USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1914 > Part 15
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Lake Street, near Railroad Crossing.
FUTURE RECOMMENDATIONS.
As the Town is rapidly growing, it soon will become necessary to enlarge the electrical apparatus at headquarters of the Fire Alarm System. More outside circuits will have to be created to prevent overloading of the existing circuits by new street boxes being installed and also to guard against too large a terri-
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
tory being left uncovered in case any part of this system becomes inoperative which is liable to happen at any time. A new protector board, battery charging board and repeater will have to be installed before many years at headquarters, which if done at one time would require a large appropriation. Parts of new apparatus necessary should be purchased and installed from year to year, thus dividing the expense and in a few years the Town will own an up-to-date Fire Alarm Headquarters equip- ment which will give many years of service before again re- quiring enlarging.
Respectfully submitted,
REUBEN W. LEBARON, Superintendent of Wires.
REPORT OF TOWN COUNSEL.
To the Honorable the Joint Board of Selectmen and Board of Public Works.
I herewith present my annual report as Town Counsel for the year ending December 31, 1914.
For the first time in many years the Town has been engaged in litigation and it may be of interest to know that not since 1908 has there been a trial of a case involving the Town.
By far the most important matter was the case of the Suburban Land Company against the Town growing out of the takings on Turkey Hill. This case was tried for seven days before a jury in the Superior Court in April. The Suburban Land Company's contention was that the land taken was of very great value, that a large part had been sold on the instalment plan, and that they had been greatly damaged by the taking. The jury after hearing the evidence returned a verdict of $2617, notwithstanding the evidence of experts for the Land Company that the value was at least $22,500. The case went to the Supreme Judicial Court upon exceptions, the principal one being whether or not the amount of money agreed to be paid by holders of land de- veloper's bonds could be introduced in evidence on the same footing as an actual sale. This case was argued before the Su- preme Judicial Court in December, and on December 31 an opinion was handed down in favor of the Town's contention that these bonds were not proper evidence and did not stand upon the same footing as a sale, and further, that prices established artificially and temporarily by booming methods should not be regarded as equivalent to the market value as established by the natural law of supply and demand. This is the first time that this par- ticular point has been decided in this jurisdiction and is of great importance, not only to the Town, but to all municipalities in future land taking cases.
The next important matter was the trial of the Cousens estate tax appeal. This grew out of a petition for an abatement filed by
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
the estate of W. D. Cousens and was tried before Hall, J., of the Superior Court in May. The contention of the petitioner was that even though a tax return was not filed by the executors they would nevertheless be entitled to an abatement on at least a $15,000 tax. The contention of the Town was that the statute required the filing of a tax return and that, unless that tax return was filed, the Superior Court had no jurisdiction to grant any abatement. The contention of the Town was sustained and the petition dismissed with costs, which amounted to about $35, which were collected and turned over to the Treasurer.
The above cases were the only cases tried for the Town and both were decided in the Town's favor.
The examination of the title to the Schouler Court site, so called, was a matter which was of great importance to the Town and required a very great amount of work. By reason of the vote of the Town the Board of Selectmen were required to purchase the whole area, comprising about fourteen acres, for a sum not exceeding $28,000 and by reason of the law, no taking could be made as the area exceeded two acres in extent. Therefore, it was necessary that every inch of land should be purchased simul- taneously. There were seven title holders and the examination covered some fifteen parcels of land, including not only land titles, but riparian rights as well. The matter was begun on March 4, and finally put through on May 29, work having gone along practically continuously, except during the interim of calling of the Town Meeting for ratification of the first vote.
The bill to reimburse the Town for smallpox, which was vetoed by the Governor in 1913, was again brought forward, a hearing had before the Committee on Ways and Means, and finally was passed by the House and Senate and became a law without the assent of the Governor. This reimbursed the Town for $1200.
The Town at the March Meeting voted to petition the County Commissioners to widen Massachusetts Avenue, between Water and Central Streets, and a petition was prepared and filed. Three hearings before the County Commissioners were had, as well as numerous conferences with the Commission and with interested parties. The Commission found that common convenience and necessity required a widening of ten feet and the matter is now
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REPORT OF TOWN COUNSEL
pending, waiting the preparation of estimate damages in order that the award might be made.
The less important matters which have been attended to were an appearance before the Third District Court in behalf of the Principal of the Locke School, where an alleged assault was com- mitted upon a pupil and whose father complained thereof. After a hearing before the Court, no complaint was issued.
A hearing was had before the Railroad Commissioners in regard to the petition of the residents of Whittemore Street and vicinity in regard to the whistling of engines.
A hearing was had before the Public Service Commission rela- tive to the congestion at Arlington Heights and this was adjusted by the stationing of officers there.
In addition to the Schouler Court title, the following titles were examined for the Town: the playground land on Winter Street, the Hall land on Massachusetts Avenue adjoining the Schouler Court site, the land of Russell on the edge of Mystic Pond for the Park Taking, the land of Mary A. Lowe on Mystic Street for the Park Taking.
The case of Farren against the Town, where a child sustained a broken leg by reason of being run over by a wagon of the Town was settled for $150.
The case of Patriquin for injuries sustained in the highway is now pending in the Superior Court.
The claim of Broderick against the Town is still pending.
The case of Mrs. H. J. Phillips for injuries sustained by a defect in the highway was settled for $25.
The case of Fessenden against the Town growing out of a defect in the highway was settled for $18.65.
The case of Rose Keezer against the Town is still pending.
Notices have been received from two persons for injuries sus- tained by reason of the fall of poles on Broadway.
In addition to the foregoing all meetings of the Board have been attended and I have had numerous conferences with the Committee of Twenty-one, Board of Health, and other Town Boards and officials.
Other routine matters have been attended to.
Respectfully submitted, PHILIP A. HENDRICK, Town Counsel.
REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD
At the Town Meeting, held March 26, 1914, the Town voted to elect a Planning Board in conformity with the requirements of Chapter 494, Acts of 1913, and on April 9, 1914, the following five citizens were elected to serve on the Board:
Henry S. Adams, Chairman, to serve one year; Harry G. Porter, to serve two years; James P. Parmenter, to serve two years; Cyrus E. Dallin, to serve three years, and Robert W. Pond, to serve three years.
During the year the Board have held meetings from time to time at which matters in general relating to the development of the Town have been discussed, such as transportation, fire hazard, and the extension of local and metropolitan utilities.
It has not been necessary to spend as yet any of the appropria- tion provided by the Town, as the work of the Board has largely been preliminary.
Various matters have been referred to the Planning Board by the several Boards and Committees of the Town which have been carefully considered, among others the location of the new high school building, and the following is the suggestion made to the High School Building Committee:
"At a meeting of the Arlington Planning Board, held July 10, the Committee on the new High School and the architect, Mr. Prescott, submitted plans for the high school building.
"The Board was very favorably impressed with the plans which were most ably and painstakingly presented by Mr. Prescott. While the members of the Board had no criticisms to make on the practical working out of the plans of the building itself as presented to them, they nevertheless felt that the spot chosen for the building, owing to the topography of the land, is not ideal, and that a more thorough study of the entire lot should be made, looking towards its future development both from a practical and esthetic point of view.
"The Board feels that it is of vital importance to the Town
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REPORT OF PLANNING BOARD
that the placing of this important building, which involves such a large expenditure of money for its construction, should if possible meet all the demands not only of the present but of the future, both practically and artistically.
"Therefore the Board, in its capacity as advisor, is unanimous in suggesting to the Committee on the High School Building that the services of an expert landscape architect should be secured to make a thorough and comprehensive study of the entire Schouler Court site, and that the services of Mr. Frederick Law Olmsted be engaged for this purpose."
And in reply the Board received this letter:
" Arlington, August 12, 1914.
"Arlington Planning Board, Arlington, Mass.
" Gentlemen: I am instructed to acknowledge, on behalf of the Committee on Plans for a new High School Building, receipt of the report of the Arlington Planning Board upon the preliminary plans of the proposed high school building. This report was referred to the Committee at a meeting held August 3.
"The Committee wishes to extend its thanks to the Planning Board for the words of commendation and praise which the Board expresses for the architect, Mr. Prescott, and for the plans as submitted by him.
"The Committee on Plans feels that it has carefully and ade- quately considered the matter of location of the building on the Schouler Court site, and it believes that considering economy in type of building, protection from disturbance incident to traffic on Massachusetts Avenue, and the question of drainage, the building is advantageously located. The architectural authori- ties whom the Committee has employed to assist it, concur with the Committee in this opinion.
"Concerning the problem of grading, the Committee believes that with the building advantageously located from the stand- point of the more vital considerations, reasonable study will . provide an entirely satisfactory solution.
"So far as the provisions for expansion are concerned, the Com- mittee consider that the proposed building affords opportunity for enlargement if future needs show this to be desirable. If
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
additional buildings for specific purposes prove to be the require- ment of the future, the type, location and accommodations to be provided are so problematical that the Committee deems it inexpedient to attempt to do more than to leave the portion of the site more distant from Massachusetts Avenue unencumbered and available for such development as the future may show to be desirable.
"Thanking you for your consideration and courtesy, I am,
"Yours respectfully,
(Signed) "CLARENCE A. MOORE, " Secretary."
Members of the Planning Board have attended meetings before the Public Service Commission on transportation problems in the metropolitan district, and certain suggestions were made which we hope will be of help to them, as well as meetings at City Hall, Boston, on the same subject and on fire prevention. .
Members have also attended meetings of the County Commis- sioners at Cambridge on the street locations as well as meetings at the State House on fire prevention and fire hazard.
In connection with these subjects, members of the Board have made personal investigation and given much of their time to questions under discussion. They also have made personal in- spection and study of the conditions by going out on the ground, to the end of becoming familiar with the problems in all detail.
While the Board have no special recommendations to make at this time, they will in the near future bring before the Town their suggestions as to such matters as are of interest and benefit to the community. They, however, wish to call the attention of the Town to the fact that some of the people contemplating build- ing have appeared before the Board and presented their plans for approval. We believe it will be for the best interest of the Town if all builders will do the same.
· The Board of Survey Plans submitted under the Board of Survey Act have been considered and locations of streets studied on the ground.
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REPORT OF PLANNING BOARD
The school population is increasing at the rate of 200 to 250 pupils per year, which will make it necessary to provide addi- tional school accommodations within three years.
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY S. ADAMS, HARRY G. PORTER, JAMES P. PARMENTER, CYRUS E. DALLIN, ROBERT W. POND,
Planning Board.
REPORT OF TREE WARDEN.
To the Citizens of the Town of Arlington:
I respectfully submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1914:
The increasing interest in shade trees in practically all the cities and towns of the State is worthy of more than a passing notice. There is no doubt that the shade trees contribute to the health- fulness of a city or town, as they have a restful effect and make homes more attractive, and that which tends to give rest and pleasure must also contribute to its healthfulness.
We have on our streets 4286 trees, and in our parks, school yards, etc., 6641 trees, making a total of 10,927 trees.
The amount of damage inflicted on shade trees by the mis- chievousness of boys and the carelessness of drivers of all kinds of vehicles is underestimated.
The danger from leaf-eating insects is slight, as they are kept in check by the work of the moth department. The destructive- ness of the leopard moth is very severe, and effective work must be done this year if we wish to save our trees. Practically all kinds of shade trees are attacked by the larvæ of this moth. The eggs are deposited în crevices and under loose bark during the month of July. A single adult, depositing between 500 and 1000 eggs, on hatching the young caterpillar makes its way to the crotch of a small branch and 'at once bores into the wood tissue. It works downward toward the base and grows rapidly; it leaves that burrow and wanders to a larger branch and again begins feeding. They bore a channel through the center of a branch, or they may eat out a large cavity on one side. Many gnaw an irregular channel the size of a man's hand right under the bark. Two years are required to complete the life cycle; they remain dormant during the winter months and resume feeding the next spring. When they girdle the limb the effect is immediate; the circulation of sap is cut off and the limb dies. The moths do not feed on the leaves and for that reason it is a hard insect to fight. .
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REPORT OF TREE WARDEN
Effective work can be done, however, in the late summer and fall by injecting carbon bi-sulphide into the burrow and plugging the opening with putty, and also by the use of a wire. Badly infested limbs should be removed and immediately burnt.
SUCKING INSECTS.
Sucking insects, such as the cottony maple, San José and oyster- shell scale, are found in all parts of the town. These insects do not eat the leaves and it is absolutely impossible for that reason to kill them with a stomach poison. They can be reached only by contact poisons which act on the breathing pores of the insect.
ARMY WORM.
The army worm was found in large numbers in the east end of the town. They were exterminated before any great damage was done, this being accomplished by spraying at a cost of $27.30, which was paid for by the State.
PLANTING.
One hundred and twenty-five linden and one hundred rock maple trees were set out this year. No tree guards were bought this year, and for that reason 125 small trees are left unprotected.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
Last year $1000 was appropriated to be expended under the · direction of the Tree Warden. If we wish to save our trees much work must be done on the leopard moth this year; also guards must be purchased for those trees that were set out last year, and I would recommend that the sum of $2000 be appropriated for the ensuing year.
CONCLUSION.
In closing my report I wish to extend my thanks to your honor- able board, also to the' Town Clerk, Town Counsel and Auditor for information cheerfully given to me in the performance of my duties. The following is a statement of the nature and location of work done, also the expenditures:
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
NATURE AND LOCATION OF WORK. NEW TREES PLANTED.
Location.
No.
Wollaston Avenue.
12
Wachusett Avenue.
17
Appleton Street.
12
Claremont Avenue.
9
Harvard Street.
19
Ashland Street.
3
Massachusetts Avenue.
23
Walnut Street.
3
Gray Street.
28
Mount Vernon Street
Brattle Street.
Pine Street.
5
Teel Street.
1 1
Bartlett Avenue.
19
Lombard Terrace
2
Norfolk Road
12 2
Wyman Street.
1
Beacon Street.
1
Marathon Street.
1
Palmer Street.
1
Irving Street.
1
Windermere Avenue.
1 4
Russell Street.
2
Central Street
5
Broadway.
6
Total 225
CEMENT AND BOLTING.
Pleasant Street
Park Avenue
Massachusetts Avenue
Lake Street
27 5 2
Jason Street.
Wildwood Avenue
Mystic Street .
Warren Street
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REPORT OF TREE WARDEN
TREES REMOVED.
Location.
No.
Massachusetts Avenue.
38
Cleveland Street
4
Warren Street.
2
Broadway.
6
Palmer Street.
1
Medford Street
1
Gray Street.
4 1
Ravine Street.
Webster Street.
1
Winter Street .
1
Chapman Street.
3
Lombard Road
1
Chestnut Street.
1 2
Sawin Street. .
1
Henderson Street
1
Claremont Avenue.
1
Pleasant Street.
3 1
Lowell Street
4
Brattle Street.
2
Total 79
TRIMMING.
Streets.
Parks and Schools.
Private.
Warren Street
Mt. Pleasant Cemetery
L. Munro
Wyman Street
Pleasant Street Cemetery
H. I. Mosely
River Street
Cutter School
P. B. Fiske
Marathon Street
Crosby School
M. McLelland
Broadway
Old Town Hall
Westminster Avenue New Town Hall
Kimball Road
Davis Avenue Jason Street
Medford Street
Mystic Street.
Norfolk Road.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Receipts.
Appropriation
$1,000.00
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
27.30
F. V. Noyes Private work
6.75
Total Receipts
$1,035.55
Total Expenditures
1,034.47
Balance
$1.08
Expenditures.
Removal of trees
1
Labor. $198.95
Team. $37.05
Total. $236.00
Cement and bolting
37.00
3.50
40.50
Watering
9.00
10.50
19.50
Army worm
15.75
7.00
22.75
Reloam trees
9.00
3.50
12.50
Leopard moth
47.20
47.20
Planting
70.38
24.75
95.13
Storm damage
16.87
10.50
27.37
Trimming on Streets
91.60
31.06
122.66
Trimming on Private
17.39
.50
17.89
Trimming on Parks, etc.
91.38
1.50
92.88
Storehouse
9.00
9.00
$613.52
$129.86
$743.38
Supplies, including new trees
291.09
$1,034.47
Respectfully submitted, 1
DANIEL M. DALEY, Tree Warden.
1.50
REPORT OF BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS.
ARLINGTON, January 20, 1915.
The Board of Park Commissioners desire to submit the following report:
As in former years practically all of the work of the Park Com- mission has been the care of Menotomy Park, Russell Park and the triangles on Medford Street. The seedling pines planted a few years ago in Menotomy Park are making a good growth, and we are sorry to report that it was necessary to keep a man at the Park to prevent the destruction of the larger pines, which were set out there a little over a year ago, quite a number of tops being cut off these trees. During the past season ten acres of land on the top of Turkey Hill were taken for park purposes in connection with the Board of Public Works, and although the owners did not accept our award, but took it to the Supreme Court, the award was not materially increased.
In connection with the matter of a boulevard between Medford and Mystic streets along the shore of Mystic Lake, we can report that a layout for a boulevard has been received from the Metro- politan Park Commission, and two parcels of land on the route have been acquired by purchase and another parcel has been taken. It is expected that these parcels will be acquired at a cost within the amount appropriated by the Town at the Septem- ber meeting. When the route has been definitely decided on another small parcel will have to be acquired. A bill has been introduced by our representative in the Legislature for aid in connection with the construction of this boulevard, which is about three thousand feet long and will be a connecting link between Summer Street and the Mystic Valley Boulevard, and furnish a through route from Somerville and Medford to Lexing- ton and the towns beyond.
Respectfully submitted,
C. H. GANNETT, C. H. HIGGINS, W. E. LLOYD.
231
1
REPORT OF BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS.
The Board of Public Works herewith submits its annual report for the year ending December 31, 1914.
At the Town Meeting held on March 2, 1914, Henry S. Adams, Philip Eberhardt and Henry W. Hayes were elected members of the Board. The Board organized on March 2, 1914, with a choice of Henry W. Hayes as Chairman.
APPOINTMENTS.
At a meeting held March 23, 1914, Harold N. Willis was ap- pointed Water Registrar and Bookkeeper, and Herbert S. Clark of Worcester, Mass., Superintendent of Public Works. At a meeting held March 30, 1914, George E. Ahern was appointed Assistant Superintendent of Public Works, and Robert W. Pond Clerk of the Board, all appointments being from April 1, 1914.
The regular meetings are held each Monday evening at 7.30 o'clock.
The following are the net expenditures made under the direction of the Board:
Highway Division
$39,701.72
Sewer Extensions
6,321.01
Sewer Maintenance
1,496.29
Water Extensions
11,994.63
Water Maintenance (includes interest, sinking fund and Metropolitan Water Assessment)
56,651.28
Permanent Sidewalks
3,977.57
New Street Construction
7,997.39
Street Watering
5,000.00
Hutchinson Road
2,948.69
Massachusetts Avenue widening
299.94
Total
$136,388.52
232
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REPORT OF BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
HIGHWAY DIVISION.
The special work of the Highway Division has been the recon- struction of parts of Massachusetts Avenue between Water Street and the Cambridge line, Mystic Street from Chestnut Street to Summer Street, and Pleasant Street from Addison Street to Massachusetts Avenue.
The reconstruction work done on Massachusetts Avenue is as follows:
Northerly Side - Water Street to Tufts Street.
Southerly Side -Pleasant Street to Railroad, Pond Lane east- erly about 246 feet, and from Magnolia Street westerly 653 feet.
In addition to this, the division has resurfaced the northerly side between Teel and Henderson Streets, and southerly side between Academy and Jason Streets.
The total cost of this work was $7,292.44. The work on Mystic Street was done at a total cost of $2,475.30, and on Pleasant Street at a cost of $3,075.44, an average cost for the three streets of 51 cents per square yard.
Three thousand, nine hundred and sixty-seven tons of crushed stone were purchased on cars at Arlington at a cost of $1.20 per ton; 2421 tons at an average cost of $1.48 per ton were delivered on the work by auto truck, making a total of 6,418 tons purchased for road work during the year 1914.
The widening of Massachusetts Avenue at the Lexington line has been completed at a cost of $299.94.
The work of widening and straightening Hutchinson Road is 99% completed at an expenditure of $2,948.69, there remaining in this appropriation $11.31. The balance of this work should be done in the early spring.
The six streets accepted at the March meeting in 1914 have been constructed at a total cost of $7,997.39. This low cost of construction was made possible by the use of material taken from the reconstruction of Massachusetts Avenue and Mystic Street.
The material excavated from Pleasant Street was used in the resurfacing of Lombard Road, Lombard Terrace and Lakeview. This, with a covering of stone dust, converted these dry and dusty roadways into water-bound macadam, with a view to a future treatment with tarvia.
In the matter of storm drain construction, having no appropria-
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
tion for the same in 1914, very little has been done. With the exception of the drain laid in Harlow Street (included in its con- struction) 250 feet of 15-inch pipe was laid at the time the sewer was extended in Highland Avenue, with a view of some time connecting with the drain which must be built on Massachusetts Avenue. Two hundred and seventy-eight dollars and thirty-eight cents was expended on this work and paid out of the Highway appropriation.
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