Inaugural address of the mayor, with the annual report of the officers of the city of Quincy for the year 1951, Part 1

Author: Quincy (Mass.)
Publication date: 1951
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 110

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1 25 - - 1951

QUINCY

---

CORRIDOR

1951 ANNUAL REPORT

Q.R.

352 QU4 1951

of the

ty of Quinry, Massachusetts

Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016 with funding from Boston Public Library

https://archive.org/details/inauguraladdress 1951 quin

City of Quinry Massachusetts

LANT

QUINCY -1886.

ANNUAL CITY REPORT 1951

This annual report is prepared under the direction of the office of the city manager

Credit: Pictures marked "QPL" are through the courtesy of the Quincy Patriot Ledger Fore River pictures are through courtesy of Bethlehem Steel Corporation

Table of Contents

SECTION NUMBER ONE -- QUINCY TODAY

Page

THE CITY COUNCIL

THE MAYOR AND THE CITY MANAGER

PREFACE 8

DIRECTORY OF CITY OFFICIALS

THE CITY MANAGER SPEAKS

CITY TAXES - CITY SERVICES

SECTION NUMBER TWO - MUNICIPAL DEPARTMENTS

CITY CLERK

PLANNING BOARD

LEGAL DEPARTMENT

PURCHASING DEPARTMENT

LICENSE COMMISSION

CIVIL DEFENSE

BOARD OF ASSESSORS

WELFARE DEPARTMENT

VETERANS' SERVICES

POLICE DEPARTMENT

FIRE DEPARTMENT

HEALTH DEPARTMENT

PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT

QUINCY CITY HOSPITAL

THOMAS CRANE PUBLIC LIBRARY

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

HIGHWAY DIVISION

WATER DIVISION

FORESTRY DIVISION

CEMETERY DIVISION

SEWER DIVISION

ENGINEERING DIVISION

BUILDING INSPECTOR

WIRE INSPECTOR

SEALER OF WEIGHITS AND MEASURES

PARK DEPARTMENT

SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

RETIREMENT BOARD

QUINCY HOUSING AUTHORITY

RECREATION DEPARTMENT

MUNICIPAL ELECTION

SECTION NUMBER THREE - FINANCIAL REPORTS

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE

CITY AUDITOR

CITY COLLECTOR

CITY TREASURER

BOARD OF ASSESSORS

103

Ret 352 Qu4 1951 C.1

QUINCY, MASSACHUSETTS

1625 - 1951

Population 83.835

In its front yard, the Atlantic Ocean In its back yard, the Blue Hills Birthplace of John Adams. John Quincy Adams, John Hancock

QUINCY TODAY

A CITY OF-

Rich Past

Prosperous present

Promising future

Fine homes

Excellent schools

Inspiring churches

Diversified industries

Grand recreational facilities

Efficient municipal services

Good clean government

Quincy is famous for its patriots who helped fashion the American way of life: for its granite industry which built imposing edifices; for its mighty Fore River shipyard which built fighting fleets that played important parts in winning two world wars.

Harry Mallare Tirrell

HARRY WALLACE TIRRELL had served Quiney as eity messenger for 62 years when he died on January 13, 1951, setting a record for municipal serviee in one position believed to have been topped by few men in American history. Picture shows Mrs. Hattiemay Thomas, city clerk, administering oath of office to him the last time he was sworn in at city hall.

SECTION NUMBER ONE

INDOSS

QUINCY BUILDS SHIPS

QUINCY TODAY

AT PLAY . . .

Yachting is Quincy's outstanding sport. furnishing healthful rec- reation and keen competition to thousands. Five big yacht clubs with a total membership of more than a thousand sponsor raecs and cruises afloat and social events ashore. As many as 250 boats compete in a single race during Quincy Bay Race Week. the yachting classic of The South Shorc.

QUINCY SAILS YACHTS

Annual Report

AT WORK

The great Fore River yard at Bethlehem Steel company's ship- building division is Quiney's big- gest and most famous industry . . . From it was launched such world renowned ships as the two historic Wasps, the two gallant Lexingtons. the Quincy. Can- berra, Lurline, Monterey, Mari- posa, Constitution. Independence.

THE 1951 QUINCY CITY COUNCIL

MANEY

KIT

QUINCY ....

In regular session, the council is shown considering one of the countless orders, motions or resolves. Seated left to right are Councilor David J. Crowley, vice chairman: Councilor Carl W. Anderson, Councilor Alfred G. Helfrich. City Solicitor Arthur I. Burgess, City Manager William J. Deegan, Jr., Mayor Thomas S. Burgin, Clerk Donald P. Crane, Messenger Frank White, Clerk of Committees Percy N. Lane, Finance Director Alexander Smith. Councilor Amelio Della Chiesa, Councilor Edna B. Austin and Councilor Frank N. Orcutt.

City of Quincy

THE MAYOR AND THE CITY MANAGER

HON. THOMAS S. BURGIN. left, first Plan E Mayor of Quincy WILLIAM J. DEEGAN, JR., right, first City Manager of Quincy

Annual Report

Preface

This is the story of the municipal government of Quincy for the year 1951. The story is told in words. pictures and figures.

Quincy, of course. is proud of its historically rich past; but it is more interested in its vigorous and prosperous present ; more concerned with its promising future.

It is important that Quincy gave such sons as John Adams, John Quincy Adams and John Hancock to the young nation. It is more im- portant that Quincy provides the kind of schools, churches, institutions, homes and parents that will fashion the youth of today and tomorrow into a citizenry of character. vision and ability from which the nation can draw leaders in trying times ahead.

It is important that Quincy brain, brawn and sweat built ships that helped Democracy win two world wars. It is more important that Quincy continue to breed men and women who can and will meet future emergencies.

It is the function of municipal government to create conditions which foster good citizens. This annual report tells the story of Quiney's efforts to so function in 1951. This report differs sharply from previous reports in that it depends on pictures to a far greater degree to show what the city does for the citizens.

In 1951 Quincy was passing through the final stages of transition from one form of municipal government to another. With this trying period of transition now about over, the council-manager form of gov- ermnent can now be judged by its achievements.

DIRECTORY

COMIC BOOK REVIEW BOARD

REVEREND JOSEPH PARKMAN IDA G. GLASSER KATHERINE I. QUINN

HISTORICAL PLACES BOARD OF MANAGERS

GEORGE L. ANDERSON MRS. GEORGE H. BONSALL WILLIAM C. EDWARDS LAWRENCE W. LYONS MRS. MAURICE P. SPILLANE

LICENSE BOARD

THOMAS F. GORMAN, Chairman - ex officio RICHARD M. ASH, M.D., ex officio JOSEPH F. HUGHES, ex officio HATTIEMAY THOMAS, ex officio ALRICK WEIDMAN. ex officio

HOSPITAL BOARD OF MANAGERS

GEORGE W. ARBUCKLE GUY W. HART AUGUSTUS E. SETTIMELLI J. BROOKS KEYES Z. CRANSTON SMITH

HOUSING AUTHORITY

LOUIS GEORGE, Chairman J. GIRARD WHITE, Chairman MATTHEW CUSHING. Treasurer REV. VICTOR SAWYER, Assistant Treasurer GERALD J. HURLEY FRANK C. HENDRY, Executive Director

PARK BOARD

J. ERNEST COLLINS, Chairman WILLIAM J. MITCHELL, Vice Chairman KENNETH P. FALLON, JR., Secretary

RETIREMENT BOARD

GEORGE H. BONSALL, Chairman JOHN F. DENEEN ALEXANDER SMITH, ex officio

RECREATION COMMISSION

J. ERNEST COLLINS, Chairman GILBERT L. CROFTS KENNETH P. FALLON, JR. KATHERINE G. McCOY DENNIS F. RYAN WILLIAM J. MITCHELL WALLACE ROCKWELL

REGISTRARS OF VOTERS

MARY HURNEY WILLIAM F. MAHAR HATTIEMAY THOMAS CHARLES H. THORNER, M.D.

PLANNING BOARD

WALTER A. SCHMITZ. Chairman FRED E. BERGFORS, SR.

C. FRANCIS N. ROBERTS ERNEST N. GELOTTE ROBERT A. ZOTTOLI

THOMAS CRANE PUBLIC LIBRARY TRUSTEES

L. PAUL MARINI, Chairman JAMES S. COLLINS

GEORGIANA C. LANE DAVID F. TAYLOR HENRIETTA C. THOMAS CLARA THOMPSON GALEN W. HILL, Librarian

ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

HESLIP E. SUTHERLAND, Chairman THOMAS H. FALLON WALTER H. HOLLAND

Alternates GUY L. HARDEN JOHN H. FALLON WILLIAM H. COUCH

- City of Quincy

1640.1 MANE

QUINO . 1888

Wm. J. Deegan, Jr. City Manager

City of Quincy Massachusetts

To the Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council Madam Councillor and Gentlemen:

It is with great pleasure that I transmit the annual report of the activities of the City of Quincy for the fiscal year 1951. This is the second year of operation under the Council- Manager form of government.

The format of this report has been changed from that of pre- vious reports and the detail minimized in order to highlight the major developments and accomplishments of the year and to portray them in a manner quickly understood by the average reader.

For those persons who may desire more detailed information we have available the Annual Budget, the Annual Financial State- ment of the City Auditor and the detailed reports of the major departments and it was from such reports that this publication has been prepared. Citizens are also invited to make specific inquiry at any time concerning details of city operations or activities and we welcome the opportunity to answer such requests for information.

To the many loyal city employees, department heads and unpaid board and commission members I extend my sincere thanks for the most outstanding record they have made during this past year in carrying out our work programs and programs of public service. Without their effective contributions our accomplish- ments would not have been possible.

May I also express to the Members of the City Council my gratitude for your diligence and interest in carrying out the responsibilities of the legislative body of the City and for your cooperation and considered judgment on the problems which have been presented to your attention. It has been a pleasure to serve as your chief administrative officer and to place your programs into operation for the betterment of our community and for service to our citizens.

Respectfully submitted,

Wm. J. Deegan, Jr., City Manager

City Manager's Foreword

The following accomplishments may be emphasized as representing the first major objectives of the Council-Manager form of government.

1951 CASH SURPLUS

In spite of an 8% price increase occurring in 1951 the City ended its fiscal year with a cash surplus of $487.484.98.

$91.250.20 was unused surplus of 1950. $139,449.67 was unexpended departmental funds of 1951. $256,785.11 was increased revenues for 1951.

MANAGEMENT IMPROVEMENTS

Perhaps the most significant improvement accomplished during 1951 was the installation of a modern, mechanized accounting system for all municipal financial activities. As a result, an accurate balance sheet on all municipal receipts and expenditures is available in 3 to 4 hours in contrast to the former 10 days to 3 weeks. Accountability and accurate data - formerly lacking, are now available promptly to Department Heads. the Manager, the Council and the public.

Also significant is a modern accounting and collection procedure installed in the Quincy City Hospital in June 1951. Hospital Income increased 50.6% in the last half year over the first half when this program became activated.

The adoption of a fully integrated and centralized purchasing system in 1951 produced substantial savings and increased the quality and uniformity of municipal purchases. When related to other programs of mod- ernization significant economies resulted. Typical is the program in the Dietary Department of the hospital where revised techniques and more advantageous buying produced a net saving of 27.6% adjusted to 1949 prices.

The purchase of modern. efficient tools and equipment for the operating departments showed remarkable increases in the effective use of manpower and greatly increased the volume of public service which could be rendered at lower unit costs. Typical are the experiences of only two departments.

The Cemetery Department who must dig approximately 500 graves per year were spending about $25.00 per grave in 1949-50 with costly hand-labor methods. The purchase of modern grave digging tools and machinery reduced this cost to an average of $8.00 per grave in 1951. A reduction of 64% in cost.

The Sewer Department in 1949, with 74 employees laid a total of 22,256 feet of sewers; an average produc- tivity of 300 feet per man-year of employment. In 1951 - 41 men equipped with modern tools and machin- ery laid 27,867 feet of sewers: an average productivity of 680 feet per man-year of employment - a 127% increase over 1949.

City of Quincy

PLANNING AND ZONING

During 1951 - the City instituted a modern City Planning Department as the result of Council adoption of a modern planning law on December 26, 1950. This Department has prepared and adopted a modern sub- division and development control regulation which will proteet investors and citizens who may participate in the orderly growth and development of the remaining land within our limits. Sinee much of this land is marginal in character. the long range community welfare demands careful consideration of the use of this property to insure safe. elean. orderly utilization which is in the publie interest.

PUBLIC HEALTH

Beginning January 1. 1951 the Health Department occupied the new $520,000 modern Health Center built with 1/3 State and Federal Funds and 2/3 city funds. The City Council gladly provided the needed extra funds to expand the Public Health program for the welfare and betterment of our citizens. This program, in the years to come. will produce benefits far beyond any measurement of cost that may be applied to the activity. Community pride may be very high with respect to our public health program.

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM

The first major steps toward a program of capital improvements for Quincy were taken by the City Council during 1951. Largest of these was the $2,000,000 school construction program, launched during 1951 in an effort to meet some of the indicated needs for new class rooms to accommodate the increasing enrollment.

A plan, authorized by the Council, to borrow $1.000.000 for the first major street repair program since 1938 was defeated by the legislature. With this defeat a smaller program to be financed by reserves and taxes was undertaken late in the fall.

Authority to construct the long-delayed Hospital Heating plant was granted and plans were completed for this work to commenee early in 1952.

The City Council authorized the preparation of a major water system overhaul program - the first since 1926, and appropriated the first $130,000 against a program estimated to eventually cost upward of $1,500,000. This long-deferred program is necessary to provide adequate water supply for consumption and fire protection. Many leaks in the existing system were also discovered and repaired during 1951. indieat- ing the great need for water main replacement and reinforcement. Also undertaken was the beginning of a long range program of water main cleaning and relining to reduce dirty water complaints and to assure a supply of clean, palatable water for personal use.

The $300,000 Rock Island Sewer System need for over 30 years was authorized on January 15. 1951 and work on the project immediately started. The system is expected to be ready for use late in 1952.

The City Council during 1951 also authorized several smaller programs designed to spruce up the City and add to the community pleasure, enjoyment and convenience. One of these was an extensive program of street tree planting and another, a street sign program. It is expected that these programs will continue yearly.

Annual Report

YOUR CITY TAXES- YOUR CITY SERVICES

1951 GENERAL OPERATIONS

WHERE MONEY CAME FROM

Grants in Aid

$ 1,450.303.56

State Share Taxes

1.037.830.94

Earned Income

1,653.624.79

Personal and Poll Taxcs

529,947.32

Real Estate Tax

6.797.327.88

$11,469.034.49

HOW MONEY WAS USED

Legislative Branchı

$ 76,230.00

Executive Branch

38.373.70

General Government

211.117.75

Public Safety Branch

1,407.948.48

Social Service Branch

3.670.968.29

Public Works

1.758.803.57

Public Service

191.028.00

Education

2.577.186.00

Debt Service

621.140.00

State and County

781.750.30

Miscellaneous

134,488.40

$11,469,034.49

MONTHLY PER CAPITA COST OF SOME TYPICAL MUNICIPAL SERVICES

$2.52

$1.87

$1.44

$1.53

.73

.61

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HEALTH AND WELFARE

HOSPITAL

FIRE

POLICE

PUBLIC WORKS

EDUCATION

.19

.20

.10

.15

VETERANS

GENERAL GOVERNMENT

PARK AND RECREATION

LIBRARY

TRASH AND GARBAGE COLLECTION

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.26

. City of Quincy

QUINCY BRAIN AND BRAWN CREATE QUEENS OF THE SEA

INDEPENDENCE

During 1951 Quincy's great Fore River Shipyard completed and delivered the two $25,000,000 American Export Line passenger ships. S. S. Independence, shown in her trial trip, and S. S. Constitution.

Annual Report -

IF D-DAY COMES TO AMERICA QUINCY WILL BE READY

This beautiful pieture by Ronald Marden, Quincy photographer, shows auxiliary firemen getting praetieal training in the handling of "live" hoselines.

By the end of 1951 Quiney's Department of Civil Defense was functioning in high gear. The auxiliary fire department had 150 men, trained under regular fire department officers. The auxiliary police foree had 160 men trained under regular police officers. Doetors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists and mortieians had been assigned to 19 First Aid posts scattered about the eity. Two trained radiologieal detection teams had earned such a reputation that the state had placed one of its detection instruments in Quiney.

16 . City of Quincy

LONG RANGE PLANNING PREVENTS MUNICIPAL HEADACHES

. .. Prime requisites for good long range planning is a planning board with definite powers, assisted by a trained permanent staff headed by a professional planning engineer. sneh as Quiney set up in 1951.

Basis for planning is a land-use map showing cur- rent use of all land in the eity. such as the one to which William G. Farrar, Quiney director of plan- ning. is pointing as he die- tates to secretary.

. . . Good long range plan- ning is designed to prevent such municipal headaches as the widening of Granite street. right. which entails heavy expenditures be- cause of land takings and necessity of removing huge boulders and ledges. . . .

STREET

------

Annual Report

LONG NEGLECT PROVES FALSE ECONOMY

... Like the famous Onc- Horse Shay. Quincy's far- flung network of water mains dating back from the Vietorian Era began to fall apart in 1951 after a quarter of a century, dur- ing which no major re- placement or extension program was undertaken. Numerous breaks in the mains brought incidents such as depicted on left in Adams Shore scene in which a sedan is half sub- merged when a 12-inch pipe gave way. flooding a large area.

(Q. P. L. Foto)

INCIDENTS SUCH AS THIS CAN BE PREVENTED BY

. . . Preparatory to under- taking a replacement and expansion program that may cost a million, the manager and council, tak- ing advantage of market conditions, acquired a huge stoek pile of pipe, shown in Merrymount Park. Survey by Metcalf & Eddy, con- sulting engincers, indicated that further delay was not advisable. First major project planned is that of laying new main on Han- cock street, scheduled for next year.

Preventive measures such as this . . . $90,000 worth of 12-inch mains. 14.000 linear feet, ready to start major replacement and ex- pansion program in 1952.

3001

QUINCY BORROWS AND SPENDS MILLIONS OF DOLLARS BUT-

. . . City Manager William J. Deegan, Jr., Treasurer- Collector Mildred L. Tyler and Finance Director Alex- ander Smith, left to right, needed a full eight-hour day to sign each one of the 1995 thousand-dollar bonds in this all-time record bond issue. Of the $1,995,000 which the city will get from the sale of these bonds, $1,960,000 will go for new sehools and the balanee for sewers, the taxpayers decided through their eleeted representatives. the city councilors.

(Q. P. L. Foto)

The Taxpayers Have a Voice In Determining Where They Go

Public officials are mindful of the wishes of the people at the municipal level as they are at all levels in American Democracy. Here three citizens are telling Public Works Commissioner Charles R. Herbert. second left. and State Eugineer Thomas Hanron, right, why they want a seetion of beautiful and historie Adams street rebuilt but not widened.

(Q. P. L. Fotos)

Annual Report

WISE SPENDING SAVES TAXPAYERS' DOLLARS

... The purchasing department is the key to economy iu municipal government. City Manager Deegan. right, congratulates Purchasing Agent Joseph A. E. Eriekson on estimated saving of $300,000 in 1951 through quantity buying, group buying and "raw eost plus" buying. During the year the eity spent $2,283,345.92 in 16,500 purchase orders and $1.771 .- 708.19 in 199 contraets passing through the purehas- ing department. Group buying eut the number of individual purchase orders by about half. . . . Intelli- gent buying of equipment ean also save the taxpayers money.

Bottom - Mayor Burgin, City Manager Deegan and eouneilors study the relative merits of various models on which bids have been received before buying a fleet of new garbage trueks .. . .

. . . Left to right: William J. Deegan. Jr .. Councilors Edna B. Austin. Carl W. Anderson, David J. Crowley. Amelio Della Chiesa and Frank N. Oreutt and Mayor Thomas S. Burgin inspeet engine before taking a trial spin in a uew gar- bage truck model. . . .

(Q. P. L. Fotos)

ght your RATIO

ENDE

City of Quincy

BIG MANUFACTURING PLANT IS BUILT IN QUINCY

....

Raytheon tube plant, shown from the air, came to Quincy as a result of cooperation be- tween the City, which furnished attractive tax and utility inducements, and the Chamber of Commerce, which compiled data showing that Quincy has many advantages to offer to the manufacture seeking a factory site.

NEW INDUSTRY MEANS

1. More jobs for citizens

2. More tax revenue for city

3. More business for stores

4. Less Taxes on home owners

5. Less welfare expenditures

1+2+3-4-5=PROSPERITY ALL AROUND

HELP WANTED

CASHIER

# #

BROB

A NEW INDUSTRY IS BORN IN QUINCY

....

. . . Everybody smiles be- cause it's everybody's bar- gain when the Old City of Quincy gives birth to a lusty new industry. . . .

MUTUAL CONGRATULATIONS!

Top - President Charles Francis Adams, Jr., center. of the Raythcon company, descendant of John and John Quincy Adams and son of a former Quincy mayor. finds a site for a new radio tube factory in the home of his ancestors. Mayor Thomas S. Burgin, extreme left, and City Manager William J. Deegan, Jr., second left, smile because it means more tax revenue. President George A. Daley, Jr., right, and Vice President Alexander Purdon, second right, of the Chamber of Commerce, smile because it means more business and job opportunities. Bottom - a few months later steel skeleton of big West Quincy plant, which will provide a thousand jobs, takes form.

Quincy Is a Leader In the Development of Off-Street Parking

. . . Mayor Fred 1. Lamson, third left in front row, and Malden business leaders, faced with parking prob- lems in their own city; come to Quincy to get ideas from an inspection of this city's fine metered parking arca. City Mana- ger Deegan, second left in front row, proudly points out advantages of the big- gest and most conveniently located metered municipal parking lot in the East.

Off-street parking, proponents claim, stimulates shopping, increases taxable valuation and tax revenues in retail area, protects city from threats of urban shopping center, and is a good investment for the city.

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Inaugural address of the mayor, with the annual report of the officers of the city of Quincy for the year 1951, Part 1

Author: Quincy (Mass.) Publication date: 1951 Publisher: Number of Pages: 110

Author: Quincy (Mass.)
Publication date: 1951
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 110