Community Development

Post date: May 23, 2016 12:48:13 PM

BUILDING

Ryan and Tim have been performing progress inspections around town. Week 1 saw heavy activity on the major commercial projects underway in town. Fire stopping and insulation inspections are ongoing at the science center project. Ryan has also been closely involved with management from Consigli Construction in ironing out multiple problems occurring with these building systems. The bookstore continues as well and both Ryan and Tim have been involved in inspections of mechanical equipment. The Children's Center temporary (5 year) modular expansion project has been completed and signed off on. An occupancy certificate was also issued for the new location for the Print Shop on Spring Street. Ryan and Sarah have also completed an extensive departmental fee review of regional and peer communities.

HEALTH

Jeff has been conducting rental unit and food establishment inspections. The Board of Health also adopted a new fee structure on Monday the 6th that is not designed to increase revenue but to encourage voluntary compliance with Board of Health regulations. Property owners will now face a surcharge for renting dwelling units without prior inspection.

LAND USE

The Zoning Board approved a 90 + unit hotel development for 430 Main Street at their January meeting with several conditions designed to improve the built relationship between Orchard Lane and the 430 Main property. Zoning Board meets again on Feb. 16 to look at a vertical addition to a non conforming home on Green River Road.

Planning Board hosted a public outreach session on housing with Mass Housing Partnership on Feb 4 at the Youth Center. Many thanks to the Youth Center, Spring St Market, Nature's Closet, Images, WilliNet and Williams Dining for helping out with the event. Around 50 community members turned out and shared their views on housing and zoning within our walk able neighborhoods. The project will continue with another event planned for the spring. In the meantime our website at http://courb.co/wtown is open for comments.

The Planning Board will also meet on Tuesday the 14th to discuss some minor housekeeping type zoning amendments for this coming Town Meeting and to debrief regarding the recent outreach session. They will also hear an update from Amy Jeschawitz on recent work done by BRPC about zoning for recreational marijuana.

The Open Space and Recreation Plan has been reviewed by BRPC who has suggested several changes and revisions. The OSRP Ad Hoc Committee will complete these updates before submitting the plan to the Commonwealth for approval.