USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Lincoln > Town Report on Lincoln 1956-1959 > Part 7
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40 - 100 1bs. 100,852,300 gals.
Number of services added
66
Number of services renewed
14
Number of services in use
956
Number of meters in use
930
Respectfully submitted:
Henry Warner, Secretary Edward S. Taylor Sumner Smith, Chairman
INSPECTORS OF BUILDING, PLUMBING AND WIRING
Building permits issued during 1956:
New residential buildings
73
New non-residential buildings
21
Alterations and additions 21
Buildings demolished
2
Fees collected
$428.00
Plumbing permits issued during 1956 102
Fees collected
194.00
Wiring permits issued during 1956 173
Fees collected
310.50
Respectfully submitted:
Walter Bergquist, Building Inspector William M. Dean, Wiring Inspector Daniel J. Murphy, Plumbing Inspector
90
283 27
Total gallons pumped
PLANNING AND PUBLIC WORKS
REPORT OF HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
The Highway Department always has problems but the past year offered a few more than were anticipated. The spring snow storms not only caused a great deal of work but, particularly, they slowed up the normal operations of the Department during the year. The spring clean-up was delayed, road patching was delayed and the normal plans for road work had to be altered. The County was similarly delayed in its programs due to the storms, and the Chapter 90 work planned for Route #126 and on Trapelo Road was delayed long after the normal season for such repairs to be accomplished under good weather conditions.
Much time was spent on flood control work, in addition to regular duties. Extra help was hired in the summer months to supplement the regular work force. Michael Ciraso has joined the Department
as a regular employee. We are anxious to increase our permanent force in order to give the citizens better service and to accomplish more work on our roads.
As for our equipment, many of the heavy duty items are old and have been giving serious trouble. The time seems to have arrived when new trucks, front end loader and grader must be considered. Without proper equipment it is impossible to give the service re- quired by the Town.
The men of the Department have co-operated fully and willingly. Considering the many unforeseen problems, we have endeavored to give the town the best possible service.
Respectfully submitted,
Raymond C. Maher Superintendent, Highway Department
91
LINCOLN MASS ROAD JURISDICTION
BEDFORD
-
COFOA D
AD
2A
NOATH GAFAT
...... RO
CONCORD
CAMBRIDGE
BEDFORD RO
...
M
LEXINGTON
TURNPIKE
2
SCALE IN FEET 2000
4000
6000
BRIDGE RD
. z
7
-
1.
AD
.ST ........
GREAT
WAYLAND
WESTON'
PREPARED FOR THE SELECTMEN 1956
.
STATE HIGHWAYS CHAPTER 90 ROADS TOWN ROADS
SANDY PONO.
: TRAPELO AD
+SOUTH
NCO
WALTHAM
CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS
REPORT OF THE CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS
Normal work of a maintenance nature continued to be the principal activity during the year.
Interments during 1956
January 28
n
29
- Clara Louise Chapin
February 26
- Robert Curtis Chapin
March 31 -
- Arthur Charles Lamb
April 7
- Herbert Lincoln Moore, Jr.
H
11
--
Frederick J. Bamforth
M
12
--
Andrew Doherty
24 -- Abbie E. Bunker
May 15
--
Carrie Wentworth Hartwell
25
-- Earl Russell Harvey
H
25
-- Henry Kirwin
June 27
-
John Peabody Monks
July 4
Pasquale Bova Conti
15
-- Patricia Browning
n 28
- Frank J. Flynn
August 1 M
22
Henry A. Butcher
September 6 #
Johanna Peterson
12 - Harry Causer
October 1
- Julia Catherine Southner
22
.- Tamzin K. Robus
22 - Thomas Clarke
November 24
- Katherine Cunningham
December 6 -- Ernest F. Russ
M
27
-- William Liddell
For report on Perpetual Care Funds and Cemetery Investment Fund, see Treasurer's Report.
Respectfully submitted:
George E. Cunningham Robert D. Donaldson Arnold Maclean
92
--
Frederick Murphy
-
Frederick Thornton Lord
PLANNING AND PUBLIC WORKS
LONG TERM CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS COMMITTEE
Pursuant to the vote under Article 20 of the 1956 Annual Town Meeting, the Moderator appointed the undersigned to continue to in- vestigate the long-term capital requirements of the Town, and report before the 1957 Town Meeting. At its first meeting, the Committee organized itself with William M. Rand, Chairman, and Maurice E. Shank, Clerk.
The committee has again met with the relevant boards, committees and officers of the Town and discussed their plans. These have been evaluated in a report which is being published and distributed under separate cover.
The separately published report, in addition to its evaluation of various new proposals for capital improvements, again makes certain recommendations for future planning of capital expenditures.
Respectfully submitted:
William M. Rand, Chairman
Maurice E. Shank
Charles P. Kindleberger
William T. King, for the Selectmen
William N. Page, for the Finance Committee Alan McClennan, for the Planning Board
93
PUBLIC LAND STUDY COMMITTEE
FINAL REPORT OF THE PUBLIC LAND STUDY COMMITTEE
The study of the acquisition of public lands demands an inquiry into the needs for such lands, their uses and value to the town, the cost and possibilities of acquisition. These points must be con- sidered on the basis of long range objectives with an awareness of the great changes that must be anticipated due to the rapid develop- ment of land in and about this town on the fringe of an expanding metropolitan area. At the present time, Lincoln enjoys among its numerous amenities the unspoiled character of a sparsely developed New England landscape traversed by roads of a pleasant rural charac- ter, frequently lined by stately shade trees. The future will bring more people, more houses and more traffic into the Town. open land will remain for the enjoyment of the citizen. That is when public land will be needed the most, and that is the time when it will be hardest to come by.
Less
The Land Use Survey of the Planning Board of May, 1955, and statistics made available by the League of Women Voters in February, 1954, indicate an accelerating growth of the Town. The consequences of this growth will have to be dealt with in planning for the future, if the citizens of Lincoln wish to safeguard the amenities they now enjoy. To accomplish the latter, the Planning Board, supported by the voters, has taken constructive measures to prevent an excessively dense development of the existing land and to regulate land use through zoning regulations. However, these measures do not set aside land that will be needed in the future for common use and en- joyment by the citizens, and for the protection or conservation of amenities. Aware of this problem, the Planning Board concerned it- self with Public Reservation Areas during its 1955 Land Use Survey and recommended the establish ment of a special committee to study the matter. The Public Land Study committee was set up for this purpose, and was provided with "Findings and Conclusions relative to Land Acquisition" prepared as a part of the Planning Board's Land Use Survey.
The Public Land Study committee in considering the establishment of a reserve of public land for definite uses and long range value to the Town has been guided by the following objectives:
1. The protection of the existing qualities of the Town and the enhancement of property values.
2. The safeguarding of the purity of the Town's drinking water supply.
3. The provision of recreational areas for playgrounds, nature walks, scout activities, and horseback riding.
4. The setting aside of existing marginal land for the benefit of the Town.
5. The need for expansion of the road net-work to reduce the dangers from increasing traffic and to eliminate
94
PLANNING AND PUBLIC WORKS
hazards, and to prevent damage to property and the loss of shade trees on the existing major roads.
6. The provision of sites for public buildings and for the services of the Town.
7. The conservation of the beauty of the landscape and the protection of the shores of Sandy Pond and Beaver Pond against unsightly encroachments.
The "Findings and Conclusions Relative to Land Acquisition" of the Planning Board listed nine areas of land and identified these on a map entitled "1955 Land Use Study - Public Reservation Areas". Areas 1, 2, and 3 were considered undesirable areas for public acquisition because of the proximity to the airport and the annoyance of low-flying aircraft. Area 6 was not considered desirable for further study at this time because the area is bisected by the railroad and because of the swampy nature of the terrain. Areas 8 and 9, being on the ex- treme borders of the town, were also given a low priority for consider- ation by the Public Land Study Committee.
The following areas have been studied by the Public Land Committee: SANDY POND WATERSHED
The legal firm of Newton and Weir was engaged to make a thorough study of the rights of the Town as they relate to Sandy Pond. It is the opinion of this counsel that the Town owns Sandy Pond and a pro- tective strip around it, from the DeCordova property to a point approx- imately half way down the westerly shore of the pond. This strip varies somewhat, but is about 65 to 70 feet in width measuring from the high water mark. On March 10, 1896, by virtue of Chapter 188 of the Acts of 1872, the Town acquired this land. A plan of this taking is recorded in Plan Book 96, Plan 18 recorded in the Middlesex Regis- try of Deeds, So. District.
The complete report of the examination of the records, along with photostatic copies of the plan of the 1896 takings and subsequent releases are on file at the Town Hall. Although the Committee does not advocate any additional action be taken at this time as regards the Sandy Pond area, the investigation of the area has somewhat clari- fied the ownership and rights of the Town regarding its water supply and the surrounding land.
Recent developments in the Town, such as the Bedford Airport Housing Development and possible relocation of Route 2, have changed the thinking of the Committee since the Interim Report was published. The recommendations for additional land acquisition are now limited to two areas.
95
PUBLIC LAND STUDY COMMITTEE
RECREATIONAL AREA IN NORTH LINCOLN
The Committee thinks that the Town should consider acquiring at a future date approximately 20 acres of land in North Lincoln for recrea- tional use. A possible site lies in the flat, arable land south of North Great Road (Route 2A), - in general, opposite the Cook Farm Stand between the present Town Dump and Bedford Road. The Committee feels that immediate and specific selection of the area should be de- ferred until some of the more pressing problems which face the Town have been solved. When final action has been taken on the relocation of Route 2 and the desires of the Federal Government have been made clear concerning the development of an Historic National Park, it is recommended that the Town examine the problem of a recreational area in greater detail than can be set forth at present.
LOW LAND EXTENDING FROM NORTH TO SOUTH LINCOLN
The year that has elapsed since the submission of the Interim Report in February, 1956, has given added emphasis to the need for reserves of public land. The Committee reaffirms the objects out- lined in this report and again recommends that the Town consider the acquisition of the strip of low land extending from North to South Lincoln. Roughly speaking, it encompasses an almost continuous strip of swamps and connecting low lands running north and south parallel to Lincoln and Bedford Roads and about a half a mile to the east. £ For a more detailed indication of the swamp area the U. S. Geological Map may be consulted. The Interim Report describes the area as "Reserva- tion B", explains the value of the area to the town and gives a map outlining the strip.
At a future Town Meeting, the citizens of Lincoln should be given the opportunity to vote on acquiring or gaining control by the Town of any or all of the recommended reserves. The Committee suggests that such action be taken as soon as the Planning Board is able to aid the voters in reaching a decision by the submission of factual data on the needs of the Town and a plan or policy for the future development of the Town.
Since the first meeting on October 5, 1955, the Committee has had fifteen meetings and given careful consideration to many areas and many plans. The foregoing recommendations have been given a great deal of careful thought.
The sum of $500 was appropriated June 6, 1955, for the use of the Committee. The following is a summary of the expenses of the Com- mittee.
96
PLANNING AND PUBLIC WORKS
PUBLIC LANDS STUDY COMMITTEE
EXPENSES:
Photostats
$ 25.03
Postage and Miscellaneous
1.43
Typing of 1956 Report
5.00
Printing of 1956 Report
60.00
Aerial Photos of Lincoln
72.00
Title search Sandy Pond area
154.80
TOTAL COMMITTEE EXPENSE
$318.26
A more detailed report than space will permit here will be sent to the Planning Board and Board of Selectmen.
The Committee begs to be discharged.
Respectfully submitted:
Albert M. Avery
Walter F. Bogner
Lucy E. Bygrave
Arthur T. Howard
Russell P. Mahan, Chairman
97
SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE
REPORT OF THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE
The Elementary School Building Committee submits herewith its first interim report.
This Committee was appointed by the Moderator pursuant to vote of the Town under Article 25 of the Adjourned Annual Meeting held on March 21, 1956. It was originally authorized to determine and re- port upon the building needs of the Town's elementary school system, but found, very early in its deliberations, that the needs were immediate and time a most important factor. Projections of school enrollment for the ensuing ten years furnished by the Superintendent and the School Committee showed an expected growth in school popula- tion requiring, without the utilization of South School, six more classrooms than are presently available for the fall of 1957 and 20 additional classrooms by the fall of 1965. The Committee believes that the effective planning and building for future elementary class- rooms shall be undertaken with full recognition that the need is for 20 additional classrooms within ten years.
Since it was apparent that the need for further classrooms was immediate, the Committee has retained the services of Anderson, Beckwith and Haible, Architects. The Committee has considered at length whether, for the immediate future, the homogeneous growth of the Town would be best served by continued elementary school develop- ment on a centralized rather than decentralized plan. Our conclusion is that centralized schools tend to promote community "oneness" and simultaneously enhance educational and administrative efficiency.
The Committee has discussed extensively the advisability of an addition to either the Center School or the Charles Sumner Smith School. The considered opinion of the Committee is that future flexibility in the growth of the elementary school plant, particular- ly in the light of a demonstrable need for 20 additional classrooms within ten years, indicates the desirability of acquiring a new site in the vicinity of the Charles Sumner Smith School. Accordingly,
the Committee recommended for the approval of the Town at a special Town Meeting on December 18, 1956, the acquisition of two parcels of land, the first consisting of approximately 10.7 acres with frontage on Lincoln Road between land of Newton and land of Cousins and border- ing on the ballfield, the second consisting of approximately 2.5 acres situated on the westerly side of the Smith School site and contiguous to it. The first parcel was formerly owned by Sumner Smith and at the time of the special Town Meeting was owned by Jennie V. Mcclellan; the second was owned by Dr. and Mrs. Perry J. Culver. The availa- bility of both parcels for acquisition by the Town had been determined in advance of the special Town Meeting. The Committee recommended acquisition of the 10.7 acre parcel as the building site for a new elementary school. The area and topography of the parcel are such
98
PLANNING AND PUBLIC WORKS
that it can accommodate, in the opinion of the Architects and engi- neers, an eventual 20 classroom structure. The Committee recommended acquisition of the 2.5 acre parcel for development in conjunction with land already owned by the Town on the westerly side of the Smith School site as additional space for outdoor school activities.
After favorable action by the Town at the special meeting, an order for the taking of both parcels was recorded by the Selectmen on December 31, 1956. Acquisition was accomplished by eminent domain to avoid any difficulty with respect to the state of title. The purchase price for each parcel, approved by the Town and agreed to by the respective owners will, of course, be paid to the owners notwithstanding the method of acquisition.
Since the special Town Meeting, the Committee has met with its Architects to begin preparation of preliminary plans for the initial classroom structure on the 10.7 acre parcel. The Committee hopes to bring these plans before the Town at an early date so that if they are approved by the Town construction may begin as soon as possible.
Respectfully submitted:
Elizabeth J. Snelling Andrew J. Dougherty
Ernest P. Neumann
Gerard C. Henderson, Jr.
George H. Kidder, Chairman
99
POLICE FIRE STATION PLANS COMMITTEE
REPORT OF POLICE FIRE STATION PLANS COMMITTEE
At the December, 1956, Special Town Meeting $3,500 was appro- priated towards the cost of acquiring the Codman Road-Lincoln Road site recommended for a combined Police and Fire Station. The lot runs about 240 feet on each side at the intersection and contains 58,903 square feet of land. It is considered adequate for future building expansion together with suitable parking area and land- scaping.
At the December meeting the Site Selection Committee was asked by the Selectmen to organize as a Building Plans Committee. In the short interval since acquisition of the land this Committee has been unable to speed its work to a point where specific recommendations as to type, size and cost of a suitable structure could be put be- fore the Annual Meeting in March this year. In that there is some urgency to provide new quarters for apparatus in South Lincoln the Committee intends to bring its proposals before a Special Meeting early in the spring.
Your Committee intends to recommend plans for a one-story build- ing of conservative design adequate to meet the growing needs of the next ten years with room for addition thereafter if indicated. On- the-spot studies have been made of numerous buildings approaching our needs that have been recently built in nearby Towns. An alarm- ingly wide variation in costs of these structures has cautioned the Committee to proceed slowly so that it can be reasonably certain its final plans will come within the $100,000 budgeted for this project a few years ago by the Long-Term Capital Plans Committee. At the time of this report it is felt that this objective will be accom- plished.
Respectfully submitted:
Leo J. Algeo
Andrew J. Dougherty Ernest Johnson
William N. Swift
Robert H. Booth, Chairman
100
PLANNING AND PUBLIC WORKS
REPORT OF THE VETERANS MEMORIAL COMMITTEE
The first act of this committee was to add the dates of the most recent wars to the Memorial Tablet in front of the Library, just be- fore Memorial Day. This was done at a cost of $40.00.
We have investigated the cost of a bronze tablet which would list the names of all who joined the armed forces from the Revolutionary War to the present time. Great difficulty exists in getting accurate records. It would be unfortunate to omit a single name or to have any extra names. Also, as this list would only include the names of those who actually joined the service from Lincoln, such a list would do no honor whatever to those who came to Lincoln during or after their service.
For this reason, the committee believes that a suitable plaque doing honor to all those veterans who have at any time been residents of Lincoln, but without naming any, would in the fullest sense be in accord with the wishes of the town. The committee expects to can- vass the town on this point in the near future.
At the same time, the committee feels that this plaque should be in the Town House, where it would be inside and on town-administered property.
Two months should suffice to complete this project, once the nature of the Memorial has been defined.
Respectfully submitted: Robert E. White, Chairman J. Lewis Cunningham Richard J. Eaton
101
Education and Recreation
BEMIS FREE LECTURES
The Bemis Lecture Trustees are continuing to follow the policy of trying to present fewer lectures but maintaining the same standard and choosing a variety in order to appeal to all ages. The attend- ance this year has been excellent.
In the spring we received with regret the resignation of our co- trustee, Mr. Leonard Larrabee, who is presently serving on another Town Committee. It is with great pleasure that we now have Mr. Paul Brooks appointed to fill in Mr. Larrabee's unexpired term.
We would like to reiterate once again that suggestions by the townspeople for this lecture series are always welcome.
Respectfully submitted:
Mabel H. Todd Paul Brooks Christopher W. Hurd
Bemis Lecture Trustees
102
LIBRARY
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF LINCOLN LIBRARY
When the Library was given to the Town and dedicated on August 5, 1884, it was provided that its continuance and control be in the care of a Board of Trustees, three of whom were appointed for life with the provision that in case of death or resignation of one his successor should be chosen by the remaining two. In addition, the Chairman of the Selectmen and the Chairman of the School Committee were designated as the fourth and fifth members. If any of the life members should hold either of the latter two offices, a substitute was to be appointed for him. This explanation of the constitution of the Board of Library Trustees is made that the many new residents of the Town, not knowing and having asked, may be informed.
In the gift of the Library to the Town, the donor imposed only one restriction: "that it shall be used only for the purposes of a library and so managed as to secure the greatest benefit and pleasure to those who use it. "
The first books were issued December 20, 1884, and for the seventy- two years since the Library has been open; at first two days a week, and for the past five years three days a week. Contemplated is further opening time as the demand increases.
In 1884 provision was made for 7,000 volumes with opportunity to increase by 7,000 more. This year nearly 16,000 volumes are crowded into the same space. The need for more shelf space is obvious if the Library is to meet the needs of the increasing population of the Town.
The donor urged the great importance of collecting and preserving old records relating to the history of the Town and suggested the library as the proper custodian of such. The library has faithfully accepted this trust and the accumulation is now such that provision should be made for their safety from fire or theft by a bomb proof room or vault. The trustees hope that the building addition com- mittee will include such in their plans along with the other needs under consideration.
The Library Building Committee, as provided at the Annual Town Meeting, was not appointed until early in the summer and because of vacations did not get organized until September. The trustees and librarian as ex-officio members have tried to collaborate with their ideas and suggestions so as to give them a true picture of the library needs. Progress has been slow but along constructive lines, and it is our hope that this committee will continue, so that eventually Lincoln Library may be of sufficient size and equipment to meet the
103
EDUCATION AND RECREATION
needs of our growing Town for several years.
Any building 72 years old is subject to ravages of the elements and to wear, and the repair item is to be considered yearly in its maintenance. The trustees have tried to anticipate such and usually have been successful. However, the severe storms of the past year resulted in damage to the roof and chimneys that required attention to replace copper valleys and slate on the roof and chimney flash- ings and repairs.
Contemplated in 1957 are the pointing up of the masonry of the walls and steps and some exterior and interior painting. Estimates for these repairs have been obtained and the amounts included in the library budget for the year.
Some increase in the salary item is asked to provide extra ser- vices of the assistant librarian.
Minor increases requested are in line with increased cost of various necessities such as fuel.
Two problems of special interest and concern to users of the library have been discussed by the trustees: The First should be of direct concern to parents, -- the destruction and defacement of the building and grounds by children. The Second, -- present parking regulations make it necessary for children and adults to cross Bed- ford Road to reach the library. A busy corner and several near accidents should warn library users to be alert and very careful. It has been suggested to the Selectmen that an effort be made to devise a safer arrangement, at least during the hours the library is open.
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