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CITY OF QUINCY
MASSACHUSETTS
1625
9
MAN
C QUINCY
ANNUAL REPORTS 1948
DOR
THOMAS CRANE
PUBLIC LIBRARY QUINCY, MASS.
CITY APPROPRIATION
QUINCY
MASSACHUSETTS
MANET
C QUINCYS
Departmental Reports 1948
QR 352 Quy 1943
The text of this book is presented under jurisdiction of the Office of the Mayor, and was prepared and edited by Anna L. Gelotte, Secretary to the Mayor, and Gerard B. Mullin, Statistician of the Quincy Health Department.
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016 with funding from Boston Public Library
https://archive.org/details/inauguraladdress1948quin
Jable of Contents
Page 7
Directory of City Officials
Executive
15
Legislative
20
Legal
21
City Clerk
21
License Commission
22
Engineering Department
23 23 25
Purchasing Department
25
Police Department
29 30 34
Fire and Police Signals
Sealer of Weights and Measures
Wire Department
Building Department
Forestry and Gypsy Moth
Health Department
41 45 52
Sewer Division
Sanitary Division
53 57
Department of Public Welfare
Department of Veterans' Services
Highway Division
Municipal Buildings
Harbor Master
Park Department
Recreation Commission
Cemetery Division
74 80
Historical Places
79
School Department
82
Water Division
95
Financial Reports:
Auditor 99
Treasurer
128
Treasurer, Woodward Fund
136
Treasurer, Adams Temple and School Fund
138
Charles Francis Adams Fund
140
Treasurer, Retirement System 1948 141
Retirement Board 143
Collector
148
Assessors
155
Planning Board
Board of Survey
Fire Department
34 34 35 36
Quincy City Hospital
63 67 69 70 70 72
Thomas Crane Public Library
8
Administrative Boards
BOARD OF ASSESSORS
Charles F. A. Smith, Chairman Arnold Eastman Larry Antonelli
PARK COMMISSIONERS
J. Ernest Collins, Chairman Wlliam J. Mitchell Kenneth P. Fallon, Jr.
RECREATION COMMISSION (Established in May 1948)
J. Ernest Collins William J. Mitchell
Kenneth P. Fallon, Jr.
Alexander Smith Katherine G. McCoy Gilbert L. Crofts John J. Morley
THOMAS CRANE PUBLIC LIBRARY TRUSTEES
David F. Taylor Georgiana C. Lane
Vincent Readdy James S. Collins Clara E. Thompson
Henrietta C. Thomas
Galen W. Hill, Librarian
Thomas Crane Public Library, Washington Street
MANAGERS OF WOODWARD FUND AND PROPERTY Hon. Charles A. Ross, Mayor John R. Shaughnessy, City Treasurer Mrs. Hattiemay Thomas, City Clerk Leo E. Mullin, City Auditor Christian A. Burkard (Elected by Council)
BOARD OF SURVEY
Louis F. R. Langelier William H. Couch John J. Manning Charles R. Herbert, Clerk City Hall Annex, Saville Row
BOARD OF LICENSE COMMISSIONERS Mrs. Hattiemay Thomas, City Clerk John J. Avery, Chief of Police Thomas F. Gorman, Chief of Fire Department
9
PLANNING BOARD
Walter A. Schmitz, Chairman Delcevare King Ernest N. Gelotte Fred E. Bergfors John J. Duane Charles R. Herbert, Clerk City Hall Annex, Saville Row
BOARD OF REGISTRARS
Mrs. Hattiemay Thomas, City Clerk Mrs. Mary E. Hurney William F. Maher Charles H. Thorner
QUINCY CITY HOSPITAL BOARD OF MANAGERS
William J. Martin, Chairman George W. Arbuckle Mrs. R. Donald Boling Augustus E. Settimelli Howard Deacon
RETIREMENT BOARD
George H. Bonsall, Chairman John F. Denneen Leo E. Mullin, City Auditor Helen M. Beverina, Secretary City Hall, 1305 Hancock Street
BOARD OF MANAGERS OF HISTORICAL PLACES William C. Edwards, Chairman Grace P. Bonsall, Secretary Henry Adams Lawrence W. Lyons Harriet B. Pierce
BOARD OF APPEALS (Building Department) John J. Gallagher Paul N. Sullivan James R. Hanlon
BOARD OF APPEALS (Zoning) Heslip E. Sutherland Chairman Thomas E. Fallon Walter A. Schmitz
FENCE VIEWERS Robert H. Fay Gustave A. Bergfors Herbert A. Shaughnessy
10
City Council - 1948
Members At Large
Frank N. Orcutt-48 Florence Street
Carl W. Anderson-11 River Street
Edna B. Austin-10 Pontiac Road
David J. Crowley-Ward One-95 Rockland Street William J. Papile-Ward Two-10 Harkins Street Amelio Della Chiesa-Ward Three-11 Hughes Street John B. O'Connor-Ward Four-5 Malden Street Clifton H. Baker-Ward Five-260 Pine Street
Thomas J. Gilmartin-Ward Six-94 Glover Avenue
President AMELIO DELLA CHIESA Clerk of Council MRS. HATTIEMAY THOMAS Deputy Clerk of Council, DONALD P. CRANE Clerk of Committees, PERCY N. LANE City Messenger, HARRY W. TIRRELL Auditor of Accounts, LEO E. MULLIN
TRUSTEES OF CITY HOSPITAL (Elected by Council)
Edna B. Austin William J. Papile
MANAGERS OF ADAMS TEMPLE AND SCHOOL FUND (Elected by Council) William C. Edwards
John P. Flavin
STANDING COMMITTEES
First named councillor is chairman
FINANCE-Councillors O'Connor, Anderson, Austin, Baker, Crowley, Della Chiesa, Gilmartin, Orcutt, Papile.
VETERANS' AID-Councillors Papile, Anderson, Crowley.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS, SEWERS & WATER SUPPLY-Councillors Baker, Austin, Papile.
FIRE AND POLICE-Councillors Crowley, Austin, Baker.
STREETS, SIDEWALKS AND MUNICIPAL LIGHTING-Councillors Orcutt, Anderson, Gilmartin.
ORDINANCE AND LEGISLATIVE MATTERS-Councillors Austin, Baker, O'Connor.
PUBLIC UTILITIES-Councillors Gilmartin, Anderson, Crowley. PENSIONS-Councillors Anderson, Orcutt, Crowley.
LAND CONVEYANCE-Councillors Orcutt, Papile, Gilmartin.
CITY HOSPITAL-Councillors Anderson, Della Chiesa, Crowley, Baker, Papile.
11
COUNCIL MEETINGS
Regular meetings of the City Council are held at 7:45 P.M. on the first and third Monday of each month.
COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Meetings of the standing and special committees are held at the call of the Chairman or at such times as may be designated by the Council.
School Committee - 1948
Chairman, HON. CHARLES A. ROSS, Mayor Vice Chairman, A. WENDELL CLARK
Hon .Charles A. Ross
98 Independence Avenue
A. Wendell Clark
223 Franklin Street
William A. Anderson
212 Whitwell Street
Alexander Smith
25 Muirhead Street
Carter Lee
19 Woodward Avenue
Mrs. Helen Spencer
9 Samoset Avenue
Raymond C. Warmington 92 Whitwell Street
Secretary and Superintendent of Schools
DR. PAUL GOSSARD
School Committee Rooms-Coddington Street
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Regular meetings of the School Committee are held at 7:30 P.M. on the last Tuesday of each month except July.
13
SECTION I
GENERAL GOVERNMENT
EXECUTIVE
LEGISLATIVE
LEGAL
CITY CLERK
LICENSE COMMISSION
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
PLANNING BOARD
BOARD OF SURVEY
PURCHASING DEPARTMENT
Honorable Charles A. Ross Mayor
15
Office of The Mayor QUINCY, MASS.
Inaugural address as delivered by Hon. Charles A. Ross, Mayor, to the City Council January 5, 1948.
MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL:
For the last time under Plan A, at the commencement of a two years elective period, the City Council and the Mayor are here assembled to commence our service to the citizenry of the City of Quincy. I recognize in each one of you a sincere and profound interest in the well-being of our community and on this important occasion, I extend to you and to all the people of the City, my personal greetings for a happy and prosperous New Year.
When our present terms of office expire, a new form of city government will take over the management of our municipality. The people by an overwhelming vote, have indicated their desire for such a change and it is encumbent upon us to so conduct ourselves that we should make the most satisfactory preparation for the installation of this new form of government under Plan E.
For the next two years, the policy of my administration will be unchanged. It will be dedicated to provide the citizens of our City with every possible municipal service at the least possible expense. It will remain as an administration devoted to every economy which we can practice and I want it definitely understood during the next two years, that the flood gates of municipal finances will not be opened. There are those who are thinking that this is an advan- tageous time to secure benefits for themselves or for certain special groups. To them I want to say again that there will be no change in the policy of my administration.
On November 4th last, the people voted for a 48 hour week for firemen and voted equal pay for school teachers. To that mandate of the public, we must adhere. At the outset, however, I want to make clear that it is not my understanding that the people at the polls indicated a general raise for each classification of school teachers, nor did they intend that the personnel of the Fire Department was going to be tremendously increased. I say this advisedly because I think that the members of the City Council and the School Committee should be conscious of how I view the results of the past election. The public had confidence in all of us and while voting a new form of government, they nevertheless re-elected to public office, the Mayor, every ward councillor who ran for re-election and promoted one councillor to councillor-at-large. They had confidence in us and we must not betray that confidence. I am of the opinion that that con- fidence and trust was based on the fact that in the past five years, in spite of tremendously increasing costs of government, our tax rate increased a net amount (and that for one year only) of $2.00; that in
16
that same period of time, we have greatly reduced our city debt; that we have eliminated tax title loans and we have reduced water rates and at the same time have granted permanent increases totalling over $1,000,000 per year to city employees and have assimilated the additional cost of welfare, old age assistance, and increased hospital and school costs, without curtailing municipal services.
The various departments of the City have submitted estimated budgets for 1948. These departmental budgets will be carefully scrutinized and in all probability definite cuts will be recommended by me. I want to advise every Board and department head to give thought right now to any items in these budgets that may be curtailed or eliminated.
We are faced on the basis of departmental budgets with an overall budget increase over last year of $1,500,000.00. We cannot look to new construction and new revenue to even remotely meet this increase. It has been suggested repeatedly and by many groups that with our present national economy, assessments on residential properties should be increased. To increase such residential proper- ties would, of course, raise additional revenue and tend to keep an increase in the tax rate down. With this thinking, I do not at present agree and I also do not agree with any assessments on residential property based on present or future sales prices. I feel such isolated assessments based on revenue stamps on deeds is unfair to the in- dividual who is thus penalized while other residential values remain the same.
I would like to maintain our present tax rate but I can readily see that such cannot be done. It is staggering to the imagination to recognize the increased cost of government over the last several years and the proposed increases for 1948 are a matter of grave concern.
I feel very keenly on this matter of increased governmental ex- penses and while I know that in some quarters I have been criticized for being too careful with the public's money nevertheless I cannot change my thinking and public expenditures so far as I can control them will be maintained at a minimum. I am proud of our past record. I am proud that by comparison, Quincy's tax rate is low. I am proud that we are in excellent financial condition. I am proud that our City debt is at such a low figure and I will make a determined effort to keep the City in such good financial condition.
However, in spite of the efforts which members of the Council and myself have expended in the past, we must be realistic in what we have to face in the future. While we have been maintaining an excellent financial condition, let us for a moment, analyze one de- partment in the City which has increased tremendously in the past several years.
The salaries in our School Department for 1943 totalled $983,246.73. The salaries in that same department for the year 1948 are in the
17
amount of $1,747,009. an increase of $763,762.27 or a percentage in- crease in this period of five years of 78%. This salary increase in the past several years alone would represent an increase in the tax rate of approximately $6.00. Perhaps these increases, having in mind that our school population has not increased, were necessary but I very strongly recommend to the members of the School Committee that they scrutinize their budget for 1948 with a definite view to a down- ward trend in salary costs. The School Department burget for 1948 over 1947 as presently estimated is $310,000 which alone is approxi- mately $2.70 on the tax rate.
The increase in the Fire Department budget to conform to the wishes of the public for a 48 hour week for firemen will probably run in the vicinity of $150,000 as presently recommended or an increase of over $1.00 in our tax rate. Our hospital budget will be higher as will likewise certain other departments in the City. I recognize that certain increases in the costs are unavoidable, but again I suggest to these Boards and department heads to give every consideration to every possible way in which costs may be reduced consistent with the excellent type service to which our people are entitled.
These increases which I have briefly touched on, do not of course include or contemplate what increased costs will become necessary for a 40 hour week for City employees, if it becomes effective. In this regard I recommend to the Council that a 40 hour week should be limited to public works employees only because it is impractical in the other departments to have a 40 hour week successfully operate without a burden to the taxpayer which is out of proportion.
Also, the figures previously recited do not take into consideration any general salary increase to municipal employees. The members of the Council are aware that you have a special committee and I recommend to you in your study of this question of salary increases, that you have in mind the total over-all costs of City government that confront us and I trust that the members of the Council will confer with me on many occasions on this very serious question.
There have been some efforts made by the Mayors' Club of Massachusetts and other organizations towards providing cities and towns financial assistance from the State. Several bills are and will be before the State Legislature with this idea in mind. We will sup- port those which we feel might be helpful to us and fair to our citizenry but I do not have too much confidence that any real assistance will be forthcoming. Consequently, members of the City Council, you and I must scrutinize every expenditure with a realization that we are faced with a large increase in our tax rate. I assure you that I will lend every effort to keep down our costs of government.
While we are conscious of this situation which confronts us, nevertheless we must make progress in the development of our City for the benefit of our people and there are certain things which I feel
18
must be done and should be done during the coming year. Some of them appear on the six year plan which we had prepared for us by an expert. I recommend to each member of the Council that you become familiar with the Six Year Financial Plan 1947 to 1952, and perhaps we can adjust our expenditures in some way in conformity with this well prepared plan.
I make the following specific recommendations for the year 1948: (1)-I recommend the selection of a site and the construction of a health center. Our Health Department has made outstanding strides in the problem of community health. This question of community health has been close to me for many years. I understand that the Federal Government will probably contribute 1/3 of all the costs of the purchase of land, construction and equipment of a health center and I feel that with our growing clinical activities and with the splen- did program which the Health Department has in mind, that we should undertake immediately, preparations for the erection of such a build- ing. I trust I can make some definite proposals to the Council in this regard in the immediate future.
(2)-I am most pleased that the Council has approved the position of Recreation Director and the coordination of all recreation facilities of the City under one head. This is something that I have advocated since 1944 and I will make provision in the budget to be submitted to you, for the creation of such a position in order that we may render to the youth of the City, the greatest possible use of all our schools, playgrounds, parks and other recreational facilities.
(3)-I recommend the widening of Revere Road and Canal Street from Hancock Street to the Southern Artery. I recommend that this be done as early as possible and I will transmit to the Council, orders providing for such improvement at a very early date. I suggest that you consider well the advisability of such an improvement for the benefit and development of the City.
(4) -- I recommend that additional stands and a garage for the Park Department be erected at the Quincy Municipal Stadium this year. I think we are all familiar with the necessity of such an improvement. It has been talked of, debated, and considered well for many years. It appears that now is the time to have it done even though it appears on our six year plan at a later date.
(5) I recommend the completion of the plans and specifications for a surgical and medical building at the Quincy City Hospital in order that we may be prepared to undertake construction thereof at a moment which might be auspicious if funds from the Federal Govern- ment become available. These plans and specifications are now nearly completed and have been substantially paid for. I know that the members of the Council agree with me that our public health and our City hospital are two of the greatest matters of concern to all of us.
19
We have anticipated the six year plan somewhat during the past year by commencing the construction of the Fire Station at Houghs Neck and the addition to the Squantum School. We have not, however, undertaken in 1947, the expenditure as recommended in the six year plan for improvements to the parking area. After some study has been made, I feel that it is possible that I may recommend that some definite improvements be made therein. It is important to all of us to keep Quincy in the forefront as a trading area.
In considering the increased costs of government it may be well for the Council and the Mayor to confer on a question of some in- creases in license fees now charged for certain items and activities being carried on within the City and I recommend that the Licensing Board give consideration to fees now wholly within the'r control but which may be reasonably increased.
This, however, is just another year in the life of a busy com- munity. I have set forth briefly some of the things we face but I know that we will approach these problems with courage and con- fidence. Nothing pleases me more than my knowledge of the splendid work which the members of the City Council have done in the past and I know that your work will continue in the future on the same high plane. You will undoubtedly, individually and collectively, have certain thoughts for the improvement of our City and for the better- ment of its people. Please do not hesitate to bring them before your Body or to bring them to the attention of the Mayor. We can succeed working as a team and we will succeed with cooperative effort.
20
Our City Councillors
QUINCY
t
4
--
From left to right-David J. Crowley, Clifton H. Baker, Mrs. Edna B. Austin, Carl W. Anderson, Amelio D. Chiesa, President; John B. O'Connor, Thomas J. Gilmartin, Frank N. Orcutt, William Papile.
21
City Solicitor
The work of the City Solicitor's Office was carried on during the year 1948 in the usual manner. Conferences were held with the Mayor, City Council, Department Heads, various Boards and civic groups, at which advice was given. Oral and written legal opinions were supplied to the Mayor, City Council and Department Heads. Suits on behalf of the City were commenced and suits against the City were defended. All claims against the City and City Employees in- volving sidewalk accidents, street accidents, auto accidents, land damage cases, petitions for abatement of taxes, claims under con- tracts, were supervised and where necessary, were defended. Orders, Ordinances, Land Conveyances, etc., were prepared for action by the City Council and Mayor and contracts involving the City were approved as to form.
City Clerk
The office of a City Clerk has been universally termed "The Encyclopedia Britannica," and the office of the Quincy Clerk is no exception to this description. Typical of the inquiries being constantly made are: "How do you address a communication to an official of rank or honor?" "How much money would a person send to England for a birth certificate?"
The City Clerk is ex-officio the Clerk of the City Council, and as such the Clerk or the Assistant Clerk must be present at all meetings of the City Council and be in possession of all records, orders, etc., of the City Council.
Elections and all matters relative to voting are handled by this office which, in conjunction with the Board of Registrars, is responsible for the registration of voters and the preparation of the voting lists.
Recording of personal mortgages, bills of sale, and discharges of mortgages have grown to become a large part of the business of this office.
The City Clerk is the Workmen's Compensation Agent for City labor, and as such must report all injuries, in pursuit of duty, to the Industrial Accidental Board of Massachusetts. The employee receives either medical care or compensation.
Licenses of many and varied types are issued by this office. Some of which are dog licenses, fishing, hunting and trapping licenses.
All births and deaths occuring in Quincy are recorded in this office as are those of Quincy residents occuring elsewhere in the state. Marriage licenses are applied for and issued at the office of the City Clerk.
22
Certified copies of all records are furnished either for personal use or for legal and government business.
The following are some comparative statistics which give an indication of the variety and volume of the duties performed by this office:
1946
1947
1948
Births recorded
2,340
2,461
2,315
Deaths recorded
880
950
982
Marriages recorded
1,259
1,162
1,141
Voters registered
42,069
40,975
45,990
License Commission
The Board of License Commissioners is composed of three members, namely: the Chief of Police, the Fire Chief and the City Clerk.
All applications for various types of licenses are brought before this Board and inspections are made before these are granted.
The following are comparative statistics of the amounts collected by this Board for various types of licenses during the current year and the year previous.
Amount Collected
Type of License
1947
1948
Common Victualler
$ 945.00
$ 910.00
Lord's Day
720.00
770.00
Garage, gas, repair shops, den. alcohol, and inflammables
4,117.50
3,064.00
Motors Nos. 1, 2, and 3
2,715.00
2,410.00
Amusements, Public Halls
320.00
720.00
Secondhand and Junk Shops
625.00
575.00
Bowling, Billiards, and Pool
1,750.00
1,510.00
Liquor
61,000.00
71,425.00
Miscellaneous
910.00
822.05
$73,103.10
$82,206.05
Less Refunds
35.00
Total
$73,103.10
$82,171.05
The amounts collected show an increase of some $9000 for the current year of 1948 over 1947. This increase is reflected in fees col- lected for liquor licenses while other types of licenses showed little or no significant fluctuation in the amount of fees collected.
23
Engineering Department
The Engineering Department was busily engaged during 1948 with completing its usual duties connected with the work of Municipal improvements. All meetings of the City Council, its Street and Finance Committee meetings, were attended either by the City Engineer personally, or, in his absence, by a representative of the Department.
The following is a summary, in chart form, of the volume of work handled by this Department comprising comparative figures for 1947 and 1948.
1948
Type of Project
1947 No. of Feet of No. of Feet of Projects Constr. Projects Constr.
Drain Construction
23
6,322
21
4,051
Sewer Construction
36
11,286
24
5,825
Amesite Sidewalks
15
29,404
35
31,515
Granolithic Sidewalks
3
1,367
Streets Oiled
5
3,200
Streets Rebuilt ..
9
7,815
12
8,267
Streets Resurfaced
3
22,280
Street Widenings
4
3
Granolithic Streets
7
1,619
Streets Accepted by the Council
18
10,121
15
9,350
Accepted Streets, Construction
20
9,9431
16
8,7902
Concrete Curbing Installed
9
6,573
12
3,984
Granite Curbing Installed
29
21,987
26
21,305
Granite Curb Reset
4
2,886
1 Six streets built or being built under contract (1947.)
2 Seven streets built in 1948 under contract. One other to be completed in 1949.
Planning Board
One of the most important and least recognized of the Admini- strative Boards is that which is concerned with Municipal planning. This unpaid Board is constantly working toward the physical im- provement of the City.
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