USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1928 > Part 12
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FIRST AID
The Department has purchased an Inhalator for use in conjunction with the Prone Pressure Method of Resuscitation for persons overcome by smoke, gas, electric shock, or drowning.
On two occasions the firemen have restored victims of gas poisoning who were unconscious for a long period. One was overcome by carbon monoxide while running motor in closed garage, the other by illuminating gas. A third case, one of
177
REPORT OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
carbon monoxide, was hopeless from the start, although the firemen worked over the victim for two hours and five minutes.
An emergency call to the fire department at any hour of the day or night for aid in such cases will be speedily responded to by a crew of trained men anxious and willing to render public service.
DR. KINGMAN
Dr. Kingman responded to 110 alarms during the year and gave 61 treatments. He gave entrance examination to six new men, and was in constant touch with the First Aid Work.
NEW FIRE STATION
The new station which is to replace the old Highland Station will be completed early next year. It is of first class construction, up to date in every respect, and of sufficient size to meet the demands of that district indefinitely.
RECOMMENDATIONS
When the new station is in operation the two pieces of fire apparatus to be stationed there are Combination A, purchased in 1911 for $5500, and Ladder 2 purchased in 1915 at a cost of $6000.
Expert attention has been the important factor in the long record of service of both pieces at this busy station. While they are now in good condition, there is an element of uncer- tainty in their continued prompt response to alarm. Com- bination A responds to more calls than any other piece. In addition to the bell alarms it responds to all telephone calls in the district and to Mutual Aid Calls to Lexington.
I therefore recommend that it be replaced with a 750 gallon pumping engine. The department will then have two modern pieces at Headquarters, one at Park Circle and one at the Highland Station. This replacement will provide more adequately that unfailing service to life and property that the citizens of the town need and demand.
178
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
I recommend that uniforms be supplied to the firemen.
The overcoats now worn are the same style for the past half century, and entirely unsuited for present-day conditions. They were designed wholly for walking.
The reefer type coat adopted by many up-to-date de- partments is conceded by all heads of departments to more adequately meet the requirements both for utility and appear- ance. I have asked those who contemplate procuring new coats to buy the new style, as I will require all to make the change in three years.
The rubber goods are furnished by the men, who before leaving for a day off remove coat and boots from apparatus, as a result when a man off duty responds to a fire, if he renders service he often ruins his best clothes.
If they were furnished by the Department they would be available at all times, and an "off-duty man" would be prepared and willing when properly protected to render valuable aid when needed.
The neighboring towns have for years provided rubber goods.
I would not advise giving uniform allowance to the men, rather an expense account for replacement of uniforms and the outfitting of all men.
Once more I advise the installation of sprinklers in the Senior High School. I have requested the School Committee to ask for an appropriation to provide for this protection against fire and possible destruction, and explained the reason why it should be done without delay.
I again request that the Superintendent of Fire Alarm include in his budget the cost of installing quick time on the fire alarm for inside signals.
I recommend that the sum of $110,440 be appropriated for the ensuing year, this sum to cover the purchase of a 750 gallon pumping unit to replace Combination A.
179
REPORT OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
In conclusion I wish to thank the Honorable Board of Selectmen for its personal interest in all matters concerning the department, and for its unfailing support; the Board of Public Works for its cordial co-operation; the Police Department for the many ways in which it helped to make the work of the Fire Department effectual; the officers and men of the department for their splendid devotion and for the loyal support they have given me.
DANIEL B. TIERNEY, Chief of Department.
1
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE
Arlington, Mass., January 1, 1929.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.
Gentlemen:
I have the honor of rendering you my twenty-fourth annual report of the doings of the Police Department for year ending December 31, 1928.
The Police Department consists of a chief, one inspector with rank of lieutenant, five sergeants, twenty-nine patrolmen, and four reserve police officers, a mechanician, one stenographer, and one janitress.
During the year 2,217 complaints were brought to the attention of the courts: 2,105 were males; 110 were females; and 51 were juveniles or persons under 17 years of age; 1,090 were non-residents. $10,427 was imposed by the Court as fines and costs.
POLICE SIGNAL SYSTEM
The police signal system consists of thirty boxes, with six recall signals along Massachusetts Avenue. The recall system is very important, as it gives us the opportunity of throwing a red light at night at one or all the police boxes along Massa- chusetts Avenue to notify the patrolmen that something of importance has occurred and we desire to give them hurried information. This system should be extended to every police box in the town.
During the year we have received over the police signal system 109,289 duty calls and 4,011 telephone calls at the office from officers on their routes.
180
181
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE
There have been 177 wagon calls and 72 ambulance calls. The combination patrol and ambulance has run 1,042 miles.
In my last report I mentioned the Police Teletype System and that this Department would probably be asked to join with the other cities and towns in the Metropolitan District. The city of Boston and one Metropolitan Police Station have installed this system and it has given wonderful results. The New England Telephone Company are the distributing agents, but up to the present moment their price of rentals has been prohibitive and no city or town in the Metropolitan District outside of Boston has thought of installing it at the price quoted by the Telephone Company. This is something that has to do with public safety and it looks to me as though it was being taking advantage of.
At the time of writing this report we have just installed a low wave receiving. radio set. The Commission of Public Safety is installing a radio broadcasting station at the State House. Police reports are to be sent out hourly from the State House to the State Patrol and to all police departments as care to avail themselves of this opportunity to keep in touch with police matters.
THE AUTOMOBILE AND THE POLICE
During the year 4,773 automobiles were reported to us as stolen in the Metropolitan District.
We had 31 reported as stolen in Arlington and have re- covered 30. We also recovered 23 cars for other Police Depart- ments.
Five hundred and sixty-eight permits to sell cars in Arling- ton were granted to private owners, and 1,823 used cars were reported as taken in trade by Arlington dealers.
Ninety-eight licenses to operate automobiles were revoked for violations of law and 122 registrations were revoked; 80 licenses to operate were suspended.
182
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
AUTOMOBILE FATALITIES AND INJURIES
This year eight persons have been killed in Arlington by motor vehicles.
One hundred and three pedestrians were reported as injured as a result of being hit by autos.
One hundred and four persons were reported as injured as a result of autos in which they were riding colliding with other autos.
It might be of interest and satisfaction to our citizens to know why insurance rates on automobiles are cheaper this year to persons living in Arlington than in surrounding cities and towns of the Metropolitan District. It is because Arlington Owners of Automobiles have been involved in less accidents through- out the State than other communities.
All automobile accidents in which Arlington owners of automobiles have been involved, either in Arlington or Spring- field, is charged by the insurance companies to Arlington, and should a Springfield automobile owner have an accident in Arlington it is charged against Springfield, and so we learned conclusively that the reduction of rates of automobiles owned in Arlington meant only one thing, and that was our citizens have been more careful.
The utter indifference of the pedestrian to his own safety can be seen any day of the week on Massachusetts Avenue in his method of crossing and recrossing through heavy traffic. But in spite of all this, I would say to the automobile driver: "Give the pedestrian a chance even if he is careless-you will deeply regret any injury he may suffer at your hands. Do not place your own convenience and expediency ahead of the pedestrian's safety. It is not so important that the driver of a car gets to his dinner or office at a certain time as it is the citizen afoot, exercising his age-old birthright to get across the street in safety, arrives home alive instead of dead."
This department has done everything it consistently could to prevent accidents. We have caused hundreds of our traffic
183
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE
rules to be placed in autos; we have caused many circulars to be posted and many cards to be distributed to autoists pleading for their co-operation. Speed and inattention, together with the drunken driver (82 arrested this year in Arlington), are the three great factors in making our streets unsafe.
Any constructive criticism by our citizens is eagerly sought for and welcomed.
ELECTRICAL STOP AND GO SIGNALS
Owing to the passage of a bill by the Legislature giving control of the erection of all through-way traffic signs and signals to the State Board of Public Works in the interest of standardi- zation, there was a necessary delay until permission was granted by the State to the Town for the erection of electric stop and go signals and signs to conform with their requirements. Our permit was the second one granted by them, and these formali- ties were not concluded until November, and Massachusetts Avenue, Broadway, Pleasant, and Mystic Streets were by them designated as through ways.
Then came the question of signs to be placed at all streets running into these designated through ways, and it was found that no manufacturer had any sign that complied with the requirements of the State Board, and as a result our first delivery of proper signs was not made by the manufacturer until January, 1929, and at the moment of this writing everything consistent is being done to finish up the work as outlined.
After the erection of proper signs on all streets leading into either of these designated through ways, all vehicles must come to a full stop before entering traffic, and the right of way law, so called, becomes void. The penalty for not coming to a full stop is twenty dollars ($20) for each offense.
I firmly believe that under this law there will be fewer accidents, at least this has been in evidence in every State where the "Boulevard Stop," so called, has been in force.
184
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
COST OF MAINTENANCE FOR 1929
The budget for 1929 is somewhat larger than last year but is consistent with the rapid growth of the Town, and I have asked that there be appropriated for
Salaries the sum of .
$101,053.00
Automobile maintenance
2,000.00
Equipment of officers
2,190.00
Maintenance of building
1,480.00
Maintenance of office .
1,610.00
Maintenance of spotlight and electric stop and go signals . .
1,300.00
For new traffic signs and signals .
6,000.00
$115,633.00
There were 2,476 days lost time during the year on account of vacations, sickness, days off, and leave of absences.
In conclusion I extend to your Honorable Board my deep appreciation for the cooperation given me in arduous duties performed; and to the Honorable, the Justices of our Courts and their assistants, and to our District Attorney, Robert T. Bushnell, and his staff, my thanks are due for the advice and real help given.
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS O. D. URQUHART, Chief of Police.
INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS
December 31, 1928.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Arlington, Mass .:
I herewith submit my report of the inspection of buildings, plumbing, and gas for the year ending December 31, 1928.
Eight hundred and eight building permits have been issued, compiled as follows:
Dwellings, 1 family
334
$2,032,865
Dwellings, 2 family
92
822,700
Garages
259
131,755
Enlarge garage .
3
1,500
10-car garage and repair shop
2
23,000
14-car garage .
1
3,200
3-car garage
5
6,000
Alter building into garage
1
75
Garage and sun parlor .
1
1,500
Additions and alterations
28
26,325
Addition to brick and block plant.
1
2,500
Alter 1-family into 2-family
5
9,500
Addition to filling station
1
1,500
4 stores, 2 offices, 2 apartments above . . .
1
25,000
3 stores, 2 offices, 2 apartments above ...
1
26,000
Blocks of stores .
5
63,000
Alter 2 stores into one.
1
200
Alter store
1
2,000
Filling station .
2
4,800
Manufacturing building
1
1,000
Fire station .
1
55,000
Water shop
1
14,000
·
.
.
.
.
185
186
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Parish house .
1
$35,000
Addition to school,
1
125,000
Office and showroom
1
50,000
Elevator
1
1,000
Athletic shelter
1
2,500
Move 1-family to new foundation
1
7,500
Storehouse
1
1,200
Repair burned building
3
2,500
Sun parlor .
16
10,675
Sun parlor and alteration
1
1,000
Addition to storehouse
1
6,000
Piazza
11
1,875
Piazza roof
8
1,500
Dormer
5
2,025
Shelter
2
1,100
Storage shed
1
400
Shed .
2
600
Summer house
1
250
Fruit stand .
1
150
Henhouse
1
200
Tool house.
1
350
808
$3,504,245
1,034 Gas, 747 Plumbing Permits.
FEES COLLECTED FOR 1928
808 Building Permits @ $3.00 $2,424.00
747 Plumbing Permits @ 2.00
1,494.00
1,034 Gas Permits @ .50
517.00
2,589
$4,435.00
In total of all kinds, 163 more permits were issued this year with an increase of fees amounting to $231.50.
It is interesting to note that during the past year 89 more one-family houses were built with an increase in valuation of
187
INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS
$572,765 and the decrease of 77 two-family houses and a de- crease in valuation of $674,400. Whether this is altogether due to the two-family zoning districts being well built up is problem- atical. The builders seem to be able to sell one-family houses to home owners more readily this past year. Repair work, additions and alterations continue about the same from year to year. Store construction remained about the same level, showing that the influx of new residents is slowly cutting down the surplus construction in this line of a few years past. Munici- pal needs were a little more this year in the Fire Department, Water Department and School. The new Highland Fire Station is a credit to the Town architecturally and should take care of the Town in that section for some years to come. The Water Shop of the Public Works Department takes cares of a long-felt want. The addition to the Junior High School was quite necessary in the program of new schools.
It is gratifying to see, from Statistics from the State Board of Labor and Industries, that for the first eleven months of the year 1928 Arlington issued more permits for housekeeping dwellings than any town in the State, Watertown being next on the list with 125 less. In value, only Brookline exceeds us, and that by $1,874,535, which is due, probably, to apartments of considerable size. Boston, Medford, Newton, Quincy and Springfield seem to be the only cities in the State whose dwelling construction has exceeded ours.
During the past year there has been a marked decrease in cases of violations of the Zoning and Tenement House Laws, due possibly to a more complete system of checkup at the start of building operations.
With the establishment of the new Building Code and having copies available, with the Tenement House and Zoning Laws incorporated, necessitating the filing of plot plans and duplicate working plans, it would seem that we will be able to locate many things which might be future violations. This will make a considerable addition to the work of this office but it should be justified by the results.
188
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
The enforcement of the Plumbing Code has been the only section where it was necessary to resort to the Courts this year, one case being taken up by the State Board of Examiners and the party in question was put on indefinite probation.
Departmental co-operation has been marked, helpful and cordial at all times, and I wish at this time to express my thanks to the Honorable Board and those of the Town officials who are in contact with us.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM GRATTO, Inspector of Buildings.
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
Arlington, Mass., December 31, 1928.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen: I herewith respectfully submit my report as Inspector of Animals for the year ending December 31, 1928.
At the annual spring inspection I examined 26 cows, 5 goats, and 59 pigs. All animals examined were in a healthy condition. All stables and premises were found to be in good condition.
There were 16 cases of rabies in dogs during the past year.
Forty-seven 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.
189
REPORT OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Arlington, Mass., December 31, 1928.
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, 1928.
Ad-
Not Con- justed Sealed Sealed demned
Scales
Platform over 5,000 lbs.
4
. .
. .
Platform 100 to 5,000 lbs.
45
1
4
Counter 100 lbs. or over
3
. .
. .
Counter under 100 lbs.
79
2
3
Beam under 100 lbs.
2
. .
·
.
Spring 100 lbs. or over
28
. .
1
Spring under 100 lbs.
122
2
19
Computing under 100 lbs.
1
115
4
18
Personal Weighing
9
. .
1
Prescription
14
. .
.
Total
1 421
9
46
Weights:
Avoirdupois
366
5
Apothecary
161
36
Metric .
55
2
Troy
·
. .
.
. .
Total
582
. . 43
190
·
·
. ·
. .
·
·
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
.
.
. .
191
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Capacity Measures:
Liquid . .
118
. .
1
Vehicle Tanks (compartments) ..
2
. .
. .
Total .
120
·
Automatic Liquid-Measuring
Devices:
Gasoline Pumps .
8
105
. .
5
Kerosene Pumps
·
. .
·
Oil Pumps
7
133
3
1
Quantity Measures on Pumps
879
. .
. .
Total .
15 1118
3
6
Linear Measures:
Yard Sticks
25
·
·
Total .
25
·
·
Taximeters
29
. .
8
Total
29
8
. .
.
·
Two thousand four hundred and twenty-seven weights and measures were inspected, sealed or condemned, at this office or at the several places of business, and statutory fees amounting to the sum of $232.06 were received and paid to the Tax Collector.
During the year at various times I made inspections and reweighings of scales, weights, measures, and food com- modities. The result of reweighing these commodities put up for sale or sold is as follows:
1
.
1
192
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Total Number Incorrect Under
Number Tested Correct
Bread
31
19
. .
Over 12
Butter
4
2
1
1
Coal .
14
2
5
7
Dry Commodities .
107
15
86
6
Fruit and Vegetables
75
20
53
2
Ice
15
. .
14
1
Total .
246
58
159
29
Through my activities in the inspection of Hawkers and Peddlers and Transient Vendors, the Town Treasurer has received $425.00 from the Director of Standards for licenses issued to Hawkers and Peddlers in the Town of Arlington.
As the result of inspections made I found it necessary to prosecute eleven cases. Of the eleven cases all were found guilty and fines amounting to $345.00 were imposed by the Court. Two additional cases, while working in conjunction with the State Inspector, were brought to the attention of the Court, and judgment of guilty and $60.00 fines imposed.
In two cases of short-weight ice being delivered, restitu- tion was made to the purchasers to the amount of 150 pounds. On one of the short-weight coal cases restitution was made to the purchaser to the amount of 100 pounds.
In addition to regular duties, reweighings were made of coal for the Town of Arlington amounting to 69,765 pounds.
Respectfully submitted, ALLAN E. COWIE,
Sealer of Weights and Measures.
REPORT OF TOWN PHYSICIAN
February 8, 1929.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen: I herein present the report of the Town Physician for the year 1928:
Number of Office Visits 132
Number of Home Visits 190
Number of Police Calls
30
Number of Operations .
5
Number of Obstetrical Calls
2
359
Respectfully submitted,
DR. H. R. WEBB, Town Physician.
193
STATEMENT OF COLLECTOR OF TAXES FOR THE YEAR 1928
Balance Amount Uncollected Collected Dec. 31, 1928
Taxes :
1926-Personal
$40.39
1926-Polls .
2.00
1927-Polls
206.00
$4.00
1927-Personal and Real Estate
360,609.93
183.41
1928-Polls
19,562.00
276.00
1928-Personal and Real Estate
1,349,473.65
389,700.25
Special Assessments:
Moth
957.63
188.45
Apportioned Sewer
1,191.74
504.82
Unapportioned Sewer
14,009.51
7,903.41
Apportioned Sidewalk
267.40
110.15
Unapportioned Sidewalk.
6,799.46
2,227.30
Apportioned Betterment
12,252.41
3,709.61
Unapportioned Betterment.
27,179.74
5,422.20
Apportioned Assessments, not Due:
Sewer
231.44
5,990.52
Betterment
4,654.79
90,608.51
Sidewalk
1,774.57
Committed Interest:
Sewer, Sidewalk and Betterment
5,038.28
1,653.08
Water rates .
108,222.87
2,442.53
Water rate lien
239.57
193.96
Departmental
119,454.47
15,051.69
Interest
11,483.50
Costs .
2,476.14
Tax Titles held by Town-Re-
deemed
680.90
$2,045,033.82
$527,944.46
EDWARD A. BAILEY, Collector of Taxes.
194
REPORT OF THE GYPSY AND BROWN-TAIL MOTH DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Sirs: I hereby tender my annual report as Superintendent of Moth Department for year ending December 31, 1928.
The gypsy moth infestation in this Town is better than it has been for a number of years. There is still a scattering. infestation throughout the Town, but nothing serious. The past year was a very hard one on spraying on account of the late spring and so much rainy weather. I sprayed all private calls, which will net the Town approximately $1,000.
The elm leaf beetle and the brown-tail moth are practically extinct. Only one tree did I notice the elm leaf beetle and , we only cut off about twenty-five brown tails.
The satin moth, which has been mistaken for the gypsy moth, is very much in evidence, especially on the willows and poplars.
We had a bad infestation of the tent caterpillar and fall web worm, but I look for better results this year, as all brush and worthless cherries were cut out along our road- sides. This, in my opinion, is the best method, as it not only destroys these pests' favorite food, but it is of a great advantage to travel upon our highways.
The infestation of the cottony and woolly scale was very severe, and if we wish to save our soft maples and check its spread we shall be obliged to spray in the early spring with oil. I have asked for a small increase, that this work may be carried on, also to purchase spray hose. The rent of stable I have divided between the Moth Department and Tree Warden.
The following is a statement of expenditures and locations:
195
196
Treat Nests
Spraying
Storehouse
Cut and Burn Brush
Tent Caterpillar Web Worm
Vacations
Lost Time
Expenditures
Cemeteries .
$67.01
$42.63
Telephone. $44.79
Meadowbrook and Reservoir
78.05
6.90
Insecticides .
131.81
Library, Schools and Churches
14.08
2.81
Equipment, repairs and supplies . .
39.69
Succor Brook
46.75
Rent.
180.00
Crusher Lot .
25.00
Hospital . ..
49.75
17.00
Printing .
37.50
48.62
1.80
.
2.38
$692.59
Spy Pond Island .
1.25
Vacant Lots .
27.32
$120.98
Private .
408.85
302.31 227.48
$292.00
Storehouse Labor
$70.50
Vacations .
$240.00
Saturday Afternoons .
$387.55
Holidays .
Total Labor .
$946.79
$600.93
$70.50
$292.00
$120.98
$240.00
$581.80
$2,853.00 Grand Total
Expenditures
692.59
Received from Board of Health: Mosquito Spray . Expended .
$112.00
Salary Superintendent . Balance
1,450.00
112.00
4.41
$5,000.00
.
.
Streets.
173.48
194.25
Gravel pits
4.25
Auto Maintenance. .. .
250.80
Trucking.
8.00
Willows on Spy Pond and Mystic Lake Spy Pond Field
.
DANIEL M. DALEY, Superintendent.
REPORT ON MAINTENANCE OF TOWN HOUSE GROUNDS
The past year was an ideal one for the benefit of the lawn, but it made it necessary to cut the grass more than in any previous year. Very little watering was done on account of so much rain. All plant life grew rapidly and required more attention both in cutting grass and trimming hedges and bushes. The parking of autos in the rear driveway has come to be a problem. There are now so many parked there that at times in order to leave they are obliged to drive over the lawn. The basin was recoated with cement and there was no leakage this year. During the winter the children use the hill for a coast and very little damage has been done so far. I have placed the old Christmas trees along the hedge and this prevents them from coasting into the bushes. The follow- ing is a report of the work done during the year:
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