Peer Review Services Supporting Central Massachusetts Review of Development Projects
Helping Your Team Make Confident Decisions
When reviewing new development opportunities (whether a Chapter 40B, Chapter 40R, mixed-use, or commercial project), stormwater, utilities, traffic, and construction impacts can quickly become major concerns.
Residents want reassurance, developers need direction, and staff capacity is often stretched thin. An independent peer review can help your team ask the right questions, ensure requirements are being met, and improve outcomes for the community.
HSH can help your Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Board of Health, and Conservation Commission through permitting and create a positive experience for both the municipality and the developer. HSH has experience on both sides of the permitting process, as the design engineer for large and small scale residential, commercial, and retail projects, and as the peer review engineer for the municipality.
Municipalities request peer reviews because:
- A project raises stormwater, septic design, traffic, or construction concerns.
- Staff need deeper technical support to manage complex reviews.
- Abutters and residents are seeking clearer explanations or mitigation.
- They want independent findings before shaping conditions of approval.
HSH provides construction oversight services, including:
- Ensuring construction follows the approved plans, permits, and specifications.
- Documenting progress with reports, photos, and logs.
- Communicating updates, delays, or concerns quickly.
- Providing full-time or part-time Resident Engineering/Clerk of Work oversight.
A peer review provides clarity, coordination, and confidence at every step.
“We look forward to working with you all. Both the Board and staff have been impressed with your work thus far.” – Jason Cleghorn, Town Planner, Town of Pepperell, MA
What Peer Reviews Provide:
A peer review is an independent, third-party evaluation performed by licensed professionals in the same discipline as the applicant’s engineer or designer.
The goal is simple: give your team clear, defensible information to guide decisions. Our reviews typically include:
- Plain-language summaries you can discuss with residents.
- Consolidated questions and coordinated comments across disciplines.
- Clear identification of potential impacts and mitigation options.
- Recommendations that make a good project better for your community.
Our expanded team provides:
- Site plan regulation review;
- Stormwater and drainage review;
- Site and utility design expertise;
- Traffic analysis review;
- Construction phase support;
- Public meeting attendance; and
- Direct coordination with applicant teams.
Let’s Talk Through Your Upcoming Project
If you would like peer review support, we’re happy to talk through timing and next steps.
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Kristen LaBrie, EIT Engineer in Training, Worcester Office klabrie@hshassoc.com |
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Steven Tyler, P.E. Associate Principal, Municipal Markets Leader styler@hshassoc.com |
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