USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1902-1903 > Part 21
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SEC. 29. All questions as to the intent and meaning of the by-laws relating to the construction of buildings shall be decided by the Inspector, provided that any person dissatisfied with or aggrieved by any requirement or decision of the
29
BY-LAWS.
Inspector may appeal to the Selectmen and their decision, after a hearing at which the Inspector shall be given an opportunity to be heard, shall be final.
SEC. 30. In these by-laws the following terms shall have the meanings respectively assigned to them : -
" Alteration " means any change or addition.
" Cellar " means a basement or lower story of which one-half or more of the height from the floor to the ceiling is below the level of the land adjoining.
" Foundation " means that portion of a wall below the level of the street curb, and where the wall is not on a street, that portion of the wall below the level of the highest ground next to the wall; but if under party or partition walls, may be constructed by the Inspector to mean that portion below the cellar floor.
" Chimney " shall apply to any permanent or fixed flues or passages built into any building for conveying away the products of combustion from furnaces, stoves, boilers, ranges or fire-places.
"Inspector " means the Inspector of Buildings of the Town of Arlington.
"Party wall " means every wall used, or built in order to be used, as a separation of two or more buildings.
"Partition wall" means any interior wall of masonry in a building.
" External wall" means every outer wall or vertical enclosure of a building other than a party wall.
Repairs " means the reconstruction or renewal of any existing part of a building or of its fixtures or appurtenances, by which the strength or fire- risk is not affected or modified, and not made in the opinion of the Inspector for the purpose of converting the building in whole or in part to a new use.
" Tenement house " means a building which, or any portion of which, is occupied, or intended to be occupied, as a dwelling by more than three fami- lies living independently of one another and doing their cooking upon the premises ; or by more than two families above the second floor, so living and cooking.
" Thickness " of a wall means the minimum of thickness of such wall.
SEC. 30. Whoever violates any of the provisions of these by-laws shall be liable to a penalty of not more than one hun- dred dollars unless another penalty is specifically provided herein.
SEC. 32. The provisions of these by-laws shall not apply to buildings and structures owned or occupied by the United States or by the State of Massachusetts, nor to bridges.
FIRE LIMITS.
All buildings hereinafter built or enlarged, fronting on the following street described lines, shall be built of brick, stone
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BY-LAWS.
or other incombustible material. Beginning at the north- easterly corner of Swan and Pleasant streets, thence running north-easterly to the south-easterly corner of Pleasant street and Massachusetts avenue ; thence south-easterly on the south- erly line of Massachusetts avenue, to a point opposite the Sol- diers' Monument. Beginning again at a point in the northerly line of Broadway opposite the Soldiers' Monument and running north-westerly along the north-easterly lines of Broadway and Massachusetts avenue to Central street.
REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN.
The Selectmen submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1903 : -
Mr. Frank C. Allen was appointed Registrar of Voters for three years from May 1, 1903.
Mr. Chas. F. Lusk was appointed Janitor of Town Hall for one year from April 1, 1903 ; also Constable under Chap. 25, Sec. 87, Revised Laws.
No appointment was made as Superintendent of Streets. All other appointments were the same as last year.
For the detail work accomplished by these officials, we refer you to their reports to the Selectmen.
Bonds of the Treasurer, the Collector of Taxes and the Town Clerk were approved as follows : - That of the Treasurer, dated March 6, 1903, for $20,000, the American Surety Company of New York, surety, was approved March 14, 1902. That of the Collector, dated March 3, 1903, for $10,000, the United States Fidelity Company, surety, approved March 9, 1903. That of the Town Clerk, dated March 5, 1903, for $1,500, the American Surety Company of New York, surety, approved April 4, 1903. These bonds cover in full the duties and responsibilities of these officials as indicated by the Town By-Laws and the Revised Laws.
STREET WATERING.
The streets have been watered in the same manner as last year. The cost to the abutters was two cents per front foot, or one-third cent less than the year before.
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
COAL CONTRACTS.
After receiving bids, the contract for supplying the several departments with coal was awarded to Peirce & Winn Co., at the following prices : -
Best quality Lackawanna free burning coal, delivered at places designated, $6.25 per net ton.
Georges' Creek Cumberland coal, delivered at places desig- nated, $5.25 per net ton.
BOARD OF SURVEY.
Four petitions have been received for the approval of plans contemplating the laying out and construction of streets, and five hearings were given on the same; two of said petitions were granted, namely, those referring to Aerial street and Brattle street.
PARK CIRCLE.
February 18, 1903, the Selectmen voted to lay out Park Circle as a Town way, and the same was accepted by vote of the Town, March 30, 1903.
GRAY STREET EXTENSION.
A petition was received June 15, 1903, signed by O. W. Whit- temore and others asking the Board of Selectmen to lay out as a Town way that part of Gray street extending from the northerly end of that part of Gray street which commences at Pleasant street to Oakland avenue, said layout to be under the provisions of law authorizing the assessment of betterments. A hearing was given on this petition July 11, 1903, which was fully at- tended. There was a division of sentiment, the majority ap- pearing to disapprove of the layout at the present time on account of the present financial condition of the Town.
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
FOREST STREET BRIDGE.
Late in the season the bridge on Forest street over Mill Brook broke through, and its condition necessitated complete renewal. This was done at a cost of about $550, which was not included in the original appropriation for highways.
BOW STREET.
Bow street has been constructed as ordered by the County Commissioners and in accordance with the relocation made by said Commissioners. The amount levied on the Town by said Commissioners to award abutters for damages incurred, was $272, most of which has been paid.
STREET SIGNS.
New signs have been placed on a number of streets and others have been replaced or repainted. The cost of the same was $98.75.
CRESCENT HILL AVENUE.
December 1, 1902, the Town appropriated $2,500 for the construction of Crescent Hill avenue, the same to be done under the Betterment Act. This work has been completed at a net cost of $3,004.88, as indicated by the report of the Super- intendent of Streets. The work was done by the Highway Department and the amount expended over and above the ap- propriation was charged to said Department.
As authorized by the Betterment Act, the assessments levied amounted to $2,329.51, and notices have been sent to parties assessed who have the privilege of apportioning the same into three equal annual payments.
The avenue, as constructed, is practically macadam and one of the best streets in Town. The cost was rather more than
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
was anticipated. This was because of increase in the wages of laborers, the unexpected hardness of rock blasted, the building of stone walls, grading lots and other work which was not included in the Engineer's original estimate. The street will not need repair for many years.
HIGHWAYS.
Taking into account the extraordinary expenditures necessi- tated by the renewal of the bridge on Forest street, the repair of the bridge on Mystic street and the extra cost in the con- struction of Crescent Hill avenue, all of which were not antici- pated, and the fact that there are on hand 3,500 tons of stone, valued at $1,400 (not to mention other supplies on hand to- gether with the unexpended balance ), the original appropriation in March was not overdrawn. All the work anticipated when the original estimate was made up, however, was not done, for the reason that the sum asked for was reduced by $3,000. The charge of extravagance in highway expenditures is unfounded. If it is expected to keep the streets in good condition larger appropriations must be made, and the longer necessary repairs are delayed the greater will be the cost.
WAGES.
Dating from May 1, 1903, the wages of laborers on the high- way was increased from twenty cents to twenty-two and two- ninths cents per hour. This action was followed by the Water and Sewer Department.
ASSIGNMENT OF STREET LIGHTING CONTRACT.
As authorized by vote of the Town passed December 28, 1903, and in accordance therewith, the Selectmen in a written agree-
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
ment duly signed, gave their assent to the assignment by the Somerville Electric Light Company to the Edison Electric Illuminating Company of Boston of the existing street lighting contract between said Somerville Company and the Town of Arlington.
TRUST FUNDS.
The following trust funds, which were formerly invested in the Town's notes payable on demand (one of said notes dating back to 1861), have been invested in the Town's notes given for six months in anticipation of the taxes of the municipal year of 1903 and dated December 31, 1903, the old notes hav- ing previously been paid and cancelled.
Poor Widow's Fund $ 613.11
Citizen's Soldier Fund . 349.85
Wm. Cutter School Fund 5,354.00
THE TOWN'S INSURANCE.
The Town's insurance has been placed on a somewhat dif- ferent basis. The policies have all been changed from the specific to a more general form, and as is believed, to the ad- vantage of the Town. All the buildings belonging to the Town were revalued by an expert appraiser and each department sent to the Board a revaluation of its effects aside from build- ings. The insurance carried on this property at date is $450,500, said sum being 90 per cent. of full valuations as required by the policy. These policies are somewhat in the nature of blanket policies, much of the property being secured wherever it happens to be, - anwyhere in the State. The ex- piration of policies will be so distributed as to make the insur- ance renewal about the same each year, and thus have the annual burden more uniform. The insurance rate was $1.35 for five years.
36
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
SUIT AGAINST FORMER TREASURER AND HIS SURETIES.
May 27, 1903, the Board received a communication from James P. Parmenter, stating that he was authorized by the former Treasurer and his surities to offer the Town $18,000, in settlement of this suit, and that the offer was open until July 1,1903.
A special Town Meeting was called for June 11, 1903, to consider the matter, and at said Meeting the Town voted unanimously to authorize and direct the Selectmen to settle the suit in accordance with said offer.
To this effect proper papers were executed, and on the 13th day of June, on the receipt of said sum, the Selectmen signed the necessary releases and the pending suit was disposed of.
The $18,000 has been used towards the reduction of the Town note of $30,000, issued pending said suit. The amount now outstanding on this note is $12,000.
VACANCIES.
Vacancies existing on the Board of Fence Viewers occasioned by those elected by the Town failing to qualify, were filled in joint convention by the election of Lucian C. Tyler and Omar W. Whittemore.
CLERK OF SELECTMEN.
We recommend a salary for Clerk of Selectmen and an ap- propriation for the same.
LOCKE SCHOOL PLAYGROUND.
The lot purchased for additional playground for the Locke school has been partially graded but the work will not be finished until spring, after the present grading has sufficiently settled.
37
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
TRANSFER'S.
The deed transferring a part of the Almshouse lot to the Symmes Arlington Hospital, as authorized by vote of the Town passed April 15, 1903, was signed by the Selectmen January 17, 1903, and after being duly recorded at Cambridge, was placed on file with the Town Clerk.
The deed transferring the lot purchased of William T. Foster for school purposes, as authorized by vote of the Town Febru- ary 11, 1903, has been received by the Selectmen, duly re- corded at Cambridge. and placed on file with the Town Clerk.
DIVISION OF TOWN OFFICES.
The offices of Town Clerk, Collector of Taxes and Treasurer have been divided, the duties of' Auditor increased, and a new system of bookkeeping inaugurated.
We are not familiar with the full working of the change but from what we do know, our opinion is that it falls far short of the needs of the Town. Departments and the public are hindered because full and immediate information, when needed, is so much of the time inaccessible,-books, accounts and papers being locked up and officials themselves away. We have heard many complaints from people who come to pay bills and could find no one to pay them to.
The same condition exists that caused a large financial loss to the Town nearly three years ago and for which the Select- men received much unjust criticism, namely, officials receiving money which they are not legally entitled to receive and for which they are not bonded.
We were told that the Boards could at any time ascertain how the appropriations for their Department stood. It has been seldom we could get the information desired.
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
RECOMMENDATION.
We would recommend that some official legally qualified to receive moneys be paid enough salary to be in the office some portion of every day through the week and one or more eve- nings of each week.
RECOMMENDATIONS ON BY-LAWS.
We would recommend first, that the By-Laws be printed not oftener than once in three years (unless some change or ad- dition is made), as it seems to us to be a needless expense.
Second. That Article 7, relating to borrowing money, be amended so as to conform to the Revised Laws.
Third. That Section 2 of Article 10, relating to the keeping of swine, be restored to its original form or otherwise amended so as to conform to the recent decision of the Supreme Court.
Fourth. That Article 16, so far as it relates to the duties of the Auditor, be amended so as to conform to the decision of the Chief Justice of the Superior Court, recently rendered, in relation to a Winchester By-Law, that the duties of Auditor are given by the Statutes and no Town can add to or take away from them.
We recommend that two Auditors be chosen instead of one and that they perform only the duties imposed upon them by the Laws of the State. We recommend that the duties which Article 16 undertakes to impose on Auditors be performed by a competent person skilled in the matter of bookkeeping and in the keeping of municipal accounts, the new officer to be called Town Accountant, or by some other appropriate name.
ENDORSEMENTS ON BONDS.
On the 11th of July the Selectmen received a request from the Town Treasurer, to have the bonds of the Collector en-
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
dorsed by the United States Fidelity & Guaranty Company, so that said Company should be liable for all money and property of the Town of Arlington which should come to his (the Col- lector's) hands. Also, a request that the bond of the Town Clerk be sent to him, in order that he might have the bond endorsed thereon, so that it would cover the Town Clerk in the position as Clerk of Departments as well as Town Clerk. In explanation of the above requests, the Treasurer stated that " at present both officials handle funds for which they are not legally responsible as Collector and Town Clerk." The Board made the following reply : "The Selectmen desire to say that the bonds of the Collector of Taxes and the Town Clerk cover moneys which said officials, as such, are legally authorized to collect, which moneys are indicated in the By-Laws of the Town and the Revised Laws of the State. The Board does not feel it to be within the province of the Selectmen to extend the authority and responsibility of these officers beyond the legal aspects of their office in the matter of handling the Town's money."
TOWN HALL.
Appropriation in March, 1903 . 66 " November, 1903
$1,500 00 500 00
$2,000 00
Gross expenditures .
.
. $1,951 53
Less rents from Hall
.
455 66
Net expenses
1,495 87
Balance
$504 13
The changes in the Town Hall occassioned by the division of offices have been made under the direction of the Committee appointed for that purpose. Part of the Town Hall expenses,
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
however, include items that properly belong to the Improve- ment account, but which it seemed advisable to assume here.
Further repairs are needed and it may be well to paint the building on the outside. The recent terrible experience in Chicago brings forcibly to mind the fact that provisions for safe and ready exit from the Hall in case of fire, and panic are inadequate. A suitable appropriation to meet this deficiency is therefore recommended.
Attention is called to the above figures which show that even with extraordinary expenses in this department the past year, had the receipts for letting the Hall been available for Town Hall maintenance, no extra appropriation in November would have been necessary.
Since the Town Hall appropriation pays for lighting, heating, caring for and maintaining the Hall, it would seem quite business-like if the rents were placed to the credit of said appropriation.
TOWN HOUSE IMPROVEMENT.
The Committee consisting of the Selectmen and the Commit- tee of Five appointed to carry out the vote of the Town passed March 9, 1903, appropriating $2,400 for the " necessary altera- tion of Town offices to the end of more convenient and proper accommodations and to provide safes therefor," have attended to their duty and for details refer you to the report of the Auditor.
As the work progressed, it was found that further changes were called for and additional office furniture needed, not antici- pated in the original estimate. The assumption of part of the expense by the. Town Hall account enabled the additions to be made. The unexpended balance in the improvement account, therefore, is only apparent as there was practically an over- draft of $200 or more.
41
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
For the details relative to this department we refer you to the report of the Chief Engineer. The good reputation and efficiency of the department have been more than well preserved the past year, the calls being more than usual and the losses small. A striker has been put into the driver's house at the Heights. All the equipments appear to be in good condition.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
We recommend that a horse and wagon be furnished for the use of the Chief; that 1,000 feet of new hose be purchased immediately ; that the high service be extended as suggested by the Chief ; and that a sufficient amount be appropriated to cover back pay of all the firemen.
We recommend that a fire alarm box be placed on the Heights near the Sanitarium, also that one be located on Bart- lett avenue.
STREET LIGHTING.
The street lighting has been satisfactory.
We now have 105 arc and 195 incandescent, - one arc and six incandescent having been installed the past year. A small appropriation for further addition will be needed.
ALMSHOUSE.
During the year six inmates have been cared for. Of these one was admitted and one has died.
At present (December 31) there are four males and one female cared for.
The number of tramps lodged and fed during the year is 288, which is 60 less than the year before.
Mr. and Mrs. John B. Tay have been in charge.
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
The heater is in such condition as to need either thorough repair or replacing by a new and larger one. It is hardly suf- ficient to properly heat the building on cold days. The build- ing needs painting.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
Appropriation by the Town .
·
$2,000 00
Expenditures (gross)
$2,119 55
Less receipts :
For board $353 24
For sale of produce 31 10
386 34
Net expenditures for the year
1,733 34
Balance unexpended
$266 79
POOR OUTSIDE THE ALMSHOUSE.
The Overseers of the Poor have been called upon the past year to render the Town's aid to an extent greater than ever before. This was owing principally to the increased number of applicants and the continued need of those already on the list.
Nineteen families, containing fifty children, have been on the regular list.
Eighteen families, containing fifty children, have been on the occasional list.
Twenty-four persons, including sick, feeble-minded, epileptic and insane, have been on the Hospital list. Of the above the Town is reimbursed to the extent of one family on the regular, one family on the occasional and five persons on the hospital list.
One hundred fifty-five persons, not including reimbursements, have been partially or wholly supported all or a part of the year. This number seems large but the tendency is to increase rather than decrease.
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
The question - how best for a Town to render most effectual aid to its poor, -is an open one. Experts differ and towns vary as to ways and means. It is evident, however, that cold- blooded indifference, lavish generosity, auctioneering to the lowest bidder and inflexible cast-iron rules do not produce desirable results. It is evident also that intelligent and just discrimination as to the more and the less deserving and against the non-deserving requires full knowledge of the actual con- ditions of each case and this knowledge necessitates visits, in- terview and investigation.
It is the purpose of the Board to strengthen and improve the department where weak, in order that the aid rendered be not misplaced and that it be proper in kind and amount.
To this end the general subject of town aid has received special attention, the methods of adjacent cities and towns ex- amined and results noted. Our own department has also been carefully looked into, more detailed records of the conditions and history in each case and more full and systematic financial accounts kept.
These accounts and records are quite essential for intelligent future comparisons.
As a rule the freedom permitted in filling orders appears to be open to no special criticism. In a few instances, however, the best judgment is not always used. It is customary in some places to confine this freedom to a specified list of supplies. It may be well to do this here, especially in certain cases.
Arlington has always been sympathetic and reasonable in providing for its poor. The custom of the Board has long been for each member to take a portion of the Town for the disburse- ment of aid, each taking the section in which he resides. One of the Board has also been appointed Committee on Outside Poor who attended to correspondence, etc., and had more gen- eral charge. The character of the work, however, is such now that something more is needed.
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
A good plan would be for the Secretary of the Board to act as an authorized agent to receive applications, give orders, - visit and investigate, as well as to keep the records and ac- counts, - in short, be the Executive Officer of the Board. This plan has been partially carried out the past year and further application of it is under consideration.
Suggestions are always in order and should be welcomed by all departments when prompted by the right spirit and made in the right manner. Indiscriminate criticism, however, or false and groundless accusations are entirely uncalled for and to be regretted. Such statements hardly tend to improve or elevate the public service.
THE INSANE.
On and after January 1, 1904, the State will assume the care, control, treatment and support of all persons committed as in- sane, and the expense to the towns will doubtless be in the form of a State tax. See Chapter 87, Revised Laws, Section 6.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
OUTSIDE POOR.
Appropriation in March, 1903 $4,500 00
" November, 1903 2,000 00
From Poor Widows' Fund . . 616 03
$7,116. 03
EXPENDITURES.
For aid to regular list . $3,731 41
" " " occasional list
714 96
Aided here but having
settlement elsewhere $256 06
Less reimbursement 173 69 82 37
Amounts carried forward
$4,528 74 $7,116 03
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
Amounts brought forward
$4,528 74 $7,116 03
For care of sick in hospitals
$84 03
Less reimbursement 23 60
60 43
For care of insane
. $2,230 04
Less reimbursement
169 45
·
2,060 59
For care feeble-minded
126 74
For care of epileptic .
$417 38
Less reimbursements .
374 68
42 7.0
For clerk services
209 25
" miscellaneous expenses
71 32
Paid bills 1902 account
$296 21
Less reimbursement .
281 76
14 45
7,114 22
$1 81
NOTE.
Reimbursements still due the Town on 1903 account
$125 07
Outstanding bills against the Town on 1903 account
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