The Planning Board navigated a complex debate over the future of private infrastructure this week, delivering split recommendations on whether the town should assume ownership and maintenance of two residential developments. While the board favored accepting a critical emergency cut-through, members expressed deep reservations about taking on the long-term fiscal burden of roads originally designed to remain private.

The primary focus centered on Captain Jones Way, also known as Jones River Estates. Town Planner Valerie Massard explained that while the road began as a cul-de-sac, it was ultimately approved as a cut-through between Routes 106 and 27 to satisfy public safety requirements. Massard noted that the Selectmen have already signaled a willingness to move the matter toward Town Meeting, despite the neighborhood being slightly short of the required signatures. Member Alexander Graham prioritized the road's utility to the town at large, stating, The way I vote on this is strictly about the public benefit and current use of Captain Jones compared to the Timber Ridge subdivision.

Vice Chair David Gavigan supported the transition to a public way, noting the strategic importance of the route. I personally think we should accept the Jones River one, Gavigan said. I believe there is a huge benefit for the town having control over Captain Jones Way. Motion Made by A. Graham to give a positive street acceptance recommendation for the Selectmen for Captain Jones Way. Motion Passed (4-1) with T. Bouchard opposed.

The board took a different stance on Sequoia Drive and Timber Ridge Road. Unlike Captain Jones Way, these streets were part of a 40B development explicitly designed as private ways. Chair Thomas Bouchard argued that residents purchased homes with the understanding that they would be responsible for repairs and plowing. I just think that if something was designed to be a private street, it should be a private street, Bouchard said, warning that accepting such roads would set a precedent that burdens the highway department and taxpayers. My fear is that if we accept these, we're going to be accepting all of these streets that were meant to be private from the beginning.

John Russell, a trustee for Timber Ridge Estates, challenged the board's perspective, noting that homeowners were led to believe the road would eventually become public. We've got 34 houses in here. Families, we're all paying our taxes. We don't see how we're different than a lot of the other subdivisions out there that are publicly maintained, Russell told the board. Despite his plea, the board remained concerned about the financial implications for the town’s budget, which is already under pressure from a 3% growth cap. Member Robert Ketter raised concerns about the road's physical capacity, noting, It almost seems to me as if the roadway is not quite wide enough to handle traffic going both ways if you had to. Member Jonathan Barnett echoed the need for policy stability, stating, I think I'm going to vote consistent with what Tommy had said because I want our board to be consistent. Motion Made by J. Barnett to give a negative recommendation for the acceptance of Timber Ridge Road and Sequoia Drive. Motion Passed (5-0).

In addition to infrastructure debates, the board previewed several zoning "housekeeping" articles intended for the upcoming Town Meeting. These include corrections to commercial and industrial use tables that were inadvertently altered by a previous consultant. The board is also looking to adjust dimensional standards for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). Massard proposed increasing the rear setback from five feet to ten feet for structures larger than a two-car garage. Bouchard supported the move to increase setbacks across all accessory structures, noting that maintaining a building five feet from the property line... is awful. Regarding the scale of these units, Massard clarified that the state rules are 900 square feet or half of the primary dwelling, whichever is smaller.

The board also handled a minor land adjustment for the Eldridge family at 8 and 12 Grove Street. The application sought to transfer a parcel of land to accommodate a shed that was already in place on the property. Motion Made by D. Gavigan to endorse the ANR plan at 8 and 12 Grove Street. Motion Passed (5-0). A scheduled public hearing for a five-lot subdivision at 31 Forest Street, submitted by the Beth A. Hines Family Trust, was delayed. Motion Made by J. Barnett to continue the public hearing for the Beth A. Hines Family Trust to March 23rd at 7:05 PM. Motion Passed (5-0).