FIRE SAFETY: Abutter Raises Concerns At Boynton Meadows [with video]
A routine Planning Board request to approve finishing walkout basements in new condo units at Boynton Meadows, became an opportunity for abutter Karen Corey of Main Street to express concerns of fire danger to her property due to proximity of her barn to the new condo units at the rear of her property.
"I have grave concern for my barn and my property," she said. By code in the Groton bylaws, buildings must be a minimum of 15 feet from the side and rear property lines, potentially creating problems for fire fighting access.
Corey said, "I am concerned about access in the event of a fire," adding she had called Fire Chief Joe Bosselait who came over to view her property. She told the Board, "The Chief was unable to answer my questions. My concern is my barn and who crosses my property to get to those [Boynton Meadows condo] units. I have grave concern for my barn and my property," she said.
Chairman Giger told her the Fire Chief was involved in the initial preparation of the permit. Corey responded, "(The) Fire Chief didn't have an opinion on whether or not the fire truck could go around the circle."
Board member Carolyn Perkins told Corey that the turning radius for the fire trucks has to be submitted before a permit is approved. "I am baffled that the Fire Chief can't remember. Why would he say that?" Corey responded that she didn't want to "throw the Fire Chief under the bus, but he didn't know in his own mind and it came down to 'time will tell.'
Following some strong comments from Shane Grant and Dottie Mack regarding the running of the meeting, Chairman Giger explained that the purpose of the public hearing was to discuss the merits of the modification only, and said he would take questions and comments on the merits of this request only.
Mount Laurel Development President Bob France stressed that the requested modifications to the special permit would not result in any external changes to the building and would not result in any increase in bedrooms or bathrooms in the units.
France told the Board that prospective purchasers have asked for these changes. Planning Board Chairman John Giger said that the town recommended that France ask for approval to do basement finishing all at once, as opposed to piecemeal requests from individual owners. Planning Board permission is required for these changes because Boynton Meadows is operating under a Special Permit approved by the Planning Board.
With that, the Board agreed to continue the public hearing to Thursday April 24 at 7:30 p.m. so that France can get an updated matrix for the build-out to the Board. Giger also said he wants the Fire Chief present to talk about Corey's comments to the Board.
