HomeMy WebLinkAbout1973-05-21Monday - May 21, 1973
Special Meetin~
The PLANt~i~D BOARD held a special meeting on Monday evenino~, Nay 21, 1973
at ?:50 P.M.' in the Town Office Building meeting~ room. The following members
were present and voting: William Chepnlis, Chairman; John J. Monteiro, Vice
Chairman; Paul R. Lampreyt Clerk; Donald N. Keirstead and Fritz Ostherr.
This meeting was called to meet with the various town departments and officials
for discussion of subdivision procedures.
The following people were also present: Police Chief Lawlor; Fire Chief Daw;
Tree Warden Leo Lafond; Highway Surveyor William Cyr; Stu Wilson, Bd. of Fire
En~ineers; Frank Gelinas, Sanitary Engineer; Ed Scanlon, Board of Health; Joe
Borgesi, B.P.W. Supt.; Ray Canty~ B.P.W.; Bldg. Insp. Charles Foster; Atty. John
Willis and a few interested spectators.
Chairman Chepulis explained the reason for calling the meeting; the present re-
quirements under the Subdivision Rules and Regulations; the responsibilities of
the Subdivision Control Sub-committee.
Mr. Monteiro said that cooperation from other town boards and officials ia greatly
needed by the Planning Board. They have been very helpful already with.some of
the moat recent subdivisions.
Mr. Chepulis said viewing the site and walking the areas have helped greatly.
Mr. Keirstead mentioned that under the new regulations, all departments and boards
are becoming involved. He reviewed the subdivision procedures and that plans are
submitted to various departments for comment and recommendation.
Mr. Ostherr spoke about subdivisions having to be approved if they meet the re-
quirements of the Subdivision Control Law; that it is so stated in the Zoning
Enabling Act.
Mr. Monteiro brought up about the regulations also stating that the purpose of
subdivision control is for the health, safety and welfare of the inhabitants of
the town. This town has many problems, such as water, drainage, septic systems,
etc. Maybe there should be a moratorium on subdivisions for a year or ay ear and
a half until the rules and regulations are strengthened. He said Mr. Keirstead
did a good Job on the new regulations in which he was principally involved, but
he feels they should be strengthened even more.
Leo Lafond, Tree Warden, said he was concerned with the Hatch-Jones Act. He
doesn't think it is right for the Conse~,ationCommission to have to wait for
action until after the Planning Board has taken .some action. Everyone agreed
that it is a poorly written law.
Mr. Monteiro said that if there is anything wrong on a development, he would vote
ag-inst it; he doesn't care what the law says.
Mr. Keirstead said the Conservation Commission has the right to stop the building
on a subdivision. If a change is required in a subdivision plan, then they have
to come before the Planning Board again for consideration. The Board hopes that
the Conservation Commission would report what corrections would have to be made.
May 21, 1973 - cont.
Highway Surveyor Cyr was concerned about being able to make inspections. He asked
where do the departments stand on conditions that don't show on the plan that
happen after it is developed; do we have the authority to rectify these things?
He mentioned a subdivision that causes water to run onto a public road and is
causing a serious problem.
Frank Gelinast sanitary engineer, disagrees strongly with the attitude that the
problems cannot be corrected after a development is approved. He feels that a
problem can be taken care of if the developer is the cause of a condition.
Police Chief Lawlor feels that access roads to a development should be controlled
somehow. At present, the town does not have any agency that controls access ways.
The Board will pursue this further.
Mr. Chepulis expl,tued that the Planning Board is very limited as to what kind of
conditions are placed on subdivisions and pointed out that the Board of Appeals
has more power than the Planning Board as to placing conditions on something.
Ray Canty, Board of Public Works, thinks every department should be interested in
viewing the site of the developments.
Mr. Keirstead said our goal is to meet with the develoPer on the preliminary plans
before anything is finalized.
Mr. Chepulis said how a subdivision goes in has an impact on the whole town and
we should all be concerned and he would like to see all of the departments come
to the meetings to discuss the plans. The nAppledore" development was discussed
and it was pointed out that it is a large development that will need the attention
of everyone; there are many problems with thatdevelopment.
Mr. Monteiro asked about the Salem Street development, if the Conservation Comm.
has dome anything yet. Leo Lafond said nothing has come up yet. Frank Gelinas
said the Board of Health has sent Mr. Sullivan a letter that he contact them
before they start any road work because they feel there is going to be a problem
with the septics.
Mr. Keirstead informed everyone that the Improvement Society is planning to hold
a seminar in the Fall on the Hatch-Jones Act.
Mr. Cyr is concerned about another problem in town as to unaccepted streets. He
suggested forming a study committee in order that something be done about themt
since there are so many of them in town which are a safety problem and have traffic
and drainage problems also.
The discussion ended with Mr. Chepulis thanking everyone for attending and showing
their interest and concern and stating that all officials and various departments
would be notified of items concerning developments as they occur through the Sub-
division Control Sub-committee.
Ed Scanlon, Board of Health member, reminded everyone present of the meeting being
held on Thursday night on the new Board of Health rules and regulations; many said
they would attend.
May 21, 1973 - cont.
ARCHDIOCESE ~?1~LOPMENT:
Fritz Osthorr brought up the Archdiocese development problem and suggested
that the town prepare a professional study as to how that part of the town
should be drained or to assess the adequacy of the townhouse proposal. He
suggested engaging a professional consultant.
Mr. Cyr said that Camp, Dresser & McKee has already made a survey and the
information is available in his office if anyone is interested in reading it.
Mr. Keirstead said there is a serious drainage problem in that area and he
doesn't care one way or the other if this development goes through. There is
much damage being done on properties there. Maybe there can be a new way of
handling that problem.
Mr. James Beattie, Waverly Rd., said this is what they are trying to do; to stop
the Archdiocese fro~ making a worse problem.
Mrs. Hoar, Waverly Rd., did not think the town should go to the expense of making
a study. ~
Leo Lafond said he and Mr. Oyr and representatives from the Archdiocese looked
over the area a few days ago and there is a terrific problem. Mr. Cyr said the
most pressing problem now are the culverts on Waverly Road.
Mr. Ostherr said he thinks we should prepare a professional response to this '
proposal.
Mr. Cyr thinks the money should be used on the culverts and other town problems.
The taxpayers would not be happy if the money was spent for a professional study.
Mr. Monteiro said these prefessiona~ services wouldn't rectify the .problem and
the taxpayers would not be happy if the money were spent this way.
Mr. Chepulis thinks it is for the benefit of the town to have some sort of professional
advice; not just for this location but for the entire town as it grow~
The meeting adjourned at 9:30 P.M.
Chairman
Secretary