Minutes 04/13/1954 - Laserfiche WebLink

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April tJth, 1954. '~s Chairman of the Streets and Roads Committee of the Chamber of Commerce, City of Portsmouth, I have been trying to persuade the City Council to remove the grass plots from Hamilton Avenue to the Esso Service Station at the intersection of High and County Road. I have pointed out to members of the Council that this is a hazardous condition made the statement that perhaps if someone was killed in an automobile accident on this slretoh of street that yo~ might take some action. Recently Officer Thomas Follary was injured in a two car accident which involved his mo- torcycle, and was seriously injured. I hope this will be a reminder to you of the hazards that exist there. I personally know of several automobile wrecks that have been caused directly by this grass plot being in the middle~ of the street. I realize that this grass plot was put in to beautify that section of High Street and it has served~ its purpose well, however, at that time, there were ac businesses of any consequence on these few blocks. This condition has changed due to a number of new business establishments being located in these blocks, and it calls for some immediate action toward removing this hazard. I have talked with General Anderson oi the Highway Department ~/d ~r. PL%gan, Superin- tendent of the Suffolk District, and they informed me in no uncertain ~erms Shat this is rightly the responsibili- ty of the City of Portsmouth. Through observation of the number of man hours that is spent cutting the grass, pick-i ing up the trash and general]maintenance of this plot, that the money saved by not having this maintenance over a five year period would pay ~o have this paved. I made an offer at one time to a member of the City Council to remove the top soil down to the sub-grade for the soil at no cost to the City. In closing, I believe that the City Council should take immediate action to remedy this hazardous condition that exists onwest High Street." Motion of fir. Houghton that the City Manager have an estimate made of the cost of re- moving the grass plot on High Street from Hamilton Avenue To the intersection of High Stree~ and County Road,was adopted. Notion of ~ir. Howard that the City Council go on record as strongly urging the S~ate Highway Commission to assist the City in having this grass plot removed and that the City Manager and Mayor appear~ before the Highway Commission concerning this matter, was adopted. 54-103. The following letters from Mrs. Marian N. Martin were read: "The inclosed request is self-explanatory. I wrote a letter pertaining to this matter so the City Council several weeks ago. The letter has not been acknowledged. It appears that for some reason the City is reluctant to investigate the Darden property. It also appears strange that when Mr. E.E. Matthews built a duplex in the neighborhood, the neighbors were asked if they opposed such a building before ~Lr. Matthews could secure his permit. On what grounds does ~irs. Darden build when and where she pleases without a permit? When you inspect the property you can judge for your- selves whether or not a permit issued June i, 1948 covering a back porch is sufficient for the building done there in the past sevem/ years. Also, if the permit secured February 25, 1954 for a storage room covers the complete bath and recreation room she is now ~ompleting. This permit would not have been secured if I had not repeatedly called the City Engineer's office. Even so, the building had been meved and practically 'completed before the perm/t was secured. AS a property owner nex~ door to the Dardens, I shall appreciate it if you will make an inspection of the entire property eovering the nine apartments rather than merely questioning Mrs. Darden. I shall also appreciate immediate ~ttention to this matter.'~ "We, the undersigned property owners of the L00 block of Greenway Drive, Grove Park reques~ an immediate actual ~nspection of the W.B. Darden ~operty at il0 Greenway Drive. Furthermore, we reques~ that this property be brought under the zoning and building regulations of the City. Respectfully submitted, (written by Mrs. J.R.) Marian N. Martin P S Phillips Mrs. P S Phillips Mrs. S~ C. Cornelius Mrs. J.R. Smith Mrs. Viola R. Lungstras." ~Iotion of ~r. Houghton to refer ~o the City Manager was adopted. 54=t0~ Motion of Mr. Howard that the City Manager and City Attorney be authorized to protect the City's interests in the sale of the waterfront proper~y at Pinners Point, was adopted. ~otion of Mr. Smith that a letter of commendation be written to the Citizens C0mmitte, against Repeal, city employees who gave their off-duty time and a special letter of commendation to Mr. H.A~Hunt, for their splendid work in the recen~ campaign and election against repeal of the annexation ordinance, was On motion adjourned. Approved - President.