USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1926 > Part 13
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To vote "Yes" or "No" on the acceptance by the Town of Referendum Question No. 2-Shall a law which amends existing law by striking out the provisions that veterans who pass Civil Service examinations shall be placed upon the eligible lists above all other applicants, that disabled veterans shall be placed ahead of all other veterans, and that disabled veterans shall be appointed and employed in preference to all other persons; and by providing in place thereof, that five points shall be added to the mark of veterans who pass such examinations, and ten points to the mark of disabled veterans, which law was disapproved in the Senate by a vote of 0 in the affirm- ative and 34 in the negative, and in the House of Repre- sentatives by a vote of 11 in the affirmative and 181 in the negative, be approved ?
All the above to be voted for on one ballot. The polls will be open from 6 A. M. to 7 P. M. And you are directed to serve this Warrant by posting attested copies thereof in, at least, five conspicuous places in each Precinct, seven days, at least, before the time of said Meeting, as directed by vote of the Town. And you are further directed to leave an attested copy of this Warrant at every dwelling house in the Town.
Hereof fail not, and make due return of this Warrant, with your doings thereon, to the Selectmen, on or before said day of Election.
193
TOWN RECORDS
Given under our hands this 18th day of October, A. D. 1926
FREDERICK W. HILL, NELSON B. CROSBY, HOLLIS M. GOTT, Selectmen of the Town of Arlington.
CONSTABLE'S RETURN
Arlington, Mass., October 25, 1926.
Middlesex County :
By virtue of this Warrant I have notified and warned the legal voters of the Town of Arlington to meet at the time and places and for the purposes herein named by causing a printed attested copy of the same to be left at every dwelling house in the Town, and by posting an at- tested copy at the doors of the Town Hall seven days at least before said day of meeting and by posting attested copies in two or more conspicuous places in each voting Precinct in the town. A notice of the time, places and objects of the Meeting was published in the local paper.
(Signed) DANIEL M. HOOLEY, Constable, Town of Arlington, Mass. Arlington, Mass., November 2, 1926.
In pursuance of the foregoing Warrant the inhabi- tants of the Town of Arlington, qualified to vote in elec- tions, met in their respective voting places on Tuesday, the second day of November, nineteen hundred and twenty-six, at six o'clock in the forenoon.
Polling places had been designated as follows: Pre- cinct 1, Crosby Schoolhouse, Winter Street; Precinct 2, Hardy Schoolhouse, Lake Street; Precincts 3, 4, 5, 6, Rob- bins Memorial Town Hall ; Precinct 7, Locke Schoolhouse, Park Avenue.
194 .
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
The following election officers served :
Precinct 1-Alice L. Hamall, 57 Cleveland Street ; Claire L. Pavey, 45 Hilton Street ; Ralph E. Kinsman, 54 Marathon Street; Harold F. Baumeister, 29 Cleveland Street, Clerk; Chester E. Smith, 57 Cleveland Street ; Ethel C. F. Mellin, 55 Cleveland Street; Elizabeth Do- herty, 35 Warren Street; Jack Donaldson, 29 Cleveland Street; Percy S. Morine, 58 Cleveland Street; John S. Kelley, 27 Cleveland Street; Ruth M. Kelley, 30 Cleveland Street ; Herbert B. Kellogg, 34 Cleveland Street, Warden.
Precinct 2-Edward A. Smith, Warden, 4 Belknap Street; Walter J. Buckley, Clerk, 166 Brooks Avenue; Claud J. C. Hamilton, 14 Lakehill Avenue; Florence M. Orton, 157 Brooks Avenue; Ruth Evers Corey, 36 Surry Road; Clarence E. Biathrow, 13 Belknap Street ; Ralph H. Kindred, 159 Brooks Avenue; Mae Lyons, 170 Lake Street; Elizabeth Cain, 39 Orvis Road; Robert K. Wal- lace, 55 Randolph Street; Carl O. Larson, 86 Brainerd Road, Allston, Mass., Suite 2.
Precinct 3-David T. Dale, Warden, 280 Broadway ; Paul K. Lincoln, 355 Mass. Avenue ; John F. O'Connor, 135 Medford Street; Carrie M. Fowle, 11 Wyman Street ; Eva H. Marden, 11 Wyman Street; Harold A. Cahalin, 38 Fairview Avenue ; William E. Robinson, 5 Webster Street ; Joseph J. Duffey, 93 Medford Street; Mary M. Dale, 280 Broadway; Anna E. Duffy, 93 Medford Street ; Walter T. Chamberlain, Clerk, 16 Palmer Street; James McGarry, 22 Prescott Street.
Precinct 4-Roger W. Homer, Warden, 25 Addison Street; Edward Dineen, 15 Avon Place; Ralph W. Day, Clerk, 9 Whittemore Street; Francis J. Gallagher, 140 Pleasant Street; Therese N. Turner, 130 Jason Street; Ruth C. Turner, 37 Wellington Street; Alice Morrisey, 232 Pleasant Street; Stanwood H. Cook, 23 Addison Street; Mildred B. Hargrove, 105 Pleasant Street;
195
TOWN RECORDS
Thomas J. Keefe, 12 Swan Place; Joseph Ochs, 16 Swan Place ; Frank Hargrove, 105 Pleasant Street.
Precinct 5-Arthur J. Hendrick, Warden 17 Court Street; Maurice L. Hatch, Clerk, 17 Farrington Street ; Emily G. Alden, 61 Rangeley Road; Therese B. Thomas, 45 Fairview Avenue; Chester R. Whitman, 59 Ronald Road; Charles P. Ladd, Jr., 12 Willow Place ; Michael J. Canniff, 23 Dudley Street; Thomas J. Donnelly, Jr., 65 Brattle Street; John G. Kelly, 8 Farrington Street; William B. Barry, 169 Mystic Street.
Precinct 6-James E. Doughty, Warden, 2 Harvard Street; John R. Hendrick, 15 Trent Street; James G. Moir, 15A Jason Street ; Conrad W. Mellin, 29 Fessenden Road; Charles E. Dockrill, 1138 Mass. avenue; John J. Mahoney, 966 Mass. Avenue; Roger S. Dunbar, 56 Jason Street ; Benjamin D. Knowles, 10 Mt. Vernon Street ; John M. Dunn, 56 Appleton Street ; Eliza G. Kirsch, 48 Walnut Street.
Precinct 7-Floyd R. Battis, Warden, 12 West Street ; Carlton J. Meade, 131 Florence Avenue ; Ernest Cavicchi, Clerk; 1257 Mass. Avenue; James F. Colgan, 45 Oakland Avenue; C. Frederic Evans, 109 Claremont Avenue ; George C. Tewksbury, 45 Claremont Avenue; Sarah R. Vaughn, 164 Park Avenue; Edward A. Curley, 1271 Mass. Avenue; Adrian H. Robinson, 88 Westminster Avenue ; Michael E. Gaddis, 25 Surry Road; May F. Currier, 82 Claremont Avenue; Harold B. MacNamara, 23 Alpine Street.
The Precinct Officers in each Precinct made their returns to the Board of Selectmen and Town Clerk, who canvassed the same with the following results: Total number of ballots cast 7824
196
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Ballots cast in Precinct 1
994
2
1106
3
1396
933
66
5
878
66
66
6
1222
66
7
1295
7824
GOVERNOR
Precinct
1
2
3
4
5
6
7 Total
Alvan T. Fuller
581
713
588 754 532
959 1005 5132
William A. Gaston
402
370
779 171 324
253
267 2566
Walter S. Hutchins
1
5
3
0
3
0
8
20
Samuel Leger
0
.0
2
0
2
0
2
6
Lewis Marks
0
1
0
0
2
0
1
4
Blanks
10
17
24
8
15
10
12
96
994 1106 1396 933 878 1222 1295 7824
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
Precinct
1 2
3
4
5
6 936
7 Total 994 4985
Frank G. Allen 548
694
530 767 516
Daniel T. Blessington
2
1
4
1
2
0
5
15
Albert Oddie
0
2
3
0
3
1
4
13
Dennis F. Reagan
4
11
8
0
4
1
11
39
Edmond P. Talbot
405
372
783 144 319
256
257 2536
Blanks
35
26
68
21
34
28
24
236
4
994 1106 1396 933 878 1222 1295 7824
197
TOWN RECORDS
SECRETARY
Precinct
1
2
3
4
5
6
7 Total
Harry J. Canter 6
11
11
2
10
9
12
61
Frank W. Cavanaugh
404
364
801 157 324
269
264 2583
Frederic W. Cook
537
676
488 740 485
892
946 4764
Stephen S. Surridge
3
3
4
0
3
0
6
19
Edith M. Williams
5
8 .
5
2
4
1
11
36
Blanks
39
44
87
32
52
51
56
361
994 1106 1396 933 878 1222 1295 7824
TREASURER
Precinct
1
2
3
4
5
6
7 Total
Albert Sprague Coolidge
9
11
11
5
5
4
16
61
Winfield A. Dwyer
6
12
14
3
12
4
12
63
Daniel England
377
341
777 137 305
244
257 2438
Henry Hess 0
6
5
2
5
0
3
21
William S. Youngman
549
680
481 750 491
909
948 4808
Blanks
53
56
108
36
60
61
59
433
.994 1106 1396 933 878 1222 1295 7824
AUDITOR
Precinct
1
2
3
4
5
6
7 Total
Leon Arkin
4
27
5
4
3
2.
10 55
Strabo V. Claggett 457
437
855 408 406
449
433 3445
Alonzo B. Cook 461
572
402 448 385
679
756 3703
198
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Emma P. Hutchins
9
6
10
9
8
7
16
65
John R. Mackinnon
1
3
7
1
2
3
4
21
Blanks
62
61
117
63
74
82
76
535
994 1106 1396 933 878 1222 1295 7824
ATTORNEY GENERAL
Precinct
1 2
3
4
5
6
7 Total
Isadore Harris
0
3
8
3
4
1
4
23
Max Lerner
4
4
3
2
5
2
9
29
Arthur K. Reading
568
709
528 754 510
939
972 4980
John Weaver Sherman
2
9
6
3
4
3
13
40
John E. Swift
373
340
765 142 308
235
254 2417
Blanks
47
41
86
29
47
42
43
335
994 1106 1396 933 878 1222 1295 7824
SENATOR IN CONGRESS .
Vacancy
Precinct
1
2
3
4
5
6
7 Total
John J. Ballam 0
0
2
0
2
1
1 6
William M. Butler
464
545
406 688 444
820
850 4217
Washington Cook
3
3
3
3
7
4
3
26
Alfred Baker Lewis
3
6
1
0
3
1
3
17
David I. Walsh 513
538
964 237 409
385
422 3468
Blanks
11
14
20
5
13
11
16
90
994 1106 1396 933 878 1222 1295 7824
199
TOWN RECORDS
CONGRESSMAN-EIGHTH DISTRICT
Precinct 1 2
3
4
5
6
7 Total
John P. Brennan
392
360
765 150 312
258
258 2495
Frederick W. Dallinger
558
691
532 748 524
919
975 4947
Blanks
44
55
99
35
42
45
62
382
994 1106 1396 933 878 1222 1295 7824
CONGRESSMAN-EIGHTH DISTRICT Vacancy
Precinct
1 2
3
4
5
6
7 Total
John P. Brennan
390
360
739 149 297
247
243 2425
Frederick W. Dallinger
536
658
516 731 505
896
951 4793
Blanks
68
88
141
53
76
79
101
-606
994 1106 1396 933 878 1222 1295 7824
COUNCILLOR-SIXTH DISTRICT
Precinct
1
2
3
4
5
6
7 Total
Harvey L. Boutwell
578
714
632 728 511
925
961 5049
Blanks
416
392
764 205 367
297
334 2775
994 1106 1396 933 878 1222 1295 7824
SENATOR-SIXTH MIDDLESEX DISTRICT
Precinct
1
2
3
4
5
6
7 Total
Margaret E. Geary
361
317
698 131 264
205
227 2203
Charles C. Warren
559
700
575 761 553
944
989 5081
Blanks
74
89
123
41
61
73
79
540
994 1106 1396 933 878 1222 1295 7824
200
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
REPRESENTATIVES IN GENERAL COURT TWENTY-EIGHTH MIDDLESEX DISTRICT
Precinct 1 2
3
4
5
6
7 Total
Elliott R. Barker
539
689
579 706 514
878
905 4810
George E. Briggs
429
544
405 647 425
744
791 3985
Augustine D. Doyle
434
391
818 159 338
286
286 2712
Blanks
586
588
990 354 479
536
608 4141
1988 2212 2792 1866 1756 2444 2590 15648
COUNTY COMMISSIONER
Precinct
1
2
3
4
5
6
7 Total
Erson B. Barlow
622
782
691 772 560
955
973 5355
Blanks
372
324
705 161 318
267
322 2469
994 1106 1396 933 878 1222 1295 7824
ASSOCIATE COMMISSIONERS MIDDLESEX
Precinct 1
2
3 4
5
6
7 Total
Sherman H. Fletcher
564
702
612 706 510
868
894 4856
John M. Keyes 569
674
653 712 494
868
881 4851
Philip S. Davis
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
Blanks
855
836 1526 448 752
708
815 5940
1988 2212 2792 1866 1756 2444 2590 15648
DISTRICT ATTORNEY-NORTHERN DISTRICT
Precinct 1
2
3
4
5
6
7 Total
Robert T. Bushnell
538
673
514 750 507
913
970 4865
201
TOWN RECORDS
Patrick J. Delaney
390
363
779 147 315
240
249 2483
Blanks
66
70
103
36
56
69
76
476
994 1106 1396 933 878 1222 1295 7824
SHERIFF-MIDDLESEX COUNTY
Precinct 1
2
3 4
5
6
7 Total
John R. Fairbairn
676
795 769 793 593
996 1039 5661
Daniel M. Hooley
0
0
1
0 0
0
0
1
Blanks
318
311
626 140 285
226
256 2162
994 1106 1396 933 878 1222 1295 7824
COUNTY COMMISSIONER-MIDDLESEX COUNTY
Precinct 1 2
3
4
5
6
7 Total
Nathaniel I. Bowditch
501
647
459 721 483
863
933 4607
Daniel F. McBride
384
349
775 150 311
257
271 2497
Blanks
109
110
162
62
84
102
91 720
994 1106 1396 933 878 1222 1295 7824
REGISTER OF PROBATE AND INSOLVENCY MIDDLESEX COUNTY
Precinct
1 2
3 4 5 759 153 325
6 265
7 Total 270 2505
John J. Butler 373
360
Loring P. Jordan
513
640
452 705 466
850
917 4543
Blanks
108
106
185
75
87
107
108
776
994 1106 1396 933 878 1222 1295 7824
202
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
REFERENDUM NO. 1 LIMITED TOWN MEETINGS
Precinct
1
2
3
4
5
6
7 Total
Yes
541
584
647 628 453
758
713 4324
No
138
169
212
99 115
147
207 1087
Blanks
315
353
537 206 310
317
375 2413
994 1106 1396 933 878 1222 1295 7824
REFERENDUM NO. 2 PREFERENCE TO VETERANS
Precinct
1
2
3
4
5
6
7 Total
Yes
389
410
452 434 346
523
528 3082
No
412
474
603 359 361
508
520 3237
Blanks
193
222
341 140 171
191
247 1505
994 1106 1396 933 878 1222 1295 7824
The ballots cast in all precincts were delivered to the Town Clerk in sealed packages, as were the unused bal- lots. The voting list used at the entrances of the polling places and at the ballot boxes, with tally sheets and copy of precinct record of election, were also returned, all properly sealed in conformity with the laws governing election.
Attest :
E. CAROLINE PIERCE, Town Clerk.
Arlington, Mass., November 8, 1926.
The returns of election were filled out on the blanks furnished for the purpose, signed by the Selectmen and the Town Clerk and filed in the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Attest :
E. CAROLINE PIERCE, Town Clerk.
203
TOWN RECORDS
Arlington, Mass., November 12, 1926.
Pursuant to law the Town Clerk of Arlington and the Assistant Town Clerk of Lexington met in the office of the Town Clerk of Arlington on Friday, the twelfth day of November, in the year of our Lord, one thousand nine hundred and twenty-six, at twelve o'clock noon, for the purpose of canvassing the votes cast on the second day of November for two representatives to the General Court of the Commonwealth, to represent the Twenty- eighth Middlesex District.
The canvass showed the following result of the votes cast in Arlington and Lexington.
In Arlington, Elliott R. Barker had four thousand eight hundred ten (4810).
In Lexington, Elliott R. Barker had one thousand two hundred eighty-nine (1289).
In Arlington and Lexington, Elliott R. Barker had six thousand ninety-nine (6099).
In Arlington, George E. Briggs had three thousand nine hundred eighty-five (3985).
In Lexington, George E. Briggs had one thousand seven hundred seventy-five (1775).
In Arlington and Lexington, George E. Briggs had five thousand seven hundred sixty (5760).
In Arlington, Augustine D. Doyle had two thousand seven hundred twelve (2712).
In Lexington, Augustine D. Doyle had four hundred twenty-six (426).
In Arlington and Lexington, Augustine D. Doyle had three thousand one hundred thirty-eight (3138).
204
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
The canvass showed that Elliott R. Barker and George E. Briggs had a majority of the votes cast in both towns.
Certificates of votes cast for representatives in each town were exchanged by the Town Clerks respectively.
Certificates showing the results of the election were signed by the Town Clerks, one of the certificates was sent to the Secretary of the Commonwealth and the other two were delivered to Thomas O. D. Urquhart, Constable of the Town of Arlington, who in turn delivered them to Elliott R. Barker of Arlington and George E. Briggs of Lexington. The Constable filed a statement of these deliveries in the Clerk's office of the Town of Arlington.
Attest : E. CAROLINE PIERCE, Town Clerk.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
The Board of Selectmen submits the following report for the year ended December 31, 1926.
At the Annual Meeting of March, 1926, Mr. Hollis M. Gott was elected a member of the Board for a term of three years and was sworn to the faithful performance of his duty.
The Board organized with the election of Mr. Freder- ick W. Hill 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, 1926, was $1,246,- 900. This is an increase of $146,000 over the figure as of December 31, 1925.
For the year 1926
Total appropriations amounted to $1,959,569.88
Total amount raised by taxes 1,493,801.29
Total amount raised by borrowing 274,000.00 Total amount raised by transfer 191,768.59
Property valuation
47,785,400.00
Tax rate $31 per $1000.
Although the total number of permits granted by the Inspector of Buildings was less than in 1925 and the total cost of work done under these permits showed a decrease of about $1,000,000, strong evidences of continued growth in the population of the Town have been shown during the past year. During the year 1926 the esti- mated cost of work done under building permits was
205
206
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
$4,726,530. During the past year about 450 dwelling houses were erected, of which 286 were one-family dwell- ings and 164 two-family dwellings. Under the recent change in our By-Laws, several large and attractive apartment buildings are being erected at different points on Massachusetts Avenue. These buildings are of the best of construction, attractive in appearance, and fur- nish much needed requirements on the part of our citizens who desire the conveniences of well maintained apart- ments.
The Board feels that the Town should take steps this year to widen and reconstruct Massachusetts Avenue. Building lines have been laid on either side of Massachu- setts Avenue from Central and Academy Streets to Low- ell Street, Arlington Heights. Should Massachusetts Avenue be reconstructed and land taken as contemplated when building lines were laid, the Avenue would be 19 feet wider than its present approximate width of 65 feet from Academy Street to Lowell Street. The Board be- lieves this is the proper time to lay building lines on other streets which should be widened in the near future, thus preventing further construction which would have to be removed at the expense of the Town when the streets are widened. The Board is entirely in accord with some of the plans outlined by the Planning Board in its report submitted a year ago. The Board believes it to be wise procedure to take additional land for park purposes and playground sites at this time. Land in Arlington is rap- idly increasing in value and we may reasonably expect a population of 40,000 by 1937.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
The Town of Arlington is to be congratulated upon the efficiency and general high standing of its Fire De- partment.
The new Central Fire Station has been in continuous operation during the past year and stands as a monument
207
REPORT OF SELECTMEN
to those who are responsible for the construction and erection of a building so well planned to meet all require- ments of an up-to-date fire fighting organization. The Park Circle Station was accepted by the Town on January 4, 1926. This station, which is of the bungalow type, is a complete unit in which a pumper and all necessary equipment is maintained. Four men are assigned to this station.
The Fire Chief has requested that the Board of Se- lectmen ask the Town to lay out and construct Gray Street so that a main artery of travel can be maintained on the westerly side of Massachusetts Avenue from the Heights to Pleasant Street. If this street is constructed, it would allow Engine 1, now installed at Park Circle Sta- tion, to quickly respond to all alarms on the high ridge from the Heights to Jason Street unhampered by traffic congestion on Massachusetts Avenue.
On January 11 high pressure was turned on in the Symmes Hospital district, giving 100 pounds pressure at the Nurses' Home and 80 pounds pressure at the hospital, an increase of 35 pounds.
On January 15 the Town appropriated $12,500 to purchase a new 750 gallon pumper, which was received January 20 and placed in service on February 3.
During the past year 10 additional firemen were ap- pointed. This increase was necessitated by additional apparatus placed in operation and a new station at the Heights being opened.
The Board believes it will be necessary in the near future to substantially remodel the interior of the High- land Station on Massachusetts Avenue. This building has been in use for over fifty years, and is in such condi- tion that steps should be taken at once to remodel and reconstruct the interior of the building so that the station
208
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
might be more in keeping with our other public buildings. At the present time the building is unsightly and unsani- tary. Because of the wooden floors and walls, we con- sider the building to be a fire menace and not safe for the housing of 14 men at present quartered in this station.
During the past year eight firemen received thirty days' instruction at the Boston Fire Department Drill School. For this valuable instruction we are greatly in- debted to Fire Commissioner Hultman and Chief Sennott of the Boston Fire Department.
During the past year 16 men have received certifi- cates from the American Red Cross after a ten weeks' course under the direction of Dr. Kingman.
A six-story drill tower has been erected by the fire- men in the rear of Highland Station. This tower is to be used by men from various stations, receiving instruction from Chief Tierney or Directors appointed by him.
During 1926 the number of calls to which the Depart- ment has responded has increased, although losses have shown a substantial decrease. During 1924 fire losses in Arlington amounted to $162,054, in 1925 $95,082 and in 1926 $53,599.
Inspections of all mercantile buildings as well as dwellings during the past year have undoubtedly had a material effect in reducing fire losses. During the past year 11,844 mercantile building inspections were made and 5,170 inspections of dwellings.
On August 28, 1926, the Town of Arlington lost one of its most valuable and best known citizens, Reuben W. LeBaron. Mr. LeBaron enjoyed a nation-wide reputa- tion as an expert on Police and Fire Department signal systems. Arlington is fortunate in having enjoyed the benefit of Mr. LeBaron's genius in the laying out and the
209
REPORT OF SELECTMEN
installation of one of the most complete fire signal sys- tems in the State, and which is now in operation at our Central Fire Station.
At a fire on February 4, 1926, Edward L. Smith, a call fireman, received injuries which necessitated his pen- sion on September 1. Mr. Smith joined the Department in 1890 and had been on the payroll continuously since that date.
At present the Department consists of 28 permanent men and 12 call men. During the past year seven call men have been retired or dropped from the rolls. It is the intention of the Board not to increase the number of call men. On December 31, 1926, Call Lieutenant John T. Finley and Call Fireman Robert L. Austin were retired, having served the required period and requesting that this action be taken by the Board.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
The Police Department of Arlington is at present comprised of a Chief, one Inspector with rank of Lieuten- ant, four Sergeants, twenty-seven patrolmen and seven reserve officers ; a total of forty men.
During the past year four regular patrolmen and seven reserve officers have been appointed. In October Charles E. Carroll and Harold L. Pick were appointed regular Police Sergeants. These men were appointed because of their records as patrolmen and high marks received by them in competitive examination. Although the personnel of this Department has shown a substan- tial increase during the past two or three years, it must be borne in mind that automobile traffic has also tremen- dously increased and must be directed through our streets, and traffic officers maintained at dangerous in- tersections. The acceptance of many new streets during the past few years means that additional police officers must be furnished to patrol these streets.
210
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
The efficiency of the Police Department is demon- strated by the fact that the number of cases lost in court by our police officers during the past year is unusually small. We have been fortunate in not having had any serious crimes committed in the Town during the past year. In spite of the strict enforcement of traffic regula- tions, three persons were killed and 77 injured by autos in 1926. Seven hundred ninety-four persons appeared in court for violation of auto laws, 314 for violation of traf- fic rules. Due to the increasing tendency of automobile owners to park their cars on busy thoroughfares and narrow streets, it has been necessary for the Board to issue traffic regulations restricting the parking of cars on certain streets. Unrestricted parking may cause a dangerous condition in case of fire, and it is hoped the people of the Town will cooperate with the Police Depart- ment in maintaining these regulations.
The patrolmen have requested the Board for an in- crease in wages to $6 per day, maximum, beginning Janu- ary first, 1927. The matter of salary increase has received close study on the part of members of the Board and we believe that our requested appropriation for salaries to members of the Police Department is sufficient to prop- erly maintain this Department during the year 1927.
Work on the new Police Station is progressing rapidly and it is hoped that the Department may move into their new quarters during the month of May. The completed building will unquestionably be one of the finest Police Department buildings in the State, and it is anticipated that a public dedication may be observed during the early summer.
In August, 1926, the Town suffered the loss of Ser- geant Theodore R. Belyea, who passed away after an ill- ness of several weeks. Sergeant Belyea, through his fine personality and his inestimable value to our Police De-
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REPORT OF SELECTMEN
partment, had won a position of great respect among our townspeople. His loss has been and will be keenly felt by all of those with whom he was associated.
OUTSIDE POOR
During the year 1926, $28,218.64 was expended un- der direction of the Board of Selectmen in their capacity as Overseers of the Poor. This amount in our opinion was spent wisely and with careful thought, and we believe that no worthy case was denied aid. Due to our increas- ing population we may expect a gradual increase in the amount necessary to be appropriated for this purpose. The Town has been reimbursed to the extent of $8,821.91 received from other cities and towns for money spent by Arlington for the benefit of people having legal settle- ments in other cities and towns.
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