by Frank Schroth

The Board of Selectmen met In a cramped room off the high school lobby in advance of Thursday’s town meeting session. In a decision likely to frustrate neighbors looking for some movement on Hendries, the board postponed the hearing regarding the demolition until they meet on the 20th, stating there wasn’t enough time given town meeting. Former Planning Board member Pete Jackson appeared and offered comments on the current status.

Mr. Jackson said that the demolition of the building should be considered separate from any discussion of redevelopment, that no further action on re-development should be taken until the site is secured, and voiced concern on the dates for both obtaining the permit and completing the demolition. Mr. Jackson recommended 60 days to obtain the necessary permits (e.g. MBTA, Conservation Commission). Mr. Jackson submitted his statement to MyTownMatters. The full text of Mr. Jackson’s statement can be found below.

The board discussed customer service at town hall. Denis Keohane acknowledged that he erred in posting having mission statements posted when he had become Chair last year. He had the statements posted but had not raised the issue with the board and there was no vote on it. He said he should have had the initiative vetted and voted by the board. “I didn’t know.” His intent was address complaints he had received specifically with the building department. He said people had complained about how they were treated both in the department and on site.

Member Conlon, who became chair at the start of the new term, had the signs taken down as she did not think them necessary and not good for morale. She also did not want to single one department out over another.

Keohane said that he was informed by an employee that s/he might quit in the next few days due to behavior in the office. However, Keohane added “I think everyone is doing a great job [but] how do we know we can’t improve?”

Conlon highlighted a distinction between customer service and employee dissatisfaction noting that employees can speak with Michael Blanchard if they do not feel an issue is being correctly addressed by their manager.

Member Hurley suggested looking into conducting a customer service survey. The board agreed to look into that further.

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5/8/14 STATEMENT TO BOARD OF SELECTMEN FROM PETER JACKSON

re: Hendries demolition

I appreciate the time and hard work being invested by the Board, Town Administrator, and Town Planner to work with the Property Owner of the former Hendries property at 131 Eliot Street to accomplish demolition of this extremely hazardous building and the potential redevelopment of the site, including a potential application under Chapter 40B.

It has not been easy working with the owner in the past and it’s obvious that the current negotiations are no easier. I think the first thing to stipulate is the issue of demolition of this hazardous building and securing the site is a totally separate issue from future redevelopment. Also, I believe that the Board should determine that no further action will be taken on the redevelopment question until the building is demolished and the site secured.

Previously I testified to my belief that the proposed demolition agreement, to be effective, needed to include not only a date for the filing of complete applications for demolition, but also an end date for completion of the demolition itself. These applications include to the Building Department, Conservation Commission, MBTA, and perhaps others.

I have recently come to realize that there is some uncertainty on the Board, and perhaps with the owner, on the meaning of the term “complete application”. I understand this to mean that applications are filed with the appropriate parties to begin the review process toward issuing the necessary permits. I have come to understand that at least one Board member understands this term to mean obtaining the permits. I believe such a date is unreasonable and that it will take at least three months from the date of submittal of applications to issuing of permits. From experience I also believe it more likely to take at least six months to obtain a permit from the MBTA. I think it’s critical that all parties to the agreement have the same understanding of its terms.

It has recently been reported that the Board is considering allowing six months from receiving permits to completion of demolition. This is an unnecessarily long period to achieve demolition. Earlier reports suggest it should only take about 30 days. I would recommend a time frame of 60 days to allow for unexpected issues, including weather, which may come up.

Tying the demolition process to a 40B application is unreasonable given the current condition of the building. A 40B permitting process will take a minimum of six months to a year and the Town can’t live with uncertainty about the building for that long.

I’ve also heard that the Owner may be reconsidering development under the mixed use zoning overlay. It should be made most clear that the Town will not consider issuing an RFP for the sale of its parcel until the building is demolished and the site secured.

Thank you again for the opportunity to speak and I hope you give due consideration to these comments.