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 1954 > Part 4
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The season's accumulated activity attendance total was 449,546 in 1954 as compared with 275,773 in 1953.
Activities included girls' softball, Little League baseball, senior baseball (13-16 years), senior and junior basketball, tennis, track, arts and crafts, organized activities, music, dramatics, dancing, club groups (picnics), and an eight weeks water program with instructed classes in swimming and sailing.
Despite the tremendous increase in activities in almost all phases of recreation, total current operat- ing expenses, ineluding capital outlay, rose only from $51,329 in 1953 to $53,848.21 in 1954. This meant that the cost per individual for recreation, including both current operating expenses and capital outlay, dropped from 18 cents plus in 1953 to 12 cents minus in 1954.
- - City of Quincy
40
THE QUINCY POLICE DEPARTMENT
Activities of the Quincy Police Department showed a substantial increase in 1954 when the number of arrests jumped to 2723 from 2195 in 1953.
Of the 2723 persons taken into custody, 2515 were males and 208 were females; 2318 were native born and 405 foreign born.
The number of traffic accidents also increased sharply - from 800 in 1953 to 1074 in 1954. Total injured increased from 731 to 936. Fatal accidents were six in each year. Quincy Police brought 142 juveniles into Court both in 1953 and in 1954.
Traffic Bureau
Year
1954
1953
Total number accidents
1.074
800
Passengers reported injured
798
591
Pedestrians reported injured
138
140
Fatal accidents
6
6
Licenses suspended by Registry
396
433
Registrations suspended by Registry
54
59
Parking violations
7.699
8.833
Warnings
2.195
1,761
Investigations
1,094
777
Motor violation complaints sought in Court
585
535
Automobile transfer sales
11,409
18,058
Bicycles registered
450
497
Traffic investigations for City Council
175
152
Surveys
335
312
In 1954 December was the worst month for accidents, with 140 collisions, 111 passengers injured and 11 pedestrians. September was the worst month for fatal accidents, with two passengers and one pedes- trian killed.
Automobile Violations in Court
1954
1953
Speeding
220
253
Operating under influence of liquor
97
106
Leaving scene of an accident
2
16
Operating so as to endanger
16
11
Using automobiles without authority
8
19
Juvenile Bureau
Juvenile court cases
Informal hearings at probation office
210
Informal hearings at police department
113
Malicious damage to property
8
Restitution made to owners
$1,080.00
Property recovered
$1,110.38
Liquor Bureau
7,281
Liquor inspections
9.4
Hearings before License Board
1
Licenses suspended
21
Cases prosecuted in Court
Innual Report
41
142
Complaints investigated
11
Bureau of Investigation
Breaks investigated
386
Deaths investigated 70
Larceny cases investigated 332
Robbery cases investigated 14
Miscellaneous investigations
850
Valne stolen property recovered $26,360.92
Photography Bureau
Prisoners printed and photographed 115
Claims against City handled
26
Dog Officer
During 1954 the police dog officer picked up 278 dogs. Of these, eight were killed; 20 returned to their owners, and 250 turned over to the Angel Memorial Hospital in Boston.
School Safety Program
The active school safety program conducted by the Quincy Police Department was increased in scope in 1954 when officers made 262 visits to schools, visited 507 classrooms and conducted 101 safety assemblies.
The department conducted 11 radio broadcasts in the furtherance of safety education, made 215 checks on traffic supervisors and held seven meetings with the supervisors.
Number of pupils present at safety assemblies was estimated at 22.198, while 17.269 attended safety meetings in classrooms.
Police Boat "Guardian"
Due to the two hurricanes that swept the New England coast in the late summer, the Quincy Police boat "Guardian" had, perhaps. the busiest season of its 12 year career. It was in commission from May 19 to October 20.
During the summer it rendered assistance to seven rowboats, 18 outboard power boats, six motor boats and 14 sailboats, the value of which was reckoned at $33,740. Emergency assistance was given to 137 persons aboard these craft. The "Guardian" recovered one stolen motorboat and three missing row- boats, total value of which was $2,510.
During the yachting season regular patrols were made along the shoreline and yacht races were patrolled during week-ends. The police crew remained aboard during Hurricanes Carol and Edna, and afterwards rendered assistance towing and pumping disabled yachts. The "Guardian". following the blows, checked islands in the harbor for possible stranded persons and policed stranded boats as a protection against looters.
THE QUINCY RETIREMENT BOARD
The Quincy Retirement System lost four members through resignations and transfers during 1954, ending the year with 22 members. In addition there were 22 retired members and two dependent bene- ficiaries of deceased members, for a total membership of 46.
The balance sheet as of December 31, 1954 showed investments of $157.318.47, accrued interest of $1,747.89 and cash of $6,814.16 - total. $165,880.52.
The State-Quincy Retirement System gained 208 active members during 1954, ending the year with 1448 members. The number of inactive members increased during the year from 119 to 159. There were six beneficiaries at the end of the year.
The balance sheet as of December 31, 1954 showed investments of $1.422.855.51. Savings Bank De- posits of $35,000; cash in $49,627.68 and $9,965.99 in accrued interest - total, $1.517,499.18.
- City of Quincy
42
DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING INSPECTION
During 1954 the Department of Building Inspection issued permits for construction and alterations to an estimated valuation of $4.891,419, a substantial increase over the 1953 total of $3,927,265.
The two hurricanes, Carol and Edna, necessitated many small repair and replacement jobs late in the year that ran the total number of permits up to the unusually high figure of 1721.
During 1954 there were 189 living units provided by new construction and 16 units through alterations.
The Board of Appeals for the building code rendered 114 decisions, granting 110 appeals and deny- ing four.
The Board of Appeals for zoning held hearings on 38 applications: allowing 28 and denying 8, with one pending and one withdrawn.
Ward Tabulation of Building Operations
Ward
Permits
Estimated Cost
1
503
$2,573,139
2
167
198,627
3
169
541.096
4
197
340,419
5
323
423,927
6
362
814,211
1721
$4,891.119
Building Operations 1954.
Permits
Type
Estimated Cost
184
One family dwellings
$1,363,600
4
Two family dwellings
29,000
1
Multi-family dwelling
22,000
18
Mercantile
242.500
4
Manufacturing
132.000
8
Storage
3.655
158
Garages
104,887
1081
Residential alterations
569,896
156
Non-residential alterations
958,965
49
Removals
11,284
1
Elevator
2,858
46
Signs
39.559
11
Miscellaneous
1,411.215
1721
$4,891,419
BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
The Board of Park Commissioners in 1954 maintained 10 regulation baseball diamonds. 14 softball diamonds, 24 tennis courts. 10 parks, four skating areas, one picnic area. two stadiums and one bowling green.
Damage caused by the 1954 hurricanes was estimated at $6500. The damages inchided the loss of 94 trees in Faxon Park and 50 trees in Merrymount Park, loss of three backstops. and damages to the O'Rourke Field house, Faxon Park slide and fences. Loss through vandalism was estimated at $1.000.
During 1954. 857 permits were issued for baseball, softball. football, soccer and specialties at various parks and fields. A total of 128 permits were issued for social affairs at the Fore River club.
The Park Department and the City suffered a loss in 1954 in the death of Harry T. Boyd, park and playground foreman for 21 years and a former member of the Quiney City Council. John Reid, with the department for 20 years, was appointed to succeed him.
Annual Report
13
THOMAS CRANE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Cirenlation of books in the Thomas Crane Public Library showed an increase of 44,033 over the 1953 figure. A phenomenal gain in circulation was recorded at the Temple Branch Library where the in- creasc of 11,712 topped the 10,801 gain at the Main Library. Third largest gain was at the Squantum Branch, relocated in attractive new quarters at the Squantum Fire Station, with an increase of 6,291.
During 1954 a new electric charging system, requiring the re-registration of all borrowers and the issuance of new charge-a-plate cards, was installed.
The most rewarding service inaugurated during the year was the Senior Citizens Group. This group enjoys a weekly program, followed by a social hour allowing participants to meet and chat with friends over a cup of tea.
A weekly radio program over Station WJDA and the news columns of the Quincy Patriot Ledger keep citizens informed of library activities.
The Film Information Service is growing rapidly; the library purchased a film projector and was given a slide projector by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph B. Grossman. The Music Department continued active, with more than 20,000 records borrowed; and the Picture Collection was used extensively by artists, stu- dents, advertising specialists, craftsmen and hobbyists. Thic Library float, depicting Tiny Tim and Bob Cratchet, won first prize in the Christmas Parade.
In August the library was selected, with five other libraries in this area, to participate in a Ford Foundation grant for the American Heritage program in the form of a discussion group for young adults.
Circulation 1954
Books and Periodicals
Adult
Juvenile
Total
Fiction
217,216
172,849
390,065
Non-Fiction
134,930
85,777
220,707
352,146
258,626
610,772
Pictures
9,025
Phonograph records
22,005
Total
641,802
Books in Library
Number of Volumes, January 1954
158,945
Added in 1954
10,260
Withdrawn in 1954
5,759
Number of Volumes, December 31, 1954
163,446
Pictures
23,900
Recordings
4.046
INSPECTOR OF PLUMBING
Permits issued for new buildings
196
Permits issued for old buildings
1,148
Buildings connected to sewer
257
Buildings connected to septic tank
10
Buildings connected to cesspool
6
Master plumbers registered in 1954
55
Applications filed
1,344
Fees collected
$4,072
City of Quincy
11
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL DEFENSE
The Department of Civil Defense continned its functions in 1954 under the general supervision of Director Thomas F. Macdonald with headquarters in the Health Center.
The auxiliary fire department, numbering approximately 90 men, continued its combination of training duties and actual duty with the regular Quiney Fire Department. During the year the auxil- iary fire fighters served 8022 hours of duty with the regular department.
The auxiliary police department, numbering approximately 100 men, continued to serve with the regular Quincy Police Department in many phases of police work. On two occasions when the regular force was attending banquets, the auxiliaries took over the entire police duties of an evening. During the winter of 1954-1955 the auxiliaries began attending courses dealing principally with police law.
The Control Center at City Hall added to its equipment transmitters and receivers in the two and ten meter amateur radio bands, allowing contact with all amateur radio "hams" in the City. These num- ber approximately 30, with several mobile units.
During Hurricane Carol Civil Defense began mobilization at 9:30 A.M .; and 52 auxiliary police were mustered and served during the afternoon and evening. The Control Center staff was mobilized, and assisted in coordinating the various city emergency functions. Mobile radios were stationed at Squantum and Honghs Neck so that communication could be maintained in case these sections became isolated.
When Hurricane Edna approached, the radio alert was sent out by the Civil Defense Department at 10:30 on the day preceeding the storm. The Control Center was activated at 7:30 P.M. and it continued to operate to 6 P.M. the next day, by which time the hurricane had passed the city.
A generator set up at the Control Center was used for several hours when city power was lost.
During Hurricane Edna several score of residents were evaenated to the Atherton Hough School, with police, nurses and social workers cooperating with the Civil Defense Department.
On April 24 Quincy joined other Greater Boston Communities in an air raid drill; and on June 14 Quincy participated in the nation-wide test. Public cooperation was rated satisfactory in both cases.
The Radiation department has its equipment stored in the basement at Fire Headquarters. New vehic- ular and personal identification cards were issued.
A new Civil Defense rescue truck was installed at Atlantic Fire Station, and various pieces of rescue equipment placed aboard. The radiation division has its equipment storcd at Fire Headquarters. Air raid sirens installed the previous year were tested weekly; they functioned satisfactorily during the hurricanes when the city power supply failed.
BOARD OF MANAGERS OF HISTORICAL PLACES
The Board of Managers of Historical Places is charged with the general supervision and main- tenance of two of the most famous historical shrines of the United States, the birthplaces of John Adams and his son, John Quiney Adams, the second and sixth Presidents of the United States.
The birthplace of President John Adams (October 19, 1735 Old Style), was built in 1681. The birth- place of President John Quincy Adams (July 11, 1767) was built in 1716.
During 1954, a total of 4267 persons, from the 48 states of the United States and 10 foreign countries. visited the (Salt Box) cottages, from April 19, to October 31, 1954. On Historic Quincy Day, July 5, 1954. 1249 visited the birthplaces.
During 1954, visitors registered from 541 cities and towns of the United States. Most visitors came from the following states: Massachusetts, 1703; New York, 183; Pennsylvania, 146; Ohio, 121: Illinois, 101; California, 77; Connecticut, 70.
The birthplaces are the Headquarters of the Quincy Historical Society, which has placed all the his- torical furnishings, while the Germantown Garden Club has assisted the City of Quincy in planting gardens on the premises.
The birthplaces are opened to visitors for a small charge weekly (except Monday) from "Patriots Day" April 19. to November 1.
Annual Report
15
QUINCY RESULTS STATE ELECTION
November 2, 1954
GOVERNOR: * Christian A. Herter, R., 20,130; Robert F. Murphy, D., 15,920; Lawrenee Gilfedder, S. L., 58: Guy S. Williams, P., 21.
LIEUT. GOVERNOR #Sumner G. Whittier, R., 19,902: James A. Burke, D., 15,904: Donald E. Babeoek, P., 61: Franeis A. Votano, S. L., 122.
SECRETARY: "Edward J. Cronin, D., 18,236: Michael J. MeCarthy, R., 16,827; Fred M. Ingersoll, S. L., 149: William D. Ross, P., 218.
TREASURER: #John F. Kennedy, D., 17,787: Augustus G. Means, R., 17,626: Henning A. Blomen, S. L., 113: Isaae Goddard. P .. 81.
AUDITOR: * Thomas J. Buekley, D., 19,800; William P. Constantino, R., 15,450; John B. Lauder, P., 103; Anthony Martin, S. L., 113.
ATTORNEY GENERAL: "George Fingold. R .. 19,540: John F. Collins. D., 15,998; Howard B. Rand, P., 96: Maleolmi T. Rowe. S. L. 101.
U. S. SENATOR: "Leverett Saltonstall, R., 19,446; Foster Fureolo, D., 16,426; Thelma Ingersoll, S. L .. 77: Harold J. Ireland, P., 51.
CONGRESSMAN. 13th District: "Richard B. Wigglesworth, R., 19,592; James F. Gardner, D .. 16,185.
COUNCILLOR, 2nd Distriet : "Charles J. Gabriel, R., 19,256; James F. Hanlon, D., 15,528.
SENATOR, Ist Norfolk: "Charles W. Hedges, R., 20.155: Dace J. Moore, D., 15.369.
REPRESENTATIVE. Ist Norfolk: "Clifton H. Baker, R., 11,338; * Amelio Della Chiesa, R .. 14,061: * Car- ter Lee, R .. 10.366: Thomas R. Burke, D., 10,119; Thomas N. Byrnes, D., 8,037; James P. MeDonougli, D., 8,129: James H. Stoffel, I., 2,384.
REPRESENTATIVE, 2nd Norfolk: * William W. Jenness, R., 4,761: David J. Crowley, D., 3,828.
REPRESENTATIVE: 3rd Norfolk: "Herbert B. Hollis. R., 1,319; Chester W. Nelson, R .. 1,128; * William A. Connell, Jr., D., 2526: William F. Donoghue, D., 2.247; George A. Lydon, D., 2,102: * George H. Thompson, R., 1.026.
DISTRICT ATTORNEY: Joseph F. X. Doherty, D., 16,752; #Myron N. Lane, R., 18,737.
REGISTER OF PROBATE: * Anna E. Hirseh. R., 26,035.
COUNTY COMMISSIONER: Wilfred E. Areand, D., 16,415; "Everett M. Bowker, R., 17,451.
COUNTY TREASURER: "Raymond C. Warmington, R., 27,023.
LICENSES: All-aleoliolie. Yes 22,920: No 9.812. Beer and Wine, Yes 22,336; No 9,091. Package Goods, Yes 25.952: No 5.966.
HORSE RACING: Yes 22,110; No 9,833. DOG RACING. Yes 20,769: No 10.503.
TOTAL VOTE, 36,560. TOTAL REGISTERED VOTE, 49,988.
Abbreviations: D. Demoerat : R., Republican; P., Prohibition; S. L., Socialist Labor; I., Independent.
City of Quincy
46
THE WELFARE DEPARTMENT
The over-all ease load in all categories of the Public Welfare Department showed a net decrease of 69 cases during 1954. Commissioner Anthony J. Venna disclosed in his annual report.
The most significant change came in Old Age Assistance, where the case load dropped from 1337 to 1261. Aid to Dependent Children went from 169 to 165 families; and Disability Assistance fell off from 129 to 116 cases. General Relief, which is acutely sensitive to economic conditions, rose from 78 to 102 cases due to changing employment at the local level.
Total expenditures of the department dropped from $1,669,710.89 to $1,647,427.02, a net decrease of $22,283.87. Part of this decrcase was due to the change in Federal Social Security Law which provided for inereased benefits during the last quarter of the year.
The proposed integration of various categories of public assistanec under consideration for several years became a reality in April, 1954, when the entire social work staff together with their stenographic assistants were moved to the Publie Welfare Building at 117 School Street. Revised districts were ereated and social workers assigned to them. Under this system each worker investigates and visits all applica- tions and requests in his district, regardless of category. While physical limitations of the School Strect building result in crowded quarters, the end of the year found the various programs working smoothly,
At the same time three separate fiseal divisions were integrated under one head; a senior account- ant was placed in charge of all fiscal matters and quarters were established in the Savings Bank Building offices, formerly tenanted by the Old Age Assistance Division. Arrangements were made at the end of the year to locate this general accounting division in the old dispensary on High School Avenue, and fands were provided by the Conneil for its conversion.
It is generally believed that integration, which has been recommended by the state welfare depart- ment, will bring about greater efficiency and some administrative savings.
YA compulsory uniform state medieal plan went into full operation on July 1, 1954; necessitating a tremendous inerease in paper work and forms for which additional clerk help was required. It also neces- sitated the appointment of a incdical advisor. Dr. William R. Helfrich, former city physician, was appointed to the new post.
An innovation during the year which has already proven its value in savings to the taxpayer was the full-time assignment of a police officer in the department to assist in the preparation of eases for submis- sion to the Courts involving desertions, abandonments, illegitimacies and failure to support.
Recoveries of money ($47,101.56) by the City from recipients and their estates under the Old Age Assistance Lien Law and other statutory provisions have shown a marked increase. and this trend is ex- peeted to eontinne.
During 1954, the City Home continued to honse a limited number of persons requiring enstodial care. Pursuant to the recommendations of the state publie safety department, plans were made toward the end of the year to make alterations at the home in the line of fire safeguards.
THE DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING
The Department of Planning, consisting of a Board of five unpaid eitizens, a professional director and staff, continued in 1954 its program of research, study and planning. Its primary fnnetion is to render con- sidered recommendations to the City Council directed toward the betterment of the city's future.
Late in the year William G. Farrar, the city's first and only professional planning director resigned to accept a position in the New Haven, Ct., planning department. The position had not been refilled at the end of the year.
Considerable time was devoted to the study of traffic problems, particularly in Quiney Square. The Southeast Expressway is now in the first stages of its construction. This was watched very earcfully and after several conferences and field work both in Boston and Quincy the Quarry Street exit was agreed on. When completed, it will greatly affect Quincy's development and will aid in solving traffic problems.
A comprehensive survey of the City's recreation facilities and needs, including a study of available city-owned land which ean be used for recreational development, has been undertaken. This study should enable the department to prepare a master recreation plan for the City.
Annual Report -
47
A second program under consideration is the improvement of Wollaston Beach under a Federal and State program which has already been approved by the 83rd Congress of the United States in the Legisla- ture. The Waterfront Committee of the Quincy Chamber of Commerce has been active in this project since its conception. This project is part of the total problem of Quincy's waterfront development and when completed, Quincy will have one more attractive asset - a 11/2 mile long beach and protection for off-shore homes.
A school problem that will inevitably arisc in the future is the possible need for a school west of the Southeast Expressway route to take care of existing and future residential development. There are several hundred acres of undeveloped land lying between the route of the Southeast Expressway, the Town of Milton Line and the Blue Hills Reservation.
Other activities of the department included studies of downtown traffic, population trends, use of remaining tracts of vacant land, a comfort station, Houghs Neck Waiting Room and school needs.
During the year the Board held 22 meetings. held 9 public hearings and conducted numerous field inspections.
Other 1954 activities included: Street acceptances, 16; Re-Zoning, 3: Offers for City-Owned Land, 41: Street Widenings, 3; Subdivision Approvals, Final, 2; Subdivision Approvals, Preliminary, 1; Petition for Re-Hearing Before Board of Appeals, 1.
THE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Enrollment in Quincy Schools, as of October 1, jumped to 14,473 in 1954 from 13,475 in 1953.
Establishment of a kindergarten program in Quincy schools in 1954 marked the beginning of a new era in public education in the City. Enrolled in kindergarten by October were 1307 children. Altera- tions to convert existing facilities for kindergarten purposes cost $89,924.
The big school construction program started five years ago was continued in 1954. Construction on the 14-classroom Furnace Brook elementary school was started late in the year: and it is hoped that it will be ready for occupancy in September. 1955. It will contain a combination auditorium and playroom and the usnal supplementary rooms.
Plans were drawn for the construction of an eight-room addition to the new Snug Harbor School: and a final decision was made to construct a new seven-room elementary school in the Great Hill section of Houghs Neck to relieve congestion in the Atherton Hough School.
Architects were appointed and preliminary plans were being drawn as the year closed for a new junior high school to be constructed on Broad Meadows to accommodate 750 pupils.
The alterations and improvements of the Central Junior High School were completed during the year.
Of Significance in Quincy Schools
Interesting data on the activities of high school graduates of the Class of 1953 was obtained through a survey made by the Guidance Department. The data was based on questionnaires returned by 86 per cent of the graduates.
After a year, the survey revealed, 16 per cent of the class was in the armed services, 29 per cent hrad entered colleges or other schools of higher learning and business and industry had absorbed 48 per cent. Of the students continuing their formal education, more than three-fourths were gainfully em- ployed. Seven per cent had married. Of those continuing their education. 58 per cent are in four-year college programs.
Of those employed, 9 per cent were earning between $30 and $39 weekly; 60 per cent between $40 and $49; 21 per cent between $50 and $59 and 10 per cent more than $60.
Of particular significance is the fact that 60 per cent of those in industry and business are working in their chosen field and on their first job.
Government Day, Quincy Style, found 225 junior high school students observing municipal services in operation and getting first-hand information from city officials relative to local government.
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