Technical Review Subcommittee
of the Newton Planning Board
Minutes of Meeting
September 12, 2005
In attendance:
Kim Pettit, Jim Doggett - NPB
Norman Harding - Chmn., BOS, Ex-Officio
Bill Ingalls - Chief, Newton FD
Eric Weinrieb - Altus Eng.
Jill Robinson - Sr. Planner, RPC
Discussion:
Bob Breault, PM for 125 Development, delivered plans and a letter (both dated 9/7/05) at 3:30PM, just as the attendees were assembling. It was decided by the members of the TRC that, because of their lateness and a lack of sufficient review time for all in attendance, the new plans would not be reviewed at this meeting. Copies are being distributed to the Town engineer and planner, along with department heads, for their review. The discussion of some items did prompt a cursory review of the 9/7/05 letter from Woodland.
The meeting was opened with a discussion of the non-compliance notice sent by Altus to the applicant on June 3, 2005 after a site walk with the Planning Board. The TRC recommends that the Planning Board require 125 Development to resolve the issues documented in that non-compliance notice without further delay, and that the Board not schedule additional public hearings on this project until those issues are resolved to the satisfaction of Altus and the Board.
Discussion then turned to Weinrieb’s and Robinson’s initial review and comments.
It was noted that test pits were being dug on 9/12/05, so the septic design will be forthcoming.
In addition to Altus’ 8/18/05 plan comments and RPC’s 8/29/05 and 9/8/05 plan comments, the TRC would like to call the following issues to the Planning Board’s attention:
TRC.1 Because the development of the industrial park is being phased, the applicant should be required to show not only the existing abutting well and septic locations, but also the proposed well and septic locations for the abutting projects which may be in various stages of development and construction.
TRC.2 The Planning Board has received a draft minimum scope of work for the hydrogeologic study (Truslow, undated). This letter should be copied to the Applicant by the Board’s AA if it has not already been done.
TRC.3 In lieu of asking for paved Fire Department access around the full perimeter of the building, Chief Ingalls indicated that the rear paved access was sufficient but that the front lot, at approximately 250’ in length need a second driveway cut in order to drive a fire engine through and around. NFPA 1, the Uniform Fire Code, states in part at 18.2.2.5.4 that “Dead-end fire department access roads in excess of 150 ft. (46m) in length shall be provided with approved provisions for the turning around of fire apparatus.” The TRC recommends that this 2nd driveway/curb cut be aligned with the Puzzle Factory’s driveway across the street.
TRC.4 The Applicant should speak directly with Chief Ingalls to secure the Chief’s approval of proposed fire protection.
TRC.5 Because the applicant cannot state, at this time, what the proposed use or uses for the building will be, the TRC recommends that the Board require a compliance hearing or hearings for the building’s use or uses when the information becomes available and before any certificates of occupancy are issued.
TRC.6 The TRC recommends that the Planning Board require the applicant to submit both a baseline and occupancy sound study; although the project site is undeveloped at present, there is some current level of ambient noise at the property lines which should be documented. The hydro study has been referenced above at TRC.2, and the TRC further recommends that a traffic study be required.
Other TRC business:
Meetings:
The TRC has established a proposed meeting schedule for the rest of 2005; these dates and times should be confirmed by the Board’s AA with department heads and entered into the Newton Planning Board Schedule 2005.
P/H Date 10/11/05 - TRC Date 10/3/05, 3PM in the Planning Board Office
P/H Date 11/08/05 - TRC Date 10/31/05, 3PM in the Planning Board Office
P/H Date 12/13/05 - TRC Date 12/5/05, 3PM in the Planning Board Office
As the TRC wishes to encourage the attendance of the department heads, their comments regarding dates, times & distribution of plans would be much appreciated.
Procedures:
The TRC suggests that the Board schedule time at its next work session to discuss certain office procedures to be implemented by the Board and its AA, including deadlines for the filing of documentation and plans, distribution of documents to consultants and department heads, etc.
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