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 1945 > Part 1
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Quincy, Massachusetts 1945-1946
Some of the Services Rendered by the City Government
Financial Reports for 1945
THOMAS CRANE
PUBLIC LIBRARY QUINCY, MASS.
CITY APPROPRIATION
The nation is but a composite of the local communities in which persons live and work together.
The nation is strong to the extent that persons identify themselves with the local community, living intimately and fully within it and furthering its interests with zeal and integrity.
Opportunity and responsibility belong alike to private citizen. public employee. and elected official. Through their cooperative efforts. A COMMUNITY PROSPERS.
"A COMMUNITY PROSPERS"
QUINCY, MASSACHUSETTS 1945-1946
SOME OF THE SERVICES RENDERED BY THE CITY GOVERNMENT
1640
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MANET
QUINCY
352 Quy 1945
Financial Reports for 1945
The financial reports for 1946 are available in a similar booklet and are accompanied by the same text.
The text for the booklets was written by Mildred B. Harrison, Director of Guidance and Research, Quincy Public Schools. It is based on information obtained from reports and interviews.
January 1947
An Acknowledgment
The courtesy and helpfulness of many persons made the publication of this booklet possible and the experience of preparing it, pleasant.
Copyright 1947 City of Quincy, Massachusetts
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Foreword Hon. Charles A. Ross
Mayor Ross
6 7
The City Council
8 10
Water Works
11
Sewer System
12
Cemeteries
13
Disposal of Garbage and Rubbish
14
Mosquito Control
15
Streets and Street Lighting
16
Forestry
17
Supervision of the Waterfront
18
Fire Protection
19
Police Protection
24
Fire, Police, and Traffic Signals
27
The Issuing of Licenses and Permits
28
Inspection of Buildings: Building; Wiring; Plumbing
29
Weights and Measures
31 32
Food Inspection: Milk; Meats and Provisions
Resident Deaths and Births in 1946
34 35 36
Public Health Clinics
38
Public Welfare
41
Public Schools
44
Service to Veterans
Library Service
Public Parks and Recreational Facilities
Preservation of the Presidents' Birthplaces
City Planning
Engineering Service
57
City Purchasing
Highlights from "Historic Quincy" William C. Edwards
58
Report of the Auditor of Accounts for 1945
68
Report of the City Treasurer for 1945
88
Report of the Treasurer of the Woodward Fund and Property for 1945
94
Report of the Treasurer of the Adams Temple and School Fund for 1945 96
99
Report of the Retirement Board for 1945
101
Report of the Collector of Taxes for 1945
104
Report of the Board of Assessors for 1945 110
DIRECTORY OF CITY OFFICIALS, 1945 - 1946 112
121
Number of Employees in the Various Departments and Offices
In Memoriam
122
Legal Service
57
Graphic Description of Municipal Finances for the Year 1945
Leo E. Mullin 66
Report of the Treasurer of the Retirement System for 1945
48 50 52 54 55 56
Control of Communicable Disease
Hospital Service
Office of the City Clerk
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR CITY O IF QUINCY MASSACHUSETTS
To THE CITIZENS OF QUINCY:
The closing of our municipal affairs for 1945 brought the end of my elected term of three years, and the beginning of another period as your executive. I am deeply grateful for the privilege of a continuing administration as we return to peace, with minds relieved of the stress of war and ready for the normal activities of life.
The world conflict had a telling effect upon conditions at home as we en- deavored to manage carefully with the cost of civic government constantly increasing. Always with economy as the watchword, it was possible to establish one important fact of value for our citizens, that is-our tax rate of thirty dollars. .
The twenty-six divisional reports are presented in condensed form for easy understanding, omitting in so far as possible, statistical detail. I have been very pleased with the favorable comments on the present type city report. It presents to the general public a quick and easy understanding of the functions and services of our municipal departments. It has been reported to me that our school children have utilized this type report with ease of understanding. I am certain that it will afford them a better opportunity to grasp more clearly what is taking place daily in the city in which they live.
There is no mystery about municipal government. It is operated on a sound basis of receipts and expenditures and its important duty is to render to all the people of the city, the best possible service within its financial ability.
I recommend that all who read this report, consider the work of the various departments and trust that they will appreciate the interest of each department in the normal functioning of our city government. I feel certain that anyone desiring any more detailed information from any department head, may secure it by simply con- tacting the personnel in the department. It has always been my conviction that what- ever can be done to stimulate, in the general public, greater interest in our municipal government, is wise and healthy.
I trust that all who read this report will enjoy it and will gain a greater interest in city activities. If we all have better understanding and greater knowledge of our municipal affairs, we can work together in sympathy and harmony towards an always greater and better Quincy.
MAYOR
T
Mayor Ross
8
The City Council
Items Taken from the Records of the City Council, 1945-1946
Acceptance of the Mayor's recommendation for the appointment of a housing authority
The housing authority was responsible for the securing of land and, in cooperation with the federal government, for the erection of temporary homes for veterans in the Pond Street and Cleverly Court areas.
The granting of an aggregate of 15 days per year of cumulative sick leave to all laborers, workmen, and mechanics employed by the city
Acceptance of absentee voting acts which provide for the voting of persons in the armed forces and others, including those physically unable to go to the polls
Acceptance of (1) the new retirement system providing greater benefits to all city employees, (2) other state legislation bettering the pension allowance for members of the police and fire departments and for school custodians
The re-election in January 1946 of Harry W. Tirrell as City Mes- senger for the 57th consecutive year
The appointment of an airport committee
The committee made a comprehensive report to the Mayor on various considerations relative to a municipally-owned airport.
The successful disposal by sale to individuals of tax-title and low value property
The action made it possible for this property to be placed again on a tax paying status.
The securing of the services of a planning expert to make a survey of municipal improvements based on a six-year plan
Viewing a proposed site
Talking it over
Courtesy of Quincy Patriot Ledger
"Congratulations!"
A regular meeting
10
Office of the City Clerk
The City Clerk is ex-officio the clerk of the City Council. This means that the City Clerk or the Assistant City Clerk must attend all meetings of the City Coun- cil and record the proceedings.
With the exception of blueprints, which are kept in the office of the City Engineer, all records pertaining to City Council busi- ness are filed in the office of the City Clerk.
All matters relative to voting are handled through the office of the City Clerk.
The Board of Registrars and assistants, under the direction of the City Clerk, are responsible for the registration of voters and for the preparation of voting lists.
The present number of registered voters in Quincy is +2,069, which represents the largest voting list in the history of the city. A total of 3688 new voters registered last October. Approximately one-third of these are veterans.
The City Clerk has charge of all elec- tions and election procedures.
There are at present 32 precincts in the city. An election involves approximately 192 workers.
Births, marriages, and deaths are re- corded in the office of the City Clerk. Copies of such records are constantly being requested, and are sent all over the country.
The record file of vital statistics in the office of the City Clerk goes back to the year 1792.
In 1946 there were recorded 2340 births, 1259 marriages, and 880 deaths. Births and marriages increased 27% and 43% respectively over 1945.
Certain types of business transactions are recorded in the office of the City Clerk. These include bills of sale and chattel mortgages-that is, mortgages on movable property such as a boat, or the stock or fixtures in a store. The office of the City Clerk copies all such items sub- mitted. It does not pass judgment on their validity.
The City Clerk is the agent for Work- men's Compensation.
An appropriation is made annually to care for injuries incurred by city-employed custodians and laborers in pursuance of their work. All such injuries are reported to the office of the City Clerk. The com- pensation is administered subject to ap- proval by the Massachusetts Industrial Ac- cident Board.
The cost to the city for such compensa- tion in 1946 was approximately $14,000.
Various kinds of licenses and permits are issued from the office of the City Clerk. These are discussed under "The Issuing of Licenses and Permits."
11
Water Works
Quincy purchases its water from the Metropolitan District Commission. The water originates at the new Quabbin Reser- voir. From there it flows to the Wachusett Reservoir, to the Chestnut Hill Pumping Station, and then to Quincy.
Quincy in turn supplies water to Fort Andrews at Peddocks Island and to the U. S. Naval Air Station at Squantum, for which Quincy is paid by the government.
There are seven standpipes in Quincy with a total storage capacity of 9,527,000 gallons. The Forbes Hill standpipe and reservoir are owned by the Metropolitan District Commission. The reservoir, which has a capacity of 5,000.000 gallons, is held for emergency. It has never as yet been necessary to use it.
The standpipes on Penn's Hill and Breakneck Hill, which supply the highest sections in the city, require booster pumps. The other standpipes fill by gravity.
Pressure gauges are maintained at the standpipes and at the water works shop. Any break in the mains produces an undue drop in pressure, which is recorded on the nearby gauges.
The history of the water works in Quincy goes back to the establishment in 1883 of a private company known as the Quincy Water Company. The company at first obtained water from dug wells. Later a reservoir was constructed in Brain- tree.
In 1892 the City of Quincy purchased the Quincy Water Company. The "Brain-
tree Dam" thus acquired by the city is still utilized, and furnishes industrial water to the Quincy Yard of the Bethlehem Steel Company.
When the city purchased the Quincy Water Company, there were 35 miles of mains. There are now 203 miles. The number of "takers" was 1640. The Water Division of the Department of Public Works has at present approximately 17,500 accounts.
Extensions in water mains for new streets normally average about two miles a year. Due to lack of building and the shortage of materials, extensions during the past year totaled less than one mile.
Quincy uses approximately 6 million gallons of water daily.
Locating a leak in the water main by use of the geophone, an instrument constructed on the same principle as the stethoscope
12
Sewer System
Unlike the water works, the sewer system of Quincy started as a city utility. Under a Board of Sewerage Commissioners, an initial system was built by contract, and turned over to the Commissioner of Public Works in 1904.
The City of Quincy has at present 168 miles of sanitary sewers. This figure does not include house connections, of which there are approximately 15,600.
In addition to sanitary sewers, there is a system of storm sewers or drains repre- senting a total length of 118 miles. The two systems are entirely separate.
Originally Quincy had its own disposal plant, including the pumping station at Merrymount Park. When the Metro- politan Sewerage System came through Quincy, the city collected damages, sold the pumping station, and became a part of the system.
Construction work is normally carried on by the city from early April until late fall when the ground becomes frozen. Al- though there is still need for construction in outlying sections, very little was done dur- ing the past year due to difficulties in se- curing both materials and labor.
During the wintertime a maintenance program is carried on. This consists of the cleaning and flushing of the common sewers.
The Sewer Division of the Department of Public Works maintains 18 hour emer- gency service. Stoppages in the street are reached through manholes. Stoppages in house connections are reached through an outlet in the cellar.
Not infrequently roots from the trees find their way into the sewer pipe. Hairlike at first, they grow-until a single bunch of roots may entirely block an 8 or 10 inch
Putting the "alligator" into the pipe
The alligator is a grabbing device which is pushed out into the sewer pipe on the end of a succes- sion of rods. These rods are at- tached one by one. Sometimes 50 to 75 rods are required to reach out to where the difficulty lies.
13
pipe. Sometimes when extricated, these bunches of roots are found to have other roots hanging to them several feet in length.
Since the fall of 1945, work has been under way on a 4 million dollar sewage treatment plant at Nut Island. This is a Metropolitan District project. The funds
were appropriated as the result of coopera- tive and persistent effort on the part of . various groups and individuals within the City of Quincy.
When similar provision is made for the disposal of Boston sewage, Quincy's beaches can be used with safety.
Cemeteries
The Mount Wollaston Cemetery dates back to 1855.
Within the last two years, considerable new grading has been done. Over a mile of new roadways have been resurfaced, and approximately one hundred shade trees planted. On the Sea Street side of the cemetery, a section is being opened up which will provide large family lots.
The average number of burials per year is about 550.
The annual receipts to the city from the sale and care of lots and from burials tend to equal the expenditures.
Of especial interest in the Mount Wollaston Cemetery are the memorials to the firemen and policemen of Quincy.
The old Hancock Cemetery in Quincy Square is of considerable historic interest.
There is a gravestone here dating back to 1666*, and it is believed that there were burials 30 years prior to that date.
For a period of 175 years or more, the old burial ground was an open pasture.
In 1808 a number of public-spirited in- dividuals purchased the right of pasture in the burial ground, and a year later at town meeting presented to the inhabitants of the Town of Quincy a deed for the land, with the following stipulation : "That the inhabitants of the town shall never hereafter allow the said burial ground to be used as a pasture or any horse or cattle of any description to run therein."
In 1844 the Town of Quincy added to the Hancock Cemetery the half-acre of land on which, from 1817-1842, had stood the combination Town House and School House.
Among those buried in the Hancock Cemetery are Rev. John Hancock, father of John Hancock; and Col. John Quincy, for whom Quincy was named.
There is in the office of the Cemetery Division of the Department of Public Works a file of burial records dating back 280 years, also a listing of all inscriptions that can be deciphered.
Requests for information from persons interested in early American history and genealogy are frequently received.
* A stone which marks the grave of Henry Adams bears the date 1646, but according to authorities was not erected until considerably later.
14
Disposal of Garbage and Rubbish
The Sanitary Division of the Depart- ment of Public Works is responsible for the collection of garbage and rubbish.
The city owns 23 mechanically operated covered trucks, 12 of which are used for the collection of garbage, and 11 for the collec- tion of rubbish.
Such trucks lessen the menace of flies and odors in garbage collection. Because of the low trough, they also lessen the chances of injury due to strain in the col- lection of rubbish. They can be operated with one less man per crew than is required for the open trucks.
The garbage collected by the city is dumped into a hopper at the rear of the city garage. Here it is sold to South Shore
farmers, who truck it to their farms. The amount received by the city from the sale of garbage in 1946 was $13,810.
The rubbish collected by the city is at present being dumped into an abandoned quarry.
The Health Department is urging the construction of a municipal incinerator to care for the disposal of both garbage and rubbish.
It is pointed out that the construction of such an incinerator in Quincy would do much to eliminate the menace of rats, flies, dump fires, etc.
The power generated by an incinerator might be utilized, we were told, for the heating of certain public buildings.
A modern incinerator serving a population of approximately 80,000
Courtesy of Nichols Engineering and Research Corp.
15
Mosquito Control
With the help of a consultant on mos- quito control, a study is being made of the mosquito problem in Quincy. A special appropriation was made for this purpose.
Of the many species of mosquitoes, three have been found to predominate in Quincy.
Any spot in which water can lie for a period of ten days or more is a potential breeding place for mosquitoes. The breed- ing season is from early spring until frost.
Mosquito eggs hatch only in water, but some varieties will survive in a dry place for an indefinite period of time-hence the sudden increase in mosquitoes after a rainy spell.
Real estate improvement creates a mos- quito problem if there is impairment of natural drainage. In many instances this is what has happened in Quincy.
One method of mosquito control used in the city during the past summer was the spraying of stagnant pools with oil. MIos- quitoes are for the most part surface breath- ers-that is, the larvae come to the surface to breathe, and can be destroyed by oil. Such spraying, however, is only temporarily effective in that a severe rain may wash away the oil.
'The methods of mosquito control being recommended to city authorities include : the filling in and grading of low areas, the improvement of drainage, and the placing of fish in suitable pools.
It is interesting to learn that there are sections of salt marsh in Quincy in which no mosquitoes have been found. This con- dition is attributed to the salt marsh min- nows which are left by the receding flood tide.
Attention is being called to the fact that dumps are a menace to mosquito control due to the tin cans and other containers of stag- nant water, also the decayed vegetable mat- ter which nourishes the larvae.
Some anopheles mosquitoes, which are the carriers of malaria, were found in Quincy last summer. In each instance drastic action was taken. The return of veterans from tropical areas has increased the need for controlling mosquitoes.
The mosquito control project was under- taken upon the recommendation of the Health Department. It is being carried on under the Department of Public Works. Considerable has already been done to im- prove drainage conditions in certain spots throughout the city which were found to be breeding areas.
With respect to filling in and grading- - the point is made that, to be affective, such work must be properly done. Home own- ers and business establishments undertaking to improve their property may get advice from the Department of Public Works.
We were told that it is only the female mosquito that bites !
16
Streets and Street Lighting
There are in Quincy 146 miles of ac- cepted streets, and 47 miles of private streets.
During the past year, 24 new streets were built, as apposed to 7 during the previ- ous year.
All plans for street construction are drawn in the office of the City Engineer. The construction is under the direction of the Highway Division of the Department of Public Works. Some of the construc- tion work is done by the division, some "let out to contract."
Materials such as cement, road oil, and tar, used in the construction and mainten- ance of the streets, are tested by analysts to insure conformity with state highway specifications.
The maintenance of streets and side- walks involves patching, care of drains, snow removal, and sanding.
To give some idea of what storms can do to the budget: During 1945 snow removal cost the city $170,856.16; damage from rain storms cost $15,432.10. *
Following one of the severe rainstorms in 1945, it was necessary to pump out over 200 cellars in one section. For this purpose the city was obliged to buy two additional centrifugal pumps.
Storm damage from the last severe rain- storm cost the city approximately $3000. The highest figure on record for a single snowstorm is $35,000!
The city has recently acquired a new "Snow Fighter"-a high powered, four- wheel-drive combination plow and sander. A second one is on order. The cost of such a unit is $20,480.
The Highway Division is responsible tor street signs of all kinds, street markings, and street lighting.
A special appropriation provides for new signs for street names. Gradually old signs arc being replaced. The new signs are metal with raised white lettering on a black back- ground. They are attached to metal posts. Approximately 2,000 signs will be needed to cover the entire city.
A new automotive street-marking ma- chine was purchased last fall. It sprays a plastic compound mixed with tiny glass spheres, which makes a six-inch luminous line on the road. A similar preparation is being used on traffic signs and warning posts to make them visible at night.
The annual bill to the city for street and traffic lighting and for the lighting of pub- lic places such as railroad subways, play- grounds for football practice, and skating rinks is over $118,000.
Each morning the Highway Division receives from police headquarters a list of the street lights reported by patrolmen as being out of order.
During the past year, 60 watt bulbs in street lights were replaced with 100 watt bulbs.
* The corresponding figures for 1946, with less severe weather conditions. are $62.585.08 and $3.089.00.
17
Forestry
During the bleak months of winter, ten thousand pansy plants have been flourishing in the city greenhouses! These plants were started early last fall, and will be set out in the street parks early in the spring.
The geraniums, cannas, and ornamental shrubs used in the street parks are also raised in the city greenhouses and nursery. Among the ornamental shrubs now ready to go out are some rhododendrons which were raised from seed ten years ago.
The street parks in Quincy have at- tracted much favorable attention. Letters have been received from tourists from many states complimenting Quincy upon this colorful addition to the historic interest of the city.
The Forestry Division of the Depart- ment of Public Works is, with some alarm, calling attention to the fact that recent con- struction on adjacent property is shading the city greenhouses.
It is claimed that Quincy was one of the first cities in the country to spray all shade trees with DDT. This was possible be- cause of the efficiency of a new sprayer which was devised here in Quincy by the Forestry Division.
The spraying with DDT was primarily for gypsy moth control. However, it is pointed out that DDT is effective in de- stroying practically all types of leaf-eating insects, and is a temporary aid in mosquito control. *
Concentrated DDT coming from blower at a velocity of 125 miles per hour
The city faces a tragedy in the discovery of the fact that the dread Dutch elm dis- easc has reached Quincy. It is believed that approximately 100 of the 7500 elms of the city may be affected.
The Dutch elm disease is caused by a fungus. It is spread by elm bark beetles. The beetles carry the spores of the fungus into the sapwood when feeding in a tree. The disease may also be spread through root connections.
Many of the trees proved through cul- tures to be infected must be cut down and burned. The estimated cost is $100 per tree. Some of the trees may be saved by pruning.
The first discovery of the Dutch elm disease in Massachusetts was in 1941.
› A solution of concentrated DDT in fuel oil is being recommended as a spray for the control of elm bark beetles.
18
Supervision of the Waterfront
Quincy has 25 miles of waterfront.
To give some idea of the amount of local shipping: For purposes of loading or un- loading, over 350 steamers and barges came to Quincy during the past year.
Special responsibility for water traffic and safety rests with the Harbor Master.
Town River has presented a traffic problem. When commercial boats are due, it is necessary for the Harbor Master to clear the river-that is, to remove moored pleasure craft from the turning basin.
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