Report of the city of Somerville 1949, Part 16

Author: Somerville (Mass.)
Publication date: 1949
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 412


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1949 > Part 16


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Two new wading pools were constructed in 1949, one in Caesar Marchi Playground and the other in a new area at Tufts and Glen Streets. Metal buildings were placed on Con- way Playground, Caesar Marchi Playground and Hoyt-Sulli- van Playground for the storage of playground equipment. A new bus shelter was erected on Mystic Avenue at Moreland Street.


A new playground was purchased on Albion Street near Lowell Street. A retaining wall was constructed across the rear of the playground. It is planned during the coming year to complete the construction of this playground.


An extensive program of constructing and repairing fences, surfacing play areas, walks, drainage, seeding and loaming, is planned for 1950. A great deal of work remains to be done before Conway Playground will be completed. Prospect Hill Tower and grounds should be repaired as soon as possible. Repair of tide gates and other construction will be done to try to stop the infiltration of sewage into the pond at Saxton C. Foss Park.


Legislation to permit the Metropolitan District Commis- sion construct a stadium at Dilboy Field and a swimming pool at Foss Park will be considered by the Legislature. .


256


ANNUAL REPORTS


PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS MAINTENANCE ACCOUNT 1949 Credit


Parks


Statement of Expenditures


$44,017.85 Labor


$46,054.90


708.10 Maintenance of trucks


799.65


1,535.04 Equipment and supplies


2,181.54


419.20


Repairing tools and property


1,862.45


164.10


Flags, flagpoles, painting, etc.


66.75


1.25


73.34


Maintenance of fountains and bubblers .. Telephone


38.95


6,711.50 Repair seats, fences, backstops, doors, wading pools, etc


14,679.80


4,424.34


Trees, shrubs, plants, loam, etc.


2,894.98


247.00


New 36" Parker Power Sweeper


387.20


Band Concerts


Construct and demolish skating areas


2,572.83


Construct cement sidewalk and curbing two sides Meacham and Mt. Vernon St. Marchi Playground


1,487.00


Architectural fee: plan, specifications, etc. Prospect Hill renovations


375.00


Construct concrete wading pool Glen Street Playground Extension


6,616.99


Construct concrete wading pool Marchi Playground


5,103.95


Construct new Robert Houley Playground Somerville Avenue and Prospect Street: cement block retaining wall, chain link fence, rolled stone dust surface


2,029.40


Rental buildings and land for playground purposes from Dilboy Post, V.F.W., for two months, from November first


566.66


*$58,688.92 Totals


$87,330.85


*58,688.92


GRAND TOTAL EXPENSE $146,019.77


BALANCE UNEXPENDED $46,250.36


GENERAL


The City Engineer has been called upon to assist the Law Department by preparing plans of locations of accidents in- volving the City of Somerville. On several occasions the City Engineer appeared in court in connection with law suits in- volving the City.


May I extend at this time my personal appreciation for the wonderful spirit of co-operation extended to this department by all City departments and Municipal officials?


Playgrounds


257


STREET COMMISSIONER


REPORT OF THE STREET COMMISSIONER


To the Honorable, The Mayor and the Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville:


Gentlemen:


I respectfully submit the seventy-fourth annual report of the Highway Department, containing a brief summary of the work performed during the year 1949, with recommendations for necessary improvement and equipment the coming year.


This department has charge of the construction, altera- tions, repair, maintenance and management of ways, streets, sidewalks and bridges; the setting out and care of shade trees, the suppression of gypsy and brown tail moths, elm leaf beetles and other pests, injuries to trees, the cleaning of streets and snow removal.


HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT


Appropriations


Expenditures


Highway-Sidewalks Maintenance


$181,764.89


$174,026.01


Street Cleaning


37,213.70


37,158.29


Suppression of Moths-Care of Trees


15,584.34


15,428.00


Snow Removal


5,828.20


5,377.20


$240,391.13


$231,989.50


SNOW AND ICE


All streets were plowed and opened for traffic, snow was removed from principal business centers as well as around all public buildings and grounds. Special requests were given prompt attention especially concerning weddings, sickness or funerals.


Warning signs were posted on streets where coasting was allowed. Ashes spread at the foot of hills for the protection of the public. Icy and slippery streets and sidewalks were made safe as soon as possible.


258


ANNUAL REPORTS


I recommend the purchase of eight blades to be mounted on the Sanitary department trucks. This department has been most cooperative with us in regard to the removal of snow. I take advantage of this opportunity to extend my appreciation for their services.


HIGHWAYS AND SIDEWALKS MAINTENANCE


Police and public reports pertaining to all kinds of defects in the streets and sidewalks were given immediate attention. General repairs were made on streets and sidewalks. Edge- stones were reset, gutters relaid and dirt sidewalks graded, filled or surfaced.


Under the provisions of Chapter 90 of the General Laws, Ter. Ed., the following streets were resurfaced with Bituminous concrete, Type 1:


Boston avenue Broadway


Day street Dover street Main Street


Alewife Brook to the Medford line


Grant street to Charlestown line


Permits were issued to various corporations and contrac- tors by this department to open streets and sidewalks. Said openings to be restored to original conditions at the expense of the petitioners. To cross sidewalks and occupy streets for building purposes, permits were issued under specified condi- tions. Driveways were constructed when owners petitioned for same and deposited a sufficient sum of money to cover the cost of the construction.


STREET CLEANING


Three sweepers were in operation working night and day. In the early hours of the morning the main thoroughfares and squares were cleaned, thus avoiding heavy traffic and parked cars in the streets. The side streets are given regular routine attention during the day. Six push carts are assigned to the various squares and streets leading thereto.


I respectfully recommend that one large street sweeper be purchased to replace one that is now antiquated and practi- cally out of use.


259


STREET COMMISSIONER


SUPPRESSION OF MOTHS-CARE OF TREES


The Highway Department cares for trees, both public and private, in regard to moths and other tree pests. All street trees are sprayed and private trees upon request. Trimming is. done where necessary, new trees are planted, guards and sup- ports supplied when trees are furnished by property owners. Old or diseased trees are removed.


TRAFFIC CONTROL


Traffic lines were painted and warning signs erected at schools, playgrounds and dangerous intersections or locations. This practice should be continued for the safety of children and pedestrians and also for the orderly regulation of traffic. Particular attention has been given to painting of cross walk lines in business centers and squares. Parking, no parking and stop signs at designated locations and safety zones were plainly marked. One way street signs are erected where ordered by the Board of Aldermen.


In conclusion, I wish to take this opportunity to thank His Honor, the Mayor, the members of the Board of Aldermen and the employees of the department for their support and co- operation.


Respectfully submitted,


JOHN E. O'BRIEN Street Commissioner


260


ANNUAL REPORTS


REPORT OF THE SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES


OFFICE OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES CITY HALL, MASSACHUSETTS


January 1, 1950.


TO HIS HONOR, THE MAYOR AND THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN:


The following report of the Sealer of Weights and Meas- ures for the year 1949 is respectively submitted.


Work of Weights and Measures Department for 1949


Scales


Adjusted


Sealed


Not Sealed


Con- demed


Over 10,000


0


24


0


5,000 lbs. to 10,000


1


5


0


100 to 5,000 lbs.


6


428


2


Under 100 lbs.


2


1176


1


Weights:


0


1623


1


Capacity Measure:


Vehicle Tanks


0


0


0


Liquid over 1 gallon


0


21


0


Liquid under 1 gallon ..


0


215


0


Dry


0


3


0


Adjusted


Sealed


Not Sealed


Con- demed


Automatic Measuring Devices


Less than one inch


Quantity Measure on


Pumps


0


1


0


0


Gasoline Meters


6


325


10


1


Oil and Grease Meters


0


52


0


0


Over one inch


Tank Meter Systems ....


29


136


0


4


Bulk Meter Systems ....


6


23


0


0


Other


Grease Measuring De-


vices


0


98


136


0


700000 0000 0 0 9 0 0 0


251


SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES


Linear Measure:


Yard Sticks


0


111


0


0


Cloth Measuring Devices


0


7


0


0


Taxi Meters


0


42


0


0


Total


50


4289


151


14


Summary of Inspection made:


Clinical Thermometers


941


Coal Certificates


8


Ice Scales


0


Junk Scales


0


Marking of Bread


66


Marking of Food Packages


332


Milk Jars


0


Oil Jars


470


Paper or Fibre Cartons


0


Pedlers' License


0


Pedlers' Scales


0


Transient Vendors


0


Wholesale Milk Cans


0


Taxi Meters


6


Fuel Meters


9


Gas Pumps and Meters


17


Coal in Paper Bags


0


Kindling Wood in Paper Bags


0


Oil Measures (5 gallons)


0


Summary of Tests made:


Berry Baskets


0


Cartons (approved as measures)


0


Gasoline Devices (other than Sealings)


17


Ice Cream Cartons


0


Scales in Stores


32


Taxi Meters (other than Sealing)


6


Fuel Meters (other than Sealing)


9


Applications inspected and signed for Special Licenses:


Special City Licenses


15


County


43


State


58


Disabled Veterans


36


Transfers


4


Total


156


Gasoline Station Tests:


Total number of calls


108


Number of different stations


104


Number of call-backs to stations previously in-


spected


4


Number of Gallons drawn for tests


3420


262


ANNUAL REPORTS


Trial weighings and measurements of commodities sold or put up for sale:


Total No. Tested


Number Correct


Under


Over


Bread


66


38


4


24


Butter


45


45


0


0


Coal (in paper bags)


0


0


0


0


Coal (in transit)


8


0


2


6


Confectionery


60


55


0


5


Dry Commodities


159


140


2


17


Flour


3


3


0


0


Fruits and Vegetables


75


42


13


20


Ice


0


0


0


0


Lard


19


19


0


0


Meat and Provisions


53


47


0


6


Potatoes


44


24


12


8


Total


532


413


33


86


Miscellaneous:


Court Cases


0


Complaints investigated


0


Respectfully submitted,


JOHN F. CASEY, Sealer of Weights and Measures


- Incorrect


SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS MADE BY THE VETERANS' SERVICES DEPARTMENT 1949


RECAPITULATION OF VETERANS' BENEFITS- SOMERVILLE


Somerville Veterans' Benefits


State Veterans' Benefits


Soldiers' Burials


Total Relief


Cash


Medical


Fuel


Groceries


Cases


Persons


$3,266.86


$3,439.84


$1,190.00


$7,896.70


$2,092.06


$758.30


$287.00


$129.50


121


262


January


139


310


February


3,680.41


3,960.39


...


156


352


March


3,649.54


3,896.41


7,545.95


2,955.09


208.20


344.25


142.00


146


295


April


3,536.55


3,766.68


231.80


7,535.03


2,469.65


558.15


269.25


239.50


129.75


117


212


May


2,633.38


2,793.46


300.00


5,726.84


6,010.65


2,346.99


247.22


10.00


177.50


129


263


449.42


10.00


163.50


138


265


July


7.50


187.50


139


298


August


7.50


155.00


123


253


September


308


October


3,309.10


3,673.05


6,982.15


2,773.36


211.74


169.00


154.50


138


220.00


154


349


November


4,630.27


4,703.78


168


386


December


4,407.33


4,686.56


180.00


9,273.89


3,447.03


Total


$40,345.17


$43,332.30


$2,616.50


$86,293.97


$30,936.44


$5,157.73


$2,074.75


$2,176.25


1668


3553


441.09


3,074.92


3,395.68


6.470.60


2,438.83


2,554.50


2,901.22


5,455.72


2,137.83


254.17


June


2,781.71


2,994.24


243.70


5,941.59


2,197.68


2,820,60


3,120.99


480.00


9,814.05


3,341.38


784.89


284.00


368.80


351.50


240.00


1,914.26


579.37


10.00


237.50


2,821.78


296.38


324.75


7,640.80


-


263


VETERANS' SERVICES


REPORT OF THE VETERANS' SERVICES


March 16, 1950.


To the Honorable, the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville


Gentlemen:


During the year 1949 the following amounts were granted through the Veterans' Services Department:


Veterans' Benefits (Somerville) $40,345.17


Veterans' Benefits (State) 43,332.30


Soldiers' Burials


2,616.50


Total Expenditures


$86,293.97


The number of applicants increased as compared to the previous year and there was a corresponding rise in our total payments. The amounts allowed are in accordance with bud- get figures established by the State Department and all our expenditures conform with the policy. Applicants are required to obtain available benefits such as Unemployment Compen- sation, sick benefits and similar payments thereby reducing our expenditures in some cases. In addition the department continues to maintain a complete service for veterans and their dependents in all matters related to benefits and claims through the Veterans Administration.


Very truly yours,


THOMAS F. McGRATH, Commissioner


264


ANNUAL REPORTS


REPORT OF THE RECREATION COMMISSION


1949


E. STUART ROGERS, Chairman


MEMBERS


Term Expires January


William J. Crotty


1951


Philip V. Farrell


1950


Mrs. Rose M. Glendon 1950


Mrs. Harriett M. Hurlburt 1951


George L. Keefe 1950


William J. Koen 1950


Mrs. Clare R. Moore 1951


Rev. Nazareno Properzi 1951


E. Stuart Rogers 1951


Harold W. Wells 1950


Secretary to the Commission, CHARLES C. KELLEY


265


RECREATION DEPARTMENT


December 31, 1949


To The Honorable, The Mayor and The Board of Aldermen:


Whatever progress, expansions, or successes are herein reported by this Commission for the year 1949 were offset by the untimely death on March 30 of Superintendent Francis J. Mahoney, whose contributions to the Recreation Movement in Somerville and elsewhere for more than a quarter of a cen- tury have won him national recognition. He left behind him indelible standards to be emulated by all who follow him in the Recreation field, both locally and nationally. The Com- mission's regret at his loss found expression in the following Resolution, which was forwarded to his family and spread upon: the Commission's Records :- -


WHEREAS, Francis J. Mahoney was called to His Heavenly Home on March 30, 1949; and


WHEREAS, He has served with tireless and unselfish devotion as Secretary to this Commission and as Superintendent of Recreation, during which time he was whole-heartedly devoted to the welfare of the citizenry of this community; and


WHEREAS, He was a pioneer in the field of Recreation, and one of the founders of the Recreation Movement in Somerville, directing, his talents and great capabilities toward better recreational opportuni -. ties for all; and


WHEREAS, This talented and capable pioneer in recreation has left among the records of the Recreation Service an Honor Roll of the names of former and present workers now prominent in every walk of life, many of whom feel their success is due in no small mea- sure to the training, guidance and perseverance of Francis J. Mahoney; and


WHEREAS, WE, his associates in the Somerville Recreation Commis -. sion, do feel keenly the loss of his stimulating courage and his un -. tiring energy and devotion to duty; therefore be it


RESOLVED : That we do hereby express our deep sorrow at the great loss of such a notable citizen; and be it further


RESOLVED: That a permanent memorial in the form of a portrait of Mr. Mahoney be made as an everlasting testimonial to the excel- lent and faithful service he has rendered on behalf of the City of Somervile; and be it finally


266


ANNUAL REPORTS


RESOLVED: That the foregoing resolutions be spread upon the re- cords of the Recreation Commission on this twenty-seventh day of April, nineteen hundred and forty-nine; and that a copy of these resolutions be signed by all members of this Commission and sent to the family of Mr. Mahoney.


E. STUART ROGERS MRS. HARRIETT M. HURLBURT MRS. CLARA R. MOORE GEORGE L. KEEFE WILLIAM J. KOEN REV. NAZARENO PROPERZI


PHILIP V. FARRELL WILLIAM J. CROTTY MRS. ROSE M. GLENDON HAROLD W. WELLS


The year 1949 found the Recreation Commission approach- ing, step by step, many of its established goals. Financial appropriations for the year were higher by a few hundred dollars than in any previous year, thus enabling the Commis- sion to restore to its program some phases which had been previously discontinued, and to inaugurate certain new devel- opments in the program for youth and adults.


The entire activities prgram for the year 1949, with the possible exceptions of the Adult Community Theatre and the Boys' and Girls' Clubs phases, has fulfilled its intended purpose; and the Commission judges the result accomplished as successful both from a Recreation viewpoint and as meas- ured by community receptivity and responsiveness.


Most noteworthy development in the ADULT program has been the ARTS AND CRAFTS CLUB FOR ADULTS. This group, more familiarly known as the "Paint Pot Club", has attained a success unsurpassed in any other new activity. Maintaining a membership of thirty adults, the group meets weekly in a basement room of the Cummings building; its program including the making or decorating of home furn- ishings and other objects such as lamps, trays, book-ends, and tiles; and the re-decorating of picture frames, jars, vases, candlesticks, etc.


Revived in the Fall of 1949 after a discontinuance of several years has been the program of GYMNASIUM ACTIV !- TIES FOR ADULTS, with weekly evening session for men held in the High School Gymnasium, and two evening sessions for women in the Girls' Gymnasium of the Southern Junior High School building. Continuing throughout the Winter months, this popular program has met with quick response on the part


267


RECREATION DEPARTMENT


of the young men and women of the community. The one drawback in the women's program has been its location in the Girls' Gymnasium of the Southern building, where the facilities are limited, and the location of the building not easily accessi- ble from some sections of the City. The Commission believes that this program would be more successful if conducted in the High School or Western Junior High School Gymnasium.


The ADULT LEAGUES FOR MEN, comprising leagues in Softball, Basketball, and Bowling, have continued to enjoy un- interrupted success during 1949. The Softball Leagues, with twenty-four teams playing 384 games, provided wholesome recreation for 424 men and enjoyment for nearly 53,000 spectators. Five night Softball games played at Dilboy Field as fund-raising events for various drives were well-attended. The popularity of these night games prompted representa- tive organizations within the Leagues to petition the Com- missioner of Electric Lines and Lights to consider the establish- ing of appropriate lighting facilities at some one of the City's playing fields, for night Softball games and other recreation purposes.


Continuing their poplarity among the adult activities for men have been the Municipal Bowling Leagues. Sixteen teams in two Leagues played on public alleys for a twenty- eight weeks season which culminated in the Annual Ban- quet in mid April . The Leagues have 112 active bowlers ranging in age from twenty-one years up through the late fifties.


The third member of the Adult Leagues For Men is the Municipal Basketball Leagues, which generally comprise two Leagues. However, unavailability of the High School Gym- nasium in 1948 and 1949 necessitated revision in schedule to provide for one League only. This one League, com- prising ninety-six active players in eight evenly-matched teams, met in fifty-six games over a period of four months. The teams in this League, like those of the Bowling and Soft- ball Leagues, represent a cross section of the City, and in- clude fraternal and veterans' organizations, and church and business groups. The League players range in age from eighteen to thirty years.


The COMMUNITY THEATRE, adult division of the Com- munity Drama program, suffered a set-back during the major part of the year due largely to the Commission's inability


268


ANNUAL REPORTS


to find a qualified person to fill the vacant position of Director of Community Drama; and it was not until late September that a suitable person was found. With the beginning of service by the new Director the group began to evidence renewed interest, and at this point in the year's closing has shown marked progress. However, the Community Theatre, like any community drama enterprise, must depend upon the support and encouragement of its patrons; and if the program is to succeed, greater response and support by the local public must be forthcoming. -


In the field of COMMUNITY MUSIC, activities of the Adult Community Chorus have included choral singing and Christmas caroling for veterans' hospitals, convalescent homes, Parent-Teacher Associations, and the City Infirmary. Similar activities were enjoyed by members of the Junior Community Chorus, whose two Divisions operate in two separate sections of the City.


A new development in the program for youth was launched in September with the early activity of a BICYCLE CLUB for teen-age boys and girls. This form of outdoor Recreation was introduced at first on a trial basis, with weekly activities taking place on Saturday afternoons and holidays. The pro- gressive interest in the activity as shown by the average week- ly participation warranted its continuance, however, and it was not until early December, when weather conditions made impossible further activity, that a seasonal termination of the program was called.


A program of AFTERNOON SUPERVISED ATHLETICS FOR BOYS, with sessions conducted twice weekly on three of the larger play areas, was inaugurated in May. Activities included Baseball, Softball, Volley Ball, Paddle Tennis, Horse- shoes, and Track events for boys of Junior High and High School age. In the judgment of the Commission, the re- sponse to this program would warrant its renewal in the Spring of 1950.


The comparatively new "FISICAL FITNESS" program for boys, offering to Somerville's youth of ages 12 to 15 years instruction in the arts of self-defense, wrestling, and tum- bling; and including such activities as mass calisthenics, Volley Ball, and organized team games involving body contact; has attracted hundreds of boys to the three Centers of activity, whose locations are in three different sections of the City.


269


RECREATION DEPARTMENT


An additional League was established in the SATURDAY AFTERNOON BASKETBALL program for boys of Junior High and High School age, which was inaugurated in 1948 in the western section of the City. The new unit, located in the Vocational Gymnasium, provides opportunity for boys in other sections of the City to participate in this ever-popular sport.


ARTS AND CRAFTS CLUBS FOR BOYS AND GIRLS, with change in location of centers from the Hodgkins and Southern buildings to the Morse and Forster buildings to afford opportunity for activity by boys and girls in these sec- tions, have continued to flourish in 1949, and the results have been most satisfactory.


The ever-popular BOY-ART CLUB, whose outstanding activity has been the presentation of Punch-And-Judy shows and full-length performances of "Pinocchio" and other suit- able plays for children, resumed its puppet-making activities in 1949 and continues its now-famous presentations of Pup- pet shows for the enjoyment of both children and adults in Somerville and elsewhere.


Activities of the JUNIOR COMMUNITY THEATRE, sus- pended in the Spring of 1948 when financial appropriations to the Commission suffered curtailment, were revived in the Fall of 1949 with the coming into the service of the new Director of Community Drama. Present developments within this group of teen-age boys and girls indicate that it is well on the way towards complete recovery.


The YOUTH THEATRE division of the Commission's Drama program took on new life and experienced numerical increase in its membership during the latter months of 1949 with the assignment of the new Director. Encouraged by a successful public performance in December, the group lost no time in planning its next production; and present indica- tions point to a successful season in 1950.


Most noteworthy in the Community Drama field in 1949 has been the CHILDREN'S THEATRE phase of the program. With activities located in three separate centers serving three geographical divisions of the evolving organization, the group has shown marked increase in attendance and participation during the year. Incorporated into the program during the latter months of the year has been activity in folk dancing, which has proved most successful. Activities of the Children's


270


ANNUAL REPORTS


Theatre during 1949 have included nine public productions, which have been presented by the individual centers or as joint productions involving all three centers.


The MODEL AIRCRAFT CLUB FOR BOYS experienced a serious set-back in the closing days of 1948 when Mr. William Macdonald, Recreation Leader assigned to the group, became incapacitated through serious accident. When it became apparent that Mr. Macdonald's incapacity was to be of long duration, revision in the program was made to include opera- tion of one session only at each of the two centers instead of the two sessions held previously. Through this procedure and the employment of substitute Leaders, the program was carried through the season.


The progress of the BOYS' CLUBS AND GIRLS' CLUBS since 1946 has been comparatively slow. Affected more than any other activity during the war years by the unavailability of capable Counselors, and in the cases of the older Boys' Clubs by members in military service; these groups have not yet returned to the pre-war level. However, a large num- ber of boys and girls of this age group who would be normally eligible for membership in the Boys' and Girls' Clubs, are now being served otherwise-through the Baseball and Basket- ball Leagues, the "Fisical Fitness" program, and the Drama and Music groups.




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