HANSON PLANNING BOARD
Minutes of the Grove Point Way Subdivision
Public Hearing of
June 2, 2004
I. CALL TO ORDER - 8:00 p.m.
Members Present: Philip Lindquist, Chairman
Gerard LeBlanc, Vice Chairman
David Nagle, Clerk
Joan DiLillo, Member
Gordon Coyle, Member
Others Present: Town Planner Noreen O’Toole
Administrative Assistant Barbara Ferguson
Chairman Philip Lindquist advised all present that the meeting was being tape recorded and reviewed the agenda for the public hearing. He asked if all abutters had been properly notified and was advised by Administrative Assistant Barbara Ferguson that certified mail receipts for all abutters had been received by the Planning Board office. Vice Chairman Gerard LeBlanc read the following public hearing notice published in The Hanson Express on May 13 & 20, 2004.
TOWN OF HANSON
PLANNING BOARD
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
The Hanson Planning Board will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, June 2, 2004 at 8:00 p.m. in the Hanson Town Hall, 542 Liberty Street, Hanson, on a definitive subdivision plan showing a 2-lot residential subdivision off Pine Grove Avenue. The plan is further identified as Lot 3H on Assessors’ Map 69. Deed to said property is recorded in Plymouth District Registry of Deeds, Book 5217, Page 76. The subdivision plan, entitled Grove Point Way, is located in Hanson and dated April 1, 2004 by P.M.P Associates, LLC, 200 North Bedford Street, East Bridgewater, MA 02333. The plan was submitted by Kevin M. Johnson, 86 Pine Grove Avenue, Hanson, MA 02341. A copy of the subdivision plan is available in the Hanson Town Clerk’s Office and in the Planning Board Office for review.
HANSON PLANNING BOARD
Philip R. Lindquist Chairman
David Nagle, Clerk
The Hanson Express
May 13 & 20, 2004
II. Presentation of plans from applicant/engineer
Michael Perrault of P.M.P. Associates of East Bridgewater told the Board that he and David Johnson from his office were representing property owner, Kevin Johnson. Mr. Perrault said a single family house would be constructed on the second lot that was being created by the definitive subdivision plan submitted. Both the existing house and the new house, he said, would have their frontage on the new roadway to be called Grove Point Way which will link Pine Grove Avenue, a public way, and Fallon Point Road, which is a private way. He noted that the proposed subdivision plans were also currently before the Conservation Commission.
The definitive subdivision plan and application were received in the Planning Board office on April 26, 2004. Received with a letter of transmittal dated May 17, 2004 were deep hole soil logs and percolation tests for the proposed septic system and deep hole soil log and falling head permeability test data and results for the proposed stormwater infiltration system. Transmitted on June 1, 2004 were drainage calculations and a revised plan showing a relocated pipe.
Mr. Perrault said that a drain pipe was located that he believed was draining onto Mr. Johnson’s property but subsequently found out that the pipe extends further on to another person’s property. Whether easements exist, he said, is unknown so instead of abandoning the pipe another manhole is proposed. He noted that a lot of waivers have been requested. The waivers are listed on the subdivision plan. He said that the plan shows an 18 inch cape cod berm while one detail indicates it is 12 inches. The 18 inch berm one either side is what is being proposed, he said. The lot configuration is such, he said, that there is no rounding where the road meets Pine Grove Avenue. There are roundings on the pavement itself, he said.
He noted that an area has been created on Fallon Point Road that is paved and a pair of catch basins are proposed at the bottom of the slope and an inground subsurface stormwater disposal system. The project, he said, does not have major watershed areas like other projects. If anything a cascade drain might be feasible, he said. It would be up to the Board. He noted that the majority of comments from the Board’s review engineer are related to waivers that have been requested. He said that the linkage was favored by the people who use Fallon Point Road as it will provide a secondary way of access especially for emergency vehicles.
Mr. Perrault said that the only item he saw that needs to be addressed is street lighting because when the town takes over a street the lights are usually shut off because the town does not wish to bear the cost of their operation. He said that he believes two lights would be overkill although he conceded it is the Board’s decision. He noted a waiver to allow a 5% grade at the intersection with Fallon Point was also being requested.
III. Questions from abutters
Hanover Planning Board - No Comment
Halifax Planning Board - No Comment
Pembroke Planning Board - No Comment
Whitman Planning Board - No Comment
Rockland Planning Board - No Comment
East Bridgewater Planning Board - No Comment
Robert & Cheryl Young - No Comment
Raymond & Michele Dowling - No Comment
Donald Mandeville - Judith Small, who is the current resident of 88 Pine Grove Avenue, said that she was concerned with the additional traffic that would now be coming through the neighborhood. Mr. Perrault said the only vehicles that would be going down the new road would be existing neighbors who would be slowed down by the T intersection.
Paul & Kathleen Hanson - Paul Hanson said that he was also concerned with traffic. Kids ride their bikes and the school bus stops at the top of the hill. The current speed limit on Pine Grove Avenue, he said, is 30 miles per hour. Mr. Perrault said that a condition of approval could be the addition of stop and slow children signs.
Jason & Wendy Erbeck - No Comment
Todd and Barbara Chamber - No Comment
Kevin & Joanne Johnson - No Comment
Town of Hanson Conservation Commission - No Comment
James & Diana Locke - No Comment
Howard and Patricia Bezanson - Howard Bezanson said that he was concerned that the construction of a roadway would make existing drainage problems related to Fallon Point Road even worse and affect his well. Water already runs down the roadway during certain times of the year, he said. Mr. Perrault said the new roadway will match existing contours. The drainage system will be maintained by the town when the road is accepted, he said. Until that time it will be Mr. Johnson’s responsibility. He will be required to post a bond to assure that the roadway is finished, Mr. Perrault said.
IV. Questions from public
There were no questions or comments from the public.
V. Questions/Comments from other Town Boards/Departments
A. Police Department
No response was received to the Board’s May 13, 2004 memo seeking input.
B. Water Department
Chairman Lindquist read a May 18, 2004 memorandum from Water Superintendent Glen Doherty indicating that there is no application for water service for this project.
C. Fire Department
Chairman Lindquist read a May 18, 2004 memorandum from Fire Chief Allen Hoyt recommending that the Board request a six inch main and a fire hydrant be placed near the driveway to the proposed residence and noting that all residences must be equipped with a household fire warning system.
D. Board of Health
No response was received to the Board’s May 13, 2004 memo seeking input.
E. Building Inspector
Chairman Lindquist read a June 2, 2004 letter from Building Inspector Michael Kennedy questioning the ownership of the Fallon Point right of way and why it is included in the building square and incorporated in the zoning setback lines. Her also asked whether frontage would be on Grove Point or Fallon Point.
G. Conservation Commission
Chairman Lindquist read a June 1, 2004 memorandum from Conservation Agent Tricia Cassady indicating that the proposal is currently before the Commission with the next public hearing session scheduled for June 8, 2004 at 8:15 p.m.
H. Highway Surveyor
No response was received to the Board’s May 13, 2004 memo seeking input.
VI. Comments from Board’s Engineer, John DeLano of John W. DeLano and Associates, Inc. of Halifax
Mr. DeLano told the Board that the overflow issue he cited in his June 2, 2004 inspection report had been addressed. He said the confusion over the 18 inch or 12 inch berm had also been cleared up. Mr. DeLano said that he wanted more dialogue with Mr. Perrault relative to a cascading grate he was proposing. He said he also wanted to talk with Mr. Perrault about the relocation of the drainage line. Mr. DeLano noted that he would need more time to review the drainage calculations for the project because he had only recently received them.
His report also recommended that two sets of double grated catch basins be placed at station 2+59.15 and he recommended that waivers relative to water and fire protection issues be waived until reports from the Water and Fire Departments have been received and reviewed. He said that he did not recommend the waver of street lights and felt that a waiver might be needed for reverse curves. All other waivers Mr. DeLano said should be determined by the Board. He recommended that the hearing be continued so the applicant’s engineer and his office could discuss the items that still need to be addressed.
VII. Questions from Planning Board Members
Chairman Lindquist asked how the property would be graded to the south so the flow goes over land into the gutter rather than running down the 5% slope adjacent to the paved road. Mr. Perrault replied the grading will match the contours. Mr. Lindquist also asked about a transition vertical curve and was told that the roadway had been designed to have a calming effect on traffic. Mr. Lindquist asked if there would be a reflector and Mr. Perrault said he would add it to the plan.
Gerard LeBlanc said that he had serious concerns about the plans. One of his concerns, he said, is that the road will be a waterfall. Another, he said, is that the watertable in the area is very high with Fallon Point Road under water most of the wet season. He said he did not know how the drainage system was going to work under those conditions. His final concern, he said, was with the additional traffic that would be generated by the residents of Fallon Point Road using Grove Point Way as a cut through to Pine Grove Avenue. That road is already inadequate, he said, with two cars barely able to pass one another. Mr. Perrault said that the impervious area the construction of the roadway will create will have little impact.
Joan DiLillo also expressed concerns with the impact the roadway will have on existing water problems and also the impact additional traffic will have on the residents of Pine Grove Avenue. Many of their houses, she said, are very close to the street. Mr. Perrault said that one alternative would be to make the road one way except for emergencies.
VIII. Findings
Motion to continue the public hearing for Grove Point Way to Wednesday, July 21, 2003 at 8 p.m.: Gerard LeBlanc
Second: Joan DiLillo
Vote: 5-0
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