May 18, 2015
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order by Chairman Soter at 7:00 PM with all members in attendance except Mr. Spencer.
Public Hearing – application of TMC CF New England LLC for a Special Permit to operate a self-service gas station, 297 Pulaski Blvd.
Mr. Soter read the public hearing notice.
Attorney Phil Lombardo and Luke Destefano from Bohler Engineering represented Cumberland Farms.
Attorney Lombardo stated the Selectmen had granted Cumberland Farms a Special Permit to operate a self-service gas station on November 3, 2014. Since that date, Cumberland Farms has met with the Planning Board and modifications to the project have been made.
Attorney Lombardo stated the parking spaces on the Winter St. side of the property have been shifted away from Winter St. to accommodate the required 20 foot landscape buffer.
The building is approximately 200 square feet larger due to space needed to accommodate the two entrances called for in the building design. The change results from a reconfiguration of the building due to the added landscape buffer.
There will now be only one curb cut along Pulaski Blvd.
A 6 foot high solid white vinyl fence has been added along the eastern side of the property and along Central St. This fence will be erected to accommodate neighbor concerns as to screening and/or security. As a result of this fencing, some landscaping along the eastern side of the property has been relocated to the Winter St. side of the property.
Cumberland Farms will contribute $20,000 to a fund to be used by the Town to improve the sidewalk along Winter Street.
Mr. Soter asked if there was anyone present to speak on this application.
Eva Gamache of 20 South Park St. spoke about the hours of operation and noted neighbors were pleased the dumpster would not be emptied before 7 AM. The residents in the area are looking forward to Cumberland Farms being a good neighbor.
Mr. Soter asked if the neighbors would entertain the possibility of Cumberland Farms remaining open until 11 PM on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights and noted this can be discussed in the future.
On a Mayhew/Martinis motion, the Board unanimously voted to close the public hearing.
On a Mayhew/Connor motion, the Board unanimously voted to approve the application of TMC CF New England LLC to amend the Special Permit to operate a self-service
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gasoline station at 297 Pulaski Blvd. incorporating Planning Board modifications of the project as outlined in the Development Plan Approval approved on April 9, 2015.
Public Hearing – application of Car Solutions, LLC for the transfer of the Class II Used Car Dealers License from Car Solutions, LLC (new LLC members), 161 Mechanic St.
Mr. Soter read the public hearing notice.
Present for this hearing were applicants, Anthony & Thalita Parreira and current owner Frank Vargas. Mr. Vargas stated he has held his Class II License for 5 years and the only reason he is selling his business is due to his wife’s work relocation. He noted he employed a full-time mechanic & a part-time secretary. He sold between 75 – 150 vehicles each year.
Board members noted that Mr. & Mrs. Parreira hold a Class II License in Clinton and asked if they would be closing that establishment. Mr. Parreira stated that business would remain open and he would be managing it. He stated Mrs. Parreira would manage the Bellingham business. The Board asked how many vehicles Mr. Parreira has sold from the Clinton location. He stated that business has been open since March of 2014, and to date 83 vehicles have been sold.
The Board asked if any changes will be made to the business. Hours of operation will be Monday – Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM; Saturday, 9 AM – 4 PM & Sunday, 10 AM – 3 PM. Mr. Parreira stated he will not be making any changes to the business. He also noted he will not be making any changes on the building, but will do some landscaping to improve curb appeal.
Mr. Soter asked if there was anyone present to speak on this application.
Mr. Art Paturzo stated he is part-owner of the property and is in favor of this application. No one opposed.
On a Mayhew/Connor motion, the Board unanimously voted to close the public hearing. On a Martinis/Mayhew motion, the Board unanimously voted to approve the application of Car Solutions, LLC for the transfer of the Class II Used Car Dealers License from Car Solutions, LLC (new LLC members), 161 Mechanic St. with hours as listed above.
Public Hearing – application of Sarah Gillis d/b/a Simply Sweet for a Common Victualler License, 170 Pulaski Blvd.
Mr. Soter read the public hearing notice.
Present for this hearing was the applicant, Sarah Gillis. Ms. Gillis stated she operated a bakery in the past. She stated she had been waiting for an opportunity to operate another bakery when this location became available. She stated she will be baking cakes, pastries and breads. Her hours of operation will be Monday – Thursday, 5 AM – 3 PM; Friday & Saturday, 5 AM – 8 PM and Sunday, 5 AM – 3 PM.
Mr. Soter asked if there was anyone present to speak on this application. No one responded.
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On a Mayhew/Martinis motion, the Board unanimously voted to close the public hearing. On a Martinis/Mayhew motion, the Board unanimously voted to approve the application of Sarah Gillis d/b/a Simply Sweet for a Common Victualler License, 170 Pulaski Blvd. with hours as listed.
On a Martinis/Mayhew motion, the Board unanimously voted to approve the following abatements: municipal water, $4618.02; municipal sewer, $715.40; residential water, $2005.07; residential sewer, $378.98 and residential trash, $271.67.
On a Mayhew/Connor motion, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of April 27th & May 4th as submitted.
Mr. Connor stated Mr. Fraine received a score of 96 out of 100 on his evaluation noting he has once again performed an exemplary job as Bellingham’s Town Administrator.
Mr. Fraine thanked the Selectmen for their confidence in him and also thanked the department heads and employees of the Town.
Mr. Soter stated a memo was received today from DPW Director, Don DiMartino pertaining to a contract award. Mr. Soter stated he will allow this vote to take place this evening. However, if in the future an item is received last minute, it will be placed on the next meeting’s agenda unless it is an emergency.
Mr. Connor suggested Mr. DiMartino submit a list of upcoming contract awards to the Selectmen giving advance notice of the votes required.
On a Mayhew/Connor motion, the Board voted to award the Annual Bid at the Plant Price of Hot Mix Asphalt (Contract 2015-APHM) to the low bidders, and if the low bidder is not able to supply hot mix asphalt, the hot mix shall be purchased from the second low bidder.
Mr. Soter opposed; all other members voted in the affirmative.
MAPC – Housing Production Plan
Karina Milchman of MAPC appeared before the Board to present the Town’s Housing Production Plan update. Karina explained the original plan was completed five years ago and is due for an update at this time. Karina highlighted various statistical analysis showing demographic trends which indicate an increasing elderly population and a decreasing school-age population which projects to continue through 2030. The plan recommends the Town continue to look at new housing development, particularly in light of the fact the Town’s vacancy rate is 3% which is considered very low. The Plan also suggests developing more multi-family housing and possibly looking at converting in-law apartments to affordable units. Mr. Soter expressed his disagreement with each of these suggestions. Mr. Connor agreed
expressing his concern with developing apartments throughout town.
The Selectmen were asked to send comments on this plan to Mr. Fraine before the Planning Board’s 5/28 meeting which the Board will be attending.
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The Selectmen informed Karina they plan on taking a vote in favor of this plan at their next meeting.
On a Mayhew/Martinis motion, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Jacqueline A. Bokoski
Administrative Assistant
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