Canton, Massachusetts · Saved source text
01-21-2026 PB Minutes
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TOWN OF CANTON PLANNING BOARD January 21, 2026 Present: David McCarthy, Chair Patricia McDermott, Vice Chair Jim Quigley, Clerk Sean Robinson, Member Tom Scully, Interim Member Also Present: Connor Murphy, Town Planner Karen Lawlor, Administrative Assistant Chair McCarthy called to order the Planning Board Meeting of January 21, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. A motion was made by Chair McCarthy and seconded Mr. Quigley to open the public meeting. All in Favor, Motion Approved 5-0. Chair McCarthy welcomed everyone to the Planning Board meeting of January 21, 2026. We are meeting in the Salah Room at Memorial Hall and Canton Cable is broadcasting. A motion was made by Chair McCarthy and seconded Mr. Quigley to open Item #1, 55 Pecunit Street — Galvin Middle School. All in Favor, Motion Approved 5-0. First Item on the Agenda (0 .5r; Pecunit Street - (Galvin Middle School) Site Plan Review (Stephanie DiPace, LKB Engineering PPLC; Derek Folan, Superintendent Canton Public Schools) (continued from December 17, 202s and January q 2026) KMAArchitects; PARE Corporation, Traffic Engineers; LKB Engineering, Stormwater, explained that they have addressed the comments received from Engineering. The plans showed: the drop-off areas; walkway increased from 6 to 8 feet; circulation for cars and pedestrians coming from the Hansen School; bike racks; dedicated landscape plans; increase in the queuing space; parent drop-off on the east side; bus drop-off on the west side; staff parking on the west side; and the existing circulation conditions. The Applicant showed the overflow parking lot and they have met with the Fire Department Police and are waiting for their written review. The parking plan showed the new zone, highlighted in red, which is the most efficient way to increase parking and by adding another 50 spaces, which brings a new total to 265 spaces. Planning Board Minutes January 21, 2026 Page 1 of 6
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Architect, Jonathan Quell, further explained there will be additional signage for the bus area; parent drop-off, fields; gym; auditorium; and will be placed strategically around the site. They touched on a few items and created a safer area for students; pedestrian access from Surrey Lane to get to the site; and have met with public safety. The Traffic Study researched: field observations; existing school conditions; data collections; safety analysis; traffic capacity analyses; and conclusions for the study. Chair McCarthy stated that he is shocked that the traffic issue wasn't addressed when this project was voted on. How at this point in the project, hasn't the traffic issue been addressed? Parents drop their lids off on Surrey and Pecunit St. which is horrible, There are no proactive measures at the Washington Street/Pecunit St. intersection. No one is thinking of safety and the traffic flow. How valid is the Traffic Study which is dated in 2023, and it is now 2025/2026 with the traffic being worse? Traffic was different a few years ago and this area is not prepared for the addition of another auditorium. He lives in this area and this is chaos and confusing, and what will happen if there are events during school hours. The Traffic Engineer explained that the study was update from 2023 in 2025. Mr. Scully stated that the biggest issue is the queuing in the morning. This is a great project and using the Hansen School as overflow parking was a good idea. Derek Folan, Superintendent of Canton Schools, stated that the auditorium doesn't concern him and there are no plans to have events during school homy. The use now is that the students meet in the cafeteria, and with the new auditorium they can have programs and space instead of using the cafeteria. They will be having large events at night, They have approximately 500 people when they have musicals, and they appreciate the extra space. They are working on the Photometric Plan and the Stormwater comments, along with water and sewer. They will address them specifically and will forward comments to the Board. Chair McCarthy concluded that there are concerns and complaints will be coming in after this project is built. There is not enough parking and would have appreciated the parking to have been addressed at the beginning of the project. This is not safe and he is very concerned. A motion was made by Ms, McDermott and seconded by Mr. Quigley to continue this hearing until all comments and Alfons' concerns are answered, with the Applicant going back and finishing up with Conservation, seconded by Mr. Quigley. All in favor Motion Approved 5-0. A motion was made by Mr. Scully and seconded by Mr. Quigley to open the hearing for Green Lane. All in favor, Motion Approved 5-0. Next Item on the Agenda (2) 70 & 74 GREEN LANE and oo GREEN STREET — Seeking Approval of a Twelve (12) Lot Definitive Subdivision Plan, The land within the proposed Definitive Subdivision is Zoned Single Resident AA and within the Groundwater Protection Overlay District, is located at 70 & 74 Green Lane and go Green Street, and shown on Assessors Map 53 Lots 4, 5 & 16. (Applicants, Bob Falconi, Falconi Companies, and Kyle Harnish, HP Homes, LLC.; Eric Dias, Strong Point Engineering Solutions, LLC.; and Suzanne Matthews, Attorney) Planning Board Minutes January 21, 2026 Page 2 of 6