MINUTES OF THE PLANNING BOARD MEETING
OCTOBER 24, 2011
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Patrick McKeon, Marc Frieden, Karen Paré, Vincent Vignaly, Lawrence Salate
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
OTHERS PRESENT: Michael Kane
All documents referenced in these Minutes are stored and available for public inspection in the Planning Board office, 127 Hartwell Street
FURTHER DISCUSSION OF SEWER CAPACITY: DRAFT LETTER
Mr. Vignaly submitted for review a draft letter to be submitted to the Board of Selectmen/Sewer Commissioners with questions on sewer capacity. The Planning Board is concerned with lots that have changed their use since the original sewer plan was accepted, affecting remaining capacity. Certain Zoning Bylaw changes allow for more intense use of the land. Finally, lots being developed differently than originally assumed (such as the Franklin Street housing project) greatly impact sewer capacity. If a potentially large project is proposed for the town (such as a hotel), will there be enough sewer capacity to handle the increased flow? Mr. Salate cited the proposed expansion of WalMart and the potential for a greater use of sewer capacity if a food court and large grocery section is planned. Mr. Vignaly suggested
that, as part of their expansion, WalMart might be asked to do a sewer assessment to prove that there is enough capacity for their expansion. Mr. McKeon will send the letter to Mr. Gaumond.
FURTHER DISCUSSION: 1.5% LAND CALCULATION AND SHI HOUSING
Mr. Vignaly presented for discussion and input, the results of his calculations of the percentage of land area of SHI housing eligible housing in the town comprising more than 1.5% of the total available land area. To date, there appears to be 49.9 acres of total SHI Land Area, with the 1.5% threshold being 55.4 acres. Mr. Vignaly noted that approximately
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five more acres of additional SHI land is needed. On an attachment, Mr. Vignaly broke down the total acreage comprising town-owned parcels and those under DCR Water Supply Protection, which was computed using the MASS GIS data. This total is 4,628.8 acres. Ms. Paré will pull the records to confirm the total number of acres owned by DCR. Figures for the Village at Oakdale need to be removed from the SHI properties, dropping the total number of SHI acres closer to 47. Concerning the Afra Terrace affordable units, Ms. Paré noted that the percentage of common land on the deeds that are owned by each unit will decrease as more units are built. She estimated that the total percentage of common land for affordable units will stay at about 25%. Nine affordable units have been built. Ms.
Paré also noted that there has been preliminary discussion that the proposed Chapter 40B project (Village at Oakdale) may be scrapped and the property liquidated. Mr. Vignaly stated that the information he has gathered on the 1.5% land calculation will be put into the Housing Production Plan and given to Mr. Gaumond to be added to his current list of SHI units.
FURTHER DISCUSSION OF AS-BUILT PLANS: FOLLOW-UP LETTERS
This discussion was tabled.
STAR TOWER: REMOVAL BOND – AMERICAN TOWER
The communications tower constructed by Star Tower at 290 Century Drive was sold to American Towers LLC. American Towers submitted to the Planning Board a “Tower/Structure Removal Bond” in the amount of $25,000 to replace the bond previously supplied by Star Tower. The Planning Board reviewed the American Tower bond and found that it was acceptable. It will be turned over to town Treasurer, Ms. Yasick, for recording and safe-keeping.
REPORTS FROM OTHER BOARDS
Town-Wide Planning Committee (“TWPC”): Ms. Paré reported that the TWPC will review in December the census figures from the American Communities Data. The aim of the TWPC is to bring the Amended Master Plan to the October, 2012 Town Meeting. The chapter on Open Space is being edited.
Economic Development Task Force: Mr. McKeon reported that the first “Welcome to West Boylston” sign has been completed. Additional signs, made by students at Assabet Vocational School, will be sponsored by various businesses in town for a period of three months each. The businesses will be chosen by a raffle, Mr. McKeon stated. The committee is still hoping to qualify the town as an Economic Target area. It will probably qualify due to its unemployment figures. Further discussion included plans to encourage people who use the rail trail to come into town and visit local restaurants and stores. A three-sided kiosk might be erected with information on local services. Ms. Paré mentioned the site of a drilling company in Oakdale as a potential area for a seasonal
commercial
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venture. She added that there is now an Economic Development website with information that is found on the EDTF’s brochure.
ZBA: Notice arrived today that the ZBA will hold a public hearing on the application for a Variance for the construction of a covered front porch in the setback at 10 Evergreen Avenue. Mr. Vignaly will draft a letter to be sent to the ZBA stating that the applicant has not met the burden of proving a hardship in order to be granted a Variance.
OTHER TOPICS NOT REASONABLY ANTICIPATED BY THE CHAIR 48 HOURS BEFORE THE MEETING
A copy of the “Chapter Land Report for West Boylston”, was prepared by the Town Administrator and distributed to the Planning Board.
Notice was received that there is a position opening in the Town for an “Administrative Assistant to the Town Accountant”.
PAYMENT OF INVOICES/REVIEW OF MINUTES OF OCTOBER 12, 2011
An invoice was approved for payment to VHB for engineering review services. Upon motion of Mr. Salate and second of Ms. Paré, it was unanimously voted to approve as amended the Minutes of the October 12, 2011 Meeting of the Planning Board.
At 8:35 p.m., upon motion of Mr. Salate 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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