HomeMy WebLinkAbout1966-09-26-AC-MIN.pdf •
Meeting of Board of Selectmen, Monday, Sept. 23, 1966, at 9:00 p.m.
attended by members of Appropriation Committee and Capital Expenditures
Committee.
Members of Appropriation Committee present: Donald Noyes, acting
chairman; Donald Grant; Robert Gary; Richard Perry; Louis Zehner;
Ruth Souza.
Worthen Road — Robert Cataldo gave the following information for Selectmen.
Selectmen have held many discussions with State DPW, no decisions reached.
Selectmen believe that without a connection between Worthen Rd. and
Route 2, Worthen Ad. is useless; they also believe that it is possible
the state would agree to a connection if Worthen Rd. were finished.
He quoted part of a letter from Commissioner Ribbs who would like a
1--1 concrete plan for Worthen Road and a construction schedule. John Carroll
had prepared cost estimates for constructing the various sections of
Worthen Rd. Total cost of sectio« to be constructed $671,400; cost
to developer (if we wait as planned for developers to construct) would
be $482,400, cost to Town for extra width and for portions on Town land
$188,980.
Selectmen wish the Finance Committees to state whether we wish to spend
the extra money ($482,400 extra, or $671,400 total) and get Worthen
Rd. done now, and what time schedule we recommend. Immediate answer
desired.
Donald Noyes asked when we might need the road to tie in to Route 2,
and how fast developers might be expected to construct their portions.
John Carroll answered that no developers were known to be planning
construction now, and that, although there is the possibility of the
Covenant Church selling its property, the Worthen Rd. land is the least
desirable part of it — from Colonial Acres to Marrett Rd. there is
about 16 ft. of peat. Cataldo felt that the maximum time the DPW
would allow is about 3 years, the time it might take the state to
complete any connection.
Cost Estimates — costs have gone up about 20% since last estimated
(CEC report of 1965), Carroll has made these high enough to be good
for 2 or 3 years, he says. Estimates include land taasings, water, and
drain, but not sewer — it is not certain sewer will be needed on Worthen
Rd. itself.
Possible Reimbursement — none available except the usual Chapter 90,
which could be used on any road. If this were redesignated Rte. 4-225,
there might be some possibility of getting some money. Betterments
might be charged later (up to about $100,000) if houses were allowed
along the road. Some members of Planning Bd. would prefer that the
Town take the frontage land and allow no houses on the road itself.
Financing
Cataldo recommends a large commitment in March — to assure State DPW
that we will finish the road.
Sheldon — no expenditure would be made, we should bond this.
Cataldo — it might be better to make the whole appropriation in March,
bonding of course, and get a lower price on the contract.
Design of Connection — Selectmen are asking for design of the complete
area from Pleasant to Watertown St. Design has been completed and
construction is under way on Rte. 2 as far as 200 ft. east of Pleasant
72.
St. xxxixe (200 ft. toward Boston). This includes an eastbound on
ramp at Pleasant St. and a westbound off ramp at Pleasant St. Since
design beyond that point is not complete, Selectmen believe that
State might accept Town's suggestion to redesign. Ruth Souza asked
what effect such a connection might have on the present plans for
Watertown St. connection; is Worthen Connection requested in addition
to or instead of Watertown St. and, if the State should allow only
one connection in the area, would the Selectmen prefer Worthen to
Watertown. Selectmen have not made a plan, they say they are asking
the State to design an acceptable system. However, they added that
anticipated traffic on Worthen Rd. would be about, 10,000 cars, many
more than ;Watertown St. (no known figure). This projection of 10,000
cars was made by Abend, consultant for Ping. Bd.
Opposition viewpoint — Irving Mabee said projection of Worthen Rd.
traffic by another consultant was much less than 10,000.
When he was on Ping. Bd, they urged the DPW to allow 4 connections with
Rte. 2, including Worthen Rd. ; but were told that only 3 would be
allowed. He also quoted letter from Comm. Ribns, reiterating that only
3 would be considered. With only 3 connections, the Ping. Bd. decided
to continue the construction of Worthen Rd. piecemeal, b,: developers,
letting it extend toward Watertown St. and planning to connect through
town roads in the future. Problem of connecting was to be given to an
outside consultant to work on in the meantime. It was not clear whether
such a consultant has, in fact, been hired and whether a plait exists.
Mabee felt that, having to choose between a Watertown St. cznnection and
a Worthen Rd. connection, it was not worth spending this amount of
money to have Worthen connect.
Priority — CEC mentioned that $185,000 is allocated in their report
for street construct on, and asked how much of this the Selectmen would
be willing to give up to give Worthen Rd. priority. Answer — None.
Planning Board is reported by Selectmen to be in favor of connection.
Commitment by State DPW would be obtained before Selectmen asked T.M.
for any appropriation.
Appropriation Committee recessed to discuns the matter and returned
to present the following statement:
"We understand your problem aad are sympathetic with the need
for an early answer. However, before giving any definite reply, we
should like the opportunity, before the end of the creek, to try to
convene the other members of this Committee and, failing that, txxtxx
to at least to communicate with them in an effort to obtain a consensus
of their opinion."
The Committee also asked the Selectmen for copies of the complete
correspondence with the DP! on Worthen Rd. Al Grey was instructed to
give copies of pertinent letters to Dick Perry.
Capital Expenditures Committee made a statement including the following
points: They agree with the need for connecting Worthen Rd. Their
support would be contingent upon a satisfactory plan for access at
its eastern end, and also contingent upon agreement on a reasonable
total Town public works budget for capital expenditures.
Respectfully submitted,
Ruth F. Souza, Secretary