USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Lincoln > Town Report on Lincoln 1963-1965 > Part 41
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Important to a meaningful understanding of Part I, Part II is at least equally important as a mathematical model for evaluating future land use propo- sals more precisely than was heretofore possible. The analy- tical information in Part II should prove as beneficial to inter- ested Town residents in evaluating prospective courses of act- ion as to the Planning Board in the execution of its planning res - ponsibilities.
B. ACTIVITIES
1. Business Area. The study of commuter parking commenced in 1964 was definitized in 1965. The services of Laurence Zuelke, landscape architect, were retained by the Board for development of specific plans for commuter parking on both sides of the Boston and Maine Railroad tracks. The plans, which were accepted by the Planning Board, were turned over to the Board of Selectmen for implementation.
2. General Residence District. The first multiple unit residence development in Lincoln was completed this year in the general residence district. The Board expresses its appreciation to the developer, Mr. Cosmo DeBonis, for the quality of the building and landscape design, which resulted in a development entirely in keeping with the character of the Town. Plans for a second multiple unit residence within the general res- idence district are before the Board now and construction will probably start within the year.
3. Metropolitan Area Planning Council. At the Annual Town Meeting in 1965, Lincoln voted to become a mem-
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ber of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), in order to benefit from an interchange of information concerning town and area planning. Mr. Allen of the Planning Board repre- sents the Town at the meetings of the MAPC.
The MAPC's work during the last year has reflect- ed many of Lincoln's concerns. A plan for open space and recreational facilities in the metropolitan area and a study which provides projections of economic activities and population in the 152-community Boston region comprising the planning district were completed. A solid waste disposal plan is now being developed to meet the needs of many MAPC communities.
Mr. Allen also attended meetings of the Council's Transportation Coordinating Committee, in order to assure that the Town's voice is heard in the comprehensive transportation planning now taking place.
4. New Location for Town Dump. The Board studied further the question of the relocation of the Town dump and con- cluded that the area shown in the "By '70 Plan", between Route 2A and the northerly location of Route 2, was still the right lo- cation. The reasons for this decision are:
(a) Interim access is available from Route 2A, not far from the present dump en- trance.
(b) Ultimate access is available from Mill Street after the highways have been re- located.
(c) The effect on residential areas in the Town is minimal.
(d) It appears to be the same kind of topo- graphy which was found by the engineers to be suitable for a land fill operation. (Cleverdon, Varney & Pike - Refuse Dis- posal Site Study - February, 1964).
The Board therefore recommended to the Selectmen that a detailed engineering study be made of a dump in this area
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to determine the boundaries of the land to be taken and to analyze the type of land fill operation that could be conducted.
5. Bicycle Paths. During the year the chairman and Mr. Braun represented the Board on a Bicycle Path subcommit- tee, together with the chairman of the Board of Selectmen. An initial decision was made by the subcommittee to confine its first efforts to the study and accomplishment of a bicycle path along Lincoln Road from the center of Town to the South Lincoln Busi- ness District. A specific proposal in this regard is expected to be presented at the 1966 Annual Town Meeting.
6. Land Acquisition. The Board has been meeting regularly with the Conservation Commission in connection with the land acquisition program. As a result of these meetings, negotiations are being conducted with certain land holders to- ward the objective of presenting specific land acquisition propo- sals at the 1966 Annual Town Meeting and subsequent special and annual town meetings.
Prior to the special Town Meeting on June 7, 1965, the Board negotiated the acquisition of the Lincolnsfield land in a three-party negotiation with the former owners and the Nation- al Park Service.
7. Route 126 Relocation. The "By '70 Plan" recom- mends a study of relocating Route 126 to accommodate traffic anticipated by a recent study of the Bedford Airport complex. An alternative alignment west of the present route was consid- ered, but it appeared that it would not be acceptable to the town of Wayland and could be carried out in Lincoln only with great difficulty. In view of the disadvantages of such a relocation, and the uncertainty of the need for it until Route 2 and the pro- posed Route 290 are located, the Board concluded that for the foreseeable future the present alignment should be retained with such improvements as are necessary to ensure safety. When improvements are needed, such techniques as the plant- ing of mature trees to ensure preservation of the attractiveness of the area should be carried out.
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8. Statistical Summary. Five definitive subdivision plans were approved by the Board during 1965, as follows:
Swiedler Building Corporation, about 36 acres of land at the Weston-Lincoln town line, off North Avenue, Weston, into 15 lots.
Linway Realty Corporation, about 37.5 acres of land off Oxbow Road. (Only very small portions of three lots are in Lincoln ; the balance is in the Town of Wayland. )
Heirs of Robert D. Donaldson, about 9 acres of land on Lincoln Road, into 4 lots. An additional parcel of approxi- mately 1 acre has been deeded to the Town for use as part of the well site.
John E. Moore, Trustee, Emerson Realty Trust, about 3.5 acres of land on Pheasant Lane (off Goose Pond Road), into 3 lots, which are almost entirely in the Town of Concord.
Maynide, Inc., about 6.5 acres on Ridge Road, in the general residence district. Land from two owners was combined in this development to form one lot, on which 9 multiple residence buildings (total of 36 units) are located.
A site plan showing another general residence development on about 4 acres of land off Todd Pond Road, is presently being reviewed by the Board. The owners (Lincoln Development Corporation) are proposing 9 units at the present time, with 9 more units to be added at a later date.
In 1965 the Board approved a preliminary plan pre- sented by the Rural Land Foundation of Lincoln, which showed the subdivision of about 109 acres of land off Bedford Road, into 11 lots, with more than 50 acres to be preserved as open land.
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BOARD OF APPEALS
William N. Swift, Chairman Alan McClennen Henry B. Hoover James Jagger Hans Van Leer
J. Lewis Cunningham, Associate Member John Pike, Associate Member
1965.
Hearings were held on twenty-two petitions during the year Set forth below is a summary of the petitions:
Lois Dee, for the Lincoln Country Day School, for permis- sion to operate a nursery school on the premises of St. Anne's in the Fields, Concord Road, Lincoln. GRANTED.
Mildred M. Rodimon, for permission to use part of her home on Tower Road for a nursery school. GRANTED.
Marvin's Foreign Auto, for permission to park automobiles on land owned by Frank Umbrello on South Great Road. DENIED.
Martin Lyons, for permission to construct a single family dwelling on the south side of the Concord Turnpike on a lot non-con- forming with the Zoning By-Law relative to frontage. GRANTED.
Heirs of R. D. Donaldson, for a variance to establish set- back lot lines of two buildings on an access road off Lincoln Road. GRANTED.
Robert H. Baldwin, Lincoln Development Corporation, for a variance to allow for a 50' frontage on a Town way for Lot #33, Todd Pond subdivision. GRANTED.
American Legion Post #84, for permission to conduct meet- ings and social events in a building to be moved and remodeled in a general residence area. GRANTED.
Charles P. Kindleberger, for a variance to permit the con-
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struction of a garage close to the side lot line on property on Bed- ford Road, on the site of the former garage, now torn down. £ GRAN- TED.
Matthew Sherman, for a variance to build an addition to his home on Beaver Pond Road, on a non-conforming lot. GRANTED.
Constantin Pertzoff, for a temporary permit to use his land on Bedford Road for non-profit theatrical performances. GRANTED.
August Schumacher, for permission to sell sod, specifically grown for the purpose, from his farm land off Lincoln Road. GRAN- TED.
Mrs. Mary E. D. Dalli, for a variance to allow the sub-div- ision of a lot into two lots, one of which will not have the required area. GRANTED.
Rural Land Foundation of Lincoln, for variances from Sec- tion VI, B-5, of the Zoning By-Law, for its property on the easter- ly side of Bedford Road in Lincoln, to allow the creation of two lots for the two existing houses, both of which will be less than 50 feet from the side-lot lines. GRANTED.
Harry Cook, for permission to allow a van type trailer to be located on land adjacent to the dump on Route 2A. GRANTED.
Dr. Paul F. Ross, for a variance as to set-back on Lot #16, Todd Pond. GRANTED.
S. Y. Lee, for a variance to allow construction of an attached greenhouse on his residence 24 feet from side-lot line, Huckleberry Hill. GRANTED.
Dr. Gordon Donaldson, for permission to build a small a- partment in the east end of barn on Old Lexington Road. GRANTED.
Dr. Sholem Postel, for permission to add a porch-carport to his present building on Lincoln Road, said structure to be 24 feet from the side-lot line. GRANTED.
Clifford A. Clark, for a variance to locate house on lot on South Great Road with less than the minimum width of lot at building.
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GRANTED.
Ethel A. Tyler, for a variance to put up a carport where turkey shed is being removed and to be placed less than the re- quired distance from lot line. GRANTED.
Robert H. Baldwin, for the Lincoln Development Corpora- tion, for permission to establish a non-profit community recreation club on Lots #26 and #29, Todd Pond Road. GRANTED.
INSPECTORS OF BUILDING, WIRING AND PLUMBING
William M. Dean, Building and Wiring Inspector Daniel J. Murphy, Plumbing Inspector
Building permits issued during 1965:
New residential buildings 40
Alterations and additions 36
Barn and stables 5
Garages 7
Demolish porch on dwelling 1
Renew permit 1
Greenhouse 1
9-unit apartment complex
1
FEES COLLECTED
$ 1,897.70
Plumbing permits issued during 1965:
82
FEES COLLECTED $ 597.00
Wiring permits issued during 1965:
109
FEES COLLECTED $ 571. 10
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WATER COMMISSIONERS
Stuart B. Avery Alan McClennen Russell P. Mahan, Chairman
We hope that increased precipitation will allow us to recall 1965 as the year of the great drought, and that 1966 will establish a trend towards more normal rainfall.
During the year just past, three significant steps were tak- en to assure Lincoln an adequate supply of good water in the years to come.
1. The pump intake at the Sandy Pond pumping station has been extended and lowered so that even with the Pond at its present low level of 6 1/2 feet below high water, there is 8 feet of water over the intake.
2. The new well on Tower Road was constructed and good progress is being made on plans for pump house and equipment.
3. Through neighborly cooperation with Concord, Lin- coln has agreed to allow Concord to construct a reservoir on Pine Hill in Lincoln and Concord has agreed to permanently relinguish its rights to draw water from Sandy Pond. Formal action of the General Court is required and Town Counsel for both Towns have agreed on official wording of the bill. For the first time since 1872 Lincoln will have sole rights to the water of Sandy Pond.
1965 Main Cleaning
Three short lengths of water mains were cleaned late in
June. Pressure measurements at the hydrant at Farrington Mem- orial indicated that there were restrictions in the pipe under Route 2, connecting the relatively new 6" Farrington line with the 8" main on the north side of Route 2 near Lawson's. Cleaning restored the pressure to 54 lbs. and the flow to a safe level.
Pierce Hill Road and Tower Road between Lincoln Road and Pierce Hill Road were also cleaned. The increased flow resulting
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from the cleaning improved the circulation in the Tower - 117 loop. As the new well will connect into this loop, no restrictions could be tolerated.
1965 Main Replacement
Further advances in the fire protection potentials of the wa- ter system were made by the replacement of additional lengths of sub-standard mains. Some improvements in the flow pattern will also result. The 1964 South Great Road project was completed by the transferring of all connections to the new 10 inch main. Ce- ment asbestos pipe was used in all new construction work at a cost of $37, 885. 62, as follows:
Old County Road
2, 500 feet of 8 inch
Ridge Road
200 feet of 8 inch
Weston Road
1, 080 feet of 8 inch
Winter Street 1, 955 feet of 8 inch
1965 Subdivision Mains
New private development installations of cement asbestos pipe were as follows:
Autumn Lane 820 feet of 6 inch
Goose Pond Road
1, 090 feet of 8 inch
Pheasant Lane 200 feet of 6 inch
Ridge Road
350 feet of 8 inch
Stony Brook Road
1, 700 feet of 8 inch
Wheeler Road
620 feet of 8 inch
625 feet of 6 inch
Two short ends of 2 inch cement lined steel pipe were in- stalled, as follows:
Pheasant Lane 250 feet
Stony Brook Road
(branch) 250 feet
Altogether these also provide 9 new hydrants (one on Ridge Road was moved) and a potential of 80 new customers for the Water Department.
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Hydrant Replacement
Continuing the vigorous program of up-grading the water system for better fire protection, a total of 20 substandard hydrants were replaced during the year past. This leaves only a few obso- lete hydrants in the entire system; even these provide adequate fire flow. However, they will be replaced shortly as the last few sec- tions of substandard mains are replaced.
The Continuing Drought
On August 4, Sandy Pond reached a low level of four feet be- low the "official" High Water Mark (six feet below "actual" High Wa- ter), and the Town of Concord was notified to cease drawing water from the Pond.
The following day Lincoln residents were notified of an of- ficial ban on lawn sprinkling and asked to conserve water voluntari- ly by all reasonable measures. Cooperation from townspeople was excellent and consumption dropped 7 million gallons from that used in the previous month.
All of the surrounding towns are experiencing similar prob- lems of water shortages and frequent telephone conferences were held regarding possible solutions to the water shortage. During 1965, rainfall in the Boston area reached the lowest level in 177 years.
Pump Intake Lowering
As the water level of Sandy Pond continued to drop, it be- came apparent that the intake would soon be so close to the water surface as to draw in the poorer quality water near the surface. If the rate accelerated at which the level was dropping, the intake could conceivably be out of water by Summer 1966.
D. L. Maher Company of Woburn was the low bidder and was awarded the contract for the pipe extension and lowering. Whit- man and Howard drew the plans and specifications, and Water Sup- erintendent John Gilbert supervised the construction. An extension of 26 feet of 12" pipe on the intake was laid on a bed of packed grav-
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el out into the Pond. The final ten feet of pipe is made of perfora- ted stainless steel. As it was necessary to cut out a section of the gate house roof to lift out the old rust-encrusted valve and el- bow, the roof section was replaced with a removable section so that any future work of similar nature would be facilitated. The end of the intake is now 8 feet below the present low water level.
A beneficial side effect of removing the old check valve in the intake has been increased pump efficiency. It was discovered that the ancient check valve had rusted solid in a 60 per cent closed position. The entire intake lowering operation was accomplished in two days, during which time pumps were shut off and the Town water system operated from the pressure reservoir.
New Well
At the March Town meeting, the voters authorized the Wa- ter Department to borrow $30, 000 for acquisition of 16 acres of land off Tower Road for a new water supply. Two major parcels have already been purchased and negotiations are proceeding rapidly with the other land owners affected. The largest single tract has been purchased from Mr. Byron Lunt under an agreement that allows him life tenancy and the Mass. Dept. of Public Health will allow him to continue his modest farming activities with certain minor restric- tions.
At a Special Town Meeting on November 1st, the Water De- partment was authorized to borrow $70, 000 for the actual construc- tion of the well and pumping station. The firm of Whitman & How- ard was hired to provide the basic engineering in connection with the new water supply. Under their supervision the gravel packed well has been constructed by Chapman & Company. Testing to es- tablish "safe yield" is under way and indications point to a success- ful well producing about 500 gallons per minute.
Preliminary plans and specifications for pump house and equipment have been reviewed. It is expected that the new facility will be "on stream" by early summer.
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.
Summary
1965 was a year of many problems as well as much progress for the Water Department. The problem of a sufficient quantity of water only slightly outweighs the problems of the quality of the wa- ter. Perhaps fortunately, these two problems are inter-related in Lincoln and our new well will provide the solution to both quanti- ty and quality.
WATER DEPARTMENT STATISTICS 1965
In Use 12/31/65
Added in 1965
Pipe
35. 3 miles
1. 3 miles
Hydrant's
301
8
Hydrants replaced
20
Gates
347
12
Blow Offs
27
0
Services
1117
33
Meters
1133
35
Renewed services
32
Range of pressure in mains
40 -- 100 P. S. I.
Total gallons pumped in 1965
129, 609, 700
Increase from 1964
14, 313, 900
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HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
The highway program for 1965 included the re-surfacing of the following roads totaling about six miles, plus routine items such as catch basin cleaning, street lining and general maintenance.
Granville Road
Woods End Road Hillside Road
Cedar Road
Weston Road
Trapelo Road (at Water Basin Causeway) Lexington Road (Route 2 - Lex- ington line) Old Cambridge Turnpike
Mackintosh Lane
Pierce Hill Road
Tower Road (117 - Coburn's)
Old Winter Street Winter Street (Old Winter - Kennedy's) Lincoln Road (at shopping area) Bedford Road (Town Hall - Tar- bell's) Old County Road (Winter - Trap- elo)
Route 117 (Tower Road - Cod- man's) New Ballfield Road Ridge Road
Snow and ice removal put a severe strain on both man- power and equipment during periods of heavy snows. The De- partment needs another medium duty truck to replace one of the older trucks which has gone out of service. The unit purchased in 1964 with power steering and other up-to-date equipment and a carrying capacity of 6-8 tons seems to meet the Town's needs ade- quately. It is maneuverable without being cumbersome.
The grader is presently being put to greater use than ever before. The majority of its work is for road grading, snow re- moval and field grading. The motor in this machine is both worn and under-powered. Specialists indicate that a modern power un- it with greater power reserve would greatly improve the abilities of this machine. The Department urges replacement of the motor in this unit.
The proper width of paved surface for roads is a subject of much controversy. In defense of realistic minimums, it is pres- ently impossible after heavy snows, to open up some of the older roads so that two cars can pass due to the limitations imposed by the trees along the roadsides. £ These narrow ways are frequently the cause of accidents and should be widened to ensure safety.
It goes without saying that Ray Maher is missed in this de- partment. All those who knew him enjoyed his friendly manner.
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CONSERVATION COMMISSION
John B. French, Chairman John Quincy Adams Paul Brooks James DeNormandie Mary Drury Robert Lemire Hans Van Leer
During the past year the principal effort of the Conserva- tion Commission has been to implement, in terms of specific parcels of land, the Town's overall objectives of land acquisi- tion and open space preservation. In this endeavor there is a sense of urgency. As with the nation as a whole, so in our own community one fact is apparent: what we save in the next few years is all we shall ever save.
Eight years ago the Braun-Eliot Report recommended a large-scale land acquisition by the Town for conservation pur- poses, if necessary through long-term borrowing. This year the Land Use Study reiterates that "A program of land acquisi- tion is imperative now. " At present only a small proportion of our land is in Town ownership; the open character of Lincoln is due to the existence of large holdings, which under pressure of taxes and rising land values must eventually be broken up. The Conservation Commission has worked closely with the Plan- ning Board in establishing a list of areas whose preservation is considered most critical. These are shown in the map pub- lished with the Land Use Study.
The Commission acting jointly with the Planning Board has appointed two sub-committees: (1) a land-acquisition sub- committee, whose members are negotiating with the landown- ers concerned and (2) a sub-committee to study current State and Federal laws pertaining to land acquisition for conservation purposes. In carrying out the Open Space Program, the Com- mission is considering a variety of methods, depending on the individual circumstances, e. g. outright purchase, purchase and lease-back, conservation easements, first option to purchase by
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the Town, etc. It is also aware that cluster zoning can on occa - sion be used to further the same ends.
Appraisals have been, or are being, made of several par- cels of land on the above-mentioned list, some of which are be- ing recommended for purchase in the present Warrant. Earlier in the year the purchase of the Garland land on Sandy Pond was completed, and the 45-acre lot known as Lincolnsfield, adjacent to the Minute Man National Historical Park, was acquired by the Town.
CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS
Robert A. Spence, Chairman
H. Arnold MacLean James DeNormandie
A layout of part of the new section in the new Lincoln Ceme- tery has been made to provide additional lots. It is contemplated that this work, including landscaping, will be completed in the spring of 1966.
The usual routine maintenance was performed during the year.
There were 17 interments in 1965.
A careful study is being made of the land needs of the Cem- etery. The Commissioners hope to make definite recommenda- tions to the Town Meeting.
The Commissioners wish to express their appreciation for the assistance and cooperation given them by officers and employ- ees of the Town during the past year.
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LINCOLN LAND CONSERVATION TRUST
William M. Preston, Chairman
Jeanne C. Healey, Secretary Bradford Cannon Donald P. Donaldson Edith Henderson Constantin A. Pertzoff Inger Richardson
William N. Swift
The Lincoln Land Conservation Trust is a non-profit, tax- exempt organization supported by membership dues and voluntary contributions, whose principal purpose is to promote the preserva- tion of the open-space character of the Town. We work closely with the Town's Conservation Commission. At the end of 1965 we had 237 members, a new high.
The Trust owns outright Il parcels of land amounting to about 60 acres. It promotes a town-wide system of trails open to all residents for walking and horseback riding. To this end it has prepared a master plan for reference. At present, it maintains 4 trails described in a bulletin obtainable from the Trust secretary.
The annual meeting in 1965 was held at Drumlin Farm,
May 3rd. After reports and election of Trustees, Mr. Alan H. Mor- gan, Vice President of the Mass. Audubon Society, spoke on "Press- ing Conservation Issues, local and state. "
Report of the Treasurer for the year 1965
On hand January 1
$ 1,979.93
Receipts:
Membership dues
$ 2, 642.50
Cash gifts
3,424.50
6,067.00
$ 8,046.93
Expenditures:
Middlesex Inst. for Savings -
Mortgage interest
$
550.00
Printing & mailing
88. 90
Signs, etc.
13.50
652.40
On hand December 31
$ 7,394.53
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MINUTE MAN NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK ADVISORY COMMISSION
Katharine S. White, Lincoln Appointee
The act to provide for the establishment of Minute Man Na- tional Historical Park was passed in the first session of the 86th Congress and approved by President Eisenhower on September 21, 1959.
This act authorizing the park limited its size to 750 acres in the towns of Lexington, Lincoln and Concord, and imposed the further limitations of not more than $5, 000, 000 to be appropriated and expended for land acquisition and $3, 000, 000 for development.
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