USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1927 > Part 10
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Following is some data compiled as a result of this inspec- tion :
Single houses
2,733
Double houses
2,690
3-apartments
91
4-
66
34
5-
1
6-
66
7
8-
1
10-
66
1
11-
66
1
Total
5,559
1927
1926
Vacant apartments
236
123
Combustible roofs
1,286
1,434
Garages on house lot
2,686
2,170
Oil burners
180
130
193 houses under construction (109 single, 84 double).
Not included in the total number of houses inspected are: 28-1 apartment; 6-2 apartments; 4-3 apartments; 2-4 apartments; 6-6 apartments; 1-8 apartment; 1-13 apart- ment; 1-16 apartment; 1-24 apartment; which are inspected twice each month in conjunction with the mercantiles.
141
REPORT OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
In the section below Arlington Centre, from the B. & M. R.R. and east side of Mystic Street, may be found the following number of houses:
Single houses
588
Double houses
1,773
3-apartments
63
4-
16
6-
66
8
13-
66
1
24-
1
Total
3 2,450
RECOMMENDATIONS
I recommend that five men be appointed to replace twelve call-men. This number is specified by the New England In- surance Exchange as the equivalent of the present call-force.
From the organization of the Fire Department in 1872 until 1894, when the first permanent man was appointed, call- men not only extinguished the fires but were drivers of apparatus and custodians of the fire stations. In 1897 the four pieces of apparatus had permanent drivers but the call-men were the fire fighters. From that time, as permanent men were added, the call-force was depleted gradually from a complement of fifty-nine to the present small number, twelve men. Nearly one-half of the present permanent force have served as call-men.
These men have rendered a valuable service to the town, have endangered life and limb, have suffered loss of time and many inconveniences for a relatively small remuneration in no respect commensurate with the efficient protection afforded. It can be truly stated that their real recompense was that satisfaction of having conscientiously and faithfully performed those tasks to which the fire alarm called them.
With the rapid growth of the town, the addition of perma- nent men and the motorization of the apparatus, call-men are
142
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
no longer depended upon. It matters not how efficient they may be, they are not available in the first few minutes which are most vital in checking a fire.
The Department responded to 383 calls during the year; 100 of these, about 26%, were bell alarms, which are the only calls they are expected or required to answer. Their non- arrival, due to not always hearing the signal, or their late arrival, due to traffic or other impediments, has so far impaired their efficiency that the recommended replacement is necessary.
The liability of the town to call-men incapacitated by injuries received in performance of duty at fires is exactly the same as provided the permanent men who devote their entire time to the service.
I recommend that the water main installed on Reed Street be extended to James Street, a distance of approximately seven hundred feet. The laying of the Reed Street line was completed and the water turned on November 28th, and on December 10th it was used to good advantage in combating a serious fire, although the nearest hydrant was thirteen hundred feet away. The extension asked for is necessary for the protection of a large district.
During the year sprinklers were installed in the basement, halls and stairways of the Center Junior High School. This is the very best protection for the safety of pupils in a building of that type of construction and eliminates to a great degree the danger of the destruction of the building should a fire occur in the basement. I earnestly recommend that the Senior High School be protected in like manner.
I have requested the Superintendent of Fire Alarm to include in his budget the cost of installing quick time on the fire alarm for inside signals. This arrangement will not only speed up the response of our Department but will insure earlier help from the Mutual Aid Group. Another worthy feature of this plan is the control of the outside signals. When a box is sent in from the street the alarm will sound only in the stations and will not operate the tower bells and whistle unless trans-
143
REPORT OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
mitted by the operator. The response of apparatus to alarms at present is greatly impeded by the traffic that follows when an alarm is sounded.
I recommend that the sum of $92,865.50 be appropriated for the ensuing year, this sum to cover the expense of five additional men to replace the call-men.
In concluding I thank the Honorable Board of Selectmen for their unfailing support, the Board of Public Works for their constant efforts to increase the fire protection, and the Police Department, who are always willing to render assistance.
I am grateful to my officers and men for continued devotion to duty.
DANIEL B. TIERNEY, Chief Fire Department.
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE
Arlington, Mass., January 1, 1928.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.
Gentlemen:
I have the honor of submitting to you my twenty-third annual report of the doings of the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1927.
There have been 1,695 complaints brought to the attention of the Court during the year, of which 795 were for violation of auto laws and 310 for violation of traffic rules.
Of this number 688 were non-residents, 59 females anu 51 juveniles or persons under 17 years of age.
Disposition of the above cases by the Court were:
Discharged
51
Fined .
345
On File. 424
For other Departments
482
Dismissed .
42
Released .
120
House of Correction .
61
Defaulted .
43
Held for Grand Jury
13
Probation
51
Concord Reformatory
2
Lyman School
8
Shirley School
4
Lancaster School (for girls)
1
State Farm .
11
Continued for trial or disposition
15
144
145
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE
The amount of fines and costs imposed by the Court was $9,044. Imprisonment imposed by the Court was about 7 years and 140 days.
As compared with surrounding towns we have been par- ticularly fortunate in the absence of crime of unusual character.
We have had a smaller number of breaks and larcenies than in previous years and no "holdups" or robberies.
In so far as we have been able, the liquor laws have been rigidly enforced. Thirty complaints were made and thirty convictions secured.
I think we may take considerable pride in the fact that our streets have been free from crime and safe for our citizens at any hour of the day or night during the year.
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
Accidents reported, persons killed . 4
Accidents reported, personal injuries involved 212 Ambulance calls 75
NEW POLICE HEADQUARTERS
The committee appointed by the Town in 1926 to build a New Police Headquarters, composed of Charles B. Devereaux as Chairman, Alfred Lombard as Secretary, Thomas J. Donnelly and Elliott R. Barker, are entitled to and should at least receive a unanimous vote of thanks from the tax payers of the Town for the modern up-to-date building which they have caused to be constructed for you within the appropriation given them.
It is without question the finest building of its kind in New England and its equipment second to none anywhere for police work.
This committee constructed for the future, and the building, as built of steel, concrete and brick, with a capacity of taking
146
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
care of sixty patrolmen, will meet the needs of the Town for fifty years to come.
There have been hundreds of officials from all over the State call and inspect the building, and they are unanimous that it is a well-thought-out, carefully constructed and finely equipped Police Headquarters.
It is my wish that more of our Town's people would call and inspect this building and at the same time get an insight to what your police are trying to do for you in the protection of life and property.
POLICE SIGNAL SYSTEM
The Police Signal System was first installed in 1906, and in that year there were 3,202 duty calls and 491 telephone calls sent in, and over the Police Signal System there have been received this year 106,944 duty calls, 5,092 telephone calls, 184 wagon calls and 72 ambulance calls. The new combination patrol and ambulance was received September 8, 1927, and has been run 520 miles.
In 1906 a Gamewell Police Signal System of 12 boxes was installed in the Old Police Station at a cost of $3,500.00; this was in constant use twenty-four hours of the day until we moved into our New Police Headquarters, June 16, 1927. At the New Police Headquarters there was installed, at a cost of $7,200.00, a new "up-to-the-minute" Gamewell System of 29 boxes and a recall system, whereby at night officers on the Avenue may be summoned to their boxes should any emergency arise. The recall system is not in operation, owing to some technical legal matter between the Town and the Edison Light Company. The moment this difficulty can be adjusted the Town will have at its disposal one of the finest and most valuable adjuncts to the police department of any city in the Country.
This system is a time-keeper of the patrolmen on their routes. It gives the patrolmen instant communication with Headquarters by telephone and assistance in case of arrest or accident on his route.
147
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE
Probably before this report is printed this department will be asked to join with the other cities and towns of the Metro- politan District in an intercommunicating Police Teletype System, such as is now being installed in the twenty-one stations of the City of Boston by the New England Telephone Company.
By the use of this system, should any emergency arise, such as a holdup, burglary or an auto stolen, instead of having to call up on the telephone forty different cities and towns to give them the alarm, as we have to now, thereby causing the better part of two hours to be consumed, we would make only one phone call to Boston Police Headquarters, give in our informa- tion, and instantly that information will be in typewritten form in every police station in the Metropolitan District. As soon as the proper sending apparatus is installed at the Boston Police Headquarters a receiving set should be immediately installed in this station. The teletype system is not an experiment; it has been used many years with unqualified success in the larger cities of the Country for quick intercommunication in police work.
I may add also that the State Commissioner of Public Safety will shortly install a Radio Broadcasting Apparatus, and every police department in the State will be invited to make use of this means by Radio to the end that a greater efficiency and co-operation may be had among the police departments of the State. By calling up the State Broadcasting Station and giving them our information, it will be immediately sent to every police station in the State having a Radio receiving set.
The result of the use of the Teletype System, with the central office at Police Headquarters, Boston, and of a Radio Broadcast Station at the State House, will be that only two telephone calls (it takes forty now) will be necessary to inform the police of the entire State in regard to stolen cars, holdups and other matters of vital importance to our citizens in the en- forcement of law and order.
The cost of installing a teletype receiving set and a low wave radio receiving set is to me unknown at the present
148
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
moment. The teletype machine is leased from the Telephone Company, the radio set can be purchased outright for not over one hundred dollars. We already have the necessary aerial and connecting wires; these were installed in the New Police Headquarters building during construction. I shall request a favorable consideration of this matter later in the year.
I have requested of the Superintendent of Wires that a new police box be installed at or near the Winchester Country Club on Mystic Street, and that in at least two boxes the recall system be installed.
TRAFFIC
THE AUTOMOBILE AND THE POLICE
Owing to the ever increasing number of accidents in our streets and the steady call for more traffic officers, a definite policy should be decided upon by the Town at once.
Accidents are caused, they do not happen, and most ac- cidents are preventable.
The autoists have been bombarded with printed instruc- tions and advice and in spite of this, and with 9,000 less motor vehicles licensed in this State during 1927, 5,000 more persons met with injury than in 1926.
Moral suasion does not seem to have its effect on a large percentage of the drivers. In the absence of a police officer they will not slow down at dangerous curves and intersections, nor will they slow down on approaching a pedestrian trying to cross the street, and the result is accidents.
Too much stress has been made on keeping traffic moving and too little on the needs of the pedestrian in his effort to keep one jump away from an ambulance. The general disregard by autoists for persons on foot is too apparent.
I have become firmly convinced that a large percentage of autoists will not lend themselves to moral suasion in the matter
149
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE
of driving their automobiles so that the lives and safety of the public, especially the pedestrian, will not be endangered.
The mental habits of an automobile operator cannot be changed. Educational work and good advice for the adult are as nothing and the only remedy that seems to be left is the harsh word-control.
Our traffic problems are not so much with the residents of Arlington, but rather to those non-residents who travel through.
Signs put up along our streets at large expense for their benefit, to keep them within bounds and out of trouble, seem to mean nothing to them and the only line of education that can be given them is a summons to Court, there to be relieved of five or more dollars as a fine. This done, the offender at once and without delay informs his friends that Arlington is an unsafe place to operate in, owing to the vigilance of its police, and to watch out for them if they should travel through there, thereby accomplishing that which we would like to do by moral suasion.
Control of traffic with a punch to it by our police, if the auto drivers cannot obey our reasonable traffic regulations and automobile laws, seems to me the only educational solution. To this end there have been 948 persons brought before the Courts for violation of the auto laws (62 of these as drunken drivers) and for violation of traffic regulations, and fines to the amount of $7,780 have been imposed by the Court.
By law we are required to record every private sale of autos within the Town and also record those taken in trade by dealers within the Town.
Four pedestrians were killed by auto during the year and proper reports made in detail to the Medical Examiner and the Registrar of Motor Vehicles and the necessary Court action was taken in each case.
Ninety-three pedestrians were more or less injured by automobiles during the year and a detailed report on each case was made by the investigating officer.
150
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
During the year, when weather would permit, we have kept three motorcycles Patrolling our streets to assist in the regulation of traffic, and Officer Albert Ryan rode 6,423 miles, Officer Moore 4,561 miles, and Officer Barry 4,486 miles.
TRAFFIC COUNT
On July 28, 1927, on Massachusetts Avenue at Henderson Street, in ten hours, 919 autos per hour passed this point.
On the same day, on Massachusetts Avenue at junction of Court Street, 854 autos per hour for ten hours.
July 27, on Broadway near St. Paul's Cemetery, 400 per hour.
July 24, at the Railroad Crossing, they passed at the rate of 1,562 per hour for ten hours; on another day at the rate of 1,950 per hour.
November 17 there were 435 autos per hour for ten hours going into and coming out of Pleasant Street onto Massachusetts Avenue.
On the same day 392 autos per hour for ten hours were counted passing on Massachusetts Avenue at Park Avenue.
November 19, 114 autos per hour for ten hours were going in and out of Mill Street onto Massachusetts Avenue.
November 21, 308 autos per hour for ten hours were going in and out of Mystic Street from and to Massachusetts Avenue, and at Medford Street and Massachusetts Avenue 234 autos came in and out of this street.
The Summer Street Boulevard, so called from Brattle Square to the Lexington line, was built under the direction of the State Board of Public Works, and it is still under the super- vision of this Board.
Our thanks are due to the Honorable William F. Williams, Commissioner of the State Board of Public Works, for the co-
151
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE
operation given to your Police Department in the matter of traffic on this Boulevard. He has caused a white line to be painted the entire length of this Boulevard, from Brattle Square to the Lexington line, proper school signs on each side of Park Avenue North, a flash beacon on the Adams Square curve and two large flare-back warning signs in Adams Square.
If the autoists will only heed these efforts for safety there will be a decided decrease of accidents reported from this locality.
AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC STOP AND GO SIGNALS RECOMMENDED
Electric Stop and Go Signals are installed today for the very same reason that the traffic squad was created-namely safety. Were it not for the prime consideration of safety there would be no signals, nor would there be any need of a traffic squad. It was the desire of the citizens of Arlington to protect life and property that the traffic squad was created, and our citizens should also sponsor the installation of a modern electric stop and go traffic system for the same reason.
The reasons for installation of signals are very simple.
First, for Safety.
Second, for the more economic utilization of the police force. Third, for the expedition of motor and foot traffic.
We are past the days when a few intersections in the heart of the town's business districts constitute the "traffic problem." The problem today is the entire Town and it will gradually become more and more acute until the point of automobile saturation is reached.
This year our regular traffic force was increased by as- signing to traffic duty five reserve officers until we have a sergeant, three motorcycles and eleven officers directing traffic at a cost of approximately $30,000 a year.
152
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
To stop this demand for more traffic officers, which means a large continuous expense, there should be installed at once Automatic Electric Stop and Go Signals at various intersec- tions along Massachusetts Avenue, Broadway, Mystic Street and such streets that will lend themselves to this mode of traffic control.
I respectfully ask that an appropriation be made for Automatic Electric Traffic Stop and Go Signals, and that these signals be placed at such points along Massachusetts Avenue, Broadway and other streets as may seem expedient to your Honorable Board.
THE BUDGET
For the year 1928 I most respectfully recommend that the members of this department be granted an increase of fifty cents a day in pay, and that five new men be appointed to the regular force to care for the ever increasing demands made by traffic. To this end I submit the following estimate and rec- ommend its approval :
For Salary budget . $94,290.85
For the General Expense budget (same
as last year)
5,000.00
For the Auto budget (same as last year). . 2,500.00
$101,790.85
This Department consists today of a Chief, one Inspector with rank of Lieutenant, four Sergeants, thirty Patrolmen, four Reserve Police Officers, a Stenographer, one Mechanician and a Janitress.
As required by law, each member of the regular Police Department is entitled to one day off in eight, and conforming with this law there have been 1,571 days absences, vacations amounted to 455 days, sickness was 220 days and leave of absence was 22 days, making a total of 2,247 days for 1927.
153
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE
In closing, this report would not be complete without expressing my sincere thanks and appreciation to the Honorable Arthur P. Stone, the Justice of our Third District Court and his associates, and to District Attorney Robert T. Bushnell and his staff for the fine co-operation given this Department through- out the year.
My thanks are also due to your Honorable Board for as- sistance given me in arduous duties performed.
Respectfully submitted, THOMAS O. D. URQUHART, Chief of Police.
INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS
Arlington, Mass., December 31, 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 December 31, 1927:
Seven hundred and fifty-two building permits have been issued, compiled as follows:
Dwellings, one family
245
$1,460,100
Dwellings, two family
1
169
1,497,100
Garages
235
164,485
65-car garage .
1
35,000
40-car garage .
1
35,000
Garages enlarged
3
525
Garage addition
1
700
Garage and storehouse
1
1,000
Additions and Alterations
27
44,100
Addition to coal pocket
1
3,500
Make one family into two family
1
7,000
Alter barn into two family
2
12,000
Move one family to new foundation.
1
3,500
Move one family to new foundation and store
1
16,000
Blocks of stores .
4
68,800
Stores and Apartments above
1
20,000
Stores and Offices above
1
30,000
New store fronts .
2
13,000
Alter two stores into one
5
8,650
School .
1
260,000
Gas Holder
1
22,500
Sub-Station
1
25,000
154
155
INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS
Office addition
1
$7,000
Coal Bunker
1
19,000
Refrigerator
1
2,000
Laundry
1
2,000
Greenhouses
2
1,400
Stable
1
1,500
Piazza
9
1,375
Piazza roof
11
1,510
Piazza and Sun Porch
1
450
Sun Porch
8
4,025
Porch
1
300
Dormer
2
575
Fruit Stand
1
Coal Shed Roof
1
200
Shelter .
2
600
Storage Shed.
1
275
Play House
1
50
Chimney
1
300
Tool House
1
100
752
$3,770,620
1067 gas permits and 707 plumbing permits have been issued for the year.
FEES COLLECTED FOR 1927
752 Building Permits @ $3.00 $2,256.00
707 Plumbing Permits @ 2.00
1,414.00
1067 Gas Permits @ .50 533.50
$4,203.50
I have had some trouble with the enforcement of Zoning and Tenement House Laws and a few flagrant violations of the Plumbing regulations, but it has been necessary in only a small number of these cases to resort to the Courts in order to enforce compliance.
156
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Considering the amount of work and the fact that by far the greater part is done by contractors from out of town violations have been comparatively few.
I wish at this time to extend my thanks to the Honorable Board and to those of the Town Officials whose courtesy and co-operation have been so kindly extended to me at all times.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM GRATTO, Inspector of Buildings.
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
Arlington, Mass., January 1, 1928.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen: I herewith submit my report as Inspector of Animals.
At the annual spring inspection there were found 30 cows, 11 goats, 1 sheep, and 96 pigs.
All stables which were inspected were in good condition. One case of tuberculosis was found and the case quarantined.
There were 10 cases of rabies in dogs during the past year, and one person was bitten by a rabid dog.
Twenty-six dogs were quarantined for either biting people or coming in contact with rabid dogs.
Respectfully submitted,
ERWIN F. SCHROEDER, D. V. M., Inspector of Animals.
157
REPORT OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Arlington, Mass., December 31, 1927.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen: I herewith respectfully submit the annual report of the services of this Department for the year ending December 31, 1927. My actual work in this Department began May 18, 1927.
Ad-
Not Con- justed Sealed Sealed demned
Scales:
Platform over 5,000 lbs .
1
9
·
. .
Platform 100 to 5,000 lbs
13
45
1
7
Counter 100 lbs. or over
. .
. .
. .
Counter under 100 lbs
12
43
. .
. .
Beam under 100 lbs
10
22
. .
1
Spring 100 lbs. or over
1
34
. .
1
Spring under 100 lbs.
28
128
21
Computing under 100 lbs.
32
85
2
21
Personal Weighing
12
. .
2
Total
97
394
3
57
Weights:
Avoirdupois
43
322
. .
16
Apothecary
188
3
38
Metric
·
. .
6
Troy
. .
. .
. .
4
Total
43 567
3
64
158
. .
15
. .
4
Prescription.
.
57
1
159
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Capacity Measures:
Liquid .
79
1
4
Dry .
. .
4
. .
.
.
1
Total
83
1
4
Automobile Measuring Devices:
Gasoline Pumps
3
91
4
3
Kerosene Pumps .
43
·
. .
Oil Measuring Pumps
40
. .
. .
Quantity Measures on Pumps
71
483
. .
. .
Total
74
657
4
3
Linear Measures :
Yard Sticks
15
. .
6
Total
15
. .
6
4.
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-one scales, weights and measures were inspected, sealed or condemned at places of business and statutory fees were received and paid to the Tax Collector at the end of each month.
Respectfully submitted,
ALLAN E. COWIE, Sealer of Weights and Measures.
REPORT OF TOWN PHYSICIAN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen: I herein present the report of the Town Physician for the year 1927:
Number of Office Visits . 70
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