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 1960 > Part 4
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EXPANDED SERVICES
The Commission was able to keep up with increasing popularity of water activities by adding another instructional swimming station, bringing the total to eleven and by expanding the boating, swimming and water skiing programs to nine weeks instead of the previous eight.
A special instructional sailing program for mothers was also added to the Summer program.
Reimbursement of fifty percent of the costs of a pilot Summer program for blind children was obtained from the state and this successful new program will be continued.
Additional use of indoor school recreational facilities were made in the eighteen schools used by the Commission in their twenty-five week Winter program.
Instructional indoor and outdoor ski classes were added to the existing junior and senior high programs. For the first time adults and youngsters of elementary school age were included in this rapidly growing sport.
FAMILY RECREATION
"A family playing together is more likely to stay together" gives added impetus to the Com- mission's theory of providing basic instruction in the individual sports that have carry over value and that may be played together by all members of the family, regardless of age. New interests and skills are brought home to the family through children who have been introduced to them in the various recreation activities.
SENIOR CITIZENS PROGRAM POPULAR
Four hundred and fifty new Senior Citizens Identification Cards were issued during the year, bringing the total to over seventeen hundred who have registered over the last four years for the Commission's activities and trips for people in the sixty-five and over age group.
First priority has been given to Senior Citizens recreation programs at the recently city acquired Dawes Memorial property on Morrissey Boulevard. This five room bungalow which was willed to the city by Dr. and Mrs. Franklin E. Dawes is being reconditioned and in all probability will be ready for use in the Spring.
An all day Senior Citizens Conference, sponsored by the Mayor's Council For The Aging, emphasized the need for more recreation facilities, programs and leadership for people in the "Golden Age" of life whose increased life span has been brought about by medical advancements, earlier retirements, pension benefits, etc. The importance of the leisure time of this age group has become an integral part of the Commission's program and these sponsored recreation activities open the door to gathering further information on the problems of aging that other city departments and agencies are attempting to solve.
ENCROACHMENT
As throughout the nation, Quincy is also experiencing the problem of encroachment of public lands by private groups and individuals. The need for preserving open land and play space for present and future generations, was strongly upheld by the Commission during the year when private interests attempted to control a great proportion of one of the city's large parks.
GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS
In order to protect the present recreation facilities and areas and provide more for the future increased population, Recreation should be included in the city's Master Plan. Neighborhoods and sections not serviced now should be considered for future development.
Annual Report
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The city's twenty-seven miles of waterfront still does not have one municipal boat launching ramp to service the greatly expanded numbers now participating in boating activities.
RECREATION COMMISSION SPONSORED ACTIVITIES
Afterschool programs
Field trips
Playground programs
Archery
Football (touch)
Parties
Apparatus play
Games
Quiet games
Badminton
Golf
Retarded children
Baseball
Handicraft
Sailing
Basketball
Hiking
Sand box play
Basketry
Horseshoes
Senior Citizens programs
Beach trips
Kalah
Shuffleboard
Blind children
Kickball
Singing
Boating
Junior Leaders program
Skating
Bowling
Junior Olympics
Skiing
Ceramics
Leaders training course
Softball
Checkers
Leagues
Special events
Chess
Life saving courses
Stagemobile
Clay work
Loaned equipment service
Storytelling
Copper work
Miniature golf
Swimming instruction
Contests
Movies
Talent shows
Croquet
Mothers swim class
Tennis
Dancing
Music
Tournaments
Dramatics
Nature recreation
Volleyball
Exhibits
Nautical Day
Water Carnival
Field Day
Nursing home program
Waterskiing
CEMETERY - BOARD OF MANAGERS
Sale of Lots
$16,350.00
Care of Lots
203.00
Interments
34,570.00
Foundations 5,057.14
Perpetual Care
37,340.00
Perpetual Care Income
23,752.18
604 graves were opened
336 graves were sold 225 foundations were poured
During the year 1960 our new section known as "R" facing Sea Street and consisting of 358 graves (single graves) was opened. Lots are being sold to people with an immediate need.
Late in the year the Board of Managers sponsored a legislative bill in the General Court pro. viding for the transfer by the Metropolitan District Commission of about 40 acres in the Blue Hills Reservation to the City of Quincy for cemetery purposes.
City of Quincy
44
THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' SERVICES
The year 1960 brought sweeping changes and revisions in the rights and benefits of Veterans and their dependents under Veterans Administration laws and Social Security legislation. Widows and children of men of World War II and the Korean Conflict who died from non-service connected disabilities, may now obtain Federal benefits under Public Law #86-211 effective July 1, 1960. This change materially reduced costs in this category of recipients.
The age limit for total disability benefits under Social Security has been eliminated and less quarters are needed to qualify for Social Scurity benefits. Many veterans who were ineligible in the past are now made eligible thus reducing the cost to the City.
During the year, 9,544 persons sought aid, advice or assistance from the Department. These requests covered such fields as pensions, compensation, hospitalization, education, G.I. training, G.I. loans, tax abatements, burials, monuments, and government grave markers.
The big strike at the Bethlehem Steel Corporation Shipyard in Quincy, involving 13,000 workers, which lasted for twenty-two weeks, sharply increased the cost of Veterans' Benefits. Approximately 500 Quincy veterans and their families, involving about 2,500 persons, received Veterans' Benefits - amounting to $176,000.
During the strike, two additional Clerk-Typists had to be hired to assist the regular personnel in processing applications.
As in the past, the Department underwrote the cost of patriotic holidays in the City, including the costs of musical organizations, flags, transportation, refreshments, and wreaths.
In view of the fact that the State reimburses the City one-half the cost of assistance to veterans and their dependents, State Veterans' Services investigators supervise our case reports to ascertain conformity with the laws, directives and regulations.
Inasmuch as, by law, the fathers, mothers, wives, widows, and children are eligible for assist- ance, 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 many cases, inadequate, many veterans and their dependents are obliged to seek supplementation from this Department. Approxi- mately $500,000 was spent on Veterans' Benefits including benefits paid to the Fore River strikers, the Commonwealth reimbursing the City one-half of this amount. Assignment of liens recovered was $12,000; recovered from property liens - $3,000.
Utilization of other Social Security programs such as V.A. Pensions and Compensation, Old Age Assistance, Aid to Dependent Children, Unemployment Compensation, Workmen's Compen- sation, Sick Benefits, and Total Disability, has reduced the costs of Veterans' Benefits by the City.
This year brought a slow but steady rise in requests for financial assistance from veterans or their families. This increase became very marked in the last quarter as employment dipped in the area. Hospital, medical and drug costs continued to rise.
The per diem rates paid to hospitals and nursing homes were increased in many areas. Out- patient and Visiting Nurse fees have increased.
During the year Quincy veterans spent many thousands of hours in the four veterans' hospitals in this area. The cost of this care amounted to approximately $600,000. Had these cases been treated in our City Hospital, the City would have had to bear one-half of this amount. The utilization of the facilities of veterans' hospitals not only saves the City money, but it also makes available more bed facilities in the Quincy City Hospital for the use of non-veteran patients.
During the year 1960, a total of 110 Quincy Veterans died, as follows: Spanish War - 5; World War I-63; Warld War II-39; Korean Conflict - 3.
Two hundred and forty-four bronze grave markers were placed in all local cemeteries, excluding Mount Wollaston, St. Mary's and Hall Place, for new burials, or replacing of worn or stolen markers.
On Memorial Day 1,764 flags were placed on veterans' graves, squares, and playgrounds. There were 189 military and burial records added to the Department file.
Annual Report -
45
CONTINE
F !
THOMAS CRANE PUBLIC LIBARY
Circulation 1960
Books
Adult
Fiction
224,617
Juvenile 224,924 112,783
Total 449,541 293,625
Non-fiction
180,842
337,707
743,166
Pictures
9,287
Phonograph Records
21,644
Films
822
774,919
Gain in 10 year period
188,410
Number of volumes January 1, 1960
187,363
Added in 1960
11,776
Withdrawn in 1960
9,710
Number of volumes December 31, 1960
189,429
The need for more space continues to be the library's greatest problem. Reference and Reading Room facilities at the main library are severely taxed, and branch libraries are over-crowded.
Some progress toward the erection of a new large, well-staffed and well-equipped branch library at the north end of the city has been made with the inclusion of funds for this purpose in the Mayor's capital outlay program. It is hoped that the next report of the Library Department will bring news that work is well on the way on this project.
During the summer renovation of the basement room at the Wollaston Branch was started. When completed, it is anticipated that the quarters will provide a very attractive Children's Room, thus providing better library service to children, and adults as well, since more space will be available upstairs for improvement of service there.
The bookmobile remains extremely popular with residents throughout the city. Despite the fact it was off the road because of heavy snow storms and the resulting traffic conditions, the circulation of books from this source shows an increase of 6,656 books.
One fact that the library can point to with great pride is that the toal number of registered borrowers is 34,398, approximately 40% of the population of the city. This is an unusually high ratio as 25-30% is considered good.
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, Nov. 8, 1960
Total Quincy vote, 45,565 Percentage 92. For President and Vice President
Decker and Munn, P 22
Hass and Cozzini, SL
53
*Kennedy and Johnson, D
26,990
Nixon and Lodge, R
18,163
For U. S. Senator
*Leverett Saltonstall, R
27,184
Thomas J. O'Connor, D 17,601
Lawrence Gilfedder, SL 95
Mark R. Shaw, P. 34
For Governor
*John A. Volpe, R 23,767
Joseph D. Ward, D 20,292
Henning Blomen, SL 201
Guy S. Williams, P
138
405,459
City of Quincy
46 -
For Lieutenant Governor
*Edward F. Mclaughlin, D 23,872
Augustus G. Means, R 19,800
Thomas Maratea, P 144
Francis A. Votano, SL
204
For Secretary of State
Edward W. Brooke, R 20,959
*Kevin White, D
22,314
Fred M. Ingersoll, SL 167
Julia B. Kohler, P
124
For Attorney General
*Edward J. McCormack, D 25,704
George Michaels, R
18,134
August O. Johnson, SL
183
William D. Ross, P
104
For Treasurer
*John T. Driscoll, D
25,773
Walter J. Trybulski, R
17,115
Warren C. Carberg, P 208
Domenico DiGirolamo, SL 227
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New voters are enrolled at City Hall by City Clerk JOHN M. GILLIS on final day of registration for 1960 President- ial Election.
QPL Foto
Annual Report
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For Auditor
*Thomas J. Buckley, D 29,183
Gardner B. Wardwell, R 14,295
John B. Lauder, P 119
Arne A. Sortell, SL
156
For Congressman
* James A. Burke, D 25,759
Charles J. Gabriel, R 18,536
For Councilor, 4th District
*Patrick J. McDonough, D 23,810
James A. Shannon, R 19,448
For Senator, 1st Norfolk
*Thomas J. Burgin, R 23,489
Joseph P. McDonough, D
20,545
For Representative, 1st Norfolk
*Joseph E. Brett, D
16,098
* Amelio Della Chiesa, R 16,963
*James R. McIntyre, D 16,510
George G. Burke, D 12,651
Carter Lee, R 9,647
Daniel M. Macleod, R 9,407
Alphonse Beaulieu, I
1,204
For Representative, 2nd Norfolk
*Charles L. Shea, D 6,188
Arthur Jaffre, R 3,997
For Representative, 3rd Norfolk
*Herbert B. Hollis, R
1,595
*Carl R. Johnson, D 3,195
George H. Thompson, R 1,280
*William A. Connell, D 2,833
Richard A. Hunt, R 1,091
John F. McCormack, D
2,483
For Register of Probate
* Anna E. Hirsch, R 21,203
Francis R. Powers, D
21,803
For County Commissioners
*Russell T. Bates, R 22,903
*Clayton W. Nash, R 18,761
James J. Collins, D 21,612
William C. Kendrick, D
17,002
For County Treasurer
*Raymond C. Warmington, R 24,989
William P. Browne, D 18,151
For Sheriff
*Charles W. Hedges, R 24,398
Peter M. McCormack, D
19,557
City of Quincy
48
QUESTION NO. 1
A. Shall licenses be granted in this city (or town) for the sale therein of all alcoholic beverages (whiskey, rum, gin, malt beverages, wines and all other alcoholic bever-
YES
- 30,688
NO - 9,063 ages) ?
B. Shall licenses be granted in this city (or town) for the sale therein of wines and malt beverages (wines and beer, ale and all other malt beverages) ? NO
YES
- - 28,691
- 8,393
C. Shall licenses be granted in this city (or town) for the sale therein of all alcoholic beverages in packages, so called, not to be drunk on the premises? NO
YES
- 30,396
6,992
QUESTION NO. 2
"Shall the salary of the mayor of the city of Quincy YES - 10,588
be increased to $15,000?"
NO
- 30,112
QUESTION NO. 3
"Shall the salary of each councillor in the city of YES
- 11,898
Quincy be increased to $2,500?"
NO -23,652
* Elected D - Democrat SL- Socialist Labor P - Prohibition I - Independent
Candidates Eliminated in Democratic Primary September 13
For U. S. Senator. Foster Furcolo, Edmund C. Buckley.
For Governor: Francis E. Kelly, John F. Kennedy, Alfred Magaletta, Robert F. Murphy, Endicott Peabody, Gabriel F. Piemonte.
For Lieutenant Governor: Pasquale Caggiano.
For Secretary : Francis A. Ahearn, Margaret F. McGovern.
For Treasurer : George F. Hurley, John B. Kennedy, Patrick F. McDonough, Robert Sullivan, John M. Kennedy.
For Auditor: John F. Hynes.
For Councillor. Cosmo M. Ciccarello, Edward P. Clark, Joseph J. Dilorenzo, Archie S. MacDonald, Mario Mattera, Martin H. McManus, Angelo C. Polizzi, Louis Reppucci.
For Senator: Michael J. Plant, Ralph C. Rotondo.
For Representative, First Norfolk: Mario J. Praderio, Fred A. Sisti, John V. Thompson.
For Register: James L. Dunn, John T. Moore, Kay A. Wall.
For County Commissioner: Warren J. Caples, Edward J. Carr, John J. Kennedy, George H. Kiley, William P. Morrissey, John F. Murphy, Thomas E. Welby, Thomas E. Wood, John L. Woods.
For County Treasurer : Robert A. Browning, Henry B. Fall. For Sheriff : Francis J. Hynes.
For Representative, Third Norfolk: Everett W. Callahan, Franklin Fryer, John E. McCaffrey, George W. Pyle, Jr.
Candidates Eliminated in Republican Election September 13
For Treasurer: Francis A. Walsh.
For Sheriff : John H. Brownell, Arthur J. Ferullo.
Annual Report
49
R - Republican
QUINCY RETIRMENT BOARD 4% SYSTEM STATEMENT OF CASH RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS QUINCY RETIREMENT SYSTEM FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1960
RECEIPTS
Cash on hand January 1, 1960
$ 7,771.66
Deposits by members 1,395.36
$ 9,167.02
Income from Investments
5,812.50
Bonds sold, matured or exchanged
20,000.00
$34,979.52
PAYMENTS
Retirement Allowances
$ 8,764.45
Transfers to 5% system
4,877.23
Bonds purchased, or exchanged
20,089.00
$33,730.68
Cash on hand December 31, 1960
1,248.84
$34,979.52
STATEMENT OF FUND
Cash on hand
$ 1,248.84
Investments
141,747.79
Accrued Interest due
1,764.59
$144,761.22
MEMBERSHIP
December 31, 1959
25
Transfers to 5% system
2
Deaths
1
22
Active members
9
Retired members
13
22
STATEMENT OF CASH RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS STATE-QUINCY RETIREMENT SYSTEM 5% SYSTEM FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1960
RECEIPTS
Cash on hand January 1, 1960
$ 26,167.99
Deposits by members 321,673.72
Appropriated by City 115,157.00
1,475.00
Pension reimbursements from other systems
3,538.14
$468,011.85
City of Quincy
-
50
Appropriated by Housing Authority
Income from Investments Investments called or sold
91,437.01 101,607.21
$661,056.07
PAYMENTS
Retirement Allowances
$ 202,635.39
Withdrawals
93,042.37
Securities purchased
342,065.19
Accrued Interest on Securities purchased. .
2,943.35
Cash on hand December 31, 1960
$640,686.30 20,369.77
$661,056.07
STATEMENT OF FUND
Cash on hand
$ 20,369.77
Investments
2,805,279.27
Accrued Interest due
23,233.06
$2,848,882.10
MEMBERSHIP
Active
1,583
Inactive
57
Retired
127
Total
1,767
Combined party tendered Executive Secretary EDWARD T. LEWIS, second left, on his 55th birthday ; and MISS FLORENCE DUNLEA, principal clerk in the cemetery depart- ment retiring after 37 years service to the city. Public Works Commissioner CHARLES R. HERBERT is at left and Mayor AMELIO DELLA CHIESA at right.
QPL Photo
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THE QUINCY HOUSING AUTHORITY
The Quincy Housing Authority was organized by vote of the City Council in April 1946. Under Chapter 121 of the General Laws, the Authority is a public body politic and corporate, whose function it is to administer the local public housing program. An Authority is not a Federal, State or City department, but is a political sub-division of the Commonwealth and as seperate and distinct a creature of the State Legislature as the City itself.
The Authority is composed of five members, four appointed by the Mayor, subject to confirma- tion of the City Council, and one appointed by the Chairman of the State Housing Board, each to serve a term of five years.
The Quincy Housing Authority is currently managing thirty six Chapter 372 permanent units; four hundred Chapter 200 permanent units; one hundred eighty Federally-aided low rent permanent units and forty five Chapter 667 permanent units for Senior Citizens, all of which are fully occupied.
Application for seventy five additional units for Senior Citizens has been approved by the State Housing Board. The site, off South Street, is owned by the City. On 20 October, 1960 the City was requested to take the necessary steps to transfer the land to the Authority. However, although the Mayor referred the request shortly thereafter to the appropriate committee, no action has as yet been taken.
WESTACRES
This development is located in West Quincy, adjacent to the Southeast Expressway and consists of nine buildings composed of four units each. They are of frame construction of colonial design. Each unit consists of two bedrooms, living room, kitchen and bath with full basements. Tenants furnish their own heat and utilities. Rents are $65.50 per month. The development was completed in 1948 at a total cost of $399,864.15.
Operating expenses were kept at a minimum during 1960. Collection loss was nil. Since 1948 the Authority has paid to the City of Quincy as surplus from operations a total of $170,771.82 which includes $11,000 forwarded the City in 1960. There is an additional $3,271.33 to be forwarded in January 1961.
The development continues in good physical condition exteriorwise. In 1960, two houses were shingled with Shakertown shingles in lieu of painting. The shingles are a decided improvement and it is anticipated two or three more houses will be done in 1961. Aluminum combination doors were installed throughout the development in 1960.
To be eligible for this development, one must be a veteran. There are no income limits here as in the other developments managed by the Authority. However, the Authority attempts to place in this development families who do not qualify income-wise or family composition-wise in its other developments. Since these are all two bedroom units, only those families with one or two children qualify.
During 1960 eight tenants vacated Westacres, all of whom purchased new homes.
SNUG HARBOR
This Chapter 200, State-aided development, located in the Germantown section of Quincy, is composed of one hundred buildings, each consisting of four units, and is of frame construction. There are 220 two-bedroom units, 160 three-bedroom units and 20 four bedroom units. Each unit has a living room, kitchen, bath and full cellar with individual steam heating plants. The development was completed in 1950 at a total cost of $4,250,000. and has since remained 100% occupied.
Eligibilty for admission to this development is based primarily on income and need for housing. The maximum income limit for admission for a family consisting of one minor child is $4500 with a continued occupancy limit of $5000. 18% is the basis of determining rent. The maximum income limit for a family consisting of two children is $4700 per year with a continued occupancy limit of $5200 per year. 16% of income is the basis for determining rent. A large family consisting of three or more minor children pays 14% of income for rent. The maximum income limit for admission is $4900 per year with continued occupancy set at $5400. An additional deduction of $100 is made for each minor child in excess of three in determining rent and net income. Tenants purchase their own fuel, gas and electricity.
City of Quincy
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The cycle of painting thirty two houses is nearly complete with but one and a half houses to be done. Early in 1960 permission was requested of the State Housing Board to shingle more of the clapboard houses, but no response was forthcoming. It is planned to re-submit the request so the work can be started as soon as weather permits. Permission was received from the State Housing Board to install aluminum combination windows throughout the development and installation will start the latter part of January 1961.
Replacement of countertops, backsplashes and linoleums is continuing. A new parking area was constructed and considerable hottopping was accomplished. As a preventive maintenance measure a program of relocating garbage receptacles was started in 1960.
The Annual Redetermination of incomes and family composition, completed in July 1960, reflected 159 increases in rent averaging $6.11 per tenant and 15 decreases in rent averaging $6.97 per tenant. Th average rent for December 1960 was $52.48. During 1960 one hundred fourteen tenants vacated Snug Harbor, with the majority purchasing homes.
In December 1960 $14,400.00 was forwarded the City of Quincy as payment in lieu of taxes.
RIVERVIEW
This Federally-aided low rent housing development, known as "Riverview", is adjacent to 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 occupancy on 25 June, 1952.
There are forty-five buildings of four units each totalling one hundred eighty units. These are fourteen one-bedroom units, twelve of which are occupied by senior citizens; ninety two bedroom units, sixty two three bedroom units and fourteen four bedroom units. Steam heat 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, this development is not essentially a veterans' development. As of the date of this report there are fifty veterans and one hundred thirty non-veterans occupying the development.
The maximum income for admission for one or two persons is $3500 with a continued occupancy limit of $4375; three or four persons $3700 admission and $4625 continued occupancy ; five or six persons $4300 admission and $5375 continued occupancy. An exemption of $100 is allowed for each minor child in determining eligibility.
Inasmuch as incomes have greatly increased the past two years, it is planned to request increased income limits from Public Housing Administration.
The annual re-examination of rents and incomes, completed in November 1960, reflected eighty increases averaging $8.63 per tenant and fifteen decreases averaging $7.30 per tenant. Seven tenants received arbitrary rent increases because they failed to comply with the terms of their lease. The average rent for December was $60.96. Nineteen tenants vacated Riverview in 1960.
In 1960 a program of relocating garbage receptacles and considerable hot topping was accom- plished. The program of painting stairwells for tenants continued through 1960.
The Public Housing Administration auditor is presently conducting the annual audit of River- view accounts.
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