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 1889 > Part 6
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WATER.
Water for some parts of our city is furnished by the Quincy Water Company, and as far as it goes is an excellent service, there being an average pressure of about 75 pounds.
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There are now 98 hydrants, two of which have been added this year. Also a recommendation now before the Council for four more.
It is hoped that the pipes of the water company will be extended the coming season, and that many more hydrants will be added. It is my opinion that it would be better at the present time to extend the pipes of the water company that we can have hydrant service on every street in our city, than to add any more steam fire engines. Engines are of but very little use without water.
RESERVOIRS.
There are 16 reservoirs, 10 of which are self-filling, and with the exception of three are in good, fair condition. The one on Willard Street opposite the residence of John Cole, needs some repairs in the shape of being cleansed out and some new planks. The one on Willard Street opposite the residence of George Enderly is a reservoir only in wet weather, also the one on Robertson Street near O. C. R. R., is of similar character. I do not think it advisable to recom- mend any new ones, where it is possible to lay water pipes in connection with the water company.
FIRE ALARM.
The fire alarm, under the care of Gilbert M. Wight (who also acts as assistant engineman) has worked well during the year. But I consider that a great many improvements could and should be made. We have now between 28 and 29 miles of wire all in one circuit. A great part of our wire run through trees and breaks are caused.
152
These breaks under the present system may prove dis- astrous as we would get no alarm of fire. I would recommend that a four-circuit repeater be added and the line be put into four circuits with switch board and all modern improvements that go with it at the earliest day possible. A great many times the Department is censured for the loss of buildings and other property by fire where there is no reason for so doing.
If we had more pull boxes so that we could get an alarm before the building is all consumed, it would make a great difference. But on several occasions the past year no alarm was given until the buildings were destroyed and for the reason that a person had to run one-half or three-quarters of a mile to get to an alarm box before the alarm could be given. I would recommend that seven more pull boxes be added next year and situated as follows :-
One at the corner of Crescent and Willard ; one at corner of Copeland and Common; one at corner of Common and Quarry ; one at corner of Elm and South; one on River Street near boat-house of Leloir; one corner of Hancock and Squantum, and one at corner of Farrington and Brook Streets.
This, perhaps, would seem a large addition to make in one season, yet I am of the opinion that it is not much use to lock the stable after the horse has been stolen. Many more could be added if within the reach of the present circuit and is a question of time only, when the fire alarm system in Quincy will be second to none.
TELEPHONE.
The steamer house and the Chief Engineer are connected by telephone and as a means of communication it is indispen-
153
sable, although the service at times is not the best, owing to the buzz caused by the electric light and electric car wires being attached to the same poles. It is hoped, however, that this will soon be remedied.
HORSES.
There are seven horses belonging to the Department and it gives me great pleasure to say that seven better ones cannot be found in any Fire Department in this State and I doubt if in the country.
We also have one horse that belongs to the Highway De- partment that is supposed to answer all calls that Hose 3 re- sponds to. Having this horse under such a management has been a source of annoyance to the Chief Engineer the past year for the reason that no department had control of him and he was nobody's child.
I would recommend that this or some other in its place be under the control of the Chief Engineer, the driver of same to be made permanent and the team to work on the highway within one-half or three-quarters of a mile of said hose house. It will give me great pleasure at any time to explain further to the Committee on Fire Department in regard to this team.
IMPROVEMENTS, ETC.
Many improvements in the Quincy Fire Department could and should be made. I will first call your attention to Ward Six. I would recommend that the engine house be moved from its present site to the vicinity of Thomas Gurney's store. There is now as good water service (with the prospects of addi-
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184
tions) din Ward Six as in any other ward in the city, and I would recommend that a hose wagon be placed in that district, and the chemical engine be moved to the Centre, say the rear of City Hall, where in my opinion it would be more useful than in any other place in the city and at a small expense.
Other improvements of which I have already made mention I hope will receive the attention and consideration of the Committee on Fire Department.
Accompanying this report you will please find inventory of property belonging to the Department, a list of the names of the members with their rank, age and residence, occupation, etc., location of alarm boxes, location of hydrants, fires and alarm of fires.
In closing this report I wish to extend my sincere thanks to bộ the Committee on Fire Department for their support; to the Assistant Engineers, for their faithful assistance, and to the officers and members of the Department for their prompt at- tendance.
To His Honor, Mayor Charles H. Porter and members of the city government I wish to express my appreciation for 9000 . 20 the interest they have recently taken in the Department.
Respectfully submitted,
WALTER H. RIPLEY,
Chief Engineer.
1
REPORT OF BOARD OF MANAGERS
OF PUBLIC BURIAL PLACES.
QUINCY, Mass., January 21, 1890. To HIS HONOR THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF QUINCY :
The Managers of Public Burial Places respectfully submit their first annual report : -
OLD CEMETERY.
The appropriation for the care of this cemetery was $100, of which sum $97.71 was expended, leaving a balance of $2.29.
An appropriation of $150 is asked for, being an addition of $50, which sum will be requried to suitably enclose the cemetery on the line between the same and land of Henry H. Faxon, and grade and improve the cemetery in that locality.
MOUNT WOLLASTON CEMETERY.
This report being the first under the city government, is the sixteenth under the organization of a Board of Managers.
LOTS SOLD.
Thirty-eight lots have been sold, for which $950 has been received, the whole amount being now carried to this account, instead of being divided as formerly with the labor account.
LABOR ON LOTS AND NEW LOTS.
The amount charged to this account by the Superintend- ent is $1,538.45, of which sum $1,174.75 has been collected, leaving a balance of $363.70 due and unpaid.
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REPAIR FUND.
This fund has been increased by $150, making a total of $4,925.
APPROPRIATIONS.
Your Board respectfully call attention to the need of a new fence or stone wall on the line of Valley Street, and also on the north line between the cemetery and the land of the Woodward Fund, and respectfully request an appropriation sufficient for the same, in addition to the usual annual appro- priation of $1.000, for the futher work on the southerly side of the grounds, and the general improvement.
FINANCIAL.
Appropriation for 1889
$1.000 00
Collected for lots sold
950 00
66
" non-resident assessments
52 00
" labor on lots, 1886 4 00
" labor on lots, 1888
97 00
66
" labor on lots, 1889
1,174 75
Income of Repair Fund
238 75
$3,526 50
Expended, as appears by City Treasurer's acct. 3,261 24
Unexpended balance . $265 26
Respectfully submitted, JOHN HALL, Chairman, GEORGE L. GILL, Secretary.
" single graves sold .
10 00
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
QUINCY, February 25, 1890.
To HIS HONOR THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF QUINCY :
I herewith present my first annual report of the Police Department for the year ending December 31st, 1889 :-
Total number of arrests made and committed to the lock- up during the year was 185. The different offences for which they were arrested are as follows :-
Assault
· 15
Breaking and entering
1
Bastardy · ·
1
Disturbing peace 2 ·
Drunkenness
· 94
Defrauding boarding house
·
1
Fraud
·
·
2
Highway robbery .
1
Larceny
9
Selling mortgaged property
.
Obtaining goods by false pretences ·
1
Peddling without license
2
Seining smelts
3
· Tramps .
.
. 33
·
.
·
1 · Liquor nuisance 3
·
158
Violation of Sunday law .
· 2
" city ordinance . 2
Warrants
. 12
Total
185
Number of lodgers .
863
I would recommend an appropriation of $2,500 for the present year.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE O. LANGLY,
Deputy Manager of Police.
11- 090090818
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS.
1
Your Commissioners have pursued the "same policy in caring for the parks that has prevailed since they were pres- ented to the town. Nature has done so much to make Merry- mount Park attractive that a small annual expenditure is sufficient to keep it in suitable condition for public use. The grass has been cut, the underbrush cleared up, the trees and shrubs cared for, and the fences kept in order. A small sum- mer house has been built in a convenient location, which was needed for the comfort of the constantly increasing number of people who frequented the vicinity. A portion of the meadow and marshland, which in its present condition is of but little use for pleasure ground, has been let for pasturage and mow- ing, yielding nearly enough income to cover the cost of caring for the grounds as above stated.
While no new work of great amount should be attempted here until the city shall deem it wise to adopt a comprehensive plan, your Commissioners would recommend that some im- provements be made at the main entrance.
At Faxon Park the work of clearing the underbrush has been continued, and the grounds have already become the frequent resort of many citizens who reside in that neighbor- hood.
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The annexed financial statement shows the expenditures to have been $182.43 less than the appropriation. Your Com- missioners would recommend, however, for the coming year an appropriation of $500.00, and whatever may be received as income from the parks.
DR.
To amount of appropriation
$500 00
cash for pasturage, Merrymount Park
95 00
sale of wood, .
86 54
balance from 1888, "
20 06
sale of wood, Faxon Park,
25 00
Total
$726 60
CR.
By cash paid J. J. Dimock, labor,
Merrymount . ·
$8 75
J. J. Dowd, labor, Merrymount
111 98
John Crowley, labor,
Merrymount .
15 74
Dan McCarthy, labor, Merrymount . 8 75
Eugene Kenely, labor, Merrymount ·
5 25
Thomas Hayes, labor, Merrymount . 7 00
66
Edward Murphy, labor,
Merrymount .
42 87
Amounts carried forward,
$200 34
$726 60
·
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Amounts brought forward, $200 34 $726 60 By cash paid A. S. Merrill, painting fence 19 14 ·
J. Mckay, repairing fence ·
2 90
B. Johnson, lumber 4 32
John Chamberlin, posts, 15 00
G. B. Thomas, wire fence, summer house, 40 00
G. Beck & Son, fence wire .
7 68
Edward Murphy, labor on Faxon Park 59 50
Daniel Ford, labor on Faxon Park ·
54 25
.. John Danahy, labor on Faxon Park 52 50
66 Eugene Kenely, labor on Faxon Park 52 50
Peter Cahill, labor on
Faxon Park 41 12
C. B. Tilton, supplies, 2 10
551 35
Unexpended balance
$175 25
Respectfully submitted,
W. B. RICE, JOHN CHAMBERLIN,
Park Commissioners.
GEORGE CAHILL,
QUINCY, Jan. 1, 1890.
REPORT OF THE N ANAGERS OF THE THE ADAMS ACADEMY.
To HIS HONOR THE MAYOR AND THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF QUINCY :
The Managers of Adams Academy submit herewith their annual report :-
The school, so far as can be observed, still carries on the education of boys upon as high a plane as in years past.
The number of boys from the city during the school year of 1888-9 was 43. So large an attendance of our boys drew quite heavily upon the income from the funds.
The Managers believe that the parents of boys desirous of receiving the class of education which is taught at this school, should carefully look into the requirements, and having decided to send their children, keep them through the whole four years. There is no difficulty whatever in a scholarship prize being earned by any capable and conscientious scholar. The only purpose the Managers have in calling your attention to this question, is because many young men withdraw from the school after a few months' trial on their part, whereas if they had carefully looked into the requirements of the school before beginning the work, it would be seen that other schools would have answered their requirements better.
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The prize declamation was held in the Stone Temple. The school premises proved themselves entirely inadequate, and the Town Hall no longer exists. In returning to the New England tradition of the use of the "Meeting House," we received our friends in a cool, airy, spacious edifice.
There has been but slight changes in the teaching force. Mr. Charles Warren succeeding Mr. F. C. Southworth.
Six pupils of the Academy entered Harvard College in 1889, and one was admitted to Bowdoin College.
In the preliminary examinations the school did not do so well. The Master says that "it must be cheerfully admitted that neither teachers or pupils have quite yet mastered the new Harvard requirements of work at sight in everything but history and physics, so as to meet them successfully at the end of the third year in the course. We find that many fail on the preliminaries who enter well and even brilliantly the next year."
The Master's health has been very much against his giving any attention to the school since the opening of the fall term. He is now away on a leave of absence and will not return until the early fall.
The school has gone on quietly and steadily and in the opinion of the Master, his absence has caused no serious disturbance.
There arecertain needs of the school which would add a great deal to its efficiency. First, there should be a building on the grounds in which physics and chemistry could be taught experimentally. Secondly, new seats are required in some of the school rooms.
164
In closing, the Managers believe that the position of the school is well maintained, and that its prosperity with an increase of income which is surely to come in the future, will be greater than ever before.
Respectfully,
EDWARD NORTON, CHAS. A. HOWLAND, JOSIAH QUINCY, L. S. ANDERSON,
G. F. PINKHAM, C. H. PORTER,
Managers.
REPORT OF THE CIVIL ENGINEER.
TO JOHN SHAW, JAMES THOMPSON, JAMES F. BURKE, JOSEPH W. LOVETT, JAMES BURR, THADDEUS H. NEWCOMB, FRANK B. FOSTER, Committee on Sewers and Drains, Quincy, Mass. :
Gentlemen .- I respectfully submit the following report on the subject of sewering and draining the present settled terri- tory of Quincy. I am fully aware that this subject has been ably considered and reported upon by experts whose opportu- nities for investigating the problems involved were equal to those afforded me, and further that the results of the investiga- tions of these gentlemen as summarized in their several recom- mendations have been approved by the State Board of Health. I further recognize and appreciate the fact that such official approval has made it permissible and practicable for the city to enter upon a certain system of drainage forthwith or as soon as the expenditure necessary to carry out such an enterprise is legally authorized by the city government. I do not, how- ever, understand that the plan approved by the State Board of Health is proposed by its projector as one entirely free from objectionable features.
I have understood my instructions to require that an inde- pendent study of the problems involved in this case be made, using therefor the date already in the possession of the city and obtaining such additional facts and figures as I might con- sider essential to the proper presentation of a report on the subject.
166
Owing to the very irregular topography of the territory examined, the low level of the frontier of the inhabitable portions of the city, the existence of the tidal inlets which practically constitute the entire sea front from Quincy Point to the Neponset River and the absence of river mouths having a powerful seaward scouring current, the study of the problems presented is an unusually interesting one.
Without going over the preliminary and general ground which has been ably discussed in previous reports, I will only say, as a preface to the description of the plans of drainage which appear to be practicable, that the three principal items in a project like this are
First, the gathering of the sewage and waste waters from the several sub-drainage areas of the territory at convenient points in or near the natural valley lines.
Second, the conducting of the sewage and waste waters thus gathered through the natural valley lines to a central point, the collection at this central point to be effected by a natural or gravity flow from the remotest parts of the areas drained, and
Third, the rapid and regular conducting away from this central point of the sewage and waste waters to an outlet where no actual or imaginary nuisance will result therefrom.
The extent of the nuisance, with all that it involves and implies, caused by the discharge of unpurified sewage at the extreme head of slack water navigation or into the upper end of a small tidal inlet, should in the case of Quincy be fully understood and appreciated.
The nuisances to be noted at Salem and Lynn, Mass., Prov- idence, R. I., Norwich, Conn., and other seaport cities show the dangerous and unprofitable results arising from the random discharge of the contents of sewers into bodies of water which are not kept in circulation by active and powerful currents.
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In this case of Quincy I do not hesitate to condemn any plan, or portion of a plan which provides for discharging or contemplates the future discharge of sewage into any portion of Town River Bay or its tributaries. Were such discharge to be designed and permitted, there would undoubtedly be created a serious nuisance forthwith which could be remedied only by expensive alterations and the abandonment of much of the work done.
The discharge of considerable quantities of crude sewage at Quincy Point, whether at the bridge or at Shipyard Point, would undoubtedly result in the creation of a nuisance. At certain tidal stages and under certain atmospheric conditions such a nuisance would become a menace to the health of the residents along the easterly part of Washington Street, and if sewage were discharged at the Point in large quantities it would undoubtedly pollute the shores of Weymouth Fore River and be disagreeably noticeable on Quincy Neck, at Weymouth Landing, and would be perceptible to the smell when warm southwesterly winds prevailed at North Wey- mouth. It is, perhaps, needless to say that the Germantown shore would suffer largely and that the easterly portion of the south shore of Town River Bay would accumulate objectionable deposits.
Transient float experiments have only a very limited value as indicating an invariable flow or set of local currents through shoal and irregular channels. . Such experiments if they are to be used to the fullest extent of their possible value, should be continued over a long period of time (if in tidal waters through at least one lunation), and simultaneous observations made of the rise and fall of the water on a fixed gauge, the temperature of the atmosphere and the force and direction of the wind. Complete and simultaneous observations on these lines when studied in connection with the contours of the bottom and the low water channels, alone will suggest the points and locations where shore deposits will be most likely to appear.
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It is much easier and far safer to select, as a proper point for discharging sewage, some location in this particular case where complex currents and peculiar tidal action are not found.
I will assume without argument in this case, that it is the desire and aim of the Committee to be able to recommend a sewerage plan absolutely complete so far as the ultimate and satisfactory disposal of the sewage is concerned, and with this end only in view I have prepared and submit the plans out- lined below :-
The surveys of Quincy proper and West Quincy show that it will be a natural and easy thing to collect the drainage of the territory extending from Summer Street on the east to Beale Street on the north, and from Granite Street or Jones' Corner in West Quincy on the west at a central point near the extreme head of Town River Bay. That portion of West Quincy lying beyond Jones' Corner can also be brought down to this central point by following the valley line, or very nearly so, of Furnace Brook. Certain portions of the southerly slope of Wollaston can also be drained to this central point.
If we take for the central collecting point the low land ad- joining the Town Farm, the lines of the principal sewers will be very nearly as follows :-
The main trunk-sewer will extend in a southwesterly direc- tion and diagonally across the meadows to the intersection of Newcomb and Sea Streets, passing into Sea Street opposite the office of the granite works, thence through Sea Street to Washington Street, under Washington Street and up through the Miller estate to Elm Street, thence crossing under Elm Street up the valley line to Quincy Avenue. This I will call the main trunk-sewer and have so shown it on the map.
The Water Street main sewer will start at the head of the main trunk-sewer and will extend westerly through Water Street to the divide.
169
The Washington Street sewer, east, will start at Summer Street and enter the main trunk-sewer at Sea Street.
The Washington Street sewer, west, which will receive at its upper end the sewage from Adams Street southerly from Bridge Street and the sewage from Hancock Street from Adams Street southerly, will also enter the main trunk-sewer at Sea Street.
The main sewer to receive the sewage from the southerly slope of Wollaston and the northwesterly portions of West Quincy, will start from the main trunk-sewer where it enters the Town Farm property and runs thence in a westerly direc- tion across the meadows to Greenleaf Street, which it will ap- proach through the Barker estate, pass under the embankment forming Greenleaf Street at that point, thence through the Butler estate and under Hancock Street and the railroad to Newport Avenue. From this point a sub-main sewer will extend up Newport Avenue to Beale Street and another sub- main sewer can be extended up the valley of Furnace Brook to West Quincy.
The sewage from Greenleaf Street and from the territory between Greenleaf Street and Black's Creek, and also the sewage from Hancock Street as far north as the first divide beyond Furnace Brook, can be conducted into the Wollaston main sewer and thence into the main trunk-sewer.
That portion of Quincy Point which cannot be economically drained in a westerly direction to the main trunk-sewer may be allowed to discharge its sewage into Weymouth Fore River at the Point, the discharge to be made at a level below low water mark.
All the smaller sewers should be arranged substantially as shown on the map submitted herewith.
No surveys thus far made are complete and accurate enough to fix the inclinations and grade intersections required for a working plan. Carefully recorded surveys with frequent
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bench marks and side levels on low land must be made and plotted before the details of construction and the specifications can be prepared.
At the central point of collection, on or near the Town Farm, the elevation of the main trunk-sewer should be about five feet above mean low tide.
From this point it is proposed to conduct the sewage to a deep water outlet and discharge it at such outlet in a manner which shall thoroughly and finally dispose of it.
Two such deep water outlets are available and at either of these points a successful disposal of the sewage of a popula- tion of 50,000 people can be made with certainty.
The nearest of these points is Gull Point where the dis- charge can take place in 15 feet of water at low tide if desired, and where the ebb currents invariably set towards deeper water.
The other point is at the easterly side of Nut Island.
From the former point, Gull Point, the set of the ebb cur- rent is nearly due east until it is deflected by the compara- tively bold shore of Weymouth Great Hill, when it turns into the main ship channel and becomes merged in the general cur- rent passing out between Nut and Peddock's Islands. Gull Point from its easy profile is a favorable location for laying, and thereafter protecting, the section of outfall sewer required. It is also of easy access for inspection from Quincy Point. The measured distance from the central point of collection near the Town Farm to an outfall at Gull Point over a perfectly feasible line, is 12,000 feet. The measured distance from the same point to an outfall on Nut Island is 16,000 feet.
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