Bridgewater Planning Board Approves Bond Release for Wampanoag Estates Development
Board sets $236,379 bond amount for 11-lot subdivision while emphasizing critical open space transfer requirements that must be completed before ninth occupancy permit.
BRIDGEWATER - June 18 - The Bridgewater Planning Board voted unanimously Wednesday to approve a bond release for the remaining 11 building lots at Wampanoag Estates, also known as Hiawatha Trail, setting the bond amount at $236,379.64 based on calculations provided by Town Engineer Greg Tansey. The project is located off of East Street.
The bond includes a 50 percent contingency and covers various infrastructure improvements required for the subdivision. Additionally, the developer must pay a non-refundable detention basin maintenance fee that remains with the town for future maintenance costs.
The subdivision, which contains 12 total lots, previously had one lot released for a model home that has already received a building permit and begun construction. The remaining lots will now be available for release upon receipt of the cash bond from the developer.
"We released lot two and that has received a building permit," Town Planner Shane O'Brien said. O’Brien also believed that construction had started on that project.
The Wampanoag Estates development represents a significant residential project in Bridgewater, with the total property encompassing approximately 20 to 21 acres. The subdivision includes substantial open space that borders riverfront property, creating both opportunities and regulatory requirements for the developer.
Board Chair Patrick Driscoll emphasized a critical condition that has caused problems in past developments: the transfer of open space ownership must be completed before the ninth building occupancy permit is issued.
The planning board's emphasis on the open space transfer timeline reflects lessons learned from previous developments where similar requirements were overlooked until late in the construction process. By highlighting this requirement early in the lot release process, the board aims to prevent future complications.
"The one thing we need to make sure of is before we release all lots, that there's no contingency. That open space has to be done at a certain phase," Driscoll said. "I know, like on Magnolia, for example, it was supposed to be done by the 49th house and nobody paid attention to that. We released all the lots, they built all the houses, and then it was a problem at the end."
O'Brien confirmed the requirement, reading from the original planning board decision: "The transfer of open space shall be submitted to the planning board and recorded at the registry. And the transfer of the ownership of the open space shall be completed prior to the issuance of the ninth building occupancy permit."
The open space transfer requirement stems from standard subdivision regulations designed to preserve natural areas and provide community amenities. In this case, the open space borders riverfront property, making it particularly valuable for conservation purposes.
The town maintains right of first refusal for the open space, but O'Brien clarified that the town will not be responsible for ongoing maintenance. "It's either going to have to be Wildlands Trust or the HOA. The town is not going to be responsible for the open space requirements," he said.
Driscoll suggested the developer contact Wildlands Trust, noting the organization's recent acquisitions of similar properties along the river, including those on or near Magnolia Way and Oldfield Road.
The motion to accept the bond amount and release the remaining 11 building lots passed with votes from Steven Geller, Kris Fabroski, Thomas Pratti, and Driscoll. The formal lot release documents will be prepared by town staff and executed once the bond payment is received.
O'Brien indicated the board will continue monitoring the project's progress, similar to procedures used for other recent developments. "As we progressively get through occupancy permits for this project, we'll do something similar to what we did with Oldfield Estates, which also used kind of a parameter where we, you know, counted down each of the occupancy permits and acknowledged some of the conditions met by the board," he said.
Watch the complete meeting courtesy of the Town of Bridgewater.
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