USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1960 > Part 12
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HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY
FEDERAL-AIDED-Project Mass. 31-2, known as Highland Gardens is the first such project especially designed for the elderly to be constructed in the United States under the Fed- eral program.
203
HOUSING AUTHORITY
Highland Gardens continues to dominate the residential area on Highland Avenue in which it is located. This low rental Project for our senior citizens is a joy to the occupants and its continuing excellent appearance is a source of pride to Main- tenance Foreman Joseph O'Hare.
STATE-AIDED - Project 667-1 - at Capen Court con- sisting of 8 2-story buildings of 8 units each is one of the finest housing projects designed specifically for the elderly within the Commonwealth. Included in this project and centrally located is a community house with a laundry, kitchen and large recreation hall.
A Christmas Party for the tenants, sponsored by the Somer- ville Housing Authority and Central office personnel, was held in this recreation hall on the night of December 19th. A beau- tifully lighted and decorated Christmas tree dominated the hall. Community singing, led by Central office personnel, in which most of the 70 tenants present joined, lasted for some two hours after which a donated collation was served by the staff and enjoyed by all present.
The budget for maintenance for this project permits only part time help which is provided under the supervision of William Howe, Maintenance Mechanic at the Clarendon Hill Veterans Project and despite the limited time that can be spent at this Project Mr. Howe can well be proud of the fine appear- ance of all 8 buildings and the lawns and shrubbery on the grounds.
At these two Projects vacancies occur only by reason of death of the occupant.
The success of these two Projects for the Elderly has been so marked that the Authority felt that attempts should be made to acquire more such units. So with the approval of the P.H.A. after several months of negotiations land has been acquired on Highland Avenue near the junction of Medford Street. Plans and specifications have been drawn and approved and in Janu- ary, 1961 will be advertised for bids and work on this 9 story - 100 unit building will soon begin and will be ready for oc- cupancy early in 1962.
With the completion of this project we will have more than 200 units and facilities will have been provided for approxi- mately 400 of our Elderly Citizens where they can live in com-
204
ANNUAL REPORTS
fort, cleanliness and convenience at a cost to the tenant which he can afford and so necessary to the happiness of those of advanced years who would otherwise be hardest hit by infla- tion and rising costs of living, including rents.
STATE AIDED VETERANS PROJECTS
Clarendon Hill and Mystic River Apartments-
Rehabilitation of the buildings in these projects has been completed under the general supervision of Maintenance Supt. Daniel O'Neil. Under a summer rehabilitation program all en- closed areas were reseeded and landscaped. All exterior sur- faces were painted and renovated, unserviceable exterior doors were replaced, new shades and screens were provided and installed. New roofing has been contracted and constructed at the Mystic River Apartments. Fencing was repaired and repainted and recreation areas were completely renovated for tenant use. The play areas for tots and the basketball courts are in fine shape and are well patronized during the summer months.
Federal Low-Cost Housing-Mystic View Apartments-
As in former years, the physical condition of this project is excellent. Under the expert direction of John Mclaughlin, Maintenance Foreman and his staff, clothes-hanging areas have been hot-topped and the buildings and grounds have maintained their customary fine appearance. All exterior masonry has been resurfaced and painted of which only a small portion was accomplished by outside contractual services.
SOCIAL
Recreation-
The Elizabeth Peabody House, a Red Feather settlement house in Somerville, established a branch operation in the Mystic Avenue Housing Development in October, 1960. The program is financed by money from the Delinquency Control Project of the Greater Boston United Community Services. It is broadly conceived to be a program for the prevention and control of juvenile delinquency.
The Peabody House believes that for such a program to be effective it must encompass an attack on many of the social problems which beset a community. For that reason, the Peabody House hopes to do a variety of things in the housing project.
205
HOUSING AUTHORITY
One major goal is to help the tenants develop social skills and gain personal satisfactions out of group associations with their neighbors; this can be done through clubs which are organized "for fun" and through community improvement groups such as the Mystic View Associates. Another goal is to help tenants deal more effectively with their personal and family problems; this can be done by helping to focus and coordinate the services rendered by all of Somerville's social agencies. A third goal is to work closely with the teenage community in the Housing Development, so that its members may achieve satisfaction of their needs and desires without violating the standards of the community at large.
What has been done in the first three months of this pro- gram to realize these purposes? One worker is spending all his time working with teenagers. He has spent much time thus far getting acquainted with the teenagers in the projects and learning about their problems and interests. He has helped two boys' groups enter basketball teams in a public recreation league and is endeavoring to find activities for other boys' groups interested in football, hockey, and weightlifting. This worker has also aided the Mystic View Associates in its pro- gram of dances and informal lounge activities for all teenagers. Learning about and dealing with the problems and interests of individual teenagers has taken more of this worker's time; for example, he has counseled boys about the importance of re- maining in school as long as possible.
The Peabody House has also been interested in the variety of services which all of Somerville's Agencies can render, and has been active on the Housing Project Committee of the Com- munity Council. Staff members hope to get to know a wide variety of tenants and to learn what kinds of social activities they want by means of a weekly, informal Coffee Hour; which was started recently. On the basis of this knowledge, certain kinds of clubs will be offered to the tenants; for example, at the beginning of the new year a dressmaking group for women will be initiated. Other kinds of clubs, for adults and for chil- dren will follow.
As in the past the Somerville Recreation Commission under Secretary Charles P. Kelly have supervised an excellent sum- mer program in the play areas in the rear of the Administration Building at Mystic Avenue and in the Tot Lot adjacent to the Clarendon Hill Apartments. The excellent wading pool at the Federal Low-Rent Project continues to be a source of enjoy- ment and relief to the smaller children on hot summer days.
206
ANNUAL REPORTS
The Commission is now conducting courses in Arts and Crafts at the Mystic Avenue Project with instructors in attend- ance at classes twice a week.
TENANT STATISTICS
On December 31, 1960 there was a total of 778 housing units under the supervision of the Somerville Housing Author- ity distributed as follows:
Clarendon Hill Veterans Project 216
Mystic River Veterans Project 240
Mystic View Low Rent Project 216
Highland Gardens Apts. for the Elderly 42
Capen Court Apts. for the Elderly 64
At the Clarendon Hill Project there was a 24% change in occupancy during 1960. The average monthly rental including all utilities was $66.00 per month.
At the Mystic River Veterans Project there was a 17.5% change in occupancy and the average monthly rental including heat and hot water was $55.00.
At Mystic View - Federal low-rent apartments the change in occupancy was also 17.5% and the average monthly rental during 1960 was $47.00 including all utilities. Living in these three projects, besides the adults there are approximately 1900 children. At Highland Garden Apartments for the Elderly there were only two move-outs both due to death of the occupants and the average monthly rental including all utilities was $40.00.
At the Capen Court Apartments for the Elderly there were five move-outs also due to death and the average monthly rental was $43.00 including heat and hot water.
Within a very short time construction will start on the new 100 unit Federal Project for the Elderly at Highland Avenue near the junction of Medford Street, bringing the number of units under the supervision of the Somerville Housing Author- ity to 878.
MANAGEMENT
The Authority as of December 31, 1960, supervises the operation of two Federally-aided and three State-aided develop-
207
HOUSING AUTHORITY
ments plus the Linwood-Joy Urban Redevelopment project in the Brickbottom section of the city.
It is continuing to accept its responsibility to the commu- nity by its planning of an additional 100 units of elderly hous- ing soon to be constructed on Highland Ave. There are over 3,400 people living in 778 units of public housing in Somerville today. The net real estate value is well over $14,000,000.
The entire administrative and management program is supervised by the executive director, John J. Walsh, asst. executive director, Albert J. Goguen and a central office staff consisting of a tenant selector, bookkeeper, secretary, and three clerks. The cost of this administrative staff is negligible as compared to municipal departments or private enterprises of the same size.
The record of service established by members of the Som- erville Housing Authority is outstanding. Of the five commis- sioners in office today, two will have served ten years when their terms expire.
Serving without pay on many of its programs, all have given generously both of their time and abilities for the monthly meetings and the numerous special meetings called throughout the year. The fine regard with which public housing in Somer- ville is held today is unquestionably due to the understanding with which these men approached the problem.
The board members are a typical cross-section of the city, comprised of successful businessmen, retired businessmen, bankers and leaders of many civic, social, military and church groups in the city. They have many things in common, one being, all are fathers of large families, another, all are dedi- cated to meet their obligations and responsibilities with intel- ligence, purpose and prudence.
The Board of Commissioners at present are: John J. Gay, chairman; Francis A. Liston, vice-chairman; Daniel Milano, newly appointed this year; John R. Wiseman, treasurer; Ernest E. Jennings, assistant treasurer.
It is the duty of the board to legislate policy, to supervise the administrative, management and maintenance sections of the Authority. In addition to policy making, they must be part financier, part architect, part engineer, part accountant, and
208
ANNUAL REPORTS
at all times be a warm and friendly counsel to their tenants and employees.
In addition, they must keep abreast of current changes in existing rules and regulations of the State and Federal govern- ments and referee all employee grievances. The responsibilities are many, recognition is slight, compensation is little, and criticism is great.
This year we have paid to the City of Somerville the sum of $24,440.00 in lieu of taxes and $15,119.00 as direct taxpayers in the Brickbottom Section.
LITIGATION
During the past year the Authority was involved in one major suit. This suit was resolved in the Authority's favor.
The long standing claim against the Boston Edison Com- pany was finally settled in February. This claim was for $9,600.00, a wiring allowance which the Boston Edison Com- pany promised to pay to the Authority during the construction of project Somerville 200-2. Suit was brought by Thomas P. Russell on behalf of the Authority in 1957. The case was tried for several days before Judge Taviera at Middlesex Superior Court in the Jury-waived session. Edison had previously paid the $9,600.00 to Carlisle Electric Company based on a letter from a former Chairman of the Authority. The Authority had instructed Edison not to pay the money but after many years of negotiating, Edison decided the money was due to Carlisle and paid Carlisle. He died and his estate was closed.
Judge Taviera ruled in favor of the Authority and awarded the Authority $9,600.00 plus interest. Edison appealed to the Supreme Judicial Court. Before the appeal was heard, the case was settled and Edison paid the Somerville Housing Au- thority the sum of $10,000.00.
During the past year, the Authority continued its policy of ejecting undesirable tenants. There were several ejections for non-payment.
CONCLUSION
Looking back at the year 1960, we of the Somerville Housing Authority take considerable pride in the many accom-
209
HOUSING AUTHORITY
plishments of the past year. We feel that we have brought to Somerville a fresh new bold approach to Public Housing. From our Theme "Housing Is People" with increased emphasis on the social and recreation aspects of our projects which is of immediate importance to the community at large.
The Authority is continuing to fulfill its obligations to the community by its development of an additional 100 units of Low-Rent Housing especially designed for the elderly soon to be constructed at the junction of Highland Avenue and McGrath Highway.
To the many members of the city government who have so unselfishly given of their time and talents, may we express our sincere gratitude. For this assistance, we give public acknowl- edgement to Mayor Harold W. Wells, the Board of Aldermen, the fine Police and Fire Departments, the Planning Board, to the Recreation Commission, its Director and his excellent staff, and to all other departments of the City Government, to the various Social Service Agencies who have aided so many of our tenants, to the staffs of the State Housing Board, The Public Housing Administration and the Housing and Home Finance Agency and to all others, who, by their cooperation and assist- ance have made our task a pleasant one.
Respectfully submitted,
SOMERVILLE HOUSING AUTHORITY JOHN J. GAY, Chairman
Relative Location of Projects
Annual Contributions Contract
..
31~1,2 B -- 82
200-C-D.
1/2 m.
...... . 667-1
2/2 mm
2 /3 M
200 -C-1, 2
Developmenti
Management
Mass =31-1,2
NO.
NO.
units
Positions
amount
2.58
6
25,832
Somerville 200=C=". 2
No.
No.
units
Positions
amount
1456
113
50.492
Somerville 667=1
No.
units
No. Positions
amount
-
64
2.132
Total Positions
27}
Amount
$120,741
Organization Chart
Board of Commissioners
Central Office
Office or Executive Director Maintenance
82 pos
- 35.285
1 pos
6,000
Total Central Office
95 pos. = 41.285
.
--
--
:07-1
31~3 Central Office
--
31-2
31-1
VR Mass 8-1 Centre? Office
---
Central office
UR NESS 8-1
12mm
200-C-2
210
ANNUAL REPORTS
1/2 m
217
HOUSING AUTHORITY
SOMERVILLE HOUSING AUTHORITY BALANCE SHEET - DECEMBER 31, 1960 SOMERVILLE 200-C MASS.
Assets
Administration Fund:
Somerville National
$8,544.72
Middlesex Federal Savings
37,007.45
Central Co-Operative
18,845.43
Winter Hill Savings
37,007.45
Somerville Co-Operative
17,109.54
Somerset Savings
31,960.44
Brighton Five Cents Savings
12,728.14
Somerville Savings
31,721.70
Revolving Fund
16,700.00
211,624.87
Accounts Receivable:
Tenants
12,229.91
State Aid
54,362.50
Sundry
25.00
66,617.41
Debt Service:
Fund - 1
21,948.75
Trust Fund - 1
3,181.04
Trust Fund Investment - 1
31,000.00
56,129.79
Investments-U. S. Treasury Bills
350,000.00
Prepaid Insurance
10,705.75
Development Costs
5,478,000.00
Less-Dev. Cost Liquidation
421,000.00
5,057,000.00
Total Assets
$5,752,077.82
Liabilities
Accounts Payable-Administration
Reserve for Anticipated Work
$3,220,000.00
Less-Notes Retired
114,000.00
Tenants' Prepaid Rents
748.75
Tenants' Security Deposits
4,470.00
5,218.75
Bonds Authorized
2,258,000.00
Less-Bonds Retired
307,000.00
1,951,000.00
Reduction of Annual Contribution
10,821.04
Matured Interest and Principal - 1
42,949.50
Matured Interest and Principal - 2
66,446.99
Debt Service Reserve - 1
61,444.75
Debt Service Reserve - 2
26,790.00
Unamortized Bond Premium - 1
34,181.04
Operating Reserve
152,988.24
Net Income
395,621.56 36,928.57
Total Liabilities
$5,752,077.82
$9,003.38 248,305.56
Notes Authorized
3,106,000.00
212
ANNUAL REPORTS
SOMERVILLE HOUSING AUTHORITY BALANCE SHEET - DECEMBER 31, 1960 SOMERVILLE 667-1 MASS.
Assets
Development Fund-Somerville National
$46,095.24
Administration Fund
13,498.99
Revolving Fund
500.00
60,094.23
Accounts Receivable-Administration
9,115.50
Prepaid Insurance
2,168.32
Investments-U. S. Bills Due 3-16-61
30,000.00
Uncompleted Contracts
146.67
Development Costs
676,778.84
Total Assets
$778,303.56
Liabilities
Tenants' Security Deposits
$650.00
Tenants' Prepaid Rents
228.25
$878.25
Notes Outstanding
675,000.00
Accounts Payable
$9,759.61
Contract Retentions
60,020.94
69,780.55
Interest Accrued
9,045.00
Unearned Interest
177.00
Operating Reserve
2,880.00
Contract Awards
146.67
Prior Years Surplus
16,330.21
Net Income .
4,065.88
Total Liabilities
$778,303.56
SOMERVILLE HOUSING AUTHORITY BALANCE SHEET - DECEMBER 31, 1960 MASS - 31-1-2 & 3
Assets
General Fund
$3,040.77
Petty Cash Fund
50.00
$3,090.77
Tenants
4,469.00
Other
80.40
4,549.40
Limited Revolving Fund
6,500.00
6,500.00
General Fund
42,742.28
213
HOUSING AUTHORITY
Debt Service Fund
30,846.25
Advance Amortization Fund
161.03
PHA Annual Contributions Receivable
78,761.71
109,768.92
Prepaid Insurance
6,153.83
Insurance Deposits
5,452.81
Inventories-Materials
932.37
Other
1,178.67
13,717.68
Land Structures and Equipment
3,393,260.57
Total Assets
$3,573,629.69
Liabilities
Vendors and Contractors
$5,464.83
Tenants Security Deposits
2,620.00
Other
$8,084.83
Advance Notes-PHA
27,230.00
Temporary Notes-Non-PHA
477,000.00
Sundry Notes
504.230.00
Interest Payable-Notes and Bonds-PHA ..
738.31
Interest Payable-Notes-Non-PHA
2,098.01
Interest Payable-Bonds-Non-PHA
42,744.39
Insurance
1,599.29
Payments in Lieu of Taxes
4,695.82
Other
51,875.82
Tenants Prepaid Rent
1,012.95
Other
1,012.95
New Housing Authority Bonds Issued
$2,830,000.00
Less: New Housing Auth.
Bonds Retired
297,000.00
2,533,000.00
Contract Awards
14,743.37
Less: Uncompleted Contracts
14,743.37
Total Liabilities
$2,533,000.00
Unreserved Surplus ($315,622.09) 35,952.00
Operating Reserve
Total Surplus from Operations
(279,670.08) 755,096.17
Cumulative PHA Contributions
Contract Payments to PHA- Conveyed Projects
475,426.09
Total Liabilities and Surplus
$3,573,629.69
214
ANNUAL REPORTS
SOMERVILLE REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY BALANCE SHEET - DECEMBER 31, 1960 SOMERVILLE UR 8-1 MASS.
Assets
Cash:
Project Expenditure Account ---
Somerville National
$6,073.47
Project Temporary Loan Repayment-
Middlesex County National
13,061.86
Petty
25.00
Revolving Fund
200.00
$19,360.33
Accounts Receivable:
Tenants'
6,606.50
Sundry
1,672.50
8,279.08
U. S. Treasury Bills-Investment Due 5-18-61
43,371.68
Development Costs:
Loan and Grant
1,702,993.31
Prel. Survey and Planning
27,656.99
Final Advance
34,490.86
1,765,141.16
Total Assets
$1,836,152.25
Liabilities
Sundry Accounts Payable
$205.46
Notes Payable
560,000.00
Accrued Interest
7,940.29
Local Cash Grants-In-Aid
74,842.00
Proceeds from Sale of Land
504,875.50
Federal Capital Grants
688,289.00
Total Liabilities
$1,836,152.25
215
FIRE DEPARTMENT
REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
February 24, 1961
To the Honorable, the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville
Gentlemen:
In compliance with the Revised Ordinances of the City of Somerville, I have the honor of submitting for your informa- tion, The Annual Report of the Fire Department for the year ending December 31, 1960:
ALARMS AND LOSSES
Number of First Alarms 823
Number of Second Alarms
8
Number of Third Alarms
1
Number of A.D.T. Alarms
11
Number of Still Alarms
1169
Accidents, Ambulance and Emergency Calls
2550
Number of Alarms for the Year 1960
4562
Number of Alarms for the Year 1959
4572
Decrease in the Number of Alarms During the Year 1960
10
Value of Buildings at Risk
$1,976,155.00
Insurance on Buildings at Risk
2,728,300.00
Insurance Damage on Buildings 195,029.91
Value of Contents at Risk
270,682.00
Insurance on Contents at Risk
533,780.00
Insurance Damage on Contents
111,096.97
Total Value at Risk
2,246,837.00
Total Insurance Damage
306,126.88
Approximate Per Capita Loss
3.15
CLASSIFICATION OF ALARMS
Fires in Residence Buildings
248
Fires in Other Buildings
98
Chimney Fires
2
Fires in Rubbish, near Buildings
84
216
ANNUAL REPORTS
Fires in Dumps, Vacant Lots
28
Grass Fires
120
Miscellaneous Fires-Out of Doors
172
Automobile Fires 176
False Alarms
271
Smoke Scares-Needless Alarms
105
Accidents, Inhalator Calls
322
Miscellaneous Emergency Calls
421
False Telephone Calls
27
Out of City Calls
264
Ambulance Calls 2215
TOTAL
4553
Second Alarms
8
Third Alarms
1
TOTAL
4562
MANUAL FORCE
The Manual Force consists of Two Hundred Thirty-Eight (238) Permanent Men and One Temporary Typist. The Roster of the Department is as follows:
1 Chief Engineer
4 Deputy Fire Chiefs
1 District Fire Chief
1 Master Mechanic
4 Assistant Mechanics
8 Fire Captains
32 Fire Lieutenants
7 Assigned to Ambulance
153 Fire Fighters-4th Year
6 Fire Fighters-3rd Year
7 Fire Fighters-2nd Year
14
Fire Fighters-1st Year
1
Temporary Typist
239 Total
The month of May brought to an end the administration of Chief Engineer James H. O'Hara, the first Civil Service Chief in the history of Somerville. He has been placed on the pension roll.
Notable among his many accomplishments is the Ordi- nance adopted by the Board of Aldermen for the installation of automatic sprinkler systems for the protection of persons in convalescent and nursing homes in Somerville.
His vacating of the Office of Chief Engineer imposes a challenge to his successor to maintain the high standard of administration left to him.
217
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Other members pensioned during the year were:
Deputy Chief
Louis J. Larkin
Deputy Chief
Charles J. Cruise
Patrick J. Reynolds
George F. Cunningham
Firefighters
Harold J. Hamel
Frederick W. McGahan
Lincoln Moore
Patrick H. Loan
FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU
Permits Delivered In 1960
14,246 Renewal Permits for Storage of Oil. @ .25
$3,561.50
566 Original Permits for Installation of Heat- @ ers and Storage of Oil. .50
288.00
32 Miscellaneous (Tank Removal, Tar Kettles, Blasting, Etc. Inspection of premises was made on the delivery of renewal permits and original in- stallations.
@ .50
16.00
Fire Prevention activities were conducted during Fire Pre- vention week concentrating in the business districts and the schools. However, we are looking forward toward a fuller par- ticipation throughout the year.
In cooperation with the Somerville Lodge of Elks this De- partment conducted its 5th Annual Junior Fire Patrol. This. course aimed at bringing the story of Fire Prevention into the home through the participation of key pupils of the sixth grade of the various schools, shows great promise in expanding. The interest shown by girls in this program, as well as boys, bids; fair that the expansion of this program should show great re- sults in Fire Prevention.
Deputy Chief Ronco is to be commended for the conduct- ing of these classes, especially for giving his off time to the children.
This Department has been operating under rules and reg- ulations published in 1906 during the term of Mayor Charles A. Grimmons and Chief Engineer James R. Hopkins.
During this period of fifty-four years the rules and regula- tions have been supplemented by the periodic issuance of- General Orders.
218
ANNUAL REPORTS
Many changes in personnel and operational procedure have taken place in the Fire Department and so a new revision of the Rules and Regulations has been published. A copy has been issued to each member for their guidance.
A training program has been conducted during favorable weather at the drill yard on Somerville Avenue, all companies participating on a schedule basis.
To augment this training program, we have been fortunate to acquire the interest and cooperation of public spirited citi- zens to underwrite a "Somerville Fire Department Training Manual", the first publication of its kind in this Department, to be issued to each company officer for their guidance in in- structing their company and standardizing procedures.
Efficient operation of a Fire Department necessitates mod- ern equipment and communication facilities.
The following equipment should be replaced:
Engine 1 Hose Wagon. Placed in service July 31, 1928
Engine 3 Hose Wagon. Placed in service Sept. 12, 1929
Engine 6 Pump. Placed in service May 31, 1932
The time is very short when according to F. C. C. regula- tions the Fire Department transmitter will have to be located on another frequency.
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