USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1951 > Part 21
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Some improvements in outdoor facilities have already been made, the most extensive improvement during the past year having been made at the Grimmons Playground where a multi- use area has been constructed, allowing for greater use by the children of that district. New basketball courts and uprights have been erected at Trum and Dilboy Fields, and new basket- ball uprights at the Morse, Perry, Grimmons, and Prescott School areas. All of these improvements have been recom- mended by the Recreation Commission in recent Annual Re- ports, and have been accomplished largely through the efforts of the City Engineer and the Public Buildings Department, with the knowledge and approval of the Executive Department.
342
ANNUAL REPORTS
However, continued improvement of outdoor facilities will still be a major item of concern to the Commission for some time to come. Of immediate import are the unplayable surfaces at the Conway and Shaw Playgrounds. With the loss of at least one baseball diamond at Tevlin Field, and possibly two more during the period of reconstruction at Foss Park, it is all the more necessary that both the Conway and Shaw playgrounds be resurfaced as soon as possible. In a long-range planning pro- gram, all of the play areas of the City should eventually be re- surfaced and made more attractive so that greater use could be made of them.
A long-range planning program should also include estab- lishment of new play areas in the Hooker Avenue Section of West Somerville and in the Perkins-Mt. Pleasant Streets sec- tion of East Somerville. A touring Neighborhood Playground program was conducted in these areas last Spring, and the response from the children of these neighborhoods was tre- mendous. Large groups greeted the Leaders each day, giving every indication of the need for established playgrounds in these districts. Additionally there is need for play areas located geographically through the mid-section of the City. And re- lating this need to available sites in this section, there are two parcels of land - one consisting of 12,711 square feet, lo- cated on Highland Avenue equidistant between Central and School Streets; the other consisting of 13,597 square feet and located on Lexington Avenue opposite the junction of Hancock Street - which could be utilized as play areas. The size of these areas and the number of children in these districts would, in the judgment of this Commission, warrant the estab- lishment of playgrounds in these localities.
It is the earnest hope of this Commission that the City's new Planning Board (as is the policy of Planning Boards in other communities) will include as one of its objectives the expansion of outdoor recreation areas in Somerville.
In the INDOOR facilities picture, although the Recreation Commission is still in the position of a tenant, nevertheless through the combined co-operation of the Executive, Public Buildings, and School Departments all of the Commission's re- quests for uses of indoor premises have been granted, and the facilities of the buildings have been placed at its disposal. Again a long-range planning program would reduce some of the Commission's problems in this respect. In the recently- published Survey of Elementary School Building Needs in Somerville, reference is made to increased provision for play-
343
RECREATION DEPARTMENT
ground facilities in the construction of new school buildings. On Page 78 of this Survey Report recommendation is also made that in the event of the razing of the Glines School, a neigh- borhood playground be constructed on this site. Although no specific recommendations are made in the Report with respect to the layout of proposed new school buildings, the Recreation Commission in October, 1950 made recommendations for pro- vision for community use of such buildings (See 1950 Annual Report), and received reply from Mr. John E. Marshall, Ad- ministrator of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts School Building Assistance Commission, which included the following statement :- "You will be encouraged, I think, to learn that the principles that you mentioned regarding community use of school buildings are nationally accepted basic principles of school plant planning, and that this office subscribes to them with enthusiasm." This statement by Mr. Marshall reflects the general attitude throughout the country with respect to the construction of new school buildings.
Thus we have a complete panorama of recreation facilities, both indoor and outdoor. Improvements have been made, and it is obvious from the above statements that additional im- provements may be anticipated. Progress may be slow - in. some respects too slow. The answer lies in long-range planning, and this Commission will not desist in its efforts to bring about the accomplishment of its recommendations and to present its problems to the public.
A general summary of the activities program for the year 1951 will be made here, and in order to acquaint the citizens of Somerville with the extent of this program, a list of Activi- ties under the Commission is appended to this Report. If this Activities list be related to the Financial Summary on Page 6 of this Report, it should be obvious to all that the Recreation dollar is wisely invested, and that full value is received.
Activities on the ADULT level have been affected by world conditions and the military situation. Unfortunately the activi- ties most seriously affected are those which should be supported more extensively by community participation - Community Drama and Music. The Aduit Leagues For Men in Softball, Bowling, and Basketball enjoyed successful seasons in 1951. An indication of the calibre of play in the Softball Leagues may be gathered from the fact that the E. F. Kemp Company team, winner of the American League and City Championships, was. also titlist in Class A of the Metropolitan Softball Tournament, and runner-up in the Regional American Softball Association.
344
ANNUAL REPORTS
Tournament. An encouraging feature of these Leagues is that so many of their members take complete advantage of what the community offers them in the line of Municipal Recrea- tion. Many of the men who now participate in these Leagues have been previously identified with other activities under the Commission over a period of years, including Boys' Clubs, boys' athletic leagues, playgrounds, etc. Although audience participation at all adult events (and the same might be said of the children's demonstrations) has been above average, there is still room for much improvement. The Commission makes every effort to keep the public informed whenever public demonstrations or other events of public interest are to take place, via radio announcements and through the columns of "THE JOURNAL-PRESS" and the Somerville Edition of the "BOSTON AMERICAN", whose co-operation through these mediums of announcement has been most gratifying.
Two new developments within the activities program de- signed to provide wholesome outdoor recreation for boys and young men of the 14-19 year-old group were inaugurated into the program in June. These included a Junior Municipal Soft- ball League for boys 14-17 years of age, with games played at Shaw Field; and a Twilight Basketball League for young men 16-19 years, with games played three evenings each week on the Basketball court at Shaw Playground. The Twilight Basket- ball League proved very successful, but the unplayable condi- tion of Shaw Field was a factor in contributing to a less successful season for the Junior Softball League. However, the Commission believes that both of these activities justified their incorporation into the activities program.
The Commission's program for youth and children con- tinues to be a well-balanced one, and progress can be reported in all branches of this program.
Despite inclement weather which resulted in the postpone- ment of each of the major public demonstrations at least once; and despite other problems, some of which will be recorded later in this Report; the Summer Playgrounds season may be regarded as a successful one, providing as it did opportunity for wholesome recreational enjoyment to 211,640 children. The Commission believes that too much praise cannot be given to the members of the maintenance staff who worked under the most trying conditions during the three final weeks of the season. Postponement of the three major events, including two twilight demonstrations, placed additional demands on an already full schedule, and the unselfish response of these
345
RECREATION DEPARTMENT
workers during this period is indicative of the general attitude of both the full-time and part-time staffs. Despite the postponements, the final demonstrations of "PLAY DAY", "FROLIC OF FOLK DANCES", and the Inter-Playground Ath- letic Meet, were still up to their former standards.
Because of its success as a part-time unit during the Sum- mer season of 1950, the Cholerton Playground was restored to full-time status by the Commission in 1951; and the favorable results brought about by the change have more than justified this action of the Commission. However, the Commission re- gards the area itself to be not satisfactory due to its location on the "fringe" of a neighborhood and the constant safety hazard presented through its nearness to the congested traffic of Davis Square and Highland Avenue. The Commission be- lieves that at some time in the near future a more central play- ground location should be obtained for the children of this neighborhood.
During the period between the closing of school and the opening of the Summer Playgrounds, the Recreation Commis- sion, with the financial support of the First National Stores, conducted a Baseball "Clinic" at each of the City's several "athletic" areas. This "Clinic", which was under the super- vision of Mr. James P. Curtin, Baseball Coach of Somerville High School, aided by members of the Commission's staff, proved so successful that it is hoped that the "Clinic" may be- come an annual event.
After two seasons of only moderate success, the Bicycle Club has come into its own. Now a formally organized Club with elected officers, and bearing the name "The Spokes", it has a year-round program consisting of weekly meetings, periodic socials, outdoor activities, and visits to points of inter- est. In November, the members of this group were addressed by an Inspector of the Safety Division of the Registry of Motor Vehicles, who then conducted a road test for each member, followed by a written examination. Scotch-lite kits were dis- tributed to each member who completed the tests successfully. Membership in this group has increased substantially.
In other September-to-June group programs, the member- ship fluctuates from time to time. This is due principally to the youthful ages of the groups, as well as the necessity for operating these activities in school buildings, with their limita- tion of facilities for indoor recreation. However, notwithstand- ing handicaps, the Arts And Crafts Clubs for boys and girls,
346
ANNUAL REPORTS
the Model Aircraft Clubs for boys, the Youth Theatre and Children's Theatre divisions of the Community Drama pro- gram, and the Junior Community Chorus, have all shown improvement over the previous season. Some of these activi- ties, because of their nature, also have a "carry-over" into the home. Participation during the session constitutes only a part of the whole. Many of the projects started at the session are completed at home, and there have been reported instances of family participation in the project's completion. This is re- garded by the Commission as a commendable procedure, providing as it does recreation for the entire family.
Although numerically the Boys' Clubs and Girls' Clubs have not expanded as might be desired, the quality of the existing Clubs is good, and the results obtained through these is better than satisfactory. There is a geographic distribution of these Clubs, covering most of the districts of the City. It is true that many boys and girls who ten years ago would have been members of the Boys' and Girls' Clubs, are now absorbed into many of the Commission's other September-to-June activ- ities, yet their present small number may be due partially to the fact that there is a growing tendency on the part of the youth of today to veer away from highly organized and spe- cialized groups involving officers, constitutions, etc. The present program will be retained only so long as there is a de- mand for it, and if abandoned, it would be done so with regret, since this Commission feels that there is especial need, among boys and girls of this 12-to-18 year-old group, for the indi- vidual guidance that is obtained through these Clubs; and that, meritorious as are those other recreation activities in which the boys and girls now participate, they do not provide the same opportunities for personal counsel and guidance to the individual boy or girl.
The outdoor Saturday Playgrounds program, conducted weekly during the Spring and Fall seasons on areas adjacent to school buildings; and the Saturday Indoor Centers program, conducted during the Winter season inside the school build- ings; may both be regarded as successful programs. Various types of special activities are presented at these playgrounds and centers weekly, and the remainder of the program revolves around these activities.
No SPECIFIC recommendations are made by the Commis- sion in this Report. However, a few general recommendations relative to indoor and outdoor facilities are included in those paragraphs which relate the problems encountered with respect
347
RECREATION DEPARTMENT
to facilities. The City Engineer is already aware of those prob- lems affecting his Department, and is making every effort to bring about their solution as soon as possible.
Effort is still being made by the Commission to make sal- aries of all of its personnel more equitable and in keeping with the standards of the profession. Progress may be reported in all branches of the service excepting Summer Playgrounds; and because of the number of workers involved here, progress must necessarily be slow. However, there has been some im- provement in the minimum salary scale. The Commission's problem now is one of obtaining QUALIFIED personnel at available salary rates and RETAINING veteran employes. In previous years it has been generally the precedent for a sea- sonal employe to work an average of three to five years before leaving the service. However, the 1951 Summer season brought a greater-than-usual turn-over in personnel. Many Summer workers did not return to service because of more attractive salaries elsewhere. It is hoped that many of the new workers, profiting by the experience obtained last Summer, will be available for several years to come, as a new and inexperienced staff each year is not conducive to a successful season.
The Recreation Commission wishes to record its recogni- tion and appreciation of the faithful and unselfish services of the year-round staff of workers.
The Commission gratefully acknowledges the continued co-operation during 1951 of His Honor The Mayor, the Board of Aldermen, the Engineering Department, the Public Build- ings Department, the Electrical Department, and the Police Department; and acknowledges especially the co-operation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Masters of the Senior High and Junior High Schools, and the Supervising Principals and Teachers of the Elementary Schools.
Acknowledgment is made also to the various churches and members of the clergy, and to veteran, service, and social or- ganizations of the City for their co-operation during the past year.
Appended to this Report is the Financial Summary for the year 1951 and a list of Activities Uuder The Recreation Com- mission.
Respectfully submitted by THE RECREATION COMMISSION, By REV. N. PROPERZI,
Chairman
348
ANNUAL REPORTS
City of Somerville, Recreation Commission
FINANCIAL SUMMARY, 1951
ANNUAL APPROPRIATION (April 4)
$65,331.37
SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION (April 6)
1,600.00
SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION (April 13)
200.00
"RECEIPTS" (THROUGH REFUND)
4,78
TOTAL APPROPRIATIONS AND RECEIPTS
$67,136.15
EXPENDITURES:
Salaries and Wages
$60,042.32
Athletic Supplies
1,036.29
Playground Supplies, Paraphernalia, Equip- ment, and Accessories
938.24
Other Recreation Supplies
867.63
Printing, Planographing, Etc.
156.00
Rental of Equipment, Trucks, Buses, Etc.
348.37
Music Scores, Records, Etc.
59.91
Office Supplies
390.25
Telephone
384.16
Postage, Parcel Post and Express
227.21
Repairs
67.93
Photographic Services and Supplies
146.02
Special Services
32.49
Maintenance of Vehicles
710.34
Automobile Allowance
180.00
Books and Pamphlets for Workers' Profes- sional Improvement
6.80
Carfares for Itinerant and Volunteer Workers
58.95
Other Personal Disbursements
27.27
Convention Expenses
79.35
Special Items:
Mats and Accessories for Tumbling and Gym
197.80
Swing Sets and Accessories
264.99
Basketball Sets and Rings
227.58
Portable Chairs and Table
298.60
Tape Recorder
100.00
All Other
47.40
TOTAL EXPENDITURES
$66,895.90
$66,895.90
UNEXPENDED BALANCE
$240.25
ACTIVITIES UNDER THE CITY OF SOMERVILLE RECREATION COMMISSION SEASON OF 1950-1951
Recreation Activity Summer Playgrounds Saturday Playgrounds
No. of Units
Age Group
26
Under 16
14
Under 1 1
Saturday Indoor Centers
7
Under 1 1
School Bldgs.
6
13-19
School Bldgs.
Sept .- June
3
12-16
School Bldgs.
Sept .- June
3
9-16
Parks & Plgds.
Sept .- Dec.
Arts & Crafts Clubs (Boy-Girl)
4
10-16
School Bldgs.
Sept .- June
Arts & Crafts Club
1
Adult
School Bldgs.
Sept .- June
Community Theatre
1
14-18
School Bldgs.
Sept .- June
Junior Community Theatre
1
12-15
School Bldgs.
Sept .- June
Youth Theatre
3
8-12
School Bldgs.
Sept .- June
Children's Theatre
1
Adult
School Bldgs.
Oct .- May
Community Chorus
1
12-18
School Bldgs.
Oct .- May
"Fisical Fitness" Clubs (Boys)
3
12-16
School Bldgs.
Oct .- April
Model Aircraft Clubs
2
10-16
School Bldgs.
Oct .- April
Bicycle Club
1
11-16
Out-of-doors
Sept .- Dec.
Gymnasium Activities for Men
1
Adult
School Bldgs.
Oct .- April
Gymnasium Activities for Women
1
Adult
School Bldgs.
Oct .- April
Leagues for Boys:
Basketball
26 teams
13-19
School Bldgs.
Dec .- April
Twilight Basketball (Outdoor)
8 teams
16-19
School Grounds
May-July
Softball
6 teams
14-17
Parks & Plgds.
May-Sept.
Leagues for Men:
8 teams
Adult
School Bldgs.
Nov .- March
Basketball
16 teams
Adult
Public Alleys
Sept .- Apr.
Bowling
24 teams
Adult
Parks & Plgds.
Apr .- Sept.
Softball
Program for "Shut-ins"
1
Under 14
Somerville Hospital
Year-round
349
RECREATION DEPARTMENT
Season
July-Aug. Sept .- Dec. Mar .- June Dec .- Mar.
Boys' Clubs Girls' Clubs Afternoon Supervised Athletics
Apr .- June
Adult
School Bldgs.
Sept .- May
Junior Community Chorus
Mar .- June
Location Plgds. & School Grounds School Grounds & Plgds.
350
ANNUAL REPORTS
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ELECTION COMMISSIONERS
March 18, 1952.
To the Honorable, the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville
Gentlemen:
The Board of Election Commissioners respectfully submits the following report for the year 1951.
REGISTRATION
Before the Preliminary "Election in October, registration was held in the office at City Hall, beginning on January 2 and continuing until Wednesday, September 18, from 8:30 A. M. to 4:30 P. M. except on Saturday when the office closes at 12 Noon. Also Wednesday, September 5, Thursday September 6, Monday, September 17 and Tuesday, September 18, from 7:00 to 9:00 P. M. and Wednesday, September 19, from 8:30 A. M. to 10:00 P. M. 1444 names were added to the voting list dur- ing this period.
OUTSIDE SESSIONS from 7:00 to 9:00 P. M. were as follows:
Cutler Schoolhouse, Powder House Blvd.
Friday, September 7 Friday, September 7 John A. Dickerman Schoolhouse, Cross Street
Monday, September 10
Morse Schoolhouse, Summer Street
Thursday, September 13
Monday, September 10 Western Junior Schoolhouse, Holland Street Tuesday, September 11 Tuesday, September 11 Wednesday, September 12 Carr Schoolhouse, Atherton Street Perry Schoolhouse, Washington Street Bingham Schoolhouse, Lowell Street Wednesday, September 12 Glines Schoolhouse, Jaques Street Knapp Schoolhouse, Adrian Street Southworth Schoolhouse, Myrtle Street Brown Schoolhouse, Willow Avenue
Thursday, September 13 Friday, September 14 Friday, September 14
Southern Junior Schoolhouse, Summer Street
351
ELECTION COMMISSIONERS
After the Preliminary Election on October 9, 1951 regis- tration was held daily in City Hall, October 10-11-15-16, from 8:30 A. M. to 4:30 P. M. also, Monday, October 15, Tuesday, October 16, from 7:00 to 9:00 P. M. and on Wednesday, Octo- ber 17, from 8:30 A. M. to 10:00 P. M.
726 names were added to the voting list after the Prelimi- nary Election.
NOMINATION PAPERS
The Board of Election Commissioners received four hun- dred seventeen (417) papers on which thirteen thousand seven hundred seventy-five (13775) names were certified. There were no Initiative or Referendum Petitions received this year.
JURORS
In accordance with Chapter 234 of the General Laws, as amended by Chapter 211 of the Acts of 1924, the Election Commissioners prepared a list of the inhabitants of Somerville, liable to serve as jurors.
The Board had established a system, whereby each person, provisionally selected for jury service, fills out a questionnaire and appears before the Board at the office and makes oath to the statements contained therein. This gives the Board an op- portunity to meet each individual and note, if any, his physical defects or disability to render the county the service that would be required from him as juror. These personal examinations, also, enable the Board to know the educational qualifications of each prospective juror.
The Jury List for the year 1951, -prepared by the Board contains the names of eleven hundred and forty-six (1146) prospective jurors.
RECOUNTS
A Recount of votes cast at the Preliminary Election on October 9, 1951 for the office of School Committee in Ward Four was held on October 16 at 7:00 P. M. Original figures and figures of the Recount are on Page 38, in the book "Rec- ords of Primary Elections", in the office of the Election Com- missioners.
After the Election on November 6, 1951 a Recount was held for the offices of Mayor, Alderman at Large, Ward Alder-
352
ANNUAL REPORTS
man, Wards One and Six and for School Committee, Wards One and Five.
This Recount was started on Saturday, November 17 and continued November 18 and 19. Figures of the original count and figures of the Recount are on Pages 21 and 22 in the book "Records of Elections", in the office of the Election Commis- sioners.
EXPENSES
The Expenses for the Election Department for the year ending December 31, 1951, were as follows:
Board of Election Commissioners $25,427.70
Pay of Election Officers 9,272.00
Total Expenses $34,699.70
The Board has had the co-operation of His Honor, the Mayor and the Honorable members of the Board of Aldermen and all City Officials, for which it is deeply grateful.
THOMAS W. ORPEN JOHN T. FORD LEWIS A. PRATT DENNIS L. DONOVAN Board of Election Commissioners of Somerville
To the Honorable, the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville
Gentlemen:
The Listing Board of the City of Somerville, respectfully submits the following report for the year 1951.
Listing of males, twenty years of age and upwards for poll taxes and listing of females, twenty years of age and upwards.
THOMAS W. ORPEN JOHN T. FORD DENNIS L. DONOVAN LEWIS A. PRATT AUGUSTINE F. SHARRY Listing Board of the City of Somerville
353
ELECTION COMMISSIONERS
NUMBER OF PERSONS LISTED BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR THE YEAR 1951
Ward
Prec.
Male
Female
Totals
Male
Female
Totals-
1
1
1120
1096
2216
1
2
853
926
1779
1
3
817
854
1671
1
4
954
1032
1986
1
5
902
976
1878
4646
4884
9530
2
1
994
1003
1997
2
2
791
860
1651
2
3
637
739
1376
2
4
951
1072
2023
2
5
974
1102
2076
2
6
852
947
1799
5199
5723
10922
3
1
900
1040
1940
3
2
816
968
1784
3
3
877
1049
1926
3
4
767
975
1742
3
5
675
966
1641
4035
4998
9033
4
1
1061
1180
2241
4
2
716
774
1490
4
3
909
1148
2057
4
4
964
1123
2087
4
5
978
1097
2075
4
6
648
723
1371
5276
6045
11321
5
1
680
786
1466
5
2
814
883
1697
5
3
862
922
1784
5
4
765
909
1674
5
5
813
866
1679
5
6
858
944
1802
4792
5310
10102
6
1
800
950
1750
6
2
915
1077
1992
6
3
745
897
1642
6
4
692
841
1533
6
5
734
923
1657
3886
4688
8574
7
1
882
1010
1892
7
2
886
999
1885
7
3
859
995
1854
7
4
1047
1145
2192
7
5
849
958
1807
4523
5107
9630
32357
36755
69112
32537
36755
69112
354
ANNUAL REPORTS REGISTERED VOTERS
Registered Voters October 1950
Revised Lists June 1, 1951
Oct. 17, 1951
Ward
Pct.
Men
Women
Men
Women
Men
Women
1951
1
1
790
707
720
657
767
720
1025
1
2
679
656
635
614
666
661
932
1
3
677
610
609
565
634
598
837
1
4
714
708
660
642
689
689
917
1
5
766
743
694
669
729
712
1008
2
1
725
580
696
535
709
553
897
2
2
670
650
624
614
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