New, Sneaky Landlocked Housing in West Bridgewater via Brockton Street

For one glorious night in the cafetorium of the Kennedy School, my faith in my neighbors and representatives is restored. I'm not sure if this euphoria will last, but it was a great meeting! I estimate at least 100 were in attendance, and all were vocally against this project.

I lost track of who was speaking so I will paraphrase. The developers (Albanese, members of the Petronelli family, and the engineer with the very large map on an easel) tried to present a case of residents (Petronellis) who bought land 60 years ago and now want to develop it to set up retirement funds for the aging kids. They claim they paid taxes and they have a right to do with the land what they please. It fell on deaf ears when one of their neighbors asked why they did not develop it 60 years ago (LOL) and then another pointed out that the taxes were paid to Brockton but the project is in West Bridgewater with all benefits to go to that town. I guess Albanese/Petronelli land overlaps both. Albanese tried to sooth the agitated crowd by telling us that it COULD have been 88 over-55 units but they narrowed the scope down to the 36 in question. Guffaws from the crowd. Then they assured us that this has nothing to do with wetlands; it is a legal project. Again, booming neighbors pointed out that they needed the Conservation Commission's approval to cross the wetlands. They insist there will only be one road. Someone pointed out that the Planning Board would not allow that since it is a development. Albanese again tried to smooth talk the irate crowd with a sad tale of Petronellis who probably built most of our houses. Murmurs from the crowd wondering why then, they did not save that money for retirement.

Then they placed their engineer in front of the crowd with his maps. He told us that a traffic study was done (no results yet but since the developer paid for this, it will be skewed to his advantage.) All of them repeatedly played on our heartstrings about the "poor" Petronellis. Mostly people were looking at their phones as this man spoke, and when the crowd started pelting him with questions, he finally sat down. They believe West Bridgewater will take care of this sliver of this town; we all defeated by pointing out WB's one fire/police station is about 10 minutes away so, therefore, Brockton would be the first responder. A resident made an excellent point about the impact on the woods, potential for wild fire and would he lose his house waiting for a fire truck.

We discovered where the street will be located. There is a sideways house on West Chestnut (WC) near the day care center. Technically, since its front door does not face WC I guess they have no address. Anyway - the street will be there and it is at the narrowest part of WC, you know, where you can't even pass a trash truck on Friday. The house was built (probably by a Petronelli) with the future in mind, as that street was planned many years ago. It was, however, never approved. Albanese tried to tell the swelling residents that 36 houses would not impact us. We yelled out that 36 houses means at least 72 cars, children, school buses, trash trucks, utility, UPS, mail, fire, police - you name it. A man described his house and the impact traffic now has on it and Albanese stated that he knows because he sat outside of it to watch traffic. Impossible, because if he did, nobody would have been able to pass.

The developers said they received Brockton approval for water and sewer 7 years ago. Huh? How is that possible? They then tried to compare two single houses that are on Samuel Street (next to Brockton Country Club) that are in West Bridgewater on a Brockton Street. A lady yelled out that two houses are not 36 and leaving Samuel is nothing like entering West Chestnut. The crowd supported her.

Residents filled out a petition and agreed to canvas the neighborhoods. Dennis boomed through the microphone that he does not support this and he will block it as it tries to pass through. Moises Rodrigues was there, admitting he lives on the East Side but if we don't agree, then he doesn't agree (another LOL). Robert Sullivan also committed to opposing the project. Then there was Win Farwell. He did not mention the name of the land owner, but there is someone who abuts the land on the West Bridgewater side that he contacted who is willing to strike a deal with the Petronellis to allow them access to the property via a street in WEST BRIDGEWATER. Farwell suggested that the developers sit down with that owner because it is the only way they are going to be successful. A man asked Albanese if that option would cost them more money and he admitted that it would not. Albanese seemed familiar with the idea but I was unable to hear more about this.

I must admit I did not expect such a high turnout and people who were so vocal, prepared, and opposed. I felt like I was back in my old neighborhood in the 1960s when Brockton was a kinder, gentler city. This joint Albanese/Petronelli venture is not popular and their claims that this will not have a negative impact basically turned off their neighbors, who took over the meeting to discuss without the developers. I hope Farwell, Eaniri, Sullivan, and Rodrigues will continue to publicly oppose this as they promised.

Next meeting will be in early May at City Hall. We will receive updates from Dennis and, meanwhile, we will continue to spread the message.

Excellent recap. I'm glad there was such a good showing. That's the best way to show our politicians to get them to listen. Were the State Reps, Cronin and Cassidy there? What about the good Senator Brady? Or was he still commemorating the St. Patrick's "Holiday"

Has the Mayor spoken out on this project? It is an Election Year or is he "beholden" To Albanese and Company?

Keep up the good fight.

A good size crowd there last night. I think the councilors at large and ward 3 councilor heard loud and clear from the area. They are not in favor of this project.

The next place to fight this would be planning board. They will also need to go to the ZBA for some zoning issues and possibly the traffic commission as well.

They will also need the council for sewer hookup

henningson1 wrote: A good size crowd there last night. I think the councilors at large and ward 3 councilor heard loud and clear from the area. They are not in favor of this project.

The next place to fight this would be planning board. They will also need to go to the ZBA for some zoning issues and possibly the traffic commission as well. They will also need the council for sewer hookup

Thanks, Ray. It was hard to hear, but didn't Albanese make it sound as if water and sewer were approved several years ago, as if that still stands? There is usually a period during which one must act on a project or start over.

I believe Mr Albanese indicated they had already been approved for water by the water commission a few years back. Sewer goes through CC. Sewer still needs approval

They also need to go before ZBA and Planning as well

The next meeting is scheduled at the Kennedy School on Tuesday, April 25 at 7 am. MOST IMPORTANT MEETING is the following Tuesday, May 2, at 6 pm at City Hall. Please consider attending as a large turnout will be helpful. We are also distributing a petition in the area hoping for as many signatures as possible.

Thank you!

Thank you. Do you know the Mayor's position on this?

I'm going to assume if it doesn't bring in money or it costs
too much he will be for it.

The mayor is a ghost on this one. It will not generate money for Brockton. Instead, we will maintain its sewers, water lines, and streets with all proceeds going to West Bridgewater. We will provide emergency services so that nobody dies waiting for WB to navigate. We will plow for them in winter. Residents of dead-end Ash will be subject to the second egress/fire road traffic and the developers quoted they will not improve the street. They also propose extending dead-end Ash 100 feet, so those of you who think you have a quiet neighborhood, watch out. Your taxes will supplement their half-million dollar houses.

If they are successful at putting a light at the intersection of Ash and West Chestnut, those living in the area will not be able to exit their driveways and streets. Think it is hard now? Just wait. Though something is needed there, 33 houses is not the solution. The day care on West Chestnut will become the new anchor for the subdivision. I am still waiting to hear one positive fact about this.

It's time for Carpenter to step up on this and at least express his position on this. He needs to realize he represents ALL of the citizens of Brockton and not just the select group he seems to pander to.

I agree. Some issues get immediate attention and publicity. I hope, with the support of neighbors, voices will be heard on this one.

Why doesn't someone just ask the Mayor on his position? Jeez.

Scott wrote: Why doesn't someone just ask the Mayor on his position? Jeez.

Asking is the easy part. Unfortunately, to date, no response.

In case anbody on this site planned to attend tonight's Kennedy School meeting hosted by Dennis Eaniri it is cancelled due to an unexpected appointment that may prevent his attendance. I encourage all to go to the planning meeting next Tuesday, May 2 at 6 pm in the GAR room at City Hall. For those interested, there are paint markings on West Chestnut outside the day care center showing where this development will go. Drive by and see how difficult it already is to navigate that area. If anyone wants to Google the minutes of last November's West Bridgewater planning commission meeting to see the developers' real intentions, it is easy to find.

FYI for anyone who wants to sign the petition against this development

www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/613/876/059/

This is great. I almost missed it with all of the spam posts. Thank you!

Developers were a no-show for Tuesday's Planning Board meeting. A West Bridgewater Walnut Street land-owner was approached by the developers to work with them. Though people continue to (justifiably) complain about traffic, taxes, and first-responders, there are many things at work here including laws. They may think they are dealing with a naive population of Brockton hangers-on, but I am meeting really nice folks who all agree (for many different reasons) that this is not a good thing for our residents. The Petronellis at the helm live in Wareham, and own scant "buildable" land here off West Chestnut (WC). Plot 43 is not usable but they hope to tag it onto Plot 42 with Brockton's good graces. The rest of their inheritance is located in West Bridgewater. The other developers own no WC land but are hopping on the bandwagon hoping to bundle in their parcels over the line. There are also "quiet" sales of land on WC so I assume others will want to hop on this bandwagon.

We now have traffic cables. They are strategically placed to count those that turn onto/from Ash and Southworth. This will show that people are using our roads to avoid the town next to us. We were stuck on WC recently due to a 3-vehicle accident. A single lane of traffic for about 45 minutes prevented us from reaching our road. All nearby residents were unreachable by emergency services during the investigation.

There are some who say this is a "done deal" to deter others from continuing the protest. Does anyone know when the Planning Board shifted their meetings from 7 pm to 6 pm? Seems like it makes it harder for working people to attend. And, where is our Mayor? Nobody knows what his opinion is on this. Next meeting is June 6. If they think they will wear us down by the late cancellations, they are wrong.

I would encourage people to continue if they don't want this project to attend all meetings etc.

The planning board and city council is the best place to fight this

Thanks, Ray. that is what I tell everyone. Do you know if the Mayor spoke about this yet?

It appears the mayor is lately playing Balzotti's game of the disappearing act.