Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1956-1960, Part 53

Author: Acton (Mass.)
Publication date: 1956
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1150


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1956-1960 > Part 53


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ARTICLE 17 WEST ACTON SCHOOL


To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $1,800.00, or any other sum, to be expended by the Board of Selectmen for the purpose of demolishing or otherwise disposing of the Old West Acton School Building so-called, or take any other action relative thereto.


Voted: To raise and appropriate the sum of $1,800.00 to be expended by the Board of Selectmen for the purpose of demolishing or otherwise disposing of the Old West Acton School Building so-called.


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THE TOWN OF ACTON


ARTICLE 18 POWER MOWER


To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $1,000.00, or any other sum, for the purchase of a power mower, or take any other action relative thereto.


Voted: To raise and appropriate the sum of $1,000.00 for the purchase of a power mower.


ARTICLE 19 FLUID DUPLICATOR


To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $200.00, or any other sum, for the purchase of a Fluid Duplicator for the several Departments and Com- mittees of the Town, or take any other action relative thereto.


Voted: To appropriate from Surplus Revenue the sum of $170.00 for the purchase of a Fluid Duplicator for the several depart- ments and Committees of the Town.


Motion: To take up Article 28.


Motion Lost.


ARTICLE 20 WATER DISTRICT


To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $200.00 as its contribution to the West and South Water Supply District of Acton toward the cost of extending a six-inch water main from Hosmer Street to the Acton town dump on Massachusetts Avenue, or take any other action relative thereto.


Voted: To raise and appropriate the sum of $200.00 as its con- tribution to the West and South Water Supply District of Acton toward the cost of extending a six-inch water main from Hosmer Street to the Acton town dump on Massachusetts Avenue.


ARTICLE 21 SPEED LIMIT SIGNS


To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $464.00, or any other sum, for the purchase and installation of sixteen (16) speed limit signs, or take any other action relative thereto.


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225th ANNUAL REPORT OF


Voted: To raise and appropriate the sum of $464.00 for the purchase and installation of sixteen (16) speed limit signs on Stow Street, Hosmer Street, Prospect Street and Piper Road.


ARTICLE 22 CHAPTER 90 CONSTRUCTION


To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $7,000.00, or any other sum, for Chapter 90 Construction of Powder Mill Road and Main Street; said money to be used in conjunction with $7,000.00 to be allotted by the County and $14,000.00 to be allotted by the State, or take any other action relative thereto.


Voted: To raise and appropriate the sum of $7,000.00 for Chapter 90 Construction of Powder Mill Road and Main Street; said money to be used in conjunction with $7,000.00 to be allotted by the County and $14,000.00 to be allotted by the State.


ARTICLE 23


To see if the Town will vote to appropriate from the Surplus Revenue Account the amount of the State's and County's Allotments for highways under Chapters 81 and 90; provided that the reimbursement be credited back to the Surplus Revenue Account, or take any other action relative thereto.


Voted: To appropriate from the Surplus Revenue Account. The sum of $41,875.00, provided that the reimbursement be credited back to the Surplus Revenue Account. This sum to be made up as follows:


Chapter 81 Maintenance State


$17,875.00


Chapter 90 Maintenance State


1,500.00


Chapter 90 Maintenance County


1,500.00


Chapter 90 Construction State


14,000.00


Chapter 90 Construction County


7,000.00


$41,875.00


ARTICLE 24 TAYLOR ROAD


To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $3,000.00, or any other sum, to com- plete the ledge work on Taylor Road, started last year under Article 34 of the Annual Town Meeting Warrant, or take any other action relative thereto.


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Voted: To raise and appropriate the sum of $3,000.00 to com- plete the ledge work on Taylor Road, started last year under Article 34 of the Annual Town Meeting Warrant.


Adjourned at 11:00 P. M.


Monday, March 21, 1960


Moderator called the meeting to order at 7:30 P. M.


ARTICLE 25


FILING CABINET


To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $125.00, or any other sum, for the purchase of a five-drawer filing cabinet for the Treasurer and Collector, or take any other action relative thereto.


Voted: To appropriate from available funds the sum of $125.00 for the purchase of a five-drawer filing cabinet for the Treasurer and Collector.


ARTICLE 26 ADDING MACHINE


To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $400.00, or any other sum, for the purchase of an adding machine for the Treasurer and collector, or take any other action relative thereto.


Voted: To appropriate from available funds the sum of $400.00 for the purchase of an adding machine for the Treasurer and Collector


ARTICLE 27 PLAYGROUNDS


To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $750.00, or any other sum, for the purchase and installation of three sets of swings which sets of swings are to be installed at the three playgrounds in Acton, or take any other action relative thereto. (Inserted by the Recreation Commission) .


Voted: To raise and appropriate the sum of $750.00 for the purchase and installation of three sets of swings which sets of swings are to be installed at the three playgrounds in Acton.


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225th ANNUAL REPORT OF


ARTICLE 28 TENNIS COURTS


To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $12,000.00, or any other sum, for the construction of two tennis courts, one at the playground in Acton Center, and one at the playground in South Acton, or take any other action relative thereto. (Inserted by Recreation Commission).


Motion: To raise and appropriate the sum of $12,000.00 for the construction of two tennis courts, one at the playground in Acton Center, and one at the playground in South Acton.


Motion lost.


ARTICLE 29 TOWN DUMP


To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to purchase, take by eminent domain or otherwise acquire for the Town for use as a refuse disposal area a parcel of land, believed to belong to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, containing approximately 10.5 acres of land, which property is located on the Northerly side of Route 2 and adjacent to the present Town refuse disposal area, and to see if the Town will appropriate money therefor, to be provided by taxation, by appropriation from available funds or by borrowings under Chapter 44 of the General Laws, or take any other action relative thereto. (Inserted by the Board of Health) .


Motion: To authorize the Selectmen to purchase, take by eminent domain or otherwise acquire for the Town for use as a refuse disposal area a parcel of land with or without the trees thereon believed to belong to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts situated on the Northerly side of Route 2 and adjacent to the present Town refuse disposal area, bounded and described as follows:


Beginning at the road at land now or formerly of Reginald C. Stoney which land was formerly of Samuel Hosmer at the Westerly corner of said premises; thence Northerly on land of said Stoney to land formerly of Silas Taylor; thence Easterly on land of said Taylor to land formerly of Samuel Hosmer; thence Southerly on land of said Hosmer to land now or formerly of Francis B. Farrar, which land was formerly of Jonathan A. Piper; thence on land of said Farrar to the County Road; thence Westerly on said road to the point of beginning, and containing 10.5 acres of land more or less; subject however to such easements as may exist in favor of any persons and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts over


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said parcel; and that the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $500.00 therefor.


Voted : To amend motion by striking out $500.00 and inserting $1,000.00.


Voted Unanimously: To authorize the Selectmen to purchase, take by eminent domain or otherwise acquire for the Town for use as a refuse disposal area a parcel of land with or without the trees thereon believed to belong to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts situated on the Northerly side of Route 2 and adjacent to the present Town refuse dis- posal area, bounded and described as follows:


Beginning at the road at land now or formerly of Reginald C. Stoney which land was formerly of Samuel Hosmer at the Westerly corner of said premises; thence Northerly on land of said Stoney to land formerly of Silas Taylor; thence Easterly on land of said Taylor to land formerly of Samuel Hosmer; thence Southerly on land of said Hosmer to land now or formerly of Francis B. Farrar, which land was formerly of Jonathan A. Piper; thence on land of said Farrar to the County Road; thence Westerly on said road to the point of Beginning, and containing 10.5 acres of land more or less; subject however to such easements as may exist in favor of any persons and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts over said parcel; and that the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $1,000.00 therefor.


ARTICLE 30 TOWN DUMP


To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $1,000.00, or any other sum, to pur- chase and install a 200 ft. Chain link fence at the Town Dump, or take any other action relative thereto. (Inserted by Board of Health).


Voted: To pass over the Article.


ARTICLE 31 CEMETERIES


To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $500.00, or any other sum, for the purpose of surveying, laying out new sections for Cemetery lots, making new maps of the Cemeteries and to authorize the Cemetery Commission- ers to do anything necessary, proper and expedient for carrying out the above purposes, or take any other action relative thereto. (Inserted by Cemetery Commissioners ) .


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225th ANNUAL REPORT OF


Voted: To appropriate from Cemetery Land Fund the sum of $500.00 for the purpose of surveying, laying out new sections for Cemetery lots, making new maps of the cemeteries and to authorize the Cemetery Commissioners to do anything necessary, proper and expedient for carrying out the above purposes.


ARTICLE 32 VOCATIONAL TUITION


To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $2,000.00, or any other sum, for the payment of vocational tuition and transportation according to the pro- visions of Chapter 74 of the General Laws, or take any other action relative thereto. (Inserted by School Departments) .


Voted: To raise and appropriate the sum of $2,000.00 for the payment of vocational tuition and transportation according to the pro- visions of Chapter 74 of the General Laws.


ARTICLE 33 WATER SAFETY PROGRAM


To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $500.00, or any other sum, to estab- lish a special Water Safety Account for the support of the Water Safety Program which is jointly sponsored by the Red Cross and the School Department, or take any other action relative thereto. (Inserted by School Department) .


Voted: To raise and appropriate the sum of $500.00 to establish a special Water Safety Account for the support of the Water Safety Program which is jointly sponsored by the Red Cross and the School Department.


ARTICLE 34 GIFT CONANT


To see if the Town will vote to accept the gift of $2,500.00 to it under the provision of Article Third 1 (f) of the A. B. Conant Trust, and to see if the Town will accept the provisions contained in said article, which reads as follows:


Article Third "Twenty-five Hundred Dollars ($2500) to the Town of Acton, the income only to be used for the purposes con- nected with the High School of said Town."


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THE TOWN OF ACTON


Voted: To accept the gift of $2,500.00 to it under the provision of Article Third 1 (f) of the A. B. Conant Trust, and to accept the provisions contained in said article, which reads as follows:


Article Third "Twenty-five Hundred Dollars ($2500) to the Town of Acton, the income only to be used for the purposes con- nected with the High School of said Town."


ARTICLE 35 TOWN HALL DRIVEWAY


To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $2,500.00, or any other sum, for the purpose of resurfacing the parking area and driveway at the Town Hall, or take any other action relative thereto.


Voted: To raise and appropriate the sum of $2,500.00 for the purpose of resurfacing the parking area and driveway at the Town Hall.


ARTICLE 36 SIDEWALK


To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $900.00, or any other sum, to construct a sidewalk in front of the South Acton Congregational Church on School Street, or take any other action relative thereto. (Requested by Executive Board of the South Acton Congregational Church).


Voted: To raise and appropriate the sum of $900.00 to construct a sidewalk in front of the South Acton Congregational Church on School Street.


ARTICLE 37 COPYING MACHINE


To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $175.00, or any other sum, for the purchase of a copying machine for the Town Office, or take any other action relative thereto.


Voted: To appropriate from Surplus Revenue the sum of $175.00 for the purchase of a copying machine for the Town Office.


ARTICLE 38 UNPAID BILLS


To see if the Town will vote to pay the following unpaid bills incurred in the year 1959:


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225th ANNUAL REPORT OF


Henry E. Keenan, for services rendered to the Town of Acton in appraisal of the fair market value of Parcels 30, 35 and 37, Main Street, South Acton, Massachusetts, formerly owned by Richard T. Kelley and Rose M. Kelley, and subsequently taken by eminent domain and appropriated to the public use. $375.00


John J. Sheehan for legal services rendered to the Town of Acton in connection with Middlesex Superior Court Case, Equity Number 21563, Town of Acton and Charles D. MacPherson, Martin S. Meigs, and Lawrence Donnelly, Board of Selectmen of Acton vs. Real Estate Co-Operative, Inc. and John J. McGloin. $520.95


Voted Unanimously: To pay the following unpaid bills incurred in the year 1959:


Henry E. Keenan, for services rendered to the Town of Acton in appraisal of the fair market value of Parcels 30, 35 and 37, Main Street, South Acton, Massachusetts, formerly owned by Richard T. Kelley and Rose M. Kelley, and subsequently taken by eminent domain and appropriated to the public use. $375.00


John J. Sheehan for legal services rendered to the Town of Acton in connection with Middlesex Superior Court Case, Equity Number 21563, Town of Acton and Charles D. MacPherson, Martin S. Meigs, and Lawrence Donnelly, Board of Selectmen of Acton vs. Real Estate Co-Operative, Inc. and John J. McGloin.


$520.95


ARTICLE 39 KELLEY LAND


To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $1,500.00 to be paid to Richard T. Kelley and Rose M. Kelley as compensation for damages incurred by the taking by eminent domain and appropriation to the public use of Parcels 30, 35 and 37 as shown on a Plan of the Relocation of a Portion of Main Street, Acton as ordered by the County Commissioners 1958 and duly recorded with the Middlesex South District Registry of Deeds in Book 9138, page 533.


Voted: To raise and appropriate the sum of $1,500.00 to be paid to Richard T. Kelley and Rose M. Kelley as compensation for damages incurred by the taking by eminent domain and appropriation to the public use of Parcels 30, 35 and 37 as shown on a Plan of the Reloca- tion of a Portion of Main Street, Acton as ordered by the County Com- missioners 1958 and duly recorded with the Middlesex South District Registry of Deeds in Book 9138, page 533.


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THE TOWN OF ACTON


ARTICLE 40


CEMETERY


To see if the Town will vote to transfer the small Cemetery Surplus Fund to the Perpetual Care Fund in accordance with the recommenda- tions of the Trust Fund Committee, or take any other action relative thereto.


Voted: To transfer the small Cemetery Surplus Fund to the Per- petual Care Fund.


ARTICLE 41 BY-LAWS


To see if the Town will vote to replace Article 1 of Section 1 of the Town By-Laws, dated March 8, 1926, with the following; or take any other action relative thereto.


All business of the annual meeting, except the election of Town officers, shall be held on the first Monday in March of each year. This meeting shall determine such matters as are required by law. The Board of Selectmen shall set the time and place for the annual meeting. (Inserted by Planning Board) .


Voted: To go into Committee of the Whole Chair turned over to John Loring, Chairman of Planning Board.


Voted to dissolve Committee of the Whole.


Motion: To replace Article 1 of Section 1 of the Town By-Laws, dated March 8, 1926, with the following: or take any other action relative thereto.


All business of the annual meeting, except the election of Town officers, shall be held on the first Monday in March of each year. This meeting shall determine such matters as are required by law. The Board of Selectmen shall set the time and the place for the annual meeting.


Motion Lost.


ARTICLE 42 BY-LAWS


To see if the Town will vote to replace Article 2 of Section 1 of the Town By-Laws, dated March 8, 1926, with the following; or take any other action relative thereto.


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225th ANNUAL REPORT OF


The election of Town officers shall take place on the second Monday of March of each year. The Board of Selectmen shall set the location of the polling places and the polling hours. (Inserted by the Planning Board).


Voted: To pass over the article.


ARTICLE 43 DRAINAGE SURVEY


To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $3,000.00, or any other sum, to be spent over a two-year period by the Planning Board to continue the survey of drainage in the Town, or take any other action relative thereto. (Inserted by the Planning Board).


Voted: To raise and appropriate the sum of $1,000.00 to be spent over a two-year period by the Planning Board to continue the survey of drainage in the Town.


ARTICLE 44 ZONING BY-LAW


To see if the Town will vote to amend the Protective Zoning By-Law of the Town of Acton by adding the following paragraph to Section 1 - Continued Non-Conforming Use of Land and Buildings and Temporary Uses, or take any other action relative thereto.


Change of Non-Conforming Use: The Board of Appeals may permit non-conforming use to be changed to any specific use not sub- stantially different in character or objectionable to a neighborhood.


Voted: To pass over the article.


ARTICLE 45 ZONING


To see if the Town will vote to amend Section II-3 of the Pro- tective Zoning By-Law of the Town of Acton by striking out paragraph 3 and substituting the following, or take any other action relative thereto.


3 . Signs


a. In the interests of public safety, the following practices are prohibited :


1. Any sign or advertising device protruding or extending over public property.


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2. Any flashing illuminated sign or advertising device.


3 . Any sign or advertising device with moving parts.


4. Any sign or advertising device hung on or otherwise affixed to any other sign or advertising device.


5. Any noise-making sign or advertising device.


6. Any swinging sign or advertising device.


7. In addition, the illumination of a sign must be con- trolled so as to avoid the casting of beams therefrom, directly or indirectly into the eyes of persons driving vehicles on the highways.


b. No signs or advertising devices of any sort or description may be erected or affixed in any location, except that :


1. In a Residential and Agricultural District the follow- ing are permitted.


A. Signs pertaining to the lease, sale or use of a lot, or buildings provided that such signs not larger than a total area of six (6) square feet, are permitted.


B. Not more than two signs of two square feet each, pertaining to the use to which a dwelling is put, having the name of the occupant and/or the designation of any authorized occupation per- mitted in a Residential and Agricultural District. are permitted.


2. In a Business District not more than one sign is per- mitted at each place of business, to advertise the type of business, the occupation or trade carried on, or the principal product or service sold. For the purposes of this section, two similar signs, back to back, so as to face in opposite directions, shall be considered as one sign. A business facing on two streets shall be per- mitted one sign on each street.


3. In an Industrial District the same rules and regulations shall apply as in a Business District.


c. In Business and Industrial Districts no signs shall be erected until approved by the Board of Selectmen and licensed by it. Application for a license shall be accompanied by a detailed drawing, done to scale showing the proposed sign together with the proposed scheme of colors. The license fee shall be $2.00. Prior to issuing a license for a sign the Board of Selectmen shall give due consideration not only to the location, general appearance, and the public safety as out- lined in Section II 3a, above, but also to determine con-


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225th ANNUAL REPORT OF


formation with the general architectural style prevalent in the area in which it is to be located.


d. Each sign may be licensed for a specific period of time if the Board of Selectmen deems that this is in the best interests of the Town.


e. Temporary Signs may be erected as follows:


1. To warn against contagious disease


2. To warn against danger


3. To insure silence where serious illness exists.


Such temporary signs shall be removed as soon as the need ceases. No license fee shall be required for these Temporary Signs.


Motion made as above.


Voted Unanimously: To amend as follows:


Add new number 4 to Section 3 - e, as follows:


4. For Religious, Literary, Educational, Charitable and Civic Organizations.


Also add to last paragraph so as to read as follows:


Such temporary signs shall be removed as soon as the need ceases. No license fee shall be required for these Tempo- rary Signs, but a permit must be secured from the Board of Selectmen.


Voted Unanimously: To further amend as follows:


That paragraph b, section 3, be amended by adding the follow- ing: Signs pertaining to the lease or sale of a lot, or buildings, provided that such signs are not larger than a total area of six (6) square feet, are permitted.


Motion to lay on table. Motion lost.


Motion: To amend by deleting from Article 45-3. Signs, Item 3 and Item 6.


Motion lost.


Moderator appointed the following tellers, Harlan Tuttle, Katherine Crafts, Robert Stow, Henry Soar, Doris Swenson, Elizabeth Boardman.


Hand Vote


Total votes 242 yes - 127. no -115.


Needed to carry 162


Motion lost.


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ARTICLE 46 ZONING BY-LAW'


To see if the Town will vote to add a new paragraph, Numbered 8, to Section VI of the Protective Zoning By-Law of the Town of Acton as follows, or take any other action relative thereto.


8. Penalties : The penalties for violation of this By-Law shall be as follows: For the first offense - $50.00


For the second offense - $100.00 For each subsequent offense - $200.00


Voted Unanimously: To add a new paragraph, numbered 8, to Section VI of the Protective Zoning By-Law of the Town of Acton as follows:


8. Penalties: The penalties for violation of this By-Law shall be as follows:


For the first offense - $50.00


For the second offense - $100.00 For each subsequent offense - $200.00


ARTICLE 47 ZONING BY-LAW


To see if the Town will vote to amend Section III - 1 of the Pro- tective Zoning By-Law of the Town of Acton by striking out the words "or two families" and substituting "family" in paragraph 'a' of this section, and by striking out the words "three or more" and substituting "two or more" in paragraph 'b' of this section, or take any other action relative thereto.


Motion: To amend Section III - 1 of the Protective Zoning By-Law of the Town of Acton by striking out the words "or two families" and substituting "family" in paragraph 'a' of this section, and by striking out words "three or more" and substituting "two or more" in paragraph 'b' of this section.


Hand Vote


Total Votes 214 Yes-60 No-154


Needed to carry 143


Motion Lost.


ARTICLE 48 ZONING BY-LAW


To see if the Town will vote to add new sections, numbered 4 and 5. to Section IV, Business District, of the Protective Zoning By-Law of the Town of Acton as follows, or take any other action relative thereto.




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