Minutes of Meeting – June 21, 2011
The Hudson Planning Board met at the Town Hall, 78 Main Street, Hudson, Massachusetts.
At 7:00 p.m., Bob D’Amelio called the meeting to order.
Present: Bob D’Amelio, Rodney Frias, Tom Collins, Dirk Underwood, David Daigneault, Jennifer Burke, Planning Director and Teresa Vickery, Clerk.
Planner’s Report
Tri-Partite Agreement & Lot Release – Brigham Hill III
Present was: Michael Norris, Atty. at Law
Ms. Burke informed the Board that Atty. Norris is requesting that the Board sign a tri-partite agreement for the first phase of work at Brigham Hill III. The agreement has been signed by Mr. Fossile as well as Marlborough Savings Bank.
Mr. Fossile is also requesting lot releases for the first phase which totals fourteen lots.
The Board had no issues.
Dirk Underwood, seconded by Tom Collins, made a motion to accept the Tri-Partite Agreement for the first phase of construction for Brigham Hill III and Authorize the Agent to Sign.
Vote: 4-0-0, Unanimous
Dirk Underwood, seconded by David Daigneault, made a motion to release the first fourteen lots of phase one in the Brigham Hill III Subdivision.
Vote: 4-0-0, Unanimous
Hogan Tire Discussion
Present was: Steve Wilson, Hampshire Development Corp.
Alan Wells, SEA Consultants
Mr. D’Amelio explained that he had recently been by the Hogan Tire site and noticed that it looked as if some excavation was going on. This is in violation of condition #15. This condition states that during all underground construction and excavation, particularly within proximity to the retaining wall there should be full time inspection by the Town’s engineering consultant. Ms. Burke stated that SEA had not been notified of any excavation at the site and that no inspections have taken place at all.
Al Wells informed the Board that several attempts were made by SEA to get a status on the project. Mr. D’Amelio outlined the reasons that the Board felt inspections were important at the site. There is a septic system, an underground storage system and a versa-lock wall that has a supporting system that goes back a few feet on the site. The Board felt that any type of excavation in these locations could inadvertently damage any one of these three items.
Steve Wilson stated that during the pre-construction meeting it was his understanding that the first phase of the project, to remove the frost wall which lies 30 - 40 feet from the retaining wall, was not one of the areas of concern. Mr. Wilson understood that condition #15 refers to anything within an 11 – 12 foot proximity to the existing retaining wall, which would include the new foundation. Therefore, there was no inspection has been requested as of yet.
Mr. Wilson apologized for his incorrect interpretation of the condition and noted that it was never his intention to not get the required inspections. He also stated that he would be willing to do anything that the engineer deems necessary to comply with the conditions of the approved site plan.
Mr. D’Amelio noted that the Board’s intention was to have inspections during ALL underground excavation. He informed Mr. Wilson that work will not start again at the site until SEA has inspected the work. They must also prove to the engineer that the work that has already been done did not in any way harm or compromise what is out there.
Mr. Wilson noted that a meeting has been scheduled for the next morning at 8 AM with Ms. Burke and the Town’s engineer.
Mr. Frias noted that the filter fabric that holds up the retaining wall was a big issue during the approval process and that inspections of this are typically standard operating procedure.
ANR’s
Tom Collins recused himself.
8 Bolton Street
Present was: Thomas DiPeriso, Sr., Thomas Land Surveyors
Mr. DiPersio explained that the applicant, Mr. Pratnick, owns a two-family home at 8 – 10 Bolton Street. He has come to an agreement with an abutter named Wayne Cavanaugh. Mr. Cavanaugh’s property fronts on Central Street. Mr. Pratnick would like to sell off 10,361 square feet (Parcel A) to Mr. Cavanaugh. Mr. Cavanaugh’s land is to the south and west of Mr. Pratnick’s property.
Parcel A is not a buildable lot on its own. This parcel will be contiguous with the other land on the south and west.
Rodney Frias, seconded by David Daigneault, moved to accept the ANR for the plan entitled “Plan of Land in Hudson, Massachusetts” as drawn by Thomas Land Surveyors & Engineering Consultants, Inc. of Hudson, MA and dated March 10, 2011 and Authorize the Agent to sign.
Vote: 4-0-1, Mr. Collins abstaining.
Tom Collins returned to the Board.
Rodney Frias recused himself and did not return to the Board
125 Forest Avenue
Present was: Bill Halsing, Land Planning Associates
Mr. Halsing presented the ANR for 125 Forest Ave. He explained to the Board that the applicant is seeking to divide the lot. It meets all frontage and setback requirements.
David Daigneault, seconded by Dirk Underwood moved to accept the ANR for the plan entitled “Plan of Land located on Forest Ave. in Hudson, Massachusetts” as drawn by Land Planning, Inc of Bellingham, MA and dated May 12, 2011 and Authorize the Agent to sign.
Vote: 4-0-1, Mr. Frias abstaining.
201 Manning Street, Site Plan Review
Present was: Lee Sherwood, OMR Architects, Inc.
David Harris, OMR Architects, Inc.
Jeff Wetton, PMA Consultants
Jared Gentilucci, Nitsch Engineering
Bill Brown, Nitsch Engineering
Mr. D’Amelio convened the Public Hearing
Mr. Sherwood presented the plan to the Board. He noted that from the beginning of this project the existing school has always been intended to be kept intact while building the new school as to avoid having to move to grades of children to other facilities. While weighing the options as to where to place the new building would go the hills, wetlands and the fields around the existing structure were a major factor in the placement of the building.
The final plan is to build a two-story building that will house three grades of students. The new building will face south so all the classrooms will get south light which will save on electricity. All of the public spaces will be on the other side of the building for easy access. This was important as the school could serve as an emergency shelter for the Town as the school will have an emergency generator.
The field size has been decreased; however they will raise the area 2 – 3 feet in order to help the fields properly drain as they tend to be soggy. The applicant has also met with the Conservation Commission and walked the site with them. Ms. Burke asked if an order of conditions has been issued by the Commission. Mr. Sherwood stated that they had not yet as it is contingent on some minor updates.
Mr. Sherwood noted that the entrance to the school will remain the same with an increased width for a separate bus entry. The buses will enter and be routed through a circle like area where they will eventually exit back onto Manning Street. Cars will be routed straight through for drop off and then exit onto Stratton Road. Stratton Road will be one-way except for emergency vehicles.
The students will be dropped off on the right side of the vehicle which will decrease queuing, thus saving time. There is a landscaped island large enough for all the students. The services will be tucked in behind the building for aesthetic reasons as well as to reduce noise and smell on the rest of the site. Blasting will be necessary at the site of the services and will be done during the summer months.
Fire trucks turning radii has been tested throughout most of the site.
An Opti-Com system electronic gate will be installed for emergency service access and security during non-school hours.
A traffic and pedestrian study has been conducted, as encouraging bicycling and walking was important to the Town. The sidewalk will have a width of 10 feet which is the right size for walkers and bicyclers.
Forty new trees will be planted as a buffer along the edge and on the berm to screen the houses.
Mr. D’Amelio asked what happens when the new school is built and the old school starts to come down. Mr. Sherwood stated that the intent to do all the transition work during the last summer of construction before school starts. Mr. Wetton explained that Mr. Harris is working on phasing plans regarding time frames. Construction is scheduled to end late spring of 2013. The hope is to begin the abatement process of the old school.
The transitional parking plan will remain in effect through all the demolition as the new parking plan cannot be executed while the old school is still standing.
Paul Donahue, 171 Manning Street expressed concern regarding the blasting. He asked if there will any damage to any of the abutting foundations. Mr. D’Amelio explained the process of the pre-blast survey and noted how very well regulated the blasting is by the Fire Chief. Mr. Collins asked if the existing school will be included in the pre-blast survey. Mr. Wetton said yes.
Mr. Underwood asked where the snow storage will be. Mr. Brown explained that the snow will be pushed all along the side of the bus drive aisles and around the circle. The rest will get pushed over the hill.
David Daigneault, seconded by Dirk Underwood, made a motion to close the public hearing for 201 Manning Street.
Vote: 4-0-0, Unanimous
Mr. D’Amelio stated that the Board usually sends out all the plans for a third party review. However, the Board feels that this is not necessary for this project.
Dirk Underwood, seconded by Tom Collins, made a motion to approve the site plan for 201 Manning Street
Dirk Underwood, seconded by Tom Collins made a motion to approve the site plan for 201 Manning Street entitled “Main Building Site Planning Board Submission” as drawn by Nitsch Engineering, Inc of Boston MA dated May 24, 2011 and Authorize the Agent to sign 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 work.
A copy of the conditions 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 and 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 Planning Director 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.
If, during construction, a discrepancy is found between the approved plans and the existing regulations, the DPW and the Planning Director will be notified immediately. The DPW will make the final decision on how to proceed or if they are unable to make any decision, the matter will be referred back to the Planning Board for review.
A pre-construction conference shall be held prior to the commencement of construction, to include, at a minimum, the developer, the Planning Director, the DPW, the Police Department and the Fire Department and a representative of the Conservation Commission.
Vote: 4-0-0, Unanimous
Minutes
Dirk Underwood, seconded by Bob D’Amelio, made a motion to accept the minutes of May 17, 2011, as corrected.
Vote: 4-0-0, Unanimous.
Adjournment
Bob D’Amelio, seconded by Tom Collins, moved to adjourn at 8:30 PM.
Vote: 4-0-0, Unanimous
Document List June 21, 2011
Document |
Location |
Tri-Partite Agreement, Brigham Hill III |
Planning Office |
Minutes of May 17, 2011 |
Planning Office |
Form A, 125 Forest Ave and Plans dated May 12, 2011 |
Planning Office |
Form A, 8 Bolton Street and Plans dated March 10, 2011 |
Planning Office |
Site Plan Application for 201 Manning Street |
Planning Office |
Cc: Town Clerk
Department of Public Works
Jeff Wood, Building Commissioner
| 
