USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1899-1900 > Part 27
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Maid of Maiden Lane. Sequel to "Bow of orange rib- bon." A. E. Barr. 1709.25
Mary Paget. M. C. Smith. 85061.1
*Middle five. F. La Flesche. 58204.1
Miranda of the balcony. A. E. W. Mason
6489.3
Monsieur Beaucaire. B. Tarkington
89231.2
My new curate. P. A. Sheehan.
83691.1
Old gentleman of the black stock. T. N. Page
7215.8
Parsonage porch. Seven stories. B. Gilman
42511.1
*Peggy. L. E. Richards. 7868.19
Phebe, her profession. Sequel to Teddy: her book. A. C. Ray. 7748.2
Prelude and the play. R. Mann.
63841.1
*Prisoner of war. G. Norway
7092.3
Quincy Adams Sawyer and Mason's Corner folks. C. F. Pidgin 73932.1
*Red book of animal stories. A. Lang, ed. 5847.2
Red pottage. M. Cholmondeley . 2749.2
Redemption of David Corson. C. F. Goss
43281.1
*Redskin and cow-boy. G. A. Henty. 4856.211
Reign of law. J. L. Allen. 1300.5
Rejuvenation of Miss Semaphore. H. Godfrey
42841.1
*Revolutionary maid. A. E. Blanchard. 19765.1
Rina, o l'angelo delle Alpi. C. Invernizio 53665.1
Robert Tournay. W. Sage. 8115.1
*Santa Claus's partner. T. N. Page 7215.7
Sky pilot. C. W. Gordon. 29654.2
Smith college stories. J. D. Daskam 32411.1
Sophia. S. J. Weyman. 9549.11
187
BOOKS IN ROBBINS LIBRARY.
*Sou'wester and sword. H. St. Leger. 81202.1
Sur Catherine de Médicis. H. de Balzac 1676.22
Their shadows before. P. C. Bouvé. 2069.1
Their silver wedding journey. 2 v. W. D. Howells. . 5180.27
To have and to hold. M. Johnston 55571.2
Tommy and Grizel. J. M. Barrie. 1712.7
Touchstone. E. Wharton.
9550.2
Trail of the Sandhill stag. E. S -. Thompson
9027.1
Trespasser. G. Parker 7244.10
Unleavened bread. R. Grant. 4365.9
Unter Büchern und Menschen. S. Cech. 25663.1
Via crucis. F. M. Crawford 3100.28
Victor Serenus. H. Wood. 9715.2
*Ward Hill at college. E. T. Tomlinson 9089.15
Wife of his youth, and other stories. C. W. Chesnutt. 2737.2
*With Buller in Natal. G. A. Henty. 4856.212
*Wonderful stories of Jane and John. G. Smith. 8490.2
REPORT OF ARLINGTON PARK COMMISSIONERS
FOR 1900.
Early in March the Commission concurred with the Metro- politan Park Commission in taking for park purposes a strip of land bordering on the Mystic river, between Medford street and the Somerville line, within the limits of Arlington, as shown on plan of taking No. 262 of the Metropolitan Park Commis- sion.
The Commission for the past three years has employed a man at Menotomy Rocks Park during the summer months from 10 o'clock in the morning until dark, to be on hand in case of need for the protection of women and children, to remove rub- bish and fallen branches, and generally to keep the premises in good order. The number of people visiting this park has steadily increased from the time the park was established.
The only construction work done by the Commission during the year has been on the land taken for a park near Mount Pleasant cemetery. In connection with the abolition of the grade crossings at Grove and Brattle streets, we were able to secure a large amount of filling material for the cost of haul- ing, amounting approximately to 8,000 double loads, which, to- gether with what has been deposited by the different town de- partments, has completely filled the section of this park in the rear of Chestnut street, and between Cemetery and Medford streets, to a height of about two feet above what has been hereto-
189
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS.
.
fore stagnant water or mud. The roadway has been extended back of the cemetery to the brook, and surplus material from the new development of Mount Pleasant cemetery is being used to still further fill this swamp land.
Respectfully submitted,
, J. Q. A. BRACKETT, S. FREDERICK HICKS, FRANK W. HODGDON, Arlington Park Commission.
Report of Tree Warden for 1900.
To the Citizens of the Town of Arlington:
I have the honor herewith to submit the first annual report as Tree Warden for the year ending December 31, 1900.
In accepting this office, which is a new one created in accord- ance with the Acts of 1899, Chapter 330, I did so with little knowledge of what the duties of a tree warden were. At the annual Town meeting, held in March, an appropriation of $300 was made for the trimming of trees. As considerable trimming has been done in the past few years, an inspection was made of trees throughout the Town, in regard to continuing this work. After making this inspection the conclusion reached was that the appropriation made could be easily expended in removing the dead wood from the trees, over the streets and sidewalks which were dangerous to travel.
WORK DONE.
A general trimming was given the trees on Academy and Med- ford streets. The large elm on the corner of Massachusetts ave- nue and Medford street, and one near Town Hall, were thor- oughly trimmed. On Massachusetts avenue near Forest street, and on Vine and Appleton streets considerable trimming was done on the large elms at these places. The trees on Vine street, between Appleton street and Park avenue, needed attention very much on account of a large amount of dead wood in the same.
The following is a list of streets on which trees were trimmed, dead wood removed, patches put on, etc. :
191
REPORT OF TREE WARDEN.
WORK WHERE DONE.
TREES TRIMMED. DEAD WooD REMOVED.
BRANCHES CUT OFF.
TIN AND BURLAP PATCHES PUT ON.
ELECTRIC BRACKETS ANI) CROSS ARMS REMOVED
TREES ( UT DOWN.
Academy Street
36
459
9
2
. .
Appleton Street
6
116
Beacon Street.
1
10
....
Broadway Street.
4
46
·
. .
....
5
Irving Street.
1
184
4
....
. .
Lake Street.
32
212
3
6
3
Medford Street.
68
1,121
11
2
Mill Street ..
2
3
1
165
14
Russell Street.
5
21
·
...
.
4
5
...
...
....
Warren Street ..
3
8
....
... .
....
Webster Street.
5
15
....
....
....
Wel ington Street
2
4
....
... .
....
Westminster Avenue. ...
4
5
..
....
.. . .
Winter Street.
12
46
....
1
Totals.
230
2,520
17
184
25
. .
. .
Massachusetts Avenue.
35
168
Pleasant Street
10
97
Summer Street.
..
·
Where any limbs were cut off the wounds were sealed with coal-tar. A large number of bolts, iron straps, etc., were re- moved from trees, of which no special record was made.
One 15-inch bolt was put through a tree on Lake street, which was splitting. This will prevent further trouble from this cause. Considerable pruning was done, such as cutting off limbs which interfered with travel, also where touching buildings. There is a demand for this kind of work to be done all the time. The heavy gales experienced this past year have caused a large amount of work to be done, especially in clearing the broken limbs from the streets and pruning the trees where damaged. This kind of work has to be attended to by the tree warden ; also, he is expected to answer calls at night time to clear broken limbs from the streets. Quite a number of these calls have been an- swered in the night during the past year.
....
192
REPORT OF TREE WARDEN.
TREES CUT DOWN.
Eight (8) dead trees were cut down on Pleasant street early in the spring. These trees were supposed to have been killed by gas the summer before. Later in the summer six (6) more trees were cut down on this street, which were no doubt killed by escaping gas, as in all cases where a tree died a leak was discovered in the gas pipe. Six of these leaks were found in the gas main laid some months before. These leaks were all in the joints of the pipes, which indicate that the work was not proper- ly done. At my orders every joint on the new gas main was tested for leaks, but no others were found, except those that had caused the trouble. Four (4) more trees on this street are ap- parently dead, but as they showed signs of life on some limbs we gave them the benefit of the doubt. It will be easy to determine in the spring whether they are dead or not, and whether the gas company are to be held responsible for their killing, as well as the others. Two (2) dead elm trees were cut down on Medford street, also one horse chestnut on Winter street which was un- safe. One unsightly elm tree in front of the Finance block on Massachusetts avenue was cut down, as an improvement, after holding a hearing for the same.
Four (4) trees were cut down at the junction of Massachu- setts avenue and Appleton street and five (5) on Broadway, af- ter due notice being given that they were to be cut down.
The trees were all taken down on account of street improve- ments. Five hearings were held for the cutting down of trees, after notices being posted, as required by law. As most of the live trees were cut down on account of street improvements, members of the Board of Selectmen were present at these hear- ings to present their side of the question. There was only one remonstrant at one of these hearings, and in all cases my de- cision was that the trees should be cut down, but to give the
193
REPORT OF TREE WARDEN.
doubt to any that could be possibly saved. We were able to save quite a number of trees on Broadway, which looked as if they would have to be cut down, by waiting until the street lines and grading could be fully established.
In the cutting down of trees we were assisted by men from · the Highway Department, and the teams of that department carted off the wood. Considerable trimming has been done for the various electric companies owning wires in the Town, the largest work of this kind being done on Broadway for the Boston Elevated Railroad Company on account of the new trolley wires in this street. This class of work was paid for by these com- panies, they being given to understand that we would furnish men for this purpose when required, and that I would not allow any cutting of limbs without its being done under my super- vision.
PLANTING OF TREES.
Fifty (50) rock maple trees were planted on the highways the past year. These trees were furnished and set out by the Highway Department, under my supervision. Having no ap- propriation for the purchasing of tree protectors, we so in- formed the citizens where we planted trees in front of their places, and suggested that they provide a protector for the same, and I am pleased to say that in most cases this was done. Quite a number of trees were planted on the highways which were furnished by the citizens.
The following is a list of streets on which the fifty trees spoken of were planted : Teel street, 2; Massachusetts avenue, corner Teel street, 4; Marathon street, 7; Cleveland street, 1; Massa- chusetts avenue, between Franklin street and Soldiers' Monu- ment, 3 ; Chestnut street, 5; Mystic street, near Chestnut street, 1; Mystic street, near John Crosby's, 2; Mystic street, near
1
194
REPORT OF TREE WARDEN.
Davis avenue, 1; Davis avenue, 2; Draper avenue, 2; Bartlett avenue, S ; Gray street, 5 ; Robbins road, 2; Westminster avenue, 1; Oakland avenue, 2, and Wollaston avenue, 2.
THE BROWN-TAIL MOTH.
The attention of the citizens is called to this destructive insect which is rapidly spreading over the Town. The nest of the moth can be easily distinguished in the winter months, as it is found on the tips of twigs and branches, and looks like a bunch of dead leaves. The nest or tent, as it is properly called, is made of a few leaves which are surrounded by a mass of silken threads. It is so firmly fastened to the twig that it cannot be re- moved without using considerable force. The tents should be clipped off the branches during the winter months and should be burned immediately, as the caterpillars are hibernating in them at this time. Pear trees seem to be the favorite food of this insect, but the great number and variety of other food plants to which the insect adapts itself, indicates that it may become a very serious pest to a wide range of fruit and shade trees. The web or tent of the brown-tail moth should not be confounded with that of the tent caterpillar or fall web-worm. As said be- fore, the tent will be found on the tips of branches and twigs, while the web of the tent caterpillar is found in the fork of limbs. The fall web worm spins a large open web on the ends of branches and feeds within this web. This insect does not ap- pear until after the brown-tail moth has ceased to do damage. The brown-tail moth is an exceedingly dangerous pest, not only defoliating trees and shrubbery which it comes in contact with, but actually poisoning some people. A painful irritation or nettling is caused by the hair of the caterpillar coming in con- tact with the skin, and in many cases the aid of a physician is necessary.
195
REPORT OF TREE WARDEN.
The proper way to suppress this pest is that individual in- terest should be shown by all property owners who have any trees or shrubbery on their premises, in clipping off these nests before the warm weather of the spring arrives. The tree war- den will have enough to attend to, to care for the trees on the highways, without having to contend with this insect from private property.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
I would recommend that seventy-five (75) rock maple trees be purchased and planted on the highways this coming season, also that these trees be protected by wire tree protectors. I would also suggest that a sufficient number of tree protectors be purchased, to provide one for every young tree not having one. In my opinion, it is a waste of money to plant trees on the high- ways without providing them with a tree protector, and an in- spection will show that a large percentage so planted are either injured by horses or otherwise, to the extent that if they are not killed, they will never make a shapely tree. I think it would be economy to purchase some of the wire patterns of tree protectors now manufactured, rather than attempt to use the old style wooden protector, which has been used so much in the past years. The improvement in looks would certainly be in favor of the wire protector. The difference in cost of this style and the old would be small. I would recommend that sufficient appropri- ation be made to continue the trimming of trees, as there is a large amount of this work to be done. As the work was done in the past year by citizens of the Town, I would suggest that we continue to employ Town help, if we can find men capable to do the work. Something should be done to suppress the ravages of the canker worm on certain streets in the Heights section of the Town. For the last five years this pest has raged on Apple-
196
REPORT OF TREE WARDEN.
ton and Vine streets, between Oakland and Park avenues, and on the side streets in this vicinity. The foliage on the large elm trees has suffered so as to look as if a fire had swept through them. A determined effort should be made to suppress this in- sect, as there are many large and beautiful shade trees in this section of the Town.
IN GENERAL.
In regard to the burning of trees by electric light wires, I wish to state that there has been less of this kind of an injury to trees during the past year, than since the introduction of elec- tric lights into this Town. I have given this matter my personal attention, and all cases where wires were reported burning trees they were attended to immediately by the Somerville Electric Light Company. At my orders the Electric Light Company has given this matter thorough attention, and has provided tree in- sulators where needed. It is utterly impossible to keep wires free from contact with trees, especially where limbs are thick, and the only way to prevent injury to trees from this cause is to report to the tree warden or Somerville Electric Light Company where wires are seen burning the trees, and measures will be taken to remedy trouble at once.
In concluding this report, I wish to extend thanks to the Honorable Board of Selectmen, and to the Superintendent of Streets, Mr. S. E. Kimball, for their many courtesies extended.
Respectfully submitted,
REUBEN W. LE BARON, Tree Warden.
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF WIRES.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
GENTLEMEN-I have the honor herewith to submit the first annual report as Inspector of Wires, for the year. ending De- cember 31st, 1900. At a meeting of the Board of Selectmen held March 24th, I was appointed Inspector of Wires, and Su- perintendent of Fire Alarm, and assumed the duties of these offices on April 1st.
INSPECTION OF WIRES IN BUILDINGS.
Special attention has been given to the wiring of buildings throughout the Town, as there has been some very poor work done in this line, within the last few years, which was never inspected. I am pleased to say that all suggested changes have been cheerfully made by the contractors doing work, the result being that the work now done is in accordance with the rules of the National Board of Fire Underwriters.
During the past year 94 inspections have been made, as fol- lows :
Total number of buildings inspected. 73
Total number of inspections. 94
Total number of buildings inspected for rough wiring 60 Total number of buildings inspected for fixture work. 11
Total number of lights wired for 994
POLE LINES.
The past year is one in which a large number of changes have been made in the pole lines of this Town.
198
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF WIRES.
The principal changes have been made on Medford and Mystic streets and on Broadway.
MYSTIC STREET.
This street needed attention on the pole question, more than any other. In the early spring work was commenced by your Honorable Board and myself on this question. I am pleased to say that after a great amount of labor and correspondence, the work was completed on December 31st.
At a meeting of your Board held in the early summer an un- derstanding was reached between representatives of the Lynn and Boston Railway Company and the Somerville Electric Light Company as to building a line of poles to be owned jointly by these two companies, this pole line to take the place of the two separate pole lines owned by these companies. The new pole line was built from Massachusetts avenue to the Winchester line and the old poles removed. The wires of the Atlantic Telegraph Company were also placed on these poles, thus doing away with a third line of poles.
In the removing of the wires of the Electric Light and Tele- graph Companies from old poles owned by the New England Telephone & Telegraph Company, we were also able to do away with quite a number owned by that company. I am pleased to say that instead of having three, four and five lines of poles, as was the case in certain places on this street in the early spring, that there are today two pole lines carrying the wires of four different companies and those of the Town, and that this street has eighty-one poles less than a year ago.
All wiring on this street has been done to my satisfaction. The electric railway has practically rebuilt its line and has pro- vided guard wires where called for. Cut-off switches have been placed on the trolley and feed wires so as to shut off the current
199
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF WIRES.
in case of fire, accident, etc. These switches have been placed, one near the corner of Summer street and other at the Winches- ter line. By the running of the wires of the Atlantic Telegraph Company through Winslow street in rear of the coal sheds, and the turning of the same into the upper side of the railroad station, we have been able to dispose of these wires at the head of Mystic street, also doing away with the same on the Town Hall side of station. In changing these wires we have also been able to dispose of the old pole that stood in the rear of Town Hall near depot, and to have the poles on the railroad property painted.
MEDFORD STREET.
Owing to the electric railway location granted on this street, two new lines of poles have had to be set, one owned by the New England Telephone & Telegraph Company and the other by the Somerville Electric Light Co. This makes three lines of poles on this street, but negotiations are under way with the third company as to taking a location on one of the new pole lines. The wire systems on this street will probably not be finished un- til late in the spring.
BROADWAY.
In the granting of a location to the Boston Elevated Railway Company for an electric road, a reconstruction of the wire sys- tems on this street was necessary. The Telephone Company was granted locations for a new line of poles from Massachusetts avenue to the junction of Warren street, these poles to be used in connection with the poles of the Electric Light Company for suspending the trolley wires. The Somerville Electric Light Company rebuilt its pole line through this street, which was very necessary in some places. Extra high poles of large size were set from Palmer street to the Soldiers' Monument, to carry
200
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF WIRES.
the electric light wires over the trees, which was the most satis- factory way in which it could be done, other than the building of an under-ground conduit.
A very satisfactory piece of line work was done by all com- panies doing work on this street. At my orders the live circuits of the Electric Light Company have been designated by a white cross being stamped on the cross-arm under each wire. This is being done throughout the Town. In the designating of these wires the liability of. accidents will be greatly lessened, as any linemen doing work in the Town will be able to distinguish the live wires, this being the general way in which these are marked.
OTHER POLE LINES.
Careful inspection has been made of all poles throughout the Town, and when any unsafe ones were found they were replaced by new ones. As the past season has been a very busy one on the pole question, many streets on which an improveemnt could be made have had to be deferred until later. All new poles are inspected before setting, and a large number were condemned.
UNDER-GROUND CONDUITS.
The New England Telegraph & Telephone Company have built a system of under-ground conduits on Pleasant street, from Massachusetts avenue to the Belmont line, the past summer. This company has placed one cable in these conduits which is to take the place of the several aerial cables at an early date. On Massachusetts avenue, where a conduit was built last year by the same company, quite a number of under-ground cables are in use, and it is their intention to do away with all the aerial cables at an early date, especially between Jason and Tufts streets.
201
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF WIRES.
SWITCH-BOARD FOR STREET LIGHTS.
The first of the year a switch-board with electrical instruments was installed in the Town Hall for the purpose of testing the current on the street lighting circuits. Since that time tests have been made nightly at all hours. These tests have shown, with a few exceptions, that the current furnished was up to the contract requirements, and in some cases considerably more. In the exceptional cases the falling off was due to accidents to the outside wires or to the machinery at the Somerville Electric Light Company's station.
FIRE ALARM SYSTEM.
Owing to the rapid increase of wires in this Town in the last few years, especially those of the high potential class, such as electric light and trolley wires, the working conditions of the fire alarm have been constantly changing. As the Town has never made any special appropriation for the reconstruction of the system to meet this changed condition of affairs, a large amount of time and labor have had to be spent the last year to bring the system up to where it belongs, for a Town of this size. This has not been fully accomplished as yet.
WORK DONE ON SYSTEM.
A thorough inspection and overhauling has been given this system, with a view of strengthening the same. All new work done was planned with a view for the future.
The line wires of the system have been changed from all poles on which electric light wires run, as far as practical. The largest change in this line was made on Massachusetts avenue from the Town Hall to Broadway and from that point down Broadway to Tufts street. The new wires were run on the telephone poles on
202
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF WIRES.
Massachusetts avenue down as far as Palmer and Tufts streets, and through these streets to Broadway and Warren street. In making this change the loop of wire running up the railroad track from Lake street and through Linwood street to Box No. 16 was done away with and about 4,200 feet of line wire was cut out of this district. Owing to the change in location of the Fire Alarm Headquarters, considerable extra line work had to be done.
In the abolishing of the grade crossings at Brattle and Forest streets and at Park avenue a large amount of extra labor had to be done by this department. At all these crossings the fire alarm and other wires, also all poles, had to be taken down and moved out of the way of the derricks and the guy wires to the same. All these wires have been moved back to a permanent location except those at Park avenue, which will be done as soon as the Telephone Company sets its new line of poles. The building of new pole lines on various streets has also given this department considerable extra work. A new pole was set for Box No. 13, on the corner of Henderson and Sawin streets. The gong on Hose No. 4 House was taken off that building and placed on the top of this pole in a wood case, with wire netting in front and on the sides of same. The sound of this gong can be heard more distinctly over this district than ever before, as the old location was between buildings and a considerable dis- tance back from the street. About one-half the boxes have had the lead wires to the same run up the poles in galvanized iron pipe. This does away with these wires dangling down the poles, also gives additional protection to the same from the linemen working on the poles, or any person wishing to tamper with them. We have nearly enough pipe on hand to change over the balance of boxes not done this way.
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