USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1938 > Part 17
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Dwellings, 1-family
136
$678,200
Apartments, 4-family
5
50,000
Dwellings, 2-family
2
9,500
Complete 1-family dwellings
2
8,500
Addition to Parochial Schcol
1
70,000
Addition to Nurses' Home
1
55,000
Additions and Alterations
64
63,130
Rectory
1 22,000
Garages
33
10,325
Filling Station
1
6,000
Bathhouse
1
2,000
Observatory
1 100
Sheds
$2
175
Henhouses
2
125
Foundation for 2-family dwellings.
1 630
Foundation for garage
2
90
Foundation for shed
1
25
Alter 8-family into 11-family dwelling. ..
1 1,000
Alter 1-family in to 2-family dwelling .
1
500
Alter 1-car into 2-car garage.
2
500
Alter 3 stores into 1 store.
1 2.000
325
INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS
Store front
2
450
Fire Escape
1
115
Elevator
1
Repair fire damage
4
702
Reroof dwellings
121
22,380
Reroof buildings
3
700
Move buildings
5
390
Demolish dwellings
4
875
Demolish buildings
38
3,720
440
$1,009,432
Six hundred and thirty-three plumbing and seven hundred and seventy gas permits were issued. Fees Collected :
440 Building Permits
$1,201.00
633 Plumbing Permits 989.50
770 Gas Permits
384.50
1843
$2,575.00
The above compilation of building permits issued during 1938 shows a slight increase over the previous year, with the construction of one-family dwellings continuing to be the largest single item.
Violations of the Code have occurred, but not to the ex- tent that we have had to resort to Court procedure.
To your Honorable Board and all other Town officials I wish to extend my thanks for their co-operation and consid- eration during this past year.
Respectfully submitted,
PAUL H. MOSSMAN, Inspector of Buildings.
326
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
FIRE AND POLICE SIGNAL SYSTEM
January 1, 1939.
Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Arlington, Mass.
Gentlemen :
I have the honor to present my eighth report as Superin- tendent of the Fire and Police Signal System for the year ending December 31, 1938.
This System was transferred to the Chief of the Fire Department on May 1, 1930. It was formerly in charge of Superintendent William E. Mason. On July 1, 1933, it was separated from the Fire Department and placed in charge of Lester W. Cameron. On September 25, 1934, it was made a Division of the Fire Department.
The salaries of the two men assigned to maintain the Fire and Police Signal System are included in the payroll of the Fire Department.
FIRE ALARM
There were eight open circuits in the Fire Alarm system : three caused by underground cable at Massachusetts Avenue between Everett and Winter Streets, Massachusetts Avenue between Hobbs Court and Highland Fire Station, and Park Avenue at Wollaston Avenue; one was caused by Edison wire crossing with Fire Alarm on Everett Street, and four were caused by the hurricane: Circuit No. 1 was open at four differ- ent locations, two on Lake Street, one on Thorndike Street and one on Teel Street; Circuit No. 3 on Robin Hood Road; Circuit No. 4 on Jason Street and Circuit No. 6 on Appleton Street.
327
FIRE AND POLICE SIGNAL SYSTEM
One new box, No. 176, was installed at River Street- Cornell Street, in commission at 3:45 P. M. February 4.
May 11. Temporary aerial lines at River Street and Mystic Valley Parkway were put underground when the new River Street Bridge was completed.
A six-inch tapper was installed in the home of John Mahoney, 246 Appleton Street, October 7.
Replacement of old underground cable of the Fire and Police Signal System (W. P. A. Project) was begun August 19.
A new 66-conductor Anhydrex cable replacing the old 30-conductor cables was installed on Massachusetts Avenue from Headquarters to Mill Street. Temporary aerial lines were used until the new cable was placed in service Novem- ber 16.
New terminal cabinets were installed at Fire Alarm and Police Headquarters.
A terminal pedestal was installed at the Old Town Hall. The old cable wire was pulled out and installed on Broadway from the Central Fire Station to Foster Street. This work was not completed at the close of the year.
November 12. The governor on the air compressor for the whistle plant was overhauled.
December 10. The regular men of this Division, together with those assigned for work on the cable project, who volun- teered their services on off-time, arranged and installed all Christmas decorations and illumination at Monument Park, Town Hall, Headquarters and Highland Stations.
December 13. Two men from the Unemployed began re- cording data of the Fire and Police Signal System.
328
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
SPECIAL CALLS
36 emergency calls were received by radio from Headquarters while men were engaged in construction and repair work. 30 persons who were locked out were admitted to their homes. 19 cats were rescued from trees or poles.
41 transfers were made of lines to new poles.
POLICE SIGNAL SYSTEM
There were four open circuits in the Police Signal System : Circuit No. 4 was open at Park Avenue and Lowell Street, caused by a break in the underground cable from pole to Fire Box Pedestal No. 77, and again at Park Avenue and Wollas- ton Avenue, caused by a broken underground cable from the test pedestal to pole on Wollaston Avenue; during the hurri- cane Circuit No. 1 was open at Lake Street and Thorndike Street, and Circuit No. 2 at Davis Avenue and Mystic Street.
Police Pedestal No. 31, at Massachusetts Avenue-Central Street, was struck by unknown automobile, December 2, at 1:50 A. M., knocking over pedestal, breaking top police shell, recall light and police sign.
Winchester Mutual Aid Circuit was open at Arlington- Winchester Line, caused by pole falling and breaking cable.
During the hurricane, the Fire Alarm Construction Truck, with the aid of all W. P. A. men assigned to the Fire and Police Cable Project, removed trees and poles from streets and buildings.
Hurricane work was completed October 3 and the Cable Project reopened.
REPORT OF HURRICANE WORK Fire and Police Boxes
Seventy-two of the 125 Fire Alarm Boxes were out of com- mission. All boxes were in service at 4:30 A. M. September 22, with the exception of the following:
329
FIRE AND POLICE SIGNAL SYSTEM
Box 285 at Lake Street-Wyman Lane and Box 2631 at Lake Street-Hardy School in commission September 28; Box 4421 at Irving Street-Parmenter Schhol and Box 461 at Jason Street-Irving Street in commission September 29; Box 157 at Henderson Street-Sawin Street in commission September 30 and Box 265 at Thorndike Street-Herbert Road in commission October 1.
Five Police Signal Boxes were out of service: Box 16 at Lake Street-Concord Highway in commission September 28; Box 213 at Mystic Street-Winchester Line and Box 47 at Eastern Avenue-Fayette Street in commission September 29; Box 14 at Thorndike Street-Herbert Road and Box 23 at Davis Avenue in commission October 1.
Tree Work
September 21. Removed partly uprooted tree with winch at Massachusetts Avenue-Orvis Road.
September 22. Removed trees from Robin Hood Road, Beacon Street, Marathon Street, Teel Street and topped tree at 49 Thorndike Street.
September 23. Removed trees from 183 Pleasant Street, topped trees at 26 Magnolia Street and 70 Magnolia Street, pulled tree from house at 12 Teel Street and cut tree out of Edison lines at 157 Medford Street.
September 24. Removed trees from 1 Freeman Street. Work of removal at 183 Pleasant Street completed.
September 25. Removal work at 1 Freeman Street com- pleted. Removed trees at 47 Lake Street and 89 Lake Street.
September 26. Removed trees from houses between 152- 158 Lake Street, 57 Lake Street and 47 Marathon Street.
September 27. Removed pole from house at 30 Cleveland Street, pulled over trees at 3-5 Magnolia Street and at 28
330
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Thorndike Street. Installed temporary Edison lines on Brant- wood Road, out of commission at 9:00 A. M., completed at 6:25 P. M.
September 28. Topped tree at 9 Fairmont Street and pulled trees from 61 Florence Avenue, 88 Ronald Road and at 14-16-20 Teel Street.
September 29. Topped and pulled over tree at 57 Paul Revere Road.
September 30. Removed tree from house at 42 Henderson Street and pulled trees at 59 Appleton Street and 200 Mystic Street.
October 1. Pulled over trees at Lafayette Street and 70 Mystic Street.
October 2. Pulled trees from houses at 71 Randolph Street and 70 Magnolia Street. Pulled over trees on Magnolia Street, 46 Adams Street and Jason Street.
October 3. Cut limb from tree at 56 Mt. Vernon Street. Pulled over trees at 3 Claremont Avenue, 32 Devereaux Street, Lake Street and Freeman Street. Pulled down limbs at 89 Lake Street and 25 Hawthorne Avenue.
On the following dates the Fire Alarm Truck picked up tree stumps for Tree Warden Daley and loaded them into trucks: October 27, thirteen stumps; November 18, eleven stumps; December 2, eight stumps; total, thirty-two stumps.
A total of fifty-one trees were taken care of, including removal, topping and trimming of dangerous limbs.
The flood light unit was used thirty-nine and one-half hours during the removal of trees. Three 300-watt floodlights were used.
331
FIRE AND POLICE SIGNAL SYSTEM
The truck used in removing trees and poles is a Line Con- struction Truck, formerly in use by the New England Tele- phone and Telegrah Company until taken out of service and placed in reserve after curtailment of some of the construction crews. It was purchased by the Selectmen for $250, July 20. It was painted, equipped with a radio and placed in commis- sion July 30 at 3:00 P. M. It has a power derrick, power winch and is designed to carry all types of tools and appli- ances necessary for linemen's work.
The truck was primarily acquired because of a W. P. A. Project of replacing old underground cables of the Fire and Police Signal System on Massachusetts Avenue. It was esti- mated that a cable truck would be necessary for a period of thirty or forty days during this work and the cost submitted by three contractors ranged from $21 to $50 per day.
The Project was begun August 19 and this truck was con-
tinuously on the job until the work was interrupted by the hurricane, from that time until December 2 when the last stump was loaded on a truck, it has proved its worth.
It is a valuable adjunct to this Department as a service truck, the one which it replaced was sold for $150.
I recommend an appropriation of $1,790 for the year 1939.
1938 Appropriation
$1,790.00
Expended
1,769.63
Balance
$20.37
Credits
Sale of fire alarm truck.
$150.00
Sale of cable and copper wire
103.67
$253.67
I deeply appreciate the work of the men assigned to this Division. It has been an extremely busy year because in addi-
332
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
tion to the regular duties of maintaining the System, much new construction was carried on and for days immediately following the hurricane these men worked incessantly, day and night, with no time off whatever.
To Lester Cameron I am especially grateful, he not only gave up his days off but his vacation as well.
To the W. P. A. workers assigned to this Division, my sincere thanks for their splendid work at all times, particu- larly after the hurricane and for the voluntary service rendered during the Christmas season.
DANIEL B. TIERNEY,
Superintendent, Fire and Police Signal System.
333
REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
January 1, 1939.
Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Arlington, Mass.
Gentlemen :
I have the honor to present my Sixteenth Annual Report as Chief of the Arlington Fire Department for the year ending December 31, 1938.
MANUAL FORCE
The manual force consists of fifty men: the Chief, two Deputy Chiefs, five Captains, one Inspector-fireman assigned to the Fire and Police Signal System, six Lieutenants, thirty- five Privates, one of whom is assigned to the Fire and Police Signal System; also a Department Surgeon, Dr. Winslow M. Kingman, and a Department Clerk, Anna B. Hurley.
APPARATUS
Two ladder trucks, four pumping units and a Special Service unit are in active service.
A Knox Combination purchased in 1913 is in reserve. A 1000-gallon capacity monitor nozzle is mounted on the deck for use at large fires.
The Department responded to 139 Box Alarms, 300 Still (telephone calls), 129 Mutual Aid Calls (Out of Town), a total of 568, 51 more than in 1937, and only 7 less than the greatest number ever responded to in one year (1930).
Ten false alarms were sounded as compared with 3 in 1937. 11 in 1936, 16 in 1935, 14 in 1934 and 21 in 1933.
334
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
REPORT OF DR. KINGMAN
Dr. Winslow M. Kingman responded to 74 alarms and made 82 calls: Office visits, 33; station visits to firemen, 22; station visits to other than firemen, 3; home visits, 17; fire- men treated at fires, 3; others treated at fires, 1; carbon monoxide, 1; illuminating gas, 1, and skating accident, 1.
FIRE LOSSES
The total assessed value of property endangered, the in- surance thereon, the loss sustained and the insurance paid are as follows:
Assessed Value
Buildings
.$307,850.00
Insurance $302,650.00
Damage $26,444.47
Insurance Paid $26,444.47 3,153.01
Contents
25,200.00
22,200.00
4,953.01
Total .... $333,050.00 $324,850.00 $31,397.48 $29,597.48
Forty-two losses occurred during the year ,ten of which accounted for $23,523.81 of the entire loss.
FIRES WHICH CAUSED LOSS OF MORE THAN $1,000
January 1, Rose Donahue, 108 Sylvia Street. $5,000.00 January 29, Arthur Johnson, 297 Renfrew Street .. 1,100.00
March 3, Rose Tully, 102-104 Highland Avenue. 1,388.00 March 23, Alfred Morgan, 113 Thesda Street .. .. 2,600.00 May 9, Catherine Podgoski, 11-13 Lafayette Street 1,073.50 June 8, Martin Gallagher (Estate), 963 Massachu- setts Avenue 1,516.34
July 30, John Maranian, 24 Newland Road.
1,900.97
September 5, John L. Bixby, 65 Hillside Avenue. .
5,362.00
November 29, Ida Anderson, 10 Lafayette Street .. 1,378.00
December 24, Cambridge Savings Bank, 67 Bow Street Street 2,205.00
335
REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
LOSSES BY FIRE FOR FIVE YEARS
1938
1937
1935 1934
$31,397.48
$22,408.15
1936 $15,760.67
$38,190.60 $67,531.05
APPROPRIATION
Appropriation
$123,019.75
Expended
122,986.99
Balance
32.76
CREDITS
Fees for 3 permits for alcohol. $1.50
Fees for 56 permits to blast. 28.00
Fees for 11 permits for sale of fireworks. 5.50
Fee for 1 permit for naphtha.
1.00
Sale of old tires. 20.00
$56.00
FIRE PREVENTION
The Department made 17,734 twice-a-month inspections of all business places and public buildings by firemen when off duty.
These inspections, valuable as they are, become more effective through the willingness and desire of owners and occupants to assist the Department in the elimination of all conditions that might cause or accelerate fires.
Only three fires occurred in this class of buildings during the year. Record of previous years: 5 in 1937, 4 in 1936, 7 in 1935, 4 in 1934, 3 in 1933, 6 in 1932 and 3 in 1931.
DWELLINGS
Firemen have donated their services for the inspection of the cellars of all houses in Arlington for fifteen consecutive years because fires that start in the cellar, particularly at
336
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
night, are the most dangerous and it is here that the greatest number of hazards are found.
Dwellings do not properly come under the regular inspec- tion of fire departments, notwithstanding the fact that two- thirds of the nation's entire property loss and the majority of the deaths result from residential fires.
The effectiveness of these inspections is most clearly shown by the fact that in 7,355 houses with more than 10,000 families, only eleven fires occurred in the cellars the past year.
The record of cellar fires has been favorable over a period of years: 12 in 1937, 9 in 1936, 11 in 1935, 9 in 1934, 11 in 1933, 7 in 1932, 11 in 1931 and 9 in 1930.
The following is some data compiled as a result of this inspection :
Total houses 7,355
Single houses 4,309
Two-apartment houses 2,901
Of more than two apartments
145
Houses under construction
38 Vacant apartments
171
Combustible roofs
135
Oil burners
7,049
Total number of families
10,730
NUMBER OF HOUSES EACH YEAR
1938, 7,355; 1937, 7,161; 1936, 7,098; 1935, 6,990; 1934, 6,942: 1933, 6,893; 1932, 6,849; 1931, 6,739; 1930, 6,494; 1929, 6,247; 1928, 5,924; 1927, 5,561; 1926, 5,170; 1925, 4,640; 1924, 3,918 (First inspection).
INSPECTIONS
Mercantile
17,734
Dwellings 7,355
308
Power oil burners
Range oil burners
351
Total inspections 25,748
337
REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
FIRE DRILLS IN SCHOOLS
Fire drills were given in all public and parochial schools. A record was taken of the number of classrooms, pupils, exits used and the time required to vacate each building.
The records of these annual drills show that School Offi- cials are not unmindful of the vital importance of regular, systematic training for the safeguarding of the lives of the pupils in any emergency that might arise.
November 9, a fire drill was conducted at the Symmes Arlington Hospital from 8:00 A. M. to 8:35 A. M. It was held at this time in order to have all nurses take part.
The drill consisted of calling all nurses to their post of duty through sounding the fire alarm gong. Each bed that contained a patient was attended by two nurses demonstrating the removal of the patient to safety.
Nurses were shown how to sound the fire alarm from the auxiliary stations throughout the building, how to operate the extinguishers, the working principle of the sprinkler sys- tem and the Vitalarm, a device for sounding alarm in case of rapid rise in temperature, and the value of the several Kant- Blaze Blankets for smothering fire.
Sixty-eight nurses exclusive of other employees took part in the drill and displayed a deep interest as did President Dewing who was present.
The Superintendent, Miss Nora Brown, is the pioneer in establishing fire drills in hospitals, the first to conceive the idea of putting grips on sides of mattresses for emergencies by which two nurses can easily and quickly pick up a patient on a mattress and remove to safety. Drills are held weekly.
Four hundred and thirty fire extinguishers were recharged in schools and other public buildings, garages and factories.
338
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
HURRICANE, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21
After a day of intermittent rain, the stiff breeze blowing from the southeast about 4:45 P. M. suddenly assumed hurri- cane proportions. The wind increased in intensity until 7:30 P. M.
During that time much damage was sustained throughout the Town. A rough estimate being 600 damaged homes, numerous plate glass windows broken, scores of poles blown down, and 596 trees on public ways, 108 trees on private prop- erty were uprooted, falling into the streets, making 34 of them unpassable. Considerable damage was done to roofs, skylights and doors in all fire stations.
Telephone service with fire stations was uninterrupted, although hundreds of telephones were out of service.
All Edison electric current was shut off at 6:29 P. M.
Electric current for lighting Headquarters Station was supplied by the Boston Elevated Railway through temporary wiring, the other stations used lanterns. Electric service was restored to these stations Thursday, September 22.
Seventy-two of the 125 fire alarm boxes were out of com- mission and all but six were back in service at 4:30 A. M., September 22. The remainder were in service October 1.
Many of the off-platoon firemen reported for duty and a continuous watch was maintained during the night. The Department responded to three calls for assistance in Somer- ville and to three Bell Alarms and four Still Alarms of our own.
The Special Service Truck furnished light for the oper- ating room at Symmes Arlington Hospital from 9:10 P. M. until 4:55 A. M., September 22.
Light was also furnished the Public Works Department, September 22, on Jason Street and Brantwood Road from
339
REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
7:30 P. M. to 12:18 A. M., September 23, a total of 4 hours and 48 minutes, and on Norfolk Road, Henderson Street and Teel Street, September 23, from 7:45 P. M. to 11:49 P. M., a total of 4 hours and 4 minutes.
Twelve women came to Headquarters for protection dur- ing the hurricane. They were given toast and coffee and were allowed to use the telephone to notify their families of their predicament. Some were taken home in automobiles by the firemen who reported for duty, one elderly lady was driven to Billerica.
I recommend that $129,027.50 be appropriated for the en- suing year (including four additional men).
I ask that provision be made for the appointment of four additional men on May 1, 1939.
Four men were appointed in 1935 to fill vacancies caused by two deaths and two retirements. There has been no addi- tion to the force and no request made for men since 1931 be- cause of the prevailing economic conditions, although the need for more firemen has increased each year.
Previous to 1931 eight men were assigned to the Park Circle Station, four on each platoon. That year an additional Company was formed with the purchase of Engine 4. Two men were taken from the Park Circle Station who with the four new firemen formed this additional Company.
When all men are on duty there are twenty-two to operate four Engine Companies, two Ladder Trucks and one Emergency Truck.
The smallest number of men an Engine Company should have is five, for an Aerial Truck four, City Service Truck (with all portable ladders) five and three on the Special Service Emergency Unit.
During vacations and sickness it is often necessary to have the off-platoon report for duty. Inspection of all business
340
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
places and public buildings twice each month are of necessity made by the firemen who are off-duty.
When buildings are completely involved speedy and efficient control is not possible with undermanned Companies.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen for its steadfast support of the fire service; to the Board of Public Works for its keen interest in fire protection; to Town Engineer James M. Keane always helpful; to the Police Department which works very closely with the Fire Department; to Miss Esther M. Wyman, Landscape Architect, for gratuitous service in beautifying the grounds and designing decorations for Headquarters; to my own officers and men, ever ready and willing to give their best, I extend sincere thanks and appre- ciation.
DANIEL B. TIERNEY,
Chief, Fire Department.
341
REPORT OF MOTH DEPARTMENT
REPORT OF THE GYPSY AND BROWN TAIL MOTH DEPARTMENT
The Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Arlington, Mass.
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my report of the Gypsy and Brown Tail Moth Department for the year ending December 31, 1938.
The town as a whole is in a fairly good condition regard- ing these insects. There were two sections that were more greatly infested than the rest, namely, the colonies off Summer Street near the Lexington Line between Reed Street and Forest Street, and the area between Appleton Street and the Concord Turnpike.
The regular winter work of creosoting Gypsy Moth egg clusters and cutting off and burning Brown Tail Moth webs was attended to as usual. Private properties were entered and inspected, and it was found that wherever owners have had their estates sprayed the previous season, they were practi- cally devoid of any eggs.
The Canker Worm was very prevalent this past year in some parts of the town, but when reported it was readily attended to.
In the Arlington Heights section, especially around Lowell and Bow Streets, the Elm Leaf Beetle did considerable damage on private properties, and I would advise the owners of said properties, that if they value their trees they should have them sprayed at the proper time, either by this depart- ment or by some private contractor. The street trees in this section which were sprayed showed no defoliation whatsoever.
The young Norway Maples in East Arlington on the streets between Lake and Varnum had quite an outbreak of
342
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
the Oriental Moth which was unforeseen, and will have to be watched very closely during 1939. There will have to be two sprayings probably, one in June and another around the first part of August.
Due to the excellent and thorough work done by the W. P. A. men during the winter months of cutting Tent Cater- pillar egg clusters, there was a noticeable decrease in the num- ber of these insects that hatched out in the spring. There was a crew of twenty-two (22) men on this project and I think it is a very worth-while undertaking and should be continued as long as possible, if this pest is to be kept under control.
A few trees on the side streets off Medford Street, and a section on Broadway were the only places where the Fall Web Worm was detected this year. This insect seems to be dimin- ishing in numbers every year.
A good number of privately-owned Poplar trees were in- fested with the Satin Moth, and when requested they were sprayed by this department.
All private property owners who wished to have their es- tates sprayed were given the service of this department, and in turn making a remittance to the town for the amount of work done.
A new Dodge 11/2-ton truck was purchased to replace a 1931 truck of the same make, and it proved its value over and over again, especially after the hurricane storm of September 21, removing trees, brush, etc., to make the highways clear for travel.
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