Board of Survey and Planning hears construction delays on two cases

The Waltham Board of Survey and Planning granted a bond this week guaranteeing the eventual construction of a road in a future Ward 2 neighborhood.

The developer is building three houses on a property currently numbered as 46 Lincoln St., which will be known as Susan Circle.

The project’s lawyer, Philip B. McCourt, Jr., explained that the project’s developer estimated the cost of the road would be $125,000, but the city’s Public Works department had amended that estimate to $161,000. The developer intends to finish the road after completing more of the houses’ foundations to avoid the wear and tear of large construction vehicles on the new road — but they need to guarantee the road will be built in order to get the construction permits they require.

Board member Mila R. Tarallo said she was concerned about setting the bond based on a cost estimate made today, because of concerns about inflation, and suggested the board set the bond value at 10% higher than the city’s current construction estimate.

“Construction is becoming more expensive… seeing that there’s more houses being pulled down and rebuilt, and there’s been stuff like that, I’m concerned about cost,” she said.

Ultimately, the board decided to grant the bond at the $161,000 estimate — although Director of Public Works Michael Chiasson, who acts as the board’s clerk, said that his department would include a cost increase for inflation in future estimates.

McCourt also originally asked for a two-year extension for the project’s completion, as a result of delays due to the pandemic and a change in ownership. After Tarallo pointed out that the board had already granted such an extension in May, McCourt struck that request.

The board also agreed to wait until November to hear updates on a special use permit application for a gas station at 962 Main St. The permit would allow it to continue using four driveways that are larger than permitted by the zoning code. 

The project’s lawyer told the board that it was finishing up the process of verifying the impact of new additions the city required for drainage on the project on the traffic plan they submitted.