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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985-10-21 Board of Selectmen MinutesOctober 21, 1985 The Board held their regular meeting on this date with all members.present: Chairman M. Smith, John W. Graham, Charles A. Salisbury, Kenneth C. Crouch, Ramsey A. Bahrawy; Executive Secretary, Keith A. Bergman. and · The minutes of October 7 and October 16 were approved as submitted. Note: Graham abstaining from voting on minutes of Oct. 16. The warrant was approved as submitted. Massachusetts Electric Co./New~hone Petitions The Hoard approved the Joint petit/on of Mess. Electric and New England Tel to install direct buried cable on Marbleridgs Rd. to service a new subdivision; i0 new pole installations on Sharpener's Pond Rd.; and 13 new pole locations on Salem Street, all subject to special permit. Local Arts Council The Board accepted with regret the resignation of Frank Comparone from the Local Arts Council, and reviewed the work and direction of that committee. Joan Thompson, council member, stated that it was difficult to obtain a quorum for meeting action. Upon a motion by seconded by Crouch, it was voted unanimously to establish the committee as five members on a temporary basis, and to advertise for new applications. Cou.__.~RoadLayouts: Mill Rd./ Hillside Rd. The Board reviewed.onceagain the impact of making Mill Rd. a one way, and heard the sentimen! of residents from surrounding streets requesting the Board reverse its decision. Executive Secretary., Keith Bergman reported on a meeting with County Engineer,_noting that common con- venience and necessity must warrant the laying out of a town way, and if amy land damage are incurred in the process,, these costs must be borne by the Town. Chairman Smith reported that the.Planning Hoard is opposed to making Mill Rd. aone way, as well.as.~he Old Center Study Committee. Members Salisbury and Crouch felt that the road should be left as is, and direct the Growth Steering Committee to study it, Highway Surveyor, Bud Cyr, urged the Board to reverse itsdecision and make Mill Rd. a consistent 40 ft. wide. Many others in attendance urged the widening of Mill Rd., and added that developers should be made to put in through streets, and not cul-de-sacs. Selectman Salisbury added that something should be done to improve the intersection.of Johson St. and Mill Rd. Upon a motion by Crouch, seconded by Salisbury, it was voted 3-2 (Graham, Smith, Bahrawy oppsed) to reconsider the Board's decision with respect to the one way status of Mill Rd. and give direction to the Highway Surveyor not to proceed with ~wdening of Mill Rd. Highway Surveyor, Bud Cyr, reminded the Board that they did not have the authority to direct him. Upon a motion by Bahrawy, seconded by Crouch, it Was voted unanimously to take no action of the 40ft. layout of Mill Rd. Hi, llside Rd. Highway Surveyor, Bud Cyr asked the Board to petition-County Commissioners to lay out a portion of Hillside Rd. at a 40 ft. width and to abandon the end of Hillside Rd. at Rte. Upon a motlon by Salisbury, seconded by Crouch, it was voted unanimously to authorize the 40 ft. lay out of Hillside Rd. and refer the ma~ter of the easement for the cul-de-sac to Town Counsel. Department of Environmental Management: Land Ac~uisition/Taking Representatives of the Dept. of Environmental Management petitioned the Board to approve DEM's right to exercise eminent domain proceedings, if necessary,~in order to acquire some 96 acres of privately-owned land in the abandoned Missile site area. The takings~would provide for parking and access to trails within.the Boxford State Forest, as. well as leaving open space areas in the Town. Mr. Stoddard of DEM added they are.having appraisals done on the three parcels and will be negotiating with the owners for purchase, before the right of eminent domain is excercised. Upon a motion by Crouch, seconded by Graham, it was voted 3-2 (Bahrawy, Salisbury opposed) to hold a public hearing on November 4, and to ~efer the matter to Town Counsel and Planning Bd. for their response. Traff.ic: Boston Street The Board reviewed, the~report of Police Chief Sullivan relative to a resident's request to review the issue of speeding on Boston St. It was voted to forward a copy of the Chief's report to Jean Abel, which notes that measures are being taken to control this problem. Salem St. Runoff Problem Mr. Racetta appeared before the Board for assistance with a water runoff from two driveways near.his home at 15~2 Salem St. Mr. Racetta was most concerned about the water runoff freezing in the winter, and the general damage cause to his property. Henry Fink, of the Conservation Commission suggested that the developer be made to place a catch basin the bottom of the driveways. The Board informed Mr. Racetta that they had no authorization to do anything to help him, and advised him that he could petition town meeting voters to install a catch basin. Trick or Treat The Board voted to set the hours for trick or treating on October 31st from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and to review alternative celbrations for future years.