In the Business section of June 15, 2018 issue of the New Hampshire Union Leader is one of TFMoran’s civil engineering projects, Reeds Ferry Sheds. The article covers the planning board meetings in Hudson and Londonderry regarding the proposed campus expansion. To read the article click on the link or read text below.
Reeds Ferry Sheds growing in Hudson and Londonderry Expanding campus:
Shed maker plans to build addition, expand parking at site off Route 102.
LONDONDERRY — Reeds Ferry Sheds is expanding its shed-making and distribution operations and is proposing changes to its property to better accommodate that growth.
The company now owns three adjacent parcels off Route 102, and has proposed a use change to the newest property, the construction of a 2,000-square foot addition and an expanded parking and driveway system to connect the three buildings.
Reeds Ferry Sheds previously operated solely out of 3 Tracy Lane in Hudson. In the spring, the company purchased 7 Tracy Lane and most recently bought 5 Tracy Lane, which was previously the New England Gymnastics Training Center.
While the street addresses are in Hudson, the properties are bisected by the town line with Londonderry. Most of 7 Tracy Lane is in Hudson, but 3 and 5 Tracy Lane are primarily in Londonderry.
In a scheduling fluke, representatives from the company met with both the Hudson and Londonderry town planning boards at the same time Wednesday night.
Co-owner Tim Carleton and Jason Hill, an engineer with TFMoran, met with the Londonderry board for a conceptual review, while Director of Operations Laurie Blanchette and engineer Robert Duval met with Hudson’s board.
Hill told Londonderry planners the company intends to move forward with plans to build a 2,000-square-foot expansion to 5 Tracy Lane that was alreadyapproved by the planning board in the early 2000s for the previous owners. The permitted use of the building needs to be changed to light manufacturing and construction.
“They want to build this thing this year,” Hill said.
The estimated six-month-long project will also include additional parking for 18 trucks and 12 spots for employees.
At the Hudson meeting, Duval said the company plans to hire an additional eight to 10 employees. Growth from there is projected to be gradual, with an additional truck per year added to the 10 trucks in use now, Blanchette said.
More of the shed production will move to the middle building at 5 Tracy Lane, and the company hopes to build more driveways to interconnect the three buildings so its trucks won’t have to use Tracy Lane to travel between them. There will also be more storage space.
The company also wants to create more outdoor displays in front of 5 and 7 Tracy, similar to what it already has at 3 Tracy. Some board members in each town expressed concerns about setback requirements.
Some septic system relocation would be required to accommodate some of the new driveways, and a stormwater drainage pond will need to be installed near 7 Tracy Lane.
George Thebarge, interim town planner for Hudson, said the impetus for the proposed changes is to make it easier to expand production.
“It’s growth in their business,” Thebarge said.
The company declined to comment for this story.
Hill said he hopes to return to the Londonderry board with a full application by Aug. 1.
