Chapter 40B Public Hearing Opened And Continued
The initial public hearing for the proposed Chapter 40B Rice Pond Village project on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, was opened but promptly continued by mutual agreement without further explanation.
Figuring out the rationale behind this result is not overly challenging; the evidence supporting it is readily available in the public hearing record.
The public hearing was opened to fulfill Chapter 40B requirements but was continued, likely due to a discrepancy with M.G.L. c. 40A Section 11, concerning the inadequate notification of 16 "interested parties" (direct abutters within 300 feet of the project) because of inaccuracies in the town records. On November 27, 2023, the town received notice of these errors and subsequently provided the correct information to rectify and update their records, documented within the public hearing records. The prudent decision by the Millbury Board of Appeals and the Town in this circumstance to open and continue the public hearing is commendable.
| Map | Parcel | Millbury Town Records | Registry Of Deed |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | Providence & Worcester Railroad | |
| 54 | 17 | Giorgio, David | Wiberg, Annmarie Wiberg, Richard Scott (22 Years Ago) |
| 54 | 32 | Providence Realty Assoc LLC | Forty Providence Street LLC (16 Years Ago) |
| 54 | 34 | ||
| 54 | 130 | Mailhiot, Lee C | Puzo, Mario P Jr (About 1 Year Ago) |
| 63 | 74 | Bouchard, Lyle J | Santiago, Irving J Morales, Gladys (Over 1 Year Ago) |
| 63 | 75 | Mclaughlin, James F & Maureen B *Trst | SJV Investments LLC (Over 1 Year Ago) |
| 63 | 75 | Mclaughlin, James F & Maureen B *Trst | SJV Investments LLC (Over 1 Year Ago) |
| 63 | 75 | Mclaughlin, James F & Maureen B *Trst | SJV Investments LLC (Over 1 Year Ago) |
| 63 | 75 | Mclaughlin, James F & Maureen B *Trst | SJV Investments LLC (Over 1 Year Ago) |
| 63 | 79 | Derhovanessian, Jeanne & Robert | Lashus, Alice Gomes Oliveira Oliveira, Sarah Lashus (About 1 Year Ago) |
| 63 | 107 | Blake, Alfred L & Hilda E | Blake, Alfred L Trustee Blake, Edward W Trustee Survivors Trust Under The Blake Family Revocable Trust (About 1 Year Ago) |
| 63 | 109 | Stewart, Ian K | Chambers, Jessica (3 Months Ago) |
| 63 | 113 | Kewley, Deborah A | Tatro, Mark E Tatro, Deborah A (About 1 Month Ago) |
| 63 | 133 | Cunha, Richard A | Sora, Brian Sora, Kelsey (8 Months Ago) |
| 63 | 144 | Antaya, John | SJV Investments LLC (Over 1 Year Ago) |
The Worcester Country Registry of Deeds serves as the central authority for property records and official documentation. The problems identified in town records aren't limited to a singular project or public hearing; these inconsistencies have surfaced across multiple public hearing notices. For instance, in the initial Rice Pond Village project, the Providence & Worcester Railroad was not informed by the town, leading to a critical oversight and a substantial basis for rejecting that particular project, once notified by an abutter, significant public safety concerns were articulated by the railroad. Moreover, similar discrepancies have been noted in discussions regarding the Cobblestone Village Apartments, 16 Canal Street Apartments, and in various public hearings. Addressing these issues is imperative for the Town of Millbury to rectify.
The interim suggestion proposed by a concerned resident to the Acting Town Manager and Assessor was to ensure the current and accurate verification of property owners' details within all town records before certifying the list of abutters. This step is crucial in adhering to the legal mandate for sending out public notices for public hearings. Although there are roughly less than 8,000 property records in the assessors' database, verifying all records simultaneously would be an enormous undertaking. However, the proposed solution serves as a short-term measure to ensure legal compliance, acting as a temporary stop-gap solution.
Unfortunately, attendees of the public hearing at Millbury Memorial Junior/Senior High School faced parking limitations due to concurrent football and basketball games. Gratitude is extended to all who participated, either in person or via Zoom. Your dedication and support are valued.
The upcoming Chapter 40B Rice Pond Village public hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, December 13, 2023, at 7:00 PM. Further specifics will be shared once available.