The Raynham Planning Board held a regularly scheduled meeting on January 22, 2009, at Raynham Veterans’ Memorial Town Hall. The meeting was called to order at 6:04 p. m. by Chairman Daniel Andrade.
Board members present: Daniel Andrade, P. Burke Fountain and Christopher Gallagher. Henry Ellis arrived at 6:12 p. m.
Board members not present: John Canto
6:05 p. m. - Waiver of Frontage plan for North Main Street, Sharon Wilbur Trust, was presented by Attorney David T. Gay, Taunton, MA. Attorney Gay explained the plan, noting the property was granted a frontage variance to create the two lots shown on the plan.
Board members reviewed the plan. Mr. Gallagher noted a deed error was discovered by the property owner, which in turn led to the need for the variance. Attorney Gay noted the lots are approximately 1.3 acres and 1.4 acres in size so both are in excess of the lot area requirement for Residential A zone.
Mr. Fountain noted the Board’s only concern is whether or not adequate access is provided for the lots. He asked if the property was located on a bad curve in the road, and Attorney Gay stated no. Mr. Fountain noted the property had good site distance, and Attorney Gay agreed.
After discussion, Mr. Gallagher moved to approve the Waiver of Frontage plan entitled “Waiver of Frontage” Plan of Land In Raynham, Massachusetts Prepared For Sharon Wilbur Trust,” by Arthur F. Borden & Associates, Inc., dated September 21, 2008; second by Mr. Fountain. During discussion, Mr. Fountain informed Attorney Gay that he would like the recording date, book and page of the Board of Appeals’ variance decision put on the plan, and Attorney Gay agreed to this. Vote was taken on the motion; motion to approve the plan was unanimous.
(6:12 p. m. Mr. Ellis arrived.)
Mr. Andrade recused himself from the Board.
6:13 p. m. - Church Street, Form A plan - Attorney Edmund Brennan, Taunton, MA, presented a Form A plan for land on Church Street on behalf of applicant Riverfront LLC. Proper application and fees were submitted. Attorney Brennan explained a portion of the property was frontage from the former vineyard property. He noted the property has water but no sewer.
The plan was reviewed by the Board. After review, Mr. Fountain moved to accept the plan entitled “Plan of Land 513 Church Street Raynham, MA Prepared For Riverfront LLC,” by Earth Services Corp., dated December 31, 2008, as an Approval Not Required plan; second by Mr. Gallagher; motion to approve the plan passed by unanimous vote (3 members with Mr. Andrade recused). Mr. Gallagher endorsed the plan.
6:17 p. m. - Mr. Andrade returned to the meeting.
General Business: Mr. Fountain moved to waive the reading and approve the minutes of November 13, 2008, and December 18, 2008, as received; second by Mr. Andrade; motion passed by unanimous vote (4).
6:18 p. m. Carriage Hill Estates (located off King Street) - Jim Malley, Malley Engineering, appeared before the Board on behalf of Norwood Bank regarding Carriage Hill Estates. Mr. Malley explained that Norwood Bank has taken over the subdivision from Mr. Grabau, the previous owner. He informed the Board that the bank wants to finish the road in order to get a bond reduction and to be able to sell house lots for construction. Mr. Malley noted he was before the Board tonight to update them on the status of the project.
Town Planner Marilyn Whalley informed the Board she was at a site inspection of the subdivision and that a core sample of the road is being done to determine if the road is defective at this point.
Mr. Andrade asked if the bank is planning to correct violations with the subdivision, and Mr. Malley stated yes.
Snowplowing at the subdivision was discussed. Mr. Malley informed the Board he will provide them with the name of the contractor the bank is using to plow Carriage Hill.
Mr. Andrade noted Highway Superintendent Roger Stolte is keeping him advised of the status of Carriage Hill by E-mail. He advised Mr. Malley to keep the Town Planner updated. Mr. Fountain noted he was pleased Norwood Bank is not being an absentee owner.
6:30 p. m. General Business: Rockland Trust/375 New State Highway site plan was discussed. Board members discussed the fact that signs advising of ‘no left turn’ out of the sight and ‘right turn only’ from the site are missing. Mr. Fountain read into the record a portion of the site plan’s Certificate of Action regarding the signage at the site. After discussion, it was agreed to send a letter to the applicant instructing them to replace the signs, with a copy to Rockland Trust and the Raynham Highway Superintendent.
The Board received a copy of E-mail correspondence, dated January 5, 2009, between Roger Stolte, Highway Superintendent, and Brad Rees, Whippoorwill Drive, regarding snowplowing at Whippoorwill Estates. After discussion, no action was taken.
E-mail correspondence, dated January 12, 2009, was received from Nitsch Engineering re. the as-built plan for Yukon Landscaping/South Street East site plan. The memo stated the site plan was acceptable but that it did not have the sewer inverts shown on it. After discussion, it was agreed the inverts should be included on the plan unless John Schmid can verify for the Board that they are not needed.
6:40 p. m. - Central Dodge site plan: Attorney Ed Brennan, Taunton, MA, appeared before the Board to discuss finishing the site plan. Ms. Whalley informed the Board she met with Attorney Brennan, John Schmid and Mr. Albert of Central Dodge to discuss what issues on the site plan were outstanding. Ms. Whalley noted that Mr. Schmid had suggested the applicant request a minor modification to the plan because some items such as lighting and berm were not done in conformance with the approved plan.
Mr. Fountain noted he has witnessed unloading of Central Dodge cars at the Bernie & Phyl’s site across the street.
The additional parcel of land being used by Central Dodge was discussed. It was noted the parcel was not part of the original application but it has been paved and is being used. The Board agreed they wanted that matter taken care of and that a plan modification might be needed for that also.
Ms. Whalley noted that Mr. Schmid indicated the Conservation Commission was okay with the plan but that he has concerns with pipe deterioration and a storm drain, and he felt that was the most pressing issue with the site plan.
After discussion, the Board advised Attorney Brennan that the applicant should work with Mr. Schmid on the issues. Attorney Brennan noted the list of outstanding issues has become more manageable since meeting with Mr. Schmid. Ms. Whalley informed the Board that John Schmid thinks the site lighting may have been over-engineered. It was agreed an updated “punch list” will be obtained from Mr. Schmid.
General Business: Copy of E-mail correspondence, dated January 15, 2009, was received from Gregg Conboy, Erland Construction Co., in response to a letter the Board sent to Electrochem regarding a discrepancy in the number of parking spaces on the original plan. Mr. Conboy’s correspondence explained there was a typographical error on the original plan that stated 17 parking spaces were at the southern edge of the parking lot but, in fact, 15 spaces were shown, and those 15 spaces are now shown on the as-built plan. After discussion, Mr. Andrade moved to release the project review funds after clarification of this matter from Nitsch Engineering; second by Mr. Ellis; motion passed by unanimous vote (4).
King Estates’ snowplowing account was discussed. It was noted there is a shortage of funds available to pay all the snow plowing bills from the Town of Raynham. It was noted this is a private subdivision but the developer may be having financial problems. After discussion, it was agreed to send a letter requesting $25,000 for the snowplowing account to cover outstanding and future invoices; second by Mr. Fountain; motion passed by unanimous vote (4).
Board members discussed whether or not the Town should or should not be plowing private subdivisions. After discussion, it was agreed the Board will send a letter to the Selectmen suggesting a policy be put in place regarding the Raynham Highway Department plowing private subdivisions.
Ms. Whalley updated the Board on the status of Karen’s Way. She informed the Board that she had met with developer Steve Hansen, and Mr. Hansen indicated he is working towards acceptance of Karen’s Way at the Fall Town Meeting. Ms. Whalley noted Mr. Stolte questioned why a fence on the plan was waived and asked if it could now be required. After discussion, the Board agreed they would need to review the plan before making a determination on the fence and that Mr. Stolte can send a written request to the Board if he is concerned. Mr. Ellis noted the Board generally looks at safety issues before making such a determination.
Ms. Whalley updated the Board on the status of the MORE grant the town recently received.
There was no further business, and the meeting closed at approximately 7:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Christopher J. Gallagher, Clerk
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