USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1933 > Part 13
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Elsewhere in this edition the report of Welfare and Soldiers' Relief Departments will be found. A scrutiny of same will disclose the heavy burden on the Town. The continuance of the depression has made the year 1933 a critical year in this department. Mr. Clifford W. Cook, Agent, is commended for his able and conscientious dis- charge of his duties. His humane attitude toward appli- cants and disposition of same are of tremendous aid to the Board.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
The year has been marked by the recognition given generally to the efficiency of radio broadcasting by Police Departments. The Arlington Police Department has been
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REPORT OF SELECTMEN
a pioneer in its development and has progressed with modern improvements. The Department maintains and operates its own receiving and broadcasting system. The Department automobiles and motorcycles are equipped with radios and have demonstrated their utility very frequently in many and varied instances. The hook-up with adjoining municipalities has been of mutual satis- faction.
On September 3, 1933, Sergeant Charles E. Carroll was appointed Lieutenant. On August 8, 1933, Reserve Officer Adalbert T. Zwinck was appointed permanent patrolman. On December 29, 1933, Reserve Officers Wil- liam J. Lannigan and Clinton W. Peabody were appointed permanent patrolmen.
Our Police Department has an excellent rating among the Departments of the State. The citizens should know that its personnel, equipment, efficiency and morale are assurances of adequate protection to the Public Safety.
Chief Bullock's annual report in more detail will be found elsewhere in this edition.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Chief Daniel B. Tierney has been signally honored by being elected President of the New England Fire Chiefs' Association.
The fire department continued the excellent record of former years. During the year the Department main- tained in co-operation with the State Board of Education and State Board of Fire Prevention, a training school for firemen. Local and visiting firemen from adjoining towns and cities comprised this class with officers from our own Department as instructors. Arlington was selected for
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this class because the department was equipped with modern facilities for such instruction. The completion of the course was the occasion of a banquet with suitable exercises and the attendance of officials responsible for this course.
The efforts of the Chief and members of his depart- ment to instruct the citizens in fire prevention is com- mended. The direct result of co-operation between the public and department is reflected in the report of fire losses.
The maintainance of the efficiency and record of the department enabled it to retain its position in the fore- ground among the departments of the Commonwealth.
Chief Tierney's report will be found in detail else- where in this edition.
GENERAL MATTERS
On April 10, 1933 Mr. Dennis I. Donahue was ap- pointed Registrar of Voters to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Mr. James J. Golden, Jr.
The nineteenth of April (Patriots' Day) was observed by fitting exercises. The local veterans and patriotic or- ganizations co-operated with the General Committee of Boston in arranging and carrying out of the program. Revere and Dawes made their annual visit and with their escorts were received at the Town Hall.
During the year the U. S. Government made avail- able for States, Cities and Towns various grants of money. After a conference with the Chairman of the Finance Committee, Mr. Ernest W. Davis and Town Accountant, Mr. Clarence Needham, the Board decided that it would be inadvisable to borrow money under the provisions of the National Recovery Act. The reason for same that it
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would be more expensive to accept such aid than to bor- row funds through the regular channels.
The Board submitted projects under the provisions of Civil Works Administration Act. These projects were of a varied nature and all deemed suitable from the view- point of improvement to town property, relief to welfare and unemployed. Our schools, fire stations and town buildings were enabled to have repairs made that other- wise would not have been possible at this particular time. The widening of Summer and Appleton Streets, park im- provements, care of trees, laying of sewers are among the projects now under construction. - Through these works our Welfare Department and unemployed have been ma- terially aided.
Under authority of an enabling act passed by the State Legislature in 1933, the Selectmen called a Special Election on June 13, 1933.
To vote for three (3) delegates to a Constitutional Convention called to ratify or reject the 21st Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
To determine if the Town would allow the sale of wine and malt beverages not to exceed 3.2 per cent in volume. The voters by ballot voted to allow the sale.
On petition under authority of an enabling act passed by the State Legislature in 1933 a Special Election was held on December 21, 1933, to determine if the Town would allow the sale of alcoholic beverages (whiskey, rum, gin, malt beverages, wines and all other alcoholic bever- ages). The voters by ballot voted not to allow the sale.
During the year the last surviving member of Post 36, G. A. R., Commander Alfred H. Knowles, died at the age of ninety-two years. The deceased always had the
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interest and welfare of the Town at heart. He was much beloved by the school children and his annual visit to the schools on Memorial Day were always eagerly anticipated. Citizens in general, mourn his departure and will cherish the ideals that made him the imposing figure in our town.
With his death, the town, under provisions of the deed of gift, becomes the owner of the G. A. R. building and land. The income from said property to be used for the benefit of the public library.
MENOTOMY HALL
This building has furnished space for the clerical staff and others employed under the local administration of the Civil Works Program.
The following organizations use this building: Amer- ican Legion Band, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Corporal Wil- liam Power Kenibbs Camp No. 66, Corporal William Power Kenibbs Auxiliary Camp No. 67, High School and Junior High School basketball classes, and the Sir Gala- hads. Two offices on the second floor are occupied by the director of the Unemployment Committee and Arlington Welfare Council. The two offices on the ground floor are both occupied at a satisfactory rental.
The Board members wish to express their apprecia- tion for the co-operation extended from individuals, com- mittees, boards and other organizations in assisting them in the performance of their official duties.
ARTHUR P. WYMAN, LEONARD COLLINS, GEORGE H. LOWE, Jr.,
Selectmen of the Town of Arlington
REPORT OF BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
January 1, 1934.
Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Arlington, Mass.
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my report for the Welfare and Soldiers' Relief Departments for the year ending Decem- ber 31, 1933.
Distress, due principally to continued unemployment, resulted in unprecedented demands on this Department for relief during the year. 666 families were aided as compared with 382 cases in the previous year. Our cost of administration, however, including the expense of movng to larger quarters, increased only in the amount of $1,169.29.
In order to adequately protect the Town against frauds and impositions, our own investigations were sup- plemented by the investigations of all cases by the Police Department beginning May 1st.
The Misses Ida F. and Caira Robbins presented to the Town, in memory of their grandfather and grand- mother, the Nathan Robbins House which was formally accepted on November 4, 1931. The generosity of this gift has provided adequate quarters for the administra- tion to the needs of Arlington citizens in distress and en- abled this Department to more efficiently carry on its work.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
The parlor was converted into a private office, the library as a general office, and the hall utilized as a wait- ing room. The interior of this section was repainted by Welfare recipients and some alterations made. A heating system was installed to provide necessary heat for this section of the house. Adequate space on the same floor was available for the storage and distribution of Federal commodities. The entire exterior of the house was re- painted by unemployed under the Federal Civil Works Administration program.
Beginning November 16th the following commodities were assigned by the Federal Relief Administration and distribution made through this Department under Fed- eral Relief Regulations.
4000 pounds Pork 150 bushels Apples 300 dozen Eggs 130 tons Coal
Necessary steps were taken early in the year to prop- erly insure the Town against loss through being unable to collect reimbursements due from other municipalities for cases aided by this Department, with outside settle- ments. Proper systems and records were adopted for our protection in the future in such controversial cases, and legal action was taken by the Town Counsel during the year against four cities, for reimbursement due for aid rendered. Under the Statutes these debts were otherwise soon to become uncollectable.
One case of fraud was prosecuted in the Courts, the recipient found guilty, placed on probation and ordered to make restitution to the Town.
Our policy of assigning able bodied men, whose fami- lies were recipients of public relief, to work in return for this aid was continued through the year. The Park De-
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PUBLIC WELFARE
partment, Board of Health, Public Works Department and School Department, were benefited by this procedure in the amount of 16,113 man days.
Federal Civil Works Administration projects were started early in December, and prior to December 8th, 39 Soldiers' Relief cases and 85 Welfare cases were taken from our rolls and assigned to this work.
PUBLIC WELFARE was extended to 466 families, 263 of these cases having Arlington settlement, 123 were State responsibilities, and 80 with proven settlements in other cities and towns in the Commonwealth.
MOTHERS' AID was rendered to 13 families. There were 7 cases with Arlington settlement, 1 with State set- tlement and 5 with settlements in other cities and towns.
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE was granted to 65 cases ; 16 new cases being added through the year and 10 dis- continued. There were 47 cases with Arlington settle- ment, 4 with State settlement and 14 settlements in other municipalities.
SOLDIERS' RELIEF was extended to 108 Veterans and their families. Due to the Federal Economy Act effective July 1st, the discontinuance of free hospitaliza- tion of Veterans in Veteran Hospitals, and the decrease or discontinuance of compensation and disability allow- ances, an additional burden was placed on this depart- ment, insofar as the Act effected needy Veterans.
STATE and MILITARY AID was allowed to 14 dis- abled Veterans and their families.
Total Expenditures for Welfare Aid
and Mothers' Aid
$160,849.1C
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Less reimbursements from State and
Municipalities 38,622.22
Net Expense $122,226.94
Total Expenditures for Old Age Assistance .... $ 17,978.30 Less reimbursements from State and
Municipalities 5,110.77
Net Expense $ 12,867.5₺
Total Expenditures for Soldiers' Relief,
State and Military Aid $ 43,830.73
Less reimbursements from State and Municipalities 1,169.00
Net Expense $ 42,661.73
* Reimbursement in the amount of $27,066.68 by the Federal Relief Administration, not included in the above summary.
The Department wishes to express its appreciation to Town Departments and Officials, Civic Agencies, and the Churches, whose co-operation has supplemented our efforts.
Respectfully submitted,
CLIFFORD W. COOK, Agent.
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
Arlington, Mass., January 5, 1934
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, 1933.
There is a noticeable falling off in the number of cows kept in the Town this year. There were fourteen cows this year, twenty-five cows in 1932.
As usual the major portion of the work is caused by the dogbite cases.
The following table shows at a glance the duties performed by me during the year :
Number of Premises inspected where cattle were found. 9
Number of cattle inspected. 14
Number of sheep and goats inspected. 6
Number of dogs quarantined for.
biting or scratching people. 100
Number of dogs quarantined for
contact with Rabies cases. None
Number of dogs' heads sent to Laboratory 3
Number of dogs' heads found positive. 3
Total number of Rabies cases during year 3
Number of persons bitten by Rabid dogs. 2
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Total number of calls made on dogs. 220 Total number of calls made on all animals. 234
The number of dog-bite cases increased twenty-one per cent over 1932.
The first Rabies case was reported by Laboratory as "suggestive" but no later report was made that small animal inoculation proved "positive."
The second case was a dog owned in Arlington, which died at the Animal Rescue League, and the Laboratory report showed a "positive" case of Rabies. The history showed that the dog had been bitten one month previous by a dog, which died two days later, the owners believing animal was poisoned, but which probably died of Rabies.
The third case was a dog owned in Brighton, which wandered into Arlington, near Spy Pond, and was taken from a Filling Station to the Animal Rescue League ; later the Laboratory reported a "positive" case of Rabies.
We have been fortunate in not having had more cases, as Newton had quite a few cases and general quar- antine and vaccination was ordered.
Quarantine of each and every dog-bite case is quite necessary in order to protect the large number of small children, who are bitten each year, from a possible Rabies infection.
I wish to thank the Board of Health and the Police Department for their generous support during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
CHESTER L. BLAKELY, M.D.V.,
Inspector of Animals.
BOARD OF APPEAL
January 3, 1934.
To the Board of Selectmen, Arlington, Mass.
Gentlemen:
The Board of Appeal respectfully submits its fifth Annual Report :
During the year ending December 31, 1933, five ap- peals were made to the Board from the decision of the Inspector of Buildings.
The Board upheld the decision of the Inspector of Buildings in one case, and reversed his decision in three cases.
The fifth case, one involving the zoning law, was not considered, as the appellant failed to comply with a cer- tain requirement of the zoning law, which constitutes a condition precedent to the right to a hearing.
Respectfully submitted,
FREDERICK F. LOW ALTON F. TUPPER THOMAS J. DONNELLY
Board of Appeal.
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REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS
Arlington, Mass., January 8, 1934.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Arlington, Mass.
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my report of the inspection of buildings, plumbing and gas for the year ending Decem- ber 31, 1933.
Two hundred and forty-four building permits have been issued, compiled as follows:
Dwellings, one-family
68
$368,500.00
Dwellings, two-family
1
11,000.00
Garages
48
17,100.00
Additions and Alterations
39
24,778.50
Church
1
30,000.00
Filling Station
4
7,100.00
Greenhouse
1
4,000.00
Repair fire damage
4 14,400.00
Store windows
4
3,550.00
Alter 2 stores into 1
2
5,775.00
Elevator wellway
1 3,300.00
Boiler room
2
1,300.00
Grandstand
1
3,000.00
Foundation for dwelling
2
2,525.00
Piazzas
15
2,317.00
Piazza roof
8
560.00
Move one-family dwelling
2
1,075.00
Move garage
1
50.00
Sun parlor
4
1,275.00
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REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS
Vegetable stand
2
195.00
Vegetable shed
1
50.00
Tool house
1
125.00
Alter one-family into two
2
750.00
Alter one-car garage into two
1 100.00
Dormer window
1
125.00
Dressing room
1
75.00
Fireworks stand
1
50.00
Henhouse
1
50.00
Demolish dwelling, one-family
5
650.00
Demolish Convent
1
200.00
Demolish School
1
200.00
Demolish buildings
18
1,010.00
244 $505,185.50
696 Plumbing and 519 Gas permits have been issued. Fees collected for the year were as follows :
244 building permits $699.00
696 plumbing permits
981.75
519 gas permits
259.50
Total
$1,946.25
The year 1933 has closed with the record of building permits maintaining the position it has in the past, with that of surrounding towns.
The records of inspection under my jurisdiction are from May 1, 1933, when I took office, to December 31, 1933, and it has been my purpose to serve the public in the matter of all inspections under every permit with due regard to the Building Code, and although violations oc- cur, nothing flagrant enough has transpired to have the attention of court procedure.
There is an increased use of range oil burners, and the heater coils installed in connection with the same pro-
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
vide a dangerous condition insofar as overheating of water is concerned unless approved safety devices of the temperature type are installed. Such a condition requires additional and careful investigation.
There are at present three automatic temperature valves approved for use in this Town after a very rigid test given at the Arlington Gas Company's works, to whom we are indebted for their gracious co-operation.
During the year six appeal cases were before the Board of Appeal for disposition. One was incomplete be- cause of the appellant's lack of proper procedure, four were granted and one was denied.
The consideration and co-operation accorded me has been appreciated and I wish, at this time, to thank those town officials I have been in contact with.
Respectfully submitted,
W. E. MASON,
Inspector of Buildings.
REPORT OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
January 1, 1934
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen, Arlington, Massachusetts,
Gentlemen :
I have the honor to present my eleventh annual re- port as Chief of the Arlington Fire Department for the year ending December 31, 1933.
The manual force consists of forty-eight men, in- cluding Chief, two Deputies, seven Captains, six Lieuten- ants, and thirty-two privates, also a Department surgeon (Dr. Winslow M. Kingman) .
November 4th the Department lost by death after a short illness, Thomas Joseph Flatley, who was born in Arlington, March 18, 1905, appointed fireman June 10, 1928.
He was a young man of sterling character, faithful and loyal, always willing to give his best effort to the work in which he was deeply interested. His passing is a dis- tinct loss to the Fire Department.
Captain John Francis Sweeney was born in Arling- ton June 24, 1867 and was appointed permanent fireman July 14, 1897. At his request he was retired on a pen- sion August 1, 1933. He always enjoyed the respect and confidence of his superiors as well as that of those under his command. For more than a third of a century his
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
record of unselfish and unfailing devotion to duty and his kindly disposition won for him the love of every mem- ber of the Department.
Two ladder trucks, four pumping units and a special service unit are in active service. A new car for the Chief was bought this year.
A Knox Combination bought in 1913 is held in re- serve, another Knox Combination bought in 1911 has been converted to a supply truck.
The Department responded to 142 box alarms, 181 still alarms (telephone calls), 66 mutual aid calls (out-of- Town), a total of 389 calls, 119 less than in 1932. In 1931 the Department responded to 456 calls and in 1930 to 575, the largest number in the history of the Department.
Twenty-one false alarms were received. In 1932 we had twenty-two; in 1931, five; in 1930, two calls.
Fourteen injuries were received by firemen while in performance of duty.
A total of 116 office and outcalls were made by Dr. Kingman, listed as follows; office visits, 54; house visits, 43; treated at fire, 2; treated at stations, 12; at hospital, 1. Attended one drowning and one auto accident and treated two victims at fires. He responded to 91 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 $505,000.00 $502,350.00 $31,374.88 $31,364.88 Contents 56,900.00 55,100.00 5,766.13 5,556.13
Total
$561,900.00 $557,450.00 $37,141.01 $36,921.01
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REPORT OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
Losses by fires for five years
1929 1930 1931 1932 1933
$72,098.50 $99,177.21 $58,326.73 $60,206.96 $37,141.01
Fires that caused losses of $1000.00 or more. .
Jan 8th. St. Agnes Church. Probably incendiary $1,000.00 Jan 31st. Unoccupied dwelling, 16 Avon Place. Incendiary 5,514.11 June 23rd. Unoccupied dwelling, 7 Reed St. Spon. Ignition 1,500.00
Dec. 27th, Two-family dwelling, 99 Bow St. Spon. Ignition 2,737.78
Dec. 29th, Tappan residence, 269 Mass. Ave Furnace 12,168.00
Dec. 29th, Murphy residence, 8 Henderson St. Defective chim. 1,843.29
Dec. 31st. Lydecker residence, 355 Mystic St. Christmas tree 1,289.85
Two second alarms were sounded, 16 Avon Place and 269 Mass. Ave.
More than one half of the fire loss occured in Decem- ber, eight fires during the month caused a loss of $19,- 341.02.
APPROPRIATION
Appropriation $116,906.25
Expended 115,908.71
Balance
997.54
CREDITS
Fees for 27 permits to blast. $15.50
Fees for 3 pemits for inflammables 1.50
Fees for 13 permits for sale of fireworks. 6.50
Sale of junk. 3.00
$26.50
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
FIRE PREVENTION
The Department made 16,888 semi-monthly inspec- tions of all places of business and public buildings throug- out the Town, in which only three fires occured that en- tailed a loss of $1418.00. Last year we had six; in 1931, three; and three in 1930.
This is a fine record for the merchants of the Town over a period of years. They have always supported the Department in its effort to prevent fires.
This was the tenth annual inspection of the cellars of all dwellings by the firemen on their "days-off".
The cellars of 6893 dwellings were thoroughly in- spected and with comparatively few exceptions showed that much care had been taken by the householders to eliminate and correct conditions that might cause or ac- celerate fires.
Only eleven fires occurred in the cellars of dwellings, two of which were caused by heaters during the sub-zero weather; in 1932 there were seven cellar fires; in 1931, eleven; in 1930, nine.
The annual inspection of cellars, together with the splendid co-operation of the householders in correcting all unsafe conditions called to their attention by the fire- men, has been an important factor in curbing the dreaded cellar fires.
Following is some data compiled as a result of this inspection ;
1933
1932
6,893
Total number of houses 6,849
437 Vacant apartments 397
480 Combustible roofs. 561
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REPORT OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
1,139 Automatic oil burners 658
1,734 Range burners 581
NUMBER OF HOUSES EACH YEAR
1924 (first inspection) 3,918; 1925, 4,640; 1926, 5,170; 1927, 5,561; 1928, 5,924; 1929, 6,247; 1930, 6,494; 1931, 6,739 ; 1932, 6,849 ; 1933, 6,893.
INSPECTIONS
Mercantile inspections, 16,888; dwellings, 6,893; range burners, 1734; Automatic burners, 581. Total in- spections, 26,096. In addition the Department inter- viewed more than five-hundred owners of private garages who had not taken out the original license as required by law.
FIRE DRILLS IN SCHOOLS
Fire drills were given in all public and private schools, a record taken of the number of class rooms, pupils, exits used, and the time required to vacate each building. These records show that the pupils have been thoroughly trained so that should an emergency arise they would leave the buildings speedily and safely.
Four hundred and twenty extinguishers were re- charged in schools and other public buildings, garages and factories.
I recommend that the Department be placed under Civil Service the coming year.
I recommend that $115,555.75 be appropriated for the ensuing year.
In conclusion I wish to express my gratitude to the Selectmen for their unfailing assistance in all matters pertaining to the welfare of the Department; the Board
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
of Public Works for its willingness to help on every oc- casion; the Police Department for the many services rend- ered the Department ; and to my own officers and men to whom all credit is due.
DANIEL B. TIERNEY,
Chief, Fire Department.
FIRE AND POLICE SIGNAL SYSTEM
January 10, 1934.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen, Arlington, Massachusetts.
Gentlemen :
I respectfully submit my first report as Superinten- dent of Fire and Police Signal System for the year ending December 31, 1933. Until July 1, 1933 this system was in charge of Chief Daniel B. Tierney.
Five fire boxes were located at these locations: Box 261, Massachusetts Avenue and Magnolia Street; Box 262, Massachusetts Avenue and Lafayette Street; Box 132, Massachusetts Avenue and Allen Street; Box 351, Mystic Street and Russell Street; Box 425, Pleasant Street and Gould Road.
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