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 4
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Arrests for drunken driving increased slightly, from 92 in 1956 to 97 in 1957.
Arrests by Months for Year 1957
Month
Arrests
Male
Female
January
257
230
27
February
207
184
23
March
162
154
8
April
161
136
25
May
208
190
18
June
182
174
8
July
267
249
18
August
263
245
18
September
250
236
14
October
239
218
21
November
227
213
14
December
235
214
21
TOTAL
2658
2443
215
Annual Report
39
Nativity of Persons Arrested 2576 Foreign Born 82
United States
Signal System
Wagon Calls
840 Ambulance Calls 901
Yearly Report of the Detective Bureau for 1957
PART I
Murder and Negligent Manslaughter
1
Non-negligent Manslaughter
0
Rape
1
Kidnapping
0
Robbery
7
Assault with a Dangerous Weapon
4
Breaking and Entering and Larceny
241
Larceny
604
Automobile Thefts
164
PART II
All Other Assaults
85
Forgery
20
Receiving Stolen Property
6
Weapons - Carrying, Possessing, etc.
5
All Other Sex Offenses
9
Narcotic Laws - Violations of
4
Gambling
10
Miscellaneous Offenses
123
Held on Suspicious Person Charges
54
PART III
Sudden Deaths
79
Missing Persons
80
Claims Against the City
13
Miscellaneous Fingerprints Taken
194
Prisoners Printed and Photographed
146
Photos for Other City Departments
300
Security Checks - Other Agencies
1155
Attempt Suicides
11
Miscellaneous Investigations
428
Stolen Property Recovered
$121,180.19
Traffic Bureau Annual Report for the Year Ending December 31, 1957
Total number of accidents
1,058
Total number of passengers injured
716
Total number of pedestrians injured
152
Fatal accidents
5
Licenses suspended by the Registry
571
Registrations suspended by the Registry
55
Licenses granted by the Registrar
340
Plates removed and returned to Registry
38
Persons investigated for license
342
Brakes tested
161
Parking violations
11,556
Warnings
3,367
Investigations made
1,172
Applications for motor violations sent to Court
901
Automobile transfer sales
12,566
Bicycles registered
368
Traffic investigations for City Council
275
Surveys
406
Detailed Analysis of Above Figures Are Attached to This Report
- City of Quincy
40
Automobile Accidents for Year 1957
Fatals
Month
Collisions
Pass.
Ped.
Pass.
Ped.
January
105
88
15
0
0
February
85
54
6
0
0
March
81
59
9
0
0
April
60
34
4
0
1
May
85
52
19
0
0
June
102
58
27
0
2
July
71
59
7
1
0
August
107
67
24
0
0
September
84
61
9
0
0
October
98
64
10
1
0
November
89
54
8
0
0
December
91
66
14
0
0
TOTAL
1058
716
152
2
3
Ages of Operators Involved in Personal Injury Accidents
16 - 19
20 - 24
25 - 44
45 - 64 65 - Over
Killed
3
0
2
0
0
Injured
142
237
615
237
59
Ages of Pedestrians Injured - Total
0 - 4
5 - 14
15 - 19
20 - 24
25 - 44
45 - 64 65 - Over
Killed
0
1
0
0
0
1
1
Injured
14
63
8
20
11
6
7
Times at Which Personal Injury Accidents Occurred
12 M -2 AM
2 AM - 4 AM
4 AM - 6 AM
6 AM - 8 AM 64
8 AM - 10 AM 72
10 AM - 12 N 103
43
16
7
12 N - 2 PM 82
2 PM - 4 PM 126
132
6 PM - 8 PM 140
62
71
Automobile Violations Court
Speeding
Failing to slow down for intersection
356
Violation of traffic control signals
262
Cutting out of line
37
Passing on curve
30
Commercial vehicle on restricted street
25
No sticker
14
No registration
6
Uninsured cars
6
One way street
34
Operating under influence of liquor
97
Operating so as to endanger
27
Failing to keep to right of road
14
Leaving scene after causing property damage
36
Leaving scene after causing personal injury
3
Refusing to stop for police officer
14
Annual Report
19
No license
5
Unregistered cars
4 PM - 6 PM
8 PM - 10 PM
10 PM - 12 M
540
Injured
41
Operating after suspension of license Operating after expiration of license Failing to stop for stop sign Using motor vehicle without authority Violation of City Ordinance Allowing improper person to operate Improper lights
15
3
158
9
21
5
14
TOTAL
Parking Violations - Traffic Tags
Type of Offense
Number Issued
Vehicle on Crossing
218
Too Close to Hydrant
54
Parking Without Lights
67
Blocking Driveway
52
Motor Running
21
Double Parking
327
Parking Restricted Place
875
Defiance Corner Law
172
Right Wheels Not at Curb
105
All Night Parking
1,463
Overtime Parking
8,202
Total Number of Parking Tags Issued in 1957
11,556
Juvenile Bureau Report for Year 1957
MALES
Referred to Court
138
First Offense
68
Repeat Offense
70
FEMALES
Referred to Court
9
First Offense
6
Runaway Boys
41
Runaway Girls
65
Cases disposed of at Home
241
Cases disposed of at School
161
Cases disposed of at Station
253
Restitution Made
$3,180.11
Property Recovered
$3,796.98
Yearly Report of the Liquor Bureau for 1957
Inspections of Liquor Establishments
6,883
Complaints Investigated
81
Arrests
26
License Board Hearings
11
Appeals to Alcoholic Beverage Commission
1
Report of Dog Officer
Dogs picked up
501
Dogs disposed of
140
Dogs returned to owners
137
Dogs to Angel Memorial Hospital
22
Yearly Report of Detective Charles Griffin (Assigned to Welfare Department) 1957
Investigations of Non-Support of Families 90 cases
Non-Support of Illegitimate Children 11 cases
42
City of Quincy
1
1750
National Uniform Reciprocal Support Act
5 cases
Complaints involving Welfare Cases issued at Quincy District Court 35 cases Arrests and Cases brought before Court 23 cases Renditions 3
Money turned over to Families for support through the efforts of the Probation Department and myself $24,266.00
School Safety Program Report for Year Ending December 31, 1957
Number of Visits to Schools
301
Number of Visits to Classrooms
196
Number of times Traffic Supervisors were checked
412
Number of Radio Broadcasts
6
Number of Meetings of Traffic Supervisors
6
Number of Safety Assemblies
37
Number of Pupils present at Assemblies
10,175
Number of Safety Talks Outside Schools
5
Number of Days on School Traffic
80
Number of Pupils Present when Classrooms were Visited 6,450
Number of Visits to Playgrounds 149
Number of Visits to Beaches
186
Parking Meter and Traffic Signs Department Annual Report For 1957 STREET PAINTING
46 Miles of Center Lines
418 Crosswalks
87 Stop Lines
663 Parallel Meter Stalls
1,340 Diagonal Meter Stalls and Lines
502 Slow painted on Streets
87 No Parking painted on Streets
6,600 Feet of Curb Painting
151 Slow-School signs painted on Streets
1,746 Signs made at Sign Shop
205 Scotchlite Signs made at Sign Shop
35 Shopperstown Signs and Concrete Poles
Q. P. L. Photo
New Quincy Police Boat Guardian II is purchased in 1957 to replace Guardian I which rendered assistance to hundreds of yachtsmen, swimmers and distressed boats during 17 years' service.
Annual Report
43
New Traffic Ordinances for 1957
Parking Restrictions on 34 Streets required 154 Signs and 92 Poles.
238 Street Signs Replaced
554 Traffic Signs Replaced
238 Sign and Traffic Poles Erected
50 Cement Base Stands made for Temporary Signs 73 Poles Total Loss
235 Bent Poles
Police Boat Guardian II
On March 14, 1957, the City of Quincy took title to the new police boat, Guardian II. It remained in commission from April 19 to October 14, when it was hauled out for the winter.
During the season the Guardian II rendered assistance to 173 persons on 51 boats valued at more than $81,000. Towing or other assistance was rendered to 13 motor boats, 12 outboards, 17 sail boats and 9 racing boats. The police boat recovered one stolen sail boat, two outboard boats and four row boats, valued at $4400.
Other activities of Guardian II during the season included: a woman saved from drowning; 39 regattas and sailboat races patrolled; three swimming events and two water carnivals policed; searched for two bodies, which were recovered; assisted three grounded craft; took 34 boys from Boston Orphan- age to and from a picnic on Rainsford Island; removed three persons stranded on islands; reported two breaks and one fire; made four night patrols seeking boat looters; caught one boy breaking into boat; made regular patrols of Quincy's 26 miles of waterline; policed the docking of four tankers; gave first aid to three injured persons; called ambulance twice for four injured persons.
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S. Y. C.
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Q. P. L. Photo
Quincy youngsters learn to sail at an early age. These young fry, familiar with sheet halyard and tiller, sail their own craft on Quincy Bay, the training ground for the Navy and Coast Guard and Merchant Marine.
44 - City of Quincy
THE CITY CLERK
Vital Statistics
BIRTHS
DEATHS
1001
1011
MARRIAGES
930
952
Sporting Licenses
FISHING
984
909
HUNTING
611
645
SPORTING
255
286
MINOR FISHING
89
91
FEMALE FISHING
150
133
DUPLICATES
18
21
Dog Licenses
MALES
1792
1541
FEMALES
144
121
FEMALES, SPAYED
1194
997
KENNELS
13
12
TRANSFERS
4
3
Clam Licenses
COMMERCIAL
51
59
NON-RESIDENT
285
329
FAMILY
616
533
LICENSE COMMISSION
Type of License
Fees
Common Victuallers
$1,310.00
Lord's Day
645.00
Gas, garages, repair shops, etc.
4,913.00
Motor dealers, parking spaces
2,585.00
Amusements, public halls
455.00
Junk shops, second hand stores
250.00
Bowling, pool, billiards Liquor
72,065.00
Pinball
2,385.00
Auctioneers
12.00
Firearms, ammunition
31.00
Junk wagons
270.00
Pawn shops
50.00
Cabarets
315.00
Hackney
116.00
Old gold
25.00
Golf range
20.00
Carnival
30.00
Employment offices
10.00
Lodging houses
60.00
Sunday entertainment
1,717.00
OFFICE OF CIVIL DEFENSE
Quincy has one of the finest and most efficient civil defense programs in the Commonwealth, oper- ating under the supervision of an unpaid director, James D. Asher.
During the 1957 state civil defense tests and alerts, the department operated with the efficiency that has characterized this voluntary branch of municipal service for several years. In addition to the
Annual Report
45
1957
1956
2727
2549
1,525.00
regular weekly tests and participation in the Plymouth Fire and State Wide Alerts, the personnel took part in the September Disaster Test.
The Communications Division, headed by Laurence H. Mattie, contributed 1340 hours service. Rescue Service and Communications were alerted and assisted in the Plymouth fire emergency May 9 and 10.
The department participated in Sector 1B, Civil Defense Day, May 19 at Randolph. Communica- tions participated in the state wide alert May 24, 25 and 26.
During the year the Ground Observer Corps, headed by Walter F. Brown, served 5134 hours. In March the Corps conducted a successful membership drive. In November the Corps won the Channel Master Award, which has been awarded only twice before.
During the year Anthony Praznik, an M.I.T. graduate employed in the nuclear department at the Bethlehem Steel Company, was appointed Radiac Officer.
The Auxiliary Fire Department served 158 hours during the Plymouth fires and city brush fires at the time of the May drought.
The Auxiliary Police Department rendered 10,596 hours of service. This included regular Friday night traffic duty, Christmas traffic duty and various civil defense tests. The auxiliaries assisted in polic- ing the City on Halloween, the Fourth of July and during the police banquet.
The Rescue Service Group, headed by Fred G. Foley and sponsored by the Wollaston United Com- mercial Travelers, contributed 2999 hours. They participated in various parades and in joint meetings with rescue squads from other communities. The group answered alerts for the Manchester and Plym- outh fires, two Quincy fires and a New Bedford plane crash, in addition to staging several exhibitions.
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' SERVICES
The year 1957 brought a slow but steady rise in requests for financial assistance from veterans or their families. This increase became quite marked in the last quarter of the year as employment dipped in this area.
Inasmuch as by law fathers, mothers, wives, widows and children are eligible for assistance and as many parents of veterans are reaching their sunset years, medical costs increased sharply.
During the year, 9764 eligible applicants sought one or more of the following: hospitalization, edu- cation, funeral expenses, pension or compensation from the federal government, legal advice, mental care, employment or financial assistance.
By utilizing federal, state and private industry benefit funds, the net costs to the City were reduced as is shown in the following table:
Total cost of care
$762,271.00
From Veterans Administration
181,842.00
From Social Security
144,205.00
From State Employment Security
111,385.00
From Retirement and Sick Benefit Funds
25,168.00
From State Department Veterans Services
148,700.00
Total receipts Actual cost to the City
$561,039.00
$140,065.00
The appointment of a graves registration officer as of April 30, 1957, enabled the department to expand this phase of veterans services.
The records show that 75 Quincy veterans died during 1957: Spanish War, 1; World War One, 44; World War Two, 29; Korean War, 1.
New grave markers were placed in cemeteries as follows: Hancock, 26; Mount Wollaston, 48; Saint Mary's, 23; Hall Place, 3; Snug Harbor, 1.
- City of Quincy
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46
QUINCY RETIREMENT BOARD
STATEMENT OF CASH RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS QUINCY RETIREMENT SYSTEM (4% System) For the Year Ending December 31, 1957 RECEIPTS
Cash on hand January 1, 1957
$6,947.99
Deposits by Members
1,903.44
Appropriated by City
15,568.00
Income from Investments
Bonds Called and Sold
24,419.43 6,125.00
$30,544.43
PAYMENTS
Retirement Allowances
$11,406.21
Withdrawals
2,134.76
Transfers
1,154.79
Bonds Purchased
10,010.63
Cash on hand December 31, 1957
5,838.04
$30,544.43
STATEMENT OF FUND
Cash on hand
$ 5,838.04
Investments
156,986.30
Accrued Interest Due
1,833.33
$164,657.67
Membership December 31, 1956
36
Withdrawals
1
Deaths
4
Membership December 31, 1957
31
Active Members
15
Retired Members
14
Beneficiaries of Deceased Members
2
31
STATEMENT OF CASH RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS STATE-QUINCY RETIREMENT SYSTEM (5% System) For the Year Ending December 31, 1957 RECEIPTS
Cash on hand January 1, 1957
20,287.38
Deposits by Members
240,289.38
Appropriated by City
70,997.06
Appropriated by Quincy Housing Authority
1,176.00
Pension reimbursements from other systems
1,073.76
$333,823.58
Annual Report
47
24,706.39
Income from Investments Bonds Called and Sold
58,708.95
$392,532.53
PAYMENTS
Retirement Allowances
$119,051.54
Withdrawals
55,514.55
Securities Purchased
160,150.67
Accrued Interest on Securities Purchased
946.91
$335,663.67
Cash on hand December 31, 1957
56,868.86
$392,532.53
STATEMENT OF FUND
Cash on hand
$ 56,868.86
Investments
1,952,041.94
Accrued Interest Due
15,262.57
$2,024,173.37
MEMBERSHIP
Active
1,391
Inactive
64
Retired
87
Total
1,542
LEGAL DEPARTMENT
Attorneys Douglas A. Randall and Thomas F. Macdonald continued to represent the Law Depart- ment of the City of Quincy as City Solicitor and Assistant City Solicitor, respectively, and maintain full time legal service for the City.
Litigation concerning the interpretation of the zoning ordinances as it affected small size building lots was appealed by the City from an adverse decision in the Superior Court. The Supreme Judicial Court, however, ruled that the Building Inspector's interpretation requiring a variance on lots less than fifty feet in width was correct.
The first election under the return to the Plan A Charter precipitated a contest as to the City Clerk's ruling ordering the Plan E incumbent Councillors to be listed on the ballot before the new Council aspirants. Judge Reuben Lurie of the Superior Court sustained the City Solicitor's contention that the incumbent City Councillors were entitled to this position.
Another trial of interest concerned the petition for the assessment of damages for the taking for park and recreation purposes of that area of land known as the Squantum Marshes. This case was tried before Judge Frank J. Donahue, sitting without jury, in the Superior Court at Dedham. In order to properly evaluate the conditions affecting the area, the Court took two views, one at high tide and one at low tide.
The Law Department successfully disposed of all the land damage cases arising out of the taking of six homes and vacant properties on Hollis Avenue, for the Atlantic Junior High School site.
THE THOMAS CRANE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Circulation 1957
Books and Periodicals
Adult
Juvenile
Total
Fiction
222,933
182,577
405,510
Non-fiction
145,572
95,587
241,159
646,669
- City of Quincy
48
Pictures
9,398 21,463
Phonograph Records Films
648
678,178
Books in Library
Number of volumes, January 1, 1957
173,202
Added in 1957
16,802
Withdrawn in 1957
12,455
Number of volumes, December 31, 1957
177,549
Gain over 1956
38,326
10 year comparison 1957
678,178
1947
520,485
Gain in 10 year period
157,693
1957 was a banner year for the library, a year in which many improvements were made in the service to the community as well as in the library buildings.
The re-arrangement of the various departments to bring all adult services into one building and the transfer of the Children's Department to the Richardson building was accomplished early in the year and has proved very efficient and very satisfactory.
Re-decoration of the Richardson building was accomplished under the supervision of Shipley, Bul- finch, Richardson and Abbott. Since Mr. Shipley and Mr. Richardson were grandsons of the designer of our famous building, they had a special interest in maintaining the important features in keeping with its architecture.
In July the Atlantic Branch Library was moved to larger and more attractive quarters in a much more suitable location in that section. The use of this branch, one of the first established in this City, has increased substantially since moving to its new quarters at 233A Atlantic Street.
On December 2nd, Quincy's first bookmobile went into service following a ceremony at City Hall at which Mayor Amelio Della Chiesa presented the keys of the vehicle to L. Paul Marini, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, in the presence of City Manager Edward T. Lewis, other members of the Board of Trustees, members of the City Council, and interested citizens.
Coincidental with the inauguration of bookmobile service, four branch libraries were closed, these being located in the Montclair, South Quincy, Adams Shore and Houghs Neck areas. In its first month of service, the bookmobile has been extremely popular and many favorable comments are heard from its patrons. Predictions are that its popularity will bring demands for extension of this type of service throughout other sections of the city.
Reading Club activities at the Main Library and branches attracted many children. The Debating Club, Drama, History, Bookworm, and Foreign Correspondent Clubs provide splendid entertainment as well as good educational background for the participants.
Free films for the use of clubs and church groups have continued to be in demand and this service is greatly appreciated by those who use it.
In last year's report attention was called to the decreasing need of bedside book service to patients at the Quincy City Hospital. Further decline was noted this year and in November, the Board of Trus- tees voted to discontinue the hospital library service. The shorter stay of patients in the hospital and the increasing popularity of magazines and paper-back editions of popular titles are contributing factors in the decline in use of the bedside book service.
In addition to the Main Library and the bookmobile service, there are now seven very active branch libraries located in Wollaston, Norfolk Downs, Atlantic, Squantum, West Quincy, Quincy Point and Snug Harbor. The latter branch is located in the most recent addition to the Snug Harbor School in most attractive quarters and has an excellent book collection. All branch libraries are busy places, all showed substantial gains in circulation.
Annual Report
49
*BOARD OF ASSESSORS
Assessed Valuation 1957
Valuation of Buildings
Valuation of Land
$117,205,700.00 40,783,875.00
Total Valuation of Land and Buildings
$157,989,575.00
Valuation of Tangible Personal Property
10,500,950.00
Total Valuation of City as of January 1, 1957
$168,490,525.00
School rate
$23.89
General rate 40.91
Total tax rate
$64.80
Amount to be raised by taxation
$ 10,918,186.02
* Complete Report in Financial Section
THE QUINCY PLANNING BOARD
The Planning Board together with the staff of the Department of Planning continued to guide the physical development of the City during the year 1957. A summary of their activities follows.
The Planning Board held 25 meetings, 5 public hearings and conducted 12 field inspections with the Director as planning adviser.
The most noteworthy actions of the Planning Board when considering city-wide beneficial effects as a criteria were:
HIGHWAY MASTER PLAN
The report covering twenty-four major projects ranging from street widenings and elimination of street parking to grade separations and new roads sets the pattern of development for the future control of vehicular traffic.
This Plan is the first phase of the Comprehensive Master Plan to be completed and was forwarded to the City Council for consideration and action in December of 1957.
CENTRAL CITY CIRCULATION
This project, one major project in the Highway Master Plan, includes the widening of the present railroad underpass at Granite Street, a new railroad underpass between Granite Street and School Street and connecting roads from Whitwell Street and Upland Road to the new underpass. The need for this particular project was considered critical enough to forward a recommendation for its adoption on May 10, 1957, prior to completion of the Highway Master Plan.
ADAMS STREET WIDENING
The widening of that portion of Adams Street between Furnace Brook Parkway and the Milton Town Line is one portion of a major project within the Highway Master Plan. It was recommended by the Planning Board, together with other interested organizations and individuals, to the City Council in 1957. It was approved by the Council and is scheduled for construction in 1958.
URBAN RENEWAL
The Planning Board recommended the City to retain the firm Planning and Renewal Associates of Cambridge to prepare a study of the possibilities of such a program for Quincy. The City Council in accepting the firm's report voted not to continue the study.
City of Quincy
50
FURNACE BROOK ACRES
The Planning Board recommended the acceptance of an offer for a compromise settlement of this matter. Such a compromise was agreed upon by the City Council and it is felt this subdivision will be completed in 1958.
Other important actions recommended by the Planning Board were:
1 - Off-Street Parking for Norfolk Downs.
2 - Off-Street Parking for Wollaston.
3 - Rezoning, Germantown.
4 - Rezoning, Off Quincy Avenue.
5 - Rezoning, Off Trask Avenue.
6 - Tentative or final approval of seven subdivisions ranging in size from two lots to approximately eighteen lots.
The Planning staff has started basic research on the Zoning Map, Official Map and population predictions.
The Director has continued to attend City Council meetings and consulted with City and State offi- cials relative to co-ordinating mutual planning problems.
Additional activities in 1957 included: 20 Street Acceptances; 23 Offers for City-Owned Land; 2 Street Widenings; 2 Referrals to the Board of Appeals; and Endorsement by the Director of 87 Division Plans not requiring the approval of the Planning Board.
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
Fire losses in Quincy during 1957 came to $477,786 as against losses of $434,243 in 1956 and $393,673 in 1955. The losses in 1957 were broken down as follows: buildings, $239,107; contents and other property, $238,679; automobiles, $13,550.
Loss of life from fires resulted in six deaths in 1957 as against four deaths in 1956.
Insurance paid on building losses came to $182,944, while insurance paid on other losses came to $200,619.
During the year 19 firemen were given hospital treatment for burns and other injuries sustained while fighting fires; and 10 civilians were treated for burns.
The Fire Department during the year responded to 2780 alarms and calls, as classified by the National Board of Fire Underwriters. The break-down includes 404 fires in buildings; 1513 grass and brush fires; 109 classified as automobile and mechanical; 40 mutual aid calls; 229 malicious false alarms; 83 needless and accidental alarms and 402 first aid and emergency calls. There were no fires from Christmas trees or decorations during the holiday season.
The Department during the year issued 1461 permits; made 1399 inspections by bureau personnel; 122 investigations by bureau personnel; 4366 company inspections; 139 quarterly school inspections.
Five new boxes, protecting churches or schools, were added to the fire alarm system. Major line and cable installation work included 4000 feet of multiple cable; 3000 feet of supporting messenger, 41/2 miles of single conductors.
In January a captain was added to the officer personnel, and he was assigned as training instructor. During the year he supervised and instructed companies for 125 drill periods.
In May the National Board of Fire Underwriters conducted a survey, presenting the resultant report and recommendations to the City Manager in November.
Long-needed repairs to the Wollaston Fire Station were completed during the year.
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