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THOMAS CRANE PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1641 0097 6826 2
THOMAS CRANE
PUBLIC LIBRARY QUINCY, MASS.
CITY APPROPRIATION
:
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016 with funding from Boston Public Library
https://archive.org/details/inauguraladdress 1958quin
1625
QUINCY
REference lesk
1958
....
QUEEN FREDERIKA of GREECE
..
1958 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
City of Quinry, Massachusetts
...
A Queen set foot on Quincy soil for the first time in re- corded history when FREDERIKA of GREECE came here on November 15. 1958, to christen the 859-foot tanker Princess Sophie, named after her daughter. In launching the Princess Sophie - largest tanker ever built in America - Queen Frederika launched more tonnage than Helen of Troy, whose beauty touched off the Trojan War.
City of Quincy Massachusetts
SMANE
178
QUINCYS 18861
ANNUAL CITY REPORT 1958
This annual report is prepared under the direction of the Mayor
Credit: Pictures marked "QPL" are by courtesy of the Quincy Patriot Ledger
Table of Contents
Page
SECTION ONE
PREFACE
5
THE MAYOR
6
MESSAGE OF THE MAYOR
7
THE CITY COUNCIL DIRECTORY OF CITY OFFICIALS
13
SECTION TWO
CITY CLERK
17
LICENSE COMMISSION
17
PLANNING BOARD
18
PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT
20
LEGAL DEPARTMENT
20
BOARD OF ASSESSORS
20
CITY TREASURER
21
COLLECTOR OF TAXES
21
PURCHASING DEPARTMENT
21
POLICE DEPARTMENT
22
FIRE DEPARTMENT
28
HEALTH DEPARTMENT
33
HOSPITAL DEPARTMENT
37
WELFARE DEPARTMENT
40
PARK DEPARTMENT
41
RECREATION COMMISSION
43
VETERANS' SERVICES
44
PUBLIC LIBRARY
44
HISTORICAL PLACES
45
CIVIL DEFENSE
45
QUINCY HOUSING AUTHORITY
46
RETIREMENT BOARD
50
BUILDING INSPECTION
51
WIRE INSPECTION
52
PLUMBING INSPECTION
54
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
54
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
55
STATE ELECTION
58
PUBLIC WORKS
Q.R
BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
60
PUBLIC BUILDINGS
352
60
SANITARY
60
STREETS
61
SEWERS
QU4
63
WATER
63
ENGINEERING
64
CEMETERIES
64
FORESTRY
pl
65
SECTION THREE - FINANCIAL STATISTICS
AUDITOR OF ACCOUNTS
67
COLLECTOR OF TAXES
76
TREASURER
83
BOARD OF ASSESSORS
92
1958
12
Section One
HISTORIC
QUINCY
Sailing is Great Quincy Sport
5g
QUINCY, MASSACHUSETTS, U. S. A.
1625 -1958
THE QUINCY OF YESTERDAY
Explored by Captain John Smith, 1614
Visited by Captain Myles Standish, 1621 Settled by Captain Wollaston, 1625 Incorporated as part of Braintree, 1640 Incorporated as a separate town, 1792 Chartered as a city, 1888 Birthplace of John Adams, John Quincy Adams, John Hancock
THE QUINCY OF TODAY
Population by state census of 1955 - 84,495
Assessed valuation in 1958 - $172,130,650
Population of trading area - 350,000 Six miles from heart of Boston
Twenty-six miles of waterfront Nationally famous off-street parking facilities
Value of total 1958 building permits - $7,317,551
Value of 1958 residential construction - $1,934,571 New single family dwellings in 1958 - 92 Home of famous Fore River Shipyard
Home of first railroad in America
Home of first productive iron works in America
City of Quincy
4
PREFACE
0
This is the story of municipal government in Quincy in 1958. It is told in words, figures and pictures.
The purpose of this Annual Report is simply to inform the people of Quincy how their money was spent and how their city was gov- erned by their elected officials.
The American Way has proved that no government, local, state or national, can get far out of line and remain out of line very long if the people know what their elected officials are doing and if they, the people, have the right to protest.
The year 1958 found Quincy making the transition back to the Plan A (mayor-council) form of government after eight years experi- ence with the Plan E (council-manager) charter. The municipal machine made that transition without political friction.
Under Plan A, Quincy is governed by a mayor and nine coun- cilors-at-large, all elected by the people. Under Plan E. the city was governed by a city manager, chosen by the council as chief admin- istrator, and seven councilors-at-large elected by the people.
Annual Report
-
5
THE MAYOR
Honorable AMELIO DELLA CHIESA Mayor of Quincy 1954-1959
Ward Councilor 1944-1949 Councilor at Large 1950-1957 Council President 1948 State Representative 1953-1960
City of Quincy
6
THE MAYOR TO THE CITIZENS
(Extracts from the Inaugural Address delivered by Mayor Amelio Della Chiesa January 6, 1958)
The people of Quincy do not wish those of us charged with the responsibility of administering their affairs to be niggardly in the expenditure of their funds, but they have every right to expect full value for their dollars.
I trust that my remarks to this point will suffice to say that this administration will devote and ded- icate itself to fulfilling the best interests of all con- cerned.
Now, if you will permit me, I should like to refer to some of the accomplishments of the past sev- eral years and to enumerate a few, at least, of which I feel are the most pressing needs of the im- mediate future.
During the past several years, the City of Quincy has engaged in a very extensive and comprehensive outlay program.
This program has given, or is giving, the City two new Junior High Schools, a large Trade School wing, five new Elementary Schools and new ad- ditions to many other school buildings.
(Schools Construction Costs) for buildings only amounted to
IN 1950
Atherton Hough School Addition $ 115,121.30
Wollaston School Addition
251,851.00
IN 1951
Beechwood Knoll School
361,001.75
Snug Harbor School
596,080.11
Trade School Addition
571,617.06
Montclair Addition
114,359.54
IN 1953
Snug Harbor School Addition #1 97,233.69
Squantum School Addition
80,801.34
Central Jr. High Remodeling
219,930.07
IN 1954
Furnace Brook Parkway School 380,220.20
Snug Harbor School Addition #2
270,896.10
Great Hill School
232,905.46
IN 1955
Broad Meadows Jr. High School
1,405,765.21
AND IN 1956
Myles Standish School
404,057.21
Atlantic Jr. High School
1,537,000.00
Total Construction Cost $6,638,830.29
The school expansion program will have cost the taxpayers approximately ten million dollars when the final bonds are retired in 1977.
However, it is anticipated that our school facil- ities, as they now stand, will serve the City many years before any additional new constructions will be required.
This same over-all program has included plans for the construction of a $2,000,000 hospital wing, the modernization of lighting in the retail and other sections of the City by the Quincy Electric
Company, the construction of a booster water sta- tion and tank to supply the high-lying Pine Hill Section with increased pressure, the acquisition, for park and playground purposes, of two attractive sites, one on Forbes Hill and the other on the Houghs Neck Waterfront, the purchase and con- struction of the John Hancock and the Railroad Parking Areas, and the City's first comfort station, which was opened in the John Hancock Parking Area in 1956.
The City Council provided funds for a group insurance plan for Municipal Employees that should prove a boon in years to come for them and their dependents.
We also purchased four new Walter Snow Fight- ers, several new pieces of fire fighting apparatus, a new bookmobile for our library as well as other needed equipment for our various departments.
To itemize our accomplishments still further, let me quote the following:
1950 - 1957
RESURFACING - 268 streets have been resur- faced, for a total of 301,088 lineal feet, at a total cost of $862,000.00.
WIDENINGS - We have widened and rebuilt a total of 35 different streets and intersections, cost- ing $203,000.00.
Notable among the widenings are Mechanic Street, Hancock Court and Elm Street, from Me- chanic Street to Hancock Street.
SEAL COATING - We have seal coated (tar and stone and sand) 84 various streets for a total of 73,835 lineal feet, costing $23,000.00.
RECONSTRUCTION - We have reconstructed 39 different streets in the past 8 years, costing $168,000.00. The cost to reconstruct various streets under chapter 90 amounted to $391,000.00.
Parking areas construction cost since 1950 amount- ed to $274,000.00.
NEW ACCEPTANCES - One of the largest proj- ects we have undertaken is the acceptance and construction of 104 newly accepted streets, for a total lineal footage of 56,464 feet, or 10.7 miles of streets, total cost $902,000.00.
1950 - 1957
SEWERS - We constructed 84,780 lineal feet of sanitary sewers and 66,400 lineal feet of storm sewers, in these years, for a total cost of $1,867,- 675.00 or an average lineal foot cost of $ 12.35.
SEWER CONNECTIONS - 2,580 particular sewers, or an average of 322 connections per year.
1950 - 1957
WATER MAINS - A. 109,548 lineal feet of 6", 8", and 12" mains at a cost of $881,187.00. Aver- age cost $8.05 per lineal foot.
Annual Report
7
B. 85,318 lineal feet new services.
C. 1,610 new meters installed.
SIDEWALKS - Walks were constructed on 261 different streets for a total of 156,361 lineal feet, costing $209,789.00. Average cost $1.35 per foot. CURBING - Curbs were placed on 97 different streets for a total of 67,410 lineal feet, costing $174,260. Average cost $2.60 per foot.
During the past 10 years Quincy has spent $93,712.33 fighting the disease that has been tak- ing its toll from the City's elms.
Last year Quincy spent $17,680 on Dutch Elm, the total available in the budget. The Forestry Department estimates there are 1,200 more af- fected trees in Quincy.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS CONSTRUCTION COST 1951
Houghs Neck Fire Station
Quincy Health Center
$ 143,968.71 397,694.68
1952
Power Plant Quincy Hospital
470,883.00
1955
Boiler Room Hospital
25,998.75
Comfort Station (Parking Area) 24,106.00
1956
Storage Shed, Public Works Dept. 18,600.00
1957
Wollaston Fire Station Remodeling 32,000.00
Storage Building Cemetery 11,000.00
Total
$1,124,251.14
Thousands of dollars were also expended to con- struct sea walls, resurface streets at the Mount Wollaston Cemetery and for the installation of traffic lights and signs.
Excellent work was performed by the Public Works Department during the 1954 hurricane and the floods caused by the heavy rains in August of 1955. The 1954 hurricane cost the state $335,- 000.00.
The three unexpected snow storms in the spring of 1956 cost the City of Quincy over $300,000.
The Board of Park Commissioners in 1956 main- tained nine regulation baseball diamonds, 15 soft- ball diamonds, seven beaches, one picnic area, two stadiums and several tennis courts. It also main- tained the city-owned Fore River Club.
The Quincy Recreation Commission continued to broaden its program under the services of a full- time professional director. The Commission is con- stantly aware that community recreation is for both sexes and for all ages and is adhering to its policy of gradual year-by-year expansion of its ac- tivities.
The elaborate playground program, the special program for training handicapped children, the senior citizens program originated in 1956 on the recommendation of Director William F. Ryan, providing for special recreation events for men and women over 65 years of age, are just a part of what
your City is trying to do under the supervision of the Recreation Commission.
Through the efforts of the Massachusetts Gen- eral Court and the Federal Government, funds were provided for the improvement of Wollaston beach, dredging of Town River, Reconstruction of the Southern Artery from Sea Street to Washing- ton Street and for the construction of the so-called Quarry Street Extension, from the Southeast Ex- pressway to Furnace Brook Parkway as well as for many other worthwhile improvements for the City of Quincy.
The bonded indebtedness of the City of Quincy now stands at $11,916,000. This includes $6,632,- 000 for schools, $1,806,000 for sewer construction, $1,498,000 for street construction, $762,000 for parking areas, $935,000 for other buildings (hos- pital, health center, veterans housing, and fire station) and $283,000 for all others (including $160,000 for water).
At present there is authorized a loan in the amount of $1,750,000 for the addition to The Quincy Hospital which would make our total debt $13,666,000.
The above debt includes the amount of $150,- 000 for land damages to pay for the widening of Revere Road from Washington Street to Chestnut Street, for the proposed widening of Canal Street, and for the proposed widening of Adams Street from Furnace Brook Parkway to the Milton Line.
Funds are also available in the highway bond issue for Quincy's share to do the above work.
The anticipated income against our present debt is as follows:
From The Commonwealth of Massachu-
setts for School Construction 23% or $1,525,360
Street and Sewer Betterments 408,029
Parking Meter Receipts ($25,000) Per Year or Until the Last Bond is Re- tired in 1970 325,000
Rents Veterans Housing (West Acres) 200,000
Water 160,000
Making A Total of $2,618,389
During the year 1958 we will retire $1,146,000 of the above debt which has accumulated over the past 10 years, so that our debt as of the end of this year will be $12,500,000.
I am not unmindful of the fact that during the year I anticipated that our normal construction program of public works will involve further bor- rowings amounting to approximately $750,000. This addition to our debt would effect a net reduc- tion for the year of approximately $400,000. Inas- much as our school building program is nearing completion, a program of this nature is my definite desire in order to bring about a reduction in the annual burden of debt service to our taxpayers.
It has been particularly gratifying to me, all through this major building program, that the City of Quincy has maintained its double "A" rating in
City of Quincy
8
the bond market, and is able to go out and borrow money, many points lower than the national aver- age. It proves that our City is financially sound.
As interesting as the past may be, we should look to the future.
Consequently, I should like to propose to the City Council, several projects that I feel are de- serving of our attention and consideration.
In all our planning, may I suggest the necessity of constantly keeping in mind that our City is grow- ing and will continue to grow.
We must think and act accordingly.
Let us not place ourselves in the predicament of the man who builds yesterday's garage to ac- commodate tomorrow's automobile.
1. PARKING
The City of Quincy is fully aware that parking is of paramount importance.
The off-street parking program, as advanced by our City Government, demonstrates far-sightedness and sound judgment.
Off-street parking has attracted much new busi- ness and has been responsible for the erection of several modern buildings, and the enlargement and modernization of many retail stores.
When one considers the fact that the assessed valuations adjacent to the parking areas have in- creased more than 6 million dollars, during the past years, representing a substantial added income to our City, it is readily apparent that the taxpay- ers are receiving the benefits of a sound and wise investment.
Quincy must continue to provide a greater degree of off-street parking. Such a program may sound too costly but the failure to provide a steadily growing population with adequate means for park- ing may prompt these people to go where parking is available and plentiful.
The automobile is not only a means of trans- portation for the driver and his family (all poten- tial customers) but a means of transportation for his purchases, much of which is done on a cash- and-carry basis.
Good parking is the very life-blood of successful mercantile enterprise.
Good parking not only involves providing a place to leave an automobile adjacent to the shop- ping center, but it also requires adequate access roads to and from the business district.
Without it, our City could very readily become a ghost town as has happened in some communities throughout the state.
Good parking facilities stimulate new business ventures, additional assessments, more jobs for our citizens and ultimately reflects itself in a lower tax rate.
Within the next few weeks, I shall present to your Honorable Body, a definite plan as to the extent that we should commit ourselves this year, in enlarging our off-street parking program.
Outlying business areas will be included in the over-all progressive project.
2. INDUSTRIAL EXPANSION
As your plan "E" Mayor, I have consistently pointed to the dire need for expanding industry in our City.
The Quincy Chamber of Commerce, the Quincy Taxpayers Association, and other practical-minded groups have recognized this need also.
As a consequence, your City Government has taken preliminary steps to what we hope will be the beginning of an elaborate industrial devolop- ment.
During the past months, several industrial enter- prises, namely, The Quincy Electric Company and The Boston Edison Company, have indicated seri- ous intentions of constructing huge generating plants in our City. One, at Broad Meadows, to cost between 30 and 55 millions of dollars. The other in the Squantum Area to cost at least as much. Insofar as The Broad Meadows Area is concerned, Congressman Richard B. Wigglesworth has submitted a Bill in Congress authorizing the sale of 11.6 acres of this land to the City of Quincy for one dollar.
The land, if procured by the City, will be includ- ed in about 90 acres of Broad Meadows for which The Quincy Electric Company has offered $75,000 as the site of the costly generating plant just re- ferred to.
The company offer was made to the City contin- gent upon getting the 11.6 acres now owned by The United States Government and upon the passage of state enabling legislation that would permit the operation of a generating plant on the property.
The 11.6 acres were transferred to the Federal Government by the City 18 years ago for spoilage purposes, that is a dumping ground for fill taken from the Town River Dredging Project.
We must be ready to cooperate in every way possible to make this a reality.
The town of Weymouth has a similar generating plant, assessed at some 44 million dollars. The entire town was assessed in 1956 at $109,000,000. This represents a savings to the Weymouth home owners of approximately 40% on their tax rate.
The City of Quincy was offered first choice as to the location of the Weymouth Plant at the time of its construction.
We turned it down.
This must not happen again.
Quincy has only a limited amount of desirable property for industrial development, and we must make the best possible use of it if we are to pro- vide maximum tax relief for the home owner.
This administration will work and cooperate wholeheartedly with other agencies in our City in encouraging further industrial development of
Annual Report
9
all potential areas in our community that have been zoned for such purposes.
3. URBAN RENEWAL
During the past year there has been consider- able debate on the subject of urban renewal. The Council by a 6 to 1 vote rejected the appointment of an Urban Renewal Authority. The City was barred, for the time being at least, from receiving federal funds for further study and planning of the project.
Others say that such a program would destroy hundreds of homes.
Every fair-minded person will agree, I am sure, that there is something to be said for both sides of this controversy.
Although not committed to urban renewal as such, I do feel the need for an elimination of all dilapidated and beyond repair buildings that have fallen into a deplorable condition.
Most of our home-owners, throughout the City, are proud of their homes and environment.
They selected Quincy as the ideal place in which to live and bring up their families.
This administration will do everything within its power, with the help of the people, to force owners of property that comes under the category of being eye-sores, to demolish such structures in keeping with the full letter of the law.
Already your City has embarked upon a pro- gram of pursuing the above stated policy, and I am hopeful that before very long a vast improve- ment will be noticeable.
4. PASSENGER TRANSPORTATION
The people of Quincy and the South Shore have been advised that unless some means is found to reduce or eliminate the annual deficits along the Old Colony Branch of The New Haven Railroad, passenger service along this line will be discon- tinued.
Proponents of the Urban Renewal Program say that urban renewal is not a luxury but a must.
Many groups and committees have taken the initiative in attempting to provide a working solu- tion to this vexing problem.
Among the suggestions offered are the following:
1. Terminate service on the light-riding por- tions of the system, between Campbello and Mid- delboro on the Middleboro Branch and between South Braintree and Plymouth on the Plymouth Branch.
2. Change from railroad Diesel equipment to economical electric transit cars that can be oper- ated as one-man cars in the off-peak hours and in trains during the rush hours.
3. Establishment of a Public Service Author- ity, either to run the lines itself, or to supervise
The New Haven's continued operation without loss.
4. Support a fare increase.
5. Possible wiping out of part or all of the real estate taxes the railroad pays in the Old Colony Area.
6. Payment of an outright subsidy to guarantee continued passenger service. A railroad subsidy could mean an additional $4.70 on our tax rate.
Certainly, every effort should be made to keep this branch of The New Haven Railroad self-sup- porting, not only for the benefit of the railroad but for the benefit and convenience of the commuter as well.
Your City Government will exhaust every means and work with the committee authorized by The Massachusetts Legislature, and with all interested agencies and groups, to retain service without ob- ligating ourselves with additional taxes, as would be the case if we were to submit to a transit sub- sidy.
The New Haven is a better and cheaper alterna- tive to the M.T.A. But if we don't find a way to save the railroad, we may find ourselves faced with the M.T.A. and its high deficit.
5. ASSESSMENTS
Steps should be taken to bring about a more equitable distribution of tax assessments through- out the City.
Many communities have already undertaken a program of this type and are at least on the way toward a solution to this problem. A problem that will become more and more acute if allowed to continue.
We have many owners of modest homes in Quincy who are bearing an unfair share of the tax burden.
I am, therefore, recommending that our Board of Assessors approach the new year with deter- mined effort to bring about an equitable tax dis- tribution of all properties in our City.
Realizing the tremendous scope of such a pro- gram and recognizing the need for assistance in the Assessors' Office if such a survey is adopted, I shall recommend three additional and qualified Appraisers to serve in conjunction with our pres- ent board, until such time as this work is com- pleted.
I realize that the preceding points out some of the highlights only of the big and more elaborate picture that confronts our City.
May I take a few moments of your time to sum- marize several additional improvements that are worthy of study during the coming months.
1. There is the matter of an incinerator as an advanced and far more sanitary method of dispos- ing of rubbish.
2. There is the problem of a modern and up-
City of Quincy
10
to-date City Hall to replace our present structure, historical and sentimental as it may be.
3. Serious thought should be given to the con- struction of an underpass as an additional and much needed approach from the Granite Street side of our Parkingway.
4. Before very long, the reconstruction of the Southern Artery, from Coddington Street to Wash- ington Street, will be a reality.
This project should be extended all the way to Quincy Avenue.
Attempts will be made to secure funds under Chapter 90 to complete this important road link.
5. An inspection of the railroad overpass at Warren Avenue indicates the need for immediate overhauling.
6. Serious consideration should be given to the request for a bell and signal system at the Norfolk Downs Railroad Station.
7. Our police station also, is becoming inade- quate. Some though should be given to enlarging this structure in keeping with the growth of our Police Department and the City as a whole.
8. The construction of the Rock Island Cause- way, as proposed by Councillor Charles L. Shea, should certainly be considered.
Incidentally, I have already approached State Public Works Commissioner, Mr. Anthony Di Natale, relative to obtaining state or federal funds for this project.
9. The proposed widening of Quarry Street from Furnace Brook Parkway to School Street.
These are but a few of the additional projects that present themselves for our study and consid- eration.
Someone once said there is no such a thing as standing still. We either go ahead or fall behind.
We cannot afford to do the latter.
In spite of what I have outlined in my address, I feel duty bound to inform you, however, that preliminary estimates of this year's budget already indicate an increase in the tax rate.
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