USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wayland > Official reports of the town of Wayland 1954-1956 > Part 16
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45
Article 5.
Section 1. The Town officers, agents, boards or committees of the Town shall submit to the Board of Selectmen, not later than January 10th in each year, a written report giving an account of the business transacted during the preceding year. The Board of Selectmen shall prepare for publication in the Annual Town Report the reports of Boards and Committees, excluding excessive detail. The full report of the individual board, committee or officer shall be available to any citizen for inspection in the Town Offices, or take any other action relative thereto.
As outlined in its comments on the previous article, the Finance Committee recommends the approval of the article.
Article 15. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate a sum of money to increase the complement of the Police Department by adding thereto three (3) additional full-time police officers, or take any action relative thereto.
This and the following two articles cover requests for increased personnel and equipment for the Police Department. The general question of adding to the Police force was given a considerable amount of study and it was the joint conclusion of the Selectmen and the Finance Committee that funds should be provided in the bud- get for the addition of two full-time men, rather than three. This
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will bring the full-time men employed by the Department from three to five. The budget figures carry salaries at the rate of $3,300 each for two men and funds for substitutes and reliefs.
The matter having been generally provided for in the budget, the Finance Committee recommends that the article be passed over.
Article 16. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate a sum of money for the purchase of an additional police car for the use of the Police Department, or take any action relative thereto.
In the Police Department budget, under Article 4, there has been provided $2,300 for the purchase of an additional new car and funds for its operation. There is, therefore, no necessity for action under this article.
The Finance Committee recommends that the article be passed over.
Article 17. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate a sum of money for the purchase of radio equipment to be used in the addi- tional police car by the Police Department, or take any action relative thereto.
Under the budget, $300 has been provided for the purchase of new radio equipment for an additional police car. The money having already been provided, there is no need for action under this article.
The Finance Committee therefore recommends that the article be passed over.
Article 18. To see if the Town will authorize the Selectmen to make an immediate survey as to the feasibility and the cost of raising the level of Pelham Island Road from the Wayland Motors property to the Boston Edison Company pole #22/25 situated just below the Crossley Estate, or take any action relative thereto.
This article was inserted in the Warrant by a number of the resi- dents of Pelham Island Road. The entire question of the passability of this road during periods of high water is tied in with the general problem which the entire town faces with respect to the periodic flooding of the Sudbury River. The question is now under study by various public bodies.
The Finance Committee recommends that the survey here re- quested be made by a committee of seven, to consist of one Road Commissioner, one member of the Planning Board, one member of the Water Board, one member of the Finance Committee and three members-at-large.
Article 19. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the purchase of any, or all, of the following parcels of land:
(1) Land located on Sycamore Road and Lake Shore Drive now or for- merly of Marble L. and Amiceto G. Manini, being Lot 128 Castle Gate North;
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(2) Land now or formerly of Alice Rupp, being Lot 88 Castle Gate North;
(3) Land now or formerly of Henry H. Stearns, being Lot 90 Castle Gate North;
(4) Land now or formerly of John J. Dooley, being Lot 89 Castle Gate North;
and to raise and appropriate a sum of money therefor, or take any action relative thereto.
Over a period of years, the Board of Health, with the approval of the Town, has been gradually acquiring dilapidated old summer cottages. These buildings have lacked plumbing and sewage disposal areas. Three of these four parcels are on lots of 2,500 sq. ft., or less, and each is assessed for about $1,000. It is in the long-term interest of the Town that buildings of this type be eliminated as rapidly as possible and that the land be either re-sold to abutting owners, with restrictions against building, or retained by the Town.
The Finance Committee concurs with the Board of Health in its recommendations and recommends that the Town appropriate the sum of $3,500 to be used toward the purchase of these properties.
Article 20. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate and assess a sum of money to be used in conjunction with funds previously voted, for the construction as public ways, the roads known as (a) Springhill Road, (b) Lee Road, (c) Wheelock Road from Lee Road for a distance of about 873 feet, (d) Glover Road, or a portion or portions thereof, as laid out by the Board of Selectmen and as shown on plans on file with the Town Clerk, and authorize that the funds be expended for the con- struction of such ways and for other costs in connection therewith, under the supervision of the Selectmen, with betterments to be assessed under Chapter 80 of the General Laws, or take any other action relative thereto.
This matter was considered fully at the last Annual Town Meeting, following which, the Town voted to accept all four roads and appropriate therefor, as a start on the work, $4,600 to come out of the 1955 tax levy.
The Finance Committee at that time advised the town that if the matter were handled in this way, it would consider that this job had priority for betterment money in 1956 and that it would, at the 1956 Annual Meeting, recommend that sufficient funds be appropri- ated to complete the work in the current year. Basic grading and drainage work was done last fall on Springhill Road. The Highway Department plans to do similar work on Lee Road (950 ft), Wheelock Road (850 ft.) and Glover Road (675 ft.) and complete the surfacing of all of the roads. The total cost of the work, excluding that pre- viously appropriated, will be about $12,600.
The Finance Committee recommends the approval of the article.
Article 21. To see if the Town will vote to accept as a public town way, and to construct the road known as "Leary Street," or a portion or portions thereof, as laid out by the Board of Selectmen and as shown on plans on file with the Town Clerk; to authorize the Board of Select-
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men to acquire the necessary land (including easements for drainage) by purchase, gift, eminent domain or otherwise; to appropriate and assess a sum of money for the acquisition of such land, the construction of such way, and for other costs in connection therewith, with better- ments to be assessed under Chapter 80 of the General Laws, or take any action relative thereto.
Leary Street runs north, off East Plain Street behind the fire station in Cochituate. There are 14 houses and one vacant lot on the street, which is 930 feet long. The Highway Department advises that the cost of the work will come to $5,300. By the time of the Annual Meeting all the necessary hearings in connection with the acceptance of the street under the Betterment Act will have been held and the question of the acceptance of the project will be properly before the Town.
The Finance Committee recommends the approval of the article and the appropriation of the necessary funds.
Article 22. To see if the Town will vote to install water pipes and hydrants in the way named "Leary Street," or any portion thereof, and to appropriate a sum of money for the expenses thereof and determine how the money shall be raised and authorize such sum, or any portion thereof, to be included in any betterments that may be assessed under the preceding article, or take any action relative thereto.
This article should be considered in conjunction with the preced- ing article. It calls for the laying of 935 feet of 6-inch water line, the installation of 2 hydrants, the installation of 5 new services and the reconnection of 9 existing services in Leary Street. The street is now serviced by an old, inadequate 2-inch line and, in connection with the rebuilding of the street, a new water line should be laid. The Water Department advises that the work will cost $4,500.
The Finance Committee recommends the approval of the article.
Article 23. To see if the Town will vote to accept as a public Town way, under the provisions of the Betterment Act, that portion or portions of Rich Valley Road which was not previously accepted and which ex- tends in a northerly direction about 422 feet from the northerly end of the previous taking of Rich Valley Road, or a portion thereof, as shown on a plan or plans on file with the Town Clerk and authorize the Board of Selectmen to acquire the necessary land, including drainage ease- ments, by purchase, gift, eminent domain or otherwise and appropriate a sum of money for the acquisition of any such land and the construction of such way, or any portion thereof, and determine how the money shall be raised or take any action relative thereto.
The major portion of Rich Valley Road was developed and im- proved under the Betterment Act a number of years ago. This article calls for the acceptance of a 415 foot extension of the road. There are 6 occupied houses and 1 under construction and no vacant lots. The water line is all in. The job calls for an expenditure of about $2,000. All the necessary steps for acceptance will have been com- pleted by the time of the meeting.
The Finance Committee recommends the approval of the article.
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Article 24. To see if the Town will vote to abandon a way five feet in width running southeasterly from Bow Road over what was formerly the northerly fork of said Bow Road.
In connection with the closing of Bow Road a number of years ago, a five foot way was kept for the Town over what was formerly the roadway. The Town no longer needs the way and there is no reason why it should not be abandoned to the owners of the abutting property.
The Finance Committee recommends the approval of the article.
Article 25. To see if the Town will vote to accept as a public way Pequot Road, from Happy Hollow Road to Cochituate Road, as laid out by the Board of Selectmen, and as shown on a plan on file with the Town Clerk, or any portion thereof; and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to acquire any necessary land or interests therein by deed of gift and/or by eminent domain; and to raise and appropriate the sum of one dollar for such acquisition by eminent domain; without any appropriation of money for further construction of said road, under the Betterment Act or otherwise; or take any action relative thereto.
Pequot Road, as referred to in this article, requires some addi- tional work to bring the road within acceptable standards. The High- way Department and the Planning Board have given their approval of acceptance of this road by the Town on the basis of a $300 pay- ment, which sum has been paid to the Town by the developers. This amount will be used by the Highway Department for completion of the work this spring.
The Finance Committee therefore recommends the approval of the article.
Article 26. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate and assess a sum of money for the purpose of hiring a company specializing in ap- praisals to re-appraise all real estate in the Town, or do or act.
Over a period of years, there has been an underlying feeling on the part of many townspeople that there should be a complete re- valuation of all property in the Town. Many cities and towns have embarked on such a program. More recently, this has included our immediate neighboring towns of Framingham, Natick and Weston.
The changes in values which have resulted from the inflation following the war, from the growth in number of new dwellings stemming from new subdivisions and from substantial alteration and modernization of existing houses, have all combined to raise doubts in most towns as to whether property was being proportionately assessed, or, in other words, whether some equalization was not in order.
The Finance Committee has annually been discussing this matter with the Assessors. The present Board of Assessors has taken ag- gressive steps to improve the office records on assessments and fully expects that, within the present year, they will have completed tak-
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ing under review, with revaluation in mind, all properties in the Town.
Under the circumstances, the Finance Committee recommends that the article be passed over.
Article 27. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning By- Laws and the Zoning Map by repealing Section VI Business Districts, as amended, by creating two new districts, Business District A and Busi- ness District B; by regulating the uses permitted therein and by chang- ing all land in the Business District to Business District A, or take any action relative thereto.
This and the following eight articles are been submitted by the Planning Board to completely modernize the Business District By- Laws and to provide for the long-range needs of Wayland for retail business areas.
This article repeals the present Business District By-Law, established in 1934, and substitutes a new By-Law, establishing two types of Business Districts, with appropriate use regulations, pro- visions for parking, set-back, etc.
Business District A permits normal retail business uses, includ- ing stores, offices, restaurants, service establishments, trades shops, automotive salesrooms and automotive service stations.
Business District B is more restrictive, excluding 'trades shops and automotive sales and service stations. Special provisions, such as limitations on lot coverage and additional set-back requirements, are also provided for B Districts which are consistent with ensuring the construction of adequate and attractive shopping-center type facilities on the three larger parcels recommended for inclusion in the B District by the next three articles.
This article also automatically designates all present Business District areas as Business District A zones. Generally, the present business zones will remain in the A District, except as provided in the following articles, including a few changes to B Districts and the change of a few areas to residential use.
The Planning Board has retained a professional consultant and has worked with a committee of local business men in preparing these proposals.
The Finance Committee feels that the Town should be guided by the Planning Board's recommendations.
Article 28. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning By- Laws and the Zoning Map by making the following changes in District boundaries, or take any action relative thereto:
Change from Business District A and Residence District Thirty Thousand Square Feet, one hundred fifty (150) foot Front to Business District B the land bounded and described as follows:
NORTHERLY by State Road West and the Southerly boundary line of land now or formerly of Wayland Motors, Inc. at present in Business District A;
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WESTERLY by land now or formerly of Mary B. Allen; land now or formerly of Lewis S. Russell;
SOUTHERLY by Pelham Island Road;
EASTERLY by the Westerly boundary of land now or formerly of Wayland Motors, Inc.
This article establishes as Business District B an area of about nine acres located beyond the McManus Garage, between State Road West and Pelham Island Road.
This District, the Planning Board believes, is adequate to cover long-range needs of Wayland Center.
The Finance Committee feels that the Town should be guided by the recommendations of the Planning Board.
Article 29. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning By- Laws and the Zoning Map by making the following changes in District boundaries, or take any action relative thereto:
A. Change from Residence District Twenty Thousand Square Feet, one hundred twenty (120) foot Front to Business District B land on the southerly side of Commonwealth Road one hundred fifty (150) feet distant Easterly from Main Street, extending in a Northeasterly direc- tion approximately six hundred (600) feet to the Easterly boundary of land now or formerly of Herbert H. and Gladys V. Smith; thence Southerly along said Easterly Boundary and its straight extension to the Northerly boundary of land now or formerly of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Cochituate Aqueduct); thence Westerly along the Northerly boundary of the Cochituate Aqueduct to the present Business District A; thence in a Northerly direction to the point of beginning.
B. Change from Business District A. to Business District B. the land on the Southerly side of Commonwealth Road one hundred fifty (150) feet distant Easterly from Main Street extending in a Southerly direction along the boundary line of the present Business District A to its intersection with the straight extension of the Northerly boundary line of land now or formerly of Patrick J. and Ann Y. Cormier, thence in a Westerly direction along said boundary line and extension thereof, to Main Street, thence in a Northerly direction along Main Street to its intersection with Commonwealth Road; thence in an Easterly direction along Commonwealth Road to the point of beginning.
This article establishes as Business District B an area of about seven acres southeast of Cochituate Center, south of Commonwealth Road and east of Main Street, directly south across Commonwealth Road East from Phillips' Chevrolet sales room. This area, in con- junction with the present business area and other area changes in the following articles, is intended to serve the long-range business needs of Cochituate Center.
The Finance Committee feels that the Town should be guided by the recommendations of the Planning Board.
Article 30. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning By- Laws and the Zoning Map by making the following changes in District boundaries, or take any action relative thereto:
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A. Change from Business District A and Residence District Twenty Thousand Square Feet, one hundred twenty (120) foot Front to Business District B the land now or formerly of Lillian E. and Charles W. Fair- bank, bounded and described as follows:
NORTHERLY by land now or formerly of Joseph and Carlotta Perodeau and East Plain Street;
EASTERLY by land now or formerly of Roger W. and Lucille C. Ken- nedy, and land now or formerly of Albert E., Jr. and Virginia R. Kelcher;
SOUTHERLY by Centre Street; and
WESTERLY by Main Street and land now or formerly of Joseph and Carlotta Perodeau.
B. Change from Business District A to Residential District Twenty Thousand Square Feet, one hundred twenty (120) foot Front that portion now in Business District A of the land now or formerly of Roger W. and Lucille C. Kennedy, bounded and described as follows:
NORTHERLY by East Main Street;
EASTERLY by remaining land of Roger W. and Lucille C. Kennedy; SOUTHERLY by land now or formerly of Albert E., Jr. and Virginia R. Kelcher; and
WESTERLY by land now or formerly of Lillian E. and Charles W. Fairbank.
C. Change from Business District A to Residence District Twenty Thousand Square Feet, one hundred twenty (120) foot Front that portion of the land now or formerly of Albert E., Jr. and Virginia R. Kelcher, now in Business District A, bounded and described as follows:
NORTHERLY by the land now or formerly of Roger W. and Lucille C. Kennedy;
EASTERLY by remaining land of Albert E., Jr. and Virginia R. Kelcher; SOUTHERLY by remaining land of Albert E., Jr. and Virginia R. Kel- cher; and
WESTERLY by land now or formerly of Lillian E. and Charles W. Fairbank.
This article establishes as a Business B District the unused lot south of East Plain Street, across from the Branch Library and east of Main Street behind the package store. A substantial portion of this lot is in the present business district. The size of this parcel is sufficient to warrant inclusion in the more restrictive Business District B. The article also changes to residential use the very small amount of the present business district that extends eastward across the property line onto property now used for residences.
The Finance Committee feels that the Town should be guided by the recommendations of the Planning Board.
Article 31. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning By- Laws and the Zoning Map by changing from Business District A to Residence District Twenty Thousand Square Feet, one hundred twenty (120) foot Front any part or all of the following areas, or take any action relative thereto:
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A. Land North and West of the intersection of West Plain Street and Main Street along both of said streets to the full extent and depth of the present Business District A.
B. Land on the Southerly side of Commonwealth Road at the inter- section of said road with East Plain Street, bounded: Easterly by land of the Town of Wayland; Southerly by the present boundary of Business District A; and Westerly by the present Westerly boundary of Business District A.
This article changes to a Residence District two areas which are presently in the Business District in the vicinity of Cochituate Center.
The first is northwest of the intersection of Main and West Plain Streets and includes the Legion Hall location. At present, all parcels but one in this area are now used for residential purposes, and the existing business area can, of course, continue as a non-conforming use.
The second is south of Commonwealth Road, across from the intersection with School Street and East Plain Street. There are no business establishments at present on this parcel. The removal of both of these areas from the Business District is proposed to prevent extremely dangerous traffic conditions from developing through establishment of new businesses in them.
The Finance Committee feels that the Town should be guided by the recommendations of the Planning Board.
Article 32. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning By- Laws and the Zoning Map by making the following changes in district boundaries, or take any action relative thereto:
Change from Residence District Twenty Thousand Square Feet, one hundred twenty (120) foot Front to Business District A that portion of land now or formerly of Charles B. and Georgena Tillson and land now or formerly of Bernard and Polly S. Bloomstein, bounded Southerly by the present Business District A; Westerly by land now or formerly of Thomas D. Ward, Jr .; Northerly by land now or formerly of Elmer W. Irving; and Easterly by land now or formerly of George I. and Maude J. Wilbur.
This article proposes the expansion in depth of the present Busi- ness District located North of Commonwealth Road and East of School Street in Cochituate, including a portion of the Tillson farm. Businesses are already established in this zone, and expansion of the zone should permit better future development of the sites, particu- larly with regard to parking areas.
The Finance Committee feels that the Town should be guided by the recommendations of the Planning Board.
Article 33. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning By- Laws and the Zoning Map by making the following changes in district boundaries, or take any action relative thereto:
Change from Business District A to Residence District Thirty Thousand Square Feet, one hundred fifty (150) foot Front, land on
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the southerly side of State Road West extending from the inter- section of said road with Pelham Island Road in an easterly direction along State Road West to the Easterly boundary of property now or formerly of Rose A. Vincent and in depth to the full extent of the present Business District A.
This article proposes to change to a Residence District the land south of the intersection of State Road West with Pelham Island Road, containing the three houses located east of the McManus Garage. This area is presently used for residential purposes. This change is proposed to avoid increasing the traffic hazards at this intersection and to prevent businesses from being established con- tiguous with the present High School land.
The Finance Committee feels that the Town should be guided by the recommendations of the Planning Board.
Article 34. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning By- Laws and the Zoning Map by making the following changes in district boundaries, or take any action relative thereto:
Change from Business District A and Light Manufacturing District (Industrial) to Residence District Thirty Thousand Square Feet, one hundred fifty (150) foot Front:
(1) that portion of the land now or formerly of the Boston and Maine R. R. not at present in the said Residence District, on the West- erly side of Cochituate Road, bounded and described as follows:
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