Town of Arlington annual report 1952, Part 12

Author: Arlington (Mass.)
Publication date: 1952
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 394


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11 - William H. Bennett, Secretary, (Resigned) Donald O. Johnston


12 - Wallace Gorton


13 - Percival E. Richardson


14 - J. Howard Hayes, Chairman


Member at Large, John J. Driscoll


Executive Secretary, T. Gordon Smith


Mr. William R. Bennett resigned on September 30, 1952 due to ill health and was succeeded as a member by Mr. Donald O. Johnston, and as Secretary by James R. Robson.


Sub-Committees


Selectmen, Police, Fire Departments, etc. William H. Farrow, Chairman Wallace Gorton Paul E. LaJoie


Public Works Department, Streets, etc. Arthur D. Saul, Jr., Chairman Martin F. Roach Henry E. Halpin James R. Robson


Assessors, Treasurer, Health, Cemeteries, Library, Parks, Incidentals William R. Bennett, Chairman, (Resigned) Donald O. Johnston Edwin A. Barnard, (Chairman) Warren H. Daniels


School Department, Public Welfare, Veterans' Benefits John J. Driscoll, Chairman John N. Loud Percival E. Richardson William H. Dunn


Policy Committee Arthur D. Saul, Jr., Chairman William H. Farrow William R. Bennett, (Resigned) Edwin A. Barnard John J. Driscoll


The following is the status of the Reserve Fund as of December 31, 1952, after the authorized transfers as indicated had been made.


Budget #41, Reserve Fund, Appropriation,


$65,000.00


Budget # 3


Town Accountant, Expense,


May


20,


$ 124.00


"


# 4 Treasurer, Expense,


Aug.


11,


146.78


# 4 Treasurer, Personal Services


Dec. 1,


500.00


# 8 Board of Public Works, Gen. Admin.,


Special Investigation;


July 21,


500.00


"


#10


Elections and Town Migs.


Dec.


8


510.00


#13 Robbins Memorial Town Hall,


Dec.


29,


200.00


"


#14


Police Dept., Expense,


Dec.


29,


200.00


#16 Fire and Police Signals,


Expense,


Dec. 1,


400.00


#23 Board of Health,


Communicable Diseases,


Aug.


11,


$4,000.00


Nov.


10,


750.00


4,750.00


"


#25


Sewer Maintenance,


July


21,


2,500.00


Dec.


1,


2,000.00


4,500.00


#27


Highways and Bridges


Oct.


6,


700.00


#27A Highways and Bridges, Capital Outlay,


Nov.


10,


1,185.00


Dec.


15,


1,012.71


2,197.71


Oct.


6,


2,600.00


Dec.


29.


288.04


Dec.


31,


308.95


3,196.99


ยท


ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT


#29


Traffic Signals, Expense,


178


Transfers to -


Personal Services


Personal Services


. #31 Veterans' Benefits, Aid and Assistance


Dec. 22,


1,300.00


#34 Park Dept., Personal


Services


July 21,


420.00


#40 Workmen's Compensation


Aug.


11,


2,500.00


Sept.


22,


2,500.00


Dec.


1,


2,000.00


Dec.


31,


436.87


7,436.87


"


#42 Menotomy Hall and Houses Owned by Town


Dec. 31,


100.00


Total Transferred to Budgets


$27,182.35


Article #16


Sewer Extensions


July 21,


$10,000.00


Oct. 6,


1,615.00


11,615.00


"


#17


Water Extensions


July 21,


10,000.00


Oct. 6,


1,615.00


11,615.00


#34 Widening of Pleasant St. etc.


Dec. 29,


206.46


Total Transferred to Articles


23,436.46


Total Transfers Balance, Unused


$50,618.81


$14,381.19


REPORT OF THE FINANCEC OMMITTEE


A total of 24 meetings were held from January 4 through December 29, 1952 with an average attendance of 13 out of a total membership of 15 persons.


Respectfully Submitted, JAMES R. ROBSON Secretary


179


180


ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT


Report of the Board of Selectmen


We submit herewith, the 146th annual report of the Board of Se- lectmen for the year ending December 31, 1952.


Much of the work of the Board of Selectmen has been routine during the past year, so this report differs very little from the reports of previous years. The one big event of 1952 is the change to Town Manager form of government, so voted by referendum in November of this year. But since this act does not become effective until the annual meeting of 1953, much that might be written must wait. We give the new Board our encouragement in the inauguration of same.


During 1952, we held the regular meetings of the Board of Select- men on Monday afternoons, leaving the evenings free for hearings and for meetings with the Joint Board. Special Meetings were often held during other days of the week, in addition to conferences with the Finance Committee, Planning Board, Department heads, etc. We also represented the Town of Arlington at many out-of-town conferences, namely. Mass. Dept. of Public Works, D. P. U., County Commissioners, M. D. C., M. T. A., Legislative hearings and others. We represented Arlington at the Mass. Selectmen's Ass'n convention in Great Barring- ton; also the Middlesex County Selectmen's Ass'n. monthly meetings. We trust that these efforts proved beneficial to the town.


We do not submit detailed reports of the various departments under our jurisdiction, since these reports, submitted by the depart- ment heads, appear elsewhere in the annual report. We do comment on a few items of interest as follows:


ORGANIZATION


At, the first meeting of the new Board in 1952, Edmund L. Frost was elected Chairman.


FIRE DEPARTMENT


Fire fighter James P. O'Brien retired on pension on August 17, 1952, because of ill health.


Modernizing by replacing obsolete equipment with new. 1951 pur- chase of 1000 gallon Seagrave pumper to replace old Engine 4, deliv- ered in 1952. New open type 65 foot all steel Seagrave aerial ladder contracted for and delivered, replacing old Ladder 2.


Recommend replacing Engine 1, purchased in 1926 and Engine 2, purchased in 1927, during 1953 and 1954.


Replacement being made of main underground fire alarm signal cable on Mass. Ave. between Fire Headquarters and Park Avenue.


Recommend a special committee be appointed to investigate need of fire station on Indian Ridge in Morningside section, because of ex- tensive recent development. This committee could also study need for new central signal station and drill tower.


Request has been made of the N. E. Fire Rating Ass'n. to review rates under Class B risks, in an effort to eliminate inequalities.


181


REPORT OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN


POLICE


During the year, this department lost, by death, a most faithful member-Officer William A. Scanlan. He had served the town consci- entiously for many years.


Patrolman John Y. Duggan was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.


Several conferences have been held with the Chief and the Plan- ning Board regarding additional off-street parking. The Planning Board will report to the Town Meeting on this matter.


Many new one-way streets have been initiated, and others are under consideration.


We are happy to report that no major crime occurred in Arlington during 1952.


WELFARE


The appropriation of the annual meeting of 1952 to this department was insufficient. The cause was the increased benefits granted to re- cipients by the State Legislature, with no provision for payments. On Monday, Sept. 22, the Board of Selectmen declared a state of emergency in this matter. As a result, the State Director of Accounts granted authority to the Town of Arlington to pay bills incurred or to be in- curred by this department through December 2. This is in accordance with the provisions of Section 31 of Chapter 44 of the general laws, as amended. The remainder of December was provided for through trans- fer of emergency funds from the Finance Committee. This prevented the necessity of a special town meeting, which appears costly to the taxpayers.


GENERAL


The Board of Selectmen met with the remaining members of the Library Trustees to accept the resignation of Llewellyn B. Parsons. John B. Fox was then appointed to serve until the next annual election. This was according to the provisions of Section 11 of Chapter 41 of the General Laws. We also met with the remaining members of the Arling- ton Housing Authority to accept the resignation of W. Dale Barker. James A. Coffey was then appointed to serve in his place until the next annual election.


During the year, additional polling facilities were provided in pre- cincts 10, 12, 14, so that these precincts now have two polling places. This change was made following study of the report of Frank H. Lan- sing's committee to review precinct lines.


As required by law, the boundary lines of Medford - Arlington were perambulated by our Executive Secretary, Frank K. Nicksay, and rep- resentatives of Medford.


As reported last year, a special bill was enacted by the Legislature to provide for the retirement of Town Accountant Clarence Needham. After many years of faithful service to the Town, he was retired with pension on March 1, 1952. Carmen T. Foritano was then appointed Town Accountant.


The Board has retained the services of James A. Whipple, of the


182


ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT


law firm of Kneeland and Splane, to investigate claims for those eligi- ble for Workmen's Compensation Insurance.


Many meetings have been held with Civil Defense Director Daniel McFadden regarding matters of Civil Defense. Local purchases for attack warning and communications equipment are now on a basis of 50% participation by the Federal Government.


For general information, we list the various departments under the jurisdiction of the Board of Selectmen: Boards of Appeal, Civil De- fense, Dog Officer, Fire Department, Fire and Police signals, Inspector of Animals, Inspector of Buildings, Moth Suppression, Police Depart- ment, Public Buildings, Registrars of Voters, Sealer of Weights and Measures, Town Accountant, Town Hall Grounds, Veterans' Service De- partment, Welfare Department.


The Board desires to record the death of George R. Seaver of the Inspection department on March 8, 1952. In his passing the Town lost a valuable employee who gave many years of faithful service as In- spector of Plumbing and Gas.


We express sincere appreciation for the splendid cooperation of our Executive Secretary, Frank K. Nicksay; also for that of his two able and overworked assistants, Mrs. Catherine Harrigan and Mrs. Christine Callahan. To the personnel of other departments, our gratitude for their cooperation in assisting us in making Arlington a better town.


EDMUND L. FROST WALTER T. KENNEY MARCUS L. SORENSEN


Selectmen of the Town of Arlington


183


REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL DEFENSE


Annual Report of the Department of Civil Defense


In compliance with Section 3 of Chapter 3 of the By-Laws, I submit herewith the annual report of the Department of Civil Defense.


The Town of Arlington was declared eligible in June, 1952, to par- ticipate in the the first program to be offered by the Federal Civil Defense Agency, wherein selected cities and towns would receive fifty per cent aid in the purchase of certain items of equipment. Requisi- tions submitted by the Town were approved by the Federal Agency in September and with the final approval of the Board of Selectmen, contracts were then awarded for equipment totalling $12,400.00 Of this amount the cost to the Town of Arlington will be $6,200.00.


Although all items purchased under this program are earmarked for the exclusive use of Civil Defense units only, our underlying ob- jective in taking advantage of this aid was the procurement of equip- ment needed not only by Civil Defense but also by the various town departments in normal daily operation. Specific items thus purchased will be mentioned throughout this report.


In December, 1952, the Town was again declared eligible for further aid in the procurement of equipment, with the Federal Government furnishing fifty per cent of the total cost. We have not as yet received information as to the total amount of aid to be offered or the types of equipment to be approved for purchase. Until such data has been received, the extent of our further participation cannot be determined.


The installation of our air raid alert signal, which consists of all sirens and horns in use during World War II, was completed by our Fire and Police Signal Department in April. 1952. Our present signal is far from being adequate in many sections of the town. We have therefore ordered nine additional sirens and have contracted for the installation of a powerful air horn at the Park Circle Fire Station, this being similar to the horn in use at Central Fire Headquarters. This equipment was ordered under the Federal matching fund program.


The steam whistle at the Metropolitan District Commission Pump- ing Station is no longer available as part of our air raid signal, due to its recent conversion to deisel equipment. A recommendation has been approved by the Board of Selectmen that an air horn also be installed at this location during 1953, with Federal aid if possible. The addition of these two air horns should be earmarked for use as a no-school signal after the present emergency has ceased.


In conjunction with a region-wide test, a full scale local alert was held on May 15, 1952, with all traffic required to halt and the general public required to take shelter. Since the schools were in session at the time of the alert at 10:30 a.m. each school executed its particular plan to disperse the children to the safer areas within the building. The results of this test were excellent because of the complete support of the general public, our police department and its auxiliary, the mer- chants throughout town who performed the function of wardens, our school personnel, local newspapers and businessmen.


Fourteen tests were held in Arlington during the year, all being


184


ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT


tests of communications within the community or with higher levels of command, except the above mentioned test and another regional test. wherein units of our Police, Fire, Public Works and Welfare depart- ments were dispatched to the Watertown Arsenal area to test our pro- gram of mutual aid within the cities and towns of Greater Boston.


A survey of all buildings within the community to determine their possible use as air raid shelters was completed by our Public Shelter Committee. Although no building in Arlington actually meets the re- quirements of a safe shelter in this atomic age, thirty-seven buildings, both publicly and privately owned, were selected as comparatively safe shelters and with the cooperation of the Board of Public Works, signs designating each building as a public shelter were prepared and erected.


In accordance with directives by the State Civil Defense Agency, a total of three hundred thirty-five vehicles including those municipal- ly owned have been identified for emergency use by means of a decal placed on the front windshield. This has not proved a satisfactory procedure and a study is now being made of a new identifying system for local use, limiting to a much greater degree the number and kinds of vehicles to be allowed to travel within emergency areas.


There are presently enrolled for some phase of Civil Defense a total of 1,709 residents of the community, not including all municipal employees who will cooperate fully in an emergency. Forty-five resig- nations have been received during the year, due in most part to resi- dents moving out of town. Although the majority of these volunteers are not actively engaged in local training, still, by professional quali- fications or by nature of their work, it would appear that little training would be necessary and that now would not be the time to institute such training. For example, three hundred twenty persons have reg- istered for our medical program who are highly trained and actively engaged in some phase of the medical profession. The use of four hundred fifteen vehicles for transportation and public works, including heavy construction equipment, has been volunteered for emergency use through contact with the owners. Name, address and telephone of both owner and driver of these units have been recorded and equipment classified as to potential use.


Under the leadership of Chief Archie F. Bullock, our Police auxil- iary continues to grow. We now have three hundred eighteen auxiliary policemen with a sound training program established for each platoon. Sufficient equipment was locally available from World War II to pro- vide each auxiliary with a helmet, night stick and badge. Traffic straps have been purchased for those of our auxiliary who are assigned to traffic duty.


Our Fire auxiliary under Chief Richard J. Tierney is also engaged in active training with a nucleus of sixty-five volunteers. It has been difficult to interest young men in this most important phase of our effort, but our present group provides a well trained, well equiped aux- iliary, well able to expand as more volunteers enroll.


Equipment such as hose, nozzles, connections, deluge sets, ladders, etc., have been purchased through the Federal aid program. All equip- ment so purchased are standard items of our regular department. Rub- ber boots and fire helmets have also been furnished and half of the cost of these items will be recovered through Federal reimbursement during the early part of 1953.


185


REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL DEFENSE


The purchase of new apparatus for the regular department has provided our Fire auxiliary with two pumpers retired from regular service. These units, together with the additional equipment referred to above, provide a well equipped auxiliary force.


Our radio control centre has been established at the headquarters of the Park Commission, 33 Ryder Street. By use of our present Police- Fire channel, and with two-way mobile radio units for which an order has been placed under the Federal aid program, the major services of Police, Fire, Medical, Public Works, Utilities and Transportation will be in direct radio communication. These new units provide an opportunity to establish radio communication for normal functions in our Department of Public Works and at Symmes Arlington Hospital both during and after this emergency period.


Another channel for radio communication has been well estab- lished on the six meter band by our ham radio operators. Thirteen mobile radio units are now operating every Tuesday evening, with five more units to be established during the coming year. The hams, con- trary to existing practice in other communities wherein Civil Defense must supply this equipment, have constructed these units at their own expense. Each unit if purchased from a manufacturer would cost about $225.00, and the saving to the Town of Arlington by their sacrifice and devotion to serve the public interest is obvious.


These units provide an excellent channel of communications for our program and although primarily assigned to district control centres, can be quickly dispatched to the scene of any incident.


In our control centre we will have four radios assigned for control of the local six meter band, communications with Sector control, other communities, and for our local ten meter operation. These units are also being constructed by this group with Civil Defense paying the cost of materials only.


Two courses in First Aid were initiated this Fall with forty-three enrolled for classes. Kenneth A. Cameron, cur First Aid Chairman, and Russell E. Peterson, both of the School Department, have quali- fied as expert instructors in First Aid as a result of an intensive re- fresher course. These men will provide a much needed impetus to our First Aid program, and are deserving of special praise in this report for their willingness to devote so much time and effort not only in First Aid, but to our Police auxiliary in which they serve as Lieuten- ants, to the program of Civil Defense in schools and the many other assignments which they have accepted willingly and very efficiently executed.


Many of our functions in the welfare and medical phases are now being well handled by the local chapter of the American Red Cross. Mr. William F. Larkin, Jr., local Red Cross Disaster Chairman, togeth- er with Mr. George V. Morse, Director of our Welfare Service, are pre- sently engaged in developing a combined program for the community to provide for future expansion of these activities, maximum use of trained personnel and facilities and thus avoid duplication in this program.


Our program has made favorable progress during the year, but still remains for the most part, in skeleton form. We do not feel that pre-


186


ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT


sent conditions warrant a complete activation of all phases, but would also agree that the final perfection of our defense effort can rest only in the hands of well trained personnel who are able to devote full- time to this program.


A complete and effective program can be quickly developed from our present nucleus when conditions may demand a change in existing policy. The success of such expansion would depend upon the appoint- ment of a Director who can devote full-time to this most involved program. Full-time leadership, especially for the execution of present plans in training volunteers and for the development of procedures would receive top priority even over financial requirements. The per- sonnel required for the execution of a full program can be readily ob- tained from within our present municipal organization.


It is impossible to enumerate in a report of this kind the many in- dividuals who have actively assisted or supported our program, but to all concerned and especially our Deputy Directors, who are with few exceptions municipal employees, may we express our grateful appreci- ation.


We are particularly indebted to the Board of Park Commissioners for use of its facilities and equipment; and to the Board of Selectmen for its assistance and counsel during the year.


Respectfully submitted, DANIEL J. McFADDEN


Director of Civil Defense


187


REPORT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT


Report of the Police Department


HONORABLE BOARD OF SELECTMEN :


Gentlemen:


I herewith submit my twenty-third Annual Report for the year ending December 31, 1952:


TOWN OF ARLINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS


Population-47,000 (approx.)


Area-512 Square Miles


Public Streets-71.77 Miles


Private Streets open to travel-36.00 Miles


The net cost of operation of the Police Department for 1952 includ- ing maintenance of Police Headquarters and equipment was $295,996.57.


Salaries


$269,512.88


Maintenance of Building and other Expense 28,584.01


Gross Cost .


$298,096.89


Less Receipts as follows:


Court Fines turned over to Treasurer


1,682.05


Bicycle Licenses


211.50


Revolver Permits . 101.00


Taxi Operator Licenses


73.00


Miscellaneous


32.77


Total Receipts 2,100.32


Net Cost of Department for 1952


$295,996.57


Per Capita cost based on population of 47,000 . .


6.29


ORGANIZATION Chief of Police Archie F. Bullock Lieutenants


Albert E. Ryan Thomas F. Sullivan


James J. Flynn


T. Francis Meagher Ferdinand A. Lucarelli Charles O. Toomey


Sergeants


William A. Riley


William M. Germain


James F. Ryan


George H. Fitzgibbon John Y. Duggan, Jr.


Philip A. Sweeney Edward A. Sullivan Charles W. Scannell Thomas R. Pigott


188


ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT


Patrolmen


George C. Alexie


James J. Lyons


James P. Barry


William P. Mahoney


Henry E. Bradley


Agostino Manderino


John J. Buckley, Jr.


John F. McNally


Thomas E. Burns


George J. Morgan


William F. Burns


Robert C. O'Brien


Amelio Cappella


Harold J. O'Leary


James A. Casali, Jr.


Walter H. O'Leary


John A. Casazza


Bernard L. O'Quinn


Francis A. Cook


Lester H. Peabody


M. James Coughlin


John F. Powers


Frank J. Davidson


James J. Reagan


James A. Doherty, Jr.


William E. Richardson, Jr.


John J. Donnelly


John J. Roche


James J. Donovan


John A. Ryan


Gerald J. Duggan


Wilson P. Schaber


Lawrence B. Flynn


Donald Seabury


Raymond W. Forrest


Charles L. Sewall


Peter Greeley


Denis F. Shea


Arthur G. Guarente


Richard F. Shea


John J. Hourihan


William J. Shea, Jr.


Timothy T. Hourihan


Albert E. Spina


Paul D. Keeffe


William E. Taylor


Edward L. Keating


James J. Tierney


Walter F. Knowles


Charles J. Tynan


William J. Lanigan


Virgil E. Wagner


Robert G. Learnard


George J. White


John H. LeCain


William E. White


Daniel F. Lee. Jr.


Albert L. Young


CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES


Principal Clerk


Anne P. O'Neil


Clerk Stenographer


. Bernice H. Holmes


Matron Mary A. Tremblay


Custodian Benjamin D. Knowles


Motor Equipment and Radio Repairman Joseph L. Keefe


Traffic Signal Maintenance Man James J. Carmody


Asst. Traffic Signal Maintenance Man James X. O'Leary


MILITARY SERVICE


Patrolman Edward A. Keating was recalled to Military Service May 1st, 1952.


PROMOTION


Patrolman John Y. Duggan, Jr., was appointed Sergeant on April 27, 1952.


189


REPORT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT


NEW APPOINTMENTS


Lawrence B. Flynn ..


February 21, 1952


James J. Tierney


May 5, 1952


William E. Richardson, Jr. December 2, 1952


Paul D. Keeffe


December 16, 1952


Robert C. O'Brien


December 22, 1952


SEPARATIONS FROM DEPARTMENT


Patrolman William A. Scanlan died on November 11, 1952.


Patrolman Walter J. Smith resigned from the Department on De- cember 16, 1952.


The Department has a total of 74 Police Officers, including all grades, which is a ratio of one and fitfy-seven one hundreths (1.57) per thousand population based on a total population of 47,000.


STATISTICS ON ARRESTS-1952


Number of Persons Arrested-Male 2221


Number of Persons Arrested-Female


216


Total


2437


Residents


1090


Non-Residents


1267


Juveniles or Persons Under 17 years of Age:


Residents


31


Non-Residents


49


80


Total


2437


OFFENSES FOR WHICH ARRESTS WERE MADE


CRIMES vS. PERSONS


1951


1952


Assault, Aggravated


0


1


Assault and Battery With Dangerous Weapon


0


1


Assault and Battery


16


14


Assault-Indecent


1


2


Assault With Intent to Rape


1 0


Carnal Abuse




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