USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Quincy > Town annual report of Quincy 1885-1886 > Part 5
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Chemical Engine No. 2 needs some repairs to its running parts, and also needs painting. Aside from this, the apparatus is in good order, and no outlay of account will be needed unless caused by accident.
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HOUSES.
The house occupied by Hose Co. No. 3, on Copeland Street, is greatly in need of repairs, and an outlay of perhaps two hundred dollars would be required to put it in order. The rest of the houses occupied by the department are in good order, and do not require any outlay at present.
HORSES.
There are three horses belonging to the department, two of which are in good condition, but I would suggest that a younger and sounder one be procured in place of the third.
HOSE.
The department now has upon its wagon reels, and in reserve at the house, 5,750 feet of good reliable hose, only 300 feet of it being of any great age (viz., 8 years); but even this, with the care which has hitherto been bestowed upon it, will be ser- viceable for some time.
By a vote of the town, passed at its last annual meeting, the Board of Selectmen and Engineers, acting jointly, were author- ized to purchase land and build houses for the reception of the apparatus located at Wollaston and Atlantic.
Acting under that vote, a lot was purchased at Wollaston of E. B. Pratt, Esq., and one at Atlantic of E. A. Perkins, Esq., and the houses were built, the one at Wollaston by Mr. Jonas Shackley, and the one at Atlantic by Mr. Eliab Ramsdell, both of which have been completed, and are now occupied by the department.
Believing that it would be for the best interests of the town, as well as for the efficiency of the department, I would suggest that the Hook and Ladder No. I, now located on Canal Street, be removed from its present locality to the house known as the W. M. French Hose House on School Street, near the Steamer House, and that the house and land on Canal Street be sold.
The Chemical Engine No. I, formerly kept at Wollaston, has been temporarily located at Hough's Neck for the protection of that part of the town, but for want of a house wherein it might be properly cared for, no company has yet been formed to man it ; but as a piece of land has been offered the town by Mr. James Mears, I would suggest that the town accept the same, and remove the house formerly occupied by that engine to the site so generously offered.
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During the past year, four hydrants have been erected upon the line of pipe of the Quincy Water Company, and I would recommend that in case the pipes are extended through Cope- land Street at the westerly part of the town and also to the Neck, that at least six more be added to the present number. . I would also suggest the locating of one on Brackett Street.
In conformity with the wishes of the Board of Engineers, I would recommend that a fire-alarm box be located in the vicinity of the works of Messrs. Mckenzie & Patterson, near the canal.
I would call the attention of your honorable Board to the fact of the condition of the several schoolhouses as regards protec- tion from fire, and I would suggest that you consider the pro- priety of putting water pipes into the houses, and keeping 100 feet of light hose attached thereto, the same to be placed under the direction of the principals, and to be used only in case of need. The expense would be small, and it might be the means of saving a large amount of property.
Herewith annexed will be found a list of fires and alarms which have occurred in the town the past year ; also the losses occasioned thereby, together with such other information as could be obtained at the time.
In accordance with the provisions of Section 4 of the town By-Laws, the Board of Engineers would respectfully recommend an appropriation of $5,400 for the ensuing year.
I would congratulate the citizens of the town upon having been spared from any serious conflagration during the past year, and I feel perfectly safe in making the assertion that, should their services be needed, the Quincy Fire Department look upon it as a duty they owe the town, and one which they are always ready and willing to perform.
In conclusion, I would extend to your honorable Board my most sincere and heartfelt thanks for the interest which you have always manifested in all matters which would tend to elevate the standing of the department, and to each and every member of the latter I feel personally indebted for the prompt and cheerful compliance with all orders and requirements of the service.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH M. GLOVER,
Chief Engineer Quincy Fire Department
6
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LIST OF FIRES AND ALARMS FOR THE YEAR ENDING FEBRUARY 1, 1886.
Feb. 26 .- Box 62. 6.42 P. M. Dwelling-house on Newbury Street, owned and occupied by Martin Harron. Loss, trifling. Cause, incendiary. Steamer, Hose I and 2, Hook and Ladder, and Chemical 2 re- sponded.
March 7 .- Box 46. 6.32 P. M. Burning brush off West Street. Steamer, Hose I and 3, and Hook and Ladder re- sponded.
March 9 .- Box 37. 9 A. M. Dwelling-house on Water Street, owned by the heirs of Daniel Baxter, and occupied by Mrs. Burke. Loss, trifling. Accidental. Steamer, Hose I, and Hook and Ladder responded.
March 17 .- Box 53. 6.40 P. M. Barn on Willow Street, owned and occupied by John Crotty. Loss, $600. No in- surance. Cause, accidental. Steamer, Hose I and 2, Hook and Ladder, and Chemicals I and 2 re- sponded.
March 19 .- Box 46. 8.17 A. M. Polishing shop on Copeland Street, owned and occupied by Patrick F. Lacy. Loss, $25. Insurance, $1,500. Received from in- surance, $25. Cause, accidental. Steamer, Hose I and 3, and Hook and Ladder I responded.
March 19 .- Box 26. 10.06 P. M. Court House building on Han- cock Street, owned by Henry H. Faxon, and occu- pied by J. W. Lombard and others. Loss, $90. In- surance, $7,850. Received from insurance, $90. Cause, accidental. Steamer, Hose I, and Hook and Ladder I responded.
April 7 .- Box 53. 4. 12 P. M. Burning grass on Beale Street. Steamer, Hose I and 2 responded.
April 10 .- Box 48. II.50 A. M. Burning brush near Railway Village. Steamer, Hose I and 3, and Hook and Ladder responded.
April 10 .- Box 62. 2.05 P. M. Burning railroad ties near Atlan- tic Station. Steamer, Hose I and 2, Hook and Ladder I, and Chemical 2 responded.
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April 15 .- Box 62. 7.30 P. M. Barn on Hancock Street, owned and occupied by Eliab Ramsdell. Loss, trifling. No insurance. Cause, incendiary. · Steamer, Hose I and 2, Hook and Ladder 1, and Chemical 2 re- sponded.
April 20 .- Box 3.7. 10.35 P. M. Burning brush on Mount Pleasant. Steamer, Hose I, and Hook and Ladder I responded.
April 25 .- Box 72. 5.35 P. M. Burning grass off South Street. Steamer, Hose I and 4, and Hook and Ladder I re- sponded.
May 20 .- Box 37. 5.32 P. M. Polishing shop on Water Street, owned by McFarland & Smith, and occupied by Mc- Lellan & McDonald. Loss, trifling. Cause, acci- dental. Steamer and Hose I responded.
June 2 .- Box 26. 6.38 P. M. Dwelling-house on Canal Street, owned by the heirs of Mary Cuniff. Loss, trifling. Steamer, Hose I, and Hook and Ladder I responded. Cause, defective chimney.
July 4 .- Box 48. 12.35 A. M. False alarm. Steamer, Hose I and 3, and Hook and Ladder I responded.
July 8 .- Box 73. 9.58 A. M. Stable on Winter Street, owned and occupied by William Aulbach. Loss, $1,000. Insurance, $300. Received from insurance, $300. Cause, incendiary. Steamer, Hose I and 4 responded.
July 9 .- Boxes 62 and 64. 5.35 P. M. Burning brush off Squantum Street.
Sept. 17 .- Box 35. 11.38 P. M. Bakery and dwelling on Han- cock Street, owned by Henry H. Faxon, and occu- pied by W. A. Hodges and others. Loss, $3,385. Insurance, $4,000. Received from insurance, $2,985. Cause, accidental. Steamer, Hose 1, and Hook and. Ladder responded.
Sept. 26 .- Box 46. 9.28 A. M. Hen-house on Cross Street, owned and occupied by T. H. O'Brien. Cause, fumigating to destroy vermin (no fire). Steamer, · Hose I and 3 responded.
Oct. 25 .- Outhouse on Hancock Street, owned by Mr. Bourne Loss, trifling ; no alarm.
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Oct. 27 .- Boxes 46 and 48. 9.42 P. M. Engine-house off Wil- lard Street, owned and occupied by the H. Farnum Granite Co. Loss, $475. Insurance, $600. Re- ceived from insurance, $475. Cause, accidental. Steamer, Hose I, and Hook and Ladder I responded.
Nov. 12 .- Box 34. 3.54 P. M. Burning grass off Main Street. Steamer, Hose I and 4 responded.
Nov. 24 .- Box 37. 1.05 P. M. Dwelling-house on Franklin Street, owned by the Nat. Granite Bank, and occupied by J. P. Bigelow and others. Loss, $50. Insurance, $2,500. Received for insurance, $50. Cause, child playing with matches. Steamer, Hose I, and Hook and Ladder I responded.
I 886.
January 4 .- Box 26. 6.05 P. M. Gas House on Brackett Street, owned and occupied by the Citizens' Gas Light Co. Cause, accidental. Loss, $75. No insurance. Steamer, Hose I, and Hook and Ladder I responded.
January 7 .- Box 41. 2.15 A. M. Engine House off Quarry Street, owned and occupied by S. N. Malony. Loss, $400. Cause, accidental. Steamer and Hose I responded.
January 13 .- Box 41. 8.35 P. M. Dwelling-house on Granite Street, owned by G. G. Bush, and occupied by Price Morris. Loss trifling. Cause, accidental. Steamer, Hose I, and Hook and Ladder I responded.
Box alarms 25
Loss
$6,100 00
Insurance 16,750 00
Insurance paid 3,925 00
Feet of hose laid 4,850
No. of hydrants now located . 89
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE THOMAS CRANE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The Trustees of the Thomas Crane Library herewith submit their sixth annual report, being the fifteenth report of the whole series since the Library was founded.
The number of books borrowed during the year just closed is 54,721, being the largest number taken out in any year thus far.
The names on the Librarian's register have been increased by the addition of 556 new names. There have been purchased during the year 605 books, and a considerable number of books have also been added to the Library by gift.
In comparison with the previous year, the division of the read- ing matter is as follows : -
I885.
Vols.
1884. Per cent.
Vols.
Per cent
Fiction
24,027
45.9
24,156
44.I
Juvenile fiction
10,843
20.7
10,990
20.08
Periodicals
6,936
II.3
8,378
15.3
History
2,793
5.3
2,964
3.5
Arts and Sciences .
1.348
2.5
1,9II
3.4
General Literature
1,772
3.3
1,784
3.2
Travels
1,653
3.I
1,768
3.2
Biography
1,618
3.I
1,338
2.4
Poetry .
926
1.7
986
1.8
Religious
268
.5
272
·
.5
Educational .
161
.3
I74
... .3
The Trustees would respectfully ask for the same appropria- tion as that of last year, viz, $2,700.00.
Mr. Barker's report as Treasurer is herewith appended.
CHAS. FRANCIS ADAMS, JR. CHAS. A. FOSTER. HENRY BARKER.
H. A. KEITH.
L. W. ANDERSON. F. A. CLAFLIN.
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REPORT OF THE TREASURER OF THOMAS CRANE PUBLIC LIBRARY FOR ISS5-S6.
Balance in treasury, Feb. 1, 1885, $14 46
Cash of town Treasurer on appropriation, 2,700 00
dog licenses, 1,047 19
$3,761 65
Disbursements.
For Books,
$1,281 63
Services, librarians and janitor,
1,440 16
Printing,
121 44
Binding,
164 00
Gas,
138 30
Fuel,
100 00
Expressage,
41 04
Postal expenses,
7 47
Street sprinkling,
24 00
Water rent,
19 52
Plumbing,
4 52
Gas fixtures,
34 25
Stationery,
15 59
Repairing onyx window,
46 00
Expense on grounds,
187 37
Filling cistern,
37 50
Sundries,
38 13
Catalogue Fund,
50 00
Balance,
IO 73
$3,761 65
CATALOGUE FUND.
Balance, Feb. 1, 1885,
$271 96
Cash from fines and catalogues,
83 50
transferred from Library Fund,
50 00
Balance in treasury, $405 46
HENRY BARKER, Treasurer.
REPORT OF THE MANAGERS OF THE ADAMS ACADEMY.
To THE INHABITANTS OF THE TOWN OF QUINCY :
The Adams Academy has been passing through a year of con- siderable discouragement. Its graduating class for some reason seemed to lack as a whole that interest and scholarly energy which are essential to successful study, and as a consequence it failed for the most part of admission to Harvard. The new year, however, opened with encouraging indications, and the existing membership promises a far more satisfactory state of things in the near future. The principal and his assistants have been untiring as usual in their efforts to make the most of the material at their disposal, and we have every confidence in their zeal and ability in handling the young men who now compose the school. A new boarding-house is essential to any consider- able advance in the prosperity of the Academy, but the negotia- tions which have been set on foot with a view to acquiring a suitable site on Greenleaf Street have not resulted favorably.
The principal in his report to us says : -
"For the first time for some years every charge against parents and guardians had been promptly paid ; and I have to thank many citizens of Quincy for generously paying for their boys instead of drawing on the fund. I find several persons are still under the notion that all boys must be paid for from home.
" Having been applied to to take a pupil younger than the aver- age, in a course preparatory to the four years, I have revived the class formerly in operation, - without, however, engaging a special teacher, - and am quite ready to receive other young boys.
" I would renew my thanks to the Managers for their support, and to my teachers and Miss Hitchcock for their constant and cheerful help, often under very trying circumstances."
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. EDWARD NORTON. J. P. QUINCY. PETER BUTLER. L. W. ANDERSON. C. H. PORTER.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON STREETS.
Your committee, to whom was referred for consideration our public highways, their construction, maintenance, and all that relates thereto of administration, would respectfully submit the following report : -
An examination into the condition of our roads as they are now, and have been in the immediate past, can lead to but one conclusion, namely, that they are much below any proper standard for use by a community having the business we do to transact thereon. An exercise of that judgment which ordinary prudence would call into action seems to lead to the position that it is time we, as a town, made a thorough and complete change in all that relates to the administration of our roads, beginning at once on a complete and comprehensive plan of permanent construction, in accordance with the knowledge of the present, and with a utilization of such machinery as has proved itself to be of the greatest merit.
And first let us remember that the expense of a road is not all or nearly all represented in the sum that is laid out in its con- struction or maintenance so long as in these particulars it is faulty and defective, for every man who uses such highway, and finds the impediments of sand, mud, deep ruts, or great uneven- ness thereon, is put to an excessive wear and tear of horse and team (to say nothing of himself) that is also chargeable to the cost of that road.
It is true that thus the direct tax upon the town's treasury may be kept down, but the added tax contributed by every user is in the aggregate a much greater amount than would in the first instance have paid for a first-class road.
Economy in the aggregate, then, demands this change, and that we no longer suffer the present condition to continue. Much better roads we must have. How shall we get them ? Under what administration? To this last the answer of your committee is, that any continuous and comprehensive plan (and none other should be adopted) requires for its best success a continuous board directing it. That is, if the Selectmen are to be elected as at present, the entire board each year, then Road Commissioners for one, two, and three years, and thereafter one
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each year for three years' service, should be elected, and they given charge.
A competent working superintendent should be employed, having direct charge of all work.
As to how to get good roads, we answer : They cannot be had without the possession and use of the necessary machinery with which to make them. A thoroughly compacted bed of stone, shaped to the intended surface, is the one absolute requisite of a good road.
For this we have the material in abundance. To use it re- quires a stone crusher, which we have, and a steam road roller, which we have not. Your committee visited the city of Newton, and examined at work the Aveling & Porter's steam road roller. It is undoubtedly at present the best in use. Its superiority is shown in the highest order of efficiency, the lowest cost in daily expense to run, with a most remarkable absence in expense of repair, the city of Newton finding these bills to be less than $50 for more than three years of service. We tested its ability to pick up a road for resurfacing, as well as its stone and last surface rolling.
While in the latter its work was thoroughly satisfactory, the result with its picks was simply wonderful, accomplishing in this particular the work of at least twenty-five men. Time and experience have developed this machine to its present standard. So thoroughly a necessity has it become in road- making, that the demand for it has reached that point which has led its builders to change its construction to steel in place of iron, that, in material, it may also be as near a perfect tool as the science of the present can produce.
It will cost no more per day to run this steam roller of fifteen gross, or seventeen net, tons than it did our stone roller this last summer on the Point road, and yet we should have from it more than five times the efficiency in work. We deem it unwise to delay longer the procuring of this much-needed machine. It can be had for $6,200, less five per cent for cash, delivered in Quincy in perfect working order. We recommend that the purchase be made. A further necessary adjunct is a watering-cart, the final surface for rolling requiring to be wet. Should the roller be bought, we recommend its purchase also, at an expense of from $250 to $350; the water to be supplied by hose from the hydrants by the roadside, at the lowest rate per thousand gallons, as agreed to by the Water Company.
Thus equipped, we should be ready for work. We recommend proceeding as follows : -
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Class all our roads, and build to needed efficiency for travel accommodated thereon.
"Class I. To be those roads over which our heaviest teams pass, like Washington, Hancock, and Granite Streets.
Class 2. Where a large movement is had, but of lighter load, like Franklin, School, and Adams Streets.
Class 3. For light travel, like Greenleaf and Coddington.
Then permanently establish a grade for every road as recon- structed. Plans of the same, accompanied by a detail of all water, gas, and sewer pipes, to be placed on file for reference.
This action to be invariable.
The expenditure of the first year with the new tools should be carried on as a careful study of what can be done, the cost of doing, and the result under different kinds of travel, to the end that a full knowledge may be obtained at the earliest moment. The general plan of work should look to as continuous em- ployment of our road forces as is possible, thus securing the greatest economy in the expenditure of each dollar. In the fall and winter, after the active work of direct road-making is over, when labor is naturally cheaper, and our teams idle, though under cost of keeping, we should at once begin the breaking of stone with our machine, and the teaming of this broken stone, instead of a few feet away, to a point as near as possible to the spot where it is to be used in the spring and summer. The breaking machine itself can be taken to various parts of the town where stone may be had, and there during the season sug- gested be operated by the steam roller, then not busy. Thus the stone should be prepared before construction, and the men and teams be left free for the direct road work later. As little of the appropriation as possible should for some time be put into repairs, that the largest amount may be available for permanent work. Repairing should cease to be the dumping of an amount of material on the surface, to be made hard and serviceable at a fearful cost by passing teams. We should not place much of any material without wetting and rolling. With proper construction to be entered upon, repairs should mainly be limited to patching with small amounts of gravel in the worst places. Every foot of road thoroughly constructed should be maintained by a use of that principle expressed in the adage, " A stitch in time saves nine." By this we mean that when here and there a spot appears out of order, treat that spot at once, and not let it enlarge and injure more of the road, as it will little by little.
A few shovelsful of material at the right time, with proper care that it is not too many, will save much money as well as
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maintain a good surface. Any construction where a sewer is likely soon to be built should include the laying of the pipe in accordance with the plan for sewer as prepared by the town, that it may be available when needed, saving the ruinous process of digging up a well-made road.
Surface drainage at the nearest point with a local delivery should be provided so far as is possible, leaving a minimum to enter the sewer when constructed. A slight grade is very important to assist in relieving of water. The crown of the road should be even and regular, care being taken that it is not excessive.
On roads of the first class, your committee has considered the feasibility of paving a space 15 to 18 feet wide in the middle of the road, leaving the sides for light travel.
We think an experiment to a moderate extent might reason- ably be tried. The paving would cost from $1.00 to $1.15 per square yard, and might prove more effective under the wear of our stone teams. Situated as we are, where we could purchase paving out of season at the lowest cost, securing delivery then at the same relative gain, your committee deem it advisable that a test of 500 to 600 feet be made for comparison. Where a roadway is unnecessarily wide for the travel, or where over forty feet in width, except in the very centre of the town, any steam-roller construction and maintenance should be only to the necessary width, and never to exceed forty feet of travelled surface. The town should also direct its attention to securing, by purchase, available material of good quality, in the various localities where it may be found.
In conclusion, we wish to restate ourselves in condensed form as follows :-
First. It is utterly useless for this town to think of accomplish- ing much of anything with our roads, even on a considerably in- creased expenditure, without a thorough, systematic, and com- prehensive working plan.
Second. To succeed, that plan must embrace a continuous board to direct the work. A classification of the roads. A definite established grade, with facts always on file. A system of main- tenance that means the instant correction of small defects as they appear. The purchase of proper material, and the owner- ship of the necessary machinery.
To carry out this plan, your committee recommend an appro- priation of of $25,000 a year for the five years ensuing. Out of this first appropriation shall be purchased the steam roller and watering-cart, which will so reduce the sum as to cover our re-
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marks on the first year. Should the roller be used as power to run the crusher, a house for it could be built at a small expense at that place, also out of the appropriation. Should the town fail to vote for a permanent board, we do not recommend the in- creased expenditure at the present time.
THEOPHILUS KING. JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. CHARLES F. ADAMS, JR. EDWIN W. MARSH. H. M. FEDERHFN. H. T. WHITMAN. JOHN A. DUGGAN. JOHN Q. A. FIELD. JOSEPH H. VOGEL. JONAS SHACKLEY.
As auxiliary to this report, and directly relating to the subject of road maintenance, a portion of this committee desire to call the attention of the town to the fact, that at the Steam Fire Engine House there are two horses and at least one man having scarcely anything of employment, though of large expense to the town. These, we are of the opinion, could be made available for a large amount of work in maintaining the roads, without any practical decrease of efficiency as a part of the Fire Depart- ment.
THEOPHILUS KING. JOHN Q. ADAMS. CHARLES F. ADAMS, JR. JOHN Q. A. FIELD. H. T. WHITMAN. JOSEPH H. VOGEL. JONAS SHACKLEY. GEORGE CAHILL.
SELECTMEN'S REPORT ON SEWERAGE.
During the past year considerable money has been expended by the town in improving the sanitary condition of the locality in the vicinity of Water and Phipps Streets. The drains con- structed, while providing temporarily for the surface water, are not satisfactory, as no provision can be made for the sewerage proper. This condition of things is not confined to the locality mentioned, but is true of several sections in the more densely settled portions of the town.
Our town is fast increasing in population, and in the opinion of the board some comprehensive plan or system of drainage should at this time be adopted, rather than continue each year building drains for special localities or individuals.
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