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THOMAS CRANE
PUBLIC LIBRARY QUINCY, MASS.
CITY APPROPRIATION
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016 with funding from Boston Public Library
https://archive.org/details/inauguraladdress1909quin
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 21
Inaugural Address of the Mayor and City Government of 1910
Together with the
ANNUAL REPORTS
of the Officers of the
City of Quincy
Massachusetts
For the Year 1909
16
0
MANET
QUINCY:
1080
GEORGE W. PRESCOTT PUBLISHING CO.
Dec. 31 1910
City Government 1910
Mayor, WILLIAM T. SHEA
DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS
Commissioner of Public Works RANDOLPH BAINBRIDGE
City Treasurer JOHN CURTIS
City Clerk HARRISON A. KEITH
Collector of Taxes TIMOTHY J. CAREY
City Solicitor JOHN W. MICANARNEY
Chief of Police FRANK E. BURRELL
Chief Engineer of Fire Department PETER J. WILLIAMS
Overseer of the Poor JAMES H. ELCOCK
City Engineer
EZEKIEL C. SARGENT
City Physician HENRY C. HALLOWELL
Inspector of Animals FRANCIS ABELE, JR.
ADMINISTRATIVE BOARDS. ASSESSORS
Meet every Monday and Thursday at 9 A. M.
WARREN W. ADAMS, Chairman,
ALEXANDER FALCONER,
JOHN A. DUGGAN,
Term expires First Monday of Feb., 1911 First Monday of Feb., 1913 First Monday of Feb., 1912
PARK COMMISSIONERS
DEXTER E. WADSWORTH
CHARLES E. GILL
ROBERT E. FOY
3
4
BOARD OF HEALTH
WILLIAM H. CALLAHAN, Chairman F. RAMON BURKE, M. D., Clerk
CORNELIUS M. DUGGAN
Sanitary Inspector, EDWARD J. LENNON Inspector of Plumbing JEREMIAH J. KENILEY Inspector of Meats and Provisions JAMES F. ALLEN
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 HENRY MCGRATH CHARLES R. SAFFORD JAMES F. BURKE
MANAGERS OF ADAMS ACADEMY
WILLIAM EVERETT
GEORGE M. SHEAHAN
PERRY LAWTON
LUTHER S. ANDERSON WALTER S. PINKHAM FREDERIC J. PEIRCE
MANAGERS of WOODWARD FUND and PROPERTY
WILLIAM T. SHEA, Mayor JOHN CURTIS, City Treasurer HARRISON A. KEITH, City Clerk HENRY O. FAIRBANKS, 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 JOSEPH H. VOGEL
OTTO GELOTTE WELLINGTON W. MITCHELL, Clerk JAMES NICOL, Superintendent
REGISTRARS of VOTERS
EDWARD J. MCKEON MICHAEL B. GEARY
HENRY W. FRENCH,
HARRISON A, KEITH, City Clerk,
Term expires April 1, 1910 Term expires April 1, 1912 Term expires April 1, 1911
5
ASSISTANT ENGINEERS OF FIRE DEPARTMENT FRANK C. PACKARD
DANIEL J. NYHAN JAMES P. DILLON
INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS
WARREN S. PARKER
COM. WATER FRONT, WATER WAYS AND NAVIGATION FRANK FESSENDEN CRANE
PERMANENT POLICE
Lieutenant,-DANIEL R. MCKAY
SERGEANTS
MARK E. HANSON
DAVID J. BARRY
PATROLMEN
GEORGE A. CAHILL
JEREMIAH HINCHON
ALFRED W. GOODHUE
JAMES W. MURRAY
JOHN HALLORAN
TIMOTHY J. GOLDEN
JOHN T. LARKIN
PATRICK A. MILFORD EDWARD JOHNSON EDWARD J. CURTIN
MICHAEL F. DONOVAN
CHARLES OLSON CHARLES T. CROOKER
CLAES A. BROBERG
ERNEST H. BISHOP
DANIEL H. DORAN
HENRY F. RILEY
JEREMIAH DINNEEN
DANIEL J. FORD WILLIAM S. LYONS
RESERVE POLICE
HENRY W. THORNE GEORGE F. PHILLIPS HENRY F. CORBETT JOHN J. AVERY
JOHN P. DUFFY JAMMES H. WHELAN JOHN J. DUANE DAVID L. FARRELL
SPECIAL POLICE
SAMUEL D. DeFOREST EDWARD J. SANDBERG DAVID L. GORDON THOMAS A. MALONE
JEREMIAH D. DHOOGE
HENRY HATHORN CALVIN T. DYER HENRY J. MATTHEWS WILLIAM J. DeCOSTE WILLIAM J. HEBERT
City Council
RALPH W. HOBBS, President
11 Clark Street, Atlantic
COUNCILMEN AT LARGE
ERNEST W. BRANCH
CHARLES M. BRYANT
CHARLES E. CHERRINGTON
ALEXANDER CLARK
EDWARD J. SANDBERG
72 Putnam Street Wollaston Avenue 6 Clive Street 84 Pleasant Street 20 Buckley Street
WARD COUNCILMEN Ward One
CHARLES A. ERICSON JAMES M. NOWLAND JOSEPH L. WHITON, JR.
127 Glendale Road Edgemere Road 29 Whitney Road
Ward Two
WILLIAM A. CAREY WILLIAM H. FLYNN EDWARD P. HISTEN
176 South Street 130 Summer Street Dysart Street
Ward Three
GEORGE A. BOLSTER JAMES M. CANTFILL JOHN R. RICHARDS
22 Verchild Street 36 Madison Avenue 76 Centre Street
Ward Four
HARRY T. BOYD JOHN J. McDEVITT JOHN D. SMITH
28 Centre Street 134 Willard Street 12 Nelson Street
Ward Five
ARTHUR C. GARDNER ARTHUR W. LOUD FRED R. SNOW
40 Berlin Street 42 Brook Street 72 Marlboro Street
Ward Six
RALPH W. HOBBS JOHN MOIR WASHINGTON G. WOODWARD
11 Clark Street 419 Hancock Street 40 Billings Street
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CLERK OF COUNCIL AND COMMITTEES GEORGE T. MAGEE, 2 Carruth Street Residence Telephone: Quincy, 75-2 -
CITY AUDITOR
HENRY O. FAIRBANKS, 77 Beach Street Office Telephone: Quincy, 51 Residence Telephone: Quincy, 217-2
CITY MESSENGER
HARRY W. TIRRELL, Manet Avenue, H. N.
MANAGER OF WOODWARD FUND AND PROPERTY RICHARD R. FREEMAN, 40 Grand View Avenue, Wollaston
TRUSTEES OF CITY HOSPITAL
JOSEPH L. WHITON, JR. ARTHUR C. GARDNER
STANDING COMMITTEES
Finance, Accounts, Claims, Contracts and Salaries Bryant, Whiton, Richards, Moir, Clark, Smith, Carey Streets, Ways, Sidewalks, Bridges, and Lights Moir, Richards, Sandberg, Flynn, Ericson, Loud, McDevitt Sewers, Drains, and Water Supply Nowland, Snow, Bolster, Branch, Boyd, Woodward, Histen Fire Department and Police Cherrington, Snow, Loud, Cantfill, Gardner Public Buildings and Grounds Whiton, Woodward, Sandberg, Cherrington, Smith Ordinances, Licenses, Printing, Rules and Orders Gardner, Nowland, Clark, Flynn, Branch, McDevitt, Cherrington Legislative Matters, Elections, and Returns McDevitt, Ericson, Cantfill Health, Poor, State and Military Aid Carey, Bolster, Boyd
-
CITY COUNCIL
Regular meetings held on the First and Third Monday of each month at 7.35 P. M.
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.:
8
COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Finance, Accounts, etc.
Ordinances, Licenses, etc.
Fire Department and Police
Sewers, Drains, Water supply
Streets, Ways, etc.
Monday evenings Tuesday evenings Wednesday evenings Thursday evenings Friday evenings
Meetings of the Committees on Health, Poor, State and Military Aid, Legislative Matters, Elections and Returns, Public Buildings and Grounds, Special and Joint Commit- tees will be held at the call of the Chairman, or at such times as may 'be designated by the council.
CITY TELEPHONES
Mayor's Office
212
Overseer of Poor
214-3
City Clerk
230
Water Department
73
Com. of Public Works
100
Sewer Department
77-2
City Treasurer
14-2
Supt. Mt. Wol. Cemetery
55-3
City Engineer
115-2
Central Fire Station
1-2
Assessors
213-3
Police Station
142
Tax Collector
213-2
Supt. Schools
115-4
Board of Health
214-2
City Auditor
51
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 :-
Mondays and Fridays 8 to 9 A. M .; Tuesdays and Thursdays 4 to 5 P. M.
MR. JOHN L. MILLER Chairman
MR. ALBERT L. BARBOUR Secretary
At Large-DR. NATHANIEL S. HUNTING
Term expires 1910
At Large-MR. ARTHUR W. NEWCOMB Term expires 1911
At Large-DR. EDWARD H. BUSHNELL Term expires 1912
Ward 1-MR. DEXTER E. WADSWORTH Term expires 1912
Ward 2-MR. JOHN J. O'HARA Term expires 1910
Ward 3-MR. JOHN L. MILLER Term expires 1910
Ward 4-MR. JAMES F. BURKE Term expires 1911
Ward 5-DR. WILLIAM G. CURTIS Term expires 1912
Ward 6-MR. HERBERT S. BARKER
Term expires 1911
.
9
STANDING SUB-COMMITTEES For the Different Schools
FOR 1910
High-Messrs. Miller, Curtis, Newcomb Adams-Messrs. Newcomb, Miller, Burke Coddington-Messrs. Hunting, O'Hara, Wadsworth Cranch-Messrs. Newcomb, Bushnell, Hunting Gridley Bryant-Messrs. O'Hara, Burke, Miller John Hancock-Messrs. Wadsworth, Bushnell, Burke Lincoln-Messrs. Wadsworth, Burke, Hunting Massachusetts Fields-Messrs Curtis, Barker, O'Hara Quincy-Messrs. Barker, Curtis, Newcomb Washington-Messrs.Bushnell, O'Hara, Wadsworth Willard-Messrs. Burke, Hunting, Miller Wollaston-Messrs. Curtis, Wadsworth, Barker Books, Supplies and Sundries-Messrs. Newcomb, O'Hara, Curtis Text Books -Messrs. Curtis, Wadsworth, Bushnell Transportation - Messrs. Burke, O'Hara, Barker Evening Schools-Messrs. Wadsworth, Hunting, Burke Special Subjects-Messrs Bushnell, Newcomb, Miller Rules and Regulations-Messrs. Barker, Newcomb, Curtis Teachers-The Chairman, Messrs. Hunting, O'Hara Finance and Salaries-The Chairman, Messrs. Barker, Burke
SCHOOL CALENDAR FOR 1910
FIRST TERM: Monday, January 3-Friday, March 18 SECOND TERM: Monday, March 28-Friday, June 24 THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS close Wednesday, June 15 GRAMMAR SCHOOLS GRADUATION: Thursday, June 16 HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION: Wednesday, June 22 THIRD TERM: Tuesday, September 6-Wednesday, December 21 THE NEW YEAR: Monday, January 2, 1910
Holidays: February 22, April 19, May 30, June 17, and the re- mainder of the week from Wednesday noon next preceding Thanksgiving.
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
QUINCY, MASS.
January 3, 1910
WILLIAM T. SHEA
11
Mayor's Inaugural Address
Gentlemen of the City Council :-
In accordance with the provisions of our City Charter we are assembled this morning to inaugurate the twenty-second year of the municipal life of the City of Quincy. The govern- ment of our city for the coming year is this day placed in our hands. The people have a right to ask of us our best efforts in all our official actions. Let us not be influenced in the per- formance of our public duties by any mere personal ambition, pride of opinion or sectional feeling. Let us assume the re- sponsibilities of our office with that singleness of purpose and spirit of fairness which our fellow citizens have a right to ex- pect from us.
I deem it proper at this time to gratefully acknowledge the honor of my re-election. I thank the citizens of Quincy for the confidence they have expressed in me, and I take this opportunity to assure them that I will in the coming year, as I have in the past, serve them to the best of my ability.
It is customary at this time for the Mayor to call to the attention of the Council such matters as he believes require action on its part, and also furnish it with a statement of the financial condition of the city. Accordingly I submit the fol- lowing for your consideration.
12
13
STATEMENT OF DEBT.
: -
Municipal debt, Jan. 1, 1909, $535,160
Bonds maturing the year,. 108,985
$426,175
Bonds issued and authorized,
115,030
Debt January 1, 1910,. 541,205
STREET IMPROVEMENT LOAN.
Debt January 1, 1909,
$53,600
Bonds matured, 3,300
Debt January 1, 1910,.
$50,300
WATER DEBT.
Debt January 1, 1909,.
$661,500
Bonds matured the year,
42,500 :
$619,000
Bonds issued during year,
42,000
Debt January 1, 1910,. $661,000
SEWER DEBT.
Debt January 1, 1909, ..
$558,800
Bonds maturing the year
20,300
$538;5.00
Bonds issued in year,.
· 39,000
Debt January 1, 1910,
$577,500
14
PARK DEBT.
Park debt January 1, 1909,
$30,000
Paid during the year, .. 2,000
Debt January 1, 1910,.
$28,000
RESUME.
Total debt January 1, 1909,
$1,839,060
Paid during the year,. 177,085
$1,661,976
Added during the year, ..
196,030
Total debt January 1, 1910,
$1,858,005
MATURING DEBT.
1910
1909
Municipal,
$107,375
$108,985
Street Improvements,
3,300
3,300
Water,
45,500
42,500
Sewer,
22,000
20,300
Parks,
2,000
2,000
$180,175
$177,085
MUNICIPAL DEBT.
The Municipal debt January 1, 1910, is divided as fol-
lows :-
Schools,
$308,124.50
Streets and bridges,
198,302:50
Public buildings,
6,361.00
Fire apparatus,
10,634.00
Other debts,
17,783.00
Total,
$541,205.00
15
HOW DEBT MATURES.
The Municipal debt falling due in two years is compared below :-
January,
1910 $11,750
1909 $10,250
February,
4,000
10,000
March,
5,000
7,000
April,
5,625
4,425
May,
6,000
2,500
June,
3,500
1,500
July,
22,980
20,710
August,
8,420.
9,820
September,
9,500
9,500
October,
10,600
8,600
November,
1,000
5,450
December,
19,000
19,230
Total,
$107,375
$108,985
HOW APPORTIONED.
The Municipal debt coming due in 1910, is divided
as
follows :-
Schools,
$51,685.75
Streets,
38,172.25
Fire apparatus,
1,922.00
Public buildings,
3,877.00
Miscellaneous,
11,718.00
Total,
$107,375.00
CITY VALUATION.
The valuation of the three preceding years s as fol-
lows :--
1907 Net Valuation,
$26,853,478
1908 Net Valuation, 28,029,454
1909 Net Valuation, . 31,179,182
. .
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A COMPARISON.
Summary of Total debt January 1, 1910, as compared with Total debt January 1, 1909 :-
1910
1909
Municipal,
$541,205
$535,160
Street improvements,
50,300
53,600
·Water,
661,000
661,500
Sewer,
575,500
558,800
Parks,
28,000
30,000
Total,
$1,858,005
$ 1,839,060
Increase in Total debt for the year,.
$18,935
Increase in Municipal debt for the year,.
10,045
LOANS ISSUED IN 1909.
Municipal,
$115,030
Water,.
42,000
Sewer
39,000
: - Total,
$196,030
APPROPRIATION 1909.
For which loans were authorized.
New steamer,
$5,000
Stone crusher,
2,300
Farrington street,
4,200
Sidewalks, 8,000
500
Lincoln school furnishings,
1,500
Hancock street paving
10,000
Surface drainage,
6,600
Houghs Neck school lot,
. 6,500
Various. streets,
12,830
Eenno street, -
1,500
Squantum causeway, 8,000
Scarifier machine,
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Bates avenue,
2,500
Granite street,
3,500
Arlington street,
900
Gridley Bryant school,
2,700
Kincaide claim,
350
Cinder track, Ward 2,
150
Quarry street,
1,900
Marlboro street,
1,000
South street,
5,000
Billings street,
600
Brook road, .
8,000
Board of Health,
1,500
Houghs Neck school building,
18,000
Houghs Neck school furnishings,
2,000
$115,030
LOANS UNDER SPECIAL ACTS.
Water Department,
$42,000
Sewer Department, 39,000
Total $81,000
LIMIT OF INDEBTEDNESS.
Our limit for general Municipal indebtedness is 2 1-2 per cent on the average net valuation of the city for the last three years.
Average net valuation for said years, $28,687,371
Limit of borrowing capacity of city in 1910, 717,184.27
Municipal debt January 1, 1910, 541,205
Net borrowing capacity January 1, 1910, 175,979.27
LIMIT OF TAX LEVY.
The law allows us to assess $12 per $1,000 on the net val- uation for the preceding year for the current expenses of the city for the present year.
18
Net valuation of city in 1909, $31,307,967 $12 on $1,000 (amount available for current expense, ) $375,695
The total City Municipal debt outside of the debts au- thorized by special Acts amounts to $541,205, and of that amount $107,375 falls due this year.
SCHOOLS.
The schools of our city have always maintained a high standard. The rapid increase in the school population keeps the question of providing adequate accommodations for the school children almost continuously before us. The School Committee has recommended the erection of a new building in the Montclair district and another in the Bigelow Park dis- trict. Both buildings I believe to be needed.
The schoolhouse in the Wollaston district is a wooden building, built about 30 years ago, to which additions have been made from time to time; and while this schoolhouse is not in as bad a condition as has been recently reported, on inves- tigation I find that it will cost about $5000 to make the neces- sary repairs on the building, and even then it will be far from satisfactory. I am of the opinion that a new schoolhouse should be provided in this district, and recommend your early consideration of this matter.
The new Coddington school, which was opened to the pu- pils one year ago today, has proved in every way to be a very good building, and of great comfort and convenience to the pupils.
During the past year the Council appropriated $12,000 for a four-room addition to the Lincoln school. Owing to the fact that this work was begun while the frost was in the ground, some slight weather cracks, which in no way affect the solidity of the building, have appeared in the outer wall. This addition was erected at a much less cost per room than any school building that has been built in the city for a num-
19
ber of years, and will compare favorably with other school buildings in our city that were erected at a much greater cost.
Work on the new building at Houghs Neck, for which an appropriation has been made will be commenced in the early spring.
STREET DEPARTMENT.
Considerable work has been done by this department dur- ing the past year.
The following is submitted as a brief statement of a por- tion of that work.
Number of miles streets built,. 5.6
Number of feet surface drain pipe laid, 11,000
Number of catchbasins built,. 87
Number of feet edgestone laid,. 6,800
Number of feet crosswalks laid, 540
Number of tons crushed stone put on street,. 10,100
In 1909, Brook road and a portion of Hancock street were paved with granite blocks. I believe this to be the best meth- od of road building, particularly for heavily travelled streets. I recommend that an appropriation of $10,000 or more be made this year for the purpose of continuing the paving of Hancock street.
Quincy is a growing and prosperous city. Provisions should be made for its future development. Attention at this time should be given to improving the conditions of such of our streets as connect the centre of the city with the outlying districts. A broad thoroughfare should be constructed con- meeting West Quincy with Quincy Centre. Hancock street be- tween Granite and School streets should be straightened and widened. School street between Franklin and Hancock streets should be widened and rebuilt. A suitable road should be built to Houghs Neck.
In my inaugural of last year I called attention to the im- portance of relocating and rebuilding Howard street between
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Quincy avenue and DesMoines road. I am still of the opinion that this work should be done. Objections may be made that the work outlined in the foregoing recommendations would in- volve a large outlay of money, nevertheless, I believe it would prove a good investment and that the future growth of our city will justify it.
In this connection I desire to call your attention to Chap- ter 225 of the Acts of 1899, authorizing the City of Quincy to borrow $150,000, outside the debt limit, for street improve- ments. The city has incurred indebtedness under this Act to the amount of about $80,000, leaving a balance of $70,000, which 'the city may borrow, outside the debt limit, for street improvements.
The matter of a new bridge over the Neponset river was considered by the Legislature of 1909, and referred to the in- coming Legislature. At the present time the City of Boston is making extensive repairs in its portion of the present Ne- ponset bridge. When this work is completed the bridge will be in condition to meet the requirements of public travel over the same for years to come.
The Fore River bridge will need many repairs during the current year. It needs painting, its piers and fenders need to be rebuilt and in fact the whole structure requires strengthen- ing. To do the work necessary to put this bridge in proper condition will involve the outlay of a substantial sum of mon- ey. As Quincy is obliged by law to pay one-third of such ex- pense, the Council will be called upon later to make an appro- priation for that purpose. Estimates of the work required will be made in the early spring when the matter will again be called to your attention.
During the past year a new contract was executed with the Quincy Electric Light and Power Co. The conditions of the contract, in my opinion, are very advantageous to the city. Provisions are made therein for all-night lighting. I am a firm believer in well lighted streets, and trust that your body will appropriate sufficient money to provide for all-night light- ing of the streets.
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SIDEWALKS.
It is important for a city to have good permanent side- walks. In 1909 the city expended $8,000 in building perma- nent sidewalks with very gratifying results to the citizens. I earnestly urge that the work of building permanent side- walks be continued, and recommend that a substantial appro- priation be made for that purpose.
SEWERS.
Three and five-tenths miles of sewers of various sizes from 8 inch to 15 inch were built during the year. These sewers were all built on petition. The work has been distributed over the different sections of the city, each ward receiving its share.
An important piece of work done by the department last year was the extension of the sewer to the Gridley Bryant school, in which a new system of plumbing was installed and connected with the public sewer.
A system of sewerage for Houghs Neck has been designed by the City Engineer and after approval by the State Board of Health, adopted by the City Council. Work should be commenced on this system in the early spring.
Three hundred and ten buildings have been connected with the public sewer during the year. There are still some petitions for sewer extension on file in this department. The work called for by these petitions will be attended to in the early spring.
PLAYGROUNDS AND PUBLIC PARKS.
Our city should be liberal in providing Public Parks and Playgrounds in the different wards for the use of its children.
Chapter 513 of the Acts of 1908, having been accepted by the city, it will be necessary for us this year to lay out and properly equip one or more playgrounds of the character con- templated by that act. I recommend that action be taken on this matter without unnecessary delay.
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POOR DEPARTMENT.
The demands on this department are constantly increas- ing, making it difficult for the Overseer to conduct the de- partment within the limited appropriation placed at his dis- posal. During the year the work of the department has been most conscientiously attended to.
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
This department at the present time consists of a chief, one lieutenant, two sergeants, an acting inspector, 21 patrol- men and 8 reserves.
Excepting Wards 3 and 5 all the wards of the city have a regular day patrolman. I believe these wards should each be provided with a day patrolman, and I recommend that two more men be added to the permanent force for that purpose.
In view of the extensive territory the Police department must cover, and the importance of the police arriving prompt- ly at the scene of an accident, or disturbance, and responding to other emergencies, I believe the time has come when the de- partment should be provided with a combination police am- bulance and patrol automobile, and I recommend the pur- chase of such automobile.
The sanitary conditions existing at the Central Police Station are very bad, and immediate action must be taken to remedy the same . The station should be properly plumbed and suitable sanitary arrangements provided for it.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
During the past year many improvements have been made in this department. In addition to the new steamer, which has proved very satisfactory, several pieces of apparatus have been overhauled and put in serviceable condition, so that the equipment of the department is in better condition today than it has been for sometime. The fire station at Houghs Neck at the present time has but one permanent man. I believe there should be two men at this station, and I recommend that two men be permanently maintained there.
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WIRES AND SHADE TREES.
In my inaugural address of last year I called the City Council's attention to the advisability of establishing a de- partment to have charge of and exercise supervision over the public wires and shade trees of the city. No action was taken on that recommendation. The experience of the past year, particularly in connection with the recent severe storm, con- vinces me of the wisdom of my recommendation to last year's Council. The number of wires extending along and over our streets is fast multiplying, and in many instances our shade trees are being injured thereby. Once more I call the City Council's attention to this matter and earnestly urge the es- tablishing of such a department.
DEPARTMENT OF WATER FRONT AND WATER WAYS AND NAVIGATION.
During the year 1909 on my suggestion, the office of Commissioner of Water Front, Water Ways and Navigation of the City of Quincy was established, and much good has al- ready been accomplished.
Our city is being kept to the front in the matter of Wa- terway and Harbor improvements. The United States gov- ernment is spending one million dollars annually deepening and improving Boston harbor as a terminal, and it is also spending two thousand dollars a month in field work on a survey for a canal from Taunton to Boston. The office work in connection with the survey will be finished and a report made as to the most feasible route next fall. I feel strongly that if a favorable report is made, all our water frontage is bound to develop commercially, and our industries prosper as never before, as this Atlantic Deeper Waterway project must help all the coast south of Boston.
I feel the city is to be congratulated in having secured Mr. Crane for the office of commissioner. Mr. Crane's thor- ough familiarity with the subject will make his services of val- ne to the city.
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The matter of establishing public landings in Quincy should engage our early attention. I have requested the com- missioner to give careful consideration to this subject, and I will at an early date lay before you the results of his investi- gation and study of the matter.
NO LICENSE.
Our city has again declared in no uncertain voice in fa- vor of no-license. Last year the Council passed 22 licenses authorizing the transportation by express concerns of intoxi- cating liquor into Quincy. Two of them were revoked and one not issued, making 19 licenses in operation the greater part of the year. The police have been vigilant in the en- forcement of the liquor laws the past year, and during the coming year I shall insist upon a strict enforcement, not only of the liquor laws but of all the laws for the protection of our citizens.
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