MASSACHUSETTS SITE FIGHT: HEARING COMMENCES

Wal-Mart hearing opens [Worcester (Mass.) Telegram & Gazette Lancaster]Wal-Mart hearing opens [Worcester (Mass.) Telegram & Gazette Lancaster]

LANCASTER— The Lancaster Conservation Commission opened its first public hearing on the proposed Wal-Mart Supercenter on Old Union Turnpike last night, but did not take any testimony from the applicant’s engineers.

Commission member Thomas G. Kennedy will be chairing the public hearings on Wal-Mart and asked commission members to vote on several meeting protocols.

“Because of the size of this project, I think we need to be diligent in structuring these public hearings,” Mr. Kennedy said. “First, I think we should hire a consulting engineer to review all of the materials and the project itself.”

The commission approved the request, and the town will be putting out a request for proposals to hire an engineering firm to review notice-of-intent issues, public input and help write the final order of conditions decision.

The commission approved reaching an agreement with Wal-Mart officials that the public hearings would not be concluded until all parties are satisfied, that the hearings will be tape-recorded, that public commentary will be focused on wetlands issues and not political or emotional issues, and that any specific requests or input from either Wal-Mart or citizens be addressed in writing.

Matthew D. Smith of Bohler Engineering of Southboro and Paul J. McManus of EcoTec Inc. of Worcester represented Wal-Mart at the hearing and submitted the notice of intent, but gave no testimony on the content of the documents.

“We do not want to submit any testimony at this point and taint the procedure,” said Mr. Smith.

Mr. Smith assured the commission that extensions of public hearings where applicable were acceptable to Wal-Mart.

Mr. Kennedy asked the engineer how many hours the firm spent in completing the notice of intent, to which Mr. Smith replied, “Hundreds, but I can get you an official count if you need it.”

Lancaster Technology Park of Concord is the owner of the project site.

According to Mr. Smith, the 102 acres was subdivided into three lots, with Wal-Mart controlling 60 acres. Lancaster Technology Park will control the other two lots to the east and to the west of the Wal-Mart parcel.

Mr. Kennedy asked that a copy of the notice of intent and plans be located at the library for public perusal and that another copy placed in the Conservation Commission office for residents to borrow. A copy of the notice of intent will also be put on the town’s Web site.

Hearings will be held on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month.

Members of the citizens group Our Lancaster First were at the meeting and asked that the consulting engineer not have any conflicts of interest.

Our Lancaster First is having the notice of intent reviewed by a wetlands scientist and an engineer and has concerns about the proximity of the project to a major wetlands area, waiver requests, storm water and snow removal plans.

Mr. Kennedy added that as chairman he will limit redundant discussions during the hearings.