USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Andover > Town annual report of Andover 1955-1959 > Part 8
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Petition of Roy R. Farr, decided on May 23, for a variance to permit a subdivision of land on the south side of Gould Road. Denied
Petition of Emile Sigouin and Lucinda Sigouin, decided on May 31, for permission to maintain a sanitarium at 10 Argilla Road. Granted
Petition of James Bateson, Jr. and Mary K. Bateson, de- cided on June 9, for permission to remove for sale sand and gravel from land on the southwest side of Cutler Road and along Old County Road. Granted
Petition of Arthur G. Chamberlain, decided on June 9, for permission to remove for sale sand and gravel from land on the southeast side of River Road. Granted
Petition of Chester D. Abbott, decided on June 20, for per- mission to remove for sale sand and gravel from land east of the Boston & Maine railroad tracks and east of Andover Street. Granted
Petition of Joseph E. O'Brien and Mina M. O'Brien, de- cided on June 20, for permission to convert a one-family house at 25 High Street into a two-apartment house. Granted
Petition of Karl C. Killorin, decided on June 20, for an amendment to the decision of April 28, 1955, granting per- mission to Albert E. Schlott and Annie Schlott to move a double house to 150 Main Street. Granted
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Petition of Alexander H. Henderson, decided on June 24, for permission to remove for sale excess materials consisting of sand and gravel from land north of Central Street. Granted
Petition of Fred Doyle, decided on June 24, for permission to remove for sale sand and gravel from land on the west side of Reservation Road. Granted
Petition of Charles H. Dufton, decided on July 1, for a variance to permit a subdivision of land on the east side of Dufton Road Extension. Granted
Petition of Hervey W. Croteau, and Wilfred Croteau, de- cided on July 1, for permission to remove for sale sand and gravel from land on the west side of Beacon Street. Granted
Petition of Frank G. McCarthy, decided on July 1, for per- mission to remove for sale sand and gravel from land south of the intersection of Rattlesnake Hill Road and Old County Road near Foster's Pond. Granted
Petition of John L. Cyr, decided on July 8, for permission to remove for sale sand, gravel and loam from land south of the intersection of Rattlesnake Hill Road and Old County Road near Foster's Pond. Granted in part
An appeal was taken to the Superior Court which up- held the decision of the Board with one minor change.
Petition of John L. Cyr, decided on July 8, for permission to remove for sale sand, gravel and loam from land on the west side of Woburn Street near the Andover-Wilmington town line. Denied
An appeal was taken to the Superior Court which up- held the decision of the Board.
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Petition of John L. Cyr, decided on July 8, for permission to remove for sale sand, gravel and loam from property on the east side of Beacon Street next to the Lawrence-Andover town line.
Granted in part
Petition of James E. O'Donnell, Jr., decided on July 8, for permission to remove for sale sand and gravel from land on the north side of Andover Street, the western boundary of which is along the Shawsheen River. Denied
Petition of Johann Todt, decided on July 8, for permission to erect and operate a roadside stand on property on the east side of South Main Street. Granted
Petition of James Bateson, Jr., decided on July 11, for a permit to remove for sale sand and gravel from land off Railroad Avenue. Granted
Petition of Frederick A. Higgins, decided on July 11, for a permit to remove for sale sand and gravel from land on the east side of Greenwood Road and on the south side of High Plain Road. Denied
Petition of Sidney P. White, decided on July 11, for a permit to remove for sale sand and gravel from land on the east side of Blood Road. Denied
Petition of Herbert H. Andersen, decided on July 11, for a permit to remove for sale sand and gravel from land on the southwest side of Gleason Street. Granted
Petition of the Andover Country Club, decided on July 11, for a permit to remove for sale sand and gravel from land between the end of Canterbury Street and Beacon Street. Granted
Petition of Dan Barberian and William F. Collins, decided on July 11, for a permit to remove for sale sand and gravel from land north of Andover Street. Denied
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An appeal was taken to the Superior Court which up- held the decision of the Board.
Petition of John F. Foster and William P. Foster, decided on July 11, for a permit to remove for sale sand and gravel from land south and in the rear of 96 Central Street. Granted
Petition of George R. Cairns and Loretta R. Cairns, de- cided on July 18, for a permit to remove for sale excess ma- terials consisting of sand and gravel from land being de- veloped for residential purposes west of the end of Cornell Avenue and Shawsheen Heights. Granted
Petition of Theodore Grasso and Arthur R. LaChance, decided on July 18, for a permit to remove for sale excess materials consisting of sand and gravel from land being developed for residential purposes east of the junction of Lowell and Lincoln Streets. Granted
Petition of Mitchell Johnson and Margaret W. Johnson, decided on July 29, for permission to build a bay window on the north side of the dwelling house on property at 59 Cen- tral Street. Granted
Petition of Quannapowitt Council, Inc., Boy Scouts of America, decided on July 29, for a variance to permit a trailer to be located on property on the west side of Woburn Street, known as Camp Sargent. Denied
Petition of John W. Gaudet and Irene M. Gaudet, decided on July 29, for permission to conduct a day nursery on the southeast corner of Rattlesnake Hill Road and Old County Road. Granted
Petition of Clarence H. Lane and Gertrude E. MacConnell, decided on August 4, for a permit to remove for sale sand and gravel from land on the east side of Blood Road near the corner of Dascomb Road. Denied
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Petition of Gladys V. Gibbons, decided on August 10, for a variance to permit a subdivision of land between Shaw- sheen Road and Lincoln Street. Granted
Petition of Herbert H. Krauss and Mildred M. Krauss, decided on August 12, for permission to build a two-stall garage for trucks in the rear of 261 Beacon Street. Granted
Petition of the Board of Public Works, decided on August 12, for a permit to remove sand from land on the west side of Haggett's Pond. Granted
Petition of Philip F. Wormwood, decided on August 16, for a permit to remove for sale sand and gravel from land on the northerly side of Lowell Junction Road at the old railroad embankment so-called. Granted
Petition of William V. Heard, decided on August 16, for permission to build a residence nearer than 15 feet to the side lot line on the south side of Brookfield Road. Granted
Petition of Arthur T. Sevigny and Phoebe F. Sevigny, decided on August 22, for a variance to permit the operation of an existing poultry plant for custom dressing at 245 Bea- con Street. Granted
Petition of Earl R. Brown, Jr., decided on October 10, for a variance to permit a subdivision of property in the rear of residences on the north side of Andover Street. Granted
Petition of Hovsep Vartabedian and Bayzar Vartabedian decided on October 28, for a permit to remove for sale sand and gravel from land on the south side of Bellevue Road near Haggetts Pond Road. Granted in part
Petition of Harold C. Clossey and Mary A. Clossey, de- cided on November 9, for a variance to permit the use as a separate lot of a tract of land resulting from a re-subdivi- sion of land at 221 Highland Road. Granted
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Petition of Jonas Leathers, decided on November 9, for a variance to permit a subdivision of property on the east side of Old County Road. Granted
Petition of George R. Cairns and Loretta R. Cairns, de- cided on November 14, requesting an amendment of the de- cision of July 18, 1955, granting a permit to remove for sale sand and gravel from land west of Cornell Avenue and Shawsheen Heights. Granted
Petition of Sarkis Krikorian, decided on November 16, for a permit to remove for sale sand and gravel from pro- perty on the southwest side of Gleason Street. Granted
Petition of J. P. Stevens and Company, Inc., decided on November 21, for permission to subdivide property at the southwesterly intersection of Stevens and North Main Streets and along Railroad Street. Granted
Petition of C. Lincoln Giles and E. Janice Giles, decided on December 5, for a permit to convert a dwelling house at 392 Andover Street into a seven-apartment house. Granted
Petition of C. Lincoln Giles and E. Janice Giles, decided on December 12, for an amendment to the decision of April 2, 1953, granting a permit to Fred E. Cheever for an apart- ment house on Hidden Road. Granted
Petition of Arthur G. Chamberlain, decided on December 12, for an amendment to the decision of June 9, 1955, grant- ing a permit to remove for sale sand and gravel from land on the southeast side of River Road. Granted
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES S. EASTHAM, Chairman HUGH BULLOCK, Secretary EDWARD P. HALL
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Planning Board Report
For the first time, the Planning Board has been operating with an adequate budget. With the appropriation voted in March, 1955, the Board has equipped its office with type- writer, office furniture and files. Mrs. Helen Richards was engaged on September 12th as Office Secretary. The Plan- ning Board office has been open to the public every morning from 9:00 A. M until 12:00 Noon since that date.
Mrs Richards has established a filing system for all maps and forms in the custody of the Planning Board, as well as for correspondence, minutes, reports and all other data.
During the year 1955, the Planning Board has considered a total of 17 proposed subdivisions. Preliminary plans have shown a total of 375 house lots for all subdivisions con- sidered.
Definitive plans for these subdivisions or portions there- of have been received by the Planning Board in 9 cases, for a total of 112 house lots.
The Planning Board has approved 7 of the 9 definitive plans submitted to it, after public hearing duly advertised and with appropriate changes where required. The total number of house lots finally approved in subdivisions is 87. By precinct as follows :
Precinct 1.
16
"
2.
--
"
3.
30
"
4. 15
5.
--
6. 26
Total
87
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Of the two definitive plans disapproved, one was rejected for insufficient frontages and areas and one for reasons of health and safety (sewer lines already used to capacity, inadequate water pressure, acute drainage problems).
Developers of all subdivisions approved this year have had to post bond for utilities, or agree to restrictions upon sale of lots pending completion of utilities to the satisfaction of the Board, as provided in the Subdivision Control law.
No subdivision plans in the C zone (1 acre lots) came be- fore the Board in 1955.
The Planning Board has signed 72 plans "believed not to require the aproval of the Planning Board", i.e. plans of lots on accepted streets or changes in existing lots. The total number of new lots involved is 158. By precincts as follows :
Precinct 1. 3
2. 18
"
3.
--
"
4.
54
5. 21
6. 62
Total
158
Thus, the total number of new lots approved for building purposes by the Planning Board in 1955 is 245, including subdivisions and lots on accepted streets.
Preliminary plans have been received or considered by the Board as follows:
William D'Annolfo
So. Main St. (Rocky Hill Road) 18
Robert Leathers
So. Main Street
(Alderbrook Estates) 46
Carl Stevens
Lowell Street (High Plain Road) 46
J. Phillips Enterprises
Westwind Road 17
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Joseph Cussell
Lincoln Circle 22
Realty Const. Co.
Elm Street
(Westwind Road) 66
C. D. & A. S. Shaw
Gould Road
(Vine Street) 40
Lincoln Giles
Central Street 8
At the end of 1955, action was still pending on these pro- . posed subdivisions.
The Planning Board in 1955 has held a total of eleven formal public hearings, 9 on subdivisions and 2 on zoning changes. In addition to these formal hearings, the Board has sponsored or participated in numerous other public hearings and meetings and joint meetings with other Town Boards.
The Planning Board has aided the School Committee by supplying information and recommendations relative to school site selection and probable future population · increases.
The Selectmen, the Board of Public Works and the Plan- ning Board jointly sponsored a public hearing on the pro- posed interchanges, overpasses and dead-ends along re- · located Route 28. The Planning Board has kept closely in touch with the major highway proposals which will shortly have such a profound effect on the development of Andover, and has endeavored to prepare the Town by means of zoning to handle this inevitable development with as little disloca- tion of the Town's economy, standard of services and beauty as possible.
At the suggestion of the Planning Board the Selectmen decided to appoint an Industrial Committee of five to aid the Planning Board in industrial zoning and to endeavor to encourage desirable industrial development in Andover with a view to balancing the community and providing a broader tax base. The work of this committee resulted in Articles 70 and 71 in the warrant asking the Town to re-zone two large areas for industrial use, together with the restrictions ne- cessary to insure desirable industry. These proposals were
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worked out jointly by the Industrial Committee, the Plan- ning Board and its consultants. The Planning Board joined the Industrial Committee in holding informal public hear- ings on the subject, and conducted the formal public hear- ing, as required by law.
Since 1954, the responsibilities of the Board of Health, the Board of Public Works and the Planning Board regard- ing new building and particularly subdivisions, have become more closely integrated. Percolation tests are now required by the Board of Health for all new homes, the Board of Health reports to the Planning Board as a matter of routine on sanitation conditions for every new subdivision. Surface drainage provisions, street lay-outs and surfacing, sewerage and water lines required by the Planning Board in new sub- divisions are all subject to Board of Public Works review and approval. When conditions require, the Board of Public Works, the Selectmen and the Planning Board frequently consult together on problems relating to Town services and utilities.
The Planning Board has attempted to institute this year a Capital Expenditures program for the Town of Andover. Results of their study will probably be available to the voters in advance of the March, 1956 Annual Town Meeting. The Finance Committee and the Selectmen have each met with the Planning Board to consider this project.
Two meetings in Lawrence of the Planning Boards of Greater Lawrence have led to the proposal to join in estab- lishing a regional planning group in line with state enabling legislation passed in 1955. This proposal will appear as a special article in the warrant for the March, 1956 Annual Town Meeting.
The Planning Board engaged the services of Mr. Clinton Goodwin, Civil Engineer and Mr. Nord W. Davis, Planning Consultant, in May, 1955. In addition to base map prepara- tion for the Town of Andover and aid and advice in major highway relocation problems, industrial zoning and various residential zoning changes requested by the Board, the team
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of consultants has embarked upon a Master or Development Plan of Andover. Their report to the Town is as follows:
"MASTER PLAN : The following maps have been prepared :
1) New base map of the entire town at the scale of 800' to the inch.
2) Four new maps of entire town at scale of 400' to the inch showing present land use.
3) Four maps of Town at scale of 400' to the inch, showing the extent of sewer and water system and building permits from 1947-55.
4) Map showing possibilities for off street and on street parking.
On maps as set forth above, the information indicated and shown was collected by actual inspection, on the ground and from existing records.
MAJOR HIGHWAYS: In connection with the collection of information on the street system, considerable time was spent in conferences with Town Officials and State officials relative to new major highways under consideration, name- ly Route 28 and Route 110. The two routes have been placed on the Town Base Map in their approximate locations for further use in planning and zoning studies.
SCHOOL LOCATION SURVEYS : Studies and a report have been made to your Board and to the School Committee co- vering a section of the easterly portion of the Town, Shaw- sheen Village and a portion of Ballardvale, including at- tendance at a joint meeting of the Planning Board and the School Committee. The studies included a population count in a portion of the Town and projection of School population. ZONING: At the request of the Planning Board, we have attended at least two meetings each month with reference to Zoning problems. These conferences include meetings with the Andover Industrial Commission with reference to
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proposed Industrial districts and attendance at hearings on such districts. A map showing proposed new Industrial Zones was made for use at these hearings.
Proposed changes to Residential Districts in various parts of the Town have been studied with the Planning Board and placed on Maps for use in hearings held by the Board.
All hearings on proposed Residential Zone changes have been attended by one of the Consultants.
The consultants have furnished reports and recommenda- tions for subdivision control and industrial zoning regula- tions. Descriptions for new residential zones have been fur- nished from time to time as required.
NEW ZONING MAP : A new zoning map of the Town has been made for use in Town Meeting of March 1956 to indicate the proposed changes under consideration.
Work is now being done for the Planning Board to fur- nish them with the following information :
a) Recommendations of off street and on street park- ing locations.
b) Map showing vacant available land, with areas best suited for various purposes.
c) Map showing areas best suited for definite purpos- es and a report as to their importance in the de- velopment of the Town of Andover.
In all its work the Planning Board has had able engineer- ing and assistance from Mr. Warren Petersen and Mr. Ralph Preble.
The Planning Board wishes particularly to thank Mrs. Chester Jenkins who served as clerk to the Board up until September, 1955 and whose skill and experience were in- valuable.
Mr. Kirk Batcheller was Chairman of the Board until August, resigning at that time after 9 years of devoted
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service to the Town of Andover as member and then chair- man of the Planning Board. Mr. Donald Thompson was ap- pointed by the Selectmen to fill the vacancy.
Mr. Eugene Bernardin, Jr., after serving as Secretary to the Board for the first half of the year, was elected its Chairman in August.
The Planning Board strongly recommends that the Town establish a regular procedure for future site acquisition with funds appropriated for the purpose. This is particularly im- portant in the case of school sites. The Town should be in a position to acquire the location recommended by the Plan- ning Board to the School Committee as the best possible site for a school in the Northeast section of Town.
Respectfully submitted,
EUGENE A. BERNARDIN, JR., Chairman
VIRGINIA H. HAMMOND, Secretary ROBERT F. MACMACKIN LEE E. NOYES DONALD G. THOMPSON
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Report of Recreation Committee
PLAYGROUNDS
As in past years, the Recreation Committee supervised and maintained six playgrounds - at Central, Ballardvale, Shawsheen, Indian Ridge, West Center, and North District. The usual program of inter-playground contests was con- ducted, including games, sports, arts and crafts, ping-pong and checker tournaments, the Twilight Baseball League and Junior Baseball. Due to precaution during the polio epide- mic, the Annual Picnic at Canobie Lake was cancelled and in lieu of it a Field Day for all children in town was held on the Ballardvale Playground which proved to be very successful and enjoyable. The playground attendance was much larger than in past years due to the obvious increase in youngsters and our limited facilities and personnel were taxed to the limit. The season was one without mishap. As our town grows, we are of the opinion our playgrounds should be revised with special attention to adult and family recreation centered around the new school areas. We do believe we should maintain the play area at North District and develop it further. This is one problem to which we have given considerable thought and we would like to meet with any groups of interested citizens to discuss our plans.
POMPS POND
This recreation spot is becoming one of the most appre- ciated in town. On two Sundays last summer, over 2,000 people enjoyed the facilities of the beach. The traffic has been so heavy and the number of people so great that a po- lice officer must be hired on week-ends to supervise parking and keep general order. The beach is so crowded at times that our committee plans to open a new section of about 125 feet this year. This will necessitate moving the guard house, grading, and a lot of fill, and we hope to in-
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stall new piers adding one or two each year. It is most gra- tifying to our committee that the benefits derived, other than just enjoying the water and sunshine, are far beyond the intrinsic value of the money spent, as every year more and more youngsters learn the art of swimming, life sav- ing, and water safety.
The percentage of money expended for bus service is too large a part of our budget. Bus service covers daily trips to Shawsheen Center, Andover Square, and Ballardvale Cen- ter, and is maintained throughout the day transporting chidren back and forth from Pomps Pond. We have reached the point where one bus in insufficient for this service. The beach is closed until noon each day to all except those en- rolled in swimming classes. From noon until early evening the beach is open to everybody. We are considering the idea of transporting youngsters only to the classes in the morn- ing and terminating afternoon service. We have not reached a decision on this point, but we do know that our budget will not allow us to transport all children who desire it, es- pecially in the afternoon.
When our committee recommended the purchase of the Pomps Pond area, we had in mind the great recreational pos- sibilities of this piece of land. This beautiful wooded section is ideal for recreational activities of every nature and we are gradually planning a soft ball diamond, fireplaces for family cookouts, benches and tables for family picnics, etc. Recreation is at its best when the parents and children share it together. Pomps Pond and surrounding land is owned by the town and we hope to continue to develop it. The new beach extension and new piers will be the start in this direction this year. Our committee would like to dis- cuss other areas such as the Basso property with any in- terested individual citizens or groups.
WINTER ACTIVITIES
Skating is maintained at Ballardvale and excellent results have been accomplished this year due to the application of
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white traffic paint over the entire hot top area. After years of mediocre success in maintaining ice on a black area, our efforts in painting the surface white have been so encourag- ing that we plan to do the same thing with the area at Cen- tral. Money has already been appropriated for this project by previous town meetings.
EASTER AND HALLOWEEN
The Annual Easter Egg Hunt was held on Easter Satur- day and the usual large scramble for 18,000 pieces of candy was enjoyed by many youngsters and witnessed by their parents.
Halloween parties were held at Central, Ballardvale, West Center, and North District. The Police Department reports not one case of vandalism and the objective of these parties has been reached in preventing destruction of property as in former years. The children are rapidly learning that this night is for fun and frolic under supervision. To the P. T. A. members, the school teachers and the many volunteer work- ers we owe our sincere thanks for their generous cooperation in assisting at these parties. Our budget allocates $300.00 for Halloween, and several civic, school, patriotic and vete- ran organizations give contributions to help defray expenses over our appropriation, such as cash prizes for best cos- tumes, penny fish bowls, etc. Without this financial assis- tance, our program could not be as elaborate as it has been. For this, our deep appreciation goes forth to the Andover Boosters Club, Andover Police Department, Andover Teach- ers Association, Andover Youth Center, A&P Store, Post #2128 VFW and the Post Auxiliary, Post #8 American Legion, Post #427 American Legion, All Women's Post, and the Balardvale Community Committee. The cooperation of the Board of Selectmen, the Police and Fire Departments, the Board of Public Works, and the individual efforts of members of other town departments have been most en- couraging and deeply appreciated. Our grateful thanks also are extended to our Playground Supervisor and his excellent staff and to our Head Life Guard and his efficient co- workers.
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