USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wayland > Official reports of the town of Wayland 1957-1959 > Part 8
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97
REPORT OF THE MOTH SUPERINTENDENT
December 24, 1957
In the year 1957 the trees of the Town of Wayland were sprayed for the control of Gypsy Moth and Elm Beetles.
These sprays have been successful in combating the growth of the Gypsy Moth threat to town trees. The Elm trees are to receive . one extra spray early in the Spring in an added attempt to halt the spread of Dutch Elm Disease.
New samples were taken in July and September of 1957 of trees suspected of having Dutch Elm Disease. One Hundred and ninety trees were sampled and of this number one hundred and sixty-nine were found to have positive Dutch Elm Disease.
The roadsides of the town were again sprayed for Poison Ivy. This will again continue in 1958.
JOHN E. NELSON, Moth Superintendent.
REPORT OF ANIMAL INSPECTOR - 1957
Town of Wayland January 1, 1958
I wish to submit my report as Animal Inspector for the year 1957 for Town of Wayland.
Inspected
459 Native Cows
340 Interstate Cattle
37 Native Young Stock
7 Native Bulls
24 Horses
2 Sheep
1 Goat
2 Mules
Quarantined
34 Dogs
Respectfully submitted,
WARREN F. LAWRENCE, Inspector of Animals for Wayland.
98
REPORT OF THE LIBRARY
The year 1957 brought continued increase in the use of the library, which meant that fewer people were working harder, due to the small staff.
This year lights were installed in the ceiling over the charging desk. This improved the over-all lighting of a large area of the library as well as the desk itself. The unsafe wooden floor in the Shaw Room was torn out and concrete was poured to bring the floor up to the level of the rest of the basement. It is planned to lay asphalt tile in this room and the basement corridor. During the summer the parking lot was paved and the sidewalks were replaced by blacktop.
Since the Historical Society had acquired the Heard House for its headquarters and made it ready for occupancy, it moved from its former quarters in the Shaw Room. Also, the Office of Civil Defense has moved to new quarters in the Village Building. It is hoped that the room formerly occupied by them can be made into a library work room.
In February the 4-H Horse Club put its large collection of books about horses on deposit in the main library, in order that it might be used by all young people interested in horses. The collection is very popular and greatly appreciated by a large number of horse lovers. A prize-winning exhibit by the club also appeared at the library.
The League of Women Voters provided a collection of pamphlets for United Nations Week as well as presenting three books on the United Nations to the library.
During the year there have been several exhibits of work by art pupils at the High School. We also were fortunate to have an exhibit of minerals prepared by Donald Goddard. Again the Garden Club provided weekly flower arrangements during the season and beautiful Christmas decorations.
Many gifts of books, records and magazines were received during the year.
STATISTICS
WAYLAND
COCHITUATE
Circulation
1956 20,978
1957 22,886
Circulation Adult Juvenile
1956 7,303
9,211
Juvenile
11,394
14,496
10,206
10,510
Total
32,372
37,382
17,509
19,721
New Borrowers
290
401
265
236
Additions
1,204
1,104
Additions
660
556
(1,030 purchase, 74 gifts)
(512 purchase, 37 gifts)
Respectfully submitted,
MARJORIE FERRIS,
Librarian.
99
1957
Adult
REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD FOR THE YEAR 1957
The Planning Board is pleased to submit the following report.
The past year continued at an active level for the Board, with meetings being held every week but six. In March the meeting day was changed from Monday to Tuesday of each week, as the later day was more convenient for the members. In October the Board occupied its new quarters in the Town Office Building and is grateful to have a permanent location.
The work during the past year was concerned primarily with the immediate problems of new subdivisions and the completion of old subdivisions, and with the general problem of preparing a program for a master planning study. Other projects of the Planning Board included :
A compilation of the Zoning By-Laws into a booklet, which is presently available at the Town Clerk's Office;
Continued studies of Flood Plain Zoning. A proposed By-Law will be presented at the Annual 1958 Town Meeting;
A study of a proposed change in the Wayland-Natick Town Line to bring part of it into conformity with the new Massachusetts Toll Highway. Further work on this item is necessary;
The preparation of a School District Population Map showing the elementary school population distribution by neighborhoods. This was prepared in connection with the work of the School Site Com- mittee to assist in selecting the additional elementary school site that is needed; and
A study of vehicular and pedestrian access to the various elementary school sites, and of additional ways and roads that may be needed.
The Planning Board was also charged with the responsibility of carrying out a recreational study, which has been done in conjunction with the overall Master Planning Study, under the direction of our Planning Consultant, Mr. James L. Harris. A report is currently in the process of preparation and will be submitted to the Town at the Annual Town Meeting.
In the past the Planning Board has worked with the Highway Department in laying out existing town roads to provide for their widening and improvement. During the past year this work has been carried out by Middlesex County with the consequent savings to the town of that expense.
Current engineering work of the Planning Board has been directed largely to the preparation of an overall drainage map showing the major water courses in town, including both natural waterways and existing street drainage. This map is being prepared in conjunction with an overall program of town acquisition of easements for drainage where required, and it will also greatly assist the work of the Planning Board in the laying out of new subdivisions and the provision of sur- face water drainage in them.
100
The subdivisions approved by the Planning Board during 1957 provided 96 potential house lots and 11,242 feet of potential new roads. They are:
New Lots
Feet of New Road
Shomphe (Baldwin, owner) - Off Moore Road Middlesex Real Estate Investment Company -- Extension of Three Ponds Road
9
1,150
Wayland Real Estate Company - Woodridge No. 14
11
1,050
Wayland Real Estate Company - Woodridge No. 15
6
716
Joseph Kelly - Off Plain Road
6
725
James B. Potts (Rupert MacLaurin, owner)
18
2,043
Middlesex Real Estate Investment Company -- Extension of Sears Road
16
2,050
Edward A. Veno (Hyman Schick, owner) Extension of Sedgemeadow Road
-
19
2,120
Changes in business zoning occupied the attention of the Planning Board during January and February with reference to proposed Zoning By-Law changes which were ultimately enacted at the Annual Town Meeting in March, 1957.
The Master Planning Program initiated by the Board is being carried out under the provisions of Public Law 560 by which the Federal Government will bear half the expenses. The work is under the general supervision of the Massachusetts Department of Commerce and under the direct charge of Mr. James L. Harris, our Planning Consultant. This program involves an expenditures of $13,600 over a period of 2 years and is aimed at providing a general master plan and planning program for Wayland. The program consists of several parts.
The first part consists in the preparation of base maps on which various relevant data can be presented and in the surveys necessary to prepare these maps. In addition to the Town Atlas, the following base maps have been completed :
Overall contour map showing street and lot lines;
Overall map showing land owned by the town and by various other public bodies.
Additional maps will be required for specific projects.
Part two of the program consists generally of a community inventory aimed at showing the present character of the town. Included in this part are the following:
A land use map showing the existing use of land in the town;
A population study to show population density and the rate of growth during recent years on the basis of which estimates of future population may be made;
An economic base study from which the effects of town growth on the economic condition of the town can be visualized;
An inventory of housing conditions with particular reference to areas of housing deficiencies. From this study proposals for improv- ing areas of deficient housing may be made;
101
11
1,388
- Extension of Country Corners Road
A traffic circulation study from the results of traffic count data available from the Massachusetts Department of Public Works. This will provide a basis for planning changes and improvements in road patterns and for planning additional parking facilities; A map of municipal services showing existing water lines, gas lines, street drainage, and the like;
An inventory of parks, recreational facilities and other publicly owned and semi-publicly owned land useful for recreation or con- servation.
The third part of the program will constitute the preparation of a general plan for the town on the basis of which its continued growth and development can be supplemented by town action in such matters as the laying out of new streets and the improvement of old ones, amendments to the Town By-Laws, acquisition of land for town use, extension of municipal services, expansion of town governmental bodies, to name a few. The following factors are of particular significance:
The preservation of a desirable density of residential population and the maintenance of open spaces preserving the rural character of Wayland and providing recreation and conservation facilities; The development of streets and highways to best serve the town's needs, including the laying out of major future patterns in anticipation of development;
The provision of adequate business areas to serve the needs of the town as its growth continues;
Development of industrial and commercial areas to serve the inter- ests of the town without creating undesirable or hazardous condi- tions. In this field the Board has already undertaken a joint effort with Sudbury for the development of the Sand Hill area on Route 20 west of the Sudbury River;
Improvement of crowded or deficient residential areas, including street improvements, additional sanitation and sewage disposal facilities and re-subdivision of areas where possible;
A program to develop recreation and conservation areas through public and semi-public ownership of forest lands and the Sudbury River marshes;
The coordination of the town growth with the development of addi- tional school facilities and the provision for adequately serving the various school sites.
The preparation of a master planning program is an ambitious undertaking, but it is seen as providing the town with a challenge and an opportunity. Under the guide of such a study the Board believes that it will be better able to follow the growth of the town and to recommend appropriate steps to guide the growth and development of the town according to its desires and best interests.
Respectfully submitted,
BRUCE F. KINGSBURY, Chairman L. WILLIAM BERTELSEN GEORGE F. BOWERS, JR. KATHARINE HODGES FREDERICK G. PERRY, JR. EDWARD F. THORBURN
102
REPORT OF THE BUILDING INSPECTOR
The Building Inspection Department submits the following report for the year ending December 31, 1957:
Building Permits :
126 New Houses
44 Alterations
11 Garages
5 Porches
1 Office Building
1 Greenhouse
1 Test Building
1 Awning Structure
1 Plant Addition
1 Test Tower
1 Salesroom
1 Filling Station
1 Highway Garage
1 Wood Shed
Wiring Permits :
140 New Houses
44 Alterations
11 Oil Burners
3 Electric Dryers
4 Electric Gas Burners
1 Greenhouse
5 Electric Hot Water
1 Test Building
1 Test Tower
2 Schools
11 Ranges
1 Garage
1 Old House
1 Highway Garage
1 Filling Station
The total estimated cost of all building permits issued, which includes commercial buildings, new houses, accessory buildings, garages, etc., amounted to $2,552,510.00. There were 126 homes built this year.
For the purpose of comparison, a list of figures for the past few years is shown below:
Year
New Houses
Estimated Cost
1952
140
$1,203,150.00
1953
181
2,128,500.00
1954
137
2,721,250.00
1955
138
2,787,900.00
1956
172
2,711,096.20
1957
126
2,552,510.00
103
NEW HOUSE DEVELOPMENT BY PRECINCT
Year
Cochituate
Wayland
1952
40
101
1953
97
84
1954
43
94
1955
41
97
1956
54
118
1957
40
86
1958 same estimate
In observance of National Electrical Week in February, pamphlets were obtained by this office entitled, "Electricity In Your Home."
The organization that donated these pamphlets had only a limited supply for each town and they suggested that the pamphlets be dis- tributed through the School System. Through the cooperation of the Superintendent of Schools and his staff, these pamphlets were given out to the students in the various schools.
The three municipal buildings which were started in 1956 were completed and were put into service during the month of September of this year. These buildings consist of the following :- The Claypit Hill School in Wayland, The Loker Street School in Cochituate, and the Wayland Town Office Building at Wayland Square, which houses the Town Offices, Fire and Police Stations, and the Civilian Defense Headquarters.
Industrial and commercial permits consisted of a permit to the Raytheon Manufacturing Company for test towers, to the Philbob Real Estate Company for a large plant addition, and to the New Eng- land Erecting Company for an office and salesroom. The Socony Vacuum Oil Company was issued a permit to tear down the wood frame filling station at the Junction of Routes 30 and 27, and replace it with a modern station with masonry walls.
Two housing developments were completed this year, one being off Stonebridge Road on High Gate, Anthony and Holbrook Roads. There were thirty houses in this development. The other development was off Main Street on Bayfield Road where twenty-three houses were constructed. The largest concentrated growth of new houses by individuals was in the Three Ponds Road area, near the Claypit Hill School. Costlier construction prevailed again this year in the houses constructed, whether they were built for the individual or for specu- lation.
During the course of my inspection throughout the town, I have noticed more and more houses have their street number on them, however, there still remain quite a number of houses without a number. These identification numbers are very important to the various town agencies who may be called upon to serve you, as well as postal and commercial services. These numbers may be obtained at the Wayland Town Office, either by phone or personal visit.
Sixty-seven cases of zoning variations were prepared and brought to the Zoning Board of Appeals for decision.
104
There were several out-door advertising signs which were in violation of the Zoning Code. Steps were taken and these violations were corrected. It is suggested that people doing out-door advertising check with this department first, in regard to what is allowable for size of sign, its set-back from street line, etc., before making financial investment in a sign which will not pass the Zoning By-laws.
In November a permit was issued for a large addition to the High- way Department's garage in Cochituate.
Fees collected from wiring and building permits and zoning applications during 1957 amounted to $3,770.00 and have been turned over to the Town Collector.
The Building Department would like to take this opportunity to thank the Board of Survey members who helped with property con- demning procedures, Fire Chief Hartin for his cooperation in these matters, and other Town Officials and citizens who have helped in the affairs of this office in the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
HOMER L. MACDONALD, Building Inspector.
REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' SERVICES
December 31, 1957.
This department operates under the provision of chapter 115 of the General Laws of Massachusetts as amended.
Honorably discharged veterans of all wars, and their dependents, if indigent and worthy, may receive aid per budget allowance, after approval by the Department of Veterans' Services at the State House.
On all Wayland-settled cases a fifty percent reimbursement is eventually received by the town on all expenditures approved by the State Department. On state-settled cases the reimbursement is 100%.
During 1957 the number of veterans and relatives aided increased to twenty-nine. Expenditures increased also.
With approximately 1,280 veterans, along with their relatives, living in Wayland today, a sudden increase in budget for Veterans' Benefits should be anticipated.
We are fortunate to have had so few on our rolls to date.
IVAN E. BEAL, Veterans' Agent.
105
REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONERS
The prolonged drought of the summer and fall of 1957 was reflected in a large increase in the total amount of water pumped by the Department. Over 60 million more gallons were pumped than in any previous year. Through the cooperation of many users and by careful manipulation of the pumps, we were able to go through this period without any general restriction on the use of water. Our new well and pump at Baldwin's Pond was particularly helpful in weathering the crisis. Our storage capacity, already far too small in comparison to daily water consumption, must be increased this year. The addition of 165 new services in 1957 makes such a development even more imperative.
The program of installing meters on all services in the town was 92% completed at the end of 1957 and will be 99% completed by July 1, 1958. The Board feels that meters are fulfilling the several purposes which underlay the original recommendation to install them.
Almost 2 miles of new mains were added to the system, mostly in new developments, and more is scheduled to be added early in 1958. As of 1957 the Board has not permitted, except under unusual circum- stances the installation of new mains between December 1st and April 1st, because of the generally unsatisfactory ground conditions during that period.
The Department purchased a new backhoe in 1957 which has proven to be a great time and labor saver. It is hoped that many items of routine maintenance in the system can be given more time in 1958 as the metering program is completed.
An engineering survey of the system was carried out by a profes- sional firm in 1957 with special attention to the storage problem as well as recommendations on developments in those parts of Wayland whose elevations lie above that of our standpipe. Explorations for a new well, to be located in the northern part of town, will be under- taken in 1958.
More than 200 house service calls were made last year. We hope to be in a position to give more prompt attention to these calls this year. A meter testing and repair shop has been installed and equipped in the Baldwin's Pond Pumping Station, and a regular program of removal and renovation of meters will soon be underway.
Statistics
Number of Services
- 2,600
Length of main
62.5 miles
Number of hydrants
350
New services, 1957
165
Main added, 1957 Water pumped, 1957
320,000,000 gallons
Maximum day, July 20, 1957
2,360,000 gallons
Service calls
200
Renewals
6
Relocations
1
Leaks
20
1.9 miles included above.
BOARD OF WATER COMMISSIONERS.
106
REPORT OF THE CIVIL DEFENSE DIRECTOR FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1957
Again this year Civilian Defense efforts were concentrated on obtaining Federal Matching Funds for construction costs of the Civilian Defense area in the new Town Office Fire and Police Building and for Fire, Police and Civil Defense equipment.
This Department is now in the process of establishing itself in the new quarters.
During the past year the communications division took an active part in all tests, drills and exercises conducted.
The Auxiliary Police Department took part in all Civil Defense activities and in addition assisted the Fire and Police Departments on various occasions. They continued to participate in the New England Police Revolver League. Several men received awards in the New England and State Championship Matches.
Patrolman John F. Pelletier of the Wayland Police Department was appointed Auxiliary Police Chief in December and has started a train- ing program for Auxiliary Policemen.
In September, a weekly training program began for the second unit of Auxiliary Firefighters. Most of the men in the first group which was organized three years ago have become regular call men on the Fire Department.
During the year four men from the Fire Department attended short courses at the Civilian Defense Rescue School at Topsfield, Mass.
The radiological group conducted an active program including a monitoring course. This course qualified the Town for the loan of two sets of radiological monitoring apparatus. Wayland is one of two Towns in this Sector to conduct such a course.
The control center personnel were very shorthanded during opera- tions this year as were cther divisions of this department.
The Town requested bids in February for the Civil Defense Rescue Truck. All bidders failed to meet the requirements of the specifications. The bids were also in excess of the amount appropriated for the pur- chase of the truck.
Many changes are taking place in the general Civilian Defense Program and it is expected that a more active program will be required. There is a very definite need for greater public participation in the local program. Applications for enrollment in any of the Civil Defense activities are available at the Town Office Building.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANCIS J. HARTIN, Director of Civil Defense.
107
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ASSESSORS FOR THE YEAR 1957
During the past year, the Assessors have brought to substantial completion the revaluation of older properties first begun about five years ago. There were 126 permits for new buildings issued during the year, 67 permits for remodeling or additions, and many buildings started in 1956, all of which had to be examined in the field in 1957. The Registry of Deeds forwarded abstracts for over 600 transfers of property in Wayland which required corresponding changes in the Assessors' records and personal examination of the premises in most cases.
While the number of abatements has substantially remained a con- stant percentage of the total number of bills, the average abatement in tax dollars indicates that our revaluation is nearing completion. The average tax dollar per abatement granted since 1954 along with the increase in valuation is as follows:
Year
Increase in Valuation
Average Abatement in Tax Dollars
1954
$1,390,000
$46.00
1955
1,800,000
62.00
1956
1,450,000*
76.00
1957
1,580,000*
49.00
* Not including increase in assessed valuation on Raytheon Manufacturing Company
The cost of government in a growing town like Wayland con- stantly increases. Additions to the school plant and its operating budget are good examples. Under such circumstances it is the more imperative that taxes be fairly assessed. In addition to detailed statistics for the year ending December 31, 1957, the Board has also prepared some com- parative figures, showing the trend which has occurred over the past four years for particular items, as follows:
Real Estate
1954
1955
1956
1957
Number of bills ....
3,075
3,116
3,244
3,412
Increase in
Valuation
$1,393,296.00 $1,804,511.00 $2,553,224.00 $1,649,813.00
Real Estate
10,898,265.00
12,574,450.00
15,106,925.00
16,689,601.00
Personal
Property
888,889.00
1,017,215.00
1,037,964.00
1,105,101.00
Total Assessed
Value $11,787,154.00 $13,591,665.00 $16,144,889.00 $17,794,702.00
Value of Bldg.
Permits
2,721,250.00
2,787,900.00
2,711,096.00
2,552,510.00
Number issued ..
137
139
172
126
108
Real Estate Abatements :
Requests
(% of bills) ...... 51 (1.7%)
55
(1.8%)
69
(2.1%)
64 (1.8%)
Granted
(% of bills)
34 (1.1%)
42 (1.3%)
48 (1.5%) 47 (1.4%)
Refused
17
13
21
17
Valuation
29,000.00
46.300.00
60,285.00
37,700.00
Increase in
Personal Property
No. of bills
165
168
165
203
Valuation
888,889.00
1,017,215.00
1,037,964.00
1,105,101.00
Polls
No. of bills
1,999
2,180
2,340
2,464
Motor Excise
No. of bills
3,894
4,365
4,619
3,982
Valuation
1,977,010.00
2,642,690.00
3,015,570.00
(incomplete)
Tax
82,113.00
110,112.00
136,900.00
No. of Abatements
461
526
483
444
Tax Abated
8,315.61
9,132.24
8,630.51
10,249.92
PARK DEPARTMENT 1957
The Town Beach continued to be used extensively by the citizens of the town during the eleven weeks that it was open. Nine hundred and forty-one (941) families registered at the beach and enjoyed its use.
The provision of appropriate protection and suitable facilities has continued to be costly. This year voluntary contributions totalled $2,043.26. The Park Department has recommended to the Finance Com- mittee that a moderate annual charge, paid by each family registering at the Beach for the use of the beach would be a fairer and more logical procedure. This is a practice in many surrounding towns.
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