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 1961 > Part 4
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In September, 1961 we admitted 60 new students to the School, and at this time we started our affiliation with the Junior College whereby the students are taken by bus to and from the Junior College at the Coddington School, where basic sciences and other first year classes are taught.
At the writing of this report two students have dropped out, leaving a total number of 58 students; this being the largest enrollment ever known in the history of the School of Nursing.
Due to expansion of educational facilities and equipment, increases in teachers' salaries and other personnel employed in the School of Nursing, as well as the increase in cost of housing and food services; and because of the ever-increasing costs of operating the Quincy City Hospital, upon
Annual Report -
39
advice of the Advisory Committee to the School of Nursing and with the approval of the Board of Managers, increased the fees for students entering the School of Nursing in September, 1962, which is in keeping with a nation-wide trend. Also, in an endeavor to assist the local taxpayers, beginning with the class of September, 1962, the stipend paid to first year students will be dropped, and a charge of $240 per year for each students room will be put into effect. The stipend paid to the junior and senior students will be continued as in the past. It may be possible in this manner to encourage student nurses to live at home so that they would not have to pay this fee for the room.
Unless a sufficient number of rooms are vacated, it may be necessary for the Hospital authorities to limit the entering class of 1962 to the rooms that will be available, which would be around 48 or 50 students. We plan to apply for federal funds for additional dormitory facilities in order to enroll a sufficient number of student nurses to meet the nursing needs of a 400 bed hospital.
We are pleased to announce during the year the retirement of two outstanding, loyal employees, namely Miss Bernadette Boutin, Assistant Director, after 30 years of service; and Mr. Carl E. Eriksson, Superintendent in charge of Maintenance for 35 years. We wish them a long, happy life so that they may enjoy the fruits of their efforts extended in the development of our Hospital.
To fill these vacancies we are equally pleased to promote from within our own organization Miss Constance Lundy to the position of Assistant Director, and Mr. Louis Parola to be in charge of the grounds and maintenance of buildings.
It is our pleasure to report at this time that progress is being made in the formation of plans for the new x-ray building, which will occupy the site presently occupied by the Rice Building erected in 1910. It is the opinion of all concerned that the location of this new wing will centralize and make for more efficient administration of all departments that will be located in this new addition, namely the x-ray department on the first floor, the nursery and some 16 maternity beds on the second floor and a special care unit and pediatric beds on the third floor.
A new elevator will also be built in conjunction with these facilities, and in this manner will expedite the services to and from the operating room located in the New Wing. This will be accomplished by building a connecting corridor between H3 and the third floor of the New Wing. Many problems pertaining to the elevators in the New Wing will be reduced considerably when this new corridor is constructed at the start of the new building program.
PATIENT STATISTICS
Year 1960
Year
1961
Admissions:
Private Patients
1,482
1,781
Semi-Private Patients
3,625
4,369
Ward Patients
8,032
7,766
Service Patients
1,035
1,147
Total Admissions
14,174
15,063
Out-Patient Clinic
2,832
2,814
Private Out-Patients
3,455
3,431
Total Out-Patients
6,287
6,245
Quincy City Hospital Ambulance Calls
1,207
1,148
Police Ambulance Calls
685
800
Private Ambulance Calls
195
169
Total Ambulance Calls
2,087
2,117
Accidents
16,585
18,902
Physio Treatments
2,976
3,694
Prenatal Visits
582
670
Newborns
1,999
2,028
Operations
6,580
6,697
Laboratory Examinations
135,507
150,972
X-ray Exams and Treatments
18,403
20,986
Daily Average Patients
282.4
314.8
Daily Average Newborns Excluded
251.4
283.2
Daily Average Newborns
31.0
31.6
- City of Quincy
40
Total Days Treatment
103,386
114,925
Days Treatment Excluding Newborns
92,024
103,374
Days Treatment Newborns
11,362
11,551
Deaths
406
446
Autopsies
171
203
Autopsy Average
42.1
45.5
FINANCIAL STATISTICS
1960
1961
Cash Receipts
$2,951,318.44 $3,718,598.27
Other Income
33,161.37
37,390.11
Total Receipts
$2,984,479.81 $3,755,988.38
Charges to Accounts Receivable
$3,294,478.51 $4,088,634.27
Payroll
$2,539,630.19 $3,014,646.60
Other Expenses and Pensions
889,805.23
996,885.06
Capital
46,602.06
40,309.81
Total Expenditures
$3,476,037.48 $4,051,841.47
Total Receipts
$2,984,479.81 $3,755,988.38
Excess Expenditures over Receipts
491,557.67
295,853.09
Plus or Minus Net Difference In Encumberances
17,212.29
(16,680.06)
Total Expenditures
$3,475,937.48 $4,051,841.47
Total Billings
$3,294,478.51 $4,091,634.27
Excess Expenditures over Billings
181,458.97
39,792.80*
* Billings over Expenditures
THE RECREATION COMMISSION
William F. Ryan,Director
In Quincy, as across the nation, the country's number one social problem, the worthy use of leisure time, has been attacked by the seven member Recreation Commission with a goal of providing positive recreation activities for all ages without duplicating the efforts of other existing organi- zations and agencies.
Increased interest in the Commission's programs is cvidenced more each year as Quincy resi- dents find themselves with more free time. Shorter work weeks, automation, longer weekends, paid holidays and vacations, better health, earlier retirement, have all played a part in bringing about the need for more and better recreation programs and facilities.
The need for recreation to be included in the City's Master Plan, still exists. Such an under- taking would be a step in the right direction towards protecting and preserving existing facilities as well as setting aside areas for future development. As our population increases, the acreage of our open spaces for play will decrease because of the pressure of highway encroachment and the need for a better tax base.
Plans for the erection of high rise apartments in the city have been made known this year, This, of course, will help the general economy of the city and bring in greater tax revenue. Attrac- tive recreation programs and facilities will be a big asset towards attaining this goal.
Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy have both stressed the need for physical fitness. The Commission for many years through their athletic instructional programs, leagues and sports events, have introduced youngsters to physical recreation activities. This year, the Commission, through the cooperation of the School Committee and school officials, were able to expand their use of eighteen school buildings, areas, facilities and equipment. Of note is an evening gymnastics and body building program for boys which was held at Central Junior High School as a part of Summer Program.
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41
The Furnace Brook Golf Club allowed the Commission to use its course during the Summer for golf instruction and in the Winter for their instructional ski progdam. This is a fine example of the kind of cooperation the Commission has received from so many private, commercial and public agencies during the year.
Quincy's ideal geographic location with twenty-seven miles of waterfront and the Blue Hills reservation, will receive additional recreational facilities with the announcement by the Metropolitan District Commission that they will build an artificial skating rink in the St. Moritz area in the Blue Hills and complete phase three of the Wollaston Beach project which will widen Morrissey Boulevard and add more parking space. Four visits of the M. D. C. Travelling Zoo added greatly to the Summer Nature Program which also makes extensive use of the Blue Hills Trailside Museum, Faxon Park and the many natural waterfront areas.
Despite a slight decrease in budget, the Commission was able to meet the demand for more extensive program coverage in both the Summer and Winter Programs. Of note is the marked increase in participation in both the boating and sailing program and the Winter instructional ski program. With the addition of adults to these programs, the Commission's policy of promoting "Family Recreation" is being fulfilled.
SENIOR CITIZENS PROGRAM
Over two thousand people in the sixty-five and over age group have received Senior Citizens Identification Cards from the Recreation office during the past six years since the program has been in existence. Reduced rates and free bus transportation from seven locations to various special events throughout the year, have helped to keep active Quincy people in the "Golden Age" of life. The Director of Recreation has actively coordinated and cooperated with nine privately sponsored Senior Citizens clubs and organizations in the city. These clubs have experienced constant growth so that a need for more clubs is now apparent. A centrally located drop-in center for this age group is still in the talking stage but the Commission hopes this project will be ac- complished in the near future.
RECREATION COMMISSION SPONSORED ACTIVITIES
Afterschool programs
Games
Quiet games
Archery
Golf
Retarded children
Apparatus play
Gymnastics
Sailing
Badminton
Handicraft
Sand box play
Baseball
Hiking
Senior Citizens programs
Basketball
Horseshoes
Shuffleboard
Basketry
Kalah
Singing Skating
Beach trips
Kickball
Blind children
Junior Leaders Program
Skiing instruction
Boating
Junior Olympics
Ski Carnival
Bowling
Leaders training course
Softball
Ceramics
Leagues
Special events
Checkers
Life saving course
Stagemobile
Chess
Loaned equipment service
Storytelling
Clay work
Miniature golf
Swimming instruction
Copper work
Movies
Talent shows
Contests
Mothers swim class
Tennis
Croquet
Music
Tournaments
Dancing
Nature recreation
Travelling Zoo
Dramatics
Nautical Day
Tumbling Volleyball
Exhibits
Nursing Home Program
Field Day
Playground programs
Water ballet
Field trips
Parties
Water Carnival
Football (touch)
Poster Contest
Waterskiing
Weight lifting
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Basketball pointers are reviewed at the Recreation Commission's two-day instructors' course under eye of JOHN LEAMAN, center, assistant coach at Boston University.
TPL FOTO
QUINCY
RECREA" O
RECENTLY
11
L
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' SERVICES
William Villone, Director
The year 1961 brought no major changes or revisions in the rights or benefits of veterans and their dependents under Veterans Administration laws. Social Security legislation has been further liberalized. The age limit for total disability benefits under Social Security has been eliminated and less quarters are needed to qualify for Social Security benefits. Many veterans who were in- eligible in the past are now made eligible, thus reducing the cost to the City. Minimum Social Security benefits to a single beneficiary was increased from $30.00 to $40.00 monthly. An aged widow of 62 years or over was given a 10% increase in her Social Security benefits. Men are now eligible to receive Social Security benefits upon reaching the age of 62, at a reduced rate.
During the year, 4,650 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, War Orphans' Education, and Government Grave Markers.
A "Cost-of-Living" increase of 5.2% was promulgated by the State Department of Veterans' Services as of January 1, 1961, and was a factor in the increased cost of Veterans' Benefits this year. Due to the severe winter of 1961, increase in fuel payments of 25% was authorized by the State Department of Veterans' Services.
Strikes in this area materially increased the cost of Veterans' Benefits. The Sheet Metal Workers' strike in April 1961, which lasted for 10 weeks, and the strike at the Boston Gear Works in August and September, plus the strikes at Walworth's, Remington Univac and American Teleg- raphers, and by the Glaziers, increased the cost to this Department. The reactivation of reservists due to the Berlin Crisis, who had prior military war service, also added to the case load.
As in the past, the Department underwrote the cost of patriotic holidays in the City, including the cost of musical organizations, flags, transportation, refreshments, and wreaths. The Civil War Centennial and Loyalty Day were celebrated on April 30, 1961. Dedication of the William T. Caddy Memorial at Treasure Island was observed on October 29, 1961. The costs for these parades were paid by this Department.
In view of the fact that the State reimburses the City one-half of Veterans' 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 of war veterans 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 many cases, inadequate, many veterans and their dependents are obliged to seek supplementation from this Department. Approx- imately $361,000 was spent on Veterans' Benefits, including benefits paid to strikers, the Common- wealth reimbursing the City one-half of this amount. Assignment of Liens recovered - $5,900; recovered from Property Liens -- $2,400.
Utilization of other Social Security programs, such as V.A., Pensions and Compensations, Retirement, Old Age Assistance, Aid to Dependent Children, Unemployment Compensation, Work- men's Compensation, Sick Benefits, and Total Disability, have reduced the cost of Veterans' Benefits by the City.
The year 1961 again brought a slow but steady rise in requests for financial assistance from veterans or their families. This increase became very marked in the last six months of the year, as employment dipped in this area. Hospital, nursing home, 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 Nurses' fees have also increased.
During the year 1961, Quincy veterans spent many thousands of hours in the four V.A. hospitals: Boston V.A. Hospital: West Roxbury V.A. Hospital; Chelsea Soldiers' Hospital; Brockton V.A. Hospital. The cost of this care amounted to approximately $137,000. 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 V.A. 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.
City of Quincy
44 -
During the year 1961, a total of 140 Quincy veterans died - as follows: Spanish War - 2, World War I-82, World War II -51, Korean Conflict - 5.
401 bronze grave markers were placed in all local cemeteries, including Mount Wollaston, St. Mary's, Hancock, and Hall Place for new burials or the replacement of worn or stolen markers.
On Memorial Day, 2,093 flags were placed on veterans' graves. The 55 bronze markers in the Squares were also flagged. There are 140 military and burial records added to the Department file.
THOMAS CRANE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Gertrude F. Callahan, Librarian
Two goals were achieved during 1961, - first, the opening of the very attractive Children's Room in the Wollaston Branch Library, the use of which has fully justified all effort and money expended. Secondly, progress was made in acquiring a site for a proposed North Quincy Branch library which can render service to residents in that area comparable to that offered by the main library. As this report is submitted, the Mayor has recommended and he City Council has indicated its approval of the loan order for construction of the branch. It is hoped the loan order will be passed early in 1962.
Our library's circulation figures show a constant gain with the bookmobile continuing to draw many patrons. All branch libraries are very busy places and we again emphasize the need for more books and more personnel in the branches. The demands on the facilities of the Reference Room are constantly increasing.
In a talk delivered in Boston in September, 1961, Dan Lacy, Managing Director of the American Book Publishers' Council, stated that "It is very difficult to measure library service, because the only statistics that you have that would mean much are circulation satistics."
Mr. Lacy further stated "We are creating, or are going to be impelled to create, a machinery or system of higher education in this country within the next fifteen years that will be six to ten times as large as the system we had been able to build up during the whole first century and a half of the country's existence prior to World War II. This is going to effect public libraries in two ways. One is going to be the much higher educational level of the typical adult that will be served and the other is the impact of providing service to this enormously larger group of students who will descend on public libraries as well as on their college libraries.
"There is no public library in the country that is not going to find the demand for high school and college services doubled in the next ten years."
With these predictions in mind, combined with the rising prices of books, the trustees of the Thomas Crane Public Library re-emphasize the great necessity for increased book appropriations and qualified personnel who can be attracted to and retained in service only by salaries comparable to those of similar professional level.
The building of an adequate book collection in a library is a continuing process and it can only be achieved when its community provides adequate funds.
CIRCULATION 1961
Books and Periodicals:
Adult 217,169
Juvenile 240,916 121,606
Total 458,085 305,802
Pictures
7,270
743,166
Phonograph Records
21,065
Films
565
28,900
TOTAL
792,787
Gain Over 1960 17,868
10 Year Comparison.
1961
792,787
1951 590,751
Gain in 10 Year Period 202,036
Annual Report
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45
Fiction
Non-fiction
184,196
401,365
362,522
763,887
BOOKS ADDED TO LIBRARY IN 1961
Adult
Juvenile
Total
Number of Volumes, January 1, 1961
121,558
67,871
189,429
Added in 1961
7,175
4,883
12,058
Withdrawn in 1961
7,602
2,688
10,290
Number of Volumes, December 31, 1961
121,131
70,066
191,197
Pictures, December 31, 1961
21,177
Records, December 31, 1961
6,275
REGISTERED BORROWERS
Adult
Juvenile
Total
Total Numbered of Registered Borrowers
24,817
11,775
36,592
BOARD OF MANAGERS OF HISTORICAL PLACES
William C. Edwards, Historian
The Presidents' Adams Birthplaces opened to the public April 19, to November 1, were visited during the period by 6,143 persons from 46 states and 21 foreign countries. This was a gain in visitors of more than 1,000 over the year of 1960.
Educationally, these presidential birthplaces, because of the deeds and ideas of the Adams Family, which were publicized by Life Magazine and the publication of the first four volumes of the Adams Papers in 1961, are and will become of greater importance to Quincy.
The elementary schools are stressing the importance of the historical heritage of the city, by study and bus tours. In 1961, approximately 1,000 children from the schools and various organizations visited these salt-box cottages.
In June, Mr. Roger W. Cabell, President of the Cabell Signals Corporation of Providence, Rhode Island, donated and installed a fire alarm warning system in each of the birthplaces. The system is called a "Tattler" Electric Monitor and Fire Alarm" and detects any unusual heat or defects in the wiring throughout the cottages and will trigger the buzzer type alarm. To Mr. Cabell the city of Quincy extends its thanks.
The grounds surrounding the birthplaces are in excellent condition due to the conscientious work of the Forestry Department of the city.
On July 4th. the Adams Memorial, a gift of the United States Government in 1927, was re- dedicated. At the suggestion of the City Historian William C. Edwards, the memorial was moved from its site in Merrymount Park to the lot adjacent to the birthplaces. The cost of moving and cleaning was $985. At its new site, the memorial will be appreciated by the citizens of Quincy and tourists visiting the city.
In September, Mrs. William A. Wardwell, hostess at the birthplace of President John Quincy Adams, resigned. A debt of gratitude is due Mrs. Wardwell for her outstanding services over a period of twelve years.
Each year the activities of the City Historian are increasing. A summary of the activities included: 30 inspections during the open season and the winter months of the birthplaces and the grounds; the supervision of the necessary work and repairs to be done at the birthplaces for the opening for the public; 25 tours for special guests and students; bus tours for the school children; 100 tours of the First Parish Church and the Presidents' Adams Crypt; 30 lectures on the history and the development of Quincy; furnishing pictures of old Quincy to students and organizations throughout the city; attending hearings at the State House in the interest of the historical sites of Quincy; securing facts and figures for the commonwealth in view of developing the John Winthrop, Jr., Iron Furnace Site, and attending meetings of the Board of Managers of Historical Places when held.
During the year, the City Historian worked with the editors of the Adams Papers and authors who are writing on different members of the Adams' Family. He also worked with many students from different colleges and universities, loaning them his personal books and maps pertinent to Quincy.
City of Quincy
46
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL DEFENSE
Walter C. Fuller, Director
The efficiency of Quincy's Civil Defense Agency continued to improve under the direction of Col. Walter C. Fuller the newly appointed director. The addition of a large building on the Squantum Air Base Site, has been renovated by the members, and is now being used as an Operations Base. All vehicles and equipment are now housed in one building which also contains rooms for each unit's special equipment, as well as a large meeting or classroom. Another bunker type building, in close proximity, was obtained also and is being worked on at present. This is constructed of steel and concrete with a covering of several feet of earth and will be set up as a Control Center when completed. It will contain the facilities necessary to operate after an attack as well as furnish a place for the local government to operate from if needed.
More equipment was added during the year and was put to immediate use. Notably a vehicle was made into a Mobile Control Center. This vehicle was operated for the first time during the September hurricane and performed well. Another notable addition was eight portable flood lights that operate from either straight power or a generator. These were used during the year for night operations and also worked well. All these additions will be of much value in case of a National Emergency.
The strength of all units increased during the year due to a recruiting campaign executed under the direction of each unit head.
The Agency took part in a Nation-Wide Civil Defense Test on April 28th in which all units participated. The test was termed a success.
An educational program for the public was put into operation and has been highly successful. Lectures on Civil Defense have been given to all types of organizations. A home type shelter was also part of this program. This shelter is located in the basement of the Jr. College, it was con- structed under the supervision of Maurice Daly the principal of the Trade School by students of this school, with materials furnished by the building trades.
All units were very active during the year and demonstrated exceptional efficiency. In addition to their training sessions, schools and meetings much time was put in "on the job" training. The Skin-diver group was installed as part of the Rescue Unit and became known as the Underwater Rescue and operates as part of the Rescue Unit.
A "Civil Defense Night" was held April 27th at a local Veterans Post at which time a display of all Defense Vehicles, Equipment and Personnel was featured.
The Communications Division, under the direction of Leon Wood and Charles Anderson, con- tributed a total of 582 hours. The breakdown of this total is as follows: Drill sessions 424 man hours, Hurricane alert 98 man hours and work on Radio Vehicle and Civil Defense Building 60 man hours.
The Auxiliary Police Department, headed by Chief Kenneth J. Walsh, served a total of 7,081 hours, this included Regular Friday Night Traffic Duty, Parades, Holiday Weekend Traffic, Meetings, Pistol Practice, Training Classes, Halloween, Police Banquet, Drills, Quarry Duty, Police Memorial Sunday, Special Detail at Civil Defense Shelter in the Quincy Junior College, Work on Squantum Base CD Building. The Personnel includes 1 Chief, 2 Deputy Chiefs, 1 Captain Training Officer and Assistant, 1 Captain Range Officer and Assistant, 1 Property Officer, 1 Special Duty Officer, 3 Platoon Captains, 1 Platoon Lieutenant, 3 Sergeants and 58 Patrolmen.
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