USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1914 > Part 7
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Article 6 taken up. (Additional Street Lighting appropriation.)
Voted: That the sum of one hundred (100) dollars be appro- priated for street lighting, the same to be taken from the income of Schouler Court property now in the Town Treasury.
Article 7 taken up. (Gray Street Account.)
Voted: That the sum of two hundred fifty-two and thirteen one-hundredths (252.13) dollars be appropriated for Gray Street Account, the same to be taken from receipts from Sidewalk Assess- ments, now in the Town Treasury.
Article 8 taken up. (Board of Health Appropriation.)
Voted: That the sum of twelve hundred (1200) dollars be appropriated for the Board of Health, the same to be taken from receipts from Interest, now in the Town Treasury.
Article 9 taken up. (Appropriation for Abatements.)
Voted: That the sum of three thousand five hundred twenty and sixty-six one-hundredths (3,520.66) dollars be appropriated
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
for Abatements and that transfers from the following accounts now in the Town Treasury be made for the purpose, viz .:
Treasury Account. $987 39
Income from Old Town Hall 884 11
Moth Assessments . 1,416 72
Court Fines.
232 44
$3,520 66
Article 10 taken up. (School Repair Account.)
The Committee recommended and it was so
Voted: That no action be taken under this article.
Article 11 taken up. (Reimbursement of Jacob Bitzer.)
Voted: That the sum of fifty (50) dollars be appropriated to reimburse Jacob Bitzer for money advanced to secure an option on the Benjamin Hall property, the same to be taken from the income of the Schouler Court property, now in the Town Treasury.
Article 12 taken up. (To motorize fire apparatus.)
Voted: That a committee of three citizens, none of whom are officers of the Town, be appointed by the Moderator to investi- gate the advisability of equipping all the fire apparatus of the Town with motors, not now so equipped, said Committee to report at the March Town Meeting of 1915. The Moderator appointed Peter Schwamb, Walton H. Sears and William O. Partridge to serve on this Committee.
Article 13 taken up. (Authority of Treasurer to borrow money.)
Voted: That the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, be and hereby is authorized to borrow money, from time to time, in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1915, and to issue a note or notes therefor, payable within one year. Any debt or debts incurred under this vote is to be paid from the revenue of said financial year.
Article 2 was then taken from the table.
Under Article 2 (Reports of Committees.) Prof. Peter Schwamb, presented the report of the Committee appointed January 22, 1912, to investigate the matters contained in Articles 4 and 5 of the Warrant calling that meeting, viz. : the advisability of erection at Arlington Heights, of a building for fire purposes
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TOWN RECORDS
and the purchase and installation therein of an auto hose and chemical truck, and to investigate the advisability of the purchase and installation of an auto fire pump at the Broadway Fire Station. The report was received and ordered filed. (File Number 803.)
Under Article 2, Mr. Noyes made the following motion which was carried.
Voted: That all committees, heretofore appointed for any pur- pose, and not having reported to the Town, be instructed to make a report, either final or partial, to the Town at the Annual Town Meeting in March, 1915.
The number of voters attending the meeting, as determined by the Constables appointed to have charge of the turnstiles, was fifty-eight (58).
All business calling the meeting having been disposed of, the meeting, at fifteen minutes after eight o'clock, dissolved.
A true record. Attest:
THOMAS J. ROBINSON, Town Clerk.
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REPORT OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN.
The Board of Selectmen herewith present their report on matters coming before them during the year 1914, together with such recommendations as they deem proper, for the considera- tion and action of the citizens.
At the annual March election of 1914, Frank V. Noyes, Thomas J. Donnelly and Willis P. Howard were elected to serve as Se- lectmen and Overseers of the Poor for the ensuing year.
On March 2, 1914, the newly elected Board met in the office of the Selectmen, in the Town Hall, where the oath of office was administered to them by the Town Clerk.
The Board organized with Frank V. Noyes as Chairman, and Thomas J. Robinson as clerk.
TERM OF OFFICE.
In 1904 the Town voted to elect the members of the Board annually. Previous to that time the members had been elected for a term of three years.
At the March election of 1914 the Town voted, beginning with the election of 1915, to elect the members of the Board one for the term of one year, one for the term of two years, and one for the term of three years, and thereafter annually one for the term of three years.
In 1915 the Town will, therefore, elect the Board in accordance with that vote.
The Board is composed of three members, and under their supervision and control come the Police Department, Fire De- partment, Outside Poor, Public Lands and Buildings, Soldiers' Relief, State Aid, Military Aid, Gypsy Moth work and general supervision over all other matters pertaining to Town affairs and not provided for by Statute.
The Board meets every Monday evening at 7.30 o'clock in their office in the Town Hall.
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT
STANDING COMMITTEES.
Frank V. Noyes, Police Department and Public Lands.
Thomas J. Donnelly, Outside Poor, Town House and Public Buildings.
Willis P. Howard, Fire Department, State Aid, Military Aid and Soldiers' Relief.
Agent of the Board as Overseers of the Poor, Thomas J. Robinson.
TOWN DEBT AND TAX RATE.
On December 31, 1913, the fixed debt was $564,200.00
Amount paid during the year 23,450.00
$540,750.00
Amount added during the year
251,500.00
On December 31, 1914, the fixed debt is
792,250.00
Of the above increase $177,500 has already been issued and $74,000 has been authorized, but not as yet issued.
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The above figures show an increase in the fixed debt of the Town of $238,050, due to the issue of notes and bonds for New High School Building ($186,000), grounds for same ($25,000), Extension of Summer Street ($10,700), Park Lands ($5800) Win- ter Street Playground ($4000), Construction of new Streets ($8000), Extension of Water Mains ($10,000), and Turkey Hill Takings ($2000).
SINKING FUND.
As stated last year the balance in this fund on December 31, 1913, was 1
$75,841.75
Added during the year: For interest .
$3,440.75
By appropriation.
14,550.00
93,832.50
During the year the following amounts have been paid from this fund:
Accrued interest on bonds purchased
$149.56
Rent of safety deposit vault .
10.00
159.56
On December 31, 1914, the Sink- ing Fund is.
$93,672.94
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
The only amounts paid out of this fund during the year were as stated above from accrued interest and for rent of safety deposit box.
No payments on the debt of the Town will be paid from this fund until 1922.
TAX RATE AND TAXABLE PROPERTY.
The tax rate for 1914 is $21.10 on $1000, or $1.50 less than in 1913.
The total increase in personal property and real estate in 1914, as compared with 1913, is as follows:
Personal Property
Real Estate
1913 1914
1913 1914
$1,996,229.00 $2,046,807.00
$13,073,332.00
$13,765,955.00
Increase in Personal Property in 1914 $50,629.00
Increase in Real Estate in 1914.
692,623.00
Increase in 1914 in both Real and Personal Property $743,252.00 .
STATE, COUNTY AND METROPOLITAN TAXES.
1914
1913
Increase
State Tax.
$31,587.50
$28,880.00 $2,707.50
County Tax .
17,322.62
14,569.53
2,753.09
Metropolitan Sewer Tax.
14,611.90
14,547.74
64.16
Metropolitan Park Tax.
7,748.82
7,532.80
216.02
Metropolitan Water Tax. . .
16,583.39
20,491.56
3,908.17*
Charles River Basin Tax.
1,222.72
1,169.56
53.16
Alewife Brook Tax .
2,646.59
2,445.00
201.59
*Decrease
$91,723.54 $89,636.19 $2,087.35
The total State, County and Metropolitan taxes for 1914 are $91,723.54, or $2,087.35 more than the amount assessed in 1913.
The above figures show an increase in these taxes for 1914 of 214 per cent over the amount assessed for 1913, which was an exceedingly large assessment, amounting to 28 per cent over the amount assessed in 1912. It does not seem possible that the State taxes can be materially increased during the next few years.
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT
These figures show that while the increase of State and Met- ropolitan taxes show an increase of 214 per cent over that of last year on every $1000 of taxes paid, the reduction of $1.50 in the tax rate shows a material decrease in the amount of the tax levied for Town purposes. The Board would, therefore, again urge that strict economy be practiced by all the departments of the Town without impairing the efficiency of the service, in order that our tax rate may show some reduction in the coming year.
CORPORATION AND BANK TAX RECEIVED BY THE TOWN.
1914
1913
Increase
Corporation Tax
$5,904.19
$7,358.60 $1,454.41*
Bank Tax.
12,014.66
12,288.68
274.02*
Street Railway Tax.
10,027.99
11,707.99
1,680.00*
Boston Elevated Ry. Tax. . .
3,223.29
3,136.19
87.10
Bay State St. Ry. Tax.
365.02
364.15
.87
Middlesex St. Ry. Tax ..
120.10
115.88
92.19
*Decrease
$31,650.25 $34,971.49 $3,321.24*
The total receipts as shown above for 1914 amount to $31,650.25, or $3,321.24 less than the amount received in 1913.
From the above figures it will be seen that while our State, County and Metropolitan taxes show an increase, the revenue derived by the Town from the Corporation, Bank and other taxes shows a corresponding decrease.
DEBT MATURING.
While it has been the custom to publish each year in the report of the Selectmen, the debt maturing for the next succeeding five years, this seems a useless duplication, as this table is published in the Auditor's report. It is therefore omitted in this report.
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
The police force of the Town remains the same as last year, the only change being in the appointment of Thomas M. Dono- van to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of George T. Woolley.
The force consists of a Chief, Lieutenant, Sergeant and nine Patrolmen. All are under Civil Service and Pension laws.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
The Department, during the year, has continued to do efficient work, as indicated by the report of the Chief of the Department to this Board, and which is made a part of this report under that heading.
During the year the quarters of the Department were moved to the easterly side of the old Town Hall Building, and now occupy the offices formerly used by the Selectmen, Assessors, Town Clerk, Treasurer and Collector. A new entrance has been made on the easterly side of the building, thus eliminating the undesirable feature of having arrested persons brought through the main entrance, thereby interfering with the patrons of the Hall above, which is used as a theatre, and from which the Town derives a revenue.
The Chief's office has been divided and a new passageway and stairs to the cell room constructed, making the present quarters of the Department equal, in equipment and convenience, to any police station in the Metropolitan District. All the alterations have been made within the amount appropriated for that pur- pose, viz., $500.00
While the Chief of the Department, in his report, recommends the appointment of two additional officers, the Board are of the opinion that these appointments should not be made this year. The estimated cost to the Town for two additional officers would be about $1900. There is at the present time a general and growing demand that our street lights should be on the all-night schedule. To do this an additional appropriation for street lights of about $2400 would be necessary. The Board are of the opin- ion that the street lights should be lighted on the all-night schedule, viz., from one half hour after sunset until one-half hour before sunrise. If this is done we feel that the necessity of appoint- ing more officers can be safely deferred, as with the lights burning all night and the increasing use of the telephone in the homes of our citizens, a greater degree of protection is afforded than by the appointment of two officers. As will be seen, the difference in cost to the Town is only a matter of about $500.
For details of the work of the Department reference is made to the report of the Chief of Police and for details of expenditures of the Department to the report of the Auditor.
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT
OUTSIDE POOR DEPARTMENT.
As was stated last year in the report of the Board, the prob- lem of caring for the poor is a perplexing one, due in a great measure to new laws enacted governing the subject. When the report of last year was written we had no persons receiving aid under the provisions of Chapter 763 of the Acts of 1913, this being the "Mothers with dependent children Pension Act." It was with the provisions of this Act in mind, however, that your Board asked for an appropriation of $8000, and explained to the Committee of Twenty-one the reasons this amount would be nec- essary if all those entitled to this pension were to be cared for under this law. The amount of the resources at the disposal of the Board for this and other charitable purposes was submitted to the Com- mittee and to the Town.
The Board has the control and disbursement, for the purposes indicated in the various bequests, of the income only of these funds, and cannot, if such a thing were even necessary to relieve want and suffering, expend any part of the principal. The entire amount of these funds is $12,317.34, and the income, varying from 312 to 412 per cent, is about $495.
To this might be added the income of the Edwin S. Farmer Fund for Needy Persons, amounting to about $200. Owing to the recommendations of the Committee of Twenty-one and the vote of the Town, the appropriation asked for ($8000) was reduced to $7500. This reduction necessitated the drawing of all income from these funds for the past year. The accumulated income has, however, not been drawn from. The Board are of the opin- ion and recommend that the appropriation for the care of our poor be made sufficiently large each year to not only care for all the poor needing aid, but to conserve the income from the funds, looking to a time when the demand upon our resources will be greater as the population increases.
During the year six mothers with dependent children have been aided under this new law, and reimbursements received from the State amounting to $625. These mothers are now enabled to properly care for their children in their own homes, and the effect of the law has been decidedly beneficial in every way to these families. 1
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
During the year the Board has been called upon to aid more persons than ever before, particularly in the latter part of the year. A larger number of persons having a settlement here, but residing in other cities and towns, have also been aided at the expense of the Town. At the present time there are five people in Tewksbury. This is a larger number than we have ever had in any year at this institution.
The Board continues to keep in touch with recipients of the Town's charity, and each case is examined carefully and on its own merits. During the year aid has been discontinued to three families, due to the fact that they have become self-supporting.
It is the policy of the Board to aid in all cases deserving per- sons who through no fault of their own are suffering or in need, but it is not the policy of the Board to encourage idleness or lack of that spirit of independence that should dominate all persons before seeking public charity. There are some cases where aid is rendered temporarily, and where the Board insists that reim- bursement shall be made, when the conditions requiring the aid are removed and the persons receiving the same are placed in positions where such reimbursement can be made.
During the year the Almshouse property has not been draw- ing as much revenue as during the previous year, owing to one tenement being vacant during a portion of the year. The prop- erty is divided into two tenements and rents for $20 per tenement.
For details of expenses see Auditor's Report.
MILITARY AID, STATE AID AND SOLDIERS' RELIEF.
No material differenceexists in these accounts from that reported last year. The Military Aid is rendered only on occa- sions when extreme necessity requires it, and one-half of the amount allowed is reimbursed by the State. We have at the present time but one receiving this aid. The State Aid remains the same as last year, with an average monthly pay roll of about $175. This amount is wholly reimbursed by the State. The Soldiers' Relief Account also remains the same as last year, the monthly pay roll being about $35, the Town bearing the entire amount of the expense. No additional appropriations under this account will be asked for the coming year. The Board has at its disposal a Fund known as the Citizen-Soldiers' Fund,
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT
which amounted to $461.78 January first of this year. This fund has not been drawn from for some few years, but during this year a peculiar case came before the Board, and one which they deemed a proper charge against this fund. An allowance was, therefore, made of $2 per week. The length of time that this aid will be necessary the Board are unable to state.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The Fire Department has continued to do efficient work during the year, answering one hundred and eighty-two alarms, being an increase of forty-five over the number answered in 1913. The character of the work done by the Department is best illustrated by the following figures:
Value of buildings endangered
$139,500.00
Insurance on buildings
117,530.00
Insurance paid on buildings
21,169.00
Value of contents
69,000.00
Insurance on contents
49,275.00
Insurance paid on contents
6,877.65
The Department force is the same as last year and consists of a Chief, two Assistant Chiefs, nine permanent men, and twenty- five call men.
The appropriation made for the maintenance of the Depart- ment was $14,800.00 and the amount expended was $14,765.59.
For details of expenses, make-up and work of the Department see reports of Auditor and Chief of the Department.
PURCHASE OF SCHOULER COURT PROPERTY FOR NEW HIGH SCHOOL.
As authorized and directed by the vote of the Town, the Board purchased the property located on the easterly side of Schouler Court and other property designated in the vote for the sum of $27,999.00.
The amount appropriated was $28,000.00.
Later another piece, known as the Hall property, was acquired by vote of the Town for the sum of $1200.00 and the taxes for 1914. amounting to $27.43, making the. total cost to the Town of the entire school property $31,226.43.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Deeds conveying a clear title to the various parcels are filed in the office of the Town Clerk.
ROBBINS MEMORIAL TOWN HALL.
As reported last year, certain changes were made necessary by the action of the State Police, in requiring more ventilating space over the stage, the installing of cleats for the chairs in the audi- torium, and the construction of a stair rail on both sides of the building.
The appropriation as asked for the maintenance of the build- ing and grounds was $4000 and $2000 additional to make the above changes. The estimate for the maintenance of the build- ing could only be based on the six months' occupancy previous to the first of the year. The Committee of Twenty-one recom- mended and the Town so voted that, in addition to the amounts appropriated, the Board was to have the use of the amounts received for the rentals of the hall, for the general up-keep of the auditorium, scenery, piano, etc. The income derived from rentals during the year was $1450. Of this amount $750 was used in excess of the appropriation, leaving a balance available for transfers of about $700.
After the first full year's experience in the cost for mainte- nance, the Board are of the opinion that to properly care for the building and grounds an annual expenditure of $4500 will be necessary.
OLD TOWN HALL BUILDING.
During the year the old Town Hall has continued in use as a theatre, the Town deriving a rental of $1000 a year. The room formerly used by the Police Department for a guard room has been leased to S. K. Ames, the Town deriving a revenue of $400 per year. The Police Department has been assigned the rooms formerly occupied by the Selectmen, Assessors, Town Clerk, Treasurer and Collector.
INSURANCE.
The amount expended for insurance expiring was $2100. Dur- ing the coming year a much larger appropriation will be necessary, due to the fact that policies amounting to $129,000 will expire in 1915. The boiler insurance, amounting to $530 also expires in
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT
1915. It is expected that during the year the new High School Building will be completed and turned over to the Town, necessi- tating the placing of about $200,000 more insurance. In order to meet the renewals and place the new insurance, an appropriation of $5500 will be necessary.
GYPSY AND BROWN-TAIL MOTH WORK.
During the year the work of the Department has been done under the direction of Superintendent Daniel M. Daley, and has been performed in a very satisfactory manner.
While the work of exterminating the gypsy and brown-tail moths has progressed in a very satisfactory manner other insects have appeared which make the work of the Department very difficult.
The tent caterpillar has appeared in large numbers in the lower section of the Town, and the Board would strongly recommend that owners of property use extra precaution by cutting down wild shrubs and worthless underbrush on their property, also by spraying during the season where these pests appear.
In order to properly care for the Department for the coming year the Board are of the opinion that the amount of $6500, as recommended by the Superintendent, be appropriated.
For detail of the work done by the Department see report of the Superintendent and the Tree Warden.
LICENSES.
During the year a number of petitions has been received by the Board for licenses to maintain garages, in accordance with the law passed in 1913. In those cases where new garages are to be erected the Board has required that a plan of the prem- ises, as well as of the building be submitted with the application.
Interested abuttors are then notified and a hearing set on the application. During the past year a new Fire Prevention Com- mission has been appointed and is now preparing new rules and regulations governing the erection and operation of garages.
The Board has continued the policy of requiring a license for all public entertainments and are convinced that the best interests of the Town are served by requiring these licenses. It prevents irresponsible and undesirable persons from conducting entertain-
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
ments, etc., without the knowledge of the Town officials or the Police Department.
COMMON VICTUALLERS.
A larger number of Common Victualler's licenses have been granted than ever before, due to the growth of the Town and the erection of buildings for business purposes in the Arlington Heights and the East Lexington sections of the Town. Applications for these licenses are submitted to the Police Department for inves- tigation, and the premises are required to be in suitable condition for conducting the business before a license is granted As the Town has not accepted the provisions of Law, authorizing the Board to issue licenses for the sale of soda water, ice cream, candies, etc., on Sundays, no licenses of this nature have been granted.
BILLIARDS, POOL, BOWLING ALLEYS, ETC.
There is in the Town but one licensed pool room at this time. Numerous applications have been received for the establishment of billiard rooms, and recently for the establishment of bowling alleys. The Board are of the opinion that these applications should be very carefully considered, and the interests of abutting owners and citizens of the community be given consideration also. They have, therefore, established a rule that on all such applications a hearing shall be given, at which all interested parties can be heard.
JUNK.
Previous to this year three licenses for the collection of junk and second-hand articles had been issued at a yearly fee of $200 each. This year, however, the Board deemed it advisable to issue but one license for the sum of $600, allowing the holder of said license to operate two wagons. No complaints have been received from the citizens as to treatment, charges, etc., under this plan. It seems advisable to keep the number of these licenses as small as possible, thereby enabling the police to keep in closer touch for the protection and recovery of stolen property.
BIDS FOR PRINTING TOWN REPORT.
Following the custom of previous years the Board issued invi- tations to seven firms for estimates for printing the Town Report
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT
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