After months of waiting, the Mattapoisett Planning Board on December 1 finally heard some good news from Brian Grady of G.A.F. Engineering regarding the subdivision planned for Appaloosa Lane.
Most recently, percolation testing confirmed that there are indeed two buildable lots on this private road. With the possibility of development now clearly possible for owner Michael Solimando, Grady reported the next steps to be taken.
Working with the Town’s engineering firm Field Engineering and Highway Superintendent Barry Denham, G.A.F. will submit new stormwater drainage calculations, engineered drawings of newly designed drainage systems, and septic plans for their review and comment.
Denham was on hand and said that, to date, he has not received any new information on the water drainage calculations and said that before he could comment further, new information would have to be forthcoming. Grady said that within the week a full set of plans and calculations would be provided to Field for their review.
Denham said that the drainage pipe running across River Road to be attached to the drainage system from the subdivision was 8-inches. However, Grady said the drainage pipes of the existing lots would be 15-inch pipes, and that the applicant will be seeking the Town’s assistance in upgrading public systems to accommodate the increased water that will discharge from Solimando’s property.
Abutters have long insisted that the road constructed some years ago has caused stormwater to flood onto their properties, and that the road itself has never been maintained – further adding to the issues experienced by the aggrieved neighbors. On this night, they heard that, barring problems in connecting to the Town’s stormwater system, development of the lots is a reality.
When asked who would be responsible in the long-term for the drainage system and the private road upkeep of this two lot subdivision, Grady said that would fall to a homeowners association.
The hearing was continued until the next Planning Board meeting to give Field Engineering time to evaluate G.A.F.’s documents and provide their comments to the town on the viability of the project.
Coming before the board with four applications to partition lots held by Phillip DeNormandie for their conveyance to the state was Doug Schneider of N. Douglas Schneider & Associates, Inc.
Totaling approximately 200 acres, the land will be held in permanent conservation status by the state and added to the Nasketucket Reservation situated off Brandt Island Road. With the addition of these lots, the total reservation will be greater than 400 acres and include woodlands, wetlands, meadows, pastures and shorelines along Shaw’s Cove and Nasketucket Bay.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board is scheduled for December 15 at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall conference room.
By Marilou Newell
