Frustrations Aired Again

Frustrated subdivision homeowners and three members of the subdivision development team clashed over persistent unresolved issues at Brandt Point Village at the June 15 Mattapoisett Planning Board meeting.

A change in ownership of the subdivision and in the contractor performing work on the site has caused the project to start and stop over the course of the last six years with only a few homes being completed and road construction incomplete. This has resulted in some of the first homeowners in the subdivision believing the developers have made misrepresentations.

Gail Carlson and Dennis Dimos, 4 Nantucket Road, told new contractor Joseph Furtado, original principal John Williams, and John McGreen, attorney representing new owners that, “roads are a mess, no wetlands remediation, snow was only plowed twice last winter, and weeds are four feet tall … the turtle fencing is falling down, drains don’t work, there are open electrical conduits.” What they heard repeatedly over the course of about an hour of exchanges was that the plan is to take care of everything.

Williams said, “We are in a transition period,” noting that Furtado was the new contractor.

McGreen asked the board to release the last lot being held by the town in Phase I so that work can move forward to make repairs to existing roadways.

Furtado said, “Catch basins will be addressed. Whatever deficiencies exist now will be repaired by July.”

Highway Surveyor Barry Denham, who has been intimately involved in issues with the roadways said, “The base coat is not 2.5-inches as it’s supposed to be, the thing is failing all over the place, holding water all over the place. I’d like to make sure the money we hold is enough to complete the road.”

McGreen assured everyone that it was within the best interest of the investors to make the roads meet all necessary specifications, confirming again that that work would be completed.

Denham insisted on having test borings done to ensure that the road in its current state has been built to engineering design. Furtado agreed.

“My commitment is the completion of the entire project,” said Furtado. “I’m 62 years old. I’ve been doing this work my whole life and everything I do I do as if I am going to live there.”

Paul Osenkowski, a vocal opponent of the subdivision who has asked repeatedly that a Cease and Desist order from the Planning Board be invoked until Phase I is completed as written, was again voicing concerns. He questioned why the board wasn’t doing more to protect the town.

Planning Board member John Mathieu said, “All we can do is move forward and hope that Mr. Furtado can do what he says.”

“I hope that Mr. Furtado is a man of his word,” said Osenkowski, as the two made eye contact that held for several seconds.

Denham said work on Phase II has been quality work thus far and also requested that as-built plans be presented as an overlay to engineered drawings, making final review an easier process. Furtado agreed to that request.

It was decided that the development company will request in writing a release of the last lot in Phase I for sale, and that the proceeds be held in escrow against completion of work in Phase I. They were asked to return to the next board meeting with a formal request.

In other business, Tree Warden Roland Cote was back before the board seeking approval to remove more diseased and distressed trees. This prompted board member Karen Field to query if trees in town were suffering from some sort of disease. Cote said that many of the trees were planted at the same time and weren’t the best choices.

Denham, who is responsible for tree inspections throughout the town, said, “I’ve said for many years we have to look at trees that are going to be good species … we need diversity…. Planting new trees will allow a variety of ages of the trees around town.”

Cote received permission to remove maple trees located at the southeast corner of Mechanic and Church Streets, 19 Pearl Street, and 21 Beacon Street.

The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board is scheduled for July 6 at 7:00 pm in the Mattapoisett Town Hall meeting room.

By Marilou Newell

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