HomeMy WebLinkAbout1970-08-07 Board of Selectmen Minutes· ~lnutes el' Mo~ti:~L~_- .Jioj!~r~ of ~¢le, e~ len - Au :u~t ?_2_1970
Chairman Finneran, Mr. Kirk and Mr. Dully attended this scheduled meeting arranged
with Congressman Hichasl J. Harrington for the purpose of discussing the disposition
of the rejected ABM site eft Route ll4, North Andover. Congressman Harrington and
his aide, Mr. S. Vitali, were present.
'Congressman Harrington reviewed the circumstances l'eading to the present situation
am abandoned 22-acre site of stripped land with two deep excavations, one filled
t.~Lth water, and recent action by the government to hottop the access road which was
deferred at the request of the congressman until determination of future use of the
site is made. Mr. Harrington stated it is apparent that the federal government has
r~jectcd the possibility of a park as proposed by the Mass. Department of Natural
Resources at a cost of approximately $685,000 in favor of restoration of the land.
Congressman Harrington explained h9 had advised Counsel to the Army that Senator
Kennedy would file claim seeking approximately $685,000 in damages from the federal
government - the amount determined by the State to restore the site for use as a
park. He added he did not know whether or not the State would Join ~ith the Town
in this instance, but suggested the Town of North Andover decide on its eventual
position if unable to get anything other than restoration of the land.
Mr. Kirk suggested ithe board Join with the' Department of Natural Resources and
the Commonwealth on plans for a park. The Selectman stated his dismay over the
L government's recent roadwork activities without first consulting the Town, suggested
i.'_the entire area should be barricaded for reasons of public safety, and expressed
~. approval of the filing of a claim for damages.
Duffy referred to a meeting with General Starboard in 196_9 at which the board
~ been assured the land would be returned to the Town in a-~atisfactory manner.
~ Mr. Duffy suggested that action should new take place to determine a total solution
to the problem.
.
I~ Chairman Finneran suggested a meeting of T~wa, State and federal government
representatives and interested parties to consider the best solution to the problem.
~ Congressman Harrington stated he would cheek ~ith the Justice department and
I engineers of the Army for representation at a meeting with State and l~cal repre-
sentation... It was agreed the mmettng should take place during the week of
Au.~st 17, 1970, at the North Andover High School. '
Considerable discu~sion took place on'thesituat~on' as it now stands, ~th the Board
of Selectmen taking a unauimous stand on its total dissatisfaction with the
gove.~mment proposals to date, and expressing a feeling of negligence on the part '
of the government insofar as public safety and social problems cxlsting at the site
i~ concerned. Congressman Harrlngton agreed that the federal government had crezted
t~e problems and should not try to shift the burden of responsibility elsewhere.
Mr. Kierstead of the Planning 'Board wondered if the disinterested attitude of thc
Army towards a park proposal w~s due to overambitious plans on the par~ of the
Department of Natural Resources.
Chairman Finneran stated the situation is ,,~que as this is the only town in the
entire nation damaged by the AE~ program.
Mr~ Duffy stated the board would now focus its attention on a public hearing,
following which the Town would take a definite position on future use of the site.
Cha~an FLuncran expressed to Congressm~u Harrington the board ls'appreciation for
his assistance, and agreed to keep in touch with the congressman as matters
developed.
Lillian McDonald, Acting Secretary
~-~J~. rd of Selectmen held a brief meeting on this date with Chairman William A. Finneran
ana~iectman Arthur P. Kirk present. The meeting was held at 8:30 P.M. and the following
action was voted:
1. Action voted on at previous Friday, Augus~ 7, 1970 meeting re Article 2, replacement
of water main on Phi/lips Ct., be rescinded.
2. Warrant opened for Special Town Meeting, August 24, 1970, at 8:40 P.M.
3. Article 2, Petition of Board of Pub.lic Works, accepted for insertion in warrant.
4. Warrant closed at 8:44 P.M. Neet~ng adjourned. I . ~ ,\ I., J
Alice M. Letarte, Secretah7 ~~,~,