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 1932 > Part 13
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 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29
The sum of $9,955.00 was added to the Perpetual Care Fund. A detailed statement of the investment will be found in the City Treasurer's report.
Very truly yours,
W. W. MITCHELL,
Manager of Public Burial Places.
214
CITY OF QUINCY
REPORT OF ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
To His Honor the Mayor and Members of the City Council:
GENTLEMEN :- I herewith respectfully submit the thirty-third annual report of the Engineering Department for the year ending December 31, 1932.
The work done in this department is so varied that it is almost impossible to itemize each project that is considered during the course of the year. Every department that requires any engineer- ing or drafting calls upon us to do their work, so I shall endeavor to give an explanatory report of the different work done for each individual department.
City Council
The City Council is mostly interested in the costs of projects that are presented to them which are many and varied, and call upon this department to prepare estimates and plans for such proposed projects.
Plans are prepared and furnished for all hearings for the ac- ceptance of streets and for the taking of lands for park, sewer, street or any other purpose.
All orders presented to the Council for the acceptance of streets, the construction of granolithic sidewalks, land takings and the as- sessment of betterments on streets and sidewalks are prepared by this department.
The City Engineer attends all meetings of the Council and its Finance Committee to furnish them with whatever information they desire in regard to the costs and feasibility of the various projects brought before them.
Many requests are received during the year from the individual councillors as to the costs of proposed projects that do not come before the Council, which are given immediate attention.
City Clerk
The City Clerk, who is also the Clerk of the Council, was fur- nished with all plans and orders pertaining to the acceptance of streets, land takings or assessments that were passed by the Council to be recorded in the Norfolk Registry of Deeds.
Copy of all reports of accidents are received from the City Clerk and investigated immediately and information prepared in contem- plation of any court action on the same.
City Solicitor
The City Solicitor calls upon this department for information on various court actions that are brought against the city. Sur- veys are made and plans prepared for accidents that are to be tried in the courts.
Description of land takings are made to be incorporated in deeds that are written to be recorded in the Norfolk Registry of Deeds.
The City Engineer is called upon personally to appear in court as a witness many times during the year.
215
REPORT OF ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
Tax Collector
Private individuals make requests upon the Tax Collector for information in regard to outstanding betterments or liens on prop- erties that they are investigating. These requests are forwarded to this department for this information on street and sidewalk betterments. During the year there were 240 requests of this nature.
In preparing for the sale of unpaid taxes for the year 1931, this department furnished descriptions of the various parcels to be advertised. There were about 7,500 descriptions furnished the Tax Collector for this contemplated tax sale.
It is necessary for this department to keep a complete record of all parcels that have been put through the Land Court to take care of these descriptions.
Assessors' Department
The demands of the Assessors' Department are very numerous as all their plans are prepared and kept up-to-date by this depart- ment. These plans show each parcel of land in the city with the areas, buildings and owner's names. Owing to the numerous transfers in property and new buildings constructed, a great deal of time is spent in keeping these plans up to date.
A copy of all permits issued pertaining to the changing of present buildings or construction of new buildings is received from the Building Department and these buildings are measured and checked up in the field and plotted on these assessors' plans.
During the year there were approximately 5,000 transfers of ownership of properties which required numerous erasures and changes to be made on these plans. As the life of these plans are very short it becomes necessary to make approximately 100 new plans each year. This work is done during the winter months.
Park Department
The Park Commissioners call upon this department to lay out baseball diamonds during the baseball season and football and soccer fields during the football season on practically every play- ground in the city.
The Dennis O'Neil Playground on Hollis Avenue, which was graded during 1931, was regraded owing to the settlement due to the soft material on this playground. There were approximately 600 yards of loam spread on this playground to bring it up to grade.
Ward Two Playground, which is being regraded and the material used on construction of new streets, is progressing rather slowly due to the transfer of the material to necessary projects.
During the latter part of the year the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation transferred their property, which is known as the Fore River Field, to the City of Quincy. The building on this property was in a rather dilapidated condition. All the windows were boarded up and the roof temporarily repaired in contempla- tion of permanent repairs being done in 1933.
At Merrymount Park there was a great deal of activity princi- pally due to the construction of the Acoustic Shell.
The citizens of Quincy, wishing to assist in the unemployment situation, created a fund from public subscriptions which was used for the employment of labor on various projects in the city.
216
CITY OF QUINCY
One of the main projects was the construction of an Acoustical Shell at Merrymount Park. This created considerable work, neces- sitating employment of laborers, masons, carpenters, electricians and others.
Upon the completion of this Shell, Walter Smith, a citizen of Quincy and leader of the famous Jenney Band, held 18 band con- certs during the summer season.
In preparation for the vast crowds who attended these concerts, Welfare labor and unemployed labor were used to construct road- ways from the main thoroughfares, and grade off a section for the parking of automobiles. One of the roadways was continued to the beach at the lower end of the park and the beach was im- proved for local bathers.
Several new flower beds were laid out and planted in this park during the year. This work was laid out and supervised by this department.
Lines were given for the construction of fences on various play- grounds throughout the city.
Cemetery Department
A part of the Mount Wollaston Cemetery, which is the only available area for burial purposes, was laid out and graded during the year. Several sections of this cemetery were staked into lots upon request of the Burial Commissioner.
A survey of the entire cemetery was started which, when com- pleted, will show the whole cemetery on one plan together with the various lots as have been sold during the previous years. This work should be continued in 1933 whenever possible, so that plan may be completed, which will assist the Cemetery Department in keeping their records.
School Department
The addition to the Quincy School was completed early in the year and the grounds adjoining both the original school and the addition were regraded.
Grades were given for the resurfacing of the Coddington School yard. This was regraded with an asphalt surface.
The westerly side of the Merrymount School yard was graded and surfaced with an asphalt finish. This was a decided improve- ment to this school.
Lines were also given for the construction of fences on various school locations throughout the city.
Building Department
All applications received by the Building Department for the construction of new buildings are referred to this department to issue the grade at which such building may be constructed. This work has been done during the past few years and is just begin- ning to show results.
The purpose of this procedure is to establish a grade for cellar floors so that they may be properly drained into both the drains and the sewers of the city. Also to keep the proper alignment and the height of buildings in conformity wtih the existing structures. This has been working out very successfully and has eliminated the construction of buildings on locations at such grades that it would be impossible to drain otherwise.
217
REPORT OF ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
During the year there were 252 applications referred to this department and each location was personally visited by the City Engineer. The charge to the applicants for this service was two dollars which makes a total of $504.00, whcih was turned over to the City Treasurer as receipts of this department.
Lines and Grades
It is customary for the City Engineer to furnish lines and grades to any property owned in the city on accepted streets. Many re- quests were made during the year which were properly cared for.
These requests are caused generally by the individual wishing to construct retaining walls or driveways or concrete sidewalks to improve their property, which is in itself a benefit to the appear- ance of the locality. This is a wellworth service to the community.
Sewers
The main sewers that are installed are planned and laid out by this department. Lines and grades are furnished during construc- tion ond during the year there were 3.373 miles of main sewer constructed.
For itemized list see schedule under sewer division of Commis- sioner of Public Works report.
The installation of the sewers in Squantum was continued in contemplation of the completion of the pumping station being constructed by the Metropolitan Sewer Commission. This pumping station was put into operation on September 28, 1932, which made it possible to take care of approximately three miles of sewer that have been installed by the city during the past few years in this section.
New sewers were installed on Bayside Road and Sachem Street, which necessitated the driving of piles for the proper foundation.
A low level sewer around the shore of Squantum was installed from Dorchester Street to Wedgewood Street. It was necessary, at one part, to make a cut through solid rock for a depth of 28 feet.
All sewers were constructed by the Sewer Department of the City of Quincy under the supervision of Walter S. Mackenzie, Superintendent.
The total main sewers now in place in the city is 140.038 miles.
Surface Drains
There were 1.113 miles of surface drainage constructed during the year, varying in sizes from eight to thirty-six inches in diame- ter. This was very much less than in previous years but owing to the reduction of appropriations furnished by the City Council it was impossible to construct any main drainage.
The major projecte constructed was the relaying of a 24-inch reinforced concrete pipe on Bates Avenue, from Willard Street, westerly.
Most of these drains were installed on locations that have been causing considerable inconvenience in the past few years.
For an itemized list see schedule attached.
All drains were constructed with concrete pipe by the Sewer Department. There were installed 78 catch basins during the year which makes a total now in place of 3,591.
218
CITY OF QUINCY
The work of compiling plans on drains that have been installed in the past was continued and practically 25 per cent of the city is now completed.
This work should be continued in 1933 so that the city may have a permanent record of the location of all drains in place.
Accepted Streets
During 1932 there were 36 streets accepted, making a total length of 4.093 miles. These streets were all accepted under the betterment act and 21 were sub-graded.
Taber Street was abandoned between Intervale Street and Brooks Avenue making it a part of the Lincoln School yard.
As it was difficult to get appropriations for new construction during the year, the work of sub-grading streets was carried on leaving the stone to be placed on these streets at a later date when funds will be available.
These streets were accepted and sub-graded merely to relieve the unemployment situation, as the majority of the money spent on this work was for labor.
All construction was done by the Highway Department under the supervision of the Commissioner of Public Works.
This department prepared plans for acceptances and established grades and lines during the construction.
For itemized list of 1932 streets see schedule attached.
Several streets that were accepted in 1931 were constructed.
Sachem Street and Pilgrim Road were not completed.
For itemized list see schedule attached.
Street Widenings
There were six widenings passed by the Council they being for the widening of intersections of streets. There were no major street widenings passed this year.
For itemized list see schedule attached.
Adams Street and School Street widenings that were passed in 1931 were constructed this year and both were remarkable improvements.
Rebuilt Streets
Adams Street-from Common Street to Whitwell Street, which was widened by the City Council in 1931, was the major rebuilding project during the year.
Several streets in various parts of the city were resurfaced by using tar and pea stone.
Granolithic Sidewalks
As there were no appropriations made by the City Council for granolithic sidewalks in 1932, and no balances left over from 1931, this work was discontinued for this year.
Several applications were made for granolithic sidewalks which were laid over until 1933.
Asphalt Sidewalks
A special appropriation to aid the unemployed labor was made to install asphalt sidewalks in various sections of the city. This work was done by the Highway Department and during the year they constructed 13.95 miles of this type of sidewalks.
219
REPORT OF ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
The demand for this sidewalk is becoming greater each year, due to the fact that there is no betterment against the abuttors and although it is not a permanent sidewalk it has improved many locations where the gravel walk was in bad shape.
The majority of these sidewalks were constructed with ameisite for a base course and col-provia for a walking surface.
For itemized list see Ameisite Sidewalk schedule attached.
This department gave lines and grades during construction and measured the amounts that were installed.
Parking Area
The new parking area that was purchased on Granite Street was graded and surfaced.
The area in the rear of Cliveden Street, owned and rented from Mr. Grossman, was resurfaced and the area in the rear of the Kincaide Warehouse, which was acquired by the Chamber of Com- merce, was also graded. With this area graded, the parking situ- ation is very well taken care of for the present.
Grade Crossing Elimination
The elimination of grade crossings in Quincy was not carried on as far as was anticipated.
The New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad was unable to finance their portion of the work, so that this work was stopped after the completion of the Quincy Station grounds and the School Street bridge, leaving the Water Street crossing yet to be elimi- nated when necessary funds were available.
The work of the new School Street bridge and the construction at the Quincy Station was done by the Tredennick Billings Com- pany of Boston, who held the contract for this work which was started in 1931.
It is hoped that the railroad may be able to finance this project in the near future to relieve the dangerous crossing at Water Street.
Street Numbering
The ordinance governing the numbering of buildings in the city is under the jurisdiction of the City Engineer, and during the year an effort was made to see that numbers were placed on all build- ings in the city.
After a survey was made it was found that 2,576 buildings were without numbers, and during the year this department, through a special effort, was able to have the owners place numbers on 83.5 per cent of these buildings.
Changing Duplicate Street Names
The City Council appointed a committee consisting of Councillors William B. Edmonston, chairman, Charles J. Herbert and Laurence J. Curtin, to consider the changing of duplicate street names. This committee held hearings every Friday afternoon during the sum- mer to consider changing of names of 120 streets.
The abuttors were invited to these hearings by this department and the City Engineer personally attended each hearing. Their recommendations were presented to the City Council, and orders were drawn for these changes, but owing to the power of changing
220
CITY OF QUINCY
unaccepted street names, being in the Board of Survey, they were only able to change 26 accepted streets.
For itemized list of streets whose names were changed, see schedule attached.
The Naming of Squares
Several squares in various parts of the city were named this year after World War Veterans with proper signs placed thereon.
Attached is a list of the squares in the city of Quincy that have been named to date.
I wish at this time to extend my appreciation for the cooperation I have received from His Honor the Mayor, members of the City Council, city officials, and the personnel of this department during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
WALLACE S. CARSON, City Engineer.
STREET WIDENINGS BY THE CITY COUNCIL DURING 1932
Location
Ward
Date of Widening
Eliot Street and Payne Street.
3
Dec.
5, 1932
Kidder Street and Garfield Street.
3
Dec.
5, 1932
Madison Street and Newbury Avenue.
6
Oct. 17, 1932
Silver Street, Mound Street and Hill Street
2
Dec. 27, 1932
Wesson Avenue and West Street.
4
Dec. 19, 1932
1931 STREETS CONSTRUCTED
Name
Location
Length
Width
Date of Acceptance
Condition
Piermont Street.
Sherman Street to Harvard Street ..
740
40
Dec. June
23, 1931 Completed
Pilgrim Road ..
Sunnyside Road to Milton Town Line ..
285
40
19, 1931 Practically
completed
Sachem Street ..
Wendall Avenue to Harding Street ..
570
40
June
26, 1931 Sub-graded
Sherman Street.
Harvard Street to North Central Avenue.
1,195
50
July
14, 1931 Completed
Taylor Street.
Hobart Street to Wilson Avenue ..
500
40
Oct.
8, 1931 Completed
1931 STREET WIDENINGS CONSTRUCTED
Adams Street. School Street.
Common Street to Whitwell Street Granite Street to Fort Street.
60
50
Completed Completed
REPORT OF ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
221
222
SURFACE DRAINS BUILT 1932
Size of Pipe
Street
Location
8"
10"
12"
15"
24"
36"
Total
Catch Basins
Man- holes
Adams St ..
Cor. Old Coach Rd.
38.5
72.5
111.0
4
Barham Ave.
Clement Ter. to Elliot Ave ..
34.7
708.25
128.3
871.25
10
3
Bates Ave.
Willard St., west.
88.0
480.0
568.0
3
3
Bayview St.
Edison Park to Thompson St.
174.5
174.5
10
1
Charles St ..
Cor. Silver St.
Curtis Ave.
Cor. Nevada Rd.
50.
50.0
2
1
Dixwell Ave
Cor. Whitwell St.
172.0
172.0
4
1
Hollis Ave.
Cor. Gilbert St ..
28.80
2
-
Independence Ave ....
Opp. Lawry St ..
35.0
485.0
653.0
9
1
Monroe Rd.
Cor. Glendale Rd.
24.0
55.0
55.0
Piermont St.
North of Sherman St.
65.0
65.0
2
Pontiac Rd.
Samoset Ave., west.
230.5
230.5
2
Quincy School.
365.0
365.0
2
1
Roberts Street.
South of Water St ..
28.0
28.0
3
Rockview Rd.
South of Cranch St ..
74.60
74.60
1
Russell St ..
West of Tirrell St.
23.0
350.0
247.5*
247.5
2
Sachem St.
Cor. Harding St.
99.6
99.6
3
-
CITY OF QUINCY
Elmwood Ave ..
Pine St. to Harvard St.
Glendale Rd.
Cor. Dimmock St ..
28.80
1
Lincoln Ave ..
Newport Ave. to Grandview Ave.
20.0
113.0
24.0
Merrymount Park.
....
373.0
2
Sachem Brook.
Piermont St. to Harvard St ..
1
1
Southern Artery ..
Near Pond St.
Near Sea St.
116.25
110.0
226.25
3
1
School St.
Cor. Fort St ..
24.0
40.1
79.3
143.4
3
1
Taylor St.
Cor. Hobart St.
20.0
20.0
2
Tirrell St.
Russell St., north
42.6
174.2
216.8
1
Upland Rd.
Saville St., south
653.9
653.9
5
Ward 3 Playground.
Near Water St.
150.4
1
Washington St.
Cor. Glenwood Way
147.3
147.3
1
Wesson Ave.
Willard St., east.
73.0
590.1 .
663.1
4
3
Total
409.0
1,831.65
2,501.15 792.2
727.5
150.4
6,411.90
78
22
6,411.90 = 1.113 miles *Metal pipe.
223
REPORT OF ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
150.4
STREETS ACCEPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL DURING 1932
Ward
Length
Width
Date of Acceptance
Condition
Amesbury Street.
West Squantum Street to Hobart Street.
5-6
1,192
40
Oct.
17, 1932
Sub-graded
Armory Street.
Hudson Street to Furnace Brook Parkway ..
1
581
40
Dec.
27, 1932
Started
Bay View Street ...
Edison Park to River Street ..
2
810
33
Aug.
18, 1932
Sub-graded
Belmont Street.
Elmwood Avenue to North Central Avenue
5
550
40
Oct.
31,
1932
Started
Belmont
Street ...
Wilson Avenue to Hobart Street.
5
497
40
Dec.
27, 1932
Not started
Bowdoin Street.
Wilson Avenue to West Squantum Street ..
6
951
40
Dec.
27. 1932
Not started
Branch Street.
Robertson Street to Milton Town Line.
4
1,453
33
Dec.
27,
1932
Not started
Bryant Avenue ...
Holbrook Road to Barham Avenue.
6
247
40
Dec.
30, 1932
Not started
Dayton Street.
Jenness Street to Furnace Brook Parkway ..
4
1,221
33
Oct.
17, 1932
31,
1932
Sub-graded
Douse Road.
Newport Avenue to Morgan Street.
6
544
50
Dec.
27, 1932
Not started
Elliot Avenue ...
Harvard Street to Barham Avenue ..
5
658
50
Oct.
31, 1932
Not started
Endicott Street.
Bradford Street to end.
3
550
40
Oct.
17, 1932
Sub-graded
Gilbert Street. ......
Nightingale Avenue to Roberts Street.
3
886
36
Oct.
17, 1932
Sub-graded
Harvard Street.
Elmwood Avenue to Wilson Avenue.
5
1,694
40-50
Oct.
31, 1932
Sub-graded
Harvard Street.
Quincy Shore Blvd. to Samoset Avenue .....
1
475
40
Oct.
31, 1932
Sub-graded
Holbrook
Road.
Harvard Street to Barham Avenue ..
6
549
50
Aug.
18, 1932
Sub-graded
Hopedale Street.
Lyons Street to Ida Street ...
4
513
30
Oct.
17, 1932
Sub-graded
Huckins Ave. Ext ......
East Squantum Street to Essex Street.
6
660
50
June
20, 1932
Not started
Kidder
Street.
Garfield Street to Quarry Street.
3
460
25
Aug.
18, 1932
Sub-graded
Lancaster Street ..
Grafton Street to Sumner Street.
2
475
40
Dec.
27, 1932
Not started
...
6
363
40
Oct.
31,
1932
Sub-graded
Highfield Road.
Centre Street westerly about 550 feet.
3
549
36
Oct.
17, 1932
Sub-graded
Clement Terrace.
Sub-graded
1-5
207
40
Oct.
Elmwood Avenue ..
Norfolk Street to Harvard Street.
Holbrook Road to West Squantum Street ..
CITY OF QUINCY
224
Lyons Street.
West Street to end.
4
480
33
Oct.
17, 1932
Sub-graded
Milton Street.
Chatham Street to Milton Town Line.
5
800
40
Oct.
31, 1932
Sub-graded
Nevada Road.
Curtis Avenue to end.
2
268
33
Oct.
31, 1932
Sub-graded
No. Central Avenue ..
Elmwood Avenue to Exeter Street.
5
350
50
Aug.
18, 1932
Sub-graded
Oakridge Road.
Myrtle Street to Walnut Street.
6
188
30
Oct.
17, 1932
Sub-graded
Pine Street.
Elmwood Avenue to Sherman Street.
5
477
50
Oct.
31, 1932
Sub-graded
Pontiac Road.
Quincy Shore Blvd. to Samoset Avenue.
1
548
40
Oct.
31, 1932
Sub-graded
Raycroft Street ..
Chubbuck Street to Cleverly Court ..
2
566
40
Dec.
27, 1932
Not started
Sherman Street.
Harvard Street to Piermont Street ..
5
105
40
Dec.
19,
1932
Sub-graded
Sunnyside Road.
Harold Street to Milton Town Line ..
4
652
40
Dec.
27, 1932
Not started
Totman Street.
Centre Street westerly about 450 feet ...
3
448
40
Oct.
17, 1932
Sub-graded
Victory Avenue.
Adams Street to Milton Town Line.
5
276
40
Dec.
27, 1932
Not started
Westford Street.
Station Street to end.
4
372
33
Oct.
17, 1932
Started
21,615 = 4.093 miles
..
REPORT OF ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
225
AMIESITE SIDEWALKS CONSTRUCTED IN 1932 As of December 31, 1932
Street
Location
Side
Length
Square Yards Walk
Drive
Adams Street
Upland Road to R. R. Bridge.
Southerly
83.00
59.44
Alden Street
Washington Street to Lancaster Street.
Westerly
371.00
249.67
44.44
Alden Street
Washington Street to Lancaster Street
Easterly
385.00
257.44
48.00
Alton Road
From 100 feet South Crest Street northerly.
Easterly
458.00
269.30
48.00
Alton Road
Crest Street, northerly 1
Crest Street, southerly 100 feet (
Westerly
419.00
201.60
49.70
Arlington Street
Brook Street to North Central Avenue ..
Easterly
959.00
402.44
122.67
Arlington Street
Brook Street to North Central Avenue.
Westerly
965.00
421.11
131.50
Arthur Street
Garfield Street westerly ..
Southerly
570.00
365.17
81.83
Arthur Street
Garfield Street to Nelson Street.
Northerly
766.00
580.20
26.60
Arthur Street
Nelson Street to Buckley Street.
Southerly
134.00
104.20
Arthur Street
Buckley Street to Nelson Street.
Northerly
221.00
150.13
36.86
Beach Street
Gould Street to Muirhead Street ..
Easterly
570.10
418.22
68.20
Bellevue Road
Dorchester Street to Huckins Avenue.
Northerly
2,037.90
1,070.60
72.52
Bellevue Road
Standish Road to Huckins Avenue ..
Southerly
1,199.20
670.21
114.36
Bennington Street
Verchild Street to High Street ..
Northerly
287.20
125.74
13.57
Bennington Street
Independence Avenue to High Street ...
Southerly
1,039.60
542.11
140.60
Brunswick Street
Bellevue Road, easterly
Southerly
56.30
92.03
8.50
Butler Road
Hancock Street to Putnam Street.
Southerly
766.80
404.96
49.56
Crescent Street
Cross Street to Copeland Street.
Southerly
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.