USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1931 > Part 17
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$180.69
$61,527.79
Investment Transactions in 1931
Total investments, January 1, 1931
$54,157.45
Investments increased :
Bought $5,000, U. S. Treas- 41/2% Bonds . . $5,000.00
due 1952 @ 103.13
Deposited in Arlington Five
Cents Savings Bank .
1,231.43
Deposited in Menotomy
Trust Co.
1,138.91
$7,370.34
$61,527.79
298
299
MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS INSURANCE FUND
Investments
U.S. Treasury 414% Bonds, 1952. $5,000.00
Arlington Five Cents Savings Bank 32,352.83 Menotomy Trust Co., Savings Dept. 24,174.96
$61,527.79
FRANK H. WALKER, ROSCOE R. PERRY, Commissioners.
CHARLES A. HARDY, Treasurer. CLARENCE NEEDHAM, Accountant
ROBBINS CEMETERY FUND 1931
Permanent Fund
5,000.00
Income Account
Balance from 1930. .
$424.31
Interest on:
Water Loan, 1925 120.00
Arlington Five Cents
Savings Bank De-
posits .
111.65
$655.96
Expenditures
Paid Town for Disbursement
.
$230.00
Balance Income Account, Dec .- 31, 1931 . $425.96
Total Fund and Accumulated
Income
$5,425.96
Investments Arlington Five Cents Savings Bank, Book No. 6758. $2,425.96
Two Water Loan 1925 Notes, due ยท Dec. 31, 1939-40. 3,000.00
$5,425.96
J. EDWIN KIMBALL, M. ERNEST MOORE, HAROLD L. FROST, Cemetery Commissioners.
CHARLES A. HARDY, Treasurer. CLARENCE NEEDHAM, Accountant.
300
SAMUEL C. BUCKNAM CEMETERY FUND 1931
Permanent Fund .
$2,000.00
Income Account
Balance from 1930. . . .. $26.04
Interest on Arlington Five
Cents Savings Bank. . . .
92.19
$118.23
Expenditures
Paid Town for Disbursements. . . .
$92.00
Balance Income Account, Dec. 31, 1931 . $26.23
$2,026.23
Investments Arlington Five Cents Savings Bank, Book No. 12248 $2,026.23
J. EDWIN KIMBALL, M. ERNEST MOORE, HAROLD L. FROST, Cemetery Commissioners.
CHARLES A. HARDY, Treasurer. CLARENCE NEEDHAM, Accountant.
301
PERPETUAL CARE FUND 1931
Amount of Fund, Dec. 31, 1930 .. . $86,747.00 Paid Town a/c Single Grave No. 659 5.00
Permanent Fund, Jan. 1, 1931 .. .. $86,742.00
Received for Perpetual Care of
Lots. 3,855.00
Permanent Fund, Dec. 31, 1931 .
$90,597.00
Income Account
Balance of Income from 1930. $9.086.38
Interest on:
Schouler Ct.Purchase
$100.00
Jr. High East Bonds.
80.00
Lake St. Loan . .
360.00
Fourth Lib. Bonds. .
212.50
First Liberty Bonds .
212.50
Arlington Sav. Bank Deposit .
1,682.06
Menotomy Trust Co.
Int. Dep. . 475.17
Menotomy Trust Co.,
Savings Dept. .
1,363.39
4,485.62
$13,572.00
$104,169.00
Expenditures Paid Town for Disbursements. $2,288.50
Permanent Fund and Income, Dec. 31, 1931. $101,880.50
302
303
PERPETUAL CARE FUND
Investment Transactions in 1931
Total Investments Jan. 1, 1931. $95,833.38
Deposited in Arlington Savings Bank . $674.81
Deposited in Menotomy Trust Co.,
Savings Department .
8,372.31
$9,047.12
Securities Matured in 1931: Note 83, Schouler Ct. $1,000.00
Note 650, Jr. High East . 1,000.00
Note 326, Lake St.
Loan . 1,000.00 3,000.00
6,047.12
$101,880.50
Investments Two Schouler Ct. Notes, due Jan. 1, 1932-33. $2,000.00
Eight Lake St. Loan Notes, due October 1, 1932-39 8,000.00
One Junior High East Note, due July 1, 1932 . 1,000.00
Five Liberty Bonds, Fourth Issue
5,000.00
Five Liberty Bonds, First Issue. . 5,000.00
Arlington Savings Bank, Book No. 8982 37,277.75
Menotomy Trust Co., Sav. Dept.
43,602.75
$101,880.50
J. EDWIN KIMBALL, M. ERNEST MOORE, HAROLD L. FROST, Cemetery Commissioners.
CHARLES A. HARDY, Treasurer. CLARENCE NEEDHAM, Accountant.
SOLDIERS' MONUMENT FUND 1931
Permanent Fund
$2,000.00
Income Account
Balance from 1930.
$853.89
Interest on Arlington Sav.
Bank Deposit .
129.85
$983.74
Expenditures
Paid Town for Disbursement.
$129.00
Balance Income Acct. Dec. 31, 1931 $854.74
Total Fund and Accumulated Income.
$2,854.74
Investments Arlington Five Cents Savings Bank, Book No. 6977 . $2,854.74
J. EDWIN KIMBALL, M. ERNEST MOORE, HAROLD L. FROST, Cemetery Commissioners.
CHARLES A. HARDY, Treasurer. CLARENCE NEEDHAM, Accountant.
304
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
At the Annual Town Election held March 2, 1931, Mr. Arthur P. Wyman was re-elected a member of the Board for a term of three years. The Board organized with Mr. Hollis M. Gott, Chairman, and Mr. John A. Easton, Clerk.
The Selectmen sit on Monday evenings of each week to take up the various matters which are presented for their consideration, some of which are as follows, viz: weekly reports of and interviews with heads of depart- ments; hearings on petitions for licenses for private garages; automobile repair shops and salesrooms; minor variations of the Zoning By-law; appointments with individuals, committees, representatives of organizations; consideration of complaints by letter or in person; granting and issuing licenses to auto dealers, common victuallers, junk dealers, theatres, dances, bowling alleys, auctioneers, intelligence offices, taxi-cabs, etc.
The Board has had the responsibility of constructing an addition to the High School which has entailed a tre- mendous amount of time and thought in addition to its regular duties.
One unit, known as Scheme A, has been completed, turned over to the School Department, and is now in use. Scheme B, so called, is in process of construction.
The report of the Inspector of Buildings shows a marked falling off in the volume of building construction this year as compared with former years. The decrease this year amounted to approximately four hundred thousand ($400,000) dollars.
305
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
ROBBINS MEMORIAL TOWN HALL
The Misses Ida F. and Caira Robbins, after an absence of ten years, returned from abroad this summer for a short visit.
The Selectmen took this opportunity to escort them on a tour of inspection through the Town Hall Building and around the grounds. They expressed with deep feeling their pleasure and delight in finding the building in such an excellent state of repair and the grounds so attractively landscaped.
The care bestowed in the maintenance of this prop- erty was an evidence to them that the officials and citizens of the Town appreciated this magnificent gift from the Robbins family to the Town of Arlington.
MENOTOMY HALL
This building is in constant use by the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, High School Girls' basketball classes, Spanish War Veterans and Auxiliary, American Legion, and com- mercial division of the Chamber of Commerce. The Arlington Welfare Council has been furnished with an office on the second floor. The two stores on the lower floor have been rented to S. K. Ames, Inc., and Rush and Hamlin at a satisfactory rental.
PUBLIC WELFARE DEPARTMENT
This year the general business depression has brought to this department many new problems and a large in- crease in the demands upon it to relieve the needs and suffering of those long out of employment. The following is the report of the agent:
307
REPORT OF SELECTMEN
The Honorable Board of Selectmen, Town Hall, Arlington, Mass.
Dear Sirs:
The tide of relief is still mounting and threatening to engulf more and more of the great middle class, the backbone of our whole economic and social system. People are now being forced to apply for relief who ten years ago would have been horrified at the idea of losing their independence.
Unemployment weakens the body, destroys hope, kills the spirit, wrecks the home; and yet on the other hand the dole system often undermines the morale of a family, and has as devastating an effect in many instances as general financial debility.
It has been necessary to employ very different case work methods from those in vogue ten years ago, in order to meet the various requirements of intelligent clients, who are fully capable of managing their household affairs, but who have had little margin above bare subsistence; and have been drawn into the great maelstrom of un- employment.
In order to keep individual initiative alive and yet avoid the bad business of malnutrition, we are faced by two entirely different evils. The highest form of charity is to free unfortunate people from the unnecessary inflic- tion of relief wherever possible. However, at present there seems to be no doorway of escape. The people are forced to apply for assistance, and for this very seriuos situation there is no real remedy.
The various Town organizations have been in close and efficient co-operation with our department, and the Unemployment Committee has furnished invaluable
308
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
assistance as far as part-time work for able-bodied men is concerned. However, there are types that through physical handicap or age limitation cannot be fitted into the category of street labor, or even the lighter form of Town work. The families of these men must necessarily resort to Town aid.
We have searched for and endeavored to bring into force all the dormant driving power in a family, and as far as possible direct it into channels that will stimulate forces of self respect and bring material results. But where there is no work and no resource, and temporary relief is needed, we have been obliged in most cases to confine the allow- ance to an adequate grocery order, generous enough to insure proper nourishment for the children, and fuel. Obligations of rent have been assumed only where the necessity is so urgent that a crisis is imminent.
The Old Age Assistance legislation has come at a very unfortunate period in the life of a Town of the type of Arlington, where the aged, needy members of the com- munity have been well cared for without ruining or dis- torting the service. Many applicants labor under the delusion that this new law was enacted to provide them with luxuries or some hitherto impossible material advantage. The reaction in cases where there is no real economic necessity is to confuse the elderly claimant and to create the impression that he has been defrauded of his inalienable rights. There are definite rules governing the disbursement, and as in all other forms of relief, departure from principle in most cases is disastrous. However, there are cases where all the State requirements have been met, that are being aided, where the need has been urgent, and the benefit has come at a period when the whole family structure has been about to collapse. A weekly assured income has cemented family relationships, and has given a sense of security to the aged recipient, which has been invaluable as a remedial agent. Twenty-eight cases have been aided from July 1st to December 31st.
309
REPORT OF SELECTMEN
A part time visitor, Miss Marion Danforth, who assists with the investigations and other duties of the department, has been added to the personelle of the de- partment. It has been necessary to increase the number of hours required to the clerical assistant from two after- noons to six half days.
The summer has been a time of increasing demands, whereas formerly there has been a very marked decrease in the number of applicants for aid.
Three Mothers' Aid cases have been added, making a total of 11 Mothers' Aid cases.
108 cases are being aided with Arlington settlement.
38 cases are being aided with State settlement, and
39 cases are being aided with out-of-town settlements.
Expenditure for Mothers' Aid and Poor Relief for 1931 $55,187.82
Reimbursement for aid rendered 15,017.08
Net cost of Relief $40,170.74
The increased amount of reimbursement for the years 1930 and 1931 indicates the substantial benefit obtained by careful follow-up work on settlements and budgets.
Respectfully submitted,
Board of Public Welfare, (Signed) MARION L. SMITH, Agent.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
On January 5, 1931, Sergeant Archibald F. Bullock was appointed Chief of the Department, and assumed his new duties at once. Chief Bullock is a young man thirty- seven (37) years old with a background of fifteen years of police work.
310
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
During the past year he has reorganized the depart- ment, raised the morale of the men, won their confidence and esteem. .
He is forward looking and progressive as shown by the introduction of a radio broadcasting system with scout or touring cars equipped with receiving sets covering the Town.
The law has been enforced, criminals apprehended and punished.
The extent of the department's activities will be found in the annual report of the Chief.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
The work of this department under the wise adminis- tration of Chief Tierney is so well known by the citizens as to require little comment.
Its efficiency has been maintained at its usual high standard as a result of which fire losses have been small.
Full details will be found in the annual report of the Chief.
GENERAL MATTERS
The committee appointed in November, 1930, by the Selectmen for the purpose of aiding the unemployed con- tinued their work until the 22nd of May, at which time the committee dissolved, having completed its duties.
Administrative expenses of committee $1,029.89
Number of persons registered 940
Number of jobs obtained . 1,760
Number of persons placed in employment. 1,699
Wages reported by workers . $12,156.56
The unemployment situation became again acute in the fall and the Selectmen appointed a new committee to take up the matter of finding relief for those out of employment.
311
REPORT OF SELECTMEN
A Special Town Meeting was called in November and appropriations were made to provide funds for use of com- mittee to take care of administrative expenses. An office was provided in the Old Town Hall for the committee's use.
Appropriations were made to carry forward several projects which furnished employment for approximately two hundred and fifty (250) workers on part time covering a period of several weeks.
Owing to the number of cases of rabies reported in the Metropolitan Area and upon the request of the Common- wealth of Massachusetts, Division of Animal Industry, the Board passed an order July 6, 1931, restraining dogs from running at large for a period of ninety (90) days.
ROBBINS HOMESTEAD
The Misses Ida F. and Caira Robbins presented to the Town the stately Robbins Mansion with its spacious grounds as a gift in memory of their grandfather and grandmother, the late Nathan Robbins and Eliza Parker Robbins, to be used for such purposes as the Selectmen deemed to be desirable.
This generous gift was accepted by the Town by vote of the Town Meeting Members at the Special Town Meeting held November 4, 1931.
LEGISLATION
The members of the Board have attended hearings at the State House upon matters affecting the interests of the Town, and have advised the Senator and Repre- sentatives relative to action upon legislation in the interest of the Town.
The members of the Board express their appreciation of the co-operation given by individuals, committees, organizations and departments in assisting them in the performance of their duties.
HOLLIS M. GOTT, WILLIAM O. HAUSER, ARTHUR P. WYMAN, Selectmen of the Town of Arlington.
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen, Arlington, Massachusetts.
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report as Inspector of Animals for the year ending December 31, 1931.
The inspection of premises where cattle, sheep and swine were kept was made between December 26, 1930, and January 28, 1931, and four (4) places were re-in- spected by me in September by order of the Director of the Division of Animal Industry.
Number of premises inspected . 14
Number of cattle inspected . 28
Number of sheep and goats inspected . 6
Number of premises inspected after disinfection. 1
The number of owners of cattle are few and the state condemned only one cow this year in the Town for tuber- culosis.
The greater part of the work of the Inspector of Animals consists in quarantining and examining dogs for biting people, and the following table shows that there was an increase in the number of bite cases and also in the number of cases of rabies.
Number of dogs quarantined for biting people ..... 102 Number of dogs quarantined for contact with rabies
cases . 5
Number of cats quarantined for contact with rabies cases . 2
Number of dogs and cats heads sent to Laboratory. 8
Number of dogs and cats heads reported positive . 5
Number of dogs and cats heads reported negative . 3 Number of rabies cases reported from outside 4
312
313
REPORT OF ANIMAL INSPECTOR
Total number of rabies cases 10
Number of persons bitten by rabid animals 2
Number of calls made on dogs and cats. 226
Total number of calls made as Inspector 240
Comparison 1930 1931
Rabies cases, 4
10
$7 dogs 13 cats
Dogs and cats
quarantined, 87
104
Number of calls, 214
240
The gradual increase each year in the number of dog bite cases shows that there is a chance for improvement in the way in which the average owner restrains his dog, if he wishes to avoid chances of injury to his neighbor or the passing stranger.
The owner of a dog which is known to be easily ex- cited and liable to bite children and strangers who may tease or provoke him, should be more careful that such dogs are kept within the limits of their own premises.
I wish to express my sincere thanks to the Police Department and the Board of Health for their courtesy and help during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
CHESTER L. BLAKELY, M.D.V. Inspector of Animals.
REPORT OF BOARD OF APPEAL
January 1, 1932
To the Board of Selectmen.
Gentlemen :
The Board of Appeal respectfully submits its third annual report.
During the year ending December 31, 1931, three appeals from the decision of the Inspector of Buildings were made to the Board, and four decisions were rendered.
Of the three appeals made during the year, the Board upheld the decision of the Inspector of Buildings in two cases, and reversed his decision in one case. The fourth decision made by the Board was on an appeal pending at the date of last report. In this case the Board upheld the decision of the Inspector of Buildings.
Respectfully submitted,
FREDERICK F. LOW, ALTON F. TUPPER, THOMAS J. DONNELLY, Board of Appeal.
314
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS
January 18, 1932.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen, Arlington, Massachusetts:
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my report of the inspection of buildings, plumbing and gas for the year ending December 31, 1931.
Five hundred and eighteen building permits have been issued, amounting in value to $1,781,485. Of the foregoing, 194 permits were for one-family dwellings and 20 for two-family dwellings.
557 plumbing and 825 gas permits were issued for the year.
Fees collected for 1932
518 Building permits. $1,767.00
577 Plumbing permits 1,280.75
825 Gas permits . 412.50
1920 $3,460.25
The proportion of activity in the one and two- family houses continues about the same with a slight decrease in the number of permits, and, despite this fact, Arlington is still the second Town in the state in amount of residential construction.
The strict rules of the State Fire Marshal relating to construction of garages as part of the house did not deter many builders from this type of garage. Concrete slabs in garages, when part of the house, has caused much discussion amongst the builders who have operated in other Towns where this rule was not enforced, and it has caused no little trouble in inspection work. This rule
315
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
is now changed to conform to that of the past, that is- wire lath and cement plaster.
It is interesting to note that more additions and alterations to stores have taken place than heretofore. Some have been quite pretentious, while others have been just the new store fronts and entrances. The new Kresge store addition and alteration is one of the more pretentious and will result in a very modern store, with its new lighting effects and interior decoration.
Permits for two blocks of stores were issued during the year, which is a gain of one over last year.
Construction was started on the Brackett School, which is now near completion, also the addition to High School Addition was started.
A grand stand was erected on the Warren A. Peirce playground, seating capacity of which and usefulness has proven of great value in the sports life of our Town.
Though the need for a testing laboratory is still present we are grateful for continued use of outside facili- ties, as was mentioned in last year's report, and can forego consideration of a Town-owned laboratory until condi- tions are more favorable.
Three appeals have been made during the year, all of which sustained the Code. A decision held over from the year previous also was sustained.
To the Board of Selectmen and Town officials with whom we are in contact I wish to extend my thanks for their consideration and cooperation during the per- formance of my duties this past year.
Respectfully submitted, WILLIAM GRATTO, Inspector of Buildings.
REPORT OF FIRE DEPARTMENT-1931
January 1, 1932.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen, Arlington, Massachusetts.
Gentlemen:
I have the honor to present my ninth annual report as Chief of the Arlington Fire Department for the year ending December 31, 1931.
The manual force consists of forty-eight men, in- cluding Chief, Deputy Chief, six Captains, six Lieutenants, and thirty-four privates, also a Department Surgeon. Four men were appointed this year.
Two ladder trucks, four pumping units, and a special service truck are in active service. A Seagrave one thou- sand gallon capacity pumper was placed in service at head- quarters July 2d, and known as Engine 4, replacing a Knox Combination that has been in continuous service since June, 1913. This piece and another Knox Combination, in service March 16, 1911, are held in reserve.
The Department responded to 156 box alarms, 245 still alarms (telephone calls) and 55 mutual aid calls (out- of-town), a total of 456 calls, 119 less than last year, which was the largest number of calls in the history of the Department.
Five false alarms were received. Last year we had two and in 1929, seven.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
The total value of property endangered, the insurance thereon, the loss sustained and the insurance paid, follows:
Value
Insurance
Loss
Insurance Paid
Buildings $508,100.00 $553,975.00 $39,655.90 $39,155.90 Contents 65,685.00 60,685.00 18,670.83 18,535.83
Total .. $573,785.00 $614,660.00 $58,326.73 $57,691.73
APPROPRIATION
Appropriation (including $12,500.00 for En- gine 4) . $127,299.00
Expended . 126,946.70
Unexpended balance $352.30
CREDITS
Fees for 90 permits to blast. $90.00
Fees for 6 permits to keep gasoline . . 6.00
Fees for 7 permits to sell fireworks . . 3.50
Sale of junk . 8.00
$107.50
CALL TO TEWKSBURY
Received call from State Infirmary at Tewksbury for special service truck, November 25th, at 2.50 A.M. to floodlight scene of serious fire on that property. Returned to quarters 6.41 A.M. A splendid letter of appreciation was received from State officials for the service rendered.
FIRE PREVENTION
The Department made 16,907 semi-monthly inspec- tions of all places of business throughout the Town, in which only three fires occurred, one accidental and another of doubtful origin in the same store; the third fire was caused by a defective BX cable. Only three fires entailing a loss occurred in 1930 also.
319
REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
Regular and systematic inspections, combined with honest merchants always ready and willing to assist the firemen, can and do prevent fires; in truth, the only com- bination that CAN "put them out before they start."
This was the ninth year that firemen on "off time" inspected the cellars of all dwellings. The inspection began September 28th and continued until the cellars of 6,739 dwellings were thoroughly inspected.
Of all fires in dwellings, only eleven started in the cellar, two more than last year.
What is said of the merchants is equally true of the householders, and the Town is to be congratulated on the carefulness of its population in this regard.
Following is some data compiled as a result of this annual inspection :
1930
1931
6494
. Total houses 6739
HOUSES UNDER CONSTRUCTION
70
Single . 80
11.
Two-apartment 2
81 Houses under construction at time of inspection 82
154
Vacant apartments. 198
588 . Combustible roofs. 580
3857
Garages on lot with house 4195
434 Oil burners (heaters) 573
9838
Total number of families 10114
NUMBER OF HOUSES EACH YEAR
1924, 3,918; 1925, 4,640; 1926, 5,170; 1927, 5,561; 1928, 5,924; 1929, 6,247; 1930, 6,494; 1931, 6,739.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Mercantile inspections, 16,907; house, 6,739; total, 23,646.
Fire drills were given in all public and private schools and a record made of the number of class rooms, exits used, and the time required to vacate each building. These records show that the pupils had received thorough training by the teachers.
Four hundred thirty-two extinguishers were recharged in schools, and other public buildings, garages, factories, etc.
Automatic fire plugs were installed on 267 gas meters, a total of 4,693 meters now protected since the first installation, February 1, 1924.
The drill tower was in constant use for the drilling and training of our own men, and seven firemen from Medford, six from Woburn, three from Lexington and two from Somerville received the thirty-days course of instruction.
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