USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Lincoln > Town Report on Lincoln 1956-1959 > Part 30
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8
Finance
It is difficult to estimate the level of taxes implied in these capital ex- penditures. The Committee is not in position to make careful estimates of current expenditures, and can do little but extrapolate the past record - with most uncertain results. Much less can it estimate the Town's share of Commonwealth tax receipts which is currently more than usually uncertain because of the proposed sales tax, the proceeds of which would be used to re- lieve the fiscal position of the cities and towns. An additional possibility is Federal aid for school construction, but the effect of this cannot be assessed.
Despite these uncertainties, the Committee is disposed to repeat the exercise at forecast undertaken in its first report to afford the Town a very rough idea of the possible level of taxes implied by these rates of capital ex- penditure. The figures are alarming - in the vicinity of $70.00, - and reflect the effect of the necessity to push forward a number of projects in time, and particularly to anticipate the second step in elementary school building simul- taneously with the first step.
In the light of these possible levels of taxation, the Committee can only urge that the Town weigh carefully the amount and timing of expenditures.
9
Table 6
TENTATIVE FORECAST OF LINCOLN TAX RATE, 1958-1961 (in thousands of dollars)
Expenditures
1956
1958
1959
1960
1961
Current Expense (incl. water)
564.8
630.0
670.0
710.0
750.0
(ex debt service)
Service existing debt a
49.2
51.5
46.0
45.5
45.5
Total
614.0
681.5
716.0
755.5
795.5
Capital expense (Table 1)
83.1
530.0
67.0
29.0
300.0
Service Additional debt
52.0
51.0
53.0
74.0
TOTAL
697.1
1,263.5
834.0
837.5
1,169.5
Receipts
Commonwealth, etc. C
127.6
135.0
140.0
145.0
150.0
Other
31.6
38.0
40.0
42.0
44.0
Chapter 90 Construction
13.5
n.e.
n.e.
n.e.
n.e.
School Construction Assistance
17.8
17.3
24.2
16.7
22.7e
Water Receipts
43.1
47.0
49.0
51.0
53.0
Borrowing (current)
50.0
62.0
30.0
-
275.0
Borrowing (1957)
425.0
Total of above
282.6
724.3
283.2
254.7
544.7
Amount to be Raised by
Taxation
437.2
539.2
550.8
582.8
625.0
Valuation
6,817.3
7,600
8,000
8,400
8,800
All the foregoing figures are subject to great uncertainty, except for the 1956 actual data. Particularly uncertain are the magnitudes of current expendi- ture and of the Town's share of Commonwealth receipts, now the subject of change due to the possible enactment of a sales tax. A Federal bill before the Congress also contemplates Federal aid to local school construction. If the present estimates, which extrapolate past trends, be taken as an indication of future orders of magnitude, with no allowance for changes possible through legislation, and if the real and personal valuations rise in some degree compar- able to that suggested, the level of capital expenditures contemplated in this report, together with other expenditures, implies tax rates as follows:
Tax rate (in dollars per $1,000) 58.00
a. Excluding service for Regional School Included in current expense
b. Excluding state aid for Regional School
c. Making no allowance for change in Commonwealth or Federal legislation
70.00 69.00 69.00 71.00
d. Including Lincoln share of Re- gional School addition
e. Including state aid to Regional School addition
f. Amount actually raised.
n.e. Not estimated.
10
d
d
f
Recommendations
As before, the Committee believes that more attention should be given to long-term planning in the Town, both physical and financial. It notes with grati- fication that the amount and quality of long-term planning has improved consider- ably over the last year, but yet further improvement is needed.
Respectfully submitted, Long-Term Capital Requirements Committee
William T. King
William M. Rand, Chairman
William T. King for the Selectmen
Charles 1. Kindly
William N. Page
C. P. Kindleberger
William N. Page for the Finance Committee
alan McClaren
M. E. Shank, Clerk
Alan McClennen for the Planning Board
11
JANUARY
SURMON:
2 3 4
A
5
8
g
15
19
20
21
22
20
30
FEBRUAR
2
9
Annual Report
of the officers, boards
and committees of the town
of Lincoln
Massachusetts
DECEMBER
WED CAT .
7
13
13
15 16 17
18 19
2 22 23 24 25 26
28
29 30 31
26 27
OCTOBER
11
4
1
5
UNE
2
11
16
23 30
24 25 26 27
11
14
15
MAREHY
12
o
EMBER:
1
8
10
1958
THE COVER
The Town appreciates the excellent designing by the DeCordova Museum of the cover for this report.
CONTENTS
TOWN CALENDAR
GENERAL GOVERNMENT
Board of Selectmen
1
Officers and Committees
9
Town Clerk
19
Licenses
38
FINANCE
Auditors
39
Treasurer
43
Accounting Officer
47
Collector of Taxes
69
Board of Assessors
70
PROTECTION OF LIVES
AND PROPERTY
Police Department
72
Fire Department
74
Tree Warden
75
Civil Defense Agency
76
HEALTH AND WELFARE
Board of Health 77
Nursing Committee
79
Board of Public Welfare
81
Mosquito Control
82
Inspector of Animals
83
PLANNING AND PUBLIC WORKS
Planning Board 84
Board of Appeals
99
Building Code Board of Appeals
100
Highway Department 101
Inspectors
102
Water Commissioners
103
Long-Term Capital Requirements Committee
104
Cemetery Commissioners
105
Hartwell School Building Committee
106
School Needs Committee
107
Land Conservation Trust
108
SCHOOLS, LIBRARY AND RECREATION
Library Trustees 109
Library Addition Building Committee 116
Recreation Committee 117
Bemis Free Lectures 118
DeCordova and Dana Museum and Park 119
Lincoln Scholarship Fund 127
Elementary Schools
128
Regional School
144
STATISTICAL INFORMATION
Vital Statistics 157
Valuation List
162
Trust Funds 186
FINANCE COMMITTEE 195
WARRANT FOR 1959
206
CALENDAR
SELECTMEN Every Monday of each month, 7:30 P. M. at the Town Hall, Clearwater 9-8850
SCHOOL COMMITTEE -- First Monday of each month, 8:00 P. M. at the Charles Sumner Smith School, Clearwater 9-9400
BOARD OF ASSESSORS -- First Wednesday of each month, 8:00 P. M. at the Town Hall, Clearwater 9-8850
WATER COMMISSIONERS -- Meetings by appointment
BOARD OF HEALTH -- Meetings by appointment; call Dr. Gordon Donaldson, Clearwater 9-8192
BOARD OF APPEALS -- Meetings by appointment; call Town Hall, Clearwater 9-8850
PLANNING BOARD -- Second Wednesday of each month, 8:00 P. M. at the Town Hall, Clearwater 9-8850
Population -- Estimated 3,500 in 1959
Town Area -- 8,572 acres
1958 Tax Rate -- $75.00 per $1,000 valuation
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING -- First Monday in March after the fifteenth - March 16, 1959
ANNUAL ELECTION OF TOWN OFFICERS -- Saturday following Town Meeting, March 21, 1959
Qualifications for Registration -- Twelve months continuous residence in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts prior to March 16, 1959, and six months continuous residence in the Town of Lincoln prior to March 16, 1959
Town Office - -
Open Monday through Friday 8:30 A. M. to 5:00 P. M. Closed on Saturdays
Report
of the Officers and Committees of the
Town of Lincoln
FOR THE YEAR 1958
0
0
LINCOLN, MASSACHUSETTS
General Government
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Warren F. Flint Elliott V. Grabill Charles K. Fitts, Chairman
Administration
The organizational meeting of this Board was held on Monday, March 24th, at which time we welcomed our new member, Warren Flint, and elected Charles K. Fitts, Chairman. It is the duty of the select- men to appoint other officers and committees appearing in the front of the book, and in most instances these appointments were made at this meeting.
In view of the fact that this Board has met every Monday, with few exceptions, we are changing the listing of regular scheduled meetings from the second and fourth Mondays to every Monday at 7:30 P. M.
Last year we reported the appointment of a committee to evaluate our present by-law and recommend changes in order to strengthen our form of Town Government. This committee has met with us many times and, as a result, a revised by-law will be presented to the Town Meet- ing in March. Prior to this presentation, meetings will be held with the officers and committees of the Town and a public hearing will be scheduled before March 16, 1959.
Two conferences have been held with the postal authorities who are recommending the use of the South Lincoln postal facility as the only Post Office for Lincoln. Thus far their investigation indicates the availability of sufficient space at that location to accommodate present box holders using the center Post Office. If this was to materialize, Lincoln would have one Post Master, Mr. Davis, and two additional RFD routes would be established to serve North Lincoln and the center, thus eliminating existing Concord and Lexington RFD deliveries. There is little doubt that our service would be improved by this step. The Selectmen have agreed in principle, but have opposed the South Lincoln location due to inadequate parking areas adjacent to this building. Further conferences will be held on this subject.
The selectmen are encouraged by the interchange of ideas related to all Town affairs. It has been gratifying to confer with the
1
SELECTMEN
Planning Board, School Committee and many other officers during this past year. Although today 's Town Government involves many complex problems, we are still of the opinion that the Town can best be served through the active participation of elected officers. We are there- fore not recommending changes in the present method of administration.
We are indebted to Mrs. Elizabeth Causer, our Executive Secretary, whose knowledgeable, untiring assistance is of immeasurable value to us.
Town Hall
Maintenance of the Town Hall included puttying and painting ex- terior sash and trim. In order to comply with the safety code, two new doors with panic release bars were installed at the rear exit serving the upper town hall. Other physical changes involved the re-location of Mr. Davis' office and occupancy of his former office by the Planning Board and the Board of Assessors.
A large reference map has been painted on one of the walls in the hearing room.
Interior painting of the lobby, entrance hall, and former se- lectmen's room is included in the maintenance schedule for 1959. It is our hope that a start can be made in modernizing the main electric panel board located in back of the stage in the upper town hall.
We would like to see more town groups and organizations use the building for meetings and recreational purposes.
Public Safety - Police
Complete training of our department personnel was accomplished this year by the attendance of Officer McHugh at the State Police Academy in Framingham. Chief Algeo is taking advanced training in criminal law and Sergeant MacInnis completed courses on juvenile re- habilitation at the Judge Baker School.
Our policy regarding adequate night patrol requires that two men be assigned to cruiser duty. This patrol is essential to the routine checking of property and persons traveling the ways after dark. The use of additional special police, working with a regular officer, is anticipated for 1959 in order to effect better investigation and the assignment of regular officers to traffic patrol and enforcement during peak daytime hours. Conditions in certain areas such as the shopping district and Lincoln Road are extremely hazardous at times and will require more police supervision.
The selectmen have filed suggested speed zones with the Depart- ment of Public Works covering all through roads in the Town and we
2
GENERAL GOVERNMENT
hope to receive approval early in 1959. Zoning itself without en- forcement is meaningless and enforcement requires time in the appre- hension and prosecution. It is therefore hoped that with a shift of personnel more can be accomplished in this respect.
Traffic during school opening and closing hours has come under the close watch of our two special police women and we strongly en- dorse the continuance of this type of patrol.
Letters on file with us strongly indicate the sentiment of the Town as being opposed to major road widening and improvement; but needless to say, certain spots breeding eventual disaster must be altered for the safety of our children and the motorist.
A five year pattern of traffic accidents within the Town has been filed with the Selectmen. From this report we are listing a few areas which show a high accident rate.
Accidents
Injuries
Route 2, west of Bedford Road
65
69
Route 2, east of Bedford Road
48
71
Route 2, junction of Bedford Road
59
70
Route 2A, west of Bedford Road
33
40
Route 2A, east of Bedford Road
28
25
Route 117, east of Codman Road
31
42
Route 117, west of Codman Road
28
24
Route 126, north of Route 117
26
13
Route 126, south of Route 117
8
4
Lincoln Road
32
28
Trapelo Road
16
8
Trapelo Road, junction of 01d County Road
9
12
Under Chief Algeo's direct supervision we have an alert, com- petent police force and our appreciation for the service they render is extended to them.
Public Safety - Fire
The Fire Department responded to 147 calls during the year. Although it is impossible to forecast the time demands of the Depart- ment, we feel the night coverage has added immeasurably to the prompt response of equipment and men during these normally hazardous hours.
3
SELECTMEN
On January 9. 1959, Chief Dougherty reaches the mandatory re- cirement age of seventy. Mr. Dougherty has served the fire-fighting forces of the Town for fifty years and has experienced the transition from the man-pulled hose reels of 1908 to the modern fire-fighting equipment of 1958. Although Chief Dougherty's retirement officially brings to an end this fifty years of service, his continued advice and counsel will be most welcome.
The Selectmen have met with the officers and men of the Depart- ment in an effort to determine the position the Town should take in maintaining an adequate force. We feel that in re-organizing the officership of the Department we should consider present needs and future growth. In view of this, the Selectmen will abolish the Board of Engineers and appoint a Chief, Deputy Chief and two Captains who will have complete authority in all matters related to the Fire Department. Twenty-six call men will be appointed by the Selectmen upon the recommendation of the Chief.
A spirit of helping one's neighbor is exemplified by the officers and men of this Department. Our appreciation for this service is extended to all of them.
Fire and Police Buildings
The occupancy of our new headquarters has brought greater co- ordination of our public safety facilities. Dormitory space provides for future permanent coverage as needed, and, in the meantime, is being used by the Fire Department night watch at the station from 8:00 P. M. until 7:00 A. M. The separation of police and fire ser- vices enhances the individual requirements of both departments.
The building has been viewed by many Towns facing similar needs. Their enthusiasm in this project is a credit to Mr. Robert Booth and other members of his building committee. We would like to express our appreciation for a job well done.
Apparatus housed here included Engine #1 (750) gallon pumper delivered in October, 1957, Engine #3 (500) gallon pumper delivered in the spring of 1947 and Engine #4 transferred to the Civilian De- fense this year.
The selectmen are recommending renovation of the rented property at the junction of Route 2 and Bedford Road. Changes suggested would make it possible to maintain adequate coverage, when needed, replace present condemned heating system, and enlarge apparatus space sufficient- ly to handle equipment suitable for the protection of this area. Estimated costs indicate an expenditure of $3,850. would be necessary and we are negotiating a five-year lease based on retirement of this outlay during the term of the lease. The uncertainty of Route '2
4
GENERAL GOVERNMENT
makes it inadvisable to consider our property for this purpose and the need for adequate fire protection service at this location makes this move mandatory, in our opinion.
Parks and Public Trees
Following the pattern suggested in the 1957 report, a concen- trated effort has been made in area removal of diseased elms. This work has been accomplished in cooperation with the Tree Warden, High- way Department and the Department of Conservation, at the lowest per tree cost to date.
We are legally required to appropriate the amounts appearing in items 140 and 141 of the Finance Committee's report, but in view of our cost experience and the need for more attention to our public trees, in general, we are recommending the sum of $4,000. be allocated for pruning, removal and planting. In conjunction with the Planning Board, we are recommending that a committee be appointed for the pur- pose of acting on a tree planting program and that $500. of the total be used for this purpose.
With the addition of the Hartwell School and the increased needs for mowing and maintenance of Town properties, the Selectmen are studying the economical merits of owning equipment and the labor re- quirements involved in town operated maintenance of its parks. Plans for 1959 are based on contracting this work, as we have in the past.
Highway Department
Great emphasis was directed this year to re-surfacing many of the Town roads and the control of brush along our ways with the ob- jectivity of eliminating areas of poor visibility. The work in- cluded the following:
Roads Re-Surfaced (Seal Coat)
Giles Road MacIntosh Lane
Acorn Lane
Pine Ridge Road
Willarch Road Hillside Road
Pierce Hill Road
Tower Road (one strip)
Roads Re-Surfaced (Mixed in Place)
Sandy Pond Road (from Baker Bridge Road to Lincoln Center) Lexington Road (from Route 2 to Lexington line) Mill Street (from Lexington Road to north side of bridge)
5
SELECTMEN
Hot-Topped Areas
Four corners at Lincoln and Codman Roads
Parking area near railroad station Library Lane Old Lexington Road (extending 500 feet from Bedford Road) Area in front of Town Hall
A hearing was held on a layout that would eliminate the tight corner on Bedford Road abutting the properties of Mrs. Monks and Miss Wheeler. This construction would alter the radius of this corner and include improvements in surface and drainage. The unused assign- ment of Chapter 718 funds, amounting to $14,029., has been requested for this project.
The standards of the Commonwealth to which it is necessary to adhere if Chapter 90 construction allotments are to be granted to the Town are so different from the standards which appear to be acceptable to the Town, that there seems to be currently little likelihood of compromise. The approach of the Commonwealth requires that all such lay outs provide for wider surfacing, wider shoulders and greater drainage and slope easements to accommodate fairly heavy traffic. The feeling of the Town indicates that the construction of such roads is somewhat abhorrent to the desires of the townspeople who prefer the maintenance of our present roads and layouts insofar as it is possible and reasonably consistent with public safety. It has, accordingly, not been possible to obtain Chapter 90 grants for much of the needed road improvements. The grants that have been obtained have been confined to specific roads which have already been defined as Chapter 90 roads.
Under these circumstances, the policy of the Selectmen is to deal with the most dangerous spot areas and gradually make improvements.
Special articles involving the replacement of the one and a half ton 1951 Ford truck and the acquisition of a small roller will be in- cluded in the 1959 warrant for the Town's consideration.
We thank Mr. Maher and his men for an excellent job done this year.
Hanscom Field on Base Housing
Following the pattern of original negotiations with the Air Force dating back to December, 1955, the Selectmen, through Repre- sentative James DeNormandie, requested a bill be filed with the legis- lature granting ceding of the base housing properties to the Federal Government. With the assistance of Lt. Colonel Robert Wells, Judge Advocate of the Base, this bill was presented and signed into law
6
GENERAL GOVERNMENT
August 11th. Action in this matter was taken as soon as the final description of lands was clarified by the Air Force.
As a result of a committee study and subsequent recommendation by the Attorney General of the United States, a presidential order was issued in April, 1957, altering policies that allowed the granting of federal jurisdiction over properties purchased or taken by government agencies.
In order to effectively present the Town's position in this mat- ter, Representative DeNormandie, Mr. Grabill and Mr. Fitts twice con- ferred in Washington with appropriate agencies having jurisdiction in this case. £ We sincerely believe favorable action, in behalf of the Town, will be taken at this level.
Since the close of the year, the Selectmen have been notified that the Federal Government is upholding the Town's position and has written to the Governor of the Commonwealth for the purpose of assenting to the Act passed by the General Court. The action of the Government was taken on the ground that understandings had been reached between the Town and the Government prior to the change in Federal policy in 1957.
Since the beginning of the year 1959, following the Resolution passed by the Town at the Annual Town Meeting in 1957, the School Com- mittee and the Selectmen have been negotiating with the Department of Health, Education and Welfare and with the personnel at the Bedford Airport to try to work out an arrangement which would be satisfactory to the Town and provide for the supervision by the School Committee of the elementary school to be located on the Airport.
Among those who have contributed largely to the government of the Town, and, through their participation, have helped constitute the Town as it now is, are six distinguished citizens who are now re- tiring.
SUMNER SMITH, who many might consider the first citizen of Lin- coln, is retiring from the Water Board after innumerable terms as Chairman. In addition to his service as a Water Commissioner, he has served the Town in many other ways, including many terms as a member of the Board of Selectmen.
WILLIAM T. KING, now serving the Town as a commissioner of trust funds, was a member of the Planning Board from 1948 - 1953 and the Board of Selectmen from 1955 - 1958. His continuing interest in Town matters is appreciated by all of us who have had the pleasure of working with him.
JOHN W. CARMAN, Chairman of the School Committee for nearly six years, has retired because of the necessity for him to follow his
7
SELECTMEN
business interests elsewhere. Service on the School Committee, particularly of recent years, frequently involves a certain amount of vigorous exploration of differing ideas. His wise counsel and balanced approach have been of great value to this Committee.
ERNEST P. NEUMANN served two full terms or six years as a member of the School Committee. His service carried over two changes in the Superintendency and his counsel and initiative were of great value to the Town during a time of development in the educational system.
ALAN McCLENNEN is retiring from the Planning Board after serving two full five year terms. The imprint of his professional approach and the impact of his ideas will remain with the Town a long while.
ANDREW J. DOUGHERTY is retiring from the Fire Department as Chief after fifty years of service to the Town in many capacities. While he will always be known for his selfless service on the Fire Depart- ment, many associated with him will remember that he has been an active member and participant on five School Building Committees during the last twelve years.
It is the strong feeling of the Selectmen that the Town can be preserved as a small local entity, maintaining the standard of amen- ities so desired by most of its inhabitants, only so long as interested and dedicated citizens devote uncounted hours of their time to working out the affairs of the Town together.
From October to the Annual Town Meeting we are all conscious of this example in the application of endless hours applied by the Finance Committee in their meetings with the various boards, committees and officers of the Town, to the end that an intelligent, understandable budget can be presented at the Town Meeting.
The heritage of our Town and the guardianship required to pre- serve it is vested in all voters of the Town. Final direction by your officers, to a large measure, is a result of this overall inter- est in Town matters.
8
GENERAL GOVERNMENT
ELECTED TOWN OFFICERS
Term Expires
Donald P. Donaldson MODERATOR
1960
TOWN CLERK
William H. Davis
1959
SELECTMEN AND BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
Charles K. Fitts, Chairman
1959
Elliott V. Grabill
1960
Warren F. Flint
1961
ASSESSORS
Frederick H. Greene, Jr., Chairman
1961
William H. Rand, Jr.
1960
Elmer H. Ziegler
1959
TREASURER
Frederick B. Taylor
1959
COLLECTOR OF TAXES
William H. Davis
1959
Louis C. Farley, Jr.
AUDITOR
1959
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Perry J. Culver, Chairman
1961
Elizabeth C. Donaldson
1960
John W. Carman (Resigned)
1959
C. DeWitt Smith (Appointed)
1959
WATER COMMISSIONERS
Sumner Smith, Chairman
1959
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