PLANNING BOARD MINUTES

January 28, 2009

 

APPROVED:

___________________

 

AGENDA:                   2ND PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED ZONING ORDINANCE CHANGES

                                    CONTINUED COMPLIANCE HEARING:  JOSEPH J. SANTAMARIA,

                                                30 South Main St., #114-169

                                    COMPLIANCE HEARING:  BILL HART/SNHS ELDERLY HSG. VI, INC.            Lake St. and Ballou Rd., #216-101.2, .3, .4                  

                                               

ATTENDING:             Dan Paradis (Chairman), Don Milbrand (Sel. Rep.), Janice DellaCroce, Denice DeStefano

                                    Alternates:  Tom Babcock, Murray Campbell, Steve Favorite

                                               

ABSENT:                    Elizabeth Seeler (Vice Chair – excused), Clay Dingman (conflict), Jerry McGwin (ill)

                                    Alternates:  Don Martin  

 

 OTHER:                      Alan DeStefano & Joseph J. Santamaria

 

 

The meeting opened at 7:00 pm.  S. Favorite sat in for E. Seeler, T. Babcock for C. Dingman, and M. Campbell for J. McGwin.

 

CONTINUED COMPLIANCE HEARING:  JOSEPH J. SANTAMARIA

Ms. DeStefano stepped down.

 

Mr. Santamaria’s letter of agreement to comply with all conditions was read.  An e-mail from Tyler Gates, Mr. Santamaria’s plumber was read as well as Skip Moyer’s letter on the Fire Safety code conditions.  The applicant does not intend to do any exterior changes other than to replace the deck that collapsed. 

 

D. Milbrand made a MOTION, second by S. Favorite, to APPROVE THE APPLICATION OF JOSEPH J. SANTAMARIA AS ALL CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN MET.  The motion CARRIED.

 

The Board signed the plans and the notice of decision.  Ms. DeStefano returned to the table.

 

Mr. DeStefano stated that Mr. Santamaria has received a lot of requests to put in a gym/fitness center for the public and asked if there would be a problem with this.  It was determined that it would be the same as Curves and considered to come under Personal Service.  Therefore, it is going from one allowed use to another allowed use.  Ms. DellaCroce asked about increased parking needs and Mr. Paradis reminded everyone that parking is exempt in the Downtown Commercial district.

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Planning Board Minutes

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MINUTES OF JANUARY 14, 2009:

The following amendments and clarifications were made:

Page 3, under FENCES, 1st line, add “like” after “does not”.  Page 4, 1st paragraph, 2nd line, following “Mr. Paradis’” insert “suggestion of”.  6th line, change the sentence beginning with “He mentioned that” to read “He mentioned that we passed an ordinance for Sexual Oriented Businesses and the Wireless Towers and we haven’t had one application on either.”  Second paragraph, third line, place the words “number” and “multipliers” in quotation marks.  4th line, replace “decimal” with “decibel”.

Page 6, 1st paragraph, 5th line, replace “$15,000” with “$50,000” and “$16,000” with “$60,000”.  Under “Selectmen”, 3rd line, change “will pay” to “will only pay”, after “$76,000” insert “because money will be received from the State from the design costs” and following “or” insert “will pay”.

Page 7, Capital Improvements title, change “Plan” to “Program”.

 

D. DeStefano made a motion, second by M. Campbell, to accept the minutes as amended.  The motion carried.

 

COMPLIANCE HEARING:  SNHS ELDERLY HSG. IV, INC.

The Board had received the Alteration of Terrain permit and this was read.  The secretary reported that Ms. Bonsteel was looking for the copy of the Wetlands permit that she received but has not left a copy for us as yet. 

 

D. DeStefano made a MOTION, second by T. Babcock, to CONTINUE THE SNHS ELDERLY HSG. IV, INC. COMPLIANCE HEARING TO FEBRUARY 11, 2009 AS THERE WAS NO-ONE IN ATTENDANCE TO PRODUCE THIS LAST CONDITION.  The motion CARRIED.

 

ZONING AMENDMENTS FOR 2009:

It was noted that there were no public attendees (probably due to the storm conditions tonight).

 

Amendment #1:  HDC Signs

J. DellaCroce made a MOTION, second by S. Favorite, to APPROVE AMENDMENT #1 AND PLACE IT ON THE MARCH BALLOT.  The motion CARRIED.

 

Amendment #2: HDC Overlay

Mr. Paradis stated that this amendment has already been voted on to place on the March ballot.  He mentioned that we overlooked changing the wording on Page 2 to comply with this and shall have to do so next year.

  

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1/28/09

 

ZONING AMENDMENTS continued:

Amendment #3:  Signs

Mr. Paradis explained that Attorney Waugh, Town Attorney, recommends that we change “vehicular right-of-way” to “vehicular traveled way”.  The changes made at our first hearing were gone over.  Mr. Favorite questioned moving signs.  Mr. Paradis stated that the present wording is from Attorney Waugh’s suggestion.  A discussion followed and a comparison made to prices on a gas station sign moving.  Mr. Milbrand stated that these are not automatic moving signs.  Ms. DeStefano suggested that this be left as is and, next year, if a change is necessary, we can do so then.

 

D. DeStefano made a MOTION, second by S. Favorite, to APPROVE AMENDMENT #3 WITH ATTY. WAUGH’S CHANGES AND BRING IT TO THE MARCH BALLOT.  The motion CARRIED.

 

A short discussion was held about inside signs and was felt that they are temporary usually and do not need a permit.

 

Amendment #4:  Fences

T. Babcock made a MOTION, second by J. DellaCroce, to APPROVE AMENDMENT #4 AS PRESENTED AND BRING IT TO THE MARCH BALLOT.  The motion CARRIED.

 

Amendment #5:  Small Wind Energy Systems

Mr. Paradis pointed out Paragraph D in which changes were made per Atty. Waugh’s suggestion along with the distance of 300’.  He added that this pretty much follows the State model.

 

S. Favorite made a MOTION, second by T. Babcock, to APPROVE AMENDMENT #5 AS PRESENTED AND BRING IT TO THE MARCH BALLOT.  The motion CARRIED.

 

Amendment #6:  Fire Safety Requirements

This amendment was also changed according to Atty. Waugh’s suggestion and covers the current fire codes.

 

S. Favorite made a MOTION, second by D. DeStefano, to APPROVE AMENDMENT #6 AS PRESENTED AND BRING IT TO THE MARCH BALLOT.  The motion CARRIED.

 

Mr. Paradis stated that Attorney Waugh signed off on the ballot language as we presented.

 

  

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Planning Board Minutes

1/28/09

 

COMMUNICATIONS:

A copy of a letter to James McDonough from Michelle Bonsteel, Code Enforcement Officer, was read as well as one to Katie Hill.  These were for the Board’s information.  The January 2009 Land Lines magazine will be held in the office for awhile.  A draft of a temporary signs permit was looked at and Ms. DeStefano reminded the Board that we do not require a permit for a temporary sign.  Mr. Paradis will see Ms. Bonsteel about this.  A draft copy of a Lakes Region Plan for Sustainable Progress was looked at and will be kept in the office for a time.  The booklet on Development Activity in the Lakes Region shall be saved.

 

REPORTS:

HDC:  No report due to absence.

 

Selectmen’s:  Mr. Milbrand stated that the Board decided to hold Town meeting at the high school but one member was not there when this was discussed and wants it discussed again so this may change back to the Old Town Hall.  Mr. Favorite stated that Town Meeting usually has no more than 189 people in attendance on average.  The Old Town Hall holds 300.

 

Mr. Milbrand also stated that he attended the Monday night Budget meeting and Planning Board was untouched.  They shall hold their Public Meeting on Feb. 9th at the Old Town Hall.  There was a discussion about the CIP, Kelley Park, this roof (Town Office/Police Station), and fire equipment.  The Police cruiser price was dropped, the highway truck got put back in.  $7500 was put in to extend the water line to the Elderly Housing project and Mr. Milbrand suggested that a few of the other businesses along the area be added, as well, so as to bring down the cost.  Last year’s budget was $5.7 million and this has been dropped to $5.4 million.

 

CIP:  Mr. Campbell stated that we are minus a member and are asking that it be filled along with a couple of alternates to fill in for vacations and other absences.  He asked again if anyone on the Planning Board is willing to come on board.  There were no takers.  With that, Mr. Campbell suggested that we go outside to recruit members to fill in.  Mr. Paradis felt that, as far as he knows, there are no restrictions as far as going outside is concerned.  Mr. Milbrand added that the Planning Board is in charge of this.  The town meeting vote was to place the responsibility in the hands of the Planning Board or the Selectmen.  It was voted that the Planning Board has this authority. 

 

Mr. Paradis felt that going outside and adding alternates is appropriate to do but he wondered if restrictions should be added, such as:  limit in any way the ratio of Planning members vs. outside members or that the Chairman should always be a Planning Board member.  A discussion followed as to opening up to more than 5 members and this was thought that it could become too many.  They agreed that the Chairman should be a Planning Board member who would report back to the Planning Board.

  

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CIP REPORT continued:

M. Campbell made a MOTION to MOVE THAT THE PLANNING BOARD CONSIDER A 5 MEMBER SUBCOMMITTEE FOR CIP WITH A MINIMUM OF 3 MEMBERS OR ALTERNATES FROM THE PLANNING BOARD, THE CHAIRMAN FROM THE PLANNING BOARD, AND TO GO OUTSIDE FOR OTHER MEMBERS OR ALTERNATES.

 

Mr. Paradis questioned having to have 3 members of the Planning Board.  It was determined to just leave it as the Chairman having to be a member.  We can try it this way and can change it later if needed.

 

The MOTION, continued with the dropping of the minimum of 3 members or alternates being from the Planning Board and the motion CARRIED.

 

Mr. Campbell then moved to proceed to advertise on TV, the web, and the bulletin boards.  Mr. Paradis felt that there was no need to vote on this and all agreed that Mr. Campbell could proceed with this.  Mr. Campbell stated that he would like to have any candidates come to the Planning Boards’ next workshop meeting, Feb. 25th.  This was agreed to and the candidates can see our secretary or the town office people (who would give our secretary the information) so that she can compile the list.

 

Mr. Favorite stated that Steve Carter, South Bristol, is interested.

 

Mr. Campbell added that the next meeting of the CIP is February 17th.

 

VIDEO RECORDINGS:

Mr. Paradis stated that he is a little ambivalent on this.  Ms. DeStefano asked if it would discourage people.  A discussion followed.  Mr. Milbrand explained that, unless it was done at the Old Town Hall, it would be taped not live.  Ms. DellaCroce felt that she could go either way on it.  Mr. Paradis felt that it would be of value for zoning amendments and it was generally felt that it would be difficult to select which to be taped and which not.  It was questioned as to the fact that anyone watching could tape it and could change some things.  It was noted that they are allowed to tape at meetings due to the Right-to-Know Law.  Ms. DellaCroce asked if the tapes get archived.  With too many legal questions, Mr. Paradis will speak with Paul Weston, Town Manager, before the Board makes this decision.

 

NEXT MEETING: 

The next meeting will be held Feb. 11th at 7:00 pm.  We have a Boundary Line Adjustment for the Withams and the Continued Elderly Housing Compliance.  Ms. DeStefano will be on vacation and Mr. Milbrand will probably get Mr. Denning to fill in for him.

 

With no other business, D. DeStefano made a motion, second by T. Babcock, to adjourn at 8:30 pm.

 

                                                                                    Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                    Jan Laferriere, secretary