USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1956 > Part 31
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404
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
which the operation had been conducted but approved this method of reclamation of low land and land which is undesirable from a health or hazard standpoint.
Substantial amounts of money for aid rendered by the Board of Health and by the Symmes Arlington Hospital have been collected and turned over to the Town Collector.
The Town Counsel has been available at regular and special meetings of the Board of Selectmen, has worked in close co-operation with the Town Manager, has rendered opinions as requested by the Town Manager, various Boards, Departments, Committees and Offi- cers, has attended meetings at State Boards and Commissions, and has been vigilant in all matters affecting the interest of the Town.
For the kind consideration and co-operation extended to me by all the officials of the Town during the past year, and especially to the Board of Selectmen and Town Manager, I desire to record my sincere appreciation.
Respectfully submitted, JOSEPH A. PURCELL Town Counsel
405
REPORT OF THE TOWN MANAGER
Report of the Town Manager
February 22, 1957
Honorable Board of Selectmen Town Hall Arlington 74, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
The year ended December 31, 1956 witnessed a continuation of the accelerated program of elementary school construction initiated two years ago; and directly related thereto, the year 1956 witnessed the highest real estate tax rate in the Town's history - $69.20 per $1,000. compared with $59.20 the previous year, an increase of $10.00 in 1956 over 1955.
The School Building Program continues to be the most important single factor affecting the financial condition, the general welfare and the town's tax rate. Two large elementary schools in the Florence Avenue and in the North Union Street sections of the Town were completed and put into use in September and November, respectively, which new school construction was absorbed by the Town's taxpayers within one year of the Bishop School Addition, the Parmenter School Addition and the Crosby School Remodeling.
The impact of the larger school population reflected itself in the need for enlarging the High School which was authorized by the 1956 Annual Town Meeting which appropriated $1,716,500. for this par- ticular purpose. That the tremendous school construction program of recent years has, in fact, been the largest single factor in the high tax rate of 1956 would appear to be borne out by a comparison of the funds appropriated for School Department and other purposes in 1956 as compared with 1953 when the Town Tax Rate was $57.60 or $$11.60 lower than the 1956 rate of $69.20. For simplification, only the net increases are given; the details which are the basis for the increases shown are available upon request.
Town Appropriations
Increases in Appropriations 1956 vs. 1953
School Department
up
$ 569,473.50 (1)
Pensions & Retirement
up
77,000.00
Street Construction Debt & Int.
up
57,866.25
Insurance
up
50,786.00
(2)
Water System Improvements
up
40,858.00 (3)
Reservoir Improvements
up
25,000.00
Veterans' Benefits
up
10,793.00
Salary & Wages Increases
up
212,730.10 (4)
Snow Removal
up
149,580.58
General Government
down
(25,555.03) (5)
Increase in Appropriations
1956 vs. 1953
$1,168,532.40
Notes :
(1) includes debt and interest on school construction.
(2) includes group life and hospital, medical, etc. insurance.
(3) found necessary to be done to correct our inadequate water system pursuant to fire at Crosby School.
(4) Cost of Living increases in 1954, 1955, and 1956.
(5) this figure represents a decrease in 1956 vs. 1953.
406
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
During this period of time from 1953 to 1956, our net receipts in- cluding available funds after considering all State and other charges, over which there is little or no control, declined $88,886. which also went into the 1956 Tax Rate.
The townspeople, in their school construction program, have emphasized a determination to provide adequate facilities for the school children of the Town, and in doing so, to absorb the higher direct and indirect costs of school operation for many years to come in connection with debt service, maintenance, additional teachers and custodians, and other similar operating expenditures, which higher costs inevitably result in higher tax rates. To alleviate burdensome tax rates which will be inevitable pursuant to the Town's school construction program, new sources of municipal income must be de- vised by the Legislature, maybe some form of a modified sales tax, the receipts of which would be distributed to cities and towns of the Commonwealth.
There follows below a summary of the reports of the departments under the Town Manager's supervision and direction, also other im- portant happenings, for the year ended December 31, 1956.
BUILDING DEPARTMENT - Fewer houses built in 1956 due especially to declining number of satisfactory sites; another factor was the tightening of credit generally resulting in more rigid credit requirements and higher interest rates. We should continue to en- courage apartment house construction where zoning by-laws allow - such construction.
PLANNING - PARKING etc. - During the year, the Board held hearings on four petitions for zoning changes. The Town Meeting subsequently approved three of the Board's recommendations but dis- approved the other, but on this latter, the petitioner's request was ultimately denied by the Building Board of Appeals. Conferences were held with Joint Planning Committee which is expected to submit its final report to the 1957 Annual Town Meeting. Several amendments to the Zoning By-Laws are being presented to the Annual Town Meeting in 1957. Russell Common remains in pending status, await- ing adjudication in the Courts as to its possible use in connection with the improvement of Arlington Center Shopping District. Perma- nent quarters in the Town Hall have recently been assigned to the Planning Board where records and other pertinent information can be more available when needed. As we soon reach saturation with respect to home building because of growing lack of available home sites, planning becomes increasingly important to the Town's future; for example, the Town's stake in the development and improvement of our principal business areas is enormous. Consideration must be given soon to a full-time professional planner with clerical help to assure practical results.
CEMETERY DEPARTMENT - Interments off about 10% ; new areas being plotted; grounds well maintained.
CIVIL DEFENSE - Emphasis is again being placed on shelter construction with evacuation being de-emphasized. Training acceler- ated. Advantage to Town by acquisition of government surplus and use of matching funds. Volunteers rendered valuable aid to Town during March 17th blizzard.
CONTRIBUTORY RETIREMENT & PENSIONS - Upward cost trend continues.
407
REPORT OF THE TOWN MANAGER
DRAINAGE - Improvements continue. M.D.C. Project to reduce flooding in East Arlington is making satisfactory progress. Larger town expenditures predicted for future to make our drainage capaci- ties adequate for modern demands.
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT - Work load continues heavy despite difficulty of securing highest grade Civil Engineers.
FIRE DEPARTMENT - Hydrant inspections, testing of water volumes and pressures, assisting in cleaning of water mains, all pur- suant to Crosby School Fire, continues as does other in-service train- ing of personnel. Fire protection otherwise continues to be empha- sized. New full-time mechanic recommended last year has proven worth; previously discarded generator and pumps now back in ser- vice; apparatus now being properly maintained. Clean-Up Campaign inaugurated last Spring was a huge success. During Edison current failure on August 10th, there were no interruptions of communica- tions because of the automatic action of the emergency generator at Central Headquarters. Repairs, replacements, new installations of fire alarm system continued. Recommended that additional Fire Fighters be added to correct long-time deficiency in personnel of the department which by any approved standard is undermanned at present.
FUNDS, VARIOUS- Town Manager Act was amended so that Trust Fund Commission may now function legally and commissioners have been appointed and are functioning.
HEALTH, BOARD OF - "Salk" polio vaccine program expanded to cover school grades 5 and up (previous year's program for grades 1 to 4 only); approximately 9500 children received booster, 1st vacci- nations, and 2nd vaccinations, thanks to the cooperation of doctors and nurses of the Town who cooperated voluntarily in furthering this protective program.
LEGAL-A writ of mandamus sought to stop sanitary land-fill operations conducted by the Town on the Concord Turnpike in Arling- ton Heights. After several days' trial, the Superior Court ruled in favor of the Town - a far reaching decision which could conceivably delay for years the large capital outlay and operating expenses of an incinerator. During the year compromises were effected on the land damage claims pursuant to takings for the Dallin School and Parmen- ter School Playground.
LIBRARY - Increased use of library facilities and services dur- ing year; circulation was highest in history. Several major plant improvements were made during year; a long-range program has been determined for a continuation of such needed plant improve- ments. Staff shortages continue to be a problem. Book Fair in- augurated in November was tremendous success. The question of professional library assistance in the elementary schools is being studied.
MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT - Extensive maintenance of school buildings continued. Maximum assistance rendered to all school building construction committees. So that the Supervisor of Maintenance could give all of his time to the tremendous maintenance problems of our expanding number of school buildings, he was re- lieved of the necessity of supervising custodians who were put under a Head Custodian, a new position created during the year.
408
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
PARK AND RECREATION - Extensive maintenance of recre- ation areas, including the Warren A. Peirce Field for all High School activities, continued. Constant thought being given to expansion of skating areas and to an enlarged tennis program for girls, espe- cially. The department stands ready at all times to render maximum assistance to all youth organizations.
POLICE DEPARTMENT - Continuous enforcement of automobile violations based on belief that as crime is on wheels, control the wheels and you more effectively control crime in all aspects. Con- stantly alert to dangers of indecent literature, and in this connection, most all of our local storekeepers are cooperating to a maximum in the elimination of indecent material from their book and magazine racks. Our juvenile record is good - it can be kept that way with the cooperation of parents, churches, schools, youth organizations and the Police Department. Law enforcement continued at maximum levels. Additional police officers are needed if the Town is to be adequately protected at all times, and it is recommended that they be added in 1957.
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT - The department continued to render public service of highest degree in its multiple tasks which may be generally described as highway maintenance, including the biggest snow removal operations in the Town's history; new street construction; construction of new sidewalks and their repair where hazardous to public safety; maintenance and construction of storm drains, sewer and water mains, including house connections; rubbish collection and maintenance of sanitary land-fill disposal site; flood control; miscellaneous construction for the School Department, School Building Committees, Park Department, Tree Department, and Build- ing Maintenance Department. All Town owned vehicles excepting Fire and Police vehicles were maintained, serviced and garaged. Cooperated fully with the Fire Department in the repair of hydrants found defective or lacking in sufficient volume and pressure. An Inventory Control System was put into effect which has already proved advantageous. Ready at all times to perform long and ardu- ous duties for the best interests of the people of the Town. To under- stand the tremendous responsibilities of the Public Works Depart- ment, it is urgently recommended that the full departmental report, elsewhere in this book, be carefully scrutinized.
PURCHASING DEPARTMENT - Approximately 6,800 purchase orders processed during the year. The spirit as well as the letter of the town by-law has been complied with, in that competitive bidding has been enforced in practically all town purchases whether or not it is required by said by-law. Obtaining bids on our annual require- ments for materials to be delivered as needed throughout the entire year has resulted in substantial savings in view of the rising price
tendency throughout the year in practically all materials needed by the Town. The policy of soliciting the interest of local vendors in the Town's purchase requirements continues; where price and quality are comparable, local merchants are favored.
SEWER & WATER INSTALLATIONS- In new housing develop- ments policy continues of requiring developers to defray major part of installation costs. Some sewer extensions were made under Better- ment Act; some water extensions were made by the Town, after determining the economic feasibility from an income standpoint. It
409
REPORT OF THE TOWN MANAGER
is recommended that the 1957 Annual Town Meeting implement its approval of water extensions under the Betterment Act by establish- ing the required formula for such assessments as required by law and as recommended.
SNOW AND ICE - The cost of snow and ice operations during 1956 were extraordinarily high because of the worst winter and greatest snow fall in a generation or more. As a result of such tre- mendous costs, it has become necessary to review the methods hereto- fore by tradition used by the Town. It had always been customary for the Town to clear snow from sidewalks in business areas-this practice has now been terminated; it has been customary for the Town to remove snow immediately and continuously after each storm until done, regardless of overtime costs of labor and contractors' equipment-this practice has been terminated with snow being hauled away in the regular working hours only of the regular 40 hour work- week. These changes in procedures appear to be supported by the vast majority of the taxpayers. Sanding operations, especially in hilly sections of the Town, continue to be a costly project with no hope of relief, considering our usual below freezing temperatures during winter nights.
STREET LIGHTING - Improvement in safety lighting continues.
TOWN HALL ADDITION - Question continues regarding ability of very old boilers to carry extra load; situation must be carefully watched.
TRANSPORTATION - Resurfacing of Mass. Avenue has en hanced greatly the ability of M.T.A. buses to speed up local service.
TREE DEPARTMENT - Dutch Elm Disease has finally caugh' up with the Town which up to a year ago was relatively free of the nuisance. It is recommended that appropriations for removal of diseased elms be increased considerably so the mounting number of such may be uprooted and destroyed. During the year, the Massa- chusetts Horticultural Society awarded a certificate of merit to the Town for the beauty and repose of the Town Hall Grounds which as we all know are beautifully maintained. Spraying operations had to be accelerated because of a great increase in the growth of Poison Ivy.
VETERANS' SERVICES - Department continued to advise vet- erans regarding all aspects of their problems. Case load has re- mained relatively low but case costs have increased considerably be- cause of increasing costs of hospitalization, medication, etc.
WATER SYSTEM - In the 1955 Annual Report, I stated as follows:
"The Crosby School Fire in May 1954 dramatized the unsatis- factory condition of the Town's water distribution system for fire-fighting purposes. Pursuant to a comprehensive study made under the joint direction and supervision of the Supt. of Public Works and the Fire Chief, the 1955 Annual Town Meeting approved their recommendation to spend $40,000. for the im- provement of volumes and pressures, the tying in of "dead- ends" in the circulation system, and the cleaning of water mains whose effectiveness had been seriously impaired by tuber- culation growth; this would be the beginning of a program expected to be done over the next five-year period; much of
410
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
this has been done this year. This program also recommended inspection and repairs, where found necessary, of the approxi- mately 1200 water hydrants in the Town, which has been done during the year with the Fire Department conducting the in- spections and with the Public Works Department doing the repairing and replacements as the case may be. An extremely hot early Summer caused extensive water consumption during the year."
The foregoing procedures were followed again in 1956 and will be continued in future years until our water system is entirely satis- factory for fire fighting purposes.
WELFARE DEPARTMENT - Case load off about 2%, all four categories of relief. (See report for details).
CONCLUSION - In concluding this, my fourth annual report, may I respectfully point out that the attainment of all of the objec- tives of businesslike management under the Town Manager form of local government will be accomplished only by continuous efforts. In my opinion, businesslike municipal government reflects arduous efforts rather than genius-the Town Manager must apply himself constantly to the task and in this respect he must elicit the full cooperation of the employees who work under his supervision and direction as well as all other associated employees and officials of the Town. It is my humble observation that the Town Manager form of govern- ment has already shown satisfactory results. I feel very strongly that a maximum of value has been furnished the citizens for every tax dollar spent; I sincerely believe that the records will substan- tiate my conclusions in this respect.
For their cooperation during the year, I wish to thank the Honor- able Board of Selectmen, the Finance Committee, the Personnel Board, the School Committee, the Board of Assessors, and all town departments, boards and commissions.
My thanks are extended to the employees of all departments under my supervision and control who are especially deserving of my gratitude for their fine team-work during the year. Considering the number of complaints and the enormity of the task, faults have apparently been relatively few in the rendering of public service to the citizens of the town.
The Town of Arlington is indeed fortunate in the number of out- standing citizens, including Town Meeting members and members of school building committees, who give of their time and effort with no compensation to the various unpaid boards and commissions of the town government. Sincere thanks is expressed to them for their truly tremendous services to the town during the year just closed.
To the citizens of the town, my sincere thanks are extended for their continued cooperation, confidence and encouragement which makes worthwhile every effort expended in their behalf by their town employees, including the Town Manager.
Reference is made to other sections of this annual report for information, statistics and data of the various Town Departments for the year ending December 31, 1956.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD C. MONAHAN Town Manager
INDEX
A
General Index
Index to Accts. Report
Accountant Report
197
198
Animals, Inspector of, Report
313
335
Appeals, Boards of, Report
196
211
Appropriations and Expenditures
73
232
Assessors, Board of, Report
168
207
Assets and Liabilities, Statement of
198
B
Balance Sheet, December 31, 1956
198
Betterment Assessment Collections
174
204
Births Registered for the year
163
Buildings, Inspector of, Report
313
221
Buildings, Insurance Fund
264
C
Cemeteries, Commissioners of, Report
312
224-225
Charities
214-215
Civil Defense, Department of, Report
314
211
Clerk Town, Report
161
208-209
Collector of Taxes, Statement of
174
Committees, Town, Appointed
8
Constables
6
Contributory Retirement System
398
D
Deaths by Months 165
Dog Officer, Report
310
Dogs Registered
161
E
Election, Annual Town, March 5, 1956
56
Election, State & National
151
Elections and Town Meetings, Payments
209
Engineer, Town, Report of
327
208-209
F
Fees, Town Clerk
208
Finance Committee, Report
177
207
Fines and Forfeits
204
Fire Department, Report
303
210-211
Fire and Police Signal System
299
210-211
Forestry
211
Fund, Annie L. Hill Poor Widows' 252
Fund, Maria L. Hill Poor Widows' 252
Fund, Children's Book 246
Fund, Dexter Rawson Fay Library
247
Fund, Trustees of Elbridge Farmer
248
ยท
INDEX - CONTINUED
General Index
Index to Accts. Report
Fund, Louise S. Gruber Library
247
Fund, Ellen W. Hodgdon Library
246
Fund, Emma L. Sprague Library 343
Fund, Emma L. Sprague Poor Widows' 254
Fund, E. Nelson Blake Library
243
Fund, E. Nelson Blake, Jr., Memorial
260
Fund, E. S. Farmer Poor Widows' 256
Fund, E. S. Farmer Relief
255
Fund, Henry Mott Library 242
Fund, Julia Fillebrown 254
Fund, M. Helen Teele Library
245
Fund, M. M. W. Russell School 253
Fund, Martha M. W. Russell Poor Widows'
250
Fund, Municipal Buildings Insurance
264
Fund, Nathan Pratt High School
258
Fund, Nathan Pratt Poor Widows'
259
Fund, Perpetual Care, Cemeteries
261
Fund, Robbins Cemetery
263
Fund, Robbins House Maintenance
249
Fund, Robbins Library Art
241
Fund, Robbins Library Print
242
Fund, Robbins Scholarship
266
Fund, Samuel C. Bucknam Cemetery
262
Fund, Sarah Ross Vaughn Library
244
Fund, Soldiers Monument 263
Fund, Francis E. Thompson Library 244
Fund, Francis E. Thompson Scholarship 257
Fund, Timothy Wellington Library 245
Fund, William Cutter School 253
264
G
General Government Expenditures 207
Grants and Gifts
204
Gypsy and Brown Tail Moth Department, Report 360
211
H
Health, Board of, Report
348
213
Highway Division, Board of Public Works
278
212-213
Housing Authority
180
I
Income and Corporation Taxes, State
202
Indebtedness, Municipal
224-225
Insurance, Payments
221
Interest
224-225
Fund, Mary Cutter Poor Widows'
251
Fund, Nathan Pratt Library
259
Fund, Workmen's Compensation
INDEX - CONTINUED
General Index
Index to Accts. Report
J
Jurors, List of
381
L
Librarian, Report 270
Libraries, Receipts and Payments
218-219
Library, Robbins, Report of Trustees
267
Licenses and Permits, Receipts
202
M
Maintenance, Supervisor of, Report
320
209
Manager, Report of
405
207
Marriages, Registered for the Year
164
Medical Inspector, Report of
354
Meeting, Annual Town
11
Milk, Inspector of, Report
353
Moth Department, Report
359
211
O
Officers, Town Appointive
6
Officers, Town Elective
3
Officials Appointed by Town Manager
4
P
Park Commission, Report
316
218-219
Payments, Departmental
207
Pensions and Annuities
221
Personnel Board, Report
175
207
Physician, Town, Report
354
Planning Board, Report 397
209
Police, Chief of, Report
365
210-211
Police, Department, Officers and Men
365
Presidential Primary
120
Public Service Enterprises
222-223
Public Welfare, Dept. of, Report
354
214-215
Public Works, Dept. of, Report
275
209
Purchasing Dept., Report of
380
209
R
Receipts, General Revenue
202
Receipts, Taxes
202
Records of Elections and Town Meetings
11
Recreation, Receipts and Payments
218-219
Registrars of Voters, Report
166
Retirement System, Contributory 216
Robbins Library, Report of Trustees
267
INDEX - CONTINUED
General Index
Index to Accts. Report
S
Sanitary Division, Dept. of Public Works
283
212-213
School Committee, Report
181
Schools, Receipts and Payments
216-217
Schools, Superintendent of, Report
183
Sealer of Weights and Measures, Report
311
211
Selectmen, Board of, Report
400
207
Sewer Division, Dept. of Public Works
284
335
Special Agencies and Funds
226-227
Special Assessments
204
Statistics, General
4, 347
Streets, Public and Private
329
Survey, Board of
209
State Primaries
138
State and National Elections
151
T
Tax Rate How Spent
172
Tax Rate, Recapitulation
169
Taxes
202
Town Accountant
197
207
Town Clerk, Report
161
208-209
Town Counsel, Report
403
209
Town Hall and Grounds, Report
359
209
Town Manager, Report of
405
207
Town Officers, Appointive
6
Town Officers, Appointed by Manager
4
Town Officers, Elective
3
Town Records
11
Treasurer, Report
175
206-207
Tree Warden, Report
359
211
U
Unclassified Receipts and Payments
220-221
Unexpended Balances, Appropriation Accounts
228
V
Veterans' Services, Report of 362 214-215
W
Water Division, Dept. of Public Works
287
222-223
Welfare, Public, Dept. of, Report
354
214-215
Wire Department, Report
319
211
Workmen's Compensation Insurance Fund
264
ARLINGTON ADVOCATE, Inc. Arlington, Mass.
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