USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1952 > Part 12
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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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