The proposed 163-unit housing development at Prince Street and Hedge Road faced a wall of resident opposition and intense board scrutiny during a specially scheduled Zoning Board of Appeals meeting on February 9. Concerns regarding the project’s proximity to a federal Superfund site and newly revealed arsenic contamination on the property dominated the three-hour session, leading to a stalemate over the developer's legal standing and the safety of the site. Chair Michael Main expressed mounting frustration with the lack of clear documentation from the proponent, PY Homes of New England, stating, Getting information has been like pulling teeth... things have changed dramatically. We want documentation and we want it now.

Developer Essex Petri opened the presentation by attempting to clarify the project's status and environmental safety. While admitting that no formal Memorandum of Understanding currently exists with the Town, Petri pledged to provide off-site mitigation, including an emergency beacon at Court Street, a turnaround for public use on Prince Street, and a water main loop. Addressing a recent report of toxic waste nearby, Petri asserted that the project site is not the Superfund property in question. However, he later confirmed that arsenic was discovered during due diligence on the Sandry Drive portion of the site. The PNS [Purchase and Sale] states that we will not purchase the site unless it is deemed clean, Petri said, noting that the current owner is performing remediation under state oversight.

Board members raised sharp questions about the project’s shifting scale and legal eligibility. Member Ed Conroy questioned if the developer’s project eligibility letter from MassHousing remained valid, given that the unit count has climbed to 163 while the original Purchase and Sale agreement reportedly cited different figures. Is it worth the town's time to go to the housing commission to see would they revoke their approval... because we have a different site matter going on here? Conroy asked. Town Counsel Caroline advised that while the board cannot easily challenge MassHousing’s eligibility determinations, it could demand a reconciliation of the unit counts. Member David Peck noted that many technical requirements from the Department of Public Works remain unaddressed, stating, A good number of [DPW comments] acknowledge the adjustments you've made, but many of them still say things are not satisfied yet.

Environmental and infrastructure concerns were echoed by staff and peer reviewers. Darren Stairs of Apex Companies, the town’s peer reviewer, noted that his firm has not yet reviewed environmental data but offered to examine Superfund documentation and the developer's Phase I and II reports. Building Commissioner Jason focused on the town's financial interests, specifically urging the board to deny any requests to bypass local costs. I’d request that there’s no permit fees waived through our office... as those permit fees, if waived, would be subsidized by the residents paying the staff to do those inspections, he said. Member Peter Conner pressed the developers on technical timelines, asking, Sewer pump station and force main design must be submitted... when will that be done?

Public testimony was overwhelmingly negative, lead by experts and neighbors who live within a thousand feet of the project. Dr. Rex Denton, a toxicologist living on Holmes Terrace, warned that disturbing the soil could cause unknown contaminants to migrate toward existing water supplies. What is going to be the impact of the unknown contaminants... on the underlying water table as it moves that water ultimately to sea level? Denton asked. Neighbor Carol Janowski presented a petition with 158 signatures filed with the EPA, citing safety as the paramount concern of residents. Scott Gustafson, representing the laborers' union, promised to monitor the site for OSHA violations and prevailing wage compliance, warning, As soon as you start to disturb something around a hazardous waste site, you change all of the migration of that groundwater.

Residents also attacked the developer's transparency and the project's impact on local infrastructure. Ann Jones pointed to purchase documents she claimed misrepresented the site as free from contamination, while Jen Benoy and Katie Cook both requested a 90-day extension to allow the EPA to respond to neighborhood concerns. Cook raised specific alarms about the integrity of old, brittle asbestos-cement water mains on Prince Street that could be damaged by construction vibrations. Select Board Member Debbie Aquinto, speaking as a resident, called the environmental findings bright red flags and urged the board to hit the pause button. Other residents, including David Droic and Alex Cook, voiced concerns about the loss of privacy from the four-story buildings and unresolved headlight pollution.

Select Board Member Kevin Canty also spoke in opposition, criticizing the developer for doing the absolute minimum to address local impacts. They seem to care very little about what they are doing in this neighborhood, Canty said, recommending that the board deny the permit. As the hearing neared its end, Chair Main demanded the proponent provide full-size hard-copy blueprints and a definitive list of all requested waivers before the next meeting, as he was tired of navigating electronic files during deliberations. Motion Made by M. Leary to continue the hearing to March 16, 2026, at 6:00 PM. Motion Passed (5-0).