USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1959 > Part 21
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Believing that planning in Arlington has reached the point. where an overall survey of the needs and resources of the Town is required, together with a reappraisal of existing studies now being used, the Planning Board voted in April to investigate the cost of preparing a comprehensive plan which would provide a basic frame- work for Arlington's future growth and development and would lead to orderly rather than uncontrolled growth. The Planning Board believes that Arlington presents an entirely different picture than communities with much vacant land. The proposed plan would in-
239
REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD
clude a study of what Arlington has, the potentials for the future, the possibilities of deterioration and changes in land use because of forces within and without the community, and the steps which should be taken to preserve and protect values in both residential and business areas.
Mr. Allen Benjamin, consultant to the Board for some years, was unable to undertake this work and his resignation was accepted with much regret. Economic Development Associates, as represented by Charles E. Downe, was selected as the consultant best fitted to prepare a comprehensive plan, and in addition, to provide professional assistance to the Planning Board, town officials and town boards since the work of this Board has increased to such an extent that it is now impossible for the members to handle it satisfactorily with- out a part-time staff.
Under the Housing Bill passed in the fall of 1959, Arlington became eligible for the first time for a planning grant and an appli- cation was filed by the Board in December. Filing in 1959 enabled Arlington to use the population figures of the 1950 census and to qualify as a community under 50,000. The matching funds required for this federal assistance will be sought at the 1960 Town Meeting.
The Board believes it is vital that the professional assistance mentioned above be provided to carry on a sound planning program. It also believes that in view of the pressing problems facing the town, it is essential that a comprehensive plan be prepared at the earliest possible date which will be long range but flexible to permit revisions to meet changing conditions. The analysis of this detailed inventory of the assets and future needs of the town can then be applied to planning problems and will serve as a guide to town officials who will have to make the decisions regarding them. The Board believes such a plan will be a contribution in making Arlington an increasingly better community.
The Board wishes to express its sincere appreciation to the Town Manager, Mr. Monahan, for his encouragement and support, and to all boards and department members for their cooperation and assistance during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN B. BYRNE JR., Chairman MILTON H. ANDERSON FOZI M. CAHALY THOMAS D. KENNA JR. MURDENA CAMPBELL
240
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Report of the Public Welfare Department
January 11, 1960
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, 1959.
House Calls
Clinic Calls
Total
Old Age Assistance
321
174
495
Aid to Dependant Children
15
79
94
Disability Assistance
42
52
94
General Relief
36
115
151
Veterans Services
2
48
50
The total number of visits made to the Clinic for dental care 132.
Respectfully submitted
EDWARD W. FEELEY, M.D.
Medical Inspector Department of Public Welfare
241
REPORT OF THE PERSONNEL BOARD
Annual Report of the Personnel Board
January 15, 1960
To the Citizens of Arlington:
The Personnel Board herewith repsectfully submits its annual report for the year ending December 31, 1959.
The membership of the Board changed with the appointment of F. Lawrence Doherty to succeed William J. Fallon whose term expired after a contribution of three years of valued service to the Town. William J. Frost was reappointed for a term of three years. John J. Kelliher's term as an employee representative will expire on April 13, 1960. Paul E. Widder and Warren E. O'Leary, an em- ployee representative, were appointed to March 12, 1961. William J. Frost was re-elected Chairman for the coming year.
A representative of the Board attended the third annual con- ference of the Massachusetts Municipal Personnel Boards Association at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. Lee Morris was Moderator of a work shop on salary and wage increases at the Association's conference in Framingham on October 31 and was elected to the Board of Directors at the Annual Meeting. The ad- visability of financially assisting employees taking evening courses in subjects related to their work was presented to the conference by William J. Frost.
The Board has held thirteen meetings during the year and has considered thirty-three requests of individuals, committees, boards and appointing authorities. A request from the various employee organizations for a $312.00 increase for all employees is included in the considerations. The cost of living continues to rise and the salary rates in comparable communities have increased. The Board is again considering a recommendation of another general increase in order to maintain a median comparison and a fair standard of living for the employees of the Town. In addition to meetings, we have had frequent contact 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 inatters pertaining to Civil Service procedure and the operation of the Classification and Pay Plan. The following are some of the routine personnel procedures handled by the department this year:
Emergency appointments 48
Appointments -- temporary, provisional, renewals
209
Permanent appointments 43
Promotions -- permanent and temporary 30
Termination of temporary employment
156
Termination of permanent employment
25
Permanent and temporary transfers
8
Loyalty Oaths
77
Group insurance 36
242
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
In order that employees or appointing authorities shall have reasonable opportunity to be heard, as required by Article 7C of the By-Laws, we urge that all requests be brought to the Board before November 1 of each year. It is impossible to give proper considera- tion to the last minute requests received just prior to the closing of the Warrant.
There are at present 553 permanent full-time, 24 permanent part-time, 10 temporary full-time, 32 temporary part-time, and 43 seasonal part-time classified employees in the service of the Town. The peak employment period is during the summer months with a total of 718. These figures do not include the personnel under the School Committee.
The Board appreciates the cooperation and assistance given by the Town Manager, Finance Committee, officials, boards, Town Counsel and employees in our effort to administer the duties and responsibilities involved. We also wish to express our sincere appre- ciation for the capable services of our Executive Secretary and for the clerical work performed by Mrs. Helen Mccluskey.
Respectfully submitted,
F. LAWRENCE DOHERTY WARREN E. O'LEARY PAUL E. WIDDER JOHN J. KELLIHER WILLIAM J. FROST, Chairman
243
REPORT OF THE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT
Report of the Purchasing Department
January 19, 1960
Mr. Edward C. Monahan
Town Manager
Town Hall
Arlington 74, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Monahan:
I herewith submit my report as Assistant Purchasing Agent for the Year ending December 31, 1959.
The following statistics are presented to show pertinent infor- mation concerning the amount of service rendered by the Purchasing Office to all town departments during the past year:
Purchase Requisitions received 6510
Purchase Orders processed
6619
Total dollar value of all purchases $993,132.53
Formal yearly contracts for materials for con- tinuing purchase and use 35
Formal sealed written bids for materials or services
106
Under the provisions of Article 7A of the By-Laws of the Town, purchases of $400.00 or more for materials, supplies, equipment or services must be set up for public bidding through newspaper adver- tising or circular letter with bids being formally opened and read at a specified place, hour, and date. Not only is the letter of the law observed, but the spirit of the law is strictly enforced so that wherever possible, purchases are combined so that formal bids are requested from prospective bidders.
Particular attention is given to the careful and detailed pre- paration of the specifications for formal bids so that all prospective bidders have available all information necessary to prepare an in- telligent bid. This has provided a basis for better competition among vendors who can prepare their proposals without the necessity of providing a contingency factor for any possible omission in informa- tion required by them.
Although the year 1959 saw a continued rise in the inflationary spiral with the subsequent increase in costs of materials, supplies, equipment and services, in many instances, the Town was able to obtain better prices than had been obtained in the previous year. This was due to the increased competition for our requirements, by the expansion of our lists of prospective suppliers, the completeness of the specifications made available, and the constant search for new or better methods of obtaining goods, materials, equipment, or serv- ices at the lowest possible cost to the Town.
244
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Examples of instances of these savings in our long term con- tracts are as follows:
GASOLINE - The gasoline price discount was increased from $.0436 to $.0456 per gallon on the 1959 contract. By insisting that the gasoline supplier provide the Town with a further discount in the event of a voluntary allowance to local gasoline distributors, we for a large part of the year 1959 paid a price of $.0824 a gallon for gasoline, exclusive of the State Tax of $.055. Our annual consump- tion of gasoline for all Town departments approximates 160,000 gal- lons so that the resultant savings to the Town were substantial.
FUEL OIL-Our contracts for #2 and #5 Fuel Oil for 1959 shows a reduction in cost over the previous contracts for 1958. These contracts are based upon the Tank Wagon price in effect at the time of delivery which is standard in the trade plus or minus the premium or discount charged or allowed. In 1959 for #5 Fuel Oil the Town paid the Tank Wagon price less $.169 per barrel. In 1958 for the same fuel oil the Town paid the Tank Wagon price plus $.029 per barrel. Thus 1959 shows a net savings of $.198 per barrel. Our use of #5 Fuel Oil approximates 11,800 barrels and thus the resultant sav- ings over the previous years contract amounted to approximately $2,336.00. On #2 Fuel Oil the premium was reduced from $.0041 to $.0021 in 1959 thus additional savings were made on this item.
SAND - GRAVEL-FILL-STONE -Our contracts
for the above items for 1959 show a reduction in costs to the Town over the 1958 contracts. Below are listed the comparative contract prices for each item for each year:
Year Coarse Sand Fine Sand Bank Gravel Clean Fill Stone
1958 1.18 ton 1.30 ton 1.10 cu. yd. .75 cu. yd. 1.80 ton
1959 1.18 ton 1.18 ton 1.05 cu. yd. .70 cu. yd. 1.80 ton
ROCK SALT- In 1958 the contract for Rock Salt called for a price of $14.35 per ton of bulk salt delivered. In 1959 the contract price for bulk Rock Salt is $11.80 per ton a savings of $2.55 per ton. Although the use of Rock Salt varies with the severity of the winter, during the year 1959 the Town used approximately 1,065 tons of Rock Salt.
TERM CONTRACTS - Major items continuing use throughout the year are placed on bid, and the contracts are awarded to the lowest responsible bidder in every instance. In the great majority of cases, the contract prices for 1959 were lower than for the year 1958, this despite rising costs in the general economic structure.
An examination of the formal sealed bids and long term con- tracts awarded by the Town is an impressive way to demonstrate the substantial savings resulting from Centralized Purchasing. However, the true value of Centralized Purchasing is not alone indicated by the prices obtained on large bulk bids, but is also shown in the day to day purchasing of Departmental requirements. The spirit of com- petitive purchasing is carried over into our day to day operations
245
REPORT OF THE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT
and telephone quotations are received from at least three vendors wherever possible and practical. This results in the Town being able to buy the products needed at substantial savings, as the ven- dors are in competition and know that the awards are made to the lowest bidder, price, delivery, etc. factors being reasonably com- parable.
The past year has been a busy one, and I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the Town Manager, Board of Selectmen, various Boards, Commissions, Trustees, Town Officials, Committees, Department Heads and my staff for the fine spirit of cooperation re- ceived throughout the year.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES L. SULLIVAN Assistant Purchasing Agent
246
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Report of the Fire Department
January 1, 1960
Mr. Edward C. Monahan Town Manager Arlington, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
I submit my Fifth Annual Report as Chief of the Arlington Fire Department for the year ending December 31, 1959.
PERSONNEL
The uniformed force consists of 99 men: the Chief of Department, 5 Deputy Chiefs, 7 Captains, 19 Lieutenants and 67 Fire Fighters. The Department has a Master Mechanic, Doward L. Barter, a physician, Dr. Edward W. Feeley, and a Clerk, Anna B. Hurley.
JOHN E. BARRY
On April 7, 1939, Fire Fighter John E. Barry, aide to Chief of Department, died suddenly at home. He was appointed to the De- partment in 1923 and through the years his devotion to the Fire Service was outstanding. He was a faithful and loyal Fireman.
APPOINTMENT
May 3, Gerald F. Kiniry, 17 Osborne Road, appointed permanent Fire Fighter; replacement for John E. Barry.
PROMOTIONS
Advanced to the rank of Lieutenant, were the following Fire Fighters:
November 15, Charles F. Mahoney November 16, William A. Mills November 17, Warren R. French, Jr. November 18, Edward J. Reardon November 19, Bartholomew Colby
ASSIGNMENTS
Deputy Chief Irving L. Proctor was detailed to the Water Survey Project, August 30 to November 29, 1959. With Foreman William McGurl of the Public Works Department a survey was conducted to determine the increase of volumes and pressures in Water System as the result of cleaning water mains during the past four years since the first survey was made in 1954 by Fire Chief Thomas H. Egan and Francis O'Hara, Superintendent of Public Works Depart- ment.
247
REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
DEPARTMENT CHAPLAINS
Reverend Father Charles A. McCarthy, Curate at St. James Church; and Reverend William W. Lewis of the First Unitarian Church serve as Department Chaplains. Reverend Lewis was appoint- ed May 7, 1959.
APPARATUS AT HEADQUARTERS
Engine 1 (1954-Mack), 1000-gallon pumping unit
Engine 4 (1954-Mack), 1000-gallon pumping unit
Ladder 1 (1937-Seagrave), Tractor-drawn 85-foot aerial ladder truck. Requesting replacement of tractor section for 1960.
Rescue 1 (1958-Mack), is equipped for emergency calls and flood- lighting operations.
Life Boat, 14-foot metal boat with outboard motor and life-saving equipment, purchased in 1952.
Chief's Car (1957-Pontiac)
Deputy's Car (1959-Ford)
Fire Prevention Car (1956-Ford)
Utility Pick-up Truck (1952-Chevrolet), 11/2-ton capacity
Heavy-duty Maintenance Truck (Rebuilt from 1945 Mack Chassis)
APPARATUS AT HIGHLAND STATION
Engine 2 (1952-Seagrave), 1000-gallon pumping unit
Ladder 2 (1952-Seagrave), Non-tractor-drawn 65-foot aerial ladder truck
Two 500-gallon Auxiliary Fire Pumps (1941-Buffalo), numbered Engine 15 and Engine 16.
APPARATUS AT PARK CIRCLE STATION
Aerial Ladder 3 (1949-Seagrave), a Quintuplet Unit comprising 750-gallon centrifugal pumper, non-tractor drawn 65-foot aerial ladder, booster pump with attachment, carrier for 1000 feet of 21/2-inch hose and 500 feet of 11/2-inch hose, and a complement of ground ladders.
IN ACTIVE RESERVE
Engine 5 (1929-Seagrave), a 750-gallon pumper, is ready to aid disabled pumping units for a limited time only due to its age.
248
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
RESPONSE
The Departnient responded to 988 calls of which 322 were Box Alarms, 591 Still Alarms and 75 Mutual aid (Out-of-Town) calls; of the 669 telephone calls received, 121 were Box Alarms and 548 were Still Alarms.
In 1958 there was a total of. 844 calls.
A summary of alarms revealed that the greatest number of such calls occurred in the month of April; that more occurred on Friday than any other day of the week, and also that of these calls the larg- est number were between the hours of 10 A.M. and 11 A.M. and between 4 P.M. and 5 P.M.
One hundred and twelve false alarms were sounded as compared with 54 in 1958.
The Rescue Unit responded to 72 First Aid emergency calls where the Resuscitator and Inhalator were requested for administra- tion of oxygen. The rescue equipnient on this Unit was used on several occasions to release persons trapped when involved in auto- mobile accidents; also on many calls to homes when accidents occur- red through misuse and faulty operation of home appliances.
Received 5 calls for use of Department Life Boat.
CAUSES OF ALARMS IN 1959
Accidents
16
Malicious Mischief
1
Automobiles
72
Miscellaneous
20
Blow Torch
1
Needless
26
Careless Smoking
33
Oil Burners 39
Children and Matches
16
Oil Tank Leaks
15
Chimneys
4
Out-of-Town
75
False Alarms
112
Refrigerator Leaks
12
First Aid
72
Rubbish
26
Gasoline
7
Sprinkler Systems
9
Grass
221
Tar Kettle
1
Grease
14
Televisions
7
Heaters
8
Unknown
2
Incinerators
4
Water Department Details
9
Investigating
7
Water Leaks
18
Lightning
4
Wiring
33
Locked Out
75
GENERAL SUMMARY OF EQUIPMENT USED AT FIRES
3500 feet of ladders raised
43000 feet of hose used
28000 gallons of water from booster tanks
325 pumping operations for 90 hours
4300 miles travelled
2600 hours of service time
Gas Leaks
7
Spontaneous Ignition 6
249
REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
MULTIPLE ALARMS
April 7, second alarm sounded, Box 82, at 2:55 A.M. fire in Hardware Store, 1331 Massachusetts Avenue, causing loss of $27,381.
October 21, second alarm sounded, Box 262, at 4:02 P.M. fire in dwelling, 47 Massachusetts Avenue, causing loss of $7,840.
FIRE LOSSES
Seventy-nine losses occurred, 15 of which accounted for $74,231 of the entire loss.
The total assessed value of property endangered, insurance thereon, loss sustained, and the amount of insurance paid are as follows:
Assessed Value
Insurance
Buildings
$1,421,500
$2,284,046
Contents
275,943
275,943
Damage and Insurance Paid $55,166 38,420
Total
$1,697,443
$2,559,939
$93,586
FIRES WHICH CAUSED LOSS OF MORE THAN $1000
February 1 Gerald Tobin, 58 Fisher Road $ 1600
February 8 Harry Hull. 75 Summer Street 1500
March 14 John Mirak, 440 Massachusetts Avenue 1500
March 15 Frank Aveni, 174 Broadway 6443
March 26
Herbert Kletjian, 26 Kensington Park 1459
April 7
Alfonso Ruggiero, 1331 Massachusetts Av 27381
April 16
Gerald Arsenault, 116 Franklin Street
2426
May 19
Grace Shea. 33 Appleton Street 1646
May 21
Anna Zarella, 189 Sylvia Street 2606
July 19 Domenic Apprille, 70 Decatur Street 1100
August 14 Nazareth Gechijian, 434 Massachusetts Avenue .
2472
August 29 Gerald Lewis, 12 Woodland Street 2998
October 6 Freda McElroy, 389 Massachusetts Avenue 5935
October 21 Mt. Auburn Realty, 47 Massachusetts Avenue 7840
December 30 Raymond Farr, Jr., 24 Cleveland Street 7325
APPROPRIATION
1959 Appropriation
$564,581
Expended
558,731
Balance
$ 5,850
CREDITS
Fees for 36 permits to blast
$18.00
Fees for 10 permits for flammable fluids
5.00
Fees for 12 permits for use of tar kettle 6.00
Sale of junk 6.00
$35.00
250
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT PHYSICIAN
Dr. Edward W. Feeley, Department Physician, rendered the fol- lowing services in 1959: Office calls 50, house calls 10, station calls 3, physicial examination 1, and 2 hospital calls.
In addition, Dr. Feeley responded to many emergency calls and Box Alarms. Several Conferences were held with the Chief of Depart- ment on medical matters pertaining to members of the Department.
FIRE PREVENTION
Places of business, public buildings, schools, hospitals, convales- cent homes, and places of public assembly were inspected periodically by fire fighters. A record was made of existing conditions with date when corrections were made.
Recharged 63 fire extinguishers in these buildings.
For the fourth year, in October, at the request of Catholic Cardinal of Boston, the Fire Department inspected all Catholic churches, convents, schools, and other church property in Arlington and noted conditions found. These reports with recommendations were forwarded to the Chancellery. All Catholic churches in Arling- ton now are equipped with automatic fire detecting warning signal systems.
During 1959, Lieutenant Daniel J. Mahoney, Inspector of oil burning installations and flammables, inspected a total of 690 oil burners and other flammable installations and storage equipment. Four hundred and thirty-one permits were issued for approved installations after inspection. It was necessary to reinspect 259 install- ations because of faulty equipment and the failure of installers to meet all rules and regulations pertaining to oil burners and the storage of flammables.
DWELLING INSPECTIONS
For the third year, conducted "In-Service Inspection" of Dwell- ings whereby approximately 10,000 homes were inspected by Fire Fighters with apparatus. Steady contact with Fire Department Head- quarters was maintained through two-way radio. Many weeks were required for the inspection of Dwellings-a most vital phase of fire prevention for reduction of hazards in the home.
In conjunction with Dwelling Inspections, the "Clean-up, Fix-up, Paint-up" Program for 1959 began on April 13th and continued through May 29th. Our home inpsection campaign makes fire preven- tion very real to householders. It provides means whereby Fire Fighters point out to occupants the existing fire hazards and ways to eliminate them. It also affords an opportunity to emphasize the im- portance of fire safety in the home and the need for constant vigilance. Without question. Dwelling Inspection is responsible for the saving of many lives beside reducing the number of home fires.
The Public Works Departnient fully cooperated during the "Clean-up" Program in the removal of accumulated debris and rub-
251
REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
bish. Many requests were received to have rubbish carted away. Lieutenant Harold C. O'Leary directed this project.
FIRE DRILLS IN SCHOOLS
The Annual Fire Drill for the evacuation of children from school buildings under the supervision of the officers of the Fire Department was conducted in public, parochial and private schools.
A record was made of the number of classrooms, pupils, exits used and the time required to vacate each building, a copy of which was sent to the School Department.
For the fifth year, Fire Fighters with apparatus went to the schools for holding of fire drills and at the same time through the medium of two-way radio remained in service for fire duty in the event of alarm of fire.
FIRE DRILLS IN NURSING HOMES
In accordance with provisions of Chapter 333, Massachusetts General Laws, Deputy Fire Chiefs made periodic inspections of Symmes Hospital and the Nursing Homes throughout the Town, and conducted the required fire drill. Reports were forwarded to Massa- chusetts Department of Public Health.
HYDRANT INSPECTIONS
For the fifth year, the Arlington Fire Department assisted the Public Works Department with cleaning of water mains under the Volumes and Pressures Program, and Fire Fighters continued the "In-service Inspection" of approximately 1246 hydrants in the Town.
In January 1959, 145 hydrants were discovered to be frozen. These were immediately thawed and drained by the Fire Department whereupon the Water Department was notified.
During summer months, Water Flow Tests of each hydrant were conducted daily after 10 P.M. Records were kept of static and residual pressures. Faulty and defective hydrants were reported to the Water Department for immediate repairs.
The winter inspection of hydrants was held in November rather than in January thus correcting any defective hydrants before the freezing weather to insure continuous service during winter months.
TRAINING OF FIRE FIGHTERS
Although our training Program is limited due to lack of proper facilities, Fire Fighters participated in frequent drills in quarters and were instructed in proper methods and use of Fire Department equipment. Routine drills were held in pumping, drafting and life boat practice at Spy Pond and the Heights Reservoir.
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