MINUTES OF THE PLANNING BOARD MEETING
MAY 12, 2010
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Lawrence Salate, Patrick McKeon, Karen Paré, Vincent Vignaly
MEMBERS ABSENT: Patricia Halpin
OTHERS PRESENT: Jonathan Rezuke, Vickie Rezuke, Bob Rezuke
PRESENTATION OF INFORMATION ON SCENIC RAILROAD
Mr. Jonathan Rezuke, a student at Shrewsbury High School, attended the meeting in order to report to the Planning Board on information he has gathered concerning the possibility of running a scenic railroad through West Boylston. He envisioned a trip that would start at Union Station in Worcester and continue through West Boylston to Ayer, round-trip. Passengers could choose to disembark in town, possibly with bicycles and ride on the Wachusett Greenways rail trail. The Providence and Worcester Railway Co. uses these tracks, the main line of which are owned by Pan Am Railway. Providence and Worcester operates a scenic train to the zoo in Rhode Island, with six passenger cars and one observation car.
Railroads are making a comeback, Mr. Rezuke reported. The President wants to renovate lines nationally. A scenic ride through West Boylston will bring revenue to the town, while passengers enjoy the views of the reservoir and the Old Stone Church. Providence and Worcester employees would be hired to run the trains. Mr. Vignaly stated that he believes there would be some interest in this idea, but asked Mr. Rezuke if he had spoken with anyone at Providence and Worcester. There needs to be a “contact person” at the railroad. Mr. Rezuke replied that this is the “next step”. Ms. Paré added that the government is concerned with promoting commuter lines at this time. There are possibilities for a station behind the town barn or on Temple Street. A dinner train is
another possibility. The runs can be made on the weekends and holidays, Mr. Vignaly suggested.
Minutes of the Planning Board Meeting 2.
May 12, 2010
SIGN CERTIFICATE OF SPECIAL PERMIT AND SITE PLAN APPROVAL: STAR TOWER
After a brief discussion, members of the Board signed the Certificate of Special Permit and Site Plan Approval for Star Tower, which was drafted by Ms. Paré.
DISCUSSION OF WARRANT FOR ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
It was determined following a discussion, that there are no Articles in the Warrant on which the Planning Board needs to take a position.
CLUSTER ZONING
Mr. Vignaly prepared and submitted to the Board for discussion, a draft proposal for a Cluster Zoning Bylaw, to be presented at Town Meeting in October. Ms. Paré queried how Cluster Zoning could apply to a condominium development. Under Incentive Zoning, a developer is allowed to increase density if more affordable units are included, so most condominium developments would come under the Incentive Zoning Bylaw. Mr. Vignaly stated that he would still like to amend the Incentive Bylaw to focus on condominium associations. In discussing “Definitions”, it was decided to put the requirement for the amount of open space into the “Standards” section and under Standards 1) to add “unless granted a Special Permit under Incentive Zoning”. In the “Procedures” section, a
Housing Partnership review will be deleted. Mr. Salate stated that there will be a state referendum to repeal Chapter 40B and queried how this Bylaw will allow for such change. Mr. Vignaly will amend this draft, including a requirement for 50% open space and will look again at the Incentive Zoning Bylaw in light of the discussion tonight. A discussion of the “Accessory Apartments” bylaw will be scheduled for next meeting.
REPORTS FROM OTHER BOARDS
ZBA: A public hearing will be held on May 20, 2010 on the request for a Variance by Hanioti Properties to construct a standing sign and a wall sign, not in conformance with the Zoning Bylaws. Mr. Vignaly will write a letter to the ZBA on behalf of the Planning Board stating opposition to this application.
Open Space: Mr. Vignaly reported that there is a new member of the Open Space who is interested in the issue of sidewalk construction and repair and the use of Chapter 90 funds. This committee recommends that sidewalks be constructed/repaired within 2 miles of the schools and are interested in gaining information on the “Sidewalk Plan” for the town.
On June 14th, a meeting of regional open space boards is in the process of being coordinated by members of West Boylston’s Open Space Committee. Mr. Vignaly stated that he is in the process of preparing a request to the Community Preservation Committee for $140,000 for the purchase of 5.4 acres of land on Lee Street, next to the town wells.
Minutes of the Planning Board Meeting 3.
May 12, 2010
The Water District will contribute $20,000 towards the purchase price. The Greater Worcester Land Trust has an option to purchase the land.
Housing Partnership/Affordable Housing Trust Joint Meeting: Mr. McKeon attended this meeting as a member of the Housing Partnership on May 3rd. The Affordable Housing Trust could not vote to approve the Minutes of their last meeting on 9/24/08, due to a lack of a quorum. Mr. Gaumond updated the attendees on the West Boylston, Sterling and Boylston Cooperative Housing Strategy project. Mr. Gaumond applied for and received a grant to pay CMRPC to do a “SWAT” analysis for the three towns, preceded by an online survey. Information was distributed on the Town of Easton, where an Affordable Housing Trust Action Plan was created and on Sudbury, where a Community Housing Specialist position was created and funded through CPA funds.
It was agreed that merging the Housing Partnership and the Affordable Housing Trust would make sense. The Trust could then approach the CPC to get funding to hire a part-time housing specialist. Finally, Mr. Gaumond informed the group that he had received the first $10,000 check from Afra Terrace for the Housing Trust account.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS/COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
Upon motion of Ms. Paré and second of Mr. Vignaly, it was unanimously voted to elect the following slate of officers for the coming year:
Chair: Mr. Vignaly
Vice Chair: Mr. McKeon
Treasurer: Mr. Salate
Clerk: Ms. Paré
Committee assignments were decided as follows:
Economic Development: Mr. McKeon
CMRPC: Mr. McKeon
Townwide Planning: Ms. Paré
Open Space: Mr. Vignaly (until September)
Housing Partnership: Ms. Halpin
Earth Removal: Mr. Salate
Reports on Minutes from other boards:
Conservation Commission: Mr. McKeon
ZBA: Mr. Salate
Board of Health: Mr. Salate
Board of Selectmen: Ms. Paré
Minutes of the Planning Board Meeting 4.
May 12, 2010
MINUTES/BILLS
An invoice was submitted and approved for payment to VHB for engineering review fees. Minutes of the April 28, 2010 Continued Public Hearing for 16 Woodland Street Application for Site Plan Review were approved as amended following a motion by Mr. McKeon, seconded by Mr. Vignaly. Upon motion of Ms. Paré and second of Mr. McKeon, it was unanimously voted to approve as amended the Minutes of the April 28, 2010 Continued Public Hearing for Star Tower Application for Special Permit and Site Plan Review. Upon motion of Mr. Vignaly and second of Ms. Paré, it was unanimously voted to approve as amended the Minutes of the April 29, 2010 Meeting of the Planning Board.
At 9:40 p.m., upon motion of Ms. Paré and second of Mr. Vignaly, it was unanimously voted to adjourn.
Date Accepted:_____________ By:________________________
Karen Paré
Submitted By:_______________________
Susan Abramson
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