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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1932-03-29I'] PLANNING BOARD MEETING March 29, 193P A meeting of the Planning Board was held in the Con- ference Room of the Town office Building, Tuesday, March 29, 1932, at 8:00 P. M. Messrs. Emery, Scheibe, Glynn, Cutler, Milne and Duffy ,,!ere present. The Assistant Town 11 Engineer and secretary were also present. The matter of the status of the Arlington Reservoir and Great Meadomtis was brought up. Mr. Emery informed the Board that they were to attend the Selectmen's Meeting to discuss this matter later on in the evening. It was suggested that the Town Counsel get in touch with the Arlington Town Counsel to get the legal status of the land. The Munroe Brook which now runs to the northeast and which formerly ran through the meadow was properly diverted so that it would go into the reservoir and feed the artesian wells there which were used to supply the Town of Arlington with drinking water. This water was pu-mped through a main into Mass. Avenue. They are not drawing any water from these wells and no water flows from this area into the reservoir by way of the diversion which they made some years ago. Arlington is not using the meadow area for the purpose it was designed. It was suggested that this meadow area might be dammed and made into a pond because it cannot be properly drained for playground or other purposes. Mr. Cosgrove's report on Sewer and Assessments was read and discussed. Unless there are houses on a street or proposed development, it would not be a benefit to the property to add sewerage. If main sewers are put along main streets, they collect more than lateral sewers which are put along small streets. Mr. Higgins informed the Board that the Town Engineer got in touch with the Town Engineer of Waltham and found that they have nothing on hand in regard to Smith Street extension which is a continuation of Spring Street in Lexington. A letter was read from VIalpole Planning Board re- ouesting copies of our Planning and Zoning Laws. It was decided that we would send them two or three copies of our Zoning Laws. A letter was read from Mr. Trask thanking the Board for the'vote concerning investigation of the Town's financial policy and administration. He stated that he was still of the opinion that the proper method of procedure is through the Board of Selectmen and the Appropriation Committee. 2. The Chairman read a letter from Roland Greelev in which he corrected a statement which he made at the last meeting when he said it was compulsory for a town to set asIrle a certain percentage (usually 5�) of land in new developments as playground area. tie stated that this had been tried in many communities and has ,-iorked out unsuccess- fully each time. Messrs. Emery, Duffy and Glynn went before the Selectmen to discuss the layout of roads along the sewer extension which is proposed for the area between the Lowell Turnpike and Plaple Street known as East Lexington Meadows. Bir. Duffy talked on the subject as he lives in the neighborhood and is better acquainted with the situation. He stated that the subject has been discussed for several ,;,ears and that careful study should be made so that sewer construction in this area in the future might be laid along the lines of proposed roads. He felt that the low area could be used for r!any things but thought that the legal status of the large area adjoining Maple Street should be ascertained at an early date. He stated that the Town Engineer had informed the Planning Board that sewerage would have to be provided within the next t1aro or three years, being pressed by the North Lexington section, and called attention to the fact that Metcalf & Eddy outlined the sewer to be located in this area. great part of the land in question is in the hands of Arlington and it is thought that Arlington Planning Board and Selectmen would be willing; to cooperate in the utiliza- tion of that area and around the reservoir. The Planning BoarO cannot lay down construction plans until the legal status has been determined. The Town Engineer has made plans of the area to the 'dinchester line. It was suggested that the area be drained and used for a playground and also that it be dammed and made into a pond. Arlington took this land by eminent do7ain for water supply but does not rely on it now. They now use it for street water and the water used in front of the Town Hall. The meeting was adjourned at 10:40 P. iti. Respectfully submitted, Cl erk