USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1930 > Part 19
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The damage to the ice houses, including 7000 tons of ice and machinery, was adjusted for $61,000 and $11,628.35 for the thirty-four exposures, a total loss of $72,628.35.
This fire demonstrated beyond question the value of our Mutual Aid System. It required thirty pieces of apparatus and one hundred and sixty-nine men to con- trol it, of which Arlington furnished six pieces and forty-three men. It also made clear the fact that no community can support a conflagration sized depart- ment.
CALLS TO LEXINGTON AND BILLERICA
Sunday, April 27th, Engine 2 helped Lexington, 2.05-7.25 P.M.
Sunday, April 27, Engine 1 helped Billerica, 2.30- 9.01 P.M.
Engine 6 of Somerville covered Headquarters.
CALL TO NASHUA, N. H.
Sunday, May 4th, the City of Nashua, N. H., called for help. The Chief and eight men with Engine 1 left at 7.20 P.M. arriving there at 8.15 P.M. and worked on the fire until 6.30 next morning. Engine 1 pumped con- tinually for seven hours, stretched 950 feet of hose and consumed 87 gallons of gasoline, furnished by the city. arrived home 8.08 A.M., 60.9 miles round trip. Engine 6
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
of Somerville covered Headquarters until Engine 1 re- turned.
FIRE PREVENTION
The story of fire prevention for this year can best be told in figures. Only three inside fire losses in the 758 places under the regular semi-monthly inspection.
An upholstery shop, damage to building and con- tents, $1299.77; a paint shop, damage $110 and a short circuit in a light fixture $8.79. Four on the outside of buildings, three awnings, total damage $291, and a $25 loss for bulkhead of school building caused by fire- cracker. An unavoidable explosion at the Gas Plant caused a loss of $1324. This record is a splendid trib- ute to the high type of men and women engaged in busi- ness in Arlington. 16,194 inspections were made in 758 miscellaneous occupancies.
The firemen donated their "off time" for the seventh annual inspection of dwellings which began September 29th.
Cellars of 6495 houses were thoroughly inspected and the householders are to be congratulated for their efforts in the elimination of all hazards commonly found in cellars. Of all fires in dwellings, only nine started in the cellar.
Outside of the ice house fire and exposures the loss for the year was only $26,938.82.
Following is some data compiled as result of the inspection :
1930
1929
6495.
Total number of houses 6247
3411. Single houses 3196
Two Apartment 2898 2930
154 Of more than two apartments ... 153
351
REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
HOUSES UNDER CONSTRUCTION
70 . Single houses 107
11 Two apartments 11
81 Total number 118
154.
Vacant apartments 168
588 . Combustible roofs 608
3857. Garages on lot with house. 3529
434. Oil burners
325
581. Mechanical refrigeration
9901. Total families 9619
NUMBER OF HOUSES EACH YEAR
1914-3918; 1925-4640; 1926-5170; 1927-5561; 1928-5924; 1929-6247.
Mercantile inspections, 16,194; house inspections, 6495; total, 22,689.
Fire drills were given in all public and private schools, and the results showed that the pupils had re- ceived thorough training by the teachers.
Four hundred and forty-seven extinguishers were recharged in schools and other public buildings, ga- rages, etc.
Automatic fire plugs were installed on 285 gas meters, a total of 4426 meters now protected in this manner.
Four hundred ten permits were issued for the burn- ing of rubbish, etc. These permits may be obtained at any of the stations.
Dr. Kingman responded to 71 alarms, gave 33 treat- ments at his office, 22 calls at their homes, 33 first aid treatments at fires, 6 examinations.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
The drill tower was in constant use for the training of our own men, and twenty-six firemen from surround- ing cities and towns received the thirty-day course of instruction.
Two exhibition drills were given and it is planned to have more of them next year to which the public will be invited.
RECOMMENDATIONS
I recommend that six men be appointed next year. December 1st two more men were detailed to Park Circle Station making a crew of eight on a two platoon instead of six men on day-off-in-three. In both cases the maximum strength is four, but during meal hours on the day-in-three, only three men were available for the nine hours allotted for meals.
On account of the location of this station, the men were always allowed 11/2 hours for meals and each meal in two sections, breakfast from 6.30-9.30 A.M., dinner from 10.45 A.M .- 1.45 P.M., supper from 4.45-7.45 P.M. In the operation of the two platoon system, the men do not leave the station until relieved by the other platoon.
The reason for this arrangement is because of the life hazard occasioned by the occupancy of several large buildings on the hill top. The Sanatorium and five other buildings connected with it are occupied by persons mentally afflicted and in many cases locked in their rooms, two convalescent homes, school for mentally de- ficient children and a boarding school. These buildings are old type frame construction and in case of fire this company would be concerned with saving life rather than property.
This change was made for the winter months when the hazards are greater and because men could not be detailed to the station during vacation period.
353
REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
Because of the elevation of this section and its re- moteness from the other stations and the unusual life hazard, I considered the change imperative.
There are at present forty-two men in the Depart- ment, eight at Park Circle (1 piece) twelve at the High- land (2 pieces) and twenty-two at Headquarters (4 pieces), one man at desk at all times.
Maximum and minimum strength of the day-in- three schedule and meal hours; Headquarters ; 22 men ; 7 off. each day except every third day when there are 8. On those days there are 14 men for 4 pieces of appa- ratus but during meal hours only 10 men are available. The Highland Station has 4 men to a piece except meal hours when there are three, not a sufficient number to man a ladder truck or pumper.
Semi-monthly inspections must be made and with vacations and sickness, it is difficult to give service.
I earnestly recommend that Hose 1 be replaced this coming year. It was purchased in 1913 at a cost of $6500 and was a triple combination (hose body, 40 gal- lon chemical tank and a pump of 600 gallons capacity). About three years ago, the pump was removed as use- less, the chemical tank has had many repairs and at the present is leaking to the extent that it does not warrant + an outlay of money to repair.
Six times this year it was disabled enroute to fires and had to be towed to the station. On such occasions we not only lose the use of the piece but the services of the men assigned to it.
I recommend that $136,155.75 be appropriated for the ensuing year, this sum to cover the appointment of six men and the purchase of a 750 gallon pumping unit to replace Hose 1.
354
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen for its un- failing support ; the Board of Public Works for the many corrections and additions to the water service, the Police Department for effectual assistance on traffic and at fires, the officers and men of the Fire Department who have never failed in their duty, and for their cordial cooperation on all occasions, I wish to extend sincere thanks.
DANIEL B. TIERNEY, Chief of Fire Department.
FIRE AND POLICE SIGNAL SYSTEM
January 1, 1931.
Honorable Board of Selectmen, Arlington, Massachusetts.
Gentlemen :
I have the honor to present my first report as Superintendent of the Fire and Police Signal System, covering the period from May 1, 1930.
The Assistant to the former Superintendent was retained at a salary of $2500, an increase of $100.
Four fire alarm boxes were installed at these loca- tions; Box 38 in front of the Robbins Memorial Town Hall, which is a Master Box with two auxiliary boxes (remote controls) located on both floors of the Town Hall, from either of which this box may be operated, and when sprinklers are installed, the opening of a sprinkler head will also operate the box; Box 321 in- stalled on Venner and Hillsdale Roads; Box 293 in- stalled on Falmouth Road and Crosby Street; Box 463 installed on Washington Street and Ronald Road. Box 38, formerly located on Academy Street, changed to Box 382. Box 382, formerly located on Parmenter School, changed to Box 383.
There were two open circuits on the fire alarm sys- tem, one at Lowell Street when a truck knocked over a pedestal, and the other in the elevator shaft at Symmes Hospital.
355
356
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
A set of 515 batteries was installed replacing those in use for five years (the life of a battery).
Telephone communication over the fire alarm wires was established with the Somerville Department on September 21st. Through Somerville we may also con- nect with the Boston Department. This method of talk- ing direct to other departments is invaluable during emergencies when it is difficult or impossible to connect with the local telephone exchange. Credit is due the late Reuben W. LeBaron who arranged for it when our new Headquarters was erected and as a result of his vision our share in the cost of the hook-up was only twelve dollars.
Fire alarm tappers were installed in the residences of Captain McEwen and Dr. Kingman, in the traffic tower and two in the Water Works Shops.
RECONSTRUCTED LINES
Replaced 300 feet six cond. lead underground from Walnut Street to the Highland Station. Replaced 2445 feet of two cond. fibrex on Lake Street by four conduc- tor. 1637 feet of open wiring on Jason Street by four cond. fibrex, also 780 feet on Bartlett Avenue and 1280 feet on Webster Street. Replaced 325 feet twisted pair on Mystic Street by two cond. fibrex. Replaced 3000 feet of No. 9 open wire on Forest Street.
POLICE SYSTEM
Two new police boxes were installed, Box 131, Orvis Road and Randolph Street; Box 211, Mount Pleasant Cemetery, near the Chapel.
The following boxes moved to new locations: Box 14 from Herbert Road and Milton Street to Thorndike Street, near Herbert Rd. Box 16 from Lake Street, op- posite Alfred Road, to Lake Street at the Belmont Line.
357
FIRE AND POLICE SIGNAL SYSTEM
Box 122 from Pleasant Street and Gould Road to Pleas- ant and Lake Streets; Box 123 from Gray Street, near Bartlett Avenue, to Gray Street and Churchill Avenue.
A recall light was installed on Mass. Ave., near Schouler Ct., and one on Mass. Ave. at Brattle Street.
Telephone service established between the Police Station and the Traffic Tower, and writing pads placed in all police boxes.
Emergency gong in the Tax Collector's office con- 0 nected with the Police Station.
Eighty-five lamps replaced in traffic signals. Appropriation for eight months. $8,132.00 By transfer from the reserve fund. 50.00
$8,182.00
Expended
8,180.13
Unexpended balance $ : 1.87
Appropriation from Jan. 1 to May 1 $2,290.04 Appropriation for 12 months $10,442.04
I recommend an appropriation of $9,981.00 for the coming year, this sum to cover the cost of an additional man from May 1st.
DANIEL B. TIERNEY, Supt. F. and P. Signal System.
REPORT OF THE LICENSING COMMISSION
January 26, 1931
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen Arlington, Massachusetts.
Gentlemen :
The Licensing Commission hereby respectfully sub- mits its seventh annual report.
They met on March 7, 1930 and organized with Chief Daniel B. Tierney as Chairman and John A. Easton, Clerk.
The regular meetings of the Commission were held on the first and third Fridays of each month.
Three hundred thirty-five (335) hearings were given and licenses were granted on all applications.
This Commission derived its powers from and was appointed by the late Fire Marshal George C. Neal.
A new Chapter 148 of the General Laws was inserted by Chapter 399 of the Acts of 1930, and the powers of delegation were taken from the Fire Marshal, therefore, this Commision is now dissolved.
DANIEL B. TIERNEY, WILLIAM GRATTO, Licensing Commission.
John A. Easton, Clerk.
358
REPORT OF THE GYPSY AND BROWN TAIL MOTH DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Dear Sirs :
I herewith submit my report as Superintendent of Moth Department for year ending Dec. 31, 1930.
The conditions of our town in regard to the infesta- tion of the Gypsy and Brown Tail Moths were never in as good condition as it is at the present time, since its appearance in this locality. It is a pleasure to be able to report that there has been no defoliation this year. There was a bad infestation on the willows on the east end of Spy Pond, but this insect was not the Gypsy Moth as many thought. It was the Satin Moth and the best method of control is spraying; using a stronger mixture of arsenate of lead than what would be required for the Gypsy Moth or Brown Tail. This has been attended to and I look for results this year.
Two hundred and thirty seven private estates have been sprayed and all Moth nests found on shade and private estate trees have been treated. For this work the town will be reimbursed over $1,100.
A great amount of work has been done in our wood- lands and vacant lots in the nature of removing the Bag and Web Worms in conjunction with our Moth work in treating nests as spraying would be too expensive.
359
360
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
The following is a financial report of expense and nature of work which has been done the past year.
NATURE OF WORK AND EXPENSES
Labor
Spraying :
Private Estates $411.35
Street Trees 220.90
Schools, Churches and Meadowbrook prop- erty
17.40
Reservoir Woods
24.50
Willows around Spy & Mystic Lake 123.53
Treating Nests :
Private Estates 476.45
Streets 374.53
Willows on Spy Pond, Mystic Lake and Succor Brook
110.23
Parks, Cemeteries, Schools and Church property
116.51
Woodlands and Vacant Lots
500.23
Hospital Woods 69.00
Crusher Lot 19.97
Removing Web and Bag Worm
50.30
Cut and Burn Brush
30.00
Store House
54.75
Saturday afternoons
268.35
Holidays
206.00
Vacations
120.00
Total
$3,194.00
361
REPORT OF MOTH DEPARTMENT
SUMMARY
Appropriation $5,240.00
Expenses
Auto Registration
$2.00
Telephone
55.43
Supplies and Repairs
75.66
Insecticides
93.68
Auto Maintenance 220.20
Rent of Stable.
90.00
Wages
3,194.00
Supt.'s Salary
1,450.00
$5,180.97
Balance
59.03
$5,240.00
Respectfully submitted,
DANIEL M. DALEY, Supt.
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE
Arlington, Mass., January 1, 1931.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen :
I have the honor of rendering you the annual re- port of the doings of the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1930.
The Police Department consists of a Chief, seven sergeants, twenty-nine patrolmen and eight reserve police officers, a stenographer, one janitress and matron and a mechanician.
Lost time for year: Leave of absence with pay, 60 days; leave of absence without pay, 14 days; officers sick, 274 days.
During the year 1942 complaints were brought to the attention of the courts. 1852 were males; 90 were females, 57 of which were juveniles or persons under 17 years of age. $6,578.00 was imposed as fines and costs. Total imprisonment imposed was 40 years, 6 months and 11 days, 1098 of which were residents and 844 were non-residents.
POLICE SIGNAL SYSTEM
During the year 126,354 duty calls were received and 3253 telephone calls from officers on street duty ; 167 wagon calls; 68 ambulance calls have been re- sponded to and the patrol and ambulance has run 2030
362
363
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE
miles. The police auto, purchased on November 8, 1930, has been driven 5313 miles.
A teletype system which is part of the equipment of the Department and which gives instantaneous com- munication with Boston and most of the police depart- ments of the Metropolitan District is still in use.
All police news of importance, such as stolen cars, robberies, burglaries and persons wanted, is broadcasted over this system by the several departments at the time of happening, and much good work has been accom- plished by the various police departments through its use.
Although this machine has not been of any mate- rial benefit to this immediate department, there might be a time that it will pay for itself in one night.
THE AUTOMOBILE AND THE POLICE
During the year, 8823 automobiles were reported to us as stolen in the Metropolitan District.
We had 30 reported to us as stolen in Arlington, all of which have been recovered. We also recovered 37 cars for other police departments.
574 permits to sell cars in Arlington were granted to private owners, and 2075 used cars were reported as taken in trade by Arlington dealers.
65 licenses to operate automobiles were revoked for violations of law, 118 licenses to operate were sus- pended, and 61 registrations were revoked.
AUTOMOBILE FATALITIES AND INJURIES
This year six persons have been killed in Arlington by motor vehicles, the same as last year.
364
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
February 9-Minnie Hyde, age 47, an occupant of an auto, killed at the junction of Summer Street and Mystic Street.
February 25-Charles H. Easte, age 76, a pedes- trian, was struck by an automobile near the junction of Massachusetts Avenue and Central Street.
March 27-Elias J. Warren, age 50, a pedestrian, was struck by an automobile at the junction of Broad- way and Franklin Street.
July 29-Richard Potter, age 41/2, an occupant of an auto, killed on a field off Paul Revere Road.
October 21-Thomas F. Coughlin, age 65, a pedes- trian, was struck by an automobile at the junction of Broadway and Winter Street.
December 16-George Friebranz, age 36, an occu- pant of an auto, killed at the junction of Parkway and River Street.
TRAFFIC LIGHTS
The signal lights in the Centre, do not have a walk- ing or pedestrian period included in the control, so that there is no time that the vehicular traffic on all streets is standing, and the pedestrians have difficulty in cross- ing the street at present.
The control should be changed and the cycle in- creased so as to include a period during which the red and yellow lights would be on together for a long enough time to allow persons to cross the street before the green light comes on, as it is in Boston.
The control at Medford Street is a two way control and should be changed to a three way, the same as at
365
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE
the railroad crossing, and work either automatically or manually, which would make it possible to hold all out-bound traffic coming from Broadway and Massa- chusetts Avenue, while the in-bound traffic was clearing itself and making left turns into Medford Street and Broadway, or hold up the in-bound traffic to allow the out-bound to move.
At present the out and in-bound traffic either goes or stops at the same time and creates a serious hazard and also slows up the movement of traffic. This control should be placed in the booth at the Crossing and be operated in conjunction with the other one and both by the same man, allowing one man to "rove" in the vicin- ity of Medford Street and keep things moving.
In order to decrease the congestion at this point, the system should be extended by an installation of lights at the junction of Massachusetts Avenue and Franklin Street, timed and working with the Medford Street lights which would cut the congestion about 50%.
These changes in the control provide for a pedes- trian period in all the lights in the Centre, including those at Franklin Street.
RIVER STREET LIGHTS
While the intersection at River Street and the Mys- tic Valley Parkway is a comparatively open one, it is a fact that there have been at least two fatal accidents there, as well as a great number of less serious ones in which there has been personal injuries and property damage, and the majority of these accidents happen after dusk.
Some type of protection should be installed at this point, and as it comes under the jurisdiction of the Met- ropolitan District Police, they decide which type of sig-
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
nals may be used, and the Traf-o-matic or the Electro- matic signals are the only ones acceptable to them.
For an intersection such as this one, where the heavy traffic is on the parkway and light on River Street, the Traf-o-matic lights seem to be best adapted to han- dle it with the least delay, for the reason that the light on the Parkway would be green all the time except when a vehicle wanted to come out of River Street, when it would pass over the "treadle" in River Street, which would throw the light red on Parkway until the car coming out of River Street had gotten out of the way, when the Parkway lights would go back to green again.
This type of installation has been in operation at Winthrop Street and Lawrence Road, Medford, for some time and has required but little attention according to the Medford Police, and the Somerville Police make the same report in regard to the lights at Broadway and the Parkway in Somerville, which have been in opera- tion for some time.
For the police budget for 1931 I recommend
For Salaries $100,147.00
For Traffic Account 5,800.00
For Auto Account 2,500.00
For Equipment of Men 2,285.00
For Maintenance of Building
3,878.00
For Other Expenses
3,100.00
For Painting Stalls, etc ..
250.00
For Wooden Platforms (Safety Zone) . 595.00
For River Street Traffic Lights.
2,900.00
$121,455.00
Arlington has nothing to fear from a comparison of the amount of crime with any other city or town of its size in the Commonwealth, which is, in a great meas-
367
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE
ure, due to the efforts of the members of your police department in addition to the support of your Honor- able Board, the Chief of the Fire Department, the Town Counsel, the Town Clerk, the Engineering Department, the Town Accountant and all others who have in any way assisted the Department.
Much of the credit for Arlington's excellent record belongs to my two predecessors-Ex-Chief Thomas O. D. Urquhart and Acting Chief Edwin C. Jacobs-for their able supervision of the Department.
With the continued co-operation of your Honorable Board, and with the support of the citizens of the Town, it shall be my purpose not only to maintain the high efficiency of the Department, but to institute policies from time to time that are in line with modern methods of dealing with criminals and that have been success- fully tried elsewhere.
I thank your Honorable Board for the confidence you have shown in me and I pledge my earnest efforts to promote the efficiency of the Department, and, in that way, the welfare of the Town.
Respectfully submitted,
ARCHIBALD F. BULLOCK, Chief of Police.
REPORT OF TOWN PHYSICIAN
January 27, 1931.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen :
I herein present the report of the Town Physician for the year 1930.
Number of Office calls 130
Number of Home calls 134
Number of Police calls 49
Number of Obstetrical calls. 3
316
Respectfully submitted,
H. R. WEBB, M.D. Town Physician.
368
REGISTRARS OF VOTERS
Arlington, Mass., December 31, 1930.
The Registrars of Voters herewith submit the fol- lowing table showing the number of registered voters in the seven precincts in December of 1929 and December of 1930:
December 31
1929
1930
Precinct 1
1,666
1,642
Precinct 2
2,370
2,477
Precinct 3
2,669
2,753
Precinct 4
1,205
1,207
Precinct 5
1,629
1,769
Precinct 6
2,711
2,862
Precinct 7
2,477
2,629
14,727
15,339
EBEN F. DEWING, Chairman, LEONARD COLLINS, JAMES J. GOLDEN, JR., E. CAROLINE PIERCE, Clerk,
Registrars of Voters.
369
REPORT OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Arlington, Mass., December 31, 1930.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen :- I herewith respectfully submit my annual report of the services of this department for the year ending December 31, 1930.
Ad- Not Con- justed Sealed Sealed demned
Scales
Platform over 5,000 lbs .. . 1
2
3
Platform 100 to 5,000 lbs. 28
33
3
Counter 100 lbs. or over ..
2
Counter under 100 lbs ... 12
44
1
1
Beam under 100 lbs ..
1
Spring 100 lbs. or over .. 4
34
Spring under 100 lbs ..... 57
120
4
Computing 100 to 5,000 lbs.
1
Computing under 100 lbs. 55
95
1
12
Prescription
11
1
Total 157
343
2
24
Weights
Avoirdupois
249
Apothecary
40
213
23
Metric
2
Troy
1
Total
40
462
26
370
371
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Volumetric Measures
Liquid
58
1
Total
58
1
Automatic Liquid Measuring Devices
Gasoline Pumps
25
72
5
Oil Pumps
2
43
Stops of Pumps
27 471
Oil Jars
180
Total
54 766
5
Linear Measures
Yard Sticks
27
1
Taxi Meters
13
8
Total
40
9
One thousand nine hundred eighty-seven (1987) weights and measures were inspected, sealed or con- demned at my office or at the several places of business and statutory fees amounting to the sum of $147.71 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 commodities. The result of reweighing these commodi- ties, put up for sale or sold, is as follows :
372
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Total
Number Incorrect Number Tested Correct Under Over
Bread
10
9
1
Butter
20
17
3
Coal (in transit) .
8
1
4
3
Candy
8
8
Dry Commodities ..
31
20
5
6
Fruits & Vegetables
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