1966-09-29-AC-MIN.pdf - Laserfiche WebLink

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73 Meeting of the Appropriation Committee, Thursday, September 29, 1966, 7:30 p.m. Present: Messrs. Parrish, Grant, Kenney, Noyes, Perry, `Lehner, Gary, Mrs. Souza. Robert Cataldo, representing Selectmen Visitors: Mr. Storer, Mr. Goldman, and two additional citizens representing the Borman Park neighborhood group. Worthen Road Mr. Cataldo reviewed the points made in the discussion Sept. 26, 1966 and answered questions raised by the Committee. He emphasized that, if we get a suitaale connector, the Selectmen would recommend something; if they do not get a suitable connector, they would recommend nothing with respect to Worthen Ad. To finish Worthen Rd. would cost 4671,400. IfJ Mr. Gary asked what the DP'W's reaction might be if they were told that ,._.i Worthen would be built in 10 years. Cataldo: they'll leave the present design and look at it again when Worthen is finished. If there is a traffic problem, it might take an additional 10 years before it is solved. Mr. Grant asked whether there was any way of finding out what might be acceptable to the DPW. If the cost could be spread over 4 or 5 years, he felt it might be more acceptable than having to spend the money in 3 years. Mr. Cataldo stated that the DPW considers nothing beyond 1 year because they know boards change. Could the state design a connection but not build it until it was needed — when Worthen Rd. was complete? Probi,bly not. They have projects which commit their budget until 1973. If the whole area is redesigned, they would need no additional money to connect Worthen; it could be lumped with the Watertown St. contract. To do it separately later would require �-- additional funds. On their own initiative they have added the ramps at Pleasant Street so that trucks which cannot make Belmont kill can come up Mass. Ave. and Pleasant St. in order to go west on Route 2. Worthen Rd. Concept — has there been a change in the last five years in the concept of Worthen ;.td? Mr. Cataldo said that the Selectmen will ask for. a grade separation at the Worthen Rd. — Marrett Rd. intersection; the state has not agreed to this, nor even to a traffic light there. Mr. Storer requested permission to speak, not for Bowman Park Association which has taken no position on this road, Out as an interested citizen. He questioned what kind of road was goi,.g to be built here, stating that the Planning Board does not want to build Emerson Rd. through the Great Meadow because they want it to be a Lexington road, not inviting through traffic. Fifty percent of the traffic on Pleasant St. now originates outside Lexington and ends outside Town Hanscom to Boston). If Worthen Rd. is built wide, this will invite Hanscom to use it and we are likely to have to improve Bedford Street. This, he suggests, is like building a small Route 3 through Lexington with Lexington mo..ey. Additional money would be needed for intersections which are always needed next to interchanges in order to let people get off highways — this would be an additional Town expense, possibly a lege one, near the end of Worthen and at any grade separations. IIe auuea that the state has allowed for 4 interchanges, not 3 as has been discussed. The fourth is Route 3. If there is no Route 3, some other road might connect. Mr. Goldman then received permission to speak. He said that he was a resident of Pleasant St. , living two houses west of the proposed