The Stoughton Planning Board approved a critical special permit for the South Elementary School project during its Thursday meeting, but not before anchoring the approval to a new mandate for pedestrian safety. The board granted the permit for a new access drive within the DeStefano Way right-of-way, incorporating a specific condition requiring the town to aggressively lobby MassDOT for safety upgrades at the nearby intersection of Park and Prospect Streets.

The new requirement, known as Condition #5, was added at the request of Chairman Kelly, who was absent from the meeting but relayed his concerns through staff. The condition requires the town to advocate for improvements outlined in a September 2025 Road Safety Audit of the Route 27 corridor. Town Engineer Craig Jalbert noted that the intersection currently features a real weird angle and that the audit suggests potential fixes ranging from a roundabout to teeing up the intersection to allow for a standard signal.

During the discussion, Jalbert explained that while the project has budgeted for a full traffic signal at the school access point, the final design remains in MassDOT's hands. It's still up in the air as to whether or not a signal will meet the warrants or whether there will be some other control mechanisms like a HAWC system, Jalbert said, referring to high-intensity activated crosswalks. Architect Carl Franceschi confirmed that regardless of the signal type, the project currently includes handicapped curb cuts on both sides of Park Street and a new sidewalk along DeStefano Way to facilitate student walkers.

One board member raised concerns about the similarity to other school zones, asking, Will we have something on Park Street like what we have on Central Street with the school area? And do we also consider where the crosswalks are going to be and guards, etc.? Because you will have some students walking to school. Franceschi noted that the team is still negotiating with state officials to determine if the area will feature a fully activated red-yellow-green signal or flashing school zone lights. Motion Made by P. Murphy to approve the special permit with revised conditions. Motion Passed.

The board also turned its attention to the ongoing Town Hall parking lot and addition project. Members reviewed revised site plans that include a new dumpster enclosure and an alternate bid for either a fence or a guardrail along the property line. The Vice Chairman expressed support for bidding the fence as an alternate to protect the project's bottom line. Well, that's the way to do it, though, because if just say the budget is all eaten up on the base bid, you can't do it, the Vice Chairman remarked.

Landscaping for the Town Hall site also saw a shift, with ginkgo trees replacing the previously proposed honey locusts. This change follows previous board discussions regarding the honey locust's susceptibility to cankers and a preference for the ginkgo’s yellow foliage. The revised plan also adds large arborvitae for improved screening. Additionally, the board moved to consolidate three separate tax lots associated with the Town Hall project into a single lot via a Form A filing. Town Planner Bill Roth noted that the town must live up to what we require other people to do by merging the original building lot, the new addition lot, and the rear parking area. Motion Made by P. Murphy to approve the revised site and landscape plans. Motion Passed.

In a final financial matter, the board authorized the release of a $17,600 landscape bond for a completed project that had been significantly disrupted by state utility work. Roth reported that while he inspected the site and found it in good order, a portion of the front landscaping was missing because MassDOT had commandeered and ripped up the area. I indicated that they should please tell their client that they need to get with MassDOT to get reimbursed for everything that's been destroyed, Roth said, while still recommending the bond release since the developer had fulfilled their original obligations. Motion Made by P. Murphy to release the landscape bond in the amount of $17,600. Motion Passed.