HomeMy WebLinkAbout1933-03-22MEETING OF PLANNING BOARD
' March 229 1933
A meeting of the Lexington Planning Board was held in the eon -
Terence -room of the Town Office Building on Wednesday evening,
March 22, 1933. Messrs. Duffy, Glynn, Kimball, Milne, Scheibe, and
Robinson were present; also the secretary.
Mr. Trask, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, also met with the
Planning Board for the purpose of discussing a proposed new road to
Winchester, meeting a road that the latter town is planning to con
struot. He said that the Board of Selectmen is less interested in
that project than in a new "Chapter 90" street, extending from the
junction of Watertown Street and Concord Avenue, parallel with
Pleasant Street, following the brook valley across Massachusette.Ave.,
the meadows beyond to Lowell Street, and then possibly connecting
' with the Winchester project. A map of the Tows was shown, indicating
the line of this proposed new road. Mr. Trask said that there had at
one time been a plan to undertake "Chapter 90" work on Pleasant Street
itself; but the Selectmen have abandoned that idea in favor of the
new location. is He rquested that the Planning Board study this project
and, if it =3 approved, see that it is in shape for presentation to
the County Commissioners in the Fall.
THE WINCHESTER PROJECT
Mr. Milne replied to Mr. Trask that the Planning Board had not
reported on the proposed extension of High Street, Winchester to a
connedtion in Lexington, because of lack of sufficient engineering
data; and that in order to arrive at any intelligent opinion with
' respect to any new road through the Pleasant Street and meadow areas,
its width, connections, and adjacent developments, a topographical
map of the area should be available for careful study.
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P,B.Meeting 3/22/33 (2)
Mr. Trask stated, further, that the Town of Winchester is par-
ticularly interested in establishing a Lexington connection for
High Street, because in order to obtain Qounty assistance in rebuild-
ing High Street, it must be available for through traffic. Winchester
has, as a matter of fact, postponed the High Street project and is
now engaged in some "Ohapter 900 work elsewhere,
VINE BROOK
Questioned relative to the Vine Brook project, Mr. Trask stated
that the Selectmen wish to utilize about twenty-five men, on the
unemployed list, for preliminary work along Vine Brook in the section
between Butterfield's Pond and East Street. Mr. Burnham, owner of
considerable land in that section, does not oppose the straightening
of the brook, but does oppose any changing of the present water -table.
Mr. Trask was of the opinion that the proposed work on the brook
would not disturb the water -level to any appreciable degree, but on
the contrary would benefit the Burnham land by providing better flood
drainage. He intends to take the matter up with Mr. Burnham upon the
latter's return from Florida, in the near future. He said further,
that the suggestion had been made to control the water -table in the
Burnham land by a dam in the brook, which could be kept closed during
the time of year when the land needs extra water.
Mr. Duffy told Mr. Trask that the Planning Board has studied this
Vine Brook area, but can do little more than to fix, in general, the
line of the brook, and to suggest the width which would be perhaps
150 feet, sufficient for protecting the brook from encroachments and
giving access for proper maintainanoe. It was agred® that whatever
work is undertaken, should be in aocordanoe with the Metcalf & Eddy
plan, and that adequate areas on either side of the brook should be
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acquired for protection and access. In this connection, it must be
' decided what roads, if any, are to follow the brook, and what other
developments are likely in adjacent areas. Mr. Milne referred to
the necessity for rebuilding the culvert under North Street, because
if any work is done on the brook above or below it, the culvert will
not be at the proper level.
Mr. Trask informed the Board that enough work is in prospect to
keep welfare workers busy during most of the summer; but that the
Selectmen wish to have the Vine Brook job ready to start in August,
after which time the work can proceed well into the winter.
It was decided that the Town Engineer would be asked to prepare
suitable data relative to the Vine Brook project, so that detailed
study can be given it soon.
ID,, J. O'Connell Petition
Mr. Milne presented a draft of a report on the O'Connell petition,
to be given by the 'Board at the next Town Mweting. The matter was
discussed, but final appvvval of the draft was postponed until the
next meeting of the Board, when typed copies will be furnished.
The meeting adjourned at 11:30 o'clock.
Clerk
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