The Raynham Planning Board held a regularly scheduled meeting on April 9, 2009.
The meeting was called to order at 6:08 p. m. by Chairman Daniel Andrade.
Board members present: Daniel Andrade, Burke Fountain, John Canto and Chris Gallagher
Board members not present: Henry Ellis
Staff present: Marilyn Whalley, Town Planner, and Maureen McKenney, Administrative Assistant
6:08 p. m. - Town Planner Update - Ms. Whalley discussed the memo she recently e-mailed to Board members regarding procurement of engineering/project review services. Ms. Whalley informed that she spoke to the Attorney General’s office on the matter and was advised the Board could procure more than one reviewer as she had described in her memo and that bids for services can be solicited by dollar amount and project scope, and a firm may bid for both type of service contracts. She noted bid soliciting can be done both for projects over a certain dollar amount and under a certain dollar amount, and solicitation is done by Request For Proposal (RFP) process unless a contract is for less than $5,000. She noted review services can be obtained on a project-by-project basis for services under
$5,000. She noted services under the amount of $5,000 can be done by oral quote, services between $5,000 and $25,000 need three written or oral quotes, and services over $25,000 must be done by RFP. She noted the Board can solicit new bids for services every three years.
Mr. Andrade noted the Board was happy with the review services currently being provided to the Board and they are only considering a new contract in order to cut traveling costs to applicants. He noted the review services provided by the Board’s current consultant have alleviated much of the project review the Board members previously did for projects and plans.
Mr. Gallagher stated he felt it would be better to have a local firm provide review services. Mr. Fountain suggested a new contract could specify that travel time will not be paid by an applicant. Both Mr. Gallagher and Mr. Fountain noted they like the idea of a rotating list of review firms that could provide review services as projects come before the Board. Ms. Whalley said the State does not allow such a list to be used.
Mr. Canto noted that when the economy is busy, it might be difficult to get good firms to provide review services for individual projects. Mr. Fountain noted that except for the fees bing charged by the review firm, he was okay with the way reviews are handled currently.
The criteria for inspectional services contracts was discussed, and it was agreed on-site inspection should be included in any future service contract. It was noted the Board could use the services of one firm for project review and another for project inspection.
After discussion, Ms. Whalley agreed to further research the matter for the next Board meeting.
6:45 p. m. - The Raynham housing plan was discussed. Mr. Andrade noted he reviewed the plan Ms. Whalley sent the Board members and it appeared to be good. He noted some information was from the 2007 census and was not accurate at this time. Mr. Andrade noted the requirement for affordable housing units in a subdivision does not seem to be working and the Board struggles with the requirement. He noted the Board would prefer to implement a 40B or 40R plan rather than try to fit affordable units into new subdivisions.
Ms. Whalley noted the housing plan is voluntary but it works to the Town’s benefit to have it when applying for grants. She stated she did not recommend the Town allow building on substandard lots and that section should be stricken from the housing plan. After discussion, it was agreed Ms. Whalley will revise the housing plan and present it to the Board at the next meeting. She noted that when completed, the housing plan will be submitted to the Board of Selectmen for their approval and acceptance.
Ms. Whalley informed the Board there is a public hearing on April 23rd for two zoning amendments related to the new FEMA flood insurance maps. She also informed the Board she met with the applicants who are planning to construct a Buddhist temple on South Street East. She noted the plan is to demolish the existing house on the property to build a new temple. The new temple will be on 7 acres of land and when completed will be the largest Buddhist temple in the US.
7:03 p. m. - General Business: Minutes of March 26, 2009, were received. Mr. Fountain moved to waive the reading and approve the minutes as submitted; second by Mr. Canto; motion passed by unanimous vote.
Bella Estates and MORE Grant - The Board received a request for minor modification to the Bella Estates Certificate of Action from Michael Intoccia, developer of Bella Estates. The request was to modify Condition No. 5 of the Certificate of Action to allow the remaining $34,000 due the Town from Mr. Intoccia to be expended by the Board for any and all purposes for which funds may be expended by the Board. It was noted the $34,000 due from Mr. Intoccia would be used to replace $34,000 recently taken from the Carriage Hill Estates escrow account to be used towards implementing the MORE Grant. Mr. Fountain moved to approve the minor modification for Bella Estates Certificate of Action pursuant to the April 16, 2009 letter from Attorney Robert A. Shelmerdine on behalf of Michael Intoccia; second by Mr.
Canto; motion passed by unanimous vote.
Ms. Whalley noted a warrant article to spend the Carriage Hill escrow account funds is on the May Town Meeting warrant.
Invoices were signed.
Surety bonds for Aspen Hollow and Berry Hill were discussed. The Board agreed to send a letter to Town Counsel requesting his opinion on how to proceed in light of the fact that the developers have not provided the Board with updated copies of their surety bonds.
Letter dated April 3, 2009, from Town Counsel Marc Antine re. Steve Hansen/Karen’s Way was received. Attorney Antine’s letter advised the Board that due to an injunction against Mr. Hansen, the Board could not release any of the surety funds they are holding from Karen’s Way to Mr. Hansen. No action was taken by the Board.
There was no further business, and the meeting adjourned at approximately 7:15 p. m.
Respectfully submitted,
Christopher J. Gallagher, Clerk
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