Report of the city of Somerville 1946, Part 22

Author: Somerville (Mass.)
Publication date: 1946
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 440


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1946 > Part 22


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25


It is provided that pensions hereunder shall be paid from the date gap- plication therefor, but in no event hefore the applicant reaches the ae of sixty-five. The Commission shall render a decision in not less than pirty days from the date of application for a pension or a request for an increase of the mount thereof. Such pension shall, wherever practicahle, be pad to the aged person in his own home or in lodgings or in a boarding fome, which for the purposes hereof shall include any institution providing shiter, care and treatment for aged persons which is not supported in whole or in part hy public funds; provided, that no Inmate of such a boarding hone or institution shall he leigihle for a pension under this chapter while Being cared for under a contract. Such pension shall be pald by check or in cash which shall be dellvered to the pensioner at hls residence, if he so requesis, and shall be paid semi-monthly unless the pensioner prefers dess frequent payments. Such pension shall he on the hasis of need and the amount pere- of shall he determined in accordance with hudgetary standards estabished hy the Commission. Budgetary standards shall he such as to enable an in- dividual pensioner to maintain a standard of living compatible with decen- cy and health. Such pensions, except as hereinafter provided, shall je at the rate of not less than $48.00 monthly. The pensioner's hudget at such times as may be required shall include medical care, if recommended by a recognized physician, eye-glasses, if recommended hy a recognized optclan, dental care and false teeth, if recommended hy a recognized dentist.


In computing the pensioner's payment under this chapter, the Commis- slon shall deduct from the pensioner's budget or the minimum payment, whichever is greater, the amount of income the person paid or to be paid a pension hereunder may be receiving from any source, and may deduct therefrom such reasonable amount as may he deemed to represent tre fl- nancial value of board, lodging or other assistance which is heing furnished to such persons from any source.


Upon the death of a person drawing a pension, whose funeral cot does not exceed the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars and in whose state there are Insufficient assets to cover the full cost of the funeral, th Com- mission shall pay to the funeral director the difference between the oto and the cost of the funeral, a sum not exceeding one hundred and food- five dollars.


Expenses for medical. hospital and. other services rendered to a persion- er, which remain unpaid at the time of his death or commitment to an in- stitution as an insane person, shall be paid directly to the person rendring such services.


No pension under this chapter shall be discontinued nor shall the amount thereof he decreased until the expiration of fifteen days after notice has heen given hy the Commission to the pensioner.


Provision is made by which a person receiving a pension may he asent from the Commonwealth on a visit without having suoh pension suspended. It is provided that General Laws (Ter. Ed), c. 273, §20, which relats to the support of parents by children, shall not apply when parents ar ell- gible to receive a pension.


Provision Is made that there shall be set up in the Commission a subdi- vision of appeals under the jurisdiction of a supervisor of appeals, Any person aggrieved hy the fallure of the Commission to pay an adequate pen- sion under this chapter, or hy the failure of the Commission to approve or rejeot an application for a pension or a request for an Increase In the amount thereof, within thirty days after receiving such application or request, shall have a right to a fair hearing, after due notice, upon appeal to the sub- division of appeals in the form and manner prescribed hy the Commision; provided that such appeal is recelved hy the subdivision of appeals within sixty days after official notice of the action taken hy the Old Age Paslon Commission has been received hy the applicant or pensioner. The deision of the subdivision of appeals shall be final and hinding upon the Conmls- sion.


The Commission or any interested person aggrieved hy any decision in any proceeding before the subdivision of appeals may obtain judici.l re- view of such decision hy filing, within twenty days of the date of miling of such decision, a petition for review thereof in the district court within the judicial district wherein the pensionere or the applicant for a peaton lives.


In any proceeding for review the findings of the subdivision of appeals as to facts shail he conclusive, such proceedings shall be heard in a sum- marv manner and given precelonge wer all other civil cases From the decision of a district court upon review an appeal may be taken b the Supreme Indicial Court.


The possession by an applicant for pension under this chapter of :ssets consisting of cash. active securities or inactive securities, or any conhina- tion of such assets, shall not disqualify him from receiving such persion; provided, that the total of such assets, figuring the present cash vale of such inactive securities at the sum determined hy the Old Age Pension Com- mission, does not exceed the sum of $300.


A person is not to be disqualified from receiving a pension becare of the ownership of an equity in vacant land from which there is insufficient income to provide for his budgetary needs or minimum payments. @ the ownership of an equity in real estate hy an applicant who resides thereon or who. in the opinion of the Commission is residing elsewhere beacuse of physical or mental incapacity, provided that if such equity on the basis of assessed valuation exceeds an average of $3.000 during the five years mme- diately preceding application for the pension. the applicant shall execute a bond in the penal sum for the amount of the equity in excess of $3.000 conditioned on repayment to the Commonwealth of all amounts paid as such pension without interest. such hond to he secured hy a mortgage on tje ap- plicant's real es'nute. Provision is made for the recording of such bon! and mortgage without a fee and the apportionment of the proceeds realized from any of them between the Federal government and the Commonwealth. A person is not to he disqualified from receiving a pension by reason of the ownership of a polley of group Insurance or of a policy of Insurance in an amount not exceeding $1.000 or of a policy of insurance in on mount not exceeding $3,000, having a cash surrender valne not in excess of 1,000, if such nolicy has been in effect not less than fifteen years


plicant's real estate. Provision is made for the recording of such bond and mortgage without a fee and the apportionment of the proceeds realized from any of them between the Federal government and the Commonwealth. A person Is not to he disqualified from recelving a pension by reason of the ownership of a polley of group insurance or of a pollcy of insurance in an amount not exceeding $1.000 or of a policy of Insurance in an amount not exceeding $3,000. having a cash surrender valne not in excess of |1.000. if such policy has been in effect not less than fifteen years.


No pension shall be granted to an applicant who at any time withh five years Immediately prior to the filing of an application for such pmsion has made an assignment or transfer of property so as to render hmself eligible to such pension. No pension shall be subject to trustee prociss or assignment, and no applicant for a pension, who knowingly makes any false statement or perpetrates any frand or decentlon in relation to his applica- tion, shall be granted any pension nor be eligible for one during one year thereafter. A person, hls executor or administrator shall be liable it con- tract to the Commonwealth for expenses incurred by it for a pensior paid to such person under this chapter if such person or his estate is in posses- sion of funds not otherwise exempted thereunder.


If an application for a pension under this chapter is effected by the eli- gibility of the nnplicant to receive ald under General Laws (Ter. Ed). t. 115, which relates to State and Military Ald and Soldlers' Relief, the applicant shall be entitled to exercise such options and execute such waivers at may be necessary to receive the pension which he seeks.


All cities and towns in the Commonwealth shall furnisb sultable head- quarters for the carrying out of the dutles of the Commission in such cities and towns.


The measure further provides that there shall be established and set np on the books of the Commonwealth a separate fund, to be known as the Old Age Pension Fund, consisting of receipts credited to said fund under General Laws (Ter. Ed.) c. 64B. G. L. (Ter. Ed.) c. 128A. $15, as amended. G. L. (Ter. Ed.) c. 138. $ 27. as amended and all proceeds of taxes asressed under Acts of 1941, c. 729, $$ 9 and 9A.


The Old Age Assistance Fund as in force immediately prior to the effec- tive date of this act is hereby continued in existence, but shall hewafter be entitled "The Old Age Pension Fund."


It is provided that all civil srevice employees in the Department of Pub- Hlc Welfare of the Commonwealth, including the supervisor, refereer and emplovees of the subdivision of appeals in said department or of any city or town, emploved In the administration of the Old Age Assistance Law on the effective date of this proposed measure, shall be transferred to the serv- ice of the Old Age Pension Commission, retaining their present civil service seniority retirement rights and any step increases from the minimum pay of thelr grade earned during thelr service with said department of said bureaus


It is provided that all records and property used in the administration of the Old Age Assistance Law and which are the property of the Common- wealth are to transferred to the Old Age Pension Commission.


This act shall take effect on March first, nineteen hundred and forty. seven,-


which nronosed law was approved in the House of Representatives bv a vote of 125 in the affirmative and 79 In the nenative ard on which the Senate did not vete, he approved


YES NO


QUESTION NO. 2


Law Proposed by Initiative Petition


Shall this measure which provides that no labor union may be operated or maintained unless there is filed with the Commissioner of Labor and Indus- trles a statement signed by the President and Treasurer setting forth the union's officers' alms, scale of dues, fees, fines, assessments and the salaries of the officers.


The President and Treasurer of a labor union is required to file annually with the Commissioner of Labor and Industries a detailed statement in writ- ing setting forth all receipts and expenditures of the union which shall he open to the public, and the said Commissioners is given the power to sum- mons witnesses and records; and there is a penalty of not less than $50.00 nor more than $500.00 for whoever fails to file a statement or whoever know- ingly makes a false statment, -


which was disapproved in the House of Representatives by a vote of 50 In the affirmative and 154 in the negative and in the Senate by a vote of 6 In the affirmative and 24 in the negative, YES NO -be approved?


To vote on the following, mark a Cross X in the square at the right of YES or NO :-


To obtain a full expression of opinion, voters sbould vote on all three of the following questions :-


(a) If a voter desires to permit the sale in this city (or town) of any and all alcoholic beverages to be drunk on and off the premises where sold, he will vote "YES" on all three questions.


(h) If be desires to permit the sale hereln of wines and malt beverages only to be drunk on and off the premises where sold, he will vote "NO" on question one, "YES" on question two and "NO" on question three. (c) If he desires to permit the sale hereln of all alcoholle beverages but only in packages, so called, not to be drunk on the premises where sold, he will vote "NO" on questions one and two and "YES" on question three. (d) If he desires to permit the sale herein of wines and malt beverages to be drunk on and off the premises where sold and in addition other alco- holic beverages, but only in packages, so called, not to be drunk on the prem- [ses where sold, he will vote "NO" on question one and "YES" on question two and three.


(e) If he desires to prohihlt the sale herein of any and all alcoholic bev. erages whether to he drunk on or off the premises where sold, he will vote "NO" on all the three questions.


1. Shall licenses be granted in this city (or town) for the sale therein of all alcoholic beverages (whisky, rum, gin, malt heverages,


wines and all other alcoholic beverages) ? NO 2. Shall licenses be granted in this city (or town) for the sale therein


of wines and malt beverages (wines and beer, ale and all other malt beverages) ?


NO


181


220


206


251


824


543


374


123


152


153


189


143


92


529 123


394 115


188


135


231


285


250


489


55


494 282


541 396


489 150


586 349


683


55


475


497


491


553


480


505


549 355


645


427


343


357


420


258


465


263


291 9687


DOG RACING


2. Shall the pari-mutuel system of betting on licensed


dog races he permitted in this county?


NO


153


187


150


22


125


452 285


354 217


272 174


247


240


142


248


258


373


258


300


597 342


342 248


572 312


344


318


199


285


244


255


451 296


380 228 25


495 333


569 287


485


451 333 299 465


551 332


554


571 354


535 543 17185 272 281 10153


"Shall the Senator in the General Court from this District be instructed to vote to request the President and the Congress of the United States to direct our Delegates to the United Nations propose or support Amendments to its Charter which will strengthen the United Nations and make It a YES World Federal Government able to prevent War?"


NO


80


764 85


595 78


688


698


75


108


224


91


81


110


721


725 7128


100


2


3


4


5


1


2


196


208


151


241 356


351 215 211 213


411


434


10 411


352 304


274 353


321


257


538


178


298 545


304 552


374 297


261 203


438


245


318 259


354 309


243 249


322 27


322 425


385 895


252 359


274 448


403


435 345


348 344


322 11072 407 12918


1 259 288


248 249


228


341 307


33 4 256


156


337


252


4


5


5


1


Ward Three- 4 2


5


1


2


Ward Four 3 4


5


5


1


9


Ward Five- 3


4


1


2


Ward Six 3


4


5


1


2


4 Ward Seven- 3


5 Total


478 502 15184 292 9553


207


198 277


284 151


245 172


278


252


411


243 212


33


20


828


304


291


233 311 234


237


277


245


224


252


251 212 278


252 292


243 263


305 255


313 257 388 389 231


282 232


317 288


378 20


235 181


419 452


310 427 458


51 284


498


580


431


255 333


335 355


395


255


402


522 557


425 495


567 422


52


517 205


355


458


552


359


415


473


495


483


324


505


860


514 18270 398 11782


3. Shall licenses be granted in this city (or town) for the sale thereln of all alcoholic beverages in packages, so called, not to be drunk on the premises?


HORSE RACING


1. Shall the pari-mutuel system of betting on licensed


horse races be permitted in this county ?


NO


157


182


158


209


159


120


525 135


371 124


171


192


9F


252


283


302


245


488


417


552


439 173


505 349


490


404


445


436


498


436


454


487 37


565 354


353 357


449


413


504


544


493


355


274


176


277


641 17829 321 10078


YES NO


407 215


385


248


470


200


271 275 154


519 171


370 17


193


112


38


398


359


318


37


523 293


420 339


550 459


177


427


415


336


129


381


215


52


54


570


257 152


151


506 228


173


223


577 271


680 313


50€


505


533


578


519


232


335


668 239


702 21932 227


8087


YES


531


489


447


50


529


373


581


552


423


578


552


490


484


254


297


467 305


270


294


415


B14 188


491 479


587 452


559 354


491 153


399 40


241


295


425


310


494 317


458 502


57


450


521


523


345


566


380


437 12790


YES


512


452


398


557


591


374 108


151


195


198


108


302


372


572


547


502


530 185


55 213


332


510 139


555 285


304


251


311


184


254


204


246


281


184


270


255


501


459


424


395


38 279


307


451


420


281


477 376


577


505


573


542


522 20335


YES


455


438


399


518


810


455 157


330 122


171


192


410


428


334


502


499


452


50


422


523


550


427


559 503


492


508


585


533


470


404


485


456 269


403


505


55


YES NO


544


518


417


570


508


238


119


510


559


53


407


522


452


438


562


465


570 215


35 15


505


585


507


48


.


PUBLIC POLICY - JURY DUTY FOR WOMEN "Shall the General Court enact legislation requiring jury service hy women, wltb such reservations as it may prescribe?" PUBLIC POLICY-WAROS 6 and 7


YES


532 195


479 235


218


203


212


418


521


479


55


400


371


495 525


411


37


487


545


504


543


43.


474


451


117


420


390


347


519


483


358


319


13


254 20


248


514


703


616


88


510


348


50


455


287. 199


398 391


435


249


343 473


345


305


331


215


Ward One


Werd Two-


278


259


526 337


409


379 9


554 175


205


43


803 330


321


519


836


275


719


......


65 80


572


522 18739


587


212


289


474


339


STREET COMMISSIONER


REPORT OF THE STREET COMMISSIONER


Office of the Street Commissioner City Hall, Somerville, Massachusetts January 1, 1947


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


Gentlemen :


I respectfully submit the seventy-first annual report of the Highway Department, containing a brief summary of the work performed during the year 1946, with recommendations for necessary improvement and equipment the coming year.


This department has charge of the construction, altera- tions, repair, maintenance and management of ways, streets, sidewalks and bridges ; the setting out and care of shade trees, the suppression of gypsy and brown tail moths, elm leaf beetles and other pests injurious to trees, and the cleaning of streets.


HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT


Highways-Sidewalks Maintenance


Appro- priations $176,146.98


Expendi- tures


$174,293.18


Street Cleaning


30,933.44


30,765.05


Supression of Moths-Care of Trees


9,071.56


8,834.41


Snow Removal


20,007.20


18,577.84


$236,159.18


$232,470.48


SNOW AND ICE


All streets were plowed and opened for traffic; snow was removed from the principal business centers as well as around all public buildings and grounds. Special requests for funerals, weddings or other occasions were given prompt attention. Owing to so few dumping places for the disposal of snow, it was necessary to make long hauls from some parts of the city.


340


ANNUAL REPORTS


This delays the work unless a large force of extra men and trucks are employed. I recommend that better facilities for dumping be provided to save this additional expense.


Warning signs were posted on streets where coasting was allowed and ashes spread at the foot of hills for the protection of the public. Icy and slippery streets and sidewalks were made safe as soon as possible.


A new Snow Fighter with scraper-plow and sand-spreader attached was purchased this year. The sand-spreader can be used for spreading calcium chloride and rock salt to soften icy formations, making its removal fast and clean down to the road surface. More efficient work in the removal of snow can be accomplished with this piece of equipment.


I recommend the purchase of a snow loader. This would enable us to remove the snow from our squares more rapidly, thus helping our local business men.


HIGHWAYS AND SIDEWALK MAINTENANCE


Police and public reports pertaining to all kinds of defects in the streets and sidewalks were given prompt attention. Gen- eral repairs were made on streets and brick and granolithic sidewalks. Edgestones were reset and gutters relaid, dirt side- walks graded, filled or resurfaced with granolithic.


The following work was accomplished by the Highway Department :


Broadway-Concrete sidewalk: North Street to Alewife Brook Parkway


College Avenue-Concrete sidewalk:


Both sides, Davis Sq., to Powder House Square


Highland Avenue-Concrete sidewalk: Walnut Street to School Street


Fremont Street-Steps reconstructed Linden Avenue-Retaining wall built at dead end


Cutter Square-Roadway resurfaced Davis Square "


Elm Street Holland Street Oliver Street Spencer Avenue Washington Street Union Sq., to Hawkins St.


311


STREET COMMISSIONER


STREET CLEANING


A new street sweeper was purchased by the Highway De- partment this year. There are now four sweepers in operation, working day and night. In the early hours of the morning, the main thoroughfares and squares are cleaned, thus avoiding traffic and parked cars, while the side streets are given regular attention during the day.


SUPPRESSION OF MOTHS- CARE OF TREES


This department also cares for trees, both public and private in regard to moths and other tree pests. Gypsy and satin moth nests were painted with creosote; tussock, tent and brown tail moth nests were destroyed. Trees on the sidewalks were trimmed and removed on request. New trees were planted on request. Guards and supports for young trees have been renewed where necesary.


I recommend the purchase of a new motor power sprayer. The present equipment is antiquated and requires constant overhauling.


TRAFFIC CONTROL


Traffic lines were painted and warning signs erected at schools, playgrounds and dangerous intersections or locations. Particular attention has been given to painting of cross walk lines in business centers and squares. Parking, no parking and stop signs at designated locations and safety zones were plain- ly marked.


MISCELLANEOUS


Permits were issued to the various corporations and con- tractors by this department, to open streets and sidewalks. Said openings to be restored to original conditions at the ex- pense of the petitioners. To cross sidewalks and occupy streets for building purposes, permits were issued on specific condi- tions. Driveways for garages and filling stations were con- structed after the owners petitioned for same and deposited a sufficient sum of money to cover the cost of the construction.


This department maintains its own municipal repair shop for the various lines of work. Most of the maintenance and repair work on the motor equipment of the department is done in our shop at the city yard.


342


ANNUAL REPORTS


RECOMMENDATIONS


I recommend that, as far as possible, old brick sidewalks be replaced by granolithic. That the city purchase several trucks to replace the very old equipment now in use in the Highway Department. Snow loaders and snow fighters could be used to great advantage for snow removal thus saving large sums of money for rental.


In conclusion I wish to take this opportunity to thank His Honor, the Mayor, the members of the Board of Aldermen and the employees of the department for their support and co- operation.


Respectfully submitted,


JEREMIAH F. MURPHY, Street Commissioner


3-13


BOARD OF APPEAL


REPORT OF THE BOARD APPEAL


January 31, 1947.


To the Honorable the Mayor and Board Aldermen of the City of Somerville


Gentlemen :


The Board of Appeal of the City of Somerville respectfully submits the following report of its activities during the year ending December 31, 1946.


In the past year the Board of Appeal has held hearings on appeals submitted by fifty appellants of which thirty-seven were granted, eleven refused and two carried over to 1947. All of these appeals have been taken from decisions of the Com- missioner of Public Buildings refusing to grant permits on ap- plications not in accordance with the Zoning, Building or Fire District ordinances.


The Board has endeavored to consider and decide the many petitions which have come before it conscientiously, without bias and in a practical manner. In all cases it has tried to ex- tend to both appellant and opponent the courtesy and time to which they are entitled as property owners in the City of Somerville.


It has been impossible to grant relief in all cases of appeal. The evidence however has been carefully considered and the members of the Board have made personal views of the prem- ises in most cases before arriving at a decision.


The powers of the Board of Appeal are regulated by statute and favorable decisions may only be made by a unanimous vote of the board when in its judgment there is practical difficulty and unnnecessary hardship. It is therefore incumbent upon the individual members of the Board to become thoroughly familiar with the facts in every case. This we have endeavored


344


ANNUAL REPORTS


to do before forming our opinions and giving decisions. After favorable decisions have been rendered it is then the duty of the Building Department to enforce the conditions as stated and it is a pleasure to report that the fullest cooperation has been received from the Commissioner of Public Buildings in this regard.


Respectfully submitted,


DR. S. G. ZAHAROOLIS, Chairman ANTHONY C. ROSSELLI, Secretary JOHN V. MOTTA EDGAR J. GERRIOR JAMES DANGORA


345


BOARD OF ASSESSORS


REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ASSESSORS


January 1, 1947.


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, 1946 :


CITY OF SOMERVILLE-1946 RECAPITULATION


A. City or Town: All appropriations since 1945 Tax Rate was Fixed.


1. Total to be raised by taxa- tion


$6,137,589.22


2. Total from available funds:


(a) 1946


$93,162.11


(b) 1945


366,876.78 460,038.89 $6,597,628.11


Amount necessary for court judgments 1,415.45


3. Deficits due to abatements in


excess of overlay of prior years:


1932


$600.20


1933


1,215.17


1934


1,801.64


1935


1,828.18


1936


2,119.19


1937


2,063.36


1938


2,080.30


1939


5,060.39


1940


4,472.53


1941


4,881.73




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.