USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1951 > Part 13
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$ 9,303.82
JOHN P. MORINE, CHM. JAMES W. KIDDER
ELEANOR J. STRONG
CARL F. ALLEN
JOSEPH J. BEVINS
MARY E. PORTEUS
M. NORCROSS STRATTON
MARY K. BOYD
JOHN H. ALLISON
School Committee
J. WILBERT ANDERSON, Treasurer CLARENCE NEEDHAM, Accountant
165
TRUST AND INVESTMENT FUNDS
Contributory Retirement System
1951
Balance January 1, 1951
$468,721.40
Contributions
62,837.75
Interest on Investments
12,447.94
Appropriation
28,914.64
$572,921.73
EXPENDITURES
Pensions
$34,176.68
Refunds
13,446.93
Expenses
974.02
Accrued Interest
49.18
48,646.82
Balance December 31, 1951
$524,274.91
INVESTMENT
Harvard Trust Company-Checking Account .. $14,274.91 Securities:
Paid up Certificate Pittsfield Co-operative Bank 2,000.00
U.S. Treas. 21/2% registered bonds 67/72
5,000.00
U.S. Treas. 21/2% registered bonds Series G. 10,000.00
U.S. Treas. 21/2% registered bond Series G 10,000.00
U.S. Treas. 21/2% registered bonds 67/62 25,000.00
U.S. Treas. 21/2% coupon bonds 70/65 2,000.00
U.S. Treas. 21/2 % coupon bonds 71/66
76,000.00
U.S. Treas. 21/2% registered bonds Series G 50,000.00
U.S. Treas. 234% registered bonds 75/80 55,000.00
U.S. Treas. 21/2% registered bonds Series G 25,000.00
U.S. Treas. 21/2% registered bonds Series G 30,000.00
U.S. Treas. 21/2% registered bonds Series G 30,000.00
U.S. Treas. 21/2% registered bonds Series G 70,000.00
U.S. Treas. 21/2% registered bonds Series G 5,000.00
U.S. Treas. 21/2% registered bonds Series G 40,000.00
U.S. Treas. 21/2% registered bonds Series G 10,000.00
U.S. Treas. 21/2% registered bonds 62/67
40,000.00
U.S. Treas. 21/2% registered bonds 2/63 25,000.00
$524,274.91
INVESTMENT TRANSACTION
April - 1951
Exchanged $55,000.00 - 21/2% coupon bonds for $55,000.00 - 234 % registered Bonds
March - 1951
Purchased $25,000.00 in U.S. Treas. Bonds
July - 1951
Purchased $40,000.00 in U.S. Treas. Bonds
166
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
SUMMARY OF MEMBERSHIP ACTIVITY
1937-1950
1951
Total
Entrants
600
54
654
Deaths
25
5
30
Withdrawals
136
22
158
Retirement
61
6
67
Active Members as of Dec. 31, 1951
Male
311
Female
88
Members on Retirement Dec. 31, 1951 Amount of Retirement Allowance
42
1937-1950
1951
Total
Paid
$236,171.15
$34,176.68
$270,347.83
Allowance in effect as of December 31, 1951
$28,914.64
CLARENCE NEEDHAM HAROLD A. CAHALIN J. WILBERT ANDERSON Contributory Retirement Board
J. WILBERT ANDERSON, Treasurer CLARENCE NEEDHAM, Accountant
167
REPORT OF THE TOWN TREASURER
Report of the Town Treasurer
1951
Cash Balance, January 1, 1951 $ 959,899.15
Receipts, 1951 6,801,646.32
7,761,545.47
Expended, 1951
6,484,515.39
Cash Balance, December 31, 1951 1,277,030.08
Contingent Funds, December 31, 1951 785.00
Total Cash and Contingent Funds, December 31, 1951
$1,277,815.08
J. WILBERT ANDERSON Treasurer.
PARKING METER COLLECTIONS
1951
January 1, 1951-December 31, 1951 $ 16,550.00
J. WILBERT ANDERSON Treasurer.
168
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Statement of the Collector of Taxes and Town Collector for the Year 1951
Collection Credits
Balance Uncollected Dec. 31, 1951
Taxes:
1949 Personal
$ 42.02
$
1949 Real Estate
180.07
1950 Poll
296.00
1950 Motor Excise
17,343.87
1950 Personal
3,275.40
1950 Real Estate
83,604.99
1951 Poll
24,386.00
276.00
1951 Motor Excise
324,746.64
15,598.56
1951 Personal
185,562.05
1,674.56
1951 Real Estate
3,133,670.82
95,144.47
Special Assessments and Water Liens:
Moth
2,211.70
59.10
Water Liens (added to 1950 and 1951 taxes)
1,114.46
120.75
Apportioned Assessments:
Sewer
2,459.46
220.66
Sidewalk
2,365.86
26.73
Street Betterment
8,191.32
390.74
Unapportioned Assessments :
Sewer
6,818.17
8,943.58
Sidewalk
3,228.07
3,982.83
Street Betterment
1,223.17
9,794.43
Committed Interest:
Sewer, Sidewalk, Street Betterment
2,624.65
164.37
Apportioned Assessments, Not Due :
Sewer
1,251.93
10,496.61
Sidewalk
549.85
11,020.39
Street Betterment
1,035.89
26,581.04
Water Rates
200,216.22
11,943.66
Departmental
1,364,847.09
89,708.96
Interest Added
2,836.38
Costs, Charges and Fees
1,614.70
$5,375.696.78
$286,147.44
J. WILBERT ANDERSON
Collector of Taxes and Town Collector
Recapitulation of Figures Used in Determining the Tax Rate of 1951 ($54.20)
DEBITS:
Appropriations (includes all appropriations voted since 1950 rate was fixed
Appropriations voted to be taken from Available Funds: 1950-$55,127.32, 1951-$57,791.73 ..
Overlay deficits: 1949-$5,608.95. 1950-$13,670.36
State Audit of Municipal Accounts (includes 1950 underestimate)
$ 2,585.35
State Examination of Retirement System
196.93
Smoke Inspection Service
836.22
Metro. Parks Tax (includes 1950 underestimate)
40,254.95
Metro. Sewer Tax (includes 1950 underestimate)
91,558.08
Metro. Transit Auth. (includes 1950 underestimate)
27,415.77
Metro. Water Tax
48,193.92
Metro. District Expense
23.791
County Tax
142,263.74
Tuberculosis Hospital Assessment
44,700.12
Overlay of Current Year
63,175.83
Gross Amount to be raised
5,120,572.09
CREDITS:
Income Tax
270,405.92
Corporation Taxes
148,038.49
Meals Tax (Chap. 64B, S 10 and Chap. 580 of 1950)
7,718.01
Motor Vehicle & Trailer Excise (Assessors' Estimate)
282,823.11
Licenses & Permits
8,329.47
Fines
1,758.50
Special Assessments
29,767.98
General Government
9,639.22
Protection of Persons & Property
1,893.01
Health & Sanitation
29,518.22
Highways (includes State & County)
42,107.38
Charities
208,158.87
Veterans' Benefits
11,089.22
Libraries
3,305.57
Recreation & Unclassified
9,799.25
Water Receipts
210,333.43
Cemeteries
15,646.47
Interest on Taxes, etc.
6.673.17
State Wards' Tuition
10,290.38
Teachers' Annuity Funds
1,258.78
Vocational Education
14,952.70
Dog Licenses
3,085.41
Overestimates (1950)
27,985.74
Available Funds (Approved by Tax Commissioner)
262,919.05
617,497.40
Number of Polls 13.697 at $2.00 each-Poll Tax
Per. Prop. Val. $3,475,700.00 at $54.20 rate-Per. Prop. Tax
Real Est. Val. $60,651,250.00 at $54.20 rate- Real Est. Tax
Total Taxes to be Levied on Polls and Property
Compiled by A. F. Wells, Exec. Secty. of the Board of Assessors, Nov. 23, 1951.
$4.526,954.91 112,919.05
$4.639,873.96 19,279.31
$27,394.00
188,382.94
3.287,297.75
3,503,074.69
Assessors.
-
. . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .. ...... .....
... ...
.
. .
. . . . ..
. .....
Net Amount to be raised on Polls & Property
.. ..........
. .... .... ...
.. .
.... ...
WILLIAM O. HAUSER
WALTER S. COOLEDGE, JR.
ARTHUR W. SAMPSON
461,418.82
3,503,074.69
...
Assessors' Record of STATISTICS OF THE TOWN OF ARLINGTON FROM 1943 TO 1951 INCLUSIVE
1943
1944
1945
1946
1947
1948
1949
1950
1951
Town Appropriations & Available Funds
2,393,723.43
2,349,588.49
2,576,151.39
3,061,447.29
3,261,427.52
3,676,557.64
3,743,937.27
4,245,930.75
4,639,873.96
State Tax
(A) 46,800.00
110,352.00
62,016.00
45,650.00
45,650.00
County Tax
73,922.29
70,586.16
77,270.68
91,102.47
94,795.90
106,315.36
131,878.23
123,707.60
142,263.74
Metro. Sewer Tax
50,816.85
44,251.93
46,163.19
57,960.17
64,313.84
74,208.58
70,973.96
82,322.78
85,345.50
Metro. Parks Tax
12,535.49
10,627.24
10,184.12
15,516.48
16,593.39
18,751.04
34,368.73
46,575.05
38,384.98
Metro. Water Tax
98,898.17
84,464.05
85,105.32
35,721.00
39,572.20
37,253.80
38,837.40
44,372.96
48,193.92
Bos. Metro. District Expenses
139.92
141.40
141.42
142.75
142.75
146.69
237,91
237.91
Charles River Basin Tax
5,708.12
4,449.68
4,981.67
5,386.87
5,109.85
6,660.66
4,899.35
Auditing Municipal Accounts
103.49
1,546.06
90.71
1,699.49
1,887.25
2,215.32
245.79
2,767.46
2,585.34
Auditing Retirement System
193.20
450.90
231.04
224.56
505.06
160.73
154.11
425.25
196.93
Smoke Inspection Service
669.93
590.72
454.46
726.59
673.68
708.33
723.68
765.73
836.22
Tuberculosis Hospital
16,248.42
17,781.23
17,660.60
15,178.75
25,556.75
25,556.75
36,829.66
38,565.80
44,700.12
Boulevards
1,882.47
1,617.89
793.89
374.38
255.15
214.36
202.72
Met. Transit Authority
3,779.40
2,158.72
2,161.19
17,870.21
20,176.12
308,914.89
37,521.74
26,393.39
Nantasket Beach Maintenance
1,224.69
1,070.37
1,178.78
1,731.56
1,510.17
1,592.34
965.62
Overlay (total appropriated)
37,997.11
24,444.14
25,803.37
42,155.01
47,075.89
37,453.62
50,746.94
64,556.80
63,175.83
Income Tax
180,515.27
178,287.43
177,364.29
178,369.77
259,268.08
249,893.44
324,257.95
326,149.73
270,405.92
Corporation Tax
58,117.04
84,038.55
84,038.55
84,128.49
112,303.19
111,518.49
157,168.49
242,953.42
148,038.49
Meals Tax
3,028.93
3,535.69
4,097.77
6,463.64
6,112.50
7,331.66 160,206.28
7,427.13 232,442.97
7,340.66
7,718.01
Motor & Trailer Excise Tax (committed)
59,960.02
42,784.56
32,585.74
52,246.83
105,524.47
Highway Fund (Gasoline Tax)
57,523.03
54,787.03
38,409.98
38,409.98
Departmental Receipts (Avail. Funds In.)
644,134.66
568,790.51
641,208.32
866,637.50
633,404.56
1,003,065.26
994,617.42
1,706,132.02
1,617,497.40
Franchise Tax (Chap. 804 of 1949)
9,949.79
Poll Tax (committed)
26,968.00
26,928.00
28,160.00
28,350.00
27,892.00
27,550.00
27,740.00
28,438.00
28,294.00
Real Estate Valuation
53,215,250.00 53,146,900.00 53,086,650.00
53,984,100.00
54,449,500.00
55,315,850.00
57,213,250.00
58,822,600.00|
60,651,250.00
.
.
.
.
.
.
304,141.97
312,297.85
Personal Property Valuation
2,961,150.00| 1,823,310.80
2,952,050.00| 3,081,700.00| 3,075,700.00 1,819,958.40 1,959,587.24
2,194,890.40 38.00
3,170,050.00 2,492,410.74 42.80
3,370.600.00 2,620,481.09 44.20
3,606,150.00 2,836,600.28
3,166,843.16
3,503,074.69
Tax Rate per thousand
32.00
32.00
34.40 338
357
403
384
343
425
656
Real Estate Tax Payers
7,763
7,853
7,852
7,979
8,288
8,096
8,117
8,284
8,505
Persons paying both Per. Prop. & Real Estate Taxes
180
177
192
204
236
238
228
232
231
Dwelling houses
7,895
7,894
7,895
7,905
8,006
8,140
8,325
8,495
8,716
Horses
31
28
13
13
26
10
6
1
1
Cows
2
2
2
.
Population: 1910, 11,187-1915, 14,860-1920, 18,646-1925, 24,943-1930, 36,089- 1935, 38,555-1940, 40,013-1945, 43,515-1950, 43,984.
(A) Gas Tax deducted.
.
Compiled by A. F. Wells, Exec. Secty. Board of Assessors, Nov. 16, 1951.
WILLIAM O. HAUSER WALTER S. COOLEDGE, JR. ARTHUR W. SAMPSON
Assessors
46.20
50.40
54.20
Personal Property Tax Payers
373
345
3,466,550.00| 3,475,700.00
Net Amount to be raised on Polls & Prop.
172
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Each and Every Tax of $54.20 is Used as follows for the Object Named
December 31, 1951
Assessors' Account of How Each and Every Tax of $54.20 was ap- propriated for use of Departments, Boards etc., in 1951, as follows:
Appropriated
Dept., Board, etc.
$
1,800.00
Finance Committee
$ 0.0277
6,435 00
Personnel Board
0.0976
11,488.00
Selectmen 0.1789
13,708.00
Town Accountant
0.2114
30,744.00
Treasurer & Collector
0.4770
16,437.00
Assessors
0.2547
12,500.00
Legal
0.1935
14,860.34
Town Clerk
0.2298
45,948.30
Public Works
0.7111
47,286.00
Engineering
0.7317
13,490.26
Elections & Town Meetings
0.2087
1,000.00
Planning Board
0.0162
3,125.00
Survey
0.0487
30,022.00
Town Hall
280,415.73
Police
4.3382
359,257.92
Fire
5.5588
20,292.86
Fire & Police Signals
0.3090
15,138.50
Building, Plumbing & Gas
0.2331
3,664.75
Appeal Board
0.0564
5,600.00
Wire Dept.
0.0867
3,788.00
Sealer Weights & Measures
0.0585
18,072.50
Moth
0.2765
17,960.50
Tree Warden
0.2764
44,924.00
Health
0.6938
600.00
Animal Inspector
0.0092
13,000.00
Sewer Maintenance
0.2005
195,233.75
Sanitary
3.0189
226,716.47
Highway & Bridges
3.5078
72,653.50
Street Lighting
1.1219
11,803.20
Traffic Signals
0.1827
440,408.00
Welfare
6.8140
37,068.00
Veterans' Benefits
0.5734
1,386,653.00
Schools
21.4545
86,301.00
Libraries
1.3333_
95,920.00
Parks & Playgrounds
1.4840
83,196.67
Pensions
1.2873
1,900.00
Memorial & Patriots' Days
0.0293
2,596.50
Printing Town Reports
0.0401
10,491.04
Insurance
0.1626
15,500.00
Workingmens Compensation Insurance 0.2385
1.0027
8,275.00
Maintenance Town Bldgs 0.1279
142,524.85
Water Maintenance 2.2059
41,110.00
Cemetery
0.6341
65,000.00
Reserve Fund
0.4636
173
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ASSESSORS
Appropriated
Dept., Board etc.
23,900.00
Interest
0.3686
63,280.08
Maturing Town Debt 0.9756
15,248.00
Civil Defense 0.2358
51,400.00
Sewer Extensions
0.7794
45,000.00
Water Mains Extensions
0.6959
40,000.00
Storm Drains Extensions
0.6504
20,000.00
Sidewalks, etc.
0.3252
36,408.16
Street Construction
0.5631
1,300.00
Easements
0.0201
16,195.80
Hospital Claims
0.2493
82,455.14
Overlays
1.2753
2,585.35
Audit Municipal Accts
0.0396
196.93
Audit Retirement System
0.0030
836 22
Smoke Inspection Service
0.0125
40,254.95
Metro Parks
0.6233
91,558.08
Metro Sewers
1.4146
48,193.92
Metro Water
0.7457
237.91
Boston Metro Dist. Exp.
0.0033
27,415.77
Metro. Transit Auth.
0.4238
142,263.74
County Tax
2.2011
44,700.12
Tuberculosis Hospital
0.6916
139,363.23
Increase in compensation
2.1561
100,000.00
Cost of living adjustment
1.5469
15,750.00
Acquisition of land (Library) 0.2439
200.00
Fire Prevention Code
0.0032
200.00
Honor Roll Board
0.0032
200.00
Town Garage Comm.
0.0032
3,000.00
Christmas Lighting
0.0488
600.00
Marine Corps. Hdqtrs
0.0093
$5,007,653.04
77.4789
1,504,578.35
Less estimated revenue
23.2789
$3,503,074.69
54.20
William O. Hauser
ASSESSORS
Walter S. Cooledge Jr.
OF
Arthur W. Sampson
ARLINGTON
Compiled by Arthur F. Wells, Executive Sec'ty, Board of Assessors
Nov. 23, 1951.
174
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Report of the Finance Committee
The Finance Committee of 1950-1951 held 14 meetings from Janu- ary 4, 1951 to March 1, 1951 and reported to the Annual Meeting March 19, 1951.
The Finance Committee of 1951-1952 was organized November 19, 1951 as follows:
Precinct
1-Edwin A. Barnard
2-William H. Dunn
3-Martin F. Roach
1-Walter H. Flett
5-Warren H. Daniels
6-Arthur D. Saul, Jr.
7-Henry E. Halpin
8-William H. Farrow
9-Charles A. Armitage (resigned) John N. Loud
10-James R. Robson
11-William R. Bennett, Secretary
12-Wallace Gorton
13-Percival E. Richardson
14-J. Howard Hayes. Chairman
John J. Driscoll, Member at large, Vice Chairman
Executive Secretary-T. Gordon Smith
Sub-Committees
Selectmen, Police, Fire Departments, etc.
Percival E. Richardson, Chairman Warren H. Daniels Wallace Gorton
Public Works Department, Streets, etc.
William H. Farrow, Chairman Martin F. Roach
Assessors, Treasurer, Health, Cemeteries, Library, Parks, Incidentals
Henry E. Halpin, Chairman James R. Robson William H. Dunn
School Department, Public Welfare, Veterans' Benefits
William R. Bennett, Chairman John J. Driscoll Arthur D. Saul, Jr. Walter H. Flett
175
REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE
The following transfers were granted from The Reserve Fund: Balance
$65,000.00
Article #54 Advertising By Laws
$150.00
Article #57 Advertising By Laws
100.00
Town Accountant - Expenses Personal Services
348.49
Board of Selectmen - Expenses
800.00
Treasurer - Expenses
514.41
Article #42 East Arlington Library
9,972.00
Town Counsel - Expenses
2,500 00
Town Clerk - Expenses
25.00
125.00
Board of Survey Overtime pay Personal Services
69.05
Police Department Expenses
1,078.45
Pensions
5,171.57
Cemeteries Expenses
290.00
Tree Warden Personal Services
100.00
Workmen's Compensation
8,763.95
Fire Department Capital Outlay
1,950.00
Water Mains
10,000.00
House Extensions
4,000.00
Board of Public Works Capital Outlay
2,500.00
Snow Removal
11,000.00
Traffic Signals Expense
255.00
$59,912.92
Balance
5,087.08
A total of 22 meetings were held from January 4, 1951 to December 30, 1951.
WILLIAM R. BENNETT
Secretary
200.00
176
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Report of the Board of Selectmen
To The Citizens of Arlington:
Herewith is submitted the annual report of the Board of Selectmen for the year ending December 31, 1951.
This is the 145th time that a Board of Selectmen has made an annual report to the people of Arlington and the present Board with its knowledge of the time and effort the job entails pays just honor to the hundreds of fine and sincere men who down through the genera- tions have governed Arlington wisely and well. The Town as it stands today is a tribute to their efforts.
As originally created, the Board of Selectmen had entire executive charge of all Town government, but with population growth, depart- ments like schools, public works, parks and several others were set up as separate departments with elected Boards to adminster them.
Your present Boards of Selectmen, while still considered the lead- ing Board of the Town administers only part of our municipal affairs and any town-wide changes in governmental operation that the Board of Selectmen might feel desirable can be put in effect only through negotiation with other Town Boards, a slow and unwieldly process.
Believing that central purchasing of certain items would result in a saving to the Town, your Board has during the past year started negotiations with other boards to achieve at least a modified plan of central purchasing.
The Selectmen have had several conferences with the Tax Collect- or relative to putting tax title property, now held by the Town, back on the tax rolls.
The Board as you will note in the 1952 Warrant is recommending to the Town Meeting that two tracts of land-one unused by the Town for over 50 years and the other for over 25 years be sold. The Board believes that any Town-owned real estate not performing a useful municipal function and unless claimed by a department for some near- time future use should be sold. This plan immediately benefits the Town treasury and increases the future annual Town tax income.
Mr. Joseph Purcell, the 1950 Chairman, after three years of faith- ful service to the Town, did not choose to run again and in the March election, Walter T. Kenney was elected to the Board. At the first meet- ing of the Board, the senior member, Marcus L. Sorensen was made Chairman.
Starting in March and continuously observed to the present time, the Board has convened at 3 P.M. each Monday. This early after- noon start has enabled the Board to usually conclude its sessions be-
177
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
fore midnight. In addition to the regular weekly meetings, the Board has held a number of special meetings, surveys and hearings.
The highlights of the year's activities are as follows:
POLICE DEPARTMENT
During the year the department lost by death two of its most faithful members, Inspector Thomas M. Curran and Sergeant Maurice J. Scannell. These two officers had served the Town well for many years.
The Board during the year appointed three patrolmen to the rank of Sergeant, Edward Sullivan, Charles Scannell and Thomas R. Piggott.
In February occurred the first murder in Arlington in forty years the death of Miss Ethel Ellard. Despite the most intense efforts on the part of the department, assisted by State authorities, the case has not yet been solved.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
The Board early in the year approved the purchase of a 1,000 gal- lon pumper for this department. Most of the apparatus now on hand has had a minimum of twenty years of service and it would be a wise policy on the part of the Town to start replacing a piece of equipment yearly and thus avoid breakdowns and costly repair bills.
The Chief reported to the Board that the wooden fire drill tower in the rear of the Highland Hose building was in a delapitated con- dition and was a menace to safety. After inspection by the Board, it was decided that the structure was beyond repair and orders were isued for its demolition.
Other matters disposed of by the Board include the following:
In accordance with the provisions of Section 11 of Chapter 41 of the General Laws, the Board met with the remaining members of the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund on the resignation of Harrie H. Dadmun and appointed Ira M. Jones to serve until the next election; the remaining members of the Arlington Housing Authority on the resignation of Harold Magnuson and appointed James C. Doyle to serve until the next annual election; and the remaining members of the Library Trustees on the resignation of Wilson D. Clark, Jr. and appointed John B. Fox to serve until the next annual election.
Accepted resignation of Carl O. Larson as Junior Accountant and made provisional appointment of Carmen T. Foritano.
Accepted the resignation of Paul H. Mossman as Inspector of Buildings and appointed Herbert J. Leary to take his place.
Attended meetings with mayors and selectmen of the M. T. A. District at Mayor Hynes' office to discuss the heavy burden of the M. T. A. deficits.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Initiated the passage of a bill by the Legislature providing for the retirement of Town Accountant, Clarence Needham, on a special pension plan.
Appointed a committee to review precinct lines and after lengthy consideration decided not to change precinct lines at this time but to give relief in certain precincts by setting up additional polling facilities.
Had frequent meetings and advised on policy with the Civil De- fense Director, Daniel McFadden, on matters concerned with local Civ- il Defense.
Voted to take part in the Arlington activity of Movietime U.S.A. and extended the greetings of the Town to Miss Dorothy Lamour and her entourage.
Represented the Town at the Annual Massachusetts Selectmen's Association Convention at Rockport and took part in discussions on town governmental problems.
As a matter of general information, we are listing the various de- partments which come under the jurisdiction of the Board of Select- men, as follows: Fire Department, Police Department, Public Build- ings, Veterans' Services Department, Dog Officer, Inspector of Build- ings, Sealer of Weights and Measures, Welfare Department, Moth Sup- pression and Town House Grounds, Town Accountant, Inspector of Animals, Civil Defense, Registars of Voters and Boards of Appeals.
The Board wishes to publicly express its appreciation for the ex- cellent cooperation it has had throughout the year from the Secretary of the Board, Frank K. Nicksay, and his two able assistants, Mrs. Catherine Harrigan and Mrs. Evelyn Ronbeck. We also extend our thanks to the personnel of our various departments for their efficient co- operation in our mutual endeavor to m ke Arlington a good place to live.
MARCUS L. SORENSEN EDMUND L. FROST WALTER T. KENNEY Selectmen of the Town of Arlington
179
REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL DEFENSE
Annual Report of the Department of Civil Defense
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
In accordance with Section 3 of Article 3 of the By-Laws of the Town, I submit herewith the annual report of the Department of Civil Defense.
In preparation for our annual budget request and to determine our basic needs in disaster operation, the Deputy Director of each phase submitted an estimate of personnel, equipment and material necessary in his branch of our organization. The final estimates thus estab- lished, revealed that if we were to launch a full scale program with fully equipped, well trained workers, together with adequate equip- ment and supplies, the Town would be faced with an unusually heavy expenditure.
It was readily apparent that the Town could not fully prepare by itself for disaster operation. The cost of such full and complete ad- vance preparation would be beyond our capabilities. Financial assist- ance by either the Federal or State governments was and even now is quite indefinite and uncertain. Even if materials and equipment were ordered, delivery of many critical items would be uncertain and very slow. Although no one will dispute that plans and a definite course o. action should be prepared, it did not seem then nor even now ad- visable in view of world conditions that the Town should appropriate large sums of money for this program.
In addition to the administrative costs of our department the sum of ten thousand (10,000) dollars was appropriated at our 1951 Annual Town Meeting for major equipment and supplies. This might be called only the beginning point in total dollars to be spent if condi- tions warrant a sudden change in our basic policy, but for the present we are considering this fund only as a reserve or emergency fund. When necessary it will give us initial funds with which to operate in an emergency or provide us with some monies by which we can pur- chase necessary equipment when and if, under more difficult world conditions, the Federal Government provides financial assistance up to fifty per cent of the cost of such equipment.
It is our policy to request a small sum of money each year to be earmarked for such a reserve and to operate during this present period of watchful waiting without any major expenditure for equipment and supplies.
Maximum use has been made in our plans of the various munici- pal departments, their personnel and equipment as well as the staff and facilities of Symmes Arlington Hospital. It is indeed an asset that the training and experience of these groups should provide the base or skeleton of disaster operation for they, being engaged in rendering public service are faced in their daily operation with incidents similar in a lesser degree to those in Civil Defense.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
The ever present willingness, cooperation and practical planning of our deputy directors in each phase is most appreciated for they are serving this department in addition to their normal duties. They are listed below to publicly recognize their devotion to public service and to briefly show the scope of our departmental organization.
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