USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1936 > Part 27
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The Town expenditure for materials and equipment necessary to operate these projects amounted to one hun- dred forty-three thousand, eight hundred sixty dollars and eighty-two cents ($143,860.82) and the expenditure by the Federal Government for the labor represented on these projects amounted to four hundred eighty-one thousand, one hundred twenty-eight dollars and forty-seven cents ($481,128.47).
The Administration of the Works Progress Adminis- tration in Arlington was performed by a staff of eleven (11) people who were paid out of the Town's appropriation of funds for Works Progress Administration activities. The amount paid for the maintenance of this administrative force compared closely with the amount paid for Works Progress Administration in cities and towns with a general population approximating that of Arlington. The local administration was headed by the Works Progress Ad- ministration Manager, who represented the Board of Selectmen in all matters pertaining to Works Progress Administration within the Town. In addition to these duties, this same official supervised all operations con- nected with the National Youth Administration, the Un- employment Committee and Welfare workers. Assisting this official was a staff of technical and clerical men and
521
EMERGENCY UNEMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE
women who performed the detail work so necessary and essential for the efficient administration of the Works Progress Administration in the Town.
I wish to express my sincere thanks to the Board of Selectmen, the various Town departmental heads, my assistants, and all others who cooperated so fully with me during the year.
NEIL S. PETERS,
Local W.P.A. Manager and Executive Secretary of The Unemployment Committee.
522
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
OFFICE OF PARK COMMISSION
The Board of Park Commissioners herewith respect- fully submits its forty-first annual report for the year ending December 31, 1936.
At the annual town election held Monday, March 2, 1936, Mr. Daniel M. Hooley was re-elected a member of the Board of Park Commissioners for a term of three years.
The Board organized on Monday evening, March 9, 1936, with Mr. John B. Byrne as Chairman, Miss Ruth Cannell as Secretary, and Mr. George D. Higgins as Superintendent of Parks and Playgrounds.
The regular meetings of the Board are held on Mon- day evening of each week at seven-thirty o'clock for the purpose of considering routine matters, consulting the officials of the several branches of the Town Government and special committees thereof, and the Chairmen of the Town Meeting Members of the several precincts, granting audiences to committees, organizations, delegations, and citizens of Arlington whose interests are within the juris- diction of the Board of Park Commissioners.
The following are the net expenditures made under the direction of this Board:
Personal Services:
Superintendent
$2,007.50
Life Guards
W.P.A.
Police Duty
338.75
Clerk . 106.00
Wages
2,997.80
$5,450.05
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PARK COMMISSIONERS
Material and Expenses:
Office Supplies .
$10.24
Auto Maintenance .
339.19
Trucking .
99.75
Tools and Equipment
356.01
Loam and Fertilizer
498.20
Crushed Stone, Cinders, and other Material
74.64
Trees, Shrubs, Grass Seed
154.15
Repairs to Boats
83.50
Miscellaneous .
.75
Power Lawn Mower
219.40
New Truck.
366.00
$2,201.83
Early in the year this Board sought to enhance the Office of the Park Commission, which was eventually accomplished by the acquisition of additional and neces- sary office equipment, and the ultimate establishment of an adequate filing system, together with a complete re- arrangement of the Commission's records.
As in 1935, this Board, confronted with a limited budget, commensurate with the current economic depres- sion, continued its policy of promoting progress and ex- pansion in the administration of its affairs.
The development of Arlington is constantly increas- ing, thus presenting this Board with a serious problem in adequately providing suitable additional recreational areas to meet the demand of the accompanying populous growth.
Confronted with this serious situation, this Board held frequent meetings with the Planning Board, in order to consider properly the expediency of acquiring suitable, additional recreational areas within the Town.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
As was evidenced last year, this Board again this year employed every means within its command to create and provide work for the unemployed men of Arlington, which was accomplished by the cooperation of Mr. Neil S. Peters, Arlington Works Progress Administration Ad- ministrator, and Mr. Clifford W. Cook, Arlington Welfare Agent.
The Board supervised the care and maintenance of twenty-two areas within its jurisdiction, together with four areas owned by the Town of Arlington outside the juris- diction of the Park Commission, as well as two areas controlled by the Arlington Garden Club.
As follows:
AREAS WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THE PARK COMMISSION
Heights Playground (Reservoir Field)
Early in the Spring the baseball outfield was increased and greatly improved, being leveled and brought to proper grade by the services of the unemployed men of Arlington. Due to these improved measures, the Board deemed it inexpedient to permit the use of the field for purposes of playing football thereon until such time as the field is placed in the proper condition for the aforementioned purpose.
Many of the young men of Arlington organized base- ball teams and availed themselves of the opportunity to use the baseball field for the purpose of playing ball. The field was used in this respect until late in the Fall. Permits were issued by the Board to the following baseball teams, whose membership comprised the young men of Arlington: Forest Athletic Association, Arlington Col- legians, Highland Athletic Club, and the Hurd Family
525
PARK COMMISSIONERS
Nine. The baseball field, as well as other portions of the playground, were utilized throughout the Spring and Sum- mer months and well into the Fall by the younger children of the Heights section of Arlington, for the purpose of engaging in the various juvenile forms of recreation.
Hundreds of Arlington citizens availed themselves of the opportunity to observe the baseball games at the field evenings and every Sunday afternoon throughout the summer and fall months.
The Board desires to compliment the membership of all baseball teams that made use of the field, for the orderly, sportsmanlike manner in which their games were conducted.
Reservoir Beach
The Beach was used extensively throughout the Sum- mer by hundreds of Arlington citizens, and proved to be especially popular with children whose parents appreciated the adequate safety measures adopted by the Board for use at the Beach.
The lifeguards were provided by the National Youth Administration, and a Special Police Officer was in attendance throughout the season.
It is particularly gratifying to this Board to report, that the past season was entirely devoid of a fatal accident at the Beach.
The area embracing the Beach was constantly kept clean and free from refuse through the efforts of the employees of the Park Commission.
During the past year the Board became the recipients of many letters of commendation, commenting upon the
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
excellent manner in which the Beach was supervised during the season; among the letters was one received from the South End House, a settlement house in Boston that operates a summer camp in Lexington, within close proximity to the Beach. This camp is conducted for the benefit of the underprivileged children of Boston.
Arlington Heights Standpipe
General maintenance; grass area surrounding the standpipe was cut and trimmed.
Turkey Hill
Brush trimmed, and general maintenance supervised.
Forest and Bow Streets
General maintenance; brush cut and trees trimmed.
Appleton Street and Paul Revere Road
General maintenance; grass trimmed, etc.
Lowell Street and Massachusetts Avenue (Foot of the Rocks)
General maintenance; grass trimmed. The drinking fountain formerly located on Massachusetts Avenue, cor- ner of Pleasant Street, Arlington Centre, and now situated upon this area, was repiped and new bubblers installed this year.
Ethel Wellington Playground
General maintenance.
Lockland Delta
Grass trimmed and watered; general maintenance.
527
PARK COMMISSIONERS
Menotomy Rocks Park
General maintenance, grass cut and watered, and brush trimmed. This year a certain portion, formerly swamp land, was properly graded and filled with loam and made over into a suitable playground area for small children, thus making a safe landing field for those who use the toboggan slide throughout the winter months. This year the roadway extending from Jason Street to Eastern Avenue was covered with cinders and stone dust, resulting in a splendid, new, widened road. At the request of the residents occupying the new dwelling houses adjacent to the Jason Street entrance of the Park, the tool shed, formerly located near that vicinity, was razed, and a new enlarged tool shed erected in a suitable location some distance from the site of the old building. Early in the Spring, Hill's Pond was kept free from an unsightly undergrowth of weeds, and later in the season each pine tree was pruned two feet from the ground as a fire pre- ventative. During the Spring and Summer months, many young children, with their parents, were to be seen sailing their ship models over the Pond. During the Winter months, as in the past, the Pond was utilized by many Arlington citizens for purposes of general skating and playing hockey. Throughout the Summer season, a great many citizens used the horse shoe quoit courts and derived much pleasure therefrom.
Russell Park
General maintenance. This year two Rock Maple trees were planted on the Mystic Street border, replacing those that died.
Meadowbrook Park
General maintenance. The area of Meadowbrook Park bordering Chestnut Street was graded and made
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
suitable for baseball early in the Spring. Many children utilized the field and its recreational appliances throughout the year. Late in the Fall a large area was flooded and made suitable for skating purposes. It was used by many of the children in this section of Arlington. The area of the Park bordering Mystic Valley Parkway still remains in very poor condition, and fill, from various excavations on the Town's property, was placed around this area and graded. The Board is of the opinion that it will be some time before this area will be suitable for recreational purposes.
Orvis Road
General maintenance; grass cut and trimmed.
River and Warren Street Delta
General maintenance; grass cut and trimmed.
Crosby School Playground
General maintenance.
Warren A. Pierce Playground
General care and maintenance; areas re-seeded, trimmed, etc. This year 400 yards of loam were spread over the football and baseball fields. The Board of Park Commissioners have joint jurisdiction with the School Committee over this Playground.
Monument Park
General maintenance; area re-seeded and grass cut. This year the flag pole was repainted and new halyards installed.
529
PARK COMMISSIONERS
Linwood Street Beach (Spy Pond)
General maintenance. Early in the year signs were placed upon conspicuous locations advising citizens that bathing was prohibited. This past year, as was the policy of this Board throughout 1935, Linwood Street Beach remained closed to the public for bathing purposes. It is with a great deal of satisfaction that this Board reports that during the past year no drowning accident occurred in the vicinity of Linwood Street Beach.
Fowles Pond
General maintenance.
Dow Avenue and Appleton Street Delta
General maintenance; grass trimmed, area cared for, etc.
Medford and Warren Street Delta
General maintenance; grass trimmed, area cared for, etc.
AREAS OWNED BY TOWN OF ARLINGTON AND CARED FOR BY ARLINGTON PARK COMMISSION
Brattle and Summer Street Delta
General maintenance; grass cut and trimmed.
Junior High West (Crusher Lot)
General maintenance; brush trimmed, trees trimmed.
Falmouth Road and Crosby Street Delta
General maintenance; grass cut and trimmed.
530
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Thomas J.Robinson Rock (Gray Street and Endicott Road)
General maintenance; grass cut and trimmed.
AREAS CONTROLLED BY ARLINGTON GARDEN CLUB AND CARED FOR BY ARLINGTON PARK COMMISSION
Delta, corner of Massachusetts Avenue and Swan Place Area cared for.
Delta, adjacent to Old Town Hall
Area cared for.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The Board makes the following recommendations: Arlington Heights Playground (Reservoir Field)
This Board recommends the construction of bleachers or grandstand to suitably accommodate approximately 1,000 persons, and the construction of a suitable tool shed.
Reservoir Beach
This Board recommends the erection of a suitable, adequately equipped bath house at this Beach, in order to provide for its ever-increasing patronage.
Ethel Wellington Playground
This Board recommends the erection of a garage and a tool shed on this area, thereby enabling the Park Com- mission to assemble its maintenance equipment at a central location.
531
PARK COMMISSIONERS
Menotomy Rocks Park
This Board recommends the installation of a police box in this Park.
Meadowbrook Park (area bordering Chestnut Street)
The portion that has been used in the past for the playing of baseball has been considerably reduced due to the erection of a dwelling house within close proximity to the field, thereby making the field unsuitable for organized baseball. Therefore, this Board recommends the immedi- ate installation of at least two lawn tennis courts in this area.
Crosby School Playground
On January 13, 1936, this Board received from the Office of the Clerk of Courts for Middlesex County, a Stipulation of the Superior Court, declaring the playing of baseball prohibitive at the Crosby School Playground. The Board accordingly posted notices to that effect upon several conspicuous places within the playground en- closure.
In view of the fact that the playing of baseball is pro- hibited at the Crosby School Playground, this Board recommends the installation of suitable lawn tennis courts thereon, as the present status of the playground offers no inducement whatever to the residents of East Arlington.
This Board cannot but strongly emphasize the ex- pediency of immediately acquiring additional recreational areas in East Arlington, in order to meet adequately the demands of the citizens resident therein.
In conclusion, the members of this Board are thor- oughly appreciative of the fact that it is clearly our duty
532
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
to serve, to the best of our ability, the people of Arlington, who place their confidence in us, by electing us to this Board.
Ever since its inception in 1935, this Board's action on all matters requiring a vote in executive session, has been unanimous on every occasion.
This Board, we hope, has acted wisely in our en- deavors and decisions, and we are thoroughly appreciative of the full and genuine cooperation afforded us by all Town Departments, Town Officials, Town Meeting Members, and Citizens of Arlington, for which we are profoundly grateful.
With this continued manifestation of good will and unselfish support, the Arlington Park Commission will advance toward ultimate accomplishment and complete satisfaction, to the end that the best interests of the Town of Arlington will coincide with the desires of its citizens.
JOHN B. BYRNE, Chairman NILS G. ANDERSON DANIEL M. HOOLEY
533
REPORT OF PLANNING BOARD
REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Gentlemen:
The Planning Board respectfully submits herewith its report for the year of 1936.
ZONING
During the past year there has been but one request for a change in zoning. This request was for a change from a Single Residence classification to a Business area. In conformity with its previous report in 1935, on this same property, the Board recommended that no change be made which report was approved by the Town Meeting of October 19, 1936.
CAMBRIDGE-CONCORD HIGHWAY
There have been no radical changes with respect to the operation of this important highway during the past year. As regards property development along this route, one major housing project adjoining the Lexington line has been inaugurated and actual construction started. Due to irregularities in the Arlington-Cambridge boundary line, a small portion of this highway lies in Cambridge and a filling station is already in operation at this point. It is also possible that some form of tavern will be established nearby which use will be contrary to the policy which has been adopted by Arlington for the entire length of this highway through the town. An act by the Legislature authorizing a change in the boundary line would seem to
534
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
be the only method of preventing a use which we feel is not a desirable one.
With the change in general business conditions, a marked increase in building along the route of the highway is to be expected and the connection of these developments with the highway will present a problem if the number of local streets entering this main way is to be kept at a minimum. Already the question of extending Highland Avenue across the Belmont line to this highway has been discussed with your board and while this extension would occur at a point of practically maximum grade on the highway which, from a theoretical standpoint, is extremely undesirable, increased service and traffic requirements may force this connection, thereby, requiring another stop light control at this point. This Board believes that the exten- sion of Eastern Avenue and Spring Street to handle some of the traffic from this section should be considered.
PROJECTS
The study of a proposed extension of Wellington Street as requested by your Board and mentioned in our report for 1935 has been completed. It is our understand- ing that it was felt that the benefits to be gained did not justify the probable cost and that this plan has been given up for the present. No further formal action has been taken by the Board relative to the projects which were also listed in our previous report.
BOSTON-LOWELL TURNPIKE
This Board has endeavored to keep in touch with this matter through the Town's State Representatives but has not as yet learned the results of any studies that may have been made by any of the State Boards as to possible routes through Arlington. The Planning Board feels that this is a matter of vital importance to Arlington and hopes
535
REPORT OF PLANNING BOARD
that if this project again becomes active, that it will be possible to secure a layout that will be advantageous to the town as a whole.
GENERAL
The Planning Board during the year has met with the Joint Board and discussed certain features of the street layout for the proposed Arlmont development and also the property between Tufts and Harlow Streets from Massachusetts Avenue to Broadway. A main street to be extended through the center of this latter land is planned to become a portion of a route between the Mystic Valley Parkway and the easterly end of Spy Pond. The proper development of this route should relieve Arlington Center of some of its cross town traffic.
The Board during the year has had representation at various hearings before your Board and the Joint Board when it was felt that the matter under discussion was of a character to warrant it.
The Planning Board has been engaged during the year in a revision of the Zoning By-laws in an effort to bring these By-laws into line with the present accepted best practice. It has endeavored to find a solution of the problem as to how to control overcrowding as a result of building on small sized lots, and has discussed this feature at some length with the Joint Board. In January a letter was received from Harvard University relative to the possibility of scholarships at Harvard in a course to be given by the Bureau for Street Traffic Research. This matter was given publicity through the local papers in order that anyone interested and qualified might take advantage of the offer. The Planning Board has also maintained contact with the usual State agencies together with the State Federation of Planning Boards. It has like- wise communicated with the neighboring Planning Boards
536
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
relative to questions of mutual interest and has furnished information and copies of our Zoning By-laws to other municipalities who contemplated the adoption of similar laws.
The Board is aware of the passage of the so-called Herter Bill which if adopted by a town materially changes the present set-up of the Park Commission, the Board of Survey and the Planning Board. While it is not the in- tention of the Planning Board at this time to recommend the adoption of this bill in its entirety, particularly that portion relating to the assumption of the duties of the Park Board, nevertheless, if it is shown by trial elsewhere that the bill possesses merit, this Board believes that its adoption should be given serious consideration by the voters of the Town.
HAROLD C. KNIGHT, Chairman HERBERT M. DUTCHER, Secretary WALTER F. ROBINSON CHARLES M. MACMILLIN SEROVP P. BASMAJIAN
537
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF THE ROBBINS LIBRARY
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE ROBBINS LIBRARY
FOR THE YEAR 1936
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
Assistants RUTH SAMPSON, Cataloguer and Senior Assistant *ALICE NELSON, Reference Librarian MARGARET WEBSTER ERSKINE Reference Librarian ESTHER GANNETT, Classifier THELMA BRICTSON MONTAGUE Children's Librarian RUTH FULLER, Circulation
538
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
General Assistants PAULINE BENNETT BARBARA DARLING +LOUISE M. MUIR
Part-Time Workers NAOMIE ALCOTT LOIS CRAIG ELEANOR DE ROCHE FRANCES MACAULAY RACHEL M. SANTOLIQUIDO MIRIAM SNOW NANCY STANDBRIDGE ELIZABETH TISDALE
Curator Robbins Print Collection MRS. KATHRYN McC. ACHUFF
Janitor JAMES SULLIVAN
Heights Branch JEANETTE FAVREAU, Branch Librarian JOHN J. HERON, Janitor
East Branch EVA M. SMITH, Branch Librarian *PATRICK REDDAN, Janitor JOHN T. LOFTUS, Janitor
Messenger CHARLES L. O'NEILL
*Resigned. +Deceased August, 1936.
539
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF THE ROBBINS LIBRARY
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
FOR THE YEAR 1936
The Trustees of the Robbins Library present their report for the year 1936:
Notwithstanding a slight reduction from 1935 in our circulation, there has been no reduction in the activities of the library as is well set forth in the report of our Librarian, Mrs. Spofford.
Again the Trustees call the attention of our citizens to very much needed branch libraries at the Heights and in the East section of the town. It is hoped that these additional facilities may be furnished at an early date.
With registered borrowers of over one-third of our entire population, and a circulation of over 300,000, the need of more books is most evident. We now have but 55,000 volumes, and the reduced appropriation of $4,500 this year made the work of keeping all our borrowers happy a difficult task.
It is with sincere regret that the Trustees record the death during the year of Miss Louise M. Muir, a valued assistant.
For the Trustees,
WILLIAM A. MULLER,
Chairman.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN FOR THE YEAR 1936
To the Trustees of the Robbins Library:
I herewith submit the annual report of the Librarian for the year ending December 31, 1936.
The year has shown great fluctuation in circulation. This was particularly true of the summer months. The home circulation for the year was 310,300 which is 11,215 less than the year 1935.
The following tables show many interesting facts:
Comparative Circulation by Stations
1935
1936
Loss
Gain
Center, Adult .
192,451
184,468
7,983
Center, Juvenile .
60,282
54,458
5,824
East Branch .
29,663
28,203
1,460
Heights Branch.
26,314
26,525
211
Schools
12,805
16,646
3,841
Total
321,515 310,300
15,267
4,052
Total Loss, 11,215
Comparison of Home Use of Books
Non-fiction
Fiction
Total home use of books
1926
119,774
1931.
77,813
178,887
256,610
1935
102,604
218,911
321,515
1936
102,465
207,835
310,300
541
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
In the ten year period 1926-1936 the circulation in- creased 190,526 or 2.5 times. From 1931-1936 the use of books increased by 53,690 or 1.2 times. The increased use of the books of non-fiction is very gratifying. It indi- cates that the Library is doing more than hand out books for mere entertainment. The questions that come to the reference desk and over the telephone, which many times tax our resources, substantiate this.
The Robbins Library has two very definite needs. First : Branch Library buildings at Arlington Heights and East Arlington. The Heights for many years has been desirous of better Branch facilities. As far back as twenty-five years there was an article in the Town War- rant. With the estimate division of population in De- cember, 1936, 15,488 at the Heights, 11,404 at the Centre and 14,230 at East, it would seem that something must be done.
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