Planners Say Sewer System a Must for Senior Housing Project

A proposed senior housing project off Pond Street will likely need to go forward with a sewer system on the property for the Salem Planning Board to approve the final design.

The Stone Bridge Estates development, which would be for residents 55 and older, is being proposed by applicant and developer Tim Oriole. Originally 48 units, the number has been reduced to 46.

Doug McGuire of the Dubay Group was in attendance Tuesday night to discuss the engineering aspects of the project.

McGuire said that with Salem's sewer connection fees adding approximately $350,000 to the project cost, it could cost close to $900,000 for Oriole to have sewerage on the property.

In contrast, McGuire told town planners that individual septic systems for all 46 units with nine common leach fields would come out to $230,000 total.

To waive or reduce the sewer connection fees, the applicant would have to go before the Board of Selectmen.

Planning Board member Ronald Belanger said that he doesn't think Selectmen have given any breaks on sewer fees in the past.

Belanger insisted on the sewer route, explaining that the residents on the property will eventually petition for a sewer, and if passed by voters, the town would foot the bill rather than the applicant.

Board member Phyllis O'Grady concurred with the need for sewerage, saying that she typically has a problem with anything shared on a property.

"We're talking seniors. I want to make this as easy as possible. If sewerage is the easiest way for senior housing I would be putting in the sewerage if it's there.

Also in agreement was board member Linda Harvey,  who called septics "bad news" given that the property is in a sensitive wetland area.

McGuire told the board that any septics would be under the ownership of the association representing the private street. He said that any issues with the septic systems would be the responsibility of the association with dues paying the costs.

Belanger argued that any potential health issues would fall on the shoulders of the town.

The former Edward Searles property features a turn-of-the-century caretaker's cottage, according to the Eagle Tribune. The cottage would be converted into a meeting room, with the stone walls and bridges on the property also remaining intact.

Harvey asked that the pathways on the property be open to the public, which McGuire said the engineers will look at.

Abutting the property is World End Pond, along with the Merrimack Valley Golf Club in Methuen, Mass.

Since the project was first heard by planners on May 28, a second access way has been added at the request of Salem Fire.