Residents Concerned About Size, Impact of Petersen Pool Project

BRAINTREE, MA — The possible traffic generated by the Petersen Pool project was one of the top issues during a public hearing held by the Planning Board Tuesday night.

The first night of the hearing was mainly an introduction to the project and a chance for the public to speak. Mayor Joseph Sullivan told the board that the 157,000-square-foot building located at Braintree High School would feature two NHL-sized ice rinks, a 25-meter pool, and indoor turf area.

Discounts on ice rental, community swim time, and community ice time will be offered to Braintree residents, according to Sullivan.

“I will say this project is one that I believe will benefit our community for generations to come. Some might think that’s too dramatic of a statement but I believe it,” Sullivan said.

Residents who spoke were mainly worried about the impact and size of the project.

“I’m opposed because of the immense size of the project. It’s just too big,” Fallon Circle resident Alan Flowers said. “The parking at the high school n is barely adequate when there are a couple of events and this facility is going to be using the same inadequate parking.”

Town Street resident Joan Tafe also said she was worried about the volume of traffic that the project would bring.

“I oppose this for the size of this and I do not believe that this is a Petersen Pool project. The pool is dwarfed by the other project. To have this facility open 19 hours a day is going to impact the street,” she said.

A parking study was done in June, but the planning department and applicant agreed to conduct a new study.

The public hearing will continue on May 10 at 7:45 p.m.