Town Report on Lincoln 1963-1965, Part 23

Author: Lincoln (Mass.)
Publication date: 1963
Publisher: Lincoln (Mass.)
Number of Pages: 930


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Lincoln > Town Report on Lincoln 1963-1965 > Part 23


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The Pierce Fund also provided support to the Mental Health Program in the schools. This project is conducted under the able supervision of Mrs. Rogers, a social worker from the Walden Guidance Association in Concord. At her weekly visits to the various schools, consultations were had with teachers and parents to discuss behavioral problems in students. Consultations were held in 71 in- stances with teachers and 28 with parents; and 21 children were referred to either the Walden Guidance Association or to private physicians for more inten- sive treatment or diagnosis. Both the principals and teachers of our schools believe this profession- al help of increasing importance to our Town health.


111


HEALTH AND WELFARE


The Board conducted a vaccination assistance program in the fall of the year. This was stimu- lated by the Middlesex Central District Medical Society, in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Nine towns in the district medical society joined in an intensive immunization program to improve protection against diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, poliomyelitis, and small-pox. Clinics were held on Saturday mornings at the Smith School on September 26, Octo- ber 24, and November 21, and were staffed by Lin- coln doctors, nurses, and volunteers. 473 towns- folk attended the clinics and received a total of 710 doses of various vaccines. A charge of 25¢ per person was made to cover materials. It is the hope of the Board that those who did not attend will apply to their private physicans for protection against these diseases.


The Emerson Hospital Nursing Service has con- tinued to provide effective home-nursing care, under Mrs. David Garrison's supervision. Because of ris- ing costs, it has been necessary to increase the charge for a home nurse to $4.00 per visit. The expense of the nurse's transportation for these home visits is met by the Board of Health. Presently this cost is 52¢ per visit and is paid directly to the Hospital Nursing Service. Arrangements for these visits are made through Mrs. Garrison or by telephoning directly to the Emerson Hospital Nursing Service.


The Board has become increasing- ly concerned with the need for public support of the Walden Child Guidance Clinic in Concord, run by the Walden Guidance Association. This Clinic serves the four towns of Concord, Lincoln, Carlisle and Acton, not only in providing diagnosis and treatment of children, but also emergency adult psychiatric care. Fees are paid by those using this Clinic, but these do not cover the high cost of such a service. The Mass- achusetts legislature has recently passed a permis- sive law making it possible for towns to appropriate funds in support of such mental health clinics. The


112


HEALTH AND WELFARE


Board of Health is presenting an Article in the 1965 Town Warrant for the Town's consideration.


Another area of study this year has been the social service case work coverage in the Town. For some years many have felt, including Mrs. Garrison, several doctors and clergymen, that Lincoln has not had adequate resources to call upon, when needed. On the advice of a Town-wide committee, appointed by the Board to review the situation, the Northwest District of the Family Service Association of Great- er Boston, to whose support we contribute through the United Fund, has agreed to provide adequate coverage. This will include regularly scheduled time in Lincoln for a case worker. Inquiries should be channeled through Mrs. Garrison or directly to the Family Service Association.


As in years past, the Board is deeply grateful to the many loyal volunteers who have given support at its several clinics, and especially to the de- pendable efforts of Mrs. Eleanor Tead.


INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS


George U. Browning, Jr.


The following animals are under the rules and regulations of the Massachusetts Department of Agri- culture, Department of Livestock Disease Control. I have given them a list of owners (or persons on whose premises the animals are kept) and the number and kinds of these animals in Lincoln, as follows :


No. of dairy cows over 2 years 31


No. of dairy cows 1-2 years 21


No. of dairy cows under 1 year 6 No. of bulls 1


No. of beef cattle 43


Total no. of horses 65


Total no. of goats


11


Total no. of sheep


31


Total no. of swine 311


Sixteen dog bites were reported during the year. Dogs are quarantined for ten days and re- leased if no sign of rabies appears.


113


HEALTH AND WELFARE


BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE


M. Elizabeth Causer, Director


The first responsibility of the public assist- ance agency is to meet the basic needs of individ- uals who are themselves unable to meet them, and, by providing necessary services, to assist persons in developing their capacity for self-maintenance to the fullest extent possible for them.


The following Federal and State aided pro- grams are now available to those in need:


Old Age Assistance - under which cash allow- ances are provided for elderly persons who are in need. In order to be eligible for assistance, a person must be 65 years of age or over


Medical Assistance for the Aged - under which medical care is provided for persons 65 years of age or over whose income and resources are insufficient to meet the costs of necessary medical services.


Disability Assistance - under which assistance is provided for needy persons found to be permanent- ly and totally disabled. In order to be eligible for assistance a person must be 18 years of age or over .


Aid to Families with Dependent Children - under which cash allowances are provided for children who are living in a home maintained by their father, mother or other relative when death, long term ill- ness, or some other factor has deprived the child of the normal support or care of either his father or mother.


Persons not eligible in any of the above cat- egories are provided for under General Relief. This program is not Federally aided.


During the year 1964 the following cases were


114


HEALTH AND WELFARE


aided in the amount of $27,345.00.


O. A. A. 9


M. A. A. 9


D. A. 1 A. D. F. C. 1


G. R. 2


Federal and State receipts in support of these programs were $21,750.00.


115


Planning and Public Works


PLANNING BOARD


R. Langdon Wales, Chairman


Warren R. Dwyer, Vice-Chairman and Clerk


David L. Garrison


Morton B. Braun


Robert L. Allen


The Board organized on March 23, 1964, with two new members, Mr . Morton B. Braun and Mr. Robert L. Allen. Mr. Wales was elected chairman and Mr. Dwyer vice-chairman and clerk. The Board expressed its appreciation for the services of Mr. Constantin A. Pertzoff, retiring after five years, and Mrs. Edith M. Henderson, retiring after three years. Both made significant contributions to Lincoln through their service on the Board. Mrs. Elizabeth J. Snelling continues as secretary. But for her, the Board would accomplish much less at far greater difficulty.


During 1964 the Board established the custom of meeting twice monthly, on the second and fourth Mondays.


A. PLANNING POLICIES


Under the statutes the Planning Board is charged with making studies of the Town's needs and preparing plans for the best use of its re- sources, as well as being assigned with the ad- ministration of subdivision control. During 1964, the Board was able to spend more of its time on its planning functions than has been true in pre- vious years, thanks to the services of the execu- tive secretary.


In making its plans and recommendations, the Board sets policies in accordance with its under-


116


PLANNING AND PUBLIC WORKS


standing of what is suitable for the Town and de- sired by its citizens. The following is an at- tempt to articulate these policies.


1. Character of the Town. The existing low-density pattern of development of the Town and the topography of the land establish a semi- rural physical character although the prevailing land use is residential. The Board believes that a valid and desirable pattern of development for the Town is one that maintains as far as possible its rural characteristics through low overall den- sity of development and preservation of connected open space areas for conservation, recreation and esthetic purposes.


2. Role of Planning. Never has the need been greater for Lincoln to plan well. In main- taining a physical and cultural environment that is unique for its proximity to Boston, Lincoln must have a positive approach to its future. If the Town simply reacts as events in the metropoli- tan area affect it, Lincoln will not preserve its character. Through planning, however, Lincoln can evolve in ways consistent with its aspira- tions and valuable to the metropolitan area of which it is a part.


3. Open Space. Open space may well be- come the most valuable resource of this century. Its conservation is important. The existence of large connected tracts of open land of all kinds - woods, fields and swamps - has been an outstanding characteristic of Lincoln. Most of this open land is privately held; the use made of it by the Town's citizens for recreation, conservation and the simple enjoyment of beholding it, has existed only by the courtesy and generosity of its private


owners. We believe that if the Town is to con- tinue to enjoy these benefits in the face of rising land values, a reasonable minimum of such land must be acquired by the Town or its semi-public agencies. Opportunities for such land acquisi- tion will be substantially gone within ten years; in fact, we may have as few as five years in which to secure the Town's needs. A land acquisition program coordinating the requirements of conserva-


117


PLANNING AND PUBLIC WORKS


tion, recreation and land reserve for future Town uses can result in immediate benefit for the pres- ent and an irreplaceable heritage for the future.


4. Subdivisions. By its rules and regu-


lations the Board requires subdivision standards of construction intended to ensure that the added facilities can be economically maintained by the Town and that the new residents enjoy convenience and safety in their neighborhood. A recently strengthened aspect of these regulations is the requirement that all new subdivisions be supplied with town water mains for fire protection, and that provision be made for extension of the fire alarm system into them.


B. ACTIVITIES


1. Town Finance and Land Use Survey. The Town's contract with the State Department of Com- merce for a survey under its professional planning assistance was executed on April 7, 1964, and is to be complete on the anniversary of that date. A summary of the survey report appears as a separate section of this town report. This board expects that the report's economic analysis tools will pro- vide the Town with a basis for making policy de- cisions on such land use questions as open space acquisition, commercial or industrial zoning, or variation of lot size requirements, with better knowledge of the probable economic effects of these decisions.


2. Cluster Zoning. Since the adoption of the cluster zoning provision within the Town's zoning by-law at the 1964 Annual Town Meeting, one cluster subdivision has been approved. One other plan was handled on the conventional 2-acre basis, because, in the Board's judgment, the appli- cation of cluster zoning was inappropriate.


3. General Residence District. Settle- ment of the status of Ridge Road by the agreement between Robert M. Malloy and the Town, ratified at the October 13th special town meeting, has per-


118


PLANNING AND PUBLIC WORKS


mitted some plans for developing part of the general residence district to proceed. It ap- pears possible that two separate developments in that area may start within the year.


Because of its unfamiliarity with multiple unit residence developments and because of the unusual topography of the site and the present development pattern, the Board believed that good professional advice was essential. It therefore retained the services of Max Mason, landscape architect, to work out a basic plan for the de- velopment of the area. The Board has been meet- ing with residents and developers of the area to ensure acceptance of the general features of its plan.


4. Business Area. There is growing need for commuter parking in the business area. The Planning Board is undertaking a study of the de- sign of specific parking areas on the southwest side of the tracks and in the Ridge Road area.


5. Neighboring Towns, The Board held joint meetings with the Concord and Weston Plan- ning Boards. These meetings were highly pro- ductive of understanding of mutual problems and have produced some worthwhile agreements on policy.


6. Metropolitan Area Planning Council, The Board recommends that Lincoln join the Metropolitan Area Planning Council. This membership, at nom- inal financial cost, would keep us better in- formed on a wide range of planning projects being undertaken by this body, and would add Lincoln's voice to those of many other towns, including several close neighbors, in establishing policies.


7. DiPerna Land Study, A study was con- ducted during the year of the recreational uses and development of the DiPerna land. The work was performed by a committee of two Planning Board members and several citizens of the Town.


8. Dump Location, The Board has been studying a dump location and has been attempting to develop a plan that is logically related both to the


119


PLANNING AND PUBLIC WORKS


existing road system and to prospective road relocations.


9 . Bicycle Paths. The Board is grateful to the League of Women Voters for undertaking a study of the feasibility of off-road paths in the interest of public safety. The conclusions reached by the League are under study by the Board and it is hoped that action on this prob- lem will be possible during the year.


10. Statistical Summary. A cluster sub- division by the Wes-Lex Corporation, which divided approximately 18 acres of land on Tower Road into 8 lots, was approved by the Board during 1964.


Preliminary subdivision plans received during the year were:


Swiedler Building Corporation, about 36 acres of land at the Weston-Lincoln town line, into 15 lots.


John E. Moore, Trustee, Emerson Realty Cor- poration, approximately 3.5 acres of land off Goose Pond Road, into 3 lots, all of which are almost entirely in Concord.


Winthrop Harrington, Jr., approximately 15.5 acres of land on Tower Road, into 7 lots. (This plan was later withdrawn as a subdivision. )


11. Meeting with Architects and Planners. A meeting was held in December to which archi- tects, landscape architects and planners resident in the Town were invited for an exchange of ideas. Many imaginative and constructive ideas were ex- pressed. The Board is always responsive to sug- gestions and recommendations, both as to specific detail activities and as to general Town objectives, that any citizen may bring to its attention.


120


TOWN OF LINCOLN


LAND USE AND TOWN FINANCE STUDY


SUMMARY


REPORT


MARCH,


1965


The preparation of this report was financed in part through an urban planning grant from the Housing and Home Finance Agency, under the provisions of Section 701 of the Housing Act of 1954, as amended.


122


I INTRODUCTION


A. There has been a need for improving understanding of the long- range consequences of new approaches to zoning, land acquisi- tion, financial and other major concerns of the Town. This need led both the Board of Selectmen and the Planning Board to develop a means of increasing the ability of the Boards and of the Town to make more knowledgeable decisions with broad perspective.


In the latter part of 1962, after joint considerations, the Boards agreed that a comprehensive study in depth to follow up and up-date the Braun-Eliot Report of 1958 and to provide sound data for land use and town finance policies was highly desirable. At the Annual Town Meeting in 1963, the Town voted funds so that professional help could be obtained and additional money through Section 701 planning assistance funds be granted.


B. The firm of Adams, Howard & Oppermann of Cambridge, long distinguished in the planning field, was selected. The direction of the study on behalf of the Town was through a steering committee composed of two representatives appointed by each Board. A significant contribution to the work was provided by three committees of citizens which studied probably land use patterns and developed basic data for use in the study. These committees were the residential, commerical-industrial, and conservation-recreation. Approx- imately thirty Lincoln citizens participated in the study. To them we extend our sincerest gratitude.


C. In April of this year the final report of this study, which will contain the results of land use and town finance study, a community facilities plan, a circulation study and a 1980 land-use plan, will be completed and distributed. The report that follows is a summary of results and a condensation of the land use and town finance study only. We feel that it is more important to place this data in the hands of the town as early as possible rather than to wait until the final plan can be distributed.


As agreed by the Boards for almost three years, the consult- ants' opinions and work relating to a possible connector road which might run from the Winter Street Bridge to Route 117 is solely the consultants'. The Town Boards and those involved in this report retain complete freedom to continue study of this matter and make such recommendations as may later seem wise to them.


123


D. The Planning Board and the Board of Selectmen join in presenting this summary report. It is our expectation that it will prove of value in making town policy decisions in 1965 and in the years to come.


BOARD OF SELECTMEN


Elliott V. Grabill, Chairman Russell Haden Harold Lawson


PLANNING BOARD


R. Langdon Wales, Chairman Warren R. Dwyer David Garrison Morton B. Braun Robert Allen


Edith M. Henderson, Steering Committee Secretary


124


II SUMMARY OF FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS


A. LAND USE AND TOWIN FINANCE STUDY


Study is arranged to permit comparison of numerous possible future land use patterns. This report examines specifically the implications of the alternatives involving the lowest and highest rates of growth.


In general:


1. A continuation of present zoning policy and slow rate of growth would not put an unreasonable burden on taxpayer.


2. Any substantial industrial development under conditions protecting town character would have a major favorable impact on tax revenue.


3. Cost of conservation program relative to total budget is small enough, and significance of program in terms of preservation of open space and provision of recreation opportunities is great enough, to encourage support for immediate development of medium-range program, and would not exclude possibility of high range program involving up to 2000 acres.


4. In general, higher growth rate is likely to be somewhat more costly to individual taxpayer. However, cost impli- cations of this growth rate could vary considerably with additional provisions for higher density development. Ratio of costs to revenues could well be more favorable for such development than for same number of people under current single family pattern.


5. School costs by far the most important factor in total cost of Town government. Any shifts here in level of service or increase in state aid would alter property tax picture considerably.


6. Major factor in revenue picture (apart from industrial developments) is value of new housing. Again shifts here would have major impact on tax picture.


7. Calculations in report based on assumed continuation of present assessment policies. Comparison of figures for existing and future development suggests importance of establishing equitable procedures for assessing all property.


125


B. CIRCULATION


1. Continued preference for northerly location of Route 2, as first recommended in Braun-Eliot Report and subsequently supported in Consultants' Memorandum of July, 1963. Least disruption of existing land uses and least physical division of the Town.


2. Construction of Route 117 connector in conjunction with an easterly extension of Winter Street in Waltham would create a northerly by-pass for Main Street and provide a more con- venient route across Route 128 for traffic between Route 117 and core cities and towns. Would also improve access- ibility to Route 128 for northbound traffic from Route 117. Most logical location runs south of Lincoln-Weston line, leaving present 117 at point east of Merriam Street. No evidence that such a connector would have an adverse effect on Lincoln's traffic patterns.


3. No major improvement of Old County Road.


4. Development of Route 126 - 62 connector road important to Lincoln circulation system.


5. No other major circulation improvements needed. Minor improvements in alignment and width should preserve existing physical character as much as possible.


126


III LAND USE AND TOWN FINANCE STUDY


A. PAST GROWTH AND EXISTING CONDITIONS


1. Land Use


Gradual change from farming community to semi-rural residen- tial. Still much open land, enough so that character of Town could change rapidly if use of that land departed from pattern of recent years.


EXISTING LAND USE


Acres


% of Total


Residence . 1


2640


28.1


Commercial


45


. 5


Institutional & Open Space


Town Buildings & Grounds


160


1.7


Conservation Zone


180


1.9


Land Conservation Trust &


50


. 5


Conservation Commission


Regional and Private<


1660


17.7


Other


Major Roads3


360


3.8


Proposed Routes 2 & 2A


260


2.8


Railroad


50


.6


Undeveloped Land


3985


42.4


-


9400


100.0


1 Includes undeveloped lots in subdivisions and other recorded lots.


2 Major uses involved: Hanscom Field (430), Minute Man Park (340), Cambridge Reservoir (300), Drumlin Farm (190), Farrington Memorial (80), Walden Pond (50), Storrow House (20), other major water bodies (250).


3 Minor Streets are included in other land use tabulations.


127


2. Rate of Growth


Last recorded population (1960) - 3930. Current population estimated from street lists - 4300. Modest rate of growth since early '50's.


YEAR


POPULATION


% INCREASE


1940


1783


1945


1998


12.0


1950


2427


21.5


4


1955


2949


19.9


1960


3930


29.6


1964


4300(estimated) 9.4


Source : Federal and State Census Reports


Estimates for non-census years, prepared by Lincoln Planning Board based on ratio of street list population; March 1963 and subsequently updated.


Growth rate based on 58-64 period (3.5%/yr. ) would yield 1980 population of 6900. The higher '55-'60 figure is due in part to the building precipitated by anticipation of the 1955 zoning change to a 2 acre minimum lot size.


3. Age Composition


Change is pattern common to suburban areas - increased significance of younger age groups. Number of persons over 65 has increased very slightly, not as fast as total population. Major fact to be noted is high percentage of school-age children enrolled in Lincoln schools. Over 95% for elementary grades, 80% for high school, in 1960. Figures attest to quality of the school system, and emphasize the importance of this factor in choice of place of residence.


School enrollment in grades K - 8 as per cent of total population increased from 15.6% in 1950 to 22.83 in 1960. Estimated 1964 figure is 22.9%. High School enrollment as percent of total population was 4.7% in 1959, estimated at 6.1% in 1964.


128


1964


3985


3365


7 2050:>


1980


LOW


HIGH


485


5375


¥3540


" HIGH" COMBINES HIGHEST RANGE OF THE THREE LAND USE CATEGORIES.


DEVELOPED LAND Residential, Commercial, Industrial, Circulation


Institutional and Open Space UNDEVELOPED LAND


COMPARATIVE


LAND


UTILIZATION


THOUSANDS


10


9


8


HIGH RATE


7


6


LOW RATE


5


4


3


2


1950


1955


1960


1965


1970


1975


1980


COMPARATIVE POPULATION GROWTH RATES TOWN OF LINCOLN 1950 - 1980


129


2540


4275


12585


"LOW" COMBINES LOWEST RANGE OF THE THREE LAND USE CATEGORIES


ALL FIGURES BASED ON TWO- ACRE ZONING.


TOTAL AREA 9400 ACRES.


PUPILS


3000


HIGH RATE


2000


LOW RATE


H. R.


L.R.


TOTAL ENROLLMENT


1000


900


K - 8 ENROLLMENT


800


700


H. R.


600


L.R.


500


400


300


200


9-12 ENROLLMENT


100


1955


1960


1965


1970


1975


1980


COMPARATIVE SCHOOL ENROLLMENT PROJECTIONS TOWN OF LINCOLN 1958 - 1980


.


130


AGE COMPOSITION


1950


1960


No.


Age


No.


281


11.6


0-4


480


12.2


429


17.6


5-14


945


24.0


138


5.7


15-19


269


6.9


267


11.0


20-29


258


6.6


589


24.3


30-44


922


23.5


481


19.8


45-64


780


19.8


242


10.0


65+


276


7.0


2427


100.0


3930


100.0


Source : 1960 U. S. Census of Housing and Population, Advance Table PH-1-Population and Housing Characteristics. Figures exclude Air Base Population.


4. Physical Setting


Unique natural resources of Lincoln well documented in Braun-Eliot Report. The existence of such resources so close to the center of a major metropolitan area is unusual; suggests that preservation of these characteristics may have significance for the whole metropolitan land use pattern as well as for the residents of the Town.


B. DEVELOPMENT OF LAND USE ALTERNATIVES


1. Organization and General Procedures


a. Full consideration of all land use alternatives, indepen- dent of economic impact, initially with proposals for each land use category developed separately. Steering Committee to make final selection of combinations for economic evaluation.




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