USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wayland > Official reports of the town of Wayland 1951-1953 > Part 33
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The men of the Department have been highly enthusiastic over these two new pieces of equipment and the morale of the group has been boosted immensely.
There has been only one large fire since the new trucks went into service: This was the cow barn at the Watertown Dairy. The new pumpers operated hour after hour, providing many effective, hard-hitting streams of water.
In April a severe ice storm hit this area, coating the utility wires, as well as the fire alarm system, with a tremendous amount of ice. In many places our fire alarm wires were stretched down to the ground by the
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burden, and in many spots the wires were broken. Members of the Depart- ment filled in at both Fire Stations until temporary repairs were made and until the air whistles were again in operation. The permanent repairs to the alarm system, in labor and materials, costing about $450, depleted our fire alarm budget considerably.
After the spring grass fire season, when the fire calls lessened, the men of the Cochituate Station turned their attention to fixing up a small pumping unit for woodland use, where the larger fire trucks could not be driven. A war surplus engine and pumps were mounted on a Buick chassis with a suitable hose compartment. Much credit is due to the men who gave so freely of their time in constructing this vehicle.
In the late spring, when the change of time gave more daylight hours in the evenings, joint drills were held each week, with the Cochitu- ate, Wayland and Weston companies attending. These evenings gave the personnel of all three companies the opportunity to meet, and to work out together problems of proper fire-fighting procedure.
During the month of June the new fire station on Main Street was nearing completion. And on July first the contractor turned over the keys of this new building to the Board of Engineers. That same evening the firemen, eager in anticipation of becoming established in their new quarters, made a ceremony of removing the fire trucks from the old Har- rison Street station and padlocking the door. They then proceeded, with some flourish, to the new station, where they further celebrated, with light refreshments, this important event.
On July 9th, in a matter of hours after the devastating Worcester tornado hit, a call was broadcast for aid from outlying towns for police, firemen and other rescue agencies. The Board of Engineers is proud to report that it was able to help by sending the service truck from the Cochituate Station for five nights until the emergency was over. Two firemen accompanied the truck each night and served without pay from dusk until dawn.
In September our part in the mutual aid fire circuit from Wayland to Weston was finished and placed in operation. In addition, four new boxes were added to the alarm system to serve the area of Happy Hollow and Pequot Roads and Rice Spring, Goodman and Juniper Lanes.
On Sunday afternoon, the twenty-seventh of September, sudden mis- fortune struck the home of Mr. John Wales on Edgewood Road. A gas explosion had severely burned a member of his family, and had torn his
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house apart, rendering the structure unsafe and totally useless. A minor fire ensued which was quickly extinguished. Then the Department shored up the dangerous sections of the house and roped off the entire area in an attempt to keep out unauthorized persons and to protect the public from possible injury from collapsing timbers
The sprinkler system at the High School was tied in electrically tu the fire alarm system this year. This completes this phase of fire alarm construction, for now the sprinkler systems of all three schools are con- nected to the fire alarm. The purpose of these connections is immediate notification to the fire department should a sprinkler head start delivering water either in case of fire, or of mechanical injury.
In November two children were drowned in Farm Pond in Framing- ham. Wayland was in a position to help this mutual aid problem by sending two boats fully equipped for dragging operations. A detail of men was sent from each station to operate the equipment and they stayed at the scene until the bodies were recoverd.
Th officials of the Telephone Company have advised us that by the spring of 1954 the dial telephones will be in operation, in both precincts This means a radical change in the handling of fire calls by telephone, in that we no longer can enjoy the friendly cooperation of the Wayland operators, who have served faithfully for so many years.
While it would be easy to take their services for granted, for we always have relied on them, we feel it is appropriate at this time, when we witness the passing of another era, to express the gratitude felt by everyone for their heroic handling of emergency calls of all kinds.
A list of all existing fire alarm boxes is published in this report. The Board of Engineers suggests that each citizen of Wayland check this list of boxes, in order to become familiar with the number and location of the box nearest his respective home. It is further suggested that fire alarm boxes be used in preference to the telephone, not only during the telephone changeover, but at all times in case of fire. It is by far the most positive means of summoning the fire department, defining the location of the call as clearly as possible.
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LOCATION OF FIRE ALARM BOXES Wayland and Cochituate
12 Pemberton Road near Harrison Street
13 Pemberton Road and Shawmut Avenue
132 Public Bathing Beach, Lake Cochituate
14 Harrison Street
15 Cochituate Grammar School, Main Street
17 Engine House, Cochituate
23 Commonwealth Road West at Pemberton Road
24 Commonwealth Road at Main Street
25 West Plain Street at Mitchell Street
26 West Plain Street at Castle Gate South
261 Edgewood Road
27 Commonwealth Road East at Oak Street
271 Oak Street at Timber Lane
272 Timber Lane at Eden Road
31 East Plain Street at Pollock Road
32 Commonwealth Road East near French Avenue
33 Loker Street at Thompson Street
34 Main Street at East Plain Street
36 Commonwealth Road East and East Plain Street
37 Peck Avenue at School Street
38 Old Connecticut Path at West Plain Street
381 Park Lane off Maiden Lane
41 Lake Shore Drive at Beech Street
412 Sycamore Road at Hemlock Road
413 Lake Shore Drive
416 Old Connecticut Path at Pine Ridge Road
42 Pine Ridge Road
43 Main Street at Pond Drive
431 Lakeview Road
45 Main Street at Dudley Road
451 Dudley Road at Crest Road
453 Dudley Road
471 Cochituate Road near Fiske Corner
52 State Road at Cochituate Road
521 Wayland High School off Cochituate Road
53 Wayland Grammar School, Cochituate Road
541 Cochituate Road at Woodridge Road
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61 Engine House, Wayland
612 Millbrook Road at Nob Hill Road
613 Corner Glen Street and Plain Road
621 Corner Clay Pit Hill Road and Plain Road
63 Corner Draper Road and Plain Road
64 Corner Bennett Road and State Road East
642 Corner Spring Hill Road and State Road East
66 Corner Rich Valley Road and State Road East
664 Junction of Old Connecticut Path and State Road East
67 State Road at St. Ann's Church
671 State Road West near Railroad Crossing
Special Signals
2 All Out
1 Daily Test at 6 P. M.
3-3-3 Military Call
4-4-4 Boy Scouts
77 All Call Firemen to Report to Their Stations
Out of Town Signals
512 Framingham
513 Lincoln
514 Natick
515 Sudbury
516 Weston
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We are aware that certain areas of town are not yet covered in this respect. But the lines of the fire alarm system have been, and will con- tinue to be extended as rapidly as Town finances permit.
When dial conversion is completed a letter will be sent immediately to all citizens, informing them of the new telephone fire alarm coverage, the new telephone numbers to be used, and any other needed information pertinent to the fire department.
In accordance with the provisions of G. L. Chapter 148, the oil storage and oil burner inspections, which have been in progress for the past five years, have continued this year.
Oil dealers have been notified not to put oil into any storage tank unless an inspection slip is posted near the tank.
During 1953 471 oil storage inspections have been made, and where the oil equipment was found to be in order a permit was issued. 36 in- stallations have been found defective, and permits denied until repairs were made by the owner. Fees collected from new oil burner permits for 1953 have amounted to: $53.50 and have been turned over to the Town.
At this time the Board of Engineers would like to extend its thanks and appreciation to the men of the Department for their loyalty and cooperation, with special mention to the men who volunteered for duty after the Worcester tornado; to our neighboring towns of Natick, Weston, Framingham, Sudbury and Lincoln for their mutual aid services; to the local Red Cross Canteen service, which has brought refreshments to the men at the fire lines in all kinds of weather, whenever a fire was of lengthy duration; to the local and neighboring police and to the State and Conservation Police Departments for their aid in apprehending individuals who had set wood-fires and turned in false alarms; and to citizens who from time to time have helped at the scene of a fire.
Respectfully submitted,
F. CLIFTON HAYNES, Chief HOMER L. MacDONALD, Assistant Chief FRANK CARTER, Deputy Chief PARKER GROTON, Deputy Chief ERNEST H. DAMON, Engineer
Board of Engineers.
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REPORT OF THE BUILDING INSPECTOR
The Building Inspection Department submits the following report for the year ending December 31, 1953:
The number of permits issued during 1953 are as follows:
36 Alterations
181 New Houses
2 Greenhouses
12 Garages
3 Storage Sheds
1 Car Port
1 Commercial Building
1 Telephone Exchange
1 Clinic
1 School
Wiring Permits
37 Alterations
66 New Houses
21 Oil Burners
9 Ranges
14 Electric Hot Water Heaters
10 Dryers
1 Electrically Controlled Gas Heater
2 Old Houses
1 Storage Shed
2 Air Conditioning Units
The total estimated cost of all building permits issued, (which in- cludes new houses, garages, alterations, etc., but does not include any non-taxable property such as the new elementary school or the medical clinic), amounted to $2,128,500.00. This year 181 new-house permits were issued, which figure surpasses the previous record of the year 1951, by 26 houses.
Two new housing developments were started late in the year: The first, on Old Connecticut Path, on the former Snow Day School property, will contain 41 new houses upon completion. The second, located on East Commonwealth Road, on the former Damon Farm, has been issued 30 new house permits.
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For the purpose of comparison, a list of figures for the past few years is shown below:
Year
New Houses
Estimated Cost
1950
141
$754,500.00
1951
155
875,000.00
1952
140
1,203,150.00
1953
181
2,128,500.00
NEW HOUSE DEVELOPMENT BY PRECINCT
Year
Cochituate
Wayland
1950
30
111
1951
62
93
1952
40
101
1953
97
84
In every phase of the work involved in building inspection this past year of 1953 has equalled or surpassed any year since this department was established - even the year 1951 when there was a marked increase in the activities of this office.
It may be of community interest to note that a permit was issued this year for our first commercial building, on State Road West in the Limited Commercial Zone. A permit has been issued for the new tele- phone exchange, also on State Road West. In Cochituate a permit has been granted for the new medical center near the junction of School and Main Streets; and on Maiden Lane for the new School.
As in former years most of our new homes that have been completed this year have been built to satisfy individual requirements instead of for speculation.
Forty three cases of zoning variations were prepared and brought to the Zoning Board of Appeals for decision. There were two more cases than in the previous year.
Fees collected from both wiring and building permits during 1953 have amounted to $3,299.00 and have been turned over to the Town Treasurer.
The Building Department would like to thank the Town Officials and citizens who have helped in the affairs of this office during the past year.
Respectfully submitted, HOMER L. MacDONALD Building Inspector.
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JURY LIST - 1953
AMES, OLIVER E.
60 Main Street Cochituate
ATKINS, LOUISE F. Pelham Island Road Wayland
BALLARD, LEWIS A 5 Pleasant Street
Cochituate
BERG, FRED N.
Lake Shore Drive Cochituate
BERRY, KENNETH V.
Main Street
Cochituate
BOURETTE, LOUIS A.
Willard Street
Cochituate
Peck Avenue Cochituate
BOWLES, THOMAS W.
5 French Avenue
Cochituate
BROWN, WILLIAM J. Rear, 95 Main Street Cochituate
FISHER, FRANCIS L. School Street Cochituate
BULLOCK, ROBERT P.
Riverview Avenue Wayland
CINCOTTA, JOSEPH
Old Connecticut Path Wayland
COLLINS, LAWRENCE F.
Glezen Lane Wayland
CUTLER, SAMUEL A. Pelham Island Road Wayland
GRAVES, VICTOR F. 48 Lake Road Cochituate
DAME, IRVING L. 39 Wallace Road Cochituate
GRAY, ANN E. Peck Avenue Cochituate
DELOREY, EDGAR R. 1 Cochituate Road Cochituate DeMARTINI, CHARLES T. Edgewood Road Cochituate DINSMORE, ALDEN C. Cochituate Road
Cochituate DONAVAN, JOHN J., JR. Blossom Lane Wayland ELKERTON, WILLIAM 17 Pemberton Road Cochituate ELLIS, ARTHUR R., JR.
EMMONS, ARTHUR W.
Concord Road Wayland
FOSTER, RICHARD W.
Glezen Lane Wayland
GAFFEY, LEO W. H. Concord Road Wayland
GELINAS, FRED J. 40 Pemberton Road Cochituate
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GRAY, LESTER H., JR. Fuller Road Cochituate GREGORY, JOHN B. Concord Road Wayland
LEEDS, JOHN H. Concord Road Wayland LIGHT, DONALD W. Old Connecticut Path Wayland
HAMPARTZOOMIAN, HOVSEP M.
49 Commonwealth Rd., East Cochituate
LYONS, MAURICE J. Old Connecticut Path Cochituate
HANDLEY,THURBER L. Lakeview Avenue
Cochituate
MacLEOD, NEIL W. Rich Valley Road Wayland
HECKELSMILLER, WILLIAM J. MASSE, JOSEPH H.
King Street Cochituate
88 West Plain Street Cochituate
HOLT, JOHN B. Cochituate Road Wayland
McMILLEN, JOHN E. Pine Ridge Road Cochituate
JOHNSON, ROBERT F. W. Plain Street Cochituate
KENT, ROBERT J.
Bent Avenue Cochituate
KICILINSKI, STEFAN
Ox Bow Road Wayland
O'KEEFE, JOHN W. Glen Road Wayland
KINCARE, JENNIE M. 7 Sunset Road Cochituate
OWEN, WILLIAM H. Concord Road Wayland
KING, SYLVESTER H. 146 Hemlock Road
PEARCE, GEORGE Quincy Road Cochituate
Cochituate
LANDRY, DONALD F.
Crest Road
Cochituate
PINKUL, JOHN E. 6 Damon Street Cochituate
LANE, PHILIP T. Rice Spring Lane Wayland
REIDY, JOHN T. Dudley Road Cochituate
MORAN, JOHN J. 16 Commonwealth Road, West Cochituate NULTER, WIRT L. Concord Road So. Lincoln, R. F. D.
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REVELL, HARRY J.
14 Pemberton Road Cochituate
VACARRO, JOSEPH S. River Road Wayland WEITZ, EMIL A. Overlook Road Framingham R. F. D. # 1
ROCHE, PATRICK 48 West Plain Street Cochituate
SARSFIELD, WILLIAM E. Bow Road Wayland
WILKINSON, FLOYD W. Winthrop Road Wayland
SPATE, ALDEN C. 49 Parkland Drive Cochituate
WOODBURY, EVERETT S. Sycamore Road Cochituate
STEWART, DAVID C. Rice Spring Lane Wayland
YETTON, RALPH H. Morse Road Wayland
STODDARD, THEODORE L. Old Sudbury Road Wayland
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TOWN OF WAYLAND REPORT and RECOMMENDATIONS of the PLANNING BOARD on the Zoning Changes Proposed for the
Special Town Meeting of November 30, 1953
The zoning changes presented in Articles 13, 14, 15 and 16 of the Warrant for the Special Town Meeting on November 30, 1953, call for a general increase of one-third in building lot sizes and a general increase of one-fifth in the frontage requirements. A comparison of the proposed zones with the present zones is shown in the following table:
Present Zoning
Proposed New Zoning
Area
Frontage
Area
Frontage
15,000 sq. ft.
100 ft.
20,000 sq ft.
120 ft.
22,500 sq. ft.
125 ft.
30,000 sq. ft.
150. ft.
30,000 sq. ft.
150 ft.
40,000 sq. ft.
180 ft.
In addition, a new zone for the rural undeveloped areas is proposed in which lot sizes of 60,000 sq. ft. having 210 ft. frontage will be required. The proposed new zoning of the Town is shown in the map distributed with the Warrant.
A notice of hearing on these Articles was published October 9, 1953. and the hearing was held before the Planning Board on November 2, 1953
In order to avoid unnecessary hardship to present landowners who have acted on the basis of the present zoning laws without knowledge of the proposed changes, the Planning Board recommends that the proposed amendments to the zoning laws do not apply to existing building lots law- fully recorded before October 9, 1953, nor to lots approved in subdivisions presented to the Planning Board on petition for approval before Novem- ber 2, 1953.
The zoning changes are proposed by the Planning Board as part of a long range program to minimize the cost of town government; to assure the Town that future expansion and development will not destroy the beneficial effects of its rural nature; and to regulate future growth to the
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Town's capacity to accommodate it. Also included in this program is a study of encouraging industrialization of a limited area of the Town, and the rezoning in population centers to provide for neighborhood business areas.
These amendments are proposed at this time because it is believed apparent that the present rate of development is beyond the Town's capa- city to accommodate it without encountering serious problems, both financial and from the point of view of the health, safety, welfare and convenience of the Townspeople. So far this year, subdivisions providing for about 226 new houses have been brought before the Planning Board for approval, and 133 building permits had been issued as of October 29.
From the following Table it will be seen that increasing burdens on the Town have accompanied its growth since 1946, and the present indica- tions are that the burdens will increase rapidly unless development is regulated and channelled as recommended.
No. of Dwelling
Year
Building Permits
Units Assessed for Taxes
School Budget
Total Budget
Tax Rate
1946
32
1319
$92,000
$249,000
$33
1947
64
1332
111,000
278,000
36
1948
40
1387
115,000
347,000
43
1949
63
1439
132,000
415,000
44
1950
141
1489
172,000
491,000
49
1951
155
1592
197,000
535,000
53
1952
140
1758
241,000
614,000
5-1
1953
133 to date
291,000
717,000
56
The present rate of growth of the Town is considered abnormal and caused primarily by an unusual pace of new housing developments, rather than by a normal desire of new families to select Wayland over other communities. The pressure for development in Wayland is at least in part caused by the fact that in neighboring towns having comparable areas available for development, the zoning requirements are higher than those presently in force in Wayland, as will be seen from the tabulation below. As a result, Wayland is favored for speculative building over its neighbor- ing communities.
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RESIDENTIAL ZONING REQUIREMENTS OF NEIGHBORING TOWNS
Area, Sq. Ft.
Width, Ft
Lincoln
40,000
120
Weston
40,000
125
(3 zones)
30,000
125
20,000
100
Sudbury
30,000
150
Concord
40,000
150
(3 zones)
20,000
100
no. min.
80
Framingham
43,650
125
(4 zones)
20,000
100
12,000
85 ) Municipal Sewerage
8,000
65 (system serves these
Natick
40,000
140
(4 zones )
20,000
120
15,000
100
12,500
90
The zoning amendments are designed not to curtail normal growth of the Town, but rather to regulate future growth to permit town services to be used and expanded in an orderly and efficient manner. As long as the zoning requirements of the neighboring towns are generally higher than those of Wayland, a normal rate of future growth in Wayland cannot be expected.
The proposed amendments, in providing for areas in which required lot sizes will range from 20,000 sq. ft. to 60,000 sq. ft., present a zoning pattern permitting extensive future growth, but in a manner that can better be accommodated by the Town. Each of the proposed new zones contains large undeveloped areas available for future building. The pro- posed changes will accordingly not limit new growth to the areas requiring the larger lots, but will allow development of many home sites for families desiring smaller lots.
From the health point of view, an increase in the lot size requirements to at least 20,000 sq. ft. is desirable in assuring adequate drainage. With lots as small as permitted in some areas, increased development there
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presents a real threat that a municipal sewerage system will, in time, be required. The cost of such a service would be enormous.
The 60,000 sq. ft. zone is proposed for areas in which the existing public roads are generally below average quality for the Town, and in which town water is for the most part not available. In this zone, new homes will generally require both wells and septic tanks or cesspools, and a minimum lot size of 60,000 sq. ft. will assure adequate area for such facilities. Few existing lots in these areas do not already conform with the proposed requirements. This zone will accordingly tend to channel new development into regions better served by town facilities without changing the present character of the area.
The Planning Board believes that the proposed zoning changes will serve the best interests of the Town in:
1. Regulating future development to a rate which the Town can accommodate with its present and proposed services.
2. Channeling new development into areas best served by the Town's services.
3. Bringing the Wayland Zoning Laws into conformity with those of its neighboring towns.
4. Spreading out future population to preserve the rural character of the Town, and to prevent the dangers of overcrowding.
The Planning Board believes that the proposed new zoning changes will not cause any substantial hardship to any of the Town's residents or taxpayers, since all existing lots, as well as lots shown in sub-division plans now before the Board for approval, are recommended for exemp- tion. The general effect of the changes will be to keep Wayland a desirable community to live in.
The Planning Board, by unanimous vote of its members, accordingly recommends APPROVAL of Articles 13, 14, 15 and 16.
KATHARINE HODGES FREDERICK G. PERRY, JR. MARY A. BALDWIN GEORGE F. BOWERS, JR. L. WILLIAM BERTELSEN EDWARD F. THORBURN Wayland Planning Board.
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VOTES ENACTED AT THE ANNUAL TOWN MEETING, MARCH 4, 1953
Town Clerk's Office Wayland, Massachusetts
Howard S. Russell, Moderator :--
Pursuant to the following warrant the inhabitants of the Town of Wayland met this day and after the Moderator had declared a quorum present proceeded to transact the following business.
Upon a resolution of the Moderator, a rising vote of acceptance and appreciation was made in honor of a gift to the Town of a gavel, made by Mr. Gerald Henderson of the Board of Selectmen.
Voted unanimously: That the Clerk be asked to send appropriate greetings and expressions of regret to Mr. Gerald Henderson, of the Board of Selectmen; and to Mrs. M. Alice Neale, former Town Clerk: Both of these long-time officers of the Town were unable to be present due to serious illness, and their absence was keenly felt.
Article 1. To hear reports of the Town Officers, Agents and Com- mittees, and to act thereon.
A report was made by Mr. John A. Brownell, Chairman of the Committee appointed to investigate the feasibility of the Town's setting up a system for manufacture and/or distribution of electric power. The Committee reported that although Wayland had about the highest rates for residential electricity in the entire country for areas of over 50,000 population, it still would not be practical to manufacture, or purchase for distribution, such power because of the limited size of our town. It would be more practical, however, if any nearby towns should be interested in a joint solution to our mutual problem.
Voted to accept the report of the Committee on the Feasibility of Manufacture and Distribution of Electric Power.
Voted: That the voters of the Town of Wayland, in order to re- quire the Boston Edison Company to conform to the modern practise of installing high voltage lines underground through residential communi- ties as is now done in nearby towns such as Concord, and in order to prevent substantial damage to real estate values and the beauty of the town which will result from the proposed installation of overhead high voltage lines through the center of Wayland, do most strongly urge both
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Houses of the Legislature to pass House Bill No. 1612 and hereby ex- pressly request the selectmen and the citizens of the town to register their desire that the Legislature pass House Bill No. 1612.
A report was made by Mr. Benjamin Beale of the Disposal Area Sur- vey Committee, recommending that the present dump site in Precinct Two be used until it is filled; and that thereafter the present Town Dump on Route 20 be used to take care of all dumping within the Town.
Voted : To accept the report of the Disposal Area Survey Committee.
Article 2. To choose all necessary Town Officers, Agents and Com- mittees, not elected by the official ballot.
Voted: That John Connelly, Frederic A. Gibbs and George W. Shepard continue to serve as Trustees of the Allen Fund.
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