USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Newton > Town of Newton annual report 1888 > Part 2
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
It would be an advantage in many ways if these towns and cities would unite in maintaining such a school. It could be made more than half supporting, and besides the cities and towns would have control of the truants. Under the rules of the school at Law- rence, a truant, sent there for punishment and reform, must stay at least two years, irrespective of the cause for which he was sent. It would be wiser, I think, to have the punishment in keeping with the offence, and the truant confined or released as the facts in relation to his case will warrant.
Many of the school buildings have been greatly improved during the past year. It is probable that more school accommodations will soon be needed. In the consideration of this subject I am confident that the City Council will act with the judicious spirit of liberality and wise forethought which has characterized its action in the past.
26
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
The growth of the city, which has been very marked, while adding to its material prosperity, brings with it the necessity of providing the school-room required.
The most recent building for school purposes is the High School building, which was occupied at the open- ing of the school year, affording much needed room.
It is thoroughly built, plain but substantial, and it has proven to be well adapted to its purposes, and gives great satisfaction.
The open land adds very greatly to the beauty and comfort of the school and its surroundings.
The new part of the building is the first section of the proposed new building, which, when completed, will be a fine structure for a High School.
NEWTON FREE LIBRARY.
The large addition to the building which has recently been completed gives to the library the room it needed. It greatly facilitates its work, and affords increased com- fort and accommodation to its patrons. The improve- ments made were expensive, costing about $25,000; but they have resulted in a handsome, well-ventilated building, finely fitted up, and remarkably well arranged for the purposes for which it is designed.
The library is a valuable auxiliary to the educational interests of the city, and its privileges for study and culture.
It contains 26,411 books, of which the circulation for
27
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
nine months of the year 1887 was 70,005 volumes. The library was closed three months for repairs. 32,826 volumes were delivered at the library, and 37,179 vol- umes were distributed by the daily delivery, as fol- lows : -
Newton Centre . 8,807
Newtonville
7,607
Auburndale . 5,511
Newton Highlands 5,388 .
West Newton 3,619 .
Upper Falls
.
3,038
Lower Falls
2,081 .
Oak Hill .
739
Nonantum
389
The cost of the daily delivery for the year was $1,200. The number of books delivered for school-use was 3,045.
The largest circulation was of books of fiction ; the next, of travels ; then essays and poetry ; next of scien- tific works.
The total number of names registered for the pur- pose of taking books is 6,722. The increase during the year was 1,485.
The appropriation for the library for 1887 was $8,500 00 There was also received from the Spear Fund 70 00
Jewett Fund 315 00
Read Fund . 403 94
28
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
HIGHWAYS.
In considering this department, it should be borne in mind that there is a large number of villages, many of which have centres that require special care ; that there is a large extent of streets to maintain, - one hundred and twelve miles in length.
If the expense of taking care of these streets were limited to the requirements of the statutes, which are that they be kept safe and convenient for travel at all seasons of the year, then the cost of the department would be greatly diminished : but our citizens would not be satisfied with ordinarily kept streets; they are accustomed to, and demand, a superior quality of roads.
Public sentiment in regard to the management of the highways, if I understand it correctly, is strongly opposed to any cheap, inferior work, and to any ex- travagant or needless work.
The cost of the improvement of a street, and the manner of doing it, should depend upon the amount and kind of traffic upon it : a main thoroughfare where the travel is large, including heavy teaming, requires, of course, much greater depth of rock and gravel road- bed than streets used for lighter purposes.
It often happens that a street that has considerable loam in it, and is wet at times, can be made dry and hard by an inexpensive drainage, and the large expense of digging out and refilling avoided.
There are miles of streets that could be quickly and
·
29
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
inexpensively repaired early in the spring, just after the frost is out, and when the ground is soft, by the use of a street-scraper, which would replace the mate- rial which has been pushed from the centre of the street, thus recrowning it. Only such new gravel would be needed as is necessary to supply that which has been washed or blown away. It would be an economical practice to use again all the material that is available, especially as it would save the gravel, and the cost of carting it.
The streets are not generally in the good condition they should be. The redressing and necessary repairing of them has been to a great extent neglected, to give place to new work, which is certainly not good policy ; for the streets we have should be thoroughly and sys- tematically repaired early in the year, and before any attention is given to other work of the department.
In the removal of gravel from the gravel-pits, care should be taken that the land is left at proper grade for building purposes. I recommend that the engineer be requested to make plans for that purpose, and submit them to the City Council for approval.
The item of labor in this and in the Water Depart- ment is a considerable portion of the expense; and in the employment of men, preference should be given to our own citizens. Those who live here are able to do the work, and, as law-abiding citizens, are certainly entitled to such consideration and preference; and I
30
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
recommend that an order or rule be adopted by the City Council requiring it.
The appropriations for the year 1887 were as follows : -
APPROPRIATIONS.
EXPENDED.
General repairs .
$60,896 35
$59,390 21
Widening, reconstruction,
and improvements .
22,000 00
21,123 15
Sidewalks and street-cross-
ings
.
11,000 00
18,979 56
Drains and culverts
12,000 00
10,839 46
Curbing
1,500 00
3,047 92
Gravel-land
3,000 00
3,000 00
Land-damages
1,000 00
516 00
.
A serious fault is often the great excess in the cost of work over the sum appropriated. Wherever the fault lies, it certainly should be corrected.
The work of the department for the past year was not well laid out, and it was pushed too rapidly, so that by September the appropriation was practically exhausted.
The necessary repairing of the streets was not done ; and for the last four months of the year, which were fine for outdoor work, there was little or nothing that could be done, because the appropriation had been expended.
The appropriation for the department for the present
31
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
year is a liberal one, and should result in bringing our roads into excellent condition.
I have good reason to believe that during the present year the department will be managed with great care and efficiency.
WATER-DEPARTMENT.
During the past year the demand for the extension of water mains was larger than usual. 32,100 feet of main was laid in 1887 against 22,354 feet in 1886, 17,605 feet in 1885, and 10,110 feet in 1884. The total length of water main in the city is now 83-20% miles. 336 services were added last year, 298 were added in 1886, 215 in 1885, and 177 in 1884. The total num- ber of services is now 3,768. 69 hydrants were added in 1887, making the total now in use 540. The ap- proximate cost of these hydrants is $38,000. The city pays for the use of them at the rate of $20 each per year, amounting to $10,800 in 1888. There are 2,370 water-meters now in use. The use of meters I regard as indispensable, unless the water-supply is inexhausti- ble : it is the only way of measuring accurately the water used, is equitable, and, besides, tends to decrease the wasteful use of water. The department has been well managed by the Water Board, and the works are in a very satisfactory condition. The pumping-station buildings are well kept up, but the condition of the grounds about the station should be improved. The reservoir, filter-basin, and pipe-yard are in good condition.
32
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
Provision should be made, either by ordinance or otherwise, to have the books and accounts of the depart- ment regularly audited and compared with the treas- urer's books.
The average daily consumption of water was 703,702 gallons.
The receipts from the water-rates for the year 1887 were $57,249.05, of which the city paid $14,301.45.
The expenses for 1887 were, -
Maintenance . $13,951 64
Interest on water-bonds . 55,740 00 .
Sinking-fund for water-bonds · 20,000 00
The amount of water-bonds issued to date is $1,115,000.
There are $35,000 water-bonds unissued in the treas- ury, which comprises all the city has been authorized to issue.
The deficit in the water-rates to pay maintenance and interest on the bonds is $11,609.79 ; last year the deficit was $12,692.91.
There would have been a larger decrease in the deficit alluded to, except for the change from schedule to meter-rates ; the schedule-rates being paid fully in ad- vance, and with the meter-rates an advance of $10 only is required. The difference for water used in excess of this amount is to be settled in March, so that a part of the water-rates of the year 1887 will be credited to the water-receipts of 1888.
33
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
As the business year of this department commences on the first of March, and as the bills for metered water are payable, necessarily, only partially in advance, it is difficult to ascertain exactly the receipts from the de- partment during the city's fiscal year, which ends Dec. 31. Believing it best that all departments of the city conform to one system, I recommend that the financial year of this department be made identical with the fiscal year.
FIRE-DEPARTMENT.
The excellent reputation for attention to business and for efficiency which characterizes this department and its chief, has been maintained.
It is composed of seventy-two members, - the chief ; assistant chief, who is also fire-alarm operator; three engineers ; and seven drivers of steamers, hook and ladder truck, chemical engine, and hose-reels, who are permanently employed ; and sixty officers and men subject to call-duty.
To save expense, the driver of hose-reel No. 7 is employed only partially : it would be better for the department if one were permanently employed who would also have charge of the house.
The stations, fire-alarm telegraph, fire apparatus, and department-horses, with one exception, are in good condition.
A new horse will be needed on the chemical engine in place of one that recently died.
34
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
Five fire-alarm signal stations have been located during the year, making in all sixty.
The area covered by the fire-department is twenty square miles, and comprises eleven villages.
A new bell and striking apparatus, to replace that destroyed by the burning of Eliot Church, Jan. 16, 1887, was placed upon the armory at a cost of $1,500. This was an extra expense which had to be provided for.
The destruction of Eliot Church by fire was the largest single loss since 1878. The building was very large, and constructed of wood. It was a total loss, and insured for $50,000. None of the surrounding buildings were injured.
There are petitions for fire apparatus from Nonantum and Newton Highlands : the rapid growth of these two sections of the city will soon make more fire apparatus necessary.
During the past year an order was adopted requiring the permanent force to be uniformed, thus improving their appearance and discipline.
The number of fire-alarms responded to was 76.
The loss resulting from these fires was as follows : -
Loss on buildings $51,112 00
Insurance paid 50,702 00
Loss on contents 13,507 00
Insurance paid 12,707 00 .
Total insurance at risk 169,000 00 ·
Loss over insurance paid . 1.210 0)
35
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
The appropriation for this department for the year 1887 was $26,200. The amount expended was $27,- 061.77.
PUBLIC PROPERTY.
The public buildings of the city have been carefully supervised, and many improvements made in them. They are in better condition, generally, than at any previous time.
Much attention has been given to the care of the schoolhouses, providing new heating apparatus, ventila- tion, sanitary works, repairing and repainting the build- ings, tinting the walls, and grading the grounds. Such improvements add greatly to comfort and to safety : they are also judicious and permanent improvements.
Among these improvements may be mentioned the providing of new sanitary works at the Bigelow School, costing $2,500; new sanitary arrangements for the Franklin ; ventilation at the Adams, costing $600; concreting around the building and the grounds of the Williams ; regrading the grounds of the Claflin ; paint- ing and ventilation of the Hyde at cost of $800; a new furnace was put in at Oak Hill, costing $300; painting and additional light for the Davis, Rice, Lincoln, Prospect, and Hamilton.
The new addition to the High School has been completed, and a large amount of work done upon the grounds, grading and concreting them.
A new concrete sidewalk edged with granite has
36
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
been laid, and the premises present a very attractive appearance.
The Public Library was completed in June last, and is an ornament and source of pride to the city.
Improvements were made in the entrance of engine house, Ward 7; and new heating apparatus in engine house, Ward 6, costing $500.
A needed improvement was made at the Hook and Ladder House, by making two small parlors into one.
The engine house, Ward 3, is, as I have already stated, in great need of better sanitation, and the necessary work done to make the tower of the building safe.
There are some small improvements to be made upon other buildings.
The appropriation for this department for the year 1887 was $13,000.
STREET-LIGHTS.
Artificial light for the night-time is not only a great convenience to a community, but is also a source of safety.
Well-lighted streets are a public necessity. They serve as a protection to the people. They also protect property from the vandalism of the lawless, and are a great aid to the police in maintaining order.
During the past year, seventy-one electric lights have been introduced, and located near the railroad stations and squares of the city.
37
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
These lights are best when suspended near the mid- dle of the street, away from the trees. The objection- able features of the arc-lights are the variation in their illuminating power, their liability to go out, and the shadows they cast upon the streets.
I have made examination of the incandescent system of street-lighting, and it appears to be superior in many ways. The light is brilliant, it cannot be blown out, and may be turned on or off at the station at pleasure. It is a great advantage to be able to turn on the light instantaneously, and just when needed, and as quickly to dispense with it when not required.
Where oil-lights are used, it requires only a small additional quantity of oil to have the lamps burn till daylight.
It is quite impracticable to light the streets well upon any set time or moon schedule. The only rule that can be applied satisfactorily is to have good lights of some kind in the streets, and when they are needed, whether it is every night and all night, or only a portion of the time.
Considerable inconvenience has been experienced in the past, because of the lack of arrangements to pro- vide light upon nights when the moon was obscured by clouds; and this frequently happened when the moon rose at so late an hour that the first part of the night would be very dark and unsafe for travel.
These objections should be remedied, and the im-
38
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
provements suggested provided for, when a new con- tract shall be made.
The contract now in force for lighting the streets expires on June 1, 1888.
There are, at present, 71 arc-lights, 711 gas-lights, and 505 oil-lamps. The cost of oil-lights is $10.50 per year ; of gas-lights, $15 per year ; and of arc-lights, 50 cents per night, burning all night.
The cost of lighting the streets for the year 1887 was $24,002.02.
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
The present force consists of a marshal, one captain, one sergeant, and nineteen patrolmen.
This is the first year that the office of captain has existed in the department, and the first year a night- officer has been in charge.
The captain has charge in the daytime, and is in attendance upon the court ; and the sergeant has charge during the night.
These officers have performed their duties well.
The force is composed of able-bodied and coura- geous men. It has been diligent in prosecuting viola- tors of the law; and, although the area to be covered is very large, it has been able generally to maintain good order.
The number of arrests made during the past year was 574, of which 195 persons were non-residents.
The amount of fines imposed by the court was $2,441.
39
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
The length of time of the sentences for imprisonment was 23 years.
One incendiary was also convicted at the Superior Court in Cambridge, and sentenced to imprisonment for a term of eight years.
The amount of court fees earned by the officers and paid into the City Treasury was $1,119.81.
The number of tramps lodged was 950, being 249 less than in 1886.
The appropriation for the Police Department was $23,350. The amount expended was $23,344.85.
I am happy to extend to his Honor Judge Park, standing justice of the police court, my congratulations upon his recovery from a recent severe illness, and that he is able to assume again the duties of the court.
At the recent election, the action of the voters upon the question of license was significant, being 1,540 No to 258 Yes ; and it should be regarded as an unmistak- able expression in favor of temperance in this city.
It will be my endeavor, as in the past, to maintain in all respects the excellent reputation of this city, and, through the aid of the police, to enforce, without exception, all the rules and orders and the laws of the Commonwealth governing the city.
POOR-DEPARTMENT.
There is probably no place in this Commonwealth where, according to the population, there are fewer
40
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
persons who apply for aid or support than in this city, and no community is more liberal toward the unfortunate.
The department has been well managed by the Board of Overseers and the Almoner.
The Almshouse and Farm, under the care of the Warden and Matron, are well conducted ; and by their industry and good management the receipts from the sale at the farm paid into the treasury will this year amount to $2,604.03.
The inmates at the Almshouse now number 28. They are kindly cared for, have comfortable rooms, and sufficient good food.
The appropriation for the Almshouse for the year 1887 was $4,000 : the amount expended was $3,852.33.
The appropriation for the outdoor poor for the year was $8,000 : the amount expended was $8,269.41.
The City Farm, containing about sixty acres, is located at Waban, near the station of the Newton Circuit Railroad, and is in such a fine location for building purposes that it is becoming too valuable to be retained for farming. It could probably be sold at a large price for building-lots ; and, after deducting the amount necessary to procure new but inexpensive quarters, there would probably be a considerable bal- ance remaining to be covered into the treasury.
While the city would be directly benefited by the sale, yet the greater benefit would be derived from the
41
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
enhanced value and the rapid development of the land in this locality, and, in consequence, the increase of taxable property.
ASSESSORS' DEPARTMENT.
The duties of assessors are very important, the Public Statutes requiring them to ascertain accurately the names of all persons, and the amount of all property, real and personal, liable to be assessed, and to appraise property for the purpose of assessment at what, in their judgment and under oath, is a fair cash value ; to do this well requires great care in the details, and sound judgment concerning the values of a great variety of property.
They are required by the laws of the Commonwealth to assess upon the property of the city a sum equal to the amounts appropriated by the City Council for the expenses of the city, less the receipts, and the amounts necessary to pay the State and county taxes.
They should be diligent in discovering property to tax; and their success in it will have much to do with the tax-rate.
Yet it is the action of the City Council, when it determines the amount required for the expenses, that chiefly regulates the tax-rate ; and it is larger or smaller just in proportion as the expenses are increased or diminished.
I again call attention to recent legislation upon the
42
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
duties of assessors, which provides that the assessors of taxes of each city shall, on or before the fifteenth day of July in each year, cause street-lists of the several voting precincts in such city to be compiled and printed in pamphlet form for public distribution, thus giving an opportunity to each person, between July 15 and the 15th of September, when opportunity for assessment ceases, to ascertain whether or not he has been assessed. These lists for public distribution and for the registrars of voters were not furnished last year till October, and were, in consequence of the delay, of no value for the purposes for which they were intended.
The assessments being made in the months of May and June, I am aware that it will require considerable work to have the lists ready by July 15; but as they are essential, and are required by law, I trust they will be furnished the present year at the time appointed.
CLAFLIN GUARD.
This company was organized Oct. 10, 1870, and was named in honor of our distinguished fellow-citizen, the Hon. William Claflin, who was at that time governor of the Commonwealth.
The company has been very fortunate, in the selection of its commanders, in securing gentlemen versed in military knowledge, and of good military standing.
Its first commander was the adjutant of the old Thirty-second Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, an efficient officer of enviable military record.
43
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
The company during the past year has added to its reputation for discipline and effective service.
The company consists of three commissioned officers and fifty-nine men. At the annual encampment at South Framingham the company performed five days' camp-duty, every member being present except one whose absence was unavoidable. They also performed one day's duty at the annual spring-drill, nearly every member being present.
At the State rifle-match, the company maintained its reputation for marksmanship, - the State individual prize being won by a private of the company.
The members of the company are scattered over an area of ten square miles ; but, notwithstanding the long distances which they are obliged to travel, more than half the company have been present at the weekly meetings for instruction and drill.
A new building should be erected at the rifle-pit, which can be done at a trifling expense, the old one having been destroyed by an incendiary fire.
The State pays $400 per annum for the Armory.
The expense to the city for the year 1887 was $843.95.
REGISTRATION.
The number of persons in the city liable to poll-tax in the year 1887, as returned by the assessors, was 5,700, being 539 more than in 1886.
The Board of Registrars has held frequent meetings, giving ample opportunity for registration.
44
THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
Upon the voting-lists at the State election, there were 3,383 names, of whom 2,457 voted; and at the city election, there were 3,436 names, of whom 2,455 voted. There were 91 names upon the women's list. .
There being but seven voting precincts in the city, the voters in some of the wards are obliged to go quite long distances, and to other villages, often at consider- able inconvenience, especially in stormy weather.
There should be several more voting precincts, that every opportunity and encouragement may be given to voters to perform their responsible duty of voting at all elections. The expenses of registration and elections were $1,800.
CONCLUSION.
I have reviewed in a general way the condition and work of the several departments, detailed reports of which you will obtain from the City Documents soon to be printed, and I recommend your careful perusal of them, as they will furnish much information of interest, and aid you in the discharge of your official duties. It gives me pleasure again and for the fifth time to address you upon the occasion of the inau- guration of the City Council. Important duties, involv- ing the interests and welfare of our citizens, have been committed to our care. Let us, appreciating their im- portance and our responsibility, apply ourselves with earnestness and with a determination so to perform them as to maintain the high position our city has attained, and to give to it an excellent government.
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.