USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wayland > Official reports of the town of Wayland 1951-1953 > Part 7
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Respectfully submitted,
WALDO L. LAWRENCE, Chairman NORMAN G. FAIR, Clerk KATHERINE M. ANDREWS
129
REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD FOR THE YEAR 1951
Subdivisions
The most time-consuming work of the Planning Board during the past year has been the work in connection with consideration and approval of new subdivisions. Nine subdivisions have been approved up to Decem- ber 15, 1951, representing 262 new building lots, and approximately two miles of new roads. In considering proposed subdivisions, the principles and rules established by earlier Planning Boards have been followed and every effort has been made to insure that the new sub- division shall provide desirable building lots without any added financial burden to the Town. In order to reduce even further the cost to the Town, the Planning Board, early in May, adopted a new rule which requires roads in new subdivisions to be of the quality required for acceptance by the Town under the Betterment Act. Roads in subdivisions approved since that time may thus be accepted by the Town without further cost either to the Town or to the abutters. In addition, subdividers are now required to plant trees along roadways. Data on the subdivisions approved through December 15, 1951, are given in the following table.
Consideration has been given in each case to the reservation of areas for park or other municipal uses and up to 5% of the land has been dedicated to public use where such a step seemed desirable.
ยท Subdivisions Approved In 1951
Subdivision
Date of Approval
Number of New Building Lots
Estates Development
February 26
49
Old Farm Road Rolling Lane
Trinity Place
February 20
6
Memorial Park
March 27 52
New Town Way
Charles Street
Maguire Road
Gage Road
Grace Road
130
Fairfield at Wayland Melville Place
Pollock Road Lawrence Road Willow Lane
June 5 29
Woodridge No. 6
June 27 38
Goodman Lane
Happy Hollow Road
Pequot Road
Juniper Lane
Fox Ridge Farms
July 17
30
Red Barn Road
Tally Ho Lane Gray Birch Lane
Veno
July 17
26
Cole Road Davelin Road
Fletcher
October 16
12
Fletcher Road
Thomas Road
Spagnuolo Anthony Road
November 13 20
Connecting Link Between Stonebridge Road and Cochituate Road
In accordance with a vote taken on Article XXV at the March 7, 1951, Town Meeting, the Planning Board has carefully reconsidered the proposed laying out of a connecting link between Maiden Lane and Cochituate Road at School Street. After conferring with former members of the Planning Board and obtaining additional technical advice from its engineers, the Board has reached the conclusion that both on the basis of initial cost to the Town as well as good engineering practice, the route proposed by the Board at that Town Meeting appears to be the most desirable. Initially, the building of approximately 1,300 feet of road from Maiden Lane to connect approximately 1,100 feet of road which the Wayland Real Estate Company proposes to build soon in extending its present subdivision, would permit laying of a 12-inch main to provide the essential water connection between Stonebridge Road and Cochituate Road along established roads. Building of the more costly portion of the
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complete link (from the center section to Cochituate Road) may thus be postponed until such time as the Town feels ready to undertake the added financial burden.
A more complete report of the engineering and estimated costs of the proposed road will be presented at the regular Town Meeting in 1952.
Zoning Changes
Following the recommendations of the Planning Board, changes in the zoning by-laws of the Town were voted at a special Town Meeting on June 20, 1951. In essence, these changes provided for increases of 50% in the area and approximately 25% in the frontage requirements for the three types of residential zones. In addition, a new type of zone permitting limited commercial use was established and an area of ap- proximately 16 acres adjoining Route 20 at the western boundary of the Town was zoned for this new usage. These changes were approved by the Attorney General's office on November 30 and are now in effect.
The Planning Board introduced into the warrant articles providing for these changes in the belief that the rapidly increasing tax rate could be held at a reasonable level only by moderating the recent rapidly in- creasing rate of growth while at the same time providing for a type of land usage which would have an increased tax return to the Town while requiring a minimum of increased services. The Board believes that the increased requirements in the residential areas will keep new building more nearly in conformity with the established rural atmosphere of the Town without any significant penalty on the builder or purchaser of these new homes.
The establishment of a limited commercial area was admittedly experimental in nature. It is the intent of the Board that structures permitted under this usage shall be wholly unobjectionable in design and as a matter of fact may very well be of a type which would fit into a residential neighborhood. It is believed that the required approval of the Board of Appeals as written into the new zoning by-law should be sufficient to secure the intended type of usage.
Street Numbering
In accordance with the vote taken at the Town Meeting of November 30, 1949, plats have been prepared by the Planning Board for street numbering throughout the Town. The system adopted after careful
132
consideration is believed to provide maximum flexibility while keeping the numbers as low as possible. Property owners are being notified of their newly assigned numbers as rapidly as possible.
Boston Edison Power Line
The Planning Board is continuing to cooperate with the other Boards of the Town in fighting the proposed overhead power line through Way- land. Representatives of the Board have been present at all public hearings and have attended meetings of Officers of Weston, Wayland, Lincoln, and Sudbury to discuss methods of opposing the proposed line.
Following the newly established procedure for betterments, the Planning Board during the past year has considered plans for betterment on -
Fuller Road
Edgewood, Fairfield, Parkridge, and Ridgefield Roads
Timber, Eden, and Haven Lanes
and has made recommendations on each to the Selectmen.
The Planning Board deeply appreciates the help it has received fron) individuals and from officers of the Town and members of the various boards. We particularly wish to thank the members of the Water Board, the Road Commissioners, and the Board of Health for their cooperation when considering new subdivisions, and the Town Counsel whose advice has been most essential in all phases of the work of the Planning Board.
LEO F. McKENNEY, Chairman KATHARINE HODGES, Clerk FRANK S. TARR GERALD B. LISCOMBE CARL T. EMERY R. DOUGLAS PILLSBURY
133
REPORT OF WAYLAND WATER DEPARTMENT
To the Inhabitants of the Town of Wayland:
The new electric pumps at the Baldwin's Pond Pumping Station were put into service January 1, 1951. The addition to the station, including an office, bins for fittings and garage room for the compressor, was finished and used later in the year. The old bath house was moved, enlarged and rebuilt to make storage room and a garage for the new truck. The old part of the station was cleaned and repainted inside and out.
The new truck was put into service and greatly facilitated the work of the department.
All services on Main Street, Cochituate, were renewed, and new gates were cut into mains where needed before the new surface was put on by the Highway Department.
A new 8" main was laid on Fuller Road and all services were con- nected to it, with the curb boxes relocated in relation to the new road.
The 6" main on Old Sudbury Road, which formerly crossed the river on the bridge, was relaid under the river. This obviated the necessity of continually repairing the insulation and opening a blow-off each winter to keep the main from freezing. It also removed any danger of its being broken by cars running off the road.
Approximately 180 million gallons of water were pumped during the year, an average use of almost 500,000 gallons per day. The highest single day was 1,169,000 gallons.
115 new services were installed up to December 1st and 27 new applications were still on hand to be done.
41 services were renewed, and 5 hydrants repaired. 4 hydrants were moved to new locations, and 15 leaks, none of a very serious nature, were taken care of.
FERN A. TAYLOR, Chairman ALFRED C. DAMON, Clerk CHARLES E. POTTER
1
134
ANNUAL REPORT OF WAYLAND PARK DEPARTMENT, 1951
Although manpower was the department's chief concern, it's land holdings plus equipment was maintained satisfactorily.
The following list shows the Park Department holdings and the work that was done during 1951 and proposed for 1952.
1. Riverview Playground
Construction of this new playground was completed in August and put into immediate use by the people in the area.
The small wooden dwelling that existed on the Playground was put in good condition through the efforts of the Riverview Circle Im- provement Association and the Park Department. This building will be used for whatever a civic building is used.
A great deal of money was expended by the Riverview Circle Im- . provement Association in bringing this building up to requirements. Some of the items installed by the Riverview Circle Improvement Associ- ation were - Oil-fired heating system, complete re-wiring of building, fluorescent lighting, and the complete refinishing of the interior and exterior.
The Park Department will maintain this playground during 1952 by fertilizing in the Spring, and mowing it weekly and, if funds are available, a wire link backstop will be provided on the baseball field.
2. Whittier Memorial
This triangular shaped park was fertilized and mowed weekly. Two evergreens were planted, one on each side of the granite monument.
This area will again be fertilized in the Spring and then mowed weekly.
3. Lake Cochituate Recreation Area
This property was thoroughly cleaned in the Spring of the year and the toilet building was reconditioned.
Upon approach of the swimming season, the steel floats and cork markers were put in place in the water.
A wooden life-guard tower, approximately 10 feet in height was constructed, located and then secured.
On exceptionally warm days an attendance of approximately 400 persons was recorded; of this number, only about one half were residents of this Town.
135
The building acquired by the Town, is still inhabited and the Park Department hopes to be able to occupy this dwelling in the Spring.
The three other dwellings, still on Park property and owned by others, will be removed before Spring.
At the time of this report's printing, the department was rebuilding the beach by removing approximately 50 dead tree stumps and diseased trees.
The huge sand cliffs were being leveled-off, thereby increasing the length of the sandy beach three-fold.
During 1952 the following work will be done, if possible:
1. Convert the Park dwelling at the beach into a serviceable build- ing with adequate toilets, dressing quarters and a first aid station.
2. Bull-doze cellar holes and foundations flat and fill with gravel
3 . Provide area for systemized parking.
4. Provide benches and bicycle racks.
5. Provide drinking fountain.
6. Seek adequate police patrol to reserve area for residents only.
7. Oil road to area when heavy building moving and building construction has finished.
4. Wayland Greens
This area was cleaned in the Spring, then fertilized and mowed weekly.
During 1952, the Greens will be extended eastward by removing undesired growth, then mowed. This area can be one of the Town's beauty spots and the Park Department feels that this goal will be reached in a few years.
5. Cochituate Ball Field
This area was cleaned, fertilized and mowed weekly.
A soft-ball diamond was super-imposed over the existing baseball diamond, thereby providing a single facility to accommodate two different types of sports.
Permission was granted to Mr. Howard Phillips, of the Cochituate Motors to install lighting equipment. This system belongs solely to Mr. Phillips and will be given to the Park Department when he has been re-imbursed through collections at the games he has scheduled.
This lighting system was also used by the Cub Scouts during an Athletic Jamboree.
136
During 1952, we plan to do the following work
1. Clean entire field, fertilize and mow weekly.
2. Provide new players benches.
3. Provide an ice-skating surface for residents - night skating will be possible through the co-operation of Mr. Howard Phillips who has consented to turn on one or more of his light-towers, to light the skating area.
4. Partial fencing off, of the field, at the junction of the Schlosky property and Bradford Street - this fencing was requested so that walking through the center of the ball diamond would be eliminated.
6. High School Field
This area was cleaned, fertilized and mowed weekly. During the Fall, goal posts were installed and the field outlined for football.
During the year 1952 this field will be maintained as it was in 1951.
7. Bus Shelter
This building was painted and repaired, also new blinds were made and installed.
During the Eve of Halloween, the shelter was moved from its base and tipped over. The Park Department had the shelter restored to its original location and condition.
During the year 1952 the shelter will be maintained as in 1951.
8. Honor Rolls
During 1951, both Honor Rolls were re-painted and repaired where necessary. In 1952 both will again be repainted. The names that presently exist, will be left in place and no new names will be added unless requested by a vote of the Town or by the two veterans organizations.
9. Heater Piece - East Plain Street and Commonwealth Road
Cleaned, fertilized and mowed weekly. Through the co-operation of the Cochituate Garden Club, this little park has become the Park Department's most beautiful holding.
An accident to grass, plants, etc., was caused by the over-turning of a large truck. Repairs were made and the bills sent to the Insurance Company covering the owner of the Truck.
During 1952 the same maintenance will be provided as in 1951.
137
10. Heater Piece - Concord Road
In 1951 this area was kept clean of debris and during 1952 the same program will be followed.
11. Heater Piece - Plain Road
In 1951 this area was kept clean of debris and during 1952 the same program will be followed.
12. Dudley Beach
In 1951 the grass area and beach were cleaned and maintained. No swimming program was sponsored. The program for 1952 will be the same.
13. Mill Pond
During 1951 the dam was put in temporary repair and a portion of the lower pond was cleaned of fallen trees, etc. Lights will be installed to provide night time skating.
14. Tennis Courts - Wayland and Cochituate
In 1951 the court in Cochituate was not used and was a source of unnecessary spending. Children used it as a play area thereby ruining the court for tennis. The court will be discontinued during 1952 and when it becomes evident that people in the area are interested, then the Park Department may strive to build a hot top court. The court in Wayland was used occasionally and the Department will continue it's maintenance during 1952.
The Park Department wishes to thank the Officials and people of the Town who aided in making 1951 such a successful season.
Respectfully submitted,
NATHANIEL HAMLEN FRANK S. TARR THOMAS F. MURRAY
138
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF FIRE ENGINEERS
The Fire Department answered the following alarms for the year ending 1951.
Number of alarms answered by
Cochituate
Wayland
House
10
3
Grass
16
16
Barn
1
1
Garage
1
1
Electric Stove
2
Brush
2
8
Building
5
3
Woods
7
5
Car
3
2
Call to Sudbury
3
1
Accident
1
Pump out Cellar
1
False
7
5
Refrigerator
2
2
Truck
1
1
Stand By
2
2
Shed
1
1
Oil Burner
5
3
Car in River
1
1
Washing Machine
1
Lost Child
1
1
Dump
2
1
By Lightning
2
1
Leaves
1
Rubbish
1
Brooder House
1
Electric Motor
2
Rescue
1
Call for Boat
2
-
-
80
65
1
Chimney
1
Cat in Tree
,
139
Seven new fire alarm boxes were added to the system during 1951. Bor 132 was installed at the Public Bathing Beach at Lake Cochituate so that the life guards would have some means of summoning aid for rescue work. Box 272 was installed at the corner of Timber Lane and Eden Road which now gives that new development complete fire alarm coverage. Box 31 was installed at the corner of Pollock Road and East Plain Street at the entrance of a new development where 29 new houses are under construction. The following four boxes were installed on existing fire alarm circuits: Box 43 at the corner of Main Street and Pond Drive, Box 451 at the corner of Dudley Road and Crest Road, Box 612 at the corner of Millbrook and Nob Hill Roads and Box 67 on State Road West at St. Ann's church.
The sprinkler systems of both the Cochituate and Wayland Grammar Schools have been tied in electrically to the fire alarm system, which means that the Fire Department will be notified on the air whistle immediately, should any of the sprinkler heads start delivering water either for fire or mechanical injury.
The mutual aid system between the Natick Fire Department and the Cochituate Fire Station has been in operation now for about a year and it has worked out very satisfactorily. However the Natick Fire Depart- ment has bourne the lion's share of this agreement and at this time the Board of Fire Engineers wish to thank Chief Lyman Brown and the mem- bers of his department for their aid.
A major change in pole relocations by both the Boston Edison Com- pany and the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company on Cochituate Road and Old Connecticut Path during 1951 has made it necessary for the Fire Department to also relocate its wires to these new poles. One mile of wire has to be relocated on Cochituate Road at a cost of $800.00, and eight tenths of a mile on Old Connecticut Path at a cost of $700.00.
Thanks are also in order to Police Chief Ernest H. Damon for his quick apprehension of some local boys who recently pulled a false alarm. These boys were given a chance to reimburse the Town, both for the cost of the pay roll to the Fire Department plus the cost of operation of the fire trucks with the warning that if they pulled any more false alarms much sterner measures would be employed against them.
At the last annual town meeting a Board of Fire Survey was appointed to study the needs of the Fire Department, both in expansion and replace-
140
ment of the fire trucks, stations and alarm system and to make a report of their findings at the March meeting in 1952, and it is hoped by the Board of Engineers that the citizens of the Town will vote their accept- ance of the articles by the Fire Survey Committee in the 1952 warrant at the annual town meeting.
There were 422 oil storage inspections made this year, plus 156 new installations. 17 installations were found defective and permits were denied until repairs were made by the owners.
Fees collected from new oil burner installations for 1951 amounted to $78.00 which has been turned over to the Town Treasurer.
Respectfully submiteed,
F. CLIFTON HAYNES, Chief
H. L. MacDONALD, Assistant Chief FRANK H. CARTER, Deputy Chief PARKER GROTON, Deputy Chief ERNEST H. DAMON, Engineer Board of Fire Engineers
REPORT OF THE ANIMAL INSPECTOR
I wish to submit my report as Animal Inspector for the Town of Wayland for the year 1951.
623 Cows
177 Heifers
17 Bulls
8 Goats
345 Swine
27 Horses
2 Mules
295 Interstate Cattle
19 Dogs Quarantined
Respectfully submitted,
WARREN F. LAWRENCE
141
REPORT OF CHIEF OF POLICE For the year ending December 31, 1951
Drunkeness
10
Driving under the influence
2
Driving so as to endanger
14
Speeding 6
Operating without a license
1
Violation of laws of the road
1
Leaving the scene after causing property damage
1
Driving recklessly 2
Allowing improper person to operate
1
Malicious destruction of property
1
Failing to show hunting license
1
Refusing to obey a police officer
1
Non-support
5
Lewdness and Lasciviousness
2
Adultery
1
Carrying a gun without a permit
1
Receiving stolen goods
1
Accessory before the fact
4
58
This list includes arrests made by the State Police.
This list does not include the juvenile arrests.
The Wayland Police served, during 1951, Ninety-seven sum- monses, eight subpoenas, three summonses to show cause, two sum- monses to children and eight warrants.
The total number of automobile accidents has increased over the past year; however, again no fatalities are recorded. In an attempt to decrease the accident rate additional directional and warning signs have been conspicuously posted along our roads.
There have been several attempted and a few robberies executed since last I reported to you. In all possible instances proper court action has been taken after apprehension of the derelicts and gunmen and stolen goods have been returned to their rightful owners. One
142
Armed Robbery 3
"would be" robber of Red Coach Grill was so intent in his efforts that a two hundred yard chase by me and two gun shots over his head were necessary to persuade him that he had best desist.
May I express at this time my indebtedness to Chief Shea of Natick and his department for the excellent service rendered me not only in the use of the cruisers' radio but in other equally as helpful but less concrete ways.
My fellow officers, the various department heads and the loyal citizens of Wayland have again been most cooperative with me. The end result of this intergrated effort has been the completion of another highly successful year. Wayland can rightly say that its Town is a safe place in which to live and play. My sincere thanks.
Respectfully submitted,
ERNEST H. DAMON, Chief of Police.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF TRUST FUNDS
During the past year no changes in investments have been made.
The only new funds received have been Cemetery Perpetual Care Funds, which funds have been deposited in approved savings banks.
Full information relating to income and expenditures and the invest- ments of the funds will be found in the Report of the Town Treasurer.
JOHN W. LEAVITT, Chairman J. REED MORSS J. SIDNEY STONE
143
REPORT OF BUILDING INSPECTOR
The Building Inspection Department submits the following report for the year ending December 31, 1951.
The Number of permits issued during 1951 are as follows:
Building Permits:
31 Alterations
155 New Houses
1 Hen House
1 Guest House
10 Garages
1 Silo
Wiring Permits:
46 Alterations
128 New Houses
1 Old House
57 Oil Burners
17 Hot Water Heaters
18 Ranges
3 Electric Controls on Gas Heaters
4 Temporary Services
1 Club House
1 Lumber Shed
1 Service on Ball Park
The total estimated cost of new buildings and alterations in 1951 was $875,000.00. There were more new homes built this year than in any year since the Building Code was adopted in 1941 and probably more than any year in the existence of the Town. A list of comparisons to show the development of new homes in the past six years are shown below.
Year
New Houses
Estimated Cost
1946
32
$221,075.00
1947
64
406,100.00
1948
40
243,200.00
1949
63
405,550.00
1950
141
754,500.00
1951
155
875,000.00
144
NEW HOUSE DEVELOPMENT BY PRECINCT
Year
Cochituate
Wayland
1946
15
17
1947
38
26
1948
23
17
1949
28
35
1950
30
111
1951
62
83
Eleven new home developments were added in 1951 as compared to four in 1950. In many cases, due to difficulties in financing these new houses, there was a definite trend away from building for specula- tion. By mid-year, many contractors were building houses only on individual specifications. The houses built this past year have passed code requirements and in many cases, the houses were built stronger than code rules.
There were 287 wiring permits issued this year, which was 32 more than the previous year.
Thirty-one cases of zoning variations were prepared and brought to the Zoning Board of Appeals for decision. There were eighteen less cases than the previous year.
Fees collected from both wiring and building permits during 1951 amounted to $1,747.00 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.
145
REPORT OF THE DISTRICT NURSE
I' hereby submit my annual report for the year ending December 31, 1951.
Nursing visits, bed side care, dressings and other treatments 885
Prenatal Visits 48
Postnatal Visits 53
Infant Visits 13
Tuberculosis Visits 7
Advisory Visits 36
Friendly Visits 29
Patients Accompanied to Hospital 1
During the year, conferences were held with Social Service Workers and the State Nursing Consultant.
Respectfully submitted,
MARY E. McNEIL,
District Nurse
REPORT OF PLUMBING INSPECTOR
During 1951, there were one hundred and sixty-four Plumbing Permits issued for which Seven Hundred and Eighty-six Dollars was collected and turned over to the Town Treasurer.
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