USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1910 > Part 7
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1,587.90
Total
$3,558.91
The following are the sums voted for the expenses of the town for the year 1810 :
Contingencies
$2,500.00 500.00
Highways
Treasurer's salary
10.00
Clerk's salary
10.00
$3,020.00
Submitted by
-
GEORGE PRENTISS, DANIEL ADAMS, THOMAS RUSSELL;
Selectmen.
Attest :
THOMAS RUSSELL, Town Clerk. West Cambridge, May, 1811.
1
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
The Selectmen submit the following report for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1910.
On March 7, 1910, the new Board of Selectmen, consisting of Philip A. Hendrick, Jacob Bitzer and Herbert W. Rawson, having been duly sworn by the Town Clerk, met and organized as follows: Chairman, Philip A. Hendrick; Clerk, Horace A. Freeman.
ยท STANDING COMMITTEES.
Philip A. Hendrick, Police Department and State Aid. Jacob Bitzer, Fire Department and Public Lands.
Herbert W. Rawson, Outside Poor, Town House and Public Buildings.
The Board of Selectmen consists of three members, elected at the regular annual town meeting held on the first Monday in March, all for the term of one year.
The Board also acts as Overseers of the Poor and as Board for the Suppression of Gypsy and Brown-Tail Moths.
The regular meetings of the Board are held Saturday evenings, in the Selectmen's room, Town Hall, at 7.30 o'clock.
TOWN DEBT AND TAX RATE.
On December 31, 1909, the fixed debt was .$704,298.64 Added during the year $89,000.00
Paid during the year
18,648.64
Increase during the year 70,351.36
On December 31, 1910, the fixed debt is. $774,650.00
On Dec. 31, 1909, the sinking fund was. . .. $157,833.38
On Dec. 31, 1910, the sinking fund is. 176,195.58
Increase during the year .
$18,362.20
The amount added to the fixed debt during the year is $89,000. This is made up of $15,000 for water loan, $16,000 sewer loan,
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
$3,000 for Crosby School lot, $45,000 for Crosby School Addition building, $3,000 for Crosby School Addition furnishings, $1,000 for Town yard, $1,000 for Whittemore Street, $5,000 for changes in the Crosby School building.
The total fixed debt remaining is $774,650.00, or $70,351.36 more than it was a year ago.
The tax rate for 1910 is $20.10 on $1,000, which is $1.60 more than it was in 1909.
The total increase in personal and real estate April 1, 1910, as compared with the year before, was $407,353.
STATE, COUNTY AND METROPOLITAN TAXES.
1910.
1909.
Increase.
State Tax
$16,610.00
$13,635.00
$2,975.00
County Tax
11,519.57
11,682 45
*162 88
Metropolitan Sewer Tax .. .
10,319.02
9,169.53
1,149.49
Metropolitan Water Tax ...
16,241.07
17,442.46
*1,201.39
Metropolitan Park Tax ... .
5,537.80
5,253.27
284.53
$60,227.46
$57,182.71
$3,044.75
*Decrease.
The total State, county and metropolitan taxes for 1910 are $60,227.46, or $3,044.75 more than was the total for 1909.
No tax has yet been assessed on the town and cities liable for the cost of the purification of the Alewife Brook area, $125,000 having been appropriated by the State for that purpose. When assessed the town's share will be 24 per cent, or $30,000.
CORPORATION AND BANK TAXES RECEIVED BY THE
TOWN.
1910.
1909
Increase
Corporation Tax
$5,316.93
$6,640.06
*$1,323.13
Bank Tax .
5,063.94
3,852.63
1,211.37
Street Railway Tax.
1,5552 43
14,417.50
1,134.93
Boston Elevated Ry. Tax ..
2,860.14
2,719.10.
141.04
Boston & North. St. Ry. Tax
346.03
329.93
16.10
Lex. & Bos. St. Ry. Tax ...
66.40
63.30
3.10
$29,205.87
$28,022.52
$1,183.35
* * Decrease.
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT
The total receipts, as shown on page 70, for 1910 amount to $29,205.87 which is $1,183.35 more than they were in 1909.
DEBT MATURING.
In the next five years the fixed debt maturing, as it stands December 31, 1910, amounts to $229,350.00, divided as follows:
1911
$16,950.00
1912
105,950.00
1913
80,550.00
1914.
13,450.00
1915.
12,450.00
$229,350.00
Of this amount $91,000 water bonds mature in 1912, and $64,- 600 high school bonds mature in 1913. Both of these amounts will be taken from the sinking fund; the other amounts are to be met by taxation.
BONDS OF COLLECTOR, TREASURER, AND TOWN CLERK.
The bond of the Collector of Taxes of Arlington is given by the United States Fidelity and Guaranty Company, Baltimore, Md., to the amount of $10,000 for the municipal year 1910 and 1911, and until his successor in said office is elected and qualified.
The bond of the Town Treasurer of Arlington is given by the American Surety Company of New York to the amount of $20,000 for the municipal year 1910-1911, and until his suc- cessor in said office is elected and qualified. This bond also covers him as Treasurer of Sinking Fund of said Town, and until his successor in the office of Treasurer of said Sinking Fund is chosen and qualified.
The bond of the Town Clerk, Clerk of Departments and Clerk of the Cemetery Commissioners is given by the American Surety Company of New York to the amount of $1,500 for the municipal year 1910-1911, and until his successor in said office is elected and qualified.
The bonds are in the care of the Board of Selectmen.
TOWN HALL.
Under the provisions of the existing statutes, halls having a seating capacity of over 400 persons come under the regulations
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
of the State Police, regarding the use of scenery. The Town Hall comes under this regulation and the Board have been advised by the Chief of the State Police that no scenery of any description can be used in the Hall. By expending an amount of about $300 certain changes may be made, whereby the use of scenery can be permitted. It would seem that steps should be taken in the near future to make changes in the Town Hall whereby scenery could be used and enable the citizens of the Town to have dramatic entertainments.
No extensive repairs were made during the year. The room . occupied by the Board of Public Works was painted, and a few minor improvements made in the various parts of the building.
METROPOLITAN PARK ASSESSMENTS.
In accordance with the requirements of the Statutes a petition was entered in the Supreme Court by the Metropolitan Park Commission, and in which all cities and towns of the Metropolitan District were made respondents for the purpose of fixing the proportionate part to be paid by each town within the District during the next five years of the cost of maintenance, etc., of the Metropolitan Parks, Boulevards, and Charles River Dam and Basin.
Hearings were held before Commissioners appointed under that petition, at which the Town was represented by counsel, and their decree has been entered in said Court. Under the terms of the decree Arlington will pay each year for the next five years its proportionate part, as follows:
For parks .00564
For boulevards. .01057
Nantasket Beach Reservation. .00515
Charles River Dam and Basin. .00517
Charles River Basin Sinking Fund and Interest Require-
ments . .00462
PURIFICATION OF ALEWIFE BROOK AND ADJACENT AREA.
This work has gone along very well during the past year and the waterway is practically completed.
There is no question but that it will materially improve the
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT
whole lower section of the Town from a health standpoint, and will increase the valuation of real estate.
The Town has not yet been called upon to pay its proportional part of the cost, but undoubtedly this assessment will be made in the near future.
The Town under the provisions of Section 7 of Chapter 529 of the Acts of 1906 may assess betterments upon real estate which is improved by this work.
STATE AID, MILITARY AID AND SOLDIERS' RELIEF.
STATE AID. The persons receiving this" aid remain about the same as last year. There have been a few added to the list. The money paid out by the Town is returned by the Common- wealth during the following year, for all State Aid cases.
MILITARY AID. There has been a larger amount paid out during the past year than formerly, owing to a case which required more than the State Aid would give. On December 31, 1910, there was no one receiving Military Aid, as the case referred to above had so improved that this aid might be discontinued. The Town is reimbursed for one-half the money paid out under Military Aid the following year.
SOLDIERS' RELIEF. One case was added during the year and two cases have been discontinued, leaving the number of persons aided one less than in 1909. The Town has to bear the entire expense of this relief.
GRADE CROSSING AT MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE.
The time allowed by the Railroad Commission, whereby the West End Street Railway Company could maintain and use the existing grade crossing over the Boston & Maine Railroad tracks on Massachusetts Avenue in Arlington Centre expired December 1, 1910. A new decree was made by the Railroad Commission, . extending the time to June 1, 1912.
GRADE CROSSINGS AT WHITTEMORE STREET AND AVON PLACE ..
During the year the grade crossings at Whittemore Street and Avon Place have been abolished.
A Commission was appointed by the Superior Court upon
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
petition of the Town and a hearing given, after a view by the Commissioners, in the Selectmen's Room.
The Boston & Maine Railroad Company was represented by counsel and it acceded to the prayer of the petitioners, and an agreement was entered into as to the manner of abolishing the crossings and the type of construction. The entire expense of this abolition was borne by the railroad.
Avon Place Crossing was entirely abolished and the people formerly served by this street and its extension are now served by Pond Lane, they receiving rights of way parallel with the railroad track over the lands of the Arlington-Belmont Ice Com- pany, in lieu of their rights over Avon Place.
At Whittemore Street an underpass was constructed at the expense of the railroad, whereby a safe entrance is gained into the Spy Pond Athletic Field, to the Arlington Boat Club, and for foot-passengers into what was formerly Avon Place Extension. The Town under the agreement is to light the underpass and keep it clean, the railroad to maintain it.
CONGESTION OF STREET CAR TRAFFIC AT ARLINGTON CENTER.
As reported last year this matter had been taken up with the representatives of the Boston Elevated Railway Company, a representative from the Arlington Business Men's Association (they having been the petitioners), the Board of Public Works and this Board, in which a sort of understanding has been reached, whereby a left-hand cross-over would be installed by the Boston Elevated Railway Company, and that the changing of trolleys, etc., would be made on the side track instead of the main out- bound track, as formerly.
A petition was received from the Boston Elevated Railway Company early in the year, asking that they would be allowed to make this change and a public hearing was given in the Select- men's Room, after notice to all parties. ' A wide difference of opinion existed even among the petitioners, as to the solution of the problem, and the matter was laid upon the table.
A later request was received from the Arlington Business Men's Association that no further action be taken at the present time, which request has been granted.
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT
The problem is a very hard one to solve in justice to all parties. That there is danger and inconvenience in the changing ends on the main outbound track opposite Water Street is unques- tioned and this Board feels that the matter should be given attention in the near future.
OUTSIDE POOR.
There has been very little change in the number of persons aided by this Department during the year. The policy of the Board has been to keep in close touch with the persons aided, and to encourage them to try to become self-supporting.
The law now forbids the publication of the names of any person receiving aid. For financial statement as to the amount expended for this work during the year see Auditor's Report.
BOSTON, LOWELL AND LAWRENCE RAILWAY COMPANY.
At the close of the year 1909 the Board reported that the hearings in this matter closed in November, 1909, and that the Railroad Commissioners had the matter under advisement.
During the early part of the year the Railroad Commissioners rendered their decision, which in effect was that public con- venience and necessity did not require the construction of a railway as proposed by the petitioners and refused to grant a certificate of exigency.
The law provides that the application may be renewed after one year from the date of the rendering of this decree.
LIABILITY INSURANCE.
This insurance covering public and employees' liability on certain work on the Highway, Sewer and Water Departments, expired May 20, 1910, and was renewed for three years, being placed in the Travellers' Insurance Company of Hartford, Conn. By extending the term the Town receives a benefit of ten per cent discount on the rate.
JURY LIST.
Under the law, the jury list must be revised by the Selectmen on or before the first day of July annually.
:
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
It has been the policy to make up the list in time to have it printed in the Annual Town Report, and the list as made up for 1911 appears in its proper place in. this report.
TOWN YARD.
The buildings on this property have been repaired and the Town receives a rental therefrom. A container for house offal has been built on the premises for the use of the Health Depart- ment in the handling of the house offal of the Town.
The side track from the Boston & Maine Railroad which serves the Metropolitan Pumping Station has been extended into this yard, and excavations are now being made for storage bins at the end of this side track.
A new roadway has been built from the yard through the property of the Commonwealth to Brattle Street, making a much easier approach to the yard.
The side track facilities and the roadway were built with the consent of the Metropolitan Water and Sewerage Board.
MUNICIPAL LOANS.
Following out the plan of the preceding Board, all bonds and notes issued by the Town have been authenticated by the First National Bank of Boston. This answers a two-fold purpose, first, ensuring the Town against possibilities of forgery, and further, that the notes or bonds are in strict accordance with the vote of the Town; secondly, a better market price. It is believed that the added premiums for notes or bonds sold in the market more than pays the fees charged for that service. During 1910 all notes or bonds were so authenticated, but by virtue of the provisions of Chap. 616 of the Acts of 1910 hereafter all notes will be authenticated by the State. This applies to all notes whether serial or in anticipation of taxes.
PERAMBULATION OF TOWN LINES.
Under the statute the Town lines shall be perambulated and run, and the marks renewed, once in every five years by two or more of the Selectmen of each town.
During the past year it was the duty of the Selectmen to peram- bulate and run the lines, and Messrs. Bitzer and Rawson were
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT
appointed for that service. The lines between all the adjoining towns and cities were run and the marks found to be in proper condition.
TELEPHONE RATES.
During the past year the Highway Commission after many hearings made a recommendation to the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company regarding telephone rates, which recom- mendation was accepted by the Telephone Company.
This was a matter of considerable interest to the citizens of all the territory served by this company, and a protest against the recommendation was instituted by the Wakefield Board, of Selectmen. While your Board did not receive any protest officially relative to these rates from the citizens, it felt that it should keep in close touch with the matter. The Chairman was instructed to attend meetings of this Committee, and while not formally protesting, to look after the interests of the Arlington citizens as well as might be. The result so far of this Committee has been to extend the time compelling the change to the new system until November 1, 1911, by which time it is expected that the rates will have had a good trial and it will be found whether or not the plan is feasible.
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
Nothing of unusual moment has transpired in this department. The new cell room has been completed and has added materially. to the efficiency of the department in the care of prisoners. An addition to the usual appropriation was made this year to allow the services of a new man. This was asked for the reason that the department officers are allowed a day off in every thirty. No appointment has been made but Officer George T. Woolley has served regularly all the year, but with the rank of a special officer.
For further details your attention is directed to the report of the Chief of Police.
THE HORNBLOWER GIFT.
During the year the Selectmen petitioned the Legislature for additional legislation, which would enable the Town to ad-
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
minister the affairs of this field in accordance with the terms of the deed of gift. A bill was enacted by the Legislature and authority given to the Town to place it under the care and juris- diction of the School Committee. At the March meeting the gift was formally accepted by a vote of the Town and at the request of the donor was called Spy Pond Athletic Field. Suitable resolutions were offered and unanimously adopted thanking Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hornblower for their noble gift, also resolu- tions were passed thanking Mr. Henry S. Adams for his part in the laying out of the field and his attention to the numerous details connected therewith.
Arlington has now, through the kindness of these citizens, an athletic field of ample size, very centrally located and of great benefit to the children of the Town ..
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
While no great actual changes have taken place in the depart- ment during the year steps have been taken which will make many changes during the coming year.
The committee appointed November 23, 1909, to investigate the advisability of enlarging the Hose House at Arlington Heights and for better fire protection, after a most careful and painstaking investigation reported at the November meeting of this year. They recommended the purchase of an auto combina- tion chemical and hose truck, and the sum of $5500 was appro- priated therefor. They further reported and recommended that the new auto truck be installed in Hose House No. 2 and that the ladder truck now in Hose House No. 3 be also placed there, and that the horse-drawn chemical now in Hose House No. 2 be transferred to Hose House No. 3. This would seem to be a good change, as the ladder truck is an exceedingly heavy piece of apparatus and can be more easily and advantageously handled from Hose House No. 2 than under the present arrangements, and the new auto truck can, from Hose House No. 2, make a very quick run to any part of the Town. The committee further recommended nothing to be done at the Hose House No. 1 at present. The Town has taken title to the land adjoining the present house and is prepared at some future time to build a
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT
new house of ample size if the needs of the department demand it. For further detail your attention is directed to the report of Chief Peirce.
MEDFORD STREET RELOCATION.
In the November meeting the Town voted to authorize and empower the Selectmen to petition the County Commissioners to relocate Medford Street, for the purpose of making alterations in the course and width thereof. In accordance with the vote the Selectmen have petitioned the County Commissioners and a hearing and view are set for January 9, 1911.
LAW REGARDING DRINKING CUPS.
Under Chapter 428 of the Acts of the year 1910 a law was passed forbidding the use of common drinking glasses or cups in public places. Consequently, paper individual drinking cups were provided in various public places and a bubble faucet has been installed at the main entrance to the auditorium of the Town Hall building.
CONTRACT FOR FURNISHING COAL TO TOWN DEPARTMENTS.
Invitations were extended to thirteen different concerns for furnishing the several Town Departments with coal for the coming year. Six bids were received. The bid of Peirce & Winn Company being the lowest of those received, they were awarded the contract.
The prices for the various kinds and grades of coal were as follows:
D. & H. Lackawanna egg, stove and furnace, per ton. . $5.85 William Penn or Reading Hard, per ton . 6.10
Hazelton, per ton. 6.48 Honey Brook, per ton 6.60
Stove for Outside Poor, half-ton lots, per ton. .6.80 Best quality George's Creek, Cumberland, Black Sher- idan Wilson or its equivalent, per ton . 4.36
The several departments furnished are: Schools, Highway,, Library, Fire, Water, Outside Poor.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
CONTRACT FOR PRINTING ANNUAL TOWN REPORT.
Six invitations were extended for proposals to print, bind and deliver the Annual Town Reports for the year 1910. Four bids were received. The Gardner & Taplin Company was the lowest bidder and was awarded the contract.
FIRE INSURANCE.
The fire insurance on Town property was renewed as fast as the policies expired during the year and additional insurance has been taken out upon the old Crosby School and upon the new addition.
It might be well at this time to call the attention of the Town to the provisions of Sections 102 to 105, inclusive, of the re- enactment of Chapter 118 of the Revised Laws (Chapter 576 Acts of 1907), which provides that cities and towns may, by the acceptance of the provisions of the act "Establish and maintain a municipal building insurance fund, from which any municipal building or other municipal property damaged or destroyed by fire, lightning, or otherwise, may be repaired, rebuilt or replaced by other building or property to be used in lieu thereof."
The Act further provides that the Town may raise an amount not exceeding one-twentieth of one per cent of the assessed valua- tion each year, until such time as the amount of the fund equals or exceeds one per cent of the valuation of the Town. This. fund will be taken care of by Commissioners or Trustees having charge of its trust or sinking fund.
The fire risks of the Town at the present time are not at all hazardous. All the principal buildings are of brick, and practically all the other buildings are occupied by tenants as dwellings.
Further, we have a very efficient fire department.
The Board would respectfully recommend that the matter be taken up by the Town for the appointment of a Committee to see what might be worked out.
DEATH OF MR. HORACE D. HARDY.
On March 18, 1910, the Town suffered a serious loss by reason of the death of its Town Counsel, Mr. Horace D. Hardy.
Mr. Hardy was appointed by the Joint Board as Town Counsel
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT
March 25, 1905, and had been reappointed by each succeeding Board since that time.
During his service he commanded the full confidence of all Boards and was of invaluable aid to them in the conduct of their business.
Educated in our public schools, a graduate of Dartmouth College and the Harvard Law School, he had made a commanding place for himself at the Bar.
He was a man of high character and marked ability, and his time was given freely in the interests of the Town.
This Board in testifying their regard to his memory only reflect the sentiment of the entire community.
Resolutions were adopted and spread upon the records.
TOWN COUNSEL.
Owing to the death of Horace D. Hardy, Esq., early in the year James A. Bailey, Jr., was appointed to serve as Town Counsel by the Joint Board, and served in that capacity until July, at which time he deemed it advisable to resign from the position. No appointment was made as Town Counsel, but the work has been under the care of the Chairman. There has not been any very large or very important litigation during the year.
The following claims were made against the Town: Albert M. Thompson, claim for injuries received on Pleasant Street, alleged to have been due to defective condition of the highway. This matter has been taken up by the Travellers Insurance Company, under the terms of its policy. Suit has been entered in the Superior Court by Mr. Thompson, in which the Town will be represented in addition to the counsel of the insurance company.
Hazel N. Davenport. This was a claim for injuries received due to alleged defect in the sidewalk and fence on Westminster Avenue. This case has been disposed of by settlement with the injured party for the sum of $375.
Celia M. Menchin. Claim for injuries due to an alleged defect in Marathon Street. This claim was settled by the payment of $50.
George N. White. Claim for injuries while employed on the gypsy moth work. Mr. White was employed by the Gypsy Moth Department, and there appears to be no legal liability on the Town. This was settled without payment of money.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Several small claims were entered, which were taken care of under the liability insurance policy.
The Town was represented before the Commissioners for the apportionment of the Metropolitan Park Tax, and the legal work of the various departments was attended to.
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