The most pressing topic at the meeting was the appointment of new members to the Zoning Advisory Committee and the Design Review Board, both subcommittees of the Planning Board. The Zoning Advisory Committee had three open at-large seats and two associate seats. The board received applications from Stephen KTI, Svana Krishna, and S. Malti. Stephen KTI, a resident for nearly 30 years, emphasized his extensive experience in design and engineering, stating, “I have been a resident of the town for almost 30 years now,” and expressed his desire to contribute to the town’s projects. Karen Wills, a board member, asked Stephen why he was interested in the committee, to which he responded that he now had the time to offer his professional expertise.

Following a motion, the board unanimously appointed Stephen KTI, Svana Krishna, and S. Malti to the Zoning Advisory Committee. The discussion then moved to appointing a Planning Board representative to the committee. Vicaso expressed interest in continuing in this role, leading to a unanimous motion to appoint him as the representative.

The board then turned its attention to the Design Review Board, which had seven applicants for six positions. Among the applicants was Curtis Soab, a current member who wished to continue serving. Curtis, with 36 years of experience in land development, explained his dedication to the community. Another applicant, Sue Ellen Stoddard, emphasized her longstanding involvement since the board’s inception and her commitment to give back to the community. After deliberation, the board appointed Curtis Smithson and Jeff Dhy to the available positions, with S. Malti and Svana Krishna designated as alternates. This decision was reached through a collaborative process, focusing on matching qualifications with the positions’ requirements.

Another topic was the approval of an ANR application for a property on Franklin Road, presented by representatives of Agelitas Energy. The project involved a solar array installation, with the applicant seeking to convey open space to a nonprofit organization. The board confirmed that the proposal met the required lot area and frontage requirements. A motion to endorse the ANR plan passed unanimously.

The meeting also addressed ongoing concerns about road damage on Wilson Street.

The board then continued with a public hearing regarding the major project site plan and stormwater management permit for Charleswood Elementary School on Hayden Row. The project team reviewed outstanding comments from a peer review process, focusing on traffic and stormwater management. Key changes to the site plan included the addition of biofiltration units to address phosphorus retention and a new basin to manage water velocity. Adjustments were made to the water line design, landscaping, and parking spaces to meet community and regulatory requirements. The board emphasized collaborative efforts to address feedback from conservation representatives and abutters.

The discussion on traffic management for the new school highlighted the need for additional parking spaces and the sequencing plan for construction. The board emphasized not clear-cutting the entire site due to its large size, requiring a sequencing plan and a draft Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Plan to be submitted before construction begins.

Traffic concerns extended to the Marathon School drop-off and pick-up procedures. The design aimed to separate buses from parent vehicles. The design criteria considered future projections. A traffic study included actual vehicle counts at local schools, informing the analysis of the new school’s needs. The board discussed the absence of sidewalks on the east side of Hayden Row Street, highlighting pedestrian safety concerns.

The meeting also revisited a contentious issue regarding a previously approved subdivision’s land use. A proposal to swap land initially promised as open space sparked debate. Mr. Antonellis expressed concerns about disregarding the original intentions of the subdivision approval, emphasizing that residents relied on promises made to keep the land as open space. The board debated the implications of the deed not being recorded and the financial burden on the property owners. Attorney Wolf argued that the land should be utilized for beneficial purposes, but Mr. Antonellis countered.