USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1961 > Part 21
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Throughout the Fire and Police Signal System, removed and trimmed trees and branches from aerial lines and installed wood mold where wires came in contact with trees.
PUBLIC WORKS YARD
Following work was undertaken at the new location of the Public Works Department Yard on Grove Street for installation of fire and police signals:
Ran in 6-conductor aerial cable on Grove Street, Dudley Street, Brattle Street;
Pulled in 6-conductor underground cable on Grove Street;
219
REPORT OF THE FIRE AND POLICE SIGNAL SYSTEM
Installed 10-inch turtle gong in office;
Removed gate horns from old yard, 1083 Massachusetts Avenue and reinstalled on Grove Street;
Moved Police Box 55 from 1083 Massachusetts Avenue and reinstalled in Grove Street Yard.
AIR RAID SIGNALS
Tested sirens on first and third Fridays of each month.
April 28, 1961, air raid sirens and whistles sounded at noon for Civil Defense State-wide Alert Test.
Routine inspection was made of air raid sirens throughout the Town:
Massachusetts Avenue - Teel Street
Massachusetts Avenue - Winter Street
Massachusetts Avenue - Tufts Street
Massachusetts Avenue - Mill Street Massachusetts Avenue - Brattle Street
Massachusetts Avenue - Forest Street
Massachusetts Avenue - Park Avenue
Florence Avenue - George Street
Summer Street - Mill Street
Summer Street - Park Avenue Extension
Broadway - Everett Street
Broadway - Silk Street Lake Street - Margaret Street
Highland Avenue - Ottawa Road
Mystic Street - College Avenue Medford Street - Sherborn Street Pleasant Street - Gould Road
Lowell Street - Park Avenue Extension
DETAILS
Set up Public Address System on many occasions for various Town De- partments.
Rendered assistance to Departments which requested use of winch and derrick on Fire Alarm Truck.
April 19th, Patriots' Day, sounded 1-7-7-5 on air whistle at Fire De- partment Headquarters.
The Town Clock in church steeple, Massachusetts Avenue-Pleasant Street, wound weekly on Fridays.
Arranged Christmas lighting and decorations at the Town Hall, Library, Police Headquarters, on tree and crib at Monument Park and at the three Fire Stations. Set up Public Address System for the playing of carols from tower of Fire Headquarters building.
APPROPRIATION
1961 Appropriation $24,528.
Expended
24,371.
Balance
$ 157.
220
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
RECOMMENDATIONS
For the year 1962 recommend that $27,131 be appropriated.
The Committee which studied the Town's two-way radio facilities to comply with a directive received from the Federal Communications Com- mission has submitted its report. Plans are in process to obtain new radio equipment. The System known as "Local Government" will be installed soon in the Town of Arlington for use of all Departments.
1961 SURVEY
During the year of 1961, the New England Fire Insurance Rating As- sociation conducted a survey of the Town of Arlington including its Fire and Police Signal System. This Association made several recommendations and as a result a Committee was formed to further investigate conditions in the Signal System to submit a report of findings later:
Chief Thomas H. Egan, Superintendent of the Fire and Police Signal System
Deputy Fire Chief John E. Canniff
Robert L. Reid, Wire Inspector, Town of Arlington
Thomas Buckle, Construction Engineer of the Gamewell Company, New- ton Upper Falls
The Rating Association recommended among other changes these major proposals:
"That the present Fire Alarm Headquarters equipment be expanded and modified in accordance with the "Standards of the National Board of Fire Underwriters for the Installation, Maintenance and Use of Municipal Fire Alarm Systems", for Type-A (manual) operation; and
"That the Watchroom, now located on the first floor of the Headquarters Station, with all testing facilities, telephone, radio receiving and transmit- ting equipment, with operators, be transferred to Fire Alarm Headquarters on the second floor of the Station."
These two recommendations will be placed in the annual budgets for consideration. Many of their recommendations have at this time been cor- rected and put into effect.
CONCLUSION
To the Members of the Board of Selectmen, and to Town Manager, Ed- ward C. Monahan, for cooperating with the Signal System, my sincerest thanks.
To the Assistant Superintendent of the Fire and Police Signal System, and his Signal Maintainers, for untiring efforts to operate efficiently the Signal System for both the Fire and Police Departments, my deepest ap- preciation.
Respectfully submitted,
Thomas H. Egan Superintendent Fire and Police Signal System
221
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Report of the Board of Selectmen
The Board of Selectmen herewith submits its Annual Report for the year ending December 31, 1961.
Following our customary procedure the early portion of the year was principally devoted to discussion on appropriations both budgetary and those covered by articles, in preparation for the Annual Town Meeting. Con- ferences were held with other Boards and Commissions when such procedure was dictated, and investigative surveys were authorized in instances when detailed information was required.
At the Annual Town Election in March, Mr. Arthur D. Saul, Jr. was re-elected to office and Mr. Philibert L. Pellegrini elected as Selectman, both to serve for three year terms. The Board organized shortly there- after with Mr. John O. Parker as Chairman and Mr. Horace H. Homer as Vice-Chairman, both being elected by acclamation on one ballot.
After almost nine years of the Town Manager form of government it is rather surprising to note that some confusion still exists in the minds of many of our citizens relative to the duties and the responsibilities of the Board of Selectmen. In order to clarify this issue we feel it may be ad- vantageous to devote a portion of this report to a brief explanation of this type of government, outlining the responsibilities of various officials with particular emphasis on the Selectmen's functions. Under this form of government the Selectmen constitute the Executive branch, the Town Mana- ger the Administrative branch and the Town Meeting acting in a Quasi- Judicial capacity constitutes the appropriating authority and has the sole powers of adopting permissive State Legislation as well as local By-Laws. The Selectmen, are, therefore, essentially responsible for local policy that is not in conflict with local By-Laws or State Laws. The Board works closely with the Town Manager on all matters pertaining to the operation of town functions which, in many instances, require that policy either be established or changed. For instance, the Board can determine the number of voting precincts that should be established, or adopt regulations for traffic control or similarly take action on an unlimited number of matters that would best serve the Town's interests. This constitutes policy which, once adopted, is continued until such time as amendment or repeal may be indicated. The Selectmen, however, are bound to observe all local and state laws the same as any other citizen and if these sometimes seem unjust the only recourse is by modification or repeal through action by the Town Meeting or the State Legislature or both. Any action in this respect is a prerogative of a majority of the Town's citizens who can effect whatever changes they desire by petitioning the aforementioned bodies. All ad- ministrative powers previously exercised by the Selectmen are now a func- tion of the Town Manager. It is his duty to administer all phases of the Town's general government efficiently and economically. While it is true that the Selectmen have the appointive powers over the Town Manager, they do not dictate his administrative duties.
The improvements in Arlington Center for which the Town obligated itself are now completed. Mystic Street has been relocated and the parking facilities on Russell Common have been expanded in accordance with the original plans. These improvements were initially proposed by the owners of business property in the area who alleged that without these changes business could not survive in this location. In return for the improvements they promised to renovate and improve their respective properties in a manner which would attract desirable business interests. It is rather dis- appointing to note that despite the Town's cooperative efforts, these private interests have shown little indication of a desire to go forward with their projected plans in this respect or any realistic basis. One of the largest
222
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
property owners alleges that after extensive research the only business enterprise that will give him a fair return on his investment is an apart- ment house adjacent to Russell Common. He proposes to erect a building eight stories in height, with seventy-eight apartments and a medical center on the first floor. Unfortunately this proposal violates various provisions of the Zoning By-Laws. Several joint conferences have been held with the owner, the Development Commission and the Planning Board on this pro- posal and if these Town agencies agree with the owner's proposal, amend- ments to the Zoning By-Laws will undoubtedly be sought at the 1962 Annual Town Meeting.
Beginning with the recommendations contained in the Benjamin Report and the recommendations of subsequent planning consultants, an off-street metered parking area has been proposed for the area comprising the former Railroad property in the rear of Railroad Avenue. One of the problems in connection with the effective development of such an area has been the private ownership of a substantial portion of this property. Negotiations have, however, been conducted by the Planning Board with the bank which is the current owner, and as a result an agreement has been reached where- by the owner has indicated its intention to donate a major portion of this property to the Town provided that the parking area is developed in accord- ance with present proposals. Funds for this project will undoubtedly be sought at the next Annual Town Meeting.
With the development of a comprehensive master plan for the Town to chart its future change and growth, it was deemed advisable to establish a closer relationship with the Planning Board. As a result, Selectman Pellegrini has been appointed as Liaison Officer between the two Boards. In this capacity he will attend meetings of the Planning Board and report periodically to the remaining members of the Board of Selectmen. In this manner much valuable time can be saved when final discussions are held on projects in which cooperative effort is considered advisable.
Voting in Precincts 9 and 11 has been unsatisfactory for some time due in great measure to the increase of the number of registered voters in re- lation to the existing voting facilities. This year, supported by authoriza- tion of Town Meeting vote, we intend to divide both these precincts to facilitate voting. The precincts will be known as 9A, 9B, 11A and 11B, with 9A to be located in the Bishop School, 11A to remain in the Highland Fire Station and both B precincts to have quarters in the newly erected Stratton School. This will make a total of 19 voting precincts which we hope will adequately serve the Town for some years to come.
Individual Municipal Associations for Mayors of Cities and Selectmen of Towns have existed for more than a quarter of a century but the trend for a joint organization, designed to benefit both Cities and Towns, has been constantly increasing. This year our own State, following this National trend, has formed such an Association, to be known as the Massachusetts League of Cities and Towns. It is anticipated that by combining forces the municipalities of the Commonwealth will be in a position to sponsor and to support Legislation that will grant them greater latitude in self-government. We have become charter members of this association and have high hopes that it will become an effective agency as it gains age, stature and reputa- tion.
During the year we have met weekly with the exception of the summer months when bi-weekly meetings have been held. Much of our time is utilized in routine assignments. As Selectmen we either grant or renew licenses for all types of amusements, Lord's Day, Second-Hand Dealers, Common Victuallers, Auctioneers, Junk Dealers, Theatres, Peddlers, Lodg- ing Houses, bus transportation, sale of used automobiles, parking lots and tag days, to mention a few. As a Board of Survey we approve housing sub-
223
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
divisions, lay out streets for acceptance as public ways, adopt Chapter 90 street programs, control the installation of permanent sidewalks and curb- ing, grant locations for utility poles and conduits, gas mains and telephone lines and conduits. As a Board of Public Works we determine where sanitary sewer mains, water mains and storm drains are to be located, grant per- mission for the occupancy of public ways, determine policy on underground structures and other matters which come up from time to time. The pro- gram for improving volumes and pressures in the Town's water system which was instituted in 1955 has been brought to a successful conclusion. A new program has been adopted to modernize our storm drain system. We anticipate that this program, although not as exhaustive as the water system program, will on completion solve the many flooding problems encountered in the past, during and immediately after severe rainstorms.
One of our more vexing problems concerns the sanitation program. The sanitary fill method of disposal has been in use for more than a decade in discarding rubbish satisfactorily. Garbage has been disposed of by means of a private contract. This latter refuse which was formerly a salable commodity to nearby hog farms has gradually become less and less disposable. The recent State Law requiring that all garbage be cooked before being fed to hogs and the retirement of farmers from this line of endeavor is primarily responsible for these conditions. The exorbitant demands by contractors for the collection and disposal of garbage has forced the Town to reassume this collection with its own labor forces. A program has been evolved whereby the garbage and rubbish is collected simultaneously in the same vehicle and is disposed of in the sanitary fill reclamation area. Exhaustive investigation, prior to the inception of this program, disclosed that no ill effects would be experienced from this man- ner of disposal. In any event, we will necessarily be limited in these operations because of the lack of future disposal areas. It is only a matter of time when serious thought will have to be given to some other method of disposal which is bound to result in higher costs.
In conclusion we would like to express our appreciation to the Town Manager and to the various Boards and Commissions who have given us the benefits of their experience throughout the year, as well as our Executive Secretary and the Secretarial staff for their loyal and efficient service.
John O. Parker Horace H. Homer Joseph P. Greeley Arthur D. Saul, Jr. Philibert L. Pellegrini Board of Selectmen
Honorable Board of Selectmen Arlington, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
The Registrars of Voters herewith submit their annual report for the year ending December 31, 1961, in accordance with Section 3 of Article 3 of the By-Laws.
Temporary Assistant Registrars designated by our Board made a com- plete canvass of the Town for the purpose of taking the annual listing of persons twenty years of age and older residing in the Town of Arlington on January 1, 1961, and in conjunction therewith a listing of owners or keepers of dogs, both as required under the law.
224
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Our Board certified the signatures of 4,901 voters appearing in nomi- nation papers filed by or in behalf of candidates seeking town offices, petitions for articles to be inserted in the Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting, referendum and initiative petitions.
A public hearing was held on February 10, 1961 in the Hearing Room of the Town Hall on the objection filed by Alan Root to the nomination papers of Michael A. Marcellino as a candidate for the Office of Selectman. Three persons were summoned as witnesses -- Alan Root, the objector, Michael A. Marcellino, the candidate, and John A. Castagnozzi the voter whose signature was objected to. As a result of evidence and testimony given at the hearing, the Registrars voted unanimously to disqualify the name and address of John Castagnozzi, 142 Brooks Avenue, as appearing on the nomination papers in question inasmuch as the Board believed beyond any reasonable doubt that the nomination paper had not been signed in accord- ance with the requirements of law by the person whose name and address was in question. As a result of this decision, Mr. Marcellino, whose nomination papers had borne only the minimum number of ceritified signa- tures, was unable to have his name placed on the ballot for the Annual Town Election.
Nine evening sessions for the registration of voters were held prior to the Annual Town Election at various public buildings throughout the Town. At these sessions 36 persons were qualified to vote in elections. Through- out the year, sessions for the registration of voters were held daily during regular business hours in the office of the Town Clerk, at which an addi- tional 243 persons were so qualified. A total of 279 names were, therefore, added to the voting list during the year.
A record high of 29,511 registered voters was reached on February 14, 1961, the final day of registration for the Town Election.
For the Town Election held March 6, 1961, the Registrars were in ses- sion throughout the entire period the polls were open - 7 A.M. to 8 P.M. - following which they assisted in the tabulation of the returns of ballots cast until the results were announced at 7:30 A.M. on Tuesday, March 7, 1961.
Mr. Arthur P. Wyman was reappointed by your Board as a member of the Board of Registrars of Voters for a term of three years.
Upon completion of the work of revising the voting list, in accordance with the true list information that had beenpresented, a total of 2417 notices were sent by first-class mail, as required by law, to persons whose names were to be removed from the voting list for the reason that they had not been reported as residing in Arlington on January 1, 1961. Of this number 641 proved residence and were reinstated.
As a result of the notices mailed, the names of 1776 voters were re- moved from the list for varying reasons including removal from Town, changes of name by marriage or court decree, death, and/or failure to comply with the notice. An additional 119 names of voters were dropped from the voting list because of changes in voting status brought to the attention of our Board.
The total number of registered voters upon completion of the revision of the voting list was 27,657, and of this total 10,351 were enrolled Demo- crats and 6,615 were enrolled Republicans.
225
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Precinct
Total Voters
Total Democrats
Total Republicans
1
1517
654
281
2
1990
935
346
3
1185
507
286
4
1868
717
397
5
2308
1135
237
6
1540
410
573
7
1457
763
237
8
1700
427
698
9
2280
702
595
10A
786
257
221
10B
958
293
311
11
2773
1027
545
12A
1423
452
425
12B
690
203
228
13
2067
809
484
14A
1339
499
341
14B
1776
561
410
27657
10351
6615
These figures represent the usual decrease in the number of registered voters in the year following a Presidential Election due to the small number of new registrants.
During the year the information contained in the approximately 35,000 true listing slips, covering on residents of the Town on January 1, 1961, was transferred to their individual master cards which provide for a complete Official record of residence for all persons twenty years of age or older from the time they first become residents of the Town of Arlington.
Mrs. Louise Mulkerin was named by our Board to succeed Miss Mary A. Farrington as Assistant Registrar of Voters. Miss Farrington resigned to accept appointment as Assistant Town Clerk.
Respectfully submitted,
Timothy J. Buckley, Chairman
Arthur P. Wyman Joseph H. Cormier
Ann Mahon, Clerk
Registrars of Voters
226
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Report of the Board of Health
Mr. Edward C. Monahan Town Manager Arlington, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Monahan:
We herewith submit the Annual Report of the Board of Health for the year 1961.
Respectfully submitted,
Ralph L. LaValle, Chairman Paul F. Burke, D.M.D. Carl E. Barstow, M.D.
Personnel of the Department
J. Philip Bower, Agent and Clerk
Margaret 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
1961
FINANCIAL REPORT APPROPRIATION
Personal Services
$ 29,218.75
General Expense
2,150.00
Garbage Disposal
84,434.00
Communicable Diseases
6,000.00
Mosquito Control
2,500.00
Premature Baby Care
2,500.00
$126,802.75
EXPENDITURES
Personal Services
$ 29,142.31
Collection of Garbage
84,054.68
Mosquito Control .
2,500.00
Premature Baby Care .
942.00
Communicable Diseases:
Hospitalization for Tuberculosis:
Middlesex County Sanatorium .
$1,707.00
Rutland State Sanatorium . 1,054.61
Cambridge Sanatorium
677.92
Ambulance Service .
69.00
$3,508.53
227
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
Antirabic Clinics:
Vaccine
$318.34
Expense 313.95 $ 632.29
Miscellaneous Expense.
57.50
Total for Communicable Diseases . $ 4,198.32
General Expenses:
Maintenance of office
$ 362.85
Dental Clinic Supplies
98.50
Telephone .
362.49
Milk Inspection
227.50
Car Rental
269.44
Maintenance of Auto
117.69
Laboratory
24.62
Laundry Service.
66.00
Illuminating Gas.
50.88
Typewriter Service.
12.00
Rental of Equipment
24.00
Miscellaneous .
15.00
Total for General Expense $ 1,630.97
TOTAL EXPENDITURES
$122,468.28
RECEIPTS
Licenses Issued:
Manufacture of Frozen Desserts (retail).
$ 20.00
Manufacture of Frozen Desserts (wholesale).
100.00
Massage and Vapor Baths
3.00
Massage and Vapor Baths (establishments)
4.00
Collection of Meat Trimmings
8.00
Sale of Oleomargarine.
27.50
Sale of Milk.
57.50
To operate Pasteurizing Plants
20.00
Cesspools and Septic Tanks
1.00
Day Nursery Schools.
3.00
Receipts from licenses
$ 244.00
Receipts from Dental Clinic .
782.50
Receipts from Communicable Diseases
1,743.79
TOTAL RECEIPTS .
$ 2,770.29
Total Expenditures
$122,468.28
Total Receipts . 2,770.29
Net cost to operate $119,697.99
Cost per Capita $ 2.39
Including debt and maintenance of Middlesex County Sanatorium. . $ 65,202.42
Net cost to operate .
119,697.99
$184,900.41
Cost per Capita . $ 3.70
228
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
REPORT ON CASES OF DISEASES DECLARED DANGEROUS TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH UNDER CHAPTER 111 OF THE GENERAL LAWS.
Bites
Dog.
171
Cat .
6
Chicken Pox
622
Dysentery
1
Encephalitis
1
German Measles
79
Hepatitis (infectious).
5
Measles
494
Meningitis.
3
Mumps
128
Salmonella
1
Scarlet Fever (including "Strep" throats)
120
Tuberculosis (all forms)
13
Whooping Cough
3
Gonorrhea.
2
Syphilis
Total. 1,654
TUBERCULOSIS REPORT
Total number of cases as of December 31, 1961. 118
Deaths during the year 1961
5
Case removals during 1961 2
New Cases reported in 1961 .
12
Contacts X-Rayed during 1961
29
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 1
Persons residing in Arlington with settlement elsewhere in the Common- wealth were hospitalized as follows:
Middlesex County Sanatorium 2
REPORT OF MILK AND SANITATION INSPECTOR
Licenses Issued
For Sale of Milk and Cream 115
For Sale of Oleomargarine
55
Inspections
Milk Plants . 25
Milk Vehicles 33
Milk Analysis
Samples Taken. 91
5
229
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
Product
Fat
Averages Solids
Bacteria
Coliform
Phosphatase Negative
Regular
4.00
12.86
5,779
3
School
3.77
3,425
6
Grade A.
4.33
13.13
25,800
31
Stores
3.65
12.33
888
0
Environmental Sanitation
Inspections
Bakeries. .
122
Catering businesses
54
Candy stores and manufacturing
35
Independent and Super markets .
632
Pharmacies.
135
Dairy Stores and Bars
82
Delicatessens .
55
Eating Establishments.
385
Poultry and Egg Stores
11
Five and Dime Stores
4
Fruit and Produce Stores.
80
Public Toilet facilities
45
Sea Food Stores .
67
Tenement Buildings
20
Variety Stores .
360
Fairs .
2
Complaints and recalls on complaints
251
Environmental sanitation investigations were conducted in sanitary landfill projects; sub surface sewage disposal systems; water quality of bathing areas and rodent control.
The nature of the complaints varied, all were acted upon accordingly with proper action taken when necessary. Comprehensive reports relative to each incident were submitted and filed.
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