On June 20, Mattapoisett Planning Board Chairman Tom Tucker was in the mood to see compromises between the latest team developing Brandt Point Village and the residents of the sub-division’s Phase 1.
At the June 6 meeting, however, Tucker’s mood had been notably one of exasperation, saying that “lip service” by the development team had to stop. He went so far as to ask the town’s counsel to issue a cease and desist order based on information from residents of Phase 1 that Phase 2 construction had commenced, a violation of the phased construction plan.
Tucker’s tone was considerably tempered on this night as he told the sub-division residents that he had spoken to Mark Marcus of Omega Financial Corporation and had received assurances of compliance.
“I spoke to Marcus this morning. He is aware of the problems and does want to finish Phase 1 because it’s holding up Phase 2. He wants to meet with the residents,” Tucker said. He went on to say that all parties had to be willing to make compromises and to comport themselves like adults.
Tucker said that Marcus’ engineer, Al Loomis of McKenzie Engineering, was waiting for feedback from the town’s engineer, Ken Motta of Field Engineering, and that a punch-list of over 100 line items of to-dos was being checked off.
Still the mood of the residents was tense.
Denis Demos, whose attendance at planning board meetings has been consistent, asked, “Who is going to be accountable?” He sought to get a firm grip on what authority would finally ensure that construction concerns of the residents would be handled. Tucker said, “When everything is built, we’ll get as-built plans. I don’t want to drag anyone through the mud.”
Tucker said, “He [Marcus] knows we are going to hold him up until he is done,” referring to the completion of Phase 1 where eight households have been struggling through 10 years of incomplete construction and what, at times, has seemed to them like a revolving door of investors and developers.
All residents had signed a letter submitted to the planning board for inclusion in the evening’s informal discussion. Tucker read the letter that listed their grievances such as street lighting not in the proper location, a mail kiosk that needs to be moved, incomplete stormwater management, and the fact that Marcus was using outdated plans. They also said that Marcus had not been willing to meet with them to discuss their concerns.
Marcus’ attorney, John McGreen, was in attendance and said that Marcus didn’t want to come back to the planning board every time a small item on the punch-list was about to be worked on, noting that would hamper the project further. Tucker said that wouldn’t be necessary.
With assurances that all parties would meet outside the planning board meeting and that the residents could return if they needed assistance, the discussion was concluded.
Also coming before the planning board was Tree Warden Roland Cote with public hearings for the removal of trees along five streets considered to be part of the scenic canopy of the town.
Planning Board member Karen Field asked Cote, “Shouldn’t we be doctoring trees, not taking them down?” Expressing concern at the number of trees Cote has asked to remove in recent months, she added, “We’re not going to have scenic ways.”
The planning board members heard Cote’s rational for the removal of the trees – some due to safety concerns and others due to possible diseases. Of the five locations, the board members granted permission at three: a maple tree at 150 North Street, a Bradford pear tree at 29 Pearl Street, and an ash tree at the corner of Pine Island and Old Marion Road. Tree removal at 14 North Street was tabled pending clarification of location and tree in question, and a maple tree at 33 Pearl Street was deemed healthy at the present time. Cote said that part of the town’s village street improvement project would include the planting of new trees in partnership with the tree committee.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board is scheduled for July 18 at 7:00 pm in the town hall conference room.
By Marilou Newell