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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1960-02-04-min 443 SELECTMENIS HEARING February 4, 1960 The Board of Selectmen held a hearing in Estabrook Hall, Cary Memorial Building, on Thursday, February 4, 1960, at 8:00 P.M. Mr . Adams , Mrs . Morey, Mr. Robert Higgins of the Engineering Department, and the Executive Clerk were present. The hearing was held for the purpose of making and establishing extensions and layouts of streets to be presented to the Annual Town Meeting in March for ac- ceptance by the Town. Notices of the intention of the Board to pass Orders for the extensions, layouts and relocations were delivered by the Constable to all property owners as they appear on the most recent tax list. Mr. Adams called the meeting to order, introduced Mr. Robert Higgins of the Engineering Department, He explained that the hearing is part of the legal pro- cess involved when the Town accepts streets. He said that by accepting the street, the Town assumes liability for maintenance and repair, whereas prior to acceptance the responsibility is with the abutters, who in theory own to the middle of the street He explained that at the hearing those interested have an opportunity to see the plans and ask questions. After the hearing, action must be taken by Town Meeting The Selectmen only re- commend acceptance and the Town Meeting Members vote the acceptance . He said the eight otclock hearing in- cludes a group of streets built under the subdivision control law where the developers had to put in drains , water and sewer if a trunk line was available . He ex- plained that the Town does not accept streets unless they are built to Town specifications, and on this particular group, no betterments will be assessed. The first street taken up was Appletree Lane from Blodgett Road 245 feet, more or less , southerly to the end. No one wished to be recorded in favor or in oppo- sition. The next street taken up was Blodgett Road from Appletree Lane 970 feet, more or less, easterly to Peach- tree Road. 444 No one wished to be recorded in favor or in oppo- sition. The next street taken up was Dewey Road from Gould Road 510 feet, more or less, northwesterly to end and from Gould Road 915 feet, more or less, southeasterly and then southwesterly. Dr. Merton J. Kahne , 15 Dewey Road, asked about the width of the road and Mr. Higgins explained that it would be a fifty-foot right-of-way with a twenty-four foot pavement, thirteen feet for shoulders and five feet for a sidewalk, leaving an eight-foot grass plot. He explained that the Town would install some side hill drainage this year to eliminate the existing drainage problem. Mr. Adams explained that the town could not do any work on the street unless it is accepted. Dr. Kahne asked if betterments would be assessed and Mr. Adams replied in the negative . Mr. Herman Yagoda said his property is on the dead end and asked if there were any plans to extend the road in the near future or if the turn-around circle could be improved. Mr. Adams replied that as far as he knew, the circle is permanent. Mr. Higgins explained that the circle at the bottom of the road is temporary, and the road would be extended by whoever owns the property and not by the Town. Mr. Yagoda said it is very dusty during the dry season and asked if anything could be done . Mr. Higgins replied that if the street is accepted, the Town will take the responsibility and use calcium chloride to keep the dust down. The next street taken up was Gould Road from Grove Street 850 feet, more or less, southeasterly to Dewey RoadA Dr. Robert L. Kelley, 10 Gould Road, said there is a drainage problem in the road. Mr. Higgins said that there would be side hill drain- age on Dewey Road but it would not be done until the street is accepted. The next street taken up was Peachtree Road from end of accepted portion 1028 feet, more or less, southeasterly to end. No one wished to be recorded in favor or in opposition. 445 The next street taken up was Tyler Road from the westerly end of Blueberry Lane 1800 feet, more or less, easterly to Winchester Drive . Mr. Albert L. Panzica, 24 Tyler Road, asked why the street was not going to be accepted from Winchester Drive to Winchester Drive , and the Chairman explained that all easements have not been obtained and the Town has an established policy of not accepting streets without acquiring necessary easements. The next street taken up was Rumford Road from the westerly end of Blueberry Lane 1800 feet, more or less, easterly to Winchester Drive Mr. Eugene Merfeld, 8 Rumford Road, asked about sidewalks, and Mr. Higgins explained that there would be a forty-foot right-of-way with a twenty-foot pavement. If sidewalks are constructed, there will be a five-foot shoulder against the property line leaving a three-foot grass strip between the pavement and the sidewalk . He explained that sidewalks are built upon petition to the Selectmen, and when built, betterments will be assessed. The 8:30 P.M. hearing included a group of unfinished streets, and Mr. Adams explained that by accepting these streets, the Town becomes responsible for repair and maintenance . He said the plans were available for anyone to look at . The first street taken up was Asbury Street from Balfour Street 896 feet, more or less, northwesterly to Freemont Street. Mr. Benjamin H. Golini, 35 Balfour Street, said he owns a corner lot and when the first section of Asbury Street was finished, they did not come down and grade it as it crosses the intersection of Balfour Street and there is a drainage problem there . Most of the water will come down to his front lawn Mr. Adams said that was a construction problem and Mr. Higgins said if the department becomes aware of the situation, it will be taken care of. Mr. Golini said he thought something should be done before construction and something should be in- cluded in the specifications to eliminate the drainage . Mr. Adams said that the general principle is that no property damage is created. He explained that the standard layout is forty feet and the pavement is twenty-four feet, so there is an eight-inch shoulder on each side . He said that very often the property owners do not realize that their land starts much further back than the pavement . 446 rz cc Mr. Golini said he was concerned about the water coming onto his front yard, and Mr. Higgins said that would be taken care of. Mr. Philip Spencer, 4l Asbury Street, asked if accepting the street included storm drainage , and Mr. Adams replied in the affirmative . He said the street would be built to specifications. The next street taken up was Bowker Street from Massachusetts Avenue 725 feet, more or less, southerly to Taft Avenue . Mrs. James Bushard, 25 Bowker Street, asked if sewer would be installed, and Mr. Higgins replied that the sewer will connect to the sewer already in the street and will serve every lot . Mrs . Bushard asked if the sidewalks could be level and Mr Higgins replied they would within the right-of-way. Mrs . Bushard asked what happens when the land is high and Mr. Higgins replied that the Town either obtains slope easements, or, on occasion§ has built stonewalls . Mr. Adams explained that sidewalks is apart from building streets and would be constructed under the betterment act upon petition. Mrs . Bushard asked if the sidewalks were not levelled when the street was constructed, and Mr. Higgins replied that the shoulders would be levelled. The next street taken up was Carley Road from Reed Street 620 feet, more or less, southwesterly to end. No one wished to be recorded in favor or in oppo- sition. The next street taken up was Marlboro Road from Hudson Road 975 feet, more or less, southerly then westerly to Woodeliffe Road. Mr. Lewis Klebanoff, 4 Marlboro Road, said he heard the sewer might be installed soon and asked about the possibility of a dry sewer. Mr. Adams replied that sewer for Marlboro Road area is a long way off and dry sewers involve substantial con- struction. The next street taken up was Moreland Avenue from Moon Hill Road 1050 feet, more or less, westerly to Davis Road. Mr. Bernard G. Kuhn, 34 Moreland Avenue , asked when the project would be carried out . Mr. Adams replied that it would be presented to Town Meeting and if accepted, would go out to bid as soon as the plans are completed, probably some time in the spring and the work would probably be done before the fall. 447 The next street taken up was Pelham Road from end of accepted portion 390 feet, more or less, southwesterly to Bennington Road. No one wished to be recorded in favor or in oppo- sition. The next street taken up was Revolutionary Road from Ross Road 650 feet, more or less, northeasterly to Constitution Road. Mr. Michael L. McCarthy, 6 Revolutionary Road, said he did not want the grade raised any more than it is at the present time because water would collect on his property. He said there is a house on the street without sewer and asked if they would be required to connect. Mr. Adams said both questions would be checked. Mr. Richard Fontain, 4 Revolutionary Road, said he would like to go on record as asking for protection against any water washing down onto his property. The next. street taken up was the alteration and relocation of Reed Street $om Garfield Street 1663 feet, more or less, northwesterly to Centre Street. No one present wished to be recorded in favor or in opposition. The next street taken up was the alteration and relocation of Laurel Street from Reed Street 100 feet, more or less, northeasterly. No one present wished to be recorded in favor or in opposition. The next street taken up was the alteration and relocation of Burlington Street from Hancock Street 2150 feet, more or less, northerly to Grove Street. Mr. Adams explained that the immediate purpose of this is not relocation, but to put in a sidewalk brought about by the problem of children going to the William Diamond Junior High School. Mrs. Carl Sumner, 22 Burlington Street, said that possibly much time could be saved if someone would explain the plans . Mr. Adams stated that the plans were available and stated Burlington Street is an old County layout. The Town's standard for a road is a 40-foot layout, 24-foot pavement and 8-foot shoulders. In this instance , the desperate need for sidewalks for the school children has brought about the layout of the street which must be done before the sidewalk can be constructed. 448 Mrs . Sumner asked if there would be sidewalks on both sides of the street and Mr. Adams replied that at the moment, there will be sidewalks on the east side only. He said it is not intended to construct the road now. Mr. Charles E. Heath, 70 Burlington Street, asked if there would be any cutting on either side of the street except what is necessary for the sidewalk . Mr. Adams replied that at the moment, the only work that must be done is that necessary for the sidewalk which is included in this year' s budget, and construction will be started sometime after the money has been ap- propriated Mr. Heath asked if in the future , when the street would be relocated or land taken. Mr. Adams replied that if this relocation is voted, the land is taken. However, there are no present plans to build the road. Mr. Heath said that there is a very serious traffic problem. Mr. Adams said that relocation and construction of the road will have to come sometime , but the present plan is for the sidewalk only. Mrs . Wiltiam F. Sanborn, 32 Burlington Street, asked if the curve would be taken off. It is in front of her land. Mr. Adams replied that there will be nothing physically done at the moment and the red line on the plan shows the property line . Mr. Dow Darden, 61 Burlington Street, said according to the plan he will lose some 1250 square feet in front of his house , and asked if this would take place immediately. Mr. Adams replied that this can only be recommended by the Board of Selectmen. It will be voted by Town Meet- ing. Mr. Robert Ives, 9 Burlington Street, said he has a maple tree 43 inches in diameter on his property and the line is going through the center of the tree . Mr. Adams explained that it was the property line Mr. Ives said if the Town was taking title to the tree he would like to protest. Mr. Adams explained that the Board has always tried to vary the sidewalks if possible in an effort to save trees and this one would be taken under advisement. Mrs . Sumner said she was concerned about the trees in front of her home , owned by the Town. Mr. Higgins explained that hearings are usually held when trees are to be removed and the problem of removing the trees is recognized. 449 Mr. William Gedritis, 47 Burlington Street, asked if the wide sweep at Red Coat Lane was neces- sary, and Mr. Higgins replied that in most cases, on corners, they try to take a radius so they will have room to push snow back or to build a sidewalk in the future . He said the pavement would remain the same . Mr. Adams said that this is the layout that will be there for the future sidewalk. At the moment, nothing will be done but the sidewalk which is recom- mended by the School Department . Mr. Darden asked about the location of the sidewalk and Mr. Higgins explained that the back of the sidewalk will be against the property line . Mr. Marshall Porter, 45 Burlington Street, said he wished to go on record saying he is on the east side and does not like the problem of drainage although he has no problem now. Mr. Adams explained that when the road is rebuilt, drainage will be included. The hearings were declared closed at 9:00 P.M. A true record, Attest : -xecutive lerk'ā€ž Salecn. l Iā€¢āœ“6 1