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 1901 > Part 11
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Only about twenty-five (25) miles of the system had been built. The main sewers to Quincy Point, West Quincy and Atlantic had not been begun, and large thickly populated drainage areas in these districts had not been provided with sewers. This did not seem to the Board to be the substantial completion of the system as contemplated in the Act and they asked the opinion of the City Solicitor.
He replied that if the system was substantially completed and in successful operation the Board should transfer to the Commissioner of Public Works; if it was not they need not transfer. As to whether or not the system had been substan- tially completed and put in successful operation was not for him to determine, it being susceptible of determination by facts apart from the law.
While the matter was still under consideration by the Board another communication was recived from the Mayor stating that he would modify his request and request the Board to transfer the management, operation and control of the sewerage system already completed to the Commissioner of Public Works, leaving his former request for future considera- tion.
In compliance with this request the completed portions of the system were transferred to the Commissioner of Public Works on February 4th, 1900.
Assessments.
Sewer assessments on the sewers built in 1900 were levied on February 20, 1901. There were 153 assessments aggrega-
248
ting $6,834.03 of these 75 aggregating $3414.51 were appor- tioned at the request of the owners into from three to ten equal parts, one of the parts to be paid with each years' taxes till all are paid.
The work of making assessment plans for the sewers built. during the past year is under way and the assessment notices will be sent out as soon as they can be made ready.
Sewer Construction.
On March 6th, we sent a communication to the Mayor and Council asking for an early appropriation for sewer construc- tion We recommended the appropriation of $70,000 for the main sewer and laterals at Atlantic, Norfolk Downs and Wol- laston Park and a further appropriation of $10,000 for minor extentions that might be petitioned for in other districts.
An order appropriating 870,000 for sewer construction was passed by the City Council June 3, and signed by the Mayor June 13.
The Board immediately advertised for proposals for fur- nishing the materials needed for sewer construction and on June 25th, opened proposals for furnishing brick, sewer pipe, cement and lumber. The contracts were in all cases awarded to the lowest bidders and all were local dealers.
F. H. Crane & Sons furnished the cement. A J. Richards & Son furnished the brick and sewer pipe, and B. Johnson furnished the lumber.
All the work of sewer construction has been done by day labor, and as far as possible by Quincy citizens. Outside labor has been employed to some extent, but has been displaced by Quincy citizens whenever opportunity offered.
For the main sewer a Carson Trench Machine was hired. As we expected to encounter much ground water a six-inch centrifugal pamp, a four-inch pulsometer pump and a portable boiler and engine were purchased. These have proved to be well adapted to the work. In addition to the work on the main sewer two additional gangs were kept employed from
249
early in July until just before Christmas, and the house con- nection gang when not busy on house connections has been engaged upon the lateral sewers.
The following table contains an enumeration of the sewers. built during the season together with their sizes and lengths :
LOCATION.
LENGTH FT.
SIZE IN.
FROM
TO
Atlantic st.
2618.0
S
Squantum st.
Near N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R.
Beach st.
2610.5
8
Hancock st.
Everett st.
Billings road.
480.4
8-10
Freeman st.
Flynt st.
Elm ave.
997.4
8-10
Kemper st.
Huntington sq.
Eustis st.
745.0
S
Rawson rd.
Everett st.
Everett st.
1008.4
8-10
Beach st.
234 ft. north of Vassall st.
Freeman st.
1237.5
8
Billings rd.
Vassall st.
Flynt st.
720.0
S
Billings rd.
Southerly.
Granite st.
191.
8
Near Water st.
Easterly. -
Huntington sq. &
East Elm ave.
620.5
8
Elm ave.
Wendell ave.
Hamden circle.
653.7
20
Willett st.
Rawson rd.
Hamden circle.
638.9
12
Rawson rd.
Everett st.
Hamilton st.
771.1
8
Rawson rd.
Everett st.
Hancock st.
23.
20
Woodbine st.
Willett st.
Kemper st.
608.0
8
Elm ave.
Beach st.
Lincoln ave.
120.0
8
Belmont st.
Easterly.
Marlboro st.
608.2
8
Elm ave.
Beach st.
Muirhead st.
190.9
8
Beach st.
Nertheasterly ..
Phillips st.
1054.5
8
Willett st.
Elm ave.
Private way
off
School st.
280.4
8
School st.
Northerly.
Rawson road.
644.0
8
Hamden circle.
Beach st.
Rawson road.
1000.0
18
Hamden circle.
Northwesterly.
Rock View road.
75.0
8
Cranch st.
Southwesterly.
Royal st.
180.0
8
Vassall st.
Northerly.
School st.
412.0
8
Town Br'k Sewer Marsh st.
Tyler st.
700.0
8
Billings rd.
Southerly.
Vassall st.
799.0
8
Everett st.
Freeman st.
Willett st.
1148.7
20
Hancock st.
Hamden circle.
Willett st.
321.
8
Hamden circle.
Rawson rd.
Willow st.
1062.3
12
Willett st.
Elm ave.
Willow st.
200.0
8
Elm ave.
Southeasterly.
250
The expenditures from the appropriation for construction are summarized as follows :
Pay rolls, $35,990 61
Stocks and tools,
17,557 71
Rent-office and stock yard
230 00
Office expenses, including telephone, lighting, stationery etc., 111 25
Land and other damages
382 54
Expenses attendant upon trial of the
Sheehan case
535 35
Legal expenses
328 15
Miscellaneous .
115 95
$55,251 56
Maintenance.
The completed portions of the system were transferred to the Commissioner of Public Works on Feb. 4, 1901 and since that time have been under his care. During the month of Jan- uary in addition to the maintenance of the Pumping Station work of flushing and cleaning out the sewers was carried on. The expenditures on the maintenance account including pay- ment of $1000 to the City of Boston for disposal of sewage were $1,509.11.
House Connections.
During the year 150 connections have been made with the public sewer. These connections aggregate 6972.9 feet in length, an average of 46.48 feet. They have been put in at a cost of $3905.36 an average of $26.03 each or about $.56 per foot and this cost has been assessed upon the owners.
251
Of these connections there were put in
21 at a cost of less than 40 cents per foot.
50 cost from 40 to 50 cents per foot. 37 cost from 50 to 60 cents per foot. 14 cost from 60 to 70 cents per foot.
8 cost from 70 to 80 cents per foot.
8 cost from 80 to 100 cents per foot.
12 cost more than $1.00 per foot the highest being $1.48 per foot.
An appropriation of $6,000 for making house connections was made early in the year.
The expenditures of the year have been $3,883.81.
Claims.
The claim of John Sheehan & Co., for extras on contract for building the main sewer from the pumping station to Wood- bine street is still unsettled. The case has been tried before an Auditor, and the Auditor's report is a substantial victory for the city. The Auditor's report has not been accepted by the plaintiff and the case was marked for trial at the November term in Essex County. It was not reached, however, at that term but will probably come up at the next term. of court.
There is one unsettled claim for land damage that of the heirs of C. Philip Tirrell "for the easement across land near Town brook. It has not been possible to settle this claim for what the Board considered'a reasonable sum, and the case is now pending in the court'at Dedham.
Petitions For"Sewer Extensions.
We have received a number of'petitions for sewer ex- tensions upon which favorable 'action] could not be taken for lack of sufficient appropriation. During the last two years there have been many houses built "at Quincy Point. To keep up
1
252
with this rapid development the main sewer to Quincy Point. should soon be built. There is urgent need of sewers in ward 4. Sewer construction in this district should be begun soon so that the sewers can be used as soon as the Metropolitan sewer. is ready for use which will probably be in about two years.
Respectfully submitted, FRANK E. BADGER, A. F. SCHENKELBERGER, WILLIAM T. ISAAC,
Board of Sewerage Commissieners ..
253
Thomas Crane Public Library
To His Honor the Mayor of the City of Quincy :
The Trustees of the Thomas Crane Public Library beg leave to submit the following report :
The circulation of the Library during the last year has ex- hibited its usual increase, although this increase is not as large as that of the previous year. During the first of the year there was a slight decrease which, however, was more than made good in the latter part.
This decrease may be owing to one of two causes. First, to the extension of the Booklover's Library to the city, which has subtracted quite a large number of readers who otherwise would have resorted to our library. Such things must be ex- pected and may be discounted in advance. Second, our circu- lation is gradually approaching its maximum. It has increased very rapidly in the last eight years, and while an increase may be looked for in the future, it must take place much more slowly unless there should be some large accession to the reading pub- lic, or, and here is a point the Trustees wish to make, unless there should be an extension of our means of distribution.
There has been an increase of about four thousand over the previous year. This has been due to the classified list of books added the previous year, issued in July, and also to the_placing of new books upon the tables in the reading room 'as soon as purchased. But this expansion has been largely among our patrons living near the centre of the City. It by no [means reaches the outskirts to the extent it should. The Trustees
254
wish to bring this to the attention of the public. It is not easy to overrate the influence of a good Public Library in our midst, but that influence is in proportion to its power of reaching the public, especially the younger portion of it. Too much reading is sometimes said to be among the bad habits of the present generation. The Trustees are not by any means willing to ac- cept the truth of such an assertion, and are firmly of the opin- ion that the extension of Library possibilities is greatly to be desired. The establishment of branch Libraries in outlying portions of the City is a real necessity. It is largely worth the while of our wealthy citizens to second the gift of the Crane family.
In this connection we may speak of the additional gift from Mr. Albert Crane to the city. He has purchased . the French homestead adjoining the present Library premises, the house to be removed as soon as possible and the grounds to be graded in connection with the existing lawn. It will very sen- sibly increase its present attractiveness.
There has been a rearrangement of books made necessary by the addition of new stacks, and the work of the Library has been increased by a much larger use of reference facilities. The hours have also been increased until further notice from one until eight p. M. daily, remaining on Saturdays from ten to twelve A. M. and one until nine p. M.
The Library has also been made a member of the Massa- chusetts Library Art Club and has had on exhibition during the past year sets of very beautiful prints and photographs that were worthy the inspection of all. The statistics in connection with the Library will be found below.
All of which is very respectfully submitted.
E. C. BUTLER, HARRISON A. KEITH, GEORGE W. MORTON, HENRY MCGRATH, HARRY L. RICE, C. R. SAFFORD.
255
During the year 1901 the Library was opened 305 days; and the number of books loaned was as follows :
Home use
Schools
Total 34,906
Per cent
Fiction,
34,752
154
38.9
Juvenile Fiction,
18,298
762
19,060
21.2
Periodicals,
13,564
13,564
15.1
Arts and Sciences,
5,753
481
6,234
6.9,
General Literature,
4,698
101
4,799
5.3.
History,
3,805
636
4,441
4.7
Biography,
2,621
88
2,709
3.0.
Travels,
1,649
178
1,827
2.0.
Poetry,
1,103
8
1,111
1.2.
Religion,
603
603
.6
Education,
254
254
.2.
87,100
2,408
89,508
Miscellaneous,
(Library use)
8,500
Total circulation,
98,008
Names registered during the year 1050. Books purchased, 801; books replaced, 321; books rebound, 968; gifts, 147 ; pamphlets, 189.
Largest number of books issued on any one day, 707, on March 2. Smallest number, 79, on June 24.
250
TREASURER'S STATEMENT.
THOMAS CRANE ENDOWMENT FUND.
Balance on hand Dec. 31, 1900 $20,790 19
Interest received on Mass. gold
bonds 3} reg., to July 1, 1901 630 00
Interest received on deposits in Quincy Savings Bank 54 17
Paid Harkins Bros. $52 76
Paid Ames & Bradford 3 20
Paid Ira Litchfield 64 61
Paid Ames & Bradford
1 38
Paid Pray & Sons .
87 28
Paid Library Bureau
200 00
Paid W. H. Taylor
37 75
Balance on hand invested in Mass.
gold bonds 3} reg. and Quincy
Savings Bank, Dec. 31, 1901
21,027 38
$21,474 36
$21,474 36
COTTON CENTER JOHNSON FUND.
Balance on hand Dec. 31, 1900 $391 80
Interest on deposits in Quincy Sav-
ings Bank 12 00
Interest on $2000 gold bond Chicago Junction Railways and Union
Stock Yard Co. at 5 per cent to Dec. 31, 1901 100 00
Paid for books $332 91
Balance on hand in Quincy Savings Bank, Dec. 31, 1901 170 89
$503 80
$503 80
257
CATALOGUE FUND.
Balance on hand Dec. 31, 1900
$946 75
Interest on $500 government bond
at 4 per cent 20 00
Fines and catalogues
111 90
Commission on Insurance
25 52
Interest on deposits in Quincy Savings Bank
36 98
Paid Geo. W. Prescott & Son
$110 00
Paid Charlotte Cochrane
52 32
Balance ou hand Dec. 31, 1901
978 83
$1,141 15
$1,141 15
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE W. MORTON,
December 31, 1901.
Treasurer.
259
Report of the City Physician.
To His Honor the Mayor of the City of Quincy :
The following report of the City Physician for the year ending December 31, 1901, is respectfully submitted :
The health of the inmates of the Almhouse has as hereto- fore averaged good notwithstanding the fact that the sanitary condition are not up to the standard of the requirement of modern plumbing.
The bath room and closet accommodation are far from perfect and should receive consideration as soon as the finances. of the city will permit.
At present there is but one bath room of the old design, used in common by both men and women and no bath room convenience for the Superintendent and family. There should be a bath room for the Superintendent's family and one for the use of the male inmates of the home, leaving the present bath room after reconstruction for the use of the women.
There were thirty-eight inmates during the year and at the close of the year there remained twenty-one, five of whom were women, fourteen men and two children.
There were two deaths, one man, age 58, of heart disease and one woman of 83 years of old age.
Visits were made of a professional nature to Alms- house 20
Visits to the outside poor
15.7
Visits to the Police Department 14
Office and vaccination .
200
Civil service examination for the police and fire
department 24
JOHN F. WELCH, M. D. .
City Physicia
261
Report of Park Commissioners
To His Honor, the Mayor of the City of Quincy :
SIR :- The Board of Park Commissioners submit herewith their annual report.
The Board has continued in various parts of the city the permanent improvements inaugurated the previous year :
Early in the summer the new public bath, erected on the shores of Town River at the Ward Two Playground, was opened to the public. No fee was charged for use of the lockers. The expense of supplying bathing suits and towels, together with the subsequent repairing, laundrying and re- plenishing would be such a large item of expense to the city, that each bather was required to furnish his own outfit. The use of the building by the public was so far in excess of any estimate made by the Board that it was a problem from the first as to how the great number who applied for locker privileges should be properly accommodated. It is estimated that over 15,000 people used the bath-house. The Board recommends that it be enlarged this spring. It is also apparent that there is need of a public bath-house in the north part of the city in the vicinity of the Wollaston Yacht Club House. The Metro- politan Park Commission has informally intimated to the Board that it will be willing to transfer to the city a sufficient tract of the Shore Reservation, for the purpose of erecting thereon such a building.
In the early spring several hundred hemlock saplings, as well as elms and maples, were set out in Merry Mount Park
262
largely to take the place of the trees destroyed by brush fires and other causes. Unless the trees in this Park are carefully looked after, the time will not be far distant when it will be practically denuded.
The pavilion at Merrymount park was rebuilt this spring. One of the most extensive improvements undertaken this year was the changing of the course of Town river, where it crosses the Ward Three Playground. The brook intersected the Play- ground in such a way that a larger part of it was unavailable for the purposes for which it was intended. In changing the bed of the brook to the southern side of the ground and filling the old bed, a large field at once becomes available for a recreation ground. The sides of the brook have been walled with granite. In order to make the field dry, it will be necessary to raise the grade.
The Council having appropriated $100, for the purpose of damming Blacks"Creek at the Merry Mount park bridge, the Board succeeded in making a skating rink upon which, consid- ering the proximity of the salt water, fairly good skating was to be had.
Before the plans for the new bridge across Weymouth Fore river at Quincy Point are completed, the Board recommends that the city take steps to have included in these plans a suitable provision for a public landing place on the Point side of the river. It requires no extended argument to show that such a landing is needed.
All the takings for the Quincy Shore Reservation have been made with the exception of that section extending from Merry- mount park to Hancock street. It is probable that the takings for this section will be made this summer, providing a satisfac- tory arrangement can be made with the owners of the property through which it is proposed to run the boulevard, as to the amount of land damages. The takings for the Furnace Brook Parkway have been completed.
263
The area of the public reservation under the control of this iboard is as follows :
Merrymount park, . 91.75 acres.
Faxon
· 32.50 66
Ward Two playground
·
8.61
Ward Three
.
3.52 66
Ward Four 66
17.41
Ward Six 66
2.87
Total
. 156.66 66
The Board's financial report is incorporated in the Auditor's i statement.
Constant and expert care is necessary properly to preserve the trees in our parks and playgrounds, and to increase the plantations judiciously. This Board believes the time has now arrived when tree and shrub planting in our parks and play- grounds should be done in a systematic and intelligent manner, instead of in the haphazard way of the past. For this reason we believe the recommendation of your honor for the creation of office of City Forester to be particularly timely.
However, as the duties of this office must constantly bring him in touch with the Park Board, and much of his work would be on property under their control, we respectfully suggest the desirability of placing the office of City Forester under the con- trol of the Park Board altogether.
GEORGE E. PFAFFMANN, JAMES S. WHITING, FRED B. RICE,
Board of Park Commissioners.
265
Report of Sealer of Weights and Measures
To His Honor the Mayor of the City of Quincy :
I hereby submit my report, for the year ending December 31,1901.
The number of weights and measures adjusted and sealed during the year were 9,436. Divided as follows : .
Platform Scales, Dormant
17
Platform Scales
89.
Butchers Scales
16
Spring Balances
101
Counter Balances
124
Ice Scales
1
Trip Scales
42
Automatic Scales
1
Weights .
1173
Dry Measures
297
Wet Measures
444
Milk Cans
1036
Milk Jars
6090
Yardsticks
5.
Total
-
, 9436
266
Number of Weights found heavy
30
Number of Weights found light
28
Wet Measures found large
7
Wet Measures found small
1
Milk Jars found large
193
Milk Jars found small
73
Whole Number condemned
79
Number of Scales forbidden and tagged
7
Scales repaired and tag removed
1
Amount received for sealing and adjusting .
$120 02
Amount paid to City Treasurer
120 02
Amount due and unpaid Dec. 31
5 09
From the $450 appropriated by the Council, I have con- tracted bills to the amount of $360.72 and every bill contracted by me for the department was approved Dec. 31, 1901.
The above sum embraces all bills, viz : Deputy's salary, advertising, printing, tools, horse hire and miscellaneous expenses.
The department must have an office and workroom fitted up so that the weights and measures brought to the office can be satisfactorily done.
More weights to test Platform Dormant Scales.
Respectfully submitted.
FRANCIS A. SPEAR, Sealer of Weights and Measures.
267
Report of Inspector of Animals.
To His Honor the Mayor, of the City of Quincy :
DEAR SIR :- Appended please find report for cattle in- spector.
Number of cattle inspected . 685
Number of swine inspected . 74
Owing to the early expenditure of the state appropriation so that no more tuberculous cattle could be paid for, a few re- maining inspections had to be omitted this year.
FRANCIS ABELE, JR.
Inspector of Animals.
269
Report of City Clerk
To His Honor the Mayor, of the City of Quincy :
I herewith submit the thirteenth annual report of this office, for the year ending December 31, 1901.
RECEIPTS.
Marriage licenses,
$111 50
Dog licenses .
184 60
Other licenses
440 55
Recording mortgages
96 50
Total
$833 15
The above sum has been paid to the City Treasurer as will appear by his account.
Number of Marriages recorded in 1901 227
Number of Marriage intentions recorded in 1901 . 223
Number of Births recorded in 1901 750
Number of Deaths recorded in 1901 343
Still births 16
The number of dogs licensed during 1901 was 829 males, 86 females, 2 kennels, for which the sum of $2138.00 was re- ceived, of which $1953.40 was paid to the County Treasurer, the remainder being included in the above account of receipts.
Annexed are lists of births, marriages and deaths recorded in Quincy in 1901, the election returns for 1901, and the jury list for 1901.
Yours Respectfully, EDGAR G. CLEAVES, City Clerk.
270
BIRTHS IN QUINCY 1901.
DATE
NAME
Jan. 2. Fred W. Parker,
2. Bert O. Olson,
3. Mary E. Burchill,
3. William Burchill,
4. Jennie R. Rosetti,
4. Edith E. Harvie,
4. Francis E. Shea,
5. 6. Thomas Curry,
6. Marion Kerr,
John and Ellen Martin and Lena
6. 7. Sprague.
7. Donald R. Blake,
8. Seaman,
8. Austin M. Curtin,
9. Helen M. Pinel,
10. Margaret E. Delorey,
10. Roy F. Thayer,
10. Esther M."Hynninen,
10. Oscar F. A. Almquist,
11. Elizabeth B. Curtis,
11 Joseph di Seinllo,
11. Mary R. Davis,
12 Charles T. Daly,
13. Florence M. Heath,
13. 13. Phinney,
13. Julia Horrigan,
14. Joanna Manning,
14. Armas Nemi,
14. Buckham W. Brigham,
14. - Morrison, 15. Axel L. Peterson,
PARENTS
Warren M. and Addie F John and Jennie S Samuel and Catherine Samuel and Catherine Christopher and Angelina Crawford and Mary Frank and Margaret
Frank H. and Anna L Wilbur F. and Minnie C Charles E. and Laura W Lawrence and Rosetta Alfred P. J. and Annie G Stephen and Mary E. Frederick A. and Matilda Siiman and Eliisa Oscar and Gertrude William G. and Alice Vincenzo and Philomena Samuel and Ida R Richard W. and Grace I Walter and Charlotte F
George H. and Edith A John and Helen Michael and Julia Emil and Fina James and Mary Frank and Mary Oscar and Naima
271
15. Ruth F. Malinquist,
15. Ethel K. Buckley,
16 Mary E. Parry,
16. Arthur E. Pearson,
17. McKinnon,
17. Emma M. Savoie,
18. Mary J. Pope,
18. Brenda C. Briggs,
18. Inolillia Niman,
18. Eleanor E. Rendle,
18. - Anderson,
19. Carl H. Dahlquist,
19. Mary D. Waterman,
19. George L. Dorley,
19. Olive B. Archibald,
20. Ruth B. Evans,
20. Ruth Errickson,
21. Virginia L. Swift,
21. Helma Carlson,
22. Mary A. Williams,
22. Rees Walters,
22. Laffin,
22. Lee,
22. Stephen E. Denneen.
23. Marie J. Cotter,
24. Robert B. Reynolds,
24. Rossetti,
24. Mellett,
25. Raphael De Bona,
25. Alfred Depolon,
25. - Barton, 26. Ruth E. Johnson,
26. Albin Vernia,
27. Bernosconi, 28. James W. Kerr,
28. Albion M. Hill,
28. Everett M. Hill,
John and Annie:
Peter F. and Kathleen J. William H. and Annie E. Bernhard and Hilda M John and Ida Leo J. and Emma M Edward R. and Isabella Arthur C. and Serene B. Thomas and Ettla. Henry J. and Elizabeth J John S. and Ella
Theodore W and Wilhelminia. George L. and Sarah A Michael and Mary A. Joseph H. and Lizzie· Channing H. and Hattie M. John and Gusta, Edgar W. and Helen C Oscar and Gusta Robert J. and Myra A. John R. and Annie P.
John P. and Margaret Robert J. and Cecilia. William M. and Susan A. Joseph A. and Mary E. Alexander and Margaret. Peter and Angelica Robert and Lauretta John and Catherine.
Mike and Columbia
James and Nellie Carl A. and Ellen I Alfred and Sophie
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