Select Board releases $125,000 bond for Country Way subdivision, requires minor as‑built follow-up

A representative for the Country Way subdivision asked the board to release a $125,000 bond held after construction of five homes at 477–485 Country Way. The representative said the homes were complete and sold and that the work inspected by the Department of Public Works was finished.

John Chess, who reviewed the as‑built submission, told the board the as‑built plans are in "substantial conformance" with the approved design but listed a handful of minor items — a requested legend for trees and shrubs, some meets‑and‑bounds clarifications and questions about a shed location — that do not affect the core infrastructure. The reviewer and developer debated whether those items require additional field surveying or can be corrected by a limited revision; the developer asked not to be required to re‑survey existing lots sold to new owners.

The board approved release of the $125,000 bond with a condition that the developer finalize peer‑review comments (excluding additional shed‑related surveying unless required by the board). The vote followed an exchange in which the developer’s representative urged release to avoid continuing annual bond costs and a board member indicated the town expects outstanding items to be completed promptly. During the discussion an earlier email from a developer representative used the phrase "punitive damages"; the author apologized in the meeting and the apology was accepted.

Key details recorded: the bond amount is $125,000; peer review noted the as‑builts are substantially conforming with a short list of minor revisions; staff and board directed the developer to address outstanding comments without requiring a full new field survey unless strictly necessary.