WESTFIELD – At its Aug. 7 session, the Planning Board conducted an informal session with a commercial developer pertaining to compliance with the conditions of special permits issued for his Southampton Road project.
Robert Bolduc, the owner of the Pride gas station and convenience store chain, and the developer of the WestPark commercial park, appeared before the board to discuss the requirement for site stabilization.
The Planning Board and Building Superintendent Jon Flagg both sent letters to Bolduc citing him for violation of Condition 19 of his special permit and of city ordinances on June 22 and July 27, respectively. Both letters stated that the city would use funds remaining in the performance bond, $8,000, to clean the construction site where topsoil was piled and seed the property.
Bolduc took responsibility for failing to adhere to the requirements of the special condition issued when the property, leased from the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority, was subdivided and the Holiday Express hotel constructed.
“I plead guilty. My people failed to keep up the property,” Bolduc said. “We’ve taken care of about 90 percent of the issues (cited in the letters) and will take care of the rest within the next two weeks.”
Board Chairman Philip McEwan said the board’s next meeting is Sept. 4.
“Can you have the Southampton Road site leveled and seeded by that date?” McEwan asked.
Bolduc said that much of the site already has been planted, but the lack of rain and the sandy soil have not been conducive to growing grasses. Bolduc suggested that the site be reinspected by city officials later in the fall when the seed has had opportunity to grow.
