USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1956-1960 > Part 2
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Article 10. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Building By-Law of the Town of Acton by adding the fol- lowing paragraph to Section 12, or take any other action action relative thereto.
Other Garages: Any building in which one or more motor vehicles are kept or stored, except as otherwise provided above for garages built in connection with a dwelling place, hereafter erected shall conform to the
requirements of at least a second class building. Such buildings requiring this type construction include, among others, a public garage, a motor vehicle repair shop, auto- mobile paint shop, service station, lubritorium or others of a similar nature.
Article 11. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Building By-Law of the Town of Acton by adding the following paragraphs to Section 14, or take any other action relative thereto.
In public places or places of assembly, as in churches, schools, hotels, high hazard institutional occupancies and multi-family house occupancies, the heater rooms shall be separated from the rest of the building by 8 inch masonry walls, with the ceilings plastered with fireproof cement mortar and door openings protected by approved self-closing fire doors.
No heating equipment shall be installed within 6 feet of a stairway, unless stairway is protected in such a manner as to stop fire from traveling up stairway.
Article 12. To see if the Town will vote to strike out the existing paragraph under Section 15 of the Building By-Law of the Town of Acton and substituting the following paragraphs, or take any other action relative thereto.
a. Every dwelling, apartment or tenement or any other building or structure to be used in whole or in part for dwelling purposes, either as a permanent or tem- porary dwelling, except multiple family type dwelling houses hereafter erected, altered or remodeled, shall have a minimum of two (2) independent means of egress, placed as far apart as practicable, both of which shall be not less than fifteen (15) square feet in area and shall terminate to the outside of the building at ground level.
b. Every multiple family type dwelling house and every dwelling not included in Section 15a, hereafter erected, altered or remodeled, shall have a minimum of two (2) independent means of egress for each apartment or tenement or other dwelling unit, placed as far apart as practicable, one of which shall ter- minate to the outside of the building at ground level.
Article 13. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Building By-Law of the Town of Acton by striking out
"and at the ceiling line of the upper story" in Section 21 and substituting "of each story and at the ceiling line of each story," or take any other action relative thereto.
Article 14. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Building By-Law of the Town of Acton by adding Section 22 as follows; or take any other action relative thereto.
Sec. 22. No building of any type, except as otherwise provided herein, whether of a permanent or portable nature, hereafter erected, remodeled, restored, or moved shall be occupied or used in whole or in part as a dwelling until the same shall be inspected by the Inspector of Buildings and the Board of Health and a permit of occu- pancy issued by the Board of Health, duly signed by the Chairman of the Board of Health and the Inspector of Buildings, stating that the building and use thereof complies with the provisions of this By-Law, the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and all other Laws pertaining thereto. A permit of occu- pancy shall not be issued unless a building per- mit has been previously issued by the Building Inspector in accordance with the provisions of this By-Law. Application for a permit of occu- pancy shall be filed with the Inspector of Build- ings who shall notify the Board of Health of such application for permits of occupancy within five (5) days from receipt of same.
Article 15. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Building By-Law of the Town of Acton by adding the follow- ing paragraphs as Section 23, or take any other action rela- tive thereto.
Sec. 23. Restrictions on Construction within Fire Limits:
1. General Restrictions: Except as otherwise provided in Paragraph 5 of this section, no building or structure of wood frame con- struction or of unprotected noncombustible construction shall be erected within the limits established by law as the Fire Limits, nor shall wood or other combustible veneers be permitted on buildings or structures within such Fire Limits.
2. Alterations and Extensions :
A. Within the Fire Limits no building or
structure of wood frame construction or of unprotected noncombustible construc- tion shall be increased in height.
B. Within the Fire Limits no building or structure shall be extended on any side by wood frame construction or unpro- tected noncombustible construction. The aggregate area of the building or struc- ture including the extension shall not exceed the allowable area for wood frame construction in the following table:
Types of Construction Story Building
Area of one
Area of Building over one story
Ordinary 9,000 sq. ft.
6,000 sq. ft.
Unprotected
noncombustible 9,000 sq. ft. 6,000 sq. ft.
Wood Frame 6,000 sq. ft. 4,000 sq. ft.
C. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit other alterations within the Fire Limits; provided there is no change of occupancy to a class of occupancy otherwise prohibited.
D. High hazard occupancy, as described below, is prohibited. High hazard occu- pancy means the occupancy or use of a building or structure or any portion thereof that involves highly combustible, highly flammable, or explosive material, or which has inherent characteristics that constitute a special fire hazard; in- cluding among others, aluminum powder factories; cellulose nitrate plastic fac- tories, warehouses and salesrooms; cereal mills ; distilleries ; explosives manufacture, sales and storage; flour and feed mills ; gasoline bulk plants; grain elevators; lacquer factories; liquified petroleum gas charging or bulk storage plants; mat- tress factories ; paint factories and waste- paper plants.
3. Moving Buildings: No building or structure of wood frame construction or unprotected noncombustible construction shall be moved from without to within the Fire Limits or from one lot to another within the Fire Limits.
4. Buildings Partly Within Fire Limits: A building or structure shall be deemed to be within the Fire Limits if one-third or more of the area of such building or structure is located therein.
5. Exceptions to Restrictions Within Fire
Limits:
A. Frame dwellings not exceeding two stories in height and separated by at least 10 feet from lot line of adjoining property.
B. Wood or other combustible veneers on noncombustible backing for show win- dows that do not extend above the first full story above grade.
C. A building occupied as a private garage, not more than one story in height nor more than 750 square feet in area, located on the same lot with a dwelling; provided that such building shall be placed at least 10 feet from the lot lines of adjoining property.
D. Building not exceeding 2,500 square feet in area when used for a business occu- pancy, or 1,000 square feet in area when used for other occupancies, nor more than one story in height, and having a horizontal separation of not less than 10 feet on all sides.
E. Greenhouses not more than 15 feet in height erected on the same lot with and accessory to a dwelling or a store.
F. Sheds open on the long side, not more than 15 feet in height nor more than 500 square feet in area, located at least 10 feet from buildings and from adjoin- ing lot lines.
G. Builders' shanties for use only in con- nection with duly authorized building operation and located on the same lot with such building operation, on a lot immediately adjoining on an upper floor of the building under construction, or on a sidewalk shed.
H. Piazzas or balconies on dwellings, not exceeding 10 feet in width nor extending more than 3 feet above the second-story floor beams; provided that no such struc- ture shall be located nearer than 10 feet to an adjoining lot line or be joined to a similar structure of another building.
I. Fences not exceeding 10 feet in height.
Article 16. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Building By-Law of the Town of Acton by adding the follow- ing paragraphs as Section 24, or take any other action rela- tive thereto.
Sec. 24. West Acton Fire Limits: The following area in West Acton shall constitute the "West Acton Fire Limits" and the regulations given in Sec- tion 23 above shall apply: Starting at a point at the center of the intersection of Willow and Summer Streets in West Acton; thence in a northeasterly direction to the center of the inter- section of Homestead and Willow Streets; thence in a northerly direction to the center of the inter- section of Arlington Street and Massachusetts Avenue; thence northerly to a point in the center of the Boston and Maine Railroad right of way located 2,100 feet northeasterly from the center of the Massachusetts Avenue crossing as meas- ured along the right of way; then 1,000 feet southeasterly along the railroad right of way; thence easterly to center of the intersection of Elm and Arlington Streets; thence southerly to the center of the intersection of Cedar Ter- race and Massachusetts Avenue; thence west- erly to a point in the center of the railroad right of way located 850 feet southeasterly from the center of the Massachusetts Avenue cross- ing as measured along the right of way; thence 1,250 feet southeasterly along the railroad right of way, thence westerly to the center of the intersection of Central and Summer Streets and westerly to the point of beginning at the center of the intersection of Willow and Sum- mer Streets.
Article 17. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Building By-Law of the Town of Acton by adding the follow-
ing paragraph as Section 25, or take any other action relative thereto.
Sec. 25. Entry to Cock Loft: An entry to the cock loft, suitable for the use of the fire department, shall be provided in an accessible location pref- erably in a hallway.
Article 18. To see if the Town will vote to accept as a Town Way the road, the Plan of which has been filed in the office of the Town Clerk, said Plan showing a road forty (40) feet in width and a twenty-four (24) foot or more travelled way extending in an easterly direction from Hosmer Street a distance of approximately two hundred seventy (270) feet, said road to be known as Longfellow Park, and said road to be maintained by the developer for a period of one year after acceptance, or take any other action relative thereto.
Article 19. To see if the Town will vote to accept as a Town Way the road, the Plan of which has been filed in the office of the Town Clerk, said Plan showing a road forty (40) feet in width and a twenty-four (24) foot or more travelled way extending in westerly, northerly and southerly directions from Arlington Street to land of Howland Parker a distance of approximately twenty-nine hundred (2900) feet, said road to be known as Agawam Road, and said road to be maintained by the developer for a period of one year after acceptance, or take any other action relative thereto.
Article 20. To see if the Town will vote to accept as a Town Way the road, the Plan of which has been filed in the office of the Town Clerk, said Plan showing a road forty (40) feet in width and a twenty-four (24) foot or more travelled way extending in an easterly direction from the point where it now ends at Mohegan Road a distance of approximately three hundred ten (310) feet, said road to be known as Seneca Road, and said road to be maintained by the developer for a period of one year after acceptance, or take any other action relative thereto.
Article 21. To see if the Town will vote to accept as a Town Way the Road, the Plan of which has been filed in the office of the Town Clerk, said Plan showing a road forty (40) feet in width and a twenty-four (24) foot or more travelled way extending in an easterly direction from Mohegan Road a distance of approximately three hundred ten
(310) feet, said road to be known as Sioux Street, and said road to be maintained by the developer for a period of one year after acceptance, or take any other action relative thereto.
And you are directed to serve this Warrant by posting attested copies thereof seven days at least before the time of said meeting in not less than six public places in the town to be designated by the Board of Selectmen.
Hereof fail not and make due return of this warrant with your doings thereon to the town clerk at or before the time of meeting as aforesaid.
Given under our hands at Acton this fifteenth day of October, 1957.
CHARLES D. MACPHERSON LEO C. CUNNINGHAM MARTIN S. MEIGS, JR. Selectmen of Acton
Planning Board
Richard A. Gallant
Term Expires 1957
Frederick S. Whitcomb
Term Expires 1958
Aubrey C. Kretschmar
Harold W. Flood
Charles Judd Farley
Term Expires 1961
APPOINTMENTS MADE BY SELECTMEN - 1956
Executive Clerk Virginia Milbery
Finance Committee
Bradford S. Leach
Roger M. Myrick
John M. Goddard
H. Bradford Sturtevant, III
Arthur W. Lee
Douglas M. McGregor
Board of Appeals
Otto O. Pasanen
Term Expires 1957
Hayward S. Houghton
Term Expires 1958
Edward M. Ferry Term Expires 1959
Associates
H. Bradford Sturtevant, III Term Expires 1957
Donald W. Parker Term Expires 1958
Superintendent of Streets Benjamin F. Rice
Registrars of Voters
Grace J. Cullinane .Term Expires 1957
Julia A. Barry Term Expires 1958 James B. Wilson Term Expires 1959
Harlan E. Tuttle Ex-Officio
Town Accountant
Donald O. Nylander Term Expires 1959
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Term Expires 1959
Term Expires 1960
Chief of Fire Department (Permanent) H. Stuart MacGregor
Election Officers
Precinct I
Warden - Irene F. Mclaughlin
Clerk - Paul C. Cornwall
Inspector - Marion C. Jewell
Inspector - Mary F. McCarthy*
Deputy Warden - John F. Mclaughlin
Deputy Clerk - Helen R. Edwards
Deputy Inspector - Edith M. Hollowell
Deputy Inspector - Alice C. Duren
Teller - Inga Frost
Teller - Katherine M. Condon
Precinct II
Warden - Margaret Larsen
Clerk - Bertha Carr Tucker
Inspector - Martha I. Lowden
Inspector - Sophia Walsh
Deputy Warden - Lucille Cunningham
Deputy Clerk - Phyllis M. Moyer
Deputy Inspector - Hazel P. Vose
Deputy Inspector - Michael J. Walsh
Teller - Ruth A. Banks
Teller - Mabel S. McKelvie
Precinct III
Warden - Barbara J. McPhee Clerk - Phyllis K. Sprague
Inspector - Barbara Nylander
Inspector - Martin J. Duggan Deputy Warden - Harry E. Holt Deputy Clerk - Stanley A. Nedza
Deputy Inspector - Elsie M. Godfrey
Deputy Inspector - Genevieve L. Hatch
Teller - Minnie C. Veasie
Teller - Mary H. Prentice * Deceased
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Acton-Boxborough Regional District School Committee George E. Neagle
Thomas E. Wetherbee
Inspector of Animals Arno H. Perkins
Dog Officer Carl W. Flint
Sealer of Weights and Measures A. Perry Marble
Town Forest Committee
Franklin H. Charter
Term Expires 1957
Arno H. Perkins
Term Expires 1958
Emery D. Nelson
Term Expires 1959
Surveyors of Wood and Lumber
Oliver D. Wood
E. John Torkelsen
Fence Viewers
Laurence Hadley
Louis F. Leveroni
Allan R. Murray
Fire Alarm Operator Frederic W. Rimbach
Field Drivers
Arno H. Perkins
George Kemp
Superintendent of Moth Work Franklin H. Charter
Burial Agent Carl W. Flint
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Veterans' Agent *Carl W. Flint ** Ian M. Mott
* Resigned
Elected to replace
Inspector of Wires Kenneth L. Duffy
Police Officers *Michael Foley, Chief
*Edward J. Collins, Jr.
William J. Durkin, Jr.
*Chauncey R. Fenton, Jr.
T. Frederick S. Kennedy
*Warren F. Birch
Carl W. Flint
*David W. Scribner Benjamin F. Rice
Ray L. Harris
Roy H. Linscott
Viola M. Foley
Franklin H. Charter
James P. Conheeney, Jr.
Orma L. Clark
Louis F. Leveroni
John F. Hekkala
John F. Canessa
Edward R. Kelly Norman L. Roche
Irving W. Davis
Richard N. Farrell
* Civil Service - Permanent
Superintendent of Jones Memorial Field Frederic W. Rimbach
Superintendent of Goward Field Frederic W. Rimbach
Workmen's Compensation Agent Theron A. Lowden
Director of Civil Defense Harry L. Stiegler
Deputy Director of Civil Defense Allen C. Beddoe
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Public Weighers
William Braman G. Howard Reed
A. W. Davis
Philip Newell Carl W. Flint
Harold A. Merriam
Frank E. Greenough
Albert R. Jenks
Porter G. Jenks
Louise Garceau
Ruth Durkin
Otis J. Reed
Harold Whitney
Robert Greenough
Town Counsel
John J. Sheehan
Building Inspector
Albert E. Foster
Deputy Building Inspector
John E. Nelson
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REPORT OF DOG OFFICER
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I herewith submit my report for the year beginning January 1, 1956 and ending December 31, 1956.
Keeping and destroying 41 stray dogs .... $266.50
Expenses
50.00
$316.50
Seventy-one (71) calls and complaints investigated.
Respectfully submitted,
CARL W. FLINT, Dog Officer.
REPORT OF THE FENCE VIEWERS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen:
Your committee on Fence Viewing for the Town of Acton reports no activity in partition fences for the year 1956.
Respectfully submitted,
LOUIS F. LEVERONI, LAURENCE HADLEY, ALLAN R. MURRAY.
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REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE
Budget requests are higher this year than last in spite of earnest efforts by department heads and town officials to effect economies and to improve operating efficiency. The Town, no less than the individual citizen, is affected by the inflationary pressures of our present economy.
Salary and wage levels have had to be raised again this year. Nevertheless, they are still too low to be competitive in some cases. The Police force has been enlarged to provide the 24-hour a day protection which has become essential. School costs continue to grow. They will do so inevitably for several years as a result of population trends.
Both material and labor costs for such things as construc- tion, road repair, drainage, and equipment maintenance have increased. Replacement of obsolete or worn out equipment has had to be provided for. It is false economy to postpone such expenditures too long.
The citizens of Acton will be better served by the reorgani- zation and consolidation of certain town offices and clerical positions which went into effect January 1, 1957. Some operating economies will result, but more remains to be done along these lines. The new permanent Building Committee and the recommended Industrial Development Committee and Wage and Salary Board should help in time to improve the financial position of the Town through better long term planning and other services. However, none of these things - helpful though they may be - are likely to reverse the gen- eral upward trend of the costs of town government under present economic conditions and while the population of Acton continues its rapid growth. The Finance Committee will continue its efforts to help the Town achieve the highest income and the lowest costs consistent with sound govern- ment.
The Committee wishes to express its appreciation to the boards, committees and department heads for meeting our requests for more detailed financial records, and for their co-operation generally throughout the year.
JOHN M. GODDARD ARTHUR W. LEE DOUGLAS McGREGOR H. BRADFORD STURTEVANT ROGER M. MYRICK, Clerk BRADFORD S. LEACH, Chairman
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REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
I hereby submit my twenty-fourth annual report of the Fire Department for the year ending December 31, 1956.
Total number of alarms responded to are as follows:
Residential
9
Miscellaneous
5
Manufacturing
6
Grass and Brush
45
Automobile, etc.
8
False Alarms
2
Smoke scares and honest mistakes
4
First Aid and Accidents
12
Out of Town
11
102
Loss to buildings and contents
$28,055.00
Permits issued :
Oil and Power Burners 224
Bottled Gas
93
Blasting
46
Open Air Fires
472
Collected for Oil, Gas and Blasting Permits $183.50
Collected for Illegal Fires $186.45
Under Article 35, the fire alarm circuit extension was com- pleted and put into service on August 21.
Under Article 36, two power hose reels were installed on the forest fire truck and put into service on April 24.
Under Article 37, the new radio base station was installed at fire alarm headquarters and put into service December 16.
This year we were able to purchase 1,100 feet of 21/2 inch hose and 600 feet of 11/2 inch hose. Several lengths of old hose went bad due to age. An exceptionally large amount of money was spent in repairs on equipment, such as nozzles, gates, booster tanks, etc. which became damaged or leaky through years of service. Also we had large repair bills on both Engines 3 and 4. However, this is not too surpris- ing as both these trucks are twenty years old and this being the first year they had to have any major repairs.
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I am pleased to report that we have accomplished several of the recommendations of the underwriters which are as follows :
#16b: Hand extinguishers for all classes of fires, fog and spray nozzles for 21/2 and 11/2 inch nozzles, applicators and spray nozzles for booster tank have been purchased.
#17a: All hose has been tested to a pressure of 200 pounds per square inch.
#17b: A complete record has been set up of hose pur- chase dates, repair dates and test dates. Also a running inventory of hose in stock.
#18: A department mechanic has been appointed. His duties are to check the motorized equipment once a month and send in a written report to the Chief, also he is respon- sible for proper training of drivers and pump operators.
#22: Under fire prevention, a system has been set up to inspect all public buildings such as Churches, Schools, Stores, Factories and places of Assembly, etc. All of these have not yet been inspected but will be in the near future and thereafter periodically.
#28: A fire alarm gong has been installed so the Water Department will be informed of fires.
#33a: A building code has been adopted.
#33c: That the use of other than approved roof covering on repaired or new roofs be prohibited throughout the municipality.
In 1957 I would like to extend the fire alarm system to cover that part of West Acton known as Indian Village, which lies between Central and Arlington Streets, including ten (10) boxes and also install a master alarm box at the High School.
I would like to install a remote control radio set at the Center Station so the man filling in for time off, vacations or sickness will be in control of the radio without having to tie up a truck for that purpose.
I would like to get started on a new fire station at West Acton so when we purchase a new pump in 1958 there will be a place to put it.
Furthermore I would like to submit a plan for future re- placement of fire apparatus. I feel this plan is reasonable
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and just, due to serious conditions that we know exist. We also know that these things have to be changed in order to maintain our present Insurance rate. I also feel that this plan would be much easier on the taxpayers than if we allowed conditions to remain until we are forced to correct them all at one time. If we follow our present policy of setting aside $5,000.00 per year our apparatus replacements will come as follows :
Truck Number
Purchase Date
Replacement Date
Age At That Time
Engine 4
1936
1958
22 Years
Engine 3
1936
1961
25 Years
Ladder
1
1942
1967
25 Years
Engine
5
1946
1970
24 Years
Rescue
6
1949
1973
24 Years
Engine
7
1955
1976
21 Years
By building a fire station in West Acton in 1957 we will have a place to put the Engine due in 1958. By building a fire station in South Acton in 1960 we will have a place to put the Engine due in 1961. My estimate for these two fire stations is $150,000.00. If this was spread out on a six year basis it would increase the tax rate approximately $3.50 per year, on a ten year basis approximately $2.10 per year. On the other hand if we fell back to a D rate of Insurance it would mean an increase of approximately $5.00 per year for the average Insured and this measure would continue indefinitely.
Our equipment is in good condition. The apparatus is in as good repair as can be expected considering the age of most of it.
Respectfully submitted,
H. S. MacGREGOR, Chief of Fire Department.
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REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen :
I hereby submit my report as Inspector of Animals for the year 1956.
Premises inspected
61
Cows
168
Young Cattle
51
Bulls
3
Steers
8
Swine
12
Sheep
37
Goats
14
Horses and Ponies
50
Dog Bites
23
Dogs Quarantined
23
Rabies
0
Respectfully submitted,
ARNO H. PERKINS, Inspector of Animals.
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF WIRES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
I herewith submit my report as Inspector of Wires for the year ending December 31, 1956.
Three hundred and fifty-one permits were issued. The sum of six hundred thirty-seven dollars and seventy-five cents ($637.75) was collected in fees for these permits, and turned over to the Treasurer.
Respectfully submitted,
KENNETH L. DUFFY, Inspector of Wires.
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REVISED JURY LIST - 1956
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