Planning board approves Lincoln Meadows 3 subdivision with conditions after residents raise questions on propane tanks and drainage

The Planning Board voted to approve Lincoln Meadows 3, a major subdivision on Myers Drive, subject to conditions in the staff report and items identified by the Technical Review Committee (TRC). A board member moved for approval on the record and a second was recorded; the board voted in favor by voice.

Why it matters: The decision clears the project to move toward final plan submission with conditions, while residents were assured the engineering team will address utility, well and drainage concerns before final approval.

Residents raised several questions at the public hearing. Robert Hoard, who identified himself from 26 Linfield Circle, asked why the plan shows a 1,000‑gallon propane tank near his property. "There's no gas in Myers Drive or Lynnfield Circle that we can tie into," said Nicholas Kelling, an engineer with Level Design. Kelling said the design proposes propane for heating at each house and that tanks would likely be buried or sited inside structures depending on house construction.

Another resident said a transformer pole appears to sit on their property. The board and Kelling said the town has limited jurisdiction over private utility easements and that any relocation or use of a pole would require coordination with the utility company and, where necessary, easement agreements. "If for some reason it is [on private property], obviously we have to work with the property owner and the utility companies," a committee member said.

Concerns about stormwater were addressed by the applicant’s engineer and the town engineer. Kelling confirmed the plan includes two manholes and a road crown designed to divert flow to collection points and the proposed pond. Town engineer Bridal Palmer told the board the separation between the development and nearby wells "is well in excess of the 25 feet that is required, in DDM's regulations," and said the stormwater management system is intended to intercept and route flow away from abutters.

Another resident, who identified himself at the hearing as Doug Rapterino, asked that an existing PVC conduit conveying runoff from his property be field‑verified and tied into the project collection system if appropriate. Kelling committed to verifying that pipe in the field and integrating or mitering it into the development’s drainage system so runoff would be collected and routed to the natural outfall.

The applicant told the board that TRC comments and additional minor plan adjustments (including a proposed cluster mailbox per postal requirements) have been addressed or will be incorporated as conditions on the final plan. Staff agreed the final approval will be subject to those conditions and findings of fact in the staff report.

Next steps: Approval was granted with conditions; the applicant must submit final plans that incorporate the TRC and staff items and complete required field verifications before final sign‑off.

Attribution: Quotes and technical commitments come from participants at the public hearing and the applicant’s engineer: Nicholas Kelling (Level Design) and Bridal Palmer (town engineer).