USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1956 > Part 20
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For the first time, "PLAY DAY" was conducted this year in the new Dilboy Stadium, and it is not too difficult to imagine
311
RECREATION COMMISSION
some of the problems involved in using a new location for the first time, including marking of the grounds, maintaining control of 2,000 children without regimentation, etc. Again to the credit of everyone, the program went off without inci- dent, and veteran workers unqualifiedly stated that it was the "best ever." The Superintendent was especially pleased with the Folk Dancing, and the final specialty dances, "International Dances And Horah," will be particularly remembered for their colorful costumes, the grace of the dances themselves, and the skill with which the more than one hundred selected girls between the ages of 10 and 15 years carried out their assignments without a trace of a flaw.
HONORS WHERE FIRST HE WON HONORS
Civic and fraternal society officials gather near the High Jump bar during the 1956 Inter-Playground Track and Field Meet to pay homage to Somerville's Phil Reavis, before the great jumper began his long trek to Australia to take part in the '56 Olympics. Reavis, former playground athlete and play leader, first sky-rocketed into the sports headlines over the self-same jump bars, beside which he is shown here being feted and showered with pre-Olympic gifts.
Some reference to attendance and participation is always made in reports of the Recreation Commission. However, they are mentioned only when they warrant comment, as too fre- quent mention might affect the intended emphasis. It is hoped that this will not be the case in the present instance,
312
ANNUAL REPORTS
because any report on the Summer Playgrounds season would be incomplete without separate comment on attendance and participation. The combination of ideal weather, good leader- ship, and excellent programs made this season one of the most active ever; and the aggregate attendance of participants was recorded as 205,850. Especially deserving of mention for their sustained attendance and participation throughout the season are Trum, Lincoln, Glen, Conway, and Dilboy Play- grounds among the larger units; and Woods, Mystic, Hoyt- Sullivan, Grimmons, North St., and Woodstock St. Playgrounds among the smaller units. The Superintendent reported that on several occasions he had visited surrounding cities during the Summer season, and en route had passed some of the larger playgrounds in these communities during playground hours, where the attendance and participation could not be compared with that of Somerville. He stated that if the citizens of Somerville could only observe this comparison they would be proud of a playground system that could attract children in such numbers.
A report of the Summer season would not be complete without including mention of the contributions made by Miss Mary Mullins, Executive Director of the Visiting Nursing Association, who volunteered her services at both the Inter- Playground Athletic Meet at Trum Field and "PLAY DAY" at Dilboy Stadium. Needless to add, her services were very valuable, and her presence guaranteed expert attention in the event of any accidents.
RECREATION PROGRAM FOR TRAINABLE RETARDED CHILDREN
In July, the Commission attempted a new approach to the Recreation Program For Trainable Retarded Children, due to lack of success in obtaining a specialist for this type of program and also to the limited number of children who would be able to participate, as indicated by their parents. Instead of a playground program similar to the one conducted at the Forster Playground during the Summer of 1955, an experi- mental program consisting of occasional play activities at one of the M.D.C. recreational areas was attempted. For these activities the Commission was to provide transportation and supervision, while lunch and volunteer leadership would be provided by the parents. The intention was to have at least four such programs during the Summer season, and subsequent' programs of the same nature were to depend upon the success of the first one.
The response to the first of these experimental programs
313
RECREATION COMMISSION
on July 11 at the M.D.C. Recreation Area in Stoneham- despite the provision of an excellent Play Leader who had had previous experience with this type of child, and provision for transportation by a person who provides a similar service for these children during the school year and who knows the location of each residence and the individual habits of each child-was so small that future attempts to continue the pro- gram were abandoned. It is the opinion of the Superintendent that programs for this type of child could best be conducted on a sectional or county level. There would then be sufficient children to warrant their establishment, and the facilities would undoubtedly be of such nature as to have an additional appeal. In Somerville the potential areas are at best a poor substitute, and this condition, regardless of the quality of leadership, is an insurmountable handicap.
SENIOR CITIZENS
Although no formal program as such for the Golden Age or Senior Citizens has yet been established, nevertheless Mr. Pieroni, whose assignment includes initiating such a program, has been active in trying to provide activities and various benefits for this group. His work has included arranging for their attendance and escorting them to Red Sox games and other athletic contests, and obtaining reduced rates for admission to theatres, and complimentary tickets for High School games. Mr. Pieroni is also in the process of attempting to obtain reduced M.T.A. fares for these elderly people. During 1956 more than one hundred Identification Cards were issued by the Recreation Commission to Somerville citizens 65 years of age and over, and these cards enabled the bearers to obtain discount prices from some merchants, as well as reduced rates for admission to local, Greater Boston, and Boston theatres, and free admission to High School athletic games and certain Red Sox games. In mid-December a corps of the Commission's workers conducted a Christmas Party for the Golden Age group of the College Avenue Methodist Church, and this program was well received. There is no doubt that there is need for a formal recreation program for the "over-sixties," but it will require the combined efforts of all public and private agencies, churches, and organizations to make this program possible.
ADULT SOFTBALL LEAGUES
The 1956 Softball season could be regarded as Somerville's greatest, although others may be noteworthy for various rea- sons. The calibre of Softball offered by the strong American League, and the closeness of the National League race, pro-
314
ANNUAL REPORTS
vided the spectators with many memorable moments. In Class A, the Teele Square team, with Phil Severino pitching, proved to be a great attraction, and their games against the heavy hitting Virgie's team drew more than a thousand spectators whenever the two teams met in competition. These same two teams met in the Finals of the North Atlantic Qualifying Tournament in Malden, with Teele Square winning by a 4-2 score. Teele Square represented Metropolitan Boston in the North Atlantic Regional Tournament in Connecticut, but was eliminated in the Semi-Finals, while the team which defeated them went on to win the Tournament. Phil Severino, in addi -. tion to breaking various records, was voted the Most Valuable Player in the Tournament; and the determination and courage of the Teele Square team under adverse conditions, along with their outstanding display of sportsmanship, won the respect of the many spectators at the Tournament. Somerville placed three teams in the Semi-Finals of the Qualifying Tournament, and one team managed to reach the Semi-Finals in the Metro- politan Boston Class Tournament, even though only two Som- erville teams had entered the Tournament.
The Teele Square team won the American League cham- pionship by one-half game over Virgie's, and this was decided not until the final night of League play. Virgie's, however, won the play-offs, though it must be stated that Teele Square did not have Severino in the play-offs. In the National League, which had twelve teams, the final standing found only two games separating the top four teams, with the Seminoles win- ning the title on the final night of play, and second, third, and fourth places also being settled on the final night. The team which finished in fourth place, two games from the championship, managed to win the play-offs.
It was an excellent season, not only as to the calibre of Softball played, but as to attendance of spectators, and the closeness of the competition.
PERSONNEL
The problems with respect to obtaining qualified personnel, both full-time and part-time, have been mentioned in previous reports of the Commission, and there has been no change in this direction in 1956. The situation as related to male per- sonnel especially continues to be acute, and the period of service for part-time or seasonal male Leaders is very brief. If it were not for the continuance in service of a nucleus of veteran personnel, it would be a question as to how long some of the more specialized activities could continue to operate
315
RECREATION COMMISSION
with the accustomed degree of success. As it is now, personnel is limited in some directions, and there are vacancies in the full-time staff. We are indeed fortunate that the quality of the new personnel is high, and that these new workers are capable of maintaining the standards of their predecessors despite, in many instances, their brief period of employment. Slight financial improvements have helped some in attracting part-time personnel.
FACILITIES
Although Somerville is hardly what could be catalogued as a modern or progressive city with respect to recreation facilities, indoor or outdoor; nevertheless continued strides have been made in this direction. Mention has already been made of the new All Purpose Room at the Healey School, but since the other two new schools have only auditoriums, their use for recreation purposes is limited.
A new baseball diamond has been started at Foss Park on the site of the wading pool, and it is hoped that it will be ready for use in 1957.
The Superintendent has been endeavoring for several years to have one of the proposed new M.D.C. artificial ice skating rinks located in Somerville, but as of this date the likelihood appears rather remote. However, it is possible that one will be constructed in one of the neighboring cities, and its accessi- bility from Somerville should not present too much of a problem.
All branches of the Municipal Government-the Mayor, members of the Board of Aldermen, the Public Works Com- missioner, our Senator and Representatives - deserve to be commended for their efforts in attempting to improve recre- ational facilities at Foss Park and Dilboy Field. It is hoped that as a result of their efforts there will be an increase in diamonds for Little Leagues, since the Recreation Commission has already extended itself in attempting to make available diamonds for these Leagues without affecting the success of its own long-established programs.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The following recommendations for further improvement of Recreation facilities in Somerville have already been for- warded by the Superintendent to the Commissioner of Public Works, and the Commission feels confident that every effort will be made to bring about their accomplishment :-
316
ANNUAL REPORTS
1) Provision for additional lights in the Basketball Courts at Trum Field.
2) Erection of portable bleachers (3 to 5 tiers high) on the Cedar Street side of Trum Field.
3) Replacing lights where required at Trum Field and Glen Street Playground.
4) CONWAY PLAYGROUND :- Erection of a back- stop for Diamond #2; an addition or suspension to the existing backstop, to prevent balls from going into the yards and breaking windows of residents of Park Street; and heightening of the fence on the Park Street side of the Playground.
5) LINCOLN PARK :- Provision for a bubbler on the smaller diamond on Perry Street; permanent floor in the storage shed; and shades over the sand-boxes.
6) Removal of the old black swing frame at Woods Playground; replacing it with a horseshoe or shuffle- board court.
7) Repairing, replacing, and painting slats in benches on parks and playgrounds (Conway, Bailey Park, etc.) throughout the City.
8) Installation of permanent benches at Woodstock St. and Hoyt-Sullivan Playgrounds.
9) Reducing the size of the opening at the Woodstock St. Playground by the erection of a gate. (Present large opening, because of playground slope, pre- sents a safety. hazard.)
10) Barbed tops on the fence surrounding the Cholerton School building turned down, to prevent injury to the children.
11) Installation of some type of pipe in the area of the existing faucet attached to the Grimmons School building, to eliminate present flooding of swing area. A new bubbler in the general area of the swing frame is preferable to the existing faucet.
12) Provision for a stoop at the rear entrance to the North St. Playground, leading to the Housing Pro- ject.
13) Construction of two cement sand-boxes at the
317'
RECREATION COMMISSION
Mystic Avenue Housing Project, in the general area of the present swing frame.
14) Resurfacing of the entire area at the Stone Place Playground, and removal of bar installed for seesaw to make more room for play space.
15) Installation of horseshoe boxes at all athletic areas.
In closing, the Commission gratefully acknowledges the co-operation during 1956 of His Honor The Mayor; the Board of Aldermen; the Department of Public Works, including the Engineering, Public Buildings, and Electrical Divisions; the Fire and Police Departments; and the Metropolitan District Commission; 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.
Separate acknowledgment is made to the Principal and Teachers of the Trade High and Vocational School for the many co-operative services rendered this Commission in the construction of playground and recreation equipment, elec- trical work, printing, and other specialized service which not only represent a saving of dollars and cents to the City, but also a guaranteed quality of work.
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 1956 and a list of Activities Under The Recreation Com- mission.
Respectfully· submitted by
THE RECREATION COMMISSION, BY REV. N. PROPERZI, Chairman.
318
ANNUAL REPORTS
City of Somerville, Recreation Commission FINANCIAL SUMMARY, 1956
ANNUAL APPROPRIATION (March 24)
$86,898.63
SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION (May 9) 6,299.50
TOTAL APPROPRIATIONS
$93,198.13
TRANSFERS:
To D.P.W. Snow Removal Acct. (Dec. 19)
$2,000.00
To D.P.W. Ordinary Maintenance Account (Dec. 26)
700.00
To School
Teachers' Salary Account
4,200.00
To Sanitary Department, Labor Account
300.00
$7,200.00
7,200.00
$85,998.13
EXPENDITURES:
Salaries and Wages
$75,305.80
Athletic Supplies
1,766.57
Playground Supplies, Paraphernalia, Etc.
1,676.76
Other Recreation Supplies
1,533.04
Printing, Planographing, Etc.
151.30
Rental of Equipment, Trucks, Buses, Etc.
236.25
Music Scores, Records, Etc.
36.37
Office Supplies
1,070.44
Telephone
456.86
Postage, Parcel Post, and Express
173.22
Repairs
354.06
Photographic Services and Supplies
309.27
Special Services
83.65
Maintenance of Vehicles
662.45
Automobile Allowance
355.00
Books and Pamphlets for Workers' Pro- fessional Improvement
14.80
Carfares and Other Personal Disbursements
66.79
Convention Expenses
161.37
Special Items:
Basketball Sets
210.00
Swing Sets and Accessories
240.00
Motion Picture Projector
445.00
All Other
76.80
TOTAL EXPENDITURES
$85,385.80
85,385.80
UNEXPENDED BALANCE
$ 612.33
(Dec. 26)
(Dec. 26)
ACTIVITIES UNDER THE CITY OF SOMERVILLE RECREATION COMMISSION-1956
Recreation Activity
Summer Playgrounds Saturday Playgrounds
27 13
Age Group Under 16 Under 12
Location
Season
July-Aug. Sept .- Dec. Mar .- June Jan .- March Sept .- June
Saturday Indoor Centers
9
Under 12
School Bldgs.
Boys' Clubs
5
11-18
School Bldgs.
Sept .- June
Girls' Clubs
1
11-19
Public Bldg.
Oct .- May
Chess Club
5
9-16
Parks & Plgds.
Oct .- Dec.
Afternoon Supervised Athletics
..
Baseball "Clinic" for Boys
1
9-16
Parks & Plgds.
June
Arts & Crafts Clubs
5
8-12
School Bldgs.
Oct .- June
Arts & Crafts Clubs (Boy-Girl)
1
11-16
Public Bldg.
Oct .- June
Teen-Craft Club for Girls
1
Adult
Public Bldg.
Oct .- June
Camera Club
3
8-12
School Blgds.
Oct .- May
Children's Theatre
1
Under 11
Public Library
Jan .- Apr.
Story-Telling Program
Oct .- Dec.
Community Recreation Chorus
1
Adult
School Bldg.
Oct .- May®
Junior Recreation Chorus
1
12-18
School Bldg.
"Fisical Fitness" Clubs (Boys)
4
12-16
School Bldgs.
Model Aircraft Clubs
3
10-16
School Bldgs.
Oct .- April
Bicycle Club
1
Adult
School Bldg.
Oct .- March
Gymnasium Program for Women ....
1
Adult
School Bldg.
Oct .- March
Gymnasium Program for Teen-age Girls
2
14-18
School Bldg.
Oct .- March
League for Boys:
Basketball
20 teams
12-19
School Bldgs.
Dec .- April
Twilight Basketball (Outdoor)
8 teams
16-20
School Grounds
May-July
Leagues for Men:
00
teams
Adult
School Bldgs.
Nov .- March
Basketball
16
teams
Adult
Public Alleys
Sept .- Apr.
Softball
20 teams
Adult
Parks & Plgds.
Apr .- Sept.
Twilight Basketball (Outdoor)
8 teams
Adult
Playground
May-July
Program for "Shut-Ins"
1
Under 14
Somerville Hospital
Year-round
7
11-19
School Bldgs.
Oct .- June
3
Adult
Public Bldg.
Apr .- June
RECREATION COMMISSION
319
Sept .- June
11-16
Out-of-doors
Oct .- May
Oct .- March
Gymnasium Program for Men
Bowling
No. of Units
Plgds. & School Grounds School Grounds and Plgds.
320
ANNUAL REPORTS
REPORT OF THE SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
OFFICE OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING
January 1, 1957.
TO HIS HONOR, THE MAYOR AND THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN:
The following report of the Sealer of Weights and Measures for the year 1956 is respectively submitted.
Work of Weights and Measures Department for 1956
Scales
Adjusted
Sealed
Not Sealed
Con- demed
Over 10,000
0
14
0
0
5,000 lbs. to 10,000
0
0
0
0
100 to 5,000 lbs.
10
146
6
4
Under 100 lbs.
166
721
7
6
Weights:
4
750
0
10
Capacity Measure:
Vehicle Tanks
12
97
0
0
Liquid over 1 gallon
0
9
0
0
Liquid under 1 gallon ..
0
43
2
3
Dry
0
0
0
0
Adjusted
Sealed
Not Sealed
Con- demed
Automatic Measuring Devices:
Less than on inch
Quantity Measure on
Pumps 780
0
2
0
0
Gasoline Meters 78
12
88
1
3
Oil and Grease Meters
1
13
2
1
Over one inch
Tank Meter Systems ....
2
97:
0
1
Bulk Meter Systems
1
13
2
0
Other
Grease Measuring De- vices
4
6
32
1
Linear Measure:
Yark Sticks
0
4
0
1
Cloth Measuring Devices
0
2
0
0
Taxi Meters
1
46
0
1
Total
188
1949
17
23
321
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Summary of Inspections made:
Clinical Thermometers
1042
Coal Certificates
2
Ice Scales
0
Junk Scales
15
Marking of Bread
26
Marking of Food Packages
338
Milk Jars
14000
Oil Jars
39
Paper or Fibre Cartons
0
Pedlers' License
16
Pedlers' Scales
16
Transient Vendors
0
Wholesalge Milk Cans
0
Taxi Meters
46
Fuel Meters
97
Gas Pumps and Meters
78
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)
25
Ice Cream Cartons
0
Scales in Stores
50
Taxi Meters (other than Sealing)
5
Fuel Meters (other than Sealing)
10
Applications inspected and signed for Special Licenses:
Special City Licenses
20
County
45
State
35
Disabled Veterans
15
Transfers
4
Total
119
Gasoline Station Tests:
Total number of calls
22
Number of different stations
22
Number of call-backs to stations previously inspected ..
1
Number of Gallons drawn for tests
780
Total meters at stations
78
Total meters sealed
78
Total meters not sealed
5
Trial weighings and measurements of commodities sold or put up for sale:
-Incorrect-
Total No. Tested
Number Correct
Under
Over
Bread
26
17
0
9
Butter
53
51
7
2
Coal (in paper bags)
0
0
0
0
Coal (in transit)
2
2
0
2
Confectionery
0
0
0
0
322
ANNUAL REPORTS
-Incorrect-
Total No. Tested
Number Correct
Under
Over
Dry Commodities
94
90
5
4
Flour
24
22
0
2
Fruits and Vegetables
85
78
2
5
Ice
0
0
0
0
Lard
0
0
0
0
Meat and Provisions
72
72
0
0
Potatoes
26
5
5
26
Total
380
330
2
48
Miscellaneous:
Court Cases
0
Complaints investigated
20
Weighings on City Scales
1096
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN F. CASEY,
Sealer of Weights and Measures
323
SANITARY DEPARTMENT
REPORT OF THE SANITARY DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable, the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville
Gentlemen:
The report of the Sanitation Department for the year 1956 is respectively submitted herewith :----
COLLECTIONS OF ASHES AND REFUSE
Loads
Yards
Tons
January
1625
10563
3656
February
1650
10725
3713
March
1500
9750
3375
April
1400
9100
3150
May
1375
8938
3094
June
1425
9263
3206
July
1475
9588
3319
August
1490
9685
3353
September
1500
9750
3375
October
1575
10238
3544
November
1550
10075
3488
December
1600
10400
3600
COLLECTIONS OF PAPER
Yards
Tons
January
6638
885
February
6563
875
March
6450
860
April
5888
785
May
6000
800
June
5888
785
July
5925
790
August
6188
825
September
6263
835
October
6300
840
November
6450
860
December
6525
870
324
ANNUAL REPORTS
The above figures are approximate and are based on the general average of amounts carried by the trucks.
The ashes and refuse are being collected with motor trucks on account of the distance to the Medford Dump, which is being used by this department subject to the rules and regula- tions of the Board of Health of the City of Medford.
There is a general increase in the amount of rubbish being collected due to the fact, so many householders converted their heaters from coal to oil. Ashes and refuse has decreased in weight and collections of paper has increased. A plan is forthcoming to replace the old equipment with twelve new packer bodies as everything is bulk and in my opinion the days of the open truck are gone, for this type of work.
The total estimated collection of garbage amounted to, 6500 tons, the work is being done by a contractor who furnishes trucks and chauffeurs, the City supplying the laborers and collections to be the same as specified in the garbage contract.
The department as a whole is operating efficiently and with the citizens' co-operation we shall continue to carry on in the usual manner.
"IN MEMORIAM"
John F. Meskell-Superintendent of the Sanitary Department
Appointed-January 1936 Died-December 26, 1956
I wish to thank His Honor, the Mayor, and the Board of Aldermen and the employees of my department for their co- operation extended during the year.
Respectfully submitted, WALTER J. MANNING,
Commissioner of Public Works
325
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE Somerville, Massachusetts 1956
WALTER J. CASEY ALBERT G. CIAMPA
Chairman
Vice-Chairman
MEMBERS Ex-Officiis
WILLIAM J. DONOVAN, Mayor .
Ward One
73 Perkins Street
WALTER J. CASEY
Ward Three
59 Preston Road:
SARAH M. MCLAUGHLIN
Ward Five
90 Lowell Street
ROBERT J. BOWDRING
29 Holland Street
Ward Seven
50a Gordon Street
Superintendent of Schools EVERETT W. IRELAND
Office: West Building, High School, Highland Avenue Residence: 18 Day Street
The Superintendent's Office will be open on school days from 8:00 to 4:30. His office hour is 3:30 on school days.
Assistant Superintendent of Schools
LEO C. DONAHUE 108 Summer Street
Superintendent's Office Force
Marion E. Marshall, 62 Highland Avenue Regina Truelson, 23 Blackrock Road, Melrose Frances C. Geaton, 40 Highland Avenue William E. Hogan, 12 Richardson Road, Newton Mrs. Julia DeFranco, 21 Benedict Street Claire F. McAnneny, 33 Pearson Road Mrs. Eileen M. Mahoney, 14 Madison Street Elizabeth A. Cassidy, 431a Broadway
Meetings
Second and fourth Tuesdays of each month during school year.
71 Bay State Avenue® FRANCIS L. McCARTHY, President, Board of Aldermen, 21 Thurston Street
ALBERT G. CIAMPA
Ward Two
15 Kingman Road
ELEANOR S. COYNE
Ward Four
167 Central Street
LAWRENCE F. BRETTA
Ward Six
JOHN J. BRENNAN
326
..
I ANNUAL REPORTS
TO THE HONORABLE SCHOOL COMMITTEE SOMERVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS
.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
In accordance with the provisions of the Rules and Regula- tions of the Somerville School Committee, the Superintendent of Schools has prepared and submits herewith his twenty- ninth annual report, which is the eighty-fifth in a series of annual reports of the Somerville Public Schools, and covers the calendar year 1956.
This document is prepared in three sections, Part I of which is the report of the Superintendent of Schools, comprising a discussion of (1) the matters involved in the activities of the School Committee, and (2) the condition of the schools with respect to changes, improvements, and progress, which in- cludes statements regarding personnel and buildings, with recommendations concerning the immediate and necessary needs of our educational system.
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