Minutes of Meeting – November 18, 2008
The Hudson Planning Board met at the Town Hall, 78 Main Street, Hudson, Massachusetts.
At 7:30 p.m., Robert D’Amelio called the meeting to order.
Present: Robert D’Amelio, Tom Collins, Dirk Underwood, Rodney Frias, James Vereault, Jennifer Burke, Planning Director and Teresa Vickery Clerk.
Planner’s Report
Lauren Heights Subdivision
Present was: Mike O’Malley
Michael Norris, Atty. at Law
Mr. D’Amelio stated that the three issues before the Board are to reduce the bond, grant an extension for Shelley Lane and to accept Judith Road.
Ms. Burke explained to the Board that Mr. Kamel of the DPW had called and informed her that Judith Road has been completed per the DPW’s requirements, however Shelley Lane is still incomplete. Mr. O’Malley stated that if given a one year extension he could complete Shelley Lane.
Mr. D’Amelio expressed his frustration at the situation and asked that Mr. O’Malley clean up the asphalt that is stockpiled on the site. Mr. O’Malley then asked if Judith Road could be submitted for street acceptance for the May Town Meeting. Ms. Burke advised the Board that her recommendation is to not separate t he roads if the work on Shelley Lane is ongoing. She states that the applicant should wait until Shelley Lane is complete to submit the roads together for street acceptance. Mr. Vereault asked that Ms. Burke elaborate on this. She explained that it would be more difficult for the DPW to maintain half of a subdivision.
Mr. Frias asked what work needs to be done in order to complete Shelley Lane. Mr. O’Malley said that only the utilities are complete.
There was a discussion regarding the bond amount for lot development. Mr. O’Malley questioned why the amount had increased to $10,000 per lot. The Board agreed that the lot development bond amount should be brought back down to $5,000 per lot.
The Board was unwilling to grant an extension and came to a consensus that a default hearing be held.
Chestnut Hill Estates, Subdivision Discussion
Present were: Mike Heim, The Oakwood Group
Rick Heim, The Oakwood Group
Rich Casseli, Casseli Trucking
Mr. Underwood recused himself.
Ms. Burke informed the Board that the street sign had been approved by Tony Marques. The work that had been discussed at the previous meeting has been completed. Ms. Burke has been provided an bond amount of $45,893.00 from the DPW.
Tom Collings, seconded by James Vereault, made a motion to reduce the bond for Chestnut Hill Estates to $45,893.00 per the DPW’s recommendation.
Vote: 4-0-0, Unanimous
James Vereault, seconded by Tom Collins, made a motion to submit Sandy Knoll Drive for street acceptance to the May Town Meeting Warrant.
Vote: 4-0-0, Unanimous
Mr. Underwood returned to the Board.
Peer Review Process
There was a discussion regarding the process by which plans are reviewed by SEA as well as by the Board. Mr. D’Amelio feels strongly that the Board be given the opportunity to get more involved in the process of peer review. He noted that many times SEA will submit comments directly to the applicant not the Board. The Board would prefer that SEA not have direct contact with the engineers unless at the public hearing.
177 Broad Street, TD Banknorth – Site Plan Review
Present was: Paul Giannetti, Atty. at Law
Forrest Lindwall, Mistry Associates, Inc.
Atty. Giannetti informed the Board that the existing bank structure will be demolished and a larger building will be constructed. The plan was approved on October 31, 2008 by the Internal Traffic Committee. The ITC did recommend that the utilities to moved to accommodate a 32 foot drive aisle.
Mr. Lindwall explained that the new bank building will be a 3,000 sq. ft. single story building with 2 drive thru lanes. The back side of the driveway will be closed off and this allows for sidewalk connection as recommended by the ITC.
There are no catch basins or drainage on this section of the parcel. The drainage all runs toward the Dollar Store. Mr. Lindwall also stated that the grading on the site will not change. The site will be connected to town water and sewer and all power and telecommunications supplies will be overhead.
Mr. Vereault asked how tall the landscaping is at the driveway entrance. He expressed concern for sight distances. Mr. D’Amelio asked that a condition be added stating the Ms. Burke needs to review the landscaping before occupancy.
Mr. Underwood asked about snow storage and if there is a plan in place to remove the snow if the piles become too high. The applicant had requested that the ITC give them one year in which to see if they can manage the snow on their own.
There was no input from the public.
Dirk Underwood, seconded by Tom Collins, made a motion to close the public hearing for 177 Broad Street.
Vote: 5-0-0, Unanimous
The Board agreed that peer review for this project was unnecessary due to how straightforward the plan is.
Rodney Frias, seconded by Dirk Underwood, made a motion to approve the plan entitled “TD Banknorth at Washington Square, Hudson, MA” as drawn by Mistry Associates, Inc. of Reading, MA dated October 15, 2008 with the following conditions:
- A list of 24-hour emergency contact information must be provided to the Planning Director and the DPW prior to any work being done on site.
- Hours of construction will be Monday through Saturday 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. No work or operation of machinery may happen before 7:00 a.m. in accordance with the town's noise by-law or after 5:00 p.m. Per the Massachusetts General Laws, work on Sundays and holidays need to be permitted on a case by case basis by the Chief of Police
- Prior to the commencement of authorized site activity, the Planning Board Office shall be given 48 hours written notice. If the activity at the Project site ceases for longer than 30 days, 48 hour written notice shall be given to the Planning Board Office prior to restarting the work.
- A copy of the conditions and all and all final approved Plans shall be kept at the Project Site.
- Members or agents of the Planning Board shall have the right to enter the Project Site and to gather all information, measurements, photographs or other materials needed to ensure compliance with this approval. Members or agents of the Planning Board entering onto the Project Site for these purposes shall comply with all safety rules, Regulations and directives of the Applicant or the Applicant's contractors.
- The Planning Board's erosion control plan as attached shall be adhered to and govern. All erosion control shall be in place and approved by the Town Planner before construction begins. Weekly erosion control reports shall be submitted to the DPW and the Planning Department no later than noontime on Fridays.
- A final occupancy permit shall not be issued until an as-built plan indicating lot grading and drainage system BMP’s has been confirmed to be consistent with the approved plans to the Planning Director's reasonable satisfaction.
- The Planning Director will review and approve the landscaping at the driveway entrances prior to installation.
Vote: 5-0-0, Unanimous
ANR
177 Broad Street / 234 Washington Street
Present was: Paul Giannetti, Atty. at Law
Atty. Giannetti presented an ANR to the Board that would remove the lot lines in order to make the shopping center all one parcel.
Bob D’Amelio, seconded by Rodney Frias, made a motion to accept the entitled,
“Plan of Land 222, 230 & 234 Washington Street & 177 Broad Street in Hudson, MA” as drawn by Mistry Associates, Inc. in Reading, MA dated August 13, 2008 and Authorize the Agent to sign.
Vote: 5-0-0, Unanimous
12 Lyman Avenue
Present was: Tom DiPersio, Thomas Land Surveyors
Mr. DiPersio explains that by changing the lot lines with 8 Gately Avenue the plans could reflect the lines that are currently being observed by the owners of the lots.
Bob D’Amelio, seconded by Rodney Frias, made a motion to accept the entitled,
“Plan of Land in Hudson, MA” as drawn by Thomas Land Surveyors & Engineering Consultants, Inc. in Hudson, MA dated October 24, 2008 and Authorize the Agent to sign.
Vote: 4-0-1, Dirk Underwood abstaining
Minutes
Dirk Underwood, seconded by James Vereault, moved to approve the minutes of October 7, 2008, as corrected.
Vote: 5-0-0, Unanimous
Cancel Meeting
Tom Collins, seconded by Dirk Underwood, made a motion to cancel the Planning Board meeting scheduled for December 2, 2008.
Vote: 5-0-0, Unanimous
Adjournment
James Vereault, seconded by Dirk Underwood, moved to adjourn at 9:15 PM.
Vote: 5-0-0, Unanimous
Cc: Town Clerk
Department of Public Works
Jeff Wood, Building Commissioner
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