USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1926 > Part 14
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ROBBINS MEMORIAL HALL
This building which was so generously donated to the Town should be maintained in the best of condition. The Board has asked for a sufficient appropriation to pur- chase new canvas floor covering for the main hall which has been in constant use since the building was dedicated in 1913, and for sufficient money to repaint walls, ceil- ings, etc., where necessary. The general condition of the building is satisfactory. It may be necessary at some early date to slightly remodel the building so that in- creased accommodations may be had, or to maintain municipal offices in some other building.
MENOTOMY HALL
As the Police Department expects to leave its present quarters in April or May of this year, the question of the disposition of Menotomy Hall will soon arise. The Board believes this matter should be referred to a special com- mittee to be appointed by the Moderator at the Annual Town Meeting in March. At present the only regular
212
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
tenant other than the Police Department is S. K. Ames Company occupying their quarters as tenants at will. The hall is used by the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Junior High School students for physical instruction, and by various other associations from which no rentals are received. The building is in a more or less dilapidated condition. To continue the use of the building for any purpose, would require the expenditure of a substantial amount of money.
Numerous hearings have been held during the past year on appeals from zoning By-Law restrictions. In some cases the requirements have been waived at the re- quest of petitioners where the By-Law seemed to work an unnecessary hardship.
The Board has granted no applications for gas sta- tions during the past year, as it believed that public ne- cessity and convenience was not an important issue in any petition.
FREDERICK W. HILL, Chairman, NELSON B. CROSBY, HOLLIS M. GOTT,
Selectmen of Arlington.
REPORT OF LICENSING COMMISSION
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen, Arlington, Mass.
Gentlemen :
The Licensing Commission hereby respectfully sub- mits its third annual report.
The Commission was organized with Daniel B. Tier- ney, Chairman, and John A. Easton, Clerk.
The Commission has met on the first and third Fri- day evenings of each month, in the Selectmen's Room.
In January and February meetings were held on the first Friday evenings only.
A total of twenty-two sessions were held at which hearings were given on four hundred forty-one (441) pe- titions for garages.
Four hundred thirty-four (434) licenses were granted. One petition was withdrawn, one license re- fused, one hearing tabled until March 4, 1927, and four taken under advisement.
In cases where abutting property owners have ob- jected to the location of a garage, the members of the Commission have visited the premises before handing down a decision, and by so doing have been able to straighten out several unpleasant situations.
DANIEL B. TIERNEY, WILLIAM GRATTO, THOMAS O. D. URQUHART,
Licensing Commission, Town of Arlington.
213
REPORT OF FIRE DEPARTMENT-1926
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Arlington, Mass.
January 1, 1927.
Gentlemen :
I have the honor to present my fourth annual re- port as Chief of the Fire Department for the year ending December 31, 1926.
The Department now consists of thirty-one perma- nent men, viz: one Chief; five Captains; twenty-five Privates, ten of whom were appointed during the year ; and twelve Call-men. At the beginning of the year there were nineteen Call-men. Three were transferred to the permanent force, three were retired on the pension and one resigned.
Edward L. Smith, a call-fireman since 1890, was in- jured at a fire on February 24th and was pensioned Sep- tember 1st on the permanent men's rate, $1003.75 per year.
Lieutenant John T. Finley, call-fireman for twenty- five years, and Robert L. Austin, for nearly thirty years, having reached the retiring age, were pensioned on De- cember 31st at $105 and $100 respectively.
An appropriation of $12500 was made at a Special Town Meeting held January 14th, to purchase a 750 gallon pumping engine. A Seagrave pumper was bought. It was received January 20th and placed in service February 3rd after having passed the three hour test required by the Underwriters. The test was made under the di- rection of an engineer of the New England Insurance Exchange. This piece of apparatus is known as Engine
214
215
REPORT OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
1. The old Knox pumper was changed from Engine 1 to Engine 2, February 3rd.
Two ladder trucks; two pumpers; and three com- binations comprise the total equipment.
The Department responded to 120 bell alarms; 229 still alarms; and 24 mutual aid calls; a total of 373 alarms, 80 more than last year and the largest in the history of the Department.
One general alarm was sounded and nine false alarms, ten less than last year.
VALUE OF PROPERTY ENDANGERED
Value, Buildings
$873,050 00
Value, Contents 53,650 00
Total
$926,700 00
Insurance, Buildings
$836,100 00
Insurance, Contents
52,100 00
Total
$888,200 00
Loss, Buildings
$42,797 75
Loss, Contents
10,799 42
Total 53,597 17
Uninsured Loss
$2,394 02
APPROPRIATION
Appropriation, including $12,500
for apparatus, and $867.80 transferred by the Finance Committee, December 3rd.
$79,803 55
Expended 78,354 93
Unexpended balance
$1,448 62
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
CREDITS
Fees for 92 blasting permits issued at $1 each $92 00
Fees for 42 fuel oil permits issued at $1 each 42 00
Fees for 11 inflammable fluid
permits issued at $1 each 11 00
Fees for 6 fireworks permits issued at 50c each
3 00
Sale of old wheels
10 00
Sale of old auto
15 00
Sale of old hose
4 00
$177 00
Balance
$1625 62
GENERAL ALARM
General alarm sounded from Box 72, 1:05 A. M. January 25th for fire in Crescent Hall, 1315 Mass. Avenue. Loss $19,000 on the building and $1,258.42 on the contents. Medford, Somerville and Belmont re- sponded.
FIRE PREVENTION
This year 11,844 inspections were made of all public and mercantile properties, an increase of 1482 over last year. Owners and occupants of the 650 places which the Department inspects twice each month, have com- plied with every request made or suggestion offered for the correction of any condition that might cause fire or the spread of fire.
The third. annual inspection of all dwellings which began September 20th was carried on in the same manner as in the two previous ones, by the firemen on their "days off." Each man gave three days to the work and made a thorough inspection of the cellars of 5170 houses.
217
REPORT OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
A most decided improvement in conditions was noted over other years, which was due in a great measure to the desire of the householder to assist the firemen who were making a sacrifice for the safety of the occupants of every Arlington home, and to the wis- dom of the Board of Public Works in returning to weekly instead of monthly collections of rubbish during the summer season. It was the intention this year to reinspect the places in which bad conditions were found but as these were comparatively few, and we were as- sured of their immediate correction, no further inspec- tion was thought necessary.
Total inspections for the year 17,014
Houses inspected in 1924 3,918
Houses inspected in 1925 4,640
DEFECTS FOUND
Papers in quantity were found in 881 cellars; rub- bish 425; ashes in wooden containers 124; defective smoke pipes 166; defective chimneys 50; defective wir- ing 63; unprotected walls 37; ashes against wood par- titions 14; paints and oils 80; oily rags 12; inflammable fluids 3.
130 dwellings are equipped with oil burners.
1434 houses have combustible roofs (wooden shingles).
123 suites unoccupied.
2170 garages on lot with house.
A fire drill was given in every school, a report of which was sent to Mr. Moody. All school buildings were inspected twice each month and 104 extinguishers dis- charged and recharged.
Three hundred and forty-two permits were issued for the burning of rubbish. These permits may be had - at either station at any time.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Seven hundred and sixty-four automatic gas fire plugs were installed during the year, making a total of 2473 gas meters protected in this manner, since the first installation February 1, 1924.
Ten of the twelve hydrants requested on the north side of Massachusetts Avenue from the police station to Forest Street have been installed and the remaining two will be placed early in the coming year. These hy- drants will be used for fires on the north side and the continual flow of traffic will not be impeded. They also open up another supply of water valuable in the event of a serious fire or a break in the high service main.
The Park Circle Station was turned over to the Building Committee by the contractor January 4th and on February 10th Engine 2 was placed in service in this station and four men assigned to duty there. This sta- tion is of great value to the Department, located as it is on the hilltop it affords excellent protection to that section, as the apparatus and men can make quick re- sponse to all calls for their service. Ninety-four calls were responded to, which many times has saved other apparatus long-up-grade hauls.
The men's days off were stopped from February 4-12 on account of the blizzard of February 4th and 10th. They were on duty continually, meals being served them in the stations.
DRILL TOWER
A five story drill tower for regular, systematic training in the use of ladders, hose, life nets and all fire appliances was erected by the firemen in the rear of the Highland Station at a cost of $850 for materials.
All technical details of the foundation and tower
219
REPORT OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
were furnished and supervised by A. W. Isele who has on several occasions directed the reconstruction of fire apparatus.
Practice periods for all companies will be held throughout the year. All men hereafter appointed for a trial period will be obliged to successfully complete a thirty days' course of training before being accepted for the permanent force.
Eight firemen completed a thirty-days' course in the Boston Fire Department Drill School this year, and each one received a certificate from Commissioner Hultman.
Sixteen men have now received this training.
FIRST AID
Dr. W. M. Kingman, Department Physician, in- structed the Firemen in First Aid. A two-hour lesson was given once a week in each station for ten weeks, af- ter which an examination was given and sixteen firemen were awarded certificates from the American National Red Cross at Washington, D. C. He has volunteered to repeat the course the coming year for the new men.
The knowledge acquired from this instruction in the Prone Pressure Method of Resuscitation for drown- ing persons, gas victims and those suffering from elec- tric shock, the application of splints to broken limbs and first treatment for all accident cases, while of the great- est value to men rendered unconscious or injured when fighting fire, will also be available at short notice for public emergency whenever such service is needed.
Early in the year the Board of Selectmen requested the New England Insurance Exchange to make a survey of the Department to ascertain if a lower rate of insur- ance might be had. The checking up began January 25th
220
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
and their report submitted on. April 2nd. All of the requirements specified in that report have been fulfilled with the exception of replacing the old Knox pumper at the Park Circle Station with a new one. The old engine failed during the test, and they recommended that be- cause of its thirteen years of service its dependability for severe duty was problematical and that it should be overhauled and placed in reserve. If this required change is made the insurance rates on all mercantile risks will be reduced from fourth to third class.
RECOMMENDATIONS
I earnestly recommend that Gray Street be opened its entire length for the safe passage of fire apparatus, that this rapidly growing section may have adequate fire protection.
At present apparatus from the Park Circle Station is unable to pass beyond Mt. Vernon Street on account of an undeveloped section of Gray Street at this point and another section from Highland Avenue to Locke- land which if opened would allow this apparatus to serve the entire ridge, even to Pleasant Street.
A very large part of this hilly section is now pro- tected by apparatus from the other stations that must travel through congested traffic on, Massachusetts Avenue, after which a long up grade haul and the con- sequent loss of valuable time.
This street would be of the greatest benefit in the winter when snow and ice make it diffcult for apparatus from Massachusetts Avenue to reach this ridge while from Park Circle Station it would be comparatively easy to take care of the entire length of Gray Street and the streets leading from it.
If these sections are opened and a twelve inch water main is laid in the newly constructed parts, eliminating
221
REPORT OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
the existing "dead ends" it would furnish a circular main from Massachusetts Avenue through the inter- section streets to Gray Street and greatly improve the water service for Gray Street and all streets leading from it. At present this is a weak point in the water distribution.
Many other reasons could be advanced showing the need of this street but as I am interested solely in the matter of rendering fire protection to this section, I feel that from that point alone it should be considered an emergency measure and immediate action taken.
I recommend that the four inch pipe on Bartlett Avenue and Webster Street be replaced with a size of sufficient capacity.
For the third time I advise the installation of sprinklers in the basement of all schools except those of modern construction, particularly the Senior High and the Junior High Centre. Should a fire get a good start in the basement of either building, replacements would be necessary.
Extensive repairs are needed at the Highland Sta- tion to comply with the State Rules and Regulations. The wooden floor of the apparatus room should be re- placed with a cement floor and a rearrangement of the rooms on the second floor should be made.
I recommend that $90,744.90 be appropriated for the maintenance of the Department for the ensuing year, this sum to cover the expense of four additional men and the purchase of a pumping engine to replace Engine 2 as required to obtain third class insurance rates.
In concluding I wish to express my gratitude to the Honorable Board of Selectmen for their just and im-
222
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
partial consideration of all matters presented to them, the Board of Public Works for their compliance with all the many demands made upon them, the Police Depart- ment for their complete co-operation with the Depart- ment throughout the year.
I extend heartiest thanks to my officers and men who, for their sacrifice, loyalty, obedience and faithful performance of duty, deserve credit for what ever good the Fire Department has accomplished. To direct these men has been a pleasant duty.
Respectfully submitted, DANIEL B. TIERNEY, Chief, Arlington Fire Department.
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE
Arlington, Mass., January 1, 1927.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen :
I have the honor to report to you the doings of the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1926.
There have been 1754 cases in Court during the year, of this number 1693 were males, 61 females, 50 juveniles or persons under seventeen years of age. Eight hundred forty-seven were residents and 907 non-residents.
REPORT OF MISCELLANEOUS DUTIES
Accidents reported
206
Auto collisions reported
105
Ambulance calls
25
Buildings reported vacant, protected
302
Cases investigated
1467
Dead bodies cared for
9
Defective hydrants
6
Defective electric light lamps, arc, incandescent
718
Defective electric wires reported
44
Defects in water pipes
28
Defects in gas pipes
16
Details for public assemblages
22
Dog's killed
45
Disturbances suppressed
4
Fires extinguished without alarm
13
Fire alarms given
15
Injured persons assisted home
9
Injured persons assisted to hospital
54
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224
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Lanterns in dangerous places
349
Lost children cared for
40
Messages delivered
256
Notices served for Selectmen
29
Notices served for Town Clerk
285
Notices served to delinquent dog owners
5
Officers at fires
214
Obstructions in streets reported
208
Property reported as stolen, value
$7,348.37
Property recovered as stolen, value'
$1,233.25
Runaway teams secured
1
Sick persons assisted home
9
Sick persons to hospital
13
Stores found unlocked and secured at night
833
Stray teams cared for
6
Search warrants for liquor served
9
Wagon calls
153
THE POLICE SIGNAL SYSTEM
The system has hardly run a day without trouble necessitating constant tinkering by the Wire Department. Owing to this fact, it has been a serious handicap to us in the proper discharge of our duties.
I am firmly of the opinion that at least twice a year we should have this system gone over independently by the experts of the Gamewell Company and a report as to its condition made by them to us.
This system should give us efficient service, if it does not we should know the reason and remedy the fault at once, and the checking up by the Gamewell Company should remedy this.
One hundred seven thousand one hundred ninety-one duty calls have been turned in by officers on their routes during the year and 5,125 telephone calls and 153 wagon calls been received over this system from officers on street duty.
225
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE
I recommend that two new boxes be installed, and have requested the Superintendent of Wires to include this in his budget.
TRAFFIC
The year 1926 has passed with the usual record of unfortunate automobile accidents and the auto traffic was the heaviest known.
I am sorry to have to report three fatal accidents by auto which spoils an otherwise clean score, but when auto owners and drivers will drive or allow to be driven, cars with defective brakes and lights, just so long will the lives and safety of the public be endangered.
77 pedestrians were injured during the year by autos.
2 pedestrians were injured by electric cars.
1 pedestrian was killed by an electric car.
1 pedestrian was injured by a bicycle.
105 auto collisions have been recorded.
There have been recorded by us reported as stolen in the Metropolitan District, 5484 automobiles.
We have recovered 37 cars stolen in other places and delivered them to the proper authorities.
14 cars were reported as stolen in Arlington and all have been recovered.
During the year we have caused investigation to be made in 14 fatalities that have happened in Arlington.
The records of 655 transfers of automobiles by deal- ers have been recorded and 554 sales by citizens.
60 persons were arrested for operating an auto while under the influence of liquor.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
58 licenses to operate, held by Arlington citizens, have been suspended and 68 revoked during the year.
140 permits to operate busses have also been re- corded as required by law.
During the year we have had two motor cycles on the streets assisting in the handling of our traffic. They have been ridden 12,226 miles and have been of immense value to us in keeping, otherwise, violators of the auto laws within bounds.
In regard to traffic signal stop and go lights, I am strongly of the opinion that we should go slow on these schemes (and there are many of them) all the best in the world until actual try-outs at a large expense to the Town.
All stop and go signals should be standardized and should be furnished at a proper rental by the lighting company in exactly the same manner as is done in our street lighting.
The City of Lynn made a contract with its Electric Light Company for street and traffic signal lights, and they have been installed and are giving that City the maximum service at a minimum cost; if such a program is feasible and economical for the City of Lynn, and it has proven so, I can see no reason why such an arrange- ment would not be to the advantage of Arlington.
I strongly urge that before anything further is done in this line or of street lighting that your Honorable Board, together with the Board of Public Works, visit Lynn and while there the General Electric Company's plant, and there see practical demonstrations on which they have spent thousands of dollars to perfect in order to give you a maximum amount of light and service for a minimum amount of money. The system, there in use, will be a revelation to you and an interesting education on this subject.
227
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE
In conclusion, I desire to thank your Honorable Board for the assistance rendered during the year in the interest of law and order.
To the officers of this Department I am duly grateful for the willingness and cooperation shown by them in the discharge of arduous duties.
I cannot say too much in praise of the Justices of our several Courts and the District Attorney's office for the loyal cooperation given this Department.
Respectfully submitted, THOMAS O. D. URQUHART, Chief of Police.
In Memoriam
SERGEANT THEODORE RAYMOND BELYEA
Appointed as a special police officer June 15, 1912.
Appointed a member of the regular police force June 16, 1913.
Appointed acting sergeant May 1, 1923 and regular sergeant October 29, 1923.
Died August 18, 1926. Age 42.
Whereas the Almighty God in His infinite wisdom has removed from our midst our late and esteemed
SERGEANT, THEODORE RAYMOND BELYEA,
who, in life, was a true and faithful member of the
Police Department of Arlington, Massachusetts, honest, efficient, a true and faithful comrade, his removal will be keenly felt by us to whom he had endeared him- self by his spirit of fair play and fellowship.
While we know that mere words cannot alleviate the bereaved family, yet, we feel that it will be consoling to them in their sorrow to know that faithful friends and members of this department wish to express their deepest sympathy in this their dark hour of affliction.
Go thou thy way and I go mine; Apart, yet not far; Only a thin veil hangs between The pathways where we are, And "God keeps watch 'tween thee and me," This is my prayer; He looks thy way, He looketh minc, And keeps us near.
And when the history is finally written, when the toll is at last complete, it can be more truly said,
He was a man, Take him for all in all.
INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS
Arlington, Mass., January 3, 1927.
To the Board of Selectmen,
Arlington, Mass. :
I herewith submit my report of the inspection of buildings, plumbing and gas for the year ending Decem- ber 31, 1926.
Nine hundred and twenty-one building permits have been issued, compiled as follows :
Dwellings, one family
286
$1,824,500
Dwellings, two family
162
1,486,500
Ģarages
331
312,700
Garage and shop
1
2,000
Garage repair
2
5,500
Community Garage
1
5,000
Garage display
1
1,400
Garage addition
1
180
Additions and alterations
42
129,930
Blocks of stores
13
222,500
School House
1
104,000
Apartment houses
3
300,000
Police Headquarters
1
95,000
Bank building
1
27,000
Gas manufacturing
1
35,000
Mercantile building
1
22,000
Dye house
1
27,000
Cleansing house
1
3,000
Laundry and dry cleaning
2
27,000
Repair burnt building
2
16,000
Repair and alter burnt building
1
3,000
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Move one-family house to new foundation
5
15,700
Greenhouse, workshop and boiler
room
.1
8,000
Greenhouses
4
10,000
Bakery
1
12,500
Filling station
1
4,000
Office building
1
1,000
Alter one-family to two-family house
5
9,700
Alter three stores into one
1
300
Alter two stores into one
1
500
Piazzas
17
5,650
Piazza roof
1
150
Sun parlor
12
5,800
Sheds
7
1,975
Dormer window
1
200
Hen houses
2
100
Storage houses
2
845
Coal pocket /
1
600
Pigeon coop
1
150
Chimney
1
100
Tool house
1
50
921
$4,726,530
835 plumbing permits and 1263 gas permits have been issued for the year.
FEES COLLECTED FOR 1926
921 Building Permits @ $3.00
$2763.00
835 Plumbing Permits @ 2.00
1670.00
1263 Gas Permits @ .50
631.50
$5064.50
I would recommend at this time the revision of the Plumbing Laws (we are working under rules codified in
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INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS
1910 of which no copies are available) and changes in the Building Laws and Gas Fitting rules which we have found to be necessary from experience.
I wish at this time to thank the Board of Selectmen and other Town Officials for the hearty cooperation ex- tended to this Department whenever requested.
Respectfully submitted, WILLIAM GRATTO, Inspector of Buildings.
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
Arlington, Mass., January 1, 1927. To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen: I herewith submit my report as In- spector of Animals.
At the annual spring inspection there were found 27 cows, 15 goats, 80 pigs.
All stables which were inspected were in good condition.
During the year six cases of rabies were found in the Town and fifty-two dogs were quarantined for either biting people or coming in contact with rabid dogs.
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