President of Thorndike Development Lloyd Geisigner and the Planning Board attended the Aug. 22 meeting of the Halifax Board of Selectmen. They were there regarding the proposal for a development known as Halifax Trails on Rt. 58. Geisinger told those assembled that the development included three, three-story buildings, two of which would be 36-unit senior housing in the form of one- and two-bedroom condominiums. The units would be for sale rather than for rent. The third building would be zoned commercial. Part of the proposal would be Thorndike Development gifting the town the land for a new senior center.
“The proposal that we have submitted to the town would also call for us to make a contribution of up to $2.6 million in addition to gifting the land,” Geisinger said. Geisinger said that Thorndike has asked that they be able to bid on both design and construction services. “If we were fortunate enough to be the winning bidder, the town would then wind up paying back to us the funds that were given in, but that’s not guaranteed. What’s guaranteed is that we would make the payments to the town so that the town has the funds to build the building,” he continued.
Town Administrator Cody Haddad said, “One thing to note to, Lloyd didn’t touch on, this takes the place of what was a proposed 40b development of affordable housing of 240 units that you had received he housing eligibility letter from Mass Housing… there is a project likely moving forward here and this is just an alternative that Lloyd has presented to kind of work with the town based on the feedback that he has received.”
Chair John Bruno asked him about a timeline. Geisinger said that following a successful vote at town meeting, they would then begin working through the process with the Planning Board and the Board of Health. We would love to be under construction, this time next year… we would love to be able to convey our first homes probably the first quarter of 2025 and that spring/summer would be in a position to… start the senior center.”
“I would love to get a vote that endorses the proposal on a preliminary basis and authorizes Cody to work with us to prepare a draft zoning bylaw,” Geisinger said. Bruno said, “Having walked that property last fall, it is, I think, a hazard, there are open pits, there’s sewers that are open, it’s really not in good shape. We know that something is going to go into that property. They bought it. We know they didn’t buy it just to hold onto it. The developer has been very gracious in terms of trying to come up with a plan that we might find acceptable.” Bruno made a motion to authorize Haddad to enter into discussions with Thorndike about moving the project forward. Council on Aging Director Darlene Regan and some members of the Planning Board spoke out in favor of the project before the Board voted unanimously in favor of Bruno’s motion.
Bruno said that they had two candidates to be appointed to the final spot on the Zoning Bylaw Review Committee. The two candidates were Planning Board member Amy Troup and Finance Committee member Frank Johnston. Bruno said, “my concern with Amy Troup is she’s already come out very strong in terms of the MBTA project and I’m concerned that she wouldn’t have an open mind about that because we do have to address that whether we agree to do it or not to do it.” All the Selectmen did express that they felt that both candidates were well-qualified. Bruno made a motion that they appoint Johnston. The Board voted unanimously to appoint him.
Angel Castro appeared before the Board requesting a live entertainment permit for 122 Monponsett St. on both Sept. 2 and Sept. 23 for an Ecuadorian festival. Castro made a request through his translator for a parade through town as well, but Bruno said they would not be entertaining that request. The Board noted that there had been issues in the past with loud noise and music coming from the residence. The Board approved the request for the permit but noted that if the music continued past 9 p.m., the Police would take action. A neighbor asked, “what assurances do we have that we are not going to be assaulted by the loud bass throughout the day?” He was referring to past incidents. Bruno asked for confirmation that there wouldn’t be amplified music. Castro said that there would be amplified music for three hours from approximately 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. After that, the music should be acoustic. Neighbors said that in the past, the music was so loud, pictures were falling off their walls. Bruno asked for confirmation that the amplified music would be kept at a reasonable volume. Castro noted that it would be his last event. Selectman Jonathan Selig said of Castro, “He thanks us for our understanding and reminds everyone our neighborhood is invited if they would like to come and experience the day and their culture.”
Bruno said that the Selectmen were asked to sign a letter of support for a proposed traffic light at an intersection near Silver Lake Regional High School. Bruno said, “the intersection right around the school when you’re coming from Halifax, and you go up Lake St. and you meet with Rt. 27 that has become a very big problem especially around pickup and drop off… so Mr. Fraser [Silver Lake Regional School Committee member Jason Fraser] researched, with the State, with DOT, and with all kinds of folks; they have come to the conclusion that a traffic light would make sense.” It was said that the traffic light would not affect Halifax’s Chapter 90 funding. The Selectmen agreed to sending the letter of support.