Inaugural address of the mayor, with the annual report of the officers of the city of Quincy for the year 1905, Part 1

Author: Quincy (Mass.)
Publication date: 1905
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 442


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 1905 > Part 1


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City of Quincy


164


1625


MAN T


1792


QUINCY 1888


1905


Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016 with funding from Boston Public Library


https://archive.org/details/inauguraladdress1905quin


CITY DOCUMENT NO. 17


INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF THE MAYOR, CITY GOVERNMENT OF 1906


TOGETHER WITH THE


Annual IReports =


OF THE OFFICERS OF THE


City of Quincy


MASSACHUSETTS


FOR THE YEAR 1905


1625


MANET


QUINCY?


1888


1906 ADVERTISER STEAM JOR PRINT No. 10 Chestnut Street QUINCY


2


City Government 1906


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, AMOS L. LITCHFIELD


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


3


ADMINISTRATIVE BOARDS


Assessors


Meet every Monday and Thursday at 9 A. M.


CHARLES H. JOHNSON, Chairman, Term expires first Monday of February 1909 WILLIAM B. GLOVER,


66 1908


66 1907 JULIUS JOHNSON, 66 66 66


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 Inspector of Plumbing. JJEREMIAH J. KENILEY Inspector of Meats and Provisions, JAMES F. ALLEN


Board of Examiners of Plumbing


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. RICE HENRY MCGRATH CHARLES R. SAFFORD


Managers of Adams Academy


WILLIAM EVERETT LUTHER S. ANDERSON


ROGER H. WILDE WALTER S. PINKHAM GEORGE M. SHEAHAN


Managers of Woodward Fund and Property


JAMES THOMPSON, Mayor HENRY G. FAY City Treasuerer HARRISON A. KEITH, City Clerk HENRY O. FAIRBANKS, City Auditor GEORGE A. SIDELINGER, elected by the Council.


4


Managers of Public Burial Places


Meet second Tuesday of each month at 7.30 P. M.


ALBERT W. FAY, Chairman ALFRED O. DIACK BENJAMIN KING


JOHN Q. CUDWORTH JOSEPH H. VOGEL JAMES NICOL, Superintendent


Registrars of Voters


EDWARD J. MCKEON, MICHAEL B. GEARY, FRANK TINNEY, HARRISON A. KEITH, City Clerk.


Term expires May 1, 1907


May 1, 1909


.6


6. May 1, 1908


Assistant Engineers of Fire Department


FRANK C. PACKARD,


DANIEL J. NYHAN,


GEORGE O'BRIEN


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. CLAES A. BAOBERG,


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, CHARLES T. CROOKER


Special Police


SAMUEL 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, ARTHUR J. PARKER,


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. MALON. MICHAEL E. SCULLY. JEREMIAH DINNEEN


5


CITY COUNCIL


WALTER E. PIPER, President


70 Centre Street


Councilmen-at-Large


LEWIS BASS, JR., 38 Granite Street. WM. M. CHASE, 192 Davis st Wollaston ARTHUR C. BEAL, Vane st , At'antic. H. EVERETT CRANE, 55 Elm street WALTER E. PIPER, 70 Centre Street.


Councilmen from Wards


Ward One


Ward Four


MADISON M. CANNON, 29 Spear Street J. LEONARD FERGUSON, 45 Willard St OTTO GELOTTE, 255 Whitwell Street JAMES M. FLAHERTY, " Morton St ALFRED H. GILSON, 22 Linden Place CHARLESJ McGILVRAY 118 Willard St


Ward Two Ward Five


WILLIAM T. DONOVAN Chubbuck Street WENDELL H. HULL, 30 Park St HERMANN W. GROSS, 46 Howard Ave WALTER F. NICHOLS 407 Newport Ave EUGENE R. STONE, &7 North Street HERBERT J. POLK, 165 Beach St Ward Three


Ward Six


WILLIAM H. DEACON, 194 Liberty St RALPH w. HOBBS, 11 Clark St GEORGE HUNTER, 80 Independence Ave JOHN MOIR 419 Hancock Street WILLIAM T. SPARGO, 160 Franklin St GEORGE F. SAWYER, JR , 31 Faxon Rd


GEORGE T. MAGEE, 2 Carruth St., Residence Tel. 75-2 Quincy, Clerk of Council.


Chosen by the Council


HENRY O. FAIRBANKS, 77 Beach Street


H. W. TIRRELL, Manet Ave., Hough's Neck


ALFRED H. GILSON,


WENDELL H. HULL,


l'ity Auditor. City Messenger Trustee of City Hospital ..


Standing Committees


Finance, Accounts, Claims, Contracts and Salaries-POLK, NICHOLS, BASS, CRANE, SAWYER, SPARGO, FLAHERTY,


Streets, Ways, Sidewalks, Bridges and Lights-CRANE, HOBBS, [CANNON, DEACON, FERGUSON, DONOVAN, HULL.


Fire Department and Police-STONE, CHASE, BEAL, GELOTTE. DONOVAN. Sewers, Drains, and Water Supply-FLAHERTY, HUNTER, GROSS, GILSON, BEAL, HULL, MOIR.


Public Buildings and Grounds-SAWYER, GELOTTE, MCGILVRAY, GROSS, DEACON.


Ordinances, Licenses, Printing, Rules and Orders-CHASE, FERGUSON, STONE.


Legislative Matters, Elections and Returns-CANNON, HOBBS, McGIL- VRAY


Health, Poor, State and Military Aid-Spargo, Gilson, Hunter.


6


SCHOOL COMMITTEE


Office No. 8 Washington Street.


Regular Meetings on the last Tuesday of each month at 8 P. M.


Office Open :- Every week day, except Saturday, from 8 to 12 A. M., 2 to 5 P. M. Saturday, 8 to 12 A. M.


Regular Hours of Superintendent :- Monday, 7.30 to 8.30 P. M. Tuesday, 4 to 5 P. M. Thursday, 4 to 5 P. M. Friday, 8 to 9 A. M.


DR. HENRY C. HALLOWELL, Chairman


SUPT. FRANK E. PARLIN.


Secretary


At Large-DR. HENRY C. HALLOWELL . Term expires 1906


DR. NATHANIEL S. HUNTING


1607


MR. ARTHUR W. NEWCOMB


6 6


1908


Ward 1-HON. CHARLES H. PORTER Ward ยท2-MR. FREDERICK H. SMITH


06 .. 1906


.6


64


1907


Ward 3-MR. JOHN L. MILLER


1907


Ward 4-MR. CHARLES H. OWENS


1908


Ward 5-DR. WELLINGTON RECORD


. 6 1906


Ward 6-MR. JOHN A. DUGGAN


.6


1908


6 6


MAYOR'S ADDRESS


QUINCY, MASS.


January 2, 1906


JAMES THOMPSON


9


Mayor's Inaugural Address.


Gentlemen of the Council:


Intrusted by the people with the transaction of the busi- ness affairs of the city for the ensuing year, it becomes us to give to the same the best consideration and effort of which we are capable, that we may conduct along safe and conservative lines its highest and best interests, thereby obtaining in full measure the greatest results compatible with our resources.


We are a growing community with ever-expanding needs, many of which from a progressive view are deemed absolutely essential. This none can deny ; but the means whereby we may meet these wants are limited under the laws governing the taxation that we may levy upon ourselves and the amount of indebtedness in which we may be involved. Therefore, the financial question is vital, as a wise discrimination by the Council is necessary in selecting the public work which shall be undertaken.


A reference to our financial condition, as shown by the treasurer's report, is proper at this time and will, if heeded, guide us in solving the amount of money we may appropriate for the ensuing year, if it is to be borrowed.


10


DEBT STATEMENT.


Municipal Debt Jan, 1, 1905,


Paid during the year,


$407,572 00 77,942 00


Leaving


329,630 00


Added during the year,


157,000 00


Debt December 31, 1905,


$186,630 00


Water Debt Jan. 1, 1905,


$705,500 00


Paid during the year,


37,500 00


Leaving


668,000 00


Added during the year,


26,000 00


Debt Dec. 31, 1905,


$694.000 00


Sewer Debt Jan. 1, 1905,


$516,000 00


Paid during the year,


17,300 00


Leaving


$498,700 00


Added during the year,


25,000 00


Debt Dec. 31, 1905,


$523,700 00


Park Debt Jan. 1, 1905


$38,000 00


Paid during the year,


2,000 00


Debt Dec. 31, 1905,


$36,000 00


1I


Total Debt Jan. 1, 1905,


Paid during the year,


$1,667,072 00 134,742 00


Leaving


$1,532,330 00


Added during the year


208,000 CO


Total Debt, .


$1,740,330 00


DIVIDED AS FOLLOWS :


Jan. 1. 1906.


Jan. 1, 1905.


Municipal,


$486,630 00


$407,572 00


$79,058 00*


Water


694,000 00


705,500 00


11,500 00+


Sewer,


523,700 00


516.000 00


7.700 00*


Playground,


36,000 00


38.000 00


2.000 00+


$1,740,330 00


$1,667,072 00


$73,258 00*


*Increase. ^Decrease.


LOANS ISSUED IN 1904.


Water Debt,


$25,000 00


Sewer Debt,


62.000 00


Mun cipal Debt


39,822 00


$126,822 00


LOANS ISSUED IN 1905.


Water extension,


$26.000 00


Sewer extension,


25,000 00


Municipal Debt,


157,000 00


$208,000 00


Municipal'debt falling due in


1905


1906


January,


$750 00


$750 00


February,


1,115 00


March,


6,000 00


8,000 00


April,


2,900 00


4,900 00


May,


6,000 00


6,000 00


June,


2,500 00


1,000 00


July,


31,450 00


28.150 00


August,


9,120 00


10.070 00


September,


3,000 00


2,000 00


October.


4,900 00


4.400 00


November,


6,607 00


7.200 00


December.


3,600 (0


7.200 00


$77,942 00


$79.670 00


The limit of taxation we may raise for current expenses is fixed by the statute at $12 per M of valuation of the city as deter- mined by one of two ways : (1) the average of the three pre- ceding years, valuations less all abatements ; (2) on the valua- tion of the preceding year less all abatements. The latter method is the one that has prevailed for some time in this city, but this has developed a very much less sum than required to meet fixed charges as created by ordinances and the current demands of the various city departments, so, in addition, all the receipts of the city that possibly can be taken are appropriated to meet current demands alone, leaving no margin whatever to expend in any permanent work, and it is only by recourse to the city's credit that means are obtained to meet our ever-pressing wants.


An examination of the treasurer's statement will show the expenditures for 1905, amounting to the large sum of one hundred fifty-seven thousand dollars ($157,000.00) made within the municipal debt limit for the following purpose, viz:


Sewer House connections


$6,000 00


Contagious diseases


2.000 00


School deficit


1.000 00


Gypsy moth


2,500 00


High School enlargement .


113.000 00


13


Poor Department deficit, 1904 . 3,000 00


Order No. 98 Catch Basin & Drain on Taylor street .


800 CO


Order No. 91 Sidewalk on Beach street


800 CO


Order No. 163 Laying out Upland Road


800 CO


Order No. 188 system of water closets in Adams school


2,750 CO


Order No. 190 Fire Alarm boxes


125 00


Order No. 84 Sidewalk on Faxon Road


425 00


Order No. 185 Raising grade of Centre street


1.000 00


Order No. 202 Laying out Freeman street


600 00


Order No. 203 Laying out Holmes street


500 00


Order No. 204 Laying out Glendale road


600 00


Order No. 205 Laying out Farnum street


300 00


Order No. 206 Laying out, Coe street


200 CO


Order No. 230 Widening Granite street


400 00


Order No. 165 Resurfacing Walnut street


700 00


Order No. 166 Crosswalks .


800 00


Order No. 210 Changing grade of Hancock street


5000 00


Order No. 251 Paved gutters on Goddard street


1.200 (0


Order No. 252 Curtis street


300 00


Order No. 275 Bromfield street


900 (0


Order No. 160 and order No. 316 laying out Maple


Street


11,300 00


$157,000 00


We cannot compare with such expenditures this year for we begin it with a margin of only one hundred ten thousand one hundred seventy- four and eighty-five one hundredths dollars (8110,174 85) on the debt limit, with the sum of seven- teen thousand and fifty dollars ($17,050.00) appropriated against it by last year's Council, under Order 374, the bonds of. which are dated January, 1906.


The Hancock street bridge at Atlantic nearing completion, and the adjustment soon to be decreed as to who shall pay the cost of the Fore River bridge anticipated to have been paid in 1905, will take a large part of the remainder above named. Therefore, we must go slowly.


I estimate the revenue on the $12. rate per M that we may raise this year to be three hundred one thousand three


14


hundred eighty-seven and thirty-three one hundredths dollars ($301,387.33) with no increase in receipts to appropriate for department expenses.


By ordinances making an increase in the permanent men in the fire department, and the change in the cost of manage- ment of the Woodward Fund to direct taxation, together with the mandatory law to provide means for the extermination of the gypsy and brown tail moths, nearly all the increase gained by new valuation last year is absorbed. Therefore, the appro- priation for the several departments cannot be increased over that of 1905.


We have borrowed during the past year for temporary purposes, in anticipation of the taxes, about ten per cent. less than the order passed in Council authorized.


As long as appropriations must be passed to provide money to meet current expenses to be paid by taxes to be raised, we can only hope to keep our interest charges for temporary loans at the lowest level consistent with the shortest possible time to collect them.


During the year the collector has pressed the payment of unpaid polls and personal taxes, and the showing made is an improvement on previous years.


METROPOLITAN DISTRICT AFFAIRS.


A new method of assessment in the Metropolitan Water District (except in Boston ) created by chapter 426 Acts 1904, takes effect this year, the same being levied on the basis of two-thirds on consumption and one-third on valuation.


It is estimated by the Commission, on the per capita con- sumption of water in this city, that our water charges will be about 87,000 more than last year, making our assessment about $43,(00 for 1906 or twenty per cent. more than last year. The per capita consumption in this city in November last was 113 gallons. With the exception of Boston, whose per capita con- sumption in the same month was 144 gallons, we are the highest


15


in the Metropolitan district. According to tables carefully pre- pared by the engineer of the Distributive Department, the daily average in this city for November, 1903 was 2,252,400 gallons; while in November, 1905 it was 3,171,300 gallons-an increase of 918,000 gallons per day or forty per cent. In the opinion of the Commission our large consumption is due either to leakages in our pipes or a reckless waste by the consumers. In comparison with other cities in the district of about our pop- ulation and character, our consumption is excessive and re- quires prompt measures on our part to locate the cause and ap- ply the remedy.


The South Metropolitan high level gravity sewer has been completed to that stage as authorized by the legislature, and the maximum charge upon the city, for the present, was reached last year.


The Commission expects this year to effect a saving by the abandonment of a pumping station in the Roxbury district thereby lessening somewhat our assessment from that of last year. If no new authorization of extension is made by the leg- islature, we may hope for a gradual reduction, yearly, in the in- terest charges by the payments into the sinking fund.


The Metropolitan Park Commission informs me that the Furnace Brook Parkway has been finished to sub-grade be- tween Blue Hills Reservation and Adams street. A concrete rockfaced bridge, to carry the Granite Branch of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad over the parkway in West Quincy, is nearly completed. Plans for the bridge of the main line at Newport Avenue are in preparation. It is ex- pected that surfacing of the sub-graded portion will begin next spring and be completed in the early fall. A road is being built in the Blue Hills connecting the end of the parkway with the central roadway through the Reservation. It crosses Saw Cut Notch Road on the way and thus will provide an interest- ing circuit drive in the Quincy section of the Blue Hills. Work on the Quincy Shore will continue so far as practical dur- ing the winter and will go on next summer as far as circum-


16


stances will allow. Plans for the bridge over Sachem Brook have been approved by the proper authorities and this will also be a part of next year's work. In the absence of unforseen difficulties, it is intended that the work on Quincy Shore shall continue without interruption until completed.


WATER DEPARTMENT.


The money appropriated to extend the water mains has been expended in connecting the high pressure tower on Third Hill by a sixteen-inch main through Brook street under tracks of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad and Wood- bine street to Hancock street, giving us a double line of supply connecting with the main of the Metropolitan system from Adams street, thereby adding to the efficiency of the water supply as well as permitting the overhauling and much-needed repair- ing of the shutoffs at Water and Penn Streets which have been in continuous service since put in by the Quincy Water Com- pany, and heretofore being our main and only line connecting with the Metropolitan supply at Adams street.


A main beginning at Sea street and thence to the end of the Causeway at Nut Island, to give a water supply to the United States government at Fort Andrew on Peddock's Island has been laid, the same being paid for by the government, giv- ing to us the hydrant service without cost and the opportunity along the line to give the necessary local services. The reven- ue we are to receive from this source for the use of our pipes, as decided by the Attorney-General, is to be one-half that charged by the Metropolitan Water Board to the Government.


The other extensions have been in streets not previously connected, and laid to meet the growing sections now being developed. Water is a necessity, and the extension of the sys- tem has tended to place it on the present financial basis. All reasonable petitions for the extension of the system should be granted, and I recommend for the ensuing year that we make the annual appropriation.


17


The estimate of the income for the past year has been col- lected and paid into the treasury.


Last year I asked the Council to investigate the question of the introduction of a system of meters. In view of the new Metropolitan water assessments, and the statement of the Com- mission showing great waste in our per capita consumption in comparison with other cities of like character in the district, 1 believe it becomes imperative for us to install meters on all services as soon as possible. Furthermore, it appears to me fair that, as the price which the city has to pay for its supply is so largely determined now by the measured quantity it uses, the only equitable basis of payment by the citizens is the actual quantity used by them; and I ask your careful consideration of the subject.


SEWER DEPARTMENT.


The sewer system has been extended mainly in ward two because of the need of sewage disposal in the yard of the Fore River Shipbuilding Company and territory adjacent thereto. This has involved some very deep cutting; thence across the marsh, laid on a concrete bottom, with considerable rock ex- cavation. The cost being in excess of the estimates, a further sum of money will have to be appropriated to carry the work to the point contemplated.


Short extensions of the sewer have been made in various other streets.


Undoubtedly, petitions will be received during the year to connect with the sewer. From a sanitary condition and for the best public interests, I recommend that we appropriate a suffi- cient amount for extensions.


STREET DEPARTMENT.


During the past year we have endeavored to give the greatest possible return for the money expended, and equitably


18


divide in the several sections the general appropriation for the care and maintenance of streets.


We now have seventy-seven miles of accepted streets, and only by constant attention may we hope to maintain them even at the present standard. Correct grade and surface drainage are important factors in the maintenance of good streets, also a road metal of the right kind, if we are to have economy. Our crushing plant should be entirely renewed and located where the best material of trap-rock character exists. I be- lieve there are places in the city where such material can be ob- tained cheaper and, with a modern plant, handled more expedi- tiously, thereby enabling us to deliver on the streets at a mini- mum cost.


The most important work of the year has been on Han- cock street at the Atlantic bridge, with the approaches thereto and its intersecting streets. We all know the question with its objectionable features that confronted us a year ago, and the apparent deadlock of affairs By an amicable arrangement with the officials of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad Co. and the Old Colony Street Railway Co. we were enabled to re-open the decree of the County Commissioners and the Special Commission, who apportionedthe cost of the work, and bring about a solution eminently satisfactory and advan- tageous to all interested parties, the cost of the work to be paid for as first apportioned, viz .; sixty per cent. by the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Company, fifteen per cent. by the Old Colony Street Railway Company and twenty-five per cent by the city of Quincy.


With the bridge and street built to full width, the grade on the south side of the bridge reduced and the land adjacent made available for development, we have every reason to credit ourselves with a permanent improvement.


This completion has also made possible the granting of double-track locations to the street railway making a complete double-track from City Square to Neponset river. The street railway, in conjunction with the Boston Elevated, has put in


19


operation the long promised through-service to Dudley street station of the Elevated, and with the advent of spring it is hoped that more frequent service will be put in operation to accommodate the traveling public.


The acceptance and laying out of Maple Street, and widen- ing of Cottage Avenue, both very important and expensive matters, have been ordered.


A large number of new streets have been accepted and laid out in order to meet petitions of long standing. In the acceptance of new streets, which in fairness to all the tax payers should be well considered, a closer adherence to the ordinance concering the acceptance of new streets should be observed.


My opinion is the same as stated last year, i. e., all heavy traffic streets should be paved as soon as can be; and while it is possible to do but a small part each year, I believe it wise to continue this class of work.


The question of street lighting is of the highest importance ; it adds to safety and convenience and is an efficient aid to police protection. Many petitions for the installation of street lights are before us, but with the means at our disposal I do not see how the appropriation for same can be increased and the petitions granted, as this can be met only in the current expenses.


FIRE DEPARTMENT.


The station at Hough's Neck has not yet been put into commission, but an appropriation has been made for the pur- chase of a combination chemical, hose, and ladder apparatus, with the necessary horses. There will be also installed a bell striker. As soon as the equipment can be delivered and the striker put in operation, the long-standing complaint of the property owners of this section, of a lack of fire protection, will be removed.


Our fire alarm system is a matter of deep importance and requires attention.


19


I desire to call to your notice the extreme length of cir- cuit No. 1, which covers Quincy Centre, the Point district and Hough's Neck, and contains about twenty miles of wire. In case of a break or other trouble on this wire or instruments connected therewith, the entire property in the districts covered is without the means of alarm until the trouble can be located and remedied; and this, owing to the length of the cir- cuit, is a slow process. I, therefore, recommend that this cir. cuit be made into two separate and distinct circuits. This will necessitate two additional wires from the engine house to the stone church ; also, that we use the ducts in the underground conduit reserved for the use of the fire alarm. Boxes Nos. 35, 23 and 26 on this line should be of the non-interfering type, and each placed on an underground iron post. Each box can then be placed in a separate circuit, avoiding, to a great extent, the danger of a confused alarm owing to two alarms being pulled about the same time.


The valuable property interests in this district should be guarded to the fullest extent. The present wire has been in use many years and should be replaced, for it has about reached the limit of its usefulness.


The Hydrant Service, as provided in the ordinance govern- ing same, is under the direction of the chief engineer. With fires in progress, and for fire drill by the men of the de- partment, it should so remain; but aside from this no hydrant should be opened except under the direction or by the authority of the superintendent of the Water Department.


I believe a great waste of water occurs annually by the use of this service, and to reduce it in all possible ways, I re- commend that the ordinance be changed to cover this point.


POLICE DEPARTMENT.


During the past year the ordinance relating to this de- partment has been changed, creating the rank of lieutenant and two sergeants. These offices have been filled by members




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