USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1956-1960 > Part 37
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United States Senators
Leverett Saltonstall John F. Kennedy
Representative in Congress Edith Nourse Rogers - Fifth Congressional District
Officials of the Commonwealth
Governor
Foster Furcolo
Lieutenant Governor
Robert H. Murphy
Secretary
Joseph D. Ward
Treasurer
John F. Kennedy
Auditor
Thomas J. Buckley
Attorney General
Edward J. McCormack, Jr.
Governor's Council Third District
Edward J. Cronin
Watertown, Mass.
Senator Fifth Middlesex District
William E. Hays
Waltham, Mass.
Representative in the General Court Eleventh Middlesex District
Vernon R. Fletcher Chelmsford, Mass.
Annual Report 1959 TOWN OF ACTON MASSACHUSETTS
SPECIAL REPORT - PLANNING BOARD
A VISION
We have all heard about the population explosion. According to current statistics there is a new American born every six seconds. The town of Acton, like many another community, is growing rapidly. In 1765 the population of Acton was 611. In 1850 it was 1,605; in 1900 - 2,120; in 1940 - 2,701; in 1945 - 2,869; in 1950 -3,510; in 1955-4,681; and the population in 1959 is estimated to be near 7,000. These figures mean that in the fifty years from 1850 to 1900 Acton's population increased 32 per cent. From 1900 to 1940 it increased only 27 per cent. But from 1945 to 1955 - a period of only ten years - the population increased 63 per cent. One estimate has it that the figure may reach 25,000 by 1975.
It is apparent that the future responsibility for and development of this town lies not only on the Planning Board but upon each and every Acton citizen. All these people must be provided with adequate housing, education, and proper social and recreational facilities.
The Minuteman who appears on our cover - a striking figure from the past - watches in amazement the march of progress; sees across the years - a vision of future growth and expansion.
Today we are perhaps on the threshold of an era of rapid growth such as the world has never known. Anyone who has seen the changes in the town of Acton during the past ten, even five years is quite cog- nizant of this era of growth - of more housing, more streets, more schools, more places of business, more industries. This era of change and growth is of course evident in our state, our country, and in our world.
It is a complex world, but in it the individual is not forgotten, nor is his community. Every citizen in every town and city in The United States is important. He faces the challenge of the future - as did his forefathers - with foresight, ingenuity, and courage. He endeavors, through the operation of his local government, to make his community a better and safer place in which to live.
In keeping with this theme of progress and planning, your Acton Town Report Committee has featured this year two special reports - one by the Planning Board and the other by the Industrial Development Committee. Certainly there is a nostalgic pleasure in looking back into the past, but we must also live in the present and constantly point toward the future.
Each year, in a cycle of five years, the Acton Town Report will feature two town departments. 1959 is the third year of the first cycle.
ANNUAL REPORTS
ORATED
-
INC
1735.
ACTON
Town of Acton MASSACHUSETTS
FOR ITS TWO HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FOURTH MUNICIPAL YEAR
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER THIRTY-FIRST
1959
MURPHY & SNYDER, INC. MAYNARD, MASS.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION A
Page Number
Selectmen's Report
3
Special Planning Board Report
5
Charts 11
Planning Board Report
15
Special Industrial Development Committee Report
18
SECTION B
Town Clerk's Report
23
Trust Fund Committee Report
60
SECTION C
Acton School Department Report and
Acton-Boxborough Regional High School Report
73
SECTION D
Archives Committee
123
Board of Appeals
124
Building Committee
124
Building Inspector
125
Cemetery Commissioners
125
Civil Defense
126
Dog Officer
127
Elizabeth White Fund
128
Fence Viewers
128
Fire Department
128
Goodnow Fund
131
Health
131
Inspector of Animals
135
Inspector of Wires
136
Insurance Committee
136
Library
139
Moth Superintendent
140
Personnel Board
140
Police Department
147
Recreation Commission
150
Sealer of Weights and Measures
151
Superintendent of Streets
151
Town Forest Committee
153
Tree Warden
153
Veterans' Services
154
Welfare
155
SECTION E
Accountant
157
Assessors
172
Collector
173
State Auditor's Report
179
Treasurer
188
SECTION F
Town Officers and Appointments
203
Jury List
210
Federal and State Officers
211
SECTION A
Selectmen's Report 3
Special Planning Board Report
5
Planning Board Report
15
Special Industrial Development Committee Report
18
3
THE TOWN OF ACTON
SELECTMEN'S REPORT
TO THE CITIZENS OF THE TOWN OF ACTON:
We hereby submit reports of the several departments under the supervision of the Board of Selectmen. Reports of Officers and Com- mittees not found in the Town Report are on file in our office and are open for inspection during regular office hours.
During the year 1959, forty-eight regular and five special meetings were held in addition to meetings with many of the committees and boards of the Town.
As pointed out in the past several reports, the one major problem that continues to be most pressing is the increasing cost of municipal services caused by the population growth of the Town and the continued inflationary trend of the economy. The Greater Boston Economic Study Committee report spells out quite graphically the trend. Although Acton is on the fringe of the so-called outer band, the 1970 projections show a decided increase in population. The 1970 projected figure of 8,100 seems very much on the low side.
The year 1959 saw the start of a comprehensive plan for the Town. The continuation of this program as a guide to the future orderly growth of the community is a must in the opinion of this Board.
The Board of Selectmen will sponsor an article this year for the employment of a full time engineer. The need for such services to the Planning Board, the Superintendent of Streets and the Selectmen is urgent and immediate. Too often, subdivisions have been accepted by the Town and the resulting problems from lack of proper inspection and engineering have had to be remedied at considerable expense to the Town. This is in no way to be construed as a criticism of the Planning Board but rather as one of the problems arising from a rapidly growing community. It is impossible for a volunteer group such as the Planning Board, no matter how willing, to devote the numerous hours above and beyond the normal services to a town and it is unfair to ask that any group of citizens be required to donate more of their time without the professional help that a full time engineer could offer.
The proposed Chapter 90 construction on Powder Mill Road was not started this year because the engineering and awarding of the con- tract by the State was not completed in time to start construction. We have been advised that the Town's share for this project may have to be increased and for that reason an article on Chapter 90 construction this year will include both Main Street, South Acton and Powder Mill Road.
4
224th ANNUAL REPORT OF
This Board is of the opinion that immediate steps should be taken to incorporate a Department of Public Works within the Town. The co-ordinated use of man-power, equipment and so forth, would result in a more efficient operation of the several departments involved.
An article will be inserted in the Annual Warrant to proceed with the preliminary plans for the new fire station in South Acton. The Selectmen have asked that a storage vault for Town Records and a meet- ing room for the Finance Committee be incorporated into the plans for this building.
The building program for schools, police station and the eventual establishment of a public works area must yet be faced and these pose a tremendous problem for Town Officials over the next few years.
The Board wishes to express its appreciation to all individuals, boards and committees who have faithfully carried out their duties throughout the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES D. MACPHERSON, LAWRENCE DONNELLY, MARTIN S. MEIGS, JR., Board of Selectmen.
5
THE TOWN OF ACTON
SPECIAL PLANNING BOARD REPORT
THE HISTORY OF THE ACTON PLANNING BOARD
The Acton Planning Board was created by the action of the Annual Town Meeting held on March 9, 1953. In the six years of its existence, the Board has made many contributions to the orderly development of the Town. Needless to say, many of the recommendations presented for consideration by the Town have been controversial and much discussion has resulted.
The Planning Board duties are outlined in Chapter 41 of the General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. These duties, broadly stated, comprise two main areas of activity:
1. The supervision of new subdivisions.
2. The formulation of long and short range planning objectives.
The supervision of subdivisions is carried out by means of the Rules and Regulations of the Planning Board, which are drawn up to fit the general framework of the General Laws. These General Laws were accepted by the Town in Article 28 of the Annual Town Meeting of March 9, 1953.
The formulation of long and short range planning objectives is carried out by means of regular, frequent discussions with the Board of Selectmen, the Board of Health, the Police Chief, the Fire Chief, the Finance Committee, the Industrial Development Committee, the Water District, and other Town Boards and citizens' groups. The results of these discussions have produced the Building Bylaw as well as drastic amendments to the Earth Removal and the Protective Zoning Bylaw, which was originally adopted December 16, 1953. With the rapidly changing character of the Town, a continuous evolution of these important bylaws has been required. There are indications that this evolution may be even more rapid due to the construction of the new peripheral highway, Route 110, west of Acton. The effect of this highway may be similar to that experienced by towns along Route 128. The Town must be prepared for this eventuality.
The Planning Board of 1953-1954, which was made up of the Board of Selectmen for that year, approved thirteen subdivisions. Since there were no rules for subdivision control at that time, there was little or no attempt to monitor these subdivisions. Several of these early subdivisions are still being developed today.
In 1954, the first five-man planning board was elected by the Town. This board consisted of Robert Stow, Thomas Motley, Richard Gallant, Frederick Whitcomb, and Aubrey Kretschmar. This board drew up the
6
224th ANNUAL REPORT OF
first rules and regulations for subdivision control. A total of five sub- divisions were approved during this year.
A sum of money was appropriated by the Town for a study of drainage problems.
In 1955, Robert Stow was elected to the one-year term remaining as a result of Thomas Motley's resignation and H. W. Flood was elected to the five-year term.
Five new subdivisions were approved by the Board.
A survey of town population growth with especial emphasis upon school population was carried out in cooperation with the School Board.
A Building Bylaw was developed with the aid of a group of local building contractors, and this code was adopted by the Town.
In the year 1956, C. Judd Farley was elected to the Board replacing Robert Stow, who completed his term.
Three subdivisions were approved by the Board in 1956, and three new roads were recommended to the Town Meeting for acceptance.
The Official Map of the Town was completed during the year and adopted by the Town Meeting.
A series of similar street names in the Town were changed by the action of the Town Meeting upon the recommendation of the Planning Board. This section was instituted at the request of the Police and Fire Departments, in the interest of improving emergency service.
A drainage problem in West Acton, near Willow and Summer Streets, was studied and money was appropriated to provide proper flow of surface water. This project was 70 per cent complete in 1956, and subsequently finished in 1957. A drainage problem at the athletic field of the Regional High School was studied and suitable drainage plans were evolved.
A survey of the Town was made as an aid to SUASCO to determine the water damage in the Town during the hurricane season. Little benefit has been received as the result of this survey.
Several revisions to the Protective Zoning Bylaw were made by the Town at the recommendation of the Planning Board.
In 1957, John Loring was elected to fill the term completed by Richard Gallant. David Tinker was appointed for the remainder of the year to fill the unexpired term of Aubrey Kretschmar, who resigned after being elected to the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Kretschmar died during his first year as Selectman. His dedication to Town affairs has
7
THE TOWN OF ACTON
served as an inspiration to many of the present members of the Planning Board.
A total of four subdivisions were approved during the year. Ten newly completed streets were accepted by the Town Meeting as a result of the Board's favorable recommendation.
A drainage problem in South Acton was referred to the Board for study. This problem, which had many legal and engineering aspects, was discussed in a report to the Town in the Annual Report for 1957.
Further amendments to the Protective Zoning Bylaw, ten in number, were recommended to the Town at two Town Meetings. Two of the ten were not approved by the Town.
Extensive revision of the Building Bylaw, from a fire safety stand- point, was carried out with Chief MacGregor's help and adopted by the Town Meeting.
In 1958, David Tinker was elected to the five year term while David Stuart was elected to the vacant unexpired one year term.
A total of 18 roads were accepted by the Town Meeting upon the positive recommendation of the Planning Board. Five new subdivisions were approved by the Board during the year.
The Rules and Regulations of the Planning Board were extensively revised, in the light of four years of experience, and these new rules were adopted as effective December 8, 1958.
A study of Comprehensive Planning methods was started by the Board with a view of making a suitable recommendation to the Town. A total of nine consulting firms were interviewed to determine their approach to Acton's long term planning problems. Four of this group were asked to submit specific proposals, and the proposal of Economic Development Associates of Boston was the one ultimately recommended to the March 1959 Town Meeting for acceptance.
The routine activities of the Board were formalized to a greater degree in order to improve Board efficiency and to reduce the length of time required for routine actions.
In 1959, David Stuart was elected to the five year term.
The articles for the retention of the consultants for the two year program of Comprehensive Town Planning was approved by the Town Meeting, and this work is now underway.
An article for a survey of street numbering in the Town was also approved. This job is complete and revised house numbers are being
8
224th ANNUAL REPORT OF
assigned. A plan to cover the future growth of the Town has been formulated and is to be used as needed.
The detailed summary of the activities of the Board for 1959 appear elsewhere in this report.
The role of the chairman and the clerk is especially important to the smooth working of the Acton Planning Board. The following members have served in these capacities:
Chairman
Clerk
1954 - 1955 Frederick Whitcomb
Richard Gallant
1955 - 1956
Robert Stow
H. W. Flood
1956 - 1957 H. W. Flood
C. Judd Farley
1957 - 1958 H. W. Flood
C. Judd Farley
1958 - 1959
C. Judd Farley
David Tinker
1959 - 1960
C. Judd Farley
David Tinker
The Planning Board has been largely responsible for the practice of holding a special town meeting in the fall of each year to handle street acceptances and amendments to the Town Bylaws. These meetings, which have now been held for several years, greatly facilitate the business of the Annual Town Meeting.
The Planning Board through the Town Consultants, Economic Development Associates, made considerable progress during 1959 in the preparation of its comprehensive planning program.
The Board first completed its street numbering survey for the town during the summer months. Although not a generally accepted part of a town-wide planning program, it served to provide an up-to-date map with all new subdivisions recorded thereon. This map was subdivided into sections, both for use as Assessor's preliminary property line maps and as field maps for the street numbering and land use referenced with a card file index of each dwelling unit or family in the town. Existing street numbers were either confirmed or changed on the basis of the adopted system.
Following this study, the Board undertook a three-phase program which included (1) a complete land use analysis, (2) a population study and forecast and (3) a sewerage and drainage review and analysis with recommendations. The first two steps are fundamental to any com- prehensive planning program and the third is a specific problem with broad implications and for which land use and population data are essential.
At press time for this report, all phases were not complete but an initial summary can be made as follows:
9
THE TOWN OF ACTON
The mapping of the patterns of land use in the town was accom- plished mainly through a field survey during a period of several days by driving over the streets, highways, and byways and making notes on a set of the 26 section sheets of the base map. The resultant map is a diagram showing that portion of the land which man has brought under his control for specific purposes rather than a definitive outline of legal ownership. The basic intent of the map then is to show use, not owner- ship.
As the planning program continues the land use map will be further refined and updated.
The distinguishing characteristic of land use in Acton is that no pattern exists save that of the major transportation facilities. As the planning process continues, a constant reappraisal is essential to find the intrinsic patterns of life within the distribution of the various functions for which the land is used. From this appraisal will come a determination of the future needs of the community and the distribution of land use that will best promote the welfare of the town.
Specifically, the distribution of land uses can be tabulated as follows:
Residential
1,300 acres 10.0℃
Commercial 150
1.1%
Industrial
300
2.3%
Public
600
4.5%
Vacant
10,400
82.1%
A further breakdown of the vacant land can be made on the basis of land characteristics and the extent to which this land is potentially developable.
The second phase of the study concerning population included a summary of the existing dwelling units in the town plotted on a map.
Next, a population forecast was prepared from an analysis of the existing dwelling units and land characteristics in all sections of the town. This analysis showed the developable portions of the town and their zoning requirements. Using careful computation and measurements, the forecast was prepared for each of 16 small drainage areas within the town which were to be utilized in the third phase of the study.
For the town as a whole, the present number of dwelling units (families), approximately 1900, could be expanded under present land policies and land availability by approximately 10,700 dwelling units or an increase of 500 per cent. This figure represents an ultimate or saturation population of 12,600 dwelling units or 46,500 people based on 3.7 persons per dwelling unit. Changes in zoning requirements, num- ber of persons per family, land availability, the results of the sewerage study and other factors would alter this projection, probably downward.
10
224th ANNUAL REPORT OF
The sewerage drainage study was initiated by the selection of smaller drainage areas for the town - for each of the two streams - Nashoba and Fort Pond Brooks. Each of these small areas - 16 in all - have been studied and detailed summaries have been prepared. The type of zoning, soil characteristics, topography, amount of vacant land, and land use have been noted for each in descriptive comments. These are being converted into recommendations for the future development within the area, the ultimate population concentration which can be determined and the probable need for sanitary sewers and special drainage facilities. The study and recommendations will soon be concluded, and the entire results and recommendations reproduced in a suitable report.
While there are still many important planning activities ahead for the Town of Acton, the devoted activities of the members of the Planning Board in the first six years of its existence has put these future activities upon a sound basis.
NOTES:
All maps drawn by Jac Smit under the supervision of Charles E. Downe, principal planner for Economic Development Asso- ciation.
All originals of maps are 42" by 56", available for inspection at the Planning Board, Acton, Mass.
11
THE TOWN OF ACTON
POPULATION . DWELLING UNITS 1
INDEX:
6.3,1939
PLANNING BOARD · ACTON. MASSACHUSETTS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATES IXC. BOSTON, MASS.
No. 1. Population - Dwelling Units.
This map is a result of a field survey compiled in June, 1959. It shows all occupied dwelling units, "families," in Acton at that time. Roughly 1900 "families" are shown living in 1700 residential structures. One dot represents one family in all areas except West Acton where the high density of development required filling in certain blocks solid and writing in the number of dwelling units.
12
224th ANNUAL REPORT OF
2
ZONING · EXISTING
-
INDEX:
********
.
PLANNING BOARD . ACTON. MASSACHUSETTS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPNEXT
ASSOCIATES
INC. BOSTON, MASS.
Zoned for Business or Industry
Residential
No. 2. Zoning - Existing.
This map shows the zoning regulations adopted at the town meeting in 1953 as amended superimposed on a topographical map of the town. Residences are allowed in the business and industrial zones but no business or industrial use is permitted in the residential zone. Agricultural use of the land is allowed anywhere in town. Minimum lot requirements call for a 20,000 sq. ft. lot with 150 ft. frontage.
13
THE TOWN OF ACTON
POPULATION
FACTORS AFFECTING GROWTH
3
INDEX:
*** *** ****** *****
-
PLANNING BOARD . ACTON, MASSACHUSETTS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATES IXC. BOSTON, MASS.
No. 3. Population - Factors affecting growth.
This map is a composite of various studies. In general any shaded area would be expensive or impossible to develop. The area served by the existing water mains would develop more rapidly, and the area within the existing Water District would develop next. All white areas on the map can be easily and reasonably developed for any use.
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224th ANNUAL REPORT OF
POPULATION
GROWTH POTENTIAL
POTENTIAL GROWTH FOR YOWN AS
INDEX:
*****
PLANNING BOARD . ACTON. MASSACHUSETTS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT · ASSOCIATES IXC. BOSTON, MASS.
No. 4. Population - Growth Potential.
The shaded squares show the existing and potential popula- tion for each of sixteen study areas. The potential was derived on a basis of easily developable land and accepting the existing zoning regulations as remaining in force. What is shown is that approximately 10,700 new families could be added to the exist- ing 1900 for a total of 12,600 families, or about 46,000 people.
15
THE TOWN OF ACTON
REPORT OF THE ACTON PLANNING BOARD
TO THE HONORABLE BOARD OF SELECTMEN:
The Planning Board was extremely active during 1959. In addition to the regular meetings of the Board held on the first and third Mondays of each month, many additional meetings have been necessary.
The primary activity of the Board, has been administration of the Subdivision Control Law. The tightening of the Subdivision Control Regulations has been found necessary, and new regulations adopted in December 1958 are in effect. We have found the subdividers anxious to co-operate in working toward a high standard of subdivision quality.
The work of the Board has not been confined to scheduled meetings. On-the-ground inspection has been required and Board members, accom- panied by consulting engineers employed by the Board, have labored many hours on week-ends to check subdivision layout, inspect roads, and to study drainage.
The voters at the Annual Town Meeting in March 1959 authorized two important projects: 1) a survey to work out a street numbering system for the Town and 2) a Comprehensive Town Plan to help guide the future growth of the Town.
We are glad to report that the survey of the Town street numbering system has been completed with the required recommendations. Existing numbers have been retained where possible. Card files, listing the housing units in the Town, the names of the residents and the assigned house numbers have been turned over to the Town Clerk, who will notify the affected residents. The file will be the basis for the 1960 registration lists.
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