USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1912 > Part 25
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UNDERGROUND CONDUITS IN HENDERSON STREET.
As reported by this Board last year, a petition was presented by the Boston Elevated Railway Company for permission to lay an underground conduit in Henderson Street. The permit last year was refused, as the Board did not feel that the Town was receiving any benefit in the granting of the petition. This year the petition was renewed and after conferences with the officials of the road was granted, on condition that all Arlington passengers should be
401
REPORT OF JOINT BOARD
accorded a transfer privilege at North Cambridge for both inbound and outbound cars. This has proved to be a great convenience to a great number of our people.
TRACKS ON MYSTIC STREET.
During the year numerous complaints were received from residents on Mystic Street, due to the uneven condition of the tracks of the Bay State Street Railway Company. The matter was taken up with the Company, and owing to the dangerous conditions, ordered the Company to relay the entire track from Massachusetts Avenue to the Winchester Line. An agreement was entered into by which this work will be done in the early spring of 1913.
MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE WIDENING.
As reported last year a petition was presented to the County Commissioners asking for a relocation of Massachusetts Avenue from Water Street to Academy Street. The County Commission- ers issued a decree granting the petition and during the year this work has been done, widening the Avenue between these two streets about nine feet. This widening has proved to be a vast improvement, relieving the congestion of travel at one of the nar- rowest points of the Avenue.
During the year the Board petitioned the Massachusetts High- way Commission, under Chapter 525 of the Acts of 1910, for an allotment from said Commission for the maintenance of Massa- chusetts Avenue. This action the Board deemed only just, as Massachusetts Avenue is a main thoroughfare connecting Boston with all points north. The Highway Commissioners stated that the petition could not be granted owing to the lack of funds. It is the intention of the Board to again petition the Commissioners the coming year.
WATER FOR PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS.
In connection with the building of the new Town Hall, the atten- tion of the Board was called to the desirability of devising some means of supplying the building and grounds with water, other than through the Metropolitan Service. The appropriation of $5000, made by the Town last year from unexpended balances, has
402
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
enabled the Board to construct the mains and connect the water service of the old reservoir from Brattle Street to Mill Street, at which point a connection already existed, thus enabling the Town to use the water of the reservoir for the new building and the gardens connecting therewith. When the building and the gar- dens are completed the saving to the Town Hall will be manifest, as will the ability to keep the fountains and pools in constant supply of water with no interference with the Metropolitan Service and with less expense to the Town.
PERMANENT SIDEWALKS.
As in previous years, $3500 was appropriated for permanent sidewalks, $1500 of this sum to be used for extensions carried out under the sidewalk act, Section 13 of Chapter 49 of the Revised Laws.
The brick sidewalk in Massachusetts Avenue was continued from its terminus opposite Mt. Vernon Street to Forest Street. The Board recommends that a further appropriation be made of $1500 to complete this walk to Park Avenue.
All applications for sidewalks have been granted where the appropriation would allow.
In all cases where practicable the brick or granolithic sidewalks are installed.
In view of the many petitions which will probably be presented the coming year the Board feels that an appropriation of $5000 should be made for this work.
STREET LIGHTING.
During the year twenty-four 40 c. p., one 60 c. p., two 120 c. p. incandescent and four arc lights were installed.
The total number of lights in service December 31, 1912, is as follows:
Incandescent Lights, 40 c. p. 299
Incandescent Lights. 60 c. p. 17
1
Incandescent Lights, 60 c. p., all night
3
Incandescent Lights, 80 c. p.
1
Incandescent Lights, 120 c. p., all night
8
Incandescent Lights, 100 c. p.
Arc Lights, 425 watts 81
· Total lights in use 410
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REPORT OF JOINT BOARD
The total cost of maintaining the street lighting system the past year has been $10,217.91. The amount appropriated was $10,500.
With the increased number of lights added during 1912 and the number that will undoubtedly be petitioned for, the Board recom- mends an appropriation of $10,750 for the year 1913.
The question of burning more lights on Massachusetts Avenue all night has been considered by the Board, but owing to the in- crease in the appropriation that would be necessary to do this the Board has not authorized this action, but is of the opinion that this will be necessary in the near future.
DEVELOPMENT OF NEW TERRITORY.
Petitions continue to be presented to the Board for the approval of plans for the opening and development of new territory. Un. fortunately many of these petitions are presented by persons whose interests are purely personal and with absolutely no idea of being a benefit to the Town but on the contrary would be, if approved and later accepted, a very great expense and a detriment to further development in the immediate vicinity. As stated in previous reports the policy of the Board is to carefully examine each petition presented and to determine the bearing the granting of the petition will have on surrounding territory that the best interests of all the Town may be served.
In order that prospective purchasers of land in undeveloped parts of the Town may know what rights and privileges they are entitled to, notices calling attention to the provisions of the Board of Survey Act have been posted in all parts of the Town. During the year the Board has caused studies to be made of some sections of the Town and it is the intention of the Board to continue the making of these studies until all sections of the Town have been covered, thus enabling all persons to become familiar with the various layouts as approved by the Board.
PLANS APPROVED.
Plans of the following streets. were approved by the Board: Norfolk Road, from terminus accepted in 1912 to Pleasant Street; Farrington Street, Spring Avenue, Buena Vista Road, Oak Knoll, Fountain Road, Varnum Street, Egarton Street, Milton Street, Melrose Street, Chandler Street.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
SUMMER STREET AND GRAY STREET EXTENSIONS.
As reported last year the Board is of the opinion that the future development of the Town, on lines that will insure the best possible results, will best be served by the extension of these two streets.
In the case of Summer Street, an effort has been made to have the State lay this street out as a State Highway in conjunction with the petition filed with the Metropolitan Park Commission, to include as a parkway that part of Meadow Brook Park and terri- tory toward the Medford line that would connect at the Mystic Street end of Summer Street.
These efforts have failed and it would seem that if anything is to be done to extend Summer Street the expense will have to be borne by the Town.
The extension of these two streets is again urged upon the Town, as, in the opinion of the Board, the cost of building these streets will be more than returned to the Town in the increased value of the land and certainty of a proper development in some of the best areas in the Town.
MYSTIC STREET RELOCATION.
On the petition of the Board the County Commissioners issued a decree ordering the relocation of that part of Mystic Street near the Winchester Line and awarding damages for the same. The only damage awarded for which Arlington was called upon to pay was $100 to Ella J. Langley.
The work of relocating the street was done by the County and the cost of the same amounted to about $1500 (including storm drains) was paid by the Town.
HUTCHINSON ROAD.
The County Commissioners have issued a decree establishing new lines for Hutchinson Road, from Old Mystic Street to the Winchester line. While no work has been done on this road, the new lines established insure that property along this road will be developed in conformity to the lines established.
POLES AND WIRES.
Fifty-nine petitions for pole locations have been granted during the year, twenty-five to the Edison Electric Illuminating Company
405
REPORT OF JOINT BOARD
and thirty-four to the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company, on all of which hearings were given in accordance with law. One hundred and three (103) poles were replaced on the Highways accepted. The expense of these removals is borne by the companies operating them.
Hearings are no longer required on petitions for attachment of fixtures of one company on poles of another company, but the Board requires definite information as to location, number, etc., of the pole on which the attachment is to be made.
ATLANTIC TELEGRAPH COMPANY FRANCHISE.
The attention of the Board has been called to the condition of the poles of this Company by the Superintendent of Wires. During the year the conditions became decidedly dangerous and the Superintendent of Wires and Town Counsel were authorized to make every effort to get in touch with some person representing the Company, but were unsuccessful.
The Board then authorized the Superintendent of Wires, under authority of the Revised Laws, to order removed such poles and fixtures as were, in his judgment, dangerous to the public. This work has been done, and the poles removed.
JACOB BITZER, HENRY W. HAYES, HERBERT W. RAWSON, HENRY S. ADAMS, FRANK V. NOYES, PHILIP EBERHARDT,
Joint Board of Selectmen and Board of Public Works.
REPORT OF TOWN COUNSEL.
ARLINGTON, February 10, 1913.
To the Honorable, the Joint Board of Selectmen and
Board of Public Works.
Gentlemen: I herewith submit my report for the year 1912.
At the close of the year 1911 there was only one case pend- ing against the Town, namely, the petition of Robert F. Herrick, Trustee, for an abatement of taxes. This case was disposed of early in the year in favor of the Town, and the petition was dis- missed by agreement without the abatement being made.
There is no case pending in court against the Town at the present time.
A claim for injuries due to a defective sidewalk was settled with Mrs. T. W. White for the sum of $124.
The settlement of the damages to the property and furniture of Axel Smith et al, due to the smallpox cases, was made for the sum of $1500 for damages to the house and $700 for damages to the furniture.
A bill in equity to restrain the Standard Jewelry Co. from allow- ing water from Hobbs' Pond to overflow the dam and wash the roadway in the Town Yard was entered and an injunction asked for. The Company remedied the matter and no further action was taken in this case.
Several small collections were made for several departments of the Town.
During the year the final decrees of the County Commissioners regarding Massachusetts Avenue, Hutchinson Road and Mystic Street were entered. The Medford Street relocation is still pending before the Commissioners.
In addition to the regular routine of attendance at meetings and of rendering opinions asked for the Town was represented before Committees of the Legislature and the Railroad Commissioners on a number of matters affecting its interests.
Respectfully submitted,
PHILIP A. HENDRICK, Town Counsel.
406
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF WIRES.
ARLINGTON, MASS., January 31, 1913.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Board of Public Works.
Gentlemen: I respectfully submit my thirteenth annual report as Superintendent of Wires for the year ending December 31, 1912.
POLES AND WIRES. UNDERGROUND CONDUITS.
All poles on the highways were inspected by the various com- panies owning same during the past summer. One hundred and three (103) poles were replaced on accepted streets. Forty-seven (47) replaced poles were owned by the Edison Electric Illuminat- ing Company and fifty-six (56) by the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company. Three (3) poles on land of the Boston and Maine Railroad, near the Arlington Station, were condemned by this department as unsafe and were replaced. One of these poles had been used for many years in conjunction with the ball signal for trains at the Centre railroad crossing. This ball signal was abandoned by the railroad with the replacement of this particular pole. Fifty-nine (59) new poles were set on the high- ways in accordance with petitions filed by companies and granted by the Joint Board of Selectmen and Board of Public Works as follows.
EDISON ELECTRIC ILLUMINATING COMPANY.
Appleton Street
Nine (9) poles
Cleveland Street
One (1) pole
Crescent Hill Avenue One (1) pole
Lowell Street
Six (6) poles
Park Avenue
Four (4) poles
Wachusett Avenue
Two (2) poles
Webster Street
Two (2) poles
407
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
JOINT LOCATIONS. - EDISON COMPANY AND NEW ENGLAND TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH COMPANY.
Cleveland Street Five (5) poles
Eastern Avenue
Nine (9) poles
Marathon Street
Six (6) poles
Magnolia Street
Eight (8) poles
Old Mystic Street
Four (4) poles
Webster Street
Two (2) poles
The Boston Elevated Railway Company were granted on May 22, 1912, permission to construct underground conduits on Hender- son Street, from Massachusetts Avenue to the shore of Alewife Brook, in accordance with plan filed October 16, 1911, as pre- pared by the Stone & Webster Engineering Corporation. These conduits were built as a part of the underground wire system recently installed for the transmission of electricity to the various transformer stations built by the above company in the suburbs of Boston during the past two years.
The New England Telephone and Telegraph Company have constructed underground tap conduits from Massachusetts Avenue to intersecting streets at various places during the past year, these conduits being built for the purpose of making con- nection of wires to pole lines on new streets. Plans are on file showing location of all new conduits built.
Owing to the rebuilding of Massachusetts Avenue in the vicinity of Academy and Water Streets during the past summer, it was considered advisable by Superintendent of Public Works Robert W. Pond and myself to have built all conduits for wires that will be required for some years to come in this vicinity. Representa- tives of the Edison Electric Illuminating Company and New England Telephone and Telegraph Company were consulted on this question, and conduits and underground transformer vaults were built by the Edison Company on Academy Street and Massa- chusetts Avenue near Central Street, for the purpose of supplying service for light and power to the new Town Hall. The Edison Company also built an underground conduit to the Robbins Public Library, to the end that no overhead wires shall be attached to poles near this building, if it is desired that poles be removed at some future time. The New England Telephone and Telegraph
409
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF WIRES
Company constructed a system of underground conduits from their system on Massachusetts Avenue into basement of the new Town Hall building, these conduits to be used for telephone wires, also for fire alarm and other municipal signal wires that may be required in this building.
On August 31, 1912, the Wire Department removed fifteen thousand six hundred (15,600) feet of iron wire and thirty-four (34) pole fixtures from poles on Chestnut, Mystic, Medford and Winslow Streets, these wires being unused and in an unsafe con- dition. These wires were, at one time owned by the Atlantic Telegraph Company and were installed in 1887, being the first wires placed on streets in the Town of Arlington. Acting under the vote of the Joint Board of Selectmen and Board of Public Works dated May 7, 1912, referring to Town Counselor Philip A. Hendrick and myself the question of determining the rights of parties holding this franchise, and we being unable to find any owners or person who would assume any responsibility of liability for said wires, the Superintendent of Wires, acting under authority of Chapter 337 of the Act of 1899, removed said wires and pole fixtures for the public safety.
STREET LIGHTING.
Twenty-four (24) forty-candle power, one (1) sixty-candle. power, two (2) one hundred and twenty candle power incandescent and four (4) arc lights were installed during the past year. Three (3) forty-candle power and one (1) sixty-candle power incandescent lights, also five (5) arc lights were removed, making a net total of twenty-two (22) new lights added to the street lighting system for the year 1912.
SUMMARY OF STREET LIGHTS, DECEMBER 31, 1912.
Incandescent lights, 40 candle power *299
Incandescent lights, 60 candle power 17
Incandescent lights, 60 candle power (burning all night)
1
Incandescent lights, 80 candle power 3
Incandescent lights, 100 candle power 1
Incandescent lights, 120 candle power (burning all night) 8
Arc lights, 425 watts 81
Total lights in use 410
*Three (3) forty-candle power incandescent lights on private ways paid for by abutters.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
LOCATION OF NEW STREET LIGHTS. Location Pole No. Arc Inc.
Street
Appleton Street
West Wachusett Avenue 23/36-40
Belknap Street
Corner Marion Road 901/1
2-40 c. p. 1-40 c. p.
Broadway
Corner Tufts Street
812/27
1
Broadway
Corner Harlow Street 812/23
1
Cleveland Street
700' and 900' north Massa- chusetts Avenue 53/6-8 2-40 c. p.
Cleveland Street
225' south Broadway
53/11
1-40 c. p.
Magnolia Street
200' and 500' south Massa- chusetts Avenue
Tel. 48/2-5
2-40 c. p.
Massachusetts Ave. Opposite Swan Place
847/62
1-120 c. p.
Massachusetts Ave. Corner Marion Road
Tel. 1/32
1-40 c. p.
Massachusetts Ave. 100' west Harlow Street
847/35
1
Massachusetts Ave. Corner Central Street
847/75
1-40 c. p.
Massachusetts Ave. North side 100' west from Central Street 847/73
1-40 c. p.
Massachusetts Ave. Corner Academy Street
Tel. 1/71
1-120 c. p.
Massachusetts Ave. Opposite Court Street
Tel. 1/67
1-60 c. p.
Massachusetts Ave. North side 200' east Lex- ington line
L. and B: St.
Ry./170
1-40 c. p.
Marathon Street
800' south Broadway
J. 63/9
1-40 c. p.
Mystic Street
200' north Chestnut Street 854/9
1-40 c. p.
Mystic Street
400' west Rangeley Road
854/20
1-40 c. p.
Norfolk Road
200' west Pleasant Street 40/2
1-40 c. p.
Old Mystic Street
Corner Hutchinson Road Tel. 58/8
1-40 c. p.
Pleasant Street
Corner Lake Street
Tel. 4/42
1-40 c. p.
Pleasant Street
400' north Lake Street
Tel. 4/39
1-40 c. p.
Pleasant Street
Opposite Norfolk Road
Tel. 4/25
1-40 c. p.
River Street
Corner Warren Street
Tel. 14/1
1-40 c. p.
Summer Street
Corner Grove Street Tel. 29/31
1
Summer Street
400' & 600' West Mill Street Tel. 29/19-22
2-40 c. p.
Warren Street
Corner Tufts Street Tel. 9/202
1-40 c.p.
INSPECTION OF WIRES IN BUILDINGS.
The large increase in building throughout all parts of the town during the past year has greatly added to the work of interior wiring inspection. As many new buildings have been built, the time that had to be given to each individual building, especially when construction was found defective, has made this part of the duties of the Wire Superintendent very arduous in conjunction with the other duties he has to perform.
The following schedule of inspections, etc., made for the year 1912, with the years 1910 and 1911, are respectfully submitted.
TABULATION OF INTERIOR WIRING, INSPECTIONS, ETC.
1912
1911
1910
Contractors' applications received
590
434
340
Number of inspections made
616
536
391
411
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF WIRES
1912
1911
1910
Incandescent lights wired for
7027
4664
3397
Motors wired for ¿ to 50 horse power
16
18
6
Total horse power wired
188.5
41.5
162
Stereopticon arc lights wired
3
2
1
Stereopticon arc lights installed (3390 watts)
1
2
1
Mercury arc rectifier (wired)
1
Electric range installed (6200 watts)
1
Service permits for light and power is- sued to Edison Electric Illuminat- ing Company
494
414
395
Incandescent lights supplied with ser- vice, new and old installations
8622
6318
4813
Horse power motors installed
131.6
50.75
63
Service permit to Cambridge Electric Light Company
1
Incandescent Lights supplied with ser- vice by Cambridge Electric Light Company
37
Horse power of motors supplied with service by Cambridge Electric Light Company 57.5
One hundred and seventy (170) uninspected applications for minor or unfinished construction were on file with the Wire Department December 31, 1912, as no time could be given to complete this class of inspection with the many other duties required on larger installations. All new buildings are inspected before being lathed, and the Building Inspector does not issue a permit for lathing until the Wire Inspector has approved of all wiring and affixed an inspection card to each particular installa- tion, showing approval.
FIRE ALARM TELEGRAPH.
More signals were transmitted over this system during the year 1912 than ever before. All signal boxes have worked perfectly and very little trouble was experienced with other parts of ma- chinery of this system other than minor adjustments to bell strikers, which need constant attention to keep in perfect opera-
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
tion, owing to the vibration of these heavy machines which are operated by weights weighing between 400 and 1100 pounds. All line wires and pole fixtures were inspected and strengthened where needed, also all the underground wire system was thoroughly inspected for defects. On July 2 a piece of underground wire trouble was experienced which was very difficult to locate for several days, owing to the peculiar nature of the trouble, it being caused by electrolytic corrosion. The defects were finally located and all underground wires have been giving perfect service since this defect was remedied. Many changes have had to be made of overhead wires and pole fixtures, also underground pole connec- tions, during the year, owing to the replacement of poles on various streets. All storage battery jars were cleaned of sediment to ensure good service, this work taking about six days for comple- tion. On May 17 fire alarm box No. 61, formerly located at corner of Hillside and Florence Avenues, was installed at (at the top of Heights) corner Park and Prospect Avenues. Thirty- two hundred (3200) feet of No. 10 insulated iron wire was used to connect same.
Box No. 61 was replaced at old location by a new box No. 62. This new box was tested on June 1 at 6.45 P.M. for the first time. With the placing of box No. 61 at the top of Heights this section of the town is, in the opinion of your Superintendent, well pro- tected by the fire alarm service, and it should not be necessary to install any additional fire alarm boxes for several years. Box No. 512, located at the Elevated Railway Car Barns, was renum- bered 712. With this change in number all signal boxes in the seventies are on Massachusetts Avenue west of Park Avenue; all fifties are in the Crescent Hill district north of Massachusetts Avenue, and all sixties are in the Heights district south of Massa- chusetts Avenue.
Owing to there being no appropriation for installing a fire alarm box on Mystic Street in the vicinity of Old Mystic Street, it was thought advisable to furnish some fire alarm protection for this rapidly growing section of the town, and a Transmitting Wheel No. 29 was placed in the Central Fire Station, for sounding alarms that may be received by telephone, until such a time as a street box can be installed.
All fire alarm boxes were painted during the year; also boxes
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REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF WIRES
No. 26 and No. 35 were placed on new poles. A gong was installed on second floor of the Central Fire Station for sounding alarm's on the Somerville system. A new gong was placed in the Metro- politan Pumping Station, replacing old gong which was defective at times. A framed map of the town showing locations of all fire alarm boxes was placed in Engine No. 6 Station at Clarendon Hill, Somerville, for the convenience of the Somerville firemen to locate boxes in Arlington.
On July 11 the weight cord of time clock in fire alarm office broke, and the falling of this heavy weight badly disarranged the delicate machinery of this timepiece. Perfect adjustments cannot be made readily on a piece of mechanism of this kind, as time in operation is needed to develop defects that cannot be discovered until the machinery is operated for several months.
On July 3 all keys were removed from the fire alarm boxes and placed temporarily in nearby houses. This prevented the sounding of any false alarms on July 3 and 4. The trouble experienced in the early morning of June 17 warranted taking the keys out of boxes, and this practice should be continued until such a time as the police protection shall be ample to cover the town to prevent unnecessary sounding of alarms at times like these dates.
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