USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1949 > Part 17
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
Diphtheria
Visits 5
Typhoid Fever
Visits 1
Inspections and Investigations
Boarding Homes for Infants
54
Conferences
Communicable Diseases
181
Parochial School 63
284
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
REPORT OF BACTERIOLOGIST AND PHYSICIAN
Board of Health Arlington, Mass.
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report as Bacteriologist and Phy- sician to the Board of Health for the year ending December 31, 1949.
Specimens Examined :
Throat Cultures 35
Sputa 10
Smears 24
Total 69
Home visits for release upon recovery from
Communicable Diseases 42
Assisted at the Diphtheria Clinics conducted by the Board of Health for Toxoid inoculations for immunization against Diphtheria.
Responded to all calls from the Board of Health office and attending physicians for the diagnosis of communicable dis- eases.
Respectfully submitted, L. CURTIS FOYE, M.D. Bacteriologist and Physician
285
REPORT OF THE CEMETERY DEPARTMENT
Report of the Cemetery Department
Hon. Board of Selectmen,
Arlington, Mass.
Gentlemen :
The report of the Cemetery Commissioners for the year ending December 31, 1949, is herewith submitted.
The Board organized March 9, 1949, with Ralph S. Stevens, chairman, and Mrs. Mabel G. Robinson, clerk.
During the year the Holmes house was renovated and made ready for occupancy by the Cemetery Foreman, Edward C. Preston.
About two acres of land on Sachem Avenue was graded, loamed and seeded in 1949, and is now ready for cemetery use. It is the intention of the Board to continue this grading as fill and loam become available.
During the year 311 bodies were interred in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery.
Valuation of Lots and Graves with Perpetual Care $216,046.50.
Following are the amounts received by the Board of Cemetery Commissioners :
Sale of Lots and Graves
$9,467.00
Annual Care
2,798.50
Liners
4,286.00
Foundations
1,169.73
Opening Graves
5,629.00
Miscellaneous
1,476,00
Rent
159.00
Perpetual Care
9,029.00
Income from Funds
6,814.68
RALPH S. STEVENS, ARTHUR R. KIMBALL, WATHEN B. HENDERSON, Board of Cemetery Commissioners.
286
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Report of the Planning Board
The Planning Board submits herewith its report for the year ending December 31, 1949.
At the annual town election in March, 1949, Mr. Herbert M. Dutcher was re-elected for three years and Mr. Charles J. Daley Jr. elected for a two year term. Upon the resig- nation of Mr. S. P. Basmajian late in 1948, the Board of Selectmen and the Planning Board elected Mr. John J. Adamian to fill the vacancy and he served until the March 1949 election. On October 13, 1949, Mr. Charles H. Bowker resigned after a continuous term of service extending from 1938, a portion of which time he served as Secretary. At a joint meeting with the Board of Selectmen on November 14, 1949, Mr. Robert McIntosh was elected to serve until March, 1950, to fill the vacancy.
During the year Mr. Herbert M. Dutcher has been des- ignated by the Moderator to represent the Planning Board on the Advanced Programming and Budgeting Committee to replace Mr. Basmajian. Mr. Dutcher was also named by the Moderator to serve as the Planning Board Represent- ative on the Fowles Pond Committee in accordance with the vote of the Town. The report of this committee which was accepted by the Special Town Meeting of October 17, 1949 recommended that this area be retained under the jurisdiction of the Park Department pending the possible extension of certain streets across portions of this area.
Public hearings on requested zoning changes have been held during the year and reports submitted to the town meetings, which in each case approved the recommendations of the Planning Board. The cases considered were as fol- lows :- The extension of the business zone on the easterly side of Bartlett Avenue at Massachusetts Avenue, a distance of 140 feet to allow an existing store additional parking space. A petition for a change from the Residence B Zone to a Residence C Zone of an area at and adjacent to the corner of Winter Street and the south-westerly side of Broadway to permit the erection of an approved type of multi-family building. A request for a change in zone from Residence B to Business A on Summer Street was withdrawn following the public hearing.
Much of the Board's time during the year has been de-
287
REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD
voted to the Arlington Center survey, which was authorized under Article 27 of the Warrant for the annual town meet- ing held in March, 1949. In connection with this survey the Board found it necessary to request the assistance of the police department in conducing a traffic count, together with a traffic origin and destination survey. The Board wishes to take this opportunity to express its appreciation for the splendid cooperation it received from Chief Bullock and his department. It is the intention of the Board to re- port more fully on the Arlington Center survey in a separate report to the town meeting in March, 1950.
Experience of the past year indicates the desirability of further revisions in the zoning By-Law and these will be recommended to the town meeting in 1950.
The Board continues its membership in the State Feder- ation of Planning Boards and has maintained its contact with the State Planning Board.
Except for the vacation period, the Board has held meet- ings almost weekly throughout the year.
The Board extends its appreciation to the Board of Select- men and other town boards and department heads for their kind cooperation and assistance throughout the year.
Respectfully submitted,
HARVEY C. ABBOTT HERBERT N. DUTCHER JOHN O. PARKER CHARLES J. DALEY Jr. ROBERT MCINTOSH
288
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Report of Park Commission
The Board of Park Commissioners herewith submits its report for the year ending December 31, 1949.
At the Annual Town Election held on March 7, 1949, Edward D. Buckley was re-elected a member of the Board of Park Commissioners for a term of three years. The Board organized on Monday, March 14, 1949, with Daniel A. Purcell as Chairman.
RECREATION
The following programs with a brief description of these activities were conducted by the department during the year.
PLAYGROUNDS. Fourteen playgrounds were oper- ated from July 5, 1949 through August 26, 1949, with a daily average of 1500 children participating in a super- vised program of games and crafts. The usual Special Events were held weekly on each area.
One of the program highlights consisted of a Circus Parade which formed at Central Fire Headquarters and paraded down Broadway to North Union Street Playground where a Playground Circus was held. Fifteen circus acts were staged by the children and each playground erected a game booth and a crafts exhibit. Over six hundred children participated in the circus.
Over eleven hundred children and adults were guests of the department aboard the excursion vessel M.S. Boston Belle as the closing event of the Summer program. A sail to Plymouth with a three hour stop at this historical town was enjoyed by all. The trip was made possible through the financial support of local business firms.
SWIMMING. The Heights Reservoir beach was opened officially June 12, 1949, and extended through September 5, 1949. During the first two weeks of the program daily attendance was so great that our facilities were dangerously overloaded. A survey taken over a three day period re- vealed that sixty per cent of the beach patrons were not residents of the town. The beach, therefore, was restricted to residents of the town beginning Monday, June 27, 1949.
289
REPORT OF THE PARK COMMISSION
A daily attendance of 300 people was averaged through August 1, 1949. In August, however, attendance dropped sharply due to several factors, most serious of which was the severe lack of rain which affected the condition of the water.
Swimming classes again proved popular at the beach. Six hundred eighty-three persons qualified in the various tests. One swim meet was held during the program. A swim team competed in several New England Amateur Athletic Union Meets with moderate success.
During the Winter months a swimming class was held two nights per week at the Somerville Y.M.C.A. for girls of high school age.
BASEBALL. A total of twenty teams were represented in our Midget, Junior and Senior baseball leagues during the Summer program.
A baseball clinic for team coaches and boys of high school age was conducted at the Lowe Auditorium on three suc- cessive Friday evenings. Material for this clinic was provided by the Boston Red Sox.
SOFTBALL. Competition in the Town Softball League began May 2, 1949 and ended August 19, 1949. Nineteen teams comprised the league and each team played two games per week. A total of 324 games was played in- cluding play offs.
BOWLING. Two men's bowling leagues with eight teams in each league began league activity in September. Leagues bowl weekly until April and are climaxed by a banquet.
TENNIS. Classes were conducted in the Spring on Saturday mornings for children of Junior High School age. This class was also conducted in the Fall with another class on Tuesday afternoons for High School students. The Spy Pond courts were used for this program and an average of thirty-eight children attended each class.
BASKETBALL. A program was conducted on Saturday mornings during the Winter and Spring season for Junior High boys at the Junior High East and the High School. This program was not resumed this fall because it is now being conducted by the School Department through its intra mural program.
290
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
A town or adult league of ten teams plays under our sponsorship every Monday and Wednesday evening at the High School.
A High School league of eight teams representing various churches in the town, plays every Friday evening. Both gymnasiums at the High School are used by this group.
GOLF. Four classes in golf were held weekly for adults. A golf professional conducted the classes which consisted of a demonstration followed by individual instruction.
SQUARE DANCES. Every Thursday evening begin- ning October 13, 1949, Square Dances have been held at the Junior High East. An average of 105 adults have attended these weekly dances. A period of instruction precedes the actual dance program.
MEN'S GYM CLASS. On Tuesday evenings during the Winter months at the High School a program of calisthenics, volley ball, basket shooting and basketball scrimmages was held for men in the town who did not care to participate in any league activity. An average of forty adults attended each class.
BADMINTON. This program is conducted on Tuesday evenings at the High School for adults. Equipment is pro- vided and instruction in this sport is available.
BAND CONCERTS. Concerts were held this Spring at Linwood and Robbins playgrounds and Menotomy Rocks Park. The Arlington Academy of Music provided the music for these concerts which were well attended and enthu- siastically received.
SKATING. Areas for skating were maintained at Menotomy Rocks Park, Meadowbrook Park and Mill Pond. These areas were illuminated for night skating. Two hockey rinks were operated during the season.
GENERAL. Permits were issued by the department throughout the year for the use of all outdoor and indoor recreational facilities. The department throughout the year assisted in every way possible the school department and the many private organizations which sponsor and conduct programs of recreation.
291
REPORT OF THE PARK COMMISSION
MAINTENANCE AND DEVELOPMENT OF AREAS
The following major improvements were effected during the year :
NORTH UNION. A contract was awarded for the erection of a locker and sanitary building to John Tocci & Sons, Newton, Massachusetts. At the time of this report the building is almost completed. It provides a locker room, shower room, boys sanitary, girls sanitary and an equipment room.
WARREN A. PEIRCE. Approximately four acres of land were regraded and seeded to convert this area into a baseball field.
MENOTOMY ROCKS PARK. An ornamental iron picket fence was erected along Jason Street to complete the entrance to this area.
THORNDIKE STREET. A multi-use asphalt game court area was installed which provides for basketball, volley ball, paddle tennis and sprinkler system for use in warm weather.
GENERAL. Minor installations were made throughout our areas to include playground equipment, drinking foun- tains, fireplaces, benches and picnic tables.
Flower beds were again installed in many of our areas. All beds were planted with tulips for Spring flowering, followed by regular Summer plantings.
MEADOWBROOK AND MILL POND were cleared of bullrushes so that these areas could be flooded for skating.
Baseball, softball, football and field hockey areas were marked with lime during the year. The daily use of our baseball and softball areas by organized groups required that these areas be marked daily.
Approximately one hundred forty-eight acres of land de- voted to Parks and Playgrounds were under the jurisdiction of this Board for maintenance during the past year.
CONCLUSION
The Board wishes to express its grateful appreciation to the various boards, Town Officials, their employees, and
292
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
members of this department for their splendid cooperation and assistance during the year.
To those individuals and organizations who so kindly donated awards, trophies and other financial support of our recreation program, we extend our deepest gratitude.
Respectfully submitted,
DANIEL A. PURCELL, Chairman EVERETT J. HENDERSON EDWARD D. BUCKLEY Board of Park Commissioners
293
REPORT OF THE PERSONNEL BOARD
Report of the Personnel Board
Honorable Board of Selectmen Robbins Memorial Town Hall, Arlington, Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
The Personnel Board herewith respectfully submits its first annual report for the year ending December 31, 1949.
Following the adoption of Article 7C of the Town By- Laws at the Annual Town Meeting held on March 7, 1949, which Article was set forth and voted upon as Article 5 of the Warrant, and pursuant to the authority contained in Section 4 of said By-Law the Moderator appointed, on Aug- ust 16, 1949, the following as members of the first Person- nel Board :
James J. Flynn, a Town Employee and nominee of the employees of the Town, whose term will expire May 1, 1952.
Arthur J. Mansfield, a citizen and registered voter of the Town, whose term will expire May 1, 1952:
M. Norcross Stratton, an elected Town Official, and Chairman whose term will expire May, 1, 1950.
At the special Town Meeting held on October 17, 1949, the Classification Plan, the Pay Plan and an appropriation of $2,300 for salaries and expenses of the Board as set forth in Articles 9, 10, and 11 of the Warrant were passed and adopted by unanimous vote.
After the Special Town Meeting the Board met, organ- ized and established an office in the Robbins House, 670 Massachusetts Avenue.
A temporary executive secretary, Mr. A. Lee Morris, a disabled veteran of World War II, was appointed after the Board had interviewed and evaluated the qualifictions of several candidates for the position. This position is subject to Civil Service requriements.
In the brief period since the Board has been able to func- tion, eight meetings have been held, seven representative
294
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
groups from Town Boards and fifteen individual employees have been granted hearings on matters affecting personnel.
A system of personal records for all employees of the Town is in process and procedures have been established for carrying out the duties and responsibilities of the Board as set forth in Article 7C of the By-Laws.
In conclusion, the Personnel Board would like to take this opportunity to express its appreciation to the various Town Boards, Department heads and personnel for their splendid cooperation.
Respectfully submitted, JAMES J. FLYNN ARTHUR J. MANSFIELD M. NORCROSS STRATTON, Chairman
295
TRUSTEES OF THE ROBBINS LIBRARY
Annual Report of the Trustees of the Robbins Library for the Year 1949
Trustees
WILSON D. CLARK, JR., Chairman-Expires 1952
FRANCIS KEEFE, Secretary-Expires 1950 MARK W. BRADFORD-Expires 1952 ROSCOE O. ELLIOTT-Expires 1950 EDMUND L. FROST-Expires 1951 LLEWELLYN B. PARSONS-Expires 1951
Librarian MRS. LUCINDA F. SPOFFORD
Professional Staff
*
RUTH SAMPSON, Assistant Librarian MARY J. MURDOCK, Reference Librarian THELMA BRICTSON MONTAGUE, Children's Librarian ELIZABETH PHELAN, Children's Librarian RUTH FULLER, Branch Librarian (Dallin) * * EVA M. SMITH, Branch Librarian (East) HELEN HOVANESIAN SUZANNE MacGILIVRAY SHIRLEY HESSION
JACQUELINE MILLER HARRIET TAYLOR
HELEN WHITEMAN
Full-Time Assistants ETHEL HAWKINS
MARILYN KENNEY MURIEL G. CHANDLER JOAN ABBOTT
Part-Time Assistants
*ANTOINETTE BRASK, Cataloguer *MARIANNA H. ROWE, Special Worker
Part-Time Workers
Seven part-time workers (High School), serving on hour- time basis.
One part-time worker (College), serving on hour-time basis.
* Serving on hour-time basis.
Resigned.
* On leave.
1
296
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR 1949
To the Citizens of Arlington:
The Trustees present the following report of the Robbins Library for the year 1949.
As the old reports of the Robbins Library are read one realizes that the present library system, as developed in Arlington, has been the result of careful planning by many honest and sincere people over a period of many years and suited to the growth and demands of each generation. From a small New England village devoted to small industries and agriculture, to a large town of over 45,000 population covers a long period of years and shows many changes in the eco- nomies of living trends and ideals.
One of the great achievements was the consolidation of several small libraries, which had already had five different homes, into the present building in 1893, the present build- ing being a gift of Mrs. Maria C. Robbins as a memorial to her husband, Eli Robbins.
The Branch at Arlington Heights began to serve that section of the town in what was then known as Crescent Hall in 1891 and later moved to a location in the Locke School.
At a Town Meeting in May 1931 it was voted that a committee be appointed to secure plans and estimates for a Branch for the Heights district, but it was not until 1938 when the new building was opened to service the public.
In 1930 the Trustees proposed and it was voted to appro- priate the sum of $90,000.00 to add a wing to the main library building to provide a Children s Room, space for cataloguing, small gallery for exhibits, staff quarters and a small auditorium. This construction project provided new heating and lighting replacing equipment of 1893.
The East Arlington Branch was established in 1917 as the Crosby School.
Soon after World War II the Committee on advance Plan- ning came into being and the Trustees after consulting with this Committee set the year 1950 as the time for considera- tion of a building to house the East Arlington Branch. At the Town Meeting of March 1949 a substitute motion was
297
TRUSTEES OF THE ROBBINS LIBRARY
approved to increase the Library appropriation $2,500.00 to move the East Arlington Branch from the Crosby School to a store location on Massachusetts Avenue. This location was not available at the time it was proposed, nor could it be made adequate for proper library service within the appro- priation.
Several months of negotiation ended with an option of a lease of three years which the Trustees could not legally execute without authority granted at a Town Meeting. At a special meeting in October 1949 an article was in the warrant asking approval of the lease also an additional ap- propriation of $3,000.00 to do the necessary work. Both were approved and, subject to delays in obtaining neces- sary equipment, the new location should be ready for use shortly.
At the October 1949 Town Meeting an article was insert- ed in the warrant to provide for the appointment of a com- mittee, and a committee has been appointed consisting of Messrs. Joseph P. Lynch, temporary chairman, Edward Regan, James W. Rourke, Zigmont Kord, Roscoe Elliott and Mrs. Florence Bretscher to make a study of the needs of this important section of the Town for library service and to report its findings to a later Town meeting.
It is hoped by the Board that the study will be full and complete and represent the desire of a large majority of Arlington citizens living in this section.
Returning to the Main Library, numerous things have been accomplished to provide more comfort and convenience for the public and the staff.
Reference has been made publicly to the request of the Trustees for a Capital Outlay of $7,000.00 in 1948. This request was not approved by the Finance Committee. The work that was planned to be done covered the interior of the main building.
Under the Will of Miss Ida Robbins, who died in Switzer- land in April, 1949, the Library will receive the sum of $30,000.00, the income to be used in connection with the Robbins Print Collection. This sum, when received, to- gether with $25,000.00 given some years ago from which there has been an accumulation of income of about $19,000.00 will provide income to care for the present prints. We have recently provided for a survey of the collection by au- thorities and will receive a report at a later date.
298
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
For the year 1950 the Trustees are asking for an ap- propriation of $79,815.00 for the running expenses and $4,000.00 for Capital Outlay for plans and changes in the interior of main library and extraordinary replacements at the main library and Dallin Branch:
Salaries
$54,990.00
Expenses
24,825.00 $79,815.00
Capital Outlay
4,000.00
Respectfully submitted, W. D. CLARK, JR. Chairman, Board of Trustees.
299
REPORT OF LIBRARIAN
Report of the Librarian for the Year 1949
To the Trustees of the Robbins Library :
I herewith submit the report for the year ending De- cember 31, 1949, being the twenty-second report of the present librarian.
Again it is a pleasure to report an increased gain in the home use of books. The library circulated 255,967 books, an increase of 16,650 over the year 1948. The largest gain was at the Main Library, adult desk; second largest Jun- ior Library; third Dallin Branch, adult circulation; fourth East Branch, adult circulation and fifth Hospital circula- tion.
COMPARATIVE CIRCULATION 1948-1949
1948
1949
loss
gain 12,330
Main Library, Adult ..
133,899 146,229
Main Library,
Juvenile
35,346
38,105
2,759
Total
169,245 184,334
15,089 15,089
East Branch, Adult
7,480
8,946
1,466
East Branch, Juvenile Total
14,406
14,868
462
21,886
23,814
1,928
1,928
Dallin Branch, Adult
15,350
18,542
3,192
Dallin Branch,
Juvenile
14,253
13,241 1,012
Total
29,603
31,783 1,012
3,192
2,180
School, Juvenile
17,659
14,756 2,903
2,903
Hospital, Adult
924
1,280
356
356
Total 239,317 255,967 3,915 20,565 16,650
Circulation Total
255,967 for 1949
Adult
174,997
Juvenile
80,970
Total gain
16,650 for the year
total gain
Books are issued for seven days and for four weeks with no renewals. The system of renewals was abolished during the war when we found that the library was using at least two hours per day on the telephone for renewals.
300
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
CIRCULATION 1944-1949
1944
210,335
1945
211,272
1946
212,313
1947
225,292
1948
239,317
1949
255.967
1944-1949 increase in circulation 45,632
One of the things that seems to be a pressing need is the microfilming of our local papers. Paper is so poor that the present day papers will not last too long. The back numbers should be microfilmed. A few numbers each year micro- filmed along with the current year after the machine is bought would not be too great a burden.
The matter of storage of newspapers is a problem and can be an expensive one. These papers are the only source of local history that we have at the present time. The Readers' Guide to Periodicals is a costly but indispensable tool to the 218 different magazines which the library re- ceives currently, to say nothing of the back numbers on file for reference and circulation.
Four periodicals were given to the library. Eight news- papers are received by the library : seventeen copies.
The Vertical File contains useful pamphlets and clippings of new material before it appears in book or magazine form. The Picture File has many mounted pictures which are used by artists, designers and teachers.
The library has its first record player. It is expected to bring much pleasure. The records so far have been confined to those of interest to children. They will be used in con- nection with Story Hours at the Main Library and Branches.
The question is often asked, "What is a library supposed to do?" Even at this time in Library development, when librarians know that books alone are not the only method of communicating thoughts, ideas, it is wise to pause and think for what reason one does read, what does one miss if he doesn't read and what about the microfilm, television and radio? What is the library's part in communication arts ? Supply printed materials-but go one step further as funds permit in the use of the radio, movies, television. Set up a corner for the use of these new communication arts. The library has a responsibility to use them. What do people do with their leisure and study hours? The library, in a democracy, must serve all the people, not part of the time,
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.