MINUTES OF THE PLANNING BOARD MEETING
JUNE 25, 2008
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Patricia Halpin, John Baker, Lawrence Salate, Vincent Vignaly
MEMBERS ABSENT: Karen Paré
OTHERS PRESENT: Sylvia Brown, Elise Wellington, Roger Wellington, Jeff Berthiaume
OLD BUSINESS
Hillside Village: Mr. Salate was on site June 22nd during and following a heavy rain storm and made a report as to current drainage conditions. A tree was down near the pipes. The elevation of the water was the same in the 12” and 6” pipe and it dissipated after passing the rip-rap. The matter of the drainage will be discussed by the Board after receipt of the Hillside Village Condo Association’s engineer’s report which Mr. Thibeault believes will be ready within the next month.
Olde Century Farm: Ms. Halpin contacted Mr. Perkins in order to advise him that all documents for road acceptance at Town Meeting in October need to be received by the Planning Board by August 1st. Mr. Perkins reported that issues with the Water Department have been settled but there are “communication problems” with the DPW. There was a problem with sewer backup at one of the residences. At the request of Mr. Westerling, the repairs were witnessed by Weston & Sampson, who billed $1,200 for their services, which Mr. Perkins is being required to pay. Mr. Perkins, in turn, is attempting to get these funds from his engineer, whose design plan caused the problem.
Lawrence Street Cell Tower: Mr. Salate attended the June 23rd meeting of the Water District Commissioners. Plans for the reconstruction of the access road were presented and were supposedly sent to Mr. Amico at VHB, although he reports that he has not as yet received them. There is concern, Mr. Salate reported, that the velocity of the flow will be too quick so the plan channels the flow onto DCR property. Ms. Halpin stated that she left two messages with Mr. Scannell at DCR, alerting him to the fact that a plan was being submitted to him and his expedited review would be appreciated. The Water Department would like to gather all engineers together at the site to review the plans. Mr. Vignaly will contact the Water Department to get a copy of the plan and make sure that one is
transmitted to Mr. Amico.
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June 25, 2008
REPORTS FROM OTHER BOARDS
ZBA: The ZBA granted a Variance to Omnipoint to allow them to extend the height of the cell tower on Lawrence Street. Ms. Halpin will follow up with them to make sure they are aware that they still have to file for a Special Permit and Site Plan Review with the Planning Board. Mr. Vignaly reported that the ZBA is considering a petition for a Variance to allow a kitchen to be built in the basement of a house at 407 Lancaster Street, but this is not a request for an in-law apartment.
Open Space: Mr. Vignaly requested that the Planning Board review the revised Open Space Plan, which is posted on the town’s website, especially sections 1, 4 and 9. At the July 9th meeting, the Planning Board will vote whether to send a letter of support for the Plan to the Board of Selectmen. When the Plan is sent to Boston for review, it must be accompanied by letters of support from the Planning Board, Board of Selectmen and CMRPC.
18 MALDEN STREET: DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED SUBDIVISION
Mr. Jeffrey Berthiaume attended the meeting on behalf of the Eberts, who own two parcels of land comprising approximately 14 acres off 18 Malden Street. The Ebert home is located 225’ down a driveway on Malden Street. Mr. Berthiaume asked for input from the Planning Board on the scope of the project, however, he did not have a plan to submit for their comments. A plot plan and deed information were submitted. At this point, 12-15 house lots are being considered. Mr. Baker stated that the Planning Board needs to see at the least an engineer’s conceptual layout first. The Planning Board cannot and should not advise without a plan. An engineer should create a plan, balancing the legal rights of the homeowners with the rights of the town and neighbors. Mr. Berthiaume asked how the Board
feels about a subdivision and again they hesitated to voice an opinion. Mr. Vignaly did say that the homeowners could consider a low-impact development with five or six larger homes. He recommended employing someone with design experience and weighing the question of several small vs fewer large lots. The owner is not a developer, Mr. Berthiaume stated, but the project is still “five to seven years down the road”. The owner does not want to “stuff” lots, he stated. Mr. Vignaly advised the owners to discuss the process with the developer of Olde Century Farm on Goodale Street in order to gain an understanding of the scope of the undertaking.
Mr. Roger Wellington, 66 Malden Street, questioned why abutters were not notified about this meeting. Mr. Vignaly explained that this was an informal discussion and all abutters will be notified when the public hearing is held for this project. Mr. Baker suggested that the Eberts and their representatives should meet with all the neighbors during the planning process. Mr. Wellington then questioned the amount of frontage on Newton Street and added that the land at the back of his property did not perc. He suggested that perc tests be done before proceeding any further. Mr. Berthiaume stated that the sewer comes within 100’ of the driveway on Malden Street and Mr. Vignaly strongly urged him to check with the
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DPW. If the land is not within the sewer “area” then he might be prevented from extending the sewer line. The sewer lines were not, he added, designed to handle additional lots. Ms. Wellington stated that the Eberts had petitioned the MDC (DCR) to extend the sewer line onto Newton Street, but they were turned down.
Mr. Berthiaume stated that they will talk with the neighbors but their intention is to subdivide the land. Ms. Halpin stated that everyone has different opinions as to how they prefer to see the land divided and she suggested that cul-de-sacs be considered. She added that the neighbors would probably prefer larger lots. Ms. Halpin inquired whether the Eberts had pursued perhaps donating the land to the West Boylston Land Trust but Mr. Berthiaume stated that is not their intention. Mr. Baker stressed that development is a long and trying process involving many town and state departments and asked that they be sure before starting that they have the fortitude to go through with it. Mr. Vignaly stated that, if a portion of the property doesn’t perc, they may want to consider a donation of that portion as a
donation for income tax purposes. The lot could then work as something other than a house lot.
NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Salate expressed his concern about the large amount of trash that has accumulated in the detention pond next to the Post Office. There used to be an O&M Plan for that basin, Mr. Vignaly stated. Mr. Salate will contact the Building Inspector and ask that he look into the issue.
Mr. Gaumond has sent information to various boards, asking for their comments on the creation of a town “Naming Committee”. This committee would be a “recommending committee”.
MINUTES/BILLS
Invoices were approved for payment to VHB for engineering services and to Kopelman & Paige for their assistance during the road acceptance process (which latter costs were borne by the applicants). Upon motion of Mr. Vignaly and second of Mr. Salate, it was unanimously voted to approve as amended the Minutes of the Continued Public Hearing of June 11, 2008 for Metro/PCS and to approve as written the Minutes of the June 11, 2008 Planning Board Meeting.
Date Accepted:____________ By:________________________
Karen Paré, Clerk
Submitted By:_____________________
Susan Abramson
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