1954-03-04 - Laserfiche WebLink

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278 4-4-54 Minute -man merely stated that the Institute was of St.Camillus and that they desired to build a hospital. Let me say something about the Order of St. Camillus. (Mr. Lynch gave a detailed outline of the history of the St. Camillus Order which was founded in Italy in 1548.) They run hospitals throughout the world. They have looked around for someplace to locate in suburban Boston and they decided that this land was ideally suited for their purpose. They have an agreement to acquire this land and to erect a hospital. The hospital will be exclusively,for the chronically ill and inform male patients. At no time will it take care of people who are just ill. It will take care of the old and the infirm. These people came here filled only with charity to help the people of Lexington and to lend aid to the Town of Lexington. It may be suggested for grounds of opposition that a hospital will create a traffic hazard on the Concord Turnpike. It is not our intention to enter this land from the Concord Turnpike, it will be exclusively from, Watertown St. I am, advised by the Chairman of the Planning Board that they do not want access from the Pike. A scare has been put into the people of an ambulance all night. These incurably sick old men will be in bed at dusk. These ol: men will find charity here where they will find it nowhere else. To go back to the traffic problem. We have traffic lights at Watertown St. at the present time and there will be nothing from a traffic point of view that will add to it. Ripley: Will this corporation be tax free? Lynch: Yes, it is. Ripley: Does that mean that Lexington will lose money? Lynch: Yes it does. Member of Board: I think in every town we try to take care of our old people. Lynch: It would cost an appropriation of a million dollars. Ripley: How much will it cost the Town of Lexington if this land goes un - taxable? Lynch: The property is assessed for $3,000. It will cost the Town of Lexington $135 a year in taxable property if this is granted. What other use can this land be used for? Some time ago we presented to the Planning Board a proposed Shopping Center. The neighborhood came down and opposed it. A shopping center would have created a traffic hazard. Because of the views expressed by the neighbors the project was abandoned. Recently this Town changed the zoning on property in this area. The Town voted to increase the area of house lots from 15,500 to 30,000. This was approved as a subdivision prior to the new xoning law but there was some doubt in the mind of the Town Counsel. Right on the official plan it says the lots do comply with the zoning by-law. If we have 14 houses built in here we know what the experience has been with the development. I tould not help the Town to have a development here. It might be of interest to know that never have the Brothers of St.Camillus been refused permission at any place. They have never been denied admission and I think that in view of D