USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1901-1902 > Part 21
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APPARATUS.
Very few repairs have been made on the apparatus during the past year. Hose 1 should have a wagon for exercise, as I do not consider it economy to exercise in the hose wagons.
BUILDINGS.
No money has been expended on the buildings, except for a few minor repairs. Extensive repairs should be made in the near future on Hose 2 building to make it a convenient and comfortable house.
50
CHIEF ENGINEER OF FIRE DEPT.
HOSE.
We have 6,600 feet of hose. One thousand feet of new was purchased this year, and the most of the balance is in very fair condition. Your committee recommended to the Town the expenditure of $500 for hose and the purchase of an Eastern Deluge Set. Our Board, after getting figures from several hose manufacturers, found they could make better terms by purchasing 1,000 feet, which was actually needed, so 1,000 feet was purchased for $580. An Eastman Set was also purchased which I think will be indispensable to the Town in case of heavy fire. The cost of repairing some of the old hose has been quite expensive, and we have been obliged to condemn some hose this year.
HORSES.
The department has nine horses. The pair of horses at Hose 1 house are very old, having been in the department fifteen or sixteen years, and are liable at any time to drop out. Some little sickness has prevailed among the horses this year. They have consumed 912 bushels of grain, 39,471 lbs. of hay, 2,979 lbs. of straw, and 40 lbs. of salt, making the cost of total consumption $868.56, an average of $1.85 per horse a week. Owing to the high prices of feed, I think this is a very good showing.
FIRE ALARMS.
This branch of the department has been under the supervision of R. W. LeBaron, and has given us excellent results. The details of the same will be found in his report.
RELIEF ASSOCIATION.
The association is in good standing. We have been fortunate in losing no members by death, although the expense for sick- ness gradually increases.
51
CHIEF ENGINEER OF FIRE DEPT.
SUGGESTIONS.
For better fire protection, I would suggest that the high water service be extended farther down the Avenue, say as far as the Wm. T. Wood Ice Tool Factory, and down Medford Street to better protect the Catholic Church and St. Joseph's School, also that it be extended over Pleasant Street as far as Wellington or Addison Street. I would suggest that those people having telephones in their residence or place of business, in case of fire, would call up the central fire station, No. 64-3, stating the nearest box, as there is a box at this station which will ring in any box number, and with arrangements made with Mr. Clark of the Telephone Exchange, we have the right of way over all other business.
When people understand this thoroughly, it will save much valuable time in giving an alarm. There should be a few more boxes placed on the outskirts of the Town as soon as convenient, on Forest Street in particular. A permanent man placed in Hose 2 house would be of benefit to the department, as three hours out of each day there is only one man in this house, and as the chemical engine is a very valuable piece of apparatus, it is essential that it should reach the fire in the shortest time possible, with safety. I think some effort should be made to decrease our rate of insurance. The Town is expending quite a sum of money on the department and should get some rebate on its insurance.
APPROPRIATIONS.
To meet the expenses for the coming year, I would recom- mend the sum of $9,600.
CONCLUSION.
Before closing my report, I would acknowledge the many favors received at the hands of the Selectmen and all officers
52
CHIEF ENGINEER OF FIRE DEPT.
connected with the Town House, for which they will please accept my sincere thanks.
To my assistants, I desire to express my obligations for the ready manner in which they have assisted me in the discharge of duty.
To the Captains and members, my sincere thanks for their prompt manner in the performance of all duties.
I wish to express my personal thanks to the permanent men for the promptness they have displayed in answering all alarms, and for the deep interest shown in all matters pertaining to the Fire Department.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES GOTT.
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF WIRES.
ARLINGTON, January, 1903.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen : -
GENTLEMEN : - I herewith respectfully submit my third annual report as Inspector of Wires and Superintendent of Fire Alarms for the year ending December 31, 1902. : -
POLES, LOCATIONS AND ATTACHMENTS.
The following number of pole locations were granted, poles set and attachments made during the ensuing year :
54
Petitioner.
Street.
Granted.
Poles.
Jan. Mar.
10
N. E. Tel. & Tel. Co.
Summer st., near Bromfield st ..
Jan. 18, Replacement.
1
22
22
22
27
Aug. 11
To remove wires from old poles, Lake st., to new poles of Somerville Electric Light Co. Cor. Florence and Hillside aves ..
Lake st., Mass. ave., to Cross st ..
Sept. 22, Replacement .... Oct. 11, Location on all S. E. Lt. Co. poles ...
1
Oct.
14
*
Mass. ave.
Oct. 14, To straighten all poles where required Oct. 18, Attachment Lex. & Bos- ton St. Ry. to one pole of N. E. T. & T. Co ....
Nov. 11
€
Mass. ave.
Nov. 11, Replacement of poles * Nos 72 and 84 . 2
Brattle st.
Nov. 22, Replacement of poles Nos. 340 and 345 ... *
Broadway ..
2 Nov. 26, Resetting of poles Nos. * 274, 275,276 ....
Dec.
1, To straighten all poles where required .
*
24
Mass. ave ...
. ...
....
5
Wachusett ave .. .... .
Russell st ... .....
Lake st ...
Walnut st.
24, Attachment of N. E. T. & T. Co., wires.
41 5
Grove st., opp Grove st. pl.
May 17, New location .. .
1
30
Bow st ...
17,
.. .
Parellel st ...
17,
.. .
.
·
Mass ave., cast Henderson st .
" 17,
....
Aug. 25, Replacement. .
Aug.
15
Mass. ave., opp. Bartlett ave .. Academy st ...
Oct. 23, New location. .
30
Irving st ....
23, 23,
2 1
30
Franklin st ...
June 27
West End Street Railway Co ..
To occupy poles of Somerville Electric Light Co., Cambridge to Lexington line.
* Granted by Inspector of Wires.
INSPECTOR OF WIRES.
1
April 5
Somerville Electric Light Co ...
Cleveland st.
Dec. 24, Replacement pole No. 83 Apr. 12, New location 16 "
12, 12, Replacement.
5
. .
8
22
30
.
.
April
30
Old Mystic st.
17,
12, New location ..
12 1 7
1
30
4 2 1
30
.
Cor. Appleton st and Hillside ave .. Cor. Appleton st. and Claremont ave . Appleton st., bet. Hillside and Claremont aves. Teel st., bet. Sawin st. and Teel pl.
" 29,
Apr. 5,
May 29, 29, New location.
1 2 2
Ordercd Sept. 16 19
Lowell st., Mass. ave., to Lexington line.
18
66
22
26
Dec. 1
Warren strect.
*
30
66
55
INSPECTOR OF WIRES.
UNDERGROUND AND AERIAL WIRES.
The New England Telephone & Telegraph Company have completed the removing of all aerial cables on Massachusetts avenue, the last section to be taken down being between Park avenue and the Lexington line. These cables have been placed in the underground conduits with branch cables leading out at intersecting streets to the pole lines from which the wires are distributed as required. The removing of all aerial cables has also disposed of a large amount of the single wires and pole fixtures required in the past. A new class of construction was instituted the past summer by the Telephone Company in the cabling of duplex wire for streets where there are trees to pass through or where a considerable number of telephone sub- scribers reside. This system has been installed on Addison, Wellington and Lake streets and makes a neat class of con- struction besides allowing the use of many more wires without being as unsightly as was the old class of construction under these conditions. A new line of poles was built by the Somer- ville Electric Light Company on the easterly side of Lake street from Massachusetts avenue to Cross street. These poles are of sufficient height to carry the light wires above the trees which will prevent burning. These new poles are occupied jointly by the Electric Light Company and the New England Telephone & Telegraph Company, also by the Town wires. The street and house lighting wires that passed through Pleasant street to supply the Town of Belmont have been removed from this street, which makes four high potential wires less to contend with in regard to burning of trees, etc. The replacement of dangerous and unsightly poles throughout the Town has been carried on as fast as possible by all com- panies. A considerable number of the square hard pine poles on Massachusetts avenue have been found to be in a dangerous
56
INSPECTOR OF WIRES.
condition and have, or are to be replaced at an early date. The painting of poles has been continued, which with the requirement that steps be placed on all poles instead of using spurs, will make a marked improvement in time. The improve- ments in all branches of electrical construction at the present time are many, and I am pleased to state that the various elec- trical companies owning wires on our streets are striving to keep things up to date.
INTERIOR WIRING OF BUILDINGS.
This class of work is on the increase and requires the most careful attention from an inspection standpoint.
The number of inspections made were 283, which is an in- crease of 67 over the year 1901.
Number of buildings in which wires were inspected, 127
Number of new buildings wired,
34
Number of inspections made, 283
Number of incandescent lights wired for,
1,792
Number of fan motors wired for, 5
Number of power motors wired for, 5
Number of electric flatirons wired for of 500 to 680 Watts, 6
Total horse-power of motors installed, 50g
Fifty-one permits were issued by this office to the Somerville Electric Light Company to attach service wires to buildings for a total of 1,302 incandescent lamps and one 50 h. p. motor which were placed in use.
I would respectfully recommend that an appropriation be made for the purchasing of voltmeters and ammeters for this department. These instruments are very much needed to in- telligently perform the duties of an Electrical Inspector.
57
INSPECTOR OF WIRES.
FIRE ALARM TELEGRAPH.
At the adjourned Town meeting in April an appropriation of thirty-five hundred dollars was made for the extension and im- provement of the fire alarm system. Seventeen hundred and fifty dollars to be raised by the tax levy of the ensuing year, and a like amount in the year 1903. This appropriation called for the following improvements : -
For the purchasing and placing of a 2,000 lb. bell, with electric striking apparatus in the Arlington Heights section of the Town.
For the building of a bell tower in the Henderson street dis- trict, equipped with bell formerly used on the old Cutter School.
For the purchasing of a four circuit repeater and other elec- trical apparatus for the fire alarm headquarters.
For the dividing of the alarm system into four circuits.
Extension of underground wires and four additional street signal boxes.
These improvements were all made with several in addition which we were able to make in closing contracts for new apparatus. Five street signal boxes were installed instead of four ; also a Universal Repeating Box and Switchboard Cabinet was placed in the Central Fire Station on Broadway. This box is equipped with 36 break wheels numbered the same as all street boxes ; also for the Forest Fire, Police, No School, and Out of Town signals. This is one of the most valuable elec- trical instruments in the fire alarm system. Alarms can be sent out from this box for a fire in any section of the Town. Valu- able time can be saved by telephone subscribers in case of fire by calling the Central Telephone Office and giving the exact location of the fire. This would be repeated to all fire stations by the operators and an alarm will be sounded from the Repeat- ing Box, giving the number of the nearest street box.
58
INSPECTOR OF WIRES.
LOCATION OF NEW SIGNAL BOXES.
No. 31, Kensington park, near Brantwood road.
No. 162, Massachusetts avenue, between Wyman and Palmer streets.
No. 56, Appleton street, near Oakland avenue.
No. 71, Massachusetts avenue, near Hibbert street.
No. 512, Massachusetts avenue, Boston Elevated Railway Car House.
Box 512 was paid for in part by the Boston Elevated and Lexington Street Railway Companies, arrangements having been made with them to this effect. About 7,000 feet of new wire was used to install these boxes.
The new bell purchased for Arlington Heights weighs 2,028 pounds, and was put in commission May 22nd. This bell is located on the old Locke School building, now owned by the Peirce & Winn Company. A steel tower fifty feet in height was placed on land owned by the Squire Estate near Teel street, and was equipped with the bell formerly used on the old Cutter School building. This bell was placed in commission June 7th. The electric striker for this bell is the one formerly used at the Heights on the Park Avenue Church bell. A four circuit non-interfering repeater was placed in the headquarters' room in Town Hall, with repeater switch board, terminal switch board and oak cabinet, also thirty additional Type B. T. storage batteries. The repeater is the finest piece of electrical machinery in the fire alarm system, alarms being received by the same from any circuit which are automatically transmitted to all other circuits at the same time. In case of trouble on any one circuit this section is automatically cut out and does not inter- fere with the working of other circuits. A fifth independent circuit is connected to this instrument which has no connection with the outside circuits. On this circuit are placed the air
59'
INSPECTOR OF WIRES.
whistle and other apparatus in the Town Hall building, which enables an alarm to be given from the whistle, providing the whole outside fire alarm system is out of commission. Provi- sion has also been made in the connections of this repeater for the operating of a pen register and time stamp, which will keep a printed record of all alarms and trouble that may occur, giv- ing the exact time and date.
The alarm system was divided into five working circuits on August 9th, the system being out of a commission about twenty minutes while cutting over. A new switch board cabinet was placed in the Central Fire Station on Broadway, on which are. mounted the Universal Repeating Box, Gongs, Fire Alarm Electric Light Switch, Electric Stall Door Openers and various. electric buttons.
Eight thousand three hundred and fifty additional feet of rubber covered fire alarm wire was placed in the underground conduits on Massachusetts avenue between Mill and Brattle streets and Franklin and Palmer streets. The fifteen inch gong formerly used in the Henderson street district before the tower bell was placed in commission, was taken down, refinished and placed in Hose No. 2 House. The ten inch gong in this house being transferred to Hose No. 1 House.
Large printed cards were issued by this department for the first time, showing the location of street signal boxes, and we- think from the demand for same that they are approved of by the citizens.
The fire lines on Lake street were rebuilt using 4,800 feet of new wire and twenty-five cross-arms. The boxes on this street are now on a loop, the old belt line of wire being removed from Massachusetts avenue to Pleasant street.
There has been no trouble or breaks in the wires during the past year. The Electric Air Pump at Town Hall broke a gear wheel an May 30th which was replaced at a cost of fifteen dollars, this being the only breakdown in machinery.
60
INSPECTOR OF WIRES.
TOWER BELLS, GONGS, AND OTHER INSTRUMENTS CONNECTED WITH THE FIRE ALARM TELEGRAPH.
LOCATION.
CIRCUIT.
SIZE.
Bell
Peirce & Winn Building, Park ave.
No. 1
2,028 lbs.
66
Hose No. 2 House, Massachusetts ave
No. 2
1,561 "
Central Fire Station, Broadway.
No 3
1,003 "
On Steel Tower, Henderson St. District.
No. 4
411 “
Gongs. ..
Central Fire Station, Broadway ...
No. 4
15 inch.
66
Hose No. 2 House, Massachusetts ave ...
No. 1
15
...
Hose No. 1 House, Park ave ...
No. 1
10
...
Residence Chief Engineer, 41 Medford st.
No. 3
6
6
...
Factory Chief Engineer, Massachusetts ave
No. 3
6
...
Residence Supt. of Fire Alarms, 478 Massachusetts ave. Office 474 66
No. 3
5
=
...
Police Station, Town Hall.
No. 5
6
Whistle ..
8 inch Chime on Town Hall Building blown by com- pressed air.
No. 5
One Fire Alarm Electric Light Switch, two Relays.
Respectfully submitted,
R. W. LEBARON,
Inspector of Wires.
66
...
2nd Asst. Chief, 923 Massachusetts ave.
No. 1
No. 3
6
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS.
ARLINGTON, MASS., Dec. 31, 1902.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen : -
GENTLEMEN : - I hereby submit my report for the year ending December 31, 1902. Eighty-five permits have been. issued during the year. Of these I have issued for
Dwelling houses
39 permits
Outbuildings
17
Alterations
17 66
Total number of permits 73
There have been cancelled five permits on dwelling houses, the grantees being unable to complete the work. The other permits were issued by the Selectmen previous to my appoint- ment.
The estimated cost of buildings and alterations completed or nearly so that have been under any inspection is as follows :
Dwelling houses
$138,400
Outbuildings
12,775
Alterations
14,625
Total
$165,800
The total number of inspections made have been 334. These inspections included foundations, fire stops, chimneys and general construction. When I was first appointed, some out of town contractors who evidently did not know of our building laws, were disposed to put in work which would violate the law, but when their attention was called to the matters, they cheerfully rectified all imperfections at once. For a detail of inspection, I refer you to my book of record.
Respectfully submitted, LUCIAN C. TYLER,
Inspector of Buildings.
REPORT OF TOWN COUNSEL.
December 31, 1902.
To the Selectmen of Arlington : -
During the past year the following actions have been dis- posed of : -
Edgar vs. Arlington, for damages, bicycle accident on Med- ford street, has been settled for $50.00.
Bond vs. Arlington, for damages arising from alleged defect on Lake street, was tried before a jury and the verdict was in favor of the Town.
The following actions are now pending : -
Partridge vs. Arlington, for damages for altering grade at Claremont avenue.
Locke vs. Arlington, for damages, bicycle accident Massachu- setts avenue.
Susanna C. Cook vs. Arlington, for damages for altering grade of Broadway. This action was brought in March of the present year.
The Town was represented before Legislative Committees in the following matters : -
Diseases dangerous to the public health, Matter of super- vision by Gas and Electric Light Commissioners, Spot Pond Brook, Refunding Park assessments, Metropolitan Water assessments.
The by-laws of the Town relating to the non-allowance of discounts on taxes and the changes in Town offices have been approved by the Superior Court.
63
TOWN COUNSEL.
An indictment and trial has been had under the by-law relating to piggeries, and the validity of the by-law sustained in the Superior Court. This matter has gone to the Supreme Court on the defendant's exceptions where the question of the validity of the by-law will be finally determined.
In the suit on the Treasurer's bonds, an auditor was ap- pointed in the summer, but owing to the illness of counsel the actual trial of the case has been delayed. There seems to be no reason now why the case should not be pressed forward for speedy trial. The preparation of the case has required con- siderable time and its trial may be lengthy. Efforts are being made to eliminate as many items as possible which are not in dispute so that the trial in Court may be shortened.
In addition to the above matters the ordinary work relating to the transaction of the Town's business has been attended to.
WILLIAM H. H. TUTTLE,
Town Counsel.
REPORT OF TOWN PHYSICIAN.
To the Board of Selectmen: -
GENTLEMEN : - The following is respectfully submitted as a report of the work done in this department from January 1, 1901, to December 31, 1902 : -
Number of calls made on outside poor, 385
Number of calls at office, 256
Number of visits to Almshouse, 112
Number of free vacinations, 537
There has been a slight increase in the amount of sickness among the Town's poor, due to several extraneous reasons. -. |
At the Almshouse the usual number of chronic cases were cared for, with few of an acute nature.
The large number of free vacinations was done by order of the Board of Health.
The need of a hospital for the care of infectious diseases occuring among the Town's poor is still a much needed necessity.
DR. CHAS. A. KEEGAN,
Town Physician.
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF MILK.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen, Town of Arlington : -
The undersigned respectfully submits the annual report for the year 1902.
Fifty licenses have been issued to milkmen and storekeepers and the proceeds to the amount of $25 paid into the treasury. I have examined a great many samples the past year and every test was perfectly satisfactory.
Respectfully,
CHARLES F. LUSK,
Inspector of Milk.
REPORT OF THE SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen, Town of Arlington : -
GENTLEMEN : - I have visited and adjusted the scales and tested the weights at thirty-nine stores and factories and re- ceived in fees $35.60, and have your Treasurer's receipt for the same.
The whole number of scales tested 119
measures, wood and tin . .
174
66 66 weights 404
66
66 milk jars
7,491
66
jars condemned · 289
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES F. LUSK, Sealer of Weights and Measures.
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF PROVISIONS AND SLAUGHTERING.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen : -
I have the honor to submit to you the following report for the year 1902 : -
The provision stores have been kept neat and in good con- dition, and provisions have been good quality ; have not received any complaint during the year.
I have inspected the following number of animals slaughtered during the year 1902: Two thousand, eight hundred and twenty veal, seventeen hogs, five beef.
The slaughter house and building have been kept very neat and clean ; have not received any complaints. They have not been able to slaughter any during the month of December on account of the cattle disease.
Respectfully,
FRANK P. WINN, Inspector.
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen : -
GENTLEMEN :- I have the honor herewith to submit my annual report as Inspector of Animals for the year ending December 1, 1902.
During the year there have been fourteen horses found to be. diseased with glanders and farcy, which were immediately destroyed. There have been two cases of tuberculosis in cows, and three cases of hog cholera. Two cows and a calf, which had been brought into the State from New Hampshire, were quarantined and tested by order of the State Cattle Bureau.
In making my regular fall inspection, I have inspected two hundred and fifty (250) cows, five hundred and sixty-six (566) hogs, and one (1) sheep for tuberculosis and other contagious diseases. The owners were in all cases given the regular cer- tificate of inspection. I also at this time inspected eighty-four (84) stables wherein these animals were stabled, and reports were in each case made out and sent to the State Bureau.
Just after this inspection had been completed, I was again ordered by the State Bureau to make another inspection, be- cause of a serious outbreak of foot and mouth disease in cattle. This resulted in the finding of one herd of thirteen (13) cows infected with the disease. This entire herd was destroyed by the State Bureau and the stable disinfected by them.
In all cases where contagious diseases have been found, the stables have been thoroughly disinfected before other animals were allowed to occupy the same.
Respectfully submitted,
LAURENCE L. PEIRCE, M. D. V., Inspector of Animals.
REPORT OF THE TOWN ENGINEER.
ARLINGTON, Jan. 21, 1903.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :-
Herewith I respectfully submit a report for the year ending December 27, 1902, on the work done and expense incurred by the Department under my charge.
Many estimates of cost of various work and preliminary plans have been made during the year as required by the sev- eral Departments of the Town and all lines and grades have been given for construction work on highways, sewers, water mains, sidewalks, storm drains and miscellaneous work. All plans showing the location of storm drains, sewer assessments, water and gas mains and records of street grades and takings of private lands have been made and filed. All the changes and additions made during the year affecting plans and records previously filed and coming under the supervision of this De- partment are being prepared to date.
The classified division of time for the engineering office is as fol ows : -
Highways,
$377 31
Sidewalks,
52 29
Storm drains,
56 86
Sewers,
530 29
Inspection and superintendence on
sewer construction and mainten- ance,
396 55
Water Department,
336 49
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