By George P. Hassett

Alderman-at-Large Bruce  Desmond is criticizing KSS Realty, the developers of the old Max Pak factory site, for not providing enough information to neighbors about environmental testing being done there.

“Neighbors and community members worked hundreds of hours to get the zoning for the project done correctly, then out of the blue a notice with very little information is dropped on their doorstep saying there will be some environmental testing done in their neighborhood,” Desmond said at last week’s Board of Aldermen meeting.

Desmond said when he asked one of the owners of KSS to come to Somerville for a neighborhood meeting the offer was declined. At the aldermen’s meeting, Desmond said he hoped the developers would change their mind and offer more information to the neighborhood.

KSS Realty did not return phone calls from The Somerville News this week.

Joe Lynch, one of the neighborhood representatives who worked with developers on the project, applauded Desmond for encouraging more transparency from KSS but said such actions should be coming from Ward 5 Alderman Sean O’Donovan. O’Donovan recused himself from negotiations and votes on the issue because he bought a home in the neighborhood. Still, said Lynch, he should be working to inform the neighborhood of what is happening at the development. Lynch unsuccessfully challenged O’Donovan for his Ward 5 seat in this month’s city elections.

Lynch said only one neighborhood surrounding the development was notified. Magoun Square neighbors, he said, were not informed of the environmental testing.

“Even though the Ward 5 alderman had to recuse himself from voting he should still be the one to hold community meetings and be the focal point of information coming out to neighbors,” he said.

Ralph Russo who lives on the other side of the development and represented his neighborhood in negotiations with KSS, said the developers are following the right procedure.

“Maybe they could have put a little more information out there but they’re doing the right thing. They informed us of what is happening,” he said.

In June aldermen passed the zoning for the project, allowing as many as 199 condominium units to be built on the 5 acre patch of land that once housed the Max Pak paper factory. The zoning calls for 65 units to be built on the Clyde Street side during phase 1, 65 units during phase 2 and up to 69 units in the final phase. A change in the covenant by Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone or a future mayor could add 34 more units to the property. Desmond was the only alderman to vote against the zoning in June. He said at the time he was not satisfied with the covenants between the developers and the neighborhood.