December 19, 2011
7:00 PM
The Planning Board for the City of Marlborough met on Monday, December 19, 2011 in Memorial Hall, 3rd Floor, City Hall 140 Main Street, Marlborough, MA 01752. Members present: Barbara Fenby, Sean Fay, Colleen Hughes, Clyde Johnson, and Edward Coveney. Also present: City Engineer Thomas Cullen.
MINUTES
December 5, 2011
On a motion by Ms. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Johnson, it was duly voted, with Mr. Fay abstaining:
To accept and file the meeting minutes.
CHAIRS BUSINESS
MEMA Correspondence
The Correspondence was to alert the Cities and Towns regarding the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program for all those affected by the June 2011 tornadoes and the Tropical Storm Irene damage.
On a motion by Ms. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Johnson
To accept and file the correspondence.
APPROVAL NOT REQUIRED PLAN
Map 21, Parcel 26-1
Correspondence from Thomas Dipersio
Mr. Dipersio is requesting to withdrawal the ANR Plan without prejudice.
On a motion by Mr. Fay, seconded by Mr. Coveney it was duly voted:
To accept the request of withdrawal without prejudice of the ANR Plan known as “Map 21, Parcel 26-1”, and to file the correspondence.
On a motion by Ms. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Coveney, it was duly voted:
To move up the Agenda Item, 6A to be discussed at this time.
PRELIMINARY/ OPEN SPACE SUBDIVISION SUBMITTALS
93 Framingham Road
Submittal
The Planning Board set a public hearing date on January 23, 2012 at 7:15pm.
PUBLIC HEARING
SUBDIVISION PROGRESS REPORTS
City Engineer Update
Mr. Cullen provided an updated map and subdivision status report. He reported that Davis Estates has been removed since its completion and that they are actively working on Mauro Farms gas connection issue.
Berlin Farms (Long Drive)
Subdivision Extension
Mrs. Lizotte stated she was expecting a completed extension letter by this evening. The past few months, the Board has considered a bond revocation due to the lack of movement on the subdivision. At this time, the City Engineer is happy on the progress they have made with the fencing and as Mr. Cullen stated, there is not much left to do on the site itself, mainly getting the as-builts and legal paperwork completed. However, the Planning Board has asked for an extension request from the Developer to make the subdivision in compliance. The Members discussed that there should be an extension letter by the next meeting or that they will consider taking the bond.
On a motion by Mr. Fay, seconded by Mr. Johnson, it was duly voted:
To send correspondence to Mr. Freeman asking him for a written extension letter prior to the next Planning Board Meeting.
Elm Farm Valley Estates (Cleversy Drive)
City Council Correspondence
The City Council has asked the Planning Board if subdivision is completed. On the November 7, 2011 meeting, the Planning Board endorsed the subdivision plan.
On a motion by Mr. Fay, seconded by Ms. Hughes, it was duly voted:
To send a favorable recommendation to the City Council to endorse the Plan known as “Plan of Acceptance of Cleversy Drive and Easements, Marlborough, MA”.
Shaughnesy Estates
Revised Sight Draft
On a motion by Ms. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Johnson, it was duly voted:
To waive the reading into record.
The Assistant City Solicitor, Cynthia Panagore Griffin and the City Solicitor has responded to a question by the Banks’ Attorney regarding the sight drafts questionable “plus accrued interest”. There is nothing stating in the Tri Partite Agreement regarding the City obtaining any interested if the bond was rescinded and has been put onto the previous documents. Ms. Panagore Griffin explained that the City has no interest right, if any has accrued to that interest. A new sight draft has been drafted for the Board to sign, and to have the City Comptroller, Thomas Abel, sign the draft to obtain the remaining funds.
On a motion by Ms. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Coveney it was duly voted:
To accept and file all correspondence, and to have Mr. Abel sign the new sight draft.
PENDING SUBDIVISION PLANS: Updates and Discussion
PRELIMINARY/ OPEN SPACE SUBDIVISION SUBMITTALS
197 Stow Road, LDS
Historical Preservation
On a motion by Mr. Fay, seconded by Mr. Coveney it was duly voted:
To waive the reading into record.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Historical Commission, has reviewed the draft preservation restriction agreement and support documentation submitted on behalf of the owners by Attorney Sandra Austin.
On a motion by Mr. Fay, seconded by Mr. Coveney, it was duly voted:
To accept and file correspondence.
DEFINITIVE SUBDIVISION SUBMISSIONS
SCENIC ROADS
SIGNS
Mobile Emergency Signs
The Board has concerns over the use of the Emergency Signs being used by non-municipal venders. Ms. Fenby made several points known:
· Event signage is not approved under the current sign ordinance and no variance was requested;
· Location of changing message board for non-emergency events with a major roadway set and unfortunate precedent;
· Driver visual fatigue with diminished arousal/attentiveness will set in if such signage continues, causing the usefulness of these emergency notification systems to wane.
The Board Members would like to further discuss this at the next Planning Board meeting.
Political Signs
The Board is still concerned about the public’s safety in the abundance and overuse of political signs during campaign season. There were several instances with signs to large, to cumbersome and public safety was ignored in some cases. Mr. Fay will draft some additions to the current ordinance with the help of Ms. Hughes and Councilor Elect Richard Jenkins.
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 Mr. Johnson, seconded by Ms. Hughes, it was duly voted:
To adjourn at 7:55 p.m.
A TRUE COPY
ATTEST: _____________________________
Colleen Hughes, Clerk
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