring about this change has been filed by His Honor, Mayor Bradley, at this session of the General Court.
The number of street lights December 31, 1944 are as fol- lows :
5-15,000 lumen lamps. 372-10,000 lumen lamps. 513- 6,000 lumen lamps. 36- 2,500 lumen lamps. 198- 1,000 lumen lamps. 1,013- 800 lumen lamps.
I wish to express my appreciation to His Honor the Mayor, the members of the Board of Aldermen, and the several depart- ment heads for their co-operation and many courtesies re- ceived.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES J. CUDDIHY,
Commissioner Electric Lines & Lights
413
COMMISIONER PUBLIC BUILDINGS
COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS
January 24, 1945.
Hon. G. Edward Bradley Mayor of Somerville.
My dear Mr. Mayor :
The following is a rather voluminous report of the activi- ties of the Building Department for the year of 1944. Later on in these pages a list of accomplishments complete in each municipal building of the city will be given in detail, and the following summary will give you the highlights of the major projects which were accomplished during the first year of your administration due in no small manner to the very kind, courteous and understanding cooperation which was exhibited by you towards this department.
The manner in which you requested me to make a complete survey of all municipal buildings showed your desire to be- come acquainted with the actual conditions of the buildings as they stood when you took office. The time which you gave to the writer in sitting down and going over the conditions of every building and your quick and intelligent grasp of the buildings as they stood, and your many suggestions that ne- cessary repairs for the safety and comfort of the children in our schools gave the writer a great amount of satisfaction and comfort in the beginning of the work.
At this point in my report to you I want to take the time to mention the great value of George Robinson, Jace Crowley, Billy Devereaux, Miss Ham and Mrs. Collins who were kind enough to explain the workings of the department and the many pitfalls and mistakes that I might be apt to fall into, and who worked night and day to help in the administration of this department. They were called upon at any and all hours to perform duties many, many times not of their own but which they did willingly and capably.
414
ANNUAL REPORTS
It has been said that the operations of the Building Depart- ment for the year of 1944 were a great deal better than the previous years and for this I must give them my heartfelt thanks for their interest and support.
It might be well at this time to point out and to publicly thank the entire force of mechanics assigned to the Building Department who, under the intelligent and far seeing vision of George Robinson, were able to perform various tasks when- ever they were called upon to do so by me. They also contri- buted in no small degree to whatever success was attained by your Building Department administration during 1944. Many many times during all hours of the night and day Jace Crow- ley, Jack Ryan, Jim Walsh, Si Heneghan, Ben Sefton, Bill Egan, Jack Knight, Jimmie Kelleher, Bill Cantwell, George Clark, Jim Brune, Tom Conway, Charles Coffey, Ralph Carey, Douglas Munroe, John Heffernan, John McGoldrick and John Larrabee pitched in and did all manner and kind of work for- eign to their own particular calling in order that something might be erected, repaired or built for a particular purpose or emergency. The fact that they stood by on nights of storms and extreme emergencies is proof of their willingness to coop- erate and do all they possibly could for your administration, the writer and the citizens of the city in general. Collectively, no finer body of men exists in the service of any city or town than comprises the makeup of our Building Department me- chanics.
There has been a general increase in cooperation and de- sire to serve on the part of the building custodians and while a few changes have been made due to the intelligent supervi- sion of Jace Crowley and the help received by several mem- bers of the custodians group a finer spirit prevails amongst the custodians to-day, and the buildings are nearer to attaining your goal of the best conditions possible for the safety and health of the children than at any time in the last 25 years.
While conditions in the various school buildings are a great deal better and they are now in a condition where they are usable, specifically there are many, many improvements needed. With the kind cooperation of yourself and my loyal assistants and co-workers I feel sure that the coming year will see many more noticeable improvements in the various municipal build- ings.
415
COMMISIONER PUBLIC BUILDINGS
Briefly, for your quick perusal, the following major projects have been performed in school buildings.
New boilers were installed at the Glines, Forster and Fors- ter Annex school buildings and at the beginning of this year new forced draft systems have been installed to facilitate the quick heating of these buildings. At the Glines School last spring, in order to cure a very dangerous situation, a conden- sation pump was installed and well hole built to provide for return of the steam to the boilers and also automatic water feeders were installed to make sure that the boiler had suffi- cient water.
In the Central Heating Plant, in order to eliminate a two ton block of ice, every radiator in the building was equipped with new trap inserts, the pumps put in proper order, the blast traps repaired. In the High School all the furniture was reconditioned and finished, new floors laid, the fire alarm and signal systems overhauled and many other repairs made.
In the High School Gymnasium the floor which was swollen and damaged by the hurricane was rabbeted out and a portion of it relaid with a new floor over which the stands have been permanently erected. The outside steel of the gymnasium was painted for the first time in many years stopping a very defi- nite steel erosion which would have meant replacing of the steel sash in a very short time if allowed to continue in that condition.
At the Central Library in addition to many small repairs a complete set of flourescent fixtures were installed which has increased the lighting value of the building 800 times.
Most everybody is acquainted with the near disaster that we had at the Western Junior High School when the ceilings collapsed which meant the tearing out of 21 ceilings and re- building them with modern tile plus the painting and finishing of all the walls, woodwork and furniture in the said 21 rooms. While the classes were being moved about in the Western Jun- ior High School the writer noticed the poor condition ,of the lighting system in the halls which was then being used for classes with the result that, thanks to your cooperation and spirit of regard for the children and their health, new flour- escent lights were installed in this great hall.
-
416
ANNUAL REPORTS
When the Veterans Bureau was forced to seek larger quarters your overall vision was responsible for the selection of the Knights of Columbus building at an annual rental of $2000.00, which would not begin to pay for custodial services. Your decision to rent this building made it posible to erect a sub- stantial, convenient and satisfactory office space for the hand- ling of our veterans and most everybody has been loud in their praise of the setup.
The Bow Street Municipal building was entirely recondi- tioned from bottom to top with the result that the Clinic, the Library, the childrens Library and the Recreational Head- quarters now have a congenial appearing, safe and comfortable place in which to carry on their activities for the greater bene- fit of all citizens of the city. The installation of a boiler and a hot water heating system which was laying dormant in the Western Junior High School has resurrected this building from an antiquated piece of city property in great disrepair to a fairly pleasant and useable building.
Repairs have been made to the heating system in the New Police station garage and the Police Headquarters with the re- sult that it is now possible to heat the garage space and give plenty of hot water for the washing of cars without driving the policemen and people out of the other portion of the build- ing due to the enormous amount of heat that was formerly necessary. Repairs have also been made to the Communica- tions Room and considerable painting has been done in it.
At the Central Fire Station a combination toilet, washroom and shower room was installed for the convenience of the men. When you took office conditions down there were atrocious by reason of the fact that there were two toilet accommodations for thirty-four men which is not anywhere near enough. With the adition of new fixtures and a change in partitions this room has been made larger and is now a source of pride to the men in the building.
It must not be forgotten that due to the carelessness and mischief of many children more than 8,000 lights of glass were installed in city buildings this past year and only to-day I was told that our glazier is practically caught up.
The following is an itemized list of the work done in the various buildings which is in more detail than the above.
417
COMMISIONER PUBLIC BUILDINGS
BAXTER SCHOOL
Set 67 lights of glass. Repaired doors, furniture, window cords.
Repaired toilets and fence
BENNETT SCHOOL
Set 30 lights of glass.
Repaired doors, window cords, electric fixtures, electric wiring. Renewed 2" steam line and repaired all heating system and changed piping to conform to State laws.
BINGHAM SCHOOL
Set 40 lights of glass.
Repaired doors and painted same.
Repaired door checks.
Repaired plumbing, lights and switches.
Patched plaster.
Painted toilet seats and bulkheads.
Repaired sump pump and all boilers.
Instaled 24 voit transformer and wired for Fire Alarm belts.
BROWN SCHOOL
Reinforced boiler rear head and handhole plate.
Repaired boilers, grates, and steam lines.
Repaired bells and switches, plumbing, furniture, window cord's Shifted desks in two rooms.
Repaired roof and conductors.
Plastered cement floor.
Furnished new set of doors.
BURNS SCHOOL
Set 30 lights of glass. Repaired pipes and flush tanks. Repaired eltctric lines and lights.
Painted all doors.
Repaired boilers.
CARR SCHOOL
Repaired roofs. skylights and conductors. Repaired plumbing. 7
Repaired windows, cords and glass.
Repaired steam lines on boilers. Repaired switches and lights.
Set 50 lights of glass
Painted all doors and bulkheads.
Repacked all pumps. Repaired all furniture.
Repaired boilers.
418
ANNUAL REPORTS
CENTRAL HEATING PLANT
Repaired ash hoist. Repaired and retubed boilers, and steamlines.
Repaired coal trucks.
CUMMINGS SCHOOL
Repaired sliding doors.
Set 30 lights of glas.
Painted doors. Electrical, plumbing and stoker repairs.
CUTLER SCHOOL
Repaired all furniture and window cords. Set 80 lights of glass.
Reset wall brackets for radiators.
Electrical work repaired throughout the building.
Boiler repairs and repairs to all steam lines, repacking valves and covering pipes. All window cords replaced and doors repainted.
All dampers regulated and repaired.
DURELL SCHOOL
Set 30 lights of glass.
Boilers repaired. Plumbing repairs made.
Panic bolts installed.
Doors and toilets painted.
FORSTER SCHOOL
New boilers installed. Radiators, ventilators and dampers repaired.
Foundation walls and cement floor repaired.
Painted all toilet seats.
Electrical work done on bells, fixtures and wiring. Set glass and window cord.
Painted tin roof.
FORSTER ANNEX
Installed new boilers, and new returns. Repaired foundation and crib.
Set all glass and window cords. Painted doors.
GLINES SCHOOL
Set 100 lights of glas.s
New boilers and new fan motors installed, and concrete base repaired. Large steam repairing job. Installed two water line feeders.
Repaired concrete floor in boys and girls basement. Waterproofed engine pit.
Electrical repairs throughout the building.
419
COMMISIONER PUBLIC BUILDINGS
Plumbing repairs including new toilets. Built and painted new partitions in toilets. GRIMMONS SCHOOL New sash installed and painted, doors painted. Plumbing repaired. Boilers repaired and radiators repaired.
HIGH SCHOOL
Set 186 lights of glass.
Replaced 19 sash.
Painted all doors.
Repaired all furniture and window cords.
Plumbing repairs throughout the building.
New hand rail installed on gymnasium steps.
Repaired 5,000 gymnasium lockers.
Repaired linoleum in old building.
Repaired curtains for stages in Auditorium and Gymna- sium.
Electrical fixtures, switches, bells and clocks repaired.
Repaired heating system throughout the building.
Furnished six new doors and painted same.
New toilet room in gymnasium basement.
Repairs to plaster.
Gymnasium floor relaid in part.
Painted outside sash at gymnasium.
HANSCOM SCHOOL
Renewed bell and telephone services, rewired building, repaired loud speaker.
Installed light at stairs to basement.
Painted walls and ceilings in halls and stairways and also three rooms. Renewed all window cords.
Set all broken glass. Repaired conductors.
Repaired doors and painted same.
Repaired roof and painted same.
HIGHLAND SCHOOL
Repaired toilets, plaster, window cords and furniture. Repaired doors and painted same. Set 10 lights of glas.
HODGKINS SCHOOL
Painted doors. Window sash repaired. Plumbing repaired. Glass set. Boilers repaired and also heating system. ,
Roof and gutters repaired. Toilets painted.
1
420
ANNUAL REPORTS
KNAPP SCHOOL
Boilers and entire heating system repaired. Panic bolts put on doors. Slate roof and conductors repaired. Renewed window cords. Electrical repairs made to bells and lights.
LOWE SCHOOL
Boilers repaired. All glass set.
Plumbing repaired. Dampers repaired. Repaired window cords and furniture.
-
MORSE SCHOOL
53 lights of glass set. Repaired vent ducts and water mains.
Panic bolts repaired.
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