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 1890 > Part 4
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. $7,830 59
Andrew Delory
725 95
Tirrell & Sons
370 65
C. B. Tilton 16 52
Field & Wild
20 90
Geo. E. Thomas
1 00
M. A. Mitten .
15 60
S. H. Spear
5 00
Sanborn & Damon
8 70
J. M. Cutting
40 00
J. S. Whall 2 25
W. F. Loud, pair horses
550 00
W. F. Loud «
737 12
C. A. Feltis. .
90 55
Fuller, Foley & Co. .
1 50
Citizens Gas Co.
26
Old Colony Railroad Co.
17 10
Jno. W. Nash .
46 79
Devlin & Mackay
103 55
Engineering News, Atlas
5 00
Abbott & Miller
1 45
C. A. Stanley .
3 00
Jno. F. Merrill
15 11
Edwd. Russell .
1,080 98
Amounts carried forward .
$11,689 57 $17,270 77
90
Amounts brought forward $11,689 57 $17,270 77 201 60
A. J. Richards & Sons ·
Austin & Winslow .
.
44 70
Calvin T. Dyer
75 00
Owen F. Maguire 9 60
T. W. Carter
23 25
A. F. Russell .
26 50
Horace O. Souther
12 73
James R. Wild
234 80
C. T. Derry & Co.
89 70
A. A. Brackett . 46 60
P. Buckley 12 00
Sanford Davis, clipping horses
10 50
Levi Stearns
12 43
H. W. Hunt, gravel .
7 40
Dexter Faxon
50
Eaton Bros.
16 40
Jerry Delory
18 50
J. Murdock & Co.
9 30
A. G. Durgin
5 60
E. H. Doble
95 39
A. T. Stearns Lumber Co.
20 92
Henry D. Foss, express
23 25
Hammond Type-writer
7 50
Frank Smith 38 00
J. F. Sheppard & Sons
143 19
Geo. W. Clapp
56
Jno. Page, rubber boots
3 75
Amounts carried forward .
$12,879 24 $17,270 77
91
Amounts brought forward .
C. Patch & Son ·
$12,879 24 $17,270 77 7 65
Chas. H. Davis
24 25
Josiah Randlet .
3 75
A. W. Woodward
10 25
E. E. Fellows .
1 00
Ames Plow Co.
35 40
Farrell Foundry & Machine Co. 74 34
E. Packard 1 60
Badger Bros., repairs crusher and roller ·
245 83
Geo. E. Smith & Co., powder, etc. 29 65
W. B. Clement 200 00
Terrance Keenan 69 77
Bay State Belting Co.
59 50
S. Scammel
17 24
W. H. Ripley ·
75 05
E. Menhinnick
495 42
Telegraph Co. .
1 49
Jno. Post, Jr., & Co., gauge
10 00
W. C. Oastler .
26 00
Geo. A. Mayo, 6 lanterns .
3 00
W. G. Sears
50
Alden Spear & Co., oil
34 57
Benj. Johnson . 85 51
Clerk of court .
1 50
T. Gurney
7 74
Edwd. Lennon .
11 60
.
Amounts carried forward .
$14,411 85 $17,270 77
92
Amounts brought forward .
$14,411 85 $17,270 77
Thos. Brady, care of lamps
2 00
Gilcoine Bros. .
90 00
Geo. O. Langley, stock and labor
714 87
N. E. Telephone & Telegraph Co.
13 50
E. Tilden, exchange of horses
100 00
Manet St. Railway
367 66
Daniel Falvy
.
13 75
D. McNeil, dynamite
13 22
C. B. Merrill, harness-dressing 3 00
Geo. Sweeney, team
18 00
C. F. Milliken .
5 26
Geo. E. Frost, powder .
5 00
H. F. Bailey, 2-horse carts 370 00
Saville & Jones 3 75
D. Breen & Son
30 68
Jno. Cashman, gravel
141 28
Winslow Hobart
3 00
Wollaston Land Co., gravel
61 44
Fred S. Gove & Co.
67 53
E. G. Snow ·
54 98
Jno. Fallon & Sons .
101 50
Wollaston Foundry Co.
6 73
E. M. Litchfield
5 75
Hamlin Johnson & Co. .
8 00
G. H. Loud, watering Adams st. .
50 00
M. Cronin, cleaning crossing 4 00
A. B. Packard . 4 50
.
.
Amounts carried forward .
$16,671 25 $17,270 77
93
Amounts brought forward . . $16,671 25 $17,270 77
Jno. Hall
102 50
S. N. Maloney .
28 04
Mark E. Hanson
.
106 20
Ira Litchfield, street signs, etc.,
41 92
Quincy Water Co.
25 00
Chas. Wilson
43 20
Walworth Mfg. Co. .
4 90
$17,023 01
Balance
$247 76
SURVEYS OF WATER STREET.
Appropriation .
$500 00
EXPENDED.
H. T. Whitman
$187 35
Balance
$312 65
WATERING CERTAIN STREETS.
Appropriation
. $1,000 00
EXPENDED. .
Wilson Tisdale .
. $1,000 00
94
CLERK IN THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC WORKS.
Appropriation
$400 00
EXPENDED.
Cora E. Nash
$400 00
LEGAL SERVICES, PREPARING THE BILL FOR A NEW SYSTEM OF WATER SERVICE FOR THE CITY OF QUINCY.
Appropriation
$75 00
EXPENDED.
F. L. Hayes .
$58 30
Balance
$16 70
ELM AND CANAL STREETS.
Appropriation balance
$680 17
EXPENDED.
Swithin Bros. .
$3 00
Balance
$677 17
LIBERTY STREET.
Appropriation
$250 00
95
Amount brought forward . $250 00
EXPENDED.
Labor, per pay rolls . .
$229 13
A. A. Brackett, gravel
.
19 80
$248 93
Balance
$1 07
BELMONT STREET.
Appropriation .
$500 00
EXPENDED.
W. F. Loud, paving blocks
$190 44
Labor, per pay rolls .
280 30 ·
$470 74
Balance
$29 26
COMMON STREET.
Balance of appropriation, 1889 . . $1,099 40
Appropriation, 1890 .
. 12,000 00
Premium on loan . . 60 00
- - $13,159 40
EXPENDED.
Sundry persons, labor . $8,206 33
Sundry persons, labor, streets
·
620 50
Amounts carried forward .
. $8,826 83 $13,159 40
96
Amounts brought forward . . $8,826 83 $13,159 40
William Shea & Son . 93 90
Geo. O. Langley .
36 80
Wollaston Foundry Co. 7 65
Jno. Fallon & Sons . 1,322 26
Walworth Mfg. Co., cotton waste 2 50
Frost & Adams, scales 3 40
Farrell Foundry & Machine Co. 93 00
John Cashman .
85 65
E. H. Doble
38 32
W. H. Ripley .
450 67
A. F. Bussell .
13 00
M. J. Canavan .
15 00
P. J. Williams .
28 63
Swithin Bros. . 842 80
J. F. Sheppard & Sons 66 97
O. T. Rogers Granite Co., ox-team 20 00
A. W. Woodward, shoeing 5 50
John W. Nash . 37 86
T. W. Carter, blacksmithing 25.01
Geo. E. Smith & Co., powder 82 05
A. A. Brackett, gravel 45 40
Benj. Johnson .
1. 90
John S. Williams .
1 44
A. Spencer, tools and expenses . .
11 75
H. T. Whitman, surveying 325 00
Edward Russell, grain 1 15
William Gragg
23 89
Amounts carried forward .
$12,508 33 $13,159 40
97
Amounts brought forward . . $12,508 33 $13,159 40
George J. Jones
30 00
Granite Railway Co., stone chips
· 32 00
Mitchell Granite Works, stone chip dust .
50 50
T. Keenan, stone
33 96
J. R. Wild
1 45
Quincy Water Co.
25 00
E. Menhinnick .
478 10
$13,159 34
Balance
$0 06
HANCOCK STREET.
Appropriation
.
$40,000 00
Premium
·
224 00
- -$40,224 00
EXPENDED.
Labor, per pay rolls
$14,241 32
George E. Smith & Co., powder
113 13
Alden, Spear & Co., oil for roller
49 08
T. W. Carter
57 60
Pratt & Co. .
1 70
John Fallon & Sons, edgestones
2,159 65
John W. Nash
41 94
Owen F. Maguire .
50 25
J. F. Sheppard & Sons, coal .
163 41
.
Amounts carried forward
. $16,878 08 $40,224 00
.
98
$16,878 08 $40,224 00
Amounts brought forward
78
Josiah Randlet
15 00
Charles Wilson, paving stones ·
16,865 55
Glencoe Granite Co., sharpening
tools ·
11 00
H. T. Whitman, surveying ·
517 34
Terrance Keenan, carting stone
54 54
W. Shea & Son
46 25
Mark E. Hanson
10 40
Austin & Winslow
7 50
James Collagan, gravel .
62 25
R. B. Worthington
3 00
Field & Wild
53 25
Quincy Water Co.
25 00
Benj. Johnson
12 60
Fred S. Gove, paving
2,892 94
Use of city teams .
842 00
Use of steam roller
-$38,817 48
Balance .
$1,406 52
LAWYER'S LANE.
$350 00
Appropriation
EXPENDED.
Labor, per pay rolls
$329 47
John Fallon's Sons
17 60
$347 07
Balance .
.
$2 93
.
.
520 00
George O. Langley
99
BEALE STREET .- POINTING WALL.
Appropriation
$200 00
EXPENDED.
Gilcoine Bros.
.
$200 00
REMOVAL OF SNOW.
Appropriation
$1,200 00
EXPENDED.
T. Lyons, teams and labor
$6 00
Jno. Cashman
50 00
Tirrell & Sons, labor and repairs
56 22
John W. Nash, supplies
3 50
Labor, per pay rolls
532 97
$704 49
Balance .
$495 51
RECONSTRUCTING CULVERT, SOUTH STREET.
Appropriation
$100 00
EXPENDED.
Gilcoine Bros.
$84 25
Labor, street department
15 75
$100 00
BATES AVENUE BROOK CULVERT.
Appropriation
$2,200 00
N. V. Titus
55 80
.
100
Amount brought forward $2,200 00
EXPENDED.
Gilcoine Bros.
$2,190 50
Balance .
$9 50
STREET LINES AND GRADES.
Appropriation
$1,500 00
Transferred to salary
for Commissioner of
Public Works . $400 00
To repair public build-
ings .
300 00
To advertising, print-
ing and stationery
450 00
$1,150 00
Net appropriation
EXPENDED.
H. T. Whitman, surveying
66
Cross street .
15 00
Brook street
5 50
Quincy avenue
21 00
Phipps street
14 00
Whitwell street
24 00
66
W. Faxon park
16 00
Lawyer's lane
6 50
66
Chestnut street
47 50
$214 50
Balance .
.
$135 50
.
$65 00
$350 00
101
WHITWELL STREET.
Appropriation
$1,901 34
EXPENDED.
Walter H. Ripley .
$4 82
Labor, per pay rolls
·
1,896 52
$1,901 34
LAND DAMAGE, WHITWELL STREET.
Appropriation
.
$1,000 00
EXPENDED.
Joseph Baxter
$1,000 00
REARDON STREET.
Appropriation
.
$500 00
NOTHING EXPENDED.
STREET LIGHTING.
Appropriation
$9,400 00
EXPENDED.
Chas. Errickson, lighting and care
of lamps
$414 00
Jno. W. Nash
1 44
Globe Gas Co.
3 50
Quincy Electric Light & Power Co.
6,155 25
Citizens Gas Light Co.
616 80
Wheeler Reflector Co.
1,476 00
·
$8,666 69
Balance .
.
$733 31
102
AWARD OF COURT TO MAHONEY.
Appropriation
$2,419 73
EXPENDED.
J. L. Eldredge
.
$2,419 73
WEST STREET.
Appropriation
$3,000 00
EXPENDED.
Labor, per pay rolls .
$2,469 54
W. H. Ripley
35 20
Geo. E. Smith, powder, etc.,
17 93
H. T. Whitman, surveys
207 05
Wm. Gragg
4 13
John Cachman
266 12
$2,999 97
Balance .
$0 03
ENLARGEMENT OF THE WOLLASTON SCHOOL
HOUSE.
Balance of appropriation $7,320 67
Additional appropriation ·
1,215 66
$8,536 33
EXPENDED.
Lawrence White
$344 30
Geo. E. Thomas, carpenter work
6,288 28
A. J. Richards & Son
37 15
Amounts carried forward · $6,669 73 $8,536 33
103
Amounts brought forward
$6,669 73 $8,536 33
Street account, stone and gravel
55 00
C. B. Huston, mason work
211 60
Smead Heating & Ventilating Co.
1,600 00
$8,536 33
STATE AID.
CHAPTER 301.
Appropriation,
$1,700 00
Received from the State of Massachusetts 1,635 00
$3,335 00
EXPENDED.
Sundry persons, per monthly rolls
$2,070 00
Balance .
$1,265 00
CHAPTER 279.
Appropriation
$600 00
Additional appropriation
183 00
Received from State of Mass.
557 00
$1,340 00
EXPENDED.
Sundry persons, per monthly rolls. $1,340 00
CHAPTER 298.
Appropriation
$200 00
EXPENDED.
Sundry persons, per monthly rolls
$92 40
Balance
$107 60
104
WILLARD SCHOOL HOUSE.
Appropriation
Bonds
·
$77,000 00
Premium
2,348 50
Sale of old material
60 05
Sale of buildings
1,116 00
Gross appropriation
- $80,524 55
EXPENDED.
I. H. & E. H. Cushing, moving building . ·
$12 50
I. H. & E. H. Cushing, contract
44,850 00
W. K. Chubbuck, inspection . 806 40
B. N. Adams, sale of buildings
10 00
H. T. Whitman, surveying .
26 00
Labor at ruins of old building .
63 95
Street account
68 67
Examination of title
50 00
Sturgis & Cabot, one-half of com-
missions
1,778 17
-$47,665 69
Balance .
$32,858 86 ·
REPORT OF ASSESSORS.
To HIS HONOR THE MAYOR, CHARLES H. PORTER :
The Board of Assessors of 1889 and 1890, in commencing the duties of their office, found that the valuation of the city as it then stood was $9,757,000, of which $7,825,000 was real and $1,933,000 was personal estate.
With these figures before them, it was apparent that the city could not raise, under the law limiting the rate of taxation, but about $111,000 for current expenses, thus making it practically impossible for the city to escape running into debt the first year of its municipal existence.
It was also strikingly apparent that the valuation of the city needed a careful revision, as the increase for the ten years pre- vious had not been much if any more than the actual visible growth of new property for that period. In fact, that personal property had declined, and was less in 1888 than in 1880, showing that with all the growth and prosperity that our town had enjoyed, our citizens were apparently poorer in personal property than eight years before. Our taxes were falling with great severity on the real estate owners, while all thinking men knew that the increase in personal property should have kept pace at least with the real estate.
Under this condition of our department there seems no alter- native but to carefully revise the property of the city, taking into account the facts mentioned above.
106
Another laborious duty which became a necessity was to apportion into wards, as by the ward lines, the entire real estate of the city as assessed. This necessarily required much care and time.
In addition, we have also changed the great bulk of the property from acres and fractions of acres to the actual number of square feet they contain, thus equalizing, in a great degree, the amount of taxes the small owners of real estate should pay. This was carefully done, and by these changes the Board of Assessors for 1889 and 1890 were able to present to the tax- payers of the city a valuation of $13,677,410, which was a gain in real estate of $2,848,550, and in personal of $1,276,500.
By this careful, laborious work, founded on a conservative value of the property assessed, we were able to equalize to a greater extent than perhaps ever before, the burdens of taxation on the real estate owners, and giving a rate for the first year which was lower than had previously prevailed for ten years, and also for the second year a rate smaller than for the past eight years with one exception, besides paying $45,000 of debt and $10,000 of interest. We also made it possible to raise, under the law regulating the tax limits of cities, a sum somewhat nearer the wants of a city of our size and importance, viz., $142,000, for the year 1891.
We are aware that by this large gain in personal property - some 66 per cent. - that much adverse criticism is made, but we would call to the careful attention of those as well as all others, that personal property with some limitations is taxable under the laws of the State as well as real estate, that any board of assessors that does not fully recognize this fact is doing a great injustice to the owners of real estate, and do not
107
appreciate the vital principles which govern and pervade the laws regulating taxation : that the burdens of the State should be laid equally on all property subject to taxation.
This work has been done at a merely nominal sum, the expenses of our department for salaries and all other expenses being about $2,000 per annum. We think we should fail in our duty to the city unless we recommend a larger sum to be paid to those who serve in this important department in the future.
Below will be found an interesting table of aggregates, which will emphasize in a great degree the constantly increasing work of our department : -
Total number persons assessed
1888. 5,612
1890. 6,779
Gain.
polls
4,096
4,763
667
Total valuation real estate
$7,825,250 $10,473,800 .
$2,648,550
personal property
· 1,932,710
3,209,210
1,276,500
Number of houses
2,453₺
2,767₺ 313
Tax rate
1888, $16.70. 1889, $10.80. 1890, $13.60.
In thus presenting a brief review of the work of our depart- ment, we feel that we have given careful and conscientious work to the important interests placed in our charge, and we cordially bear witness to the unfailing courtesy and assistance that we have received from all the other departments of the government, and particularly so in our dealings with you, the honored executive of our city, during our term of office.
.
BENJ. F. CURTIS, ELIAS A. PERKINS, JOHN FEDERHEN, 3d, FRANCIS E. KIMBALL, ISRAEL WATERHOUSE, FREDERIC C. POPE.
1,167
SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
OF THE
CITY OF QUINCY,
FOR 1890.
BOSTON : WINSHIP, DANIELS & CO., PRINTERS, 1891.
SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC WORKS.
HON. CHAS. H. PORTER, MAYOR :
Sir,- I have the honor to present herewith the annual report of the transactions of the Department of Public Works, for the year ending December 31st, 1890, embracing in its details a brief review of the improvements accomplished during the past year.
This branch of the city government, owing to inadequate appropriations, has been placed at a great disadvantage in complying with the pressing needs and demands made upon it for public improvements of every nature ; but with the enforce- ment of a rigid, conservative policy both in the administration of the affairs of the department and in the employment of labor and the purchase of material, a large amount of work has been accomplished.
It seems to be the lot of every public officer charged with grave responsibilities, to have his integrity and motives maligned and misrepresented by unwarranted partisan malice ; but with a consciousness of rectitude and a sincerity of pur- pose in the discharge of duty, the sting of vilification is greatly lessened.
111
Whatever merit may be found in the following record of the past year's work is due, in a measure, to those associated with me in carrying out the details of the various duties assigned to them, to all of whom I desire to express my appreciation of the efficiency and aid rendered, and I take pleasure in bearing testimony to their industry, ability, and devotion to duty.
Very respectfully, GEORGE ALEXANDER, Commissioner.
REPORT.
Under the authority granted by the City Charter, the Com- missioner of Public Works shall have cognizance, direction and control :
a. Of the performance of all contracts entered into by the city with any water company; of the observance, by every water company having pipes within the city, of all the laws of the Commonwealth and ordinances of the city ; and of all structures, machinery, pipes and other property owned by the city, connected with the supply and distribution of water.
b. Of the construction, alteration, repair, care and lighting of streets, ways and sidewalks ;
c. Of the construction, alteration, repair and care of public buildings ;
d. Of the construction, alteration, repair and care of public sewers and drains ;
e. Of the digging, construction and care of wells for the city ;
f. Of the construction, alteration, repair, care and main- tenance of public bridges.
112
FINANCIAL.
There has been appropriated by the City Council, together with various amounts from other sources, to be expended for all purposes connected with the above, under the supervision of the Department for the year 1890, the sum of $198,589.73, and there has been expended for the year, for all purposes aforesaid, the sum of $186,272.39, and a brief synopsis of the work accomplished by the Commissioner is as follows : -
[" A "]
WATER DEPARTMENT.
In 1884, the Town of Quincy contracted with the Quincy Water Company, to furnish a sufficient number of Fire Hydrants to be used in the case of a fire, to be located at advantageous points along the streets through which the Water Company's main supply-pipes pass.
The number of hydrants has been from time to time in- creased since this contract was made, until it now reaches 101. Of this number, 4 were set by order of the City Council dur- ing the past fiscal year.
MONEY STATEMENT.
Amount appropriated for Hydrants, for fiscal
$3,725 00
year 1890 .
expended for Hydrants, for the fiscal year 1890 .
3,479 30
unexpended . 245 70
appropriated for Fountains, for the fiscal year 1890 . 220 00
113
Amount expended for Fountains, for the fiscal
year 1890
$220 00
unexpended · 00 00
The City Council of 1889 passed an order appropriating $800, for the purpose of procuring plans for a water supply system for Quincy.
In accordance with that order and by direction of the Com- mittee on sewers and drains, who had the matter in charge, the Commissioner of Public Works, on the 29th day of April of this year, executed a contract in writing, securing the services of Percy M. Blake, C. E., of Hyde Park, for the purpose of investigating the sources for a water supply and obtaining plans, estimates, etc., and report the same to the committee, prior to the first day of September following.
On the 9th day of December last, a letter was received from the clerk of this committee, notifying the Commissioner that Mr. Blake had completed his work, and the plans, etc., were then in the hands of the committee, who were to present the same to the City Council at its next meeting.
MONEY STATEMENT.
Amount appropriated
$800 00
expended
750 00
unexpended .
50 00
[" B"]
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT.
Each year, with the continued growth of the city, the manner in which our streets and highways shall be constructed and
114
maintained, becomes of more and more importance. For the manner in which the streets of a city are built and maintained, goes far towards the promotion of its thrift and enterprise.
Due respect should, therefore, be given to the reasonable demands of our citizens, for appropriations for the maintenance, improvements and extensions of the highways of our city, and the expenditures made therefor should be in such a manner as will secure the best possible results.
In the year just passed, this seemed to be the principle which has governed the Committee on Streets in making their recom- mendations to the City Council, for appropriations for this Department, and while, therefore, the Council have appropriated a fair amount of money to be expended for highway purposes, yet there still exists a pressing demand for continued liberal appropriations ; this becomes more apparent each year, and the question, how can the demand be met, is not easily settled.
New work should not be restricted, nor the repairs of our highways be neglected.
The manner of improving a street and the cost of doing it should depend upon the amount of traffic upon it. During the past year, a large amount of work has been done on our highways, both in the repairing of the old and in the rebuild- ing of the new. A brief review of the same is as follows : -
STREET CONSTRUCTION.
At the beginning of the year, your Commissioner had many long and earnest conferences with the Committee on Streets in relation to the manner in which the work on our highways should be performed. It was the unanimous opinion of this committee, at the outset, that the time had arrived when the
115
city authorities should insist that all permanent work must be done in accordance with properly matured plans, believing more would be accomplished with less money, and a full equivalent would be obtained for the expenditure.
With this point in view, the committee, through its chair- man, presented to the City Council, on March 21, a very able and comprehensive report upon the subject of street construc- tion, making many valuable recommendations. From a copy of this report which lies before me, I quote the following in reference to recommendations made for Hancock, Common and West streets :
" Being agreed upon the fundamental principles (of road building), and coming first to the consideration of Hancock street, your committee recommends that, from the point where the recent so-called permanent construction ends (a point near the junction of Hancock street and Linden street, the street which runs from Hancock street to the shoe machinery), to Neponset bridge, should be constructed upon the plan shown on Figure 3, herewith submitted. This plan contemplates a paved roadway, twenty feet wide, upon that part of the street immediately adjoining the tracks of the Quincy & Boston Street Railway. That is to say, that part of the street now occupied by the street railway is not included in the twenty feet of paved road, but forms one of its boundaries. The remaining portion of the street to be provided with a smooth Telford road, as shown by the above mentioned plan. Thus providing a paved way for the heavy traffic and a smooth Telford road for pleasure driving and light business traffic.
"Your committee does not consider it necessary to call attention to the fact that Hancock street is the main thorough-
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fare of the city, over which goes not only the bulk of the business traffic between Boston, Quincy and several towns to the south, but also an enormous amount of pleasure travel in the summer season. The facts respecting this street and its use are within the personal knowledge of all the members of the Council. Neither does your committee consider it neces- sary in this report to go very much into detail. It prefers to leave the members of the Council to inform themselves further by an examination of the plans and estimates of the Commissioner of Public Works, and by interrogating that official at the Council meeting, which he will attend prepared to furnish such information as may be desired. It is sufficient for this report to say that the length of the proposed construc- tion is substantially 6,864 feet, and that the expense will be in the neighborhood of $40,000. Your committee recommend, therefore, the appropriation of $40,000 for the construction of a composite paved and Telford road from Linden street to Neponset bridge, according to the plans submitted.
"The streets next in importance, in the view of your com- mittee, are Common and West streets. The County Commis- sioners have ordered that these streets be widened, and, as under their decree a considerable amount of work has neces- sarily to be done, the opinion of your committee is that it is advisable at this time to thoroughly build them. Common street receives a large portion of the heavy granite traffic, the teams coming from the quarries down Quarry street, over Common to Adams street, and thence to Boston. From Quarry street to Adams street there is a sharp descent. The teams follow each other in succession. In going down this steep decline they are accustomed to chain the forward and
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hind wheels together, producing upon the surface of the road an effect similar to that of a plow. Nothing but a strong and substantially built paved road will withstand such usage.
"Your committee, therefore, recommends paving Common street from Adams street, 650 feet southerly, or to the brow of the hill, thus providing for the exceptionally hard wear upon the incline, and to build a Telford road from this point to Quarry street. It will be necessary for some distance to adjust the grade, involving some cutting and filling, to change the arrangement of some of the retaining walls, and also to take care of the surface water from Quarry to Copeland streets, by paving the gutters.
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