New proposal surfaces for Plymouth Rubber site

By Mike Berger

A new twist in the Plymouth Rubber redevelopment saga has surfaced as selectmen are now reviewing a proposal by Canton Holdings LLC to apply for a state Chapter 40R application.

If accepted by selectmen and residents, the state would give the town a one-time payment of $972,000. In return, Canton Holdings, a subsidiary of Napleton, would be required to build 204 rental units, of which 25 percent would be set aside as affordable — for individuals and families whose annual income is equal or less than 80 percent of the area-wide median income.

New Selectmen Chairman Sal Salvatori said the board has several options and will take the next two weeks to review the application. Selectmen could opt to support the application and move it for consideration at a special town meeting in the fall. They could also hold a public hearing or simply deny the application outright.

Either way, a redevelopment proposal for the property could still advance to a special town meeting — regardless of the outcome of the 40R application. Although the 204 units would be built on nearly 10 acres of the 40-acre site, the project would also include other components, such as condos, assisted living, a new possibility of commercial and office space, renovated historic structures, walking trails, and open space.

Attorney Mark Bobrowski, hired by the town as a special consultant to study all potential impacts of the project, said the Chapter 40R application could meet the requirements of the state because of the density of the rental properties and its location to public transportation (commuter rail).

Salvatori said selectmen will seek the input of other boards (planning, zoning, and School Committee) before it makes a decision on the application. The application will also be posted on the town website. The answers to many questions posed by town officials at the April 9 meeting are also posted on the website.

In other news concerning Plymouth Rubber, Bernie Plante of Canton Holdings said all environmental assessments and reports will be completed by the end of the summer.

In other news Tuesday night:

* Selectmen will next meet on Tuesday, June 18. On the agenda besides the Chapter 40R application for Plymouth Rubber is the selectmen’s review of a proposed Chapter 40B project in Milton called Milton Mews. Located on Brush Hill Road, the project would impact a few acres on the Milton-Canton line, including portions of Green Street.

* Selectmen will reach out to Town Counsel Paul DeRensis, state Representative Bill Galvin, and area police chiefs to determine what the town can do to allow its retired police officers to work as detail officers past the state-mandated retirement age of 65.

The issue arose when retired Detective Chip Callery was recently notified by Police Chief Ken Berkowitz upon his 65^th birthday that he could no longer work for the town. Although retired officer Bob Sykes told selectmen he knows of several police departments where officers work details well past 65 years old, selectmen said they do not want to violate the law.

Town Administrator Bill Friel said the town can pass its own bylaw at the next town meeting allowing the police chief to set an age limit for officers or go on a case-by-case basis. The town could also ask the state legislature to pass a law for Canton. Selectmen said they would rather have Canton’s own retired police officers working details than to seek help from other communities.

* Friel said Recreation Director Janet Maguire and the Recreation Commission are reviewing whether to suspend or terminate the Gridley School preschool program. A recommendation on the future of the program will be submitted to selectmen. Friel said most of the staff is leaving to pursue other positions and there are other financial impacts to consider. He said a decision will be made soon to alert the public about the status of the program. A similar program is also offered by the School Department.

* Selectmen voted to authorize between six to 10 hours per week for a clerk to assist Veterans Agent Tony Andreotti, who indicated that he may need extra help for personal time or for health issues. He would still have access to two senior volunteers who assist him for a few hours per week.

* Selectmen are expected to hold a public hearing on a water-sewer connection fee schedule at their June 18 meeting.

* Selectmen congratulated retiring Fire Lt. Rodney Cleveland on his years of service to the town and issued a proclamation to former Fire Chief Jim Fitzpatrick for his service to the Fire Department, Council on Aging, and Conservation Commission. Fitzpatrick will receive the Canton Rotary Club’s “Service above Self” Award at a celebration scheduled for June 11 at the Blue Hill Country Club.

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