[0:00] Like, yeah, it's trying to kind of, I don't know. That one. Thank you. Well, I was going to see the curbs. I do. It's good question.

[0:21] It's six o'clock now. Do we want to wait a few minutes? Oh. Oh, in the parking lot. Okay, so I wouldn't

[1:11] You need a

[1:25] minute to settle in, Bob, or are you ready to?

[1:28] You need a minute to settle in?

[1:30] Is Vaughan coming?

[1:32] No, he's not coming tonight.

[1:37] Yeah, give me a second.

[1:58] All right.

[2:06] This conference will now be recorded.

[2:10] Good to go.

[2:12] Okay.

[2:13] Open up the planning board meeting here on Tuesday, September 15th.

[2:19] All members present except for Vaughan.

[2:27] First item is the senior public hearing, stormwater, and scenic road permit.

[2:35] Yes. They have requested to continue to October 20th. They are still waiting for the peer review from conservation.

[2:43] They agreed to do the peer review through BSC. That was the one where there was a miscommunication and they had paid for their own peer reviewer.

[2:53] And the contract with BSC was signed at the end of August. So I'm hoping that by our next meeting there should be at least the initial peer review comments.

[3:02] Yeah, that one is getting continued again.

[3:06] Along with number three.

[3:07] Yes.

[3:10] So do we need to open up by hearing and I can postpone it?

[3:14] Yeah.

[3:15] Yeah.

[3:16] Okay.

[3:16] All right.

[3:18] I don't know, too.

[3:20] Continue public hearing, stone water, scenic road permit applicant, land planning, ink, owner,

[3:26] in real-to-trust location, in case you rode Spencer and Mass, street address not yet assigned.

[3:34] Assesses map R01-18-01, they help kind of seeking a stormwater permit under Article 14,

[3:44] stormwater management bylaw of the Spencer General bylaw and scenic road permit under MGL,

[3:50] Well, Chapter 40, Section 15C, to build a new single-family home with a septic well-in-new driveway.

[3:59] Property is located within a rural residential zoning district.

[4:07] So, anybody have any comments before we open the meeting?

[4:11] I'll be hearing.

[4:12] So I think since they're not here, we aren't supposed to open it to public comment.

[4:18] Is that correct, Ja?

[4:20] You could, everything needs to be in the record, but you probably recommend that whoever speaks would come back next time, just to make sure that the applicant can hear.

[4:29] Let's find out if anyone's here to do that first of all.

[4:32] If anyone here want to speak on this item, anybody online want to speak on this item?

[4:40] Okay.

[4:42] I have a motion to continue the next meeting.

[4:46] All right roll call vote Jenna Charlie Charlie Jebel Zai, next item, same situation, continued

[5:00] public hearings, stone water and scenic road, remit, applicant, land planning, ink,

[5:07] Ona, Bedrosium, Realty, Trust, Location, William Casey, Road, Spencer, Mass, Street Address, not yet assigned.

[5:15] Assessors map R01-18-02, the applicant is worth seeking, it's one more to permit, an article 14.

[5:24] Stormwater Management by law of the Spencer General by law, and a scenic road permit under MJL,

[5:31] to have the 40 section 15c to build a new single filmy home with a septic well and new driveway.

[5:38] The property is located within the rural residential zoning district.

[5:44] Anyone want to speak on this item?

[5:48] Online?

[5:50] Is there a motion to continue?

[5:51] I moved to the 20th.

[5:54] Yeah, second step.

[5:55] Roll call.

[5:56] Gina?

[5:56] Hi.

[5:57] Charlie.

[5:58] I have old side.

[6:03] Next item.

[6:05] Item four.

[6:07] Public hearing, site plan review, special permits, no more to permit applicant.

[6:12] New England Power Company and Massachusetts Electric Company owner.

[6:16] New England Power Company, 7.5, 9, Federal Road, and MASS.

[6:22] This is MAP, U11-9, and 10.

[6:26] The applicant is seeking a site plan review, special permits, no more to permit under section 7.

[6:33] A review, 3.4.2 H, special permit for structures within floodplain, and

[6:42] the Spent-to-Stormort-A-Manager-Pylar, Chantico-14 of the Spent-to-General-Pylar's.

[6:47] Opposed construction and installation of certain sub-station-related equipment,

[6:53] in facilities that it's existing electric substation.

[6:56] The property is located within the rural residential and commercial zoning districts.

[7:06] Showtime.

[7:07] Good evening, Mr. Chair.

[7:09] For the record, my name is Joshua Lee Smith.

[7:12] I'm an attorney with a law firm about it, Chintouille, and I'm here this evening representing my client with our two applicants, co-applicants in the power company and Massachusetts-elected company, as you mentioned at the outset, Mr. Chair.

[7:25] here. Also, as you mentioned, we are here tonight seeking three permits. The first of

[7:33] which is a special permit concerning work within the floodplain district. We're also

[7:40] seeking a stormwater permit. And then lastly, we're seeking site plan review approval in connection

[7:47] with this project.

[7:49] My right is Vernon Maurer, he's the civil engineer of record behind me are a number of

[7:55] representatives consultants with the company who are also here for moral support for us,

[8:03] but also to answer any questions if we cannot answer them.

[8:08] We've handed out a slide deck which thank you, Vivian, is also being displayed, not sure if

[8:17] You also have electronic people wanted to run through this pretty briefly.

[8:23] The slide deck is longer than we're actually going to be formally presenting as

[8:28] this is a pretty straightforward project. Vivian, do you have the, I don't think I see the plans.

[8:35] Yeah, I don't have a copy of the slide deck.

[8:38] Okay, that's fine. That's why we brought paper copies.

[8:42] So, as I said, I'm going to run through this pretty quickly, give a little

[8:46] background, talk about the project scope, as well as the need, and then get into some

[8:51] of the standards that need to be met with respect to these permits.

[8:55] So as most of you probably know, this is an existing substation site, a man-to-lectic substation.

[9:01] We'll start off with this slide right here.

[9:05] The station itself has been in existence for decades.

[9:08] The last time this station was upgraded with respect to equipment within the substation site was back in the 1990s.

[9:20] So like a lot of durable equipment, it comes a time when that equipment needs to be replaced.

[9:28] So that is part of the project here is replacement of equipment.

[9:33] The other part, which is more land use related, is some improvements with respect to infiltration, stormwater at the substitution site as well, and we'll get into that a little bit more detail in a moment.

[9:47] As you mentioned, Mr. Chair, this is actually a lit-zone lot.

[9:51] It's located both within the commercial district, but where the project work is happening is entirely within the RR-R residential portion of the site.

[10:01] Again, it's an existing substation and we'll show on one of the slides coming up the relatively minor area where the improvements are taking place.

[10:13] There is an expansion of the substation fencing in the rear portion of the site, as well as I mentioned some improvements with respect to the storm water facilities.

[10:23] If I'm going to jump into this light here, this aerial depiction here again, just to get your bearings.

[10:30] The site is a little bit oddly shaped.

[10:34] So what's highlighted in yellow here is the NEP portion of the site.

[10:39] So the vast majority of this substation site, as you can see, is on New England Power Company land.

[10:45] And it's oddly shaped because it, in the rear, it butts the seven mile river.

[10:51] So it basically follows the midline of that area.

[10:58] Directly to the north is MEC-owned land,

[11:03] Massachusetts Electric Company land.

[11:06] And there's a small portion in the northly part of that substation yard that you can see

[11:11] that is actually on the MEC land.

[11:16] So the substation yard itself is actually also split in terms of being

[11:20] mostly on the NEP land, but a small portion of it is also on the NEC land.

[11:25] Hence, that's why we filed as co-applicants between the two companies.

[11:30] And yes, they are affiliates, both affiliates with national grid.

[11:35] So, again, the substation guard itself, the front portion of the guard is in that commercial zone.

[11:42] And surrounding the site to the direct south is municipal-owned DPW facility.

[11:51] To the north is that MEC land, which has an operation center directly across the street is a burry.

[11:59] And then again, to the rear is a 7 mile river and the site is somewhat constrained as

[12:07] there are wetlands to the west and north.

[12:09] The

[12:12] next slide here just gives us review, again, I'm sure most of you are more familiar

[12:16] with this than I am, but that's basically what the site looks like as you, from the driveway

[12:22] entry point.

[12:24] This last, this color coded slide here, this, the red, or the pink area here depicts the expansion

[12:34] of the substation fencing, which is, is commensurate with this expansion of the substation yard.

[12:40] So as I mentioned, relatively speaking, this is, I would call this a sliver, it's a small portion of land that's being expanded in order to accommodate in here, which is where the new equipment is, and Vivian, I don't, yes.

[12:56] So as shown on the plans, the darkened areas show where there are various pieces of equipment.

[13:05] And a lot of the infrastructure there, the support structures already exist.

[13:12] So there are however, transformers, circuit breakers, however, that are being replaced in kind.

[13:21] And so the portion that is where we're showing, again, this expansion of the yard, there's no equipment actually going in within this expansion portion of the substation yard.

[13:33] But it needs to be expanded, anyway, in order to provide clearances from the new equipment that's being installed.

[13:41] In addition to that, just to the north of the pink here, to the north of the expanded substation fencing,

[13:50] is a new infiltration basin, as well as compensatory flood storage, which Brendan will get into a little bit more detail in a moment.

[13:59] As I mentioned at the outset, a portion of the site is within the flood plain, so part

[14:05] of this is in connection with that to allow for better management for the sector stormwater

[14:12] and in the low chance that there might be some type of flood event occurring.

[14:19] I will point out with respect to the flood plain, the 100 year flood elevation is about

[14:27] 633 feet. The equipment substation yard is a little over 2.5 feet above that floodplain elevation.

[14:37] The 100-year flood? Correct, right.

[14:43] So, the next slide shows a little bit more detail

[14:48] with respect to the grading work and shows that in the compensatory flood storage

[14:54] I'm going to stop there, Brendan, you want to

[15:00] motion. Sure. Well, my name is Brendan Mauer. I'm a civil engineer with Burns of McDonald.

[15:07] And we did the design here for the creating and drainage stormwater sight layout, things like that. And so like Josh touched on part of where we're expanding the substation yard where the fence is is bumping out is technically within the

[15:29] 100 year floodplain, so we're filling an area within that floodplain and to

[15:37] offset that or we're excavating an equivalent area so that there's no loss of

[15:44] flood storage and that's what's illustrated on our grading plan with the it's

[15:51] kind of like a dark gray shaded area and then there's a table as well that

[15:56] that explains at each elevation stage the amount of volume that we're filling and then the amount of volume that we're creating.

[16:07] So you can see that we're actually, it's a net total increase in flood storage that we're proposing.

[16:18] So the other part of the grading and storm water plan here is there is some minor increases in impervious coverage, some new impervious area that we create through our foundations for the equipment.

[16:36] And so we have to follow the storm water standards for that.

[16:40] And that's what that infiltration basin is for.

[16:45] just due to the way of the terrain out here in the sub station yard, we ended up choosing to put the infiltration basin in a location where it would actually capture the runoff from the adjacent parking lot.

[17:02] But that's on national grids property so that we are effectively infiltrating and managing

[17:12] a much larger area of pavement than what we're actually creating.

[17:21] So that's why that basin is where it is.

[17:25] It

[17:29] was fairly straightforward. It's not a big watershed or a really a large

[17:36] change in land use or impervious coverage.

[17:44] Is there any questions that you

[17:47] all had about the storm water?

[17:49] I have one or two.

[17:52] Then the tracing is just what popped into it and tank, or just a system of...

[17:57] It's just a surface basin.

[17:59] Just a basin?

[18:00] Yes.

[18:00] Yeah, it's a surface base and there's so we're digging down a little bit and burming up on one side

[18:08] And that's gonna collect storm water from

[18:11] Like a lot. It's correct. Okay, and where's the storm want to go on that current pad?

[18:18] It drains off the edges into the flood plain and the wetlands

[18:23] Okay, as your oil filled transformers on there

[18:27] Yes, there are and how you contain the oil

[18:30] though so there's a there's an oil containment system around the transformers.

[18:37] It's a I'll call it an engineered system and it has a special kind of liner that allows

[18:47] clean water to drain out into the ground. And when there's oil and the water and the event of a spill,

[18:55] That liner kind of solidifies, and it doesn't allow any drainage out into the ground.

[19:04] So this is around the perimeter of the existing concrete pad?

[19:09] No, that is for the new transformer that's going in.

[19:15] Okay, so how does the existing equipment have transformers and oil and a system of collective?

[19:24] the existing system, I believe, is getting replaced as well.

[19:31] Okay. I guess the bottom question I have, how you containing oil filled

[19:36] transformers? Is it not existing now and is it new? What are you proposing to do

[19:41] that with? How to do that? So I know that the new

[19:47] transformer has that system, um, the existing transformer that's out there. I believe we're

[19:55] proposing the same system around it. So when it rains, this water, the rain water goes in there

[20:01] and it is oil, it goes on top of the water. And then it goes where? It doesn't drain out it. So it

[20:10] stays there and the alarm goes off to national grid. So they know there's a spill and they have to come

[20:15] out and pump out the oil and dispose of it.

[20:18] Okay.

[20:19] So if the major rainstorm thing fills up the water, oil sits on top and runs out over

[20:26] the pad into the wetlands?

[20:28] No.

[20:29] No, it's sized.

[20:31] The volume that it can hold is, I believe it's more than 100-year storm depth.

[20:39] Can it hold the rain water from a 25-year storm?

[20:44] Yes.

[20:44] about seven inches of water. Yes. You have some information on that system that we can look at.

[20:53] I don't have it with me but yeah there are calculations that go along with that.

[20:59] Myself and I believe the war in the conservation part I want to see how you're doing that.

[21:05] And more information on how it works. Okay.

[21:10] I think it's something important.

[21:15] Very much so, drawing.

[21:17] What's the closest that any of this is going to come to the walls?

[21:22] How do you mean the closest, like the...

[21:25] Can I give it in the buffers?

[21:27] You wanted food to set back for the...

[21:29] Yeah, so...

[21:31] In our drawings, you can see the edge of the wetland.

[21:34] I know, but it doesn't have any dimension on it.

[21:36] So we're basically where that compensatory storage is, we're going up to the edge of the

[21:44] wetland.

[21:46] You're going right up to the edge?

[21:47] Correct.

[21:50] With the grating, the station is not within the wetland.

[21:59] Yes.

[22:00] In terms of the flag of wetland, yes.

[22:04] In terms of there's a 200 foot setback from the river.

[22:08] Yes.

[22:09] Sorry.

[22:09] Courier, it's been a national great environmental licensing impermanent.

[22:11] We have a notice intent in front of the public information right now for the impacts to the

[22:19] 100 year flood plan and the buffer zone. We state all of this work stays outside of the 200

[22:23] footprint area, but the existing substation is already within the buffer zone. Additional

[22:28] impacts are minimal from the expansion and the compensatory mitigation. As we grade up to the edge,

[22:35] but that's all going to be registered and restored.

[22:40] It's also endangered species habitat,

[22:42] so we've got some pretty strict requirements

[22:44] for making sure that that remains available

[22:46] as the New Jersey needs to have that.

[22:48] So everything outside of the fence will be restored

[22:51] to habitat value and needs from our standards,

[22:55] that concern mitigation, and registered to restore the offer.

[23:00] Okay.

[23:01] Have you presented this to conservation yet?

[23:03] Yeah. We did last week. We didn't have a DEP number assigned, so it got continued to

[23:07] next week. Can we have gotten a DEP number now? We also have a couple of comments from

[23:11] DEP. We need to address nothing. Nothing too substantial that we won't be able to discuss

[23:16] with the commission next week. Okay, and then I'm on there also. Oh, okay.

[23:21] Any information on how this container system works at the same time? Sure. I'm sure we're

[23:28] You know, that's the same question.

[23:30] Yes, and Matteo did come up to talk more about that, I think.

[23:35] Okay.

[23:36] I can speak to the Versailles Audit Fashion Board as well.

[23:40] I can speak to the entertainment system.

[23:41] It's existing on the transformer.

[23:43] Okay, does he need to speak into the mic?

[23:45] Yes, please.

[23:46] Sorry.

[23:52] I just wanted to touch base on the existing transformers.

[23:57] Versailles Audit.

[24:00] The existing transformer was built with a different containment system.

[24:04] It is still a valid containment system that we can drain the oil from without the water, without the oil leaving the containment system.

[24:13] We do have drawings we can provide for.

[24:15] And then the new transformer has a different standard than we have to call, so.

[24:21] No.

[24:21] That's how.

[24:23] I'm sorry?

[24:23] Oh, different.

[24:24] How would that be?

[24:26] The old system is a liner and a soil system, so we line the base of that.

[24:32] The concrete foundation gets lined with a soil, then a liner, and that's how we used to

[24:39] contain it.

[24:40] There's a specific system we use now.

[24:42] It's based on the same principle, except that we, the seams are different when you join

[24:48] them.

[24:50] So, are you going to inspect the old one at the same time?

[24:55] The problem with us taking the old transformer offline to do that, it's a lot more intensive

[25:04] than what we had planned.

[25:07] Once we do have a couple of structures adjacent to that transformer, once we open that up and

[25:12] And we change those structures, we're going to reinforce that liner and inspect it in turn.

[25:19] Okay.

[25:22] So it's not a complete concrete pad.

[25:24] There's basically holes underneath the transformers that Earth is there, that we just said.

[25:30] It's a, it's a, I don't remember the specific liner.

[25:36] It's a rubber lily that sits underneath, it cups the concrete and rises up and contains the volume of, I think, it's like 125% of the volume of oil in the transformer, and it will hold everything and contain the oil based off of the calculations.

[26:00] I guess I need to see more detail because we can provide the detail.

[26:04] I think it's part of 100% plus probably 25-year range storm, which could be seven inches.

[26:10] This is spread out and it's only six inches deep.

[26:14] Your range is going to fill it up and your oil is going over the edge.

[26:17] So I need more information on how it works.

[26:20] We understand we're following the code precisely based on what's required and we can provide

[26:24] the information.

[26:38] So

[26:43] the big catch space in areas basically to make up floodplain

[26:47] oil, the one in the back part, the shaded area.

[26:52] Yeah, that's correct.

[26:53] Okay, it's not for the loading pad.

[26:56] It's not for the driveway.

[26:57] Yeah, that's just purely creating floodplain.

[27:00] Make up floodplain oil.

[27:02] Correct.

[27:02] Because you're filling in with a little expansion area.

[27:05] Correct.

[27:05] And the detention system will be a design for us to look at and how it's getting there and where it's going.

[27:15] Yes, detention there is a retention.

[27:19] It is so it retains smaller storms and then larger storms will flow out of it.

[27:26] Okay, so it's detention retention then out it goes.

[27:31] Correct.

[27:31] the way. It overflows into that area just adjacent to it and then it drains to the west

[27:41] towards the river. Just overlay and flow.

[27:44] All right, and the existing parking lots being regraded, so it's all pitched to that.

[27:49] No, catch basins or what's how? It drains there now. We're just kind of getting in between it and the

[27:56] wetland, so that's why we located the basin where it is.

[28:02] So we'll see some drawings of all that grids and details and how it's being built.

[28:08] That's all included in this plan set and there was a stormwater report as well with the calculations.

[28:13] Oh, just look at this. So we have a package here of drawings.

[28:17] Correct. I didn't get that far.

[28:19] Mr. Chair, there's the grading and drainage plan in the plan set.

[28:25] Maybe you can go to that.

[28:30] There's a grading and graded plan.

[28:33] There's a cross section of the site where we're going to have drawings.

[28:40] And then there's some details as well.

[28:48] Yeah, this is.

[28:53] But I can pull drawings from my computer to access to those.

[28:59] So I

[29:09] plan, general notes,

[29:16] reading and drainage plan, that's what I want to get.

[29:20] Yes.

[29:20] Yeah, it's right here on the screen as well.

[29:22] Do you want me to zoom in?

[29:26] It's a bit better for the eyes.

[29:30] I can see.

[29:35] We just have to get one size back.

[29:39] There's just a bit more.

[29:41] Okay.

[29:43] Generally, you guys look at these already.

[29:56] I apologize. I hadn't seen this so much. I was asking questions.

[30:02] That's fine. I see a spillway.

[30:10] Yes, we have a, there's a stone, local berm, that's kind of our four bay pre-treatment, and then there's a, it's actually a turf reinforcement mat for the spillway.

[30:27] So right now, all that grade goes right where you show that little, the right hand side is drawing with the right, the right of the fill.

[30:36] built a berm. Stone berm is where the water is naturally flowing current right now.

[30:42] Right. Yeah. It basically, um, the runoff from that parking lot enters the basin in like the

[30:48] northeast corner. Mm-hmm.

[30:53] And you're building up the berm at a 637 elevation, so it gets in there.

[30:59] Correct.

[31:09] So basically it's going to run through there, run through the stone,

[31:12] I don't feel the berm, if the heavy storm is just going to right out the spillway.

[31:16] Correct, it's going out.

[31:18] Exactly.

[31:20] The smallest storms will sit in there and soak in.

[31:24] Emphaltrate, correct.

[31:26] Do we know how pervious that ground is that doesn't matter?

[31:30] Yes, in the stormwater report, there's a lot of soil data with, I think they dug some test pits and did infiltration testing.

[31:38] found the seasonal high water elevation classified the soils so it's all it's

[31:46] all sized based on that investigation so it has groundwater levels their current

[31:52] or that non the high groundwater high groundwater levels in that report yeah they

[31:58] determine those you know I have an idea after it's 636 I can

[32:16] pull the report

[32:17] board off my computer to confirm, but just the information be nice to have.

[32:22] I know, I know it was generally right around the elevation of the wetlands, which is, I think that was like 631.

[32:32] So it says.

[32:34] And we're up around 635.

[32:39] 635s were overflows.

[32:41] No, the water is, is it a foot below grade, or is it five feet below grade?

[32:49] It's, I think it's more than that, even.

[32:52] Well, I'm going to look at how much volume is available in the earth before it hits groundwater, because that's not going to go away.

[32:59] The groundwater is, it's at least two feet, seasonal high water is at least two feet below the bottom of the basin.

[33:10] So it's not going to fill up for the groundwater.

[33:11] one.

[33:29] So any drawings show anything on the transformers that are there and how the oil

[33:35] spill would go wherever it goes.

[33:40] Not in the set of drawings now. We

[33:56] have breeding cross

[33:57] sections and we have something on that.

[34:01] I followed it. I didn't get a chance to look at before

[34:32] What do we get these in August, I believe?

[34:39] They were sent to us.

[34:41] Yeah, they've been on the website since we got the application.

[34:47] The motion, resolution,

[35:08] settlement, drawing.

[35:10] We can do that.

[35:16] Yes, they'll bring this one to the consultation.

[35:35] When you guys plan on slotting this project yesterday, last month?

[35:42] Pretty much yesterday, Mr. Chair.

[35:44] This is bringing this project is among a number of other projects.

[35:52] this order known as a EP order 2075, so the suite of projects that are all looking to commence within months.

[36:04] The last slide, if we go back to the slide deck, gives a schedule with respect to the work.

[36:10] We're looking to get permits in hand including these permits.

[36:14] We also need to, as was mentioned before the Conservation Commission.

[36:18] And in addition to that, we also have a hearing scheduled with the ZBA.

[36:24] So we're looking to wrap all of that up within the coming months.

[36:29] So fall of this year, construction commencement, we're looking to commence towards the end of the calendar year.

[36:36] But of course, a lot of a lot needs to happen with these unique types of projects in advance of actual commencement.

[36:46] So we're really hoping to get our discretionary permits in hand as soon as possible.

[37:01] This moment, no one else on the board has questions or open up to the public.

[37:06] Okay, board.

[37:11] Anybody in the room?

[37:13] Any comments on this?

[37:14] Any questions?

[37:18] I need to say it.

[37:19] It helps.

[37:20] Okay.

[37:22] Matt, the folks you've paused right, I just, if I go in the wrong direction, please redirect

[37:27] But last time in the July 28 poll project you guys were involved with that correct and that has

[37:34] Relevant in this project

[37:37] Yes

[37:40] That wasn't an on media. I wasn't no no it was in a different meeting but the poll project has

[37:45] Some significance in this project is that correct? Yeah, Mr. Chair. Can I just ask what what address are you?

[37:52] 7 Paul's got 7 Paul's for a drive. Yeah, are you in a butter to the substation? I'm not I'm a 20-year suspension resident. Okay

[38:01] And you'll understand the reason I'm asking the question you you answered the question

[38:05] I was going to ask yeah, because at that meeting and you'll understand why I'm asking at that meeting

[38:11] I'm not sure if the minutes were published recently, but the last time I checked for the meeting minutes on that date

[38:16] They were not published. So that's why I'm asking the question this time

[38:22] It was stated that the sub-station had not been updated since 1998.

[38:27] And you basically had a front, whether it's 98, 95 or whatever.

[38:32] And you'll understand my curiosity.

[38:34] I was on the solar by-law committee and I'm kind of curious because I believe the McCormick Road solar project was brought to that substation.

[38:44] And my concern is the substation didn't have to be updated when they plugged in the power from the McCormick Road.

[38:52] Shola, Mr. Chair, I'm not, I'm at a loss with what, is this an active project that's happening in the town?

[38:58] No, it's like, it's done, but it's deleted.

[39:03] It was routed down to the substation, and I'm just kind of curious if you said 90, in the 90s, it hasn't been updated.

[39:09] It's surprised, I'm curious because it surprised me that if you put something like that into it, that surprises me.

[39:16] So it's just a curiosity.

[39:18] Yes, so Joanne Rose also a national group.

[39:21] Thank you.

[39:23] So I'll answer that in the general terms.

[39:25] So when we build substations, there's generally excess capacity available.

[39:29] So if the substation applies to us to interconnection, there's that capacity available.

[39:34] There would not have been a need to update the substation.

[39:36] Okay.

[39:37] Now the substations act capacity, so we need to do something.

[39:40] Okay, and the reason I'm asking is just for a million areas, I was on the sole of by-law

[39:44] committee to improve things and when they ran that down they said they ran that down and has been updated since 98.

[39:50] You know, but the flag wouldn't be to say geez you plug it all that in and there's no updates on technology and so far so I was concerned with that.

[39:59] I usually build in a question okay and we're we then we're into that Christian so we need to okay thank you for clarifying that.

[40:06] I hope you understand why I ask you okay I want to thank the board for asking relevant questions that I think help protect

[40:14] A lot of the stuff I don't know anything about, I'm a resident, I just like to know what's going on in town, and I'm curious about the issues, and I'll just make one comment in regards to this project, and you guys know it, the town only has two wells, and one of them is in the back, so I'm sure you know what I just want to point that out, and if you guys want to know it, that you know, so thank you, thank you for your attention.

[40:41] We added a feeder a couple of years ago to the substation to do a feeder that connects

[40:49] to the town of Spencer several years ago.

[40:52] There have been upgrades of, sorry, the substations here, national grid.

[41:00] So, what's your name?

[41:01] Mattel.

[41:02] Mattel.

[41:03] That's it.

[41:04] Okay.

[41:05] Yeah.

[41:07] Anyone else in a room?

[41:08] Have any questions in this project?

[41:11] Anybody online?

[41:12] Have any questions or comments?

[41:29] Obviously you have to go to Conservation Next.

[41:34] So I think we should continue this for this next meeting and the meantime, get me information,

[41:41] our information on how the transformer oils are like this and where they go and how it's done

[41:50] so that we can feel comfortable that the oil is not going to end up in the wetlands or the

[41:54] tongue well and

[41:58] that's good information to have help us make a decision and make sure you guys

[42:02] do what you need to do so that you are containing the oil it has that I see there and

[42:11] I'll have more

[42:11] I don't know what time to look at these,

[42:14] that makes sense.

[42:16] I don't know why everything done today, everybody does.

[42:18] But we are hopeful that this would be done this evening.

[42:24] This is a pretty straightforward project.

[42:27] The equipment we're talking about is replacement equipment.

[42:30] The transformer containment system, whatever exists not there today is where it's going to be replaced with is in accordance with National Electric Safety Code.

[42:43] and exists in the thousands upon thousands of unmanned substations throughout the Commonwealth.

[42:50] The system even show us.

[42:53] Yes, we can show you.

[42:56] All right, that's what I'd like to see, see how it works on

[43:02] a way else I may.

[43:04] I think that of the project, it is pretty straightforward.

[43:07] I don't think major problems, other than that potential contamination problem.

[43:12] I mean, basically, it was, we certainly could provide the information, and we will, it was explained by both of our engineers that it's a containment system that provides containment with respect to the oil plus capacity in terms of, as you mentioned, if there's 100 year.

[43:33] My back storm, the petroleum business of the 30 something is the containment systems and everything.

[43:39] So I want to see something I know works.

[43:47] So if it's a great system and I'm sure it is, I just want to see it.

[43:51] And you get old equipment there that's being replaced with new.

[43:54] I don't even know if the old stuff is reasonably safe the way it is.

[43:59] We do, you know, it's put in there so it doesn't have an accident.

[44:03] They have an anti-axonist, that's good.

[44:10] I just think some shop drawing would be good.

[44:16] We certainly have those.

[44:19] Had we known we would have brought that with us today.

[44:22] Basically it's a drawing that shows exactly what was described here.

[44:28] I do have one question.

[44:30] So the existing that you have, when you guys start to replace that,

[44:34] Is there going to be any major disruption to the system that you have underneath?

[44:40] I just want to kind of understand what the potentials are as you're changing these.

[44:45] What could happen to the existing system?

[44:47] I know that somebody had mentioned you guys better inspect it, but will it disrupt anything

[44:52] when you guys are doing that?

[44:53] When you say system, are you talking about the transfer place?

[44:58] Is it the container?

[45:00] It's just a great containment system. Will it, will it, the oil containment system? Will it do to disrupt anything?

[45:09] It shouldn't. It's a, it's a below grade system. So if, if they did, after, you know, maybe you like add a conduit or something like that, they would, they would do it and repair the liner as part of that work. Okay.

[45:29] To

[45:39] the chair or and or Vivian when is the next available planning board meeting October 20th so that's going to be one week after the ZBA hearing that you guys will be at okay.

[45:50] Is there an application after us?

[45:54] I mean we have computers we can we can try to pull up those oil containment drawings Mr. Chair we could we could show you right now.

[46:06] We can get access to our files, we can show you right now.

[46:09] When we need time to look at them, I'm not going to do it on a spot.

[46:13] I agree.

[46:14] Most of the stuff they have submitted, like you did in August, that was great.

[46:17] Fortunately, I didn't know it was there.

[46:20] So I need some time to look at it.

[46:26] Okay.

[46:30] Vivian, you said October 20th?

[46:33] October 20th?

[46:38] Yeah.

[46:40] You could just sign the continuous form before you.

[46:42] Of course.

[46:43] Yep.

[46:44] Take it easy.

[46:45] You guys must go to other pounds with this type of information.

[46:50] You never bring them containment information.

[46:52] I'll show it to them at a time.

[46:54] Very rarely.

[46:55] Yes.

[46:56] Because it is, it is routine equipment.

[47:01] Right.

[47:01] And it's, it's, it's, it's mineral oil to be, to be clear.

[47:06] Yes.

[47:07] Well, oil is like, oil.

[47:08] but it's not, it's not like patrolling, not, right, not patrolling, yes.

[47:14] It's like a carousine, well not quite dead either, but how

[47:21] long have the existing

[47:23] transformers that are in there now, when did they go in?

[47:28] They want to know how long those are in there, the existing transformers?

[47:33] I don't have an exact answer how long the existing transformers are.

[47:35] When did they get installed?

[47:37] Yeah, I don't have an answer in there.

[47:38] You don't know?

[47:39] No.

[47:40] They're not PCBs in there.

[47:46] We don't know.

[47:46] Well, yeah, what's in there besides the oil?

[47:50] There's a big issue with bees, with transformers a while back, depending on their age, they

[47:56] could have those in the oil.

[48:00] That's also contaminated beside the middle oil.

[48:03] We can want to get an answer there and see what's going on.

[48:06] If there's more reason than there won't be in there, but if it's older, then it could be.

[48:11] So that's going to be looked at when you remove them, they're not going to be spilling

[48:14] on the oils.

[48:18] Yet we've made a concerted effort over time.

[48:20] I can't speak today to these transformers

[48:22] to remove the PCV transformers.

[48:25] So I'd be surprised if they were still there,

[48:27] but we'll verify the date.

[48:29] Yeah, if we need to find out.

[48:30] Right.

[48:31] The thing to know, there'll be extra caution.

[48:33] Yes.

[48:34] OK.

[48:35] Nothing for.

[48:41] All right.

[48:42] So I think we'll look for a motion to continue.

[48:46] I'm going to continue this to 20.

[48:49] 20th, what's going on?

[48:51] Yeah.

[48:52] Second.

[48:53] Second.

[48:54] My Charlie.

[48:55] Little Corvo.

[48:58] Charlie.

[49:00] Hi.

[49:01] Charlie.

[49:01] Dina.

[49:02] Hi.

[49:02] Javelin.

[49:03] Hi, Javelin.

[49:06] Thank you.

[49:07] The stuff to Vivian and she'll pass it on.

[49:16] Thank

[49:32] you very

[49:40] much.

[49:45] I just have the continuance form.

[49:47] Yes.

[49:48] Thank you.

[49:49] Today's be nice.

[49:52] 15th.

[49:52] I just wanted to use, I can't find my, I'll be buried in this pile.

[50:05] George, OK,

[50:14] moving on.

[50:16] Number five, discussion action 46 Greenville streets.

[50:21] Don't want to pollution prevention plan.

[50:24] So what do we have on that?

[50:26] All right, so this was for the cell tower at 46 Greenville Street, that was approved last June in 2025.

[50:39] And one of the conditions on that decision required the stormwater pollution prevention plan to be submitted.

[50:45] The original plan that was sent to the board had a few errors in the lot size and lot disturbance.

[50:53] So they submitted a new one where they corrected those errors, and then it was sent to BSC for peer review.

[51:03] And Dominic from BSC didn't have any comments, aside from making sure that they attached the appendix,

[51:10] from the plan that was submitted originally.

[51:13] So I just asked them to send me a version that has the appendix.

[51:20] And other than that, I added the email from Dominick to your packet because he didn't, we didn't get a formal peer review comment on that.

[51:28] But that was just him saying that it looked good to go.

[51:33] So if the board finds it acceptable, we'll just need to make a finding that the stormwater pollution prevention plan satisfies that condition.

[51:44] and then I can write up a memo for the building inspector.

[51:49] You said Dominic's comments are in here?

[51:53] Yeah, I put it next to your packet.

[51:56] This is an email.

[51:57] Yeah, here I have a copy too.

[52:00] I'm not going somewhere, but I'm going to see it.

[52:07] I'm Dominic.

[52:10] I

[52:21] just have one question.

[52:23] Do we need conservation to go on and inspect erosion controls?

[52:26] So,

[52:28] that wasn't a requirement in the decision, but I think that it would be a good idea to ask them if they could add that to their inspections.

[52:40] Yeah, because that was good at that.

[52:42] Yeah, and that one was right outside of conservation jurisdiction.

[52:46] They had moved it, yeah, right to the edge of the buffer, so that would be good to have them go out.

[52:55] So

[53:01] we have to wait for conservation to do that thing?

[53:06] No.

[53:07] So we can say it's okay based on Dominic's review, the L.S.

[53:12] Yeah.

[53:13] And that wasn't the final inspection.

[53:15] That was just the inspection of the erosion controls before they start compression.

[53:20] Thank you.

[53:21] So yeah, I can talk to Sam, the conservation agent.

[53:25] She's not in until Monday, but I can ask her to add that to the conservation site visits once they have their erosion controls up.

[53:39] So, what action we have to now just recommend to allotted to the building inspector?

[53:46] Make a motion that you find the stormwater pollution prevention plan acceptable.

[53:52] and that it satisfies condition number 31, yeah, condition number 31 from the decision.

[54:02] Okay, so it's all make a motion to approve the SPUGP, I'm 31 on the previous approval decision, that's it?

[54:19] Okay. Second.

[54:21] Second.

[54:22] Roll call.

[54:23] Gina?

[54:24] I.

[54:24] Trelli.

[54:26] I.

[54:27] I.

[54:33] I.

[54:34] I.

[54:36] I.

[54:36] Item 6 discussion, data center, a moratorium, and zoning by who's going to talk about that.

[54:46] Yeah, so this one, town council is working on preparing a moratorium, so once we have that, we'll have to do a formal public hearing with advertisement.

[54:55] So this is just, I just wanted to touch base with you all on this, but the Board of Selectmen would like to have a moratorium on data centers,

[55:04] on the all-town meeting warrant.

[55:08] And they've also asked that the planning board work on preparing a data center by law.

[55:13] So as part of the zoning by law review, we've asked the consultant to incorporate that into it.

[55:19] But for the moratorium, they're looking to put a hold on data centers.

[55:25] So that the town has time to prepare a by law because right now we have nothing in place that's regulating.

[55:31] data centers where they can be, how big they can be, so the moratorium will just give us time to make sure we're not caught unprepared.

[55:42] And related to this Governor Healy, I don't know if you've seen, but she just signed an executive order last week that requires proposed data centers to get local approval before they can get their state permits.

[55:54] That's very big.

[55:57] Yes.

[55:58] Yeah.

[55:59] Yes, it is.

[56:00] That's a political move.

[56:02] Yeah.

[56:03] Yeah.

[56:04] Nobody's ready for this, including the state government.

[56:08] Well, but, or anyway.

[56:11] I won't make any more comments.

[56:13] I think we, they have any recommended,

[56:19] as Hilly's office, have any recommended?

[56:23] Okay, yeah, they don't have any samples or recommendations, but there have been a few

[56:30] other towns that have already passed moratoriums, and then a lot of other ones that are exploring

[56:35] doing it right now.

[56:37] So we'll have some examples from other people to look at.

[56:40] We have the attorneys to that, so that's really-

[56:41] I meant any draft, you know, any recommended draft?

[56:45] No.

[56:46] Not yet.

[56:47] Yeah. Okay. I think I think we can get a moratorium in place. Definitely.

[56:55] Absolutely. We have enough time before Tommy and do this. Probably. Probably.

[57:02] Maybe a special meeting. Yeah. That's fine. Just for the public hearing. Yeah. Yeah.

[57:08] I should hopefully hope to strategy, right? By the end of the week, you have a moratorium

[57:14] language and we're drafting the warrant this week, so hopefully we can have it

[57:20] to you next week you can work it. If you can time it through your October 20th

[57:24] meeting, I don't know that's enough time. It should be enough time between men and

[57:28] town meeting 15 days. I'll have to check with town council how much time we need

[57:32] in between in publication days, so the sooner the better.

[57:36] Okay.

[57:37] I agree.

[57:40] Any other discussion on that topic?

[57:45] Okay.

[57:46] Next item is discussion.

[57:48] Point is owning bylaw a amendment steering committee member.

[57:53] Yes.

[57:54] So, um, we, the town has contracted with the firm community scale or the zoning bylaw review

[58:00] and update project.

[58:02] And to lead this project we're going to be assembling an ad hoc committee made up of representatives

[58:08] from the various boards and committees.

[58:11] So I was hoping that we could get a planning board member on there, where you're one of the boards that works closest with the zoning bylaws.

[58:18] So you all have some of the most experience with any issues in the permitting process, any suggested recommendations.

[58:30] And for the time commitment for this, they'll be meeting on an as needed basis once we get deliverables from the consultant.

[58:40] and then there's going to be two public meetings, that community scale is going to be leading, and the steering committee members would be encouraged to attend those meetings.

[58:49] The first one, I can talk about this more in my report, but we're looking to do a joint meeting on October 7th with the Planning Board Board of Selectmen, Zoning Board, and Conservation Commission.

[59:01] The question about that is if I would have volunteered, we have an EDC meeting that day.

[59:05] Yes, I was going to talk about this at our meeting tomorrow because we're meeting tomorrow.

[59:16] The next meeting if we keep doing the first Wednesday of the month would only be two weeks

[59:22] apart.

[59:23] So I was going to see if people wanted to reschedule the October meeting and then just have

[59:35] The zoning by-law review.

[59:37] Okay.

[59:38] We're talking October

[59:42] 7th to have a meeting about what?

[59:44] The zoning by-law and subdivision regulation.

[59:48] That way, that week for a conference.

[59:51] Okay, I'll be sending out a link to you all tomorrow that Community Scale uploaded the zoning

[59:57] by law, subdivision regs, and the zoning,

[1:00:00] I'm going to wrap into one online platform so that you can go through and highlight specific sections of the zoning by-law and leave comments. And then you can leave pinpoint comments on the zoning map, which I actually have it on my computer here so I can pull it up and just show you how to you can leave comments that way if you're not able to attend the meeting.

[1:00:24] So yeah, this is the website you can view the zoning by-law here. And then on the side you just click comment.

[1:00:30] And then you can type your comment, and then that's just going to go straight to the consulting team.

[1:00:37] And then the map is right

[1:00:46] here.

[1:00:47] So then you can click comment on a place, and then pick any location, and then add your comment there.

[1:00:56] So I'll be sending that out to everyone tomorrow morning.

[1:00:58] And

[1:01:03] then the second public meeting is still to be determined, but that will most likely

[1:01:08] be after we get the first set of proposed changes from the consultants, and then we'll have

[1:01:13] a meeting to get feedback from the community.

[1:01:17] So I need a warm to.

[1:01:18] Yes.

[1:01:20] I'm warm to.

[1:01:23] I don't want to do it.

[1:01:25] I don't have the time.

[1:01:30] Per appointment.

[1:01:33] I have too much of a workload.

[1:01:35] I can't do it.

[1:01:36] I can't.

[1:01:37] All right.

[1:01:37] All right, keep it over.

[1:01:38] I always had to give it to Vaughan because it wasn't him.

[1:01:42] Okay, good, thank you, Gina.

[1:01:45] Thank you.

[1:01:47] Do you want me to bring up anything you want me to bring up, you know?

[1:01:50] Okay.

[1:01:54] I'll put it on the, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[1:02:01] Okay, we'll sit on that now.

[1:02:03] Yes.

[1:02:05] Next item is a plan board revolving the count Thumbridge Press invoice approval.

[1:02:12] So we need to approve an invoice for $147 from the advertising.

[1:02:20] Yeah, I believe that was the national grid hearing that we just had.

[1:02:26] Yeah, those are just the new leader advertisements.

[1:02:31] So I have a motion to pay this bill.

[1:02:34] So moved to pay the Stonebridge press bill.

[1:02:37] The second tab.

[1:02:38] All right, roll call, Gina, Charlie, Sally, Hi, Chiebalt, I got

[1:02:51] the boss.

[1:02:58] General board discussion, board liaison reports, if I want to talk about anything.

[1:03:03] No, I have no news.

[1:03:06] No.

[1:03:07] No.

[1:03:12] Okay.

[1:03:12] I don't plan to report new business.

[1:03:17] So the next meeting is going to be October 20th at 6 p.m.

[1:03:21] We have the two William Casey applications that are continued and the National Great

[1:03:25] Application.

[1:03:27] And aside from that we don't have any new applications, we might still get some A and R's by then.

[1:03:34] And then we do have the 2027 meeting schedule so if you want to sit down and I can send you

[1:03:44] a digital copy as well.

[1:03:45] Or a Tuesday every month?

[1:03:46] Yes, yeah.

[1:03:47] No changes to that third Tuesday of every month, that's 6 p.m.

[1:03:53] I'm just making a note to send you all that tomorrow morning.

[1:03:56] What time is the meeting for this set?

[1:03:59] That's going to be at 6 p.m.

[1:04:04] And then as we're talking about with the zoning bylaw review and update the joint meeting

[1:04:08] on October 7th.

[1:04:09] So yeah, that'll just be an opportunity to share your recommendations.

[1:04:12] questions. And I will send you a link to the website to comment on the zoning by-law.

[1:04:21] And community scale is still in the process of looking over all of the town's previous

[1:04:27] planning documents like the master plan, the town center design guidelines. And they've

[1:04:33] also been looking through the planning board and zoning board minutes to see what kinds

[1:04:38] of projects have been approved every single time to identify different uses that could be allowed

[1:04:43] by right, or for example, the zoning board, if they're always approving a certain type of variance,

[1:04:50] if maybe we could allow that in the zoning bylaw. So we are making some study progress on that,

[1:04:56] and hopefully once we have the meeting on October 7th, we'll get a lot of good feedback from all the

[1:05:01] boards, and then we're going to be opening that up to public comment as well. And fall town meeting

[1:05:07] is November 5th at 7 p.m.

[1:05:13] And the Economic Development Committee is going to be meeting tomorrow at 6 p.m.

[1:05:17] They are currently working on surveying business owners.

[1:05:22] We've only gotten a few responses so far, but we're trying to get some more.

[1:05:28] And the survey we're hoping that we can get some responses so that we can use it in the zoning bylaw review

[1:05:36] do and see if business owners have any, if there are any regulatory requirements that

[1:05:43] were making it more difficult for them to open their business in Spencer.

[1:05:50] And they've also been working on creating some ideas for welcome signs for Spencer, which

[1:05:59] has been exciting.

[1:06:00] So we're going to be talking about that tomorrow.

[1:06:03] No official plan, we're just trying to get the ball rolling on getting some more signage.

[1:06:10] And for MVP 2.0, we're in the community engagement step of the process.

[1:06:17] So the core team, as they call it, is going to launch a different community events over

[1:06:23] the next two months.

[1:06:24] And we're going to try to talk to as many people as possible about their experiences living

[1:06:29] in Spencer and how they've been impacted by severe weather events, like droughts,

[1:06:34] extreme heat, severe storms, and storm,

[1:06:40] yeah, so we're still working on that, but we're

[1:06:47] about halfway through the MVP process, which is exciting. And aside from that, that concludes

[1:06:54] my report.

[1:06:56] I just have one question about community scale.

[1:06:59] Are they also going to be looking at the subdivision regulation?

[1:07:03] Yes, I was asked.

[1:07:04] Yeah, sorry, sometimes I drop that from when I'm explaining it just because it's so wordy.

[1:07:08] But yes, so that website has the zoning by-law, the subdivision regs, and the zoning map.

[1:07:15] Is there something to state put out or you've someone put out about the bill houses on logs that aren't meeting zoning by-law?

[1:07:23] Complexes or something?

[1:07:24] Yes.

[1:07:26] They, so the state just amended the variance requirements for

[1:07:36] MGL, chapter 40,

[1:07:39] or the A section.

[1:07:41] No need to know, it's just powerful.

[1:07:42] Yeah, the variance standards.

[1:07:45] So they changed it so that resident, you can, sorry,

[1:07:51] I'm just trying to, there were a lot of big changes in that one.

[1:07:54] It was the allow residential use variances, so.

[1:08:02] It's not like you didn't have to mess with the acreage,

[1:08:04] you just had to meet the sub-backs.

[1:08:06] Yes, yes, sorry.

[1:08:08] So, yeah, one of the standards they changed was that

[1:08:14] frontage, lot area, and lot coverage were no longer

[1:08:21] that it required variance if there was a existing non-conforming structure.

[1:08:26] That was being altered or extended.

[1:08:29] So they used to need a variance if they were doing that, but now it's allowed by right.

[1:08:34] Can you recent the KP more?

[1:08:36] Yes, yeah, I can send that out to you again.

[1:08:38] KP did a kind of a two-pager, I think that's a lot of time I was sorry.

[1:08:42] Yeah, so she'll send it back.

[1:08:46] Yeah, sorry, there were a lot of big changes in that one.

[1:08:48] So it's hard to summarize off the top of my head.

[1:08:51] All right.

[1:08:52] And community skills, looking at all that legislation.

[1:08:55] Yes, so yeah, that's a big part of it is bringing the zoning by law up to the new state standards.

[1:09:00] Okay.

[1:09:02] All set.

[1:09:03] Good done?

[1:09:04] Yes.

[1:09:05] Next is citizen input.

[1:09:07] If I were here, I want to speak.

[1:09:11] I met the folks who passed by.

[1:09:13] I just want to thank the board again for asking relevant questions of the applicants along the way with the intention of protecting the policy.

[1:09:21] Appreciate it.

[1:09:22] Thank you.

[1:09:22] Okay.

[1:09:23] Anybody online?

[1:09:24] Have any comments?

[1:09:26] Import.

[1:09:28] Okay.

[1:09:29] We'll hold minutes.

[1:09:32] Do you want to wait?

[1:09:33] You want to table these until fun?

[1:09:38] Yeah, because Gina, you weren't at the last meeting.

[1:09:41] Yeah.

[1:09:41] We can do that.

[1:09:43] Okay.

[1:09:43] That's my motion.

[1:09:45] I think just.

[1:09:46] Okay.

[1:09:47] We'll do the minutes up next meeting.

[1:09:51] All right.

[1:09:52] Shall we adjourn?

[1:09:54] Motion wager?

[1:09:55] Okay.

[1:09:56] All in favor?

[1:09:57] Aye.

Spencer - Planning Board - 2026 September 15

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