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 1930 > Part 16
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New Industry
It is essential for any city to have increasing industry to reduce the tax rate and it should be encouraged. We are submitting a photograph of our latest addition in South Quincy.
The personnel of our board has changed during the year, owing to the resignation of Theo J. Craig, who moved out of the City.
We were fortunate to have Clifton H. Baker appointed to fill the vacancy and feel that he will be of great help to the Board.
273
REPORT OF CITY PLANNING BOARD
The Governor of the Commonwealth in his judgment has seen fit to appoint our Chairman on the Metropolitan Planning Board, which gives us able representation for this district.
Respectfully submitted, CITY PLANNING BOARD:
WILSON MARSH, Chairman, JAMES E. W. GEARY, Vice Chairman, JAMES J. McPHILLIPS, JOSEPH ANGELO, CLIFTON H. BAKER.
WALLACE S. CARSON, Clerk.
274
CITY OF QUINCY
REPORT OF BOARD OF SURVEY
JANUARY 1, 1931.
To His Honor the Mayor and Members of the City Council:
GENTLEMEN :- The Board of Survey respectfully submit herewith its sixteenth annual report for the year ending December 31, 1930.
The Board organized early in the year and reelected Mr. Wil- liam G. Shaw as Chairman for 1930. It is with regret that the Board lost the assistance and cooperation of Mr. Shaw on April 12, 1930, due to his sudden death. He was first appointed as a member of the Board of Survey in 1922 and had given generously of his time and experience in assisting in the work of the Board during these years.
Mr. Arthur Caruso was appointed May 1, 1930, by the Mayor to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. Shaw.
Mr. George H. Newcomb was elected chairman of the Board for the remainder of the year.
There were not as many new land developments in the City as in previous years, this probably being due to the quietness of the real estate market.
A public hearing was held on January 23, 1930, on the petition of the Harbor View Land Company for the laying out of new streets off Willard Street, near the Braintree Town Line.
Approval for the layout of Rangeley Road on this petition was granted on July 14, 1930, the other streets having tentative ap- proval subject to the completion of the plans and the grading of the streets.
The Board held a public hearing on October 10, 1930, on the petition of Hilda Almquist for the laying out of a new street off Franklin Street, which was named Hoover Avenue. Tentative ap- proval was given on the layout, final approval being withheld until the plans and grading are completed.
The Board wishes to express its appreciation to the Sewer and Water Departments for the cooperation it has received from them during the year, by withholding mains on new streets until ap- proved by the Board of Survey.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE H. NEWCOMB, Chairman WILLIAM A. CRESSWELL, ARTHUR CARUSO,
Board of Survey.
WALLACE S. CARSON, Clerk.
275
REPORT OF CITY SOLICITOR
ANNUAL REPORT OF CITY SOLICITOR
HON. THOMAS J. MCGRATH, Mayor of Quincy :
DEAR SIR :- The following important court cases have been dis- posed of during the year 1930:
The case entitled "Merrymount Company vs. City of Quincy and the Metropolitan District Commission," wherein the validity of land taking proceedings under an act entitled "An Act authorizing the City of Quincy to acquire land for the purpose of the extension of the Quincy Shore Reservation" in said city, was before the full bench of the Supreme Court at the time of my last report, Janu- ary, 1929. Since that time the case has been decided in favor of the city and the Metropolitan District Commission.
In the case of "King vs. Mayor of Quincy," wherein the question of whether, under the charter, the auditor should be appointed by the Mayor or by the City Council. the full bench decided that the Mayor is the only party to make the appointment.
The recent passage, by the Legislature, of a new grade crossing act, entirely changing the law of the Commonwealth on this sub- ject, has delayed the completion of the Quincy grade crossing project. At the time of the passage of this act, all details of a comprehensive scheme for the elimination of the grade crossing at Water Street and the completion of the work at Quincy Station had been worked out by the city and the railroad company. Nego- tiations have now been completed whereby the Public Works De- partment has approved of an agreement, entered into by the city and the railroad company, embodying the detail plans and appor- tionment of cost of the work, and all formalities required by the new law having been complied with, it is expected that actual work will begin without further delay.
There have been an unusually large number of accidents wherein suits for damages have been brought against the City. Many opinions have been submitted on Zoning Measures that have been before the City Council in the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
J. J. McANARNEY,
City Solicitor.
276
CITY OF QUINCY
REPORT OF ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
JANUARY 1, 1931.
To His Honor the Mayor and Members of the City Council:
GENTLEMEN :- I herewith respectfully submit the thirty-first annual report of the Engineering Department for the year ending December 31, 1930.
This department is called upon to furnish information for almost every department connected with the City Government. Some de- partments have few requests but others are being cared for regu- larly during the year.
I shall not endeavor to itemize the work that is done for each department but shall give a short resume of the substance.
City Solicitor
Surveys and plans are made for all cases against the City which are before the courts during the year.
A report of all accidents that occur is received from the City Clerk, which are immediately investigated and levels and measure- ments taken that will be necessary later if brought before the courts.
Plans and descriptions of all lands taken by eminent domain or deeded are prepared for the City Solicitor.
City Council
The requests of the Council have been numerous this past year. The orders passed through the Council have increased 28 per cent over the year 1929.
All orders pertaining to the acceptance of streets and permanent sidewalks, including betterment assessment orders, were prepared by this department, also orders for widenings and land takings by eminent domain.
Plans were prepared for public hearings held on 112 streets which were petitioned for acceptance by the City. Estimates were prepared and given to the Council on these projects including drainage that was necessary for proper construction of the same.
The City Engineer was required to attend all meetings of the Council and of the Council Finance Committee to give whatever information was requested of him as to the costs and merits of the various projects being considered.
Additional work was done by the Council on zoning and all plans were prepared by this department. All hearings that were held on this matter in all sections of the City were attended by the City Engineer.
City Clerk
Plans were prepared for all streets accepted or widened and all lands taken by eminent domain and delivered to the City Clerk for recording in the Norfolk Registry of Deeds.
Tax Collector
On requests that the Tax Collector receives for information as to outstanding sidewalk and street betterments, 470 were referred to this department for the requested information.
277
REPORT OF ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
In preparation for the tax sale of 1929 delinquent taxes, descrip- tions of about 4,000 parcels of land were made for the purpose of advertising for the sale.
Assessors
The plans showing all parcels of land in the City which are as- sessed are kept in this office. They show the plots, areas, lot num- bers and owners of the various parcels. These are changed continually by the transferring of land to different owners. These plans were completed for the assessment of April, 1930, with the new owners and buildings thereon.
A copy of each permit issued by the Building Inspector during the year was received and these new buildings were located and measured and placed upon these plans.
During most any year there are about 5,000 transfers of prop- erty which by making changes reduces the life of these plans re- quiring new plans to be made from time to time.
Park Department
Upon request of the Fark Commissioners baseball fields were laid out on every playground in the City, and when the season was over they were laid out for football.
Plans and grades were given on the Hollis Avenue Playground, the Merrymount School Playground, Ward Two Playground, and Ward Four Playground, where work was done on grading.
Several locations were laid out for beauty spots where flower beds were planted.
Cemetery Department
During the year a study was made on the future development of the land remaining available at the Mt. Wollaston Cemetery.
Two additional sections were laid out into lots during the year.
School Department
The addition to the Atherton Hough School was completed and the grounds laid out and graded.
The Montclair School addition was completed early in the year and the grounds around this school were also laid out and graded. Several new locations for schools were asked for by the School Committee and plans for these were made by this department.
The addition to the North Junior High School was started near the end of the year and drains were installed for the grounds.
The grounds around the Washington School were graded and covered with a hard surface.
Fences were laid out and installed at several of the schools during the year.
Building Department
The work of giving grades for the location of all buildings that were constructed during the year was continued by the City En- gineer. Each permit was investigated and a letter to the Building Inspector and the owner of the property was sent out. There were 566 of these applications taken care of in all parts of the City.
The applicant was charged $2.00 for each permit for this service which totaled $1,132.00, which was turned over to the Treasurer as receipts from this department.
This work has been of wonderful value to the owner and also to the city. The result being that buildings are being placed at a grade to eliminate their getting water in the rainy season.
278
CITY OF QUINCY
Lines and Grades
On request of property owners lines and grades of accepted streets are given. These requests invariably come from property owners who are contemplating the improvement of their property such as granolithic walks, grading lawns and building retaining walls. This service does not include placing lot corners or lot lines; these must be given by a private engineer.
During the year there were approximately 100 requests for this service.
Sewers
All sewers are laid out by this department, and during the year there were 5.267 miles constructed on 51 different streets in all parts of the City. For the schedule of these sewers see Commis- sioner of Public Works Report (Sewer Division).
Some of the important extensions were the sewer from Furnace Brook Parkway at Ida Street through Hayward Place, Conant Street, West Street, and Hynes. Avenue to Station Street. This was a very much needed extension and required quite a cut in parts and encountered considerable ledge.
The extension on Hobart Street which required piling enabled us to connect Wilson Avenue and extend through Harvard Street and Elliot Avenue. This completed quite a section in the Montclair District.
The extension of the sewage system in Squantum was continued and we now have over two miles laid in this area and hope to install enough in 1931 to assure the Metropolitan Sewer Division that they may get started to build a pumping station to take care of this area.
For Squantum sewers placed to date see schedule attached.
All sewers were constructed by the Sewer Department of the City of Quincy.
There is now a total of 131.827 miles of sewer laid in this City.
Surface Drains
In the past few years drainage has been receiving its proper recognition in the City. During the year there were 7.459 miles constructed on 105 different streets in all sections of the City.
Some of the main drains that were installed included Wilson Avenue from the Montclair Brook to the railroad at Newport Ave- nue. This was a 42-inch line and eliminated the old inadequate brook which ran through private property and under buildings be- tween these two points.
The Montclair Brook was started and should be completed be- tween Wilson Avenue and Holbrook Road in 1931, requiring a 60-inch pipe.
The piping of the Furnace Brook from the Furnace Brook Park- way at Newport Avenue across Oakland Avenue to the Furnace Brook Parkway at Anderson Road was a much needed improvement. This was the old bed of the brook and at times was very disagree- able from a health standpoint.
Another good improvement was the relieving of the Standish Avenue pocket which required a drain from the Furnace Brook at Douse Road under the railroad, through private lands, Old Colony Avenue, Greenleaf Place and Warren Avenue to Standish Avenue. This pocket in Standish Avenue has been a cause of discontent on the part of the property owner for some time and is now quite an improvement.
279
REPORT OF ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
Considerable work was done on making plans of all drains that have been installed in previous years, and no record having been made of same.
The majority of our surface drains during the year were laid with both plain and reinforced concrete pipe which we believe will make them permanent construction.
All surface drains were constructed by the Sewer Department of the City of Quincy.
For itemized list see drain schedule attached.
Accepted Streets
There were 40 streets accepted during the year by the City Council amounting to a length of 4.76 miles.
These streets were all laid out under the betterment act and plans and schedules were recorded at the Norfolk Registry of Deeds, having been prepared by this department.
The construction of all these streets was not completed due to some of them not being accepted until the latter part of the year.
There were six street widenings made and the land taken by eminent domain.
All construction was done by the Highway Department of the City of Quincy.
The streets that were not completed will be started early in the spring of 1931.
For list see schedule of accepted streets.
Rebuilt Streets
There were 24 streets rebuilt during the year covering a total of 6.551 miles.
With the total mileage of streets now accepted the rebuilding of streets shall become quite an item before many years.
The most important street rebuilt was Sea Street from the Southern Artery to Babcock Street, about two miles in length. The trees on this street were removed allowing the roadway to be widened from 18 feet to an average of about 45 feet. This is the direct line from Quincy Square to Houghs Neck.
Washington Street from Canal Street to the Southern Artery was also rebuilt. This is one of the main arteries to the South Shore.
At the end of the year the majority of our main thoroughfares were in very good condition.
Granolithic Sidewalks
There were 6.61 miles of granolithic walks constructed during the year on 40 different streets. There was also 1.4 miles of granolithic curbing installed. The majority of this work was done on the beach side of Wollaston and Atlantic.
This work was done under contract by Henry Lavelle between July and December.
Construction orders and layout of these walks, including final measurements and betterment assessments, were done by this department.
The cost of granolithic walks is greatly increased by the neces- sity of constructing small retaining walls, moving hedges, and regrading lawns. This expense is caused by property owners building walks and grading lawns to please themselves instead of making use of the service of this department in getting lines and grades before construction.
For itemized list see Granolithic Sidewalk schedule.
280
CITY OF QUINCY
Asphalt Sidewalks
During the year asphalt sidewalks were placed on a large scale, much beyond any previous year, there being a total of 16.634 miles installed on 62 streets in various sections of the City. These walks were mixed on the location and prove to be a wonderful value to some sections of the City.
The demand for this type of walk is increasing every year as they are a hard surface and there is no assessment of betterment on them.
These walks were all built by the Highway Department of the City of Quincy.
For itemized list see Asphalt Sidewalk schedule.
Zoning
The City Council appointed a committee to take up the matter of Zoning early in the year.
This committee prepared a new text and this department pre- pared a new plan covering the whole of the City.
The plans were readjusted continually and public hearings were held in every section of the City which were attended by the City Engineer, who explained the boundaries of the different classifica- tions of the plan.
The finished plan was adopted on December 29, 1930, and a petition for referendum was started which may eliminate all work that has been put in on this map during the year.
I wish to express my appreciation for the cooperation which has been extended to me during the year by His Honor the Mayor, the members of the City Council, city officials, and the personnel of this department.
Respectfully submitted,
WALLACE S. CARSON, City Engineer.
ACCEPTED STREETS-1930
Streets
Location
Ward
Width in feet
Length in feet
Estimated Cost
Accepted
Aberdeen Road
Bay View Road to Green Street.
6
30
205
$3,000
July
16, 1930
Albany Street
Chatham Street to Granger Street.
5
40
522
4,200
May
26, 1930
Albatross Road
Plover Road to Swan Road.
1
40
766
7,000
July
16, 1930
Becket Street
Harriet Avenue to Montclair Avenue.
6
36
596
7,000
Dec.
17, 1930
Braintree Avenue
Sea Street to Utica Street.
1
40
852
5,700
July
16, 1930
Brockton Avenue
Palmer Street to Lind Street.
1
33
625
6,500
Aug.
20, 1930
Brook Road Extension ..
Water Street to Pleasant Street.
3
50
1,265
18,000
Dec.
4, 1930
Carlson Street
Parker Street to private land
1
25
529
8,500
Dec.
4, 1930
Charlesmount Avenue ..
Quincy Avenue to Burns Avenue
2
40
670
10,500
July
28, 1930
Conrad Street
Franklin Street to Braintree Town Line.
3
40
240
1,900
Dec.
4, 1930
County Road
Quarry Street to Connell Street.
4
40
650
1,500
Dec.
4, 1930
Ditmar Street
Quincy Shore Res. to E. Squantum Street.
6
40
280
3,000
June
6, 1930
Dixwell Avenue
Accepted part to Whitwell Street ..
1
40
842
5,000
Dec.
4, 1930
Edinboro Road
Fifth Avenue to Murdock Avenue.
2
40
765
7,000
July
18, 1930
Elliot Avenue
Harvard Street to Highland Avenue ...
6
50
1,440
12,000
July
16, 1930
Elmwood Avenue
Piermont Street to Harvard Street.
5
40
320
3,000
Dec.
4, 1930
Emerald Street
Gridley Street to Ferriter Street.
4
40
280
2,000
Dec.
29, 1930
Ferriter Street
Grove Street to Shawmut Street.
4
40
425
7,000
July
16, 1930
Gridley Street
Emerald Street to Argonne Street.
4
40
1,071
13,000
July
16, 1930
Harvard Street
Holbrook Road to Wilson Avenue
6
40
920
10,000
July
16, 1930
Highland Avenue
Wilson Avenue to No. Central Avenue.
5
48
1,042
9,000
Dec.
29, 1930
Hillside Avenue
Accepted part to Summit Avenue.
5
50
692
10,000
Aug.
10, 1930
Hobart Street
Highland Avenue to Safford Street.
5
50
481
5,000
Dec.
4, 1930
Janet Road
Florence Street to Marlboro Street ..
5
40
500
5,000
July
16, 1930
Kimball Street
Robertson Street to Connell Street ..
1
40
840
5,000
Dec.
4, 1930
Mary Street
South Street to Des Moines Road Extension.
2
40
290
5,000
July
16, 1930
..
..
.
.
.. .
..
..
REPORT OF ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
281
282
ACCEPTED STREETS-1930-Continued
Streets
Location
Ward
Width in feet
Length in feet
Estimated Cost
Accepted
McDonald Street
Station Street to Centre Street.
4
33
634
5,000
Dec.
4, 1930
Moffat Road
Sea Street to Ford Street ..
1
40
565
4,700
July
19, 1930
Nash Avenue
South Street to King Lane
2
30
402
2,400
Dec.
4, 1930
Old Colony Avenue.
Greenleaf Place northerly
5
50
350
8,300
Sept.
18, 1930
Orchard Street
Brunswick Street to Bayside Road.
6
40
409
3,500
Dec.
17, 1930
Overlook Road
Highfield Road to Sea Street ...
1
40
581
9,500
May
July
16, 1930
Pembroke Street
Lurton Street to Braintree Town Line.
5
50
550
10,000
June
6, 1930
Pine Street
Elmwood Avenue to Granger Street.
6
40
524
7,400
May
26,
1930
Richfield Street
Huckins Avenue to Dundee Road.
5
40
602
5,000
Dec.
29,
1930
Ridgeway Street
Wendell Avenue to Franklin Avenue.
4
40
1,010
14,500
July
16, 1930
Shawmut Street
Ferriter Street to Argonne Street.
1
40
597
6,000
July
16, 1930
Shed Street
Palmer Street to Sargent St ..
2
40
540
3,500
Dec.
9, 1930
Sixth Avenue
Chubbuck Street to Cleverly Court ..
5
40
895
8,000
July
16, 1930
Willow Avenue
Furnace Brook Parkway to Oakland Avenue ....
25,137
$266,600
..
..
..
..
Total-4.76 miles
CITY OF QUINCY
..
3
40
370
4,000
26, 1930
STREET WIDENINGS -1930
Street
Location
Ward
Description
Condition
Beale St ..
Hancock St. to Old Colony Ave ...
5
Widen street to 65 feet ..
Huckins Ave.
At East Squantum St.
6 Rounding Corner
Not Started Completed
Huckins Ave.
At Bellevue Rd.
6 Rounding Corner
Completed
Palmer St ..
Wilgus Rd. Northerly ..
1 Widen Street to 50 feet ...
Completed
Rock Island Rd.
At Sea St.
1 Rounding Corner
Completed
South St.
Scammel St. to East of Winthrop Pk ..
2 Widen Street to 50 feet ..
Sub graded
..
REPORT OF ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
283
284
NEW STREETS COMPLETED IN 1930
Streets
Location
Ward
Width in ft.
Length in ft.
Cost
Accepted
Aberdeen Rd.
Bay View Rd. to Green St.
6
30
205
$3,302 68
July
16, 1930
Albany St ... ....
Chatham St. to Granger St.
5
40
522
2,253 78
May
26, 1930
Braintree Ave ...
Sea St. to Utica St ..
1
40
852
6,759 53
July
16, 1930
Brockton Ave ..
Palmer St. to Lind St.
1
33
625
3,801 79
Aug.
20, 1930
Charlesmount Ave.
Quincy Ave. to Burns Ave.
2
40
670
8,196 24
July
28, 1930
Ditmar St.
Quincy Shore Resv. to E. Squantum St .....
6
40
280
3,046 31
June
6,
1930
Dixwell Ave ..
Accepted Part to Whitwell St.
1
40
842
3,152 81
Dec.
4, 1930
Edinboro Rd
Fifth Ave. to Murdock Ave ..
2
40
765
3,350 95
July
18, 1930
Janet Rd ..
Florence St. to Marlboro St ..
5
40
500
2,969 72
July
16, 1930
Mary St.
South St. to Des Moines Rd. Ext.
2
40
290
4,854 19
July
16, 1930
Moffat Rd.
Sea St. to Ford St
1
40
565
3,306 99
July
19, 1930
Overlook Rd.
Highfield Rd. to Sea St.
1
40
581
6,834 84
May
26, 1930
Pembroke St.
Lurton St. to Braintree Town Line.
3
40
370
2,482 09
July
16, 1930
Richfield St ..
Huckins Ave. to Dundee Rd.
6
40
524
3,506 18
May
26, 1930
Ridgeway Drive.
Samoset Ave. to Highfield Rd.
1
40
610
6,427 83
Dec.
10, 1929
Russell St ..
Newbury Ave. Easterly to Accepted part
6
40
310
5,194 58
July
24, 1928
Shed St ..
Palmer St. to Sargent St ..
1
40
597
2,938 58
July
16, 1930
9,108 $72,379 09
Totals
..
. .
..
.
CITY OF QUINCY
1.725 Miles
STREETS ACCEPTED 1930 NOT COMPLETED
Street
Location
Ward
Width in feet
Length in feet
Accepted
Present condition
Albatross Road
Plover Road to Swan Road
1
40
766
July 16, 1930
Sidewalks to complete
Becket Street
Harriet Avenue to Montclair Avenue.
6
36
596
Dec. 17, 1930
Not started
Brook Road Extension
Water Street to Pleasant Street.
3
50
1,265
Dec.
4, 1930
Partly filled
Carlson Street
Parker Street to private land ..
1
25
529
Dec.
4, 1930
Gravel top
Conrad Street
Franklin Street to Braintree Town Line ..
3
40
240
Dec.
4, 1930
Not started
County Road
Quarry Street to Connell Street .. Piermont Street to Harvard Street.
4
40
650
Dec.
4, 1930
Practically done
Elliot Avenue
Harvard Street to Highland Avenue ..
6
50
1,440
July 16, 1930
Sidewalks to complete
Emerald Street
Gridley Street to Ferriter Street.
4
40
280
Dec. 29, 1930
Sub graded
Ferriter Street
Grove Street to Shawmut Street.
4
40
425
July 16,
1930
Sub graded
Gridley Street
Emerald Street to Argonne Street.
4
40
1,071
July 16,
1930
Sub graded
Harvard Street
Holbrook Road to Wilson Avenue.
6
40
920
July 16, 1930
Sub graded
Highland Avenue
Wilson Avenue to No. Central Avenue ...
10
48
1,042
Dec. 29, 1930
Not started
Hillside Avenue
Accepted part to Summit Avenue.
5
50
692
Aug. 10, 1930
Sub graded
Hobart Street
Highland Avenue to Safford Street.
5
50
481
Dec.
4, 1930
Sub graded
Kimball Street
Robertson Street to Connell Street.
4
40
840
Dec.
4, 1930
Not started
McDonald Street
Station Street to Centre Street.
4
33
634
Dec.
4, 1930
Not started
Nash Avenue
South Street to King Lane.
2
30
402
Dec.
4,
1930
Not started
Old Colony Avenue
Greenleaf Place northerly.
5
50
350
Sept. 18, 1930
Sub graded
Orchard Street
Brunswick Street to Bayside Road.
6
40
409
Dec. 17,
1930
Not started
Pine Street
Elmwood Avenue to Granger Street.
5
50
550
June
6,
1930
Sidewalks to complete
Ridgeway Street
Wendell Avenue to Franklin Avenue.
5
40
602
Dec. 29,
1930
Not started
Shawmut Street
Ferriter Street to Argonne Street.
4
40
1,010
July 16,
1930
Sub graded
Sixth Avenue
Chubbuck Street to Cleverly Court ..
2
40
540
Dec. 9, 1930
Sub graded
Willow Avenue
Furnace Brook Parkway to Oakland Ave.
5
40
895
July 16, 1930
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