Minutes of Meeting – August 2, 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, Tom Collins, Dirk Underwood, David Daigneault, Jennifer Burke, Planning Director and Teresa Vickery, Clerk.
Bush Road – Definitive Subdivison
Present was: Tom DiPersio, Sr., Thomas Land Surveyors
Andy Bendetsen, Century Mill Limited Partnership
Bob D’Amelio convened the public hearing.
Mr. DiPersio informed the Board that the applicant has met with the ITC and based on their comments as well as those at the preliminary phase with the Planning Board a water flow test was performed. The test showed that rate of flow was 650 gallons per minute (GPM) and the required flow is 750 GPM. The Fire Chief offered the applicant two options. One was to separate the houses by 100 feet (currently the houses are 80 feet apart) or to sprinkle the houses if the flow rate could not be increased any other way. Mr. DiPersio noted that Mr. Bendetsen has not yet made a firm decision but is looking closely at sprinkling the houses.
The proposal is to build two houses and to extend the existing cul-de-sac 150 feet. The houses are in the SA-8 district which calls for 40,000 square feet of area and frontage of 150 feet, both houses exceed these requirements.
Both houses will have grinder pumps with a 1 ½ inch force main coming up to a point just before the property line. The pumps will drain into one low pressure sewer main; this is all per Tony Marques’ request. A two inch force main will be installed on the street which will drain into the manhole at the mouth of the cul-de-sac. The water services will be individual.
Mr. DiPersio referenced comments made by an abutter at the preliminary hearing. The abutter expressed concern for the amount of runoff into his property which is effecting the landscaping on his property. There is a natural high point just off the cul-de-sac which will allow everything created in this subdivision to mitigate the storm water on site. There will be a rain garden which will collect rain water by a set of catch basins; this will also help to reduce runoff. Mr. DiPersio explained to the Board what a rain garden is and what purpose it serves.
A berm will run through some of the large trees behind the houses which will help reduce the amount of runoff to the abutting properties.
Mr. D’Amelio raised some concerns regarding the water pressure. He noted that the standard is 32 psi for a single family home. Mr. DiPersio stated that a flow test had been performed and it showed 55 psi. Tom Cassidy, 5 Bush Road, informed the Board that this test was conducted at approximately 10PM. The Board found the test to be unacceptable as they feel it should be conducted during peak hours of use. Mr. Bendetsen stated that the DPW had requested that time. Mr. D’Amelio would like the test performed at 7AM or 5PM.
Mr. Bendetsen asked if there was not enough water pressure what would the Board require be done. Mr. D’Amelio noted that the Board would most likely require a booster pump be installed to increase the water pressure. Mr. Collins noted that if booster pumps are installed in the new homes they could potentially take pressure from the existing houses on the street.
Ms. Burke will talk to the DPW and get answers to some of the Board’s questions regarding the water pressure test.
Ms. Burke asked who will be responsible to maintain the rain garden. Mr. DiPersio explained that the homeowner will need to occasionally clear some of the debris from it. He noted that information will be given to the buyer at the time of closing. The vegetation that will be planted in the rain garden is very specific to its purpose and will tolerate the moisture.
The Board would like the center line, corners of the houses and the berm staked out before its next meeting.
Mr. Cassidy asked if the DPW had addressed snow storage. Ms. Burke explained that the DPW said they will handle snow storage they same way as any other cul-de-sac which is by pushing it between the driveways.
Dirk Underwood, seconded by David Daigneault made a motion to continue the public hearing for Bush Road until August 16, 2011 at 7:15 PM.
Vote: 4-0-0, Unanimous
Minutes
Tom Collins, seconded by Bob D’Amelio, made a motion to accept the minutes of July 19, 2011, as written.
Vote: 4-0-0, Unanimous
Adjournment
Bob D’Amelio, seconded by Tom Collins, moved to adjourn at 8:00 PM.
Vote: 4-0-0, Unanimous
Document List August 2, 2011
Document |
Location |
Subdivision Application and Plans for Bush Road |
Planning Office |
Minutes of July 19, 2011 |
Planning Office |
Cc: Town Clerk
Department of Public Works
Jeff Wood, Building Commissioner
| 
