The December meeting of the Hudson Planning Board had issues with the Target Logistics Center discussed and a conditional use permit request for a wireless antenna facility on Groves Farm Road.
Following a number of concerns over landscaping issues at Target’s Green Meadow site, board members asked the Town Engineer Elvis Dhima for an update on the Logistics Center.
“We are not aware of any outstanding issues out there. There was a concern at one point about trees being cleared, but that was a human error on the people in charge of the site, and the individual who was involved with that is no longer involved with the project,” explained Dhima. “Target has taken steps to replace every single tree they’ve taken down with a new tree and an additional tree. For every tree that is taken down, two will be provided.”
Replanting will start by early April of 2025, weather permitting.
“I would suggest, if there’s other rubs or whatever, we engage in extra communication,” suggested Board member James Crowley, who worried not enough was being done to keep the town informed on construction issues related to the Logistics Center. “People grumble, and if they see something written or published, it would help.”
The site also suffered from dust complaints, with Dhima conceding it was challenging to manage the problem on particularly windy days. The site is using around 70,000 gallons of water per day in an attempt to keep the dust down, along with an organic mat solution.
“They have applied an organic mat twice, it’s sticky and it keeps everything together,” he said. “That has helped significantly, and they’re in compliance with all state permits.”
The Engineering Department and Target hoped the dust situation would settle with the competition of earthworks in the coming weeks.
“I understand the town is offering some remediation to neighbors that were affected by dust. Could you go over that?” asked Vice-Chair Jordan Ulery.
According to Dhima, car wash vouchers are being provided to any abutters impacted by the dust. The cost of the program is covered by the site contractor. While it will be suspended through the winter months, town officials expect to restart the vouchers next April.
Dhima promised he would share all complaints with Target.
“The goal of staff working on sites is to make sure that it’s done right, that it’s in compliance with the town’s regulations and approvals, and if there’ deviations, getting things back in compliance,” Interim Town Planner Jay Minkarah. “This is by far the largest project Hudson has ever seen, there’s no there aren’t going to be some issues that arise during a site that large.”
On Verizon’s Groves wireless antenna facility located at 12 Groves Farm Road. Town Engineer Elvis Dhima said, “Last year we had an opportunity to basically come together with an agreement to put an antenna above our existing water tank,”
Dhima added, “Basically, the way it works is that we have a tank, they put a nine-foot antenna on top of it, and we get paid based on what they’re doing up there. For those of you who are on the south end, there’s an issue there with phone calls getting dropped, I have horrible reception out there and this is a booster.”
According to a warrant article approved by voters last March, Verizon will have a 25-year lease agreement for the antenna, with the option of extending it to 40 years. Revenue from the project will go toward supporting the water utility system.
“We’re looking forward to getting this thing done, and I think it will be a good project, a good partnership between a private entity and the town. Obviously, we’re talking some good money too, that always helps,” said Dhima. “This is good to go.”
The Planning Board unanimously approved the conditional permit application without debate.
