The regularly scheduled meeting of the Millbury Planning Board was held on Monday, February 13, 2012 at 7:00 p.m., in the Municipal Office Building, 127 Elm Street, Millbury, MA. Chairman Richard Gosselin presided.
Present: Gary Schold, Anna Lewandowski, Richard Gosselin, Paul Piktelis, Associate Member Micheal Georges, Jeff Markarian (arrives at 7:10 p.m.)
Minutes
Motion by Anna Lewandowski, seconded by Paul Piktelis, to approve the minutes of December 12, 2011, motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Anna Lewandowski, seconded by Paul Piktelis, to approve the minutes of January 9, 2012, motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Anna Lewandowski, seconded by Paul Piktelis, to approve the minutes of January 23, 2012, motion carried unanimously.
Jeff Markarian arrives at 7:10 p.m.
7:10 p.m. 29 McGrath Road, Public Hearing, con’t
Scott Fenton, Esquire, was present on behalf of Stantec –solar farm project. He addressed questions the Board had from the last meeting. He referred to letters from Bob Corning, dated February 9, 2012, and from the Millbury Fire Chief Matt Belsito dated February 13, 2012. Stantec agreed to provide training to fire personnel. Discussion followed regarding potential for fires on site.
Mr. Markarian read letter dated January 31, 2012 from Joanne Aube, itemizing some ideas for the Board’s consideration.
Mr. Gosselin expressed concern with two lines on one pole, and loss of power should the pole come down. Chris O’Neil, engineer on behalf of Stantec, explained the upgrades that National Grid would complete, and distributed information to the Board.
Mr. Piktelis asked if this project would be subsidized by the government, and was told that at present there was a 10 year program period in place.
Mrs. Lewandowski stated that she went to Westborough to visit an existing solar site, a smaller project than this one.
Chairman Gosselin opened the meeting to the public.
Attorney Roger Leland, representing the Lee family which abuts the site, asked for a larger buffer zone than the 75 feet on the plan, he would like at least 100 feet, asked that the cost for the poles and infrastructure, etc. and their maintenance be the responsibility of the developer or National Grid, not the abutters, and if a cul-de-sac is proposed, that it be held to the same standards as what is require for subdivisions, as there is potential to tie into this road in the future.
Steven Strong, speaking on behalf of the applicant, addressed Chief Belsito’s concerns. This is a 20 million dollar project, it has a centralized call center in Worcester, no fire protection system is on site, there will be fire extinguishers in the building, training and any special equipment necessary will be provided to the fire department. Mr. Belsito was still concerned with ETA of the responsible party and would they be qualified to de-energize the facility. Mr. Abalo stated that all sites are remotely monitored, emergency personnel will have keys to the gate. The area is de-energized at night, and cannot be shut off remotely.
Motion by Jeffrey Markarian, seconded by Gary Schold, to close the public hearing. Motion carried unanimously.
8:10 p.m. 3 Colton Road – Sprint Minor Modification to Wireless Communications Facility
Marty Cohen reviewed the requested modifications to the site. This is a network vision project, an upgrade to new technology. Antennae will be replaced but no additional antennae will be added. There will be one additional cabinet on the ground, within the fenced area, and remote radio heads will be added. Cable will be upgraded.
428 Greenwood Street – Sprint Minor Modification to Wireless Communications Facility
The same type of improvements will be made at this location.
Mr. Cohen asked for a continuation of this discussion so that he may submit modified plans for both towers. The Board continued the discussion to Monday, February 27, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.
Chairman Gosselin declared a five minute recess.
8:30 p.m. 71/73A McCracken Road – Hampton Street Baptist Church Public Hearing, con’t
Clerk Schold read letter from Fire Chief Belsito requesting a 30,000 gallon cistern, and installation of smoke and heat detectors. He also read letter from Eileen Reed, 86 McCracken Road, asking the Board to address drainage issues.
John Grenier, applicant’s engineer, reviewed the proposed improvements to Dwinell Road. He will ask the Fire Chief if the existing pond would be an adequate alternative to the cistern.
Mrs. Lewandowski asked if any thought was given to the use of the remaining land, which has potential for a recreational area.
Mr. Gosselin has concerns with drainage under the driveway and the pitch of the road. He wants to see a cross-section of Dwinell Road and controlled drainage to the pond. He also asked that cement caps be poured and that blocks be put back where they belong while the applicant has their machinery on site. Mr. Schold stated that a catch basin to stop debris/oil from McCracken Road is necessary.
Mr. Grenier advised that they are going to appear before the Conservation Commission on Wednesday. Comments received today from Tighe & Bond will be discussed at the next meeting.
Chairman Gosselin opened the meeting to the public.
Matthew Ashmankis stated that he is very familiar with this property, there are three brooks there, abutting the property and the pond. This is the last true native trout brook and in the back of the property are wetlands - it is important to protect this. The pond is 8 feet deep.
Motion by Gary Schold, seconded by Jeffrey Markarian, to continue the public hearing to Monday, February 27, 2012, at 8:45 p.m., motion carried unanimously.
9:10 p.m. Discussion/Decision 29 McGrath Road
The Board reviewed the proposed conditions, including those which would address fire suppression, potential toxic fumes and related issues.
Motion by Gary Schold, seconded by Jeffrey Markarian, to grant a site plan review permit and stormwater management permit, with conditions a – dd, as shown on plan entitled “Mass PV4, LLC, Solar Farm, Site Plan Review” dated November 16, 2011, last revised on February 8, 2012, prepared by Whitman & Bingham Assoc., LLC, 510 Mechanic Street, Leominster, MA”, and in the bound document entitled “Stormwater Management Report”, prepared by Stantec Planning & Landscape Architecture, 141 Portland Street, Boston, MA 02114, dated November 16, 2011, with the following waivers:
- Section 12.44(a) requirement to submit site plan at a scale of l” = 20’ site plan shown at scale of 1” = 40’
- Section 12.44(c ) requirement to submit an isometric line drawing of the project
- Section 12.45 (0) requirement to provide concrete curbs and gutters around the perimeter of all driveways and parking areas, and install granite curbs in front of sidewalks abutting buildings
Motion carried unanimously.
Gary Schold read statement to be added as “Exhibit D”, certifying that he has examined all evidence from the January 23, 2012 meeting that he missed.
Executive Session
Member Jeffrey Markarian stepped down, citing a conflict of interest.
Motion by Anna Lewandowski, seconded by Paul Piktelis, to enter into executive session for the purpose of discussing pending litigation and to return to open meeting only for the purpose of adjournment. Motion carried on unanimous roll call vote.
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn by Paul Piktelis, seconded by Gary Schold, motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 10:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan M. Dean
ATTEST:
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