MINUTES OF THE PLANNING BOARD MEETING
JUNE 24, 2009
MEMBERS PRESENT: Patricia Halpin, Patrick McKeon, Karen Paré, Vincent Vignaly
MEMBERS ABSENT: Lawrence Salate
OTHERS PRESENT: Patrick Healy, Andrew Surabian
SURABIAN REALTY: VOTE TO APPROVE SITE PLAN
Ms. Halpin, Vice Chair, conducted the meeting in the absence of the Chair, Mr. Salate. Mr. Patrick Healy, engineer for the applicant, addressed the Planning Board in response to issues raised by Mr. Amico of VHB in his final review of the project. Mr. Healy stated that he used the wrong ground water elevation when he designed the pump for Test Pit #2 and Pond #12, so the figures for ground water and infiltration were not correct. He has changed the elevation and used the same footprint in order to correct the figures. He did not submit the data for this computation, but stated that the Planning Board could include a condition of approval that it be submitted. Mr. Vignaly stated that he was hesitant to include another condition and pointed out that the public hearing was closed and new information could not be
accepted. He suggested that Mr. Healy submit the revised data to VHB and show evidence of acceptance from VHB on this issue prior to the next meeting. He should also include the data on the final set of plans. Mr. Healy asserted that changes to the plan are not needed, but he will document the changes for VHB.
Mr. Vignaly and Mr. Salate had drafted and presented to the Board a proposed Certificate of Approval, which Mr. Vignaly stated would be amended to delete condition #12 (concerning the discrepancy between the groundwater elevations) since Mr. Healy has agreed to submit that documentation to VHB. Mr. Vignaly stated that he only included in the draft the requests for four waivers. The Board received a lighting plan, so the request to waive the requirement to show the location and type of all existing on-site lighting was not included. This request will now be put back onto the list of waivers because the lighting plan that was submitted did not include all existing lighting on the site. Ms. Paré stated that requested waiver #6 is not necessary because walkways and pedestrian paths are on the plan. The
requested waiver to allow the pipe design flows to be less than 3 feet was also
Minutes of the Planning Board Meeting 2.
June 24, 2009
not included on the draft Approval, Mr. Vignaly stated, because he could not find this requirement in the Zoning Bylaws. Mr. Healy stated that this requirement was in the Subdivision Regulations. Upon motion of Ms. Paré and second of Mr. McKeon, it was voted, three ayes, to approve the following requested waivers: (Ms. Halpin abstained from voting).
- 3.6-D.1.a) The site plans be drawn at a scale of 1’ = 20’.
- 3.6-D.1.g) The plans shall show existing streets and driveways within 200 feet of the site.
- 3.6-D.1.i) The plans shall show existing structures within 200-feet of the site.
- 3.6-D.1.r) The plans shall show the location and type of all existing on-site lighting.
- 3.6-E.6) The site shall provide interior landscaping covering not less than five percent of the total area of the parking area, and there shall be placed one shade tree for every 10 parking spaces.
Upon motion of Mr. McKeon and second of Mr. Vignaly, it was voted, three ayes, to issue a Certificate of Site Plan Approval for Surabian Realty, with the stipulation that the engineering document concerning Condition #12 (discrepancy between groundwater elevations) be approved by VHB prior to the signing of the Approval. Ms. Halpin abstained from voting.
TRANSPORATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM: FOLLOW-UP
Mr. Vignaly reported that he had a conversation with Mr. Gaumond about the town’s involvement with the TIP program but apparently the town has done nothing about pursuing involvement in the process. The TIP involves big projects, such as that proposed in the Master Plan to beautify Route 12. The town needs to get support from CMRPC to start the process of being included. The scope of the project is such that there must be fully engineered plans before the Federal government will pick up the costs. Ms. Halpin suggested that this is something which should be pursued by the Economic Development Task Force. Mr. Vignaly agreed to compose a letter to the Economic Development Task Force, the Board of Selectmen, the Town Wide Planning Committee and the Transportation Committee alerting them to the opportunity for
the town to receive some Federal funding.
REPORT FROM FEMA ON FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP
Mr. Vignaly reported that he met with Mr. Brodeur, the Building Inspector, and gave him some input and concerns of the Planning Board after reviewing the Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map prepared by FEMA. No modifications have been made for the town.
REPORTS FROM OTHER BOARDS
2009 Planning Law Review - American Planning Association, sponsored by CMRPC, was attended by Ms. Paré. Issues discussed involved climate change, emissions and green development and their impact on state and federal laws. There is a “RLUPA”
Minutes of the Planning Board Meeting 3.
June 24, 2009
(Religious Land Uses and Prisons Act) in Congress which may require some change in the law at the state level. Ms. Paré will obtain further information on this from the website or CMRPC. Mr. Vignaly noted that Massachusetts is already ahead of many other states with its updated stormwater standards.
Earth Removal Board met recently, Mr. Vignaly reported, and gave its annual approval to Mr. Mercurio for his gravel pit operation on Raymond Huntington Highway.
Community Preservation Commission is working with Dr. Tashjian, who is seeking money for fencing (his wild ponies) on his land off Lee Street. He is working with the DCR and the Department of Agriculture under the Agricultural Preservation Restriction Act so that after he gets a clean bill of health on his ponies, he can get an Agricultural Restriction on his land and keep it forever in an agricultural pursuit. The town will be required to contribute matching funds (from the CPC). Ms. Halpin noted that, with the presence of the reservoir in town, as worthy as a project may be, it is difficult to persuade people to spend more money on open space.
MINUTES/BILLS
An invoice was approved for payment to VHB for engineering review services. Upon motion of Ms. Paré and second of Mr. McKeon, it was unanimously voted to approve as amended the Minutes of the Continued Public Hearing held on June 10, 2009 for Surabian Realty. Upon motion of Mr. McKeon and second of Mr. Vignaly, it was unanimously voted to approve as amended the Minutes of the June 10, 2009 Meeting of the Planning Board. At 8:45 p.m., upon motion of Mr. Vignaly and second of Mr. McKeon, it was unanimously voted to adjourn.
Date Accepted:_____________ By:_____________________________
Karen Paré, Clerk
Submitted By:_______________________
Susan Abramson
| 
