Drainage concerns, open culverts, uncovered basins and basins with no grates…
Rochester Planning Board Chairman Arnold Johnson on June 9 had a laundry list of concerns for Tim Higgins, vice president of Connet Woods developer Edgewood Development, some of which Johnson referred to as real public safety hazards.
On behalf of the Town of Rochester, Engineer Ken Motta, on his site visit that day, found roughly 55 points “of stuff that‘s not done on these basins,” said Johnson. “So those are real concerns for me and they should be to you too, Tim,” Johnson stated.
Each phase of development, Johnson reminded Higgins, was to be completed before moving on to the next phase. The Town even cooperated in several instances, including the release of a string of lots in good faith, Johnson said, to help with the development of the project.
“Now you go out there and there’s a lot of stuff out there that hasn’t been done, hasn’t been touched,” said Johnson. Homes are going up, said Johnson, “And at some point the Town’s got to get caught up.”
Higgins heard Johnson loud and clear, and then commented on how disappointed he was that Motta did not immediately contact him regarding his findings.
“He got overwhelmed,’ said Johnson. “He didn’t expect to see what he saw out there.”
Higgins suggested Motta call him before arriving for a site walk so he could join Motta, rather than wait to hear about his concerns until later.
“If it’s a public safety concern, then we’re liable,” said Higgins. “Public safety is really important to us.”
Planning Board member Gary Florindo, who also walked the site earlier that day, said he saw the site differently and he did not share the same major concerns as Johnson.
“I look at it and, that’s a big project and they’re coming along pretty good,” said Florindo. “I look at it as a construction site … and I can see that they’re working forward to bring in a finished look.”
But Higgins acknowledged Johnson’s issues and thanked him for bringing the safety matters to his attention.
“That’s incredibly important to us. I promise you tonight that we will do better,” said Higgins. “If we’re not paying attention, then shame on us.”
The next meeting of the Rochester Planning Board is scheduled for June 23 at 7:00 pm at the Rochester Town Hall.
By Jean Perry
