Planning Board

Planning Board Meeting

March 7, 2019

Meeting opened:                 6 p.m. by Burke Fountain, Vice Chairman

Board members present:    Burke Fountain, Daniel Andrade, Russell Driscoll,

                                            John Teixeira

Board members absent:     Christopher Gallagher

Staff present:                    Maureen McKenney, Administrative Assistant                     

6:04 p.m. – Mr. Fountain opened the meeting and announced it was being audio and video recorded. 

6:05 p.m. Form A – Greystone Estates (located off Locust Street):  Public hearing was opened.  Mr. Driscoll read the hearing notice.  Mr. Fountain read correspondence dated March 6, 2019, from applicant Southbrook Development requesting to continue the hearing to March 21, 2019, because the plan is being reviewed by the Board’s consultant. 

Mr. Andrade moved to continue the hearing to 6:05 p.m., March 21, 2019; second Mr. Teixeira.  Motion passed by unanimous vote (4-0-0).

Carol Mulqueeney, Parkwood Drive, asked about the requirements for a lot of land.  Mr. Andrade informed requirements are 40,000 sq. ft. and 150 ft. frontage, depending on water and sewer being available, as well as a 125 ft. by 125 ft. building square requirement to prevent odd shaped lots.

No testimony on Greystone Estates was taken.

General Business:  No bills submitted for payment.

SRPEDD Update:  None as the last SRPEDD meeting was cancelled.

Planner Update:  None tonight.  Planner was not present.

6:15 p.m. – 295 New State Highway/Hanoush Jewelers (across from Shaw’s):  Public hearing was reconvened.  Mr. Fountain announced a request for continuance was received from Nick Dufresne, P.E., on behalf of applicant.  Mr. Fountain moved to continue to March 21, 2019, 6:15 p.m.; second Mr. Teixeira.  Motion passed by unanimous vote (4-0-0).

6:17 p.m. – Doe Run (located off Pine Street):  Frank Gallagher, P.E., Foxboro, MA, was present along with Michael Looney, Pine Street (abutter to the subdivision).  Mr. Gallagher updated the Board since they last met to discuss the subdivision:  the 27-lot subdivision is off Pine Street, north of Courtney Way; he has had discussions about issues at the subdivision with Nitsch Engineering, the Planner and the Highway Department.  Mr. Gallagher is developing a plan to alleviate drainage problems, but it is not yet at 100% ready.

Mr. Fountain stated they are discussing this tonight because there is an abutter having problems with water in his basement.  Mr. Gallagher explained the applicant agreed to put in additional drainage to extend beyond the limits of the subdivision; they shouldn’t be on property other than Pine Street right-of-way but there may be work done on a few lots within the subdivision.  Abutters who have expressed problems with their property are Looney and Gilbody.  A new extension of the storm basin from south of Courtney northerly up Pine Street is proposed; storm water will be fed by gravity to Courtney Way and then connect at the high point on Ariana Way and then down grade to Pine Street.  The plan to use swales will now be eliminated.  Mr. Gallagher has talked to Ed Buckley, and the Town is agreeable to work being done in the public way.  Mr. Gallagher further explained the work to be done, stating it is “easily achievable.”  He said applicant has decided to extend sewer to the subdivision and other houses; there is Town water north of Courtney Way.

Mr. Fountain noted this is long-term plan, but what is the short-term plan.  Mr. Gallagher explained the plan for Phase I involving Megan Circle and Sydney Way, both of which are constructed with the utilities in place; drainage is in place except for catch basin grates, which will be put on when weather permits. 

Mr. Andrade noted there is no curbing in place yet and questioned if this is part of the problem.  He asked if Mr. Gallagher has identified where the water is coming from yet; Mr. Gallagher said no.  Mr. Gallagher can’t say if the problem is groundwater, but he inspected the site and did not see surface water on the Looney property. When asked about Gilbody property, Mr. Gallagher said there is surface water problem on the driveway.  He discussed the contours around Gilbody property, stating the drainage trend is to run down and away from Gilbody; Mr. Gilbody may have a low point in his driveway. 

Mr. Andrade discussed that he reviewed minutes from past meetings.  He found that the highway department wanted two catch basins at the entrance but the soils wouldn’t absorb so they were eliminated; swales were planned to filter into the ground; the new road on the west side of Ariana Way is sloped with no swale.  Mr. Andrade asked why a swale or manhole wasn’t done.  Mr. Gallagher stated a more detailed survey is needed first.  Mr. Andrade said the plan was approved with grass swale but it isn’t there yet.  Mr. Gallagher said it’s not in because that road section is started but not finished as it is not part of Phase I construction. 

Mr. Andrade noted that when the re-phasing was requested, it was agreed no building permits would be allowed for Phase II until the drainage is in Phase III; Mr. Gallagher agreed, stating that will be completed as part of Phase II.  Mr. Andrade read the condition for the phasing modification; Mr. Gallagher explained why the situation is different.  Mr. Andrade said he can’t imagine the work being done is generating this much water for the abutter.  Mr. Gallagher said he saw no evidence of surface water runoff about one month ago.  Mr. Andrade said there is quite a bit of water runoff from somewhere and asked what can be done.  Mr. Gallagher noted 2018 was the wettest year ever; Mr. Andrade said he understood that.

Mr. Fountain asked if they are doing a swale and drainage on Pine Street; Mr. Gallagher said they will do one or the other.  Mr. Andrade thought that would be impossible; Mr. Gallagher explained how they can do a better solution, which will be more costly, but they are willing to do it.  Mr. Fountain asked if it is redundant to have both systems; Mr. Gallagher said yes.

Mr. Andrade asked what the long-term solution is.  It was noted there is 75 feet involved; Mr. Andrade felt swale will be needed for that amount of runoff.  Mr. Gallagher has not finalized the calculations yet;he wants a more detailed survey; he may put a catch basin at the low point and may need swale elsewhere; survey of Gilbody property is also needed to find low point.

Mr. Fountain asked for the short-term plan.  Mr. Gallagher said there is no solution if the basement is in groundwater. Applicant’s work did not create the problem if it is surface, but they can do a hard pipe system to catch runoff and take it away.  Mr. Andrade stated if a stoned swale is needed for 75 to 80 feet to capture the water, it must be done.  He noted the soil is bad and doesn’t absorb; and, if the foundation is in the ground more than three feet, the reality is that it’s a problem.  He noted there must be sump pumps in the area.

Mr. Gallagher said he spoke to Ed Buckley earlier and informed him he will let him know when the plan is finalized and when the surveying is being done. 

Michael Looney, 861 Pine Street, addressed the Board, stating he has water issues.  He informed the Board he has had multiple sump pumps at his house since 1996 but has never had water problem until a year ago; he questioned why now.  He discussed the contour of the property, noting he agreed with what Mr. Andrade said earlier about contours and that when the roadway was built up four feet, it made a dam.  Mr. Gallagher said it was built as designed.  Mr. Andrade stated if the road is built and the elevation raised, a stone, rip-rap swale is needed as soon as possible because the ground has been compacted and water is running off.  He stated pipe is useless but the easy fix is swale with stone.  He suggested an elevation of 40 to alleviate the runoff issue; he recommends doing it now instead of waiting for more information; there is no reason not to do now.  Mr. Gallagher was okay with the suggestion. 

Mr. Looney discussed a 4 ft. trench that was dug across the Gilbody property to his property.  He commented that Conservation Commission will not address this issue with hay bales, silt fences or anything else.

Mr. Fountain suggested putting the matter on the next meeting; he wants something done by then especially if applicant wants building permits.  It was agreed to let the subdivision owner know to get this done as soon as possible and to work with Nitsch and Ed Buckley to let them know what is going on.  Mr. Looney noted the road has been cut for six months for the water main.  He asked how all the work will be coordinated because he has a handicap son and has to cross the road; he was advised the water mains are the water department’s area.  He asked about street lights, and was informed to contact TMLP.

Mr. Gallagher noted there is inconvenience with construction but after it is done, there will be water, sewer and drainage.  He stated they will be sensitive to issues and work together. Mr. Looney asked how and when things will be done.    Mr. Andrade stated they have identified the problem and will work on it.  Mr. Looney said he has inherited the problem and asked how long before water comes to his house.  Mr. Andrade didn’t know when.  Mr. Gallagher said they will work quickly.  Mr. Looney asked why ConCom can’t do hay bales or other options.  Mr. Andrade said it isn’t their job; he asked Mr. Gallagher to drop hay bales at Mr. Looney’s property where needed; Mr. Gallagher agreed to do so.

The Board agreed to send a letter to the developer about the work to be done by April 1st.  The matter was continued to March 21, 6:20 p.m.

There was no further business and the meeting adjourned at approximately 7:10 p.m.

Russell Driscoll, Clerk