Politics & Government

Easton's Queset Development Gains Ground

The Easton Board of Selectmen voted 4-0 on Monday to approve recent changes to the Queset Development Agreement from the Planning Board.

The project, which is considered as a Chapter 40R affordable housing complex, will feature 280 housing units and 116,000 square feet of commercial and retail space. The planning board recently approved 98 housing units, one fourth of which will be classified affordable and some retail.

The complex is under development from Douglas King and is designed on Routes 123 and 138.

Find out what's happening in Eastonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The new complex was approved at a 2008 town meeting, but was tabled because of the stagnant economy. The project has been back on for about six months.

King, as part of a $2 million mitigation plan, will pay to renovate and expand the Depot Street fire station, reserve eight acres to open space conduct traffic improvements at intersections and allocate some capacity at the project’s 50,000 gallon wastewater-treatment plant for the town’s use.

Find out what's happening in Eastonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Town attorney Jay Calhoun said the new plan saw many improvements, which will allow for the town to search the site for historical resources in the area and also moved up the timetable for the fire station renovation.

“I think we are in a good place where we can recommend approval of the agreement,” said town administrator David Colton.

The new agreement also stipulated that the town may choose to purchase the wastewater treatment plant needed for the development and use any additional wastewater capacity by 2015. Calhoun emphasized the fact that the town may also choose not to if it is found not to be in the town’s best interest through town meeting.

“In short, the agreement now functions in a way that’s a good quid pro quo sort of way,” Calhoun said.




Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here