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 1959 > Part 3
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Weight control instructions were continued through June, with 64 classes attended by 1047 adults.
There were 37 classes, attended by 1906 students at St. John's, St. Ann's and St. Mary's parochial schools. Twenty-seven lectures were given of Station WJDA.
Special diets were given to 17 persons at the request of physicians, the hospital and Visiting Nurse Asso- ciation. Seven out-of-town visitors were briefed on the work of the nutrition service.
SANITARY INSPECTOR
Insufficient heat complaints investigated
15
Rat complaints investigated .
127
Rubbish and debris complaints investigated
301
Dumping and tenant - landlord complaints investigated
55
Stagnant water complaints investigated
6
Roach complaints involving city dump
27
Uncollected garbage complaints investigated
139
Overflowing cesspool complaints investigated
18
Abandoned cesspools investigated
8
- City of Quincy
30
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Necessary corrective measures were taken in all cases of complaints investigated.
The sanitary inspector made routine inspections checking licenses and permits of gas stations, bath houses, motels.
Smoke samples were collected four times a month for the U. S. Public Health Service; and 9 cases of excessive smoke from homes and industrial establishments were corrected. Water samples from public drinking fountains, bathing beaches and swimming pools were collected weekly for bacteriological analysis; and quarterly inspections were made at nursing homes, boarding houses and kindergartens.
PRE-SCHOOL DENTAL CLINIC
Number of clinics held
179
Number of appointments given out
1755
Number of cancelled appointments
271
Number of kept appointments
1474
Number of new patients seen
262
Number of emergency patients seen
6
Number of Oral Prophylaxis
256
Number of X-rays taken
2
Number of children refusing treatment
52
Number of temporary teeth filled
1056
Number of temporary teeth extracted
18
Number of children completed
241
Number of children referred for general anesthesia
11
Number of treatments (other than mentioned above)
114
SCHOOL DENTAL CLINIC
Number of clinics held
181
Number of appointments given out
5029
Number of cancelled appointments
749
Number of kept appointments
4280
Number of emergency patients seen
84
Number of new patients seen
620
Number of children referred for general anesthesia
12
Number of children completed
409
Number of children refusing treatment
50
Number of X-rays taken
104
Number of Oral Prophylaxis
709
Number of permanent teeth filled
2325
Number of temporary teeth filled
1392
Number of permanent extractions
28
Number of temporary teeth extracted
473
Number of treatments (other than mentioned above)
116
FOOD INSPECTOR INSPECTIONS
1. Restaurants and Cafes
904
2. Institutions and Cafeterias 129
3. Taverns 43
4. Drug Stores
216
5. Meats and Provisions
677
6. Bakeries
169
7. Food Vehicles
174
8. Poultry Slaughtering 4
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Annual Report
31
SWABBING
A total of 1501 swabs were taken from eating and drinking utensils, i.e. glasses, cups, spoons and forks.
Of the 1501 swabbed, 1388 or 92.5% met the requirements of this Department. Warning notices are sent to the owners of establishments having excessive counts.
FOOD HANDLERS - X-Ray Program
Total X-rayed 598
Suspicious findings 12
Results of follow-up done at Norfolk County Hospital:
Pulmonary tuberculosis of questionable activity, admission for evaluation 1
Pulmonary tuberculosis bilateral, minimal, inactive 1
Pulmonary fibrosis, etiology unknown; no X-ray evidence of pulmonary disease 1
Probably chronic cardiac disease with pulmonary congestion -- eventration of diaphragm 1 No X-ray evidence of pulmonary disease 8
Seventy-three complaints, mostly relating to rodents and improper disposal of rubbish and garbage, were investigated.
Programs on environmental sanitation were provided for six organizations, with the inspector giving talks illustrated with slides.
LABORATORY
Sources of water samples collected:
M. D. C. 230
Beaches
100
YMCA Swimming Pool 35
Wells 5
Analyses made on the above:
MPN (Coliform density) 370
Plate count 370
Milk and Ice Cream Tests:
Standard plate counts
824
Coliform counts
824
Direct microscopic examinations 824
Babcock tests 824
Phosphatase tests
720
Total solids 736
Swab tests (eating utensils) 152]
Total
6643
City of Quincy
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SHELLFISH CONSTABLE
LICENSES
Resident - 786 @ $ .50
$ 393.00
Non-resident - 394 @ $2.00 788.00
Commercial - 98 @ $25.00 2,450.00
Total
$3,631.00
During 1959 the shellfish constable began an experiment to determine whether or not oysters could be propagated successfully in Quincy. The experiment was carried on under the supervision of Russell Courvels, biologist of the state division of marine fisheries with some students from the biology classes of the North Quincy High School cooperating. The experiment had not been completed by the end of the year.
Checks in 1959 indicated that about 50 percent of the quahogs transplanted off Half Moon Island the previous year had survived.
Avalon Beach areas were opened by the state board of health for shellfish early in the year, closed, because of complaints, during the swimming season, and reopened again October 1.
Late in the year the city council authorized the appointment of four unpaid assistants for the constable.
INSPECTOR OF MILK
Samples of milk collected and analyzed 736
Excessive counts 154
Samples of ice cream collected and analyzed
88
Excessive counts 12
Samples of Milk collected and analyzed 736
Samples of Ice Cream collected and analyzed
88
Licenses issued for Manufacturing sale Milk, Ice Cream and Oleomargarine 790
Received for all Licenses $550.00
Milk Processing Plant Inspections 589
Dairy Farm Inspections 487
Ice Cream Processing Plant Inspections
48
Complaints Reported and Investigated
242
Out of State Plant Inspection 32
Quarts of Milk sold per day (approximately) 40,000
Annual Report
33
QUINCY CITY HOSPITAL
The new $2,250,000 addition to the Quincy hospital was prac- tically completed by the end of 1959 and arrangements were made to place it in commission by Feb- ruary 2, 1960. It will provide 114 additional beds, 11 operating rooms, 10 delivery rooms, with recovery rooms; a new accident room, new kitchen and new din- ing room.
Greater progress in teaching programs at the hospital was pred- icated upon the creation of the new position of director of medi- cal education. The position was filled in July by the appointment of Dr. Robert G. Fletcher, grad- uate of the Harvard medical school who completed residencies in pathology at the Boston V. A. Hospital, the Grace-New Haven Hospital.
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Laying the cornerstone, of the new $2,250,000 Quincy Hospital wing are: left to right, DR. MORGAN SARGENT, president-elect of the medical staff; ATTORNEY GEORGE W. ARBUCKLE, chairman of the board of managers; DR. JOSEPH P. LEONE, director; MAYOR AMELIO DELLA CHIESA; and PAUL COLETTI, architect.
In September the School of Nursing graduated 28 students, most of whom remained with the hospital as graduate nurses. A class of 52 new students entered the school. During the year there was a change made in the student nurse curriculum whereby first-year students were brought to the patients' bedside for experience at an earlier date.
The Quincy Hospital, municipality financed and operated, is:
FULLY ACCREDITED BY:
The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals
MEMBER OF:
American Hospital Association Hospital Council of Metropolitan Boston Massachusetts Hospital Association Massachusetts Hospital Service, Inc. New England Hospital Assembly
RESIDENCY PROGRAMS APPROVED BY:
American Medical Association in Medicine (1 year) Pathology (4 years) Surgery (4 years)
INTERNSHIP PROGRAM APPROVED BY: American Medical Association
PARTICIPANT IN:
National Intern Matching Program, Inc. Exchange Visitor Program
- City of Quincy
34
SCHOOL OF NURSING FULLY ACCREDITED BY:
National League for Nursing Massachusetts Approving Authority for Schools for Nurses SCHOOL OF ANESTHESIA APPROVED BY: American Association of Nurse Anesthetists
SCHOOL OF MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY APPROVED BY: American Society of Clinical Pathologists
SCHOOL FOR X-RAY TECHNICIANS APPROVED BY: American Medical Association
PATIENT STATISTICS
Year 1958
Year 1959
Admissions:
Room Patients
1,471
1,408
Semi-Private Patients
1,656
1,751
Ward Patients
8,784
8,576
Service Patients
971
960
Total Admissions
12,882
12,695
Out-Patient Clinic
2,819
2,993
Private Out-Patients
4,731
4,438
Total Out-Patients
7,550
7,431
Q.C.H. Ambulance Calls
1,142
1,027
Police Ambulance Calls
497
502
Private Ambulance Calls
273
178
Total Ambulance Calls
1,912
1,707
Accidents
13,298
13,915
Physical Therapy Treatments
3,464
2,771
Prenatal Visits
655
580
Newborns
2,174
2,067
Operations
5,833
6,227
Laboratory Examinations
115,646
124,778
X-ray Exams and Treatments
16,125
15,902
Daily Average, Patients
249.
242.6
Daily Average, excluding Newborns
214.7
210.6
Daily Average, Newborns
34.4
32.0
Total Days' Treatments
90,913
88,563
Days' Treatments, excluding Newborns
78,347
76,892
Days' Treatments Newborns
12,566
11,671
Deaths
352
359
Autopsies
133
122
Autopsy Percentage
37.8%
34.0%
Total Average Days' Stay
7.3
7.0
Average Days' Stay, excluding Newborns
7.6
7.2
Average Days' Stay, Newborns
5.6
5.6
The total number of patients admitted for the year was slightly less by 190 patients, and this was chiefly due to the fewer number of newborns and mothers admitted. In 1958 there were 2174 births compared to 2067 for 1959.
Annual Report
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FINANCIAL STATEMENT January 1, 1959 to December 31, 1959
52.2 Weeks
1958 1959
Cash Receipts
Other Income
$2,339,285.45 26,425.30
$2,383,330.94 27,151.24
Total Receipts
$2,365,208.97
$2,410,482.18
Charges to Accounts Receivable
2,484,823.50
2,549,810.79
Payroll
1,931,312.17
2,188,683.80
Other Expenses and Pensions
676,067.67
709,128.04
Capital
25,134.42
70,640.68
Total Expenditures
2,632,514.26
2,968,452.52
Total Receipts
2,365,710.75
2,410,482.18
Deficit - Excess of Expenditures over Receipts .
266,803.51
557,970.34
Plus or Minus Net Differences in Encumb.
31,681.32
11,744.51
$ 298,484.83
$ 569,714.85
THE WELFARE DEPARTMENT
Reflecting the economic picture in 1959, with high employment and accelerated activity in business and industry, public assistance expenditures in Quincy and the number of persons on welfare rolls both deceaseds
General Relief, the category of assistance operated and financed almost wholly by local funds, with no federal and only limited state reimbursement, the category of aid for the temporarily unemployed, was kept at a very low minimum. Most of the expenditures in this category in 1959 were to persons awaiting approval for one of the federally-sponsored programs during an interim period while eligibility was being established; for example, a disabled person awaiting approval of his medical history by the State Medical Review Team, or dependent children whose father had deserted but who were not immediately eligible for Aid to Dependent Children. There were only 190 new applications for General Relief in 1959 as compared to 228 in 1958, with a net cost to the city of 69.3% of the total expended.
The three categories in which the federal and state governments participate financially, and whose policies they determine and control, namely Old Age Assistance (OAA), Aid to Dependent Children (ADC), and Disability Assistance (DA), functioned at a fairly normal level this year, with no unusual changes.
Medical care is a continually growing expenditure in all categories of assistance, particularly in Old Age Assistance and Disability Assistance. Newspapers throughout the nation recently highlighted the tremendous costs of drugs. This item of medieal care together with the constantly increasing per diem rates paid to hospitals and nursing homes, constitute the largest factor in the ever-rising costs of public welfare, even in these times of prosperity. Payments made for medical care are controlled by fee schedules established by the state, and all unusual or long-term expenses, must be submitted for approval to the state and to our local medical con- sultant, Dr. William Helfrich, before payment is authorized. In 1959 The Division of Hospital Costs and Finances raised the per diem rates for nursing home care from $5.74 to $6.50 and the rate for welfare patients at Quincy City Hospital from $23.13 to $25.06. Payments by the department for nursing home care alone totaled $307,880.98 in 1959, and payments to hospitals were $143,692.60 of which $92,708.91 went to Quincy City Hospital.
In all programs where there is federal and state finaneial participation, be it welfare or otherwise, there is always federal and state control; therefore, although the three large categories of assistance (Old Age Assistance, Aid to Dependent Children, Disability Assistance) are administered locally, all our activities are closely supervised by state personnel and all our accounts audited periodically by state and federal auditors. In 1959 a special three-month study was made by the State Department of Public Welfare of our administrative practices and of the efficiency of our department. During this period, three Field Representatives of the State Department scrutinized our records to determine conformity to laws, rules and regulations and to evaluate the performance of our professional staff. Their findings and observations, encompassed in a report transmitted to the department at the end of the study, indicated satisfaction with our functioning and a special commendation for our social work staff for their personal interest in their cases.
City of Quincy
36
DEPARTMENTAL EXPENDITURES
1959 AID
Category I
Amount Expended
City's Share
O.A.A.
$1,286,687.45
(12.2%)
$157,599.15
A.D.C.
262,251.59
(19.3%)
50,810.64
D.A.
145,556.13
(26.3%)
38,391.35
G.R.
53,270.22
(69.3%)
36,963.12
City Home
6,831.63
(83.1%)
5,676.93
TOTAL
$1,754,597.02
(16.5%)
$289,441.19
ADMINISTRATION
Total Expenditures
$172,056.95
Total Receipts
84,957.92
$ 87,099.03 50.6%
Total Expended for Aid
$1,754,597.02
Total Expended for Administration
172,056.95
$1,926,653.97
NEW CASES PROCESSED IN 1959
Applied
Aided
Rejected Withdrew
Pending
O.A.A.
233
133
60
36
4
A.D.C
101
57
33
6
5
D.A.
67
32
26
5
4
G.R.
190
157
29
4
-
591
379
148
51
13
CAUSES OF DEPENDENCY
Old Age
123
Illness
102
Unemployment
80
Divorce or Separation
60
Desertion
44
Incarceration
15
Insufficient Income
128
Other
39
TOTAL
591
Annual Report
37
.
MEDICAL CARE PAYMENTS 1959
Item
O.A.A.
D.A.
G.R.
Hospitalization
$102,199.81
A.D.C. $ 7,995.73
$25,850.32
$ 7,656.74
Physicians
16,728.80
2,317.00
2,162.00
350.00
Nursing Home . Care. .
282,541.31
24,314.12
1,025.55
Drugs
51,077.83
5,033.42
6,531.26
1,010.30
Dental Care
3,787.00
6,738.00
598.00
117.00
Out-Patient Care
819.00
469.50
198.85
2.00
Eye Care
4,616.25
998.50
323.25
159.00
Visiting Nurse Services
4,546.50
36.50
561.75
79.50
Ancillary Services
1,080.00
38.00
101.00
32.00
Other
5,437.70
1,167.07
1,096.46
424.15
TOTALS
$472,834.20
$24,793.72
$61,727.01
$10,856.24
GRAND TOTAL - $570,211.17
BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
The Board of Park Commissioners maintained eight regulation baseball diamonds, 15 softball diamonds, two stadia, one bowling green, tennis courts in all of the six wards in the city, seven beaches, the big 53-acre Merrymount park and smaller parks throughout the city, together with the city-owned Fore River club.
During the year permits were issued as follows: baseball, 342; football, 34; softball, 745; soccer, 12; special events, 52; total, 1185.
There were 76 permits issued for use of the Fore River club, broken down as follows: dances, 6; banquets, 19; meetings, 14; private parties, 25; wedding receptions, 7; dog shows, 2; outings, 3.
Skating on eight areas was limited to 10 days during the mild winter.
Improvements and repairs during the year included the following: painted interior of the Fore River club; constructed basketball court and erected chain link fence at O'Rourke playground; erected backstops for soft- ball at Kincaide, Montclair, Fore River, Munroe and LaBrecque playgrounds; erected new bleachers at LaBrecque, Kincaide, Perkins, Montclair, Welcome G. Young and Fore River Fields; placed six new benches in Safford Park.
Additional improvements included: erected three regulation baseball backstops at Perkins, Welcome G. Young and Faxon fields; erected new fence at Welcome G. Young field; filled and graded Pony League at Faxon Field; delivered 800 cubic yards of sand to playgrounds and beaches; dust fill to Heron Road Playground; fill, loam and gravel to Forbes Hill playground.
Vandalism during 1959 continued on the increase, despite the fact that the Board closed parks and play- grounds after dark. Destruction of playground boxes, shelters and faucets showed an increase; due to vandalism it was necessary to remove playground boxes shortly after the season opened.
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38
City of Quincy
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Junior Leader Trophies are presented by CHARLES T. SWEENY, school committee- man, to boys contributing most hours of voluntary work to boating program of Recrea- tion Commission.
1087
1413
QPL Foto
Nurse administers inhalator treatment to drowning "victim" in water safety instruction course sponsored by Quincy Recreation Commission; Health Depart- ment ambulance and driver are ready to make a fast run to the hospital if necessary.
QPL Foto
FORMTAPI
Annual Report
39
THE RECREATION COMMISSION
The Recreation Commission, following their policy of growth of recreation programs and services to the citizens, added new programs and increased the activities within the existing programs in 1959. There was a substantial increase in the number of citizens participating in the program during the year. Requests from individuals, neighborhood groups and organizations for added services and programs were given careful consideration.
SUMMER PROGRAM
A well-rounded intensive outdoor program was held for eight weeks on 27 playgrounds, with an increase of two additional areas over the previous year. This playground program, geared to boys and girls from six to 16, included games, sports, music, crafts, drama and special events. The city was divided into four districts for inter-mural play in baseball, basketball and softball, with the winning district teams competing in the All- City Finals.
Besides team sports, the program also offered instruction and play in individual sports such as tennis, archery and golf, affording individuals skills that have a long carry-over value. Through the courtesy of the Furnace Brook Golf Club, youngsters 10 to 16 showing special skill in this sport were given instruction by the club professional.
Two crafts specialists visited the playgrounds weekly. A three-day-a-week ceramic program was held at the Quincy school for teen-agers. A crafts exhibit was held at City Hall, with awards for outstanding work. Interest in the drama was stimulated by two performances by the Boston Children's Theatre Stagemobile at the stadium. The Nature Recreation program was expanded during the year. Friday afternoons were set aside for special events at playgrounds.
The track program was incorporated with the Junior Olympic Program in conjunction with President Eisenhower's Youth Fitness Program.
BOATING AND SAILING
The instructional sailing program for high school girls started in 1958 at Black's Creek was expanded to also include boys this year. This program was not held in the Fall because of lack of attendance due to inclement weather the previous year.
The regular eight week program for boys and girls eight to sixteen years of age who passed a required swimming test was held at Black's Creek and for the first full season at Chapel Street in Houghs Neck. Twenty small boats were used in the program which included rowing, basic seamanship, boat safety and sailing instruction. Junior leaders from this program represented the City in Quincy Bay Race Week. Nautical Day again climaxed this program with special races for parents acting as crew members for their youngsters.
WATER SAFETY AND SWIMMING
Once again with the cooperation of school officials pre-registration for swimming and life saving classes was held in Quincy elementary schools. Ten beach areas were utilized under Red Cross trained instructors who held classes in beginners, intermediate and swimmer skills, junior and senior life saving. By assigning youngsters to classes with others from their own neighborhoods we were able to get a better regular attendance because mothers took turns bringing groups to the classes. Special classes for mothers proved more popular than ever with many of them participating in water ballet numbers in our Annual Water Carnival at Wollaston Beach.
WINTER PROGRAM
Our Winter Program is not as well known to the public as the Summer outdoor program but nevertheless the Commission does have an active indoor program.
Seventeen different school buildings and the Fore River Clubhouse are used for a twenty-five week period from October through April. After-school programs for elementary school boys and girls are held in both gym- nasiums and basement rooms during the week where a general program of games and crafts is geared to the facilities available.
On Saturday mornings, a boys program for elementary, junior high and high school boys offers games and sports including three division leagues in basketball set up on an intramural basis within each center. It
City of Quincy
40
is worthy of note that since the basketball program for high school boys was inaugurated last ycar very few breaks into schools have been made by boys trying to use the gymnasiums for basketball. All-City playoffs are held in basketball, checkers, Kalah and chess to end the Winter Program.
New programs for girls were started at both the Quincy and Lincoln schools; a special ceramics and crafts program was started for boys in the Quincy school; and the new Atlantic Junior High School gymnasium was added to the Saturday morning program.
SKIING
A new junior high age boys and girls ski program was added to the existing program for high school age students; indoor sessions were held at Central Junior; and outdoor sessions and the Ski Carnival were held at Furnace Brook ski area.
YEAR-ROUND PROGRAM
During the year 300 more Senior Citizenship Identification cards were issued to Quincy residents 65 and over, bringing the total up to 1250 cards. Red Sox ball games, fairs, flower, boat and hobby show visits were arranged for Senior Citizens. Eight nursing homes were visited weekly by a part-time worker who played. records for elderly patients.
The program for trainable handicapped children was held for eight weeks during the summer, and on Saturday mornings for the rest of the year, at the Furnace Brook School. For the first time the city received state aid in this work, due to a bill proposed by J. Ernest Collins, chairman of the Park Commission, and pushed through the General Court by Mayor Amelio Della Chiesa.
The Commission's outing kit and loaned equipment service was widely used by civic, fraternal, church, veterans' and school organizations.
The in-service, pre-season and special recreation leadership training programs helped indoctrinate new personnel. During the season a total of 131 persons, some part time and some seasonal, worked in the various programs of the department, with hundreds of participants in the Junior Leaders Program.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The Commission in its annual report recommended:
A- Increasing the water safety, swimming and boating program from eight to nine weeks.
B- Saturday morning transportation for the Handicapped Children program.
C-City-ownership of adequate boat launching ramps.
D-a "Drop In" center for Senior Citizens.
E- Inclusion of the recreational long range planning in the city's master plan.
Annual Report
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THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' SERVICES
The gradual upward trend in the costs of Veterans' Benefits and Services continued in the year 1959.
A Cost-of-Living increase of 8.6% was promulgated by the State Veterans' Department and was a factor in the increased costs of Veterans' Benefits for this year.
Ambulance, nursing home, and hospital rates were contributing factors in this upward trend. Cost of drugs continued upward.
During the year, 3,664 persons sought advice, assistance, or counsel from the Department. These requests covered such fields as pensions, compensation, hospitalization, education, G.I. training, G.I. loans, tax abatements, burials, monuments, and cost of graves.
As usual, the Department underwrote the cost of patriotic holidays in the City, including costs of musical organizations, flags, transportation, refreshments, and wreaths.
Inasmuch as, by law, the fathers, mothers, wives, widows, and children are eligible for assistance, and as many veterans and parents of veterans are reaching their sunset years, medical and nursing home costs have sharply increased.
Because Pensions, Social Security, and Sick Benefits are, in some cases, inadequate, many veterans and their dependents are obliged to seek supplementation from this Department.
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