USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1914 > Part 8
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for 1914. Owing to the large amount paid for the Report of 1913, due in a large measure to the size of the book, necessitated by the report of the Dedication of the New Town Hall, and the insertion of the Report of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board were of the opinion that the size of the volume should be reduced. Requests were, therefore, sent to the various Depart- ments of the Town, asking to make their reports as concise as possible. In many cases it was found that duplications occurred in the reports of the Departments, when the same information was found in the Auditor's Report. Three bids were received, and after carefully considering the same, the contract for the Town Report was awarded to Walter J. Taplin. By the reduc- tions indicated the Board are certain that the amount paid last year, namely, $1700, can be reduced about $400.
BIDS FOR COAL FOR TOWN DEPARTMENTS.
Invitations were issued to eight firms for bids to furnish coal to the Departments of the Town, with the exception of the School Department. The Departments included in the bid are Robbins Memorial Town Hall, Old Town Hall, Library, Fire, Water and Highway Departments, and Outside Poor. The bid of Peirce & Winn Company, of Arlington, was the lowest bid received, and they were awarded the contract. The prices on the various kinds of coal used were as follows:
Delaware and Hudson, furnace, egg and stove $6.70
Delaware and Hudson, stove for Outside Poor. 7.50
(This to be delivered in one-half ton lots)
Georges Creek Cumberland. 4.60
JURORS.
Owing to the law now in effect governing the selection of Jurors, many complaints have been received from citizens on account of their being deprived of any knowledge that their names are on the jury list. The law requires that the Board of Selectmen shall prepare a list of Jurors, a copy of which is filed with the Town Clerk and with the Clerk of the Superior Court. Formerly this list was published so that the citizens in Town Meeting could have their names stricken from the list and others substituted. This can no longer be done and the Board would advise all citi-
.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
zens desiring not to serve on the Jury to write a letter to that effect during the month of January each year. The list of Jurors as revised by the Board will be found under that heading.
LICENSES GRANTED.
The following licenses were granted during the year:
COMMON VICTUALLERS. A. C. La Breque, 606 Massachusetts Avenue; Isabella M. MacDonald, 1406 Massachusetts Avenue; A. O. Sprague, 5 Mystic Street; Louis C. McKenna, 460 Mas- sachusetts Avenue; Napoleon J. Hardy, 657 Massachusetts ยท Avenue; Christie Anifantis, 1309 Massachusetts Avenue; Louis C. Taylor, shore of Spy Pond; E. M. Parkhurst, 450 Massachu- setts Avenue; William F. Lefford, 1113 Massachusetts Avenue; Richard B. Smith, 1269 Massachusetts Avenue; Pannis and Saxeny, 1360 Massachusetts Avenue.
JUNK. Benny Klaymer, Cambridge Street, Cambridge.
POOL TABLE. Sylvester Di Donato, 444 Massachusetts Avenue.
AUCTIONEERS. Arthur J. Hendrick, 19 Medford Street; Frank Y. Wellington, 15 Wellington Street; James H. Shedd, 28 Draper Avenue; Albert H. Goodwin, 8 Water Street; George D. Moore, 133 Broadway; Willard G. Rolfe, Irving Street; Frank V. Noyes, 11 Gray Street; James M. Mead, 46 Mt. Vernon Street; Daniel P. Sweeney, 29 Cleveland Street; Winthrop Pattee, Jason Street; F. Alfred Patterson, 70 Appleton Street.
INTELLIGENCE OFFICE. Mrs. Mary E. Witcher, 14 Peabody Street, Newton.
TRANSPORTATION OF LIQUORS (UNDER CHAPTER 421, ACTS OF 1906). George W. McClellan, 15 Webster Street; James F. Teehan, 7 Moore Place; Arthur M. Curtin, 963 Massachusetts Avenue; Wood Brothers, Massachusetts Avenue; American Express Com- pany, Railroad Station; Joseph J. Devlin, 280 Broadway.
No sixth-class licenses were issued.
For further details of expenditures made see Auditor's Report.
FRANK V. NOYES, THOMAS J. DONNELLY, WILLIS P. HOWARD,
Selectmen of Arlington.
REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1914, TO- GETHER WITH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE ENSUING YEAR.
ARLINGTON, January 1, 1915.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen: I have the honor to submit my tenth annual report of the doings of the Police Department, for the year ending Decem- ber 31, 1914.
During the year there have been 460 arrests, 18 were females, 43 juveniles, 253 were non-residents.
Fines to the amount of $1257 have been imposed by the Court, property valued at $2486.50, was reported stolen, and we have recovered and returned to owners property to the value of $2072.65
The above cases were disposed of as follows:
Arrested for other police departments
106
Committed to the House of Correction
10
Complaints withdrawn
1
Continued cases
13
Discharged
50
Defaulted
4
Dismissed
3
Fined
105
Held for Grand Jury
5
Held for the Superior Court
1
Placed on file
50
Placed on probation
60
Released from the station
98 1
Sentenced to the State Farm
4
To the Massachusetts Reformatory
1
To the Lancaster School for girls 2
A DISTRICT OR MUNICIPAL COURT FOR ARLINGTON.
I wish to repeat from my report of last year, that I believe, as do many others, that Arlington should have a District or Municipal Court.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
The present arrangements are unhandy and somewhat costly, but outside of that, and in justice to those who are unfortunate, it has never looked right or just to me, that they should be com- pelled, innocent or guilty, in being taken to another community to have justice meted out to them, to be the focus of hundreds of eyes of people, in a six-mile ride in public conveyances.
I believe that we, as a community having the power to enforce law, should have at least power within our own Town to adjust minor offenses, rather than flaunt them in the faces of our neigh- boring cities, as we are compelled now to do.
ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY CASES.
Sixty-seven persons have been injured and attended by this department during the year. There were three deaths caused by automobiles, and one by an electric car.
I wish to thank the doctors of the Town. They have always responded promptly to our slightest call in all such cases, day or night.
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.
Accidents reported
67
Ambulance calls
38
Buildings reported vacant and given special attention 90
Cases investigated
761
Dead bodies cared for
6
Defective electric lights reported
297
Defective gas pipes reported
3
Details for public assemblies
7
Dogs killed
17
Disturbances suppressed without arrest
20
Fires extinguished without alarm
12
Fire alarms given
12
Glass in fire alarm boxes reported broken
230
Injured persons assisted home
4
Injured persons assisted to hospitals
7
Lanterns placed on dangerous places
1
68
Lost children cared for
24
Messages delivered
61
Notices served for the Selectmen
160
Officers at fires
118
1
103
CHIEF OF POLICE
Obstructions in streets reported
40
Runaway teams secured
2
Sick persons assisted home
10
Sick persons assisted to hospitals
8
Stray teams cared for
13
Stores found unlocked at night and secured
457
I would call the attention of your Honorable Board to the large number of business places found by the officers of this department unsecured at night. That some of these places have not been found by thieves and ransacked is no fault of our storekeepers. The officers are to be commended for their vigilance.
MOTOR CYCLE.
The motor cycle has been ridden 3500 miles during the year, at a cost of $100. It has been invaluable in assisting us to reach and patrol the outskirts of the Town, and in regulating automobile traffic.
If there is any one thing that will make an automobile driver sit up and take notice, and obey the law, it is the sight of an officer in uniform upon a motor cycle.
It has now been in use two years, and should be gone over care- fully and worn parts renewed.
THE GAMEWELL POLICE SIGNAL SYSTEM.
This valuable adjunct to this department gives excellent service, and is under the supervision of the Superintendent of Wires.
There have been 34,658 duty calls, and 1623 telephone calls received at the station over this system during the year.
I would recommend that a new box be placed at, or near, the railroad crossing on Lake Street.
Owing to the large number of new homes being erected, and the ever increasing population of Arlington, and the long routes the officers are compelled to cover, together with the fact that each officer has thirty-eight days off each year, or a total of 418 days (not including sickness) for eleven men, it is imperative that we have at least two more patrolmen, and I would recommend that $1825 be appropriated for this purpose.
I would recommend that an appropriation of $16,983.75, be
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
granted for the use of the Police Department for the year 1915 as follows:
For salaries
$13,918.75
Pension (Mr. Barry)
548.00
Ambulance hire, same as last year
200.00
Telephones, same as last year
192.00
For two extra men-
1,825.00
For miscellaneous expenses
300.00
$16,983.75
In closing, I wish to take this opportunity to thank your Honor- able Board for the backing you have given me in the performance of arduous duties; and to the citizens who have assisted us by word or deed, I extend my appreciation.
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS O. D. URQUHART, Chief of Police.
1
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of the Town of Arlington:
Gentlemen: I respectfully submit my annual report of the Arlington Fire Department, for the year ending December 31, 1914.
The number of companies and equipment are the same as last year; the manual force consists of nine permanent and twenty- eight call members, the same number as last year. The apparatus is all in good condition.
Auto Combination A met with a severe accident on September 26, 1914, in responding to a call for help from the City of Woburn. This necessitated the outlay of about $750 for repairs, part of which Woburn has promised to pay. This car is now in better condition than ever before, as heavier axles and steering gear have been put on in place of the ones damaged by accident. New Monarch Spring wheels have been put on the rear, making a complete outfit of these wheels, which have proved their good qualities more than once.
During the time which this car was out of commission, for the repairs, the Arlington Gas Light Company kindly loaned the department one of their auto trucks, which was loaded with hose and chemical tanks, and was used in answering all alarms during this period. This was without cost to the Town, and I wish to thank the superintendent of the Arlington Gas Light Company in behalf of the Town for this act of thoughtfulness.
Auto Combination B has proved its worth on more than one occasion. It is in first class condition and has not had an accident, outside of a few minor mishaps. These cars have never failed to reach the fire when called, except the one in Woburn which was accounted for.
We have at present four horses, two at the Heights, and two at Highland Hose House, on the Ladder Truck. The two on Ladder Truck are getting old and slow, and unless a motor is
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
installed on Truck, two new horses will be needed the coming year. One horse from the Central Fire Station was sold this year. The cost of keeping the four horses the past year was $597.25, and the cost of the two Autos was $152.44, which is a big saving in favor of the Autos.
The Fire Stations are all in good condition, considering the years of service which they have filled. Minor repairs have been made the past year, and barring accidents, no great amount will be needed, the coming year, to keep them in repair.
The Department has answered eighty-nine Bell, and ninety- three Still alarms, making a total of 182 alarms, which is an increase of forty-five over last year.
The Department has been on duty ninety hours, travelled 288 miles, laid 18,800 feet of hose, used thirty-nine chemical tanks, and 230 pony chemicals.
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
For further detail of alarms and work of Department, see record of Clerk of Engineers.
The appropriation for the year ending December 31, 1914:
General appropriation
$14,800.00
Receipts of department
87.50
$14,887.50
EXPENDITURES.
Permanent men, pay roll
$9,048.65
Call men and engineers
3,747.92
Electric light
71.30
Hay and grain
549.02
Fuel
321.66
Blacksmith
91.65
Gasolene
102.00
Telephones
166.16
107
CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
Veterinary Services
$2.00
Supplies
88.51
Incidentals
316.81
Repairs
285.57
Laundry
46.70
Gas light
15.14
Unexpended balance
34.41
$14,887.50
For further detail see report of Auditor.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
I recommend the appropriation of $16,550, and the receipts of the department, for the maintenance of the same for the ensuing year.
A committee having been appointed at the November Town meeting to report on motorizing the Ladder Truck, I think that this matter will be taken care of in the near future.
The Fire Alarm System is in good order, and has given satis- factory service. Owing to the rapid development of sections of the Town, new Fire Alarm boxes are needed, in order to save time in locating the fire. I recommend the placing of ten new boxes in the newer sections of the Town.
The Water Supply has still continued to give us the best of service as in the past. I still recommend the extension of the high service pipes wherever it is practical to do so, as there is no protection better than that given by the high pressure system. The free placing of hydrants is a great saving of hose, and the cost a great deal less. Therefore I recommend the free placing of hydrants wherever new pipes are laid.
The strict enforcement of all building laws, in regard to the prevention of fire, should be well considered and looked after before it is too late; attention at this time may save a great deal of trouble later on.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
1
CONCLUSION.
In closing my report, I respectfully thank your Honorable Board for the courteous manner in which you have received me in my official capacity. I also wish to thank all other officials of the Town who have so willingly given their services when called upon, and to my assistants and other members of the department, my thanks for the able manner in which they have answered all demands made upon them, making the work of the department a credit to the Town, and a pleasure to command.
Respectfully submitted,
WALTER H. PEIRCE, Chief.
REPORT OF THE SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
ARLINGTON, MASS., December 31, 1914.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.
Gentlemen: I herewith respectfully submit my eighth annual report of the services of this department for the year ending December 31, 1914.
Number of scales, weights and measures sealed 2504
Number of scales, weights and measures condemned
100
Total
2604
Number of milk jars sealed
997
Number of milk jars condemned
31
Total
1028
Weights found incorrect and adjusted
97
Scales found incorrect and adjusted or repaired
87
Pumps having measuring devices adjusted
23
Total
207
Weights condemned
21
Scales condemned
14
Measuring pumps condemned
8
Slot weighing machines condemned
3
Liquid measures condemned
37
Dry measures condemned
17
Total
100
Number of visits made to stores
384
Weighed out packages tested at stores
563
Number of complaints investigated of short weights and measures
21
Number of inspections of milk jars in use on milk teams
91
Number of inspections of scales and measures used by junk collectors, hawkers, and peddlers
143
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
One thousand and twenty-one (1021) weights, scales and measures were inspected, sealed or condemned at places of busi- ness, and statutory fees were received and the same paid to the Town Collector. The remainder of the sealing was done at the office for which no fees were charged in accordance with Chapter 65, Section 35, of the Revised Laws.
Number of berry baskets tested 541
Number of ice cream molds tested and sealed 445
Number of ice weighings 43
Number of gasoline measures tested
57
COAL INSPECTION.
Loads in transit examined for certificate of weight 109
Loads not properly certified to 3
Loads in transit re-weighed
18
Bags of coal re-weighed 49
Bags of charcoal re-weighed 67
The loads re-weighed did not show any unusual shortage, the largest shortage being twenty-one pounds, on a three-ton load; this shortage was made up by the concern on the next load to the consumer; on a two-ton load, the shortage was ten pounds; and on a one-ton load seven pounds.
INSPECTION OF PETROLEUM.
As Inspector of Petroleum, I have had but four samples of petroleum products submitted to me for testing during the past year.
MEASURER OF WOOD AND BARK.
In this capacity I have measured sixteen lots of kindling wood, forty-five loads of cord wond, twenty-four carloads of manure, seven loads of loam and three loads of gravel. On complaints I have measured ten loads of wood and eight carloads of manure.
In conclusion, I wish to express my sincere appreciation to the Town officials and citizens, who have assisted me in various ways in discharge of my duties.
Very respectfully submitted,
CHARLES F. DONAHUE, Sealer of Weights and Measures.
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS.
ARLINGTON, MASS., January 1, 1915.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen, Arlington, Mass .:
I herewith submit my report of the inspection of buildings for the year ending December 31, 1914. Two hundred and sixty permits have been issued, classified as follows:
Dwellings, one-family
72
$179,750
Dwellings, two-family
117
565,900
Additions and alterations
22
24,650
Garages
24
7,625
Sheds
14
1,820
Blocks of stores
2
40,000
Arlington High School
1
186,000
Church
1
3,500
Greenhouse
1
800
Infirmary
1
2,600
Stable
1
250
Tool house
1
1
200
Workshop
1
800
Rebuilding burnt apartment house
1
Rebuilding burnt barn
1
260
$1,013,895
1
I wish to thank the Board and the builders of the Town for the hearty co-operation accorded to me during my term this past year.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM GRATTO, Inspector of Buildings.
111
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REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS.
ARLINGTON, MASS., January 1, 1915.
To the Selectmen of the Toun of Arlington.
Gentlemen: I herein submit my annual report as Inspector of Animals for the year ending December 31, 1914.
During the year there have been two cases of glanders in horses, two cases of rabies in dogs and one case of tuberculosis in a cow. There was an outbreak of hog cholera in one section of the Town including three farms; these farms were quarantined and the hogs treated by the Bureau of Animal Industry with the serum treatment with splendid results. The quarantine has since been lifted.
We have been fortunate in not having had any foot and mouth disease during the present outbreak.
I have inspected fifty stables, one hundred seven cows and about four hundred hogs.
Respectfully submitted,
LAURENCE L. PEIRCE, M.D.V., Inspector of Animals.
112
REPORT OF TOWN PHYSICIAN.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of the Town of Arlington:
Gentlemen: I hereby submit a report of the work done in this department for the year ending January 1, 1915:
Number of house calls 78
Number of calls at office
48
Emergency calls to Police Station 42
The work of the Town Physician has somewhat increased during the past year, owing to the lack of employment of many, otherwise able to care for themselves and families.
The excellent facilities for caring for emergency cases at the Symmes Arlington Hospital is of great help and benefit in many serious cases needing immediate attention.
The purchase of a Pulmotor for first aid, in cases of accidental drowning, suffocation from smoke, gas poisoning, etc., is again recommended, and should be a part of the equipment of either the Fire or Police Departments.
Respectfully submitted,
January 23, 1915.
CHARLES A. KEEGAN.
113
GYPSY AND BROWN-TAIL MOTH DEPARTMENT.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I herewith submit my report as Superintendent for the Sup- pression of the Gypsy and Brown-Tail Moth Department for the year ending December 31, 1914.
GYPSY AND BROWN-TAIL MOTHS.
The work of suppressing these moths has been carried on in a vigorous manner the past year, and with very good results. There is a slight infestation scattered in all parts of the Town, but there are only a few large colonies. One of the worst colonies exists on the property of the Metropolitan Water Commission bordering on the Mystic Lake and Mystic Street. Last year the only work done on this property was spraying, which accounts for the con- ditions which now exist. In order to do effective work and there- by get good results, the winter work of creosoting the nests and cutting off and burning the Brown-Tails must be carefully done, and in the summer spray with arsenate of lead. The Metro- politan Water Commission has promised me that they would do their work this winter, and I look forward to better conditions on this property the coming year.
During the summer a very large amount of dead wood was removed from the trees, the Edison Light Company and the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company bearing part of the expense. This part of the work I consider of the utmost importance, as it not only removes one of the best concealment places for the depositing of the Gypsy nests, but it also relieves the Town of a large amount of damage from falling limbs.
TENT CATERPILLAR.
Much damage has been done, not only in this Town, but throughout the State this year, by this pest, as it was very nu- merous. In order to check this insect much work must be done this year, such as cutting out wild cherries and worthless under-
114
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GYPSY AND BROWN-TAIL MOTH DEPARTMENT
growth along roadsides, and in neglected lots, and by spraying early. Many complaints were made this year by persons who mistook this insect for the Brown-Tail Moth. As there was no appropriation for this insect, it was impossible for me to fight it as I wished.
ELM LEAF BEETLE.
This insect appears to be less in evidence than in previous years, and I hope that by spraying the infested trees twice in a season to nearly eliminate this pest.
CONCLUSION.
In conclusion, I wish to call attention to the fact that for cre- osoting nests, cutting brown-tails, spraying and removing all dead wood from the trees the past year, it cost on an average of sixteen cents per tree. The assessments levied by this depart- ment on property owners for work performed on private property amounted to about $1600 per year, and this money reverts back to the Town Treasury to be used for any purpose to which the Town may vote to apply the same, but no part of such assessments is credited to this department. I would recommend that the sum of $6500 be appropriated for the use of this department the coming year.
I desire to extend my thanks to your Honorable Board for the confidence they have had in me, to the property owners for their co-operation, and to the employees of this department for the assistance given me in the performance of my duties, for to them belongs much of the credit for the condition of our trees, both on public and private property.
Respectfully submitted,
DANIEL M. DALEY, Local Superintendent.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
NATURE OF WORK. JANUARY 1914 TO JANUARY 1915.
Labor
Material Sundries
Cutting and burning brush
$489.99
Cutting and treating nests
1,048.58
$8.98
Counting trees in Town
1.13
Removing dead wood
579.82
Spraying
565.67
611.95
Storehouse labor
66.56
Inspection
9.85
Superintendent and clerk
$1,252.00
Team hire
542.75
Tools, repairs and supplies
176.22
Office supplies and expenses
151.68
Storehouse rent
96.00
$2,761.60
$620.93
$2,218.65
Labor
$2,761.60
Material
620.93
Sundries
2,218.65
Total
$5,601.18
LOCATION OF WORK.
Almshouse
Labor $5.63
Material Sundries $1.55
Counting trees in Town
1.13
Hose No. 2, Fire Department
.57
Hobbs Court Town Yard
1.13
.05
Hospital property
41.71
29.30
Lexington meadows
16.60
Library property
3.50
1.50
Meadow Brook Park
48.08
4.40
Menotomy Rocks Park
142.01
30.35
Mt. Pleasant Cemetery
37.47
13.75
Private work
1,154.90
346.16
Mystic Street gravel pit
1.40
New Town Hall
3.38
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GYPSY AND BROWN-TAIL MOTH DEPARTMENT
Pleasant Street Cemetery
$1.26
$1.80
Reservoir woods
18.69
8.83
School properties:
Crosby
6.75
.05
Cutter
1.13
.30
Locke
2.25
.55
New High
117.58
Russell
.14
Street trees
1,053.30
171.24
Spy Pond field
5.33
1.40
Stone crusher
21.25
9.70
Storehouse labor
66.56
Inspecting
9.85
Superintendent and clerk
$1,252.00
Team hire
542.75
Tools, repairs and supplies
176.22
Office supplies and expense
151.68
Storehouse rent
96.00
$2,761.60
$620.93
$2,218.65
Labor
$2,761.60
Material
620.93
Sundries
2,218.65
Total
$5,601.18
For the year ending December 31, 1914, this department ex- pended $5562.25. During the months of November and Decem- ber I was obliged to cut the men down to half time to keep within the appropriation. Many complaints were received the past spring on account of the tent caterpillar, and it will be necessary that we do something against this insect this year. It will require the cutting down of wild cherries and worthless underbrush in neglected lots; also that we spray early, and not wait for the elm trees to leaf out, and as the time limit in spraying for this insect is very small, if this work is to be effective I should recommend that we purchase two two-horse power spraying machines, and with these I feel as though I could cover the Town in the allotted time. No small hose was purchased last year, and it will be necessary to buy seven hundred feet of half-inch hose, and three
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