Planning Board, January 13, 2015
PLANNING BOARD
MEETING MINUTES
January 13, 2015
TOWN HALL MEMORIAL HALL
Members Present: William Ritter, Tina Stratis, John Michalak, David Lindberg, Otto Lies
Members Absent: Scott Carlson, Jeff Head
Others Present: Pam Harding, Town Planner, Elizabeth Fotos, Recording Secretary
7:00PM Meeting called to order by W. Ritter
Election of Officers
Motion by O. Lies, seconded by D. Lindberg, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO REAPPOINT W. RITTER AS CHAIRMAN OF THE PLANNING BOARD.
Motion by D. Lindberg, seconded by T. Stratis, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ELECT J. MICHALAK AS VICE CHAIR OF THE PLANNING BOARD.
Motion by J. Michalak, seconded by D. Lindberg, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ELECT T. STRATIS AS SECRETARY OF THE PLANNING BOARD.
Update on Current Subdivision Projects
P. Harding provided the Board with an update on current projects in Town.
Wagner Meadows: P. Harding indicated that this project was almost finished. She stated that they needed to do Spring clean-up, like catch basin cleaning and detention pond mowing, and would likely petition the Town in the spring for street acceptance.
W. Ritter asked if the Town could remind them about street acceptance. P. Harding confirmed that they would. P. Harding also told the Board that the other issue on this subdivision is that DPW does not feel as though private pump stations are being adequately maintained. DEP does not support private groups maintaining pump stations which contribute into public infrastructure and would like to take over the Wagner Meadows Pump Station. She stated that Town Counsel was currently working on the process to do so for Wagner Meadows and other subdivisions where this issue occurred.
Bullard Estates: P. Harding told the Board that all building permits had been issued and the road construction required top coat. She stated that DPW intends to take over control of the pump station for this subdivision in Wagner Meadows and Town Counsel is reviewing the process to do so. P. Harding told the Board that it would likely be another year before Bullard Estates petitioned for street acceptance.
Stanjoy Estates: P. Harding told the Board that this project is almost completed. She stated that the last lot is under construction and there were minor housekeeping issues (grading of easement, street lights) but they will probably petition for street acceptance in May.
J. Michalak asked about the street lights. P. Harding confirmed that they were wired just not installed.
Stoney Brook Estates: P. Harding told the Board that Phase 1-4 was released and under construction and Phase 5 was under covenant. She stated that this project still had work that needed to be completed and she did not anticipate them being ready this year to petition for acceptance.
W. Ritter asked about the compliant that was filed this week (January 6, 2015). P. Harding told the Board that the Town received a complaint on January 6, 2015 about construction debris on an abutting property and some of the slopes not being adequately stabilized. She stated that the Town and DCR had been working with the contractor to rectify the issues.
O. Lies asked how many homes were going to be built. P. Harding replied there were 13 vacant lots. O. Lies asked if people were waiting for homes to be completed. P. Harding responded that she did not know but that they were under construction.
W. Ritter asked if the location of the debris was where the man made pond behind Bailey Road was. P. Harding responded that there were a few.
J. Michalak asked if you needed to permit to make a pond. P. Harding replied that you did and that you needed a permit to treat it as well.
Oak Hill: P. Harding told the Board that everything was under covenant, the road way was graded, but not paved, and the water and sewer was installed. She stated that they had kept the site in good condition thus far.
Wachusett Woods: P. Harding told the Board that this subdivision was issued special permit approval under the affordable housing bylaw. She told the Board that the Town secured the Letter of Credit for $205,655.97 and plans to complete the remaining items in the spring.
W. Ritter asked if they still thought there was enough money. P. Harding replied that they did. She stated the only issue that she could foresee was regarding the sidewalks. P. Harding said that DPW does not know if there will be enough money to do a complete sidewalk based on abutter intrusion with fences, landscaping etc. into the rights of way. She suggested inviting the abutters in for a meeting on the matter.
W. Ritter asked if the Town petitioned for street acceptance. P. Harding was not sure of the process.
Hill Wood Estates: P. Harding told the Board that the development was approved under the affordable housing bylaw. She stated that the road was completed and that the development rights for the remaining duplex were sold and under construction.
D. Lindberg asked who bought the duplex. P. Harding replied Diverty.
W. Ritter asked about the difference between the affordable housing components for Wachusett Woods versus others that they had seen. P. Harding replied that she believed it was a timing issue; as guidelines became more strict, mortgages become harder to obtain.
Special Permits/The Village at Westminster Place: P. Harding told the Board that there was no activity for some time however recently they had pulled permits for the Single Family Residence.
O. Lies asked the location of the permits that were pulled. P. Harding replied close to the entrance.
W. Ritter asked if they had been in to see P. Harding and speak to her regarding plans and the future. P. Harding responded that they had not.
Mill Pond Place: P. Harding told the Board that when the economy began to decline, renovations were stopped and the project had since been in a standstill. She stated that all permits had been renewed and the building commissioner had asked them to make some updates to meet new energy requirements. They have not heard from them since this request.
W. Ritter asked who was representing them and if the Town could reach out. P. Harding replied that they had reached out and had not heard back.
Additional Projects:
T. Stratis asked how many permits had been issued in 2014. P. Harding replied that she had requested that information and that she had yet to hear back. She stated she would forward the information to the Board when she had it.
P. Harding told the Board that there was an updated peer review for Wachusett Valley Estates. She provided the Board with information on this matter.
W. Ritter stated that he had read about a new restaurant purchasing Mario’s Beauty Shoppe at 1134 Main Street. P. Harding replied that the new business had received a liquor license but had yet to submit plans to the Town.
W. Ritter asked if there were conceptual plans.
Marios Hair Salon: O. Lies stated that he would have like to hear about this matter earlier than he did.
P. Harding replied that there were preliminary plans and that the owner went in to the Town and asked for 15 minutes to speak about the project.
O. Lies asked if the Planning Board reviewed site plans. P. Harding replied that they do, however they had not sent them in yet for review. She stated that it was a non conforming site with special permit for a restaurant and commercial space. She stated that they were currently planning on expanding on the existing structure.
J. Michalak asked if there was a limit on liquor licenses that could be given out. P. Harding replied that there was but not for restaurants.
D. Lindberg asked what was happening at Oriol’s Place. P. Harding replied that she had no updates on this property.
Goals for 2015
W. Ritter suggested moving the Goal Setting for the next meeting, January 27, 2015 when more members were present.
Bond Reduction Bullard Estates Casa Builders
The DPW has recommended a reduction of the bond for Bullard Estates from $174,838.03 to $102,240.96.
Motion by D. Lindberg, seconded by O. Lies, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE REDUCTION IN THE BOND FOR BULLARD ESTATES CASA BUILDERS AS PRESENTED.
Approval Not Required- 6 Kenwood Road- Staruk- R-2
P. Harding passed out plans for the Board to review. She stated the property owner is buying a portion of the land from an abutter and no new lots were being created. P. Harding outlined the addition that the property owner wanted to do and showed where the sewer would tie into the property without easements.
Motion by O. Lies, seconded by J. Michalak, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE ANR FOR 6 KENWOOD ROAD AS PRESENTED.
Approval of Minutes
Motion by O. Lies, seconded by T. Stratis, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE DECEMBER 16, 2014 PLANNING BOARD MEETING MINUTES AS PRESENTED.
Other Business
J. Michalak asked about the sidewalk master plan. P. Harding replied that John Woodsmall, Director DPW had information for the Board regarding sidewalks. P. Harding told the Board that the DPW was purchasing a sidewalk machine in order to help lower costs surrounding sidewalks.
O. Lies asked if the restaurant at Mario’s location moved forward could P. Harding supply the Board with the Main Street Access that was done a few years prior.
T. Stratis asked who would resurface the library parking lot. P. Harding replied that it would be DPW and she would look into it.
P. Harding told the Board that the DLTA was granting awards to communities. She stated that a submission had been made for a freight rail study so all those within the district that wanted to participate could without impacting other grant money from the CMPRC. P. Harding told the Board that the Town was submitting a request for the freight rail study. She also suggested participating in the village district study that had been discussed at a prior meeting.
O. Lies stated that he believed that the Town needed to take advantage of the CMRPC monies this year. He stated that funds were available this year and there was no guarantee going forward that they would be there.
D. Lindberg asked if John Voice was still participating in the CMRPC for the Town. O. Lies replied that he was and that the Selectboard had an open position that had been filed by Judy Pearson (former secretary from the CMPRC and current Holden resident).
O. Lies asked about the superintendent of the Wachusett District trying to put together a committee on the elementary school overcrowding. He asked if the districts did their own planning or if they ever worked with the Planning Board.
W. Ritter replied that they have a group that does studies on elementary overcrowding and that they do not ask the Planning Board to participate.
P. Harding replied that she believed they were trying to change the lines and help redistrict the elementary school populations.
Next Meeting: January 27, 2015
Motion by T. Stratis, seconded by O. Lies, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN THE JANUARY 13, 2015 PLANNING BOARD MEETING AT 7:40PM.
APPROVED: ______________
___________________________
Elizabeth Fotos, Recording Secretary