USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1902-1903 > Part 4
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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. 10
N. E. Tel. & Tel. Co.
Summer st., near Bromfield st ...
Mar.
22
22
2
"
27
Aug. 11
$
.
·
Lake st., Mass. ave., to Cross st.
Sept. 22, Replacement ... Oct. 11, Location on all S. E. Lt. Co. poles ..
1
19
Oct. 14
18
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, Replacement of poles Nos 72 and 84 . ..
*
INSPECTOR OF WIRES.
2 Nov. 26, Resetting of poles Nos. 274, 275, 276 .. *
Warren street.
Dec. 1, To straighten all poles where required .
*
Mass. ave.
April "
5
Wachusett ave.
Russell st ..
12, New location.
8
Lake st ...
Walnut st ..
24, Attachment of N. E. T. & T. Co., wires.
May 17, New location. ..
Grove st., opp Grove st. pl ...
17,
.. ..
Parellel st ...
.
Old Mystic st.
.
Mass ave., east Henderson st .
17,
......
30
.
·
.
Mass. ave., opp. Bartlett ave .. Academy st ...
Oct. 23, New location ... .......
66
30
=
.
Irving st .. . . Franklin st ...
23,
. .
1
30
66
June 27
West End Street Railway Co .. | To occupy poles of Somerville Electric Light Co., Cambridge to Lexington line.
Jan. 18, Replacement .. ....
1
May 29,
.....
1
22
. .
·
Apr.
5,
2
.
. .
To remove wires from old poles, Lake st., to new poles of Somerville Electric Light Co. Cor. Florence and Hillside aves.
Lowell st., Mass. ave., to Lexington line.
Nov. 11
Mass. ave.
*
Brattle st.
2 Nov. 22, Replacement of poles * Nos. 340 and 345 ...
Broadway ..
·
Dec. 1
24 5
Somerville Electric Light Co ...
Cleveland st.
Dec. 24, Replacement pole No. 83 Apr. 12, New location .. 12, 12, Replacement .
* 1 12 1 7 41 5
1 7 1
4 2
Aug. 25, Replacement ....
1
Aug. 15
30
·
2
23,
. .. .....
·
Cor. Appleton st. and Hillside ave ... Cor. Appleton st. and Claremont ave .
29, New location .. ..... Appleton st., bet. Hillside and Claremont aves. .... Teel st., bet. Sawin st. and Teel pl. 29,
1
* Granted by Inspector of Wires.
·
30
Bow st ...
17,
17,
·
.. .
30
. ..
.
April 30
5
22
30
66
22
26
Ordered Sept. 16
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
1
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.
60
Hose No. 2 House, Massachusetts ave
No. 2
1,561 "
Central Fire Station, Broadway.
No.3
1,003 "
66
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
66
Hose No. 1 House, Park ave ..
No. 1
10
66
...
Residence Chief Engineer, 41 Medford st. 2nd Asst. Chief, 923 Massachusetts ave.
No. 1
6
66
...
Factory Chief Engineer, Massachusetts ave ..
No. 3
6
66
...
Residence Supt. of Fire Alarms, 478 Massachusetts ave. Office 474
No. 3
5
66
...
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.
¥
...
...
No. 3
6
66
...
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
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 weights 404
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 : -
$377 31
Highways,
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
Cemetery Department,
158 44
Particular Sewers,
328 85
70
ENGINEER'S REPORT.
Fire Alarm,
$10 30
Public Schools,
4 56
Board of Health,
2 64
Incidentals,
649 17
$2,903 75
The incidental expenditures are sub-divided as follows : - Board of Survey : Surveys and plans of pro-
posed new street lines and grades as directed, and the examination of all plans submitted to the Board for approval, $130 35
Street Numbering : Revising the entire number- ing system, making fifty-five new plans of streets, locating and plotting all building on both new and old plans, in accordance with the by-law approved April 22, 1901, 304 32
Town Lines : Relocating and setting new bounds on Massachusetts Avenue, Hibbard Street and Westminster Avenue, at the Lexington line, 21 63
Surveys and plans for conveyance of a portion of the Almshouse lot to the Trustees of Symmes
Hospital, including location of right of way Indexing and arranging of plans and records in Town Clerk's office, 15 61
36 68
Copying plans of property from Registry at East Cambridge, 33 54
Surveys, plans and photographs and attendance at court on cases pending, 13 24
Plans, studies, estimates for various committees, including plans and profiles of Tanager street and Crescent Hill avenue, and Jason street School District 93 80
$649 17
71
ENGINEER'S REPORT.
STORM DRAINS.
Drains for the removal of surface water were laid in Kens- ington park from Pleasant street to Kensington road, also in Appleton street from Oakland avenue to Florence avenue, and across Massachusetts avenue, opposite entrance to Boston & Maine Railroad and at Hobbs court. Catch-basins were placed at suitable points to receive water from the street gutters and were provided with hoods over the outlets to prevent debris from passing over into the main pipes. In the case of Kensington park much ledge was encountered which added considerably to the cost of the work. The total length of storm drains now in use in the Town which have been built under systematic and improved methods is 5.5 miles.
The line of Forest street at Old Bow street has been changed by the County Commissioners to agree with the lines of the work of separation of grades by the Boston & Maine Railroad. The Commissioners have also established new lines for Bow street to connect with the new street built at the time of the separation of grades, making thereby a street forty feet in width from Forest street to Lowell street. These new lines have been permanently defined by stone bounds. Lines for location of poles have been given the Somerville Electric Light Company on Lake street, from Massachusetts avenue to Cross street and Bow street, from Forest street to Lowell street. Also lines of accepted streets have been given to property owners when requested on accepted-streets.
BOARD OF SURVEY.
Under the direction of the Board, surveys and plans were made of Tanager street, Park circle, Woodland street and Bartlett avenue, from Gray street to Woodland street, showing
72 -
ENGINEER'S REPORT.
new lines and grades. Plans and profiles of the following streets which were received with petitions for location from the owners of abutting property were examined and reported.
From
TO
Distance
Gloucester St.
Mt Vernon St.
Highland Ave.
730 ft.
Windemere Ave.
Bartlett Ave.
HI. J. Locke's land 350 “
Orchard Terrace
Medford St.
Webcowet Road
375 “
Gardner St.
Broadway
Fremont St.
1,000 “
Rangeley Ave.
Mystic St.
Glen Ave.
625 “
Glen Ave.
Mystic St
Walnut Ave
500 “
Summer St.
Pine St.
Lansdowne Road
550 “
Lansdowne Road
Summer St.
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