Hello and welcome to the Tuesday, May 26, 2026 meeting of the air planning board. This meeting hearing of the air planning board will be held in person at the location provided on this notice. Members of the public are welcome to attend this in-person meeting. Please note that while an option for remote
attendance and or participation via Zoom is being provided as a courtesy to the public, the meeting hearing will not be suspended or terminated if technological problems interrupt the virtual broadcast unless otherwise required by law. Members of the public with a particular interest in a specific item on this agenda should make plans for in-person
versus virtual attendance accordingly. This meeting will be live on Zoom. The public may access the proceedings by joining Zoom meeting ID 978-7728220 or by calling 9292056099. For additional information about remote
participation, please contact Danny Ruiz Town Planner at druisair.mma. us or 978-7728220 extension 144 prior to the meeting. Uh first order of business before the first order of business is I want to congratulate the two newest me uh
members of the planning board. Peter Kush over to my left >> and Dave Cyborg to my right. Hello and welcome. Congratulations. >> Thank you both. >> Um the second thing is I'd like to make a motion to approve the agenda with one
change. I'd like to add meeting minute approvals for uh what's the date? April 14th. >> Yes. >> Oh, >> is it April 14th? But the April 14th, 2026 meeting minutes. >> Do I have a second? >> Seconded. >> Any further discussion? Hearing none. Ken?
>> Yes. >> Peter? >> Yes. >> Dave? >> I. >> Julie? >> Yes. >> Chair votes I. The agenda is approved. Uh traditionally after elections we have our reorganization uh which is we have the three formal slots of chair, vice chair and clerk
plus we have other responsibilities for planning board members to sit on working groups and subcommittees. >> Mhm. So, I think what's on the table uh is to have the experienced board members assume for another year their current
slots with myself as chair, Ken is vice chair, and Julie is clerk. >> So, the way it would have to work is because as of right now, we only have a chair, which is you. >> Okay. So, we need a nomination. >> There would need there would need to be nominations and then a vote. >> Okay. So before I just want to get a
kind of straw poll kind of on that before we enter the formal discussion unless >> Peter or Dave have a real desire to fulfill one of those roles. >> My my feeling is certainly you could throw your hat in the ring but I think it's a good idea for the first year to
just kind of learn the ropes if that makes sense cuz there's enough complexity here with the material we deal with to give you plenty to do. Does that sound reasonable? I can't type, so I will never be clerk.
>> Well, as it turns out, our minutes we have uh Heather uh does Thank you. does our minutes. So the clerk doesn't have to do our minutes. What does the clerk do? >> Well, so Heather only will be doing the minutes for another three meetings. >> Oh, is that so? >> Uh as of July 1st, we will
>> we will no longer have a minute taker. We are currently looking at options on how to address that >> um internally. Okay. Um, but potentially the clerk will may need to have to take some meetings. >> Oh, hell no.
>> I know. >> I know. >> What about internally we're figure we're going to figure it out. >> You'll do it. >> What about the work? >> That's the direction. >> I went for other groups. I will not for this group. I actually wouldn't. That's okay. We won't get into why I didn't before. >> Understand? So, just so everyone knows,
we are looking at doing an AI system to that would do it. Um but I we're working >> we have plenty of time. >> We have plenty of time. Correct. >> Uh in addition to those three slots, >> we what are the uh working group commitments and other >> So the working group information we will
do at a separate meeting. >> Do a separate meeting. >> Yeah. Just because um there's going to have to be uh I'm going to have to sit down with all of the members and kind of figure out what is what do you want to continue working on? What don't you want to continue working on? what would you
like to be considered for? And so, and that's going to take some time. >> That's fair. I mean, I know Peter, you expressed interest in housing, so you know, one possibility you might be interested in being the representative on the air housing trust, for example. >> That's but we can discuss that.
>> We have several open positions right now. >> Okay. So, uh, >> we continue the conversation that I have put forth to the select board and the town manager that there should not be this many requests to the planning board to serve on all of these roles because
we have a wonderful town planner and we have other ways of doing these things, but I think it's a little extruous what is asked, especially when some of these boards that don't meet are asking for two members of the planning board to be on them. >> Is that conversation still happening? that I'm not I'm really asking you that
to make sure that that gets vocally >> I can push that >> I will send more emails again but >> if you could >> there's no other board that gets asked to be on 17 other things and >> I'm very grateful for you both to be here but I also if I were them would feel extremely like horrified that I'm
finally here and now I'm being asked to do seven more roles >> only seven I do appreciate that >> but I just a couple things I want to say yes I do But it's it's not that many and ends up each of usually does one.
>> So >> So the Devons Commission has two expected to be on that board and I have yet to have an answer from the select board, this board or the town manager why there is a need for two, let alone even one. And right and I think there are are causes for discussion about
specific commitments but I don't want to create a blanket impression that we have gazillions of meetings to attend because it's not true. >> Well, if that was not true then people would have heard my complaints and addressed them earlier because if it was that easy to address it would have been
addressed. >> Yeah. I I guess the ultimate thing is I for good and ill the planning board is the center of a lot of stuff. It's land use and when you come to a town, land use is boom at the center. >> So people are a rarity as much as land.
>> I I get it. >> And so we can have this conversation here or we can have it offline, but it needs to be had and I'm tired not being had. >> Okay. >> You have been heard. Thank you, Julie. So that brings us Do we need to have a nomination for chair and and and
formally vote that into? >> Yes. >> All right. Where do we start? I'll nominate Jonathan CR for chair of the planning board for the next 12 months. Right. Yeah. Till the next election >> till the next reorganization, let's say. >> Yeah. Next reorganization.
>> I'll second. Any further discussion? >> Would you like to continue? >> Yes, sir. I would be happy to serve. Yes. Thank you. Thank you. >> Uh any further discussion hearing? None. Ken, how do you vote? >> I. >> Peter, I >> David I. >> Julie, >> yes.
>> Chair votes I. Thank you. I appreciate it. Thank you. >> Uh I'd like to nominate Ken Disc for vice chair. >> Second. >> Would you accept the role as vice chair? Yeah. Any further discussion? Hearing none. Ken? >> Yes. >> Peter? >> I. >> David. >> I.
>> Julie? >> Yes. >> And chair votes? I >> want to be Do you want to be nominated for clerk? >> I think there's discussions that I clearly would like to have that haven't been had yet. So, if that could be something we wait on having, I would appreciate that role stay open or we
discuss someone else wanting it for till the next meeting. >> Can we defer to clerkship? >> I'm okay with deferring this until the next meeting. >> Okay. Let's just make a note that we have the chair and vice chair. We just need to vote on that uh on clerkship. >> We can do that.
>> Eight and nine. And I believe that we have a letter from Dan Van Stalkwick, the um DPW director. >> Yes. uh approving this request. Should I read to the record? Is it necessary or >> um if the if you want to?
>> It's not, you know, it's not that long. So, this is dated May 6, 2026. The air planning board from Dan Vanquick, DBW director, uh regarding Panther Place subdivision request for covenant releases lot 78 and 9. Dear board members, the developer of the Panther
Place subdivision, Mr. Joseph Lavine, has requested the release of the covenants on the lot 78 and 9. Please receive the below from DPW review of this request. All main water and sewer infrastructure within the subdivision has been substantially completed. All water and sewer sewer service line stubs
have been installed. Portions of site work remain including but not limited to drainage, grading, curving, sidewalk, street trees plantings, and top course paving. Notable recent work include substantial construction of drainage basins drainage basin west of lots 8 and nine. Substantial construction of the
culde-sac rain garden on Gaskins's Lane. Additional curbing installation, installation of slope granite curb around the culde-sac at Gaskins Lane. There are 26 lots in the sub subdivision and 16 have been released of their covenants, leaving 10 lots currently under covenant for the construction of the subdivision. Lots 7, 8, and 9 are
substantially constructed. The release of these lots will result in seven remaining lots under covenant. The developer submitted a schedule of values on December 1st, 2025, for which the approximate remaining subdivision work is estimated at $116,000. After revising the sov for work
completed since December 1st, 2025 to today, I estimate the remaining subdivision work at approximately $84,500. Based on the above, I support the board releasing the covenants on lot 78 and 9. As further covenants are released, there may come a time to switch to cash,
similar to Riley Jane Farm subdivision to to cover the remaining work. In future covenant releases, I will continue to monitor the schedule of values. If you have any questions, require any additional information, please feel free to contact me. Sincerely, Dan Vince Golf Creek.
All right. Any comments or questions from the board about the release? >> No. No public comment necessary >> but yeah you can open up to public comment. >> Anyone from the public have any comments on the covenant release
>> on Zoom. >> Don't see anybody on >> hearing none. I I take a motion. I'll make a motion that the air planning board release the Panther Place subdivision request for covenant releases for lots 7 8 and N in
accordance with the letter submitted by the DPW director Dan Velcourt. >> I'll second it. >> I'll give it to Julie. Julie second. Any further discussion? >> Hearing none. Ken, how do you vote? >> I. >> Peter >> I. >> David
>> I. >> Julie >> yes >> and chair votes I. The release is approved. Next item is uh I believe this is continued public hearing right for 713 and 15 Park Street Air Family Pharmacy is the app. Ah hi come on up
please. >> Danny can you bring us up to date from where we left off at the previous meeting? >> Yes. >> Um so at the previous meeting there was a um introduction uh by the applicant and the engineer on the overall plans.
Um we did not um get too much further into those because uh we needed uh responses from the applicant that had just re received all of the comments from the department heads. Um we did receive back revised plans as well as um
comments uh revised uh responses to comments um from the applicant on all of the department head comments. Um we did not receive I sent those out to all of the departments. We did not receive back any additional comments or questions
from the um other department heads. Um so I think I would what I would do is have the applicant kind of just go through some of the bigger changes. >> Yes, that would be great. >> All right. Brandon Duchan with Dave Ross here on behalf of Air Pharmacy. And as
as you mentioned at the initial meeting, we kind of went over the project description. We filed an application for site plan review. Um we're in receipt of all the comments from department heads which we have submitted uh a revised set
of plans as well as a we have a uh comment response letter. Um just for those of you that weren't at the last meeting basically that the project intention is to provide additional parking for air pharmacy. They have an
existing uh parking lot on the lefthand side of the building uh which has proven to be have in inadequate amounts of parking for their needs. Um so they had purchased the property on the right hand side of the building with the intent to
create additional parking which we've filed a site plan that provides uh an additional 10 spots. Um probably the easiest thing is just to kind of go through each this comment response letter. Uh I assume most of you have it in front of you.
>> Um the first comments here are from uh the town engineer DPW. Um the initial application we had uh paved sidewalks consistent with some of the other um sidewalks in that area. um it was the
preference of DPW to provide concrete sidewalks. So, we've gone through and we've actually revised the plans and construction details to reflect that change. Um there was a comment regarding if you
look at the the plan, there's a section that goes beyond our frontage where we we we we essentially show a proposed sidewalk between Park Street and the proposed parking lot that terminates where the frontage um of the
applicant ends. And there was some discussion as to a continuation of that sidewalk. And I think at the last meeting um the applicant got the contact information for the town manager. They're they're open to discussions about incorporating that but obviously
there just needs to be some discussion as to you know how that's all going to happen. >> Can can you >> So the note see it says proposed 5 foot wide paved sidewalk right there. >> Yep. >> Thought he talked about it. It's the note that you had changes to concrete.
>> Yes. Concrete and I think yeah, it says paved. I think >> it's the same. Okay. >> I think it's just more the the term as as opposed to asphalt. >> Yeah. Nope. Nope. That's >> It should be It should be changed. >> Yes. And it should be labeled somewhere
else as concrete cuz I know I didn't see that one, but Yeah. Concrete there. Yeah. Just right there. >> Okay. So, you need to clean up that other note too. So, and again, there's construction details on the on the okay, the other
sheet there that specify >> and >> how those concrete sidewalks will be constructed. >> And regarding the extension of the sidewalk, would that conversation be resolved before you craft the decision for the next meeting or no? >> Um, we would Yeah, that would be something that would need to be
addressed prior to the decision. >> Okay. And that would be a conversation between >> or at least there may be a condition that might have to be >> okay. >> Yeah. My re thought would hopefully be maybe a condition just because obviously >> they've got a need to get this parking
in place. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> It's been a few weeks now and I you know I don't know where that's going to go but they're they're open to obviously whatever they can do to help. Um, one of the comments, there's an existing utility pole um that's located
within the proposed sidewalk. And the comet was really just verifying that it had we're required to provide a 3-FFT um access way between the pole and the edge of the sidewalk. So, we just provided that the proposed the sidewalk as prop
proposed provides 3.2 2 ft. And there's been a label on the plan also that's again specifies that it's a minimum 3 foot access way through there. That's for ADA standards. Um the question of signage particularly
as as you come into the the parking lot. Um I think the question was really just do do we want any proposed signage? And I know it came up at the first meeting in regard to the fact that this additional parking area does not provide ADA um
spaces given the fact of the existing site grading in order to comply with that and they have sufficient um ADA accessible parking on the existing parking lot. So, we've added um
>> So, I was just asking for a sign that would just make sure people arrive you would know which side to go on if they needed one of the ADA. Okay. >> So, you do have a proposal for that. >> Yep. So, on that sign post that would be located within the back edge of that sidewalk.
>> Uh it'll do a couple things. The other concern was it going to specify that customer parking only. >> Great. as well as directing anybody that requires a to use the second lot. >> There was an existing manhole which now
shows on the plan that was a sewer cleanout for what was the previous new car building that was at that site before it was um taken down. And we Matt just wanted us to get a note on there
that essentially said that that needs to be um removed in accordance with DPW standards. So um it needs to be cut, capped, the frame cover need to be removed and the the existing structure needs to be backfilled accordingly.
Um, a couple of these comments show up um with both uh Danny's comments as well as conservation. Uh, one of them was pertaining to the proposed plantings. We had um more of a general table uh
specifying plantings. Um the applicant has provided the list of species which are all native because that was one of the questions or one of the comments was either 75 or 50% but again uh the plantings that are provided on this
plant are 100% native. >> Okay. We we're showing two employee parking spaces uh furthest from the building and there was a question as to signage. Given the fact that the proposed snow
storage is is just to the right beyond those spots, what we we opted to do is just we'll paint that when they strike the parking lot um so it doesn't impede snow removal at the site, but it designates those as employee parking. um
some additional detail on the fencing material around the dumpster. And again, conservation had a comment just pertaining to um we we showed a single dumpster and with the requirement to have both um trash and recycling. What
we've done is the the applicant actually reached out to their current provider and instead of doing a one fouryard dumpster, they're going to do two two yard dumpsters that meet their needs. based on what they're hauling today. So, uh, one of those will be trash and the other will be recycling.
The question about a construction entrance detail um, or if a construction entrance was required or necessary. Uh if it was presented at the initial meeting, but this parking area because
it was the previous new car facility, there's all pavement there. Now portion of that is below uh top and subs soil in the back. But um however the contractor phases the work, what we've done is on the uh erosion control plan, we've added
a detail for construction entrance. So depending how they phase that work, you know, prior to removing the existing pavement, they'll have to provide it for a uh construction entrance. And kind of what goes along with that is
uh erosion control. And again, the difficulty in specifying the location of the erosion control on this site is just the fact that we go from the gutter edge of pavement on Park Street, which right now is paved all the way into the lot. I
don't really know how they're going to construct this, whether they're going to do the sidewalks first or whether they're going to grade and do that, but but we provided a detail for the erosion control and possibly as a condition the contractor will just kind of show their phasing and how they'll install that
erosion control prior to construction. So on that the if that's kind of the route we go then the um we would have to write in the condition that prior to um you know
prior to the pre-construction meeting or at the pre-construction meeting we would need some sort of a plan of how the phasing is going to be done so that we we can ensure that you know the erosion controls are going to be put in at a proper time and that there's not going to just be sediment leaving the site.
the same along with the construction entrance because phasing is going to be very important in into as part of that whole thing. >> Okay. >> Yeah. In terms of erosion control, the way the site is now is it's relatively flat for everyone that's gone by. The
proposed grading is to have all of the surface runoff to go into the site. Um so you know once they grade that it'll be kind of directing most of that sediment into the site down to the low area where we're proposing a leech and catch basin.
>> So our concern is that when they move the paving and go to sub grade and whatnot that you could get run off into the street you want to control that you >> you put the notes we can just have a pre-constructed meeting with notes that >> you figure out how to do it. >> Yeah it would be a we would put in a
special condition. Yeah. >> And there >> shouldn't be a problem. >> Um, >> yeah, that's and then the the next one, the operation and maintenance plan. So, I know on the plan you have an operation and
maintenance plan, but in terms of the rain garden, is it being maintained? Is there like a yearly inspection? like is it like what's being done to maintain that and I
cuz I I personally think you should include it into the current operation not not current the one that you're proposing just so that it all gets done at the same time >> on the same schedule because >> you know with a rain garden and if that gets clogged up then it's not going to
function at all. So I think including that into this operation and maintenance plans just ensures that both of them are being done at the same time. Sure. I had talked to the applicant a little bit about this just to see if they had one in place already, which >> he didn't believe that they they did
have anything formalized. I you know, obviously it's been in place for a number of years. It's being kind of maintained under their general, you know, landscaping uh procedures. >> Um we can certainly add some language because >> again the operation and maintenance plan
that we provided with this application is for what we're proposing. Yeah. But we can certainly grab some just standard maintenance. >> Yeah. >> That we can tie into that to cover the specifically the rain garden. >> Yeah. >> Just so that we know I mean like I I do
believe in that it's being maintained but just so that they're both being maintained at the same time cuz you know when you do one you're going to want to just do the other one at the same time. >> Yes. Yep. Um and and they are aware that the the drainage system that they have
currently is fairly elaborate where there is there's a rain guard. There's a series of strip uh swailes that collect and they have a subsurface leeching system that obviously they're interested in protecting too cuz the replacement cost on that is quite high. So you know
the need to maintain that is to prevent that from failing. And I think Gary talked about the planning and the dumpsters, right? >> Yeah. Yep. Um again, these are from conservation from Heather. Um we talked about the
landscaping. Um and the fact that we provided the the species and within the table and the native plantings uh and then the dumpster. >> Mhm. which we also briefly just discussed.
>> Okay, good. I have a question and I'm asking my colleagues to help me, but I I did kind of remember that there was a discussion if you look on the right hand corner of the property if you could zip it over a little bit to the Yeah. Wasn't there some discussion of like a land swap over there to so that
>> so I actually spoke with the owner about this and I said we would do this at a later date once the project actually gets through approvals and all of that then we could you know actually have that conversation. >> All right. So it has been dropped at a different date. >> Yeah. >> Okay. I was just curious now my
colleagues have any questions regarding um the responses to the comments? I I just noticed I thought I asked the first time around, but I did notice there's two sight lighting fixtures here on the plant. >> We are providing two new fixtures. I thought we made a comment that somebody
said there was enough light on the project from the street or the garage, but I'm glad to see there's two shown. >> I believe they were shown on the last. >> Yes. Yeah. Okay. >> Yeah. Thanks. >> There's one right here and then there's one at this corner. >> Yeah. >> All right. Good. And so again, what
they're looking to replicate is the exact same lighting, the downward facing >> from the other side. >> They're not overly tall poles, but essentially doing those same exact poles in the slot that's on there on the lot. >> So, um, before I open up for further questions and comments, Danny, are there
um what? >> Yeah, go ahead. >> Follow up to that is we're not requiring a photometric or anything like that. >> I believe that's one of their >> Are they asking for a waiver? >> Yeah. Okay. There's a list of waiverss that they're requesting. >> Okay. And we'll do those with the
decision. Is there anything that we need to do this evening before we arrive for prepare for the decision next uh meeting? >> Julie, do you have a question? >> I just have a basic question. What are they going to do with the other employees? >> I mean, this is more parking and that's wonderful cuz they need it, but they
have way more than two employees. So is is it two just so they have those guaranteed for the two that like will always be there in the off hours and then in peak hours >> they going to do similar to what they're doing now or are they going to >> So currently there's a small portion of
driveway or parking area just on the right hand side of the building where where they the employees park. You can see this the cars. So, uh, at this point they just want to at least designate two. >> Okay. >> Uh, for employee parking and obviously if they have more than that, they'll
they'll just utilize whatever space is available. >> There's usually five or six. So, okay. Awesome. Well, I'm thrilled. >> Okay. Any further comments? I'm sorry. Go ahead. >> No, I mean, I think a portion of that is that the turning movements out of those
other spots are are better suited for in-n-out traffic. So, we figured if we're going to design if we show those two extra spots, it's easier just to designate those as employee parking because usually employees are coming before or after hours. So, it's
>> any further questions for my colleagues? I'd like to open up public comment. Anyone in the room have any questions regarding the air family pharmacy parking lot? Anyone on Zoom have any questions or comments regarding the Air Family
Pharmacy parking lot proposal? >> I do. >> And who would that be? >> Good evening. It's Bethmire Nasha Street. >> Hi Beth. >> Hi. >> Go ahead.
>> All right. Thank you. Um, just wanting to ask a couple of questions. Um, I didn't notice on the site plan any uh, bicycle racks or parking and given the proximity of the store and the
opportunity to really um, be able to cater to people who are coming from the bike trail, I think that that might be an amenity they would want to consider. It's possible it's on the other side. I just am not aware of it. >> Do you know if there's existing? >> Yes. So if you look on the plan in the
lower right hand corner of the building, you can see the note for a bike rack. So >> that spot there is what was shown on the initial site plan that was done for the property that provided the bike storage there. Um I'm not sure if there is a
rack in place, but but we noted on this one that if it's not there that that's where the rack would be installed. >> Thank you. Um, I noticed that there's the landscape um table and the site plan
shows the locations of proposed plantings, but there are no street trees that are proposed or shade trees that are proposed. And I think that that's a missed opportunity given the amount of imperous area that is in this part of the downtown. And I would really like to
see some of the nine barks that are located close to the uh picnic table replaced for some shade trees that could really grow and offer significant shade. And you know, anytime that you have a parking area, you also really want to be able to offer shade adjacent um to, you
know, be able to ultimately cover some of those parking areas. So, I'd really like to think that they would be interested in replacing some of the shrubs that are identified on the plan with shade tree species, um natives, of course. Um, and then the other question that I had was related to
the future planning and thinking about connections to the rail trail. I realized that the town owns the property I believe adjacent to here and this was a comment that I had brought up with the um adjacent property when that uh proposal was being considered. But I
really think some forward thinking related to bike and pedestrian access to Park Street from um these adjacent properties is really important. Um, so I don't know if that is already a conversation that has happened and been considered or, you
know, what might be able to to happen, you know, with these lots that are the Park Street lots directly adjacent to town owned property that connects to the rail trail cuz it's it's really, you know, like you're you're bottlenecking people into forcing them to go to one
end or the other of the block if if that's the design. But I really think that these kinds of connections to Park Street will really help the businesses as well as safety and um flow for bikes and pedestrians.
>> Thank you. >> You're not going to answer that. >> Um >> the conversation we just talked about it. Yeah. So, um there's at the last meeting we had a discussion about talking about having a land swap, which actually
Jonathan just brought up um at this corner to see if there's a way that you know the town could take some of this land and give them some additional land on this side so that we have some access right here between 3 to 5 Park Street and this parcel which would connect uh
between the garage and the um the rail trail. So there is discussions occurring. >> What about the trees? Any thoughts about the the shade trees? >> Um I don't know if they go over the lot or not. >> Again, I I feel like some of those trees
that were proposed by the applicant are of a larger species that that would provide shade. But again, I would I would have to it's their landscaper essentially that that kind of came up with that list. So, you know, I'm sure
they'd be open to possible substitutions. >> Okay, great. >> All right. Uh, >> anyone anyone else? >> I don't see anyone else. >> All right. Next up, standing.
>> So, if I'm reading this right, under the scope, is it Apple service berry? Is that the name of the church? >> The apple service berry. So there's three of those sh is there three shown on the plan or >> there are yes there's one right there
>> and three. >> So that's pretty good coverage. >> And then there's the larger eastern uh nine bark. >> Yeah. We talked about this at the last meeting as well. The fact that there's
just no strip planting strip between the sidewalk and the lot. >> Correct. That's and that's one of the waiverss that they're requesting because of the uniqueness of this lot. You know, it's it's such a uh >> oddly shaped lot. There's not an lot of
room, you know, width or depth as we you know, for this lot. Um so to make this a viable lot, you know, they that's why they're requesting the waiver. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Danny, next steps. Um, I would say the
next steps would probably be a continuum uh continuation to the next public um meeting which is June 9th. Um, and then at that meeting we would have a draft decision written
>> then given to the applicant for comments. >> Okay, great. So, uh, I make a motion to continue the public hearing for 20 grunt Harvard road to our next planning board meeting. Um 7. >> Oh, sorry, sorry, sorry. Make pardon me. Make a motion to continue the public
hearing for 713 to 15 Park Street Air Family Pharmacy to our next planning board meeting on >> June 9th. >> June 9th. >> Seconded. >> Any further discussion? Ken? >> Yes. >> Peter? >> Hi. >> Julie? >> Yes.
>> Chair. Great. So, >> so might you're going to try to get us a draft prior to that? >> Yeah. Yeah, I'll have it to you probably the Friday before the meeting. Fantastic. >> So, next the agenda, we have the public hearing for 2020 Groten Harvard Road.
Uh, we did have we have opened it already. >> Yes. So I can explain just so at the last meeting we um opened but continued without any discussion so that we could um re notify all abutters within the 300
ft of the property that has been done and um so now at this meeting it's going to be the first actual meeting with discussion. >> Perfect. Then we usually this is an opportunity for the um the applicant to
to walk us through and to discuss the plans. First with the gentleman introduce himself. >> Uh Conrad Denell um the the owner property owner. >> Welcome sir. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. Great. Um lead us through sir. >> All right. Talk about >> you want to start with the existing
conditions. Yes. So um we filed for site plan approval or site plan review as well as storm water management permit for this property. point of Groten Harvard Road. Um it's about 3/4 of an acre in size located um at the
intersection of Central A and Grten Harvard Road. Um currently on the site there's an existing single family home. Um with a carport kind of just down the page from there and an existing driveway. Um topography
is the high point is essentially along the rear area kind of in that area and it slopes down towards central a as well as towards uh Grot and Harvard road. Uh it's located within uh two zoning districts. It's the mixeduse transitional zoning district which that
line designates there as well as it borders a residence A2. So the proposed project consists of demolition of the existing single family home and construction of a um multif family residential dwelling that will
contain uh nine uh units within it. Um we've incorporated the driveway a access to be as far north as from the intersection of central and graten Harvard roads. Um so along that norly pro property line the proposed access
road will go up into the site. Um the proposed building has ground floor access which will have garage bays provided. So there'll be two parking spaces for each unit. One will be internal within the garage and the other one will be just outside the garage
within a driveway area. And then there's uh five visitor parking spots that are provided. Um again, we also have incorporated um a mail center as well as a um a bike rack area on this layout as
well. And again, this is the initial plan. The ones we're looking at right now is the initial plan that was filed prior to the last hearing. And then afterwards, I'll kind of go over some of these plan changes because we we've since submitted a revised updated set of plans.
>> Um the proposed development um has a storm water management system that's comprised of um a gutter system that will directly infiltrate all of the rooftop runoff. It it'll be collected and tied into a
subsurface infiltration system which will be obviously below grade >> there chambered system there >> and all of the impervious surface from the proposed access way and the parking areas will be collected um through catch
basins which will tie into manholes and then prior to um going into the subsurface system there'll be a um storm water treatment unit that'll polish that water to get our TSS removal. Um the
proposed access way um heads down slope towards Grot and Harvard road. So we've also provided an additional catch basin um right just inside as you come in the entrance on the right hand side that'll pick up uh all of the surface water that
comes down the driveway. The driveway has been pitched to kind of super elevate the the surface water to that catch basin and then that'll be tied into a leeching um a leeching pit there. The the soils on site we've done um a number of test
holes um and found that it's it's it's well drained very good material for uh for storm water which is why we've u proposed subsurface infiltration. uh the drainage report that was submitted, you know, goes into uh the
design um of that system. Essentially, it's carried um the 24-hour storm through all the way through the 100redyear storm event. Um >> could you how many test bits did you do? >> Uh there's five. There's so on the existing conditions plan.
>> Show Yeah, if you could show where the five are. So there there's three that are kind of in the front corner there and then uh two up on the top of the hill >> and and my understanding you did not hit ledge. >> Ledge was not encountered.
>> That's a I just wow I just extraordinary. I know only say that because the previous two projects in Central Avenue definitely had considerable amount of ledge to blast and so you're anticipating based on the test pits that there's no blasting necessary even breaking. >> Yeah. based on the the the depth of the
pits, particularly uh pits four and five up there on the top. Based on that depth, I mean, we got down to >> probably within a foot of what the slab elevation will be for that building. >> Y >> beautiful sand. >> Unbelievable. Yeah.
>> Okay. In terms of uh utility connections, just to kind of hop back to the proposed plan, >> of course, >> there's obviously sewer and water located at both Central and Grot and Harvard Road. Um
we we did a um a presubmission meeting that included DPW just to kind of determine kind of what the the best uh connection points were. And there's an existing sewer manhole that's probably about 80 to 100 ft up Grton Harvard Road there. Um what we're proposing is each
unit will have its own um sewer line that exits uh at the building that'll tie into kind of a sewer main line that'll kind of trunk those together. It it ties into an a proposed sewer manhole that will then go down and directly
connect into the sewer manhole within Rotten Harvard Road. >> This is all gravity. >> Yes. Okay, great. >> Yep. All gravity. Um in in terms of water on central A kind of on the left hand by the lefth hand um property line. Yep. Uh there's an existing fire hydrant
there and there's a 12-in water main. Um we're proposing it's been updated on the new plans, but there'll be two service connections there. One for domestic water supply. Um and each of the units will have its own um service line that goes directly into
the unit. And additionally um the proposed building will be um have fire suppression sprinkler system. So there'll be a um a fire line >> that's because of the number of units >> that that will connect into the building there to provide um firefighting water
capability. >> And that fire line I forgive overstating the obvious is distinguished from the other line that you just described. Correct. Okay. Because I remember there was some discussion in the comments about that but the resolution is two separate lines. >> Yes. Okay. and and generally because
obviously you know when they design that system there could be greater water demand. So it might be it might be an upsized service connection there. >> Um part of this with the nine units one of the units within the building will be
for the inclusionary housing. Uh just the other things to note is um we've provided uh landscaping on this initial plan as well as based on some of the comments received um the updated plan um kind of revisits and provides
some additional planting uh based on your regulations. Okay. Questions and comments from the board. >> Do we want to review the comments that were already before the last meeting? >> So, they have responded to them. We have
not had a chance to fully get through all of their comments and I haven't gotten back um I haven't heard back from all of the other departments. So, um I I was going to let them kind of just go through some of the changes that they the bigger changes that they wanted to
show. Um and then you know cuz I don't want to get too in depth into the comments because we still haven't had a chance to you know provide any additional comments if there are. >> Okay. >> So that would be deferred to the next meeting on the 9th.
>> Yeah. So but this is the revised plan. >> Okay. Let's take a look at that. So >> what's different here? >> Yeah, if we don't want to go through each each comment line by line, in general in regards to the landscaping, um between we we talked about the difference between the mixeduse
transitional and the A2. Um so some additional screening plantings were provided along that property line. um with the intent to basically create a a visual um evergreen
barrier between the residential butter and the multifamily development. Um there's a requirement in the reg regulations that basically at the time of occupancy that that'll be a
substantial um visual barrier up to a height of I think it was like 6 feet. Um and what we've done is based on similar to the comments at the previous hearing is we we've gone through and we've specified those species and and
identified that they are indeed native. Um, we had patios on the backs of the units. Um, well, I guess even we back up more. This development is a corner lot. Basically, it has frontage on both
Central and Graten Harvard. And there was some discussion over the the the comment was made that um the building setbacks based upon the previous plan observed a sideline setback to um both
of the uh the sideline coming up Central A as well as Graten Harvard. that northernly line based on the definition within the bylaw is on a corner lot. The the frontage that is essentially longer
where we have more frontage that o the property line opposite that frontage is considered a rear set a rear uh property line. So the entire building has been shifted to provide that additional
setback requirement to be on 25 ft. And in doing that, it did a couple things. Number one, it allowed us more room to grade behind the building. So, we were able to eliminate um the units one and two had a elevated deck to
provide a secondary means of ingress and egress. Uh we were able to balance that out using um a retaining wall which is less than 4 ft off the back um to provide um that access. We've also eliminated there was patios on the back
of the units. We've eliminated those which um took care of one of the concerns in terms of the water service lines being under the patio. Um with the shift in the building which has kind of shifted the storm water management as well as the parking and
access um coupled with the comment of provi having to provide a dumpster for both the trash and recycling. we were kind of eating up a lot of space off the end of that area and it's it is within close proximity to central and the
intersection of central and grten Harvard. Uh so talking with Conrad, what we're what we're proposing is to do internal trash collection. So essentially uh each of these residents will have a a garage at the ground level. They'll have uh individual
barrels for both trash and recycling that that will be picked up uh curbside within within the site. So it eliminates that dumpster. >> Say curbside within the site. >> Yeah. So they'll they'll actually >> pick up the in front of each garage
basically. their own stuff, you know. >> And again, that's just to eliminate otherwise there would be numerous >> barrels down on along the existing road. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> And that'll work that that trash. >> Yeah. Cuz they would just go into the
site cuz there's there's enough room. >> Yeah. There's enough room for circulation, so it wouldn't be that much. >> They were going in anyway to pick up the dumpsters. So now it basically they're just going to pick up the barrels. So you understand where my where I'm coming
from here. >> So it's quite a I'd like you to go back to and tell us exactly where you found that definition or the description of why the 25 ft needed to be created on the back cuz >> the original discussion was quite
different from that. >> Yeah. And and I can explain. >> So just take us through. So the building commissioner had an an initial determination um based on um previous you know iterations of other projects. He later
came up um there was something that was brought to his attention. He later then uh brought um uh David Ross Associates I think it was Kevin Conover. >> Yeah. came in to have that discussion regarding the corner lot and what's a rear, what's a what um the building
commissioner made a determination at that point that the first um determination he made was incorrect and that the the side as it was being called in the first time is actually a rear. Okay. And so at that point because Grant Harbor Road was
the front the initial frontage um of the corner lot the back portion of that must be called the rear. >> Okay. So that that I'm looking at it right here. So it's under the definition section basically. >> Want me to read it or forget it?
>> Up to you if you want to. So if you you aware of this definition, you guys picked it up later with in a discussion with Mike Wallace, I guess something along those lines. >> It was brought to our attention. Yeah. >> Okay. So for setback preferences, in the case of large fronting on multiple
streets, the front yard shall correspond to the street with the longest frontage, comma, the vehicle access can be obtained via either the front or the side lot lines. So by determining that that is the frontage, the other becomes
the rear. Mhm. Thank you. >> Good, good, good. Any other questions or comments? >> No, I'm going to open it up. >> Actually, I do have one question. >> Yeah, Peter, go for it. >> Um, I don't I understand why you're doing without the dumpster, but I just
want to make sure that the the trash pickup the barrels will be adequate for because every housing project I've worked on, disposal and barrels have been a nightmare. trash gets everywhere and ends up in a butter's properties. So, I just want to make sure that the
barrels will be proper and maybe two barrels or whatever per unit because these are three bedrooms. Just want to make sure that trash and whatnot's not getting into abundance properties is my concern. I understand why you're not going with the dumpster, but as far as the barrels go, want to make sure the
barrels are actually adequate to uh store refues and whatnot. So, it's going to be a contract service similar. Pick >> up once a week. Okay. >> Yeah. So, that'll be a, you know, typical wheel that I'll have a cover on it, not just, you know, I guess regular
barrels with covers. It's got the the swing lash on the top. Yeah. So, consistent with everywhere else. >> Thank you, Peter. I'm a little concerned with the the main entrance where you I know you're trying
to grade them towards that one catch basin, but I got to believe water coming down that driveway might be coming back down fast enough to miss that catch basin. Would you consider putting another, you know, crowning it instead of trying to super elevate it? Put one
on the other side as well. So you'd have catch basin on either side and therefore you got a pretty good chance of catching everything. I just think it might want to run right by it. >> Yeah. So you're saying like if it catches some speed along here, it'll just go right through. >> And and to be fair, we have run into
this issue over on a previous project which was similar driveway, you know, design where it was supposed to go towards that one catch basin that is now just bypassing it. Yes, >> it has to be addressed. So, it is a
valid concern. >> Okay. So, can you guys take a look at that? >> You'd have a little, you know what I mean? You'd crown it. >> Crown it. Yeah. >> Instead of to each direction that it's the curve goes to the catch basin on either side instead of trying to push it
across the driveway, which I don't think is going to work in some situations. >> We can look at that. Um, it's a relatively short run of driveway because as you look catch basin eight,
so this is is on the opposite side. >> Yeah. >> Up towards the top of the slope there. So, I >> mean, you're going right in the same direction. So, it's pretty easy to add another one, I think. >> Take a look at it. >> Cuz rain that falls here
>> is just going to go this way. That's what I'm thinking >> because this is this exact scenario is exactly what's happening on a current a project that we're currently dealing with. >> And I think it's important here too because you really don't want to add any more
off the site down to the Graten Hav Road. You want to do everything you can to keep it on the site and be proactive for the neighborhood and whatnot. So, it's a I think it's a small change to consider that. >> You look at that. You'll look into it. >> Yep.
>> Okay. >> So, do we need to talk about um if there's a revision to the 25 ft in the back? Has there been a revision to the landscape plan? >> So, that's a good question. That was actually my next question for him. Um,
so one of my comments and you you already discussed it was, you know, the the A2, you know, the two zoning districts. If it's a multif family to a residential um single family home in that area, you have to provide the landscaping. And so on this area back
here along unit 7, 8, and 9, that's where that would also apply because you do have another residential use back here. So you're showing off fence. There is under the next section of that it talks
about the the planning board has the authority to provide a waiver in the sense of allowing a fence in place of that landscape. Are you is that what this is basically showing that you're using that fence in place of that landscaping?
>> Yes. So the the intent was in the behind the building the fence would serve as that visual buffer. Okay. And then the rest would be a lawn basically just graded out and seated as a lawn. Is that the idea?
>> Yeah. So the the what would need and this will be included as part of my comments would be they would have to make a formal request as for that. >> Yeah. >> And I so I I will include that as part of my comments.
>> Go ahead. Sorry. >> No, sorry. Kind of along those lines. Um, if I forget the section that you referenced in your comments, but it it it specifies a 25- ft landscape buffer between the the residential use there.
And based on what the design purpose was to get that access drive as far from the intersection as we could. So, as you look at that 25- ft landscape buffer, >> Mhm. >> we would require a waiver down by the access road
>> to go down to about 18 ft. So, we're getting that visual separation with the plantings that we've provided. But in order to comply with that 25 and in that 25, it can be >> grass, you know, it's it's not
necessarily all screening, correct? But um our thought is obviously the safety all the other concerns is to get that access drive as far from the intersection as possible is a greater benefit, >> but that would potentially be another waiver that we'd have to add.
>> Yeah. The proximity to this intersection and and I'm assuming the reason you're not adding the landscape there is because of sight lines as well, right? You got to be able to see, right? Yeah. Right.
I guess is that I can't see it with the size there, but does that entrance have vertical granite curve? >> Um, >> like coming into the site part way or something or it's Cape Cod B all the way in,
whatever. >> I don't think it specifies. >> You're wondering what the existing curving is? >> No, the entrance to the new project. >> Yes. >> What are you calling this out as? >> Puminous Cape Cod Verm. Yeah, >> I think we have a I think there's a requirement for
um vertical granite curving at the at the um radi. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Yeah, I believe that's that's a requirement for all um curb cuts. >> Okay. >> But I
>> we haven't received comments back from the other department. I don't know. But in typical fashion, we would expect that to be vertical granite curve transitioning to the Cape Cod. Correct. And again onto their property. >> Yeah. Once the radi is done, then at that point it would be >> whatever they chose they were choosing.
>> But based on what I see here, it it it's all Cape Cod B. >> Okay. >> And that requirements on all driveways. >> Yeah, I believe so. >> I can I can talk to Matt. He can probably get you to reference better than I can.
>> It's usually comes from us. >> Any other questions or comments from board members? >> Like it opened up to uh comments or questions from the room? >> Yes. >> Oh, you do? Come on up.
Can we get chairs for a chair right there for you? Can >> we get a second chair? Yeah. >> Thank you. Hello everybody. >> Hello. >> We are the Bashar. We are >> 80 the 80 central on the other the back
end. >> Um I have a lot of concerns. >> Okay. >> Um my husband is battling AML leukemia since last June. He's had a bone marrow transplant in February. He's
on the mend. But my concern is dust things that are going to be floating in the air because those trees right now you're planning to take the trees down. >> Yes.
>> The existing trees. Yes. Yeah. >> That they're right on the line and that is >> Yeah. I'm I'm going to >> you know it's it's a big concern for me. uh first for privacy.
Second, you know, when all those trees come down, you know, we'll have we'll have no privacy. Uh there's if there's a lot of people, you know, you you're saying there's patios, people are going to be grilling,
his lungs are a mess. um you know >> so um just before we get too far along so in terms of the dust control and that concern the planning board has requirements as part of the construction permit that they have to maintain that
that they have to use dust controls to properly keep that down. >> So it's part I I cannot for the life of me believe there's no ledge in there. I just it's my our property is completely everything everywhere you dig is ledge.
>> That blows my mind. There's no ledge there. >> But you know the I don't know the >> the trees it's the most concern. It's the most privacy. They're pine. They always green in the winter or summer and
all that. And then it's a straight line of a pine. It's you want to put a put a fence that's fine you know but the trees it's already the fence between us and the other side
>> I mean that's just it's going to break my >> I know some that can be chopped that's fine but it's just the privacy between us and and other people that that's all >> and I I am concerned about you know the
the water on that corner like you were saying about the two drains, that intersection is so dangerous already. And several accidents >> have happened because of, you know, the
rain sitting on top of the paint that's used for the crosswalk. >> That paint is tends to be slick. And there was a a motorcyclist >> Yeah, that's weird. that really took himself out. So, if there's any kind of
runoff that doesn't get caught in the catch basin, >> that's going to be treacherous for everybody traveling. That's already a really dangerous intersection. >> Um, you know, I I'm just concerned like water pressure.
I know you've talked about it already that it's going to be separate, but you know, our water pressure is already not fantastic >> actually. So, as part of another project that's up the street, the water pressure that's uh there's a loop that's being
introduced into Grant Harbor Road is actually going to make that whole area have better water pressure. >> Okay. So, that includes Central A. So, we're at 80 Central A. >> Yeah. Because the water the way the water works is up on High Street is going to connect all the way down to Grten Harvard Road and the Graten
Harvard Road water line that runs down all the way down to Central A is kind is that one that they're tying into. >> Okay. And I know this sounds crazy for everybody else, but what time does is construction going to start? cuz like
Lon Hill or whatever those that's for Lincoln Hill, >> you know, he had just gotten out of the hospital and it's 7:00 a.m. and it's >> and we're not sleeping as it is and to have that start at 7:00 a.m. is brutal.
>> Yeah. So legally they are allowed to start construction between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. the And then on Saturdays it's I believe it's 8 to 4 8 to 3 and then no work on Sundays or legal holidays.
>> Right. Usually we know it's 3:00 because all the hammering stones >> um the trash that it was a concern. I mean, >> is is it a dumpster or barrel? >> No, barrel. They just said it's going to be barrels. Okay. >> Everybody's going to have their own
individual cuz I'll tell you right now, there's plenty of raccoon, um, possum, skunks, every there's everything there. So, just a heads up, it was a good decision not to do the dumpsters. We
just got one, a dumpster, and we don't put any food in it until Monday night because it gets picked up Tuesday morning. >> So, just heads up, there's lots of creatures. >> All right. I I think >> that's all. >> I think that's it. I just as long as the
dust is going to be >> Yes. >> like really minimal, if any, >> and >> if possible, you can leave the trees, it would be it would be great. But it's >> But if not, if we don't, you know, if
the trees don't stay, how high was Did you say you were going to put a fence? >> 6t high. Yeah. >> Six foot. >> Whatever. God deal with you guys. >> Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you, guys. I got a follow. >> I don't know. I think Lena is probably going to want to talk. She's the >> Yeah, we'll we'll turn it over to the next So, have you done a um
have you laid out the lot line in the back like exactly where the lot line is that they're talking about between the property so you could determine if the actual trees are on your land or their land? >> I think we should recommend that that that line be staked in the field. >> So, we could probably do a sitewalk.
>> Yeah, do a sitewalk. >> We could schedule a sitewalk and have the applicants, you know, um >> do stake out the property line. stake that line. >> Did you hear what he said? >> Um, yeah. Cuz if we have them stake the line, then we can go out there and and look at that
>> and see, you know, if what does, you know, what can stay, what can't stay. >> You might find out that some of the stuff can be pruned and and stay in place, but be cut back, you know, and still allow construction. depending on where the actual root system is. A lot >> of it's got to do the the root system
>> disturbing the root system with any big trees. It makes it very unstable, you know. >> Yeah, exactly. >> Yes, indeed. >> But we we can look at that. I think if you look at the existing conditions plan, there was um there's a couple there's that stone bound right by Mass.
Yep. Right there. And then there's another bound on the back corner. >> Yep. >> So those are about 110 ft apart. So it gives an existence. Oh, so there's already an existing wire fence already there, too. >> Fence is on the line. >> The fence is already on the line. >> Okay. So you already see it.
>> So is there are the trees on the other side of the fence? >> Well, that's something we can look at, but at least in terms of having to stake the lot line, we're pretty tight in on that. There was a lot that we found on that side of the property. >> Okay. Okay, perfect. So yeah, so so it won't be necessary to actually stake out the the lot line. We can actually see it
with the existing stuff in this area right here. Um, that's good. So in in if trees do have to come down on this side,
would you would you be open to maybe instead of a fence doing a you know similar to what you have here with this arborite evergreen sl um type line along there instead of a fence. We can discuss that
right. Yeah. >> Because then at that point you're going to have something that's going to continue to grow >> and at least fill in that visual buffer >> higher than six feet. >> It's going to grow higher. Yeah. Exactly. >> Yeah. It's going to be higher than 6 ft.
>> Yep. Sure. Okay. >> Like to open up for comment for >> I just ask you mentioned the site. Is that something a sidewalk? Are we going to do that at the end once we go through the comments? >> Thank you. uh like to open up for comments from anyone on Zoom. Anyone on Zoom have comments or questions
regarding 20 Grtenh? >> And who would that be? >> Uh my name is Justin Roble. I'm the abuter at 22 Grten Harvard. Uh property just to the right if you look at it from Graten Harvard Road. >> Yes. >> Okay. Go. Yes, sir. >> Okay. A couple things. Uh number one,
I'd like to echo and agree on not having a dumpster being a good thing. Um, obviously the just the rodents and the like, uh, it would be much better if it was a standard bin system. They were emptied weekly. Um, but it sounds like that's already the plan. So, moving on.
Uh, existing retaining wall between 22 and 20. If you look at the site plan, uh, the existing, there are probably, I can't recall if it is five or six, uh, probably 100 foot tall, uh, trees there.
Those are coming down as I interpret this plan. Yes. >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Um that would be a good thing. Uh I had not that it matters, but I had uh tried to make that happen years back. Previous owner was not interested in that, but I
digress. Um in those trees coming down, I have concerns with the existing retaining wall there. Um retaining wall is kind of a strong term for what is there. Mhm. >> It is a stone wall that's probably about 100 years old. >> Okay. >> It's not in great shape. Uh when those
trees are removed, I assume something will need to happen with the stumps. I don't know what you're going to do there. Um but in removing the stumps, I think there's going to be damage to that retaining wall. What plans are in place?
Is that something we're planning for? So that first tree, not such a big deal. It's the ones behind it. >> Yeah, it's those. >> Yeah, they are very near and the root system is down into that stone wall. And I can tell you it is presently um at least once a year they push another rock
out and I have to go kind of reset it. Yeah, I think that's something we especially we're going to take a sitewalk, we can look at that and figure out true what we can do best there. >> Okay. Okay. >> Additionally,
um I do like that the uh sight line out of uh what'll essentially be uh that that line of shrubs that'll be planted or or whatever is being planted there. That ending with good sight line is extremely important. It is already uh very difficult to back out of my
driveway. It is super sketchy if I'm being honest. Um maintaining a sight line is extremely important, especially with uh what I'm going to call the uninforced speeding issue on Groten Harvard Road. as it
relates to vehicles coming down Groten Harvard Road into that stop sign at a excessive rate of speed. I don't know if there's uh to be honest I don't drive on Graten Harvard Road enough to know what the speed limit is coming that direction.
>> My guess is it's 35. You might consider even reducing that >> a little ways up the road >> to uh bring that down to a 25 into that stop sign because the traffic there is going to be >> a problem.
>> Yeah. In terms of changing speed, that's a select board and a police department kind of thing, which >> but I can we can uh definitely bring it up to them. >> I'd appreciate that. Um, and then my last question or concern was just uh as far as that giant line of
uh trees or shrubberies goes, I assume there will be some sort of an HOA, some sort of a landscape contract that'll take care of those maintenance. >> Yep. >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Excellent. Well, if uh if somebody could get back to me on uh you know the
concerns about just that existing retaining wall and fence and as it relates to the removal of those trees, I'd appreciate that. >> Yeah. So when we um set up the the sitewalk, you know, that'll be something that we discuss at that point. And then at the next meeting, we can kind of give
the public a uh full rundown as to kind of what the discussion was as to what uh about the retaining wall, about the trees in that area as well. >> I appreciate that. Thank you. >> Anyone else online have any comments or questions?
Okay, I will >> I have a couple of questions. >> Yes, Beth. >> Beth Sidmer. Um I similar to the last one, I just really want to comment on the proposed landscape plan. Um, you
know, there's there's again shrubs and then Norway maples which obviously are not native. And I understand that there is sometimes a a reason for having uh evergreen um planted, but I really really want to stress the importance of
street trees and shade for cooling corridors. And you know, I just really hate to see any consideration of waving street requirements. And it's just so important for the livability of these spaces to have shade trees. Um, again,
just like with the last project, the service berries and the um, nine parks and things like that, those are are large shrubs. They might get to like 15 ft, but they're not going to provide shade and they're not going to provide a space underneath to gather. And I really think that that's very important for
these projects and would really like to see um deciduous shade trees planted that are are native and really enhance um the cooling of the the livable spaces and green spaces and the sidewalk area and the roadway. Um so that's you know
very important along those lines. um as was mentioned by the resident two um back who talked about the preservation of some of the trees um for screening along that property line that's you know really important and anything that can
be done to protect trees that are in good condition um and help with that screening is really important and there's sometimes you know steps that can be taken with small retaining walls around protection of the root zone and things like that cuz I realize that there's a lot of grading that's going to
be happening on this property. Um, related to the grading, I definitely support Mr. Disc comments about storm water coming off of the steep driveway. I think that that's, you know, definitely a concern and should be significantly looked out to reduce the amount of storm water that reaches the
town's MS4 system. And finally, I just wanted to get a better understanding of the cut and fill analysis and what they're looking at here. I also am very surprised to hear that they haven't encountered any ledge and want to make sure that there's sufficient um testing that has happened to ensure that there's
no surprises. Thank you. >> Um so on the first thing about street trees, there's no requirements for street trees on this project. It's not a subdivision, so it wouldn't apply on this project. Um this is just under site plan review, but your your comment is
noted. Um, one of my comments was um was similar to that um as well. >> I'm sorry. Who's responding? >> Danny. >> Danny. >> Okay. Can we hear from the applicant? >> I'm well these I'm going to finish my
comments. Um, and then the uh so the that was the first comment and then forget what the and then the other comment in terms of test holes. We talked about it just a few maybe a couple minutes ago that there were five
that were done. >> Thank you. >> Anything else? Hello. Did we lose anybody? I don't see any more comments. >> You're breaking up, Beth. >> Yeah, I didn't hear anything on cut and
fill analysis. >> The response was there were five. You could see on the on the screen the five tests. >> I'm sorry. I'm talking about the balance sheet for what would be removed and what would be brought in. >> Yeah, not typical. The process is small. I I
mean I quickly just hint so there hasn't been a formal cut fill analysis just given the type of project this is you know clearly as you look at uh where the building's going and and with the drive under garage bays it's going to be more
of an export than import. So there there's going to be more more Phil leaving than than coming in. >> Yeah. And sometimes that lends itself to creating BMS that are vegetated to help with additional screening and you know
creating an an atmosphere for the the residents and the barrier between a butters or the streetscape. So just something to think about. Um you know again you know really just stressing the importance of >> shaped trees here as well. Thank you very much. >> You
anyone else? >> I got one final comment. So >> yes, Ken, >> I'd like to make one suggestion to the applicant in that we were we were all amazed that there's the evidence shows no ledge there. Might
be prudent to do a few more test tools if you feel comfortable doing that, Conrad. I'm just saying >> an excavator there the day you guys come in. >> Yeah, I mean your own machines and and the material is >> I think you have a big advantage in that regard. >> That's not a problem. But
making a suggestion that >> it's fine by me. I would I would just suggest that if if the board wants additional testing that, you know, someone from the town witness it. >> Yeah. Well, it's in this particular case, it's not going to be a a test that's certified and that all
>> I know we're not doing it's not for, you know, depth of water. >> It's not for design. It's simply for proactive thinking. >> Correct. >> The suggestion and so on. So, >> do we need to schedule are we going to schedule a walk today or when we after we go through the comments? >> I would suggest we schedule it for
today. You know, schedule it today. >> Let's do that. What are we looking at? >> Um, so we've been typically doing Thursdays, right? >> Yep. >> Um, so, >> can I >> Yeah, go ahead. >> My normal spiel, how we got to Thursdays, we used to do Saturdays.
>> Um, >> I think it's really important that you guys feel comfortable saying what you're available to do. I think there's some of us have a lot of flexibility, so this is a good time to be honest. >> Um, it has been nice to move it off of the weekend, but just so you know, historically at times they have been
Saturday mornings. >> Um, we did Thursday mornings because of Kathleen's schedule and when she needed to be at the train. >> Um, they are working well for us. So, unless you've had a problem, but but this is a very easy and open place to say >> what you need. And typically we do a
half an hour if it's a smaller site visit and 45 minutesish if it's a larger site visit. So we've been doing like 8:00 right on a Thursday. And >> so would you qualify this as >> so this is a smaller one I would suggest
like it would probably be 30 minutes cuz what here what we would be looking at would be obviously the property line along here same as long as up here and then you know that's kind of the extent I don't know if the board would want to
see the four corners of the building as well while we're out there. Um >> I think it makes sense especially with this new 25 ft >> system kind of our conclusion >> so we could look at that while we're there as well. Um in terms of the new
members I was going uh I would suggest that the you know you guys let us know what availabilities work for you. We can work our schedules around to make it work for what's best for both of you and then um and go from there. I take my son
to school at 8:00. I'm not back in town till 8:15. 8:20 till around 8:20. So >> 8:30 would be better for me. >> Anytime in the morning except for Thursdays, >> okay, >> are good for me. >> Except Thursdays. Except Thursdays.
>> Okay. >> Repeat that, Peter. Sorry. >> Any any weekday but Thursdays. They have to be in Worcester for 8:00 on Thursday. >> All right. We're going to work on Do you want to propose a time? >> We can do any. So, whatever works for you guys. We We don't have to do Thursdays. That's just what we were
doing at that point. >> Wednesday's out for me. >> I know Wednesday's out for you. >> Thursday's out for Friday. >> So, then narrows it down to Monday, Tuesday, and Fridays. >> I like Monday, but no one's probably going to like a Monday morning. Okay, >> I don't have a problem. Monday. So the only thing with the Monday is
>> so if we would do it June 1st is that way we would we could either do it June 1st or June 8th. >> Um >> June 8th would be the Monday before the meeting. >> Or we could do June 1st which is next Monday. >> Let's say June 1st.
>> June 1st. >> 8:30. >> Yeah. >> Um 8:30 works. >> 8:30 works. >> Okay. Okay. So, what I can do is I'll post an agenda for um June 1st at 8:30.
>> It works for you guys. >> Yeah. >> Do you think you'll be able to get those four corners in? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Give or take 20 ft. >> Swing ties. Um all right.
>> And then so at this point what our next step would be obviously so at the ne we would have our site visit and then at the next meeting we would go through whatever comments would come back from department heads. Um we would hopefully get comments back to you guys by the end
of this week. Um, and that way you would have enough time prior to the next meeting if there's any revisions that need to be need to happen or at least comments that could be responded to can happen. Um, we can get that done before
the next meeting. That would be helpful um for all of us. Um, so I think at this point we're at the uh point for continuation. If there's any other comments left from the board
>> hearing none, I'll take a motion for continuance. >> Yeah, go for it, Dave. >> Motion to continue the site plan review of 20 GR and Harvard Road >> to June 9th. >> To June 9th >> and the storm water management plan >> and the storm water management plan.
>> Excellent. >> Seconded. >> Any further discussion? Hearing none. Ken, >> yes. >> Peter, >> hi. >> David, I >> Julie, >> yes. >> Chair votes I. We'll continue it to the next meeting. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> And that brings us to the senior center.
>> Hello. Hello. Hello. >> Good evening. >> Good evening. >> So, uh Oh, >> good. >> It's workers comp. I swed by the table. >> Thank you. the first. >> Danny, you want to tell us uh where we
are, where we what we can get done tonight? >> Yes. So, um at the last meeting, the applicant um went through the initial presentation of the plans. They um had the comments from the department heads, but had not had a chance to respond to them just
yet. Um the applicant has submitted responses to us um regarding uh the responses to the department head comments. Uh the applicant also submitted a letter in terms of um uh
from uh for the uh traffic information and um and they've also submitted revised plans. Um we did not receive any comments back in terms of um their responses. The only one that kind of at
at this point is still kind of uh open uh we don't feel comfortable with is in terms of the traffic for the Bishop Road and uh Park Street intersection. >> Um that is coming from myself, the uh
police chief and the town engineer. >> So what what what is the what's the remediation for this? How can we get past this? That's um at this point I think we uh we we'll need to have an internal
meeting and kind of see exactly what it is that we we need. Um we did not feel the response was uh sufficient in our concerns. Um but I have not had a chance to speak with the chief and Matt
about it. I've only had a you know email back and forth. Um, so I I think an internal meeting is going to be necessary and then at that point we'll be able to better elaborate as to what our concerns are on that.
>> Okay. >> Um, but other than that, we uh we did not have any additional comments on that review of the revised plans and the responses. So, what I would do is have um the engineer go through um the
revisions and the to the plans that were made and any of the bigger comments that you feel are necessary to kind of go through. >> Sure. Thank you. And thank you, Mr. Chairman, members of the board. Um just briefly, uh my second meeting here, Jim Jim Develis, >> professional civil engineer hired by the
town uh for the senior center. Uh also, I I see John Catlin who is the architect that's on Zoom tonight. He had a previous meeting, so he's on Zoom. Um, and I think uh Katie is uh your executive your director of the on aging is on there also. >> And I believe Dan is on there as well.
>> Correct. Yep. So, uh I concur with with uh planner Danny that um we we had a meeting uh April 28th, received comments from the planning board uh department heads and I think there was an uh someone from Zoom that had given
comments. responded on May 15th and I think everything's addressed on site and I can give you um just a quick overview. The plan from a bird's eye view looking down really has not changed. There's a lot of um clarifications or answering
questions on the response letter. Um but basically we clarified some of the internal road signs uh stop left right. We clarified uh the crosswalks that they they are actually going to be stamped concrete or that's what we're thinking. Uh so we showed that um we a lot of the
stuff you don't see on on the the plans but the rims and inverts to make sure that the uh slopes and we put a lot of attention to the details that were on there. Took ours off and added uh the town of airs standard DPW details. Um
what else did we do? Uh so so from a bird's eye view looking down there was really no substantive changes. So, looks like there's not much. How much more can we do tonight until we get to to to to the next meeting? I mean, >> so right now I think is in terms of
comments of the board may have um any additional questions. Um but you know in terms of our side we feel the applicant has addressed all of our concerns except for
that one item. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> What about the waiver request? >> That would be done uh during the um the decision as we typically would do. >> Okay. And and just so that everyone
knows the sitting members on this one. So in the last couple this um because of the change over in members um Peter and and Dave are not eligible to sit on this one. They they're welcome to ask
questions and all that but they are not voting members on this one. They um and they won't be voting members on the um air pharmacy. They will be on 20 grid road. Okay. So right now So right now it's you, it's
Julie, Ken, and Jonathan. >> Okay. So I I really, you know, the big thing was the traffic. The only thing I can remember that was kind of open from last time, and it may be irrelevant, was remember there was discussion about the fencing around the >> No, that's done. >> That's done. So how was that resolved? I mean, just remind me.
>> Yeah, there was um comments about the fencing along the property and >> and that's resolved. And that pickle ball really is pickle ball. That's really is part of the plan. The pickle ball courts on the left there, lower left. >> Well, they're showing the plan. >> Okay. Because I remember there was
something. Okay. All right. I mean, I don't have anything. So, how far are we from from what are the obstacles to decision at this point? I know we have that traffic. >> That's it. That's the biggest one. So obviously we have to open up to public comment and board comments as of right
now for anything that's kind of >> But you think the next meeting we could have a decision to vote to to vote on if the traffic's resolved? If >> um if we can get the traffic resolved before then then yes. >> How do you think you're going to get the traffic resolved? >> What's the
>> that is not for me to decide? >> Okay. It's not for the board to decide either. >> Um the way >> we're satisfied. No, I I Well, >> well, wait a minute. >> Yes, >> you're going to make a recommendation. >> Yes. So, the way it would work is as
Yes. Let me clarify. You're right. The way it typically works is the town um the employees of the town, the department heads would review the plans and we make our recommendations to the board that we feel we they have sufficiently addressed the comments. >> Right. In terms of traffic, myself, the
police chief, and the town engineer do not feel that the the the response that we received was sufficient to address the concern. We will meet and see how we think the uh the applicant can better address that comment. If the applicant
apply, you know, supplies us with that, then at that point, we can make a, you know, recommendation. That's kind of where it is. And of course, if the board chooses to vote without that, you you are allowed
to do that. But the we would obviously not we would not prefer that. >> I just want to clarify for the public. So the concern is not the traffic on McFersonen Road per se of the senior center because obviously McFersonen Road
>> is pretty clear of almost any development whatsoever. The issue is the end of the road McFersonen where it meets Park which is obviously a very Park Street is an extremely busy street and it's that concern right the traffic going in it's the impact of traffic on
that corner >> um and I think what we're trying to figure out is there a way to get there without a full-fledged traffic study is that what we're trying to get at >> it's not recommended for traffic >> yeah we we we don't suggest >> we already know that we don't want that >> for us our biggest concerns is what is
how How many how many cars do we expect at that inter intersection from that is going to be additional or new going to the senior center because of the peak hours um for that that area
that whole road in the morning you know there's times we have a police >> detail up at the intersection with main and park >> it backs up and that is our biggest concern is >> those hours, the peak hours. What is the
impact of cars trying to take that right? >> Not too much, but it's more of the coming up Park Street from the main trying to take that left. You're concerned with traffic coming from the center of town going west on
Park Street >> basically north of Park Street and then taking a left >> taking that left because you're going to be stopping there >> waiting for oncoming traffic to go so that you can take that left. >> Is let me ask you a question. Are you concerned about any other intersections
in town that have similar conditions like that >> where they exist now like five or six other ones like that? If they come before us then yes. >> Okay. >> That's the caveat, >> right? >> The the those intersections are not currently before the planning board to review.
>> Okay. >> Can I just just want to ask what would be satisfactory in that in terms of information? In other words, short of a study then is it is it finding comparable data of activity of a senior center of this size? Is that we're looking for?
>> Yeah. So I I don't want to speak for the other me uh for for the town engineer and for the police chief. You know for me >> my one of my suggestions was that was to try to find >> Sorry Danny I didn't want to interrupt
you. I was just motion >> yeah Katie >> Katie have insight on this traffic issue. Well, I was I I was just kind of curious for question for Danny because the the memo did say that we are expecting a hundred visitors a day and not all of
those would be it wouldn't be 100 individual cars. So, are you looking for something more specific than that? >> Must be. So, in terms of I'm not going to speak for the other for the town engineer and for the the police chief.
For me, that didn't give me enough information. I know you're saying you're anticipating 100 cars per day. >> But what I 100 people per day, but uh specifically in terms of car trips, how
how many does that count out to? When are those peak hours that those cars are going to be coming in? Um where is the expectation that those cars are going to be coming from? Are they going to be coming north I mean south from you know Fitzford Road that area or are they
going to be coming mainly from Main Street? So that's kind of some of the questions that we feel at least I feel is kind of still out there. Um, I don't know where the, you know, where you got the numbers, per se, but that's kind of
where we feel, but I still have to meet with Matt and the police chief to better flesh out what it is that we're going to be looking for. >> So, that's that's what I would ask. I would ask that internally that the town employees have make it clear what information is necessary to satisfy your
concerns so that they're not just fishing in the dark. they have a sense of where to go, where they could get the information. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Because that's only >> if if I could butt in for a moment too. >> John Catlin.
>> Um there's a we just finished a almost identicalsized um senior center just down the road from you guys in Wilberham and a very similar situation. Um, and um, I think it would
be good for either Danny or somebody from the town to speak with some of the town officials in Wilberham. They've not experienced any kind of traffic issue. They have a very busy road um, right in front of the center as well as two
intersections at each end. And we have the same kind of count that that uh, Katie has been explaining. It's kind of a slow feed in during the day, a slow feed out. It's not like a large, you know, there might be an event on the evening on a weekend or something that
might have a lot of cars at once, but it's generally um people arrive during the day for different events and leave during the day and often ones that arrive in the morning may be gone by noon where other ones are coming out at
1. And in Wilberham, there's been no concern about the operation as it operates today. And it's a 13,000 square foot center just like yours with about the same size parking lot. So I I would recommend if you could
or I could reach out for you to the town to get their comments, but I think it would be helpful in this decision making process. Yeah, that I will talk with Matt and the police chief about that.
>> So, um, so in terms of deliberation this evening, is there anything else we can deliberate, but that's pretty much it until we get to comments next meeting. >> Well, I mean, you can go to the comments now. >> I was going to say, um, what I meant was the review. >> Oh, so uh, yeah, at this point, I'll
open up any to first to the board. Any further questions? Anything outside of the traffic study or not, pardon me, traffic issue discussion. >> The traffic discussion discussion. Thank you. Traffic discussion. >> Traffic discussion at one intersection. >> At that intersection, yes. Is there
anything else? I couldn't, you know, I went through what was there? Nothing really left at me. It seemed pretty resolved. >> Yeah. >> But I want to check with my colleagues here. >> How do we determine how much extra traffic there is? How do we know if the people going to the
senior center aren't already traveling down Park A or Park Street going in that direction and it's not creating extra traffic? It's just the same amount of traffic and we don't really have an increase without >> Do you want an honest answer to that
one? >> Yes, of course I want you to do a traffic study. >> That that would be a traffic study. >> Yeah. Which >> which >> But how do you do a traffic study if the building isn't built? Because you don't know who's going there. You remember the board? >> Yes. Yes, sir. There's a there's a whole
process that is done by a traffic engineer. The way they typically do it, >> they have a huge booklet that ends up >> I I did a when I was very young and they had traffic studies by hand. I did one at Nantucket Beach in Rhode Island and I sat at the traffic light doing the count
straight straight left, straight left, straight. >> Now, now they have computers that do that for you. >> I know. So what we're suggesting is that because this is only one intersection, >> it's not something we're asking for a full traffic stud.
>> For us, it's really understanding how is this >> going to impact >> going to impact that one intersection because it's already a busy area. That's really kind of our concern. >> You want me Why don't we read the comments? So Dave has
>> Yeah, you you you want to read the comment? Let's read that particular comment. >> Yeah. Can I just pull it up? >> Where what page is it again? >> That's I got it on p well minus five. His response. >> Yeah. Here we go.
>> So the the original comment comes from town engineer. Is that right? >> Uh I believe so. Yes. DPW So, it says, "No traffic study was provided in the application, although
DPW did locate traffic uh count data on the Park Street for June 2024. From DPW's understanding of the existing traffic, a standard traffic study for this project would likely not yield any significant findings such as um um
significant findings such as significant changes to the level of service delay at nearby intersection. So, isn't that a little bit commoner to what you uh talked about? >> That's the DPW's comment. The police chief had his own comment and I also had my own comment.
>> Um, but ba based on what you know the email that I have between myself, the police chief and Matt, we did not feel the the this the letter that um was uh sent to us >> Yeah. from um Katie Petrosi was
sufficient to address the concern. >> Good. >> You know, again, I just say just make sure you make it easy for Katie to figure out what she needs to do. >> Oh, yeah. >> Yep. That's the intent. >> That's why when we meet, we want to exa explicitly lay out exactly what it is
we're looking for. >> All right. Uh any further comments from this board? >> Any comments or corre uh corrections? Can comments or questions? from uh Zoom participants because I don't think there's any way
Well, Heather counts, but she's she's she's not a civilian. >> She's not a resident. >> She's not a resident. >> That's right. >> Um I don't see any hands up. >> Any hands up? No. All right. >> Sorry, I'm not in a position to put up a
hand, but I do have a couple questions. >> Go ahead, Beth. >> Beth Smier. Um, so it's exciting to see, you know, this this project coming before the board. Now, um, you know, it's going to be a great asset and amenity for the town. I, um, am curious
where we're at with the MEEPA process. Um, I know that there was a environmental justice review meeting, um, but I just wasn't sure where the rest of the review stands. um you know as that is usually completed before you know additional uh permitting is
completed. Um but in regard to the site plan, I I don't see existing trees shown on the existing conditions plan. And you know, like you won't be surprised that you know, my comment is really related
to understanding where there's existing mature trees and what could be done to protect those at the um sort of margins of the the limit of work. um you know really understanding where the limit of work is. Anywhere that you could reduce
the amount of grading that's going to be done so that you can um reduce the impacts to um the the extent of limited work and also reduce the impacts to existing mature trees, you know, would be would be really important. There's a
tremendous amount of imperous area here which also seems like it would be possible to reduce the amount of impervious add um you know more vegetated islands and expand the vegetated islands so that you can have trees planted in the islands and
providing shade on this huge huge parking lot instead of just the shrubs that are shown on the plans. Again, you know, shade shade trees are so important and it's possible to fit them into islands in parking areas. And if you pay
attention to parking areas that have no trees and those that do have trees, you'll realize just how much of a difference it makes both for the aesthetics of the area and for the comfort of, you know, getting into your car or um you know, just being able to
experience that space. um we're going from a very organic um natural you know ACE priority habitat area to this significant amount of impervious area. So if anything that can be done with the
landscaping to enhance the ecological resources here would be great. You know the London plane tree is not a native tree. Um you're using a lot of monotypical species with the tree plantings that are proposed here. So, if you can diversify and use all native
trees along uh McFersonson Road, if there could be a little bit more of a reing of that streetscape, the area between the parking lot and and the roadway so that it, you know, mimics, you know, a more natural environment and provides more ecosystem services. and of
course, you know, the the important shade trees and more of a diversity of trees um to be more resilient to any pests or other problems that that they might have to deal with. Um but planting the undergrowth instead of mowing that area with a diversity of native species
there would be really important and would reduce the amount of maintenance and the cutting around those trees. Um and then you know just the again you know comment about the organic um potential for the landscaping the um the
infiltration basin is like this rectangle that you know just doesn't seem to have um you know much of an aesthetic design to it. And um you know like enhancing that planting plan and making it uh more diverse and serving
more of an ecosystem function there I think would be desirable as well. And um you know since this is a town project if folks would like to um you know have a discussion I'd be happy to um you know discuss this further with Katie or Dan
or Matt or anybody. Um, so, you know, I just really wanted to comment cuz I think, you know, there's a huge opportunity here to to do better in service of a critical ecosystem area as designated by the ACE, the priority
habitat. And um, one other thing that I was just curious about was that I don't see like the registration plan for the area where um, the utility connections will be made. And I guess that may have been a separate project that I didn't see. Um so that might be you know
another question just the restoration of that corridor where the utility connections will be made is something that I was curious about you know ensuring that that's done well and you know reducing the risk for introduction of invasive species and things like that and then you know more native plantings.
Thank you very much for the opportunity to speak. So um in terms of the Sure. Um it's a good there's so much I get a lot when there's a lot out there but I I know >> respectfully I guess through the through the chair if there's specific questions
you have from that or I can answer all of them. >> So specifically in terms of the meepa >> do you do you want me to turn it over to Dan or to you? >> Yeah. Meepa is not my scope but I've been in at the very beginning but that's about it. So >> Dan, I'm going to turn this over to you
in terms of the MEA. >> Hey, good evening. >> Yeah. Um, so MEEPA, environmental permitting for this project. So we have the the building committee has a workg group. So it it's pieced off Katie, Ken, um, myself,
um, the architect, and the OPM. and the work group is in charge of of you know details and getting getting certain um t um tasks complete for the project and one of them is environmental permitting. So from that the work group's been working on the MEPA for a while now. We
we've had a couple meetings with the MEPA folks Jennifer Hughes at EA. Um and so right now we are in the process of submitting um our MEPA permit application and what it will be is it's called an ENF and uh and with a um
rollover EIR. I'm just throwing acronyms out there for the heck of it. No, but there's a no that's it's a pretty um detailed process and and the project does fall within an environmental justice block unfortunately. So it triggers an EIR automatically for the
project which is an environmental impact report. So it's pretty detailed permitting. So right now um there was um in late April a public meeting for excuse me for the the process which is the beginning um portion. And basically
that public meeting then triggers a timeline of the the permit application being able to be submitted from May 30th up until about uh what is it the middle of June. There's a 45day window to submit uh the permit. So the MEPA permit
will go in within that window. Um and we're you know we're aiming to do it um sooner uh to keep the process moving. um as part of this too natural heritage endangered species program. The Blandings turtle is um is a known uh
species out there of concern and so we are in the process. We do have a permit submitted currently with natural heritage and we're working through that guys. Sorry. >> Sorry. Um and so yeah, natural h so we're in the process with them and we've had several
meetings. So, those environmental permits are under um are in process. And you did mention as well, I can see it on here, the um excuse me, the electrical connection for the project will go south of the site and connect to an existing
power line corridor. And so, that's included in the permitting of of the um of the of the environment of the project as well. So, that um that is as well being being handled through that process. So, currently that's that's the status. It's it's in process. I don't
have the schedule all in front of me right now. I don't know if any of the the others do, but um >> but yeah, that's um where it stands. So, we're moving forward with those uh those permits which are applicable. >> And just to clarify, MEEPA and MEEPA is
not a a requirement of the site plan um approval. >> It it the the decision will be conditioned on uh the MEO permit, >> but it will >> preview. >> Yeah, the it's a preview, I believe. Yeah, it they issue you a permit at the
end. >> Okay. >> It's a secretar's letter. >> It's a letter >> of determination. >> Yeah. But yeah, >> which can have recommendations, requirements, conditions. And I do really feel like it would make sense for
the planning board to hold, you know, the decision until after the secretary's determination is made just because, you know, if you have changes, then it just adds more process, more cost for more consultants to attend more meetings. >> Um, you know, just things to think
about. I, you know, I don't see that there's an advantage to getting a site plan before the MEPA determination. >> I do. Okay. So, do you want to do you want to comment on the parking lot trees and why we spent literally months >> talking about the safety of the parking
lot? >> So, uh you you're the speaker is correct. We did not individually survey each tree um >> just because it's there's a forest of them out there. What we tried to do is condense the site as tight as we could
to minimize the uh the cutting on the perimeter. We uh first thing that we did is in the upper left is a detention basin. Um it's almost like a detention basin plus there's a specific design to that that
addresses the turtles, but it also we looked at where the storm water's going and the majority of it's going to Bishop Road. So, we're required to slow it down and address the peak, how fast it comes off, but not the volume on Bishop Road.
We could have put a lot more volume onto Bishop Road as it goes now, but there's nothing on Bishop Road to collect it. There's no catch basins. There's no swailes. It just kind of it's a free-for-all once it gets there. So, we overdesigned that basin and made it larger.
more of our benefit for the DPW and the town. So, we're not just dumping stuff that going there now and just saying, "Well, it goes there now. Deal with it." So, it's larger and holds it back. The side slopes are are a little more uh gentle. So, when a turtle gets in there,
they can get back out. Um, so >> talk about the seniors as well. >> And well, we joke about the seniors, but it's a safe base and the seniors aren't going to drive through there. It's it's >> it's got safeguards. Um so so the basin has engineering requirements that
typically you know uh exceed what it's required. Now if this was a Walmart parking lot we would have uh parking spaces headto head with a line separating it on this particular one.
And we don't want the the users to find their way through drives and parking lots. So, we have three sidewalks in the middle of the site that bring them to um crosswalks and bring them to curb cuts uh to get them there safely. The flip
side of that is you cannot have sheet flow of storm water going across sidewalks without putting additional catch basins. So, there's there's probably twice as many catch basins on this. Catch basins require manholes and underground piping and th those are
under the landscape islands. So, we did plant all the landscape islands, but they're shrubs that don't have huge root root balls that would grow over time with trees and go into the um the piping system below it. So, as a tradeoff, we kept the site very tight and on the side
slopes, we do actually have limits of disturbance. It's shown on the site prep plan, which is the first site plan shown. Nope, keep going a little. Yeah, right there. I'm sorry. >> Uh, yep. So on the edge you there's a line that you see coming down around the
site that says uh limit of disturbance and there's a silt fence that goes there. So typically when they stake the um silt fence out then they put the silt fence in before any trees are cut whatsoever. That gives the town the
opera the ability to look at where that is. is and if it's going right through a 12-in oak, then we we slide it around and say save that oak. So, there's checks and balances on that. This one of the comments that we got back on the side slopes is look, can you not put
grass that you have to mow? Um, so we looked at that. One of the changes we have uh New England seed mix wild flowers on all the side slopes in the basin and on the side. So, it's nice to look at. It provides habitat um in the DPW at the end of the day doesn't have
to put mowers out there with gas. So, >> those type of things and and I I do appreciate the comments, but we do the landscape architect thought of a lot of that as we went. >> Um, thank you. >> That's if that addresses your the
board's concerns. >> It does for me. >> Thank you. >> Any other comments? >> I don't see any hands. >> I will take a uh >> just one other comment there. And I know I'm not I'm not the traffic engineer and and we're kind of stuck in that quandry
of to hire a traffic to your point. You're going out there doing you're doing trip counts. You're waiting for the buses to you know a couple more weeks you're not going to have buses. So what do you do? Right? Because you have to know where they're going. You have a lot of this is predicated on guesses.
You know there is a science to it but you have to guess where they're going to come from. And at the end of the day no one's coming to the senior center at all unless there's a program right. So, working with um Katie, part of that letter that was submitted
was, "Look, this is a municipal project. If it's a problem at 9:00 because that traffic intersection has issues, move that program from 9 to 11:30." So, it's a municipal project. You have the ability to work with your director to
move things around. So, you know, it may not be the best intersection, but if it starts to tweak and saying it's going to be bad, then you get on the phone with Katie. You have a meeting and you move programs. I've done a lot of senior centers. We don't do big traffic studies because they don't
compete with work. They don't compete with school. So, there isn't there is going to be more people coming. Are they already on the road? Maybe, maybe not. But you're in a good position to accept it with a caveat that you have 100% control over it. You're not going
to I I guarantee you that intersection is not going to explode with issues once this is built. But if there is a tweaking change of program and you guys are all on the same page on that. >> Okay. Thank you. >> All right. Um I will take a continuence.
I'll make a motion that we continue the site plan review officer row for the senior center map 25 and the storm water management permit >> to the next meeting >> to the next meeting June >> June 9th. >> Do I have a second? >> Second.
>> Any further discussion? Hearing none. Ken >> I. >> Peter >> I. >> David >> I. >> Julie >> yes. >> Chair votes I. So we'll continue this discussion on the 9th. >> Yes. >> Uh project status update sir. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Thank you. Appreciate it. >> Thank you, Jim.
>> All right. One second. >> Bye, John. Bye, Katie. >> All right. >> Oh, yeah. >> Let me just just one for Lincoln Hill. So, on Lincoln Hill, um the pressure
testing of the sewer and water is complete. Water quality test has passed. The water service connection on High Street is complete. um being backfilled today. As of today, um High Street Extension is scheduled to be paved
tomorrow. It is going to be patch paved at this time and will be a full mill and pave after construction is done. Um the slope and the retention wall uh are currently being worked on and um
scheduled to be completed this week. Oh um received plan and approval from national grid electrical trenching is starting next week. Um spreading of lom and seed um seeding the easement area is
on uh twoe look ahead. Utility connection work on Grton Harvard road is tenatively scheduled for Thursday of this week. Um she said that she will see an email once that is confirmed. uh week of June 22nd is the target for
binder paving for the roads. Uh they have applied for two building permits and are expecting them to be issued this week. Foundations are scheduled for next week. Um they said that the major site work is wrapping up.
Onyx is hoping to be done by June/ July. Um, and then one additional thing was that Onyx is working with Green International on the construction of the retention pond. They've installed a clay barrier last week and are working on the bottom. The Coltech system is done and
inspected. >> Great. Thank you. >> We tried to have a site visit. You were apprehensive because the work was going on extensively blasting and so forth. >> Yes. >> Are we prepared to have a site visit now and take a look?
>> Yeah. So, if the board wants to have an a site visit as like we did with uh with um >> Stratton Hill, we can do one like that or I can individually go with board members when they have the time.
>> You know, they're they're the they're always open to having whatever board members go out there and go on site. I just would need to let them know that you're going to go out there. >> Oh, okay. >> Yeah. So they're they they have no issues with the board going out on site. I mean Heather and I go out there very
frequently. They're they're very welcoming. They have no issues. They just want to make sure that everyone is safe. >> Makes sense. >> Okay. I'll let you know if >> Yeah. So just if you want to let me know when you guys want to go out there, if you want to go out there, I can let them know and then um so they're so they're ready for you.
>> So to avoid posting it, we'd have to be no more than two of us at a time. >> Correct. >> Right. >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. Excellent. >> Anything more on the soya the site I mean the building is up and running but the site
>> I can check with Mike on that I haven't really they they haven't really been they've been focused on the most of the internal portion of the building. So a lot of the other stuff has kind of just been lagging far behind. They still are working on some stuff for the force man.
They still have to install that um the new force man. they still have to, you know, there's still some wetland stuff that they need to do. So, they're they're still a ways out. I know they're looking for, I mean, they, you know, temporary occupancies. They we have been approached by um base date about, you
know, finalized builds, but they're still kind of a ways away before they're even getting to that point. >> Anything on the your friends at Fox Street? >> So, actually, I reached out to them. I believe it was two weeks ago. They did
respond to us that they're currently working on scheduling with their engineer and the actual site guy to um get out there and start doing the work. So, they're in the process of getting that all scheduled. >> Thank you.
>> Yeah. Good. >> Update on our lovely sewer pump. >> I can I have I don't have I don't normally check with Matt on that one unless you ask me to. kind of hoping he was sticking around. So, it's a question no one has been able to answer in
months. >> And I'm thinking of our residents who are just understandably frustrated with our 7 to 7 noise hours. This thing goes like the beeping is out of control, isn't it? We're waiting on national.
>> Yeah, we that was the last. >> So, we're getting lost in the weeks. Yes, I'm well aware. I could tell everyone the whole story of why this project has been waiting. >> But what it means is there's been a generator, a large generator running all winter
>> in our backyard. >> Yep. >> Not just mine, but the residents that are next to it. I am a couple houses removed and listen to this lovely thing all winter. And now we would like to open our windows. And even in the winter, we listen to I won't make the noise again, but you just heard what the alarm sounds like. What we cannot
understand and I have asked before, the alarm sounds concerning. The alarm sounds like you should do something about it. The alarm sometimes will go off for nights on end. Okay. >> Sometimes people show up at we've seen them in the middle of the winter at like
1:00 in the morning to come. Sometimes it just goes off on its own. All right. So, >> so I would just I understand and it would be nice to be more brief, but I've asked this three times and so I'm just going to ask for the residents and not just me and my neighbors have been asking. >> Yeah.
>> Why does it beep? We know why National Grid is not here. >> I don't know why, but I can get an answer. >> That's the one we would like. >> Is it enclosed? >> No, it's a temporary generator. >> It's a temporary. >> It's temporary since October. >> That's the problem. >> So, they can't put a fence around it
temporarily. It doesn't stop beeping. >> It quiets it down though. Believe me guys, >> that's okay. >> When I when I worked with Uncle Sam, we used to sandbag the generators all as high as the generator so that the 5t away
6 months ago I can talk to about it. I I don't normally check. I understand. We've been close for a while. >> No, no, no, no. I I agree with you. I just I don't normally check in on that project cuz that's not under my purview. But I can talk to Matt about that. >> Thank you.
>> Close all the couch and hang her grenades, horseshoes, and atomic warfare. >> There you go. It's true. >> Okay. Uh, anything else in updates? >> Um, there's potentially a couple of projects that are going to be coming to the board. Um, so we have
um two meetings. I believe it's this week. Um, one for 40 Yeah. Thursday this week. >> Um for 44 Park Street,
>> we have one for 44 Park Street, which is the lot the the the red building next to 42. >> The old laundromat. >> It's a Now they're looking to change that to a consignment shop. Is that the right word? Or antique shop. >> I think it's like a >> Oh, I think they're already doing that.
>> Well, but they don't have their So, they are coming. They're going to be coming to us. um >> they're doing some some parking stuff and so there there's a ramp that they have to add. So there's there's stuff like that. >> The other project is the um
the old town village. They um are going to be building there's a proposal for a new building to go up 32 units um parking associated with it. We have a
meeting with them on Thursday as well as a pre-application meeting just to kind of go through initial comments, concerns, questions that we may have. Um so that's going to be coming down the pipeline as well. >> Great. Um, in terms of
other projects, there is another one that could be potentially coming down on 190 West West Main Street. That one, um, I'm hoping to meet with the owners in the coming weeks. Um, and to inform the
board, we are currently working on a application, a one-stop application um, to submit for uh, the catalyst fund. That's right. um where we are going we're going to request funds to design to bring the
Park Street plans to full design. Um and as part of that 3 to5 Park Street has been helping as the leverage project on that as well as 63 Main Street provided some letters of support which is going to be very helpful for us. we're we're
nearing the the point where we think we'll be submitting. Um and then in terms of so I will be going to a um the housing um conference in Texas, Dallas, Texas, June, it's on June
1st and June 2nd. It's affordable housing. Um, and there's going to be a, uh, so two days of, you know, us, um, classes and stuff like that. Kind of like the last one I went to. >> And I'll update the board as to what we learned from that. What I learned from
that as well. >> Terrific. Cool. >> Are you going? >> Yeah. >> All right. Send me the phone. >> All right. How about Is that it? >> That's all I've got right now. >> Um, so someone approved the minutes. A motion for the minutes. >> Yes. So, did you have a chance to those?
Okay. So, it would be it would just be three on this motion on this vote. >> I'll make a motion that the air planning board approved the meeting minutes on April 14th >> as edited. >> As edited by the chair. >> Seconded.
>> Um, any further discussion? >> No. Ken >> I. >> Julie. >> Yes. >> Chair votes I. Mints are approved. >> How does that work? So, two absensions >> in these two official because you weren't there. >> You still need three yeses in order to
pass the motion. >> Yes, >> it's a majority. >> It wouldn't matter because you only have three voting members for June. >> Yeah. So, it would only really be two. >> You can ask it cuz I said a good >> We scheduled a sidewalk for June 1st. If you're going to be in Texas, how are you
going to be at the sidewalk? >> Oh, thank you. >> 8:30. I totally forgot about that. Well, thank you FOR LETTING ME ASK. YOU DON'T USUALLY step on things like that. So, I ask that question. >> That is a good question. I didn't even It just didn't hit me.
>> I was going to mention that. >> I'll talk to Heather. She can >> as long as it's 8:30. I reach it. So, I can be there. >> Heather can run that. I'm not too worried about that. Thank you. Thank you for reminding me. >> That's a really quick trip. If you're going to do the site, >> yeah, do the site walk and then get on a
a jet and fly. All right, >> I'll take a motion to adjurnn. >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Do I got a second? Second. All right, have a good evening everyone and welcome Peter and David. >> Thank you. It was a good first