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 1926 > Part 1
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City of Quincy
1625 2
QUINCY 1888
1928
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016 with funding from Boston Public Library
https://archive.org/details/inauguraladdress1926quin
CITY OF QUINCY MASSACHUSETTS
CITY GOVERNMENT OF 1927
TOGETHER WITH THE
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE OFFICIALS FOR THE YEAR
1926
1640
162
129
MANET
QUINCY 0888
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 38
BOSTON E. L. GRIMES PRINTING CO. 368 CONGRESS STREET
INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF MAYOR THOMAS J. MCGRATH, HIGH SCHOOL HALL, MONDAY, JANUARY 2, 1927
Gentlemen of the Council:
Owing to the unusual situation in which we were placed this year by the adoption of the primary law and the delayed election, it was impossible to make either a critical or exhaustive study of the economic or financial condition of the city. Later, however, I propose to get all this information in a concise form for our mutual benefit and guidance. It is apparent, of course, that our policy this year must of necessity be somewhat different from other years, due to the fact that in the last two years extraordi- nary expenditures have been authorized for many public improve- ments.
Our large constructive program is nearly complete and for a time, at least, we can feel that no exceptional outlays will be required either in the school or any other department of the city.
In a growing city, however, there are always demands made for improvements, and 1927 will prove no exception to the usual experiences of the Mayors and City Councils for the past thirty- eight years. On all sides there is the insistent call that the out- lying sections of the city be given necessary facilities, and it is to these localities that we should give our first thought and con- sideration. All these sections have been developing rapidly and it is no longer fair that they should be denied a share in public expenditure.
Before proceeding to outline our work for the year I should like to call the attention of the members of the council to a matter in which some of us have a deep interest. I refer to the budget system in making expenditures through loans. My predecessor, Mayor Barbour, was committed to this policy, but for reason or reasons this plan did not receive the approval of the council. I now renew the request that the plan of preparing the whole year's work be undertaken now and that no appropriation for loans be made until the whole matter of these capital expenditures be given consideration. As the city finds the budget system essential in expenditures made from tax levy, so I believe we should decide that these other expenditures, which are in reality only deferred current expenditures, be made with the same care and foresight as is now applied to the making of the yearly budget.
To carry my meaning to a direct application, let me state the fact that on January 1, 1927, the city has a credit balance of $398,100. This sum is available for streets, sidewalks, sewers and new buildings. If we should have an extraordinary expenditure early this year, this balance would be hardly adequate to meet the issue, and we should be compelled to postpone this outlay until such time as the monthly payments on our authorized debt should give us the required amount to meet an exceptional expenditure. As most of the retiring debt becomes due in the last half of the year it becomes evident that this credit of $398,100 would not become useful until midsummer at least. I have not had time to get the whole information from the City Auditor relative to the 1927 maturities, so must content myself with a general statement of just what the January 1, 1927, credit and possible additions
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CITY OF QUINCY
during the first six months mean to the Mayor and Council at the beginning of this year.
This means, first of all, that the available credit should be con- sidered with other factors. First, and this I think is the most important factor, the Council should bear in mind that our net debt January 1, 1926, was $5,078,000, and to add to this sum in greater proportion than we decrease it would not be just to the taxpayer. Again we must bear in mind that the capital expendi- tures made in 1926 require their first pro rata payment this year, and as this is a very considerable increase over last year I must strongly emphasize the necessity of holding down current and cap- ital expenditures to the very lowest amount. All expenditures outside the outlay of the water department must be kept within the debt limit. Last year the authorization outside the limit was $2,184,500 or 43 per cent plus of the total net debt. I am deeply sensible of the differing points of view concerning these expendi- tures, but now that they have been made prudence compels us to interpose a strong veto on any contemplated large increase in debt.
In bringing this matter to the attention of the members of the Council I have in view a matter that probably may come to you during the year. With the addition of the school buildings to the school system it might be supposed that our school needs are taken care of for some years. I am, however, of the opinion that the demand for additional schoolroom will be heard this year, and if the School Committee should decide that a new building is needed in the rapidly growing Adams Shore, Merrymount and German- town districts, the Council would be called upon to give serious consideration to these requests. It has been obvious for some time that these districts would require adequate school facilities, and if the decision in their favor should be made this year the credit balance of $381,000 would be the first available source of this expenditure.
This brings us back to our first premises, the necessity of a budget plan in capital expenditures. I shall endeavor to ascertain the opinion of the School Committee at an early date, so that we may know definitely the school requirements for 1927. With this matter settled the Mayor and Council can proceed to clearly and intelligently outline the work to be done in other directions.
The year 1927 will be a usual year in the experience of the city government. Demands will be made for improvements; in all cases these demands will be based on actual needs. But at the outset of the year we are confronted with an unusual situation. Large expenditures were authorized last year to be charged to the budget of 1927 and to make provisions to meet these obligations and still not increase the taxpayer's burden is the extraordinarily difficult problem which we have to meet. While I have not the actual figures at hand of the total increase so far authorized in the year's budget, I am conscious of the necessity of raising at least $13,000,000 of new value to meet these increases. Ordinarily we might use some of the new increase in wealth to help keep the tax rate down or else use a portion of it for new work. This year every dollar that can be realized from new assessments must be used to defray the increased costs in all departments. It may be that the new wealth will be quite insufficient to cover the additional costs and the balance will have to come through economies and a possible increase in receipts. The whole situation demands the most careful thought and management, and I sincerely hope that
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INAUGURAL ADDRESS
the members of the Council, realizing to the full the seriousness of the problem, will do their utmost to help in the solution of the problem.
The Public Works Department
This department is the most important one under the direct con- trol of the Mayor. Its work has grown enormously in the last decade, and to meet present requirements its organization should be so efficient that every demand shall be reasonably met. The head of this department needs the cooperation of the entire city government and of citizens generally and in my quest for an exec- utive capable of handling the responsibilities of the post, I have always had in mind the hope that I might find one who thoroughly understood the demands of the community and who would also be sympathetic with my own view relative to general policies to be pursued. I sincerely trust that my efforts to find such an executive have been successful and all I now ask is that every one give him and his assistants the fullest measure of cooperation. It is an extremely difficult place to fill to the satisfaction of every one, but now that the choice has been made let us work untiringly to achieve actual results.
The Assessing Department
In making a selection of this important board I have endeavored to find three men who were representatives of three widely differ- ing points of view. I deemed it essential to the proper balance of the board that this should be so, since to choose three men of identical viewpoints would tend to accentuate either present poli- cies or other policies which might be equally unsatisfactory.
I do not contemplate an inharmonious board. Rather do I hope that the membership of the new board will bring to their tasks the fruit of long experience in assessing values, a wide knowledge of the city, and last, but by no means the least consideration, a strong feeling that any further increases in property must be sub- stantially supported by undisputed facts. While the board is by law entirely free of any influence issuing from the Mayor's office or from any other source, it has been my pleasure to name three men who have a sympathetic understanding of the conditions of the people of Quincy. Wherever adjustments in present values are justified I am quite certain that the petition of any citizen will receive courteous and helpful consideration. Wherever ine- qualities are found I hope that the adjustment will be made to the entire satisfaction of every one.
Water and Sewer Department
These important services are under the jurisdiction of the Com- missioner of Public Works and at present are very capably man- aged. Extensions in the water department are not likely to prove very heavy this year, in view of the extraordinary expenditures made last year. In a matter of water extensions this year I shall make no recommendations until the Commissioner of Public Works has had an opportunity to familiarize himself with the system. It is to be presumed that there will be some call to supply new territory, but the extent of this demand will probably not be large.
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CITY OF QUINCY
Drainage
A new drainage plan is being prepared for the city, and upon its completion the whole subject will be referred to the City Coun- cil. The problem of drainage is always an acute one in a city with the topography of Quincy, and while considerable sums have been spent on drainage there are still many sections of the city where the need for drainage is keenly felt. I am opposed to the idea of borrowing extensively for drainage purposes. There may be occasions where a loan may be justified-the case of trunk line drainage may be such an instance-but in the majority of cases drainage problems should be financed through the budget.
New Streets
Under the law if a city borrows money for street purposes the work must be done under conditions laid down by the Massachu- setts Highway Commission. These conditions mean an exception- ally costly roadway and entirely thwart either hope or possibility that a city of Quincy's area can ever expect to catch up with the demands for new streets. For years there has been a feeling in the City Council, supported by the chief executives, that the so- called minor streets could be built at a much less cost than the heavy rock road insisted upon by the Highway Commission when loans are made. Cheaper roads can be built if we are prepared to do the work out of tax money. Here is the actual stumbling block-the fear to undertake this work in any considerable amount because of a reluctance to add to the budget. This obstacle is very real the present year and I regret to state that at this moment there is little encouragement that we will be able to immediately put into practice a long cherished and long deferred plan to accept and build minor streets out of current funds. Further study of our finances may perhaps reveal a way to overcome this obstacle. I am reminded that under the statute regulating municipal in- debtedness municipalities are required to put 25 cents for each thousand of valuation into the budget before negotiating loans within the debt limit. Our net valuation for 1926' was $121,241,- 068, and on the basis of this valuation the 25 cents per thousand requirement would give us $30,310.26. This amount will have to be included in the budget for every loan made within the debt limit. If it should be the policy of the City Council to concentrate on one phase of public improvements, namely, the extension of street acceptance, it might be found feasible after the budget is made up to allot the total amount that might in reason be spent on all items to the work to be done on one account. In other words the council this year might take up the matter of street work to the exclusion of all other work and thus make possible consider- able work in this one direction. All this is, of course, held out as a tentative policy. Its fulfilment depends on the other factors which are elsewhere slightly noted in this statement and also in the careful study of the budget and deductions therefrom, which will be made within a period of six weeks. If I may be pardoned a word of suggestion to the members of the City Council at this time, it is that in all that is done this year the financial situation be always kept in mind. I am as earnest as any one in trying to meet the needs so apparent on every side, but in the final thought I must not lose sight of the problem of meeting the budget
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INAUGURAL ADDRESS
requirements without increasing either the tax rate or the assess- ments. With the immense amount of new value necessary to solve the problem of meeting our 1927 increase in the budget, it becomes a very insistent duty with the city government to so regulate the expenditures of this year that we can jointly keep the ma- chinery of government moving at the highest point of efficiency and not increase the cost to the people of Quincy. This is at least my problem and in solving it I ask for the earnest cooperation of the members of the City Council. From information given by the City Auditor but not yet available as a complete statement a substantial balance will be left from the street appropriations of last year. This balance should in justice be used for other street work, and if it is expedient to use it in this way, I will be pleased to help the Council in alloting it to some urgent street construction.
School Department
The school budget for 1927 will probably reach the million dol- lar mark, an appreciable increase over 1926. With the North Junior High in operation in February the need of additional teach- ers and supplies will be the biggest factor in the school budget increase. The South Junior High on Granite Street will probably be ready in September, and for this building the School Commit- tee will have to make provisions for the last four months of the year. My hope is that the school budget will not pass the million dollar figure.
As was stated elsewhere there is a possibility that our school building program is not complete. The North and South and West districts will be fully served by the new buildings, but other sec- tions with a growing school population will probably require new structures. While it may not be good policy to anticipate any large building expenditure, it still seems only reasonable to keep in mind the needs of these sections and to be prepared for a call to meet it.
The Parking Problem in City Square
For many years the City Government has been awake to the necessary of doing something to relieve the congestion in City Square. Many plans have been submitted, and, while all have certain marked points of similarity, all have likewise the disad- vantage of being expensive projects. While a member of the City Council I have always felt that the city was unable to bear the financial burden of any of these major plans. I am still of the opinion, with some reservations. The necessity of some action has now become acute, and I now believe that one of the first duties of the New Year will be to call a conference of the Council and the Chamber of Commerce and all those who have an interest in this matter to consider practicable means to relieve the con- gestion. The city is unfortunate in not having a sizable tract of land near the shopping district for the parking of cars, but in lieu of this facility we must look elsewhere for relief. If we were financially able the problem would not be so insuperable. The financial aspect, however, must be considered as one of the vital considerations of the relief plan. Without in any sense withdraw- ing from my consistent policy of opposing expensive schemes of
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CITY OF QUINCY
relief, I am firmly convinced that the situation calls for immediate and earnest study.
The Budget
Since the adoption of the budget system there has been a steady growth of interest in its beneficent results. The system has not reached the fullness of maturity and I hope this year we may come to a point where the original estimates will cover the whole year. It will make the work of the Council easier and relieve the Mayor of much needless work if department heads are expected to base their estimates for the full twelve months.
There will be exceptional circumstances arising from time to time which could not be foreseen earlier in the year, but for the generality of cases estimates should be so accurately made in March that supplementary budgets would not be needed in the last quarter of the year.
Financial Statement
Appended to this statement is a financial résumé by the City Auditor. This financial review is only a partial outline of financial operations during 1926, but I hope in the next few weeks to have a much more extended statement prepared showing the maturing debt by months, the temporary loans account, the statement of the tax collector, the per capita cost of government, the per capita debt statement and all other matters which shall be of assistance in explaining the financial condition of the city. It shall be my purpose to get the budget in form as soon as possible, so that at the outset and before new liabilities are considered we will have an understandable exposition of our finances.
Comfort Station
While I am reluctant to advocate any undertaking which may entail additional outlay. I am convinced that this long delayed sta- tion should be built and equipped for the benefit of the people of our city and of those strangers who come here to trade. Many plans have been made and in the end discarded. New plans will be prepared and submitted to the Council. Our problem here is not so much the station itself as it is to find a desirable location. With the help of the Council and the interest of the public I am certain that some way may be found to provide this necessary improvement.
The Grade Crossing Delay
By a decree of the courts made originally in 1914 all grade cross- ings in this city were to be abolished. After 12 years nothing has been done except to build the overhead structure at Saville Street. This structure fails completely to satisfy the people who live on the west side of the track, and is moreover totally inade- quate both in structure and in design for the purpose of which it was intended. The promise of the railroad authorities was that this overhead was simply a makeshift arrangement and was to be in operation only until the underground passage and the changes
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INAUGURAL ADDRESS
at Quincy Station could be made. These permanent improvements have been delayed here and at Quincy Adams, the latter crossing being a particularly dangerous spot.
It has not heretofore been a matter in which a member of the Council could take any definite action, but I hope now that some- thing may be done to carry out the decision of the court. If the railroad corporation can delay this matter indefinitely, then I be- lieve the old plan, which was not wholly acceptable, should be dis- carded and a new plan worked out. The whole subject will be given earnest consideration and if possible some arrangement made for the benefit and safety of the people of the city.
A word in conclusion to the members of the City Council: I hope that our relations during the year will be pleasant and profitable. We have much work to do and undoubtedly we will have many trying hours. If, however, the general good will of the Council as I have known it prevails, I am sure that at the end of the year we will have the great satisfaction of realizing that our labor had been fruitful. We have been intrusted with the good name and well-being of the people of this city. Our appreciation of this trust will be amply demonstrated by the fidelity which we bring to their service.
It would be unfitting if I did not at this time say a word to the people of Quincy, who have entrusted me with the honorable duties of the Mayoralty. I asked for their suffrage upon the prom- ise that I would endeavor to do certain specific things. One of these things was the insistence upon a measure of reasonable econ- omy in the conduct of the affairs of the municipality and another was the pledge that service, both from me and from those who arc working with me, should be given without stint. I am still mindful of these pledges, and if strength and will do not desert me-and I am not conscious of any lessening of these qualities- this compact with my fellow citizens will be kept. I ask their cordial cooperation in working out my plan for their benefit. Let me hope that they will be tolerant and indulgent until such time as I may bring my plans to fruition. I am deeply sensible and appreciative of the confidence put in me, and with my thanks for their confidence I ask for whole-hearted support in my undertaking.
The mandate of the people is so clear and emphatic that I am impelled by a sense of duty to restate the necessity of a prudent management of affairs, conserving every dollar and only spending when we are assured of an equivalent return.
In this preliminary statement to the Council of 1927, I have deemed it essential to include some financial statements bearing on the outlook for the present year. By these tables it is obvious that our resources are not large, and in consequence we must do our work with our financial possibilities always in mind.
City Debt for Year 1926
The total funded debt of the city January 1 was $3,415,000. Dur- ing the year this was reduced by payments as follows: City debt within the limit
$286,500 00
Sewer debt within the limit. 54,000 00
Outside the debt limit:
Sewer
26,000 00
Water
64,000 00
County Hospital
9,000 00
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CITY OF QUINCY
City hospital
11,000 00
High school land
3,000 00
High school building
56,000 00
Monatiquot bridge
12,000 00
Total
$521,500 00
The funded debt during the year has been increased as follows: Within the debt limit:
Sewer
$70,000 00
New streets
112,000 00
School building and furnishings
425,000 00
Fire building and apparatus
70,000 00
Granolithic walks
25,000 00
Hospital building
125,000 00
Outside the debt limit:
Water construction
660,000 00
South Junior High School
450,000 00
Government School
157,500 00
City Hospital
30,000 00
Surface drains
60,000 00
$2,184,500 00
Summary
Funded debt, January 1, 1926.
$3,415,000 00
Bonds paid during the year
521,500 00
$2,893,500 00
Bonds issued during the year.
$2,184,500 00
Net debt
$5,078,000 00
Increase funded debt
$1,663,000 00
BORROWING MARGIN FOR 1927 "General Laws. Chapter 44, Section 70"
Except as otherwise authorized by law a city shall not authorize indebtedness to an amount exceeding two and one-half per cent on the average of the assessors' valuation of the taxable property for the three preceding years, the valuation being first reduced by the amount of all abatements allowed thereon, previous to December 31 of the preceding year.
Net valuation, 1924
$92,250,170 00
Net valuation, 1925
107,640,817 00
Net valuation, 1926
121,241,068 00
$321,132,055 00
Three years' average
107,044,018 00
Two and one-half per cent.
2,676,100 00
Debt January 1, 1927: City
$2,065,000 00
Sewer 273,000 00
2,278,000 00
$398,100 00
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INAUGURAL ADDRESS
The funded debt of the city is as follows:
School building and furnishings
$2,172,500 00
Water
862,000 00
Sewer
556,500 00
Streets
584,000 00
Hospital-City, buildings and equipment
417,000 00
Surface drains
177,000 00
Fire station and apparatus
106,000 00
Police station
90,000 00
Monatiquot bridge
40,000 00
Permanent sidewalks
35,000 00
Hospital -- County
22,000 00
Cemetery land
12,000 00
Playgrounds
4,000 00
$5,078,000 00
Bonds coming due, which increases borrowing margin in 1927:
January
City $6,000 00
Sewer
Total $6,000 00 10,000 00
February
10,000 00
March
April
52,000 00
$16,000 00
68,000 00
May
3,000 00
3,000 00
June
10,000 00
4,000 00
14,000 00
July
81,000 00
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