MINUTES OF THE PLANNING BOARD MEETING
NOVEMBER 12, 2008
MEMBERS PRESENT: Karen Paré, Lawrence Salate, Vincent Vignaly
MEMBERS ABSENT: Patricia Halpin, John Baker
OTHERS PRESENT: Wayne Amico, Kevin Hardiman, Richard Pauley, Ray Deliti, Ron Thunberg
In the absence of Ms. Halpin, Mr. Salate acted as Chair of the meeting.
PRELIMINARY SUBDIVISION REVIEW: KENNEWAY: FAIRBANKS STREET
Mr. Kevin Hardiman from David Ross Associates, represented the Kenneways at the meeting. He presented revised plans, addressing issues raised in VHB’s engineering review letter which was submitted to the Planning Board on October 17th. Mr. Hardiman also presented a letter, dated November 11, 2008, in response to comments raised by VHB. The first item for discussion was the request for a waiver for the length of the road, which is 1,000 feet from the pavement of Fairbanks Street to the dead end at the cul-de-sac. Subdivision regulations state that the road cannot be longer than 750’. The nine lots on the plan include two on which houses are already built: one belonging to the owners and one belonging to their daughter. There will be eight new homes constructed with no
change to the configuration of the daughter’s lot. Parcel B is a non-buildable buffer and is a part of the subdivision. There are two stormwater management areas and two replication areas adjacent to the wetlands crossing.
Ms. Paré asked that details be provided for the right-of-way and Mr. Hardiman explained that it provides access to the owner of the property to the rear of the development. Mr. Vignaly noted that it is difficult to get permission to access property over a wetland. There are four fire hydrants along the 1,000’ road, including one at the cul-de-sac, with 450’ being the maximum distance between them. Fire Chief Pauley stated that 500’ between hydrants is a reasonable distance.
Mr. Amico noted that the revised letter from the applicant was received this evening and has not been reviewed. He inquired whether there is anything in the VHB letter that Mr. Hardiman was not able to address. Mr. Hardiman responded that the question of requiring
sprinkler systems in the homes is the only thorny issue. He stated that there are more than enough hydrants on the road. The cost of the installation of the sprinklers could be prohibitive to the potential homeowners and could cause problems with insurance coverage. Sprinklers have been known to malfunction and flood homes. Ms. Paré stated that since issues with water pressure are not yet known, she would like to table the discussion of sprinklers until more information is available from the Water Department. She questioned whether the Planning Board can legally require anything to be installed inside a building.
Chief Pauley stated that requirements in Massachusetts for sprinklers in single family residences are still “uncharted territory”. The Chief’s concerns are with reduced daytime coverage in his department and the location of the development, which is quite a distance from the fire station. The cost of installing a sprinkler system in a home generally runs 1 – 1-1/2% of the cost to build a home. Insurance is not increased as a result of this installation. Newer systems only release water in the room where the fire is located. There is less water damage than used to occur with these systems. Chief Pauley stated that the requirement for these systems should not be a “deal breaker” as far as approving the development is concerned. Mr. Vignaly stated that, because
the applicant is requesting a waiver of the road length, the Board could justify requiring sprinkler systems. There is no concern about roadway width and the ability of fire trucks to turn around in the development. Chief Pauley submitted printed articles to the Board about residential sprinkler systems.
The lots have not yet been perked, Mr. Hardiman stated, but soil tests have been done. Measurements for sight distance will be completed when the definitive plan is submitted. Mr. Vignaly encouraged him to get these figures because, if the distance is short, road improvements could be built into the cost of the development. At its steepest point, the roadway grade in the development is 6%. Reducing curbs and considering swales, part of low impact development, will be considered. Mr. Vignaly stated that Regulations allow the Board to waive the curb requirement.
The wetland crossing is 125’ when extended out, Mr. Hardiman stated. Mr. Vignaly stated that culverts must be in compliance and basins must be maintained by the homeowners. Land on Parcel A may be put into a Conservation Restriction (Ch. 61B), to be maintained by the Kenneways.
Upon motion of Mr. Vignaly and second of Ms. Paré, it was unanimously voted to approve the Kenneway Preliminary Subdivision Plan, with the conditions listed in VHB’s review to be addressed in full upon submission of the Definitive Plan. Ms. Paré suggested that mylars of the revised Preliminary Plan be submitted for signature at the December meeting of the Board.
ANR: MAROLD: VALLEY FORGE DRIVE
Mr. Ron Thunberg from Hub Survey submitted ANR Plans on behalf of Christine and Mary Marold for property on Valley Forge Circle. He also submitted Form(s) A, a mylar and the requisite filing fee. Mr. Vignaly noted that all lots created were more than 40,000 sf and had frontages in excess of 120’. Mr. Deliti, a neighbor to the lots, expressed his concern about whether wetlands will be impacted with any building. Upon motion of Ms. Paré and second of Mr. Vignaly, it was unanimously voted to sign the ANR Plan, under the requirements of Ch. 40A.
OLDE CENTURY FARM: REQUEST FOR BOND REDUCTION
By letter dated November 6, 2008, Mr. Jeff Perkins requested that the Planning Board reduce the Tri Party Agreement to the minimum required by the town. The Agreement currently amounts to $47,000. Upon motion of Ms. Paré and second of Mr. Vignaly, it was unanimously voted to reduce the Tri Party Agreement for Olde Century Farm to 10% of the original amount of the Bond. Mr. Amico will advise the Board of the correct amount..
OLD BUSINESS:
Ernie’s Car Wash: Mr. Amico reported that there have been no calls for VHB to inspect activity at the construction site of Ernie’s Car Wash. Ms. Paré expressed concern about the installation of the underground drainage structures, but Mr. Amico stated that he believes one of his inspector’s witnessed that installation. He does not believe that the area is ready to pave. Mr. Vignaly communicated with Mr. Pallotta and gave him a timeline for inspections and the submissions required to complete the project.
Hillside Village: No report from the Condo Association’s engineer has been received. The Bond will not be released until the drainage issues are settled.
Angel Brook: VHB conducted an inspection on October 15th and everything seems to be in order.
Omnipoint: The Equipment Removal Bond was sent today to the Planning Board as an attachment to an email. It seems to be adequate. The original Approval and Certificate of No Appeal will be forwarded to Omnipoint’s attorney upon receipt of the original Bond.
REPORTS FROM OTHER BOARDS
CMRPC will hold a Regional Mobility Study meeting on Wednesday night, November 19th. Mr. Salate will try to attend this meeting.
MINUTES/BILLS: Invoices were approved for payment to VHB, Kopleman & Paige and a refund of the balance of the review fee to Goodell Development (Olde Century Farm). Upon motion of Ms. Paré and second of Mr. Vignaly, it was unanimously voted to approve as written the Minutes of the October 22, 2008 Meeting of the Planning Board.
Date Accepted:_____________ By:____________________________
Karen Paré, Clerk
Submitted By:______________________
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