USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1956-1960 > Part 1
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ACTON MEMORIAL LIBRARY 3 2211 00099 0007
For Reference
Not to be taken from this room
REFERENCE BOOK ACTON MEMORIAL LIBRARY ACTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01720
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2013
http://archive.org/details/annualreportstow19561960acto
ANNUAL REPORTS Town of Het
MASSACHUSETTS 1956
Jum Park 57
TOWN BOUNDARIES MEASURED FROM HISTORIC LANDMARK
How were boundary lines determined in the infant days of New England town development? It was the custom for joint committees from adjacent towns to meet at a convenient date, pace off the line on foot, and agree as to its proper location. For example, it is recorded that on April 30, 1741 Amos Brown and William Farr of Stow met John Brooks and Simon Hunt of Acton to walk the bounds. Large stones were often used as markers at the appropriate corners. If a stone were perchance removed - and this actually happened - a controversy would inevitably result.
Modern surveying methods are perhaps more complex, more accurate, but the function is the same. Even today boundary disputes may exist. Apparently a discrepancy in Acton of several thousand acres still calls for a satisfactory explanation.
The history of the church on the cover of this report is important in the light of the town's founding and development. The town of Acton was incorporated on July 21, 1735. It was then bounded by Sudbury, Concord, Billerica, Chelmsford, Westford, Littleton, and Stow, which then included Boxborough. It included the larger part of the unsettled land which was granted to Concord in 1665-7 and known as "The New Grants." It also included the Wheeler farms. It was bounded on the north by Indian lands known as "Nashoba," afterwards included in the town of Littleton.
No new town could be granted an act of incorporation by the General Court unless its citizens agreed to erect, within a specified time, a proper meeting house for public worship. The building of Acton's first Meeting House was begun in 1738 and fully completed in 1747 - with sixteen pews owned by proprietors.
The second Meeting House stood on the site of the present Town House. It was completed and first used in 1808, deeded to the town in 1859, and later destroyed by fire in 1862.
The third Meeting House was built in 1833 on the site of the present Evangelical Congregational Church building. In its original form this edifice was of the typical New England type with a spire and two entrance doors. The present church was erected here in 1847.
And according to the official records of 1904, it was from the weather vane of this historic church that a survey was conducted to determine the present town boundaries.
565-602
ANNUAL REPORTS
ORATED -
1735.
.ACTON
Geneal Coll 974.44 A188 c.2
Town of Acton MASSACHUSETTS
FOR ITS TWO HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIRST MUNICIPAL YEAR
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER THIRTY-FIRST
1956
MURPHY & SNYDER, INC. · MAYNARD, MASS.
YAASIBIJ JALONSM MOTOR
HOABEAM MOTOA
Dedication
We dedicate this Town Report to the memory of Michael Foley, Police Chief of the Town of Acton. Chief Foley faithfully carried out the duties of Police Chief of the Town of Acton Police Department for 30 years. He joined the Acton Police Depart- ment in 1923 and was named acting chief in 1927. In 1932 the Board of Selectmen appointed him the first permanent full-time Police Chief of the Town of Acton and in the year 1938 the office of Police Chief was placed under Civil Service.
Chief Foley was a veteran of World War I. He served in Europe with the 305th Field Artillery, Battalion D of the 77th Division, which had an out- standing record. He was honorably discharged May 9, 1919. He was a member of the Edwards- Quimby Post No. 284, American Legion of Acton, Massachusetts.
Chief Foley was known and called "Mike" by everybody who knew him or came in contact with him. Mike had a natural way of understanding the people of the Town, he knew when to be tough and he knew when to lend a helping hand when he could. He was always ready and willing to help any worthy cause that would benefit the people of the Town. Mike will always be remem- bered by that wave of the hand and that happy smile of his.
Chief Foley, a life-long resident of Acton, gave so freely of himself, his time and his abilities to the Town and its people that we deeply feel the loss and shall long remember him.
REFERENCE BOOK ACTON MEMORIAL LIBRARY ACTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01720
2
In Memoriam
1923 - 1957
MICHAEL FOLEY
Chief of Police Acton Police Department
3
HISTORY OF TUTTLE FAMILY AS TOWN CLERKS
The resignation of Harlan E. Tuttle as Town Clerk effective January 1, 1957, focusses attention on the continuity of the services of members of the Tuttle family in this position dur- ing a span of 101 years.
William D. Tuttle served as Town Clerk for 41 years, from 1855 to 1896. He was succeeded by his son, the late Horace F. Tuttle, who served for 45 years from 1896 to 1941. He also served during a portion of this period as State Repre- sentative. He, in turn, was succeeded by his son, Harlan E. Tuttle, who served for 15 years, until his retirement January 1, 1957.
Successful town government is dependent to a large extent on the willingness of the citizens to contribute "beyond the call of duty" in time and energy. The Town of Acton has been fortunate in such contribution by the Tuttle family dur- ing a period of more than one hundred continuous years. The Tuttle Tradition stands as a guiding light to others who might lend their time and energies for the betterment of the Town of Acton.
ARCHIVES COMMITTEE
4
PUBLIC SERVICE - A TUTTLE TRADITION
WILLIAM D. TUTTLE
HORACE F. TUTTLE
HARLAN E. TUTTLE
5
SELECTMEN'S REPORT
To the Citizens of the Town of Acton:
The year 1956 has shown a continuation of the growth of the Town, bringing with it a decided increase in the services rendered by the Town. While the demand for new school facilities must be met, we cannot forget that the same growth pattern is reflected in the demands on our Highway, Fire and Police services.
In the fall of this year, circumstances occurred that made us feel that the appointment of another police officer was important to the safety and protection of the Town. This was immediately done and Patrolman Collins was advanced to Provisional Sergeant. With the subsequent illness and death of Chief Michael Foley, a blow which not only sad- dened this Town but his many friends in neighboring com- munities, your Board had to face the realization that we must have around the clock coverage and no longer could we have radio and telephone communications in a private home. In order to complete the schedule two additional of- ficers were needed. We plan to send an officer to the State Police School again this year. Sergeant Collins' experience there has proved to us the great advantages to the operation of an efficient Police Department. Appointing a man to the task of protecting nearly 5,000 people and roughly seven million dollars of property without some plan of training seems unwise.
We feel that it should be brought to the attention of the Town the work of the late Chief Foley in compiling the Town By-Laws, soon to be brought up to date and published. The amount of labor expended in this project will be in- valuable to the Town in the years to come.
The additional roads being accepted by the Town and the severe winter (up to this point) has put considerable strain on the Highway Department. We cannot help but feel that Mr. Rice has made great strides in the efficiency of this de- partment under conditions that are much less than favorable.
Chief MacGregor has completed his first year as head of the Fire Department on a full-time basis, with noticeable results in the operation of that department. We hope the townspeople will seriously study the proposals for the Fire Department in the Warrant this year and make a decision that will benefit the Town.
6
With the rapid growth of our Town, it has been the desire of the Board of Selectmen for some time to bring within the Town Hall as many of the various Town Offices as possible. It is without question that our Town Govern- ment is of a magnitude that demands it be all under one roof - The Town Hall.
The resignation in early December of Harlan E. Tuttle, Town Clerk, to take effect January 1, 1957, was accepted with regret. Therefore, with this resignation, we immediately made plans to move the Town Clerk's office to the Town Hall. Charles M. MacRae, present Town Collector, was then given a temporary appointment to fill this position. Mr. Tuttle's help to the temporary Clerk and to the Selectmen during this whole period and even up to now, has been of tremendous value during a difficult time. While this transition was tak- ing place, the Board felt a pooling of clerical employees of the Town would make maximum use of present personnel and add to the overall efficiency while affording a saving.
At the Special Town Meeting held in October, the Town voted for the appointment of a Town Report Committee. The Board wishes to note its special appreciation of the work of E. Clayton Steeves and his fellow committee members, Richard A. Bodge and John H. Loring, in connection with the preparation of the Annual Town Report and Thomas M. Park for the art work on the cover.
At this same meeting, an Archives Committee was voted and this group began to look into the records past and pres- ent with an eye toward remedying a serious problem regard- ing Town Records.
We have inserted articles in the Annual Town Meeting Warrant for the appointment of two committees; namely, an Industrial Development Committee and a Personnel Board. We would recommend favorable action on these articles.
We are most grateful to Mr. Borge Moller and a donor, who prefers to remain anonymous, for the work of repairing the Town Clock and its striking mechanism at no cost to the Town.
Our sincere gratitude must be expressed to the men and women who take on the tasks appointed to them by the Selectmen. These public spirited citizens give freely of
7
their time and energies for the good of the Town with com- pensation only in a job well done.
To the several Boards of the Town, department heads and employees, who have been of immeasurable help in conduct- ing the affairs of Town Government, our sincere thanks.
Respectfully submitted,
LEO C. CUNNINGHAM, FREDERICK W. ABBT, CHARLES D. MacPHERSON, Board of Selectmen.
8
TOWN OFFICERS
Moderator Albert P. Durkee
Selectmen
Frederick W. Abbt
Term Expires 1957
Charles D. MacPherson Term Expires 1958
Leo C. Cunningham
Term expires 1959
Town Clerk Town Treasurer
Harlan E. Tuttle
William Henry Soar
Assessors
James W. Baker Carl C. Flint
Term Expires 1957
Term Expires 1958
Albert P. Durkee Term Expires 1959
Town Collector
Tree Warden
Charles M. MacRae
Franklin H. Charter
Board of Public Welfare
Lossie E. Laird
Term Expires 1957
A. Perry Marble Term Expires 1958 *Walter B. Stevens Term Expires 1959 ** Clinton S. Curtis
Resigned Elected to replace
Cemetery Commissioners
Ray L. Harris Howard F. Jones .Term Expires 1958
Term Expires 1957
Harry E. Holt .Term Expires 1959
Constables
T. Frederick S. Kennedy Michael Foley
Edward J. Collins
9
School Committee
Edmond J. McNiff
Term Expires 1957
Dana B. Hinckley
Term Expires 1957
George E. Neagle
Term Expires 1958
*Frank R. Stevens Term Expires 1958
Thomas E. Wetherbee
Term Expires 1959
Evelyn N. MacLean
Term Expires 1959
** Lloyd E. Williamson
* Resigned Elected to replace Trustees of Memorial Library
Florence A. Merriam
.Term Expires 1957
Frederick T. Heyliger
Term Expires 1958
Vesta B. Thompson
Term Expires 1959
Board of Health
Martin J. Duggan
Term Expires 1957
O. Lawrence Clark Term Expires 1958
Herbert L. Leusher Term Expires 1959
Trustees of Elizabeth White Fund
Thelma M. Blood
.Term Expires 1957
Helen B. Wood
Term Expires 1958
*Clara L. Sawyer
Term Expires 1959
*Hazel P. Vose
Deceased
Elected to replace
Trustees of West Acton Firemen's Relief Fund
H. Stuart MacGregor
Term Expires 1957
James B. Wilson Term Expires 1958
Arno H. Perkins Term Expires 1959
Trustees of Acton Firemen's Relief Fund
Clarence Frost
Term Expires 1957
Herbert W. Merriam Term Expires 1958
Frederick T. Kennedy Term Expires 1959
Trustees of Goodnow Fund
Roy H. Linscott
Term Expires 1957
Thelma L. Boatman Term Expires 1958
Frank E. Greenough Term Expires 1959
10
Please bring this copy to the Town Meeting on November 4 1957
THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Middlesex, ss.
DON
FACTON.
To either of the Constables of the Town of Acton, in said County, Greetings:
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby directed to notify the legal voters of said Town of Acton, qualified to vote at town meetings for the transaction of town affairs, to meet at the Blanchard Audi- torium, in said Acton, on MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1957, at 8:00 o'clock P. M.
Then and there to act on the following articles :-
Article 1. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Protective Zoning By-Law of the Town of Acton by rezoning from residential to business the property at 39 Main Street, South Acton, owned by Fraser Laffin, said property fronts approximately 487 feet along the easterly side of Main Street with an approximate depth of 400 feet, or take any other action relative thereto.
Article 2. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Protective Zoning By-Law of the Town of Acton by rezoning from residential to industrial the property between Route #27 in South Acton and the Boston and Maine right of way, said property being in the form of a triangle starting at the Maynard-Acton line, running northerly along Route #27 for approximately 1,250 feet, then southwesterly approximately 200 feet, then approximately 950 feet along the Boston and Maine right of way to the Maynard-Acton line, said property owned by Earle W. Tuttle, or take any other action relative thereto.
Article 3. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Protective Zoning By-Law of the Town of Acton by rezoning from residential to business, a piece of property at the northwesterly corner of Main Street and Massachusetts Avenue in West Acton, such property comprising approxi- mately 13/4 acres and known as 425 Massachusetts Avenue, said property owned by William L. Kelley, or take any other action relative thereto.
Article 4. To see if the Town will vote to amend Section I of the Protective Zoning By-Law of the Town of Acton by striking out the first paragraph and inserting in place thereof the following paragraphs, or take any other action relative thereto.
Nothing in this By-Law shall prohibit the continued lawful use of land or buildings in the same or similar manner in which they were used at the time of the adoption of this By-Law, but if any non-conforming use shall be discontinued for a period of more than five years, it may not be resumed except by a permit granted by the Board of Appeals.
The Board of Appeals may permit any non-conform- ing use to be changed to a specified use not more detri- mental or more objectionable to a neighborhood.
Article 5. To see if the Town will vote to accept as a Town Way the road, the Plan of which has been filed in the office of the Town Clerk, said Plan showing a road forty (40) feet in width and a twenty-four (24) foot or more travelled way extending in a westerly direction from Central Street a distance of approximately twenty-two hundred (2200) feet, said road to be known as Nash Road, and said road to be maintained by the developer for a period of one year after acceptance, or take any other action relative thereto.
Article 6. To see if the Town will vote to accept as a Town Way the road, the Plan of which has been filed in the office of the Town Clerk, said Plan showing a road forty (40) feet in width and a twenty-four (24) foot or more travelled way extending in a westerly direction from Central Street a distance of approximately three hundred thirty (330) feet, said road to be known as Downey Road, and said road to be maintained by the developer for a period of one year after acceptance, or take any other action relative thereto.
Article 7. To see if the Town will vote to accept as a Town Way the road, the Plan of which has been filed in the office of the Town Clerk, said Plan showing a road forty (40) feet in width and a twenty-four (24) foot or more travelled way extending in a southwesterly direction from Robbins Street to a temporary turnaround directly in front of Lot #27, a distance of approximately thirteen hundred fifty (1350) feet, said road to be known as Billings Street, and said road to be maintained by the developer for a period of one year after acceptance, or take any other action rela- tive thereto.
Article 8. To see if the Town will vote to accept as a Town Way the road, the Plan of which has been filed in the office of the Town Clerk, said Plan showing a road forty (40) feet in width and a twenty-four (24) foot or more travelled way extending in a westerly direction from the point where it now ends to the westerly line of Lot #10 and Lot #42 to a temporary turnaround a distance of approximately six hundred (600) feet, said road to be known as Robbins Street, and said road to be maintained by the developer for a period of one year after acceptance, or take any other action relative thereto.
Article 9. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Building By-Law of the Town of Acton by striking out the existing paragraphs under Section 10 and substituting the following paragraphs, or take any other action relative thereto.
Sec. 10. Chimneys and Fireplaces.
A. Chimneys: All chimneys hereafter erected shall be supported on foundations of masonry or reinforced concrete or other non combus- tible material having a fire resistance rating of not less than 3 hours.
1. Construction: All chimneys are to be con- structed of brick, solid masonry units or of reinforced concrete. Chimneys in dwel- lings, chimneys for domestic type low heat appliances, and chimneys for building heat- ing equipment for heating a total volume of occupied space not to exceed 25,000 cubic feet shall have walls not less than 4 inches thick. In other buildings and for other low heat appliances the thickness of chimney walls shall be no less than 8
inches, except that rubble stone masonry shall be not less than 12 inches thick.
2. Corbeling: No chimney shall be corbeled from a wall more than 6 inches. Corbelling shall not exceed one inch projection for each course of brick projected.
3. Change in size or shape of chimney: No change in the size or shape of a chimney, where the chimney passes through the roof, shall be made within a distance of 6 inches above or below the roof joists or rafters. All wooden false chimneys built above the roof shall be covered with wire lathe and not less than 1 inch of fireproof cement plaster and in addition the chimney enclosed in this false construction shall be plastered in the same manner.
4. Liners: Masonry chimneys for low heat appliances shall be lined with approved fire clay flue liners not less than 5/8 of an inch thick, or with other approved liner of material that will resist without softening or cracking at temperature of 1,800° Fahrenheit. Fire clay flue liners shall be installed ahead of the construction of the chimney, as it is carried up, carefully bedded one on the other in mortar, or fire clay mortar, with close fitting joints left smooth on the inside. In masonry chimneys with walls less than 8 inches thick, liners shall be separate from the chimney wall and the space between the liner and ma- sonry shall not be filled; with only enough mortar used to make a good joint and hold the liners in position. Flue liners shall start from a point not less than 8 inches below the intake or, in case of fireplaces, from the throat of the fireplace. They shall extend, as nearly vertical as possible, for the entire height of the chimney.
5. Height: Chimneys for low heat appliances shall extend at least 24 inches above the ridge and shall extend at least 3 feet above the roof at the highest point of contact, and at least 2 feet higher than any portion of the building within 10 feet of chimney.
6. Framing around Chimneys and Fireplaces : All wood beams, joists and studs shall be
trimmed away from chimneys and fire- places. Headers supporting trimmer arches at fireplaces shall be not less than 16 inches from the face of the chimney breast. Trimmers shall be not less than 6 inches from the inside face of the nearest flue lining.
7. Fire Stopping: All spaces between chim- neys and wood joists, beams or headers shall be firestopped by placing noncom- bustible material to a depth of one inch at the bottom of such spaces.
8. Flues and Smoke Pipes:
a. Where two or more oil burners are in- stalled to use the same chimney the smoke pipes of each are to first enter a manifold large enough to accommodate all heaters, the manifold in turn enters the chimney. Except that a vent from a gas heated appliance must enter the chimney at a point above other flues.
b. Where two or more flue liners adjoin each other in the same chimney with only flue lining separation between them, the joints of the adjacent flue linings shall be staggered at least 7 inches.
c. No earthenware pipe shall be used for horizontal flues. No woodwork shall be placed at a less distance than 6 inches from any smoke pipe or metal flue unless protected with approved fire proofing material.
d. No smoke pipe shall pass through a stud or wooden partition whether plas- tered or not unless protected by a suit- able metal collar with holes for ventila- tion.
e. All inside chimneys hereafter erected shall be provided with a cleanout open- ing fitted with metal doors and frames arranged to remain tightly closed when not in use.
9. Commercial and Industrial Type Inciner- ators: A clearance of not less than 4 inches shall be provided between the ex- terior surface of chimneys and any com- bustible material for commercial and industrial type incinerators.
B. Fireplaces:
1. Construction :
a. Fireplaces shall be constructed of solid masonry or of reinforced concrete with back and sides of the thickness specified in this paragraph. Where a lining of fire brick at least 2 inches thick or other approved lining is provided, the total thickness of back and sides including the lining shall be not less than 8 inches. Where no such lining is provided, the thickness of back and sides shall be not less than 12 inches.
b. Factory-built fireplaces that are approved by the National Board of Fire Under- writers as a result of tests by a recog- nized laboratory need not conform to the above paragraph (a) provided they are installed in accordance with the con- ditions of the approval.
c. Fireplace hearth extensions shall be pro- vided of approved noncombustible ma- terial for all fireplaces. Where the fire- place opening is less than 6 square feet ; the hearth extension shall extend at least 16 inches in front of, and at least 8 inches beyond each side of the fire- place opening. Where the fireplace open- ing is 6 square feet or larger, the hearth extension shall extend at least 18 inches in front of, and at least 12 inches beyond each side of the fireplace opening. Where a fireplace is elevated above or over- hangs a floor the hearth extension shall also extend over the area under the fireplace.
d. Fireplaces constructed of masonry or reinforced concrete shall have hearth extension of brick, concrete, stone, tile or other approved noncombustible ma- terial properly supported and with no combustible material against the under- side thereof. Wooden forms or crickets used during the construction of hearth and hearth extension shall be removed when the construction is completed.
2. Woodwork:
a. No woodwork shall be placed within 4 inches of the back face of a fireplace; nor shall combustible lathing, furring or plaster grounds be placed against a chimney at any point more than 33/4, inches from the corner of the chimney; but this shall not prevent plastering directly on the masonry or on metal lath and metal furring; nor shall it prevent placing chimneys for low heat appliances entirely on the exterior of a building against the sheathing.
b. The clearance between woodwork and a factory-built fireplace approved by the National Board of Fire Underwriters as a result of tests by a recognized labora- tory need not comply with Section 10, Paragraph B, 1 a. of this By-Law pro- vided the factory-built fireplace is in- stalled in accordance with the conditions of approval.
c. No woodwork shall be placed within 6 inches of a fireplace opening and wood- work above and projecting more than 11/2 inches from a fireplace opening shall not be placed less than 12 inches from the top of a fireplace opening.
d. All spaces back of combustible mantels shall be filled with noncombustible ma- terial.
3. Firestopping: All spaces between fireplaces of masonry or reinforced concrete and wood joists, beams or headers shall be firestopped by placing noncombustible material to a depth of 1 inch at the bottom of such spaces.
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