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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1969-04-23Wednesday - April 23, 1969 Special Meeting The PLANNING BOARD held a Special Meeting on Wednesday Evening, April 23, 1969 'at 7:30 P.M. in the Town Office Building with the following members present: William Chepulis, Jr., Chairman; George B. Farley and Donald N. Xeirstead. This was au informal meeting with representatives of the State Department of Natural Resources to discuss the Missile Site area. Also present were the following: Dept. of Natural Resources - Bruce Gullion, Director of Forests & Parks and Gilbert Bliss, Chief Recreation Officer. Conservation Commission - John Roberts, Leo Lafond, MarJorie Kittredge Rte. 114-125 Study Committee - Gus Weigel. Mr. Gnllion showed a topographical map of the entire area involved with the ABM site. There are about kO acres involved where actual clearing has taken place and a good portion of the area is DNR laud (about 19 acres). The two large ex- cavations are on DNR laud. Field work has been done and the Chief of Planning has looked at the area. The DNR thinks there are recreation potentials. The ma~u hole is suitable for swimming. They have not as yet tested the water - they think it is from sub-surface flows. The second hole should be filled in and brought to level. The entire kO acres should be covered and grassed. The DNR would require additional acquisition of laud - they would need 650-680 acres - and on both sides of the roadway in order to control the area and protect it. Forest Street should be shut off. The town should consider abandoning that section of Firest Street if the DNR were to manage the area. It would be a daytime rec- reation area, with picnic benches, tables, etc. and would be fenced and locked at night. It would be practically impossible to police the area at night and the State does not have funds, manpower, etc. for night-time control. The DNR feels that if they take over they must have some control of part of Salem Street and that the town should consider shutting off that end of Salem Street also. The major acquisitions that the DNR would make would be from Salem Street and to the east. There should be no intersection of Salem Street. If the town cannot close Salem Street, then the DNR would have to control Liberty Street and Forest Street. Mr. Keirstead said that the town could not afford to fix Forest Street, it is in such terrible condition. Everyone seemed agreeable that Forest Street should be closed off. Mr. Che~,l~s said the area aroond Salem, Forest audLibertyStreets is not good for residential development. Mr. Keirstead said a sewerage treatment plant would not be feasible in that area; and that the area would not be good for industrial development since facilities are too far away. April 23, 1969 - cont. Mr. Chepulis said that there must be some preservation of open land and ~ll are concerned with use of the land. Mr. Keirsteadasked if the DNRwouldat some future date turn the road bac~ to the town if they m-tnt-~nedit. Mr. Gullion said the State would do so. It was also brought out that the opeD~ of the roadway would benefit Middleton. The State has not as yet contacted Middleton but would do so soon. Mr. Chepulis asked if the DNR would be W~lllng to accept the roadwa~ even though it was not up to specifications. Mr. G,,ll4on said they would, that it would be All right for a forest road. The road would be open and maintained year round. Mrs. Kittredge mentioned the possibility~of the eight foot shoulders of the road being used as bridal paths. It was also mentioned that the roadway could be used for drag races. It was noted that the mosquitoes are fierce and it would not be a suitable area for camping purposes. Mr. Chepulis brought out that turnarounds would have to be provided. The time element was discussed. The government wants to get out as quickly as possible and that the town or the state has to come up with something. If the DNR can get from the town a consideration of abandonment of Forest Street and that they would close off Salem Street, the DNR would finish the roadway to Rte. 114. They should be given eminent dom-4n authorityalso, although they very seldom use it. They need a general statement that the town would approve the taking of land. Mr. Gullion said he would contact the Corps about this evening's meeting. If nothing is heard from the town within 2woeks then the DNRwill submit something. There is a State board meeting of D~R on May 1st. Hr. Chepulis thinks we will be able to have something ready in time for that meeting. The government only has the risht to enter upon the land by their Orders of Con- demnation. They actually own only .3 acre. They have legal control on only approx. ~0 acres. The finished road wouldnot be up to state standards. The DNRwould need a~O foot road. It was mentioned that the Selectmen feel that whoever takes control of the land should take over control of the road. The DNR said they would be willing to. Mr. Roberts asked if the DNR had given any thought to the possibilities of a Regional NaturalHistoryMuseum. Not ready for that yet in this area. A report of this noetics will be made to the Selectmen at their Monday night meeting and then the D}~ will be contacted as quickly as possible as to the results and recommendations. The meeting adjourned at 9:30 P.M. Clerk AD