Unfinished Subdivisions a Major Problem

A large number of subdivisions in Seekonk remain incomplete, which is a causing headaches for the residents and the town, according to Town Planner John Aubin.

Blame for the problem is being placed on the developers of those neighborhoods.

“They sold off the lots a long time ago,” Aubin told the Select Board Wednesday.

The developments either have complete public improvements in some situations or fully paved roads. When those roadways are accepted, they will become the town’s responsibility, Aubin explained.

Aubin said himself and the Planning Board has worked to reduce the number of incomplete subdivisions in town, from over two dozen to about 20 currently.

Aubin warned the Select Board about Chelsea Drive: “Ultimately that roadway is going to fail. The trees are going to get so big that they’re going to impact the stormwater drainage there.”

Aubin urged the two boards to work together on a solution: “I think if we have a unifying strategy going forward, there’s something to fall back when that situation happens. The second part has been obviously enforcement. That’s what we’ve been working with town counsel on for the last year or so on a couple of the developments.”

“For at least in the funding side of things, you’re talking in the millions of dollars,” said Planning Board Chairman Dave Sullivan. “And that’s not counting a place like Chelsea Drive which has a whole lot of issues going on.”

Aubin added the town might also have to pursue legal action against the building contractors for violating Massachusetts General Law by not completing the developments.