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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976-11-30-BOS-min Informational Meeting 267 INFORMATIONAL MEETING STREETS & SIDEWALKS November 30, 1976 An informational meeting was held by DPW/Engineering on Tuesday evening, November 30, 1976 at 7 30 p m in Cary Hall, Cary Memorial Building to discuss streets and sidwalks for possible acceptance by the Town In attendance were Mr William J Martin, Assistant Town Engineer; Mr Peter M. Chalpin, Sr Engineer and Traffic Engineer; and Mary B Winsor, Principal Clerk The meeting was called to order at 7 40 p m. by Mr Martin who explained that we were gathered there for the purpose of going over the layout and getting the opinions and feelings of all for the four streets that are up for construction, and for the reconstruction of Hancock Street, a Chapter 90 Street He also stated that we would take the construction streets in alphabetical order, then the Chapter 90 Street Oneresident asked about a temporary construction easement He wanted to know how long is was in effect, and if any damages occurred, would they be taken care of? Mr Martin explained that a temporary construction easement ex- pires one year after date of final construction and that the contrac- tor is responsible for any damages occurring on the job The first street to be heard was Banks Avenue: Description was read by Mr Chalpin, length 800' , layout width 40', roadway width 24', sidewalk to be on odd numbered side, there will be roundings, and approximately 15 trees to be removed Mr Paul Nichols of the Street and Sidwalk Design Advisory Committee asked if the loss of trees on Hancock Street were princi- pally related to the sidewalk construction, or did it also relate to the street construction? Mr Martin answered "both " Mr James Cochran of #10 Banks Avenue says he was the one who circulated the petition and that the residents DO NOT want sidewalks Mr Martin explained that sidwalks are included in the pre- liminary plan because it is very costly to go back and install them later if they are requested, which is usually what happens He also said that street betterments, on the side of the street that will have sidewalks, are an additional cost of $1 50 per front foot above the street betterment I 26S Informational Meeting Streets & Sidewalks November 30, 1976 Mr Potzka, #14 Banks Avenue also spoke in opposition of the sidwalks, stating that the street will be very narrow, the traffic is light, and said there is no need for sidewalks Mr Greeley, asked if the betterment rate is still the same as in past years? Mr Martin answered that the sidewalk rate has not changed in about 10 years, but that the street betterment rate has changed over the past three years and will still keep escalating No further questions Cushing Street Hearing opened - Description read by Mr Chalpin who explained that Cushing Street would be 410' in length, layout width to be 40' , roadway width 24' , sidewalks on the even numbered side with a cul-de- sac, and approximately 8 trees to be taken Mr Thomas Sullivan of #2 Cushing Street stated that they DO NOT want any sidewalks Mr Martin again explained that the sidwalks are included be- cause of the cost factor He also said that all this information is sent to the Board of Selectmen, and it is up to them to make the decision on whether or not the sidwalks will be included No further questions or comments Emerald Street Mr Peter Chalpin read the description - 540' in length, will have a 40' layout width, 24' roadway width, sidewalks will be on the odd numbered side of the street, roundings, and about 10 trees to be removed Mrs Marie Johnson, #16 Emerald Street asked how we decide on which side of the street the sidewalks will go? Mr Martin said that it was decided by the Planning Board, and that the point of view of the P W D is also taken into consideration Mr Chalpin said he took a ride up and looked it over No further questions Tower Road Description read by Mr Chalpin - 565' in length, 40' layout width, 24' roadway width, sidewalks on the even numbered side of street, roundings, and approximately 6 trees to be taken 26f) Informational Meeting Streets & Sidwalks November 30, 1976 Mrs Mary Macy of #35 Tower Road read petition in opposition of the acceptance of Tower Road, signed by 17 residents of Tower Road, Locust Avenue and Independence Avenue She presented this to Mr Chalpin A resident of Emerald Street asked if it helped at all to oppose the construction of these sidewalks Mr Martin told the audience that if they felt very strongly either in favor or opposition to write a brief letter to the Board of Selectmen and let them know their feelings He went on to say that we were going to take a hand vote in favor or opposition on the streets • and that this would in no way commit them to anything A handvote was taken on the following streets regarding the accep- tance of these streets as proposed Banks Avenue In Favor - 7 Opposed - 0 Cushing Street - (Unanimous) In Favor - 4 Opposed - 0 II Emerald Street In Favor - 6 Opposed - 0 Tower Road No Response Mr Martin stated that this concludes the construction streets, and said that we would now move on to Hancock Street, a Chapter 90 street which is up for reconstruction He also said that he believed most of the residents were there before and have heard the speel; going on to explain that Chapter 90 is a program funded in part by state and county funds and that this is the 4th year we are asking Town Meeting to appropriate funds for this project Mr Martin also said that the proposal has been reviewed and approved by the State for a 26' wide roadway, with granite curbing throughout, and went on to explain the reconstruction process Mr Herbert Eisenberg of #55 Hancock Street stated that some of the houses were very old and that if there was much vibration it could be a problem. 270 Informational Meeting Streets & Sidewalks November 30, 1976 Mr Greeley asked if sidwalks were included in the reconstruc- tion? Mr Martin said "yes" He also went on to say that Hancock Street was being designed by the Mass D P W and that they were being very particular with the profile, re puddles, etc One resident said there may be an existing sewer problem. Mr Chalpin said that this is generally looked into Mr Spencer, #32 Hancock Street asked if we had looked into the cost of underground utilities? Mr Chalpin said the Telephone Company, "yes", Boston Edison, "no" A resident asked if any poles were going to be moved? Mr Chalpin answered, "Most likely all - one way or another." Mr Martin suggested that when the reconstruction of Hancock Street becomes a reality, (after Town Meeting) they write a letter to the Board of Selectmen regarding the poles Another resident asked if we had any idea when construction would begin? Mr Martin answered probably around July, 1st but most likely around September, October or November One person asked what the time element would be Mr Chalpin answered two to three months A hand vote was taken for the reconstruction of Hancock Street as proposed In Favor - 9 Opposed - 3 Mr Martin asked, "In general, what were they opposed to?" One resident answered that she was leery of anything Mass D P W proposed Mr Edward Mann, representing the Lexington Masonic Associates said he would like to see no more "NO PARKING" signs No further questions Meeting adjourned at 8 45 p m Mary B Winsor Principal Clerk