USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1925 > Part 7
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land damages and the cost of any pavement and side- walks laid at the time of said construction, said sum to be raised by general tax and expended under the direc- tion of said Joint Board.
Article 6 taken up. (Additional Appropriation for Committee on Police Station)
Voted: That the additional sum of four hundred ($400) dollars be and hereby is appropriated for the use of the Committee to procure plans and estimates for the construction of a building for the use of the Police Department, under vote passed March 26, 1925, said sum to be raised by general tax.
Article 7 taken up. (Playground in Rear of Crosby School)
Voted : That the sum of three hundred and fifty ($350) dollars be and hereby is appropriated for the im- provement of the playground situated in the rear of the Crosby School, located between Winter Street and Oxford Street ; said sum to be raised by general tax and expended under the supervision of the School Committee and the Park Commissioners.
Article 8 taken up. (Parcel of Land at Crosby School Playground)
Voted: That the present and each future Board of Selectmen be and hereby is authorized and empow- ered in the name and on behalf of the Town, to sell at public auction or private sale, all or any portion of the parcel of land situated on Oxford Street and more par- ticularly described in Article 8 of the Warrant; to con- vey the same; and to execute, acknowledge, and deliver the proper documents for that purpose, all for the min- imum amount of fifty ($50) dollars for any such con- veyance and upon such other terms as the Selectmen may consider proper.
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TOWN RECORDS
Article 9 taken up. (Town By-Laws-Building Laws and Tenement House Act)
Voted: That a committee of five be appointed by . the Moderator to consider the amendment, alteration, repeal or revision of, or additions to the Town's by- laws, including by-laws relating to buildings, struc- tures, and premises, and to report a draft of by-laws to provide for the foregoing, and also to consider and report upon the advisability of petitioning the Legisla- ture for permission to revoke the Town's acceptance of Chapter 635 of the Acts of 1912, being an Act relative to tenement houses in towns (the provisions of which are now contained in Chapter 145 of the General Laws), said Committee to have power to fill any vacancy and to report to the Town at the Annual Meeting of 1926; and that the sum of five hundred ($500) dollars be and here- by is appropriated for the use of said committee, said sum to be raised by general tax.
Article 10 taken up. (Change in Zoning By-Law)
William A. Muller offered the following substitute motion :
That the lines as shown upon the map adopted at the Adjourned Town Meeting held May 15, 1924 as a part of the Zoning By-Law of the Town of Arlington, as amended at subsequent town meetings, be further modified and amended by striking out the present re- striction on the area bounded by Massachusetts Avenue, Trowbridge Street, a line on the northerly side of Mas- sachusetts Avenue one hundred and twenty-five feet distant from and parallel to the northerly side line of said Massachusetts Avenue, and Windsor Street; and substituting therefor a restriction including said area in the fourth or business district.
Charles M. MacMillin, Chairman of the Planning Board, reported that said Board was in favor of the amendment as offered by Mr. Muller.
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On a rising vote, one hundred and six voting in favor and twelve in opposition, Messrs. Quimby, Russell and Rice, acting as tellers.
Voted: That the lines as shown upon the map adopted at the Adjourned Town Meeting held May 15, 1924 as a part of the Zoning By-Law of the Town of Arlington as amended at subsequent town meetings, be further modified and amended by striking out the pres- ent restriction on the area bounded by Massachusetts Avenue, Trowbridge Street, a line on the northerly side of Massachusetts Avenue one hundred and twenty-five feet distant from and parallel to the northerly side line of said Massachusetts Avenue, and Windsor Street; and substituting therefor a restriction including said area in the fourth or business district.
William A. Muller offered the following substitute motion :
That the lines as shown upon the map adopted at the Adjourned Town Meeting held May 15, 1924 as a part of the Zoning By-Law of the Town of Arlington, as amended at subsequent town meetings, be furthered and amended by striking out the present restriction on the area bounded by Gloucester Street, Highland Avenue, Gray Street, and Lockeland Avenue, and substituting therefor a restriction including said area in the second or general residence district.
Charles M. MacMillin reported that the Planning Board was in favor of the foregoing amendment.
On the motion being put before the meeting the same was lost.
Charles H. Higgins, in the interest of a non-Town Meeting Member offered the following substitute mo- tion :
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That the lines as shown upon the map adopted at the Adjourned Town Meeting held May 15, 1924 as a part of the Zoning By-Law of the Town of Arlington, as amended at subsequent town meetings, be further modified and amended by striking out the present re- striction on the area bounded by Revere Street and Revere Street extended to Robbins Road, Robbins Road, a line on the northerly side of Gray Street one hundred feet from and parallel to the northerly side line of said Gray Street, and Walnut Street; and substituting therefor a restriction including said area in the second or general residence district.
Walter H. Peirce and Peter Schwamb explained the petition.
Charles M. MacMillin reported that the Planning Board recommended the rejection of this petition.
The Moderator declined to place this substitute mo- tion before the meeting, stating that the petition as now presented was not identical with the petition as adver- tised in the Arlington Advocate.
The original motion as recommended by the Finance Committee with the exception of the modification just passed was put before the meeting.
Voted: That the Town do not change in any way by amendment to, by substitution for, or by striking out any or all of the Zoning By-law or by-laws of the Town of Arlington referred to under this Article, with the excep- tion of the modification just passed.
Article 11 taken up. (Zoning Restrictions on Land of Pasquantonio)
Palmer T. Guarente offered the following substitute motion :
That the Town amend its Zoning By-Law by alter- ing the Zoning Map therein referred to so as to include in
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a business district all or any portion of a certain parcel of land containing three (3) acres more or less, situated on the northerly side of Forest Street and the north- easterly side of Summer Street at the junction of said streets at Adams Square, formerly owned by Charles A. Peirce and now owned by Angelo Pasquantonio;
The Moderator deciding that the boundaries as con tained in the substitute motion being too indefinite Ar- ticle 11 was laid on the table.
On motion of Paul M. White to reconsider Article 8:
Voted : (Unanimously) That the present and each future Board of Selectmen be and hereby is authorized and empowered in the name and on behalf of the Town, to sell, at public auction or private sale, all or any portion of the parcel of land situated on Oxford Street, and more particularly described in Article 8 of the Warrant; to convey the same; and to execute, acknowledge, and de- liver the proper documents for that purpose, all for the minimum amount of fifty ($50) dollars for any such con- veyance and upon such other terms as the Selectmen may consider proper.
On motion of Hollis M. Gott, Article 11 was taken from the table. The substitute motion on Article 11 as ' reconstructed is
That the Town amend its Zoning By-Law by altering the Zoning Map therein referred to so as to include in a business district a certain parcel of land containing three acres situated on the northerly side of Forest Street and on the northeasterly side of Summer Street at the junc- tion of said streets at Adams Square, formerly owned by Charles A. Peirce and now owned by Angelo Pasquantonio.
Charles M. MacMillin reported that the Planning Board recommended the rejection of this petition.
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On the substitute motion being put before the meet- ing the same was lost.
The original recommendation as made by the Finance Committee was taken up.
Voted: That the Town do not amend the Zoning By- Law by altering the Zoning Map therein referred to, so as to include in a business district all or any portion of the certain parcel of land more particularly described in Article 11 of the Warrant.
On motion of Hollis M. Gott:
Voted: That Article 1 be taken from the table.
There being no further business under Article 1 the same was declared disposed of.
The meeting adjourned at 10.15 P. M.
A True Record, Attest : E. CAROLINE PIERCE, Town Clerk.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
The Board of Selectmen submits the following re- port for the year ending Dec. 31, 1925:
At the Annual Meeting of March, 1925, Mr. Nel- son B. Crosby was re-elected a member of the Board for the term of three years, and was sworn to the faithful performance of his duties. The Board organ- ized with the election of Mr. Charles B. Devereaux as Chairman, and Mr. John A. Easton as Clerk of the Board and Agent of the Overseers of the Poor.
TOWN DEBT AND TAX RATE
The Town Debt on December 31, 1925 was $1,100,- 900. This is an increase of $129,900 over the amount at the end of 1924. The Sinking Fund total on Decem- ber 31, 1925 was $100,309.93,
The total appropriations $1,654,744.28
Total amount raised by taxes 1,259,971.19
Total amount raised by borrowing 228,000.00 Total amount raised by transfers 166,773.09 Property valuation 41,949,149.00
Tax rate $30. per $1000.
In submitting this report the Board wishes again to impress upon the minds of the citizens of Arlington the uninterrupted growth of the past four years, and, as evidenced by the reports of the various departments and officials, to endeavor to cause you to realize just what problems such a growth has brought about.
The census of April, 1925 showed a population of 24,943, in comparison to 15,000 in 1915 and 18,646 in 1920.
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The present population places Arlington very nearly on equal footing with Watertown as the third largest Town in the State, with thirteen cities of less population.
Building permits to thé valuation of $5,813,095 were issued this year, showing a gain of $1,501,985 over 1924. Another evidence of our growth is shown in the build- ing of 1659 houses and 1204 garages during the last four years.
Quite a radical departure from the general charac- ter of buildings heretofore erected is shown in the J. E. Locatelli structure at the corner of Mass. Ave and Lake St. It is a combination of stores and offices on the fronts of the two streets, with a theatre in the rear seating 1700, three stories in height, and modern in every detail. The Board considers this building is a de- cided asset to the town, and believes that many of the objectors to the theatre feature of this building are now in accord with the Board's decision in granting a license to operate moving pictures.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
This year has witnessed the completion of the new Central Fire Station on the Monument Lot, so-called, and the demolition of the Wm. Penn Engine House, on the same lot, which has housed a portion of the Town's apparatus for over 50 years. This building was sold to the Central Building Wrecking Company after competi- tive bidding, for the munificent sum of $210., the same being the highest bid. The Town removed the bell, heater, plumbing and spiral stairways.
The committee entrusted with the erection of the Central Fire Station should be highly commended for the results obtained. Especial thanks and gratitude should be given Mr. Reuben W. LeBaron of this commit- tee for his farsightedness and skill in the installation of the fire alarm system, and the lighting arrangement for
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the entire triangular area. Provisions has been made for many years to come, and Mr. LeBaron's efforts and adeptness in and around this building comes as a most fitting climax to a life devoted in an unostentatious way to the giving to his Town the very best that he could give. The signal system of this Town will ever be a monument to his skill and ingenuity.
The same committee also completed the building of the bungalow station at the top of the Heights. Owing to low water pressure at this particular location a com- bination pump and chemical should be installed here. As the Town has but one pump, it would seem expedient to purchase another at the first opportunity. By au- thorization of the Annual Meeting, Chief Tierney, with the approval of the Board, purchased a new ladder truck from the Seagrave Corporation. It met all requirements and specifications, and comes from a concern long es- tablished in the manufacture of fire apparatus. This machine was installed in the Central Station, and is the second ladder truck in commission.
Additional apparatus will call for additional men. The Board endorses the request of Chief Tierney for nine more men, also the appropriation of some $800. for a training tower. The men seem absolutely necessary for the proper running of the apparatus. A good por- tion of the present force attended the Boston Training School at various times during the summer and ob- tained invaluable practical experience in fire fighting and life saving. The training tower will allow them to con- tinue such practices.
The present force consists of a chief, five captains, and fifteen permanent men, also eighteen call men, with six pieces of apparatus in commission. The apparatus is in very good condition, considering that the purchase of the older pieces dates back to 1911 and 1913. With the purchase of new pieces, the older can be placed in reserve.
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We have too many false alarms. The danger incident to answering false alarms is just as great as responding to actual fires. The people should impress upon their children the seriousness of committing such offences, in the endeavor to reduce the number of false alarms to a minimum.
The laying of high pressure water mains on Mystic, Chestnut and Medford Sts. has added much to the pro- tection of property in that district. The pressure at Symmes Hospital has been greatly benefited by an ad- ditional high pressure main in Grove St. The low pres- sure service has benefited by connection with the huge 58 inch main laid throughout the Town this summer. The pressure throughout the Town is sufficient to handle the the ordinary fires without the use of pumps. If the Town sees fit to buy an additional pump and votes the neces- sary men, the Board believes that with mutual aid with the surrounding towns and cities, the Town will be well protected against fire.
The Board has recommended an increase in salary from $2750. to $3000. for Chief Tierney, also a reduc- tion in the five - year schedule of the men to that of four years, making the wages $4.70, $5.00, $5.25 and $5.50 per day.
The Board believes we have a very efficient Fire Department, and asks that all co-operate with the Chief in every way possible, for the greater the efficiency, the lower your insurance rates will be.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
The force on Jan. 1, 1926 was comprised of 32 mem- bers, rated as follows: Chief, Lieutenant, three Ser- geants, twenty-five regular and two reserve patrolmen. The Chief requests, and the Board recommends the ad- dition of four new men. The roster of thirty-two mem- bers, on first thought seems quite large, but the Board
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desires to call your attention to two factors which daily reduce this number quite perceptibly. The one day-off- in-eight immediately reduces the force by four men, and 1154 days in court makes a further reduction of nearly four men. Sickness also has to be considered, so you can readily see that a roster of 32 men gives about 25 for actual service. Of the court cases for 1925, nearly 70 percent were for violations of the auto laws and traf- fic rules. Regulations and restrictions seem to be par- ticularly adapted to the other fellow, but individually we are inclined to feel that they should not apply to us. Some irritation has been caused by the parking restric- tions and rules as adopted by the Board. It seemed wise to make uniform rules for parking at an angle of 45 degrees from the Cambridge line to Academy St. on Mass. Ave., rather than add confusion by alternate par- allel and angle parking in residence and business areas. Above Academy St. the Avenue is too narrow to allow anything but parallel parking. When one considers the numerous hydrants and car stops which must be ac- cessible at all times, and the private driveways as well as the right one has to park in front of his own proper- ty and accord the same privilege to visiting friends, you can realize in some measure what the parking problem is and the multitude of complaints made to the Chief and to the Board. No parking from 1 to 7 A. M. seemed imperative on account of the increasing number who used the public ways for all-night parking with no lights. Some of our narrow streets will not allow of parking on both sides and room for travel, especially of fire apparatus. It is not the intention of the Board or of the Department to cause unnecessary hardships. All new rules seem harsh at first, but we believe the citi- zens will co-operate with the Department for the good of all. Mistakes may be made on either side. Be civil to the officer, and if he is not civil to you, it is your duty to report him.
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A committee of three, representing the patrolmen, petitioned the Board in December for the $6.00 per day minimum wage. In 1924 the maximum was extended from $5.00 to $5.50 per day, with a graduated scale of $5.25, $5.00, $4.70 and $4.40. After much deliberation and comparison with salaries and wages paid by other municipalities, the Board recommends for 1926 a re- duction in the scale of service from five to four years, with $5.50 a maximum and $4.70 a minimum. Superior officers increased as follows : Chief $2750 to $3000. Lieutenant, $2400. to $2600., Sergeants, $2200 to $2300.
The need of new quarters for this Department is. daily more apparent. The Board hopes that the annual meeting of 1926 will vote the necessary funds for a modern building where the Dept. will have larger facil- ities and greater convenience for efficiency.
OUTSIDE POOR
There is little variance in the expenditures of this fund in 1924 and 1925, and the amount asked for 1926. One might naturally assume that our increased growth would necessitate larger requests for aid, but such does not seem to be the case. The Board hopes that all cases actually needing aid have been cared for, and that no worthy person or family has been deprived of susten- ance through pride, or dislike of becoming a town charge in part. At present there are 51 persons or fam- ilies receiving aid from this fund.
Receipts from other towns and cities for aid ex- tended to those having outside settlements amounted to $5,703.44 for 1925.
ROBBINS MEMORIAL HALL
This building is in first-class condition. There are no major repairs apparent at this time. The room occu- pied by the Board of Public Works requires increased
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radiation. The canvas floor - covering for the main hall should be replaced before long, but the Board believes the purchase of a new one at a cost of about $500. can be deferred another year. A rearrangement of the of- fices seems advisable for the accommodation of the Ac- countant and to give added facilities for the Assessors. The Board is desirous of working out a program which will be satisfactory to all.
The resignation of Albert F. Duffy, who had served for seven years as Supt. of Robbins and Menotomy Halls, was accepted. James Carmody, who had given faithful and efficient service under Mr. Duffy was ap- pointed to fill the vacancy. John J. Hoar was appointed assistant. Rentals for 1925 amounted to $3,608.50
MENOTOMY HALL
The Board has aimed to keep this building in a safe and sound condition, extraordinary repairs or altera- tions not being necessary or advisable on account of the uncertainty of the future use of the building. Hall rentals are negligible, having amounted to only $240.08 in 1925. The attitude of the annual meeting of 1926 toward a new police station will determine largely the future of this building.
COOPER TAVERN TAKING
The area of land taken by the laying of a building line across this property was 1643 sq. ft. of a total area of 7617 sq. ft. The Joint Board of Selectmen and Board of Public Works believed the town had an easement to some 857 sq. ft. of this taking on account of unrestricted use for a period of more than 20 years. Their award was made on the remaining 786 sq. ft. at $5.25 per ft. the cost price as near as could be determined, making a total of $4,126.50. Later, on account of the uncertainty of the value a jury might consider this easement worth, the Board made an offer of $8,000. for settlement in full.
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This being refused the case went to trial, the jury ren- dering a verdict of $7,573.39 for the plaintiff.
The widening of Broadway and Mass. Ave. at this point has met with universal approval, and with the rebuilding of Broadway and the completion of the Cen- tral Fire Station, the Town has a second civic center of which it may well be proud.
BUSSES
The Board has been quite concerned in regard to the innumerable busses using our highways without licenses and without remuneration to the Town, or any regard to liability. The only licensed lines are the Middlesex and Boston Street Railway Company running from the terminus of the Boston Elevated system at the Heights to the Lexington line, and the Boston Elevated line on Broadway. The others, with the exception of the B. and M. line from Boston to Manchester, N. H., have ostensibly been operating under Inter-State regulations, but violating such regulations by taking on and letting off passengers within the same state. Arrests have been made, and appeals taken. Recent court decisions make local permits necessary. This has curtailed the operation of some lines. The bus problem requires care- ful thought, and it is a moot question as to how many lines Arlington needs for its own good and for the good of its neighbors.
TOWN ACCOUNTANT
This year has witnessed the full operation of the accounting department under the uniform State system. It has been of great benefit and assistance to every official and board, and is efficiently operated by the present incumbent, Mr. Clarence Needham.
INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
Owing to the deaah of Dr. F. Holden Smith the Department of Animal Industry appointed E. F. Schroeder, V. M. D. to fill the vacancy, upon the recom-
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mendation of this Board. Dr. Schroeder is a local man, and is exceptionally well qualified for the position.
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
The resignation of Mr. Albert F. Duffy caused the appointment of Mr. Louis Von Witherell to this office. His appointment was certified to by the Civil Service Commission. The duties of this office have greatly in- creased the last few years. All scales, weighing devices, measurers and containers of all descriptions must be tested at least once, annually. It seemed wise to sep- arate this office from that of the janitorship, as both po- sitions had been held by one man for the past dozen years.
The congestion of Elevated cars at the Heights terminal will be relieved by the use of a short section of the Middlesex and Boston rails as a part of a loop to the Elevated land on the north side of Mass. Ave., where the dropping of trailers and shifting of cars can be accomplished off the highways.
By the requirement of our Town Meeting 'Act the Districting Board, consisting of the Selectmen, Board of Public Works, and Assessors must meet once in five years, unless the Town Meeting shall direct oftener, re- view the precinct lines and change same if in its opinion it is deemed necessary. The Board met in. December and was unanimous in its opinion that the lines should remain as they are at present, owing to the rapid growth and frequent changes in population taking place in the various precincts.
The boundaries between Arlington and adjacent towns and cities have been viewed by the Board and found to be correct,
The Town's Zoning By-law has been in operation for more than a year, and as a result, more single family dwellings have been constructed in proportion to the total number of dwellings constructed than in former years.
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Numerous hearings have been held on appeals from the Zoning By-law restriction. In some instances, waivers have been granted where requirements worked a hard- ship to the owners, and where the immediate community would not be injured in any way.
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