USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1962 > Part 16
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European Earwigs were again prevelant this year. As this insect can be controlled by individuals, we advised property owners on the proper con- trol measures.
Japanese Beetles were not as numerous this year as in the past and I believe if property owners continue their own control measures we will soon be rid of this pest. This insect doesn't emerge until the middle of July and would not be controlled by aerial spraying, although the spraying may of been of some benefit.
Bees' Nests and Hornets' Nests were either sprayed or cut down from trees when they were called to our attention.
TOWN HOUSE GROUNDS DEPARTMENT
As has been the custom in past years, the personnel of the Tree and Moth Departments maintain the grounds bordering the Town Hall and Robbins House. The men also take care of the lawn and hedges at the Police Station and the islands on new Mystic Street.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
The pool located on the Town Hall Grounds was painted as usual this year with Turquoise Blue Silasheen paint.
The Patriot's Day celebration again attracted large crowds of adults and children which necessitated the men of the Department to rope off the entrance to the Town Hall and police the grounds. The same had to be done for the Fireman's parade June 9, 1962.
A watchman was employed during the summer months to patrol the grounds every evening as well as all day Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays. He also checked the Robbins Library doors and windows on weekends.
The regular maintenance of the grounds was attended to as usual. The lawns were all top dressed, seeded and fertilized.
Snow removal from the front platform of the Town Hall, the walks through the grounds, also the parking area in the rear of the building and the rear of the Robbins House was taken care of as usual. These areas were also sanded when needed.
In conclusion, I wish to gratefully acknowledge the co-operation given me by you and your staff, the personnel of this Department and all other Departments of the Town.
Respectfully submitted,
George M. Dolan Tree Warden and Superintendent of Moth and Town House Grounds Departments
171
REPORT OF THE PARK COMMISSION
Annual Report of the Park Commission
January 14, 1963
Mr. Edward C. Monahan Town Manager
Arlington, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
The Board of Park Commissioners herewith submits its Annual Report for the year ending December 31, 1962.
Edward D. Buckley was reappointed Park Commissioner for a three year term which will expire December 22, 1965. The Board held its reorganiza- tion meeting on Monday, January 9, 1962 and elected J. Fred McGann as chairman.
MAINTENANCE
Linwood Street:
Installed 180 feet of snow fence for the Little League baseball program. Installed three saddle mates: one horse, duck and camel at Spy Pond Field.
Erected a 9 ft chain link fence around tennis court at a cost of $3,084.
Reservoir Field:
Fifty floodlight bulbs were replaced.
Locks were replaced four times in locker building.
Erected 60 feet of grandstands for softball and Little League games.
Reservoir Beach:
Replaced three new locks on bathhouse door and repainted building. Graded beach area with 1,000 tons of fine sand.
To prevent pollution, 100 lbs of H.T.H. was poured into the water every other day at a cost of $1,500. With an average attendance of 300 youngsters, we felt this expense was justified.
W. A. Peirce Field:
Repainted Wayne grandstand using 100 gallons of paint.
Regraded and reseeded gridiron.
Repaired running track after a flash storm which occurred the day prior to graduation. Estimated cost $1,200 which included labor and ma- terials.
120 feet of chain link fence was destroyed and repaired by the Public Works Department.
Time clock was repaired and moved to a new location; replaced 500 feet of electric wire which was water damaged. Cost $300.
Installed electric line to football field for loud speaker system.
Regraded practice football field with 300 yds of loam and seeded it with winter rye. Cost $900.
Florence Avenue:
Installed three saddle mates: one horse, duck and donkey.
Replaced one basketball backstop.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Robbins Farm:
Installed three saddle mates: two horses and one camel.
Bishop School:
Installed a basketball court. Painted baseball backstop.
Summer Street:
Erected 45 feet of portable grandstands for spectators.
225 sq ft of the easterly side of the playground was filled in and graded to develop a new Little League baseball diamond. A waterline was also installed at a cost of $10,000. We hope to erect a backstop and fence this coming year.
Hardy School:
Painted play apparatus.
Waldo Road:
Installed three saddle mates: two horses and one camel. Repaired jungle gym. Installed a bituminous walk 200 feet long and 3 feet wide.
Crosby School:
Painted play apparatus. Installed two basketball baskets. Repaired tennis court fence.
Cemetery Street:
Repaired wading pool waste line. Painted baseball backstop. Painted play apparatus.
Menotomy Rocks Park:
Installed three saddle mates: two horses and one donkey. Resurfaced roadway after flash storm. Repaired stone wall around Hills Pond. Planted two dogwood trees for the Arlington Garden Club.
North Union:
Painted the locker building and repaired roof and roof drains.
Replaced 250 glass blocks with steel plated reinforcement at a cost of $400. Replaced new locks on doors; this is an annual repair. Cost $100. Repaired two baseball backstops.
Painted all the play apparatus.
Installed three saddle mates: one horse, donkey and camel.
General Maintenance:
Play apparatus such as swings, parallel bars and slides, were painted on ten areas and we hope to finish the other areas during the coming year. The equipment was painted red and silver and it seemed to attract more children. 18 saddle mates were installed in six small tot areas and the small
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REPORT OF THE PARK COMMISSION
children really enjoyed them. This equipment consisted of a heavy spring ce- mented into the ground with either a horse, donkey, camel or duck attached to it. 100 chair swings were repaired and painted; one hundred regular swing seats were repaired with new S hooks and rubber covers replaced. Warren A. Peirce gridiron was marked and rolled before every game and stadium was policed daily. Field hockey goals were erected and fields marked weekly; softball field was also maintained for the girls. Touch football fields at North Union, Summer and Robbins Farm were marked weekly during the fall season. Field hockey fields were also marked for the junior high schools. Baseball fields were marked, rolled and watered daily at Spy Pond, Summer, North Union, Robbins, Thorndike, Florence and Reservoir Fields; these fields were used by the high school, junior high schools, C.Y.O., A.Y.A., Cub Scouts, Little League, Town Softball League and semi-pro outfits. These areas were policed and grass mowed weekly, sometimes twice a week and play equipment was checked weekly by our main- tenance crew. Meadow Brook Park, Hills Pond, North Union wading pool, Waldo Road, Robbins Farm and Parallel Street were flooded and maintained for skating during the winter months. Tennis courts were maintained at Spy Pond Field, Crosby School and Ethel Wellington Playground on Grove Street. Picnic area at Menotomy Rocks Park was maintained.
RECREATION
Skating areas were maintained by the department at Meadow Brook Park and Hills Pond with floodlights operated during the evening hours. Small areas at North Union, Waldo Road, Parallel Street, Robbins Farm and Ethel Wellington tennis courts were maintained for skating by flooding and spray- ing. A total of 42 skating days were recorded.
A golf clinic was held for the 12th year which started on January 2, 1962 and continued for six weeks. John Thoren, golf pro at Myopia Country Club, conducted the course at the Junior High East. There were three one-hour lessons on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings; 130 registered for the course.
Sixteen teams competed in the 13th annual bowling league season. Two leagues of eight and six teams bowled on Tuesday and Thursday evenings for a period of twenty-two weeks. A banquet was held in Legion Hall at the end of the season when $900 in team and individual awards were presented the winners at no expense to the Town of Arlington.
The High School Basketball League organized with eight teams and played on Tuesday and Friday evenings at the Junior High West. Only boys in high school, and not representing a school team, were eligible for this league. Two rounds of play were scheduled and the first four teams entered an elimi- nation tournament to determine the championship. The winners were awarded small trophies by the department.
The Adult Basketball League had eight teams which played on Wednesday evenings for a ten week period at the Junior High West. This program gave young men between the ages of 18 and 25 an opportunity to get some exercise. There were four games each night; the league played one round and the first four teams played an elimination series to determine the champion of the Town. Any adult interested in playing basketball could join this supervised program.
Pee Wee Hockey League was organized for the 5th year with 125 sixth, seventh and eighth grade boys registering. The league was formed into eight teams with thirteen boys on each team. Games were played every Saturday from 7:00 to 9:30 A.M. at the M.D.C. Rink on Route 2. The season opened December 2 and ended March 17. This continues to be a popular program for young boys. Inter-city games were played with Melrose, Cambridge, Wakefield, Medford, Saugus and Stoneham. Arlington Pee Wees won the championship.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Badminton classes were held for adults every Tuesday evening in the new gym at the high school with 25 registering.
48 boys and girls registered at the Junior High West, and 42 boys and girls registered at the Junior High East, to learn ballroom dancing. These youngsters were taught the basic dance steps and proper etiquette. A fee of $2.00 for ten lessons was charged. Prizes were awarded and refresh- ments served at the final lesson.
Arts and Crafts classes for 5th and 6th grade girls were held on Satur- day mornings from November 2 through March 17 at the Hardy, Thompson, Dallin, Locke, Cutter and Peirce schools. This program included the teach- ing of folk dances, quiet games, story telling, making of holiday gifts, and as a special event a skating party at the M.D.C. Rink.
The Golden Age Club continues to be a popular and active organization. With the exception of the summer months, this group met the first and third Thursday of every month at Robbins Junior Library. Due to the large at- tendance at meetings, it was necessary to meet in a larger hall and starting in December, the club met in Friendship Hall, Pleasant Street Congrega- tional Church. Many trips were planned for the enjoyment of the Golden Agers: they were the guests of the Red Sox at several ball games; they at- tended the Flower Show and the Ice Capades; they took a foliage trip over the Mohawk Trail stopping for lunch at the Old Mill in Westminster; and enjoyed a trip to the Weirs in New Hampshire and a boat ride around Lake Winnepesaukee. Several members also went to Bermuda at a reduced rate arranged through the department.
One of our most successful programs was the Town Softball League which consisted of twenty teams. Two leagues were organized, one Class "A" and one Class "B". Each league played two rounds of play, then the first four teams played a 2 out of 3 series in an elimination series to deter- mine the league champion. Both league winners then played a series of 2 out of 3 games to determine the Town champion. A banquet was held at Legion Hall on October 27. Town officials were invited and awards pre- sented the winners with no expense to the Town.
A group of All-Stars were chosen from the two leagues and a game was played under the lights at Reservoir Field for the benefit of the Jimmy Fund. The proceeds of the game amounting to $118.00 was forwarded to the Ex- ecutive Director of the Jimmy Fund.
The Little League program was coordinated by this department and consisted of twelve teams with boys ranging from 8 to 12 years of age. There were three leagues: Northern, Southern and Western. Each league played 5 rounds of play and at the end of the season an elimination series was played to determine the Town championship. An All-Star team was chosen to play inter-city games in the district to decide local champions.
Schedules were drawn up for the Cub Scouts. 12 teams were organized into one league and they played during the month of May at the Brackett and Bishop schools, Cemetery Street playground, Spy Pond Field and Junior High West.
Reservoir Beach opened June 2 and closed on September 3. The beach was restricted to Arlington residents for the fourth year. Residents wishing to use beach facilities were required to register with the exception of young- sters under five years of age. A fee of 25 cents was charged for identifica- tion tag which allowed holder access to the beach during the entire summer. 4, 788 persons purchased these tags and $1,197 was turned over to the Town Treasurer. Average attendance was 400 and on hot days there was an es- timated attendance of 2,500.
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REPORT OF THE PARK COMMISSION
Red Cross swimming classes for young people were conducted by our lifeguards at 11:00 A.M. and 2:00 P.M., Monday through Friday. Classes averaged 70 in the morning and 125 in the afternoon. Children were as- signed to three groups: Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced. Red Cross Junior and Senior Lifesaving classes were conducted three days a week.
An active summer program was provided for Arlington children at seventeen supervised playgrounds and one swimming beach. The playground season opened June 20 and closed August 14. A variety of games, free play, arts and crafts, baseball, softball, archery, tennis, trips and special events, held the interest of the children.
Three baseball leagues were formed: Midget, Junior and Senior. Inter- playground games were played.
Leagues were also formed for ping pong, horseshoes and softball.
Tennis lessons were provided by competent instructors representing the New England Lawn Tennis Association. Lessons were held each morn- ing at the Crosby School and Ethel Wellington tennis courts from 9:30 A.M. to 12:00 Noon. 120 youngsters from 8 to 16 years of age registered. We believe this program was worthwhile and hope to again engage these instruc- tors and to continue the instruction of tennis.
Archery matches were held with Weymouth and Belmont Day Camp.
Children enjoy special events and we tried to hold one each week. 600 children enjoyed a day at Pleasure Island; a large group attended the Magic Circle Theater at Tufts University; 500 boys and girls attended the annual Red Sox baseball game; 1,800 attended the annual Weenie Roast held at Menotomy Rocks Park where hot dogs, Coca Cola and ice cream, were dis- tributed to the children through the courtesy of the American Legion and the Arlington Lodge of Elks; amateur acts performed by the children from the various playground showed a great deal of talent.
Jimmy Fund: The playground children solicited funds in their neigh- borhood and cake sales, puppet shows, dances and auctions were held at the various playgrounds which enabled them to contribute $250.00 to this fund. The children took the initiative in this worthwhile program and no one was pressured in donating. This money was presented to the Police Chiefs Association.
The Final Day Parade was held on August 15 with youngsters from seventeen playgrounds marching from the Robbins Library to Warren A. Peirce Field to music by St. Agnes Band and the Immaculate Conception Band from Everett. Costumes, decorated doll carriages, bicycles and prize winning floats were viewed with pride by those who watch this yearly event, sponsored by the Boys' Club Associates.
At Warren A. Peirce Field awards were presented to the winners of the various contests: champions in archery, ping pong, horseshoes, baseball, softball, tennis. Several outstanding amateur acts were also presented awards by Town Manager Edward C. Monahan, Selectmen Philbert L. Pelle- grini, and Park Commissioner J. Fred McGann.
200 permits to use facilities at Menotomy Rocks Park were issued to Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, church and family groups. Approxi- mately 150,000 persons used this area during the course of the year for picnics, fishing, ice skating and summer playground program.
86 softball and baseball teams were issued permits to use our fields and permits were also issued to basketball teams to use school gymnasiums.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Flag football was added to our recreation program for the first time this year and it aroused considerable interest. The School and Park de- partments co-sponsored this program. Some two hundred 5th and 6th grade boys responded to the first call. The program was initiated with two weeks of organization, orientation and a preseason practice period. Six teams were organized with 24 youngsters allowed on each roster and each boy was allowed to play in every game. A five game round robin schedule was adopted; gridirons were marked out and officials assigned to each game. All games were played under school rules. Unfortunately, the inclement weather in November did not permit completion of the schedule, but the boys were most enthusiastic about the game and we expect bigger and better things in 1963.
Flag football is a form of touch football in which advance of the ball is stopped by removal of a protruding colored flag from the person of the ball carrier.
The Board of Park Commissioners are sincerely appreciative of the co-operation and assistance rendered by Town officials and employees of the department.
Very truly yours,
J. Fred McGann, Chairman John W. Walsh, 3d Edward D. Buckley
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF CUSTODIANS & MAINTENANCE 177
Supervisor of Custodians and Maintenance
January 11, 1963
Mr. Edward C. Monahan Town Manager
Town of Arlington, Mass.
Dear Mr. Monahan:
I, herewith, submit my report as Supervisor of Maintenance and Cus- todians for the year ending December 31, 1962.
Specifications for various types of repairs, alterations, and replace- ments to various Town Owned Buildings for contract work, including fuel, etc., were prepared by this Department and submitted to the Purchasing Agent to obtain competitive bids. After bids were awarded, this Department supervised and inspected all work and materials as the work progressed.
The following consists of some of the various types of projects com- pleted by Contractors and the Building Maintenance Department during the year:
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Overhauled and rebuilt the compensator for the large heat fan in the "A" building Fan Room.
Constructed a tool stock room in the Electronics Room. This work consisted of cutting an opening between the Electronics Room and the Ma- chine Shop and installing a door frame, relocating conduits and thermostat, and building shelving for tool storage. In the Machine Shop changes were made in the lighting and power circuits for the new machines installed. The construction work was done by the Building Maintenance Department.
Constructed a 6'x14'x9' Dark Room within the Print Shop area. In- cluded in this work was a base cabinet 14' long with locked doors, installa- tion of a stainless steel sink and exhaust fan, painting the room, including painting the entire Print Shop. The greater part of this work was done by the Building Maintenance Department.
Checked over the entire clock system in the "A" and "B" sections of the building and made corrections to the wall clocks where possible. The clocks in these two sections of the building are of two different manufac- turers, operating on a different voltage than the new system in the new sec- tion of the building. These clocks, including the wiring, should be replaced with units to match the units in the new section as soon as possible.
Wired and installed (3) new Fluorescent light fixtures in the old office and front entrance to the "A" building.
Prepared and painted the entire following areas: Classrooms 3-4-4A- 4B-5, Eye Clinic, entrances to Boys' and Girls' Sanitaries, Offices A and B second floor, first, second and third floor corridors in the "A" section of the building.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Wired and installed (48) new Fluorescent light fixtures in the first, second, third and fourth floor corridors in the "A" section of the building.
Installed Class "A" incombustible Mineral Suspended Acoustical Tile Ceilings in the following areas: Classrooms 4-5-15A-15B-25A-25B, Offices A and B, Room V5 and V4, entire first, second and third floor corridors. This work also involved the removing and replacing of the light fixtures during the installation of the ceilings.
Replaced the wood counter tops on two serving tables in the Cafeteria with two stainless steel tops 5'-3"x10'-1".
Wired and installed a new circuit and (18) receptacles for the electric typewriters in Room 85.
Installed new bearings in the motors of (2) induced draft fans and over- hauled the electridum units on both fans in Boiler Room "B".
Wired and installed a new circuit into Room 36 for the new equipment and installed (20) duplex outlets on the new laboratory tables.
Refinished the entire floor area of the Girls' Gym in the "A" section of the building and painted in lines for the basketball court and (2) badminton courts.
Relocated thermostats in Room V2 and replaced thermostats in Room D and Room 56.
Wired and installed a new circuit in the Cafeteria for (4) milk coolers and (1) ice cream freezer.
Covered steam and return lines within reach of the students with 6-oz. canvas jacket pasted over insulation in the Print Shop, General Shop and Room 48.
Replaced (28) flush valves in the Boys' and Girls' Sanitaries in the "B" section of the building. This work was done by the Building Maintenance Department.
Constructed a large wood cabinet along the west wall of Room V5. This cabinet will be used for storing and displaying various automotive parts. This work was done by the Building Maintenance Department.
Replaced (15) window shades in various rooms.
Sections of cold water piping were replaced by the Building Maintenance Department in the "B" building Boiler Room.
Located and repaired leaks in the roof area over the Study Hall in the "A" section of the building.
JUNIOR HIGH EAST SCHOOL
Extended the ventilation duct from the Boys' Shower Room into the ad- joining sanitary to improve the ventilation in the sanitary area.
All windows in the entire building were checked over and repairs and replacements were made where needed, including reglazing and painting the inside of the windows. This work was done by the Building Maintenance Department prior to the painting of the exterior of the building which was done by contract.
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF CUSTODIANS & MAINTENANCE 179
Located and repaired leaks in the roof area of the Gym and Auditorium, repaired leaks in gutters and base flashings.
Prepared and painted the entire exterior sections of the building.
Replaced the stair-tread covering on (2) flights of stairs from the base- ment level to the second floor and installed 3/16" Grease-proof floor tile in the Cooking Room #5.
Made repairs and replacements to the brickwork in Boiler #2 combus- tion chamber.
Divided Room 25 into two areas to be used as a Library and Guidance Offices. This work consisted of the installation of movable metal frame partitions, electric wiring and painting. The painting was done by the Build- ing Maintenance Department.
Wired and installed outlets on each floor for use of cleaning and polish- ing equipment.
The Building Maintenance Department replaced three pair of exterior doors on the Tufts Street side of the building.
Replaced (15) window shades.
JUNIOR HIGH WEST SCHOOL
The following room areas were prepared and painted by the Building Maintenance Department: Classrooms A-B-C-D-3-4-5-10-11-25-26, Prin- cipal's Office, Clerk's Office, Printing Room, Photo Room, Guidance Office, Music Room, Multipurpose Room, Custodians' Room, and corridor to Gym.
Located and repaired leaks in the steam return lines in the Gym section of the Building. Work was done by the Building Maintenance Department.
Constructed a partition in the former Assist. Principal's Office, dividing the area into two offices and wired and installed (4) new Fluorescent Light Fixtures in the area.
Located and repaired leaks in two large unit heaters in the Gym section of the building.
Wired and installed a 20-amp. circuit with outlets for the vacuum clean- ing unit in stairway "A" and "B".
Located and repaired roof leaks over Room #30 and #31.
Made general repairs and replacements to the folding bleachers in the Gym. Work was done by the Building Maintenance Department.
Replaced (4) I.B.M. wall clocks with (4) Simplex Impulse Surface Clocks.
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