October 5, 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.
Jennifer DeBell of Whole Foods Market requested One Day Pouring Licenses for three dates – Oct. 29th, Nov. 11th & Nov. 12th (letter attached). The pourer will be Anne Williams of Pour Richards Wine & Spirits, Franklin, MA.
Mr. Mayhew asked why package stores in Bellingham are not used for the events. Ms. DeBell stated Whole Foods Market has developed liaisons with certain establishments for their pouring events. Mr. Mayhew requested that Whole Foods develop liaisons with Bellingham package stores.
Mr. Soter asked if individuals attending these tastings can order the wines at the event or advised to order online.
Ms. DeBell stated the pourer will not be selling wine at the event or advising individuals to buy wine online.
Mr. Soter stated he would like this made part of the motion.
On a Martinis/Mayhew motion, the Board unanimously voted to approve One Day Pouring Licenses for three dates - 10/29, 11/11 & 11/12 (as outlined in attached letter), Anne Williams of Pour Richards Wine & Spirits pouring. Also, a letter is requested from Whole Foods Market stating they will not be promoting the sale of wine at the events or suggesting the wine may be bought on line.
Brian Perrico requested the Board’s approval for a Knights of Columbus Tootsie Roll Drive on Oct. 10th & Oct. 11th from 10 AM – 2 PM at the Town Center – 140 & 126 & South Main St.-Pulaski Blvd. intersection. An insurance rider has been provided.
On a Mayhew/Spencer motion, the Board unanimously voted to approve the Knights of Columbus Tootsie Roll Drive with dates, times & locations as specified. The Board also requested that individuals collecting funds be attired in proper safety vests.
On a Mayhew/Martinis motion, the Board unanimously voted to approve the August 24th minutes as presented.
Minutes of October 5, 2015
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On a Mayhew/Connor motion, the Board voted to approve the September 14th minutes as presented. Mr. Martinis, who was not in attendance, abstained; all other members voted in the affirmative.
On a Mayhew/Spencer motion, the Board unanimously voted to appoint Grace Devitt as Interim Temporary Treasurer/Collector.
On a Mayhew/Spencer motion, the Board unanimously voted to authorize the DPW to purchase rock salt for Fiscal Year 2016 in accordance with bids received in the Cooperative Bid Number PW312 administered by the Town of Framingham.
On a Martinis/Mayhew motion, the following abatements were approved: residential sewer, $810.56 (two abatements totaling $272.07 were held until more information was received); residential water, $1926.25; residential trash, $407.00; municipal water $15,701.05 and municipal sewer $3261.15.
Post Office Place Presentation
Attorney Mark Kablack represented Land Developer, Ron Nation.
Attorney Kablack stated the property is located at 101 Mechanic St. and consists of 5.7 acres. This property was previously approved as a mixed-use subdivision, consisting of 7 lots with 3 to be developed for commercial/business use and 4 as single-family residences. In lieu of the 7 lot subdivision, the owner is currently proposing a multi-family residential development consisting of two buildings, four stories each. Each building will contain 45 rental units each with a mixture of 1, 2 & 3 bedrooms.
Attorney Kablack stated the first floor of the front building will be hidden from Mechanic Street due to the natural grade of the property and the proposed landscaping berm. He noted this project is being proposed under the Local Initiative Program administered by the Dept. of Housing and Community Development under Chap. 40B. Twenty-five percent of the proposed units will be affordable under the rental guidelines of the Chap. 40B program. This project will offer the Town significant progress toward its 10% mandated goal under the Subsidized Housing Inventory. Currently, the Town is at 8.5%. A total of 97 more affordable units are required for the Town to achieve its 10% with this project providing 90 of the 97. All units in a Chap. 40B rental project are counted as part of a municipality’s
inventory.
Attorney Kablack went on to explain the LIP is designed to work closely with the Town (Board of Selectmen) to develop a friendly approach to a 40B application. As a result of joint discussions, the Town & Developer will enter into an agreement setting design specifications, improvements and mitigation for the project, prior to application to the LIP and permitting before the ZBA. This Program gives the Town better control over Chap. 40B and the applicant benefits from a faster permitting process.
Minutes of October 5, 2015
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Mr. Soter asked if more units could be added to this project, bringing the Town to its 10% mandated goal. Architect Bill Hresko stated this could be accomplished by elongating the buildings. Mr. Soter also expressed his concern with more traffic on Mechanic St. and it was noted the parties involved will have to meet with MassHighway to discuss traffic issues.
Mr. Mayhew asked if the roads in the project will accommodate fire & rescue vehicles and was advised they will. Mr. Martinis asked if the four story buildings would present any problems with fighting a fire and was advised this would not be an issue for the ladder truck.
Mr. Spencer expressed his concern that there wouldn’t be adequate parking spaces for the units proposed. Town Planner, James Kupfer stated he would work with the developer with regard to increased parking spaces.
Mr. Soter expressed his feelings that the proposed design of the two buildings as does not fit in with the Town’s character and asked the Developer to take a look at a possible revision.
Mr. Salisbury of the ZBA suggested that lighting, water run-off, and increased traffic as items to be addressed. Mr. Pappas of the Planning Board asked that snow removal, parking and pedestrian traffic be reviewed. Also review the possibility of sidewalk placement along Mechanic St. to Blackstone St.
The question was also raised as to the number of children residing at these units and the cost to the Town. Mr. Fraine will get enrollment numbers from the School Dept. pertaining to rental properties such as JPI.
Mr. Fraine will meet with Town Counsel, Mr. Kupfer and the Developer regarding issues raised.
On a Mayhew/Martinis motion, the Board unanimously voted to approve the Lion’s Club White Cane Toll Road on Oct. 17th, 9 AM – 1PM at the Town Center & Pulaski Blvd. intersections. An insurance rider has been provided.
On a Mayhew/Connor motion, the Board unanimously voted to approve a Common Victualler License for St. Brendan’s Fall Fair, 11/7 & 11/8, fees waived.
On a Mayhew/Spencer motion, the Board unanimously voted to ratify Mr. Fraine’s appointment of James Kupfer as the Town’s representative to SWAP and MAPC.
On a Mayhew/Spencer motion, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Jacqueline A. Bokoski
Administrative Assistant
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