HomeMy WebLinkAbout1920-12-10PIANNING BOARD MEETING
December 10,1920.
Messrs. Greeley, Tilton and Wadsworth present.
Communication read from Mr. Fred Emery asking if any
plan had been devised relative to the bridge development and
road building now going on near Waltham Street. Mr. Tilton
reported that a plan had been made and was in Mr. Duffy►s
hands and that he had so notified Mr. Emery.
The Board at this time adjourned to attend a meeting of
the Selectmen relative to the layout of the streets on plan
of the "Home Guardian Company" land. The Planning Board
recommended at this hearing that the streets on this plan
be brought to grade before being approved.
The Chairman reported that the Boston & Maine authorities
had stated that they wouldrebuild the Lexington Station and
plan on spending about $13,000 thereon.
PLANNING BOARD REPORT FOR 1920
During the year 1920 the Board has been occupied with
numerous questions, including the following:
1. Repair of station, future disposition of railroad
lands, safeguarding entrance from Merriam Street, etc. The
Board, acting with the Selectmen, has succeeded in getting the
President of the railroad to order the repair of the present
station, with the addition of important features. Estimates
are under way. A plan contemplating the abolition of the
Merriam Street grade crossing has been outlined.
2. Land developments. The Board co-operated with the
Board of Survey in conferences with the Town of Arlington to
settle the future use of the Great Meadows, and later on con-
ferred with the Town Engineer and the State Department of High-
ways. The resulting plan was partially carried out by a vote
of the town taking for park purposes certain lands bordering
the Great Meadow.
In North Lexington developments, two in number, have
been visited with the Town Engineer. In the case of the "Lex-
ington Park" land, the Selectmen of Bedford were called in con-
ference. Your Planning Board assisted in the preparation of a
plan, which is now under discussion.
The Kendall Farm Development is at this writing await-
ing the result of public hearings. A plan has been prepared by
the Town Engineer, including all the surrounding territory
bounded by Bedford, North Hancock, and Burlington Streets.
The Planning Board has advised in favor of the local
control of as much of the undeveloped areas as is possible.
In all cases of land development by outside parties who
are not interested in the town, the Board of Survey Act gives
the Town power, under penalty of witholding public service
(water, sewerage,. street maintenance, etc.) from such land,
to approve or disapprove layouts submitted by the owners. The
town has insisted that such layouts shall show proposed streets
(1) conforming to the natural topography, so as to give easy
grades, proper drainage, etc., and (2) at such distances apart
as to allow proper depths for house lots for the type of resident
likely to buy in the locality under consideration.
3. The Board has taken up the question of a legislative
act to require the Land Court to obtain the approval by local
boards of survey or planning boards of land sub -divisions, be-
fore such sub -division shall be recorded by the said court.
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While the Board can continue to be of use in connection
with details of administration and current problems, its true
function is in the field of the general future development of
the community.
Respectfully submitted,
WM. ROGER GREELEY, Chairman
EDWARD T. HARTMAN,
CHRISTOPHRR S. RYAN,
FRED S. PIPER,
J. ODIN TILTON,
HENRY L. WADSWORTH.