USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1952 > Part 20
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18
Defective Wires
33
Disturbances Suppressed
1935
Dogs Killed
90
Dog Bites
449
False Alarm of Fire Given
206
Fires Reported
507
Gas Leaks
9
Houses Unoccupied
116
Injured and Sick Persons Assisted
959
Insane Persons Cared for
60
Lost Children Restored
95
Missing Persons
117
Missing Persons Found
110
Panes of Glass Broken
1229
Permits to Labor on Lord's Day
135
Persons Locked Out
85
Persons Notified for Various Causes
5590
Sudden Deaths
89
Summons Served, Outside
3495
Suspicious Persons
138
Stray Animals
199
Stray Animals Found
201
Streets and Subways Flooded
4
Value of Property Stolen
$101,952.00
Value of Property Recovered
$101,633.00
Water Running to Waste
51
292
ANNUAL REPORTS
OFFICIAL ROSTER OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT DECEMBER 31, 1952
Chief of Police Augustine F. Sharry
Deputy Chiefs of Police John J. Killourhy Hugh R. Cunningham
Captains
Thomas M. Sharry Earle W. Elliott
Joseph F. Small LeRoy V. Pierce
Henry W. Roche
Lieutenants
Francis X. Cavanagh Joseph G. Crowley John J. Smith Leo J. Gormley Thomas L. McGahan
Thomas J. O'Brien
James M. Kilmartin
Raymond J. Gleason
John E. Hughes
Dennis F. Kearney
Sergeants
John T. Mahood
William F. Wills
Cornelius J. Collins
Ulick M. Burke
John F. Burlingame William F. Blake
James L. Smith
Thomas F. Mahoney
John W. Murphy
John F. Powers
Fred A. Cammon
Thomas L. Hall
Patrolmen
21-John J. Gallagher
22-George B. Phillips, Jr.
23-Ricco J. Rossi
24-John J. Cronin
25-John M. Dunleavey
26-Harold L. Coffey
27-Joseph F. Curran
28-George W. McCauley
29-Garrett F. J. Mehigan
30-Daniel J. O'Connell
31-Arthur W. Kelley 32-Joseph F. Fedele
33-William E. Johnson
14-James Souza 15-Jeremiah F. Donovan
16-John J. Brosnahan
17-George Spiers
18-Charles W. Ellis
19-Patrick F. O'Brien
20-Jeremiah G. Sheehan
34-Ludwig Nelson 35-George Gullage
36-Edward L. Berg
37-Cornelius Aucoin
38-William F. Fitzgerald
39-John K. Barrett
40-Frederick W. McGovern
1-John P. L. O'Keefe 2-Alfred E. Robitaille 3-Allan S. Burns
4-George R. Allan 5-Alfred J. McFadden
6-William E. Dwyer
7-James F. Holmes 8-Patrick J. Lyons 9-Thomas J. Flanagan 10-John J. Courtney
11-Joseph P. Blake 12-John F. Cruise
13-Edward G. Forristall
293
POLICE DEPARTMENT
41-George W. Crosby
86-James E. Keating
42-Edward J. Kiley
87-George L. Gordon
43-Lester A. Caswell
88-James P. Ryan
44-Francis L. Rogers 89-Edward L. Fahey
45-John H. O'Brien
90-Thomas F. Doody
46-Herbert H. Stokes
47-Daniel F. Murphy
48-Richard H. Skeffington
93-Albert E. Dempsey
49-John J. Clark
94-John R. Ambrogne
50-Eugene M. Canty 51-James J. Higgins
96-William E. Bavin
52-Frederick A. Landry
97-John T. Canty # 1
53-Augustine W. Fitzpatrick
98-Linwood N. Thompson
54-Walter J. MacRae
99-Salvatore F. Salemme
55-William J. Quinlan
100-Peter F. O'Brien
56-James E. Hughes
101-James C. Baird
57-John F. Heafey
102-Harold A. MacDonald
58-Howard F. Hallion
103-William S. McDonough
59-Preston C. Davis
104-Charles T. McCarthy
60-John J. Tanner
105-William A. Kinsley, Jr.
61-Glen B. Nicholas
106-William J. Shine
62-Ernest C. Faulkner
107-Thomas J. Sullivan
63-Edward W. Kelley
108-Wallace E. Foskett
64-Clifford A. McQuilken
109-Leo J. Letendre
65-William J. Downey
110-Walter C. Barletta
66-Robert J. Brady
111-Donald N. MacElree
67-William J. Kelley
112-Medardo A. Muzzioli
68-Nicholas J. Calandrella
113-Vincent D. Hartnett
69-John F. Donovan
114-Francis O'Callaghan
70-James F. Ryan
115-James C. Mearls
71-Joseph R. Estee
72-Christopher C. Cullinan
73-Cosmo DeVellis
74-John J. Mahoney
119-Vincent J. Izzi
75-William J. Heafey
76-Thomas W. McGovern
121-James F. Tatosky
77-William F. Lynch
78-Walter J. Willwerth
123-John J. Cunha
79-John J. Donovan
124-Felix J. Manfra
80-James F. Downing
125-Joseph L. Mearls
81-Francis J. Keane
126-John T. Canty #2
82-Allan L. Collins
127-Ernest A. DiNisco
83-Allan S. Mosher
128-Robert P. Ryan
84-Charles P. Meehan
129-Joseph A. Murphy
85-Joseph M. Desmond
Matrons
Alice F. Keane
Susannah F. Bolt
CHANGES IN THE DEPARTMENT
Appointments
Sergeant Thomas J. O'Brien promoted to Lieutenant, February 2, 1952 Sergeant James M. Kilmartin promoted to Lieutenant, February 2, 1952 Sergeant Raymond J. Gleason promoted to Lieutenant, February 2, 1952 Sergeant John E. Hughes promoted to Lieutenant, February 2, 1952 Sergeant Dennis F. Kearney promoted to Lieutenant, February 2, 1952
116-Andrew L. Dennehy 117-Alfred J. White 118-David J. Santos
120-William R. McMahon
122-Earl S. Hemenway, Jr.
91-Francis J. Fulmine 92-Carmine L. Perna
95-Robert E. Doyle
294
ANNUAL REPORTS
Resignations
Patrolman James V. Scotti
Patrolman John F. Colleran
Resigned May 1, 1952 Resigned November 25, 1952
Transferred
Patrolman James M. Fitzpatrick Transferred, January 3, 1952 (To Metropolitan District Police)
Retirements
Patrolman Garnet L. Reid
Patrolman William H. Donovan
Patrolman William J. Baird
Pensioned August 8, 1952 Pensioned August 12, 1952 Pensioned September 20, 1952
Deaths
Patrolman John E. Dillaway
Died January 7, 1952
Deaths of Retired Members
George L. Rice Elmer G. Raymond Peter Moore Bernard McCabe
Died June 16, 1952 Died July 21, 1952 Died August 20, 1952 Died November 3, 1952
IN CONCLUSION
I wish to thank his Honor the Mayor, members of the Board of Aldermen, heads of the various departments, and all officers and members of the police department, for their loyal support, cooperation and assistance during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
AUGUSTINE F. SHARRY,
Chief of Police
295
RECREATION DEPARTMENT
REPORT OF THE RECREATION COMMISSION
1952
THE REVEREND NAZARENO PROPERZI, Chairman
MEMBERS
Term Expires
Malcolm D. Blair
1952
William J. Crotty
1953
Jerry C. landoli, Jr.
1952
Mrs. Margaret T. Keane 1954
William J. Koen 1954
Peter Lucarelli 1953
Mrs. Myrtle Macleod
1952
Edward M. McCarty 1953
The Reverend John B. Olds (resigned) .. 1953
Secretary To The Commission: CHARLES C. KELLEY
296
ANNUAL REPORTS
December 31, 1952
To The Honorable The Mayor And The Board of Aldermen:
The Recreation Commission in recent Annual Reports has called attention of the responsible authorities to some of its major problems. However the Commission believes it worthy of repetition to point out that the major concerns of a Municipal Recreation Service are a sufficiently well-rounded activities program to satisfy the needs of all members of the community; an adequate and competent staff to plan, organize, and con- duct this program; and suitable indoor and outdoor facilities for the conduct of activities.
The Commission's program in 1952 found a continuance of what is now regarded in many circles, both inside and out- side the City, as a model for other communities to emulate. This, however, is not the claim of the Recreation Commission, which is merely attempting, within the limits of its resources both financial and physical, to fulfill its obligations to the com- munity. The Commission realizes that it is handicapped in many respects because of some of its problems, but it believes that when these problems have been corrected there is no reason why a better program cannot be conducted.
Perhaps because more people are served at one time during the Summer season, the average citizen automatically thinks of Summer Playgrounds whenever reports on the Commission's program are made. Consequently mention will be made of this phase of the program first.
It is a matter of record that the 1952 Summer season was one of the hottest and dryest in recent memory. Inasmuch as Somerville does not enjoy the bathing facilities of most com- munities, it is to the credit of the leadership staff that any success can be reported during the major portion of July. Prin- cipally because of the extreme heat, attendance in 1952 was lower than in 1951. Inter-playground leagues and tournaments, "local" Special Activities, and the final inter-playground public demonstrations, all received their usual share of interest, enthusiasm, and response. The Inter-Playground Athletic Meet, despite its postponement because of inclement weather, was witnessed by one of the largest gatherings in recent years. It is a matter of record that this activity reached a new high in competition, with more than two hundred boys represented; an indication of the degree of competition being evidenced by the establishment of two new track records.
297
RECREATION DEPARTMENT
At present it appears very likely that 1953 will see the construction of the proposed Metropolitan Swimming Pool at Foss Park. Although this Pool will not be exclusively for Som- erville residents, it will help to relieve present inadequacies in this direction. More and more it is evident that spray pools similar to the one located at the Albion Street Playground are the most practical and sanitary method of providing some form of bathing relief in a crowded community such as Somerville.
A FINISHING TOUCH
Completely absorbed in putting the final touch on the puppet which she created during a weekly session of the Arts and Crafts Club is little Miss Pauline Jones. Hundreds of youngsters like Pauline spend many happy hours with the paint pot and brush under Recreation Commission leadership.
Wherever it is possible to install such a type of pool, the Com- mission respectfully requests that it be considered-especially at the Hoyt-Sullivan Playground, which at present is without any form of bathing facilities; at Lincoln Park, in the section where the present basketball court is located; and at any of the new playground sites recommended in previous reports. The specifications for this type of pool include a multi-use area which can be used for skating purposes in Winter.
298
ANNUAL REPORTS
The present City Engineer is aware of the Commission's thoughts along the line of improved outdoor facilities, and has already brought to fulfillment its recommendations with re- spect to the Albion Street and Grimmons Playgrounds. With respect to other areas, adjacent to school buildings, it is recom- mended that the surfaces be covered with a non-abrasive material and that the Buildings Department initiate the instal- lation of outside shower heads. This method for providing showers has proved successful at the Hodgkins, Perry, and Prescott Playgrounds. Areas recommended for installation of this type of shower provision include Baxter, Bennett, Cum- mings, Cutler, and Northeastern Playgrounds.
All of our civic authorities ssem to concur that there is need for additional smaller play areas throughout the City, and this is understandable when one considers that there are almost nineteen thousand children of school age in Somerville and that the number of existing areas is inadequate to take care of their needs. The Recreation Commission has gone on record for some time as recommending an increase in all types of areas.
If the proposed erection of the three new schools becomes a fact, it should follow that additional indoor and outdoor recreational facilities will result, as every modern school build- ing has not only indoor facilities that may be utilized for Recreational purposes, but standards require that the outside play area be in proportion to the number of students. This would mean that in any new school construction there should be sufficient play space to warrant the establishment of a play area.
Unlike many communities which have a long-range plan- ning program that includes provision for improvement of existing play areas, and additional play space, Somerville has had no specific program. However, the newly organized Plan- ning Board, in keeping with the tradition of progressive Plan- ning Boards in other communities, recognizes the need for expansion and improvement of Recreation facilities in Somer- ville, and is now in the process of undertaking a Recreation study. The Superintendent has already assisted Miss Elizabeth King, Planning Director, and her staff in their work to date on this study.
In the September-to-June program only certain activities will be mentioned here. It is the intention of the Commission to make this Report as brief as possible, and if mention were to be made of each of the twenty-one activities included in this
299
RECREATION DEPARTMENT
September-to-June period (a list of which is appended) the length of the Report could not be determined.
It is encouraging to report that during the past year there has been an increase in the number of Boys' Clubs and Girls' Clubs, as well as in the membership of the existing Clubs. Additionally, a series of successful inter-Club activities was initiated in 1952, and a continued definite program along this line is anticipated. Jointly, the Boys' and Girls' Clubs have
YOU'VE GOT ME BUD
Or in the proper language of the Chess World, "I'm check-mated, and how." That's Anthony DeCosta, left, playing a weekly "cat and mouse match" with Fran Biggie at the Recreation Commission's Chess Tourney at the Bow St. quarters. Close to fifty boys and girls repeat this scene each week.
edited a mimeographed paper called the "CO-REC COURIER," two issues of which have already been published.
Attendance and participation in the Boy-Girl Arts And Crafts Clubs during the last three months of the year were greater than at any time since the establishment of this pro- gram. The nature of this activity is such that the present number of participants is the maximum that can be handled under existing conditions.
300
ANNUAL REPORTS
An experimental program in co-operation with the Somer- ville Public Library was initiated in April when the Recreation Commission, through its Supervisor of Drama, Miss Marian L. Spreadby, inaugurated a program of Story-Telling on Saturday mornings at the Central Library and the various Branch Li- braries throughout the City. This program received many favorable comments from the Library personnel, and will be continued during the coming year.
A Chess Club composed of members of the Boys' and Girls' Clubs was organized in March, and the response to this activity has been more than satisfactory. Instruction has been provided by the Massachusetts State Chess Association on a volunteer basis, through the kindness of its President, Mr. Robert W. Reddy; and it is hoped that similar arrangements for continu- ance of this activity can be made for 1953.
The Community Drama and Music groups both report progress on the youth level. However, adult participation in these two activities is not as great as might be desired.
For the second consecutive year, in the period immediately following the close of school in June and prior to the opening of the Summer Playgrounds season, the Recreation Commission conducted a 'Baseball "Clinic" for boys at the City's several athletic areas. Financial support of the "Clinic" was provided by the Ford Motor Company, and the "Clinic" was again under the supervision of Mr. James P. Curtin, Baseball Coach of Somerville High School, assisted by members of the Commis- sion's staff. This year's "Clinic" was conducted in two Divisions, culminating in an All-Star game in each Division. Attractive Certificates, suitably inscribed, were presented to each partici- pant in the All-Star games.
The program of Adult Leagues For Men continues to be a source of satisfaction to the Commission. There is no other single activity, involving such extensive participation, which calls for so small an expenditure of money; as all of the adult athletic activities are self-supporting. Undoubtedly military demands have affected the calibre of competition; however (and this is to the credit of the Supervisor of Adult Leagues), there has been always on hand a sufficient number of teams- and in the case of Bowling and Softball, a waiting list. In Soft- ball, the principal reason is that there is not a sufficient num- ber of Softball diamonds to take care of all the teams that would like to play; and the future does not look any more
301
RECREATION DEPARTMENT
promising in this respect. The City Engineer has been requested to construct another Softball diamond at Dilboy Field, but even if this is done it will only offset the potential loss of Tevlin Field where the proposed Stadium is to be located.
There is still need for additional Softball and Baseball diamonds. Recommendations have been made to the City Engineer for the re-surfacing of Conway and Shaw Playgrounds so that these areas may be made playable for all forms of ath- letic competition. Efforts have been made by the Commission to co-operate with the promotion of the Little League move- ment without impairing its own services, but the absence of sufficient Baseball diamonds prevents further co-operation.
In previous Annual Reports the Recreation Commission has recommended that the Electrical Department make provision for an outdoor lighting system on one of the City's athletic areas so that additional use of the diamonds may be made. In this connection the Cedar St. side of Trum Field has been recommended to the Commissioner of Electric Lines And Lights as a proposed site for a lighting system.
It has been stated frequently that the most important factor in the conduct of a Recreation program is the staff which con- ducts the program (both full-time and part-time). Obtaining and retaining such a staff for the last ten years has not been easy. The general public has little knowledge of the demands of the Recreation profession, many thinking that because it is related to play, it automatically becomes play for the Leader who conducts it. Few realize its demands. Most citizens are not aware of the thorough training, planning, and preparation essential to the successful conduct of any Recreation program. Consequently the need for a competent, well-trained, and ca- pable staff. A constant turnover of personnel is a handicap to the conduct and administration of such an extensive program as that of the Somerville Recreation Commission. It places an additional burden upon those full-time and part-time workers who form the veteran nucleus, as well as those responsible for the supervision of the program. Partly the turnover is trace- able to military demands, and to more attractive salaries else- where for longer periods and with fewer responsibilities. And possibly it is due in part to a scarcity of young men and women within the age cycle normally attracted to this work on a part- time basis. It was only at the eleventh hour that a full com- plement of male workers was enlisted for the Summer Play- grounds season; and even in other seasonal activities, programs had to be adjusted occasionally to meet the availability of the
302
ANNUAL REPORTS
workers. This limited availability also affects to a slight degree the quality of the personnel, as selection thereby becomes limited. However, any stortcomings on the part of the new Leaders are due more to inexperience than to incompetency; otherwise the Commission would prefer to reduce the person- nel rather than rely upon incompetent Leaders. At no time should the standards of the profession be lowered to permit unqualified persons to be engaged in a work where the proper development of an individual may shape his entire life.
ONCE UPON A TIME
With all ears tuned to Marion Spreadby, the Recreation Commission's Story-telling Lady, these small fry gather at the Public Library for their regular weekly session of stories. At a later gathering, these same tots dramatized the tale which Miss Spreadby is telling here.
The Commission will persist in its efforts to enlist and re- tain only the most qualified personnel. However, it feels that the public should be made aware of its problems in this respect and should in turn assist the Commission in its objectives to obtain and retain qualified personnel by supporting any move- ment to make salaries more equitable, and by encouraging qualified young men and women to enter the field of Recrea-
303
RECREATION DEPARTMENT
tion work. More and more community leaders throughout the country are realizing the contributions made by Recreation Leaders to society, and the important role played by them in the proper development of youth and in providing wholesome enjoyment for all.
The Recreation Commission must depend upon its year- round staff as the source from which everything else springs- organization, planning, maintenance, conduct of program, training and supervision of personnel, etc. It is impossible to record the demands, intangible as well as tangible, made upon these workers during the normal course of a year. For the con- tinued unselfish efforts of its year-round staff of workers, the Commission wishes to record its appreciation.
The Commission gratefully acknowledges the continued co-operation during 1952 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 organizations of the City for their co-operation during the past year.
Appended to this Report is the Financial Summary for the year 1952 and a list of Activities Under The Recreation Com- mission.
Respectfully submitted,
THE RECREATION COMMISSION, REV. N. PROPERZI,
Chairman
304
ANNUAL REPORTS
City of Somerville, Recreation Commission FINANCIAL SUMMARY, 1952
ANNUAL APPROPRIATION (March 7)
$68,781.33
SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION (June 5)
2,250.00
TOTAL APPROPRIATIONS
$71,031.33
EXPENDITURES:
Salaries and Wages
$63,636.31
Athletic Supplies
1,092.41
Playground Supplies, Paraphernalia, Equip- ment, and Accessories
1,163.38
Other Recreation Supplies
1,093.66
Printing, Planographing, Etc.
186.00
Rental of Equipment, Trucks, Buses, Etc. ..
520.00
Music Scores, Records, Etc.
36.27
Office Supplies
370.23
Telephone
394.97
Postage, Parcel Post and Express
193.59
Repairs
67.35
Photographic Services and Supplies
155.26
Special Services
29.02
Maintenance of Vehicles
749.73
Automobile Allowance
210.00
Books and Pamphlets for Workers' Profes- sional Improvement
7.25
Carfares for Itinerant and Volunteer
Workers
60.60
Other Personal Disbursements
15.48
Special Items:
Motion Picture Sound Projector and Re- corder
449.00
Portable Electric Megaphone
75.00
Swing Accessories
175.84
All Other
52.15
TOTAL EXPENDITURES
$70,733.50
$70,733.50
UNEXPENDED BALANCE
$297.83
ACTIVITIES UNDER THE CITY OF SOMERVILLE RECREATION COMMISSION SEASON OF 1951-1952
Recreation Activity Summer Playgrounds Saturday Playgrounds
No. of Units
26
14
Sept .- Dec. Mar .- June Jan .- Mar.
Saturday Indoor, Centers
8
11-19
School Bldgs.
Sept .- June
Boys' Clubs
6
11-18
School Bldgs.
Sept .- June
Girls' Clubs
1
11-19
Public Building
Oct .- May
Chess Club
3
9-16
Parks & Pldgs.
Sept .- Dec.
Afternoon Supervised Athletics
Apr .- June
1
9-16
Parks & Pldgs.
June
Baseball "Clinic" for Boys
4
8-15
School Bldgs.
Oct .- May
Arts & Crafts Clubs (Boy-Girl)
1
Adult
School Bldg.
Oct .- May
Arts & Crafts, Club
]
14-18
School Bldg.
Sept. - June
Junior Community Theatre
1
12-15
School Bldg.
Sept .- June
Youth Theatre
3
8-12
School Bldgs.
Sept. - June
Children's Theatre
1
Under 1 ]
Public Libraries
Jan .- Apr.
Story-Telling Program
1
Adult
School Bldg.
Oct .- May
Community Chorus
1
12-18
School Bldg.
Oct .- May
Junior Community Chorus
4
12-16
School Bldgs.
Oct .- Apr.
"Fisical Fitness" Clubs (Boys)
3
10-16
School Bldgs.
Oct .- Apr.
Model Aircraft Clubs
1
11-16
Out-of-doors
Sept .- June
Gymnasium Activities for Men
1
Adult
School Bldg.
Oct .- Apr.
Leagues for Boys:
21 teams
13-19
School Bldgs.
Dec .- Apr.
Basketball
Twilight Basketball (Outdoor)
8 teams
16-21
School Grounds
May-July
Leagues for Men:
6 teams
Adult
School Bldgs.
Nov.Mar.
Basketball.
16 teams
Adult
Public Alleys
Sept .- Apr.
Bowling
20 teams
Adult
Parks & Pldgs.
Apr .- Sept
Softball
Program for "Shut-Ins"
]
Under 14
Somerville Hospital
Year-round
305
7
Under 11
Location Pldgs. & School Grounds School Grounds & Pldgs.
Season
July-Aug.
RECREATION DEPARTMENT
Bicycle Club
Adult
School Bldg.
Oct .- Apr.
Gymnasium Activities for Women
Age Group Under 16 Under 1 1
School Bldgs.
306
ANNUAL REPORTS
REPORT OF THE LAW DEPARTMENT
The Honorable, the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen Somerville, Massachusetts
March 18, 1953.
Gentlemen:
It is with pleasure that I submit the annual report of the Law Department for the year 1952.
It has been the privilege of the Law Department during the year to have been at the service of the various other depart- ments and officials of the city.
Claims and suits against the city, resulting from sidewalk defects, were received in numbers about equal to the previous year and the number of claims arising out of motor vehicle accidents involving city-owned vehicles has increased. These claims constitute the bulk of the Court actions brought against the city. This department also appeared in Court in various other matters arising out of activities in other departments.
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