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