Town of Arlington annual report 1953, Part 25

Author: Arlington (Mass.)
Publication date: 1953
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 396


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1953 > Part 25


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Old Middlesex Path, from Station 0 + 0 to Station 5 + 0 Cherokee Road, from Station 0 + 0 to Station 8 + 0 Old Colony Road, from Station 4 + 90 +/- to Station 13 + 91+/- Ridge Street, from Station 7 - 17.6 to Station 10 + 75 Fox Meadow Lane, from Station 3 + 72.5 to Station 11 + 0 Homer Road, from Station 0 + 0 to Station 9 + 0 Keats Road, from Station 0 + 0 to Station 2 + 50


Shelley Road, from Station 0 + 0 to Station 7 + 90 Lorraine Terrace, from Station 0 + 0 to Station 6 + 56.32 Dickson Avenue, from Station 3 + 28.5 to Station 5 + 50


Constructed eight streets at a cost of $205,755.91, at a sav- ings of substantially 30 % .


323


REPORT OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN


PUBLIC WORKS


Approved recommendations of Town Manager and adopted as matters of policy, items on sewer, water and storm drain in- stallations.


Allotted betterment assessments on sewer installations.


Reviewed complaints and approved administrative changes on Public Works installations.


Instituted a change in sewer and water policies as recommend- ed by the Town Manager which compelled housing developers to defray a drastically higher proportion of installation costs to the benefit of the Town.


Approved administrative changes in Public Works Department.


Considered disposing of Town owned land known as the Great Meadows when offer of $20,000.00 was received. Further consider- ation to be given when a legal survey is completed determining land and water rights held by the Town.


Reviewed action of the M.T.A. in discontinuing plowing on public ways and purchased snowfighting equipment from that au- thority at substantial savings.


Your Board of Selectmen, in its capacity as such, as the Board of Survey and as the heads of the Department of Public Works, have been given cooperation by the Town Manager. We express our appreciation to him and his staff. We also express our appre- ciation for the work of Executive Secretary Frank K. Nicksay and his staff, Mrs. Catherine Harrigan, Mrs. Christine Callahan and Miss Grace Mattson.


We congratulate all department heads, whether under direct control of this Board or under the Town Manager, or others, for the acceptance, in spirit, of the will of the people and for the co- operation which the Town is receiving by their action.


WALTER T. KENNEY JOSEPH P. GREELEY


MARCUS L. SORENSEN GEORGE A. HARRIS FRANKLIN W. HURD


Selectmen of the Town of Arlington


324


ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT


Report of the Town Manager


February 12, 1954


Honorable Board of Selectmen Town Hall Arlington, Massachusetts


Gentlemen:


On May 1, 1953, I officially began my duties as Town Man- ager. At this time I wish to publicly thank the Honorable Board of Selectmen for its confidence in my qualifications as indicated by my appointment to this important position.


The Town Manager Act brought with it many changes in the administration and operation of the town goverment. The con- version from the old to the new form of government, as provided by the Town Manager Act, has been made, in my opinion, with a minimum of friction.


Co-ordination of town departments, a major objective under the Town Manager Act, has been substantially accomplished; ef- forts in this respect will be continued.


A central switchboard has been installed in the Town Hall connecting all departments, which should facilitate the town's business operations.


A centralized purchasing policy has been put into effect, which has resulted in considerable savings in the funds previously ex- pended to purchase the town's requirements.


A sewer and water policy compelling developers to defray a major part of installation costs has resulted in important economies and savings in connection with the town's expenditures for both purposes. Housing developers are now compelled also to defray all costs of inspection services by the town during times other than the regular work week of the town.


Economies have resulted from the newly established policy of garaging and repairing at the Town Yard, so far as practicable, the equipment, trucks, and cars of all departments.


The Health Department has expanded its services to include all children of Parochial and other private schools in the town.


A study of all town-owned space has been in progress in order to care for the expanding needs of various departments in the Town Hall so as to avoid, if possible, the spending in full of the total appropriation of $160,000.00 which has previously been authorized for an addition to the Town Hall, including remodeling of the pre- sent structure. It is my sincere belief that the maximum utilization of presently owned facilities will make it possible to return to the Town Treasury, a major portion of this appropriation.


In order to place the Water Department on a self-sustaining basis, it has been necessary to put into effect an increase of 25 % in our water rates to consumers to offset the 100% increase in the water charges to the town by the Metropolitan District Commission.


325


REPORT OF THE TOWN MANAGER


The Worcester Disaster emphasized the absolute need of in- creasing the insurance coverage on our public buildings in the town so as to provide for windstorm, hurricane, and similar damages, and this was done in 1953.


Employee morale appears to be very good as evidenced par- ticularly by the much improved record of employees in sick leave absences. The employees of the town made an outstanding record in sponsoring the September Bloodmobile Drive at the Town Hall, according to Red Cross officials.


According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, juvenile delinquency in the town is the lowest of any city or town of com- parable size in the U.S.A., which is a tribute to our churches, youth organizations, the town recreation and police departments, and especially the parents of the town who, in the final analysis, are fundamentally responsible for this most satisfactory situation. Efforts in this regard should be continued and, if possible, accel- lerated.


Women traffic officers, authorized by the 1953 Annual Town Meeting, have proven their great worth in the protection of school children; as time goes on, more should be appointed for this vital safety work which is accomplished at minimum cost to the town.


The property damage cost in street construction has been an almost insurmountable barrier to construction of many public ways. A major objective in 1954 is the solution of this cost factor which has deterred the finishing of approximately 36 miles of private ways throughout the town under the betterment plan, so that more streets may be constructed each year with the large appropriation usually authorized for the purpose.


The financial condition of the town as of December 31, 1953, reveals a highly satisfactory improvement compared with the pre- vious year. In my budget recommendations for 1954, I have pre- dicted a substantial decrease in the 1954 tax rate.


The attainment of this predicted tax rate decrease is however dependent upon a number of factors outside the control of the Town Manager, some of which are:


1. Whether or not the "cherry sheet" figures (exchange of funds between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Town) unknown when the budget was prepared, are substantially the same as in 1953;


2. Whether or not departmental appropriations recommended by the Finance Committee are in substantial agreement with my estimates of the needs of town departments in 1954;


3. Whether or not the large reduction in appropriations of departments and warrant articles under the direct control of the Town Manager are not offset by equivalent increases in the appro- priations of the School Department and especially in the articles section of the warrant;


4. The action of Town Meeting members in their final action on all budget matters, including warrant articles especially ;


326


ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT


5. Whether or not increased property valuations are found by the Board of Assessors to be reasonably comparable to my esti- mates in preparing the budget.


The Honorable Board of Selectmen is most deserving of my thanks and appreciation for co-operating to a maximum degree in connection with the progress that has been made during the first eight months of my incumbency as Town Manager.


I am grateful to department heads and employees for their co-operation during the past eight months.


The Town of Arlington is indeed fortunate in the number of outstanding citizens who give of their time and effort to unpaid boards and commissions of the town government. I would be re- miss if I failed to ackowledge and thank them for their unselfish public service to the town.


In closing this, my first report, may I also thank sincerely the good citizens of the town who have extended the hand of friendship and encouragement to me during my first eight months as Town Manager.


Reference is made to other sections of this Annual Report for additional information, statistics and data of the various Town Departments for the year that closed December 31, 1953.


Respectfully submitted,


EDWARD C. MONAHAN


Town Manager


327


REPORT OF THE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT


Report of Purchasing Department


Mr. Edward C. Monahan Town Manager


Arlington, Mass.


Dear Sir:


I herewith submit my report as Assistant Purchasing Agent for that period from May 1, 1953 to and including December 31, 1953.


During this period it was necessary to convey to all Depart- ment Heads, various Boards, elected Officers and Committees the necessity of conforming to clause (h), Section 15 of the Town Man- ager Act which covers the powers and duties of the Town Manager relative to Purchasing.


Uniform Purchase Requisitions and Purchase Orders were printed and Purchase Requisitions distributed to the various De- partments for their use.


The spirit of competitive bidding was used wherever possible. Prior to issuing Purchase Orders, numerous telephone calls, letters and other means of communication were used to obtain proper competitive prices, delivery dates and other important informa- tion. Local vendors were given preference in every case where quality, service and delivery were comparable.


The system of Central Purchasing has been installed with few complaints. Upon inquiry, I find that the great majority of vend- ors are satisfied with the competitive system.


During the year "Bids" were sought in many cases where very comprehensive specifications were necessary. Without question the use of complete specifications accompanied by the eventually signed Contract is a sound practice.


Centralized purchasing without question effected considerable savings during the eight months of its existence. The year 1954 should be even better where the results of a full year would be evidenced.


In the future, reports will contain full statistical information with respect to the number of Purchase Orders processed, the total amount of Invoices handled and Contracts entered into.


I wish to take this opportunity to express my sincere apprecia- tion to the Manager, the various Boards, Town Officials, Depart- ment Heads and Employees for their co-operation during the year.


Respectfully submitted, WARREN E. O'LEARY


Assistant Purchasing Agent


328


ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT


Report of the Supervisor of Maintenance and Operation of Arlington Public Buildings FOR THE YEAR 1953


Mr. Edward C. Monahan, Town Manager


Town of Arlington, Massachusetts


Dear Sir:


I respectfully submit my report for the year ending December 31, 1953. The following are the major projects completed during the past year:


Arlington High School


Painted basement corridors in Sections "A" and "B".


Installed accoustical tile ceilings in the Guidance offices.


Installed opaque window shades in Rooms 15A, 51, 53 and 68, and made repairs and replacements to window shades in various rooms throughout the building.


Remodeled a section of the Boys' shower room in the new sec- tion of the building for use as a First Aid Room.


Constructed a combination bookcase and storage cabinet with doors and locks in Room 29 (Art room).


Installed fluorescent light fixtures in Principal's office.


Installed rubber furniture glides on all chairs in the Library.


Junior High School East


Remodeled library into two classrooms.


Installed fluorescent light fixtures in all classrooms, offices, clinic and cafeteria.


Increased size of electric services from main to panel in con- trol panel room.


Replaced worn heat controls on eight unit heaters.


Replaced worn air compressor and tank for heat control system.


Covered exterior wall between gym roof and roof of main building with copper.


Installed new gravel deck over front entrance to auditorium. Refinished 665 pupils desks and chairs.


Junior High School West


Painted rooms 24 and 31.


Painted stairways A, B, C, from basement to second floor.


Made repairs and replacements to window shades in various rooms throughout the building.


Installed fluorescent light fixtures in Room 31.


Made alterations and additions to serving counter in Cafeteria.


329


REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF MAINTENANCE


Junior High Industrial Arts School


Installed opaque window shades in Room #3 and made other minor repairs throughout the building.


Bishop School


Installed grills on rear basement windows.


Installed a chain link fence around the front part of the school playground.


Installed additional shelves in basement supply closet and custo- dian's room.


Installed rubber cushion furniture glides on all chairs and desks in Rooms 1, 2, 3, 4 and auditorium.


Brackett School


Repaired and replaced window shades in various classrooms throughout the building.


Removed flagstone walk at front entrance to the building and installed a new granolithic walk.


Crosby School


Installed asphalt tile flooring over worn wood floors on first floor in classrooms 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, office, clinic room, teachers' sanitary, corridors and coat room areas, three stairways from first floor to exits and basement playroom between rooms B-1 and B-2 and entrance to B-1.


Installed accoustical tile on ceilings in Rooms 2, 4, 7, clinic room, corridors, upper and lower gym rooms, and 3 playrooms.


Patched plaster, made other repairs and painted classrooms 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, office and sanitary, clinic room, teachers' san- itary, boys' and girls' sanitaries, corridors and coat room areas, 4 entrances, 3 stairways, 3 playrooms, upper and lower gyms and auditorium.


Cutter School


Painted entire exterior of the building and made repairs to windows, frames, etc.


Replaced worn gutters, valleys and conductors on the School street section of the building with new copper gutters and con- ductors.


Replaced worn flue header from boiler flue to the chimney.


Made repairs to windows in Room 19 and painted entire room. Remodeled entire girls' sanitary on first floor. Installed gas service and hot water unit. Piped hot water to various fixtures in the building. Installed a gas range in Room #19.


Hardy School


Painted entire classroom section including sanitaries, and auditorium of the old section of the building.


330


ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT


Installed a new stage curtain and track for same in the au- ditorium.


Replaced loose cork tile flooring in both kindergartens in new section of the building.


Repaired leaks in the connections of the heating stacks in the stack room.


Locke School


Graded and covered entire playground with bituminous con- crete.


Parmenter School


Installed fluorescent light fixtures in all classrooms, office and teachers' room.


Remodeled basement playroom into a kindergarten room. This work included accoustical tile ceiling, asphalt tile flooring, fluores- cent light fixtures, rewiring, painting, construction of cabinets, etc., alterations to heating and plumbing and new window shades.


Constructed a school supply storeroom and installed shelving, etc., in an area off the kindergarten.


Replaced and repaired window shades in various rooms throughout the building.


Peirce School


Replaced hood on large vent duct on roof.


Repointed and waterproofed a section of the exterior wall at the rear of the building.


Replaced and repaired window shades in various classrooms throughout the building.


Robbins Town Hall


A contract was awarded to make partial repairs and replace- ments to the roof.


Fluorescent lighting has been installed in some of the offices throughout the building, namely the Town Manager's office, Pub- lic Works office, Town Engineer's office, Town Accountant's office and the basement Hearing room. The above offices were also painted by the public Works Department employees.


Robbins Library


A contract was awarded to make repairs to the roof.


Changes and repairs were made in the heating and hot water system.


All boilers and hot water tanks and air compressors were in- spected this summer by the Insurance inspectors and all repairs and replacements were made according to their requests and cer- tificates of approval were issued for each building.


331


REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF MAINTENANCE


In addition to the above work, about 2500 work orders were completed by the Maintenance department and outside contractors on jobs costing from $3.00 to $150.00 each.


The greater part of the work mentioned in the above report was done for the School Department. Further maintenance work in other buildings by this department can only be accomplished by increasing the manpower of this department. I recommend that this department be increased by the addition of skilled help to maintain its present high efficiency.


Sometime subsequent to the Town Manager taking over his duties on May 1, 1953, I was given the responsibility for super- vising and maintaining all Town-owned property including school buildings. Considering the very large amount of work to be laid out for school buildings alone, which in itself is a full-time job, it is understandable that not too much was done in 1953 in con- nection with repairs and maintenance of Town-owned property other than schools.


Then again, priority in planning and laying out work had to be given to the school Department because of the limited time avail- able in which to do the work, considering the deadline as reflected by the opening day of school in September.


In 1954, if the Town Meeting approves the recommendation that an assistant to me be appointed who could concentrate on school work under my supervision and direction, more attention could be given to the maintenance and repair of all Town property other than school buildings.


I wish to express by appreciation to the officials and employees of this department and all other Town Departments and Town officials for their cooperation during the year.


Respectfully submitted,


GEORGE H. GREIM


Supervisor Custodians and Maintenance


332


ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT


February 1, 1954


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen Mr. Walter T. Kenney, Chairman Arlington, Massachusetts


Gentlemen:


I herewith submit my report of the financial transactions of the Town of Arlington for the year ending December 31, 1953. Attached are the following schedules:


Balance Sheet


Deferred Accounts, Debt Accounts, Trust and Investment Funds. Unexpended Balances, Appropriation Accounts


Appropriations and Expenditures


Receipts and Payments


Upon assuming office your Accountant began the task of analyzing the accounting system which was currently being used, and after careful consideration and several conferences with the Board of Selectmen recommended a complete and modern machine accounting system involving the Encumbrance method of account- ing. It was felt that though the present manual accounting sys- tem had served the Town well for many years it should be con- verted to keep pace with more modern and efficient methods. This recommendation was unanimously approved by the Selectmen.


At the Annual Town Meeting of 1953 funds were requested to provide for an Accounting Machine and the auxiliary equipment necessary to institute this program. Once the approval of this appropriation was assured the tremendous task of research and investigation was begun and at this writing an efficient system has been evolved to fit the particular needs of Arlington's governmental requirements. As of this date the ground work has been com- pleted and Town Officials have been notified of the manner in which they are to process their financial transactions and the new Accounting System is being placed into operation. This will not only increase the efficiency of this department but will also benefit all Town Departments in apprising them of their budgetary ex- penditures and balances at all times.


In conclusion I take this opportunity to thank Mr. William J. Deegan, Jr., City Manager of Quincy, Mass. and Mr. Alexander Smith and his staff, City Auditor of Quincy, Mass., for their help and assistance while showing me their own machine accounting system. I also thank Town Manager Monahan and all Boards, Com- missioners and Department Heads for their splendid cooperation throughout the year, and particularly, to the staff of the Account- ing Department for their efficient, loyal and diligent service.


Respectfully submitted, CARMEN T. FORITANO Town Accountant


Town of Arlington - Balance Sheet December 31, 1953 GENERAL ACCOUNTS


ASSETS


LIABILITIES & RESERVES


General Cash


$1,680,476.78


State & County Assessments : Middlesex County Tax


Accounts Payable .


Guarantee Deposits


Accounts Receivable :


Taxes:


Poll Taxes - 1953


108.00 1,843.85


Tailings


555.48


Personal Property Levy 1953


Gifts & Bequests :


Real Estate Levy 1952


25.38


Wellington Memorial Fund ..


50.00


Real Estate Levy 1953


86,137.28


86,162.66


Trust Fund Income: Charity Trust Funds $ 7,518.63


School


609.95


E. Nelson Blake Jr. Fund


1,114.25


Special Assessments:


Moth Levy 1953


86.55


Unapportioned Sewer


14,600.43


Apportioned Sewer added to 1953 Taxes


224.46


Unapportioned St. Betterments


29,826.85


Apportioned Betterments added to 1953 Taxes


1,868.75


U.S. Aid to D.C .- Admin. Exp. 4,377.37


U.S. Aid to Dependent Children 1,650.96


U.S. O.A. Assist .- Admin. Exp.


10,029.38


U.S. Old Age Assistance ...


17,234.22


42.26


U.S. Disability Assistance- Admin. Expense


3,394.83


Committed Interest:


U.S. Disability Assistance


1,644.65


Sewer Interest - 1953


55.56


Betterment Interest 1953


541.23


Sidewalk Interest 1953


14.61


52,794.45


George Barden Fire Fund ..


16.14


40,777.25


.


Agency : Middlesex County Dog Licenses 22.80


Motor Vehicle & Trailer Excise


12,035.65


Library Trust Fund


10,339.88


Horace T. Douglas Cemetery Fund 199.87


Irving Johnson, Cemetery Fund


61.08


Ada Robbins Fund


1,008.13


20,851.79


Federal Grants:


Unapportioned Sidewalk Assess- ments


5,533.75


Apportioned Sidewalks added to 1953 Taxes


ยท


Smith Hughes-Geo. Barden --- Voc. School


2,429.70


Petty Cash


809.50 $1,681,286.28


$ 4,250.50 68,693.47 12,854.50


Tax Titles & Possessions:


Tax Titles - Held by Town . 3,569,15


Tax Possessions


11,429.21 14,998,36


School Milk Fund 2,850.93 School Physical Education Fund 3,537.09


19,907.83


Departmental :


Town Manager


290.00


Public Works


2,254.60


Tree


82.45


General


35,360.00


Police


566.44


Lots & Graves


88,121.50


123,481.50


Fire


1,565.71


Board of Health


17,121.49


Welfare . .


6,308.84


Receipts Reserved for Appropriations: Sale of Junk - Cemetery .


776.31


Old Age Assistance-Ind. O.C.T.


708.45


Parking Meters Collections


17,670.87


18,447.18


Veterans Benefits


1,039.73


School


6,898.68


Symmes Arlington Hospital


29,406.25


Cemetery - Regular


635.00


Cemetery - Annual Care


5,447.00


76,627.70


Revenue Reserved Until Collected :


Water:


Liens added to 1953 Taxes


48.40


Special Assessment Revenue


52,794.45


Water Rates


15,267.48


Tax Title Revenue 3,569.15


Water Miscellaneous


11.50


15,327.38


Tax Possession Revenue


11,429.21


Departmental Revenue


76,627.70


State Aid to Highway


5,432.30


Water Revenue


15,327.38


County Aid to Highway


2,716.14


8,148.44


Aid to Highway Revenue 8,148.44


179,931.98


1951 Overlay


27.10


Reserve for Petty Cash 809.50


1952 Overlay


373.22


Comm. Mass. - General Accounts .


2,851.24


Excess & Deficiency


756,926.65


$1,952,584.33


$1,952,584.33


Revolving Fund : School Lunch Program 13,519.81


Unexpended Appropriation Balances


698,611.00


Sale of Land:


Com. Mass .- Aid to Dep. Chil.


4,303.06


Reserve Fund - Overlay Surplus .. 2,262.80 Overlay Reserved for Abatement Levy 1953 4,150.10


Motor Excise Revenue 12,035.65


DEFERRED ACCOUNTS


December 31, 1953


Apportioned Assessments not Due:


Apportioned Special Assessments Due 1953 to 1961


Sewers


$ 13,506.18


Sewers Sidewalks


13,506.18


Sidewalks


12,507.27


12,507.27


Street Betterments


119,192.64


Street Betterments


119,192.64


$145,206.09


$145,206.09


DEBT ACCOUNTS


Net Funded or Fixed Debt $1,240,000.00


Serial Loans $1,240,000.00


TRUST & INVESTMENT FUNDS


Municipal Insurance Fund


$ 79,926.75


Workmen's Compensation Fund 165.53


In Custody of Treasurer


$1,805,507.00


Contributory Retirement Fund Public Trust Fund


663,871.73


In Custody of Trustees


53,111.74


1,114,654.73


$1,858,618.74


$1,858,618.74


336


ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT


RECEIPTS-1953


TAXES:


Current Year:


Real Estate


$3,638,875.82


Personal


218,556.79


Poll


24,288.00


Previous Years:


Real Estate


98,288.89


Personal


2,835.32


Poll


260.00


Tax Titles Redemption




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