No subscription needed for Obituaries and Public Notices      

Groton Inn Developers Lower Density of Project Due to Environmental Issues

Test borings conducted on the property at the site of the old Groton Inn by the civil engineering firm of David E. Ross Associates revealed that a portion of the area on one side at the rear of the property was filled in with trash including carpets, wood and fill.

Engineer Jesse Johnson told the Planning Board that the topography of the site drops off at the rear close to the wetlands. He said soil tests that were conducted near the ridgeline showed fill at three feet, ground water at four feet and "fill. trash, carpets, wood and fill mixed with trash at seven feet." On the opposite side of the parcel, he said he found fill but no trash. "This will impact the buildable area and what we can do for storm water," he said and suggested that now the plan is "to move things forward and consolidate or drop units...We don't want to chase fill and trash." Johnson added that they did not find any hazardous materials in their samples.

According to Johnson, the front of the hall, where tanks had been removed, was signed off on by the Dept. of Environmental Protection. "There were no restrictions put on the site and the small spill was cleaned up in front of the hall. Everything has been remediated," he said.

The 128 Main Street LLC partners, Rich Cooper and Chris Ferris, told the Board that they were two weeks away from having architectural drawings and a landscape plan. Cooper said that right now, they only have the first and second floor of the building done. He stressed that they were 'working hard' to get these ready for review. The Concept Plan for the Groton Inn project was overwhelmingly approved by voters at Annual Fall Town Meeting. Residents of the town are eager to see a recreation of the historic Main Street icon - a replica of the original Groton Inn.

Cooper outlined some of the changes they have made to date from the original Concept Plans. "We are going to lower the density of the project. The 12 long-term rental town houses have been reduced to nine and may go to seven" he said, adding that they were not planning to ask for the second phase of the project as part of their proposal. In addition the plan is to reduce the 12, short-term units to 10. Cooper stressed that they were 'working hard' to get the required material together for review.

Without the expected architectural plans, and a landscape architecture plan that would normally be part of a Pre Submission Review by the Planning Board, Chairman John Giger characterized the meeting as more of a pre pre-submission review. At the request of the applicants, the Board continued the meeting to Thursday, Feb. 6 at 7:30 p.m.

Following the Planning Board meeting, Ferris told this reporter that although there is some work to do, "The Groton Inn team continued to work diligently through the holidays and into the New Year to complete plans and drawings to begin the recreation of an extremely important piece of town history."  

Ferris' message to residents is that the "Architectural  and Engineering site plans are being conducted on the old inn property to identify sensitive areas and  building sites and orientation for the 10 luxury cottages and eight to 12 townhomes that will be located behind the inn. The architectural firm of Pittman and Wardley, represented by Pete Pittman, are refining the design details with a close eye to the detail of the Inn's proposed exteriors for the greatest integration with main street historic buildings. Lorayne Black has been refining the landscape plans that will complement the inn and Main Street historic district."

He stressed, "The Groton Inn team is very excited to be presenting a polished and finished presentation to the Planning Board at the Feb. 6 meeting." 

Groton Herald

Mailing Address
P.O. Box 610, Groton, Massachusetts 01450
 

Office
145 Main Street, Groton, Massachusetts 014510
[Prescott Community Center]
 

Telephone: 978-448-6061
 

Comment Here