USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1913 > Part 14
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Arlington, Mass., January 1, 1914.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.
Gentlemen: I have the honor to submit to your honorable board my ninth annual report of the doings of the police department for the year ending December 31, 1913.
The roster of the police department is as follows:
Chief, Thomas O. D. Urquhart, born Maine, age 46, ap- pointed January 1, 1905.
Inspector with rank of lieutenant, Daniel M. Hooley, born Ireland, age 52, appointed patrolman, May 1, 1887, inspector, May 16, 1908.
Sergeant, John Duffy, born Arlington, age 54, appointed patrolman July 27, 1891, sergeant March 18, 1911.
PATROLMEN.
Garritt Barry, born Ireland, age 64, appointed November 9, 1876, and pensioned April 7, 1913; Andrew Irwin, born New York, age 58, appointed April 1, 1889; Thomas F. Priest, born New York, age 47, appointed May 29, 1904; F. Joseph Cahalin, born Arlington, age 47, appointed August 26, 1905; George T. Woolley, born Rhode Island, age 36, appointed January 7, 1911; Edwin C. Jacobs, born South Boston, age 40, appointed October 16, 1911; Albert F. Duffy, born Ar- lington, age 26, appointed June 16, 1913; Felix Lopez, born Azores, age 29, appointed June 16, 1913; T. Arthur Nolan, born Somerville, age 32, appointed June 16, 1913; Theodore Belyea, born Somerville, age 30, appointed June 16, 1913.
During the year there have been 474 arrests. Of this number 15 were females and 250 were non-residents.
Property to the value of $1,411.20 was reported stolen,
202
203
CHIEF OF POLICE
and we have recovered property to the value of $1,310.07, or about 92 per cent.
There were 16 arrests for breaking and entering and 78 for larceny.
In the prosecution of cases, the chief has attended court 64 days and the officers 256 days, and fines to the amount of $827 were imposed.
Of the number of cases brought to trial, 26 were found not guilty and discharged.
For tabulated list of offenses for which arrests have been made the public is referred to the record on file in the Select- men's office and the records of the Police Department.
In looking over the number of arrests made, it will readily be seen that the officers of this department have been impartial, vigilant and active in enforcing the laws of the Commonwealth, as well as the by-laws of the Town.
The enforcement of criminal laws is no sinecure, for once a person is arrested, no matter for what offense, many kind- hearted people with good intentions intercede, so much so that they actually find themselves opposing the officers of the law in their efforts to control crime.
The officer who holds out against the wishes of the friends and supporters of those who have been arrested, or whom it has become his duty to caution and perhaps censure, must take, oftentimes, harsh and vindictive comment that is un- warranted; but I trust that the courage, firmness and good judgment of the officers of this department will ever prevail against these conditions.
Again, the officers have to contend with the very persons they are striving to aid and protect. Their duties are arduous and nearly always unpleasant and disagreeable. Nobody likes to be arrested, and hence everybody that is haled before the courts becomes indignant with the police, and he and his friends unite in denouncing the policeman as a cruel and unjust tyrant, not fit to uphold the majesty of the law.
Laws are made to be enforced and it is our duty as officers to enforce them, and if they are bad laws they will soon be repealed.
If laws are to be disregarded by the policeman, then he
204
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
becomes a moral coward and consents to things that his conscience tells him are wrong. Many times one would think the officer on trial and not the criminal, and in most cases the chief complaint against the officer is that he has done his duty - done it too well to suit the guilty party, his friends and supporters.
Standing between society on the one hand and the criminal on the other is no child's play, but the thoughtful minded will appreciate the worthy motive which actuates the officers.
Cases were disposed of as follows:
Appealed,
5
Bound over to keep the peace,
1
Cases dismissed on payment of costs,
12
Cases placed on file,
66
Committed to hospital,
1
Complaints withdrawn and cases dismissed,
27
Continued,
17
Defaulted,
8
Delivered to other police departments,
35
Discharged,
26
Fined,
96
Held for the Grand Jury,
6
Held for the Superior Court,
2
Placed on Probation,
79
Released from the police station,
79
Sentenced to the House of Correction,
9
Sentenced to the State Farm,
3
Sentenced to the Reformatory,
1
Sentenced to the Lyman School, 1
A DISTRICT OR MUNICIPAL COURT FOR ARLINGTON.
For years Arlington has, by force of circumstances, been obliged to take all of its criminal business before the third District Court at Brattle Square, Cambridge.
Arlington, Belmont and Cambridge comprise this district; so far as Arlington is concerned this arrangement is unhandy and somewhat costly; especially is this true since the court has been removed to East Cambridge.
In justice to those who are unfortunate and are compelled
205
CHIEF OF POLICE
to attend court from Arlington, it has never looked right or just to me that they should be compelled to be taken to another community to have justice meted out to them, and that they should be compelled, innocent or guilty, to be the focus for hundreds of eyes of people in a six-mile ride in public conveyances.
Perhaps the argument is not a good one, but I believe that we, as a community having the power to enforce law, should at least have the power within our own town to adjust minor offenses; in other words we should at least have a trial justice and be allowed to attend to our own police court matters at home and not flaunt them in the faces of our neighboring cities as we are ·compelled to do now.
ENFORCEMENT OF THE LIQUOR AND GAMING LAWS.
During the year, there have been two liquor raids and 104 bottles of liquor seized; complaint was made against the offend- ing parties and summonses were served upon them. They at once left for Italy and were defaulted by the court.
From reports made to me from time to time by my officers, I am led to believe that so far as the illegal sale of liquor is concerned Arlington is a pretty clean Town.
In regard to gaming, what little has been carried on has been of a petty nature and indulged in by a cheap element under cover of such places as pool rooms and shops, which places the proprietors allowed to be used for such purposes. These places and persons are known to the police and are under surveillance.
Nine complaints have been made and prosecuted in the court and found guilty of admitting minors to pool rooms during the year, and eight complaints for gaming and one for being present were prosecuted and a finding of guilty in each case was rendered.
Two pool room licenses were revoked. Pool rooms are no fit place for the younger element to loaf and while away their time, and parents who have any regard for the welfare of their boys should see to it that no permission is granted to them to visit such places.
206
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY CASES.
During the year, sixty-two accident and emergency cases have been reported to and investigated by this department. Five of these cases were fatal.
About all of these cases called for the services of the police, a physician and the ambulance. Many were treated to first aid at the police station.
I wish to especially thank Dr. Harold R. Webb and Town Physician Dr. Charles A. Keegan for the prompt and efficient services rendered this department in responding to calls at all times of day and night.
I believe that a combination automobile ambulance and patrol wagon should be purchased and added to the equipment of this department, and I would recommend its serious con- sideration should the finances of the town permit.
THE MOTOR CYCLE.
"The Indian motor cycle purchased for the use of this depart- ment last April has on many occasions proved its value and has done the work intended, viz .: to enable officers to reach outlying districts quickly and to assist in the regulation of the automobile traffic. Officer Belyea was detailed for this purpose and the machine has been ridden 2500 miles, and by its use 35 complaints have been made to the court, 13 for violation of the automobile laws and 22 for larceny of fruit; all were found guilty, five were placed on probation, five were placed on file and 25 were fined to the amount of $107.
The cost of maintenance was, for gasolene and oil $18.91, and for repairs $15.84, a total of $34.75.
MISCELLANEOUS DUTIES.
Accidents reported,
62
Ambulance calls,
23
Buildings vacant and specially protected,
61
Cases investigated,
602
Dead bodies cared for,
6
Defective hydrants reported,
1
Electric lights reported out,
338
Defective wires reported,
62
Defective water pipes reported,
18
207
CHIEF OF POLICE
Defective gas pipes,
4
Details for public assemblages,
11
Dogs killed,
14
Disturbances suppressed without arrest,
6
Fires extinguished without alarm,
4
Fire alarms given,
5
Glass in fire alarm boxes reported broken,
185
Injured persons assisted,
9
Injured persons assisted to hospital,
11
Lanterns placed in dangerous places,
64
Lost children cared for,
12
Messages delivered,
84
Notices served for the Board of Health,
7
Officers' attendance at fires,
99
Obstructions in streets reported,
22
Runaway teams secured,
1
Sick persons assisted home,
5
Sick persons assisted to hospitals,
3
Stores found open at night and secured,
265
Stray teams cared for, 10
THE POLICE SIGNAL SYSTEM.
The Gamewell police signal system continues to give the same reliable satisfaction. During the year two new boxes were added, one near the standpipe on Park Avenue, and the other at the junction of Wollaston Avenue and Tanager Street. This makes the system on the Heights route complete.
I would ask that $300 be appropriated this year for two more boxes, one to be placed on Brattle Street near Summer Street and the other to be placed on Beacon Street near the Boulevard.
Boxes are now located as follows:
Twelve at the junction of Henderson and Massachusetts Avenue, 14 at the junction of North Union and Broadway, 15 at the junction of Tufts and Massachusetts Avenue, 141 at the junc- tion of Massachusetts Avenue and Broadway, 21 at the junction of Medford and Lewis Avenue, 23 at the junction of Mystic and Old Mystic Streets, 31 at the junction of Mas- sachusetts Avenue and Mill Street, 32 near the junction of Gray and Bartlett Avenue, 34 on Pleasant Street near Ken-
208
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
sington Park Road, 41 at the junction of Massachusetts Avenue and Grove Street, 42 at the junction of Park Avenue and Park Circle, 44 at the junction of Massachusetts Avenue and Forest Street, 45 at the junction of Wollaston Avenue and Tanager Street, 412 on Massachusetts Avenue near the car barns, 431 at the junction of Westminster and Westmoreland Avenue.
During the year 32,816 duty calls have been rung in and 2344 telephone calls have been received at the station from officers on their routes.
In conclusion I would ask that $14,000 be appropriated for the use of the police department for the purposes enumerated:
For salaries of officers $13,144.25 192.00
For telephone service (same as last year)
For ambulance hire and maintenance (same as last year) 200.00
For two new police boxes (same as last year) 300.00
For miscellaneous expenses 163.75
Total,
$14,000.00
If the pensions are to be paid from the police appropria- tion it will be necessary to appropriate $14,548.
In closing, I wish to thank your honorable board for courtesies shown me during the year. My thanks are also due to those who have in any way assisted me in the performance of my duties.
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS O. D. URQUHART, Chief of Police.
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS.
To the Selectmen of the Town of Arlington:
Gentlemen: I herein submit to you my annual report as Inspector of Animals for the year ending December 31, 1913.
During the year there have been three cases of glanders in horses, one case of tuberculosis in a cow, three cases of rabies in dogs and one of a hen.
In making the annual spring inspection I have inspected forty-eight stables, one hundred and two cows, and two hundred and twenty-seven hogs. In all cases the certificate of inspection was given to the owner.
Respectfully submitted,
LAURENCE L. PEIRCE, M. D. V., Inspector of Animals.
209
TOWN ENGINEER'S REPORT.
ARLINGTON, MASS., January 1, 1914. To the Joint Board of Selectmen and Board of Public Works:
Gentlemen: Herewith is respectfully submitted the annual report of the Engineering Department for the year ending De- cember 31, 1913, with a general description of the important work, also such suggestions as have been deemed proper.
The work of the Engineering Department consists in furnishing all the Town departments and committees with such informa- tion, plans, designs, estimates and data of an engineering nature as they may require on work being done or contemplated, also keeping careful notes, measurements and locations of new work, additions, changes and extensions as they occur and properly recording the same for future reference by maps, plans or profiles. In addition there has been a large amount of general work per- formed for boards and individuals.
The engineering cost is charged each week to the department or board for which the work was done and is classified for the year as follows:
Highway Division: Comprising plans, estimates, titles, profiles, lines and grades, and all other engineering work relating to the department, $1,249.56
Sewer Division: Comprising surveys, estimates, pro- files, lines, grades, titles, plans, assessments and all engineering work relating to sewers, 635.97
Water Division: Comprising lines, grades, locations, and plans of mains, gates, hydrants and services, and other matters relating to the water department, Sidewalks: Comprising profiles, lines, grades, measure- ments, costs, and assessments, 95.31
486.95
Board of Survey: Comprising surveys, plans and pro- files of streets laid out by the Board, and verifying plans submitted by private parties, 134.71
210
211
TOWN ENGINEER'S REPORT
Topographical Survey: Comprising surveys and plans for Park and Water Takings on Turkey Hill and setting stone bounds,
$181.97
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS.
Details of the work of this department are given in the board's report and only the engineering features of the work will be described here.
Highway Division: Gray Street from Mt. Vernon Street to Oakland Avenue was the only new street constructed during the year. Between Walnut Street and Pine Ridge Road an average cut of about four feet was made, mostly in ledge. This neces- sitated the lowering of the high service water main. A sewer pipe and a storm water pipe were laid in the same trench with the water pipe.
A six-inch water pipe was laid from Robbins Road to Fountain Road and à fifteen-inch storm drain from Robbins Road to Buena Vista Road.
The junction of Gray Street and Robbins Road was paved with granite blocks and grouted with Portland cement. This was done because the excessive grade of Robbins Road at this point would cause storm water to erode the usual macadam construction.
At its connection with Oakland Avenue the entire surface of the street was covered with Tarvia.
The approach to the Henderson Street bridge has been filled to sub-grade and allowed to settle during the winter months so that it can be completed during the coming year.
Taking and record plans were made of Gray Street Extension and copies filed at the Registry of Deeds.
Storm drains were built in Highland Avenue, Wollaston Avenue, Claremont Avenue, Gray Street, Lakeview, Orvis Road, Mas- sachusetts Avenue opposite Medford Street, and Massachusetts Avenue from Orvis Road to Marion Road; a total length of 2969 feet.
During the year a total length of 9797 feet of new water mains were laid in extending the Metropolitan supply.
To extend the reservoir supply, mains were laid in Mas- sachusetts Avenue from Water Street to Medford Street, Medford Street, and Pleasant Street, a total length of 1235 lineal feet.
212
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
The length of main sewers built in 1913 was 4659 feet, and 106 house connections were made.
Sewer assessment plans and record profiles for the 1913 work have all been completed, and all house connections located and plotted on the plans.
Record plans were made showing the location of all water mains, hydrants, etc., laid the past year and shown on Water System Map.
BOARD OF SURVEY.
A survey and map showing the ownership and elevations of the ground has been made of the area included between Bartlett Avenue, Highland Avenue, Massachusetts Avenue and Spring Lane. This area embraces the farms owned by the Henry J. Locke heirs and Richard Kelley, a total of about sixty-five acres.
Studies of this land are being made to locate the streets on easy grades and also secure an economical and systematical development of the whole district.
Plans of Alpine Street, Blossom Street, Branch Avenue, Morris Street, Newland Road, Summit Street and Sunset Road were ap- proved on condition that the owner set stone bounds to grade on all the above named streets-this condition has not yet been fulfilled.
The plans of Millett Street Extension, Gray Street Extension and Sherborn Street leading from Medford Street through the so-called "Lawrence Field" were approved by the Board.
GENERAL ENGINEERING.
Street numbering plans of all new streets have been made, all new buildings located and correct numbers assigned to them. A survey and study were made for the proposed extension of Waldo Road to connect with Cross Street at Teel Street. This would be a great convenience to people wishing to use the new Henderson Street bridge which was opened for travel this year.
By an agreement with the Selectmen of Winchester, this depart- ment has surveyed and fixed upon the ground the true Town line between Winchester and Arlington. It was found that the road stones at Forest Street, Hutchinson Road and Mystic Street were respectively 18.4 feet, 17 feet and 31.0 feet south of the true line, and it is intended to reset them in the near future.
Surveys and taking plans were made and stone bounds set to
213
TOWN ENGINEER'S REPORT
mark the twelve acres taken on Turkey Hill by the Park Com- missioners and Board of Public Works as ordered by vote of the Town.
A survey is being made for a main thoroughfare beginning on Mystic Street, at a point between Farrington Street and Glen Avenue, then running through the land of Mr. Crosby, thence through the valley to the north of the hospital, then through the two meadows to the northwest of the hospital, thence along the old Cambridge-Charlestown line, through the land of Mr. Peirce, to Ridge Street in Winchester. Stone bounds will be set. to permanently mark the Board of Survey lines for this street.
I wish to again urge the necessity for the extension of Summer Street from Brattle Street to Forest Street, because I believe that the Town cannot afford to delay this improvement, as land through which it passes is constantly increasing in value, also I am told that a Land Company has purchased a large area through which this proposed street passes and the company is willing to co-operate with the Town in the matter.
This year the Metropolitan Park Commission has made a survey for the extension of Summer Street from its present end at Mystic Street, through private land to Meadow Brook Park, then along the shore of Mystic Lake and connecting with the Mystic River Parkways at Medford Street. This street, if con- structed, would establish a new thoroughfare for travel from Cam- bridge, Somerville and Medford to Lexington, Concord and towns beyond. It would also relieve the congestion on Massachusetts Avenue and hasten the development of the northerly part of the Town.
I repeat my suggestion of last year that the Metropolitan Park Commission be petitioned to extend the channel of Alewife Brook to Spy Pond. This would provide an active outlet for the pond and improve its sanitary condition.
Annexed to this report is a table giving names of all streets in the Town, public and private, length, width and total mileage; also a table of statistics of the Town.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE E. AHERN, Town Engineer.
TABLE SHOWING THE LOCATION, LENGTH AND WIDTH OF ACCEPTED AND PRIVATE STREETS.
Name
Location
Width
Length
Date of Acceptance
Accept.
Private
Aberdeen Road .
Southerland Road, easterly .
40
320
Academy Street. .
Massachusetts Avenue to Irving Street .. . .
40
1520
Acton Street. ..
Appleton Street, southerly ..
51
510
Addison Street.
Pleasant Street to Spy Pond.
10
800
Aerial Street. .
Forest Street, easterly.
40
450
Albermarle Street .
Walnut Street, southeasterly .
40
378
Alpine Street. .
Park Avenue extension, northerly .
10
1335
*Appleton Street.
Massachusetts Avenue to Lexington Line ..
7840
Laid out by County Com., Mass. Av. to Paul Revere Rd., Old Town Way named Appleton St., Nov. 9, 1846. April 9, 1875.
Appleton Street Place .. .
Appleton Street, southerly.
400
Amsden Street.
Massachusetts Avenue to Waldo Road ....
45
950
Argyle Road ..
Dundee Road to Aberdeen Road.
40
750
Arlmont Street. .
Park Avenue, easterly ..
40
1100
Arnold Street.
Dundee Road to Hibbert Street. .
40
723
Ashland Street.
Appleton Street to Florence Avenue
50
832
April 7, 1898. November 22, 1906.
Avon Place.
Massachusetts Avenue, westerly.
30
428
Bacon Street. .
Central Street to Mill Street .. .
30
345
March 4, 1872.
Barnes Lane. .
Massachusetts Avenue to Brooks Avenue ..
20
800
Barrieau Court ..
Pond Lane Extension to Spy Pond.
20
157
. Bartlett Avenue.
Massachusetts Avenue to Irving Street. . .. 45-40
1350
November 6, 1888; March 14, 1892; June 1, 1896; November 8, 1897.
Bartlett Avenue. .
Irving Street to Gray Street.
40
370
November 8, 1897.
Bartlett Avenue. .
Gray Street to Woodland Street ..
40
412
March 22, 1909.
Beacon Street. .
Warren Street to Coral Street. .
40
1447
March 4, 1872.
Belknap Street. . ..
Linwood Street to Marion Road ..
40
600
March 6, 1911.
Belknap Place.
Massachusetts Avenue to Belknap Street. .
20
270
Bellington Street.
Glenburn Road, northeasterly ..
40
600
214
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
April 2, 1866, September 20, 1875. November 2, 1886. March 9, 1891
100 feet proposcd.
One-half width in Belmont.
.
Blossom Street. .
Bow Street to Summit Street ..
40
1528
Bloomfield Avenue
Summer Street, northerly ... .
40
400
*Bow Street. .
Forest Street to Lowell Street .. .
40
1930
Old Town Way named Bow Street, November 9, 1846. Decree of Supreme Court, June 30, 1899.
+Bowman Street.
Appleton Street to Lexington Line.
30
75
Branch Avenue.
Park Avenue extension to Alpine Street ...
40
340
tBrand Street ..
Forest Street to Aerial Street.
40
1250
Brantwood Road.
Kensington Park to Jason Street. .
40
2265
November 8, 1897.
tBrantwood Road.
Kensington Park to Pleasant Street ..
40
578
tBrattle Avenue. .
Brattle Street, east and west ..
40
730
Brattle Street. .
Massachusetts Avenue to Summer Street. .
40
1810
May 27, 1873.
Brattle Street ..
Summer Street to Brattle Avenue.
40
1360
Brattle Lane .. .
Brattle Street to Pine Street.
40
1400
Known as Washington Street.
Brattle Terrace .
Brattle Lane, easterly.
40
390
*Broadway
Massachusetts Avenue to Somerville Line. . 64
5400
Old Town Way named Elm Street November 9, 1846.
Brooks Avenue. .
Lake Street to Elmhurst Road, formerly Barnes Lane .
40
765
tBuckman Street. .
Wright Street, southeasterly .
40
500
Buena Vista Road.
Gray Street to Cedar Avenue.
40
1050
tCarlton Street ..
Forest Street, southerly .
40
1600
Cedar Avenue ..
Oakland Avenue to Belmont Line. .
40 & 50
3050
+Cedar Avenue. .
Summer Street Extension, westerly .
40
200
Cemetery Street.
Chestnut Street, northerly ..
40
450
March 15, 1894.
Central Street. .
Massachusetts Avenue to B. & L. R.R .. ..
30
564
March 7, 1870.
tChandler Street.
Massachusetts Avenue, southwesterly .: . .
40
240
Chapman Street. .
Pleasant Street to Devereaux Street.
40
268
December 7, 1896.
Charlton Street ..
Florence Avenue to Belmont Line.
40
2100
Chester Street. .
Park Avenue, northerly .
40
550
*Chestnut Street.
Medford Street to Mystic Street.
50
500
Old Town Way named Mystic Street, November 9, 1846.
tChestnut Street.
Wollaston Avenue, southerly.
40
600
Church Street. .
Massachusetts Avenue to Bacon Street ....
25
150
¡Circuit Avenue ..
Sachem Avenue to Fowle Avenue ..
40
350
Claremont Avenue ...
Wollaston Avenue to Oakland Avenue ....
60
2171
|September 23, 1878.
TOWN ENGINEER'S REPORT
1
.
215
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TABLE SHOWING THE LOCATION, LENGTH AND WIDTH OF ACCEPTED AND PRIVATE STREETS - Continued.
Name
Location
Width
Length
Date of Acceptance
Accept.
Private
Clark Street.
Massachusetts Avenue, north of Peirce St.
40
457
Cleveland Street.
Massachusetts Avenue to Broadway .
45
1608
April 15, 1898.
Cliff Street. .
Florence Avenue to Oakland Avenue. .
50
1441
November 8, 1897.
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