HomeMy WebLinkAbout1961-10-11-BOS-min 105.
SBL',C TT_'vEN I S HEARING
October 11, 1961
The Board of Selectmen held a hearing in Estabrook
Hall, Cary Memorial Building, on Wednesday, October 11,
1961, at 8:00 P.M. Chairman Morey, Mr . Cole , Mr . Carroll,
Superintendent of Public Works, Messrs . Soule and Meyer
of the Planning Board, Mr . Snow, Planning Director, and
the Executive Clerk to the Board of Selectmen were present .
The Chairman stated that hearings were open on the
five proposed layouts to be considered this evening and
explained that they were being held for the purpose of
making and establishing layouts of the streets to be
presented to the Special Town Meeting on November 6. She
stated that notices of the intention of the Board to pass
orders for the extensions and layouts had been delivered
by Constable to all property owners as they appear on the
most recent tax list, and explained that the hearings are
conducted for a matter of public recommendations . She
said that recommendations are made but the decision on
the layouts is made by the Town Meeting members .
The first layout taken up was Station Way from
Erlison Way to the Municipal Parking Area a distance of
78 feet, more or lese , northeasterly.
The Chairman explained this was the same layout
that was made at the Annual Town Meeting in March and Station Way
defeated because of the cost of the layout . The Boston
and Maine Railroad and the Department of Public Utilities
insisted on protective signals , and it was felt that the
cost was prohibitive . It was referred back for the
purpose of determining whether a walking crossover would
be permitted rather than a vehicular crossover . She
explained that the Board received an answer that the
same protective devise must be installed at a cost of
x;$12, 881 . She stated that this would be a direct access
to the parking lot .
No one appeared in favor or in opposition and the
hearing was declared closed.
Hearing was declared open on the proposed layout of
Worthen Roa= d from Waltham Street a distance of 100 feet
northerly on the westerly side .
Mr. Carroll explained that this represents a minor
change in the layout of Worthen Road. He stated that
an additional very small piece of land is needed on the
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lefthand side looking into Worthen Road from Waltham -
Street as shown on the plan posted on the wall .
He said this is something which is necessary to make
a proper intersection at Waltham Street.
No one appeared in favor or in opposition and the
hearing was declared closed.
Hearing was declared open on the proposed layout
of Worthen Road from the Cambridge-Concord Highway 275
feet, more or less, northerly.
The Chairman explained that this proposed layout
is to establish where Norther Road will connect to
Route 2 . She said this is the place that has been
selected as the proper place for Worthen Road to come
in and it is the location that meets a reasonable amount
of approval of the Department of Public Works .
Dr. Robert J. Brennan, Jr . , 21 Buckman Drive , asked
Worthen Road what a layout is .
at Route 2 The Chairman explained that a layout establishes
where a road will be , funds have to be appropriated for
construction and that would be a separate article in the
warrant for the Town Meeting. -
A gentleman asked if the property had been pur-
chased up to the area.
Mr. Carroll explained that there has b._en some
preliminary planning to indicate this might be a reason-
able place for Worthen Road to come onto Route 2. The
proper way would be an interchange and it is not known •
how much success the Town will have with this particular
layout or how far it will go . He stated that the idea
was construed by the Board of Selectmen as a means of
indicating to the State officials that the Town is in-
terested and serious in connecting Worthen Road to Route
2 . He said if the State did not give its co-operation
and planning the Board felt was needed, it wanted to
construct Worthen Road and find a place for it to come
out onto Route 2 . He stated this is probably the best
location if an interchange is not cinstructed, and it
is his personal feeling that it will not actually be
built as laid out on the plan .
The Chairman stated that she had been talking to
the Department of Public Works today and has a meeting
with them in two weeks all of which fits into Worthen
Road coming into Route 2 .
Mr . Carroll explained that this particular problem
is in a state of flux at the present time but the Board
does feel progress is being made with the State . It
has indicated to the State by this layout that it is
serious . He said if the State co-operates and builds
the interchange the Board feels desirable , this layout
will not have to be made .
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Mr . Weiant Wathen-Durno, ))1 Maple Street, said that
when the State constructs Route 2 as a limited access
highway, there will be an interchange at Watertown Street,
an interchange at pleasant Street and this, in addition.
He asked if the road had to be actually legally laid
out or if it had to exist.
The Chairman said she was not sure this article
would be acted on at the Town Meeting if proper progress
is made with the State . If progress is made , it will be
reported to the Town Meeting.
Mr . Aiden L. Ripley, 52 Follen Road, asked where the
exact location is, and Mr. Carroll replied that it is the
section of Wellington Lane , so-called.
The Chairman explained that the meeting this evening
decides nothing, but is to obtain expressions of opinions .
She stated that the State has said if Worthen Road is
built, this is a good place for it to come out . She ex-
plained that she is not at liberty to disclose what was
discussed today, and two weeks from now will have more
information.
A gentleman asked if Worthen Road was being discussed
tonight to negotiate with the State .
The Chairman replied that is one of the reasons it
is being included .
Mr. Hagedorn asked how many interchanges were planned
by the State and. the Chairman replied that its rule is
• one a mile . She said that no funds are involved if this
does come up at the Town Meeting.
The hearing was declared closed.
The hearing was declared open on the layout of
Buckman Drive from existing Buckman Drive a distance of
235 feet, more or less , southerly to Moreland Avenue .
The Chairman said she did not think it would be
necessary for her to elaborate on Buckman Dr_ ve or Buckman
Summit Road and stated that they will be handled indi- Drive
vidually and there will be separate articles in the
warrant . She said that as a result of the last hearing,
the articles did not appear in the warrant .
The Chairman asked if anyone wished to speak in
favor .
Mr. Norman C . Dahl, ILO Fern Street, said he was
in favor mainly on the grounds of safety to the area
served by this extension. He said that from Fern
Street up, and including Moreland Avenue , there are
slightly less than ninety houses all served by a narrow
road which in winter is jammed by cars skidding and at
times it has been blocked for half or three-quarters of
an hour . He said so far there has not been the need
for an ambulance , doctors or a fire engine , but he thought
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the people had been lucky. He said insofar as the
people on Buckman Drive are concerend, the extension
will change the character of the drive ; there will be
more cars and action of restraining their children from
using the road. He said he would like it for taking
cars from Fern Street, but he did not think he , as a
resident of Fern Street, should decide something more
convenient for him and less convenient to the people on
Buckman Drive . He said the essential point is a matter
of safety, as it is unwise for theTown to have ninety
houses served by a single road . He said there is a
difference between the Summit Road entrance and the
Buckman Drive entrance ; the Summit Road entrance cuts off
only 18 houses . He proposed that the Town accept this
way on the basis the Town cantt have this number of
families located in a single culdesac .
Mr . Charles Collazzo, 2360 Massachusetts Avenue ,
said there are certain economic advantages of connecting
streets and this in itself is a safety measure in terms
of children' s safety. If it is possible to cut down
travel, the risk to other people is cut down and the use
of gasoline any wear on tires is cut down.
Mrs . Barbara Whitcomb, 29 Fern StrcEt, wished to be
recorded in favor.
Mrs . Sylvia Leyenrar, 30 Moreland Avenue , said that
when a larger water main was put up Fern Street, there
was a temporary road through Buckman Drive . She was
recorded in favor.
A gentleman asked when Moreland Avenue would be
connected to Worthen Road.
Mr . Carroll replied that worthen Road is so nebulous
it is impossible to say.
The Chairman said she thought, by the way the State
works, it would be a matter of five years .
A gentleman asked if a temporary arrangement could
be made . He asked when Moreland Avenue was connected to
Route 2 if it could be put through on a temporary basis,
for an emergency.
The Chairman said she thought there had been a peti-
tion requesting another access .
The gentleman said he had nothing against the people
on Follen Hill but was interested. in a way to get in and
out in theevent Fern Street was blocked.
Mrs . Monarch asked when Moreland Avenue was laid out
as a paper street to Route 2 . She said Moreland Avenue
is on the Town map as a paper street.
Mr . Snow replied that it was recorded before 1900.
Mr . Carroll said he did not believe the layout of
Moreland Avenue beyond its present paving is the proper
layout to connect it to Worthen Road. He explained that
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if it were connected as laid out now, the grades would
be so steep it would not be a desirous layout .
Mr. Dahl referred to a temporary layout and said if
the Town decides to dolt, it seemed as if it must be a
plowed road and. have an all weather surface .
Mr. Carroll explained that , under the General Laws ,
it is not possible for the Town to lay a street out on
a tegporary basis . He said he thought the only way to
do it would be for the Selectmen to lay it out and at
some future time abandon it.
Mr . Kuhn asked if the discussion was still whether
or not Moonhill should have an access .
The Chairman replied that the subject being discussed
was the extension of Buckman Drive . She explained that
there were two hearings and after Buckman Drive , Summit
Road would be taken up.
Mr. Kuhn asked if it was true that on the part of the
Town there was an agreement that there should be another
access provided.
The Chairman replied thatit seems fairly general .
Mr. Kuhn said it seemed to be a fairly simple engi-
neering job . He said as far as he is concerned, Buckman
Drive extension would not be of advantage to him as it
would affect his property but it is apparent that it is
an easy engineering job and looks like an easy access .
Mr. Luongo asked if he would be paid $5,000 a lot
for his land .
The- Chairman replied that an appraisal had been made
and she said she believed there were two lots .
Mr. Luongo asked what the land up there was worth to
the Town.
The Chairman asked if he had an asking price .
Mr . Luongo replied whatever they are paying for the
lots and said he would give them the lots if they paid
the price .
The Chairman asked if anyone else wished to speak
in favor of the extension of Buckman Drive before those
who opposed were heard.
No one else wished to speak in favor .
Mr . George H. Matheson, 62 Buckman Drive , said he
was representing about eighty families on Buckman Drive
and adjacent areas . He said a petition was presented
last year but some of the people did not live in the
immediate area, but now he has signatures of 127 people
who do live in the immediate area. He stated that there
are sixty-five children and no sidewalks, and the traffic
on Follen Road is heavy and will get heavier . He said
the best solution, they felt, was Worthen Road, and tonight
it has been said that Worthen Road may be five years away.
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He said he understood the sewer was going through and
asked if that was correct .
The Chairman said M e sewer is going through, 'but
the layout of the street did not mean construction.
Mr. Matheson asked if the sewer was to be started
next year, and Mr. Carroll replied in the affirmative .
He explained that he is trying to get the sewer into
the location of the road so when Worthen Road is built
five years or twenty years from now . He said there
is no connection between the sewer and the construction
of Worthen Road .
Mr . Matheson said when Worthen Road is constructed,
it will solve the pro dem, and the people whom he represents
are opposed to the Buckman Drive extension.
The Chairman accepted the petition and upon request
read the first paragraph.
Mrs . Kathryn Arnold, 79 Buckman Drive , said the
people on Moreland Avenue still say they want some access
in case of an emergency. She said last spring one of
the representatives of the Fire Department was agreeable
to a temporary access through Summit Road.
The Chairman said she believed at that tearing that •
Mr. Roeder said there could be a gate with a key and she
believed the owner said there was no need for a key, that _
there would be free access .
Mrs . W. A . Rotunno:, 48 Summit Road, said her husband
did say in case of an emergency, the Fire Department could
use the right of way which:is their property. She ex-
plained that they ask people to walk in and not to ride
their bicycles . She said it was through their old drive-
way connecting through their new drive .
The Chairman asked if it was Summit Road and not
Buckman Drive , and Mrs . Rotunno replied in the affirmative .
Mr. Alan S . Hodges, 21 Dawes Road, said most of the
people on Moon Hill use the argument of cars on Fern
Street . He said fire protection could be taken care of
by the Rotunno right of way. He said as for skidding,
Dawes Road is closed during snowstorms . He said if the
cars went down Moreland Avenue , they would have to make a
sharp turn onto Buckman Drive and it would cause chaos
and not solve any snow problem .
Mr. Douglas Ross, 33 Dawes Roar, asked if Summit,
Buckman or Totunno route could be operated. on an emergency
with a chain and key. He said he would even consider
an extension of Buckman Drive as an -emergency until Worthen
Road is constructed. He said the route being discussed
has nothing but right angle curves, and there is the problem
of the culdesac and the problem of safety. He asked if a
temporary solution couldn' t be found .
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Mr. George Baldwin, 69 Buckman Drive, said he was
opposed to the extension of Buckman Drive . He stated
that he moved to Pollen Road in 1947, and six years ago,
left Pollen Road because of the increase in traffic, and
a deadend
nd
children, he moved toBuckmanDrive ,
having four
g
street, in order to get away from the traffic . He said
in 1955, Pollen Road. was not able to handle the traffic
using it . Since then there have been more houses built ,
plus the fact that many people go up Fallen Road to get
to Marrett Road. He said the traffic at present is in
excess of what the road can handle . He said he wanted
to be registered as being opposed when there are other
ways . He said he assumed the gentleman speaking for
the Town is an engineer .
Mr. Fred Parker , 10 Lantern Lane , asked if it were
possible to construct a sewer on a proposed layout street,
and Mr. Carroll replied in the affirmative .
Mr. Benjamin Mayo, 11 Dawes Road, said. he has lived
on Pollen Hill for thirty years, and bn many times , it
was difficult to get to his home because of snow . He
moved to Dawes Road because it was easier getting there .
He said. he cannot get out of Pollen Hill when the church is
having services . He said it is also impossible to get out
of Locust Avenue , and he goes to Marrett Road to get out .
He said he thought every neighborhood should get out of
its trouble , and that he thought the Planning Board. should.
• do something big and not a little drive like Buckman.
Mr. Matheson asked why this road was being extended
by act of the Selectmen.
u
The Chairman replied that the Sem. cL. ien received a
petition from the people in the area for a second access .
It was referred to the Planning Board and the Planning
Board recommended it. She said there was a hearing but
the articles were not in the warrant for the Town Meeting.
The Planning Board felt it should be in the warrant so
the hearing is being held and it will be presented to the
Town Meeting .
Mr . Matheson said the last time them was a hearing,
there were some 200 people against it, and there was no
one present from Moon Hill. He said he was wondering
who wants to extend Buckman Drive . He asked if it was
being done because four or five people wanted it or be-
cause of one petition.
The Chairman said she would proceed with the hearing
on Summit Road and then have a general discussion.
Mr . Walter Arnold, 79 Buckman Drive , said he under-
stood the petition from the area did mention what road
was wanted . He asked how many times one has to fight
something like this in order to have it over with. He
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said the problem existed before the people moved in, and
they knew what Fern Street was . He said everyone has
probler.s and they must be put up with. He said he did
not see any reason for opening up a road to disturb a
neighborhood, and it would detract from the value of the
area to those who live th-_re . He said he did not see
why one neighborhood should be aggravated when there
are other ways of taking care of an emergency merely be-
cause they had a problem towhich they contributed. He
said there are many children playing in the street and
they havebeen hit with the small amount of traffic there •
now . He said bumps were put in the road in the Moon
Hill area to keep it safe for the children.
Mr. William Enders, 206 Follen Road, asked 1) what
it would cost for putting Buckman Drive extension through
paved, and 2) putting it through as an emergency road.
He asked if an amendment were proposed at the Town Meeting,
that Buckman Drive be an emergency road, would it be legal .
Mr . Carroll "eplied that the Town could build Buckman
Drive as a paved way, including drainage , for about 64, 000,
not including land. damages . He said the cost of building
it on a temporary basis without drainage would be about
' 1, 000 or 61,500, again not including land damage .
He said he did not think the suggested amendment
would be legal, and he did not think the Town has such
authority, but it would be referred to Town Counsel .
Mr . Snow stated the State is the only agency that •
could do that.
Mr. Arnold asked if the Luongo farm were taken,
would it mean he could not operate the Stand on Pleasant
Street . He asked. if it was not a requirement that they
farm in the area in order to maintain a farm stand in
that area . He said if so, the land taking also puts
a man out of business .
Mrs . Dorothy Pearlman, Buckman Drive , said she was
opposed to the extension of this road. She said she
could see no reason why the people on Buckman Drive should
be penalized by people on Moon Hill . She said she under-
stood they built their homes for seclusion and now they
are concerned with the problem of safety. She said an
emergency access hs been offered and there Is no evidence
that any vehicle cannot get up Fern Street .
Mr. Dahl said there are twenty-six or twenty-eight
families living on Moon Hill and many of those not on
Moon Hill have the same interest .
The Chairman said streets are the property of all
and for the convenience of all and every time anyone
goes from his street onto another street, he is going
onto a street someone else paid for .
Dr. Robert R . Black, 46 Buckman Drive , asked if
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it was possible to have a traffic survey made . He said
they should know what a traffic problem they are going
to have .
Mr . Snow said he had a list of the number of families
on each of the streets and there are eighty-six families
in the area. He assumed there would be one car per family.
Dr. Black said there was the problem of service cars,
trucking, etc .
The Chairman said the answer is that there is no
traffic count .
Dr. Brennan said he has been a doctor for twenty
yea- s and not once has he failed to get where he wanted
to go . He said if he cannot get his car up the hill,
he turns off the ignition and walks .
Mr. John Brennan, 73 Buckman Drive, asked what
alternate routes had been considered and what were the
reasons used to put Buckman Drive on the warrant . He
asked if the detailed arguments in favor were aval ble .
The Chairman explained that she was out of the
country the last time but she thought there was a dif-
ference of opinion and it was felt it was a Town Meeting
decision and not just for the Selectmen to decide .
Mr. Brennan said he was opposed to the extension
of Buckman Drive .
The Chairman said she would like to suspend the
hearing on Buckman Drive and take up the la- out of Summit
Road from near Pinewood Street a distance of 700 feet,
more or less , southerly to Fern Street . She explained
that it was the same road considered at the last hearing
and it is being considered by itself and not with Buckman
Drive . She understood it was put in when Buckman Drive
was suggested as it would give two means of access thereb'
cutting down the number of cars going out Buckman Drive .
She stated that it is a longer and more expensive road to
build . She said the question was asked about any other
ways . She explained that the Board discussed at some lec t'h
the extension of Moraland Avenue to Route 2 . The other
way proposed in the past was Milliken Lane which is a very
narrow, steep road up from Pleasant Street. She said
those two ways seem to be out, as going from Pleasant
Street would necessitate land takings since the way itself
is a very narrow right of way. She said Summit Road
seemed another way to make another access .
A gentleman said someone had stated that their
driveway could be used as an emergency and asked if there
was any reason for having another exit .
A woman asked if the Town would be trespassing on
property of John Wilson.
A gentleman said the need for additional access and
entrance to Moreland Avenue and the Moon Hill area is
clear . He said the Town government should select the
111
best way of doing: it . He said the. additional access is
needed and the Town should decide how and where .
A gentleman said the Town should make a survey, that
the Selectmen and Mr . Carroll did not have a real grasp
of the situation. He said they were not familiar with
the land down there .
The Chairman stated that she had gone down Summit
Road and felt she was in someone ' s yard so did not go
any further ..
Mr . Carroll said the question as to whether or not
he was familiar with Mr. Rotunno' s driveway was incidental .
He explained that the Selectmen and the Panning Board
have decided the proper solution is in laying out Summit
Road. He said they have also discussed the emergency
access of a driveway and have come to the conclusion that
it is not a feasible method of solving the problem. They
feel the only aderuate solution is construction of one or
both public ways .
One gentleman said last spring when there was a
public hearing the Board voted two to two, a tie vote ,
not to put the articles in the warrant . He asked if
the articles would be in this warrant . He said the
Selectmen are net present this evening to hear the dis-
cussion and asked if it was a foregone conclusion that
the articles will be in the warrant.
The Chairman explained that when the articles were
not put on the warrant, the Selectmen received a letter
from the Planning Board stating that the articles should
be in the warrant . She said they ace in the warrant and
a hearing must beheld. She stated that it is the in-
tention of the Board to include them in the warrant . •
One gentleman said he understood the Planning Board
was going to vote for Buckman Drive , and asked to hear
from the Planning Board.
Mr . Soule said the articles are not put in the
warrant andbrought to the attention of the public to
while away an evening and that the Planning Board did not
like controversy. He said he realized that when roads
are built through the Town, there is controversy, and
stated that there is a good deal of emotion tied up with
the laying out of a street . He said the Planning Board
feels it is doing a job and it is one of the Board' s
functions to plan for the future in roads and in traffic
throughout the Town. He stated that this has been a
long range plan of the Town to connect Buckman Drive
that occurred prior to his becoming a member of the Board
and prior to every other member of the Board coning on,
with the exception of Mr. Grindle . He said that eventually
this road would have to go through, and Fern Street will
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have to be widened . He said all these things are going to
have to happen and it is the Planning Board' s job to plan
for an eventual 50, 000 or 55,000 people . He said a peti-
tion has been received from the people on Moon Hill for
another access, the Planning Board has been studying the
cost of widening Fern Stree ;, it has been taken into con-
sideration and Milliken Lane has been discarded, the plan
to go out Rockville has besn discarded, the plan to go out
Moreland has been deferred and the -clan of Buckman Drive
has been on the Planning Board hooka for many years . He
stated the people in the Buckman Drive area met and an
alternate solution was proposed two years ago with the
extension of Summit Road . He said the Planning Board
feels Summit Road is not as vital as Buckman Drive ; the
cost of Summit Road is more than Buckman Drive and if
there had been a one-two choice , the Planning Board would
favor Buckman as one and Summit as two.
One gentleman said this is a two-way proposition;
there are families living in the Buckman Drive , Dawes
Road area who also have only one access, and this is part
of the basis of the Planning Board' s feeling that Buckman
Drive is also to relieve that area from being a one access
area.
Mrs . Brennan said the area is in need of sewer and
asked why there was such urgency on the street . She said
they also need sidewalks .
One gentleman asked if Buckman Drive was going to be
on the warrant and also Summit Road, or if it would be
just Buckman Drive .
The Chairman replied that to the best of her knowledge
both will be on the warrant .
A gentleman asked if this would be decided by the
Selectmen.
The Chairman replied that the Selectmen hold the
hearing and put the articles in the warrant, but the Town
Meeting members vote on it .
Mr. Peter A. D 'Ar—igo, 1 Lantern Lane , asked if the
purpose of the hearing was to give the Planning Board an
idea of the general feeling of the people there .
The Chairman replied in the affirmative .
Mr. D 'Arrigo said he attended the last hearing and
the vote was not in favor of extending Buckman or Summit
and asked what the hearing was for this evening.
The Chairman stated that she had read the trans-
scription of the hearing last May. She said she did not
think anything had been said this evening that was not
said lest May but the law requires a legal hearing. She
explained that tlei s is a matter of law and the Board must
hold a hearing. Last year it was decided to eliminate
the articles from the warrant .
116.
Mr . Arthur Anthony, 33 Summit Road, said he understood
there is no purpose for this meeting and he would like to
get out of the Summit Road deal and get home .
Mr . Hagedorn said he was present as a Town Meeting
member who has to vote on the issue . He said he wanted
to know what the people had to say and he has not heard
anything this evening that he did not hear last spring,
but he still felt it was important to attend the hearing.
Mr. Arnold said he thought most of the people feel
the point is that if the Planning Board has already re-
commended that this be put in the warrant, it has not
waited for any feeling from the people in the area and
that apparently the decision has been made by the Plan-
ning Board that this be in the warrant regardless of
whether or not any one present is in favor or against it .
The Chairman explained that if this is defeated at
the Special Town Meeting and the decision is to put it
back on another warrant for another Town Meeting, there
will be another hearing.
Mr . Arnold said the people were disturbed because
the decision ha already been rade prior to anyone asking
if the people are for or against it .
Mrs . Dorothy Dahl, 40 Fern Street, said. that Buckman
Drive of the two is more important and this is why the
Town has a Planning Board. '
Mr. Aiden L . Ripley, 52 Fallen Road, said he wanted
to call to the attention of those present the petition
presented at the last hearing on Summit Road and asked
the C 'dairman to read the heading which she proceeded to
uu The Chairman asked if there was anyone present in
favor of the Summit Road extension and no one replied.
Mr . Ripley said he had served on the Planning Board
for seven years and he disliked to co against the opinion
of the Planning Board but he did . He said the discussion
is a `gout paper streets and the humane element involved
is being lost . He said two very fine neighborhoods
stand to lose very heavily because of the tremendous
increase in traffic, and the neighborhood asking for this
will retain its very nice deadend. He said he was very
much opposed to both articles .
The Chairman said it waa:- close to ten o ' clock and
she assumed that everyone had spoken. She asked if
anyone wanted tc ask aboL.t the cost .
Mrs . Sanborn Brown, 37 Maple Street, said she would
like estimates for the Town Meeting. She said she did
not mean a precise figure .
The Chairman mentioned X90,000 from Moreland Avenue
to the location where Worthen Road would be located.
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Mrs . Brown said she would like a guess about the
construction cost of Worthen Road part to Route 2 also .
The Chairman said an estimate of the cost would
be worked out .
One man said very little had come out of the hearing
and the people did come to express themselves . He said
the Selectmen and the Planning Board should have answers
for the Town Meeting if the articles are to be put on
the warrant . He said there is the question of legality
and possibility for an emergency access through Mr . Rotunno' s
property and through other unaccepted or paved streets . He
asked if the meeting could have sane facts . He asked if
this tied in with Worthen Road tieing in at Route 2 and
when it would be done . He said he disagreed with the
Planning Board that all of these streets must go through.
He said there sho-ld not be such haste when there could be
an alternate , Moreland Avenue tied into Route 2.
The Chairman said as soon as the transcript had been
made , the questions would be taken up.
Mr. Carroll referred to the cost of constructing
Moreland Avenue to Route 2 and said the Planning Board
and the Selectmen feel this won' t be done because they
do ' t think the State will be able to construct Route 2
for about five years . He explained that the cost of
constructing Worthen Road at this time is unknown because
it may vary from nothing to hundreds of thousands of
dollars depending on what the State will do for the Town.
He said it may be passible that the State and Federal
government will help out, and it is not possible to give
figures of what it will cost to construct Worthen Road
out to Route 2. He explained that both Boards are aware
that this is five years away and the important thing is
to establish this connection . He said he could not go
to a map and measure where Moreland Avenue is going to
hit Worthen Road and give the cost because it is tied
into the problem of interchanges and what the State and
Federal government will do for the Town. He stated that
both Boards feel this problem tonight does not actually
concern itself with that cost.
Mr. Winthrop Potter, 25 Summit Road, asked what it
would cost to extend Summit Road anc said he hoped the
Town Meeting members had access to the minutes of the
taut hearing . He said if these articles go in the
warrant, the Town Meeting members should know the rela-
tive cost of the two and what is good planning . He
asked what the cost of the extension of Buckman Drive
and Sumcit Road would be .
The Chairman replied that the cost of Buckman
Drive is 4.,000, not including land damages .
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Mr . Carroll explained that the cost of Summit
Road as a public way, about 700 feet, is estimated
at $13,500 . He said a water main should be put in at
a cost of 4 ,000, making a total of $17,500 . He stated
that if the existing Summit Road, a public way, is re-
constructed to a twenty-four foot width, it will cost
about 0, 000, making the total of everything 25,500 .
He said he did not believe the land damages would amount
to very much.
Mr. Meadows, 5 Summit Road, said much time had
been wasted except for the fact that there were Town
Meeting members present and said he hoped the pros
and cons would be taken to the other Town Meeting
members . He said Summit Road is a narrow street and
he will have to worry about the children and also about
his own yard of which he will not have much left over.
He said there are two primary objectives ; one is con-
venience and the other emergency. He said he could
not see where the problem is and how a town with an
historical backtround could destroy a residential area .
He said another highway is being put right through and
it would appear that there are other ways it could be
done and still preserve the residential area.
A gentleman from Pinewood Road said there are
many children on Summit Road and if Summit and Buckman
are built, some child will be killed, and he asked the
value of a child' s life .
A gentleman said there seemed to be a difference
of philosophy. He said the Planning Board feels more
than one access is needed and the people want streets
quiet and secluded. He asked if it was proper parlia-
mentary procedure to put the question that the Board of
Selectmen reconsider and delay putting these articles
in the warrant untilafter a traffic survey has been
completed.
A man said that in compiling the cost of Summit Road,
no mention was made of the sewer . He said that probably
would also be put in. He asked if a water main had been
figured and if so, how deep it would go.
Mr. Carroll replied that the water main would have
five feet of cover on it .
The man said the entire length was ledge and asked
if Mr . Carroll had figured on ledge , to which he replied
in the affirmative .
Mr. Carroll explained. that he had not included sewer,
because sewer installati on in Summit Road is quite far off
in terms of years .
Mr . Rotunno, 48 Summit Road, said he had been to the
Planning Board office and spent about three hours learning
a little about the Town. He said he was concerned about
Summit Road and the objective to be obtained by putting
119
this road through. He said the two lots come down to a
suit, and the distance where those two lots come through
is at least 200 feet. There is a distance with one access
route only on Moreland Avenue , and by extending Summit Road,
the situation will be changed. He said there would still
be 200 feet with a single access and the people who signed
the petition for putting the street through, come from
Moreland Avenue . He said the road is more than 500 feet
now. He said Wellington Lane has been ruled out and the
access to Pleasant Street . He stated that it should be
noted thatwhen the sugject is considered as a whole , the
Boards should look at it as the people of the Town of
Lexington. He was asked to sign the petition for both
Summit Road and Buckman Drive and he said this was something
that needed good planning and urged the leader of the group
to contact him so the people of the area could work out
what the real problems are and find out what should be pre-
sented to the Town to report the case and this has never
been done . He said the extension of Summit Road would
encompass encroachment on property owned by Anthony, his
family and John Wilson. He said sewer and water means
there will be betterment assessments and everyone of these
people have sewer, water and have provided for their own
use . This road would mean further taxation without bene-
fit to them. He asked that the things be taken into
consideration and the Board make sure the step being taken
is taken forward and not run from nowhere to nowhere .
The Chairman asked for those in favor of the extension
of Buckman Drive to raise their hands . There were eight
in favor . Forty-six indicated they were not in favor by
a show of hands .
Two people were in favor of the extension of Summit
Road and fifty-one were opposed.
A man asked who would be in favor of the extension
of Moreland Avenue toward Route 2 and all were in favor .
He asked that the Board determine the cost to extend
Moreland Avenue .
The meeting adjourned at 10: 35 P.M.
A true record, Attest : , :
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jxecutive C__erk, Selectmen