Report of the city of Somerville 1954, Part 6

Author: Somerville (Mass.)
Publication date: 1954
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 366


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1954 > Part 6


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FUNDED DEBT AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1954


Rate


Date of Issue


Due


Amount


Sewer Loan


33/4


Sept. 2, 1934


1964


$10,000.00


Water Loan


11/2


Oct. 2, 1939


1955


5,000.00


Sewer Loan


21/2


Nov. 1, 1939


1969


45,000.00


Sewer Loan


11/2


Oct. 2, 1939


1957


15,000.00


Mun. Garage Loan


2


Oct. 1, 1952


1972


580,000.00


Mun. Garage Loan


2.40


Apr. 1, 1953


1973


98,000.00


Stadium Loan


2.70


Oct. 1, 1953


1973


155,000.00


Elementary School


2.20


Dec. 1, 1953


1973


1,090,000.00


Transit Loan


11/4


Nov. 15, 1949


1959


395,000.00


Vets Loan


13/4


Jan. 1, 1948


1963


65,000.00


Sewer Loan


21/4


Oct. 1, 1937


1967


21,000.00


Remod. & Rec.


11/4


Apr. 1, 1947


1957


225,000.00


Vets Loan


11/2


July 1, 1947


1962


255,000.00


Public Works


1.25


July 1, 1947


1959


95,599.09


Public Works


1.25


July 1, 1954


1964


76,470.55


Mun. Relief Loan


1.40


Oct. 1, 1952


1959


150,000.00


Mun. Relief Loan


1.20


Oct. 1, 1954


1958


225,000.00


Mun. Relief Loan


1.10


Sept. 15, 1950


1955


70,000.00


$3,131,069.64


$3,576,069.64


106


ANNUAL REPORTS


YEARLY BOND MATURITIES WITH INTEREST Municipal Relief Loans


Year


Principal


Interest


Total


1955


$165,000.00


$5,570.00


$170,570.00


1956


95,000.00


3,560.00


98,560.00


1957


95,000.00


2,680.00


97,680.00


1958


45,000.00


1,440.00


46,440.00


1959


45,000.00


1,260.00


46,260.00


$445,000.00


$14,510.00


$459,510.00


ALL OTHER LOANS


1955


$357,069.64


$58,692.12


$415,761.76


1956


351,000.00


52,952.25


403,952.25


1957


351,000.00


47,263.25


398,263.25


1958


265,000.00


42,055.00


307,055.00


1959


255,000.00


37,533.75


292,533.75


1960


157,000.00


33,118.75


190,118.75


1961


156,000.00


29,928.75


185,928.75


1962


156,000.00


26,751.25


182,751.25


1963


120,000.00


23,573.75


143,573.75


1964


110,000.00


21,017.50


131,017.50


1965


104,000.00


18,615.00


122,615.00


1966


104,000.00


16,312.50


120,312.50


1967


99,000.00


14,010.00


113,010.00


1968


98,000.00


11,842.00


109,842.50


1969


98,000.00


9,702.50


107,702.50


1970


95,000.00


7,600.00


102,600.00


1971


95,000.00


5,535.00


100,535.00


1972


95,000.00


3,470.00


98,470.00


1973


65,000.00


1,405.00


66,405.00


$3,131,069.64


$461,378.87 $3,592,448.51


Totals


$3,576,069.64


$475,888.87 $4,051,958.51


.


.


.


...


BONDS DUE 1955


January


April


July $1,000.00


September


October $7,000.00


November


December


Total $11,000.00


Sewer


$3,000.00


Transit


$79,000.00


$79,000.00


Vets


10,000.00


35,000.00


$45,000.00


Rem. & Rec.


$75,000.00


$70,000.00


50,000.00


120,000.00


Mun. Relief


45,000.00


45,000.00


Water


5,000.00


5,000.00


Mun. Garage


6,000.00


35,000.00


41,000.00


Stadium


10,000.00


10,000.00


Elementary School


$60,000.00


60,000.00


Public Works


19,599.09


19,599.09


Public Works


..


....


..


11,470.55


...


..


....


..


..


....


11,470.55


Total


$13,000.00 $86,000.00 $67,069.64 $70,000.00 $147,000.00 $79,000.00 $60,000.00


$522,069.64


.


..


..


..


..


..


..


..


....... .....


..


..


..


107


TREASURER AND COLLECTOR OF TAXES


75,000.00


Mun. Relief


..


. .


....


PRELIMINARY ELECTION OCTOBER 6, 1959 Assessors


- WARD


PRECINCT


BAILEY


SARNO


MCCARTHY


RYAN


KELLY


CORBETT


HAVICAN


GOGGIN


MORAN


BUTLER


MACARELLI


O'DEA


HALEY


MITRANO


DUNNE


LYONS


11


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78


69


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CHESSMAN


w


PRELIMINARY ELECTION OCTOBER 6, 1959 Aldermen-At-Large


WARD


PRECINCT


JOYCE


MacDONALD


GRASSIA


VITIELLO


DI FRANCO


HALL


CONSTANTINE


MURPHY


CERTUSI


O'BRIEN


WHITNEY


BIMBO


O'NEIL


MCCARTHY, C. F.


SINNOTT


FOSTER


BURKE


O'DONNELL


54


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7


MCCARTHY, F. L.


GALVIN


2


232


108


ANNUAL REPORTS


REPORT OF THE LAW DEPARTMENT


March 16, 1955.


The Honorable, the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen Somerville, Massachusetts


Gentlemen:


I am pleased to submit the annual report of the Law De- partment for the year 1954:


The usual business of the department was carried on; that is, the damage suits against the city arising out of defective sidewalks and streets and suits brought against the operators of city vehicles were handled in the usual manner, some cases being settled and others tried, always having in mind the best interests of the city.


The Law Department attempted to render services to all other city departments as requested; that is, the School Com- mittee, Welfare Department, Board of Assessors and any other departments which required the services of the Law Depart- ment.


I have been fortunate in having the assistance of Edward J. Kelleher, as Assistant City Solicitor, and John J. Clark, as In- spector of Claims, both being conscientious and efficient.


I also wish to express my appreciation for the cooperation and pleasant relations existing between this office and his Honor, Mayor Donovan, the members of your Honorable Board, and the officials and employees of the city with whom this department has been in contact.


Very truly yours,


GEORGE S. RYAN, City Solicitor


109


RECREATION COMMISSION


THE RECREATION COMMISSION 1954


THE REVEREND NAZARENO PROPERZI, Chairman


MEMBERS


Term Expires January


Anthony Bellamy


1955


Mrs. Marion M. Cabral


1956


William J. Crotty


1955


Edmund Hadley


1956


William J. Koen


1956


Peter Lucarelli


1955


Edward M. McCarty 1955


Mrs. Angela B. Mercurio


1956


Mrs. Theresa M. Turner


1956


Secretary To The Commission: CHARLES C. KELLEY


110


ANNUAL REPORTS


Dedication


It is altogether fitting that this Silver Anniversary edition of the Rec- reation Commission's Annual Report should be dedicated to the late Francis J. Mahoney, Superintendent of Rec- reation from 1923 to 1949, who over a period of more than a quarter of a century contributed so much to the cause of Recreation in Somerville. Without his untiring efforts, much of what is now regarded as an exemplary Recreation system would not have been possible. During his period of unselfish service he was responsible also for the development of many young men and women who without his training and guidance would not have attained their present success.


CHARLES C. KELLEY, Superintendent of Recreation


111


RECREATION COMMISSION


December 31, 1954


To The Honorable The Mayor And The Board of Aldermen:


The Recreation Commission commences its report of the year 1954 by inviting attention to the following editorial which appeared in the December 30 issue of the "Somerville Journal- Press" :-


"TWENTY-FIVE YEARS OF SERVICE"


"Wherever and whenever the problem of juvenile delin- quency is discussed, always high among the recommenda- tions for its prevention is the expansion and improvement of recreation opportunities in a community.


"More and more throughout the country, recognition is being given to the important part played by the recreation agency in the development of a community. In many instances it occupies the same position as education. In fact, one of the seven cardinal objectives of education is 'The wise and worthy use of leisure time', and this is com- monly regarded as the acceptable definition of recreation.


"The average city of today boasts of a year-round municipal recreation service, many of which are of recent origin. Somerville, with its Recreation Commission now commenc- ing its twenty-sixth year of year-round service, is commonly regarded as a pioneer in the field of recreation and holds a select position as an authority on the subject in many communities.


"For some time we have observed the balance, scope, and variety of the Recreation Commission's program. We have witnessed its vicissitudes. We have shared its enthusiasm whenever recreation facilities, a necessary tool in the suc- cessful promotion of a program, have been obtained and developed. We have admired the quality of its leadership. We realize there is much more the Commission would like to do. We share the just pride of the City in its record of achievement.


"We congratulate the Recreation Commission on its twenty- five years of service, and we trust the next twenty-five years will be equally as fruitful."


112


ANNUAL REPORTS


In the light of the above, this might seem to some to be an appropriate occasion for making the Commission's 1954 Annual Report a Silver Anniversary edition which would in- clude a compilation of all of the Commission's Annual Reports since 1930. This, however, would result in a rather bulky Report, not all of which would be interesting reading since, as the editorial states, the Commission has experienced many vicissitudes over the years. Let us state merely that the road has not been entirely a smooth one nor a straight one.


First there was the period of establishment; of obtaining recognition; of piercing the myth, which still exists in some quarters. that Recreation means Summer Playgrounds only; of proving that Recreation is not a luxury, that it is not meant only for certain classes of people or certain age groups, that enforced leisure requires an "antidote", and that the best "antidote" is a year-round supervised Community Recreation program for everybody. Then came the Depression, and we found ourselves fighting for our survival before we even had attained an iden- tity. Perhaps the struggle for identity proved to be the best method of attaining an identity. The period 1930-1940 could be best known as "The Trying Thirties". Then came the War years, which affected not only appropriations but also leader- ship personnel and attendance participation. The period 1946 to 1954 has been one of gradual progress and recognition for the Recreation Commission. However, even the present re- corded degree of success was not accomplished by leaps and bounds, but only by inching along.


And thus we come to the present - 1954. For the first time since the establishment of the Recreation Commission as a year-round, full-time Service, its Financial Estimate and Appropriation for 1954 were identical. His Honor The Mayor recommended for appropriation, and the Honorable Board of Aldermen appropriated, the same amount that the Commission estimated as necessary for the successful conduct of its 1954 program. The result of this favorable action is a matter of record in the successful accomplishments of this past year.


LEADERSHIP


A pleasant matter for reporting at this time is an improve- ment in personnel, both full-time and part-time. Not only the quality of the current corps, but also the morale and accom- plishments of these workers, has improved. The two full-time


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Leaders and the Stenographer-Typist acquired during the past year-Miss Josephine Fierro and Mr. Arthur Hughes, and Miss Loretta Govoni-have adapted themselves well to the demands of the work, and all have indicated a surprising competency. They represent a highly desirable type of employe, and it is hoped that all three will be in service for some time to come. The veteran members of the full-time staff performed their duties in a highly desirable fashion. As the list of the Com- mission's activities appended to this report will testify, there is no let-up, seasonal or otherwise, in the calendar year for the members of the full-time staff; and, despite the fact that the work is a dedicated one and should be regarded as such, it is remarkable that they are able to maintain their enthusiasm- a primary requisite in the field of Recreation-throughout the year. The new members of the part-time personnel, both Summer and seasonal, are also deserving of recognition, and it is the Commission's hope that they, like their full-time con- freres, will remain in the Service at least for a few years. The Commission believes that developments during the past year affecting the welfare of the full-time and part-time personnel will be a step in the right direction towards bringing this hope to accomplishment.


In order to bring the objectives of the work to a satisfactory conclusion there will always be the multiple demands of the work, of which the lay person is not conscious. Hence the need for attracting to the Service and retaining only the exceptional type of individual who is willing to give unselfishly of his time and efforts to bring about the accomplishment of these objectives.


ACTIVITIES PROGRAM


Except as to the number of group Boys' and Girls' Clubs and one unit of the Youth Theatre, the program picture continues to be encouraging. Increased participation in the majority of activities, and expansion in a few others, is here reported. Especially encouraging is the degree of participation in Drama, Music, and Arts And Crafts. The Somerville Community Chorus has had a very satisfactory season thus far, and the Adult Arts And Crafts group which was revived last March has been most successful. As of this reporting, both activities expect a suc- cessful continuance of their respective seasons during the coming months. In Drama, the Junior Community Theatre is enjoying its best season since its organization. Adult activities of an athletic nature report extensive enthusiasm and participa- tion during 1954.


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In the Adult Softball Leagues, both American and National League schedules were eventually completed after a wet Spring required the postponement of more than forty games. However, bad weather, including the two hurricanes which disabled the lighting systems at both Trum Field and Glen Street, caused several postponements of the American League Finals. Spec- tator interest increased during the 1954 season, especially at the lighted fields. In the A. S. A. Regionals Tournament, as well as in the Metropolitan Boston Tournament, the Somerville Leagues participants represented their City and the Commis- sion well.


Forty teams are currently participating in the Commission's seven Basketball Leagues, and all desirable age groups are included among the participants. Additionally, the Commission has initiated the erection of either one or two basketball back- boards on every school park or playground area of sufficient size to warrant the erection of one, and the number of informal Basketball participants using these areas throughout the year totals in the thousands. It is not presumptuous to state that there is more Basketball (formal or informal) being played in Somerville than in any other city of comparable size in the United States. And although participation in wholesome enjoy- ment and the proper development of youth and men with respect to the above are the PRIMARY functions of the Com- mission's services, we are proud of the large part played by the Commission in the development of championship Basketball teams year in and year out. The same might also be said for our contributions to Baseball and Track. Directing the youth towards good is one of the Commission's objectives. By trying to do as much as possible through the conduct of a varied pro- gram within the limits of resources, personnel, and facilities in order to reach as many as possible, the Commission feels it is more than fulfilling its obligation to help prevent delinquency of all types.


Other accomplishments of the past year include the Com- mission's participation in the Elks' Youth Day Parade on May 1 in observance of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Somerville Lodge of Elks, and its receiving the third place award for deco- rated Floats entered in the Parade; and the erection of a new Nativity Scene on the front portico of City Hall in time for the Christmas season. This Nativity Scene, whose predecessor, in the words of the local newspaper, "typifies the real meaning of Christmas", was designed and prepared by the Commission's own Leaders, and has come to be a Municipal symbol during the years since it was first initiated by the Superintendent in 1949. Contributing their joint efforts to this endeavor in co-


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operation with the Recreation Commission were the Public Buildings Division and the Electric Lines And Lights Division of the Public Works Department.


COME, ALL YE FAITHFUL


And by the hundreds they came to view the beautiful Nativity Scene, erected on the City Hall portico by the Recreation Commission. The Madonna, formerly a manne- quin in a Hub Department Store, was refurbished by the Recreation Commission artisans and flanked by cherubim, fashioned from plaster casts.


SUMMER PLAYGROUNDS


The 1954 Summer Playgrounds season may be regarded as a most successful one in every respect, including personnel, program, and participation. The enlisting of personnel did not


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present the acute problem of previous seasons, and the quality of the 1954 appointees was in keeping with the standards of the Service. The corps of new women Leaders and the majority of the men Leaders represent a desirable type of worker for future years, and all gave evidence of a spirit of enthusiasm, sacrifice, and service that might be regarded as ideal. The Commission is pleased to report also that the new incumbents in several of the supervisory positions certainly justified the Superintendent's confidence in recommending them for ap- pointment to their respective positions.


The Summer program followed the customary pattern, with few variations. An experiment was made this year of opening and closing the playgrounds in mid-week, and this experiment worked out very well. The season opened on Wednesday, June 30 and closed on Wednesday, August 25, thus adding an extra day to the regular eight-weeks season. The mid-week opening seemed to attract more children, and the attendance was sus- tained throughout the season. Reports show that more children between the ages of six and nine years attended the play- grounds this season than at any previous time, and more chil- dren were served by the playgrounds than in any other season. More mothers were present at the individual playground "Mother's Days" than in any previous season, with an average of thirty mothers reported at each playground.


In July a "Bicycle Safety Week" was conducted in various sections of the City, and the response was very satisfactory. This event was conducted jointly by the Recreation Commission and the Police Department, with the assistance of the Massa- chusetts Safety Council and the Registry of Motor Vehicles. Great interest was evidenced in the major events, including the Inter-Playground Athletic Meet, "Play Day", and the Inter- Playground Paddle Tennis Tournament, and many favorable re- ports concerning these events have been received by the Com- mission.


The new Swimming Pool at Foss Park affected the attend- ance at some playgrounds, especially those in the vicinity of Foss Park. (The Metropolitan District Commission reports nine- ty-one days of swimming with a total attendance of 140,000.) As to weather conditions in general, only three sessions were lost because of rain, and those sessions were spent profitably in staff meetings and in preparation of adornments for Folk Dances. Except for the one-day postponement of the Inter- Playground Athletic Meet, adjustments were made easily in the other programs affected by the weather, and no events had to be cancelled.


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In order to insure no "tapering off" in enthusiasm, interest, and participation during the closing days of the season after the major events had been completed, two new inter-playground activities - "Mixed Volley Ball Tournament" and "Track Meet" - were conducted, and met with acceptable success.


TO THE VICTOR GOES THE SPOILS


Surrounded by the Mayor and officials of the Recreation Commission, Police Depart- ment, Massachusetts Safety Council, and Registry of Motor Vehicles, the winner of the first prize in the Bicycle Safety Contest admires his trophy. Some 500 youngsters competed in a week-long test which included inspections, proper signalling, and ad- herence to safe-cycling regulations.


FACILITIES


The facilities picture, to the credit of the present adminis- tration, continues to look brighter. As a result of efforts made by the Superintendent, rooms for community use are included in the plans for the two new schools now being erected. Lights and a new set of basketball posts have been installed at the Glen Street Playground, and two new swing frames have been erected at the Hodgkins and Bingham Playgrounds. For the first time a new type of swing frame has been erected at Tufts Park, and parents are expressive of their approval of this action. New fences have been erected at the Hodgkins Playground (Paulina Street side) and the Vinal Avenue side of the Southern Jr. High School; a new multi-use area is in operation at Trum Field; and




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