Board of Aldermen 10-09-2018 Page 8
Alderman Jette
At the risk of complicating this further, the plan was also amended because the Gilbertsons
surveyor/engineer had originally drawn the line from as you can see the picture that Mrs. Toupin
provided, if you look at the blue line so you see a yellow box and above the yellow box there’s a corner
of the blue line. Where that blue line, that corner of the blue line is actually the property line that is
separating the Gilbertson’s property on the right from the Toupin’s property on the left.
The City Engineer told the Gilbertsons’ surveyor that line should be drawn perpendicular from that
point, there is actually an iron pin there, from that point to the street. So the surveyor originally drew
that line perpendicular to what is now Conant Road, the center line of what is now Conant Road.
Mr. Dookran then asked him to amend it because Mr. Dookran changed his opinion because the line
from that iron pin separating the two properties should be drawn perpendicular to the center line of the
old Conant Road. Then from the center line of the old Conant Road to the center line or the edge of the
new Conant Road and the angle is somewhat altered. So the Gilbertsons’ engineer complied with Mr.
Dookran’s request to re-draw the plan and that is the amended plan that is now before us which has
been approved by the Planning Board and Mr. Dookran.
Alderman Lopez
| just wanted to comment that it was that revision, Alderman O’Brien, | have to give him a lot of credit for
being bold enough to embrace the method we did last time. He let everybody sit down and really
hashed it out and | was particularly nervous, literally being between two neighbors on a situation like
this. But he gave everybody a fair shot and he did attempt the Solomon maneuver, you know where
apparently you cut a baby in half and it is not allowed. According to State guidelines it has to be a
perpendicular line, so we really did the best we could in trying to resolve this. Personally it pains me, |
know | have some residents in Ward 4 who are still arguing over a fence even though one of the moved
away. It is really unfortunate to see neighbors coming to blows over property lines and evaluations.
It was my hope that we would be able to settle this and one of the recommendations or opportunities
that Engineer Dookran had pointed out is after this is settled, then the neighbors can absolutely sell
their neighbor a chunk of the land that they want, that they have used, that they put flower beds on,
they have a basketball hoop on and that kind of stuff.
| honestly think at this point we really just need to do our role as Aldermen and either grant the petition
or not grant it, preferably I'd prefer to grant it because then at least somebody is getting what they are
looking for and then let the Courts do what they are supposed to do.
Alderman Gidge
To Mr. Bolton, do we have to give up the easement?
Attorney Bolton
You do not have to approve this petition, no you can approve it or not approve it as you will.
Alderman Gidge
My question is do we have to give up the easement? Or are you just basing it on....
Attorney Bolton
Let me know put it this way, discontinuing a street and giving up the easement are two ways of saying
the same thing.
