[music] Welcome to the uh uh 2nd August uh sec second July planning board uh meeting uh in the town of Lakeville. [snorts] Um I'm the chairman of the of the day.
Michelle was was called away on an emergency. >> Uh we do have a quorum and uh uh >> light cam is recording. >> The next thing is is uh anybody else recording this and I would say that
nobody else is recording this. Uh so uh first item on the agenda is >> we should do a roll call. >> Welcome. >> A roll call. >> You want to do a roll call? >> Yeah. >> For for a quorum. Okay. >> Gay here. >> Wilga present.
>> David Lodge present. [snorts] >> Okay. So, the first item on the agenda is uh to welcome Riley Sparks as our new uh planning board uh uh clerk. Uh good luck with the job. We will try to help
as as much as we can. and Kathy's here to help you make the transition. Uh there's a lot to learn. >> Thank you. Excited to do it. Excited to be here. >> Welcome aboard. >> Yeah. >> Welcome. [snorts]
>> Okay. The next item on the agenda is the uh uh planning board uh the public hearing on 92 Howland Road definitive subdivision. Um, >> we're going to have to pause that cuz
that's at 7:00 on the agenda. I just noticed that. So, we'll we'll um we'll have to wait on that. So, >> what um so through you um >> um David, uh why don't we jump to agenda
item number three and then we'll uh continue the public hearing at 7. >> Yeah. uh Serpent was was potentially going to be here uh regarding our our rules, new rules and regulations. The one thing we wanted to discuss or talk
about was the fee schedule and taking it uh taking it out of the rules and regulations. >> Mhm. uh so that it can be uh changed without having to go through the public hearing process
>> that it takes to make a change. Uh so uh yeah uh the chair will entertain a motion to >> Mhm. Um I I think too um Kathy, will you be working on some of the the fee
schedules and and working through those areas? Yeah, most of them are I it wasn't that long ago that you did change them. So I think most of them are pretty much in line. >> However, the language for a special permit is [clears throat] kind of
>> fuzzy, you know, like 1 acre or 2 acres. So, we're looking at maybe a different method, something more solid, >> you know, maybe as like a square square, like a standard, you know, so much just for the application and then maybe so
much per square foot. >> Mhm. >> So, that's kind of what I've spoken to the chair about. >> Okay. >> And we'll delve delve into that a little bit more. >> Okay. Yeah. But if we keep them out of the rules and regulations and any sort of changes or updates that we make,
>> right? You can it's just a vote of the board. >> Yeah. >> Right. Okay. Okay. >> U through you um Mr. Chair. Um I think the last time Taylor was here she mentioned something about legal counsel still waiting for responses. Has that
been >> Yeah. So, um, when I spoke with the chair about this, um, we had discussed, uh, you know, the possibility of Taylor discussing that tonight. Um, however, um, I she might be
on Taylor might be on vacation. So, I, you know, things are a little bit on pause, but uh, the last line item, you're you're correct. Um, she was going to check in with legal counsel just to verify and double check. So, and hopefully um by the next meeting um
she'll be able to um provide more um more feedback on that. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, do we want to >> vote on >> Yeah. >> taking them out of the uh rules and rigs?
>> Yeah. So, um I move that we vote to remove the fee schedule from the rules and regulations for uh separate review. Um as stated, >> you might want to say uh pending legal
confirmation. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Pending uh legal confirmation um with um Taylor from uh Serpent. >> Okay. >> And I second. >> Okay. We have a motion and a second. All
in favor? >> Do we need to vote as well on the special permit um revisions that might be made or was there language about special permitting in the rules and regs that
>> the rules and regs really only are dealing with uh subdivision control? So, >> right. >> Okay. That then I misunderstood. I apologize. >> Oh, no, no, no. It's fine. Okay. >> Oh, >> yeah. We're just removing that from rules and rigs. >> Okay.
>> The fee schedule. >> Mhm. >> Great. So, we got a motion. >> Any further discussion? >> No. Um, I second that. >> Okay. Uh, all in favor? >> I.
>> Wilga. >> Lodge. I >> carries unanimously. >> Yep. >> Okay. [snorts] What do we want to do? Uh, line item number four, >> battery storage systems. >> Um, I wasn't here for the last meeting,
so I haven't been updated on >> Yeah. So, I can speak a little bit to that. So, um, our, um, fire chief, Chief O'Brien, came in our last meeting and spoke to us about the, uh, Ben battery
energy storage systems and his, um, his overview and feedback as to, um, his perspective on them. Um, as many of you know, battery storage systems are becoming more favorable in the state of Massachusetts. I know Governor Healey
has been uh pushing this um as part of uh the agenda for other um um renewable resources um as backups for
um for electricity and uh on demand um power um issues that may come up uh during you know high peak areas. Um there's also the discussion between um
ensuring that there is a designated location zoning location of which one of these storage facilities could go in [snorts] um within industrial to ensure that um you know it's you know can't be built in
a residential neighborhood or anything like that. Uh the chief did go into uh did a great presentation with slides and um uh facts. He's also sent us some um facts as well uh about you know some of
the advantages but also some of the uh challenges with putting out uh lithium batteries if there is a uh fire that does happen. There's also um you know other challenges that a um you know the
fire department could have if anything does happen because there are a [snorts] lot of chemicals involved as we all know and environmental hazards and impacts. Um the other thing um that was discussed during that is you know energy
consumption how it gets fed back to the grid and and those kinds of things. Um so uh some review has been done uh with regards to um other towns and and cities
which are doing battery storage and you know it's not a a large thing um that's currently um you know widely available right now but it is something that um you know we
as a board do need to think about um as not to say that one would go here in town. I think the likelihood of that would be small just because of um in my opinion just because of the challenges we have of where it could go. But also
um you know other means of substations and how that feeds into the power grid. Um relationships with um Middleboro Gas and Electric and Totten Municipal Light and how that would work and and whatnot. So, there's a lot to be discussed about
this. Um, >> yeah. Where whereabouts are our substations? Do do we have any in >> I believe not uh in town. I believe that there is one on the southern end of uh
the industrial park, but it is, you know, it's >> it's for the industrial park. >> Say for the industrial park. It's not a >> Yeah, >> it's it's kind of not part of the overall grid. >> Correct. Correct. And you know, there's, as we know, feed lines, large feed
lines, and um other types of um backups that need to be done at a facility like that. And it it's a lot of work. It's a lot of work. >> Yeah. Yeah. I mean the the the first you know the first people to be be talking about it would be uh you know Eversource
or National Grid whoever are. >> Yeah. >> Um you know along along with Middleboro >> is some of the town have Taunt? >> Yes. Uh part of the town does have Taunt Municipal Light. My understanding is a
part of Pierce Avenue uh does have Taunt Municipal Light. the vast majority of the town does have um >> middleboro and then I believe parts of the free town side there's a very small sliver it's like a few streets
unfortunately have um national grid ever source so my condolences to those those folks um >> so you know as as a board um we do have um not in this packet but we were provided in our last packet um you know
some of a proposed bylaw. I think it's something that we will continue to discuss um continue to refine. I do feel as though we're going to bring back in um the chief as well um you know to help [snorts] guide us with some of the um
fire suppression. I did ask him, you know, is there anything in particular that the state offers for grants and funding for fire suppression for uh towns like us who may incur something like this potentially in the
future. Um and he wasn't aware of any. But, you know, anything that does come about, you know, we just got to make sure that, you know, you know, the our our um our town facilities are, you know, basically have
an emergency action plan and that kind of thing, which will all be covered in a bylaw. >> Yeah. I mean, my my understanding is is that, you know, lithium >> ion batteries, you can't put out the fire. You know, all you can do is control it.
>> You can control it. Um the chief did I'm not going to I'll paraphrase uh he did say it is an enormous amount of water and uh potential [snorts] um they can use some chemical agents but uh you know
to do certain types of fires but uh it's an enormous amount of water and sometimes you know as you're putting out the fire you think it's out and then it reignites. 10 minutes later, you know, or that it could explode, which is the
worst case scenario, and >> um whatnot. I mean, I I >> you know, I think there's more to come on this. Um but, um you know, it's definitely something that we're looking to put at a future town meeting, get on the books. Um as well as a designated
[snorts] uh area location of which that will um reside. So um and was Kathy working on something on that? I believe so. Yeah. >> Yes. I um so Michelle had given me what the chief had put together and I think
there was one other one kind of a combination maybe of the model with that >> and I've been looking at a couple of towns that are considered you know the better bylaw and trying to kind of merge them all together to something that
would work for Lakeville. >> Yep. >> Okay, that sounds >> okay. So, you know, it's it's it's discussions that we we'll have ongoing for the next >> Yeah. Um >> probably months.
>> Yeah. I I I Yeah, exactly. And I I know that we'll likely continue this to our uh next meeting on the 13th of August to discuss a little bit more um as you know, we learn some more information and put together um some sample bylaws.
Yeah, I don't know that it takes a continuence vote. It's just something that's >> in here for discussion. >> Yep. >> Right now. >> Um yeah, I mean on on the the fire the fire side of it is something that really
does concern me. Um because you're talking about, you know, an oxides of lithium. So the the the the the fuel is is already there that that the oxygen is already there cuz you see you know normally applying water you know or fire
extinguishers smothers the fire cuz it takes its oxygen away. >> These you can't take the oxygen away. It's part of the, you know, it's like trying to put out a a railroad flare, you know, or a marine flare
>> where, >> you know, marine flares you can >> put in the water and they don't go out. >> So, it it is something to >> to be concerned about. It needs it needs some space and I don't know if
I I I would really like to see the the the other uh the other ordinances that are that are being worked on to see kind of how much space they're talking about. I would >> yeah I haven't gotten that deep into it.
We're still doing like >> yeah just >> the definitions and like the purpose authority and things like that. So, as I work through it, >> it's like whack-a-ole lately with the state because throwing everything. ADUs, >> zoning, >> batteries. Okay, what's next? You know,
it's it's um it's it's kind of um there's a lot to digest. Um but I I assume there will be um you know, future impacts. So, um Donna, did you have anything on it? I just um appreciated some of the uh
resources that were sent to us and especially coming from fire chief um because you know it's it's reliable and you can >> look through them and learn >> at your leisure but it's it's it's pretty complicated. It's not necessarily
something that you know um we would be managing you know like you need people who are >> highly trained and >> Yep. >> Yeah. It's very complicated stuff >> the engineering aspects and the
chemicals and >> Yeah. >> That's what >> all that fun stuff. >> Yeah. You know that's what first responders and >> Yeah. >> people who keep us safe >> Mhm. have knowledge in. So,
>> okay. Uh, moving on. Uh, this the state has dropped some allegedly some zoning changes on here. >> Kathy, you >> they sure have. >> This This was your uh uh synopsis.
>> Yes. >> Of it. I mean, you know, reading through your synopsis and thank you very much for that. Uh cuz reading through this is >> it's it's Yep. Uh >> deep >> and and the funny thing is is that on on
the variances and such in in my experiences I don't see really any changes here. >> So for a variance it used to be a very strict standard. So it would have to
have something related to the soil or the shape or the topography >> and very very difficult to get a variance. Now their new standard has been really scaled back to what that a
strict enforcement of the bylaw would result in a practical difficulty which is far less than how stringent it used to be. Y >> um and when the SPGA is making a
determination, they have to weigh the benefits to the petitioner and public interest including the support of the production of housing. So that's the limit is now. That's what they're looking at like is this going to help in
housing and secondary the public health safety and welfare of the neighborhood that used to be switched. So it's a huge huge change for the state to push through with no comment with no nothing and you
know having it go retro back to July 1st as well. >> Yeah. I mean, I I again, it would have been other towns and and I haven't I have to have to go back and read our
variance requirements or or limitations. >> I mean, it's strict. I feel like in the time I've been here, maybe we've given out four or five. Very very rare. >> M. >> So,
>> yeah. Okay. Well, that's that's >> Yeah. >> So, the major ones on the front and there there are other things too that was on the back. Not, you know, quite >> So, I also learned too that more residential properties
uh will be zoned for uh as duplexes too. Correct. So, uh duplexes are going to be part of this as well with the 40 chapter 4A um discussion I think. As a board, we have a, you know,
definitely a lot to consider, uh, with this. Um, it's going to impact not just us because obviously zoning as well. Um, and, you know, it's I I we might not have a choice with some of the matters that come before this board. Um, >> right.
>> You know, and that's that's going to be a challenge. Um, as well as for the residents as well. So, um I would recommend and highly encourage um the folks here at this table as well as any residents tonight
um to reach out to the local reps about this, voice your opinion. out. We have uh state senator um Michael Rodriguez as well as um your representative uh for Lakeville uh Norm Oral as well uh to
definitely reach out um you know voice your opinion, your concerns about this. Um my understanding is that they're not very pleased about this. Um, and you know, it's one of those things which um
will definitely have an impact. >> Oh, definitely. >> Um, and you know, it's [clears throat] >> it's something that we're going to have to continue to um learn. There's not a lot on the state website right now because like the ADUs
it was in the 40 wise it was thrown together thrown up on the website and then we were sent out memorandums the towns were sent out memorandums as to you okay here's the more refined here's what we meant by this and more
clearer definitions you know it wasn't until recently with ADUs I mean things started to really come to fruition where things started to get firmed up. So, they're they're throwing it the spaghetti to the wall, seeing what sticks right now, and then
>> going from there. >> Yeah. >> So, >> do we have to foresee then folding this into our zoning ordinance? >> So, this board doesn't really give out variances in this manner. So, I mean,
just for something to be aware of. Yeah. No, I Yeah, I I mean I understand that. Um but the other thing is >> who who knows what'll come next. So >> does it end up having to be put into our zoning ordinance?
>> Um I don't want to speak on that yet because there's so much that is unknown. I mean this was just released uh a week and a half ago, two weeks ago with very limited information. It's it's more so of proposed zoning changes if anything. Um, a lot can happen. Um,
>> yeah, >> we did receive >> kind of like what we've had with ADUs. >> Yeah, we did receive opinion uh pieces um from uh uh the town attorney um which is great. Um they did give they did send out a
memo which is also posted to our uh website and part of this packet. if not it was part of the last packet. Um you know they give a pretty good rundown as you know how
how the zoning impacts could play out based on how it's written. However, there they also gave their opinion piece on um you know potential impacts and things that they're still unsure of. So, um, Kathy, would you say that this is
probably one of the better opinion pieces from >> Definitely. I've seen a few and it was the best one that I saw. >> MTC. Yeah. So, um, >> yeah. So, and I know the the town's attorneys are like, "Okay, we're trying to figure this out as well, you know,
and try to absorb this." And, you know, their clients um are also um, you know, going to be impacted. So um >> the other big piece I think too is um the timeline for work to commence is
increased as well. >> Yeah. >> Doubled >> from 12 months to 24 months which is >> an impact. >> It is. Yeah. So this is uh just for everybody at home
um the formal name of these zoning changes if you wanted to go look. It's called an act making appropriations for fiscal year 2027. House Bill 5555 zoning act amendments. Um
so um for 40A so this will be likely be an ongoing discussion this board. Yes. Uh nothing we got to >> y >> discuss tonight but in addition to but um >> yeah. [snorts]
>> Okay. >> Um so we're almost at 7:00. Um so we can probably discuss um number six. >> Yeah, I would just say do do we'll do
number six and then then we can go back to to the public hearing. Uh so uh there's a potential Zoom meeting for uh Lakeville Country Club. Um
uh and it's proposed July 30th, >> correct? >> Um they didn't give a time, but I'm suspecting that it's a morning at 10:00 when they were doing >> Yep. >> most of their other >> items. So, yeah, my understanding is is
that um you know, the that's to be determined. I think there's just some logistical issues that have to be um uh ironed out. Um but this is probably more so just to take a vote um make sure that
that date >> make sure that people are available. >> Yeah. So, um I can be available. >> I I am as well. Um, >> is this something we would need to post? >> I'm sorry. >> Is this something we would need to post
if there's a quorum or >> Yeah. So, this will likely be all on Zoom. Um, yeah. So, it it will be posted, but the time is to be determined. I think it's because um we'll likely have uh LCC, maybe legal counsel part of that discussion as well.
Um, so I think it's just negoti getting the getting the time um is is basically what we're um waiting on. So >> Okay. >> Um >> I mean the the the question becomes though is it part of uh an official meeting? Does does the
agenda have to be posted 7 days in advance and we're already past that? >> It's a good question. That was my concern cuz then we would have to >> 48 hours for maybe 10 48 hours. >> 48 hours is okay. Okay. >> Yeah. >> Great. >> Okay. I mean, I know you you were you've
been always posting agendas. [snorts] >> The the two weeks >> has to do it, but it's it's legally 48 hours. >> Okay. >> The the the two weeks is for a public hearing, right? >> Correct. >> Because it has to go into the mascet and so forth. >> Yeah. I wasn't wasn't so much concerned
about public hearing as it was just a meeting. Nope. That's correct. >> Publishing an agenda. >> All right. >> And so on. Not that it would be our agenda. We're not necess We're not really running the meeting. >> Yep. >> Um >> so it's a matter of attendance.
>> Yep. So yeah. So um what I'll do is um I'm going to make a motion um that um we uh let's see here. uh that we uh vote to approve a uh July
30th um Zoom meeting uh with this board um and other um dignitaries that will be part of this um meeting as well um for uh July 30th. >> A second.
>> Uh all in favor I >> I will I >> lo I. So, um Riley will and Kathy will will send you um a note just to let you know that, you know, everything is all set.
You know, um the members have agreed and that um you know, we'll have to get something scheduled on Zoom um with Jose and and uh you know, the other meeting attendees for LCC. >> Okay. >> Okay. Um,
>> got one more minute [laughter] >> and we're coming up to the hour. >> We got 45 seconds. >> All right, go for it. >> Uh, yeah, we're I think we're we're close enough for government work. This is government work, right? [laughter]
>> Uh, [snorts] so opening the uh the public hearing for 92 Howland Road. Um, as I understand it, >> you got to read the >> Is this a new public hearing? >> No, you got to read it in full.
>> You can read the whole Yep. >> the whole section. >> Okay. Um, a public hearing for a defendant of subdivision at 92 Howland Road. Uh, this has been continued from a previous uh meeting. uh upon application of LNB
realy trust for a modification to an approved definitive subdivision plan for a two lot subdivision to reconfigure the drainage basin submitted by Zenith Consulting Engineers uh assessor's map
uh 012 block 002 lot 026 uh for a possible vote um As I understand it, we're we're looking for peer review
uh to be done >> uh on their on their their storm water drainage. >> So, what we're really really looking to do is uh continue this to next meeting.
>> Yep. So, um, yeah, as long as, um, you know, peerreview has all those storm water calculations and whatnot, I think, um, you know, we should be in good shape, um, for that. Uh, I know that,
let's see here. Um, let's see. I just want to make sure that we didn't miss anything here in our agenda. Um, yeah. So there's still um and thank you Riley for the email. Uh so Bob
Forbes from um Zenith had reached out to us and said um as discussed at the last planning board meeting, we are still awaiting review of the drainage modification by the town's consulting engineer. So, um, so I think we should,
um, at this point just make a motion to continue, um, the public hearing, uh, to our next meeting, uh, which will be on Thursday, August 13th. >> August 13th, >> here at the police station. I'd like to make a motion to continue
the public hearing for the def definitive subdivision 92 Holland Road to our next scheduled meeting on August 13th, 2026. >> I second that. You want to
do we want to include a time so it's at 6:30 instead of 7? >> Yeah. So um we can we'll do uh let's do six continuous show. >> Yep. So let's do um
635 just to give us a fivem minute um >> yeah okay >> five minute break. So um for the agenda next time >> to include in the previous motion >> Mhm. The um public hearing for 92
Holland Road on August 13th will begin at 6:35 p.m. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> I >> I [snorts] >> That's unanimous. Okay. Um
>> Yep. >> We have uh uh storm water management bylaw update. That was >> uh no meeting minutes. >> What's that? meeting minutes >> um from May 14th. >> Yep. I'm sorry. >> Oh, that's okay. >> Uh yeah. So, has anybody everybody had
the chance to review the meeting minutes from uh May 14th? >> Yes. >> Seems so long ago. I'm trying to familiar I was familiarizing myself with this uh the other day and um yeah,
everything else looks okay. Um [snorts] yeah. So um in that case I unless anybody's got anything um I make a motion that we approve the meeting minutes of the planning board from
Thursday May 14th 2026 as uh stated >> second. >> All in favor? I >> Wilga I >> I Okay. Um we're talking about administrative updates. Uh first one was
storm water management bylaw update. >> Um that's coming from SERPA, right? >> Yep. >> So they're not here tonight. So we'll we'll move that on to the next uh next meeting. Mhm.
>> Uh open space is is also uh part of their work. Um so that's moved on. Um consultant for Lakeville Hospital determination for Brownfields. >> Yep.
>> Um I've heard I've not heard anything further on this since we no >> discussed it. Yep. A month ago. My understanding is that is still in um still in process. >> Yeah.
>> Um and that um there's nothing to report on. >> The town doesn't really want to be involved on >> um yeah. So as of right now, I mean I I would hold off on any other comment on
it just because there's um some moving parts and right now with it. So at when this board receives more information, I think we should definitely um talk more on it. >> Okay. Yeah. >> Um the ADU bylaw is uh uh serpentid um
as well uh in their uh absence. We'll move that to next meeting. >> Yeah, I know they're very close on it. Um but uh you know there's uh from our last meeting I know that Taylor was
going to get back to us on um finalizing um some of the language with that. So >> okay and then uh Pine Crash Village update. >> I can give an update on that. Yeah. Um, so last Friday, um, which would have
been the, uh, 17th, I did take a drive out, um, to, uh, Pinerest Village to take a look at the site. And I will say, um, that site did get flooded, uh, maybe
a week or two prior with the recent rains. Um, you know, I think everybody saw um, you know, some of the photos um, that had been uh, taken place and what that looked like. Um, and it, you know,
there was some um, improvements that they had to make with the silk barriers and um, some of the sediment barriers that would have uh, prevented some flooding um, during uh, the site work. Um when I did take a drive last Friday,
I'm I was happy, very pleased that um the developer um did a lot of work since my last visit um a couple months ago. Um there was uh work done um to Hickory Lane uh to [snorts] improve um some of the
properties that were impacted by uh some of the large um uh vehicle traffic that's gone through there. So they did um patched the road, did a very nice job. Um they also um
um you know fixed some of the BMS as well. Um so the developer seems to be making a good faith effort um with the residents. Um the culverts look great. One of the culverts got replaced um at one Hickory Lane, which I was very happy
to see with some um crushed rock and that kind of thing. uh and um the construction of the uh silt barriers were all up. Um we just learned though uh recently this week
with uh more of those torrential downpours that um you know some of the retention ponds um had a lot of water in them and was spilling out. And as we all know with site work, um if you do go to
that property, um it is on a very large incline. Um and the way that the water um was running, a lot of the silt and so forth was running
down Pinerest Drive. Again, I don't know to what extent of how um um how much it was, but um you know, it it did um have an impact um on the community. So, my
understanding as of right now is this is really with um uh the conservation uh committee. Um they are um re doing uh pending further review. Um we as a board
would not um release um the um um the property until the conditions are satisfied and met with peer review as well as um you know um ensuring that you know everything is looking good on that
property. Um but as of this week, you know, uh the Concom um has been working on the compliance with the abutters. Peer review is still out there um looking and is currently evaluating um
and hopefully there'll be some more information on that um update uh maybe by the next meeting or the uh or by the uh next month. Okay, thank you
for your >> David if I can just add to that also. >> Sorry, Kathy. >> That's okay. Um, as you said, the board, this board's been working kind of collaboratively with conservation and because of the other issues that
happen out there, they did want to see another peer review specific to their order of conditions because there there's quite a few conditions in them. So, they want to make sure that all those condition that their conditions are met before this board releases those
lots. So, we just did receive the proposal for that. >> Tomorrow, I'll be meeting hopefully with conservation Nancy Yates so she can look that over and see if she feels that that check will check off all their boxes for review.
>> And that's with Beiels and Thomas. >> Bees and Thomas. Correct. >> Very good. Thank you for clarifying that, Kathy. Appreciate that. >> Okay. Yeah. Um, do we have any any other business or any other things that want
to be discussed in this meeting? >> I think we're all good. >> Well, the chair will entertain a motion to adjourn. So, our next meeting will be here at the Lakeville Police Station on
August 13th, 2026. Um, I'd like to make a motion that we adjourn uh the Lakeville Planning Board meeting at 7:11 p.m. >> Second. >> All in favor?
>> I will I. Well, I try