USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1953 > Part 12
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Work continued during the year on the development of Sum- mer Street Playground. The children's play area was completed this spring with the installation of playground equipment. Park benches and trees were added to the playground during the fall. A fence was erected to separate the newly developed portion of the playground from the railroad. The department continued to grade the unfinished portion of the playground, but is handicapped in bringing the area to proper grade by a shortage of fill. Taking advantage of the slope at the Washington Street end of the play- ground, a coasting and skiing area was partially developed.
An asphalt surfaced multi-use area was installed at Waldo Road Playground by our Public Works Department. It is a very popular installation since the playground is not of sufficient size for baseball,.
At Thorndike Playground a new regulation baseball diamond was prepared and a chain link backstop installed. Taking advant. age of the large playing area at this field, a Little League diamond and backstop were also installed for the use of Cub Scouts and Little Leaguers. Two games can be scheduled at one time on this field without conflict. Trees were added to the playground this fall.
At Linwood Playground which is almost exclusively used by our Little Leagues a new baseball diamond was prepared and chain link backstop erected. A chain link fence four feet high was erected around the outskirts of the actual playing area which has helped immeasurably in the control of crowds and in the conduct of games. In co-operation with Little League officials permission was granted to Mr. Fred A. Santini to erect reinforced concrete dugouts at his own expense to complete this baseball diamond. The generosity of Mr. Santini and his active interest in our Little League program is most sincerely appreciated.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Park benches were added to the children's play area at Rob- bins Playground. A storm drain was installed in the lower por- tion of this land to correct a drainage problem caused by the steep slope. This work was performed by our Public Works Department.
Playground equipment was installed for temporary usage of land at Pheasant Avenue as a small tot area. This land remains under the control of the Board of Selectmen and only a small por- tion is now being used for playground purposes. .
North Union Playground was reloamed and seeded this fall with water lines first being extended over to the baseball diamond so that the entire area can be watered as required.
At Warren A. Peirce Field another third of the Wayne Grand- stand adjacent to the railroad was replaced with new lumber and painted. At the request of the School Committee in view of com- plaints received, the baseball diamond was closed for games in June and the area reseeded. The backstop was relocated so that baseball can be resumed in a different location in 1954 to the satis- faction of all concerned.
Playground equipment was placed at the Bishop School so that this area could be used by the smaller children until such time as funds are available for the final development of this play- ground.
The department, at the direction of the Town Manager, as- sumed the responsibility for the supervision and daily maintenance of Spy Pond Field on June 16, 1953, subject to certain regulations mutually established by the School Committee, Town Manager and this Board.
Skating areas were maintained by the Department at Meadow- brook and Menotomy Rocks Park with floodlights operated during the evening hours when ice was available. Small areas were main- tained for skating on the asphalt surfaces at Waldo, Thorndike, North Union, Medford and Robbins Playgrounds.
At the direction of the Town Manager, the office and mainten- ance equipment of the Tree Warden were moved to our headquar- ters at 33 Ryder Street. These facilities were also made available throughout the year for the department of Civil Defense, office, control centre and regular meetings of this department.
All areas were maintained as required throughout the season with special emphasis given to the daily marking of athletic fields, in accordance with permits for such use by our office. Our base- ball and softball fields were in constant demand for twilight activ- ity from May 1 through August 15 with a total of sixty-five base- ball and softball teams using our various diamonds.
The Little League program which is coordinated by this de- partment fielded eight completely uniformed teams. In addition another eight farm teams, uniformed in sweatshirts and caps, were organized with their games scheduled at Thorndike Playground. Assistance was also given to the Cub Scouts in the formation of
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REPORT OF THE PARK COMMISSION
its baseball program in the scheduling of fields and in the assign- ment of umpires. The department also assisted as needed the base- ball program of the Arlington Youth Association.
A total of eighteen teams participated in our Adult Softball League with two games scheduled per team each week from May 1 through August 21, 1953.
The Summer Playground Program officially opened on June 29, 1953 and operated for eight weeks through August 21, 1953. A program was offered for the first time at Pheasant Avenue Play- ground and proved very successful. Crosby Playground was closed after the third week of the program due to poor attendance. A total of sixteen playgrounds were supervised during this period with a total registration of 1,847 youngsters.
Our program offered a variety of games, sports, playground leagues, crafts, special trips, picnics and special events from cos- tume shows to freckle contests. Our second annual picnic at Menotomy Rocks Park attracted approximately fifteen hundred children while our Annual Children's Parade and Field Day at Warren A. Peirce Field in climax to our season attracted about five thousand children and spectators.
Reservoir Beach was opened for supervised bathing on June 14 and operated daily through Labor Day. Swimming instructions were given each afternoon and special classes formed in the morn- ings for both Girl Scout and Boy Scout groups.
Attendance at the beach averaged about two hundred and twenty-five patrons daily through July 4, but for the balance of the year dropped to less than forty daily. In view of the drop in attendance and the condition of the water at the Reservoir an en- gineering study of the beach was made. Based on this report, an Article will be inserted in the Warrant for the 1954 Annual Town Meeting requesting the formation of a committee to make a detailed study of this problem and to recommend a future cause of action.
Badminton was conducted for adults one night per week at the Lowe Auditorium except during the summer months. Golf classes were conducted three evenings per week over eight weeks with a total registration of 119 adults. Sixteen adult bowling teams participated in league bowling, while eight teams of high school boys bowled one afternoon per week. Our adult basketball league comprised ten teams with league games scheduled throughout the winter months. Our high school basketball league had twelve en- tries with each team playing two games per week through the season.
The inception of a Golden Age Program on February 19 can certainly be considered the highlight of our recreation program for 1953. Its membership is comprised of residents who are sixty- five years or more in age and our mailing list now has 212 mem- bers. This group has established itself firmly in our community. It has been an inspiration to work with them to observe how this program has given them renewed hope and new friendships.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Their programs are conducted in the auditorium of the Rob- bins Library on the first and third Thursdays of each month. At- tendance has averaged ninety-six at these formal meetings. A so- cial program of card playing and other games is conducted on Mon- day, Wednesday and Friday afternoons throughout the year and these sessions, also conducted in the Library, are highly successful.
The women of the Golden Age Club have banded together as a Sewing Group on every Thursday and have just completed a pro- ject of making infants clothing for the children in Korea. Robes are also being made for the use of paraplegics in veterans hospitals.
In conclusion we are again very deeply indebted to indivi- duals, organizations, local merchants and newspapers, through whose active interest and support our program has been made possible.
We wish at this time to also express our gratitude to other town departments for their full co-operation, to our own employees and to our Town Manager for the full support he has given to our park and recreation program.
Respectfully submitted
EDWARD D. BUCKLEY FRANCIS A. COUGHLIN, JR. EVERETT J. HENDERSON, Chairman
149
REPORT OF THE MEDICAL INSPECTOR
Report of the Medical Inspector
January 12, 1954
Honorable Edward C. Monahan, Town Manager,
Town Hall,
Arlington, Massachusetts.
Dear Sir:
I have the honor to sumbit herewith the report of the Medical Inspector of the Department of Public Welfare for the year ending December 31, 1953.
House Calls
Office Calls
Total
Old Age Assistance
490
361
851
Aid to Dependent Children
26
91
117
Disability Assistance.
22
25
47
Temporary Aid.
122
77
199
Veteran's Service.
07
47
54
The total number of calls for the year 1953 was 1268 which is an increase of about 30% over 1952.
The total number of visits made to the Clinic for dental care was 308.
One of the most important problems, confronting the indi- vidual of any age, is the most profitable use of leisure time, by this is meant the use to which time is put for the best interest of the individual, whether that use comes under the general heading of occupation or entertainment. The occupational or vocational use of leisure time for people over 65 years of age is strictly limited, in most cases depending upon their physical and mental capabilities. Some of these people are both physically and mentally capable but the Civil Service, Industry and Government itself has said they are not. However, I know many people over 65 years of age who are gainfully employed, some of them 75 or 80 years of age. There- fore, it is of considerable importance to learn that the Town, through the Park Department, has done something for these people, in the form of entertainment, namely, in establishing the Golden Age Club, the first meeting of which was held in February 1953. This form of entertainment is much more extensive than the time consumed in actual meetings would indicate
These entertainments and meetings provide psychological gym- nastics for several days before they happen and also provide a topic of conversation for some days after they take place thus they pro- duce something for the oldsters to think about under the general heading of pleasure. They take their mind off financial worries, aches and pains, family incompatibilities and blood pressure for at least part of their waking hours.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
When the idea of providing an interest for elderly people with leisure time was first proposed, late in 1952, the local newspapers suggested that the activities would follow the "Milwaukee Plan" or some other plan which had recently been found successful. This idea has accomplished the purpose as far as providing use for lei- sure time, under the general heading of entertainment. Certainly just as important, if not more so is the idea of providing an interest along the lines of occupational activities.
The attendance at the Golden Age Club meetings is not greater, because of the fact that many members of this group take no in- terest in piano recitals, "song and dance", "shows" and movies.
Because of experience and practical education, their emotional level is higher than the average and things that appeal to the average do not appeal to them. Let us not overlook the fact that when we are dealing with the cross section of any community we are dealing with a rather low intelligence quotient. We forget these people are mature, experienced and mellow; they have been "through the mill" and they know how to separate the "wheat from the chaff".
The idea of the organization of this age group for the exchange of mutual interests is not new and it did not orginate in Milwaukee or any other place other than Arlington. Referring to the Annual Report of the Town of Arlington it is noted in a report written 15 years ago, that certain recommendations were made in regard to the oganization of this group
The following quotation is from the report of the Town Phy- sician for the year 1939, page 362:
"These recipients are already old, and their environment is narrow and limited. Because of the deaths, as the years pass by, of most of their relatives, friends and acquaintances, their point of view is different from that of their children and grandchildren with whom they frequently live. Therefore, they are out of step with the other members of the household. Remedy? Bring them to- gether in an occupational community center where they may meet and work with people of their own age and points of view. Not laborious work, of course, but any type of busy work, which comes under the head of Occupational Therapy, such as knitting, rug making, toy making, etc. The sale of high quality, handmade mer- chandise would probably more than pay the salary of a well trained occupational therapist.
We can easily picture a group of people who have something in common, similar points of view, in the same age group, keeping busy and keeping their minds off themselves. They will live much longer and be much happier while they are living."
The Golden Age Club fulfills a real need and it should be en- couraged and expanded, likewise an occupational workshop under good supervision should be established, for both men and women. The men would display an interest in carpentry, toy making, rug making, brass work, photography etc., whereas; the women would
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REPORT OF THE MEDICAL INSPECTOR
be interested in knitting or sewing, in fact an inexpensive plan could be worked out similar to the old W.P.A. sewing project.
There have been several kinds of institutions for the care of the aged in this area for many years.
The type of nursing home which is used at the present time by recipients of the Department is largely a by-product of the Old Age Assistance program which was initiated about 20 years ago.
These homes are privately owned, and the owners are not in- terested primarily in the care of the aged as much as they are in the profits. The amount of nursing care given is minimum.
While the regulations of the State Department of Public Wel- fare require a registered nurse, she is usually on duly only 8 hours per day. The home is covered the other 16 hours of the day by elderly women who call themselves practical nurses: - they are not even trained attendants. Usually they are women who are un- employable in industry but who purchase a white dress and an- nounce they are practical nurses and even their services are re- duced to an irreducible minimum.
Most homes have only one of these women on duty at night when they should have at least two in a home of over 15 or 20 bed capacity. They get by with one employee at night, mostly because of the free use of sedatives.
In these homes there is no organized or unorganized effort at entertainment or occupation of leisure time. They are all over- crowded and some are ill equipped. Rooms which were built for two people have three in them; rooms which were built for 3 people usually have 4 or 5 beds in them.
There are no dining-rooms. What were formerly dining-rooms, are overcrowded with 5 or 6 beds.
The individuals equipment consists of a bed, a small chair, a box for toilet articles and usually a drawer in a dresser which is shared by 2 or 3 other patients. There is no available space for a dresser for each patient. The patients are "tray fed" in order to save space and to use the dining-room as a bedroom.
The trays are brought to the patients and the patients either sit on the bed and eat off the chair or sit on the chair and eat off the bed.
The State Department of Public Welfare, the Building Depart- ment and the Fire Department have promulgated certain standards for the control of nursing homes, however. These standards are minimum standards with which the nursing home owner must com- ply in order to remain in business.
They are far from ideal. Immediate relief from overcrowded conditions could be obtained by compelling the owners to provide an area of specific volume of cubic feet per patient. This would
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
avoid placing 5 or 6 patients in a room which is large enough for only 2 or 3 patients. (A similar regulation is already in effect in homes for student nurses. The State requires that each hospital shall provide sleeping accommodations of so many cubic feet for each student nurse. )
While it is true that patients enter these homes only on the recommendation of a physician, that recommendation should not last for the life of a patient.
More frequent check-ups are needed, because there are some cases which are in need of only domiciliary care and could be cared for and partially supported by their children. In spite of the fact that the childen are all too willing to sign affidavits that they are financially unable to contribute to the support of their parents, yet many of these children support luxurious homes, cars, Summer cottages etc.
The popular notion that Old Age Assistance is a "pension" is responsible for some of the mis-understanding.
Old Age Assistance is Welfare Assistance for a limited seg_ ment of the community-that is persons over 65 years of age who are destitute. If inquiry were made of some of these children, they might be surprised, chagrined and humiliated to learn that their parents were on the Welfare Rolls.
The care, handling and disposition of cases of mental illness in old age recipients is most unsatisfactory, discouraging and de- pressing. If a recipient becomes mentally ill in a proprietary nurs- ing home, the owner wants the patient removed at once, some- times even during the night. If he becomes ill at home, the children are lamenting the fact that their sleep is being disturbed.
Nearly all cases of mental illness in this age group is due to hardening of the arteries of the brain. It is true that at times they are noisy, talkative, keep repeating and have defective mem- ories etc. But they are seldom violent and a little sympathy, tact and kindness goes a long way in restoring their tranquility. How- ever, a few cases do really become unmanagable. Then the all important question of disposition of the case has to be decided upon. There is only one answer - a State Mental Hospital. There is no institution available between a nursing home and a mental hospital.
It is all too distressing and sad to think of these patients af- ter a lifetime of effort, trials, tribulations and tragedies, have to be committed to a hospital for the care of the insane, chiefly be- cause there is no other place to send them.
For the most part, they suffer from senility and are in need of supervised domiciliary care, rather than confinement in an in- stitution with barred windows and locked doors.
Conclusions: The care, supervision and management of reci- pients of Old Age Assistance could be greatly improved and their
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REPORT OF THE MEDICAL INSPECTOR
living conditions alleviated and made more pleasant, by a reversion to the old fashioned "Poor Farm" under Town Management.
Of course, it could not be referred to by that name but such labels as "Community Center for the Aged" or "Golden Age Coun- try Club" would not be objectionable. Admission should be on a voluntary basis and the public rooms should be open to any resi- dent over 65 years of age, whether or not they are on Old Age Assistance.
The psychological advantages of such a home are almost im- measurable and some of the physical advantages are as follows:
1-Better nursing care.
2~Relief of overcrowding.
3-Provides the social advantages of a dining-room.
4-Provides a meeting place and game room for those who "Live in", or those who live at home.
5-Provides domiciliary care for senile patients.
6-Provides occupational therapy for the profitable use of leisure time.
On first inspection, the financial expenditure would seem large. However, the facts are, that several proprietary nursing homes in this town are run at a substantial profit. There is no reason why the Town could not do the same, and still provide recipients with more and better care. (Cambridge, Somerville, Medford and Mal- den have found it expedient to retain their "Homes for the Aged").
We have at the present time, 40 recipients of Old Age Assist- ance in nursing homes in Arlington; and 29 Arlington recipients in nursing homes outside of Arlington.
In addition there are many recipients in rooming-houses, who would prefer to be associated with people of their own age.
Arlington recipients should be, and prefer to be in Arlington. Therefore, we have a nucleus of 69 patients to start with; and the number of patients requiring this type of care is going to increase, because the number of people over 65 years of age is on the increase.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD W. FEELEY, M.D.
Town Physician
154
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Annual Report of the Department of Civil Defense
In accordance with the By Laws of the Town, I submit herewith the fourth Annual Report of the Department of Civil Defense.
The real value of Civil Defense in its present concept as against similar planning in World War II was clearly shown during the tornado disaster experienced by the City of Worcester and adjacent communities in June of this year.
Chapter 639, of the Acts of 1950, by which Civil Defense was established on state and community levels in the Commonwealth provides a most efficient and effective emergency method of opera- tion both during a disaster and more important during the long post disaster period of rehabilitation.
Its most important feature for Civil Defense planning is the authorization for cities and towns to utilize their full municipal resources in aid of a disaster area. The Worcester disaster proved conclusively that this mutual assistance plan is the back bone of any local plan and that this should be supplemented in each com- munity by strong Police, Fire, Communications, Public Works and Medical groups. The ability to quickly mobilize equipment and professionally trained personnel within a community, supplemented by trained volunteers and to request through channels similar forces from other communities, is now a fundamental concept of Civil Defense in our local plan.
Equipment and personnel were dispatched to Worcester by the Town of Arlington immediately after the disaster to assist in the removal of debris and trees blocking the roads. Portable lighting equipment, with personnel to operate same, was sent to the disaster area every night for a two week period. Observers from our vari- ous phases were also sent to Worcester so that we could take ad- vantage of the experience of that city in our local planning.
Nine sirens were added during the year to increase the strength of our air raid alert signal. This signal was sounded each Satur- day at noon until August of this year when it was decided that weekly tests would not be needed for the present.
A test alert was staged on May 7, 1953, at 9:35 A.M. during which all pedestrian traffic was required to take shelter and all vehicles were required to stop and their occupants take shelter. Our audible alert was weak, and due in part to atmospheric condi- tions of the day. Additional sirens are necessary however to in- crease the strength of the signal. The whistle located at the Brattle Street Pumping Station is no longer available to us and must be replaced.
Vehicular traffic was well handled during the alert by our Police Department and its Auxiliary. Pedestrian traffic was well controlled through local merchants acting as wardens. School drills
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REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL DEFENSE
in each school showed well prepared plans, executed quickly with- out confusion. After the alert and within ten minutes after the all clear signal, all municipally owned equipment was assembled in the parking area at Warren A. Peirce Field for possible dispatch to damaged areas.
Communication by radio is now available to the key direct- tors of our program on the police-fire radio net. This command net is supplemented by a mobile net operated by our radio hams which can be used as the occasion demands. The mobility and flexibility of these ham units is to our advantage. Tests of com- munication equipment are held weekly and command post exercises in conjunction with the overall State Communications plan are con- ducted on the first. Moday of each month.
Training has continued in both our Police and Fire Auxiliaries throughout the year. As the interest continues high, much in the way of good training has been accomplished.
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