Development touted at ground breaking

Foster Brook Estates to begin construction

By Ernie King

Senior Staff Writer

GARDNER – After a number of
often-heated hearings, petitions and
protests, the first foundation of a
23-home development known as
Foster Brook Estates will be built
sometime next week.

At a groundbreaking ceremony held
Wednesday morning, Vertical
Construction Services, Inc. president
Martin D. Wolons praised city
officials for their assistance in
helping to get the development
through the permitting process.

Wolons’ original plan called for 34
homes to be built, but reduced that number to preserve some open space.  “One of the things I wanted to do was to have a responsible development,” Wolons said.  “I believe what we have here is the poster child for responsible development.”

Wolons and Vertical vice president Russell Serpas said their development is designed like a cluster development but all of the homes will sit on conventional lots.

When plans for the development were first presented to the city, a group of residents expressed concerns that it would disturb the rural nature of Betty Spring Road by cutting old trees and disturbing the stone walls that line the side of the road.

Wolons donated 7.4 acres to the city to be preserved as open space.  Vertical’s president said the land would be protected by it’s public ownership.  “We designed Foster Brook Estates in a manner that preserves the countryside by reserving land against the road,” he said.  “The project ties into wildlife corridor and will have a small unobtrusive entrance to provide access ti walking trails and Dunn State Park.”

“We were willing to forfeit some profit to achieve environmental benefits,” Wolons said.  “There is no other project like this in North Central Massachusetts.  My approach has been to work with the city.”

A number of city officials and business leaders were on hand for Wednesday’s groundbreaking ceremonies.  City Council President Gerald St. Hilaire, state Rep. Brian Knuuttila, D-Gardner, and Chamber of Commerce president Michael Ellis all praised Wolons’ efforts and his work with the city.

GARD co-founder Paul DeMeo was not at the groundbreaking ceremony, but he gave Wolons high marks for his environmental efforts.

“I think this is a win-win situation for the city and the developer,” DeMeo said.  “The city needs to encourage this type of partnership with developers.  We have to work to support smart growth and eliminate sprawl.”