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 1939 > Part 7
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Valuation
Value of Buildings $ 78,948,100 00
Value of Land
34,227,500 00
Value of Land and Buildings
$113,175,600 00
Value of Personal
8.679,475 00
Total Valuation of the City as determined January 1, 1939 $121,855,075 00
Tax Rate 32 40
Amount to be raised by taxation. $
3,948,104 43
The valuation was increased by omitted assessments levied in December 1939 $
23,200 00
Valuation of Automobiles-December 31, 1939. 4,348,783 00
Total valuation of the City including Automobiles for 1939 was $126,227,058 00
Recapitulation Budget for 1939
City Appropriations :
Budget
$ 3,940,364 22
City Debt
725,249 39
City Interest
107,374 00
Temporary Loan Interest 11,000 00
Deficit Overlay
48,683 49
Appropriations from Available Funds.
197,098 67
Water Appropriations 216,764 00
Overlay (Current Year)
50,085 21
State Assessments:
State Tax $ 341,100 00
State Tax paid in excess
170,595 89
Metropolitan Sewers
98,392 45
Metropolitan Parks Loan Fund.
61,622 56
Charles River Basin Loan Fund
13,916 84
Neponset River Bridge Loan Fund
5,466 17
Wellington Bridge Maintenance
112 76
Metropolitan Planning Board
753 07
Auditing Municipal Accounts
186 36
Abatement of Smoke Nuisance
1,364 31
Veterans' Exemptions
266 12
Metropolitan Water
181,657 61
County :
County Tax $ 118,257 29
County Tax paid in 1938 in excess.
614 79
County Hospital 43,605 24
Total $ 6,334,530 44
125
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ASSESSORS
Estimated Receipts for 1939
Income Tax
$ 301,881 02
Corporation Tax
100,228 40
Motor Vehicle Excise
155,000 00
Licenses
75,500 00
Fines
1,200 00
Special Assessments
42,200 00
General Government
13,700 00
Protection of Persons and Property.
5,550 00
Health and Sanitation
47,450 00 275 00
Highways
Charities
116,800 00
Old Age Assistance
102,525 00
Soldiers Benefits
3,825 00
Schools
35,725 00
Libraries
2,925 00
Public Service (Water Dept.)
398,421 61
Cemeteries
20,800 00
Interest on Taxes and Assessments.
59,600 00
Hospital
221,300 00
Miscellaneous Items
8,100 00
Chapter 232
167,927 41
State Tax raised in excess
19,471 90
Available Funds
Transfers
$197,098 67)
Chapter 49
15,000 00
Chapter 72
15,000 00}
437,098 67
Chapter 464
85,000 00|
Chapter 49
125,000 00J
Poll Taxes
48,922 00
Total Deductions
$2,386,426 01
Respectfully submitted,
NATHAN G. NICKERSON, GEORGE H. NEWCOMB, WILLIAM J. CALLAHAN,
Board of Assessors.
126
CITY OF QUINCY
REPORT OF THE COLLECTOR OF TAXES
To His Honor, the Mayor of the City of Quincy:
I have the honor to submit the following report of the Tax Col- lector's Department for the year ending
DECEMBER 31, 1939
The amount of cash collected on the tax for the various years is as follows:
Tax of 1932
Amount uncollected January 1, 1939 ....
$ 00
Charges ..
222 76
224 76
Amount abated during year 1939.
156 45
68 31
Amount collected during year 1939.
68 31
$ 68 31
Amount of interest collected
49 52
Street Betterment Appts. of 1932
Amount uncollected January 1, 1939.
31 00
Charges
44 06
75 06
Amount collected during year 1939.
44 06
44 06
Amount uncollected January 1, 1940 ....
31 00
Committed Interest on Betterments of 1932
Amount uncollected January 1, 1939 .... 7 50
15 86
Amount collected during year 1939.
15 86
15 86
Amount uncollected January 1, 1940 ....
7 50
Tax of 1933
Charges
533 74
Amount abated during year 1939.
368 52
165 22
Amount collected during year 1939.
165 22
165 22
Amount of interest collected
63 39
Main Sewer Appts. of 1933
Charges
93 84
Amount collected during year 1939. ... 93 84
93 84
Cash Received
Charges
23 36
REPORT OF THE COLLECTOR OF TAXES
127
Street Betterment Appts. of 1933
Amount uncollected January 1, 1939 ......
44 06
Amount collected during year 1939. .. 44 06
44 06
Amount uncollected January 1, 1940 ..
31 00
Committed Interest on Betterments of 1933
Amount uncollected January 1, 1939 .... 14 88
Charges .. 27 05
41 93
Amount collected during year 1939. ... 27 05
27 05
Amount uncollected January 1, 1940. 14 88
Real Estate of 1934
Charges
874 67
Credits
267 30
607 37
Amount abated during year 1939
393 53
213 84
Amount collected during year 1939
213 84
213 84
Amount of interest collected
88 16
Main Sewer Appts. of 1934
Charges
132 01
Credits
38 36
93 65
Amount collected during year 1939.
93 65
93 65
Street Betterment Appts. of 1934
Amount uncollected January 1, 1939 ......
31 18
Charges
44 06
75 24
Amount collected during year 1939.
44 06
Amount uncollected January 1, 1940 ......
31 18
Committed Interest on Betterments of 1934
Amount uncollected January 1, 1939 ... .... 13 02
Charges
54 56
Credits
13 43
.
54 15
Amount collected during year 1939.
41 13
41 13
Amount uncollected January 1, 1940 ....
13 02
Cash Received
44 06
67 58
31 00 Charges
75 06
128
CITY OF QUINCY
Real Estate Tax of 1935
Cash Received
Charges
963 20 309 60
Credits
653 60
Amount abated during year 1939.
443 76
Amount collected during year 1939. 209 84 209 84
Amount of interest collected
55 01
Main Sewer Appts. of 1935
Charges
119 01
Credits
38 36
80 65
Amount collected during year 1939.
80 65
80 65
Street Betterment Appts. of 1935
Amount uncollected January 1, 1939 ....
31 79
Charges
44 06
75 85
Amount collected during year 1939 ..
44 06
44 06
Amount uncollected January 1, 1940 ....
31 79
Committed Interest on Betterments of 1935
Amount uncollected January 1, 1939.
8 60
Charges
45 32
53 92
Credits
11 51
42 41
Amount collected during year 1939.
33 81
33 81
Amount uncollected January 1, 1940 ....
8 60
Real Estate Tax of 1936
1,267 69
Credits
336 97
930 72
Abatement Refunds
2,553 60
Amount abated during year 1939
3,336 52
147 80
Amount collected during year 1939.
147 80
147 80
87 79
Amount of interest collected
3,484 32
Charges
209 84
REPORT OF THE COLLECTOR OF TAXES
129
Personal Tax of 1936
Cash Received
Amount uncollected January 1, 1939 .... 1,899 45
Amount collected during year 1939. 828 49
828 49
Amount uncollected January 1, 1940 .... 1,070 96
Main Sewer Appts. of 1936
Amount uncollected January 1, 1939 .. 29 44
Charges
103 17
Credits
49 04
83 57
Amount collected during year 1939.
64 81
Amount uncollected January 1, 1940 .... 18 76
Street Betterment Appts. of 1936
Amount uncollected January 1, 1939 .... 43 92
Charges
44 06
Credits
20 56
Amount collected during year 1939.
44 06
Amount uncollected January 1, 1940 .... 23 36
Committed Interest on Betterments of 1936
Amount uncollected January 1, 1939 .... . 25
Charges
36 05
48 30
Credits
11 27
37 03
Amount collected during year 1939.
26 46
Amount uncollected January 1, 1940 ....
10 57
Real Estate of 1937
Amount uncollected January 1, 1939 .... 2,439 80
Charges
2,092 51
4,532 31
Credits
681 66
3,850 65
Abatement Refunds
7,902 28
Amount abated during year 1939.
10,450 70
1,302 23
Tax Title abatements .....
1,880 42
3,182 65
64 81
87 98
67 42
44 06
26 46
11,752 93
132 61
130
CITY OF QUINCY
Amount collected during year 1939. ...... 3,108 29
Amount uncollected January 1, 1940. ..... 74 36
Amount of interest collected. 261 43
Personal Tax of 1937
Amount uncollected January 1, 1939 ....
4,147 24
Amount abated during year 1939. 3,340 00
Abatement Refunds
807 24 3,340 00
4,147 24
Amount collected during year 1939 ......
1,609 57
Amount uncollected January 1, 1940 ....
2,537 67
Main Sewer Appts. of 1937
Amount uncollected January 1, 1939 .... 107 65
Charges
101 77
Credits
48 42
161 00
Amount collected during year 1939.
139 89
Amount uncollected January 1, 1940 ....
21 11
Street Betterment Appts. of 1937
Amount uncollected January 1, 1939 .... 122 50
Charges
71 52
Credits
10 53
183 49
Amount collected during year 1939.
138 88
Amount uncollected January 1, 1940 .... 44 61
Committed Interest on Betterments of 1937
Amount uncollected January 1, 1939 .... 40 42
33 95
Credits
13 12
61 25
Amount collected during year 1939 .. .... 50 18
50 18
Amount uncollected January 1, 1940 ....
11 07
Real Estate Tax of 1938
Amount uncollected January 1, 1939 .... 1,053,999 18
2,749 23
Charges
1,056,748 41
Cash Received 3,108 29
1,609 57
139 89
138 88
74 37
Charges
194 02
209 42
REPORT OF THE COLLECTOR OF TAXES
131
Cash Received
Credits
154,128 41
902,620 00
Amount abated during year 1939.
16,564 33
886,055 67
Abatement Refunds
11,230 72
897,286 39
Tax Title Abatements
816 72
898,103 11
Amount collected during year 1939.
891,387 20
Amount uncollected January 1, 1940 ....
6,715 91
Amount of interest collected
24,001 75
Personal Tax of 1938
Amount uncollected January 1, 1939 .... 23,794 23 1 61
23,795 84
Amount abated during year 1939.
4,144 82
19.651 02
Abatement Refunds
3,840 C0
23,491 62
Amount collected during year 1939.
19,107 33
Amount uncollected January 1, 1940 ....
4,384 29
Main Sewer Appts. of 1938
Amount uncollected January 1, 1939 ....
8,497 75 119 91
8,617 66
Credits
2,626 30
5,991 36
Amount abated during year 1939.
13 04
5,978 32
Amount collected during year 1939.
5,952 88
Amount uncollected January 1, 1940 ....
25 44
Amount uncollected January 1, 1939 ... 1,315 98 5 36
Charges
1,321 34
Credits
238 20
.......
1,083 14
Amount collected during year 1939
1,021 84
Amount uncollected January 1, 1940 ....
61 30
891,387 20
19,107 33
5,952 88
1,021 84
Charge
Charges
Sidewalk Appts. of 1938
132
CITY OF QUINCY
Street Betterment Appts. of 1938
Amount uncollected January 1, 1939.
8,493 77 31 78
Credits
2,214 44
6,311 11
Amount collected during year 1939 .. ....
.... 6,208 84
6,208 84
Committed Interest on Betterments of 1938
Amount uncollected January 1, 1939 ..
4,520 45
Charges
35 80
Credits
1,241 50
3,314 75
Amount abated during year 1939.
7 15
3,307 60
Amount collected during year 1939.
3,267 94
Amount uncollected January 1, 1940 ....
39 66
3,267 94
Real Estate of 1939
Amount committed by Assessors
3,667,605 48 342 10
3,667,947 58
Credits
7,362 90
3,660,584 68
Amount abated during year 1939
30,698 19
3,629,886 49
Abatement Refunds
3,285 84
3,626,600 65
Amount collected during year 1939.
2,611,629 63
2,611,629 63
Amount uncollected January 1, 1940.
1,021,542 70
Amount of interest collected
2,440 01
Personal Tax of 1939
Amount committed by Assessors
281,244 15
Amount abated during year 1939. 2,592 00
278,652 15
Amount collected during year 1939.
261,289 08
261,289 08
Amount uncollected January 1, 1940 .... 17,363 07
Cash Received Charges
8,525 55
Amount uncollected January 1, 1940 ....
102 27
4,556 25
Charges
REPORT OF THE COLLECTOR OF TAXES
133
Main Sewer Appts. of 1939
Amount committed by Assessors 15,737 29 5 22
Charges
Credits
15,742 51 273 26
Amount collected during year 1939.
8,998 47
Amount uncollected January 1, 1940 ....
6,470 78
Sidewalk Appts. of 1939
Amount committed by Assessors 2,299 55
Amount collected during year 1939.
1,347 65
1,347 65
Amount uncollected January 1, 1940 ....
951 90
Street Betterment Appts. of 1939
Amount committed by Assessors
18,687 32
Credits
242 92
18,444 40
Amount collected during year 1939
12,167 08
12,167 08
Committed Interest on Betterments of 1939
Amount committed by Assessors
7,103 37
Charges
2 09
Credits
....
6,988 35
Amount abated during year 1939
19 37
6,968 98
Amount collected during year 1939.
4,149 34
Amount uncollected January 1, 1940 ....
2,819 64
Poll Tax of 1935
Charges
2 00
Amount collected during year 1939. 2 00
2 00
Poll Tax of 1936
Amount uncollected January 1, 1939 .. ... 1,470 00
Charges
2 00
1,472 00
Amount abated during year 1939.
532 00
940 00
Amount collected during year 1939
306 00
Cash Received
8,998 47
306 00
Amount uncollected January 1, 1940 .... 6,277 32
7,105 46
117 11
4,149 34
15,469 25
134
CITY OF QUINCY
Cash Received
Amount uncollected January 1, 1940 .... 634 00
Amount of interest collected 2 98
Poll Tax of 1937
Amount uncollected January 1, 1939 .... 2,878 00
Charges
4 00
2,882 00
Amount abated during year 1939.
740 00
2,142 00
Amount collected during year 1939
730 00
730 00
Amount uncollected January 1, 1940 ....
1,412 00
Amount of interest collected
7 24
Poll Tax of 1938
Amount uncollected January 1, 1939 .... 7,448 00
Amount abated during year 1939. 950 00
6,498 00
Abatement Refunds
2 00
6,500 00
Amount collected during year 1939.
4,160 00
4,160 00
Amount uncollected January 1, 1940 ....
2,340 00
Amount of interest collected
39 78
Poll Tax of 1939
Amount committed by Assessors 49,722 00
Charges
10 00
49,732 00
Amount abated during year 1939.
2,734 00
Abatement Refunds
20 00
47,018 00
Amount collected during year 1939. 43,010 00
43,010 00
Amount uncollected January 1, 1940 .... 4,008 00
Motor Excise Tax of 1932
Amount uncollected January 1, 1939. ...
52 43
Amount collected during year 1939. .... 28 93 ...
28 93
Amount uncollected January 1, 1940 .... 23 50
Motor Excise Tax of 1936
Amount uncollected January 1, 1939 .. 2,505 42
7 80
2,513 22
Amount abated during year 1939.
692 34
1,820 88
Amount collected during year 1939.
556 19
556 19
Charges
46,998 00
REPORT OF THE COLLECTOR OF TAXES
135
Amount uncollected January 1, 1940 .... 1,264 69 Amount of interest collected
24 28
Motor Excise Tax of 1937
Amount uncollected January 1, 1939 .... 4,208 87 4 50
Charges
Amount abated during year 1939.
4,213 37
595 10
3,618 27
Amount collected during year 1939.
1,284 92
1,284 92
Amount uncollected January 1, 1940. ... 2,333 35
Amount of interest collected
36 27
Motor Excise Tax of 1938
Amount uncollected January 1, 1939. ... 7,215 43
Amount abated during year 1939. 586 25
6,629 18
Abatement Refunds
145 50
6,774 68
Amount collected during year 1939.
4,977 87
4,977 87
Amount uncollected January 1, 1940. ... 1,796 81
Amount of interest collected
36 45
Motor Excise Tax of 1939
Amount committed by Assessors
156,021 31
Amount abated during year 1939 6,864 87
149,156 44
Abatement Refunds
2,553 70
151,710 14
Amount collected during year 1939.
145,998 49
145,998 49
Amount uncollected January 1, 1940. ..
5,711 65
Amount of interest collected
82 28
Main Sewers
Amount collected on Sewer Construction Amount of interest collected
14 15
Permanent Sidewalk
47
62
Amount of interest collected
28
Street Betterments
Amount collected on Street Betterments 3,607 22
Amount of interest collected
13 33
Water Liens collected during year 1939
46,369 61
Costs collected during year 1939.
7,744 57
Unidentified Receipts
17 89
Total amount collected during year 1939. $4,125,566 83
RALPH G. MESSENGER, Collector of Taxes.
5,516 27
Amount collected on Permanent Sidewalk
136
CITY OF QUINCY
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF PURCHASE AND SUPPLY
To the Honorable THOMAS S. BURGIN, Mayor City of Quincy, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
The annual report of the Department of Division of Purchase and Supply for the year ending December 31, 1939, is herewith respect- fully submitted.
The Department of Purchase and Supply ended its second year as an important part of the well developed system under which the City of Quincy is managed. The year 1939 saw a department, es- tablished in 1938, which under honest and efficient management will prove its worth to the taxpayers of the City under any form of government. In addition to the Purchasing Agent the department employed three clerks (female) and received assistance in filing from one clerk furnished by the National Youth Administration.
All purchases for every department in the City were directly under the control of the Purchasing Agent. However, he deemed it advisable to allow the Dietician of the Quincy City Hospital to pur- chase foods and the Apothecary in the same institution purchase the drugs. The distribution of coal and oil orders for the Welfare Department were made directly from that office after the Purchas- ing Agent had advertised for bids and awarded the contracts in each case. The Board of Trustees of the Thomas Crane Public Library as well as the Superintendent of Schools had authorization to purchase books. In each of these cases duplicate slips were filed with the Purchasing Department and prices were checked.
There has been no change in the purchasing system throughout the year. The emergency order which was so prevalent in 1938 was entirely eliminated as of January 1, 1939.
Each requisition which was received from the thirty City De- partments crossed the desk of the Purchasing Agent. Here the ma- terial was priced, the quality and delivery considered and then placed with the lowest bidder. The purchase order was then written by the Order Clerk who in turn sent the order to the City Auditor. There the amount was immediately earmarked in the particular account, charged and written in the Auditor's book, signed by the Auditor and returned to the Purchasing Department. Here it was inspected by the Purchasing Agent, signed, and mailed to the vendor.
Purchase orders are written in quadruplicate forms-two copies are mailed to the vendor of which he signs one, returns it to the Purchasing Department acknowledging receipt and acceptance of the order; one is sent to the requisitioning department and one retained by the Purchasing Department. On receipt of merchandise the requisitioning department signs and returns its copy of the order. The Purchasing Department then approves the vendor's in- voice and returns same to the requisitioning department for pay- ment.
.
137
REPORT OF PURCHASE AND SUPPLY DEPARTMENT
Early in 1939 it was deemed advisable to incorporate advertising of bids insofar as possible in order to bring about a savings on this particular item. This was accomplished with the result of a 67% savings. In 1938 the department advertised for 36 bids at a total cost of $232.34 as against 1939 figures of 54 bids at a total cost of $207.51.
During the year, 9338 requisitions were received from the various departments and these were divided as follows:
Assessors
55
Auditing
40
Building
33
Cemetery
114
City Clerk
151
Civil Service
1
Engineering
124
Executive
43
Fire
482
Fire and Police Signal
189
Gypsy Moth
123
Health
230
Highway
2361
Hospital
415
Law
9
Library
140
Park
311
Police
586
Property Management
27
Purchasing
202
Sanitary
218
School
676
Sealer of Weights
27
Sewer
275
Tax
77
Treasurer
55
Water
635
Welfare
205
Wire
40
W. P. A.
1494
During the year 12,186 purchase orders were written. The Divi- sion of these orders may be compared in the table accompanying this report. This table shows that 631/3% of the orders were placed with Quincy Merchants or residents; approximately 3334 % were placed in the Boston area where many firms employ Quincy resi- dents; and the balance of less than 3% was placed outside of the Boston area. (Chart A-1.)
Items where the estimated cost exceeded $500.00 were advertised for public bidding by this department. In some cases where the cost did not exceed the above mentioned figure but where the Pur- chasing Agent deemed it advisable to ask for invitation bids, speci- fications were drawn and in each case after bids were opened the contracts were awarded in the best interests of the City of Quincy.
Eighty-one contracts were written during 1939 as follows: (Charts A-2-3-4.)
Notable among the purchases by contracts during 1939 was the fleet of 7 Dodge chassis equipped with four Elgin (one already City property) and 3 Collecto Automatic Bodies. The automotive
138
CITY OF QUINCY
equipment of the Sanitary Department long neglected by various administrations is now equipped with modern trucks which both aid in cleanliness and efficiency.
The past year saw our hospital heating plant converted from coal to oil. With considerable competition for the contract a Quincy bidder was awarded this $8,000.00 job. The contract completed late in 1939 and equipped with all the latest recording devices should show a savings to that department over the old system.
An innovation in the motor Police Patrol of the City was intro- duced in 1939 when a fleet of Ford cars painted white were pur- chased. Recommended by the National Safety Council and desired by Chief Avery of the Quincy Police Department the cars were put into service in June, 1939. Their advantages and success may be found in the report of the Police Department.
The City of Quincy used approximately 189,000 gallons of gaso- line during the year 1939. Bids opened in February 1939 were awarded to Quincy Oil Company and Socony-Vacuum Oil Company at .065 per gallon plus State Tax for the regular gasoline. Motor oils were bought at an average of .28c per gallon on invitation bids.
Coal and fuel oil bids were opened in the spring and awarded at slightly lower prices than in 1938. However, due to irregularities found during the fall on the part of the contractor it was necessary for the Purchasing Agent in order to protect the City to cancel coal contracts of the School and Police Departments as well as fuel oil contracts of the Library and Fire Department. These cancelled con- tracts were made in June, therefore, with conditions unfavorable in the fuel market in October it was necessary to award new con- tracts (after advertising) at .007 per gallon advance in fuel oil and $1.16 per ton advance in run-of-mine coal. I feel that the City of Quincy will suffer no loss as this matter has been referred to the Law Department for settlement.
The City report for 1938 was awarded to the Hampshire Press who did a commendable job at a cost of $1600.56 against a price of $1768.00 the previous year or a savings of $167.44.
The Health Department moved to larger quarters and the offices were equipped throughout with new steel furniture and record files. This contract was awarded to Wauters and Schindler, Inc., a Quincy concern.
The granite edgestone contract for 1939 was awarded at a new low of .88c a foot, the 1938 price being .93c to .95c per foot. Ap- proximately 6000 feet were purchased at this price during 1939.
Welfare Department coal and range oil bids were opened in October of 1939 and the coal bid awarded to the low bidder. In the case of range oil the various Quincy dealers agreed to sell to the City during the 1939-40 season at .07c per gallon, the low bid sub- mitted.
After agitation for several years for the purchase of an aerial ladder truck for our Fire Department, the Purchasing Agent pur- chased late in 1939 a 100-foot Seagrave Aerial Ladder and Truck to be delivered early in January of 1940. Quincy now possesses the most modern aerial ladder in New England and this will prove the most valuable equipment addition to our already fine Fire Depart- ment.
139
REPORT OF PURCHASE AND SUPPLY DEPARTMENT
The Supply Department which opened in July of 1938 has been enlarged insofar as funds were available in 1939. In his 1939 budget the Purchasing Agent asked for a slight increase in the appropri- ation for this account in order that he might increase the number of items carried. With the increase denied it was necessary to limit purchases however, during the year. Seven hundred sixty-five (765) orders were filled out of this account. Inventory on December 30, 1939, showed over a hundred different items in stock. Bulk buying is illustrated in this account where supplies (mostly stationery) are sold to departments at savings of from 20% to 50% over other years, previous to the establishment of this department and should help prove the wisdom of the recommendation of the Purchasing Agent made in the closing paragraph of this report.
Real savings were shown the City in the first year (1938) of the Department of Purchase and Supply. The 1939 problem which we feel we met was to maintain this previous level and strive further to reduce costs by supplying departments with materials where savings might be effected by quality. Contract prices in many cases were lower in 1939 than in 1938.
Due to economic conditions here and abroad the inevitable in- crease came during September and October. However, the Purchas- ing Agent after a study of the situation advised all department heads by letter in September of probable advances in price and re- quested purchases for the balance of 1939 to be made immediately. In cases where this warning was heeeded substantial savings were made. Numerous items including textiles, tires, rope, hardware, paints, brushes, paper, etc., were purchased at savings of from 5 to 15%. Unfortunately, due to our yearly budget system we were unable to make commitments beyond December 31, 1939.
With world conditions in their present state and even economists failing to predict or agree on the possibility of an early settlement we may expect price increases in many items purchased by the City in 1940.
The Purchasing Agent recommends that serious consideration be given by the Mayor and City Council to the advisability of estab- lishing a warehouse for the department of Purchase and Supply. If available, a small section of the Municipal Garage might be used for this purpose. The Purchasing Department has complete records in its books of items purchased by the entire City and hundreds of items common to all departments could be stocked and distributed on requisitions without the necessity of a purchase order.
With the increase of the $1000 supply account to $10,000 (this is a revolving account showing always cash on hand or stock) the savings would be two fold. The Purchasing Agent could buy in bulk, items that department heads fail to anticipate and which they buy many times over during the year but due to the present system lack of controlled storage space and capital the Purchasing Agent must wait for a department requisition to purchase these supplies. This would reduce the number of purchase orders written and show a savings of time in both the Purchasing Department and Auditor's office as well as improve efficiency throughout all departments as delivery delay would be eliminated. Further savings to the City of Quincy through bulk buying by the Purchasing Agent can be as- sured.
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