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HANSON PLANNING BOARD
Minutes for the Meeting of
December 11, 2006
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Philip Lindquist called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Members Present: Philip Lindquist, Chairman
Joan DiLillo, Vice Chairman
Gordon Coyle, Member
Richard Flynn, Member
Members Absent: David Nagle, Clerk
Others Present: Town Planner Noreen O’Toole
Administrative Assistant Barbara Ferguson
II. APPOINTMENTS
Hemlock Hills
Bond Reduction
Construction Cost Estimate, Merrill Associates
The Board met with Robert Brady, developer of Hemlock Hills, to discuss his November 21, 2006 request for a reduction of the $88,700 bond held by the town for completion of Phase I of the subdivision stating that all site construction has been completed. Board members discussed a November 29, 2006 Completion Cost Estimate prepared by its review engineering firm, Merrill Associates, Inc. that recommended retention of $10,230. Town Planner Noreen O’Toole said that she thought the figure was too low.
Motion to hold $15,000 of the bond for Hemlock Hills Phase I: Gordon Coyle
Second: Joan DiLillo
Vote: 4-0
Edgewood Estates
Bond Reduction Review
Attorney John Widdison and Salvatore Pastore, developers of Edgewood Estates told the Board that the work on the catch basin on Brook Street at the entrance to the subdivision would be completed the following day. They also asked that the Board review the completion cost estimate prepared by John W. DeLano and consider a further reduction of their bond as the contingency figures have not gone down. Town Planner Noreen O’Toole said that she would look over the estimate for possible changes at the next Board meeting.
Stonebridge Commons
Bond Reduction
The Board met with Mark Mastroianni, Land Entitlement Associate for Pulte Homes, for further discussion on a reduction of the bond for Stonebridge Commons. At their last meeting Board members voted to reduce the $6,073,444 bond by $2,837,126 which is the estimated value of the work that has been completed to date in Phase 1, according to the Board’s review engineering firm, Merrill Associates, Inc. Mr. Mastroianni asked the Board to release the portion of the bond for Phase 3 and for Phase 2 exclusive of the $350,000 estimated for the construction of a community center. Member Joan DiLillo favored the release of Phase 3 money only, but the other three members in attendance said that the second and third phases could be bonded when the housing market
improves.
Motion to release the bond being held for Phases 2 and 3 for Stonebridge Commons exclusive of $350,000 for the community center: Gordon Coyle
Second: Richard Flynn
A motion to amend the original motion to release only Phase 3 money was made by Joan Dillilo, but failed as there was no second to the motion
Vote on original motion: 3-1-0 (Joan DiLillo dissenting)
Mr. Mastrioanni told the Board that a fence around the top of the basin next to Unit 4 had been requested by the new owner. He said that the developer was proposing to construct a 3 foot high cedar round post and rail fence.
Motion to allow the fence as presented: Gordon Coyle
Second: Joan DiLillo
Vote: 4-0
Ridgewood Elm Estates
Public Hearing
Administrative Assistant Barbara Ferguson told the Board that the developer had not sent the meeting notices by certified mail as required, that the taxes on the parcel have not been paid as required before any permit can be issued, and that a communication had been received in the office by facsimile transmission from property owner Deborah Zella stating that she did not sign any subdivision application nor did she give any other form of permission in lieu of her signature.
Motion to deny the application submitted by Blackwood Development Corporation for a 5-lot subdivision off Elm Street entitled Ridgewood Elm Estates based on the communication received from landowner Deborah Zella: Richard Flynn
Second: Joan DiLillo
Vote: 4-0
Alden Way
Report from Merrill Associates
Town Planner Noreen O’Toole told Alden Way residents in attendance that the Board had hired Merrill Associates, Inc. of Hanover to review basin construction in their subdivision. She noted that town counsel had recommended that unfinished items be identified prior to sending a letter to the developer stating a date certain by which any problems must be corrected. The Board, she said, is aware there are other issues beside basin construction. She indicatd that developers Mark Tedeschi and Ken Gray had been invited to attend the meeting.
Board members perused a December 11, 2006 Stormwater Basin Review from Peter Palmieri of Merrill Associates. The review noted that in addition to a field survey performance an as-built plan showing the existing condition was prepared. During the field survey hand dug soil observation holes were performed. In addition, Palmieri reviewed the soils information in the file as well as the definitive subdivision plans and drainage calculations prior to preparing the basin review.
Palmieri’s review indicated that the physical size of the basin is somewhat larger than shown on the approved plan, however, due to the fact that the outlet spillway elevation is at 81.9 as opposed to elevation 83.00, as shown in the approved plan, the actual storage volume provided is less than approved and consequently the basin does not function as designed. The review also indicated that the bottom of the basin is somewhat lower than on the approved plan. The approved design specified elevation 81.9 while the as-built elevation is 81.1.
According to Palmieri, during the soil testing, the field survey and on three other occasions, flow was entering the basin from the drainage system and or swale during non-storm events and there was approximately 6 inches of water in the basin. Merrill concluded this flow is more than likely groundwater. The soil testing indicated that at both locations there was approximately 3 inches of loam and 20 inches of medium sand before cobbles and gravel was encountered.
As shown in the as-built plan, a portion of the berm for the basin is located outside of the drainage easement, Palmieri said. The condition of the containment berm on the westerly side of the basin, he said, appears to be stable and no seepage or erosion was observed.
Resident Kevin Paquette said that there are problems with the other two basins in the subdivision that need to be addressed as well as other problems such as dry wells, catch basins that are full, lights that do not work, water shutoffs sticking up in the curb, and bounds that are sticking up six inches. Ms. O’Toole said the exploration of the basin was just the first step and that the entire subdivision would be explored by Merrill to make sure everything that needs to be done is known. She told the residents that she would let them know the date and time of the next Board meeting.
III. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES
Acceptance of Minutes of Meeting of November 27, 2006
Motion to accept the minutes of the meeting of November 27, 2006: Joan DiLillo
Second: Richard Flynn
Vote: 4-0
IV. TOWN PLANNER’S REPORT
Master Plan Committee
Ms. O’Toole said that the Master Plan is currently being edited and that Thomas Associates has requested a meeting with the Old Colony Planning Council to finalize the plan.
Old Colony Planning Council Joint Transportation Committee
Ms. O’Toole said that the OCPC Joint Transportation Committee would be meeting on December 14 to discuss the transportation plan for Southeastern Massachusetts.
Other Matters
Ms. O’Toole called the Board’s attention to a November 1, 2006 memorandum from the Conservation Commission indicating its support of an application to the Commissioner of Food & Agriculture for an Agricultural Preservation Restriction for the property located at rear 1222 Main Street. The memorandum sought input from the Board. Ms. O’Toole questioned whether the access was a right-of-way over town-owned land. The Board requested that she check the Master Plan to see if it contains any recommendations relative to the use of abutting town-owned parcels.
V. NEW BUSINESS
Memo from Conservation Commission
Pilot Wetlands Mitigation Bank Program
The Board reviewed a December 6, 2006 memorandum from the Conservation Commission advising of a notice from the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act Office relative to a proposed pilot wetland mitigation bank program in the Burrage Pond Wildlife Management Area property. The Conservation Commission will be holding a public hearing on Tuesday, December 12, 2006 at 8 p.m., MEPA will be making a site visit on Thursday, December 14, 2006 at 2 p.m., and the US Army Corps of Engineers will hold a public hearing at Town Hall at 7 p.m. on the same date.
Crooker Place Cleanup Project
Notice of Conservation Commission Hearing
The Board noted that the Conservation Commission would be holding a public hearing on December 12, 2006 at 8:45 p.m. relative to proposed work under the Crooker Place Cleanup Project.
Lakeside Road
Inspection Report from John W. DeLano and Associates
Board members reviewed a December 1, 2006 Inspection Report from John W. DeLano and Associates relative to work performed on Lakeside Road in conjunction with an Adequate Access Determination. Ms. O’Toole recommended that Board members visit the site.
VI. OLD BUSINESS
Proposal for Review of Rules and Regulations
Saeed Kashi
Motion to award the contract to Saeed B. Kashi of N. Falmouth to review the Board’s Rules and Regulations Governing the Subdivision of Land: Joan DiLillo
Second: Gordon Coyle
Vote: 4-0
Meeting Dates for January
The Board set the next meeting date at January 22, 2007
VII. ZONING BOARD HEARINGS
Application of Places Site Consultants, Inc., William E. Murray, R.L.A. Agent for the Hanson Police Station, to amend the site plan to allow for a change in the drainage plan for the police station on Main Street, Assessors Map 34, Lot 10. The property is located in a Residence B District and Zone II of the Aquifer Protection District.
COMMENT: Defer to Board of Appeals
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn: Joan DiLillo
Second: Richard Flynn
Vote: 4-0
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