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Home My WebLink About1983-07-29 Planning Board MinutesMinutes of the Meeting of July 29, 1983. Chairman Messina called the meeting to order at 7:20 P.M. with, Board members M. Rich, C. Arthur and J. Shave-present. Also present during portions of the meeting were residents from the North Main Street area and a reporter from the Reading Chronicle. Correspondence mail was reviewed. Board briefly discussed the request from the Board of Selectmen regarding the required dimensions for a legal lot'at the Depot. Board requested that the Secretary obtain a copy of the plot plan and send it along with the mailing to the Board members. To be included is dimensional requirements for Bus. B; legal opinion from Town Counsel on status of lease; and any other pertinent information relative to this matter. Finances Board reviewed current accounts. Bill.for Mass: Federation of Planning Boards 1983--84 season was unanimously voted not to be renewed. Board reviewed estimates from BPW re: updating of.400 scale map. It was unanimously voted to go before FinCom to have these maps updated. Needed will be a written estimate with the number of changes from BPW for appeal to FinCom. A letter from the Personnel. Board granting the upgrading from "Secre- tary" to "Administrative Assistant" was reviewed. The Board then unanimously voted to grant an additional 40~ per hour raise to go along with the upgrading effective July 1, 1983. Scenic Roads C. Arthur reviewed the Conservation.Law Fottndation's rules and regulation guidelines on "Scenic Roads". ..A copy of the Wellesley rules and regulations was reviewed.and discussed briefly. Further discussion was deferred because 'of the 7:45 P.M. appointment, with Conservation Administrator, Charles Costello. Cpen Space - Conservation Commission Mr. Costello was welcomed by the.Chairman and introductions to the Board members were made. Mr. Costello briefly reviewed the open land, conservation and recreation area plan formerly reviewed by the Board. Conservation Commission is currently seeking funds from the State.on this updating. A draft report should be.ready for review by this Board before our August.18th meeting. Conservation.Commission would like a prompt review and an.endorsement before August 31st deadline. A copy will be mailed to the Board members by Mr. Costello for their review so.that a determination can be made at" the next meeting of this Board and a letter sent no later than August 25th to Conservation Commission for their inclusion in the State funding application. Scenic Roads Board continued their discussion on the rules and regulations discussing Pagge 2 7/29/83 guidelines for Petersham. Boston Stove Company - MIFA Application Mr. Costello briefly outlined his discussion with the President of Boston Stove, Mr. Kaufman regarding their plans.to enlarge.their present facilities off Ash Street. In his review he stated that the plans call for expanding the space southeast of present buildings, with an increase of approximately 20,000 sq. ft. of building and 30,000 sq. ft. of parking space.. Have asked BPW for a 20" strip of land adjacent to their property for such expansion. As far as Mr. Costello could determine, they will not encroach on the NF land. The time.schedule for this is vague althout MIFA will have to continue their public hearing on this matter. If any further information is received, the Board and/or Conservation Commission =will be in contact. Nursing Home North Main Street -The Board had scheduled an 8:15 P.M. appointment with Mr. Latham, attorney for Continental Wingate Corporation, developers, who are -formulating plans for the construction of a multi-level nursing home adjacent to land abutting Marshall's and Cedar Glen on North ';Main Street. Also present were Bob Connor from Continental Wingate 'and Joseph Kelly, architect for the project. Attorney Latham briefly outlined the corporation stating that this company had been rehabilitating,and building many projects in Boston, New York and Atlantic City. Need for such'a.facility in this area was cited, along with.the shift of population to older age groups. This facility would `include levels 1-2 - ab.acute need category; as well as level 3 - a more custodial care need. They have~.gained s the support of Council on Aging incorporating their idea for respite care and on-site meals for elderly on a walk-in basis. The letters of support from Fire Chief Redfern and Police Chief Marchand were quoted. A discussion on the need fora zoning change ensued and Attorney Latham distributed a draft of proposed changes under S-20 zoning. Board briefly discussed zoning requirements for a nursing home. Mr. Connors then outlined the scope of the proposed facility: - 120 beds - 80 skilled; 40- intermediate care; Needs of community with day care adult program to accommodate up to.20 people and respite 'care with approximately 3 beds available. - Utilities are in place - sewer, storm drain, traffic signals, safe access and egress. - -Building-site - set back - 85 ft; elevation - 204 for Marshall's, 184 for-proposed nursing home; 4 story structure with maximum height being about at'same level of Marshall.'s when constructed. Will take both.private and publicly assisted patients;. - Home will meet both State and Federal guidelines and will receive such approval. .Page 3 7/29/83 Board members discussed feasibility of reducing the facility to 3 atories. Economically not feasible.according to Mr. Connors. Discussion included: - Would area residents be first served? Not necessarily. It would be a first come-first serve basis. - Respite care was explained - The facility would keep 3 beds available for patients.on an interim basis. This would allow those who are taking care of infirmed relatives some time to enjoy a vacation or a week-end.away. - Day care program for adults was explained. Elderly persons that needed daytime care and supervision would be allowed to come to the facility ( 20 people maximum) thus allowing those taking care of these elderly'to continue working at their jobs. After discussion by the Board members, the public was allowed to give their input. Residents concerns were: Change in neighborhood., The zoning established to protect single family homeowners was being allowed to be encroached upon thus affecting the-real market value of the surrounding properties. - High concentration of elderly in this area. Already there is fire and ambulance sirens attending the elderly at Cedar .Glen. This will be increased with the".nursing home. Land is at a premium in this town. Eventually within the next few years a developer would come along and develop this area with single family homes which would be more in keeping "with--the present houses The Board thanked all for.coming;and,discussing the issued and adjourned discussion on this matter at 9:20 P.M. 5-93 Connector MAPC is now involved in this.issue. They will oversee that adequate testing and standards are..done before.any construction will commence in this area. Ms. Gretchen Latowsky, Chairman of Hazardous Waste Committee is also keeping a watchful eye on this. Board.Meetings The next meeting of the Board will be at 7:15 P.M. on August 18, 1983. There being no further business before the Board, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 10:10 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Clerk (Pro-tem)