USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1961 > Part 30
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In connection with our constantly increasing localtax rate, the dominat- ing factors continue to be as follows:
1. Inflation - higher costs of labor, materials and services affecting all Town appropriations;
2. Increased state and county charges for M.D.C. sewer and parks, M.T.A. deficits, county hospital and county charges, and Town over- lay, which are not offset by state reimbursement to the Town from income and business taxes -- on the contrary, the situation is wor- sening. For example, in the exchange of funds between the Common- wealth and the Town in 1953, the Town made a net payment of $19,709.39 to the Commonwealth; however, in 1961, the Town was compelled to make a net payment of $317,749.25 to the Common- wealth. As one authoratative critic recently said: "Instead of the Commonwealth assisting the cities and towns in their many problems, especially with respect to the rising cost of schools, the reverse is true. "
3. School construction program in the Town;
4. Uncontrollable and non-administrative factors in the Town's appro- priation such as debt and interest, Group Life and Health Insurance, pensions, stabilization fund, etc.
The need of cities and towns throughout the Commonwealth for addi- tional funds is "crying" for action. It is to be sincerely hoped that the pleas of all financially sound and prudent citizens that something be done, and done reasonably soon to assist cities and towns in this vital matter, be heard.
Following the study and recommendation of the Harvard Survey Report in 1954, the Town embarked upon an extensive school building program. Since then, three new elementary schools have been constructed; additions have been made to two elementary schools; one elementary school has been completely re-constructed following a fire in the old building; the original Lowe Auditorium in the old high school has been converted to house thirteen classrooms; a very excellent addition has been added to the high school it- self; but the end is not yet in sight.
Currently, there is serious discussion about the need of another addi- tion to the high school, and of major remodeling of two or more elementary schools.
There is good reason to believe that the Town will be requested by the School Department to take action on these proposals in 1962 and 1963.
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REPORT OF THE TOWN MANAGER
The financial effects of a school construction program are invariably as follows:
1. The year in which the construction of a new school is authorized, there is an important impact on the current tax levy ;
2. In future years thereafter, usually twenty years, there is a continual impact on the tax levy each year in connection with debt and interest payments on the borrowing usually required for such new schools; and
3. When construction has been completed and the new school building has been opened for the school children, there is an impact on the tax levy in all the future years thereafter in connection with teachers' salaries, administrative costs, instructional supplies, operating and maintenance costs, etc., to mention only the more important cost factors.
Fortunately for the well-being of our very excellent school system, the tax payers of the Town have consistently revealed a determination to pro- vide adequate school facilities for the school children of the Town. Whenever opportunity presented itself, the Town's taxpayers have unhesitatingly and ungrudgingly supported the school construction program and by their word and action demonstrated a full realization of the impact on the tax levy in all respects in connection with construction of a new school or the re-construc- tion of an old school facility.
In these respects, the Town's residents have realistically "faced up" to the necessity of a first-class school department and the relatively high costs in connection therewith if we are to provide youngsters with a first- class school system in this dynamic and scientific age. Because of the ter- rific costs involved, the citizens of other communities have "begged" for several years the solution of their expanding school population, only to have to face the music inevitably but under higher cost conditions; and in the meantime, adverse environmental teaching conditions must be tolerated to the detriment of school children.
For a clearer understanding, if it is so needed, of the total impact of the Town's school construction program upon which the Townspeople will- ingly embarked in 1954, it would appear desirable to examine the effects of this program on the Town's municipal economy since the program's inception in 1954. As basis for my comments and observations, I have in- cluded the following data as attachments to this report:
1. Summary comparison of the Assessors' recapitulation sheets for determining the tax rates in 1953 and 1961;
2. Comparison of the net appropriations in the tax levy of 1953 and 1961;
3. Comparative "cherry" sheet for 1953 and 1961;
4. Comparative "estimated receipts" for 1953 and 1961;
5. Comparison of school appropriations for 1953 and 1961; and
6. School Department costs and all other department costs as adjusted for 1953 and 1961.
An examination of the data reveals that school department costs in 1961 show an increase of $1,864,450.00, or 106% over costs in 1953; also, that the costs of all other departments have risen in the same period $1,492,860.00, or 39%. The facts are as follows:
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
ADJUSTED COST COMPARISON 1953 AND 1961
1953
1961
Increase
School Dept.
$1,756,502.
$3,620,952.
+ $1,864,450.
106%
All Others
3,885,034.
5,377,894.
+ 1,492,860.
39%
Total
$5,641,536.
$8,998,846.
+ $3,357,310.
(Adjusted)
Time does not permit a more comprehensive study of all cost factors in connection with the operation of the school department. The school de- partment figures given above do not include many other costs which are properly allocable to that town agency, but which are now charged to all other departments. Some of these would be a proportion of the cost of fire, burglary, Group Life and Health, and Workmen's Compensation Insurance; Contributory Retirement and Pensions; maintenance of the Warren A. Peirce Field, Women Traffic Supervisors; plowing and removal of snow in school areas; also, the annual appropriation for the Insurance Fund and the Stab- ilization Fund. If such cost apportionment were made, School Department costs given above would have been higher and the costs of all other depart- ments would have been correspondingly lower.
It also should be noted that included in the cost of all other departments given above are several non-controllable appropriations which show the following increases in cost in 1961 vs 1953:
Pensions and Non-Contributory Retirements.
$227,603.
Insurance
130,323.
Radio Communication System.
50,000.
Stabilization Fund
50,000.
Street Lighting
38,820.
Symmes Hospital Expenses
33,000.
In connection with the figures given above, it should also be noted that a major factor in the increases shown in 1961 vs 1953; consider the follow- ing breakdown of payroll for both periods:
PAYROLL COMPARISON
Schools All Employees
All Other Departments
Total
1961
$2,838,155.57
$2,850,822.77
$5,688,978.34
1953
1,417,854.56
1,914,771.14
3,332,625.70
Increases
$1,420,301.01
$ 936,051.63
$2,356,352.64
It is my sincere hope that as a result of the time and effort put into the foregoing examination, a much clearer understanding will obtain regarding the relative costs of the School Department and all other Town departments as they affect our rising tax rate.
The new Town Yard, purchased from the Gas Company in 1960, located on Grove Street, has been occupied and made useful since the early fall of 1961. It is a vast improvement over the old deteriorated and dilapidated Town Yard on Massachusetts Avenue. It is necessary to point out in this respect, however, that renovations and remodeling must be continued with appropriations for such over the next few years.
361
REPORT OF THE TOWN MANAGER
The Arlington Youth Council has functioned very satisfactorily this year and had the pleasure of producing an Adult and Youth Code, which has been well received. It is expected that the Townspeople will be asked to approve a moderately sized appropriation at the 1962 Annual Town Meeting for clerical and office expenses.
In view of my lengthy presentation of comparative school and all other costs for the period from 1953 to 1961, I will confine my comments on other factors to my observations as contained under the separate headings of the various departments that come under the administrative supervision of the Town Manager. Reports of the Town Manager's departments follow:
ARLINGTON DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION -- The Development Com- mission continued its efforts to stimulate and promote business activity so as to eventually furnish some relief for residential tax payers. Major em- phasis was devoted to developing Arlington Center. Such efforts are be- ginning to become fruitful. The beautiful new Telephone Building on Winslow Street, former location of the A & P, is nearing completion. Work has been started on an extensive remodeling of the Arlington National Bank. In pro- cess of construction is an addition to the Wilton block at the corner of Massachusetts Avenue and Railroad Avenue, which, when completed, will house on its second floor the Lumbermen's Mutual Casualty Company. A series of meetings were held regarding the possibility of high rise apart- ment house in the area contiguous to the Town parking lot, which the Develop- ment Commission feels would be the most effective use of this property, but final plans are being held in abeyance pending the completion of the Comprehensive Report by the consultant engaged by the Town Planning Board, expected in March of the ensuing year. The Commission is hopeful that the development of the Arlington Center area will be further enhanced by a proposal for off-street parking in the rear of Railroad Avenue, which is expected to be presented for adoption at the Annual Town Meeting in March. During the year the Development Commission spent considerable time seeking a desirable purchaser of the Old Town Yard. The Commission feels that this particular property should not be sold unless and until it can bring substantial tax revenue to the Town. During the year the Commission has kept in constant contact with the owners of the so-called Star Market Property located on Route 2, which dormant situation is expected to become active in 1962. At the close of the year, the Star Market announced plans for a 50,000 square-foot market plus a 300,000 square-foot department store on this site, which, if finally effectuated, would result in the biggest revenue producer to the Town of any single business property. The members of the Commission are to be sincerely thanked for their very capable, intelligent, and unselfish contributions to the Town's present and future economy.
BUILDING DEPARTMENT -- Lack of available sites brought a further reduction in the number of single family house permits in 1961. Despite the broadening of the zoning by-laws to encourage the construction of apartment houses, there has been no appreciable increase in permits for apartment houses. There follows below a comparison of the total number of dwelling units represented by the annual building permits issued each year from 1953 to 1961 inclusive.
COMPARISON OF TOTAL NUMBER OF DWELLING UNITS REPRESENTED BY ANNUAL BUILDING PERMITS
Number of Dwelling Units 1-Family Houses
Number of Dwelling Units 2-Family Houses
Number of Dwelling Units Apt. Houses
Total Number Dwelling Units
1953
205
22
31
258
1954
212
8
20
240
1955
199
4
58
261
.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
COMPARISON OF TOTAL NUMBER OF DWELLING UNITS REPRESENTED BY ANNUAL BUILDING PERMITS (Continued)
Number of Dwelling Units 1-Family Houses
Number of Dwelling Units 2-Family Houses
Number of Dwelling Units Apt. Houses
Total Number Dwelling Units
1956
158
12
9
179
1957
157
2
22
181
1958
183
8
70
261
1959
227
4
64
295
1960
155
4
31
190
1961
128
12
55
195
1624
76
360
2060
The foregoing comparison reveals the long-anticipated decline in the number of permits for single family houses, and is not surprising, there- fore, in this particular respect. However, the upward trend in permits for apartment buildings, which was expected when the zoning by-laws were broadened, has not transpired and is a matter of considerable disappoint- ment. It would appear that present height limitations make it unfeasible from a cost and projected income standpoint for investors to construct apartment buildings in the Town. In the best interest of the Town, as pointed out time and time again in these annual reports, it is almost mandatory that the construction of apartment houses be encouraged if we are to avoid in the future much higher real estate tax rates with their seriously adverse ef- fects upon the residents of the Town generally. I strongly urge that the zoning by-laws be further amended so as to permit the construction of "high rise" apartment houses in the Town, which would encourage real estate management groups to invest in the Town's future.
CEMETERY DEPARTMENT -- Progress continued in the development of land on the westerly side of Mill Brook. Landscaping and general repairs and improvements also continued during the year 1961. There were 436 internments during the year, an increase of 33 over the previous year's total. It is interesting to point out that during the past eight years, the number of internments has increased from 332 in 1953 to 436 in 1961; during this period of time, the gross income of the Cemetery Department increased from $47,675.00 in 1953 to $77,159.00 in 1961; both of which figures reveal a tremendously accelerated pace of operation in this important Town de- partment. It is understandable, under the circumstances, why the Cemetery Commissioners and the Superintendent of the Cemetery must be constantly engaged in leveling and seeding and making ready new land for future use. During the current year, it is therefore necessary to conduct a survey to estimate the maximum number of years that this facility will be available for internment. The superb maintenance of the Cemetery in all of its aspects is a credit to the Commissioners, the Superintendent, and the employees of the department.
CIVIL DEFENSE -- Because of the public exhortations of President John F. Kennedy, previous public apathy has now been replaced by a con- siderable increase in public interest, and, as a result, it is to be hoped that we are now entering into a period of public understanding and cooperation. Based upon the most authoritative current advice, it would appear that fall- out shelters are absolutely necessary to protect against large-yield thermo- nuclear weapons. Thousands of circulars of instructions as to the con- struction and use of fallout shelters have been distributed to every home in the Town. The Director has appeared before the Board of Selectmen, the School Committee, and as many large civic groups as possible to demon- strate by slides the varying effects of fallout at varying distances from
363
REPORT OF THE TOWN MANAGER
point 0; it is the intention of the Director, with as many as volunteers that may be recruited, to expand and broaden the scope of these demonstrations and lectures. At the close of the year, it appears that the Federal Govern- ment is concentrating on a study and subsequent construction of public shelters for large groups of people. The Federal Government this year on a Matching Fund basis paid for one-half of the costs of the telephone and the electric energy in the Director's office. The Director has cooperated to the fullest extent possible with the Police Chief, the Fire Chief, the Superintendent of Public Works and others, in our successful efforts to ob- tain Federal Matching Funds in connection with our new Radio Broadcasting and Receiving System. Already, the Federal Government has agreed to defray one-half of the costs of the total costs in the amount of approximately $35,000; as this report is written, the specifications for this new Radio System are in the hands of the Federal Government for final approval, after which, sealed bids will be solicited. It is sincerely hoped that the new Radio System will be ready for use sometime the latter part of 1962. During 1961, members of the Auxiliary Police Department and of the Auxiliary Fire Department continued to render tremendous services to the Townspeople, for which all of us may be eternally grateful. During the year, surplus equipment with a Government cost of $51,250.60 was acquired at a Town cost of $873.11, representing a savings to the Town of $50,377.49. Radio "Hams" did their usual fine job in communications during various alerts, including Hallowe'en Night during the year just ended. During the last week in June, the Director attended a Radiological Defense Officers' Course at Eastern Instructor Training Center, Brooklyn, New York, and qualified as a Radiological Defense Officer. The Director is to be commended for the fine job he did during the past year without regard to his personal time and inconvenience.
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT -- This department designed, provided estimated costs, staked and laid out lines, grades, etc., for the various construction projects built by or for the Town. It also drew the contracts and supervised and inspected the work of contractors. Final surveys, re- cord plans, assessments, etc., were made and calculated by this department. The re-location of Mystic Street, the extension of the Muncipal Parking Area and the revision of the Arlington Center Traffic Signals were com- pleted in 1961 under the supervision of this department. Study plans, estimates, recommendations and assistance were furnished various boards, offices and departments. Traffic engineering work increased noticeably during 1961. The excellent work of this department continued under the supervision of Town Engineer W. H. Roby, who has rendered noteworthy and outstanding services to the Town of Arlington.
DRAINAGE -- The beginning of a long-term drainage improvement program was initiated during 1961 pursuant to a comprehensive study of Town drainage by Town Engineer W. H. Roby. It is planned to carry on this program, costing approximately $25,000 each year, for a period of five or six years until flooding in various low areas throughout the Town pursuant to flash storms is eventually eliminated.
FIRE DEPARTMENT -- Fire prevention and in-service training con- tinued, also fire drills in schools, dwelling inspections, hydrant inspections, company drills, etc. Apparatus response and fire damages were off for the year as compared with the year 1960. Record-breaking snow storms on January 20th and February 4th with intense wind and drifting necessitated the calling-in of off-duty firefighters during such emergencies. The De- partment on September 21, 1961, was placed on a stand-by alert because Hurricane Esther threatened; however, the full force of this hurricane was not felt, although many cellars had to be pumped out because of the heavy rains that eventuated. Auxiliary Firefighters, a dedicated and devoted group of citizens, continued to give valuable time to assist the regular Fire De- partment during fires and emergencies. Firefighters deserve praise for
364
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
their work and efforts in maintaining so well the Town's three fire stations at great financial savings to the Town. Regular maintenance and major repairs of fire apparatus were accomplished under the direction of the Master Mechanic. During the year, the New England Fire Insurance Rating Association, at the Town's request, conducted a survey of departmental operations, subsequently making many recommendations for improvements which are being put into effect. It is decidedly advantageous to the Town to have surveyed every five or ten years all operational and administrative facets of departmental operations, which survey constitutes an objective and dispassionate evaluation of the Town's Fire Department.
BOARD OF HEALTH -- All public health functions were performed in the usual way, such as communicable diseases, licensing, tuberculosis clinics, milk inspections, physical examination of school children at parochial and other private schools, dog vaccinations, environmental sanitation, etc. Supervision of the contract for the collection of garbage ended December 1, 1961, with the expiration of the garbage collection contract, after which, collections and supervision were assumed by the Public Works Department. During the year, at the state level, the number of sanitoria throughout the state was in process of considerable reduction pursuant to previous legi- slative action; this reduction in sanitoria will eventually considerably re- duce the Town's costs.
LEGAL DEPARTMENT -- Various bills and equities resulted in favor- able decrees in favor of the Town. Remaining unsettled, the Russell Com- mon Land Case and the Chapter 90 widening of Massachusetts Avenue af- fecting Hutchinson's Candy Store, both of which could prove to be quite expensive to the Town. Substantial amounts of money for aid rendered by the Bureau of Old Age Assistance had been recovered and turned over to the Town Treasurer. Similarily, substantial amounts of money for aid rendered by the Board of Health in the Symmes Hospital have also been collected and turned over to the Town Treasurer. Miscellaneous claims were processed and settled with the approval of the Board of Selectmen and the Town Manager. Legal advice given to practically all Town Departments and agencies during the year.
LIBRARY - Circulation figures show an increase despite the many inconveniences during the renovation program. Step one in the renovation program has been completed; step two is well under way; step three is ex- pected to get started in the ensuing year with the necessary funds being furnished by the 1962 Annual Town Meeting. The Friends of the Robbins Library held a very successful meeting during National Library Week in April at the Senior High School Auditorium with over 1,000 people present. For several years, the Robbins Library has ranked high among the public libraries in the state and the nation, but the cost of attaining such high status has been relatively high as compared with library costs in many other towns of the Commonwealth. It is my sincere hope that the major physical changes in the library plant will enhance the efficiency of library operations in the interest of the Town's taxpayers.
MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT -- All required maintenance and re- pairs of Town-owned buildings, with major emphasis on school buildings, were done. Outside school visitors to the Town frequently comment most favorably on the well-kept condition of our school facilities. Thanks to the good work done by the maintenance men and the custodians.
PARK AND RECREATION -- General maintenance of our fields and recreation areas continued. The Reservoir Beach swimming area was further improved. Twenty-two skating days were recorded as compared to fifty-two; two heavy snow storms, each of record-breaking proportions, caused the reduction in skating days during 1961. Increasing demands for flower beds throughout the Town are straining the personnel and equipment
365
REPORT OF THE TOWN MANAGER
of the Park Department. Among the recreational activities supervised directly or indirectly by the Park Department were skating, golf, bowling, basketball, softball, baseball, archery, ballroom dancing, arts and crafts, tennis, swimming, summer playground, attendance at Boston Red Sox Games, the Golden Age Club, etc. The double responsibility of maintaining facilities and also programming activities is a tremendous burden on the Superinten- dent because of the absence of a full-time professionally qualified recrea- tion person to supervise the recreational activities of the department. Once again, I would express the hope as I did in my last Annual Report, that during the ensuing year we find a qualified person to assist the Superintendent, but giving his full time to recreation. This need is emphasized when we consider the stress being made by President John F. Kennedy, and by his predecessor, Dwight Eisenhower, on the dire need of expanded programs in physical fit- ness throughout the nation.
PLANNING BOARD -- The Planning Board had an unusually busy year in 1961. Work continued to 1961 on the Comprehensive Plan which is being prepared by its consultants. This project is financed in part through an Urban Planning Assistance Grant from the U.S. Housing and Home Finance Agency under the provisions of Section 701 of the Housing Act of 1954. This project began in August of 1960, with final completion expected in March of the ensuing year. The Board during the year held eighteen meetings of its own, participated in fifteen meetings with various Town Officials, and held eight public hearings on proposed zoning by-law changes prior to the Annual Town Meeting in March and the Special Town Meeting in August. While most of the Board's recommendations relative to the revisions of the zoning by- laws were adopted by the Annual Town Meeting, the Board experienced a drastic reversal and setback in connection with its adverse report on the re-zoning of land, heretofore of little or no economic value, to Resident C apartment district; at the August Special Town Meeting called for the speci- fic purpose, the Board's recommendation was again repudiated overwhelm- ingly by the Town Meeting; subsequently interested residents brought suit in the Superior Court to reverse the decisions of the Annual Town Meeting and the subsequent Special Town Meeting. To encourage apartment house construction, the Board is preparing recommendations for re-zoning re- visions, which would raise the height limitations to 75' for apartment houses in some areas of the Town. I am fearful, however, that the effectiveness of this "high rise" for apartment houses may be completely neutralized or vitiated by restrictive provisions in connection with other phases of apart- ment house construction, which may discourage investors. The Board is not recommending a full-time professional planner and staff to carry for- ward the planning work begun under the Comprehensive Plan, rather is it advocating that the Town defer such arrangement for approximately one year until two important planning programs not presently covered by Chap- ter 701 are completed. In October, the Chairman of the Planning Board, together with the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen and the Chairman of the Development Commission, were appointed to represent Arlington on the Community Advisory Council established by the Massachusetts Transporta- tion Commission, which has undertaken a Comprehensive Survey for the Boston Metropolitan region.
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