USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Lincoln > Town Report on Lincoln 1963-1965 > Part 40
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51
As is customary, we wish to bring the following facts to your atten- tion regarding regulations dealing with real estate and excise taxes:
1. The status of property on January Ist is the determinant of the tax in any year.
2. All real estate and personal property tax abatement requests must be filed by the Board by October 1st of the year in question.
3. Motor vehicle and trailer excise tax abatement requests must be filed with the Board before July 1 of the year succeeding the year in ques- tion. If you change cars during the year, the burden is on you to file the abatement request.
4. Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 41, of the General Laws, pro- vides for certain exemptions for taxpayers over the age of 70, who meet certain requirements of income, residence, etc. Additional information may be obtained from the Assessors' Office.
5. Veterans with 10% or more disability, holders of the Purple Heart awards, and others, may qualify for a tax exemption. Please con- tact the Board to see if you qualify.
The Board wishes to express its thanks to the citiaens of the Town of Lincoln for their splendid cooperation given to the consulting appraisers while making the recent survey.
87
1965 Recapitulation
Total appropriations to be raised from taxation $1,538, 993.51
Total appropriations to be taken from available funds
225,014. 97
State Parks and Assessments:
State Parks and Reservations
4,283. 96
State Audit of Municipal Accounts
1,644.08
Motor Vehicle Excise Bills
592.20
County Tax and Assessments:
County Tax
39, 932.83
Underestimate, 1964 County Tax
1,563. 19
County Hospital Assessment
533.88
Overlay of Current Year
34, 630.43
Gross Amount to be raised
$1,847, 189.05
Estimated Receipts and Available Funds:
Income Tax
137, 528.96
Corporation Taxes
50,375.64
Reimbursement a/c publicly owned land
851. 07
Old Age Tax
815.11
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise
140,000.00
Old Age Assistance
9,013.00
Schools
33,571.00
Libraries
2,048.00
Recreation
3,082.00
Water Department
60,684. 84
Interest
13, 780.00
State Assistance for School Construction
42,833.00
All Other
16,689.00
Total Estimated Receipts
$ 511, 271. 62
Overestimate, 1964 State Parks
315. 37
Appropriations voted to be taken from available funds
225, 014. 97
Total, Estimated Receipts and Available Funds
$ 736,601. 96
Net Amount to be Raised by Taxation
1, 110,587.09
$ 1, 847, 189. 05
Total valuation:
Personal Property $ 1, 205, 129 at $77 13, 218, 080 at $77
$ 92,794. 93
Real Estate
1, 017, 792. 16
$ 14,423, 209
$1, 110, 587. 09
88
Number of acres of land assessed
7,392. 12
Number of dwelling houses assessed
1, 094
Tax Rate per Thousand:
School Rate $45. 10
General Rate 31. 90
$ 77.00
89
Samuel Hoar House, c. 1818
Protection of Lives and Property
FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS
Leo J. Algeo, Chief
I hereby submit my report for the Fire and Police Depart- ments for the year ending December 31, 1965.
Fire Department.
The Department answered a total of 267 calls as listed be- low:
Buildings
11
Chimney
3
Brush and woods 65
Motor vehicle fires
18
Electric wires down or arcing 16
90
Motor vehicle accidents 66 Town dump 20
False alarms 3
Miscellaneous
65
267
Of the eleven building fires there were six that resulted in any loss. There were five houses and one green house boil- er room and the estimated loss in these fires was $37, 400.00.
There were five fires caused by the Boston & Maine Rail- road engines during the past year. These fires were extin- guished at a total cost of $137. 80. Through the efforts of Town Counsel, John White, the Town received payments from the Bos- ton & Maine during the year totaling $735.50. These payments covered the fires mentioned above, one fire in 1964, and an unpaid balance from 1963.
The Minute Man National Park paid the Town of Lincoln $113.10 during 1965 covering the cost of extinguishing two brush fires on their property.
The Fire Department inspected and issued permits for the following installations during 1965:
Oil tanks, outside 10
Oil tanks, inside 8 Oil burners 20
38
904 permits were given for outside burning and 22 permits were given for blasting.
Inspections of nursing homes have been made every three months in accordance with State laws.
Fire drills were conducted at all Lincoln Schools and they were provided with fire prevention materials.
All automatic and street fire alarm boxes were tested every month to assure proper working condition.
91
A program of daily, weekly, and monthly inspections of our equipment continues.
On April 30, John Ciraso resigned from the Fire Depart- ment, and on June 7, Joseph H. Bozak was appointed to replace him.
During 1965 Firefighter James Casella satisfactorily com- pleted the following courses:
A 2-day course in basic rescue at the Massachusetts Civil Defense Training Center in Topsfield.
A course on oil burners given by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Division of University Extension, at M. I. T., one night a week for twelve weeks.
A 2-day course, "Technical Firefighter Training", given at Cushing Hospital in Framingham by the Massachusetts In- stitute of Fire Department Instructors. This course was also at- tended by Deputy Chief Tom Coan.
Casella has been authorized by the Fire Chief to make in- spections relative to oil burning equipment and to issue related permits. He is also authorized to make the Nursing Home in- spections and to issue permits for blasting.
During 1965 there were eight drill sessions conducted. These included an inspection tour of the Nike base, lectures by Chief Johnson and Lt. Lyons of the Weston Fire Department and Lt. Joseph Sainato, Explosives Expert of the Massachusetts De- partment of Public Safety. We also had our usual session of spring drills during which all our equipment was used.
This department has actively supported the formation of the Central Massachusetts Fire Training Academy at Cushing Hos- pital in Framingham. This Academy will be of great benefit to us, particularly in the training of full time firemen, as well as as- sisting us in drills for the callmen.
The Callmen of the Lincoln Fire Department are a fine group of men dedicated to the task of helping their neighbors. They are justly proud of their record and have been commended many times by Fire Chiefs from our neighboring towns. For these reasons I feel it fitting that the people of Lincoln should know who
92
these men are:
William Dean, Deputy Chief William Doherty, Deputy Chief Thomas Coan, Deputy Chief Robert Tracey, Captain Sam Gates Russ ell Dixon
Floriy Campobasso Joseph Campobasso William Whalen Joseph Cotoni Louis Boyer Robert Swinconeck
James Ryan
Carl Smith, Jr.
Henry Woods
Robert Malloy Karl Lahnstein Metro Fedock
Carl Smith Charles Stankard
Edward Murphy
Ernest Johnson
Clifford Bradley
Edward Chisholm
Joseph Cotoni, Jr.
Andrew Cain
Harold Lawson
Paul Moynihan
Attention is directed to the new Lincoln Fire Alarm Code which will be found in the 1965 Town Report. The officers of the Fire Department felt that the code needed to be up-dated and 59 new box numbers have been added. Some numbers have been changed in order to have all boxes in a given district begin with the same number. The Town is divided into six districts for this purpose. This new code will be put into effect on April 1, 1966.
Police Department.
Arrests by Lincoln Police 60
Arrests by State Police 17
Warning notices issued for violation of Motor Vehicle law 477
Violation of Motor Vehicle law
reported to Registry of
Motor Vehicles 15
Motor Vehicle accident report:
Accidents reported 2 10
Occupants injured 166
Occupants killed 4
93
Following is a partial list of other activities of the Police Department:
Appearances in Court 58
Emergency calls, other than
Motor Vehicle accidents 66
Checks made at vacant houses 3,061
Checks made at business places 4,060
Summonses served 338
Dog complaints
157
Miscellaneous items recorded 2,632
During 1965 the department increased its efforts in the area of traffic control. A considerably larger number of written warnings were issued for speeding violations than in 1964. Fur- ther increased efforts are planned in this area for 1966, and in this connection a request has been made to the Board of Selectmen for a radar timing device.
The Department Safety Officer, Michael McHugh, accom- panied a Registry of Motor Vehicles inspector to the schools for programs on safety. He also lectured at a safety seminar held for New England Telephone employees who are required to operate Company vehicles in this area.
On November 26, 1965, Patrolman Frank Gordon was given a 3-month leave of absence. This vacancy has been temporarily filled by the use of Special Officers.
A recommendation has been made to the Board of Select- men that they appoint another patrolman to the department. The addition of another man would permit us to have a 24-hour patrol.
Once again residents are urged to post their name by their driveway so either Fire or Police personnel can more quickly an- swer your call.
94
PARK DEPARTMENT
The tree spraying for 1965 was carried out with the help of a neighboring tree company and counseling from the Massachusetts Audubon Society. Two sprays were applied: the first, a dormant spray with methoxychlor for control of the elm bark beetle and a second, later in the season, with Sevin for control of the elm leaf beetle. Methoxychlor, although more expensive than DDT and Sevin, is, according to specialists, much less hazardous to all forms of life and for this reason it was chosen.
Roadside brush control spraying was done in late November and December with a basil spray (245 - T - oil soluble). This eliminates the unsightly "browning" which is inevitable with the mid-summer foliage treatments. Only those areas were treated where old stumps were repeatedly sending up new shoots. Road- side spraying, hopefully, can now be limited to spot treatments of poison ivy and other persistent brush.
It is important to comment on the cooperation the Town has received from the personnel at the Massachusetts Audubon Society in working out a spray program that is both realistic from the point of view of saving trees and at the same time reasonably safe.
Many elms continue to die each year and the Department will endeavor to remove any diseased trees on Town property as quickly as possible. There is less optimism about cures for the Dutch elm disease than a few years ago. Good sanitation, backed by a realistic spray program, presently offers the most hope for our stately New England landmarks.
In addition to the care of the cemeteries and supplying a back-up labor force in other public works areas, considerable time was spent on new recreational areas.
For a 20-year period just prior to 1900 it appears that the Town put a great deal of thought and effort into planting the road- sides with appropriate young trees - mostly varieties of maples. The Town has for many years been enjoying and benefiting from the imagination and work of those who accomplished this massive planting. Many of these trees are now over 75 years old and in poor condition and it is time to give thought to planting replace- ments so that future generations can enjoy a continuing beauty along the Town's public ways.
95
Original Farrar Homestead. c. 1692
Health and Welfare
BOARD OF HEALTH
Gordon A. Donaldson, M. D., Chairman Abigail Avery Pierre Dreyfus, M. D.
The Board of Health has met at two to four weekly inter- vals throughout the year. Mrs. David Garrison was reappointed to the office of Agent; Mr. William Davis, Burial Agent; Dr. Alden Russell, Inspector of Slaughtering; and Mr. George Browning, Jr., Inspector of Animals.
As in previous years, inspections were made of piggeries, restaurants, cider presses, stores, over-night cabins, rest homes and nursery schools. Licenses were granted to the following: gar- bage transportation, 1; piggeries, 1; sale of methyl alcohol, 2; over- night cabins, 1; massage, 1; victualers, 5; rest homes, 3; nursery schools, 3.
96
The drainage and sewage disposal problems of new homes and of subdivision developments continue to be one of the Board's chief concerns. Each subdivision of land must be reviewed by the Board of Health before the Planning Board grants approval, and each new building site must have its disposal system approved by the Board of Health before a Building Permit can be granted. A total of 76 permits were granted by the Board, of which 40 were for new homes, and 36 for alterations and improvements. No subdivi- sions were presented to the Board for final approval in 1965.
Although some laxity persists among physicians in re- porting communicable diseases, the following have been noted: chicken-pox, 19; measles, 2; meningitis, 1; mumps, l; scarlet fev- er, 32. With the advent of measles vaccine, we may expect further lessening of this disease. The Massachusetts Heart Association is presently encouraging greater routine use of throat cultures among physicians to prevent rheumatic fever and its ravages, and an increase in incidence of scarlet fever and strep throat may be re- ported in the future.
The Pierce Fund continues its financial assistance in sup- port of several Clinics. Dr. John Davies saw 82 children at the Well-Child Clinic this year. Ten children were under 2 years of age; 9 between 2 and 5 years; 21 were 5 years old; and 46 pre-school children of 6 and 7 years of age. Small-pox vaccination, triple vaccine (diphtheria-tetanus-whooping cough), and Sabin oral polio vaccine were given when indicated.
Dr. William H. Tingey, in the early months of the school year, examined the teeth of all children in Hartwell, Smith, and Brooks Schools in the Dental Clinic. 390 children were referred to their family physician for treatment or orthodontia. Again, this year, there were no requests for special financial assistance in the treatment of dental disease by any family.
The Dog Clinic was held on May Ist as usual, and only 250 dogs were inoculated by Dr. Alden Russell. This represents less than 50% of the dogs in Town, and it is the hope of the Board that private rabies inoculations are being given. Rabies has been reported in increasing numbers in neighboring New England States and Canada in dogs, cats, farm animals, foxes, skunks, and bats.
97
The Board urges all dog owners to take advantage of the rabies clinic held each year on the first Saturday in May in the Town Barn, or have the vaccine given privately.
Our special clinic this year was the mobile chest survey x-ray clinic held on November 6, 1965. The Middlesex Tuberculo- sis Association was the co-sponsor. Although no active cases of pulmonary tuberculosis were uncovered, posters and literature were displayed emphasizing the alarming association between cig- arette smoking and lung cancer and emphysema, particularly among those who start smoking early in life. Yearly, more Americans are being crippled or killed by emphysema.
Adequate family social service coverage for the Town has continued to be one of our concerns. Following a study review made last year, the Northwest District of the Family Service Asso- ciation of Greater Boston scheduled regular days in Lincoln for con- sultation. Although use of this facility to date has been limited, its availability and the improvement in communication service has been much appreciated by physicians, the clergy, and those in need. Ap- pointments may be made directly through the Family Service Assoc- iation or through Mrs. David Garrison.
During the year, the Board has spent considerable time seeking financial support for the Walden Child Guidance Clinic of Concord, which provides services for Lincoln, Concord, Carlisle and Acton. Through an article in the Warrant last year, town tax money was provided for this purpose. Several meetings with the Selectmen have resulted in the decision to continue tax support at the rate of 40$ per capita for the running expenses of the Clinic. This is a per capita amount equivalent to that contributed by the three other towns involved to provide for the basic running of the Clinic. The Board of Selectmen has approved release of Pierce Fund money for those individuals who cannot afford the full cost of diagnosis and treatment by this important agency.
The Board has concerned itself with a number of local problems presenting threats to public health. A new regulation was formalized by posting a $20. 00 fine for the dumping of garbage at the Town Dump. Townspeople are requested to comply with this law which will be strictly enforced in the future.
98
Finally, without the devoted support of such volunteer workers as Mrs. Eleanor Tead and others, the Board would find it most difficult to conduct the many and varied clinics held through- out the year. We thank them all for their efforts.
INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
George U. Browning, Jr.
The following animals are 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 these animals in Lincoln.
No. of dairy cows over 2 years 31
No. of dairy heifers 1-2 years 7
No. of dairy heifer calves under 1 year 4
No. of dairy bulls 1
No. of beef cattle
49
No. of horses (1 donkey)
93
No. of goats 7
No. of sheep
44
No. of swine 206
Eighteen dog bites were reported during the year. Dogs are quarantined and released at the end of ten days if no sign of ra- bies appears.
One squirrel and one skunk were taken to Wasserman Lab- oratory in Jamaica Plain to check for possible rabies. Both were negative.
99
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 persons in developing their capacity for self-maintenance to the fullest extent possible for them.
The following Federal and State aided programs are now available to those in need:
Old Age Assistance - under which cash allowances are provided for elderly persons who are in need. In order to be eligi- ble 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 medi- cal services.
Disability Assistance - under which assistance is provi- ded for needy persons found to be permanently 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 illness, 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 categories are provided for under General Relief. This program is not Federally aided.
During 1965, Social Security Amendments provided two different kinds of health insurance for people 65 years or older, hos- pital insurance and medical insurance. Applications under these programs should be made at the Social Security Office.
100
During the year 1965, the following cases were aided in the amount of $30, 694. 72:
O. A. A. 9 M. A. A. 10
Federal and State receipts in support of these programs amounted to $26, 131. 16.
101
James Adams House, c. 1707
Planning and Public Works
PLANNING BOARD
Warren R. Dwyer, Chairman
R. Langdon Wales, Vice Chairman David L. Garrison
Morton B. Braun Robert L. Allen
The Board organized on April 5, 1965. The member- ship of the Board remained unchanged as the result of the re- election of Mr. R. Langdon Wales for a second five-year term of office. Mr. Dwyer was elected chairman and Mr. Wales, vice-chairman. Mrs. Elizabeth J. Snelling continued as sec- retary. Her high standards of proficiency and her genuine willingness to contribute more than the Board has a right to ex- pect only further increased our respect and affection for her.
102
During 1965 the Board continued its custom of regularly meeting twice monthly, on the second and fourth Mondays. In addition, numerous special meetings were held throughout the year.
A. PLANNING POLICIES
Planning for the optimum use of the Town's resources in consonance with its character and historical traditions is a fund- amental responsibility of the Planning Board. The purpose of such planning, whether of a short -range or of a long - range na- ture, is, at least, twofold: the definition of town objectives and the formulation of recommendations for the achievement of those objectives. In carrying out this responsibility, however, the Board is always cognizant of the fact that its role is that of plan- ning while the final decision, both as to the validity of the defini- tion of objectives and the appropriateness of its recommendations, rests with the residents of the Town.
During the past year a significant milestone was accom- plished in the area of town planning - the issuance of the Compre- hensive Development Plan for the Town of Lincoln, known more popularly as the "By '70 Plan". This report is the result of the efforts of numerous private citizens, the consulting firm of Adams, Howard and Oppermann, and the Board of Selectmen and the Planning Board jointly participating in the Town Finance and Land Use Survey authorized by the 1964 Annual Town Meeting. This report is unique in our town planning because it presents specific land use recommendations for accomplishment by 1970, suggests new areas of study for further consideration by the Town, and contains the economic analysis which was used to ar- rive at the land use recommendations and which may be used for future land use planning. The Planning Board believes that the "By '70 Plan" is responsive both to the definition of town object- ives and to the formulation of specific land use recommendations and, as such, commends its study to the residents for their ulti- mate role in deciding the future of our Town.
Specific Land Use Recommendations. The major speci- fic recommendation in the "By '70 Plan" is the Open Space Pro- gram. This recommended program encompasses both land pre- servation (that is, by other than acquisition) and land acquisition,
103
the latter being described as "imperative now". Specific parcels of land in the Town are identified by the report for early action. To implement this recommendation, the Planning Board and the Conservation Commission have been meeting jointly throughout the year to plan and prepare for the presentation of specific pro- posals at the 1966 Annual Town Meeting. Planning for specific proposals to be presented at future Town meetings will be a pri- mary activity of the Board during the coming year.
Traditionally the Planning Board has awaited the submis- sion of preliminary subdivision plans before it has concerned it- self with the specific subdivision of a particular area. A speci- fic recommendation of the "By '70 Plan", however, is that the Board prepare advance preliminary plans of cluster development in areas where the manner of development is particularly import- ant. The implementation of this recommendation will constitute a basic element of the Board's future planning activities.
A third key specific recommendation calls for the develop- ment of a circulation system which will provide for arterial roads, good internal circulation, road design in keeping with the charac- ter of the Town, and provision for pedestrian and bicycle paths. Some of these objectives were under specific study by the Board during the past year (see Part B, below); each will be a part of its planning efforts during the coming year.
New Planning Considerations. Although the "By '70 Plan" makes no specific recommendations for any changes in the Town's residential development policies, it does suggest that the social and economic benefits which might result from a change would justify re-examining the Town's policies in this area. At- tention is focused by the report specifically on an expanded con- cept of cluster development (allowing for higher density) and mod- ification of the present height limitation. Because this subject is of critical concern to all residents, it will constitute one of the most difficult and demanding areas of concern for the Board in its future planning activities.
Because the proposed relocation of Route 2 may create conditions favorable for limited industrial development in Lin- coln, the Board will also be seriously concerned with the quest-
104
ion of whether such development could be accomplished without adversely affecting the rural and residential character of the Town.
Economic Analysis. One of the traditional impedi - ments to realistic planning has been the inability to more pre- cisely define the economic impact of alternative proposals for land use. The Board believes that its capabilities in this area have been enhanced by Part II of the Comprehensive De- velopment Plan. Part II sets forth the economic analysis which was accomplished prior to and from which the recommen- dations in Part I were derived.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.