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 5
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All the figures and statistics measuring the work done during the year 1963 indicate that the Quincy City Hospital continues to grow in its services and benefits to the community. In spite of a loss of thirty beds in September, due to the demolition of the Rice Building to make room for the new wing, 151 more patients were admitted this year than last. All other departments of the hospital, such as Laboratory, X-ray, Physiotherapy and Emergency Department, showed signifi- cant increases during the year. Also reaching a new all-time high was the cost of operating the hospital for the year. Each year, because of inflation and improved services, the cost continues to increase. However, the deficit, which represents free service to the community, was the lowest in recent history.
The quality of patient care by every indice available continues to improve, and ranks with the finest to be found in any hospital. During the year an average of 3.7 hours of nursing care was provided per patient day, an exceptionally high average in these times of nursing shortages.
Contributing to the high quality of patient care are the teaching programs conducted by the hospital. It is generally recognized that higher standards are usually generated by the academic responsibilities the institution has to its students.
52
CITY OF QUINCY
In addition to the ten interns trained during the year, five doctors received post-graduate training in the specialties of surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, and pathology, Forty-four nurses were graduated from the training school, of which twenty-eight joined the hospital staff upon graduation. In addition, the X-ray, Laboratory and Anesthesia Departments are conducting fully accredited training programs for eighteen student technicians.
The By-laws and Rules and Regulations of the Medical Staff were completely revised and put into effect during the past year. Several new manuals were also developed, including a new disaster plan and a new interns and residents manual.
On May 1, the so-called "Conflict of Interest" law became effective in Massachusetts. This resulted in the voluntary retirement of three additional members; George Arbuckle, Esq., who had contributed fifteen years of valuable legal advice and public service, and two experienced business- men, Reuben A. Grossman and Alfred E. Fontana.
The new appointees, Bernard V. Dill, James A. Pennypacker, Russell F. Johnson and Herbert W. Cooper, assumed their new duties with an earnest desire to understand the problems of operation of a 400-bed municipal hospital, and to that end they have given close attention.
In September of last year, the Joint Commission on Hospital Accreditation, after a detailed inspection of the hospital and its professional activities, certified to the superior quality of patient care by awarding us its highest approval, a three year certificate.
Much of our physical plant is old, and requires constant maintenance. The M&S Building had a major renovation, with new roofs, exterior waterproofing, new floors and extensive painting. Other buildings had liberal amounts of paint applied, both to the exterior and interior, during the year. Sprinklers were installed in the basement of the two buildings. Our renovating and equipment replacement program is being programmed to gradually improve the physical facilities, yet keeping to a minimum the yearly cost to the tax payer.
In September the Rice Building was demolished to make way for the construction of the new East Wing. Prior to its destruction, the Special Care Unit was relocated in Hunting I. The old delivery suite was converted to a maternity unit to compensate for the loss of the Rice Building maternity beds, and the Maintenance Shop was removed to the basement of Ward A. Because the new building involved the demolition of our main corridor, traffic had to be re-routed through a temporary by-pass, resulting in a certain amount of inconvenience to hospital personnel and visitors. It is hoped that when the new building is completed in the late spring of 1965, all will feel rewarded for the difficulties we are now undergoing.
The conscientious and skilled group of employees, and the dedicated medical staff of the Quincy City Hospital, are to be commended for providing the people of this area with the finest of medical care.
PATIENT STATISTICS
Year
Year
Admissions:
1962
1963
Private Patients
1,858
1,889
Semi-Private Patients
4,142
4,176
Ward Patients
7,695
7,757
Service Patients
1,213
1,237
Total Admissions:
14,908
15,059
Out-Patient Clinics.
2,304
3,550
Private Out-Patients
2,433
348
Total Out-Patients
5,737
3,898
ANNUAL REPORT - -
53
Year 1962
Year 1963
QCH Ambulance Calls
1,295
1,365
Palice Ambulance Calls
764
808
Private Ambulance Calls
79
4
Totol Ambulance Calls:
2,138
2,177
Accidents
19,933
20,667
Physia Treatments
3,157
3,634
Prenatal Visits
729
890
Newborns
1,965
1,933
Operatians
6,568
6,511
Laboratory Exominotians
170,976
179,662
X-ray Exams and Treatments
22,568
25,359
Daily Average Patients .
314.2
311.2
Daily Average Newbarns Excluded
284.8
282.7
Daily Average Newbarns
29.4
28.5
Tatal Days Treatment (Dischorges)
114,679
113,602
Days Treatment Excluding Newbarns
103,953
103,198
Doys Treatment Newborns.
10,726
10,404
Deaths
429
425
Autapsies
178
158
Autapsy Average
41.5
37.2
Totol Average Days Stay
7.7
7.6
Average Days Stay Excluding Newborns
8.0
7.9
Average Days Stoy Newbarns
5.4
5.4
FINANCES
Expenses :
Payroll
$3,441,645
Expenses
1,044,966
Capitol
44,555
Tatal Expenditures:
$4,531,168
Incame:
Cosh Receipts
4,195,320
Other Incame
39,808
Total Incame:
$4,235,128
Excess Expenditures over Receipts
296,040
Less Carry Over into 1964
17,798
Net Deficit:
$ 278,241
Estimated Cost per Potient per Day
$40.94
CITY OF QUINCY
54 -
THOMAS CRANE PUBLIC LIBRARY GERTRUDE F. CALLAHAN, Librarian
A major event of 1963 was the completion and opening of the new North Quincy branch library. On the grand opening day many people expressed delight at the attractive furnishings and superb architecture. Many more expressed their enthusiasm by practically emptying the shelves in the first three weeks. This is clear evidence for the need for more book money for the branches and for the main library.
During the year, the Reference Department had another busy year. Questions asked, maga- zine requests, and attendance all showed increases. There were 2,875 telephone reference questions asked, 10,978 questions asked at the reference desk and 21,295 magazine requests. A "spot-check" three times a day revealed 26,536 patrons used the Reference Department.
As indicated in the accompanying statistics the circulation continues to increase. The new North Quincy branch had the largest increase, the circulation has doubled since the opening of the branch.
It is quite evident that the library is being used more heavily than even before. During the depression years the circulation was higher but the reference work was much smaller. Today, there are students from the elementary grades who are approaching the librarians with their "research" questions. This means we need more material, and in some cases we have to heavily duplicate our other material. Also, we need additional personnel to service this great number of students. This all costs money.
CIRCULATION 1963
Books and Periodicols
Adult
Juvenile
Totol
Fiction .
225,159
260,502
485,661
Non-Fiction
187,506
131,835
319,341
412,665
392,337
805,002
Pictures
7,144
Phonorecords
22,091
Toto
29,235
834,237
Goin over 1962
4,790
10 Year Comparison
1963
834,237
1953
602,314
Goin
231,923
BOOKS ADDED TO LIBRARY IN 1963
Adult
Juvenile
Totol
Number of Volumes, Jonuary 1, 1963 Added in 1963
121,252
69,689
190,941
Withdrown in 1963
3,288
2,408
5,696
Number of Volumes, December 31, 1963
123,529
72,335
195,864
Pictures, December 31, 1963.
21,120
Phonorecords, December 31, 1963
7,519
REGISTERED BORROWERS
Adult
Juvenile
Total
Totol Number of Registered Borrowers
28,243
13,329
41,563
5,565
5,054
10,619
ANNUAL REPORT
55
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' SERVICES WILLIAM L. VILLONE, Director
There are approximately one million veterans in Massachusetts who saw wartime service in the Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, and the Korean Conflict who are eligible for Veterans' Benefits if the need should arise. 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 veterans are reaching their sunset years, requests for Veterans' Benefits are increasing each year.
During the year 1963, 11,000 persons soughtaid, 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, and Government Grave Markers and Burials. The Compensation and Pensions Programs provide monthly assistance to veterans and their de- pendents. During the year 1963, this Office processed 450 Annual Questionnaires in Non-Service Connected Disabilities and Widows' Pensions. During the year, we also initiated 175 Compensation Claims. Several thousand pieces of correspondence have been initiated in reference to these two Programs.
The Department of Veterans' Services has the responsibility of obtaining hospital care at Veterans' Administration Hospitals for veterans with Service-Connected Disabilities, and within the limits of existing Veterans' Administration facilities, and for veterans with Non-Service Dis- abilities and who cannot defray the cost of hospital or domiciliary care. We are always striving to have veterans admitted into Veterans' Administration Hospitals in order that the taxpayers of the City of Quincy may be alleviated of this great financial burden. During the year 1963, Quincy veterans spent 11,015 days in the four V. A. Hospitals: Boston V. A .; 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 $331,000. Had these cases been treated at our City Hospital, the City would of had to bear one-half of this amount. The utilization of the facilities of V.A. Hospitals, not only saves the City money, but also makes available more bed facilities in the Quincy City Hospital for the use of non-veteran patients.
Several strikes in this area increased the cost of Veteran Benefits. The Boston Edison and the Longshoremen had a strike of several weeks duration. A recently inacted Servicemens' Bill, which gave Enlistees, Draftees, and Reactivated Reservists, right to assistance under the Veterans' Benefits Law, also increased assistance costs.
On April 1, 1963 a new Graves Registration Officer was appointed from the Civil Service List replacing the prior officer who had to retire, having reached the mandatory age of 70.
As in the past, this Department underwrote the cost of patriotic holidays in this City, including the cost of musical organizations, flags, transportation, refreshments, and wreaths. The Civil War Centennial and Loyalty Day was celebrated on April 28, 1963. 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.
Because Pensions, Social Security, Workmens' Compensation, and Sick Benefits are, in many cases, inadequate, many veterans and other dependents are obliged to seek supplementation from this Department. $413,903 was spent on Veterans' Benefits, including benefits paid to Strikers: this included cash, fuel, nursing homes, housekeeping service, medicines, doctors, hospitals, den- tal, miscellaneous and burials. The Commonwealth reimbur sing the City one-half of this amount. Assignments of Liens recovered -- $8,150; recovered from Property Liens -- $574.00, other sources
- CITY OF QUINCY
56 -
$1,568. In State settled cases, the State pays 100%, and on Quincy settled cases, one-half of the expenditures. The actual cost to the City is approximately $198,000.
Utilization of other Social Security Programs, such as Retirement, Unemployment Compen- sation, Workmens' Compensation, Sick Benefits, and Total Disability, have reduced the cost of Veterans' Benefits by the City. Through the efforts mainly of this Department, veterans and their dependents have received from the Veterans' Administration in Pension and Compensation $53,130, Social Security Benefits $102,037, and other sources $39,502. When cases have been rejected by these other Programs, this Department has represented them in their appeals.
The year 1963 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 unemployment dipped in this area. From a peak of 13,000 employed at the Bethlehem Shipyard in Quincy in 1960, the yard, because of its failure to secure ship construction contracts was reduced to 1,800 in 1963, finally shutting down completely on December 31, 1963. The Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics purchased the plant as of January 1, 1964.
Costs for medical, nursing homes, hospitalization, and drugs have sharply increased. Per diem rates paid to hospitals and nursing homes were increased in many areas. Outpatient and Visiting Nurses were increased in many areas. Outpatient and Visiting Nurses fees have also increased.
On May 1, 1963 the State Department of Veterans' Services promulgated an increase of 10% over-all increase in benefits to veterans and their dependents.
There were 463 newapplications processed by this Department during the year 1963, including 33 outside cases.
During the year 1963 a total of 156 Quincy Veterans died as follows: Spanish-American, 2; World War I, 88; World War II, 60; Korean Conflict, 6.
Two hundred and fifty-nine bronze grave markers were placed on all local cemeteries, in- cluding Mount Wollaston, St. Mary's, Hancock, and Hall Place for new burials or the replacement of worn or stolen markers. Government grave markers installed, 57.
On Memorial Day 1,873 flags were placed on Veterans' graves. The 57 bronze markers in the square were also flagged. There were 192 military and burial records added to the Department file.
Through the efforts of this Department, the Attorney General filed a petition to dissolve the National Sailors' Home Cemetery Trust for failing to properly care for the cemetery located off Fenno Street in Wollaston. The case is pending, though the Supreme Judicial Court has in the interim ordered the Court appointed master to spend $4,300 to erect a steel chain link fence around the cemetery, grade, seed, and plant shrubs. Applications for new grave markers in this cemetery have been initiated by the Graves' Registration Officer to replace the grave markers destroyed by vandals.
ANNUAL REPORT
- - 57
THE QUINCY HOUSING AUTHORITY
LOUIS A. GEORGE, Chairman J. GIRARD WHITE, Executive Director REV. VICTOR V. SAWYER, Vice-Chairman RAYMOND C. WARMINGTON, Treasurer COSTANZO PAGNANO, Assistant Treasurer JOHN J. HANNON, Member
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. Bids have also been advertised for seventy-five additional units under Chapter 667 for Senior Citizens.
WESTACRES
This development is located in West Quincy adjacent to the Southeast Expressway, and con- sists 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 1963. Collection losses were nil. Since 1948, the Authority has paid to the City of Quincy as surplus from operations, a total of $205,771.82, which includes $14,000 forwarded the City in 1963. There is an additional $2,626.54 to be forwarded in January 1964.
To be eligible for this development, one mustbe 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 1963 four 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 1963. Interior painting and continued repairing of gutters, downspouts and roofs also wasaccomplished. It is anticipated several houses will be painted in 1964.
SNUG HARBOR
This Chapter 200 State-aided development is located in the Germantown section of Quincy and is composed of one hundred buildings of frame construction, each consisting of four units. 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 basement with individual steam heating burners. The develop- ment 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 hous- ing. The maximum income limit for admission for a family consisting of one minor child is $4,500, with continued occupancy limits set at $5,000. Eighteen percent of net income is the basis for computing rent. The maximum income limit for a family consisting of two children is $4, 700 per year with a continued occupancy limit of $5,200per year. Sixteen percent of net income is the basis for computing rent. A large family, consisting of three or more minor children, pays fourteen per- cent of net income for rent. The maximum income limit for admission is $4,900 per year, with continued occupancy set at $5,400. 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.
CITY OF QUINCY
58
In January 1963 shingling over clapboard of eighteen houses was completed at a cost of $53,100.00. The work included removal of clapboards, clearing the area, shingling, glazing through- out, painting of trim and metal work, and touch up.
During the past year, the cycle of painting thirty two originally shingled houses was completed.
During 1963 three new parking areas were constructed, extensive black-topping to deterior- ated walks and drying areas, grounds work, extensive floor and countertop replacements were accomplished.
Using our own force of plumbers, steamfitters and laborers, the oil burners were completely serviced in the fall with all work being completed within three weeks. Having done this in 1962, our experience showed this to be more expeditious and efficient to have waited through the summer until the tenants filled their tanks for the heating season and allowing sediment and water to work out of the tanks, since oil burner calls were greatly reduced this year.
Inasmuch as our present facilities are extremely inadequate, the State Housing Board, in a letter dated 11 January, 1963, was requested to grant approval to construct a new maintenance building. However, no reply to the request has been received except for a telephone call on 13 March requesting the writer to visit the State Housing Board to discuss the matter.
The Annual Redetermination of rents and income was completed effective 1 August, 1963. There were 216 upward adjustments in rent, 20 downward adjustments and 28 arbitrary adjustments of $10 each for those tenants who failed to comply with the terms of their lease. The average rent increase was $6.50 per month and the average decrease was $9.50 per month.
In December 1963, $14,400 was forwarded the City of Quincy as payment in lieu of taxes.
Corrective blacktopping of walks and drying areas and a concerted program of replacement of tankless hot water heaters will continue in 1964.
RIVERVIEW
"Riverview" is a Federally-aided low rent housing development, and is adjacent to the Snug Harbor development and borders on Fore River and Rock Island Cove. This development was com- pleted in 1952 and has remained 100% occupied since the date of initial occupancy on June 25, 1952.
The development consists of forty-five buildings of four units each totalling one hundred eighty units. There are fourteen one-bedroom units, thirteen 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 writing of this report there are fifty-four veterans and one hundred twenty six non-veteran families occupying the development.
The annual re-examination of rents and incomes was completed effective 1 December, 1963. There were fifteen decreases in rent, with an average decrease of $20.81 and 79 increases in rent with an average increase of $9.94 per month.
In 1963 extensive repairs tothe chimney of the boiler plant were made by Custodis Construc- tion Co. This included repair and replacement of the aircraft warning lights atop the chimney.
The latter part of 1963, exterior painting of twelve shingled houses was started. Before the painting season ended, three houses had been completed. The program of replacement of tile floors and countertops will continue. There still remains considerable resurfacing of walks and drying
ANNUAL REPORT
59
areas as preventive maintenance, as wellas replacement of wooden stoops with concrete. It is also planned to widen the entrance driveway to the boiler plant and construct an addition to the mainten- ance shop.
For the fiscal year 1 July, 1962 to June 30, 1963, the sum of $10,607.17 was forwarded the City of Quincy as payment in lieu of taxes.
SNUG HARBOR COURT
Snug Harbor Court is a State-aided Chapter 667 development consisting of twelve buildings containing forty-five units. It is located at the corner of Shed and Palmer Streets in Germantown adjacent to the Snug Harbor development. The land on which it is constructed was part of the original tract of 73 acres purchased from Sailors' Snug Harbor for veteran's housing, and being in excess of the needs of the veterans' development, was transferred to Chapter 667 without cost.
The buildings, of brick veneer, consist of a living room, bedroom, kitchen and bath. Four buildings have basements which contain heating plants to service the forty-five units with gas heat and hot water. Among the many safety features are handrails in bathrooms, emergency bells con- nected with adjoining apartments, and an elaborate fire alarm system, the first of its kind in Massachusetts, which is connected directly to the central fire headquarters.
To be eligible for this housing, a person must be 65 years of age or over (single individuals or couples), must be citizens of the United States (except aliens who have served in the armed forces of the United States and who have been honorably discharged and who have applied for citizenship), and aliens eligible to receive Old Age Assistance.
The annual income of a single person shall not exceed $2,500 for admission and $3,125 for continued occupancy, and that of couples shall not exceed $3,000 for admission with a continued occupancy limit of $3,750. Applications must also be in need of safe and sanitary housing. The present rent is $51.50 which includes gas heat and hot water, electric cooking and refrigeration.
Although the development was originally occupied on 26 August, 1959, the closing out of this contract still has not been resolved. The Bonding Company, although reluctantly willing to pay extra legal and architectural fees, continues to ignore the corrective work which has been brought continually, over a period of four years, to their attention. At the writing of this report it is be- lieved a fair settlement of the entire matter, including the legal and architectural fees, is $10,000.00 to be withheld from retentions of $27,734.53. This withholding, it is hoped, will be sufficient to replace rotted out downspouts, repair and/or replacement of gutters, painting of pediments, and wire-brushing and painting of ornamental iron work and brick work, all of which had not been properly done at the time of construction.
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