HANSON PLANNING BOARD
Minutes of the Hemlock Hills Estates - Phase 2
Continued Public Hearing of
October 19, 2005
I. CALL TO ORDER – Vice Chairman Gerard LeBlanc opened the continued public hearing at 8:00 p.m.
Members Present: Gerard LeBlanc, Vice Chairman
David Nagle, Clerk
Joan DiLillo, Member
Members Absent: Philip Lindquist, Chairman
Gordon Coyle, Member
Others Present: Town Planner Noreen O’Toole
Administrative Assistant Barbara Ferguson
William Self of Curley & Hansen Surveyors of Avon, surveyor for the developer, Southeastern Development Corp. of Hingham, told the Board that all the changes requested by the Board’s engineering firm, Merrill Associates of Hanover, had been made. But, he said, he would like to request a waiver of the Board’s regulation relative to the cover over pipes. He said that the regulation is 3.6 feet and most of the coverage is between 2 ½ and 3 feet. He indicated that the pipe is Class 5 R.C.P pipe. The pipe, he said runs between Station 5+50 and station 4+50. Peter Palmieri of Merrill Associates said that he would have no problem with the granting of the waiver. It is allowed, he said, for covers as low as 1 ½ feet.
Motion to grant a waiver to reduce the coverage over Class 5 R.C.P. pipe between Stations -5+50 and -4+50 to a minimum of 2.6 feet from the 3.6 feet required in the Board’s rules and regulations: David Nagle
Second: Joan DiLillo
Vote: 3-0
Town Planner Noreen O’Toole read an October 19, 2005 letter from Highway Surveyor Richard Harris noting three problems in the subdivision. One was a drainage problem on Cross Street across from the intersection with Hemlock Drive. Developer Robert Brady agreed to contact Mr. Harris and work with him to solve the problem. Ms. O’Toole said that the Board’s engineer should also be involved. Secondly, the guardrail that was installed on the southerly side of Hemlock Drive, Mr. Harris said, does not conform to the Massachusetts Highway Department specifications for guardrail. Mr. Brady said he would talk to Mr. Harris about this issue as well. The final issue raised by Mr. Harris was the distance between catch basins. Mr. Brady explained that
the location of the catch basins deviate from the requirements in the Board’s rules and regulations due to the topography.
Town Planner Noreen O’Toole said that the office had received complaints regarding erosion in Phase I of the development and Mr. Brady said the situation had been corrected. Mr. Palmieri said that he would check it out.
The Board noted an October 18, 2005 memorandum from Water Superintendent Glen Doherty stating that he would like to see the end of the water main moved closer to the proposed island. The water service lines for Lots 8 and 9, he said, are placed in the middle of the island. In the event of a water service line leak near this area, he said, it would require over 100 feet of line and rebuilding of the island itself. It would also mean repairing the granite curbing, he said. Mr. Curley said that the water services can be relocated and indicated that he would talk to Mr. Doherty.
In his October 18, 2005 review letter, Peter Palmieri noted that the proposed grading along the left side of the roadway in the area of Station 5+00 LT to Station - 7+00 LT has been revised and the use of a retaining wall is now also proposed. The board stated a preference for having a homeowner’s association responsible for maintenance of the retaining wall and also the center island. Mr. Palmieri said the maintenance could be covered by a recorded covenant and Mr. Brady said he had no problem with a covenant. A resident questioned whether there is supposed to be an island in Phase I of the development and Ms. O’Toole said that she would check the plans for Phase I. Residents in attendance had no problem with the formation of a
homeowners association. Mr. Brady said that he would rather see the wall designed in a manner that would not require maintenance by an association.
The board said the hearing should be continued to give the developer an opportunity to resolve the issues raised by the Highway Surveyor and Water Superintendent. Ms. O’Toole said additional information on a covenant should also be provided.
Motion to continue the public hearing for Hemlock Hills - Phase 2 until November 16, 2005 at 9:00 p.m.: David Nagle
Second: Joan DiLillo
Vote: 5-0
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