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Sudbury Housing Trust begins exploratory review of 77 Hudson Road; trustees discuss survey, wetlands delineation and budget cap
Summary
The trust discussed initial due diligence for 77 Hudson Road after the Select Board endorsed preliminary work; trustees outlined next steps (survey, wetlands delineation, conceptual building envelope), estimated costs and a proposed spending cap, and directed staff to obtain quotes before committing further funds.
The Sudbury Housing Trust discussed initial due diligence for the Town‑owned parcel at 77 Hudson Road after receiving a Select Board endorsement to proceed with preliminary investigation.
Adam summarized his meeting with the Select Board and said the board agreed—reluctantly—to endorse initial due diligence at Hudson Road. He said the Select Board asked the trust to consult the new fire chief about potential site use; Adam reported an initial conversation had been supportive of initial steps. Adam recommended starting with a wetlands delineation and a land survey so consultants can produce a conceptual building envelope. He estimated the wetlands delineation and survey could be done for roughly $5,000–$7,000 and that a perk test and more significant engineering would add cost.
Trustees discussed the public value of creating updated survey and wetlands information even if the property proved unsuitable for housing; Janie Dretler noted that such work would also benefit town facilities (fire and police) if the town needs future expansion. The Select Board’s concern about cost was noted: Adam said he had suggested a “soft cap” of $50,000 but trustees discussed lower limits. Some trustees suggested a cap around $25,000; a motion to set a $25,000 cap was made but later withdrawn after trustees agreed staff should first solicit quotes and a firm scope from an engineering firm.
John Reardon suggested ways to reduce perk‑test costs by using municipal resources (DPW backhoe) and having an engineer formalize results. Kaye (Bell) asked about timing; staff cautioned that contractors (surveyors, wetland scientists) are often busy in spring and lead times of several weeks are common. Adam said the trust should aim to start work promptly and ideally complete initial tasks before the end of the fiscal year but did not set a firm deadline.
Outcome and next steps: trustees directed Adam and staff to obtain price quotes and timeframes from engineering and surveying firms and to proceed with wetlands delineation and survey once a scope and price are available. The trust did not adopt a binding spending cap; trustees indicated they would revisit the cap if necessary after receiving firm quotes.
