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Residents raise traffic and safety concerns as board discusses bonding and utility connections for 70-unit Skyview development
Summary
Residents warned that a proposed 70-unit, phased development with a single access via Winter Street could overload local roads without sidewalks; the board reviewed a suggested $250,000 right-of-way bond to protect Town infrastructure and discussed master-meter approaches for water and sewer to keep private roads private.
A group of residents told the Board of Selectmen on June 15 that traffic and pedestrian safety around Dick Dame Lane and Winter Street need to be addressed before a planned 70-unit development proceeds.
Charlene Hill, who lives on Dick Dame Lane, said she expects heavy daily use and worried that the subdivision will funnel traffic down one narrow access without sidewalks, creating safety risks for children and long-term congestion. "You cannot put 70 new units up there and have them all coming down one road all day long," Hill said, asking the board to press the developer and Planning Board for a viable access plan.
Chair Charlie King and Selectmen noted the Planning Board approved the subdivision after a traffic analysis concluded the design met applicable guidelines. King said the developer had secured zoning relief and grandfathered status that allowed additional units; Selectman John Scruton reminded the public that the Zoning Board of Adjustment placed a two-year requirement for milestone development to keep the extra units vested.
Public Works Director Scott Pike reviewed recent Town repairs to a culvert, wingwalls and pavement at the project access and estimated replacement costs at roughly $250,000. Board members discussed requiring a right-of-way or performance bond roughly equal to the town’s recent repair costs to ensure the Town can restore damaged infrastructure if heavy construction traffic harms the roadway. "If he hits those then he gets his two years," Scruton said, describing the ZBA milestone clock and the need for clear expectations on vesting.
Selectmen and staff also discussed utility-connection logistics. Scruton and Pike favored a master meter at the subdivision boundary so the developer would own and maintain internal distribution lines and the town would bill based on bulk use and capital-connection fees per unit; the board also asked staff to examine how minimum-usage billing and connection-fee credits would be applied if the town relied on a single boundary meter.
King asked staff to coordinate with Planning and Water/Sewer supervisors and return to the board with recommended bonding amounts, meter configuration and ownership language for easements or maintenance obligations before construction begins.
The board did not vote on bonds or connection details at the meeting; staff will compile options and follow up with the Selectmen.
