Planning Board Reviews Site Plan for New Federal Credit Union

Plans for the construction of a new facility for the Shrewsbury Federal Credit Union, and future plans for a retail building on the same lot on Lake Street at 489 Boston Turnpike, made headway at the Planning Board meeting Thursday night.

When asked why the move, Credit Union manager Jim Dupont said, "it's just time. We need more space."

The presented site plan requests approval for the construction of a new, two-story 5,807 square foot credit union building and a 2,867 square foot retail building. According to James Tetreault of Thompson-Liston Associates, the plan requires neither direct nor indirect MassDOT permits and meets the town's standards. A good portion of the existing vegetation would remain in place as buffers, and the hour of operation would be minimally invasive to neighbors.

Just under a dozen abutters showed to voice their concerns about the paving of the 2-acre lot, as the amount of waste water that already runs onto their property and causes an expensive havoc each year could increase.

"Every bit (storm water) that adds is an issue to us," said Joseph Lank of Imperial Village Apartments.

Tetreault described the intended hydroworks in-ground filtration system that features 72 collection bins or chambers. The system is designed to collect storm water, filter sand and silt, in an effort to restrict the amount of outflow to less than the amount of inflow.

After the description, Lank voiced additional concerns as the site's three proposed snow collection areas are outside of the area of the filtration system.

Another resident, John Greemo, said that the last company's site plan had an, "elaborate pump station included," and questioned the lack of a similar pump system on this plan.

Tetreault admitted that he had not fully studied the old building's site proposal, but defended his argument by saying he was under the impression that if the old site had been approved, the pumps were not going to be used to retain or assist the abutters.

"When you contrast this (filtration/retention center) with the previous proposed site; you ask my opinion, this is about as good as it gets," Planning Board member Stephan Rodolakis said.

Additional fears of the site proposal came from residents Pamela Taylor and Jeff Greebo.

"I'm not thrilled with dumpster being that close to my house," said Taylor's, who's home neighbors the proposed future site of the retail building.

Dupont said the majority of his waste is professionally shredded and said, "We can combine the two dumpsters and have one large, covered dumpster on our facility."

Greebo mentioned that he did not see an allocated area for generators for the facility.

"We don't operate with them now. We don't have any plans for them," said Dupont again. He finished by saying that if an incident were to occur, the doors would be lock and business would be put on hold.

Abutters were also pacified to learn that the retail building will not be a fast food restaurant of any type. The lot allotted for the future building and reserved spaces are too small for a business of that sort.

A mention of intent for the purchase of Town Road 43, also known as Parcel B, from the Town of Shrewsbury to the Shrewsbury Federal Credit Union was also announced. This public hearing will continue at the next Planning Board meeting scheduled on Jan. 6, 2011.

Old business that was also discussed included the bond and covenant release for a Willow Woods Subdivision in the amount of $100,001. This is pending until the lot and bank account information is received.

Board members present at the meeting were Melvin Gordon, John Perreault, Mindy McKenzie-Hebert, Kathleen Keohan and Stephan Rodolakis; Donald Naber was not in attendance.