HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-07-19 Planning Board Supplemental Materials (16)
TOWN OF NORTH ANDOVER
DIVISION OF PUBLIC WORKS
384 OSGOOD STREET
NORTH ANDOVER, MASSACHUSETTS 01845-2909
BRUCE D. THIBODEAU, P.E.
DIRECTOR
Eugene P. Willis, PE
Director of Engineering
Telephone (978) 685-0950
Fax (978) 688-9573
July 14, 2011
John Simons, Chairman Planning Board
North Andover Planning Board
1600 Osgood Landing
Osgood St.
North Andover, Ma. 01845
Re: Mathews Way Subdivision Decision
Dear Board Members:
The DPW Engineering Dept. has received a copy of the above referenced decision
dated July 5, 2011 and finds that it misstates our position. Specifically, Findings of Facts
page 3 item K states: “The Definitive Plan has been reviewed by the Department of Public
Works … and has been found acceptable.” This is not the case.
I have been on record with the developer, the developer’s attorney, and the town
planner from the beginning that I find the proposed design unacceptable. Hence, the project
was submitted as a private project. Below are the first four comments from my review dated
February 22, 2011; pay particular attention to notes #2 and #4.
1. “Mathews Way is labeled "prop. private" (proposed private?) on sheet 2 of 4.
It is assumed this project will remain private. This review does not address
compliance with the Town's subdivision rules and regulations. The responsibility
for adequacy and safety of the proposed design rests with the applicant's
engineering firm. “
2. “To my knowledge, neither the proposed narrowness for pavement width, nor
the proposed hammerhead turnaround designs have ever been approved by
the DPW for roadway maintenance or trash pick-up.”
3. “The site is located in close proximity to a runway approach at the Lawrence
Municipal Airport. The requested road waivers may restrict the ability o f
emergency vehicles to access the area in case of an event involving an aircraft
approaching or leaving the runway.”
4. “The DPW would recommend against the acceptance of Mathews Way as
designed were it ever to be submitted to a Town Meeting vote for acce ptance
as a public way.”
My concerns were exacerbated with the later revelation that the proposed residences would
be duplexes rather than single family homes. See my review dated May 4, 2011.
2
TOWN OF NORTH ANDOVER
DIVISION OF PUBLIC WORKS
384 OSGOOD STREET NORTH ANDOVER, MASSACHUSETTS 01845-2909
It is the DPW’s position that the design, as proposed, is unacceptable and “The
responsibility for adequacy and safety of the proposed design rests with the applicant's
engineering firm.” (see note 1 above) The developer never made his project acceptable to
the DPW; he merely removed it from my purview by making it a private project. You are
respectfully requested to modify the decision to reflect the facts as represented in this
correspondence.
Sincerely,
Eugene P. Willis, P.E.
Director of Engineering
CC: File, Bruce Thibodeau, Director DPW , Curt Bellavance, Director Community
Development, Judy Tymon, Town Planner
Sent via: email and interoffice mail