USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1961 > Part 5
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12
Voted: To raise and appropriate $5,000.00 and that $5,000.00 be appro- priated from Overlay Surplus for a Reserve Fund, pursuant to the provisions of General Laws, Chapter 40, Section 6.
ARTICLE 44 FIRE ALARM
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $3,400.00, or any other sum, to extend the fire alarm system on Hosmer Street from Concord Road to Longfellow Park, on Longfellow Park to Alcott Street, on Alcott Street to Thoreau Road, on Thoreau Road, to Alcott Street, and on Alcott Street to Emerson Drive, on Emerson Drive to Alcott Street, and on Alcott Street to Concord Road, and to install five new street alarm boxes, or take any other action relative thereto.
Voted: To raise and appropriate the sum of $2,900.00, to extend the fire alarm system on Hosmer Street from Concord Road to Longfellow Park, on Long-
59
THE TOWN OF ACTON
fellow Park to Alcott Street, on Alcott Street to Thoreau Road, on Thoreau Road to Alcott Street, and on Alcott Street to Emerson Drive, on Emerson Drive to Alcott Street, and on Alcott Street to Concord Road, and to install five new street alarm boxes.
ARTICLE 45 FIRE ALARM
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, to extend the fire alarm system on Ethan Allen Drive from Summer Street to Paul Revere Road, thereby completing the Town's obligation on this extension, and install one street alarm box, or take any other action relative thereto.
Voted: To raise and appropriate the sum of $400.00, to extend the fire alarm system on Ethan Allen Drive from Summer Street to Paul Revere Road. thereby completing the Town's obligation on this extension, and install one street alarm box.
ARTICLE 46 FIRE ALARM
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $600.00, or any other sum, to extend the fire alarm system on Oakwood Road from Piper Road to Pinewood Road and on Pinewood Road to Brucewood Road, thereby completing the Town's obligation on this exten- sion, and install one street alarm box, or take any other action relative thereto.
Voted: To raise and appropriate the sum of $600.00, to extend the fire alarm system on Oakwood Road from Piper Road to Pinewood Road and on Pine- wood Road to Brucewood Road, thereby completing the Town's obligation on this extension, and install one street alarm box.
ARTICLE 47 BUILDING INSPECTOR
To see if the Town will vote to accept Section 3 of Chapter 143 of the Gen- eral Laws, as amended, covering the inspection of certain types of buildings by the local building inspector, or take any other action relative thereto.
Voted: To accept Section 3 of Chapter 143 of the General Laws, as amended, covering the inspection of certain types of buildings by the local building inspector.
ARTICLE 48 PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to appoint a three-man committee to study the feasibility of the establishment of a Public Works Department, said committee to report periodically to the Selectmen and to make a final report to the next annual Town Meeting, or take any other action relative thereto.
60
226th ANNUAL REPORT OF
Voted: To authorize the Board of Selectmen to appoint a three-man com- mittee to study the feasibility of the establishment of a Public Works Department, said committee to report periodically to the Selectmen and to make a final report to the next annual Town Meeting.
Voted: To adjourn at 9:51 P. M.
A true copy. Attest:
CHARLES M. MACRAE, Town Clerk.
ABSTRACT OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL TOWN MEETING, MARCH 13, 1961 ADJOURNED SESSION March 15, 1961
ARTICLE 27
To see if the Town will vote to amend the By-Laws of the Town of Acton by striking out Article 5 of Section I and by inserting the following: "Article 5. No contract shall be awarded for any work or service, other than day work, road work or professional services, to be performed for the Town by an independent contractor and no purchase of supplies, materials or equipment shall be made, the estimated cost of which in either case is $750.00 or more, unless advertised for competitive bids. Such bids shall be advertised by public advertisement by at least one insertion in a newspaper of general circulation in the Town at least ten (10) days before the time advertised for opening of bids," or take any other action relative thereto.
Voted Unanimously: To amend the By-Laws of the Town of Acton by striking out Article 5 of Section I and inserting the following: "Article 5. No contract shall be awarded for any work or service, other than day work, road work or professional services, to be performed for the Town by an independent contractor and no purchase of supplies, materials or equipment shall be made, the estimated cost of which in either case is $750.00 or more, unless advertised for competitive bids. Such bids shall be advertised by public advertisement by at least one insertion in a newspaper of general circulation in the Town at least ten (10) days before the time advertised for opening of bids."
ARTICLE 37
To see if the Town will vote to amend the Protective Zoning By-Law of the Town of Acton by rezoning from residential to industrial the property on the Northerly and Southerly sides of Massachusetts Avenue (Route 2) now owned by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and commonly known as the Concord Reformatory Farm, or take any other action relative thereto.
Moderator appointed the following tellers: John Neville, Donald Loring, Warren Newell, Thomas Wetherbee, David Tinker, Harold W. Flood, Robert Stow, Robert Clapp, Dana Hinckley, James B. Wilson, Julia A. Barry, Jessie
61
THE TOWN OF ACTON
Wood Knippel, Eleanor P. Wilson, Phyllis K. Sprague, Hazel P. Vose, Mabel McNamara.
Voted: To amend the Protective Zoning By-Law of the Town of Acton by rezoning from residential to industrial the property on the Southerly side of Massachusetts Avenue (Route 2) now owned by the Commonwealth of Massa- chusetts and commonly known as the Concord Reformatory Farm.
Ballot Vote. Total - 724. Yes - 604. No-120. Needed to carry - 482.
A true copy. Attest:
CHARLES M. MACRAE, Town Clerk.
Boston, Mass.
May 29, 1961.
The foregoing amendment to by-laws adopted under Article 27 and amend- ment to zoning by-laws adopted under Article 37 are hereby approved.
/s/ E. J. McCORMACK, JR., Attorney General.
62
226th ANNUAL REPORT OF
ABSTRACT OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE SPECIAL TOWN MEETING July 17, 1961
ARTICLE 1
ADDITION JULIA MCCARTHY SCHOOL
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $10,000.00, or any other sum, to be expended by the Town Building Committee for the purpose of hiring an architect. Said architect to be hired for the purpose of making architectural working drawings for a con- templated four (4) room addition to the present Julia McCarthy Elementary School, or take any other action relative thereto.
Voted Unanimously: To appropriate from Surplus Revenue the sum of $10,000.00 to be expended by the Town Building Committee for the purpose of hiring an architect. Said architect to be hired for the purpose of making archi- tectural working drawings for a contemplated four (4) room addition to the present Julia McCarthy Elementary School.
ARTICLE 2 AIR COMPRESSOR
To see if the Town will vote to appropriate from available funds the sum of $750.00, or any other sum, to replace the air compressor at the West Acton Fire Station and authorize the Board of Selectmen to sell or trade in the old compressor, or take any other action relative thereto.
Voted Unanimously: To appropriate from the Surplus Revenue Account the sum of $750.00 for the purchase of a new air compressor for the West Acton Fire Station and authorize the Board of Selectmen to sell or trade-in the old compressor.
ARTICLE 3 CENTRAL STREET
To see if the Town will vote to accept the relocation of Central Street, from about the grade crossing, locally known as Richardson's Crossing, in an easterly and southerly direction for approximately 1,372 feet, as laid out by the Board of Selectmen for common convenience, necessity and public safety, according to a plan on file with the Town Clerk, or take any other action relative thereto.
Voted Unanimously: To accept the relocation of Central Street, from about the grade crossing, locally known as Richardson's Crossing, in an easterly and southerly direction for approximately 1,372 feet, as laid out by the Board of Selectmen for common convenience, necessity and public safety, according to a plan on file with the Town Clerk.
Voted: To adjourn at 8:18 P. M.
A true copy. Attest:
CHARLES M. MACRAE,
Town Clerk.
63
THE TOWN OF ACTON
ABSTRACT OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE SPECIAL TOWN MEETING December 18, 1961
ARTICLE 1
Voted unanimously: To transfer the unexpended balance of $39,974.87 in the Elementary School Building Account to the Julia McCarthy School Addition Account.
ARTICLE 2
Voted unanimously:
1. That there be and hereby is authorized the construction, original equipping and furnishing of an addition to the Julia McCarthy School for Grade 1, to be located on land of the Town on Charter Road, said school to con- tain four rooms and to be in accordance with final plans prepared by The Architects Collaborative;
2. That the sum of $125,000.00 is hereby appropriated to meet the cost of construction, original equipping and furnishing said school building;
3. That said appropriation shall be raised in the following manner: the sum of $39,974.87 transferred from unexpended funds in the Elementary School Account; $25,025.13 be transferred from Surplus Revenue; and $60,000.00 by borrowing under the applicable provisions of Chapter 44 of the General Laws.
4. That the notes of each loan hereinbefore authorized may be issued and sold at one time or from time to time, but all notes shall be issued and sold in accordance with the applicable provisions of Chapter 44 of the General Laws and each issue of said Notes shall be paid in not more than five (5) years from the date thereof; and
5. That the Town Building Committee of four members, appointed pursuant to authority granted under Article 15 of the 1956 Annual Town Meeting. is hereby empowered in the name of and in behalf of the Town of Acton in addition to authority previously granted, to enter into such contracts or contract as it may deem advisable and in accordance with the applicable provisions of law for the planning, construction, original equipping and furnishing of said addition to the Julia McCarthy School, and all other matters connected with and incidental thereto, including by way of illus- tration and not by way of limitation. the necessary architectural, engineer- ing, and other professional services.
ARTICLE 3
Voted unanimously: To increase the membership of the Conservation Com- mission from five (5) to seven (7) members, by the appointment of two members- at-large, the latter number being authorized by Section 8C, Chapter 40 of the General Laws as established by Chapter 495 of the Acts of 1956 and amended by Chapter 223 of the Acts of 1959, and to redesignate all members as members-at- large; initially two to be appointed for terms of 1 year, three to be appointed for 2 years, and two to be appointed for 3 years, thereafter all members to be appointed for three years.
64
226th ANNUAL REPORT OF
ARTICLE 4
Voted unanimously: To accept the provisions of Section 20 of Chapter 40A of the General Laws so that no appeal or petition for a variance from the terms of the Zoning By-Law, or application for a special permission under the provisions of said by-law, which has been unfavorably acted upon by the Board of Appeals shall be considered again on its merits by said Board for two years after the date of such unfavorable action, except with the consent of the Planning Board.
ARTICLE 5
Voted unanimously: To accept the revised form of the existing Protective Zoning By-Law of the Town of Acton containing a table of contents, numerical sub-titles and the existing Zoning By-Laws, in place of the present form of said by-laws.
THE PROTECTIVE ZONING BY-LAW OF THE TOWN OF ACTON
Adopted December 16, 1953; As amended to December 20, 1960 inclusive
REVISED FORM
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I PREAMBLE
II GENERAL REGULATIONS
A. Continued Nonconforming Use of Land and Buildings
B. Temporary Uses
C. Lots in Two Districts
D. Signs and Advertising Devices
E. Trailers
III DISTRICTS
A. Classes of Districts
1. Residential
2. Business
3 . Industrial
B. Location of Districts
IV USE REGULATIONS
A. Residential and Agricultural District
B. Business District
C. Industrial
V INTENSITY REGULATIONS
A. Residential and Agricultural District
1. Area Regulations
2. Setback
3. Side and Rear Lines
B. Business District
1. Area Regulations
2. Setback
65
THE TOWN OF ACTON
C. Industrial District
1. Area and Yard Regulations
2. Setback
3. Side and Rear Lines
4. Parking Area
5. Off-Street Loading Facilities
VI ADMINISTRATION
A. Enforcement 1.
Enforcement
B. Board of Appeals
C. Amendments
D. Effect of By-Law
E. Validity
I PREAMBLE
For the purpose of promoting in the Town of Acton the health, safety, convenience and welfare of its inhabitants, to lessen the dangers from fire, congestion and confusion and to encourage the most appropriate use of land in the town, this protective by-law is enacted.
II GENERAL REGULATIONS
A. Continued Nonconforming Use of Land and Buildings
1. Nothing in this by-law shall prohibit the continued lawful use of land or buildings in the same or similar manner in which they were used at the time of the adoption of this by-law, but if any nonconforming use shall be discontinued for a period of more than five years, it may not be resumed except by a permit granted by the Board of Appeals.
2. Necessary repairs and rebuilding of nonconforming structure after damage by fire, storm, or similar disaster are hereby permitted provided they are accomplished without undue delay and do not substantially change the character or size of the buildings nor the use to which they were put prior to such damage.
B. Temporary Uses
The Board of Appeals may permit a temporary building or use incidental to the development of a neighborhood, such permit to be issued for an initial period of not more than two years and for renewal periods of not more than one year each.
C. Lots in Two Districts
When a district boundary line divides a lot of single or joint ownership of record at the time this by-law is adopted, the regulations for the less restricted portion of such lot shall extend not more than thirty feet into the more restricted portion, provided the lot has frontage on a street in the less restricted district.
D. Signs and Advertising Devices
Signs and advertising devices shall not be considered structures under this law but shall be licensed by the Selectmen after recommendation by the Planning Board. Application for a license shall be made to the Selectmen and shall be accompanied by a complete description of the sign including a graphic pictorial representation thereof. A professional sign of six (6) square
66
226th ANNUAL REPORT OF
feet or less in area shall not require a license provided that said sign is on the premises of the person or company offering the services advertised and, in the case of a real estate sign, is on the premises offered for sale or lease.
E. Trailers
Hereafter no person shall use or permit to be used for dwelling purposes within the Town, any trailer or similar mobile equipment whether registered or unregistered, mobile or immobile, except that mobile trailers may be used for temporary dwelling purposes, provided such use is licensed by the Select- men, said license to be applied for by the occupant within three (3) days after the unit is located in the Town, and with no license granted hereunder to be for a period exceeding six (6) calendar months.
III DISTRICTS
A. Classes of Districts
For the purposes of this by-law the Town of Acton is hereby divided into the following three classes of Districts.
1. Residential
2. Business
3. Industrial
B. Location of Districts
Said districts are defined and bounded on the map which accompanies this by-law, entitled "Zoning Map of the Town of Acton," Map No. 1 dated and filed in the office of the Town Clerk, which map, with notations thereon, is hereby made a part of this by-law. In the event of any difference between scaled distance upon said map and distance as indicated by figures, said figures shall govern.
1. The industrial area marked A and shown on the map as located in Acton Center lies southeasterly on Main Street between Nagog Hill Road and Brook Street and includes only the land described in the following deeds:
Mary A. Packard to Technology Instrument Corporation, recorded in Mid- dlesex South District Deeds Book 7632 Page 383.
Mary A. Packard to Lucius E. Packard and Raymond W. Searle, recorded in Middlesex South District Deeds Book 7840 Page 375.
Norman E. Livermore to Paul M. and Margaret McPherson, recorded in Middlesex South District Deeds Book 7716 Page 558.
IV USE REGULATIONS
A. Residential and Agricultural District
1. In a residential and agricultural district a building or premise may be erected, altered, or used for the following purposes:
a. A dwelling for one family including garaging for not more than four private motor vehicles.
b. Housing for farm equipment shall not be limited.
c. Multiple dwelling units for two or more families upon approval of the Board of Appeals.
d. Agricultural use including the sale of farm products, the major portion of which is grown on the premises.
e. Municipal, recreational, educational or religious use.
THE TOWN OF ACTON
67
f. Accessory use on the same lot if not detrimental to the neighbor- hood, including the use of a room or rooms in a dwelling for not more than four paying guests, as a tea room, an office or studio by a physician, dentist, lawyer, music teacher, hairdresser, worker in handicrafts or a person of similar vocation resident in the dwell- ing, employing not more than two permanent employees.
2. The following and similar uses may be permitted by the Board of Appeals if adjudged nondetrimental to the neighborhood:
a. Sawmill
b. Kennel
c. Rest Home
d. Sand or Gravel Pit
e. Stone Quarry
f. Undertaking Eestablishment
g. Guest or Lodging House for more than four persons.
B. Business District
1. In a business district, a building or structure may be erected or altered and a building, structure or premises may be used for any of the following purposes if not injurious, noxious or harmful to the health of the neighbor- hood by reasons of odor, fumes, dust, smoke, vibration, noise, or other cause.
a. Any use as permitted in a residential and agricultural district.
b. Retail business, service or public utility. Manufacturing on the premises of products the major portion of which is to be sold on the premises to the ultimate consumers thereof.
c. Bank or office.
d. Apartment, hotel, or lodging house. Not to include Trailer Camp.
e. Place of amusement or assembly.
f. Restaurant.
2. The following and similar uses may be permitted by the Board of Appeals if adjudged nondetrimental to the neighborhood.
a. Sawmill
b. Kennel
c. Wholesale business not involving manufacture
d. Warehouse
e. Stone Quarry
f. Undertaking establishment
g. Sand or gravel pit
C. Industrial District
1. In an industrial district, a building or structure may be erected or altered and a building, structure or premises may be used for manufacturing not injurious, noxious or offensive to the neighborhood by reason of the emission of odor, fumes, dust, smoke, vibration, industrial waste (including the deposit in inland waters of silt, sand or stone, resulting from manu- facturing processes), noise or other cause, and for all uses as permitted in Section IV-A and Section IV-B hereof.
2. Trailer camps shall not be permitted.
68
226th ANNUAL REPORT OF
V INTENSITY REGULATIONS
A. Residential District
1. Area Regulations
A building may be erected only upon a lot having 150 feet or more frontage and containing 20,000 or more square feet, except that on an irregular shaped lot, having less than 150 foot frontage, but containing the requisite area and having 150 feet frontage at the 30 foot set back line, a building may be erected thereon provided the set back and sideline distances are maintained. A building and its building of accessory use may be erected on any lot which, at the time this by-law is adopted, is in ownership of record.
2. Setback
No building or other structure shall be erected nearer than 30 feet to the sideline of the street, except that where two or more adjacent buildings have established a setback line less than permitted above, the Board of Appeals may permit a new structure to be erected in conformity with the line so established.
3. Side and Rear Lines
No building shall be erected nearer than 10 feet to a lot line without permission of the Board of Appeals.
B. Business District
1. Area Regulations
A structure erected for residential purposes in a business zone shall conform to the area, setback, side and rear line restrictions as set forth in Section V-A of the Protective Zoning By-Law of the Town of Acton.
2. Setback
No building or other structure shall be erected nearer than 30 feet to the sideline of the street. Where two or more adjacent buildings have established a setback line less than that permitted above, the Board of Appeals may permit a new structure to be erected in conformity with the line so established.
C. Industrial District
1. Area and Yard Regulations
A structure erected for residential purposes in an industrial district shall conform to the area regulations, setback restrictions and side and rear line restrictions as set forth in Section V-A of the Protective Zoning By-Law of the Town of Acton.
2. Setback
No building or other structure shall extend nearer than 30 feet to the sideline of the street. Where two or more adjacent buildings have established a setback line less than that permitted above, the Board of Appeals may permit a new structure to be erected in conformity with the line so established.
3. Side and Rear Lines
No building shall be erected nearer than 30 feet to a lot. side or rear line without permission of the Board of Appeals.
69
THE TOWN OF ACTON
4. Parking Area
A parking area off the public ways must be provided for all automobiles used by persons employed in or about the premises.
5. Off-Street Loading Facilities
Off-Street Loading facilities must be provided and be of sufficient area to keep the public way clear.
VI ADMINISTRATION
A. Enforcement
1. Enforcement
This by-law shall be enforced by the Board of Selectmen in the manner provided for by the General Laws and the By-Laws of the Town. Any person aggrieved by any decision of the Board of Selectmen hereunder may appeal to the Board of Appeals.
B. Board of Appeals
1. In accordance with Section 30 of Chapter 40 of the General Laws, a Board of Appeals consisting of three members shall be appointed by the Selectmen for terms of such length and so arranged that the terms of one member shall expire each year. Two associates shall be appointed in like manner. Such Board shall have all the powers set forth in said Section, together with the powers and authority set forth in these Protective Zoning By-Laws.
2. No member of the Board of Appeals shall act in any matter in which he is personally interested, in such event an associate shall act.
C. Amendments
1. In accordance with the General Laws this by-law may be amended by a two-thirds vote of a Town Meeting.
D. Effect of By-Law
Nothing in this by-law shall be construed as repealing or modifying any existing Town by-law, rule, regulation or permit, but shall be in addition thereto.
E. Validity
1. The invalidity of any section or provision of this by-law shall not invalidate any other section or provision thereof not manifestly inseparable therefrom.
2. These by-laws shall take effect upon compliance of the provisions of Section 32, Chapter 40 of the General Laws.
ARTICLE 6
Voted unanimously: To accept the following streets, or portions thereof. constructed under the requirements of the Subdivision Control Law and as laid out by the Board of Selectmen according to plans on file with the Town Clerk:
Ethan Allen Drive 826.73 feet from Summer Street; Paul Revere Road 451.28 feet from Ethan Allen Drive;
Betsy Ross Circle 447.99 feet from Paul Revere Road;
including the takings or acceptance of easements for drainage, or other purposes, where shown on said plans.
70
226th ANNUAL REPORT OF
ARTICLE 7
Voted unanimously: To accept the following street, or portions thereof, constructed under the requirements of the Subdivision Control Law and as laid out by the Board of Selectmen according to a plan on file with the Town Clerk:
Beverly Road 1,173 feet from Main Street; including the takings or acceptance of easement for drainage, or other purposes, where shown on said plan.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.