Neighbors working together to preserve our neighborhoods and beyond.
Filter Blog Posts
Rice Pond Village Project Appeal Filed
An appeal challenging the Millbury Board of Appeals' decision to grant a Comprehensive Permit for the proposed Chapter 40B Rice Pond Village project at 17 Rice Road in Millbury, Massachusetts, was filed in Worcester Superior Court this afternoon, Friday, August 30, 2024. The appeal will be served to all members of the Millbury Board of Appeals on Tuesday, September 3, 2024.
Millbury Board Of Appeals Approved Chapter 40B Rice Pond Village Project
On Wednesday, August 14, 2024, the Millbury Board of Appeals approved the proposed Chapter 40B Rice Pond Village project, largely granting developers Steven Venincasa and James Venincasa their project as submitted with some conditions. The Millbury Board of Appeals largely dismissed the neighborhood's legitimate public safety concerns, suggesting that residents could appeal in superior court.
Decision Time For Rice Pond Village 2.0
The Millbury Board of Appeals concluded the public hearing for the proposed Chapter 40B Rice Pond Village project on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, after many months of public discussions. Throughout this period, neighbors and residents from across the town voiced their concerns and shared insights about the project. The consensus among the community is that the proposed development is unsuitable for Rice Road due to various public safety concerns and its inconsistency with the neighborhood’s context in terms of density, height, and massing.
Chapter 40B Public Hearing - July 24, 2024
The upcoming public hearing for the proposed Chapter 40B Rice Pond Village project will be hosted by the Millbury Board of Appeals. It is scheduled for Wednesday, July 24, 2024, starting at 7:00 PM. The venue for this event will be at the Millbury Senior Center, situated at 1 River Street in Millbury, Massachusetts. Attending in person is encouraged for maximum participation.
Chapter 40B Public Hearing - July 10, 2024
The upcoming public hearing for the proposed Chapter 40B Rice Pond Village project will be hosted by the Millbury Board of Appeals. It is scheduled for Wednesday, July 10, 2024, starting at 7:00 PM. The venue for this event will be at the Millbury Senior Center, situated at 1 River Street in Millbury, Massachusetts. Attending in person is encouraged for maximum participation.
Protect The Rice Pond Wetlands Habitat
Concerned residents are encouraged to attend the Millbury Conservation Commission meeting. Our neighborhood has requested a deeded conservation restriction from the Millbury Board of Appeals to protect the wetland resources of Rice Pond, located behind the houses on the north side of Rice Road, including its feeder brooks and outlets that feed into the Blackstone River watershed. The request should be made to the Millbury Conservation Commission to impose the deeded conservation restrictions on the property. According to the Berlin Conservation Commission, this developer has received multiple stop work orders in Berlin for wetlands violations for their Highland Ridge Condominiums, a Chapter 40B project consisting of 66 duplex condominiums. There is also a recent allegation of the destruction and removal of a beaver dam in Shrewsbury.