Planning board tables three street acceptances and Bronson Street reconstruction pending utility and final sign-off

The Fall River Planning Board on Oct. 8 voted to table three street-acceptance requests for Highland Farms 2 — Brookfield Terrace, Fieldstone Lane and Stony Brook Circle — and to withhold final sign-off on a Bronson Street road reconstruction project because work is not complete and the director of community utilities has not issued sign-off.

Chris Levesque, assistant planner, said the three street-acceptance requests were referred by the City Council on Aug. 12 and that the work appears complete but staff was still awaiting sign-off from the director of community utilities. "We have adopted such a policy which in short provides for citizen input on planning board specific matters at the end of the meeting," Levesque said at the start of the meeting as staff introductions were made, and later recommended tabling the street acceptances "until sign off has been provided and the acceptance of the way and utilities is recommended as well."

Board member Michael Farris moved to table the three street-acceptance items; Gloria seconded. The chair called for a voice vote and recorded two ayes, with no opposition. On Bronson Street (road reconstruction, Section 66-185 of the city ordinance), Levesque reported that the director of engineering and the director of community utilities concluded the reconstruction work is not complete. Gloria moved to table the Bronson Street item; Farris seconded and the board voted in favor by voice vote.

The board did not set a follow-up date; staff said they will return the items when the director of community utilities and the director of engineering provide final sign-off. The tabling preserves the city's ability to require completion of utility work and final inspections prior to acceptance of public ways.