1954/10/18Minutes of the Meeting
October 18, 1954
TOWN OF BERLIN
OFFICE OF THE SELECTMEN
The meeting opened at ?:30 P.M. with the First and Second Selectmen
present.
Minutes of the previous meeting were read and accepted.
Mrs. Mahan and Mr. Covini of the press were present.
Mr. Graham reported that he met with the Town Planning Commission
to inquire as to what had been decided about Hillside Ave.
Mr. Graham said that he was informed that a copy of the Planning
Commissionfs meeting of September 28, 1954, which was forwarded to the
Selectmen would answer his question.
Excerpt from that meeting:
"7.~ The releasing of the bond on Hillside Avenue was discussed.
There was some discourse about the paved portion of the road being
20'. According to the minutes of the regular meeting of May 25,
1953, Mr. Moore asked for permission to make the paved traveled
way of Hillside Road narrower than the requirements stated in the
regulations. The record discloses that this Commission p~eviously
agreed that wheras the lots are large in size, traffic density is
low since the street is not a thru way and the paved portion of the
streets in the surrounding area is, approximately 20' that Hillside
Road be graded the full 50' and that Mr. Moore be permitted, to surface
not less than 20' of traveled way with penetration macadam.
As soon as the Commission receives a formal report from the Board
of Selectmen and the Town Engineer that the road is acceptable
the Commission will recommend that the bond be released."
After some discussion on the above matter Mr. Nilsson moved, Mr.
Graham seconded, not to recommend tha acceptance of Hillside Road pending
further study.
Motion unanimously carried.
It was the consensus of opinion that the town would plow this road
as there were tax payers living on this road at present.
Mr. Graham reported that Mr. Souther Hanson, age 17, who had
co_mmttted suicide had no estate whatever, and that the town paid $100.
for a veterans funeral.
Mr. Graham reported that a Civil Defense Official visited him
recently for the purpose of discussing damage caused by hurricanes Edna
and Carol.
Mr. Graham stated that our application for aid had ~one in.
Mr. Graham reported that there were seven school children crossing
W~ thington Ridge and Route 72 and after a discussion with Supt. of
Schools, Kenneth MacKenzie, it was found that no temporary solution
could be ~ound to relieve the constable at this intersection until such
time that the light is installed.
Mr. Graham reported that the Christian Lane Bridge Job was not
progressing and was being held up by the Conn. Light & Power aas Co. as
they have a 24" gas main which goes under the river Just to the west of
the Christian Lane bridge.
Mr. Graham stated that he has been inTormed that from the intersection
of Porters Pass and Christian Lane on Seymour Road is under dispute with
the Hartford Gas Co.
Mr. Graham informed Mr. Fred Povanie of the C.L.&P. Gas Co. that
something would have to be done within l§ days or that we would have to
have a complete explanation given to our Town Counsel as to ~y this
project had been delayed so long.
We have had in~nediate action on this now. I originally requested
that we csrr2 their gas main along the head wall and run a temporary line.
They said this could not be done without cutting of the gas supply.
~ey are now going to dig it down two (2) feet underneath the stream bed
and allow us to proceed with our work and they will make further plaus
for carrying it along the head wall.
~r. Graham stated that they have been informed that they can never
dig up the concrete tubes to get to those g~s pipes.
The gas company's work is expected to be completed by the end of
this week according to Mr. Grsham.
Mr. C. M. Hamilton reports that the work will proceed immediately.
Mr. Graham reported that the road oiling program is one month behind
schedule due to the weather, and that there would be no more oiling with
the ~6 oil but theft the following roads would be oiled with 44 oil. 1. Mildrum Road
2. Orchard Road - from bridge to Elton Ro~d.
3. Treasure Ave.
4. Newton St.
Mr. Graham s~. ~ after the oiling is finished the town crew would be
divided with one group painting cross walks, and road lines, and the
other installing curbing where water from a road was washing away a
property owners land.
After an inspection~ the following locations were de~ned bad and
curbing was recommended.
Mooreland Road - Mr. Warren'$ home
Dayle Dr ive
Silver Lake - We~thington Point Road
Alling St. - Mr. Naldi's home
Mr. Nilsson expressed the thought ~hat the installation of curbing
in these certain locations would be helping to establish a precedent
and might cause the Selectmen considerable grief.
gr. Graham replied that these cases were sifted down frc~ approximately
forty.
Mr. Nilsson raised the question as to ~ho supervised the oiling of
roads in sub-divisions.
mr. Graham informed him that the Town Engineer was responsible for
this.
Mr. Nilsson brought to the attention of the Selectmen that the
newly built road from Eoute 72 to Webster Heights across the property of
~r. Ravizza w~,s oiled recently, and very sparingly, and there was
apparently no supervision' present.
Mr. Graham said that Grant Skinner inspects the depth of oil
penetration of a newly constructed road and his findings are reported to
the First Selectman.
Mr. Nilsson stated that Grant Skinner once remarked that if the
developer was made to put in a good road base with the town applying
the surface that the 'l'own would be better off. Mr. Nilsson stated that
he felt this was true.
i~r. Grsham pointed out that the new Planning Commission requirements
will require a pavement 2" thick on all sub-division roads.
Mr. Nilsson asked as to what progress was being made with the
hiring of a town engineor.
Mr. Grahsm replied that we can do nothing until the appropriation
for the setting up of .this office is spproved by the townspeople at
the adjourned annual town meeting.
~Ar. Nilsson ssked if anything definite had been heard from the
Finsnce Board regarGing the proposed garbage program.
~r. Graham replied that he has not talked with the Finance Board as
yet.
~r. Nilsson stated that some action should be taken regarding an
appropriation for ~n~. Haffey to continue as dump custodian as it was
the consensus of opinion that the Town Dump would be used for clean fill
even after the garbage etc. will be handled by the New Britain Incinerator
F lant.
Mr. Graham to look into and report back.
Mr. Graham reported that hehad received clearsnce from the American
Legion to use the ~.egion Rooms as a polling place in the forthcoming
election.
Mr. Graham suggested that ~ signs be made up, one to be erected
at the Kensington Fire House informing people of thenew poll.trig place
and the other at the Legion Home on Porters Pass.
~r. Graham stated that he would notify the two political parties
plus inserting an item in the newspap~rs, of this change in the polling
place.
meeting adjourned at
8:30 Pol~-