USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1933 > Part 19
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Conveyed two children to their home in Arlington from the Southern Middlesex Health Camp in Sharon.
Assisted at the Immunizing clinics held at the Board of Health office during the year.
Assisted Dr. Buckley in the examination of pupils at Saint Agnes School and weighed and measured same.
Visited Saint Agnes School regularly during school hours.
Assisted at the Chadwick Follow-Up Clinic held in December.
In accordance with Chapter 119 of the General Laws, I made twenty-six investigations of the conditions in homes of persons holding or applying for license to main- tain Boarding Homes for Infants.
Assisted Dr. Poutas at the Blood Clinic held at the Board of Health office to obtain blood for Scarlet Fever immunization.
Attended meetings of public health interest and also an Institute conducted at Middlesex County Sanatorium by Mrs. Violet Hodgson of the National Organization of Public Health.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
I have tried to co-operate in every way with my co- workers, and to genuinely help the people of this com- munity.
Respectfully submitted,
HELEN M. HEFFERNAN, R. N.
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, 1933.
Analysis reports of samples of milk taken from ve- hicles on street, stores and lunch rooms at various times during the year show the milk to be of good quality and well above the legal standard in fats and solids.
Dealers' cards indicate the per capita consumption of milk in Arlington as approximately 96/100 of a pint. A brief summary of the work for the year is appended :
Licenses Issued
For sale of Milk from stores, lunchrooms, etc. 193
For sale of Milk from vehicle. .. 59
For sale of Oleomargarine. 4
Total 256
Inspections
[Pasteurization Plants
74
Dairies 78
371
BOARD OF HEALTH
Samples of Milk Analyzed
Taken from Vehicles on street .. 331
School Milk
19
Taken from lunchrooms, stores 10
Total 360
Milk
Fat
Solids
Bacteria
Total Average For
Grade A
4.34
13.06
18,149
Year
3
Family
4.12
12.79
58,384
School
4.10
12.76
17,145
Respectfully submitted,
W. H. BRADLEY, Inspector.
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTERING
To the Board of Health.
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my report as Inspector of Slaughter- ing for the year ending December 31, 1933.
Number of Calves slaughtered.
1,679
Number condemned
21
Number of Sheep slaughtered
6
Number condemned
0
Number of Goats slaughtered
1
Number condemned
0
Total 1,707
Total number of Inspections 76
Time required 1851/2 hrs.
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR TAYLOR,
Inspector.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTERING
To the Board of Health.
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my report as Inspector of Slaughter- ing for the year ending December 31, 1933.
Number of Calves slaughtered. 17
Number condemned 0
Total 17
Total number of inspections 1
Time required 2 hrs.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM H. BRADLEY, Inspector.
REPORT OF THE ARLINGTON EMERGENCY UNEMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE
Honorable Board of Selectmen Arlington, Mass.
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report of the Arlington Emer- gency Unemployment Committee for the year ending December 31, 1933.
The Emergency Unemployment Committee was formed in 1930 by the Board of Selectmen due to condi- tions existing under the so-called "depression" which, of course, caused great hardships among the citizens of Arl- ington. They felt it their duty to do everything in their power to relieve this suffering as much as possible and up to this date this department has rendered unselfish service to this cause. The citizens of Arlington, in co- operation with the town, have greatly diminished the cases in many instances. When we speak of the citizens we mean that they have called upon this department whenever an opening occurred in their business or they have found work around their homes. In many cases it has been to their advantage to get this work done at this time, getting same done more cheaply inasmuch as low wages were being paid and skilled mechanics were avail- able. Therefore, the duties of this department through the year have entailed the assignment of unemployed men to various Town Projects for which appropriations had been made, securing private jobs both temporary and permanent, assignment of welfare recipients to projects
373
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
for which no appropriations were made and in many cases the supervision of the work, on these projects.
Welfare recipients and men working for aid rendered by the Department of Public Welfare, were assigned to projects through this office.
Following is a summary of work accomplished by these men on various projects :
Dept. Projects Labor (Man Days
Park Dept.
Meadowbrook Park
Reservoir (Arlington Hts.)
Spy Pond
Menotomy Rocks Park
Ethel Wellington Park
Forest Park
Total Man Days 8120
Man Days
Board of Public Works
Snow Removal 17
Brooks Avenue 994
Milton Street 285
Egerton Road 174
Melrose Street 51
Margaret Street
1,111
Old Mystic Street
43
Washington St. Brook 17
2,692
Board of Health
Symmes Swamp
16
Dickson's Swamp 1,176
1,192
375
EMERGENCY UNEMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE
School Dept.
Practically all Schools and Grounds 4,057
Arlington Garden Club
Assisted in beautifying several plots of land in the Town ........ 52
Grand Total Man Days 16,113
Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) was appropriated to be expended for unemployment persons under the direc- tion of the Board of Selectmen.
One Hundred Eight-Four (184) men were assigned to these projects which were operated under the direct supervision of this Department.
Through the co-operation of citizens, work was pro- vided for Two Hundred Ninety-Six (296) persons. Total earnings in the amount of One Thousand Eight Hundred Eighty Dollars and Ninety-Nine Cents ($1,880.99).
On November 24th, the Board of Selectmen were notified to the effect that the Federal Government had set aside $400,000,000 for direct immediate relief for 4,000,000 unemployed men in the United States, and that the Town of Arlington would be given an outright grant of approximately $85,000. This means that the Federal Government has, without cost to the Arlington tax payers, allotted to the Town of Arlington, funds sufficient to start local projects, many of them vital to the Town, and no doubt due to the economical conditions, would not be started for several years. With the whole-hearted sup- port of the Board of Selectmen who worked day and night together with the Town Engineer and other departments, had projects prepared and submitted to the Massachu-
376
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
setts State Civil Works Administration Board, and which were accepted by them, enabling this department to put 325 unemployed men to work in approximately 72 hours after the Town was notified that this money was avail- able for unemployed relief.
Following is a summary of the projects which are now being worked and being paid for out of the Federal funds :
Lake Shore Drive-Sewer Construction.
Summer Street-Widening from Mystic Street to the big ยท ledge.
Dickson's Swamp-Swamp Drainage and Mosquito Con- trol.
Harold Street-Sewer Construction.
Forest Park-Clearing Brush and Pruning Trees.
Symmes Hospital-Clearing Brush and Pruning Trees.
Ethel Wellington Playground-Grading.
Appleton Street-Widening from artery to new Concord Highway.
Arlmont Street-Sewerage and Water Drainage.
Robbins House-Painting Exterior.
Police Station-Painting Interior.
Painting Interior of Three Fire Stations. Crosby School-Painting Interior.
Junior High School East-Painting Interior.
Senior High School-Painting Interior.
This work is still being carried on with prospects of further town work being accepted and executed. This department is not only assigning these men to the pro- jects but the Executive Secretary was appointed by the Board of Selectmen to act in the capacity of Assistant Administrator of this work. The money paid to date on these projects for wages for men is $23,915.15 and for women-$568.50.
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EMERGENCY UNEMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE
We might also add that by this work the town has saved considerable money due to the fact that practically all the able bodied Welfare recipients were turned over to this department and put to work.
This Committee wishes to express its sincere ap- preciation to Town Departments, Town Officials and Indi- viduals for their co-operation through the year.
Respectfully submitted,
NEIL S. PETERS, Executive Secretary.
1933 REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
January 31, 1934
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen :
The Board of Park Commissioners respectfully sub- mit their report for 1933 as follows :
Personal Services
Foreman $2,007.50
Police Duty
260.00
Life Saver (From Reserve)
300.00
Clerk
104.00
Wages
2,997.36
$5,668.86
Materials and Expenses
Office Supplies $
8.75
Auto Maintenance
585.42
Tools and Equipment
370.97
Motor Boat (From Reserve)
150.00
Materials 231.54
Loam and Fertilizer
633.06
Trees, Shrubs and Grass Seed.
328.75
Miscellaneous -
384.54
Balance (turned back to Town)
105.61
$2,798.64
$8,467.50
At the foot of Linwood Street on the shores of Spy Pond the Park Department cleaned up and graded the
378
379
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
area where the ice house stood, provided parking space for a large number of cars, built two shelters for chang- ing clothing, two toilets, a raft that will accommodate one hundred persons. All of the carpentry work was done by veterans. A wading pool for small children was provided also benches were placed under the willow trees. The Finance Committee transferred from the Reserve Fund, four hundred and fifty dollars to be used for a life-guard and a motor boat. Thousands of people took advantage of the facilities offered them, and there was but one seri- ous accident. A young lady from Cambridge went down in twenty feet of water and her body was recovered in a very short time by the use of a diving helmet provided and used by Mr. Donald N. Blanchard of Wyman Terrace, Arlington. Two physicians were in attendance and every- thing was done to resuscitate her but without success, both physicians pronounced it heart failure.
At Meadowbrook Park a large area has been loamed and in the spring will be rolled and seeded, giving the children in that section a good place to play.
At Arlington Heights a water main was laid from Lowell Street to the Ball Diamond and a drinking foun- tain installed. The diamond was loamed, graded, and a backstop built. This field was in use constantly. We want to take this opportunity to express our appreciation for the co-operation of the young men in maintaining order. We had no complaints of any kind which is remarkable.
On Forest Street at Adams Square, a parcel of land was transferred from the School Department to the Park Department and under the C. W. A. this has been cleared, all the underbrush has been cut out, trees trimmed and the dead limbs cut out.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
At Turkey Hill thousands of pine trees were planted and the underbrush cleaned out. Practically all of the trees planted there last year are alive.
At Menotomy Rocks Park quite an extensive amount of pruning and trimming of the trees was done, in addi- tion to cutting out the underbrush. The path beyond the pond toward Spring Street was rebuilt and widened. A drinking fountain was installed at the entrance on Jason Street.
The small area on Lockeland Avenue deeded to the town by the Lockeland trustees was filled, graded and shrubbery planted there. The abutters have all expressed themselves as being delighted with the improvement.
The Crosby School Playground was used extensively during the summer months. The fence on Oxford Street was raised six feet to prevent the balls going into the neighboring property. The fence between Mrs. Maher's property and the Park was repaired and Mrs. Maher was greatly pleased.
The walks across Russell Park were patched and put in good repair. The trees have been kept watered and are all alive and in good condition.
The Fowles Mill property has had very little work done on it this year other than keeping the grass cut and the paths clear.
At the Ethel Wellington Playground a considerable amount of work has been done under the supervision of Miss Esther Wyman. Miss Wyman's services and the shrubbery were paid for by the Memorial Committee. Under C. W. A. supervision and financing, the brook has been straightened and several thousand yards of material moved, and the area brought to subgrade.
381
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
The Garden Club cleaned up two unsightly spots in the center of the town and made very attractive places of them both, and the Park Department has kept the grass cut and watered.
The plot of land at the Central Fire Station was loamed, fertilized, rolled and seeded. After that it was taken care of by the men at the Fire Station and it cer- tainly reflects the good care they gave it.
All other small areas were cared for in the usual way.
There were two resignations during the year, Mr. Powers' came early in the year and was filled by Donald Black. Mr. Wilson's resignation came in December and no one was appointed to fill his place.
The Park Department wishes to take this opportun- ity to thank the Board of Public Works and the Welfare Department in co-operating with the Park Department whenever called upon to do so.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK W. WUNDERLICH, Chairman, DONALD W. BLACK.
REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD
January 27th, 1934.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.
Gentlemen :
The report of the Planning Board for the year of 1933 is respectfully submitted as follows :
On account of a continued reduced budget it has not been possible to undertake any studies which would in- volve any appreciable expense for engineering work.
ZONING
An unusual number of zoning changes were consid- ered during the year as follows:
From Industrial to Business-2.
From Industrial to General Residence-4.
From Unrestricted to General Residence-2.
From General Residence to Business-3.
From Single Residence to Business-1.
Change in the By-Laws to further protect the Town against the storage of second hand building material and offensive manufacturing-1.
Change in the By-Laws to increase the penalty for violation-1.
Public hearings were held and field inspections were made in each case. The Board felt justified in following its policy of maintaining the present or raising the zoning
382
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REPORT OF PLANNING BOARD
classification to a higher grade wherever possible. The recommendation of the Board was accordingly made to the Town Meeting on this basis and it was gratifying to have this recommendation approved in all but one case.
This case involved the proposed reclassification from "unrestricted" to "general residence" of land adjacent to the new Cambridge-Concord highway between the Ale- wife Brook Parkway and Lake Street. It was the feeling of the Board that the importance of this highway and the considerable amount of undeveloped land adjacent to it offered an unusual opportunity for a residential develop- ment and justified our attempt to plan for the future of this section. The progress of this highway which was originally conceived and advocated by this Board will con- tinue to be studied with a view to securing the best pos- sible development of the contiguous land.
MISCELLANEOUS PROJECTS
With reference to the specific projects mentioned in the preceding report, namely-Mill Brook and Spy Pond, while there has not been any substantial change in the status of either case due in part to the reduction in ap- propriations, nevertheless, the Board still considers these as active cases and will continue to keep in touch with any developments affecting their use.
The Board desires to call attention at this time to the extensive use made during the past season of the shore of Spy Pond for bathing purposes. This use justi- fies our previous recommendation regarding the acquisi- tion of this land by the Town and while another recom- mendation which would have provided suitable locker and housing facilities was not approved by a Town Meeting it is hoped that the financial situation will be such in the near future that further recreational development may be
384
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
possible on this section of Spy Pond. The Board proposes to continue its studies with respect to the eventual ac- quisition of as much land as possible bordering on this pond for public use.
As regards a playground at East Arlington the Board is unable to find that any report has been rendered by the Committee appointed for that purpose or that any definite plans have been developed. The Board is of the opinion that this project has merit and should be given proper study.
The question of traffic congestion at Arlington Center is still of paramount importance but as its solution ap- pears to be closely connected with other problems which involve not only local considerations but also those of the Metropolitan District, as well as possibly the State, it has not been possible during the present year to complete any satisfactory comprehensive plan meeting all condi- tions.
The Board is pleased to note that it has been possible during the year for certain of the Town Departments to make use of some unemployed labor on a number of the projects suggested by it.
C. W. A. PROJECTS
During the latter part of the year the Board was advised that financial assistance might be secured from the Federal Civil Works Administration for the prepara- tion of plans and studies in connection with municipal planning work. Eleven projects amounting to about $8,000 and planned to utilize suitable unemployed pro- fessional men were prepared at once and submitted to the local Administration. These projects were :
385
REPORT OF PLANNING BOARD
Cambridge-Concord State Highway. A study with a view to developing the lands adjacent to the new Highway for residential purposes in accordance with the best zon- ing practice.
Arlington Center Plan. A study of Arlington Center grade crossing elimination and rapid transit terminal.
Mill Brook Development. Study of the development of lands on Mill Brook for Park purposes.
Spy Pond Park Highway. An engineering study of a through Highway from the River Street Bridge across Mystic River through the property of the Boston Elevated Railway, then around the East side of Spy Pond connect- ing with the new Cambridge-Concord Highway at Lake Street.
Spy Pond Park. An engineering study of land tak- ings on the west side of Spy Pond southerly from the Boat Club for Park purposes.
Mystic Street and Summer Street. Traffic study and lay out of these important highways.
East Arlington Playground. - Study of best location for Playground in East Arlington.
Great Meadows Drainage. An engineering study of the drainage of Great Meadows for immediate mosquito prevention and ultimate development. A large part of this land is now owned by the Town of Arlington.
Bathing Beach or Pool at Arlington Heights Reser- voir. An engineering study to determine the most feas- ible plan.
Town Plan Report. A review by an experienced en- gineer of the Town Plan prepared in 1926 by C. W. Elliot.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Engineering Supervision. In order to properly super- vise the preceding projects competent engineering super- vision representing the Planning Board should be em- ployed.
At the conclusion of this year none of these projects had, however, been approved. It is sincerely hoped that assistance can be secured at some time for work along these lines, as the Board does not feel justified in recom- mending any project until some effective preliminary study has been made together with an estimate of cost. This information cannot be secured unless reasonable funds are either appropriated or allocated for this pur- pose.
The Board has continued its policy with respect to regular meetings supplemented by special meetings, hear- ings and field inspections when thought to be necessary. The Board has also continued its membership in the Massachusetts Federation of Planning Boards and is in frequent receipt of requests for information regarding planning work in Arlington and the operation of some of its by-laws. The membership and organization of the Board has remained the same during the past year.
WALTON H. SEARS, HERBERT N. DUTCHER, CHAS. M. MacMILLIN, CAROLYN B. REED, LESTER W. COLLINS.
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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE ROBBINS LIBRARY For the Year Ending December 31, 1933
Trustees WILLIAM A. MULLER, Chairman ARTHUR J. WELLINGTON, Secretary 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 387
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
General Assistants PHEBE ALDEN PAULINE BENNETT RUTH FULLER LOUISE M. MUIR
Part-Time Workers ANNE CODY DORIS HOLWAY FRANCES MACAULAY FLORENCE PHILLIPS MARION REED 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
389
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF ROBBINS LIBRARY
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR 1933
The Trustees of Robbins Library present their report for the year 1933.
An increase in the users of the library to 11,468 and in circulation to 328,924 is ample evidence of the impor- tant part this institution has played in the life of our com- munity during the year. Undoubtedly, as in many other municipalities, this large gain is due to the prevailing lack of employment and the desire of people to use their time to advantage. The Trustees wish to state that all this work has been carried on at a reduced cost from 1932 of $2,187, a result only made possible by the splendid co- operation of all the library staff.
In March, the Town accepted the generous gift of the late Dexter Rawson Fay of the sum of $2,000. This gift was in memory of Mr. Fay's father and mother, Walcott Fay and Sarah Rawson Fay, the latter a member of an old and respected Arlington family.
In March of this year, Miss Nettie E. Baston, who previous to her retirment in 1923 had faithfully and effi- ciently filled the position of a librarian, died. During a period of twenty-five years, she was ever eager and will- ing to give of her best in meeting the needs of the youth of our community.
The Trustees desire to call to the attention of the citizens what the Librarian says in her report as to the need of added facilities at the Heights and the East Sec-
390
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
tion of the town. When financial conditions permit, it is most desirable that these matters receive attention, as well as an increased appropriation to meet the need of salaries and books in the Main Library.
For the Trustees,
WILLIAM A. MULLER, Chairman.
January 17th, 1934.
391
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF ROBBINS LIBRARY
r
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN FOR THE YEAR 1933
To the Board of Trustees :
I respectfully submit my report for the year ending December 31, 1933.
The library has been much affected the past year by current economic conditions-in purchases, in increased demands by readers.
Increased use of library facilities has come to be ac- cepted as normal.
The Robbins Library along with other libraries can report greater use. Again the library has reached more homes.
Our files show that the Robbins Library has 11,468 active borrowers. Of these, 2,091 registered during the year 1933. We have had a home circulation of 328,924 books. This number being a gain of 20,491 over the fig- ures of 1932. The circulation per capita of 8 and the circulation per borrower of 28.6
The tables show the steady growth of the library since 1924.
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
1933
328,924
20,491
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Comparative Circulation by Stations-1932-1933
1932
1933
Loss
Gain
Center-Adult
185,764
201,227
15,463
Center-Juvenile
59,309
59,620
311
East Branch
28,396
29,046
650
Heights Branch
27,030
26,615
415
Schools
7,934
12,416
4,482
Total
308,433
328,924
415
20,906
Total Gain
20,491
A study of the figures at once show where our great- est use, also our greatest need.
With a total circulation of 328,924, our branches cir- culated only 55,661 books. Our main library is carrying too much of the load.
The matter of adequate branches should be taken up as soon as the times permit. The extreme end of the town should have suitable library facilities along with adequate schools.
Our Branch Librarians are doing fine work under a great handicap. Both branches need a different type of quarters. A town the size of Arlington should have two branch libraries, one at the Heights, the other at the East buildings designed for their purpose, ample money for books, and six day service.
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