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 1904 > Part 7
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 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24
1500
Bigelow st sidewalk
1000)
Chestnut st sidewalk
1200
Liberty street sidewalk
1700
Washington: st sidewalk
3000
Rodman street sidewalk
1800
Rawson road sidewalk
1800
Wollaston ave sidewalk
300
Quarry street
5000
Willard street
4000
Verchild street
300
Rogers street
1500 >Aug. 1, 2700
31-2
3000
3000
3000
3000
3000
3000
3000
21,000
Hancock street
Independence ave drain 500
Liberty street storm sewer 1300
Emeline Brown, claim 50
Thos J. Lamb, claim 300
Deficit Bills plumbing Wol- laston and" Coddington schoolhouses 467 43
Grading Cranch sch'l lot 1000
Howard avenue 1500
Hook and ladder truck
1,200,
Plumbing John Hancock School
3500
Willard school Lavatory
350 Aug. 1,
31-2
500
500
500
500
500
500
3,000,
Water Trough Ward 3 350 )
Williard school repairs,
Aug. 1,
4 1500
1,500,
158
Aug. 1,
31-2
200
200
200
200
400
2,000
1,500
Coddington street
1125 Aug. 1,
Howard street
4,000
Permanent sidewalks
Edison Park street grading, 300 ) Furnace brook wall, 400
Goffe street widening, 3000 >Aug. 1,
4
670
€70
670
670
670
670
670
670
670
670
6,700
Mt. Wollaston Cemetery En- -
3000
trance, Heating Adams and Quincy schools Sept. 1, 4 1000
1,000 .
Chubbuck street
6000
Dimmock street 1000
New Policestation 4500
Plain Street 200
Beach street sidewalk
1500
31-2
2000
2000
2000
2000
2000
2000
2000
Grove street
3000
Clark street sidewalk
500
Newbury avenue sidewalk
1200
Walker street sidewalk 1000
Beale street sidewalk
1700 )
Additional land for Mt. Wollaston cemetery
Oct. 1,
31-2
2000
3000
3000
3000
3000
3000
3000
20,000
Almshouse Water Closets 1300
Purchase and Removal of French House
1500
>Oct. 1,
3 1-2
500
500
500
500
500
500
500
500
4,000
159
Houghs Neck Fire Station (additional)
2000)
Faxon Park Road
Oct. 1,
31-3
500
500
500
500
2,000
Atlantic hose house con- necting with sewer,
Oct. 1,
4
400
400
Repair public buildings,
Oct. 1,
4
1500
1,500
Schoolhouse land Whitwell st
2,500
Fire alarm boxes and chang- ing No. 3 circuit
875
Willard wall
200
Madison street
600 ŞNov. 1,
31-2
200
200
200
200
300
Wiring Almshouse
150
Footway, Beale street bridge
275 )
Claims widening Coddington street
Nov. 1,
31-2
500
500
500
500
Police Signal Service
Nov. 1,
31-2
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
6,000
Independence Av. Drain
800
Hamilton Street
500
Newbury Avenue
1000 |
Edison Street
200 Nov, I.
31-2
500
500
500
500
Eaton Street
50
Brooks Avenue Sidewalk
300 J
-
Plans and Survey of City
1000
Nov. 1,
31-2
500
500
500
500
500
7
1,100
2,000
2,000
Sept. 1,
14,000
TITLE.
DUE.
RATE
1905
1906
1907
1908
1909
1910
1911
1912
1913
1914
TOTALS.
Willard street paving,
Nov. 2,
4
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
5,000
Sewer house connections,
Nov. 21,
4
1000
Poor dept., deficit bills,
Nov. 15,
4
1907
Willard street drain
2500 2000 1
6,000
Heating Hose house, wd 4, 500 }Dec. 1,
3 -2
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
Intervale street,
1500
Plumbing Willard school, 3500)
Dec. 1,
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1500
9,500
Plans and survey of city,
Dec. 1,
4
1000
600
City scales,
Dec. 15,
4
600
.
77,942
63,120
52,620
49,420
43,245 37,745 23,470
13,470
6,970
5,770
$407,572
* 1913 to 1925, of $800 each year, $8,800.
+ 1913 to 1924, $1,000 each year, $10,000.
# 1913 to 1924, of $500 each year, $15,000.
160
1,000
1,907
Teal Pond
1,000
Atlantic school lot,
4
161
Report of the Commissioner of Public Works.
-
To His Honor the Mayor of the City of Quincy :
SIR :- In compliance with the provisions of the City Charter I have the honor to present herewith the sixteenth annual re- port of the Department of Public Works for the year ending December 31, 1904.
The finances of the city were such that the City Council were obliged to reduce many of the appropriations for main- tenance and the few appropriations for special construction were for small amounts so that I was obliged to put forth the most strenuous efforts to keep the various divisions of my de- partment up to the proper standard of efficiency and I am proud to say that there has been no retrograde movement, but the Bridges, Drains, Streets, Lights, Public Buildings, Water and Sewers all show an improvement over their condition of a year ago and we are trying to keep pace with the general growth of the city.
The City Council passed 59 orders, carrying appropriations aggregating $149,264.93 for maintenance and construction work connected with my department, all of which have been faithfully carried out as specified.
The following table shows appropriations, expenditures and balances, but for a detailed statement of expenditures for each item I would refer to the report of the City Auditor.
162
ANNUAL BUDGET. APPROPRIATION. EXPENDED. BALANCE.
Bridges, culverts and drains $2,500 00
$2,491 05
$8 95
Removal of snow
8,300 00
8,271 89 28 11
Street lighting
21,600 00
21,583 72
16 28
Advertising, printing and stationery
150 00
120 55
29 45
Clerical services
780 00
780 00
Repair public buildings and care of City Hall
6,500 00
6,368 64
131 36
Highways-maintenance Receipts
23,500 00
25,061 53
1,209 71
Street watering
6,800 00
6,800 00
WATER AND SEWERS.
Water maintenance
11,000 00
10,764 15
235 85
Water construction
15,000 00
25,783 10
833 64
Receipts from services
and balance of 1903
11,616 74 5
Sewer maintenance
1,500 00
1,406 04
93 96
SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS.
Willard street sidewalk
1,500 00
1,495 83
4 17
Whitwell street sidewalk
2,700 00
2,693 31
6 69
Edison Park road grading
300 00
300 00
Goffe street grading and widening
3,000 00
3,000 00
Edwin street draining and grading
400 00
263 46
136 54
Sea avenue grading
1,500 00
1,500 00
Willard school heating
10,000 00
9,536 12
463 88
Atlantic hose house, repairs
400 00
399 67
33
Public buildings, special repairs
1,500 00
1,012 40
487 60
Prospect street paved gut- ters
500 00
500 00
Lincoln ave paved gutters
700 00
700 00
Bennington street paved gutters
1,000 00
995 38
4 62
2,771 24 >
163
Public scales
600 00
600 00
Furnace brook retaining wall
400 00
368 00
32 00
Police signal boxes
1,115 00
1,115 00
Mt. Wollaston cemetery entrance
3,000 00
1,445 58
1,554 42
Excise tax, 1903 balance
8,631 95
8,414 10
217 85.
The following appropriations were passed by the City Council in the year 1903 and work completed during the year 1904 :
APPROPRIATION. EXPENDED. BALANCE.
Penn street grading
$200 00
$143 50
$56 50
Federal ave grading, bal- ance 1903
391 72
391 72
Willard street paving, bal- ance 1903
6,000 00
5,997 48
2 52
Ward Two schoolhouse
balance 1903
1,082 09
1,082 09
Squantum street drain, bal- ance 1903
549 53
175 36
374 17
Rep. tide gate Blacks creek, balance 1903
10 78
10 78
The following is a short review of the work performed dur- ing the year :
BRIDGES, CULVERTS AND DRAINS.
Following out the policy of caring for the public health I have caused all the brooks and waterways to be thoroughly cleaned, the cost of this work being $400.
Repairs on the Fore River bridge were made, the amount of the city's portion being $300.
Neponset bridge was entirely replanked and otherwise put in a good condition at a cost of $1,069.01.
164
All the other bridges and culverts were repaired where necessary. Pipe drains and catch basins were examined and cleaned several times during the year. New basins and drains were put in on Willard street, Goffe street, Sea street, Sea avenue, Granite street, Phipps street, Whitwell street, High school avenne and Sagamore street.
While the Metropolitan Park Commission are construct- ing a boulevard across Willard street it would be of great ad- vantage to join with them in enlarging the Furnace brook culvert at that point and otherwise improving the channel and I would recommend such action.
REMOVAL OF SNOW
The past year we experienced an unusually severe winter, snow and ice being continually on the ground until nearly the first of April. This necessitated a great deal of ploughing and sanding of sidewalks and entailing a greater expense than of any year in which I have been Commissioner of Public Works.
The territory to be ploughed is growing larger every year as new streets are opened and houses built and now we have 35 ploughs covering a distance of 125 miles. These ploughs are so arranged in districts that the entire city is ploughed out with- in three hours after a snow storm. Eight specially designed ploughs are used to plough out gutters during a thaw.
On account of the great expense of screening, storing and handling sand our appropriation will not admit the sanding of every icy sidewalk in the city and only those most travelled are given this attention.
STREET LIGHTING
With our system of having the condition of street lights reported daily by the police officers on night duty, the lighting of the city has been very satisfactory. By order of the council » many gas lamps were abolished and electric lamps substituted
165
and we have at present 164 arcs, 579 incandescents and 16 gas lamps, a gain of 2 arcs, 54 incandescents and a loss of 51 gas lamps.
The present contract with the Quincy Electric Light & Power Co. expires July 1, 1906.
REPAIR OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND CARE OF CITY HALL
We have 24 public buildings, comprising 13 School houses, 6 Engine houses, City Hall, Police Station, Almshouse, City Stables and Pest House, which have been given careful atten- tion and kept in good condition of repair.
The amount expended on each building for repairs is as follows :
SCHOOL BUILDINGS
Adams
$451 22
Coddington
467 00
Cranch
144 21
Gridley Bryant
213 75
High
282 23
John Hancock
111 13
Lincoln .
130 04
Massachusetts Fields
134 54
Quincy .
192 76
Washington
142 72
Willard .
117 54
Wollaston
372 78
Old High
67 45
$2,827 37
---
FIRE STATIONS
Central Fire Station
$314 17
Hose House Ward 4
50 95
Hose House Ward 5
198 43
Hose House Ward 6
181 80
Hose House Houghs Neck
4 00
749 35
166
CITY HALL
Lighting
$378 17
Fuel
195 44
Janitor
840 00
Telephones
427 92
Miscellaneous
632 21
$2,473 74
City Stables
$217 98
Aimshouse
43 13
Police Station
57 07
$6,368 64
In addition to the above the Council passed a special ap- propriation of $1500 for specific work and was expended on repairs of heating plants at the Massachusetts Fields School and John Hancock School, building a shed at the Almshouse, slating the roof of City Hall and painting Engine houses in Ward Two and Ward Four.
HIGHWAYS
Notwithstanding the increase in population, valuation, street mileage and traffic, the appropriation for highways was only $23,500 a decrease of $1500 from the amount given annually the past five years and still the people expect greater results.
I have repeatedly called attention to the fact that the high way appropriation should be increased each year in proportion to the growth of the city so that the condition of streets and side- walks should keep pace with other improvements.
In the year 1900 with a valuation of $20,193,689 and 72 miles of streets the appropriation equaled $348 per mile. In 1904, with a valuation of $23,748,078 and 75 miles of streets the appropriation equaled only $312 per mile. Less than six cents per linear foot for cleaning streets and gutters, repair- ing street surface, sidewalks and edgestones, trimming trees, erect-
167
ing signs and doing the hundreds of small things necessary to keep 75 miles of highways in a safe condition which are scattered over 16 square miles of territory and subjected to the heaviest traffic in the country.
Every department in the city who had a share of the in- creased income from the increased valuation during the past five years except the Highway Department and it is not reason- able to expect much of an improvement in the highways.
There has been an improvement however even under these adverse conditions but I still maintain that larger appropria- tions should be made for highways in order to produce still better results.
Extensive repairs were made on Willard street, Goffe street, Centre street, Liberty street, Hancock street, School street, Sea street, Franklin street, Beach street, Bigelow street, Bennington street, Adams street, Water street and Copeland street.
Several crossings were laid and gutters paved, trees trimmed, signs erected and a great deal of attention given to cleaning streets and gutters. 4857 tons broken stone was quarried and crushed at the ledge on South street and 1700 tons bought from Robertson crusher, all of which was used for resurfacing various streets.
After several conferences with the Metropolitan Sewerage Board they allowed $1,500.00 toward fixing up Sea street which was necessary on account of the construction of the Neponset valley high level sewer. This was spent principally on the lower end from the Willows to the Steamboat landing and the coming year the upper end will be put in good condi- tion.
As a result of several years endeavor the Massachusetts Highway Commission have taken Randolph avenue and are Constructing it as a State Highway. This is of great benefit to the city relieving us of the necessity of maintenance and possibility of damage suits.
t.
d
)
168
The following streets were accepted by the Council and laid out as public ways of the city.
Sea ave. from Sea street to Island ave, 1975 ft. long, 40. ft wide Edison Park road from Washington street toward river 1220 « " 40
Channing street from Billings road to Metropolitan Boulevard Total
855 « " 40
4050 ft
making a total of 75.5 miles of public ways of the city.
Forty-seven permits were issued for street openings, mov- ing buildings, parades, etc. Thirty new street signs erected and many old ones repaired.
Our outfit at the City stables consists of four double teams and one single team used on streets, two single teams used by Sewer Department and two light teams, also two Buffalo Pitts Steam road rollers, three scrapers, one street sweeper, one jigger, eight water carts and various tools etc., to make up a first class outfit, all of which are in first class condition. The stock list can be found on file in my office.
Both the portable and stationery crusher will need con- siderable repairing before commencing another season's work and I have under contemplation the setting up of the portable crusher in the Water Works yard at South Quincy and using the stone chips from the different yards to repair streets in that locality.
After the completion of the new bridge on Hancock street Atlantic, over the tracks of the New York, New Haven & Hart- ford Railroad, an effort should be made to fill Hancock street to its full width between Squantum street and Neponset bridge. The grade on the approach to the new bridge will be much easier than on the old approach, which consisted of three differ- ent grades, one of 3%, one of 6% and a short distance of 9%- The new grade will be a uniform one of 4%, which will be much easier and greatly appreciated by teamsters.
An effort will be made to induce the Massachusetts High- way Commission to extend the State Highway on Quincy aven- ue as far as Scammell street.
169
The Council has neglected the past few years to make any appropriation for sidewalks and edgestones. These are very necessary improvements and give the greatest comfort and sat- isfaction to our citizens and I trust a liberal appropriation will be made the coming year.
The transfers and receipts credited to the highway appro- priation are reimbursements for boarding the horse of the Board of Health, use of teams for the Sewer Department, and material and labor for other departments of the city.
SEWER MAINTENANCE
Following the usual custom which has proved very satis- factory, the 22 1-2 miles of completed sewers under my control were flushed once a month and thoroughly cleaned once during the year.
The Sewer Department have completed an additional 23 miles which will be turned over to this department on February 6, 1905.
With the present outfit and system this additional amount can be easily handled without greatly increasing the annual ap- propriation for maintenance.
STREET WATERING
This work is done by the electric car sprinkler and five carts on the streets selected by the City Council. One-half the cost is assessed on the abutting property owners. 92,175 linear feet of streets are watered at a cost of $.073 per foot. Assess- ment is made on' 154,535 linear feet of property at $.023 per linear foot.
There is a growing demand for watering more streets and it will probably be necessary to increase the appropriation to enable another cart to be put in operation.
170
SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS
An appropriation of $6,000 for paving Willard s t was made late in the year 1903 and the work performed in 1904. This consisted of paving with granite blocks on a gravel foun- dation the west side of Willard street from Mannex stone shed to Robertson street and paving the east side from Copeland street to Crescent street. The contract for the blocks was awarded to John Fallon & Sons for $33.90 per thousand. The contract for laying the paving was awarded to H. Gore & Co. and the city laborers performed all the excavating and other work. This makes a great improvementand is a very creditable job.
Edgestones were laid and a gravel sidewalk built on the east side of Willard street from Robertson street to the Milton line under an appropriation of $1,500.
Under an order of $2,700 edgestones were laid and a gravel sidewalk built on Whitwell street from Granite street to Cranch street, and paved gutters laid for part of the distance on the steep grades.
Goffe street was widened on the easterly side from Dim- mock street to Adams street under an order of $3000. The cul- vert was lengthened, walls built, gutters paved and the street macadamized, making a first class permanent improvement.
An appropriation of $1,500 was expended on Sea avenue in grading and draining the street from Sea street to Island avenue.
Gutters were paved under special orders on Prospect street, Lincoln avenue and Bennington street and the streets and side- walks regraded which will prove of great benefit to the future maintenance of these streets.
Edison Park road was accepted and built to the established grade under an order of $300.
Edwin street was rebuilt under an order of $400. The draining of the street was not completed on account of delay in securing the privilege of carrying the drain across private land.
In order to protect the water way in Furnace Brook an
171
ppropriation of $400 was made to rebuild retaining walls and good job was done.
Under an appropriation order of $1,115 a contract was nade with the Gamewell Fire Alarm Co. and three police signal oxes were installed greatly improving the efficiency of the Police Department.
There having been difficulty in heating the Willard school building for years with the Smead furnaces and also on account f the enormous consumption of coal and the large expense for epairs, the City Council considered it necessary to put in a team heating plant and accordingly appropriated $10,000 for hat purpose.
After a careful investigation and study of the conditions, I ecame convinced that a gravity system of direct-indirect steam ould produce the best results and be the most economical. fter advertising, the contract was let to W. B. Ross, the low- st bidder.
The work was commenced on August 1st and was com- eted September 28th. The school was opened however on eptember 19th, showing that the work was pushed with great pidity.
The tests so far show very fine results and from present dications the saving in fuel alone will in eight years pay the .tire cost of the work and the building will be better heated ad ventilated than ever before.
An appropriation of $400 for the Atlantic hose house was ted in connecting building with the sewer, putting in new stall ns, cementing cellar, shingling, painting and repairing frnace.
Appropriations for $600 for public scales and $3,000 for gading Mount Wollaston cemetery entrance and moving wall ove not yet been expended, but will be attended to as soon as ], frost comes out of the ground in the spring.
WATER DIVISION.
By energetic work and with the support of the Mayor, as
1
172
shown in his inaugural address, the water rates were collecte impartially in accordance with the rules, the consequence o which was that on December 31, 1904 the amount due the cit for water was only $106.50 and $96,819.39 had been collected I point to this record with pride and venture to say that n better showing was ever made by any water department of th State.
Total assessment for water rates for 190.4
$96,098 7
Amount rebated for vacancies and non use of fixtures . $1,777 14 Amount due from premises shut off for non payment of rates 413 89
Amount due from 1904 assessment 106 50
Amount collected on 1904 assessment 93,801 20
$96,098 7
Amount collected on 1903 assess-
ment
$3,018 19
Amount collected on 1904 assess- ment
93,801 20
Total amount collected for year end- ing December 31, 1904
$96,819 3
The legislature of 1904 upon the suggestion of the Metr politan Water Board passed an act basing two-thirds of o1 assessment upon the consumption of water.
I sent a communication to the Council during the fall cal ing their attention to the matter and asking that meters be pr vided in order to reduce our consumption of water whi would reduce our Metropolitan assessment. No acti was taken by the Council, however, but I trust they w deem the subject of sufficient importance to consider the comi! year.
Application for service pipe and water was made by t United States Government for Fort Andrews on Peddocks land. This work will be done during April and May. Owi
173
to the fact that this island is in Hull, Plymouth County, the rates for water must go to the Metropolitan Water District and the district must pay the City for the use of the pipes.
Our stand pipe, reservoir, shop, pipes, hydrants, gates and other property are in first class condition. All the hydrants and gates in the city have been inspected and repaired where found necessary.
Total number of feet of pipe laid of every description was 33,773, of which 16,309 feet were street mains, making total length of street mains 516,759 feet.
We received application and made 237 taps for service pipes for private consumers at a total cost of $11,712.17 ; the cost to the consumers being $8,966.23 and cost to the city $2,745.94.
16 meters were set, making total in use 181.
29 hydrants were set and 7 removed, making total in use 661. 50 gates were set and 5 removed, making total in use 1,199. 49 leaks were repaired in main pipe and 22 in service pipes. 37 old services were renewed.
I have prepared the following tables to show miles of pipe and number of hydrants and gates and also the location of pipe, hydrants and gates put in during the year.
List of stock on hand can be found on file in my office.
In concluding this, the eighth report I have had the honor to submit as Commissioner of Public Works, I beg to acknowl- edge my indebtdness to His Honor the Mayor for his unfailing interest and valuable assistance and to the members of the City Council for their uniform courtesy. I also desire to express to my clerks, foremen and employes of the department my appre- sciation of their loyalty and faithful service.
Respectfully submitted,
(CHARLES F. KNOWLTON,
Commissioner of Pubic Works.
174
LOCATION OF HYDRANTS SET IN 1904.
One on Adams street, 532 feet east from Common street.
One on Adams street, 924 feet east from Common street. One on Adams street, 100 feet west from Mt. Ararat road. One on Adams street, opposite Whitwell street.
One on Bay View street, corner Edison street.
One on Bunker Hill avenue, 454 feet west from Willard street One on Butler road, 388 feet north from Putnam road.
One on Butler road, corner of Putnam road.
One on Butler road, corner Park lane.
1
One on Berkeley street, corner Ellerton street.
One on Channing street, 425 feet east from Billings road.
One on Channing street, 800 feet east from Billings road.
One on Fayette street, 200 feet south from Broadway street. One on Glendale road, corner Beacon street.
One on Merrymount road corner Park lane.
One on Nut Island at Metropolitan Sewer Station. One on Quarry street, 324 feet west from Kidder street.
One on Quarry street, 269 feet east from Kidder street.
One on Richie street, 183 feet east from Franklin street. One on Shaw street, 354 feet east from Washington street.
One on Sea street, opposite C. P. Peterson's house. One on Saville street, near Quincy depot.
One on Upland road, 452 feet north from Dimmock street. One on Warwick street, 464 feet east from Marshall street. One on Watson terrace, 282 feet west from Chubbuck street. One on Winthrop street corner of Ratchford street. .
One on Whalley road corner Goffe street.
One on Willard street at Mannex polishing shop.
One on Willet street, opposite Marlboro street.
HYDRANTS REMOVED IN 1904.
One on Berkeley street, 189 feet east from South street.
One on Quincy avenue corner Water street.
One on Shaw street, 266 feet east from Washington street.
175
One on Saville street near Quincy depot. One on Whalley road corner Goffe street. One on Willard street at Mannex polishing shop. One on Winthrop street corner Ratchford street.
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.