USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1944 > Part 28
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De Vellis, Cosmo
Dewar, Robert D.
Dillaway, John E.
Donovan, Jeremiah F.
Donovan, John F.
Donovan, Thomas A.
Donovan, William H.
Doolin, Patrick J. Dowd, Michael J. Downey, William J.
Dunleavey, John M.
Dwyer, William E. Ellis, Charles W.
Estee, George R., Jr. Estee, Joseph R.
443
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Faulkner, Ernest C. Fedele, Joseph F. Fitzgerald, William J.
Fitzpatrick, Augustine W. Flanagan, Thomas J. Fleming, Thomas J. Forristall, Edward G.
Gallagher, John J. Gleason, Raymond J. Gormley, Leo J. Griffin, William H. Gullage, George, Jr.
Hall, Thomas L. Hallion, Howard F. Heafey, John F.
Higgins, Francis E. Holmes, James F. Hughes, James E. Hughes, John E. Johnson, William E.
Kearney, Dennis F. Kelley, Arthur W. Kelley, Edward W. Kelley, William J. Keniry, Jeremiah Kent, Leo A. Kiley, Edward J. Kilmartin, James A.
Landry, Frederick A. Lord, Henry A. Lyons, Patrick J.
MacRae, Walter J. Mahoney, John J. Mahoney, Thomas F. Mahood, John T. Meade, John J. McAuliffe, Daniel F. McAvoy, Charles H. McCauley, George W. McFadden, Alfred J. McGahan, Thomas L. McGovern, Frederick W. Mckenzie, John H. McQuilken, Clifford A.
Mehigan, Garrett F. J. Murphy, Daniel F. No. 1 Murphy, Daniel F. No. 2 Murphy, John W.
Nelson, Ludwig Nicholas, Glen B.
O'Brien, John H. O'Brien, Patrick F. O'Brien, Thomas J. O'Connell, Daniel J. O'Connor, Jeremiah O'Keefe, John P. L. O'Loughlin, Michael J. Oesting, Walter C.
Quinlan, William J.
Reid, Garnet L. Robitaille, Alfred E. Rogers, Francis L. Rossi, Ricco J. Ryan, James F.
Scotti, James V.
Shay, John J. Sheehan, Jeremiah G.
Shepherd, Charles W.
Silva, Frank A., Jr.
Skeffington, Richard H.
Smith, James L. Smith, John J.
Souza, James
Spiers, George
Stokes, Herbert H.
Tanner, John J.
Warner, Chester F Wills, William F.
Young, Harry C.
Matron Helen F. Kammerer
Assistant Matron Susannah F. Bolt
444.
ANNUAL REPORTS
The following named members of the Department are in the armed forces.
Patrolman Preston C. Davis, on March 20, 1942, United States Army Patrolman Leo J. Gormley, on May 1, 1942, United States Army Patrolman Henry A. Lord, on June 11, 1942, United States Navy *Patrolman John J. Meade, on June 19, 1942, United States Army *Patrolman Fred A. Cammon, on June 19, 1942, United States Coast Guard
*Patrolman Robert J. Brady, on June 25, 1942, United States Army *Patrolman James J. Ryan, on June 30, 1942, United States Army Patrolman Ulick M. Burke, on July 28, 1942, United States Army Patrolman Thomas J. Fleming, on September 2, 1942, United States Navy
Patrolman Dennis F. Kearney, on September 3, 1942, United States Coast Guard
Patrolman John E. Dillaway, on September 14, 1942, United States Navy Patrolman John F. Donovan, on September 20, 1942, United States Navy Patro'man William J. Fitzgerald, on October 22, 1942, United States Navy
Patrolman Clifford A. McQuilken, on November 20, 1942, United States Coast Guard
Patrolman Ludwig Neison, on November 30, 1942, United States Coast Guard
Patrolman Garnet L. Reid, on January 4, 1943, United States Coast Guard
Patrolman Jeremiah G. Brennan, on March 23, 1943, United States Navy Patrolman, Jeremiah C. Cullinan, on April 11, 1943, United States Army *Patrolman Leo A. Kent, on July 9, 1943, United States Navy
Patrolman John E. Hughes, on January 23, 1944, United States Marines Patrolman Aug. W. Fitzpatrick, on January 23, 1944, United States Marines
Patrolman John F. Heafey, on May 3, 1944, United States Navy
Patrolman Joseph R. Estee, on June 8, 1944, United States Navy
* In the service at time of appointment and have not vet reported for duty In this Department.
IN GENERAL
The efficiency of the Department has been greatly increased in the past year due to the installation of an F. M. two-way radio which was put into operation on January 5, 1944. This system affords a greater degree of safety to the public because of the speediness in which our radio equipped cruising cars may be dispatched to a particular area.
While the demands of the Civilian Defense Committee have been somewhat curtailed I wish at this time to thank those members of the Auxiliary Police who gave their time and effort during the past year.
445
POLICE DEPARTMENT
RECOMMENDATIONS
Due to the present unsettled conditions caused by the global war, I do not feel that this is a proper time to make recom- mendations in so far as the equipment of our department is concerned.
IN CONCLUSION
I wish to thank the Honorable Mayor and Board of Alder- men and various heads of Departments for their assistance and co-operation to me and to our department throughout the past year.
I also wish to thank the members of the Department for their loyalty to me in our efforts to serve the community.
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS DAMERY Chief of Police
446
ANNUAL REPORTS
REPORT OF THE LAW DEPARTMENT
March 21, 1945
To the Honorable, the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen
Gentlemen :
Herewith respectfully submitted for your information and consideration is the Annual Report of the activities of the Law Department for the year ending December 31, 1944.
A noteworthy court decision involving the City of Somer- ville was handed down during the year. On May 14, 1938 six married women in the classified civil service employed by the city were discharged from their city positions by former Mayor John M. Lynch. After taking the matter of their discharges to the Supreme Judicial Court of the Commonwealth of Massa- chusetts, the women were ordered to be restored to their former positions in October 9, 1944 on order of the court that they were "wrongfully discharged." They have since returned to work for the city and have filed suits against the city for back pay amounting to $90,000, and also they are seeking to compel the city to restore them to their former status in the retirement and pension fund system, as though they had never lost their positions in the employ of the city. These actions are still pend- ing in the Middlesex Superior Court.
Suits that were entered against the city involving claims arising out of defective sidewalks and streets were settled at a reasonable cost whenever liability was obvious. Other cases were tried in court with favorable results for the city. There are still many of these cases pending, but in comparison to other years a slight decline in the number of them has been noted.
447
LAW DEPARTMENT
During the year 1944 this department has made notable progress in the disposition of most of the petitions to fore- close tax liens which were still pending in the Land Court. The results were very favorable. Final foreclosure decrees were entered in most of the cases and titles to the properties involved were vested in the city, so that they could be sold at auction and the money received turned over to the city treasury. In this connection I must acknowledge the work done by our in- spector of claims, Charles Shepherd, who is responsible for the investigations which were necessary to determine the military and marital status of the parties interested in the parcels which were foreclosed. Due to Federal regulations occasioned by the present war emergency, no final decrees can be entered unless a military affidavit can be filed in the Land Court in each case.
There were pending during the year many cases before the State Board of Tax Appeals. These cases were brought by tax- payers who appealed from the decision of the Board of Assessors refusing abatements of certain taxes levied on their properties during the years 1942 and 1943. Many of these appeals were settled after conferences between the petitioners and the city assessors, and actual trials were had on those which could not be compromised. This type of case is becoming an increas- ingly serious part of the work of the Law Department and is taking up an increasingly large part of the time of the City Solicitor. One of the cases now pending before said board of Tax Appeals, notably the Ford Motor Co. case, involves re- quested abatements of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
At the request of the Board of Aldermen during the year, I prepared many opinions in writing on various subjects to which reference may be had in the records of the Board. At the request of the department heads, written opinions or ad- vice were furnished to legal questions involving their respect- ive departments.
To the end that the legal interests of the city would be protected, various contracts entered into by the city were either drafted by me personally or examined and approved by me as to form; all bonds required to be furnished by various city officials and other bonds required by statute, ordinance and Federal regulations were submitted to me for approval.
448
ANNUAL REPORTS
Attorney Ashelen P. Senopoulos, my assistant, has shown careful and painstaking work particularly in the preparation and trials of cases before the Appellate Tax Board and the Land Court. His cooperation was of great assistance and it was a pleasure to have him associated with me in this work.
In closing I wish to express my thanks for the cooperation received from his Honor, Mayor G. Edward Bradley, the Board of Aldermen and the various department heads.
Respectfully submitted,
L.
ANTHONY W. DICECCA City Solicitor
449
WATER COMMISSIONER
WATER COMMISSIONERS SOMERVILLE WATER DEPARTMENT
Somerville, Middlesex County, 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 the City, including land and water, abcut 4.22 square miles Land, 2,461.50 acres; water and marsh 238.50 acres. Population, 1940 census, 102,304. Entire population on line of pipe and supplied with water.
Water Works owned by the 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. G. EDWARD BRADLEY
Water Commissioner HENRY F. O'CONNELL
450
ANNUAL REPORTS
Office of the Water Department
City Hall, Highland Avenue, corner School Street.
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
1891-1897 SOMERVILLE MYSTIC WATER BOARD (3) Acts 1890; Chap. 218
1898-1899
BOARD OF WATER COMMISSIONERS Acts 1898; Chap. 33
1900 WATER COMMISSIONER (1) Acts 1899; Chap 240.
451
WATER COMMISSIONER
REPORT OF THE WATER COMMISSIONER
OFFICE OF THE WATER COMMISSIONER
January 1, 1945
To His Honor, the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen :
I present herewith my report for the year ending December 31, 1944, this being the Seventieth Annual Report of the Water Department.
Water Charges committed to the City Treasurer and Col- lector of Taxes during the year 1944 :
Quarterly Accounts
Committed
$279,173.50
Less : Adjustments
1,223.00
$277,950.50
Commercial Accounts
Committed
$219,719.12
Less: Adjustments
31.58
$219,687.54
Additional Accounts
Committed
$10.00
Service Assessments
Committed
$1,066.64
Maintenance Charges
Committed
$549.50
Less: Adjustments
9.06
$540.44
TOTAL COMMITMENTS .........
$499,255.12
Note: See report of City Treasurer and of Taxes for collection
452
ANNUAL REPORTS
APPROPRIATIONS AND EXPENDITURES Water Maintenance and Extension Account
Appropriations made by the Board of Alder- men
Balance from Last year
Receipts
Labor and Materials for operation, mainten- ance and renewal of the Water Works $101,640.93
Balance
5,083.98
$106,724.91
$106,724.91
CHAPTER NO. 44 WATER BONDS
Balance January 1, 1944
$1,515.73
January 1, 1945
$1,515.73
.
WATER ASSESSMENTS
The assessment paid to the Commonwealth by this City as its proportionate part of the cost and operation of the Metro- politan Water Works for the year 1944 was as follows :
Maintenance
$87,592.87
Interest
77,899.51
Maturing Bond
103,966.20
Brookline Credit
8,237.18
Total payment for 1944
$277,695.76
The amount paid by the City since the beginning in 1898 is as follows:
Sinking Fund
557,983.25
Maintenance
1,957,480.90
Interest
3,779,432.58
Maturing Bonds
1,124,654.49
Brookline Credit
132,753.46
Total Payments to date
$7.552,304.68
Hydrants, Gates, Etc.
Number of fire hydrants in City, January 1. 1944
1,360
Number set during the year
3
Number removed during the year
2
Nct increase in number of hydrants
1
Total number of fire hydrants
1,361
$103,284.65 3,138.16 302.10
WATER COMMISSIONER
453
Number of private fire hydrants December
31, 1944
89
Number of gates in the City, January 1,
1944
3,023
Number set during the year for streets 0
Number set on hydrant branches
2
Number set on blow-off branches
0
Number of gates removed
0
Net increase in number of gates
2
Total number of gates in City,
3,025
Number of check-valves in City. January 1,
1944
9
Number added during the year
0
Total number of check valves
9
Number of blow-offs in City, January 1, 1944 .. 237
0
Total number of blow-offs
237
Number of Waterposts in City, January 1, 1944
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, Jan- uary 1, 1944
9
Number added during the year
2
Number now in City
11
Number of car-sprinkler connections in City, January 1, 1944
10
Number discontinued during the year
0
Total number of car-sprinkler connec- tions
10
Note: These are not in use.
Operating Meters, December 31, 1944.
Size 5 / 8 " 3/4 " " 11/2" 2" 3" 4" 6" 10" 12" Total
13,300 263 115 39 56 18 9
3
1
1 13805
Motor and elevator register Total
13,806
Totai
Per cent of services metered 100%
Number of Services Supplying Public Property
Number of services supplying Public Property ...
86
1
Number added during the year
-
454
ANNUAL REPORTS
Water is furnished without charge to all City Departments and Municipal buildings.
Size number and length of services installed in 1944:
1
6"
Services
25'
2
4" Services
30'
1
11/2"
Services
10
1
1" Services
20
1
2"
Services
12
2
3/4"
Services
30
1
8'
Fire Service
35'
162'
Summary of Pipes and Fixtures of the Water System December 31, 1944.
Feet of main pipe (approximately)
602,557
Miles of main pipe (approximately)
114.12
Service in use (approximately)
13,892
Services supplying public property
86
Private Fire Supplies (sprinkler system)
118
Fire Supplies to Public Buildings
26
Public Fire Hydrants
1,361
Private Fire Hydrants
89
Sprinkler Systems installed in Public Buildings ..
0
Gates
3,025
Check Valves
9
Meters (including 1 motor register)
13,806
Waterposts (Not in use)
59
Car-sprinkler connections (Not in use)
10
Blow-offs
237
Drinking Fountains and troughs
11
Total number of services required to be metered in actual use
13,806
Services supplying public property Total number of services
86
13,892
In addition to the above there are fire supplies private sprinkler systems, which are not re- quired to be metered
118
The Average Daily Consumption of Water for the year 1944 was 10,744,300 gallons or 104 gallons per capita.
455
WATER COMMISSIONER
SUMMARY OF STATISTICS For the Year Ending December 31, 1944. In form recommended by the New England Water Works Association.
SOMERVILLE WATER WORKS SOMERVILLE, MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASS.
General Statistics
Population, 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 to the City's mains, both high and low pressure, by the Metropolitan Water Works.
Statistics of Consumption of Water
Population supplies, December 31, 1944, Est. 102,830.
Average daily consumption 10,744,300 gallons.
Gallons per day to each inhabitant, 104.
Total consumption for the year 1944: High-Service 812,896,000 gals. Low-Service 3,119,523,000 gals. Total City 3,932,419,000 gals.
Statistics relating to Distributing System, 1944 Mains
Kind of pipe, cast iron.
Size from 4-inch and under to 20-inch.
Total now in use, 114.12 miles.
Number of hydrants added during the year; Public 1; Private, 0.
Number of hydrants (public and private) now in use, 1,450
Number of gates added during the year, net increase, 2.
Number of gates now in use, 3,025.
Number of blow-offs, 237.
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, tubeloy, and galvanized. Sizes, one-half to eight inches.
Number of service connections made this year, 8. .
Services in use, approximately. 13,892.
Number of private fire supplies (sprinkler systems), 118.
Number of meters now in use, 13,806
Percentage of services metered, 100%. (Public services not metered).
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY F. O'CONNELL Water Commissioner.
456
ANNUAL REPORTS
INDEX
Address, Mayor G. Edward Bradley 5
Appeal, Board of, Report of 391
Assessors, Board of, Report of
405
Estimated Receipts and Available Funds 406
City Auditor Report of 13
Appropriations
23
Balance Sheet
16
Borrowing Capacity, Dec. 31, 1944
40
Cash Statement
21, 22, 23
Classified Debt Jan. 1, 1944
32
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
29
County of Middlesex
30
Detail of Estimated Receipts in 1944
26
Excess and Deficiency Account
46
Funded Debt 31, Insert 33
Interest · Requirements on Funded Debt 1945
37
Interest Requirements on Funded Debt (Six Years)
39
Interest Requirements on Present City Debt to Maturity .. Insert 33 Loans Increasing the Debt 33
Maturities on Funded Debt 1945
36
Maturities on Funded Debt (Six Years)
38
Net Funded or Fixed Debt
19
Overlay Accounts
42-45
Receipts and Expenditures, Classification
47-90
Refunds
52
Schedule of Public Property
91-94
Somerville Retirement System
95-98
Statement of Appropriations (Revenue) 1944
Insert 23
Statement of Revenue and Expenses 1944
30
Statement of Other Revenue Accounts 1944
24
Statement of Appropriations (Non Revenue)
Insert 23
Tailings
41
Taxes
34
Tax Titles
41
Temporary Loans 1944
31
Trust and Invested Funds
20
City Clerk, Report of
394
Births
396
Deaths
397
Licenses and Permits
394
Maturities Reducing the Debt 33
457
INDEX
Marriages
397
Payments
396
Receipts
394
City Engineer, Report of 282
General Financial Statement
283
Length of Public Streets in Each Ward
286
Length of Streets
285
Maintenance Accounts
289
Miles of Edgestones and Sidewalk in Each Ward
286
Parks and Playgrounds Division
289-292
Sewer Division
287
Table of Street Construction
286
Underground Conduits
287
City Government and Officers for 1944 398
City Solicitor, Report of 446
City Treasurer and Collector of Taxes, Report of 99
Bonds, Due in 1945
105
Bond Interest Due in 1945
106
Bond Maturities with Interest, Yearly
104
Cash Statement
100
Commitment by Assessors
101
Funded Debt as of December 31, 1944
103
Motor Vehicle Excise
101
Loans, All other
104
Tax Title Loans
102
Temporary Loans
102
Commissioner of Public Buildings (see Public Buildings Com- missioner ) 413
Commissioner of Streets (see Street Commissioner) 346
Commissioner of Water (see Water Commissioner) ...
449
Commissioner of Electric Lines and Lights, Report of 408
Fire Alarm System
409
Inspection of Wiring in Buildings
408
Police Signal System
410
Street Lighting
412
Traffic Signals
411
Dental Hygiene, Report of 314
Election Commissioners, Board of, Report of 237
Expenses
240
Jurors
239
List Registred Voters
243
Listing Board, Report of 241
Nomination Papers Initiative Petitions
238
458
ANNUAL REPORTS
Presidential Primary, Democratic, April 25, 1944 Insert 245
. Presidential Primary, Republican, April 25, 1944 Insert 249
Questions on Ballots 265
Recounts 239
Registration
237
State Election, November 7, 1944 Insert 261
State Primary, Democratic, July 11, 1944 Insert 253
State Primary, Republican, July 11, 1944 Insert 257
Fire Department, Chief of, Report of 350
Alarms of Fire
350
Apparatus 351
Classification of Alarm
352
In Memoriam
354
Recommendations
363
Health, Board of, Report of 293
Dental Hygiene, Report of Insert 314
Diseases Dangerous to Public Health
302
Funeral Directors
305
Health Nurses, Report of
307, 308
Infant Hygiene Clinics
306
Inspection of Animals and Provisions, Report of
312
Inspector of Animals and Veterinarian, Report of
313
Inspection of Milk and Vinegar, Report of
315
Medical Inspection of Schools
302
Medical Inspection, Report of
309
Mortality Statistics
295
Nuisances
293
Permits and Licenses 293
Specimens and Supplies
302
Inspector of Milk and Vinegar, Report of 315
Law Department, Report of 446
Licensing Commission, Report of 386
List of Streets 365
Medical Inspection, Report of
309
Diphtheria Immunization
310
Laboratory Examinations
309
Tuberculosis
310
Visits
309
Planning Board 393
Police, Chief of, Report of
440
Arrests
440
Changes in Department
440
Roster of Department
442
Recommendations
445
459
INDEX
Public Buildings, Commissioner, Report of
413
Building Permits Issued
425
Distribution of Expenditures
427
Estimated Cost New Buildings and Alterations
426
Fees Collected
425
Maintenance of Municipal Buildings
417, 425
Public Library
270
Board of Trustees and Officers
271
Report of Librarian
274
Report of Trustees
€
270
Organization of Library and Staff Personnel
272
Statistics
279
Public Welfare, Department of 429
Aid to Dependent Children
432
City Home, Reports of Warden
435
City Physician, Report of
436
Full Support
431
Members of Board, Committee, Officers, etc.
429
Old Age Assistance
433
Partial Support
431
Population and Gross Expenditures
434
Report of General Agent
431
Reimbursements
433
Recreation Commission, Report of
318
Retirement System
95
Sanitary Department, Report of
389
Collection of Ashes and Paper 389
School Department
111
Appendix, Contents of
154
Graduates-High School
203
Junior High Schools
209
Evening High School
219
Vocational School
220
School Committees and Office Force
112, 113
Somerville Teachers' Club
201
Somerville High School
198
Somerville High School Athletic Association
200
Superintendent of Schools, Report of
115
Teachers in Service
221
Statement of Work of School Nurses Insert 154
Sealer of Weights and Measures 107
Sewers (see City Engineer) 282
460
ANNUAL REPORTS
Street Commissioner, Report of
346
List of Streets
365
Miscellaneous
348
Sidewalks and Highway Maintenance
347
Snow and Ice
346
Street Cleaning
347
Suppression of Moths
347
Traffic Control
348
Recommendations
349
Veterans' Aid and Pensions, Report of
236
Water Commissioner, Report of
449
Chapter 44 Water Bonds
452
Hydrants, Gates, etc.
452
Appropriations and Expenditures
452
Summary Pipes and Fixtures
454
Summary and Statistics
455
Water Assessments
452
Water Consumption
455
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