USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1918 > Part 5
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Article 6 taken up. (Authority to convey strip of land in Great Meadows.) The Finance Committee recommended
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
under this Article that no action be taken, but the meeting on hearing the matter discussed passed the following vote:
Voted: That the Selectmen be and hereby are authorized in the name and behalf of the Town to convey, if the Selectmen deem it advisable, a strip of land approximately 176 feet long and about 30 feet wide on the southerly side of the Great Mead- ows, so called, lying between dam over the Slocum Mills property, so called, and the right-of-way leading from the land of the Town to Massachusetts Avenue in East Lexington.
Article 7 taken from the table. No further reports of com- mittees were offered.
On motion of Mr. Birch it was voted that this meeting do now adjourn.
Meeting dissolved at 8.15 P.M.
A true record. Attest:
THOMAS J. ROBINSON, Town Clerk.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
The following is a brief report of the Board of Selectmen on matters pertaining to the various departments of the Town coming under the jurisdiction of the Board for the year ending December 31, 1918.
In the report will be found such recommendations as the Board deems proper, that the best interests of the Town may be served.
ORGANIZATION OF THE BOARD FOR 1918,
. At the annual March meeting of 1918, Mr. Horatio A. Phinney, whose term expired, was re-elected for the term of three years, and was sworn to the faithful performance of his duties by the Town Clerk.
The Board met on the evening of March 4, 1918, and or- ganized as follows: Chairman, Willis P. Howard; Clerk, Thomas J. Robinson.
For the benefit of new residents in the Town it may be well to state that the duties of the Board are of an executive nature, covering all duties coming under an executive Board and not specifically provided by statute. These duties include super- vision and control of the Police and Fire Departments, Outside Poor, State and Military Aid, Public Buildings and public lands, the granting of licenses of all kinds, and such other duties as may from time to time be imposed.
During the year the war conditions imposed many duties upon the Board, as, being members of the Committee on Public Safety, they were called upon to render assistance to all committees appointed for various purposes.
The war activities covered a large scope, and to each of the committees the Board was pleased to render aid whenever called upon. The particular work of these committees will be found in the report of the Public Safety Committee. The
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Board, however, deems it only proper that due recognition should be given to those citizens, men, women, boys and girls, who labored so zealously to perform the work assigned to them. These labors resulted in every case in keeping Arlington in the forefront in all work requested or anticipated, to prosecute the war to its final victorious finish.
The unselfish devotion of our people in the cause of humanity was never more strikingly illustrated than when, in the latter part of the year, the Town was visited with the dread epidemic of Spanish influenza. So rapidly did this disease spread in our midst that physicians became exhausted, nurses impossible to obtain, and hospital facilities overtaxed. In this grave emer- gency the people quickly responded to the call for assistance and, working in conjunction with and under the direction of the Board of Health, prompt and effective measures were taken to check the spread of the disease. The results of this hearty co-operation were soon made manifest, and while Arlington, like all other localities, suffered greatly, the spread of the sickness was stopped and many lives saved. While credit is given in the report of the Board of Health to all who aided during this crisis, this Board desires to record its appreciation to all those who so generously gave of their time, energy and ability in stamping out the most malignant and virulent epidemic that has ever visited the Town.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Willis P. Howard, Police and Public Lands.
Thomas J. Donnelly, Fire Department, State and Military Aid, Soldiers' Relief.
Horatio A. Phinney, Outside Poor, Town Houses and Public Buildings.
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR
Horatio A. Phinney, Chairman.
Thomas J. Robinson, Secretary and Agent.
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT
TOWN DEBT AND TAX RATE
On December 31, 1917, the fixed debt was
$803,400.00 63,450.00
Amount paid during the year
$739,950.00
Amount added during the year
25,500.00
On December 31, 1918, the fixed debt is $765,450.00
The loans authorized and issued in 1918, amounting to $25,500, were as follows:
Water Extensions
$8,000.00
Summer Street
12,000.00
Tufts Street Land Purchase
3,500.00
Forest Street Land Purchase
2,000.00
$25,500.00
SINKING FUND
The amount of the Fund on December 31, 1917, was $152,076.55
Amount added during the year:
For Interest on Funds $6,4.74.12
By Appropriation
14,550.00
21,024.12
$173,100.67
Amount paid from the Fund during the year:
Rent of Safety Deposit Vault
$10.00
Accrued Interest on Liberty Bonds
109.72
119.72
On December 31, 1918, the amount of Fund is
$172,980.95
ยท No notes, bonds or other indebtedness of the Town will be payable from this Fund until 1922, at which time $92,000 will become due and payable on Water Bonds.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
This Fund is divided and classified as follows:
Water Loans
$128,991.90
Sewer Loans
36,028.97
Town House Site Loans
6,694.93
Park Loans
1,265.15
$172,980.95
TAXABLE PROPERTY, STATE AND COUNTY TAXES AND TAX RATES
The real and personal property in the Town, as assessed and reported by the Assessors for the year 1918, was as follows:
Personal Property
Real Estate
1917
1918
1917 1918
$1,668,117.00 $1,705,681.00
$17,613,295.00 $18,041,867.00
The above figures show an increase in personal property of $37,564, and an increase in real property of $428,572, over 1917, making the total taxable property, both real and personal, $19,747,548, an increase of $466,136 over that of 1917.
While this increase in taxable property is very much below that which would have been shown under normal conditions, the fact that the Town received from the Special Personal Tax account $53,450, together with other facts that will be shown in the following table, enabled the Assessors to make a reduction in the tax rate of $1.30; or $24.20 in 1918 as compared with $25.50 in 1917. In determining the tax rate of last year the following facts should not be overlooked: the increase in taxable property amounting to $466,136, the special personal tax of $53,450, the slight increase in State, County and Metropolitan Taxes amounting to $3,901.74, the substantial increase in Corporation and Bank Tax of $22,196.35, together with con- servative estimates and expenditures for the various depart- ments. These items made the reduction possible. When it is considered that owing to the war conditions but very little building was done, the cost of labor and material making such ' building almost prohibitive, and that the Town was deprived of the natural increase that would have come from this source,
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT
it is most gratifying to find that the tax rate showed a decrease rather than an increase. The Board feels that the various departments not only conservatively estimated the appropria- tions asked for, but they very economically expended the same. This is shown by the fact that no requests were made for trans- fers from the Reserve Fund. While the Board feels that in many of the departments improvements could be suggested or made, requiring considerable money, it is of the opinion that until conditions become more normal the same economy should be practiced for at least the coming year. With the cost of labor and materials at their present high rate the citizens can hardly expect to have the work of the departments done on the same appropriations as previously. With all commod- ities at their present abnormal prices the citizens who are called upon to pay these prices must remember that the tax rate is regulated by the prices the departments are called upon to pay, and must rise or fall as these prices vary.
The taxes levied for State and County purposes for 1918 were as follows:
1918
Increase
State Tax
1917 $40,700.00
$40,700.00
County Tax
18,613.95
20,170.01
$1,556.06
Metropolitan Sewer Tax
16,274.29
17,349.75
1,075.46
Metropolitan Park Tax
9,409.48
9,532.40
122.92
Metropolitan Water Tax
20,544.00
21,735.89
1,191.89
Charles River Basin Tax
1,789.54
1,819.39
29.85
Alewife Brook Tax
2,453.18
2,395.89
57.29*
Fire Prevention Tax
204.77
193.36
11.41*
Soldiers' Exemption Tax
25.72
19.98
5.74*
$110,014.93 $113,916.67
$3,901.74
CORPORATION AND BANK TAX RECEIVED BY THE TOWN
1917
1918
Increase $165.49
Street Railway Tax
10.92
11,279.86
11,268.94
Income Tax
37,914.96
48,810.79
10,895.83
Middlesex Street Ry. Tax
130.91
*Decrease.
$57,110.15
$79,306.50
$22,196.35
Corporation and Bank Tax $19,053.36
$19,215.85
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
The following is an analysis of the 1918 tax rate showing what proportion of each $24.20 paid by the tax payers is applied to the maintenance of the various departments:
Highways
$3.1956
Sewers
.1310
Water
.3926
Street Lights
.5107
Engineering
.1527
Fire Department
.9160
Police Department
1.0928
Wire Department
.0916
Trees and Parks
.3162
Board of Health
.2710
Collection of Ashes and Offal
.8637
Cemeteries
.1091
Public Library
.2530
Schools
6.6396
Charities
.4646
Municipal Buildings
.2290
Salaries
.5485
Insurance
.2181
Incidentals and Specials
.8615
Debt and Interest
2.5170
State, County and Metropolitan Taxes
4.0202
Overlayings
.3055
$24.2000
A perusal of this table will show that on each $24.20 paid in taxes $18.84 is for Highways, Fire Department, Police Depart- ment, Schools, Charities, Debt, Interest and State, County and Metropolitan taxes.
This leaves but $5.36 on each $24.20 paid for the maintenance of all other activities of the Town, viz .: Sewers, Water, Street Lights, Engineering, Trees and Parks, Wire Department, Board of Health and Health Department, Libraries, Salaries, Insurance, Public Buildings, Printing, legal expenses, incidental accounts of all departments and all other expenses of any nature.
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT
OUTSIDE POOR
The conditions existing in 1917, as reported by the Overseers last year, relative to the great increase in the cost of ordinary necessities, continued to prevail during the past year. Not only were the abnormal prices of these necessities maintained, but in many cases they were increased. To these conditions was added, in the latter part of the year, an epidemic of influenza, from the results of which many homes were left fatherless. In almost every case the widow thus deprived of the head of the house was left with from four to seven children dependent upon her. These children, in the great majority of cases, were under fourteen years of age. In all, seven widows and thirty-one children thus bereft applied to the Board for aid. In nearly all of the cases the settlement was in Arlington. The aid thus given is not for a day, a week, or a month, but for a period of years, or until the older children are able to assist in the support of the younger. These conditions have necessitated a very much larger expenditure than in any previous year. A brief statement of the number of persons aided will show that a much larger appropriation will be needed the coming year to care for the poor of the Town. In considering the following sum- mary it should be remembered that in many of the cases there is a re-imbursement from the State for money expended under the provisions of Chapter 763 (known as the Dependent Mothers' Aid). This reimbursement varies and is determined by the settlement of the recipient. If settlement is in Arlington, or any other city or town, the State reimburses one-third. If the settlement is in any other city or town that city or town reimburses the other two-thirds. If there is no settlement in any city or town the State pays the whole.
The number of families aided by weekly allowances is twenty- four (24), the amount allowed in each case varying, but aggre- gating $210 per week. This item alone amounts to $10,920 per year. In addition to these families there are ten (10) families aided in their homes with groceries and provisions, nine (9) persons aided in the families of others, and seven (7) persons aided in institutions.
In view of the foregoing facts the Board is compelled to ask for a much larger increase in the appropriation for this depart-
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
ment than would otherwise be the case. The income of the funds at the disposal of the Board has been drawn on to the fullest extent in order to care for all cases. The Board would, therefore, recommend the appropriation of $13,000 for the care of the poor in 1919.
The total disbursements in 1918 for the poor were $15,033.37, divided as follows:
Appropriation $10,000.00
Reimbursements from State, other cities and
towns, and Income from Funds 5,033.37
$15,033.37
POLICE DEPARTMENT
The personnel of this department remains the same as re- ported last year, viz., seventeen men, a Chief, a Lieutenant, a Sergeant and fourteen patrolmen. This number of men have not, however, been on duty throughout the year, as two of the regular officers were in France and these vacancies were not filled. Officer Connor, one of the newly appointed officers, resigned in May to accept a more lucrative position, and Officer Duffy resigned in November to become Superintendent of Town Hall. These two vacancies were not filled except by specials, as it was uncertain when the two men in France would return. In accordance with the vote of the Town passed last March the Department has paid the difference in salary re- ceived by the two officers in France, between that received as patrolman and that received as Sergeants in the United States Service. This amounted to $1,348.16 from March, 1918, to January 1, 1919.
The regular work of the Department has been performed in the usual satisfactory manner. All extra duties assigned have been cared for and included work for the United States Marshal in connection with the draft laws, work for the Local Committee on Public Safety, and work for the Exemption Board.
In the latter part of the year the Board received a petition from the members of the Department, asking for an increase of two hundred dollars ($200) per year. The pay of the officers
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT
had been increased one hundred dollars ($100) per year in 1917, and was as follows: Chief, $1,800, Lieutenant, $1,500, Sergeant, $1,400, and patrolmen, $1,341 per year. After a very careful study of the petition and the conditions existing the Board was of the opinion that if we were to retain the services of our present officers and induce others of the required standard to become members of a reserve force the compensation must be at least comparable with what these men could obtain in mercantile life. When it is considered that skilled labor in the various lines is receiving from $4.50 to $6.00 per day, and un- skilled labor is receiving from $3.75 to $4.50 per day, together with the fact that for uniforms, equipment, etc., an officer is required to pay about $150 per year, the request appeared reasonable. In view of all the facts and the conditions existing the Board voted, as a war measure, to make the following in- creases in the pay of the officers of the Department: Chief, $1,950, Lieutenant, $1,650, Sergeant, $1,550, and patrolmen for the first year, $1,300, for the second year, $1,400, and for the third year and thereafter, $1,500. This shows an increase of $150 each to the ranking officers and $159 to the patrolmen, instead of the $200 each requested.
Regular Officer Barry and Special Officer Bullock have re- turned from their service in the United States Army, and have resumed their duties in the Department. This leaves but one vacancy pending the return of Officer Kirlin from France.
Appropriation for 1918
$25,051.00 88.92
Receipts of Department
$25,139.92 23,394.82
Amount expended
Unexpended balance
$1,745.10
The amount of the unexpended balance is accounted for in the foregoing report and is entirely due to the reduced number of men, the vacancies caused by the absence of the men in the United States Service not having been filled.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
FIRE DEPARTMENT
This Department has continued during the past year under the command of Chief Walter H. Peirce, and has maintained the high standard of efficiency reported in previous years. As will be noted in the report of the Chief, the fire house at Park Avenue has been discontinued, and the men and equipment transferred to the other houses.
The equipment, now all motorized, is in first class condition, and the men at the central station are now engaged in rebuilding a new combination chemical truck, which when completed will make a valuable addition to the present apparatus, as an extra or emergency truck.
The same conditions as to compensation for members of this Department developed during the year, as in all other depart- ments, and the Board received a petition signed by all the per- manent men of the Department asking for an increase of $300 per year, and from the call-men asking for an increase of $25 per year. The same arguments were used in this case as in all other cases, viz., the abnormal high cost of everything. In the case of this Department, however, was added, in the opinion of the Board, the more serious agitation of the platoon squad system, which would mean almost, if not entirely, doubling the number of permanent men. The present men are efficient, faithful and painstaking, and each have a praiseworthy personal interest in maintaining the high standard of the Department. This feeling should be encouraged and strengthened if the very best results are to be obtained. To do this it is essential that the men be satisfied in their work, a work not always of a pleasant nature, and that the remuneration received should be at least commensurate with the hours of duty and the dangers of the work. The Board, therefore, granted the request, and the permanent men of the Department are now receiving $1,500 per year, and the call-men $200 per year.
Appropriation for 1918 Reimbursement
$21,005.00 148.50
$21,153.50 21,132.69
Expended in 1918
Unexpended balance
$20.81
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT
TOWN INSURANCE
During the year 1919 fire insurance policies, amounting to $255,000, will expire and must be renewed. Of this amount $196,000 was written in 1916 on a three-year term. To renew this amount for three years will require an appropriation, under the present rate, of $1,606.06. The balance, $57,000 is written on a five-year term, and to renew for the same term will require an appropriation of $752.40, or a total appropriation for fire insurance of $2,358.40. The Board recommends that these policies be renewed for the same terms as the amount to be saved, as the difference between the rates for three and five years is not sufficient to offset the desirability of so arranging the expirations as to have approximately the same amount expire each year.
In accordance with the recommendation of the Board and the vote of the Town the Compensation, or Employers' Liability insurance was not renewed on the expiration of the policy July 1. The Town is now assuming its own liability, and the Board is pleased to report that since July 1, 1918, there have been no accidents, and, therefore, no money has been paid. In connection with this showing the Board deems it only proper to report that to the extreme care used by the Superintendent of Public Works in handling all hazardous work this result is largely due. The Town Counsel, Mr. Philip A. Hendrick, has been appointed as Agent for the Town in all matters connected with this form of insurance.
In addition to the appropriation necessary for fire insurance, there is an outstanding bill for excess liability insurance, which is in the course of settlement, also an excess premium of the public liability policy. These two items amount to $3,781, and provision should be made for this amount.
To the foregoing forms of insurance there is the automobile insurance of the Town (excluding the Police and Fire Depart- ments) and the bonds of the Treasurer, Tax Collector and Town Clerk. These latter items amount to $600. The total appropriation, therefore, necessary to care for all forms of in- surance carried by the Town for the year 1919 will be $7,105.
With the premiums on employers' liability insurance elimi- nated and the same care used in the performance of dangerous
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
work the Board feels that the coming years will show a very substantial reduction in the appropriation for insurance.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS
Under this heading comes the Robbins Memorial Town Hall, Menotomy Hall (the old Town Hall), the fire stations, and the old Almshouse property.
ROBBINS MEMORIAL TOWN HALL
During the past year the revenue derived from the use of this hall for entertainments, dances, lectures and theatrical per- formances has been less than for any year since the building was presented to the Town. This is accounted for by the fact that owing to war conditions, gatherings of the character mentioned were few, and only undertaken to further the interest of some form of war work. In all such cases the Board has only made a charge to cover the actual cost to the Town, resulting, as stated above, in greatly reducing the revenue. The receipts from the Hall have been only $750, as compared with from $1,800 to $2,000 in previous years. For the first time this account showed a deficit, partly due to the cause mentioned, and partly to the re- duction of $500 in the appropriation made for the maintenance. With the exception of repairs on the roof to remedy certain leaks, there have been no extraordinary repairs or alterations, and the Board anticipates none for the coming year. The grounds have been under the care and supervision of Mr. Daly, the Tree Warden, and this work has been done at a very material saving to the Town.
The Board recommends the appropriation of $4,500 and revenue for the upkeep of the building and grounds the coming year, believing that the increased revenue will be sufficient to offset the natural difference between the cost of maintenance and this appropriation.
CHARLES F. DONAHUE
On October 14, 1918, Charles F. Donahue, for eleven years Superintendent of the Town Hall, passed away after a very brief
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT
illness. Mr. Donahue was the first and only Superintendent of the new Town Hall, and his unfailing fidelity and devotion to the work and his personal pride in the care and upkeep of the building, more than any other factor, brought forth from Mr. R. Clipston Sturgis, the architect, this remark: "Of all the public buildings I have planned and supervised the Arlington Town Hall is, without any exception, better cared for than any of the others."
The Board desires to record its appreciation of the services of Mr. Donahue, as a faithful, loyal and conscientious em- ployee of the Town, one in whom the Board had full confidence. His cheerful, courteous and manly presence will be greatly missed by all whose business or pleasure occasioned visiting the Town Hall.
MENOTOMY HALL (OLD TOWN HALL)
The Red Cross and the State Guard have continued to occupy this building. Only slight repairs have been made during the past year, although there are alterations and repairs that should be made at such time as the building will be discontinued for its present purposes.
In accordance with the vote of the Town the Board leased the lower rooms to S. K. Ames for a term of five years, at a yearly rental of $500.
SUMMER STREET ESTATE
ALMSHOUSE PROPERTY
As reported last year, this property was turned over to the Board of Public Works and has been used by that Board as a headquarters for all the departments coming under the super- vision of that Board.
All repairs necessary are to be made by the Board of Public Works, and while the Town derives no direct revenue, the property is cared for and the Town saved the rental formerly paid for quarters for the Water Department.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
MEDFORD STREET ESTATE
This estate is in good condition and is rented to two reliable tenants from whom a revenue of $360 is received.
No repairs or alterations were necessary on this property during the year, therefore the rental received was turned into the Treasury Account available for transfer to other accounts.
TOWN REPORT
In placing the contract for printing the Town Report for 1918, the Board was confronted with the advance in the price of paper. In conferring with The Murray Printing Company (the publishers of previous reports) the Board was offered the same contract as made in 1917 plus 10 per cent. This appeared to be a decided advantage to the Town and the contract for the 1918 reports was made with that company, and is for 1800 copies of the paper-bound books, 12 copies of the leather-bound and 50 copies of the cloth bound, all to be delivered at the Town Hall.
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