USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1957 > Part 14
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DIPHTHERIA PREVENTION BY IMMUNIZATION
Number of Children Immunized
Percentage below Age 5 of those Immunized
Percentage between
Age 5-10 of those
Diphtheria
1953
34
91
9
0
0
1954
9
78
22
0
0
1.955
20
92
8
0
0
1956
35
63
37
1
0
1957
1
100
9
3
0
DENTAL CLINIC
Report on work performed during 1957 Total number of patients 518
hours
492
sittings
1517
operations
2775
Extrations
Permanent
0
Deciduous
65
Fillings
Permanent
454
Deciduous
1461
Treatments
Prophylatic
795
Total number of Dismissals
620
Year
Immunized Cases
Deaths
CLINICS FOR VACCINATION OF DOGS AGAINST RABIES Clinics were held April 15, 16, 17 & 18, 1957 Number of dogs vaccinated 1,111
161
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
REPORT ON 1957 POLIO VACCINATION CLINICS
The State sponsored Polio Vaccine Program which was schedul- ed to end November 1957 was extended, as a continuation program, until March 1958. Clinics were conducted by the Board of Health throughout the Spring months for the purpose of offering three Polio vaccinations to all children from ages one to twenty who had not previously received three vaccinations. A tabulation of the attend- ance at these clinics appears below.
PUBLIC CLINICS
Age Group
1st Doses
Second Doses
Booster Doses
Under 5 years
43
269
1583
5 through 9
27
130
3221
10 through 14
15
19
1602
15 through 19
3
13
1186
As this report will complete the Polio vaccination program which dates back to the Spring of 1954 and which has continued annually to date, the Board of Health wishes to express apprecia- tion for the fine spirit of Community participation which was in evidence during the entire program. To the Selectmen and Town Manager for making funds available to the Board of Health which enabled the program to be carried to a successful accomplishment, to the School Committee and to Mr. Hall, Superintendent of Schools, and his entire staff, through whose cooperation in furnish- ing sites and personnel enabled the numerous clinics to be run off efficiently and with maximum convenience to the parents and children who attended the clinics.
To single out any one organization without mentioning the many who worked so painstakingly to see this project through would seem to be a lack of full appreciation. To the physicians of the Town who sacrificed their limited free hours to administer the vaccine, to the nurses, who under the direction of Mrs. Hunt, Supervisor of School Nurses, volunteered their services, many of whom work- ed at the clinics when their presence in their own homes was needed, and to the President of the P.T.A., Mrs. Dormintzer, who staffed our clinics with adequate and very cooperative clerical workers from the membership of that organization, the Board extends its gratitude.
All in all the project brought out the observation that with such Community interest and spirit, it just had to be a success, and because of that the Board extends thanks to all who in any way participated in this very important health programme.
REPORT OF MILK AND SANITATION INSPECTION
Licensed Issued :
For Sale of Milk and Cream 135
For Sale of Oleomargarine 64
Inspections:
Milk Plants
22
Milk Vehicles 141
Milk Analyses:
Samples taken for analysis 109
162
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
FAT SOLIDS BACTERIA COLIFORM PHOSPHATASE
Regular
3.99 12.60
35,000
80 Negative
School 3.76 12.34 5,000
0
Negative
Inspections:
Food Stores inspected and re-checked
639
Eating establishments, including spas and fountains 521
Complaints and re-calls on complaints 168
Public Rest Rooms
86
Barber Shops
39
Store rear inspections
340
Bakery and do-nut shops
129 7
Ice Cream and Dairy Bars
18
Bakery trucks
44
Town landfill and water way study
40
Candy store and manufacturing
36
Public Fair, meats, milk, foods and refrigeration
2
Bowling Alleys
20
Service Stations
71
Investigations:
Rodent Control
16
Fly Control (all eating establishments and food stores)
Percolation tests, re-installation of septic tanks and cesspools
3
Sewerage
10
SERVICES RENDERED BY THE PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE
Assisted the physicians in attendance at the two parochial schools in the physical examination of the enrolled pupils. Gave professional advice and rendered first aid assistance as needed. As- sisted in the eye and ear examinations of the pupils as required.
Regular visits were made to the private and nursery schools operated in the Town.
Made visits, as required, to the homes of people with histories of reportable disease.
Attended a series of lectures on Civil Defense Nursing and sev- eral conferences on subjects related to Public Health Nursing.
Assisted at all clinics which were conducted by the Board of Health.
REPORT OF SLAUGHTERING INSPECTOR
There was no slaughtering in the Town of Arlington during the year ending December 31, 1957.
Catering business
163
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
MISCELLANEOUS REPORTS
LICENSES AND PERMITS ISSUED WITHOUT FEE CHARGE
To keep poultry 7
To hold rummage sales 23
To act as Funeral Directors 17
Burial permits
443
BIRTHS & DEATHS OF ARLINGTON RESIDENTS DURING 195
Total number of deaths
574
Total number of births 1333
Age of oldest persons dying in Arlington (1957)
Male 97 yrs. 7 mos. 26 days
Female
97 yrs. 3 mos.
Infant Mortality 8
SHOWING THE FIVE PRINCIPAL CAUSES OF DEATH IN ARLINGTON DURING 1957
Disease
Number Of Deaths
Number per 1,000 of population
Heart Disease
165
3.5
Cancer
75
1.1
Cerebral Hemorrhage
46
.97
Pneumonia
19
.4
Accidental
17
.36
164
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Annual Report of Inspector of Animals
January 7, 1958
Town Manager
1. A total of 127 animals in Arlington were examined and quarantined for biting persons during the past year.
2. There were no cases of rabies in Arlington in 1957.
3. The Inspector of Animals wishes to express his apprecia- tion to the Police Department and the Board of Health for their cooperation.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN J. MURPHY, JR., D.V.M.
Report of The Planning Board
Mr. Edward C. Monahan Town Manager Arlington, Massachusetts
January 10, 1958
Dear Sir:
In accordance with Section 49 of the General Laws, Chapter 40, the Planning Board submits its report for the year ending Decem- ber 31, 1957.
The Board expresses thanks to Mrs. Elinor I. Jennings, who re- signed her appointment, for her faithful services as a member of the Board. The Town Manager has filled this unexpired term, which ends August 17, 1958, by the appointment of Miss Murdena A. Campbell. The Town Manager reappointed Mr. Thomas D. Kenna, Jr. for a 3 year term, which will expire August 17, 1960. The Plan- ning Board elected Wallace J. Flynn as Secretary to the Board to fill the vacancy created by Mrs. Elinor I. Jennings.
In the course of the past year the Board held 11 meetings and conducted 7 Public hearings for revisions in the Zoning By-Laws, which are as follows:
Article 77 - Annual Town Meeting, March 4, 1957
165
REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD
An article to rezone land used for Park purposes on Summer Street to a Residence C District. This change was requested by the Arlington Housing Authority to clear land use for Housing for the Elderly. The Planning Board, although very much in sympathy with the motives of the Housing Authority to provide adequate housing for our Senior citizens, after serious deliberations and consultations felt that possible other sites for a project of this nature would be of a more beneficial nature to the Town as a whole. The Planning Board's recommendations were upheld by the Town Meeting.
Article 78 - Annual Town Meeting, March 4, 1957
An article to change land use from Residence A to Residence C in the vicinity of Tufts Street. This revision was requested by an apartment house owner to allow extended use of parking area. The Planning Board's favorable recommendations were upheld by vote of the Town Meeting.
Article 79 - Annual Town Meeting, March 4, 1957
An article to revise a rather controversial section of the Zon- ing By-Laws in regard to storage or keeping of Commercial vehicles in a residential area. This revision was inserted at the request of the Planning Board and favorably acted upon by the Town Meeting.
Article 80 - Annual Town Meeting, March 4, 1957
An article to strike out certain sections of the Zoning By-Laws which are referred to in the previous article. This revision was inserted at the request of the Planning Board and favorably acted upon by the Town Meeting.
Article 81 - Annual Town Meeting, March 4, 1957
An article to amend certain sections of the Zoning By-Law which would increase required parking areas in apartment house districts, etc. from 250 square feet per unit to 300 square feet per unit. This revision was inserted at the request of the Planning Board and favorably acted upon by the Town Meeting.
Article 82 - Annual Town Meeting, March 4, 1957
An article to add a new sub-section to the Zoning By-Laws in regards to the use of signs particularly in residential areas. This article was inserted at the request of the Planning Board. The article, although defeated after what appeared to be a discussion of legal technicalities, still has considerable merit, and it is the feeling of the members of the Board that the revision as requested would be most beneficial to the Town as a whole.
Article 20 - Special Town Meeting, November 4, 1957
This article was inserted at the request of the Arlington Hous- ing Authority and was identical to Article 77 of the Annual Town Meeting of March 4, 1957. The Planning Board after again giving serious deliberation felt that the proposed revision had not been altered to any great extent from that proposed at the March 4,
166
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
1957. Annual Town Meeting. The Planning Board recommended that no action be taken, and no action was automatic according to Section 5, Paragraph 4 of the Town of Arlington's Zoning By-Laws and Section 8. Chapter 40A of the General Laws of the Common- wealth of Massachusetts.
The Planning Board as members of the Joint Planning Com mission gave their report at the Annual Town Meeting and asked 1. be discharged It was felt that in the light of a Development Com mission being appointed, that the Joint Planning Committee be re tained at least temporarily.
The Planning Board and/or representatives of the Board have held numerous meetings throughout the year with the Board of Selectmen. the Arlington Development Commission, the Joint Plan- ning Committee, the Town Manager, the Town Engineer, the Police Chief, and others in matters all pertinent to the functions of this Board.
The Planning Board has been quite interested in the proceed- ings in regard to Russell Common and in Arlington Center as & unit. It is the hope of the Board that at least an attempt will be made to provide off-street parking or other facilities in the near future.
Comprehensive revision and modernization of the Town's Zon- ing By-Laws are still anticipated by the Planning Board, in view of the Joint Planning Committee's report and also the Arlington Development Commission's findings.
The Board remains a member of the State Federation of Plan- ning Boards.
The Board wishes to express its appreciation and sincere thanks to the Town Manager and to all the Boards and Department Heads who have rendered assistance and cooperation to it during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN B. BYRNE, JR., Chairman WALLACE J. FLYNN, Secretary FOZI M. CAHALY THOMAS D. KENNA, JR. MURDENA A. CAMPBELL
167
REPORT OF THE PARK COMMISSION
Annual Report of the Park Commission
January 10, 1958
Mr. Edward C. Monahan Town Manager Arlington, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Monahan
The Board of Park Commissioners herewith submits its annual report for the year ending December 31, 1957.
RECREATION:
It must be evident to even the most uninterested that munici- pal recreation has grown and expanded during the last ten years in Arlington. This growth and expansion is the result of various branches of the municipal government co-operating with the recrea- tion department charged with the responsibility of planning, organiz- ing and conducting programs for people of all ages.
Mr. Edward C. Monahan, Town Manager, and Chairman Frank J. Hughes, Edward D. Buckley and J. Fred McGann of the Park Commission, have been untiring in their efforts to encourage recrea- tion for all, and especially the teenager.
There were thirty-three days of skating with supervision at Meadow Brook Park, Hills Pond, North Union Street, Parallel Street and Robbins Farm. Lighted areas at Hills Pond and Meadow Brook Park provided night skating until 10:00 p.m. week days and 11:00 p.m. during the week-end. These areas were divided into a hockey area and a skating area under supervision of police officers.
A golf clinic was conducted three evenings a week for six weeks at Junior High East gymnasium with John Thoren, golf pro at Myopia Country Club, instructing.
Adult badminton was held on Tuesday evenings at Lowe Audi- torium.
Adult Bowling Leagues, comprised of sixteen teams, bowled at the Arlington Recreation Alleys on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. After twenty weeks of bowling a banquet was held at The Frolics in Revere with 120 bowlers present. Prizes amounting to over $800.00 were awarded to high scorers. These prizes were purchased from funds contributed by contestants.
Health Exercise program for women was conducted on Wed- nesday evenings at the high school gymnasium.
Volley Ball for men was held on Wednesday evenings at Junior High West.
168
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Four teams participated in the Adult Basketball League on Wednesday evenings at Junior High West gymnasium.
A four team Girls Basketball League was attempted with little or no success.
Basketball League, for boys from fourteen to eighteen years of age, played at Junior High West on Tuesday and Friday evenings and at Lowe Auditorium on Friday evenings. Twelve teams com- peted playing two rounds. The first four teams played a round robin series to determine championship and the next four teams played a consolation series.
Touch football, a popular program, was again conducted for sixth grade boys at Hardy and Dallin schools.
Ballroom dancing for junior high school students had a regis- tration of ninety-five boys and girls at Junior High West, and twenty-five youngsters at the Junior High East.
A 5th and 6th grade school activity program for girls consist- ing of arts and crafts, games, and special trips of interest was con- ducted on Saturday mornings at the Dallin, Thompson, Peirce, Bishop and Hardy playrooms and girls' gymnasium at the high school. Average attendance was 180 at these weekly sessions.
Softball continues to be one of our most popular programs with twenty teams competing. Two leagues, consisting of ten teams each, played Mondays through Thursdays, with one gamed played each evening under floodlights at Reservoir Field. A banquet was held at the close of the season at American Legion Hall with 136 pre- sent. Prizes were awarded to members of the winning teams; Rob- erto Gulf was Town champion and First Baptist team was champion of Class "B" league.
The Little League program, coordinated by this department, consisted of three separate leagues composed of boys 8 to 12 years of age. Games were played at Reservoir, Warren A. Peirce and Lin- wood fields.
This department assisted the Cub Scouts in its baseball pro- gram by making out schedule and assigning fields to the twelve teams. Games were played during the month of May on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at Brackett School, Robbins Farm, Cemetery Street and Bishop School.
Tennis instruction for junior high girls was provided at Spy Pond Field, Ethel Wellington and Crosby School tennis courts on Tuesday and Thursdays afternoons.
Horseback riding lessons were conducted for junior high girls at Connor's Riding School in Medford.
Reservoir Beach opened on June 20, 1957 for supervised in- struction and bathing. Swimming lessons were conducted on week days at 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Beach closed September 7, 1957.
169
REPORT OF THE PARK COMMISSION
The children of Arlington derived a great deal of benefit from the well planned program provided on sixteen supervised areas from June 21 through August 15. Games, arts and crafts, sports, playground baseball, softball leagues, and special events were en- joyed by each child frequenting the playground nearest to his home. Forty boys and girls from Arlington competed at Boston Common where Playground U.S.A. conducted a track meet which was televised. Several Arlington youngsters won awards. The sixth annual Weenie Roast, sponsored by the Arlington Lodge of Elks, was held at Menotomy Rocks Park. 1,700 hot dogs, rolls, and Coca Cola were distributed to the children. An invitation from the Boston Red Sox to attend the baseball game at Fenway Park is always a happy occasion for the children and over 500 attend each season. The trip to the Tufts University Magic Circle Theatre was a new experience and proved very successful.
Youngsters and grownups alike look forward to the annual field events held at Warren A. Peirce Field at the end of the summer playground season. Festivities opened with a gala parade, led by the St. Agnes Band, which started at Robbins Library. The Holy Trinity Band of Boston delighted all with their maneuvers at the field. The Boys' Club Associates sponsor this field day and, as in the past, David Buttrick Company generously contributed a goodly share of the ice cream.
A very popular program inaugurated this fall is the dance held on Friday evenings at the Robbins Memorial Town Hall for teen- agers. Approximately 300 boys and girls attend these weekly dances held from 7:30 to 10:00 PM. Prizes were awarded at each dance.
The Golden Age Club of Arlington continues to be a very active organization with a membership of over 350. An average of one hundred attend the semi-monthly meetings held at the Robbins Junior Library. A highlight for eighty-five Golden Agers was an invitation to the Ice Capades, sponsored by the Touchdown Club of Arlington. The Golden Age Sewing Group meeting weekly made many useful articles of clothing which were distributed to Nazareth, Maine Coast Missions, Massachusetts Hospital in Waltham and the Haverhill Welfare Association.
MAINTENANCE:
Warren A. Peirce Field: The 150th Anniversary Committee of Arlington requested this department to repair cinder track in order that 68th Annual N.E.A.A.U. Track Meet could be held at this field. Through the combined efforts of the Superintendent and State Representative John P. Buckley, the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority granted permission to remove the cinder track at Nicker- son Field in Weston, formerly the property of Boston University, to Arlington. Upon completion of this project, the Track Meet was held on June 5 and 6, 1957 with many college and Olympic stars competing. Outstanding were Harold Connolly, Olympic Hammer Throwing Champion; his wife, Olga, the Women's Olympic Discus Champion from Czechoslovakia; John Lawlor, Irish Hammer Throw- ing Champion; John Kelly, former B.A.A. Marathon Winner; and John Kelly, 1957 B.A.A. Marathon champion.
170
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
A football scoreboard was erected on the easterly end of gridiron.
Installed four basketball backstops and marked two courts for basketball.
Reseeded the gridiron.
Repainted and replaced two-thirds of Safway Grandstand
Ethel Wellington Playground: Resurfaced three tennis courts Crosby School: Resurfaced four tennis courts
Spy Pond Field: Reshingled and replaced gutter and door at boys field house; replaced two doors in girls shelter house. Installed four foot blacktop walk 368 feet long from Whittemore Street to Boys' Club.
Reservoir Field: Installed 210 feet of 8 foot chain link fence along brook. Replaced wooden posts with cement posts on Lowell Street entrance to Reservoir Field.
Waldo Road: Installed a four foot blacktop walk 211 feet long through playground. Replaced backstop for basketball.
Meadow Brook Park: Eight players benches were installed for skaters
Robbins Farm: Replaced backstop for basketball
Menotomy Rocks Park: Installed basketball backstop
Painted all park benches
An average of ten fields a day were prepared for Little League, softball and baseball. High school field was marked for football and girls field hockey; Junior High West and East, and Linwood Little League Field were marked for field hockey. Five tennis courts at Spy Pond Field were prepared daily.
Many favorable comments have been received on flower beds maintained by this department, singling out Medford Street delta, Jason Street, Forest Street and Menotomy Rocks Park.
Reclamation of Spy Pond: Through the efforts of Kelwyn Manor Association, Arlington Rod and Reel Association, Massachu- setts Game and Fisheries, and the Arlington Park Department, Spy Pond was cleared of approximately ten tons of fish. 540 gallons of R'otonone was used with a cost of $2,700 to the State. Pond has been stocked with bass and perch.
We thank the Town Manager, all Town employees and officials, for their cooperation and the employees of this department for their loyalty and efforts.
FRANK J. HUGHES, Chairman EDWARD D. BUCKLEY J. FRED McGANN
171
REPORT OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY
Annual Report of the Arlington Housing Authority
Submitted herewith is the annual report of the Arlington Housing Authority for the year ending December 31, 1957.
The Authority organized for the year at its annual meeting held on March 12, 1957, at which time Mr. James A. Coffey was elected Chairman, Mr. John P. Kedian, Vice Chairman, Mr. Joseph S. Vahey, Treasurer and Myron D. Chace, Assistant Treasurer, all terms for one year.
Throughout the year the Housing Authority met regularly on Tuesday evenings and also at special meetings called at various times to set policies for the management of the more than $2,000,000 property owned by law.
A voluntary payment of $6,336 was made to the town by the Housing Authority, this being the largest amount allowed for such payment by law.
At the annual March town meeting the Housing Authority sub- mitted an Article, passage of which was obtained, authorizing the Housing Authority to construct specially designed apartments for elderly citizens of low income. At the same town meeting an Article requesting the town to donate to the Housing Authority a certain parcel of land for such apartments was defeated. The Housing Authority continued to investigate various sites within the town and again appeared at the special town meeting held in November seeking land on which would be constructed homes for elderly per- sons. This Article was defeated.
At the present time, having met with other Boards and offi- cials within the town, the Housing Authority intends seeking at the March 1958 town meeting another location.
The Authority wishes to express their appreciation to all officials, boards, and town departments, for their cooperation throughout the year.
Respectfully submitted,
ARLINGTON HOUSING AUTHORITY
JAMES A. COFFEY JOHN P. KEDIAN JOSEPH S. VAHEY MYRON D. CHACE CORNELIUS J. BROSNAN
172
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Annual Report of the Personnel Board
January 16, 1958
Honorable Board of Selectmen Robbins Memorial Town Hall Arlington 74, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
The Personnel Board herewith presents to the citizens of Arl- ington its annual report for the year ending December 31, 1957.
The membership of the Board changed with the nomination and appointment of John J. Kelliher to succeed Patrick F. Reddan as the second employee member. Hugh R. Farrington resigned due to the pressure of business and Paul E. Widder was appointed to fill the remainder of the term which expires on March 12, 1958. Mr. Farrington served since March 12, 1953, a contribution of five years of valued service to the Town. William J. Frost was elected Chairman for the coming year. William J. Fallon's term expires in 1959 and Warren E. O'Leary's term as an employee representative expires in 1958.
The Board attended the first Annual Conference of the Massa- chusetts Municipal Personnel Boards Association at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst on June 8. William J. Fallon and Lee Morris were members of a panel discussion on the "Organization and Function of Municipal Personnel Agencies". William J. Frost was elected to the Board of Directors of the Association at the an- nual meeting held at Framingham on October 19. Personnel admini- stration in municipalities continues to grow with seventy personnel boards or directors in the State at the present time.
The Board has held 13 meetings during the year and considered 29 requests of individuals, committees, boards and appointing authorities. In addition to the meetings, we have had frequent con- tact with the Executive Secretary on various personnel matters that have arisen between meetings. The Executive Secretary has had numerous conferences with the Town Manager, department heads, employees and the Division of Civil Service on matters pertaining to Civil Service procedure and the operation of the Classification and Pay Plan. The cost of living continues to rise and salary rates in comparable communities have been increased. The Board is again considering a recommendation of another general increase in order to maintain a median comparison and a fair standard of liv- ing for the employees of the Town. The following are some of the routine personnel procedures handled by this department during the year:
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