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 1957 > Part 2
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The second contract was awarded to Quincy Contracting Corp. for the construction of Calvin Road from Moffat Road about 229 feet easterly, Churchill Road from Mt. Ararat Road westerly about 506 feet, Gould Street from East Elm to West Elm Avenue, Littlefield Street from Rock Island Road to Casco Street, Mt. Ararat Road from Adams Street 661 feet southerly, and Wampatuck Road from Sea Street to Norton Road. The value of this contract at present is $82,965.39, and all streets covered by the contract were substantially completed by the end of the year.
On April 16, the final contract for street construction was awarded to the Shawmut Construction Co. for the construction of Aberdeen Road West from East Squantum Street to Ashworth Road, Green- leaf Place (St. Ann's Road) from Hancock Street to a dead end, Heath Street from East Squantum Street 562 feet southeasterly, and Norman Road from High Street to Franklin Street. The value of the contract at present is $92,639.09. All streets with the exception of Norman Road were substan- tially completed.
Edgewood Circle from Woodward Avenue to Edgefield Road was constructed by Highway men.
STREET RECONSTRUCTION
Beach Street from Billings Road to William T. Morrissey Boulevard, Hancock Court from Hancock
City of Quincy
22 -
Street westerly, and Harriet Avenue from Montclair Avenue to Ardell Street were reconstructed by City forces. This work was done with funds allocated under Chapter 718.
Brook Street from North Central Avenue to Belmont Street was reconstructed by Highway men. They also applied a tar and gravel surface on Broad Street from Southern Artery to the end of the present travelled way.
STREET RESURFACING
The City of Quincy took advantage of the availability of funds for highway work under Chapter 718 and completed an extensive resurfacing program under two contracts.
One contract for resurfacing was let to the Old Colony Construction Company for $104,927.67; and another to Bradford Weston, Inc., for $106,818.93.
During the year the sidewalk construction program came to $43,284.29 and the curbing program to $54,886.64.
GENERAL ACTIVITIES
In addition to the usual work of cleaning streets, cleaning and flushing drains, clearing brooks, plow- ing and removal of snow, sanding, repairing streets and sidewalks, removing curbing for driveway entrances, adjusting driveway aprons, repairing and painting city fences, the Highway division also did the following work out of Maintenance funds:
Rebuilt Town Brook Wall at the corner of Mechanic Street and Revere Road at the rear of the Legion Home.
Resurfaced sidewalks in Shea Park; on Baxter Avenue, westerly side from Shea Street to the dead end; on Highland Avenue, on westerly side at Brook Street and at Beale Street; on High School Avenue from Remington Court to Elm Street; on Rock Island Road from Marine Street to Littlefield Street.
Constructed new sidewalks on Edinboro Road at new construction near South Street; on Exeter street from North Central Avenue to beginning of cement walk; on Hobart Street, in front of No. 70 at the corner of Safford Street; on Manet Avenue from the Fire Station to the bend of the street; on Rock Island Road near Allen Street; on South Street in front of new construction at Edinboro Road; on Woodward Avenue from Russell Park Extension northerly.
Installed 175 feet of curbing on Newport Avenue at Wilson Avenue to protect signs.
Removed and reset curb at the corner of Quincy Avenue and School Street, removed and replaced granolithic sidewalk; removed and replaced sections of granolithic sidewalk in Quincy Square where needed; replaced portion of wall, walk and sidewalk at Adams Academy.
PARKING METER DIVISION
The Parking Meter Division carried on the maintenance of parking meters, collection of coin boxes and the removal and installation of meters to conform to changes in the Ordinances passed by the City Council.
NEW EQUIPMENT
The Public Works Department purchased late in the year four new Walter's Snow Fighters at a cost of approximately $116,000. This purchase gives the department one Walter's Snow Fighter for each ward in the city, as two were purchased a few years ago.
ENGINEERING DIVISION
The Engineering Division in 1957 prepared plans and taking orders for 30 street acceptances, two parking areas and two miscellaneous projects along with betterment estimates following field surveys.
Estimates were prepared for 54 sidewalk resurfacings, 60 street resurfacings, 32 curbing installa- tions, 13 storm drains, 9 sanitary sewers, 20 sidewalk reconstructions, 4 street reconstructions and 8 miscellaneous projects.
Other activities included: investigations of 39 accident claims; preparation of 21 new sewer plans; establishment of 261 building grades; 16 surveys for traffic control installations; specifications for resur- facing 80 streets; 56 surveys for various projects; field engineering services for the construction of 25 sanitary sewers, 47 storm drains, 17 street constructions, 5 street reconstructions, 3 widenings, 70 bitu-
Annual Report
23
minous and 5 granolithic sidewalks, 35 curbings, two playground and tennis courts, and one retain- ing wall.
During the year 1683 alterations were made in assessors' plans due to changes in property lines or ownership. Many other miscellaneous matters were handled by the engineers during the year.
ACCEPTED STREETS CONSTRUCTED 1957
Street
Location
Length
Width
Type of Construction
Aberdeen Road West
East Squantum Street to Marsh
207
40
Class B
Bowdoin Street
Hobart Street to Wilson Avenue
250
40
Class B
Calvin Road
Moffat Road easterly
229
40
Class A
Churchill Road
Mt. Ararat Road northerly
506
40
Class B
Essex Street
Crabtree Road northerly
550
40
Class B
Evans Street
West Squantum Street to Pope Street
448
40
Class B
Everett Street
Acton Street to Granger Street
310
40
Class B
Greenleaf Place
(Now St. Ann's Road)
Hancock Street westerly
675
50
Class A
Gould Street
West Elin Avenue to East Elni Avenue
210
60
Class B
Heath Street
East Squantum Street to Marsh
552
40
Class B
Littlefield Street
Rock Island Road to Casco Street
443
33
Class D
Mt. Ararat Road
Adanis Street westerly
647
40
Class B
Newbury Avenue
Atlantic Street to Russell Street
263
40
Class B
Norman Road **
High Street to Franklin Street
450
40
Class B
North Central Avenue
Exeter Street to Sherman Street
225
50
Class B
Wampatuck Road
Sea Street to Norton Road
540
40
Class B
** Not completed in 1957
6505 l.f. = 1.23 miles
STREET WIDENINGS CONSTRUCTED 1957
Location High School Avenue and Elin Street Corner Hancock Court Sea Street, both corners, at Moffat Road
STREETS REBUILT 1957
Street
Location
Length
Type of Construction
Beach Street
William T. Morrissey Boulevard to Billings Road
653
Class B
Brook Street
North Central Avenue to east of Belmont Street
160
Class A
Edgewood Circle
Northeast end
110
Class B
Hancock Court
Hancock Street to Parking Way
750
Class B
Hancock Court
School Street to Parking Way
285
Class B
Harriet Avemie
No. 36 Harriet Avenue Westerly
370
Class B
2328 1.f. =. 044 miles
STREETS ACCEPTED BY CITY COUNCIL 1957
Location
Length
Width
Aberdeen Road West
East Squantuin Street to Ashworth Road
196.18
40
Ashworth Road
Aberdeen Road West southerly
132.50
40
Belmont Street
Holbrook Road to West Squantum Street
239.89
40
Border Street
Shoreham Street to Bayside Road
535.00
40
Churchill Road
Old Coach Road easterly to accepted part
466.92
40
Emerald Street
Gridley Street to Argonne Street
1099.45
40
Everett Street
Acton Street to Granger Street
310.00
40
Grace Road
Palmer Street northeasterly to dead end
465.00
40
Greenleaf Place *
Hancock Street westerly to dead end
673.23
50
Heath Street
East Squantum Street southeasterly
562.00
40
Maywood Avenue
Whitwell Street to Bedford Street
198.14
40
Norman Road
High Street to Franklin Street
880.60
40
Perry Road
Fenno Street to Sims Road
452.82
40
Seymour Street
Sunnyside Road to Ballou Street
339.08
40
Shoreham Street
Monmouth Street to Standish Road
267.18
40
Siins Road
Rice Road sonthwesterly to previously acc. part
711.61
40
Sonoina Road
East Squantum Street to Lansdowne Street
513.00
40
Wendell Avenue
East Elm Avenue to previously accepted part
664.86
40
* Now St. Ann's Place
8707.46 1.f. = 1.649 miles
- City of Quincy
24
Street
STREET WIDENINGS ACCEPTED BY CITY COUNCIL 1957
Street
Revere Road Moffat Road Hancock Court Elm Street Adams Street
Location
Chestnut Street northeasterly to Washington Street Corner Sea Street Easterly side from School Street northeasterly to remaining portion of Hancock Court Corner High School Avenue Milton-Quincy town line southeasterly about 2500 feet
BUILDING LINE ESTABLISHED BY CITY COUNCIL 1957
Street Miller Stile Road
Bigelow Street
Location Revere Road to Elm Street Miller Stile Road to Elm Street
LAND TAKEN BY CITY COUNCIL FOR WATER TOWER 1957 Location Off Woodcliff Road
Surface drains constructed in 1957: 116 feet of 6-inch; 70 feet of 8-inch; 2062 feet of 10-inch; 4326 feet of 12-inch; 1089 feet of 15-inch; 2157 feet of 18-inch; 1730 feet of 24-inch; 326 feet of 36-inch; 649 feet of 42-inch. Total 12,525 feet. 37 manholes. 80 catch basins.
Sewers constructed in 1957: 6353 feet of 8-inch; 18 feet of 10-inch; 1361 feet of 12-inch. Total 7732 feet. 45 manholes.
Streets resurfaced in 1957: 79,798 feet.
Bituminous concrete sidewalks constructed: 10,862 feet.
Granolithic sidewalks constructed: 1107 feet.
Bituminous concrete sidewalks resurfaced: 30,741 feet.
Granite curb installations: 18,443 feet.
Granite curb reset: 657 feet.
WATER DIVISION Summary of Statistics - 1957
POPULATION:
Estimated on December 31, 1957 85,000
CONSUMPTION :
Average daily consumption of water in gallons
8,970,500
Gallons per capita
106
MAIN PIPE:
Main Pipe laid (in feet)
14,428
Total miles of mains now in use
224.7
Leaks repaired in mains
25
SERVICE PIPE:
New Service Pipe laid in 1957 (in feet) ave. 45'
6,345
Length of service pipe in use (in feet)
902,908
Average length of service (in feet) SWS to house Number of taps made during year
141
Total number of services now in use
19,552
Services cleaned out because of poor pressure
26
Services renewed
303
Service leaks repaired
309
Number of Sprinkler connections for fire purposes
123
Services thawed out
22
Services discontinued during the year
53
METERS:
Total number of meters now in use
19,512
Meters installed in 1957 (New Services)
129
Percent of services metered
99.79
Annual Report
25
46.1
FIRE HYDRANTS:
Hydrants in use December 31, 1957
2,095
23
6
9
1
Hydrants replaced
10
GATE VALVES:
Total number of valves in use December 31, 1957 3,872
Average Daily Consumption of Water in Gallons - 1957
January
8,425,400
July
10,325,200
February
8,171,800
August 9,948,700
March
8,474,400
September
9,456,500
April
8,299,500
October
8,609,200
May
8,814,200
November
8,327,700
June
9,999,000
December
8,723,100
Average daily consumption for year 8,970,500 gals.
Average daily consumption per capita 106 gals.
Emergency Connections with Other Water Systems
With City of Boston - 3
Hancock Street
Shoreham and Dorchester Streets
Atlantic and East Squantum Streets
Alvin Avenue
Plymouth Avenue
Governors Road
Milton Road
Sheldon Street
Sunnyside
Town of Braintree -3
Quincy Avenue
Franklin Street
Willard Street
Fire hydrants in use, December 31, 1957
Private 151; Public 1944
Gates in use, December 31, 1957
3872
Water meters in use, December 31, 1957
19,512
Sprinkler Supplies in use, December 31, 1957
123
Water Main Construction - 1957
CONSTRUCTED
REPLACED and ABANDONED
Size
Feet
Size
Feet
6"
1,324
4"
160
8"
1,887
6"
174
10"
24
8"
4,189
12"
11,193
10"
541
14,428
5,064
Water Pipes in Use December 31, 1957
2""
4"
6"
8"
10"
12"
16"
20"
Totals
In use (in ft.)
Dec. 31, 1956
15,206
62,646
516,508
303,826
108,787
114,912
37,474
16,516
1,175,875
Laid in 1957
1,324
1,887
24
11,193
14,428
15,206
62,646
517,832
305,713
108,811
126,105
37,474
16,516
1,190,303
Replaced and
Abandoned 1957
160
174
2,605
541
3,480
In use
Dec. 31, 1957
15,206
62,486
517,658
303,108
108,270
126,105 37,474 16,516 1,186,823
City of Quincy
26
Hydrants broken by automobiles Hydrants moved New Hydrants installed Hydrants discontinued
Town of Milton -6
Storage Reservoirs in Distribution System
Name
Year Built
Elevation of High Water
Capacity in Gallons
Cranch Hill Standpipe
1936
233.5
2,000,000
Penns Hill Standpipe
1926
233.5
1,000,000
Penns Hill Elev. Tank
1934
256.
200,000
Houghs Neck Elev. Tank
1914
205.
400,000
Squantum Elev. Tank
1926
211.
300,000
Break Neck Hill Standpipe
1934
269.
197,000
Pine Hill Elev. Tank
1957
319.
250,000
DIVISION OF SEWERS Particular Sewers
A total of 195 connections were made to the common sewer and 9 drains were connected as follows:
Ward 1-87
Ward 4-30
Ward 2-14
Ward 5- 16
Ward 3-13
Ward 6-44
Total number of feet laid by City
9,557.6 ft.
Total cost of connections
$25,876.89
Average cost per connection
$ 126.85
Average length per connection
Average cost per foot
46.93 ft. $ 2.71
Total number of connections in operation as of December 31, 1957 - 18,939
The purchase of a new Hydroscopic trench digging machine on September 3, 1957, cut down the cost on particular sewers.
Inspection, flushing and cleaning of main sewer lines was carried on as time and money would per- mit. The system now comprises 190 miles, and about 65 miles of it is over 50 years old, and requires considerable attention. During the year 540 stoppages were reported. Roots in the connections was the chief cause of stoppages.
The Quincy Contracting Corporation completed its contract for the installation of a main sewer on Sea Street and Calvin Road for the Broad Meadows School on January 30, 1957.
The Old Colony Construction Company completed its contract for drainage on Newport Avenue on January 23, 1958.
C. Rappucci and Sons, Inc., completed its contract for drainage of Bent Creek through the Fore River shipyard on August 21, 1957.
CEMETERY DIVISION
Receipts
Sale of Lots and Graves
$22,650.00
Care of lots
1,330.00
Interments
29,045.00
Foundations for monuments
4,029.07
Perpetual care of lots
27,400.00
Perpetual care income
18,326.85
Income other trust funds
756.54
Total Receipts
$ 103,537.46
In 1957 graves were opened for 663 burials and five removals, 66 more funerals than in 1956. There were 453 graves sold. Foundations were poured for 300 monuments.
At the end of the year there were approximately 800 graves left for sale; about enough to last for two more years at the current rate of sale.
A new garage was built by William R. Lofgren & Sons at a cost of $10,844. Contract for streets was let to the Old Colony Construction Company; and approximately 3,800 feet were resurfaced.
Annual Report
27
FORESTRY DIVISION
During 1957 the Forestry Division cut down and burned 441 trees affected by the Dutch Elm Dis- ease, of which 37 were on city property and 404 on private property. Also cut down were 38 Maple trees in poor condition.
During the year, 110 Norway Maples, 50 Sugar Maples and 50 Red Oaks were planted in various parts of the city.
The street, park and flower beds throughout the city were maintained and planted. In November the usual Christmas displays of Blue Spruce trees were set up at the Fore River Club, North Quincy, Quincy Square, on the library lawn and at the police station.
THE QUINCY HOSPITAL
APPROVED BY:
Joint Commission on Accreditaton of Hospitals
American Medical Association for the teaching of interns
American College of Surgeons for four year residency in surgery
American Board of Gynecology and Obstetrics for two year residency American Board of Pathology for four year residency in pathology
School for training of nurse anesthetists
School for training of medical technicians
School for X-ray technicians
Full accreditation of the School of Nursing applied for
MEMBER OF:
American Hospital Association New England Hospital Massachusetts Hospital Association
The Quincy Hospital in 1957 set new records in total admissions, 12,256, and births, 2140; also in laboratory tests, 105,085.
Financially, the hospital experienced its best year in many years, with a deficit of only $292,026.10. This deficit had been brought down gradually from the all time record deficit of $651,895.84 in 1951. The good financial showing was made without increasing rates in face of the fact that employees had been given a 10 percent increase, effective for the second half of the year.
By the end of the year plans for the proposed new hospital addition were well advanced. Coletti Brothers, the architects, completed plans and specifications. Bids were opened on December 20, with John Capobianco Company submitting the lowest estimate, $1,899,000. It was estimated that the total cost would be $2,242,500. The City has qualified for a federal grant of $250,000; and proposes to raise the rest of the required funds by bond issues.
In September the School of Nursing graduated 27 student nurses, and 24 of these remained at the hospital as graduate nurses. The School accepted 54 cadet nurses, the largest entering class since 1941; and as the year closed 53 were still in school. There were two factors in the success of the cadet nurse recruiting program: one, the stipend voted undergraduates by the City Council; and, two, 20 hundred- dollar scholarships raised through the efforts of a committee headed by Dr. Alfred V. Mahoney, presi- dent of the staff, and Edgar Rankin.
The hospital has benefited variously from other sources: $1000 from the medical staff and tile from John Grossman, chairman of the board of managers, for the new locker room for nurses; an electro- encephalograph machine from the Grass Instrument Company; and $2300 in gifts from funds raised by the Quincy Hospital Women's Auxiliary. Through the volunteer program, the hospital was given 22,211 hours of work. Under the will of the late Louis Athanasion, the hospital received $10,000 for needed equipment.
Three major projects pertaining to the building were completed this year; the plastering and fire- proofing of Ward A Basement ceiling, a second 12-volt gasoline emergency generator was installed to furnish necessary electricity to all corridor and exit lights should there be a power failure, and the third project was to make the necessary repairs to the service building following a fire which destroyed the paint shop and garage, causing some $3,000 damage.
The first step was taken this year to centralize the storage, issuance and receiving of all supplies in a central area in the Service Building, an area formerly occupied by the Hospital laundry. Upon com-
City of Quincy
28
pletion of the new addition, in which the new kitchen will be located, the entire service building will be used for storage and issuance of all hospital supplies. At present, many of the articles used by the Main- tenance Department are stored in other buildings.
The Hospital and Medical Staff were called upon by the Quincy Health Department to assist in giving polio injections to over 75,000 members of the community.
The Medical Staff is to be commended for putting into effect the Doctors' Emergency Call System, wherein two doctors take calls through the Quincy Emergency call depot. These calls are made only after the patient or relative is unable to reach their family physician.
The new 110-bed addition to be started early next year, according to plans of the City Council, will bring the operating rooms, delivery rooms, kitchen and accident rooms up to date. The plans call for 18 private rooms and 92 two-bed, semi-private units, with all the modern conveniences for the patients and the personnel who will staff the new addition. All plans have been completed, and all encum- brances have been cleared so that construction may begin on or about March 15th, 1958.
The new addition will occupy seven floors, and will be located in the present parking area in the rear of the Administration Building next to present Surgery. Because of the location of the new build- ing, the public and the hospital staff can carry on with its present activities with the least inconvenience, and no loss of patient beds. The present receiving entrance on Whitwell Street will be used as an entrance for all accident cases during the construction period.
SUMMARY January 1, 1957 - December 31, 1957 Financial Summary
Cash Receipts
Other Income
1956 $1,796,606.77 32,655.58
1957 $2,095,223.00 26,333.73
Total Receipts
$1,829,262.35
$2,121,556.73
Charges to Accounts Receivable
2,110,250.49
2,293,933.31
Payroll
1,595,030.53
1,764,591.84
Other Expenses and Pensions
570,583.77
625,577.48
Capital
30,068.10
23,413,51
Total Expenditures
2,195,682.40
2,413,582.83
Total Receipts
1,829,262.35
2,121,556.73
Deficit "Excess of Expenditures over Receipts" $ 366,420.05
$ 292,026.10
PATIENT STATISTICS
Year
Year
1956
1957
Admissions:
Room Patients
1,359
1,367
Semi-Private Patients
1,037
1,562
Ward Patients
8,252
8,405
Service Patients
1,043
922
Total Admissions
11,691
12,256
Out-Patient Clinic
2,835
2,573
Private Out-Patients
4,617
4,503
Total Out-Patients
7,452
7,076
Accidents
11,791
12,924
Ambulance Calls
1,822
1,932
Physical Therapy Treatments
2,850
Prenatal Visits
480
435
Newborns
1,904
2,140
Operations
5,710
5,560
Laboratory Examinations
102.265
105,085
Annual Report
29
X-ray Exams and Treatments
20,912
15,494
Daily Average, Patients
226.6
240.6
Daily Average, excluding Newborns
196.9
205.9
Daily Average, Newborns
29.6
34.7
Total Days' Treatment
82,952
87,819
Days' Treatments, excluding Newborns
72,094
75,145
Days' Treatment, Newborn
10,858
12,674
Deaths
357
378
Autopsies
161
154
Autopsy Percentage
45%
40%
Electroencephalograms
220
QUINCY HOUSING AUTHORITY
The Quincy Housing Authority operated in 1957 three housing developments, including 616 living units; and a fourth of 45 units was in the final planning stage.
The developments in operation were: Westacres, 36 units; Snug Harbor, 400 units, and Riverview, 180 units. At the end of the year a 45-unit housing project for the elderly, to be built under Chapter 667, was well advanced in planning.
WESTACRES
Westacres, located in West Quincy, consists of nine four-family dwellings. Each unit consists of two bedrooms, living room, kitchen and both, with full cellars. Tenants furnish their own heat. The development was built in 1948 at a cost of $399,864.15.
Submission of the 1957 budget and a request for further deferment of the sale of Westacres resulted in the State Housing Board instructing the Authority to effect a 10% increase in rentals at this develop- ment. Accordingly, effective 1 August, 1957, rents were increased from $55.00 per month to $60.50 per month and a revised budget reflecting the new rental income was submitted to the State Housing Board. Approval of this budget was received 16 December, 1957 with orders from the State Housing Board to liquidate the development by June 30, 1958.
It is planned to confer with the City Government to determine its wishes in the matter. Now that the Southeast Expressway is substantially completed, insofar as it affects the Westacres development, it is the opinion of the Authority the development should be liquidated, but only if the resident veterans have every opportunity to purchase them.
Operating expenses at Westacres have been within the budget estimates. Collection loss was nil. Since 1948, the Authority has paid to the City of Quincy as surplus from operations, a total of $124,- 500.49, which includes $10,000 paid the City in 1957. There is an additional payment of $8,578.28 to be forwarded the City in January, 1958, along with $6,500 received from the Commonwealth for a portion of Westacres land taken for the Southeast Expressway.
In 1957 six tenants moved from Westacres, all of whom purchased or built new homes.
SNUG HARBOR
This State-aided development located in Germantown consists of 100 four-unit buildings of frame construction. There are 220 two-bedroom units, 160 three-bedroom units and 20 four-bedroom units. The development was completed in 1950 at a cost of $4,250,000.
Eligibility for admission to Snug Harbor is based primarily on income and need for housing. The maximum income limit for admission for a family consisting of one minor child is $3950 per year with a continued occupancy limit of $4400 per year. 18% is the basis for determining rent. The maximum income limit for admission for a family consisting of two children is $4150 per year with continued occu- pancy set at $4600 per year. 16% of income is the basis for determining rent. A large family, consist- ing of three or more minor children, pays 14% of net income for rent. The maximum limit for admission is $4350 per year with continued occupancy limits set at $4800. An additional deduction of $100 for each minor child in excess of three is made in determining rent and net income. Tenants pur- chase their own fuel, gas and electricity.
As a result of annual redeterminations of income and family composition which reflected increased average weekly wage earnings in this area, the State Housing Board was requestd to approve increased income limits. Accordingly, the foregoing limits were approved by the State Housing Board in May 1957.
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