By Keith Regan, Contributing Writer
Northborough–Engineers working with Iron Mountain are developing a plan to address concerns of the business's neighbors, who have said the data storage company's expansion spoiled the view in their backyards, Town Administrator John Coderre told the Board of Selectmen May 19.
A dozen neighbors of the business, located on Bearfoot Road turned out to a selectmen's meeting in March, when the board was holding a hearing on a proposal to store more than 30,000 gallons of fuel on the property to operate backup generators. The board approved that request.
Abutters said the company's recent expansion had resulted in a stark change in the view from their backyards, with a buffer of trees removed during construction. At the March meeting, selectmen asked Coderre to work with Iron Mountain on possible solutions.
Coderre said Town Meeting delayed the work somewhat, but that he has met several times with representatives of the company as they design and engineer possible solutions. A letter was sent to neighbors this week and that a plan should be ready for review by abutters within two to three weeks.
“There is progress being made,” he said, adding that the company has been open to finding a solution to the neighborhood concerns.
In other business, the board learned through a letter from Fire Chief David Durgin that the department had contributed mutual aid support to the town of Hopkinton for the Boston Marathon. Selectman Leslie Rutan said she believed residents were likely not aware of that support and called it an honor for the town to be asked to take part.
Selectman Jeff Amberson also urged residents to turn out for the upcoming Memorial Day parade on Monday, May 26.
“A lot of towns have done away with their parades and I's really thankful that Northborough continues to support this event to honor our veterans,” he said.