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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985-11-04 Board of Selectmen MinutesNovember 4, 1985 The Beard held their regular meeting on this date with 4 members present: Chairman Christine M. Smith, Charles A. Salisbury, Kenneth C. Crouch, and Ramssy Rahrawy; Exec. Secretary, Keith A. Bergman. Selectman John Craham cut of town on business. The warrant was approved as submitted. The minutes of October 21 we approved as submitted; minutes of October 28 approved with ohange. Mass. Electric/New Ensland Telephone: One Pole, Bradford Street The Board unanimously approved the petition to relocate a pole to permit access to a newly constructed dri~sway on Bradford Street. Rte. 125 Curb Cut to Willows A public hearing was scheduled on this date to review the request of Fire Chief Dolan for an -.~emergency access to Willows Business Park from Rte. 125, and the Planning Board's recommendation []for a general access curb cut. Note: Christine Smith stepped down from the chair, due to an [indirect interest. Willie Vicens of the Conservation Commission reported that the Commission '--has no objections to access to Willows, so long as it does not interfere with the wetlands in that area. Acting Chairman, Salisbury, noted that DPW has been opposed to a curb cut on Rte. 125, but will honor a formal request of the Board. Zoning Enforcement Officer, Charles Foster stated that Willows St. is zoned residential, and according to the bylaw, industrial traffic cannot travel through a residential area to access the industrial area. It was noted that Bayfield Drive, however, is zoned industrial. Chief Sullivan stated that he is in favor of a curb for emergency access only, as the present access method is a dsterent to theft. Selectman Crouch expressed support for a curb cut, leaving the location up to the Planning Bd. and the Fire Chief. Selectman Bahrawy suggested obtaining more information/input from associated departments prior to taking any action. Upon a motion by Bahrawy, seconded by Crouch, it was voted 3-1 (Smith abstaining) to refer the matter to the Planning Bd., Zoning Enforcement Officer, Police Chief, Highway Surveyor, Conservation Commission, and DPW for their recommenda- tions and bring it back for discussion on November 18~ DEM: .Eminent Domain, Chaplin, Esty & Murphy Properties A public hearing was scheduled on this date to review the request of the Dept. of Environmental Management for approval to exercise eminent domain proceedings for the taking of three parcels of land located near Sharpener's Pond Rd. for the purpose of expanding .the Boxford State Forest. It was noted that the Esty property has been sold to Republic Development Corp., who also has a purchase and sales agreement with the owners of the Murphy property. Counsel for DEM stated that eminent domain will only be pursued as a last resort after negotiation efforts with the property owners has failed. Many in attendance expressed concern over the policing iproblemsin this area. DEM responded that with the increased area of the sta~e forest, funds might be made available for personnel to manage the area. Selectman Crouch questioned the ta~,. status of the properties if taken by DEM. Counsel responded that the Town would not lose ~. any revenue. Melvin Prohl of the Boxford State Forest Advisory Council, stated that they have looked at these properties for a number of years, but that DEM must follow the correct proce- dures in obtaining property; sometimes a developer is able to make an offer to purchase prior to DEM being able to do it. Mr. Prohl also sugested that perhaps not all of.the properties need be taken, if Sharpener's Pond Rd. is extended into the State Forest. Upon a motion by Selectman Salisbury, seconded by Bahrawy, it was voted unanimously to approve the exercise of eminent domain by the Dept. of Environmental Management with the following stipulations: that the property owners are entitled to a fair value for the land; tha the State has a respon~ibilit for the vandalism in the area, that a portion of the Esty property be left for development by the owner, and the Sharpener's Pond Rd. be extended into the forest, with ~lacement of a gate ~at the entrance.to the State forest. Board of Public Works: Water quality Update The Board of Public Works was invited on this date to review the quality of the Town's water supply. Buddy Noble, Bd.of Public Works, reported that they are directed by DEQE to add chlorinators to some hydrants, which is not unusual in many communities, and added that the content of chlorine is below the permitable limit allowed by DEQE. Mr. Noble reminded the Board that there is no filtration system in place, and the chlorinators on the hydrants will stir up rust in the lines, causing discoloration. John Thompson, Bd of Public Works =esponded to the cause of the Lake being in poor condition, noting such sources, as increased building around the Lake, drainage along Rte. 125 flowing into the Lake, garbage disposals on septic systems within the watershed, chemical fertilizers, acid rainfall, siltation, and many other known and unknown causes. Mr. Thompson noted that the clorine content must be higher at this time to allow for the kill of bacteria. With the filtration plant, however, the contact time between chlorine and the bacteria is longer, and much will be filtered out before it reaches homes. The Board thanked the Bd. of Public Works for their time and requested that notices be published to advise those who have experienced a reaction to the chlorine, that it is being added to the water supply in their area. Watershed Committee: Pro--on Lake Management Plan Scott Bailey of IEP, consultants for a feasibility plan for the management of the Lake, reporte~ on a'timetabls of activities his firm is undertaking, expected to take approx. 1½ years. Mr. Bailey stated that the next scheduled progress report is in February, when a wealth of information should be available at that time.