USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1957 > Part 7
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887
1641
6
2
853
963
1816
6
3
664
862
1526
6
4
641
830
1471
6
5
689
878
1567
360]
4420
8021
7
1
851
977
1828
7
2
794
921
1715
7
3
798
908
1706
7
4
964
1097
2061
7
5
815
919
1734
4222
4822
9044
TOTAL FOR CITY
29401
33638
63039
121
BOARD OF ELECTION COMMISSIONERS
NOTICES
Notices were sent to Voters who did not appear on Police Listing taken January 1, 1957.
NOTICES SENT TO VOTERS NOT ON POLICE LISTING April 2, 1957
Ward
Women
Men
Totals
1
247
245
492
2
269
268
537
3
326
256
582
4
396
378
774
5
310
291
601
6
336
269
605
7
298
299
597
TOTALS
2182
2006
4188
ELECTION - NOVEMBER 5, 1957
MAYOR
Ward
Precinct
DONOVAN
WELLS
1
1
445
396
1
2
442
362
1
3
410
339
1
4
504
325
1
5
493
416
2
1
249
270
2
2
420
379
2
3
357
278
2
4
502
522
2
5
546
375
2
6
354
309
3
1
504
412
3
2
421
343
3
3
554
388
3
4
559
354
3
5
550
313
4
1
557
470
4
2
332
438
4
3
440
446
4
4
678
462.
4
5
540
521
4
6
622
557
5
1
341
558
5
2
503
418
5
3
426
441
5
4
619
352'
5
5
370
506
5
6
586
409
6
1
700
290
6
2
548
377
6
3
508
269'
122
ANNUAL REPORTS
Ward
Precinct
DONOVAN
WELLS
6
4
611
316
6
5
569
227
7
1
577
385
7
2
501
374
7
3
511
402
7
4
534
534
7
5
486
478
TOTALS
18,869
15,011
ALDERMEN-AT-LARGE
Ward
Precinct
* BURKE
* HALL
* MCCARTHY
* WHITNEY
CORBETT
DeTUCCI
JOYCE
VITIELLO
1
1
422
321
585
352
337
240
195
209
1
2
392
335
498
352
293
230
189
241
1
3
346
290
394
274
288
312
181
217
1
4
444
350
569
348
338
208
181
211
1
5
456
388
608
329
364
250
199
226
2
1
157
183
82
113
100
345
170
187
2
2
425
515
262
225
254
178
428
179
2
3
361
423
270
242
185
128
338
130
2
4
416
637
266
253
279
260
626
295
2
5
447
479
303
330
225
243
306
509
2
6
346
378
242
179
255
216
312
189
3
1
404
406
281
320
260
447
298
259
3
2
440
428
320
345
287
146
308
147
3
3
516
475
410
423
352
256
281
260
3
4
455
347
317
352
308
255
224
467
3
5
491
428
417
446
302
158
223
221
4
1
574
431
619
458
422
264
252
255
4
2
322
229
327
289
261
360
146
360
4
3
467
356
517
373
361
228
229
256
4
4
615
534
597
560
452
234
347
319
4
5
517
409
555
482
375
314
246
352
4
6
517
406
562
618
407
409
308
370
5
1
470
339
467
398
406
291
240
318
5
2
420
385
308
402
294
318
182
478
5
3
425
363
323
421
312
265
213
417
5
4
524
428
545
469
433
189
244
236
5
5
412
293
414
332
409
281
260
344
5
6
504
451
457
500
371
242
236
376
6
1
525
495
480
443
428
197
256
289
6
2
539
429
420
502
409
198
253
280
6
3
478
381
377
418
310
135
242
183
6
4
607
440
481
471
413
158
233
177
6
5
461
411
346
448
320
148
197
210
7
1
628
519
412
481
367
238
255
293
7
2
528
350
410
375
418
199
238
275
7
3
514
419
397
410
400
237
242
255
7
4
660
454
525
542
490
281
334
302
7
5
581
482
477
466
410
259
338
273
TOTAL
17806
15387
15840
14741
12995
9267
9950
10565
123
BOARD OF ELECTION COMMISSIONERS
WARD ALDERMEN
Ward One
Ward
Precinct
DUNNE
* MacKENZIE
1
1
470
357
1
2
302
488
1
3
420
313
1
4
442
356
1
5
284
608
Total
1918
2122
Ward Two
Ward
Precinct
* HALEY
HOWARD
2
1
252
212
2
2
486
302
2
3
401
214
2
4
347
668
2
5
595
307
2
6
368
292
Total
2449
1995
Ward Three
Ward
Precinct
* McKENNA
CALDWELL
3
1
726
128
3
2
557
179
3
3
602
316
3
4
666
209
3
5
571
241
Total
3122
1073
Ward Four
Ward
Precinct
MacDONALD
*LYNCH
4
1
406
614
4
2
331
419
4
3
404
444
4
4
621
498
4
5
592
467
4
6
577
588
Total
2931
3030
Ward Five
Ward
Precinct
* HAVICAN
TRAVALINE
5
1
533
353
5
2
394
507
5
3
492
357
5
4
672
281
5
5
524
328
5
6
669
310
Total
3284
2136
...
124
ANNUAL REPORTS
Ward Six
Ward
Precinct
*RYAN
NEAS
6
1
526
428
6
2
414
481
6
3
394
345
6
4
604
297
6
5
378
377
Total
2316
1928
Ward Seven
Ward
Precinct
MORRISSEY
7
1
833
7
2
730
7
3
761
7
4
924
7
5
870
Total
4118
ASSESSORS
Ward
Precinct
* BRADY
CRONIN
*FAULKNER
BUTLER
CARR
296
1
2
359
306
447
262
346
288
1
3
343
274
383
231
339
297
1
4
361
317
466
284
392
285
1
5
373
343
520
293
410
316
2
1
209
150
112
102
193
320
2
2
466
465
316
218
328
219
2
3
385
340
276
147
282
143
2
4
652
497
343
247
407
306
2
5
392
324
393
360
526
386
2
6
362
366
229
202
329
228
3
1
400
328
370
375
365
348
3
2
358
316
378
314
339
176
3
3
383
388
458
408
434
284
3
4
300
325
395
522
353
347
3
5
262
261
506
474
294
256
4
1
454
418
494
358
497
351
4
2
279
234
343
229
304
40
4
3
383
344
436
304
382
315
4
4
402
392
668
492
501
394
4
5
439
402
507
381
457
384
4
6
498
452
530
370
508
481
5
1
374
380
450
355
357
324
5
2
297
325
396
545
307
392
5
3
341
329
406
400
333
364
5
4
393
408
525
393
406
310
5
5
369
369
457
329
336
313
5
6
353
345
626
485
355
318
DiCIACCIO
1
1
414
363
469
234
343
125,
BOARD OF ELECTION COMMISSIONERS
6
1
379
356
570
384
457
364
6
2
376
351
476
412
416
336
6
3
304
275
450
290
422
233
6
4
368
401
476
375
420
314
6
5
332
288
484
310
381
228
7
1
367
399
568
342
472
358
7
2
371
360
428
325
393
320
7
3
348
322
452
378
429
390
7
4
493
442
471
413
435
489'
7
5
422
391
466
417
453
437
Total
14361
13346
16739
12960
14701
12314
SCHOOL COMMITTEE Ward One
Ward
Precinct
CHISHOLM
* CIAMPA
1
1
245
576
1
2
303
466
1
3
274
448
1
4
439
365
1
5
394
491
Total
1655
2346
Ward
Precinct
* CASEY
AUGUST
2
1
294
151
2
2
439
317
2
3
401
214
2
4
456
517
2
5
498
382
2
6
259
396
Total
2347
1977
Ward Three
Ward
Precinct
*COYNE
SWEENEY
3
1
446
418
3
2
395
336
3
3
503
417
3
4
353
524
3
5
461
361
Total
2158
2056
Ward Four
Ward
Precinct
* MCLAUGHLIN
4
1
826
4
2
619
4
3
712
4
4
941
4
5
879
4
6
984
Total
4961
.
Ward Two
126
ANNUAL REPORTS
Ward Five
Ward
Precinct
* BRETTA
PHELAN
5
1
589
279
5
2
656
257
5
3
473
362
5
4
532
394
5
5
545
289
5
6
596
357
Total
3391
1938
Ward Six
Ward
Precinct
* BOWDRING
SULLIVAN
6
1
593
332
6
2
495
380
6
3
457
275
6
4
628
262
6
5
451
284
Total
2624
1533
Ward Seven
Ward
Precinct
* MacDONALD
SULLIVAN
ANDELMAN
7
1
510
330
73
7
2
302
435
98
7
3
465
228
163
7
4
539
388
88
7
5
471
245
230
Total
2287
1626
652
127
CITY CLERK
REPORT OF THE CITY CLERK
Office of the City Clerk January 1, 1958
To the Honorable the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen
Gentlemen:
The following is respectfully submitted as the eighty-sixth Annual Report of the City Clerk of Somerville, and is for the year ending December 31, 1957.
The receipts and payments were as follows:
For dog licenses issued in 1957:
1184 males at $2.00
$2,368.00
109 females at $5.00
545.00
642 spayed at $2.00
1,284.00
7 kennel at $10.00
70.00
3 transfers at $.25
.75
$4,267.75
For hunting and fishing licenses issued in 1957:
1075 fishing at $3.25
3,493.75
468 hunting at $3.25
1,521.00
181 sporting at $5.25
950.25
136 minor fishing at $1.25
170.00
103 female fishing at $2.25
231.75
2 resident alien fishing at $7.75
15.50
17 duplicate licenses at $.50
8.50
6,390.75
Recording mortgages, assignments, etc.
10,440.28
Certificates of marriage intentions, including postage
2,093.60
Furnishing copies of records
1,691.50
Licenses:
auctioneers, 10 at $2.00
20.00
billiard, pool tables and bowling alleys, 68 licenses for 3 billiard tables, 28 pool tables and 37 bowling alleys at $3.00 and for 31 licenses for Sunday bowling alleys at $2.00
266.00
cut meat and sausage, 4 at $50.00
200.00
drainlayers, 9 at $1.00 9.00
drivers, 406 at $1.00
406.00
128
ANNUAL REPORTS
boilers, 3 at $1.00
3.00
electric motors, 20 at $1.00
20.00
stationary engines, 2 at $1.00
2.00
garages:
7 at $5.00
35.00
2 at $10.00
20.00
55.00
garage renewals
975.37
hackney carriages, 117 at $1.00
117.00
intelligence offices, 4 at $2.00
8.00
junk and secondhand licenses:
collect junk, 26 at $10.00
260.00
junk shops, 19 at $25.00
475.00
outdoor parking, 8 at $10.00
80.00
sale of firearms, 2 at $10.00
20.00
barrel dealer, 1 at $10.00
10.00
secondhand auto dealers:
44 at $25.00
1,100.00
6 at $50.00
300.00
1,400.00
slaughtering, 3 at $1.00
3.00
storage of explosives:
1 at $5.00
5.00
2 at $10.00
20.00
5 at $20.00
100.00
5 at $40.00
200.00
4 at $100.00
400.00
725.00
storage of explosives renewals
4,745.00
storage of waste paper, 2 at $25.00
50.00
wagon licenses, 5 at $1.00
5.00
wagon stand licenses, 66 at $1.00
66.00
permits for projections over the sidewalk:
5 awnings at $1.00
16 electric signs
9 neon signs
10 illuminated signs
2 metal signs
3 wooden signs
4 plastic signs
18 miscellaneous signs
1 clock
63 at $5.00
320.00
badges
7.50
registration of physicians, optometrists
4.00
copies of ordinances
4.00
fees for registered mail notices
23.18
advertising fees
156.00
duplicate of dog license tags
4.90
pole locations
152.60
gas main
3.60
reporting congenital births
4.50
blank forms
2.15
books for sale of firearms
1.40
going out of business sale
2.00
$24,836.08
129
CITY CLERK
PAYMENTS
To the City Treasurer for dog licenses in 1957:
1184 males at $2.00
$2,368.00
109 females at $5.00
545.00
642 spayed at $2.00
1,284.00
7 kennel at $10.00
70.00
3 transfers at $.25
.75
4,267.75
Less City Clerk's fees:
1238 at $.20 and
247.60
704 at $.25 also
176.00
3 transfers at $.25
.75
$3,843,40
To the Commissioners on Fisheries and Game for hunting licenses, etc., in 1957:
1075 fishing at $3.25
3,493.75
468 hunting at $3.25
1,521.00
181 sporting at $5.25
950.25
136 minor fishing at $1.25
170.00
103 female fishing at $2.25
231.75
2 resident alien fishing at $7.75
15.50
17 duplicates at $.50
8.50
6,390.75
5,899.50
To City Treasurer monthly:
All the receipts above specified except for hunting licenses and dog licenses
24,836.08
$34,578.98
LICENSES AND PERMITS
Besides the licenses mentioned in the foregoing list of receipts, licenses and permits have been granted by the Board of Aldermen, without charge, as follows:
Parade with music in streets 4
Newspaper licenses
1
BIRTHS 1957
Number of births reported by physicians and midwives for 1957:
Males
770
Females 745
1515
1956
The following is a statement in full of the births for 1956. Number of births (exclusive of stillbirths) in Somerville in 1956.
Registered 1298
Males
655
Females 643
1298
Less City Clerk's fees: 1965 at $.25 491.25
130
ANNUAL REPORTS
Born of American parents
1126
Born of Foreign parents 34
Born of American father and Foreign mother 69
Born of Foreign father and American mother 46
Born of American mother and father unknown 22
Born of Foreign mother and father unknown
1
1298
Number of Stillbirths in Somerville in 1956 registered
22
Number of births in other places in 1956 registered 1472
Number of cases twins 14
MARRIAGES 1957
Number of intentions issued in 1957
1146
Less than previous year
57
Number of marriages registered in 1957
1239
Less than previous year
65
Both parties American
1082
Both parties Foreign
35
American groom and Foreign bride
55
American bride and Foreign groom
67
Total
1239
1 st marriage
2146
2nd marriage
304
3rd marriage
27
4th marriage
1
Total
2478
Total marriages for the year 1957
1239
DEATHS
1957
Number of deaths in Somerville in 1957
1093
Died in City
699
Died out of City
394
1093
Stillbirths
54
Males
536
Females
557
1093
Under 10 years
60
10 and under 20 years of age
9
20 and under 30 years of age
14
30 and under 40 years of age
25
131
CITY CLERK
40 and under 50 years of age
56
50 and under 60 years of age
131
60 and under 70 years of age
237
70 and under 80 years of age
302
80 and under 90 years of age
218
Over 90 years of age
41
1093
Born in Somerville
135
Born elsewhere in U.S.
481
Foreign born
474
Unknown birthplaces
3
1093
Age of oldest person who died in Somerville 102 Years
132
ANNUAL REPORTS
REPORT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable, the Mayor and - and Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville
Gentlemen :--
I respectfully submit herewith the Annual Report of the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1957.
ARRESTS
Whole Number of Arrests
3506
On Summons
1000
On Warrants
341
Without Warrants
2165
3506
Held for Trial
3317
Delivered to Other Departments
143
Released on Waiver
46
3506
Males
3303
Females
203
3506
Americans
3285
Foreigners
221
3506
Residents
2354
Non-Residents
1152
3506
Minors
611
POLICE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL
The personnel of the Police Department consists of one hundred and sixty-five (165) permanent men and two (2) police matrons. During the year Chief Augustine F. Sharry and Pa-' trolman John J. Gallagher were pensioned.
RANKS IN THE DEPARTMENT ARE AS FOLLOWS
1 Chief, Acting
1 Deputy Chief, Acting
3 Captains
10 Lieutenants
11 Sergeants
140 Patrolmen
133
POLICE DEPARTMENT
OFFICIAL ROSTER OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
December 31, 1957
Chief of Police Acting Hugh R. Cunningham
Deputy Chief of Police Acting Joseph F. Small
Earle W. Elliott
Captains 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
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
Alfred J. McFadden
James F. Holmes
Patrick J. Lyons
Edward G. Forristall James Souza Jeremiah F. Donovan John J. Brosnahan George Spiers Charles W. Ellis Joseph F. Curran George W. McCauley Garrett F. J. Mehigan Daniel J. O'Connell Arthur W. Kelley Joseph F. Fedele William E. Johnson
George Gullage, Jr. Cornelius Aucoin Patrick F. O'Brien Jeremiah G. Sheehan
George B. Phillips Ricco J. Rossi John M. Dunleavey
Harold L. Coffey
William J. Fitzgerald
Frederick W. McGovern George W. Crosby Edward J. Kiley Lester A. Caswell Francis L. Rogers John H. O'Brien Herbert H. Stokes
134
ANNUAL REPORTS
Daniel F. Murphy John J. Clark Augustine W. Fitzpatrick
Walter C. Barletta
Donald N. MacElree
Medardo A. Muzzioli
Walter J. MacRae
Vincent D. Hartnett
William J. Quinlan
James C. Mearls
James E. Hughes
Andrew L. Dennehy
Alfred J. White
John F. Heafey Howard F. Hallion John J. Tanner
Vincent J. Izzi
Glen B. Nicholas
Ernest C. Faulkner
Felix J. Manfra
Edward W. Kelley
Joseph L. Mearls
Clifford McQuilken
John T. Canty #2
William J. Downey
Ernest A. DiNisco
Robert J. Brady
Robert P. Ryan
William J. Kelley John F. Donovan
Samuel J. Boike
James F. Ryan
Vincent J. McDonough
Joseph R. Estee
David T. McKenna
Christopher C. Cullinan
William B. White
Cosmo DeVellis
John F. Burns
John J. Mahoney
Charles W. Moran
William J. Heafey
John C. DeLellis
Thomas W. McGovern
John J. Fitzgerald
William F. Lynch
Benjamin J. Callahan, Jr.
Walter F. Willwerth
Raymond F. Peck
John J. Donovan
James J. Carroll
James F. Downing
Robert J. Lungo
Francis J. Keane
John J. Fothergill
Allan L. Collins
James F. DeFuria
Allan S. Mosher
Albert J. Daly
Charles P. Meehan
William B. Ward, Jr.
Joseph M. Desmond
Gerald D. Bugden
James E. Keating
Charles A. Cecere
George L. Gordon
John P. Dwyer
James P. Ryan
John J. Zonghetti
Edward L. Fahey
Edward J. Lepore
Thomas F. Doody
James J. Ryan, Jr.
Carmine L. Perna
Albert E. Dempsey
John R. Ambrogne
William E. Connolly
Robert E. Doyle
Joseph J. Hurley
William L. Bavin
Nicholas J. Masiello
John T. Canty # 1
Walter J. Donovan John J. Bacci Henry E. Ramsdell
Harold A. MacDonald
William S. McDonough
Charles T. McCarthy
William A. Kinsley, Jr.
Daniel P. Murphy
William J. Shine
James R. O'Leary
Thomas J. Sullivan
Wallace E. Foskett
William J. Duffy James J. Higgins
Leo J. Letendre
Thomas M. Hickey James F. Tatosky
Salvatore F. Salemme
James C. Baird
William C. Breen William A. Silk Charles B. Winn
Martons
Marcella D. Yates Margaret M. Brussard
Earl S. Hemenway, Jr. John Cunha, Jr.
Joseph A. Murphy
135
POLICE DEPARTMENT
IN CONCLUSION
I wish to thank his Honor the Mayor, members of the Board of Aldermen, heads of various Departments and all mem- bers of the Police Department for their loyal support, coopera- tion and assistance during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
HUGH R. CUNNINGHAM, Chief of Police
136
ANNUAL REPORTS
REPORT OF THE VETERANS GRAVES REGISTRATION DEPARTMENT
February 14, 1958
To the Honorable, the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville
Gentlemen:
We are submitting herewith the Annual Report for 1957 of the Veterans Graves Registration Department.
The Veterans' Memorial Cemetery at Clarendon Hill and the Cemetery on Somerville Avenue were visited on occasions and the individual veterans' graves were decorated with wreaths and flags on Memorial Day and Veterans' Day. A record is being maintained regarding the death of Somerville veterans as the information arrives at this office. During the year no re- patriated bodies of servicemen were returned to Somerville.
Very truly yours,
FRED F. RUSSO,
Graves Registration Officer
EXPENSES FOR THE YEAR 1957
Personal Services $750.00
Ordinary Maintenance 90.00
SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS BY THE VETERANS' SERVICES DEPARTMENT - 1957
Somerville Veterans' Benefits
State Veterans' Benefits
Soldiers' Burials
Tota! Relief
Cash
Medical
Fuel
Groceries
Cases Persons
January
$3,443.80
$3,742.98
.....
$7,186.78
$2,823.00
$226.79
$314.00
$80.00
118
228
February
4,080.73
4,394.69
250.00
8,725.42
2,873.00
816.23
316.50
75.00
117
225
March
4,322.64
4,763.22
60.00
9,145.86
2,841.63
1,047.01
321.50
112.50
116
222
April
3,947.99
4,073.01
82.28
8,103.28
2,876.50
716.49
296.50
58.50
117
214
May
3,233.04
3,318.03
6,551.07
2,366.50
771.54
95.00
111
208
June
3,332.14
3,407.14
150.00
6,889.28
2,514.53
712.61
105.00
115
200
July
3,163.45
3,202.14
6,365.86
2,257.50
850.95
..
55.00
109
186
August
2,976.88
2,976.90
5,953.78
2,421.55
470.33
85.00
110
188
September
2,985.49
2,985.49
5,970.98
2,222.03
673.46
90.00
106
196
October
3,129.84
3,229.84
6,359.68
2,136.50
542.84
306.00
144.50
104
201
November
2,510.89
2,580.89
5,091.78
1,676.00
406.39
343.50
85.00
107
296
December
2,901.80
2,951.80
132.10
5,985.70
1,807.03
648.77
351.00
95.00
108
211
$40,028.69
$41,626.40
$674.38
$82,329.47 $28,815.77
$7,883.41
$2,249.00
$1,080.50
1338
2485
..
..
..
........... .....
RECAPITULATION OF VETERANS' BENEFITS - SOMERVILLE
137
VETERANS' SERVICES
REPORT OF THE VETERANS' SERVICES
March 6, 1958
To the Honorable, the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville
Gentlemen:
Submitted herewith is the Annual Report for 1957 of the Veterans' Services Department. The benefits were granted for household needs including Medical Care in accordance with the policy and the expenditures continued at a normal level throughout the year. In addition to the allowance to veterans and their dependents we assisted numerous persons in connec- tion with their claims in the Veterans Administration. The referral of eligible persons to the Division of Employment Se- curity was another type of service performed regularly. The cost of medical services is increasing constantly and we are required to meet the extra expense under the policy.
A review of the records shows that the department oper- ated efficiently in the broadening program.
Very truly yours,
THOMAS F. MCGRATH,
Commissioner
138
ANNUAL REPORTS
THE RECREATION COMMISSION 1957
THE REVEREND NAZARENO PROPERZI, Chairman
MEMBERS
Term Expires January
Mrs. Marion M. Cabral
1958
William J. Crotty
1959
William J. Koen
1958
Edward M. McCarty
1959
William E. McNamara
1959
Anthony F. Peduto
1958
Robert S. Phillips
1958
Harold D. Taylor
1958
Dr. T. Leo White
1959
Secretary To The Commission: CHARLES C. KELLEY
139
RECREATION COMMISSION
December 31, 1957
To The Honorable The Mayor and the Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville
Gentlemen:
The Recreation Commission commences its report of the year 1957 by quoting the inscription which appears above the entrance to the Somerville High School Gymnasium :-- "Dedicated To The Preparation Of Youth For The Responsi- bilities Of Life". This inscription is applicable not only to physical education and education, but to any profession where the welfare of youth is being served. It is especially applicable to the Recreation Commission, which ever keeps this thought in mind when selecting or training personnel, planning pro- grams, or seeking facilities.
During the past year, both President Eisenhower and Doctor Shane MacCarthy, Executive Director of the Presi- dent's Council on Youth Fitness, have repeatedly emphasized the importance of recreation in keeping our youth physically fit, and have decried the lack of necessary indoor and outdoor facilities for recreation. Leading mental and health authorities agree that participation in wholesome recreation activities is the best antidote for mental and physical debility. Police authorities state that the youth directed towards good seldom, if ever, turns out bad. Educational authorities regard The Worthy Use of Leisure, the commonly accepted definition of Recreation, as one of their Seven Cardinal Objectives. Scarcely a week goes by that spiritual leaders are not quoted as stressing the need for blending proper physical, mental, and spiritual development. The Recreation Commission does not intend to infer by these statements that properly directed recreation is the panacea for all of the mental, physical, and spiritual disorders in the world today. Instead, its intention is to illustrate the high regard which foremost authorities have for recreation, and its importance in the life of the community.
Locally, the Massachusetts Division of Youth Service not only recommends the establishment of a State Recreation Commission, but also that State grants be given to assist local communities in developing specialized recreation and group- work programs for delinquency prevention and control. The Metropolitan District Commission has a long-range plan for the development of its recreation facilities. Public Recreation agencies are constantly being approached for the establish- ment of programs for Senior Citizens, for youth and children
140
ANNUAL REPORTS
in Housing Projects, and for handicapped as well as retarded. children. Meanwhile the post-war children are now "coming of age", and it does not require too much imagination to conjec- ture the results unless their energies are properly channeled.
The Somerville Recreation Commission and its Superin- tendent are conscious of each and every one of these facts, and not only subscribe to their authenticity but are attempting. to do something about them. The list of activities appended to this report gives positive proof that the Commission is do- ing everything possible to live up to its responsibility; but it is. going to require the combined efforts and co-operation of everybody in the community (City fathers, organizations, and the public) to see that the proper tools are provided the Public Recreation Service to enable it to do its work in the desired manner.
Operating fifty-two weeks of the year, conducting recrea- tion programs for all ages and types of groups, and rendering. many other services too numerous to record, with facilities that at best could be regarded as only adequate -- and all of this. on a limited budget - is commonly accepted as nothing un- usual and more or less expected in Somerville. Yet commu -. nities outside of Somerville regard the Somerville Recreation program and its system as something to pattern their own. after. They marvel that so much can be done with so little!
ACTIVITIES PROGRAM
The activities program under the Commission in 1957 was. a successful one, both in relation to the activities themselves and to the degree of participation by groups of all ages. Spe- cial mention will be made in this report only of the more out- standing features of the program.
In summarizing the year's activities, what might be termed the highlights of the Commission's program were four in number :- (1) The actual operation of a program for nearly one hundred Senior Citizens, which is recorded in more detail later in this report; (2) the further expansion of the ceramics. phase of the Arts And Crafts program, in which more than two hundred people now participate, with sessions on four evenings each week for adults and one afternoon for Senior Citizens, and a Saturday program for teen-agers; (3) the par- ticipation and fine showing by our playground boys and girls. in the "PLAYGROUND U. S. A." program in August, which is also covered separately under the "Summer Playgrounds" sec-
14T
RECREATION COMMISSION
tion of this report; and (4) television coverage on four different occasions of special activities of the Commission's Summer Playgrounds program in July and August, which reflected credit not only to the Recreation Commission but to the City of Somerville as well.
Some communities make much of special programs con- ducted on Hallowe'en, or the Fourth of July, or other special occasions. The Somerville Recreation Commission does not decry the value of these programs, but "to each his own". In
MACLONE STUDIO MOG 0544
ALL FROM THE SAME MOLD
Members of the Commission's Teen Craft Club work on a ceramic project at one of their weekly sessions. We commend the teamwork involved in this community project, but wonder who will possess the finished project.
its Annual Reports of 1953 and 1956 the Commission defined its policy and procedure with respect to Hallowe'en, and its. reasons for adopting this policy. That it has been successful is attested to by the proper observance of Hallowe'en in Somer- ville as encouraged by the School Committee and the Recrea- tion Commission (the Commission sends letters to all churches and parochial schools requesting their co-operation in this. respect), the promotion of home and neighborhood parties, and a reduction in unwarranted nuisance acts. (In 1957 there was
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