USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Lincoln > Town Report on Lincoln 1956-1959 > Part 18
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We appreciate the continued unfailing support of the officers and men appointed to the Fire Department.
Police Department
Considerable time was spent by the Board this year with the Chief of Police involving personnel changes. On April 15th Patrolman Daniel MacInnis was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. Five applicants were interviewed for the position of Patrolman and on April 22, 1957, Frank Gordon, Jr. was appointed.
The untimely death of Patrolman James Diamond on July 21st created a void in the ranks of experienced service within the department. Special Police Officers responded to assist in the much needed coverage.
Again the Board interviewed applicants to fill this vacancy and on October 11th appointed Michael McHugh pro- visional Patrolman.
Frank Gordon, Jr. attended the five week State Police Training School in the fall and Patrolman McHugh is scheduled to attend the spring session of 1958.
High praise is due Chief Algeo, Sergeant MacInnis and Patrolman Hallett for the reconstruction of our department to its present integrated position.
Steps have been taken to add margins of safety to town roads. Approximately ten thousand feet of white safety striping was applied to some of the most hazardous curves and intersections. Speed posting along Trapelo Road has been completed with more to follow during 1958. Vigorous enforcement of our traffic regulations has been ordered by the Selectmen. Violators, both resident and non-resident, shall be dealt with impartially.
12
SELECTMEN
Alarming increase in the national crime pattern is one for sober reflection by every Lincoln family. The co- operation of an alert citizenry working with the law en- forcement division may very well be the answer to curbing acts leading to crime.
The Selectmen wish to compliment Chief Algeo and his men for the use of disciplinary action or counseling de- pending on offences involving the public.
Communications
Central Communications for all Public Safety Departments will be established at the Fire and Police Building. Incoming telephone and outgoing radio and telephone trans- mission will be on a twenty-four hour basis.
Competent surveys indicated the most economical approach to the audible fire alarm signal would be to leave the present equipment at the Town Hall, moving only the trans- mitter to the new building. Necessary wiring is being installed and the by-product gives the town an opportunity to add signal boxes, either automatic or manual, at all public buildings.
Monitor radio receivers, coded for fire use only, were placed in ten of the call firemen's houses and have con- tributed substantially to faster response to fires.
The communication officer at the fire and police station will also serve as general custodian of the building. It is the opinion of the Selectmen that full time custodian- ship at the Town Hall will be unnecessary and the budget reflects a cut-back in this service.
GENERAL
On April 22nd the Selectmen received and voted to accept, with regret, the resignation of Mr. Robert Ralston, Tree Warden. Mr. Albert Brooks was appointed May 13th to fill this vacancy and on June 3rd was appointed Moth Superinten- dent.
The 1958 budget reflects a change in policy relative to the care of public trees. We are recommending a larger sum to be spent on tree pruning. Under plans started this year, we feel that diseased Elm tree removal can be accom- plished effectively with a lower appropriation. Removal costs were bid at a much lower figure than in the past by
13
TOWN GOVERNMENT
using the Town Highway Department equipment for disposal.
In view of the future the Selectmen will give serious consideration to a program of tree planting and will make specific recommendations at the annual Town Meeting in 1959.
On May 13th, Mr. William Dean was appointed Building Inspector; a Building Code Board of Appeals was also ap- pointed as follows :
Lawrence B. Anderson, Chairman, for three years Stephen W. Herthel, for two years William A. Halsey, for one year
Associate members for one year: Robert Bygrave Walter Belanger Donald Loveys
It was with deep regret that we were forced, in July, to accept the resignation of Mr. William Costello, who has served the Town faithfully as custodian of the Town Dump. Mr. Andrew Dougherty was appointed to fill this vacancy. Mr. Dougherty has been given full authority to maintain the dump in accordance with the regulations.
HIGIJWAY DEPARTMENT
The recommendations of the Selectmen for last year's Town Meeting were approved. The purchase of a new heavy duty Mack truck, a new Michigan front end loader and a pick-up four wheel drive Jeep for our Superintendent was made. The addition of this equipment to the department has already paid many dividends in terms of work accom- plished. These vehicles were displayed to the Town during the 4th of July parade and at the Town Hall at the time of "Open House".
The Selectmen pursued the recommendations made in their report of 1956 and held a meeting of abuttors on Farrar Road. The layout authorized by the Board was presented to the abuttors on a basis of forty feet, with a paved way not to exceed eighteen feet. The sentiment recorded at this meeting indicated strong objection of this proposed layout.
This is not the first objection to road improvement in the town by any means. Your Selectmen propose, through its recommendation of increased expenditures for highway maintenance, to improve the surface of existing roadways of
14
SELECTMEN
reasonable width. There is much resurfacing to be done and the Town must continue the program which got off to such a good start this past year.
We have been in continual touch with the Department of Public Works regarding the location of Route #2, but as yet no plans have crystalized for presentation to the Town. We will continue to give this matter our close attention.
The Department now employs five men in addition to the Superintendent. It has added to its duties the care of the Cemeteries and assists substantially the Tree and Moth Department. This in turn has been a financial saving to the Town.
SPECIAL COMMENT
On January 15th, the Board received a letter from George Cunningham, stating that the time had come for him to resign as Cemetery Commissioner.
Very few people can boast of a record such as his. His conscientious and faithful service to the Town has been an inspiration to all those who have had the good fortune of knowing and working with him.
THE STATE OF THE TOWN
A decade has passed since an inventory of the Town was presented by the Selectmen. The farming community of Lincoln has undergone considerable change, yet by compari- son with other communities still offers a priceless herit- age deserving our utmost efforts to preserve.
The challenge of these past ten years has stimulated many accomplishments but has also added substantially to the tax commitment required to support both capital and operating expenses.
15
TOWN GOVERNMENT
On a direct comparative basis we find the following :
1948
1957
% inc.
Inhabitants
1998
3100*
55.2
Dwellings
529
943
78.3
Elem. Sch. enrollment
302
702
132.5
High Sch. enrollment
80
134
67.5
Zoning
40,000*
80,000*
100.0
Units of business
property
15
19
26.6
Value of In-Town
business
$52,150.
$106,150.
103.5
Value of Real and
Personal Property
$3,737,777.
$7,248,630.
93.9
Tax rate
$ 38.
$ 68.
78.9
Estimated
Cumulative Capital Expenditures :
1948-1957
Town Hall
$ 19,090.65
Highway Building
42,266.24
Highway Equipment
43,664,85
Fire and Police Building
51,515.26
Fire Apparatus & Equipment
26,759.29
Library Building
3,430.51
Elementary Schools
1,006,554.35
Land Acquisition
38,900.00
Interest on Bonds
70;887,17
$1,303,068.32
1958-1977
Debt Service :
$ 4,000.00
Highway Building Fire and Police Building Elementary Schools
100,000.00
858,000.00
Interest on Bonds
256,612.00
$1,218,612.00
Future capital needs are clearly indicated in the report of the Long Term Capital Requirements Committee. We are recommending, with the approval of the Finance Committee, the establishment of a Stabilization Fund to which would be appropriated each year a sum approximating $1.00 on the Tax rate (for 1958 $7,500). The purpose of this fund
16
SELECTMEN
is to level off the impact of heavy equipment purchases, such as Highway vehicles and Fire trucks.
Future operating policies can affect the underlying economic structure of the Town. From our point of view, these future policies should reflect the following :
1. Commitments sufficient to improve and maintain a top flight management and instructional staff in our schools. Strict economy should be practiced in all other categories of school expenditures.
2. Adequate but not maximum coverage in other Town services.
3. A consistent policy in relation to the annual maintenance of Town property, roads and the replacement of equipment.
4. Adherence to present assessing policies.
5. Guidance to the Town from Long Range Planning rela- tive to its controlled growth, rural atmosphere and economic stability.
The desirability of our community is unchallenged. The real challenge rests in the amount of effort all of us are willing to make in sustaining the character of the Town. We are appreciative of the contribution made this year by the administrative boards, committees and employees.
The overall spirit of our townspeople is the motivating factor in sound government and we have the utmost faith in the continuance of this interest.
Respectfully submitted :
Charles K. Fitts, Chairman William T. King Elliott V. Grabill
Board of Selectmen
17
TRUE
NORTH
TOWN OF LINCOLN
BROOK
.. ...
N. 43° 19'30"W.
14/1
105.52 "
: BD.D.H.
AREA 1.61+ ACRES
370 ±
COUSINS
BD. D.H.
BD. D.H.
1. . . .. 661.80.3 ...
.. TO BD. D.H.
+S. 31" 14'30"W.
LINCOLN
ROAD
PLAN OF LAND IN
LINCOLN, MASS. OWNED BY SUMNER. SMITH SCALE 1INCH = 80 FEET - FEBRUARY, 1958 SNELLING, HILTON & ASSOCIATES - LINCOLN, MAS: REG. CIVIL ENGINEERS & LAND SURVEYORS
CALKINS
TOWN OF LINCOLN
ROAD TO SMITH SCHOOL
249'±
128.96
220 ±
S
DOROTHY S. F.M. CODMAN ROGER B. TYLER AND BENJAMIN T. FAWCETT TRUSTEES UNDER THE WILL OF OGDEN CODMAN
4
TRUE NORTH
N. 54' 13'10" E.
257.43
..
AREA = 25,900 SQ. FT.
80.50
ET. AL.
318.30
N. 54° 13'10"E.
240.04
CODMAN TRUSTEES
N.3308'00" W. N. 33"08'00" W. 238.69
AREA
58,903± SQ.FT.
Recorded Middlesex So. Reg. Deeds Jan. 19.1957 - Bk. 8890, Pq. 70
37.36
S.35° 53'25"E.
1. 4: 91.30 108.90
RAD. 68.19
21.10 ....
180.00
To +5.56'52'00" W.
614.10
- .
RD. - -
40.00
f
PLAN SHOWING EXTRA LAND TO BE ACQUIRED BY THE TOWN OF LINCOLN OWNED BY DOROTHY S. F.M. CODMAN ROGER B. TYLER AND BENJAMIN T. FAWCETT TRUSTEES UNDER THE WILL OF OGDEN CODMAN SCALE 1INCH = 80 FEET. .. FEBRUARY 1958 SNELLING, HILTON & ASSOCIATES REG. CIVIL ENG'RS & LAND SURVEYORS LINCOLN, MASS.
142.64
S. 35° 46'50"E.
=
RD.
CODMAN
BOUND LINCOLN
TOWN GOVERNMENT
TOWN CLERK'S REPORT
The Town Clerk is the official recorder of Town events and activities and issues licenses and certificates. His duties include recording the proceedings at Town Meetings and elections, and notifying the Selectmen and other offi- cers concerned of appropriations which have been voted.
The record of Registered Voters of Lincoln is kept at the Clerk's office. Persons wishing to become voters in the Town should communicate with the Clerk.
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING · March 18, 1957
Pursuant to a Warrant duly served the Meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Mr. Donald P. Donaldson, at 7:30 o'clock P. M. The return of the Warrant was read and the following business was transacted after the Moderator called attention to Article #1 (Election of Officers).
Article 2. To bring in their votes for any committees, commissioners, trustees, and other officers required by law to be elected by ballot or otherwise. Voted : That Albert S. Brooks and C. Lee Todd be elected Measurers of Wood and Bark for the ensuing year.
Article 3. To hear and act upon the reports of Town Officers, Committees, Commissioners and Trustees.
Voted: That the reports of the Town Officers, Commit- tees and Trustees as printed in the Town Report be accepted and the reports of the following Committees be accepted as interim reports and that the Committees and their unexpended appropriations be continued: School Building Committee, Fire Station Committee, Library Building Committee, Mosquito Control Committee, Long Term Capital Requirements Committee, Veterans Memorial Committee; and that the following reports be accepted as final: Public Land Committee, School Building Addition No. 2 Committee.
Article 4. To fix the salarie's and compensation of the several elective officers of the Town, and to determine whether any Department, Board or Committee shall be author- ized to employ for additional compensation any of its mem- bers, and to fix additional compensation of such members.
Voted : That the salaries of the elected officers of the Town for the current year be fixed at the following
18
TOWN MEETINGS
amounts respectively :
Selectmen, each
$200.00
Treasurer 200.00
Collector of Taxes
2,000.00
Assessors, Chairman
200.00
Assessors, other members, each
175.00
Town Clerk
450.00
Auditor
50.00
Water Commissioners, each
75.00
Tree Warden
200.00
Article 5. To raise and appropriate money for the necessary and expedient purposes of the Town, or take any action relative thereto. Voted: That the following unexpended appropriation balances be rescinded and the amounts returned to Surplus (See page 62, Town Report for 1956) :
Police car $320.44
School Addition #2
1,324.77
Bedford Airport Committee 300.09
Acquisition of Public
Lands Committee 342.97
Department of Public Works Committee 100.00
$2,388.27
Voted: To rescind the remaining unissued balance of the Water Main Loan authorized by vote of the Town under Article 2 of the Special Town Meeting of July 23, 1956, said balance being $10,000.00
Voted: That the Town raise and appropriate for the 1957 fiscal year the ninety-nine separate appropriations recommended by the Finance Committee report as printed on pages 186 to 191 inclusive of the Town of Lincoln 1956 re- port, except that the following shall be raised and appro- priated as below in lieu of the amount printed in said report: Item 85, Town Reports, - increase $254.86, final amount $1,254.86; that in connection with appropriations #4, 48, 51, 52, 69, 71, 93, 94 and 95, from the sources severally noted, shall be applied thereto and be dealt with in the manner noted against the same; that the sum of $32,000.00 be applied from free cash to item 88, School Building Bonds, and that all of appropriations numbered 96, 97, 98 and 99 be taken from the Water Works Treasury, and for item 95, $10,000.00 be taken from Overlay Surplus, and any portion not spent be returned to Overlay Surplus.
19
TOWN GOVERNMENT
Article 6. To determine whether the Town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1958, and to issue a note or notes therefor, payable within one year, and to renew any note or notes as may be given for a period of less than one year in accordance with Section 17, Chapter 44, General Laws.
Voted: That the Town Treasurer with the approval of the Selectmen be authorized to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1958, and to issue a note or notes therefor, payable within one year, and to renew any note or notes as may be given for a period of less than one year in accordance with Section 17, Chapter 44, General Laws.
Article 7. To determine whether the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $327.41 to pay the follow- ing unpaid 1956 bills :
Board of Ilealth
$ 6.15
Highways
78.41
Library
13.00
Cemetery
172.80
Recreation
5.75
Water Department
2.00
Fire Department 49.30
or take any other action relative thereto. Voted: That the Town vote to raise and appropriate
the sum of $299.49 to pay the following unpaid 1956 bills: Board of Health $ 6.15
Highways
50.49
Library
13.00
Cemetery
172.80
Recreation
5.75
Water Department
2.00
Fire Department
49.30
$299.49
the sum of
Voted: That the Town vote to raise and appropriate $27.92 to pay the following unpaid 1956 bill : Highways $ 27.92
Article 8. To determine whether the Town will instruct the Selectmen to petition the Director of Accounts to in- stall the State Accounting System in accordance with Section 35, Chapter 44, General Laws, as amended, or take any other action relative thereto.
Voted: That the Town instruct the Selectmen to peti - tion the Director of Accounts to install the State Account- ing System in accordance with Section 35, Chapter 44, Gen-
20
TOWN MEETINGS
eral Laws, as amended.
Article 9. To determine whether the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $7,500.00 or any other sum for the purpose of remodelling the offices and facili - ties in the Lower Town Hall, or take any action relative thereto.
Voted: That the Town vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $7,500.00 for the purpose of remodelling the offices and facilities in the Lower Town Hall.
Article 10. To determine whether the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $3,000.00 or any other sum to replace the roof on the Town Hall, or take any action relative thereto.
Voted: That the Town vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $750.00 for the purpose of replacing the roof on the Town Hall.
Article 11. To determine whether the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,750.00 or any other sum for the purchase of a Police Cruiser to replace exist- ing equipment, or take any action relative thereto. Voted: That the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $1,250.00 for the purchase of a Police Cruiser to re- place existing equipment.
Article 12. To determine whether the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $3,283.14, or any other sum, for replacement of the pump on Engine 32, or take any action relative thereto.
Voted: That the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $3,283.14 to replace the pump on Engine 32.
Article 13. To determine whether the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $17,500.00, or any other sum, to purchase a new fire truck to replace Engine 33, or take any action relative thereto. Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $17,500.00 for the purchase of a new fire truck to replace Engine 33, said sum to be taken from free cash.
Article 14. To determine whether the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,350.00, or any other sum, for the control of poison ivy as defined under Chapter 40, or take any action relative thereto. Voted: That the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $1,350.00 for the control of poison ivy as defined under Chapter 40.
21
TOWN GOVERNMENT
Article 15. To determine whether the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $6,500.00, or any other sum, for the purpose of continuing the East Middlesex Mos- quito Control Project, as provided under Chapter 252 of the General Laws, or take any action relative thereto.
Voted: That the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $6,500.00 for the purpose of continuing the East Middle- sex Mosquito Control Project as provided under Chapter 252 of the General Laws.
Article 16. To determine whether the Town will amend the Building By-Law of the Town by striking out the whole of said by-law, as amended, and by substituting therefor a new building by-law, copies of which are on file in the offices of the Inspector of Buildings, the Board of Select- men, and the Town Clerk, or will otherwise amend said Build- ing By-Law, or take any other action relative thereto. Voted: That the Town amend the Building By-Law of the Town by striking out the whole of said By-Law, as amended, and substituting therefor a new Building By-Law, copies of which are on file in the offices of the Inspector of Build- ings, the Board of Selectmen, and the Town Clerk.
(Note : The Building By-Law, with the exception of the deletion of the words in Section 2-4 "unless fixed by vote of the Town", was approved by the Attorney General April 10, 1957.)
Article 17. To determine whether the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $500.00, or any other sum, to print copies of the new Building By-Law, or take any other action relative thereto.
Voted: That the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $500.00 to print copies of the new Building By-Law.
Article 18. To determine whether the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $2,000.00, or any other sum, to be used by the Planning Board for consultant ser- vices for an objective study of the impact of light indus- trial and/or commercial zoning upon the Town, or take any action relative thereto ..
Voted : That the Town raise and appropriate $2,000.00 to be used by the Planning Board for professional services toward a comprehensive study and presentation of factual data on the current conditions and trends in the Town, in- cluding the impact of light industrial, commercial or other zoning changes upon the Town.
22
TOWN MEETINGS
Article 19. To determine whether the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $20,100.00, or any other sum, to purchase the following Town vehicles to replace existing equipment :
1. Highway Department Truck
2. Front End Loader (Four wheel drive)
3 . Pick Up Truck
or take any action relative thereto.
Voted: That the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $6,750.00 for the purchase of a heavy duty truck, 1946 White truck to be turned in; of this sum $2,610.06 to be taken from the Machinery Fund.
Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $10,700.00 for the purchase of a front end loader, Hough loader to be turned in; said sum to be taken from free cash. Voted: That the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $2, 400.00 for the purchase of a pick-up truck, 1952 Chevro- let to be turned in.
Article 20. To determine whether the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds in the treasury, a sum of money for the permanent construction of Farrar Road, or take any action relative thereto. Voted: To pass over the article.
Article 21. To determine whether the Town will accept as a public way the private road known as Oak Knoll, as shown on plan entitled "Plan of land in Lincoln, Mass., Fred A. Joyce, Surveyor, dated September 9, 1953" and filed in the Land Court as Plan #20941B, a copy of which is filed with Certificate #79039, which is recorded with the Land Registration section, Middlesex South District Registry of Deeds, Book 525, Page 89; approved by the Planning Board of the Town of Lincoln February 3, 1954, or take any other action relative thereto.
Voted : That the Town accept as a public way the pri- vate road known as Oak Knoll, as shown on plan entitled "Plan of Land in Lincoln, Mass., Fred A. Joyce, Surveyor, dated September 9, 1953" and filed in the Land Court as Plan #20941B, a copy of which is filed with the Land Regis- tration section, Middlesex South District Registry of Deeds, Book 525, Page 89; approved by the Planning Board of the Town of Lincoln, February 3, 1954.
Article 22. . To determine whether the Town will accept as a public way the private road known as Acorn Lane, as shown on a plan entitled "Plan of land in Lincoln, Mass., Rowland A. Barnes & Company, Civil Engineers, dated October, 1955" and filed with South Middlesex Registry of Deeds as
23
TOWN GOVERNMENT
Plan #2463 of 1955, recorded in Registry of Deeds book #8644, Page 70, and approved by the Planning Board of the Town of Lincoln December 30, 1955, or take any other action relative thereto.
Voted : To pass over the article.
Article 23. To determine whether the Town will vote to authorize the School Committee in its discretion to enter into an agreement with the U. S. Commissioner of Education to operate an elementary school to be located on L. G. Hanscom Field, Cambridge Research Center, or take any other action relative thereto.
Voted: To adopt the following Resolution :
Whereas, under the law, the Town has been requested by Air Force Headquarters at L. G. Hanscom Field, Bedford, Massachusetts, to undertake pursuant to Public Law 874 of the 81st Congress, as amended, the operation of on-base facilities for an elementary school about to be constructed thereon; and
Whereas, both on grounds of neighborliness and of duty, the Town is desirous of acceding to the request; and Whereas, the Town is financially unable to operate so large an addition to its present school program on any basis other than contractual arrangements which will pro- vide timely finances from outside sources, which, in fact, are sufficient to meet the actual direct and indirect per pupil cost of the additional program; and
Whereas, the Town has been advised that it is under no legal responsibility to undertake the action requested by the Air Force ;
Now, therefore, be it resolved that it is the sense of this meeting that a decision by the Lincoln School Committee and the Lincoln Board of Selectmen, with the advice of the Finance Committee, to enter into a cancellable arrangement with the United States Department of Health, Education and Welfare to operate the requested elementary school under the appropriate provisions of State and Federal Law, will me et the approval of the Town, provided:
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