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CITY DOCUMENT NO 12.
INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF THE MAYOR, CITY GOVERNMENT OF 1901,
TOGETHER WITH THE
Annual Reports
OF THE OFFICERS OF THE
City of Quincy,
MASSACHUSETTS
FOR THE YEAR 1900.
164
1625
MANET
QUINCY?
1901 ADVERTISER STEAM JOB PRINT No. 10 Chestnut St., Quincy. QUINCY.
2
City Government 1901.
MAYOR, JOHN O. HALL
DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS
Commissioner of Public Works, CHARLES F. KNOWLTON.
City Treasurer. H. WALTER GRAY.
City Auditor. GEORGE A. SIDELINGER.
Chief Engineer of Fire Department, PETER J. WILLIAMS.
City Solicitor, RUSSELL A. SEARS.
Overseer of Poor, E. W. H. BASS.
City Physician, JOHN F. WELCH, M. D.
City Messenger, HARRY W. TIRRELL.
City Engineer, HAMILTON FLOOD
Inspector of Plumbing, JEREMIAH J. KENILEY.
'Inspector of Milk, HENRY C. HALLOWELL, M. D.
Inspector of Meats and Provisions,
EDGAR F. HAYDEN.
Inspector of Animals, FRANCIS ABELE, JR.
City Clerk EDGAR G. CLEAVES
Chief of Police, JOSEPH W. HAYDEN.
Collector of Taxes. ABNER L. BAKER.
3
Administrative Boards.
Board of Assessors
Meet every Thursday at 9 A. M.
JAMES THOMPSON, Chairman
.
Term expires first Monday in Feb. 1904
CHARLES H. JOHNSON
66
1903
WILLIAM B. GLOVER
66
.6
A
Board of Sewer Commissioners
Meet every Monday at 7 P. M. FREDERICK L. JONES (1901), Chairman. A. F. SCHENKELBERGER (1902) Secretary. FRANK E. BADGER (1903) Engineer,-E. W. BRANCH.
Park Commissioners
GEORGE E. PFAFFMANN, Chairman, JAMES S. WHITING, Secretary. .
FRED B. RICE.
Managers of Public Burial Places
Meet first Tuesday of each month at 8 P, M.
JOSEPH H. VOGEL, Chairman JOHN C. KAPPLES,
HENRY P. FURNALD, CEPHAS DREW, ROLLIN H. NEWCOMB, GEORGE T. MAGEE, Clerk. Superintendent,-JAMES NICOL.
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Board of Health
JOHN S. GAY, Chairman,
THOMAS J. DION, Clerk,
WILLIAM E. BADGER. Inspector,-EDWARD LENNON.
Board of Examiners of Plumbers
JOHN S. GAY, (Chairman,)
WARREN S. PARKER
WILLIAM A. BRADFORD.
66 1902
4
Trustees of Thomas Crane Public Library
Meet last Wednesday of Month at 7.30 P. M.
ELLERY C. BUTLER, Chairman,
HARRY L. RICE,
HARRISON A. KEITH, Secretary GEORGE W. MORTON, Treasurer, HENRY MCGRATH, CHARLES R. SAFFORD
Managers of Adams Academy
WILLIAM EVERETT, NATHAN G. NICKERSON,
REV. JOHN A. BERNHARD,
LUTHER S. ANDERSON, GEORGE B. DEWSON, JOSEPH M. SHEAHAN.
Managers of Woodward Fund and Property
JOHN O. HALL, Mayor,
H. WALTER GRAY, City Treasurer, EDGAR G. CLEAVES, City Clerk, GEORGE A. SIDELINGER, City Auditor, HENRY G. FAY, Elected by Council.
Registrars of Voters
Term expires May 1. 1901
EDWARD J. MCKEON, .
.
May 1, 1902
JOHN C. MCGOWAN, . .
.
16 May 1, 1903
MICHAEL B. GEARY, .
EDGAR G. CLEAVES, City Clerk.
Assistant Engineers
Ward 1,-FRANK C. PACKARD, Ward 2,-ROLLIN H. NEWCOMB, Ward 3,-WELCOME J. BLAKE, Ward 4,-JAMES F. ROONEY, Ward 5,-MARCENA R. SPARROW, Ward 6,-DANIEL J. NYHAN
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POLICE DEPARTMENT.
Permanent Police
CHARLES G. NICOL, MARK E. HANSON, JOHN HOLLORHAN, FRANK J. DAVOREN DAVID J. BARRY,
THOMAS F. FERGUSON, JAMES W. MURRAY, DANIEL R. MCKAY, PATRICK H. BRADLEY, JOHN T. LARKIN.
Special Police
ERNEST H. BISHOP, SAMUEL D. DEFOREST, HENRY O. DAWSON, DAVID L. GORDON, TIMOTHY J. MCCARTHY, JOHN A. O'BRIEN, EDWARD J. SANDBERG, WILLIAM E. MORRISEY, MALCOLM C. STEWART,
JOHN F. DONOVAN, PATRICK A. MILFORD, ALFRED W. GOODHUE, JOHN P. REDDINGTON, EDWARD J. CURTIN, CALVIN T. DYER, WILLIAM S. LYONS, JOSEPH W. HAYDEN, TIMOTHY J. GOLDEN, DANIEL H. DORAN.
Sealer of Weights and Measures
FRANCIS A. SPEAR.
Weighers of Coal
HERBERT D. ADAMS, E. FRANK MITCHELL, FRANK S. PATCH, FRANK W. CRANE, GEORGE B. WENDELL,
WILLIAM W. CUSHING, GEORGE P. MEAD, EBEN W. SHEPPARD, GEORGE B. PRAY. WILLIE E. FRENCH,
HERBERT A. NEWTON.
-
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Measurers of Grain
1
FRANK W. CRANE,
CHARLES H. HERSEY
WILLIAM C. HART,
Undertakers
JOHN HALL, WILLIAM E. BROWN,
A. W. FAY, EDWARD L. BEAN.
Measurers of Wood and Bark
FRANK S. PATCH, HERBERT D. ADAMS, THOMAS J. FOLEY, GEORGE K. CARTER,
EBEN W. SHEPPARD. GEORGE P. MEAD, LYSANDER W. NASH. E. FRANK MITCHELL, FRANK W. CRANE,
Fence Viewers
Ward 1-RICHARD NEWCOMB, Ward 2-GEORGE CRANE, Ward 3-JAMES NIGHTINGALE,
Ward 4-JOHN R. McNEIL. Ward 5-QUINCY A. FAUNCE, Ward 6-GEORGE B. BRYANT.
Field Drivers
WILLIAM FAXON; RICHARD NEWCOMB,
GEORGE CRANE,
BARTHOLOMEW REARDON,
WINSLOW HOBART
Pound Keeper
FRANKLIN JACOBS.
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CITY COUNCIL.
Regular meetings on the first and third Mondays of each month at 7.35 P. M. CHARLES M. BRYANT,
President
CHRISTOPHER A. SPEAR,
.
Clerk
Councilmen=at-Large
CHARLES ALDEN, ARTHUR CRAIG, RICHARD R. FREEMAN, HARRY S. NICOL, ARTHUR W. NEWCOMB.
Councilmen from Wards.
Ward One. LEWIS BASS, JR.,
HENRY M. FAXON, CYRUS T. SHERMAN.
Ward Four. WILLIAM H. CALLAHAN, JAMES H. ELCOCK, WILLIAM P. HUGHES.
Ward Two. GEORGE E. ADAMS,
Ward Five. CHARLES M. BRYANT,'
EUGENE C. HULTMAN,
ALEXANDER W. THOMPSON. Ward Six. DANIEL MCLENNAN,
THOMAS W. SMITH, WILLIAMT. SPARGO.
EUGENE F. DE NORMANDIE, WALTER F. NICHOLS. Ward Six. LOUIS F. LANGELIER, . CHARLES A. HADLOCK, WILLIAM G. GASSETT.
City Council Committees.
Finance, Accounts, Claims, Contracts and Salaries-FREEMAN, ALDEN, FAXON, NICOL, CALLAHAN, NEWCOMB, HULTMAN.
Streets, Ways, Sidewalks, Bridges and Lights,-NEWCOMB, MCLENNAN, ELCOCK, GASSETT, NICHOLS, FAXON, THOMPSON.
Fire Department and Police-CALLAHAN, SMITH, SPARGO, HUGHES, HULTMAN.
Sewers and Drains and Water Supply-NICOL, DE NORMANDIE, SMITH, ADAMS, ELCOCK, SHERMAN, HADLOCK.
Public Buildings and Grounds, DENORMANDIE, ADAMS, THOMPSON, BASS, LANGELIER.
Ordinances, Licenses, Printing, Rules and Orders-GASSETT, HADLOCK, CRAIG.
Legislative Matters, Elections and Returns-NICHOLS, CRAIG, LANGELIER. Health, Poor, State and Military Aid-McLENNAN, SPARGO, HUGHES.
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Office : No. 1 Faxon Block, Hancock Street. Regular meetings on the last Tuesday of each month at 8 P. M.
Chairman
CHARLES H. PORTER,
Secretary
SUPT. FRANK E. PARLIN,
Term expires 1904
At Large-HENRY C. HALLOWELL, NATHANIEL S. HUNTING,
1902
CHARLES F. MERRICK,
1903
Ward 1-CHARLES H. PORTER,
Term expires 1904
Ward 2-FREDERICK H. SMITH,
66 1902
Ward 3-MABEL E. ADAMS,
1902
Ward 4-THOMAS J. DION, .
1908
Ward 5-WELLINGTON RECORD,
1904
Ward 6-FREDERICK J. PEIRCE,
66 1808
Truant Officer,-CHARLES H. JOHNSON.
Inaugural Address
1901.
John @. hall, Mayor.
Mayor's Address.
Gentlemen of the City Conncil :
We are assembled at this time to assume the responsibilities of the management of the affairs of our city for the coming year placed upon us by our fellow citizens.
Recognizing this responsibility our thanks are due for the confidence reposed in us.
For myself, I wish to publicly express my deep appreciation of the honor conferred upon me, and to return my hearty thanks for the generous labor and support given me by so many members of this Council and of the citizens throughout the city.
As you enter upon the consideration of the business which will be presented in your councils you will be impressed with the many demands for expenditures which seem to be imperative and at the same time will be made conscious of the heavy burden resting on our citizens and the somewhat limited revenue outside of the direct tax on real estate.
In view of this condition you cannot fail to be impressed with the imperative necessity of giving the most careful con- sideration to the minutest detail of every matter submitted for your legislative acting that only those enterprises be undertaken which have the very strongest claims.
I urge upon you the necessity of the most conscientious discharge of the duties of your position, ever bearing in mind your friends and neighbors who must furnish the money which you may vote to spend and who consequently will demand of you that you advocate only those matters which will prove of real benefit to the community.
12
Make yourself familiar with our City Charter that you may know of its requirements and be informed of the duties and privileges, and also the limitations of the Council.
The welfare and prosperity of our city depend in a large degree upon the wise, conservative and business like legislation of the Council.
While we cannot remain passive in the rush and hurry of the present strenuous life, we must use the utmost restraint upon our legislation so that in our enthusiasm'for a progressive city. we do not entail a burden upon our citizens which will be greater than they can bear and which will prove to be a. curse rather than a benefit.
EXPENSES.
To show how we have grown in our expenses, I have only to state that the total of our appropriation the last year of the town government was $177,000.
Our total for 1900 was $676,235.93. Of this amount, $158,650 was borrowed ; $112,750.98 was for debt; $66,169.20 was for interest; $270,808 was the amount of our annual appropriation in April, and the remainder was sundry appro- priations during the year from receipts.
Our appropriation for streets last year was for maintenance in the annual appropriation, $25,000 00
Appropriation made during year . 66,900 00
Appropriation under Railroad Excise, Tax, 12,467 46
$104,367 46
For bridges und Drains,
7,150 00
For Sidewalks and Edgestones,
13,800 00
For Schools,
111,000 00
At the beginning of the City form of government we had no debt, but on Dec. 31, 1900, our debt was $1,518,605.61.
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THE VALUATION
of the three preceding years is as follows ;
1898,
$19,247,155 00
1899,
19,616,707 00
1900,
20,193,689 00
Total,
$59,057,551 00
Average, .
19,685,850 00
At $12 per $1000 we can appropriate for current expenses in 1901, $236,230.00.
With this statement you will see the necessity of the utmost care in making appropriations ; and [because of this con- dition I shall abstain from recommendation in the line of expen- sive projects, confining myself solely to those things which are imperative, or from which "a revenue will be returned to the city treasury.
DEBT STATEMENT.
Our Municipal Debt on Jan. 1, 1900, was
$323,206 59
During the year we have paid, 70,950 98
Leaving,
. $252,255 61
To this has been added during the year,
. 128,650 00
Showing our Debt, Dec. 31,"1900, to be,
380,905 61
Our Water Debt, Jan. 1, 1900, was
.
$721,000 00
We have paid,
30,500 00
Leaving,
$690,500 00
And added,
30,000 00
Showing the Water Debt to be on Dec. 31, 1900 $720,500 00
14
Sewer Debt on Jan. 1, 1900,
· $384,500 00
We have paid, .
10,300 00
Showing Debt Dec. 31, 1900, to be,
. $374,200 00
$44,000 00
Park Debt Jan. 1, 1900,
1,000 00
We have paid,
Showing Park Debt Dec. 31, 1900,
$43,000 00
Total debt of the City, Jan. 1, 1900, was
112,750 98
Leaving,
1,359,955 61
And we have added,
· 158,650 00
Making the entire Debt, Dec. 31, 1900,
$1,518,605 61
DIVIDED AS FOLLOWS :
$380,905 61
Municipal Debt,
720,500 00
Sewer Debt, .
43,000 00
Playground Debt,
Total debt, $1,518,605 61
Net increase in the debt,
$45,899 02.
OUR MUNICIPAL DEBT
Is constituted as follows : Streets, brooks and drains,
. $174,155 61 .
Land, Wollaston hose house,
15,600 00
Wollaston hose house, .
Hose, . 2,000 00
Poor Department, bills
1,500 00
Grade crossings .
500 00%
.
$1,472,706 59.
We have paid during the year
Water Debt, .
374,200 00
5,500 00
15
Hook & Ladder truck .
2,000 00
Chemical, Ward 1,
1,800 00
Hose House, Ward 2, .
1,000 00
Heating hose house, Ward 4,
500 00
City Stables,
5,500 00
Permanent Sidewalks, .
28,800 00
Sewers, House Connection, .
10,000 00
Bath house, Ward 2,
2,000 00
Bills 1899, in excess of appropriation, .
6,500 00.
Claims,
2,500 00
Drain, Willard street, .
2,500 00
Abating Teal pond nuisance,
2,000 00
Improving yard John Hancock Schoolhouse,
2,000 00
Gridley Bryant and Massachusetts Field School- houses .
45,000 00
Cranch Hill Schoolhouse
40,000 00
Plumbing Wollaston and Coddington Schoolhouses
2,500 00
Furnishing Room in John Hancock Schoolhouse,
550 00
Heating Adams and Quincy Schoolhouses, .
5,000 00
Land for Cranch Schoolhouse
4,500 00
High Schoolhouse,
$8,000 00
Heating Wollaston Schoolhouse, .
4,000 00
Plumbing Willard Schoolhouse,
3,500 00
Repair of Public Buildings,
1,500 00
$380,905 61
Our Municipal Debt falls due as follows :
In 1901, $68,605 61
In 1902, 40,250 00
In 1903,
37,850 00
In 1904, 35,450 00
In 1905, 34,950 00
In 1906,
32,950 00
In 1907,
. 24,450 00
In 1908,
23,750 00
In 1909,
20,075 00
.
16
In 1910, .
15,575 00
In 1911 to 1924, each year, 3,300 00
In 1925, 800 00
$380,905 61
THE WATER DEBT
falls due as follows :
In 1901 to 1914 inclusive each year,
$31,500 00
In 1915, .
30,500 00
In 1916, .
.
29,500 00
In 1917, .
28,500 00
In 1918 to 1923 inclusive, each year,
27,500 00
In 1924, .
5,500 00
In 1926, .
4,000 00
In 1927, .
4,000 00
In 1928, .
3,000 00
In 1929, .
2,000 00
In 1930, .
SEWER DEBT. /
In 1901 to 1905 inclusive, each year,
$11,300 00
In 1906 to 1909
10,300 00
In 1910 to 1929 66
10,000 00
In 1930 to 1937
66 9,000 00
In 1938, .
3,500 00
In 1939, .
.
.
1,000 00
PLAY GROUND DEBT.
In 1901 to 1903 inclusive each year, $1,000 00
In 1904 to 1923 66 2,000 00
1,000 00
6,500 00
In 1925, .
17
THE TAX RATE.
In our tax rate of $18.20 the following requirements are provided for :
Levy for municipal purposes,
$11 15
State tax,
19
County tax, .
50
Maturing city debt,
3 55
Water Debt, less balance of income remaining after providing for maintenance and interest
63
Metropolitan water assessment,
56
Interest on municipal debt,
1 02
Metropolitan sewer assessment,
60
$18 20
Our municipal tax of $11.15 is apportioned as follows :
Fire Department,
$1 05
Pay City Officers,
65
Street Lighting, .
70
Street Watering, .
25
Highways, Bridges, Crossings,
Repair Public Buildings, Snow, etc.,
1 50
Public Library,
25
Police,
45
Poor, .
50
Schools,
5 00
Sundries,
55
$11 15
BORROWING MONEY.
While we have added to our debt this year more than we have paid, yet the increase is not as much as last year. Still it is more than it should be, for I am firmly of the opinion that we
Soldiers' Aid,
25
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should at once take stringent measures to do away with the practice of borrowing money to the extent which we have- done to the present time.
If we should be asked to appropriate the sum of $80,000 or $90,000 and put it into the tax levy of the current year, there would be an earnest protest from the citizens and yet we are doing just that very thing and in addition are paying the inter- est charge on that sum which is a dead loss to the city.
Every dollar of interest which we pay is a tax upon our citizens from which no benefit whatever is derived.
If we have an unusual large expense, it might be necessary, perhaps advisable, to borrow it on a term of years but if this is repeated each year we have the same burden each year on the body of the expenditure and in addition the burden of the in- terest.
By referring to the debt statement which I have given, you will see the need of the most careful scrutiny of every meas- ure which is presented.
I am firm in my conviction that it is the duty of this and succeeding Councils to legislate in such a manner that we shall in a very few years be beyond the necessity of borrowing. Under the present laws limiting the power of cities to exceed $12.00 per thousand on the average valuation of the three pre- ceding years, all city governments resort to borrowing money for their schemes, claiming permanent improvement as an excuse for wrong interpretation of the laws which allow and provide for borrowing money for municipal purposes.
A movement is now being made to see if the $12.00 limit cannot be removed and every community allowed to spend what. it is willing to be taxed for.
As it is at the present time the people are deceived by de- ferred payments and the interest item becomes almost appalling.
CITY HALL.
At the last city election the people voted upon the question of authorizing the Council to vote money to build a new City Hall and that question was answered in the negative.
19
The situation is so serious that additional accommodations must be provided for the safe keeping of the records of the city business, and I shall again submit for your consideration some changes in the present building which will accomplish this purpose.
ASSESSING DEPARTMENT.
The assessing of taxes in any community is one of the most difficult tasks in the whole lists of municipal affairs.
To equitably apportion the payment into the city treasury of the amount needed to carry on the government requires skill and courtesy in large measure.
During this year our charter has been amended so that we shall have a continuous board of three Assessors, one appointed each year for three years, instead of all being appointed yearly as at present.
During this past year a change has been made in the matter of recording the work of the Assessors, the card system, so-called, having been introduced, and this will add greatly to the effect- iveness of the work ; will give greater accuracy and will lessen the liability of overlooking taxable property.
This change was made in the short time of six weeks and because of the shortness of the time there were some errors and defects which will be corrected during the present year and the system made complete.
Under this system taxable property was found which before has escaped assessment, the tax from which exceeded the cost of establishing the system. 1
The change in the appointment of Assessors will require legislation on the part of the Council to provide assistants to provide for the field work in May and June.
COLLECTOR'S DEPARTMENT.
During the past year, at my recommendation, the Council changed the salary of the Collector making it a fixed sum, and directing all fees and emoluments to be paid into the City Treas- ury.
20
The business of this office is increasing in a very rapid manner both in amount of money to be collected and in detail, and the Council will have to give additional clerical assistance for the work for the present year.
Some changes will have to be made in the arrangement of the office, to enable him to efficiently transact the business of the department. Thre detail of sewer and sidewalk assessments adds greatly to the business of this department.
While the collection of the taxes is purely an executive function, it is a matter which to a large extent is in the hands of the people, and I wish for this reason to speak at this time of the desirability of a prompter payment of the taxes, thus secur- ing the advantage of a saving of interest in the money which we must borrow in anticipation of the collection of the taxes.
All cities are moving in this matter and some collectors are proceeding to enforce the payment at the earliest day under the law, and I trust our citizens will see the wisdom of early pay- ment and co-operate with the executive.
A delay in payment is of no advantage to the taxpayer but is rather an injury.
OFFICE ACCOMMODATIONS.
There must be some changes made in the arrangement of the offices of Assessors' department, Treasurer and City Clerk for the efficient transaction of the business and for the preser- vation of the city documents.
POOR DEPARTMENT.
Money must be expended this year for the improvement and preservation of the Almshouse ; in painting, and making additions to the toilet facilities.
This department is very efficiently and economically administered, and the city is fortunate in having so conscien- tious a man in this office as is Mr. Bass.
I am certain that our city will compare very favorably with
21
other cities in this vicinity in the cost and manner of caring for the poor.
STREETS.
You will learn from the figures which I have read to you, and from your personal examination, that the expense of the city in providing for our walks and roadways makes a large. item in our annual budget of appropriations.
Under Mr. Knowlton's efficient and intelligent administra -- tion the citizens can feel certain of getting an equivalent for all money expended by him.
While we are believers in good roads, we must remember' our financial limitations and be very careful in expenditures in this direction.
I am reminded by the Commissioner that the streets and roads in Ward 2 will have to receive considerable attention dur- ing the coming year, owing to the developments which are likely to come in that section at an early date.
The appropriations for street watering and street lighting were quite substantial the past year and I am desirous that our receipts will want the same liberal appropriations for the pres- ent year.
The expenditure of money for edgestones and sidewalks I believe is wise and economical. No improvement is more per- manent than this and nothing that we can do will reduce the cost of maintenance of ways in so substantial a degree.
ACCEPTANCE OF STREETS.
The Commissioner of Public Works reminds me that in his judgment it is not wise to accept streets without making a suf- ficient appropriation to put them in first-class shape for the de- mands likely to be made upon them in the section which they are.
I believe it will be wise to decline to accept any streets unless the abuttors are willing to pay one-half the cost of edge-
22
stones and to release the city from any damages by reason of a change of grade.
Much comment has been made regarding our expenditures on streets and while it is a fact that we do spend considerable sums in this work yet the fact remains that this is a consider- able item of cost in every city, and the demands upon our streets are peculiarly heavy and we must expect that our cost in this regard will be large.
I wish to have you carefully consider whether the time has not arrived requiring all wires, so far as possible, to be put un- der-ground, thus preventing to a great degree the disfigurement and destruction of our shade trees.
I have always been of the opinion that street watering should be included in the general tax and not be a special levy.
The injustice of this is to me very apparent, all enjoy the benefits but the expense falls upon a portion of the citizens and is not apportioned on all as it would be under the practice of in- cluding it in the levy.
Action is being taken in some cities to have this method adopted, and I would suggest the consideration by your body of legislation looking to its advancement.
The desirability of naming the squares and junctions of our principal thoroughfares, it seems to me, is apparent and should be attended to at an early day.
By giving to these places, in nearly all of which is some prominent or public building, the names of patriots and states- men, the deeds and events of the past would be constantly brought to the attention of both old and young.
ASSESSORS' PLANS.
Many cities have found it wise to appropriate large sums of money to prepare Assessors' Plans and they have found the ex- penditure very profitable in returning to the city treasury taxes on property which had escaped notice before such plans were prepared.
23
I remommend this matter to your attention and in this con- nection urge the enactment of such legislation as will conduce to a symmetrical growth and extension of our city.
WATER DEPARTMENT.
Our water service is becoming to be an extensive plant and will require quite a liberal appropriation this year because of the industries which are being developed in Ward 2.
I shall ask an early appropriation for this purpose that we may secure our pipe in season for an early beginning in the spring.
Expenditures in the extension of our water service are wise in many ways, and the return we get from them is very gener- ous.
We are very fortunate in being in the Metropolitan dis- trict for if we had been dependent on our own supply during the past year and a half I fear we should have been in a dan- gerous situation.
The consumption of water in the Metropolitan district is increasing to almost an alarming degree, and I wish to urge for your consideration the matter of requiring a general use of water meters in our city as a matter of economy and of safety.
There are many questions connected with the Metropolitan districts of Water and Sewer, and at a later date I may find it necessary to place the matter before you at length.
SEWER DEPARTMENT.
The system of sewerage of our city will in a year or two be extended for discharge into the outlet of the South Metropolitan District Sewer, and only the care and maintenance of our lateral sewers will devolve upon us. Very little has been done the past year by our Commission; the putting in of a few small con- nections being the extent.
The Metropolitan Sewerage Commissioners are in confer- ence with the officials of the city for determining the price to
24
be paid for our pumping station and force mains and we shall try to bring these negotiations to a close at a very early day.
In accordance with the provisions of the Sewerage Act, I have requested the Sewerage Commissioners of Quincy, to transfer the Sewerage system to the Commissioner of Public Works, and the power and duties of that Board will be vested in the Commissioner of Public Works at a very early day.
PARKS.
During the past year we have made some improvements in our play grounds in Wards 3, 4, and 6, and some further work can be done the present year to advantage if our revenue will permit.
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