USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Lincoln > Town Report on Lincoln 1956-1959 > Part 15
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ii. Sewers: The Committee sees no need for the Town to construct sewers in the next 20 years, if the 2 acre zoning is preserved. It is recognized that there is something of a drainage problem in certain older areas in the town where lots are below 1 acre and old cesspools have been in use a long time. Similar problems possibly could devel- op in new construction in swampy areas. The Committee believes that these problems are all solvable on an indi- vidual basis.
Any industrial development would have to provide for its own waste disposal. In the event of a large development in the area adjacent to Bedford Airport, it might be feasible to connect an industrial sewer system to the Metropolitan District Commission system which now reaches the airport Such connections might be financed by a loan to be paid by assessments to the beneficiaries.
Recreation
a. Record of Capital Expenditures, 1945-1955
1950
$963.26
1951
226.01
both items for resurfacing tennis courts.
b. Proposed Capital Expenditures
1958
$14,000
additional tennis courts (avoidable but desirable)
1961-65
13,000
baseball diamond and new grandstands (avoidable but desirable)
1965-75
100,000
town swimming pool, etc. (questionable)
16
The recommendations of the Committee in this area are based upon informal and hurried reports of members of the Recreation Committee, which was belatedly requested to assist the Committee. Accordingly, these recom- mendations are tentative and the subject should be given further study.
The growth of the Town suggests the necessity for additional town tennis courts. $14,000 will buy two on the recommended site. These should be lined up with the present courts, which will encroach to a small extent on private land, and also require the diversion of a small stream. 1958 is suggested as the most suitable time.
The present grandstand is gradually deteriorating. A new grandstand of steel will cost $5000. Despite the current demise of the Mohawks, a stand is needed for town events.
A second diamond will be needed ultimately and will cost $8,000 mainly for backstop. Its outfield will interlock with the present outfield. The new stands and the new diamond have been foreseen for 1961-65.
The Recreation Committee proposes that the Town should embark on
a) the creation of a hockey rink and skating area
b) a town swimming pool
The Committee is not prepared to recommend expenditures for these structures at the present time. The hockey rink, etc., would require a couple of acres of swampy land, so regulated as to drainage as to make possible flooding with regulator gates built into drainage streams, a parking area for 40 to 50 cars, lights and toilet facilities. Perhaps $3,000 without land cost would suffice with crude facilities. An Olympic size pool, 75' x 225' could be built for $40,000 to $50,000, but an additional sum of similar size would be needed to fence it, construct dressing and toilet facilities, parking, etc. A considerable annual sum would be needed for maintenance and operation.
The Recreation Committee has made the suggestion that the Town under- take to improve the drainage of the streams from Sandy Pond to Pierce Hill Road with the idea of ultimately using the area near the Smith School as the site of a combined swimming pool and skating area. Assistance could be obtained from the Middlesex Soil Conservation District, and possibly from other agencies such as Mosquito Control. The cost would run $6-8,000 immediately. The Committee finds this idea attractive but is not sufficiently informed to make recommenda- tions. It would be useful to get the Middlesex Soil Conservation District to survey the possibilities, which must be done in winter months.
The Committee has not be able to investigate adequately the proposal for a boat landing on the Sudbury River; or for the ultimate conversion of Pierce House into a recreation Center. It suggests that more extensive attention is needed in this area, whether by the Planning Board, the Recreation Committee, by a continued Capital Requirements Committee, or by ad hoc bodies.
It may not be out of place to note that the development of the recreation facilities of Lincoln provides an opportunity for someone interested in making a benefaction to the Town by gift or bequest.
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Land Acquisition
a. Record of Capital Outlays - not given separately.
b. Proposed Capital Expenditure - not available.
It is understood that the Land Acquisition Committee has not yet reached the stage where it is ready to estimate the costs of proposals for the purchase of land which it expects to put forward. Proposals are in preparation for the purchase or acquisition of land near Sandy Pond, and a recreational site of some 30 acres in North Lincoln. Without prejudice to a subsequent realistic estimate, but in order to make some rough allowance for expenditure under this category, the sum of $30,000 has been included in this report and charged against 1959. A definitive estimate, of course, awaits the results of continued study by the Land Acquisition Committee.
c. Financing - Any substantial expenditure for land would pre- sumably be financed by borrowing over a long term.
Highways
1. Road Improvements
a. Record of Capital Outlays, 1946-1955
It is impossible to construct an adequate record of capital expenditures on road construction and reconstruction. The data in Table 2 are for Chapter 90 construction, which may ยท include most but does not cover all such construction. These figures are as follows:
Expenditures under Chapter 90 Construction
1946
$ 5,316.29
1951
$10,000.00
1947
9,486.08
1952
6,655.81
1948
7,996.08
1953
1949
8,000.00
1954
1950
10,000.00
1955
Total $57,454.26
In 1955, mix-in-place macadam topping was applied to Bedford Road and Old Concord Road at a cost of $3,000. Similar sums in other years are included along with maintenance, snow removal, etc. It may be observed that the total expenditure for the highway department, including maintenance, machinery, repairs, supplies and street lights, has risen only slowly as follows:
1946
$33,704.42
1951
$46,809.69
1947
38.375.52
1952
48,527.26
1948
42,177.48
1953
42,558.26
1949
43,868.90
1954
37,100.70
1950
44,923.77
1955
42,516.19
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The decline in these amounts in 1953 and 1954 was due to the halt in Chapter 90 construction. Apart from this, however, the increase from 1947 to 1952 was probably less than the rise in the price level for supplies and labor.
b. Proposed Level of Capital Expenditures
1956
$32,000
Chapter 90 on Trapelo Road from Center to de Normandie Pond, of which $12,000 voted in 1955.
1957-60 165,000
Chapter 90 construction of Old County Road, assuming cloverleaf on limited- access Route 2 at junction of Old County Road and present Route 2
1961-65
75,000
reconstruction of Route 126 from Codman Road to Wayland line under Chapter 90.
1966-75
not planned.
Detailed discussion of highway recommendations under Road Improve- ments, New Roads and Road Machinery is provided in a special report made to the Committee by one of its members, M.E. Shank, and accepted with the general approval of the Committee. This is presented in an appendix to the present report, and discusses capital and maintenance expenditures, which in this field, are intimately related. The report suggests the division of the Town's roads into A, B, and C categories, of which only A would be constructed to Chapter 90 standards, with no capital expenditures, but fairly substantial maintenance outlays on the B and C roads.
c. Financing
The amounts shown above represent the total cost of the various projects, of which only one-quarter would be borne by the Town. The Old County Road project, which would involve the extension of the present road from Winter Street through to Conant Road and then to Route 117, includes only costs for construction and reconstruction in Lincoln, and assumes that their shares of the cost would be borne by Waltham and Weston.
d. Effects on Current Expenditures
Chapter 90 construction will limit amounts needed for maintenance on these roads. On B and C roads, however, substantial maintenance costs will be needed in lieu of very heavy capital outlays. The Shank report suggest that annual maintenance expenditures for roads should be increased as rapidly as practicable by $18,500.
2. New Roads
see under Old County Road above
3. Land Takings
a. Record of capital outlays, 1946-1955 - not shown separately
b. Proposed Capital Expenditure
19
The Committee strongly recommends that the Town proceed with the land takings along the major roads of the town to a minimum of 40 feet width, regardless of decisions to improve roads in the immediate future. Such action has been recommended by the Planning Board, the Selectmen, and is understood by the Town at large. There is no reason to delay.
It is not believed that damages for land takings will prove sizeable and many property owners may be expected to deed the required land to the Town free of charge or for a nominal consideration. No estimates can be made of damages if a significant number of property owners take a different view.
4. Sidewalks, Parking areas
a. Record of capital outlays, 1946-1955 none aside from school
b. Proposed capital expenditures
$10,000, of which $5,000 for a sidewalk to connect the Smith and Center Schools, and $5,000 for land and blacktopping on parking area. This expenditure, which is avoidable, is arbi- trarily allocated to 1959.
i. Sidewalks: The Committee believes that the Town in general will not be lined with sidewalks in the foreseeable future. The few existing sidewalks on Bedford Road from O' Sullivan house to the Center, or along Lincoln Road from the Center to the Center School, are little used. Children and adults walking along the roads must be aware of the hazards of automobiles. The growth of the Town to a population of 5,500 will not bring with it a 1st class post office and postman delivery such as requires sidewalks.
There is, however, a need for a sidewalk for children walking between the Smith and Center schools. It is virtually impossible to prohibit such walking, and such a prohibition would require extra bus service to bring all children to school by bus, including those now regarded as within walking distance.
A problem is presented by the route, which could either follow the road or go through the woods. The latter is short er but would require the purchase of land and a survey to determine the attitude of the owners. A difference of view over the route, however, should not lead to the indefinite postponement of the project. The amount mentioned, $5,000, is a very rough estimate lacking a specific proposal.
ii. Parking areas: The Committee is not disposed to recommend the construction of a municipal parking lot for shoppers, such as are being developed in other towns. While considerable expansion of commercial facilities will occur as the population approaches 5,500, the Zoning By-law if amended as proposed by the Planning Board, will ensure
20
that reasonable parking space is provided with all new commercial construction.
Despite this general position, the Committee believes that it would be prudent for the Town to acquire additional land in South Lincoln for development for parking, across Lincoln Road from and on the same side of the railroad as the station. Land and ultimate blacktopping have been estimated at $5,000. This presupposes the acquisition of land at a price generous to the Town.
6. Road Machinery
a. Record of Capital Outlays
1946
$11,786.75
1951
1947
944.00
1952
$1,624.90
1948
7,231.25
1953
1,543.50
1949
7,750.00
1954
550.00
1950
1955
Total $31,430.40
b. Proposed Capital Expenditures
1956
$ 9,800
1961-65
$50,000 - $75,000
1957
12,500
1966-70
50,000 - 75,000
1958
14,500
1971-75
50,000 - 75,000
1959
10,000
1960
7,500
For discussion, see Shank memorandum in appendix.
c. Financing - current expense
d. Effect on Current expense - These capital expenditures will re- duce annual expenditure for main- tenance and for hiring road roller, etc.
Schools
a. Record of Capital Outlays
New equipment New School
New School Second
Other
Construction addition
addition
Regional High School
1946
not est. sep.
1947
not est. sep.
16,099.62
1948
not est. sep.
3,658.11
1949
not est. sep.
284,248.67
1950
not est. sep.
45,276.26
2,749.74 2
1951
not est. sep.
21,370.32
1952
not est. sep.
46.45
368,629.68
1953
not est. sep.
74,620.98
1954
1,975.11
318.88
13,112.58
15,174.201
1955
1,285.12
106,046.89
n.r.
$3,260.23
349,647.99 464,620.98
119,169.47 15,174.20 6,749.74
4,000.003
1
21
d
Schools a. Record of Capital Outlays (Continued)
1 Costs of planning Regional High School
2 Center School toilets replacement
3 Center School boiler replacement
n. r. - no record
1. Elementary School
b. Proposed Capital Expenditures
1956
1961-1965
$168,000
1957
(1961 unavoidable)
1958
$232,000 (unavoidable) 1966-1970
300,000
1959
1971-1975
200,000
1960
Total
$232,000
Estimates for 1966-75 very rough and uncertain.
The present elementary facilities consist of 23 classrooms plus 5 other instructional stations (gymnasium, music room, etc.). At 25 pupils per class- room and counting two of the extra stations, this gives a capacity for 625 com- pared with the present enrollment (see page 21 above) of 575. Present capacity will permit three classes per grade from 1st through 8th grade, which will be reached next year.
The School Committee contemplates building in two stages of 7 and 5 rooms. The broad decision has been reached to adhere to the present two sites -- of the Smith and Center Schools -- with the idea of keeping the elementary school population in one body. The detailed decision as to whether any additions will be undertaken in the Center School has yet to be made.
The estimates include 8 to 10 per cent of building costs for equipment.
The School Board foresees the need of an additional room for a School Library, largely of reference works, accessible to the pupils without the necessity to go to the Town Library and back again.
No provision is made in the foregoing requests for such a room.
The School Committee foresees no expenditures for a school cafeteria, for housing for teachers, for busses (which are hired). The subject of a side- walk is discussed elsewhere. The extension of existing playgrounds is under study. The School Committee is not now interested in acquiring sites of future schools in other parts of the Town.
22
Estimates for 1966-75 are based on increases in pupils of about 100 each five-year period, with allowance for new overhead facilities in the first of these periods.
c. Financing
By borrowing. The Town borrows and pays interest on the entire debt, but is assisted by the Commonwealth on a complex formula which has resulted in payments of about one-third of debt repayment. On $240,000 borrowing, at 22 per cent interest for 20 years the Town's average payment, after state aid, would amount to $11,000. Adding the two additions, under the same assumptions, the Town's average carrying cost when both were being financed concurrently would be $22,000.
The foregoing figures assume no Federal aid.
d. Effect on Current expenditures
12 additional classrooms over the next 10 years would require 15 addi- tional teachers (including those in "overhead" subjects such as music, art, physical education, etc.). At an average salary of $4,500 a year, one reaches a figure of $67,500. The total cost of school operation including building main- tenance, tends to run 1.5 times instructional cost, which would bring the total in 10 years to $100,000.
2. Regional High School
a. Record of Capital Outlays
Total
Lincoln "Share"
1955-1956
$1,500,000
$500,000
b. Proposed Capital Expenditures
Total
Lincoln "Share"
1956-1960
1961-1965
$620,000
$250,000
1966-1970
300,000
100,000
1971-1975
419,000
125,000
The new regional high school now under construction at a cost of $1,500,000 has been planned for 650 pupils with additions embodied in the original design in three stages to raise the capacity to 1,000, 1,200, and 1,500 respectively. It is contemplated that the first of these stages will be required for 1962 or 1963.
The estimate that one addition will be needed in each of the five-year periods after the first and the sharing of costs is based on very rough estimates of high school pupils as follows:
23
Lincoln
Sudbury
Total
1955
100
150
250
1960
200
300
500
1965
267
433
700
1970
333
666
1,000
1975
400
850
1,250
c. Financing
Through borrowing by the Regional School District. Under regional school arrangements, both towns stand behind the total debt of the Regional School District, but it is not included in the debt record, nor does it affect the debt limits of either town. It is therefore, inappropriate to divide the debt into the "shares" of the respective towns. Moreover, the district calls on the towns for support for debt service and current expenses annually in proportion to the numbers of pupils from each town. At present, Lincoln pays approximately 40 percent of debt service. If Sudbury grows somewhat faster than Lincoln, as the table above suggests, the proportion will decline to more nearly 30 percent.
State assistance for construction is at the same rate as for elementary schools (currently nearly 30 percent in Lincoln) plus 15 percentage points for participation in a regional school.
At the peak of total building, assuming that the last addition is undertaken before the first has been paid for, and assuming 22 percent interest and 20 year bonds, with Lincoln paying one-third of the joint charges, total borrowing would amount to $2,750,000, interest charges to $70,000, and debt repayment to $137,00( Lincoln's share of interest at $23,333 and of debt repayment, after State assis- tance, of $22,000 would amount to $45,333.
d. Effect on Current Expenditures
The growth of the high school will entail a distinct enlargement of current expense, running possibly as high in the early stages as $500 per pupil. Assum- ing $2,000 of capital construction per pupil on the average, and the above assump. tions on borrowing and State assistance, roughly $100 of this would be the cost of carrying and paying off construction costs over 20 years. The remainder would be entirely current expense. With the expansion of pupil numbers over time, and the spreading of overhead, the per pupil average cost is expected to decline.
Library
a. Record of Capital Outlays, 1946-55 - none
b. Proposed Capital Expenditures
1957 $65,000 new wing on present structure (unavoidable
1961-1965 4,000 electrification of clock (not absolutely necessary)
1966-1970
1971-1975
24
The growth of the library has not kept pace with the expansion of the Town. Because of limitations of space, it is now necessary to discard one book for every new book acquired. The numbers of books per capita has fallen from 10 to 1925, which is the level achieved currently in Concord, to 5. Weston is 72, which is the appropriate level for a town of this size. The library lacks an adequate reading room for children, and proper facilities for librarians.
The Trustees of the Library have examined several plans, of which the two main alternatives have been a remodelling of the basement, at a cost of $23,500, and the addition of a new wing at $65,000. The former would provide a children's room, but little in the way of stack space. It would therefore re- quire a subsequent project in perhaps five years. The wing, extending north- ward from the present structure, would be 30' x 50', house 30,000 books additional to the present 15,000, a children's room, public toilets, and a librarians' room. This should take care of the Town's requirements for 20 years. It is accordingly recommended. It is desirable that a building committee be appointed in 1956 to bring in plans and that construction proceed in 1957.
The Tower Clock, which is mechanical, is maintained in good working order through the generous efforts of a citizen. It will ultimately be desirable to replace the mechanical with electrical works.
c. Financing - Addition, by borrowing. Clock as current expense.
At 22 percent interest rate for 20 years this would cost $3,250 annually in debt retirement, and an initial $1,625 and an average $812.50 in interest charges
If a public-spirited citizen were interested in making a contribution to the Town, whether as gift or bequest, the needs of the Library would seem to merit particular attention.
d. Effect on Current Expense
The current budget of the Library will inevitably expand as additional staff is needed. The present budget runs about $6,600 annually, of which $4300 is for salaries, $1375 for books, $700 for supplies and $225 for repairs. $200 of this amount comes from endowment, $1,000 from the dog tax, and the remain- der from general taxes. Even without the addition, salary expense must increase as service is needed on more days per week than the current three. With the addition, the cost of maintenance and supplies will be approximately doubled.
Water Department
a. Record of Capital Outlays
WATER COMMISSION
Additions and Replacements
Meters
Other
1946
$ 4,0001
1947
23,3001
-
1948
15,8001
-
1949
16,6001
- --
25
WATER COMMISSION (Continued)
Additions and Replacements
Meters
Other
1950
$ 3,9002
1951
9,6001 16,3001
10,6002
1952
$7,814.71
1953
7,481.67
5003
1954
---
5,890.43
2,3424
1955
---
$85,600
$21,186.81
$17,342
2
1 Estimated. Taken from Blake Survey, Town Report, 1952, p. 118. Legal and engineering services, connection additional water source (and probably Concord takeoff Sandy Pond)
3 Chlorinator
4 Heating system, $1,000; new truck, $1342.
b. Proposed Capital Expenditures
1956-1960 $107,000 unavoidable, plus $60,000 estimated
1961-1965 60,000 unavoidable
1966-1970
55,000 unavoidable
1971-1975 500,000 uncertain
Capital expenditures by the Board of Water Commissioners in the past 10 years have included six years of replacement of 4" or 6" main with 8" or larger, and three years of expenditure for metering, arising from the fears felt in 1951 and 1952 that the Town's water supply was inadequate. The completion of metering makes it possible to renew modernization of existing mains. In addition, several major expenses and a variety of lesser ones appear in the future in connection with water supply and primary distribution.
The major restriction on water supply for the next several years appears to be not the capacity of Sandy Pond but that of the distribution system. In par- ticular, the system is strained in periods of drought with maximum water use by the gradual constriction of the main from Sandy Pond to the reservoir on the Town Hill. Replacement with a 16" main is probably cheaper than cleaning, and is required in the first five-year period at a cost of $80,000.
The Town Report for 1952 contains a map at p. 112 showing the size of existing mains. A program of continued replacement annually should be resumed as early as possible. The Board of Water Commissioners has been handicapped in the last year or so by uncertainty on road reconstruction. It is economical to associate work on water mains with road reconstruction. New mains on Trapelo Road from the Center to the cemetery, on Route 2 and on Old Sudbury Road have been assigned to the first five year period on the basis of need and contemplated road work.
In addition to the foregoing, the first five years will require a consider- able number of items of construction or major repairs connected with Sandy Pond, including a new suction intake, one new pump, and rebuilding of the dam at the outlet.
26
The program for the first five years, 1956-1960, includes $80,000 for the new 16" main from Sandy Pond to the Town Hill reservoir; $6,000 for a new pump; $5,000 for a new suction intake; $15,000 for rebuilding the dam on Sandy Pond when lower water permits; $1,000 for building repair. In addition there is $119,000 of replacement of existing mains which must be regarded as uncertain, partly because of dependence on road relocations and building. The assumption made in Table 1 is that half of this work will be undertaken, but this assumption needs to be kept under examination. The replacement of the 16" main and the work around Sandy Pond are covered in the estimate.
A new source of water supply will not be needed for some 10 to 15 years, in the view of the Committee, but will then cost a very considerable sum such as $500,000. The Board of Water Commissioners and the Committee believe that the most feasible plan will be to use wells within Lincoln, rather than con- nect to Hobbs Brook Reservoir, or MDC, but the issue need not be settled at this time.
No capital expense for construction of new mains on roads not now served is contemplated on the foregoing estimates for Mill Street, Sandy Pond Road, Concord Road or Conant Road, since the town appears to be satisfied with pre- sent regulations under which developers assumed cost of extending mains. It would be possible to extend mains, however, with the use of assessments but in areas zoned for 2 acres, it is believed cheaper to drill wells.
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