Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1965-05-20MINUTES ' of a joint meeting of the Lexington Planning Board and the Capital Expendi- tures Committee on May 20, 1965 in the Planning Board's office. Meeting called to order at 7:30 p.m. by the Planning Board Chairman Bryson with Planning Board members Greeley, Fowls and Riffin; Planning Director Zaleski; Capital Expenditures Committee Chairman Boughton and members Rawls, Hindle and Chapin; Chairman of the Board of Selectmen Cole, Selectman Cataldo, and several interested residents present. Mr. Woglom, planner of the firm of Metcalf & Eddy, arrived at 7:45 and took part in the discussion. The organization of the citizens groups for participation in the long-range study pending approval by the WA was discussed first. -It was decided that there shall be a Policy Group composed of the Planning Board, the Capital Expenditures Committee, the Selectmen and the chairmen of the principal Town Boards and Committees, oarticularly those having policy-mak- ing functions, including the School Committee, the Conservation Commission, the Appropriations Committee, the Executive Board of the TWA, etc. The General Chairman of the Community Planning Organization would be the chair- man of the Policy Group which would meet every 3-4 months and serve as a foram for the discussion and formulation of general policies on the basis of the community attitude survey. The day-to-day management of the Community Planning Organization would be in the hands of an Executive Committee consisting of the General Chairman, the chairmen (or their designees) of the Planning Board, the Capital Expenditures Committee, the Selectmen, and the Appropriations Com- mittee., and the Planning Director, who will be the Executive Secretary of the Organization. Tye Executive Committee would most monthly and the chairmen of some or all of the various Study Committees would bw invited to the meetings. The Study Committees were tentatively decided to include the follow - 1. Land Use and Population 2. Schools and Education 3. Roads, parting, circulation 4. Public Works, utilities, physical plant, 5. Recreation, conservation and parks 6. Historic and tourism 7. Economic or tax base 8. Public relations or information 9. Other municipal services and facilities (Will include Library, Fire and Police, ernmental services, lands and buildings refuse disposal Health and Welfare, other gov- not mentioned elsewhere) It was further decided that the Clerk of the Planning Board (Mrs. Riffin) will write a letter totheLeague: of Women Voters requesting their ' help in carrying out a Community Attitude Survey. The planning consultant will furnish a.draft of a questionnaire which the League will mail to 20,E of household units in Lexington. The replies received will be tabulated 5-2Q-65 -2- and summarized by the League with the help of *he consultant. The , Executive Committee would provide the funds for mailing. The survey questionnaire should be mailed out on or about Sept. 153 1965. Several names for the General Chairman and for various study committees were suggested by those present. It was decided not to nomi- nate any of the Study Committee chairmen until the names of interested citizens will become available as a result of a questionnaire sent out by the TMU. Messrs. Bryson, Boughton and Greeley were chosen yo act as a nominating committee for the selection of the General Chairman, the selection to be approved by the Flaming Board and the Capital Ex- penditures Committee. It was decided to maks a progress report to the June 7, 1965 special town meeting under Article 2 of the Warrant. Mr. Boughton a-: greed to present the report. It was decided to advise the principal Town offices, boards and committees of the organization and plans for the long-range study. It was suggested that the Public Relations Committee should be formed ahead of all others for thisttask. The names of Mrs. Touart, Mrs. Fisher and Mr. Boughton were suggested for this committee. Mr. Boughton declined to serve on the Public Relations Committee. Mr. Woglom reported that the M A wants an explanation .of the reasons why the proposed long-range study has an emphasis on the finan- cial aspects and why a study of refuse disposal is included, since a regional study of refuse disposal is being done by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council. Mr. Woglom suggested that he and the Planning Director, Mr. Zaleski, work out the reply. This concluded the discussion of the long-range planning study and the Capital Expenditures Committee, the Selectmen and some of the citi- zens in attendance withdrew. The Planning Board then reviewed a report on the proposed exten- sion of Barrymeade Dr. prepared by the Planning Director. The report is required under Section 81-I, Chapter 41 G.L. and the Selectmen had requested it prior to the public hearing on Art. 14 of the Warrant on May 24. The report was approved and signed by members of the Board. The question of Emerson Rd. was discussed next. As a result of a report by a traffic consultant, Mr. Abend, which was available only in draft form., and as a result of studies by the Planning Director, the Board decided to discuss the matter with the Selectmen on May 24, and to recommend the adoption of the following policy: 1. Assuming Route 3 will be extended from Route 128 to the inner belt, Emerson Rd. would be constructed between Grove St. and Emerson Gardens apartment development only and connected at the easterly end to local ' streets. Emerson Rd. would not be constructed in the Great Meadows area and the urgently needed improved connection between Mass. Ave. and Rte. 2 would not be a part of Emerson Rd. 5-20-65 -3- 2. The location of Emerson Rd. between East St. and Maple St. would be in accordance with Planning Board studies for the best traffic pat- ters and subdivision desiga. Emerson Rd. will be a collector road connecting individual subdivisions and sitricts of the town to each other and to major town roads. Emerson Rd. is not intended to carry through traffic originating outside of Lexington but rather to serve traffic originating or terminating or both in the Town of Lex- ington. 3. Emerson Rd. would be constructed to a minimum right -of -wap width of 60 ft. and a pavement width of two traffic lanes and one parking lane in accordance with the specifications for collector streets of tje Rules and Regulations of Lexington Planning Board. It is de- sirable, where possible, to have the right-of-way of 70 feet, for greater setback to the houses to be built and for the effect of spaciousness. The pavement of existing sections of Emerson Rd. which do not conform to these standards will not be widened until the vol- ume of traffic makes a widening desirable. The Tara will make every effort to acquire parcels of land connecting portions of Emerson Rd. to be built by subdividers before such connecting portions are di- verted to uses which would increase the cost of their acquisition by the Town. Such connecting portions will be constructed by the Town when the streets on both sides have been constructed and there is a need for a connection. 4. The cost of Emerson Rd. varies greatly depending on location. Be- tween East St. and Grove St the cost of completed Emerson Rd. is estimated at slightly under $300,000.00, including land acquisition, construction and related utilities (sewer, drain, etc.) averaging between $37-$38 per foot of road. It is expected that the cost per foot and the total cost of approximately 8500 ft. of Emerson Rd. between East St. and Maple St. would be lower than the cost of the East St. -Grove St. section because of difference of topography, soils and less need for costly acquisition and construction by the Town, but no estimated can be given until the location of Emerson Rd. is defined in greater detail. It is also a fact that both acquisi- tion and construction costs can be expected to increase each year. It was decided to prepare and publish a joint statement by the Select- men and the Planning Board setting forth the above policy as modified as a result of the May 24 meeting with the Selectmen. The meeting adjourned at 10:45 p.m. Natalie H. Riffin Clerk