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 1893 > Part 4
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5,500 00
461 34
10,183 72
STATEMENTS OF APPROPRIATIONS, EXPENDITURES, ETC .- Continued.
Paid Acc't 1892.
Balance 1892.
Appropriation 1893.
Receipts.
Expended.
Balance 1893.
State Aid, Chapter 301
2,730 00
2,702 00
28 00
Chapter 279
1,110 00
1,096 00
14 00
Chapter 447
185 00
181 50
3 50
Claims and court awards
515 17
Water carts -
2,000 00
1,999 95
05
High school lot
15,000 00
15,000 00
Drain, Center street
1,200 00
1,194 00
6 00
Sidewalk, Wollaston and Willard schools
600 00
554 12
45 88
Repair Washington and Willard schools -
1,500 00
1,500 00
Land, hose house, Ward 2
1,500 00
1,397 87
102 13
Hose house additions, Wards 5 and 6
1,000 00
999 50
50
Grading Winthrop Ave.
650 00
643 78
6 22
Adams street
7,000 00
138 00
5,903 19
1,234 81
Plans High school
1,000 00
T
1,000 00
New High school
62,000 00
155 00
259 52
61,895 48
Plans hose houses, Wards 2 and 3 -
400 00
400 00
Playgrounds
50,000 00 **
14,967 82
35,032 18
Arnold street -
200 00
199 44
56
Chemical
-
-
1,300 00
450 00
1,750 00
Widening streets - -
10,000 00
1,776 86
8,223 14
1
-
-
-
-
-
.
100
Newbury avenue - Fuller's lane and Hall place - - Beale street walk -
200 00
1
193 00
7 00
1,500 00
28 00
1,472 00
1,000 00
1,000 00
Walker street 1
1,500 00
30 81
1,469 19
New road
-
300 00
133 50
166 50
$85,310 82
$437,298 19 12,140 00
$8,624 27
$322,896 26 $11,187 03
$123,026 20
Water supply and service
101
STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES ON WATER SUPPLY ACCOUNT.
Balance January 1, 1893
.
$5,394 29
Receipts to January 1, 1894
36,660 41
Bonds
90,000 00
$132,054 70
Expended-Notes
$11,000 00
Interest
1,400 00
Maintenance
11,187 03
Extension
48,566 68
$72,153 71
Balance
$59,900 99
·
.
·
·
.
.
.
102
.
STATEMENT OF CITY DEBT, SHOWING YEARS IN WHICH IT FALLS DUE.
DENOMINATION.
DUE.
RATE.
1894
1895
1896
1897
1898
1899
1900
1901
TOTALS
Willard special,
Jan. 1,
4 per ct.
$1,000
Washington street,
4}
66
2,000
$2,000
$2,000
$2,000
8,000
Stone crushing plant,
Feb. 15,
4
1,100
1,100
1,100
1,100
$1,100
5,500
Hancock street,
· May 1,
4
4,000
4,000
4,000
4,000
4,000
$4,000
$4,000
32,000
Street crossings,
" 1,
42
2,000
Burial places,
1,
4
66
2,000
2,000
Common street,
June 1,
4
1,200
1,200
1,200
1,200
1,200
1,200
1,200
8,400
Hancock street,
1,
1,000
1,000
1,000
1,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
10,000
Circuit repeater,
1,
4}
2,800
2,800
Neponset bridge,
July 1,
4
2,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
12,000
Wollaston school,
" 1,
4
66
1,000
1,000
1,000
1,000
1,000
1,000
6,000
Willard school,
Aug. 1,
5
2,000
2,000
4,000
New engine house,
1,
4
2,000
3,000
3,000
3,000
3,000
3,000
3,000
20,000
Repairs on hose houses, Wards 5 and 6,
1,
5
66
1,000
1,000
Cross street,
1,
6
500
500
Sidewalks, Wollaston and Willard schools,
1,
5
600
Land, Willard school,
Sept. 1,
4
66
1,580
1,580
1,580
1,580
1,580
1,580
9,489
Watering Beale and other streets,
Oct. 2,
6
1,000
1,000
Land, Ward 2,
" 2,
6
66
1,500
1,500
Repairs Washington and Willard schools,
66
2,
6
1,500
-
-
1,500
-
.
104
.
-
-
-
600
66
1,
$1,000
2,000
Centre street drain,
Oct. 2,
6
1,200
1,200
Adams street,
2,
6
66
1,000
1,000
1,000
1,000
1,' 00
1,000
1,000
7,000
Winthrop avenue,
2,
6
650
650
Chemical, Ward 6,
6
2,
6
1,300
1,300
. Willard school,
Nov. 1,
4
7,700
7,700
7,700
7,700
7,700
7,700
46,200
Water carts, stand pipes, etc.,
Dec. 1,
42
2,000
2,000
Plans High school,
1,
41
1,000
1,000
Water street,
1,
4
5,000
5,000
5,000
5,000
5,000
25,000
Lincoln school,
1,
4
5,000
5,000
5,000
5,000
5,000
25,000
Land and plans, engine house,
7,000
High school lot,
15,0.00
New High school,
1,
44
7,000
7,000
8,000
8,000
8,000
8,000
8,000
62,000
Plans hose houses, Wards 2 and 4,
" 15,
4
400
400
New road,
" 15,
4
300
300
Newbury avenue and Ar- nold street,
" 15,
4
400
400
Widening streets,
" 15,
4
2,000
2,000
2,000
2,0,'0
2,000
10,000
Walker and Beale streets,
" 15,
4
1,000
1,000
1,000
1,000
4,000
Land damage, Water street,
" 28,
4
3,000
3,000
-
-
-
6,000
$64,73 )
$50,580
$49,580 $46,580 $44,580
$41,480 $34,200
$8,000
$339,730
1,
4
66
2,000
2,000
3,000
-
-
-
-
1,
4
66
-
-
66
-
-
-
-
66
-
5,000 8,000
10,000
66
66
-
105
WATER DEBT.
Due August 1st,
4 per cent.
$20,000 each year,
30 years.
$600,000 00
September 1st,
66
1,000
30 years.
30,000 00
December 1st,
4
1,000
66
24 years.
24,000 00
December 1st,
4
66
2,000
30 years.
60,000 00
$714,000 00
106
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS.
To His Honor, Henry O. Fairbanks, Mayor of the City of Quincy.
SIR: - I have the honor to submit my third and the fifth annual report of the Department of Public Works, embracing the care of streets and ways, construction and repair of public buildings, care of street lights, collection of garbage, bridges, culverts, drains, and advertising, printing, stationery, etc.
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT.
The care of our streets requires the larger part of my time and the same problems arise each year as to what methods are to be pursued, and what streets are to be put in repair. I have as in the past acted as superintendent, employing a foreman at a nominal price to oversee the work and only by the most rigid economy been enabled to accomplish the amount of repairs that have been done. It must be evident to all, that with the small appropriation of $15,000 for Miscellaneous Highways, and the very severe wear that our streets are subjected to by our heavily loaded teams, that all our streets cannot be maintained in first class condition. I have for the past three years selected such streets as in my judgment required repairs the most, paying but little attention to ward lines although each ward and section of our city has received very nearly an equal amount of money and repairs. Some sections require more permanent work than others and consequently more expensive.
It can readily be seen that work cannot be done as thorough as one would like, or as I believe should be, as the calls for repairs are so loud and the pressure so great in all sections, that much work is done that is not permanent.
108
Taken as a whole, I believe that our streets show improve- ment each year, and in a few years more will compare favorably with cities of the same size near Boston, notwithstanding the severe wear they receive by our stone teams. This city should annually pave some portion of its streets, selecting those most needed, and adding to them, year by year, until all streets much used by stone teams are paved.
Some special appropriations were made for streets during the past year and I will briefly refer to them. The Auditor's statement will show to whom all moneys were paid.
I feel that I must say a few words as to the way the water mains have been laid in some sections of this city the past year. The work was done by John Cashman, by contract. Consider- able blasting was required to be done in places. After laying the pipes the trenches were filled promiscuously with rock and loose earth, no effort being made to return the better material of the surface of the road or properly tamp the trenches. This is not as it should be, as the injury to the streets are very con- siderable, and could nearly or quite all be avoided if work was properly done. I entered my protest to the proper authorities, but with little effect.
FAXON PARK STREET.
An appropriation of $500 was made in December of last year for this street. The street leads from Franklin street to the park owned by the city. The street was partially built by the town but never completed. It has been graded and graveled its entire length and is now in very good condition, although but little used. Owing to the grade (which is quite steep) it will be liable to wash somewhat after heavy rains.
WINTHROP AVENUE.
An appropriation of $650 was made for changing the grade of Winthrop avenue in Wollaston. This has been done by cut- ting down a hill some three feet and filling up a hollow, and thereby improving the grade of the street and also the prop- erty in that section.
109
WATER STREET.
The work of grading, paving and widening this street was completed early in the spring; making one of the finest streets in our city and the only street paved its entire width. This street is much used by stone teams, and while a large amount of money was expended by the city for land damages and for re- building, it will be found to be economical in the end, as but little money will be required to keep the street in repair.
SOUTH STREET LEDGE.
The sum of $450 was appropriated in December of last year for removing ledge alongside of the road on South street. This work was done during the winter months and gave employment to a number of men. It greatly improved the street and also removed a dangerous obstruction to travel.
CROSS STREET.
An appropriation of $1,000 was made for the regrading of this street, but as some of the abutters refused to release claims for damages, no work was done upon it.
CENTER STREET DRAIN.
An appropriation of $1,200 was made for constructing a stone drain from Granite street to the brook on Brook avenue, a distance of about 1,100 feet. The drain was built and three catch basins constructed to take the surface water from the street. Sidewalks were also constructed upon both sides of the street, and the street very much improved generally.
ARNOLD STREET.
The sum of $200 was appropriated to raise the grade of this street. The street is about 450 feet in length running from Washington street to a private way. The grade has been very materially changed as it required nearly eighteen inches of
110
filling to bring the street to a proper grade. As the work was done in December of this year with snow and ice upon the ground, it will need some attention in the early spring.
NEWBURY STREET.
This is a short street near the Neponset bridge, running from Hancock street southerly. A fence was built along the side of the low land and a general improvement made of the street.
ROBERTSON STREET SIDEWALK.
A gravel sidewalk has been constructed on the northerly side of this street, a fence built alongside of the brook and low lands, and the street widened thereby.
ADAMS STREET.
An appropriation of $7,000 was made late this fall to widen and regrade Adams street from Goffe street to Whitwell street. The work was not quite completed owing to the freez- ing of the ground and snow storms early in December. The work was quite expensive as the grade of the street was changed considerable in some places, requiring the cutting down of the surface in places while in others deep filling. A large amount of crushed stone was used and a solid substantial road was made. About 1100 feet of stone wall removed and re- laid, sidewalks constructed, gutters paved, and a portion of the hill under-drained. Some 600 feet of drain pipes was laid and four catch basins built. This was necessary to do away with the water which has always been troublesome in this section, both summer and winter - an under ground spring being the cause. I believe that the drain referred to above will do away with the water in this locality at all times.
I had intended to construct a catch basin at the corner of Whitwell street and lay a drain to the brook, so as to do away with the water at this point also. There is a balance of the appropriation remaining in the treasury sufficient to complete the work as contemplated and also grade the street. The im- provement of the street should be continued to Furnace brook, and when complete will be one of the best streets in our city.
111
STREET WIDENING.
At a meeting of the Council early in December, the Mayor recommended an appropriation of $10,000 for widening South, Centre, Willard, Squantum streets and Central avenue, for the purpose of giving employment to those who were out of work and at the same time improve these streets by removing in places, banks of earth, rocks, brush, etc., and filling the low places along side of the road. The Council at a subsequent meeting passed the order and work soon commenced. A gang of men was put at work upon each street so as to give employment to as many men as possible in each section of the City. Many more applications were received in South and West Quincy than could be put at work at one time, and in order that all might re- ceive work, each gang was employed three days per week. The weather was quite favorable and quite an amount of work was done. Many of these men had been out of work for some time and as the outlook for the stone business during this winter is poor, this work will be of great assistance to many worthy families. The problem of providing work for the unemployed has always been a difficult one, this year more so than usual, owing to business depression throughout the country generally.
STREET WATERING AND PURCHASE OF WATER CARTS.
The City Council this year appropriated the money for the purchase of four Water Carts, and after investigating the differ- ent styles in the market, four of the Studebaker wagons were purchased as being the best for general use. After one season's work, I believe no mistake was made as they have given the best of service where used, and I believe the public will bear me out in this statement. Nearly ten miles of streets were ordered watered, and in order to do all the watering which was called for in the several orders, other carts were required and a contract was made with Mr. Wilson Tisdale to furnish carts and do such other watering as was not covered by my teams. The carts used by him were of the old style and the service was not as good,
112
nor could it be expected to be, as with the more modern carts used by the City but on the whole fairly satisfactory. One half of the cost was ordered to be assessed upon abutting estates.
EDGESTONES AND SETTING.
The appropriation made for edgestones and setting where the abutters pay one half the cost, has been but partially used, as not as many applications were received as in former years, and all who applied for and agreed to pay one-half the cost were attended to.
EDGESTONES AT WILLARD AND WOLLASTON SCHOOLS.
Six hundred dollars were appropriated for edgestones and sidewalks at the Willard and Wollaston school buildings. The order has been executed and good gravel sidewalks con- structed.
STONE CRUSHING PLANT.
This plant is located at Keenan's quarry on South street, the land being leased of Mr. Terrence Keenan for ten years. The plant is entirely new, consisting of one No. 3 Gate's crusher, 30-horse power engine, 35-horse power boiler, a building with storage bins of 300 tons capacity and with blacksınith shop connected. A track with three branches runs from the quarry to the breaker. Cars are loaded with stone in the quarry con- nected with engine by wire pulley, and carried direct to the breaker. After being crushed are conveyed to the storage bins by elevator where they pass through a revolving screen and are separated in three different sizes. The bins are fitted with shutes, controlled by a lever, so that a cart can be loaded in one minute's time. The plant is a good one and is being copied by other cities and towns. The need of this labor-saving plant was advocated by me strongly the first year of my adminis- tration and again during my second year. The good work which it does, and the saving of labor to the city, fully bears
113
out the stand which I took for such a plant as we now have. The annual saving to the city over the old method will soon pay its entire cost. The plant is one of the best in New England.
BRIDGES, CULVERTS AND DRAINS.
The bridge's have been looked after as in previous years. Neponset bridge has been repaired by new planks where needed, and the bridge at Quincy Point looked after by the Trustees of Quincy, Weymouth and Hingham, and they are in good ser- viceable condition. A number of culverts have been relaid and enlarged and are in better condition than when my last report was made.
STREET LIGHTS.
The streets of our city are lighted by gas, oil, arc and in- candescent lights. In December the city ordered a number of new incandescent lights placed, and the order was immediately given to the Quincy Electric Light & Power Company, and they will soon be in operation. The amount now annually paid by the city for lighting our streets nearly equals the amount which is appropriated for the care and repair of our highways. The matter of street lighting is quite a serious one, as each year many petitions are presented for additional lights, and if all were granted a much larger sum would be annually expended.
GARBAGE.
The collection of garbage has been done as in previous years, with increasing calls for service, and also for the removal of ashes and rubbish. The collection of garbage has required the entire time of one team, which is all that has been at my service, and most of the time two men have been employed upon the work. Some sections of the city could not be covered by this team more than once a week, which is not often enough to collect garbage in the summer season. Another team should be employed in this work and also for the removing of ashes.
114
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
The brick Central Fire Station which was in process of construction when I made my last report was completed early in the spring, and is a very commodious and substantial building, fully meeting the wants of the department in the central portion of the city. Additions have been made to the Wollaston and Atlantic hose houses for the accommodation of horses which are to be kept in the buildings. The usual minor repairs have been made to the school buildings and they are in fairly good con- dition. A fire escape has been added to the Almshouse as a safeguard to the inmates, in case of fire. Alterations should be made to City Hall for the better accommodation of the various officers. Plans were ordered by the Council of 1892 for the remodelling of the building but no appropriation was made for the work. The Water Department and also the School Committee hire rooms in other buildings and if the change as contemplated by the plans were made, both of these depart- ments could be accommodated in the building and a large saving made in rent. The rooms in City Hall are poorly arranged, no one department being entirely separate, and at the same time there is a large amount of waste room which is not now available. More vault room is required by the City Clerk, Assessors and also the Treasurer, and this could be provided for by the contemplated change. The plans are on file and the matter should receive early attention.
The building on School street which was vacated by the fire department is used for the storage of water carts and the engine which was formerly used to run the old crusher.
HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING.
An appropriation of $15,000 was made for the purchase of a lot of land corner Hancock street and Butler road, and $62,000 for building a brick and stone High schoolhouse thereon. A con- tract for the building has been made with Henry Mellen & Son of Worcester, Mass., for $45,323. The contract was let Novem- ber 29th, and work soon commenced. The cellar is at this time
115
very nearly completed, and work will be pushed if the weather is favorable. The contractor agrees to finish the building com- plete, on or before August 1st, 1894, and the building can then be furnished and occupied by the school at the commencement of the fall term.
I again thank His Honor, Mayor Fairbanks, the various officers of the city government and the citizens generally for their support and encouragement during the past three years. I have carefully looked after the various departments under my charge, and endeavored to receive full value for all moneys expended, and I believe it will be conceded by all that many improvements have been made throughout our city in the last few years.
Respectfully submitted,
W. W. EWELL,
Commissioner of Public Works.
REPORT OF THE ASSESSORS.
To His Honor, the Mayor of Quincy :
The Board of Assessors submit herewith their annual report. We have assessed upon the polls and estates of the City of Quincy for the year 1893, the following sums :
City tax, (levy voted by the City
Council) . $160,000 00
City tax, (notes maturing during the
year) 62,962 00
City tax, (interest to be paid during the year) 13,000 00
City tax, (extra levy for interest)
3,000 00
County tax (less polls)
7,795 24
State tax, (less polls)
10,042 00
Polls
11,066 00
Overlayings
6,082 261%
Total
$273,947 50%
Number of polls
5,533
Gain
182
Omitted and re-assessed taxes as follows :
On property
$535 221
On polls, (304)
608 00
$1,143 22}
Tax rate, 1893
$15.80 per $1,000
118
TABLE OF AGGREGATES.
Below will be found the table of aggregates :
Value of assessed personal estate ex- cluding resident bank stock
$2,823,615 00
Resident bank stock
208,780 00
Total personal property valuation
$3,032,395 00
Value of assessed real estate.
Buildings
$6,593,685 00
Land
7,011,990 00
Total real estate valuation ·
$13,605,675 00
Total real and personal valuation
$16,638,070 00
Gain
$1,071,150 00
WARD VALUATION.
The valuation of each ward will be found below:
PERSONAL ESTATE.
REAL ESTATE.
TOTAL.
Ward 1, $1,527,290 00
$4,271,980 00
$5,799,270 00
Ward 2, 323,760 00
1,517,350 00
1,841,110 00
Ward 3, 363,245 00
1,840,760 00
2.204,005 00
Ward 4, 343,200 00
1,983,395 00
2,326,595 00
Ward 5, 210,770 00
2,382,425 00
2,593,195 00
Ward 6, 55,350 00
1,609,765 00
1,665,115 00
Resident bank
stock, 208,780 00
208,780 00
$3,032,395 00
$13,605,675 00
$16,638,070 00
119
Tax raised on personal estate .
$47,911 841%
Tax raised on real estate .
Tax raised on polls
214,969 66% 11,066 00
Total
$273,947 501%
Number of houses
Gain
3,3361 167
Respectfully submitted,
ELIAS A. PERKINS, OSBORN ROGERS, ALBERT KEATING, ABEL NUTTING, SAMUEL AMES, ALBERT G. OLNEY,
BENJAMIN R. REDMAN,
Assessors of Quincy.
REPORT OF TAX COLLECTOR.
TAX OF 1887.
Balance of uncollected tax due the
city, January 1st, 1893
$72 13
Amount charged to suspense account, estates sold for taxes $72 13
TAX OF 1888.
Balance of uncollected tax due city,
January 1st, 1893
$868 15
Cash paid treasurer
$5 84
Assessors' rebates
766 89
Amount charged to suspense account,
estates sold for taxes
75 15
Balance due January 1, 1894
20 27
$868 15
$868 15
Balance due January 1, 1894 .
$20 27
TAX OF 1889.
Balance of uncollected tax due city
January 1, 1893
$2,482 43
Cash paid treasurer
$70 20
Assessors' rebates
2,186 51
Amount charged to suspense account,
estates sold for taxes 40 50
Balance due city January 1, 1894
185 22
$2,482 43
$2,482 43
$185 22
Balance due January 1, 1894
122
TAX OF 1890.
Balance of uncollected tax due city January 1, 1893
$2,873 32
Cash paid treasurer
$318 50
Assessors' rebates
32 64
Balance due city January 1, 1894
2,522 18
$2,873 32
$2,873 32
Balance due January 1, 1894 ·
$2,522 18
TAX OF 1891.
Balance of uncollected tax due city
January 1, 1893
$3,684 83
Non-resident National bank tax
omitted
1,383 06
Cash paid treasurer
$1,070 57
Assessors' rebates
691 22
Balance due city January 1, 1894
3,306 10
$5,067 89
$5,067 89
Balance due January 1, 1894
$3,306 10
TAX OF 1892.
Balance of uncollected tax due city
January 1, 1893
$61,406 02
Non-resident National
bank tax
omitted
3,343 12
Cash paid treasurer
$57,317 88
Assessors' rebates
1,180 31
Balance due city January 1, 1894
6,250 95
$64,749 14
$64,749 14
Balance due January 1, 1894
$6,250 95
123
TAX OF 1893.
Total commitment
$275,090 73
Non-resident bank tax ·
2,863 27
Cash paid treasurer
$184,187 17
Assessors' rebates
2,021 46
Balance due city January 1, 1894
91,745 37
$277,954 00 $277,954 00
Balance due January 1, 1894 $91,745 37
BRYANT N. ADAMS, Collector.
POOR DEPARTMENT.
Hon. William A. Hodges, Mayor City of Quincy :
SIR: - I herewith submit my annual report as Overseer of Poor of the City of Quincy, year ending December 31, 1893.
My report shows the appropriation as overrun $35.02 but with less than $100 due from the city and a credit to offset in bills mailed Jan. 1, I was able to keep within the appropriation.
The council reduced the appropriation in 1893 to $6,500, and of that amount $2,900 was expended in the different hos- pitals of which I have practically no control, thus leaving $3,600 for the outside poor and Almshouse, which speaks volumes for the frugality and industry of our citizens. Our city is feeling the depression in business and I would ask for an appropriation of $7,000 and income, as the Overseer of the Poor wishes to keep within the appropriation and certainly could not use more than was necessary. Our Almshouse is under the care of Mr. and Mrs. Franklin Jacobs who have had charge for the past six years.
The number of inmates on January 1, were 9; admitted during the year, 23; 2 have died; 15 discharged and 14 now remains.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE H. FIELD,
Overseer of the Poor.
Quincy, January 1, 1894.
126
ALMSHOUSE ACCOUNT 1893.
Dr.
Franklin Jacobs, services
$500 00
Maggie Denward, labor
32 50
Martha A. Litchfield, labor
16 00
Amanda S. Nelson
76 00
Hannah Fitzgerald, labor
58 10
Louisa Fay
7 00
John McGrath
11 00
Frank Greany
43 25
William Smith
4 00
Emil Doucette
18 00
George F. Wilson, groceries
398 69
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