Report of the city of Somerville 1947, Part 22

Author: Somerville (Mass.)
Publication date: 1947
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 434


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1947 > Part 22


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1051- . 800 lumen lamps 198- 1,000 36- 2,500 496- 6,000 557-10,000 , "


5-15,000


I wish to thank His Honor the Mayor, and the members of the Board of Aldermen, and the several department heads for the many courtesies received.


Respectfully submitted,


JAMES J. CUDDIHY, Commissioner Electric Lines and Lights


326


ANNUAL REPORTS


REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT


July 7, 1948.


The Honorable Mayor and Board of Aldermen City Hall


Somerville, Massachusetts


Gentlemen :-


Alarms received in 1947 and the classification of same.


First Alarms


763


Second Alarms


9


Third Alarms


2


A. D. T. Alarms


12


Still alarms for all companies


1046


Calls for Wrecker


176


2008


2008


CLASSIFICATION


Fires in residence buildings


158


Fires in other buildings


61


Chimney Fires


28


Fires in rubbish near buildings


96


Fires in dumps, vacant lots


97


Grass Fires


96


Miscellaneous fires out of doors


125


Automobile fires


182


False bell alarms


204


False telephone calls, box sounded


12


False telephone calls, no box sounded


6


Smoke scares, needless alarms


282


Accidents, Inhalator calls


52


Miscellaneous emergency calls


184


Out of City calls


238


Calls for Wrecker


176


Second alarms


9


Third alarms


2


2008 2008


327


FIRE DEPARTMENT


Alarms and Losses for the year ending December 31, 1947


Number of First Alarms


763


Number of Second Alarms


9


Number of Third Alarms


2


Number of A. D. T. Alarms


12


Number of Still Alarms


1228


Total Alarms


2008


Number of Alarms during the year 1946


2128


Decrease in number of alarms during the year 1947


120


LOSSES


Value of Buildings at risk


$2,560,707.20


Insurance on Buildings at risk


2,420,200.00


Insurance damage on Buildings


141,082.10


Value of Contents at risk


778,434.00


Insurance on Contents at risk


702,439.00


Insuranec damage on Contents


93,830.53


Total value at risk


3,339,140.00


Total insurance damage


234,912.63


Approximate Per Capita Loss


$2.23


328


ANNUAL REPORTS


In Memoriam


PRIVATE EVERETT W. BRAY Appointed Permanent Fireman October 16, 1902 Died: March 13, 1947


CAPTAIN VAUGHN S. LITTLEFIELD Appointed Permanent Fireman November 12, 1912 Died: April 32, 1947


PRIVATE FREDERICK A. SCHULTZ Appointed Permanent Fireman April 14, 1910 Died: November 17, 1947


PRIVATE WILLIAM A. SMITH Appointed Permanent Fireman September 24, 1910 Died: December 13, 1947


329


FIRE DEPARTMENT


RECOMMENDATIONS


Appropriations were made in 1946 for the purpose of one 1,000 G. P. M. Pump and one 75 foot Aerial Ladder truck. We have been notified that delivery of the Pump will be made about the latter part of April 1948 and the Aerial Ladder Truck about July 1948. The fire department appreciates the wisdom and prudence of His Honor the Mayor and the Honorable Board of Aldermen for recognizinz the needs of the fire department in the purchase of the above apparatus.


Again we are calling attention to the citizens of the de- plorable condition of a still considerable portion of our fire apparatus. It is imperative that something be done about re- placing this worn out and obsolete apparatus immediately. Our proposed National Defense Program and the European Recovery Program in addition to the back-log of orders for fire apparatus may result in a delay of equal duration or longer before delivery could be made of any apparatus orders now. It is very probable that some of our older apparatus would have to be taken out of service if we had too long a wait before de- livery, not to mention the excessive increase in costs that may be endured later.


Our fire house buildings are in need of extensive repairs. In at least three cases total replacement of these structures is necessary.


It appears to the fire department that it is necessary and important in view of the record of death and injury to the oc- cupants of lodging houses and boarding houses in some of our neighboring cities and towns that something should be done in the form of an ordinance for the protection of these occupants. In case of fire there should be adequate means of escape from the buildings. There should also be fire protection provided.


Numerous complaints are received by this department rela- tive to the storage of second hand empty barrels, cases, boxes, crates, second hand building materials, and for collecting, handling and storage of other second hand materials. This type of business is classed as a high fire risk. Consequently, the in- surance rates are increased considerably in the surrounding areas of those establishments because of the conflagration hazard. At the present time there are inadequate restrictions to prevent these establishments from locating in our city. I, therefore, recommend that a suitable ordinance be adopted to


330


ANNUAL REPORTS


protect existing establishments and requiring that no such es- tablishments on or after date set be located or established with- out a permit or license.


To His Honor the Mayor, the Committee on Licenses, the Members of the Honorable Board of Aldermen, the officers and members of the Police and Fire Departments, and to our cit- izens generally, my thanks are due for prompt and hearty co- operation, at all times and under all circumstances during the year.


Respectfully submitted, J. C. MCNALLY,


Chief Engineer.


331


CITY ENGINEER


REPORT OF THE CITY ENGINEER


Office of the City Engineer, City Hall, Somerville, January 1948


Honorable G. Edward Bradley, Mayor, and Members of the Board of Aldermen :


Gentlemen :


In accordance with the provisions of Chapter X, Section 5, of the Revised Ordinances of 1929 of the City of Somerville, I hereby submit the Annual Report of the Engineering Depart- ment for the year ending December thirty-first, nineteen hun- dred and forty-seven.


Respectfully submitted,


WILLIAM J. SULLIVAN,


City Engineer


332


ANNUAL REPORTS


ENGINEERING DIVISION (City Engineer Account)


A number of streets were resurfaced with a Type I bitum- inious concrete, report of which may be found in the Annual Re- port of the Street Commissioner.


Construction work done under Chapter 90 is a great bene- fit to the City. The State provides 50% of the cost, the County 25%, and the City's share is 25%. I recommend on account of the great benefits the City receives financially under Chapter 90 that a greater amount of construction be done under this chapter.


LENGTH OF STREETS


*Public


90.646


Private


10.804


101.450


* Includes 1.406 Miles of City Boulevard and Park Roadways 2.331 Miles Metropolitan District Boulevard


0.98 Mile State Highway


(A revision of lengths of public and private streets show ing that, owing to abandoned and duplicated streets and incor- porated into the Northern Artery, the total length has de- creased.)


LENGTH OF PUBLIC STREETS IN EACH WARD


Miles


Ward One


14,280


Ward Two


14.671


Ward Three


10.321


Ward Four


14.771


Ward Five


11.779


Ward Six


11.591


Ward Seven


13.213


Total length of public streets in the city


90.646


TABLE OF STREET CONSTRUCTION


*


** Streets paved with granite blocks


Streets paved with vitrified brick


1,648


0.288


Streets constructed with concrete base and bituminous concrete top


287,616


12.428


Streets constructed with bituminous con- crete base and bituminous concrete top ....


3,790


0.215


Square Yards 214,608


Miles


8.778


333


CITY ENGINEER


¿Streets constructed with concrete base and Bituminous penetrated top


19,245


0.461


¿Streets constructed with broken stone and bituminous concrete top


145,687


9.237


#Streets constructed with broken stone and bituminous penetrated top


48,955


Streets constructed of water bound maca- dam


10.308


Streets graveled or unimproved


10.780


Total (Miles)


101.450


* Also 27.92 miles (single track) electric railway paved with granite, asphalt, etc.


** Includes 6,149 sq. yrds. (0.438 miles) cement concrete roadway Middlesex Ave.


+ Includes C.98 mile of state highway.


Includes 1.406 miles of city boulevard and park roadways and 2.331 miles of state boulevard (Metropolitan District Commission, Park Division).


MILES OF EDGESTONE, GRANOLITHIC, GRAVEL AND BRICK SIDEWALKS IN EACH WARD


Edgestone


Gravel Sidewalk


Brick Sidewalk


Granolithic Sidewalk


Ward One


21.343


2.525


5.523


12.419


Ward Two


17.946


4.470


3.580


8.628


Ward Three


14.619


0.448


10.088


3.865


Ward Four


20.901


0.363


5.973


12.090


Ward Five


23.309


2.119


10.638


8.852


Ward Six


25.873


3.225


9.261


13.559


Ward Seven


38.807


1.195


6.952


28.203


162.798


14.345


52.015


87.615


(Details, etc., streets and sidewalks in report of Street Commissioner.)


UNDERGROUND CONDUITS (Public Service Corporation)


Miles laid in City Streets


Boston Elevated Railway Co.


5.55


Edison Electric Illuminating Co.


17.52


New England Tel. & Tel. Company


37.22


Cambridge Gas Light Company


67.60


Boston Consolidated Gas Co. (formerly Charlestown Gas Co.)


32.27


Somerville Department of Electric Lines and Lights,


Police and Fire Alarm


15.66


Total


175.82


All locations for sub-surface construction are assigned by this department.


334


ANNUAL REPORTS


SEWER DIVISION


The design and construction of sewers, storm drains, catch basins, house drains, etc., maintenance of the drainage system and other items in this division are under the direction and control of the City Engineer.


Total length of city's drainage system


151.90 miles Total length of Metropolitan sewerage system mains running through this city 3.475 miles


17 connections, in Somerville, with Metropolitan sewerage mains. Also 4 connections through Medford and 1 connection through Cambridge. Locations of City's mains connecting with state sewer in 1912 report, and details of construction in previous reports


New catch basins constructed in city's highways in 1947 23


Total catch basins maintained by city 2,342


Other catch basins - State Highway, Metropolitan Park, B. E. Ry., etc. 300


Total catch basins in the city for storm drainage pur- poses 2,642


Sump manholes on drainage system 139


The separate sewerage system should be extended each year to assist in the ultimate separation of sewerage and storm water which the Metropolitan District Commission is striving to accomplish.


Many of our storm drains and sewers have been in service for many years. Several of the older sewers have collapsed during the past few years, necessitating immediate repair and in many instances the reconstruction of entire sections. After an exhaustive and thorough examination of our sewerage sys- tem, I am of the opinion that such breakdowns will occur more frequently than heretofore, particularly in the oldest and larg- est trunk sewers and storm drains. Looking toward this end the City Engineer and his assistants are now preparing a comprehensive plan for such long range and large scale sew- age works construction program. This work can very well be done as part of our post war public works program.


Cleveland Street sewer was rebuilt.


Alston-Shawmut Street sewer and storm drain were re- built a distance of 225 feet.


Several manholes and catch basins were constructed in an endeavor to alleviate storm and flood conditions in this city, as


335


CITY ENGINEER


well as, in several cases, reconstruction or repair of broken por- tions of sewer system with benefit to the entire system.


There were received during the year 1947 a total of 1,895 complaints for drains clogged, cellars flooded and catch basins blocked.


Only persons that are licensed as drain layers by the city and who have given satisfactory bonds are permitted to lay and . repair private drains.


Data concerning each drain connection with the public sewer is on file in this office, and time and expense could be saved the owner, where trouble exists, by applying directly to this department for investigation and advice.


Many car track catch basins and underground conduit manholes built by public service corporations have been con- nected with the City's drainage system.


There are to date about 18,682 private drain connections with the city's drainage system.


Four new manholes were added to the City's drainage sys- tem to help in relieving blocked sewers.


A great number of drains were serviced by the Sewer Divi- sion. On numerous occasions during the year the Sewer Divi- sion is called out at any hour of day or night to perform these important duties.


PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS DIVISION


There are at the present time twenty parcels of land laid out as parks and playgrounds and maintained and improved by this department having an area 83.6 acres, also one ceme- tery maintained 0.7 acre. Total 94.3 acres. Many of these areas are badly in need of improvement, and more play areas should be developed in the more densely populated sections of our City.


The City has become so densely populated (averaging near- ly 26,000 people a square mile) that some of the larger park areas should be more extensively utilized for public recreation and physical training purposes. In several parks field houses


336


ANNUAL REPORTS


should be constructed, additional apparatus and shelters pro- vided, and some of the smaller playground areas should be en- closed by wire fencing for protection.


IMPROVEMENTS MADE TO PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS


Complete resurfacing with asphalt and other miscellaneous improvements, including drinking fountain, sand box and shelter, erection of swings and see-saws, were completed at the New Playground Rear of Police Station which was begun last year.


New concrete steps and walks to the Dilboy Monument in front of City Hall were constructed including suitable land- scaping and planting of shubbery.


Sidewalks and walks and concrete curb in front of the High School were reconstructed or repaired and shrubbery planted, also two triangular plots and various other plots.


Bronze plaque on Central Hill in front of the High School, which plaque commemorates the first church in this city, was remodelled and put in place on granite monument.


Pier and steps and bleachers at Trum Field were repaired and new bleachers constructed. New chain link fence was erect- ed for protection of owners on Cedar Street in rear of baseball diamond.


Extensive improvements in Tufts Park and Reynolds Cir- cle, including concrete steps, concrete walks, concrete curbing, repairs to Kiosk, grading, seeding, sodding and planting, were accomplished, also wire fences for protection of shrubbery were erected ,and new flower beds and a great deal of shrubbery for beautification planted.


At Marchi Playground play equipment was furnished and erected, shrubs were planted, chain link fence erected, loam supplied and three shelters erected.


A new portion of chain link fence and new chain link fence in stairway were erected at Lincoln Park for protection of property owners, children and pedestrians.


337


CITY ENGINEER


Many repairs were made to the pool in Foss Park, includ- ing a new overflow valve, tide gate valve, repairs to the base of the pool and the walks around the pool.


At Glen Street Playground fences were repaired or dis mantled, new chain link fence erected, a new backstop erected and miscellaneous improvements made, including new basket- ball court, new drainage system and newly erected baseball diamond.


Under contract, New Playground on Central Street was constructed, including filling, grading, chain link fence, water bubbler, playground equipment, reinforced concrete wall, sand boxes with concrete-framed shelters ; also benches. The surface was graded with stone dust spread and rolled, this type of sur- facing used on account of the late completion of the contract, it not being then deemed advisable to put down permanent sur- facing until later.


The door of the vault at Somerville Avenue Cemetery was enlarged, and a new iron door installed to allow for entrance of bodies of repatriated deceased veterans, pending burial in permanent cemetery. Ventilator and drainage were installed, inside painted white, and new concrete floor constructed and other necessary changes made to simplify the task of placing these bodies in the vault.


At Dilboy Field the bleachers at diamond No. 2 were re- paired. Posts for football training were erected.


The Honor Roll on Central Hill that COMMEMORATES PERSONS IN WORLD WAR II has been maintained as dur- ing all years since its construction, this department providing from this special account; maintenance of lighting facilities, painting flagpole, shrubs and flowers, especially for Memorial Day, and bed guard wire and other equipment for protection.


I would recommend when funds may be made available, the completion of Conway Playground in the very near future, in order that the playground may be put into condition to have a baseball field made possible.


Many parks have been greatly improved by replacing shrubs and planting flower beds, by repairs and replacements of chain link fences and by painting fences and walls. Areas


338


ANNUAL REPORTS


and play surfaces have been graded with loam and other fill and skating facilities furnished.


I would also recommend that a complete enbankment, grad- ing and new iron fence and stairway be constructed at Prospect Hill Tower to make safe the present dangerous condition.


GENERAL


The City Engineer has been called upon to assist the Law Department by preparing plans of locations of accidents in- volving the City of Somerville. On several occasions the City Engineer was represented in court in connection with law suits involving the City.


In conclusion, may I express my thanks to His Honor, the Mayor, and members of the Honorable Board of Aldermen and City Government, to the employees of this department and to the engineers and office assistants who have so kindly co-oper- ated at all times to make the year 1947 a successful one ?


339,


WATER COMMISSIONER


REPORT OF THE WATER DEPARTMENT


OFFICE OF THE WATER COMMISSIONER


January 1, 1948 ..


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


I present herewith my report for the year ending Decem- ber 31, 1947.


Water charges committed to the City Treasurer and Col- lector of Taxes during the year 1947 :


Quarterly Accounts


Committed


Less Adjustments


$308,166.38 498.99


$307,667.39,


Commercial Accounts


Committed ..... ....


214,450.22


Additional Accounts


Committed


......... ......


Service Assessments


Committed


2,187.46.


Maintenance Charges


Committed


874.53.


TOTAL COMMITMENT


$525,179.60


NOTE :- See report of the City Treasurer and Collector of Taxes for collections.


340


ANNUAL REPORTS


APPROPRIATIONS AND EXPENDITURES


Water Maintenance and Extension Account


Appropriations made by the Board of Aldermen Balance from 1946


Receipts


$138,297.78 11,684.93 77.90


Labor and Materials for operation and main- tenance :


Labor


$75,802.52


Personal Service


31,726.37


Ordinary Maintenance


29,465.88


Equipment


9,348.88


Encumbered balance forwarded to 1948


2,721.96


Unencumbered balance


995.00


$150,060.61


$150,060.61


There was no main pipe construction or replacement dur- ing the year. 1


Size, number and length of new services installed during the year :


Size


Number


Total Length 228'


3/4" 1"


1


19'


11/2"


5


79'


2"


6


117'


4" 6"


2 (1 fire)


48'


HYDRANTS, GATES, ETC. IN CITY DECEMBER 31, 1947


Number of Fire hydrants January 1, 1947


1,361


Set during the year


22


Removed during the year


22


Net increase in fire hydrants


0


Total number of fire hydrants


1,361


Number of private fire hydrants


90


Number of Gates January 1, 1947


3,026


Set during the year


0


Removed during the year


0


Net increase in gates


0


Total number of gates


3,026


Number of check-valves


9


Number of blow-offs


237


Number of waterposts


59


Number of drinking fountains


11


Number of car-sprinkler connections not in use


10


....


....


11


341


WATER COMMISSIONER


SUMMARY OF PIPES AND FIXTURES OF THE WATER SYSTEM


December 31, 1947


Feet of main pipe (approximately )


602,698


Miles of Main pipe (approximately)


114.15


Services in use


13,974


Services supplying public property


86


Private fire supplies (sprinkler systems)


124


Fire supplies to public buildings


26


Public fire hydrants


1,361


Private fire Hydrants


90


Sprinkler systems installed in public buildings


0


Gates


3,026


Check valves


9


Meters (including 1 Motor register)


13,888


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


13,888


Services supplying public property


86


Total number of services


13,974


In addition to the above there are fire supplies for private sprinkler systems which are not required to be metered 124


OPERATING METERS, DECEMBER 31, 1947


Size


5/8" 3 /4 " 1"


11/2"


2"


3"


10"


12" Total


No


13,347 279 118


43


68


18


9


4


1


1 13,888


Percent of services metered-100%


Water is furnished without charge to all City Departments and Municipal Buildings.


The consumption of water for the City of Somerville for the year 1947, total quantity, average daily and per capita con- sumption, the per capita consumption being figured on an es- timated population for the year of 106,300.


Month


Gallons Per Day


Gallons Per Capita


January


12,047,100


113


February


11,719,700


110


March


10,902,900


102


April


10,940,100


103


May


10,633,100


100


June


10,780,900


101


July


12,249,900


115


August


12,237,300


115


September


11,687,800


110


October


11,117,000


104


342


ANNUAL REPORTS


November


11,091,200


104


December


11,302,700


106


Year 1947


11,392,700


107


Total consumption for the year 1947:


High service


885,009,000 Gals.


Low service


3,273,333,000 Gals.


Total city


4,158,342,000 Gals.


343


WATER COMMISSIONER


SUMMARY OF STATISTICS For the year ending December 31, 1947 In form recommended by the New England Water Works Association


Somerville Water Works Somerville, Middlesex County, Massachusetts


GENERAL STATISTICS


Population, State Census 1945-105,883


Date of Construction: Commenced in 1868


By Whom owned: City of Somerville


Source of Supply: Metropolitan Water System


Mode of Supply: Water is delivered into City's mains, both high and


low pressure, by the Metropolitan Water Works.


STATISTICS OF CONSUMPTION OF WATER


Population supplies, December 31, 1947, est. 106,730


Average daily consumption 11,392,700 gallons


Gallons per day to each inhabitant 107


Total consumption for the year 1947: High service 885,009,000 Gals. 3,273,333,000 Gals. 4,158,342,000 Gals.


Low service


Total city


STATISTICS RELATING TO DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM, 1947 Mains


Kind of Pipe: Cast Iron


Sizes from 4" to 20",


Total now in use: 114.15


Number of Hydrants added during the year: Public 0 Private 0


Number of Hydrants (public and private) now in use 1,451


Number of gates added during the year 0


Number of gates now in use 3,026


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, galvanized iron, cast iron, brass, copper tubing and tubeloy.


Size: one-half to eight inches


Number of service connections made during year: 25 Services in use 13,974


Number of private fire supplies (sprinkler system) : 124


Number of meters now in use: 13,888


Percentage of services metered: 100%


Public services not metered.


Respectfully submitted,


HENRY F. O'CONNELL, Water Commissioner.


344


ANNUAL REPORTS


REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE


Somerville, Mass., December 31, 1947


To His Honor the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville


Gentlemen :


The Board of Public Welfare submits, herewith, reports of the General Agent, the Warden of the City Home and the City Physician, with tables showing the work.


Respectfully submitted,


ALICE I. MCNAMARA, Chairman EDWARD L. HAGAN EDWARD L. CONDON


BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE ALICE I. MCNAMARA, Chairman EDWARD L. CONDON EDWARD L. HAGAN


COMMITTEES On Finance, Investigations, Relief and City Home


MRS. MCNAMARA, MR. CONDON AND MR. HAGAN


GENERAL AGENT


CHARLES J. WILLWERTH


345


WELFARE DEPARTMENT


CITY PHYSICIAN


CIRO GIOBBE, M. D.


STAFF OF THE CITY PHYSICIAN


JOHN M. TAVARES, M. D. BENJAMIN BLESOFF, M. D. MARIE A. HANRAHAN, R. N. MARY G. WELCH, Med. and Dent. Asst.


WARDEN AND MATRON, CITY HOME


MR. AND MRS. GEORGE S. GOODRICH


REPORT OF THE GENERAL AGENT


City Hall January 31, 1948.


Board of Public Welfare


Somerville, Massachusetts


Gentlemen :


The General Agent submits the following as his report for the year ending December 31, 1947.


Table No. 1


Indoor Relief


(FULL SUPPORT)


City Home (Male, 105; Female, 33) 138


State Infirmary (Tewksbury) 17


(PARTIAL SUPPORT)


Local Hospitals (Central, Somerville, Sunnyside) Cases Hospitalized


81


Out Patient Treatment 52


133


Cases aided to hospitalization in other Cities and Towns (chargeable to Somerville in 1947)


21


Cases aided in Convalescent Homes 10


Cases aided in all other institutions (not included above) 50


Number of Burials during 1947 14


346


ANNUAL REPORTS


Table No. 2


Number of cases aided January 1, 1947 236


Number of cases aided during 1947 646


Number of cases aided in other Cities and Towns (charge- able to Somerville in 1947) 46


Number of cases aided December 31, 1947 259


Table No. 3 Children Boarded


In Private Families 14


Through Division of Child Guardianship


19


Table No. 4 RECAPITULATION


Welfare Miscellaneous


Total expenditures, 1947


$211,415.73


Refunds and transfers


3,450.76


Net cost to Welfare Dept.


$207,964.97


Reimbursements


44,150.01


Net cost to City


$163,814.96


Reimbursements


Commonwealth of Massachusetts


$31,541.94




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