Municipal Spotlight
Lussier Finds Niche as Bellingham’s Planning Director
By KEN HAMWEY,
Bulletin Staff Writer
Robert Lussier, who’s been on the job for eight months as Bellingham’s Director of Engineering and Planning, has some admirable goals that he’s eager to achieve.
The 30-year-old native of Bellingham has three prime objectives that focus on collaboration, improving the community and updating the zoning bylaws.
“It’s imperative to instill more collaboration with applicants and the public,’’ said Lussier, who majored in environmental engineering at the University of New Hampshire. “So often Issues crop up that involve performance standards in our zoning bylaws and procedural rules. Some examples include noise, lighting and landscape buffers. The best way to achieve mitigation is to implement changes in our zoning bylaws.’’
Lussier, who graduated from Bellingham High in 2012, firmly believes the community can improve its livability. His second goal addresses that.
“Livability and quality of life need to be emphasized,’’ he offered. “There are areas of town that need some TLC. With input from the newly formed Zoning Bylaw Review Committee, it’s important to develop regulations for areas that should be more pedestrian-friendly and more aesthetically pleasing. The key is to provide services that better suit the town’s needs.’’
Lussier’s third objective involves firming up special-permit approval. “Special permits, for example, are needed for drive-through establishments and most industrial projects,’’ he noted. “The bylaw-review committee has been meeting and will present some changes at the next Town Meeting in the spring. Their work will be ongoing for several years.’’
Lussier seems well-prepared for his current role. After graduating from UNH, he worked briefly as a seasonal engineer for the Department of Conservation and Recreation at the Wachusett Reservoir. His function was to assist the staff with roadway maintenance.
Lussier moved on to McClure Engineering in Charlton as a civil engineer. “I worked for 3½ years on site and utility designs for private projects,’’ he said. “I later worked for CMG, an environmental and civil engineering company in Sturbridge. I was project manager for municipal projects and private development.’’
Lussier, who had been an associate member of Bellingham’s Planning Board for three years, replaced Jim Kupfer last May as Town Planner. Kupfer currently is working in a similar position in Barnstable.
Lussier says there are two aspects of his new role that he really enjoys.
“I like collaborating with different departments,’’ he emphasized. “It’s a plus when we can get public safety departments, like police, fire and the DPW, involved in projects. That leads to better results. I also like putting my fingerprint on a community where I was born and raised.’’
His biggest challenge is all about controlling growth.
“What’s difficult is balancing what the town wants and having to deal with state mandates,’’ Lussier noted. “Two examples of the state’s influence are the MBTA housing mandate and the Clean Energy Bill (energy storage).’’
The MBTA housing issue was settled at the November Town Meeting when voters approved amending the zoning bylaws to create an MBTA Community Overlay District. The state requires that towns bordering a community with MBTA service have to create additional housing. Bellingham was ticketed to create 750 units in a 50-acre zone.
“The overlay district includes the Curtis Apartments on Mechanic Street and the Charles Apartments on North Main Street,’’ Lussier said. “There already are 550 units in those complexes, so we just need 200 to comply with the mandate. Any additional units would be built at those two sites.’’
Lussier said that the energy mandate (battery energy storage off Farm Street) was passed over at Town Meeting because “town officials want to get more input from Farm Street residents and conduct public outreach sessions in the spring.’’ If a zoning change is approved at the spring town meeting, Bellingham would eventually receive $4.5 million in tax revenue.
The article involves building 392 battery storage containers that would store excess electricity produced at the Medway power plant. The containers are 20 feet long, 10 feet tall and eight feet wide.
Lussier said the public has voiced concerns due to the uncertainty associated with new technology and safety issues linked to lithium batteries. “There have been fires at some facilities, and it’s understandable why residents have safety concerns,’’ he said.
The developer (Hecate Energy) can bypass local zoning by going through the state Department of Public Utilities and request a zoning exemption. Lussier, however, said, “The DPU can approve the project, taking it out of the hands of local communities, but that route takes time.’’
On another front, Lussier indicated that he’d like to see re-development of outdated structures and businesses. He also believes that industrial intrusion into Bellingham is on its last legs. “Large industrial parcels have been developed, and I’m confident that we’re nearing the end of the industrial boom in Bellingham,’’ Lussier offered.
Primarily providing technical assistance to the Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals, Lussier is respected by all town committees. “I’ve got a good working relationship with all town boards,’’ he said. “I’m pleased that my suggestions are often well-received.’’
Robert Lussier no doubt has found his niche in Bellingham.
