Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes - December 9, 1997
Selectmen Present: Peter Jones, acting Chairman, Judy Murdoch, Cathy Kuchinski, Daniel Webster and Executive Secretary Joseph Nugent. (Chairman, Charles Flynn absent)
I. Jones called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m. Richard Harris, Highway Surveyor was present to give the Board an update on the Sidewalks in Hanson. Jones began by handing out a list of factors for assessing potential sidewalk locations. Jones explained these factors as follows: 1. Population Density: should locate sidewalks in parts of town that have more people to use them. 2. Proximity to schools, churches, stores: These areas should have priority for safety and fitness enhancement. 3. interconnectedness: Sidewalks should link together in a system rather than scattered. 4. Enhancing Safety: Sidewalks on busy, heavily traveled roads should have priority over small streets with cul-de-sacs. 5. enhancing
fitness/lifestyle: to enhance walking and jogging for town residents. 6. non-intrusive of terrain, trees: Removal of trees and extensive modification of terrain as well as the width of the roadway, should be weighed in the sidewalk feasibility analysis.
Richard Harris discussed developing sidewalks without cutting down trees etc. This would be difficult with some of the already built streets. He has been speaking with Gerton Associates Engineering Firm. He would like to start at the Town Hall, County Road, Maquan Street, High Street and Gorwin Drive.
Robert Sutter asked if its possible to put a sidewalk right around the trees as they do in Europe. The idea of preserving trees is very important to Hanson. Murdoch asked Harris if it was feasible to put sidewalks in that aren’t particularly straight but could go around the trees in some way. In Response, Harris thought this would be difficult to do while still keeping with the ADA requirements. Webster discussed first- The Builders and Developers in Town could contribute with some help from the Planning Board. For example the Planning Board could require that a developer put a sidewalk in a certain proximity to the new subdivisions. 2. We need to develop a long term plan for how to develop sidewalks in Town such as where to start .
Sutter added that the Town should set up an ongoing Article at the Annual Town Meeting for funding of the sidewalks and the Town should also hire an arborist to work with the Tree Warden for an informed inventory of the trees in Town. Kuchinski asked the Highway Surveyor if there would have to be a taking to build these sidewalks, the Highway Surveyor believes that there would have to be for slope rights etc.
Comments:
Jones: Asked Webster to work on the Bylaw issue and Peter himself will talk to the Tree Warden about the arborist. Nugent should work with Town Accountant on setting up a fund.
Harris: will speak with a consultant.
Jones thanked the Highway Surveyor for coming in to update the Board.
II. Daniel Webster and Cathy Kuchinski to update the Board on Sub-Committee on Water Issues. Webster began with the issue of the Byrne property as a possible water site. Testing this area will require 2 separate filings with the Conservation Commission. The Water Department and Conservation Commission have worked this out so that the Water Dep’t will be able to use 1 legal notice and hold 1 public hearing for this. This is in the preliminary stages at this point.
The second issue of the Sub-Committee is the Pleasant Street site with Brockton: the plan would be to lease the property to Brockton who in turn would develop the water site and send the water through Silver Lake to be purified and then Brockton would use this water. The lease would be for ten years from the date the developing of the site is finished. After 10 years Hanson would take over the site but would still have to pump to be treated at Silver Lake. This would require Town Meeting Approval.
III. Executive Secretary Report:
Nugent asked Webster and Kuchinski to remind the Water Department that they will need to see the Town Clerk to set up a Special Town Meeting.
County Hospital update: Nugent went over some of the realistic uses for the property such as Senior Housing, Golf Course ( may have been ruled out)
The County will be in some time in January to discuss this property further.
Cellular Tower: There is a group looking into the potential of putting up a tower in town. Nugent will keep the Board updated on any information.
The office is in receipt of 2 resignations: Peter Muise from the Parks and Fields Commission, and Judith MaClaren from the Hanson Cultural Council.
Lance Benjamino has gone over the Purchase and Sales agreement for the easement at the police station. There are just few minor changes and it will be ready to be signed.
Kuchinski asked that the Board change the planning meeting dates of January 6, 1998 to January 7th. and February 3, 1998 to February 4th. The Board agreed to these dates and decided to vote at the next meeting when the Chairman will be present also.
IV. Adjournment: Motion by Webster to adjourn second by Murdoch. 4-0 vote. Meeting adjourned at 8:55 P.M.
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