USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1956 > Part 16
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27
In the Federal Low-Rent Project the number of move-ins and move-outs amounted to 12% of the total occupancy and average rental per unit was $50.00.
243
HOUSING AUTHORITY
THE PROJECTS AND THE COMMUNITY
The Authority is of the opinion that the projects constitute a definite contribution to the community in that they afford clean and healthful living conditions in modern apartments with utilities to families who would find it a great financial hardship, if not an impossibility, to obtain comparable housing in the general market. We are aware that much criticism is directed at public housing, with particular stress being laid up- on the amount of juvenile delinquency which seems to stem from the projects and also on the burden placed on the welfare agencies of the city due to broken homes.
However, it is our contention that the number of families contributing to these conditions constitute a very minor seg- ment of our total tenant population and that these problems always existed in the city. However, the relocation of the of- fenders into small and confined areas has served to spotlight them and thus further exaggerate the conditions.
Financially we feel that the projects make a very definite and improved contribution to the municipal picture. All three of our projects are located on land that previous to the con- struction was either vacant or municipally owned and thus yielded little or nothing in revenue to the city. Under our Contributions Contract with the City of Somerville we are re- quired to pay into the city treasury each year, as payment in lieu of taxes on our two State Veterans Projects, on the basis of $3.00 per unit per month and in our Federal Low-Rent Project on the basis of 10% of the total shelter rent.
We believe that the following tabulation of such payments during the year 1956 will bear out our contention that we are making a beneficial financial contribution to the City of Somerville:
Project
Payment
Clarendon Hill Veterans
$7,776.00
Mystic Avenue Veterans
8,640.00
Federal Low-Rent
8,913.02
Direct Taxes for Linwood-Joy Project Area . .
27,729.33
Final Payment from Sale of Linden Avenue Housing Project
2,694.87
Total
$55,753.22
URBAN REDEVELOPMENT SECTION
This section of the Authority, under the guidance of Mr. George Ryan, Administrator, made a great deal of progress during the year.
.244
ANNUAL REPORTS
Of the original 152 parcels in the Linwood-Joy Area taken by the Authority, including 3 city-owned parcels, 133 cases have been settled, four are in the process of settlement and twelve remain to be settled. The M.D.C. holds twenty-three sliver lots which the Authority hopes to acquire title to in the near future.
During the year it was not necessary to evict anyone from the area and the last remaining occupant vacated the area on September 17th.
The area is now completely cleared, the last building hav- ing been demolished on October 10th.
Considerable progress has been made in interesting busi- ness firms in locating in the area. Present occupants who have agreed to remain are Roger Brown, the A. & P. Tea Co., Somer- ville Smelting Co., Union Motors Co. and Robitaille. Other interested occupants with whom it is hoped agreements may be consummated in the near future are the James A. Kiley Co., Traniello and Hall Baking Co.
In the Summer a brochure was prepared setting forth the advantages of this area for industrial development, with a com- plete description of the land available and inviting inquiries. This brochure was sent out to industrialists throughout the New England area.
Most recently the land was advertised for sale and after offers have been received a public auction will be held.
CONCLUSION
The Somerville Housing Authority believes the year 1956 to have been one of considerable progress and is confident that 1957 will bring about even greater advances, resulting in greater service to the citizens of Somerville.
In concluding this report, the Authority wishes to express its gratitude to His Honor Mayor William J. Donovan, the Board of Aldermen, the Fire and Police Departments, the Pub- lic Works Department, the Recreation Commission and to all other departments of the City Government, to the various so- cial service agencies in the city, who have aided many of our tenants in temporary financial difficulties, particularly the Catholic Charitable Bureau and the Family Service of Somer-
245
HOUSING AUTHORITY
ville and their staffs of workers, to the State Housing Board, the Public Housing Administration and to all others who by their cooperation have made our task a pleasant one.
Respectfully submitted, SOMERVILLE HOUSING AUTHORITY By ALBERT F. FITZGERALD, Chairman
SOMERVILLE HOUSING AUTHORITY SOMERVILLE 200-1 MASS.
BALANCE SHEET - DECEMBER 31, 1956
Assets
Development Fund
$2,889.53
Administration Fund
69,306.10
Savings Fund
47,732.81
Debt Service Fund
9,647.50
Debt Service Trust Fund
3,563.76
Advances to Revolving Fund
8,700.00
Sundry Accounts Receivable
4.88
Tenants' Accounts Receivable
4,332.10
Development Accounts Receivable
20,000.00
24,336.98
Investments:
U. S. Treas. Bills Due 8/63 @ 2%
25,000.00
Debt Service Trust Fund
35,000.00
Prepaid Insurance
856.58
Development Costs
2,258,000.00
Less-Dev. Cost Liquidation
146,000.00
2,112,000.00
TOTAL ASSETS
$2,339,003.26
Liabilities
Tenants' Prepaid Rents
$ 230.15
Tenants' Security Deposits
2,090.00
Accounts Payable-Administration
22,761.27
Accounts Payable-Development
21,865.36
44,626.63
Matured Interest and Principal
43,260.00
Bonds Authorized
2,258,000.00
Less-Bonds Retired
146,000.00
2,112,000.00
Debt Service Reserve
32,529.75
Unamortized Bond Premium Reserve
38,563.76
Operating Reserve
64,800.00
135,893.51
Reduction of Annual Contribution
7,843.85
Net Deficit
(6,910.88)
TOTAL LIABILITIES
$2,339,033.26
133,139.70
60,000.00
2,320.15
246
ANNUAL REPORTS
SOMERVILLE HOUSING AUTHORITY SOMERVILLE 200-2 MASS. BALANCE SHEET - DECEMBER 31, 1956 Assets
Development Fund
$ 5,807.56
Premium Fund
2,806.57
Administration Fund
56,848.64
Savings Fund
32,977.68
Indeterminate Expenditures
Tenants' Accounts Receivable
4,742.75
Development Accounts Receivable
70,036.00
Administration Accounts Receivable
79,640.96
154,419.71
Advance to Revolving Fund
8,000.00
Investments-Prem. Fund - Due 8/1/57 @ 23/4 %
175,000.00
Prepaid Insurance
5,819.04
Development Costs
2,952,084.27
Incompleted Contracts
1,923.29
TOTAL ASSETS
$3,497,859.78
Liabilities
Contract Retentions
$28,308.29
Accounts Payable-Administration
3,818.27
Accounts Payable-Development
150,823.98
Accounts Payable-Sundry
.36
154,642.61
Tenants' Prepaid Rents
64.25
Tenants' Security Deposits
2,450.00
2,514.25
Notes Authorized-Temporary
3,070,000.00
Notes Unissued-Temporary
245,000.00
2,825,000.00
Interest Accrued
76,275.00
Unearned Premium
125,327.13
Contract Awards
1,923.29
Operating Reserve
25,474.47
Net Surplus
258,394.74
TOTAL LIABILITIES
$3,497.859.78
SOMERVILLE HOUSING AUTHORITY SOMERVILLE 31-1 MASS. BALANCE SHEET - DECEMBER 31, 1956
Assets
General Fund
$41,275.67
Petty Cash
50.00
Debt Service Fund
1,470.00
Advance Amorization Fund
983.91
Advances to Revolving Fund
43,779.58 5,000.00
98,440.45 102,173.02
247
HOUSING AUTHORITY
Tenants' Accounts Receivable
3,921.18
Accounts Receivable-P. H. A. Annual Con-
tribution
80,690.00
Sundry Accounts Receivable
15.99
84,627.17
Prepaid Insurance
3,679.07
Insurance Deposits
1,197.20
4,876.27
Inventory-Fuel Oil
1,016.52
Land, Structures and Equipment
2,813,871.36
TOTAL ASSETS
$2,953,170.90
Liabilities
Tenants' Prepaid Rent
$ 183.37
Tenants' Security Deposits
2,353.37
Sundry Accounts Payable
3,252.56
Interest Accrued on Bonds
15,345.00
Accrued Utilities
2,642.17
Accrued Insurance
864.90
Accrued Pilot
4,947.77
8,454.84
Unamortized Bond Premium
15,566.42
Bonds Issued
2,830,000.00
Less-Bonds Retired
102,000.00
2,728,000.00
Unreserved Surplus
(76,063.40)
Operating Reserve
8,132.95
Cumulative P.H.A. Annual Contributions
276,330.89
Net Deficit
(28,201.73)
TOTAL LIABILITIES
$2,953,170.90
SOMERVILLE HOUSING AUTHORITY SOMERVILLE 31-2 MASS.
BALANCE SHEET - DECEMBER 31, 1956
Assets
General Fund
$10,117.13
Advance to Revolving Fund
1,000.00
Land, Structures and Equipment
41,725.75
Uncompleted Contracts
5,859.29
TOTAL ASSETS
$58.702.17
Liabilities
Sundry Accounts Payable
$ 40.42
Notes Payable-P. H. A.
50.920.00
Accrued Interest-P. H. A.
1,882.46
Contract Awards
5,859.29
TOTAL LIABILITIES
$58 702 17
2,170.00
248
ANNUAL REPORTS
SOMERVILLE HOUSING AUTHORITY SOMERVILLE UR 8-1 (LG) BALANCE SHEET - DECEMBER 31, 1956
Assets
Cash
$ 68,177.25
Temporary Loan Repayment Fund
2,000.00
Petty Cash Fund
25.00
Revolving Fund
2,500.00
72,702.25
Accounts Receivable-Tenants'
22,638.60
Development Costs-L & G
1,134,797.33
Development Costs-Preliminary Survey and Planning
27,656.99
Development Costs-Final
34,490.86
1,196,945.18
Investments-U. S. Treas. Bills $350,000. at
Cost
347,376.50
TOTAL ASSETS
$1,639,662.53
Liabilities
Accounts Payable
$100,900.57
Notes Payable-Other
1,532,000.00
Accrued Interest
4,761.96
Local Cash Grants in Aid
2,000.00
TOTAL LIABILITIES
$1,639,662.53
249
VETERANS' GRAVES REGISTRATION DEPARTMENT
REPORT OF THE VETERANS' GRAVES REGISTRATION DEPARTMENT
February 6, 1957.
To the Honorable the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville
Gentlemen:
The annual report of the Veterans Graves Registration Department for the year 1956 is as follows:
During the year no repatriated servicemen's bodies were returned to their native City of Somerville.
At the Veterans' Memorial Cemetery in this city there are fifty-six repatriated bodies interred of veterans of World War II and the Korean Conflict. The Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, the Cemetery on Somerville Avenue, and individual veteran's graves were decorated on Memorial Day and Veterans Day with wreaths and flags.
Very truly yours,
FRED F. RUSSO,
Graves Registration Officer.
EXPENSES FOR THE YEAR 1956
Personal Services $750.00
Ordinary Maintenance 112.50
250
ANNUAL REPORTS
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ASSESSORS
January 1, 1957
To the Honorable the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville
Gentlemen:
The following report is respectfully submitted as the An- nual Report of the Board of Assessors for the year ending December 31, 1956.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE - 1956 RECAPITULATION
A-CITY; All appropriations since 1955 Tax Rate was fixed.
1. Total to be raised by taxation
$11,959,629.43
2. Total appropriations to be taken from Avail- able Funds:
a-in 1956 $9,756.37
b-in 1955 312,966.94 (Since 1955 tax rate was fixed) 322,723.31
$12,282,352.74
3. Deficits due to abate- ments in excess of overlay of prior years: a-in 1955
$43,435.76
b-in 1954
7,752.56
c-in 1953
5,230.59
d-in 1952
1,996.04
e-in 1950
1,004.00
Revenue Deficit
59,418.95 61,426.32
B-STATE: Tax & Assess- ments:
1956 Estimates
1955 Underestimates
1. Metropolitan Sewerage (No. System)
$228,712.20
2. State Audit Mun. Accts.
6,143.26
3. State Exam. Ret. System
2,123.05
4. Smoke Insp. Serv.
1,590.30
5. Metropolitan Parks 135,349.31
$7,193.11
6. Add'l State Ass'ts. 667,424.57
3,218.26
$1,041,342.69
$10,411.37
1,051,754.06
25
BOARD OF ASSESSORS
C-COUNTY: Tax & As- sessments:
1. County Tax $339,101.89 32,659.85
2. Tuberculosis Hospital Ass't. 152,626.29
$491,728.18
$32,659.85
524,388.03
D-OVERLAY OF CUR- RENT YEAR
235,579.43
GROSS AMOUNT TO BE RAISED
$14,214,919.53
F-Estimated Receipts & Available Funds:
1. Income Tax $663,859.57
2. Corporation Taxes
473,313.95
3. Old Age Tax (Meals)
39,753.07
4. Motor Vehicle & Trail- er Excise
740,192.87
5. Licenses
133,719.23
6. Fines
9,690.20
7. General Government ..
20,052.62
8. Protection of Persons & Property
3,401.92
9. Health & Sanitation
19,709.92
10. Highways
8,200.35
11. Charities
257,535.77
12. Old Age Assistance
802,143,89
13. Veterans' Services
27,659.22
14. Schools
114,114.64
15. Libraries
4,365.95
16. Recreation
352.75
17. Public Serv. Enter- prises (Water)
721,313.00
18. Flood Relief
52,797.54
19. Int. on Taxes & Ass'ts.
15,152.07
20. State Assistance School Const.
20,855.05
21. Grants & Gifts
38,174.54
22. Disability Assistance
123,439.92
23. Unclassified
946.18
24. Hurricane Edna
57,982.69
25. Insurance Refund
158,328.29
Total Estimated Receipts 4,507,055.20
26. Overestimates of previ- ous year to be used as available funds:
252
ANNUAL REPORTS
(a) County Tubercu-
losis Hosp. ..
851.93
(b) Met. Sewerage No. System
4 998.37
(c) Smoke Insp. Service
34.22
30. Amounts voted to be taken from Available Funds:
322,723.31
Total Available Funds
328,607.83
$4,835,663.03
G-Net amount to be raised by taxation on polls & property ..
$9,379,256.50
H-Number of polls
29,570 @ $2.00 each
$59,140.00
J-Total Valuation:
Tax Rate
Personal Property $8,393,000 $69.90 586,670.70
Real Estate 124,942,000 8,733,445.80
$133,335,000
$9,379,256.50
Total taxes levied on polls and property $9,379,256.50
The Board of Assessors wishes to thank the other depart- ments for the cooperation extended during the year, particu- larly the Legal Department.
Respectfully submitted,
GORDON FAULKNER, Chairman WILLIAM J. MORAN TIMOTHY J. CRONIN EDWARD T. BRADY HAROLD W. WELLS
Board of Assessors
-
LAW DEPARTMENT
253
REPORT OF THE LAW DEPARTMENT
April 3, 1957
To the Honorable the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville
Gentlemen:
I am pleased to submit the annual report of the Law De- partment for the year 1956.
There was a marked increase in the number of claims and suits brought against the city and its employees with particular reference to actions resulting from the operation of city-owned motor vehicles. Settlements were effected in many instances and in others court action was necessary, having in mind the best interests of the city.
The Law Department represented the city in many cases before the Appellate Tax Board and the Industrial Accident Board. It also extended its services to the Welfare Department in the Probate Court in the settlement of estates of recipients and to the City Treasurer in Land Court proceedings.
The work of the department was carried out with the as- sistance of Edward J. Kelleher, Assistant City Solicitor, and John J. Tanner and Lieutenant James Kilmartin, members of the Police Department, who were assigned to this office as investigators.
I wish to express my appreciation for the pleasant relations and cooperation existing between this department and his Honor, Mayor Donovan, the members of your Honorable Board, and the officials and employees of the city with whom this office has had occasion to work during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
IRVING L. STACKPOLE, City Solicitor
254
ANNUAL REPORTS
REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
February 7, 1957
To the Honorable the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville
Gentlemen:
In compliance with the Revised Ordinances of the City of Somerville, I have the honor of submitting for your information, The Annual Report of the Fire Department for the year ending December 31, 1956:
ALARMS AND LOSSES
Number of First Alarms
589
Number of Second Alarms
14
Number of Third Alarms
3
Number of A.D.T. Alarms
14
Number of Still Alarms
890
First Aid, Accidents, Emergency Calls
2374
Number of Alarms for the year 1956
3884
Number of Alarms for the year 1955
4024
Decrease in the Number of Alarms during the year 1956
140
Value of Buildings at Risk
$5,890,525.00
Insurance on Buildings at Risk
6,082,684.00
Insurance Damage on Buildings
1,110,003.42
Value of Contents at Risk
2,306,271.00
Insurance on Contents at Risk
2,195,892.00
Insurance Damage on Contents
146,229.27
Total Value at Risk
8,196,796.00
Total Insurance Damage
1,256,232.69
Approximate Per Capita Loss
12.56
CLASSIFICATION OF ALARMS
Fires in Residence Buildings
218
Fires in Other Buildings
85
Chimney Fires
15
Fires in Rubbish, Near Buildings
78
Fires in Dumps, Vacant Lots
72
Grass Fires
75
Miscellaneous Fires-Out of Doors
114
Automobile Fires
94
False Alarms
142
Smoke Scares-Needless Alarms
75
Accidents, Inhalator Calls
233
Miscellaneous Emergency Calls
303
False Telephone Calls
10
255
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Out of City Calls
228
Ambulance Calls
2125
Total
3867
Second Alarms
14
Third Alarms
3
TOTAL
3884
TIME PERIOD OF ALARMS
8:00 AM. to 4:00 P.M. 708
4:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. 260
6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.
334
9:00 P.M. to Midnight
217
Midnight to 8:00 A.M.
223
1742
MANUAL FORCE
The Manual Force consists of Two Hundred and Thirty- Two (232) permanent men and one Senior Account Clerk and Stenographer. During the year, 8 Fire Fighters were pensioned -1 Fire Fighter died and 1 Fire Fighter resigned.
The Roster of the Department is as follows:
1 Chief Engineer
3 Deputy Chiefs
4 District Chiefs
1 Master Mechanic
4 Assistant Mechanics
7 Captains
24 Lieutenants
7 Ambulance
181 Fire Fighters-3rd Year 1 Senior Account Clerk & Stenographer
233 Total
"'IN MEMORIAM''
Fire Fighter EUGENE W. CUFF
Appointed December 4, 1953
Died while on duty October 24, 1956
256
ANNUAL REPORTS
FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU
Permits delivered in 1956
14,639 Renewal Permits for Storage of Oil @.25
$3,659.75
1,177 Original Permits for Installation of Heaters and Storage of Oil @.50
588.50
48 Miscellaneous (Tank Removal, Tar Kettles, Blasting, etc.)
@.50
24.00
$4,272.25
Inspection of premises was made on the delivery of renewal permits and original installations.
I respectfully recommend the purchase of the following equipment:
An Aerial Ladder Truck for Ladder 1-Union Square. The present truck was placed in service June 15, 1932.
A Hose Wagon to replace Engine 1's Hose Wagon. Pres- ent wagon was placed in service July 31, 1928.
A Hose Wagon to replace Engine 2's Hose Wagon. Pres- ent wagon was placed in service May 31, 1932.
A Hose Wagon to replace Engine 3's Hose Wagon. Pres- ent wagon was placed in service September 12, 1929.
A Combination Light and Rescue Wagon for Central Station. Present wagon was placed in service June 15, 1932.
A 1000-Gallon Pump for Engine Company 6. Present Pump was placed in service May 31, 1932.
The problem of inspecting premises for Fire Prevention, the checking on complaints relative to fire hazards, the in- spection for the storage of inflammable fluids in dwellings and business establishments, and the issuing of approximately 16,000 renewal permits annually for the storage of fuel oil, is one requiring detailed supervision and direction by an officer.
The placing in service and operation of modern fire equip- ment requires that the members of the department be thor- oughly trained in the use of this apparatus and equipment. At the present time, this work is performed by the various commanding officers-thereby leading to different methods of operating and handling the new equipment and a lack of continuity of the training program.
I again recommend that two Captains be appointed-one to supervise the Fire Prevention Bureau and one to be Drill Master.
Once again, I recommend that the Fire Department trans- mitter be located on another frequency. At present, the Fire
257
FIRE DEPARTMENT
and Police Departments use the same frequency-and this has resulted in the delay in receiving and transmitting im- portant Fire Department messages. The sets now in use by the Fire Department can be used, with minor adjustments.
For the third consecutive year, I am again recommending the purchase of a recorder to record incoming telephone calls and also radio conversations.
I recommend that consideration be given to the complete modernization or replacement of the following Fire Stations:
Engine One-Central Fire Station-Built in 1894. Engine Two-Cross St. & Broadway-Built in 1895. Engine Four-Highland Ave. and Grove Street-Built in 1873.
To His Honor the Mayor, the members of the Honorable Board of Aldermen, the Officers and Members of the Fire Department, 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 co-oper- ation.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES H. O'HARA,
Chief Engineer.
258
ANNUAL REPORTS
REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD
April 23, 1957.
To the Honorable the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville
Gentlemen:
The Planning Board of the City of Somerville, in accordance with Section 81 C, of Chapter 41, of the General Laws of Massachusetts, herewith respectfully submits the annual report for the year 1956.
On February 3, 1956, at its annual organizational meeting, Robert D. Donahue was unanimously elected Chairman of the Planning Board, to succeed Harry P. Burden who had an- nounced his intention to resign from the Board at the com- pletion of his five-year term in June, 1956, preparatory to his retirement from active life as Dean of the Engineering School, Tufts University. Earl W. Landry was elected Clerk of the Planning Board.
The Planning Board expressed their regret at Mr. Burden's decision to retire and voted their appreciation of his services as a member and chairman of the Board since 1951. Chairman Donahue indicated that the Dean's retirement would be accepted with regret in official and college circles where he is marked as a person of high intellectual accomplishment and an asset to his community.
On February 26, 1956, the Planning Board appointed Mr. Harold P. Myer to the position of Planning Director, to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Alan McClennen in 1955. Mr. Myer, a former member of the planning staff, worked with the staff on the basic studies incorporated in the master planning report, "Planning Progress," and was recently a member of the planning staff of the Massachusetts Depart- ment of Commerce.
259
PLANNING BOARD
No junior planner was appointed to succeed Robert W. Mayerson, who resigned in October, 1955. Until the appoint- ment of Mr. Myer, staff work was carried on by Mrs. Ford. and Mr. Lund.
URBAN RENEWAL STUDIES
During 1956, land use studies incorporated in the gen- eralized land use Plan were reexamined in the light of renewal developments. Studies made in 1954 were reviewed and new ones made as the administration shifted the focus from Ward I to a possible overall renewal program. Although there is as yet nothing concrete to determine how significantly the Ward I area will be affected by state highway plans, the Planning Staff is closely following trends to insure protection of the city's interest insofar as possible. It is expected that final plans for the extension of Route 28 and belt route interchanges will be released some time in 1957.
TRAFFIC AND CIRCULATION STUDIES
While recognizing that ultimate relief for the traffic congestion that continues to plague the city lies in the com- pletion of the proposed extensive inter-city highway system in the Boston area, the Planning staff in 1956 concentrated on ways and means of providing some relief for its traffic problems. At the request of the Board of Aldermen the staff completed a study of a one-way street system. In its report the Planning Board reviewed the adequacy of existing one-way streets and the problem of converting additional streets to such travel. Among major recommendations in this report, the Planning Board suggested the reversal of several one-way streets, the blocking off of two short connecting streets which the Board further indicated would serve to direct traffic around, rather than through, the respective neighborhood areas.
OFF-STREET PARKING
In another phase of traffic and congestion, studies and recommendations were made by the Planning Board during 1956 for off-street parking areas in the major shopping centers of the city. Other studies, made in 1953, are constantly re- viewed in the light of more recent developments.
ZONING
Applications for changes in zoning were kept at a minimum in 1956, largely in view of the proposed amendment to the city's thirty-year old zoning ord nance, pending before the Board of Aldermen. Of the three applications filed, the Plan-
260
ANNUAL REPORTS
ning Board recommended to approve one, and to deny two. One was withdrawn in the face of public opposition. The Board of Aldermen granted two.
Members of the Planning Board and staff attended public hearings to assist the Board of Aldermen in their consideration of the Planning Board's proposals for a general amendment of the city's zoning ordinance and continued its statutory rela- tionship to the Board of Appeal in an effort to keep at a minimum decisions adversely affecting long range plans for the city.
CODES AND ORDINANCES
The adoption by the Board of Health in May, 1956 of "Regulations for Healthful Housing," a housing code com- prising minimum standards, resulted in a stepped up program of enforcement. The Planning office continued to serve as a clearing house for complaints which were relayed to the enforcement agencies on special forms. The resultant well coordinated action convinced defaulting landlords of their responsibilities and the city's determination to improve its housing standards. Two substandard blocks were razed ridding the city of two cancerous spots in the housing picture. Other landlords were informed that certain apartments were unfit for human habitation and would have to be put into condition before re-renting. The planning office commenced on new enforcement forms for the use of collaborating agencies and a meeting of the agencies involved is scheduled for the Spring.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.