PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
January 24, 2011
7:00 PM
The Planning Board for the City of Marlborough met on Monday, January 24, 2011 in Memorial Hall, 3rd floor, City Hall, Marlborough, MA 01752. Members present: Barbara Fenby, Colleen Hughes, Clerk, Philip Hodge, Edward Coveney and Sean Fay. Also present: City Engineer Thomas Cullen.
MINUTES
Meeting Minutes January 10, 2011
On a motion by Mr. Fay, seconded by Mr. Hodge, it was duly voted:
To table the minutes until the next meeting.
CHAIRS BUSINESS
Mr. Fay stepped out of the room.
Open Space Meeting, Shoestring Hill
Ms. Hughes attended a meeting regarding an new Open Space Concept plan on the proposed Shoestring Hill Subdivision. She stated the proposed open space plan shows a larger amount of open space, more of a buffer space between the houses on Desimone Drive, less roadway and a possible walking trail to Jericho Hill. They are still proposing a double barrel roadway and have reduced the number of housing lots to 54. Ms. Hughes stated that the Engineer for the project will be in contact with Mrs. Lizotte to come before the board informally at the next meeting.
APPROVAL NOT REQUIRED PLAN
PUBLIC HEARING
SUBDIVISION PROGRESS REPORTS
Update from City Engineer
Mr. Cullen stated that they are reviewing the Indian Hill subdivision and preparing the necessary documents to complete the subdivision.
Berlin Farms (Long Drive)
Construction Schedule & Subdivision Extension
Mr. Freeman stated in correspondence that the street light is scheduled for installation by the end of this month (weather permitting), the detention basin fencing will be installed by early spring and the final clean up will be performed by the end of May 2011. In a previous request the developer had requested a subdivision extension. The Planning Board granted an extension to tonight’s meeting. They discussed further extending the subdivision until the first meeting in June.
On a motion by Ms. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Coveney it was duly voted:
To accept and file correspondence; to grant an extension of the subdivision to June 6, 2011.
Blackhorse Farms (Slocumb Lane)
Correspondence from Attorney Beattie
Attorney Beattie sent a status letter stemming from the last Planning Board meeting in which he attended on behalf of his client.~ In his letter he expressed his willingness to reduce communications between his client and the Board to writing. Mr. Beattie raised two additional issues in his letter:
· Slocumb Lane Open Gate and Plowing:~ Mr. Beattie stated that at the request of the Planning Board, the gate was left open from January 10, 2011 to January 24, 2011 and the roadway will be plowed in it’s entirety during the snowstorms.~
· Slocumb Lane Erosion Controls: Mr. Beattie stated that the major snowstorm of January 12, 2011 inhibited a detailed inspection of the erosion controls and he stated once the weather permits, any collapsed silt fencing, deteriorated or damaged hay bales will be replaced.
Mr. Beattie also stated the developer does have a prospective buyer of one of the lots and if the negotiations are completed, they expect to be developing the lot in a timely manner.
Mr. Beattie also proposed moving the gate halfway down the roadway as a middle ground and raised the issue of potential illegal dumping. Mr. Beattie questioned whether policing such dumping would serve his client or the City’s police services well.
He has asked the Planning Board to review the proposal.
On a motion by Mr. Fay, seconded by Mr. Coveney, it was duly voted:
To accept and file correspondence.
Mr. Cullen stated that he has seen the site plan for the building lot that has a potential buyer and it would serve no purpose for the Planning Board to allow the gate to be moved down the roadway beyond this lot. Mr. Cullen stated he would rather see the developer build the rest of the roadway and complete the subdivision.~ Mr. Fay stated he would rather see the gate open and stated that it was the developer's responsibility to plow and maintain the roadway and to monitor the property for illegal dumping. Mr. Fay stated that the developer is burdened only by a self-created hardship. ~~
Mr. Hodge agreed with Mr. Fay, that a half-way gate will not work in the City’s favor.~ The Board collectively agreed that point 1 of Mr. Beattie’s letter was not an acceptable compromise, however they all agreed that point 2 was acceptable.
On a motion by Mr. Fay, seconded by Mr. Hodge, it was duly voted:
To send the following correspondence to Attorney Beattie:
Thank you for your correspondence of January 17, 2011. The Board agrees
with the second point on page two of your letter. Please inform the
City Engineer and the Board as to the date you anticipate addressing
the erosion control so that the City Engineer has the option of sending
a representative.
With regard to point 1, the Board disagrees. When the Board asked that
the gate be removed from the roadway, it was the stated expectation of the
Board that the developer would be responsible for plowing, maintenance
and monitoring of illegal dumping for the entirety of the roadway.
If you wish to discuss this further we would welcome your presence at
our next meeting on February 14, 2011.~ The Board appreciates your
ongoing participation in this matter.
Fahey Street
Correspondence from Assistant City Solicitor Panagore-Griffin
The Assistant City Solicitor has provided a copy of the Order of Acceptance, Easement Deed and the copy of receipts from the Middlesex Registry of Deeds as proof the City has accepted certain easements. All items have been recorded and receipts have been provided.
On a motion by Mr. Coveney, seconded by Mr. Hodge, it was duly voted:
To accept and file the correspondence.
Release of Bond
The developer stated that all recordings and easements have been processed, he is kindly asking for his bond to be released.
On a motion by Mr. Coveney, seconded by Mr. Hodge, it was duly voted:
To accept and file the correspondence, to reduce the bond from $66,000.00 to $0.00 and to change the subdivision status to completed.
Mr. Fay stepped out of the room
Water’s Edge (Worster Drive)
Correspondence from Attorney Flood
Attorney Christopher Flood and his client were in attendance at the previous meeting held on January 10, 2011. Attorney Flood sent correspondence in regards to several items that were addressed at the meeting and that his client will perform before the Planning Board can accept his roadways:
· Remove the couch that is on Gaucher Circle;
· Replace all missing “trail” signs;
· Remove the dead tree leaning over the Gaucher Circle.
The Planning Board confirmed at the last meeting that in the Open Space parcel fencing around the detention basin was not in the original acceptance plans and does not need to be installed. The developer expects to have all items completed within 30 days and will notify the Planning Board when all items have been addressed.
On a motion by Mr. Coveney, seconded by Mr. Hodge it was duly voted:
To accept and file correspondence; to follow up the request of completion for the first meeting in March.
Mr. Fay returned to the room.
PENDING SUBDIVISION PLANS: Updates and Discussion
PRELIMINARY/ OPEN SPACE SUBDIVISION SUBMITTALS
DEFINITIVE SUBDIVISION SUBMISSIONS
SCENIC ROADS
SIGNS
INFORMAL DISCUSSION
COMMUNICATIONS/CORRESPONDENCE
On a motion by Ms. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Coveney, it was duly voted:
To accept all of the items listed under communications and/or correspondence.
On a motion by Ms. Fenby, seconded by Mr. Coveney, it was duly voted:
To adjourn at 7:30 p.m.
A TRUE COPY
ATTEST: _____________________________
Colleen Hughes, Clerk
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