Scituate Town Planner Karen Joseph sounded a stark alarm during Thursday’s Planning Board meeting, detailing a series of unauthorized construction changes and missed inspections at the Hatherly School project. Despite a looming deadline to move students into the building, Joseph reported that several critical site requirements and safety measures mandated in the project’s original decision have been ignored or altered without board oversight.

Joseph expressed significant frustration over the lack of required inspections for erosion control, pavement, and drainage. Nobody can tell me why, Joseph told the board. The only inspection I did was the pre-construction conference. There were no inspections for erosion control, pavement, or drainage. Someone has to sign off that it was done right. She presented photos showing major erosion gullies and noted that contractors had moved safety bollards from the front of the sidewalk and eliminated a side walkway without approval. Joseph warned that the shift in bollard placement creates a safety risk: Now, if a car jumps the curb, someone on the sidewalk could get hit. I told them they made changes without asking. It's going to be a mess to remove the bollards now.

Chair Patricia Lambert noted that while traffic generally moves slowly in school lots, things happen, and safety must remain the priority. Joseph emphasized she will not sign off on the final as-built plans until the site is corrected, despite the pressure to provide a temporary Certificate of Occupancy for graduating students. This friction comes as the project, which has generally been noted for remaining under budget, enters its final high-pressure phase before the transition to a three-building elementary model in 2027.

The board also addressed a more personal application at 104 Stetson Road, where resident David Joseph sought to create an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) within his existing home. Mr. Joseph explained that after losing his wife and watching the recent Town Meeting discussions regarding housing, he saw the ADU as a way to remain in the home where he raised three children. I watched town meeting regarding ADU applications. I thought it would be something I could do in my house, and that's what I'm applying for at this time, he said. The board found the 632-square-foot unit met all requirements, representing 45.6% of the principal dwelling area, well within the 50% limit for protected use ADUs.

Motion Made by A. Burbine to approve the site plan administrative review of an ADU within the principal dwelling at 104 Stetson Road with conditions including a prohibition on short-term rentals and a requirement for owner-occupancy. Motion Passed 3-0-0

Environmental protections took center stage during a discussion regarding 90-96 Stockbridge Road. The board granted a continuance for a special permit after Joseph reported the applicant’s plans still showed work occurring within the 150-foot do-not-disturb water resource buffer. I told the attorney that the plans were wrong. They were telling me they fixed it, but they didn't, Joseph said, noting the site is particularly wet and constrained. Motion Made by A. Burbine to accept the applicant's request to continue the public hearing for 90-96 Stockbridge Road until July 9, 2026. Motion Passed 3-0-0

A separate dispute at 48-52 Elm Street has prompted a town-wide policy shift regarding stormwater permits. Joseph reported that a contractor attempted to begin work while the decision was still in the appeal period and before obtaining building permits. To prevent future confusion, Joseph announced she is changing the language on all future permits to mandate requirements be met prior to any work on the site rather than linking them to the building permit. I'm not going to allow them to start, she noted regarding the Elm Street site.

In traffic news, Member Ann Burbine reported on recent findings from the Traffic Rules and Regulations Committee, highlighting dangerous conditions on Front Street and the rise of high-speed e-bikes. Burbine noted that Front Street’s 20-foot width makes parking a safety hazard. Parking on Front Street is an issue... if people park on the side, there's no room for emergency vehicles, she said. The committee is also evaluating a four-way stop at Marshfield and Front Street and considering new regulations for e-bikes that reportedly go 90 miles an hour.

The meeting concluded with a call for community involvement. Burbine encouraged residents to apply for local boards, as several terms are opening. We need to recruit younger people for boards and committees. It's time to pass the torch, Burbine said. An unidentified member asked, Is there an application process? Burbine confirmed there is a three-year term and a formal application through the town.

Motion Made by A. Burbine to approve bills for Chess Consulting and legal ads via the Mariner/Gatehouse. Motion Passed 3-0-0