05:45The primary focus of the meeting was the special permit application for a common driveway on Northfield Road. Representing the applicant Tanner Cole, a representative updated the board on the project, seeking a special permit for a common driveway in addition to a stormwater permit. A recent zoning variance allowed for a fifth driveway on the proposed common driveway, prompting the submission of revised site plans and a drainage report for peer review by Graves Engineering. However, the applicant had yet to formally respond to the engineering firm’s comments. Concerns were raised by a board member regarding the implications of adding a fifth driveway, particularly in relation to emergency access. The potential difficulties for emergency vehicles to navigate the curved and lengthy common driveway were highlighted. While the fire department had been provided with the necessary materials for review, their feedback had not been submitted yet. The discussion extended into the specifics of the site plans, examining the post-development condition of front yards and the selective cutting of wooded areas.

The board scrutinized the threshold at which a common driveway should transition to a roadway. Additionally, the zoning board’s request to increase the driveway width to 20 feet in certain areas prompted further evaluation of whether this width would suffice or if it classified the driveway as a road. The board acknowledged that they were unable to vote on the matter that evening due to insufficient members present for a supermajority. Consequently, a discussion about continuing the hearing to the next meeting emerged, emphasizing the importance of ensuring full board availability.

26:39As the board transitioned to other agenda items, the modification of a site plan approval and stormwater permit for a property on Fula Road was addressed. Bill Henigan from Hanigan Engineering presented changes necessitated by unstable soil conditions, which required reducing the building’s size from 367,000 square feet to 183,500 square feet. Adjustments were made to the parking layout and traffic access, resulting in reduced stormwater management requirements. The board expressed satisfaction with the modifications and proceeded to vote, with the motion passing despite one abstention.

54:22The meeting also highlighted the ongoing challenges of stormwater management in Lunenburg. A speaker underscored the significance of stormwater management, emphasizing the inadequacies of the existing drainage infrastructure in the face of severe weather events. The discussion included references to the “phase 2 permit” from the Department of Environmental Protection and the Environmental Protection Agency, which mandates actions on a five- and ten-year basis. Funding for these requirements has historically been drawn from operational budgets, which is unsustainable given the town’s needs. The speaker advocated for a dedicated stormwater enterprise fund based on equivalent residential units (ERUs) to equitably distribute costs among various property types. The need for a dedicated workforce and equipment to manage stormwater issues was emphasized, as the current capacity of the Department of Public Works was deemed insufficient.

44:30In addition to these discussions, the board considered procedural matters, including closing a performance guarantee deposit account for the stormwater permit on Mulpus Road due to the bank’s discontinuation of passbook accounts. Funds from the closed account were transferred to create a new performance guarantee account, with the motions passing unanimously.