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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1956-04-04 Board of Public Works Minutes 257 ' April 4, 1956 Special Meeting of the Board opened at 7:30 P. M. Present were Chairman Johnson, Messrs. Hopkins, Zanni, Kilgore and Superintendent Putnam. Mr. Lanni appointed Secretary pro-tem. Minutes of previous meetings read and approved as corrected. Discussed Addison-Wesley access road and water main problem at sdme length. Joint meeting held with the Board of Selectmen, Finance Committee, and the Board of Public Works at 8:30 P. M. The meeting was called by Chairman John Kay of the Finance Committee, for the purpose of discussing the presentatiqn of Jacob Way to the Special Town Meeting to be held April 9th, 1956. After a brief explanation of the reasons for the meeting being called, Mr. Kay threw the meeting open for general discussions A transcript of the proceedings are as- follows: Chairman Kay: A11 boards should be in ,aecord on Jacob Way for the Town Meeting. The alternative if Jacob Way is not accepted would be to use Englund Road or widen South Street. We should determine what will be the, cost of the three alternatives. The land damage of course would be the main figure. (Mr. Kay then asked Chairman Johnson of the Public Works, if he could at this time estimate the land damage to Zeytoonian. ) ` Chairman Johnson: Have tried repeatedly to ascertain figure of land damage, but so far have been unsuccessful. Selectmen Lothrop: Ca not we determine total damages in our ' opgnion and estimate cost of same to town. We are not experts but have expressed our opinion that with Englund Road constructed Zeytoonian is better off for the remainder of his land . 258 (He then asked Mr. Fowler of the Finance Committee; ' How much damage is caused to Zeytoonian?) Mr. Fowler. Candy Store in the section of South and Main Street is crowded now. Jacob Way will eliminate the store, ' and I estimate that $10,000.00 would be sustained in damages by Zeytoonian £or the South Street end of Jacob Way. Chairman Latham: Would not Candy Store be eliminated if South Street were widened9' Mr. Fowler: Jacob Way would in my opinion decrease value of Zeytoonian' s property, as it would devide his land. His land could be served by Englund Road ; Chairman Kay: Does anyone know if anyone has recently negotiated with Zeytoonian for his land? Mr. Fowler: Not since the Insurance Co. deal. Then it was a very high offer. However, it did include the entire pro- perty, including the buildings and his home. My per- sonnel opinion is If one could ask Mr. Zeytoonian; "Do you went Englund Road or Jacob Way as access road, andl would you lay off the land damages?" . He might give an opinion. In my opinion also South Street will eventually have to be widened. Mr. Kay: How much money was Zeytoonian offered at that timet Mr. Fowler: $55,000.00 more/or less. Do not believe the offer however, would stand in court . Mr. Latham: Zeytoonian only received a small deposit when the Insurance Company proposition fell through. In my opinion we have three alternatives, and we should get the known cost as follows: Jacob Way including land damages; South Street and Englund Road; plus additional road to Addison-Wesley property; and South Street widening. M.�r7J Mr. Hopkins: South Stree t4 require widening beyond Englund Road! Mr. Fowler: People living on South Street are opposed to widening South Street. Addison-Wesley were told at the meeting what they would be required to do. I believe they must have expected the town to carry the burden. X63 ' -Mr. Latham: Addison-Wesley said they wopld pay for Englund Road, the access road to their property, and the water mains from South Street. Mr. Fowler then moved that a committee of Selectman Latham, Chief Assessor Currell, and Superintendent Putnam of the Board of Public Works be appointed to contact Zeytoonian and Englund to assertain land damages. Chairman Johnson: If the Board of Public Works voted no better- , , ments or if no betterments were to be assumed, would that aid the committee in determining their negotiations with Zeytoonian and Englund? I£ so the Board of Public Works will give our word here and now that no betterments will be accessed. The Board of Public Works have made no committments whatever to Addison-Wesley. Mr. Joshua Day: Where does this leave the Finance Committee? (Of Fin. Com. ) Do these Boards want a recommendation now from the Finance Committee for Tewn Meeting? Selectmen Latham: I believe that it will cost around x$18,000.00 which ever access road we take plus land damages. Chairman Johnson: The Board 'of Public Works desires unanimity of all Boards before this road is recommended to the Town Meeting. Selectmen Latham: 'Jacob Way looks to the Board of Selectmen like good business. Secretary Stevenson: Would not Jacob Way be best for the Town. (Fin. Comm. ) We should decide here and now the best interest of the Public and the Town. Mr. Fowler: We should also figure on widening South Street from Jacob Way to Main Street. Mr. Kay: What does the meeting think of Mr. Fowlers motion of a 3 man committee to negotiate on land damages? Chairman Johnson: Believe suggestion is okay. Should firm our (Pub. Wks. ) decisions now. Should all be in agreement on proper access road location. ' The Finance Committee then took a vote. 264 Mr. Gleason of Finance Committee moved that ' Jacob Way be taken as the access road. Sec- onded by Fred Stevenson, of Finance Committee. The vote was then put and it was unanimous. The method of presentation at the Town Meeting was then discussed. The Finance Committee agreed to report in favor of Jacob Way taking. The Selectmen agreed to speak in favor of Jacob Way. The Board of Public Works agreed to explain the technickl details.of the taking. Superintendent Putnam was then instructed to contact J. Warren Killams Attorney for Mr. Zeytoonian and arrange a meeting of the three man com- mittee and Mr. Killam at the Municipal Building at 1:30 P. M. Thursday April 5th, if possible. Superintendent was also instructed to contacb Mr. Tambone of Mass. Builders for possible widening of the northerly side line of South Street at the intersection with Main Street. The meeting then adjourned and the Board of Public Works returned to Room 14 to continue their executive session. Received letter from the Teague of Women Voters requesting that two members of the Board of Public Works attend a meeting to sit on a panel discussion on recreation on Tuesday April 10, 1956. Due to the fact that sewer bids for Willow Street Sewer Construction are to be opened that evening the Superintendent wasiinstructed to decline with regrets for the Board. Received letter from Charles E. Wilkinson, 38 Dearing Street; complaining of the condition of his gravel sidewalk and requesting that a grandolithic sidewalk be constructed abutting his property. 265 ' It was moved, seconded and voted to place subject matter of the letter on the agenda at a Board meeting following adjournment of Town Meeting. Petition received signed by many abuttors on Sturges Road re- questing that Sturges Road be accepted as a public town way under the Betterment Act. Petition excepted and placed on file for processing in usual manner. Received letter from Newhouse Motor Sales, Washington Street; requesting that he be permitted to string lights for illumination of his used car lot on Washington Street. Request granted subject to certain restrictions to be imposed by Superintendent. Received letter from T. F. Hanlon, District Highway Engineer, State ' Department of Public Works; stating that a hydraulic survey had been re- quested by him for the proposed culvert at the intersection of West Street, Willow Street and Summer Avenue. Board adjourned at 11:41 P. M. Respectfully submitted : Secretary