Select Board to invite Rocky Woods developer to public forum after mixed neighborhood responses

Residents and board members discussed the proposed development at the property often referred to as Rocky Woods (the developer's project is also known as Simmons Hill or phase 1), and the Select Board agreed to invite the developer to a public forum.

Town staff explained that the overall Rocky Woods area comprises multiple parcels and that the current near-term application is a 40B-style residential proposal for about 176 units with two entrances proposed on Freetown Street. Board members and staff said the developer has other parcels in the area that could be subject to separate rezoning proposals; the developer is not contractually bound to local rezoning and may proceed under Chapter 40B comprehensive-permit rules if he chooses.

Several residents spoke. Larry Crossney said he and other nearby residents fear significant increases in residential growth and related municipal service demands and urged the town to negotiate for alternatives such as commercial development. Donna Gay urged the board to hold an open public session before asking the developer to consider any rezoning request and said she appreciated the developer's recent revisions to single-family proposals.

The Select Board said an open-house format or public forum at the library would allow residents and the developer to discuss plans and questions. The board asked staff to coordinate scheduling, outreach through the communications committee and library, and to add the item to a future agenda; no formal zoning action was taken.