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 1962 > Part 4
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The only other significant change during 1962 was the re-statement of policy concerning the de-
sirability of furnishing additional social services to the aged and disabled with a view to assisting in their restoration to self-support and independence. This came about as the result of Federal legislation embodied iu Public Law 87-5.13.
In 1962 the total cost was $628,522.02 as opposed to $577,799.50 in 1961 or an increase of $50,722.52 over last year.
DISABILITY ASSISTANCE
Public Law 87-5.13 also extends to Disability As- sistance and local boards are required to render increased services to the disabled. Rehabilitation will be the most important consideration to be given to this particular group in order to help the disabled to become self-supporting.
There was a slight increase in 1962 in the Dis- ability Assistance caseload which was 113 as com- pared with 109 at the end of 1961. Effective October 1, 1962 an amendment to the Social Security Act increased the federal matching in this category to $46.50 monthly per case.
The costs of Disability Assistance for the year 1962 were $210,225.41, an increase of $34,248.79 over 1961 when a total of $175,976.62 was spent.
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
The Public Welfare Amendments of 1962, Public Law 87-543 also require local boards to increase casework services to the aged and in order to help the various states with this cost federal administra- tive reimbursement is now 55% and also the federal matching on grants is $54.00 per case monthly.
The Massachusetts Legislature also made several changes in Old Age Assistance as follows: reduction of the residence requirement to one year in the State, amended Sections 2A and 30 of Chapter 118A increasing exemptions of children who are liable to support their parents. As of October 1962 they in- creased the travel allowance to the elderly from $4.00 to $5.00 monthly.
On December 31, 1962 there were 707 cases on Old Age Assistance as compared with 771 in 1961. The total cost for this category in 1962 was $926,- 839.74 as compared to $940,025.89 in 1961 or a decrease in cost of $13,187.15.
GENERAL RELIEF
This program of assistance continues to help all those persons who are not eligible for any form of categorical aid and also all veterans who are refused aid by Veterans' Aid as unworthy veterans. Most recipients of this form of aid are short term cases. The caseload during the year 1962 increased to 55 over 38 who were on the rolls at the end of 1961.
General Relief continued to aid during the year 1962 a number of children in special schools who
City of Quincy
38 -
were placed here by courts and those in need of special attention as recommended by private agen- cies and clinics.
Our Intake Office took a total of 952 applications in 1962 divided as follows: Old Age 105, Disability Assistance 86, Aid to Dependent Children 177, Gen- eral Relief 239 and Medical Assistance to the Aged 345.
A total of 422 notices were sent by our Settlement Department to other cities, towns and the state and we received from other cities and towns 89 notices of assistance. On Old Age Assistance a total of 35 notices were sent to cities, towns and the state and Quincy received a total of 22 notices from other communities.
Costs for the year 1962 on General Relief were $60,599.20 which was a decrease of $9,948.77 over the total spent in 1961 of $70,547.97.
CITY HOME.
The City Home continued to provide food and shelter for a number of elderly recipients who were in need of temporary care. During the year 1962 the average number of inmates was 18 men and women per day. The home also continued during the year as a temporary haven for displaced families.
Numerous improvements were made at the Home during the year, many of which were to comply with the fire laws, such as an electric fire alarm system, fire escapes to all three floors and fire ex- tinguishers. A new oil burner was installed and other smaller renovations were also made. All of these improvements were also required in order to maintain a license to operate this home.
The expenditures in 1962 increased to $13,882.27 as compared with $12,627.74 in 1961.
Surplus foods continued to be dispensed on the second Wednesday of each month at the City Home. Those families eligible for these foods included all those receiving public assistance, Veterans-Benefits and those families who proved that the family in- come was insufficient for their needs. Among the commodities distributed during 1962 were butter, cheese (natural and processed), lard, corn meal, flour, powdered milk, rice, beans, canned meat, rolled oats and peanut butter. A total of 140,119
pounds of commodities were dispensed at a total retail value of $35,663.93. The number of families receiving these foods were 2564 (11,074 persons), at a cost to the city of $951.70.
MEDICAL ADVISOR
Dr. William R. Helfrich is still the medical ad- visor to the staff of the Welfare Department. He comes weekly to the office in order to confer with the workers on their individual medical problems and to advise them of what procedures to follow. He acts as liaison officer between our office and the State Medical Review Team.
POLICE OFFICER
Detective Charles R. Grifhn is still connected with the Welfare Department and his chief duty is locating and prosecuting parents who have deserted their families. During the year 1962 he handled 96 cases of non-support and neglect of family. Through his efforts and with the help of our local court's Probation Department he was able to turn over to families on aid the sum of $32,470.00 which relieved the Welfare Department of this additional expense.
TAG DAYS
The Commissioner of Public Welfare under Chapter 101, Section 33 of the General Laws is the authorizing agent for organizations and other groups soliciting funds in the city. A total of Il licenses were issued during the year 1962 to youth groups and charitable organizations.
COUNCIL FOR THE AGING
Mr. Anthony J. Venna continued this year as Chairman for the Council for the Aging. The other members include Mayor Amelio Della Chiesa, chair- man ex-officio, also Dr. Richard M. Ash, Mrs. Ted Ashby, Dr. Paul Gossard, Miss Dorothy P. Hill, Theodore Johnson, William Kahler, Mrs. Joseph MacRitchie, Rabbi Jacob Mann, G. J. McDonald and William F. Ryan. The group have started pre- paring a meeting place for the elderly citizens and have obtained the use of the Spanish War Veterans Hall on High School Avenue which they hope to have ready for occupancy by the spring of 1963.
MEDICAL PAYMENTS FOR 1962
Hospitals (General)
$196,325.73
Hospitals (Chronic)
44,529.88
Public Medical Institutions
48,016.38
Nursing Homes
453,739.69
Out Patient Departments
11,482.27
Physicians (Home Visits)
27,158.95
Physicians (Office Visits)
13,244.08
Physicians (Other)
1,005.85
Rehabilitation Clinic
15.00
Dentists (Orthodontia)
954.00
Annual Report
39
Dentists Visting Nurses, foot treatments and eye exams Drugs Eyeglasses All other medical TOTAL
27,254.00 17,143.20 99,246.49 6,756.16 10,755.72* $917,927.10
*Breakdown of all other medical
Ambulance and Transportation
$ 4,454.10
Hearing Aids, Tests, etc.
832.12
Special Shoes, Repairs, etc.
138.98
Laboratory Work and X-rays
10.1. 15
Medical Supplies, Appliances, Special Corsets, Artificial Limbs
1,195.22
Visiting Nurse Association
24.00
Moving Charges
164.00
Miscellaneous Medical Expenses
242.85
TOTAL
$10,755.72
RECEIPTS
General Relief
Old Age Assistance
Individuals
S 2.623.78
Cities and Towns
$ 14,541.28
State
$109,619.26
Federal
178,713.00
Cancellations
5,290.56
Total
$293,622.82
Expended
409,341.33
Cost to City $115,618.51 28%
Medical Assistance to Aged
State
$197,773.04
Federal
279,445.85
Federal
60,875.96
Recoveries
8,170.34
Cancellations
1,185.61
Receipts S 2,356.00
Total
$155,367.84
Expended
192,056.65
Expended
10,156.53
Cost to City
$ 36,688.81 19.1%
Cost to City
S 7,800.53
76.8%
Total Expended
$2,075,207.73 1,691,790.82
Total Receipts
Cost to City
$ 383,416.91
Total Expended for Relief Total Expended for Administration
$2,075,207.73 196,710.15
$2,271,917.88
$2,271,917.88
Total Receipts for Administration
135,765.11
Total Receipts
$1,827,555.93
1,827,555.93
Total Cost for Department
Aid to Dependent Children
State
222,006.68
and State
16,016.12
Federal
432,841.91
Meals
46,773.34
Total
$ 18,639.90
Recoveries
21,488.08
Expended
47,474.75
Cancellations and Refunds
6,276.62
Total Receipts
$743,927.91
Expended
823,035.84
Disability Assistance
State
$ 85,135.93
Cost to City
$ 79,107.93 9.6%
Recoveries
64.74
Cancellations and
Refunds 592.72
Total
$177,876.35
Expended
593,242.63
Cost to City
$115,366.28
19%
Quincy City Hospital
Receipts $ 22,757.63*
* These receipts go directly to the hos- pital. They are not included in the total receipts.
Total Expended Total Receipts for Relief
$1,691,790.82
$ 444,361.95 19.5%
City of Quincy
40
Cost to City
S 28,834.85
60%
City Home
Total Receipts S 2,356.00
Cities and Towns
QUINCY CITY HOSPITAL HARLAN L. PAINE, JR., Director PATIENT STATISTICS
Admissions:
Year
Year
1961
1962
Private Patients
1,781
1,858
Semiprivate Patients
4,369
4,142
Ward Patients
7,766
7,695
Service Patients
1,147
1,213
Total Admissions
15,063
14,908
Out-Patient Clinic
2,814
2,304
Private Out-Patients
3,431
2,433
Total Out-Patients
6,245
5,737
QCH Ambulance Calls
1,148
1,295
Police Ambulance Calls
800
764
Private Ambulance Calls
169
79
Total Ambulance Calls
2,117
2,138
Accidents
18,902
19,933
Physio Treatments
3,694
3,157
Prenatal Visits
670
729
Newborns
2,035
1,965
Operations
6,697
6,568
Laboratory Examinations
150,972
170,976
X-ray Exams and Treatments
20,986
22,568
Daily Average Patients
314.8
314.2
Daily Average Newborns Excluded
283.2
284.8
Daily Average Newborns
31.6
29.4
Total Days Treatment
114,925
114,679
Days Treatment Excluding Newborns
103,374
103,953
Days Treatment Newborns
11,551
10,726
Deaths
446
429
Autopsies
203
178
Autopsy Average
45.5
41.5
FINANCIAL STATISTICS - 1962
Cash Receipts
$3,912,956.89
Other Income
38,235.47
Total Receipts
$3,951,192.36
Charges to Accounts Receivable
$4,372,558.59
Payroll
3,179,532.34
Other Expenses and Pensions
1,040,783.83
Capital
62,593.58
Total Expenditures
4,282,909.75
Total Receipts
3,951,192.36
Excess Expenditures over Receipts
$ 331,717.39
Plus or Minus net Difference in Encumbrances)
( 7,868.68)
Net Deficit
$
323,848.71
Annual Report
41
Total Expenditures Total Billings
$1,282,909.75 1,372,558.59
Excess Billings over Expenditures
S
89,6 18.81
The School of Nursing graduated 36 nurses in 1962, and enrolled 52 students in the Freshman class.
Dr. Joseph P. Leone, director of the hospital 1935 to 1916 and from 1952 to August, 1962, retired on a pension this year.
Harlan L. Paine, Jr., was appointed August 1, 1962 to fill the vacancy. Mr. Paine has a Master's Degree in Hospital Administration from Northwestern University and an A.B. degree from Brown and is a Fellow of the American College of Hospital Administrators. Prior to coming to Quincy he served as director of the American University Hospital at Beirut, Lebanon, and of the Winchester Hospital, Winchester, Mass.
HARLAN L. PAINE, JR., right, is sworn in as new director of the Quincy City Hospital by City Clerk JOHN M. GILLIS, left, with Mayor AME- LIO DELLA CHIESA looking on.
IPL-foto
THOMAS CRANE PUBLIC LIBRARY
GERTRUDE F. CALLAHAN, Librarian
The year 1962 will always remain a milestone in the history of Quincy's library since it will be re- membered as the year in which the long-hoped-for new branch library in the north section of Quincy became a reality. Ground was broken in December and work begun immediately by the contractor. Completion is anticipated in the summer of 1963.
It is hoped that the expanded services in the new branch will relieve the pressure at the main library where so many students are unable to find seats in the Reference Department. During the year the Reference Department handled 2,317 telephone ref- erence questions in addition to 8,405 questions asked at the reference desk, and 17,806 magazine requests supplied.
As indicated in the accompanying statistics, the circulation is climbing steadily upward. The Adult Department at the Main Library had its highest circulation since 1933. The Norfolk Downs Branch also had the second largest year in its history, ex- ceeded only by its 1933 record, that year having been the year of the library's greatest usage.
The Atlantic Branch had the biggest year in its history as did the Squantum Branch, and the Book- mobile continues to break its own records, having had an increase in circulation of 12,465 over last year.
All this means that our book collection is getting heavy use. The ever increasing demands for new material in all categories, plus the replacement of standard works takes money. The trustees of the
City of Quincy
42
library reiterate their plea for larger book appro- priations. In a recent survey on Public Library Service appeared the question "Is it up-to-date? Nothing kills a library like stagnation. If it becomes
a mere repository for all that is obsolete and use- less, it is just a public attic." Keeping a book collec- tion up-to-date and useful is possible only when adequate funds are available.
CIRCULATION 1962
Books and Periodicals
Adult
Juvenile 253,173
481,601
Non-fiction
228,428 193,010
125,286
318,296
421,438
378,459
799,897
Pictures
8,155
Phonorecords
21,055
Films
340
Total
29,550
829,447
Gain over 1961
36.660
10 Year Comparison:
1962
829,447
1952
594,218
Gain
235,229
BOOKS ADDED TO LIBRARY IN 1962
Adult
Juvenile
Total
Number ol Volumes, January 1, 1962
121.131
70,066
191,197
Added in 1962
-1,959
4,540
9,499
Withdrawn in 1962
4,838
4,917
9.755
Number of Volumes, December 31, 1962
121,252
69,689
190,941
Pictures, December 31, 1962
21,120
Records, December 31, 1962
8,610
REGISTERED BORROWERS
Adult
Juvenile
Total
Total Number of Registered Borrowers
25,864
12,829
38,693
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' SERVICES
WILLIAM VILLONE, Director
The Department of Veterans' Services has the responsibility of obtaining hospital care at Veterans Administration facilities for veterans with service- connected disabilities, and within the limits of existing Veterans Administration facilities, and for veterans with non-service-connected disabilities and who cannot delray the cost of hospital or domiciliary care. We are always striving to have veterans ad- mitted into Veterans Administration hospitals in order that the tax payers of the City of Quincy may be alleviated of this great financial burden.
During the year 1962, Quincy veterans spent 17,555 days in the four V.A. hospitals: Boston V.A.
Hospital; West Roxbury V.A. Hospital; Brockton V.A. Hospital; Rutland V.A. Hospital, and the Chelsea Soldiers' Hospital. The cost of this care amounted to approximately $513, 183. Had these cases been treated at our City Hospital, our City would have had to bear one-half of this amount. The utilization ol the facilities of V.A. Hospitals not only saves the City money, but also makes avail- able more bed facilities in the Quincy City Hospital for the use of non-veteran patients.
The Compensation and Pensions programs pro- vide monthly assistance to veterans and their de- pendents. During the year 1962 this office proc-
Annual Report
43
Total
Fiction
essed 125 Annual Questionnaires for pension pur- poses. During the year we also initiated 150 Compensation Claims. Several thousand pieces of correspondence have been initiated in reference to these two programs.
During the year 1962. 10,500 persons sought aid, advice, or assistance From this Department. These also covered such fields as Pensions, Compensation, Hospitalization, Education, G.I. Training, G.I. Loans, Tax Abatements. War Orphans' Education, and Government Grave Markers and Burials.
Several Strikes in this area increased the cost of Veterans' Benefits. The American Telegraphers, and the Glaziers had a Strike of several weeks' dura- tion. A recently enacted Servicemen's Bill, which gave enlistees, draftees, and reactivated Reservists, right to assistance under the Veterans' Benefits law, also increased assistance costs.
On May 1, 1962 our Graves Registration Officer retired, due to having reached the mandatory age of 70, and until a new Graves Registration Officer was appointed from the Civil Service List, the Direc- tor performed this work.
As in the past, this Department underwrote the cost of patriotic holidays in the City, including the cost of musical organizations, flags, transportation, refreshments, and wreaths. The Civil War Centen- nial and Loyalty Day was celebrated on April 29, 1962. 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 Investiga- tors supervise our case reports to ascertain conform- ity with the laws, directives, and regulations.
Inasmuch as, by law, the fathers, mothers, widows, wives and children of war veterans are eligible for assistance, and as many veterans and parents of vet- erans are reaching their sunset years, medical, nurs- ing home, hospitalization, and drugs costs have sharply increased.
Because Pensions, Social Security, Workmens Compensation, and Sick Benefits are, in many cases, inadequate, many veterans and their dependents are
obliged to seek supplementation From this Depart- ment. Approximately $383,000 was spent on Vet- erans' Benefits, including benefits paid to Strikers. the Commonwealth reimbursing the City one-half of this amount. Assignment of Liens recovered - $6,771; recovered From Property Liens - $5, 121; other sources - S1,055.
Utilization of other Social Security Programs, such as V.A., Pensions and Compensations, Retirement, Old Age Assistance, Aid to Dependent Children, Unemployment Compensation, Workmens Compen- sation, Sick Benefits, and Total Disability, have re- duced the cost of Veterans' Benefits by the City.
The year 1962 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.
The per diem rates paid to hospitals and nursing homes were increased in many areas. Outpatient and Visiting Nurses' fees have also increased.
During the year 1962 a total of 112 Quincy vet- erans died - as follows: Spanish-American War - 4; World War I - 59; World War II - 47; Korean Conflict -2.
Two hundred and ten 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, 2,162 flags were placed on veterans' graves. The 55 bronze markers in the Squares were also flagged. There are 112 military and burial records added to the Department file.
On October 1, 1962, war veterans with service- connected disabilities received an increase in com- pensation rates, amounting to 9.4 average increase, under Public Law 87-645.
The year 1962 brought no major changes or re- visions under the Social Security Legislation law. Minimum Social Security benefits to a single bene- ficiary still remain at $40.00 monthly. Men are eligible to receive Social Security Benefits upon reaching the age of 62, at a reduced rate.
City of Quincy
44 -
THE QUINCY HOUSING AUTHORITY
LOUIS A. GEORGE, Chairman REV. VICTOR V. SAWYER, Vice-Chairman ROBERT L. BLAIR, Treasurer COSTANZO PAGNANO, Assistant Treasurer JOHN J. HANNON J. GIRARD WHITE, Executive Director
This, the Twenty-Fifth Anniversary of Public Housing in the United States, also marks the Seven- teenth Anniversary of the organization of the Quincy Housing Authority by vote of the City Coun- cil in April 1946. Under Chapter 121 of the General Laws, the Authority is a public body politic and corporate, whose function is to administer the local public housing program. An Authority is not a Fed- eral, State or City department, but it is a political subdivision of the Commonwealth and as separate 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 confirmation of the City Council, and one appointed by the Chair- man of the State Housing Board, each to serve a term of five years.
Collectively, the Housing Authority is regarded as similar to the board of directors of a corporation. It has the sole responsibility for achieving the pur- poses for which the Authority was established by State and Federal Statute.
A Housing Authority handles its own finances, borrows funds on its own notes, and issues its own bonds, none of which is an obligation of the local government. It makes its own contracts for con- struction of projects or purchases of materials and hires the necessary personnel to administer its program.
In all of its operations, an Authority is guided and controlled by two agencies, the State Housing Board and the Public Housing Administration. The basis of this relationship with these agencies is con- tractual. It is represented by the so-called "Contract for Financial Assistance" which is executed by and between the Authority and the State Housing Board and the "Annual Contribution Contract" between the Authority and Federal Government. These con- tracts, predicated on or augmented by Federal and State Legislation and regulations promulgated by the two agencies, define the responsibilities and ob- ligations of the Authority.
In 1956 it was necessary to institute the "late penalty" system for failure to pay rent promptly. Since the adoption of the system, rent collections have been excellent with only 228 notices being served in 1962 as against 1416 in 1955, the year prior to institution of the penalty system.
The Quincy Housing Authority is currently man- aging 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. Also, in the planning stage, with preliminary plans having been approved by the State Housing Board, are seventy-five additional units under Chapter 667 for Senior Citizens.
WESTACRES
This development is located in West Quincy ad- jacent 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 to a minimum dur- ing 1962. Collection losses were nil. Since 1948, the Authority has paid to the City of Quincy as surplus from operations a total of $191,771.82, which in- cludes $9,000 forwarded the City in 1962. There is an additional $2,424.46 to be forwarded in Janu- ary 1963.
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 devel- opments. Since these are all two-bedroom units, only those families with one or two children qualify.
During 1962 three tenants vacated Westacres, all of whom purchased new homes.
The development is in good physical condition exteriorwise. Considerable corrective black-topping of walks and drying areas was accomplished during 1962 and it is anticipated some floor and counter- top replacements will be necessary during 1963.
SNUG HARBOR
This Chapter 200 State-aided development is lo- cated in the Germantown section of Quincy and is composed of one hundred buildings of frame con- struction, each consisting of four units. There are
Annual Report
45
1
220 two-bedroom units. 160 three-bedroom units and 20 four-bedroom units, Each unit has a living room, kitchen, bath and full basement with indi- vidual steam heating burners. The development was completed in 1950 at a total cost of $4,250,000 and has remained 100% occupied.
Eligibility 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 continued occupancy limits set at $5000. Eighteen percent of net income is the basis for computing rent. The maximum income limit for a family con- sisting of two children is $4700 per year with a con- tinued occupancy limit of $5200 per year. Sixteen percent of net income is the basis for computing rent. A large family, consisting of three or more minor children, pays fourteen percent of net income for rent. The maximum income limit for admission is $4900 per year, with continued occupancy set at S5400. An additional deduction of $100 is made for each minor child in excess of three in determining net income and rent. Tenants purchase their own fuel, gas and electricity.
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