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 4
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7
Utilization of other Social Security programs such as V.A. Pensions and Compensation, Old Age Assistance, Aid to Dependent Children, Unemployment, Workmen's Compensation, Sick Benefits, and Total Disability, has reduced the costs of Veterans' Benefits by the City to approximately $162,000.
The re-establishment of the position of Contact Officer enabled the Department to expand this phase of Veterans' Services, thus reducing the cost to the City of hospitalized veterans in our City Hospital, by transfer to V.A. facilities.
During the year 1959, a total of 118 Quincy Veterans died, as follows: Spanish War - 3; World War I - 75; World War II - 39; Korean - 1.
Two hundred and twenty-one grave markers were placed in all local cemeteries. On Memorial Day 1,639 flags were placed on veterans' graves, squares, and playgrounds. There were 334 military and burial records added to the Department file.
THOMAS CRANE PUBLIC LIBRARY
CIRCULATION 1959
Books
Adult
Juvenile
Total
Fiction
226,336
223,848
450,184
Non-fiction
178,973
114,238
293,211
743,395
Pictures
10,805
Phonograph Records
21,903
Films
682
776,785
Gain in 10 year period
204,363
Gain over 1958
9,105
Number of volumes January 1, 1959
177,198
Added in 1959 14,746
Withdrawn in 1959
4,581
Number of volumes December 31, 1959
187,363
In 1959 the library experienced its busiest year since the Depression. Seats were at a premium in the Reference Department during the rush hours and all branches report similar conditions. The bookmobile con-
City of Quincy
42
tinued to service the outlying areas and was well patronized. Requests for additional stops could not be met since the unit is scheduled to its limit with some time reserved for servicing and replenishing the shelves.
The Debating, History and Drama Club activities at the main library and the Bookworm and Correspondence Clubs at the branches continue to hold the interest of many children as did the summer reading program.
The day is not far distant when more physical room must be provided for library patrons. Some of the pressure can be lifted from the central library by the erection of a large well-stocked branch library at the north end of the city. Too much emphasis cannot be placed on the necessity for larger book funds and addi tional staff in the branch libraries.
BOARD OF MANAGERS OF HISTORICAL PLACES
The Presidents' Adams Birthplaces opened to the public April 19, to November 1, were visited during the period by more than 5,000 persons from 47 states including the country's newest states, Alaska and Hawaii, and 18 foreign countries.
Educationally, these presidential birthplaces, because of their historical and architectural merit are becoming of greater importance to Quincy each year. In 1959, more than 1,000 children from various schools and organ- izations visited these salt-box cottages. The elementary schools are now stressing the importance of the historical background of the city, by study and bus tours.
The year of 1959, marked the 180th anniversary of the drafting of the Constitution of Massachusetts, the oldest state constitution in the United States. This constitution was drafted by John Adams, Samuel Adams and James Bowdoin in birthplace of President John Quincy Adams, in 1779.
In 1959, the Craig and McCausland properties added to the site in 1957 and 1958 respectively, were landscaped and beautified. The excellent condition of the grounds surrounding the birthplaces is due to the excellent work of the Forestry Department of the city.
The activities of the City Historian are greatly increasing each year. A summary of the activities included: 20 inspection tours of the Adams' Birthplaces and grounds; the supervision of the necessary work to be done at the birthplaces for the opening for the public; 40 tours for special guests and students; 100 tours of the Presidents' Adams Crypt in the First Parish Church; 5 tours of the John Winthrop Jr., Iron Furnace; 40 lectures on the history and development of Quincy, many of which were given in the schools of the city; attending 4 meetings of the Board of Managers of Historic Places and the attending of meetings to "Boost Massachusetts".
CIVIL DEFENSE DEPARTMENT
Under the direction of an unpaid director, James D. Asher, the Quincy Civil Defense department, carrying forward its fine work of previous years, demonstrated exceptional efficiency in the 1959 state tests and alerts in which the auxiliary police, rescue service group and the communications division participated.
The Auxiliary Fire Department scrved 41981/4 man-hours; responded to 268 box alarms, 145 still alarms, 7 multiple alarms, and attended 13 meetings and drills.
The Communications group contributed a total of 400 hours net work activity, 25 hours parade duty and 32 hours with rescue units.
The Auxiliary Police served a total of 5209 man-hours. This service included regular Friday night traffic duty, holiday-week-end traffic duty, parades, drills, pistol practice, flood duty, amphibian duck instruction and general city patrol work during the Quincy Police Department's annual banquet.
The Rescue Service Group gave 643 man-hours service. This included drills, meetings, parades, demon- strations.
Special mention should be made of the work of the Rescue Service Group, auxiliary policemen and amphibian ducks at Squantum and Houghs Neck during the inundation of Dec. 29 and at Hull during the flood emergency on Dec. 29, 30 and 31. Both the Town of Hull and the State Civil Defense office at Natick expressed appreciation for this out-of-town service.
Annual Report
43
QUINCY HOUSING AUTHORITY
The Quincy Housing Authority at the close of 1959 was operating 661 dwelling units, in four projects.
The projects are: West- acres, Chapter 372, 36 units; Snug Harbor, Chapter 200, 400 units; Riverview, federally- aided, 180 units; and Snug Harbor Court, Chapter 667, for senior citizens, 45 units.
QPL Foto
First Keys to new housing project for the elderly are, presented to tenants by J. GIRARD WHITE, executive director of the Quincy Housing Authority.
The year 1959 was im- portant in the history of the Quincy Housing Au- thority, organized by vote of the city council in 1946, as it marked the completion of the 45-unit housing project for the elderly, which was ready for occupancy in late Au- gust. The project consists of 12 one-story buildings located at the corner of Shed and Palmer streets.
To be eligible a person must be 65 years old or over; must be in need of safe and sanitary housing; and income must not exceed $2500, at admission, for an individual or $3000 for a couple. Average rent was $51.50, which includes gas heat and hot water, electric cooking and refrigeration.
Actual cost of development was $495,730.14. Average age of the initial tenants was 72 years.
The development was dedicated on August 13, 1959.
Westacres, located in West Quincy, consists of nine four-family buildings which were completed in 1948 as Quincy's first permanent housing project. Rents were $60.50 with the tenants furnishing their own heat and utilities.
Late in the year plans were under consideration for the conversion of these units to housing for senior citizens. Since completion the project has paid the City of Quincy as surplus from operations a total of $156,500.49.
Snug Harbor, completed in 1950 and including 100 four-family buildings, continues to remain 100 percent occupied. Eligibility for admission is based primarily on income and need for housing with a maximum income limit for admission of $4900 and continued oceupancy limit of $5400. Rent is based on a percentage of income. Average rents for December, 1959, were $51.50 with the tenants paying for fuel, gas and electricity.
During 1959 a new parking area was constructed and another widened. Under approval of the State Housing Board, a program to paint 32 houses was inaugurated. The painting was done by Authority personnel.
Riverview, consisting of 45 four-family buildings, has remained 100 percent occupied since the date of completion in June, 1952. The average rent for December, 1959, was $59.57 with the authority furnishing heat, utilities and refrigeration. Rents are determined in accordance with income and size of family. Although preference is given to veterans, Riverview is not essentially a veterans' development. Maximum income for admission is $4300 and for continued occupancy $5375.
City of Quincy
44
WESTACRES OPERATING STATEMENT
INCOME
Dwelling Rents
$ 26,085.58 14.00
Miscellaneous Project Income
TOTAL INCOME
$ 26,099.58
EXPENSES
Management
$ 2,416.42
Utilities
627.42
Repairs, Maintenance and Replacements
6,217.95
General (Including Insurance)
79.65
TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSE
$ 9.341.44
NET OPERATING INCOME
$ 16,758.14
SNUG HARBOR OPERATING STATEMENT
OPERATING INCOME
Dwelling Rental
$236,262.15
Miscellaneous Project Income
6,644.29
Commonwealth Contribution
68,619.52
Contribution Reduction - QHA Surplus
37,630.48
TOTAL INCOME
$349,156.44
OPERATING EXPENSE
Admin. Salaries and Services
$ 16,367.20
Other Admin. Expense
5,295.94
Comp. to Authority Members
2,362.53
Water
8,190.64
Personal Services R. M. and R.
37,705.51
Materials and Supplies
22,535.07
Contractual Services
692.00
Insurance Expense
17,043.61
Contribution to Pension Fund
471.01
Collection Losses
1,619.51
Payments in Lieu of Taxes
14,400.00
Provision for Operating Reserve
19,200.00
Provision for Debt Service Reserves
12,988.33
Debt Service Requirements
152,112.45
TOTAL EXPENSE
$310,983.80
SURPLUS
38,172.64
RIVERVIEW OPERATING STATEMENT
OPERATING INCOME
Dwelling Rental
$115,012.37
Other Project Income
171.13
Interest on Investments
616.54
TOTAL OPERATING INCOME
$115,800.04
OPERATING EXPENSE
Management Expense
$ 10,448.98
Utilities
33,736.66
Repairs, Maintenance and Replacements
37,919.39
General Expense
14,056.03
TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSE
$ 96,161.06
NET OPERATING INCOME
$ 19,638.98
OTHER INCOME CHARGES
Interest on Bonds and Notes Payable
$ 40,108.46
NET LOSS
$ 20,469.48
Annual Report
45
QUINCY RETIREMENT BOARD QUINCY (4%) RETIREMENT SYSTEM Statement of Cash Receipts and Payments Year Ending Dec. 31, 1959
RECEIPTS
Cash on hand January 1, 1959 S 6,576.76
Deposits by Members
1.531.32
S 8,108.18
Income from Investments
6,029.44
Bonds called and sold
5,299.65
$19.437.27
PAYMENTS
Retirement Allowances
S 9,596.18
Withdrawals
1,374.43
Transfers
695.00
Cash on hand December 31, 1959
7,771.66
$19,437.27
STATEMENT OF FUND
Cash on hand
$ 7,771.66
Investments
141,807.71
Accrued Interest Due
1,647.92
Membership December 31, 1958 27
Withdrawals
1
Deaths
1
Membership December 31, 1959
25
Active Members
11
Retired Members
14
25
STATE - QUINCY (5%) RETIREMENT SYSTEM
Statement of cash receipts and payments Year ending Dec. 31, 1959
RECEIPTS
Cash on hand January 1, 1959
$ 33.018.47
Deposit in transit January 1, 1959 346.49
Deposits by Members
296,194.85
Appropriated by City 99,211.00
Pension reimbursements from other systems 2,983.53
Income from Investments
Bonds called and Sold
$431,754.34 78,756.79 30,004.63
$540,515.67
- City of Quincy
46
$151,227.29
S11,665.61
PAYMENTS
Retirement Allowances
$156,850.24
Withdrawals
57,883.51
Securities Purchased
298,049.04
Accrued Interest on Securities Purchased
1,564.89
Cash on hand December 31, 1959
$514,347.68 26,167.99
$540,515.67
STATEMENT OF FUND
Cash on hand
$ 26,167.99
Investments
2,570,064.80
Accrued Interest Due
20,227.40
$2,616,460.19
MEMBERSHIP
Active
1486
Inactive
58
Retired
114
Total
1658
BUILDING INSPECTION
Ward Tabulation of Building Operations
Ward
Permits
Estimated Cost
1
387
$1,339,413.00
2
152
473,026.00
3
118
244,004.00
4
185
481,597.00
5
215
867,438.00
6
240
578,120.00
1297
$3,983,598.00
Permits Issued
Permits
Estimated Cost
88
One Family Dwellings
$ 993,274.00
1
Two Family Dwelling
15,500.00
10
Four Family Dwellings
198,000.00
7
Multi-family Dwellings
181,800.00
17
Mercantile
774,300.00
2
Manufacturing
63,000.00
79
Garages
47,920.00
10
Storage
10,500.00
719 Residential Alterations
710,026.00
144
Other Alterations
577,721.00
73
Removals
24,372.00
4
Elevators
56,200.00
134
Signs
74,125.00
12
Miscellaneous
256,860.00
1297
$3,983,598.00
$ 11,650.00
Fees Received 1959
Annual Report
47
The major construction projects for which building permits were issued in 1959 were as follows: Roscovan Realty Corporation, Addition to Bargain Center, $158,000; Roman Catholic Archbishop of Boston, Corp. Sole; Nursery School. $250,000; John J. Duane Co., Super Market Building, $175,000; Investment Realty Co., Store and Office Building, $90,000; Faxon Trust, mercantile building, $80,000; Keohane Funeral Home, $60,000: Quincy Center Realty Trust, office building, $150,000; Tubular Rivet and Stud Co., Alteration, $92,000; Dependable Launderers, Laundry Building, S45,000; Supreme Market, Alteration, $25,000 and two apartment buildings, $44,000 and $75,000.
Building permits were issued in 1959 to provide 162 added dwelling units through new construction and 30 added dwelling units through alterations.
The Board of Appeal for the Building Code rendered decisions on 8 applications, 8 appeals were granted, 2 appeals withdrawn, and I appeal pending.
The Board of Appeal for Zoning rendered decisions on 79 applications, 69 appeals were granted, 10 appeals were denied, 3 appeals were withdrawn, and no action on 1 appeal.
Through condemnation proceedings of the department, 14 buildings were removed; and many others were taken down by the owners on orders from the building inspector.
INSPECTOR OF WIRES PERMITS AND INSPECTIONS
Permits issued to contractors and home owners
2,249
Permits issued to Quincy Electric Company
974
Estimated Cost of Wiring in new and old buildings
$1,388,649.67
Inspections of new and additional wiring 2,176
Reinspections made of old wiring
50
Inspections of fire damage
34
Defects noted on installations
148
Certificates of Approval issued for Nursing Homes
8
Permanent Wiring for Appliances:
Hot Water Heaters
87
Oil Burners
646
Electric Ranges
240
Gas Burners
247
Dryers .
111
Dishwashers
30
Disposals
109
Air Conditioners
66
Built-in Ovens
17
Counter-top Units
17
Total installed 1,570
New Buildings:
One family houses
110
Two family houses
0
Three family houses
0
Four family houses
12
Multi-family houses
7
Mercantile
10
Manufacturing
3
Schools
2
Garages
6
Churches
1
Miscellaneous
16
Total New Buildings
167
City of Quincy
48 -
Wiring installed in New Buildings:
Lights
7,636
Motors
180
Signs
9
Permanent Services
230
Temporary Services
37
Fire Alarms
151
Old Buildings - Additional Wiring:
One family houses
1,075
Two family houses
268
Three family houses
35
Four family houses
38
Multi-family houses
8
Mercantile
151
Manufacturing
93
Schools
14
Garages
74
Miscellaneous
306
Churches
14
Quincy City Hospital
6
Total permits for work on Old Buildings
2,082
Wiring installed in above:
Lights
8,899
Motors
756
Signs
161
Services for above buildings
1,094
Temporary Services
19
Fire Alarms
12
Total Fees 1959
$6,645.75
INSPECTOR OF PLUMBING
Months
Applications
Amount
January
96
$ 281
February
72
315
March
90
282
April
127
490
May
115
326
June
86
303
July
113
370
August
79
306
September
89
297
October
102
303
November
84
278
December
89
303
1,142
$3,854
New Buildings for which permits were issued
130
Other Buildings for which permits were issued
1,012
Buildings connected to Sewer
173
Buildings connected to Septic Tank
3
Buildings connected to Cesspool
1
Annual Report
49
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Sealing fees for 1959
$2,265.30
Adjusting charges for 1959
43.65
Hawker and Peddler Licenses
475.00
REWEIGHINGS
Total articles reweighed
10,290
Total correct
6,205
Total underweight
1,808
Total overweight
2,277
SEALING OF SCALES
Total sealed
1,044
Total adjusted
63
Total not sealed
42
Total condemned
34
SEALING OF WEIGHTS
Total sealed
2,318
Total adjusted
29
Total not sealed
30
Total condemned
1
LIQUID AND DRY MEASURES
Total sealed
139
Total adjusted
0
Total not sealed
25
Total condemned
2
AUTOMATIC MEASURING DEVICES
Total sealed
813
Total adjusted
40
Total not sealed
127
Total condemned
20
LINEAR MEASURES
Total sealed
147
Total condemned
Total figures show 4,461 devices sealed, 132 adjusted, 224 not sealed and + condemned.
During the year 13,947 inspections were made and 72 tests.
Court action was sought in four cases, with three guilty findings on charges of peddling without a license.
City of Quincy
50
--
-
-
- --
-...
---.
----
----
-
---
--
--.
Flagg Foto Service
A NEW STUDENT BODY IS BORN: Seventh and eighth grade students trek from North Quincy Junior High School to brand new Atlantic Junior High School in February, 1959. Atlantic Junior is last of schools built under ten million dollar school construction program that started after end of World War II.
THE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
The year 1959 was significant for the Quincy School Department in that the opening of the New Atlantic Junior High School in February marked the completion of the extensive ten-million-dollar school construction program started shortly after the close of World War II.
The new school, costing around two million dollars, and containing Grades Seven and Eight, opened with a student body of almost 800 students drawn from the North Quincy Junior High School. The Atlantic Junior High School relieved the crowded, congested condition at North Junior early in the year and, in September, also absorbed students which would have gone to Central Junior High School.
During the year Quincy schools made a determined assault on some of the most pressing educational problems.
In an attempt to do more to aid non-academic students, experimental tutorial centers were started in the Spring. In the Fall, one such center was established in each senior high school. Through the use of recording play-back equipment and multiple headphones, one teacher in a center can give coaching simultaneously to pupils in four different classes. It is believed that these tutorial centers marked the opening of a new epoch in public education.
At the other end of the scale, the schools have been trying to give more adequate attention to pupils of the fifth and sixth grades who are able to do a week's work in four days instead of five.
On the fifth day these pupils go to what are known as laboratory centers for additional enriched work beyond what they are getting in regular classes. In 1959 this program was extended to junior high schools in English, mathematics, science and social studies.
Throughout the secondary schools advanced placement classes have been established with a view of providing courses that will either give advanced standing in college or make it unnecessary for the student to devote valuable college time to work that could as readily be done in high school.
Annual Report
51
.
In another effort to utilize new modes of instruction, television assistance is now used in science, literature and conversational French in the fifth grade.
Of those students who graduate from the senior high schools a great number go to work in the commercial field and many in the trades; others go on to college or other educational institutions. At present graduates of the two high schools are in the following colleges and universities: Acadia, Annapolis, Antioch, Barnard, Bates, Boston College, Boston Teachers College, Boston University, Bowdoin, Brandeis, Bridgewater, Brown University, Cornell, Dartmouth, Eastern Nazarene, Emmanuel, Fitchburg, Harvard, Hofstra, Holy Cross, Marietta, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Massachusetts School of Art, New England College, North- eastern University, Pembroke, Quincy Junior College, Radcliffe, Regis, Rensselaer, Simmons, Smith, Stonehill, Tufts, University of California, University of Colorado, University of Connecticut, University of Massachusetts, University of New Hampshire, University of Pennsylvania, Williams, and doubtless others.
Quincy is receiving federal aid for educating children whose fathers work for the government, as in the armed services, or whose families live on federal property. These federal funds, plus state funds, tuition, etc., offset the cost of educating children in the public schools of Quincy to the extent of more than $850,000 in 1959.
Starting in September, a member of the staff of the Adolescent Unit of Children's Hospital, on a part- time basis became head of the health services in the schools.
The Quincy School Committee of seven unpaid members guides the policies of the schools. The enrollment of over fifteen thousand students is housed in 30 buildings valued conservatively at $25,000,000. Since the end of World War II constant work has been done on making pleasant, healthful surroundings for the children - conditions conducive to good education - in even the oldest buildings.
It is the policy of the School Committee to bring added returns from the investment in the school buildings through permitting community use of the buildings. In 1959 scores of community events were held in the auditoriums and gymnasiums of the schools.
The parents assist the schools and keep up on the educational developments and concerns through their parent-teacher associations of which there are 28 with almost eight thousand members.
The schools serve as a unifying factor in this large suburban city. The joint commencements and the Thanksgiving Day football game bring people from all corners of Quincy together as probably do no other events.
THERE IS SOMETHING TO EDUCATION THAT CAN NOT BE LEARNED IN BOOKS - Coddington School pupils learn about farm animals from this calf on loan from the Norfolk County Agricultural School.
City of Quincy
52
-
-
Above: Progress in education is represented by this demonstration of Fifth Grade Students studying French by use of TV. This special event held in store window in connection with American Education Week enables parents and other citizens to get first hand information on advances made in public education since they left their school days behind.
Above: School Committee members JAMES F. MCCORMICK, JR., CHARLES T. SWEENY and MRS. ALICE MITCHELL, and GILBERT A. BERRY, Snug Harbor principal, left to right, wel- come new Quincy teachers at tea and reception for new instructors.
Right: Keys to New Atlantic Junior High school are presented to A. WENDELL CLARK, vice chairman of School Committee, by Architect ROBERT A. LENORMAND, sec- ond right, while Mayor AMELIO DELLA CHIESA and School Supt. PAUL GOSSARD look on in dedication of new building.
-
School Costs and Enrollment 1954 - 1959
Year
Enrollment
Appropriated By City Council
1954
14,473
$3,438,081.70
1955
14,726
3,837,516.74
1956
14,886
4,004,900.00
1957
14,861
4,685,242.66
1958
15,065
5,208,928.00
1959
15,297
5,558,468.60
* As of October 1
Enrollment October 1, 1957, 1958 and 1959 By Grades
1957
1958
1959
Kindergarten
1332
1423
1463
Grade
1302
1291
1347
Grade 2
1220
1193
1228
Grade 3
1093
1189
1180
Grade 4
946
1088
1175
Grade 5
1270
937
1060
Grade 6
1353
1222
929
Grade 7
1082
1354
1236
Grade 8
1129
1033
1334
Grade 9
1190
1093
1005
Grade 10
1133
1110
1052
Grade 11
785
981
944
Grade 12
594
694
928
Post Graduate
3
3
2
Special Classes
176
182
181
Trade School
253
272
263
14,861
15.065
15,297
Financial Statement for the Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 1959
Appropriated by City Council (exclusive of George Barden & Smith Hughes Funds)
$5,558,468.60
229,918.15
Appropriated for outstanding 1958 bills and contracts: salaries held over Federal Funds No. 874
290,084.26
Total Available
$6,078,471.01
Expended: Regular and State-Aided Schools and Classes* (exclusive of George Barden and Smith Hughes Funds)
265,811.77
5,994,931.79
Outstanding bills and contracts: salaries held over
Balance Regular Funds
$ 682.34
Balance Federal Funds No. 874
82,856.88
$5,729,120.02
54 - - City of Quincy
1
Itemized Expenditures
Additional Equipment
$ 32,978.27
$ 22,937.28
Junior College .
22,781.31
4,042.34
Coordinate and Auxiliary Agencies
161,369.51
Evening Academic School
3,447.04
General Control
102,985.22
Instruction
4,093,590.61
136,953.76
Library Fund
6,947.67
2,483.00
Maintenance
250,489.44
29,832.61
Miscellaneous
16,220.85
5,073.20
Operation of Plant
552,544.14
Pensions
54,302.84
Speakers Fund
320.00
Travel Outside State
1,499.51
67.75
Total for Regular Schools
$5,299,476.41
$ 201,389.94
$5,500,866.35
Adult Civic Education
$ 1,545.85
Distributive Occupations
2,843.89
Distributive Occupations George Barden Fund
4,402.90
Evening Apprenticeship Class
3,618.66
Evening Apprenticeship Class George Barden
651.55
Evening Practical Arts Classes
16,134.57
Evening Practical Arts Classes Smith Hughes Fund
586.00
$ 874.00
Evening Trade Extension
4,134.26
Evening Trade Extension George Barden Fund
1,024.01
Out of City Industrial
7,736.37
Trade School
178,968.10
194.20
Trade School George Barden Fund
4,935.65
Trade School Smith Hughes Fund
1,652.00
Trade School Additional Equipment
13,077.77
Total for State-Aided School and Classes*
241,311.58
Less: George Barden Fund
$11,014.11
Smith Hughes Fund
2,238.00
13,252.11
Total Expenditures (exclusive of
George Barden and Smith Hughes)
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.