Planning Board continues hearing on proposed adult day program at 79 West Main Street

The Town of Northborough Planning Board on Tuesday continued a public hearing on a special‑permit and site‑plan application from applicant Joanne Sacravassen to operate an adult day program at 79 West Main Street.

The applicant, introduced by consultant Matthew Ducey, described a combined social‑and‑therapeutic day program that has operated from a Boxborough location since 2018 and would offer PT, OT, care management, meals and social activities at the proposed downtown storefront. Sacravassen said program hours would be roughly 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., with clients beginning to arrive around 7:30 a.m.; she estimated a peak on‑site client load of about 100 at any one time and projected roughly 20 staff positions overall.

Board members and staff pressed the applicant for details on operations that affect zoning and public‑safety review: vehicle circulation and parking, overnight storage of agency vans, bathroom and egress counts that affect occupant load, and which state license will attach to the location. The project team said client transport would be a mix of the applicant’s 15‑passenger vans and contracted non‑emergency medical transport; they estimated owning 6–9 large vans with 2–3 van(s) typically remaining on the site during the day and a morning drop‑off peak around 7:30–8:30 a.m. and afternoon pick‑ups between about 1:45 and 2:30 p.m.

On licensing, Sacravassen told the board the operation requires a day‑program (day‑health) license and that state inspections and audits are performed by the Department of Public Health (she said the program is audited every three years with occasional random visits). "We have a license through MassHealth," she said, and that referrals and billing for therapeutic and recreational services are tied to state programs. The board asked the applicant to supply a written description of the exact MassHealth/state license and the services covered so town staff can confirm the correct zoning use classification.

Fran Baxter of 76 Cedar Hill Road, speaking during public comment, urged caution: "Our use regulations refer specifically to adult day health, which is not what I believe the applicant is applying for," she said, noting that social day programs and MassHealth‑funded adult day health programs are defined differently under state programs. The applicant responded that the proposed operation will provide both social services and day‑health services and that she will submit supporting licensing documentation.

Board members flagged interior build‑out issues the applicant must resolve with the building department and board of health before occupancy: the number and configuration of bathrooms and required egress for the proposed occupant load, sprinkler/ventilation requirements if a commercial kitchen is installed, and accessibility standards. Staff also noted the downtown commercial district has design‑review and signage review requirements that will apply to any exterior changes.

After questioning and a request that the applicant provide more documentation about the MassHealth/Department of Public Health license and a clearer breakdown of services, the board voted to continue the hearing to its April 14 meeting at 7 p.m. "If we can have a general picture of the services and which license covers them, that will help us make sure the application is filed under the correct use," the board chair said.

Next steps: the applicant will provide the requested licensing paperwork and a written description of services for staff review; the board will consider the application again at the April 14 meeting. No final vote on the special permit was taken Tuesday.