USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Lincoln > Town Report on Lincoln 1951-1955 > Part 29
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The results of the Venturi Meter Test showed the meter to be in considerable error. This error (28.4% Fast) has been the reason for the belief that use, waste and leakage in the system were excessive.
The complete Report is on file at the Selectmen's office.
Pollution of Water Supply
A major problem is preventing contamination of the waters and shores of Sandy Pond. Patrons of the Dana and DeCordova Museum and Park, especially those from out of Town, pay no attention to signs erected by the Commissioners along the shores of the Museum property. This matter has been called to the attention of the Musemum Directors, and it is hoped that with their cooperation appropriate safety precautions can be made effective.
Budget and Statistics see page 47
HENRY S. WARNER ROBERT W. SCOTT SUMNER SMITH, Chairman
76
PUBLIC WORKS
Report of the Superintendent of Streets
The work of your Highway Department is divided into the following categories: Snow removal, street mainten- ance, street construction, and Chapter 90 maintenance.
Snow Removal
The quantity of snow was small in 1953 but the vary- ing temperatures created icing conditions. The new sand spreader improved substantially the control of these conditions.
Street Maintenance
This type of work includes painting, cleaning, and repairing of street signs, culverts, catch basins, street surfaces, guard rails and equipment for 40.8 miles of highway.
1953 Work Completed
Asphalt and sand surfacing on : Giles Road, Old County Road, Hillside Road, Silver Birch Lane, Tower Road, Winter Street, and Page Road.
Repaired drain on Trapelo Road, cleaned catch basins, painted guard-rail posts.
1954 Work Proposed
Asphalt and sand surfacing on Cedar Road, Huntley Lane, Tower Road, Baker Bridge Road, Old Concord Road, Sandy Pond Road, Old Winter Street, Silver Hill Road, and Conant Road.
Street Construction
This type of work includes the building and installa- tion of new signs, catch basins, culverts, surfacing and widening highways.
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STREETS
1953 Work Completed
New drain - Giles Road, replaced culvert on Weston Road, new catch basin and drain Bedford Road.
Asphalt and stone surface - Bedford Lane, widen- ing - Silver Hill Road (started), installed 63 Highway signs.
1954 Work Proposed
Finish widening Silver Hill Road, widen Lincoln and Old Sudbury Road south of South Great Road.
Asphalt and stone surface Bedford Road.
Resurfacing and drain - Trapelo Road.
Chapter 90 Maintenance
Under this account nine miles of our highways are maintained with State and County returning 2/3 of the cost.
1953 Work Completed
Mixed in place - Tower Road to Lincoln Road (So. Great Road and Codman Road).
Asphalt and stone Bedford Road.
Cut brush on Routes 117 and 126.
1954 Work Proposed
Asphalt and stone Concord Road, So. Great Road, and Trapelo Road.
New Equipment 1953
Sand spreader.
Proposed 1954
New truck (trade), new plow (replacement), and street sweeper (used).
Respectfully submitted,
CLIFFORD BRADLEY, Superintendent
78
PUBLIC WORKS
Report of the Cemetery Commissioners For the Year 1953
Work of a maintenance nature continued to be the principal activity during the year. Numbered stone markers were placed on 119 lots, and more will soon be needed for areas recently surveyed. No additional appropriation is needed for this work now, because of an unexpended balance in our permanent improvement fund.
There follows a brief comparison of Lincoln Cemetery cost and management experience in 1953 with that of seven other Massachusetts towns of comparable size. seven other Massachusetts towns of comparable size. The tabulation shown was compiled from information obtained for us by Mr. Leslie Willard.
Lincoln
Maximum
7 Towns Minimum
Average
Number acres actively maintained
40
5
17.4
10
Maintenance cost (exclud-
ing permanent improve- ments and interment costs
$15661.
$2000.
$7928.
$2450.
Maintenance cost per acre
$700.
$200.
$455.
$245.
Price of lots per square foot
$1.70
.20
.67
.50
Labor cost per hour
$1.45
1.10
1.22
1.20
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE E. CUNNINGHAM JAMES B. BILLINGS R. D. DONALDSON Cemetery Commissioners
SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE
Inspectors of Building, Plumbing And Wiring
Building permits issued during 1953:
New residential buildings 44
New non-residential buildings 17
Alterations and additions. 23
Fees Collected $260.00
Plumbing permits issued during 1953: 78
Fees Collected
$137.00
Wiring permits issued during 1953: 100
Fees collected
$143.50
M. ELIZABETH CAUSER, Clerk WALTER BERGQUIST, Building Inspector WILLIAM M. DEAN, Wiring Inspector MANNING MacRAE,
Acting Plumbing Inspector
Report of the School Building Committee
The School Building Committee reports that the addi- tion to the New School is complete. The final work on the Gymnasium arches was finished during the recent Christmas vacation. Some raking and rolling remains to be done on the seeded area behind the school in the Spring. The finish surface will also be put on the park- ing area at that time.
The building has been in use for over a year and has proved entirely satisfactory. We wish to thank the firm of Anderson & Beckwith for their conscientious and patient work as architect.
Respectfully submitted,
ELLIOTT V. GRABILL ELIZABETH J. SNELLING ANDREW J. DOUGHERTY JAMES DeNORMANDIE
80
EDUCATION AND RECREATION
Report of the Committee to Investigate the Need for Additional Land for the New School
The Committee has been studying the land needs of the New School, has made surveys of the area involved, and investigated probable costs of land as well as possible alternatives. The study is not yet complete; therefore the Committee will continue its study and report at an early Town Meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
ELIZABETH J. SNELLING STANLEY HECK ANDREW J. DOUGHERTY ELLIOTT V. GRABILL JAMES DeNORMANDIE
Education
and Recreation ano
Report of Library Trustees
Your Library is entering on its seventieth year to contribute to the educational and recreational assets of the Town. The Trustees and Librarians wish to present their report for 1953 and to ask for your support and cooperation in the coming year.
Erected and opened in 1883, there has been no en- largement of the building since; so it has been a con- tinuing problem of utilizing all available space to its maximum to keep pace with the increasing demands of our growing Town. About one third of the population of the Town use the Library and each of them takes home an average of 22 books or periodicals in the year. The orderly storage and accessibility of approximately 16,000 books is necessary.
The Librarian's reports for several years show a steadily increasing use of the library facilities by chil- dren. Space devoted to them is small and woefully in- adequate, and the need for a Children's room with easily accessible storage shelves is apparent and is of much concern to the Trustees. They have given it much thought and have had conferences with representatives of the State Library Board and the State Safety Depart- ment to see if basement space made available by the change in the heating system offers possibilities. To
82
EDUCATION AND RECREATION
the casual observer such use seems simple and feasible ; but there are structural, safety, and administration prob- lems to be considered. Expert professional library and architectural guidance will be necessary, and necessary changes can mean a considerable capital outlay. A start has been made and it is hoped the Library eventually will have a Children's department sufficient to meet its needs.
Two good friends of the Library, Mrs. Constance Taylor and Dr. Robert DeNormandie, died during the year. Their interest and cooperation will be much missed. In their memory contributions of money and books have been made by many friends. Such are greatly appreciated and will be used as desired by their families.
Many other contributions have been made by friends of the Library and a list following this report is in acknowledgment. Any ommissions are surely uninten- tional and are regretted.
The oil heating system, voted for last year, has been installed and is in operation. Its economy has yet to be demonstrated, but it already has resulted in a warmer and cleaner building.
The aged cesspool has given much trouble by over- flowing, and if present palliative remedial measures do not suffice, it may be necessary to install a septic tank. Such would require a special appropriation outside of the usual library budget.
1953 expenditures were well under the appropriations ; 1954 estimates are somewhat larger under some headings because of increases in the costs of electricity, telephone and books. The sum of $500.00 from trust fund earnings is available for books this year; this, the accumulation from some previous years.
The Librarian's report follows - and we respectfully recommend it for your study.
83
LIBRARY
LINCOLN LIBRARY Lincoln, Massachusetts
These are the names of those who have given books or magazines to the library in 1953:
Concord Book Shop Concord Library Saint Joseph's Guild
State Street Trust Co.
Misses Marion Clark, Olive B. Floyd, Bunny Healey, Hazel Newton, Martha Norton, Katherine O'Sullivan, Mary Rogers, Evelyn Tuttle, Kay Wilson.
Messrs. Charles Blake, Charles V. Briggs, Robert Chapin, Norman Hapgood, Jr., Ethan Murphy, John H. Wilkins.
Mrs. A. W. Adkins, L. B. Anderson, R. L. DeNormandie, R. J. Eaton, R. J. Fairbanks, Richard Fleck, Warren Flint, Stanley Heck, Arthur Howard, Richard Mer- iam, William Preston, Robert Schlaifer, Robert Scott, Sumner Smith, Frank Stewart, F. B. Taylor, Henry Warner, Kenneth Webb.
Memorial books have been given by the Lincoln Garden Club and by Mrs. Richard Meriam in memory of Mrs. S. Forrest Martin ;
by Miss Elizabeth Wheeler in memory of Mrs. Elizabeth Stearns Balliet ;
"by Mr. and Mrs. Hurd in memory of Mrs. Lester Monks; by Mrs. Henry S. Bean in memory of Dr. Robert L. DeNormandie and of Mr. H. B. Hills ;
by friends of Mrs. E. S. Taylor in her memory ; by Mrs. Thiessen in memory of Laurie Thiessen.
84
EDUCATION AND RECREATION
THE LINCOLN LIBRARY Lincoln, Massachusetts
LIBRARY STATISTICS - 1953
Number of volumes January 1, 1953 15,846
Number of volumes added by gift 184
Number of volumes purchased.
466
Number of volumes withdrawn ..
827
Number of volumes December 31, 1953.
15,669
Number of borrowers.
837
Number of days open ..
149
Amount of fines collected
$305.00
CIRCULATION
Fiction
6207
Non-fiction
3160
Juvenile
9079
Periodicals
1063
Total
19,509
Library hours are Monday, Wednesday, Saturday from three to nine P.M.
Bemis Free Lectures
The income and expenses of the Trustees are shown in the report of Commissioners of Trust Funds.
The Trustees have continued the policy of offering as wide a variety of lecture subjects as possible. Sugges- tions for topics or lectures are always welcomed.
The Trustees wish to point out again the fact that the condition of the piano prevents the offering of musical programs.
85
EXTENSION SERVICE
An innovation this season has been the wider spacing of lecture dates in the winter months due to the crowded Town Activity Calendar.
Respectfully submitted,
CHRISTOPHER W. HURD, Chairman MABEL H. TODD LEONARD C. LARRABEE
Report of the Middlesex County Extension Service For Lincoln
The Middlesex County Extension Service is a publicly supported educational institution to serve all the towns of the county in agriculture and home economics. In agriculture the work is developed county-wide under the direction of county councils made up of leading farmers in each of the main commodities as vegetables, fruits, poultry, dairying, livestock, and commercial flowers. A County Bulletin is mailed monthly to all cooperating farmers and timely information sent to anyone on re- quest.
4-H Club work is developed under a town committee and leaders, and the home economic work is available through a town director, organized groups, or direct requests. Your town director furnishes counsel to the Extension Office on the needs of the towns, services de- sired, or leadership needed.
Information and assistance were made available on the planning and operation of a poultry farm or enter- prise covering the subjects of poultry housing and equip- ment, ventilating and litter management, brooding and rearing, marketing, and management for egg production.
86
EDUCATION AND RECREATION
Specialized information on turkey and poultry health was made available through the 1953 Middlesex Flock Health Program. George Browning participated in the 1953 Middlesex Flock Health Program. Almon Huff served as president of the Middlesex Commercial Rabbit Association.
The Middlesex County Extension Service renders many services to the dairymen in this area. There are in the county herd testing facilities which include complete herd records, pasture, hay and silage production, programs which aim at producing more and better roughage at a lower cost, and a soil testing laboratory where a com- plete analysis can be run to determine needed soil nutrients. Also, on application for membership, any dairyman has access to one of the best bull studs in the northeast for use in his own herd through the artificial breeding program.
Among the very active dairymen in Lincoln are James DeNormandie, Hans Van Leer, and Edward Denton. Mr. DeNormandie was a member of the County Dairy Ad- visory Council.
Service has also been rendered to the local commercial vegetable and fruit growers, this service taking largely from the form of farm visits and general information on orchard and vegetable pest control through circular letters and radio broadcasts.
Mrs. Medford Huntley had a Clothing Club of seven girls. Mr. Medford Huntley had a Garden Club with six boys. Mr. Almon Huff had a Rabbit Club with sixteen boys. Three girls and five boys attended Camp Middlesex. Several boys and girls exhibited at the 4-H County Fair, mostly rabbits and sheep.
Respectfully submitted, ROBERT D. DONALDSON Town Director
87
RECREATION COMMITTEE
Lincoln Recreation Committee
The Summer Playground carried on a similar program to previous years. Activities for both boys and girls consisted of basketball, croquet, horseshoe pitching, base- ball, tennis, touch football and pingpong under the direc- tion of Edward Czarnowski and Dana Murphy.
With the cooperation of the School Committee we were able to present a useful and enjoyable program in handi- craft under the supervision of Miss Leona Lawless.
Full day group trips were taken to Whalom Park and Provincetown.
A "winter sub-committee" has been appointed by the chairman to meet with the School Committee to work out plans to make use of the gymnasium during after school hours. The activities decided on will be made known to the Town by use of the Bemis mailing list.
Respectfully submitted,
Ethan Murphy, Chairman
David Todd
William DeFord
John Garrison
Malcolm Donaldson
Astrid Donaldson
Sadie Sherman
Edward Rooney
Robert Gray
Bicentennial Committee
The 200th anniversary of the incorporation of Lincoln as a Town will occur on April 23, 1954. In acordance with a motion passed at the special Town Meeting in Novem- ber, 1952, the Moderator appointed a committee to make preliminary plans for suitable observance of the occasion. At the annual Town Meeting in March, 1953, this com-
88
EDUCATION AND RECREATION
mittee was further authorized to proceed with organiza- tion and detailed planning for the observance and accom- panying celebration. The Town voted an initial appropria- tion of $2500 for the 1954 Bicentennial program.
The committee has adopted a program which it feels will provide significant recognition of the Town's growth and progress over the past 200 years, and will also fur- nish an opportunity for all Lincoln residents to celebrate their Town's 200th birthday. The program concentrates most of the events into two week ends: April 23-25 and July 3-5, 1954. Some continuing projects, such as exhibits, will run for longer periods.
Sunday, April 17 - opening of special exhibit at the DeCordova Museum.
Friday evening,
April 23 - formal observance with addresses by Mr. George Tarbell, Mr. William Rand and Governor Herter in the school auditorium, followed by a play presented by the Lincoln Players.
Saturday, April 24 - Arbor Day observance with tree planting ceremony. Tour of old houses and Bi- centennial Tea.
Birthday Ball at the auditorium in the evening.
Sunday, April 25 - anniversary observance by churches at morning services.
Saturday, July 3- Exhibition tennis matches at the Town Field.
Square Dance in the evening.
Monday, July 5 - parade and field activities.
Baseball game, band concert and fireworks.
Two special publications have been authorized and are in preparation. It is intended to make these available at cost to residents. Detailed announcement of events will be made to the Town well in advance of April 23.
Several subcommittees have been appointed to plan and carry out individual events or projects. A publicity
89
BICENTENNIAL COMMITTEE
subcommittee is organized to provide continuity for the central theme of the celebration as well as suitable local publicity for the events. A hospitality subcommittee and operations group will handle arrangements.
The committee has felt that the Bicentennial observ- ance and celebration should be primarily for the benefit of Lincoln residents, their families and friends. Accord- ingly, the events have been planned with this policy in mind, particularly since the Town does not have the facilities to handle large out-of-town crowds attending widely-publicized attractions.
A preliminary budget has been adopted for the celebra- tion. This will provide some events of general interest free to all Town residents and guests ; others will be pro- vided at or below cost to encourage general participation, with any deficits paid from the appropriation. A number of items require the committee to commit funds in ad- vance which will later be recaptured from the sale of souvenirs, food, publications and the like. For this reason it will be necessary to enter an article in the Town Warrant in 1954 requesting an additional appropria- tion from the Town, as was stated at the time of the original appropriation in 1953.
The Bicentennial Committee hopes to interest all Town organizations in participating in the Bicentennial program, and urges officers of all such organizations to suggest to this Committee projects consistent with the program which would interest their groups.
Lincoln Bicentennial Committee
MRS. HERBERT G. FARRAR WARREN F. FLINT EDMUND W. GILES MRS. SUMNER SMITH HENRY DeC. WARD FREDERICK H. GREENE, Co-Chairman JOHN O. WILSON, Co-Chairman E. DONLAN ROONEY, Secretary
90
EDUCATION AND RECREATION
deCordova and Dana Museum and Park Report of the Executive Director for the year 1953
This report will picture the previous year's progress and activity. The first portion is a general survey and specifically covers administration.
Public awareness of the Museum spread and the yearly attendance at exhibitions and classes increased. Probably the greatest cause of increased interest was the exhibi- tion schedule, designed last year to have special local appeal as most of the artists shown were New Eng- landers. If we were to name a second reason, it would undoubtedly be the very successful Festival of the Golden Fleece which was held on the Museum grounds in May and drew over 2,000 visitors.
The Directors, anticipating that there would be an increased load on the staff in the fall, especially as the Concord Academy art classes would be held at the Museum for the first time, authorized the creation of the position of Assistant Director. Foster Nystrom of Lincoln was chosen for this position. His broad duties include assisting with the school, coping with many details of administration, and working on publicity and publications, for which his experience in commercial art made him well qualified. Both Nancy Luxford and Mavis Derby resigned and were replaced by Nancy Foell and Judith Barry in the positions of Administrative Assistant and Registrar, respectively. This meant a complete change in administrative staff, which took several months of adjustment, but they are now integrated into a smoothly functioning unit. The maintenance staff, who have been with us since the Museum opened - Karl Lahnstein, Floriy Campobasso and Richard Witherton - continue to maintain the appearance of the Museum, in spite of the greater load, so that it is at all times a cause for great pride on -our part.
91
DE CORDOVA MUSEUM
School
This season brought the inevitable teaching staff changes, with the loss of favorites who have moved to other positions or who are pursuing their art careers in other parts of the country. But new teachers, added to the staff, make friends, and in continuing the estab- lished Museum courses bring new enthusiasm with their work.
There is still growth in many directions - in others a leveling off. This leveling is the result of either a lack of space or a saturation - that is, the demand for a specific subject is satisfied and the enrollment is constant. The leveling from saturation occurs mainly in adult classes, and when this leveling takes place we immediately undertake a new area of activity which makes the Museum's services open to more people and broadens our coverage of the arts. You have, no doubt, seen in our bulletins that courses in the dramatic arts have been added to the adult schedule. There is no place out- side of Boston that such courses are available - and are presented here because we think that many people in the various "players" groups in the vicinity of Lincoln will welcome some professional guidance and inspiration.
Adult classes showed a considerable increase in number of registrations; in the fall of 1952, 146 were enrolled and in the same period, 1953, there were 245.
Enrollment in children's classes in the Fall of 1952 was 312 and in 1953, 285. This slight drop in attendance is accounted for by the fact that three classes were dropped from the schedule because of inadequate class- room space. However, this enrollment is about all we can handle until more space is provided during the time children are free for museum classes. This maximum attendance has held for two years and can be expected to stay at that point at present indications.
The Museum's widening service to the community includes Concord Academy art classes, with an enroll-
92
EDUCATION AND RECREATION
ment of 130. We think this is a unique opportunity, as these girls will receive an art education superior to any training possible under even the most ideal situation in a big-city high school. Our purpose is not to develop artists of each girl but to give every one an understanding of the visual world and enjoyment of great art of the past and present. They will learn the language of vision.
Exhibitions
In line with our program of presenting to you New England artists, known or unknown, who in our opinion are making definite artistic contributions, we presented twenty-one artists in solo or duo shows. Outstanding, in retrospect, were the Andersons' weaving, enamels and silver of the Israels, and the paintings of Alcalay and Kepes. Two nationally known artists were Steven Greene, remembered for monumental figure compositions and religious paintings, and Elie Nadelman, whose painted wood figures aroused considerable local interest. The Museum's first adventure into the field of architecture was an exhibition of the work of Carl Koch.
In 1953 the deCordova undertook the assembling and presentation of the second annual Massachusetts Crafts exhibition. This show, held in the Spring, drew large audiences from all over the state and served to introduce our galleries to many people who had not previously visited the Museum.
A popular exhibition at the year's end was the New England Water-color Competition, which drew entries from all of New England and re-emphasized the Museum's position of promoting the best regional art of our time.
Based on the most accurate estimate possible, with only Sunday attendance tallied, over 20,000 visitors came to the exhibitions this year.
Special Events
There were several organizations in Lincoln which used the Museum and auditorium this year because its facili-
93
DE CORDOVA MUSEUM
ties most perfectly fulfilled their needs. They were the Community Fund Committee, the Lincoln Players and the Lincoln Garden Club which again held its annual Spring Flower Show at the Museum.
Five concerts were held last season. They were varied, including two pianists, a violin and piano duo, the Morn- ing Chorale, and a special chamber music concert for the children by the LaSalle Quartet.
Local craftsmen felt that there was a need for an organization to serve the interest of craft artisans in Greater Boston, and in cooperation with the deCordova Museum have formed a group to be known as the deCordova Craftsmen. One meeting has already been held at the Museum with a guest speaker. The member- ship brochure states that the organization's purpose is "- to encourage originality and individuality in craft designs". The Directors encouraged formation of this group as another way the Museum could reach out to serve the artist and public.
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