USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1916 > Part 8
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT
to keep our tax rate at about $20, without impairing the efficiency of the service.
CORPORATION AND BANK TAX RECEIVED BY THE
TOWN.
1916
1915
Increase
Corporation and Bank Tax
$20,352.41 $17,914.84
$2,437.47
Street Railway Tax
8,752.94
9,406.77
653.83*
Boston Elevated Ry. Tax
3,442.59
3,253.63
188.96
Bay State St. Ry. Tax
387.26
356.51
30.75
Middlesex Street Ry. Tax
126.94
122.01
4.93
$33,062.14 $31,053.86
$2,008.28
From the above figures it will be seen that the Town received from these sources in 1916 $2,008.28 more than in 1915, and this fact also contributed in reducing our Tax Rate for the past year. It is to be hoped that even a larger increase may be received the coming year.
OUTSIDE POOR DEPARTMENT.
The work of this department differs little from year to year, changing only in the number of cases aided. As the population of the Town increases it is only reasonable to assume that the number requiring aid will also increase. As has been stated in previous reports it is the policy of the Board to examine each case applying for aid, and to determine from this examination whether the applicant is a proper person to be aided, and if so the amount and nature of such aid. This is not always an easy task, as it is, at times, difficult to determine when and where to bestow aid that will prove most effective and beneficial to the applicant, and at the same time judiciously expend the funds of the Town. Recipients of aid are not always appreciative of the aid rendered, but the Board are inclined to believe from experiences in handling these cases, that it is perhaps better for the Town, through its officials, to err on the liberal, rather than on the penurious side. In most of the cases aided it is not the parents or grown persons of the family whom the Board consider most, but the little children, who will, sooner or later, be the citizens of our Town and of the Nation. To these children,
*Decrease.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
dependent as they are on the Town for sustenance and education, the Board are inclined to render all aid possible, and consistent- with law, in order that they may be properly fitted for the life work before them.
It is the policy of the Board to aid all deserving persons, re- quiring aid, and to discontinue that aid when the necessity for it ceases.
The Board does not and will not encourage idleness, lack of the sense of obligation, or an endeavor to shift. the responsibilities- that properly belong to the applicant.
For the benefit of the citizens the following tables, showing the amount expended in 1916 and a comparative table showing the amounts expended during the past ten years for the care of the poor at home and elsewhere is appended.
1916
Amount Appropriated
$8,000.00
Reimbursement from State and other towns
1,885.64
Received from Income of Funds
1,198.06
Total
$11,083.73
The totals expended (monies received from above sources) during the past ten years were as follows:
Population
Amount expended
Amount per capita
1907
8,960
$6,885.00
.77
1908
9,610
7,185.00
.75
1909
10,000
6,405.00
.64
1910
10,650
6,731.00
.64
1911
11,300
6,903.00
.62
1912
11,950
7,339.00
.62
1913
12,600
6,860.00
.55
*1914
13,250
8,450.00
.64
*1915
14,880
9,974.00
.68
*1916
15,500
11,083.00
72
From the above figures it will be seen that, while the population of the Town has grown enormously, the amount appropriated
*These years are the years the Mothers' Pension Act went into effect.
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT
and spent each year for the care of the poor and those dependent upon us through illness and misfortune has not grown in like proportion.
The Board desires to express to the ladies of the Associated Charities and to all other charitable organizations in the Town their sincere appreciation of the work done during the year by these societies in relieving suffering and want wherever found and in aiding the Board in the discharge of its duties in caring for the unfortunates.
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
In accordance with the recommendations of the Board in the report of 1915 two additional patrolmen were added to the depart- ment on July 1, 1916. These two men are Fred M. Kirlin and Charles E. Carroll and were appointed after a civil service examina- tion, they receiving the highest marks in the examination.
The personnel of the department consists, at the present time, of a Chief, Lieutenant, Sergeant and eleven patrolmen.
A perusal of the report of the Chief of the department will show the many duties the department is called upon to perform. As the population of the Town increases, these duties must of necessity increase, and the Board are pleased to report that during the year the efficiency of the department has been kept up to the high standard of previous years.
The Board are at all times in close touch with the work of the department, requiring the Chief to render a weekly account of the business of the preceding week.
In view of the great number of motor vehicles traversing our main thoroughfare (Massachusetts Avenue) and the danger by reason of these vehicles to our citizens and especially to the children, the Board strongly advise the appointment of at least three additional patrolmen to act in the capacity of traffic officers. These officers in the opinion of the Board should be stationed as follows: One at the center of the Town to aid the officers now doing this work at Pleasant, Mystic and Medford Streets. One at Lake and Winter Streets and Massachusetts Avenue and one at Park Avenue and Massachusetts Avenue.
These last two would mean the care of the children going to and coming from the Crosby and Locke Schools. It seems to the
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Board that this provision should be made, as the loss of one life would mean a deserved censure on the government of the Town, a censure at this time the Board strongly advises the citizens to avoid.
In accordance with the recommendation made by the Board last year the wages of the patrolmen were increased on July 1, 1916, from $3 per day to $3.20. per day.
POLICE AUTOMOBILE AMBULANCE.
In accordance with the request of the Chief of the department and the recommendation of the Board, the Town voted to au- thorize the purchase of a combination patrol and ambulance auto. . This adjunct to the department was purchased and installed in April and the results amply justify the expense ($657). During the year, ninety-seven accident cases were cared for by the de- partment, many of which were of a very serious nature (five proving fatal) and requiring prompt service and attention. The police auto was used in connection with these cases to advantage. The auto has also been used wherever necessary by the Overseers of the Poor in caring promptly for urgent cases and in removing persons to the State Hospital at Tewksbury and to the Somerville Poor Farm.
The efficiency of the department is best illustrated by the statement that we have at this time no place of questionable character within our limits and that during the year but two arrests (both convicted) were made for the sale of intoxicating liquor. For a Town of over sixteen thousand inhabitants this is indeed a praiseworthy record.
For further details of the work of the department reference is made to the report of the Chief of Police.
For details as to expenditures of the department see Auditor's report under Police Department.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The appropriation for this department for 1916 was sixteen thousand dollars ($16,000). The total amount expended was fifteen thousand eight hundred fifty-eight dollars ($15,858). Of this sum thirteen thousand seven hundred eighty-eight dollars ($13,788) was for salaries of Engineers, Permanent and Call Men.
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT
The balance was used for telephone service, hose, lighting, auto supplies, hay and grain, repairs and general incidentals.
The work of the department continues to be of a most efficient character and the Board feels that, with a slight addition to the present three pieces of motor-driven apparatus, the needs of the department will be cared for, for some little time. This additional piece of apparatus, or rather an alteration of an existing piece, is to motorize the hose wagon at Arlington Heights. The Chief of the department estimates that this can be done by the purchase of a chassis, the men of the department to place the body of the present hose wagon thereon and do all the necessary work, the cost to be about nine hundred dollars ($900). This will obviate the necessity of purchasing a pair of horses at a cost of about seven hundred dollars ($700) as the horses now in use are getting too old to be of value to the department much longer and should be replaced this year either by new horses or a motor equipment.
The department consists of a Chief Engineer, two Assistant Engineers, ten Permanent and twenty-three Call Men. The permanent men have been receiving the following salaries: Captain, $21 per week; eight men at $20 per week and one man at $18 per week. The men are on duty twenty-four hours each day and are allowed one day off in five. At the request of the men the Engineers recommended to the Board an increase of pay for the permanent men from the present rate, $1,040 per year, to $1200. This recommendation the Board endorses, and therefore recommends an appropriation of nineteen thousand dol- lars ($19,000) for 1917, this amount taking care of the increase in pay ($2075), and the purchase of the chassis for the Heights wagon ($900).
For detailed report of the work of the department reference is made to the report of the Chief Engineer made a part of this report.
For details of expenditures, see Auditor's report under Fire Department.
TOWN INSURANCE.
The amount appropriated in the March meeting for Town Insurance (all kinds) for 1916 was $6385. The Board found it necessary in the latter part of the year to request the Finance Committee to transfer from the Reserve Fund to the Insurance
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Account the sum of $670 to meet the excess premium on Employees' Liability Insurance carried by the Town. This made a total appropriation for insurance of $7055, an amount larger than ever appropriated for insurance in any one year. The Board is pleased to report that the amount needed for this purpose for 1917 is $3500, classified as follows:
Renewals of policies expiring in 1917
$1,188.00
Liability Employees' Insurance
1,890.00
Liability Public Insurance
110.00
Bonds and Automobiles
312.00
$3,500.00
As reported last year the Board has on file a detailed inventory of all property both real and personal owned by the Town in which insurance is carried. This schedule is to be revised each year making additions when they exist and deductions where, for any reason, they should be made. The value of the property of the Town insured at the present time is $967,000 written on a blanket form covering all property at the rate of $12 per thousand.
ROBBINS MEMORIAL TOWN HALL.
Our beautiful Town Hall continues to be the favorite gathering place of our citizens for social, educational, political and charitable purposes. During the year $1819 have been received for rentals of the building. No extraordinary repairs or alterations have been made the past year but there are certain alterations, that in the opinion of the Board, should be made the coming year. These alterations consist of installing doors separating the offices from the main building and doors shutting off the corridors in the Town Hall from the office entrances.
These alterations are deemed very necessary, the first on account of the frequent use of the hall for dancing and entertain- ment purposes, thus in a great measure interfering with the work of the offices, and the second that the entire auditorium including the corridors may be locked entirely from the rest of the building when the auditorium is not in use, thus making a great saving in heat as well as preventing people from wandering through that part of the building without the knowledge of those in charge.
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT
The Board desire to express their appreciation of the manner in which the Superintendent and his Assistant take care of the building.
OLD TOWN HALL BUILDING. MENOTOMY HALL.
In April of 1916 this hall which had been rented for theatre purposes, and from which the Town derived an income of one thousand dollars ($1000) per year, was vacated, another theatre having been opened on Medford Street. After the premises had been vacated, it became apparent that in order to derive any revenue from the hall extensive repairs were necessary. It was thought at first that the old floor could be repaired in a manner that would last for some time, but on being more closely examined by experts it was found that the money expended on these repairs would be money wasted, as the floor could not be placed in a safe condition. Estimates were then asked for the laying of a new floor over the old one. Mr. Bilafer was the lowest bidder, his figures being $292.50, and the contract was awarded to him at those figures. On asking for estimates for painting the wood- work and retinting the walls it was found that the lowest figure was $335.50. These two items amounted to $628. or $28 more than the appropriation. The falling of the ceiling in the Police Station and unexpected repairs on the boiler ordered by the State Inspector necessitated an additional expenditure of $116. On this account the Board were unable to do all the work necessary, but completed the floor and the painting and tinting of the main hall and upper corridors and anterooms.
These repairs should be completed the coming year in order to realize an adequate return for the expense by rentals. The re- ceipts from this hall after the above repairs were made were $142.
GYPSY MOTH WORK.
In the report of the Superintendent made to the Board and made a part of this report it will be seen that the work of this department has been done in the same efficient manner as in previous years.
The appearance of other leaf-destroying insects in the Town prevents a reduction in the appropriation for the suppressing of these pests.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
It is particularly desirous that all our citizens realize the great advantage to the public good to be gained by each doing his share in co-operation with the Local Superintendent in exterminat- ing not only the gypsy and brown-tail moths, but the tent cater- pillar and other pests of like nature.
The Board desires to express its appreciation of the work done b. Mr. Daley, the Superintendent, during the past year.
MILITARY AID, STATE AID AND SOLDIERS' RELIEF. STATE AID
This aid is rendered to veterans of the Civil and Spanish wars and to the widows of veterans. The amount paid each applicant varies in accordance with the conditions existing, the largest amount being $6 per month, and the smallest being $4. This aid is rendered only by the approval of the Commissioner of State Aid and the whole amount is reimbursed by the State the following year. It will be seen, therefore, that aid rendered under this heading costs the Town nothing directly but is included in the State Tax paid by the Town. The monthly pay-roll of State Aid varies from $175 to $200.
MILITARY AID.
This aid is rendered only where it is shown that pension and State Aid are insufficient to properly care for the applicant and is only rendered in extreme cases of need. When rendered State Aid is suspended until the need of greater relief is removed. The State reimburses the Town one-half of the amount expended. During the period of 1916 there was no one receiving this aid. Other cases are, however, liable to arise at any time.
SOLDIERS' RELIEF.
This aid may, in the judgment of the Board, be rendered to veterans and widows of veterans, where the applicants have settlement in this Town and are in needy circumstances and where a, pension and State Aid are insufficient to properly care for them. The cases aided under this law are few and the monthly pay-roll of $35, as reported in 1914, has been reduced to $28. Like Military Aid, however, new cases may apply at any time. The Town bears the entire expense of this aid.
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT
PURCHASE OF COAL FOR TOWN DEPARTMENTS.
In accordance with the custom for quite a number of years the Board issued invitations to various coal dealers for bids to furnish all the departments with coal for the year. Four firms replied, and the bids were opened by the Board, the School Com- mittee agreeing to leave the whole matter to them.
Peirce & Winn Company being the lowest bidder, the contract was awarded to them, in accordance with the specifications con- tained in the bid.
The prices on the various kinds of coal used were as follows:
Lackawanna D. & H. Stove and Egg
$7.05
Honey Brook, or Hazeltine Egg
7.50
Reading Egg
7.05
D. & H. Stone in one-half ton lots (Outside Poor)
8.00
George's Creek Cumberland
5.55
Carbon Forge Cumberland
5.20
Carbon Stream Cumberland
4.95
Broad Top Cumberland 4.95
SUMMER STREET ESTATE.
Reference is made to the report made by the Board one year ago on this property. The conditions have in no way changed.
PRINTING TOWN REPORT.
Following the custom of previous years the Board issued in- vitations to ten printing establishments for bids for printing the Town Report of 1916.
Five replies were received, and after a careful comparison of the figures quoted the contract was awarded to the Murray and Emery Company, of Cambridge, they being the lowest bidders. By reason of the Board taking advantage of a low price on paper prevailing about December 1, and placing the order for printing the Town report at that time, the cost of the book this year will not be much in excess of that of 1915.
JURORS.
Owing to the law now in effect governing the selection of jurors, many complaints have been received on account of citizens being
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
deprived of any knowledge that their names are on the jury Jist. 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 citizens 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.
Garage and Gasoline Licenses. During the year new regulations have been made by the Fire Prevention Commissioner, regulating these licenses. Under these regulations citizens desiring a license to maintain a garage to accommodate one or two cars need only to apply to the Building Inspector and the Chief of the Fire Department. For a license to keep and store gasoline to an amount not exceeding 120 gallons, application need only be made to the Chief of the Fire Department. Where licenses are applied for to keep more than two automobiles, or to keep and store gaso- line to an amount exceeding 120 gallons, the law requires that the Board shall give a hearing, after fourteen days' notice, to all interested abutters.
Common Victuallers. With the growth of the Town, the number of these licenses issued must naturally increase. The Board continues to require that the premises where these licenses are granted be at all times kept in a clean and sanitary condition. All applications are submitted to the Police Department for investigation as to the character of the applicant and the con- ditions of the premises.
LICENSES GRANTED BY BOARD OF SELECTMEN. April 25, 1916.
Common Victuallers. John B. Meaney, 64 Henderson Street; A. Osborn Sprague, 5 Mystic Street; A. F. Mumford, 707 Massa- chusetts Avenue; Thomas A. Mahon, 1369 Massachusetts Avenue; Panis & Saxeny, 1360 Massachusetts Avenue; Isabel M. Mac- Donald, 1405 Massachusetts Avenue; Louis F. McKenna & Co.
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT
406 Massachusetts Avenue; Ruth Anderson, 945 Massachusetts Avenue; Christie W. Anifantis, 1399 Massachusetts Avenue; Mary E. Parkhurst, 458 Massachusetts Avenue; Louis C. Taylor, Spy Pond Boat House; Helen L. Hatch, 608 Massachusetts Ave- nue; A. Charles LaBreque, 606 Massachusetts Avenue; Mrs. Selma Crane, 1113 Massachusetts Avenue; Thomas K. Millett, Spy Pond Boat House; George L. Swain, 194 Massachusetts Avenue; Katherine J. Dempsey, 3 Beacon Street; John W. Eck- man, 1400 Massachusetts Avenue; E. Elbridge Snow, 447 Massa- chusetts Avenue; Napoleon J. Hardy, 657 Massachusetts Avenue; Alice G. Howland; 637 Massachusetts Avenue.
Intelligence Office. Edward F. DeLorey, 1385 Massachusetts Avenue.
Bowling Alley. M. Seretto, Medford Street (8 alleys); A. C. LaBreque, 606 Massachusetts Avenue (8 alleys).
Taxi. James D. Nass, 154 Lowell Street (2 cars); W. S. But- trick, 22 Varnum Street (2 cars); Joseph Forest, Lewis Avenue (2 cars); C. E. Biathrow, 13 Belknap Street (2 cars); Vincent P. Lusk, 22 Crescent Hill Avenue (1 car); Edward A. Irwin, 25 Central Street (1 car); William O'Connell, 84 Park Street (1 car); William T. Marrigan, 12 Swan Place (1 car); Frank J. Priest, 30 Whittemore Street (3 cars); R. M. Lindsay, 52 Tufts Street (3 cars).
Transportation of Liquor. A. M. Curtin, 961 Massachusetts Avenue; George W. McClellan, 15 Webster Street; American Express Co., B. & M. Railroad; James F. Teehan, 305 Broadway; Wood Brothers, Massachusetts Avenue; Manuel Lopez, 21 Sawin Street.
Junk. Samuel Wax.
Pool Room. Sylvestro Di Donati, 444 Massachusetts Avenue. Auctioneers. Arthur J. Hendrick, Frank Y. Wellington, James H. Shedd, Albert H. Goodwin, George D. Moore, Willard G. Rolfe, Frank V. Noyes, James M. Mead, Daniel P. Sweeney Winthrop Pattee and Alfred Patterson.
STREET AND TRAFFIC REGULATIONS.
Owing to the rapidly increasing traffic through Massachusetts Avenue, Medford Street, Mystic Street and Pleasant Street, the Board have deemed it wise to establish street and traffic regula-
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
tions governing vehicles of every description. They have accord- ingly adopted the following rules and regulations, the same to go into effect April 1, 1917.
STREET AND TRAFFIC REGULATIONS
ORDERED: That the following rules and regulations be, and the same hereby are, made and promulgated by this Board as the rules and regulations governing the transportation of mer- chandise, the regulation of traffic of all kinds, and the movement, stopping and standing of vehicles of all kinds in public streets of the Town, the same to take effect and be in full force on and after April 1, 1917.
RULE 1. The following regulations for vehicles shall be observed by the drivers thereof, who shall also comply at all times with any_ direction by voice, hand or whistle from any member of the police force, as to starting, stopping, slowing, approaching or departing from any place, the manner of taking up or setting down passengers, and the loading or the unloading of any thing. Police officers may temporarily divert traffic to avoid congestion.
RULE 2. A vehicle meeting another shall pass to the right.
RULE 3. A vehicle overtaking another shall, in passing, keep to the left.
RULE 4. Whenever there is not an unobstructed view of the road for at least one hundred yards, the driver of every vehicle shall keep the same on the right of the middle of the traveled part of the way, whenever it is safe and practicable so to do.
RULE 5. Subject to Rule 4 fast-moving vehicles, except when overtaken by faster vehicles (to which they shall give way), shall keep away from the right-hand curb and as near as possible to the center of the traveled part of the way.
RULE 6. Slow-moving vehicles shall keep as close as possible to the right-hand curb.
RULE 7. A vehicle proceeding on the street-car tracks shall turn out when signalled to do so by the motorman or conductor of an approaching street car.
RULE 8. A vehicle when turning to the right into another street shall slow down and keep as near to the right-hand curb as possible.
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT
RULE 9. A vehicle in turning to the left into another street shall slow down and pass to the right of and beyond the center of the intersecting streets before turning.
RULE 10. Vehicles crossing from one side of the street to the other, except for the purpose of passing other vehicles or because of dangers in the street, shall do so by turning to the left, so as to head in the general direction of traffic after they have crossed the street.
RULE 11. A vehicle, when loaded with any material extending beyond the rear shall be provided with a light by night on the extreme rear end of such load.
RULE 12. No person shall drive or convey through any public street any vehicle the width of which exceeds ten feet, except in accordance with a permit from the Board.
RULE 13. No person shall, in any public street, use any truck or dray, the length whereof, from the end of the shaft to the extreme end of the side, shall be greater than twenty-four feet and six inches, or motor vehicles of a greater length than twenty- six feet, except in accordance with a permit from the Board.
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