USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1917 > Part 17
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297
REPORT OF JOINT BOARD
$20,000 to put the Mystic Valley Parkway, from Mystic Street to Medford Street in a condition that will care for all traffic through this section of the Boulevard. In view of this fact, it seems particularly desirable that the Town should appropriate its portion (one-third) of the cost of widening and constructing Summer Street from Mystic Street to Brattle Street. Thus, providing a continuous and unbroken boulevard from the present end of the boulevard in Medford to the State road in Lexington. As will be seen, this will greatly relieve Massa- chusetts Avenue of practically all automobile traffic north and south.
PETITION FOR TRACK LOCATION AT MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE AND MYSTIC STREET.
During the year, on a petition by the residents of Winchester, the Public Service Commission, after a hearing, ordered that a connection be made at the corner of Massachusetts Avenue and Mystic Street, thus enabling the Bay State Street Railway Company and the Boston Elevated Company to maintain a through service from Winchester to Harvard Square. This order was issued despite the unanimous opposition of the people of Arlington. This opposition was based not from any desire of the Board or the citizens of Arlington to deprive the citizens of Winchester of this through service, but from the extreme danger that this connection would make, owing to the narrowness of Mystic Street and the constant and increasing traffic on Massa- chusetts Avenue. A temporary stay has been granted by the Public Service Commission to the companies involved, in put- ting this order into execution. The Board hopes that before the expiration of the time allowed the Company, they will be in a position- to present a more feasible and attractive plan, and one that will insure safety to bring about the conditions desired.
DEVELOPMENT OF NEW TERRITORY.
The Board has continued during the past year to carefully study all plans of proposed layouts presented by parties desiring to develop new territory. The policy of the Board is not to hinder but on the contrary to encourage proper development of the remaining areas in Arlington. With this object in view
298
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
they have, in each case, sought to have such restrictions, set- backs, etc., as would protect the future purchasers desiring to make Arlington their home. This policy of the Board has worked a distinct advantage to many people purchasing land and erecting homes in the Town, with no disadvantage, or in- convenience to the developers of the property.
OXFORD STREET.
The construction of this street from Massachusetts Avenue to Raleigh Street was petitioned for by the abutting owners. In the petition it was stated that the abutters were willing to con- struct the street at their own expense, and in a manner satis- factory to the Board and in accord with specifications of the Town Engineer. This work has been done, the Town paying only its share for the portion abutting the Crosby School lot. This method of constructing new streets meets with the approval of the Board, provided the work is done in accordance with the specifications as drawn by the Town Engineer and to the satis- faction of the Board. Under this method the Board is placed in a position to recommend the acceptance of the street to the Town without the assessment of betterments, and allows the developer to add the cost of the construction of the street to the price charged to the purchaser.
STREET RAILWAY SERVICE.
The Board is pleased to report that the service of the Boston Elevated Street Railway Company has been of a satisfactory character during the past year. With the removal of the switch at the monument, and the running of all Broadway cars to Arlington Heights the discomforts and disadvantages of trans- ferring have been removed and the Centre of the Town has been kept free from congestion by reason of standing cars. The Board has received no complaints as to the service and are in hopes that the long continued disagreeable features of shifting cars at the Centre so long complained of have been remedied.
299
REPORT OF JOINT BOARD
PROPOSED STREET FROM MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE TO MYSTIC STREET.
As reported a year ago, the Board has a plan showing a pro- posed new street from Massachusetts Avenue to Mystic Street. In accordance with a vote of the Town, the Board has peti- tioned the Superior Court for the appointment of a special Commission in connection with this proposed street tending toward the elimination of the grade crossing at Mill Street. This petition is still pending before the Court, no appointment having, as yet, been made.
POLE LOCATIONS AND ATTACHMENTS OF WIRES.
During the year the petitions of the Edison Electric Illumi- nating Company and the New England Telephone and Tele- graph Company for pole locations have not been as numerous as in previous years due to the economic conditions existing.
These petitions are referred to the Superintendent of Wires and the Town Engineer before being granted.
HORATIO A. PHINNEY ARTHUR BIRCH
THOMAS J. DONNELLY ROBERT W. POND
WILLIS P. HOWARD THOMAS D. KENNEDY
Joint Board of Selectmen and Board of Public Works.
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF WIRES.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Board of Public Works.
Gentlemen: I respectfully submit my eighteenth Annual Report as Superintendent of Wires for the year ending Decem- ber 31, 1917, as follows:
STREET LIGHTING
In accordance with vote of the town at the Annual Town Meeting, "All Night Lighting" was put into effect on April 4; 1917. This is the first time in the History of the Town that all street lights were put on an All Night Schedule, burning from thirty minutes after sundown to thirty minutes before sunrise.
On March 29, 1917, all incandescent lamps, except of 600 candle power, were changed from the Type "B" Mazda Lamps to Type "C" Nitrogen Lamps. This change in class of lamps increased the candle power of various sizes in use from 25% to 50%. These new types of lamps were installed by the Edison Company without charge.
During the year thirty-nine (39) new lights were installed and three (3) were removed, making a net addition of thirty-six new lights put in commission. Owing to the All Night Light- ing Schedule being put into effect it was deemed advisable by the Wire Department to change locations of various street lights for the betterment of the service. Seventeen (17) lights of various candle power were removed and re-installed in new locations. Eleven (11) lights were reduced in candle power in accordance with the all night lighting system, in consequence, the operating cost of these lights is much less to the town. A complete detailed report of new lights installed, changes in candle power, etc., has been filed with the Town Clerk and also a duplicate report is on file at Wire Department Headquarters for future reference, when such information is desired.
300
301
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF WIRES
SCHEDULE OF STREET LIGHTS IN SERVICE DECEMBER 31, 1917
60 Candle Power, Type "C" Incandescent. 432
80 Candle Power, Type "C" Incandescent. 21
100 Candle Power, Type "C" Incandescent. 1
600 Candle Power, Type "C" Incandescent 34
Total 538
ORNAMENTAL LIGHTING SYSTEM
60 Watt Mazda Lamps 45
100 Watt Mazda Lamps 4
-
Total 49
In accordance with your orders on December 1, twenty (20) 60 Watt Lamps were temporarily discontinued on the Orna- mental Lighting System as recommended by the Committee on Conservation of Fuel.
POLES AND WIRES
During the year, thirty-one (31) new poles were set in loca- tions as petitioned for by the various companies desiring lo- cations. One hundred and six (106) poles were replaced during the year, fifty-five (55) by the Edison Company and fifty-one (51) by the Telephone Company.
INSPECTION OF WIRES IN BUILDINGS
Six hundred and nineteen (619) applications were filed with the Wire Department during the year, for new electrical con- struction. Six hundred and twelve (612) inspections were made of work done.
One hundred and fifty-two (152) new buildings of all classes were wired during the year, which is ninety-eight (98) less than 1916. Forty-four (44) old buildings were wired during the year, against one hundred and eleven (111) in 1916.
New buildings wired; are as follows:
Single Houses 43
Garages (Single) 16 .
Garages (3 Car) 1
302
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Garages (Public)
2
Store Blocks (9 stores)
1
Factory . 1 74
Two Flat Apartment Houses
Garages (Two Car)
9
Garages (Four Car) 3
Store Blocks, (6 Stores)
1
Hospital Building (Nurses' Home) 1
Forty-one hundred and thirty (4130) lights, thirty-four (34) motors and seven (7) electric ranges were installed, with other miscellaneous electrical apparatus during the year.
Two (2) electric fires have occured during the year caused by electric flat irons, the current being accidentally left on these irons. Too great care cannot be given by users of this class of electric heating irons, or any other portable electric heating device, to be sure that the current is shut off after using, as fires are liable to happen with excessive heating of any elec- trical appliances, especially flat irons.
FIRE ALARM AND POLICE SIGNALS
Most careful inspection and care have been given these sys- tems during the year to ensure proper operation, as conditions existing, when no one can tell at any minute what may happen have made it imperative that every thing possible should be done to give quick and correct service to the Fire and Police Departments. Owing to the high cost of materials prevailing, no more new construction was done than was necessary to strengthen and renew parts of the existing systems. Twenty- . six hundred and ninety (2690) feet of 4-wire, lead-incased cable and fourteen hundred and thirty-five (1435) feet of 2- wire, lead-encased cable were purchased during the year. Nine hundred and eighty-five (985) feet of 2-wire and seventeen- hundred and seventy (1770) feet of 4-wire cables were installed in the Heights section of the Town for replacing old aerial wires on poles. These new underground wires were installed on Massachusetts Avenue, from a point opposite Daniels Street to a point near Boston Elevated Car Barns, also new underground wires were installed on Park Avenue, from junction of Massa- chusetts Avenue to corner of Park and Wollaston Avenues, and
303
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF WIRES
on Park Avenue from junction of Massachusetts and Park Avenues to a point near bridge crossing Boston and Maine Railroad. One (1) iron terminal post was located at corner of Massachusetts and Park Avenues for Police Box 412, removing this box from old location on pole near car barns. One (1) fire post iron terminal was installed on Massachusetts Avenue opposite Daniels Street for future installation of a Fire Alarm Box much needed in this locality. Other underground cables purchased will be installed this coming year in locations deemed most advisable by this department.
During the year two (2) iron fire post terminals were broken ٦ by teams coming in contact with same.
On November 8 the whistle-blowing machine in tower, at top of Old Town Hall, broke a part of this machine on the 6:45 P. M. Test Blow of system. This machine has been in con- tinuous service for twenty-eight (28) years since purchased and this is the first accident happening to this, one of the most im- portant parts of the Fire Alarm System.
On May 7 the main spring in Police Signal Register broke after ten (10) years and eleven (11) months' service, which, considering the thousands of calls received over this machine in past years, speaks well of the service given.
On June 11, 12, 13 and 14, at 9 P. M., signals were sounded on the Fire Alarm calling attention to days remaining to pur- chase the first issued "Liberty Bonds." as ordered by the Treasury Department at Washington, D. C.
On December 8 a new Police Signal Bus, No. 16, was in- stalled on Lake Street opposite Newcomb Street.
AUTO EMERGENCY TRUCK
An automobile truck was purchased for the Wire Depart- ment late this year after giving careful consideration as to what class of truck would be most suitable. This truck has been fitted with special equipment as required for an Electrical De- partment, and the town now has a piece of apparatus that can be called an "Emergency Truck" thoroughly equipped to per- form work required by the Wire Department, and also to assist any other Town Departments in cases of emergency. This
304
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
truck will be located at the Central Fire Station on Broadway in accordance with the orders of the Board of Selectmen.
DEPUTY ELECTRICIAN
Owing to the scarcity of skilled help, especially in the electrical line, your Superintendent did not appoint a Deputy Electrician during the year as a man capable and with knowl- edge of Municipal Signal Systems could not be found who could satisfactorily fill the position. It is hoped this coming year that a man may be employed for this position, as there are many duties to perform in the Wire Department requiring the services of a permanent assistant electrician.
IN CONCLUSION
In submitting estimate for the requirements of the Wire De- partment for the coming year, I would respectfully say that most careful consideration has been given to appropriation required as submitted to your Honorable Board. The high tax rate prevailing during the past year, and the general economic conditions existing throughout the country, in my opinion, do not warrant making any great extensions to the Town's Signal Systems, other than to allow for a reasonable amount of new construction and to keep the present systems up to the highest standard of efficiency. The exceeding high cost, now prevailing, of all classes of electrical appliances, wires, etc., in my judgment makes it necessary to "go slow" until such times as materials reach a normal basis. Much new construction should be done on the Fire Alarm and Police Signal Systems, especially in renewing and extending of underground wires, but the present systems can be repaired and kept in working condition until such times as it will not be necessary to pay from 100 to 200% over normal prices.
Respectfully submitted,
R. W. LEBARON, Superintendent of Wires.
TOWN ENGINEER'S REPORT.
ARLINGTON, Mass., January 1, 1918.
To the Joint Board of Selectmen and Board of Public Works.
Gentlemen: Herewith is respectfully submitted the annual re- port of the Engineering Department for the year ending De- cember 31, 1917.
The Engineering Department furnishes all the Town depart- ments and committees with such information, plans, designs, estimates and data of an engineering nature as they may require on work being done, or contemplated, also keeps careful notes, measurements and locations of new work, additions, changes, and extensions as they may occur and properly records the same for future reference by maps, plans or profiles.
The engineering cost for the year is classified as follows :
Engineering Appropriation : Comprising Town Engi-
. neer's salary and cost of preliminary surveys, plans, designs, sketches, etc., and general engineer- ing work for all departments
$3,454.48
New Street Construction : Comprising plans, esti- mates, lines, grades, etc. 250.75
Highway Division: Comprising surveys, estimates, contracts and specifications, profiles, lines, and grades, and all other engineering work relating to the department 497.63
Sewer Division : Comprising.surveys, estimates, pro- files, lines, grades, titles, plans, assessments and inspection on contract work, and all engineering work relating to sewers 786.47
Water Division: Comprising lines, grades, locations, and plans of mains, gates, hydrants, and services, and other work relating to the Water Department Storm Drains: Comprising surveys, plans, lines and grades 37.41
588.64
305
306
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Board of Survey: Comprising surveys, plans, etc. $247.74
Appleton Street Construction: Comprising lines, grades, etc.
27.18
STREETS ACCEPTED AS PUBLIC HIGHWAYS IN 1917 UNDER THE BETTERMENT ACT
Width Length
Date
in
in
of
Name of Street
From
To
feet
feet
Acceptance
Fairmont St.
Mass. Ave.
Lake Ave.
1065
Mar. 26, 1917
Hopkins Rd.
Pleasant St.
Southeasterly
40 40,50 630
Mar. 26, 1917
Park Ave.Ext. Lowell St.
Northeasterly
40
1035
Mar. 26, 1917
Total length
2730 feet
For details and cost of construction, see Board of Public Works Report.
Two thousand two hundred forty-four (2244) square yards of concrete road was laid on the north side of Massachusetts Avenue, from the Cambridge line to Teel Street, by P. J. Kelley, contractor, under plans and specifications prepared by this department. The material excavated was used in the con- struction of residential streets in that vicinity.
Five thousand two hundred sixteen (5216) square yards of temporary tar walks were laid by contract under plans and specifications prepared by this department, and eight thousand six hundred forty-five (8645) square yards were laid by the Board of Public Works with its own employees.
Eight hundred thirty (830) square yards of granolithic side- walks and five hundred forty-five (545) square yards of perma- nent tar sidewalks were laid by contract and the work in- spected by this department.
During the year a total length of 3122.51 lineal feet of main sewers were constructed and 117 house connections were made. Sewer assessment plans of the work are all completed and assessments levied.
For details of the cost of this work, see Board of Public Works Report.
Surveys, plans and estimates were made for a proposed main sewer along Mill Brook, from Grove Street to Brattle Street, with a view toward eliminating Brattle Street sewer pump, and this matter is now under consideration with the Metropolitan Sewerage Board.
307
TOWN ENGINEER'S REPORT
Lines and grades were given for laying 7776.6 lineal feet of water mains and record plans made showing the location of new mains, hydrants, gates, etc.
Board of Survey studies were made for new streets on land, formerly owned by Richard Irwin, north of Summer Street and called Brattle Heights; on land included between Massachusetts Avenue, Gloucester Street, Mount Vernon Street and Highland Avenue; on land on Appleton Street near the Lexington Town line; and also on land west of Morningside owned by Mr. Lester D. Langley.
Forty-three (43) plans were verified by this department and approved by the Board of Survey.
Street numbering plans of all new streets have been made, new buildings located and numbers assigned.
Plans have been made by the various companies and corpora- tions and filed in the Town Engineer's office, showing the loca- tions of gas mains, poles, tracks, and conduits, permits for which have been granted by the Joint Board during the year.
Annexed to this report is a table giving the names of all streets in the Town, public and private, lengths, widths, and total mileage; also a table of general statistics pertaining to the Town.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE E. AHERN, Town Engineer and Superintendent of Public Works.
Arlington, Mass.
-
.
TABLE SHOWING THE LOCATION, LENGTH AND WIDTH OF ACCEPTED AND PRIVATE STREETS.
Length
Name
Location
Width
Date of Acceptance
Accept.
Private
Aberdeen Road ..
Dundee Road, easterly .
40
730
Academy Street. .
Massachusetts Avenue to Irving Street .
40
1520
Acton Street. .
Appleton Street, southerly .
51
510
Addison Street.
Pleasant Street to Spy Pond.
40
800
Aerial Street.
Forest Street, easterly .
40
392
1335
Alpine Street.
Park Avenue extension, northerly.
40
Amherst Street . .
River Street to Rawson Road .
40
530
Amsden Street.
Massachusetts Avenue, 398 feet northeast- erly .
45
398
March 25, 1915.
Amsden Street.
Waldo Road, southeasterly 552 feet.
45
552
*Appleton Street.
Massachusetts Avenue to Lexington Line ..
50-40
7840
·
Laid out by County Com. Mass Av. to Paul Revere Rd., Old Town Way named Appleton St., Nov. 9, 1846. April 9, 1875.
Appleton Street Place .. .
Appleton Street, southerly .
40
750
Argyle Road ..
Park Avenue, easterly .
40
1100
One-half width in Belmont.
Arnold Street. .
Dundee Road to Hibbert Street.
40
723
Ashland Street.
Appleton Strcet to Florence Avenue.
50
832
April 7, 1898.
TAvola Street. .
Ortona Street to Lexington Line. .
40
1158
Avon Place. ..
Massachusetts Avenue, westerly
30
428
Bacon Street. .
Central Street to Mill Street. .
30
345
+Barbara Street .
Spring Street, northeasterly
40
407
Bartlett Avenue.
Massachusetts Avenue to Irving Street.
45-40
1350
November 6, 1888; March 14, 1892; June 1, 1896; November 8, 1897.
Bartlett Avenue.
Irving Street to Gray Street
40
370
Bartlett Avenue
Gray Street to Woodland Street.
40
412
March 22, 1909.
Beacon Street.
Warren Street to Coral Street.
40
1447
Beck Road.
Forest Street, easterly
20
375
Belknap Street ..
Linwood Stret to Marion Road .
40
600
March 6, 1911.
Belknap Place.
Massachusetts Avenue to Belknap Street. .
20
270
Bellington Street.
Arlmont Street, northeasterly.
40
600
+Bessie Street.
Spring Street, northeasterly . .
40
439
Blossom Street.
Bow Street to Summit Street ..
40
1528
Bloomfield Avenue.
Summer Street, northerly .
40
400
Bonad Road.
Highland Avenue, southeasterly .
40
630
.
1
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
308
April 2, 1866, September 20, 1875. November 2, 1886 March 9, 1891. .
March 20, 1916.
Alber marle Street.
Walnut Street, to Mt. Vernon Street.
40
.
400
.
Dundee Road to Aberdeen Road
Arlmont Street .
.
.
November 22, 1906. March 4, 1872.
November 8, 1897.
March 4, 1872.
.
450
*Bow Street .
(Forest Street to Lowell Street.
40
1930
1Old Town Way named Bow Street, November 9, 1846. Deeree of Supreme Court, June 30, 1899.
Bowdoin Street.
River Street to Rawson Road.
40
530
+Bowman Street.
Appleton Street to Lexington Line
30
75
Branch Avenue.
Park Avenue extension to Alpine Street.
40
340
+Brand Street.
Forest Street to Aerial Street.
40
1250
Brantwood Road.
Kensington Park to Jason Street.
40
2265
November 8, 1897.
+Brantwood Road
Kensington Park to Pleasant Street.
40
578
+Brattle Avenue.
Brattle Street, east and west.
40
730
Brattle Street.
Massachusetts Avenue to Summer Street. .
40
1810
. May 27, 1873.
Brattle Street. .
Summer Street to Brattle Avenue.
40
1360
Brattle Lane.
Washington Street to Pine Street.
40
700
Brattle Terraee .
Brattle Lane, easterly . . .
40
390
*Broadway.
Massachusetts Avenue to Somerville Line. . 64
5400
Old Town Way named Elm Street November 9, 1846.
Brooks Avenue.
Lake Street to Elmhurst Road, formerly Barnes Lane. .
40
765
Buckman Court. .
Massachusetts Avenue, southerly .
20
175
+Buekman Street.
Wright Street, southeasterly . ..
40
500
Buena Vista Road ..
Gray Street to Cedar Avenue.
40
1050
+Candia Street.
Washington Street Extension to Gorham Street.
40
483
+Carlton Road .
Forest Street, southerly
40
1600
Cedar Avenue.
Oakland Avenue to Belmont Line
40 & 50
3050
+Cedar Avenue .
Hemlock Street, westerly.
40
200
Cemetery Street.
Chestnut Street, northerly.
40
450
March 15, 1894. March 7, 1870.
+Chandler Street.
Massachusetts Avenue, southwesterly. .
40
240
Chapman Street.
Pleasant Street to Devereaux Street.
40
268
December 7, 1896.
Charlton Street.
Florence Avenue to Pelmont Line ..
40
2100
+Chatham Street:
Washington Street Extension to Pheasant Avenue .
40
648
Chester Street.
Park Avenue, northerly
40
550
*Chestnut Street.
Medford Street to Mystie Street .. 50
500
Old Town Way named Mystie Street November 9, 1846.
+Chestnut Street .
Wollaston Avenue to Appleton Street. .
40
450
Cheviot Road. .
Intervale Road to Robin Hood Road.
40
367
Church Street. .
Massachusetts Avenue to Paeon Street ..
25
150
+Cireuit Avenue.
Sachem Avenue to Fowle Avenue.
40
350
Claremont Avenue
Wollaston Avenue to Oakland Avenue.
60
2171
September 23, 1878.
Clark Street.
Massachusetts Avenue to north of Peirce St.
40
Cleveland Street .
Massachusetts Avenue to Broadway .
45
1608
April 15, 1898.
Cliff Street.
Florence Avenue to Oakland Avenue. 50
1441
November 8, 1897.
·
Central Street.
Massachusetts Avenue to B. & L. R.R. .
30
564
.
457
309
TOWN ENGINEER'S REPORT
.
TABLE SHOWING THE LOCATION, LENGTH AND WIDTH OF ACCEPTED AND PRIVATE STREETS-Continued.
Length
Name
Location
Width
Date of Acceptance
Accept.
Private
Coral Street.
.
Park Street to Beacon Street.
40
250
March 4, 1872.
Cornell Street.
River Street to Rawson Road.
40
530
Cottage Avenue. .
Henderson Street, easterly .
30
270
Court Street.
Massachusetts Avenue to Water Street.
20-35
620
.
November 5, 1867.
Court Street Place.
Court Street, northerly . .
20
160
tCrawford Street.
Gorham Street, easterly.
40
627
Crescent Hill Avenue
. Park Place to north of Montague Street ....
40
1144
December 1, 1902.
Crescent Hill Avenue. . .
200 feet north of Montague Street, to I.ex- ington Line.
40
255
tCrosby Street .
Upland Road, northerly .
50
836
Cross Street. .
Teel Street to Henderson Street. .
40
215
Daniels Street.
Massachusetts Avenue to Appleton Street. .
40
498
Dartmouth Street.
River Street to Rawson Road.
10
530
Davia Avenue.
Mystic Street, southeasterly
40
812
March 26, 1914.
+Day Street. .
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