USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1940 > Part 34
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39
Federal Wages, $451.77. Town Expense, $125.86.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Extensive renovation, remodelling and painting on the first floor of the police station started late in 1939, was completed in the spring.
In the fall another project was begun to renovate and paint the second floor.
Federal Wages, $5,663.97. Town Expense, $3,119.62.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
The survey, begun in 1939 of the Fire and Police Sig- nal System, was finished, as well as a project for the im- provement of underground cables for that system, which was also started last year. Another project for continuation of the cable work was started this fall, and is still in oper- ation.
A fourth project at Central Fire Station was com- pleted. This work was interior painting, painting and water-proofing on the exterior.
Federal Wages, $11,866.83. Town Expense, $4,087.73.
A project to install Sewer and Water pipes on the westerly side of Park Avenue between Wollaston Avenue and Prospect Avenue, worked for about ten (10) weeks,
632
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
and then was suspended until December 17th in order to release labor for street construction during the summer months.
Storm drains were laid in Jason Street and in Win- chester Road, Hutchinson Road, Old Mystic Street, and through Town-owned land to Mystic Lake. Mill Brook project for flood control between Mill Lane and Grove Street, begun late in 1939, was completed in October, 1940.
The type of work was in conformity to previous pro- jects on Mill Brook.
Federal Wages, $62,508.34.
Town Material and Equipment, $11,585.11.
MOTH DEPARTMENT
The project for control of leaf-eating insects like Gypsy and Browntail Moths, Tent Caterpillars, etc., worked in the early months of 1940 to aid in the conservation of trees and shrubbery.
Federal Wages, $3,387.40.
Town Material and Equipment, $36.06.
HIGHWAYS
Three streets in the 1939 program, Fisher, Buena Vista and Newland Roads, were completed this year. New construction on streets authorized in 1940, comprised Aber- deen Road, Bates Road, Bellington Street, Burton Street, and Chester Street, Mary Street, Newport Street, Suther- land Road, Walnut Terrace and White Street. New side- walks in various locations throughout the town were built upon application by the abutters to the Board of Survey.
633
EMERGENCY UNEMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE
Federal Wages, $90,646.45.
Town Expense, $74,969.55.
CHARITIES
The sewing project operated throughout the year in the same manner as heretofore, with 64 as the average number of workers.
They made :
13831 garments for women 432 garments for girls
19452 garments for boys
3 garments for men
And used 631431/2 yards of materials.
The household aid project was continued in the same manner as last year. On recommendation of the Welfare Department the workers assist in care of children and housework in homes where the housewife is unable by rea- son of sickness to care properly for her charges. This work has benefited greatly the unfortunate families, who have been obliged to call for this service.
The project for the renovation of Furniture and other Household Goods, ceased in October, and was replaced by a project to repair Toys for distribution to needy children in Town.
64 truck loads of clothing were sent to the Welfare Department, and at their request 17 carts, sleds, bicycles, tricycles and doll carriages were finished and delivered.
The toys consisted of 3402 renovated and repaired; 604 new toys and newly dressed dolls were made. The Welfare Department supplied a list of 281 families with 783 children to whom toys were delivered at Christmas.
634
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
5109 pieces of furniture, household articles, toys, etc., were collected, repaired and renovated.
Federal Wages, $69,192.73. Town Expense, $12,987.73.
SCHOOLS
An extensive project to improve town-owned buildings included several school buildings.
Brackett School
The interior and exterior of Brackett School was painted. Incidental repairs that developed during that work were made and 13 windows were replaced on account of de- teriorated sash.
Crosby School
At the Crosby School besides painting the interior and exterior of the building and incidental repairs connected therewith, many other improvements were made. The en- trance to the boiler-room, formerly in bulk head form, has been changed, a block and tackle hoist installed and a con- crete floor and threshold laid.
Many of the windows with semi-circular tops were loose and these were replaced with new tops secured firmly in place by screws. New weights, cords, and sash pulls were installed and the windows glazed.
In the gymnasium dampness had rotted many of the supporting floor timbers, which were removed. In their place gravel fill with a 4" concrete floor, and 1/2" top of plastic rock were laid. The two exterior double doors, hav- ing outlived their usefulness, were replaced with new doors, hardware and kick-plates. Four basement rooms, partially below surface grade, were quite damp. This con- dition was remedied by a partition, and air space at the exterior walls.
635
EMERGENCY UNEMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE
Outside the building some of the old granolithic and tar walks had become broken and dangerous. These were replaced by new granolithic walks with curbing and neces- sary loaming, seeding, and rolling was done.
Junior High West
Heavy leakage developed at the point where the ad- dition joins the old building making it necessary to re- move part of the party wall, and some of the tar and gravel roofing, on either side. New framing and boarding was put in this section, covered with sheet copper and new tar and gravel roofing on top, properly pitched for drainage.
Senior High School
An unfinished portion of the basement 26 x 70 ft. has been converted to much needed storage space. A 4" grano- lithic floor, plaster ceiling on wire lath, a brick sump with wood and steel cover, doors (one metal clad) to boiler room and a wooden platform with steps at entrance have been installed, and the whole painted. Some work was also done on the cinder-track in the basement.
Federal Wages, $23,859.08. Town Expense, $6,061.82.
BOOK BINDING
This work was continued as in previous years.
Federal Wages, $7,440.79. Town Expense, $309.82.
RECREATION
The regular project operated throughout the year along the same lines as in previous years, which included athletics, physical training, drama, arts and crafts, games, dancing, etc. School gymnasia are in use during the in- door season.
Another project covered the erection of a masonry re-
636
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
taining wall and chain link fence, approximately 1000 ft. long at the Reservoir Playground, Arlington Heights.
A third project at Spy Pond Field provided for a stone masonry wall beneath the grandstand seats, to control drainage and erosion, renewal of seats where necessary, grading and seeding. At other locations in the field, play- ers' benches, and horse-shoe courts were built, back-stops repaired, chain link fence at tennis courts painted, 2" pipe fence painted on Lombard Terrace and locker buildings painted, inside and outside, and renovated. New lockers were installed and the grandstand painted.
1
Federal Wages, $32,560.72. Town Expense, $5,879,62.
LIBRARY
A project to bring the library records up to date was started in the fall of 1939, and completed this year. The work consisted of indexing, filing and typing Arlington newspaper items from 1871, compiling historical records, and mending books and magazines with transparent tape.
Federal Wages, $1,221.28. Town Materials, $97.05.
WATER DEPARTMENT
The project to relocate, map and index all water shut- offs between street mains and the property served, has been completed. A similar project regarding gates and valves in streets is now operating.
Federal Wages, $18,977.92. Town Expenses, $2,977.39. (Material and Equipment)
637
EMERGENCY UNEMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE
ROADSIDE BEAUTIFICATION
This is a state-wide project and concerned Arlington by work for a short time in the summer along Concord Highway.
Federal Wages, $1,145.91. No Town Expense.
NATIONAL YOUTH ADMINISTRATION
Forty boys in this enrollment have been engaged in useful work, mainly the elimination of leaf-eating and other insects. Incidentally, this work aided in the reduction of fire hazards, tree surgery and general improvement in appearance of unoccupied land. Some of this work was done on private property, by permission of the owners. A few girls assisted in the school department, but the majority worked in connection with the Unemployed seam- stresses.
Federal Wages, $10,111.69.
Town Material and Equipment, $1,063.65.
FIRST AID SUPPLIES
Required by Federal Regulations, these articles are bought by the Town and distributed through the proper persons for use on the various projects.
Town Costs, $367.48.
CEMETERY MAPS
This project to provide a complete map showing all graves, plots, etc. was completed this year.
Federal Wages, $3,078.52.
Town Material, $320.11.
638
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
MUSIC PROJECTS
This is part of a state-wide project of the Federal Government for which the Town is assessed $3.00 per per- son per month for each Arlington member to defray costs other than wages. These assessments amounted to a Town Expense of $637.50.
HISTORICAL RECORDS
A Federal state-wide project for which the Town is assessed $5.00 per worker per month to defray costs other than labor.
Town Expense, $87.50.
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
The Town is obliged to supply these necessaries for the proper operation of W. P. A. projects. The figures shown include original costs, up-keep when practicable, trucking to and between jobs, and rental of store-house for tools not in use.
Town Expense, $3,382.34.
ENGINEERING
Office expense in maintenance of the Federal En- gineer's office and Travel expense of Town Engineer's Office, incidental to W. P. A. project proposals.
Town Expense, $223.48.
639
EMERGENCY UNEMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE
GENERAL SUMMARY W. P. A. PROJECTS 1940
Federal Wages
Town Expenses
Town Buildings and Grounds ..
$
451.77
$ 125.86
Police Department
5,663.97
3,119.62
Fire Department
11,866.83
4,087.73
Sanitation
62,508.34
11,585.11
Moth Department
3,387.40
36.06
Highways
90,646.45
74,969.55
Charities
69,192.73
12,987.73
Schools
23,859.08
6,061.82
Book Binding
7,440.79
309.82
Recreation
32,560.72
5,879.62
Library
1,221.28
97.05
Water Department
18,977.92
2,977.39
Roadside Beautification
1,145.91
National Youth Administration
10,111.69
1,063.65
First Aid Supplies
367.48
Cemetery Maps
3,078.52
320.11
Music Projects
637.50
Historical Records
87.50
Tools and Equipment
3,382.34
Engineering
223.48
$342,113.40
$128,319.42
I hereby give expression to a thorough appreciation of my appointment November 1, 1940, as Executive Secretary of the Emergency Unemployment Committee and Local Work Relief Coordinator. I further wish to attest to the measure of cordial cooperation and helpful suggestion ex- tended unreservedly by the members of the Honorable Board of Selectmen, the Secretary of the Board and the various department heads and assistants associated in the activities of these administrations.
FRANCIS T. KEVILLE, Executive Secretary Local Relief Coordinator.
January 15, 1941.
640
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
January 14, 1941.
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-fifth annual report for the year ending December 31, 1940.
At the annual town election held Monday, March 4, 1940, Mr. John B. Byrne was re-elected a member of the Board of Park Commissioners for a term of three years.
The Board organized on Wednesday evening, March 13, 1940, with Mr. Nils G. Anderson as Chairman, Mr. George D. Higgins as Superintendent of Parks and Playgrounds, and Miss Ruth Cannell as Clerk.
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 offi- cials 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 aud- iences to committees, organizations, delegations, and citi- zens of Arlington whose interests are within the jurisdic- tion 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
208.00
Wages
2,992.30
Police Duty
260.00
Life Guards
1,500.00
$6,967.80
641
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
Expenses :
Office Expenses
$ 28.35
Telephone
48.25
Auto Maintenance
457.20
Trucking
195.00
Maintenance of Equipment
314.44
Repairs to Boats
22.50
Crushed Stone, Cinders and Other Material
169.05
Trees and Shrubs
131.70
Loam and Fertilizer
222.80
Other Expenses
228.65
$1,817.94
Capital Outlay :
Grass Seed
$ 100.00
ยท Sand
101.04
Paint-Field House
35.50
Repairs to Cannon
125.00
Lawn Mower
354.76
$ 716.30
Warren Peirce Playground Joint Account :
Expenses $ 596.95
As in 1939, this Board, although confronted with a limited budget, continued its policy of promoting progress and expansion in the administration of its affairs. The development of Arlington is constantly increasing, thus presenting this Board with a serious problem in adequately providing suitable additional recreational equipment to meet the demands of the accompanying populous growth.
The Board supervised the care and maintenance of twenty-three 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.
642
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
AREAS WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THE PARK COMMISSION
Heights Playground (Reservoir Field)
General maintenance. Many of the young men of Arl- ington organized baseball and softball teams and availed themselves of the opportunity to use this field for the pur- pose of playing ball. The field was used in this respect until late in the fall. The baseball outfield needs considerable loam to cover the rough fill. We have recommended a set of bases and plates for this field in our budget.
Reservoir Beach
In conformity with a recommendation of this Board, which was approved at the Annual Town Meeting, a suit- able chain link fence was erected, embracing the entire beach area including the parking space, beach, and bath house.
The six lifeguards at the beach served as instructors in first-aid and life-saving, in conformity with the program of the Metropolitan Chapter of the American Red Cross. Hundreds of Arlington children and adults were taught how to swim and were given instruction in first-aid and resusci- tation and eventually qualified as Junior and Senior mem- bers of the Life Saving Corps of the American Red Cross. This Board is very happy to report, for the third consecu- tive year, that there has been no fatal accident at the Beach.
At the request of this Board a police signal box was in- stalled on the beach property as a means of protection to the patrons of the beach in the event of an emergency.
A uniformed police officer was in attendance at all times during beach hours, for the preservation of order.
As has been the custom for the past three years, mat- rons were in attendance during the beach hours in the wo-
643
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
men's section of the bath house and rendered excellent service in their official capacity.
The beach was opened to the public June 17, 1940 and officially closed September 7, 1940.
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
General maintenance; grass trimmed.
Ethel Wellington Playground
In conformity with a recommendation of this Board, which was approved at the Annual Town Meeting, three tennis courts have been constructed on this property. This tennis court area is suitable and has already been used for roller skating, which continued up until the time it was flooded for ice skating purposes. It is the Park Depart- ment's first installation of a black top tennis and skating area.
The area at the end of Prentiss Road has been filled in with material taken from new street construction in this vicinity. Loam is needed to cover this area as it is only rough graded with the street fill.
644
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Lockeland Delta
Grass trimmed and watered; general maintenance.
Menotomy Rocks Park
General maintenance, grass cut and watered, and brush trimmed. Flower beds replaced and planted.
Russell Park
General maintenance.
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.
The facilities of this area were also used extensively by the members of the Arlington Boys' Club, who held super- vised, organized play throughout the summer and well into the fall.
This year a suitable wading pool was installed for the use of the small children, who derived much pleasure from it, particularly during the hot and sultry days.
Orvis Road
General maintenance; grass cut and trimmed.
River and Warren Street Delta
General maintenance; grass cut and trimmed.
Crosby School Playground
General maintenance.
645
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
Warren A. Peirce Playground
General care and maintenance. Areas reseeded, trimmed, etc., 400 yards of loam were spread over the football and baseball fields. The Board of Park Commis- sioners have joint jurisdiction with the School Committee over this playground.
Monument Park
General maintenance; area reseeded and grass cut.
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.
Florence Avenue Playground
A rather large area was levelled off and has been used for baseball. In the winter a suitable rink was built, flooded, and used for purposes of ice skating.
Thorndike Street Playground
During the spring and summer fill was obtained and spread through a section of the area enabling the children of the vicinity to play baseball and other sports.
Teel Street Playground.
This area has been levelled off and made suitable for the play of the children of the vicinity who have used it ex- tensively for this purpose.
646
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
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.
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
This Board makes the following recommendations :
Arlington Heights Playground (Reservoir Field)
This Board recommends the erection of bleachers or a suitable grandstand to accommodate approximately 1,000 persons.
647
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
Reservoir Beach
This Board recommends the purchase of more sand to be placed around the shore of the Beach, and the erection of more seats to accommodate the ever-increasing patronage.
Meadowbrook Park (area bordering Chestnut Street)
The Board recommends the installation of additional recreational equipment suitable for small children in this area.
North Union Street Playground
The Board recommends that this area be graded and made suitable for purposes of baseball and other organized play.
In conclusion, the members of this Board are thorough- ly appreciative of the fact that it is clearly our duty 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 endeavors and decisions, and we are thoroughly appreciative of the full and genuine cooperation afforded us by all Town De- partments, Town Officials, Town Meeting Members, and Citizens of Arlington, for which we are profoundly grate- ful.
With this continued manifestation of good-will and unselfish support, the Arlington Park Commission will ad- vance toward ultimate accomplishment and complete satis- faction, to the end that the best interests of the Town of Arlington will coincide with the desires of its citizens.
NILS G. ANDERSON, Chairman JOHN B. BYRNE DANIEL M. HOOLEY
Board of Park Commissioners
648
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD
The Planning Board respectfully submits to the Town of Arlington its annual report for the year ending Decem- ber 31, 1940.
At the regular Town Election, Mr. Herbert M. Dutcher and Mr. Serovp P. Basmajian were reelected, each for a three year term. The Board was duly organized with Mr. Harold C. Knight as Chairman and Mr. Hartwell Flemming as Secretary.
A major project undertaken by the Board was the re- writing of the entire Zoning By-Law. The By-Law now in force is that drawn up in 1924 as subsequently amended. During the sixteen years since that time, the growth and changing characteristics of the Town have made alterations in the By-Law and Map necessary; and during the same period, the art of Town Planning and the experience of the Board have pointed to other improvements which the Board believes could be incorporated in the law to the Town's ad- vantage. The objective of this work is to provide our Town with a better and simpler By-Law which will reflect the latest practice in Zoning as applied specifically to the Town of Arlington. Since this was a step of major importance, professional assistance was secured in Professor Frederick J. Adams, head of the Department of City and Town Plan- ning at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Inas- much as work of this character involves detail requiring the utmost care and since there are many phases to be consid- ered, the project was not completed in 1940 and will be continued during the coming year.
The Planning Board renewed during the past year its objections to the construction of streets to enter upon the Concord Turnpike. Since it is a State Highway, your Board contacted the State Planning Board, the Metropolitan Division of Planning and the State Board of Public Works
649
REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD
to ascertain if they had any recommendations or objections. All three State Boards, after investigation and study, up- held the position of your Planning Board. A meeting was subsequently held with the Joint Board of Selectmen and Public Works at which these objections were outlined, and a possible route to serve the district without exposing the neighborhood to the relatively high speed, through traffic was suggested. It is realized that such a parallel service road would entail an expenditure by the Town greater than the projecting of existing streets to the Highway, but the former would eliminate the accident hazards due to the entrances upon the Turnpike as well as within the neigh- borhood.
The Board is pleased to state that the route of the proposed Middlesex Turnpike as now decided upon and ap- proved by the State Boards is substantially that recom- mended by your Planning Board in 1935. The routing of this highway from the junction of Lowell and Woburn Streets to the Concord Turnpike via the Great Meadows and Pleas- ant Street in Lexington was-as was noted in previous re- ports-proposed and has been consistently supported by the Arlington Planning Board. Other proposals for routes through Arlington appeared to your Board to be illogical.
The action of the Town Meeting this year in changing an area in the vicinity of Court Street and also an area in the vicinity of Decatur Street from the Semi-residence to the General Residence classification marked another step forward in the progress of zoning in Arlington. Your Plan- ning Board initiated the change since this Semi-residence Zone had, insofar as our Town is concerned, become obso- lete and undesirable. The combination of business and residence in the same building has been found under certain conditions to be hazardous on account of fire, and the presence of scattered business establishments in a residen- tial neighborhood negates to a degree the benefits of zoning.
Acting on the requests of interested registered voters,
650
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.