USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1928 > Part 11
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905 1781 1647
8344
Chester W. Bixby
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7
2
7
1
23
Charles H. Cole
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315
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833
6778
Washington Cook
2
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1
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Mary Donovan Hapgood . .
2
13
3
3
4
3
8
36
Edith Hamilton MacFadden
1
1
2
Stephen J. Surridge.
1
1
1
1
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Blanks
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320
1813 2611 2819 1265 1682 2785 2542 15517
In accordance with law the ballots were returned to the Town Clerk.
A True Record, Attest :
E. CAROLINE PIERCE, Town Clerk.
Arlington, November 16, 1928.
The returns of election were filled out on the blanks fur- nished for the purpose, signed by the Selectmen and the Town Clerk, and filed in the office of the Secretary of the Common- wealth.
Attest:
E. CAROLINE PIERCE, Town Clerk.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
:
The Board of Selectmen submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1928.
At the Annual Meeting, March, 1928, Mr. Arthur P. Wyman was elected as 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 Mr. Hollis M. Gott as Chairman and Mr. John A. Easton as Clerk of the Board and Agent of the Overseers of the Poor.
The meetings of the Board are held Monday evenings. During the year fifty-two regular and eleven special meetings have been held. Over three hundred and fifty hours were spent at Board meetings, including meetings of Joint Board.
TOWN DEBT AND TAX RATE
Town Debt December 31, 1928 $1,583,000.00
Town Debt December 31, 1927 1,407,500.00
Increase $175,500.00
Real and Personal Property Valuation: April 1, 1928 $56,472,150.00
Less Abatements 395,316.00
Valuation December 31, 1928. . .. $56,076,834.00 Tax Rate, $31.00 per $1,000.00.
160
161
REPORT OF SELECTMEN
1928 CHARGES AND CREDITS
Total Appropriations. $2,342,927.38
State Charges and County Taxes 262,757.42
Overlay
19,188.01
$2,624,872.81
Credits :
Poll Tax.
$20,000.00
Estimated Receipts-Departmental
and from State
326,429.07
$346,429.07
Total Net Charges
$2,278,443.74
Raised as follows:
By Tax .
$1,750,636.65
By Borrowing
325,000.00
By Transfer of Funds
202,807.09
$2,278,443.74
ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT
During October and November the accounts of the Town were audited by the State Director of Accounts, being the first audit since the installation of the State System of Accounting in 1924.
The State Director of Accounts has rendered a detailed report of the audit, which clearly indicates that the examina- tion was thorough and that the various accounts of the Town are being properly kept.
The State Director of Accounts considers the Town of Arlington singularly fortunate in having in charge of its Accounting Department a man who is so unusually well quali- fied and equipped to fill this important position. In no other municipality of the Commonwealth has he found the State
162
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
System of accounting more efficiently maintained or the accounts in a more satisfactory condition.
The Selectmen are greatly pleased that the high standard of Mr. Needham's work commends itself to the supervising authorities at the State House.
During the year eight hundred and eight (808) building permits have been issued. Three hundred and thirty-four (334) for one-family and ninety-two (92) for two-family dwellings, the balance for additions, alterations, etc. These building permits amount to $3,504,245, a decrease in 1928 over 1927 of $266,375. In view of this fact the Board feels that the Town has enjoyed a large and healthy growth this year.
Several new sections have been opened for development this past year.
Among the Town Improvements in 1928 are the new Highland Fire Station on Massachusetts Avenue, valued at $55,000, the addition to the Junior High West at Arlington Heights, $125,000, Water Shop, $14,000, and Athletic Shelter, $2,500.
BUILDING BY-LAWS OR CODE
The new Building By-Law or Code which was adopted by vote of the Town at the March meeting will go into effect early in 1929, and represents the work of several years of a committee appointed by the Town.
The principal endeavor under the new law has been to provide regulations for building construction which will best promote the health, safety, convenience, and welfare of the in- habitants of Arlington, at the same time liberal enough in its provisions to permit as economical construction as possible to bring about the desired results.
The section relative to the construction of apartment houses has been in effect for a little over two years and appears to be working out satisfactorily. A number of attractive apart -. ment houses have already been built under its provision.
163
REPORT OF SELECTMEN
The provision, under the new law, for a Board of Appeals will prevent unnecessary hardships in specific building opera- tions not contemplated by the Code.
Through the result of investigations made at Washington during recent years, the requirements for plumbing have been greatly simplified, and the cost of installing plumbing in future one and two-family houses should be materially reduced.
The ever-increasing use of gas appliances called for con- siderable attention to be given to gas piping and safety devices for gas appliances, as careless workmanship or omission of necessary safety devices can cause serious damage and often- times loss of life.
While no building law can be expected to go unchanged over a period of time, and minor changes will, undoubtedly, be made from time to time to meet changed conditions, yet we feel our new Building Law covers fully all details of building construction, and is elastic enough to meet the requirements of our fast-growing community for a number of years.
OUTSIDE POOR
The Welfare Department expended $35,109.63 for the care and support of widows with dependent children and for other needy persons.
There was paid back to the Town $5,292.89, which had been expended for the benefit of persons having settlements in other cities and towns and for mothers' aid cases.
During the past nine years the population of this Town has grown from 18,646 to approximately 32,000 to date.
This rapid growth has brought to our Town a very large number of people who might well be called transients, for the reason that their stay in any community is of short duration- a year or two or possibly five.
This change in the character of the citizens from permanent home makers to the migratory type has increased the demands
164
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
made upon the public welfare department beyond the normal increase due to the ordinary growth of the Town.
The expenditures of this Town have grown from $21,871.33 in 1920 to $35,000 in 1928.
The Board is of the opinion that the prevailing conditions and the expenditures of so large a sum annually make it unwise to continue this Department as an adjunct of the Selectmen's office, and that the Welfare Department should now be estab- lished on an independent basis, with a trained agent whose entire time would be devoted to the thorough investigation and general supervision of all cases.
It is believed that the best interests of the Town will be conserved by this proposed change and that all worthy cases will receive proper and adequate assistance.
ROBBINS MEMORIAL HALL
This building, which was so generously given to the Town, should be maintained in the best of condition. Necessary repairs and painting have been taken care of during the year. The general condition of the building is satisfactory.
The rapid growth of our Town is having its effect on the office space in the hall, and frequently it becomes necessary to make some changes for various departments. It is the opinion of the Board that a separate office building is needed to house the different departments.
This year the Board is asking for an appropriation to increase toilet facilities which will in some measure accom- modate the number of people which use the hall. At the present time accommodations are entirely inadequate.
MENOTOMY HALL
At the Annual Meeting in March $4,500 was voted to repair this building and make the old Police Headquarters into a store. The larger portion of this sum was used for the latter purpose.
165
REPORT OF SELECTMEN
A first-class store has resulted from this change, which was rented to Walter Channing Company September 1st.
Since repairs and alterations were made a janitor has been employed to care for this building and see that the Town's property is not destroyed.
This fall, at the national election, Precincts Three and Five voted in this hall, the Board realizing that four precincts could not vote in Robbins Memorial Hall without being greatly crowded.
The hall is used by the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Junior High School Students for physical instruction, and organiza- tions, for which no rental is charged.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
The Police Department consists of a Chief, one Inspector with rank of Lieutenant, five Sergeants, twenty-nine Patrolmen and five Reserve Police Officers.
On May 7, 1928, Daniel P. Barry was appointed Sergeant. This appointment was made, due to his excellent record as Patrolman and his high standing in competitive examination.
On January 1, 1928, three former reserve officers com- menced their new duties as regular police officers in the Department.
No additional men have been added to the regular force but this will be necessary in the future as new developments are opened and streets entirely built.
At the Annual March Meeting $6,000 was appropriated for the installation of electric "Stop" and "Go" signals.
These signals have been installed at the junction of Summer and Mystic Streets, also at Park Avenue and Massachusetts Avenue.
The equipment has been purchased to be installed at the junction of Gray Street and Highland Avenue in the spring.
166
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
In June the Legislature passed an act placing the installa- tion and operation of these signals under the jurisdiction of the State Board of Public Works. Towns and cities desiring to use signals on public highways must petition to the State Board of Public Works for permission.
They will also designate these streets as Through Ways. "Stop, Through Street" signs must be placed on all streets entering through ways.
This Board has purchased such signs, which are now being placed.
Even with a strict enforcement of the auto laws we have had eight persons killed and about 200 injured during the year.
Many of these accidents were caused by the "right of way" law, whereby a person about to enter through-way traffic on the right has the right of way.
The new Police Headquarters has now been in use eighteen months. Police officials from every New England State have called to inspect it and it is classed by them as having the finest facilities and equipment of any Police Station in the State.
The needs of the Town so far as police headquarters build- ing is concerned have been taken care of for many years to come and it is a credit and an asset to the Town.
The police have been careful in the preparation of cases presented in court, having lost only 73 out of 2,216 cases by a finding of not guilty.
There has been no epidemic of crimes in Arlington during the year, as has been noted in surrounding cities. The Town has been kept clean so far as gaming and liquor is concerned and these crimes have been kept at a minimum. Twenty-two cases of violation of the liquor law were brought to the atten- tion of the court.
167
REPORT OF SELECTMEN
FIRE DEPARTMENT
This department consists of a Chief, Deputy Chief, five Captains, two Lieutenants, and thirty-one Privates.
On June 1st twelve call men were discharged, five per- manent men appointed, thus placing the Fire Department on an entirely permanent basis.
Our Creator in His Divine Wisdom saw fit to call J. Herbert Harwood from his earthly duties on January 6th. He was a man of sterling character, loved by all who knew him, and the department in his death lost a loyal and conscientious member.
On August 1st Captain William C. Mead, stationed at the Highland Station, was placed on pension. He has given the Town and this department thirty-three years of valued service.
Call man George A. Finley applied for pension, which was granted on July 1st, after having served the Town over twenty- five years.
The Board was informed of an injury to Daniel F. Hourty, and it was learned with a great deal of regret that the injury . was of permanent nature. Call man Hourty was granted a pension in November.
The Town is to be congratulated upon the efficiency of its Fire Department, the loss by fire to property owners during the year having been but $38,941.89. For the past five years fire loss has shown a substantial decrease. We refer you to table submitted by the Chief in his report.
We 'believe the efficiency of this department has been enhanced since the department has been manned by per- manent men.
The Board takes this opportunity to commend the Chief on his fine record.
NEW FIRE STATION
By a vote passed at a town meeting held in November, 1927, the Selectmen were appointed to investigate the con-
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
dition of the old Highland Fire Station and determine whether it would be advisable to repair or replace the building.
Examination showed that both floors were unsafe and that the hose tower was in a dangerous condition, consequently the whole interior would have to be removed. Two estimates of $40,000 to modernize the station were submitted. As a matter of economy a new station was recommended.
Plans submitted by Mr. George Ernest Robinson were accepted and the town meeting in March voted unanimously the sum of $60,000 for the building.
Ex-Chief Walter H. Peirce and Chief Daniel B. Tierney were added to the Selectmen to comprise the Building Com- mittee.
Bids were received for the removal of the old station and the contract was given to the Fellsway Wrecking Company. Three hundred seventy-five ($375) dollars were received for the old building and on July 16th the work of wrecking began.
Estimates for the construction of the new building were submitted by thirteen contractors. The contract was awarded to the Arlington Construction Company. They began opera- tions July 31st.
It is now practically completed and will soon be open for public inspection.
This Town has three Stations, all comparatively new and up to date in every respect, which we believe are unsurpassed by any town of its size.
INSPECTIONS
Annual inspections of dwellings and mercantile buildings are considered the modern method of fire prevention. Ex- perience has shown that house owners and occupants gladly co-operate with the Fire Department in these annual inspections.
This department has two pieces of apparatus which can- not continue to operate without considerable danger.
169
REPORT OF SELECTMEN
We refer to Combination A, which has been in service seventeen years, and Ladder II, which is thirteen years old.
We therefore recommend an appropriation of $12,500 for a pumping engine.
GENERAL MATTERS
Hearings have been held as required by law on various petitions for licenses for garages of more than two-car capacity: filling stations, sales and service stations and automobile repair shops; storage of gasoline in large containers; also sitting as a Board of Appeal under the provisions of the Zoning By-Laws the Board has passed on various petitions requesting minor modification of the Zoning By-Laws, in their application to particular buildings.
The Board has given careful consideration to the various matters coming before it, and has endeavored to render fair and impartial decisions consistent with the purpose and intent of all laws relating thereto.
A careful study of the annual reports of other town boards and officers filed with this Board shows the town to be in a very satisfactory condition.
HOLLIS M. GOTT, LUKE A. MANNING, ARTHUR P. WYMAN, Board of Selectmen.
REPORT OF LICENSING COMMISSION
January 14, 1929.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Arlington, Mass.
Gentlemen:
The Licensing Commission hereby respectfully submits its fifth annual report.
The Commission held its first meeting of the year on Friday, March 2, 1928, and organized with Daniel B. Tierney as Chairman and John A. Easton as Clerk. Regular meetings were held thereafter on the first and third Fridays of each month.
Twenty sessions were held, at which four hundred fifty-five (455) hearings were given on petitions filed for one and two car garages.
The Commission took favorable action on four hundred forty-eight (448) petitions, six (6) were withdrawn and one (1) was laid on the table.
Every parcel of property affected was previewed by the Building Inspector, and in cases where abutting property owners offered valid objections to the construction of a garage, the members of the Commission viewed the premises before handing down a decision.
In all cases the differences were settled to the mutual satisfaction of all parties at interest.
DANIEL B. TIERNEY, THOMAS O. D. URQUHART, WILLIAM GRATTO,
Licensing Commission.
JOHN A. EASTON, Clerk.
170
REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT-1928
-
January 1, 1929.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen, Arlington, Mass.
Gentlemen:
I have the honor to present my sixth annual report as Chief of the Arlington Fire Department for the year ending December 31, 1928.
The Department consists of forty permanent men, viz: Chief; Deputy Chief; five Captains; two Lieutenants; and thirty- one Privates, five of whom were appointed during the year, and a Department Surgeon.
June 1st the remaining twelve call-men were discharged and the department placed on a permanent basis. This change was necessary because of the enormous increase in the number of calls for fire protection, three quarters of which are received by telephone and are responded to by men on duty at the stations, without sounding an alarm. We regret exceedingly the passing of this splendid body of men, who were always ready, willing and anxious to render service when the alarm sounded. Effic ent though they were, they were not : vailable in the first few minutes which are most vital in checking a fire.
Captain Wil iam C. Mead, o“ Ladder 2, was retired on a pension August 1st. He was appointed permanently May 21, 1895.
George A. Finley, Call-man, Ladder 2, was retired on a pension July 1st. He had served 25 years.
Daniel F. Hourty, Call-man, Combination A, was retired on a pension November 1st. He was permanently injured by a fall from the apparatus on March 7th while returning from a fire.
171
172
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
January 6th the Fire Department was grieved and shocked to learn of the sudden passing of a valued member, John Herbert Harwood. He was a man of sterling character, upright, honest and faithful. He was highly esteemed by the Chief and Officers for his conscientious devotion to duty. His comrades in the service knew him as a true and loyal friend. He was 54 years old and had served in the Fire Department as Call-man and permanent for 25 years.
Two ladder trucks, two pumping engines and two com- binations (hose and chemical) are in active service and a 1913 pumper in reserve. A 1917 Knox Combination has been taken from the reserve service and is used as a service car.
The Department responded to 137 bell alarms, 236 still alarms (telephone calls) and 53 Mutual Aid Calls, a total of 426 alarms, 43 more than last year and the largest in the history of the Department.
Fourteen false alarms were sounded. Last year we had only one false alarm.
October 12th, Box 271 was sounded at 4.26 A.M. for an incendiary fire in Fowle's Mill, Summer and Mystic Streets. At 4.30 A.M. the General Alarm (9 blows) was sent in and apparatus from Somerville, Medford, Winchester, Lexington and Belmont responded. Four chiefs and Deputy Chief Cribby of Somerville responded with the apparatus. On the arrival of Chief Qualey of Medford he immediately sent for another engine to cover Headquarters in case of other alarms.
This building was always considered a fire 'menace and with a favorable wind could easily develop a conflagration, as the exposures were numerous. Fortunately the weather was calm at the time, and no other fire resulted, although showers of sparks fell in the Russell Street section and the Blanchard Lumber Yard. Lexington and Belmont covered these exposures. The building was unoccupied and uninsured, as the owner had already arranged to have it torn down.
173
REPORT OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
One-half of the building was totally destroyed. It was assessed for $8,000 and $4,000 loss is included in the total loss for the year.
This fire again demonstrated the value of our Mutual Aid System.
The total value of property endangered by fire and the losses sustained, together with the insurance paid, follows:
Insurance
Value
Insurance
Loss
Paid
Buildings $674,800.00
$734,400.00
$26,372.16
$21,972.16
Contents
106,800.00
92,700.00
12,569.73
12,369.73
Total
781,600.00
841,500.00
38,941.89
34,341.89
TOTAL VALUATION OF PROPERTY FOR FIVE YEARS.
1924
1925
1926
1927
$37,573,387.00
$42,287,387.00
$48,195,850.00
$52,999,150.00
1928 $56,472,150.00
LOSSES BY FIRE FOR FIVE YEARS
1924
1925
1926
1927
1928
$147,746.73
$94,832.40
$53,597.17
$52,582.92
$38,941.89
APPROPRIATION
Appropriation
$92,865.50
Expended .
91,301.62
Unexpended balance
1,563.88
CREDITS
Fees for 101 blasting permits
$101.00
Fees for 10 fireworks permits. .
5.00
Fees for 19 inflammable fluid permits
19.00
Sale of old junk .
63.35
188.35
Balance
$1,752.23
174
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
FIRE PREVENTION
There is no let-up in our efforts to prevent fire or its spread by constant, careful and systematic inspection of all places of business and public buildings.
The work is increasing each year. 628 places are now visited by firemen at least twice each month, and while the number of fires prevented is problematical, it is a fact that only 18 fires occurred in the places under regular inspection, entailing a loss of only $15,788.27, an average loss of $877.12 per fire. Two of these fires were incendiary and caused a loss of $4,250.
With such a record it is only fair to assume that "putting them out before they start" is real and successful.
The owners and occupants of the places have on every occasion corrected all hazards called to their attention, in fact in most places the work is now merely routine and there is seldom cause for complaint.
Fourteen thousand three hundred and ten inspections were made throughout the year.
This work enables a fireman to familiarize himself with the location of doors, stairways, firewalls, and the general layout of a building, valuable knowledge in case of entrance when filled with smoke.
ANNUAL INSPECTION OF DWELLINGS
The fifth annual inspection of all dwellings began October Ist and continued until the cellars of 5924 homes were thor- oughly inspected. This is voluntary service on the part of the firemen, who make the inspections on "off duty periods."
It is gratifying to note the wonderful improvement each year in the condition of the cellars and the interest shown by the householders in our efforts to eliminate as far as possible this dangerous type of fire.
175
REPORT OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
Following is some of the data compiled:
1927
1928
Single houses 3021 2733
2690
Double houses . 2763
91
.3-apartments
87
. 4-apartments . 36 34
1.
. 5-apartments 2
8.
6-apartments
8
0
7-apartments 1
1
8-apartments
1
1
10-apartments 2
1
13-apartments
1
0
16-apartments 2
1 1
5561
5924
236
Vacant apartments . 210
109 sing. 84 doub.
Under construction 119 sing. 20 doub.
1286
Combustible roofs 877 2686
Garages on lot with house 3061 180
Oil burners . 226
8597
Total number of families 9114
30089.5 (3.5 per fam.)
Total number of persons
(3.5 per fam.) 31899
In the section below Arlington Center from the B. & M. R.R. and the east side of Mystic Street may be found the following number of houses:
1927
1928
588
Single houses 650
1773
Double houses 1841
63
3-apartments 62
16
4-apartments 18
8 6-apartments
8
0
10-apartments
1
13-apartments . 1
1
0
16-apartments
1
1 24-apartments 1
2450
2583
24-apartments
176
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
4472
Families . 4701
15652 Persons (3.5 persons per family) 16453
Number of houses 1924-3918; 1925-4640; 1926-5170; 1927- 5559; 1928-5981.
Mercantile inspections, 14310; house inspections, 5981; total, 20291.
Fire drills were given in all schools and the results were most creditable.
One hundred and forty-eight extinguishers were recharged in schools and other public buildings.
Automatic fire plugs were installed on 612 gas meters, making 3694 gas meters equipped with this safety devise since the first installation, February 1, 1924. These safety valves prevent the escape of approximately 98% of gas when fire destroys the meter.
Four hundred permits were issued for the burning of rubbish, etc. These permits may be obtained at any of the fire stations.
DRILLS
The five men appointed this year passed satisfactorily the thirty days' course in the drill school. These drills were given on consecutive days, necessitating their presence on "days off."
Company drills were held frequently.
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