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 1891 > Part 13
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ages of fire, increases the confidence of the citizens, and indi- rectly enhances the value of real estate.
The rapid growth of our city the past few years makes the demand more imperative that it should be well equipped, and considering the many drawbacks, I believe we should be con- gratulated upon the efficiency of the fire department during the past year, and the improvement in the working of the fire alarm service, and while the latter could be still further im- proved by the purchase of a four-circuit repeater, and the time is close at hand when the city must adopt the same, yet I be- lieve it can safely be deferred until another year. I believe that the efficiency of the department would be greatly increased if portable fire extinguishers be attached to each hose carriage for use at light fires, preventing so much damage from water. The efficiency of this department would be greatly increased if the hose houses were built allowing the city to stable one of its horses in each building for use during the night, and the question must be considered in the near future when hose houses in Wards 2 and 3 are rebuilt. At the present time I would call your attention to the urgent need of a new building for the apparatus massed on School street. A large appropri- ation would be necessary to make the repairs so essentially nec- essary to render the present building fit for man or beast to stay in, and I believe that it would be a waste of the city monies to attempt any repairing, but a new, commodious building, with a suitable ward room, is by all means the best economy for the city. The present location is most desirable for the protection of the business and home interests of our city. The hydrant service should be increased, affording more protection to the thickly settled portions, and it adds greatly to the effective work of the department.
The hose house in Ward 2 is badly in need of repairs, and it may be best for the interests of the city to have the same rebuilt during the present year, providing in the same building, also, a suitable ward room for the use of the citizens. I am of the opinion that the expense of same can be paid for from the current revenues of the year, and I will send to the Council further information at my earliest opportunity.
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LAW DEPARTMENT.
I believe the true policy of the city should be to prevent suits rather than to defend against them, even sucessfully, for it should be borne in mind that even if the city obtains a clear verdict, it is attended with considerable expense. I do not wish the to be understood as favoring settlements of cases with- out merit which are brought against the city, but I believe that it is the duty to take every possible means to ascertain the true facts at the time of any accident, thus assisting the city solici- tor in the discharge of his duties. As you, gentlemen, are fa- miliar with your own sections, I would thank you to send to the office a notice of any dangerous defect in the highway that comes to your knowledge, that the same may receive prompt attention ; and I would ask the Council to consider the question of amend- ing the ordinance in relation to streets by adding a new section obliging the tenant of an estate abutting on a sidewalk to remove snow and ice from same within a specified time, which will prevent many accidents and suits against the city.
WATER SUPPLY.
The plan adopted by the last City Council in reference to a new water supply has been forwarded to the State Board of Health, and their report on the same will be sent to you as soon as received.
THOMAS CRANE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
This institution, which we regard with so much pride, needs no words of praise. It has its mission to perform, and continues to make its silent influence felt ever for good. Year by year its work increases, and its beneficial influence is far reaching and beyond computation.
The board of trustees is composed of a body of men from among our best citizens, and they are keenly alive to the impor- tance of its interest and its bearing upon the welfare of our city.
ADAMS ACADEMY.
The academy continues to hold its place in the educational
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ranks, and through its work the world is benefitted by receiving into its ranks young men who have passed through a careful training in various branches of learning.
POOR DEPARTMENT.
An intelligent community are always desirous of furnishing those who are poverty stricken and friendless with the comforts and necessities of life, and to do all that the law requires to make their life more pleasant, and I can say, from a perusal of the report of this department. that the duties assigned have been carefully performed, and the wants of the needy and de- serving poor have been judiciously and faithfully attended to at a moderate expense to the city.
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
It is evident that a larger appropriation will be necessary for the support of this department during the present year, but I defer from any recommendation at the present time, but will send to the Council at an early date my views on this important question.
PUBLIC BURIAL PLACES.
The managers of the public burial places will bring to your attention the need of purchasing more land to be devoted to cemetery purposes.
LICENSE QUESTION.
The citizens have again spoken in the most emphatic man- ner on the question, " Shall licenses for the sale of liquor be granted ? " and the significance of their wishes shall not pass unheeded, and every method will be employed to carry their decision into execution, thus maintaining the benefits apparent on every hand by the abolishment of the saloon from our city.
HOSPITAL.
It is the duty of every city to aid and encourage by its financial resources the noble work now being rendered by such
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an institution as the City Hospital of Quincy. The value of its work has been well proven during the past year, and the tax- payers will cheerfully sanction an appropriation in furthering the aims of this charitable organization, and I shall willingly recommend an appropriation in the budget.
CITY HALL.
It must be apparent to all who have occasion to have deal- ings with the city that the City Hall is ill adapted to the needs of its various officials. The city is obliged to pay for the use of other office room at the present time, and suitable apart- ments must be provided for the board of sewer commissioners in the near future. I firmly believe that it would be the better policy that all the departments should have their headquarters under one roof, and that it will be a wise economy to remodel the lower story with this end in view, of furnishing suitable accommodations, and providing for better sanitary arrangements, for those who are working for the varied interests of the city ; also providing fire-proof vaults for the safe keeping of the val- uable records, the loss of which would be irreparable.
GARBAGE.
It is the duty of the city to take every measure possible to improve the health and comfort of its citizens, and the collec- tion of the garbage should be continued during the present year, but I believe it to be wise to establish rules and regulations in regard to the collections, thus preventing the disposal of the same to private persons, who disfigure the streets and sidewalks by the careless method employed by boys in carrying the same away ; and by the city collecting the whole, revenue from its sale will be largely increased.
BROOKS.
A question which must soon receive careful and deliberate attention from the Council is that of deepening, straightening and widening the water courses of the city.
A careful survey has been made of Town and Furnace brooks, and I hope the members of the Council will make them-
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selves familiar with it and thereby realize the difficulties of solving the problem of the better course to pursue.
Before the season arrives when any work can be done I hope to send to the Council a further report with recommenda- tions.
SEWERS.
The Council of 1890 instructed His Honor, the Mayor, to petition the General Court for the necessary legislation to con- struct a system of sewers, and at the proper time I shall take the pleasure, with the aid of the Council, in appearing before the committee of the Legislature in support of this much- needed public improvement.
If the petition be granted, I believe that a board of com- missioners, selected for their experience and successful busi- ness training, will be able to improve the minor details, remedy some defects, and furnish the city a satisfactory system of sewerage.
SHADE TREES.
Believing that the streets of our city can be vastly improved by the systematic planting of shade trees thereon, and deeming it wise to look forward to the future for results, I shall recom- mend a small appropriation for this purpose for the present year, trusting that if the same is done in after years, that the improved appearance of our highways will be one magnet in inviting new residents to our city.
CONTINGENT FUND.
Believing that the citizens have the right to demand that all questions referred to the Council should receive careful consideration from its members, and, when possible, personal investigation be made, that the subject matter be thoroughly understood, I shall recommend a moderate appropriation for the use of the Council, believing that the taxpayers do not desire that those who so willingly give their services to the city should perform these labors thus devolving upon them at their private expense.
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I shall trust that the good judgement of the Council will see the wisdom of establishing a rule to govern the expendi- tures of this appropriation.
WOODWARD FUND.
This fund has been increased during the past year by large sales of land, and now amounts to nearly $261,000, and the time is close at hand when the city will have the pleasure of having another educational institution in its midst.
CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY.
In February, 1892, occurs the centennial anniversary of the incorporation of the town of Quincy, and I would recom- mend that some notice be taken of the event.
If this meets with your approval, I would suggest that to a special committee of the Council be added citizens of each ward to assist in perfecting all arrangements.
As the financial year of our city does not end until Decem- ber 31st of each year, an incoming Mayor is deprived of the valuable information which should be contained in the reports of the several departments, and which would enable the citi- zens to be informed at the beginning of another year as regards the work that has been performed. A careful study of these reports will be necessary before arriving at a correct judgment of many important questions. These reports will be submitted to you gentlemen in good time.
The city of Quincy cannot stand still. With her natural advantages, her granite industries, schools, public library, religious and other educational institutions, her growth should be rapid. Progress should be her motto ; but progress does not mean extravagance, and correct conclusions in regard to those improvements which will conduce to her prosperity, and which I have called your attention to, can only be solved by a careful study of each question as it presents itself, and weighing it in its bearings upon all other questions.
I sincerely trust that the year will be one of prosperity and growth to our city ; that the business entrusted to our care will receive the attention it deserves. The administration will
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be more wisely judged at the end than at the beginning, for the citizens have a right to expect results rather than promises, and " may the Supreme Power, whose aid we invoke today, inspire us to administer the government wisely, with purity of purpose, and our acts rebound to the honor and glory and good name of the city of Quincy."
Index.
Adams Academy, Report of Managers of
162
Adams Street
. 82, 113
Advertising, Printing and Stationery
86, 140
Almshouse
38
Almshouse, Poor out of
40, 122
Almshouse, Support of Poor
120
Appropriations, Expenditures and Balances, Statement of
92
Assessors, Clerical Services
43
Assessors, Department
42
Assessors, Miscellaneous
42
Assessors, Transfers
43
Assessors, Report of
102
Auditor, Report of
38
Board of Health
59
Books. Binding and Postage
44,116
Brooks, Widening and Deepening
44
Botolph Street
82, 114
Burial Places
45
Chapter 440, Officers Fees
46
City Clerk, Report of
139
City Debt, Statement of
100
City Hall, Repairs of
117
City Hospital
48
City Officers, Pay of
47
City Property, Record of
219
City Solicitor
134
Clerk, Executive Department
46
Collector, Report of
36
Common Street
79
Contingent Fund
45
Culverts, Woodbine and Green wood Avenues
76
Decoration Day
48
Depot Avenues, Sidewalks
80
Drains and Culverts
111
Election Expenses
48
Engine-Houses, Lighting
56
Engine-House, Ward 6, Bell and Striker
83
Fire Alarm
52
Fire Department, Fuel
56
Fire Department, Miscellaneous Expenses
52
Fire Department, Pay of
50
Fire Department, Repair of Fixtures .
51
Fire Department, Report of Chief Engineer
148
Fountains
57
Births, Deaths and Marriages, Record of
227
Board of Health, Report of
143 43
Bridges, Public .
.
280
Garbage, Collection of
· 58, 116
Garfield Street
76
Hancock Street
81, 112
Highway Department
107
Horse Shoeing and Keeping
55
Hydrants
57
Inspector of Milk, Report of
136
Interest ·
59
Lands and Plans for School House
77
Law Department
63
Lawyer's Lane
79
Liquor Law, Enforcement of
64
Mayor Fairbanks Address, 1892-1891
9,266
Miscellaneous City Expenses
64
New Hose
55
New Water Supply
79
Overseer of the Poor, Report of
119
Parks
67
Park Commissioners, Report of
140
Paved Gutters Police
69
Police Department
132
Police Station
68
Public Buildings .
116
Public Buildings, Repairs of
70
Public Burial Places, Report of Board of Managers of Public Works, 1891, Report of the Commissioner of
105
Reardon Street
80, 113
Removal of Snow
84, 115
Rubber Goods
55
School Committee, Report of
165
Schools .
72
Schools, Financial Report of
198
Schools, Report of Attendance, etc., from Jan. 1, 1891 to Jan. 1, 1892
188
Schools. Report of Superintendent of
169
School Expenses, Statement of
91
Sidewalks
85, 111
Sidewalk and Drain, Common Street
78
State Aid
86
Street Crossings
81, 110
Streets, General Repairs of
73, 115
Street Lighting
84, 118
Street Lines and Grades
83
Thomas Crane Public Library Books
61
66
Salaries
61
Fuel and Lights
62
66
Miscellaneous
62
Report of Trustees
158
Teal Pond
78
Treasurer. Reports of .
25
Washington Street
77, 112
Willard School-House
87, 117
Wollaston School-House Land
90
.3681 143
9
156
189
Schools, Resignations and Transfers .
80, 109
QR
THOMAS CRANE PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1641 0097 6859 3
SEP 2 0 1988
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