USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Lincoln > Town Report on Lincoln 1960-1962 > Part 38
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Two women, Mrs. Lorraine Dean and Mrs. Hazel Fedock, were employed in April to operate our Fire and Police Com- munications Center during the day. These women have been of great help in doing clerical work for us and they, as well as our regular operators, have done an excellent job for us on Communications.
TREE WARDEN
Albert S. Brooks
During the year seventy-five diseased elm trees were removed. This is a much lower number than has been re- moved for the last few years, only because there are fewer elms left, and not because the disease is any more under control. I still feel the immunization treatment with Klutone is the only hope for them. Six of the trees that were treated last spring had the disease at the time of treatment and they appear to be all right now. I hope to treat more in the coming spring.
Not much spraying was done in 1962 due to pressure of other work. I feel this should not be allowed to happen again. I feel the elms should be protected against the elm leaf beetles in summer and also some brush and poison ivy control should be done. The brush was brought fairly well under control in 1961 and should be kept that way so we will not have the condition again that we did at the start of that year.
96
PROTECTION
CIVIL DEFENSE AGENCY
Ernest L. Johnson, Director
The events of the closing months of 1962 focused at- tention on the need of a stronger Civil Defense and in some areas a woeful lack of any kind of civilian preparedness. As an aftermath of the Cuban crisis, we believe Civil De- fense will continue to grow in importance, acceptability and support as long as international tensions exist. This has been clearly demonstrated both at the Federal and State level through accelerated programs and increased funds.
The Federal Shelter Survey Plan, undertaken over a year ago to determine the buildings throughout the country suitable for public fall-out shelters, is fast reaching its final stages. Buildings which meet the requirements, namely the accommodation of fifty people and have a mini- mum protective factor, are then eligible for government stocking of medical and food supplies. All major build- ings in Lincoln have now been surveyed and recommendations made to improve their ratings for fall-out protection. The buildings under consideration as public shelters are: Storrow House, Farrington Memorial, Gordon Hall, and the Library. However, in each case they will have to be brought up to the minimum standards in order to be eligible for government stock piling.
At the State level, provision has been made to great- ly increase their staff and field organization which has here-to-fore been greatly undermanned. Of primary import- ance to the towns is the reactivation of the Sector Head- quarters upon which we, at the local level, have leaned heavily in the past for guidance and assistance. The com- pletion of the Massachusetts Civil Defense Headquarters in Framingham, a most modern operating center, assures greater continuity and operational ability at all levels.
The Lincoln Civil Defense headquarters and control center will be located in the basement of the Fire-Police Station. This move places all protective agencies under one roof, thereby providing a more closely co-ordinated program in times of emergency. In order to bring this new center up to government specifications, additional funds will be necessary.
97
CIVIL DEFENSE
We wish to point out that a self-aid medical program is being made available to the citizens of the Town. This program is designed to train people in survival techniques under the most adverse conditions.
- We hope that the cit- izens will avail themselves of this training when they are notified.
98
Health and Welfare
BOARD OF HEALTH
Abigail Avery
Pierre Dreyfus, M. D. Gordon A. Donaldson, M. D., Chairman
Following the election in March, 1962, the Board of Health met and voted to continue as of the previous year. Mrs. David Garrison was reappointed to the office of Agent; Mr. William Davis, Burial Agent; Dr. Alden Russell, In- spector of Slaughtering; and Mr. George Browning, Jr., In- spector of Animals.
The usual inspections were made during the year, in- cluding piggeries, restaurants, cider presses, stores, over-night cabins, and rest homes. Three day nurseries were also inspected and licensed. As in previous years, the Board has spent considerable time on the problems of Recognizing the drainage and sanitary sewage disposal. fact that the Town is faced with an ever increasing number of new dwellings and a consequent increase in population density, the Board felt the necessity to revise Chapter II, Section E, of the Health Regulations. With the help and advice of the town-employed Sanitary Engineer, a new set of regulations was drawn up and went into effect on Octo-
ber 11, 1962. These regulations closely follow Article XI of the State Sanitary Code entitled "Minimum Require- ments for the Disposal of Sanitary Sewage in Unsewered Areas", adopted by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health on January 9, 1962. In order to facilitate the planning of new, or the revision of existing, sewage dis- posal systems and to expedite their approval by the Board, detailed instructions with sample drawings are now availa- ble at Town Hall for interested citizens. The procedure
for processing building permits has been modified in order to reduce unnecessary delays. In drawing up the new regu- lations, the Board took into consideration the fact that, despite the increase in the installation of household ap- pliances using detergents and large volumes of water, the Town would most likely remain unsewered for years to come. During 1962, 27 new building permits and 41 permits for alterations were approved by the Board.
99
BOARD OF HEALTH
Communicable diseases were reported as follows: chick- en pox, 45; measles, 221; German measles, 18; mumps, 14; strep throat and scarlet fever, 77; dog-bite, 6; tubercu- losis, 2 (inactive). Measles in the spring of 1962 reached epidemic proportions. Children tended to run tem- peratures as high as 104 degrees and were generally quite sick during the first few days. Many doctors believe in the use of gamma globulin to modify or protect young child- ren or the infirm. This is only possible when exposure is known. Reporting of communicable disease is far from ideal in Lincoln. Improvement in this detail on the part of the physicians and the community would perhaps have re- sulted, in the case of measles, in fewer severe measles cases.
Various clinics have been held, as in previous years. The one change has been in the running of the Dental Clinic, The annual screening of all school children has been con- tinued by Dr. William Tingey, with the able assistance of Mrs. Garrison and Mrs. Stanley Tead. Nine hundred seventy. six children were screened. The expense of this diagnos- tic Clinic has been met by the Pierce Fund. However,
since the number of pupils requiring Fund assistance in the treatment of carious teeth has dwindled in recent years, this function under Dr. Tingey has been abandoned. We would emphasize that assistance through the Pierce Fund continues for any child who needs financial help in meeting costs of required dental treatment. Mrs. Garrison, Town Nurse, will continue to direct such children to officially designated dentists. Many children have been referred to
their own dentists. The Board continues its interest in. the experiences of other towns and cities in the fluoridi- zation of drinking water in the prevention of dental caries The issue has stimulated little interest on the part of the townspeople.
The Well Child Conference, conducted by Dr. John Davies, Mrs. Garrison, and volunteers, was held monthly at the Smith School. Sixty children paid 79 visits; 4 under one year, 17 children aged one to four years, and 39 child- ren five years or older. 1962 marked the 25th year that Dr. Davies has served our Clinic, and the Town is exception ally fortunate in having a man of his personality and pro- fessional stature.
Mental Health problems in the schools remain under the supervision of the Board of Health, and have become an active program under a qualified social worker from the Walden Health Center in Concord. The Pierce Fund has pro-
100
HEALTH AND WELFARE
vided for the services of such a worker one day a week throughout the school year. Again, this is a diagnostic service, aside from the direct help provided by the social worker to student and teacher; and the need for any more active treatment is called to the attention of the parents for help through proper channels.
In May, 2268 children and adults received Sabin Oral Polio vaccine, Type I; and in June, Type III Sabin vaccine was given to 1588 individuals, only 39 of whom were class- ified as adults. It is believed that the student popula- tion in Town has been well covered; and in the coming year efforts are to be directed toward the adult group, many of whom need immunization, as well as treatment, as possible carriers of the polio viruses. Type II vaccine will also become available in 1963.
The annual Dog Clinic was held in Town Barn. Of the 531 dogs registered in Lincoln, only 198 dogs were given anti-rabies vaccine. The Board is seriously considering the use of a new vaccine which would provide immunity for three years rather than only one year. This different type of vaccine, although somewhat more costly per dose, is generally regarded by the experts as being safer for the animals. Despite the fact that in the past twenty years not a single incidence of rabies in man has been reported in the state of Massachusetts, there is evidence that the disease is becoming more prevalent in wild animals, such as bats and squirrels. Therefore, the Board feels that there is a necessity for a more vigorous vaccination pro- gram for dogs which might come into contact with rabid wild animals when allowed to run free.
The Emerson Hospital Nursing Service has proven effect- ive in giving home nursing care under Mrs. Garrison's super- vision. A visiting nurse is provided any one at the rate of $3.00 per visit, plus travel charges. Arrangements for these visits are made through Mrs. Garrison or directly by telephoning the Hospital.
Volunteers have played an essential role in the activ- ities of the Board of Health in the past year. Mrs. Eleanor Tead has given unstintingly of her time three morn- ings per week, and we are deeply grateful. The various clinics have benefited from the generous help of Mrs. David Ammen, Mrs. Ralph Ruocco, Mrs. Robert Meyer, Mrs. Robert Emerson, Mrs. Warren Flint, and Mrs. Gordon Donaldson.
101
INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
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 59
No. of dairy cows 1-2 years
13
No. of dairy cows under 1 year 15
No. of dairy bulls
0
No. of beef cattle, all ages
35
Total number of dairy herds
Total number of beef herds 1
7
Total number of horses (all ages,
including ponies and burros)
57
No. of goats
9
No. of sheep
32
No. of swine 729
Sixteen 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.
MOSQUITO CONTROL IN LINCOLN
Robert L. Armstrong, Superintendent David L. Garrison, Commissioner from Lincoln
The mosquito control program was curtailed in the same manner as in the past two years. Most of the poten- tial sources of the spring brood. of mosquitoes were dusted by hand in January or February. The larger ones were dusted by helicopter about the first of April. A little spraying was done by hand in April where larvae were found. No further insecticide was used during the year. Mos - quitoes from outside sources infested the Town beginning on the night of May 24th. These dwindled in July. The Beaver Pond swamp area produced lots of mosquitoes during the summer and is the worst mosquito source in the Town.
102
HEALTH AND WELFARE
Paths were cut through dense brush in swamps south of Codman Road and off Route 2. In December some ditching was being done west of Tower Road.
Financial Statement
Balance on hand January 1, 1962
$2,183.27
Appropriation for 1962 received July 11th 3,550.00
Credit from Sudbury
62.30
Expenditures in 1962
Labor
$2,256.07
Insurance
426.78
Office operation
468.75
Office rent
42.86
Barn rent
178.50
Equipment & field operation
732.62
Vehicle replacement
133.55
Insecticide
302.80
Aircraft service
97.00
TOTAL
$4,638.93
Balance on hand December 31, 1962 $1,156.64
The East Middlesex Mosquito Control Commission has requested an appropriation of $8,025 for 1963. This amount includes $1,025 to be used only for a Building Fund. The Commission plans to acquire a building for use as gar- age, shop, storage, and office, and thus avoid further ex- pensive rental costs.
Robert L. Armstrong, Superintendent
Each year the East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project requests from its member towns an appropriation for year- round abatement efforts. The full program includes (1) dusting swamps with DDT in the winter; (2) spraying or fog- ging large areas (both swampy and residential) repeatedly, with various pesticides, during the spring and summer; and (3) clearance of certain waterways. The program also in- cludes chemical spraying of urban catch-basins and other spot treatments; but points (1) and (2) are the main part of the program.
Lincoln joined the EMMCP in 1955 and for five years subscribed to the full routine. Then growing doubts about pesticides led the Town to halve its participation. Since
103
MOSQUITO CONTROL
1960 we have had winter dusting (and limited ditch clear- ance ) only.
I now recommend to the Town that we stop even this winter half of the program and withdraw from the East Mid- dlesex Mosquito Control Project entirely. Instead of the $8,025 appropriation asked by the EMMCP, I recommend that the Town raise and appropriate $2,000 to be used by the Town itself for winter dusting of swamplands on properties where the owners request such treatment.
Last June the Town purchased a portable fogging mach- ine, and this offers citizens a means of abating local mos- quito annoyance during the warm months. Only a few people called for this service last summer, but at least relief is possible for those who have excessive trouble. £ Mos- quito densities vary greatly from one locality to another; the fogger can bring welcome help to critical spots. The cost of labor and materials is charged to the persons that order the service.
For the winter dusting I propose that no individual charge be made. Our Aedes mosquitoes, the target of win- ter DDT, are not sedentary like the summer Culex mosquitoes, but are a wide-ranging type. Following emergence in May and June, they tend to spread around the neighborhood. Thus, measures used against them affect the populace in general and should be considered, I think, a Town expense.
My reason for recommending withdrawal from the East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project is an increased fear of long-term damage to wildlife, almost certainly to plants in the end as well as animals, and possibly also to humans, from the repeated, wide-spread use of non-specific insecti- cides. Coupled with this fear of cumulative injury is the conviction that such poisoning will ultimately fail anyway. Pest species tend to develop resistance, as we have seen with Staphylococcus and are already seeing with certain mosquito populations in East Middlesex.
The evidence and reasoning in support of this somber viewpoint are documented extensively in Rachel Carson's "Silent Spring". It may be that she overstresses the dangers. There are those who disagree with her conclusions or even question some of her facts. Such critics can, under the program proposed here, assume the responsibility for requesting poisoning of their own land. But I believe the book makes a serious and compelling case, and I urge
104
HEALTH AND WELFARE
the Town to refrain hereafter from any general, wide-spread program of non-specific poisoning.
David L. Garrison, Commissioner from Lincoln
105
PUBLIC WELFARE
BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
M. Elizabeth Causer, Director
The first responsibility of the public assistance agency is to meet the basic needs of individuals who are themselves unable to meet them, and, by providing necessary services, to assist per- sons in developing their capacity for self-maintenance to the fullest extent possible to them.
The major objective which public welfare agencies at all administrative levels are expected to achieve in working with public assistance families is the improvement of social services to strengthen family life, the safeguarding of children'in haz- ardous home situations, and the reduction of dependency through an effective program of rehabilitation services.
Old Age Assistance
Payments : from Town Funds
from Federal Funds
$10,402.46 4,168.16
$14,570.62
Receipts :
Balance from 1961
133.21
Refunds
156.36
U. S. Government
6,924.44
Comm. of Mass.
7,512.83
Comm. of Mass.,
Meals Tax
970.24
15,697.08
1,819.41
$17,516.49
Balance reserved for O. A. A.
2,945.87
$14,570.62
Medical Aid to Aged
Payments : from Town Funds
from Federal Funds
$ 6,007.21 3,246.92
$ 9,254.13
Receipts : Balance from 1961
457.80
U. S. Government
4,292.03
Comm. of Mass.
3,114.65
Cost to Town of Lincoln
Balance reserved for M. A. A.
1,502.91
$ 9,254.13
Aid to Dependent Children
Payments
$ 178.45
Disability Assistance
Payments
$ 1,477.98
General Relief
Payments
$ 1,703.61
106
7,864.48 2,892.56
$10,757.04
Cost to Town of Lincoln
Planning and Public Works
PLANNING BOARD
Constantin A. Pertzoff, Chairman
R. Langdon Wales, Vice Chairman Paul Brooks
Edith M. Henderson
Warren R. Dwyer
The Planning Board was organized on its meeting of April 11, 1962. Mr. Constantin A. Pertzoff was elected chairman and Mr. R. Langdon Wales was elected vice chair- man. The office of vice chairman is a new office which replaces the office of clerk. Mr. Paul Brooks was elect- ed to represent the Board on the Long Term Capital Require- ments Committee and Mr. R. Langdon Wales was designated to serve on the National Historic Park Committee. A letter of appreciation was sent to Mr. George Kidder, the retiring member, thanking him for his years of service to the Board and the Town. Mr. Warren Dwyer was welcomed as the Board's newest member.
In accordance with the existing laws, the Planning Board has the power to approve or disapprove new subdivi- sions. This is the only real power a Planning Board pos- esses : in all other fields it acts solely in an advisory capacity.
It is strange to report that last year, which was probably one of the busiest ever, no subdivisions have been either submitted for approval or approved by the Board. The fact that the Board, none the less, kept busy may indicate a trend: an increase of the usefulness of the Board in its consultative and planning function.
The adoption by the Board of a long range plan for the South Lincoln station area evolved by the Board's South Lincoln Planning Committee, its presentation to the town, and its eventual adoption by the town, was easily the most important achievement of the Board for the last year.
This plan was first presented to several members of various committees and boards at a meeting on April 25, 1962. An open public meeting was held by the Board on May 29th. Another meeting with members of various com- mittees and boards of the Town was held on October 7th, followed by several community meetings and eventually by
107
PLANNING BOARD
the special town meeting. We are indebted to Morton B. Braun, Henry B. Hoover, and Walter Salmon for their major contributions to this project. The plan, providing for orderly, attractive growth in this part of Lincoln, was adopted at the Special Town Meeting on November 26, 1962.
Since that time a mutually satisfactory plan for the land opposite the end of Lewis Street, which lies within the bounds of the existing Lincoln Road and the new Lincoln Road, has been accomplished with Doherty's Garage, Inc., and the Trustees of the Codman Estate. The Board will propose to the March Town Meeting that a major portion of this parcel be rezoned for B-2 Service Business use; the intended specific use to be for the operation of a gasoline service station. The Dohertys do not intend to build un- til the new Lincoln Road is constructed. Through acquisi - tion by the Town of two smaller parcels of land, adequate commuter parking and an easy access from the new Lincoln Road to Lewis Street can be achieved.
The Board is extremely grateful to the Parents' League for its assistance in the traffic survey which was con- ducted in April. The results of this survey provided in- teresting information about traffic volume in key areas, as well as origin and destination information.
The Board adopted a new and revised "Rules and Regu- lations Governing the Subdivision of Land" on June 26th, after a public hearing on June 14th. The new rules and regulations, effective July 11, 1962, contain a more com- plete and explicit set of standards for design and con- struction of subdivisions. In addition, they provide the prospective subdivider with complete information as to the legal procedures for obtaining approval of subdivision plans.
During the year two additions to the C-Open Space Con- servation District (approved at the March 19th annual town meeting) were approved by the Attorney General. The Board will recommend to the town at this year's annual town meeting further extension of the Conservation District.
On November 14th the Planning Board and the Town Con- servation Commission met with the representatives of the Regional Office of the Fish and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Interior. The Sudbury National Wild- life Refuge was discussed.
108
PLANNING AND PUBLIC WORKS
The value of a soil survey map of the town was pre- sented on December 11th to the Planning Board and represent- atives of the Boards of Selectmen, Health and Water Com- missioners by Mr. Stephen Zayach, State Soil Scientist of the Soil Conservation Service, U. S. Department of Agricul- ture. In the judgment of the Board, a soil survey of the town would be of value to both the citizens and the offi- cials of the town, particularly in anticipating the prob- lems to be encountered when alternative forms of land use are contemplated. The Board is asking the Annual Town Meeting to vote funds for the preparation of a soil survey, map, and interpretive report by the Soil Conservation Ser- vice on a cost-sharing basis.
In December the Board was pleased to receive a copy of the study made in the fall of 1962 by the Lincoln League of Women Voters on "The Impact of Light Industry on the Character and Economy of Nine Boston Area Towns". Much research and careful investigation has gone into this re- , port and it will be of great value to the Board. We wish to extend our thanks to the Lincoln League for its kindness in making this study available to the Town.
In January the Board will begin work on an analysis of the financial consequences of land use. We will deter- mine what, if any, variations in the use of the town's land can be made which will be financially beneficial without destroying Lincoln as a small country town. The scope of this study is so comprehensive, that, as in the past, we will need the able assistance of a number of Lincoln's townspeople. However, we will also require the services of professional planning consultants, and money for this purpose has been included in the Board's budget for 1963.
The Planning Board's responsibilities include sound financial planning for the community as well as its more apparent duties. Considering the fact that Lincoln's costs are continuing to increase at a more rapid rate than the assessed value of the property from which it realizes reve- nue, the Board believes that specific recommendations re- garding Lincoln's economic future should be presented to the town as soon as possible.
Throughout the year the Planning Board worked in close co-operation with the Board of Selectmen. Joint meetings were held at least once a month.
The Board was ably assisted in many technical matters by its consulting engineers, the firm of Cleverdon, Varney
109
BOARD OF APPEALS
and Pike.
Once again the Board wishes to express its gratitude to its secretary, Mrs. Howard Snelling, for keeping the work of the Board running smoothly.
BOARD OF APPEALS
William N. Swift, Chairman Alan McClennen Henry B. Hoover James Jagger
Hans Van Leer
J. Lewis Cunningham, Associate Member Betty L. Lang, Associate Member
Hearings were held on nineteen petitions to the Board during the year 1962. Set forth below is a summary of the decisions :
Petition filed by Mary E. Peterson to construct an addition to the present garage, which addition would come within 21 feet of the side lot line on her property on South Great Road in Lincoln. Petition granted.
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