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 1905 > Part 8
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Centre Street between Intervale Street and Albertina Street was greatly improved by raising the grade and con-
171
structing a pipe drain with necessary catch basins. The draining of this street was a much needed improvement and relieves the street of all surface water. An appropriation of $1,000 was made for this work.
Farnum Street was laid out, accepted and built to the established grade under a special appropriation of $300.
An appropriation of $400 was made for widening that portion of Granite Street near its junction with Hancock Street. This work consisted in relaying the curbing and brick sidewalk and was done in consideration of the property owner, Mr. Henry H. Faxon, releasing to the city a parcel of land containing 170 square feet.
Glendale Road from Whitwell Street to Dimmock Street was laid out, accepted and built to the established grade under a special appropriation of $600. Paved gutters were also laid.
An appropriation of $5.000 was made for changing grade on Hancock Street from the Church of the Sacred Heart to Madison Street.
Considerable filling was necessary in order to bring street to established grade. The street was widened on both sides, culverts rebuilt and paving relaid.
The Old Colony Street Railway Co. laid new double tracks and also did the required paving between the tracks.
The widening and regrading of this street, together with the completion of the bridge over the tracks of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad is a great improve- ment.
Eight hundred dollars were appropriated and expended for construction of a pipe drain and catch basins on Taylor Street from Elmwood Avenue to Sachems Brook.
Edgestones were laid and gravel sidewalks constructed on the north-west side of Beach Street from Billings Road to the Metropolitan Boulevard, a distance of about 640 feet under an appropriation of $800, abutters paying one-half cost of same.
The following orders were passed too late to commence work this year :
Walnut Street Grading $700.00
Coe Street Grading 200.00
172
Holmes Street Grading 500.00
Freeman Street Grading
600.00:
Bromfield Street Grading 900.00
Curtis Street Grading 300.00
Maple Place Widening 11,300.00
Faxon Road Sidewalk 425.00.
Goddard Street Gutters 1,200.00
Stone Cross Walks 800.00: .
The following orders were passed late in the year and money not available until January 1, 1906:
North Payne Street Grading
$1,500.00
Cottage Avenue Grading
8,000.00
Edwin Street Grading 100.00
Beacon Street Grading
500.00
Gragg's Pond
200.00
Bates Avenue Widening
150.00
Wollaston Avenue Sidewalk
700.00.
SEWER DIVISION.
In accordance with the vote of the Board of Sewerage Commissioners this department was transferred to the Com- missioner of Public Works on February 20, 1905. Before the retirement of the Board the assessments for work done dur- ing the year 1904 were levied and everything left in good shape for the transfer.
The only exception was the Sheehan Case, but that has been settled during the past year.
Construction work has been carried on mainly in Ward 2, the object being to relieve the Fore River Shipbuilding Company's yard.
For this purpose a line of 18 in. and 15 in. pipe was built from Washington Street through Cleverly Court, Private Land, South Street, East Howard Street and thence into the yard at a point near Winter Street. This job, while not espe- cially difficult, entailed considerable work outside of the
173
actual building of the sewer. The opportunity was taken to rebuild and straighten culverts and drains and the light cut on a part of East Howard Street and South Street involved changes of lines and grades and the construction of catch basins. About five hundred feet of this sewer was laid in em- bankment in a swampy land between Cleverly Court and South Street. To obtain a bottom for it it was necessary to excavate in places from two to seven feet. Sheathing was ciriven into this bottom about one foot, left in place and the ditch refilled with gravel. The pipe was laid with asphalt joints and placed on a bed of four inches of concrete, the concrete being brought up at the sides and over the top of the pipe. The whole was covered with gravel and the sides trimmed with peat taken from the ditch. Ledge was en- countered on East Howard Street and in the shipyard as far as we have gone.
This sewer is not yet available for the Fore River Ship- building Company and considering the deplorable sanitary condition it is of the utmost necessity that money be appro- priated at once for the completion of this work.
Short extensions of lateral sewers were built in different parts of the city on petition.
The following is a list of sewers built during the year showing the location, length, size and number of manholes :
Manholes
Street
From Sta. 4 plus 20
To near Union St.
322 0
8" 1
Clerverlv Court and
Washington St.
South St.
1196.1
18" 3
Private Land
South St.
Des Moines Road
506.86 18" 4
Des Moines Road
near Winter St.
326.60 15" 1
East Howard St.
260 ft. east
259.10 15" 1
Sta. 5 plus 53.9
Sta. 6 plus 07.7
53 80 8"
Libe ty St.
Trafford St.
292.90
8'" 0
Newport Ave.
Westerly
224 40
Pleasant St.
Easterly
130 00
יי8 1
sta. 11 plus 96.1
East Howard St.
97 90 18" 2
Taylor St.
No. Central Ave. Berlin St.
Northerly
275.00
8" 1
Weston Ave.
300.00
8""
3984.66 ft. 18
Eat Howard St East Howard St Fore River Yard Glendale Road Liberty Sq. or l Taber St -
Newport Terrace Quincy St, South St.
Wayland St. T .tal,
Length Size 9
Bixter Street
174
PARTICULAR SEWERS.
During the past year three hundred connections have been made with the public sewer, a total length of 13,388. 1 feet. This work involved the assessment of $6,571.69 on the respec- tive property owners, an average of forty-nine cents per foot or twenty-one dollars and ninety cents per connection. The average length of a connection was 44.6 feet.
We have now 1790 particular sewers, a total of 85,623 feet (16.21 miles).
We have had occasion to clean three stoppages during the past year. One was caused by a broken pipe and the other two were caused by newspapers.
The following tables show the costs of the connections made during 1905 by the foot and by the connection.
From
20 cts. to
30 cts. a foot,
$10.
4 165
66
40
66
50
66
66
4 51 119 65
Under Fron
$10 20 30
to 20. 30
94
66
60
66
70
66
٤٠
33
66
40
50
9
66
70
66
80
..
66
14
66
50
60
3
80
66
90
.6
66
6
6 6
60
70
2
90
66
1.00
2
Over
1.00
66
6
300 300
At the beginning of the year we had a balance of. .. $494.75 During the year an appropriation was made of 6,000.00
We have expended during 1905
6,029.23
Leaving a balance January 1, 1906
465.52
SEWER MAINTENANCE.
The work of flushing and cleaning the sewers has been carried on in the usual manner. This year we have had the maintenance of over 45 miles of sewers, more than twice as many miles as the previous year for the same amount of money. The equipment wants replenishing and a great many new flushers are needed.
It is impossible to have the work done in a thorough manner without an increase in the appropriation, and it is
-
30
66
40
60
66
40
23
50
175
earnestly recommended that a larger appropriation be de- voted for this purpose.
In response to the demands of the residents in the vicinity of Butler's Pond that something be done to restore the pond to its former condition, a dam was constructed near the Dorothy Q. House and an 8 in. pipe laid from the brook to the pond. This has resulted in raising the pond about two feet and produced a very satisfactory condition of affairs.
This year the engineering and the making of record plans has been under the supervision of the City Engineer.
We had one serious accident during the year, one man being almost instantly killed and another suffering the loss of one eye by the explosion of a piece of dynamite on Baxter Street.
We have on file several petitions for sewers in various parts of the city which should be granted this year, and an carly appropriation fer sewer construction should be made.
On January 1, 1905, there was a balance of $8,013.39 re- maining to the credit of Sewer Construction.
An appropriation of $25,000 was made during the year for said purpose. From this amount the sum of $8,024.98 has been paid to date on account of the suit of Sheehan vs. City of Quincy. The balance remaining was expended in building the sewer for the Fore River Shipbuilding Company and small laterals as noted in a preceding table.
WATER DIVISION.
In accordance with the plan and agreement of the United States Government a six and eight inch water main was laid, through Mears Avenue from Sea Avenue to Nut Island, there connecting with the submarine pipe which sup- plies Fort Andrews, Peddocks Island. A six inch meter was placed on this service and the assessment for water at this fort will be made according to our regular meter rates.
Arrangements have been made with the Metropolitan Water Board whereby they will collect one-half and the City of Quincy one-half of the assessment.
Owing to the fact that the Metropolitan Water Assess-
176
ment is to be based two-thirds on the amount consumed and one-third on valuation, it is necessary that the most stringent care should be taken to prevent the waste of water, thereby reducing the consumption.
In order to do this we are going to have meters installed at all quarries, granite yards, manufacturing plants and busi- ness blocks.
It is my opinion that a complete meter system should be established in this city as soon as possible in order that we may have the benefit of a low assessment from the Metro- politan Water Board.
To improve the service and give better fire protection at Wollaston and Atlantic a 16 inch main was laid through Brook Street from Beale Street to Hancock Street.
The standpipe on Penn's Hill was temporarily repaired and painted both inside and outside.
Repairs were also made on some of the large gates and I would recommend that all the gates which have been in use for many years be thoroughly repaired, as it is a matter of great importance to have these gates in perfect working order at all times.
Total assessment for water rates for 1905 $98,529.10
Amount rebated for vacancies and non use of fixtures $2,430.07
Amount due from 1905 assessment 1.127.51
Amount due from premises shut off 393.45
Amount collected on 1905 assessment . . 94.578.07
$98,529.10
Amount collected on 1904 assessment . .
. $260.98
Amount collected on 1905 assessment. . 94,578.07
Total amount collected for the year ending December 31, 1905
$94,839.05
The total number of feet of street mains laid was 12.171 feet, making a total length of street mains 528,930 feet.
During the year 263 new service connections were made at a total cost of $9,780.05, of which $6,670.84 was charged to the consumers and $3.109.21 charged to the city.
177
13 meters were set, making a total of 194 in use.
28 hydrants were set and 5 replaced, making total in use 4589.
80 gates were set and 13 removed, making total in use 1266.
51 leaks in street main and 19 leaks in service pipes have been repaired.
31 old service pipes were renewed.
The following tables will show miles of pipe, number of hydrants and gates, also location of pipe, hydrants and gates put in during the year.
In conclusion I wish to thank His Honor the Mayor, the members of the City Council, Clerks, foreman and em- ployees of my department for their advice and assistance so kindly rendered.
Respectfully submitted, THOS. F. BURKE, Commissioner of Public Works.
178
LOCATION OF HYDRANTS SET IN 1905.
One on Berlin Street, 100 feet east of N. Y., N. HI. & H. R. R. tracks.
One on Berkeley Terrace, 219 feet east of Hancock Street.
One on Brook Street, corner Arlington Street.
One on Brook Street, corner Fayette Street.
One on Brook Street, corner Farrington Street.
One on Brook Street, corner Safford Street.
One on Brook Street, corner Taylor Street.
One on Division Street, 323 feet north of Squantum Street ..
One on Everett Street, 320 feet south of Beale Street.
One on Greenleaf Street, opposite Woodward Avenue.
One on Hayward Street, corner Holmes Street.
One on Highland Avenue, corner Lincoln Avenue.
One on Independence Avenue, at end of 6 inch pipe oppo- site house of J. Q. A. Field.
One on Mears Avenue, 500 feet north of Sea Avenue.
One on Mears Avenue, 1,000 feet north of Sea Avenue.
One on Newport Avenue, opposite Brook Street.
One on Newport Terrace, 223 feet west of Newport Avenue.
One on Pond Street, 402 feet west of Mill Street.
One on Ring Avenue, 277 feet south of Washington Street.
One on Russell Street, at end of 4 inch pipe.
One on Shelton Road, 500 feet north of Sea Street.
One on Shelton Road, 1,160 feet north of Sea Street.
One on Taylor Street, corner Elmwood Avenue.
One on Taylor Street, corner North Central Avenue.
One on Taylor Street, 240 feet north of North Central Avenue.
One on Upland Road, 600 feet south of Adams Street.
One on Upland Road, corner Adams Street.
One on Woodward Avenue, opposite D. J. Deasy's house.
TOTAL WATER PIPE LAID.
Length in feet and size of pipe laid to December 31, 1905.
DIAMETER OF PIPE IN INCHES.
WHEN LAID
Hydrants
Gates.
2
5
6
7
8
10
12
16
20
Previousto Dec. 31, 1904. In 1905,
661 1199 28
80
41983 178
97719 713
210214 9279
994
86505 1873
32166
23511 37
20040 3192
2679
516759 15272
Total, *Taken up
689 1279 13
42161 1207
98432 1200
948
219493 694
994
88378
32166
23548
23232
2679
532031 3101
Total,
1266
40954
97232
948
218799
994
88378
32166
23548
23232
2679
528930
948
Total number of feet 528930.
Total number of miles, 100.17.
179
TOTAL.
WATER PIPE LAIDIIN 1905.
Ward.
STREET LOCATION.
Gates.
Hydrants.
2in.
4in.
6in.
Sin.
10in
12in. 16in
Woodbine Street
5
2
48
852
5 Across N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R.
235
5 Berlin Street
1
15
5 Newport Avenue
3
1
47
37
5 Brook Street
12
75
1510
5 Arlington Street
2
74
5 Fayette Street
3
178
74
5 Farrington Street
2
74
5 Safford Street
2
74
5
Taylor Street
6
2
864
5
Highland Avenue
1
607
595
5 Everett Street
1
320
2
1
467
2 Pond Street
1
1
409
1
280
6 Hancock Street
2
15
79
6
Sagamore Street
3
74
143
1
Greenleaf Street
1
1
Woodward Avenue
2
763
1
Edgemere Road
2
304
1
Whitney Read
1
56
1 Shellton Road
1
2
1160
1 Dixwell Avenue
3
1
613
1 Upland Road
1
2
850
5 Newport Terrace
1
1
232
2 Ring Avenue
3 Independence Avenue
3
6
Madison Street
3
LENGTH OF EACH SIZE OF PIPE.
5 |Elmwood Avenue
1
1
323
6 Division Street
100
1
1
206
2
168 12
1266 264
1 Sea Avenue
1 To Nut Island
4
1518 200
3 Intervale Street
6 Holmes Street
1
1
260
6 Hayward Street
1
1
226
5 Berkeley Street
Total
80
28
178
713
9879
1873
37
3192
6 Bowdoin Street
6 Russell Street
6 Lafayette Street
1 Mears Avenue
4
2
3
1
88
1
181
118
GATES IN USE.
Number and Size of Gates in Use December 31st, 1905.
SIZE OF GATES IN INCHES.
WHEN SET.
TOTAL.
2
4
6
7
8
10
12
16
20
Previous to Dec. 31, 1904, During 1905,
131 5
246
552 55
1
150
54 3
35
26 9
4
1199 80
Total Removed
136
253 3
607 6
1
150
57
36
35
4
1279 13
Total
132
250
601
1
150
57
36
35
4
1266
7
1
182
183
BOND ACCOUNT FOR WATER.
Amount of bonds issued to Decem-
ber 31, 1899
$883,000 00
Amount of bonds issued in 1900
1901
1902
34,000 00
66
66
66
1903
30,000 00
66
66
1904 25,000 00
66
1905
26,000 00
Total amount issued to December 31,1905 .
Amount of bonds paid to December 31,1899 .
$162,000 00
Amount of bonds paid in 1900
30,500 00
1901
31,500 00
A
66
66
1903
34,500 00
66
66 1904
35,500 00
66
1905 37,500 00
Total amount paid to December 31, 1905
$364,000 00
Amount of bonds outstanding De- cember 31, 1905 $694,000 00
81,058,000 00
32,500 00
66 1902
30,000 00
30,000 00
66
184
Report of Inspector of Animals
To His Honor, Mayor of Quincy:
Dear Sir :- As Inspector of Animals for the year 1905, I submit the following report :
There were ninety-six (96) stables inspected, containing five hundred and eighty-one (581) cows, two (2) goats, seven. (7) sheep, and ninety-nine (99) pigs.
Of these, two cows were reported to the State and by them killed for tuberculosis.
Two horses were likewise killed for glanders. Only one of these developed the disease in Quincy.
Attention should be called to the fact that a person who conceals a case of glanders, or does not report the same, is liable to heavy fine or imprisonment.
Regarding the cattle. A button in a cow's ear shows freedom from tuberculosis, guaranteed by State Inspection. Purchasers would do well to avoid cows that are not so marked.
The greatest menace seems to be the lack of cleanliness in some stables, due to the storing of manure under or against the building. This should be remedied by its daily removal to a distance.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANCIS ABELE, JR.
185
Report of Park Commissioners
To His Honor, the Mayor of the City of Quincy:
Your Commissioners have to report as follows regard- ing the conduct of the Parks and Playgrounds during the year 1905:
MERRY MOUNT PARK.
Beyond the general care by one man the whole season and extra help at odd times, the bulk of the work and ex- penses here has been on tree planting.
The extra appropriation of $200 for trees in 1905 was not enough to do what was necessary, and we were obliged to use part of the general park appropriation for this pur- pose. About 2,000 young pines and spruce were planted in several different places under the direction of an expert. Owing to the dry season and poor soil about one-third of the trees, mostly pines, died. As the trees were guaranteed, all these will be replaced this season at the expense of the nursery company supplying the trees. With this exception all grew well and promise to make some show this season.
Unfortunately for the community, we seem to have an over supply of miscreants in this city who delight in destroy- ing public property. Numerous fires have been started by them in the grass and bush, one of which this winter burned up a large number of the best trees planted last spring, and another burned the largest outhouse in the park. Alto- gether the destruction thus caused the past season must amount to hundreds of dollars. A reward of $25 for infor- mation leading to the arrest and conviction of the guilty parties has been offered, thus far without result. There seems no way to stop this vandalism except to keep a
186
police officer patrolling the parks at all times. Believing it would be money well spent, we urgently ask an appropria- tion this year sufficient to justify the employment of an officer most of the time.
Fences, building, signs and grounds have been kept in as good repair as funds allowed.
The Metropolitan Sewer Board has completed the lay- ing of a main out-fall sewer across the park. The work seems to have been done in a careful manner and as yet has caused no appreciable damage to trees or grounds.
This winter has not been cold enough to warrant flood- ing the meadows for skating and incidentally taking the chance of flooding the cellar of the house adjoining the meadow.
The baseball and foot ball fields have, as usual, been liberally patronized. Boys attending these games cause con- siderable destruction to trees and brush.
Any plan to take most of these sports and the attending crowds out of the park will benefit the park. The field to the south of the main entrance between Hancock Street and Black's Creek now used as a pasture, though part of the park, can at moderate cost be made into a particularly good and most accessible athletic field. Perhaps this should be done whenever funds can be spared for the purpose.
Permits for picnics have been refused in all cases the past year. No hardship seems to have been caused thereby and the same policy will be continued.
More tree planting is needed and an appropriation should be made each year for this purpose.
WARD TWO.
The playground is expected to be in good condition for ball games this spring, much improved by the grading in 1905. The trees that for many years have contributed so much to the beauty of Point Holes are fast dying. Tree planting is much needed here this season.
BATH HOUSE.
The Public Bath House was patronized by larger
187
crowds than ever during the hot summer of 1905, about 25,000 bathers using the house. Even with the recent addi. tion, the house is none too large to handle the increasing numbers. More attendants were required on special days and an officer on Sundays, holidays and night tides, causing expenses to be considerably increased. This bath house has been a success from the start and nothing should be neg- lected to maintain it properly.
WARD THREE.
Little was done here last year outside of general care. The young trees have had a hard time, many being broken by thoughtless or malicious persons. Some filling of the lower ground has been done and more is needed.
WARD FOUR.
This playground has required little other than general care to mow and roll it. Money could be well spent here to fill the swamp land beyond the out field of the ball ground.
WARD SIX.
This playground, much improved by the regrading in 1904, has required only general care the past year. Chang- ing the grade of the streets approaching the new railroad bridge has cut off the end of one of the diagonal paths. Steps to the street from the playground should be built at once.
FAXON PARK.
When this park was given to the city by Mr. H. H. Faxon, two of his conditions were that one road should be built from Quincy Avenue to Franklin Street, and another from the corner of Water Street and Quincy Avenue to the Park up the lane leading to the old farm. It took ten years to build the first road. The latter is still on paper. As the donor has so recently died, it would seem especially appro- priate that the city should not delay longer to pay its just debts. The cost should not be great. Such a road would
188
serve largely to bring this most beautiful tract of land into the prominence it deserves.
PESTS.
The few brown-tail and gypsy moth nests that have been found in our parks have been destroyed.
Brown-tail and gypsy moths are considered among the. worst pests our trees have to fear. But for genuine de- structiveness they are not to be compared with some of our Quincy pests. The Quincy variety does not confine itself to the foliage or to the summer season; it works the year round, chops the trees close to the ground and is far more destructive than any moths. It deserves extermination fully as much and is a public enemy in a greater degree.
Though calling attention to this matter in previous re- ports, we have never yet been able to catch an offender and probably will not until citizens who have knowledge of the offenders acquire sufficient interest in the public welfare to testify against them.
CITY FORESTER OR TREE WARDEN.
The need of such an officer is greater than ever. There- fore we urge the recommendations in our report of last year be acted upon favorably at an early date.
LIBERTY SQUARE.
This small open ground in Ward 3 has required little care. A few trees must be replaced this spring.
EXPENDITURES.
The total expenses exceeded appropriations largely be- cause the sum granted for tree planting was too small. The deficit has been made up by the Commission.
GEORGE E. PFAFFMANN, Chairman, DEXTER E. WADSWORTH, FRED B. RICE, Secretary.
10
Report of Car Collector
To His Honor, the Mayor of the City of Quincy:
I have the honor to submit the following report of the Tax Collector's Department for the year ending December 31, 1905.
The amount of cash collected on the tax for the various years is as follows :
Tax of 1894.
Cash Received.
Amount uncollected January 1, 1905. .
$711.97
Amount collected during year 1905 . . 21.12
$21.12
Amount uncollected January 1, 1906. .
$690.85
Amount collected of interest
12.66
Tax of 1895.
Amount uncollected January 1, 1905. . $1,202.93
Amount abated during year 1905
170.97
Balance
$1,031.96
Amount collected during year 1905 . .
47.72
47.72
Amount uncollected January 1, 1906 . . Amount collected of interest
$984.24
24.33
Tax of 1896.
Amount uncollected January 1, 1905. . $750.99
Amount abated during year 1905 .
.87
Balance
$750.12
Amount collected during year 1905 ..
67.26
67.26
Amount uncollected January 1, 1906. . $682.86
Amount collected of interest 24.36
190
Tax of 1897.
Amount uncollected January 1, 1905. . $501.61
Amount abated during year 1905 . .
3.88
Balance
$797.73
Amount collected during year 1905 . . 56.99
56.99
Amount uncollected January 1, 1906. . $740.74
Amount collected of interest 21.06
Tax of 1898.
Amount uncollected January 1, 1905. . $1,499.00
Amount abated during year 1905 .
71.80
Balance
$1,427.20
Amount collected during year 1905 . .
84.80
S4.80
Amount uncollected January 1, 1906. . $1,342.40
Amount collected of interest
26.02
Tax of 1899.
Amount uncollected January 1, 1905. . $3,640.23
Amount abated during year 1905 1,577.34
Balance
$2,062.89
Amount collected during year 1905 ..
108.21
108.21
Amount uncollected January 1, 1906. .
$1,954.68
Amount collected of interest
19.75
Amount collected of street sprinkling
1.21
Tax of 1900.
Amount uncollected January 1, 1905. . $3,426.19
Amount abated during year 1905 439.25
Balance
$2,986.94
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