Report of the city of Somerville 1951, Part 16

Author: Somerville (Mass.)
Publication date: 1951
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 410


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1951 > Part 16


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Plans to construct a $200,000.00 football stadium on Tev- lin Field were agreed on between this department and the Metropolitan District Commission. The architectural firm of


242


ANNUAL REPORTS


Holmes and Edwards of Boston are designing the contract plans. Although the money was appropriated in 1950 by the Massachusetts General Court, work could not be started be- cause the National Production Authority regulations prohib- ited projects of this type. Present plans call for construction to start in the spring of 1952 if permission to build is received from Washington.


The Metropolitan District Commission acquired Saxton C. Foss Park in November by right of eminent domain. An ap- propriation of $350,000.00 has been made available to con- struct three pools with the necessary facilities in the park for use of the children of Somerville. Close co-operation between this department and the Metropolitan Park Division has been assured to develop the area for Somerville's best interests.


An agreement was signed between the City of Somerville and the Metropolitan District Commission for the use of the undeveloped part of Caesar Marchi Playground. The State will construct a water tunnel shaft at the lower end of the area and will grade the entire area with the material excavated from the shaft and tunnel to Elevation 60.00. In exchange for an area approximately one hundred feet square, the Commission will grade and surface with bituminous concrete approximately 6.000 square yards of playground. They will encircle the entire area with a concrete retaining wall and 10-foot wire fence and incorporate drainage and shower facilities. This agreement will complete the development of Caesar Marchi Playground at a very small cost to the taxpayers of Somerville. It is adjacent to the new Somerville Housing project for veterans and is a sorely needed recreational area.


Somerville has been very fortunate in having the Metro- politan District Commission assume the development of these three projects. It is our hope that such excellent co-operation and assistance to Somerville in the development of our recrea- tional areas will be continued by the State authorities.


243


CITY CLERK


REPORT OF THE CITY CLERK


Office of the City Clerk January 1, 1952


To the Honorable the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen


Gentlemen:


The following is respectfully submitted as the eightieth Annual Report of the City Clerk of the City of Somerville, and is for the year ending December 31, 1951.


The receipts and payments were as follows:


For dog licenses issued in 1951:


1510 males at $2.00


$3,020.00


203 females at $5.00


1,015.00


668 spayed at $2.00


1,336.00


10 kennel at $10.00


100.00


2 transfers at $.25 .50


$5,471.50


For hunting and fishing licenses issued in 1951:


1098 fishing at $2.00


$2,196.00


544 hunting at $2.00


1,088.00


310 sporting at $3.25


1,007.50


252 minor fishing at $1.25


315.00


I trapping at $5.25


5,25


2 special non-resident fishing at $1.50


3.00


4 non-resident citizen fishing at $5.25


21.00


9 dup :cat licenses at $.50


4.50


4,640.25


Recording mortgages, assignments, etc.


6,476.51


Certificates of marriage intentions, including postage


2,845.15


Furnishing copies of records


1,002.00


Licenses:


Auctioneers, 16 at $2.00 32.00


Billiard, pool licenses and bowling alleys, 113 licenses for 63 tables and 50 al- leys, at $3.00 and 44 licenses for Sunday bowling at $2.00 427.00


244


ANNUAL REPORTS


Cut meat and sausage, 3 at $50.00


150.00


Drain layers, 6 at $1.00


6.00


Drivers, 220 at $1.00


220.00


Electric motors, 47 at $1.00


47.00


Garages:


2 at $10.00


6 at $5.00


50.00


Garage renewals


810.00


Hackney carriages, 122 at $1.00


122.00


Intelligence offices, 4 at $2.00


8.00


Junk and second hand licenses:


Collect junk, 35 at $10.00


350.00


Junk shops, 19 at $25.00


475.00


Lodging house licenses, 6 at $2.00


12.00


Outdoor parking, 6 at $10.00


60.00


Second hanr auto dealers:


4 at $50.00 46 at $25.00


1,350.00


Slaughtering, 3 at $1.00


3.00


Street musicians, 19 at $.50


9.50


Storage of explosives:


1 at $1.00


7 at $10.00


13 at $20.00


1 at $40.00


3 at $50.00


521.00


Storage of explosives renewals


4,831.50


Storage of paper, 2 at $25.00


50.00


Wagon licenses, 5 at $1.00


5.00


Wagon stand licenses, 83 at $1.00


83.00


Permits for projections over the sidewalk:


5 awnings


22 neon signs


5 wooden signs


2 barber poles


7 metal signs


13 electric signs


2 shelves


1 marquee


5 licenses at $1.00


52 licenses at $5.00


265.00


Sales of firearms, 3 at $10.00


30.00


Badges


14.00


Registration of physicians, optometrists and chiropodists


1.25


Copies of ordinances


4.50


Fees for registered mail notices


70.80


Advertising fees


147.00


Duplicate of dog license tags


3.20


Pole locations


183.00


Reporting congenital births


3.00


Blank forms


.60


Gun registration


.70


$20,668.71;


245


CITY CLERK


PAYMENTS


To City Treasurer for dog licenses in 1951:


1510 males at $2.00


$3,020.00


203 females at $5.00


1,015.00


668 spayed at $2.00


1,336.00


10 kennel at $10.00


100.00


2 transfers at $.25


.50


5,471.50


Less City Clerk's fees, 2391 at $.20 and 2 transfers at $.25 478.70


$4,992.80


To Commissioners on Fisheries and Game for hunting licenses, etc. in 1951:


1098 fishing at $2.00


2,196.00


544 hunting at $2.00


1,088.00


310 sporting at $3.25


1,007.50


252 minor fishing at $1.25


315.00


1 trapping at $5.25


5.25


2 special non-resident fishing at $1.50


3.00


4 non-resident citizen's fishing at $5.25


21.00


9 duplicates at $.50


4.50


4,640.25


Less City Clerk's fees, 2211 at $.25 ....


552.75


4,087.50


To City Treasurer monthly:


All the receipts above specified except for hunting licenses and dog licenses ..


20,668.71


$29,749.01


LICENSES AND PERMITS


Besides the licenses mentioned in the foregoing list of re- ceipts, licenses and permits have been granted by the Board of Aldermen, without charge, as follows:


To parade with music in streets 3


Newspaper licenses 3


246


ANNUAL REPORTS


BIRTHS


1951


Number of births reported by physicians for 1951:


Males


578


Females 548


1126


1950


The following is a statement in full of the births for 1950. Number of births (exclusive of still-births) in Somerville in 1950:


REGISTERED-1211


Males


623


Females 588


1211


Born of American parents


1019


Born of Foreign parents


42


Born of American father and Foreign mother 65


Born of Foreign father and American mother


70


Born of American mother and father unknown 15


Born of Foreign mother and father unknown


0


1211


Number of Still-births in Somerville in 1950 registered


35


Number of births in other places in 1950 registered 1323


Number of cases twins 8


MARRIAGES


1951


Number of intentions issued in 1951


1384


Less than previous year


6


Marriages registered


1401


Less than last year


Both parties American


1224


Both parties Foreign


43


American groom and Foreign bride


67


Foreign groom and American bride


67


Total 1401


First marriage


2458


Second marriage


320


Third marriage


24


Total


2802


1401 Couples


1


247


CITY CLERK


DEATHS 1951


Number of deaths recorded in Somerville in 1951


1309


Died in City


896


Died outside of the City


413


1309


Stillbirths


34


Males


694


Females


615


1309


Under ten years


112


10 and under 20 years of age


14


20 and under 30 years of age


14


30 and under 40 years of age


34


40 and under 50 years of age


91


50 and under 60 years of age


181


60 and under 70 years of age


255


70 and under 80 years of age


325


80 and 90 years of age


247


90 and over


36


1309


Age of oldest person who died in Somerville in 1951 - 99 years


Born in Somerville


165


Born in other places in U. S.


581


Of Foreign Birth


562


Of Unknown Nationality


1


1309


248


ANNUAL REPORTS CITY GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS FOR 1951


MAYOR JOHN M. LYNCH, 34 Browning Road


BOARD OF ALDERMEN


President, ANDREW CAPUANO Vice-President, FREDERICK J. RYAN


ALDERMEN-AT-LARGE


EDWARD T. BRADY


277 Washington Street


THOMAS J .BURKE


38 Burnham Street


PAUL I. MCCARTHY 472 Medford Street


WALTER W. WHITNEY 24 Brastow Avenue


ALDERMEN


Ward One


FREDERICK J. RYAN 27 Austin Street


Ward Two


15 Parkdale Street JAMES F. HALL


Ward Three


EDWARD J. BUTLER


121 Lowell Street


Ward Four


LEONARD E. RADOCHIA 99 Jacques Street


Ward Five


ANDREW CAPUANO 1 Williams Court


Ward Six


WALTER E. STEEVES


85 College Avenue


Ward Seven


JAMES R. DONCASTER


70 Garrison Avenue


City Clerk-NORMAN E. CORWIN Assistant City Clerk-WILLIAM C. ARBUCKLE City Messenger-DANIEL A. DOWNEY Assistant City Messenger-RICHARD A. KEYES


249


CITY CLERK


Regular meetings, second and fourth Thursday evenings of each month, at eight o'clock, except when such Thursday is a holiday, in which case, the meeting is held on the preceding Tuesday evening.


STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN


ELECTRIC LINES AND LIGHTS-Chairman Doncaster, Brady, Radochia


FINANCE-Chairman Capuano, Ryan, Hall, Doncaster, Whitney, Burke, McCarthy


LEGISLATIVE MATTERS AND PUBLIC SAFETY-Chairman Steeves, Hall, McCarthy, Brady, Butler


LICENSES AND PERMITS-Chairman Radochia, Whitney, Steeves, Burke, Butler


PUBLIC PROPERTY AND PUBLIC WORKS-Chairman Burke, Hall, Radochia, Steeves, Butler


VETERANS' SERVICES-Chairman Whitney, McCarthy, Doncaster


SCHOOL COMMITTEE


Chairman-WILLIAM J. SHEA Vice-Chairman-ELEANOR S. COYNE HON. JOHN M. LYNCH Mayor, Ex-officio ANDREW CAPUANO President of the Board of Aldermen, ex-officio


.JOSEPH F. LEAHY


Ward One 16 New Hampshire Avenue


FRANCIS H. BROWN


Ward Three 59 Preston Road


SARAH M. MCLAUGHLIN 167 Central Street


WILLIAM J. SHEA


Ward Five 10 Aberdeen Road


Ward Six


V. THERESA MORRISSEY (Died July 4, 1951)


17 Warner Street


MARGARET R. MORRISSEY (Elected July 18, 1951)


17 Warner Street


Ward Seven


.JOHN F. FITZGERALD


86 Yorktown Street Superintendent and Secretary-EVERETT W. IRELAND Assistant Superintendent-LEO C. DONAHUE


Ward Two 34 Bow Street


IELEANOR S. COYNE


Ward Four


250


ANNUAL REPORTS


Regular meetings last Monday of each month, except July® and August.


ASSESSORS


CHARLES R. BRUNELLE, Chairman, term expires 1952 (Died Sept. 25, 1951)


MAURICE F. AHEARN, Chairman, term expires 1952


WILLIAM B. BAILEY, term expires 1954


TIMOTHY J. CRONIN, term expires 1954


GORDON FAULKNER, term expires 1954 MICHAEL SIMONELLI, term expires 1952 (Appointed Nov. 14, 1951)


BOARD OF APPEALS


PATRICK D. LANGONE, Chairman, term expires 1952


GEORGE FULGINITI, term expires 1953


G. FRANCIS MITCHELL, term expires 1952


HOWARD W. TAYLOR, term expires 1954 MARY E. WHOLEY, term expires 1954


Associate Member


JOHN J. MOLLOY, term expires 1954


BOARD OF HEALTH


HUGH J. GALLAGHER, D.S.C., Chairman, term expires 1952


JOSEPH H. McSWEENEY, M.D., term expires 1952


ALFRED S. WASS, D.M.D., term expires 1953


Medical Inspector, WILFRID C. MacDONALD, M.D. Inspector of Animals and Provisions, JAMES A. DWYER THOMAS J. HAGERTY


Inspector of Slaughtering, THOMAS J. HAGERTY


Inspector of Milk and Vinegar, WILLIAM H. WALLIS


Supervisor of Dental Hygiene, DR. ANTHONY F. BIANCHI Veterinarian, E. WILLIAM JOHANSEN, V.S.


BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE


JOHN J. CONWAY, Chairman, term expires 1953 EDWARD L. HAGAN, term expires 1952 J. CLEMENT McCANN, term expires 1954 Agent-CHARLES J. WILLWERTH Matron City Home-ELIZABETH GOODRICH


LICENSING COMMISSION


JOSEPH D. LONERGAN, Chairman, term expires 1953 DANIEL J. COUGHLIN, term expires 1952 G. VICTOR MURRAY, term expires 1954


PLANNING BOARD


DEAN HARRY POOLE, BURDEN, Chairman, term expires 1956 LAWRENCE CAPODILUPO, term expires 1952 JOHN J. DONAHUE, term expires 1954 ROBERT D. DONAHUE, term expires 1954 JOHN J. MOLLOY, term expires 1955


251


CITY CLERK


PUBLIC LIBRARY TRUSTEES


GEORGE K. COYNE, President, term expires 1953 WALTER AVERY, term expires 1952 HELEN CLOUGH, term expires 1952 REV. ANTHONY J. FLAHERTY, term expires 1954 JOHN J. GRIFFIN, term expires 1953 JOHN F. McGANN, term expires 1954 WILLIAM H. McKENNA, term expires 1952 REV. DR. HOWARD C. WHITCOMB, term expires 1954 MRS. GEORGE J. WYSE, term expires 1953


SOMERVILLE RECREATION COMMISSION


REV. NAZARENO PROPERZI, Chairman, term expires 1953 WILLIAM J. KOEN, Vice-chairman, term expires 1952 MALCOLM D. BLAIR, term expires 1952 WILLIAM J. CROTTY, term expires 1953 JERRY C. IANDOLI, JR., term expirs 1952 MRS. MARGARET T. KEANE, term expires 1952 PETER LUCARELLI, term expires 1953 EDWARD M. McCARTY, term expires 1953 MRS. MYRTLE MacLEOD, term expires 1952 REV. JOHN B. OLDS, term expires 1953


BOARD OF ELECTION COMMISSIONERS


THOMAS W. ORPEN, Chairman, term expires April 1953 JOHN T. FORD, term expires April 1953 DENNIS L. DONOVAN, term expires April 1952 LEWIS A. PRATT, term expires April 1954


RETIREMENT BOARD


EDMUND L. KELLEHER, Chairman, term expires 1952 DANIEL A. DOWNEY, Vice-chairman, term expires 1953 DAVID Y. ROSS, City Auditor


SOMERVILLE HOUSING AUTHORITY


CHARLES G. MARTIGNETTE, Chairman, term expires June 8, 1952 WALTER A. BURDETT, term expires June 8, 1953


OSCAR P. GROVE, term expires June 22, 1954 DAVID Y. ROSS, term expires 1955


CHARLES J. MURPHY, (Appointed by State) term expires Aug. 1, 1956


CITY CLERK NORMAN E. CORWIN


ASSISTANT CITY CLERK


WILLIAM C. ARBUCKLE


252


ANNUAL REPORTS


CITY TREASURER AND COLLECTOR OF TAXES FRANCIS J. TAGUE


CITY MESSENGER DANIEL A. DOWNEY


ASSISTANT CITY MESSENGER RICHARD A. KEYES


MAYOR'S SECRETARY JOHN H. PHELAN


CITY AUDITOR


DAVID Y. ROSS


CITY SOLICITOR


ROBERT J. MULDOON


ASSISTANT CITY SOLICITORS


ARTHUR A. FORTE MARY A. KERWIN


CITY ENGINEER LAWRENCE A. BARUFFALDI


COMMISSIONER OF STREETS


JOHN E. O'BRIEN


SUPERINTENDENT OF MOTHS


JOHN E. O'BRIEN


COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS


EDWARD F. MOYNIHAN


WATER COMMISSIONER


RALPH L. GARRETT


-


253


CITY CLERK


SUPERINTENDENT OF SANITARY DEPARTMENT JOHN F. MESKELL


CLERK OF COMMITTEES ROBERT G. CAMERLENGO


ASSISTANT CLERK OF COMMITTEES JOHN M. MANSFIELD


ASSISTANT TO CLERK OF COMMITTEES FRANK L. McGONAGLE


CHIEF OF POLICE AUGUSTINE F. SHARRY


CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT JAMES H. O'HARA, Deputy Chief, Acting Chief Engineer


FOREST WARDEN JAMES H. O'HARA, Deputy Chief, Acting Chief Engineer


COMMISSIONER OF ELECTRIC LINES AND LIGHTS MARTIN F. DENNING


CITY PHYSICIAN JOHN M. TRAVARES, M.D.


ASSISTANT CITY PHYSICIAN BENJAMIN BLESOFF, M.D.


COMMISSIONER OF VETERANS' SERVICES THOMAS F. MCGRATH


SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES JOHN F. CASEY


CHARLES M. AUSTIN DANIEL A. DOWNEY WILLIAM R. JUDSON


CONSTABLES


JOHN W. LUCE, JR. LEONARD O. MASTERS DANIEL J. O'DONOGHUE JOHN M. SMITH


254


ANNUAL REPORTS


REPORT OF THE VETERANS' SERVICES


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


March 24, 1952.


Gentlemen:


The department provided benefits to veterans and their dependents according to prevailing regulations. The employ- ment situation contributed favorably to the fact that the total expenditures were substantially less than the amount granted the previous year. However, the cost of all items of medical care increased and a comparatively larger payment was re- quired in this category. We cooperated with other agencies in continuing our policy of services on all matters related to vet- erans and their benefits.


Very truly yours,


THOMAS F. McGRATH, Commissioner


255


FIRE DEPARTMENT


REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT


April 8, 1952.


To The Honorable Mayor and Board of Aldermen:


Gentlemen:


In compliance with the Revised Ordinances of the City of Somerville, I have the honor of submitting for your informa- tion, the Annual Report of the Fire Department for the year ending December 31, 1951.


ALARMS AND LOSSES


Number of First Alarms


734


Number of Second Alarms


13


Number of Third Alarms


1


Number of A.D.T. Alarms


8


Number of Still Alarms


1120


First Aid, Accidents, Emergency Calls


1772


Number of Alarms for the Year 1951


3648


Number of Alarms for the Year 1950


3633


Decrease in the number of Alarms during the Year 1951


15


Value of Buildings at risk


$1,735,140.00


Insurance on Buildings at risk


1,619,240.00


Insurance Damage on Buildings


163,045.74


Value of Contents at risk


$1,665,175.00


Insurance on Contents at risk


1,686,475.00


Insurance Damage on Contents


296,145.52


Total value at risk


3,400,315.00


Total Insurance Damage


459,191.26


Approximate Per Capita Loss


$4.45


CLASSIFICATION OF ALARMS


Fires in Residence Buildings


353


Fires in other Buildings


148


Chimney Fires


26


Fires in rubbish, near buildings


85


Fires in dumps, vacant lots


80


Grass Fires


66


Miscellaneous Fires out of doors


69


Automobile Fires


127


False Alarms


249


Smoke scares-Needless Alarms


69


256


ANNUAL REPORTS


Accidents, Inhalator Calls


196


Miscellaneous emergency calls 154


False Telephone Calls 24


Out of City Calls


230


Wrecker Calls 107


Ambulance Calls


1665


Total


3648


MANUAL FORCE


The manual force consists of two hundred and forty (240) permanent men. During the year one Chief Engineer pen- sioned, one Captain died, one firefighter died, one firefighter killed in action, two firefighters resigned, and twenty-three permanent men have been appointed to the Department from the Eligible List of the Civil Service.


At present there are five permanent men in the U. S. Armed Forces.


The Roster of the Department is as follows:


4 Deputy Chiefs


3 District Chiefs


6 Captains


32 Lieutenants


3 Assistant Mechanics


163 Privates 3rd Grade


7 Privates 2nd Grade


22 Privates 1st Grade


240 Total


"IN MEMORIAM"


JOHN KELLEY Died April 25, 1951 - Age 54 years Appointed February 2, 1920 A member of the Department for 31 years


PAUL J. WILLWERTH


Killed in action August 9, 1951 - Age 54 years Appointed April 1, 1928


A member of the Department for 23 years


CAPTAIN JOHN J. LUNNEY Died October 30, 1951 - Age 61 years Appointed January 14, 1923 A member of the Department for 28 years


257


FIRE DEPARTMENT


To His Honor the Mayor, the members of the Honorable Board of Aldermen, the officers and members of the Fire De- partment, all Municipal Departments who so ably assisted this department and to the citizens of the city, I extend the thanks of the Department for their support and cooperation.


Respectfully submitted, JAMES H. O'HARA Deputy Chief (Acting) Chief Engineer


258


ANNUAL REPORTS


REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRIC LINES AND LIGHTS


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


April 22, 1952.


1


Gentlemen:


I herewith respectfully submit the Annual Report of the Electric Lines and Lights Department for the year ending De- cember 31, 1951:


INSPECTION OF WIRING IN BUILDINGS


Due, at least in part, to the tremendous influx of new and improved electrical appliances on the market, there has been a noted increase in the number of illegal extensions and alterations to wiring systems. Much of this amateur work is a life and fire hazard and we must be ever alert, by re-inspec- tions, to have same corrected. We are aided in this work by the Fire Department's prompt reporting to us any defective or im- proper electrical wiring or equipment in accordance with Chapter 710 of the Acts of 1945.


Number of permits issued for electrical installations 1717


Permits issued to Boston Edison Company 1305


Total fees collected for permits and deposited with City


Treasurer $1,984.50


FIRE ALARM SYSTEM


This system is in good condition and giving excellent ser- vice despite its age. The original system and present Fire Alarm Operating room equipment, were installed in 1915. All boxes are inspected and tested monthly and so recorded at Central Office. We have in service 205 Fire Boxes with an estimated 300 demanded by the National Board of Fire Under-


259


ELECTRIC LINES AND LIGHTS


writers. For this reason I would recommend the addition of 10 Fire Alarm boxes yearly, in order to satisfy this demand as soon as possible.


ALARMS RECEIVED AND TRANSMITTED


First Alarms 769


Second Alarms 13


Third Alarms 1


A.D.T. Alarms


8


Still Alarms


1134


TOTAL


1925


The Central Office equipment consists of the following:


2- 6 circuit Box Alarm Board


1- circuit tapper board


- 5


1-5 circuit gong board


2-16 circuit storage battery charging boards


1-32 circuit protective board


1- 4


circuit punching register and take up reel


2- 5 circuit punching registers and take up reels


13 -


2


1 circuit punching registers and take up reels Automatic time and date stamps


1


4 dial manual transmitter


1


masterclock


1 local telephone used on still alarm system cells storage battery


486


3-10 ft. 4 shelf battery racks 32 low rate rectifiers 5 metropolitan tappers


1 high rate rectifier


Equipment outside Central Office:


63 Gardner Type Fire Alarm Boxes


77 Ideal Type Fire Alarm Boxes


30 Peerless Type Fire Alarm Boxes


2 Ideal Master Boxes with remote control


33 Peerless Master Boxes with remote control and equipped with


auxiliary stations located in various private and public build- ings.


4 Tower strikers (only 2 in service)


25 cable terminal boxes


8 punching registers


28 closed circuit tappers and 5 open circuit tappers


8 closed circuit tappers (secondary).


13 still alarm bells-local house system


7 local telephones used as a company service system


2 private interior telephones consisting of 12 stations


4 traffic sirens


11 house call bells


260


ANNUAL REPORTS


POLICE SIGNAL SYSTEM


The Police Signal System is in good operable condition. By a systematic maintenance check, ordinary troubles are kept to the minimum. However, in order to keep the system operating under all possible conditions, I again recommend the purchase of a standby power unit.


The system consists of the following:


91 Street Signal Boxes 2 Bank Alarm Signal Boxes


1 Type "C" Police Signal Desk


3-5 Circuit Registers


35 Secondary Batteries


1


Charging panel-3 Rectifiers


2 Automatic time and date stamps


2 Takeup reels


8 Official phones connected with police desk


The Police Radio System consists of the following:


1 Central Station Transmitter and Receiver


3 Remote Central Stations


1 Vertical Antenna


1 Lampkin frequency monitor


1 Turning meter


18 F.M. 2-way mobile radio telephone units


TRAFFIC SIGNAL SYSTEM


A weekly inspection system is maintained as regards checking all traffic light installations, in order to maintain timing in accordance with Massachusetts Department of Public Works permits, as well as general inspection of all working parts, thereby eliminating many night and week-end trouble calls. Some of our controllers are 17 to 18 years old, and are now obsolete as regards obtaining new parts. I recommend a gradual replacement of same.


The System consists of 31 intersections, 19 of which are equipped with pedestrian push-buttons.


SUPERVISION OF POLES AND WIRES ON THE STREETS


Constant attention and inspection of the condition of poles and wires has been given in conjunction with the companies owning or using same. During 1952 work will continue on


261


ELECTRIC LINES AND LIGHTS


Somerville Avenue to place all utility owned overhead wires under-ground and poles removed.


STREET LIGHTING


The number of street lights December 31, 1951 are as follows:


1048


800


Lumen


Lamps


209


1,000


34


2,500


11


14


4,000


450


6,000


542


10,000


11


11


31


15,000


13


16,000


11


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


Respectfully submitted,


MARTIN F. DENNING, Commissioner Electric Lines & Lights


262


ANNUAL REPORTS


REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE


Somerville, Mass. December 31, 1951.


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 Superintendent of the City Home and the City Physician, with tables showing the work.


Respectfully submitted,


JOHN J. CONWAY, Chairman J. CLEMENT McCANN EDWARD L. HAGAN


BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE


JOHN J. CONWAY, Chairman EDWARD L. HAGAN J. CLEMENT McCANN


COMMITTEES


On Finance, Investigations, Relief and City Home MR. CONWAY, MR. HAGAN and MR. McCANN


GENERAL AGENT CHARLES J. WILLWERTH


CITY PHYSICIAN


JOHN M. TAVARES, M.D.


263:


WELFARE DEPARTMENT


STAFF OF THE CITY PHYSICIAN


BENJAMIN BLESOFF, M.D. RICHARD T. WILSON, M.D. MARIE A. HANRAHAN, R.N. MARY G. WELCH, Med. & Dent. Asst.


SUPERINTENDENT AND MATRON, CITY HOME


MRS. ELIZABETH GOODRICH MISS VIRGINIA GOODRICH


REPORT OF THE GENERAL AGENT


City Hall January 31, 1952.


Board of Public Welfare


Somerville, Massachusetts


Gentlemen:


The General Agent submits the following as his report for the year ending December 31, 1951.


Table No. 1 Indoor Relief (FULL SUPPORT)


City Home (Male, 139; Female, 61) 200


State Infirmary (Tewksbury) 20


(PARTIAL SUPPORT)


Local Hospitals (Central, Somerville)


Cases Hospitalized 112


Out Patient Treatments 74


186


Cases aided to hospitalization in other Cities and Towns


(chargeable to Somerville in 1951)


18


Cases aided in Convalescent Homes


17


Cases aided in all other institutions (not included above) 72


Number of Burials during 1951 7


Table No. 2


Number of cases aided January 1, 1951 410


Number of cases aided during 1951 722


Number of cases aided in other Cities and Towns (chargeable to Somerville in 1951 145


Number of cases aided December 31, 1951 166.


264


ANNUAL REPORTS


Table No. 3 Children Boarded


In Private Families 5


Through Division of Child Guardianship 32


Table No. 4 RECAPITULATION Welfare Miscellaneous Total Expenditures, 1951


$346,393.60


Reimbursements


Commonwealth of Mass.


$47,753.79


Cities and Towns


22,262.36


Refunds


5,788.55


Transfers


127.07


75,931.77


Net Cost to City




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