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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1941-10-27 PLANNING BOARD MEETING October 27, 1941 A regular meeting of the Planning Board was held Monday evening, October 27th at 7:30 P. M. , at the Town Offices. Messrs. Greeley, Ellis, Nickerson, Vorthen and Kimball were present. The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as presented. Messrs Kimball, and 'Worthen, were appointed as a com- mittee to advise the Selectmen in connection with offers Tax received by the Tom for property acquired by foreclosure Titles of tax titles. Mr. Ellis reported conversations with Mr. Fred Johnson of the Chamber of Commerce re : parking facilities in the Center. Discussion centered on the advisability of a group Parking of private individuals - citizens of the Town - acquiring by Area purchase parcels of land in the erea between Waltham and Muzzey 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. Mr. Newhall reported in writing that eli major depart- Budget ments except Public Jorks and the "Tire 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 Mass.Ave. is deeded to the Town. To accomplish the Board' s recommenda- Curb tion, the Town should relocate the sidewalk and widen the Line 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. 'Vorthen reported briefly on the Greet Meadows, and Unaccepted unaccepted streets . 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 Moreland who examined them recently. The abutters, claiming the con- Avenue ditions a menace to safety and the Town unfair in the amount of betterment , have engaged an attorny and appealed to the County Commissioners. : 26,000. has been estimated by the Public docks Department as the cost to the Town to put the 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 'own 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 the abutters 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 nb 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. 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 8001 . 1" , showing the Town' s population, and Map that Mr. KinThall be authorized to negotiate for this work to be done , at a cost not to exceed '30. 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 bv, 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, 1 N -edam z,a Gaal 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 to the County Commissioners has been withdrawn and work on the roads is going ahead.