V O L U M E 5 9 - City of Somerville

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Special meeting of the Board of Aldermen,
called by his honor, the
Mayor to receive and take action on
communications from the Mayor, all
the members having been duly notified
in writing, City Hall, SomeiV ..
ville, April 21, 19^8, g p.m.
The president, Alderman Mallard presiding.
Aldermen-Ryan, McCarthy, Reynolds, Staokpole, Hall, Butler,
Capuano, Whitney and Vice-president Brady present,
Reading of records commenced; further reading dispensed with
under a suspension of the rules, and records approved by yea and
nay vote, Aldermen Ryan,'McCarthy, Reynolds, Stackpole, Hail,
Butler, Capuano, Whitney, Vice-president Brady and the president,
10, voting in the affirmative, Alderman Kurd, 1, being absent at
this stage of the meeting.
COMMUNICATION FROM HIS HONOR THE MAYOR
Received the following,
City of Soraerville
Office of the Mayor
The Honorable, The Board of Aldermen
Somervllle, Massachusetts
Dear Dr. Kurd and Gentlemen;
Communication
April 21,
I am at a loss to understand the actions
of three members of the .Board of Aldermen at last night's
meeting, called for the purpose of taking action on vital monies
for the Sanitary Department.
It. is-..obvious to, every one that the
rubbish on the streets of 'Somervllle cannot be picked up unless
means are provided. This Is your duty and responsibility, and
failure to take action tonight will leave you, and you alone,
responsible for the Inability of the Sanitary Department, to maintain
'Its schedule of rubbish collections.
It is a sad commentary on the efficiency
of a large city 'when the appropriation of money necessary
to-do "this work Is thwarted through the-misuse of sections of
parliamentary procedure. It is unfortunate that some aldermen,
who wish to discharge'their duties honorably, are prohibited
from doing so-. The people of Somerville, who have a right to
expect this service, will demand an explanation of any alderman
who uses this legislative device to deny them this essential
sanitary service. My function,'.as Mayor, Is to outline the
necessary needs and request action on same. There my responsibility
ends. The Sanitary Commissioner has explained the need
and his responsibility Is to supervise the service. The Board
of Aldermen has the responsibility of appropriating sufficient
funds to carry on these essential services* If rubbish barrels
are allowed to stand in Somervllle streets,, and debris litters
our highways, those members of -the Board of Aldermen who are
responsible must give an explanation to the people.
The Chamber of Commerce, in'conjunction
with the Board of Health, Is conducting a clean-up, fix-up
campaign. The least they can expect, in this fine civic enterprise,
Is the co-operation of the city officials. A continuance
of the present predicament 'will make a mockery of this commendable
campaign. The Chief Executive cannot perform this function
unless given sufficient funds. ..Therefore, G-entlemen, the problem
at this moment is squarely yours.
Three Aldermen, by invoking Section
15 tonight, can hold up one or all three of these most Important
items for a period of seven days. Eventually the money will have
to be supplied. I trust that no personal feelings will be al-
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