- 1901 - Winthrop A Parkhurst purchased land, later designated 15 Acton Road, from Harriett M Bartlett on August 31 (Deed 335/358). Harriett Bartlett was the widow of Civil War veteran and railroad executive Charles E A Bartlett of 15 Bartlett Street who died on April 4, 1900. Sixty years later Harriett M Bartlett's granddaughter with the same name played a key roll in the history of this Acton Road neighborhood.
Historical Society collection (colorized by FM)
- 1908 - Harriett Bartlett's son Charles E Bartlett purchased land, later designated 9-13 Acton Road, from his younger brother Clay C Bartlett (Deed 423/279).
- The plan below shows ownership of land on the north side of Acton Road in 1908, and is a convenient index to street addresses for the discussion that follows. The house outlined at #7 was known locally as the Ark for the many people who lived in its apartment rentals (Plan 69/9, surveyed August 11, 1886, registered September 11, 1946).
Property owneship in 1908 with street address numbers
- The colorized negative below shows 1-year-old Barbara Parkhurst and an unidentified playdate on a bench in front of the Winthrop Parkhurst house at 15 Acton Road. One of the two ice houses on Center Mill Pond is directly above Barbara, the Charles Bartlet lot at 9-13 Acton Road is a mowed grassy field, and the Ark at 7 Acton Road is at far right.
Charles Bartlett lot circa 1908, Historical Society collection (colorized by FM)
- This is another colorized negative of Barbara Parkhurst with the Charles Bartlett field and Ark on her left and the historic Clarke/Fletcher/Adams/Bartlett house at 4 Bartlett Street beyond the stone walls on the right.
Charles Bartlett lot circa 1908, Historical Society collection (colorized by FM)
- 1919 - Five-year-old George A Parkhurst, named after his great uncle of the same name who was a Civil War veteran and long time town clerk, is seen on his sled in this colorized negative. Buildings in Central Square, snow covered Charles Bartlett field, and Ark are in the background.
Charles Bartlett lot in winter circa 1919, Historical Society collection (colorized by FM)
- 1945 - Charles E Bartlett, first president of the Chelmsford Historical Society (1930) and associated with Adams and Co furniture dealers in Lowell, died on November 22.
- 1946 - Ruby M Emery purchased 9-13 Acton Road, from Arthur G Spalding and Clay C Bartlett as executors of the will of Charles E Bartlett, on September 11 (Deed 1052/530 bottom of page).
- The same day Ruby M Emery purchased 7 Acton Road from Henry Bartlett of Cambridge, younger brother of Charles and Clay (Deed 1052/530 top of page).
- 1947 - Ruby Emery and Rose Meserve, based on the success of their Old Mill House bakery at 24 Central Square, opened the Old Mill House Tea Room in the Ark at 7 Acton Road on June 30. They spared no expense remodelling and decorating the Ark in the colonial style, and their open house was well received. As seen below, they advertised Breakfast, Luncheons, and Dinners.
Chelmsford Newsweekly December 30, 1947 page 22
- 1947 - Intermediary Doris A Stevens of Lowell purchased the 15 Acton Road land and buildings from Winthrp A Parkhurst on November 4 (Deed 1080/175).
- The same day Winthrop A and Mildred M Parkhurst purchased 15 Acton Road back from Doris A Stevens of Lowell (Deed 1080/176).
- 1955 - The Corner House Inc of Chelmsford purchased two parcels, 7 and 9-13 Acton Road, from Ruby M Emery of Chelmsford on August 31 (Deed 1306/344).
- The same day The Corner House Inc granted a mortgage to First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Lowell to secure a $22,000 loan uaing 7 and 9-13 Acton Road as collateral (Deed 1306/346).
Color slide of the Corner House circa 1956, Historical Society collection
- 1957 - First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Lowell foreclosed on The Corner House Inc property at 7 and 9-13 Acton Road on February 20 (Deed 1364/28).
- 1958 - William Rodopoulos of Lowell purchased 7 and 9-13 Acton Road from First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Lowell on November 7 (Deed 1420/176).
- 1959 - William Rodopoulos granted a mortgage to First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Lowell to secure a loan of $52,000 using 7 and 9-13 Acton Road as collateral on May 12 (Deed 1437/464).
- Chelmsford Bowl-O-Rama purchased 9-13 Acton Road from William Rodopoulos on October 30 (Deed 1458/464).
- The First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Lowell released their interest in the William Rodopoulos mortgage on 9-13 Acton Road on November 2 (Deed 1456/465).
- The image below shows the start of clearing on the former Charles Bartlett lot at 9-13 Acton Road. The houses at 19 and 15 Acton Road are on the left.
Clearing Bowl-O-Rama site in 1959, Linda Prescott collection (colorized by FM)
- This view shows the grassy path in the foreground extending across the Beaver Brook dam at center. The mill pond dam continues toward the rear of the white J Cushing grain storage building on the right.
Clearing Bowl-O-Rama site in 1959, Linda Prescott collection (colorized by FM)
- Looking from the other side of Acton Road, the fence behind the Ark is on the right, and the Chelmsford Ginger Ale Company is in the background.
Clearing Bowl-O-Rama site in 1959, Linda Prescott collection (colorized by FM)
- The back side of the lot is cleared of trees and grass, with Beaver Brook running from left to right at center and the Chelmsford Ginger Ale Company in the background through the trees. The Center Mill Pond was being used as a dumping ground for unwanted fill in the 1950s and is overgrown with vegetation.
Clearing Bowl-O-Rama site in 1959, Linda Prescott collection (colorized by FM)
- The house at 15 Acton Road stands at left and the Bowl-O-Rama is nearly completed on December 30.
Chelmsford Newsweekly December 30, 1959 page 7
- 1960 - The First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Lowell released their interest in the William Rodopoulos mortgage on 7 Acton Road on Januuary 18 (Deed 1465/329).
- The same day Edna E Hulslander of Nashua, NH, purchased 7 Acton Road, from William Rodopoulos of Lowell (Deed 1465/330). Her husband, Dr Frank R Hulslander, was an owner of the new Bowl-O-Rama enterprise along with General Manager William Rodis and Stanley Giffin. Interestingly, Stanley A Giffin was also treasurer of the First Federal Savings and Loan Association and signed off on the mortgage release above for 7 Acton Road.
- Edna E Hulslander purchased a 12,000 sq ft parcel of land connecting the north side of 9-11 Acton Road to Beaver Brook from Ruby M Emery on February 2 (Deed 1466/394).
Chelmsford Newsweekly February 2, 1960 page 12, Parking Problem
 Chelmsford Newsweekly March 17, 1960 page 3, Open House
 Chelmsford Newsweekly March 31, 1960 page 1 (colorized by FM)
- 1961 - In January Harriett M Bartlett of Cambridge (neice of Clay and Charles, and daughter of Henry Bartlett) heard there may be a Town Meeting Warrant Article proposing to acquire her property across the street from 7-15 Acton Road for a parking lot. She assembled a legal dream team and transfered her 3.25 acre parcel, now known as Bartlett Park, to the newly formed Chelmsford Land Conservation Trust on March 13 (Deed 1507/116).
Chelmsford Newsweekly December 21, 1961 page 4, Being Wrecked
- 1963 - Chelmsford Bowl-O-Rama, Inc, purchased 9-13 Acton Road (including the 12,000 sq ft connection to Beaver Brook) from Edna E Hulslander on June 11 (Deed 1604/516).
- Wintrhrop A Parkhurst, owner of 15 Acton Road, died on on September 25.
Chelmsford Newsweekly September 19, 1963 page7, You Are Invited
- 1965 - A plan was drawn on October 28 for the Cities Service Oil Company to make the boundary between 7 and 9 Acton Road more perpendicular to Acton Road. To accomplish this, a 241 sq ft triangle would transfer from 7 to 9 Acton Road, and a 1,967 sq ft parcel would transfer from 9 to 7 Acton Road (Plan 103-24A).
- The exchange of 241 and 1,967 sq ft parcels between Chelmsford Bowl-O-Rama, Inc, and the Cities Service Oil Co took place on December 29 (Deed 1732/492).
- 1968 - Charles K and Barbara D Barton, at address 15 Acton Road, purchased 15 Acton Road with buildings from George A Parkhurst and Barbara Gladu, children of and trustees for the estate of Winthrop A Parkhurst on October 16 (Deed 1862/478).
- The same day Charles K and Barbara D Barton granted a mortgage to the Central Savings Bank of Lowell to secure a $21,000 loan with 15 Acton Road as collateral (Deed 1862/479).
Chelmsford Newsweekly January 8, 1970 page 1, To Close Its Doors
- 1971 - Irving S Paley of Newton and Anna J Mulkeen of Boston, trustees of Irving Realty Trust, purchased 15 Acton Road from Charles K and Barbara D Barton on December 14 (Deed 1991/426).
- The next day The Irving Realty Trust purchased 9-13 Acton Road (including the 12,000 sq ft parcel next to Beaver Brook and small triangle next to 7 Acton Road) from Chelmsford Bowl-O-Rama, with Edna Hulslander signing off as treasurer (Deed 1991/428).
- 1972 - Although ownership of the Bowl-O-Rama property recently changed, the Town of Chelmsford Board of Appeals granted Chelmsford Bowl-O-Rama, Inc, Charles K and Barbara D Barton, or Dennis Gentry a variance from Chelmsford Bylaw (case number 11-18-1971) allowing use of property at 13 and 15 Acton Road for parking, provided a fence was built next to 19 Acton road, on January 6 (Registry of Deeds 1994/433).
- 1974 - The Cities Service Oil Co purchased a 998 sq ft extension on the rear of their 15,254 sq ft parcel at 7 Acton Road from the Irving Realty Trust on February 14 (Deed 2105/573).
- The Irving Realty Trust granted a mortgage to the Arlington Five Cents Savings Bank using 9-15 Acton Road as collateral to secure a $700,000 loan on May 14 (Deed 2110/365)
- The same day the Irving Realty Trust assigned all their Acton Road lease income to the Arlington Five Cents Savings Bank in the event of a mortgage default (Deed 2110/373).
- 1976 - The Irving Realty Trust granted their 9-15 Acton Road property (now business address 9 Acton Road) to the Arlington Five Cents Savings Bank in return for a complete discharge of their May 14, 1974 mortgage obligations on September 13 (Deed 2212/174).
- The Town of Chelmsford filed two complaints against the Arlington Five Cents Savings Bank on November 18. The first required that they restore damage done to Beaver Brook (Registry of Deeds 2221/335). The second enjoined the use of the 13-15 Acton Road parking lot until a fence was constructed to shield the Silk property next door at 19 Acton Road, as required by the January 6, 1972 Board of Appeals decision (Registery of Deeds 2221/337).
Beaver Brook and Dam, February 27, 2020 (photo by FM)
- 1978 - The Arlington Five Cents Savings Bank leased 3,495 sq ft to Putnam Furniture Leasing Co, Inc for three years, with two 5-year extensions posssible on March 1st (Registry of Deeds 2336/388).
- 1980 - James Herscot and Irving Weisman Trustees of Millpond Realty Trust purchased 9 Acton Road from the Arlington Five Cents Savings Bank on August 11 (Deed 2432/382).
- The same day Millpond Realty Trust granted, sold, assigned, transferred, and set over to the Arlington Five Cents Savings Bank all leases, rents, tenancy arrangements, and profits thereof as additional security for the $700,000 loan (Registry of Deeds 2432/392).
- The next day Millpond Realty Trust assigned all furniture, fixtures, and equipment used in operation of 9 Acton Road to the Arlington Five Cents Savings Bank as additional security for the $700,000 loan (Registry of Deeds 2432/398).
West and East entrances in 2012 from Zillow.com
- 1985 - Businesses in the Mill Pond Building at 9 North Road this year were: James Associates Inc, with James H Bleck as president; Henry J and Marion Boroyan, optometrists; Michael Doran, psychotherapist; K J Company, Robert Ward Manager, dental software; J G Associates, John Gardiner President, Joyce Gardiner Vice President, advertising agency; Susan K Kamm phsychotherapist and resident; James P and Suzan K Kartell, plastic surgeons and residents; Jerome P Klein, psychologist; Narda Frequency Sources, Dave Williams Manager; Peggie Ward, psychologist; Greater Lowell Psychiatric Associates; Leonard Weiner, physician;
- Harold Brown of Allston purchased 9 Acton Road from the Millpond Realty Trust on July 8 (Deed 3094/16).
- 1986 - Acton Road Associates Limited Partnership of Allston purhcased 9 Acton Road from Harold Brown on March 24 (Deed 3399/297).
Interior stairway, corridor, and office space in 2012 from Zillow.com
- 1988 - Sally A Starr and Carol T Donovan, Trustees of Magnum Realty Trust of Allston purchased 9 Acton Road from the Acton Road Associates Limited Partnership on July 11 (Deed 4625/118).
- 1995 - WHTR Real Estate Limited Partnership of Washington, DC purchased 9 Acton Road from the Magnum Realty Trust on January 13 (Deed 7361/354).
East entrance in 2012 from Zillow.com
- 1998 - Edward J Harutunian of Newtonville purhcased 9 Acton Road from the WHTR Real Estate Limited Partnership on September 30 (Deed 9614/12).
- 2000 - The Bonenfant Company, Inc of Carlisle purhcased 9 Acton Road from Edward J Harutunian on May 16 (Deed 10822/83).
- 2003 - Debora A Guild and Desa C Facety, Trustees of F & G Realty Trust, purhcased 9 Acton Road from The Bonenfant Company, Inc, on March 17 (Deed 14806/294).
Front entrances and service station next door in 2012 from Zillow.com
- 2004 - John Handley III, Trustee of the J H Realty Trust IV, purchased a 10,024 sq ft parking area behind the Care Cleaners and Cities Service Oil properties from the F & G Realty Trust on August 31. This reduced the area of 9 Acton Road (now identified on the Town of Chelmsford GIS database as 13 Acton Road) to 58,229 sq ft (Deed 17788/249).
- 2005 - Jerold W Yoffa, Trustee of Commonwealth Pheonix Trust of Marblehead, purchased 13 Acton Road from the F & G Realty Trust on March 30 (Deed 18559/248).
- 2006 - The Federal Deposit Insurance Company (FDIC), as receiver of the Arlington Five Cents Savings Bank, confirmed satisfaction of the August 11, 1980 Millpond Realty Trust $700,000 mortgage loan on February 7 (Registry of Deeds 19819/69).
East parking lot and entrances in 2019 on LoopNet.com
- 2019 - This was the initial concept for development of 13 North Road reprinted on page 8 of the presentation submitted to the Chelmsford Planning Board by HOWMOR, Center Village LLC on September 25.
Initial 64-Unit Proposal
- This Plan A rendering on page 1 of the November 12 presentation was created after receipt of feedback on July 24: restrict height to 4 stories; be cognizant of density; decrease size of building; include existing design elements from the Town of Chelmsford; and consider the setback from 19 Acton Road. Relative to the original, the height was decreased 11 feet, the density decreased 19%, and the square footage of the building decreased 18%. The number of units varied by floor: first = 16 Units; second = 14 Units; third = 12 Units; fourth = 10 Units.
Plan A, 52-Unit Rendering by Hresko Associates, Inc, Architects
- This Plan B rendering, also on page 1 of the November 12 presentation, replaced the fourth floor with penthouses on the back half of the building attached to the units below on the third floor. Relative to the original, the height was decreased 11 feet, the density decreased 25%, and the square footage of the building decreased 27%. There were 16 Units on the first through third floors.
Plan B, 48-Unit Rendering by Hresko Associates, Inc, Architects
 Plan B Proposed Site and First Floor Plan by Hresko Associates, Inc
- Chelmsford Town Counsel Paul Haverty was asked by the Planning Board to comment on certain questions regarding the Village Center Overlay District section of the Chelmsford Zoning Bylaws. In his 9-part response on December 6, some bylaw restrictions could be waived by the Planning Board but others could not, casting doubt on the development proposals to date.
- 2020 - A new concept plan was drawn by Whitman & Bingham Associates for HOWMOR Center Village LLC to explore how many units and parking spaces would legally fit within the Village Center Overlay District restrictions. The result was 30 units in ten 3-story buildings, 66 parking spaces required with 70 parking spaces provided, and was presented to the Planning Board on January 17.
Whitman & Bingham Associates exploratory concept
- The first case of COVID-19 was detected in Boston on February 1.
- A new concept was presented with 32 total 2-bedroom units (Eight on each of the four floors) in one 44-foot high building. This was presented to the Planning Board on May 27.
Hresko Associates, Inc, Architects Northwesterly 3D View
 Hresko Associates, Inc, Architects, Site and Ground Floor Plan
- The Planning Board drafted a Certificate of Decision on June 20 stating "the Project is eligible to be submitted under special permit procedures and specifically requires special permits for the number of units per building, 2 additional units beyond the baseline number of units and height of the building ... The Board found that additional review of a fully-designed plan set during the course of a special permit application process is necessary to make this determination." Without a clear decision, owner Jerold Yoffa hired developer John Faneros of Dracut, doing business as 9 Acton Rd LLC, to complete the project.
- 2021 - A letter was submitted to the Planning Board on April 22 by Howard Stein Hudson on behalf of John Faneros:
"The previous plan [May 27, 2020] proposed 32 units within a 4 floor, 44 ft height structure with 71 surface parking spaces. The Findings of the Decision [June 20, 2020] reflects the baseline number of units to be 30 with an eligibility for 2 additional units for a total of 32 units ...
Due to the previous Applicant’s abandonment of the project, our Client has reviewed the Applicability and has reviewed the concerns as stated previously by both the Board and project abutters and has developed the attached Conceptual Plan.
The proposed project consists of 6 buildings, consisting of a total of 24 townhomes. The buildings are positioned outside the required setbacks within the CVOD and adhere to the 20 foot vegetated transition buffer along the western property line. The buildings have been designed in blocks per the CVOD standards and have also been designed at 3 stories in height.
The proposed project creates parking consisting of one space within a garage on the first floor and one space within a driveway, with additional visitor spaces created per the CVOD Bylaw at one space per 5 units."
Howard Stein Hudson 24-Townhouse concept, April 21, 2021
- A new site plan was created for John Faneros by Howard Stein Hudson and signed off by Civil Engineer Katie Enright on September 30. "The first formal plan, presented at the October 27, 2021 [Planning Board meeting] was for 22 townhouses in 5 separate buildings, garages, and surface parking of 52 spaces. Board concerns were snow storage, full inclusionary PILO [Payment in Liew Of], landscaping, proximity of playground to brook, and massing along the street. Direct abutter stated that he had issues with the hieight and the distance from his lot line to this project. He went on to state that although they moved the driveway further oμt of the center, they moved it right up against the residential Zone and his property." (Certificate of Decision, Procedural History Item 9, Registry of Deeds 37257/66).
Howard Stein Hudson 22-Townhouse concept, September 30, 2021
 Lagrasse, Yanowitz & Feyl Architects, 22-Townhouse Street View Rendering
- 2022 - "At the February 9, 2022 meeting a plan for 20 townhouses in 5 separate buildings and garage and surface parking for 51 spaces was presented, The Applicant met with abutters and as a result the plans were revised to reduce the number of units by two for a total of 20 units, playground had been relocated as well as the snow storage, decrease of 2 in the number units allowed for an additional three parking spaces, making the parking seven spaces over zoning requirements, Additional privacy measures will be made as the architect will be redesigning the side windows on unit 20 and unit 1, to be transom windows in place of full windows, Twenty "green giant" arborvitae trees 6 to 8' feet tall will be planted along the east side of the property shielding the abutters. When mature, this species can grow up to 8 feet in width and 40 feet in height Additionally, the developer's proposal includes a six-foot stockade fence to be placed along the same side of the property, Board request more snow storage and more parking. (Certificate of Decision, Procedural History Item 10, Registry of Deeds 37257/66).
Howard Stein Hudson 20-Townhouse concept, February 1, 2022
- "At the March 9 meeting a plan for 18 townhouses in 5 separate buildings and garage and surface parking of 46 spaces was presented. The original 22-unit plan has been reduced to an 18 unit plan, resulting in slightly larger units and garages, provides additional green space by the nearest abutter, moved the fenced playground farther from the brook, and redistributed parking for units 4-9. There is more area for snow storage, and walkway easement will remain in place. New architectural plans and design were shown, Unit 7, closest to abutter will not have any lower windows. Existing trees along the west side will remain, and a row of arborvitae will be added along with a fence." (Certificate of Decision, Procedural History Item 11, Registry of Deeds 37257/66)
- Note: the 18-Unit plan was not posted in the Planning Board minutes.
- The Board voted unanimously with one abstention, to grant all Special Permits for the 18-Unit plan as presented and conditioned, on April 27.
- A formal Certificate of Decision was ratified by the Board, unanimously with one abstention, on May 11 (Registry of Deeds 37257/66).
- Katie Enright, Professional Engineer from Howard Stein Hudson, met with the Planning Booard by Zoom on July 13. With Conservation Commission approval, landscape plan review and approval by the Planning Board's Nancy Araway, final letter of approval from the Board's peer reviewer Jeff Paradis at the BETA Group, and registration of the Certificate of Decision, the Board unanimously voted to endorse the final mylar plans.
- The 13 Acton RE LLC of Lowell purchased 13 Acton Road from Jerold Yoffa, Trustee of the Commonwealth Pheonix Trust on August 29 (Deed 37338/279).
- The same day Acton Rd Development LLC was created for the purpose of managing this project.
- The next day Acton Rd Development LLC of Lawrence purchased 13 Acton Road from 13 Acton RE LLC (Deed 37342/61). Michael J Farris, as Manager of the Acton Rd Development LLC, granted a morgage to Michael Hanning and Robert Pace doing business care/of Harrington Buck PC at 11 Summer Street, Chelmsford, using 13 Acton Road plus all future income and property as collateral for a $212,911 loan (Deed 37342/65).
- Michael Hanning and Robert Pace were certified as sole Managers of Acton Rd Development LLC with 100% ownership interest on November 16 (Registry of Deeds 37514/154).
- The same day Acton Rd Development LLC granted a mortgage to Primary Bank of Bedford, NH, using 13 Acton Road as collateral to secure a loan of $4,405,000 (Deed 37514/157). All future leases and rents were assigned to Primary Bank as collateral (Deed 37514/158). Contracts, licenses, permits, agreements, warranties, plans, budgets, specifications, and approvals were assigned to Primary Bank as collateral (Deed 37514/185). Michael Hanning and Robert Pace, holder of the $212,911 mortgage from Acton Rd Development LLC dated August 29, 2022, acknowledged satisfaction of same and discharged the mortgage (Deed 37514/193).
Construction entrance and Grist Mill Condominiums, April 13, 2023 (Photo by FM)
- 2023 - On May 9 Michael Hanning and Robert Pace were again certified as sole Managers and owners of Acton Rd Development LLC, with authority to execute, acknowledge, accept, or deliver documents, agreements, and instruments on behalf of the LLC without limitation (Registry of Deeds 37821/247).
- The same day the First Modification to the mortgage deed and collateral assignments (Deeds 37514/157, /158, /185) increased the collateral amount by $170,000 and the loan amount to $4,575,000 (Registry of Deeds 37821/250).
West boundary public access path, May 19, 2023 (Photo by FM)
 Beginning of infrastructure, May 19, 2023 (Photo by FM)
 East boundary topsoil pile and Gulf service station May 19, 2023 (Photo by FM)
REFERENCES:
- Book "History of Chelmsford 1910-1970" Courier Corporation, Fred Merriam and Eleanor Parkhurst, 2011
- Book "Images of America, Chelmsford Revisited" Arcadia Publishing, Fred Merriam, 2014
- Lowell Suburban Directories, Chelmsford section, Historical Society website "Library" page
- Meeting Minutes, Chelmsford Planning Board, Town of Chelmsford website, as listed
- Middlesex North Registry of Deeds, as listed
- Newspaper, "Chelmsford Newsweekly" as credited
- Photo collection, Chelmsford Historical Society
- Photo collection, Fred Merriam, Chelmsford
- Photo collection, Linda Prescott, Chelmsford
- Website, Commercial Real Estate, LoopNet.com
- Website, Real Estate, Zillow.com
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