************************************************************
TAUNTON PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
CITY HALL, TAUNTON, MA 02780
**************************************************************
DATE: September 1, 2011 PAGE NO: 1
BOARD MEMBERS: 1. Daniel Dermody, Chrmn.
2. Bob Campbell 5. Arthur Lopes
3. Manuel Spencer 6. Alan Medeiros
4. Tony Abreau
ADVISORS:
7. Kevin Scanlon, City Planner
- Mark Slusarz,, City Engineer
Roll Call: Dermody, Lopes, Spencer, Abreau, Medeiros, present. Meeting opens at 5:30 PM.
Campbell present at 5:34 M
Chairman Dermody stated that the Board meets today with heavy hearts with the passing of Planning Board member Richard Faulkner last month.
The Board had a moment of silence in memory of Mr. Faulkner.
Chairman Dermody asked the board’s wishes on filling the vacancy from the passing of Mr. Faulkner. Chairman Dermody stated he has contacted the next individual in line for position but hasn’t heard from him. Chairman Dermody suggested out of respect for Mr. Faulkner not filling the vacancy.
Tony made motion to table motion and take under advisement, to fill vacancy, seconded by Manny. All in favor.
Manny made motion to approve minutes of July 21, 2011 seconded by Arthur. All in favor.
Arthur made motion to revert out of the regular order of business and go to new business seconded by Dick. All in favor.
Tony made motion revert out of the regular order of business, seconded by Arthur. All in favor.
Sabbatia Landing Condos- Requesting an update from owner.
Letter from owner, Carlos Melo, was read into the record by the Secretary. Bruce McDonald, 1601 B ay Street, Unit 501 representing homeowners. He passed out letter outlining the concerns of the residents. He stated the management company is only responsible for the 2 buildings and not the entire site. Mr. Melo stated in his letter that he spoke with the Management company and asked if they would take care of entrance. Their major concerns were the overgrown brush, open foundations of which animals have been found in. They have semi-circular driveway and he was almost hit the other day. The brush need to be cut and the place looks desserted. There is illegal dumping of washer, dryers, rubbish and has vandalism (stealing sewer gates) which has been replaced will
less quality ones. There is no maintenance and there are open foundation and open holes around sewer gates. They have drive-thrus of which attracts the less desirables. The top coat was never done. Tony asks at a minimum can we make him put gate in? Arthur suggesting lighting too. Bob stated we could have the building department take a swing by and see if the building permits issued are still active? If the Building department determines they are abandoned and unsafe they maybe they will do something. Manny stated that’s it’s a” broken window theory” . Beverly Allard, 1601 Bay St. Unit 505 and Helen Rudolph, stated they met with Mr. Melo and have gotten no help. They hired a management company on their own to try and get some results. Basically Mr. Melo said if you want gate pay for it yourselves. Alan suggested looking at condo documents to see if there is any time-frame on
which things need to be done. He suggests referring to Bldg. Dept. for safety reasons and see if they can determine if the permit have been abandoned, how long SP is good for? The Board suggested referring residents concerns to Wayne Walkden, Bldge. Dept., and CC: TMLP and B.O.H. and get answers in writing for next meeting. Also send letter to Mr. Melo requesting his presence or a representative to October meeting.
Ashleigh Estates II – Request for release of Lot 51 & 52 (holding $68,000 and 10 lots) Kenneth Perry.
Arthur made motion to invite petitioner into the enclosure, seconded by Tony.
Kenneth Perry was invited into the enclosure. He stated he’s looking for release of 2 lots. Things have been slow but he has buyer for both lots. The secretary stated in 2005 the Board released 2 lots with no additional surety being required. We are holding $68,000 and 10 lots. City Engineer had no comment.
Bob made motion to release lots 51 & 52 with no additional surety being held. All in favor.
Public Hearing – Repetitive Petition – 30 Waverly St. – to allow new petitioner to go back to ZBA for change of use from Light manufacturing to service use (HVAC business) previous denial was for dance studio.
Roll Call: Spencer, Campbell, Lopes, Abreau, Medeiros, and Dermody present. Hearing opens at 6:07 PM
The Secretary read letters from the City Planner, B.O.H., Water Dept. which were placed on file.
Bob made motion to invite petitioner into enclosure. Seconded by Mann. All in favor.
Vincent Boccalini, Angelo Boccolini, and Adam Boccalino were invited into the enclosure. They are proposing to purchased 30 Waverly Street and move their HVAC business from Canton to this location. Mr. Vincent Boccalino stated their business in low impact and will be a welcoming addition to the neighborhood. Their hours of operation are Monday – Friday – 6:00 AM – 5:00 PM with 25 employees of which 6-8 will be in the office on site. There will be little vehicular traffic and this is a family owned business. The current owner, Donald Proudman was invited into the enclosure. He stated this was the former Copy Master and prior to that Hodgman.. Occasionally there will be a tractor trailer perhaps 1-2 times a week but it’s usually a box truck and a UPS may be
twice a week. They try and send all their trucks to Bridgewater. It was asked about weekend and they stated no weekends. Bob asked about 6:00 AM and if they will be loading? Bob stated the Board’s jurisdiction is to determine if the prior use, dance studio, is different from this use. Manny asked if Copy Masters was fully operational and Mr. Proudman answers yes. They have 16 parking spaces for the office staff. Mr. Proudman stated it’s currently vacant for about 1 year. He stated he sold business to the people in the building. Chairman Dermody asked if they would be doing any renovations? They answered no, there is a little office and the rest warehouse and it’s in good shape. Arthur asked if the vehicles would be registered in Taunton and they answered yes.
Manny made motion to open public input, seconded by Arthur. All in favor. No one appearing in favor or against. Mr. Marjorie Neville, 33 Waverly had some questions. She was concerned with noise and fabrication will cause cancer? Angelo Boccolini stated that they currently don’t manufacture and the machine cuts the metal which doesn’t cause cancer, there are no chemical used. He stated the biggest concern is mornings and the delivery trucks and loading at night. They will try their best to be as quiet as possible but most of their work is estimating, servicing and office staff. At some point in the future they wish to add manufacturing but there is no worry about cancer. He stated that there are machines bending metal which is safe. Arthur
stated they just roll the metals and he agreed. Bob asked about OSHEA and they answers yes they are subject to their rules. Manny asked where Mr. Neville lived and she answered diagonally across the street.
Arthur made motion to close public input, seconded by Alan. All in favor.
Bob made motion find that the proposed use (HVAC) is different than what was previous denied by ZBA (dance studio) and allow petitioner to go back to ZBA. Seconded by Arthur. Hearing closes at 6:26 PM.
Cont’d. Special Permit – 228 Berkley St. – 24 unit condo development – submitted by Oscar Squared Inc., Richard Feodoroff. Need to send recommendation to Council.
Alan Medeiros excused. Marc Tisdelle, P.E. and Richard Feodoroff was invited into the meeting. New letters from the B.O.H., City Planner, Conservation Commission, Fire Dept. and Water were read into the record by the Secretary. Bob stated the street has been falling apart and he was suggesting overlaying the intersection. East Water Street has been repaved within the last 15 years, Plain Street within the last 5 years and nothing has been done with the intersection. He estimated the overlay to be about $18,000. Marc Tisdelle stated they are requesting a Special Permit from the Council for more than 4 units in the Urban Residential District. They have 4.5 acres with no wetlands, the property is undeveloped. They are proposing 24 condo units serviced by water & sewer and they
are proposing 6 unit per acres and the ordinance allows for 12 units per acre. They have 9% lot coverage and the ordinance allows 25%. The landscaping is all set and they have met DEP requirements regarding the stormwater management. They are providing 48 parking spaces and another 25 visitor parking. The entrance is 24 feet wide which can accommodate fire apparatus and the site distance is 300 feet. They have conducted traffic counts and there will be a 2% increase during peak hours after development of the site. They are showing a 10 x 20 dumpster. Marc stated they have addressed the department comments. The City Planner recommending moving the dumpster and adding a recreation area on the plans. Arthur asked if they did a truck traffic study? Marc answers no. It was stated there is a lot of traffic on this road with the gravel pit. Tony asked how many bedrooms? Mr. Feodoroff answers 2 bedrooms, the units will be less
than 1,200 square feet. Tony asked about the sewer flow? Marc answers the sewer flow will be 4,500 gallons per day from this development. Tony stated the City will want a sewer study done. Marc stated the drainage is based on 100 year storm per DEP. Manny’s concerns were the sewer impact and the safety of fire trucks being able to get in and out. He stated it’s like DeWert Ave. in that the fire unit can pull in but not out and there will be damage done. Marc stated the grades determine the layout of the site. Chairman Dermody asked if the land in back is restricted? Mr. Feodoroff stated yes he agreed to not develop land in back. Tony asked about what if there is fire when it snows? Bob asked if he has talked to abutter Mr. Fisher about the big retaining wall? The grading of the site prevents looping for emergency vehicles. Marc stated the best point for the entrance is
at the high point of the roadway. Manny stated there is an existing problem out there and this will cause more problems. Tony talked to Mr. Fisher and he stated he’s willing to talk to Mr. Feodoroff. Bob asked if they could document the site distance and if possible put other entrance on other end. Mr. Feodoroff informed the Board this is scheduled for a public hearing with the Municipal Council on Tuesday. He doesn’t know if he’s within the timeframe.
Manny made motion to send a negative recommendation to the Council, seconded by Tony. On Discussion: The reasons for a negative recommendation is due to fire safety, impact to sewer system, drainage, impact on schools and no second entrance. Bob stated the City Planner’s wanted the mailboxes moved and he agrees. But he doesn’t see any pedestrian access and there should be. After some more discussion Mr. Feodoroff stated he would ask for a continuance and talk to Mr. Fisher and asks the board for a continuance to adjust plans.
Manny rescinds his previous motion, seconded by Tony.
Motion made and seconded to grant continuance until next month. All in favor. Mr. Feodoroff indicated he will make some improvements to the plans. He would like a positive recommendation from the Board.
Meeting adjourned at 7:15 PM.
| 
