Salem Planning Board
Minutes of Meeting
January 17, 2008
A regular meeting of the Salem Planning Board was held on Thursday, January 17, 2008, at 7:00 p.m. in Room 312, Third Floor, at 120 Washington Street, Salem, Massachusetts.
Those present were: Charles Puleo (Chair), Walter Power, Nadine Hanscom, Pam Lombardini, John Moustakis, Gene Collins, Tim Ready, Tim Kavanaugh. Also present were: Amy Lash, Staff Planner and Stacey Dupuis, Clerk.
Absent: Christine Sullivan.
Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the December 20th meeting were reviewed.
Recommendations of Walter Power: Page 1- In the last paragraph after ‘Faye, Spofford & Thorndike’ add “the City’s Peer Review Engineer”; Page 2- Second to last paragraph add Chuck Puleo’s last name and Steve Casazza’s last name. Page 4 at the top, after ‘city website’ add “after final approval”.
Recommendations of Gene Collins: Page 5, Change meeting to “meets” and then after ‘Lynn asked Matt’ add “if”.
Recommendations of Chuck Puleo: On page 5, fourth paragraph, the off site spaces will be “provided at” 76 Lafayette St.
Walter Power commented on Salem News project and the fact that the building goes around the corner and many don’t like the idea of how that may look, so he suggested a bay window there to soften the look. Nadine Hanscom asked if the Board members would be able to see the final plan. Amy said yes and that she would let the Planning Board know when the project is reviewed by the Design Review Board.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter, a motion was made by Walter Power to accept the minutes with the changes discussed, seconded by Nadine Hanscom and approved (8-0).
The minutes of the January 3rd meeting were reviewed.
Recommendations of Walter Power: Page 2 third paragraph should read “provide commercial type fence minimum 4 ft. high”. Same place, at “go all the way down” change to “goes to first market stall”. Same paragraph, after ‘inquired about the fence’ add “at parking lot entrance”. Page 3, remove second paragraph as it was already discussed. Page 3 after “all parties involved” add “to solve problems between contractor and commercial business people”.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter, a motion was made by Walter Power to accept the minutes with the changes, seconded by Pam Lombardini and approved (7-0) (no John Moustakis).
Continued: Public Hearing Definitive Subdivision and Cluster Residential Development Special Permit- Chapel Hill LLC, Clark Avenue (Map 8, Lots 6, 7, 8)- Attorney Jack Keilty
Attorney Jack Keilty said there was a site visit and although there was snow, Chris Mello, surveyed and was able to stake out the Clark Ave & Clark St layout. Attorney Keilty would like to move forward with an approval without a waiver which would result in the removal of 3 to 4 trees near the Tran’s (21 Clark Ave) property line. After that process they would check with the Fire Department and ask for an amendment if necessary. Attorney Keilty said that as you exit the subdivision, he thinks very few people would be taking a left, so the radius would be fine for the right side.
Attorney Keilty said they met with Dave Knowlton, City Engineer, to review the issue of I&I and that they are in agreement with a condition that would require them participate in fixing the situation. The pumping station does not work properly so Dave Knowlton came up with a couple of options: 1) rebuild the pumping station 2) study where there is inappropriate infiltration and inflow and fix it. They have chose the second option.
With respect to the intersection of Clark Ave. and Clark St., they submitted a plan to Dave Knowlton for his review. Chris Mello said they propose to build 4 catch basins at the intersection of Clark Ave and Clark St., build a new drain line and manhole that would flow to a set of double catch basins. Those will have an outflow that will eventually go to the wetlands. They would heat patch a trench for that then pave approximately 50 ft. in each direction. After Dave Knowlton reviewed the plan, they discussed the placement of a particular manhole; they need to do tests to find the best place for it. Dave Knowlton also asked that instead of having the drain go into a catch basin, could they go behind it and build a manhole. Chris Mello said if there’s room there, they would build a manhole for the
two catch basins. Dave Knowlton asked for full grind of paving: 225 ft. on Clark Ave., 420 ft. on Clark St., 375 ft. towards Highland Ave. Attorney Keilty said they don’t completely agree on this extent. Chuck Puleo asked if they would be repairing or replacing pipes that go out to Highland Ave and Chris Mello said that this is something that the consultant may or may not recommend after inspecting the manholes and pipes.
Attorney Keilty said there was a recommendation from their own traffic consultant for restriping and signage that they have agreed to. In regards to the issue of the rock, Attorney Keilty said they want nothing to do with it. It’s been allowed to stay there and they don’t believe it impedes the sight distance. Dave Knowlton suggested that Steve Casazza of FS&T should look at rock and address the situation. As far as the entry issue, which would affect the Tran’s property at 21 Clark Ave., Attorney Keilty wants to leave that to the Planning Board.
Chuck Puleo asked if they have any idea what the total cost of paving would be. Attorney Keilty said that his figure is $170,000, which is the total for manhole, drains, catch basins and paving as compared to Mr. Knowlton’s figure of $340,000. John Moustakis asked who would maintain the drainage system that they will install. Attorney Keilty said they would install the system and the City would maintain it.
Walter Power asked if they are proposing to take the hot top up to where the catch basins will be installed. Chris Mello said the hot top would start at the intersection of Clark Ave. and Clark St. and go 50 ft. in each direction, and that it would be a binder coat and topcoat. The distance from Clark Ave. & Clark St. to the catch basins is about 175 ft. Walter Power commented that that area would be under a lot of stress. Attorney Keilty and Chris Mello feel that this paving is sufficient to allow drainage as opposed to the footage that Dave Knowlton would like paved. Chuck Puleo asked if they will be making changes in existing grades and Chris Mello said no, the pitch of the road would pretty much stay the way it is.
Walter Power suggested that Amy Lash keep a list of issues for this project that need to be resolved and Amy said she already has a list in progress. In regards to the rock, Walter Power said that it’s halfway in the right of way and when you come down the road, there will be a blind spot. He feels it will be a problem; it’s unfair to leave the rock. Amy Lash said Steve Casazza, a contractor and maybe someone from the DPW will be making a site visit next Wednesday to look at the rock to determine whether it needs to be removed.
Councillor Jean Pelletier (Ward 3) said he talked with City Engineer Dave Knowlton about the paving. Councillor Pelletier doesn’t agree with the 50 ft. in each direction for the amount of stress in that area. Regarding the rock, he spoke with the City Attorney who said (in a letter) that according to the survey, stakes and photograph the rock is both on City land and private property. If this is the case, then the Planning Board should require the developer to either work with the resident at 1 Clark Ave. to remove the rock or pay the cost to the City to have the City move the rock. Councillor Pelletier had a contractor at the site to assess the situation and he gave a price of $2500 to drill and break the rock. There is a fence at the residence where the rock is and Councillor Pelletier said part of the fence
might have to be removed as well. John Moustakis said the rock should have been taken care of before this and since it wasn’t, we should take this opportunity to take care of it now.
Gene Collins said a previous issue at Thomas Circle was similar in that people built on City land, and he recalls that the Planning Board let the people keep their property lines. In this scenario, the road meets the criteria for length, width, etc. so why would we move their property lines. John Moustakis said there have been instances in the past where they did take the property back. Pam Lombardini suggested they table this issue until they get something in writing.
The meeting was opened to the public.
Sandra Tran (21 Clark Ave) asked if the trees on her property line would be removed. Chuck Puleo explained that they need to build the road to the regulations, and may have to remove the trees in order to do so. It was suggested that the developer might be able to transplant trees. Mrs. Tran is concerned that there’s a potential for headlights to shine into her house. Attorney Keilty said that they have agreed to put in something to help block the lights. Chuck Puleo said they have discussed a 2 ft. wall and a 4 ft. fence on top to block the lights. Walter Power suggested a stone wall of varying heights starting at the corner, going up the hill and then becoming more of a drop off. Then, place a decorative type fence (slat or picket) on top of that wall, and residents could plant some
arborvitaes on their property next to the wall if they desire. Mrs. Tran said she prefers a fence for privacy. Attorney Keilty explained that the house closest to hers would actually be higher than hers; they would be able to see her roof (and not inside the house).
Ellen Rogato (13 Clark Ave) asked what type of fence would be put in, as chain link aluminum is not very attractive. Walter Power suggested a commercial type fence, preferably wooden or vinyl. Since Mrs. Rogato’s property abuts the walking trail, she feels this type of fence that Walter suggested would look better than the aluminum. Chris Mello said they could make the fence 6 feet in height. Nadine Hanscom asked if they could bring in a photo to the next meeting of what the fence will look and Attorney Keilty said yes.
David Colpitts (18 Clark Ave) said the walking trail currently shows two entrances, one on the existing Clark Ave. and one on the proposed Clark Ave. He is requesting to have just one entrance on the new proposed Clark Ave (and close the existing entrance on Clark Ave) so that cars won’t be parked at that area. Chuck Puleo pointed out that if they did that, the trail would be just 100 ft shorter. Mrs. Tran (31 Clark Ave) disagrees with changing the entrance for the walking area because then all traffic would be near her house. Gene Collins asked if there would be dedicated parking for the walking trail. Chuck Puleo doesn’t believe so since it’s a City street.
Sara Hammond, Attorney, representing David Colpitts, had list of recommendations from David Colpitts in a memo she read aloud. As requested by Pam Lombardini, she will forward the memo she read from to the Planning Board members.
Relative to the walls in the backyards of homes at the cliff, Walter Power asked what the walls would be made of. Chris Mello said they would use footings and then rock. Walter Power suggested that for the walls on the cliff, there should be a chain link fence to deter kids from climbing the wall. Lastly, Walter suggested that there be walls at any houses set at street level to prevent vehicles from coming through. Chris Mello said there wouldn’t be any houses at that area.
David Colpitts (18 Clark Ave) asked if there would be a fire pole box in the subdivision. Attorney Keilty said yes there will be but the Fire Department will determine where it will go.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter, a motion was made by Gene Collins to continue the Public Hearing to February 7, 2008, seconded by Pam Lombardini and approved (8-0).
Old/New Business
· Chuck Puleo mentioned that the next Design Review Board meeting for the former Salem News building is coming up, Amy will let the Board members know when.
· Chuck Puleo mentioned the need to do Planning Board elections again. Christine Sullivan will not be taking part in Chapel Hill so she will likely not be at the next meeting and John Moustakis will be away for the month of February. Amy will schedule elections next time a full Board is expected.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Planning Board this evening, a motion was made by Gene Collins to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Nadine Hanscom and approved (8-0).
The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by:
Stacey Dupuis, Clerk
Salem Planning Board
| 
