USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1951 > Part 15
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General traffic was expedited by the restriction of parking on Mass. Ave. from Central St. to Mill St. and on Pleasant St. from Swan St. to Mass. Ave. No Parking is allowed in this area from 4 P.M. to 6 P.M. on the right hand side of the street. Traffic was also expedited by the prevention of turns through island entrances at Mass. Ave. at the monument.
The Arlington Kiwanis Club provided twenty-five additional Stop flags for the use of patrol leaders at the various schools. White woolen mittens were provided to all patrol leaders by the Police Dept. through the cooperation of the local merchants.
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One Way Do Not Enter ... 10
199
REPORT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
As an aid to motorists and pedestrians, 219 "Stops" and 214 "Slows" were stenciled on our streets. All street marking were made with Prismo reflectorized paint in order that all markings would be clearly visible at night.
Traffic safety recommendations were made including additional pedestrian control at two points on the Concord Pike. The State Dept. of Public Works has already approved and installed the control on the Pike at Lake St. Traffic engineering changes were also recommend- ed for Park Circle and plans have been made to put them into effect.
Speed control was recommended for Summer St. on both the State and the Town Highway. A Public hearing to this effect is to be held January 21, 1952.
TRAFFIC SIGNAL DEPARTMENT
The work of this department has increased tremendously because of the ever increasing automobile traffic load which necessitated the installation and maintenance of many additional safety devices, such as, stop signs, parking signs, painted lines and slow signs, and many other devices for the control of motor vehicles using our highways.
At the present writing there are approximately 13,000 motor ve- hicles of all descriptions garaged in Arlington, this, together with the heavy traffic using the four main posted Routes, 2, 2A, 3 and 60 which pass directly through Arlington, make traffic safety a continuous and progressive problem.
The school safety patrol, under the direction of Sergeant Sweeney of this department, has been completely rorganized and is now working in an excellent manner for the safety of the children going to and re- turning from school. The Superintendant of Schools, and other school officials, as well as the several Parent-Teacher groups and business men of Arlington, are to be commended for their excellent support of this project.
PARKING METERS
Parking Meters have become a universal method of controling the existing parking facilities in all communities for the convenience of the shopper as well as the improvement of business of the retail store owner. However, it is well recognized that in addition to such meters adequate off street parking lots should be provided by the municipality or the business property owner for increased business and profits if they are to attract the shopper to the business area.
The municipal parking lot on Mystic Street has been a great im- provement for business and the convenience of the public, and I have recommended to the Selectmn that a section of the area be black topped and set apart for shoppers only.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
I have also recommended that the vacant lot opposit the Robbins Memorial Town Hall be taken by immanent domain for an off street parking lot for the convenience of shoppers in the upper end of the business center and those attending functions at the Town Hall.
AUXILIARY POLICE
This fine group of citizens have again given many hours of their time working with the youth of our town. They have again this year carried on with their baseball leagues for boys up to seventeen years of age; their regular Friday evening dance for high school youngsters and their firearms instructions. They also support, under John Ba- bine, one of the finest hockey teams in this part of the country.
We feel that a youngster busy with some properly directed sport has no time to get himself into any serious trouble.
I consider the Town of Arlington to be very fortunate to have such a group as the Arlington Auxiliary Police give so freely of their time and effort in this most worthy work which has proven such a decided success in curbing juvenile delinquency.
The finest cooperation has existed between the Superintendent of Schools, the various Principals and this department in the investiga- tion and correction of delinquency. Credit must also be given to the character building organizations, such as, the churches, the Boys' Club, the Boy and Girl Scouts, the C.Y.O. and other organizations who have done yeoman service for the benefit of juveniles.
MISCELLANEOUS DUTIES
This particular report section shows an increase of 804 separate cases attended to over that of 1950.
A glance through this report will show the multiplicity of work performed by the members of this department in the safety and wel- fare of the citizens of the town.
Take the sick and injured cared for-this shows 284 persons, 3,651 separate cases investigated. There were 88 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 Agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Civil Serv- ice Department. Also many investigations were conducted for various commercial roganizations throughout the country on persons who had sometime resided in Arlington.
201
REPORT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
Under the head of Miscellaneous Duties can be found an enormous amount of detail work accomplished.
I am sincerely grateful to the members of the Arlington Auxiliary Police Association who have never failed to assist the department wherever their services were requested during the year.
To the Federal, State and Town Departments I am deeply grateful for their earnest and kind assistance, especially grateful to the mem- bers of my own department. I sincerely appreciate the wholehearted attention toduty exercised by all members of this department during the year. It was through their diligent attention to their many duties, in all kinds of weather, 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 Honor- able 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
202
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Report of the Fire Department
Honorable Board of Selectmen
Town Hall
Arlington, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I have the honor to present my Third Annual Report as Chief of the Arlington Fire Department for the year ending December 31, 1951.
MANUAL FORCE
The force consists of 94 men: The Chief, 4 Deputy Chiefs, 10 Captains, 8 Lieutenants, 70 Firemen, and an Assistant Superintendent of the Fire and Police Signal System; also a Department Surgeon, Dr. Edward W. Feeley, and a Department Clerk, Anna B. Hurley.
APPOINTMENTS
May 13, appointed three Permanent Firemen: John J. Carey, Jr., Temporary Fireman since July 9, 1950; Robert E. Kelley, Military Sub- stitute since January 21, 1951; and Daniel J. Campobasso.
August 19, David B. Kennedy, Military Substitute since June 10, 1951, appointed Permanent Fireman; replacement for Lawrence F. Beasley who retired.
September 9, Paul R. Preston appointed Permanent Fireman; re- placement for Arthur J. O'Connell who resigned.
June 17, Thomas G. Cronin, on leave since September 15, 1948, re- turned to duty as Permanent Fireman.
RESIGNATIONS
July 21, Arthur J. O'Connell, Permanent Fireman since October 3, 1948, resigned.
August 4, Lawrence F. Beasley, was retired on disability pension after many years of faithful performance of duty.
January 13, Robert C. Blomquist entered Military Service.
APPARATUS
In active service are three ladder trucks, three pumping engines and the Special Service Rescue Unit; one pumping engine is in active reserve together with two 600-gallon trailer pumps.
May 14, 1951, contracted for purchase of centrifugal pumper, 1000- gallon capacity, replacing Engine 4 in commission since June 1931.
203
REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
RESPONSE
The Department responded to 850 calls, of which 197 were Box Alarms, 525 Still Alarms (telephone calls), and 128 Mutual Aid (out- of-town calls). There were 4 Multiple (2-alarm) fires. In 1950 there was a total of 932 calls.
A summary of alarms revealed that the greatest number of such calls occurred in the month of October; that more occurred on Wed- nesday than any other day of the week, and also that of these calls the largest number were between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Thirty-four false alarms were sounded as compared with 43 in 1950.
The Special Service Rescue Unit responded to 40 First Aid Emer- gency Calls where the Resuscitator and the Inhalator were needed to adminster oxygen to persons in critical condition through serious ill- ness or accidentally overcome by toxic fumes.
FIRE LOSSES
Eighty-two losses occurred, 11 of which accounted for $99,347.67 of the entire yearly loss.
The total assessed value of property endangered, insurance thereon, loss sustained, and the insurance paid are as follow:
Assessed Value
Insurance
Damage
Insurance Paid
Buildings
$1,687,300.00 272,897.00
$2,112,900.00
$ 68,212.79
$ 68,212.79
Contents
265,397.00
43,422.75
. 42,572.75
Total
$1,960,197.00
$2,378,297.00
$111,635.54
$110,785.54
FIRES WHICH CAUSED LOSS OF MORE THAN $1,000
January 1, Stephen Aghazarian, 162-166A Massachusetts Avenue
January 27, Anthony DiBeneditto, 49-51 Newland Road
1,220.00
February 4, Mernio Scafidi, 155-157 Mass. Ave.
19,617.60
February 6, Francis Murphy, 20-22 Moulton Road
1,931.00
February 15, Myles Leslie, 42 Forest Street
2,554.02
February 22, Patrick Naughton, 251 Appleton Street
1,240.00
March 19, Ida Olshewsky, 95-97 Melrose Street
1,070.06
April 6, Guarente Estate, 29-31 Chestnut Street
1,965.00
April 21, Waldense Malouf, 110 Magnolia Street
1,865.00
May 10, Arlington Coal & Lumber Company (With Exposures) 41 Park Avenue
54,532.66
September 15, Joseph Pastena, 80 Williams Street
4,481.00
APPROPRIATION
1951 Appropriation
$377,115.56
Expended
373,684.01
Balance
$ 3,431.55
$ 8,871.33
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
CREDITS
Fees for 48 permits to blast
$24.00
Fees for 12 permits for inflammables
6.00
Sale of junk 30.55
Refunds 20.68
$81.23
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT SURGEON
Dr. Edward W. Feeley, Department Surgeon, rendered the follow- ing services in 1951: House calls 2, office calls 35, hospital calls 2, station calls 5, and physical examinations 4.
In addition he responded to many alarms and had conferences with the Chief on medical matters pertaining to the Department.
FIRE PREVENTION
All places of business, public buildings, schools, hospitals, con- valescent homes, and places of public assembly were inspected each month, a yearly total of 8,800 inspections.
Record was made of existing conditions with the date when cor- rections were made. Regular inspection of this type of occupancy greatly decreases the causes of fire and results in smaller property loss.
Eleven fires occured in these regularly inspected places, causing a loss of $65,082.24.
Recharged 515 fire extinguishers in these buildings.
INSPECTION OF DWELLINGS
The Twenty-eighth Annual Voluntary Inspection of the cellars of every home in Arlington by the Firemen was made during Fire Prevention Week, October 7-13 when 8,881 houses were inspected. A record was made of each inspection.
The Firemen, who donated their off-time for this tremendous task, called attention to possible fire hazards existing many times un- known to both owner and occupant. It is through simple precaution- ary measures that lives and homes can be saved from destruction by fire.
One-half of the lives lost by fire occur in dwellings, and ninety per cent of all fires can be prevented by the elimination of common hazards.
Twenty fires occurred in cellars of residences, and of these, ten were caused by defective oil burners. There were 18 cellar fires in 1950.
The following is compiled as a result of Dwelling House Inspections:
Total houses 8,881
Single houses 5,675
2-apartment houses
2,996
205
REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
Of more than two apartments
210
Vacant apartments
Combustible roofs
2
Houses with power oil burners
6,141
Houses with range oil burners
4,397
INSPECTIONS
Dwellings
8,881
Mercantile
8,800
Power oil burners
666
Range oil burners
84
Total inspections
18,431
FIRE DRILLS IN SCHOOL
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.
October 19, met with Superintendent of Schools and his staff to discuss how best the Fire and School Departments could cooper-te through planning to safeguard and protect school children and build- ings from fires or other emergencies.
TRAINING OF FIREMEN
Training School for the Officers of the Arlington Fire Department opened December 4 with an enrollment of 24; classes to be conducted weekly.
Chapter 148, Massachusetts General Laws, Rules and Regulations, Department of Public Safety, to be studied thoroughly together with the correct methods of fire fighting operations.
June 11, the Department Drill School opened at Highland Station Drill Yard, but closed the following day owing to the dangerous con- dition of the Drill Tower. It was inspected by the Building Inspector who reported structure unsafe. Tower was demolished August 4.
Of wooden construction, Drill Tower was built in 1926 by the Fire- men at a cost of only $800 for material.
For years the Arlington Fire Department Drill School has had an enviable rating among the fire departments of the State with enroll- ments from many surrounding communities.
In 1949 the National Board of Fire Underwriters recommended that our training program be expanded, but now in 1951, we are without the advantages of a drill tower.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
COMMITTEE ON RULES AND REGULATIONS
In 1949 the National Board of Fire Underwriters in its Survey recommended that a Bureau of Fire Prevention, a Division of the Fire Department, be established with a code of rules and regulations. As a result of the 1951 Town Meeting, such a committee was appointed to formulate these rules. The Committee is still in active discussion.
AUXILIARY FIRE DEPARTMENT
The Auxiliary Fire Force of about 40 active members organized March 9. They were assigned to the Department Drill School for in- struction in fire fighting with Captain James A. Doherty, Instructor in Charge, assisted by other Officers of the Fire Department.
RECOMMENDATIONS
For the year 1952 recommend that $399,807.77 be appropriated to include the replacement of Ladder 2 in service since 1925, purchase of life boat and pick-up truck.
Requested the appointment of eight new men.
Ask that a committee be appointed to consider plans for a new drill tower and drill yard.
CONCLUSION
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen for personal interest in the affairs of the Fire Department and to its capable and efficient Sec- retary, Frank K. Nicksay, my sincerest thanks. To Town Engineer, James M. Keane and his staff for valuable assistance, to the Police Department for usual cooperation, to the Auxiliary Fire Force ever ready to aid, and to other Town Departments for helpfulness, my deepest appreciation. To my own Officers and Men for splendid sup- port and loyal efforts, my gratitude.
Respectfully submitted,
RICHARD J. TIERNEY
Chief, Fire Department
207
REPORT OF THE 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 Third Annual Report for the year ending De- cember 31, 1951.
The System is maintained by Assistant Superintendent Lester W. Cameron, and one Signal Maintainer, Kenneth B. Colbert, together with Temporary Labor.
FIRE ALARM AND POLICE SIGNALS
Four open circuits occurred in the Fire Alarm System. These were caused by automobile striking pole, and pedestal; by corrosion in splice and tree limb breaking line wire.
Three open circuits occurred in the Police Signal System:
Circuit 1, loop cross on Pleasant Street from Addison Street to Lake- view;
Circuit 3. open at Brattle Street-Summer Street when automobile struck pole;
Circuit 3, open in underground cable, Massachusetts Avenue-Police Station to Schouler Court.
Automobiles struck and damaged:
Box 262 Massachusetts Avenue - Lafayette Street
Box 792 James Street - Thesda Street
Box 79, Summer Street - Harold Street, and five sections of line moved from temporary poles; necessary for construction work.
Box 572, Massachusetts Avenue - Lexington Line, moved 75 feet north and installed in pedestal.
Box 5521, Schwamb Company, 1165 Massachusetts Avenue, installed two new alarm valves to Auxiliary System.
Installed the following new fire alarm boxes:
Box 2431 Elmhurst Road - Newcomb Street
286 Concord Turnpike (Opposite #440)
7181 Overlook Road - Mountain Avenue
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
8412 St. Anne's School - 18 Claremont Avenue
99 Hospital Road -Symmes Nurses 'Home
Installing the following:
Box 355 Mystic Street - Kimball Road
394 Hutchinson Road - Lantern Lane
3941 Hutchinson Road - Winchester Road
6812 Kenilworth Road - Spring Avenue
735 Forest Street - Dodge Street
821 Park Avenue - Paul Revere Road
8421 Kilsythe Road - Lanark Road
Peerless 3-fold boxes replaced following (1890) Gardner-type boxes:
Box 53 Massachusetts Avenue - Schouler Court
Box 135 Broadway - Bates Road
Removed banjo pedestal from Park Avenue - Paul Revere Road. Replaced fire alarm batteries #15 and #16, local circuits.
Installed the following new police signal box:
Box 262 Broadway - Sunnyside Avenue
Installing :
Box 263 Waldo Road - Windsor Street
Box 352 Highland Avenue - Ottawa Road
Relocated police signal boxes:
Box 26 From Broadway - Cleveland Street to Broadway - Oxford Street
Box 131 From Orvis Road - Randolph Street to Lake Street - Hardy School
Box
14 From Thorndike Street - Herbert Road to Thorndike Street (Opposite #133)
CABLE CONSTRUCTION
Replaced cable at following locations :
1200 feet 6-conductor aerial cable on Jason Street from under- ground pole to Jason Court and Norfolk Road to Brantwood Road;
800 feet 2-c aerial cable on Mt. Vernon Street from Gray Street to Spring Avenue;
600 feet 2-c aerial cable on Acton Street from Appleton Street to underground pole to Junior High School West;
1000 feet 6-c aerial cable on Eastern Avenue from Grand View Road to Fayette Street;
1000 feet 10-c underground cable on Park Avenue from Massachu- setts Avenue to Lowell Street;
75 feet 6-c underground cable at Massachusetts Avenue - Brattle Street from manhole to Pedestal 55.
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REPORT OF THE FIRE AND POLICE SIGNAL SYSTEM
Installed 6-c aerial cable :
1400 feet on Marathon Street from underground pole, Broadway to Waldo Road, and Waldo Road from Marathon Street to Windsor Street;
4000 feet on Highland Avenue from underground pole, Massachu- setts Avenue to Eastern Avenue.
Spliced and cut over 5000 feet 20-c underground cable on Broad- way from Fire Department Headquarters to Somerville Line; old cable pulled out.
Recabling Massachusetts Avenue - Park Avenue to Lexington Line, and Park Avenue Extension from Lowell Street to Summer Street.
AIR RAID SIGNALS
Installed 50-foot iron ladder and 6-inch chain valve on Steam Whistle at the Metropolitan Pumping Station for easier operation of Whistle.
Installed seven sirens on poles at following locations:
Florence Avenue - George Street
Summer Street - Mill Street
Summer Street - Park Avenue Extension
Broadway - Everett Street
Lake Street - Margaret Street
Highland Avenue - Ottawa Road
Mystic Street - College Avenue
Sirens were wired for Edison service but are being connected to the control circuits from Fire Department Headquarters.
SPECIAL DETAILS
Tested air tanks at Headquarters for operation of Whistle.
Installed 2-way radio on Ladder 1.
Made 37 transfers of lines to new poles.
Placed in service at Fire Department Headquarters, 15KW Auxili- ary Generator Unit. In case of failure of Edison electric current, this automatic emergency light plant will maintain the Fire Alarm Sys- tem, and the entire building will be supplied with current. Radio communication will be uninterrupted.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Arranged Christmas lighting and decorations at the Town Hall, on Tree at Monument Park, at Fire Department Headquarters and at Highland Station.
SURVEY COMMITTEE
At the 1951 Town Meeting it was voted to appoint a committee to study advisability of replacing damaged underground cable on Massa- chusetts Avenue extending from Fire Department Headquarters to the Highland Station. The Committee held many meetings and is still in active discussion.
APPROPRIATION
1951 Appropriation
$20,454.57
Expended
20,420.49
Balance
$ 34.08
RECOMMENDATIONS
For the year 1952 recommend that $18,895.09 be appropriated to include installation of ten fire alarm boxes, three police signal boxes and the employment of additional Signal Maintainer.
CONCLUSION
My appreciation and thanks to Lester W. Cameron, Assistant Su- perintendent of the Fire and Police Signal System for his sustaining efforts in maintaining this System.
Respectfully submitted,
RICHARD J. TIERNEY
Superintendent, Fire and Police Signal System
211
REPORT OF THE 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 buildings, plumb- ing and gas for the year ending December 31, 1951.
Six hundred and thirty-nine building permits were issued, com- piled as follows:
Dwellings, 1-family
247
$2,028.200.
Dwellings, 2-family
30
570,000.
Complete 1-family dwelling
2
11,000.
Apartment, 21-family
1
175,000.
Apartment, 4-family
4
64,000.
Diner
1
47,000.
Industrial buildings
2
14,400.
Garages (private)
35
23,125.
Garage, 4-car
1
2,000.
Foundation for diner
1
2,500.
Additions & Alterations
85
132,840.
Signs
32
5,798.
Reroof buildings
8
964.
Reroof dwellings
185
56,967.
Demolish buildings
5
1,560.
Totals
639
$3,135,354
Seven hundred and ninety-seven plumbing and eight hundred and sixty-eight gas permits were issued.
FEES
639 Building permits
$1,830.00
797 Plumbing permits
1,284.50
868 Gas permits
432.50
2,034
$3,547.00
Respectfully submitted,
HERBERT J. LEARY
Acting Inspector of Buildings
212
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Report of the Boards of Appeals
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen Arlington, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
The Boards of Appeals report herewith on their activities for the calendar year ended December 31, 1951.
The Zoning Board of Appeals held hearings on seventy-one (71) cases. Of these forty-two (42) were appeals from the refusals of the Inspector of Buildings to issue permits requested. There were fifteen (15) petitions filed with and heard by the Board. Of the appeals heard thirty-one (31) were allowed, conditions being placed upon seven (7) of such allowances. The Board denied eight (8) appeals, dismissed one (1) and permitted the withdrawal, without prejudice, of two (2) others.
The Board of Appeals, under the Building Code, heard fourteen (14) appeals from rulings of the Inspector of Buildings. Of the cases heard eleven (11) were allowed, three (3) with restrictions. Three (3) appeals were rejected.
Appeals were taken from three (3) decisions of the Boards of Ap- peals to the Emergency Housing Commission. Two (2) of the appeals were taken with respect to zoning cases and one (1) appeal was a building case. The local board was overruled in one (1) zoning case and was sustained in the other matter which dealt both with zoning and building problems.
Three (3) cases were entered prior to the close of the year and are pending as of this date. Two (2) of the cases are appeals and one (1) is a petition. Hearings will be held early in January, 1952.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN R. SALMON CLIFFORD E. LANSIL ROBERT W. BLAISDELL
-
213
REPORT OF THE WIRE DEPARTMENT
Report of the Wire Department
To the Honorable Joint Board of Selectmen and
Board of Public Works
Arlington, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I respectfully submit my twelfth annual report as Inspector Wires, for the year ending December 31, 1951:
STREET LIGHTING
800 Lumen Incandescent Lamps 1,606
2,500 Lumen Incandescent Lamps 34
4,000 Lumen Incandescent Lamps 4
6,000 Lumen Incandescent Lamps 388
10,000 Lumen Incandescent Lamps 128
15,000 Lumen Incandescent Lamps
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INSPECTION OF WIRES IN BUILDINGS
One thousand, seven hundred and fifty (1,750) permits were is- sued during the year, fees for same amounted to eight hundred and seventy-five dollars ($875.00).
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