MINUTES OF THE PLANNING BOARD MEETING
HELD OCTOBER 14, 2009
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Lawrence Salate, Patricia Halpin, Patrick McKeon, Vincent Vignaly
MEMBERS ABSENT: Karen Paré
OTHERS PRESENT: None
DISCUSSION OF WARRANT FOR TOWN MEETING OCTOBER 19, 2009
Discussion of the Warrant for Town Meeting centered upon Article III, Amendment to the General Bylaws, and specifically, Section 3. “Private Street Repairs”. Mr. Vignaly questioned why the town is making repairs to any private roads, when it is the responsibility of the abutters of these roads to do so. Especially since positions have been lost at the DPW, the town doesn’t have the time to be doing this work on behalf of the abutters. One of the reasons for Subdivision Regulations is to require that roads be built to town standards, Mr. Vignaly stated. Mr. McKeon stated that it has been the practice of the town to help maintain older roads, however, Mr. Vignaly pointed out that this is like giving a no- interest loan to abutters. Charging owners a betterment fee equates to allowing owners to
use the town’s money for the repairs with a very long pay back time. The roads were not constructed to town standards, consequently, these private roads will deteriorate faster. Furthermore, Ms. Halpin stated that she found the language to be unclear as to who does the labor. The Board concurred that language under Section 3. D. should read….”The cost of all repairs to a private way shall be the responsibility of the abutters of said private way.” The list of private ways also seems to be missing some streets, such as Buttercup Lane. There is a question as to whether it is in the town’s best interest to be repairing private roads.
In Section 4. “Curb Cut Permits”, Mr. Vignaly questioned how this permit differs from the Driveway Permit policy already in current law. He also questioned why, in Section 5. “Regulations”, there is a need for these additional regulations. Mr. McKeon suggested that a requirement should be that if a private way needs improvements, it must be required to bring that road up to town standards for a public way. Mr. Vignaly suggested that the Board communicate with the Board of Selectmen and the Building Inspector and ask that the Planning Board be consulted about subdivision roads. Why make strict road requirements for new developers when older roads are being repaired by the town. Mr.
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Vignaly and Ms. Halpin will draft a letter to be sent concerning the issues raised in tonight’s discussion.
REVISED MASTER PLAN: MEETING WITH TOWN WIDE PLANNING COMMITTEE (“TWPC”)
Mr. Salate and Mr. Vignaly will follow-up with Mr. Fishbein for information on the financial model he discussed at the meeting. Mr. McKeon stated that there will be a roundtable with the Board of Selectmen, Economic Development Task Force and representatives of the Planning Board on either the 9th or 16th of November, at which the discussion will include ideas for new locations for businesses in town.
DERRAH: 192 GOODALE STREET: LETTER OF INPUT TO BOARD OF SELECTMEN
A draft letter was prepared by Mr. Vignaly and Mr. Salate to be sent to the Board of Selectmen, giving them input, at their request, on Mr. Derrah’s request that the town construct a new section of curbing at the existing curb opening between lots 1 and 2 in the Olde Century Farm Subdivision and to construct a new curb opening for lots 1 and 2. After discussion and minor revisions to the draft, it was agreed that Mr. Salate would sign on behalf of the Planning Board and distribute copies to the Selectmen as well as the DPW and the Building Inspector.
REVIEW OF REVISED INSPECTION LETTER AND FEE SCHEDULE
A draft revised Fee Schedule was presented for review by the Board, which Mr. Vignaly and Mr. Amico had worked on in order to clarify construction inspection requirements, their frequency, and the fees. This information will better prepare and inform developers. A problem has been that developers have not notified the Board’s inspecting engineer in a timely fashion, and this has resulted in problems and increased costs. Notes on this revision will emphasize that communication between the developer and engineer must be clear and timely. A public hearing was set for November 18, 2009 to allow the public to give input on these revisions. Since the Board is only scheduled to meet once during the month of November, the meeting that was scheduled for November 11th was cancelled, because it is Veteran’s Day, and a meeting will instead be held on November 18th.
OLD BUSINESS
Housing Production Plan (“HPP”): A document entitled HPP “Requirements, Considerations and Information Request” was received from CMRPC. A question under the “Considerations” section, asks, “What is your community context?” Mr. Vignaly suggested that members think about this question and discuss their responses at the next meeting of the Board. Ms. Halpin queried whether the first Master Plan is still valid and whether people still wish to have controlled density and appropriately sited development. Mr. Vignaly stated that the emphasis still seems to be to maintain the character of the town
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and to have a balance of residential and business areas. The “Incentive Bylaws” will be the course for the future. Ms. Halpin stated that the Board of Selectmen needs to get on board and provide money for our own LIP projects. Mr. Vignaly questioned whether this is the responsibility of the Housing Partnership. Ms. Halpin stated that the town needs to establish a monitoring agency. Mr. McKeon researched Afra Terrace and discovered that the “Delphic Association” is conducting Afra’s lottery, as well as those of other developers. Mr. McKeon suggested that the Board ask them for information. The organizations that conduct the lotteries must be approved by the DHCD. Mr. Salate queried whether one group could represent the town. The question is, who compiles the
information?, Mr. Vignaly stated. Whoever does the lottery should be sending the town a report, Ms. Halpin stated.
The information about what is allowed under current zoning can be found on the town’s website. Under the “Information Needed” section, it was determined that the town does not have a “Community Development Plan”, but it is something that needs to be worked on. A “Housing Needs Assessment” needs to be done every year. Whether this has happened is a question for Mr. Gaumond. Under Section 4., “development constraints” should include the Watershed Protection Act. The “summary of housing development projects” should include the CCRC’s as well as other housing developments. Information for Sections 7. and 8. can be found on the website. Mr. McKeon will contact Sue Meola and Maryellen Schellin , two local realtors, who can provide realistic
information on the area housing markets.
REPORTS FROM OTHER BOARDS
Economic Development Task Force:
Mr. McKeon reported that the proposed roundtable was discussed at the last meeting. Ms. Halpin asked what the focus of this roundtable will be and suggested that the Board could respond in writing to some of the topics. The topics will include attracting new business to town, as well as improvements to Route 12. Mr. Salate noted that improvements have been made to state Route 140 by the state department of transportation and he questioned why West Boylston is the only town not to have received any improvements. Mr. Vignaly shared with the Board the contents of a document which gives information on traffic generation and the installation of signal lights that he thought would be helpful if the corner of Franklin Street and West Boylston Street is developed. The “volume standard” must be computed from
usage data on both roads taken from 1, 4 and 8 hours in order to determine whether a signal light is necessary.
MINUTES/BILLS
An invoice from VHB for engineering services was approved for payment. Upon motion of Ms. Halpin and second of Mr. Vignaly, it was unanimously voted to accept, as amended,
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the Minutes of the September 23, 2009 Planning Board Meeting. At 9:30 p.m., upon motion of Mr. McKeon and second of Ms. Halpin, it was unanimously voted to adjourn.
Date Accepted:____________ By:_________________________
Karen Paré, Clerk
Submitted By:_______________________
Susan Abramson
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