USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1932 > Part 18
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Permanent Fund
.. . $2,000.00
Income Account
Balance from 1931
$26.23
Interest on Arlington Five Cents
Savings Bank Deposit. 81.84
$108.07
Expenditures
Paid Town for Disbursements. ...
$80.00
Balance Income Account, Dec.
31, 1932 $28.07
$2,028.07
Investments Arlington Five Cents Savings Bank Book No. 12248 $2,028.07
J. EDWIN KIMBALL, M. ERNEST MOORE, HAROLD L. FROST, Cemetery Commissioners.
CHARLES A. HARDY, Treasurer. CLARENCE NEEDHAM, Accountant.
339
SOLDIERS' MONUMENT FUND 1932
Permanent Fund
$2,000.00
Income Account
Balance from 1931
$854.74
Interest on Arlington Five Cents
Savings Bank Deposit. 115.30
$970.04
Expenditures Paid Town for Disbursements. $95.00
Balance Income Account, Dec.
31, 1932 $875.04
Total Fund and Accumulated
Income
$2,875.04
Investments Arlington Five Cents Savings Bank, Book No.
6977 $2,875.04
J. EDWIN KIMBALL, M. ERNEST MOORE, HAROLD L. FROST, Cemetery Commissioners.
CHARLES A. HARDY, Treasurer. CLARENCE NEEDHAM, Accountant.
340
PERPETUAL CARE FUND 1932
Amount of Fund, Dec. 31, 1931 .... $90,597.00 Paid Town a/c Single Grave No.
597 5.00
Permanent Fund, Jan. 1, 1932 ... $90,592.00
Received for Perpetual Care of
Lots 2,500.00
Permanent Fund, Dec. 31, 1932 ......
$93,092.00
Income Account
Balance of Income from 1931 .. $11,283.50
Interest on:
Schouler Ct. Purchase .... $60.00
Jr. High East Bonds. 40.00
Lake St. Loan. 320.00
Liberty Bonds, 1st Issue 212.50
Liberty Bonds, 4th Issue 212.50
Arlington Five Cents
Savings Bank De-
posit
1,509.38
Menotomy Trust Co.
Savings Dept.
1,717.69
$4,072.07
$15,355.57
$108,447.57
Expenditures Paid Town for Disbursements $2,709.00
Permanent Fund and Income, Dec. 31, 1932 .... $105,738.57
341
342
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Investment Transactions in 1932
Total Investments January 1, 1932. $101,880.50 Deposited in Menotomy Trust Co. Savings Department $7,850.19
Securities Matured in 1932:
Note 84, Schouler Ct. $1,000.00
Note 651, Jr. High East 1,000.00
Note 327, Lake St .. ..
1,000.00
Deposit in Arlington
Five Cents Savings
Bank reduced 992.12
$3,992.12
3,858.07
$105,738.57
Investments One Schouler Ct. Note, due Jan. 1, 1933, 4%
$1,000.00
Seven Lake St. Notes, due Oct.
1, 1933-39, 4%
7,000.00
Five Liberty Bonds, First Issue, 41/4%
5,000.00
Five Liberty Bonds, Fourth Issue, 41/4% 5,000.00
Arlington Five Cents Savings
Bank, Book No. 8982 36,285.63
Menotomy Trust Co. Savings De- partment, Book No. 1681.
51,452.94
$105,738.57
J. EDWIN KIMBALL, M. ERNEST MOORE, HAROLD L. FROST, Cemetery Commissioners.
CHARLES A. HARDY, Treasurer. CLARENCE NEEDHAM, Accountant.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
At the Annual Town Election, held March 7, 1932, Mr. Leonard Collins was elected a member of the Board for a term of three years. The Board organized with Mr. William O. Hauser as Chairman and Mr. John A. Easton as Clerk.
The regular meetings of the Board are held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Hall, Arlington, on Monday eve- ning of each week, and all matters requiring action by the Board are given most careful consideration.
The year 1932 has been a most trying one, due to the continuation of the business depression. Unemployment has increased resulting in unprecedented demands upon the Welfare and Soldiers' Relief Departments.
In order to relieve Miss Marion L. Smith, Agent, of the heavy burden she was carrying, Mr. Clifford W. Cook was appointed, on July 25, Agent for Soldiers' Relief. The increasing demands for aid and relief, however, bore so heavily upon Miss Smith that her health gave way under the strain and on December 5 she presented her resignation to the Selectmen and it was accepted. Mr. Clifford W. Cook was thereupon appointed to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term.
The reports of the Welfare and Soldiers' Relief De- partments are illuminating in showing the extent of the depression and its effect upon families and individuals in the community.
343
344
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
POLICE DEPARTMENT
It was deemed advisable by the Board of Selectmen, to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of the late Lieutenant Daniel M. Hooley. On April 25, Sergeant Albert E. Ryan, ranking No. 1 on the Civil Service list, was appointed Lieutenant by unanimous vote of the Board.
An interesting development this year has been the introduction of the radio broadcasting system. The effi- ciency of the department has been greatly increased. Scout cars, equipped with radio receiving sets cruising continuously throughout the town and in constant com- munication with headquarters, have made possible the apprehension of criminals within a few minutes of their having committed a crime.
The linking up with this system of several of the adjoining municipalities has greatly widened the scope of this branch of the service with most gratifying results.
Our Police Department has a very high ranking among the departments of the Metropolitan District, and our citizens may well feel a justifiable pride in its record.
The annual report of Chief Bullock will give in more detail the work of the department.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
The past year has been marked by no unusual de- velopments. The constructive work of this department has been continued, particularly along the lines of fire prevention. Public support has been given in a spirit of hearty co-operation, and the results achieved conclusively are shown in the very low fire losses reported in 1932.
345
REPORT OF SELECTMEN
Chief Tierney and his men have maintained the high standard of efficiency which has marked the services of the Fire Department for many years and has placed it in the forefront of the Fire Departments of the Com- monwealth.
The Chief's annual report contains in more detail the accomplishments of the past year.
The Emergency Unemployment Committee has been quietly carrying on its work in providing employment of men in need of jobs, placing them for short periods of time, in development of several Town projects provided for by vote of the Town. Recipients of Welfare Aid have similarly been employed in return for aid received.
ROBBINS MEMORIAL TOWN HALL
This building, the gift of the Robbins family, has been kept in good repair and condition. Superintendent Carmody and his assistants give the building most con- scientious care and take a just pride in their work.
Automatic burners were installed at the two boilers, with the result that a more uniform temperature is maintained with a considerable saving in fuel.
The Misses Robbins, for the late Josephine Robbins Wallace, presented a beautiful Howard Clock with bronze eagles on either side, which was mounted in the Hearing Room.
The Atlantic National Bank of Boston, which was taken over by the First National Bank of Boston, had in its banking rooms an oil painting of the late Nathan Robbins, its first President, and the grandfather of the Misses Robbins. This they have presented to the Town and it has been hung in the Hearing Room, Town Hall, on the wall opposite the clock.
346
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
MENOTOMY HALL
This building is used by the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, American Legion Band, Corp. Wm. Power Kenibbs Camp No. 66, Corp. Wm. Power Kenibbs Auxiliary Camp No. 67, High School and Junior High School basketball classes, and the Sir Galahads. Two offices on the second floor are occupied by the Emergency Unemployment Committee and the Arlington Welfare Council. The two offices on the ground floor are both occupied at a satisfactory rental.
A new boiler was installed, and the building is in satisfactory repair.
GENERAL MATTERS
On March 21, Timothy J. Buckley was appointed Registrar of Voters to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Leonard Collins.
The nineteenth of April (Patriot's Day) was ob- served by suitable exercises arranged for in conjunction with the General Committee of Boston. Revere and Dawes made their usual visit with their escorts and were entertained in the Town Hall.
The perambulation of the boundaries between the City of Medford and the Town of Arlington was made by officials duly appointed for that purpose as required by the Statutes.
After six years of unremitting effort on the part of the Board, bus service was inaugurated on Medford Street by the Boston Elevated Railway Company and the electric car service was discontinued. This new service between Arlington Centre and Lechmere Station has proved to be most satisfactory. The running time being twenty-two minutes, a saving of at least eight minutes
347
REPORT OF SELECTMEN
over the former electric car service. New twin buses are in operation on this line and are roomy and com- fortable.
The old Paul Revere Engine House, located at the corner of Park Avenue and Paul Revere Road, was de- molished.
The gates located at the railroad crossing on Mas- sachusetts Avenue were removed by permission of the Selectmen for a trial period of three months. The flow of traffic is now controlled by traffic lights. During the trial period no complaints or adverse criticisms were received and the change is now permanent. At an early date the Boston & Maine Railroad Company will remove the gate butts from the highway.
Under authority of an enabling act passed by the State Legislature in 1932, the Selectmen called a special meeting for June 14, 1932, to vote upon the proposed change in the present form of Town Government. The voters, by ballot, voted against the proposed change.
LEGISLATION
The members of the Board have kept in touch with all legislative matters affecting the Town's interests and have attended various hearings at the State House.
Chairman Hauser attended a meeting of the Metro- politan Transit Council relating to proposed legislation for authority to construct a new subway under Hunting- ton Avenue, Boston. He opposed the proposed legislation on the grounds that the estimated proportional cost of this project would place a heavy burden upon the tax payers of Arlington, not at all commensurate with the benefits to be derived. It will interest the citizens of Arlington that the proposed legislation was defeated.
348
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Chairman Hauser actively stressed the needs of Arlington for rapid transit and urged the consideration of its claim for immediate relief by extending rapid tran- sit either to North Cambridge or to Arlington Centre.
The members of the Board appreciate the co-opera- tion they have received from individuals, committees, boards and other organizations in assisting them in the performance of their official duties.
WILLIAM O. HAUSER, ARTHUR P. WYMAN, LEONARD COLLINS,
Selectmen of the Town of Arlington,
REPORT OF BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
January 1, 1933.
Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Arlington, Mass.
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report of the Welfare and Sol- diers' Relief Departments for the year ending December 31, 1932.
The general business depression has exacted a great increase in the demands upon this department to relieve destitution and consequent suffering, as a result of unem- ployment. Economic delinquency is in the majority of cases no longer the fault of the individual. This, without question, is one of the greatest social and economic prob- lems to be faced by municipalities today.
A method of furnishing work in return for Town Aid was developed early in the year. Able bodied men who were recipients of aid were obliged to work in return for such aid at a per diem fixed rate. These men were as- signed to work under the direction of various Town De- partments, but only on projects where there were no available funds otherwise provided. This has been a source of benefit to the town and the taxpayer heretofore not utilized. During the year 5,665 days' labor, with an equivalent value of $16,696, has been provided in this manner.
This has helped to reconcile those forced to apply for aid by the realization that they can return to the Town definite service for value received; thus retaining their
349
350
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
complete self respect. The work for Town Aid serves the purposes of minimizing idleness, maintaining morale, and returning to the Town definite benefits.
It has been possible in cases certified by the Board of Assessors for certain Poll Tax delinquents to work out their assessments on Town work through this Depart- ment. Ninety-nine men have been benefited by this pro- cedure.
The number of cases handled and the greater degree of distress in many instances has increased the burden on this Department to a point where more investigators have been required in order to adequately protect the Town against fraud and impositions. Medical aid and hospitalization have increased substantially in all phases of our work.
PUBLIC WELFARE AID was extended to 220 fami- lies with a total expenditure of $78,754.84, of which $9,430.59 was reimbursed by the State and other munici- palities. One hundred and thirty-six of these cases had Arlington settlement, 52 were State responsibilities and 32 were proven settlements in other cities and towns of the Comomnwealth.
MOTHERS' AID was rendered to 12 families with a total disbursement of $11,061.41, with reimbursements from the State and other cities and towns amounting to $3,264.45. There were seven cases with Arlington settle- ment, one with State settlement, and four with settle- ments in other cities and towns.
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE has covered 59 cases; 37 new cases being added during the year and 17 discon- tinued. The total amount expended was $11,934.06, and reimbursements in the amount of $4,889.25 were re-
351
PUBLIC WELFARE
ceived. There were 39 cases with Arlington settlement, 3 with State settlement, and 17 with settlements in other municipalities.
SOLDIERS' RELIEF was rendered veterans of all wars, and their dependent families, in the amount of $19,775.90, representing disbursements in 83 cases.
STATE and MILITARY AID was granted in 18 cases to disabled veterans, with a total expenditure of $1,328.00; $906.00 of this amount was reimbursed by the State.
Total expenditure for Welfare Aid, Mothers' Aid, and Old Age Assistance. .$101,750.31
Less reimbursements from State and Munici-
palities 17,584.29
Net expense $84,166.02
Total expenditure for Soldiers' Relief, State
Aid and Military Aid $21,103.90
Less reimbursement by State 906.00
Net expense $20,197.00
This Department desires to express its appreciation to the Welfare Council and the Visiting Nursing Asso- ciation, whose fine work has supplemented our efforts; also to the various Town Departments and officials and civic agencies for their cooperation.
Respectfully submitted,
CLIFFORD W. COOK, Agent.
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS 1
Arlington, Mass., January 15, 1933.
To the Board of Selectmen,
Town of Arlington.
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my report as Inspector of Animals for the Town of Arlington for the year ending December 31, 1932.
The following table shows the work of inspection as regards the keeping of cattle, sheep and goats :
Number of premises inspected where cattle and other live stock are kept. 12
Number of cattle inspected. 25
Number of hogs reported.
27
Number of sheep and goats 4
One cow was examined because of Interstate ship- ment from Vermont to Frank Bowman, Arlington.
Rabies Control
There was a noticeable decrease in the number of dog bite cases, and also in the number of true rabies cases, which is characteristic of the conditions through- out the whole state.
The following table shows the result of the work among dogs and cats :
Number of dogs quarantined for biting people. 79
Number of dogs quarantined for contact with
rabid animals 1
352
353
REPORT OF ANIMAL INSPECTOR
Number of cats quarantined. 1
Number of heads to Laboratory 3
Number of heads reported Positive of Rabies 2 Number of heads reported Negative of Rabies 1
Total number of Rabies cases ... 4
Number of persons bitten by rabid animal. 1
Number of calls made on dogs and cats. 177
Number of calls made on all animals. 189
Although the dog bite and rabies cases were less than in 1931, it is necessary to keep a strict watch on all cases of this type, in order to help prevent cases of rabies showing up in the future, as rabies cases in dogs often develop several months after the bite occurs.
I wish to thank the Police Department and the Board of Health for their cooperation at all times.
Respectfully submitted,
CHESTER L. BLAKELY, M.D.V., Inspector of Animals.
REPORT OF BOARD OF APPEAL
January 28, 1933.
To the Selectmen.
Gentlemen:
The Board of Appeal respectfully submits its fourth annual report.
During the year ending December 31, 1932, only one appeal was made to the Board from the decision of the Inspector of Buildings.
As the appeal was on the question of the use of an article in general and not its use in a specific case, the decision of the Board was that it had no jurisdiction to consider or pass on the appeal.
Respectfully submitted,
FREDERIC F. LOW, ALTON F. TUPPER, THOMAS J. DONNELLY,
Board of Appeal.
354
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS
Arlington, Mass., January 16, 1933.
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 Decem- ber 31, 1932.
Two hundred and sixty-two building permits have been issued, compiled as follows :
Dwellings, one-family
79
$460,700
Dwellings, two-family
2
15,000
Garages
61
22,760
Garage-four-car
1
500
Complete one-family dwelling
3
18,500
Garage under dwelling
2
250
Additions and alterations.
38
17,228
Alter one-family into two-family
1
900
Alter garage into one-family
1
800
Relocate garage
1
40
Alter two stores into one.
2
1,900
Alter stable into garage.
1
25
Alter two-car garage into one car
1
100
Blocks of stores
2
20,500
Store fronts
1
350
Connecting corridor (High School)
1
12,500
Greenhouses
5 12,900
Dairy house
1 5,600
Boiler room
1
400
Wash room
1
1,000
355
356
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Water tank
1 100
Summer camp
1 400
Move one-family dwelling
1
300
Foundation
2
1,200
Demolish one-family dwelling
5
800
Demolish Engine House (Paul Revere Rd)
1
300
Demolish buildings
8
610
Sun porch
4
1,550
Porch
16
2,670
Piazza roof
7
500
Sky sign
1
500
Dormer window
1
125
Stands
2
95
Rebuild stand
1
ยท
Hen houses
4
415
Relocate hen house
1
100
Repair damage by fire.
1
1,650
262
$603,268
495 Plumbing and 572 Gas permits
262 building permits
$803.00
495 plumbing permits.
831.00
572 gas permits.
286.00
Collected for the year in fees. $1,920.00
Building activity shows a decline, but review of the reports of the Division of Labor and Industries of the State House, of 55 of the larger municipalities, shows Arlington leads all towns and majority of cities in num- ber of permits issued and valuation of contemplated con- struction.
Demolition of dwelling houses increased this past year. The historic Fire Engine House, that was located on Paul Revere Road, at the corner of Park Avenue, is now but a memory.
357
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS
The zoning districts allowing two-family houses is being gradually filled in, in most cases with single fam- ily houses, which shows the trend at present.
I recommend that a resurvey of all Zoning districts be made in the interest of the Town's future in respect to location of districts, not only in those places where buildings are already existent, but where vacant lots make it possible for construction of a nature which might affect the valuation of adjacent property.
In the zones bordering on districts of lesser restric- tions it would seem possible that a way could be promul- gated to rearrange boundaries, either to be in the center of streets or on property lines, or determining its zone by percentage of a lot which also will be consistent in the event a sub-division of a lot is made.
A decision of the Supreme Court has been handed down which makes the water supplies in all buildings plumbing work, which requires a permit under statute law, entailing additional attention.
A number of valves for boiler protection have been approved for use and one with the thermostatic principle has been in use for some months which eliminates much of the inconvenience from that of the fusible type.
I wish at this time to recognize the attitude and helpfulness of the Police Department in facilitating our enforcement of the Building Code. To those of the Town officials we are in contact with I wish to thank for their cooperation and consideration.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM GRATTO, Inspector of Buildings.
REPORT OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
January 1, 1933.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen, Arlington, Massachusetts.
Gentlemen :
I have the honor to present my tenth annual report as Chief of the Arlington Fire Department for the year ending December 31, 1932.
The manual force consists of forty-eight men, includ- ing Chief, Deputy Chief, six Captains, six Lieutenants and thirty-four privates, also a Department Surgeon (Dr. Winslow M. Kingman). No appointments were made this year.
Two ladder trucks, four pumping units and a special service car are in active service.
Two pieces are held in reserve, both Knox Combina- tions, purchased in 1911 and 1913. During the past year a Monitor Nozzle was installed on the latter piece for use at large fires. The capacity of the nozzle is 1,100 gallons per minute.
The Department responded to 161 box alarms, 270 stills (telephone calls), 77 mutual aid calls (out-of-town), a total of 508 calls, 52 more than last year. In 1930 the Department responded to 575 calls, the largest number in its history.
358
359
REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
Twenty-two false alarms (4 by telephone), were re- ceived. In 1931 we had five, and in 1930, two calls.
Thirty injuries were received by firemen while in performance of duty.
A total of 134 calls or office visits were made by Dr. Kingman tabulated as follows: Office visits, 53; house visits, 50; treated at fire, 3; treated at station, 26; treated at hospital, 2. In addition a regular Red Cross First Aid Course of lectures of one and a half hours duration. He responded to 93 box alarms.
The total value of property endangered, the insur- ance thereon, the loss sustained and the insurance paid, follows :
Value
Insurance
Damage
Insurance Paid
Buildings $414,850.00 $597,300.00 $40,916.66 $39,816.66
Contents
76,865.00
64,665.00
19,290.30
19,190.30
Total
$491,715.00 $661,965.00 $60,206.30 $59,006.96
Damage by fire to automobiles of $1,523.68 included in $60,206.30.
LOSSES BY FIRE FOR FIVE YEARS
1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 $38,941.89 $72,098.50 $99,177.21 $58,326.73 $60,206.96
Three fires were responsible for more than one-half of this loss: November 28th, the residence of Duane F. Phelps, 441 Mystic Street was damaged by fire and he was awarded $22,152.23 on the house and contents ; De- cember 22nd, Rose's Tailor Shop in the Sherburne Block was responsible for $3,600.00; December 30th, (two alarm fire), Wyman Bros. barn and contents, 58 Mary Street, caused a damage of $5,600.00.
360
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
During the Wyman fire, another fire occurred, which was responded to by Engine 3 (our only piece in quar- ters), and Medford and Somerville apparatus, while the stations were covered by Lexington, Winchester and more apparatus from Medford and Somerville, in case of further emergency.
Through the radio on special service, we at the Wyman fire were kept advised regarding this fire, knew when the alarm was sounded, what apparatus responded, the extent of the fire, and when recall sounded. A new mutual aid running card with Somerville, Medford, Win- chester, Lexington, Belmont and Cambridge went into effect September 18th at noon, which arranges for sys- tematic response of apparatus direct to the fire and for the covering of the stations, for five consecutive alarms.
APPROPRIATION
Appropriation
$115,777.25
Expended
115,617.83
Balance
159.42
CREDITS
Fees for 36 permits to blast.
$36.00
Fees for 7 permits for inflammables
7.00
Fees for 9 permits to sell fireworks
4.50
Sale of junk
28.50
$76.00
FIRE PREVENTION
The Department made 16,718 semi-monthly inspec- tions of all places of business and public buildings throughout the Town, in which only six fires occurred that entailed a loss. The merchants of the Town are careful, helpful and courteous.
361
REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
This was the ninth annual inspection of the cellars of all dwellings by the firemen on their "days off."
The cellars of 6,849 dwellings were thoroughly in- spected and the hazards found were far less than on the first inspection in 1924, when there were 3,918 dwellings.
Of all fires in dwellings, only seven started in the cellar, eleven in 1931 and nine in 1930. A wonderful showing over a period of three years, clearly demonstrat- ing the interest and cooperation of the residents, in the efforts of the firemen to safeguard their lives and property.
Following is some of the data compiled as a result of this inspection :
1932
1931
6,849
Total houses. 6,739
43
Single houses 80
1 Double houses 2
44 Total houses under construction (Oct. 1) 82
397
Vacant apartments. 198
561
Combustible roofs 580
658 Automatic oil burners
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