Braintree Planning Commission Meeting of 25 March 2020

Attending: Jenn Phipps, Paul Kendall, Jackson Evans, Malcolm Fitzpatrick, Joan Richmond-Hall

Convened at 7:02 pm by phone conference in light of the COVID-19 pandemic

Malcolm felt that there were a number of issues that needed to be addressed in the Town Plan but were missing in this draft.

• Groundwater and aquifer maps should be included. If this information isn’t available, then we should make plans to get it.
• Braintree needs plans to develop a more resilient back roads system that is more resistant to weather and allows emergency vehicle access across town even in mud season.
• Braintree’s higher ground, for example along the top of Braintree Hill, doesn’t have fire-fighting ponds. We should consider locating water tanks on the higher ground.
  > Malcolm will contact Mike Hildenbrand, chief of Randolph’s Fire Department to get his feedback.
• Roadside shade trees should be maintained and thinned. This would require landowner’s permission and that of the tree warden but should be done.
• Flooding is a major issue. We should get ahead of the State’s coming stormwater regulations and require residential construction to assess groundwater runoff and mitigation.

> Joan will ask TRORC what they are planning to do about upcoming stormwater rules.

Jackson likes the new, concise format. He’ll send granular edits to Paul K.

• Chapter 1 is good.
• Chapter 2:
  • Agrees that we need to check the items that Paul highlighted.

> Joan will do a bit more research here and check sources.

• Wonders if the child-care section is outdated in light of universal pre-K and after-school until 5 pm programs.

> Jackson will do a bit of research on the current child-care situation and will check in with employers.

• Chapter 3: Notes that we’ll need to go back and add sources.
  • Added a paragraph about Braintree’s architectural history. There may be additional information on Snowsville. Needs to add information on old dams as evidence of an ‘industrial’ past.
  • 5.3: Clarified that we have no “identified” archeological resources.
• Chapter 4:
  • Notes that Braintree may be maxed out for new housing sites: geographically challenged (particularly in light of need for two septic sites).
  • 5: Need to consider the balance between solar and wind development vs. preserving agricultural land.

Jen:

• Chapter 1: good
• Chapter 2: No mention of Stagecoach?
  • Need to double check descriptions of town officers and volunteers (Town Report)
  • In policies/actions:
    • How do we: attract the young? Improve transportation? Develop the economy?
  • Need to clarify the connection between climate change and forests.
  • How recent is development or densification in South Braintree.
  • Housing should include all types of housing, not just apartment buildings.
  • Add wood to the energy section.
• Chapter 4: Needs to include:
  • Housing
  • EV charging
  • Single-family homes
  • Isn’t Randolph providing sufficient socialization for seniors?

Joan:

In the interests of time Joan will send her comments to Paul. They are largely in agreement with others comments.

Next meeting will focus on policies and actions.

• Paul will pull together earlier policies and actions, organize them and weed out repetition.
• Joan will send around TRORC’s last replies about required elements.
• Malcom will draft areas of concern to him, particularly water.
• Jackson will consider childcare and housing sites.
• Jen will focus on housing.

Adjourned at 8:50 pm.

Tentative schedule for next meeting: Thursday 16 April by phone conference

/s/ Joan Richmond-Hall