USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1916 > Part 9
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RULE 14. No person shall carry, or cause to be carried, on any vehicle in any public street, a load the weight of which ex- ceeds six tons, unless such load consists of an article which cannot be divided, except in accordance with a permit from the Board.
RULE 15. No one shall so load a vehicle with iron or other material that may strike together without properly deadening it so that it will cause no unnecessary noise.
RULE 16. No one shall drive a public, numbered, licensed or business vehicle who is less than sixteen years of age.
RULE 17. A vehicle unless confined to tracks, shall not tow more than one vehicle and the connection shall not be longer than sixteen feet.
RULE 18. No one shall ride on the rear of a vehicle without the driver's consent, nor with any part of his body protruding.
RULE 19. A driver shall continuously hold the reins in his hands while riding, driving, or leading a horse.
RULE 20. No person shall drive a bull through the streets of the Town unless he be securely fastened and led.
RULE 21. A vehicle shall not go to the left of an electric car traveling in the same direction.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
RULE 22. A vehicle, on the approach of fire apparatus shall stop so as not to interfere with its passage.
RULE 23. No person having charge of a vehicle shall allow the same to come within ten feet of any vehicle in front of him when approaching and passing over a crossing where a pedestrian is about to pass.
RULE 24. No person shall ride, drive or cause to be driven any horse or vehicle over that part of any street which is being mended, repaired or paved if a watchman or signs are placed prohibiting the same.
RULE 25. No person shall steal a ride upon any vehicle.
RULE 26. No vehicle shall stop with its left side to the curb on main thoroughfares leading into the Town from adjoining cities or towns to wit: Massachusetts Avenue, Mystic Street, Medford Street, Broadway, Pleasant Street.
RULE 27. All vehicles stopping in the business section must stand near to and parallel with the right-hand curb, unless it is necessary for the purpose of loading or unloading said vehicle to back up to the curb. In one-way streets vehicles may similarly stop near to and parallel with the left-hand curb.
RULE 28. No vehicle shall remain backed up to the curb except when actually loading or unloading, and the horse, thereof, if it be a horse-drawn vehicle, shall be turned in the direction of traffic and parallel with the curb.
RULE 29. Unless in an emergency or to allow another vehicle or a pedestrian to cross its way, no vehicle shall stop in any public street except close to the curb.
RULE 30. No vehicle shall stop in such a way as to obstruct any street or crossing or within ten feet of a fire hydrant, street corner, electric car or pole stop, except in case of emergency or when directed to do so by a police officer.
RULE 31. No horse shall be left unattended in any street or highway unless securely fastened by being tied to a post or weight, or unless the wheels to which he is harnessed are securely tied, fastened or chained.
RULE 32. No horse or vehicle shall be allowed to stand or to be driven on any sidewalk except when crossing the same except for municipal purposes.
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT
RULE 33. Every driver of a vehicle shall on slowing up or stopping give a signal to those behind by conspicuously raising a whip or hand.
RULE 34. In turning while in motion or in starting to turn from a standstill, a signal shall be given by the driver of the vehicle about to turn by conspicuously raising a whip or hand, indicating the direction in which the turn is to be made.
RULE 35. The driver or person in charge of any vehicle, before turning the corner of any street or turning out or starting from or stopping at the curb, shall first see that there is sufficient space free from other vehicles or objects, so that such turn, stop or start may be safely made.
RULE 36. Before backing any vehicle the driver or person in charge shall see that the way is clear and shall give adequate warning and shall, while backing, exercise vigilance to prevent accidents.
RULE 37. The driver of a vehicle shall at all times obey the signals of a police officer.
RULE 38. At crossings or street intersections where police officers are stationed in the business districts, pedestrians must stop when directed to do so by a police officer or mechanical. device for the purpose of aiding traffic.
RULE 39. In thickly settled districts pedestrians are urged to cross the highway on a crosswalk; where none such exists, to cross the highway at right angles, preferably at a street inter- section.
RULE 40. Police, fire department, emergency repair wagons, United States mail vehicles and ambulances shall have the right of way in any street and through any procession.
RULE 41. No person shall drive or conduct any vehicle in such manner or in such condition or so constructed or so loaded as to be likely to cause delay to other vehicles or accident or injury to man, beast or property.
RULE 42. The operator of a motor vehicle shall under no circumstances cut out the muffler while on any highway within the Town limits.
RULE 43. The word "vehicle" herein shall include horses hitched to vehicles, horses ridden or led, motor vehicles of all kinds, bicycles, tricycles propelled by hand, and everything on
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
wheels or runners except street cars and light carriages for the conveyance of children.
RULE 44. The word " horse" herein shall include all domestic animals.
RULE 45. The word " driver" herein shall include the rider or driver of a horse, the rider of wheels and the operator of a motor vehicle.
Whoever violates any of the provisions of the foregoing rules and regulations shall be punished by a fine not exceeding twenty dollars ($20), for each offense.
THOMAS J. DONNELLY, HORATIO A. PHINNEY, WILLIS P. HOWARD, Selectmen of the Town of Arlington.
REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1916, TO- GETHER WITH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE ENSUING YEAR.
ARLINGTON, MASS., January 1, 1917.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.
Gentlemen: I have the honor to submit the following report of the doings of the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1916.
During the year there have been 554 arrests made for various offenses, viz .: Adultery, 4; assault and battery, 17; assault on officer, 1; assault mutual, 4; assault with intent to kill, 1; bastardy, 2; breaking and entering and larceny, 11; breaking electric lights, 4; breaking glass, 3; capias, 15; carrying a revolver without license, 2; common nuisance, 1; common drunkard, 3; common railer and brawler, 1; cruelty to animals, 1; disturbance of the peace, 20; drunkenness, 128; destroying town property, 1; escaped prisoner, 1; fornication, 2; fugitive from justice, 1; giving a false alarm of fire, 6; gaming, 1; keeping liquor with intent to sell, 2; keeping an infant boarding house without license, 1; larceny, 50; malicious intent to poison horses, 1; manslaughter, 1; non-support, 14; neglected children, 3; profane swearing, 1; runaway, 1; removing a dead body without permit, 1; suspicious person, 1; stubborn child, 1; tramp, 1; throwing glass into streets, 3; unlawful appro- priation of automobiles, 8; vagrant, 1; violation of the Automobile Laws, 159; violation of By-Laws, 53; violation of the Fire Pre- vention Laws, 4; violation of the Lord's Day, 8; violation of the Milk Laws, 1; violation of the Fish and Game Laws, 1; violation of the Labor Laws, 4; violation of the Peddlers' Act, 2; wilful obstruction of electric cars, 1.
The various cases were disposed of as follows:
Cases placed on file, 83; cases placed on probation, 93; dis- charged, 15; dismissed for want of prosecution, 5; defaulted, 4;
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
fined, 98, fined and appealed, 24; fined and fine suspended, 3; held for the Superior Court, 1; held for the Grand Jury, 7; re- leased from the police station, 90; sentenced to the House of Cor- rection, 13; sentenced to the House of Correction and sentence suspended, 4; sentenced to Sherborn and sentence suspended, 2; sentenced to the State Farm and sentence suspended, 1; sentenced to the House of Correction and appealed, 5; sentenced to the State Farm 5; sentenced to the State Farm and appealed, 1; sentenced to Sherborn and appealed, 1; sentenced to the Lyman School, 1; sentenced to the Massachusetts Reformatory, 1; sentenced to the Shirley School for Boys, 1; turned over to the police of other cities and towns, 91.
Of this number 204 were non-residents, 30 were females and 54 were juveniles; fines to the amount of $1417 were imposed by the Court.
Personal property (not including automobiles) to the value of $2380.78 has been reported to this department as stolen during the year, and we have recovered and returned to the owners property valued at $1638.00.
Automobiles to the value of $4000 have been reported to this department as stolen in Arlington and we bave recovered and returned to the owners autos valued at $3550.00
We have also recovered in Arlington automobiles stolen from other cities and towns to the value of $4925 and returned them to their respective owners and have arrested 12 automobile thieves.
Miscellaneous business: Accidents reported, 97; ambulance calls, 24; buildings reported vacant specially protected, 46; cases investigated, 720; dead bodies cared for, 16; defective hydrants reported, 1; defective street lights reported, 98; defective wires reported, 23; defective water pipes reported, 25; defective gas pipes reported, 1; details for public assemblages, 87; dogs killed, 11; disturbances suppressed without arrest, 2; fires extinguished without alarm, 2; fire alarms given, 6; glass in fire boxes reported broken, 142; injured persons assisted home, 3; injured persons assisted to hospitals, 5; lanterns placed in dangerous places, 48; lost children cared for, 32; messages delivered, 99; notices served for selectmen, 1; notices served upon delinquent dog owners, 107; officers at fires, 49; obstructions in streets reported, 55, sick per- sons assisted home, 9; sick persons assisted to hospitals, 14; stores
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CHIEF OF POLICE
found unlocked at night and secured, 516; stray teams cared for, 7; search warrants for liquor served, 1; search warrants for firearms served, 2.
During the year 97 accident cases have been investigated and attended by this department; 5 of these cases were fatal, and of the 97 cases investigated automobiles were involved in 58.
Many complaints have been received during the year in regard to the auto taxi service companies. I firmly believe that every firm operating a taxi for hire should be compelled to file a bond with the Town for the safety of passengers so that in case of acci- dent there might be some redress; at present there is none.
I would ask that there be placed on the ballot at the Annual Town Meeting the following: Shall Chapter 293 of the Acts of 1916 of the Revised Laws authorizing the licensing by cities and towns of motor vehicles carrying passengers for hire be adopted? I earnestly urge its adoption.
Some definite rules and regulations should be made governing their business activities; each vehicle should bear an identifica- tion number and each driver should be licensed by the Town and every driver made to wear a suitable badge with a number thereon that he may be identified, and last but not least a standard schedule of prices should be adopted and maintained so that pas- sengers could not be imposed upon by an unscrupulous driver.
Owing to the immense and ever increasing traffic through Arlington for the safety of the pedestrians there is a demand for three traffic police officers; one is wanted at the junction of Park and Massachusetts Avenue; one at the junction of Mystic Street and Massachusetts Avenue and one at the junction of Lake Street and Massachusetts Avenue; these men are wanted at these cross- ings continuously, and beginning May 1st it would cost $1830, and I would recommend that this amount be appropriated for that purpose.
I would recommend that the sum of $20,576.50 be appropriated for the use of the Police Department for the year 1917, viz .:
Salaries
$16,912.00
Telephones
190.00
Auto list book
15.00
Police signal book
18.50
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Postage
$15.00
Cleaning station
36.00
Auto insurance
60.00
Electric lights
200.00
Auto expenses (garage and supplies)
600.00
Officers' cash expenses
100.00
For necessary incidentals
600.00
For 3 traffic officers 244 days at $2.50 per day
1,830.00
$20,576.50
In conclusion I wish to thank your Honorable Board for the hearty co-operation you have given me in the discharge of my many disagreeable duties and every citizen who has in any way assisted this department - you have my sincere thanks.
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS O. D. URQUHART, Chief of Police.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
ARLINGTON, MASS., December 31, 1916.
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, 1916.
The number of companies and equipment are the same as last year, viz. One motor double combination hose and chemical, one motor triple combination hose, chemical and pump, one motor combination ladder and chemical, one horse-drawn hose wagon, one double tank chemical, one ladder truck and two hose wagons held in reserve.
The manual force consists of ten permanent men and twenty- six call men, one permanent man being added the past year and one call man dropped.
The motor apparatus is still giving good results, and barring an accident to the ladder truck late in the year, has had very little trouble. I am recommending the purchase of a motor for the Heights station and disposal of the horses, thus making the department fully motorized. Unless this is done a new pair of horses will have to be purchased for this station.
The fire stations are in fair repair, a few minor repairs having been made the past year. They will all have to be made fireproof in a few years, and until that time I do not think it good policy to expend much money on repairs.
The department has answered 56 bell and 58 still alarms, making a total of 114 alarms; out of these four were Somerville calls and seven false alarms.
Value of buildings endangered
$57,150.00
Insurance on buildings endangered
53,850.00
Insurance paid on buildings (one loss unadjusted)
7,465.50
Value of contents
23,530.00
Insurance on contents
13,530.00
Insurance paid on contents
1,425.50
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
For further details of alarms and work of department, see records of Clerk of Engineers.
The appropriation for the year ending December 31, was $16,000.
EXPENDITURES.
Permanent men, pay roll
$9,977.80
Call men and engineers
3,772.87
Fuel
359.33
Hay and grain
358.07
Telephones
181.68
Electric. lights
85.50
Gas
27.76
Repairs
186.28
Supplies
150.87
Blacksmith
65.06
Laundry
47.63
Incidentals
200.34
Gasoline
132.00
Use of horse
60.00
Veterinary service
18.00
New hose
332.50
Total amount expended
$15,955.69
Unexpended
44.31
Appropriation,
$16,000.00
For further details see report of Auditor.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
I recommend the appropriation of $19,000 and receipts of the department for the ensuing year. This increase is occasioned by the permanent men asking that their pay be increased to $1200 per year, and for money to purchase a motor apparatus for the Heights station.
The fire alarm is in hands of Superintendent of Wires. For details see report of Superintendent.
The water supply for fire use is still good, no better existing in the State. I recommend that in laying new pipe plenty of
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CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
hydrants be installed, as it is a great saving in the use of hose.
I recommend the strict enforcement of the building laws re- lating to fire prevention. Attention at this time may save the Town from serious trouble in later years.
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 all other members of the Fire Department, I give my sincere thanks for the able manner in which they have answered all demands made upon them, mak- ing 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, 1916.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.
Gentlemen: I herewith respectfully submit my tenth annual report of the services of this department for the year ending December 31, 1916.
Number of scales, weights and measures sealed
2573
Number of scales, weights and measures condemned
88
Total
2661
Number of milk jars sealed
645
Number of milk jars condemned
26
Total
671
Weights found incorrect and adjusted
119
Scales found incorrect and adjusted or repaired
43
Pumps having measuring devices adjusted and sealed 30 Total 192
Weights condemned
16
Scales condemned
7
Slot weighing machines condemned
3
Automatic pumps condemned
1
Liquid measures condemned
19
Yard measures condemned
8
Dry measures condemned
3
34
Ice cream cans Total
81
Number of visits made to stores
165
Weighed out packages tested at stores
1908
Number of packages found correct
1782
Number of packages found over
79
Number of packages found under
47
Number of complaints investigated of short weight and measures 21
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SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Number of inspections of milk jars on milk teams 51
Number of inspections of scales and measures used by junk
collectors, hawkers and peddlers
97
One thousand, one hundred and seventy-three (1173) weights, scales and measures were inspected, sealed or condemned at places of business 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 611
Number of ice cream moulds tested and sealed 580
49
Number of ice re-weighings
Number of gasoline measures tested and sealed
73
COAL INSPECTION.
Loads in transit examined for certificate of weight 126
Loads not properly certified to 4
Loads in transit re-weighed 26
Bags of charcoal re-weighed 100
Bags of coke re-weighed 95
The loads re-weighed did not show any unusual shortage, the largest shortage being twenty-four pounds on a three-ton load, the largest over-weight on a load was forty-three pounds on a two-ton load.
INSPECTOR OF PETROLEUM.
As Inspector of Petroleum I have had seven samples of petro- leum products submitted to me for testing during the past year.
MEASURER OF WOOD AND BARK.
In this capacity I have measured twenty-five lots of kindling wood; sixty-three loads of cord wood; twenty-one carloads of manure; thirteen loads of loam; and six loads of gravel. On complaints, I have measured twelve 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 6, 1917
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen, Arlington, Mass.
I herewith submit my report of the inspection of buildings for the year ending December 31, 1916. Three hundred and seventy- nine permits have been issued, classified as follows:
Dwellings, one-family
74
$293,900
Dwellings, two-family
178
877,650
Dwellings, four-family
1
10,000
Additions and alterations
32
34,300
Garages
76
36,731
Paint shop
1
2,000
Cellar
1
Block-garage and two stores
1
10,000
Tool sheds
2
425
Sleeping porch
1
200
Gymnasium
1
1,500
Dryhouse
1
250
Blocks of stores
4
41,000.
Piazza
1
200
Boiler room
1
125
Office
1
600
Storehouse
1
50
Rebuilt burnt barn
1
700
Storage shed
1
100
379
$1,309,731
I wish to thank the Board of Selectmen and the builders of the Town for their hearty co-operation during the past year.
Three thousand calls have been made in connection with appli- cations and for information.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM GRATTO, Inspector of Buildings.
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REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS.
To the Selectmen of the Town of Arlington.
Gentlemen: I have the honor to submit to you my annual report as Inspector of Animals for the year ending December 31, 1916.
During the year 100 cows, 102 pigs, and 40 stables were in- spected. Two tubercular cows were found.
For the first time in quite a few years there have been no cases of rabies or glanders.
Respectfully submitted,
LAURENCE L. PEIRCE, M.D.V., Inspector of Animals.
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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, 1917.
Number of calls at homes, outside poor 112
Number of calls at office, including vaccinations
72
Emergency calls to police station 38
Confinements 3
Accidental drowning
2
Patients to Tewksbury
3
The work of the Town Physician has somewhat increased during the past year, due to the greater number of people cared for by this department.
· The need for a pulmotor is again urgently recommended.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES A. KEEGAN, M. D.
122
GYPSY AND BROWN-TAIL MOTH DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I herewith submit my report as Superintendent of the Depart- ment for the Suppression of Gypsy and Brown-tail Moths for the year ending December 31, 1916.
The work of this department has been carried along on prac- tically the same lines as in previous years. Owing to the careful and vigorous work that has been done against these insects the infestation especially in the residential sections is very slight. By the scarcity of the egg clusters the average citizen might be led to believe that they were wholly exterminated, but such is not the case. A few egg clusters left undisturbed would in a few years undo all the good results we have obtained, and it would mean the same conditions we had only a few years ago. It would be a serious mistake to retard the work in any way at this time by an insufficient appropriation. The policy of the board has been rigidly carried out in keeping the cost of the work to the owners of private estates and to the Town at a mini- mum. The extremely wet weather we had during the spraying season made our work much more difficult and as the sea- son is short, much work had to be done on days that were not just suitable for that kind of work. During the spraying season we employ from twelve to fifteen men, and hire six horses. At all other times the force seldom exceeds four men. About five tons of lead was used, and it will require the same amount this year. The past year 1197 private jobs were taken care of . at a cost of $1285.28, for which the Town is reimbursed through the assessments levied. The cost to the Town for work on street trees, cemeteries, parks, etc., was $1013.40. The depart- ment is well provided for in regard to spraying machines, tools, etc., with the exception of hose, and we need about 300 feet of three-quarter-inch hose as it is much lighter and can be handled to better advantage than one inch marlan-covered hose.
I would recommend that no reductions be made in this year's appropriation, as the price of all materials has advanced, and
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
also the added expense of overhauling the two power machines, and repairs to wagons, and the purchase of hose and that the sum of $5500 be appropriated.
In conclusion I wish to thank your Honorable Board for the confidence placed in me; the Town Clerk, Town Counsel and Auditor for advice freely given.
Respectfully, DANIEL M. DALEY, Superintendent
LOCATION OF WORK. JANUARY, 1916, TO JANUARY, 1917.
Labor
Sundries
Almshouse
$2.17
Church properties
18.99
Hose No. 2, Fire Department
.31
Hospital property
35.43
Meadow Brook Park
25.16
Menotomy Rocks Park
113.74
Mt. Pleasant Cemetery
36.06
Mystic Street gravel pit
.31
New Town Hall property
2.72
Pleasant Street Cemetery
2.53
Private work
1,285.28
Reservoir woods
31.06
Robbins Library
1.81
School properties:
Crosby
.77
Cutter
1.66
Locke
.74
New High
2.50
Parmenter
.39
Russell
.32
Spy Pond Field
8.79
Stone crusher
8.24
Street trees
718.30
Waste land
1.40
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GYPSY AND BROWN-TAIL MOTH DEPARTMENT
· Inspection
$8.43
Storehouse labor
111.81
Lost time
144.00
Vacations
82.50
Superintendent and Clerk
$1,330.25
Rent of storehouse
96.00
Team hire
508.06
Tools, repairs and supplies
800.56
Office supplies and expense
133.36
$2,645.42 $2,868.23
Labor
$2,645.42
Sundries
2,868.23
Total expended
$5,513.65
Appropriation
$5,500.00
Receipts
18.00
Total credits
$5,518.00
Total expenditures
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