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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1971-02-08-BOS-min Hearing 37) STREET HEARING LAYOUT OF WORTHEN ROAD February 8, 1971 The Board of Selectmen held a hearing on the layout of Worthen Road in the Bird Room, Cary Memorial Hall , on Monday evening, February 8, 1971 at 7 15 p.m. Chairman Cataldo; Selectmen Kenney and Greeley; Mr. McSweeney, Town Engineer, Mr Martin, Assistant Town Engineer and Mrs. McCurdy, Executive Clerk, were present The Chairman declared the hearing open at 7 15 p.m. The Chairman said that this is a legal hearing to lay out Worthen Road from Marrett Road, a distance of 1470 feet, more or less, north- westerly to Sherburne Road. The abutters have been legally notified Lexington Associates, Inc , Walter E. Steeves, 36 Highland Avenue, Alice E. Ashley, 39 Highland Avenue; Rosamond J Ashley Savage, 39 Highland Avenue Mr. Worrell , member of the Planning Board, said that the plan shows a 44 ft pavement, is it 30 ft. up to that? Worthen The Chairman replied that it is shown as 44 ft. to meet the 30 feet Road pavement. Mr. Walter Steeves introduced his partner, Mr Burton Faulkner. Mr. Steeves asked if there wer any more specific plans, such as grades and sewers? The Chairman replied there would not be sewers We wrote you that we would want to take part of the land adjacent to this layout We are asking Town Meeting for the authority to take this land As we see it, no houses will be built on this section and, therefore, there will be no water or sewer Mr. Steeves said that he objected strenuously because the Town took their access and now on Worthen Road you are blocking us off with no frontage; you are ruining the whole 15+ acres which will be worth- less. You are making us into backland; we would be stuck with all this property with no frontage, just a couple of connections. The Chairman asked if he had a potential layout? Mr Steeves replied, yes, if we had our frontage which was promised, we supposed you would be putting in sewerage. The Chairman said we propose to construct the road and propose to take the land on each side and we don't see the divverence in designing the subdivision. You have the same flexibility. Mr. Steeves replied that if someone came in to get permission to have a garden-type development, we would have to say there is insuffi- cient frontage. We don't want to be restricted to put in single house lots. We have held this land for 15 years; now, this is a culmination of our efforts and it almost seems like the Town is taking steps to block us off 376 The Chairman said, as I understand it, you have no objection to us building the road? Mr Steeves replied, no; we go along with the road but would like some sort of sewerage, I can't see why the Town wouldn't im- prove this property by taking it with sewerage When we agreed for the Town to take it, the piece of property which we haven't been paid for, we were told when we discussed it not to worry about Worthen Road and would have frontage, which is important when you develop a piece of land. How would we know in the future if it is wide enough or not. The Chairman said you have been notified to apply for payment. The money has been appropriated and just laying there. We have no objection to paying you if you make the proper application The Chairman asked, for the record, what is your position? Mr. Steeves replied, I can't say we are for it, so we are against it. Mr. Walter Steeves and Mr Burton F Faulkner of Lexington Asso- ciates, Inc., were recorded in opposition The Chairman asked if their position is that they are opposed to the construction of the road in any condition? Mr. Steeves replied, no; we are opposed until agreement is reached and we have frontage protection and feel the Town should install sewer- age. Now the Town is putting in a new road, why not put in a sewer? The Chairman replied, if developed, you are right Mr. Steeves said, we have plans Mr. Greeley asked if he would put in a road? Mr Steeves replied, no Worthen Road is for the good of the entire community; this is a through street, it is not a develop- ment road. The Chairman asked if he wanted to sell the whole parcel to the Town? Mr Steeves replied, yes, for the right price. It was listed with real estate brokers and the only objection we had by potential purchasers was this. Listed at $ 125,000 for 15 acres and if the sewer was in there, it would be worth it. I would ask if you con- template putting in a school? The Chairman replied that the Cotton land was bought for the school The Chairman said these are two different issues ( I) the road and (2) the issue of adjoining lands and how they are treated. As of now, we are looking for this side to be Conservation and we are giving you guaranteed open space. As far as the road is concerned, you object unless we consider putting in the sewer? Mr. Steeves and Mr. Faulkner replied, yes, and give us access. Mr. Steeves said he would like the record to show that he would sell the land to the Town, in a friendly manner, for $125,000 I 377 Mrs Alice Ashley was present and the Chairman asked her if she had any questions Mrs. Ashley replied in the negative No one appearing in favor of the layout, the Chairman declared that part of the hearing closed Recorded in opposition to the layout of Worthen Road Walter E. Steeves and Burton F Faulkner of Lexington Associates, In Nyles N. Barnett, 142 Worthen Road, said he could see no need for the town to build the extension The Chairman declared the hearing closed. The Board will take it under advisement. Later on in the Selectmen' s meeting, Attorney Robert Clifford, representing Mrs Ashley, asked to be recognized Attorney Clifford was recorded in opposition to the plan for the time being. The Chairman advised him to contact Mr O'Connell as soon as pos- sible, to discuss the matter A true record, Attest Eleanor M McCurdy Executive Clerk I