USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1936-1940 > Part 10
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Article 28. To see if the town will appropriate a sum of money or act anything thereon to put in a catch basin or suitable drain to take care of the water flowing down off the hill from the Curley place opposite the residence of E. S. Cooper on Arlington Street, in West Acton.
Article 29. To see if the town will vote to raise and appro- priate a sum of money sufficient to provide proper police protec- tion at Quimby Square, South Acton, after the noon and after- noon dismissals of the South Acton Elementary School.
Article 30. To see what money the town will appropriate for necessary repair of school buildings.
Article 31. To see if the town will appropriate a sum of money to purchase one or more trucks for the Street Department, or act anything thereon.
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Article 32. To see if the town will appropriate a sum of money for the repair of Nagog Hill Road, or act anything there- on.
Article 33. To see if the town will vote to expend a sum not to exceed $100.00 for the purpose of having appraised the town buildings and their contents, submitting same to the Massachu- setts Rating and Inspection Bureau so that a blanket insurance rate may be established or act anything thereon.
Article 34. To see if the town will vote to accept the gift of the Jones Community Field at South Acton as an athletic field and maintain same or act anything thereon.
Article 35. To see if the town will appropriate $300.00 or any other sum, to provide for the transportation and circulation of books of the Memorial Library, for South and West Acton to be expended under the direction of the library trustees.
Article 36. To see if the town will vote to adopt the following Proposed Zoning Laws or act anything thereon :
PROPOSED ZONING BY-LAWS
of the Town of Acton
PREAMBLE
The purposes of this by-law are to promote the health, safety, convenience and welfare, and to regulate the use of land and buildings for trade, industry, residence or other purposes
ARTICLE I
SECTION 1 .- ESTABLISHMENT OF DISTRICTS,
To carry out the purposes as set forth in the preamble to this by-law, the use of land, and buildings in the town of Acton are hereby restricted and reg- ulated as hereinafter provided.
SECTION 2 .- DISTRICTS.
The Town of Acton is hereby divided into four classes of districts to be known as follows:
1. Single residence districts;
2. General residence districts;
3. Business districts;
4. Industrial districts:
as shown on a map which accompanies this by-law, entitled "Zoning Map of the Town of Acton," on file in the office of the town clerk, which map with all the boundary lines and designations thereon, is hereby made a part of this by-law.
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In such districts new buildings or structures, and alterations, enlargements or extensions of existing buildings or structures, may be designed, arranged and/or constructed, and land, buildings or structure, or parts thereof, may be used as specified for each type of district in Sections 3, 4, 5 and 6. No other uses shall be permitted in such districts.
SECTION 3-SINGLE RESIDENCE DISTRICTS.
In a single residence district ---
(a) Use: Except as otherwise provided herein no building or premises shall be erected. altered or used except for one or more of the following uses.
1. Single-family detached dwelling, and farm buildings:
2. Church
3. Educational use
4. Farm, garden, or nursery, including the sale of farm products grown in the town and the major portion of which are grown on the premises, but excluding any use injurious, noxious, or offensive to the neighbor- hood;
5. Any existing large single residence which has become uneconomical to maintain as such, may be changed to a two family residence;
6. Accessory use customarily incident to any of the above uses.
(a) Side Yards: There shall be on each side of every building except a building of accessory use a side yard having a minimum width of ten feet.
(b) Front Yards: There shall be in front of every building a front yard having a minimum depth of 30 feet, provided that the building does not pro- ject beyond the average front line of adjacent buildings, when, it shall be on the average line.
SECTION 4 .- GENERAL RESIDENCE DISTRICTS.
In a general residence district ---
(a) Use: Except as otherwise provided herein no building or premises shall be erected, altered, or used except for one or more of the following uses:
1. All uses as in Single Residence District;
2. Detached or pair of semi-detached dwellings for not more than four fam- ilies in all;
3. Church;
4. Telephone exchange, provided that there is no service yard;
5. Accessory use customarily incident to any of the above uses. The term "accessory use" in this and the previous section shall not include any use injurious, noxious, or offensive to the neighborhood.
(b) Side Yards: There shall be on each side of every building or pair of semi-detached buildings except a building of accessory use a side yard having a minimum width of eight feet.
SECTION 5 .- BUSINESS DISTRICTS.
In a business district-
(a) Use: Except as otherwise provided herein no building or premises shall be erected, altered, or used for any use prohibited in an industrial dis- trict; for any use injurious, noxious, or offensive to a neighborhood by reason
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of the emission of odor, fumes, dust, smoke, vibration or noise, or other cause, or for any use except one or more of the following:
1. Any use permitted in a general residence district:
2. Dwelling, including apartment house or tenement house and hotel;
3. Bank or office;
4. Place of amusement or assembly;
5. Public building;
6. Any other retail business or service not involving manufacture on the premises except of products the major portion of which are to be sold at retail by the manufacturer to the consumer; and provided further that not more than five operatives shall be employed in such manu- facture.
(b) Side Yards: Where a side yard for a dwelling is provided it shall have a minimum width of eight feet.
(c) Unless otherwise shown on zoning map, business zone shall extend fifty feet on each side and one hundred feet to the rear of existing build- ings at the time of adoption of these laws.
SECTION 6 .- INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS.
In an industrial district-
(a) Use: Except as otherwise provided herein no building or premises shall be erected, altered or used except for one or more of the building uses;
1. Any use or purpose which is hereby authorizd or designated in the Gen- eral Residence Districts or Business Districts unless prohibited by law.
2. Any industrial trade, manufacturing for commercial or other purpose provided that the Board of Appeals rules that it would not be obnoxious, offensive or injurious to the neighborhood by vibration, smoke, gas, fumes, odors, dust or other objectionable features or of danger to the neighborhood through fire, explosion or any other cause.
SECTION 7 .- NON-CONFORMING USES.
(a) Any lawful building or use of a building or premises or part thereof existing at the time of the adoption of this by-law or any amendment thereto may be continued, although such building or use does not conform to the above provisions hereof. Such use may be changed or if in a part of a build- ing or premises designed or intended for such use may be extended throughout such building or premises, provided in each case no structural alterations are hereafter made therein, except those required by law, by-law, or regula- tion, and provided that the Board of Appeals shall rule that such changed or extended use is not substantially more detrimental or injurious to the neighborhood.
SECTION 8 .- OVER-NIGHT CAMPS.
(a) Over-night camps, and tent or trailer camps, so-called, may be estab- ished in any district; provided a permit therefor is granted by the Board of Appeal, but no permit shall be granted for over-night, tent or trailer camps if the same are to be located within four hundred feet of any dwelling house. All regulations of the same shall be under the control of the Board of Health.
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SECTION 9 .- CONTINUATION OF CONCORD BY-PASS.
(a) The proposed State Road and continuation of the Concord By-Pass known as the Cambridge Turnpike shall be zoned according to the present requirements for single resident districts, and there shall be additional re- quirements as provided in the following regulations:
1. No building or structure shall be erected within fifty feet of the nearer line of the taking for said Turnpike, and the minimum frontage of a lot upon said Turnpike shall be 100 feet.
2. That the Board of Appeal may in cases where lots in single or joint ownership of record at the time these by-laws are adopted are unable to comply with any of the requirements of these by-laws, make special exceptions to the terms of these by-laws in harmony to their general purposes and intent and in accordance with the general rules therein contained.
SECTION 10 .- BILL BOARDS AND SIGN BOARDS.
In the residential zones no advertising sign or bill board shall be erected on the property along the town highways except those advertising a man's busi- ness, or profession, real estate sign or sale of farm products, and then the sign shall be no larger than two feet by six feet or six square feet in area. .
SECTION 11 .- BOARD OF APPEAL.
(a) When this by-law becomes effective the Board of Selectmen shall appoint a Board of Appeal to consist of three members, the first appoint- ments to be for terms of one, two and three years, and thereafter for three years.
SECTION 12 .- ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES.
(a) If the Board of Appeal shall be informed or have reason to believe that any provision of this by-law is being or is about to be violated, it shall make an investigation and if it finds any violation it shall give immediate notice in writing to the owner or his duly authorized agent and to the occupant of the premises. If after such notice said violation continues the Board of Appeal shall forthwith revoke any permit issued in connection with the premises and shall enter complaint before the Fourth District Court of Eastern Mid- dlesex or any other manner provided by law.
SECTION 13 .- AMENDMENTS.
The Board of Appeal, or the Board of Selectmen upon its own initiative upon petition of ten citizens, shall hold public hearings, public notices of which shall be given for the consideration of any amendments to the zoning map or these by-laws, and report to a Town Meeting its recommendations as to what action shall be taken.
And you are directed to serve this Warrant by posting attested copies thereof seven days at least before the time of said meeting as directed by vote of the town.
Hereof fail not and make due return of this warrant with your
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doings thereon to the town clerk at or before the time of meeting as aforesaid.
Given under our hands at Acton this twenty-sixth day of Jan- uary, 1938.
A true copy. Attest :
RALPH W. PIPER, JAMES E. KINSLEY, RAYMOND F. DURKEE, Selectmen of Acton.
MICHAEL FOLEY,
Constable of Acton
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Report of Finance Committee
Your committee on Finance respectfully submits the follow- ing recommendations for the ensuing year.
Roads, General maintenance $12,000.00
Schools
47,000.00
Street Lighting
3,500.00
Memorial Library, books
200.00
Memorial Library, current expenses
1,000.00
Memorial Library, books
200.00
Hydrant Service
3,128.00
General Government
6,000.00
Buildings and Grounds
1,500.00
Cemeteries
1,300.00
Military Aid
200.00
State Aid
800.00
Soldier Relief
1,500.00
Police Department
2,500.00
Board of Health
1,500.00
Public Welfare
6,000.00
Aid to Dependent Children' 1,800.00
Old Age Assistance
14,000.00
Snow removal, estimate
3,500.00
Care of Shade trees. Article 19
700.00
Unclassified 400.00
Bonds, High School and Fire truck .
5,500.00
Interest on Bonds
760.00
Interest on Revenue Loans
300.00
Memorial Day 275.00
Fire Department
2,800.00
Forest Fires
500.00
Gypsy Moth Work. Article 18
1,200.00
Liability Insurance
1,000.00
Treasurer's, Collector's and Town Clerk's Bonds 236.00
Public Health Nurse, salary. Arti- cle 11 2,000.00
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Public Health Nurse, expenses. Ar- ticle 11 200.00
County Hospital, maintenance. Ar- ticle 22 1,011.55
County Hospital, alterations, con- struction 1,543.30
Fire Department, new hose. Article 23 550.00 Expenses of Dog Officer. Article 16 200.00
Total
$126,603.85
Article 1. Recommend a salary of 1,000.00 for Collector of Taxes, allowing additional charge for postage incurred in the collection of taxes.
Article 4. Recommend the transfer from machinery fund the sum of $300.00 to the machinery account
Article 13. Recommend no action.
Article 15. Recommend the appropriation of $4,000.00 for this work.
Article 17. Recommend passing over this article.
Article 19 Recommend the increase in appropriation of $200.00 to be used for setting out new trees.
Article 20. Recommend no action.
Article 21. Recommend the appropriation of $100.00.
Article 24 and 25. Recommend the expense of repairing Ac- ton Centre and South Acton Fire houses be taken from Build- ings and Grounds account.
Article 26. Recommend the Town consider an expense ac- count for the Selectmen in addition to their present salary, rather than raising their salaries this year.
Article 28. Recommend no action.
Article 29. Recommend no action.
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Article 30. Recommend appropriating the sum of $3,000.00 for repairs on School buildings.
Article 31. Recommend appropriating the sum of $1,000.00 for the purchase of a new truck for Town.
Article 32. Recommend no action.
Recommend appropriating the sum of $2,000.00 Overlay Surplus account for the Reserve Fund. Recommend appropriating the sum of $1,300.00 for Cemeteries, $800.00 to be raised and $500.00 transferred from Cemetery Land Fund.
Precinct 1. Murray Brown, Alden C. Flagg.
Precinct 2. Howard J. Billings, William T. Merriam. Precinct 3. Webster S. Blanchard, Alfred W. Davis.
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Selectmen's Report
We submit, herewith, the reports of the various departments of the Town for the year ending December 31, 1937, also, all of the actions under the different articles voted at the last annual Town Meeting and the Special Town Meetings.
During the year of 1936, it was impossible to complete all of the reconstruction work on flood damaged streets and bridges and still keep within the Annual Town Meeting Appropriations. The work started on the River Street bridge, under a Federal Flood Project in the fall of 1936, was finished in 1937. The Town's share was to be approximately 1/24 of the cost.
High Street, just north of the so-called Powder Mill Bridge, was also badly damaged by the flood. The State and County were asked to assist in defraying the expenses of this work. The engineering department of the County felt that a relocation and widening of the street at this point was much needed. The land necessary for this purpose was the property of the Powder Company. The officials were consulted and they agreed to give the land and the material necessary to make the fill. At this time, we wish to thank the officials of the Powder Company for the very fine gift and their excellent spirit of co-operation.
A ten foot arch was placed in the canal beneath the fill to take care of the surplus water. The work is completed except for a surface coat of gravel and oil which will not require a special appropriation.
The reconstruction of Main Street was started at the Car- lisle line and about 1200 feet were completed, requiring a heavy fill to bring it above water level in times of high water. We recommend the continuance of this construction on Main Street and specific widenings on School Street, South Acton.
Traffic Rules and Orders were enacted by this board to regu- late the traffic upon the streets and highways of the Town. In order to have them legal and standardized, it was necessary to have them passed and approved by the Department of Public Works. By the passing of these ordinances, the members of
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the Police Department have the power and proper authority to enforce said regulations, thus making the streets and highways safer for travel.
The street lighting has been improved by the addition of 18 lights in various parts of the Town. Also an over-night light has been installed in each village, which helps in many ways. A new metal pole has been placed on the water fountain in Ac- ton Center, carrying a modern light, a great improvement over the wooden pole.
We find the Town at the close of the year in very good finan- cial standing, and we wish to thank the different officers and committees of the Town for doing their part in keeping within their appropriations in carrying out their work in the different departments of the Town.
RALPH W. PIPER, JAMES E. KINSLEY, RAYMOND F. DURKEE, Selectmen of Acton.
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Report of Zoning Committee
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen :
We the zoning committee submit the proposed zoning by-laws for the Town of Acton as printed in the town warrant.
While formulating the zoning by-laws the zoning committee considered the following facts.
1. The necessity of regulating the use of land along the pro- posed new highway through the town.
2. To protect the real estate investments of the citizens it is necessary to zone the town into residential, business and industrial districts.
3. To show different zones it became necessary to have a zoning map of the town.
Your committee has simplified the proposed by-laws as much as possible to give the desired results.
EVERETT N. MONTAGUE, FRANK A. MERRIAM, PORTER JENKS, HENRY E. TOLMAN, CHARLES E. DAVIS, ROBERT N. BOWEN,
Zoning Committee
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Welfare Department Report
During the year $3,986.70 was expended in aiding thirty-nine families representing one hundred and six persons. Of this amount, the Town of Acton has been reimbursed approximately $2,000 for cases having settlements in other cities and towns, etc. Seven families representing nineteen persons having Acton settlements were aided in other cities and towns. This makes a total of forty-six families representing one hundred and twen- ty-five persons that were aided during the year.
Due to the improved conditions of the past year, our Welfare costs have been the lowest we have had for some time. Up to the latter part of 1937, in planning our Welfare appropriation for 1938, we had hoped that we again could make a substantial reduction. However, a so-called business recession set in and our Welfare load increased tremendously during December, 1937 and January, 1938. Due to this and because of conditions over which we have no control this Board does not believe it advis- able to make any drastic reductions in the Welfare appropriation for 1938.
At the time the Board of Public Welfare was created in Acton, the work of the department, although considerable, was such that it could be readily handled by its members on a part-time basis. However, the work of this department in the past two years has increased tremendously, which in the greater part is due to the coming of the Social Security Act, with its effect on our Old Age Assistance and Aid to Dependent Children load. Space will not allow going into detail, but because of this condi- tion, which we feel will continue to increase, this Board believes we should look forward, in the near future, to the appointment of an Agent to serve full time capacity under the supervision of the Board of Public Welfare.
Respectfully submitted,
CARL E. BACKMAN, MARY M. LAFFIN, RAYMOND L. HATCH, Board of Public Welfare
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Old Age Assistance Report
We started the year 1937 with forty-eight cases. On Decem- ber 31, 1937, there were seventy cases receiving assistance. During the year, there were seven cases closed, five cases having Acton settlements were aided in other cities and towns. This is a total of eighty-two cases aided during the year. Of this num- ber nine have settlements in other cities and towns.
Respectfully submitted, CARL E. BACKMAN, Supervisor, Bureau of Old Age Assistance
WPA Sewing Project
The WPA Sewing project was continued in Acton up to June, 1937, giving continuous employment to an average of about eight women during this time. At this time the Government was considerably curtailing on WPA appropriations and in order to continue this project, it would have been necessary for the Town to assume all the expense, such as material, mainte- nance, etc. However, it was felt that conditions existing at this time did not warrant this expense. This project was, therefore, dropped.
The distribution of food and clothing at the beginning of the year was handled directly by this department, as in previous years. Early in the year, this distribution was taken over by the WPA Commissary at Lowell at a very small cost to the Town, with the advantage of having these commodities de- livered directly to the homes of the recipients.
In December, 1937, we were notified that due to curtailment, this delivery would be discontinued and it was felt that due to the cost and the small quantity of commodities now available, this be discontinued in Acton altogether. However, if conditions warrant it, we can continue this at a later date.
During the year, food to the amount of $1,242.93 and clothing to the amount of $3,480.77, making a total of $4,723.70 were dis- tributed in Acton. These were figures given out by the Com- missary.
Respectfully submitted, CARL E. BACKMAN, Chairman, Board of Public Welfare (Sponsor).
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Aid to Dependent Children Report (Formerly Mother's Aid)
On January 1, 1937, there were two cases representing five persons receiving this aid. On December 31, 1937, there were seven cases representing nineteen persons receiving aid. This assistance now comes under the Social Security Act, the cost of which is distributed as follows: Federal Government, one- third; State, one-third; Town, one-third, regardlses of settle- ment.
Respectfully submitted,
CARL E. BACKMAN, Chairman,
Board of Public Welfare
Department of Public Welfare
Appropriation recommended for 1938.
Old Age Assistance $14,000.00
Temporary Aid
6,000.00
Aid to Dependent Children
1,800.00
CARL E. BACKMAN, Chairman,
Board of Public Welfare
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Town Meetings
Abstract of the Proceedings of the Annual Town Meeting, March 8, 1937
Art. 1. To choose all necessary Town officers and commit- tees and fix salaries of all Town officers.
Chose Charlotte Conant Trustee of the Elizabeth White Fund for three years.
Chose Horace F. Tuttle Trustee of the Goodnow Fund for three years.
Chose A. N. Hederstedt Trustee of the West Acton Firemen's Relief Fund for three years.
Chose Herbert Merriam Trustee of the Acton Firemen's Re- lief Fund for three years.
Voted : To fix the salary of the tax collector at three-quarters of one per cent of the amount collected and to allow an additional charge for expense of postage incurred in the collection of taxes.
Voted: That the salary of the chairman of the Selectmen be two hundred dollars per annum and the other members one hun- dred dollars each per annum.
Voted: That the salary of the chairman of the Board of Public Welfare be one hundred and twenty-five dollars per an- num and the other members seventy-five dollars each per annum.
Voted: That the salary of the Town Treasurer be five hun- dred dollars per annum.
Voted: That the salary of the Town Clerk be two hundred dollars per annum.
Voted : That the salary of the Town Accountant be four hundred dollars per annum.
Voted: That the salary of the Assessors be nine hundred dollars in the aggregate per annum to be apportioned as they may determine the said sum to include any salary of a clerk.
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Voted : That the Selectmen be instructed to fix the salaries of all other Town officers.
Art. 2. To see if the Town will accept the several reports of Town officers.
Voted : That the reports of the several Town officers be ac- cepted.
Art. 3. To hear and act upon the report of any committees chosen at any previous meeting who have not already reported.
No action taken under this article.
Art. 4. To see what sum of money the Town will appro- priate to defray the necessary and usual expenses of the several departments of the Town and determine how the same shall be raised.
Under this article and other articles in the warrant it was voted to appropriate and raise by taxation for :
Roads, general maintainance
$12,000.00
Schools
46,000.00
Street Lighting
3,500.00
Memorial Library, current expenses
900.00
Memorial Library, for books
200.00
Hydrant Service
3,128.00
General Government
5,500.00
Buildings and Grounds
1,500.00
Cemeteries
800.00
Military Aid
200.00
State Aid
500.00
Soldiers' Relief
1,200.00
Public Welfare
6,500.00
Aid to Dependent Children
600.00
Old Age Assistance
9,000.00
Police Department
2,500.00
Board of Health
1,000.00
Snow Removel
1,200.00
Care of Shade Trees
500.00
Unclassified
400.00
Bonds, High School and Fire Trucks
5,500.00
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Interest on Bonds
1,000.00
Interest in Revenue Loans
1,500.00
Memorial Day
275.00
Fire Department
2,800.00
Fire Department, hose
250.00
Forest Fires
500.00
Forest Fires, hose
200.00
Gypsy Moth Work
1,000.00
Liability Insurance
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