USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1871-1875 > Part 22
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Pine Street.
The private way called Pine Street, leading westerly from Summer Street, about eight hundred feet in length, has been roughly graded. The abuttors on the line of the street gave
12
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
the land, to a width of forty feet, except that portion border- ing on land of Casey, where the width narrows to the original twenty-five feet. In grading the street, an excellent bed of blue gravel was found, which was made use of in top- dressing and repairing other streets. Estimated cost, $150.
Concrete and Brick Sidewalks.
Appropriation
$1,000 00
Received from D. Dodge ·
18 49
$1,018 49
Expended .
943 59
$74 90
The only brick sidewalk laid during the year, under this appropriation, was that fronting the store of Davies Dodge, adjoining the bank building. Edge-stones have also been set, adding much to the uniform appearance of both estates.
We have laid 1,1878 yards of concrete sidewalk during the year, and 549 yards of crossings and gutters. A concrete gutter has been built on the southerly side of the avenue, be- tween the horse-railroad track and estates of Nathan Robbins. In this connection, we would state that conference was held with Mr. Robbins, at the time work was progressing on the avenue, relative to the cutting down of the sidewalk fronting his residence. The only objection urged against the proposed change was the fear of injuring the row of shade trees set just within the line of his estate. The whole matter was, with slight delay, amicably arranged ; the sidewalk lowered to a corresponding grade with the avenue, and laid in brick. A stone coping, with neat ornamentation, incloses the estate, in striking contrast with the high wooden fence of former years.
The enhanced value of the property under this change, as well as the general improvement in appearance of the avenue, should be seen to be appreciated; and your Board would avail themselves of this opportunity to thank Mr. Robbins, in behalf of the town, for the promptness, thoroughness, and creditable manner with which the work has been done.
13
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
Almshouse.
Appropriation .
$2,000 00
Received from town of Belmont
65 19
$2,065 19
Expended
1,694 17
$371 02
Almshouse Stable.
Cost of new stable
$2,182 39
Received from insurance
$1,830 16
Charged to Almshouse account .
352 23
$2,182 39
The old stable was destroyed by fire Aug. 31. A new stable has been erected of the same dimensions as the old ; but, in point of convenience and general adaptation to the wants of the town, far superior to the old building. The shed adjoining the stable is ten feet longer, and affords ample protection for the carts and implements used on our highways.
Fire Department.
Appropriation
. $2,500 00
Expended
2,477 60 .
$22 40
The management of the Fire Department for the past year has been under the immediate supervision of Chief Engineer Hobbs. For a detailed statement of its present condition and future requirements, we would refer the citizens to the Chief Engineer's report.
Police.
Appropriation
. $1,200 00
Expended
. 1,041 60
$158 40
14
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
The charge of the Police Department has been under the direction of John H. Hartwell as chief, and four assistants. Although the number of arrests has increased by ten over the last year, the general quiet and order of the town has been the same. In the report of the Chief of Police to the Selectmen, mention is made of the increasing demands upon the force each year, with the recommendation that the town consider at its next annual meeting, the policy of augment- ing the present force.
Whole number of arrests for the year 1875
60
Assault
. 20
Drunkenness
. 18
Disturbing the peace
3
Larceny
7
Malicious mischief
3
Setting fires ·
.
3
Other arrests
6
60
In addition to the number of tramps lodged and fed at the Almshouse, sixty have been cared for at the station.
Repairs of Station.
Appropriation
$500 00
Expended
.
·
1844 72
$315 28
We have laid a new floor in the lock-up, and whitened the walls. The mattresses and blankets, which from long use had become soiled beyond renovation, have been replaced with new, and the room put in thorough repair. A storm- door has been placed at the entrance, adding much to the comfortableness of the station. The balance unexpended of this appropriation has been carried to the credit of highway account, in accordance with vote of the town at meeting held Nov. 20.
15
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
Salaries of Town Officers.
Appropriation
. $4,200 00
Brought forward .
·
.
800 00
$5,000 00
Expended
3,700 00
$1,300 00
Town House.
Appropriation
$500 00
Received from rents
513 33
$1,013 33
Expended ..
775 71
$237 62
Incidentals.
Appropriation
. $2,000 00
Received from circus license
10 00
Received from auctioneer's license
6 00
$2,016 00
Expended
. 1,945 57
$70 43
State Aid.
Appropriation
$600 00
Received from State Treasurer
438 80
$1,038 80
Expended
420 00
$618 80
Centennial Celebration.
Appropriation
. $2,000 00
Expended
. 1,958 25
$41 75
.
16
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
Street Lamps.
Appropriation
. $1,600 00
Expended .
·
. 1,565 90
$34 10
Tower of William Penn Hose Co.
Appropriation
$500 00
No expenditure.
Counsel Fees.
Appropriation
. $1,000 00
Expended
541 72
$458 28
The expenditures charged against this appropriation are fees paid attorneys for the management of suits (except- ing water claims) against the town, legal advice, and the drawing of legal instruments. All charges arising from suits or hearings relative to land flowage or water damage are exhibited in the water commissioners' accounts. There are no suits now pending against the town, other than those arising from the introduction of water. Evidence in the suits brought by the mill-owners has been taken, but no arguments made by either side. As these cases properly fall within the province of your Water Board for report, we leave them without further comment.
Outside Poor.
Appropriation
$600 00
Expended .
753 43
Appropriation exceeded
$153 43
We have exceeded the appropriation placed in our hands for disbursement. Two years ago, at the time of our first
17
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
advent in office, the town indicated, with no equivocal voice, that her officials should not exceed their appropria- tions. The case at hand is a peculiar one, and presented to your Board difficulties which they could not have foreseen. We have endeavored to discriminate in our charity ; giving where the circumstances of the case absolutely demanded immediate relief, and withholding often, at least in part, where parties applying for aid could in some measure aid themselves. One year ago we recommended an appropria- tion of six hundred dollars for outside poor; and looking back over the past twelve months, a period in which every branch of industry has suffered from general depression, our factories discharging their help, and reducing the pay-roll of the fortunate few who remained to the lowest living point, laborers constantly besieging us for work, in numbers far beyond the practical requirements of the town, we marvel not that we have exceeded the amount granted us, but rather that we have been able to keep so near its limits. Every dollar expended has gone through such a channel as to leave no opportunity for its being squandered, or used for purposes other than that for which it was given. In cases of actual suffering for the bare necessaries of life, action, to be effec- tual, must be prompt ; and that town which " gives quickly gives twice." It often happens, and has happened, that a family bridged over, in time of sickness or some unforeseen calamity, for a few days or weeks by aid, timely or quickly given, continue to maintain their self-respect, and become again self-supporting, who would otherwise be forced, as a last resort, to take refuge in your Almshouse, and, per- chance, become an annual expense to the town.
Park Avenue Extension.
Appropriation
$2,500
Estimated cost
.
1,750
$750
18
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
Under a special vote of the town, Park Avenue has been extended to the Belmont line, a distance of about 1,650 feet. The work was commenced early in August. No serious obstacles, like frequent ledges, were encountered. This fact, together with the favorable season of the year in which the road was commenced, all conspired towards the vigorous prosecution of the work. The cuts abounded with the best of blue gravel for top-dressing, so that the expense of carting material for a long distance was avoided.
Some large boulders were found lying in the road-bed ; these were disposed of by sinking them where they stood, using the material thrown out from the excavation in the road's construction. That portion of the road beyond the town line, extending to Prospect Street, was commenced about the same time as the Arlington division, and completed late in the fall. We have constructed, in rough, a sidewalk on the easterly side of the road, using the surplus material left over in building. The entire avenue, sixty feet wide, from the summit of the heights to Prospect Street in the town of Belmont, is open for public travel, and, in point of easy grade and thoroughness of construction, compares favor- ably with any road within our limits.
Eastern Avenue Extension.
Appropriation .
$2,500 00
Estimated cost to date 1,801 02
$698 98
The length of this avenue to Highland Avenue is about twenty-four hundred feet. The length of days and late- ness of the season when the work was commenced have materially added to the cost of the road. It is still incom- plete, though the work is well advanced. We have no doubt but that the road will be completed at a cost within the appropriation.
19 .
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
Town Bonds.
The selectmen were authorized to dispose of Arlington Water Scrip to the amount of $6,000, by vote of the town, at meeting held April 27, 1874. Sufficient funds being in the town treasury, no sale of scrip was made at the time ; the town thus saving the interest which would have accrued, as also the discount, the market price at that time being less than the par value. At a town meeting held Sept. 20, 1875, we were authorized to dispose of scrip to the amount of $25,000, in whole or part, as required by the Water Commis- sioners. We have sold during the year $31,000 of bonds. The method adopted in their disposal was to solicit from the leading bankers and brokers bids, to be forwarded to the Selectmen, under seal, on or before a given date. Under this arrangement, the first award of $15,000 in bonds was made Oct. 20, to Messrs. Brewster, Basset, & Co., at $103.52, they being the highest bidder. The second award of $16,000 was made Dec. 29, to Chas. A. Sweet & Co., at $104.58. The following data may be of interest, as exhibiting the amount of authorized bonded debt, number of bonds issued, amount of premiums, &c. : -
Amount of scrip authorized,
issued,
$200,000 00 186,000 00
Balance unsold, $14,000 00
Bonds sold present year,
31,000 00
Oct. 20, 1875, Brewster, Basset, & Co., $15,000 at $103.52, $15,528 00
Dec. 29, 1875, Charles A. Sweet & Co., $16,000 at $104.58, 16,732 80
$32,260 80
Premiums received on $31,000 bonds sold,
$1,260 80
1
Cemeteries.
At the annual March meeting, the care of the old and new cemeteries, hitherto devolving upon a special committee yearly appointed, was intrusted to the Selectmen. Early in
20
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
the season, arrangements were entered into with Mr. Hart- well for a general supervision of both cemeteries, at an expense of $200 for the year. Complaints had been fre- quently made by the lot-owners, of acts of vandalism com- mitted within the grounds, by unknown parties ; and it was thought advisable to place the entire grounds, the whole time, under the charge of one person, than to hire work done from time to time as wanted, thus leaving the grounds at times without special oversight. Mr. Hartwell stipulated in his agreement, to keep the walks clean and free from weeds, grass edges neatly trimmed, and trees watered ; and, so far as his work has come under our observation, we have no criticism to make. In view of the trial thus made, we are of the opinion that the care of the grounds by a com- petent person will prove at once the most economical and satisfactory method of caring for them. The walks have been top-dressed with blue gravel, using that removed from that portion of the avenue macadamized this season. Gates have been erected at the main entrance, thus completing the enclosure. With the cemeteries in their present improved condition, we see no reason why the appropriation for the coming season cannot be curtailed at least one half, and still maintain the walks and grounds in a creditable manner.
Licenses.
Amount received from licenses, $700
Paid State of Massachusetts, 175
$525
Under the enactment of the last legislature entitled, " An Act to Regulate the Sale of Intoxicating Liquors," the Select- men were empowered to grant licenses for the sale of liquors, which licenses were enumerated under five separate classes ; and, with certain limitations, we were authorized to fix the price to be charged for licenses so granted. In some of the towns, petitions from the citizens, remonstrating against the issue of any license under either class mentioned in the Act,
21
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
were made to the Selectmen, or expressions of opinion given, or votes passed in town meeting ; thus relieving the Board of Selectmen from all responsibility of action in the matter. our Board received from the citizens no petition, in any form, relative to the granting or withholding of licenses under this Act ; nor did the town by discussion or vote indicate its wish in this matter. After reasonable delay, the Board be- lieving the law to have been enacted for the public good, and only to be judged as to its merits or demerits by a fair trial, voted to issue licenses under the Act.
Licenses of the first and third classes only were issued, with fees as follows: first class, $125; third, $50. Num- ber of licenses issued, eight. Our only data for estimating the ill effects or benefits of the law over the old act of pro- hibition rests in a great measure with the statements fur- nished by the chief of police. From his report, it will be seen that the number of arrests for 1875 exceed those of 1874 by ten, while the number of cases of drunkenness the present year is eighteen against eleven during 1874.
The opponents of the license law, in making use of these statistics as against the law, would at the same time do well to remember that a year of general depression in business, and hence consequent idleness, like the past, would naturally increase, in itself, the number of arrests for inebriety over those of a year of general industry and thrift.
Tramps.
At the time of issuing our last report, the subject of tramps and what to do with them, was receiving from the public and public prints more than a passing notice. Their increased and increasing numbers, together with the repeated depreda- tions and crimes of which they were charged, caused an act to be passed at the last session of the legislature to remedy this growing evil. The overseers of the poor, or superinten- dent of the almshouse under their direction, were author- ized to require any non-resident applying for food or lodging to labor a stated number of hours on the highway or else-
1
22
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
where, not detaining any applicant beyond eleven o'clock of the day succeeding his application. So far as our own town is concerned, this act has had a salutary effect. Early in the year, the Board instructed the superintendent of the alms- house to enforce this law, granting, however, discretionary power, in cases of enfeebled old age, extreme youth, or mani- fest physical inability. While the law thus enforces work from all vagrants six days in the week, it makes no provision for the Saturday night applicants. The tramps fully com- prehend this loop-hole in the act, and often more permits are granted Saturday than the whole five days previous.
The following table exhibits the number of tramps cared for at the Almshouse, from April 1, 1875, to Dec. 31, 1875. From this it will be seen that the number rapidly decreased until the fall months, the number received during July and August being far below former years ; and yet during those two months the public prints frequently asserted that the towns in the western part of the State swarmed with vagrants. The increased number cared for, during November and December, was doubtless the legitimate result of the stagnant condition of our industrial interests, coupled with the fact that it had become known to the entire tramp army, that no work could be enforced from Saturday night applicants.
Tramps Lodged at Almshouse.
April
221
May
·
.
59
June .
·
34
July .
6
August
7
September
16
October
43
November
111
December
115
At the very outset of the enforcement of this law, applicants were distinctly given to understand that labor would be required of all presenting their permits. Some, ascertaining
23
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
. the cost of food and lodging thus furnished, would refuse at once the permit; while others, though nominally accepting them, would tramp to some other sister town, whose vagrant discipline was less rigidly enforced.
Perambulation.
The Statutes of the Commonwealth require the Selectmen, once in five years, to perambulate the town lines, and see to it that the marks of division are maintained in good condi- tion. In compliance with this law, and in conjunction with the Selectmen of the towns adjoining us, we have this year run the lines, and placed a certificate of our doings on file with the town clerk.
Coal Proposals.
In accordance with vote of the town at the annual meeting, proposals were issued to coal-dealers doing business in this vicinity, soliciting estimates for furnishing coal used for town purposes for the year. The usual conditions, as to the coal being well screened and of first quality, were required ; and the right of weighing on town scales, as well as rejecting any and all bids, reserved. The award was made to Horatio Wellington & Co., of East Cambridge.
Estimate of coal required :
Furnace
.
143 tons
Egg ·
· ·
·
·
6
181 tons.
Award : -
Furnace coal
$7 48
Egg
7 55
Stove
7 55
Sprinkling Streets.
No definite action was taken by the town in regard to watering any of the highways the current year. As work
.
32 “
Stove
.
.
24
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
progressed on the avenue, it was evident that the portion regraded should be sprinkled until the new road-bed hard- ened and became more compact from travel. With the idea of testing, in a measure, the efficacy of sprinkling the streets, and in order that the town should not bear the entire expense, a subscription paper was circulated among the residents fronting on the line of the proposed watering; and, of the whole cost, two hundred and thirty-three dollars was raised by private subscription. The Selectmen purchased a water- ing-cart, and entered into an agreement with Charles E. Beard to furnish two horses and perform the labor necessary for the work; with the understanding that, those days when the watering-cart should not be in use, his own services, and those of his team, would be required on the highway. We believe that the water thus sprinkled upon the streets is a legitimate and economical expenditure of the town's money. The pro- tection thus afforded to the road-bed is less costly than the freqent top-dressing of gravel which it would otherwise require, leaving out of view the comfort and convenience derived from it.
Town Debt.
That portion of the town debt, amounting to $11,629.20, falling due this year, has been paid. Two notes mature during the year 1876, amounting to $6,000, provision for which should be made in the annual appropriations. While our floating debt has decreased nearly twelve thousand dollars since our last report, our bonded water debt has increased thirty-one thousand dollars. The claims brought by the mill-owners against the town, with a single exception, are still unadjusted ; and your entire expenditure on water account to date, instead of being ninety thousand dollars, as estimated at the outset of the undertaking, has already more than doubled that figure, and must be still further increased from the awards of those cases now in litigation. The increase of indebtedness from causes like the above cannot be avoided. We have taken the water, and must bear the pecuniary penalty of hasty action.
25
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
The floating debt is, however, within our control, so that by diminishing the one the total debt may be kept within reasonable limits.
The entire indebtedness of the town is to-day more than five per cent of our valuation. Take now into consideration the past fluctuations in values, the high standard of assess- ment on all real estate in comparison with actual values, as tested by sales in the open market, and the percentage of our indebtedness would be materially in excess of that named. Lower prices, lower rents, retrenchment in all that enters into the cost of living, is the only solution of the difficulty. Yet our debt increases from year to year; we vote for this or that expenditure without hesitation, but pay for it with grumbling. In the light of these truths, however unpal- atable, one course, and only one, remains for the town to adopt; namely, the yearly reduction in whole or part, as it matures, of our floating debt.
To stand, so to speak, in our very tracks, granting annu- ally sufficient funds to maintain the highways and public buildings in good repair, until our debt shall be so reduced, or the times so change, as to cause it to rest lightly upon us, means healthy progress.
From excessive taxation every class in our midst is to-day suffering ; and upon no class does this burden fall so heavily as on those working men, who by long years of untiring industry have provided homes for themselves and families, and whose purse feels most keenly the daily drafts necessary to tide them over this idle winter.
We pen these thoughts in no spirit of croaking or fault- finding, neither with any disbelief in the recuperative power of our towns and cities to rise above this financial cloud which hangs over them, but rather that the citizens may become conversant with the actual state of our finances, and be led to observe, by comparison of one year with another, how much easier a debt can be created than liquidated.
Adopting, then, this coming centennial year, as the initia- tive year of retrenchment and treasury reform, let us vote carefully and intelligently upon all appropriations looking
26
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
towards increased debt, and hence increased taxation ; and, though seemingly we are at a " stand-still," time will prove that we have made haste slowly, and have husbanded in these years of rest those elements of economy and prosperity which give strength and character to a community like our own.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN SCHOULER,
Selectmen,
JAMES DURGIN, Town of
WILLIAM G. PECK, Arlington.
TREASURER'S REPORT.
EXPENDITURES.
Highways and Bridges.
Paid John Ahern,
labor
$23 25
William Bradley,
66
271 50
William Burns,
66
391 20
Charles E. Beard,
66
883 50
Alfred Brooks,
66
80 00
David Allen,
66
10 50
John Burns,
66
·
411 19
James Beevens,
66
213 70
Michael Butler,
66
10 67
Daniel Benham,
66
303 57
Patrick Breen,
66
33 00
Michael Burns,
66
2 00
Timothy Caniff,
66
110 24
James Callahan,
66
157 82
Jeremiah Crowley,
31 50
Michael Cannon,
66
3 50
Daniel Callahan,
66
5 69
Patrick Carroll,
66
9 80
Henry Callahan,
66
88
Charles Cahill,
66
18 75
John Caravan,
66
2 62
Peter Conners,
66
34 12
Michael Cox,
66
15 75
John Collins,
66
19 42
Amount carried forward,
$3,044 17
.
·
.
28
TREASURER'S REPORT.
Amount brought forward,
$3,044 17
Paid James Caniff,
labor
21 00
John Curtin,
37 20
Patrick Collins,
18 75
James Donahue,
66
1 75
John Donahue,
305 38
Thomas Fitzgerald,
66
18 75
John Flaherty,
25 50
Michael Fermoyle,
355 20
Patrick Fermoyle,
56 18
John Galvin,
66
5 25
William Graham,
66
1 00
James Galvin,
66
.
19 50
John Gee,
66
10 50
Henry Hanson,
66
62 50
Patrick Hearty,
66
36 12
Michael Harrington,
66
28 50
Patrick Hurley,
66
24 75
Thomas Hill,
66
25 62
George Knight,
66
283 05
Eber Hill,
337 55
John Kelly,
66
16 06
Andrew King,
66
102 87
S. E. Kimball,
66
. 1,200 00
John Mahony,
66
1 75
Cornelius Linehan, jun.,“
10 50
Edward Lacy,
66
405 93
William Morrow,
26 38
John McCarthy,
66
.
.
Charles McGinnis,
66
40 00
William H. Mills,
5 25
Michael Mccarthy,
66
35 25
John Murray,
66
2 25
Thomas Mehan,
66
7 50
Daniel Lyons,
.
7 65
Amount carried forward,
$6,612 23
.
.
.
.
.
.
19 50
Samuel Johnson, .
.
.
.
.
.
·
.
.
.
.
.
.
·
.
13 12
29
TREASURER'S REPORT.
Amount brought forward,
$6,612 23
Paid Asa Niles,
labor
3 50
James Noon,
300 04
Patrick O'Neal,
27 75
John O'Brien,
66
363 39
John Roden,
526 88
Thomas Roden,
66
280 67
Jeremiah Reagan,
66
32 12
John Reagan,
66
41 31
Dennis Reardon,
66
116 80
Cornelius Ryan,
66
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