USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1918 > Part 16
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The Board has received petitions for the approval of plans
300
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
for the layout of streets in various sections of the Town. These petitions, owing to the location of the land, the surroundings, and the ultimate detriment to the Town, were not granted.
The Board would, therefore, again urge that when property or land is contiguous to existing Town property the greatest care should be exercised in the determination of the development of that particular tract of land - to the end that the interests of the Town may be safeguarded.
SUMMER STREET BOULEVARD
In the report of the Board last year mention was made of a petition from the Board to the Massachusetts Highway Com- mission and to the County Commissioners for the construction of Summer Street, from Mystic Street to Brattle Street.
As stated in previous reports, this street had been laid out by the Town to a width of fifty (50) feet, between these two points. The Town had also constructed a portion of the street between Grove and Mill Streets, and had paid the land damages for the widening necessary. At a conference between the State, County and Town officials it was agreed (and this agreement was later put in writing) that this street should be built as a continuance of the Boulevard laid last year. The terms of the agreement were that the Town should make an appropriation of $15,000, or one-third of the then estimated cost, the State and County to contribute one-third each of the cost up to $30,000. Any amount exceeding this sum was to be paid by the Town. A contract was made between the Board, repre- senting the Town, and John E. Gaffey, of Medford, for the construction of the street under terms and specifications drawn by the Engineer of the Highway Commission, and the work was done under the supervision of the Engineers of that Division.
The work has been completed (with the exception of finishing retaining walls and sidewalks), and the expectations of the Board and of the citizens generally have been fully realized, as this street makes the connecting link between the established Boulevard from Brattle Street to Lexington, and from Mystic Street to the Medford Boulevard. The construction of this street also will relieve in a great measure the immense auto
301
REPORT OF JOINT BOARD
traffic on Massachusetts Avenue. The completion and con- necting of these boulevards is one of the greatest improvements accomplished in the Town for many years. The entire cost of this work has been well within the $30,000, so that one-third of the cost will be paid by the State and one-third by the County. The final figures are not made up at the writing of this report. It is to be hoped that the Boulevard from Mystic Street to Medford Street will be completed the coming spring. This work is to be done by the Metropolitan Park Commission.
MATTERS PENDING
Owing to conditions existing on account of the war, the ac- tivities of the Joint Board have been largely curtailed.
As stated, there has been no action relative to the laying out of new streets, and no petitions have been received for pole locations or for attachment of wires, and nothing has been done as to track locations or relocations.
There are, however, some matters that if conditions warrant, the Board will take up the coming year. These matters relate to certain unaccepted streets, the proposed new way between the Boston and Maine tracks and the playground, the underground system of street lighting, street car traffic and other items of perhaps lesser importance.
WILLIS P. HOWARD, ARTHUR BIRCH,
THOMAS J. DONNELLY, THOMAS D. KENNEDY,
HORATIO A. PHINNEY, LOREN W. MARSH,
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 nineteenth Annual Report as Superintendent of Wires for the year ending December 31, 1918.
POLES AND WIRES
During the year very few replacements of poles were made on the highways and also but few new poles were set in new locations. The scarcity of labor and curtailment of use of electrical materials by order of the Government of the United States did not permit electrical corporations making new ex- tensions or repairs to existing systems other than absolutely necessary.
STREET LIGHTING
In keeping with general financial conditions existing but few additional street lights were installed during the year. Six (6) 90 candle power and one (1) 600 candle power lights were added to the Town's lighting system, which is the smallest number of electric lights installed in any one year for a long period.
The street lights were operated on the " All Night" Schedule for the first three months of the year other than between Feb- ruary 23 to March 29 the "Moonlight Schedule" was put in operation in compliance with request of the Fuel Commis- sioner for conservation of fuel. From April 1 to December 31 street lights were operated between the hours of thirty (30) minutes after sundown to one (1) o'clock A.M.
SUMMARY OF STREET LIGHTS IN SERVICE DECEMBER 31, 1919
60 Candle Power, Type "C" Incandescent 438
80 Candle Power, Type "C" Incandescent 21
100 Candle Power, Type "C" Incandescent 1
600 Candle Power, Type "C" Incandescent. 85
Total 545
302
303
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF WIRES
ORNAMENTAL LIGHTING SYSTEM
60 Watt Mazda Lamps (Multiple) 44
100 Watt Mazda Lamps (Multiple) . 5
INSPECTION OF WIRES IN BUILDINGS
With the small number of new buildings built during the past year, new construction for electrical systems greatly de- creased from years in the past. Two hundred and twenty (220) inspections were made, covering principally minor work. No fires have occurred during the year from electrical sources.
FIRE ALARM AND POLICE SIGNALS
These systems have given the excellent service as in the past. The Fire Alarm System was operated more times in the past year than ever before. Five thousand, four hundred and six- teen (5416) blows were sounded on the system during the year. On November 11 six hundred and seventy-eight (678) blows were sounded on the Fire Alarm, the greatest number in any one day since the Fire Alarm System was installed in the Town. On this date, in addition to special signals sounded for cele- brating the "Signing of the Armistice," sixteen (16) false alarms were sounded.
Twenty-one hundred (2100) feet of 4-wire, lead encased cable were purchased during the year for extension of the under- ground wire systems of the Fire Alarm and Police Signal to replace aerial wires existing. Fifteen hundred and sixty-five (1565) feet of 4-wire, lead encased cable were installed on Massachusetts Avenue between Forest Street and to fire termi- nal post opposite Daniels Street. Eight hundred and five (805) feet of this cable were purchased in the year 1917. Thir- teen hundred and forty (1340) feet of 4-wire cable are now on hand for extending underground wires from a point near the car barns at Heights to the Lexington Town line. All aerial wires were removed in the vicinity of Park and Massachusetts Avenues, with the putting into service of the underground wire
304
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
systems. One new cable terminal post was installed at corner of Massachusetts Avenue and Lowell Street.
Ten of the old type of Fire Alarm Boxes were equipped dur- ing the year with new signal wheels and improved electrical contact springs, and equipment for five more boxes has been purchased for replacement of old signal wheels in other boxes.
New maps of the Town showing location of Fire Alarm Boxes were furnished the Fire Departments of Medford and Somer- ville in accordance with the Mutual Aid Fire Alarm Systems existing between Arlington and these cities. On June 7 the Mutual Aid Fire Alarm System was put into service between the Central Fire Station in this Town and the West Medford and Central Fire Station in Medford; the final connecting up of this system having been delayed for some time on account of the remodeling and fireproofing of the Central Fire Station in Medford, and building of new fireproof fire alarm head- quarters in that city.
One new Police Signal Box, No. 16, was put in commission May 22 on Lake Street opposite Newcomb Street, the box being purchased in 1917 and, owing to lack of help available, especially linemen, this installation was not completed until the above date.
AUTO EMERGENCY WAGON
The new Emergency Wagon of the Wire Department has proved its worth several times during the year, and on the night of the big storm, August 7, and the day following, this wagon was of great assistence with its equipment of tools and searchlights in clearing the highways of broken wires, trees, and poles. This wagon is now located at the Central Fire Station, on Broadway, is always ready for instant use, and same is equipped with a very complete outfit for emergency service.
IN CONCLUSION
For the coming year I would respectfully recommend that. a substantial appropriation be made for the replacement of old underground wires of the Fire Alarm and Police Signal
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF WIRES 305
Systems, as nothing has been done in the past two years on this reconstruction owing to the high cost prevailing of wires needed for this purpose. As prices are falling in cost of wires, and as more help will be available than in the past few years, I consider it necessary this year to make a substantial start on the replace- ment of existing old underground wirés, as same are becoming dangerous to depend upon for such important service as use for signal purposes.
I would recommend that an appropriation be made this year for installing a Mutual Aid Fire Alarm System between this Town and Lexington. With such a system both Towns will receive additional fire protection, and as this Town has dis- continued the Fire Station at the Heights, this proposed new system will make fire apparatus available from Lexington to cover this section of the Town and elsewhere as required.
Respectfully submitted,
REUBEN W. LEBARON, Superintendent of Wires.
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1
REPORT OF PLANNING BOARD
ORGANIZATION
The Planning Board of 1918 has the same membership as last year and no change has been made in the organization. The following members constitute the Board: Henry W. Hayes, Chairman, Harry G. Porter, James P. Parmenter, Cyrus E. Dallin, Robert W. Pond, Jacob Bitzer, Secretary.
WORK FOR PLANNING BOARDS
A period of inactivity has existed during the year owing to war conditions. Everywhere public work and building have been suspended and all efforts centered upon the prosecution of the war. Now that peace is about to be declared and we are again approaching normal conditions, the Town will have to take up the public work where it was dropped at the beginning of the war.
LAYING OUT OF STREETS
The street development of the Town is carried on under the authority of the Board of Survey, which carefully considers all plans for new developments. This Board has called the Plan- ning Board into conference on the plans submitted of these new projects. The good judgment and practical experience of the Board of Survey have accomplished much in the proper develop- ment of the Town.
BUILDING LINES ON MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE
The necessity of establishing building lines on Massachusetts Avenue has been clearly demonstrated during this year. A garage has been built on Massachusetts Avenue, opposite the junction of Appleton Street, which ought to have been set back at least ten feet from the sidewalk line, but owing to the fact
306
307
REPORT OF PLANNING BOARD
that we had no building lines the Town authorities were power- less and this building was placed close to the sidewalk line. This is entirely contrary to the best development of the Town and will undoubtedly cause future expense which might have been avoided.
CRUSHER LOT FOR PARK PURPOSES
The Town owns thirteen and one-half acres of land valued at $16,200, located at the southerly end of Fessenden Road, which is not used by the Town for any purpose at the present time. The lot was considered at one time as a schoolhouse site, but when the matter was brought up in Town meeting the project was defeated.
The Board recommends that this lot be reserved by the Town for park purposes and placed in the care of the Park Commis- sion, believing that the future needs of this section of the Town for a park and playground will have to be planned for at once.
SUCKER BROOK IMPROVEMENT
The Metropolitan Water and Sewerage Board has prepared plans for a sewer to be built when the Massachusetts Avenue sewer is no longer adequate. When this sewer is built, the improvement of the brook should be made at the same time. A joint taking by the Town and Metropolitan Water and Sew- erage Board and co-operation in carrying on this work would save both the State and Town considerable money. Before this work can be commenced, the Town should appropriate a small sum of money for the purpose of confining the waters of the brook in one channel by building up and straightening the banks. Conditions in the new High School lot demand that this section of the brook should be rebuilt as soon as money can be provided.
SUMMER STREET STATE HIGHWAY
The most important development in the Town at this partic- ular time is the completion of the State Highway .. This year
.
308
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
the section between Grove and Mystic Streets has been widened and rebuilt, the cost being divided between the State Highway Commission, the County Commission and the Town. The section between Mystic Street and Medford Street will be finished next year by the Metropolitan Park Commission. This section would have been completed this year had unfore- seen difficulties not arisen which caused delay and greater ex- pense than estimated.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE CEMETERY
In connection with the construction of the boulevard, the Metropolitan Park Commission obtained permission from the Cemetery Commissioners of the Town to use the gravel obtained by grading that portion of the cemetery nearest Mystic Lake. By this arrangement the cemetery land was graded and re- loamed with no expense to the Town.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
The Board has various projects under consideration, but does not desire to bring them forward until the finances of the Town will permit. It is the opinion of the Board that no large proj- ects be undertaken until they are absolutely necessary, but present conditions ought not to prevent planning for the future. City and Town planning will save, not spend, public funds and unrelated, haphazard efforts are wasteful. Proper planning will promote public health, convenience and finances, make life more wholesome and the Town more beautiful.
TOWN ENGINEER'S REPORT
ARLINGTON, MASS., January 1, 1919.
To the Joint Board of Selectmen and Board of Public Works.
Gentlemen: Herewith is respectfully submitted the annual report of the Engineering Department for the year ending December 31, 1918.
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 En-
gineer's salary and cost of preliminary surveys, plans, designs, sketches, etc., and general engi- neering work for all departments $3,172.53
Highway Division. Comprising surveys, estimates, profiles, lines and grades, and all other engineering work relating to the department 127.68
Sewer Division: Comprising surveys, estimates, pro- files, lines, grades, titles, plans, assessments, and all engineering work relating to sewers 450.82
Water Division : Comprising lines, grades, locations, and plans of mains, gates, hydrants, and services, and other work relating to the Water Department 358.28 Board of Survey : Comprising surveys, plans, etc. 117.15
Miscellaneous 28.05
No new street construction work was done this year.
Oxford Street from Massachusetts Avenue to Raleigh Street, which was constructed in 1917 by the abutting owners, was accepted by the Town on March 25, 1918.
309
310
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
One thousand four hundred eighty-four (1484) square yards of temporary tar walks were laid on Mystic Street by the Board of Public Works with its own employees, at an average cost of $0.68 per square yard.
Three hundred nine (309) square yards of granolithic side- walks and one hundred fifty (150) lineal feet of granolithic curb were laid by contract and the work inspected by this department.
During the year a total length of four thousand one hundred five (4105) lineal feet of main sewers were constructed and fifty-eight (58) house connections were made; work having been done by the Board of Public Works employees. 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.
Lines and grades were given for laying two thousand sixty (2060) lineal feet of water mains and record plans made showing the location of new mains, hydrants, gates, etc.
A Board of Survey study was made for the layout of streets on land between Eastern Avenue and the Belmont Town Line, and Board of Survey plans for the following streets were made by this department: Aberdeen Road, Brand Street, Finley Street, Hospital Road, Madison Avenue from Westmoreland Avenue to Park Place, Montague Street from Crescent Hill Avenue to Orient Avenue, Orient Avenue from Westmoreland Avenue to Summer Street Extension, Perth Road, Sutherland Road, Waldo Road Extension, Westmoreland Avenue from Crescent Hill Avenue to Orient Avenue.
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 cor- porations and filed in the Town Engineer's office, showing the locations of structures for which permits were granted by the Joint Board during the year.
The Engineering Department has prepared plans and per- formed miscellaneous services for all the Town departments and for the Town Counsel.
It is the practice of the Superintendent to make recommenda-
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TOWN ENGINEER'S REPORT
tions concerning the different departments over which he has supervision directly to the Board in charge of that particular department. Consequently no recommendations are made in this general report.
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.
TABLE SHOWING THE LOCATION, LENGTH AND WIDTH OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE STREETS
Length
Name
Location
Width
Date of Acceptance
Public
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
450
Albermarle Street .
Walnut Street to Mt. Vernon Street.
40
392
March 20, 1916.
Alpine Street .
Park Avenue extension, northerly .
40
1335
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.
Argyle Road .
Dundee Road to Aberdeen Road
40
750
Armont Street.
Park Avenue, easterly . .
40
1100
One-half width in Belmont.
Arnold Street ..
Dundee Road to Hibbert Street.
40
723
Ashland Street ..
Appleton Street to Florence Avenue.
50
832
April 7, 1898.
Avola 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
Beacon Street.
Warren Street to Coral Street.
40
1447
Beck Road ..
Forest Street, easterly
20
375
Belknap Street .
Linwood Street to Marion Road.
40
600
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
.
·
.
.
.
.
November 22, 1906. March 4, 1872.
November 8, 1897.
March 22, 1909.
March 4, 1872.
March 6, 1911.
. .
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
312
Appleton Street Place. .
. Appleton Street, southerly .
400
April 2, 1866, September 20, 1875. November 2, 1886. March 9, 1891.
*Bow Street.
|Forest Street to Lowell Street .
40
1930
|Old Town Way named Bow Street, November 9, 1846. Decree of Supreme Court, June 30, 1899.
Bowdoin Street.
River Street to Rawson Road
40
. .
30
. .
.
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
1730
November 8, 1897.
+Brantwood Road.
Kensington Park to Pleasant Street.
40
+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 Terrace.
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
¿Buckman 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.
& 50 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 Belmont Line .
40
żi00
Chatham Street.
Washington Street Extension to Pheasant Avenue .
40
648
Chester Street.
Park Avenue, northerly
40
550
*Chestnut Street.
Medford Street to Mystic Street.
50
500
Old Town Way named Mystic 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. .
.
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 Pierce 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.
313
TOWN ENGINEER'S REPORT
·
+Circuit Avenue .
Massachusetts Avenue to Bacon Street. . .
25
150
30
564
Central Street.
Massachusetts Avenue to B. & L. R.R ..
3050
+Cedar Avenue .
Hemlock Street, westerly . .
530
+Bowman Street ..
Appleton Street to Lexington Line.
75
578
457
+
TABLE SHOWING THE LOCATION, LENGTH AND WIDTH OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE STREETS-Continued
Length
Name
Location
Width
Date of Acceptance
Public
Private
Coral Street.
Park Street to Beacon Street.
40
250
March 4, 1872.
Cornell Street .
River Street to Rawson Road.
40
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
Crawford 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 Lex- ington Line.
40
255
+Crosby 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.
40
530
Davis Avenue.
Mystic Street, southeasterly .
40
812
March 26, 1914. ·
tDay Street. . .
George Street, westerly.
40
350
Decatur Street.
River Street to North Union Street.
35 40
988
March 6, 1871.
Decatur Street.
North Union Street, easterly
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