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 1956 > Part 3
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The position of Personnel Director was abolished and Edward T. Lewis, City Manager, promoted Grace L. Giunchiglia from Senior Clerk and Stenographer to the position of Head Clerk to be in charge of the Personnel Department. Under the supervision of the Head Clerk are a Clerk and Typist, and a Clerk and Stenographer.
The functions have remained the same as in previous years, with few exceptions.
EMPLOYMENT
The number of applications for employment in the Labor Service showed an increase of thirty-eight applications. A total of 434 Civil Service applications were processed during the year 1956, as against 396 in 1955. A large part of these applications were received from young men between the ages of 16 and 19, indicating the in-school age persons, interested in summer employment only. The number of veteran applicants declined greatly over previous years, and on many occasions, certifications against open Labor vacancies were received with few or no veteran certifications and many names of persons still in school, which indicates there are fewer persons filing for employment on a permanent basis.
The number of applications for other types of employment - clerical, technical, and professional - has declined during the year 1956. This shortage was experienced in the years, 1953, 1954, and 1955 and has continued through 1956. The majority of applicants have given "low pay" for their reason for not accepting employment.
After a survey of the reasons given for termination, it was determined that most persons resigned for other employment.
Annual Report
31
WAGE AND SALARY ADMINISTRATION
The Salary Ordinance of the City of Quincy has remained the same, with very few individual changes. No over-all changes were made during 1956.
SALARY ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
The Salary Administration Committee met during 1956, only as need arose. The membership has remained the same with the exception of one member. George W. Arbuckle, City Solicitor, resigned on April 5, 1956. No replacement was made at that time.
EMPLOYEES' INSURANCE PLAN
On August 1, 1956, through vote of the City Council, an employees' insurance plan became effec- tive, with city employees and the City of Quincy sharing equally in the premiums. The cost per year to the city is estimated at $135,000.
More than 98 percent of all city employees took advantage of this opportunity to get group insur- rance coverage for themselves and their families. The benefits include $2,000 life insurance for the employees; $14-a-day hospital costs for themselves and their families up to 120 days, and additional hospital and surgical benefits. Benefits were paid on eight deaths before the year ended.
The Personnel Department served as liaison officer between the City Manager and his Group In- surance Committee and the various insurance companies. For the first several months this department carried on the reporting and recruiting. These duties were then transferred to the individual depart- ments, and all reports are done by the department payroll clerks.
HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE
The Health and Safety Committee continued to meet during the early part of 1956. At the time of Mr. Mullin's resignation from the City, Mr. George Mackay was appointed Safety Director.
Under Mr. Mackay's direction, meetings have been held with the Foremen of the Public Works Department. Safety equipment - goggles, helmets, gloves, boots, first aid kits, etc., have been supplied to these departments.
Accident investigations have been done by the Foremen and Mr. Mackay.
*EMPLOYMENT STATISTICS
Jan. 1, 1956
Temporary employees
273
Jan. 1, 1957 201
Permanent employees
1493
1573
Totals
1766
1774
Average turn-over - 3.5 per cent
* School department employees not included
QUINCY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
X-RAY DIVISION
Day Clinics held
209
Night Clinics held
83
Total Clinics held
292
Numer Males X-Rayed
2,483
Number Females X-Rayed
3,196
Total X-Rays for the Year
5,679
Number Contacts X-Rayed
265
Number Certified for Schools
153
Number Food Handlers
414
Number City Employees
233
City of Quincy
-
32
60
Number of large film taken
657
Number of 70 mm film taken
5,022
Number Technical Errors
205
Number Re-takes due to Technical Errors
107
Number of Suspicious findings:
Further study and films requested 149
Further study and films done at Norfolk County Hospital
145
Number still to be followed up 4
Total negative findings 5,428
Results of follow-up of suspicious findings done at Norfolk County Hos- pital, other hospitals and own physician:
Diagnosis deferred
1
Under care of own physician
2
Pulmonary Tuberculosis, inactive
4
Pulmonary Tuberculosis, probably inactive
1
Pulmonary Tuberculosis moderately advanced, active - admission to Sanatorium
2
Bronchiectasis
2
Pulmonary Tuberculosis, questionable activity
2
Diagnostic problem - question of malignancy, admission advised
1
Enlarged Heart
16
Enlarged Heart, aorta widened
2
Pulmonary Tuberculosis, minimal, inactive
5
Pulmonary Fibrosis
2
Pulmonary Tuberculosis, quiescent
1
Fractured ribs, left
1
Emphysema
2
Results of follow-up of suspicious findings done at Norfolk County Hos- pital, other hospitals and own physician:
Spontaneous Pneumothorax Question of Pulmonary Tuberculosis - Admission to Sanatorium
1
Pulmonary Tuberculosis, advanced, reactivated
1
Pulmonary Tuberculosis, active - admission to Sanatorium
2
Silicosis
4
Healed Tuberculosis
1
Abnormality of heart and aorta
1
Pulmonary Fibrosis, asthmatic Bronchitis
1
Enlarged Heart, hypertensive cardiovascular disease
2
Total
57
Negative findings
88
Vollmer Patches applied
45
Results - Negative reaction
40
Positive reaction
5
NURSING DIVISION - School Health Service
School visits
137
Conferences with teacher, pupil, physician, etc.
371
Group conferences
9
Direct services for pupils, including polio program
1,208
NURSING DIVISION - Clinics
I. CHILD HEALTH CONFERENCES
A. Number of Clinics Held
406
B. Total Attendance 4,482
II. IMMUNIZATION CLINICS
A. Number of Clinics Held
12
B. Total Attendance
103
Number Ex-patients
Annual Report
33
III. TUBERCULOSIS CLINIC (JAN. THRU JUNE ONLY)
A. Number of Clinics Held
50
B. Total Attendance 897
1. New Visits 828
2. Revisits 69
C. Total Number of X-Rays Taken 745
D. Tuberculin Tests Done 203
NURSING DIVISION - Visits
I. TOTAL HOME VISITS
1,203
Home Admissions
410
Revisits
557
Not at Home
236
II. TELEPHONE VISITS
780
(May-December only )
III. TOTAL OFFICE VISITS 40
IV. VISITS CLASSIFIED BY SERVICE PROGRAM
A. COMMUNICABLE
Tuberculosis
550
Contacts
660
Suspects
266
Other Communicable Diseases
112
B. OTHER SERVICE
Crippled Children or Adults
205
Other diseases and Conditions:
Cardio-V.
12
Cancer
10
Arthritis
2
Lung Abscess
1
Bronchiectasis
1
V. OTHER ACTIVITIES
A. Conferences and Meetings
575
SCHOOL DENTAL CLINICS
Number of clinics held
181
Number of appointments given out
4,664
Number of cancelled appointments
711
Number of appointments kept
3,953
Number of emergency patients
30
Number of children refusing treatment
33
Number of cases X-Rayed
95
Number of Oral Prophylaxis
694
(This also includes prophylactic clinic conducted by the hygienist. )
Number of children completed
352
Number of new patients seen
356
Number of permanent teeth filled
2,277
Number of temporary teeth filled
1,225
Number of permanent teeth extracted
37
Number of temporary teeth extracted
480
PRE-SCHOOL DENTAL CLINICS 1956
Number of clinics held
181
Number of appointments given out
1,696
Number of cancelled appointments
270
Number of appointments kept
1,426
Number of emergency patients
1
Number of patients X-Rayed
3
- City of Quincy
34
Cases
Number of Oral Prophylaxis
72
Number of children refusing treatment
40
Number of children referred for general anesthesia
19
Number of new patients seen 265
Number of temporary teeth filled
1,100
Number of temporary teeth extracted
30
LABORATORY TESTS
Milk
719
Ice Cream
64
Swab tests, eating utensils
1,400
Water
28
Miscellaneous
17
Immunizations, including Salk vaccine, anti-tetanus and anti-typhoid shots
1,099
3,296
SHELLFISH CONSTABLE
Licenses:
Resident
529
Non-resident
270
Commercial
56
Fees
$2,204.50
Court cases, both found guilty
2
FOOD INSPECTOR
Inspections
472
Smears from utensils
1,387
Smears meeting health requirements
1,207
Complaints investigated
111
Food handlers X-Rayed
414
MILK INSPECTOR
Inspections, dairies
397
Inspections, plants, etc.
599
Milk samples analyzed
681
Excessive counts
71
Ice cream samples analyzed
64
Excessive counts
11
MISCELLANEOUS HEALTH ACTIVITIES
During 1956 the Health Department conducted 113 weight control classes, with an attendance of 1,177 persons.
Child health conferences at Snug Harbor, Quincy Point and the Health Center numbered 125, with an attendance of 1,283 mothers.
There were 24 T. B. clinics for children and mothers with an attendance of 293 mothers.
A series of nutrition lessons were given 8th grade pupils at St. Joseph's and St. Mary's parochial schools and 7th grade pupils at St. John's, with an attendance of 1,187 pupils.
Special diets were given to 50 patients referred by family physicians, the outpatient department of the Quincy Hospital and the Quincy Visiting Nurse Association.
Lectures were given to student wives at Eastern Nazarene College and the Adams Shore Com- munity Club, respectively, on feeding pre-school children and weight control.
Annual Report -
35
DEPARTMENT OF WIRE INSPECTION
The Department of Wire Inspection experienced its biggest year in 1956 when 3,112 permits were issued and $7,258.85 was collected in fees.
On January 16, William H. Pitts, formerly a captain in the Quincy Fire Department, was appointed inspector of wiring. He succeeded Frank Lintz, who had been retired on pension after serving the city many years.
Permanent Wiring for Appliances
Hot water heaters
141
Oil burners
1,219
Heat regulators
3
Electric ranges
436
Gas burners
105
Dryers
139
Dishwashers
36
Disposals
78
Air conditioners
124
2,281
Wiring for New Buildings
One family houses
206
Two family houses
4
Four family houses
10
Eleven family houses
1
Mercantile
1
Manufacturing
2
Schools
3
Garages
5
Miscellaneous
29
261
Additional wiring was also installed in 2,570 existing buildings. The department made 3,874 in- spections during the year. These include 54 inspections of fire damages.
DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING INSPECTION
The Department of Building Inspection in 1956 issued permits covering construction and altera- tions coming to an estimated cost of $4,484,988.00.
During the year 184 living units were provided by new construction and 29 units through altera- tions.
The Board of Appeals for the building code rendered decisions on 17 applications; granting 16 and denying one.
The Board of Appeals for zoning rendered decisions on 37 applications, granting 29 and denying eight. Five appeals were withdrawn and three were pending at the end of the year.
Fees for the year came to $11,483.50.
Major miscellaneous projects and their estimated costs included: mixing plant for the Old Colony Crushed Stone Company, $100,000; Veterans of Foreign Wars home, $70,000; Myles Standish elemen- tary school, $310,000; Covenent Congregational Church, $133,000; Star of the Sea Church, $200,000.
- City of Quincy
36
Ward Tabulation of Building Operations
Ward
Permits
Estimated Cost
1
452
$ 1,506,490
2
132
251,927
3
123
419,625
4
199
512,120
5
237
767,414
6
214
1,027,412
1357
$4,484,988
Permits Issued
Permits
Estimated Cost
171 One family dwellings
$2,009,778
1
Two family dwelling
9,600
1 Multi-family dwelling
40,000
11 Mercantile
86,900
1 Manufacturing
15,000
6 Storage
20,000
117
Garages
65,845
731
Residential alterations
562,843
172
Other alterations
730,238
67 Removals
24,055
5
Elevators
66,700
55
Signs
25,555
19
Miscellaneous
823,474
1357
$4,484,988
BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
The Board of Park Commissioners in 1956 maintained nine regulation baseball diamonds, 15 soft- ball diamonds, seven beaches, one picnic area, two stadiums, one bowling green and several tennis courts. It also maintained the city-owned Fore River club.
Permits for the use of various park facilities during the year were issued as follows: baseball, 320; softball, 700; football, 35; soccer, 12; special events such as picnics and the like, 55. The Fore River club was rented for 109 events such as meetings, banquets, wedding receptions, parties and showers.
The Park Department has rendered service to the public on many occasions in permitting the use of such portable equipment as bandstands and the public address system.
During the year there were 19 good days of skating and 11 days of fair skating. Facilities for this recreation are in nine locations.
During 1956 two additional areas were taken for park and recreational purposes. They are the Metropolitan District Commission property at Chapel Street, Houghs Neck, and the Craig homestead on Franklin Street. The former, according to present plans, will be used for a boating and water sport facility while the latter will be used to improve the grounds of the adjacent city-owned Adams houses.
Substantial improvements were made to park facilities during the year, the chief of which was the inauguration of a two-year program for the development of Monroe Field, the gift of the late Henry M. Faxon.
Land on Whitwell Street was developed into a play area and will be ready for use in 1957. Com- plete playground equipment was installed at Beechwood Knoll. A landing mat was installed at the Mound Street Beach. A total of 870 cubic yards of sand was delivered to Nickerson, Baker, Avalon, Perry, Rock Island and Heron Road beaches. Sundry improvements were made at various beaches and recreation areas during the year.
Annual Report
37
THE RECREATION COMMISSION
The Quincy Recreation Commission continued to broaden its program in 1956, the first complete calendar year the services of a full-time professional director were available. The Commission is keep- ing in mind that community recreation should be for both sexes and for all ages as it adheres to its policy, set in 1955, of gradual year-by-year expansion of activities.
Acquisition of Metropolitan District Commission properties at Chapel Street, Houghs Neck, and on Forbes Hill, and the transfer of city-owned land off the Squantum causeway for playground and recrea- tion purposes, provided facilities for further expansion of the program.
Over and above carrying on and generally expanding the usual recreational activities of other years, the Commission in 1956 added significant new features to the schedule.
These included a program for trainable handicapped children, another for Senior Citizens, a pro- gram for school holidays and the inauguration of organized recreation at the Beechwood Knoll and Allerton Road playgrounds.
Early in the year enlarged offices for both the Park and Recreation departments were provided in the Health Center. From these offices the director, under the policies set by the Commission, supervised the city-wide recreation program with the assistance of only one full-time employee, a clerk-typist. During the year 108 persons were hired on a part-time or seasonal basis; and about 75 gave volunteer service in one form or another.
Twenty-five playgrounds were operated Monday through Friday, 9 A.M. to 4 P.M., for an eight-week summer program, July 2 to August 23. Playgrounds were closed four rainy days.
The summer program included arts and crafts, golf, football, tennis, archery, a Stagemobile at the Stadium, and the annual Field Day as a grand finale of the eight weeks schedule.
The boating and sailing program was reorganized and greatly expanded. In 1955 this program served 20 to 40 youngsters, but last year the total registered was 300. Two new Turnabouts and an out- board motor were added to the equipment at Black's Creek. Courses in basic seamanship, beginners' sailing, intermediate and advanced sailing were presented. The boating program was followed by the second annual All City Midget and Junior Sailing Regatta held two week ends at the Town River Yacht Club.
The regular instructional swimming and life saving activities were held at nine different beaches; and a new area on Wollaston Beach off Fenno Street was added. The season wound up with the annual water carnival, held at Wollaston Beach across from Treasure Island. A surprise feature was the swim- ming exhibition for a six-months old child.
The winter program was held at six elementary schools and the Fore River Club four afternoons a week for elementary school pupils eight years old and over. Saturday mornings 12 indoor play areas provided recreation for elementary school boys; and Saturdays from 11 A.M. to 1 P.M. schedules were held for boys of junior high school age.
The Commission was especially pleased with the success of two new 1956 programs, one for train- able handicapped children and the other for Senior Citizens. The children's program at Furnace Brook School started out as an experiment for two weeks, but the success was so pronounced that it was con- tinued for eight weeks. Transportation was furnished by the South Shore Association for Retarded Chil- dren. Because of the success of the summer program, this activity was continued, on a one-day-a-week basis, for the winter.
At the request of the Quincy Recreation Commission, Mayor Amelio Della Chiesa filed a legislative bill to provide state reimbursement for one half the cost of such programs.
The Senior Citizen program, originated in 1956 on the recommendation of Director William F. Ryan, provided special recreation events for men and women who had reached their 65th year. The schedule included 12 different trips and special events. Among these were Red Sox ball games, Celtics' basketball games, Ice Capades, hobby shows and a picnic to the Brockton Fair.
Ceramic tile placque achievement awards were presented at the end of the year to Frederic A. Cor- nell and Harris Connell, Senior Citizens themselves, for the volunteer services they rendered the pro- gram.
City of Quincy
38
INSPECTOR OF PLUMBING
During 1956 the inspector of plumbing issued permits for installations in 173 new buildings and 1,200 existing buildings.
There were 247 buildings connected with the sewer; two connected with septic tanks and three with cesspools.
The office registered 59 master plumbers, of whom 12 were resident and 47 non-resident. Fees col- lected during the year came to $4,184.
THE SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
The sealer of Weights and measures in 1956 recorded 11,092 reweighings. Of these, 7,411 were cor- rect, 2,222 were under and 1,459 were over.
The number of various weighing and measuring devices sealed and condemned respectively were as follows: Scales, 1,180 and 31; weights, 2,313 and 14; automatic measuring devices, 827 and 38; capacity measures, 271 and 5; linear measures, 4,739 and 91.
The office made a total of 16,994 inspections; and collections of $2,948.20.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
The Quincy Police Department in 1956 found that traffic control and corollary activities continued to absorb an increasing percentage of its expendable man-hours.
This growing drain-off of man-hours from the traditional police duties of the protection of life and property, the prevention of crime and the apprehension and prosecution of criminals was somewhat abated during the year by the appointment of eight more women traffic supervisors. These women, stationed at schools while pupils are coming to, or leaving, classes, relieve regular police officers for other duties.
The position of police woman, vacated several years ago, was also filled in 1956.
Various activities of the department continued to expand in 1956. Total arrests jumped to 2,831 from 2,617 in the preceding year. Total accidents increased from 1,118 to 1,148; with the number of injured persons dropping slightly, from 827 to 823. Juvenile court cases were up, 173 from 163. Speed- ing cases brought to court were 460 in 1956 as against 230 in 1955. Drunken driving cases in 1956 were 92 as against 89 in the previous year.
Traffic accidents took five lives in Quincy in 1956; as against three in 1955 and six in 1954.
Arrests by Month For Year 1956
Month
Arrests
Male
Female
January
184
175
9
February
185
170
15
March
163
159
4
April
287
261
26
May
231
211
20
June
184
173
11
July
287
262
25
August
281
257
24
September
237
227
10
October
275
260
15
November
258
224
34 )
December
259
239
20
TOTAL
2831
2618
213
Annual Report
39
Nativity of Persons Arrested
United States
2764 Foreign Born 67
Signal System
Wagon Calls
1109 Ambulance Calls 1070
Yearly Report of the Detective Bureau for 1956
PART I
Murder and Negligent Manslaughter
0
Non-negligent Manslaughter
0
Rape
2
Kidnapping
2
Robbery
13
Assault with a Dangerous Weapon
2
Breaking and Entering
203
Breaking and Entering and Larceny
156
Larceny
259-
Automobile Theft
161
PART II
All Other Assaults
21
Embezzlement and Fraud
2
Forgery - Counterfeiting
4
Receiving Stolen Property
4
Weapons - Carrying, Possessing, etc.
0
All Other Sex Offenses
12
Narcotic Laws - Violations of
0
Gambling
3
Miscellaneous Offenses
215
Held on Suspicious Person charges
16
PART III
Sudden Deaths
77
Missing Persons
102
Claims Against the City
22
Misc. Fingerprints Taken
163
Prisoners Printed and Photographed
119
Photos for Other City Departments
155
Security Checks - Outside Agencies
1,310
Attempt Suicides
17
Miscellaneous Investigations
535
Stolen Property Recovered
$29,881.16
Juvenile Bureau Report for Year 1956
MALES
Referred to Court
161
First Offense
99
Repeat Offense
62
FEMALES
Referred to Court
12
First Offense
12
Runaway Boys
72
Runaway Girls
58
Cases disposed of at Home
212
Cases disposed of at School
230
Cases disposed of at Station Restitution Made
$3,682.54
Property Recovered
$4,273.30
221
City of Quincy
40
School Safety Program Report for Year Ending Dec. 31, 1956
Number of Visits to Schools
209
Number of Visits to Classrooms
255
Number of times Traffic Supervisors were checked
367
Number of Radio Broadcasts
12
Number of Meetings of Traffic Supervisors
11
Number of Safety Assemblies
54
Number of Pupils present at Assemblies
11,240
Number of Safety Talks Outside Schools
7
Number of Days on School Traffic
78
Number of Pupils Present when Classrooms were Visited
7,557
Liquor Bureau
Inspection of liquor establishments
9,342
Complaints investigated
115
Arrests
23
Suspension of licenses
2
*Special Investigations for Welfare Department
CASES INVESTIGATED
Non-Support and Neglect of Family
83 cases
Non-Support of Illigitmate Children
7 cases
Child Abandonment
2
cases
Nursing Homes Investigated
2
Larcenies
2
Warrants Issued
30
Arrests
23
Restitutions to City of Quincy
$761.65
Fines turned over to Families for Support
$400.00
*As the result of these investigations and Court Cases there have been many thousands of dollars paid through the Probation Office of the District Court for the support of these families.
Traffic Bureau 1956 and 1955
1956
1955
Total number of accidents
1,148
1,118
Total number of passengers injured
686
711
Total number of pedestrians injured
137
116
Fatal accidents
5
3
Licenses suspended by the Registry
441
478
Registrations suspended by the Registry
67
49
Parking violations
10,183
8,396
Court applications for motor violations
693
668
Automobile Violations
1956
1955
Speeding
460
230
Operating under influence of liquor
92
89
Operation so as to endanger
31
25
Leaving the scene of an accident
35
30
Using automobile without authority
12
5
Police Boat "Guardian"
The Quincy Police Boat Guardian, in commission from May 12 to October 12, rendered assistance to 99 persons in towing in 41 boats disabled for various reasons.
The Guardian recovered five boats stolen or broken adrift from their moorings, and righted and pumped out three sailboats. The total value of boats to which assistance was rendered came to $30,075.
Annual Report
41
During the five months the Guardian policed 23 interclub regattas, made regular patrols of Quincy's 26 miles of shore line; removed eight persons stranded on islands in storms, and performed many other functions.
In one instance a man was rescued from probably drowning when his sailboat capsized; in another instance the Guardian's crew prevented a pregnant woman, mentally disturbed at the time, from com- mitting threatened suicide in a rowboat.
Dog Officer
The City of Quincy employs a Dog Officer and maintains a pound to enforce the various laws and ordinances pertaining to canines. During 1956 Dog Officer, James A. D. Mackay, picked up 423 dogs and of these only 11 were disposed of by killing, 110 returned to owners and, after keeping six days, 307 were turned over to the Angel Memorial Hospital, Boston.
OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
Vital Statistics
1956
1955
BIRTHS
2549
2470
DEATHS
1011
947
MARRIAGES
952
961
Sporting Licenses
FISHING
909
1013
HUNTING
645
611
SPORTING
286
317
MINOR FISH
91
88
FEMALE FISHING
133
139
DUPLICATE
21
13
MISCELLANEOUS
40
12
Dog Licenses
MALES
1541
2080
FEMALES
121
173
FEMALES, SPAYED
997
1357
KENNELS
12
13
TRANSFERS
3
4
Clam Licenses
COMMERCIAL
59
138
NON-RESIDENT
329
306
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