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 1917 > Part 12
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Experiences of electrical departments have shown that there is more danger from fire and accidents from defects which exist because of the deterioration of insulation of wire on old installation and unskillful altera- tion and additions to work than from work which was originally first class. With that in mind an effort has been made to correct, as far as possible, these conditions with the result that the danger of fires starting from such causes has been greatly reduced, and during the coming year the effort to improve defective electrical systems in old buildings will be continued.
Grounding of Service Entrances.
The outside wiring of the city has also received its share of attention . All new service entrances since April 1, 1917, and quite a few old ones, have been grounded according to the National Electrical Code to protect property wired for light, heat or power, from high potential currents and lightning and I recommend that all service entrances which have not been changed over be grounded as soon as possible.
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REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF WIRES
The object of grounding the service wire at entrances as required by the National Electrical Code is a protection to life and property. It is largely a life protection.
Inspections in Buildings.
During the year 1917, this department made over two thousand inspections of wiring and appliances used for light, heat or power. These included inspections in four hundred and fifty newly constructed buildings and in one hundred and thirty-seven old buildings which were wired during the year. The balance of the inspections were made in other build- ings where additional wiring was installed on existing electrical systems and old wiring and appliances which were installed before inspections were naugurated.
Permits to install meters for light, heat or power, furnished by sys- tems installed before 1916, were not issued until all wires and appliances in the building were tested. This complete examination, made as a pro- tection against defective wiring, was made by the department and no fee could be collected unless defects noted required alterations or additional wiring to the amount of $10, or more, as provided for by City Ordinance No. 105.
The following specified schedule of electrical inspections made of lights and other appliances installed is respectfully submitted:
Number of permits issued with fee.
789
Number of permits issued without fee.
301
(The work did not amount to ten dollars or over as Section 31, Ordinance 105 provides.)
Total number of permits issued to electrical contractors. 1090
Cash received for permits issued from January 1, 1917, to December 31, 1917. $789
January
$53.00
July .
$57.00
February .
55.00
August
65.00
March .
76.00
September
77.00
April
57.00
October
76.00
May
82.00
November.
75.00
June
68.00
December
48.00
Total.
$789.00
Number of inspections made, as permits issued .
1996
Number of defects noted .
401
Number of inspections made on old installation.
194
Number of defects noted .
328:
Number of unfinished inspections 85.
Number of electrical contractors doing work. 114
Number of permits issued to Quincy Electric Light and Power Co.
to install service and electrical appliances. .
977
Electrical Fires.
Electric wires were reported to have been the cause of two fires in 1917. An investigation disclosed that one resulted from some other cause
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CITY OF QUINCY
or that the evidence of its origin had been destroyed and that the other was due to unskilful alterations and additions to old equipment which overloaded the circuits, causing them to be heavily over-fused (as the fuse is the safety valve). Defective drop cords were ignited and burned to ceiling, setting fire to same. Had these fuses been proper size "10" amperes the chances are that cutouts would have been open and removed the source of trouble.
The department wishes to call to the attention of all who use elec- tricity for light, heat or power, that due care should be exercised in replac- ing " blown " fuses by others of the proper capacity and in keeping with the amount of current to be used. A fuse of more than " 10" amperes should not be used on any branch lighting circuit and it is recommended that six-ampere fuses be used instead of the larger size.
Licensing of Electricians.
The law requiring that all persons, firms or corporations engaged in the business of installing wires and other appliances for light, heat and power, shall be licensed became effective September 1, 1915. The law which is being enforced, makes it unlawful for any person, who has not been licensed, to make repairs or install any wiring, fixtures or other fit- tings to be used for light, heat or power in any building. It is a part of the duty of the Department of Inspector of Wires to aid in the enforce- ment of this law so that all electrical work and systems will comply with the requirements governing such installation.
Poles and Wires.
During the past year, poles were replaced by the companies owning same, as follows:
Poles
Quincy Electric Light & Power Co. .
191
New England Telephone and Telegraph Co. 47
Bay State Street Railway Co. 31
Total
269
Eleven lightning arrester ground wires on poles, considered a source of danger to linemen, were removed by the American Telephone and Tele- graph Co. on the recommendation of the department. The ground wires were installed on these poles when only low voltage circuits occupied same. The addition of high tension circuits to these poles changed the conditions, thereby making it necessary, in the opinion of the depart- ment, to remove said ground wires.
The relations which developed between the department and the public during 1917, were pleasant and the support extended by the city govern- ment has been encouraging. Contractors and mechanics engaged in the installation of electrical equipment in Quincy have shown a general dis- position to co-operate.
Respectfully yours,
FRANK LINTS, Inspector.
REPORT OF THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT.
January 1, 1918.
To His Honor, Joseph L. Whiton,
Mayor of the City of Quincy, Mass.
Dear Sir: I herewith submit the eighteenth annual report of the Engineering Department for the year ending, December 31, 1917.
The following is a statement of the work done by this department during the year 1917.
Street lines and grades have been given at the request of property owners on accepted streets in front of one hundred estates.
Plans and estimates have been prepared for the City Council as follows:
Proposed street widenings. 3
Acceptance of private ways 6
Plans for Planning Board . 2
Plans for Board of Survey 3
Commissioner of Public Works.
Lines and grades have been given for construction of new streets, side- walks and sewers.
The grading of the grounds of the Francis Parker and Daniel Webster Schools required almost daily attention during the spring and early summer.
New Highways.
Very little work was done on new highways owing to the country being at war. Only such streets as were considered as a necessity were built. Two streets, Lancaster and Lowe Streets at the Daniel Webster School, were built. Vane Street was authorized to be built but no construc- tion work was done in 1917.
Rebuilding Streets.
Billings Road was rebuilt from Hancock Street to West Elm Avenue, a distance of 4000 feet. This street is a main thoroughfare and opens up the whole Norfolk Downs section.
Sea Street leading to Houghs Neck was authorized to be rebuilt, but owing to the fact that heavy teaming was being done on it in connection with the building of a sea wall along Manet Avenue, the construction work was postponed until the sea wall was finished.
Smith Street, West Quincy, was rebuilt with granite block pavings. Owing to the steep grade and the heavy loads of granite hauled over it, it was thought that a macadam surface would not last for any period.
197
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CITY OF QUINCY
Granolithic Sidewalks.
Very little work was done on permanent sidewalks, only such work as was absolutely necessary.
The widening of the sidewalks on the westerly side of Hancock Street, between Saville Street and Depot Street and on Saville Street between Hancock Street and the railroad station, was a great improvement and very much needed and appreciated.
A granolithic sidewalk was built on the westerly side of Washington Street between Revere Road and Cherry Avenue in front of the new Spooner Block.
Edgestones.
The only new edgestone laid during the year was in connection with the rebuilding of Smith Street and the granolithic sidewalks.
Elimination of Grade Crossings.
The question of the elimination of grade crossings was taken up early in the year in the Legislature and the Old Colony Railroad attorney asked for a continuance to give the interested parties a chance for an agreement.
A meeting was held in the Mayor's office at which the railroad's representatives, Barnes and Tuttle, were present, and representatives of the Legislature, Bates and Whitman, Quincy Board of Trade, Committee from the City Council, also the Mayor and the City Engineer of this city.
A modified " Decree Plan " was favored whereby Granite Street Bridge was to be raised 2 feet to give a greater clearance under the bridge; Water Street Bridge to be raised 6 inches to give a sufficient depth for floor beams. A new street was to be built to take the place of the present School Street crossing of the railroad 400 feet north of the present bridge; the Granite Street Freight Yard to be raised about 8 feet. These changes were made to eliminate some of the objections that were raised against the " Decree Plan " by the citizens of Quincy. By these changes an additional expense was added to the cost of elimination of grade crossings of about $90,000, of which the Old Colony Railroad Company pays 65 per cent or about $59,000, State of Massachusetts pays 1212 per cent or about $11,000, Bay State Street Railway Company 1212 per cent or about $11,000, City of Quincy 10 per cent or about $9,000.
The Old Colony Railroad Company agreed to start the work in the vicinity of the Quincy Station in the early spring, but the Bay State Street Railway Company refused to sign the agreement on account of its financial difficulties and therefore no work has been done.
Assessors' Plans.
The work of making. tracings of the Assessors' plans was continued the past year and Wards 1 and 2 about three hundred plans are almost completed. About one hundred tracings of Ward 3 have been made but are in an unfinished condition.
Sea Wall at Houghs Neck.
After several years efforts to get the state to build a sea wall along Manet Avenue to protect the shore from the encroachment of the sea, the
1
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REPORT OF CITY ENGINEER
Mayor was finally successful in getting the state to appropriate $15,000 for this purpose and the City of Quincy appropriated $5,000 for the same and work was begun in the fall, but owing to the early winter, the work had to be suspended until the spring of 1918.
Washington Street Widening.
The Fore River Shipbuilding Plant was enlarged double and the question of getting the men to and from work quickly was a big problem. Mr. Smith and His Honor, the Mayor, went to Washington and at a con- ference with the United States Government officials it was arranged to widen Washington Street and to double track the Bay State Street Rail- way from Quincy Square to Cleverly Court; the United States Govern- ment to pay for all construction and the City of Quincy to pay for the additional land required. Construction work was begun about the middle of November and the early winter made a suspension necessary until next spring. When the work is finished the City of Quincy will have a first-class street from Quincy Square to the Quincy Point Bridge, over Weymouth Fore River.
Victory Shipbuilding Plant at Squantum.
The country being at war, the United States government decided to built a Destroyer Plant at Squantum, and work was begun with a rush late last fall and pushed with all possible dispatch so as to begin the actual shipbuilding about the first of the year 1918.
Buildings, streets, sewers, drains, etc., had to be built. A new bridge across the Neponset River about 2000 feet easterly of the railroad bridge was built which enabled the Boston Elevated Railway Company to bring the workmen direct onto the job, thereby solving the supply of workmen.
The enlarging of the Fore River Plant and the building of a new plant at Squantum necessarilly brings a large force of men into Quincy and if there were houses sufficient they would live here.
This question of housing is now before the officials of the United States government and the City of Quincy and something will be done the coming year.
For financial statement see Auditor's Report.
Respectfully submitted,
PATRICK F. O'BRIEN, City Engineer.
200
SURFACE DRAINS.
Surface drains have been laid in the streets shown in table below:
Length and Size of Pipe
Catch Basins
Man- holes
18"
15"
12"
10"
8"
Birch Street .
Glover Avenue to Hollis Avenue.
. . .
. . .
.
. .
.
.
2
1
Bridge Street
Taber Street to Hancock Street
Furnace Avenue.
Willard Street to Railroad Crossing.
220
. . .
.
..
2
Hancock Street.
Near Hunt Street. .
. .
500
Kendrick Avenue.
Madison Avenue to Phipps Strect.
Madison Avenue.
Kendrick Avenue to Adams School.
300
. .
.
1
Mansion School .
East Elm Avenue, easterly .
550
·
.
.
.
Allcyne Street to Bridge Street . .
370
2
1
Washington Street .
Union Street to Raymond Street .
Willow Street .
Corner of Elm Avenue.
25
1
CITY OF QUINCY
. .
. .
.
. .
. .
.
.
.
.
.
. .
Robertson Street.
Between Adams Street and Willard Street. .
.
.
. .
.
.
Location
Name
2
. .
64
300
...
..
900
Thayer Street. . .
REPORT OF BOARD OF SURVEY.
January 15, 1918.
To His Honor, the Mayor, and Members of the City Council:
Gentlemen: The Board of Survey respectfully presents herewith its third annual report for the year ending December 31, 1917.
The board was organized February 9, 1917, with one new member, Mr. Joseph H. McPherson. Mr. Nichols was elected chairman, and Mr. P. F. O'Brien, clerk.
An appropriation of fifty dollars was made and later an additional fifty dollars, making a total appropriation of one hundred dollars.
Expenditures as follows:
Advertising
$34.77
Postage .
1.50
$36.27
Balance
63.73
$100.00
The board by virtue of powers vested therein by Sections 3, 4 and 7 of Chapter 704 of the Acts of the year 1914, and after due notice and public hearing in accordance therewith, had plans made and placed on file at the office of the City Engineer of the following streets or ways of the City of Quincy:
Warren Avenue, Ward 5, from Standish Avenue to Hancock Street. Vassall Street, Ward 5, from Freeman Street to Tyler Street.
Private Way, Ward 2, from Baxter Avenue to Shaw Street.
The law to establish a Board of Survey in the city of Quincy was printed in the City Telegram to familiarize the public with the duties and powers in the laying out of new streets.
The board would again call the attention of the City Council to the extension of dead end streets before the adjacent terrritoy is built upon.
It is manifestly the intent of the act creating this board that action shall be taken to provide a systematic laying out of public ways with due regard to future development of the city-grades, drainage and possible extension, to avoid dead end streets and irregular layouts which might create conditions which would render much desired and necessary public improvements impracticable or prohibitive because of heavy expense. To safeguard against such conditions the board now has on file in the office of the City Engineer, plans which involve land taking, and recommends the building and completion of such streets and ways at such time as the city government deems it wise and necessary so to do and respectfully asks the Mayor and Councillors for their co-operation in remedying some existing conditions.
Respectfully submitted,
WALTER F. NICHOLS, Chairman of Board of Survey.
201
REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD.
To His Honor, the Mayor, and Members of the City Council.
Gentlemen: The third annual report of the Planning Board is here- with submitted.
The board organized for 1917 with three new members, Mr. E. C. Sargent, Mr. James E. W. Geary and Mr. Edw. E. Palmer.
Wilson Marsh was elected chairman and City Engineer P. F. O'Brien, clerk.
The continued gracious courtesy of the city's chief executive provided for its meetings in the Mayor's office. Fifteen meetings have been held.
The chairman represented the board at the Annual Conference of the Massachusetts Federation of Planning Boards held at Worcester.
Harvey H. Pratt, Esq., representing South Shore towns interested in the Pilgrim Highway, met with the board at our meeting and gave a graphic talk upon the traditions and landmarks of the early days. The board called a meeting of representatives of the South Shore, held in Colonial Hall.
In the order of the meetings at which they were discussed, the follow- ing subjects were taken up.
Later in this report some of them will be taken up more in detail.
The proposed new decree affecting the grade crossing at Water Street, and studies both for a new street through the Town Brook valley and a footpath from Granite Street to the Quincy Station with a public alley from the square to intersect it, were made. A building line upon Holbrook Road at the Norfolk Downs Station was recommended.
A comprehensive plan for surface drainage for the city to be compiled under expert advice and to comprise the entire city at an expense of $2500, was formulated.
Under a resolve of the Council, the board made a study for the exten- sion of Hall Place through the Ward 4 playground to Adams Street and recommended that consideration be postponed until there was increased public demand for its development.
A footpath from Common Street to give access to the Branch Library, Parkway and Willard School was planned and it is recommended that the Council take early action upon this inexpensive method of offering relief to that section of the city.
Under a resolve of the Council the question of acquiring the triangle at School and Franklin Streets was taken up with the heirs of the late Daniel Baxter and at the final meeting of the Council the plot was accepted by the city.
The subject of a footbridge to connect Merrymount Park with Pine Island was investigated and is recommended.
Des Moines Road Extension.
Possibly the most far-reaching public proposition of the year is the plan published herewith of an extension of Des Moines Road through the
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REPORT OF PLANNING BOARD
brook valley in a direct line, with a particularly level grade across Scammell Street to Quincy Avenue at Water Street. This will give an exceptionally easy and direct thoroughfare from the heart of the city direct to the Fore River works and would be well adapted both for pedestrians and vehicles. With the increased development of Water Street and the removal of the grade crossing, teaming from the Quarry section and Quincy Adams would find this outlet of great value. Land now unavailable would be opened up and betterments should pay for the entire outlay required.
Increased playground facilities have been considered and while the city has a good start in this direction, the board is of the opinion that the future will require all and more than farsighted consideration can enu- merate at this time. The entire head at Point Holes should be added to the Ward 2 playground and the new schools should come in for increased facil- ities in that direction.
A plan to interest the five schools in the Pilgrim Highway by means of a photographic contest was started. The large map of the highway and its keymap were displayed at the Public Library. The Coddington and Massachusetts Fields Schools responded, but the three remaining schools in the section are still to be heard from. We ask the indulgence of these two until complete returns may be made.
City Square Traffic.
Upon the question of additional locations of the Bay State Street Railway in City Square, this board has taken a decided stand after much deliberation. We submit our correspondence herewith and, in view of the fact that the subject will probably come before the Council of 1918, again ask that you consider seriously the possibility of relieving City Square of the added burden of additional curves, turnouts, and crossovers requested by the street railway.
Quincy, Mass., November 15, 1917.
Hon. Joseph L. Whiton, Mayor, and the City Council, Quincy, Mass.
Gentlemen: The Planning Board desires to call to your attention, at the present time, the rearrangement of tracks of the Bay State Street Railway coming into City Square, and to the chance to eliminate to a great extent the present great congestion in this square.
It is the opinion of this board that the tracks in Depot Street, Saville Street and Temple Street should be abandoned; that the main line in Han- cock Street be as at present, double track moved easterly to a new location with a double track branch-off on the northerly end, a double track branch- off for the Houghs Neck line with straight double tracks in Washington Street from the double track branch-off at the northerly end. One cross connection should be put in about at Depot Street if the Bay State Street Railway Company desires it.
We further recommend that an island platform be constructed between the tracks in Washington Street northerly of Coddington Street.
Yours truly, QUINCY PLANNING BOARD, By P. F. O'BRIEN, Clerk.
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CITY OF QUINCY
December 3, 1917.
Quincy City Council.
Gentlemen: By act creating this board the duty is set forth to advise upon conditions, present or prospective, affecting the physical and civic welfare of the city.
The first subject considered, after its creation, was a study of the con- ditions of traffic in City Square. Our communication, referred to the Council at its last meeting, covers what we consider necessary requirements to maintain continuous and reasonably safe traffic through the city. Since forwarding this communication, representatives of our board have had conferences with the Bay State Street Railway Company and the Fore River Company, representing the United States government.
We reiterate our opinion that City Square should not be used as a street railway terminal, particularly as modern operation of street railways involves the use of one or more trailer cars. By the adoption of the plan suggested to you by our board in our previous communication the surplus cars would be removed from City Square and can either be operated from crossovers, located in Hancock Street northerly of Hancock Square, or, when trains of more than one car are operated as seems likely in the imme- diate future, the Street Railway Company can establish a loop on prop- erty outside the public highways.
It seems to us that a real opportunity is presented to relieve the present dangerous conditions to our citizens in this very congested square, whereas the Street Railway Company plans add several additional danger- ous conditions instead of giving any relief.
Moreover, the already bad curves into Saville Street and Depot Street are further complicated by an additional sharp curve into Depot Street.
Respectully yours, QUINCY PLANNING BOARD, By P. F. O'BRIEN, Clerk.
We desire to submit that the plan of tracks for City Square requested by the Bay State Street Railway Company is wrong from the standpoint of operating cars as well as congesting vehicular traffic and adding to dangers already obtaining in regard to pedestrians.
The plan suggested by this board, routing cars through the square with surplus cars turned back from points outside the congested area, is backed up by the leading transportation experts of the country. The following are considered axiomatic in regard to handling car traffic:
1. Cars should be operated on the principle of through routing, avoid- ing so-called loop operation wherever possible.
2. Terminals should be eliminated as far as is possible; lines should be operated through a city and not terminate therein.
3. Curve operation, especially the outside curves as provided in the layout requested by the company, are the weakest points in the system, and the source of maximum delay and congestion during the rush hours.
The board has again taken up the question of improving Willard Street with the Highway Commission, and forwarded copy of its corre- spońdence to Senators Nash and Perrin.
In this report will be found a view of City Square showing the con- gestion which occurred during the fall. Also we submit a view, possibly
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REPORT OF PLANNING BOARD
but little known to the citizens in general, a part of the Furnace Brook Parkway in the "Missing Link" which only requires 2000 feet of construc- tion to be made available.
Four photographs are published of Pine Island, two showing the upland of which there are four acres and the beach, three and three-fourths acres, with adjoining meadow.
By the deed of gift of the heirs of the late Nathaniel F. Safford of Milton, any question of the right of way to the island is eliminated. Two views show the island from different points in the parkway. This has been the property of the city since the original gift of Merrymount Park, and we recommend that a footbridge be constructed that the public may enjoy this recreation spot at tidewater, for all time.
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