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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1970-10-05-CPSRUE-min.pdf I fMemorandum October 14, 1970 COMMITTEE ON PROCEDURES OF STREET RECONSTRUCTION AND UNDERGROUND WIRING Meeting was held on October 5, 1970 at Mr. Eisenberg' s home. Present Mrs. Natalie Riff in Mr. Hugh M. Chapin Mr. Malcolm E. Graf Mr. Herbert W. Eisenberg 1. Mr. Chapin reported on his discussions with the Capital Appropriations and Capital Expenditures Committees; in brief, both of these committees agreed that some advanced planning for road construction would be in order and they would support any recommendations in that regard. Mr. Chapin submitted a copy of a memorandum he had prepared which will be discussed again below. 2 Mrs. Riff in reported on Downing Road and Grant Street reconstruction, having attended the tree hearings at both locations. Both items have been resolved subsequently and will not be reported on herein. Mrs. Riff in also talked with Mr. ZelesKi of the Planning Board and obtained a copy of sub-division requirements for road construction. 3. Mr. Eisenberg reported on discussions he had with Mr. McSweeney and Mr. O' Connell. In brief, the discussions with Mr. McSweeney indicated that his procedures at the present time are based on the 1965 regulations adopted by the Board of Selectmen prior to his entering the Department, engineering was contracted out and monies came from 'the town meeting for the specific article Currently with in-house engineering capabilities, it is not clear that the money is coming from the article appropriation but accounting steps will be taken for such cross-departmental charges Mr, McSweeney also requested an opportunity to meet with the Committee and indicated that he would be interested in discussing a more flexible procedure with us. 4. The meeting with Mr O' Connell indicated that Mr. O'Connell would prefer not to be directly involved with the Committee ' s work but wished to be kept up to date on its progress. He indicated. his belief that long range planning for streets, which would require prior engineering, would be desirable. One of the questions that came up concerned the maintenance of the existing gravel streets which have not been accepted ; the possibility of grading these streets to make them suitable would delay requests for reconstruction. According to Mr O' Connell, it is not possible for the Town to provide any maintenance for unaccepted streets, therefore, the question to be answered is, "Can certain streets be accepted without paving - only a gravel surface" . -2- Memorandum October 14, 1970 COMMITTEE ON PROCEDURES OF STREET RECONSTRUCTION AND UNDERGROUND WIRING 5. The memorandum submitted by Mr Chapin was discussed at great length and certain minor changes were recommended, Mr. Eisenberg agreed to distribute the memo to all concerned with the request for their comments. Basically the Committee agreed on the concept of the memo, in particular, with the long range reconstruction planning of streets and the establishment of priority for same. 1 6. Considerable discussion was held on the problem of Chapter 90 1 funds. The question came up of engineering a proposed Chapter 90 road and then convincing the D.P.W. to use the Town' s design. Mr. Graf indicated that he knew the person responsible for Chapter 90 funds in the State and would discuss with him the relevant aspects of this problem. 7. It was agreed that the problem of flexibility in the regulations and reaction to the memo would be of paramount interest, therefore, Mr. Eisenberg will continue to talk with Mr. McSweeney; Mrs. Riffin will continue discussion with Mr. Zeleski and Mr. Chapin agreed to follow up on the memo with a suggestive long range program. 8. A discussion was held on underground wiring and the question came up of obtaining a map showing existing underground and overhead wiring. Mr. Eisenberg said he would distribute latest documents of underground wiring documents received from Mr. O' Connell, Meeting was adjourned and next meeting scheduled for Monday, 1 October 19th. As of the writing of these minutes, this meeting is postponed to Monday, October 26, at 8 30 P.M. at #55 Hancock Street. 1 Respectfully submitted, -( 1 Herbert W. Eisenberg, Charman HWE/h Memorandum October 2 , 1970 COMMITTEE ON PROCEDURES OF STREET RECONSTRUCTION PURPOSE To enable the town to more properly meet the needs of its ' citizens for an adequate street reconstruction program To enable citizens to better understand the street re- construction program To enable those citizens who are directly affected by street and sidewalk construction through the physical improvements to their neighborhoods and by the burden of additional improvements and betterments taxes , thereon, to have a more direct voice before the actual contracts are awarded and the reconstruction undertaken To establish a more realistic annual Capital Expenditures Budget To make better use of the Engineering Services and the Engineering Department and the annual expenditures therein To provide for a more rapid acceptance of new streets and thereby allowing for better care and maintainence of the town which will in turn prevent the more costly reconstruction at a later date II ' I Memorandum -2- 10-2-70 PLAN In April/May the Selectmen are to decide on the list of streets to be considered for reconstruction and publish the names of these streets and set dates in June for preliminary hearings for all interested citizens. This preliminary hearing and the information provided by the town therein would be similar to the only hearing which is now held under current practices. June - Preliminary hearings. July/August - The Town Engineering Department will develop preliminary engineering plans on those streets under consideration. Planning and the funds required are to come from the Engineering Department. These plans are to show the proposed design of the streets, sidewalks, tree-removal etc. , for a hearing in September. No later than one week before the September Hearing, the proposed Street to be reconstructed is to be staked out with the orange markers in the ground and markers on those trees recommended for removal. September hearings. Following the September Hearings, the Engineering Department is to prepare plans for final presentation to a public hearing to be held no later than December. At that time, the engineering department will make known and explain the final plans that will be the basis for the article in the warrant and request for funds at the annual town meeting. Memorandum -3- 10-2-70 IMPLEMENTATION 1) Declare a moratorium on the usual annual Street reconstruction program for 1971. Other than for the usual street acceptance, there will be no articles in the warrant next year. 2) Embark on the above plan in the Spring of 1971 preparing for the 1972 projects. 3) Prepare a written statement - or citizens handbook on the Street Reconstruction Policy of the town with such a statement to include a. A statement of the plan. b. Definitions; such as variance, easement, right of way, Chapter 90. c. A list of Chapter 90 roads. d. Tree Policy. - the tree planting policy of the Town should be tied to the Street Policy with the money for trees to be included in appropriations for street reconstruction. Whenever funds are requested for Chapter 90 Roads, there should also be an appropriation in a separate article for the money for trees and other beautification. 1 j4) Establish a citizen review board with one or more members from the Design Advisory Group to work with the Engineering Department during the design phase. Such a board would act as liason between the Engineering Department and the property owners and citizens involved. 1