Report of the city of Somerville 1950, Part 17

Author: Somerville (Mass.)
Publication date: 1950
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 420


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1950 > Part 17


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To keep pace with the advancements in library service serious consideration must be given the advisability of estab- lishing a circulating collection of educational films and the microfilming of the Somerville Journal Press. We are the only depository of this paper and time and the elements wielding their destructive force makes it imperative we take further pre- cautions to preserve these historial documents.


Staff changes during the year were numerous: Miss Vivian J. Morse, Executive Assistant, after thirty-three years of faith- ful and efficient service retired in April. In September, Mary E. Cullinane, Agnes J. Kelley, Helen M. O'Neil, and Margaret B. Scanlan resigned because of their approaching marriages and Mary A. Heneghan resigned to accept a more remunera- tive position.


Promotions:


John T. Mackey, Assistant Librarian Gloria F. Graham, Executive Assistant E. Lillian Clifford, First Assistant Beatrice H. Williamson, First Assistant Lois E. MacDonald, Senior Assistant, 2nd year Mary J. O'Brien, Senior Assistant, 2nd year


265


PUBLIC LIBRARY


Rita F. Brunet, Junior Assistant, 3rd year Agnes J. Kelley, Junior Assistant, 3rd year Helen M. O'Neil, Junior Assistant, 3rd year 1. Marguerite Sawin, Junior Assistant, 3rd year Joan E. Brunet, Junior Assistant, 2nd year Anne J. Durkin, Junior Assistant, 1st year Marion E. Griffin, Junior Assistant, 1st year Marilyn Legere, Junior Assistant, 1st year Constance R. McGrath, Junior Assistant, 1st year Catherine O'Malley, Junior Assistant, 1st year


Appointments:


George F. Hickey, Senior Assistant, 2nd year Alice Burkhart, Non-Professional A. Marion Johnian, Non-Professional Ethel Mullaney, Non-Professional Barbara A. Murphy, Non-Professional Katharine V. Nolan, Non-Professional Clara L. Osgood, Non-Professional John W. Patten, Non-Professional Mary L. Ross, Non-Professional


To the members of our staff I am ever grateful for the conscientious, efficient performance of their duties.


To the Board of Trustees I am indebted for their coopera- tive endeavor to further the interests of the Somerville Public Library System.


Respectfully submitted,


JOHN D. KELLEY, Librarian


266


ANNUAL REPORTS


AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION FORM FOR UNIFORM STATISTICS


City: Somerville County: Middlesex State: Massachusetts


Name of Library: The Public Library of the City of Somerville


Date of Founding: 1872


Name of Librarian: John D. Kelley


Report for the fiscal year ending: December 31, 1950


Governmental unit of support and service: City


Population served (1945 U. S. census): 105,883


Terms of use: Free for lending - Free for reference


Agencies: Central Library 1


Branches, in library buildings


2


Stations, in rented rooms


3


Others, in school rooms


238


in institutions 10


Total


254


CIRCULATION AND USE


Number of volumes of adult non-fiction lent for home use


53,253


Number of volumes of adult fiction


lent for home use


107,903


Number of volumes for juveniles


lent for home use


189,233


Total number of volumes


lent for home use 350,389


Period of loan for the majority of adult book stock


14 days


Number of inter-library loans:


Volumes lent 115


Volumes borrowed 44


Number of reference questions answered:


13,085


REGISTRATION


Adult


Juvenile


Total


Total number of registered borrowers


....


9,391


6,840


16,231


Borrowers registered during year


4,601


3,108


7,709


Registration period:


2 years


BOOK STOCK


Adult


Juvenile


Total


Number of volumes December 31, 1949 ..


92,300


40,558


132,858


Number of volumes added during year


....


4,134


5,021


9,155


Number of volumes withdrawn during year


3,782


4,988


8,770


Number of volumes December 31, 1950 ..


92,652


40,591


133,243


Number of newspapers currently received excluding duplicates


7


Number of periodicals currently received excluding duplicates


174


FINANCE


Assessed valuation of city - $128,191,550.00


267


PUBLIC LIBRARY


RECEIPTS


Local taxation:


Library Department


Fines included in above


$3,346.33


Dog Licenses included in above


3,972.21


Invested Funds:


Balance from 1949


$2,083.08


Income during 1950


1,140.72


3,223.80


TOTAL


$116,374.22


EXPENDITURES


Salaries: Library Department


$93,989.15


Books:


Appropriation:


Books


$12,594.46


Music


346.17


Funds:


Books


1,177.68


Music


69.70


14,188.01


Periodicals


938.80


Binding


437.96


Insurance


0.00


Other operating Expenses


4,756.90


TOTAL


$114,310.82


TRANSFERS TO OTHER DEPARTMENTS


None.


BALANCES


December 31, 1950


Library Department:


Appropriation-Services ..


$101.77


"


-- Ordinary Maintenance


.21


Trust Funds


1,961.42


$2,063.40


TOTAL


$116,374.22


$113,150.42


268


ANNUAL REPORTS


REPORT OF THE CITY ENGINEER


Office of the City Engineer, City Hall, Somerville, January, 1951.


Honorable John M. Lynch, 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 Seventy-eighth Annual Report of the En- gineering Department for the year ending December thirty- first, nineteen hundred and fifty.


This report summarizes the work performed and the ex- penditures of the following divisions:


First-Engineering Division Second-Sewer Division Third-Park Division and Playground Division


Respectfully submitted,


LAWRENCE A. BARUFFALDI, City Engineer


269


CITY ENGINEER


GENERAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT


Appropriations and Credits


Expenditures


Balances


City Engineer


$ 31,182.54 54,883.50


$ 30,539.33


$ 643.21


Sewers Maintenance


52,029.24


2,854.26


Parks and Playgrounds Maintenance


123,707.88


110,456.63


13,251.25


War Memorial


27,000.00


14.63


26,985.37


New Playground Albion St. .


10,504.17


10,465.57


38.60


Commemorating Persons in


World War II - Honor Roll


212.97


138.56


74.41


Sewers Construction


4,671.63


2,376.75


2,294.88


$252,162.69


$206,020.71


$46,141.98


ENGINEERING DIVISION Credit


Appropriations and Credits


$31,182.54


Statement of Expenditures


Personal Services


$23,361.15


Ordinary Maintenance


1,824.64


Special Items


4,090.08


Equipment


1,263.46


Total


30,539.33


BALANCE UNEXPENDED


$ 643.21


Eight assistants were employed on engineering work dur- ing the year. A reproducing machine was purchased to make copies of tracings in the office. Some of the major projects executed by this office are described in the following para- graphs.


A model playground was constructed on Albion Street near Lowell Street. A combination basketball, wading and skating area was designed for one half of the area. The other half was graded and outfitted with recreational equipment. Both areas were constructed by Corcoran Bros. of Cambridge, the low bidders. A 6-gauge wire fence around the playground was erected by the American Chain Link Fence Company of Med- ford, the low bidder.


A new wooden track was designed to be built in the rear of the Somerville High School Gymnasium. It has 13 laps to a mile and was entirely constructed with City labor. Creosoted 6" × 8" railroad ties on an 18-inch cinder base were used to deter rot. The structure should give many years of service with a minimum of maintenance.


Account


270


ANNUAL REPORTS


A new steel stairway was designed to replace the con- demned wooden stairway from Ten Hills Road to the Fellsway. The erection work was done by the Bryant and Corbin Iron Works of Charlestown, the low bidders for the contract.


A double tide-gate chamber was designed for the outlet from the Foss Park Wading Pool to prevent sewage from enter- ing the pond. It has been necessary to stop bathing during the summer because of this health menace. The work was done by John M. Brennan of Cambridge, the low bidder.


Three new shelters for M. T. A. riders were constructed by Bagley & Mucci of Medford. Broadway Parkway from Grant Street to McGrath Highway was graded, seeded and restored by City labor. Plans and specifications were made for a new set of tide gates in the 8' 6" storm drain on Middlesex Avenue which will be constructed when the money is appropriated. Studies were made of areas flooded during storms and they are being corrected with City labor as rapidly as possible. Record plans of all City recreational areas were started. Designs, studies, estimates and reports were submitted to the Executive and other City departments as requested.


Bids were received and opened by this office for the erec- tion of a suitable memorial for the repatriated dead of World War II at the Somerville Veterans' Memorial Cemetery. Nine proposals were submitted. The contract will be awarded early in 1951 and the project will be completed during the year.


The Honor Roll Commemorating Persons in World War II was severely damaged by high winds during December. A new and stronger design is being processed by this office. Con- struction work is planned for the spring of 1951.


Funds for a new stadium at Dilboy Field were appropriated by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts this year. The work was to be done by the Metropolitan District Commission. This office submitted a proposed layout for their consideration. The project was halted by a U. S. Department of Commerce ban on recreational projects. An appeal has been filed and an early decision is awaited.


Reference is directed to recommendations and suggestions made in reports of the City Engineer for many years past, which are important to the improvement of conditions in this city.


271


CITY ENGINEER


SEWER DIVISION SEWERS MAINTENANCE ACCOUNT 1950 Credit


Appropriations and Credits


$54,883.50


Statement of Expenditures


Labor


$37,842.60 7,742.50


Ordinary Maintenance


Equipment


6,444.14


Total


52,029.24


BALANCE UNEXPENDED


$ 2,854.25


A force of twelve men were employed on maintenance work during the year. A total of 980 complaints were received, the majority of which were the property owner's responsibility but our crew gave emergency relief in all cases.


Forty-four permits were issued for private drain connec- tions from buildings to sewers or storm drains, fourteen of these being for repairs, alterations or extensions. All work is done subject to inspection of this department. Only persons that are licensed by the City and who have given satisfactory bonds are permitted to lay and repair private drains. Data con- cerning each drain connection with the public sewer is on file in this office.


Three new catch basins and six new manholes were con- structed during the year. A more accelerated program of ex- tending the separate sewer and storm drain systems to accom- plish the ultimate separation is recommended.


The following table includes the work done during 1950.


Total length of City's drainage system 151.9 Miles


Total length of Metropolitan sewerage system 4.545 Miles


Total catch basins maintained by City 2,660


Sump manholes on drainage system 139


Private drain connections to City system


18,747


A concentrated effort to afford relief to areas flooded by storms for many years was pursued during the entire year. Repairs to the 24" storm drain afforded relief to the area at Alpine Street, Albion Street and Princeton Street. Relaying a broken storm drain in Somerville Avenue from Spring Street to Lowell Street stopped the floods in that area. A program of


272


ANNUAL REPORTS


cleaning to be done in 1951 should give additional protection to the area. Reconstruction and repairs to catch basins and connections were done to help the valley in Summer Street at the Southern Junior High School and the low region at Bow Street Place. Reconstruction of the catch basins on Otis Street should stop the flooding at the Vocational School. Reconstruc- tion of catch basins with new outlets and appurtenances should eliminate flooding in Vernon Street between Lowell Street and Trull Street.


The storm drain outlet into the Mystic River from North Union Street was rebuilt and the tide gate repaired by the Met- ropolitan Transit Authority. The City completed the work to relieve the flooding at the foot of North Union Street. The lines in this area should be redesigned to permit the systems to work more efficiently.


The relief sewer in Park Street was cleaned to permit it to operate as designed. By diverting some of the flow to Beacon Street during the peak of the storms, relief was given to the Union Square area and lower Somerville Avenue. Further studies are being made to find other means to help this situa- tion.


Reconstruction of the bar-type basins built in the 1870's was started. Most of those on Somerville Avenue were done by this department at the same time as the roadway was being surfaced under the Chapter 90 program. It is planned to con- tinue this work until all of this type of basin have modern traps and connections. Replacement of the thirty-five Stein type basin is also planned because they cannot be cleaned with modern cleaning machines.


Studies are now in progress and work is planned to relieve the following locations: Broadway at Mason Street, North Street at Raymond Avenue, Powder House Boulevard and Col- lege Avenue at Two Penny Brook, Cutter Square, Davis Square, and Hooker Avenue near Garrison Avenue. If the work is too large for the City crew and equipment, appropriations will be sought to make the repairs by contract.


Breakdowns in the sanitary sewers that had existed for several years were repaired with City labor or by contract. The more important of these locations were at Rose Street and Washington Street, Albion Street, Lowden Avenue, Rogers Avenue, Lincoln Park and Linden Street.


273


CITY ENGINEER


There are several reconstruction and repair projects of too large a scope for the City crew which should be done by con- tract. The tide-gates in Middlesex Avenue should be installed. immediately to stop the complete choking of the City's mains and the Metropolitan sewer with salt water at each high tide. Extension of the uncompleted W.P.A. storm drain in Mt. Ver- non Avenue will eliminate the flooding of the area surrounding. Meacham Street and Edgar Avenue. Reconstruction of the collapsed storm drain outlet into the Mystic River at Crest Hill Road will stop the flooding of cellars on Shore Drive. A broken sanitary sewer in Mystic Avenue opposite Wheatland Street should be repaired to eliminate a serious nuisance and health problem. Construction to eliminate a bad bottleneck in Ball Square will relieve the backing up of sewers in the area and an overflow nuisance which is desired by the City of Medford and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. It is hoped that the necessary funds will be made available to do all this work in 1951.


The watershed bordering Washington Street between Mc- Grath Highway and the Charlestown line is drained by a creek leading to Miller's River near the State Prison. Maintenance of this creek is the responsibility of the Boston and Maine Rail- road and other property owners. Several conferences have been held to accelerate the work. The pumps at the Red Bridge maintained by the Boston and Maine Railroad discharge into this creek and flooding under the bridge will continue until the creek is opened.


A new 3-yard dump truck and a 3/4 ton pickup were pur- chased during the year. Power sewer cleaning units and equip- ment was secured. A new catch basin cleaning bucket was bought. A 4-inch diaphragm pump was given to the division by the Water Department. The division is operating efficiently with the addition of this needed equipment. Additional labor and modernization of the balance of the equipment are desir- able to enable the division to operate at top efficiency.


PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS DIVISION PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS MAINTENANCE ACCOUNT 1950


Credit


Appropriations and Credits


$123,707.88


274


ANNUAL REPORTS


Statement of Expenditures


Labor


Ordinary Maintenance


$81,203.94 18,562.42


Special Items


10,690.27


Total


110,456.63


BALANCE UNEXPENDED


$ 13,251.25


A force of twenty-five men were employed on maintenance work on the twenty-one parcels of land laid out as parks and playgrounds in Somerville. All the equipment was put in a first-class operating condition and the division did not need any major replacements or additions. Larger and more varied projects were prosecuted this year with City labor and were brought to a successful completion in each case.


A model play area was constructed and fenced on Albion Street near Lowell Street. Approximately one-half of the area was surfaced with bituminous concrete for use as basketball courts, wading area and skating rink. The rest of the area is equipped with swing sets, sand boxes, settees, jungle gym and drinking fountain. It is designed to provide a maximum of recreation on the small area with a minimum expenditure of funds for construction and maintenance.


Broadway Parkway, Bailey Park and two sections of the Central Hill grounds were restored with City labor. The areas were plowed, harrowed, loamed, rolled and seeded. Conway Playground was rough graded with City labor and equipment. New fences were erected at Bailey Park, Conway Playground, Dilboy Field, Glen Street Playground, Prospect Hill Park and Tufts Street Wading Pool. Repairs to fences were made at Hoyt-Sullivan Playground and Sanborn Court Play Area.


A bill has been introduced in the Massachusetts General Court to transfer Foss Park to the control of the Metropolitan District Commission. A portion of the park is needed for pro- posed highway construction. It will be necessary for the State to relocate the baseball field and substitute a new swimming pool for the existing wading pool. Foss Park is one of the most beautiful spots in Somerville and it can be restored to its origi- nal beauty with proper planning and development. It is the intention of this department to co-operate closely with the State authorities in the development of Foss Park.


Many of the recreational areas have been allowed to de- teriorate in past years and it will require large appropriations


275


CITY ENGINEER


to rebuild them. Prospect Hill Tower and Park are in need of very extensive repairs. Conway and Caesar Marchi Playgrounds have not been fully developed but some work is being done each year to accomplish this end. It is recommended that com- plete areas be restored each year, in a manner similar to the work done on the Albion Street Playground, until all the re- creational areas afford a maximum of use and enjoyment with a minimum of maintenance expense.


276


ANNUAL REPORTS


REPORT OF THE STREET COMMISSIONER


Office of the Street Commissioner City Hall, Somerville, Massachusetts January 1, 1951


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


Gentlemen:


I respectfully submit the seventy-fifth annual re- port of the Highway Department, containing a brief summary of the work performed during the year 1950, with recommen- dations for necessary improvement and equipment the coming year.


This department has charge of the construction, alterations, repair, maintenance and management of ways, streets, side- walks 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, the cleaning of streets and snow removal.


HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT


Appropriations


Expenditures


Highway-Sidewalks Maintenance


$178,820.00


$170,065.07


Street Cleaning


44,798.00


44,622.55


Suppression of Moths-Care of Trees


17,300.00


17,188.15


Snow Removal


10,451.00


7,864.78


251,369.00


$239,740.55


SNOW AND ICE


All streets were plowed and opened for traffic, snow was removed from principal business centers as well as around all public buildings and grounds. Special requests were given prompt attention especially concerning weddings, sickness or funerals.


277


STREET COMMISSIONER


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


I recommend the purchase of eight blades to be mounted on the Sanitary Department trucks. This department has been most cooperative with us in regard to the removal of snow. I take advantage of this opportunity to extend my appreciation for their services.


HIGHWAYS AND SIDEWALKS MAINTENANCE


Police and public reports pertaining to all kinds of defects in the streets and sidewalks were given immediate attention. General repairs were made on streets and sidewalks. Edge- stones were reset, gutters relaid and dirt sidewalks graded, filled or surfaced.


Under the provisions of Chapter 90 of the General Laws, Ter. Ed. Somerville Avenue was resurfaced with Bituminous concrete, Type I. from McGrath Highway to the Cambridge line.


Permits were issued to various corporations and contractors by this department to open streets and sidewalks. Said open- ings to be restored to original conditions at the expense of the petitioners. To cross sidewalks and occupy streets for building purposes, permits were issued under specified conditions. Driveways were constructed when owners petitioned for same and deposited a sufficient sum of money to cover the cost of the construction.


STREET CLEANING


Three sweepers were in operation working night and day. In the early hours of the morning the main thoroughfares and squares were cleaned, thus avoiding heavy traffic and parked cars in the streets. The side streets are given regular routine attention during the day. Six push carts are assigned to the various squares and streets leading thereto.


A new Street Sweeper, complete with extra filled pickup and gutter brooms, was purchased this year. Three two ton dump trucks were also added to our equipment.


278


ANNUAL REPORTS


SUPPRESSION OF MOTHS - CARE OF TREES


The Highway Department cares for trees, both public and private, in regard to moths and other tree pests. All street trees are sprayed and private trees upon request. Trimming is done where necessary, new trees are planted, guards and supports supplied when trees are furnished by property owners. Old or diseased trees are removed.


TRAFFIC CONTROL


Traffic lines were painted and warning signs erected at schools, playgrounds and dangerous intersections or locations. This practice should be continued for the safety of children and pedestrians and also for the orderly regulation of traffic. 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 plainly marked. One way street signs are erected where ordered by the Board of Aldermen.


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,


JOHN E. O'BRIEN Street Commissioner.


279


LIST OF STREETS


TABLE SHOWING THE LOCATION, LENGTH AND WIDTH OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE STREETS


Street


From


To


Public or Private


With in


Feet Public Private


Abdell


Somerville ave. Southwesterly


Private


25


203


Aberdeen rd.


Cedar st.


Highland ave. Westerly


Public


40


432


........


Acadia pk.


Somerville ave.


Northeasterly


Public


40


256


........


Adams


Broadway


Medford st.


Public


40


907


........


Adelaide rd.


Somerville ave.


Northeasterly


Private


20


........


188


Adrian


Marion st.


Joseph st.


Public


40


579


........


Albion pL.


Albion st.


Northeasterly


Private


10


166


Albion ct.


Albion st.


Southeasterly


Private


16


116


Albion


Central st.


Cedar st.


Public


40


2,733


........


Albion


Broadway


Medford line


Public


25


100


........


Aldersey


Walnut st.


Vinal ave.


Public


40


508


......


Aldrich


McGrath H'wy B. & L. R.R.


Public


40


417


........


*Alewife Brk PkyMystic Val. pky. Cambridge line


Public


....


........


Alfred


Broadway


Medford line


Private


50


50


Allen


Somerville ave.


Charlestown st.


Public


25


640


........


Allen ct.


Park st.


Northwesterly


Private


20


150


Alpine


Cedar st.


Southeasterly


Public


30


667


...


Alpine


Alpine st.


Lowell st.


Public


40


688


........


Alston


Cross st.


Shawmut st.


Public


40-30


757


...


........


Appleton


Willow ave.


Liberty ave.


Public


40


668


.....


...


Arlington


Franklin st.


Lincoln st.


Public


40


452


........


Arnold ave.


Porter st.


Southeasterly


Private


15


127


Arnold ct.


Beacon st.


Northeasterly


Private


10


115


Arthur ct.


Linden st.


Easterly


Private about 10


100


Arthur


Broadway


Bonair st.


Public


40


438


.......


Ash ave.


Meacham st.


East Albion st.


Public


40


554


........


tAsh ave.


East Albion st.


Northeasterly


Private


40


151


Ashland


Summer st.


Sartwell ave.


Public


30


478


...


Atherton


Central st.


Spring st.


Public


40


741


.... .


Auburn ave.


Cross st.


McGrath H'wy d'end


Public


30


479


..


Austin


Broadway


Mystic ave.


Public


40


716


........


Autumn


Broadway


Bonair st.


Public


408


Avon


School st.


Central st.


Public


40


1,360


........


Avon pl.


Cross st.


B. & L. R.R.


Private


25


150


Bailey rd.


Ten Hills rd. Fellsway


Shore drive


Public


40


1,710


........


Ten Hills rd ex.


Across


State land 40


57


Bailey


North st.


West Adams st.


Public


40


420


Banks


Elm st.


Summer st.


Public


40


639


Bartlett


Vernon st.


Broadway


Public


40


1,550


Barton


Broadway


Hamilton rd.


Public


40


382


...


Bay State ave.


Broadway


Foskett st.


Public


40


1,240


200


Beacon pl.


Beacon st.


Northeasterly


Private


15


200


Beacon


E. Camb. line


Somerville ave.


Public


66


6,079


Beacon ter.


Somerville ave.




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