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 1963 > Part 4
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A new Tiny Tot Playground was erected at the Macy Street playground for the smaller children of the area. The Park and Recreation Board will observe the activity at this playground with a possibility for future Tiny Tot areas in other wards of the City.
1500 yards of bank sand was delivered and dispersed at the nine city beaches under the juris- diction of the Park Division. An increase in the maintenance schedule at the beaches was made in 1963.
The exterior of the Fore River Clubhouse was painted and a new hot water heater installed. Extensive repairs were made to the roof also.
New basketball nets were installed on all the outdoor courts in the City with all hoops and backboards repaired and replaced.
A new fence was constructed at Nickerson Beach for the protection of the bathers and repairs made to the Fore River Field and Forbes Hill Playground fences.
The deteriorated Chapel Street Boathouse was razed to provide an open area for the children using it for play.
Spotlights were installed at the LaBrecque Field basketball court for evening recreation at the playground.
A pole vault runway was erected at Cavanagh Stadium to improve the track facilities and another spotlight added for football practice.
The Squantum natural skating rink was repaired and sealcoated to provide a better skating facility and needed repairs made to the Perkins Field skating rink.
An extensive lighting facility was erected at the Fenno Street recreational area to provide night activity at the dual basketball, tennis, and shuffleboard courts.
The Fenno Street tennis courts were resurfaced to provide better playing at the lighted area.
The unfinished road through Upper Merrymount Park was completed for the convenience and pleasure of the residents that use the facilities in the area.
A new pavillion was constructed at Pageant Field with new fireplaces. The additional facilities provide an area large enough to accomodate two picnics at the same time.
A new playground was constructed with slides, see-saws, etc., at Pageant Field in Merry- mount.
Extensive repairs and renovations were made at the Bowling Green Fieldhouse and turf re- seeded due to the extensive winter kill.
ANNUAL REPORT
43
RECREATION DIVISION WILLIAM F. RYAN, Director of Recreation
Under the jurisdiction of the Park and Recreation Board, the Recreation Department experi- enced another year of expansion of services and programs. The Board, a seven member policy making and governing committee, made positive gains towards fulfilling their goal of providing recreation for all ages in all sections of the city.
Charles T. Sweeny, vice chairman of the School Committee, served his second year as chair- man of the Park and Recreation Board. Kenneth P. Fallon, Jr., long time member of the Park Board and former chairman of the Recreation Commission was the vice-chairman and Miss Katherine G. McCoy, secretary of the old Recreation Commission served in the same capacity on the combined Board.
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS
The closing of the Bethlehem Steel Company's Fore River Shipyard along with the decrease in other business and industry within the community helped to bring about a lower economy in Quincy. This situation along with a large population increase among the so-called "war babies", earlier retirements, and President Kennedy's physical fitness program alsobrought about a very noticeable increase in the number of people of all ages who participated in the city's recreation program.
More attractive park, playground and waterfront areas and equipment have led to increased use by individuals, families and private groups.
When people do not have as much money to spend for their leisure time they depend more on what is available to them locally without cost. So that in times of financial stress the community should allocate more for the positive recreation of it's people.
The Park and Recreation Board and it's officials firmly believe that with more and better recreation facilities and programs Quincy would be recognized as a wonderful place in which to live. Strides should be made towards having the Industrial Commission and other agencies include material on Quincy's recreation in their brochures in order to attract business and industry to the city.
Needless to say, an employee who takes advantage of the opportunity for good positive recre- ation during his "off the job" hours is going to be much happier and do a better job while at work.
The addition of a part-time Supervisor for the Winter Program more than paid for itself in the better operation and increased quality of this program which utilizes eighteen schools.
Lack of snow necessitated the cancellation of the Annual Ski Carnival but despite these con- ditions, close to seven hundred residents of all ages received instruction in this fast growing sport.
A new addition to the adult program this year was a pilot program for women held one night a week at the Atlantic Junior High gymnasium. This program, under capable leadership of Miss Mary Pratt attracted more than seventy-five women between the ages of nineteen and fifty-five, for conditioning exercises, vollyball, trampoline and other activities.
TRAINING PROGRAMS
For the first time, Mayor Della Chiesa sent two outstanding playground leaders to the Uni- versity of Massachusetts to attend a Playground Leaders Training Institute in June. Two seniors majoring in Recreation at the University of Massachusetts, completed eight weeks of full-time field
- CITY OF QUINCY
44
work with the department. In-service and pre-season training programs were held for all of the more than one hundred fifty seasonal and part-time personnel of the department. Three staff mem- bers of the Happy Acres Day Camp attendeda week long training institute at Southern Illinois Uni- versity in May under the sponsorship of the Kennedy Foundation.
VOLUNTEER SERVICE
The volunteer junior leaders program once againgreatly aided the entire program and without the help of the more than three hundred youngsters who volunteered their skills, assistance, and leadership abilities, the further development and expansion of the overall program could not have been realized.
KENNEDY FOUNDATION GRANT
Through the efforts of William F. Ryan, Director of Recreation, the Recreation Department received a three thousand dollar matching fund grant from the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation which enabled the Park and Recreation Board to expand it's programs for Quincy's Retarded Children.
Under the direction of Mr. Robert Lewis, the Happy Acres Day Camp for Retarded Children was operated for eight weeks in the Pagent Field area of Merrymount Park. This camp was one of eleven such demonstration camps which were established in eight states in the nation. The Quincy camp received the top rating of all the camps in the country. Sixty-five junior and senior high school age boys and girls acted as volunteers for the fifty-three retarded children who were campers.
NEED FOR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
The Park and Recreation Board strongly feels that there is a definite need for a full-time Assistant Director of Recreation. The present Director has been in the position for over eight years during which time the program has increased tremendously. With the demand for programs for senior citizens, women and girls activities and the overall expansion and greater participation in the department's activities, the need for additional help is required.
RECREATION DEPARTMENT SPONSORED ACTIVITIES
Afterschool programs
Dramatics
Movies
Archery
Exhibits
Mothers swim class
Apparatus play
Field day
Music
Badminton
Field trips
Nature recreation
Baseball
Football (touch)
Nautical Day
Basketry
Games
Nursing Home Program
Beach trips
Golf
Playground programs Parties
Swimming instruction Talent shows Tennis
Boating
Handicraft
Poster Contests
Tournaments
Bowling
Hiking
Quiet games
Travelling Zoo
Ceramics
Horseshoes
Referral service
Tumbling
Checkers
Kalah
Retarded children
Volleyball
Chess Clay work
Kickball
Sailing Sand box play
Volunteer service Water ballet
Copper work
Junior Olympics
Senior Citizens Programs
Consulting service
Leaders training course
Shuffleboard
Contests
Leagues
Croquet
Life saving course
Dancing
Loaned equipment service Miniature golf
Skiing instruction Ski Carnival
Water Carnival Waterskiing Weight Lifting Women's Recreation
Singing Skating
Day camp
ANNUAL REPORT -
-
45
Softball Speaking engagements
Special events Stagemobile Storytelling
Blind children
Gymnastics
Junior Leaders Program
CEMETERY BOARD OF MANAGERS
ROBERT M. DEWARE, Chairman
BOARD OF MANAGERS
RECEIPTS
$12,250.00
Sale of Lots
61.00
Interments
5,863.04
Perpetual Care
35,225.00
TOTAL
$93,574.04
A total of 626 graves were opened of which 2 were for removals and 18 for cremations.
A total of 245 graves were sold in 1963 and 264 foundations were poured for monuments that were to be set in the cemeteries under the jurisdiction of the City of Quincy.
Approximately 50 other foundations were poured for government markers that were placed on the various veterans graves at no cost to the families of these individual veterans.
The Board of Managersare still working on the purchase of land in the Blue Hills Reservation for a cemetery site for the City of Quincy. They are in hopes of obtaining said parcel of land by Spring so that work may be started then in order to provide adaquate burial space for our Quincy residents.
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WELFARE ANTHONY J. VENNA, Commissioner
The year 1963 saw the successful culmination of many years of effort on the part of people closely identified with the administration of Public Assistance programs to eliminate the contro- versial subject of settlements in public welfare. Chapter 116 of the General Laws which has been a part of our legal system for the administration of Public Assistance since the 17th century was virtually eliminated by the State Legislature on September 27, 1963 to take effect January 1, 1964.
This whole system of laws was concerned with the responsibility of the Commonwealth's municipalities for poor and indigent persons who are obligated to seek and receive public assistance. Under a very complex set of Statutes the ultimate expense of such relief was passed along from one community to another and from municipalities to the State under certain conditions. These laws had merit at their inception and certainly for many years thereafter. However, with changing times, the growth of urban areas, the facility of transportation and the industrialization of our entire area, these laws hadbecome outmodedand a source of expense incommensurate with the financial return.
Settlements had been eliminated previously in Aid to Families with Dependent Children, Dis- ability Assistance and Medical Assistance to the Aged, but still remained in the categories of General Relief and Old Age Assistance. Now that these archaic laws have been repealed in these two remaining categories, we shall be able to devote the time spent on settlements to the Depart- ment's advantage. Veterans' Benefits under Chapter 115 are still effected by the laws relating to legal settlement.
CITY OF QUINCY
46 -
Care of Lots
40,175.00
Foundations
As a follow-up to the foregoing, it should be noted that the Commonwealth will now reimburse local communities to a minimum of 20% of local expenditures on all General Relief cases. An in- crease in the Commonwealth's share of Old Age Assistance expenditures from 66% to 70% after Federal Grants, will also become effective in 1964. The Commonwealth will also pay 25% of ad- ministrative costs in the Old Age Assistance program in 1964.
AID TO FAMILIES WITH DEPENDENT CHILDREN
In August 1963 the official title of this category of assistance was changed to add the word "Families". This addition was occasioned by the recent liberalization of this category to qualify families where need exists due to unemployment as well as other causes.
In accordance with Federal Legislation our separate family case work unit continued to function in 1963. At mid-year a revision in policy allowed our Department to increase the family case load per worker from 50 to 60 cases. In the fall we were obliged by the Federal Bureau of Family Services to place into operation a continuing system for the control and processing of all case actions. This quality control method was made effective in the other Federally-Aided cate- gories with the exception of Medical Assistance to the Aged. The purpose of the control system is to provide a means by which our State Department may continuously review the quality of actions taken by the local agency.
On December 31, 1963 the A.F.D.C. program was caring for 254 families (223 adults, 656 children), an increase of 26 cases over the 228 families being aided on December 31, 1962. The cost of the program rose from $431,849 in 1962 to $466,412 in 1963. Most of this increase in cases and cost was brought about by the State requirement to aid certain unemployed fathers under this category instead of General Relief, as formerly.
DISABILITY ASSISTANCE
The only change of significance in this category in 1963 was new legislation which required the Department to pay for medical and hospital care rendered to applicants up to 30 days prior to the date of application for Disability Assistance. There were 75 applications taken in 1963 as against 86 in 1962. Expenditures amounted to $183, 680 against $210,225 in 1962.
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
In October 1963 by an act of the Legislature, we were again required to increase the Leisure Time Activities allowance to persons receiving Old Age Assistance, from $4.00 to $5.00 monthly. This is in addition to the $5.00 monthly included in each budget as a transportation allowance.
The statutory formula for contributions by children to parents receiving Old Age Assistance was further liberalized in November by increasing the amount of exempt income, the effect of which will be additional expense to the Department in 1964.
There were 123 applications taken for Old Age Assistance in 1963, an increase of 18 over the 105 applicants in 1962. Expenditures totaled $864,363 as compared to $926,839 in 1962.
MEDICAL ASSISTANCE TO THE AGED
This program is growing rapidly both in the numbers of people applying and the overall cost of the category. Each year the Division of Hospital Costs and Finances of the Commonwealth sets the rates that this Department is obliged to pay the various hospitals used by our clients. These daily rates are constantly being increased which, of course, is increasing the costs to this Depart- ment. Dental fee schedules and Visiting Nurses fees have likewise been increased during 1963.
ANNUAL REPORT
47
There were 392 applications filed during 1963 and there were 443 active cases on our rolls at year's end. Total expenditures for Medical Assistance to the Aged were $659,970, an increase of $31,448 over 1962.
GENERAL RELIEF
The year 1963 saw a continuation of this program which is used principally for the alleviation of short-term and emergency type needs. There were 238 applications taken during the year, but we ended the year with only 29 active cases. The closing of the Fore River Shipyard had a mild impact on our case load due, of course, to the great number of workers who were able to draw Employment Security Benefits. The total expenditures in this form of relief amounted to $67,027, an increase of $6,428 over 1962.
CITY HOME
Our City Home continued to be a valuable adjunct to the other services rendered by the Department. As in the past, it was utilized as a temporary shelter for families in need of some and for the custodial care of homeless men ineligible for categorical assistance. The average number of residents was 19 and expenditures totaled $13,057, a decrease of $800 under our 1962 costs.
FEDERAL COMMODITIES
Surplus foods supplied to the Department by the Federal Government at a minimal cost were distributed monthly to relief clients and families on the borderline of need, as defined by the com- modity distribution authority. These foods consisted of: Butter, Cheese, Lard, Flour, Corn Meal, Rolled Wheat, Powdered Milk, Peanut Butter, Canned Meat, Rice and Beans, to a total retail value of $43,539.30. The cost to the Department was only $817.95 and enabled us to materially enhance the diets of 350 families with a combined family membership of 1,500 persons.
MEDICAL CONSULTANT
Dr. William R. Helfrich continues as the Medical Consultant to our Social Work Staff in its handling of the difficult and costly medical problems arising in all categories of assistance. He visits the office weekly on a routine basis and at other times when called. He acts as liaison phy- sician between our staff and the professional medical societies and the State Medical Review Team.
POLICE OFFICER
Detective Charles R. Griffin continues his effective police work in locating deserters and those parents neglecting their legal obligations to their dependents. All cases where violations of the law are suspected are referred to him by our staff for investigation and prosecution where such action is warranted. He works closely with the Courts, the Probation Departments and the District Attorney's Office.
The sum of $33,668 was turned over to families in 1963 through the combined efforts of Detective Griffin and the Courts. The tax payer was relieved to this extent, but perhaps of greater importance is the deterrent effect that Mr. Griffin's work has on others considering the abandon- ment of their responsibilities.
APPLICATIONS TAKEN IN 1963
Old Age Assistance 123
Disability Assistance 75
Aid to Dependent Children.
184
General Relief
238
Medical Aid to the Aged
392
TOTAL 1,012
48 - - - CITY OF QUINCY
CAUSES OF APPLICATIONS
Unemployment
143
82
No Income and Insufficient Support Insufficient Income Illegitimacy
13
Jail
6
Illness
63
Non-support and Desertion
117
Widowhood
1
Strike. .
2
Unemployable
14
TOTAL
1,012
Cases transferred from Other Cities - (60) - Total
RECEIPTS
Old Age Assistance
Aid to Dependent Children
State $155,178.21
Federal.
203,176.66
State
226,921.34
and State 5,940.42
Federal
427,763.82
Meals 45,456.96
Recoveries
17,277.90
Expended 466,412.22
Cost to City
$103,007.68
22.1%
Medical Assistance to Aged
State $215,746.27
Federal
314,859.92
Recoveries. 791.97
Cancellations 1,657.67
Total Receipt 533,055.83
Expended 618,985.96
Cost to City
$ 85,930.13 13.8%
Quincy City Hospital
Receipts *** $ 11,261.85
*** These receipts go directly to the hospital. They are not included in the total receipts.
Total Expended for Relief
Total Expended for Administration
$2,075,670.92 230,585.14
Total Expended
2,306,256.06
$2,306,256.06
Total Receipts for Relief
1,775,185.33
Total Receipts for Administration.
189,616.47
Total Receipts
$1,964,801.80
Total Cost for Department
City Home
Federal
57,558.76
Recoveries
2,815.10
Cancellations and
Individuals $ 1,934.60
Total Receipts
1,934.60
Expended.
9,545.14
Expended 163,717.70
Cost to City. $ 33,082.24 20.2%
Cost to City
$ 7,610.54 79.7%
Total Receipts
739,111.81
Expended.
771,560.31
Cost to City
$ 38,406.50
84.5%
Cost to City.
$ 32,448.50 4.2%
Disability Assistance
State $ 69,275.00
$ 1,102.67
Cities and Towns $ 14,547.24
Cities and Towns
Cancellations 5,049.67
Total Receipts 363,404.54
Cancellations and Refunds
7,144.55
Total Receipts
7,043.09
Expended 45,449.59
Refunds . 986.60
Total Receipts 130,635.46
$1,964,801.80 $ 341,454.26 14.8%
ANNUAL REPORT
49
571
General Relief
Individuals
Old Age Assistance
Expended
Persanal Service $80,880.36
Capital Outlay. 1,946.71
Office Expense 9,976.47
Total Expended
$92,803.54
Stote Rec'd . $14,705.99
Federal Rec'd
40,863.98
Tatal Rec'd $55,569.97
Cost ta City
$37,233.57
40.1%
General Relief
City Home
Expended
Persanal Services $ 9,271.07
Pensians. . .
6,303.80
Capital Outlay 194.68
Office Expense
5,808.46
Total Expended
$21,578.01
No Receipts
Cost ta City 100%
Cost to City 100%
Cast to City
0%
Total Expended.
$230,585.14
Total Receipts.
189,616.47
Net Cast
40,968.67
17.77%
MEDICAL PAYMENTS FOR 1963
Hospitals (Generol)
$170,512.54
Haspitals (Chronic)
31,009.29
Public Medical Institutians
1,931.03
Nursing Homes .
486,061.12
Out-Patient Departments
10,154.90
Physicians (Hause Visits)
25,034.00
Physicions (Office Visits)
13,635.00
Physicians (Other)
1,253.75
Rehabilitation Clinic
0 910.00
Dentists
30,281.50
Visiting Nurses, Foot Treatments and Eye Exams
14,998.91
Drugs
92,382.00
Eyeglosses
5,950.25
All Other Medical
11,039.89
TOTAL
ADMINISTRATION
Aid ta Dependent Children
Disability Assistance
Expended
Personal Service. $19,439.92
Capital Outlay. 439.34
Office Expense 84.00
Tatal Expended $19,963.26
State Rec'd $ 3,247.08
Federal Rec' 9,605.56
Total Rec'd $12,852.64
Cost to City $ 7,110.62
35.6%
Medical Assistance far Aged
Expended
Persanal Services S 3,512.00
Capital Outlay . .
Capital Outlay. 778.68
Office Expense . 3,318.86
Totol Expended $40,984.80
Tatal Expended $ 3,512.00
State Rec'd . $11,780.52
No Receipts
Federal Rec'd 32,707.78
Tatal Rec'd.
44,488.30
Total Rec'd
Cost ta City
$76,705.56 0
Expended
Personal Service. $40,957.92
Capital Outlay. 584.01
Office Expense 10,201.60
Tatal Expended
$51,743.53
State Rec'd $14,032.10
Federal Rec'd
62,673.46
Expended
Persanal Services . $36,887.26
50 - - CITY OF QUINCY
$895, 154.18
Dentists (Orthodontia).
COUNCIL FOR THE AGING ANTHONY J. VENNA, Chairman
In 1963 the much talked of Drop-in-Center for our Senior Citizens became a reality. This was brought about through the efforts of the Council for the Aging, the co-operation of the Spanish War Veterans' Organization and the permission of the Mayor, who, being most sympathetic to the needs of the aged, agreed to have the city assume responsibility. Present at the meetings held to develop this center were, representing the council for the Aging: Anthony J. Venna, Chairman, Mrs. Joseph MacRitchie, Mrs. Ted Ashby and Miss Dorothy Hill. Representing the Spanish War Veterans were Mrs. Josephine Smith, Adjutant, Ivon Mahoney, Commander, William Duggan, John Houston and Axel Johnson. As a resultofthese meetings the building at 24 High School Avenue was turned over to the Council for the Aging and all expenses pertaining to the building were taken over by the Council in January 1963. Because we had a limited amount of funds the Council appealed to several of the local unions to donate their services to renovate the building and with the excellent co-operation we received from the Carpenters', Painters' and Plumbers' unions, work was started in February. We were also fortunate in that some of the materials needed were donated by local firms and additionally some of our local service organizations contributed toward other materials. As a result of these combined efforts the interior of the building was completed and after a joint meeting of the Council for the Aging and ten of the Senior Citizens groups throughout the city, the Grand Opening of our Center was set for May 18, 1963.
The dedication of our center was a huge success and was attended by an over-flow crowd. Participating in this dedication were the Honorable Amelio Della Chiesa, Mayor, Mr. Anthony J. Venna, Chairman of the Council and Chairman of the dedication ceremonies, the Reverend Victor Sawyer, who gave the invocation and benediction. Other speakers were President of the City Council Charles L. Shea, Miss Dorothy Hill, representing members of the Council for the Aging, and, giving the main address was Father Joseph Alves, who is the Massachusetts Director of the Council for the Aging.
This center was the first opened in the community and will serve approximately 10,000 senior citizens in the city. The main purpose of these centers is to combat loneliness of older people by providing them opportunities such as social clubs to meet and enjoy each other's company. This center was opened with the purpose of re-activating our senior citizens, helping them maintain self-respect and personal dignity and helping them to perform tasks within their capacities.
Since the opening of the center, the Senior Citizens have organized, have their own officers and are utilizing the building for card parties, sewing instructions and other social activities. It should be noted that this center is open to all senior citizens regardless of whether or not they are members of any of the groups throughout the city. We are presently planning craft instructions to be given to the senior citizens in the near future. To date this has been a successful operation.
ANNUAL REPORT - -
51
QUINCY CITY HOSPITAL HARLAN L. PAINE, JR., Director
2
"Ground Breaking" ceremony: Mayor Amelio Dello Chiesa, William B. Rice II, Director Harlon L. Paine and Edna B. Austin, Boord Chairman, remove plaque honaring William B. Rice, eorly benefactor, fram ald Rice Building which will be demal ished to make roam for the new $1, 500, 000 addition ta Quincy City Haspital. Newfacility will increase capacity fram 300 to 400 beds and will hause speciol care unit, X-ray department, nursery and abstetrical unit. TPL foto
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