Town of Arlington annual report 1915, Part 3

Author: Arlington (Mass.)
Publication date: 1915
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 606


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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40


John R. Foster presented the report of the Committee appointed to procure a strong box and to place therein such documents and data pertaining to the dedication of the new Memorial Town Hall, as the Committee should select. The report stated that the Committee had provided a strong box into which had been placed records of the presentation and dedication of the Hall, an illustrated book containing photographs and autographs of President Wilson and Governor Eugene N. Foss, portraits of the donors of the building, illustrations of the principal buildings and streets of the Town, photographs of the pageant given by the women of the Town in honor of the presentation of the Town Hall, and many interesting documents added by the Misses Robbins. The Committee recommended that the box be closed, the key deposited with the Town Clerk, and that he be authorized to open it only on request of suitable persons and that its contents be examined only in his presence.


The report was accepted, the recommendations adopted and the Committee discharged. File number of report 842.


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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT


Article 3 was then laid on the table.


Voted: That when this meeting adjourns it adjourn to meet in this Hall, Thursday evening, April 1, 1915, at 7.30 o'clock.


Article 4 taken up. (Appropriation for Robbins Library.)


Voted: That there be appropriated the sum of $4000, in addition to the dog tax, the receipts for fines, and the sale of catalogues, for the maintenance of the Robbins Library for the year 1915, the same to be expended under the direction of its Trustees.


Article 5 taken up. (Appropriation for Schools.)


Voted: That the sum of $101,250 be appropriated for the Public Schools for the year 1915, $1200 of this to be expended for the general repairs on school buildings, $750 to be expended for the maintenance of the Spy Pond Athletic Field, $300 for tuition of pupils in State Aided Technical Schools, and the balance to be expended for the maintenance of said Public Schools, the same to be expended under the direction of the School Committee.


Article 6 taken up. (Repairs of Highways and Bridges.)


Voted: That the Town ways, highways and bridges be repaired during the ensuing year under the direction of the Board of Public Works.


Article 8 taken up. (Selectmen Agents of the Town.)


Voted: That the Selectmen be appointed agents of the Town to institute and prosecute actions in favor of the Town, to appear and defend suits and legal proceedings against or involving the interests of the Town, with power to employ counsel therein, and, when necessary, in all other matters and business appertaining to Town affairs during the year commencing March 1, 1915.


Article 10 taken up. (Observance of Memorial Day.)


Voted: That the sum of $250 be appropriated for the proper ob- servance of Memorial Day, the same to be paid to the Quarter- master of Francis Gould Post 36, and to be expended under the direction of the Officers of Francis Gould Post 36, G. A. R.


Article 11 taken up. (Water for Hydrants.)


Voted: That the sum of $7000 be appropriated and paid to the Water Works Department for water used for fire hydrants, street watering and public buildings for the year 1915.


Article 12 taken up. (Extension of Water Mains.)


Voted (by a two-thirds vote): That the sum of $14,500 be ap- propriated for the extension of water mains; that $2500 of said


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TOWN RECORDS


sum be raised by general tax in 1915; and for the purpose of raising the balance, $12,000, there be issued five (5) notes, one for $4000 payable in 1916 and four (4) for the sum of $2000 each payable respectively in 1917, 1918, 1919, and 1920. Said notes to be issued in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 616 of the Acts of 1910, and amendments thereto, and to be designated on the face thereof "Water Loan of 1915" and to bear interest at a rate of 4% per annum, payable semi-annually.


Article 13 taken up. (Permanent Sidewalks.)


Voted: The Committee recommended, and it was so voted that no action be taken under this article.


Article 14 taken up. (Maintenance of Sewerage System.)


Voted: That the sum of $1350 be appropriated for the main- tenance of the Sewerage System for the ensuing year.


Article 15 taken up. (Extension of Sewerage System.)


Voted: That the sum of $8,787.80 be appropriated for the extension of the Sewerage System, this amount to be taken from Sewer Assessment Collections now in the Town Treasury.


Article 16 taken up. (Highway Appropriation.)


Voted: That the sum of $35,950 be appropriated for the maintenance and construction of highways during the ensuing year. And that the street railway and excise tax now in the Treasury, amounting to $13,736, be hereby appropriated toward the pay- ment thereof, and that the balance of $22,213.60 be raised by general tax.


Article 17 taken up. (Street Watering and Dust Prevention.)


Voted (by a two-thirds vote): That an appropriation of $5000 be made for street-sprinkling or treatment for the prevention of dust on streets; that $2000 of said sum be raised by general tax and the balance, $3000, be raised by note of the Town, payable in not exceeding one year, said note to be issued in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 616 of the Acts of 1910, and amend- ments thereto; and the receipts from assessments levied in 1915 for street-sprinkling or treatment for the prevention of dust be hereby appropriated toward the payment of said note.


Article 18 taken up. (Appropriation for Street Lighting.)


Voted: That the sum of $11,516.58 be appropriated for street lighting for the ensuing year.


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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT


Article 19 taken up. (Authority of Collector of Taxes.)


Voted: That the Collector of Taxes be authorized to use all means of collecting taxes for the year 1915 which a Town Treasurer may use when appointed a Collector of Taxes.


Article 20 taken up. (Block System for Assessors.)


The Committee recommended that no action be taken under this article, and it was so voted.


Article 21 taken up. (Appropriation for Gypsy and Brown- Tail Moths.)


Voted: That the sum of $5500 be appropriated to be expended during the year ending December 31, 1915, under the direction and control of the Selectmen, in suppressing the gypsy and brown- tail moths in the Town of Arlington, in accordance with the pro- visions of Chapter 381 of the Acts of 1905, and amendments thereto, this amount to be raised by general tax.


Article 22 taken up. (Insects other than Gypsy and Brown- Tail Moths.)


Voted: That the sum of $1000 be appropriated for the exter- mination of insects other than gypsy and brown-tail moths, the same to be raised by general tax and expended under the direc- tion of the Tree Warden.


Article 23 taken up. (Bathing facilities. Report of Com- mittee.)


Professor Peter Schwamb at this time presented the report of the Committee appointed November 18, 1913, to consider the use of the waters of the Town for bathing purposes. The report was received and ordered filed. File number 843. The report recommended the installation of a swimming pool in the new High School building and asked for an appropriation of $3500 for that purpose. The subject was discussed by various citizens, the Committee of Twenty-one having recommended that no action be taken. Mr. Birch finally offered the following motion and the same was declared carried.


Voted: That the New High School Building. Committee be authorized and empowered to obtain working plans, specifications and estimates for a swimming pool to be installed in the new High School.


Article 24 taken up. (Minimum Wage for Laborers.)


The Committee recommended and it was so voted, that no action be taken under this article.


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TOWN RECORDS


Article 25 taken up. (Additional Motor Fire Apparatus.)


Professor Peter Schwamb at this time presented the report of the Committee appointed December 22, 1914, to investigate the advisability of equipping all fire apparatus of the Town, not now so equipped, with motors. The report was received and ordered filed. File number 841. The Committee recommended the purchase of a new motor-driven combination ladder truck and chemical engine and asked for an appropriation of $6000 for that purpose. After a full discussion of the subject the following motion was offered by Mr. Carr and the same was declared carried by a two-thirds vote.


Voted: That the sum of $6000 be appropriated for the purchase of an auto combination chemical and ladder truck; said sum to be expended under the direction of the Committee on Fire Ap- paratus appointed December 22, 1914, and the Fire Engineers. That four thousand (4000) dollars of said sum be raised by general tax and the balance of two thousand (2000) dollars be raised by the issue of one note of the Town, of two thousand (2000) dollars due in 1916, to be issued in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 616 of the Acts of 1910 and amendments thereto, and to be designated on the face thereof "Fire Equipment Loan of 1915," and to bear interest at a rate not exceeding four per cent per annum, payable semi-annually.


Article 26 taken up. (Acceptance of Orvis Road.)


Voted: That the Town accept and establish as a Town way under the provisions of law authorizing the assessment of better- ments the private way known as Orvis Road, from Massachusetts Avenue to Brooks Avenue, laid out by the Joint Board of Select- men and the Board of Public Works, said way being more par- ticularly described in Article 26 of the Warrant.


Article 27 taken up. (Acceptance of Freeman Street.)


Voted: That the Town accept and establish as a Town way, under the provisions of law authorizing the assessment of better- ments, the private way known as Freeman Street, as laid out by the Joint Board of Selectmen and the Board of Public Works, said way being more particularly described in Article 27 of the Warrant.


Article 28 taken up. (Acceptance of Milton Street.)


Voted: That the Town accept and establish as a Town way,


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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT


under the provisions of law authorizing the assessment of better- ments, the private way known as Milton Street, from Massa- chusetts Avenue southwesterly, as laid out by the Joint Board of Selectmen and the Board of Public Works, said way being more particularly described in Article 28 of the Warrent.


Article 29 taken up. (Acceptance of Melrose Street.)


Voted: That the Town accept and establish as a Town way, under the provisions of law authorizing the assessment of better- ments the private way known as Melrose Street, from Massa- chusetts Avenue southwesterly as laid out by the Joint Board of Selectmen and the Board of Public Works, said way being more particularly described in Article 29 of the Warrant.


Article 30 taken up. (Acceptance of Amsden Street.)


Voted: That the Town accept and establish as a Town way under the provisions of law authorizing the assessment of better- ments the private way known as Amsden Street, from Massa- chusetts Avenue northeasterly a distance of four hundred feet, as laid out by the Joint Board of Selectmen and the Board of Public Works, said way being more particularly described in Article 30 of the Warrant.


Article 31 taken up. (Acceptance of Windsor Street.)


Voted: That the Town accept and establish as a Town way under the provisions of law authorizing the assessment of better- ments, the private way known as Windsor Street, from Massa- chusetts Avenue northeasterly, as laid out by the Joint Board of Selectmen and the Board of Public Works, said way being more particularly described in Article 31 of the Warrant.


Article 37 taken up. (Acceptance of Woodland Street.)


Voted: That the Town accept and establish as a Town way under the provisions of law authorizing the assessment of better- ments the private way known as Woodland Street, from Bartlett Avenue to Lincoln Street, as laid out by the Joint Board of Select- men and the Board of Public Works, said way being more par- ticularly described in Article 37 of the Warrant.


Article 38 taken up. (Acceptance of Lincoln Street.)


Voted (by a two-thirds vote): That the Town accept and es- tablish as a Town way under the provisions of law authorizing the assessment of betterments, the private way known as Lincoln Street, from Gray Street to Woodland Street, as laid out by the


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TOWN RECORDS


Joint Board of Selectmen and the Board of Public Works, said way being more particularly described in Article 38 of the Warrant. That the sum of $9500 be appropriated for the construction of Orvis Road, Freeman Street, Milton Street, Melrose Street, Amsden Street, Windsor Street, Woodland Street and Lincoln Street. And that said sum be raised by the issue of five serial notes, four of which shall be for $2000 each, the first payable in 1916, and one payable in each of the three succeeding years; the fifth note shall be for $1500 payable in 1920. Said notes to be issued in accord- ance with the provisions of Chapter 616 of the Acts of 1910, and amendments thereto, to be designated on the face thereof "Street Loan of 1915," and to bear interest at a rate not exceeding four per cent per annum, payable semi-annually.


Article 32 taken up. (Action on Oak Knoll.)


The Committee recommended, and it was so voted, that no action be taken under this article.


Article 33 taken up. (Appropriation for Summer Street.)


Voted (by a two-thirds vote): That the sum of $14,000 be ap- propriated for the construction of Summer Street extension, $1500 of which shall be raised by general tax, and the balance of $12,500 be raised by the issue of five (5) serial notes for the sum of $2500 each, the first payable in 1916, and one payable in each of the four succeeding years; said notes to be issued in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 616 of the Acts of 1910, and amend- ments thereto, and to be designated on the face thereof "Summer Street Loan of 1915," and to bear interest at a rate not exceeding four per cent per annum, payable semi-annually. This money shall be expended under the direction of the Board of Public Works.


Article 34 taken up. (Contract for excavating Great Meadows.)


Voted: That the Town authorize and empower the Board of Public Works in the name and behalf of the Town, to extend a contract now existing with the Boston Fertilizer Company for the excavation of peat from that portion of its water supply area known as the Great Meadows, in East Lexington, for the purpose of the improvement of said area as a reserve water supply basin, not beyond May 1, 1930, on such terms and under such restric- tions as the said Board of Public Works may, in its discretion, impose.


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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT


Article 35 taken up. (New way between Massachusetts Avenue an .: Mystic Street.)


Voted: That the Town authorize the Joint Board of Selectmen and the Board of Public Works to make a study and plan of a new way between Mystic Street to and across Summer Street, thence, across the location of the Boston and Lowell Railroad to Massachusetts Avenue, a report of such study to be made at the next Town Meeting.


Article 36 taken up. (Land for Park purposes; Orient Avenue.)


Voted: That the Park Commissioners be and hereby are au- thorized and empowered to acquire by purchase or otherwise, in the name and behalf of the Town, for park purposes, the parcel of land described in Article 36 of the Warrant. And the sum of $493 is hereby appropriated for the purpose of paying for said land, the same to be raised by general tax.


Article 39 taken up. (Removal of snow and ice.)


Voted: That the sum of $3000 be appropriated for the removal of snow and ice from the highways for the ensuing year, the same to be expended under the direction of the Board of Public Works.


Article 40 taken up. (Appropriation for Engineering.)


Voted: That the sum of $3000 be appropriated for engineering work for the ensuing year, $1500 of this amount to be expended for the salary of the Town Engineer, and the balance of $1500 to be expended for engineering work not properly chargeable to any other appropriation; all to be expended under the direction of the Joint Board.


Article 41 taken up. (Appropriation for storm drains.)


Voted: That the sum of $3640 be appropriated for the con- struction of storm drains, the same to be expended under the direction of the Board of Public Works.


Article 42 taken up. (Crosby School Playground.)


Voted: The Committee recommended, and it was so voted, that no action be taken under this article.


Article 43 taken up. (Action of Park Commissioners ratified.)


Voted: That the Town ratify the action of the Park Commis- sioners in taking a certain parcel of land for park purposes as authorized by the Town at the Town Meeting held September


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TOWN RECORDS


18, 1914, said parcel of land being more particularly described in Article 43 of the Warrant.


Article 44 taken up. (Massachusetts Avenue, widening.)


Voted: That an appropriation of $1,870.80 be made for the widening of Massachusetts Avenue from Water Street to Central Street, under the provisions of law authorizing the assessment of betterments, the same to be spent under the direction of the Board of Public Works.


Article 7 taken up. (Town expenses, debt, interest, etc.)


Voted: That $9500 from the income of the Water Department, $7,516.21 taken from unexpended balances and amounts in the Treasury otherwise unappropriated, together with $14,500 to be taken from receipts from supplementary taxes of 1914, and $10,433.79 to be raised by general tax, be appropriated for the payment of bonds and notes maturing in 1915.


Voted: That the sum of $11,107.50 from the income of the Water Department and $24,392.50 to be raised by general tax, be appropriated for the payment of interest during 1915.


Voted: That the sum of $8000 be appropriated for the care of outside poor, in addition to such sums as the Town may receive from individuals reimbursing it for such care.


Voted: That the sum of $14,550 be appropriated for the Sinking Fund, $5000 to be taken from the income of the Water Works, $9,550 to be raised by general tax the current year.


Salaries: The following appropriations were made for salaries for the year beginning March 1, 1915, for elective officers and April 1, 1915, for appointive officers :


Selectmen, six hundred fifty dollars .


$650


Town Clerk, fees and twelve hundred dollars


1,200


Treasurer, seven hundred dollars


700


Collector, fourteen hundred dollars


1,400


Auditor, eleven hundred dollars


1,100


Board of Public Works, six hundred fifty dollars 650


Assessors, two thousand dollars.


2,000


Board of Health, four hundred dollars


400


Tree Warden, one hundred dollars 100


Inspector of Buildings, seven hundred fifty dollars. . .


750


Town Physician, two hundred dollars. 200


Registrars of Voters, two hundred twenty-five dollars. 225


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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT


Superintendent of Wires, one thousand dollars $1,000


Inspector of Animals, one hundred fifty dollars .. 150


Sealer Weights and Measures, two hundred dollars. 200


Town Counsel, two hundred fifty dollars. 250


Secretary, Committee of Twenty-one, fifty dollars. . . 50


Inspector of Plumbing, seven hundred fifty dollars ...


750


Medical Inspector of Schools, three hundred dollars. . 300


Inspector of Milk, four hundred dollars


400


Inspector of Slaughtering, two hundred dollars 200


The following appropriations were then made for the purposes indicated.


Board of Health, thirty-two hundred dollars. $3,200


Board of Survey, five hundred dollars 500


Cemeteries, two thousand dollars. 2,000


Fire Department, fifteen thousand eight hundred dollars. 15,800


Health Department, twelve thousand six hundred dollars. 12,600


Incidentals:


Selectmen, fifty-five hundred dollars ($5,500) as follows:


(a) Ballot Clerks, elections, twelve hundred dollars. 1,200


(b) Legal, fifteen hundred dollars 1,500


(c) Town Reports and Committee of Twenty-one, fifteen hundred dollars


1,500


(d) Selectmen Incidentals, thirteen hundred dollars. Assessors, eleven hundred dollars


1,300


Auditor, one hundred twenty-five dollars


125


Collector, eight hundred dollars.


800


Town Clerk, seventeen hundred dollars


1,700


Treasurer, three hundred fifty dollars


350


Insurance, fifty-five hundred dollars


5,500


Park Commission, four hundred twenty-five dollars. .. .


425


Planning Board, three hundred dollars


300


Police Department, fifteen thousand three hundred twenty-eight dollars . 15,328


Premium for Bonding, one hundred sixty dollars 160


Soldiers' Relief, four hundred dollars. 400


State and Military Aid, two hundred fifty dollars. .. . 250


Town House, New, four thousand five hundred dollars.


4,500


1,100


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TOWN RECORDS


Town House, Old, five hundred dollars. $500


Wire Department, twenty-seven hundred dollars 2,700 Reserve Fund, three thousand dollars. 3,000


Article 7 was then laid on the table.


Article 9 taken up. (Committee of Twenty-one for ensuing year.)


Voted: That the Moderator of this meeting, together with the Chairman and Secretary of the present Committee, are hereby appointed a Committee to nominate and report to this meeting a Finance Committee of Twenty-one citizens, representing all sections of the Town, to serve until the end of the Annual Meeting of 1916; fourteen of the members to be selected from the present Committee of Twenty-one, provided they will serve; the other seven to be newly appointed. That no person holding an elective Town office shall be eligible to serve on said Committee. To this Finance Committee of Twenty-one are hereby referred all articles in any Warrant for a Town Meeting issued during its term of office. Said Committee shall, after due consideration of the subject matter of said articles, report thereon, in print or otherwise, to the Town Meeting, with such recommendations as it shall deem best. Said Committee shall choose its own officers and have power to fill vacancies.


The Committee thus appointed nominated the following citizens to serve on the Finance Committee for the term and for the pur- poses indicated in the vote, and they were declared elected:


Abbot Allen Market Gardener 339 Mass. Avenue


John J. Barker


Merchant 45 Westmoreland Av.


Clarence H. Campbell Real Estate Dennis J. Collins Salesman


12 Schouler Court


Charles B. Devereaux


Engineer Supplies


8 Wellington Street


Frederick W. Dickson Expressman


85 Brattle Street


Herbert E. W. Ekmark Agent


16 Windsor Street


John R. Foster Picture Frames


362 Mystic Street


Theodore P. Harding Broker


Charles H. Higgins


Forester


Walter K. Hutchinson Grocer


330 Mass. Avenue


Arthur A. Lawson Insurance


13 Ravine Street


Charles M. MacMillan Glass


95 Jason Street


Loren W. Marsh Manager


71 Bartlett Avenue 7 Swan Street


36 Norfolk Road


108 Broadway


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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT


W. Irving Middleton Electrical Engineer


20 Freeman Street


Claude A. Palmer


Manager 57 Wollaston Ave.


Walter A. Robinson


Teacher


36 Jason Street


Walter F. Robinson


Civil Engineer


15 Cliff Street


Howard S. Russell Farmer


1108 Mass, Avenue


George H. Shirley


Salesman


16 Walnut Street


Charles W. Tilton Salesman


32 Oakland Avenue


Article 7 was then taken from the table.


Voted: That there be appropriated from the income of the Water Department during the year 1915, $34,393 for maintenance and extensions, including Metropolitan Water Assessments; $11,107.50 for interest on the water debt; $5000 for the Sinking Fund and $9500 for payments of water notes coming due in 1915. Article 45 taken up. (Town Grant $317,878.27.)


Voted: That the several amounts appropriated at this meeting


. for the purposes indicated by the various votes, and not other- wise provided for, amounting to $317,878.27, be raised by general tax the present year, and that all notes issued under the authority of any vote passed at this meeting shall be issued in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 616 Acts of 1910 or any amendments thereto.


The number of voters attending the meeting, as determined by the Constables in charge of the turnstiles, was four hundred eighty-nine (489).


All business calling the meeting having been disposed of, it was voted that the meeting be now dissolved.


Meeting dissolved at fifty minutes after ten o'clock.


A true record. Attest:


THOMAS J. ROBINSON, Town Clerk.


TOWN WARRANT.


COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. MIDDLESEX, SS.


To either of the Constables of the Town of Arlington in said County. GREETING :


In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby required to notify and warn the inhabitants of the


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TOWN RECORDS


Town of Arlington, qualified as the Constitution requires to vote in elections and town affairs, to assemble in Town Hall, in said Town, Thursday, the twentieth day of May, 1915, at 7.30 o'clock in the evening, then and there to act on the following articles, viz .:


ARTICLE 1. To choose a Moderator to preside at said meeting.


ART. 2. To hear and act on the reports of committees hereto- fore appointed.


ART. 3. To see if the Town will make an appropriation for grading the grounds of the new High School, determine in what manner the money shall be raised and expended, or take any action thereon.


ART. 4. ' To see if the Town will make an appropriation for the equipment of the new High School, determine in what manner the money shall be raised and expended, or take any action thereon.




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