[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6427317,"mediaKeyId","5880399-9d016371295662f513e6e3651a54bd59","parentId",5880399,"title","Hubbardston planner: AG places hold on battery storage bylaw; consultants to present sandpit overlay scenarios Oct. 16","audioSeconds",285,"startMs",192000,"endMs",477000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5880399-9d016371295662f513e6e3651a54bd59&start=192&end=477","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5880399-9d016371295662f513e6e3651a54bd59/thumbnail_192000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6427317/Massachusetts/Hubbardston-planner-AG-places-hold-on-battery-storage-bylaw-consultants-to-present-sandpit-overlay-scenarios-Oct-16","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6427317-83f13ba37a02bea5bbd363c8245bf60c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770974459&Signature=crAp-UF10A2zARqnkc0KmwPVKJKz9qaLNt2wVqBmIxhw0BY4IQpPXvO09XjAFWKuTH39yDPb92y1li-niaCtECVDQwSFi7a0~WfYsaiD2VF1WDEBucf7MIdkELE2JyGOZm5ppk-tRckboeu8MHExFh1KvPI7utlIl8VIhT2GyhSpNkZD5ITNonqIDLVejnnxSMm3o1rxXk05ul4LgN1puXRgsNLX1Vy1iDjWBAn7lxHGH1xaEFf-2h7Hfb6KhMZesbjmLxDLFOs6Gu3V6Z~n52MNk1JVfDrIh2SG7k9I91KuPWoZ-M-Wj2sX8158gJM7RVnBI2N2UOOlbJ-b6XKiYg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Hubbardston","date","2025-10-03T22:19:26Z","article","The Hubbardston Planning Board heard an update from town planner Alec on Oct. 1 that the Massachusetts attorney general has approved Annual Town Meeting Articles 27 through 29 but has placed a hold on Article 26, the proposed battery energy storage bylaw.

Alec, the town planner, told the board that a hold does not mean a denial but indicates the attorney general is requesting revisions or further information and will likely use the full 90-day review period. “Article 26 was your, battery energy storage by law,” Alec said, and he told the board he expects the attorney general's office to take the full 90 days and that the town granted the office's requested extension.

The planner said staff have also been contacted by MRPC and DOER about the bylaw and that he will follow up with those agencies. He reported ongoing work with MRPC on two DLTA projects; staff and MRPC have revised the scope of at least one project to reduce potential overlap between a proposed commercial-district revision and a sandpit overlay project. That revision refocuses part of the commercial-district work as a GIS exercise to identify natural boundaries before zoning language is drafted.

Alec said he now has weekly meetings scheduled with two MRPC planners through October to fine-tune scopes and that the revised DLTA scope budgets for at least two meetings with the Planning Board. He also said he is preparing a short case study of a successful public engagement method used in another town and will share it with the board.

Separately, the board was told that the engineering consultant for the sandpit overlay project (identified in the packet as the niche engineering team) has developed a series of scenarios based on the public forum and survey responses. The consultant will present a range of alternatives at the Planning Board's next meeting, described by staff as a working session to help the board narrow options before any formal public hearing or bylaw language is drafted. The planner asked the board to review materials the consultant will provide at least one week in advance.

Why it matters: the attorney general's hold delays final adoption of the battery storage bylaw and could require substantive edits. The sandpit overlay work and the revised commercial-district scope are preparatory steps that will shape what the town ultimately proposes to voters at a later hearing or Town Meeting.

Board members discussed how important the upcoming consultant presentation will be for framing the overlay options and asked staff to circulate materials in advance so members can provide focused feedback. The planner emphasized that zoning or bylaw language would return to the board for formal public hearing and eventual action at Town Meeting.

Ending: The board will take the consultant's presentation as a working session at its Oct. 16 meeting; the planner will report back on any communication from MRPC or DOER about Article 26 when new information is available.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Planning Board 10.1.25","oneSentenceSummary","Town planner Alec told the Hubbardston Planning Board that the state attorney general has placed a hold on Article 26 (a battery energy storage bylaw) while approving nearby articles; the planner also described revised DLTA work with MRPC and an important consultant presentation on a sandpit overlay scheduled for the board's Oct. 16 meeting.","taxTitle","Town of Hubbardston, Worcester County, Massachusetts","taxId",61645,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6427306,"Hubbardston planning board approves scenic-road permit, stonewall removal for Ragged Hills driveway",698,613000,1311000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5880399-9d016371295662f513e6e3651a54bd59&start=613&end=1311","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5880399-9d016371295662f513e6e3651a54bd59/thumbnail_613000.jpg","/articles/6427306/Massachusetts/Hubbardston-planning-board-approves-scenic-road-permit-stonewall-removal-for-Ragged-Hills-driveway","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6427306-837697beb32ddf0a47d6c0fd4c498477/orig.mp4?Expires=1770974459&Signature=gJ2byBKxdkJgMYqah3QBWg0X4ocjnFJb2zAmg6OLH5aSEq6bSs2rEPdqOv4gMP4rewUiO3XLr4F~Fi3RAnEnoHHW8IxHq12PkojDw-PFOPcCqs2O-qdP4aQNBrBJ8Kqc-NaQF8l9g9rMz1TCgphfmMFEd9q0Oa4oH0iiK~XQ-mbehTYZqwHC64IU2MuJQsIfAb7U13vryJfJVeMnxWo1WgJquhIIcUIY2P~chGCDKdIn5C~TI37NnpL1-LI0ILCa2h5DGSnuOxlc-elxNUqXKpUwzJ6XfJl5VU0j8BTQhzmySR28O~wbiyUk-0W-0d9pb-mmbu-XhWqvChonZdodDw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hubbardston Planning Board on Oct. 1 approved a scenic-road permit and stonewall modification application submitted by Frederick Hanna to remove a portion of a stone wall to construct a new driveway at a property on Ragged Hills Road (identified in the hearing as Parcel 05-2022).

Frederick Hanna, the applicant, told the board he purchased the lot in August and that a septic plan for the site was approved on Jan. 29, 2024 and is valid for three years. Hanna said he has submitted for a driveway permit and a well permit and that the driveway stakeout was approved in the field by the inspecting official, Travis.

Hanna described the proposed opening as a 15-foot-wide driveway with a 4.5-foot radius apron and said he plans to leave approximately 6 feet on either side of the stake line so the driveway is not “super tight up against the stone wall.” He said the excavator (Glen Hines of Lancaster) will perform the work and that he plans to reuse the weathered stones removed from the wall to line the driveway and to retain several large oak trees at the corner of the lot.

A neighbor, Kyle Foy of 5 Ragtail Road, identified himself during the hearing and voiced support, saying, “I saw what he's doing, and I think it's a great bridal. I approve of what he what he's got going on.”

After staff confirmed the application was complete for the board's review, the Planning Board closed the public hearing and voted by roll call to approve the scenic-road permit and stonewall modification \"as presented.\" The roll call recorded aye votes from Mister Steiger, Mister Carpenter, Mister Homan, Mister DeMalia and the chair; the motion and second were made during the meeting but not recorded in the transcript with mover names.

Action (motion and vote): The board voted to approve the scenic-road permit and stonewall modification for Ragged Hills Road (Parcel 05-2022). The vote was unanimous (5-0) by roll call. The approval carries no waiting period noted at the hearing; staff told the applicant work would likely be done in a few weeks and that he would have the necessary approvals in time.

Ending: Hanna may proceed with contractor arrangements and final permitting steps; the board emphasized that building-code and driveway-permit reviews (including final approval from the town's inspecting official) remain required before any paving or structural work.
","The Hubbardston Planning Board unanimously approved a scenic-road permit and stonewall modification allowing Frederick Hanna to cut a portion of stone wall and construct a driveway on Ragged Hills Road (Parcel 05-2022); the applicant plans a 15-foot driveway and intends to reuse stones and preserve several oak trees.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6427295,"Hubbardston board discusses site plan review administrative rules, asks staff for departmental sign-off checklist",301,1350000,1651000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5880399-9d016371295662f513e6e3651a54bd59&start=1350&end=1651","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5880399-9d016371295662f513e6e3651a54bd59/thumbnail_1350000.jpg","/articles/6427295/Massachusetts/Hubbardston-board-discusses-site-plan-review-administrative-rules-asks-staff-for-departmental-sign-off-checklist","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6427295-361899586cb6609735278cc8c472db98/orig.mp4?Expires=1770974459&Signature=cJ5-0GxJr-1oUauDjVyhCSxScR9QSQsKQHeEGhzEPYC6Ty1G3M0Oi6BVVBC3DxqV9qk2fPQKJuWKQVb0QDxk1B5eybMZw-kz0wBfke59QZiZekEC6RqPvuiNgxY2XpU3TRlh7UGUm7NktKohsO2j9kPPdgrm8VPkxwZWq8ply-33B9m0e9jX0YOCOw9eLcBcqSxz~-7ug0-BwIUhuwcJXTkTEUpHgQmZNSU6MgcpoNs8V7pNAea8ue~jC9DjSCIV342OWmK8kzSioAWcw2zshbhFY1-JTu1-fi~TsiyqqtGOhXcGT70aIKp857KeDkSnktkZvdTOsm8t95S42rE~-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hubbardston Planning Board discussed implementation of its site plan review administrative rules on Oct. 1 and asked town staff to produce an internal sign-off worksheet to record circulation of applications to relevant department heads and to capture whether departments returned a comment or had no comment.

Alec, the town planner, reminded the board that the administrative rules and related forms had been drafted and are ready for enforcement and that the town could begin applying them to new applications immediately. He told the board that although the zoning bylaw only requires transmission of applications to other departments, the board could supplement that process with an internal form to keep a clear record that departments had been notified and whether they responded.

Board members raised concerns about ensuring the process does not conflict with the bylaw's notice-only requirement or unintentionally delay an application if a department did not sign a form. One board member suggested the form capture sign-offs from Board of Health and the Conservation Commission specifically and recommended the form be stored with each file so there is an auditable record that officials reviewed or were asked to review an application.

Planner Alec recommended that the town's administrative assistant or administrative services coordinator develop a practical form for internal use and track circulation. The board agreed and directed staff to produce the worksheet and report back at the meeting following the next (the planner said the Oct. 16 meeting would be busy and asked for the subsequent meeting for a report). Alec also said he will prepare a planner's report for future applications summarizing department comments and public input.

Why it matters: having a standardized internal sign-off worksheet would create a durable record that departments were notified and had the opportunity to comment. Board members saw this as a measure to guard against administrative error and to make files more robust if staff assignments change.

Ending: Staff will draft the internal circulation/confirmation worksheet, implement it as an internal cover page for site-plan applications, and return to the board with a recommended form at the meeting after Oct. 16.","The Planning Board reviewed its recently approved site plan review administrative rules and asked staff to create an internal sign-off/worksheet so department reviews (Board of Health, Conservation, police, fire) are recorded and retained with applications.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Hubbardston planner: AG places hold on battery storage bylaw; consultants to present sandpit overlay scenarios Oct. 16

Hubbardston planning board approves scenic-road permit, stonewall removal for Ragged Hills driveway

Hubbardston board discusses site plan review administrative rules, asks staff for departmental sign-off checklist