USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1886-1889 > Part 5
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12 25
John Donahue, 66
15 75
280 28
Fence on Lowell Street.
Paid J. O. Goodwin, staking out line, $ 6 00
Edward Storer, stock and labor, 192 75
Jones & Co., for paint,
32 97
Henry Johnson, 7 days' labor painting at $2.50, 17 50
Thos. Roden, 6 days' labor
painting at $2.50, 15 00
264 22
Service Pipes.
Amount of cost of 33 street services, laid in 1886, at $12.11 aver- age for each, 399 63
Stock Materials.
Amount of tools and materials added to this account in 1886, 153 62
Amount carried forward,
$2,613 15
8
114
WATER WORKS .- TREASURER'S REPORT.
Amount brought forward, $2,613 15
Interest on Water Scrip.
Paid 1 year's interest on $220,000, at 6 per cent., $13,200 00 1 year's interest on $80,000, at 5 per cent., 4,000 00
17,200 00
Paid the town, amount borrowed, Dec. 31, 1885, 600 00
Amount loaned to town, Feb. 10, 1886, 2,000 00
Balance of cash on hand, Dec. 31, 1886, 785 58
$23,198 73
115
WATER WORKS .- TREASURER'S REPORT.
Trial Balance, Water Works Books, Dec. 31, 1886.
Dr. Cr
Town of Arlington,
$306,535 23
Construction,
Cash,
$310,599 74 785 58 199,369 26
Town Appropriation for interest,
Water Rates, 1873,
8,035 83
1874,
7,913 66
66
1875,
7,600 52
66 66 1876,
8,463 59
1877,
8,947 58
66 66
1878,
8,857 89
66
66 1879,
9,415 60
66
66 1880,
9,590 22
1881,
9,568 78
66
1882,
10,291 76
66
1883,
10,361 49
66
1884,
9,832 09
66
66 1885,
10,187 30
66
66 1886,
11,172 .42
. Sundry Receipts,
7,892 40
Service Pipes, 1,572 63
Stock Materials, on hand this date, 634 86
20,058 90
Pipe from Brattle Street,
75 00
Fencing and Laying Pipe,
105 50
Kenison Suit,
325 89
$533,346 86 $533,346 86
B. DELMONT LOCKE, Treasurer.
ARLINGTON, Dec. 31, 1886.
Running Expenses,
88,500 00
Interest,
116
RULES OF WATER WORKS.
Extracts from Rules of Water Works.
SECT. 15. The following rates shall be charged annually for the use of water, namely :
DWELLING HOUSES.
Occupied by one family, for the first faucet, $6 00
For each additional faucet, to be used by the same family, 2 00
Where a house is occupied by more than one family, one faucet only being used for all, for each family, 4 00
Where a house is occupied by more than one family, the highest rates will be charged for each family having the water carried into their part of the house. 1
For the first bath-tub, 5 00
For each additional bath-tub, 3 00
For the first water-closet, 5 00
For each additional water-closet,
3 00
For hopper water-closets, 8 00
Where bath-tubs or water-closets are used by more than one family, for each family,
4 00
Where two faucets are used, one for hot and one for cold water, and both emptying into one basin, but one charge will be made for both. Provided, that in no case shall the charge for the use of water by a private family, ex- clusive of hose and stable, be more than 25 00
BOARDING HOUSES.
For the first faucet,
10 00
RULES OF WATER WORKS. 117
Each additional faucet, $2 00
Water-closet or bath-tub, when used by board- ers, 10 00
Each additional bath-tub or water-closet, 3 00
STORES, OCCUPIED AS OFFICE, SHOP, OR SIMILAR PURPOSE.
First faucet, $6 to $20 00 1
For each additional faucet, 2 50
For water-closet or urinal, 6 00
MARKETS, SALOONS, RESTAURANTS, WORKSHOPS.
/ For markets, saloons, restaurants, workshops, or for purposes not included in any other classification, and not requiring more than an ordinary supply of water, $6 to $25 00
HOTELS.
For each bed for boarders and lodgers, 3 00
For each bath-tub in a hotel, 10 00
For each water-closet in a hotel,
10 00
PUBLIC BATHS.
For one tub in public bath-house, 10 00
For each additional bath-tub, 5 00
For one water-closet in public bath-house,
10 00
For each additional water-closet,
3 00
STABLES.
Private Stables. For the first horse, 5 00
66
For each additional horse, 3 00
118
RULES OF WATER WORKS.
Private Stables. For one cow, $2 00
66 For each additional cow, 1 00
Livery, Club and Boarding Stables. For each horse, 3 00
Car and Omnibus Stables. For each horse, 2 00
Truck and Cart Stables. For each horse,
2 00
Provided, that in no case shall any stable be charged less than 5 00
The rates for stables include water for washing carriages without hose ; when hose is used, $3.00 additional.
HOSE.
For hose of not over three-eighths inch orifice, used for washing windows, sprinkling streets, and watering gardens (and the use of the same shall be limited to two hours per day), not less than $3 00
STEAM BOILERS.
For each boiler in use not over twelve hours a day, for each horse-power, 6 00
BUILDING PURPOSES.
For each cask of lime or cement, 6 cents
ORNAMENTAL FOUNTAINS. 1
Ordinarily used three hours a day for, a period of not more than 4 months a year :
119
RULES OF WATER WORKS.
For a jet of 1-16 of an inch, $3 00
1-8 66
5 00
66 66 1-4 8 00
To be cut off at discretion of the Superintendent.
SECT. 16. When water is required for purposes which are not specified in the foregoing tariff, the rates shall be fixed by the Board of Water Commissioners, and the rates fixed in the foregoing tariff may be varied by the Water Commissioners, whenever in particular cases in their judg- ment the interests of the town shall require.
AUDITORS' REPORT.
The undersigned hereby certify that they have audited the books and accounts of B. DELMONT LOCKE, as Treasurer and Collector of the Town of Arlington, also as Treasurer for the Arlington Water Works, for the year 1886, and find the same correct, with vouchers for all payments, and the balances of cash as stated by him.
DAVID P. GREEN, A. WILLARD DAMON, Auditors.
ARLINGTON, Jan. 21, 1887.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE ARLINGTON FIRE
DEPARTMENT.
To the Selectmen of the Town of Arlington :
GENTLEMEN-In compliance with the usual custom, I here- with submit my Report of the department under my charge for the year ending Dec. 31, 1886 :
There have been no serious fires during the year, and 10 alarms have been responded to by the department. The department, in all cases, responded promptly, and no fire spread beyond the building in which it originated, and our citizens should be congratulated at the small aggregate loss.
APPARATUS.
In accordance with a vote of the town at its last March meeting, a new hose-wagon has been procured and placed in the Highland House, and also one new harness ; five hundred feet of new hose has also been purchased during the year.
122
REPORT OF CHIEF ENGINEER.
FIRE ALARMS.
Telephone boxes have been placed in different localities in town, and connected with the Police Station, for the purpose of giving fire alarms, and have shown an improvement over the old style of alarming the town. An independent sys- tem is quite necessary for the more perfect protection of the town.
INCREASED FACILITIES.
Hose Co. No. 4 has been organized and located in the lower section of the town, and the citizens have the engine jumper for their use. The building now occupied by the company is unsuitable for the storage of the Highland Car- riage, and I would suggest that a cheap, temporary building be erected for the purpose as soon as possible. I would also recommend that stalls be prepared in the Penn and Highland houses, and horses be procured for the use of the depart- ment and placed therein. In my opinion, the change would be an economical one for the town to make.
APPROPRIATION.
I would recommend that the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars be appropriated for the expenses of the department for the ensuing year.
Thanking your honorable board, my assistants, members of the department, and others, for their support during the past year,
I remain, very respectfully, CHAS. GOTT, Chief Engineer.
REPORT
OF THE
TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The Public Library, during the past year, has enjoyed the steady prosperity to which it has for some time been accus- tomed. At the time the Library was removed from the Town House, some apprehension was expressed lest the change to a less central position might cause such a falling- off in the number of book-borrowers as to counterbalance the manifest advantages of the new rooms. The experience of more than two years has proved this fear to be groundless, and it is safe to say that the Library has never been of more use to more persons than now.
The reading-room has become so firmly established as a part of the Library that it hardly calls for the special men- tion requisite in former reports. It is kept open during the hours when books are given out, and until nine o'clock every evening. Its use varies a good deal at different times, being greatest in the afternoons and Saturday evenings, and least in the evenings when the Library proper is not open. The ex- planation seems to be that while many persons, who have
124
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
come to the Library to draw out or return books, are glad to stay and look at the newspapers and magazines, there are few who care to come, without other motive, for the sole purpose of using the reading-room. The expense, however, of keeping the room open in the evening is so trifling-the assistant in charge being able to do necessary work in the repair of books -- that the Trustees deem it inexpedient to alter in any way the present arrangement.
With the increase in the use of the Library, the question becomes more pressing whether some means cannot be found to obviate the delay often experienced in getting books. It has been suggested that the Library might be open a greater number of hours in the week. As yet, there seems to be no really strong desire on the part of the public that this should be done ; and there is some doubt whether it would remedy matters. The difficulty is that there are certain hours at which many persons find it especially convenient to visit the Library, and at those hours there is necessarily considerable delay in giving out books. The delay may be lessened, as the Trustees have tried to lessen it, by employing extra assistance at such times, but the trouble probably cannot be wholly cured.
During the year more than four hundred books have been added. The Trustees have followed the same policy as in former years of choosing, so far as possible, books likely to be of lasting value. Although disappointment is sometimes caused by the failure of the Library to have some tempo- rarily popular book upon its shelves, on the other hand it contains a comparatively small proportion of books which have lost whatever usefulness they may once have had.
The card catalogue is now approaching completion. Its preparation, involving an amount of care, intelligence and skill not easily appreciated, has necessarily taken consider- able time. The use already made of it by the Librarian and
125
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
others has proved how great a help it will be to readers, and how admirably the work has been done. It is, in fact, a full index to the contents of the Library, and takes a place that no ordinary printed catalogue can fill. As soon as practi- cable it will be placed where it can be directly used by the public.
The last printed catalogue of the whole Library was issued in 1876. In 1881 a supplement was published. No key to the books since added has been available, except the lists of new books published from time to time in the Arlington Advocate. In the opinion of the Trustees, it is now time to print a catalogue of the whole Library. The card catalogue will do away with the necessity of an elaborate printed cata- logue ; but one of a simpler kind can be made without great expense, which will serve every ordinary purpose, and in conjunction with the card catalogue, will give to users of the Library the help which they need and ought to have.
The weekly delivery of books at the Heights has been con- tinued. For this convenience the citizens of that part of the town are obliged mainly to Mr. Peter E. Rose, who has very kindly attended to receiving and delivering the books. The Library is indebted, as in previous years, to Mr. C. S. Parker for a gift of a file of the Advocate. The Librarian's State- ment, annexed, gives some statistics of interest. The figures indicate how well Miss Newton has cared for the property of the town, while frequenters of the Library know her con- stant endeavor to make the books under her charge as serviceable as possible in the community.
JAMES P. PARMENTER, For the Trustees.
ARLINGTON, Jan., 1887.
126
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
LIBRARIAN'S STATEMENT.
Number of volumes in the Library, July, 1886 9,710 " publications taken, weekly and monthly . 17 3
" daily papers ·
66 " books added in 1886
437
" books loaned 28,104
" magazines loaned 559
Largest number of books and magazines delivered in one day 285
Number not returned to the Library, from July, 1885, to July, 1886 . ·
1
Registration of book-borrowers during the year 291
Whole number of registered book-borrowers 2,882
Fines paid to the Town Treasurer in 1886 . $107.50
LIZZIE J. NEWTON,
ARLINGTON, Dec. 31, 1886.
Librarian. .
$
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON CEMETERIES.
The Committee on Cemeteries respectfully offer the following Report.
RECEIPTS.
Unexpended balance from last year,
$297 19
Town appropriation,
300 00
Rent of pasture,
32 50
For old fence and wood,
5 00
Income from Robbins Fund,
257 14
Sale of lots,
415 00
$1,306 83
EXPENDITURES.
F. E. Foster & Co., lumber for fence,
$93 35
James Baston, labor and stock, 37 34
Geo. D. Tufts, painting fences and signs,
163 02
B. McGowan, for labor as per contract, from April 9 to Nov. 30,
350 00
. Amount carried forward, $643 71
128
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON CEMETERIES.
Amount brought forward,
$643 71
B. McGowan, for extra labor, 32 35
Warren A. Peirce, labor of teams and men, 59 65
Jesse Bacon, pointing Cemetery wall, 21 25
S. G. Damon, for sods, loam and express,
24 02
Frederic Lemme, for plants and labor,
20 00
Sundry parties for labor, grass seed, shrubs, etc., as shown by treasurer's report, 47 28
The town for gravel and labor, 234 50
The town for water tax,
50 00
Unexpended balance,
174 07
$1,306 83
The committee considered it for the interest of the town to have the general work at the cemeteries performed under duly specified contracts, this being a continuation of the course adopted the previous year. The contracts are open to the inspection of any citizen.
A new fence has been built on the westerly side of Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, and this, with the fence on the easterly boundary, has been painted. The driveways, not previously constructed, have been opened, graded and gravelled. With- in the Cemetery on Pleasant Street a grassed bank has been made against the street wall.
Much annoyance has been caused by wanton, as well as by thoughtless acts of some parties at the cemeteries ; there- fore the committee caused a notice to appear in the local newspaper, and to be posted upon the premises, offering a reward for the detection of persons committing any vandalism within the grounds ; and, at the request of the committee, the town authorities appointed Mr. McGowan a special police without pay, for duty at the cemeteries.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON CEMETERIES. 129
For the coming season it is recommended that some orna- mental shrubs and flowering trees of small growth be planted, which the necessary expenses of the past year precluded.
It is respectfully suggested that citizens interested in, and owning lots, take greater care of the same, and thus add much to the good appearance of the cemeteries. Many private lots receive little or no care from the owners thereof.
It is recommended that the unexpended balance of $174.07 remain subject to the use of Cemetery Committee for 1887.
SAMUEL G. DAMON, Committee WENDELL E. RICHARDSON, on J. HENRY HARTWELL, Cemeteries.
9
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
The School Committee of Arlington respectfully present the following as their Annual Report :
At the outset the Chairman takes pleasure in referring to the harmonious manner in which the board, as at present constituted, has worked together. At our meetings many important matters concerning the welfare of the schools have been brought before us, considered and decided. Some differences of opinion may have existed, but the strong de- sire of every member to do what was for the best interests of the schools, has prevented acrimonious or protracted debate, and the universal willingness to be convinced by good reasons, has caused the decision, in almost every case, to be unanimous. As a consequence the meetings have been generally short, and the work before us has been done with- out waste of time. We now can see clearly the wisdom of our predecessors on this board, in establishing and perfecting a graded system of schools in our town. Each school has its proper place and work, and wherever any cause for dis- satisfaction exists, it can be traced out and remedied. The work of supervision can be so allotted among the members of the Committee as to give each his proper share of labor and responsibility, without imposing undue care upon any one.
131
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
The close of the year finds the school buildings generally in good condition. It has been the policy of the Prudential Committee for several years past, whenever repairs or alter- ations on or about any of the school buildings were neces- sary, to have the work well done, in the belief that in the end such a course would be not only more satisfactory, but less expensive to the town, than to aim simply at lessening the immediate expense by temporary make-shifts.
By this means the school property has been brought into so good a condition that, as a general thing, few repairs are called for, except in places where there is much wear, and hence a need for renewal from year to year. During the year the most important repairs have been as follows. At the High School, all the several flights of steps leading from the street to the building have been replaced, and the con- crete walks newly covered, making the approaches neater and safer than they have been for some time. A storm door has been placed at the rear entrance on the north side, afford- ing a much needed protection.
Inside the building few important changes have been made. Last year's report mentions the purchase of twenty new desks. During the present year thirty more have been added, enough to completely furnish the upper room. This was a much needed change, as previously the desks and seats had been of various shapes and sizes, and many of them were by no means suitable. It now seems probable that no further purchase of desks will be necessary for some time to come.
The heating apparatus has worked on the whole well, and as the janitor in charge has learned from experience how to manage it, in all its details, he has found himself completely and easily master of the situation, and able to heat the whole building during ordinary winter weather, with enough heat- ing power in reserve to meet all emergencies of the coldest
132
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
weather, and so it seems likely that this vexed question of the proper method of warming this building is at last settled. The ventilation of the main room has been better than last year, and has improved as the heating apparatus has become better known, but the committee do not feel altogether sat- isfied, and hope to find means to improve it still more in the future.
The yard of the Russell School has been put in thoroughly good condition, about one hundred yards of new concrete having been laid, and the worn concrete in other parts of the yard properly repaired, and covered with a fresh layer. The fence has been put in order, and the steps inside the building leading to the basement, which were much worn, wholly replaced. The room occupied since April on account of the division of the third primary grade into two sections, was prepared for use, and properly furnished with desks, blackboards, etc.
The Cutter School-house was partially shingled during the summer, the completion of the work being left until next year. A new fence is being built between the land of Mr. Oliver M. Winship and the school yard, half the expense of which will have to be paid by the town.
At the Locke School no repairs of great importance have been made.
New front steps have been made at the Crosby School, and the concrete walks have been repaired.
The committee at present anticipate no serious expense for repairs for the coming year, beyond the amount requisite to meet the ordinary wear and tear, and to keep the town property in its present satisfactory state.
Turning to the work of the schools during the year, it seems hardly necessary to speak in detail of each room. The town possesses an earnest and faithful corps of teachers, devoted to their work, and carrying it on successfully. Some
.
133
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
changes have occurred since the date of the last report. Upon Miss Ball's resignation at the end of 1885, Miss Anna J. Newton was appointed first assistant in the High School, as mentioned in the last report. In her we have secured an admirable teacher, and it is to be hoped that the town will be able long to retain her services. At the end of June, the health of Miss Eliza A. Simmons had become so impaired that it was evident she would not be able to teach for a con- siderable length of time. Under these circumstances the committee voted to grant her a vacation for the school year 1886-87, and we hope to be able in our next report to state that she has returned to the work for which she has such unusual qualifications. Miss May C. Hardy, a graduate of our schools and of Smith College, has been appointed to fill this temporary vacancy.
At the Russell School several changes have occurred. Miss Georgie M. Tupper, an excellent teacher, resigned, to the regret of the committee, at the close of the summer va- cation. Miss Sarah E. Deane was appointed in her place as teacher of the second division of the fifth grade, and was succeeded at the end of November by Miss Elisa A. Sargent, who now holds the position. Miss E. G. D. Kennard, the teacher of the second primary class, was unable, on account of continued ill-health, to return at the end of the summer vacation, and Miss Lucy O. Fessenden, who had filled the place during the early part of the year, withdrawing, Miss M. Carrie Lawrence, a graduate of our High School, was appointed. At the beginning of the spring term, the third primary class, which had become much too large for one room, was divided, half going into another room and making necessary the fitting up and occupation of the only remain- ing unoccupied room in the building. Miss Lizzie A. Day, who had previously acted as assistant, became teacher of the new school thus formed.
134
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
In the upper part of the town there were two changes at the beginning of the school year : Miss Clara A. Farwell, teacher of the sixth Cutter grammar class, being succeeded by Miss Mary J. Copeland, and Miss M. B. Farrington, of the Locke primary school, by Miss Fannie E. Taylor. Un- fortunately, both these teachers have been prevented, on ac- count of sickness, from attending constantly to their work, the employment of substitutes by the committee being neces- sary on three occasions, once for a period of more than a month. Such changes are sure to be detrimental to the suc- cess of any school. But we hope and believe that this will prove a merely temporary disadvantage. The committee voted in June to give to Miss Mary L. Pierce, who was known from experience to be a judicious and excellent teacher and a careful disciplinarian, the supervision of the three schools in the Locke building, with authority similar to that of the grammar masters, and to increase her salary in consideration of the added responsibility.
This step was taken in compliance with the wishes of the parents in that section of the town that the committee might do something to improve the general discipline and moral tone of the schools in the Locke building. The discipline here had suffered considerably, owing to the fact that under our graded system three schools had been thrown together in one building, and no one of the three teachers had been granted any special authority or responsibility outside her own room, and did not feel called upon to act in cases affecting pupils other than her own. This was one of the points presented as needing our early and careful attention in that section of our town, at a special hearing given promptly and willingly by the school committee soon after the writing of our last report, in response to an urgent request. This difficulty, with every other difficulty or point presented, had long been recognized by the committee, and had been discussed re-
135
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
peatedly until it was threadbare. Yet the entire matter was referred to a special sub-committee for careful investi- gation. They reported at a subsequent meeting, and of course admitted the importance of all the points presented, but with the exception of the change in the Locke School, just referred to, showed conclusively that no practicable rem- edies could be employed at once without interfering with our graded system and being detrimental to our town schools taken as a whole.
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