Mattapoisett Highway Superintendent Barry Denham attended the September 19 meeting of the Planning Board to bring the board members up to date on three construction projects that have been the subject of great interest and, at times, have created consternation in abutters.
Appaloosa Way off River Road has seen over a decade of on-and-off again subdivision activity, more than one developer, and massive water drainage issues. The current developer of the property, Michael Solimando, has been working with G.A.F. Engineering to develop drainage plans that would ensure abutters would not sustain flooding on their properties. It has been a difficult project, not only for G.A.F., but also for the Planning Board who have heard numerous complaints regarding the drainage issues at the incomplete sub-division for years.
Last year, G.A.F. began working with the town’s engineer, Field Engineering. That collaboration eventually produced a viable drainage plan, one that would benefit the town with drainage issues on River Road.
On this night, Denham said, “Piping has been installed from the westernmost drainage pond to the catch basin on River Road.” He said that an 18-inch drainage pipe connecting the subdivision system to the town’s system on River Road would improve the drainage at that location also. He said that the contractor had been “very good about calling me and keeping me informed on the schedule.”
Chairman Tom Tucker was pleased with the update and comically added, “Didn’t take too long – just 15 years.”
Another project that has garnered hours of Planning Board hearings, complaints from Phase 1 homeowners, and legal actions is Brandt Point Village. The subdivision is planned to have numerous single-family homes, a large multi-family private sewer system, and roadways. Changes in owners, developers, and contractors, long delays in roadway completion and an untested septic/sewer system have remained points of concern for Phase 1 residents and the town.
“They are still trying to get the septic to pass,” said Denham. He said that numerous deficiencies documented by Field Engineering for reports requested by the town have found problems with the piping and manholes.
Tucker asked if the present contractor, Armand Cotellesso, was keeping him informed.
“Not really,” Denham responded. “I don’t know what’s going on there unless I go there, but I’ve been in touch with Ken Motta, Field Engineering.” Denham went on to say that the septic/sewer system has not worked properly since the first homes were constructed years ago.
Moving onto another project, Tucker asked Denham if he knew what was transpiring at a single-home site located adjacent to Town Landing on Mattapoisett Neck Road. Denham said the Department of Environmental Protection had denied the owner’s request to dig trenches in the marsh for utility access. He said they were being allowed to bore under the marsh and pull through utility conduits for electrical, water, and sewer services.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board is scheduled for October 3 at 7:00 pm in the town hall conference room.
By Marilou Newell