PLANNING BOARD MINUTES

March 11, 2009

APPROVED:

___________________

AGENDA:                   BOUNDARY LINE ADJUSTMENT:  SYLVIA A. CARRIGAN, HILDA L. BRUNO, COLIN R. & VIRGINIA D. BROWN, Hall Rd., #217-132 & -133

ATTENDING:             Dan Paradis (Chairman), Elizabeth Seeler (ViceChair), Don Milbrand (Sel. Rep.), Janice DellaCroce, Denice DeStefano, Clay Dingman, Jerry McGwin

                                    Alternates:  Murray Campbell, Steve Favorite

ABSENT:                    Alternates:  Tom Babcock (excused), Don Martin

 OTHER:                      -----

The meeting opened at 7:00 pm.  

BOUNDARY LINE ADJUSTMENT:  COLIN R. BROWN

Mr. Brown paid the necessary fee and then distributed plans.  He explained that there are two sheets as page 1 is the survey for the Carrigan/Bruno property.  He and his wife are purchasing 2.83 acres from the Carrigan/Bruno property so as to add some to their current property and to correct a boundary that

Includes some of the Brown’s shed (discovered when the survey was done for Ms. Carrigan and Ms. Bruno.  The permission slip from Ms. Carrigan and Ms. Bruno was read.  Mr. Paradis asked what the lay of the land is and Mr. Brown explained that his piece is flat but some of the other piece is fairly steep.  The Board looked over the plans to be certain that all necessary items were included.

D. DeStefano made a MOTION, second by C. Dingman, to APPROVE THE BOUNDARY LINE ADJUSTMENT OF SYLVIA CARRIGAN, HILDA BRUNO, AND COLIN & VIRGINIA BROWN AS PRESENTED.  The motion CARRIED and the plans were signed.

MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 25, 2009:

The following changes were made:

Page 2, Downtown Changes, 3^rd and 4^th lines, replace “the Planning Board had approved the “T” plan and nothing else.” with “the round-about plan was soundly rejected by the vast majority of residents in attendance.”  4^th and 5^th line, replace “that the Board has made no decisions at this time.” With “both the “T” plan and round-about plan are still under consideration.”

Page 3, last paragraph, 2^nd line, replace “Times” with “Time”.

Page 4, 3^rd paragraph, 3^rd line, at the end of that line insert “he has been told that “.  4^th line, replace “hated” with “disliked”.

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MINUTES continued:

Page 6, 2^nd paragraph, 1^st & 2^nd line, replace “have determined to wait a bit to implement this.” With “may temporarily roll back changes enacted last year.”

D. DeStefano made a motion, second by J. McGwin, to approve the minutes as amended.  The motion carried.

COMMUNICATIONS:

The OEP agenda for the Spring Conference was passed around.  The PlanNH 2009 Merit Awards Entries was passed by as each entrant will cost $100.00.  The ad for Dave’s Crowd Management Services was also received by the Selectmen and was glanced at but felt that it did not come under Planning Board authority.  A DOT driveway permit for Steen Gilpatric for a temporary logging road was looked at.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Historic District Commission:  Mr. Dingman stated that their last meeting was held in February.  The Commission voted to approve the Design Standards to go to public hearing.  It was sent to town attorney, Bernie Waugh, and his answer has just come back (copies were given to the Planning Board as Atty. Waugh suggested).  The new HDC web site is up and is easy to update.  Mr. Dingman is willing to show the secretary how to do this.  The goal is that, someday, the town will take this over.  The next meeting of the Commission is April 14^th.

Selectmen:  Mr. Milbrand stated that the elections were held yesterday.  Joe Denning was re-elected as Selectman and all of the Zoning Amendments were passed.  522 people voted.  The Selectmen are to meet tomorrow night to update their presentations for town meeting (Saturday, March 14^th, at the High School Auditorium at 9:00 am.  The mica building is on-going.  Mr. Suldenski is to meet with the Selectmen next week.  The family on one side and Noah from the apartment on the other have been relocated and The Mill is renting the kitchen of the Presidential Grille.  When Mr. Dingman asked about the 20 days given for an answer, Mr. Milbrand answered that we had to notify all lien holders first so this is still within the 20 days allowed.  Mr. Milbrand believes that Mr. Suldenski has 3 or 4 quotes to take the building down.  Ms. DellaCroce asked if DES should be involved with the river right there.  Mr. Milbrand answered that he is not sure if they are aware of the situation but he will check.  There are two barrels of flammable chemicals plus the bird guano.  The paint probably has lead in it, as well. 

It was asked if those with terms ending will be renewed.  Ms. Laferriere said that she has notified the Selectmen/Town Manager that Ms. DeStefano is willing to stay on.  She had not heard from Ms. Seeler as yet.  Ms. Seeler expressed her desire to continue also.

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UNFINISHED BUSINESS continued:

Capital Improvements Plan:  Mr. Campbell stated that we are still looking for candidates for this committee.  Debbie Gilbert, Librarian, called Mr. Campbell and explained that the town manager, Mr. Weston, told her that she needs to see the CIP for their capital projects.  There is a warrant article in this year requesting a Minot Sleeper Library Reserve Fund.  Ms. Gilbert is soliciting our support.  The next CIP meeting will be held March 17^th.

Central Square Survey: 

Mr. Paradis explained that he feels that Mr. Campbell’s version for a cover letter is premature and that we should be looking to get opinions for the future.  A final plan is several years down the line due to DOT having to be involved.  We need to get citizens thoughts that we need to incorporate into the plan.

He then distributed a new version that he has drawn up. 

Mr. Favorite explained that TAC is to review the list of projects at the end of this month and are looking at a checklist.  Gov. Lynch is still determining where federal stimulus money is to go and President Obama is prioritizing bridges and then roads.  He added that he saw a school bus hit the curb downtown today.  He has also spoken with Jeff Chartier, Supervisor of Water and Sewer, about drainage in the Square.  We also need to consider if it would be feasible to bury the electric lines there.

Mr. Campbell felt that the Board discussed coming up with a plan and that people don’t know about the PlanNH Charrette.  It was his idea to do the survey.  Mr. Paradis stated that he feels that his version tells them enough.  The people will not read all of what Mr. Campbell suggests.  Ms. DellaCroce agreed.  She and Mr. Dingman both expressed that the implementation of what we find out from the survey will be up to the professionals.  A discussion followed.

Everyone decided to use the cover letter that Mr. Paradis has presented.  It will have a brief survey on the back of it.  It is intended to have available at town meeting and some copies should be available here.  Mr. Favorite stated that we need to keep information out in front of everyone.

The survey itself was then looked at.  #1 is fine.  #2 = change the wording to introduce methods for free flow of traffic.  Ms. Seeler said to just drop the reference to (or roundabout).  It was determined to change it to read “Improve traffic flow, including left turn lanes for cars leaving Route 104.”  #3 is okay.  #4 and #5 = Mr. Dingman suggested that the differences between the two should be italicized.  Everyone agreed.  #6, 7, 8, and 9 are okay.  #10 = This is a concern of DOT and is okay.  #11 is okay.  #12 = It was determined to change to new street lights with an Historic design.  #13 should be dropped.

#14 and 15 = Italicize the differences.  #16 = Mr. Favorite explained that he has been observing North Main Street and the flow of traffic coming down is only in the morning.  He felt that a one-way up would help with safety for the kids, as well, as they would only have to look one way before crossing the street.  It was determined to leave this in.  Mr. Campbell asked if we should determine where it would be one way and Mr. Paradis answered that the survey is for Central Square which would imply that it is in that vicinity.  The Board determined to keep “Other” in. 

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Survey continued:

Mr. Paradis stated that the average is for 15,000 vehicles per day for a roundabout but it depends on size, etc.  Ms. DellaCroce asked about a question in regard to creating a pedestrian path to the river.  It was determined that this could replace #13 and read as “Create access from Central Square to Newfound River.”

The Board then discussed how many copies to make:  150-175, 200 max., 250 were suggested with the latter the final number.

Master Plan:

Mr. Paradis felt that we should start on this at our Workshop meeting.  He mentioned a news article in which Sandwich is asking $46,000. to do a Master Plan.

NEXT MEETING:  March 25, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. and we shall work on the Master Plan, Chapter VI.

OTHER:

Ms. DellaCroce asked what the forms were that had been given to the Board.  Mr. Paradis explained that these are forms that Michelle Bonsteel, Land Use Officer, has been working on.  She is to create a Boundary Line Adjustment checklist also.

With no other business, C. Dingman made a motion, second by J. McGwin, to adjourn at 8:35 p.m.

                                                            Respectfully submitted,

                                                            Jan Laferriere, secretary