USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Quincy > Town annual report of Quincy 1888-1889 > Part 6
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20 00
One third tax on Faneuil Hall Square estate, Boston 156 33
Town of Quincy for tax 1888 . 524 38
D. J. Roche, for repairs .
32 50
G. L. Gill, services as Secretary
10 00
H. B. Spear, " " Treasurer 200 00
Balance on deposit in bank
7,548 49
$58,111 70
106
WOODWARD FUND. - Contimed.
Statement of the Fund, January 7, 1889.
Personal property received from the
estate of Dr. Woodward $30,089 83
Received from sale of land . . 45,215 16
.. " pews . 120 00
Personal property received from the executors of the will of Mrs. Mary A. W. Woodward . 51,556 78
Income account . 91,662 97 . --- $218.644 74
Less profit and loss account . 3,657 50
$214.987 24
Invested as follows : -
$10.800 Consolidated Railroad of Ver- mont. 5 per cent . . $9.460 00
4 Bonds city of Boston, 5 per cent,
$1.000 each . 4,430 00
3 Bonds city of Cambridge, 6 per cent, $1.000 each . 3,330 00
3 Bonds city of Lynn, 6 per cent, $1,000 each 3,285 00
3 Bonds city of Toledo, 5 per cent, $1.000 each. 3.067 50
5 Bonds city of Minneapolis, 43 per cent, $1.000 each .
5,187 50 5 Bonds city of Cleveland, 4 per cent, $1.000 each . 5,262 50 10 Bonds city of Pawtucket, 5 per cent. $500 each
5,325 00
7 Bonds town of Weymouth, 4 per cent. $1.000 each . 7,542 50
2 Bonds Ogdensburg & Lake Cham- plain. 6 per cent, $1.000 each 2,000 00
2 Bonds Old Colony Railroad, 6 per cent, $1.000 each . 2,047 50
7 Bonds Boston & Lowell Railroad, 5 per cent, $1,000 each . 7,295 00
Amount carried forward
$58,232 50
107
WOODWARD FUND. - Continued.
Amount brought forward $58,232 50
4 Bonds Philadelphia, Wilmington & Baltimore Railroad, 5 per cent, $1,000 each 4,200 00
10 Bonds Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, 5 per cent, $1,000 cach . 10,762 50
5 Bonds Boston, Clinton, Fitchburg & New Bedford Railroad, 5 per cent, $1,000 each 5,125 00
5 Bonds Eastern Railroad, 6 per cent, $1,000 each 5,546 25
10 Bonds New York & New England Railroad, 6 per cent, $1,000 each 10,103 75 4 Bonds Vermont & Massachusetts Railroad, 5 per cent, $1,000 cach, 4,440 00 5 Bonds Union Pacific Railroad, 6 per cent, $1,000 each 5,593 75
4 Bonds Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fé Railroad, 5 per cent, $1,000 each, 4,065 00
8 Bonds Southern Kansas Railroad, 5 per cent, $1,000 each . 8,120 00
148 Shares Old Colony Railroad . . 26.640 00
66 Shares Fitchburg Railroad 7,260 00
22 Shares Boston & Albany Railroad . 4,400 00
10 Shares Consolidated Railroad of Ver- mont 500 00
25 Shares National Mount Wollaston Bank . 3,695 00
7 Bonds Fitchburg Railroad, 4} per cent, $1,000 each 7,000 00
Loans secured by Mortgage . 23,375 00
Loans to town of Quincy . 18,380 00
Cash deposited in bank
· 7,548 49
-$214,987 24
HORACE B. SPEAR, Treasurer.
MOUNT WOLLASTON CEMETERY.
The managers of Mount Wollaston Cemetery submit their fifteenth annual report.
LOTS SOLD.
The number of lots sold is thirty-five, for which $350 has been received.
LABOR ON LOTS AND NEW LOTS MADE,
The amount returned by the superintendent for labor in the care of lots, and for grading new lots sold, is $1,800. Of this sum $1,605 has been collected, leaving $195 due.
REPAIR FUND.
Seven hundred and fifty dollars has been received for " per- petual care " of the lots for which the deposits have been made, and the total amount of this fund is now $4,775.
APPROPRIATIONS.
In accordance with the vote of the town, your Board respectfully request the usual appropriation of $1,000 for the further improvement of the cemetery in several directions, believing that all interested will be satisfied with the results to be realized from the careful expenditure of said appropriation.
FINANCIAL.
Appropriation for 1888
$1,000 00 .
Collected for lots sold .
350 00
66 " single graves sold , .
15 00
" non-resident assessments
38 00
" hay sold .
35 00
Amount carried forward
.
$1,438 00
109
MOUNT WOLLASTON CEMETERY. - Continued.
Amount brought forward
. $1,438 00
Collected for labor on lots, 1884
1 50
66 66 1885
3 00
1886
21 00
66 66 1887
152 25
66
1888
1,605 00
income of Repair Fund .
201 25
$3,422 00 Expended as appears by the Selectmen's account . 3,121 78
Excess of receipts over expenditures
$300 22
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM A. HODGES, Chairman. GEORGE L. GILL, Secretary.
1
ROAD COMMISSIONERS' REPORT.
The Commissioners most respectfully submit to the inhabit- ants of Quincy the following report, being a brief résumé of the work performed during the past year, with a few sugges- tions, which are offered in regard to the present and future requirements of the city, so far as relates to this department.
The last annual town meeting, and the special town meet- ings afterward held, appropriated more than $60,000, divided into thirty-three or more distinct appropriations, to be expended under the direction of the Road Commissioners.
A careful and unprejudiced examination of the Selectmen's report will show that the money has been economically, and we believe judiciously expended.
It seems proper to state that the work of the department has not been confined to any particular locality, but has been dis- tributed over the whole town, even to the extent of making extensive repairs on the street and bridge at Hough's Neck, on the east, and Randolph Avenue, on the extreme west.
The condition of that portion of Hancock Street which was rebuilt last year under the personal supervision of Mr. John P. Prichard, and other obvious reasons, convinced the Board that it would not be advisable to retain that gentleman as Superin- tendent of Streets.
As the permanent rebuilding of Hancock Street was to be extended, it was deemed best to incur no further risk, and we were unanimous in the opinion that his services could well be dispensed with, which was accordingly done.
Since then the Commissioners have given their personal supervision over the work, the town being divided into three districts, Chairman Mckenzie having special charge of the Centre, Point, and part of the South ; Commissioner Driscoll of a part of the South and of the West; and Commissioner Duggan of Atlantic and Wollaston.
The widening and general improvement of Copeland Street, for which an appropriation of $4,500 was made, is completed,
111
except the entire removal of some rock on its westerly end, which should be done as soon as practicable.
At considerable expense a large drain was constructed under the sidewalk to carry off the surface water which has heretofore flowed upon this street from the adjoining land.
Bates Avenue, which the town was compelled to build by order of the County Commissioners, and in accordance with a plan prepared by them, is entirely finished.
A substantial road was built having retaining walls where required ; and over the tracks of the Old Colony Railroad was erected a first-class iron bridge sixty-five feet in length in two spans. It is the only bridge in the city that will safely carry the steam roller, and it is said to be for its length one of the best highway bridges in the State.
From the Old Colony Railroad there was received $500 for removing a part of the ledge upon their location.
The street leading to Faxon Park, for which $2,000 was appropriated, has been built for several hundred feet leading from Franklin Street. This street should be continued, as it will place upon the market several house lots and give better access to the park.
The sidewalk for Newport Avenue, for which $1,000 was appropriated, has been constructed at an expense of $662.24. A plank walk for part of the distance was thought to be the best because of the large expense that would be incurred in raising the wall and fence and filling in the side of the street.
Glencoe Place has been improved at an expense of $256.50, the appropriation for the same being $250.
Standish Avenue and its continuation, Old Colony Avenue, accepted as public ways, have been materially improved at an expense of $613.
Marion Street, another new public way, was built at a cost of $103.75, the appropriation for the same being $150.
Upon Clay Street, a new public way, there was expended $182.50, the appropriation being $200.
Upon Bigelow and Liberty Streets there were constructed new and substantial bridges ; that upon Bigelow Street being an arch entirely of stone and of handsome design, the cost of the same being $696.30; the appropriation was $450. Resi- dents of that vicinity expressed a willingness to contribute a share of the additional expense.
Liberty Street bridge cost $538.97, the appropriation being $500.
112
For Main Street there was an appropriation of $500. It has been much improved at a cost of $405.
Quincy Avenue was widened by removing a ledge on its easterly side at a cost of $485.13, the appropriation being $500.
The drain to carry off water from Copeland Street, for which an appropriation of $800 was made, was built at a cost of $717. It is provided with suitable catch-basins and does well the work required.
On Brooks Avenue there was expended $325.70, the appro- priation being $300.
Kent Street, accepted as a public way, was built at a cost of $660.99.
Town Hill Foot-way was built at a cost of $99.13.
On School Street Park, for which an appropriation of $200 was made, there was expended $189.80.
Upon Pine Street there was expended $26.
Upon Willard Street Brook, for which an appropriation of $500 was made, there was expended $676.27.
A small part of the wall at that place was destroyed by the freshet of November last.
While this brook with others in West Quincy needs radical improvement. we earnestly recommend that none be attempted unless it be in accordance with a complete and systematic plan providing for a general improvement of them all, which will call for the outlay of a large sum.
We believe immediate steps should be taken to improve the water-course known as Furnace Brook. Plans prepared for this purpose at considerable expense by the Commissioners of last year are on file.
Attention is called to the necessity of draining the locality on Willard Street, near junction of Cemetery Street ; and no bet- ter way seems apparent than that which may be secured by a new outlet to run parallel with Willard Street through the premises of the O. T. Rogers Company and empty into the brook near Robertson Street.
Neponset Bridge has been repaired at an expense of $541.61. the appropriation being $1,000. It is unsafe, and should be immediately rebuilt.
A plan also prepared by the Road Commissioners of last year, and approved by the Harbor and Land Commissioners, provides for filling in a part of the distance.
Should this plan be adopted, we suggest that an opening for
113
the water to pass through be left on the southerly end of the " fill." This will prevent the accumulation of filth upon the flats, and will keep the river bank on the Quincy side clean because of the continual " scour."
The highway bridges over the railroad track on Beal Street and Hancock Street should be widened. As the Old Colony Railroad intends very soon to replace the Hancock Street bridge with an iron one, we believe they should be required to build it the full width of the street.
The construction of permanent way on Hancock Street has been extended from a point opposite the residence of Mr. John Chamberlin to Webster Street, a distance of 1,700 feet, being a continuation of 1,225 feet built last year.
The Telford system was followed, the grade over the fill being very much reduced, and it is thought to be an excellent road.
The stone crusher was moved early in the year to an advan- tageous position on Webster Street. It is more conveniently arranged than formerly, and material for highways can now be prepared at considerably less expense. Its position is particu- larly good, should the improvement of Hancock Street be continued.
Water Street between the railroad and Franklin Street has been paved its entire width with granite blocks.
Hancock Street, opposite the new Adams block, has been im- proved by filling in the unsightly " hollow " that was tolerated for so many years.
At Hough's Neck a substantial stone bridge has been built in place of an old dilapidated wooden structure.
The street across the marsh was also rebuilt and suitable bulkheads and fences erected.
The streets of Quincy are now lighted with eighty-five elec- tric are lights, eighty-eight kerosene oil lights having the Wheeler reflectors, and fifty-six gas lights. Many of the oil . lanterns are in poor condition.
Before closing, a brief explanation of the difficulty with the city of Boston in regard to laying its water pipes in Quincy seems proper.
The Boston Water Board claimed right under the law to open and use the highways of Quincy for the purpose of laying water pipes to convey water to Moon Island and Long Island.
This right was disputed by this Board, and failing to arrive at an amicable understanding with the authorities of Boston
8
114
that would perhaps be beneficial to both cities. we felt obliged to positively forbid them opening our streets. The notice seemed of no avail. and an attempt was made by the city of Boston to lay its pipes, a move which called for prompt and decisive action on the part of Quincy. By advice of W. G. A. Pattee. E-q .. who was legally consulted in the matter, a forcible and effective resistance was made against this illegal act, which obliged them to abandon the work.
Since then the full bench of the Supreme Court has decided that Boston cannot legally open the streets of Quincy for the purpose before mentioned. and have granted a permanent in- junction restraining them from so doing.
It seems probable, however, that a way may be found by which Boston will lay its pipes in our streets.
We call attention to communication dated Nov. 22. 1888. and Dec. 1. 1888. whereby the Water Board of Boston agree to erect and maintain as many as seven hydrants to be used by Quincy free of cost. "also that the roads through which the pipes are laid shall be gravelled to the satisfaction of the Board having charge of such roads."
They also agree to pay to the town of Quincy a sum not ex- ceeding five hundred dollars.
All the above is agreed to be done providing the Road Com- missioners are disposed to make no objection to the pipes being laid.
Of the sum of $25.000 appropriated for general repairs and rebuilding of highways there has been expended $21.189.18. a surplus remaining of $3.810.82.
GORDON MCKENZIE, JOHN A. DUGGAN. PATRICK W. DRISCOLL, Road Commissioners of Quincy.
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF THE THOMAS CRANE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The Trustees of the Thomas Crane Library herewith submit their eighteenth report, covering the eleven months ending Dec. 31, 1888.
Since the last annual report was presented, there have been 558 new names added to those already on the librarian's register, making a total of 8,609. There have been purchased from the Library Fund 353 new books ; and 463 books and pamphlets have been given to the library.
The division of reading matter during the year is shown in the following table : -
Public.
Fiction
26,129
Schools. 383
Total. 26,512
42.0
Juvenile Fiction .
12,705
1,711
14,417
23.0
Periodicals .
8,963
250
9,213
14.0
History .
2,732
620
3,352
5.0
General Literature
2,371
147
2,518
3.9
Travels .
1,616
529
2,145
3.3
Arts and Sciences
1,749
138
1,887
2.9
Biography
1,530
306
1,836
2.8
Poetry
1,010
51
1,061
1.6
Religion .
383
-
383
0.6
E lucational
304
-
304
0.4
59,493
4,135
63,628
Per Cent.
During the year the third supplement to the catalogue has been printed. It comprised eighty-seven pages, and contained in the neighborhood of 6,600 titles. Its total cost, exclusive of preparation, etc., was $414.25, and it was offered for sale to those using the library at the nominal price of ten cents per copy. The cost of printing it was met out of the accumulations of the Catalogue Fund.
The Trustees herewith also submit the report of their Treas- urer for the current year, showing a balance in the treasury at this time of $608.56, on account of the general Library Fund derived from appropriations and the dog tax, and $376.30 be- longing to the Catalogue Fund. The details of expenditures during the eleven months are set forth in the report.
116
As, under the charter of the city of Quincy, the present Board of Trustees will cease to exist on the appointment by the Mayor of their successors, composing the new Board, it seems not improper for the members of the former Board presenting this, their final report, to include in it a brief state- ment of the history and work of the library up to the present time.
The library was organized by a vote of the town passed at a special meeting held on the 2d of May, 1871. The following named residents of the town were then elected Trustees : -
WILLIAM W. GREENOUGH, H. A. KEITH, L. W. ANDERSON, CHARLES F. ADAMS, JR., CHARLES A. FOSTER.
HENRY BARKER,
Three of the above, Messrs. C. F. Adams, Henry Barker, and H. A. Keith, have been successively re-elected down to the present time, and are now members of the Board about to be retired. Mr. William W. Greenough, at the expiration of his term of service, declined a re-election, and was succeeded by Edward Whicher. Mr. Whicher, at the expiration of his term in 1878, declined a re-election, and was succeeded by Dr. William S. Pattee .. At the expiration of the term of Dr. Pat- tee in 1881, he was succeeded by Mr. F. A. Claflin, a present member of the Board. Mr. Luther W. Anderson died upon the thirteenth day of June, 1887. He was succeeded as a Trustee by George I. Aldrich. At the annual town meeting in March, 1888. Mr. W. H. Price was elected to succeed Mr. Aldrich. Mr. C. A. Foster continued a Trustee until March, 1888, when he was succeeded by Mr. W. B. White.
The library was opened for the issuing of books to the pub- lic on the eleventh day of December, 1871. It then occupied the north room of the Adams Academy building. Subse- quently this room was required for the use of the academy, and the library was then removed to the old Orthodox Church building on Hancock Street. It was there opened to the pub- lic on the 16th of September, 1874. At the annual town meeting in March, 1880, the family of the late Thomas Crane made known their intention of erecting a memorial building to Mr. Crane. The corner-stone of this building was laid upon the 22d of February, 1881, and the building was dedicated and opened to the public on the 30th of May, 1882.
During the seventeen years and four months during which the library has been open, in the neighborhood of 836,389
117
books have been borrowed from it. The average monthly issue during the first year of the library was 3,700 volumes. The average monthly issue during the current year has been 5,302 volumes.
Miss Abbie I. Hails was the first librarian, and served for nearly two years, until, in 1873, she resigned on account of ill health. Miss Hails was succeeded by Miss Cora I. Young, who served until 1875 ; she was succeeded by Miss Mary I. Brooks, who served as librarian for one year. Miss Brooks was succeeded in 1876 by Miss A. L. Bumpus, who had been connected with the library from its beginning. Miss A. G. White, the present assistant librarian, has been connected with the library since 1877.
When originally organized, the library contained in the neighborhood of 4,600 volumes. It now contains approxi- mately about 15,000 volumes.
The expense of maintaining the library has been as fol- lows : -
1871
$3,426 56
1872
5,599 71
1873
3,489 84 .
1874
5,374 16 .
1875
4,796 99 .
1876
4,333 03
1877
.
3,060 50
1878
2,846 59 .
1879
2,969 31 .
1880
2,718 45
1881
2,653 57
1882
.
3,109 74
1883
4,928 07
1884
3,766 43
1885
.
3,700 92
1886
3,742 49
1887
4,114 76
1888, eleven months
3,582 60
But one catalogue of the library has been published, to wit, in 1875. Three supplements have been published, respectively in the years 1879, 1883, and 1888.
By order of the Trustees,
CHARLES F. ADAMS,
Chairman.
·
.
REPORT OF THE TREASURER OF THOMAS CRANE PUBLIC LIBRARY FOR 1888.
1888.
Balance in treasury Feb. 1, 1888 . $75 16
Cash of Town Treasurer on appropria-
tion 2,700 00 .
Cash of Town Treasurer, dog licenses
.
1,416 00
--
$4,191 16
DISBURSEMENTS.
Dec. 31. For Books $799 30 .
Librarian service
1,275 97
Janitor
458 37
Printing
133 74 .
Binding
132 50 .
Gas and fixtures
132 57
Fuel and furnace repairs,
199 33
Expressage
83 05
Water
17 00
Street sprinkling
16 00
Postal expense
4 18
Repairs
74 75
Expense on grounds
198 88
Sundries
56 96
Balance in treasury
608 56
$4,191 16
CATALOGUE FUND.
Balance Feb. 1, 1888 .
$687 32
Dec. 31. Cash from fines and cata-
logues
103 23
$790 55
Dec. 31. Cash paid for catalogues $414 25
Balance in treasury 376 30
$790 55
.
·
HENRY BARKER, Treasurer.
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS.
Your committee have continued the work of clearing up the parks, and have expended most of the appropriation for that purpose.
At Merry Mount Park the trees have been thinned out and the better class given a chance to grow.
A new fence has been built at Faxon Park, partially execut- ing the conditions of the deed of gift.
When building the new street near Faxon Park, the Road Commissioners offered to deliver at the park, at the cost of carting, a large quantity of loam. As this is sure to be needed whenever the more extensive work of permanent improvement begins, your Commissioners thought it wise to expend a part of the appropriation for this purpose.
At the town meeting in last March the matter of purchasing land for a park at Atlantic was referred to the Park Commis- sioners, and, by appointment, they visited the ground proposed for this park. The location seemed to your Commissioners to be suitable, but the one citizen who met them could give no definite information in regard to cost or amount of land desired. They therefore thought best to postpone any action until some definite plan could be agreed upon by the citizens interested. The appended account of receipts and expenditures shows an unexpended balance of $95.46. Your Commissioners recom- mended an appropriation of $500 for the ensuing year.
WILLIAM B. RICE, · JOHN CHAMBERLIN, GEORGE CAHILL,
Commissioners.
120
RECEIPTS.
Balance unexpended from 1887 From appropriation
$132 97
500 00
Mr. McCormick for pasture, Merry Mount Park
100 00
sale of posts, Merry Mount Park .
7 20
66
66 grass, 66
15 00
66 wood to E. Adams, Merry Mount Park
7 00
66 Mr. Gregory, 60
9 00
66
66 Mr. Tipping, Faxon Park 5 00
$776 17
EXPENDITURES.
Drawn on Selectmen by vouchers for labor Merry Mt. Park
Paid J. O. Dowd, for labor Merry Mt. Park
86 00
M. Moran,
2.0 00
J. Desmond,
54 50
T. Burke, 66 66 66
17 00
Francis Gearin,
24 50
Various laborers, "
18 00
Mr. McKay,
9 00
D. McCarty,
66
13 87
W. G. A. Pattee, legal services
5 00
Daniel Ford, for labor Faxon Park
58 25
Michael Griffin,
58 25
Peter Cahill, 66
66
17 50
John Conley, use of tools 66
2 00
Mr. Felton, fence wire
4 61
J. E. Tipping, labor
66
5 00
Francis Gearin, carting loam 66
90 75
Whitney & Nash, tools
4 30
Green & Prescott, printing and advertising
4 25
Cash in hand to cover labor now being done . 23 20
Balance unexpended
95 46
$776 17
$164 73
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH.
The Board of Health hereby submits its fourth annual report.
The Board organized March 14, choosing Dr. J. H. Gilbert, chairman ; Dr. J. F. Welch, secretary ; J. W. Hayden was appointed inspector, Peter McConnarty, scavenger.
The rules and regulations of the Board were published in accordance with the statutes, and we heartily congratulate the town on the growing disposition of the inhabitants to observe the same.
Each year since an active Board of Health was organized has scen a marked improvement in the sanitary condition of the town. Yards and private ways formerly used as dumping grounds for all kinds of refuse, privies and cesspools that were allowed to fill and overflow, permeating the ground with their health-destroying matter, no longer exist to any extent.
The promptitude with which nuisances are abated when shown to exist, is very gratifying to the Board.
Over three thousand inspections were made. Five hundred nuisances were reported (about three hundred less than last year), and of these about ninety-six per cent were abated.
The character of the several nuisances was much the same as given in previous reports, - unclean vaults, cesspools, and wet cellars predominating.
There is still much to be desired in the way of general sani- tary improvement, and again we take the opportunity of empha- sizing the demand and urgent necessity of a system of sewerage.
There exist nuisances difficult or impossible to abate (save temporarily ) without such a system.
It is a deplorable fact that the wet cellars found largely in certain sections of the south and west part of the town still ex- ist to the same extent as in previous years.
This condition of affairs can be remedied by a general system of drainage and by cleaning out and deepening the water- courses of the town ; this latter power was given to the Road Commissioners by the Legislature of 1887.
122
Still further power was granted the Commissioners by the re- peal of the act of 1887 and the substitution of the following : -
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