USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1915 > Part 22
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Number of Inspections made. 1062
Number of Lights wired for 11,340
Number of Motors wired for. 38
Number of Electric Ranges wired.
5
Number of Electric Heaters wired .
2
Service Permits issued to Edison Electric Illuminating Co. 1093
Incandescent Lights, (25 to 100 watt), supplied with service,
New and Old Installations, as per permits issued . 16,179
Incandescent Lights, 5 watt, a's per permits issued. 108
Incandescent Lights, 150 watt, as per permits issued. 5
Incandescent Lights, 250 watt, as per permits issued.
17
Incandescent Lights, 400 watt, as per permits issued.
24
Incandescent Lights, 500 watt, as per permits issued. 1
Incandescent Lights, 750 watt, as per permits issued. 2
5 Electric Ranges Installed. Total watts capacity 24,430
1 Electric Hot Water Heater Installed. Total watts capacity 2100
1 Electric Heater Installed . Total watts capacity 2000
1 Electric Rectifier Installed . Total watts capacity 600
1 Electric Glue Pot Installed Total watts capacity 350
1 Electric Ozonator Installed . Total watts capacity 350
1 Stereopticon Lamp Installed . Total watts capacity 3390
12 Motors Installed, } to & H.P. Total Horse Power 53
26 Motors Installed, 1 to 20 H.P. Total Horse Power 131
CLASS AND NUMBER OF BUILDINGS WIRED DURING THE YEAR 1915. NEW BUILDINGS.
Academy, (Cement) .
1
Bowling Alley, (Cement)
1
Church, (Wood) . 1
Chapel, (Stone) 1
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Dance Hall, (Wood)
1
Garages, (Private) 12
Garages, (Public) .
1
Laundry, (Wood)
1
School Building, (Brick)
1
Store, (Wood)
1
Brick Blocks, (Stores only)
2
Brick Blocks, (Stores and Tenements) .
1
Cement Block, (Stores, Offices, Theatre and Bowling Alley)
1
Single Houses, (Wood)
74
Two Apartment Houses, (Wood)
162
Four Apartment Houses, (Wood)
1
Total. 262
OLD BUILDINGS.
Barns, (Wood).
4
Boat House, (Brick) .
1
Church, (Rebuilt Wood)
1
Garages, (Private)
5
Garages, (Public)
1
Greenhouses.
1
Stores.
4
Wood Block, Stores only
2
One Store and One Tenement
3
Single Houses . .
79
Two Apartment Houses 26
Total. 127
ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION NEW HIGH SCHOOL.
One of the largest electrical installations requiring inspection during the past year was at the new High School building. The electrical equipment in this building consists of 404 lights of all candle power with other wiring installed (not now in use) for about 100 additional lights. Seven (7) electric motors are used as follows: Two (2) 14 horse power and two (2) 20 horse power for heating and ventilating systems; one (1) 1 horse power, one (1) 5 horse power and one (1) 10 horse power motors
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
are used for machinery in Manual Training Department, making a total installation of 5612 Horse Power in use. Provision has been made for one (1) 5 horse power in laboratories for operating a motor generator at a later date. One (1) stereopticon lamp was installed with a capacity of 30 amperes; also wiring is installed for a second light of this class. The entire electrical installation is of the best, and most careful attention was given by the Inspection Department to ensure a safe and reliable system.
ELECTRICAL FIRES.
Two (2) electrical fires have occurred during the year which in both cases were found not to be due to any defects in the systems in use. One fire being caused by the short circuiting of a lamp cord, by user pulling same under a metal door and cutting through the insulation and igniting some loose paper and excelsior near where cord was damaged. The second fire was caused by squirrels building a nest under floor of a house near a chimney amongst quite a number of wires at this point. The insulation of these wires was gnawed by these animals and when wires came together the light material forming nest was fired causing about $200 damage before fire was extinguished. It was found that the wires from which the fire started were . "improperly fused" from a safety standpoint, extra heavy fuses being in use in violation of inspection requirements. If a six (6) ampere fuse had been in use in this building on the particular circuit on which fire occured there never would have been a fire as this small fuse would have quickly blown and caused no trouble. This Department again calls the attention of citizens using electric light, heat or power, to use care in re- placing any fuses blown by others of proper capacity and in accordance with amount of current to be used. Never use a fuse of over ten (10) amperes capacity on any lighting circuit, and it is recommended that six (6) ampere fuses be used for this purpose rather than the larger size. No electrical system, when inspected, is approved by this department, for the use of fuses over six (6) amperes capacity, without special permission. When fuses blow and lights go out do not have some one replace same "who knows all about electricity," as there is much that "all" do not know about same, but have someone who knows something about fuses make the repair. Be sure that the right
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REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF WIRES
size fuses are used, as they are the "safety valves" of your electrical system and by so doing you may prevent a visit of the Fire Department.
LICENSING OF ELECTRICIANS, (CHAPTER 296, ACTS OF 1915).
On September first, nineteen hundred fifteen, a new State law became effective wherein all persons, firms or corporations engaged in the business of installing wires and other appliances for light, heat and power, shall be licensed. This law is now being enforced and it is unlawful for any person to make repairs or install any wiring, fixtures or other fittings, to be used for light, heat or power, in any building without possessing said license as required by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Electrical Inspection Departments are expected to see that this law is enforced as a compliance of same means that satisfactory work will be done and the systems installed will be in accordance with requirements governing such installations ..
FIRE ALARM.
In accordance with appropriation made by the Town many important additions and changes were made on the Fire Alarm System during the year 1915. Four (4) new fire alarm boxes were installed in such locations as deemed most necessary by the Fire Chief and Wire Superintendent. On September 9 four fire alarm boxes were put in commission on the following specified streets:
Box 214, Corner Marathon Street and Waldo Road.
Box 223, Corner Everett and Raleigh Streets.
Box 423, Corner Highland Avenue and Gloucester Street.
Box 82, Corner Oakland Avenue and Gray Street.
Nine (9) signal wheels were installed in transmitter box in Central Fire Station to cover districts not at present protected by street boxes. Seventy hundred thirty-four (7034) feet of insulated iron wire was used to make connection to new boxes. All aerial wires of system were thoroughly inspected and strengthened as deemed necessary to ensure good service.
On underground construction important additions were made to both Fire Alarm and Police Signal Systems. New iron terminal posts were installed on Massachusetts Avenue for Fire Boxes
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Nos. 42, 45 and 47. Police Boxes Nos. 41 and 44 were placed on underground terminals, also two (2) iron cable post terminals were set for proper division of underground wires at points where no fire or police posts could be located, to allow for testing points on the underground wires. Between Walnut and Appleton Streets on Massachusetts Avenue and for tap connections to side streets near these points fifteen hundred seventy (1570) feet of two (2) wire lead-covered cable and twenty-three hundred seventy-five (2375) feet of four (4) wire lead-covered cable was installed in conduits connecting with existing underground wires near the Highland Fire Station. Nine hundred twenty-nine (929) feet of insulated iron wire and two hundred fifty-five (255) feet of aerial cable was used to connect new sections of aerial wire construction on Forest Street, made necessary by new underground wires installed. All aerial wires for Fire and Police Systems were removed on Massachusetts Avenue, between Brattle and Appleton Streets, also the old fire alarm wire that has been in use for many years on railroad poles between Brattle and Forest Streets was abandoned. This substantial increase of underground wires adds greatly to the reliability of the signal systems, and additions should be made as rapidly as the Town's finances permit for the extension of systems to the Heights section of the Town, until all aerial wires are removed from Massachusetts Avenue. The underground wire system of the Fire Alarm and Police Signal is now completed from the Cambridge Line to corner of Massa- chusetts Avenue and Appleton Street, also the fire alarm wires are underground on Pleasant Street from Massachusetts Avenue to a point near Belmont Town Line. At the Central Fire Station a new special dust-tight cabinet was installed in which were placed the relays and other delicate electrical apparatus used in con- junction with the Somerville and Medford Fire Alarm Systems. A special switching device was placed in this cabinet allowing connections to each of the two fire alarm circuits with which this station is connected, in case either circuit should become in- operative. Among the many pieces of trouble experienced in maintaining a fire alarm system in a town of our population was one on December 2, about 4.00 P. M., when the circuit covering the Heights section of the Town went out of commission. This
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REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF WIRES
trouble was quickly located on Forest Street, where it was found that a road contractor building the new boulevard at this point to expedite construction had used an extra heavy charge of dynamite; in consequence the ledge to be removed was blown to pieces also the pole line with all wires of the fire alarm, electric light and telephone systems were destroyed. While this mixup was being straightened out a call came by telephone for a fire in the Heights district. This alarm was promptly sent out from transmitter box as No. 62 on other working circuits of the fire alarm, allowing a prompt response of the department. Other troubles sometimes difficult to locate occur when an excavation is being made on streets where underground wires exist and some laborer puts a pick through a conduit and if trouble does not indicate at that time no report is ever made and later corrosion takes place on the damaged wires and an all night job may be at hand picking up frozen manhold covers, pipes, etc., to locate this trouble. This class of trouble has been experienced by the Wire Department quite a few times in recent years and is a part of many other troubles of maintaining Municipal Signal Systems of which a large majority of citizens have no knowledge.
POLICE SIGNAL.
One new police signal box was installed on September 23, at corner Marathon Street and Waldo Road. This box is numbered 142 and covers a thickly settled section of the eastern part of the Town. Thirty-one hundred sixty-six (3166) feet of insulated iron wire was used to connect this box. The police signal has given the same excellent service during the year as in the past since installed in 1906.
INVENTORY OF FIRE ALARM AND POLICE SIGNAL APPARATUS.
The inventory submitted by this Department to your Honorable Board of electrical apparatus of the Fire Alarm and Police Signal Systems in buildings may be of interest to citizens as to the value of same. The total value of this electrical apparatus as owned by the Town is twelve thousand seventeen (12,017) dollars, this apparatus being in buildings as follows:
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Old Town Hall, Fire Alarm and Police Signal Apparatus .
$6,728
Central Fire Station,
Fire Alarm and Police Signal Apparatus ... 1,720
Highland Fire Station,
Fire Alarm and Police Signal Apparatus ... 1,306
Hose No. 1 Station,
Fire Alarm and Police Signal Apparatus ... 205.
Crosby School,
Fire Alarm and Police Signal Apparatus
538
Peirce & Winn Building (Heights), Fire Bell, Etc.
1,385
Other Buildings, Fire Gongs, Etc.
135
Total.
$12,017
The approximate value of street signal boxes, aerial and underground wires, pole fixtures, etc., is ten thousand (10,000.00) dollars. An inventory of this part of signal system is soon to. be made to determine correct value.
NEW BATTERY RACK.
A new steel battery rack was purchased this year for the storage batteries at Fire Alarm Headquarters. This new rack is con- structed in accordance with the latest Underwriters' Requirements. and is to replace old wood rack now in use since the year 1900. This new rack will be placed in service this coming year in room above where present batteries are located in Old Town Hall Building. After many years' request the Wire Department has been provided with a suitable stock and workroom in basement of Old Town Hall Building. Suitable quarters were absolutely necessary owing to the rapidly increasing amount of wire, cables, pole fixtures, etc., which has to be on hand at all times for con- struction and emergency service.
RECORD.
On September 15 and 17 the No School Signal was sounded, dismissing the schools on account of extreme heat. This is the first time, since the Fire Alarm was installed in 1889, that a. "No School" signal has ever been sounded dismissing schools for other than stormy weather.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
I respectfully recommend the installation of two (2) fire alarm boxes to be located in thickly settled sections of the Town where- buildings are in close proximity and where the quicker an alarm
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REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF WIRES
can be sounded the less possibility of a serious conflagration. These boxes to be placed as follows:
Massachusetts Avenue, near Trowbridge Street.
Massachusetts Avenue, near Everett Street.
This department does not recommend any more additional boxes for the coming year, as much expensive construction should be done towards renewing underground wires in the central part of the Town which is absolutely necessary to ensure proper service on all other sections of the signal systems. The under- ground wires in the central part of the Town (which is the heart) of the signal systems have been in service 15 years and serious trouble has been experienced in recent years by injury to these wires from dampness, gases and other causes beyond control. Additional wires are required on systems to prevent overloading of circuits and for other service. In addition the renewal of underground wires in other sections of the Town need attention owing to many years of use and rapidly deteriorating insulation. A new fire-proof terminal switch board should be placed in basement of Old Town Hall Building this coming year for making connections to underground wires with electrical apparatus in this building. The citizens of the Town should give careful consideration to the requirements of the Wire Department as enumerated in this report, as recommendations specified are absolutely necessary if the Town desires reliable service from its Fire Alarm and Police Signal Systems.
Respectfully submitted,
REUBEN W. LEBARON, Superintendent of Wires.
REPORT OF TOWN COUNSEL.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Board of Public Works for the Town of Arlington, Mass.
Gentlemen: I herewith hand you my report as Town Counsel for the year ending December 31, 1915.
At the close of the year there are pending before various Courts the following cases in which the Town is a party :
Petition of David Irwin for an assessment of damages for the taking of land for the extension of Summer Street.
A Bill in Equity brought by the Town against the Bay State Street Railway Company seeking an interpretation of the location grant agreements given by the Town to the Arlington & Winchester Street Railway Company in 1897.
The suit of Frank Reynolds for injuries sustained by fall of poles on Broadway.
The suit of Catherine Broderick, who claims to have contracted typhoid fever while a tenant of the Town.
The Town was represented before the Public Service Com- mission at several hearings relative to the transportation accommodations of the Town.
The Town was also represented before the Gas & Electric Light Commission relative to the reduction in the price of gas which has been ordered reduced to a maximum of $1.10 per thousand, together with other findings which will be of material benefit to the Town at some future date.
The suit of George H. Russell against the Town for the taking of land on the shores of Mystic Lake was settled on the payment of.$560.
The suit of Teresa Nelligan for injuries growing out of a defect in the highway was settled for $15.
Work on the adjustment of damages for the taking of land for Summer Street has gone on steadily since April and about 65 per cent of the amount has been settled at the figures awarded by the Board.
The general routine work has been attended to.
Respectfully submitted,
PHILIP A. HENDRICK, Town Counsel.
366
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REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD.
At the annual Town Meeting, Mr. Henry W. Hayes was elected a member of the Board to fill the vacancy caused by the declina- tion of Mr. H. S. Adams to again serve, owing to the pressure of private affairs.
The Board now consists of the following members: Henry W. Hayes, Chairman, Harry G. Porter, James P. Parmenter, Cyrus E. Dallin and Robert W. Pond. On November 11, 1915, Jacob Bitzer was appointed Secretary.
During the year the Board has held meetings at which problems of the future development of the Town have been discussed and preliminary plans outlined.
The Board hesitates to recommend any large improvement to the Town at this time, as the development has not reached the point where such measures are imperative, and particularly from the fact that the Town is already committed to large expenditures for various improvements and extensions of the public service. However, the members of the Planning Board have been active in the Massachusetts Federation of Planning Boards and also in the Council of Fifty, under whose direction a convention and exhibit was held by the Homestead Commission at the State House in November, and have also been in touch with all matters that have come up through State and city authorities bearing on Planning Board subjects and the effect of all discussions, regula- tions and suggestions having to do with the local conditions.
It is not the policy of the Board to lead the way to extravagant expenditures, but there are some public improvements which the Town must consider in the very near future. Of these, three of the most prominent are, enlargement of school buildings, estab- lishment of building lines on Massachusetts Avenue, between Academy Street and Lowell Street, and better connection with the Mystic Street section from the vicinity of the Town Hall.
367
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
At a meeting of the Board held November 18, the Superinten- dent of Schools appeared before the Board and called attention to the pressing need of providing more school facilities. After consultation with the School Committee, this Board recommends that action be taken as described in detail in the School Com- mittee report, viz .: That the Cutter School be enlarged with as little delay as possible, that sufficient adjoining land be taken for a playground, and that in the near future further accommodations be provided in the Crosby district. These measures are urgent.
The widening of Massachusetts Avenue, from Water Street to Academy Street, has been completed, and the Board is of the opin- ion that the extension of this widening to Lowell Street should be made possible by the establishment of building lines.
The Planning Board has recommended to the Joint Board that such lines be established under authority given the Joint Board by Section 103, Chapter 48, Acts amended by Chapter 572, R. L. of 1893, which reads as follows:
AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE ESTABLISHING OF A BUILDING LINE ON PUBLIC WAYS.
Be it enacted, etc., as follows:
Section 1. The Board or officers' authority to lay out city or town ways may in the manner prescribed by law for giving notice of an intention to lay out any such way, give notice of an inten- tion to establish a building line, parallel to, and not more than twenty-five (25) feet distant from any exterior line of a highway or city or town way, and after said notice may pass a vote establish- ing such building line, and in case of a city, upon the recording of said vote in the records of the city, or in a town, upon the ac- ceptance of said vote by the inhabitants of the town at a town meeting called as provided by law, said building line shall be established; and until another building line shall thereafter be established in the same manner, no structure shall thereafter be erected, placed or maintained between such building line and such way, except that steps, windows, porticoes and other usual pro- jections appurtenant to the front wall of the building may be al- lowed in such restricted space, to the extent prescribed in the vote establishing such building line.
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Section 2. Any persons sustaining damage by reason of the establishment of such building line shall have the same remedies for obtaining payment therefor as may be prescribed by law for obtaining payment for damages sustained by the laying out of a highway in such city or town.
Section 3. This Act shall take effect in any city when accepted by the City Council thereof, and in any town when accepted by a majority of the legal voters thereof present and voting thereon at a town meeting called for the purpose.
This Act was accepted by the Town at a meeting held on March 31, 1913.
The Board has caused letters to be sent to the abutting owners explaining the objects of this proposition and asking for co-opera- tion, and has been gratified to receive almost unanimous endorse- ment by the abutting owners. If the Town accepts this recom- mendation, it is the opinion of the Board that building lines should be established on several other of our main thoroughfares, as this is the only way to secure the possibility of future widening in these thoroughfares without prohibitive expense and to prevent en- croachment on existing open spaces.
A better connection to the Mystic Street section from Massa- chusetts Avenue has been under discussion for some years, and definite plans for the construction of such connection should be decided upon as quickly as possible, with a view to economy in construction, in the taking of land, etc., as well as to the better- ment of street railway transportation facilities and the elimination of grade crossings.
The Board has under advisement a plan contemplating the widening of Central Street and the taking of private land so as to connect with Mystic Street near Glen Avenue, connecting also Russell Street with the proposed street and doing away with crossings in Mill Street and Water Street. It is a large matter and varied interests have to be consulted. The Board is making a careful study and after conference with the railroad authorities will be in a position to make a definite recommendation to the Town.
The Planning Board believes it is its duty to act in an advisory capacity and not to interfere with the work of the Departments
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
of the Town; also to keep closely in touch with the growth and development of the Town, to make suggestions or recommenda- tions from time to time and to prevent the unnecessary expendi- ture of money now or in the future.
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY W. HAYES, Chairman, HARRY G. PORTER, JAMES P. PARMENTER, CYRUS E. DALLIN, ROBERT W. POND.
1
REPORT OF TREE WARDEN.
I herewith submit my report as Tree Warden for the year ending December 31, 1915.
The office of Tree Warden means much when taken into con- sideration. Upon him devolves the custody of all public shade trees within the limits of the Town. I have endeavored to do my duty in a fair and impartial manner. I may have failed to satisfy some, but they must realize that I must take a broad, yet conserva- tive view of all cases coming under my consideration, and act on them reasonably for the general good of all concerned.
TREE PLANTING.
Owing to the lateness of the Town in making an appropriation for new trees, I was unable to do any spring planting. In the fall I set out 100 Norway maples and 101 lindens, and placed a guard round each tree. There are a number of small trees that are unprotected, and many of these have been ruined by horses, and the mischievousness of boys.
LEOPARD MOTH.
I again wish to call the attention of the citizens to the destruc- tion that is caused by this borer, not only to shade trees, but to all other trees. I hope that all the owners of private estates will do all they can to check this borer on property controlled by them.
REMOVAL OF TREES.
During the year eighteen dead trees were removed. The prob- able cause of their decay, in my opinion, was due largely to lack of moisture, followed by an attack of borers. In two cases I claim the main cause was gas poisoning, and the Gas Company reim- bursed the Town for the cost of their removal. Eleven dangerous, or trees obstructing travel, were posted, and hearings held, and as no objectors appeared at any of the hearings, these were re-
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