$1.5 Million Surety Accepted

Brandt Point Village was again the topic of conversation at the August 1 meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board when the newest team of investors and developers came before the board to discuss the long list of incomplete and problematic issues still pending on Phase 1.

Present on this night to review the most glaring unresolved problems at the massive sub-division were Mark Marcus of Omega Financial Corporation, who took over from Joseph Furtado, an owner/developer who was only involved with the massive project for about a year, and Armand Cotellesso the current contractor/developer.

Planning Board Chairman Tom Tucker suggested that they discuss only those line items of a multi-page peer review report issued by Ken Motta of Field Engineering that were the most critical.

The issues discussed were: 1) condition of the Phase 1 roadway and guardrails; 2) corrections needed to bring drainage grates up to specifications; 3) test reports on the septic system; 4) repositioning of drainage structures now above roadway surface; 5) submittal of as-built plans; 6) position of light poles; 7) the location of the mail kiosk; and 8) position of electrical duct banks.

As the group discussed each item on the to-do list, the design engineer, Al Loomis of McKenzie Engineering, gave suggestions on how his clients would make the necessary corrections, while Motta, hired by the town to oversee the project, aired his concerns and ideas.

Also on-hand was Highway Surveyor Barry Denham. Denham has attended countless meetings regarding the sub-division, always with an eye towards the condition of the roads that he contends will eventually become the responsibility of the town. He had worked with Tibbetts Engineering of New Bedford, the engineer who performed tests and reported roadway problems over a year ago.

Loomis detailed current roadway conditions and corrections. Of the road Motta said, “Tibbetts Engineering did an analysis of the roadway … I’d like them to respond as to whether it’s a reasonable solution…” He said that he trusted Tibbetts and assured the board that they were a respectable firm.

As they moved through the list, Tucker read off from Motta’s report then asked Loomis for his comment. Loomis commented on what needed to be done or offered compromises while Motta explained his rationale for either countering a Loomis suggestion or agreeing with him.

Sitting in the audience were Gail Carlson and Dennis Dimos, residents of the sub-division who have become fixtures at planning board meetings as they have sought to have the project completed as planned and accountability accepted by the various owners and developers whom they have said hello and good-bye to over the years.

Motta asked, “Moving forward, what is the schedule?” For his part, Motta said the most glaring problems are the condition of the roadway, the septic system testing, and the location of guardrails.

Cotellesso said they had a company ready to complete septic testing, but the other items would require further study before conclusions could be offered. He also said that without the tri-party agreement that weighed in the balance on this night, they could not move forward at all. “We can’t get a mortgage without this,” he told Motta.

For over an hour, the project and its issues were discussed and decisions made regarding next steps along with associated commitments made by Cotellesso and Loomis. Once satisfied that accountability and action were in place, the board members released lots in Phase 2 in exchange for a tri-party $1.5 million surety/performance agreement. The agreement was signed.

The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board is scheduled for August 15 at 7:00 pm in the town hall conference room.

By Marilou Newell

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