Tabor Academy came before the Planning Board on July 7 with a proposal to build a new 15,160 square-foot, two-story dormitory on the old TenBrook property across from the Marion Fire Department on Spring Street.
The curved, winged dorm would be situated in the middle of the lot, which stretches from Front Street to Spring Street.
Will Saltonstall of Saltonstall Architects presented the preliminary plan and how the building would be sited on the campus of Tabor Academy. John Quirk, Head of School, also addressed the board.
The proposed building would house from 24 to 26 students and three faculty members and their families. Of the three faculty residences, one would be a two-bedroom unit, another a three-bedroom unit, and another a four-bedroom unit.
Parking for various vehicles around the faculty areas was presented as well. A looped driveway in front of the facility, which faces the campus, would be for parents to drop off and pick up students.
Saltonstall said that Tabor Academy representatives met six weeks ago for a “pow-wow,” or preliminary discussion with various committee chairs in town, along with Town Administrator Paul Dawson and Department of Public Works Superintendent Rob Zora, to present the idea for the new building. Committees represented at the meeting with Tabor Academy included the Board of Health, Zoning Board of Appeals, Conservation Commission, Planning Board and others.
The primary issue with the project is the expansion of the existing sewer connection, which was for the TenBrook property, formerly a single-family dwelling.
Board member Rico Ferrari commented that expanding the existing sewer stub to the not yet known capacity might compromise that of incoming businesses in the town.
“We are charged with the Master Plan for the town and that includes attracting new business over time and in the future … sewer capacity is a consideration for us, as a board,” said Ferrari.
When asked by Chairman Steve Kokkins about population growth at Tabor Academy, Quirk replied that the intention is to remove students from three residential units and get them into a dormitory-style complex. The three residential units that house students, along with faculty, are New House, Wee House and the Sail Loft, which would become faculty-only housing.
“We are not growing the student body,” said Quirk. “Our hope is to improve the quality of life of students.”
Chairman Kokkins noted that the approval of the sewer upgrade was the largest issue and that the board would wait to hear the decision of the Water and Sewer Commissioners and the Marion Board of Selectmen, who will meet on July 14 to discuss the issue in more detail.
Will Saltonstall noted that if the permitting process proceeds in a positive way, the intention would be to build in the fall of 2014 and open the new facility in September of 2015.
In other business, the board approved the building of a one-hoop basketball project in the rear of Sippican Elementary School. Old Rochester Regional District Facilities Manager Gene Jones presented the proposal.
“No town monies or ORR District monies will be used in this project … it is all volunteer labor and donated materials,” said Jones.
The hoop will be adjustable for ages from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. “This is in the back of the school and for the little guys,” said Jones in his presentation. The proposed court would be 50 feet by 40 feet.
“If approved, I’d like to get this done while school is not in session,” said Jones.
The board approved the request.
Next up, the board held a public hearing on a site plan review for PNH Realty Trust Hiller Corporation at 635 Mill Street. Richard Riccio of Field Engineering represented the applicant.
“We are proposing a 2,000 square-foot addition to the existing building and a 4,800 square-foot new storage building and an expanded, paved parking area at the existing location,” said Riccio. The proposal had been formerly presented to the board back in 2005.
“This proposal uses a seven and a half inch rainfall in 100 years,” said board member Eileen Marum. “We had eight inches on July 4th. What happens if we have more incidents like this … does this project plan for that?”
Riccio replied that he used the “100-year event of a seven and one half inch rainfall, which is the standard now used in the engineering industry.”
After some discussion, the board approved the proposal.
The next Planning Board meeting will be held at 7:00 pm on July 21 at the Marion Town House.
By Joan Hartnett-Barry
