Repaving of Fir Avenue concerns neighbors

The Board of Survey and Planning held a public hearing on the repair and repavement of Fir Avenue during its meeting Wednesday night. 

Curtis Beaton and his lawyer Philip McCourt were present at the meeting to discuss the project. Beaton owns three lots on Fir Avenue and plans to resurface, regrade and repave a portion of the private way.

Board member Mila R. Tarallo expressed concern about the repaving plan, saying it did not meet city standards. Tarallo lives in the area and said she has seen emergency services have trouble navigating the narrow roadway. She said she felt it was important to widen the road. Beaton agreed to amend his plans to make the roadway wider. He also agreed to add an additional fire hydrant on the roadway as requested by Deputy Richard Grant of the Waltham Fire Department.

During the public hearing neighbors expressed concern about drainage of the road, the lack of communication with abutters about the project, and the possible impact of the construction to both the size and structural integrity of their properties. Ward 2 Councilor Caren Dunn requested that she be included on all future discussions of the project with neighbors. She also noted that although board member S. Anthony DeVito suggested turning the private way into a public way, it isn’t possible under current city law since a public way needs to serve a public purpose beyond access to residences.

The board moved to continue discussion of the project at its Feb. 6 meeting and scheduled a site view for Dec. 18 at 3 p.m. 

In other business, the board:

• Made a motion to continue the discussion of a special permit to allow the continued use and maintenance of four existing driveway openings at 962 Main St. to its Jan. 7 meeting.
• Granted an approval-not-required permit for the property at 1432 Main St. if amended with changes suggested by the city’s Law Department. A board executive session regarding the Land Court litigation case filed regarding this ANR permit was held before this decision.