USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1949 > Part 12
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MISCELLANEOUS DUTIES
This particular report section shows the multiplicity of work performed by the members of the Department.
Take the sick and injured cared for-this shows 243 persons, 2,967 separate cases investigated. There were 140 lost children cared for. In some instances with children three, four and five years of age, they were held at Police Headquarters for hours before parents were aware they were missing.
In addition, investigations were made for several different Federal organizations, many of which overlapped one another. Also many investigations were conducted for various commercial organizations throughout the country. Under the head of MISCELLANEOUS DUTIES can be found an enormous amount of detail work accomplished.
204
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
I am deeply grateful to the members of the Arlington Auxiliary Police Association who have never failed to assist the Department wherever their services were requested throughout the year.
To the Town, State and Federal Departments I am deeply grateful for their earnest and kind assistance, especially grateful to the Members of my own Department. I sincerely appreciate the wholehearted attention to duty exercised by all Members of this Department during the year. It was through their diligent attention to their many duties that Arlington continues to be comparatively free from crime and a good place in which to live.
In closing I wish to express my sincere appreciation to your Honorable Board, Officials of the Town Government, as well as the Citizens of Arlington for their splendid assistance and cooperation during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
ARCHIE F. BULLOCK, Chief of Police.
. 205
REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
Report of the Fire Department
Honorable Board of Selectmen
Town Hall Arlington, Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
I have the honor to present my First Annual Report as Chief of the Arlington Fire Department for the year ending December 31, 1949.
MANUAL FORCE
The permanent force consists of ninety-one men: The Chief, four Deputy Chiefs, ten Captains,eight Lieutenants, sixty-seven Privates, and an Assistant Superintendent of the Fire and Police Signal System; also a Department Sur- geon, Dr. Edward W. Feeley, and a Department Clerk, Anna B. Hurley.
PROMOTIONS
February 21, Deputy Chief Richard J. Tierney, Acting Chief since April 26, 1948, was appointed Chief of the De- partment by the Board of Selectmen.
January 9, Lieutenant Harry Cooper and Lieutenant Robert J. Mahoney were advanced to Captains (Temporary).
February 13, Irving L. Proctor and David T. Hughes were advanced to Lieutenants (Temporary).
March 6, Temporary Deputy Chiefs Thomas H. Egan and Bartholomew . J. McGreevy, Temporary Captains Harry Cooper and Robert J. Mahoney became permanent in their respective positions.
April 3, George J. W. Kenney, John M. Fahey, Albert G. Lennon, Henry T. Scannell, Francis R. Donahue, Irving L. Proctor and David T. Hughes received permanent appoint- ment as Lieutenants.
June 5, Captain Lorne S. McEwen was advanced to Dep- uty Chief, Lieutenant George J. W. Kenney to Captain and Private Harold C. O'Leary to Lieutenant.
206
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
APPOINTMENTS
Appointed three provisional firemen (replacements) :
February 13, Waren R. French
February 27, Charles O. Toomey, Jr.
April 17, Paul F. Crowley
May 28, the Division of Civil Service held an examina- tion for entrance for the fire department. To date the cer- tified list has not been established.
RESIGNATIONS
February 5, Warren G. Canavan (provisional)
April 16, John F. Connors (provisional)
September 24, John F. Shaw was retired on disability pension after many years of faithful performance of duty. He became a fireman March 27, 1927.
APPARATUS
In active service are three ladder trucks, three pumping units and the Special Service Unit; one pumping unit is in active reserve together with two 600-gallon trailer pumps.
April 1, Ladder 3, a Quintuplet model aerial ladder truck was placed in commission at Park Circle Station replacing Engine 3, a 750-gallon pumper. The new unit serves both as a ladder truck and pumping engine.
RESPONSE
The Department responded to 863 calls, of which 195 were Box Alarms, 553 Still Alarms (telephone calls), and 115 Mutual Aid (Out-of-town calls). There were 710 calls in 1948.
A summary of alarms revealed that the greatest number of such calls occurred in the month of March; that more occurred on Wednesday than any other day of the week, and also that of these calls the largest number occurred between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and noon and between 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Thirty-eight false alarms were sounded as compared with 44 in 1948.
February 29, by request of the Board of Selectmen, fire- men were detailed for traffic duty to care for children of elementary grades going and coming from school at the
207
REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
intersections of Broadway and Franklin Street and also at Park Avenue and Park Circle.
FIRE LOSSES
Seventy-six losses occurred, fourteen of which accounted for $37,319.66 of the entire yearly loss.
The total assessed value of property endangered, insur- ance thereon, loss sustained, and the insurance paid are as follows :
Assessed Value
Insurance Paid
Insurance Damage $441,700.00 $688,050.00 $35,075.68 $35,075.68
Buildings
Contents 309,225.00
308,225.00
17,136.69
16,336.69
Total
$750,925.00 $996,275.00 $52,212.37 $51,412.37
FIRES WHICH CAUSED LOSS OF MORE THAN $1,000
January 16, Irene McNaughton, 131 Highland Avenue
$2,888.25
February 6, Theresa Albanes, 138 North Union Street
2,298.00
February 13, Samuel Lowry, 29-31 Adams Street
2,613.92
March 5, Robert Evans, 10-12 Newland Road
1,298.00
March 10, Karl Ernst, 21 Summer Street
1,371.32
March 26, Robert Lorenger, 20 Windsor Street
4,261.59
March 26, Barnaby and Spiers, 874 Massachu- setts Avenue
2,404.00
March 29, DeAngelis Construction, 31 Appleton Court (Rear)
1,372.32
May 23, G. Clementson, 33 Golden Avenue
2,151.75
June 19, Lee Strickland, 359 Summer Street 3,271.91
June 25, Arlington Coal & Lumber Company, 41 Park Avenue
5,500.00
October 5, James Carrig, 166 Broadway
2,113.00
November 8, Florence Catanzaro, 171 Massachu- setts Avenue 1,399.60
December, William McAdoo, 61 Bartlett Avenue
4,377.00
APPROPRIATION
1949 Appropriation
$309,251.88
Expended
304,159.44
Balance
$ 5,091.90
208
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
CREDITS
Fees for 45 permits to blast
$22.50
Fees for 17 permits for inflammables
8.50
Fees for 9 permits for tar kettles
4.50
Sale of Junk
25.00
$60.50
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT SURGEON
Dr. Edward W. Feeley, Department Surgeon, rendered the following services during 1949: House calls 8, office calls 36, hospital calls 8, station calls 4 and physical examina- tions 6.
In addition to the above he responded to many alarms, made several inspections of first aid equipment, and had - several conferences with the Chief on department medical matters.
FIRE PREVENTION
All places of business, public buildings, schools, hospitals and places of assembly were inspected each month, a yearly total of 10,500 inspections.
As a result of this fire prevention measure, many hazards were discovered and through correction or elimination ser- ious fires prevented.
Sixteen fires occurred in these regulary inspected places, causing a loss of $13,309.32.
INSPECTION OF DWELLINGS
The Twenty-sixth Annual Voluntary Inspection by the firemen of the cellars of every home in Arlington was made during Fire Prevention Week, October 9-15; 8,505 houses being inspected.
The firemen advised the owners and occupants of po- tential fire hazards which in most cases are not recognizable by the inhabitants.
Such a survey has much to do with preventing careless fires and it eliminates serious loss both of life and property. This would not be possible but for the complete cooperation of our people.
Fourteen fires occurred in residential cellars; of these eleven were caused by defective oil burners and two by spontaneous ignition. There were eighteen cellar fires in 1948.
209
REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
The following is compiled as a result of Dwelling House Inspections :
Total houses
8,505
Single houses 5,315
2-apartment houses
2,982
Of more than two apartments
208
Vacant apartments
Combustible roofs
2
Houses with power oil burners
5,059
Houses with range oil burners
4,291
May 24, at the request of the Board of Selectmen, the National Board of Fire Underwriters began a complete survey of the Town of Arlington covering its fire depart- ment, water department, fire alarm signal system and other utilities necessary for fire fighting and protection.
The puropse of this survey is to establish a higher clas- sification rating for the Town resulting in lower rates for fire insurance.
INSPECTIONS
Dwellings
8,505
Mercantile
10,500
Power oil burners
600
Range oil burners
100
Total inspections
19,705
FIRE DRILLS IN SCHOOLS
The annual fire drill under the supervision of the Officers of the Fire Department was conducted in public, parochial and private schools.
-
A record was made of the number of classrooms, pupils, exits used and the time required to vacate each building, a copy of which was sent to the School Department.
November 21, conducted a Fire Drill at Symmes Arling- ton Hospital.
EXTINGUISHERS
Five hundred and two fire extinguishers were recharged (no fee) in public buildings, schools, garages and factories.
210
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
TRAINING OF FIREMEN
No Fireman-Training School was conducted in 1949 but routine drills were held whereby fire fighting methods and evolutions were reviewed.
RECOMMENDATIONS
For the year 1950 I recommend that $313,337.27 be ap- propriated.
CONCLUSION
As the newly appointed Fire Chief I will devote my en- tire efforts to the service of the Fire Department to sustain its high standard of efficiency, and I shall institute and ad- vance fire fighting methods which will afford the Town of Arlington the best available protection from fire.
To all who have helped make possible our present out- standing Fire Department, I am most grateful.
I am especially thankful to the Honorable Board of Select- men for its active interest in the affairs of the Department and to its very capable Secretary for extending many cour- tesies.
To Town Engineer James M. Keane and staff for valuable assistance, to the Police Department for splendid coopera- tion, and to the Auxiliary Firemen ever ready to respond to ·emergency, my deepest appreciation.
To my own faithful officers and men go sincerest praise and gratitude for loyal performance of duty.
Respectfully submitted,
RICHARD J. TIERNEY Chief, Fire Department
..
211
FIRE AND POLICE SIGNAL SYSTEM
Report of the Fire and Police Signal System
Honorable Board of Selectmen
Town Hall Arlington, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I have the honor as Superintendent of the Fire and Police Signal System to present my First Annual Report for the year ending December 31, 1949.
The salary of the Assistant Superintendent, Lester W. Cameron, is included in the pay roll of the Fire Department, but the salary of one Signal Maintainer, John J. Frasell, 164 Rhinecliff Street, appointed May 23, 1949, is included in the Budget of the Fire and Police Signal System.
FIRE ALARM
Four open circuits occurred in the Fire Alarm System caused when pedestal was struck by an automobile, and by aerial lines and cable breaking during storms.
January 20, replaced sixteen cells in Battery 13 which is used for emergency lighting at Headquarters. Installed automatic switch and relay on alarm lights.
January 31, the Town Clock in the steeple of the Unitar- ian Church, Massachusetts Avenue-Pleasant Street was re- paired and the south dial readjusted. On April 5 replaced the steel cable for winding.
February 28, the project of bringing up to date the plans of the Fire and Police Signal Circuits was started by a member of the Engineering Department.
April 9, installed two-way radio on Ladder 3.
April 28, Box 572, Massachusetts Avenue-Lexington Line, was damaged when struck by automobile.
April 29, new battery chargers with polarized plug system for charging batteries in the apparatus were installed at Highland Station and Park Circle Station.
May 9, installed 2-inch wheel valve on the Steam Whistle at the Metropolitan Pumping Station. This Whistle is used
212
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
for sounding the No School Signal and also for signalling in emergencies
May 24, printed a set of fire alarm cards showing the as- signed apparatus response for each fire alarm box.
June 14, installed tappers in the homes of Deputy Chief Charles J. Flynn and Deputy Chief Thomas H. Egan.
September 7, Box 641, Gray Street-Robbins Road, was damaged when struck by automobile.
Installed the following new fire alarm boxes:
Box
194 Broadway-Sunnyside Avenue
195 Silk Street-Michael Street
196 Sunnyside Avenue-Fremont Street
8631 Golden Avenue-Corey Lane
845 Appleton Street-Ortona Street
46
Jason Street-Jason Court
84
Wollaston Avenue-Tanager Street
1731
Beacon Street-Philips Street
483
Gray Street-Lockeland Avenue
371
Edgehill Road-Radcliffe Road
791 Cypress Road-Wright Street
1941 Bayburn Cleansers-1 Broadway (Private)
792 James Street-Thesda Street
775 Westmoreland Avenue-Orient Avenue
314 Medford Street-Jean Road
2851 Mott Street-Wilson Avenue
847 Sylvia Street-Boundary Road
Peerless 3-fold boxes replaced following 2-sector boxes :
Box 68 Mt. Vernon Street-Spring Avenue
Box 153 Marathon Street-Waldo Road
Box 7121 at Symmes Arlington Hospital was rebuilt and ten auxiliary boxes were connected with sprinkler system from this master box.
POLICE SIGNAL SYSTEM
There were no serious disruptions or grounds in the police circuits.
April 18, Bank Alarm Box 7-7-7, Bayburn Cleansers-1 Broadway, was reconnected to police signals, having been disconnected because of a fire.
213
FIRE AND POLICE SIGNAL SYSTEM
CABLE CONSTRUCTION
Renewed cable at following locations:
Pond Lane-Massachusetts Avenue to Box 241
Mill Street-Massachusetts Avenue to Summer Street Everett Street-Broadway to Box 136
Replaced 45 feet 66-c cable at Massachusetts Avenue- Grove Street, cable had been damaged.
Pulled in underground 20-conductor cable on Pleasant Street from Massachusetts Avenue to Belmont Line; on Mystic Street from Ridge Street to Fairview Avenue, and from College Avenue to Robin Hood Road. Installed 20-c aerial cable from Fairview Avenue to College Avenue.
Pulled in 6-c cable on Davis Avenue, Upland Road, Old Mystic Street and Robin Hood Road from Mystic Street to first pole on street, to connect with existing line.
SPECIAL DETAILS
Made 35 transfers of lines to new poles.
December 14, arranged Christmas lighting and decora- tions at the Town Hall, on Tree at Monument Park, at Fire Department Headquarters Station and Highland Station.
APPROPRIATION
1949 Appropriation
$14,154.00
Expended
14,151.55
Balance
...
2.45
BUDGET
For the year 1950, I recommend an appropriation of $23,502.42 which includes the employment of an additional Signal Maintainer, also the purchase of twelve fire alarm boxes, three police boxes and cable construction on Highland Avenue.
It is planned to make routine tests weekly of all fire alarm and police signal circuits. Every fire and police box will be tested at quarterly intervals to make reasonably sure that each box will function correctly when needed.
214
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
RECOMMENDATIONS
I recommend that the Town of Arlington establish a sep- arate Department of Communications or Signals under the guidance of a Supervisor thoroughly equipped with the knowledge for its maintenance and operation. Grouped within this Department could be signal maintenance of every type demanded in the Town including fire, police, radio, broadcasting, traffic and other facilities. Some commun- ities now have a modified grouping.
I further recommend a separate building of fireproof construction to house such equipment in a fairly isolated lo- cation safe from being involved in any situation developed by the spread of fire from other structures. It is a recom- mendation of the National Board of Fire Underwriters that a fire alarm system be segregated and in a fireproof building.
For many years the difficulty of maintaining the Fire and Police Signal System has been known and now a construc- tive plan of operation should be proposed. Somehow, the present system has served the Town through the years, but the demands for service with the development and growth of the Town have so increased that this System should be replaced by one which is modern and manually operated.
As Chief of the Fire Department and the Superintendent of the Fire and Police Signal System, I frankly admit I know nothing of any value regarding the mechanics or technique concerning the operation of a municipal fire and police signal system, which is rather an embarrassing situation. There is only one man, the Assistant Superintendent, also a fire- man, who is familiar with the operation of this System. It is a serious situation and should be corrected.
CONCLUSION
To Lester W. Cameron, Assistant Superintendent of the Fire and Police Signal System, and to John J. Frasell, Signal Maintainer, for untiring efforts, day and night, in effectively maintaining this System, I am most grateful.
Respectfully submitted,
RICHARD J. TIERNEY
Superintendent, Fire and Police Signal System
215
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS
Report of the Inspector of Buildings
To the Honorable
Board of Selectmen
Arlington, Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my report of the inspection of build- ings, plumbing and gas for the year ending December 31, 1949.
Five hundred sixty-three permits were issued, compiled as follows :
Dwellings, 1-family
135
$1,068,300.
Dwellings, 2-family
3
36,000.
Dwellings, 4-family
7
350,000.
Dwellings, 6-8-family
14
1,225,000.
Complete Dwellings, 1-family
3
27,500.
Complete Dwellings, 2-family
1
3,500.
Apartment houses
6
805,000.
Schools, Public
1
487,487.
Schools, parochial
1
250,000.
Administration Building
1
12,000.
Service Stations
3
30,125.
Stores
1
60,000.
Store and Garage
1
20,000.
Greenhouses
2
10,000.
Field House
1
18,485.
Garages, 1-car
12
7,690.
Garages, 2-car
15
14,960.
Foundations
4
3,900.
Additions and Alterations
79
793,855.
Elevators
2
15,000.
Signs
59
12,628.
Repair Fire Damage
3
3,800.
Reroof Dwellings
176
51,027.
Move Dwellings
2
2,750.
Move Buildings
1
600.
Demolish Dwellings
7
1,885.
Demolish Buildings
23
4,820.
Totals
563
$5,316,312.
216
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Seven hundred thirty plumbing and six hundred sixty- one gas permits were issued.
Fees for the year 1949 are as follows : 563 Building Permits
$1,375.00
730 Plumbing Permits 1,174.75
661 Gas Permits
327.00
$2,876.75
Respectfully submitted,
PAUL H. MOSSMAN Inspector of Buildings
217
REPORT OF BOARDS OF APPEALS
Report of Boards of Appeals
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Arlington, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
The Boards of Appeals herewith respectfully submit the report of their activities for the year ended December 31, 1949.
The Board of Appeals, under the Building Code, heard twenty-three appeals 'from rulings of the Inspector of Buildings. Of the cases heard the Board acted favorably upon twenty-one, imposing conditions with respect to eleven allowances. The Board denied one appeal and in one other case denied, in part, the relief sought while granting it, in part. Further, exercising the authority granted under the Building Code, the Board permitted the use of a substitute material in one instance upon recommendation of the In- spector of Buildings.
There were fifty cases heard by the Zoning Board of Ap- peals. Of this number six were brought before the Board by way of petition. Of the six petitions heard five were granted and one was allowed to be withdrawn at the request of the petitioner. There were forty-four appeals heard. Thirty-five appeals were allowed, conditions being imposed upon six of these allowances. Four appeals were denied. One appeal was denied, in part, and was allowed, in part. Three appeals were withdrawn at the request of the ap- pellants and one appeal was dismissed.
As of the close of the year there were entered two Zon- ing Appeals the hearings on which have been scheduled in the coming year.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN R. SALMON, CLIFFORD E. LANSIL, ROBERT W. BLAISDELL, Boards of Appeals
.
218
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Report of the Wire Department
To the
Honorable Joint Board of Selectmen
and Board of Public Works
Town Hall, Arlington, Mass.
Gentlemen :
I respectfully submit my tenth annual report as Inspector of Wires for the year ending December 31, 1949.
STREET LIGHTING
Summary of street lighting in service December 31, 1949 lights burning on the 4000 hour schedule :
800 Lumen incandescent lamps
1531
2,500 Lumen incandescent lamps 31
4,000 Lumen incandescent lamps 4
6,000 Lumen incandescent lamps
352
10,000 Lumen incandescent lamps 127
15,000 Lumen incandescent lamps 10
INSPECTION OF WIRES IN BUILDINGS
Sixteen hundred and forty-three (1643) permits for electrical installations were issued at fifty cents for each permit.
There were seven hundred and forty-two (742) inspec- tions made and five hundred (500) installations approved.
We had one fatal accident due to electricity during the year.
POLES AND WIRES ON STREETS
The Boston Edison Company and the New England Tele- phone and Telegraph Company replaced one hundred and two (102) poles during the year.
RECOMMENDATIONS
I again recommend that an Assistant Inspector be ap- pointed as it is impossible for one man to give proper at- tention to the many electrical installations and problems that arise.
I wish to extend my thanks to your Honorable Board, the various departments and others for their cooperation during the year.
Respectfully submitted, ROBERT L. REID, Inspector of Wires
219
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Report of the Sealer of Weights and Measures
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen:
I respectfully submit my first report as Sealer of Weights and Measures for the year ending December 31, 1949:
Scales
Adjusted Sealed
Con- densed
Platform, over 10,000 lbs.
1
3
1
Platform 100-5,000 lbs.
0
10
0
Counter, 100 lbs. or over
1
4
0
Counter, under 100 lbs.
2
32
1
Beam, over 100 lbs.
0
2 ·
0
Spring, over 100 lbs.
1
3
0
Spring, under 100 lbs.
10
65
1
Computing, 100 lbs. or over
0
9
0
Computing, under 100 lbs.
30
121
14
Personal Weighing
0
36
1
Prescription
0
22
0
Weights
Avoirdupois
0
45
0
Apothecary
4
225
14
Capacity Measures
Liquid, under 1 gallon
0
29
0
Automatic Measuring Devices
Gasoline Meters
34
124
1
Tank Truck Meters
9
30
2
Grease Measuring Meters
1
59
0
Miscellaneous
Yard Sticks
0
9
0
Cloth Measure Device
0
1
0
-
Totals
93
829
35
220
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
This Department has turned into the Town Treasurer the sum of $360.01, which was collected as sealing fees. The Town Treasurer also received $175.00 in payment for Hawker's and Pedler's licenses.
During the current year the State Legislature amended Chapter 98 of the General Laws giving Sealer's of Weights and Measures the right to charge certain fees for sealing different weighing or measuring devices. These changes will result in a substantial increase in revenue to the Town.
I wish to express my appreciation to your Honorable Board and to the Secretary of the Board and his assistants, for the cooperation extended to me during the past year.
Respectfully submitted, JAMES J. DOLAN Sealer of Weights and Measures
221
VETERANS' SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Report of Department of Veterans' Services
The Honorable Board of Selectmen Arlington, Mass.
Gentlemen :
Submitted herewith is the fifth annual report of the De- partment of Veterans' Services covering the calendar year 1949.
All services furnished in previous years have been con- tinued. Any veteran, veteran's dependent or other person interested in veterans in need of help or information of any kind who applied at this department, was accommodated. A tabulation of the services furnished follows :
Photostatic copies made 3980
Documents notarized 207
Counsel and information:
At office
1024
By telephone 2015
Housing :
Office calls
580
Telephone calls 943
Employment:
Office calls
256
Telephone calls 418
Veterans' Administration matters:
Office calls
518
Telephone calls
973
Home visits
23
Hospital visits
16
Other visits
453
Total for year 11,406
222
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
VETERANS' BENEFITS
Disbursements to and on behalf of Veterans and their de- pendents for the period January 1, 1949 to December 31, 1949, inclusive, were as follows:
Veterans' Benefits (Needy cases. State particip- ation 50% of authorized payments) $18,628.19
War Allowance 60.00
Special Care 911.50
Burial Aid:
Chapter 115, General Laws (Needy cases. State participation 50% of authorized pay- ments) 300.00
Chapter 573, Acts of 1946 (Reimbursement of recognized organizations of veterans for ex- penses incurred in providing military honors at funerals of veterans who died overseas in World War II. State participation 100% of authorized expenditures) 748.55
$20,648.24
Reimbursement received by Town Treasurer from the State Treasurer in 1949:
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