USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1958 > Part 12
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To all volunteers who participated, we express our sincere ap- preciation for their dedication to public service. We also extend the appreciation of the department to the other departments and public employees in the town who have cooperated during the year.
Respectfully submitted, Lieutenant Philip A. Sweeney Director Civil Defense
138
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Report of Dog Officer
January 7, 1959+
Mr. Edward C. Monahan Town Manager
Arlington, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
I herewith submit my report as Dog Officer for the Town of Arlington for the year ending December 31, 1958 in accordance with Section #3 of Article #3 of the Town By-Laws.
Complaints registered with me are as follows:
Dogs impounded 336
Unlicensed dogs impounded and delivered to owners 52
Licensed dogs returned via telephone 230
Licensed dogs returned by car
52
Unlicensed dogs impounded and turned over to Animal Rescue League when owner could not be located 250
Dogs destroyed at pound
8
Dog owners contacted on Warrant
1125
Dogs caused to be licensed
1090
Dogs licensed
2160
Complaints received at my office and investigated 44
Complaints registered with me to remove dead or mutilated animals from highways are as follows:
Dogs 67
Raccoon 1
Cats
156
Rats
4
Skunks
61
Rabbits
10
Squirrels
66
Turtles 2
Pigeons
46
Sea Gull
1
At this time, I wish to express my thanks to you and the Board of Selectmen for the advice and assistance given me in the settlement of the many controversies arising between the Dog Owners and the complainants.
I also wish to thank Police Chief Ryan and his department for the splendid cooperation given me through the year.
I also wish to thank the office of the Town Clerk for their cooperation.
In conclusion, I gratefully acknowledge the prompt attention given by the Dog Owners of Arlington to the licensing of their dogs this year.
Respectfully submitted,
Samuel F. Femia Dog Officer - Town of Arlington
139
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
Annual Report of Inspector of Animals
January 13, 1959
Subject : Annual Report of Inspector of Animals
To: Town Manager
1. A total of 140 animals in Arlington were examined and quarantined for biting persons during the past year.
2. There were no cases of rabies in Arlington in 1958.
3. The Inspector of Animals wishes to express his appreci- ation to the Police Department and the Board of Health for their cooperation.
Respectfully submitted, John J. Murphy, Jr., D. V. M.
Report of the Public Welfare Department
January 6, 1959
Edward C. Monahan, Town Manager Town Hall
Arlington, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
I have the honor to submit the report of the Medical Inspector of the Department of Public Welfare for the year ending December 31, 1958.
House Calls 285
Clinic Calls
Total:
Old Age Assistance
178
463
Aid to Dependent Children
19
97
116
Disability Assistance
33
50
83
General Relief
61
133
194
Veteran's Services
1
65
66
The total number of visits made to the Clinic for dental care was 187.
Respectfully submitted,
Edward W. Feeley, M.D. Medical Inspector Department of Public Welfare
140
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Annual Report of the Park Commission
January 14, 1959
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, 1958.
MAINTENANCE:
Warren A. Peirce Field: Floodlights were installed on the basketball court with town employees doing most of the labor.
Resurfaced running track; damage was caused by overflowing of Mill Brook.
Painted permanent Wayne grandstand on north side of field, the temporary Wayne grandstand on east end of gridiron, and the temporary Wayne baseball stands on the west end of field.
Painted one-third of Safway grandstand on south side of field.
Repaired 50 feet of 8 foot chain link fence damaged by un- known motorist.
Erected thirty foot press box on north side of gridiron at estimated cost of $1,500.
Resurfaced and seeded center of gridiron.
Many compliments were received on the fine playing condition of the field.
Waldo Road: Erected one set of swings.
Ethel Wellington. Painted lines for tennis on three courts.
Crosby School: Painted lines for tennis on four courts.
Spy Pond Field: Replaced twenty seat boards and thirty floor boards; repaired archway and rear of grandstand.
Reservoir Field: Repaired ten floodlights on the softball field.
Meadowbrook Park: Graded south area and started to make a roadway parallel to Mill Brook to protect the ice skaters. Some 200 lineal feet has been graded along the brook with excess fill.
Sprayed entire area with C.M.U. chemical to destroy weeds. This process is a saving in labor and money and we feel is well worth the effort.
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REPORT OF THE PARK COMMISSION
Summer Street: 290 lineal feet of chain link fence was painted.
Florence Avenue: Painted 900 lineal feet of 6 foot chain link fence.
North Union: Repaired drain in wading pool and roof drains on locker building. Erected a 16' x 30' softball backstop.
Reservoir Beach: Replaced two picnic tables.
General maintenance: Welded 1" x 3/16" chain links to 20 basketball basket rims, 12 links to a basket, painted each backstop and mounted a steel chain link net to each backstop.
Flower beds were maintained at Menotomy Rocks Park, Medford Street, Warren Street, Chestnut Street, Forest Street, Standpipe and Gray Street.
RECREATION :
Forty days of skating, with police supervision, was enjoyed at Meadowbrook Park, Hills Pond, North Union Street and Ethel Well- ington Playground. Hills Pond and Meadowbrook Park were divided, one-half for hockey and the other half for skating. No hockey play- ing was allowed at North Union and Ethel Wellington. Other areas flooded for skating were Waldo Road, Robbins Farm and Parallel Street.
This department gave assistance to residents of Arlmont Village in preparing an area for skating for small tots living on Standish Road.
The ninth annual golf clinic was held at Junior High East two evenings a week, three one-hour sessions. with John Thoren, golf pro at Myopia Country Club, instructing. 135 registered for the six weeks course.
For the eleventh year, the Town Bowling League had two 8-team leagues that bowled on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at the Arlington Recreation Alleys. The annual banquet was held at the Arlington K of C Hall with 150 in attendance. Prizes, valued at over $800.00, were presented by Town officials to the various teams and individuals. These prizes were purchased with funds contributed by the contestants.
Five teams participated in the Men's Basketball League that competed on Wednesday evenings at the Junior High West. The caliber of basketball in this league has greatly improved over pre- vious years.
The most competitive and popular program the Park Depart- ment sponsors is softball for men. Some twenty-two teams registered with a 10-team league comprising Class A, and a 12-team league comprising Class B. Two rounds were played at North Union, Thorndike, Robbins Farm, Florence Avenue and Reservoir Field. A big drawing card was the games at Reservoir Field played every
142
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
evening under floodlights. The Forest A. C. defeated the Jokers. . . this is the first time the Class B champions have defeated the Class A champions. The annual banquet was held at Legion Hall with 145 attending. Trophies were presented to the league champions.
A girls' basketball team entered in the Boston Park Department League finished fourth which was exceptionally good for the first year of competition.
A Basketball League for High School Boys was formed with ten teams registering. Games were played on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at the Junior High West. Two rounds of play was sched- uled with the first four teams and the second four teams playing elimination series. The winners of each division were awarded trophies.
Archery for junior high boys and girls was conducted at Spy Pond Field on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. This sport has gained in popularity.
The very popular 5th and 6th grade school activity program for girls held on Saturday mornings again proved very successful. Some 250 youngsters enjoyed skating parties at the M.D.C. Rink, nature study walks through Menotomy Rocks Park, and arts and crafts and low games at the high school, Dallin, Thompson, Peirce, 'Bishop and Hardy schools.
Ballroom dancing lessons for junior high school boys and girls were held with 40 registering at the Junior High West, and 26 at the Junior High East. The final dance was held in the evening with choice of formal or informal attire. Prizes were awarded to boys and girls and refreshments served.
The Little League program was coordinated by this department and assistance given the league in promoting its annual tourna- ment for this district. There are three leagues. Reservoir Field, Warren A. Peirce Field and Linwood Field were used exclusively by Little League.
This department also assisted the Cub Scouts in its baseball program by making out schedules and assigning fields to the twelve teams participating. Games were played on Tuesday and Thursday evenings during the month of May at Robbins, Brackett, Cemetery Street and Bishop School.
Permits for fields were issued for daily play to eighty organized baseball and softball teams during the spring and summer months.
Tennis instruction for junior high school girls was given on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at Spy Pond, Ethel Wellington and Crosby School courts during the spring, summer and fall.
Boys and girls from the Junior High West enjoyed horseback riding lessons at Connors Riding School in West Medford.
Due to inclement weather, Reservoir Beach did not open until June 23, 1958. However, because of the daily application of H.T.H. formula swimming conditions were excellent this summer. Average daily attendanke was 400 with crowds of 800 to 1,000 on some days. Three lifeguards supervised the beach and gave swimming
143
REPORT OF THE PARK COMMISSION
lessons daily at 11:00 A.M. and 2:00 P.M. Beach closed September 4, 1958 because of threatening hurricane weather.
Swimming and First Aid class for high school girls was organ- ized with twenty-eight girls registering. Swimming classes were held at Boston Y.W.C.A. pool and First Aid classes held at the high school.
A very successful summer program from June 30 through August 18 was provided for Arlington children on sixteen super- vised areas. This year a baseball supervisor was engaged to en- courage more 14 and 15 year old boys to play baseball. For the; first time we had three leagues operating: Midgets, Juniors and Seniors with some 300 youngsters registered.
Highlights of the season: Annual Weenie Roast at Menotomy Rocks Park where 1,800 bottles of Coca Cola, hot dogs and ice cream bars, were distributed to the children through the sponsor- ship of the Arlington Boys' Club Associates. In conjunction with this affair, an amateur show was held with the playground children furnishing the talent. 450 boys and girls were the guests of the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park; 80 youngsters attended the Tufts University Magic Circle Theater to see Cinderella a play all children are familiar with.
Some 5,000 youngsters and grownups witnessed the Final Day programı sponsored by the Boston Traveler, under President Eisen- hower's Physical Fitness Program, at Warren A. Peirce Field. Activities opened with a parade starting at the Robbins Library with St. Agnes Band leading and the Holy Trinity Band of Boston also marching. All sixteen playgrounds were represented and many beautiful floats made by the children were entered. Prizes were awarded for floats, doll carriages, bicycles, crazy hat and water- melon contests, ping pong, horseshoe, baseball, tennis. archery, track and field champs.
A highly successful and popular program for junior high school boys and girls is the dance held every Friday evening at Robbins Memorial Town Hall. Some 400 youngsters attend these weekly dances. Prizes are awarded during the course of the evening.
The Golden Age Club meets semi-monthly at the Robbins Junior Library. Over one hundred members attend each meeting at which interesting programs and a coffee hour is enjoyed. No dues are charged and any Arlington resident over 65 years of age is wel- come. Highlights of the year: attendance at the Ice Follies at Boston Garden sponsored by the Touchdown Club of Arlington; several Red Sox baseball games; and the cinerama "Windjammer" at the Boston Theater.
Mrs. Mary Mccarthy, Chairman of the Golden Age Sewing group since its inception, resigned because of ill health. This group continues to meet weekly under the chairmanship of Mrs. Flora J. Mackenzie making many useful articles of clothing which they distribute to charitable organizations and hospitals for children.
For the first time, this department started a Pee Wee Hockey League for boys from 9 to 14 years of age. There are eight teams participating in this program with the boys playing on Saturday
144
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
mornings from 7:00 to 9:00 AM at the M.D.C. Rink on Route 2, Belmont. With temperatures at ten above, and some 125 boys at- tending these sessions, it is hoped that this program will not be curtailed. Next winter this department hopes to have sponsors who will provide uniforms for the boys. This league will be operated in the same manner as Little League.
The Park Commissioners thank the Town Manager, Edward C. Monahan, Town departments and officials for their active coopera- tion, and the employees of this department for their loyalty and diligence in carrying out their duties.
Edward D. Buckley, Chairman J. Fred McGann Frank J. Hughes
Report of The Planning Board
January 13, 1959
Mr. Edward C. Monahan, Town Manager Arlington, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Monahan:
In accordance with Section 49 of Chapter 40 of the General Laws, the Planning Board submits its report for the year ending, December 31, 1958.
The membership of the Planning Board changed during the year. In April, 1958 Mr. Wallace J. Flynn resigned after two years of valued service to the town. The Town Manager filled this unex- pired term which ends August 17, 1959 by the appointment of Mr. Milton H. Anderson. Mr. John B. Byrne, Jr. and Miss Murdena Campbell, whose terms expired, were reappointed by the Town Manager for terms to expire August 17, 1961. The Planning Board elected Miss Campbell as Secretary to fill the vacancy created by Mr. Flynn's resignation.
During the past year the Board held fifteen meetings and par- ticipated in eighteen joint meetings with the Board of Selectmen, Development Commission, Metropolitan District Commission, and civic groups, and also in numerous conferences with town officials. The Board was represented at the annual Fall Conference of the Massachusetts Federation of Planning Boards.
In carrying out its work, the Planning Board has a number of major objectives which include the following: To determine the best use of land in accordance with a general plan for the town; to recommend proper zoning to implement this plan and to protect property values; to attempt to guide the development of the com- munity so that maximum value is received for each dollar spent in physical improvements of the town; to create a pattern by which
145
REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD
private and public development can be carried out to create a pleas- ant and efficient community.
Five public hearings were conducted for requested revisions in the zoning by-laws and recommendations presented at the 1958 Town Meeting.
Article 28. An article to rezone park land on Summer Street to Business A (retail business district). This change was requested by the Arlington Development Commission. While in sympathy with the motives of the Commission, the Planning Board after seri- ous deliberation and consultation felt that this area (recommended in the general plan for public or semi-public use) was not large enough for a worth while retail shopping center, but that the few stores it could contain might siphon off enough business to have an adverse effect on Arlington Center and cause further deteri- oration there. Construction problems are difficult in this area which has been used for sanitary fill. No definite proposals were submitted by the Commission and the zoning change would permit undesirable. business uses in an area adjacent to the proposed parochial high school. By majority vote the Planning Board recommended no action on this article and the recommendation was upheld by the Town Meeting.
Article 30. An article to rezone land used for park purposes on Summer Street to an industrial district. This change was also requested by the Arlington Development Commission. The Planning Board recommended that no action be taken for the following rea- sons: the area forms a buffer between residential and industrial districts which protects property values; traffic congestion would be increased on Summer Street which is narrow and already heavily traveled; land set aside for park purposes would be with- drawn for other than public use when Arlington is already below the minimum standards recommended for recreational needs. The Town Meeting upheld the recommendation of the Planning Board ..
Article 38. An article to rezone park land to Residence C for public housing for the aged citizens of Arlington. Recent changes in the area indicated that the Joint Planning Committee's recom- mendations would not materialize and the Housing Authority pre- sented evidence that a definite need existed for this housing. The Planning Board took into consideration the open area aspects with the baseball field and beach, proximity to transportation, shopping and churches, and recommended favorable action. The Town Meeting approved the recommendations of the Board that the change be made.
Article 64. An article to alter the Zoning Map to include in the Residence C District an area partly in Business A and partly in Residence B for the building of apartment houses. This proposal was in accordance with the policy of the Planning Board to en- courage such construction along Massachusetts Avenue. Favorable' action was recommended which was approved by the Town Meeting.
Article 65. An article to rezone land from a Residence B to Residence C District to permit the construction of three garden- type apartment houses. No street layouts or definite locations were presented. Traffic problems would be created in the area. Since it
146
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
was felt the proposal was not in accordance with sound zoning principles, the Planning Board recommended that no action be taken. The recommendation was upheld by the Town Meeting.
Since the 1958 Town Meeting six meetings have been held with the Arlington Development Commission. To assist the Commission in its work, the Planning Board prepared for the Commission mem- bers an inventory of vacant and public land in Arlington, a list of recommended changes in land use to increase taxable values, and recently published material on exclusive industrial zoning.
The Planning Board was invited by the Board of Selectmen to participate in many joint meetings to discuss proposed improve- ments in Arlington Center. These included articles presented by the Arlington Development Commission and approved by the 1958 Town Meeting for street changes in the Center and parking on the Russell Common. The Planning Board strongly supports these changes which are in accordance with the Joint Planning Committee's recommen- dations, and also supports the proposals of the Board of Selectmen (1) to remove the Old Town Hall in order that Mystic Street might be relocated in the most efficient manner, and (2) to provide additional public parking by purchasing and developing the rail- road property in the Center.
The report prepared for the Planning Board by the Robert C. Blumenthal Associates on the relocation of Route 3 was submitted in April and after study and approval was forwarded to the Board of Selectmen with the following recommendations: that the Select- men use their best efforts to have Route 3 extended in the vicinity of the Arlington-Lexington line to the Concord Turnpike (an alter- nate route proposed by the state); that studies be instituted promply regarding improvements in street layouts in the town to take care of the heavy traffic forecast by the Blumenthal Report; and that efforts be made to have Route 2 extended toward Boston at the earliest possible moment to provide adequate traffic service to the citizens of Arlington.
In order to encourage the building of apartment houses in Arlington, the Planning Board will recommend to the 1959 Town Meeting that certain sections of Massachusetts Avenue be rezoned to give the necessary depth for such construction. Apartments are needed in the metropolitan area and would provide a new source of tax revenue for the town.
To clarify and modernize the present zoning by-laws, the Plan- ning Board will also present for the approval of the Town Meeting, amendments which would make the Business A Districts true modern retail shopping areas, make Business B Districts general commerical areas, and provide increased protection for residential and business property.
Information on urban renewal presented by the Arlington Devel- opment Commission led the Planning Board to arrange a conference in December with field representatives of the Federal Housing and Home Finance Agency, town officials and members of town boards to discuss the possibilities of obtaining federal assistance for the improvement of Arlington Center. The Planning Board feels that the federal program for urban renewal offers real possibilities for
147
REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD
the removal of blight in Arlington Center, providing a new tool which has been needed to carry out planning, and that the cost of the "workable program" required would be a profitable investment which would result in a more attractive and prosperous community.
The Planning Board believes that a long range capital budgeting program is of great importance in carrying out planning. Under such a program the capital needs of the town could be brought together and items listed in terms of urgency with needs to be met. in a logical order over a period of some years. The present setup in Arlington of a Committee for Advanced Programing and Budget- ing has not been effective in recent years. The Planning Board be- lieves that an investigation should be made of the capital budget- ing programs now being conducted successfully in other communi- ties.
The Planning Board is encouraged by a growing awareness in the community of the importance of planning for Arlington's future and by the cooperation it has received during the past year. There is also a growing realization that certain problems common to the Boston suburbs, such as transportation and economic development. are metropolitan in nature and call for regional planning. The many studies now being undertaken by state, city and private groups on the need for regional planning offer promise that a re- gional planning agency will be established in the near future to assist local planning boards in solving present problems and in guiding the future development of their communities.
In its work the Planning Board has had the valuable assistance of Mr. Allen Benjamin as a planning consultant on a part time basis. The Board believes, however, that Arlington, with a popula- tion of over 47,000 cannot meet the competition of neighboring communities without a planning staff, since modern methods are as necessary in running a town as in operating a business.
The Board wishes to express its sincere appreciation and thanks to the Town Manager, Mr. Monahan, and to all the boards. and department heads who have rendered assistance and coopera- tion to it during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
John B. Byrne Jr., Chairman Murdena Campbell Milton H. Anderson Fozi M. Cahaly
148
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Report of the Supervisor of Maintenance
January 15, 1959
Mr. Edward C. Monahan
Town Manager
Town of Arlington, Mass.
Dear Mr. Monahan:
I, herewith, submit my report as Supervisor of Maintenance and Custodians for the year ending December 31, 1958.
Specifications for various types of repairs and replacements to various buildings for contract work including fuel, etc. were pre pared by this Department and submitted to the Purchasing Agent to obtain competitive bids. After bids were awarded, this Department supervised and inspected all work and materials as the work pro- gressed.
The following consists of some of the various types of pro- jects completed by Contractors and the Building Maintenance De- partment during the past year:
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Repaired, repointed and waterproofed the east side of the parapet wall on the "A" section of the building.
Wired and installed a new vent fan in the men teachers' room in the "A" section of the building.
Repaired a large vent hood on the roof of the "A" section of the building.
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