HANSON PLANNING BOARD
Minutes of the Pine Hill Estates Subdivision
Continued Public Hearing of
June 15, 2005
CALL TO ORDER - 8:00 p.m.
Members Present: Philip Lindquist, Chairman
Gerard LeBlanc, Vice Chairman
Joan DiLillo, Member
Gordon Coyle, Member
Others Present: Town Planner Noreen O’Toole
Administrative Assistant Barbara Ferguson
The Board met with Edward Johnson and Bernard Munro of Land Planning, Inc. of Hanson for a continued discussion on the proposed development of a 12-lot subdivision off East Washington Street to be called Pine Hill Estates. Before Mr. Munro began his presentation, Chairman Philip Lindquist read a June 13, 2005 memorandum from Water Superintendent Glen Doherty indicating that the June 7, 2005 revised plans for Pine Hill Estates meet Water Department approval
Mr. Munro told the board the open drainage basin at the entrance to the subdivision has been changed into an underground system. As a result of the change, he said, the volume of water going toward the street has been cut in half. All of the remaining items on the list of requested changes have been completed, Mr. Munro said.
A June 15, 2005 review from John DeLano noted that his office had witnessed test pits at the proposed development on May 19, 2005. As a result of the findings, Mr. DeLano said, the plans had been revised to change the drainage into an underground leaching facility.
He said in the letter he had reviewed the volume calculations and felt that the design will handle the stormwater. He added that he was concerned that, since the systems is now entirely underground, there needed to be extra protection to prevent silt from entering the stone. He said that he was suggesting that the size of the grit chambers be changed from 1,500 gallons to 3,500 gallons. He attached a detail of the chamber construction for the engineer’s reference.
In addition to the grit chambers he suggested that the leaching system not be installed until the final stages of the development. He said that the developer would have to have the cost for the installation figured into his bond. The areas of the leaching systems will need to be excavated and left as open basin. They will need to be maintained for both silt accumulation and side slope erosion protection, DeLano said.
Kathleen Marini, Chairman of the Board of Assessors expressed her concern with the creation of the drainage parcel which will ultimately become the town’s responsibility. She said that her board did not favor removing prime pieces of real estate from the tax rolls. Donald Howard of Winter Street noted that the 12 new homes in this subdivision will create new taxes. Gerard LeBlanc asked how much the town will lose because of the drainage lot in this subdivision and Ms. Marini said that she did not know. Chairman Lindquist said that the issue of corner lots has been referred to the Zoning Bylaw Committee. Town Planner Noreen O’Toole said that an appointment has been set for July 7, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. for Ms. Marini to address the issue with
the Board in more detail.
Mr. Howard asked if a similar submerged system could be applied to the drainage basin to the rear of the site. Catherine Howard of Harvey Circle expressed concern that the construction of the subdivision with its rear basin will create a water problem in her yard. Mr. Munro said that her lot should not be affected by the subdivision. Ms. Marini asked if there would be covenants associated with the drains relative to maintenance and was told by Chairman Lindquist that the drains will be the developer’s responsibility until the roadway is accepted and then responsibility will shift to the town.
Mr. DeLano noted that roof drains had been mentioned by Land Planning at a previous hearing session. He suggested that they be made a condition of approval and written into the Certificate of Action.
David Blauss of East Washington Street asked how the line of site is determined, and Mr. DeLano explained the process.
Mr. DeLano noted that there were still three issues to be addressed. The details for the installation of the catch basins with beehive grates in the leaching areas need to be included on the plans, the details of the installation and connection of the sub drain to the catch basins are needed, and the details for the temporary storage basins should be included in the plans. The details, he said, should clearly indicate that they are temporary and specify the needed maintenance during the construction of the development.
Motion to continue the hearing to July 7, 2005 at 7:15 p.m.: Joan DiLillo
Second: Gordon Coyle
Vote: 4-0
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