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 1939 > Part 1
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City of Quincy
640
5
MAN 1792
QUINCY 18882
1939
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016 with funding from Boston Public Library
https://archive.org/details/inauguraladdress1939quin
City of Quincy Massachusetts
CITY GOVERNMENT OF 1940 TOGETHER WITH THE
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE OFFICIALS OF THE YEAR 1939
QUINCY
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 51
AN INDEX OF THE REPORTS APPEARING IN THIS VOLUME WILL BE FOUND AT THE END OF THE BOOK
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Inaugural Address 5
City Officials for 1939 11
Report of Auditor of Accounts 16
Report of City Treasurer . 99
Report of Woodward Fund, Treasurer 107
Report of Adams Temple & School Fund, Treasurer . 109
Report of Retirement System, Treasurer . . 112
Report of Retirement System 114
Report of Assessing Department 124
Report of Collector of Taxes .
126
Report of Purchasing Department .
136
Report of Health Department 145
Report of City Hospital . . 194
Report of Welfare Department
243
Report of City Physician . 249
Report of Police Department .
250
Report of Fire Department
258
Report of Fire & Police Signal Department .
266
Report of Building Inspector . . 267
Report of Wire Inspector
. 270
Report of Sealer of Weights & Measures
272
Report of Engineering Department 274
Report of Work Projects Administration . . 293
Report of Planning Board . 298
Report of Board of Survey . . 299
Report of Commissioner of Public Works 300
Report of Sewer Department . 304
Report of Water Department . 308
Report of Cemetery Division . . 320
Report of Harbor Master 321
Report of City Solicitor 322 Report of City Clerk . . 323
Report of Park Department 403
Report of Thomas Crane Public Library , 419
Report of School Department . . 432
5
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
INAUGURAL ADDRESS BY MAYOR THOMAS S. BURGIN January 1, 1940
Gentlemen of the Council:
ยท As we stand on the threshold of the new year amidst a general world turmoil, may we resolutely and with determination take up our duties and responsibilities in the conduct of this city govern- ment. With a prayer that the United States of America may re- main free from entangling alliances across the sea, and that the principles of democracy under which we are privileged to live and serve may be continued through peace, we look forward to the year 1940 with the hope that men and nations will settle their differ- ences and that the world at large will be transformed from a battle ground into a world of peace between countries and the resulting opportunities for mankind.
At the last meeting of the 1939 Council I stated that my remarks to the incoming Council would be brief, inasmuch as they would be in the nature of a mid-term message, and that from time to time during the year I would forward communications on matters of general importance as they presented themselves. Therefore, in following out that thought I shall limit my message this morning principally to the general condition of our city and to its financial status especially. Upon you, as members of the legislative body, rests the responsibility of appropriating all the moneys necessary to properly conduct the city's business during the coming year, and I offer you my wholehearted cooperation to this end. Upon me will rest the responsibility of expending these funds wisely and judi- ciously. Through our many departments the details of this assign- ment will be carried out as efficiently and effectively as possible with the cooperation I know that I can count upon from you gentle- men.
Before proceeding further, may I take this opportunity of ex- pressing my appreciation for the cooperation I have received from your retiring president, John W. Savage, during the past two years while he has occupied this position. His voluntary retirement from public office makes the only change in the Council membership. To his successor, Councillor George, representing the citizens of Ward Two, I extend a cordial welcome as the only incoming member of the 1940 Council.
Let us briefly look at the general financial condition of Quincy as a basis of determining the policies and program to be carried out during the coming year. Perhaps you have not had the opportunity of studying the latest figures released by the City Treasurer's Office or as yet becoming familiar with the financial problems that will present themselves during 1940, so with that thought in mind it will be my purpose to outline our present condition and dwell somewhat on the program I shall present to you for your serious consideration.
6
CITY OF QUINCY
Present Financial Condition
The total funded debt of our city on December 31, 1939, stood at $4,280,500, divided in the following manner: long term bonds, $4,145,500, and tax title loans from the Commonwealth of Massa- chusetts, $135,000. The present debt shows a total reduction of $1,157,000 from the figure at which it stood on July 1, 1935, just after I assumed office. This reduction in four and a half years is 21.3% which, under the abnormal economic conditions existing, is worthy of particular note. It might be interesting for you to know that of the $1,157,000, tax title loan reductions totaled $382,000 and the long term debt (including water bonds) was reduced by $775,000. Not in thirteen years (December 31, 1926) has the debt of our city been as low as it is today, and again I reiterate my pledge to the people of Quincy that, barring emergencies, the policy of debt reduction which I have maintained will be continued in the future.
During the past year the maturing bonded debt payments of previous years amounted to $932,000. The borrowings necessary for such purposes as "street, sewer, and water construction, to- gether with a relief loan of $250,000, totaled $570,000. However, added to this borrowing, it was necessary that we issue bonds in the amount of $52,000 for the city's share in the development of Town River, $50,000 for the 1938 hurricane emergency, and $85,000, which was a half of the 1938 state tax deficit of approximately $170,000. These three issues amounting to $187,000 as you can see were unusual, but nevertheless of necessity had to be included in our 1939 borrowings.
The total then of our past year's bonds was $757,000 and, deduct- ing this from what we paid off on maturing debt, our net reduction of long term debt for the year was $175,000.
In 1940, however, our maturing debt will amount to $823,000. Normally our new borrowings should be about $525,000. Should the loan already authorized for the cost of our municipal parking area be issued, this would increase our borrowings by $220,000, making the total long term borrowing for the year $745,000. Even with this large amount included for parking, there still can be a debt reduc- tion in the year 1940.
In view of the general conditions existing throughout the world, I do not consider it to be advisable for our city to embark on a public building program this year unless the United States Govern- ment will liberally cooperate by providing a direct grant of 45% similar to the provisions of the P.W.A. Therefore, we should not anticipate any bond issues other than those previously referred to.
It has been more than gratifying for me to observe that the City of Quincy obligations have sold during the past year on a basis equal to the best quality Massachusetts municipal securities. This is the result of our well planned program producing tax rate re- ductions for four successive years without increased valuations, improved tax collections, reduced debt, and generally efficient municipal management. Justifiably proud as we may be of our general financial condition and standing among the other thirty- eight cities of the Commonwealth, we should not permit this pride to encourage us into borrowings which might weaken our splendid position.
7
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
As to the Departments
Leaving the financial side of our municipal government, let us briefly refer to some of the many departments in the general con- duct of city business.
WELFARE
Probably the outstanding one in which you gentlemen and the public at large are vitally interested is that of welfare. Through its expenditures we can follow the general trend of economic con- ditions, particularly by examining the Outside Aid account which includes our direct city relief cases and some supplementary help to persons on W.P.A. It is gratifying to note that the costs for outside aid have dropped considerably in 1939 from the expendi- tures for the same purpose in 1938:
1938-$265,633.44 1939- 185,942.00 (Estimate)
Although the 1939 figure is listed as an estimate, Mr. Venna ad- vises me that it is correct within a matter of a few hundred dollars. An eighty thousand dollar drop from the previous year in this division of our Welfare Department is more than encouraging and is deserving of special commendation. In 1938 the average number of cases on Outside Aid per month was 705, while in 1939 the average dropped to 542 cases per month. We have about 1040 cases now on Old Age Assistance, which has shown a steady increase over the past three years, and the average gross cost to the city is about $29,000 per month. Reducing of the age limit from 70 to 65 years has caused this rather heavy increase. On Old Age cases, however, the city receives five-sixths of the cost per month per person back from the federal and state governments, so that with the maximum of $30 per month per case our net cost is $5. I be- lieve that we have about reached our peak in the number of Old Age cases.
Much credit is due to the efficient work of our Welfare Commis- sioner, Mr. Venna, for his excellent handling of the welfare prob- lem in Quincy, and I particularly mention the cooperation he is receiving from the employees in his department.
ASSESSORS' DEPARTMENT
To the property owners especially and to our citizens in general, one of the most vital problems is that of taxation. This matter has received an unusual amount of attention, due principally to the growing interest of the public in the study of tax problems. At my request, the Board of Assessors have been working for a year on a revaluation of the entire city. It is a well known fact that in a city of this size it would take at least five years to do this work as thoroughly as it would have to be done for an examination of the properties for loan purposes.
Although Quincy has grown tremendously in the last twenty years, both as to population and as to new property development, it should be noted that the number on the Board of Assessors has not been increased to cope with this situation as well as the many economic problems which have arisen since the depression. The task, therefore, of even attempting a reassessment during the past year has been tremendous, and the public should realize that sale
8
CITY OF QUINCY
prices of properties today do not necessarily constitute fair values for assessing purposes.
The result of this revaluation will show a gross decrease in valu- ation of about three million dollars, principally on our residential property. However, it is hoped to offset at least a half of this decrease through assessments on new construction.
I would call your particular attention to the fact that during the last three years, through an Act of our State Legislature exempt- ing certain classifications of machinery from local taxation, we have lost approximately three million dollars worth of valuation in personal property. There was no alternative but to add this addi- tional burden to the real estate. New construction, however, did offset this in part. Even with this direct loss our tax rates have decreased each year, and the total valuations of the city have dropped from $124,163,575 in 1936 to $121,854,475 in 1939.
W. P. A.
Much constructive work has been accomplished during the past year through the Works Progress Administration of the Federal Government. Several miles of street curbing have been laid and much sidewalk construction completed in every section of the city. Added to this was the completing of the granite wall around the Mount Wollaston Cemetery and the covering of Town Brook through the new Parking Area. Re-walling of brooks in other parts of the city and the extensive development of the Montclair and Hough's Neck Playgrounds gave much needed improvements. Our new enclosed Adams Baseball Field in Merrymount Park was com- pleted and suitably dedicated during 1939 as one of our major projects. Many of our schoolhouses were painted both inside and out by W.P.A. labor and general improvements were made to school grounds, notably at the Cranch School.
We now have approximately 1770 men and women on government relief pay rolls in Quincy receiving about $1,150,000 in wages from federal funds. The city's contribution for materials, etc., amounted to about $170,000, which was approximately $15,000 less than what was expended for the same purpose in the year 1938.
I shall forward a recommendation to the Council shortly asking for an allocation of this year's city contribution towards the sup- port of W.P.A. for the completion of our Stadium Project providing concrete stands seating 4400 persons on the easterly side of the field and making the total seating capacity ten thousand.
May I publicly express my appreciation in behalf of our city to the state officials of the W.P.A. for the excellent cooperation Quincy has received during the past year. Especially do I refer to Colonel John J. McDonough and Mr. Denis W. Delaney.
PUBLIC WORKS
It is gratifying for me to note that even under the pressing de -* mands for economy our Public Works Department is operating efficiently and well with approximately 60 less employees than in 1935 when I took office. The annual operating cost of this depart- ment has dropped substantially since that time. This reduction in personnel has been due principally to the fact that many vacancies have not been filled and that less temporary men for summer street work have been taken on. It cost the city $90,000 less in 1939 to operate the Highway Division than it did in 1935 when I became
9
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
Mayor. Sidewalk construction from city funds (revenue and non- revenue) totaling $133,500 in 1935 has been entirely eliminated and since the budget of 1936 no revenue has been spent either through appropriations or loans for this purpose, with the exception of W.P.A. projects.
Any recommendations in the Public Works Department I will forward to you at a later date. However, I feel very certain that during the present year a reduction in water rates can be effected. I have given a great deal of thought and study to the financial operations of the Water Division as a result of which there is no question in my mind that under the new program planned our water users will benefit through the medium of a lower rate.
GENERAL
Due to the fact that time is limited and my message has already taken longer than I anticipated, it will be necessary that I forego a general review of the many other city departments. However, there are some major accomplishments during the past year worthy of special note. Particularly do I refer to the purchase of the Municipal Parking Area and the completing of the following new buildings: Public Library Addition, West Quincy Fire Station, and the 75-room addition to the City Hospital Nurses' Home. Other improvements will be covered in detail by the various departments in the bound copies of the annual city report to be printed later.
While we look to the future with optimism due to the general improvement in private employment and with almost eight thou- sand men now working at the Fore River Ship Yard, let us be mindful of the fact that to maintain our present comparatively low tax rate we must carefully weigh every appropriation coming be- fore us. There is no question in my mind but what we operated our city government during 1939 at: about as low a cost as it was pos- sible and still maintained the normal and expected municipal ser- vices. The tax rate for 1940 cannot be prophesied or even estimated at this time, as many factors of determination will not be known for several months.
The City of Quincy now stands in third position among the thirty-nine cities of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in its tax rate, with only Gardner and Newton having lower rates than ours. We all should be gratified to have seen our city work up into this enviable position in a four-year period. Let us, therefore, continue our work with seriousness and determination to give the citizens of Quincy honest and efficient municipal government.
In conclusion, may I pause to express my sincere appreciation to our many department heads, city officials, and all other city employees for the cooperation and help I have received from them in "carrying on" during the past year. Success is only attainable through loyalty to one's work and his employer. As public servants, all of us hold public office, and as I have said before "To hold public office is to hold public trust."
My closing thought is to express personal best wishes for a Very Happy New Year to you and your fellow citizens and to offer my prayer for the speedy recovery of our faithful City Mes- senger, Harry W. Tirrell, who, being confined to the City Hospital by illness, has missed his first Inauguration since Quincy started its city government on the first Monday of January in the year 1889.
11
CITY GOVERNMENT
CITY GOVERNMENT-1940
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 WATERFRONT COMMISSIONER, JAMES A. M. NASH. SUPERINTENDENT OF SEWER DEPARTMENT, WALTER S. MCKENZIE SUPERINTENDENT OF WATER DEPARTMENT, JOHN G. WHITMAN. PURCHASING AGENT, JOHN T. LANE.
ADMINISTRATIVE BOARDS
Assessors
NATHAN G. NICKERMON, CHAIRMAN Term expires 1941
GEORGE H. NEWCOMB Term expires 1943
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
GEORGE E. ADAMS, CHAIRMAN JAMES S. COLLINS
GEORGIANA C. LANE, SECRETARY ERVIN A. HINDS
PAUL C. REARDON, TREASURER HENRIETTA C. THOMAS
12
CITY OF QUINCY
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 1943 SAM WOOD Term expires 1942
JOHN J. MANNING Term expires 1941
GERHARD F. SCHAFER, CLERK
Planning Board
WALTER A. SCHMITZ. Term expires 1945
DELCEVARE KING Term expires 1944
HENRY H. PIERCE
Term expires 1943
HARRY H. KERR Term expires 1942
FREDERICK E. AHEARN Term expires 1941
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
MARY E. HURNEY Term expires 1942
ALBERT S. LeCOUNT Term expires 1943
EMERY L. CRANE, CITY CLERK
Managers of City Hospital
GUY W. HART, CHAIRMAN. Term expires 1942
JAMES F. REYNOLDS, SECRETARY. Term expires 1943
MRS. T. NEWELL LANE Term expires 1941
FRANKLIN S. NICHOLS Term expires 1944
J. BROOKS KEYES Term expires 1945
Retirement Board
GEORGE H. BONSALL, CHAIRMAN Term expires 1941 JOHN J. KEEFE. Term expires 1942 LEO E. MULLIN, AUDITOR FRANCES E. VARNEY, SECRETARY
13
CITY GOVERNMENT
BOARD OF APPEAL (Building Department) WILLIAM R. LOFGREN, CHAIRMAN JOHN J. GALLAGHER PAUL N. SULLIVAN
ROBERT H. FAY Fence Viewers
HENRY P. MILLER HERBERT A. SHAUGHNESSY
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, 1941
WILLIAM W. JENNESS, Ward 1 58 Moffat Road
LOUIS A. GEORGE, Ward 2 9 Vine Avenue
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, MYRON N. LANE CLERK OF COUNCIL, EMERY L. CRANE DEPUTY CLERK OF COUNCIL, DONALD P. CRANE CLERK OF COMMITTEES, PERCY N. LANE CITY MESSENGER, HARRY W. TIRRELL
TRUSTEES OF CITY HOSPITAL (Elected by Council) CHRISTIAN A. BURKARD ALDO DELLA CHIESA
MANAGERS OF ADAMS TEMPLE AND SCHOOL FUND
(Elected by Council)
JOHN D. SMITH GEORGE E. ADAMS
COUNCIL MEETINGS
Regular meetings of the City Council are held the first and third Monday evenings of each month at 7:45 P. M.
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.
14
CITY OF QUINCY
STANDING COMMITTEES
Finance-Councillors Jenness, Burkard, Curtin, Della Chiesa, George, Kendrick, Lane, McDonald, Orcutt.
Fire and Police, Health and Welfare-Councillors Kendrick, Della Chiesa, George.
Ordinances and Legislative Matters-Councillors George, Curtin, Burkard.
Public Buildings, Sewers and Water Supply-Councillors Della Chiesa, Kendrick, McDonald.
Streets, Sidewalks and Municipal Lighting-Councillors Mc- Donald, Della Chiesa, George.
Pensions-Councillors Curtin, Burkard, Kendrick.
Public Utilities-Councillors Orcutt, Curtin, Burkard.
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
L. PAUL MARINI Term expires December 31, 1940 223 Presidents Lane
ROY PROUT.
Term expires December 31, 1940
44 Highfield Road
JOHN P. FLAVIN.
Term expires December 31, 1941
14 Neponset Road
JOHN H. TAYLOR. Term expires December 31, 1941 108 Warren Avenue
MRS. BEATRICE W. NICHOLS. Term expires December 31, 1942 45 Elm Street
HESLIP E. SUTHERLAND. .Term expires December 31, 1942 50 Spear Street
Secretary of Board and Superintendent of Schools JAMES N. MUIR
The regular meetings of the School Committee are held at 7:30 P. M. on the last Tuesday of each month except July.
16
CITY OF QUINCY
REPORT OF THE AUDITOR
May 1, 1940
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, 1939.
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 balance in the hands of the City Treasurer and various trustees having custody of funds.
Respectfully submitted, LEO D. 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 D. MULLIN, Auditor of Accounts.
Sworn to before me this 1st day of May, 1939.
EMERY L. CRANE, Notary Public.
17
AUDITOR'S REPORT
IN COUNCIL
Order No. 79
February 27, 1939
ORDERED :-
That the several sums named herein be and are hereby appropri- ated for the payment of the expenses of the City of Quincy for the financial year beginning January 1, 1939 and ending December 31, 1939, to be expended by and under the direction of the several officers or boards as herein designated.
GENERAL GOVERNMENT
Legislative
Salaries
Expense
$ 7,296 00 900 00
Executive
Salaries
$ 9,940 00
Expense
1,450 00
Auditor
Salaries
$ 8,150 00
Expense
1,000 00
New Equipment
175 00
Treasurer
Salaries
$ 13,512 00
Expense
7,200 00
Management of Property
Salary
$ 1,820 00
Expense
1,250 00
Collector
Salaries
$ 17,106 00
Expense
8,100 00
Assessors
Salaries
$ 20,790 00
Expense
2,700 00
New Equipment
2,200 00
Law
Salaries
$ 3,000 00
Expense
5,500 00
Awards & Claims
4,500 00
18
CITY OF QUINCY
City Clerk
Salaries
$ 7,038 00
Expense
175 00
Vital Statistics
600 00
Dog Officer
1,200 00
City Messenger
Salary
$ 800 00
City Engineer
Salaries
$ 21,000 00
Pensions
1,092 00
Expense
1,600 00
Auto ...
1,200 00
New Equipment
600 00
Registrars
Salaries
$ 2,075 00
Election Officers
4,140 00
Expense
6,580 00
Board of Survey
Expense
$ 25 00
Planning Board
Expense
$ 25 00
License Board
Salaries
$ 153 00
Expense
225 00
Retirement Board
Salaries
$ 1,200 00
Expense
1,275 00
Civil Service Registration
Salaries
$ 200 00
Expense
25 00
Purchasing Agent
Salaries
$ 5,588 00
Expense
1,100 00
New Equipment
152 32
Supply Account
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