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Selectmen
want less density at Plymouth Rubber site
By Mike Berger
Citizen Staff
In order to allow
further discussions between the new owners of Plymouth Rubber
and the Planning Board, the Board of Selectmen Tuesday night
postponed its decision on a town meeting article that proposes a
zoning change for the 39-acre property, but said the final
version of the article must reflect decreased density.
The board
verbally supported Selectman Victor Del Vecchio, who said he is
willing to give the Planning Board and developer Napleton until
April 15 to amend the proposed town meeting article — which
changes the current zoning from industrial to mixed use — to
include “materially less density.”
Del Vecchio
also said there should be no apartments on the property, and
there should be a covenant agreed upon by the developers and
town officials.
If he does
not see any further amendments to the current article, Del
Vecchio said he will oppose the project at the April 15 BOS
meeting.
Del
Vecchio’s statements were backed by most of the selectmen,
including Selectman Chairman Bob Burr, who prefaced the
discussion by saying the project is complicated and “we want to
see the project done in the right way.”
Burr said
after the meeting he was ready to have the board vote on the
project Tuesday night, but deferred to the wishes of Napleton
attorney Paul Schneiders, who asked that the board delay its
vote pending further negotiations with the Planning Board.
Napleton
originally proposed building 650 units, but reduced that number
to 500 condominiums and apartments.
Addressing
the density issue, Schneiders said if approved by town meeting,
the project faces permitting scrutiny by the Planning Board,
Zoning Board, and Conservation Commission and ultimately the
number of units will be decreased by the order of conditions of
those boards.
Selectman
John Connolly expressed concern that the developers could
“quickly flip” the property if an agreement is reached.
Schneiders said the fact that the developers are starting to
demolish and clean up the property is a sign of their
commitment.
In other
news:
• Selectmen
approved the recommendation of Town Administrator Bill Friel to
support the passage of contracts for the firefighters and
municipal administrators unions. The one-year contracts allow
for a 2 percent cost of living adjustment.
• Selectmen
supported Selectman Sal Salvatori’s petition to create a process
that would allow the town to acquire property — through a gift,
a donation, or a nominal lease agreement — to use for parking in
the downtown area.
• Selectmen
approved the recommendation of the following three properties
for an expedited permitting process: 85 Dan Road, 100 Energy
Drive and 100 Colgate Drive.
• Selectmen
deferred to town meeting a plan to place cameras at some
intersections to watch motorists who run red lights and stop
signs.
• Selectmen
also deferred to town meeting a plan to restrict demolition and
heavy equipment use on Sundays and holidays.
• Selectmen
plan to support a $15,000 town appropriation for the county
disability program, but want to hear a presentation by the
agency and discuss how it could be financed.
• Salvatori
announced that the downtown streetscape project is set to begin
again sometime between April 1 and April 15
• Reebok
will provide 50 employees to clean up specific areas in town on
Earth Day, April 22. Selectmen are asking for residents’ input
regarding “hot spots” that are in particular need of cleaning
around town. Suggestions should be made to the selectmen’s
office.
• Selectmen
transferred a wine and malt and common victualler license from
Mahachai Restaurant to Nina Baker who will own Nisa Thai Cuisine
at 620-622 Washington St. Baker has owned a successful Thai
restaurant in Randolph.
March 20, 2008
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