More Notes on Madalene Village

Dribs and drabs continue to reach our desk regarding the proposed Madalene Village project off of Cottage Street (see earlier coverage here).

First, from Wayne Simarrian (forwarding what he sent to state agencies):

 TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

THE FRANKLIN MASSACHUSETTS RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD IS UNANIMOUSLY
OPPOSED TO THE MADELINE VILLAGE PROJECT! THIS PROJECT WILL HAVE A SEVERE IMPACT ON FLETCHER FIELD, PISINI FIELD, AND AREA RESIDENTS. THE ADJOINING BROOK CREATES
ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS AS WELL! THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION!

 SINCERELY,

 WAYNE R SIMARRIAN
 CHAIRMAN
 FRANKLIN RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD

Then, more recently, an individual that has fought the project since it was announced in 2016, offered an update (asking to remain unnamed publicly for now). They wrote as follows:

MEPA issued a certificate related to the project (on 1-30) allowing the developer to file a single EIR. They provide a scope for the project that seems to address some of the resident concerns. (The included all residents comments who either emailed or commented on the comment portal. I have attached a copy for you.

I also learned that the developer did appeal the Conservation Commissions decision to the MA DEP to get them to issue a Superseding Order of Conditions (SOC) and that it is currently under review by them. It would be interesting to know who in town knew the developer is appealing the decision. (Abutters didn't get notice but I am not sure if the usual process includes notice to abutters.)
So as far as I can figure to go forward they must pass MEPA review with the EIR and get the MA DEP to issue the SOC for the project. I reached out to the local conservation agent to see if she had any information about the MA DEP appeal.

For the new EIR that the developer will file with MEPA they will have to circulate a copy to anyone who commented, have some paper copies available, and also have a copy at the Franklin Public Library. The EIR will also have a comment period. Not sure on the date for that, but I think it is a similar process. I am not sure if they will do any additional public meetings...

AND, the same correspondent added the following information a day later:

Some clarifications on what I learned today: abutters do not get notified when developer's appeal local conservation board decisions. The Conservation Agent who is currently in Franklin started in April 2022 so she started much after the September 2021 appeal date. There was a note in the file of the appeal, but it was not discussed at any Conservation meetings - at least as far as the meeting minutes from August -December of 2021 reveal.

MEPA is an advisory board and will comment on the EIR that the developer writes, but the final decision whether to approve the project rests with the MA DEP. I have reached out to MA DEP to see if they have a public comment process. If not, citizens will still be able to comment during the next phase of the MEPA review.

An active Facebook page has been dedicated to this topic, here.