Minutes of Meeting – March 4, 2008
The Hudson Planning Board met at the Town Hall, 78 Main Street, Hudson, Massachusetts.
At 7:00 p.m., Robert D’Amelio called the meeting to order.
Present: Robert D’Amelio, Rodney Frias, Tom Collins, Dirk Underwood, James Vereault, Jennifer Burke, Town Planner and Teresa Vickery Clerk
Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Presentation – MAPC
Present were: Christine Wallace, Senior Regional Planner, MAPC
Martin Pillsbury, Regional Planning Manager, MAPC
Mr. Pillsbury and Ms. Wallace presented their strategy to the Planning Board. The presentation, which is a rough draft, included reasons why the Town should consider implementing this plan. Mr. Pilllsbury stated that the Town would only be eligible to apply for certain grants if it adopted a local mitigation plan, which could not be done until the plan has been approved by FEMA and adopted by the Board of Selectmen.
This plan is not an emergency response plan it is a plan that should be implemented before a disaster occurs in order to reduce damage vulnerability. For example, common-meeting areas will be outlined as well as a food delivery system put in place if such measures are ever required.
The plan must be approved and adopted by the Board of Selectmen. After the plan is adopted the Board must then send a letter to FEMA stating that the Town has done so. The approval is only good for a 5-year period, after such time the plan must be updated and re-accepted by FEMA.
Critical sites in Hudson have been identified and a risk assessment for these areas was established. MAPC consulted with Town staff to collect information on potential hazard areas as well as sites for potential development.
The plan outlines some recommendations for areas in Town labeled as high, medium and low priority according to existing conditions of certain areas.
Planner’s Report
Chestnut Hill Estates
Present was: Rick Heim, The Oakwood Group
Dirk Underwood recused himself.
The Board is in receipt of a request for an extension of time to complete the subdivision. Mr. Heim explained to the Board that due to the lack of potential buyers, the applicant did not want to finish the road until all of the homes were sold. The Board did not agree and only gave Mr. Heim until September 1, 2008 to complete the subdivision.
Rodney Frias, seconded by Tom Collins, made a motion to grant an extension until September 1, 2008 to complete the Chestnut Hill Estates Subdivision.
Vote: 4-0-1, Dirk Underwood abstained
Dirk Underwood returned to the Board
Hammond Hill Estates
The Board is in receipt of a letter from Mr. Davis requesting an extension of time to complete the subdivision.
Bob D’Amelio, seconded by Dirk Underwood, made a motion to grant an extension until September 1, 2008 to complete the Hammond Hills Subdivision.
Vote: 5-0-0, Unanimous
RK Plaza
The Board is in receipt of a request from RK Associates for a building permit. The Board is requiring that the applicant submit a lighting plan to the Board as well as to SEA prior to the issuance of any permits. David Baker stated that he would correct all issues prior to the occupancy permit being issued if the Board would sign off on building permit for the Hannaford’s expansion. The Board feels Ms. Somer’s requests are not difficult to provide, therefore they expect this to be done before the permits are issued.
Mr. Frias stated that he felt the Board should see full cut offs before issuing any permits to the applicant.
The Board took no action.
Coolidge Street
Present were: Steve Poole, Consolidated Design Group
Todd Marsh, Paramount Construction
Mr. Marsh has come before the Board to request that they sign off on an occupancy permit. Ms. Burke and Mr. D’Amelio informed the Board that they had recently walked the site and had some issues. One of the issues was regarding the retaining wall. Mr. D’Amelio asked whether the retaining wall had been built according to set specifications. Mr. Marsh said that it was, however, the Board would like Ms. Burke to check with the Building Commissioner that he has written confirmation for the inspection of the retaining wall.
Another issue concerned the lack of installation of geo-grid material for the fire lane. Mr. Marsh stated that he had installed 6 inches of dense grade material because he cannot install geo-grid until the spring. Ms. Burke is going to check with Chief Blood regarding the suitability of the dense grade material for fire truck egress.
The fence is not up to the standard expected by the Board. The arbor-vitea were installed on the wrong side of the fence. Therefore, the Board feels that the condition of the visual barrier has not been fulfilled and is very unsatisfied with the quality of work that has been performed regarding the barrier.
The Board is in agreement that until these issues have been addressed and resolved they will not sign off on occupancy permits. After some discussion it was decided that a temporary occupancy permit, expiring May 30, 2008, would be signed off on only with the condition that a $5,000 bond be issued and all work be completed by May 30, 2008. Ms. Burke was going to confer with Town Counsel to make sure that the issuance of a bond would be suitable in this situation.
The Board took no action.
James Vereault recused himself.
71 Parmenter Road – Site Plan Review
Present were: Margaret Smith, MedialFLO USA
Tom Voltero, MediaFLO USA
The applicant had submitted a plan to co-locate wireless tele-communications equipment on the existing tower located at 71 Parmenter Road. Mr. Voltero explained to the Board that this technology is different than most wireless equipment. This equipment would need to be located high on the tower in order to obtain maximum coverage and maintain FCC regulations. The top of the antenna would be at approximately 1,090 feet.
There was a brief discussion regarding the amount of noise that the transmitter would emit. Mr. Vereault, speaking for the abutters expressed their concern for the noise. Mr. Voltero explained that the Mass DEP recommends the sound should not increase the noise level more than 10 decibels above the sound of the natural environment. The transmitter will only increase the ambient sound by 1 decibel; the maximum in the case of an emergency would be 3 decibels.
Mr. Frias suggested that one year after occupancy that the sound level be reevaluated and a sound barrier be installed if necessary.
Rodney Frias, seconded by Dirk Underwood, made a motion to close the public hearing for 71 Parmenter Road.
Vote: 4-0-0
The Board will review a set of conditions and vote on the site plan at it’s meeting of Tuesday, March 11, 2008.
James Vereault returned to the Board.
ANR – Forbes Road
Present was: Tom DiPersio, Thomas Land Surveyors
Mr. DiPersio presented the ANR to the Board. Mr. Frias noted that he disagrees with the location of the Light & Power easement shown on the plans, stating that it’s placement is incorrect.
The new plan shows that the lot lines have been reconfigured in order to create 5 additional lots with adequate frontage and area. Ms. Burke was in receipt of a letter from DPW Director, Tony Marques stating that any additional lots created beyond the original 37 must be septic. Mr. DiPersio would like to possibly move some of the approved septic lots. The Board suggested that he sit with Mr. Marques as well as the Board in order to figure which sewer approved lots can be moved.
The Board also requests that Mr. DiPersio correct the location of the easement as reflected on the plans. They also stipulated that additional clarification on the location of the septic would be needed.
The Board took no action.
ANR – 256 Washington Street
Present was: Josh Reinke, Bohler Engineering
Mr. Reinke presented the ANR to the Board, which simply shows the transfer of a 15-foot strip of land to be transferred to the Town of Hudson for the eventual widening of Washington Street.
Rodney Frias, seconded by Dirk Underwood, made a motion to accept the plan entitled “Plan of Land in the Town of Hudson, MA” as drawn by Control Point Associates, Inc., Warren, NJ dated February 4, 2008 and Authorize the Agent to Sign.
Vote: 5-0-0, Unanimous
Minutes
Rodney Frias, seconded by Tom Collins, moved to approve the minutes of January 29, 2008, as corrected.
Vote: 5-0-0, Unanimous
Adjournment
Bob D’Amelio, seconded by Dirk Underwood, moved to adjourn at 9:00 PM.
Vote: 5-0-0, Unanimous
Cc: Town Clerk
Department of Public Works
Jeff Wood, Building Commissioner
| 
