Planning Board
Meeting Minutes
December 2, 2003
Members present: Terry Silverman; Chairman, Paul Grasewicz; Vice-Chairman, Joan McLaughlin and Carlotta Lilback Pini
Members absent: Macreay Landy and Robin Haynes
Selectmen present: Joan Knight
Chairman Silverman opened the meeting at 7:05 p.m.
Margo advised the Board that Eric Twarog has rescheduled his appointment to meet with them about the Master Plan update until their next meeting.
Administrative Work
Ø Review and approve meeting minutes from November 18, 2003 – Carlotta Lilback Pini moved to approve the minutes of November 18, 2003 as written. Joan McLaughlin second. A unanimous vote in favor of the motion was taken.
Ø DRAFTED 2004-2009 CIP – The Board spent a considerable amount of time reviewing the drafted CIP. Margo generated this document on a new form as requested by Chairman Silverman however, several Board members felt that the form was difficult to understand in that it looks like there is a plan, but then there is the money aspect of it which makes it confusing. Margo will try to simplify this form. The Board noted that they still have not received information from several departments and asked Margo to send another memo out. Additionally, a copy of RSA 674:7 will be attached to the memo.
Selectman Joan Knight told the Board that the boat ramp project scheduled for 2004 was questionable at this time. Carlotta questioned why there was nothing projected for the wastewater project and Mrs. Knight explained that they are basically at the point that there is no land available for this project, and they are still investigating this on a smaller scale by perhaps looking at having a small group of houses sharing a smaller system.
The Board discussed concerns they have with the draft before them. The draft was prepared with information provided by the department heads, and some basic information obtained from the Selectmen’s Office, such as the pole barn roof replacement. The Board noted that every request should have a project to go along with it and an end date, and there should be something explaining the justification for the request and the priority it is needed in for each particular department. There was some discussion about all of the requests that are maintenance related, such as road maintenance, painting the Town Hall and interior projects like floor refinishing and carpet replacement. Mrs. Knight explained that one of these major projects alone is one thing, but when you add in
other major projects it can really impact things and cause a problem in terms of planning. Chairman Silverman added that capital improvements can go on the CIP as this allows the town to put funds away for these projects. The roof at the pole barn was mentioned and Carlotta said that this is a good example of why this should have been planned for, since they are now looking to pay for the entire project next year. The Board questioned if this was an emergency and agreed not to make a recommendation for this item noting that they did not receive a request from the department, and they are not going to make recommendations on hearsay.
The Board reviewed the requests from the Fire/Ambulance Department. The first item requested is to purchase a tanker truck in 2004 and the cost associated with this is $150,000.00, which would have to be raised next year. The department purchased a truck in 2003; a pumper and transport vehicle, and used the funds in reserve. Mrs. Knight told the Board that this item may have been a typographical error on the departments’ part. The Board agreed not to recommend this item in the CIP. The department has also requested $30,000.00 in 2005 and $60,000.00 in 2006 for a forestry truck. The Board agreed to recommend $10,000.00 per year beginning in 2004, and would like additional information about this vehicle to be purchased. The request for funds to go into reserves for
purchasing air packs was supported by the Board although they questioned how many units this would purchase, and what the life expectancy is for this item. The Board agreed with the request for funds for the ambulance purchase line. The Board asked Margo to memo the Fire Department and advise them of the recommendations to be made by the Board, and to ask for additional information about the vehicles they are looking to purchase and the air packs.
The Board noted that there were no requests made for Emergency Management.
The Conservation Commission is requesting to establish an expendable trust in 2005 with $15,000.00 and then add money to this trust each year. The Board questioned what the money would be used for and Margo told the Board that Katie Metzger explained to her that the money would be used for land purchase, land maintenance and land protection. Mrs. Knight added that the Selectmen asked the Commission for a plan. The Board noted that there needs to be a plan on how to use and administer the money, and added that if they are planning to buy land to be available to be preserved as open space, then the Board should know about this so that this information can be put into the Master Plan. Paul referred the Board to page 51 of the current Master Plan which has a recommendation to
establish a fund for the purchase of land or development rights, and budgeting money through the Conservation Commission. The Board asked Margo to memo the Conservation Commission asking them what their plans are for the funds they are requesting to go into the expendable trust that they want to create; are they planning to buy land, establish easements, etc. Carlotta questioned if the Conservation Commission was currently receiving any funds from the Land Use Change Tax to which Mrs. Knight said that they are.
The Board asked Margo to forward a memo to the Budget Committee advising them of the requests that they have received and looked over, and what they are recommending and not recommending at this time.
Ø Discuss Cluster Development Ordinance – Chairman Silverman told the Board that he wanted to discuss the suggested changes that were mentioned at a recent meeting regarding the Cluster Development Ordinance. He noted that the Board has discussed this type of development and how it looks in other towns, and the consensus of this Board was that they preferred not to see a portion of the lot with just houses on it because they are real close together. Chairman Silverman said that he likes the protection the town has in their regulations where they support people actually having lots as opposed to house sites, and asked the Board if this is something that they
want to change. Joan McLaughlin spoke of a true cluster development and the common area noting that the common land should have a use and a purpose. She added that she prefers to see a lesser number of units over everyone in the development being squashed in. The discussion moved towards condominiums, and Paul noted that our regulations do not really accommodate condominiums, and Carlotta spoke of the statute noting that condominiums are considered a subdivision. Paul spoke of our setbacks and that they do not really address condominiums, and noted that a lot of other regulations that he has reviewed in other towns allow for that by either applying to individual lots or not. Paul suggested that they could look at changing frontage requirements and having developments set back a certain distance from the road, etc. Carlotta said that the thing she likes about the current ordinance is that you cannot put more houses under the cluster development than would be allowed under
conventional regulations, to which Paul agreed.
Ø Discuss future development – Chairman Silverman asked the Board how they felt about future development in outlying areas on questionable Class 5 roads; in that do they want to look at increasing the minimum lot size possibly, and noted that this is relating to the Master Plan. Chairman Silverman asked where the growth should be; more towards the center of town or in the outlying areas of town, and then questioned what kind of stress that would put on the town services like the Fire and Police Departments and the elementary school. Carlotta said that she would like to see a map of undeveloped land and Margo reminded the Board that she obtained a map from
Eric Twarog and a report from Paula Thompson that the Board wanted to look over.
Ø Discuss amendment and/or adoption work for Town Meeting -
* See list of applicable dates –
Margo told the Board that January 6, 2004 is the last date to hold a first public hearing for amendments to existing zoning ordinances or adoption of a new zoning ordinance if a second public hearing is anticipated. Carlotta questioned the timeframe needed for the newspaper and Margo said that she should fax the notice to them Thursday, December 18, 2003. Margo added that February 3, 2004 is the last date to hold a final public hearing. Margo has a short list of corrections that the Board had brought up at different times throughout the year while working with various ordinances and sections of the Land Use Code. The Board agreed to address the following items at a public hearing to be held on January 6, 2004 –
* Add language to the Wetlands Ordinance to establish an application and abutter notification fee. The fees are to be determined by the Board of Selectmen.
* Remove the following language from the Wireless Communication Facility Ordinance: Section 127-16.2 F.4.) a. 1. “measured from the edge of the State R-O-W”.
* Correct item F. Home Occupation/Business under 127-9 Residential Uses in the Table of Principal Uses, to an allowed use (Y) in the General Business District.
Margo noted that it is her understanding that the references to Building Inspector in the Land Use Regulations were changed to Code Enforcement Officer a few years ago, however the manual was never changed.
Joan McLaughlin moved to schedule a public hearing for the three land use amendments as discussed. Joan Knight seconded. A unanimous vote in favor of the motion was taken.
Correspondence
Ø Copy of Wetlands and Non-Site Specific Permit issued by the State of New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services for property on Richmond Road; Map 32; Lot 21 – This permit has been issued to the new property owners to dredge and fill 3000 square feet of palustrine forested wetlands for one 18” x 25’ culvert and driveway installation for access to a single family dwelling.
Ø Copy of Driveway Permit issued by the State of New Hampshire Department of Transportation to Russell Raitto for reconstructing a driveway entrance adjoining Rt. 119 on the south side. - Reviewed
Ø Fall 2003 issue of New Hampshire Main Street News – To be reviewed at the Board’s leisure
Ø Letter and application from Plan NH regarding Design Assistance for New Hampshire Projects – To be reviewed at the Board’s leisure
Ø 2004 Plan NH Membership Guide – To be reviewed at the Board’s leisure
Ø Card from Frost Consulting regarding the formation of new consulting practice - Reviewed
Ø Notice of Public Hearings from the Town of Winchendon - Reviewed
Ø Notice of Decision from the Town of Winchendon - Reviewed
Ø Notice of Withdrawal from the Town of Winchendon - Reviewed
Ø Copy of letter sent by the Board of Selectmen – This letter is in response to a request for an extension in time to remove livestock from a property, to which the Selectmen granted a two week extension.
Ø Letter from Jeff Porter of SWRPC re: Developing a Land Conservation Plan for the Ashuelot River Watershed – To be reviewed at the Board’s leisure
Carlotta Lilback Pini moved to adjourn at 9:00 p.m. Chairman Silverman seconded. A unanimous vote in favor of the motion was taken.
Respectfully submitted,
Margo M. Best
Administrative Assistant
Land Use Boards
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