USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Lincoln > Town Report on Lincoln 1960-1962 > Part 6
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During the year a representative of the Planning Board attended and represented the views of the Board at hearings before the Board of Appeals involving planning matters.
It seems deservedly appropriate for us to make men- tion here of the contribution to the work of the Board made by Mrs. Howard Snelling. Her cheerful willingness to give unsparingly of her time, no matter the frequency or length of our meetings, her ability to capture in the minutes of our meetings which she keeps both the letter and spirit of the business transacted, and her highly efficient organization and maintenance of all of the
97
PLANNING BOARD
Board's many records render us and the Town greatly in her debt. Her presence in the Town Hall during week-day afte: noons with her ability to answer many of the questions and requests by citizens of the Town avoids a lengthy prolonga. tion of Board Meetings which would otherwise be unavoidable if attention were given to such matters.
Subdivision Control
A number of subdivision proposals were considered by the Board during the year and in most of them a prelimin- ary plan was reviewed. In only three situations were definitive plans developed for formal approval of the Board after a public hearing. These were:
Subdivision of land of Joseph Napoli on Old Sudbury Road - a total of 14 lots.
Subdivision of land of Jacques R. Maroni on Winter Street - a total of 3 lots on one of which stood an existing house and appurtenant outbuildings.
Subdivision of land of David F. Rogers on North Great and Brooks Roads - a total of 5 lots on one of which stood an existing house and appurtenant outbuildings.
On November 30, 1960, preliminary plan approval was given to a subdivision of land of Lovey's Corporation on Sandy Pond Road, consisting of 9 lots, 5 wholly in Lin- coln, 2 wholly in Concord and 2 partly in each town. One
joint meeting has been held with the Concord Planning Board on this plan. A definitive plan and application for approval were filed on January 30, 1961.
Open Space
At the Annual Meeting, the Town voted to acquire a parcel of 9.11 acres of land off Conant Road belonging to Dr. and Mrs. Thomas C. Hall, as the first concrete step in the implementation of the Open-Space Program initiated by the establishment the previous year of a Stabilization Fund for long range land acquisition purposes. A further sum of $7,000 was appropriated to the Stabilization Fund at the March, 1960, meeting; the balance of monies, ex- clusive of interest earned, now available in the Fund is $8,500.
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PLANNING AND PUBLIC WORKS
The Planning Board is hopeful that at the March, 1961, Annual Meeting, it will be able to recommend jointly with the Conservation Commissioners a further significant acquisition of land.
Similarly, the Board expects that plans will have progressed to the point that the Town will be asked to consider at the coming Annual Meeting the first rezoning of substantial areas of land in the Beaver Pond and Stony Brook part of the Town into the newly created Open-Space Conservation District. This will be a major step towards the preservation of the so-called North-South Green Belt of the Town in its natural undeveloped state.
The Board is most anxious that plans be advanced for open space acquisition by the Town or for Open-Space Con- servation District rezoning in the northern portion of Lincoln. We subscribe entirely to the belief that Town owned or restrictively zoned areas offer potentially the best hope of preserving the present character of the Town. We intend to continue to work in the same close collabora- tion as in the past year with the Conservation Commission and with the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust as the Open- Space Program develops.
Zoning
The greatest portion of the Board's effort during 1960 was devoted to the preparation of the new zoning by- law adopted by the Town at the Special Meeting of December 13, 1960. This by-law was approved without change by the Attorney General on January 27, 1961, and became effective on February 7, 1961. The by-law, from the planning standpoint, is designed and intended as a blue print for both remote and presently identifiable needs.
99
BOARD OF APPEALS
BOARD OF APPEALS
Henry B. Hoover
James Jagger Alan McClennen Hans Van Leer
Associate Members
Betty Lang Donald Natoli
William N. Swift, Chairman
Hearings were held on eleven petitions to the Board during the year 1960. Set forth below is a summary of the decisions:
Petition filed by Edward Boyer for permission to park Town of Lincoln school buses in the rear of his place of business. Petition granted.
Petition filed by the American Legion Post #84 for approval of location of new Legion building on land on east side of Lincoln Road which has no frontage on line- of-way. No action taken.
Petition of N. F. Brisson, Inc., for renewal of per- mit to store landscaping and construction equipment in gravel pit off North Great Road. Petition granted.
Petition of Patsy Pazzano for permission to remove sand and gravel from a 20-acre tract of land owned by A. G. Butcher, Virginia Road, for the purpose of levelling off and making tract more suitable for building purposes. Petition granted.
Petition of Martin Lyons for permission to strip the loam from a right-of-way twenty feet wide running from the Cambridge Turnpike to the rear of his property. Petition granted.
Petition of James DeNormandie for a variance of the requirement that there be 250 feet through the house from side lot line to side lot line in connection with three lots on Trapelo Road. .Petition granted.
Petition of Franklin Bronson for a variance to per- mit construction of a 2-car garage on his property on Weston Road within 158 feet of side-lot line and 25 feet of the street line. Petition granted.
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PLANNING AND PUBLIC WORKS
Petition of Margaret Breed Marsh and Paul Marsh for renewal of permission to operate a nursery school in the barn on their property on Winter Street. Petition granted.
Petition of the Massachusetts Audubon Society for permission to erect four signs on its property - each sign to measure 3 feet by 2} feet. Petition granted.
Petition of Phillips Ketchum, Jr. for a variance of the Zoning By-Law to construct a dwelling 25 feet from the west side of Lot "A", Silver Birch Lane. Petition granted.
Petition of Nancy Forbes for permission to sub-divide a 9-acre lot off Old Sudbury Road into two house lots with- out constructing a sub-division road, a 20-foot right-of - way to provide access to the rear lot. Petition granted.
BUILDING CODE BOARD OF APPEALS
William Halsey Stephen Herthel Lawrence Anderson, Chairman
Associate Members
Walter Belanger Donald Loveys
The Building Code Board of Appeals was organized for the year 1960 with Lawrence Anderson as Chairman, and William Halsey and Stephen Herthel as the other regular members. Walter Belanger and Donald Loveys served as associate members. Joseph Vitale also served as an associate member for a portion of the year but resigned when he was appointed to the Finance Committee.
Two cases came before the Board in 1960, as follows:
Petition of Dr. Gordon Winchell for a variance of the Building Code to allow installation of a domestic gas- fired incinerator on the same flue with other devices. The petition was granted.
Petition of Stephen Crandall for a variance of the Building Code to allow installation of a domestic gas- fired incinerator on the same flue with another device. The petition was granted.
The Board also submitted to the Selectmen a recom- mendation for the amendment of certain provisions of the Building Code which have been the motivation for most of the petitions received over the last three years.
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INSPECTORS
INSPECTORS OF BUILDING, WIRING AND PLUMBING
William M. Dean, Building and Wiring Inspector Daniel J. Murphy, Plumbing Inspector
Building permits issued during 1960 :
New residential buildings 19
Buildings demolished 2
Elevator installed 1 Swimming pool 1
Alterations and additions 47
Fees Collected : $770.00
Plumbing permits issued during 1960: 45
Fees Collected : $316.00
Wiring permits issued during 1960 : 57
Fees Collected : $259.75
LONG TERM CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS COMMITTEE
Douglas M. Burckett
Russell L. Haden, Jr.
Richard C. B. Clark, Secretary
Charles K. Fitts ( for the Selectmen)
Walter F. Bogner ( for the Planning Board)
William N. Page ( for the Finance Committee)
The Long Term Capital Requirements Committee's re- port appears in the Financial Section of the 1960 Town Report. This report sets out an evaluation by the Com- mittee of proposals for capital expenditure by various boards and committees of the Town.
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PLANNING AND PUBLIC WORKS
WATER COMMISSIONERS
Donald Brown Edward S. Taylor Russell P. Mahan, Chairman
Growth of the Town of Lincoln is being reflected in the increased use of water. During 1960 the Water De - partment pumped approximately one million gallons more than the previous year and eighteen million gallons more than in 1958. Lawn watering was at a minimum in 1960, and water consumption is generally reduced during a "wet year" . Concord continues to draw as much water as Lin- coln does from Sandy Pond, but the water level remains at a satisfactory height.
The possibility of finding an additional source of good water has been the subject of numerous meetings. Preliminary plans have been made for drilling additional test wells in 1961.
The last decade saw an additional four hundred cus- tomers added to the water system and an increase in revenue from $20,000 in 1950 to $46,000 in 1960. This growth has been accomplished without any major increase in capi- tal equipment and with an actual reduction in the number of personnel employed by the Water Department.
In line with the Department policy of replacing sub- standard mains, 1000 feet of 2-inch pipe on Concord Road was replaced with 8-inch cement-asbestos pipe and necess- ary hydrants installed. Trustees of the Codman Estate generously offered to share the cost of replacing a sub- standard main on Codman Road. This project had not been immediately contemplated, but the Water Department and the Selectmen felt that it was an opportune time to do the work at a saving to the Town. The work was completed and the Town's share paid from Water Department surplus. Both the Concord Road and Codman Road water main installations were planned and supervised by the Water Department super- intendent.
Repairs to the Pumping Station, including a new roof and gutters, were completed on schedule. The superinten- dent and his assistant are to be complimented for the efficient way in which they repaired a break-down in the main pump without interruption of service or resorting to
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WATER
outside engineering services to deal with the emergency. The Water Commissioners feel that the men of the depart- ment have operated the water system in a manner that is a credit to the Town of Lincoln.
WATER DEPARTMENT STATISTICS
1960
Pipe in use
31.5 miles
Hydrants in use
249
Stop-gates in use
293
Blow-offs in use
27
Range of pressure in mains
40-100
pounds
Total gallons pumped
119,182,700
Number
of services added
15
Number o f services renewed
5
Number o f services in use
1024
Number
o f meters in use
1023
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PLANNING AND PUBLIC WORKS
CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS
H. Arnold MacLean, Chairman
James DeNormandie Robert A. Spence
Considerable work was done to improve the usefulness and completeness of the cemetery records.
A new catch basin was installed to eliminate a bad drainage problem in the center of the Lincoln Cemetery. The hurricane resulted in the need for considerable tree and maintenance work.
A new layout of lots in the southwest section of the cemetery is being made. This new layout will make avail - able additional lots.
Long range plans are being drawn up covering future cemetery requirements of the community.
Mr. Warren Flint was authorized as Agent of the Com- missioners for the sale of lots.
There were 17 interments during the year.
The Commissioners express their appreciation for the assistance and co-operation given them by the officials and employees of the Town of Lincoln.
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HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
Raymond F. Maher, Superintendent
There was a marked gain in the amount of re-surfacing accomplished in 1960 due to the extra funds appropriated at the 1960 Town Meeting. As road surfaces improve, less time and material have to be spent on temporary repairs, snow removal is less hazardous on the equipment and street cleaning is easier.
The department has benefited greatly by the addition of a full time mechanic. Certain items of shop equip- ment were purchased last year making it possible to make all repairs within the department at the Town Garage. All other Town owned vehicles are now making use of this re- pair service.
The highway equipment is in excellent condition with the exception of that used in street cleaning which is both worn out and obsolete. It is hoped that a new sweeper can be purchased during the coming year.
LANDSCAPE COMMITTEE
Albert Brooks Elizabeth Doherty David L. Garrison, Chairman
Richard J. Eaton Mabel H. Todd
The Landscape Committee planned and supervised some 50 plantings, chiefly at the Fire-Police Station, Pierce Park, and the widened area of Bedford Road; and consulted on others, chiefly at the Library. Extensive clearing was done at the Cemetery ( in cooperation with the Cemetery Commission) and at the Center School. Other areas were studied.
The Committee strongly favors the proposal to set up a park division within the Highway Department. Previous - ly it has often been impossible to carry out plans, for want of manpower. The new arrangement will make a skilled man available when needed, to do landscape work at the most advantageous times during the year.
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PLANNING AND PUBLIC WORKS
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Frederic J. Eppling Paul Brooks Quincy Wales John B. French, Chairman
Two significant events have occurred during the year which will in the future substantially benefit the conser- vation program of the town. The first was the enactment by the Massachusetts legislature of a statute providing for the reimbursement of cities and towns by the Common- wealth of up to fifty per cent of the cost of an approved project. While this state aid is subject to certain limitations and restrictions, the new law, in effect, doubles the funds appropriated by the town to a Conserva- tion Fund. It is hoped that specific land acquisition proposals can be presented to the town at the annual meet- ing in March.
The second event giving great impetus to the conser- vation program was the adoption by the town of the new zoning by-law, which, among other things, provided for an Open-Space Conservation District. This new District, in which land can be included only with the consent of the owner, will allow certain areas to be permanently pre- served in their natural state without cost to the town, and without loss of title or privacy to the landowners concerned. The Planning Board, in cooperation with the Conservation Commission, intends to present a proposal for such rezoning in the "green belt" at the annual town meet- ing.
In developing the conservation program, the Com- mission has worked closely with the Planning Board and also with the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust and has received much support and help from these organizations. The Commission is very much pleased with the interest and support the town continues to give to the conservation and open space program.
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CONSERVATION TRUST
LINCOLN LAND CONSERVATION TRUST
Trustees
Term Expires
William M. Rand, Sr.
1961
Ann S. Monks, Secretary
1961
James V. Lennon, Treasurer
1961
Charles P. Kindleberger
1962
William M. Preston
1962
Sarah E. Brown
1963
Warren F. Flint
1963
The Trust has continued to press its land acquisition program.
Sandy Pond Area. In 1958 the Trust bought the 5} acre Wheeler property on the northwest shore of Sandy Pond. Two adjoining pieces, totaling 24 acres, are presently under negotiation and it is hoped that during the year their acquisition, through the joint efforts of the Trust and the Conservation Commission, will be completed. An- other parcel is presently being considered in the form of a gift. Also a number of abuttors are considering plac- ing a portion of their holdings on the Pond in the Conser- vation District recently set up under the new By-Laws of the Town.
Silver Hill Road. Three adjacent pieces of low land lying to the east of Silver Hill Road, amounting in all to about 10 acres and including the small skating pond, have been given to the Trust by Dr. and Mrs. Oliver Cope, Dr. and Mrs. L. Alexander Vance, and Dr. and Mrs. Edwards W. Herman.
Hall Land. Dr. and Mrs. Thomas C. Hall own property fronting on Conant Road. Of this, 6.57 acres have been given to the Land Trust by the owners; a second piece, of 4.67 acres, was purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Paul Brooks and by them deeded to the Trust; a third piece, of 9.11 acres, was bought by the Town through its Stabilization Fund for $5, 500 at the March 21, 1960, Town Meeting. Much of these 20 acres lies within the "Swamp Belt Reservation" proposed in the Braun-Eliot Report of 1958.
The Trust wishes to express its gratitude for gen- erous gifts either of property or money received from Dr. and Mrs. Alexander Vance, Dr. and Mrs. Oliver Cope, Dr. and Mrs. Edwards W. Herman, Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Hall, Dr.
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PLANNING AND PUBLIC WORKS
and Mrs. Bradford Cannon, and Mr. and Mrs. Paul Brooks.
We feel optimistic about the future of conservation in Lincoln because of the support of such families as those mentioned above and because of the interest and ef - forts of many others. The Trust, along with the Town, through its Stabilization Fund, Conservation District and Conservation Commission, should go far to preserve many of the Town's beautifully wooded areas.
Financial Statement for 1960
Cash balance 1/1/60
Receipts : Dues and donations
$1,428.30 1,710.85
$3,139.15
Expenditures : Surveying
$355.70
Stamps, stationery
131.72
487.42
Bank balance 12/31/60
$2,651.73
Undeposited checks
10.00
Approximate market value securities
2,100.00
Membership (dues paid) 1/1/61 - 128
109
VETERANS ' MEMORIAL
VETERANS ' MEMORIAL COMMITTEE
Leo J. Algeo Clifford W. Bradley
Andrew J. Dougherty Harriet Rogers William Whalen
Edward J. Chisholm E. Donlan Rooney, Chairman
The Veterans' Memorial Committee was appointed by the Selectmen to explore the possibilities of establishing a memorial honoring the citizens of Lincoln who served their country in time of war. This memorial would replace the Honor Roll, which through the years had become quite weather- beaten and, it was felt, should be removed.
After a number of meetings at which various proposals were considered, the committee voted to conduct a survey among those who were most immediately concerned, the veter- ans of the Town. The conclusion reached after the survey was that another outside memorial would not be desirable. The proposal that received most favor with those who were contacted in the survey was that a room, if one could be made available, dedicated as a Veterans' Memorial Room, would be an appropriate monument for those whom we sought to honor. The Room would have a book with the names of Lincoln men and women who were identified with the services of their country in time of armed conflict. The Room would also contain other memorabilia of historical significance. In its report to the Selectmen the Committee recommended that this proposal be carried out.
In September of 1959 the committee was re-activated to execute its recommendations. Meetings were held with the Library Trustees, and through their co-operation, a room was made available in the older section of the Library. More meetings were held to which interested groups and individ- uals were invited, inquiries were made, experts were con- sulted and research was done to compile as complete a list as possible of the names which would be in the book. After due deliberation the committee voted to commission Mr. Alan- son H. Sturgis, Sr. of Milton, a limner, to design and pro- duce a book that would be suitable for a room such as the committee had in mind. On Memorial Day, 1960, the Veterans' Memorial Room was dedicated with proper ceremony.
The members of the committee extend their heartfelt thanks to the Selectmen and the Town House staff, the Trus- tees of the Public Library and the Library staff, the mem- bers of the School Committee, and all others who co-opera- ted in bringing this project to fruition.
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PLANNING AND PUBLIC WORKS
HARTWELL SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE
Elizabeth J. Snelling
Anthony J. Dougherty
Gerard C. Henderson, Jr.
Ernest P. Neumann
George H. Kidder, Chairman
The Hartwell School Building Committee reports that it has made final certification of the cost of the build- ing to the State School Building Assistance Commission and that that Agency has approved financial assistance to the Town in connection with this building in the amount of $176,485.82. The total cost of the project, including the purchase of land in the amount of $29,500, came to $519, 408.59, against which the Town had appropriated $519,500. There is therefore left the unexpended amount of $91.41, which the Committee has requested the Treasurer and the Town Accountant to initiate appropriate steps to return to the Town.
The Committee requests that this report be accepted as its final report and that its members be discharged.
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Schools, Library and Recreation
TRUSTEES OF THE LINCOLN PUBLIC LIBRARY
Alice G. Meriam
(Life Member)
Roland C. Mackenzie
(Life Member)
Edwin M. Cole
(Life Member)
Morley M. John
(School Committee Appointee)
A. Bradlee Emmons (Selectmen Appointee)
John A. Carley, Chairman (Elected by the Town)
Lincoln people are interested in their Library and using it more each year. The Librarian's report, immed- iately following, gives some measure of the Library's lively growth. The Trustees are pleased to report that the Lincoln Library has been chosen by the State Library Extension to compete nationally for an award for all- around excellence and progress.
The Town is fortunate in having a capable and devoted library staff. The Librarian and two assistants are familiar with Lincoln's special problems and interests, and all three have undertaken specialized training and attended conferences to increase their knowledge of up-to- date library practices.
The growth of the Library's book collection is gradual and healthy, accompanied by thoughtful weeding. Some specialized and technical volumes are not within the means of a small library, but a constant effort is made to accommodate the wide-ranging interests of Lincoln read- ers.
A new state law grants financial aid of 25€ per per- son of population to public libraries that meet certain standards. One requirement is that 20% of the library's annual budget be spent for books and periodicals. Within the three-year period allowed, we should be able to meet this requirement.
The Library is a public building, open and free not only to all residents of Lincoln but to visitors from any quarter. The Trustees have made it a point to assure the servicemen at the Nike Base and at Bedford that they and their families are welcome to visit and use the Library.
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SCHOOLS, LIBRARY AND RECREATION
Rooms are available with the permission of the Trustees for suitable use outside of Library hours by non- profit educational or cultural organizations. For example, permission has been given to a Great Books group and a Decisions group to meet in the Library.
The Library tries to maintain cordial relations with neighboring libraries, and it is ready to lend vol- umes to other libraries, just as it is able to borrow from others.
The completion of the building addition has given the Library three well furnished reading rooms. The Children's Room has its own stacks and card catalog for books for children up to age 13. Circulation of these books has in recent years accounted for about half the total circulation. The Tarbell Room is a well stocked reference and study room, open to readers of all ages but attracting primarily young adults and adults. The DeNormandie Room is reserved for quiet reading. Here adults have preference at all times in the choice of books and of seats.
The new Veterans Memorial Room - just inside the old ( southwest) entrance - was dedicated last Memorial Day. In it is a beautiful tooled leather volume containing an Honor Roll of all men of Lincoln who wore the uniform in any war from the Revolution through the Korean War. On display in the Veterans Room for this occasion was an impressive and valuable collection of Civil War prints, periodicals and other items of interest, which has been presented to the Library by Mr. George Tarbell.
The filling of the main stacks and the taxing of the capacities of some rooms, particularly the Tarbell Room, at peak periods call for expansion into our unused space. In the old basement a start has been made at furnishing and lighting a periodical reading room and an adjoining stack room. These rooms will not be ready for use, how- ever, until additional heat can be brought in and other improvements made, and the problem of additional staffing solved. The undeveloped space under the Children's Room may be needed not many years hence.
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