MINUTES OF THE PLANNING BOARD MEETING
FEBRUARY 11, 2009
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairperson Patricia Halpin, John Baker, Karen Paré, Lawrence Salate, Vincent Vignaly
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
OTHERS PRESENT: Wayne Amico, Jim Valeriani, Brad White, Jason Flanagan, George Evsiou, Christopher Chen, Patrick McKeon, Stan Szczurko, John McGillicuddy, John Wilson
VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS: VOTE TO APPROVE SITE PLAN AND SPECIAL PERMIT
Upon motion of Ms. Paré and second of Mr. Salate, it was unanimously voted, four ayes (Mr. Vignaly asked to be recused) to approve the Special Permit and Site Plan Review Application of Verizon Communications for a collocation on the communications tower on Beaman Street, with the following conditions:
- The Planning Board receives a bond in the amount of $10,000 from Verizon for the removal of their equipment;
- The Planning Board receives a bond from TowerCo Assets for the dismantling of the tower (if necessary) in the amount of $25,000; and
- Before receiving a Building Permit, Verizon ensures that the DPW and the Water Department resolve the drainage issues with the access road.
DISCUSSION RE WIND TURBINES AT WATER DEPARTMENT SITES
Water District Commissioners, John Wilson and Stan Szczurko, attended the meeting in order to discuss the possibility of installing wind turbines on property owned by the Water Department on two sites of high elevation in town. Mr. Brad White, Director of the Municipal Lighting Plant (“WBMLP”), also attended the meeting. Mr. Wilson stated that the Commissioners discussed the use of public works money from the government for the creation of a renewable energy source due to the Water Department’s high power costs. Mr. Wilson queried what the roadblocks would be in town to such a project, in addition to extensive testing and the erection of a test tower for two years.
Minutes of the Planning Board Meeting 2.
February 11, 2009
Mr. White stated that the testing had to ensure a production of 1-1/2 megawatts in order for banks to consider financing. The best locations in town are atop “hospital hill” and on Malden Hill (DCR land). The Light Co. did receive a permit from the ZBA for a two-year period to collect wind data, but it would have been necessary to take down an extensive amount of trees just for the test tower, so the project did not go ahead. Only the WBMLP is permitted to sell electricity in town, so any excess power generated by a possible Water Dept. wind farm could not be sold to any other entity except WBMLP and the Water Department can only purchase power from the WBMLP.
Ms. Halpin noted that there is no wind turbine bylaw currently in the Zoning Bylaws and queried whether anyone has any ideas on how to structure such a bylaw. The maximum height currently allowed for a structure in town is 35’. Mr. Vignaly stated that, if the use (erection of a wind turbine) is not specifically allowed under zoning at the present, then it is not an allowable use. Mr. Wilson stated that Princeton has a good bylaw, which permits towers on municipal property or property leased to the municipality. There are currently two sites in Princeton, at a cost of $4-1/2 – 6 million that are at a height of 260’. Mr. Szczurko stated that regulations are needed. He distributed an information packet which he had researched to help create a bylaw. Mr. White stated that Templeton, Hull and
Ipswich have bylaws. Mr. Christopher Chen from WPI stated that the location in Hull is within the area of the high school and near the road. Mr. White added that GE has strict guidelines on where a turbine can be located if purchased from GE. In addition to throwing ice, there are noise factors to be considered. Mr. Szczurko stated that the DEP has concerns as well about proper placement of a wind turbine.
Mr. Vignaly suggested that it would be good to do some research, download Princeton’s (and other towns bylaws) and “re-group” for the meeting on March 11th, however, Ms. Halpin suggested that the matter be discussed on February 25th, with the thought that the bylaw could be ready to be placed on the Warrant for the May Town Meeting. Mr. White stated that the WBMLP intends to go ahead with its solar panel project, and is proceeding with permitting with the Building Inspector. Mr. Vignaly queried whether the Planning Board should consider a “green energy” bill that is not limited just to wind turbines, but can apply to any other “new energy” projects. Mr. White stated that other photovoltaic projects have limited practical placement on residential
buildings.
Ms. Halpin will contact Mr. Gaumond to ascertain the deadline for filing articles for the Town Meeting and the Planning Board will work on developing a bylaw at its next meeting. A public hearing will then have to be scheduled. The town receives less than 1 megawatt of power from the Berkshire wind farm, Mr. White stated. Ms. Paré will download Princeton’s bylaw and get URL’s for the articles supplied by Mr. Szczurko. Mr. Amico commented that we really don’t have the right climate in New England for wind turbines to be effective. Open spaces and plenty of wind, such as are found in the Midwest, are the preferred locations, where there is also less population.
Minutes of the Planning Board Meeting 3.
February 11, 2009
INSPECTION REPORTS
Angell Brook: A plan has been received for the installation of the perimeter fence at Angell Brook, with two catalog cuts, Mr. Amico reported. The fence looks similar to those installed along highways. Mr. Vignaly inquired whether any landscaping is delineated on the plan. Ms. Halpin will email Mr. Staiti, indicating that the Board has received the plan but would like a sketch of the trees or shrubs to be planted. All these additions will need to be shown on the as-built plan.
Hillside Village: Hillside Village Condo Association’s engineering report on the drainage of the detention basins has been received and indicates that basin #2 is not infiltrating within the timed period (i.e. within 72 hours of a rainfall event). Mr. Amico queried whether this engineer was supplied with all the necessary data from Mr. Staiti in order to reach this conclusion. He stated that Keystone’s engineer should be discussing this data with the Condo Association’s engineer and the Planning Board should be uninvolved. Ms. Paré questioned why the Planning Board should believe that the basin is functioning as designed. Mr. Vignaly stated that the basin was renovated. In the spring, it will be necessary to see if the basin is draining, but for now, with the snow cover and
frozen ground, it is not feasible. Mr. Vignaly agreed to monitor the basin (#2) in the spring and email Mr. Staiti that the Planning Board has received a copy of the engineer’s report. Ms. Paré stated that, before the Planning Board releases the bond, it is necessary to be certain that basin #2 drains in 72 hours.
SIGN CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION FOR ERNIE’S CAR WASH
The draft Certificate of Completion for Ernie’s Car Wash that was prepared by Ms. Halpin, was signed as presented.
SIGN CERTIFICATE EXTENDING WORCESTER CORP. CENTER’S APPROVAL
The draft Certificate of Completion extending for three years the subdivision approval for Worcester Corporate Center, prepared and submitted by Ms. Halpin, was signed as presented.
CENTURY FARMS: SIGN FORM K
One Form K was submitted by Mr. Perkins for the signature and notarization of the Planning Board. This Form reduces the bond on the site to $25,000. The Form K was signed and will be given to the Town Treasurer. Mr. Perkins was supposed to have submitted two of these original Forms so that he could have one to file with the Registry. He did not. Instead, a copy will be mailed to him.
Minutes of the Planning Board Meeting 4.
February 11, 2009
DISCUSSION OF SUGGESTIONS FOR SWOT MEETING (OF THE TOWNWIDE PLANNING COMMITTEE)
Ms. Halpin presented ideas she had for discussion at the SWOT Meeting to be held on Feb. 28th. Strengths of the town include up-to-date bylaws and good working relations among town departments. Threats include people in town who are unwilling to give their time for public service, being vulnerable to Chapter 40B projects and a lack of attendance at public hearings. Communication in town needs to be improved. There is a lack of understanding on how zoning works (site plan review) to protect the life of the community. Ms. Paré acknowledge Ms. Halpin’s ideas and will incorporate them in her input for the meeting.
F/Y 10 BUDGET WORKSHEETS
The Town Administrator has requested that budget worksheets be submitted for F/Y10, showing an across-the-board 10% reduction as well as a level-funded budget. Since the Planning Board receives only the minimal amount of $4,500 for “Salaries and Wages”, this process will be a simple one. Ms. Abramson will prepare and submit the paperwork.
DISCUSSION OF ROAD ACCEPTANCE PROCEDURES
Drafts of a policy for road acceptance procedures were submitted by Ms. Paré, Mr. Vignaly and Ms. Halpin. Remaining issues to be decided, Ms. Paré stated, include whether metes and bounds should be included in the Warrant Article and whether a public hearing is necessary when accepting a road layout, or can it be done during a regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen. The Town Clerk would like the metes and bounds to be included in the Warrant, so that in years ahead, there is no confusion about a street’s date of acceptance and location. Town Counsel prefers that metes and bounds not be included in the Warrant Article because, if there is an error in the description, it will be voted into law. Town Counsel also advises that a public hearing is required for the road layout only if there is to be
a land taking. A further discussion ensued of the draft policy. Mr. Vignaly agreed to incorporate the comments into a final draft and forward it to the Board of Selectmen and the Town Administrator for their input.
REPORT FROM OTHER BOARDS
Housing Partnership has resumed meeting. The Open Space Committee opposes the proposal to swap land on Prospect Street for land along the rail trail. Mr. Vignaly hopes to complete the Open Space Plan within a few weeks. Funding sources are now being required to be stipulated in the Plan. The Assessor will no longer be providing zoning maps and has indicated that it is the responsibility of the Planning Board. Since the Planning Board has no resources for this project, Mr. Vignaly agreed to print them out himself.
Minutes of the Planning Board Meeting 5.
February 11, 2009
MINUTES/BILLS
A bill for engineering services from VHB was presented for payment. Upon motion of Mr. Vignaly and second of Mr. Salate, it was unanimously voted to accept as written the Minutes of the January 14, 2009 Planning Board Meeting. At 10:15 p.m., upon motion of Mr. Vignaly and second of Ms. Paré, it was unanimously voted to adjourn.
Date Accepted:____________ By:____________________________
Karen Paré, Clerk
Submitted By:_______________________
Susan Abramson
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