USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Quincy > Town annual report of Quincy 1888-1889 > Part 8
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HERBERT M. FEDERHEN.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON WATER WORKS.
The committee appointed at the last annual town meeting " to investigate the subject of the purchase by the town of the works of the Quincy Water Company," would respectfully report : -
That ininvestigating the subject assigned to them, the first question to decide seemed to be, Is it desirable for the town to own the water works? For the affimative of this question it is urged that the town is the largest customer of the company, having paid them the past year $3,650; that for fire purposes it would be advantageous and economical to have a much larger number of hydrants, were the expense only for their first cost, as hydrants at frequent intervals, besides adding to the efficiency of the Fire Department, would lessen the expense for hose, with- out increasing that for water.
Another potent argument in favor of town ownership has been, that water would be supplied to certain sections of the town which the company have failed to cover. As to the last point, it must be remembered that the town, no more than a private company, can afford to lay pipes for a considerable dis- tance where the income would not half pay the expense ; and as an offset to the gain in the other directions referred to, it is generally conceded that a town or city cannot run any consider- able business as cheaply as an individual or a private company.
There are two other important points to which your com- mittee have given careful consideration ..
The first is the stability of the plant of the Water Company ; the second. the quantity and quality of their water supply. As to the first, it is somewhat difficult to arrive at a correct conclusion. The description of pipes laid by the Quincy Water Company has been in use for this purpose for so short a time that it is impossible to get any reliable evidence as to the length of time it may be expected to wear. The company uncovered their pipes in several places, giving members of the committee
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and their engineer an opportunity to examine them, both on the outer and inner side, and though in two locations the pipes had lain for several years in salt mud, they as yet appear to be in good condition. A portion of the pipes was laid in inclement weather, and for a time there was serious trouble from leakage ; but that difficulty seems to have been overcome. The best authorities, however, estimate that a first-quality plant for a water supply will wear but fifty years, and as these works were commenced in 1883, the older portion of the plant has been in wear for one tenth of that time.
As to water supply. The company at first took their water from a well, thirty feet in diameter, dug to the depth of twenty- seven feet, on the upland, at the border of the valley from which they seek their supply. This well furnished water of a superior quality, but as it was soon found to be insufficient in quantity, a second, thirty-five feet in diameter and twenty-two feet deep, was dug in the meadow, near the brook, The water from this well, though inferior to the first, was yet of fair quality. The supply being still insufficient for the increasing demand, a reservoir is now being constructed in the valley of the brook, at a considerable distance above the pumping station, where it is thought a quantity of water may be stored during the wet season, sufficient to supply the wants of the town for some time to come. Should this prove inadequate, other retaining dams may be built farther up the valley. and the supply increased indefinitely. It must not be forgotten, however, that this will require a very considerable expenditure of money. The dry weather of the present summer has made it necessary for the company to draw upon their reservoir prematurely, which is their apology for serving. for a time, water very objectionable in quality. There is, however, already a decided improvement, and we have reason to believe that, in the future, the water fur- nished by the Quincy Company will be as good as the average of town supplies.
After carefully weighing the whole matter, a majority of your committee came to the conclusion that it is desirable for the town to own a system of water works, and that it would be advisable to purchase the works of the Quincy Water Company, provided they could be obtained at a fair price. With this end in view, a subcommittee was appointed to confer with the offi- cers of the company and ascertain the price for which their works could be purchased. In this they were unsuccessful. The company refused to name a price at which they would sell their
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works, but suggested that if the committee would make a price, they would say whether or not it would be satisfactory to them.
Your committee thereupon secured the services of an ex- pert, - Mr. William Jackson, engineer of public works for the city of Boston, - who, after making a careful examination of the works in detail, - in which duty he was courteously ren- dered every facility by the officers of the company, - gave them his opinion relative to the condition of the works, and an esti- mate of the cost of putting in a similar plant at the present time. Acting upon the opinion of Mr. Jackson and upon his estimates, your committee advised the Quincy Water Company, through its president, that they would recommend to the town or city the purchase of their works, provided that they could be obtained, with the new reservoir completed, for the sum of two hundred and seventy-five thousand ($275,000) dollars. A reply was received " that the Water Company respectfully re- fused to sell their works for the sum mentioned."
The Quincy Water Company being unwilling to name a price at which they will sell to the town, there is still another way open by which the town may, if it desires, obtain possession of their works. The charter of the company provides that in case the company and town are unable to agree, then the com- pensation to be paid shall be determined by three commissioners, to be appointed by the Supreme Judicial Court upon application of either party and notice to the other, whose award, when accepted by said court, shall be binding upon all parties. The authority to purchase, however, must be assented to by a two- thirds vote at a town meeting called for that purpose, and the town cannot incur a debt therefor for a sum exceeding $250,000.
While a majority of your committee are of the opinion that it would be advisable to purchase the works of the Quincy Water Company at a reasonable price to be agreed upon, they are of the opinion that it is inexpedient for the town to take the works under the law, incurring the risk of having to pay for them the exorbitant price that they have reason to think the company would place upon their works and franchise, before the commissioners.
The town has a contract with the Water Company, which has yet five years to run. Before the expiration of that term, we think it likely that the city council, being less cumbersome than the town meeting, may make a satisfactory arrangement with the company for the purchase of its works and franchise.
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Should this be found impracticable, we believe that there are other sources from which a supply of water may be obtained without interfering with the franchise of the present company.
EDWIN W. MARSH. WM. A. HODGES. WILLIAM N. EATON. WALTER H. RIPLEY. THOMAS GURNEY. JOSEPH L. WHITON. J. T. PENNIMAN. WM. F. POWERS.
MINORITY REPORT.
The undersigned, a minority of the committee appointed by the Moderator of the last annual town meeting to investigate the question of the purchase of the Quincy water works, sub- mits the following report : -
I concur with the majority that it is advisable for the town to own and control a system of water works. No private cor- poration will do for the water-takers what can be done by the town, especially this company, handicapped as it is by a pro- vision in its charter giving to the town the power to take the works at its pleasure. Even Quincy. which has been character- ized as individually bright, but collectively stupid, would not fail to see a good investment, especially after a handsome profit has been demonstrated by the present owners. As soon as the stock earns a good dividend the town will demand the prop- erty, but the price will be higher then than now. No arbitra- tor would decide on the value of the plant without considering its earning power ; every year increases its prospects, and con- sequently its value. Less than one third of the houses in Quincy take water. A system of sewerage, which must be adopted in the immediate future, would double the number of takers without proportionately increasing the expenses. Prob- ably a large majority of the citizens of Quincy are in favor of buying the water works. They are tired of paying excessive rates for inferior service. The present company will not expend a dollar beyond actual necessity, knowing that the works are only temporarily theirs. Citizens living on streets without water pipes heg in vain for privileges enjoyed by the
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favored ones. The majority of the committee advise the town not to purchase, because they think the price will not be low enough. This opinion is based on the grounds, first, that Engineer Jackson's estimate of the value of the works, together with the amount guessed at by the majority as the cost of the reservoir, was a just valuation of the property ; second, that the arbitrators appointed by the Supreme Court would naturally name too high a value. Mr. Jackson's ability as an expert should not be questioned, and yet the cost of building systems of water works throughout the country varies from 50 to 100 per cent. Mr. Jackson probably knew nothing of the actual cost of laying pipes in the streets of Quincy, especially between the Centre and West districts. In regard to the second objec- tion, is it unreasonable to conclude that Quincy, represented by able counsel, would receive justice through the Supreme Court ? A bare majority of the committee have already placed the town at a disadvantage in offering to recommend to the town the purchase of the water works for $275,000. All future negotiations must be based on the above sum as a low valua- tion - low, because it would be unreasonable to expect the committee to make for its first offer what they thought to be the full value of the works. The fact that such an offer was made will always be considered as evidence that $275,000 was a low valuation, especially as it was hoped that the action of the committee would cause the company to name a price. The water works will never be owned by the town except through the Supreme Court. Let us suppose that the officers of the company had agreed to accept $275,000, and the committee had in good faith recommended the town to purchase. Does any sane man believe that the town would vote to pay such an amount, or, in fact, any sum except a ridiculously low one ? A series of offers would follow, and every watchdog of Quincy's treasury would be anxious to make a record. Any regular attendant of the Quincy town meeting could give an amusing pen picture of the scenes that would follow. Even had the Legislature neglected to insert so wise a provision in the charter, the sale would eventually be consummated by arbitra- tion ; any other method would be practically impossible. Let us avail ourselves of the wisdom of the General Court, and proceed at once to take the works.
CHARLES R. SHERMAN.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON NEPONSET BRIDGE.
TO THE INHABITANTS OF THE TOWN OF QUINCY : -
The undersigned, a committee appointed at the adjournment of the town meeting, held in March last, to consider and report upon the question of rebuilding or repairing the bridge over Neponset River, submit the following report : -
Your committee have made careful examination of the bridge ; they also employed Mr. George S. Morrill, chief engineer of the Old Colony R. R. system, as an expert. He also made a report, which is appended hereto and is made a part of this report.
His recommendation is that the bridge throughout its entire. length be rebuilt.
The bridge is 620 feet long. The Road Commissioners have received permission from the Harbor Commissioners to rebuild this bridge and to have a portion of the same solid filling. This solid filling is allowed for 350 feet, leaving a pile structure of 270 feet to be built in addition. Should the town decide to accept the permission of the Harbor Commissioners and make 350 feet solid, with retaining walls suitably built, and 270 feet of pile structure, the expense in the opinion of your committee will be as follows : -
350 feet solid filling $20,000
270 feet pile structure, entirely new, at $27 per running foot, and incidentals . 7,500
Making total cost $27,500
If the town should decide to rebuild an entirely new structure of piles. your committee estimate the cost of the same as follows : -
620 feet, at $27 per running foot, about $16,700,
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Your committee desire to call to the attention of the town still another scheme which can be followed out with this struc- ture. We are wholly convinced that 270 feet of the bridge should be entirely rebuilt. The condition of the piling, braces, lack of spur shores, the worn piles, and the inadequacy of the bearings on a considerable portion of this part of the bridge in question, make it imperative that beginning at the line on northerly side and running southerly for 270 feet should be rebuilt. The remaining portion, viz., 350 feet, can be strength- ened by using the old piles taken from the other part of the bridge, and such stringers as are in good condition, and will last for some time with only such repairs as are required in the ordinary course of usage.
Your committee estimate the probable cost of this last scheme as follows : -
270 feet, at $27 per running foot . $7,300
350 feet to be repaired by using old materials, etc. 2,700
Making total cost . $10,000
In the estimates submitted for new work it is understood that it includes the cost of removal of old structure, in every respect.
Your committee request the Selectmen of Quincy to call a special town meeting, and that the subject be considered and action taken on the same at once, and also submit the following article for the consideration of the meeting : --
Article 2. To see if the town will rebuild, repair, or replace the bridge over Neponset River, and appropriate a sum of money therefor.
If the town adopt the first proposition of the committee, there will be but a small annual sum for repairs at any time. A portion being solid, it will, of course, be permanent.
Should the town adopt the second proposition of the com- mittee, it is expected that it will be at least fifteen years before any great expense will be required to be laid out on the bridge. Of course the roadway will have to be maintained, and under the third scheme the expense is greater because of 350 feet more of pile bridge to be maintained.
Under the third scheme 270 feet will be entirely new and will last without repairs, except on the planking, about fifteen years ; the portion repaired, strengthened, etc., will last, except-
10
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ing ordinary repairing, probably about five years, when a consid- erable sum will have to be appropriated to replace the stringers, etc.
The committee are of the opinion that, taking everything into consideration, the bridge be rebuilt its entire length.
CHAS. H. PORTER, JOHN CHAMBERLIN, H. T. WHITMAN, Committee.
BOSTON, April 12, 1888.
CHAIRMAN COMMITTEE ON BRIDGE : -
Dear Sir, - If I had read the list of questions over carefully which you wish me to answer before making an examination of Neponset River bridge, I don't think I should have had any- thing to do with it. I could not give the time to make such an examination as ought to be made to answer all your questions satisfactorily in detail. Your first question : Is any portion of the bridge inadequate to support with safety the travel to which it is subjected ? Now, all I or any one else knows is that it does support it, but just how long it will is something no one can tell. I should think one part was about as safe as another, and it is all pretty poor.
The condition of the piles is poor, they are badly worn by ice, and are very small between high and low water; there are many bad places in them, and I should not advise using any of them in a new bridge.
The girder caps are getting poor and rotten in the ends of many of them. I could not get at them very well except at the ends from the bridge floor. I do not think they are very bad, that is, many of them ; there are a large number of nearly new stringers which appear to be sound ; they are of all ages and sizes, some laid edge-ways and some flat-ways. I did not examine the planking. The hand-railing is poor.
As to the repairs it is advisable to make, I should advise building a new bridge. If you lay out a lot of expense on the present bridge you haven't got anything substantial when you get it repaired. As to the cost, I have made no estimate, but should think the figures you named about a fair price.
We got a rod down in the mud 10} feet, at a point 125 feet from the south end of bridge ; at 350 feet from end we only got
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it down about 8 feet ; neither place was hard bottom, as the rod bent and went so hard in the mud we could go no farther.
I should say all new piles were required, but possibly you might find some of them (the old piles) fit to use again ; there are many bad places in the piles, such as knots that have decayed, auger holes, cracks, etc., and I think it very doubtful if there are very many you would care to use. There is prob- ably considerable good timber in the stringers, but it is mostly spruce and is not very long-lived. When it was taken out whatever was found sound, also some of the piles could be used again at the shore end if you wanted to do so. I should not consider it wise to put spruce timber in, and put a new floor on it, and then in a little while have to tear it up to change the timbers. My advice would be to build a new bridge.
Respectfully yours,
GEO. S. MORRILL, Engineer.
TOWN RECORDS
FOR
1888.
WARRANT FOR THE ANNUAL TOWN MEETING,
MARCH 5, 1888.
NORFOLK. SS. To either of the Constables of the Town of Quincy, in said County, GREETING :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby required to notify and warn the inhabitants of the town of Quincy, qualified to vote in town affairs, to meet at the Town Hall, in said Quincy, on Monday, March 5, 1888, at seven and one half o'clock in the forenoon, to act on the following articles, namely : -
ARTICLE 1. To choose a Moderator.
ART. 2. To choose Town Officers.
ART. 3. To see how the town will vote on the following question : " Shall licenses be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in this town ? "
ART. 4. To act upon the reports of the Auditors of Accounts, Se- lectmen, School Committee, Trustees of the Thomas Crane Public Library, Road Commissioners, Managers of the Adams Academy, Managers of the Mount Wollaston Cemetery, Park Commissioners, and Board of Health.
ART. 5. To determine the method of repairing the highways dur- ing the ensuing year.
ART. 6. To determine how the town land shall be improved dur- ing the ensuing year.
ART. 7. To revise the jury list.
ART. 8. To hear and act on the report of the Road Commissioners upon guide boards.
ART. 9. To see if the town will appropriate the sum of two hun- dred dollars for repairing and decorating soldiers' graves, the same to be expended under the direction of Paul Revere Post 88 of the Grand Army of the Republic.
ART. 10. To see if the town will grant the free use of the Town Hall for free lectures, and appropriate money therefor.
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ART. 11. To see if the town will instruct the Selectmen to ap- point police officers to enforce all laws bearing upon the sale of intox- icating liquors, and appropriate one thousand dollars therefor.
ART. 12. To see if the town will purchase the works of the Quincy Water Company, and appropriate money therefor.
ART. 13. To see if the town will build a public sewer, and appro- priate money therefor.
ART. 14. To see if the town will authorize the Selectmen to pur- chase of Miss E. A. C. Hardwick a piece of land situated in the rear of the steamer house on School Street, and appropriate money therefor.
ART. 15. To see if the town will convey to Peter McConarty a strip of land on Canal Street, in exchange for a strip of equal area now owned by him, adjoining the town farm.
ART. 16. To see if the town will instruct the Trustees of the 'Thomas Crane Public Library to establish and maintain in West Quincy a branch of said Library, and appropriate five hundred dol- lars therefor.
ART. 17. To see if the town will appropriate a sum of money suf- ficient to indemnify F. Hardwick & Son for damages incurred by the extension of Quarry Street.
ART. 18. To see if the town will appropriate money to reimburse Henry H. Faxon the amount paid for the Paul W. Newcomb tax titles assessed for the years 1882, 1883, and 1885, and sold to said Faxon, Sept. 20, 1886.
ART. 19. To see if the town will accept the provisions of Chapter Two Hundred and Sixty-four of the Acts of the year eighteen hun- dred and eighty-six, entitled "An Act to provide for Precinct voting in towns."
ART. 20. To see if the town will purchase for the purpose of a public park, a strip of land adjoining Quincy Bay and extending from the easterly end of Appleton Street to the easterly end of the proposed extension of Atlantic Street, and appropriate money there- for.
ART. 21. To see if the town will instruct the Selectmen, Over- seers of the Poor, Road Commissioners, Park Commissioners, and Managers of the Mount Wallaston Cemetery not to employ any per- son as a laborer in their respective departments unless he has been a resident of the town at least one year previous to employment.
ART. 22. To see if the town will vote that not less than two dol- lars per day shall be paid to the employees of the town for the ensuing year.
ART. 23. To see if the town will vote that nine hours shall consti- tnte a day's work for all employees of the town.
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ART. 24. To see if the town will vote to pay all laborers employed by the town the past year, for time worked in excess of nine hours per day, and appropriate money therefor.
ART. 25. To see if the town will revoke the vote whereby it accepted the provisions of Chap. 158 of the Acts of the year 1871, and abolish the Board of Road Commissioners.
ART. 26. To see if the town will appropriate the sum of $200 to fill and grade the triangular lot at the junction of School and Pleasant Streets.
ART. 27. To see if the town will construct a reservoir, to be located near the junction of Howard Street and Howard Avenue, Quincy Neck, as recommended by the Committee on Fire Protection, and appropriate money therefor.
ART. 28. To see if the town will construct a self-filling reservoir on the west side of Howard Street, at the boundary line of Quincy Neck and Quincy Point, as recommended by the Chief Engineer, and appropriate money therefor.
ART. 29. To see if the town will purchase a hook and ladder truck, to be located at Wollaston, and appropriate money therefor.
ART. 30. To see if the town will authorize the Board of Engineers to enlarge Hose No. 2 house, for the accommodation of the hook and ladder truck, at an expense not exceeding $100.
ART. 31. To see if the town will cause a fire alarm box to be located at or near the corner of South and Main Streets, and appro- priate money therefor.
ART. 32. To see if the town will extend the fire alarm wire to, and erect an alarm box at or near the junction of Bates Avenue and the new extension, and appropriate money therefor.
ART. 33. To see if the town will procure a heavier striker for the West Quincy fire alarm bell at the Methodist Church, and appropri- ate $225 therefor.
ART. 34. To see if the town will vote to pay to each of the twelve men connected withi Steamer No. 1 the sum of $75 for their services the past year, and appropriate money therefor.
ART. 35. To see if the town will provide a horse for the purpose of hauling Hose No. 3's wagon in answer to alarms, and appropriate money therefor.
ART. 36. To see if the town will sell the land and house on Canal Street, now occupied by the Hook and Ladder Company.
ART. 37. To see if town will purchase the Stevens whistle attach- ment now at the pumping station, and appropriate $325 therefor.
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ART. 38. To see if the town will adopt Sects. 22, 23 and 25 of Chap. 50 of the Public Statutes relating to sidewalks.
ART. 39. To see if the town will appropriate $5,000 for fine gravel or concrete walks, to be made wherever the abutters will pay one half the expense of making the same.
ART. 40. To see if the town will build a good substantial side- walk, with stone curbing, on one side of every street leading to each church, schoolhouse, and railroad depot in Quincy, a distance of 500 feet from said church, schoolhouse, and railroad depot, and appropri- ate money therefor.
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