Wrentham Residents Express Concern Over Franklin St. Housing Project

Townspeople came to last week's Board of Selectmen meeting to express their concern about a proposed housing project on Franklin Street.

Property owner John Desmond said a three-family building exists on the land currently.

"What I'm proposing to do is convert a garage into three units, two of which would be affordable housing," he said.

Desmond said this meeting was part of a long-term effort to inform the public about the project. He had given a similar presentation at an earlier selectman meeting.

"Since then, I've done a number of things, including holding a neighborhood meeting," he said.

Town Administrator William Ketcham said he had looked at the project and found the property's permit prohibited living units in the garage.

Desmond said he was looking to change that.

Several nearby residents said the area had numerous drainage problems, and that the septic tank required by such a development would make the problem worse.

Tim Konowicz, of Miles of Excavating, said the problem has existed for a long time.

"The water in the road fills up the basin and floods the road," he said. "The drainage for Circle Drive has just been an ongoing problem."

He said he had offered to fix the problem for free, but the previous town administrator rejected the offer.

Planning Board member George Smith questioned whether drainage had been studied.

"The standard we have for projects is to be drainage-neutral," he said. "You're talking about expanding the drainage system, but I don't know where the water's going to go."

Selectman Chairman Joseph Botaish said he felt the board needed additional input.

"We do have these boards to rely on — the Zoning Board and the Board of Health," he said. "I applaud you in your effort to bring affordable housing to Wrentham — it's something we need — but we need to make sure it doesn't have an impact on other residents."

Board member Stephen Langley said the board could indicate its support of the project without necessarily approving it.

"By allowing Mr. Desmond to move forward, we're not approving the project," he said. "All the concerns of the residents should be addressed by those boards."

The board decided to seek input from the town's Board of Health and Planning Boards, despite skepticism that those boards could provide information without a formal application.