USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1911 > Part 5
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Article 12 taken up. (Selectmen to dispose of building on Town House site.) Voted: That the Selectmen be and, hereby are, authorized in the name and behalf of the Town to dispose of, at auction or otherwise, the building now standing on the Town House site.
Article 17 taken up. (Acceptance of Gray Street Extension.) Voted: That the Town accept and establish as a public way
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TOWN RECORDS
the extension of Gray Street, so-called, from the present end of Gray Street, as accepted by the Town in 1897, to Oakland Avenue, as shown on plans approved by the Board of Survey June 16, 1900 and March 5, 1904, as laid out by the Joint Board of Selectmen and Board of Public Works, March 25, 1911, under the provisions of law authorizing the assessment of betterments. Said extension is described as follows:
The northerly line is described as follows: Beginning at a point on the northerly side of Gray Street, as already accepted three hundred seventy-six and eighty-nine-hundredths feet (376.89) northwesterly from the west corner of Bartlett Avenue; thence, north forty-four (44) degrees, thirty (30) minutes west, two thou- sand two hundred thirty-three and three-hundredths (2233.03) feet to a stone bound on the west line of Mt. Vernon Street; thence, north forty-three (43) degrees, twenty-five (25) minutes west; one thousand four hundred twenty-three and seventy-two-hundredths (1423.72) feet to a stone bound on the west line of Robbins Road; thence, north forty-one (41) degrees, forty (40) minutes west, four hundred sixty-one and ten-hundredths (461.10) feet to a stone bound; thence, westerly on a curve to the left whose radius is six hundred fifty-nine and three-hundredths (659.03) feet, a distance of four hundred sixty-two (462) feet to a stone bound; thence, northerly on a curve to the right whose radius is thirty-eight (38) feet, a distance of sixty-three (63) feet, more or less, to the easterly line of Oakland Avenue.
The southerly line is described as follows: Beginning at a stone bound on the southerly line of Gray Street at the division line be- tween the property of Frank W. Wunderlich and the heirs of Henry J. Locke, the above mentioned stone bound also being at the northerly end of Gray Street, as accepted by the Town No- vember 8, 1897; thence, north fifty-two (52) degrees, fourteen (14) minutes west, thirty-three and one-tenth (33.1) feet; thence, north forty-four (44) degrees, thirty (30) minutes west, two thousand one hundred sixty-two and sixty-six-hundredths (2162.66) feet; thence, north forty-three (43) degrees, twenty-five (25) minutes west, one thousand four hundred twenty-four (1424) feet, more or less; thence, north forty-one (41) degrees, forty (40) minutes west, four hundred sixty-two (462) feet, more or less, to a stone bound; thence, on a curve to the left, whose radius is six hundred and nine and three-hundredths (609.03) feet a distance of four hundred twenty- six and ninety-five-hundredths (426.95) feet; thence, on a curve to the left whose radius is sixty seven (67) feet, more or less, a dis- tance of eighty (80) feet, more or less, to the easterly line of Oak- land Avenue.
The above described lines are shown on plans of Gray Street Extension and Atwood Avenue made by H. S. Adams, C. E., and approved by the Board of Survey, May 28, 1898, June 16, 1900
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
and March 5, 1904, said plans being on file in the office of the Town Clerk.
Article 19 taken up. (Straightening of lines of Spring Valley.) Voted: That the Town authorize and empower the Board of Selectmen, in the name and behalf of the Town, to release to John T. Trowbridge, all right, title and interest in and to a certain strip of land situated on the southerly side of Spring Valley, so-called, described as follows: Beginning at a point on the southerly side of Spring Valley one hundred ninety-two and thirty-five-hundredths (192.35) feet from the easterly side of Pleasant Street; thence easterly on a curve to the left, whose radius is two hundred feet, thirty-five and seventy-five-hundredths (35.75) feet; thence, east- erly on a curve to the right whose radius is one hundred and sixty (160) feet, forty-six and ninety-two-hundredths (46.92) feet; thence, easterly on a curve to the left whose radius is one hundred seventy-five and eight-hundredths (175.08) feet, forty-three and sixty-seven-hundredths (43.67) feet to a, point on the southerly side of Spring Valley; thence, westerly on the present line of Spring Valley one hundred twenty-six and . twenty-three-hundredths (126.23) feet to the point of beginning and containing four hundred fourteen and ninety-three-hundredths (414.93) square feet.
Said deed to be executed and delivered upon the completion of the construction of a suitable and proper alteration on the north- erly side of said Spring Valley at the expense of the said John T. Trowbridge and upon the receipt from said Trowbridge of a proper release deed to the Town of certain lands situated on the southerly side of the said Spring Valley.
Voted: That the Town authorize the Board of Selectmen to accept, in the name and behalf of the Town, a properly executed deed, of certain land situated on the northerly side of Spring Valley, so-called, and bounded and described as follows:
Beginning at a point on the northerly side of Spring Valley two hundred eight and eighty-six-hundredths (208.86) feet from the easterly side of Pleasant Street; thence, easterly on a curve to the left, whose radius is one hundred and eighty (180) feet, thirty-two and seventeen-hundredths (32.17) feet; thence, easterly on a curve to the right, whose radius is one hundred and eighty (180) feet, fifty-two and seventy-eight-hundredths (52.78) feet; thence, east- erly on a curve to the left, whose radius is one hundred and fifty- five and eight-hundredths (155.08) feet, thirty-eight and sixty- eight-hundredths (38.68) feet to a point on the northerly line of Spring Valley; thence, westerly by the present line of Spring Valley one hundred twenty-three and forty-eight-hundredths (123.48) feet to point of beginning and containing four hundred sixteen and eighty-three-hundredths (416.83) square feet.
The number of voters attending the meeting, as determined by
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TOWN RECORDS
the Constables in charge of the turnstiles, was two hundred twenty- two (222).
All articles in the Warrant calling the meeting having been acted on it was
Voted: That this meeting be now dissolved. Meeting dissolved at nine o'clock.
A true record. Attest:
THOMAS J. ROBINSON, Town Clerk.
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REPORT OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN.
The Board of Selectmen herewith submit the following report for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1911.
On March 8, 1911, the newly elected Board, consisting of Her- bert W. Rawson, Jacob Bitzer and Frank V. Noyes, met in the Selectmen's room in Town Hall, where the oath of office was ad- ministered to them by the Town Clerk. The Board organized as follows: Herbert W. Rawson, Chairman; Thomas J. Robinson, Secretary.
STANDING COMMITTEES.
Herbert W. Rawson, Police Department and State Aid.
Jacob Bitzer, Fire Department and Public Lands.
Frank V. Noyes, Outside Poor, Town House and Public Buildings.
The Board of Selectmen is composed of three members, elected at the regular annual town meeting (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 Monday evenings, at 7.30 o'clock, in the Selectmen's room, in Town Hall.
TOWN DEBT AND TAX RATE.
On December 31, 1910, the fixed debt was $774,650.00 Amount paid during the year 26,950.00
On December 31, 1911, the fixed debt is. $747,700.00
The above figures show a decrease in the fixed debt of the Town of $26,950.00, for the year, there being nothing added during that time.
SINKING FUND.
On December 31, 1910, the Sinking Fund was $176,195.58 During the year the following amounts have
been added to the Fund, as follows:
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT
For interest $7,124.54
By appropriation . 12,000.00
From Lexington Peat Company .
3,237.30
22,361.84
$198,557.42
During the year the following amounts have been
paid from this fund, as follows:
Rent of Safety Deposit Box
$10.00
Depreciation on sale of bond. 25.00
Amount paid Treasurer to pay water bonds
due January 1, 1912. 91,000.00
$91,035.00
On December 31, 1911, the Sinking Fund is. . . .$107,522.42
The total fixed debt remaining is $747,700.00, or $26,950.00 less than it was a year ago.
The tax rate for 1911 is $20.40 on $1,000.00, which is thirty cents more than it was in 1910.
The total increase in personal and real estate April 1, 1911, as compared with the year 1910, was as follows:
Personal Property. Real Estate.
1910. 1911.
1910. 1911.
$1,506,781.00 $1,672,875.00
$10,380,486.00
$11,437,608.00
Increase in 1911 of . $166,094.00
Increase in 1911 of. .
$1,057,122.00
Increase in both Real and Personal Property in 1911. 1,223,216.00
STATE, COUNTY AND METROPOLITAN TAXES.
1911.
1910.
Increase.
State Tax.
$16,610.00
$16,610.00
County Tax.
10,605.00
11,519.57
$914.57*
Metropolitan Sewer Tax .
10,948.00
10,319.02
628.98
Metropolitan Water.
18,249.50
16,241.07
2,008.43
Metropolitan Park Tax . .
9,226.69
5,537.80
3,688.89
Charles River Basin Tax.
2,879.39
2,879.39
Alewife Brook Tax.
1,803.33
1,803.33
. .. .
*Decrease.
$70,321.91
$60,227.46
$10,094.45
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
The total State, County and Metropolitan taxes for 1911 are $70,321.91, or $10,094.45 more than was the total for 1910. This amount is made up as follows:
Alewife Brook Assessment (not levied in 1910)
$1,803.33
Charles River Basin Tax (not levied in 1910)
2,879.39
Excess on Park Tax over 1910.
3,688.89
Excess on Water Tax over 1910
2,008.43
Excess on Sewer Tax over 1910.
628.98
$11,009.02
Less decrease in County Tax from 1910
914.57
$10,094.45
This is the first year that a tax has been levied on the Town for the Charles River and Alewife Brook Improvements, and the large increase in the State, County and Metropolitan Taxes is directly responsible for the increased rate of taxation. We can see no indication of a reduction in these taxes in the near future.
CORPORATION AND BANK TAX RECEIVED BY THE TOWN.
1911.
1910.
Increase.
Corporation Tax.
$5,787.32
$5,316.93
$470.39
Bank Tax.
7,216.99
5,063.94
2,153.05
Street Railway Tax
16,816.33
15,552.43
1,263.90
Boston Elevated Ry. Tax
2,949.17
2,860.14
89.03
Bay State Street Ry. Tax.
226.93
346.03
*119.10
Lex. & Bos. St. Ry. Tax .
68.04
66.40
1.64
$33,064.78
$29,205.87
$3,858.91
The total receipts as shown above for 1911 amount to $33,064.78, which is an increase of $3,858.91 over the receipts of 1910.
DEBT MATURING.
In the next five years the debt maturing as it stands December. 31, 1911, anounts to $259,353.00, divided as follows:
*Decrease.
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT
1912
$113,950.00
1913.
88,550.00
1914.
20,450.00
1915
19,450.00
1916
16,950.00
$259,353.00
Of this amount $91,000.00 water bonds mature January 1, 1912, and will be taken care of from the Sinking Fund. The balance due in 1912, amounting to $22,950.00 must be raised by taxation.
In 1913 the total debt maturing is $88,550.00, of which $64,600 is for High School bonds, which will be paid from the Sinking Fund, leaving the balance of $23,950.00 to be paid by general tax.
BONDS OF TREASURER, COLLECTOR AND TOWN CLERK.
The bond of the Town Treasurer of Arlington is given by the American Surety Company of New York, in the sum of $20,000.00, for the municipal year 1911-1912, and until his successor is elected and qualified. His services as Treasurer of the Sinking Fund of the Town are also covered by this bond, and which is binding un- til his successor in the office of Treasurer of said Sinking Fund is elected and qualified.
The bond of the Collector of Taxes of Arlington is given by the United States Fidelity and Guarantee Company, Baltimore, Md., in the sum of $10,000.00 for the municipal year 1911-1912, and until his successor in said office is elected 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 in the sum of $1,500.00 for the municipal year 1911-1912, and until his successor in said office is elected and qualified.
All of the above bonds have been examined and approved, as to form, by the Town Counsel.
The bonds are in the custody of the Board of Selectmen.
TOWN HALL.
The recommendations of the Board last year as to the advis- ability of expending about $300.00 in making changes, agreeable to the State authorities, in order to allow our citizens to conduct
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
entertainments where scenery could be used was early in the year considered by the Board. Unofficial information reached the Board that the Town was to receive, through the noble generosity of Mr. Winfield Robbins, a gift of a new Town Hall, which would be fitted for all kinds of entertainments as well as business offices. Nothing further was done as regards changes in the present Town Hall building. Only ordinary and necessary repairs have been made in the building during the year. Numerous complaints have been made to the Board by voters, at elections, of the unnecessary delay in voting, caused by having but one ballot box. The Board is informed by the Town Clerk that about three hundred ballots have been cast in one hour, about five a minute, and that voting with one box cannot be done more quickly. It is, therefore, the intention of the Board to provide another set of booths and another ballot box, so that all the voters may be accommodated.
METROPOLITAN PARK ASSESSMENTS.
As reported last year the fixed proportionate part of all the cities and towns in the Metropolitan District was established by a decree of the Commissioners, appointed by the Supreme Court. Under the terms of the decree Arlington will pay each year for the next four years (the first assessment was paid this year) its pro- portionate part, as follows:
For Parks.
For Boulevards. .00564
.01057
Nantasket Beach Reservation
Charles River Dam and Basin. .00515
.00517
Charles River Basin Sinking Fund and Interest require- ments.
.00462
PURIFICATION OF ALEWIFE BROOK AND ADJACENT AREA.
Under the provisions of the decree apportioning the cost of the work on Alewife Brook, between the cities of Cambridge and Somerville, and the towns of Belmont and Arlington, we were called upon this year to pay our assessment for this improvement amounting to $1,803.33. In the early part of the year the Park Commissioners asked for a further appropriation of $50,000.00 (in addition to the $125,000.00 already appropriated) for the comple- tion of this work. A conference was held by the representatives
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT
of this Town, Belmont, Somerville and Cambridge, and a unani- mous protest was filed against this large additional appropriation. A compromise was effected, by which the sum of $15,000.00 was appropriated for the extension of this work to "Little Spy Pond". and the completion of the work already commenced. Arlington's share of this $15,000.00 will be twenty-four per cent, or $3,600.00. It is expected that the whole improvement will be completed in the near future.
MILITARY AID, STATE AID AND SOLDIERS' RELIEF.
MILITARY AID. This aid is rendered a soldier or sailor who, through no fault of his, is in urgent need of assistance and the amount paid for State Aid is insufficient to properly care for him. It is only given in extreme cases and during the reception of Mili- tary Aid his State Aid is suspended. One-half the amount paid by the Town for Military Aid is reimbursed by the State the following year. There is but one case at the present time receiving Military Aid.
STATE AID. The number of persons receiving this aid is larger this year than ever before and it would appear that as your popu- lation increases and new comers find residences here from other places, this aid would increase from year to year. All applications for this Aid must be approved by the Commissioner of State Aid before being paid as the full amount approved by the Commissioner is returned to the Town by the Commonwealth the following year.
SOLDIERS' RELIEF. Two cases have been added to this list dur- ing the year and one has been discontinued, making one more on the list than in 1910. This relief is only given in very urgent cases. The Town bears the entire expense.
GRADE CROSSING AT MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE.
As reported last year, by a decree of the Railroad Commissioners, the time during which 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, was extended to June 1, 1912. Unless a further extension of time is granted work should begin toward abolishing this crossing during the coming year.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
STREET CAR TRAFFIC AT ARLINGTON CENTRE.
Practically the same conditions exist today that existed a year ago, as to the congestion of traffic at the Centre caused by the switching of cars of the Boston Elevated Railway Company at Water Street and the turnout opposite the First Parish Church. While the Board feels that conditions at this section should be changed the remedies offered are so many and varied that a solu- tion of the problem is a most difficult one. The subject is more fully reported on in the report of the Joint Board.
OUTSIDE POOR.
The number of persons receiving aid during the year is larger than in previous years, twenty-two more than in 1910, made up principally of young children, who will probably be a care to the Town for some years to come. This is unavoidable and a matter that cannot be foreseen or estimated upon. The Board examines thoroughly every individual application for aid and only renders aid when, in its opinion, it is deserving. It is impossible to foresee from year to year what changes may be brought about by the hand of death. During the year sixteen children have been left father- less, and in each case the mother, thus left without means of sup- port, has applied for aid. The Board keeps in close touch with all cases and encourages self-support where possible. During the year one case has been discontinued. For financial statement as to the amount expended for this work during the year see Auditor's Report, as the law now forbids the publication of the names of any persons receiving aid.
LIABILITY INSURANCE.
The liability insurance of the Town covering work done by the Highway, Sewer, Water and Health Departments is carried by the Travellers' Insurance Company of Hartford, Conn., and will not expire until May 20, 1913. There have been no serious accidents during the year.
FIRE INSURANCE.
The subject of Fire Insurance of Town property is one that has been before this and previous Boards for a number of years.
The feasibility of the Town carrying its own insurance has been seriously considered. The change would necessitate a larger ap-
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT
propriation each year, for the creation of a fund for this purpose, until a sufficient sum had been accumulated, than is now paid for renewals. The total insurance carried by the Town on December 31, 1910 was, in round figures $472,000.00, at the rate of $1.35 per hundred for five years. Previous efforts made for a reduction of this rate had failed. This year Mr. Noyes, of the Board, took the matter up and had a new list of values of Town property made, showing value and character of risks. With this list and the fact that the Town had a most efficient fire department he was able to secure a reduction on the rate for the Town property from $1.35 to $1.05 on a hundred. With this reduction in rate the Town is now carrying $600,000.00 insurance at practically the same expense as was formerly paid for $472,000.00. The credits received from un- expired policies, in addition to the appropriation made for insur- ance was more than sufficient to meet the premiums on the addi- tional insurance.
The increase in the amount of insurance carried was made neces- sary by the new addition to the Crosby School, the new Auto Truck and the undervaluation of property in the Robbins Library.
JURY LIST.
While, under the law, the list of jurors need not be made up until July of each year, the Board feels that the custom of previous Boards in publishing the list in the Town Report should be con- tinued. A copy of this list is filed with the Town Clerk, the Clerks of the various Courts, and the Sheriff of Middlesex County.
The list as made up for 1912 appears in its proper place in this report.
MUNICIPAL LOANS.
By virtue of the provisions of Chapter 616 of the Acts of 1910 all municipal notes issued for any purpose must be authenticated by the Director of the Bureau of Statistics of the State. Under this Act there is absolutely no possibility of forgery unless by col- lusion, of the Selectmen, Treasurer and Town Clerk, as all notes are signed by the Treasurer and countersigned by the Selectmen in the presence of the Town Clerk. As a further safeguard a cer- tificate from the Director's office is mailed to each of the Selectmen and to the Town Clerk, stating that a note has been presented to the Director for authentification, bearing their name and asking
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
if such a note was signed by them. All notes thus authenticated must be in strict conformity to the vote of the Town authorizing the issue of such note. The expense on each note is but $2.00.
TOWN YARD.
Nothing of a particular character has been done on this property during the year. The buildings situated thereon are rented and the Town derives a revenue therefrom.
The Health Department continues to use the container for house offal constructed two years ago.
TELEPHONE RATES.
Beginning with the fiscal year 1911 the old custom of making an appropriation each year for telephones was discontinued. It was found that the annual appropriation of $625.00 for this service did not represent one-half of the amount annually paid by the Town. Each department, or official, now pays for this service from the appropriation made for such department, or official. There has been a tendency to keep the use of the telephone within the pre- scribed number of calls allowed by the contract.
Following the recommendations of the State Highway Commis- sion, the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company sub- mitted new rates and contracts for all telephones used by the Town and paid for from municipal funds. Early in the year the new contracts were made and in most cases three hundred addi- tional calls were added to the number of calls allowed under the old contract, with no additional expense to the Town. We are informed that the new contracts are giving satisfaction.
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
During the year this department has gone along in a satisfactory manner. Nothing of an unusual character has occurred. During the year it became necessary, in order to maintain the discipline of the department, to drop one patrolman from the regular force. The vacancy thus created was filled by the appointment of Edwin C. Jacobs, on October 16, 1911.
At the town meeting held March 20, 1911, the Town voted to accept the provisions of Section 37, of Chapter 19, of the Revised Laws, relative to the laws of Civil Service applying to the Police
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT
Department. Acting under the provisions of said Law three ap- plicants having taken the examination were certified to this Board by the Civil Service Commissioners. Mr. Jacobs, receiving the highest percentage in the examination, received the appointment.
The force at the present time consists of a Chief, a Lieutenant, a Sergeant, and five Patrolmen, the rank of Sergeant being created this year and Patrolman Duffy appointed to the position.
For further details your attention is called to the Report of the Chief of Police.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
During the past year there have been a number of changes made in the department. The Highland Hose House has been remodeled so as to adapt it to the changes made necessary by the installation of the new Auto Chemical and Hose Truck Combination. The Committee appointed November 23, 1909, made their final report to the Town Meeting, held November 20, 1911.
The report states that the cost of the new Combination Auto Chemical and Hose Truck was $5426.25.
The cost of remodelling the Highland Hose House to accommo- date this piece of apparatus was $852.44.
Following the instructions given the Committee by the Town the following changes were made in the location of the various pieces of apparatus:
The horse-drawn chemical wagon was transferred from the Highland Hose House to the William Penn Hose House on Broad- way.
The Hook and Ladder Truck was transferred from the William Penn Hose House on Broadway to the Highland Hose House on Massachusetts Avenue.
A modern and fireproof system of the handling of gasoline was installed at the Highland Hose House for the use of the Combina- tion Auto Chemical and Hose Truck.
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