A significant portion of the meeting focused on the proposed industrial development by Pine Capital Partners on Main Street. The project, initially planned for retail use, was reconsidered after a Land Court remand. The owner outlined the transition from retail to industrial use, citing difficulties in attracting retail tenants since 2018 and emphasizing the anticipated economic benefits, including increased tax revenue and job creation. The project had previously failed to obtain a special permit due to the board’s assessment that it was neither socially nor economically desirable.

The board and the public scrutinized the project’s traffic impact, with a marked reduction in projected daily trips from approximately 6,994 to about 4,654 following the shift to industrial use. Despite this decrease, concerns persisted about the building’s design, parking requirements, and its alignment with community standards. A speaker questioned the absence of a proposed bus stop and the use of a common driveway that extended beyond the project parcel’s boundaries. The speaker emphasized the necessity of maintaining East Main Street’s aesthetic qualities and ensuring the development harmonized with the neighborhood’s character.

Attention also turned to Hill Street, where traffic safety emerged as a issue. A resident highlighted the inadequacy of current signage and the need for regulatory speed limits and warning signs for curves to address speeding concerns. The board discussed potential road widening or vegetation trimming to improve sightlines but acknowledged the challenges in negotiating such improvements with landowners, given the commercial context.

Public comments underscored the urgency of the situation, with residents expressing fears of a fatal accident due to the narrow road and high traffic volume, especially from industrial park vehicles. One resident suggested that widening the road might alleviate safety issues, while another pointed to the speed of vehicles in the residential area as a growing concern for school transportation and pedestrian safety.

Amid these discussions, the board also considered a proposal to convert a single-family house on West Main Street into a duplex. The conversion would involve constructing additional walls within the existing structure, contingent on a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals. The board approved the special permit, pending ZBA approval, and concluded the meeting by addressing the need for members to review social media guidelines to maintain professionalism.