The Braintree Planning Board on Jan. 14 approved a major modification to grading permit 07‑12 for 156 Hayward Street, allowing an in‑ground pool, a retaining wall up to about 6 feet and related drainage work, with conditions to address neighbor flooding concerns and structural safety.

The applicant, Patrick Stones, told the board he planned an in‑ground pool and described existing on‑site stone fill and a catch basin collecting driveway runoff. Assistant Director Murphy said staff reviewed the revised plans, found that the applicant addressed most comments, and recommended conditions addressing minor outstanding items, landscaping in the wetland buffer and controls so runoff from new patios drains toward the pool rather than into abutting wetland areas.

Neighbors raised historic and ongoing flooding concerns. "We are very concerned about our backyard that it could be flooded more than right now," said Barbara Gashinsky, a nearby resident, describing past ponding and a lower elevation behind Mr. Stones’ lot. Another neighbor said recent rains have rendered their yard "unusable." Board members asked whether drainage tests had been performed; Murphy said no formal drainage tests had been done but staff had worked with the applicant and that drainage controls had been added to the revised plans.

Board members also pressed the safety of a retaining wall placed into a steep bank. Member Kane, a structural engineer, warned the building permit process must confirm structural design. The board added a condition requiring the applicant to submit structural drawings stamped by a licensed professional engineer when filing for a building permit. The board also asked for a condition on pool dewatering: pool water is not to be discharged to abutting properties, and if the pool is to be emptied the applicant must remove water off‑site or use a third party to manage discharge. Post‑construction the applicant’s engineer must certify that there is no increase in peak runoff from the property; staff will inspect the site after major rain events as part of standard grading permit follow‑up.

Member Kent moved to approve the major modification according to the staff report and the conditions discussed; Member Connolly seconded. The motion passed (unanimous). The board then closed the public hearing and accepted correspondence into the record.