The Raynham Planning Board held a meeting on Wednesday, April 20, 2005, at the Raynham Senior Center. The meeting opened at 6:00 p.m. with Board members Daniel Andrade, Burke Fountain, Carl Carlson, John Canto and Chris Gallagher present. Also present was Town Planner Richard McCarthy.
Mr. Andrade re-opened public hearing of Wal-Mart for continued public comments. Mr. Andrade informed that the Board received the final summary of the traffic report from Mr. Schmid.
Mr. Canto stated a report of the maximum capacity of Rt. 138 has yet to be presented to the Board.
Mr. Tuchmann stated the design for Center Street has not been started by the State.
Mr. Gallagher stated that he would like to see a design or communication stating the project for Center Street will be completed by Wal Mart.
Mr. Andrade read a letter from the City of Taunton stating their commitments to be fulfilled by Wal-Mart.
Present from the City of Taunton was Frank Nichols, Taunton Assistant City Engineer, and Mayor Nunes.
Mr. Andrade informed that the Beta Group report was received and stated that, in his opinion, most of the requests from the City of Taunton are not a safety issue. Mr. Andrade stated that the commitments to the City of Taunton should include Jackson Street and mitigation up to the intersection of E. Britannia Street, Washington Street and Rt. 138 (Root Beer Stand).
Board members discussed funds availability for mitigation toward the City of Taunton.
Mr. Andrade asked for the decision agreed upon at a meeting with the City of Taunton for Jackson Street. Mr. Tuchmann informed that the design would be to make it work with limits for Taunton. Mr. Nichols and Mayor Nunes agreed that Jackson Street is a concern. Mayor Nunes stated that the traffic study was only a preliminary study done in a very short period of time and an in depth study should be complete. Mayor Nunes stated that both Raynham and Taunton are in agreement that most of the traffic will be coming from Taunton, which will further deteriorate Rt. 138. Mayor Nunes stated that the funds to overlay Rt. 138 are not much and would be in good faith for Wal Mart to commit to the request. Board members, along with member present from the City of Taunton, and Mr. Tuchmann discussed
the cost of the requested projects to be completed for Taunton.
Board members prioritized, in their opinion, the necessary projects to be completed. Mr. Tuchmann informed that there are funds available but if a hitch is too high Wal-Mart may abandon the project, which could result in a forfeit of improvements to Rt. 138.
Mr. Andrade was in favor of improvements to Jackson Street, special permit for parking space size and building size. Mr. Andrade was also in favor of the entire Wal-Mart building being constructed now and the second phase remaining unoccupied.
Mr. Canto stated that conditions should be stipulated for the use/non-use of the empty building.
Donald McKinnon, Selectmen, was present and again stated his concerns to satisfy the City of Taunton prior to acceptance of the Wal-Mart project.
Matt Hooper, resident and representative for a Raynham resident group, was present and presented the Board with a copy from the Wall Street Journal stating the number of vacant buildings Wal-Mart currently owns. Mr. Hooper stated concerns regarding storage of oil, batteries and tires, snow removal, sweeping, and dirt in the proposed filtration system.
John Donahue, North Raynham Water District, was present and stated that conditions should be added for the impact on the water district.
Pete Emond, resident/business owner, was present and asked where the proposed construction of the sewer line was to stop.
Mr. Canto asked if the pipeline could continue to the Taunton City line. Mr. Andrade stated that Mr. Cabral should be contacted regarding a possible sewer pipe extension.
8:04 p.m. - Mr. Carlson motioned and Mr. Burke seconded to close the public comment portion of public hearing for Wal-Mart. The vote made it unanimous.
8:05 p.m. - Mr. Carlson motioned and Mr. Burke seconded to adjourn and continue public hearing with Wal Mart to the next Planning Board meeting on April 21, 2005 at 6:00 p.m. at the Raynham Town Hall. The vote made it unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Dawn M. Caradonna
Recording Secretary
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