BOARD OF SELECTMEN October 6, 2003
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Chairman Elizabeth Sullivan, Selectman Andre Martecchini, and Town Manager Rocco Longo. Selectman John Tuffy arrived at 7:37 pm.
OPEN FORUM
There was no one present under Open Forum.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE – Due to scheduling conflicts, this portion of the meeting was postponed and will be rescheduled.
WEBSTER POINT CHAPTER 40B PROJECT – Present for this portion of the meeting were attorneys Jon Witten representing the Marshfield-Duxbury Neighborhood Association, Edward Sylvia, representing the developer, Delphic Associates, and Town Counsel Robert Troy. Also present was Dr. Mark Devine of Coler & Colantonio, water systems analyst.
Attorney Sylvia confirmed that the project would consist of 40 single-family dwellings, 16 of which would be located in Duxbury, and the remaining 24 would be in Marshfield. Construction of the development is contingent upon Duxbury providing water to the homes.
Mr. Sylvia indicated that Marshfield provides water to 200 residences in Duxbury, while Duxbury only provides water to 44 Marshfield homes. He also pointed out that earlier plans to develop this land had resulted in Duxbury’s approval of providing water to the proposed project. He suggested this might constitute an obligation on Duxbury’s part to provide water to this current project.
Attorney Jon Witten, representing the Marshfield-Duxbury Neighborhood Association, agrees with Mr. Sylvia but has two issues to be addressed. They include 1). No dwelling on Duck Hill Road; and 2.) Lots 18, 19 and 20 be moved to the west as discussed. If these are properly addressed, the agreement between the parties would be complete in his opinion.
Attorney Troy agreed that the current project is vastly superior to the initial proposal. He is in agreement with further examination and recommendation by the town’s water department and water advisory board. He disagrees that prior approval for town water connection to an earlier project constitutes a current obligation to an entirely different project, but he believes that this particular project would not present an endangerment to the town’s water supply.
Mrs. Sullivan agreed and asked to get opinions from the Water Superintendent as well as from the Water Advisory Board. Once these are available, a public hearing will be scheduled, with the Board of Selectmen serving as Water Commissioners. It was pointed out that Dr. Devine has already done a report of water calculations that can be used for review and recommendation. The report was dated April, 2002.
Attorney Troy asked that the board solicit the necessary information from the Water Superintendent and the Water Advisory Board, and he will draft a settlement agreement. This can be done around the first week in November.
Attorney Sylvia stated that he would be sending a schedule illustrating the outside of homes typical to the development to the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Witten indicated that he would like to be assured that all parties can review these plans, including the Association. Mr. Sylvia pointed out that although most of the homes will fall within the parameters of the designs he will submit, there may be some that are custom-designed and substantially larger than these “typical” homes.
Mrs. Sullivan asked for floorplans of the affordable units. Mr. Sylvia indicated that there would be no discernable differences from the outside. Interior finishwork would be the difference between market rate and affordable homes. For instance, affordable homes would have Formica countertops rather than marble; and carpet rather than hardwood floors. A plot plan would be provided, indicating which lots were designated as the affordable housing lots.
The affordable homes would be built in proportion to the market rate homes. In other words, for every four market rate homes, an affordable home would be built. This should be written into the agreement so it is clearly understood.
A lottery criteria must be formulated. Mr. Sylvia suggested that some priority for town employees could be incorporated.
All necessary information to be reviewed will be sent to the Water Superintendent and the Water Advisory Board in advance so they may review and comment. They will have the option of attending the public hearing or responding in writing.
TOWN MANAGER BRIEF – The Town Manager did not have a report this week.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN VOTE TO AMEND TRAFFIC RULES AND ORDERS
Parking Off Route 14 (Across from Township Condominiums)
Joe Shea of the Highway Safety Committee had submitted a recommendation to prohibit unattended parking in the town-owned parcel of land across from the Township Condominiums. This dirt area overlooks cranberry bogs and is used by many people for various reasons: police monitoring traffic; private school busses picking up/discharging students; citizens parking their cars and going for walks; ice skaters in winter; etc.
However, a recent trend has been to park unattended vehicles for the purposes of displaying them for private sale. While this does not appear to violate any local rule or regulation, Mr. Shea is concerned that the area may begin to resemble a used car lot.
He suggested adding this location to Schedule F of the rules and Orders of the Parking Regulations to prohibit unattended parking at all times. The pros and cons of doing so were debated; this could affect people going for a daily walk or leaving their cars for a short while. Mrs. Sullivan indicated she was in favor of giving this a trial run.
Andre Martecchini moved that the Board of Selectmen vote to add this location to Schedule F – Limited Parking, a new sub Par. d: No person shall park a vehicle and leave it unattended in the area off the south side of Route 14, Congress Street, above the cranberry bog in the vicinity of the Township Condominiums.
John Tuffy seconded. The motion passed, 3-0.
MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 29 – The board deferred voting on the minutes until the next meeting.
COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS/REAPPOINTMENTS – There were none at this meeting.
HALL’S CORNER BUSINESSOWNERS HOLIDAY TREE – Andre Martecchini informed the board that he met with members of the Hall’s Corner Businessowners Association. This group is interested in restoring the tradition of a Holiday Tree at the flagpole in Hall’s Corner. There is currently no electricity to the flagpole area and Peter Buttkus has obtained a quote of $2,500 to permanently provide electricity to this location. The Businessowners Association will conduct public fundraising to pay for this connection. Since the base of the flagpole has changed since it was rebuilt, a single tree is not possible. A series of 3-4 twelve-foot trees will be placed inside the base of the flagpole to give the effect of a large tree.
Mr. Martecchini noted that this tree will be in addition to the tree at the Millennium Green.
At 8:10 pm, John Tuffy moved to adjourn. Andre Martecchini seconded. The motion passed, 3-0.
Nancy Moody
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