WEBVTT METADATA Video-Count: 1 Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=IkYvHuRS94s NOTE MEETING SECTIONS: Part 1 (Video ID: IkYvHuRS94s): - 00:00:15: Meeting Commences: Introductions and New Town Administrator Welcome - 00:03:16: Review and Approval of Meeting Minutes From April - 00:04:42: Public Hearing: Special Permit - 72 Middle Road - 00:23:58: Town Planner Update: Master Plan, Complete Streets Plan - 00:28:19: Open Comments: South Main Street Redesign Concerns - 00:33:58: Comments: More Resident Concerns About South Main St. - 00:40:10: Ongoing Issues: Condominium Bylaw, Solar Bylaw Tweaks - 00:53:14: Meeting Adjournment: Next Meeting and Closing Remarks Part: 1 1 00:00:15.200 --> 00:00:31.119 Good evening everyone. Today is May 21st, 2026. The time is 6:00 p.m. and this is the Acrushna Planning Board. This meeting is being recorded for future viewing on the town's YouTube 2 00:00:31.119 --> 00:00:48.879 page and the local cable channel. Uh, can I get a motion to open the springboard meeting? >> Motion to open the meeting. Second. All >> in favor? >> I. >> Uh, we have a quorum. Can we all introduce ourselves, please? >> Victoria Alaro, Tom Planner. 3 00:00:48.879 --> 00:01:06.560 >> Peter Gamp, a member. Steve Bush, member. Mark Franar, chairman. Brian Dishamps, member Rick Ellis, vice chairman. >> Uh, first on the agenda, we have a meet and greet with the new town administrator, Adam La Montaine. 4 00:01:06.560 --> 00:01:24.240 Let's welcome him up to the podium. Mr. La Montine, congratulations for the job and welcome. Well, I appreciate uh allowing me to speak in front of the planning board here in a Kushnet. Uh thank you, Mr. Chairman, members of the 5 00:01:24.240 --> 00:01:40.400 board. I've had some relatively good amount of experience working with planning boards. As you know, when they passed a new uh legislation with cannabis, we designated a special district in a previous townhouse. I worked with the planning board, an overlay district that we I worked on 6 00:01:40.400 --> 00:01:55.520 with the planning board. I went to town meeting and passed. So, um, but my experience is really providing you support to like in Victoria Reach. I believe there's been some matters where you had to get town council involved. I'm more than happy to provide the 7 00:01:55.520 --> 00:02:12.239 support you need or whatever areas of technical assistance I can provide to the planning board. I appreciate it and I understand uh the the I mean the planning board from what I understand you have you're busy. You got a lot of stuff going on. I totally get it. 8 00:02:12.239 --> 00:02:27.760 appreciate your service you do for the community and I want to thank you for allowing me to introduce myself to all of you. Uh my door is always open so feel free. I already met with the chairman of Victoria. I think we have a good pretty good relationship and I want to continue that with all of the members of the planning board. So thank you and 9 00:02:27.760 --> 00:02:44.560 I believe you already work well with my chairman uh Mr. Kevin Gaspar. So thank you >> and uh we want to continue that positive uh relationship moving at Kushner forward. >> Awesome. I appreciate that. I agree. Um, with the last town administrator, we had a very open dialogue. Uh, I walk into 10 00:02:44.560 --> 00:03:01.040 his office whenever he was whenever he was available and, uh, we had a good relationship and I look forward to continuing that with you. >> Thank you. And if there's any questions you any of you have or whatever, uh, feel free to ask me or if you want to do it on TV, stop by my office. And thank 11 00:03:01.040 --> 00:03:16.319 you for taking the time to allow me to introduce myself and I look forward to working with all of you. So, continue the good work for Kushner. >> Awesome. Thank you very much. Thank you. >> Thanks. >> Okay. Uh moving along, we have uh 12 00:03:16.319 --> 00:03:30.560 meeting minutes from April 2nd. Uh we were all in attendance. Nobody was absent. Has anybody had a chance to look these 13 00:03:30.560 --> 00:03:55.920 over? Any comments, questions, concerns? Uh then we can move right on to April 16th. Uh everybody but Rick was in attendance. Mr. Bush came in towards the end even though 14 00:03:55.920 --> 00:04:11.360 he was here. He was here towards the end of the meeting. Uh, has anybody read this, have any comments, questions, or concerns? I've read through. Uh, I Everything 15 00:04:11.360 --> 00:04:28.479 looks in order. Um, get a quick motion to approve the meeting minutes from April 2nd and April 16th. >> Motion to approve the minutes as submitted. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Motion here. >> We got one abstain for 16 00:04:28.479 --> 00:04:42.639 >> 16th. Um, moving right along. We are public hearing. Uh, let's call the public hearing back to order. This is a continued special 17 00:04:42.639 --> 00:05:00.560 permit, 72 Middle Road, map 24, lot 35, applicant and owner MD South Coast Properties LLC. Representative is David Deignant with Schneider Deign and Leone Inc. The scope of work is approved 18 00:05:00.560 --> 00:05:17.680 construction of a 12 dwelling unit, six duplexes for over 25 comp over 55 complex. Over 25 over 55 complex. >> Wide open. >> Wide open. Let everybody go. Mr. Please 19 00:05:17.680 --> 00:05:34.560 introduce yourself and go. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman and board members. Uh for the record, I'm Dave the Victim from Schneider the Victim Leone and I represent uh the property owners which is MD South Coast Properties LLC 472 Middle Road. This is a site uh that 20 00:05:34.560 --> 00:05:51.039 is being uh proposed to be developed for an over 55 uh development under the bylaws. It consists of six buildings, all duplexes for a total of 12 units to be constructed. Um there's a proposed 21 00:05:51.039 --> 00:06:06.960 roadway um drainage storm water infrastructure. It'll be serviced by uh municipal sewer water. Uh there's gas available in middle road to also service the site as well as uh there's existing utility poles within the existing gravel 22 00:06:06.960 --> 00:06:22.160 road that will be upgraded to a pavement. Uh since our last public hearing, uh we have received an approval uh by the well not approval but we received a positive review by Merrill 23 00:06:22.160 --> 00:06:38.400 Associates for both planning and for conservation matters including storm water. Um as far as I can see there are no outstanding items on that peerreview report. Um and we have since last week we're approved by the conservation 24 00:06:38.400 --> 00:06:55.039 commission for both uh the wildest protection act and storm water bylaw. Um we have an approval from the board selectman as sewer and water commissioners to do the sewer connections to middle road. the sewer requiring us to bring it up from the 25 00:06:55.039 --> 00:07:09.840 existing sewer manhole located in front of the EMS building up the center of middle row to the property at which point uh that'll be a gravity system 12-in sewer main brought all the way up uh with lateral stubs to the house to 26 00:07:09.840 --> 00:07:27.440 the right and a lateral stub for Darling Street for future expansion as well as towards uh further down Mill Road. will be connecting to that manhole with a force man which will service all of the E1 grinder pumps for the site as the site goes downhill from Middle Road. 27 00:07:27.440 --> 00:07:43.360 They also approve the uh the installation of water main connection. Uh there'll be a water main brought in from Middle Road up the sideline of the new roadway with two hydrants to satisfy both BPW and the fire chief. First hydrant will be about 100 ft into the 28 00:07:43.360 --> 00:07:59.360 site on the left side of the road. Last hydro would be at the end of the main for proper flushing. So uh with that being said, we also satisfied the fire chief. He asked an auto turn uh analysis to be done. Um and 29 00:07:59.360 --> 00:08:15.599 there was a plan submitted for that by our traffic engineer um for the culdeac itself. U so he's was also satisfied the fire chief. Um, as far as I know, Dan Manad's all set from DPW because he took part in conversations with the board 30 00:08:15.599 --> 00:08:47.200 selectment. Um, so with that, I'd be happy to answer any questions relative to the project, the peer review, anything else on the table. Anybody have any questions? There are a few uh items here. Um all 31 00:08:47.200 --> 00:09:04.959 peer review items have been addressed except the following. I got a list of things here between that and special conditions that we're just going to kind of go through one by one. >> Okay. Um what's been addressed except does the board find the landscaping/screening 32 00:09:04.959 --> 00:09:28.080 amenities adequate? That was one of the um uh items from peer review. Can you briefly go over the screening for the board, please? >> Absolutely. So this color code is is the best to um 33 00:09:28.080 --> 00:09:43.839 illustrate. So the existing tree line is uh this darker green line that's the bubble line that you follow. Everything north of that bubble line is really an open over overgrown field. So we're preserving all 34 00:09:43.839 --> 00:10:01.200 of the trees along the tree line uh with the exception over here. We're preserving at 50 ft, which is in the bylaw over here. It's larger than 50. It kind of pinches in a little bit here. And then when we get to this point, we're proposing some uh green giants uh 35 00:10:01.200 --> 00:10:17.120 to screen this house to continue along until we get past the house. So, these are new plantings. This tree line will stay the same. It pinches down as we get past the back of the police station. Um only, uh because of the lock, you need a 36 00:10:17.120 --> 00:10:33.600 little more room. Um, so we're leaving a 25 ft natural tree buffer along this stretch. So this is existing over here. The existing does bubble out over here, but we're providing the 50 ft allowed or required. And then it pinches down as we get to the drainage pond. As you can see 37 00:10:33.600 --> 00:10:50.959 in the back, we don't have anything, but this is where the wetlands exist to the south and nothing can be done in this part of the property. >> There's nothing built back there. >> There's nothing back. It's the back of the police station and they're actually behind that parking lot. They have a massive wetland system that that actually goes along back to the river. 38 00:10:50.959 --> 00:11:07.120 Uh as far as to the north, uh there's an existing road. It's gravel that uh ends somewhere about here at this barn. We're converting that into a paved roadway. It is an existing rightway. Um so where uh both of these 39 00:11:07.120 --> 00:11:24.320 uh properties uh have access to that. So they'll their driveways, their paved driveways will be connected to the new paved roadway. So, they'll benefit greatly from this project. Um, so there's really no screening necessary in this direction. Um, we do have the house set uh back quite a bit from Middle Road 40 00:11:24.320 --> 00:11:40.480 because the lot pinches down. Um, so we have a 100 foot buffer between the first building and Middle Road. And if you uh have been to the site, there's actually a house right here in the corner that'll actually be demoed. Um, and then there's some there's some other structures, 41 00:11:40.480 --> 00:11:56.880 green houses and barns in this location, too. So, this is really the focus of the screening. >> And the only house you really I mean besides the police station, that one house that faces Middle Road is the one that you're playing the Green Giants 42 00:11:56.880 --> 00:12:12.160 there. >> That's correct. Yes. It's a it's a duplex, so it kind of fits in with what we have proposed and it it straddles the lot land as well. So about 10 ft off that wall and we're opposing green giants. I did speak with 43 00:12:12.160 --> 00:12:26.880 that property owner. He had he said I don't have any issues with the project. >> Okay. >> Questions to me. >> All right. I I didn't realize that 44 00:12:26.880 --> 00:12:44.360 Marriio owned that the the small dwelling there between the station and >> and the development. >> He's actually quite a long time. >> What's that? >> He's probably owned it for >> Oh, 20 years. >> 20 years. For Yeah. 45 00:12:46.720 --> 00:13:03.519 Uh, next is does the planning board want to review additional details regarding architecture design of the duplexes? >> At this point, we've given you a rendering of what they anticipate. Um, I think they were waiting to get an 46 00:13:03.519 --> 00:13:19.120 approval in order to dive into uh final architecturals, but I know it is coming soon and we'll certainly offer, you know, submit them to the board for your files. Um, I was told just the other day by one of the two owners that they had 47 00:13:19.120 --> 00:13:35.519 financing, so they're they're eager to to break ground. So, this is really going to happen. So, >> okay. >> These are duplexes. They're two stories. >> Yes, we we have a rendering I think on that he gave me. I think it's going to take >> it'll take the architect 48 00:13:35.519 --> 00:14:00.639 >> and they're two bedroom. I think they two bedrooms for the 55. >> That's correct. that they'll be all too they'll follow this floor layout and then they're thinking that's what the fronts would look like more or less. >> Okay. Uh and three and lastly, uh are 49 00:14:00.639 --> 00:14:18.079 pedestrian walkways needed? So there's no sidewalks or anything in this development? >> No, we're not proposing sidewalks. We'll have 12 units on a privately maintained road there. There really seems to be no need for sidewalks. We have ample 50 00:14:18.079 --> 00:14:35.360 parking as well. When you go back to the the driveways are all long there. They're two car wide, so you can literally fit five cars on each driveway if you having guests um outside of parking along the road itself if needed. 51 00:14:35.360 --> 00:14:52.399 Um, so we we really didn't see the need for a sidewalk. There's no future build out beyond this. Um, there is one more vacant lot. I don't personally think it's buildable right here that this gentleman owns. Uh, the riverfront 52 00:14:52.399 --> 00:15:09.160 boundary will make it difficult for even if he were to build a house, possibly could be one more house, but that's about it. >> What's the width of the pavement? Is it 22? It's 20 ft of pavement plus Cape Cod B, so 22 total. Yes. 53 00:15:14.480 --> 00:15:30.079 >> I mean, you you're barely even going to see this thing from middle road. >> Oh, yeah. I with you. >> I totally agree. Yeah. >> Unless you're looking down there when you drive by. You ain't >> Yeah. Well, which you really shouldn't be because that's not that's not a good place to take your eyes off. 54 00:15:30.079 --> 00:15:46.959 Any other questions? >> No, I'm I'm also I think it's it's a great place for a development like this. Uh it's an alternative to another big single family house. >> Oh, yeah. No, this is something 55 00:15:46.959 --> 00:16:01.680 >> many people can't afford to >> Yeah. This is something that the town's kind of been um wanting. That's you know, we we proposed over 55 bylaw. This is something that >> this was something we wanted. >> Yeah. This is something we wanted. Absolutely. and uh and I think it's 56 00:16:01.680 --> 00:16:17.759 perfect, well drawn out, well welld designigned uh exactly what what we wanted. Um I also have a list in front of me of recommended special conditions. I'd like to go through these one at a time to see if you have any issues or if anybody has any questions or issues regarding them. 57 00:16:17.759 --> 00:16:34.800 >> Certainly. Uh, prior to construction, the review and approval of water mane installation and sew sewer connection/extension is required by the department of public works is required. 58 00:16:34.800 --> 00:16:51.279 Have you gotten a copy of this? >> No, I haven't. Could you read that one more time? Prior to construction, the review and approval of the water mane installation and sewer connection slashextension is required by the Department of Public 59 00:16:51.279 --> 00:17:07.120 Works. >> That was a part of the peer review. That was a recommended condition. >> Oh. Uh well, my comment on that condition is the it's not the public works department that has the authority. It's the board of selectman. 60 00:17:07.120 --> 00:17:23.600 >> Yep. It's worth >> and board of selectmen voted at a meeting um to authorize the both the sewer and the water. Damn was a part of that review with the select board behind the scenes but I don't think that's nec 61 00:17:23.600 --> 00:17:40.799 that that is required only because the selectman have voted to approve and of course it's pending certain fees to be paid. The sewer fee is 6,000 per unit. So, you know, at what point they pay that uh I don't, you know, prior a 62 00:17:40.799 --> 00:17:56.799 connection. Um I think more appropriately maybe that Dan might not inspect the work. >> Yeah, that's kind of how I kind of >> that would sound. >> Yeah, >> I I know she said that in her report, but she was pointing out that she hadn't 63 00:17:56.799 --> 00:18:12.880 seen any evidence that we have an approval. >> Oh, gotcha. Which is approved by the >> We received it through an email. I think I forwarded to your office. >> You did? Yeah, >> you did. All right. Uh, prior to construction, the development 64 00:18:12.880 --> 00:18:29.200 sign shall be reviewed by the building department and the planning board to ensure compliance that section 3.6 signs and article 8 zoning bylaws. >> That's perfectly fine. It's a requirement by the zoning bylaws and the 65 00:18:29.200 --> 00:18:45.760 building inspector has to issue a permit for the sign. Yes, sir. >> Three. The existing tree located in the front yard of 76 Middle Road shall be trimmed occasionally to maintain the sight distance as needed. Is there a big 66 00:18:45.760 --> 00:19:08.400 tree? >> I don't remember a big tree >> that was noted in the peer review as well. This was one of the comments. >> Okay. I'm I'm just not familiar with the tree. >> Let's just say we keep the the sight distance clear. 67 00:19:08.400 --> 00:19:25.679 >> Sure, that makes sense. Be safe. >> Um, >> it is the out I mean, it's the outside of the curve, too. So, it's not it's not quite so critical. You know, this development is on the outside on the inboard side. >> Inboard side of the curve. Yeah. 68 00:19:25.679 --> 00:19:41.120 But if you if it was coming out from like Lello Street, sight distance is tough if you're coming out Lello Street because you can't see oncoming traffic from both directions actually. But they're on the outside of >> the outside edge of the curve of the 69 00:19:41.120 --> 00:19:58.559 curve curve. >> Sorry. >> Clear. Um, prior to construction, the NPDES construction general permit and storm water pollution prevention plan shall be 70 00:19:58.559 --> 00:20:14.960 submitted to the planning board. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Uh, all 12 units are to remain as rental units under single ownership and are not to be sold as individual units. A request to the planning board to amend the special 71 00:20:14.960 --> 00:20:31.840 permit decision shall be submitted if the owner wants to change from rentals to selling units individually. >> Uh yes, and that's actually covered in the legal document submitted by the attorney. >> Right. So let me let me add to that. So, 72 00:20:31.840 --> 00:20:47.760 uh we did get a document from the proponent's attorney basically covering that particular uh item. So, basically these are going to stay as rentals. Um and they're they're 73 00:20:47.760 --> 00:21:05.280 uh be the road, storm water, everything will be maintained by the owner who is renting out the units. Uh if in the future the owner decides he wants to sell these off, then they're going to have to come back in front of us, get a special condition to the permit, uh to 74 00:21:05.280 --> 00:21:23.200 rent them off. And in the occasion that he does do that, then he'll have to put together a uh homeowners association, which they then in turn will be uh responsible for uh road and uh storm 75 00:21:23.200 --> 00:21:40.559 water. Well, all utilities. Yeah. Yeah. >> Once once it once and if you decide to sell off. >> So that went to uh our town council because this is our first actual over 55 project that we're doing. 76 00:21:40.559 --> 00:21:58.080 >> Uh so we sent it a week or so ago to our council just to make sure that the wording is proper. Um I read through it. I thought it was, but I'm no attorney. So, um, we Victoria did reach out. Um, a 77 00:21:58.080 --> 00:22:14.240 lot of times our emails and calls fall under their fears when it comes to, uh, town council. So, uh, we we do have a, um, what is it, the 21day uh, uh, appeal period. So, I'm hoping that we should 78 00:22:14.240 --> 00:22:31.120 hear something by within the appeal period. >> Sure. and and it shouldn't hold you up at all because of of that. Uh and last but not least is this approval is contingent upon the planning boards and town council review. Here we 79 00:22:31.120 --> 00:22:48.440 go. Approval of the age restriction and maintenance agreement language prior to insurance of the building permit. This document is required to be recorded at Bristol County Registry meetings. basically what I just kind of went over. Uh 80 00:22:50.720 --> 00:23:07.360 since we're still at a public hearing though, I have to there's nobody out in Zoom, right? And there's nobody in the audience, so there's really nobody else to talk to, so I have to close the motion. Can I get a motion to close this public hearing? >> Motion to close the public hearing. >> Second. >> Uh in favor? I 81 00:23:07.360 --> 00:23:23.360 >> uh motion to approve the waiverss as listed on project narrative/waver letter dated February 11th 2026 and >> so moved >> second all in favor >> I 82 00:23:23.360 --> 00:23:41.280 >> and a motion to approve this special permit plan set dated May 4th 2026 with the standard list of conditions and affirmation After for mentioned special conditions, >> we have to make a motion for 83 00:23:41.280 --> 00:23:58.080 >> No, I just made the motion. >> I'll second it. >> You made the motion. >> I made the motion. >> I'll second it. >> All in favor? >> I f I think you're good, brother. >> Thank you. Very excited. >> Yeah. Um 84 00:23:58.080 --> 00:24:12.159 >> just let me know in the legal and yeah we'll um whatever we need to turn around fast we'll get it back to the whatever time council want. >> Yeah fine. >> Okay. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you. 85 00:24:12.159 --> 00:24:39.840 >> Thank you. Appreciate it. >> All right. Next on the agenda, town planners update. Miss Farro, please. Okay. >> So, I just want to give the board a quick update on some of our ongoing long 86 00:24:39.840 --> 00:24:56.799 range planning projects that we have. Um, so for our master plan, open space and recreation plan, and water resource management strategy. Those are three kind of complimentary plans that we we've been doing for the past year and a half. Um, so we're finalizing them. We 87 00:24:56.799 --> 00:25:14.000 do have our final outreach event scheduled for Wednesday, June 24th at the library. Um, they're holding a concert event at the library and we'll have a booth there. Um, so people can come kind of look at the final plan and offer any last minute feedback um that 88 00:25:14.000 --> 00:25:31.360 we can incorporate. Any questions on any of those? Okay. And then we are finalizing our complete streets prioritization plan. We should be submitting that to MASDOT for review and approval um in the beginning of June. We did have an in-person final 89 00:25:31.360 --> 00:25:47.440 workshop at the end of April and it was pretty well attended as far as an inerson event goes. We had about 10 people mainly from Hamlin Street. Um but yes, so that was well attended which was which was nice. We had over a hundred responses to the survey. Um so a lot of 90 00:25:47.440 --> 00:26:03.360 public feedback went into the plan to identify um roadway improvement projects. Um, we did present the policy that the board had voted to recommend at a previous meeting, the complete streets policy. We went Mark and myself went to 91 00:26:03.360 --> 00:26:21.039 a select board meeting last night. Um, and with some minor they asked for some minor tweaks and hopefully at their next meeting um, they will vote to adopt the policy. Um but yeah, so everything should be submitted to Mass by middle of June and then we would be free to uh we 92 00:26:21.039 --> 00:26:38.000 should we would be eligible to apply for construction funding on any of the pro the 30 projects that are in the plan which is up to a million. Um or if we needed to do design first, there's eligible there's funding for up to $150,000. So definitely a lot of money 93 00:26:38.000 --> 00:26:53.200 is available um that the town should take advantage of. >> Yeah. Um, like Victoria had mentioned that we uh we were both at the board of selectments meeting yesterday to kind of just answer some of their questions. Victoria did a great presentation to to 94 00:26:53.200 --> 00:27:08.720 kind of lay out the what exactly the complete streets are. Um there's actually a flyer right there on the table if either one of you want to take a look at before we leave. Um and um yeah, everybody seemed to like it. It was just a few 95 00:27:08.720 --> 00:27:23.440 literally minor wording uh that the select board wanted changed um just cuz the the select board didn't want the town to be um obligated or um tied into 96 00:27:23.440 --> 00:27:40.960 anything um financially. So um basically they just didn't like some of the wording. Victoria's going to change some of the wording and um that should be passed and there like Victoria said there's a lot of money on the table uh the chairman Gaspar 97 00:27:40.960 --> 00:27:57.840 uh yesterday had also mentioned there certain areas like at the top of Pekkham over here on wing and in different areas in town even over here on main street sidewalks that you know we're going to look at to try to take advantage of um some of that money 98 00:27:57.840 --> 00:28:19.279 and that was that um any questions? >> No. >> All set? >> Yes. Thank you. >> Thank you. Uh nothing else has come in within the last 48 hours. Um our next meeting's Thursday, May 21st. 99 00:28:19.279 --> 00:28:35.039 Um comments? Anybody? Anything else? >> Anybody else have did I didn't see anybody else. I I attended the meeting with Victoria was at with Mass D for South Main Street and you guys had a chance to watch that on YouTube and not >> I watched a little 100 00:28:35.039 --> 00:28:51.679 >> I think I think the audio was kind of >> the was terrible in the in there so I can imagine what it was on YouTube. >> I watched it on YouTube and the audio was difficult especially after like I think Mr. Gaspot was up first and then the next lady came up and I I I could 101 00:28:51.679 --> 00:29:08.240 hear their concern. I guess a lot of people had concerns about the, you know, eminent domain and people losing property or, you know, encroaching on their property, uh, for maybe possibly slight widening of the road. Um, I did see it. Um, and some people had, you 102 00:29:08.240 --> 00:29:24.159 know, legitimate concerns. Um, but I think it's all things that can be uh overcome. I I think that uh it is a huge opportunity for what the state wants to do and we would save a lot of money if 103 00:29:24.159 --> 00:29:41.840 we let them do a lot of what they wanted to do on South Main Street before it gets turned over. So, um I don't know. What were your thoughts? Did you >> My Oh, I was there. I was there. >> What were your thoughts? >> My thoughts. I think some of the stuff they're they're um a little uh little 104 00:29:41.840 --> 00:29:57.840 overboard with some of the things. um um based on sidewalk and um bike lane, double bike lanes on both sides of the street. What everything I could see is they're going to narrow those travel lanes down. If you spend any time on South Main Street to turn around and 105 00:29:57.840 --> 00:30:15.440 narrow down travel lanes, um it's that's going to be catastrophe at the end of the day. When you look at there right now, they're about I think they said the road is actually 30 to 32 feet wide all the way down. um that road will narrow down to 22 feet. So where does that 106 00:30:15.440 --> 00:30:30.640 leave you when you by the time you put sidewalks and you put in bike lanes on both sides of the street and even the the advocates for the bike lanes were a little concerned about um double bike lanes running in front of so it was 107 00:30:30.640 --> 00:30:47.039 >> I think I think it's a shared use path on one side and there was a resident cuz I pulled up I made a list of all the concerns that were said there was a resident that actually requested to have bike lanes on both sides. I'm sure there's just one, but I mean, but you got to look at the you got I think 108 00:30:47.039 --> 00:31:02.159 really look at safety wise because if you start narrowing that street right now and you go by, you're standing here, you come, you sit at one of these restaurants in the morning and you between the buses and the cement trucks um going up and down this street and you know how wide they are. You look it's 109 00:31:02.159 --> 00:31:17.679 they especially when you get over by uh Smok Street and Garfield Street, it kind of now chokes right up over there. Um following day, what' they do? They had a freaking tractor that they had a dump trailer and a pickup truck. Had a little confrontation in front of the sentry 110 00:31:17.679 --> 00:31:34.559 house. Guess who lost? Um so it just goes to show you that it does get narrow over there and it gets a little hairy. I mean on both sides. I mean, I'm not opposed to self there at all, but I think they just the width of like um and and having a safe bike lane 111 00:31:34.559 --> 00:31:50.960 is one thing, but you know, just getting um a little bit too wide and it really looked like when you start getting down here, how do you manage that when you want to put parking in here as well? Um now you're pushing there's no place to go with that parking. You're talking about pushing the bike lane back out and 112 00:31:50.960 --> 00:32:05.760 out to the street if you're starting back over here. So, it there's a little things that um look on paper real quick, but when you travel this road a lot, I think there's a lot of things that have to be >> 22 lot along the uh 113 00:32:05.760 --> 00:32:22.320 >> 22 ft is not a wide road. >> No. >> When you're talking about trucks in both directions, >> maybe a little bit wider than that, but when you see trucks in both right now, it's 30 32 feet depending on where you are. And by the time they you put a 4ft bike lane in each way, what does that do? that narrows you down to um that 114 00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:38.159 narrows you back right back down. So, it does get a little bit hairy through there. And they nobody unfortunately I know they're putting in um multiple crosswalks going down. They're going to add crosswalks which is a blessing to try to cross that street. I get it. Um 115 00:32:38.159 --> 00:32:52.960 with flashing pedestrian lights to hopefully slow, you know, um traffic down. Um but I just I think it's going to be that and um we still got infrastructure stuff to work out with them. Um right now we got aging border 116 00:32:52.960 --> 00:33:09.600 lines going down that road. Um and um you know that district um was really named at one point in time was a the next one in line to get sewer. They moved it because of the difficulty um of getting it down here because of the leg 117 00:33:09.600 --> 00:33:25.679 >> down at the end >> down at the end over here. Right. It was supposed to go down over there by Laura Keane, all that area up there, but they, you know, they moved it down off of N, you know, towards Middle Road, nice lane because it was a lot easier to put in over, you know, sewer wise. Um, I know 118 00:33:25.679 --> 00:33:40.640 that was, you know, all being discussed, but that's still, but it's they still need it down there desperately to clean that up or whatever they do. So yeah, there's a little bit of a little bit of thought to do cuz it's literally they were ready to they're at 25% sound like 119 00:33:40.640 --> 00:33:58.000 by 2027 they're ready to go 2030 they're done listening to him talk but it was like >> can you did you did you put down a few more of the complaints or >> I did. Would you like me to read them >> please? >> Okay. So concerns from residents included the weight of PJ Keing's trucks on the road and then someone did mention 120 00:33:58.000 --> 00:34:15.119 um not exactly topic for discussion for this meeting but they did mention uh extending route 240 or having a bypass road to get PJ King's trucks off of South Main. Um a resident asked for mascot to leave the sidewalks that are in good condition untouched and focus on 121 00:34:15.119 --> 00:34:30.560 other areas of the roadway. There was a resident that requested a bike path on both sides of South Bane instead of having one shared use path which is what was the current proposal. Um there's a resident I believe it was off off of is 122 00:34:30.560 --> 00:34:46.320 it is it Lawson app? Um he there's flooding issues over there. So he would like those to be addressed. Um some residents were concerned about uh the cost of long-term maintenance. Maybe getting an estimate for what that could look like for the town. Um, other 123 00:34:46.320 --> 00:35:01.920 concerns included there was a small section um that had like a brick sidewalk. You know, it usually promotes like more of a downtown feel. Somebody was concerned about the maintenance of that and that they would rather have concrete. Um, the width of the shared 124 00:35:01.920 --> 00:35:18.960 use path is too wide. Concerns about right-of-way impacts. Um, concerns about limited town involvement. And that was pretty much it. I think most of those can can be addressed. >> Who plops that section of road? 125 00:35:18.960 --> 00:35:33.920 >> The state. It's stateowned. >> The state does plow, huh? >> Yes. >> But at the end of the day, >> they go they hand they want to hand us the keys. >> Oh, no. I know what they want. that's and they was it was mentioned it was said nobody denied it. So that's what they want to 126 00:35:33.920 --> 00:35:49.920 do and that's that becomes part of you know the m the extra maintenance and everything else what it's going to cost >> um especially with when you've got parking that they proposing to put in that means in and out there's a whole lot of things you know from plowing is 127 00:35:49.920 --> 00:36:05.359 it that you know when just not get up for in a small little town right now to do so I mean what do you do it it's there I mean I I get it I mean they want to improve it but I think it just needs a little bit more. Um 128 00:36:05.359 --> 00:36:20.800 I I think the biggest complaint was there really wasn't prior to this apparently there wasn't a lot of input from the selectment. >> Yeah, I can address that actually. Yes. Okay. So since so this project was initiated long before my time with the 129 00:36:20.800 --> 00:36:36.560 town. So it began in 2022 and it was initiated by Massaw um if the town was interested in working with them to to pursue this. Right. So, it's definitely um you know, they want the town to be in support. As they said at the meeting, as I'm sure you heard, if the town does not 130 00:36:36.560 --> 00:36:52.720 support the project, then Masot's going to move on and you know, let it go. You know what I mean? Like, they're not going to push it. Um but what I will say is that I've attended several meetings in the past two years with Mass, um with the administration office, police, fire, 131 00:36:52.720 --> 00:37:09.359 DPW, um all invited to these meetings. Whether or not that communication led to the board is is beyond me, but it was shared with their office. Um, for every meeting, every design, we went through six alternatives. Um, so if if other departments aren't giving that input, 132 00:37:09.359 --> 00:37:27.200 Mass doesn't have that direction. So that's what I will say is they are asking for feedback. So the town just has to be ready to give it. um you know >> yeah that's happened that's happened that's happened quite a few times 133 00:37:27.200 --> 00:37:41.680 >> with and I'm not going to mention any particular department uh but let's just put all the departments in this big pool >> that uh a lot of uh communications uh seem to fall through the cracks when 134 00:37:41.680 --> 00:38:00.079 emails are sent and request responses uh and you get them and then you know weeks, months go by, still waiting on responses and it happens with a lot of departments. Uh I'm not going to put my finger on any one, but it does happen to 135 00:38:00.079 --> 00:38:15.680 a lot. Um we can only do what we can do. You can send them the information and hopefully the other person had said or they read what you sent them. >> Yeah. uh and and and we do the best we 136 00:38:15.680 --> 00:38:31.520 can as a board and as a town planner. Uh but just my two cents that's happen that happens quite often that things disappear. Gotcha. Um, but other than that, I mean, it's just it's going to be p it's going to 137 00:38:31.520 --> 00:38:46.960 fall right into us with whatever that final decision is going to make when it comes down to um our future planning and reszoning for >> for the main street, which is going to be good thing. But I mean, it's just it's there. I'm not I'm not opposed that 138 00:38:46.960 --> 00:39:03.839 anybody. I just safety wise, I look at it and say, "Okay, what's going to what are we, you know, what's what's the most practical?" >> Is Masdot going to have another uh information meeting uh in the future. >> Yes. I'm not sure if they would redo the 139 00:39:03.839 --> 00:39:19.520 P the PIM, which is a meeting they they just had or if they would go right to 25 because we were at like 10%. So I don't know if they would continue working toward 25. Um I think the next step would be the design public hearing unless we're going to redo the PIM. So I'm not sure. There would definitely be 140 00:39:19.520 --> 00:39:36.079 more opportunity for public input. Okay. >> So okay. Yeah. And I know that we have spoken to the select board and they are getting a little bit more involved now because we are kind of reaching deadlines uh and uh deadlines on filings and deadlines on a lot of things. We're 141 00:39:36.079 --> 00:39:53.440 reaching these deadlines. So uh Victoria's had conversations with the new uh chair, the new talent administrator that you all all just met. Uh Victoria has been actively pursuing this and getting getting everybody on board and uh she's been doing a good job 142 00:39:53.440 --> 00:40:10.079 and hopefully we can kind of corral the sheep and everybody kind of >> yep get on the same page and >> get on the same page and we can kind of move along and move forward with what with what we want to do. Good. >> So now they're they're at a 10% stage right now. >> 25% design. I thought 143 00:40:10.079 --> 00:40:27.760 >> it's at it was at 10 like approaching 25 but they weren't there yet. 25 is when they're really going to want to know if there are any objections because at the 25% level they will have looked in detail at some of the >> more difficult points. Maybe I mean 144 00:40:27.760 --> 00:40:43.760 during addition number six I mean is what they >> I guess I guess what I'm saying is that you know at 25% >> the rest of the boards the rest of the town departments they should be weighing in because that's the time to get 145 00:40:43.760 --> 00:41:00.319 changes made in the design if necessary. And uh that's just a comment. >> A good one. >> Yep. >> Anything else? >> No. Other than that, I would mention I think I mentioned it quite a while back 146 00:41:00.319 --> 00:41:17.119 that um we and I don't know who's if it would fall underneath us or one of the other departments is um now that this 55 is is going under um it's getting going to get rolling. Um they're going to be rentals, but if they were to turn into 147 00:41:17.119 --> 00:41:33.599 condos, we do not have a condominium by law. We have the other condominiums that were basically thought they're going to be rentals and they turned into condominiums over here on Garfield Street. >> Yeah. All right. So, >> I think something should happen somewhere in somebody in towns needs to, 148 00:41:33.599 --> 00:41:50.000 you know, between tech that that I'm assuming with the the tax assessor's office everybody I mean how we're going to approach and get everybody on the same page when it comes to um everybody. We got a set of guidelines basically. >> Well, the first the first over 55 didn't come through us. So didn't didn't go 149 00:41:50.000 --> 00:42:07.200 through the bylaw. So that one kind of >> right but that it's that one's that that's >> yeah but we have kind of I'm not going to say we don't have authority but we didn't do that one. Uh that one went through uh ZBA and that kind of >> not criticizing that point. Now this one 150 00:42:07.200 --> 00:42:24.480 now let me ask you Victoria. Now this one is being approved as an over 55. You're talking about the one we just discussed correct? This is being approved as an over 55 to somebody that lives in that house has to be over 55. >> Now he's starting off as 12 rental 151 00:42:24.480 --> 00:42:39.599 units. >> Yeah. >> If he decides to sell them Yeah. >> he will sell them to somebody that's over 55. >> Yeah. >> They will never be condos. >> Can I add to that a little please? Um, so that's why we also um in the document 152 00:42:39.599 --> 00:42:55.920 that needs to be recorded at the registry, it's it's going to say that these are to remain as rental units as well because that's what was approved by the board. And also, you mentioned assessing and that's kind of where this stem from is that our assessor's office is having a difficult time assessing the 153 00:42:55.920 --> 00:43:12.319 development you were just talking about because of um there was no clear like master D or any language that showed what they should be. So this is why she had provided feedback to say like hey something needs to be written and recorded at the registry to make it clear and then if they should want to 154 00:43:12.319 --> 00:43:29.760 change that into um individual ownership um they would then have to amend the special permit and then do what's called a master D to then you know put the age restriction on there because for assessing purposes that would make it clear for but as far as condos um >> well what what defines a condo basically 155 00:43:29.760 --> 00:43:44.640 you >> the HOA >> it is basically I mean you either we call we call it an HOA, but basically that's what they got. They usually got you got condominiums, you got condominium fees because they turn into you got taxation issues with one building, two units. There's a whole I think there's a whole thing that goes 156 00:43:44.640 --> 00:44:01.119 along. I owned a condo for a little while and just Well, they were I mean it's an apartment. It was was sold. It's a condo unit. >> These are and I'm not knocking yet. These are basically the same setup. It was just there was six of them in in the units instead of having two of them. >> Um and it's all going to be on one set 157 00:44:01.119 --> 00:44:17.440 of ground. So, I mean, I think there should be some sort of >> guideline out there um when this when this comes up, >> but all right. So, >> I I'm just I want to ask another question just so I can figure out define what a condo is. So, let's just say 158 00:44:17.440 --> 00:44:32.160 hypothetically. This is hypothetical. This guy, the owner owns this unit. This unit is split in half. He rents this unit and this unit. Okay? Now, he's going to come to us because he wants to now sell them. Now, if I'm not mistaken, and correct me if I'm wrong, the person 159 00:44:32.160 --> 00:44:49.200 who buys not the whole thing, obviously they're selling unit at a time, this person is now responsible for that unit, that property, just as a house is like your house is, my house is, your house is, they're responsible for that. They 160 00:44:49.200 --> 00:45:04.960 just happen to be attached to another one. What's the difference between that and your house and this one? Except that this one abuts another one. is as long as long as the people who are buying whatever the entity is understand that 161 00:45:04.960 --> 00:45:21.920 they've got to plow the main road, you know, >> that's where the homeowners association come. >> No, I I understand. To me, that's the most critical thing because >> but that's different than economic. >> No. Why is that? Why is it >> I don't know. I don't know that. >> I think they think they're very similar. Okay. Okay. I think I that's I'm not I'm 162 00:45:21.920 --> 00:45:37.680 not a homeowner association um is is very very very similar. Okay. And same thing with a you know it's um but I I but I believe it's still a different category when they're when they're in there. Then why do they call 163 00:45:37.680 --> 00:45:53.040 them condos? They just don't call them apartments. >> It's one parcel. You own the unit but not necessarily >> but you're still respond but you still but you pay it you pay a fee to maintain all that propert. Somebody's going to maintain all you would have to be if there was a homeowners association and 164 00:45:53.040 --> 00:46:08.960 they were all separate buildings and they changed from rentals to to ownership. >> It depends on what is written in the homeowners association. I mean that not all not all homeowners associations are one they can be written up any way that they want to be written up. There's no, 165 00:46:08.960 --> 00:46:25.280 you know, particular way and it could be said that the only thing that homeowners association is required to do is maintain the road and the storm water. Everything else on that property has nothing to do with the homeowner's responsible for just like your house and my house. Um 166 00:46:25.280 --> 00:46:40.000 >> well, if there's a water main break and nobody's got any water, uh they need to not be coming to the town. So I had a cont water line or there everything that is in that 167 00:46:40.000 --> 00:46:57.280 >> development would be part of the home. They assess you more money. All all those things to maintain the outside. Somebody's got to paint it. Somebody could put new roofs on it. >> So it >> But who tells you to put your paint on your roof? Just like who's going to tell that person, >> but the bill is not separate. They're they're attached together. 168 00:46:57.280 --> 00:47:14.560 >> But you own everything from roof over. You own that section. It doesn't matter. >> I think it depends on the cond cuz so my grandmother actually lives in a condo and they part of the HOA fees, you know, goes into like the roof and and they maintain the all the outside um and 169 00:47:14.560 --> 00:47:30.960 everything. So they what did they do with their condo? >> I think I think it's just as tomato or tomato association or a condo association. So what is the difference? They referred to them separately. >> There is there is a you know I'll be honest with you. I'm not that familiar with it. But there are separate one for 170 00:47:30.960 --> 00:47:47.280 a while regulations statewide >> relative to condominiums. I don't know what they are but they I know there I know they exist. >> They do. and I had one. >> Let's look into that. >> Fair Haven has a couple so I can try to say topics. 171 00:47:47.280 --> 00:48:02.800 >> Yeah, Fair Haven has a couple. Um, so I can try and see what >> Let's look into that a little bit. >> Um, and just in and not to jump off subject, but to kind of look forward a little bit. Um, spring meeting, springtime meeting coming up. We only 172 00:48:02.800 --> 00:48:18.079 have one or two warrants on there. We don't have much on that for the springtime meeting. Come for the fall. This is something that Victorian board's going to start on is we're going to start tweaking the solar bylaw. Uh there's things that need to be added. 173 00:48:18.079 --> 00:48:34.559 There's things that need to be changed. Uh and we've all had different discussions on what we'd like to see changed regarding removing and planting of trees to the distance, you know, from the main road to the the fence line. 174 00:48:34.559 --> 00:48:50.720 There's lots of different things that not lots but there's a few things in the solar bylaw that we are going to start as a board uh are going to start working on for the fall town meeting uh and if there's any other uh like and then I'd 175 00:48:50.720 --> 00:49:06.880 also like to look into that and now you got me kind of curious on this whole condo thing. So uh maybe get some language on that. Absolutely. Uh, but I'm just kind of giving you kind of a a sneak peek of what is going to start coming in front of us. We also at the 176 00:49:06.880 --> 00:49:24.160 same time are still constantly working on uh changing the zoning for uh Main Street, which is something that, you know, we're going to do. Um, I'm very uh uh hopeful uh uh uh in a positive way 177 00:49:24.160 --> 00:49:41.040 that we're going to get funding for a uh clerk to give Victoria some help. And with that, uh hopefully we do get the part-time clerk and the funding for the part-time clerk. Victoria gets a little bit of help and then she can, you know, have a few minutes free extra to work on 178 00:49:41.040 --> 00:49:57.839 the changing of the zoning that we've we've we've discussed in in in quite detail. And then uh working on the solar bot changes as well. So just kind of a what's coming. 179 00:49:57.839 --> 00:50:13.040 >> Anything else? >> I noticed they put the trees up on 105 at the solar. The new trees. >> Did they? >> Yes, they did. >> Let's see how long they last after that heat the other day. They were already >> talk about an awful time. >> Just plant them and walk away. You got 180 00:50:13.040 --> 00:50:29.839 to pay somebody to go water those things. >> I mean, they put in they actually put in ones bigger than they did the first time. I'll admit that. >> They regardless of the size, they need to be watered, >> right? For the first one to two years. >> Oh, years. Yeah. I mean, they're just 181 00:50:29.839 --> 00:50:45.599 going to keep throwing money at it, right? You're better off paying that landscape for the gold water and then >> But I'm glad to hear. I mean, I don't go down that way very often, so I don'tice it, but I'm glad. >> I drove by. I said, "Well, it's about time." But then I'm looking at them going, "But they were already drooping 182 00:50:45.599 --> 00:51:02.559 because, you know, of course it was 90° the other day and when I noticed it, I'm like, "Yeah, they ain't going to last." >> Yeah. I mean, again, that's something that I've spoken with Victoria about. once she has more time. Uh whether it's her or the clerk, I'd like to see once 183 00:51:02.559 --> 00:51:18.559 every couple of months, get in the car, do a drive through town, and just check out all the sites and uh just see what is and isn't being maintained. Again, I rely on you guys a lot. We rely on you guys a lot to just say, "Hey, 184 00:51:18.559 --> 00:51:35.280 uh you know, and out there in the public, too. If you have uh if you see solar um facilities that are not being maintained on the outside and they're a visual nuisance, give the planning board a call and and uh and let us know uh and then we can 185 00:51:35.280 --> 00:51:50.640 give them a call because they are required to keep the screenings um looking good. And I mean when the modifications of the bylaw I mean one of the if it continues to be a source of irritation 186 00:51:50.640 --> 00:52:08.960 uh 6ft BM with a 4ft fence on top you know >> instead of instead of the plantings. >> Yeah. you know, it's going to it may cost them more money, but you know what? Once the BM's there, uh, it's there >> and and actually over time, if they 187 00:52:08.960 --> 00:52:24.880 don't do anything to it, they'll brush will start to develop on both sides of the burm, and you won't even need the fence after a while. But that's I'm just throwing that out. >> Yeah. No, that's definitely again those are things for us all as a group to uh 188 00:52:24.880 --> 00:52:40.079 to think about. Maybe for the next meeting I'll have Victoria make copies of the bylaw for you all to take home and uh make your notes on and you know start you know we only see every couple of weeks see each other every couple of 189 00:52:40.079 --> 00:52:58.400 weeks. So the earlier we get going on things and making notes um on on u on paper to present is the earlier we start the better. >> Next meeting is Thursday, May 21st. >> No, today is May 21st. 190 00:52:58.400 --> 00:53:14.640 >> Today is May 21st. See, next meeting May 21st. Sorry about that. >> Uh no, our next meeting is actually June June 4th. >> 4th. Yes. June 4th. Can I get a motion? A motion to close. Second. All 191 00:53:14.640 --> 00:53:20.119 >> in favor? >> Thank you. Have a good night.