HomeMy WebLinkAbout1953-08-03v: PLANNING BOARD MEETING+
Monday, August 3, 1953
Present: Adams, Grindle, Hathaway, Irwin, Potter, Ripley.
Meeting opened at 7:15 o'clock. Discussion held on request of
John Baskin to build on agreement instead of bond or certified check. De-
cided to O.K. inasmuch as the right to do this would be in effect the
first of the year anyway, but should also agree to allow others the same
Privilege when it seems advisable.
Silva
Mr. Silva appeared and was told the Board had decided he must ful-
fill the requirements of a subdivision. If he did not build any more
houses there was nothing to stop him from paving a driveway from Sunny -
knoll avenue to his house, but as soon as he divided his land he must build
the road according to specifications. Mr. Silva requested this information
in writing for his attorney.
Perry Norton
Further discussion on conserving land. It was noted that Sharon
bad put into effect the requirement of acre lots. Mr. Perry Norton
appeared for discussion with the Board . Mr. Adams explained that the
Board wished to look into the idea of having professional service for ex-
pert advice on future growth of town. Mr. Norton's oomments were in part
as follows. the American Institute of Planners serves "planners" but not
communities. Most large cities have a legal consulting service in order
to tie together a number of problems. Such a firm would be Adams, Howard
& Greeley, but such services come high. Suggests professional planner
with knowledge but not much experience which would not cost so much. He
could meet with the Board at their meetings. Full time best - cannot map
out a plan and then leave it because new problems constantly arising. Also
tied directly to what heppens in surrounding towns. Do not try to build
up an artificial wall which won't accomplish anything as people will even-
tually move in anyway. How much will the town stand for financing? These
consulting organizations only charge for the time spent here, but when here
is high, but it has without a doubt paid off. Take for an example - sup-
pose the B & M were to be used for rapid transit - with only 15 minutes to
Boston this would be a vulnerable place. A certain portion of land in
open area increases the value of saleable land by 15%. Suggests get-to-
gether with Board of some of the owners of large parcels of land. When
asked how long before there could be comething to work on he replied
that in the course of a 2-3 year period there would have been assembled
the elements of a plan with a series of rules and regulations that could
be worked on they go along and by the end of that period should have most
of the material available. An outside firm could look at it from an out-
side point of view and try to foresee what would be coming up next. The
Board should know what they want as well as what they don't want. Recom-
'
mendation - to get a man to work with the job and if he were a consultant
should come up with a plan for town meeting in order that the Board may
ask for funds, then have six months for study.
al 1
Have a contract with a consultant and have them hire a man instead of
putting him on town payroll, then would be under Planning Board but not
under political pressure. The name of Adams, Howard & Greeley was sug-
gested,, and Mr. Norton will send in a list of names.
Mr. Adams suggested having Mr. Benjamin in for the next meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 10:20 o'clock.
Thomas S. Grindle,
Clerk
lmb ,