Eric Medeiros, property owner of four lots located along the private way known as Selha Way, and Steve Gioiosa, vice president of SITEC Engineering, came before the Mattapoisett Planning Board on December 7 with what they believed was a simple request to modify a Form C subdivision.
Gioiosa explained that the request was merely to make improvements to the existing gravel roadway that serves the structures already in place and future buildings – nothing more, nothing less.
However, board members voiced concerns that further subdivisions might be proposed in the future and, therefore, more development leading to more roadway use. Such additional traffic, they believed, could find the town with yet another rutted private way. Board member Janice Robbins asked, “If this is a modification, shouldn’t we be receiving full plans?” She thought the submitted documents were insufficient for the request.
Gioiosa explained that the town lacks a category that more clearly aligns with the proposal of roadway improvements, and thus the filing noted a subdivision change when, in fact, that was not the case. “It’s not really a subdivision; it’s really a road improvement plan. There’ll be no changes to lot lines,” he stated. Gioiosa went on the say that the roadway had been a legal access for three existing residences.
Robbins pressed on, saying that there was the potential for further subdivision in the absence of the original site plan approval. “Without the full lot information, I don’t know what we are talking about.”
Gioiosa said the roadway had previously been approved by the Fire Department and that future subdivisions would not be economically feasible, given the wetlands in the area. Robbins held firm that, given the condition of other gravel roadways in town and the resulting problems, more information is needed. “If we amend the subdivision, we aren’t following our own requirements.”
Medeiros spoke, saying that he was simply following the guidance he had previously received from the Planning Board during informal discussions. He expressed frustration that after following what he had been told to do, the rules were changing.
In the end, it was determined that Medeiros would supply the needed missing pieces, including a letter from the Police Department concerning the roadway, and that if the amendment was approved, it would include that the private roadway will never become the responsibility of the town.
The matter was continued until December 21.
Also continued until the December 21 meeting was the site plan review for a solar array located off Randall Lane. On this night, the board moved to hire peer review consultants BETA Engineering after a review of several proposals. The board also acknowledged receiving a copy of the letter given to Randall Lane, LLC by the Mattapoisett River Valley Water Supply Protection Advisory Committee, in which the agency confirmed there would be no detrimental impact to the freshwater supply by the solar array construction.
The Planning Board also agreed to engage SITEC Engineering for peer review of the Park Lane subdivision after Gioisa, who was still in the virtual meeting room, agreed to remove language that Robbins said held the town as the client versus the applicant.
The board members also discussed a draft for a new bylaw governing the construction of solar arrays in the community. Chairman Tom Tucker stated that it was nearing the deadline for scheduling public hearings on the matter, given that the board planned to have the new bylaw on the Spring Town Meeting Warrant. Robbins has taken the lead on writing the text for the new bylaw that the board concurred was a massive undertaking and a well-done effort on her part.
Mary Crain, Planning Board administrator, said that the first Master Plan subcommittee meeting would be held on Wednesday, December 9, at 7:00 pm. Interested parties should go to the town’s website to register for inclusion in the meeting.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board is scheduled for December 21 at 7:00 pm.
Mattapoisett Planning Board
By Marilou Newell