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 1898 > Part 5
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21
.
4
500
500
500
500
500
2,500 €0
Permanent sidewalks,
Mar. 1,
4 1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
$1000
$1000
7,000 00
Hancock street,
May 1,
4
4000
4000
Beale street,
May 15,
4
2000
· 2,000 (0
Common street,
June 1,
4
1200
1200
.
.
· 2,400 00
Hancock street,
June =1,
4 1-2
2000
2000
.
. 4,000 00
Hose house, Ward Two,
June 1,
4
1000
1000
1000
· 3,000 00
Hose house, Ward Four,
June 1,
4
6500
.
.
.
. 6,500 00
Squantum causeway,
June 1,
4
15000
.
.
·
· 5,000 00
Neponset bridge,
July
1,
4
2000
· 2,000 00
Wollaston schoolhouse,
July
1,
4
1000
. 1,000 00
Paving Copeland street,
July 1,
4 1000
1000
2000
2000
2000
2000
2000
$2000
$2000
. 16,000 00
City stable,
July
1,
3 1-2
500
500
500
500
500
500
500
500
500
$500 5,000 00
East Elm avenue,
$500
Payne street,
1000
Putnam street,
200
Garfield street drain,
500
Engine and hose houses,
975
July 1,
3 1-2
650
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
. 7,650 00
Furnace brook wall,
500
Drain and eateh basin, Wd 6, 475
Crescent street,
3500
·
·
.
·
·
.
.
.
.
.
·
.
· 1,000 00
Billings road and West Elm avenue, Mar. 1,
.
.
8,000 00
.
110
Hancock street paving,
July] [1,]
3 1-2
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
2000 11,000 00
Walker street,
July 8, 4
1,955 61
Schoolhouses, Ward Four and Five, July 1,
4
7500
7500
7500
,500
7500
7500
7500
7500
·
· 60,000 00
Miller Stile road,
1200
Tide gate, Almshouse,
300
Aug. 1,
4
500
500
500
400
·
.
.
Brook road, 400
Phœbe C. Harris award,
Aug. 1,
3 1-2
3336.25
3,336 25
Permanent sidewalks,
Aug. 1,
3 1-2
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000 10,000 00
Hancock and Granite streets, widening:
$1200
Old Colony street drain, 500
Widening Hancock and
Aug. 1,
3 1-2
684
500
500
500
500
500
500
500
500
500
5,184 00
School streets,
1434
Finishing room in John
Hancock schoolhouse, 550
J
Sept. 1,
4 1580
· 1.580 00
Heating Adams and Quincy schools, Sept. 1,
4
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
. 7,000 00
Rebuilding Adams street,
Sept. 1,
4
500
500
500
500
500
500
. 3,000 00
Rebuilding Adams street,
Oct.
1,
4
1000
1000
2,000 00
Faxon road,
Oct.
1,
4
500
500 00
Brooks and Bridges,
Oct. 1,
3 1-2
500
.
·
·
.
. 500 00
House connections with sewer,
Oct.
1,
3 1-2
500
500 00
Culvert at Washington and Canal Oct.
1,
3 1-2
500
500
1,000 00
streets,
Drains and catch basins, Washing- Oct. 15, ton street, Ward Two,
3 1-2
500
500
500
. 1,500 00
Liberty street,
Nov. 1,
4
. 3500
·
.
· 3,500 00
Willard schoolhouse,
Nov. 1,
4
7.700
. 7,700 00
Chemical, Ward One,
Nov. 21,
4
1800
.
·
· 1,800 00
Central fire station,
Dec. 1,
4 3000
3000
.
·
. 6,000 00
·
.
·
.
.
.
.
.
·
.
.
.
.
.
.
·
.
·
.
.
.
·
·
·
·
.
111
·
· 1,900 00
Whitwell street, 500
·
1
Additionals for City Stable, 1500
Land, Willard school,
·
.
1955.61
ITEMIZED SCHEDULE OF MUNICIPAL DEBT .- (Continned.)
TITLE.
DUE.
RATE.
1899
1900
1901
1902
1903
1904
1905
1906
1907
1908 TOTALS
Water street paving,
Dec. 1,
4 1-2
$5000
$5000
$10,000 00
Land for High schoolhouse,
Dec.
1,
41-2
5000
10000
.
.
.
.
· 15,000 CO
Iligh schoolhouse,
Dec.
1,
4 1-2
8000
8000
$8000
. 24,000 00
Removal of snow,
Dec.
1, 3 1-2
3000
.
.
1,
3 1-2
400
·
.
·
400 00
Water supply, Maintenance,
Dec. 15,
3 1-2
1000
1000 00
Land for schoolhouse, Ward Five,
Dec. 27,
4
· 3600
.
3,600 00
Land for schoolhouse, Ward Four, Dec. 27,
4
3000
. 3,000 00
·
·
.
.
.
3000 00
Wollaston fire alarm whistle, .
Dec.
.
.
$81,950.25 20,700 32,655.61 17,300 16,900 16,000 15,500 13,500 5,000 4,000 $265,505 86
112
Report of Commissioner of Public Works.
To His Honor The Mayor of the City of Quincy : -
SIR :- In compliance with the requirements of the City Charter I herewith respectfully submit to you the tenth annual report of the Department of Public Works for the year ending December 31, 1898.
I can safely say that the past year has been the busiest year that this department ever experienced. The rapid growth of the city brings with it a large amount of additional work, as does also the construction of a sewerage system with house connec- tions.
The custom adopted by this year's Council of having the Com- missioner attend all meetings of the Street Committee and other committees when matters pertaining to the department come up adds an additional burden, but is to be commended as it keeps this department thoroughly in touch with all legislation affecting public works.
I have endeavored to perform the many increased duties with- out additional help but feel that in the future the city's interest would be best served by increasing the force in the department.
Sixty-nine orders were sent from the Council involving an ex- penditure of $45,934.00 which added to the regular appropria- tion, the amount expended for sewer connections and the balance left over from 1897, makes a grand total of $124,609.00, which has been expended under my direction during the year. It has been my constant aim to expend this money so that the City would get full value for every dollar and to make the work of as permanent a nature as the circumstances would permit. Each section has been treated in an impartial manner and local merchants and contractors have always received the preference.
114
In the following report the items are arranged in the order of the annual budget and matters pertaining to each are lightly touched upon but for a detailed statement of expenditures I beg to refer you to the report of the City Auditor.
BRIDGES, CULVERTS AND DRAINS.
The very heavy storms and floods in the early spring washed out and undermined several of the old culverts and they were repaired in as thorough a manner as the circumstances would permit.
The one under Granite street at Brewer's corner was enlarged and rebuilt at a cost of $43.80. The culvert under Newport avenue was rebuilt at a cost of $151.92. The culvert on Taylor street was extended at a cost of $29.70. The old wooden box culvert under Hancock street, Atlantic, being completely gone, a new sixteen-inch iron pipe culvert with a tide gate attached was put in at a cost of $327.61. Beale street bridge over the tracks of the N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R. was found to be in an unsafe condition, some of the timbers having rotted away and it was repaired with new bridge seats, stringers and planking at a cost of $300.00. The planking on Bates avenue bridge was repaired at a cost of $33.03.
Neponset bridge required new top planking and extensive repairs on the deck planking. Bids were asked from the differ- ent contractors for the labor and from the lumber dealers for stock. The contract for stock was awarded to B. Johnson, be being the lowest bidder. The bids for labor ranged from $6.00 per thousand feet of lumber in place up to $12.00 per thousand. Believing that all the bids were too high, I rejected them all'and concluded to do the labor by day work and the result justified my action as the cost did not exceed $5.70 per thousand, not- withstanding considerable extra work was done. The coming year the planking on the sidewalk should receive attention.
The annual cost of repairs on this wooden structure amounts to nearly $500.00 and I believe it would be economy for the City to adopt measures to make a solid rock filling as great a distance across the river as the Harbor Commissioners would permit and thus reduce this annual outlay.
More attention was given to cleaning brooks and water
115
courses than for many years previous and nearly every brook was cleaned, thus facilitating the free flow of water, lessening the danger from floods. The amount spent for this work was $939.57.
The usual yearly calls were made by the trustees of the Hingham and Weymouth bridges and $300.00 was spent as Quincy's share for repairs on those structures.
Only a small amount being available for surface water drains as large an amount was not put in as in former years but the coming year should see a larger amount of this work done especially in the Wollaston district.
A large surface drain should be put in next year from the corner of Granite and Hancock streets to Town brook and after- ward extended so as to effectually drain City Square.
The value of a storm water sewer is clearly shown on Cope- land street where the drain put in last year not only cares for surface water on the street but drains all the cellars and yards in the vicinity thereby adding greatly to the public health.
Appropriation,
$3,000 00
Additional appropriation,
518 54
$3,518 54
Expended on drains, .
$453 16
Expended on culverts,
886 06
Expended, cleaning brooks,
939 57
Expended, Quincy & Hingham bridges,
300 00
Expended, Neponset bridge,
939 75
$3,518 54
ENGINEERING.
This item only represents bills incurred for setting edge- stone grades and for surveys and plans for the information of the Council.
A large amount of engineering work is required in carrying out Council orders and the expense of same is charged to the various special appropriations, so that this appropriation of $300, covers only a very small part of the year's engineering expenses.
I beg to renew my suggestions of the past two years that a
116
man be employed under the direction of the Commissioner of Public Works in the capacity of City Engineer.
Appropriation,
$300 00
Expended, .
299 90
Balance,
$0 10
REMOVAL OF SNOW.
This burden has been very heavy the past year, the city having been visited by two of the worst storms in its history, beside a large number of small ones. The service has been im- proved by increasing the number of districts to eleven, using twenty-two plows. This enables the force to completely plow out the entire city in two and one half hours, each plow covering an average distance of about six miles. From my observation this service will compare favorably with any city in the State.
The new Street Railway law enacted by the last Legislature compels cities to remove snow from the streets thrown there from the tracks by the Street Railway Co., which causes con- siderable expense. This portion of the law is so manifestly unjust that an effort is being made by many cities to have it repealed.
Appropriation,
$3,700 00
Additional Appropriation, . 3,573 41
Expended, .
$7,273 41 7,273 41
STREET LIGHTING.
The system of electric lighting has been increased and im- proved considerably the past two years until now the service seems to give general satisfaction, or at least very few complaints have been received, considering the large number of lights and territory covered.
The Commissioner could be greatly aided in his endeavors to have the street lighting system satisfactory if the citizens generally would notify him every time they see a light not burn- ing.
-
117
Our present contracts cover the lighting of 97 arc, 352 in- candescent, 77 oil and 67 gas lamps; a gain of 8 arc, 23 incan- descent, and one gas lamp over 1897.
Appropriation, . · $16,300 00
Additional Appropriation, . 60 92
Expended .
$16,360 92 16,360 92
ADVERTISING, PRINTING AND STATIONERY.
This appropriation was expended by the Commissioner for the different departments in about the following proportions :
City Council,
$921 19
City Clerk (election, etc.)
941 76
Tax Collector,
710 88
Treasurer, .
112 13
Overseer of Poor,
11 75
Police,
37 31
Mayor,
28 00
Commissioner of Public Works .
248 54
Sealer of Weights and Measures
9 75
Inspector of Milk
19 88
Auditor,
47 60
Registrars,
23 92
Appropriation, ·
$2,900 00
Additional appropriation,
212 71
$3,112 71
EDGESTONES AND SIDEWALKS. (Abutters paying one-half the cost.)
This appropriation was made for edgestones and sidewalks in cases where citizens made application and is entirely separate from permanent sidewalks ordered by the Council.
A marked disposition was manifested by the citizens the past year to improve their estates by gravel and concrete walks and under the above appropriation there was put in 3,362.5 feet
118
of straight edgestone, 103.4 feet circle edgestone, 26 driveway corners and 627.6 square yards of tar concrete sidewalk.
Appropriation,
$3,000 00
Expended, .
$2,961 32 ·
$2,961 32
Balance, .
$38 68
REPAIRING PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND CARE OF CITY HALL.
Extensive repairs were made on nearly all the public build- ings the past year and as a whole they are in a very good condi- tion.
The Adams School building was thoroughly repaired and painted on the outside. The Wollaston School building was painted and whitewashed inside, furnaces overhauled and re- paired, retaining wall built in the rear and the grounds nicely graded. The Quincy School was damaged by the heavy storm in November and repairs made on the roof. The Coddington School was overhauled and a large number of the most necessary repairs made, a plank walk and fence built and considerable painting done.
At the Washington a new furnace was put in and the roof and windows repaired. At the Massachusetts Field school few repairs were made in the building but considerable was done on the grounds grading them up nicely. The usual yearly repairs were made on the furnaces at the Willard and Lincoln schools. Many blackboards were fixed at the John Hancock school and a retaining wall built along the brook in the rear. The Gridley Bryant, High, and Old High schools had minor repairs on win- dows, pipe, roof, etc.
Small repairs were made on all the hose houses except in Ward Six. This one was thoroughly overhauled, painted, inside and out, new stall floors and furnace fixed. At the Central Fire Station new stall floors were put in and other repairs made. There were also needed alterations made on a special appropria- tion which will be touched on later. Many changes were made at the City Hall. Partitions were put in and separate offices made for the Mayor, Water Department, Poor Department,
119
Health Department, and Collector's Department. The toilet rooms and stairways were changed and the whole inside of the building touched up. This was a much needed improvement and gives general satisfaction to those who transact business at the Hall.
Appropriation,
Additional appropriation,
$5,500 00 303 95
$5,803 95
Adams school,
$517 93
Coddington,
184 80
Gridley Bryant,
61 47
High, .
79 34
John Hancock,
126 47
Lincoln,
86 15
Massachusetts Fields,
379 26
Quincy,
47 88
Washington,
269 72
Willard,
486 23
Wollaston, .
443 55
Old High, .
29 73
$2,712 53
City Hall- Repairs,
$97 01
Lighting,
457 45
Coal,
139 95
Janitor,
722 13
Miscellaneous,
1,030 75
$2,447 29
Central Fire Station, .
$192 86
Hose House, Ward 2, .
24 05
Hose House, Ward 4, .
8 35
Hose House, Ward 5, .
3 84
Hose House, Ward 6, .
308 49
Hose House, Houghs Neck,
12 60
Stable,
68 94
25 00
Office, Mt. Wollaston Cemetery, .
.
$550 19
$5,803 95
EXPENDED.
120
HIGHWAYS.
MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES, MAINTENANCE OF HORSES, AND PURCHASE OF TOOLS.
The work in this branch of the department was very vexa- tious and the results not as satisfactory as desired. This can be attributed to many causes, chief among which was the digging up of the streets in all sections for sewers, street railway tracks and telephone conduits, and nearly all this work was completed so late in the season as to make it impossible to restore the sur- face properly before winter set in. The various companies and contractors on this work are supposed to restore the surface of the street as it was before, but this is an impossibility unless the whole street is resurfaced, which is too much to expect the contractors to do.
. The excavations in the street forces the travel on to one side, thus doubling the wear, or diverts it on to other streets that are built for light traffic, but soon break up under heavy traffic, thus greatly increasing the expense of repairs.
In consequence of these facts it becomes necesssary that the appropriation for highways be very much larger the next two or three years to get the streets back to their normal condition.
According to the new street railway law passed in 1898, the city must in the future take care of the road bed between and outside the street railway tracks, keeping the paving and surface in a safe condition, and the expense thus incurred must be borne by the city and a statement of such expense sent the Board of Railroad Commissioners each year. This additional duty will require nearly $2,000 to be taken from the highway appropria- tion.
During the year three new streets were accepted, making our street mileage about seventy-one miles.
In consequence of the tearing up or anticipated tearing up of the streets in the Centre, a large amount was expended in the outlaying districts and they are in a very much better condition.
In July the Massachusetts Highway Commission accepted Washington street from the bridge to Chubbuck street, a distance of one-half mile, and it was expected they would commence work in September, but several vexatious delays in arranging
121
the preliminaries brought it to October 20 before final arrange- ments were made. This was too late to commence on the road- way but work was started on the large storm water sewer, which was nearly completed by the time winter set in. Early in the spring this work will be pushed by the State to an early com- pletion.
Farrington street and Berlin street were gravelled the entire length. Willard street, Copeland street, Brook street, Squan- tum street, South street, Howard street, Quincy avenue, Frank- lin street and North street had extensive repairs. Miller Stile road and Bigelow street' were resurfaced. Copeland street pav- ing was completed. Faxon road grading was completed and Woodward avenue filling was done and now only awaits smooth- ing up and rolling.
Owing to the delay of the street railway company in chang- ing the grade of their tracks on Billings road and West Elm avenue, these streets are not completed but will be in the early spring.
The street railway company laid a double track on Hancock street from Saville street to Adams street and from Squantum street to Neponset bridge, and by paving between the tracks made the road much better. It is to be hoped that they will continue the double tracking the entire length of the street.
Great improvements were made on sidewalks this year in connection with the Permanent Sidewalk special appropriation, and careful attention given to cleaning streets, gutters and basins. 16 street crossings were put in and 31 street signs erected. Trees, grass and fences were properly trimmed and attended to. Paved gutters were laid on many streets. 62 permits were issued for moving buildings, parades, etc.
The following material was handled the past year, 3,558 tons crushed stone at a cost of 75 cents per ton for material, quarrying and crushing; 13,014 loads of gravel of which 6,601 loads were bought at a cost of $855.04; 1,098 loads stone chips taken from stone sheds, free of cost; 2,856 loads street scrap- ings ; 54 loads ashes and 330 loads of sand.
The item of credits below are reimbursements from Street Railway Co., Sewer and other departments for labor performed out of highway appropriation.
122
Appropriation,
.
$20,400 00
Credits,
3,389 25
$23,789 25
Expended on Streets :
Maintenance,
$2,319 92
Labor,
13,577 41
Repairs,
564 54
Supplies,
1,427 25
Material, gravel and paving,
1,754 74
19,643 86
Expended on Crusher :
Rent of quarry,
125 00
Labor,
2,083 14
Supplies,
332 81
Repairs,
212 92
Expended on Roller :
Labor,
657 27
Supplies,
170 20
Repairs,
512 97
1,340 44
Balance, .
51 08
$23,789 25
WATERING STREETS.
· This work was carried on the past year with very little complaint notwithstanding there are so many differences of opinion as to how it should be done. A new cart was purchased and we now have seven carts covering as many districts. Five carts are let out and run by outside parties and two by the city teams.
The amount of frontage on streets watered is as follows :
Ward 1,
31,857 feet.
Ward 2,
16,851
feet.
Ward 3,
13,526 feet.
Ward 4,
18,841
feet.
Ward 5,
16,536 feet.
Ward 6,
10,739
feet.
Total
108,350
feet.
.
.
2,753 87
123
The Council having ordered $2,200, to be assessed on abutting property makes the rate $.022 per linear foot and allows a safe margin for abatements.
Appropriation,
$4,400 00
Expended,
4,400 00
SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS.
The most important appropriation among the specials was for permanent sidewalks. These consist of brick and tar con- crete with granite edgestones and are made as continuous as possible in each ward, commencing at the railroad station and radiating in different directions on the most travelled thorough- fares.
These sidewalks are much appreciated and will do much toward the building up of the city and it is hoped that this work may continue from year to year until all the business streets and the important residential streets are provided with good walks. The work was laid out on a broad comprehensive plan and the alignment and grade were fixed with reference to the ultimate improvement of each street upon which walks are built. One of the most reliable and competent firms in the State, Messrs. Simpson Bros. of Boston and Newton, was engaged to put down the tar concrete and they take care of any defects for a period of five years.
Under the $7,000, appropriation of 1897 and the one for $10,000, in 1898, there were laid 9,982 square yards of tar con- crete, 1152 square yards of brick, and 201 square yards of granolithic sidewalk : 7,887 feet new edgestone laid, 3,388 feet edgestone reset, 70 new driveway corners set, 38 driveway corners reset, 453 feet new circle edgestone laid and 36 feet old circle edgestone relaid.
The above work taken in connection with sidewalks built under the edgestone appropriation and the Hancock street appro- priation makes a grand total of 22,534 feet or 4.26 miles of gravel, concrete and brick sidewalk built during the year, a record that is unprecedented in the history of the city.
On July 25th, the Council passed an order for $11,000.00 for
124
paving Hancock street on the east side and setting edgestones from Gilmore street to Elin avenue. This work was at once advertised and the contract let to Messrs. John Turner & Co., for $1.48 per square yard, who completed the same in October. This work was very thoroughly done and it is a great improve- ment. The coming year I trust this paving will be continued to Linden street to meet the present old paving and also continued toward the centre as far as Adams street.
On July 12th, the Council appropriated $3,500.00 for re- building Crescent street with edgestones and a telford base with gravel top. This work was carried on in the early fall and com- pleted in November. Upon consideration I deemed it best to use broken stone for the wearing surface instead of gravel and contracted with Messrs. Doble & Lamb for trap rock from their recently opened quarry in West Quincy. This made the work a little more expensive but is much more satisfactory and durable.
Early in the year the Council appropriated $6,500.00 for a new City Stable from plans prepared by W. R. Lofgren, and after advertising for bids the contract was awarded to Mr. A. W. Parker of Quincy. The building was completed in November and is in every respect a model stable with all modern con- veniences and ranks among the finest City Stables in the State. The City may well feel proud of such a stable and it will prove its economy in the caring for horses, tools and road machinery.
On July 12th, the Council accepted and laid out as public ways : Payne street, East Elm avenue and Putnam street and appropriated $1,000, $500, and $200, respectively for the grad- ing. Payne street was nearly graded. East Elm avenue was put off until the spring and Putnam street was completed early in the fall.
In July, an ordinance was passed putting under the control of the Commissioner the connecting of all houses with the sewer and in September an appropriation of $500 was made to com- mence work.
After a careful investigation of methods in vogue in other cities I prepared a set of books and organized a force for the work. We received sixty-four applications but owing to the fact that the sewer system was not ready only twenty-eight connec- tions were made and of these only eight are using the pipes.
125
The widening of Hancock street at its junction with Granite street under Council order of July 25th, appropriating $1,200, has been accomplished and proves a great improvement.
The widening of Hancock street from Music Hall to School street was postponed until Spring on account of sewer excava- tions.
The appropriations of $550.00 for a new room at the John Hancock School and of $975.00 for alterations in the Central Fire Station and Hose Houses have been expended in a judicious manner and the results are all that could be desired. The appropriation of $1,000.00 for rebuilding Washington Street Culvert was passed so late in the season, October 8th, that it was impossible to finish it before winter set in. When completed in the spring according to present plans it will be a credit to the City. The appropriation of $500.00 for Garfield Street Drain, $500.00 for Old Colony Street Drain, $475.00 for Sagamore Street Drain, $100.00 for Newbury Avenue Culvert, $500.00 for Furnace Brook Wall, $250.00 for Bronze Memorial Tablet and $50.00 for Coddington Street Plans have all been expended in a careful, economical manner and the results are very satisfactory indeed.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.