USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1960 > Part 24
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Commuter transportation continues to be a problem which defies all attempts at an equitable solution. Deficits are increasing yearly as the number of patrons dwindle which ultimately results in curtailment and in certain instances discontinuance of service to the consternation of the small segment of the public that is dependent on this utility. Even the Metropolitan Transit Authority, which is heavily subsidized by fourteen cities and towns, shows a deficit of some $20,000,000.00 for the year. Despite these facts, the general public is critical of the service and the demands for perfection are constant. This, however, does not imply that all such demands are unjustified and brings to mind the struggle in which we are still engaged to provide a bus shelter in Harvard Square. In a recent conference with the General Manager of the Metropolitan Transit Authority, we were advised that a current study of fumes dispensed by buses could result in the use of the Harvard Square subway by buses originating in Arlington. In the event that this study should be reported on adversely, we were also assured that a shelter would be provided on the surface. In order to insure our chances, however, we have filed a bill in the Legislature for an appro- priation to cover the cost of erecting this structure. Although we are certain to en- counter opposition to this proposal from other sources we intend to exert every effort at our command to realize this objective.
Other matters beyond the realm of our usual routine duties involved the declar- ation of an emergency when hurricane Donna paid us a visit last September, and re- quired an appropriation of $25,000.00, to defray the expenses for the damages in- curred; the perambulation of the Town's boundaries with surrounding communities which is mandatory every five years; the purchase of the Mystic Valley Gas property on Grove Street, as a new Town Yard; the approval of a bond issue for the construction of the Pheasant Avenue School and myriad of lesser but important functions too numerous to mention.
In conclusion we would like to express our appreciation to the Town Manager, Boards, Commissions and civic bodies for their assistance and counsel during the year with special approbation to our Executive Secretary and the office staff for the manner in which they have lightened our burdens during the year.
DANIEL J. BUCKLEY, JR. JOHN O. PARKER ARTHUR D. SAUL, JR. JOSEPH P. GREELEY HORACE H. HOMER
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
245
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
Report of the Board of Health
Mr. Edward C. Monahan Town Manager Arlington, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Monahan:
We submit the following summary of the activities of the Board of Health for the year 1960, which reports on the services rendered by the Department, together with the financial and vital statistics reports.
Respectfully submitted,
PAUL F. BURKE, D.M.D., Chairman CARL E. BARSTOW, M.D. RALPH L. LaVALLE ARLINGTON BOARD OF HEALTH
Personnel of the Department
J. Philip Bower, Agent and Clerk
Margaret H. Wheatley, Principal Clerk
Justin E. Comeau, Milk and Sanitation Inspector
Mary G. Stone, Public Health Nurse
Lawrence S. Fagan, D.M.D., Dentist
Catherine E. Yates, Dental Assistant
L. Curtis Foye, M.D., Bacteriologist and Physician Samuel Femia, Dog Officer
1960
FINANCIAL REPORT APPROPRIATION
Personal Services
$ 27,642.75
General Expense
2,200.00
Garbage Disposal .
84,434.00
Communicable Diseases
6,000.00
Mosquito Control .
2,500.00
Premature Baby Care
$125,276.75
EXPENDITURES
Personal Services
$ 27,524.40
Collection of Garbage
84,434.00
Mosquito Control .
2,500.00
Premature Baby Care
1,200.00
Communicable Diseases:
Hospitalization for Tuberculosis
Middlesex County Sanatorium .
$2,427.00
Rutland State Sanatorium .
1,234.08
Boston Lying-In Hospital .
143.22
$3,804.30
Hospitalization for Meningitis
Pittsfield General Hospital
82.56
246
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Antirabic Clinics
Vaccine $310.25
Expense 276.00 $ 586.25
Miscellaneous Expense.
424.80
Total for Communicable Diseases $ 4,897.91
General Expenses:
Maintenance of office
$ 353.54
Dental Clinic Supplies
238.43
Telephone ..
341.69
Milk Inspection
392.50
Car Rental
272.88
Maintenance of Auto
86.40
Miscellaneous .
152.33
1,837.77
Total Expenditures.
$122,394.08
RECEIPTS
Licenses Issued:
Manufacture of Frozen Desserts (retail).
$ 25.00
Manufacture of Frozen Desserts (wholesale).
100.00
Message and Vapor Baths
1.00
Message and Vapor Baths (establishments).
2.00
Collection of Meat Trimmings
8.00
Sale of Oleomargarine.
28.00
Sale of Milk. .
62.50
To operate Pasteurizing Plants.
20.00
Cesspools and Septic Tanks
6.00
Day Nursery Schools.
4.00
Receipts from licenses
$ 256.50
Receipts from Dental Clinic .
819.50
Receipts from Communicable Diseases
1,599.36
TOTAL RECEIPTS
$ 2,675.36
Total Expenditures .
$122,394.08
Total Receipts .
2,675.36
Net cost to operate
$119,718.72
Cost per Capita .
2.39
$ 51,660.36
Including debt and maintenance of Middlesex County Sanitorium . Net cost to operate .
119,718.72
$171,379.08
Cost per Capita
3.43
REPORT OF CASES OF DISEASES DECLARED DANGEROUS TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH UNDER CHAPTER 111 OF THE GENERAL LAWS
Bites
Dog .
138
Miscellaneous
9
Chicken pox.
219
Diptheria
1
Dysentery (Bacillary)
1
German measles
90
Gonnorrhea .
6
Hepatitis (Infectious)
3
Malaria
1
Measles
263
247
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
Meningitis (Influenza)
1
Mumps .
332
Salmonellosis
10
Scarlet Fever
51
Syphilis
7
Tuberculosis (all forms)
13
Whooping cough
6
Total
1,151
TUBERCULOSIS REPORT
Total number of cases as of December 31, 1960 116
Deaths during the year 1960 . 3
Case Removals during 1960 0
New Cases reported in 1960. 13
Contacts X-Rayed during 1960
28
Persons residing in Arlington and having a legal settlement in Arlington were hospitalized as follows:
Middlesex County Sanatorium 14
Rutland State Sanatorium . 2
Persons residing in Arlington without settlement in any Community within the Commonwealth, were hospitalized as follows:
Middlesex County Sanatorium 2
Persons residing in Arlington with settlement elsewhere in the Commonwealth were hospitalized as follows:
Middlesex County Sanatorium
1
REPORT ON CLINICS CONDUCTED BY THE BOARD OF HEALTH DIPHTHERIA CLINIC (Five Year Comparative Figures)
Year
Number of Children Immunized
Per Cent below 5 Years
Per Cent 5-10 Years
Diphtheria
Cases
Deaths
1956
35
63
37
1
0
1957
1
100
0
3
0
1958
14
65
35
0
0
1959
9
66
34
0
0
1960
1
100
0
1
0
DENTAL CLINIC
Total number of patients .
999
Total number of operating hours
507
Total number of sittings
1763
Total number of operations
3193
Extractions
Permanent Teeth
0
Deciduous Teeth.
17
Treatments
Prophylactic
1413
Total number of dismissals
1278
248
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
CLINICS FOR VACCINATION OF DOGS AGAINST RABIES
Clinics held April 18, 20, 21, and 22, 1960
Total number of dogs vaccinated . 1040
REPORT OF MILK AND SANITATION INSPECTOR
Licenses Issued:
For sale of Milk and Cream .
125
For sale of Oleomargarine.
56
Inspections:
Milk Plants .
29
Milk Vehicles
33
Milk Analysis:
Samples taken for analysis.
157
AVERAGE
FAT
SOLIDS
BACTERIA
COLIFORM
PHOSPHATASE
Grade "A"
4.37
13.06
20,848
28
Negative
Homogenized
3.86
12.55
6,745
0
Negative
Regular
3.93
12.67
4,868
0
Negative
School
3.75
1,500
0
Negative
Environmental Sanitation:
Inspections
Bakeries.
88
Catering businesses
61
Candy stores and manufacturing
58
Independent and Super markets .
749
Pharmacies
158
Dairy stores and bars
108
Delicatessens
56
Eating establishments .
539
Poultry and egg stores
46
Five and Dime stores
6
Fruit and produce stores
78
Public toilet facilities
59
Seafood stores .
69
Canteen vehicles
4
Tenement buildings
9
Variety stores
384
Fairs . .
4
Complaints and recalls on complaints
201
Investigations
Conducted environmental sanitation investigations in rodent control; sewage disposal systems; sanitary landfill methods; and water pollution. Composite reports were submitted to the Board of Health with regards to each.
SERVICES RENDERED BY THE PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE
Visited the homes of those people who had been reported cases of communicable disease which required routine follow-up. Gave assistance to these cases to enable them to meet the recommended requirements for their particular case. Made visits to homes of all contacts with known or suspected cases of tuberculosis and arranged for X-ray examinations of these contacts.
Assisted the physician in physical examination of elementary Parochial School children. Performed Massachusetts Vision Test and the Pure Tone hearing test on children of the elementary parochial schools in the Town. Failure in these tests were
249
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
referred for further examination. Gave emergency and first-aid treatment on cases which required such attention.
Kept detailed and statistical records of all her activities in connection with her duties. These records are permanently filed in the Department.
Visits were made to the private Nursing and Convalescent Homes as well as Day Care and Nursery schools that are operated in the Town.
Assisted at all clinics which were conducted by the Board of Health.
Attended a series of lectures and a one week "Work Shop", under the sponsor- ship of the State Department of Public Health as an adjunct to In Service training.
REPORT OF SLAUGHTERING INSPECTOR
No inspections were made in the Town of Arlington during the year ending De- cember 31, 1960.
MISCELLANEOUS REPORTS
Licenses and Permits issued without fee charge
Burial Permits
412
Licenses to act as Funeral Directors.
15
Permits to hold Rummage Sales
21
Permits to keep Poultry
5
BIRTHS AND DEATHS OF ARLINGTON RESIDENTS DURING 1960
Total number of deaths
597
Total number of births 1,383
AGE OF OLDEST PERSON DYING IN ARLINGTON
Male
96 years
Female.
100 years
THE FIVE PRINCIPAL CAUSES OF DEATH IN ARLINGTON 1960
Disease
Number of Deaths
Number per 1,000 of population
Heart
271
5.4
Cancer .
83
1.7
Cerebral Hemmorrhage.
59
1.2
Pneumonia
57
1.1
Accidents
17
.3
250
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Report of the Town Counsel
December 31, 1960
Mr. Edward C. Monahan Town Manager Robbins Memorial Town Hall Arlington 74, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
I herewith submit my report for the year 1960 in accordance with Section 3 of Article 3 of the By-Laws of the Town of Arlington.
There have been twenty-nine accident claims against the Town this year. Nine have been settled as authorized by the Town Manager and the Board of Selectmen. Thirteen have brought suit and seven are in abeyance. Of the previous year's claims and suits, eleven were abandoned without suit, one was abandoned at the time it was reached for trial, eight were settled as authorized by the Town Manager and the Board of Selectmen, and there were verdicts for the Town in two cases. There were no verdicts against the Town.
A number of land damage claims arising from street widenings and storm drain installations were compromised also as authorized by the Town Manager and the Board of Selectmen.
There were six cases pending against the Town before the Massachusetts Appel- late Tax Board petitioning for real estate tax abatements. Two of these cases were dismissed for lack of prosecution at the time of trial and the remaining four cases resulted in settlements favorable to the Town.
An appeal from a decision of the Board of Selectmen ordering dog deemed to be vicious to be removed from the confines of the Town was heard in the Third Precinct Court of Eastern Middlesex and resulted in a finding by the Court affirming the action of the Selectmen and denying the appeal.
A Bill in Equity appealing from a decision of the Zoning Board of Appeals resulted in a Final Decree in the Superior Court in favor of the Town and upholding the decision of the Board of Appeals.
Substantial amounts of money for aid rendered by the Board of Health and the Symmes Arlington Hospital have been collected and turned over to the Town Collector.
Substantial amounts of money for aid rendered by the Bureau of Old Age Assist- ance have been recovered and turned over to the Town Collector also.
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 Officers, 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.
Very truly yours,
Joseph A. Purcell Town Counsel
JAP/mc
251
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
Annual Report of the Robbins Library for the Year 1960
TRUSTEES Mrs. Molly F. Yood - Chairman - Jan - Sept 1960 Mrs. Margaret H. Spengler - Chairman - Elected Sept 1960 Robert J. Brosnan Hugh A. Mallon, Jr. - Resigned June 1960 J. Milton Washburn, Jr. Nicholas F. Troiano - Appointed Sept 1960
HEAD LIBRARIAN Judith E. Stromdahl
PROFESSIONAL STAFF Lila M. Foss - Assistant Librarian - Resigned May 1960 Dorothy L. Hart - Reference Librarian Esther McQuaid - Head, Circulation Department Elizabeth L. Toohey - Supervisor of Children's Library Activities Mary M. Burgarella - Supervisor of Technical Services - Resigned Nov 1960 Penelope Maglaque - Music Librarian Edith Sanborn - Young People's Librarian Helen W. Thompson - Branch Librarian - Dallin Branch Evelyn Colcord - Branch Librarian - East Branch Ann Anderson - Senior Assistant Rose M. Rothenberg - Senior Assistant Norma B. Herz - Junior Assistant Russell A. Nile - Junior Assistant - Resigned Sept 1960 Norma Whiting Piper - Junior Assistant Emily Mary Glover - School Librarian Jane S. Palais - School Librarian Elizabeth S. Sussman - School Librarian Betty Wilburn - School Librarian
Adelaide M. Bennett Muriel G. Chandler Anne I. Enquist Marilyn E. Kenney
LIBRARY ASSISTANTS Elinor S. Leonard Margaret J. Morash Margaret V. O Brien Alice D. Peggs
Ruth G. Philpott Madeleine B. Woodbury Margaret M. Bowser Librarian's Secretary
Joan P. Caterino Dolores V. Cleland Alice Crowley
PART-TIME ASSISTANTS Audrey Hoag Joan Lee Virginia Rudd
Ellen N. Schmidt M. Louise Sullivan Celeste Vincent
NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY COOPERATIVE STUDENTS Hildegarde Langille
Anne H. Pomeroy ยท
CUSTODIANS
George A. Capes, Senior Custodian Florey Corelli
Arthur V. Galluzzo Normand J. Paradis
252
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE ROBBINS LIBRARY
To: Edward C. Monahan, Town Manager
Dear Mr. Monahan:
The Trustees of the Robbins Library report activities of a year wherein concrete plans were developed for the renovation of the Main Library to meet the needs of the community for improved and expanded library service. The final phases of the elementary School Library Program came into being in 1960 and the needs of the Junior High School Student were given consideration by the establishment of a Junior High School Department in the former Art Corridor of the main building.
Personnel problems continue a major concern. Salary adjustments, public relations, legislation, (concerning State-wide library service) problems of buildings and grounds maintenance made up the other major continuing responsibilities of the Trustees in 1960.
Renovation Plans for the Main Building
The 1959 plans to install an elevator in Robbins Library had to be redesigned to meet fire and safety regulations. The Trustees, in consultation with the Town Manager and the Board of Selectmen, drew up the following three-year plan for renovation.
1960
Step I Renovation of gallery a. Installation of elevator b. Erection of fire escape and fire wall
c. Installation of new lighting, heating, and ventilation
Result: New Music and Art Room for public New Technical Services Room for Staff operations
1961
Step II Installation of additional stack area Shelving and furniture for new areas
Result: Additional stack area New Y.P. Room New Junior High Department Additional space for Adult services
1962
Step III Replacement of present circulation desks New functional furniture for Reference Room
Result: Improved facilities for better public service
The first step of the program was voted at 1960 Town Meeting and the architec- tural firm of Korslund, LeNormand and Quann, Inc. was engaged to draft plans for alterations. In June all bids for work had to be rejected because all were in excess of the appropriation. In September the bid of Michael Racioppi was accepted and a contract for $34,700. awarded.
Elementary School Library Program
The elementary School Library Program initiated in 1957 through the joint efforts of the Town Manager, School Committee, and the Board of Library Trustees moved into its final phases in 1960.
253
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
Four School Librarians present a teaching library program daily at the following schools, Bishop, Brackett, Crosby, Cutter, Dallin, Hardy, Locke, Parmenter and Thompson. The program at Parmenter is only a token service supplied by a staff member from the Main Library. Peirce School will have a library in 1961 and at the same time a new School Librarian will be added to conduct the program at Parmenter and Pierce. It must be noted that the long-range plan to develop ten school libraries in 1958 was accurately projected and has been activated exactly as scheduled. The coordination of the school and library programs has resulted in a school program enrichment that has more than fulfilled our expectations of this project.
Junior High School Department
The many enrichment programs being offered in Arlington Schools result in more and newer demands on the library. Parents, teachers and students voiced a plea for separate facilities for the Junior High School Students.
Funds of the 1960 appropriations did not allow for this expansion, but the Trustees voted to use the Dodge Fund, a $2,000. gift of Mr. Henry E. Dodge to meet this new demand.
The former Art Corridor has been converted into a Junior High School Depart- ment by the fine craftsmanship work of the men from the Department of Public Works. We mark this as a step of progress and a tribute to our Head Librarian and her staff.
Personnel and Salaries
The Trustees still report great difficulty in filling the positions of professionally trained, experienced personnel. An exhaustive search for an Assistant Librarian has been fruitless, due in some measure to the salary we can offer for the responsi- bilities to be assumed. This vacancy has become a major concern since it places undue physical strain on the Head Librarian.
In accordance with the recommendation of our Library Survey we have reorgan- ized to channel all technical services through the person of a Supervisor of Technical Services. This position was approved by the Town Manager in September 1960.
The Supervisor of Children's Activities, in addition to the responsibility of the Junior Library has, over the past four years, assumed the direction of the nine elementary School Library programs.
The Trustees feel that the responsibilities and job content of the four top librarian positions have increased considerably over the past few years. Therefore the Trustees requested substantial changes in grade be considered for the position of Head Librarian, Assistant Librarian, Supervisor of Children's Library Activities and Supervisor of Technical Services.
Building and Grounds
The cleaning and pointing-up of the main building has been again delayed, this time because of labor strikes. Painting at Dallin Branch and repair and painting of windows in the main building will be completed by the Department of Public Works. The landscaping of the Library grounds is now under the Supervision of Mr. Dolan of the Tree Department.
Friends of the Library
In July and again in October and December, a group of interested Arlington citizens met in the library to discuss library programs of general community interest. The Trustees feel that a group like this is a good sounding board to assist them in better serving the community. The Friends of the Library can in turn make Library services and programs better known to the citizens.
254
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Mr. Hugh A. Mallon, Jr., a Trustee since 1953 and Chairman of the Board from December 1954 to June 1956, resigned from the Board in June 1960. Mr. Mallon's business promotion requires him to reside in Baltimore, Md.
Mr. Nicholas F. Troiano was appointed to the Board in September 1960.
At the reorganization of the Board of Trustees, Mrs. Margaret Spengler was elected Chairman and Miss Judith E. Stromdahl, Secretary. Mrs. Yood, Chairman for the past two years merits high praise for faithful and effective fulfillment of this office.
The Board of Trustees expresses appreciation for the faithful dedication of the Head Librarian, Miss Judith E. Stromdahl and her staff. We observe, through the years, their continuing efforts and spirit have brought the special recognition to our Community of giving the finest in library service and programs to Arlingtonians.
To our Town Manager for his ever understanding attitude; To Dr. Bert Roens, Superintendent of Schools, and the School Committee for cooperation in our joint programs; to the Board of Selectmen for consulting with us on an important decision, we wish to express our sincere appreciation.
Respectfully submitted,
Mrs. Kenneth C. Spengler Chairman Board of Library Trustees
255
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
Report of the Librarian for the Year 1960
In 1960, the Robbins Library, with its overcrowded conditions, its serious lack of sufficient shelf space, its limited seating area, its shortage of professional staff members, nevertheless managed to serve more people, answer more questions, circulate more books, periodicals, recordings and films than during any year of its long history. This accomplishment, under adverse conditions, however, should not be the cause of undue satisfaction on the part of either the staff or the public. The increased use of the library throughout the country indicates the importance it is assuming in the world of today. Realization of this trend is reflected in high places, in the action of the Congress of the United States, which last session extended the Library Services Act for rural communities for another five years, and again in the recent legislation passed by the General Court of the Commonwealth authorizing "the expenditure of $1,000,000 in fiscal 1961 for direct grants-in-aid to cities and towns for public libraries therein which meet certain minimum standards of service", and a "sum of $768,000 for the establishment of regional library service".
The use of the Robbins Library in 1960 by school children and college students is an indication of the importance of libraries in the field of formal education today. The impact of the accelerated school program has struck almost overnight. For years, young people have been invited, urged and all but coerced to use their libraries. Many of them did. More did not. Within the space of the last two or three years, however, they have descended "en masse". Now they can scarcely be accommodated.
The following statement is attributed to Dean Adolfson of the University of Wisconsin. "The rapid growth of knowledge in all fields has reached astronomical proportions. Our knowledge of the physical world is doubling every fifteen years. New knowledge pours from our research laboratories at an ever-increasing rate. I cannot predict - nor can you - what kind of a world our children will be living in . .. four years hence
. . We are now at the point where we must educate people in what nobody knew yesterday, and prepare people in our schools for what no one knows yet, but what some people must know tomorrow."
Libraries play an essential part in this educational program. It is common knowledge that elementary, secondary schools and colleges cannot function without the aid of libraries, school and public. As school programs expand, the library pro- gram must expand. Changes in, and additions to, the school program create new demands on the library. More reference tools are needed, more books, materials, equipment, and work space and above all, more trained personnel become necessary.
But it is not only in the field of formal education that the library has been called upon to expand its horizons during the past few years. The great and growing needs of adults for information, for education, for life-long learning, and for leisure time activity are represented by the demands made upon the library by technical and pro- fessional workers, housewives, parents, and the increased number of older people in our population; they have recognized the potential of the library and are using it in ways which indicate its importance in the community today.
It is recognized throughout the State that Arlington has been, and is, one of the better supported libraries, but few communities in the Commonwealth can be really proud of the amount spent on their public libraries in the light of today's needs. Arlington is no exception. It has a good library but it needs a better one to serve its townspeople adequately.
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