HomeMy WebLinkAbout1941-10-27D
PLANNING BOARD ,�TTING
October 27, 1941
A regular meeting of the Planning Board was held Z.onday
evening, October 27th at 7:30 P. M., at the Town Offices.
Messrs. Greeley, Ellis, Nickerson, '.'Jorthen and Kimball were
present. The minutes of the previous meeting were approved
as presented.
Messrs Kimball, and '1Torthen, were appointed as a com-
mittee to advise the Selectmen in connection with offers
received by the To -in for property acquired by foreclosure
of tax titles.
Mr. Ellis reported conversations with Mr. Pred Johnson
of the Chamber of Commerce re; parking facilities in the
Center. Discussion centered on the advisability of a g roup
of private individuals - citizens of the Town - acquiring by
purchase parcels of land in the e.rea between 'Waltham and
Mazzey Streets to prevent possible future purchases by out-
side parties for purposes contrary to the Board's recommenda-
tion for the ultimate use of this land. It was considered
that this plan would probably not be feasible today unless
such individuals were convinced that the project was of imme-
diate and vital necessity to the Town.
Tax
Ti tle s
Parking
Area
Mr. Newhall reported in writing that all major depart- Budget
ments extent Public '.Yorks and the -Fire Department have submitted Plan
Form A.
Mr. Greeley, reporting on the curb line at the Edison
Station stated that this has been checked and that the land
is deeded to the Town. To accomplish the Boards recommenda-
tion, the Town should relocate the sidewalk and widen the
street.
Voted; That the Clerk write the Board of Selectmen,
advising that this land is owned by the Town for
the purpose of setting back the curb line, and
recommending that action be taken in accordance
with the Planning Board's recent curb line plan
for Massachusetts Avenue submitted at the last
town meeting.
Mr. 'Northen reported briefly on the Great Meadows, and
unaccepted streets.
On the subject of unaccepted streets, the Chairman re-
ported that the Board of Survey has referred the question of
Moreland Avenue to this Board for its opinion. The condition
of the streets in question was described by the Board members
who examined them recently. The abutters, claiming the con-
ditions a menace to safety and the Town unfair in the amount
of betterment, have engaged an attorny and appealed to the
County Commissioners. "PEk26,000. has been estimated by the
Public ''orks Department as the cost to the Town to put the
Mass. Ave.
Curb
Line
Unaccepted
Streets
Moreland
Avenue
street in such proper condition that it would accept
responsibility for it. The road was originally put through
privately. If the Town should do the work proposed it would ,
assess betterments at 100%, and there being so few abutters
the 'Town would anticipate great difficulty in realizing even
a fraction of this amount.
Mr. Greeley suggested a co-operative :scheme -of improving
Moreland Avenue, in which theabutters and Town might work to-
gether. The Town might rent at a nominal rate the necessary
equipment out of unoccupied time, the abutters contributing
their own labor. The Town would assume m.o liability, but
the abutters would be able to improve their street at a rea-
sonable cost. It was suggested that such work might well be
in the spirit of defense planning in that it would encourage
the neighborhood to work together. Such a program should tend
to promote good will, and could be carried out in other parts
ofthe Town where there are similar conditions; such as Out-
look Drive and portions of Glen Road. Mr. Greeley reported
that this plan was looked upon favorably by the Town Counsel.
Mr. Kimball spoke of defense housing, noting that Lex -
Defense ington is included in the Boston Defense Area. The State
Housing Proclamation on housing and living quarters was read. It was
suggested that encouraging private homes to house workers
might forestall a mushroom housing boom, either by the govern-
ment or bJr private enterprise.
The Chairman was authorized to arrange for finding an
individual to work on the Budget Plan.
The meeting adjourned at 9:30 P. M. to meet with,the
Board of Selectmen on the subject of unaccepted streets.
The next meeting will be held Monday:, November 10th,
at 7:30 P. M.
Respectfully submitted,
N�1!
��. Clerk, Pro Tem
The
Clerk was
instructed to write the Board of Selectmen
Speed
referring
to the previous
letter from this Board, asking what
Limit
has been
the effect
of the 30 M.P.H. speed limit.in the Town,
as regards
reduced
accidents, etc.
VOTED:
That the
Board prepare a Density Map of the Town
Density
to scale
of 800, .
111, showing the Town's population, and '
Map
that Mr.
Kimball be
authorized to negotiate for this work to
be done,
at a cost
not to exceed j30. It was suggested that
it would
be useful
to plot the school population on a_separate
map.
Mr. Kimball spoke of defense housing, noting that Lex -
Defense ington is included in the Boston Defense Area. The State
Housing Proclamation on housing and living quarters was read. It was
suggested that encouraging private homes to house workers
might forestall a mushroom housing boom, either by the govern-
ment or bJr private enterprise.
The Chairman was authorized to arrange for finding an
individual to work on the Budget Plan.
The meeting adjourned at 9:30 P. M. to meet with,the
Board of Selectmen on the subject of unaccepted streets.
The next meeting will be held Monday:, November 10th,
at 7:30 P. M.
Respectfully submitted,
N�1!
��. Clerk, Pro Tem
MEMO REPORT
MORELAND AVENUE
November, 1941
Narrative: Residents on Moreland Avenue, Swan Lane and neighbor-
hood requested the Board of Selectmen to improve the easterly
end of Moreland Avenue, Moreland Avenue is an unaccepted
street with town water and street lights. The only official
action the Selectmen can take is to recommend to the town the
construction of the street (estimated cost of $26,000.) its
acceptance by the town and the assessment of the total cost
back to the property owners under "betterments". The property
owners cannot assume this amount.
Action: The residents retained council and petitioned the Middle-
sex County Commissioners for relief.
On Monday, November 10, 1941 an informal hearing was held
by the Board of Selectmen and attended by the Town Counsel,
Supt. of Public Works, Chairman of the Planning Board, and
eight residents and their counsel.
The following - a suggestion of Mr. Greeley - was presented
for consideration: -
The residents will determine the amount of money they can
raise for repairs.
The Supt. of Public works acting as a citizen will advise
the amount of road,and type of construction,that can be built
for this amount, taking into consideration the rental of
equipment and obtaining materials at town cost.
The Selectmen acting as citizens will attempt to obtain as
much free and low cost labor as possible, contacting the
Defense Committee.to this end.
The suggestion appeared to meet with approval and the
residents estimated they could raise $1200. at once and
organized themselves into a committee to canvass the neigh-
bor hood for further funds and report back to the Board of
Selectmen in two weeks.
Conclusion: On November 24, 1941 Mr. Paxton and six residents
appeared before the Board of Selectmen. The committee reported
they had raised $900. and pledged $1500, for construction of
roads.
December 10, 1941 the petition td the County Commissioners
has been withdrawn and work on the roads is going ahead.
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