TOWN OF SHARON

PLANNING BOARD

Minutes of a meeting of the Planning Board held on December 15, 2004, at 7:30 p.m., in the Town Offices.

PRESENT: SAMUEL SOLOMON, CHAIR

REGINA MANISCALCO, VICE CHAIR

ARNOLD COHEN, CLERK

ELI HAUSER

PETER O’CAIN, ASST. TOWN ENGINEER

Business Transacted:

I. Meeting called to order. The Minutes of the December 1, 2004, meeting were reviewed and accepted with corrections.

FORM A PLANS

None.

SIGN REVIEW

None.

II. GLENDALE VILLAGE/SKOLNIK – 174 BILLINGS

Mr. Skolnik explained that he believed the Planning Board was familiar with this project as it has appeared before the Board several times in different guises. It is now a 40B and is before the ZBA with ongoing hearings. In April of last year, the Board had discussions regarding the original plans and wrote a letter to the Board of Selectmen that was then forwarded to the Massachusetts Housing Authority. Since that time, the developer has revised the plans.

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Administrative Assistant

Minutes of Meeting Page Two December 15, 2004

The revised plans show 28 condominium units, down from the originally proposed 32 units. The access to the subdivision has been changed, as the original access had been rejected by the Planning Board. As part of the ZBA requirements, the applicant has been asked to contact the other Boards in the Town for their input on these new plans.

The Massapoag Brook Association was organized by the abutters to monitor this subdivision. They hired Thomas Houston, an engineer who is also a resident of Sharon and a previous member of the Planning Board, as their engineer to review the plans. Among other things, Mr. Houston pointed out the following items as being of concern and not meeting the Town’s Rules and Regulations:

· Concern about the number of homes on a dead end street.

· Water pressure problematic creating a fire hazard.

· Problems with the access – grades, traffic, site distances.

· Letter from the Fire Chief reiterating his opposition to this subdivision and access.

· Very large retaining wall.

· Drainage, flooding of abutters’ property.

· Groundwater problems and its affects on the wetlands.

· Extensive damage to the wetlands.

· Huge detention basins.

· Spacing and mass of buildings.

Areas of concern mentioned in the Planning Board letter in April stated that this subdivision had been disapproved on two prior occasions listing wetlands issues, steep slopes, lack of emergency access and lack of sidewalks as being of concern. Mr. Skolnick was asking that the Board again write a letter to the ZBA listing its concerns. The matter would not be heard before the ZBA until some time in February.

Mr. O’Cain added that there was a serious water problem in that area, with there being negative pressure at that point in the street.

Minutes of Meeting Page Three December 15, 2004

Mr. Solomon indicated that the Board would write a letter listing its concerns and comments. There are obviously a great deal of issues the Board is concerned about, especially with the groundwater. He said that he appreciated Mr. Skolnik’s input.

Ms. Miller of Glendale Road wanted to point out to the Board that the dimensions of the detention basins are very large and very deep (16’). She felt there were safety issues relating to these sizes.

Since Mr. Cohen had drafted the previous letter for the Board, he said he would also draft this one.

III. HUNTER’S RIDGE

Mr. Solomon asked the developer if there was any new information the Board should have since the last public hearing. Mr. Faria said that there really was nothing new, as they were still waiting for the hydrogeological and groundwater studies. Until they had these reports, there was nothing they could do further. They have been told the reports will be available next week.

Since this is a special permit situation, the Board members felt they should have all reports available, including from the Conservation Commission and Board of Health, before making a decision on this matter. Mr. Solomon also instructed the applicant to obtain comments from the Fire Chief.

Mr. O’Cain informed the Board that the Board of Health decided to hire an outside consultant to review the septic issues.

Ms. Maniscalco said that the following were areas of concern to her: Traffic issues, septic issues, density and open space issues, and comments from other Boards. These are the areas the Board is looking for in the CSD.

Minutes of Meeting Page Four December 15, 2004

Mr. Solomon said that given the topography and steepness of the slopes, it might be in the Town’s best interests in this case to require borings or other tests to indicate what the runoff is pre-construction and post-construction to be able to monitor these issues and assure that the situation does not get worse after construction.

Mr. Faria explained that there were some suggestions made at the last Conservation Commission hearing that will be incorporated by the developer. One of them is to put a drainage swale in the 20’ open space strip. This would go all the way to the wetlands in back. This would be another way to guarantee that the water does not go off site to the abutters. Mr. O’Cain added that to be able to do this, the applicant would have to clear more trees.

One of the residents of Lantern Lane said that it sounded like the newly proposed drainage swale could be a good idea, but still doesn’t guarantee that it will prevent runoff onto the neighbors. He was also concerned about the increased amount of salt that will be used, which could pollute the water coming down on them. He wanted to know if there could be any restrictions put on the runoff so that it would be unpolluted water only. Mr. O’Cain answered that the system has storm separator units.

Mr. O’Cain further added that he thought the idea of a maintenance agreement was a logical one, to ensure that the catch basins get cleaned, and that oil separators are maintained.

Mr. Godlin asked what the Board’s policy was on extension requests. Mr. Solomon answered that the Board usually allows extensions if they are in the best interests of the Town. In this case, it is not due to problems with the applicant that the extensions are needed, but rather because of the Planning Board’s wanting the input from other Boards before it makes a decision.

Minutes of Meeting Page Five December 15, 2004

IV. OTHER BUSINESS

· Mr. Solomon informed the Board that Ms. Ostrow would probably be sending in a resignation. Her parents were ill and she was planning on moving back to Nebraska to be near them. She will be sending her resignation shortly. The Board, in conjunction with the Board of Selectmen, will have to find someone to replace Ms. Ostrow until her term is over. Mr. Cohen suggested prior Board members Phil Chapman and Phil Kopel. Other suggestions were Bill Aitkenhead, Joel Tran and Kim Maitland. However, these people would not be contacted until Ms. Ostrow’s resignation was received.

· Mr. Hauser presented the Board with several items he thought the Board should be working on. Some of the issues he brought up were identify what zoning changes the Board would be bringing to Spring and Fall town meetings; update the MUOD and CSD; inclusionary zoning so that each new subdivision has to provide for some affordable housing and the issues of accessory apartments,

V. There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m.