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 1938 > Part 1
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City of Anincp
1625 1640
1292
QUINCY 1888
1938
THOMAS CRANE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016 with funding from Boston Public Library
https://archive.org/details/inauguraladdress1938quin
City of Quinry Massachusetts
CITY GOVENMENT OF 1939 TOGETHER WITH THE
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE OFFICIALS OF THE YEAR
1938
16
MANET I
C QUINCYS 1988
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 50
AN INDEX OF THE REPORTS APPEARING IN THIS VOLUME WILL BE FOUND AT THE END OF THE BOOK
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Inaugural Address 7
City Officials for 1939 13
Report of Auditor of Accounts 18
Report of City Treasurer 99
Report of Woodward Fund, Treasurer 108
Report of Adams Temple & School Fund, Treasurer . 110 Report of Retirement System, Treasurer . 113
Report of Retirement System 115
Report of Assessing Department
124
Report of Collector of Taxes .
126
Report of Health Department 137
Report of City Hospital . 189
Report of Welfare Department 238
Report of City Physician . 243
Report of Police Department . 244
Report of Fire Department 253
Report of Fire & Police Signal Department
261
Report of Building Inspector
263
Report of Wire Inspector .
266
Report of Sealer of Weights & Measures . . 268
Report of Engineering Department . 270
Report of Planning Board . 289
Report of Board of Survey 290
Report of Commissioner of Public Works . . 291
Report of Sewer Department . . 297
Report of Water Department . 300
Report of Harbor Master . 312
Report of City Solicitor 313
Report of City Clerk 314
Report of Park Department 401
Report of Thomas Crane Public Library . 410
Report of School Department . 426
Report of Purchasing Department . 501
INAUGURAL EXERCISES CITY OF QUINCY, MASSACHUSETTS
GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 1889-1939
Quincy High School Auditorium January 2, 1939, at 10 o'clock
Selection Quincy All High School Orchestra
Rev. Arthur B. Whitney Invocation
Minister, First Parish Church
Council Meeting called to order
New Members Sworn. .Emery L. Crane, City Clerk
Mayor Takes Oath of Office
Inaugural Address Hon. Thomas S. Burgin
Selection Quincy All High School Orchestra
Remarks Hon. Charles Francis Adams
Mayor of Quincy, 1896-1897
Presentation of Ex-Mayors :
Eugene R. Stone 1912-13 Perley E. Barbour 1925-26
Joseph L. Whiton 1917-20 Thomas J. McGrath 1927-32
William A. Bradford 1921-22 Charles A. Ross 1933-34
City Council Organizes
Adjournment
Benediction.
Very Rev. Michael J. Owens
Pastor, Saint John's Church
Scene at Inaugural Exercises Golden Anniversary Year
-
Mayor and Ex-Mayors of Quincy
Left to Right - Mayor Thomas S. Burgin, Thomas J. McGrath, William A. Bradford, Joseph L. Whiton, Eugene R. Stone, Charles Francis Adams.
7
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
INAUGURAL ADDRESS BY MAYOR THOMAS S. BURGIN January 2, 1939
Gentlemen of the City Council:
Fifty years ago on the first Monday in January, 1889, Honorable Charles H. Porter, the first Mayor of Quincy, delivered his in- augural message to the twenty-three members of the City Council in the presence of a distinguished group of citizens. In general, the order of exercises of that day differed but little from the manner in which our program is being carried out today, except that it marked the beginning of a new city in Massachusetts and the birth of a municipal administration to guide and direct the public affairs of the former townspeople of Quincy. The solemnity of that occasion can best be visualized when we think of the tremendous responsi- bility facing those men through the change over from "town hall" activities to the dual responsibility of the executive and legislative branches of a city government being carried out by elected repre- sentatives. The opportunity of voting at and taking part in the discussions at town meetings was to be a thing of the past, and the business of managing and directing the public affairs of the new city would from then on pass into new hands and be a matter of delegating public trust, judgment and confidence to the Mayor and City Council members.
Only time has made it impossible for those twenty-four pioneers in city government to see the municipal structure of their city reach the half century mark after having been built on the foundation they laid so carefully and courageously back in 1889. To their mem- ory and in appreciation of their efforts in the early establishment of what we believe to be the best city in our state, let us dedicate ourselves to honorable service in the interest of our fellow citizens upon this Golden Anniversary. How they would like to look in on us now-fifty years later-to see Quincy as it is today, with its growth in population from about eighteen thousand to eighty thousand, its residential and industrial development, its excellent standing among the other thirty-eight cities of the Commonwealth and its thoroughly modernized municipal services efficiently operating for the benefit of all our citizens from every walk of life. I need only remind you of our departments of public safety, hospital, health, library, public works, welfare, parks and education to forcibly demonstrate the number of advantages our citizens enjoy through the expenditure of their tax dollar. Without the mutual cooperation of all taxpayers the individual cost of any one of these services would be far in excess of what it is today.
While it is customary for the Mayor to review the progress of our city during the past year and outline his policies for the en- suing twelve months at this first meeting of the City Council, I trust I may be pardoned if the usual procedure is somewhat varied today. Due to the length of our planned program it will be neces- sary for me to confine my remarks principally to the general finan-
8
CITY OF QUINCY
cial condition of the city and the immediate problems which will present themselves to us during the next few weeks. I shall, how- ever, forward detailed recommendations to you from time to time during the year on matters requiring your attention, and particu- larly preceding the passage of our annual appropriation ordef.
It is entirely advisable nevertheless that the general financial condition be outlined at this time and certain facts reviewed briefly. No legislative body having the responsibility of making all muni- cipal appropriations should commence its work without a clear and concise picture of the financial structure around which their pro- gram must be built. While we may well be proud of the accomp- lishments during the past few years, we must be mindful of the seriousness with which we should view the year ahead of us. This problem is of vital concern to you gentlemen and every citizen of Quincy. It must be given immediate and prompt attention.
PRESENT FINANCIAL CONDITION
The total funded debt of our city now stands at $4,451,217.91, divided as follows: serial bonds $4,321,217.91, and tax title loans from the state $130,000. It should be noted that Quincy's debt is at its lowest figure since December 31, 1925, or for a thirteen-year period on corresponding dates. Such an accomplishment of debt reduction is worthy of special recognition, particularly in these days of greatly increased debts in our federal, state and municipal governments. During the past three and a half years our funded debt, including tax title loans, has been lowered practically a mil- lion dollars, which represents 18% of the debt of July 1, 1935, at the approximate date when I assumed office as Mayor of Quincy. During the year 1938 our tax title loans from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts were entirely paid off on June 30th. This was the first time since the tax title loan act of 1933 that our city was without such loans, and represented a reduction since July 1, 1935, of $517,000.
While the long term borrowings during 1938 were slightly higher than I anticipated, there were two factors which prevented us from making a two hundred thousand dollar net reduction for the year. These were: the borrowings required for our share in the cost of the dredging and development of Town River and the hurricane emergency. These two loans represented $118,000 not figured in my annual message to the Council last January.
In September, 1938, I recommended the borrowing under tax title loans of $200,000, of which $184,000 was for relief purposes and $16,000 for the city's cost in connection with the State con- struction of a sea wall at Great Hill, Houghs Neck. While I dis- liked to recreate tax title loans, it was felt advisable to finance these items through short term indebtedness rather than long term bonds running over a period of five or more years. In the past four months we have reduced this loan to the extent of $70,000, having a balance of $130,000 which should be paid off within the current year.
Let us now consider for a few moments the debt outlook for 1939, setting forth the maturing bonds of previous years and our anticipated borrowings. According to the Treasurer's statement we will have $880,000 coming due during the year, and at the outside figure the loans should not exceed $600,000 for such purposes as street, sewer and water construction, land takings and relief pur-
9
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
poses. It can easily be seen, therefore, that there is every indication of a further debt reduction of well over $200,000 in 1939, thereby continuing our policy of substantially lowering our municipal debt each year. There is no indication now that I shall recommend any borrowings this year for public buildings, inasmuch as I have been advised that under the present federal program of P.W.A. there are no funds available for new construction not already authorized by the Emergency Administration of Public Works, and I do not feel at this time that we should undertake building projects wherein the city would be obliged to assume the entire cost.
Our real financial problem for 1939 is the apparently inevitable increase in the city's tax rate which will be due almost entirely to the increased state tax of $171,000 for the year 1938. To have suc- cessfully reduced our tax rate for three successive years, bringing it down to the fifth lowest of all Massachusetts cities, and then to find our efforts practically wiped out by an increase in 1938 of over 100% in our state tax is more than discouraging. It was antici- pated that the state levy would be $151,000 for 1938, and this amount was raised upon the estimate of our State Tax Commis- sioner. However, after the Legislature completed its work the previous estimate proved to be short by $171,000, and of course this amount representing the 1938 deficit falls as an additional burden upon us, in company with similar increases for all other cities and towns in the State for 1939. Within the next few weeks I shall advocate immediate action by our state government to give relief through appropriate legislation so that the effect of this staggering blow may be alleviated.
While our city is in excellent financial condition in regard to lower debt, reduced taxes, and increased tax collections, we must look ahead to 1939 with grave concern adopting a policy of sensible economy in every city department to offset the increases in our fixed charges, such as the state levy, maturing debt obligations, and increased costs for old age assistance. It is to be regretted that we will be faced with the problem of either materially curtailing many of our normal city services in order to maintain our $32.80 tax rate, or continuing these municipal services as they are and paying for the additional costs through an increase in tax rate of at least $1.50 per thousand dollar valuation. Our citizens must rise up in protest against this probable increase in our tax rate which will be caused principally by the state budget of 1938 being close to 50% more than that of 1937. With our own house in good order it is indeed discouraging to have such an additional burden placed upon us, and I hope that with the support of our citizens in protest some action may be taken by the incoming state legislature to provide means so that this financial load may be materially lessened.
Assistance should also be provided by the incoming state legis- lature to offset the drastic increase in our maturing debt obliga- tions for 1939. Specifically I have reference to the loan of $50,000 incurred for hurricane emergency which under the enabling act could be written for only one year. This item, together with the first maturity on the loan for the Town River Development, ac- counts for the major part of the increase in the maturing debt for 1939 over that of 1938. It is hoped that the $50,000 storm emer- gency loan may be re-funded to mature over a period of years under authorization of our state legislature.
Before leaving our financial condition, I feel it advisable to call your attention to our increasing relief problems which should cause
10
CITY OF QUINCY
us deep concern, particularly as it relates to the expenditures for old age assistance in accordance with the state law providing for this type of aid. The approximate cost for old age assistance in 1938 showed an increase of over 20% from the expenditures for the same purposes in 1937, and 83% more than the cost in 1936. This great increase was due primarily to the lowering of the age limit from 70 to 65 years. When you realize that the gross cost for old age assistance in Quincy is almost as much as the total cost for temporary relief (city welfare) and aid to dependent children (for- merly mothers' aid) you can get some idea of what such a type of assistance is costing our citizens. This appears to be a permanent social policy, and even business improvement will not reduce the cost of this type of expenditure. To be sure, however, we do receive financial help from both the state and federal governments towards meeting a substantial percentage of this expense for old age as- sistance.
And now let us briefly refer to
GENERAL CITY DEPARTMENTS
With our present tax rate of $32.80 per thousand dollar valua- tion, the citizens of Quincy may consider themselves fortunate in comparison with many other communities that municipal services here have not had to be curtailed. Time will not permit me to men- tion in detail the improvements that have been made in many of our city departments. There are, however, some that do deserve comment, such as our new Municipal Stadium, enclosed baseball field and general recreational improvements throughout the city; Central Fire Headquarters building on Quincy Avenue, and the establishment of a centralized purchasing department which I am convinced has been productive of real economy. In general, our vari- ous city services are operating effectively, and such recommenda- tions for their improvement as I have in mind will be presented to you for consideration during the current year. A detailed list of the accomplishments, recommendations and activities of these de- partments will be included in the annual printed city reports which you will receive at a later date.
Although my remarks to you this morning may have sounded a vibrating note of pessimism for the year 1939 in regard to addi- tional costs, most of which we have no direct control over, and the ultimate increase to our taxpayers, let us not forget that as a city we face these problems in common with practically every other municipality in Massachusetts. We, as members of the executive and legislative branches of our city government, cannot, however, "pull the proverbial rabbit out of the hat," but we must not fail to realize that the burden of taxation falls upon our citizens and they expect us to meet existing conditions intelligently and with due regard for their general welfare. I hope it isn't asking too much of these same citizens to cooperate with us in the problem, and not demand more than what they can rightfully expect in return for what they pay in taxation. As the old saying goes, "You can't have your cake and eat it too"; so do I say to them you can't expect governmental services without paying for governmental costs.
The industrial and business outlook of Quincy is without ques- tion the best of any city in Massachusetts, and it should have a direct bearing on our general expenses, over which we do have
11
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
direct control, including welfare and the city's contribution towards the support of W.P.A. With the Procter and Gamble Company con- structing a million dollar plant here providing ultimate employ- ment for approximately 500 Quincy men and women, with the Fore River Ship Yard having reached its highest enrollment of labor since the world war and being assured of work for some six thou- sand men during the next five years, and with general employment and payrolls in Quincy on the increase, I am glad to strike a note of optimism for the future.
Let us be thankful that our present tax rate is the fifth lowest in the state, and even if we do have an increase this year we will still be well below the average for the state and far lower than several of our cities whose tax rates are now over $40 per thousand.
Quincy has the strength of its granite hills, and with that strength let us look to the future having a sense of security and reliance and appreciating the judgment and foresight of our prede- cessors in office during the past fifty years, whose efforts have built our city structure upon a foundation well and carefully laid.
As a mark of respect and honor to those men who have served as Mayor of Quincy and who have passed into the great beyond, I feel that it would be appropriate to read their names upon this occasion so that in silent tribute we may honor their memories and the service they rendered in the growth of our city.
Charles H. Porter 1889-1890
Charles M. Bryant 1902-1904
Henry O. Fairbanks 1891-1893 James Thompson 1905-1907
William A. Hodges 1894-1895 William T. Shea 1908-1911
Russell Adams Sears 1898 *John L. Miller 1914
Harrison A. Keith 1899 Chester I. Campbell 1915
John O. Hall 1900-1901 Gustave B. Bates 1916-1923-24 *Died in office October 6, 1914.
In closing this address may I pause to gratefully acknowledge the honor of my re-election as Mayor of our city. I appreciate the confidence you have again placed in me, and I am fully cognizant of the tremendous responsibility the duties entail. Again renewing my pledge of previous years that upon my honor I will do my best to serve the people of Quincy with sincerity of purpose, I enter upon my third term as Mayor. Let us all again call to mind those members of our first City government in 1889 and, asking divine guidance from the same Almighty God, enter our second half cent- ury as a city with the same spirit of courage and determination as they showed in that year so that in the future the people of Quincy may point with pride to their government of 1939-the Golden Anniversary Year-as we have today referred to our first year as a municipality.
13
CITY GOVERNMENT
CITY GOVERNMENT-1939
MAYOR, HON. THOMAS S. BURGIN
DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS
COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC WORKS, EZEKIEL C. SARGENT. CITY TREASURER, HAROLD P. NEWELL. CITY CLERK, EMERY L. CRANE. ASSISTANT CITY CLERK, HATTIEMAY THOMAS. COLLECTOR OF TAXES, RALPH G. MESSENGER.
AUDITOR OF ACCOUNTS, LEO E. MULLIN. CITY SOLICITOR, JOHN D. SMITH. CHIEF OF POLICE, JOHN J. AVERY.
CHIEF OF FIRE DEPARTMENT, WILLIAM J. SANDS.
CITY ENGINEER, GERHARD F. SCHAFER. COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC WELFARE, ANTHONY J. VENNA.
HEALTH COMMISSIONER, RICHARD M. ASH, M. D. SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE & FIRE SIGNALS, THOMAS J. SMITH. INSPECTOR OF WIRES, FRANK LINTS. INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS, ALRICK A. WEIDMAN. CITY PHYSICIAN, ASTRO A. DIBONA, M.D.
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES, JAMES M. CANTFILL. DOCK AND WATER FRONT COMMISSIONER, JAMES A. M. NASH. SUPERINTENDENT OF SEWER DEPARTMENT, WALTER S. MCKENZIE SUPERINTENDENT OF WATER DEPARTMENT, JOHN G. WHITMAN. PURCHASING AGENT, JOHN T. LANE.
14
CITY OF QUINCY
ADMINISTRATIVE BOARDS
Assessors
NATHAN G. NICKERSON, CHAIRMAN Term expires 1941
GEORGE H. NEWCOMB Term expires 1940
WILLIAM J. CALLAHAN Term expires 1942
Park Commissioners
WILLIAM M. TRUSSELLE, CHAIRMAN FRANK G. PRAY, SECRETARY EDMUND J. SAUNDERS
Trustees of Thomas Crane Public Library Meet first Tuesday of Month at 7:30 P. M.
GEORGE E. ADAMS, CHAIRMAN JAMES S. COLLINS
GEORGIANNA C. LANE, SECRETARY ERVIN A. HINDS
PAUL C. REARDON, TREASURER HENRIETTA C. THOMAS
Managers of Woodward Fund and Property
HON. THOMAS S. BURGIN, MAYOR
HAROLD P. NEWELL, CITY TREASURER
EMERY L. CRANE, CITY CLERK
LEO E. MULLIN, AUDITOR OF ACCOUNTS
JOHN R. SHAUGHNESSY, ELECTED BY COUNCIL
Board of Survey
LOUIS F. R. LANGELIER, CHAIRMAN .Term expires 1940 JOHN J. MANNING .Term expires 1941
SAM WOOD Term expires 1942
GERHARD F. SCHAFER, CLERK
Planning Board
ROBERT A. ZOTTOLI Term expires 1943
GUSTAF E. WESTHRIN Term expires 1942
JOHN A. SANDISON Term expires 1941
WALTER W. HOLLAND Term expires 1940
GERHARD F. SCHAFER, CLERK
Board of License Commissioners
EMERY L. CRANE, CITY CLERK
JOHN J. AVERY, CHIEF OF POLICE
WILLIAM J. SANDS, CHIEF OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
Board of Registrars
JOSEPH SZATHMARY, CHAIRMAN Term expires 1941 ALBERT S. LeCOUNT .Term expires 1940
MARY E. HURNEY Term expires 1942
EMERY L. CRANE, CITY CIERK
15
CITY GOVERNMENT
Managers of City Hospital
GUY W. HART, CHAIRMAN Term expires 1942
JAMES F. REYNOLDS, SECRETARY Term expires 1943
J. BROOKS KEYES Term expires 1940
MRS. T. NEWELL LANE Term expires 1941
FRANKLIN S. NICHOLS Term expires 1944
Retirement Board
GEORGE H. BONSALL, CHAIRMAN Term expires 1941 JOHN J. KEEFE Term expires 1942
LEO E. MULLIN, AUDITOR FRANCES E. VARNEY, SECRETARY
BOARD OF APPEAL (Building Department) WILLIAM R. LOFGREN, CHAIRMAN JOHN J. GALLAGHER PAUL N. SULLIVAN
CITY COUNCIL Members at Large-Term expires December 31, 1940
LAURENCE J. CURTIN 65 Hughes Street
JOSEPH J. KENDRICK 110 Harvard Street
NEIL A. McDONALD 54 West Street
Members from Wards-Term expires December 31, 1939
WILLIAM W. JENNESS, Ward 1 153 Putnam Street
JOHN W. SAVAGE, Ward 2 80 Graham Street
ALDO DELLA CHIESA, Ward 3. 9 Hughes Street
CHRISTIAN A. BURKARD, Ward 4. 22 Wittich Place
MYRON N. LANE, Ward 5 140 Warren Avenue
FRANK N. ORCUTT, Ward 6 112 Colby Road
PRESIDENT, JOHN W. SAVAGE DEPUTY CLERK OF COUNCIL, DONALD P. CRANE CLERK OF COUNCIL, EMERY L. CRANE CLERK OF COMMITTEES, PERCY N. LANE CITY MESSENGER, HARRY W. TIRRELL
TRUSTEES OF CITY HOSPITAL
(Elected by Council)
MYRON N. LANE FRANK N. ORCUTT
MANAGERS OF ADAMS TEMPLE AND SCHOOL FUND (Elected by Council)
GEORGE E. ADAMS JOHN D. SMITH
COUNCIL MEETINGS
Regular meetings of the City Council are held the first and third Monday evenings of each month at 7:45 P. M.
16
CITY OF QUINCY
COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Meetings of the Finance Committee are held on the Second and Fourth Mondays of each month; meetings of Special Committees at the call of the Chairman
STANDING COMMITTEES
Finance-Councillors Jenness, Burkard, Curtin, Della Chiesa, Kendrick, Lane, McDonald, Orcutt, Savage.
Fire and Police-Councillors Burkard, Kendrick, Curtin.
Ordinances and Legislative Matters-Councillors Kendrick, Or- cutt, McDonald.
Public Buildings, Sewers and Water Supply-Councillors Ken- drick, Della Chiesa, McDonald.
Streets, Sidewalks and Municipal Lighting-Councillors Curtin, Burkard, Lane.
Pensions-Councillors Orcutt, Lane, Curtin.
Public Utilities-Councillors Burkard, Orcutt, Della Chiesa.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Chairman HON. THOMAS S. BURGIN, MAYOR Vice-Chairman HESLIP E. SUTHERLAND
HON. THOMAS S. BURGIN Term expires December 31, 1940 131 Monroe Road
MRS. BEATRICE W. NICHOLS Term expires December 31, 1939 45 Elm Street
HESLIP E. SUTHERLAND Term expires December 31, 1939 50 Spear Street
ROY PROUT Term expires December 31, 1940
44 Highfield Road
L. PAUL MARINI .. .Term expires December 31, 1940 223 Presidents Lane
JOHN P. FLAVIN Term expires December 31, 1941 14 Neponset Road
JOHN H. TAYLOR Term expires December 31, 1941 108 Warren Avenue
Secretary of Board and Superintendent of Schools JAMES N. MUIR
The regular meetings of the School Committee are held at 7:30 o'clock P. M. on the last Tuesday of each month except July.
18
CITY OF QUINCY
REPORT OF THE AUDITOR
April 29, 1939
To His Honor The Mayor
and The Honorable City Council:
I submit herewith the financial report of the City of Quincy for the year ending December 31, 1938.
In compliance with Section 50, Chapter 41 of the General Laws, there is appended a certificate under oath with reference to the verification of cash balances in the hands of the City Treasurer and various trustees having custody of funds.
Respectfully submitted, LEO E. MULLIN, Auditor of Accounts.
I hereby certify that I have verified, by actual count of the cash and verification of the bank balances, the cash of the City Treasurer, the Board of Managers of the Adams Temple and School Fund, and Board of Managers of the Woodward Fund and Property, and the Trustees of the Thomas Crane Public Library.
LEO E. MULLIN, Auditor of Accounts.
Sworn to before me this 4th day of May, 1939.
DONALD P. CRANE, Notary Public.
AUDITOR'S REPORT
19
IN COUNCIL
Order No. 65
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