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08/14/2007
Planning Board Meeting Minutes
August 14, 2007
Memorial Town Hall

Members Present:        C. Stanovich, R. Ricker, O. Lies, C. Prager, W. Ritter, D. Lindberg

Others Present:           Pamela Harding, Senior Planner, Debra Sciascia, Recording
                                  Secretary

7:30 PM the Planning Board meeting was called to order.

7:30 PM PUBLIC HEARING Greenwood Estates II Definitive Subdivision, Blair: Continued from June 26, 2007.  P. Harding received comments from Larry Galkowski regarding traffic conditions.

C. Stanovich asked Larry Galkowski to comment on issues as a reason to deny the subdivision, and discussed pumping station, which would do away with the present pumping station.

Board Comments:

R. Ricker: Asked about grinder pumps on certain lots.

W. Ritter: Commented on $200,000 payment to general fund.

C. Prager: Daily monitoring of construction would be required, and paid for by the developer.

R. Ricker: Discussed if $200,000 would cover the design and engineers for the intersection.

O. Lies: Is this money going to be used for this project.

W. Ritter: Asked L. Galkowski to address the sewer capacity.

D. Lindberg: Asked L. Galkowski if the only issue was the intersection of Union/Highland Street. L. Galkowski answered yes.

C. Stanovich: Wants clarification on the future plans for the Union/Highland intersection.

Public Comment:

Tim Hanson, 52 Harrington Rd: Has reviewed drainage issues.  Asked that the builder be responsible for any change in the floodplain.  C. Stanovich said that was a legal matter.  George Kiritsy, Attorney, stated that there is State Law to protect abutters.  R. Ricker said the development still has to be reviewed by a number of agencies.

Charles Noyes, 110 Highland Ave: Issues with traffic.

Albert Ferron, 55 Appletree Ln: Had concerns with drainage basins and upkeep.

Chris Joslyn, 240 Highland St: Said his police crusier is in the yard and does not slow down traffic.

Alice Carr, 257 Highland St: Not the best use of a nice piece of property.

R. Ricker stated that all reasons for denial have been addressed, except for the traffic report.  The applicant was asked to update the traffic study.

David Cotton, 244 Highland St: Traffic and roadway concerns.  C. Stanovich said that off-site improvements is not a reason to deny the subdivision.

Karl Makela, 60 Newell Rd: Suggested making traffic a right turn only out of the development.

Resident asked if Blair has any abutting properties.  G. Kiritsy did not know.

W. Ritter suggested updating the traffic study, and ensure the $200,000 is put towards this traffic area.  A written request is needed from the applicant to continue the Public Hearing.  R. Ricker motioned to continue to October 9, 2007 to give the developer time to do the traffic study, with a decision by October 31.  C. Prager seconded.  All in favor.

PUBLIC HEARING - Village at Westminster Place Site Plan/Special Permit Revocation: The Public Hearing notice was read into record.  The Town of Holden has a paving contract with Holden Trap Rock at discounted rates.  DPW has offered to contract with Holden Trap Rock to conduct improvements to Newell Road if the applicant provides the Town with funds prior to the commencement of work.  The DPW already has road improvements scheduled in the vicinity for the first week of September.  As part of the cost for the roadway improvements DPW is requiring a 10% administrative fee for the required paperwork, account management and costs incurred for utilizing DPW trucks to haul and dispose of pulverized material.  The applicant has agreed to pay all expenses.  We are suggesting the Planning Board vote to place money received for the paving into a 53G account so the Town can ensure the money is available and may directly pay Holden Trap Rock utilizing the applicants funds.  The applicant will still be responsible for the construction of a sidewalk, police detail, box widening, stumping, and the improvements to the intersection of Main and Newell.

Deadlines have not been met.  The Town received a check for improvements to Newell Road today.  Larry Galkowski had a meeting with the developer on June 29th, but could not come to an agreement.  The Board discussed the responsiblities of the developer and solutions.

Public Comments:

David Cyganski, 94 Newell Rd: Road reconstruction issues.

Steve Young, 110 Newell Rd: Sidwalks and road grinding.  C. Stanovich stated that the Board is considering revoking the permit.  The Town holds the bond for roadwork and intersections but pulling a bond requires a significant amount of time.

George Warden, 175 Newell Rd: Sidwalk issues.

Jim Robinson, 98 Newell Rd: Town should take control & be sure developer does what they're suppose to.

Mike Menard, 106 Newell Rd: Inquired about the bonds.

Tom LeBoeuf, 120 Newell Rd: Inquired about pulling the bond.

Joanne Menard, 106 Newell Rd: Recommended starting the process of pulling the bond.

Tom LeBoeuf, 120 Newell Rd: Asked for comments from the applicant.

Sheila Bachant, 45 So. Wachusett St: Case of mistaking kindness for weakness.

R. Ricker stated that this is the first time the Town is doing the developers work.  Larry Galkowski said that Fafard is paying for the work being done plus paying for administrative expenses.  Andre Hollosi, Benchmark Engineering, stated that the road will be prepped by August 29th, and the sidewalk will be done at the same time.  P. Harding asked for a finalized schedule for prep work from Fafard.  Andre Hollosi said it was not finalized.  O. Lies recommended pulling the bond.

R. Ricker motioned to continue the revocation of the permit to August 28, 2007, at 7:30 pm meeting in the Selectmens room.  W. Ritter seconded.  All in favor.  P. Harding suggested placing the $66,822.49 into a 53G account.  C. Prager motioned to approve.  W. Ritter seconded.  All in favor.  An invitation was extended to Mr. Fafard to attend the next meeting.

C. Prager excused from meeting at 9:45 pm.

APPROVAL NOT REQUIRED
502 Bailey Road: Mary Eaton is combining two parcels into one.  The property is located in an R-40 zoning district, all zoning requirements are satisfied.  W. Ritter motioned that the plan is entitled to endorsement.  R. Ricker seconded.  Vote 5-0, all in favor.

555 Manning Street: David Kaplan is creating one building lot located in an R-40 zoning district.  The lot meets the minimum frontage and area requirements.  W. Ritter motioned that the plan is entitled to endorsement.  D. Lindberg seconded.  Vote 5-0, all in favor.

ZBA Recommendation 407 Princeton Street, Harrison: The applicant is requesting a variance for the relief from the 40' front yard setback requirement of the R-40 zoning district to allow for the construction of a greenhouse/solar room.  The applicant is proposing a 24.8' front yard setback requiring 15.2' of relief.  R. Ricker motioned for no planning significance.  W. Ritter seconded.  All in favor.

Other Business:

Vals Restaurant: Tabled to next meeting.

Holden Hills Cupola: Tabled to next meeting.

Site Visits: Scheduled subdivision site visits will be scheduled for the Board.

Meeting Minutes:

June 26, 2007: D. Lindberg motioned to approve. R. Ricker seconded. All in favor, approved.

July 17, 2007: D. Lindberg motioned to approve. R. Ricker seconded. All in favor, approved.

NEXT MEETINGS: August 28, 2007

W. Ritter motioned to adjourn.  R. Ricker seconded. All in favor.

Adjourned at 9:55 PM.

August 14, 2007 minutes approved:       November 13, 2007

Debra A. Sciascia
Recording Secretary