USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1874-1877 > Part 20
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Vote passed at adjourned Town Meeting, held March 25, 1874.
Voted, That the several town officers and committees shall not in any case exceed the amount appropriated for an object in their expenditures for such object. The Town Treasurer shall not pay out any money from the treasury, unless upon an order for the
106
VOTES PASSED BY THE TOWN.
same drawn by the proper officers or committees of the town, stat- ing the object for which the demand was incurred, and the fund out of which the order is to be paid, nor unless an appropriation has been made for that particular object, and funds remain to the credit of the account under which the demand was incurred, and on which the order is drawn.
Vote passed at Town Meeting, held March 8, 1875.
Voted, That the several town officers and committees, en- trusted with the expenditure of money, in cases where the amount appropriated for any object shall have been expended during the fiscal year, may, during the months of January and February in each year, expend monthly for such object, when necessary, an amount equal to the one-twelfth part of the appropriation made for such object for the preceding year ; and the Treasurer is au- thorized, on the order of the proper officers or committees, to pay such sums as may be necessary, not exceeding said one-twelfth of former appropriation, monthly, out of any unexpended funds in the town treasury, during said months ; said sums, so paid, to be temporarily taken from said funds in anticipation of the annual appropriations.
INDEX.
Page.
Auditors' Report.
77
Arlington Avenue.
7
Almshouse
19,29
Cemeteries.
13, 32
Counsel Fees.
19, 32
Chief Engineer's Report.
78
Coal. .
15
Charlestown Street.
9
Discounts and Abatements.
32
Eastern Avenue.
11 19, 32, 78
Franklin Street. .
10
Highways and Bridges.
Interest.
Incidentals.
Jurors.
Lewis Avenue
Library.
Mystic Street.
Park Avenue.
Poor out of Almshouse.
Police
Public Property.
Pratt Fund ..
.
·
·
17, 40 € 46 61 8 89
Statistics of Town
14, 38
Salaries
20, 38
State Aid.
20,39
Sidewalks
13
Sign Boards.
15
Street Hydrants.
39
School Expense.
40
School Committee's Report.
82
Selectmen's Report.
7 20 3
Town House
19, 39 45
Tabular Statement, Appropriations, etc.
Tramps. .
18, 49
Treasurer's Report. .
22,68 50
Town Clerk's Report.
58 90
Tax List. .
Town Debt.
20, 48
Unexpended Balance, etc. .
47
Votes relating to Appropriations, etc.
105
Water Commissioners' Report.
62
Water Works Regulations.
75
Water Scrip.
14
Watering Streets.
12
45
Summer Street.
.
Street Lamps.
Superintendence of Streets
Town Officers.
Trial Balance.
Treasurer's Account.
7,22 36, 40,73 19, 35 88 10 37, 81 10 12 15, 30
Fire Department.
REPORTS
OF
TOWN OFFICERS
OF THE
TOWN OF ARLINGTON
FOR
THE YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, 1877.
ALSO
A LIST OF THE TOWN, COUNTY AND STATE TAXES,
ASSESSED FOR THE YEAR 1877.
IMCORP. 18
CAMBRIDGE
ERTATIS
-ROPYCNATIO
HEREDITAS
BOSTON: D. F. JONES & CO., PRINTERS, 31 EXCHANGE STREET. 1878.
REPORTS Presented by Mr. W. A. Clark - July 17-1891. ICERS
TOWN OF ARLINGTON
FOR
THE YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, 1877.
ALSO
A LIST OF THE TOWN, COUNTY AND STATE TAXES,
ASSESSED FOR THE YEAR 1877.
CAMBRIDGE
ROPYCNATIO
HEREDITAS
BOSTON: D. F. JONES & CO., PRINTERS, 31 EXCHANGE STREET. 1878.
1877. TOWN OFFICERS.
SELECTMEN, OVERSEERS OF THE POOR AND SURVEYORS OF HIGHWAYS.
JOHN SCHOULER, JAMES DURGIN, WILLIAM G. PECK.
ASSESSORS.
HENRY MOTT, THOMAS P. PEIRCE, B. DELMONT LOCKE.
TOWN CLERK, TREASURER AND COLLECTOR.
B. DELMONT LOCKE.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
WILLIAM E. PARMENTER,
for three years.
CHARLES E. GOODWIN,
66 66
F. V. B. KERN,
66 66 66
WILLIAM H. ALLEN,
two 66
JOHN P. WYMAN,
66
66
JOHN S. CROSBY,
66
66
HENRY SWAN,
one
ALFRED HOBBS,
66
66
D. F. JONES,
66
66 66
4
TOWN OFFICERS.
WATER COMMISSIONERS.
GEORGE HILL, for three years.
R. L. HODGDON,
two 66
JOHN FILLEBROWN, " one 66
TRUSTEES OF PRATT FUND.
NATHAN ROBBINS, DAVID P. GREEN,
WILLIAM G. PECK,
JOHN P. WYMAN,
HENRY SWAN, B. DELMONT LOCKE.
AUDITORS.
1
CHARLES O. GAGE, ABEL R. PROCTOR, WILLIAM T. FOSTER.
CONSTABLES.
JOHN H. HARTWELL, GARRETT .BARRY.
SEXTON.
JOHN B. HARTWELL.
FENCE VIEWERS.
WARREN RAWSON, MATTHEW ROWE, JOHN H. PEABODY.
5
TOWN OFFICERS.
FIELD DRIVERS.
I. O. CARTER, JAMES HAGAN, THOMAS HIGGINS.
MEASURERS OF WOOD.
MATTHEW ROWE, GRENVILLE P. PEIRCE, MICHAEL WAUGH.
MEASURERS OF STONE AND GRAVEL.
JESSE BACON, J. WILLARD RUSSELL. .
SURVEYORS OF PAINT AND PLASTERING.
JESSE BACON, EDWARD MEERS, GEORGE D. TUFTS.
SURVEYORS OF LUMBER.
JAMES M. CHASE, EDWARD STORER, JAMES BASTON.
SEALERS OF LEATHER.
THOMAS RAMSDELL, HOWARD W. HILL.
TOWN WEIGHER.
L. C. TYLER.
6
TOWN OFFICERS.
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
CLERK OF THE MARKET.
JOHN REDMAN.
TRUANT OFFICERS. JAMES THAXTER, JOHN P. WYMAN, ALFRED HOBBS.
FISH PRESERVERS.
SAMUEL WHITE, WILLIAM GIBSON, JOHN CUTTER.
COMMITTEE ON CEMETERIES.
JOHN SCHOULER, JAMES DURGIN, WILLIAM G. PECK.
ENGINEERS OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
ALFRED HOBBS, Chief. ARTHUR B. MOULTON, ) JAMES DURGIN, CHARLES GOTT, Assistants.
GEORGE A. STEARNS,
POLICE.
JOHN H. HARTWELL, GARRETT BARRY, P. J. SHEAN.
1
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
The close of the present financial year, the fourth under the present administration, requires a detailed report of the doings of your Board of Selectmen, for the past twelve months, which is herewith respectfully submitted.
Highways and Bridges.
Appropriation,
$7,500 00
Brick and concrete walks,
500 00
Appropriation Nov. 10th, Vine St., 850 00
$8,850 00
Expended,
8,523 13
Balance unexpended,
$326 87
Arlington Avenue.
Outside of the usual repair, to which all of the highways are yearly subject, no work has been done on that portion of the avenue, lying between the foot of the rocks so called, and Alewife Brook. In our report, for year ending Dec. 31, 1876, it was stated through error, that the entire ave- nue was macadamized to the Lexington line. The state- ment wa's incorrect, in place of the words Lexington line, read " foot of the rocks," and you have the progress made in the macadamization of the avenue up to that date: Dur- ing the present year, we have macadamized two sections
8
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
one commencing at a point near the estate of John Pierce and extending nearly to Park Avenue, the other beginning at a distance from Park Avenue, of about one hundred feet, and extending to Vine Street. We have regravelled a small portion of the avenue, near Bow Street. The side- walk on the northerly side, from Schouler Court to the estate of Andrew Wellington, has been partially gravelled, and put in good repair. To those of our citizens who have occasion to pass over that portion of the avenue, situate between Academy Street and the junction of the avenue with Lowell Street, numerous depressions may have been noticed in the road-bed, which, aside from rendering the highway uneven for travel, become standing pools of water after every heavy rain. It has been suggested, that these depressions might be remedied by slightly excavating, and refilling with small cracked stone. The outlay would be inexpensive and might save repicking large portions of the avenue.
Park Avenue.
This avenue has been raked and freed from loose stone, five or six times during the season. The concrete gutters, laid one year ago, have given complete satisfaction, and while the first cost may have seemed large, time has proved that their construction was sound economy. We would recommend the building of another gutter on the easterly side, in size and dimensions similar to that on the westerly side. The distance required being about six hundred feet. The stone base is already laid for a portion of the distance, so that the cost of adding the concrete, cannot be exces- sive. All the roads leading to the summit of the hill, from their rapid rise, are liable to be damaged and gullied after heavy rains. These will eventually require the construc- tion of similar gutters, to keep them in ordinary repair. By making this work extend over several seasons, begin-
9
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
ning with those highways receiving the most travel, the entire work could be completed at no distant day.
Appleton Street.
A portion of this street, between Park and Claremont Ave- nue, for a distance of two hundred feet; has been regravelled -the road-bed crowned, and gutter repaired. The wash on this street, from its steep grade to Park Avenue, demands a new concrete gutter on the southerly side.
Eastern Avenue.
We have regravelled some three hundred feet of this avenue during the year. The road-bed is in good condi- tion. The travel over this highway is so infrequent, as to warrant but small outlay on the part of the town, at pres- ent, either by way of extensive repairs on the road-bed, or in the construction of sidewalks.
Highland Avenue.
-
The gutters on either side have been cleared, and the road freed from loose stone. The bank wall on the right hand side, built at the time of the road's construction, has par- tially fallen and will require to be repaired early in the sea- son. The brook crossing the road at this point, when over- flowed, causes the water to stand at the base of the wall, and to a limited extent has already undermined it.
Vine Street.
The alterations in the lines of Vine Street, as ordered by the County Commissioners and for which an additional appropriation was made at the last town meeting, have been completed. The openness of the season was most favor-
10
1
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
able to the completion of the road, besides affording labor to many, whom otherwise the town would have been obliged to assist. No money has been raised by town note for the alterations on this street ; the entire cost having been drawn from excess and deficiency account.
Mill Street.
We have constructed a sidewalk, for a distance of about two hundred feet, on the southerly side. The road-bed is in good condition, and will require no further outlay for the present.
Academy Street.
It will be remembered, that the acceptance by the town of the upper portion of this street, situate between Maple Street and its present terminus, necessitated some immedi- ate action on the part of the Board, by way of removing the outcropping ledge, near the residence of Mrs. Smith. The acceptance of this section, thus making the same a public highway, rendered the town liable for all damage which might result from its defective condition. Early in the season, we entered upon the work of levelling the knoll by blasting the ledge. The cut, at the point of the ledge, is about five feet. The blast material, thus removed, was made use of in filling the road-bed, at the slope of the hill, raising the same some two and one-half feet. The altera- tion in the street, effected not only the removal of the ledge, a very serious incumbrance, but also made the road of easier grade than heretofore. The cut, thus made, damaged to a slight extent the estate of Mrs. Smith, which claim your Board have amicably adjusted. The street has been grav- elled from Maple Street to Gray estate and is in excellent condition.
11
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
Charlestown Street.
The grade of Charlestown Street, at its junction with the main avenue, has been lowered one foot, making a very decided improvement. On the easterly side, we have con- structed a concrete sidewalk, thus affording a continuous walk to the centre of the town.
Mystic Street.
We have rebuilt the culvert crossing the road, near the Winchester line. The old culvert was of size insufficient to carry the water, often causing an overflow sufficient to wash the road-bed. The present drainage, under the high- way, has been much enlarged, and covered with a brick arch, so substantially built as to require, we believe, no expenditure, by way of repair, for many years. The street has been freed of loose stone, gutters cleared and road-bed generally repaired.
Medford Street.
Excepting Pleasant Street, there is no thoroughfare of importance, within the town limits, requiring so complete overhauling as this street, from the avenue to Medford line. The road-bed is rough, with frequent depressions, almost its entire length. The street requires to be repicked, coated with blue gravel and crowned, and sections where the grade is steep protected by concrete gutters. Your Board would have undertaken the needed improvements on this highway the present year, had it not been for the pressure of other work, but most of all, from a fear lest the appropriation for highways would not warrant so extensive repairs as seemed to be required.
Winter Street.
Complaint has been frequently made of the defective con- dition of this street, especially of that portion situate near
12
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
its junction with the main avenue. While as a rule, we would be extremely cautious in our advocacy for the removal of shade trees, from any section of the town, still in the case at hand, a judicious thinning of some of the trees is absolutely essential, to render the street acceptable for public travel. These trees were originally set out, in close proximity to each other, and have rendered good ser- vice, until in these later years, their rapid growth and in- creased foliage make so constant a shade, that the road- bed, scarcely if ever, becomes dry. If for a short distance, on the easterly side, every other tree were removed, the street raised at its outlet on the main avenue and the road- bed repicked and lightly covered with blue gravel, we think the change would not only be satisfactory to the abutters, but those of the citizens having occasion to use the street.
Lake Street.
The most expensive work undertaken and completed dur- ing the season, was the macadamization of that portion of Lake Street, commencing at the track near the ice-houses, at the outlet of the pond, and extending easterly a distance of sixteen hundred feet. Reducing the street to grade, required the lowering of the shade trees on the westerly side. These trees were planted at the expense of the abutters, two years ago, are young and thrifty, and with an occasional exception, will survive the change. A gutter, not concreted, has been made on the northerly side suffi- cient for the present drainage of the road. The thorough- ness with which the work on this street has been done, would almost warrant the assertion, that it will last for all time. Certain it is, that this portion will require no further expenditure for a long time. The road-bed is covered with three inches of crushed stone, and over all a generous coat- ing of blue gravel. The street is now macadamized from the main avenue to the ice track, excepting nearly three
13
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
hundred feet, from the railroad crossing to the brow of the hill, near the residence of Josiah Crosby. The incessant heavy teaming over this road, of ice and manure, has very seriously damaged this portion, which should be repaired with crushed stone another year.
Alewife Brook.
At the annual March meeting, under an Article in the warrant : " To see what action the town would take, rela- tive to opening a fishway to Spy Pond," the town voted to refer the whole matter of said Article, to the Selectmen.
The recent connection of Little and Spy Ponds by the City of Cambridge, together with the construction of tidal gates on Charlestown Street, had so affected the water of the brook, both as regards its quantity and purity, as vir- tually to destroy the fishway, which has existed from time immemorial, from Mystic River to Spy Pond. Your Board notified the State Fish Commissioners of the condition of the brook, and petitioned for a hearing of all parties in interest. A hearing was held June 11, 1877, at which were present the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners, Mayors of Somerville and Cambridge and Selectmen of Medford. The whole question, so far as it related to the opening of a fishway, was discussed, and at the conclusion of the hearing, Mr. Brackett acting for the Fish Commis- sioners, decided to notify the City of Cambridge, to proceed forthwith to construct a fishway, conforming in all respects to the requirements of the law. In accordance with that decision, the City of Cambridge has caused to be built a fishway, satisfactory to the Commissioners, in length forty feet, width six feet, with a fall of one foot in ten. The water enters a sliding gate, then striking an opposing sur- face, is thrown back almost to the point of starting, then passing on to a second obstruction, and again thrown back, effecting a retardation so constant, that its velocity at the
14
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
outlet is no greater than at the point of entrance. This fishway, after its completion, remained closed, so that during the months of August and September,-a period of the year when the young alewives return to the sea,-the fish following the course of the brook to the river, and barred at the tidal gates, both by a closed fishway and the accumulated sewage, died by thousands along the banks. Your Board, for the second time, petitioned the Fish Commissioners for a hear- ing, relative to the approval of the fishway, and the maintenance of the same by the City of Cambridge, open and unobstructed, during those months required by law. Mr. Brackett, in behalf of his associates, accepted the fish- way and gave assurance to the Board, that another season proper legal notices would be served, fixing the times when the fishway shall be opened for the passage of fish to the ponds, and their subsequent return. Three sewers now empty their contents into this brook, and serve to drain a large portion of northern Cambridge. As the population in this district increases, the sewage will increase, and the time when the stench from this present system of drainage shall become absolutely unbearable, and the increased death- rate of those resident in the vicinity shall be only too apparent, cannot be far distant. If the City of Cambridge persists in finding an outlet for her sewage by a system of drainage, following the course of the brook, the citizens of Arlington will demand the construction of a sewer, entirely independent of the brook, so that its waters shall flow pure and unobstructed, as in the memory of our oldest residents. Certain it is, that Arlington will, and ought to look with jealous eye on this encroachment on the part of Cambridge, affecting as it does the health and welfare of our citizens.
Concrete.
We have laid upwards of five hundred yards of concrete in yard of Cutter School, besides doing quite extensive
15
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
work around the Russell School, and the sidewalk fronting the same.
Street crossings have been laid on Main Avenue, near residence of Geo. Tufts and Wm. L. Clark, also a crossing on Charlestown Street, near the Fowle estate. The cost of all the appliances,. necessary to the work of putting down concrete, is but nominal in comparison with the saving effected. Every year we are reminded of the large amount saved in this way, over the old system of hiring the work done by outside parties. In the ordinary use of concrete, for sidewalks and paths, free from heavy travel, we estimate the saving at least thirty cents per yard. In the matter of street crossings, requiring a heavy base of stone, for which the town formerly paid one dollar per yard, we estimate the cost of construction at sixty cents per yard.
Coal.
There was no special vote passed at the annual meeting, relative to the purchase of coal by contract for town purposes.
Regarding, however, the usage of former years as the will of the town, the Board acting with the School Committee, issued the usual letter inviting proposals from the dealers, for the town's supply. The lowest bid, of $4.58 per ton, was received from Messrs. J. A. Wellington & Co., and to them the contract was awarded.
Cemeteries.
Appropriation,
$400 00
Expended,
365 94
Balance unexpended,
$34 06
The care of both cemeteries has been under the charge
16
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
· of Mr. Hartwell. Foliage plants and flowers we set out in the spring, in the grounds of the new cemetery, at a small expense.
The Board have adopted this plan, of adornment of the public beds, to a limited extent, for the past three years, and believe that considering the small outgo required, the idea is a good one, and we most heartily recommend its future continuance to our successors in office.
Watering Streets.
In accordance with the custom of the last few years, the Board caused a subscription paper to be circulated, early in the season, soliciting a portion of the expense from residents on the avenue and Pleasant Street, on the line of the proposed watering. The amount thus subscribed exceeded two hundred dollars. We have used our own carts and horses for the work, and have watered the avenue, from Linwood Street to the Baptist Church, and Pleasant Street, from the centre to residence of Geo. Hill.
Licenses.
By vote of a majority of the Board, ten licenses, for the sale of intoxicating liquors, have been issued the pres- ent year, inclusive of two licenses granted to each of the druggists in town. There have been seven arrests for ille- gal sale and violation of the conditions of the licenses granted. Licenses of the first, third and fourth classes were issued. Under the first class, " allowing the sale of any kind of intoxicant, to be drunk on the premises," four licen- ses were granted at one hundred and fifty dollars each. Under the third class, " allowing the sale of malt liquors and cider, to be drunk on the premises," four licenses were issued at seventy-five dollars each. Under the fourth class (druggists), "allowing the sale of any kind of liquor, not to
17
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
be drunk on the premises," two licenses were granted. The total amount received from all licenses issued, stands as fol- lows :
First class, 4 licenses at $150,
$600 00
Second class, 4
at 75,
300 00
Fourth class, 2
at 50, 100 00.
Total,
$1,000 00
Police.
From the annual report of John H. Hartwell, Chief of Police, to the Selectmen, the following statistical informa- tion may be of interest.
Whole number of arrests for the year ending Dec. 31, 1877, 116
Males,
104
Females,
12
116
Assault and battery,
28
Drunkenness,
24
Disturbing the peace,
21
Malicious mischief,
9
Illegal keeping and sale of liquor,
7
All other causes,
27
- - 116
Increase of arrests over last year, 37
At the annual meeting in March, two thousand dollars were appropriated for this department. The Selectmen re-elected Mr. Hartwell as Chief, and appointed P. J. Shean and Garrett Barry as assistants. With this increased force one officer remained in charge of the centre day and night, 2
18
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
while to the other two was delegated the care of the upper and lower sections of the town. Considering the extent of territory thus allotted to each man, it is next to impossible to more than partially guard the districts.
The Chief compliments his assistants for their willing and efficient aid during the year. The same appropriation is recommended for another year. No expense has been in- curred by way of repairs at the Station-house, nor will any outlay be required in the spring, other than the usual bright- ening and cleansing with whitewash of walls and cells.
Tramps.
The number of vagrants lodged and fed by the town the present year over the last season shows a serious increase. The law is yet to be enacted which, by the severity of its penalties, shall free our cities and towns from this dreaded nuisance. The total number provided for for the year end- ing Dec. 31, 1876, was 805 ; the whole number for the pres- ent year, as shown by the report of the Chief of Police, is 1,413, showing an increase of 608 over the number cared for last year. The Board adopted, early in the season, the plan of referring all tramps requesting permits to the Chief of Police. This method brings every applicant under his im- mediate notice, and tends to diminish too frequent applica- tions from the same party. All tramps applying for permits before nine o'clock in the evening are sent to the Almshouse ; all others are put up at the Station-house. During certain months the tramps have been compelled to work until eleven o'clock on the highway, as allowed by law ; while, during other portions of the year, when it was more difficult to util- ize their labors, they have been allowed to depart early in the morning, before breakfast, or remain and work out their meals, as they should elect. In nearly every instance they prefer to start on their tramps unfed, than to perform this enforced labor.
19
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
The statistics for the year certainly show, without ques- tion, that none of the requirements as yet demanded from this wandering class in lieu of food and lodging are suffi- cient to deter them from soliciting public support.
The following exhibit shows the number provided for each month :
January,
146
February,
205
March,
268
April,
171
May,
110
June,
43
July,
31
August,
32
September,
46
October,
109
November,
105
December,
147
Total for the year,
1,413
Outside Poor.
Appropriation,
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