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 1937 > Part 2
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I express grateful appreciation for the excellent work accomplished in this department.
SCHOOLS
For me to attempt a review of the work of such a large depart- ment in the short time allotted for this message would be futile. The system is running smoothly and well. Our people may feel justly proud of the educational facilities offered by the Quincy Schools to the end that the youth of our city is being well trained in modern methods of learning.
Once again I must pause to pay tribute to the memory of our beloved friend, Dr. Nathaniel S. Hunting, who passed away a short time ago. As a member and Vice-Chairman of our School Commit- tee for over thirty years, Dr. Hunting's advice and counsel will always stand as an example for those of us in the younger genera- tion to follow.
PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS
Under the new organization plan for this department, I predict a decided and beneficial improvement in the accomplishments of this important health-building part of our city's life. We cannot overestimate the value to any community through recreational facilities both in winter and summer. We are fortunate indeed in having parks and playgrounds in practically every section of Quincy, and I hope that provision will be made by the Council to provide them in those districts at present rather removed from these health centers.
Every effort will be made during the year 1938 to carry on a well balanced program for children in the summer months of va- cation and for adults in their many forms of health building ac- tivities.
GENERAL COMMENTS
In my Inaugural Address to the 1937 City Council I recommended six major items for its consideration for the advancement of our city :
1. Purchase of the Public Parking Area.
2. Municipal Stadium.
3. Comprehensive development plan for Merrymount Park.
4. Centralized Purchasing.
5. New Fire Headquarters.
6. Appointment of an unpaid Commission to study the needs and location of a new City Hall.
14
CITY OF QUINCY
Of these, five were carried through, and only the purchase of the parking area was left undone.
Our new Municipal Stadium, now nearly completed, will provide a long, desired improvement in making available a central athletic field, suitably enclosed, wherein our citizens might have the oppor- tunity of witnessing sporting events, and football in particular. Seating, accommodations for fifty-five hundred persons have been built, and further expansion can be provided when the need arises. It is expected that the formal dedication will be held on Armistice Day afternoon with appropriate exercises by our Veterans' Organ- izations and a football game between our two High Schools. The Stadium will be completed, however, next spring, and put into use, but it is felt that the official dedication should be deferred until the football season.
Mr. Herbert J. Kellaway, recognized landscape authority, was employed by the Park Commissioners to prepare a comprehensive development plan for Merrymount Park. For the first time since this beautiful park was given by the Adams family we have a definite ten year program of improvements which, when com- pleted, will make Merrymount Park one of the outstanding ones in this part of the state. This plan is in printed form, and may be obtained from the Park Commissioners or at the Mayor's Office.
The plan of Centralized Purchasing has now been accepted by our citizens at the last municipal election and provided for through ordinance by the City Council. There is no question but what it will work out advantageously for our citizens and provide a sub- stantial saving. to the taxpayers of Quincy.
The new Fire Headquarters has been previously referred to.
With the adoption of my recommendation the Council providing for an unpaid Commission to study all phases of the much needed and many times discussed new City Hall, a definite progressive step was taken. The Commission, under the Chairmanship of ex- Mayor William A. Bradford, made one of the most complete reports ever received by the city. Submitted to the Mayor on July 1, 1937, it embodied definite recommendations concerning (a) location, (b) type of building, and (c) financing. Carefully thought out conclu- sions were offered in the closing. paragraphs.
I shall include this report in our official documents of 1937 so that it may be referred to at such time as our city feels prepared to provide the necessary funds for this much needed improvement.
RECOMMENDATIONS
It is very difficult at the beginning of any year to anticipate the need for further development with any degree of accuracy. I shall however, from time to time advise you of needed improvements and the manner under which they may be financed. In that manner we may intelligently discuss these matters as they arise.
It is hoped that through the assistance of the federal govern- ment we will be able to construct an underpass at both Quincy Adams and Norfolk Downs. Estimates and surveys are now being prepared by the City Engineer on both projects.
15'
INAUGURAL ADDRESS BY HON. THOMAS S. BURGIN, MAYOR
Definite action should be taken by the Council on leasing the so-called parking area for a period of time if the idea of purchase has been abandoned.
CONCLUSION
And now, gentlemen, we have officially started our fiftieth year as a municipality. With sound judgment, sincere motives, and an honest desire to be of service to our fellow man, there can be no question but what our successors fifty years from now may point with justifiable pride to the record of the fiftieth year of our city just as today I have referred with pride and honor to the first year of Quincy as a municipality.
May I express to you, both personally and officially, my very best wishes for a Happy New Year.
In the name of the great Father of us all I ask for divine guidance in our deliberations and undertakings to the end that our city may close its first half century in a manner befitting the traditions of the past.
Thank you.
-
MES
PROPOSED CITY HALL QUINCY, MASSACHUSETTS ALLEN, COLLENS & WILLIS ARCHTS
17
REPORT OF THE QUINCY NEW CITY HALL COMMISSION
REPORT OF THE QUINCY NEW CITY HALL COMMISSION
Submitted July 1, 1937
THE HON. THOMAS S. BURGIN,
Mayor of the City of Quincy,
City Hall,
Quincy, Massachusetts.
DEAR SIR:
The Commission authorized by the Quincy City Council on Janu- ary 11, 1937 and appointed under your direction for the purpose of considering the advisability of erecting a new City Hall have care- fully considered this matter.
After a thorough study, which necessitated ascertaining knowl- edge and facts concerning different phases of the proposed project, the Commission hands you herewith its report.
In submitting this report the Commission sincerely trusts that it has fulfilled the duties assigned to it, completed its work and should now be discharged.
However, should its services still be needed, the members are unanimous in their willingness to still serve on this Commission.
Respectfully submitted,
WM. A. BRADFORD, Chairman
Quincy New City Hall Commission.
18
CITY OF QUINCY
REPORT OF THE QUINCY NEW CITY HALL COMMISSION
QUINCY, MASSACHUSETTS, JUNE 30, 1937
To his Honor, the Mayor of Quincy, and the members of the Quincy City Council
GENTLEMEN :
The members of this Commission, authorized by the Quincy City Council under order No. 28 and dated January 11, 1937 "for the purpose of making a general survey concerning the advisability of the City of Quincy erecting a new City Hall" beg leave to submit the following report:
This is an unpaid commission of eleven members, consisting of two members from the Board of Directors of the Quincy Chamber of Commerce, two members from the Board of Directors of the Quincy Taxpayers' Association, two citizens and two members representing labor organizations, "all to be appointed by His Honor, the Mayor" and "three members of the City Council to be appointed by the president of the City Council" and it was further ordered "that this Commission be respectfully requested to make a study of all phases concerning the advisability and erection of such a City Hall and if possible return its report to the Mayor and City Council not later than September 15, 1937".
The Mayor also stated in a letter, dated March 30, 1937, which was addressed to the Commission that there were at least three essential points for the Commission to consider, as follows:
"1. To ascertain whether or not the City of Quincy needs a new City Hall at the present time.
"2. If such is the case, what location would be the best suited to the general needs of the community.
"3. To study the finances of the City, particularly the maturing debt in the next two or three years, to ascertain whether or not a loan providing for the construction of a new building could be is- sued without materially increasing the debt of the city. This, of course, should be determined after a careful study of the entire situation has been made, in order to reveal the approximate cost of what the new building would represent."
The membership of this Commission as authorized and elected by the City Council and appointed by Mayor Burgin is
From Quincy City Council
1. Councilor Aldo Della Chiesa Instructor of Architectural Draw- ing
2. Councilor Neil A. McDonald President, Willard Granite and Polishing Company
3. Councilor Roy A. Means Manufacturer of Cement Products
19
REPORT OF THE QUINCY NEW CITY HALL COMMISSION
Appointed by Mayor
Citizens Representatives
4. Clarence Burgin President Quincy Savings Bank
5. Harold D. Crosby Assistant Assessor City of Quincy
Labor
6. Fred H. Leach Secretary, Bricklayers' & Masons' Local Union No. 52
7. Alexander Ross Executive Council, Granite Cut- ters' International Association of America
Chamber of Commerce
8. Matthew Cushing Vice-President Granite Trust Com- pany
9. Frank E. Remick Proprietor Remick Company
Taxpayers' Association
10. William A. Bradford Publisher and Real Estate
11. David A. Cutler President-Treasurer, Alfred Hale Rubber Company
No change has occurred in the personnel of the Commission since it was organized.
The appointed members of the Commission met and organized on February 17, 1937 and have since then held at least two meet- ings each month.
The Commission gratefully acknowledges the kind assistance and co-operation of the Mayor and various departmental heads of the city when required for the information and advice given them. The Commission has also employed and received the services of Mr. Charles Collens, a member of the Architectural firm of Allen, Collens and Willis of Boston, Massachusetts, who are nationally known architects. Mr. Collens' counsel, advice and co-operation in drawing tentative plans and sketches of various types of build- ings has been invaluable to the Commission.
The Commission believes the present site is the logical location for an enlarged City Hall but should a land change be necessary and the present building remain and still be used for any depart- ment or business of the city different than at present, the land would not revert to the original grantors or their heirs. This statement is also the opinion of the City Solicitor based on findings and previous opinion of the Supreme Court of Massachusetts.
The Commission wishes also to point out that by using any part of the present City Hall for the purpose of enlarging same, it will not be necessary to submit the proposition of an enlarged City Hall to a referendum for the voters of Quincy to decide. The Mayor of the City can proceed with the project with the approval of the City Council who must, of course, authorize the program and pro- vide the necessary legislation for financing the project.
The three principal phases that have been pointed out in this preamble are now more fully explained.
20
CITY OF QUINCY
LOCATION
Various new sites proposed by different interested parties were taken under consideration by the Commission. They were also examined by Mr. Collens who was asked to point out any advan- tages or disadvantages they might possess.
Through the medium of the Quincy press the Commission invited those having in mind desirable sites suitable for city hall purposes to suggest them to the Commission for their consideration.
The Commission favors the present site as being the best location for the following reasons:
It is a dangerous procedure to decentralize a city without some urgent or apparent reason.
There is no expense for land involved other than the purchase of a small lot of additional land located at the rear of the present City Hall and now owned by the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad which they are willing to sell to the City for its present assessed value.
The present site is adequate for the City's requirements for a period of at least fifty years or more.
It is centrally located and within easy access to the greatest number of the City's population.
By retaining the present site a new city hall would honor the present historical center of the City and also the memory of two great statesmen and former presidents of the United States, namely the Adamses.
The Commission feels this historical fact is also of great interest and importance to many of our Quincy citizens.
BUILDING
The Commission has consulted with six architects, has consid- ered several possible locations, has heard many suggestions and examined many plans that have been submitted. They wish to report that they are of the opinion that a four story building cover- ing the lot now occupied by the City Hall, together with a lot of land on Depot Street to be acquired from the N. Y., N. H. and H. R. R. Co., is the best solution to a perplexing problem.
The Commission recommends a four story building in preference to a higher building, being convinced that the four story building provides more accessible and better correlated quarters for the different departments, and is more economical in its maintenance and operations.
It is suggested that the exterior of the building be constructed of Quincy Granite and that all of the surface stone in the present building be used.
The front of the present City Hall could be used in the new facade but with substantial granite columns and Ionic caps in ad- vance of the pilasters to form a dignified entrance portico.
The Commission suggests a building with about 25,000 feet of floor space as compared with about 15,000 feet used at the present time in all the buildings occupied by the several departments. This additional area should be adequate for at least fifty years or more.
21
REPORT OF THE QUINCY NEW CITY HALL COMMISSION
FINANCES
The Commission has reviewed the debt of the City over a period of ten years, the nature of the loans issued within that period and the trend of the borrowing capacity, together with prospective debt service requirements, based on the obligations already outstanding.
As of the close of 1937 it appears that the total long term debt of the City excluding tax title loans, will be $4,333,500. of which $2,229,500. will be within the legal debt limit. These figures are after giving effect to the debt scheduled for retirement during the current year and loans already authorized.
Based on these figures, the borrowing capacity of the City on December 31, 1937 will approximate $930,000. The debt inside the debt limit will be the lowest for any year since 1925 and the same holds true of the total indebtedness with the exception of 1933. The borrowing capacity of approximately $930,000. will be the largest of any year in the period under review.
The Commission appreciates that in connection with this figure of borrowing capacity allowance must be made for certain normal borrowings, such as for street and sewer construction, which for 1936 and 1937 to date amounted to $250,000. annually.
In view of the foregoing facts, if it is felt expedient to erect a new or enlarged city hall approximating a cost of $500,000., it ap- pears that funds could be made available within the debt limit.
The annual maturity of such a loan based on a twenty year term would be $25,000. and the interest requirements on an assumed 3% coupon rate would be $15,000. the first year, reduced by $750. annually thereafter. The cost to the City for the first year's ma- turing debt and interest would, therefore, be $40,000. or approxi- mately 32c per $1,000. in the tax rate.
The Commission has given no consideration as to the possibilities of financing such a venture with a P. W. A. grant in view, because of the uncertainty of the availability of funds from that source.
CONCLUSIONS
In view of the foregoing facts your Commission has reached the following conclusions:
1. That the city urgently needs a new or enlarged city hall.
2. That after much study and the correlation of considerable factoral data, your Commission has concluded that a new or enlarged city hall should be erected on the present site.
3. That after a careful study of the city's financial structure sufficient funds can be made available, within the debt limit, through borrowing, to create a fund approximating $500,000. for the erection of a new or enlarged city hall.
4. Though the cost of building materials has advanced sharply during the last year they are still twenty points lower than during the high level era of 1926, 1927 and 1928. There has been a slight decline in the last three or four months but there is every indication that they will remain fairly sta- tionary through the next year.
Considering these facts as we have here reviewed them, the Commission is of the unanimous opinion that the Mayor and the City Council should proceed with the erection of a new or enlarged city hall.
22
CITY OF QUINCY
The members of the Commission trust this report may prove of some value to the Mayor and the Quincy City Council in arriving at a decision on this important matter.
Respectfully submitted by the members of the Commission.
Signed:
NEIL A. McDONALD,
ROY A. MEANS, CLARENCE BURGIN,
HAROLD D. CROSBY,
FREDERICK H. LEACH,
ALEXANDER ROSS,
MATTHEW CUSHING,
FRANK E. REMICK,
*DAVID CUTLER, ALDO DELLA CHIESA, Secretary
WM. A. BRADFORD, Chairman Quincy New City Hall Commission.
*Not assenting to Location.
23
CITY GOVERNMENT
CITY GOVERNMENT-1938
MAYOR, HON. THOMAS S. BURGIN
DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS
COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC WORKS, EZEKIEL C. SARGENT.
CITY TREASURER, HAROLD P. NEWELL. CITY CLERK, EMERY L. CRANE. ASSISTANT CITY CLERK, HATTIEMAY THOMAS.
COLLECTOR OF TAXES, RALPH G. MESSENGER.
AUDITOR OF ACCOUNTS, LEO E. MULLIN.
CITY SOLICITOR, JOHN D. SMITH.
CHIEF OF POLICE, JOHN J. AVERY.
CHIEF OF FIRE DEPARTMENT, WILLIAM J. SANDS.
CITY ENGINEER, GERHARD F. SCHAFER.
COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC WELFARE, ANTHONY J. VENNA.
HEALTH COMMISSIONER, RICHARD M. ASH, M.D. SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE AND FIRE SIGNALS, THOMAS J. SMITH. INSPECTOR OF WIRES, FRANK LINTS. INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS, ALRICK A. WEIDMAN.
CITY PHYSICIAN, ASTRO A. DIBONA, M.D.
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES, JAMES M. CANTFILL.
DOCK AND WATER FRONT COMMISSIONER, JAMES A. M. NASH. SUPERINTENDENT OF SEWER DEPARTMENT, WALTER S. MCKENZIE. SUPERINTENDENT OF WATER DEPARTMENT, JOHN G. WHITMAN. PURCHASING AGENT, GEORGE H. BONSALL.
24
CITY OF QUINCY
ADMINISTRATIVE BOARDS
Assessors
NATHAN G. NICKERSON, CHAIRMAN
ALFRED B. KEITH
Term expires 1941 Term expires 1939
GEORGE H. NEWCOMB
Term expires 1940
Park Commissioners
J. ERNEST COLLINS ORRIE D. WILLIAMS
Trustees of Thomas Crane Public Library Meet first Tuesday of Month at 7:30 P.M.
GEORGE E. ADAMS, CHAIRMAN.
GEORGIANNA C. LANE, SECRETARY.
PAUL A. COLETTI, TREASURER.
HENRIETTA C. THOMAS.
VINCENT J. READDY.
PAUL C. REARDON.
Managers of Woodward Fund and Property
HON. THOMAS S. BURGIN, MAYOR.
HAROLD P. NEWELL, CITY TREASURER.
EMERY L. CRANE, CITY CLERK.
LEO E. MULLIN, AUDITOR OF ACCOUNTS.
JOHN R. SHAUGHNESSY, ELECTED BY COUNCIL.
Board of Survey
LOUIS F. R. LANGELIER, CHAIRMAN Term expires 1940
JOSEPH N. NOVER Term expires 1939
JOHN J. MANNING Term expires 1941
GERHARD F. SCHAFER, CLERK
Planning Board
WILSON MARSH, CHAIRMAN Term expires 1939
*ROBERT A. ZOTTOLI Term expires 1943
GUSTAF E. WESTHRIN Term expires 1942
JOHN A. SANDISON Term expires 1941
WALTER W. HOLLAND
Term expires 1940 GERHARD F. SCHAFER, CLERK
*Appointed to fill the unexpired term of James C. Horne, who died in office February, 1938.
25
CITY GOVERNMENT
Board of License Commissioners
EMERY L. CRANE, CITY CLERK.
JOHN J. AVERY, CHIEF OF POLICE. WILLIAM J. SANDS, CHIEF OF FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Board of Registrars
JOSEPH SZATHMARY, CHAIRMAN
Term expires 1941
ALBERT S. LECOUNT Term expires 1940
MARY E. HURNEY
Term expires 1939
EMERY L. CRANE, CITY CLERK
Managers of City Hospital
GUY W. HART, CHAIRMAN
Term expires 1942
JAMES F. REYNOLDS, SECRETARY
Term expires 1943
FRANKLIN S. NICHOLS Term expires 1939
J. BROOKS KEYES Term expires 1940
MRS. T. NEWELL LANE Term expires 1941
Retirement Board LEO E. MULLIN, AUDITOR
GEORGE H. BONSALL, CHAIRMAN Term expires 1941
JOHN J. KEEFE Term expires 1939
FRANCES E. VARNEY, SECRETARY
BOARD OF APPEAL (Building Department) WILLIAM R. LOFGREN, CHAIRMAN JOHN J. GALLAGHER PAUL N. SULLIVAN
CITY COUNCIL
Members at Large-Term expires December 31, 1938
RICHARD J. BARRY AVERY W. GILKERSON 39 Carle Road
EDWARD J. SANDBERG
65 Conant Road
29 Buckley Street
26
CITY OF QUINCY
Members from Wards-Term expires December 31, 1939 WILLIAM W. JENNESS, Ward 1 153 Putnam Street JOHN W. SAVAGE, Ward 2 80 Graham Street
ALDO DELLA CHIESA, Ward 3 9 Hughes Street
CHRISTIAN A. BURKARD, Ward 4 22 Wittich Place
MYRON N. LANE, Ward 5 140 Warren Avenue
FRANK N. ORCUTT, Ward 6 112 Colby Road
PRESIDENT, JOHN W. SAVAGE DEPUTY CLERK OF COUNCIL, DONALD P. CRANE CLERK OF COUNCIL, EMERY L. CRANE CLERK OF COMMITTEES, THEODORE R. DAVISON CITY MESSENGER, HARRY W. TIRRELL
TRUSTEES OF CITY HOSPITAL (Elected by Council)
FRANK N. ORCUTT MYRON N. LANE
MANAGERS OF ADAMS TEMPLE AND SCHOOL FUND (Elected by Council)
GEORGE E. ADAMS
JOHN D. SMITH
COUNCIL MEETINGS
Regular meetings of the City Council are held the first and third Monday evenings of each month at 7:45 P.M.
COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Meetings of the Finance Committee are held on the Second and Fourth Mondays of each month; meetings of Special Committees at the call of the Chairman.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Finance-Councillors Lane, Barry, Burkard, Della Chiesa, Gilker- son, Jenness, Orcutt, Sandberg, Savage.
Fire and Police-Councillors Jenness, Barry, Della Chiesa.
Ordinances and Legislative Matters-Councillors Barry, Jenness, Burkard.
Public Buildings, Sewers and Water Supply-Councillors Della Chiesa, Gilkerson, Barry.
Streets, Sidewalks, and Municipal Lighting-Councillors Della Chiesa, Jenness, Sandberg.
Pensions-Councillors Sandberg, Lane, Orcutt.
Public Utilities-Councillors Gilkerson, Burkard, Orcutt.
27
CITY GOVERNMENT
SCHOOL COMMITTEE Chairman HON. THOMAS S. BURGIN, MAYOR Vice-Chairman MRS. BEATRICE WALKER NICHOLS
HON. THOMAS S. BURGIN Term expires December 31, 1938 131 Monroe Road
JOSEPH J. KENDRICK Term expires December 31, 1938
110 Harvard Street
MRS. ESTHER V. PURCELL Term expires December 31, 1938
33 Dorchester Street
MRS. BEATRICE W. NICHOLS Term expires December 31, 1939 45 Elm Street
HESLIP E. SUTHERLAND Term expires December 31, 1939
50 Spear Street
ROY PROUT Term expires December 31, 1940
44 Highfield Road
L. PAUL MARINI Term expires December 31, 1940
223 Presidents Lane
Secretary of Board and Superintendent of Schools JAMES N. MUIR
The regular meetings of the School Committee are held at 7:30 o'clock P.M. on the last Tuesday of each month except July.
28
CITY OF QUINCY
REPORT OF THE AUDITOR
APRIL 28, 1938
To His Honor the Mayor and the Honorable City Council:
I submit herewith the financial report of the City of Quincy for the year ending December 31, 1937.
Respectfully submitted,
LEO E. MULLIN, Auditor of Accounts.
29
AUDITOR'S REPORT
IN COUNCIL
Order No. 89
FEBRUARY 8, 1937
Ordered :
That the several sums named herein be and are hereby appro. priated for the payment of the expenses of the City of Quincy for the financial year beginning January 1, 1937 and ending December 31, 1937, to be expended by and under the direction of the several officers or boards as herein designated.
GENERAL GOVERNMENT
Legislative
Salaries
$ 7,496 00
Expense
900 00
Executive
Salaries
$ 9,040 00
Expense
1,575 00
Auditor
Salaries
$ 8,300 00
Expense
1,500 00
Treasurer
Salaries
$ 13,822 00
Expense
3,147 95
New Equipment
530 00
Management of Property
2,820 00
Collector
Salaries
$ 16,686 00
Expense
10,089 00
Assessors
Salaries
$ 22,092 00
Expense
5,050 00
Law
Salaries
$ 3,000 00
Expense
6,200 00
Awards & Claims
3,500 00
30
CITY OF QUINCY
City Clerk
Salaries
$
7,038 00
Expense 250 00
Vital Statistics
700 00
Dog Officer
1,000 00
City Messenger
Salaries
$
.
800 00
City Engineer
Salaries
$ 22,000 00
Expense
1,900 00
Auto
1,250 00
New Equipment
350 00
Registrars
Salaries
$
2,075 00
Election Officers
4,140 00
Expense
5,450 00
Board of Survey
Salaries
$ 25 00
Expense
25 00
Planning Board
Salaries
$ 25 00
Expense
25 00
License Board
Salaries
$ 153 00
Expense
225 00
Retirement Board
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