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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-09-22 Board of Selectmen Minutes Meeting Notes 9/2J83 Members Present: J. Russell, M. O'Brien and M. Rosenthal. The Board met at the Senior Citizens Center at the Community Center with members from D.P.W. , Conservation, Hazardous Waste Committee, Industrial Development Commission, Assessors, Finance Committee, Land Bank Committee, Historical Committee, as well as representatives from TASC, American Realty Development Corp. , and interested citizens. Mr. Russell opened the meeting by requesting a status report from the D.P.W. on the D.P.W. proposed land offers at John Street. Gail Wood gave a lengthy report on this. During her report Mrs. Wood stated the D.P.W. needed at least 10 acres of land for their operation and that available Town owned land that might be used for this was determined to be less than desireable by her Board. She also stated that she estimated cost of replacement of the present facilities would be about 1.5 million. The only piece of Town land that might possibly be used was the Niki site at Haverhill Street but this was only 8.6 acres and presented traffic and water pollution problems. Other Boards were then heard from. Ken Latham, representing TASC, restated his concerns and offer. Representatives from American Realty Development Corp. , also spoke. They also made another offer stating they would be willing to pay 1.6 million for all the land. After more discussion it was decided that American Realty Development would submit two articles for the November Town Meeting. One for the 42 acres of their original proposal and one for all the land. TASC is to submit an article on their proposal and the Board of Selectmen will submit a general article to cover everything. Boston Stove will also submit an article. After the meeting on John Street the Selectmen and the D.P.W. met to discuss the Mineral Street Bridge. The D.P.W. stated they wished to place an article in the warrant to turn the Mineral Street Bridge over to the Selectmen and then place another article authorizing the Board of Selectmen to request the State take over the bridge. Mrs. O'Brien warned that if the State took the bridge their specifications for redoing the bridge might involve taking houses under eminent domain for additional land around the bridge. The Selectmen also stated they really did not want the bridge under their jurisdiction. It was finally decided the Board of Public Works would submit an article under their name requesting the State take over the bridge. The Board then discussed the proposed.By-,,,Law regulating newsstands with Town Counsel and the D.P.W. Mr. Cohen explainied there was little the Town could do to prevent the newsstands and then read the proposed By-Law. With the exception of minor changes it was agreed to place the By-Law on the warrant for Town Meeting Action. 2 The Board then discussed with Town Counsel his meeting with the Fred James Company concerning having the current limit of twenty thousand dollars for settlements in legal cases be raised. After the discussion the Board voted that the Law Committee be given the authority to settle Workman's Compensation cases up to $50,000 without giving to Town Meeting. It was so voted and requested an article be placed in the warrant to implement this.