USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Lincoln > Town Report on Lincoln 1960-1962 > Part 20
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Currently we are working with the Architect Engineers assigned to Lincoln to determine if there are any buildings suitable as a fall-out shelter which might house fifty or more persons if the need arose. This is a part of the Federal Shelter Survey program which is being carried out all over the country.
What future assistance we may expect from the federal government is hard to determine. Based on past perform-
72
PROTECTION
ances we must conclude that for the present at least, Civil Defense planning becomes to a large degree the obli- gation of the towns and their officials. In the final analysis, therefore, the type of program Lincoln wishes to adopt and the extent to which they are willing to partici- pate rests with the citizens.
73
Health and Welfare
BOARD OF HEALTH
William A. Halsey Lois Natoli
Gordon A. Donaldson, M.D., Chairman
After the election in March of 1961, the Board of Health met and voted to continue its organization as of the previous year. Mrs. David Garrison was reappointed to the office of Agent; and others included Mr. William Davis, Burial Agent; Dr. Alden Russell, Inspector of Slaughtering; and Mr. George Browning, Jr., Inspector of Animals.
The usual inspection of piggeries, restaurants, cider presses, stores, over-night cabins, and rest homes was made. Over the years an increasing amount of the time and energy of the Board has been given to the review of problem drainage and sewage plants. This trend has con- tinued, and we have had to rely increasingly on the ex- pert advice of the town-employed sanitary engineer. In addition to reviewing the several land subdivisions pre- sented to the Planning Board, the Board of Health has re- defined its position in regard to all new construction and major building alterations. All building, for which a building permit has been issued, must secure approval of the Board of Health of the sewage disposal plant, whether altered or not. In certain special instances which might be considered special by this Board or any similar Town Board, plans of the sewage system executed by an accepted sanitary engineer will be subject to review and inspection by the town engineer. In the case of any householder who remodels or repairs an existing sanitary system, such a formal engineering plan or inspection on our part will not be required. Review or advice in such instances will be
A number provided by the Board, however, if requested. of sewage plant approvals have been given; and the follow- ing licenses have been granted: piggeries, 2; transport of garbage, 3; overnight cabins, 1; massage, 1; slaughtering, of fowl, 1; sale of methyl alcohol, 5; victuallers, 7.
As required by law, the following communicable dis- eases were reported to the State Department of Health:
74
HEALTH AND WELFARE
chicken pox, 128; measles, 95; strep. throat and scarlet fever, 50; mumps, 14; German measles, 10; dog bite, 6; salmonellosis, 2; and tuberculosis, l.
For many years, thanks to the financial aid of the Pierce Fund, Lincoln has held several diagnostic and pre- ventive clinics. These were all active in 1961. On May 6, 232 dogs were innoculated against rabies for a nom- inal fee at a clinic held in the Town Barn. The first case of rabies in Massachusetts since 1949 was reported from Harvard in October. If this dread disease is to be kept under control, the 500 or more dogs in Town must be innoculated either at the clinic or by a private veterin- arian this year.
The Well Child Conference, conducted by Dr. John Davies, Mrs. Garrison, and a loyal group of volunteers, examined 52 children. This clinic, as described in earlier reports, is held monthly at the Smith School. Ir 1961, 20 infants, 19 pre-school children, and 13 kinder- garten students paid a total of 76 visits. The improved medical coverage of the Town in recent years has made the need for this Conference questionable, but for the present its continuance is thought wise.
At the Dental Clinic, Dr. William Tingey, with the able assistance of Mrs. Garrison and Mrs. Stanley Tead, completed dental screening of all pupils. 50 of these children were given treatment under an arrangement out- lined in a previous town report. The remainder requiring treatment were presumably cared for privately. The Board continues its interest in the experience of other Towns in the fluoridization of drinking water in the prevention of dental caries. Further study of this matter by a sub- committee is planned for 1962.
Mental Health in the schools continues to be super- vised by a social worker from the Walden Mental Health Centre. The Pierce Fund has provided services for one- half day per week throughout the school year. This work- er has been of great help to student and teacher alike; and will be effective in the future, we believe, in dis- covering mental health problems at an early, correctable age.
In cooperation with the school authorities, the Board is exploring the problems of speech defects in school children; again, with hope of correcting deficiencies at an
75
BOARD OF HEALTH
early impressionable age. A tuberculosis screening pro- gram in which all first grade students are tested is being conducted by Dr. John Sisson and Mrs. Garrison; and all contacts of positive skin tests are being pursued.
The year 1961 saw the initiation of a new type of public health nursing service in Town. As the school en- rollment approaches the 1,000 mark, our own nurse has found little time for home nursing. The services of the Emerson Hospital Visiting Nurse Association have been en- listed. .Contact for visiting nurse care may be made through Mrs. Garrison or the Hospital directly. Twenty- four hour service is provided at a charge of $3.00 per visit, plus eight cents per mile travel cost for those who can pay. The program is underwritten by the Town; and in its first year has proven eminently successful.
The Board has been active in the Northeastern Associa- tion of Boards of Health, a newly organized group repre -. senting 65 communities of this area. Here mutual problems of land subdivision, sewage disposal, piggeries, etc. are discussed; and we believe promise for the future of this group is considerable.
Finally, due to increasing labor and transportation costs, the Board, with the approval of the Selectmen, has found it necessary to increase the cost of garbage col- lection to $22.00 per annum. In spite of some deficien- cies in our present system, it is believed to be more equitable and economical than any other alternative that has been considered to date.
INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
George U. Browning, Jr.
The following animals are all under the rules and regulations of the Department of Livestock Disease Control of the Department of Agriculture. I have supplied them with a list of the owners (on whose premises the animals are kept) and the numbers and kinds of animals (with hoofs) in Lincoln.
No. of dairy cows over 2 years 53 No. of dairy cows, 1-2 years 45
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HEALTH AND WELFARE
No. of dairy cows under 1 year 4
No. of dairy bulls 0
No. of beef cattle, all ages 24
Total no. of dairy herds 9
Total no. of beef herds 1
Total no. of horses (all ages,
including ponies and burros) 57
No. of goats 7
No. of sheep 69
No. of swine 627
Fourteen dog bites were reported during the year. These dogs were quarantined and released at the end of two weeks since no sign of rabies appeared.
Two head of cattle, imported without health certifi- cates, were quarantined until certificates were obtained.
One barn was inspected and cleaning and disinfecting approved after removal of one cow showing positive brucel - losis reaction.
MOSQUITO CONTROL IN LINCOLN
Robert L. Armstrong, Superintendent David L. Garrison, Commissioner from Lincoln
Mosquito control work was limited to dusting and spraying to prevent development of the spring brood of mosquitoes. In January most of the small and medium size breeding places were dusted with DDT by hand. In April and early in May after larvae appeared the remaining breeding places were sprayed or dusted by hand or by heli- copter. Except for fogging one evening in the north part of Lincoln no other insecticide was applied during the season.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Balance on hand, December 31, 1960 $2,202.26 1961 appropriation received August 1, 1961 4,000.00
Expenditures in 1961:
Labor Insurance, Retirement
$1,415.69 363.93
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MOSQUITO CONTROL
Office Operation
$ 554.96
Office rent
46.17
Barn rent
160.20
Equipment & operation
906.48
Vehicle replacement
Insecticide
462.56
Aircraft service
80.00
Other services (truck hire)
30.00
$4,018.99
Balance on hand, December 31, 1961
$2,183.27
The East Middlesex Control Commission has requested an appropriation of $7,000 for 1962.
Robert L. Armstrong, Sup't.
As in the past two years, I dissent from the majority of the Commission and recommend to the Town a smaller ap- propriation, $4,000. Of this, $3,550 would be for use by the East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project for winter dusting and limited ditch maintenance; and $450 would be for the purchase of a portable fogging device ( "Swing-Fog", $350), a supply of ready-mixed insecticide, and training of one or more Town employees.
The winter dusting (one pound of DDT per acre on swamps) provides good control against spring-hatching Aedes mosquitoes, which would otherwise cause more annoyance than all other mosquito species combined. Widespread spraying or fogging in the warm seasons of the year is not recommended, because of its lesser effectiveness (unless repeated heavily and often) and its much greater potential danger to birds and other forms of wildlife including predator insects.
The portable fogging unit could bring relief to in- dividual citizens excessively troubled by summer mosqui- toes. It would be good for spot treatments, covering about "two acres of open ground in 20 minutes". I recom- mend that the Town purchase the equipment, and place it under the supervision of one trained employee; and that the costs of labor and insecticide be borne by any citizen that calls for its use. Such an arrangement would make mosquito poisoning available throughout the summer, at a moderate cost, to anyone severely in need of extra atten- tion.
David L. Garrison, Commissioner from Lincoln
78
HEALTH AND WELFARE
BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
M. Elizabeth Causer, Director
During the year 1961 sixteen cases were aided under the Old Age Assistance program and eight under the new Medical Assistance program. No aid was given under the Aid to Dependent Children or Disability Assistance cate- gories. Two cases were aided under General Relief.
Old Age Assistance:
Payments
From Town Funds
From Federal Funds
$10,306.97 10,573.02
$20,879.99
Receipts
Balance from 1960
$ 1,488.83
Refunds
148.30
U. S. Government
9,069.10
Comm. of Mass.
8,384.52
Comm. of Mass. Meals Tax
1,014.60
Other cities & towns
753.61
Cost to Town of Lincoln
$20,858.96 154.24
$21,013.20
Balance reserved for Old Age Assistance
133.21
$20,879.99
Medical Assistance to Aged :
Payments
From Town Funds
$ 4,265.94
From Federal Funds
4,006.14
$ 8,272.08
Receipts
Refund
$ 2.00
U. S. Government
4,461.94
Comm. of Mass.
2,602.92
$ 7,066.86
Cost to Town of Lincoln
1,205.22
$ 8,272.08
General Relief:
From Town Funds $ 927.05*
* This sum will be refunded from other cities and towns.
79
Planning and Public Works
PLANNING BOARD
Paul Brooks, Chairman
Edith M. Henderson
George H. Kidder
Constantin A. Pertzoff R. Langdon Wales
The Planning Board was organized at its first meeting with Paul Brooks, Chairman, and Constantin A. Pertzoff, Clerk. Mr. Kidder was designated the Planning Board's representative on the Long Term Capital Requirements Com- mittee. Mrs. Henderson was welcomed as the Board's new- est member and a resolution was sent to Mr. Walter F. Bogner, the Board's retiring member, expressing apprecia- tion for his tireless and exemplary contributions during his five years of service.
During the past year further progress has been made in implementing the Eliot-Braun Report: Planning for Lin- coln. The first section of the Open Space Conservation District has been established, and two more areas are ready to be considered at the 1962 Annual Town Meeting. Land has been acquired on Sandy Pond. A detailed study of the South Lincoln Business area is about to be com- pleted. The Subdivision Control Regulations are being completely re-drafted. And - in accordance with time- honored precedent - the perfect site is being sought for the Town Dump.
Regular monthly meetings were held with the Board of Selectmen, and a representative of the Planning Board at- tended hearings before the Board of Appeals that involved Planning Board matters.
A representative has been appointed to the Mass Transportation Commission.
Subdivision Control
During the year three subdivisions received formal approval from the Board after public hearing. These were:
Subdivision of land of Loveys' Corporation on Sandy Pond Road at the Concord line, consisting of 9 lots, 7 of which are in
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PLANNING AND PUBLIC WORKS
whole or in part in Lincoln.
Subdivision of land of Wes-Lex Corporation, on Tower Road at the Weston line, consist- ing of 24 lots, together with 5+ acres to be preserved for park purposes.
Subdivision of land of Prescott Davis, on Conant Road, consisting of 12 lots.
Arrangements have been made with Cleverdon, Varney and Pike, consulting engineers, for review of design and for regular inspection and reports to the Board at each stage of road and drainage construction in connection with all subdivisions.
Recognizing that the Town's Subdivision Control Regu- lations are inadequate and out of date, the Board has un- dertaken to redraft these Regulations in their entirety, on the basis of experience both in Lincoln and in neighbor- ing towns. The Board hopes to schedule a public hearing on the adoption of the new Regulations in the near future.
Open Space
The Board believes that our regulations in respect to lot size, set-back, etc., cannot be considered sufficient in themselves to preserve the present character of Lincoln. They must be supplemented by an active policy of re-zoning for open space and acquisition of land for park purposes. During the year the Open Space Conservation District began to take shape with the re-zoning of a stretch of land on either side of Stony Brook and Beaver Pond, from the Weston Town line to Weston Road. Two more areas will be recom- mended for inclusion in the Conservation District at the 1962 Annual Meeting:
A continuation of the swamp belt northward from Beaver Pond, from Weston Road approxi- mately to Old Farm Road; and
An area of lowland fronting on Sandy Pond and extending eastward to Bedford Road.
The Board wishes to take this opportunity to express its gratitude to the many landowners who have co-operated in these early stages of our land conservation program.
81
PLANNING BOARD
During the year, the Conservation Commission and the Planning Board concluded arrangements with Dr. Joseph Gar - land for the purchase by the Town, over a five-year period, of approximately fourteen acres of land on Sandy Pond. It is the feeling of the Board - as has been the case with previous groups who have studied Lincoln's long range land problems - that preservation of the shores of Sandy Pond is of the utmost importance for the Town's future.
A major enterprise undertaken through private initia- tive, the Valley Pond Trust, has made a valuable contribu- tion to the community in terms of conservation and recrea- tional needs.
South Lincoln Business Area
The orderly development of the land in the vicinity of the South Lincoln Railroad Station has been a major concern of the Planning Board throughout the year. A committee, consisting of Morton B. Braun, Henry B. Hoover, Walter J. Salmon, and representatives of the Planning Board, Edith M. Henderson and Constantin A. Pertzoff, is drawing up a comprehensive long range plan for this area, taking into account possible future as well as present needs of the Town. This plan is expected to be ready for consideration at a Special Town Meeting in the near future.
Historic Sites
The Board believes that the preservation of the Town's historic characteristics is of increasing importance as the Town develops. Three members of the Lincoln Histori- cal Society, Mrs. Harland Newton, Robert Filbin and Donald Leavitt, are preparing the basic information and data from both local and State sources which is needed by the Board in determining the best methods by which our historic sites may be preserved.
The Board wishes to 'express its gratitude to Mrs. Howard Snelling for her invaluable assistance in facilita- ting the work of the Board during the year.
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PLANNING AND PUBLIC WORKS
BOARD OF APPEALS
Henry B. Hoover James Jagger Alan McClennen Hans Van Leer
Associate Members
Betty L. Lang Donald J. Natoli
William N. Swift, Chairman
Hearings were held on thirteen petitions to the Board during the year 1961. Set forth below is a summary of the decisions:
Petition filed by R. M. and Irene C. Malloy for vari- ance of zoning by-law to permit subdivision of a lot on Lincoln Road about two hundred feet southwest of Railroad Station not having required frontage on public way, said lot containing a two-family house. Petition withdrawn.
Petition filed by R. M. Malloy for a variance of zoning by-law to permit forty-foot set-back of proposed new building on Lincoln Road. Petition withdrawn.
Petition filed by American Legion #84 for permission under Sec. 11 (d) to use premises of proposed building on 25,000 foot lot south of Railroad Station for community club not conducted for profit. Petition withdrawn.
Petition filed by Middlesex County Kennel Club for permission to hold the forty-seventh (47th) annual Dog Show on the grounds of the Smith School. Petition granted.
Petition filed by the Valley Pond Realty Trust to (1) Permit operation of a recreational facility not con- ducted for profit on its property west of Conant Road; (2) To permit excavation and construction work necessary for creation of ponds and other recreational facilities on said property; and (3) To permit removal and sale of loam excavated in the process of construction of said ponds and facilities. Petition granted.
Petition filed by Malcolm L. Donaldson for a variance to enable him to enlarge the living room of his home on Trapelo Road by an addition of ten feet six inches. Peti- tion granted.
Petition filed by Mildred Rodiman to renew a license to operate a nursery school in her home on Tower Road. Petition granted.
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BOARD OF APPEALS
Petition filed by Harold Lawson for permission to modernize the Cider Mill on his property on Route 2 by erecting an additional room of about 240 square feet. Petition granted.
Petition filed by Prescott L. Davis for a variance to allow one existing non-conforming building on a two acre lot (Lot #12 of a proposed subdivision on Conant Road ). Petition granted.
Petition filed by Prescott L. Davis for a variance to allow three existing non-conforming houses on a two acre lot (Lot #11 of a proposed subdivision on Conant Road) . Petition granted.
Petition filed by William C. Siler for a permit to construct an addition to an existing dwelling on his lot on Codman Road, such lot being non-conforming to its side yard dimension. Petition granted.
Petition filed by Donald J. Thompson for a variance to allow the construction of a single family residence on his lot on Weston Road. Petition granted.
Petition filed by James DeNormandie for a variance to allow a six thousand foot reduction to a non-conforming lot on Concord Road (Lot #7). Petition granted.
BUILDING CODE BOARD OF APPEALS
William A. Halsey Stephen Herthel Lawrence Anderson, Chairman
Associate Members
Walter Belanger Donald Loveys
The Building Code Board of Appeals was organized for the year 1961 with Lawrence Anderson, Chairman, and William Halsey and Stephen Herthel as regular members. Mr. Walter Belanger and Mr. Donald Loveys were the appointed associate members. Due to Mr. Loveys' untimely death in July, a vacancy was created which was not filled in 1961.
Two cases came before the Board during the year, as follows:
Petition of Albert E. Nelson for a variance from the Building Code to allow the substitution of
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PLANNING AND PUBLIC WORKS
sheetrock for the wire lath and plaster required in the Code. Petition granted.
Petition of Charles Freed for a variance from the Building Code to allow the substitution of sheetrock for wire lath and plaster. Petition denied.
INSPECTORS OF BUILDING, WIRING AND PLUMBING
William M. Dean, Building and Wiring Inspector Daniel J. Murphy, Plumbing Inspector
Building permits issued during 1961 :
New residential buildings 18
Buildings demolished 2
Swimming pools installed 2
Alterations and additions 43
Fees collected : $ 710.20
Plumbing permits issued during 1961: 27
Fees collected : $ 186.50
Wiring permits issued during 1961 : 69 Fees collected : $ 281.50
85
WATER
WATER COMMISSIONERS
Donald Brown Edward S. Taylor, Russell P. Mahan, Chairman
The year 1961 started with a period of extreme low temperatures and very little insulating snow cover. No town water mains froze. However, there were 52 frozen services on private property with the result that the superintendent and his assistant were working "around the clock" until the emergency was over.
Early in the Spring, work started on a survey for additional water sources. Approximately $1,000 was ex- pended of the total of $5,000 appropriated for the in- vestigation. Previous surveys were first restudied and then a consulting geologist selected the most promising areas for additional seismic surveys. A number of the areas which at first seemed encouraging from the surface geology proved to have bed rock close to the surface. Water supplies adequate for municipal purposes are in- evitably located in large gravel areas. Two of the last
areas investigated by seismic tests looked quite encourag- ing, and plans have been made to drill test wells. The Water Department is currently negotiating rights with the owners of the property involved prior to actually sinking the test wells. ' The possibility of an additional water supply for the Town of Lincoln is brighter than it has ever been in the past.
Over one-half a mile of mains were laid during the year . The old 4" cast iron pipe on Virginia Road was re- placed with 1400' of new 8" cement-asbestos pipe. 1800 feet of 8" mains were laid in the new Rolling Acres develop- ment, and 1000 feet of new 8" pipe were laid in Sandy Pond Road.
During 1961 the Water Department purchased a new 2500 watt portable motor generator set. This is for auxiliary light and power for chlorinator when the stand- by gasoline pump is used during power failures. It also proved most valuable for general lighting on our emergency night time construction jobs.
The State Department of Public Health recommended that the Town of Lincoln purchase a "standby" chlorinator. This unit was delivered in December, and we now have this added measure of protection.
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PLANNING AND PUBLIC WORKS
A fenced in area for pipe and hydrant storage has been constructed adjacent to the Town barn. This storage area allows us to purchase our larger items more efficient- ly and provide faster service when pipe or hydrant replace- ments are necessary. It will also allow us to restore some of the scenic aspects of the area around the pumping station.
WATER DEPARTMENT STATISTICS
1961
Pipe in use
32.03 miles
Hydrants in use
254
Stop-gates in use
299
Blow-offs in use
27
Range of pressure in mains
40-100 pounds
Total gallons pumped
117,686,500
gallons
Number of services added
14
Number o f services renewed
13
Number of services in use
1,038
,
Number of
meters in use
1,037
CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS
James DeNormandie H. Arnold MacLean Robert A. Spence, Chairman
This past year the services of the Parks Division of the Highway Department were utilized in doing the mainten- ance work at the cemeteries. It is expected that the benefits of this arrangement will further improve the quality and quantity of the maintenance work possible.
The rough grading of the area in the southwest sec- tion of the Lincoln Cemetery has been done and the balance of the grading, planting and marking of the lots is to be done in the early spring.
In December the lot records of the Commissioners were micro-filmed and the film deposited for safe keeping.
There were nineteen interments during the year.
The Commissioners express their appreciation for the assistance and cooperation given them by officials and em- ployees of the Town of Lincoln.
87
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
Raymond F. Maher, Superintendent
The department made substantial gains with road im- provement during the year. Most of the main roads through the town are now in good order and will require a minimum of maintenance. Emphasis in the future can be put upon the roads not carrying through traffic.
The department now has a well equipped shop and Roland Polhamus, the mechanic, is maintaining the equip- ment in top operating condition.
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