Plympton ZBA Hires Peer Review Firm for 60-Unit 40B Housing Proposal

PLYMPTON — June 26, 2025 — Plympton Zoning Board of Appeals retains JDE Civil Engineering to peer-review a proposed 60-unit Chapter 40B affordable housing project. The board voted unanimously at its June 26 meeting to hire JDE for civil engineering and stormwater review only, at an estimated cost of $16,450, deferring the $21,500 traffic review component until the applicant's own traffic study — being conducted by VAI Associates under a $6,000 contract signed this week — is on file. The board also directed applicant representative Peter Opoczynski to deposit $15,000 into a statutory 53G escrow account to fund the engagement; JDE's proposal calls for replenishment whenever the balance dips below $2,500. Chair Suzanne Jaffarian nominated Secretary Ethan Stiles to serve as hearing chair for the 40B proceedings after she missed the board's May 28 opening session, and the board approved the designation unanimously. The 40B hearing was continued to July 29 at 6:30 p.m., when McKenzie Engineering Group, the applicant's civil engineer, is expected to present site and stormwater plans with JDE offering an initial peer review response — with a statutory 180-day decision deadline falling around late November 2025.