Town Report on Lincoln 1956-1959, Part 29

Author: Lincoln (Mass.)
Publication date: 1956
Publisher: Lincoln (Mass.)
Number of Pages: 1026


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Lincoln > Town Report on Lincoln 1956-1959 > Part 29


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ARTICLE 12, 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 ex- isting equipment, or take any action relative thereto.


Selectmen


(Finance Committee approves)


ARTICLE 13, To determine whether the Town will appropriate the sum of $12,500.00 for the construction of two addition- al tennis courts at the Ballfield, appoint a committee with full authorization to carry out said construction, or take any other action relative thereto.


Recreation Committee


(Finance Committee approves if funds are raised from taxation.)


ARTICLE 14. To determine whether the Town will approve the proposed action by the Library Trustees seeking to change the provisions under which the Town accepted as a gift in 1884 the parcel of land and building now used as a library so that the Town may have broader representation on the Board of Library Trustees and also so that the Chairman of the Selectmen and the Chairman of the School Committee will not be required to serve as Library Trustees, or take any action relative thereto.


Library Trustees


ARTICLE 15. To determine whether the Town will accept as a public way the private road known as Acorn Lane, as shown on plan entitled "Plan of Land in Lincoln, Mass., Rowland A. Barnes & Company, Civil Engineers, dated October, 1955" and filed with South Middlesex District Registry of Deeds as 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.


By Petition


ARTICLE 16. To determine whether the Town will accept as a public way the private road known as Woodcock Lane, as shown on plan entitled "Subdivision Plan of Land in Lincoln, Massachusetts, owned by Olga Pertzoff", dated July 12, 1955, Everett M. Brooks Co., Civil Engineers, recorded with Middlesex South District Registry of Deeds, Book #8692, End;


199


WARRANT FOR 1958


approved by the Planning Board of the Town of Lincoln, October 11, 1956, or take any other action relative there- to.


By Petition


ARTICLE 17. To determine whether the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $5,000.00 to be used by a Committee to be appointed by the Moderator to study further the building needs of the Lincoln Schools.


School Committee


(Finance Committee approves)


ARTICLE 18. To determine whether the Town will vote to acquire by eminent domain, purchase or any other way, a certain additional parcel of land, now or formerly of Dorothy S. F. M. Codman, Roger B. Tyler, and Benjamin J. Fawcett, as they are Trustees under the will of Ogden Codman, contiguous to land located on the Westerly corner of the intersection of Lincoln and Codman Roads taken by the Town for fire and police station purposes pursuant to an order of taking dated January 14, 1957, and recorded with Middlesex South District Deeds Book #8890, Page 70, said additional parcel containing twenty-one thousand and ninety-seven (21,097) square feet, more or less; and raise and appropriate a sum of money therefor and for any addi- tional sum required to settle the petition of said Trustees for damages allegedly resulting from the said taking dated January 14, 1957, or take any action relative thereto.


Selectmen


ARTICLE 19, To determine whether the Town will vote to establish a Stabilization Fund as provided under Chapter 404 of the Acts of 1957, raise and appropriate a sum of money therefor, or take any action relative thereto.


Selectmen


(Finance Committee approves)


ARTICLE 20. To determine whether the Town will vote to rescind the authority to issue the balance of fifty thous- and dollars ($50,000.00) in bonds which remain unissued out of the loan of one hundred twenty-five thousand dol- lars ($125,000.00) authorized to be issued under Chapter 44 of the Massachusetts General Laws, by action taken


200


WARRANT FOR 1958


under Article 2 of the Warrant for the Special Town Meeting held on May 6, 1957, or take any action relative thereto.


Selectmen


ARTICLE 21, To determine whether the Town will vote to accept the provisions of Chapter 489 of the Acts of 1956 entitled "An Act Authorizing Pay-Roll Deductions on Account of Contributions to Community Chests or United Funds in the case of certain Town Employees", or take any action relative thereto.


By Petition


ARTICLE 22, To determine whether the Town will vote to accept Chapter 223 of the Acts of 1957 of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Section 8 of Chapter 40 of the General Laws) establishing a Conservation Commission, or take any other action relative thereto.


Selectmen


ARTICLE 23. To determine whether the Town will appropriate $70,000.00, or some other sum, to construct an addition to the Public Library, authorize the borrowing of part or all of the amount so appropriated, and authorize the appoint- ment of a building committee, or take any other action in relation thereto.


Library Building Committee


(Finance Committee approves but it is expected a statement will be made at Town Meeting concerning the relationship of this expenditure to the debt limit of the Town. )


ARTICLE 24. To determine whether the Town will authorize the Water Commissioners to purchase a new service truck for the Water Department, appropriate money therefor, or take any action relative thereto.


Water Commissioners


(Finance Committee approves)


ARTICLE 25. To determine whether the Town will authorize the Water Commissioners to purchase a new portable air compressor with complete equipment, appropriate money there- for, or take any action relative thereto.


Water Commissioners (Finance Committee approves)


201


WARRANT FOR 1958


ARTICLE 26, To determine whether the Town will authorize the Water Commissioners to replace with new 8" pipe cer- tain old sub-standard water mains in Concord Road near the Wayland line, Old Sudbury Road, and South Great Road, from the intersection of Codman Road to the Weston line, appro- priate money therefor, or take any action relative thereto.


Water Commissioners


(Finance Committee approves)


Hereof fail not and make due return of this Warrant with your doings thereon to the Town Clerk, at or before the time for the meeting aforesaid. Given under our hands this 17th day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and fifty-eight.


Charles K. Fitts William T. King Elliott V. Grabill


Selectmen of Lincoln


202


TOWN OF LINCOLN


Report of the


LONG-TERM CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS COMMITTEE


1957


Table 1


TOWN OF LINCOLN - PROPOSED PROGRAM OF CAPITAL EXPENDITURES, 1957-1972


DEPARTMENTAL


1957


1958


1959


1960


1961


1957-61


1962-72


GENERAL GOVERNMENT Town Offices


10,000


10,000


N.F.


PROTECTION OF PERSONS


AND PROPERTY


Fire Station


100,000


100,000


50,000


Fire Equipment


17,500


2,000


2,000


21,500


15,000


Civil Defense


4,000


4,000


N.F.


HEALTH & SANITATION, RECREATION


Land


30,000


30,000


N.F.


Tennis Courts


--


---


12,000


N.F.


HIGHWAYS


Road Improvement


+15,000


+15,000


+15,000


+15,000


+15,000


+75,000


+75,000


New Roads, Sidewalks,


Parking, inc. land


10,000


10,000


N. F.


Road Equipment


20,100


10,000


10,000


10,000


10,000


60,100


50,000-100,000


SCHOOLS


Elementary School Land


29,500


29,500


N. F.


Elementary School


50,000


425,000


475,000


200,000-500,000


High School


250,000-300,000


250,000-300,000


220,000


LIBRARY


Addition


62,000


4,000


62,000 4,000


N.F.


DEPARTMENTAL TOTAL


242,100


530,000


67,000


29,000


275,000-325,000


1,143,100-1,193,100


610,000-960,000


of which from:


borrowing


*575,000


62,000


30,000


250,000-300,000


917,000-967,000 11,300


420,000-720,000


State Chapter 90


11,300


not determinable at present


Tax Revenues & Free Cash


80,800


43,000


37,000


29,000


25,000


214,800


190,000-240,000


PUBLIC SERVICES


Water Department


Main Replacement &


Facilities Construction


11,000


13,000


15,000


17,000


19,000


75,000


60,000


16" main to Reservoir


80,000


80,000


New Water Supply TOTAL


11,000


13,000


95,000


17,000


19,000


155,000


560,000


of which from borrowing


---


80,000


--


---


80,000


500,000


Cemetaries


Road Improvement


400


400


400


400


400


2,000


10,000


--


-


"If Chapter 90 standards are met, three quarters of the cost will be borne by County and State. N.F. not foreseen.


*Of which $425,000 to be spent in 1958.


--


N.F.


Clock


-


---


500,000


---


12,000


TOWN OF LINCOLN


LONG-TERM CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS COMMITTEE


Summary of Conclusions and Recommendations


1. The Committee recommends a program of capital expenditures for the various departments of the town for 1957 totalling $242,100 and $11,000 for water. For the next five years, including 1957, the Committee recommends a program of approximately $1,175,000 for general departmental capital expenditures, and $155,000 for water. Beyond five years no program has been outlined, but certain major expenditures have been noted (Table 1, opposite).


2. This program of capital expenditures may involve a tax rate rise from $58.00 in 1956 to $71.00 in 1959 (Table 6, page 10).


3. The Committee is gratified by the increase in long range planning in the Town over the past year, but suggests that still more effort be devoted to this purpose.


1


Introduction


The Long-Term Capital Requirements Committee presents herewith its recommendations and forecast of capital expenditures for the coming year and a period beyond. As last year, the Committee has met with appropriate offi- cers, boards, and committees of the Town. The Committee is grateful to mem- bers of these bodies, and to officers of the Town, and to interested citizens who have supplied information and opinions. Responsibility for the recommendations however, belongs to the Committee alone.


As in the previous report, the committee has made recommendations which, in its view, denote the minimum unavoidable level of expenditures the Town can anticipate.


Emphasis has been put on the next five years, with a rough forecast of the major capital expenditures that can be expected in the ten year period following. Expenditures beyond a five year period are difficult to predict with any reason- able degree of certainty. Indeed, it is difficult enough to predict the immediate five years. This is shown in Table 2, where actual expenditures for 1956 are compared with forecast expenditures as listed in the 1956 report of this com- mittee. The purpose of including the ten year period after 1961 is therefore to place before the Town the fact that it will be faced in the future with certain large, necessary and unavoidable capital expenses. While the figures are ap- proximate at best, they serve to point up certain areas of Town activities where appreciable capital outlay will be required.


The estimates of future capital requirements in this report are based on the present value of the dollar. If inflation should continue in the future as it has in the past (construction costs rising roughly at the rate of 5% per year) these estimates will have to be revised upward.


Capital Expenditures for 1956


Table 2 sets forth the actual capital expenditures of the Town for 1956, along with the proposed expenditures as listed in the 1956 report of this Com- mittee. It will be noted that there are several discrepancies between what was expected and what was actually spent.


The most notable difference is in the case of the Water Department. The large expenditure was required for replacement of the 4 inch main on Brooks Road, Old Cambridge Turnpike, and Route 2. The old pipe no longer furnished water to the houses at the end of Route 2. The necessity for replacement had come sooner than had been foreseen, and proved more expensive than had been envisaged on account of blasting through ledge.


Other notable differences had been in 1) Highway expenditure, where the expenditure was $10,200 below expectation because of the inability to secure labor to carry out intended work, and Chapter 90 difficulties discussed below; 2) Road machinery, where expenditure was $6,600 below expectation; and 3) School addition no. 2 for payment of past obligations. The foregoing shows


2


Table 2


Town of Lincoln


Actual and Proposed Capital Expenditures for 1956


Actual


Proposed


General Government


$2,200


Protection of Persons & Property


Police


1,100


$1,500


Fire


5,000


Other


1,500


Highways


Chapter 90 Construction


21,800


32,000


Machinery


3,200


9,800


Elementary School


Addition No. 2


5,500


Elem. School Building Needs Comm.


900


Library Committee


200


3,000


Water Department


46,700


14,000


TOTAL


$83,100


$65,300


the difficulties of planning capital expenditures, in which the Town Officals and the Committee are gaining experience.


Table 3 sets forth expenses for 1956, divided into current and capital out- lays, and receipts, relating capital expenditure to the general picture of the Town's finances for 1956.


Table 4 gives the Town's debt position for 1956, along with assessed valu- ations and tax rate.


Table 5 sets forth the annual cost of capital improvements for 1956 in terms of the cost of borrowed funds.


In reading Tables 4 and 5 it should be observed that the Town will be aided in the repayment of its school debt by assistance from the Commonwealth amounting to approximately 30 per cent. This assistance is applied to the capital outlay of borrowing, not interest, generally in equal installments over 20 years. Because of the length of time over which it is received, and the necessity mean- while to pay interest, it is not appropriate to deduct it from the Town's indebted- ness.


3


Table 3


Town of Lincoln - 1956


Expenditures Divided Between Current and Capital Accounts, and Receipts (in thousands of dollars).


Expenditures


1. Selectmen's orders $619.1


2. Water Department current capital 46.7


31.3


3. Total (1 + 2) 697.1


4. Capital Expense 83.1


5. Current Expense (3-4) 614.0


Current Receipts


6. Collector of Taxes 437.2


7. from Commonwealth other than (9 + 10) 144.4


8. Other 31.4


9. Chapter 90 Construction 13.5


10. State Assistance for School Construction 17.9


11. Extraordinary Capital Receipts


12. Total (6 to 11) 644.4


13. Water Department Receipts 43.1


14. Total. Receipts (12 + 13) $687.5


4


Table 4


Town of Lincoln - 1956


Debt, Assessments, Tax Rate (in thousands of dollars)


Borrowings


50.0 (by the Water Dept.)


*Repayments


40.0


*Outstanding Debt 473.5


Assessment, Real and


Personal Property


6,817.3


Tax Rate per $1000


58.0


* Excluding repayment and debt of Regional School District, of which Lincoln's "share" is approximately one-third.


Table 5


Town of Lincoln - Debt Service, 1956


Debt Repayment


$40,000


Interest


9,162


Total


$49,162


Detailed Recommendations


The Committee recommends the general scope and character of capital expenditures set forth in Table 1. The committee presents the following de- tailed set of justifications for those items which are different from recommend- ations of last year. For justification of detailed items which are unchanged from last year, see the Committee Report for 1956.


General Government


There is no change for the recommended outlay of $10,000 for remodeling the Town offices, to be financed from current taxes.


Protection of Persons and Property


1. Police - In the previous report, replacement of police cars was con- sidered a capital outlay. It is believed, however, that annual replacement costs are more realistically an operating expense. Consequently, the item has been dropped from the report, except for future additions to the number of cars.


2. Fire Station - In last year's report, it was recommended that $5000 be expended in 1956 and $95,000 in 1957 for a new fire station to be built on the Tracey site on Route 2. Because of the proposed relocation of Route 2, and the strong possibility of involving this general area, it was considered unwise to take


5


any action at the Tracey site. An ad hoc committee has examined the question of necessity for a new station, and the possible location thereof. The present quarters for the fire apparatus at Doherty's garage are cramped. Being ad- jacent to a paint and body shop, they lack the degree of safety requisite to the garaging of fire equipment. The Committee therefore supports the plan for immediate construction of a station at the corner of Codman and Lincoln Roads, on the site recently voted to be purchased by the Town. It further recommends that a sum of $100,000 be allocated in 1957 for the purpose. The expense is unavoidable. It must be financed through borrowing. For the future, the Town must plan on another $50,000 for a small fire station in North Lincoln, to be built after Route 2 has been relocated. Tentatively, the amount has been placed in the period 1962-72.


3. Fire Equipment - Performance of the Town's present fire apparatus indicates that a new pumper is needed immediately. In the past, the Town has purchased fire trucks primarily designed for forest fire work. The present residential valuation and future growth of the Town, with concomitant apparatus rating requirements, makes it desirable that the Town purchase a 750 G.P.M. pumper, with suitable modification for the Town's special requirements (larger tank, high pressure pump) which will cost $17,500 in 1957. Several surround- ing towns have like pieces of equipment, so that the new engine will have the advantage of interchangeability. In 1958, $2000 will be needed for refurbishing one of the forest fire wagons bought in 1948, and in 1959 another $2000 will be needed for refurbishing the second such vehicle. These expenditures will broaden the flexibility of these two pieces of apparatus. Doing the work in suc- cessive years will enable the Fire Department to see how the modifications work out before the second vehicle is modified. With the foregoing, the depart- ment should be reasonably well equipped for a period beyond 1962. The expendi- tures here outlined are recommended by the Committee as being unavoidable.


4. Civil Defense - The Committee has scheduled $4000, arbitrarily al- located to 1958, for such contingencies as may arise in the field of civil defense. In the absence of clarification of the need for any further civil defense expense, it is hard to pursue a rational policy of expenditure in this area. Capital expense for this purpose must be kept under constant review in the light of the developing situation.


Health & Sanitation, Recreation


1. Land Acquisition - The Committee on Parks and Playgrounds has no firm plans at present for the acquisition of sites or areas for the town. Our Committee believes, however, that the purchase of park, playground, watersheds or forest sites is desirable in the long-term interest of the Town, and therefore, has allocated the arbitrary figure of $30,000 in 1959, pending decision by the Town and formulation of specific plans.


2. Tennis Courts - As noted in the 1956 report, the growth of the Town increased the desirability of an additional two tennis courts, now estimated to cost about $12,000. Because of the present uncertainty concerning final plans for the new Elementary School, it is not possible to pick a suitable site. At


6


present. The Committee therefore recommends that the courts be considered for 1958, and that in the meantime the Planning Board review the over-all recreational situation of the Town. Pending such review the Committee makes no change in the opinions expressed in its report of 1956.


Highways


1. Road Improvement - In last year's report the Committee made rather sizable allocations for road improvements, averaging about $40,000 per year. It appears the Town will be unable to employ Chapter 90 funds beyond 1957 be- cause of lack of projects and lack of labor. There has been consistent local opposition, on esthetic grounds and for reasons of safety, to the widening and straightening of scenic roads in the Town. For this reason, the Committee be- lieves that a more realistic level of expenditure is represented by the figure of $15,000 per year. This is an unavoidable expenditure, and probably repre- sents a minimum for prevention of deterioration of the road network. If the town is unwilling to accept Chapter 90 standards, it must seriously consider spending this amount of money from its own funds.


2. Sidewalks, Parking - As noted in last year's report, the Committee believes that a sidewalk between the Center and Smith Schools is desirable. The new school between these two locations lends urgency to this project. It also believes it is prudent for the Town to acquire additional parking area in South Lincoln. This was noted in the previous report. A sum of $10,000 has been al- located in 1959 for these purposes.


3. Road Machinery - A complete breakdown of one of the heavy duty tracks purchased in 1946 has made it necessary to recommend the immediate purchase of a heavy duty truck at a net cost of $6,500. It is also necessary to replace the front end loader at a cost of $11,000, and considered advisable to trade the super- intendent' s pick up truck at a cost of $2,600. As a result of these changes, be- ginning in 1958, the average age of the equipment will be considerably reduced. The Committee believes the Town at that time should plan on a regular expendi- ture for replacement of machinery, and should raise and either spend or set aside for this purpose the sum of $10,000 per year. These figures are not es- sentially different in the long run from the figures in last year' s report. Neglecting to replace equipment regularly will result only in a greater cost in the long run, as noted in the appendix of the Committee's 1956 report. The Committee recommends the foregoing expenditures as unavoidable.


Schools


1. Elementary School - The expanding school population, increasing at a rate well beyond the most generous forecasts, has necessitated a complete re- vision of the school building program. In last year's report, it was recom- mended that the sum of $230,000 be allocated in 1958 to build seven classrooms. It was then expected that five more rooms, including two kindergarten rooms would be needed by the Fall of 1961, and would cost $165,000. Given the in- creased and more immediate need, the School Building Needs Committee


7


finds that it would be more economical to build all twelve rooms at once. It is expected that the cost will be $475,000 above the $29,500 already appropriated for the site, to be financed from borrowing in 1957, rather than the $395,000 anticipated for both steps last year. The School Building Needs Committee be- lieves this will satisfy the needs of the Town to the fall of 1962. The School Building Needs Committee has investigated the question of Federal aid to educ- cation, and finds that it would be of no advantage to the town to delay construc- tion. The Committee recommends these expenditures as unavoidable.


2. Regional High School - It is estimated that one addition to the high school will be needed in each five year period, as noted in the 1956 report. The sum of $250,000 - $300,000 has been allocated to 1961, as the Regional High School Committee expects to be in the process of making plans or soliciting bids at that time. The additional sum of $220,000 has been allocated for the period of 1962-72. Both expenditures would be financed by borrowing. The foregoing are not essentially different from the figures presented in 1956.


Library


1. Addition - The needs of the library were set forth in detail in the 1956 report of the Committee. The situation has not changed. The Library Additions Committee is working steadily, and expects to ask for funds in 1958. For this reason the expenditures previously allocated for 1957 have been shifted to 1958. Financing would be by borrowing. If a public spirited citizen were interested in making a contribution to the Town, either by gift or bequest, the needs of the library seem to merit particular attention.


1


2. Clock - The Tower clock, which is mechanical, is maintained in good working order by the generous efforts of a citizen. It will be desirable eventu- ally to electrify the clock.


Water Department


1. Main Replacement - As noted in the beginning of this report, failure of an operating water main necessitated an immediate and large capital outlay for main replacement in 1956. This was financed by borrowing. While the Wate Department is not in a position to give the Committee a schedule of prospective main replacements, the Committee believes this task is important, and that the Water Department revenue is available for the purpose. We have therefore put capital outlays for the next five years for main replacement at $11,000, $13,000 $15,000, $17,000, $19,000, or a total of $75,000 in the five year period, to be financed by current income. The Committee believes these expenditures are un. avoidable, and should not be deferred.


2. 16 in. Main and New Water Supply - The 16 inch main to the reservoir is operating satisfactorily for the present. Eventually it must be replaced, at ar estimated cost of $80,000. As noted in 1956, the Town must consider the possi- bility of acquiring a new water supply in 10 to 15 years, at a possible cost of $500,000. Both of these items would, of necessity, be financed through borrowin




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