USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1932 > Part 24
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Respectfully submitted,
HELEN M. HEFFERNAN, R.N.
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH NURSE
To the Board of Health.
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my report as Board of Health Nurse for the year ending December 31, 1932.
Number of visits made to the homes of persons suffering from communicable diseases, and visits related thereto, 1,738.
Number of patients visited, 748.
Conveyed five patients to Middlesex County Sana- torium for admission.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Conveyed one patient to North Reading State Sana- torium for admission.
Conveyed one patient to State Infirmary at Tewks- bury for admission.
Conveyed one patient to Cambridge Tuberculosis Hospital for admission.
Conveyed fourteen patients to Middlesex County Sanatorium for X-Ray and examination; each case re- quires two visits to the Sanatorium.
Referred eleven dispensary patients to Dr. Pratt for examination.
Assisted at the Immunizing Clinics held during May and October at the Town Hall.
Investigated the conditions in the homes of seven applicants for licenses to maintain Boarding Houses for Infants.
Investigated conditions in the homes of twenty-six Licensed Boarding Houses for Infants.
Assisted Dr. Buckley in the examination of the pupils of Saint Agnes School.
Weighed and measured six hundred and twenty pu- pils in Saint Agnes School.
Visited Saint Agnes School during school hours sev- eral times a week, regularly.
Assisted at the Chadwick follow-up clinic held in December, 1932.
Attended five meetings held by Public Health or Dental organizations and visited the Newburyport Clinic.
Respectfully submitted,
HELEN M. HEFFERNAN, R. N.
459
BOARD OF HEALTH
REPORT OF MILK INSPECTOR
To the Board of Health, Arlington, Mass.
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my report as Inspector of Milk for the year ending December 31, 1932.
The milk sold in Arlington is, in general, from the same sources and of the same quality as that sold in surrounding towns, and samples taken monthly for analysis from vehicles on street show the fats and solids at all times well above the legal standard.
Reports taken from cards of dealers would seem to indicate the per capita consumption to be approximately 90/100 of a pint. A summary of the work for the year follows :
Samples of Milk analyzed
Taken from vehicles on street 318 School Milk 13
Taken from Lunch Rooms, Stores, etc. 12
Total 343
Ice Cream analyzed
Taken from
Manufacturers,
Stores, etc. 13
For sale of Milk from Stores, Lunch Rooms, etc. 186
Licenses issued
For sale of Milk from Vehicle 61 For sale of Oleomargarine. 5
Total 252
Inspections
Pasteurization Plants
54
Dairies
48
Respectfully submitted,
W. H. BRADLEY,
Inspector.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
REPORT OF AGENT AND CLERK
To the Board of Health,
Arlington, Mass.
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report as Agent and Clerk of the Board for the year ending December 31, 1932.
REPORT OF AGENT
Inspections
Food Producing and Distributing Establishments 5,950
Other Inspections 999
Complaints
Investigated and Adjusted
... 251
Legal Settlements
Investigated 44
REPORT OF CLERK
Licenses Issued
To buy, sell and deal in Alcohols. Fee $1.00
50
To manufacture Ice Cream
1.00
9
To practice Manicuring and Massage .. 66
1.00
64
To collect Meat Trimmings
2.00
8
To operate Pasteurization Plant
10.00
2
To operate Slaughterhouse
1.00
1
To engage in Undertaking
No Fee 11
PERMITS ISSUED
For Burial or Removal Permits 334
461
BOARD OF HEALTH
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTERING
To the Board of Health.
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report as Inspector of Slaughtering for the year ending December 31, 1932.
Number of Calves slaughtered 2,789
Number condemned (underweight) 202
Total 2,991
Total number of inspections
94
Time required 252 hours
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR TAYLOR,
Inspector.
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTERING
To the Board of Health.
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report as Inspector of Slaughtering for the year ending December 31, 1932.
Number of Calves slaughtered 40
Number condemned 0
Total
40
Total number of inspections
2
Time required 5 hours
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM H. BRADLEY,
Inspector.
1932 REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
February 6, 1933.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen, Town Hall,
Arlington, Mass.
Gentlemen:
The Park Commissioners submit the following re- port for year ending December 31, 1932.
This year has been one of real accomplishment in the furthering of playground facilities in different sec- tions of Arlington. The Park Department has co- operated with the Unemployment Committee, with the Public Welfare under your jurisdiction and with other Town departments in providing constructive employment for those who have been so unfortunate as to be without jobs during these serious times. We of the Park Com- mission want to publicly recognize the warm spirit of co- operation which has characterized the conduct of the workers themselves, except in a few rare instances, the men have endeavored to earn their money by the con- scientious performance of their duties and we commend their willingness and spirit to the Town as a whole. We also extend our appreciation to them for making our tasks easier.
With this co-operation the Park Commission have been able to start grading operations at the Arlington Heights Playground for tennis courts. Football stand-
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REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
ards were erected and games were conducted in the fall. A great deal of excess loam was saved from this project for use in other park areas of the Town and by this sav- ing the money which ordinarily goes toward purchase of loam was used directly in providing work. There were at least 2,000 yards of loam and fill conserved in this manner.
At the Ethel Wellington Park partial grading has been accomplished and general cleanup made.
At Turkey Hill there was some work done in remov- ing brush and also planting a few trees. There were also several paths constructed in this area.
At Meadowbrook Park the lack of fill handicapped exceedingly the work of the department. The Board of Public Works has co-operated to some extent and some progress has been accomplished. About 2,000 yards of good loam were excavated from a section near the ceme- tery and have been piled up on different areas for use in eventually getting grass started. The dam was seriously undermined by the freshet and has been fixed per- manently we hope.
At the Fowles Mill project lindens have been planted which we hope will eventually provide shady spots for mothers and children of Arlington. A rock garden on the bank nearest Water Street has been started and so far has done surprisingly well. Some weeping willows have been planted on the shores and eventually will beautify exceedingly this Mill Pond area.
Russell Park has had Norway maples planted for shade and a fence constructed to make this playing area safe. The children of Russell School have helped in safe- guarding the newly planted trees and to date there has not been one in this area which has been mutilated.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
At the Crosby School the utmost co-operation was extended to the citizens of that locality in providing play- ground facilities for baseball and football. Real games were indulged in by the boys of that section and that playground was in constant use during the spring, sum- mer and fall. An effort to provide skating in this play- ground for the winter was not a success but possibly if we have a generally cold winter in 1934 and 1935 a more successful outcome will be arrived at.
More playgrounds are needed in East Arlington and a substantially large area should be purchased by the Town. To provide playground facilities small areas should also be provided for small children so that these future citizens of ours may be kept off the streets and accidents in this way can be avoided.
At Menotomy Rocks Park fill has been used and is being brought to eliminate a very low place where mos- quitoes breed. When this is finished loam should be spread on the top and beautiful natural planting can be accomplished. Our only natural park is being kept as nearly as possible as it has been all these years. It has splendid trees, which have been seriously neglected since the ice storm of 1921 and yearly care would help to pre- serve these oaks for a long time. Some of the walls around this property have been straightened and rebuilt naturally. Ice skating on the pond has been indulged in to some extent allowed by the very mild winter. This park has been used by thousands of men, women and children, and we hope it will be preserved in its natural state as much as possible.
The Warren A. Peirce Playground has been the scene of a great deal of activity in 1932. While this play- ground is under the joint control of the Park Commission and School Committee, the Park Commissioners have
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS 465
had in charge most of the construction and thanks the School Department for their help. Two tennis courts have been constructed and fenced. Seven more tennis courts have been sub-graded and the purchase of cinders and stone dust with fencing will put these to good use. The football field and track field have been put in excel- lent condition and jumping pits have been constructed. The track on the railroad side has been extended to pro- vide a 220-yard straightaway. The banks at the railroad have been graded and steps at the lower end of the grandstand have been constructed. Some drainage has been put in where necessary to keep low spots as dry as possible. Paths have been constructed, a retaining wall built at the southerly end, girls' hockey field, boys' base- ball diamond have been sub-graded and loamed. Another year with not a large appropriation will bring this area to completion and then there will be only maintenance costs. The football field has been reloamed and rolled and seeded. Players from other towns have maintained that Arlington has one of the best football fields in Greater Boston.
Considerable progress was made on Spy Pond Shores in the grading to a natural slope towards the pond of this area. The willow trees were pruned and the founda- tions formerly used by the ice houses were removed. A very serious need for a beach has brought about a plan for the construction of a bathhouse and beach on the Middlesex Sportsmen Club end of the park land. We heartily endorse this plan and recommend its adoption when conditions improve.
Other small areas in the Town have been reloamed and seeded.
In closing the Park Commission wants to thank the Woman's Club, and Garden Club for the planting of roses around the fence at the football field. We also appreciate
-
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
the spirit shown by the Unemployment Committee, the Selectmen, the Board of Public Works, the School Board, the Engineering, Fire and Police Departments. We in the Park Department have tried to get as nearly as pos- sible value received for the enormous outlay in public welfare during the year 1932.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD W. HIGGINS, RICHARD L. POWERS, FRANK W. WUNDERLICH,
Board of Park Commissioners,
REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD
February 1, 1933.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.
Gentlemen:
The Planning Board respectfully submits its report for the year 1932 as follows:
Owing to a drastic cut in the money available for special surveying and engineering, the activities of the Board have been necessarily confined to such planning and study as could be done by its members without ma- terial outside advice and assistance.
ZONING
There were no changes in Zoning or in the Zoning By-Law during the year.
MILL BROOK
The study of the development of Mill Brook follow- ing in general the report of the Planning Board upon this project submitted to the Town Meeting of March 27, 1929, has been continued and the Board has cooperated with the Park Commission in planning the development of the Ethel Wellington Memorial Playground.
SPY POND
The study of the development of the shores of Spy Pond has been continued and conferences have been held with owners of shore property with a view to its eventual acquirement by the Town.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
PLAYGROUND AT EAST ARLINGTON
The necessity for a playground in East Arlington north of Massachusetts Avenue is becoming increasingly pressing. At a Town Meeting held June 21, 1932, it was voted that a committee be appointed to investigate and report upon such a development. Mr. Charles M. Mac- Millin of the Planning Board has been appointed a mem- ber of this committee.
BOSTON ELEVATED RAILWAY AND TRAFFIC CON- GESTION AT ARLINGTON CENTER
During the year your expert employed to study and report upon the transportation facilities of Arlington in general and those furnished by the Boston Elevated Rail- way in particular, submitted to you a comprehensive re- port which was thoroughly studied by this Board. As a result of this study the Board is convinced that a loop track to permit the Boston Elevated Railway to return a portion of its cars to Harvard Square without running them through to Arlington Heights would furnish ma- terial improvement in the service afforded to Arlington car riders and that such a loop to be most effective should be located at or near Arlington Center. It feels, however, that the ultimate best development of Arlington Center which embodies the proper coordination of all trffic fa- cilities is of paramount importance and that anything done at this time with respect to a traffic loop should be planned so as to become a part of such ultimate develop- ment. A thorough study of the center involving consid- eration of all practicable schemes and a comparison of the costs thereof is required and this Board has accord- ingly recommended that you do not conclude any definite arrangements with the Boston Elevated Railway with relation to a loop track until the entire problem of Ar- lington Center has been thoroughly studied and the best scheme for its ultimate development determined upon.
469
REPORT OF PLANNING BOARD
Such a study it is believed may cost in the neighborhood of $3,000 and will be undertaken by this Board when the necessary money is available. It is felt, however, that under present circumstances this matter may be post- poned.
The project, initiated by this Board, for the con- struction of a state highway from the Alewife Brook Parkway extension in Cambridge across the meadows in Arlington, Cambridge and Belmont, skirting the south- erly shore of Spy Pond, crossing the shoulder of Arling- ton Heights in Arlington and Belmont and extending through Lexington and Lincoln to a point west of Concord on the so-called Mohawk Trail, is now definitely estab- lished by legislation and land takings are being made. The construction of this highway it is believed will re- lieve Massachusetts Avenue at Arlington Center of a great deal of traffic and will be more effective in this re- spect than any other single project.
UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF
The Board has cooperated with the Emergency Com- mitee on Unemployment Relief, reporting to it a list of projects involving work by various departments of the Town which in its opinion might be undertaken to the advantage of the Town both from the standpoint of needed improvements and of affording additional em- ployment.
The personnel of the Board has remained unchanged. Mr. Walton H. Sears has continued to serve as Chairman and Mr. Herbert M. Dutcher as Secretary.
WALTON H. SEARS, CHARLES M. MacMILLIN, CAROLYN B. REED, LESTER W. COLLINS, HERBERT M. DUTCHER.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE ROBBINS LIBRARY
For the Year Ending December 31, 1932
Trustees WILLIAM A. MULLER, Chairman ARTHUR J. WELLINGTON, Secretary and Treasurer MISS M. HELEN TEELE MRS. THERESE N. TURNER CYRUS E. DALLIN DR. CHARLES J. WALSH
Librarian MRS. LUCINDA F. SPOFFORD Librarian Emeritus ELIZABETH J. NEWTON
Cataloguer and Senior Assistant RUTH SAMPSON
Reference Librarian ALICE NELSON
Classifier ESTHER GANNETT Children's Librarian THELMA BRICTSON
Circulation MARGARET WEBSTER
470
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REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF THE ROBBINS LIBRARY
General Assistants RUTH FULLER LOUISE M. MUIR PAULINE BENNETT Part-Time Assistant PHEBE ALDEN
Part-Time Workers ANNE CODY FLORENCE PHILLIPS FRANCES MACAULAY MARJORIE GARDNER EDNA KELLER ELIZABETH TISDALE
Janitor JAMES SULLIVAN
Heights Branch
Branch Librarian JEANNETTE FAVREAU
Janitor JOHN HERON
East Branch Branch Librarian EVA M. SMITH
Janitor PATRICK REDDAN
Messenger AUSTIN MADDEN
Special Work on Robbins Print Collection MRS. KATHRYN McG. ACHUFF
472
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR 1932
The Trustees of Robbins Library present their re- port for the year 1932.
That our library has met a real need in the com- munity during the year just completed needs no further evidence than a statement of these few facts. The library has been used by 9,213 of our citizens, who have taken out 308,433 books, an average of 8 per capita, and an in- crease of 51,823 over 1931.
The citizens will be interested to know, moreover, that notwithstanding the large increase in work at the library there has been a saving of over $2500 in the amount expended as compared with 1931. These results have only been possible because of the marked ability of our Librarian, Mrs. Spofford, and the willing, efficient as- sistance of all the members of the library staff.
The Trustees regret the necessity of recording the resignation in August last of Miss Edith Whittemore. For forty-two years she was a member of our staff, and during that time she left on thousands of grateful library users an indelible impression of cheerful service.
The Trustees face the coming year with hope, and confidence in the added usefulness of the library. We are glad to cooperate with all departments of our town in the necessity of reducing expenditures for 1933, and with the loyal support of the entire library staff, feel certain that notwithstanding the smaller sum available, your satisfaction in this splendid institution will be no less than in the years past.
For the Trustees,
WILLIAM A. MULLER, Chairman.
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN FOR THE YEAR 1932
To the Board of Trustees:
I respectfully submit my report for the year ending December 31, 1932:
The greater use of the library in 1932 is shown by a circulation of 308,433 books, an increase of 51,823 over 1931. This is an 8 per capita circulation. As seen by the following table this represents a steady increase in the use of the library.
COMPARATIVE CIRCULATION
Year
Total
Gain
1924
89,585
27,557
1925
102,156
12,571
1926.
119,774
17,618
1927
140,521
20,747
1928
169,619
29,098
1929
193,665
24,046
1930
210,692
17,027
1931
256,610
45,918
1932
308,433
51,823
CIRCULATION-YEARS 1931 AND 1932 COMPARED
1931
1932
Adult Juvenile
Total
Total 245,073
Loss
Gain 47,709
Central
185,764
59,309
197,364
East Branch
13,234
15,162
28,706
28,396
-310
..
Heights Branch.
14,184
12,846
24,073
27,030
2,957
Schools
7,934
6,467
7,934
1,467
Total
213,182
95,251
256,610
308,433
-310
52,133
Total Gain
51,823
......
...
...
473
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Two thousand one hundred ninety-eight new bor- rowers have registered and 695 persons have reregis- tered. A check up of borrowers shows that 9,213 card holders have used the library during the year.
In spite of the economies that it has been necessary to practise during 1932, we feel that we have been able to furnish, in most cases, the material requested. However, a lowering of the amount of money appropriated for library use if continued through a number of years will impair the service.
People are finding more than ever that the library does fill a very definite need. No other than Newton D. Baker says: "After studying our social and economic problems for many years, I have come to the conclusion that the only solution for most of them lies in education -the kind that promotes disinterested thinking and suspended judgments. Any community which maintains a well-administered, adequately supported public library provides one of the best means for acquiring such edu- cation."
Inventories have been taken in the Heights and East Branches and Junior Department. In the Adult Depart- ment the fiction is completed and non-fiction through American Literature. This is the first time an inventory has been taken in the Adult Department since the re- classification was started in 1924.
The re-cataloging is still being done. This year the work has been mostly on reference books and special col- lections. The original Children's Room on the second floor has been designated the Small Reference Room and here are collected town histories, town reports, Arlington Authors' shelf, genealogies, Vital records and special art books.
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REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF THE ROBBINS LIBRARY
Five thousand four hundred seventy-four books were added, 4,038 by purchase and 335 by gift; 1,303 books were discarded; 1,101 fewer books were added in 1932 and 340 more books were discarded.
With only 49,999 volumes in the library and with a circulation of 308,433 some books must circulate many times.
Two thousand seven hundred ninety-one books were bound, a total of 204 less than last year.
During the celebration of the Washington Bicenten- nial, this year, the reference work was aided considerably by the addition of books, pamphlets and pictures on Washington and his times. The pamphlet collection was increased by many clippings and pictures on this subject which proved of valuable assistance in work with women's clubs of Arlington.
Use of the reading rooms for study and pleasure showed a remarkable increase in 1932, due no doubt in a measure to the prevalent condition of unemployment. An inadequate count of 33,414 persons using the refer- ence rooms has been made, showing a gain of 2,685 over last year.
To aid the increasing demand for reference material the permanent collection was supplemented by the addi- tion of 71 new books of reference and the pamphlet col- lection reached the total of 1,855. The latter has proved most useful for information concerning living authors, governmental affairs and current events.
Among other visitors, this year, we were pleased to demonstrate our facilities to twenty-five students in the library course of Simmons College, under the guidance of Miss Blunt, Assistant Professor of Library Science.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
At the Community Festival held by the Woman's Club of Arlington in the Town Hall, the Robbins Library exhibit showed by books and posters what the library means to the community and what it had to offer. It was an attempt to vitalize the library.
Timely exhibits of books have been placed on display throughout the year on such matters of interest as operas, the Chinese and Japanese question, gardening, travel, evening courses and college catalogs.
Much interesting reference work has been done in collaboration with some of the women's clubs of Arling- ton in helping to prepare their programs of study throughout the year. Various members have availed themselves of our material for their papers on such sub- jects as the "Westward expansion movement in the United States," "George Washington," and "Modern and civic art."
Through the service of the Inter-Library loan, we have answered 248 requests for books not in the library. In return we have been able to loan 43 books to neigh- boring libraries. With the help of the Division of Public Libraries, we supplied our foreign readers with books in Portuguese, Armenian, Swedish, Russian, Danish, Croa- tian and other languages. This source has also aided us in cooperating with our serious-minded readers in bor- rowing books for study needed in their correspondence courses.
The Junior Library circulated 59,309 books, a gain of 9,710 over the previous year. The usual activities have been carried on with many special attractions to compel attention and use of the Junior Library.
Parents in increasing numbers have consulted with the Children's Librarian in regard to choice of books.
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REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF THE ROBBINS LIBRARY
Nineteen Story Hours were held and eleven Stamp Club meetings.
The Stamp Club has tended to interest older boys in the Junior Library. Several men have offered their help and guidance. Mr. Charles W. Skinner, a teacher in the High School, Mr. Henry A. Kidder and Dr. Arthur I. Andrews have given unstintingly of their time. Outside speakers who have talked on Danish stamps and U. S. stamps have added interest. In June the first exhibition of stamps was held. Ninety-one parents and friends came to the opening meeting. This has proven one more point of contact, one more reason for reading history, geography and stamp magazines.
During the summer the Everyland Club again held its meetings with a membership of 187 children. This year a record of reading was kept by travel tickets. This Club has now become an annual summer project, the chil- dren coming to the Junior Library weeks before the sum- mer vacation to see what the Everyland Club is to do. This year an unusually large number of children took books away with them and followed the doings of the club.
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