USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Lincoln > Town Report on Lincoln 1963-1965 > Part 6
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Town . It is also essential that the Board work closely with and enlist the cooperation of the other Town Boards so that programs of action may be practical and widely sup- ported.
3. Open Space. 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 by the courtesy and generosity of its private owners. We believe that if the Town is to continue to enjoy these benefits in the face of the rising value of land a reasonable minimum of such land must be acquired by the Town or semi-public agencies. Opportunities for such land acquisition will be substantially gone within ten years and we may have as few as five years in which to secure the Town's needs.
4. Fire Protection, The Planning Board establishes the specific design and development requirements for any subdivision through application of the standards in its Rules and Regulations. The Board has adopted the policy of requiring installation of water mains and their connect- ion to the Town supply in any new subdivisions that may be presented. We believe that the application of this policy will result in improved fire protection and a better fire insurance rating for the whole Town.
B. ACTIVITIES
During the past year, the subjects of particular plan- ning activity have included :
1. Town Finance and Land Use Survey. Jointly with the Board of Selectmen, the Planning Board has been pur - suing a study to determine the probable future development of the Town and the effects on Town expenses and revenues of such development. This survey will analyze the present
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PLANNING BOARD
trends of development, and, in addition, alternative de- velopment patterns, such as creating a degree of non- residential development, or varying residential density. In guiding this work, the normally close working relation- ship between the Planning Board and the Board of Selectmen has been strengthened by the establishment of a Steering Committee, consisting of two members from each board, to establish the policy framework for the Survey.
The services of a noted planning firm, Adams, Howard and Opperman have been engaged for support in this survey and, pursuant to the vote of $4,000 at the 1963 Annual Town Meeting, application for Federal Planning Assistance has been made. The survey is being supported by the activi- ties of three committees of citizens, - the Residential Committee, the Industrial-Commercial Committee, and the Conservation-Recreation Committee. We anticipate that this survey will be completed in one year and that the re- sulting town board recommendations will provide the basis for Town actions.
2. Land Acquisition. The Conservation-Recreation Study now being conducted as an aspect of the Town Finance and Land Use Survey will, we expect, provide the basis for a land acquisition program by the Town. Events have not waited for the completion of this survey, however, and we are now faced with the loss of a large, uniquely useful piece of land in the center of the North Lincoln popula- tion area. This forty-five acre tract on Route 2, be- tween Brooks Road and Bedford Road, together with an ad- joining twenty-acre swamp, contains the source of Elm Brook which flows north through the Park. The area offers the potentiality for water recreation development; the brook valley is an attractive hiking-riding area, and the adjacent higher ground is easily adaptable to playing
fields. In addition, we believe that although these par- ticular uses would require about half of the land, the Town would be wise to purchase the entire property. The balance would serve as a land reserve for other needs whose specific nature are not now obvious. We believe this is wise because future needs for land are virtually impossi- ble to fill once land has been developed. Accordingly we
are recommending the purchase of this parcel and an ad- jacent area of swamp land. We anticipate that in the next few years the Town will be asked to make several sim- ilar purchases of land in other parts of the Town.
3. Cluster Zoning. The Board is presenting for Town action a cluster zoning by-law. The purpose is to
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PLANNING AND PUBLIC WORKS
allow more flexible design of subdivisions within the present density standards. The Town will benefit from the reduction in length of new roads to be served, and the consolidation of open space. Approval which must be ob- tained from the Board of Appeals for each cluster zoning application permits use of the technique only when appro- priate to the land and in the interest of the Town.
4. Open Space Conservation Districts. The Valley Pond Trustees placed the Valley Pond shores and brook in the C-Open Space Conservation District pursuant to the vote of the 1963 Annual Town Meeting. For the future, developers of the Todd Pond subdivision have agreed to placing the green belt areas, including the pond, in the C District after completion of road and waterway construc- tion.
5. South Lincoln. The Town voted the necessary land purchase and rezoning to provide for connecting Lewis Street to the proposed relocation of Lincoln Road south- west of the railroad tracks, and to create additional B-2 Service Business District in that area.
6. Historic District. The Board has asked the Lincoln Historical Society to study the possibility of creating an historic district in the Lincoln Center area. The Society has obliged by appointing a committee of mem- bers for the purpose.
C. STATISTICAL SUMMARY
The following subdivisions were approved by the Board in 1963:
George Harrison, approximately 11 acres on South Great Road, into 3 lots;
Stella Giles, approximately 23 acres on South Great Road, into 6 lots;
The Lincoln Associates, approximately 93 acres on Lincoln Road, into 32 lots (Todd Pond) ;
Alvin Levin, approximately 21 acres on Old Winter Street, into 4 lots;
John E. Moore, Trustee, Emerson Realty Trust, approx- imately 3 acres of land on Sandy Pond Road, into 2 lots, a portion of these lots lying within the boundaries of the
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PLANNING BOARD
Town of Concord.
The following preliminary subdivision plan was re- ceived by the Board in 1963:
Anthony DiPerna, et als, approximately 45 acres of land on the Cambridge Turnpike, into 21 lots.
*
The Planning Board extends its appreciation to the many citizens who have given their time and energy to the study committees on the Land Use and Town Finance Survey, to the Lincoln League of Women Voters for providing a forum for discussion of town planning, and to the many citizens whose alert attention makes us aware that the Town is interested in planning and cognizant of its Plan- ning Board's performance.
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PLANNING AND PUBLIC WORKS
BOARD OF APPEALS
William N. Swift, Chairman Alan McClennen
Henry B. Hoover James Jagger
Hans Van Leer
J. Lewis Cunningham, Associate Member Betty L. Lang, Associate Member
Hearings were held on fourteen petitions to the Board during the year 1963. Set forth below is a summary of the petitions:
Petition filed by Miss Caroline Ehlert for a variance to allow her to subdivide her property on Farrar Road and establish two non-conforming building lots. Variance granted.
Petition filed by the Massachusetts Audubon Society for permission to construct a day camp building in a resi- dential area. Permission granted.
Petition filed by Norman F. Brisson for renewal of permission to store equipment in sand pit off North Great Road. Renewal granted.
Petition filed by Wes-Lex Corporation for a variance to allow a distance of less than 250 feet through building from side lot line to side lot line on Lot #14, Stonehedge. Variance granted.
Petition filed by Grace Dougherty, et al, for per- mission to establish a lot containing 41,000 square feet with house thereon on Old Winter Street. Permission granted.
Petition filed by Lincoln Associates for a variance to allow a lot size of less than 80,000 square feet on Lot 18, Todd Pond sub-division. Variance granted.
Petition filed by E. William Seeckts for a variance to allow an additional bedroom and full bath under Section 5-A-1 of the Zoning By-Laws. Petition granted.
Petition of Thomas McNulty for permission to construct a private stable and paddock on his property on Weston Road.
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BOARD OF APPEALS
Permission granted.
Petition of Charles Malone of Waltham for a permit to erect a nursing home, as provided in Section V of the Lin- coln Zoning By-Law, on his property located off Tower Road in Lincoln. Permission denied.
Petition of Raymond J. Maher for a variance to allow construction of a one-story garage within 20 feet of the easterly side lot line of his property on Old Sudbury Road. Variance granted.
Petition of Lincoln Associates for a variance to per- mit the installation and operation of an underground fuel oil system in their Todd Pond sub-division off Lincoln Road. Variance granted.
Petition of Robert Curran Associates for permission to remove excess loam from sub-division on Linway Road in Lincoln. Permission denied.
Petition of Builders' Club of Lincoln, Inc. for per- mission to use the building on Lincoln Road in South Lin- coln, formerly known as the South School, for Masonic meet- ings by the Soley Lodge, A. F. & A. M. Permission granted.
Petition of Bertram Foust for a variance to allow con- struction of an addition to his home on Juniper Ridge Road which would come within 14 feet of the right of way of said road. Variance granted.
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PLANNING AND PUBLIC WORKS
INSPECTORS OF BUILDING, WIRING AND PLUMBING
William M. Dean, Building and Wiring Inspector Daniel J. Murphy, Plumbing Inspector
Building Permits issued during 1963:
New residential buildings 22
Alterations and additions 35
Swimming pool 1
Demolish building
1
Renew permit
1
FEES COLLECTED
$839.80
Plumbing Permits issued during 1963 : 42
FEES COLLECTED $354.00
Wiring Permits issued during 1963 : 62
FEES COLLECTED $320.50
HARTWELL SCHOOL BUILDING ADDITION COMMITTEE
William N. Swift, Chairman
Gerard Henderson Helen Gilfoy
Eugene Mellish
The Hartwell School Building Addition Committee sub- mits herewith its final report.
The building has been completed and accepted by the School Committee. It is recommended that the balance in the account be returned to surplus.
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WATER COMMISSIONERS
WATER COMMISSIONERS
Stuart B. Avery Alan McClennen Russell P. Mahan, Chairman
The problem of rusty water, particularly in the South Lincoln area, has become more acute than ever before. Analysis of the Fire Underwriters' Report also indicated that some of the old water mains are probably obstructed by rust. In recent months the Water Commissioners have made an intensive investigation to try to determine the best and most economical solution to this problem. Flush- ing of the hydrants and force pumping of the mains has not made any permanent improvement, and in some instances has aggravated the problem in seemingly unrelated parts of the system.
A program of mechanically cleaning approximately 20,000 feet of mains is proposed for this Spring, and an accelerated program of replacement of the substandard 4- inch mains is planned. In the recent past the Water De- partment has in large measure only made replacements to the extent that Water Department revenue would allow, and borrowing has been held to a minimum. In the near future we must face increased borrowing if we are to have a modern and efficient water system.
Fourteen hundred feet of eight inch cement asbestos pipe and new hydrants were installed on Tower Road to re- place the old four inch cast iron main which remained on that line. This construction, which was paid for by Water Department revenue, completes an important "loop" in the system. Fire hoses that were purchased jointly by the Water Department and the Fire Department were used to provide temporary service to the residents of the area during the construction. In addition to Tower Road, ap- proximately one mile of new mains were added to the system with the connections to the Todd Pond subdivision and the water main extensions in the Demone subdivision.
The preliminary survey of the Tower Road well site has been completed. More detailed plans and a program for land acquisition and site engineering will be developed during the coming year.
During the year 1963 the Board of Water Commissioners held twenty-three meetings and attended other meetings with
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PLANNING AND PUBLIC WORKS
Selectmen and Planning Boards. The Water Commissioners also made flow and pressure tests on the system, visited construction sites, and spent considerable time in reorgan- izing and bringing up to date some of the old records on mains, gates, hydrants, etc. Mr. Gilbert, our Superin- tendent, and his helper are to be congratulated for their interest, energy, and the many late hours devoted to the operation of the Water Department.
WATER DEPARTMENT STATISTICS 1963
In use December 31, 1963
Added in 1963
Pipe
33.09 miles
1.09 miles
Hydrants
267
13
Stop Gates
315
16
Blow-offs
27
0
Services
1066
16
Meters
1062
11
Services renewed
8
Range of pressure in mains
40 - 100 P.S.I.
Total gallons pumped
in 1963
127,786,000
Increase over 1962
15,670,800
95
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
LINCOLN CONSERVATION COMMISSION
John B. French
John Quincy Adams
Paul Brooks James DeNormandie Mary Drury Robert Lemire
The year was an active one for the Conservation Com- mission in its efforts to keep abreast of - and hopefully at times ahead of - events and pressures which seek to develop the remaining open spaces in the town in ways which detract from the characteristics of the town which we believe the town has indicated it wishes to preserve. While people express these characteristics in different ways and with differing emphasis, they certainly include the preservation of the surrounding fields, streams, ponds and woods in their natural state, in order to retain the "rural" and "unhurried" aspect of the town. To accom- plish this preservation poses difficult problems of balan- cing the desire to minimize current spending with some attempt at longer range forecasting of what will be the result to the town of too frugal a present policy.
Another important consideration with which we are concerned is the preservation of swamps and low lands as water storage areas in order to protect and maintain the water table and prevent too speedy water run-off.
We have worked closely with other town boards in this effort, notably the Planning Board and Selectmen in the DiPerna land acquisition project - what is hoped will be the first of a series of acquisition of a "land reserve". We have also initiated a program of contacting persons in different sections of the town to act as local advisors in helping us keep alert to possible adverse land-use changes and to act as co-ordinators of any neighborhood projects. It is hoped to expand this program in the coming year.
We are pleased to report that in late 1963 and early 1964 approximately four acres of land bordering Sandy Pond have been most generously donated to the town by Deborah T. Brown, David T. Brown and Alan T. Brown.
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PLANNING AND PUBLIC WORKS
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
Raymond P. Maher, Superintendent
The Department finished major construction during the year on a number of the Town's roads. This involved an unusual amount of drainage on Lexington Road and on Beaver Pond Road where surface conditions during the winter and spring were badly affected by frost and a high water ta- ble. In some instances old lines had to be replaced. It
is, perhaps, difficult for people in general to realize the saving in time used for patching now, as opposed to what it was five years ago. Beyond this, a snow plow can cover a route in considerably less time when a road is in good condition. Each year the shop makes gains in the re-conditioning of the highway equipment which results in fewer break downs and more efficient operation.
The addition of a general purpose tractor with front end loader and mower would relieve seasonable pressures tremendously. At present the demands for the Michigan are such that all too frequently work has to go undone or is done inefficiently for want of a second loading unit. Such a machine has many uses beyond that of just loading (mow- ing, snow removal, grading, posthole digging), plus offer- ing a factor of safety should the Michigan break down.
CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS
James DeNormandie H. Arnold MacLean Robert A. Spence, Chairman
The grading in the new section has been completed and lots will be laid out and the record maps revised. The usual routine maintenance was performed.
The number of interments in 1963 was seventeen.
The Commissioners wish to express their appreciation for the assistance and cooperation given them by officers and employees of the Town of Lincoln.
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LANDSCAPE COMMITTEE
LANDSCAPE COMMITTEE
Albert S. Brooks
Elizabeth H. Doherty
Richard J. Eaton David L. Garrison
Mabel H. Todd Max M. Mason, Chairman
The primary concerns of the Landscape Committee during the past year have been maintaining and mulching new planting, observing effectiveness of inoculations on numerous town elms, maintenance of roadsides, and the ex- tensive trimming of trees by the Edison Company.
The committee acts as an advisory body only and has experienced some difficulty in getting its ideas carried out. Albert Brooks has been instrumental in doing this work and hopefully will be able to devote more time to it in the future.
The problem of roadsides has been of particular con- cern to the committee. Herbicides have been used in order to prevent vegetation from narrowing the traveled way as well as blocking snow removal. This practice has created unsightly browning off during the latter part of the sum- mer, but has been deemed necessary due to the cost of re- moving the vegetation by other methods. It is believed, however, once the vegetation has been brought under con- trol that more sightly methods such as mowing and hand pruning can prevent its return.
It is still too early to accurately appraise the value of inoculating a few selected town owned elms against dis- ease. The apparent arresting of disease in some trees has been noted however.
For the coming year, the Committee is particularly interested in the landscape development of Ballfield Road and the school area.
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PLANNING AND PUBLIC WORKS
LINCOLN LAND CONSERVATION TRUST
William M. Preston, Chairman
Abigail D. Avery, Secretary Bradford Cannon Donald P. Donaldson Margaret Hubbard
Constantin A. Pertzoff William N. Swift
The Lincoln Land Conservation Trust is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization, supported by membership dues and by voluntary contributions, whose principal purpose is to promote the preservation of the rural character of the Town. We work closely with the Town's Conservation Com- mission. On December 31, 1963, we owned about 37 acres of land in 7 parcels and we had 166 dues-paying members. No new land was acquired during the year.
A major recent activity of the Trust has been that of laying out and marking three trails for walking and horse- back riding. These are described in a Trail Bulletin sent out to all members last May. Additional copies of this bulletin may be obtained from the Secretary.
Financial Report for 1963
On hand, January 1, 1963 $1,984.07
Received :
Membership dues
Cash gifts
$1,630.00 325.00
1,955.00
$3,939.07
Expenditures :
Middlesex Inst. for Savings:
Mortgage interest 935.00
Deed recording fees 115.62
Printing & mailing 110.20
1,160.82
On Hand, December 31, 1963 $2,778.25
99
Schools, Library and Recreation
TRUSTEES OF THE LINCOLN PUBLIC LIBRARY
Alice G. Meriam Roland C. Mackenzie
Morley M. John
John A. Carley Leo A. Palmer
(Life Member) (Life Member) (School Committee Appointee) (Elected by the Town)
(Selectmen Appointee)
Edwin M. Cole, Chairman (Life Member)
When comment about the missing hand on the Library tower clock reached a climax in letters to the Fence Viewer, the staff and trustees enjoyed the good-natured show of interest, but they were considerably more elated about what was going on inside the building. Regular re- ports prepared by the hard-working librarians showed that after several years of uncommonly rapid rise in the use of books, the circulation was not leveling off as might be ex- pected but continuing to increase. (See the statistical summary which follows. ) The people of Lincoln take out of the Library, per capita per annum, over three times as many books as the national average. It seems fair to assume that they read them. We are gratified that the Library has been able to help satisfy such avid interest. The record collection in its first full year has also proved popular.
In other ways the Library plays a part in the life of the Town. Lovers of poetry and of Shakespeare meet there. The Historical Society has been cataloguing the local his- torical documents housed there. The League of Women Vot- ers maintains exhibits there. The DeCordova Museum loans paintings for the walls, and its own books will be listed in the Library catalog, as are those of Drumlin Farm. The Lincoln schools notify the Library of reading and reference projects - 95% of the books on last summer's school read- ing list were represented in the Library collection - and School and Library staffs have been meeting regularly to work out other ways of coordinating their programs. The Friends of the Library, through their dues of one dollar a year, made possible this year the evening with Isaac Asimov, author of many science and science fiction books. Mr. Asimov delighted everyone with his wit and knowledge in discussing Science Fact and Science Fiction. The Boy Scouts have again strung and removed the Christmas lights on the big Library evergreen. The Lincoln police have helped with raising and lowering the flag. We hope these
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SCHOOLS, LIBRARY AND RECREATION
examples will suggest still other ways in which the Library can be included in Town activities with benefit to all.
In comparing the Lincoln Library with those of neigh- boring towns, one feature stands out in addition to our extraordinary circulation of books. That is the compara- tively small size of our paid staff. The explanation, apart from the efficiency of this staff, is of course our volunteers - the envy of every librarian and trustee who hears of them. Their loyalty, their dependability, their time and skill are gifts to the Town beyond the measure of dollars and beyond adequate thanks.
Another intangible for which the staff and trustees are grateful is the warm cooperation of Town boards and officers. The Executive Officer of the Selectmen and the Town Treasurer and his Assistant in particular have been generous with their time, counsel, and specific help with problems both large and small.
All friends of the Library were saddened to learn of the passing of Mrs. Edith Farrar, devoted Librarian for twenty-seven years before her retirement in 1957. Members of her family have made a generous contribution to the Library as a memorial to her, and friends have added to this fund.
Dr. Roland Mackenzie completed his twenty-fifth year on the board of trustees. Mr. A. Bradlee Emmons retired after two very active terms, and the Selectmen appointed Mr. Leo Palmer to replace him.
Recognition from outside during the year included an invitation to participate in an exhibit at the Boston Pub- lic Library entitled "Public Libraries of Massachusetts". Mrs. Thoma was invited to participate in a panel discussion on Censorship sponsored by the Boston Chapter of the Women's National Book Association. The other panelists were Tru- man Nelson, author of Passion by the Brook, a history of Brook Farm, and Professor Kenneth Shaffer, Director of the School of Library Science at Simmons College. Simmons Col - lege includes the Lincoln Library on its list of those recommended to students of Library Science for visitation. And our Librarian and Children's Librarian have been sought after as speakers and to serve on committees in the region.
In the five years since the new wing of the building opened for use, circulation of adult books has doubled, and of children's books, nearly doubled. The program of
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LIBRARY
renovating and finishing available space to house the growing collection of books, periodicals and records has continued year by year. In perhaps two years a major step may be necessary to finish off the large unused room under the Children's Reading Room.
We remind all citizens that available on request at the Library are copies of The Statement of Policy of the Lincoln Public Library which explains the objectives and purposes of the Library, its' criteria for selection of books, its' stand on censorship and other problems and procedures of the Library.
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SCHOOLS, LIBRARY AND RECREATION
STAFF OF THE LINCOLN PUBLIC LIBRARY
Librarian:
Assistant Librarian :
Children's Librarian:
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