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 1957 > Part 3
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The average rent at Snug Harbor is $47.69. Collection of rents continues to be extremely satisfac-
City of Quincy
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tory, which, we believe, can be attributed to a system of late penalty charges inaugurated in 1956, whereby tenants late in payment of rent are assessed fifty cents for the first offense and $3.00 for each offense thereafter. Fourteen day notices are issued on the second business day of the month, each bear- ing the appropriate penalty charge. These notices are delivered by Authority maintenance personnel who are special Constables. Constant offenders are immediately referred to the Authority attorney who acts as collection agent for the Authority with no expense to the Authority. In the case of Court action for eviction, a nominal charge is paid the Attorney for representation in court.
During 1957 twenty-five per cent of the tenants vacated the development, the majority purchasing homes in surrounding towns.
In November 1957, $14,400.00 was forwarded the City of Quincy as payment in lieu of taxes.
The annual redetermination of incomes and family composition completed in August 1957, reflected 230 increases in rent and nineteen decreases in rent.
RIVERVIEW
Riverview, a Public Housing Administration, federally-aided low rent housing development, Mass- 20-1, adjoins the Snug Harbor development and borders on Fore River and Rock Island Cove. This development was completed in 1952 and has remained 100% occupied since the date of initial occu- pancy on June 25, 1952.
There are 45 buildings of four units each totalling 180 units. There are 14 one-bedroom units, 12 of which are occupied by aged couples in accordance with a policy established some time ago by the Authority and more recently by the Public Housing Administration; 90 two-bedroom units, 62 three- bedroom units and 14 four-bedroom units. Steam and hot water are supplied from a central heating plant. All utilities and refrigeration are furnished by the Authority.
Rents are determined in accordance with income and size of family, approximately 21% of net income. Although preference is given veteran families, Riverview is not essentially a veterans' develop- ment. As of the date of this report, there are 66 veterans, three servicemen and 111 non-veteran families occupying the development.
The admission income limit for a two person family is $2500 with a continued occupancy limit of $3125; three to four person families have an admission income limit of $2700 with continued occupancy set at $3375; five and more person families have an income limit of $3000 with continued occupancy set at $3750. An exemption of $100 is allowed for each minor child in determining eligibility. Efforts to have increased limits approved by the P.H.A. continue.
The annual redetermination of rents and incomes, made effective 1 January, 1958, reflected 67 increases in rents and five decreases in rents.
The 1957-58 Operating Budget, approved by the Public Housing Administration, provided for the second installation of 80 aluminum doors, which has been completed. Zone control and pump installa- tions, provided for in the 1956-57 budget, were completed early in 1957. As of the date of this report, 22 houses of the forty-five have been completely painted two coats with Authority supplied material and Authority employed painters. It is anticipated the work will be completed during the 1958 paint- ing season.
The average rent at Riverview is $47.94. Collection of rents continue satisfactory as a result of the late penalty system set forth in an earlier portion of this report. During 1957 fifteen percent of the tenants vacated the development.
For the fiscal year July 1, 1956 to June 30, 1957 the sum of $6932.28 was forwarded the City as payment in lieu of taxes.
HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY
Early in 1957 the Quincy Housing Authority was given the green light by the State Housing Board to proceed with plans for a 45-unit housing for the elderly project. The local Authority succeeded in getting the State Board to approve an increase in the size of the units from 450 to 474 square feet.
In August, 1957, approval of the revised Part II of the Application for Financial Assistance was received in which the State Housing Board offered the Authority $450,000 for the development of Chap- ter 667. In September bids were advertised for the sale of housing authority notes in the amount of $450,000, with the Second Bank State Street Trust being named Paying Agent and Sullivan, Donovan, Hanrahan, McGovern and Lane designated as Bond Counsel. The notes were sold to the Chase Manhat- tan Bank at 2.84% with a premium of $13.50. Since not too many expenses are anticipated in the near future for this development, $425,000 of these funds have been invested in U. S. Treasury bills for 90 days.
Annual Report
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On 21 October the Authority met with the staff of the State Housing Board who approved the plans with a few recommended changes, and the Architect is now in the final stages of completing final drawings and specifications.
The Authority requested, and the City Government voted to waive payments in lieu of taxes for the life of the housing for the elderly.
It is hoped this development of 45 units will be completed and occupied by the summer of 1958.
To be eligible for this housing, a person must be 65 years of age or over (single individuals or couples), must be a citizen of the United States (except an alien who has served in the armed forces of the United States and who has been honorably discharged and who has applied for citizenship and aliens eligible to receive Old Age Assistance.
In general, the annual income of a single individual shall not exceed $2500 and that of a couple shall not exceed $3000. Applicants must be in need of good housing.
Dwellings are planned for single and double occupancy. Dwellings for two persons may be occu- pied by the following combinations; (a) a married couple; (b) two men or two women; (c) a brother and sister; and (d) in some instances, an elderly tenant (65 years or over) and a non-elderly person provided that person is necessary for the physical well being of the elderly person and is of low income.
FACTS ABOUT QUINCY HOUSING
The combined income of all 616 families in public housing is approximately $4,150,000. There are about 2000 children.
Since the inception of public housing, the Authority has paid the City in lieu of taxes $311,700.22 on property which, as possession of an eleemosynary institution, had been tax free.
For the year ending September 30, 1957, Snug Harbor had a total income of $329,144.94; total expenses of $292,053.53, with a surplus of $37,091.41.
For the year ending June 30, 1957, Riverview's figures were as follows: operating income $105,- 492.98; operating expense, $94,371.17; net operating income, $11,121.81; other income charges, $41,767.81; net loss, $30,646.00.
For the year ending December 31, 1957, the figures at Westacres were: income, $24,746.82; ex- penses, $6,168.54; net operating income, $18,578.28.
PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT
During 1957 the Personnel Department processed 553 applications for Civil Service positions, an increase of 119 applications over the previous year. This indicated a growing interest in employment with with Civil Service status as a protection against lay-offs. Of 553 applicants, 98 were veterans.
The employment and termination status remained at about the same percentage as in recent years.
In July, 1955, the salary schedule was increased 10 percent, with a $500 ceiling, as a result of action by the City Council.
Late in the year a Job Evaluation Committee was appointed by the City Manager to study and bring in recommendations on reported salary inequities. The committee included 16 members, of which two were members of the Council, one the official labor advisor to the Manager and the rest City employees.
The Committee held periodic meetings in the library and was gathering data in anticipation of mak- ing recommendations early in 1958.
THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT
The Quincy Health Department continued in 1957 to expand its activities as it again utilized to full extent the fine opportunities for service to the public offered by the City's half a million dollar Health Center.
The work of the Quincy Health Department continued to attract national attention. By the end of 1957 its excellent mass Salk vaccination program was serving as a model for other cities in this section of the country.
City of Quincy
32
NUTRITION SERVICE
A total of 126 child health conferences were held, and consultations held with 1591 mothers. There were 119 weight classes, with an attendance of 939.
Twenty-nine classes were held in parochial schools, with an attendance of 1212.
Other activities included weekly talks over Station WJDA; instruction in nutrition and prepara- tion of special diets.
FOOD INSPECTOR
During the year 1541 inspections were made of restaurants, drug stores, meat and provision stores, bakeries, food vehicles and poultry slaughtering houses. Five common victualers' licenses were investi- gated and approved.
A total of 1340 smears were taken from eating and drinking utensils; with 1178, or 87.9 percent meeting requirements.
X-rays were given to 854 food handlers, or about one third of the 2500 people employed in the food industry in Quincy. Of this number, 17 produced suspicious findings. Follow-ups showed nine of these had no evidence of pulmonary T.B.
MILK INSPECTOR
A total of 736 samples of milk were analyzed, and 1166 inspections were made of plants proc- essing and producing milk; and 56 samples of ice cream and frozen milk were analyzed.
SANITARY INSPECTOR
During 1957, 293 complaints of rubbish, garbage and unclean yards were checked; 32 complaints of overflowing cesspools were checked, and sewer connections ordered; and the installation of seven septic tanks were approved after investigations.
Water samples from bathing beaches were checked weekly during the swimming season; boarding houses and nursing homes were checked four times during the year, as were kindergartens and day care nurseries.
Other checks and investigations covered toilets in public buildings, public dumps, gas stations, ren- dering trucks. Fifteen days were spent in taking patients to hospitals.
LABORATORIES
Milk :
Standard plate counts
687
Coliform counts
687
Phosphatase tests
687
Babcock tests
623
Direct microscopic examinations
687
Ice Cream:
Standard plate counts
56
Coliform counts
56
Babcock tests
56
Direct microscopic examinations
56
Swab tests (eating utensils)
1400
Water:
Standard plate counts
164
Coliform density (MPN)
164
Distribution of samples:
18
Beaches
61
MDC (drinking water)
83
Miscellaneous
2
Annual Report
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33
Swimming pool
671
Total solids (calculated )
Immunization (Salk)
2600
Total
8594
X-RAY DEPARTMENT
Day Clinics held
196
Night Clinics held
5
Total Clinics held
201
Number Males X-rayed
1374
Number Females X-rayed
1711
Total X-rays for year
3085
Number contacts X-rayed
266
Number certified for schools
215
Number food handlers
854
Number City employees
36
Number Barbers and Beauticians
130
Number Technical Errors
81
Number re-takes due to Technical Errors
63
Number Technical Errors did not return for retake
18
Number Suspicious findings :- further study and large films requested Further study and large films done
65
Number still to be followed
11
Results of 70mm X-rays:
Negative findings
2991
Suspicious findings
76
Technical errors
81
Heart enlarged
4
Diaphragmatic hernia
1
Heart enlarged, aorta widened
5
Scoliosis, thoracic spine
2
Aortic arch, partially calcified
2
Eventration, left diaphragm
1
Vollmer Patches applied
66
Results:
Negative reactions
66
SCHOOL PRE-DENTAL CLINIC
Number of clinics held
175
Number of appointments given out
1672
Number of appointments not kept
319
Number of children attending clinic
1353
Number of emergency patients seen
6
Number of X-rays taken
5
Number of Oral Prophylaxis
159
Number of children refusing treatment
41
Number of children referred for general anesthesia
18
Number of new patients seen
243
Number of children completed
157
Number of temporary teeth filled
1118
Number of temporary teeth extracted
44
Number of treatments (other than mentioned above)
83
SCHOOL DENTAL CLINIC
Number of clinics held
180
Number of appointment given out
4928
Number of appointments not kept
899
Number of children attending clinic
4029
Number of emergency patients seen
63
Number of children refusing treatment
30
City of Quincy
34
76
Number of children referred for general anesthesia
Number of X-rays taken
19 74
Number of children completed
340
Number of permanent teeth filled
2103
Number of temporary teeth filled
1316
Number of permanent teeth extracted 34
Number of temporary teeth extracted
449
Number of Oral Prophylaxis
975
(This also includes prophylactic clinic conducted by the hygienists. Details given in summer report.)
Number of new patients seen
435
Number of treatments (other than mentioned above)
157
NURSING SERVICE
Total Home Visits
1474
Home Admission
441
First Visit Current Year (Visited Previous Year )
275
Revisit Current Year 471
Not at Home
287
Total Telephone Visits
931
Total Office Visits
62
Total Conferences in Behalf of Patients
451
Conferences
151
Meetings
61
Sick Calls on City Employees
447
Sick Calls on School Children (transportation )
1140
Playgrounds Inspections
21
Child Health Conferences:
468
Total Attendance
6510
SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICE
(Private Schools including St. Ann's, St. Mary's, St. Joseph's, St. John's, Wollaston Lutheran and South Shore Christian Day)
194
Individual Conferences:
A. With School Staff :
1. Administrator
163
2. Teacher
291
B. With Pupil
186
C. With Parent
48
D. With School Physician 92
SHELLFISH CONSTABLE
Licenses
Resident
626 at $ .50 313.00
Non-Resident
285 at 2.00
570.00
Commercial
51 at 25.00
1,275.00
Total
$2,158.00
Four persons were brought to court for digging without a permit or in contaminated waters. All four were found guilty and two fined $20 and $35 respectively.
Annual Report
35
School Visits
Number of Sessions
TREATMENT CLINICS FOR POLIO PATIENTS
There were 46 clinics held, at which 85 individual patients attended.
A total of 566 physiotherapy treatments were given.
Thirty new patients were admitted to the Quincy Clinic during 1957.
The patients at the Quincy clinic made 374 visits to the central clinic at Children's Hospital for consultation with the clinic surgeons and for apparatus repairs and adjustments.
Twelve Quincy patients were admitted to Children's Hospital for surgery, and four were admitted for other procedures.
DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING INSPECTION Ward Tabulation of Building Operations
Ward
Permits
Estimated Cost
1
414
$2,167,425.00
2
147
841,047.00
3
145
351,280.00
4
145
373,371.00
5
217
404,388.00
6
242
2,066,286.00
1310
$6,203,797.00
Permits
Estimated Cost
107 One Family Dwellings
$1,124,890.00
1 Two Family Dwelling
15,000.00
3 Four Family Dwellings
57,800.00
1 Multi-family Dwelling
20,000.00
11 Mercantile
959,900.00
4 Manufacturing
499,000.00
8
Storage
90,580.00
87
Garages
51,370.00
762 Residential Alterations
619,412.00
178
Other Alterations
607,993.00
55 Removals
19,578.00
3
Elevators
41,500.00
70
Signs
54,148.00
20
Miscellaneous
2,042,626.00
1310
$6,203,797.00
The major miscellaneous projects for the year 1957 were as follows: Eddie's Motor Inn, $70,000.00; Boston Fire Training Academy, $150,000.00; Atlantic Junior High School, $1,400,000.00; St. Boniface Church, $201,216.00; Temple Beth El, $200,000.00.
Fees received from January 1, 1957 to December 31, 1957 and paid to the City Treasurer totalled $11,201.50.
During the year there were 126 living units provided by new construction and 19 units through alterations, a total of 145 units.
The Board of Appeal for the Building Code rendered decisions on 7 applications, 4 appeals were granted and 3 appeals were denied.
The Board of Appeals for Zoning rendered decisions on 51 applications, 37 appeals were granted, 9 appeals were denied and 5 appeals were withdrawn.
During the month of April all fire appliances were tested, as required in Section 49, Chapter 143, G. L.
Elevator inspections were made, as required in Chapter 143, G. L., and certificates issued on compliance.
Public Safety inspections were made, as required in Chapter 143, G. L., and certificates issued on compliance.
The Department continued in 1957 its program of removing dangerous, dilapidated and aban- doned buildings. During the year many buildings of this type were taken down by the City; and some were removed by the owners as a result of action taken by the Department.
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City of Quincy
Permits Issued
PARK COMMISSION
During 1957 the Board of Park Commissioners issued 1184 permits as follows: baseball, 335; football, 32; softball, 750; soccer, 12; special events, 55.
Rental permits for the Fore River club came to 123, and included dances, banquets, meetings, parties and wedding receptions.
The Park Department maintained eight regulation baseball diamonds, 14 softball diamonds, seven beaches, one picnic area, two stadia, one bowling green, tennis courts in each ward, and several skating areas. During the year there were 15 days of good skating and seven days of fair skating.
In 1957 the Forbes Hill property purchased from the MDC was turned over to the Park Depart- ment, and a baseball diamond was prepared.
During the year various improvements were made at playgrounds. Among these were the following:
FAXON PARK - new slide and skating lights.
MERRYMOUNT PARK - removed old bandstand; installed new railing and chain link backstop.
STONEY BRAE - leveled off and installed concrete dam for pond.
WOLLASTON SCHOOL - new basketball court.
NORTH STADIUM - new blacktop, aluminum basketball court.
BRADFORD - new slides.
FORBES HILL - bull-dozed to level for baseball field.
KINCAIDE - new chain link backstop.
SQUANTUM - made two ballfields, new backstop.
KENDALL PARK - cleaned, filled and seeded.
BISHOP - reconstructed ball field, new backstop.
O'ROURKE - rebuilt entire playground.
FORE RIVER - new basketball courts. MONROE - completed rebuilding field, new backstop, new basketball courts.
MOUND STREET BEACH - replaced boat ramp.
THE RECREATION COMMISSION
The Quincy Recreation Commission expanded its program during 1957, supervising the activities of 119 part-time and seasonal employes and almost 100 volunteer workers.
Sixteen schools and the Fore River Clubhouse were used for indoor programs, January to April and October to December. Broad Meadows, Gridley Bryant, Massachusetts Fields and Lincoln Schools were added to the winter program in accordance with the Commission's policy of extending the decen- tralized program throughout the City. Two afternoons a week for boys and two for girls of elementary age and a Saturday program for junior high school boys were included in the schedule.
Two basketball leagues, including elementary and junior high divisions, were in operation; with 2500 individuals participating.
During the summer 2763 individuals participated in swimming classes under instruction, with ten beach areas in operation. The annual water carnival was held at Wollaston beach at the end of the nine-week program.
The boating and sailing program on Black's Creek, utilizing 17 boats, furnishing basic sailing and seamanship instruction to 400 boys and girls, eight to 16.
The eight-week playground program in July and August utilized 25 playgrounds, with youngsters six to 16 participating. The program included crafts, sports, music, dancing, three baseball and two bas- ketball leagues, and two girls' softball leagues. Playground, district and city-wide tournaments were held and awards given winners at the annual Field Day closing the season.
For the second year, a three-hour, Monday through Friday, program for trainable handicapped children was held for eight weeks at the Furnace Brook School. A set of swings was donated by the South Shore Association for Retarded Children. A three-hour Saturday program was conducted dur- the rest of the year.
Annual Report
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37
The third annual All-City Midget and Sailing Championship was held at Black's Creek in Septem- ber, with the Quincy Patriot Ledger and yacht clubs presenting trophies to winners.
During 1957 the program for Senior Citizens, initiated by the director of recreation in 1956, doubling its activities, provided special events in which more than 700 men and women, 65 and over, partici- pated. Events included trips to the Ice Capades, Red Sox ball games, Brockton Fair and hobby shows.
The expansion of the recreation department's services is illustrated in the following report of new programs inaugurated during 1957:
Basketball Tournament
Held at the end of the Winter Program as a climax to the two-division league for elementary and junior high boys.
Spring Tennis Program
Held Saturday mornings at the Faxon Field Tennis Courts for eight weeks during May and June. This program of tennis instruction was for boys and girls of junior high and high school age.
Water Skiing
Two water ski specialists using their own seventeen and a half foot Correct Craft with a one hun- dred ten horse power engine, gave instructions in water skiing at Wollaston Beach opposite Treasure Island to boys and girls who first passed a junior life saving course.
Nature Program
Realizing that Quincy is ideally situated near the Blue Hill Reservation the Commission hired two nature specialists who visited playgrounds stimulating interest in outdoor activities such as insect collecting and mounting, marine life, soil conservation, cook-outs, hikes and bird walks. Nature week was held with all playground participants spending one day at Faxon Park where scaven- ger hunts for various nature specimens, nature crafts, outdoor cooking, and trail blazing pro- grams were held. Hikes from some playgrounds were made to the Blue Hills and to various natu- ral resources throughout the City.
Junior Olympics
A junior Olympic program was held on each playground for both girls and boys with the winners competing in a district meet and then those winners in an all-city event at the stadium. The city winners represented the Commission as a team at the Boston Common in competition with eight- een other community teams. Quincy received third place in this event with thirty of the forty team members receiving individual trophies.
Parents Nights
Held for the first time on each playground at the end of the season. These evening programs in- cluded crafts exhibits, talent shows and games for parents as well as the children.
High School Girls Sailing
Held in the fall at Black's Creek for high school girls who first passed a swimming skill test.
Co-ed Ski Program
This program for boys and girls of high school age was held with five indoor sessions at the Central Junior High School gymnasium. The ski slope at Furnace Brook Golf Club was used for outdoor sessions, at no charge to the Recreation Commission.
Golf Instruction
A one day a week program for youngsters showing an aptitude for golf was added to the existing golf program. These youngsters were taken to the Wollaston Golf Club and received an opportu- nity to actually play the course under supervision.
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38
INSPECTOR OF PLUMBING
Permits for new buildings
125
Permits for existing buildings
1,170
Buildings connected to sewer
176
Buildings connected to septic tank
7
Buildings connected to cesspool
0
Applications
1,295
Fees collected
$3,788
Master plumbers registered
46
Resident
15
Non-resident
31
DEPARTMENT OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Financial Statement
Sealing Fees
$2,416.50
Adjusting Charges
53.75
Hawker and Peddler Licenses Issued
410.00
Total Fees Collected
$2,880.25
The Department reweighed 11,032 articles during the year 1957. These articles included bread, butter, coal, sugar, flour, fruits, vegetables, meats, potatoes and lard. Of the 11,032 articles weighed. 5,181 of them were correct weight, 3,830 were underweight, and 2,021 were overweight.
During the year the Department sealed 1,097 scales; adjusted 71 and condemned 32. A total of 2,418 weights were sealed, 21 adjusted and eight condemned. A total of 213 capacity measures were sealed and three condemned. Of automatic measuring devices, 817 were sealed, 60 adjusted and 20 con- demned. Of linear measures, 147 were sealed and 17 condemned.
Total figures for all items are: sealed, 4,692; condemned, 80; adjusted, 152.
There were 15,437 inspections; 141 tests, and 1,545 calls.
During the year the Department brought six cases to court, with three convictions, one acquital; one dismissed and one continued.
THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
In 1957 the Quincy Police Department again was obliged to spend an increasing percentage of its man-hours on traffic control and corollary activities.
Arrests dropped off from 2831 in 1956 to 2658 in 1957.
The number of accidents decreased from 1148 to 1058, but the number of persons injured increased from 823 to 868. The number of persons losing their lives in traffic accidents was five, the same as in 1956.
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