USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1938 > Part 24
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ment and the Town of Arlington is assessed $10.00 per worker monthly. This payment aggregates approximately two-thirds of the material cost.
Furniture and Household Goods Project operated advan- tageously throughout the year. A varied assortment of furni- ture, household articles and clothing are voluntarily con- tributed by Arlington residents mainly through the efforts of appointed solicitors. Thoroughly renovated and reconditioned by skilled workers, these articles are distributed under proper supervision on recommendation of the Board of Welfare and other qualified charitable agencies.
FIRE DEPARTMENT:
Federal Funds $7,230.87 Town Funds . .$4,898.22 1,154 man-days 30 workers
A project started during 1938 for the replacement of un- derground cables to improve and accelerate the efficiency of the existing Fire and Police Signal System.
A project operated to make alterations and repairs to the Highland Fire Station including interior painting.
A project operated at the Central Fire Station painting and repairing both interior and exterior of the building.
HIGHWAYS: Street Construction and Sidewalk Construction Federal Funds .... $191,968.69 Town Funds .$105,420.72 36,957 man-days 295 workers
The Street construction program included the comple- tion of the following highways: Andrew St., Hibbert St., Quincy St., Temple St., Kilsythe Rd., Lennon Rd., Sunset Rd., Wachusetts Ave., and Park Ave. Extension.
Town expenditures on a project of this type are charged to the abutters and eventually returned through betterment
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EMERGENCY UNEMPLOYMENT COMMISSIONERS
assessments. This type of project is of pecuniary benefit not alone to the abutters, but is also a factor in Tax Reduction as assessment is included for labor.
Project for the construction of sidewalks in cooperation with the Town Board of Survey. New sidewalks were con- structed on thirty streets throughout the Town upon applica- tion by the abutters to the Board of Survey.
HURRICANE EMERGENCY :
Federal Funds. . $33,857.47 Town Funds . .$14,111.58
All W.P.A. manual labor projects were suspended when the hurricane occurred in September, 1938, and all workers were marshaled immediately into an effective organization, clearing debris and fallen trees in the interest of safety and restoration of a normal street and highway traffic.
Subsequent to the elimination of the immediate hazard, definite planned projects were initiated promptly to repair streets, clear parks and playgrounds by removal of trunks, stumps and limbs of trees that might be still a menacing dan- ger, repair of damaged public buildings.
MOTH DEPARTMENT:
Federal Funds .$5,941.40 Town Funds .$149.83 1,186 man-days 63 workers
Three projects were in seasonal operation for the eradica- tion of Gypsy and Browntail Moth and Tent Caterpillar. This work has aided in the conservation of the trees and shrubbery.
PUBLIC WORKS (Yard Improvement) :
Federal Funds .... $. . 3,650.23 Town Funds .$409.89
This project operated to physically complete a planned system of grading to facilitate activities in the yard and in-
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
cluded necessary drainage together with an alterated water main service connecting lines with the high pressure service.
PUBLIC WORKS (Sanitation) :
Federal Funds . . $81,916.63 Town Funds .$9,308.11 15,308 man-days 159 workers
Two projects were active throughout the year to improve, widen and erect masonry walls at various sections of Mill Brook for flood control purposes. One section from Forest Street to Brattle Street, the second section from Forest Street to a point beyond Clark Street.
A project was completed relative to the laying of a sewer main along the Concord Highway from Lake Street to Village Lane. A sewer main was also laid a distance of 600 feet on Cedar Avenue from Park Avenue.
A project was initiated late in 1938 to relay storm-drains in various streets. Gray Street was the only thoroughfare worked on when the project was forced to suspend on account of unfavorable weather conditions.
WATER DEPARTMENT:
Federal Funds $26,248.70 Town Funds .$7,323.12 5,290 man-days 77 workers
A project operated for the purpose of locating and desig- nating on maps the water shut-offs of all buildings and houses throughout the Town.
A project to relay water and sewer pipes in several streets was started and work was done on Park Avenue and Gray Street.
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT (Bookbinding, Painting and White Collar) :
Federal Funds . .$23,445.84 Town Funds $4.123.06 2,991 man-days Số workers
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EMERGENCY UNEMPLOYMENT COMMISSIONERS
The project to repair and bind school books was carried on throughout the year. The results accrued can be estimated in considerable savings to the School Department through the salvage of old books. This activity does not include work that would ordinarily be awarded to private business.
Projects to paint and repair the interior of the Pierce, Russell, Cutter, Parmenter, Hardy, Senior High and Junior High schools were operated throughout the greater part of 1938.
A project was initiated for the purpose of drafting and compiling a set of essential modern plans for considered im- provements, and alterations to the Crosby, Hardy, Locke, Junior High Centre and Junior High West schools.
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT :
Town Funds. .$1,719.09
In order for W.P.A. projects to operate without interrup- tion, the Town contributed and furnished adequate tools and equipment. This figure includes only the larger items used on various projects. Small items have been charged directly to Specified Projects.
COMMISSARY:
Federal Funds $6,764.68 Town Funds $3,238.41
This project is directly operated by the Federal Surplus Commodities Division in the local distribution of food com- modities, milk and clothing furnished by the Government to needy families. During 1938, 66,583 quarts of milk were given to certified needy persons for which the Town was assessed two cents a quart.
POLICE DEPARTMENT:
Federal Funds $7,713.13 Town Funds $2,076.59 1.530 man-days 22 workers
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Installation of a new system is in process of completion, covering all records, file and indexing. The inception of this project occurred early in 1938, and will be completed during the first quarter of 1939. This work will prove a valued con- tribution to the present efficiency of the Police Department and will provide a more facile medium of cooperation and contact with other similar agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the State Police.
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT OFFICE:
Federal Funds . $862.63 Town Funds .$17.20
162 man-days 5 workers
A project to compile, transcribe, and index Statutes and Amendments of the General Court of Massachusetts, and Town By-laws and Statuatory rules and regulations applic- able and relating to this department.
RECREATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL:
Federal Funds . .$16,845.78 Town Funds .. . . $4,796.73 3,026 man-days
This project operated effectively during 1938, providing instruction in physical training and athletics, arts and crafts, dancing, drama, music pageants, field days, nature studies and club organization. The school gymnasia are utilized for these varied activities during the winter season.
A project to improve the school playgrounds by spreading stone dust, grading, etc., was operated at the Cutter, Peirce, Hardy, Russell, Locke, Junior High West, Junior High Cen- tre and the Senior High School.
A project to build a wall at Spy Pond Field near the tennis courts was completed during the year.
FIRST-AID SUPPLIES ($205.26) :
These supplies were purchased by the Town and supplied to certified First-Aid workers on all projects in compliance with Federal W.P.A. regulations.
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EMERGENCY UNEMPLOYMENT COMMISSIONERS
FEDERAL MUSIC PROJECT:
Town Funds .$630.00
This project has a membership selected from various cities and towns and is State-wide in scope. A supplemented Federal ruling requires the local municipalities to defray the non-labor costs of $3.00 per person monthly. The local assess- ment enabled 18 Arlington residents to continue actively as members of this group. This procedure is mandatory on all similar projects whose operation is wholly controlled by Fed- eral Government.
NATIONAL YOUTH ADMINISTRATION :
Federal Funds
.$7,160.00
This Federal organization continued to operate in Arling- ton solely under Federal supervision, the local activities have to date been concerned with manual labor projects only. Late in 1938, a project started at the Police Station Garage to paint traffic signs and construct poles with concrete bases for stop signs at street intersections. The more valuable vo- cational guidance projects are yet in a planning status though extensive workable objectives in this regard are in process of completion in the near future.
My sincere appreciation is herewith expressed for the cooperation readily given to me by the members of the Hon- orable Board of Selectmen and all others associated with me in the conduct of these departments and in a particular man- ner attest to the competent efforts of Mr. James M. Keane, Town Engineer, in his preparation of projects and his helpful counsel.
NEIL S. PETERS
Executive Secretary, Arlington Emergency Unemployment Committee, W. P. A. Cordinator
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
OFFICE OF PARK COMMISSION
In accordance with Section 3 of Article III of the By- Laws of the Town of Arlington, the Board of Park Commis- sioners herewith respectfully submits its forty-third annual report for the year ending December 31, 1938.
At the annual town election held Monday, March 7, 1938, Mr. Nils G. Anderson was re-elected a member of the Board of Park Commissioners for term of three years.
The Board organized on Monday evening, March 14, 1938, with Mr. Daniel M. Hooley 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 Monday 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 commit- tees 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 jurisdiction 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
Clerk
156.00
Wages 2,997.10
Police Duty
260.00
Life Guards
1,500.00
$6.920.60
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PARK COMMISSIONERS
Expenses :
Office Supplies $12.59
Auto Maintenance 410.36
Trucking 120.00
Telephone
53.35
Repairing Boats
49.80
New Lawn Mowers
49.00
Maintenance of Tools and Equipment.
313.19
Loam and Fertilizer
190.00
Crushed Stone, Cinders and other Material
220.35
Trees, Shrubs, Grass Seed.
105.88
Other Expense
184.92
Capital Outlay-Grass Seed
100.00
$1,809.44
Bath House
$2,499.92
Warren Peirce Playground Joint Account:
Expenses
$704.47
Capital Outlay-Fence and Gate 771.86
$1,476.33
As in 1937, this Board, confronted with a limited budget, commensurate with the current economic depression, contin- ued its policy of promoting progress and expansion in the ad- ministration of its affairs.
The development of Arlington is constantly increasing, thus presenting this Board with a serious problem in ade- quately providing suitable additional recreational equipment to meet the demand of the accompanying populous growth.
Confronted with this serious situation, this Board held frequent meetings with the Planning Board and the newly created Committee on Parks and Playgrounds, in order to consider properly the expediency of acquiring suitable, addi- tional recreational equipment within the Town.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
As was evidenced last year, this Board again this year em- ployed every means within its command to create and provide work for the unemployed men of Arlington, which was accom- plished by the co-operation of Mr. Neil S. Peters, Arlington Works Progress Administration Administrator, and Mr. Clif- ford W. Cook, Arlington Welfare Agent.
The Board supervised the care and maintenance of twenty-six areas within its jurisdiction, together with four areas owned by the Town of Arlington outside the jurisdiction 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 inex- pedient 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 baseball 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 member- ship comprised the young men of Arlington: Forest Athletic Association, Highland Athletic Club, and the Hurd Family Nine. The baseball field, as well as other portions of the play- ground, were utilized throughout the Spring and Summer 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.
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PARK COMMISSIONERS
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 Summer 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.
This year for the first time qualified lifeguards were ap- pointed from the Civil Service list in order of their respective standings. They were as follows: Chief Guard, Frank Guarente; Anthony Sarausky, James Coffey, Paul Bartholo- mew, Edward Quinn and Leo Austin. On August 15 Guard Anthony Sarausky resigned to enter a training period with the New York Giants Professional Football Team. The va- cancy was filled by William Burke. All of these guards are residents of Arlington. The beach was opened to the public Monday, June 20, 1938, and officially closed September 8, 1938.
The Board was indeed fortunate in having the services of two guards who are rated as American Red Cross Life Saving Examiners. They were Frank Guarente and Leo Austin. These men supervised and instructed the patrons of the beach in swimming and enabled them to pass a junior and a senior life-saving course - the junior grade consisting of all children up to seventeen years of age, while the senior grade consisted of persons seventeen years of age and over. Thirty-nine men and twenty-six women passed the required senior life-saving examination which entitled them to three years' membership with the American Red Cross Life Saving Service and entitled them to wear the appropriate insignia.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Seventy-nine boys and thirty-eight girls passed the re- quired junior life-saving examination which entitled them to three years' membership with the American Red Cross Life Saving Service and entitled them to wear the proper insignia.
There was still another class in which the younger chil- dren were classified, known as the beginners' class. Those that passed the prescribed examinations and qualified as swimmers received a swimmer's button. Four hundred thirty-six chil- dren were taught the art of swimming during the past season. Before any children between the ages of eight and seventeen years were permitted on the raft, they had to pass the afore- mentioned beginners' or swimmers' test. Children failing to pass the test were not allowed at any time on or near or about the raft.
Captain Wallace, Metropolitan Director of the American Red Cross, commended the Board of Park Commissioners on the efficient system in operation at the Beach, and named the Reservoir Beach as being one of the safest in the Metropolitan District. Mr. Wallace also commended the Board of Park Commissioners upon having a public beach open on which the largest number of junior and senior Red Cross Life Saving students were passed in the examinations, as well as the largest amount of beginners and swimmers to be qualified.
This Board personally commends the guards for the effi- cient manner in which they conducted the beach throughout the season. On many occasions the Chief Guard's log book showed an attendance aggregating 1,200 to 1,500 on a Sunday or a warm weekday. When it is considered that such a great number of persons are present, it is gratifying to realize the great degree of safety measures that were in evidence. There were but eighteen actual rescues, twelve requiring no resusci- tation methods, and but two requiring hospital treatment, and one by a physician who was called to the beach. There were, however, several cases of first-aid treatment.
It is particularly gratifying to this Board to report that the past season was entirely devoid of a fatal accident at the Beach.
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PARK COMMISSIONERS
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 few years, with the constance increase in patronage at the beach, this Board felt that it would be ad- visable to erect some sort of a suitable shelter for the use of the patrons. At the Annual Town Meeting of 1938 this Board requested the Town Meeting for the sum of $2,500 to be ex- pended under the direction of this Board for the purpose of erecting an adequate bath house at the beach. This request was granted by vote of the Town Meeting. Whereupon this Board immediately commenced work on the erection of the bath house, which was completed and ready for use June 20, 1938. The bath house has accommodations for boys and girls and each compartment is equipped with an outside shower. The guards have a separate quarter in the boys' section, where first-aid equipment is stored. The bath house was dedicated to the boys and girls of Arlington by the Board of Park Com- missioners on July 16, 1938.
At the time of the completion of the bath house this Board procured 200 tons of sand which was placed in the area front- ing the bath house, through to the water edge of the beach, thereby providing an excellent surface free of gravel. This sand also was spread out quite a distance into the area re- served for non-swimmers.
This Board, in co-operation with the Arlington Boys' Club and the New England Amateur Athletic Union, made it pos- sible for an aquatic carnival to be held at the beach on July 16, 1938, at which time the aforementioned bath house was dedicated. Hundreds of young people were in evidence all during the day, and a great deal of excitement prevailed amongst the crowd who were interested in their favorites win- ning their specifiied race. It is hoped that this year and in the future this Board, in conjunction with the Arlington Lions' Club, will be able to conduct annually an aquatic carnival, open to all the boys and girls of Arlington who may desire to compete.
466
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
During the past year the Board became the recipients of many letters of commendation, commenting upon the excel- lent 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 sum- mer camp in Lexington, within close proximity to the Beach. This camp is conducted for the benefit of the under-privileged children of Boston.
Arlington Heights Standpipe
General maintenance; grass area surrounding the stand- pipe 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 foun- tain formerly located on Massachusetts Avenue, corner of Pleasant Street, Arlington Centre, and now situated upon this area, was repiped and new bubblers installed this year.
Ethel Wellington Playground
General maintenance.
Lockeland Delta
Grass trimmed and watered; general maintenance.
Menotomy Rocks Park
General maintenance, grass cut and watered, and brush trimmed. Also all flower beds replaced and planted.
·
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PARK COMMISSIONERS
This year the roadway extending from Jason Street to Eastern Avenue was completed and covered with cinders and stone dust, resulting in a splendid new, widened road through the entire Park.
Early in the Spring, Hills' Pond was kept free from an unsightly undergrowth of weeds, and 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 the purpose of general skating and hockey. Throughout the summer season a great many citi- zens used the horseshoe courts and derived much pleasure therefrom.
As a result of the September hurricane the Park suffered the loss of approximately 175 trees. Inasmuch as the working force of this commission was not sufficient to properly clear the park of the fallen timber and slash, this Board requested a W. P. A. project for that purpose. The aforementioned tim- ber was sawed in sections by the W. P. A. workers and split and piled by the unemployed of the town, together with our own force. Due to the many requests made of this Board for the wood, this Board felt that in fairness to everyone those who desired wood were considered in order of their requests. When the wood was available for transportation, the person next on the list was duly notified and requested to call for the wood in their own truck or conveyance. The last allotment of wood was removed from the park around the middle of January this year.
Russell Park
General maintenance. During the Spring the unemployed of Arlington resurfaced the playground area with stone dust.
Meadowbrook Park
General maintenance. The area of Meadowbrook Park bordering Chestnut Street was utilized by many children in the vicinity who derived a great deal of pleasure from the recreational appliances thereon.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
The area of the park bordering Mystic Valley Parkway still remains in very poor condition. Fill from various ex- cavations on the town's property was placed around this prop- erty and suitably graded. During the winter the low area was flooded and made suitable for skating purposes and was used by many of the children in this area. This Board is of the opinion that it will be some time before this area will be made suitable for recreation 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. Peirce Playground
General care and maintenance. Areas reseeded, trimmed, etc. This year 400 yards of loam were spread over the foot- ball and baseball fields. This year a Chain Link fence was placed around the tennis court area. During the Spring seventy cement posts embraced by one strand of wire cable were placed around the football field. The chain link fence serves as a boundary line between the Warren A. Peirce Play- ground and the property of the Arlington Gas Light Company and was set in cement to prevent deterioration. The Board of Park Commissioners have joint jurisdiction with the School Committee over this playground.
Monument Park
General maintenance; area reseeded and grass cut. This year the flag pole was repainted and new halyards installed.
Linwood Street Beach (Spy Pond)
General maintenance. Early in the year signs were placed upon conspicuous locations advising citizens that bathing was
469
PARK COMMISSIONERS
prohibited. This past year, as has been the policy of the Board since 1935, Linwood Street Beach remained closed to the pub- lic for bathing purposes. It is with a great deal of satisfac- tion 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.
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