The Planning Board Tuesday approved a proposal from MITRE Corp. on Burlington Road for the installation of a 10,000-square-foot prefabricated structure.
The approval is contingent on MITRE meeting conditions outlined by the Department of Public Works and the Fire Department.
MITRE wants the building to enclose its existing underground water tanks located adjacent to Building P. The tanks are part of MITRE’s BlueTech Lab, which will be used by government agencies, research organizations, startups, and commercial companies to test underwater sonar equipment.
Editor’s Note: In November 2021 The Citizen reported on MITRE’s groundbreaking ceremony for the BlueTech Lab.
The structure will be designed with a high ceiling to accommodate mobile cranes moving above any equipment during testing. The structure will also include a mezzanine and workstations for engineers monitoring the testing.
The site review submission package confirmed that there will be no significant impact on parking or traffic as a result of the construction.
The presentation addressed comments submitted by town agencies concerning the proposed project.
The DPW noted that the final discharge points in the proposal “do not show the downstream drainage system to the point where stormwater leaves the site and connects to the town’s system.” MITRE responded in its drainage report, which concluded that there is a net decrease in the rate of water leaving the site in post-construction conditions.
The DPW also asked if the project could include filtration of roof runoff in order to mitigate a possible increase in the volume of stormwater. MITRE confirmed that runoff has already been reduced and that the project is within guidelines. Any necessary permits will be provided to the DPW.
The Fire Department raised concerns that its apparatus would lose 360-degree access to Building P. MITRE replied that there is not currently 360-degree access to the building. The board clarified that while fire departments often prefer that there is 360-degree access, there is no statutory requirement.
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