A key highlight from the meeting was the board’s unanimous approval of both the special permit and the stormwater management permit for the Harbor Village Mall redevelopment. The project, presented by representatives including Lea Bone from Key Point Partners, was praised for its comprehensive stormwater management plan, which had undergone a positive engineering review. Jeff Walsh from Graves Engineering provided insights during the meeting, noting the benefits of reducing impervious areas and adding proprietary treatment units to the drainage system. The board members engaged in a brief discussion.

In the same session, the board grappled with procedural challenges regarding voting. Due to the absence of regular member Carol House, an alternate member, Patrick, was considered for a voting seat. However, it was clarified that the authority for alternates is limited to specific circumstances, particularly concerning special permits. This procedural nuance did not extend to the stormwater management permit, necessitating careful adherence to voting protocols to avoid future challenges.

The meeting also addressed the scheduling of public hearings, a topic that sparked discussion among board members. Currently, the board’s flexible scheduling allows for staggered hearings, which can lead to inefficiencies and prolonged waiting times for applicants and consultants. A suggestion was made to adopt a single designated start time for all public hearings, a practice used by some other communities, to streamline the process. The board acknowledged the potential benefits of increased efficiency while considering the implications for all parties involved.

Amid these discussions, the board also focused on the ongoing work to amend the floodplain district bylaw. New flood maps for the Nashua River watershed are in progress, and the board continues to implement the town’s master plan. Additionally, the accessory apartment bylaw remains in drafting stages, with funding awaited from the Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission.

In other matters, the board opened the public hearing for the One Depot Street Extension project, an age-restricted development requiring a special permit, site plan review, and stormwater management permit. A letter requesting the continuation of this hearing to December 9 was received, allowing time for revisions to the site plan. The board noted the necessity of a unanimous vote from present members due to potential absences.

Moreover, the board explored the current status of zoning maps, particularly concerning historic districts. Concerns were raised about the visibility of the historic district on the existing map, prompting a request for the Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission to ensure recent changes, such as land removed from Industrial zoning, are accurately reflected. The need for further evaluations by the water department regarding groundwater protection zones was also mentioned, underscoring ongoing environmental compliance efforts.

The agenda included a recommendation for citizen planner training workshops, deemed beneficial for both new and existing board members. Discussions also touched on the regulations surrounding open meetings, with a focus on the hybrid meeting provisions set to expire on March 31st. There was uncertainty about whether these provisions would be extended permanently.

Finally, the board reviewed and approved modifications to the site plan review and special permit for a property on Main Street. The revised plan included the addition of a sidewalk for direct access and addressed previous comments from the land use coordinator. The stormwater management system remained unchanged due to specific setback requirements, with enhancements made to mitigate tree loss during construction. A motion to approve the modifications was seconded and unanimously supported, concluding this agenda item.