Construction at 517 Winter, June/July 2007

Construction Begins

View of the front of 517 Winter from Ardmore Road (click image for larger view)

Front of 517 Winter from Winter Street, June 2007 (click image for larger view)

Front of 517 Winter from Winter Street, July 2007 (click image for larger view)

View of the Ardmore main driveway which will be widened and slightly redirected (click image for larger view)

Work on the Ardmore back driveway where the old septic tank was found (click image for larger view)

Paving, landscaping begun to prepare for occupancy

Following the Planning Board's approval of SMOC's site plan and public was access permit (see Approved Site Plan Decision), contractors have been busy repaving the driveway at SMOC's proposed drug rehab at 517 Winter Street.

As we discussed in our May newsletter, there are various conditions/benchmarks for SMOC to meet before they can apply for their occupancy permit/change of use -- electrical work, grading, landscaping, etc. As listed under General Provisions / Performance guarantees, item #26 states:

Prior to the issuance of any use and occupancy permit, the Applicant must demonstrate that the Project is substantially complete at the 90% level.

This means that the work must be nearly complete before SMOC can apply for an occupancy permit, which we believe to be illegal and is therefore the next step in the appeal process.

Several photos in the sidebar on the right show the level of work being done (click photos to see larger views). The estimated cost of this work is about $25,000.

(You will note, by the way, that there is a large tree that was cut down in the second photo, taken June 18, 2007. One of the Planning Board's reservations about a Winter Street entrance was the necessity of cutting down a tree. We testified that this tree as diseased and would have to be taken down, but in the end, the town was afraid to require SMOC to build the driveway.)

On June 19, 2007, work was temporarily halted when a crew made an unexpected discovery near the northern driveway. Building Commissioner Michael Foley declared it to be a septic tank or cesspool and approved removal.

The third photo was taken July 6, 2007, and shows the amount of excavation being done to install a new stormwater draininage system.

Approved hours of operation and scope of work

Following are a few work requirements set forth by the Planning board which legally SMOC must abide by. If you notice any violations or deviations from these, please contact STEPPS.

1. Outside construction work may only be done Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Only emergency work may be done on Sundays and holidays.
2. There should be a daily cleanup of construction debris, including soil, from town roads within 200 yards of the driveway entrances.
3. SMOC shall build a pedestrian walkway from the southern driveway to Winter Street
4. SMOC will install a "left turn only" sign at the southern driveway, requiring all traffic to go directly to Winter Street and not onto Ardmore in the direction of Bexley. The northwest driveway will be closed with a chain and used for emergency access only.
5. The dumpster will be moved to a pad in the north parking lot and screened with decorative fencing and kept closed at all times except during trash pickup. SMOC is prohibited from bringing trash from off site, leaving trash outside the dumpster, or using the dumpster for any hazardous or medical waste.
6. Security lighting shall be installed so as to provide for public safety without inconveniencing nearby homes.
7. The children's playground will be near the corner of the building along the driveway and screened with 60" tall decorative stockade fencing.
8. With the exception of routine maintenance, any proposed exterior modifications should be reviewed and approved by the Framingham Historical Commission.
9. SMOC must maintain all landscaping "in good condition in perpetuity so as to present a healthy and neat appearance" and must do routine maintenance including replacing dead plants, edging and weeding mulched areas, remulching when necessary, pruning, and mowing in a timely manner. Litter and debris at the property shall be removed as necessary to maintain a neat and orderly appearance.

Again, if you notice any deviation from these requirements, contact STEPPS. (And take a picture if possible.)

This is not the end!

Remember, despite all the activity, this is not the end! Once SMOC is substantially complete with construction and landscaping, they have to file for an occupancy permit. We intend to fight that, and if it is issued, appeal it.

However, we need your help! Appeals to the Zoning Board of Appeals cost money and that's before even considering hiring a lawyer.

Please donate today! Send a check to:

Judy Leerer
395 Winter Street
Framingham, MA 01702

Or email STEPPS to arrange for a volunteer to drop by your house.

Also check out our line of STEPPS merchandise -- T-shirts, bumper stickers, hats, etc. -- every purchase helps STEPPS!

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