USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Quincy > Inaugural address of the mayor, with the annual report of the officers of the city of Quincy for the year 1904 > Part 1
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.
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
THOMAS CRANE
PUBLIC LIBRARY QUINCY, MASS.
CITY APPROPRIATION
THOMAS CRANE
PUMITT LIBRARY CHATTY. MASS.
CITY APPROPRIATION
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016 with funding from Boston Public Library
https://archive.org/details/inauguraladdress 1904quin
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 16
INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF THE MAYOR CITY GOVERNMENT OF 1905
TOGETHER WITH THE
Ref. Q
Annual Reports
OF THE OFFICERS OF THE
City of Quincy
MASSACHUSETTS
FOR THE YEAR 1904
16.
1625
MANET
2
LUD
QUINCY?
1905 ADVERTISER STEAM JOB PRINT No. 10 Chestnut Street QUINCY
2
City Government 1905 25503 june 26/06 MAYOR,
JAMES THOMPSON.
DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS
Commissioner of Public Works. THOMAS F. BURKE
City Treasurer, HENRY G. FAY
City Clerk, HARRISON A. KEITH
Collector of Taxes, JAMES H. CUNNINGHAM.
City Solicitor, WILLIAM R. THOMAS
Chief of Police, FRANK E. BURRELL
Chief Engineer of Fire Department, PETER J. WILLIAMS.
Overseer of the Poor, FREDERICK F. GREEN.
City Engineer, HAMILTON FLOOD
City Physician, HENRY C. HALLOWELL.
Inspector of Milk, FREDERIC J. PEIRCE
Inspector of Animals, FRANCIS ABELE, Jr.
Inspector of Plumbing, JEREMIAH J. KENILEY
Inspector of Meats and Provisions, FREDERICK E. GOSS
3
ADMINISTRATIVE BOARDS
Assessors
Meet every Monday and Thursday at 9 A. M.
'CHARLES H. JOHNSON, Chairman, Term expires first Monday of February 1906
WILLIAM B. GLOVER,
JULIUS JOHNSON,
06 66
44
.66 1908
66 6
66 190+
Park Commissioners
GEORGE E. PFAFFMANN, Chairman
FRED B. RICE. Secretary
DEXTER E. WADSWORTH
Board of Health
WILLIAM H. TEASDALE, Chairman
ROSS K. WHITON, M. D., Clerk
HENRY P. KITTREDGE Sanitary Inspector, EDWARD J. LENNON
Examiners of Plumbers
WILLIAM H. TEASDALE, Chairman WARREN S. PARKER WILLIAM A. BRADFORD
Trustees of Thomas Crane Public Library
Meet first Wednesday of month at 7.30 P. M.
ELLERY C. BUTLER, Chairman, HARRISON A. KEITH, Secretary,
GEORGE W. MORTON, Treasurer, HARRY L. RICHE
HENRY MCGRATH, CHARLES R. SAFFORD
4
L
Managers of Adams Academy
WILLIAM EVERETT, LUTHER S. ANDERSON, ROGER H. WILD,
GEORGE B. DEWSON, WALTER S. PINKHAM, JOSEPH M. SHEAHAN,
Managers of Woodward Fund and Property
JJAMES THOMPSON, Mayor,
HENRY G. FAY, City Treasurer, HARRISON A. KEITH, City Clerk, GEORGE A. SIDELINGER, City Auditor, RICHARD R. FREEMAN, elected by the Council.
Managers of Public Burial Places
Meet second Tuesday of each month, at 7.30 P. M.
ALBERT W. FAY, Chairman,
JOHN Q. CUDWORTH, ALFRED O. DIACK,
GEORGE T. MAGEE, Secretary JOHN L. JOHNSON, JOSEPH H. VOGEL,
Superintendent,-James Nicol.
Registrars of Voters
EDWARD J. MCKEON, MICHAEL B, GEARY, FRANK TINNEY, HARRISON A. KEITH, City Clerk.
Term expires May 1, 1907
66
May 1, 1906
66
May 1, 1908
5
Assistant Engineers of Fire Department
-JOHN H. O'BRIEN,
FRANK C. PACKARD, DANIEL J. NYHAN.
Permanent Police
GEORGE A. CAHILL, ALFRED W. GOODHUE,
MARK E. HANSON. JOHN HALLORAN, DAVID J. BARRY,
TIMOTHY J. GOLDEN, JOHN T. LARKIN, MICHAEL F. DONOVAN, PATRICK J. KELLIHER, CHARLES T. CROOKER.
JEREMIAH HINCHON, JAMES W. MURRAY, DANIEL R. MCKAY, PATRICK H. BRADLEY, WILLIAM S. LYONS, PATRICK A. MILFORD, EDWARD JOHNSON, JOHN BOWTON, Jr., EDWARD J. CURTIN, CLAES A. BROBERG.
Special Police
SAMUEL D. DeFOREST, DAVID L. GORDON, JOHN A. O'BRIEN.
EDWARD J. SANDBERG,
HENRY F. CORBETT,
DANIEL H. DORAN, HENRY W. THORNE, HENRY J. MATTHEWS, JOHN P. DUFFY, GEORGE F. PHILLIPS, MICHAEL E. SCULLY,
MALCOLM C. STEWART, CALVIN T. DYER, JOHN F. DONOVAN, THOMAS F. MALONEY, JOSEPH F. GOODHUE, CHARLES OLSON, ERNEST H. BISHOP, HENRY F. RILEY, THOMAS A. MALONE, JEREMIAH DINEEN, ARTHUR JJ. PARKER.
6
Weighers of Coal
HERBERT D. ADAMS, E. FRANK MITCHELL, FRANK S. PATCH, FRANK W. CRANE, WILLIE E. FRENC !. JAMES J. RYAN, WILLIAM CASHMAN,
WILLIAM W. CUSHING, GEORGE P. MEAD, EBEN W. SHEPPARD, GEORGE B. PRAY, HERBERT A. NEWTON. WILLIAM H. HILDRETH, EDWARD W. HALL
JOHN J. CONNOR.
Measurers of Grain
FRANK W. CRANE, WILLIAM Q. BENT,
FRED P. LOUD
WILLIAM C. HART,
CHARLES W. NIGHTINGALE.
Sealer of Weights and Measures.
MAURICE I. GATCOMB.
Undertakers
JOHN HALL, ALBERT W. FAY,
WILLIAM E. BROWN, EDWARD L. BEAN.
7
CITY COUNCIL
Regular meetings on the first and third Mondays of each month at 7.35 P. M. WALTER F. NICHOLS.
President
Councilmen=at-Large
LEWIS BASS, Jr .. H. EVERETT CRANE,
WILLIAM M. CHASE, WILLIAM G. GASSETT,
ARTHUR W. LOUD.
Councilmen from Wards
Ward One
GEORGE E. ADAMS,
CHARLES H. BURGESS.
ANDREW STEWART.
Ward Four WILLIAM P. BARRY. JAMES M. FLAHERTY, WILLIAM P. HUGHES.
Ward Two
Ward Five
PETER HYNES.
FRED C. CHAMBERLIN,
WILLIAM F. SIDELINGER,
WALTER F. NICHOLS,
EUGENE R. STONE.
HERBERT J. POLK.
Ward Three
Ward Six
WALTER E. PIPER,
NEWMAN A. SAVAGE,
WILLIAM T. SPARGO.
HERBERT D. GEARWAR, BARTHOLOMEW A. McLANE, GEORGE F. SAWYER, Jr.
Clerk of Council,
CHRISTOPHER A. SPEAR, deceased. Succeeded by GEORGE T. MAGEE.
Chosen by the Council
GEORGE A. SIDELINGER, City Auditor, HARRY W. TIRRELL City Messenger ANDREW STEWART, Trustee of City Hospital.
ARTHUR W. LOUD,
City Council Committees
Finance, Accounts, Claims, Contracts and Salaries-BASS, GASSETT, HUGHES ADAMS, PIPER, POLK, STONE.
Streets, Ways, Sidewalks, Bridges and Lights-GASSETT, SPARGO, STEWART, GEARWAR, BARRY, CHASE, SIDELINGER.
Fire Department and Police-POLK, SPARGO, LOUD, CRANE, McLANE.
Sewers and Drains and Water Supply-LOUD, BURGESS, CHAMBERLIN, FLAHERTY, HYNES, McLANE, SAVAGE.
Public Buildings and Grounds-PIPER, BURGESS, CHASE, CRANE, SAWYER.
Ordinances, Licenses, Printing, Rules and Orders-STEWART, SAVAGE, SAWYER.
Legislative Matters, Elections and Returns-STONE, GEARWAR, FLAHERTY Health, Poor, State and Military Aid-ADAMS, BARRY, SIDELINGER.
8
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Office : No. 8 Washington Street ..
Regular meetings on the last Tuesday of each month at 8 P. M.
DR. HENRY C. HALLOWELL,, Chairman
SUPT. FRANK E. PARLIN, -
Secretary
At Large-JAMES H. CHURCHILL
Term expires 1905.
66 .. DR. HENRY C. HALLOWELL .
1906
4 . DR. NATHANIEL S. HUNTING
1907
Ward 1-CHARLES H. PORTER
66 1906
Ward 2-FREDERICK H. SMITH
..
44 1907
Ward 3-JOHN L. MILLER
1907
Ward 4-JAMES F. BURKE,
1905
Ward5-DR. WELLINGTON RECORD
1906
Ward 6-DR. FREDERICK J. PEIRCE
1905
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
QUINCY, MASS.
January 2, 1905
JAMES THOMPSON
11
Inaugural Address.
Gentlemen of the Council :
We have assembled here today as the chosen representa- tives of the people for the ensuing year, and in obedience to the provisions of the City Charter, to take the oaths of office, and assume the duties and responsibilities of the several positions to which we have been elected.
I believe we are all actuated by the single and sole pur- pose, as far as in us lies, to further in all ways the welfare and prosperity of our city.
As is customary at this time, a review of existing condi- tions and a forecast of the requirements for the future are in order, and it becomes my duty to state my views concerning them.
The first consideration is the financial condition of the city. What are our resources and liabilities ? Not always interesting, especially if found scant and unable to meet the demands made upon them.
FINANCIAL CONDITION.
The municipal year closes December 31, giving a very limited time to prepare a statement, but I submit, herewith, the following debt figures. For greater detail I will refer you to the reports of the Treasurer and Auditor.
12
DEBT STATEMENT.
Municipal Debt Jan. 1, 1904
$516,828 00
Paid during the year,
149,078 00
Leaving
$367,750 00
Added during the year
39,822 00
Debt December 31, 1904 .
$407,572 00
Water Debt Jan. 1, 1904
$716,000 00
Paid during the year
35,500 00
Leaving
$680,500 00
Added during the year
25,000 00
Debt Dec. 31, 1904
$705,500 00
Sewer Debt January 1, 1904
$468,800 00
Paid during the year
14,800 00
Leaving
$454,000 00
Added during the year
62,000 00
Debt Dec. 31, 1904 .
$516,000 00
Park Debt Jan. 1, 1904
40,000 00
Paid during the year
2,000 00
Debt Dec. 31, 1904 .
$38,000 00
Total Debt Jan. 1, 1904
$1,741,628 00
Paid during the year
201,378 00
Leaving
$1,540,250 00
Added during the year
126,822 00
Total Debt
$1,667,072 00
13
DIVIDED AS FOLLOWS :
Jan. 1, 1905.
Jan. 1, 1904.
Decrease
Municipal
. $407,572 00
$516,828 00
$109,256 00
Water
· 705,500 00
716,000 00
10,500 00
Sewer
. 516,000 00
468,800 00
*47,200 00
Playground
38,000 00
40,000 00
2,000 00
*Increase.
$1,667,072 00 $1,741,628 00
$74,556 00
LOANS ISSUED IN 1903.
Water Debt
$30,000 00
Sewer Debt
70,000 00
Municipal Debt
109,628 00
$209,628 00
LOANS ISSUED IN 1904.
Water extension
$25,000 00
Sewer extension
62,000 00
Sewer, House connections
7,000 00
Willard School Heating ·
10,000 00
Special Repair Public Buildings
1,500 00
Goffe street, Mount Wollaston Cemetery Entrance, etc.
6,700 00
Whitwell street, etc.,
6,800 00
Connecting Atlantic Hose House with Sewer
400 00
Bath House, Ward 2
1,300 00
Police Signal Boxes .
1,115 00
Sea Avenue
1,500 00
Poor Debt, 1903
1,907 00
Plans and Surveys
1,000 00
City Scales
600 00
$126,822 00
Decrease for the year
82,806 00
14
Municipal debt falling due in
1904
1905
January .
$1,950 00
$750 00
February
30,000 00
1,115 00
March
31,000 00
6,000 00
April
2,900 00
2,900 00
May
4,000 00
6,000 00
June
26,500 00
2,500 00
July
29,650 00
31,450 00
August
7,150 00
9,120 00
September
4,500 00
3,000 00
October .
3,000 00
4,900 00
November
5,600 00
6,607 00
December
1,828 00
3,600 00
$148,078 00
$77,942 00
TAX LEVY.
1903
. $429,446 36
1904
470,062 57
$899,508 93
TAX COLLECTED TO DECEMBER 1, 1904.
1903
. $376,279 51
1904
237,295 54
$613,575 05
Uncollected, Dec. 1, 1904
$285,933 88
Cash on hand, Dec. 1, 1904
249,926 92
$535,860 80
Bonds and notes due in December,
1904. $70,680 20 State tax paid in December, 1904 . 68,942 47
$139,622 67
$396,238 13
15
Temporary loans due in 1905 . $325,000 00 Unexpended balances of appropria-
tions 1903 and 1904
$67,429 73
$392,429 73
$3,808 40
The above figures relating to our municipal, water, park and sewer debt give the amounts due on January first of the year just closed, with the amounts paid and added during the year, showing the net debt on December 31, 1904, in either case.
These debts are bonded debts with equal proportions as provided in the loan order incurring the debt, maturing annually, and being raised in the tax levy. This matter can- not be evaded as the statute requires the Board of Assessors, under penalty, to assess and raise sums for all debts falling due.
A question raised in the past, and creating considerable criticism at the time, was gone into quite fully by my prede- cessor in his address last year, namely, the matter of temporary note obligations outstanding, borrowed in anticipation of the tax of the then current year.
On January 1, 1904, the sum of eighty thousand dollars ($80,000.00) was borrowed within the municipal debt limit to provide for temporary note obligations, not because of any shortage in assets (as at that time explained), but because of uncollected taxes of preceding years.
I am pleased to say that the sum has been paid, and our municipal debt limit has been relieved to the amount of this eighty thousand by the collection of back taxes preceding the year 1904.
The amount of indebtedness incurred during the past year is. thirty-nine thousand eight hundred twenty-two dollars ($39,822.00) which represents a very creditable showing for the outgoing city government.
I find, however, that the debt maturing for the current year is seventy-seven thousand nine hundred forty-two dollars
16
($77,942.00), considerably in excess of past years, accounted for by the many one year loans created.
Care should be had in making loans at no greater amount to mature in any single year than an equal proportion of the whole ; otherwise it adds heavily to taxation. We can proceed at about a certain pace, but with increased debt maturing, we are adding to the tax rate, and, in my judgment, this is a matter we cannot afford to do. The amount which we may assess this year for current expenses, under the law enabling us to raise twelve dollars per thousand of the assessors' valuation for the preceding year, less abatements to December 31, is two hun- dred eighty-four thousand nine hundred seventy-six and ninety- four one hundredths dollars ($284,976.94).
On January 1, 1905, our borrowing capacity at two and one-half per cent valuation of the average of the assessors' val- uation of the three preceding years (the valuation of each year being first reduced by the amount of all abatements), is five hundred and seventy-one thousand one hundred thirty-two and eighty one hundredths dollars ($571,132.80), leaving a margin on the debt limit to our credit of one hundred sixty-three thousand five hundred sixty and eighty one hundredths dollars ($163,560.80).
In order to meet the current expenses of the city, a loan order will be introduced at this meeting to provide the money, temporarily, until we can collect the taxes of the year, which will not be due until about ten months hence. Therefore, it must become apparent how essential it is promptness should be had in the collection of overdue taxes. Great losses have been entailed upon the city because of the slowness in collec- tions. Prior to 1900, I have found a large proportion of the single poll taxes, a great many personal taxes and some real estate taxes uncollected, and now impossible to collect, because of the neglect or indifference of those to whom was specially committed this duty. The non-performance of this duty is grievous to the honest taxpayer, who, in the end, pays not only his share but the other as well. The law says, "All persons shall pay their proportion of the public charges;" and
17
failure to collect the taxes is a discrimination against the honest citizen. It will be my duty to see that the Collector collects all single poll taxes in the current year of issue, also personal taxes within six months from date of bill.
METROPOLITAN DISTRICT AFFAIRS.
We are fortunate in being included in the Metropolitan water district, which gives us a bountiful and healthful supply of pure water.
I find by a comparison of the charges made by the Metro- politan Water Board to the city during the past five years, an increase of more than three hundred per cent. It is true that we have made extensive additions to the water mains. By a comparison of the conditions existing in 1900 I find nothing to justify this large increase, therefore, a proper subject of in- quiry on our part would be, is there any waste of water in the city. As I understand the matter, we are assessed for the amount of water consumed, and if water is being pumped to run to waste we are paying for something from which we get no return.
Pending before the council last year was the matter con- cerning meters. In view of the very large increase of the Metropolitan water charge in the past five years, it appears to me the reason for it should be investigated and if found that this matter may be obviated by the introduction of a meter system, I believe it will be good policy for the city to enter upon it.
Another matter of considerable importance which has arisen within very recent years is the construction of a high level gravity sewer for the South Metropolitan sewer district. The amount assessed upon us last year on account of this con- struction was twenty-four thousand six hundred ninety-eight and thirty-one one hundredths dollars ($24,698.31). The only direct return we have for this expenditure is the operating of what was the pumping station of our local system; also for the future, whatever may conduce to a better sanitary condition of
-
18
this section of the Metropolitan sewerage district, and a gen- erally better condition of public health for the whole com- munity.
I desire to call your attention to these matters as this ex- penditure alone on our present valuation represents one dollar additional to our tax rate. With the completion of the system the maximum charge will be reached, which is hoped will be this year.
We were also called upon last year to pay $9,088.94 as our proportion of the Metropolitan park assessment. We receive no direct benefit at this time because of this expenditure, and suffer from loss of taxation on the large area taken by the state for park purposes. It is true that this year the [park com- mission has commenced a piece of construction in ward six from Atlantic street to Squantum street, and in ward four from Adams street to the Blue Hill reservation. It will be my pur- pose to hasten in all possible ways the completion of these two parkways, and further extension, if possible, that we may re- ceive any advantages accruing because of these constructions.
SEWER DEPARTMENT.
The main work of the board during the past year has been the construction of the main sewer in West Quincy, from the high level sewer in Adams street, through the parkway, with some construction of laterals in the same section and a con- siderable amount of additions to the system in South Quincy and Norfolk Downs, in all representing about five miles.
Chapter 279 of the Acts of 1895 provides that whenever the sewerage system shall be substantially completed, and put in successful operation, the sewerage commission, upon written request of the Mayor, shall transfer the same to the Com- missioner of Public Works, and thereupon the powers of the sewerage commission shall cease.
Believing with the completion of the West Quincy main sewer the sewerage system was substantially completed under
19
the meaning of the act, Mayor Bryant requested the board to transfer it to the Commissioner of Public Works. This request was acted upon by the board at a meeting duly held, and it was voted to make the transfer on February 6, 1905. The delay in making the transfer is caused by the belief on the part of the board that the putting into successful operation of the system includes the finishing of the plans, and levying of assessments on the sewers built.
The system has been built with money borrowed under authority of various acts, representing a total of six hundred thousand dollars, all of which has been borrowed except ten thousand dollars. There will be also a balance of a few thou- sand dollars left from the last appropriation.
By the treasurer's statement I find the net debt December 31, stands at five hundred sixteen thousand dollars ($516,000.00). Of this amount the sewer debt stands credited in apportioned and unapportioned assessments, approximately, the sum of eighty-seven thousand dollars ($87,000.00).
Up to this time no part of the maintenance, interest or debt maturing charges against the system has been included in the tax levy, these charges having been met by the assessment on abutting property. Now with a heavier debt, with a larger annual part falling due, with greater interest charges, we are brought to a question of taxation that will have to be met at an early date.
There are formal petitions now before the board not acted upon, and, doubtless, there will be a demand for sewer exten- sions, which must be met. I shall, therefore, recommend that application be made to the legislature to borrow a further sum of money for the extension of the sewer system.
WATER DEPARTMENT.
The physical condition of our public water supply is supe- rior to that of any previous time since its acquisition by the muni- cipality. Pipes laid by the city as well as those originally laid by
20
the Quincy Water Company, are, at this date, in the best of preservation and good for many years, therefore making the entire system in a high state of efficiency. Our active assets in the system consists of ninety-seven and fourteen one hundredths miles of pipe laid in our streets, with its 5563 services, 668 hydrants, 1204 gates and one high pressure water tower. We are still the owners of the land, dam and basin located in Braintree-our water supply previous to our admis- sion to the Metropolitan district.
The financial condition of this department is most favorable. It continues to forge ahead as a revenue producer at a rapid rate, and in the course of a year or two will be eliminated from any part in the make-up of the tax levy, while at the same time supplying all our municipal needs free as in the past, such as hydrant services, school and all public building services, fountains and water used for street sprinkling purposes. All of this if computed at a moderate figure is worth not less than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.) annually.
The United States government, through the War Depart- ment, has made application to be connected with the system at Houghs Neck, thence by submarines to the forts on Peddocks Island. By agreement with the Commissioner of Public Works, who is authorized to do all the land construction work necessary for these pipes (the government complying with all rules and regulations as any other applicant), all bills are to be paid by the government, effecting a saving to us as a city of about two thousand dollars in the extension of our water mains, which eventually would be necessary.
To obtain the water rates because of this supply it may be necessary for us to ask the legislature to amend our water act to include Peddocks Island in our water district.
In view of this flattering condition it is not out of place at this time to give credit to those members of our earlier city governments who were active in the city's purchase of the Quincy Water Company and our admission to the Metropoli- tan water district. These are matters of only about twelve years ago, and yet in that short time has been proven the wis-
21
dom of the business venture whether viewed from the point of public health or money invested.
STREET DEPARTMENT.
Public streets and sidewalks are good object lessons of thrift and public spirit-or the reverse-of a community. Well built and cared for streets, properly drained, add to the value of property and to the convenience and necessity of the public.
I think all will concede we are making progress slowly. Our heavy traffic streets should continue to be paved as fast as our means will permit, first, however, making provision for ) due width and surface drainage, with all gas, water and sewer pipes laid preceding the completion of a piece of roadway. We have all frequently seen the streets broken into just as the work was completed and left in a most unfinished condition. We cannot afford this great cost and the waste incidental to this condition of neglect.
The turning over of the sewer department to the Com- missioner of Public Works is a step in the right direction, re- moving one of the greatest evils to the good maintenance of our streets (illustrations of which have been numerous), and bringing back to the commissioner the authority originally con- ferred under the charter. No license should be granted by the commissioner to open a street without absolute guaranty that it shall be left in as good condition as when the work was entered upon.
Many improvements and repairs have been made on the streets during the past year. The general appropriation for this work is small, but the people are demanding larger returns than results show.
We have seventy-five miles of streets ; still, in justice to many taxpayers, the city should accept many private ways that are well built upon.
We have been relieved of any further maintenance of
22
Randolph avenue, it having been taken over by the State.
Additional appropriation should be made for edgestones and paved gutters. I consider this a most necessary work, and recommend its continuance so far as is compatible with our re- sources.
I have every reason to believe that during the current year we will be compelled to pay our portion of the construction and expense charges of the Fore River bridge between Quincy Point and North Weymouth, and the Hancock street bridge now being built over the tracks of the New York, New Haven & Hartford railroad at Atlantic.
The commissioners appointed by the superior court to de- termine the cost of the bridge at Atlantic, and who shall carry out the work in question adjudged necessary by the County Commissioners, have named the parties specially interested and the proportion of the entire cost to be paid, and their report has been rendered to and accepted by the court ; the railroad company is ordered to pay sixty per cent., the street railway fifteen per cent. and the city of Quincy twenty-five per cent. Approximately, the work is estimated to cost about forty-six thousand dollars, ($46,000), making the expense to us about eleven thousand five hundred dollars (11,500).
The cost to the city of Quincy of the Fore River bridge is not yet determined, unfortunately, pending decision of the special commission appointed to hear all the evidence of the interested parties, and before any report was signed, one of the . members died. What delay this may cause in the finding is yet unknown, and what the portion may be for the city of Quincy to pay is also unknown.
The cost of the bridge, as it stands today, represents from one hundred six to one hundred seven thousand dollars, of which amount we will be called upon to pay a considerable part. When the amount is known it will be necessary for the Council to raise the money, which may be either in the general tax levy or by the incurring of a debt under our municipal debt limit. Or, if the sums are large, the question may well be con- sidered as to whether or not the construction of these bridges
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.