Meeting called to order at 6:15 P.M. at Town Hall.
Present: Barbara A. Sheehan, William H. Darke and Elizabeth A. Gorski, Chairman
Warrants
Moved Darke, seconded Sheehan, and it was
VOTED: To approve bi-weekly Warrants 06-47.
Darke, Sheehan – “Aye”; Gorski – “Abstain”
Moved Darke, seconded Sheehan, and it was
VOTED: To approve bi-weekly Warrants #06-45 and #06-46A.
Informal Hearing – 15 Philbrick Street – Proposed 3 Unit 40B Development
Carl Gardner, of Gardner Company, 9 Woods Lane, Ipswich, MA met with the Board to discuss the three unit 40B project he has planned for the lot he bought at 15 Philbrick Street. Mr. Gardner had mailed the Selectmen at their homes several months ago his proposal; he told the Board that this will be his third small scale 40B, the first two in Ipswich which the town did not grant approval so he appealed to the State and won on the appeal. The property he owns on Philbrick Street is a 29,501 square foot lot, with excess of over 250’ frontage. Gardner told the Board he purchased the property for $245,000.00; that the house on the lot had been vacant for two years; that he rehabbed it and has a potential buyer for it for $429,000. His plan is to build an affordable 1,600 +/- square foot
single family home that would sell for $175,000 and a new 1,900 +/- square foot single family home that would sell for approximately $460,000.
All abutters to this development had been notified. Those attending were Harry Perkins, Gordon Brown and Katherine Walsh. Chairman Gorski asked those present how they felt about the project and Mr. Perkins expressed concern that by dividing the lot and adding additional houses it could have an adverse effect on his property value; that he was worried these type of developments would pop up all over town causing the character of the town to change and he questioned why someone with a substandard lot would be allowed to turn it into even smaller lots. Mr. Brown stated he bought his home in the 60’s; that he had also owned two other pieces of property from which he had cut a piece of the land to add to his own lot in order to have his lot equal what was average in the area, approximately 1/3 acre
lots. Chairman Gorski told Mr. Gardner that the Board would like to be assured that if the project moved forward Gardner would work with the neighbors to keep them informed and address any of their concerns. Gardner assured the Board he has been and would continue to keep them notified of developments.
Selectman Darke told the abutters that Gardner’s project is not that big compared to other projects that have come before the town and that no matter what the Board may say the project will probably go forward. Darke stressed the importance of the abutters attending the zoning board hearings if it does advance to that stage. Selectman Sheehan told the abutters that the town has to allow 40B developments because we have not reached our required 10% of affordable housing stock required by the State; that she prefers seeing the town involved in “friendly” 40Bs where the developer works with the town; and she would like to see the smaller developments spread throughout the town rather than the huge developments in one small area. Perkins expressed concern with the substandard road and two
cars being unable to pass on certain portions of it. He was told that those are concerns that can be addressed at the hearing stage of the project.
Chairman Gorski thanked everyone for coming to the informal hearing. Mr. Gardner then asked if the Board would approve his request that they notify Mass Housing that they approve the waiver of his need to provide another appraisal; that he has a written opinion from his real estate agent placing the value of the property at $449,000; that he has a potential buyer for the original home who has had an appraisal done for their mortgage bank, and that a third appraisal is being completed for the Buyer. The cost of the appraisal would be $450.00.
Moved Sheehan, seconded Darke, and it was unanimously
VOTED: To notify MA Housing that they support the waiving
of their requirement that another appraisal be provided.
Chairman Gorski reiterated to Gardner that she would like him to address all the concerns presented by the neighbors now and during development. Gardner again assured her he would do so.
Request to run a Men’s Basketball League at the Pine’s Court
Jason Shaw, Governor’s Road, requested permission to run a men’s basketball league at the Pine’s Court on Saturdays from Noon to 7:00 P.M. He presented the Board with a copy of his resume’ and an informational chart of his proposal. Selectman Sheehan told Shaw she would need to check with Mark Warner to see when the Recreation program would be needing the Court. The Selectmen also expressed concern with Shaw’s request to use the Court from Noon – 7:00 P.M. He explained that he may have 12 teams and the number of games that would take place each week. Selectman Darke asked how the town would benefit, and Shaw stated the most he could offer would be $250.00. Darke told Shaw to put his figures together and when he next meets with the Board he
could inform them what he would contribute to the town for use of the Court; that other town’s charge use fees and he feels it’s time Groveland does the same. The Selectmen took the request under advisement until additional information is provided by Shaw and the Recreation Coach.
Tree on town land
Resident Charles Donovan told the Board that a tree on town owned property needs to be removed; that if it falls it will fall onto his property and he requests the town remove it before it falls. The Board asked their Assistant to contact the Tree Warden.
Arrange Tri-Town Selectmen Meeting
Selectman Darke asked the Board’s Assistant to send a written request to West Newbury and Merrimac Selectmen to meet with Groveland Selectmen for the purpose of discussing the Pentucket budget and method of assessment.
Reorganization
Moved Gorski, seconded Sheehan, and it was
VOTED: To nominate William H. Darke to serve as Chairman of
the Board.
Darke accepted the nomination.
Adjournment
Moved Sheehan, seconded Darke, and it was
VOTED: To adjourn.
Adjourned at 8:32 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
______________________________________
Nancy Lewandowski
Administrative Assistant
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