PLANNING BOARD MINUTES

March  25, 2009

 

APPROVED:

________________

 

AGENDA:                   CIP CANDIDATE

                                    ELECTION OF OFFICERS

                                    WORKSHOP             

                                                                       

ATTENDING:             Dan Paradis (Chairman), Elizabeth Seeler (ViceChair), Janice DellaCroce, Denice DeStefano, Clay Dingman, Jerry McGwin

                                    Alternates:  Murray Campbell, Steve Favorite

                                               

ABSENT:                    Don Milbrand (Sel. Rep.)

                                    Alternates:  Tom Babcock, Don Martin (working)

 

 OTHER:                      Steve Carter

 

 

The meeting opened at 7:03 pm.  

 

ELECTION OF OFFICERS – 2009 TO 2010:

E. Seeler made a motion, second by J. DellaCroce, to elect Dan Paradis as Chairman.  The motion carried with one abstention.

 

J. DellaCroce made a motion, second by J. McGwin, to elect Elizabeth Seeler as Vice Chairman.  The motion carried.

 

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM (CIP) CANDIDATE:

Mr. Campbell introduced Steve Carter as a candidate for the CIP.  Mr. Carter is a 6 year resident, near Profile Falls, of the town.  He works in sales for things like doors, windows, etc. and has done work for the town previously. 

 

Mr. Paradis explained that the role of the CIP is Advisory.  The members come up with a plan, the Planning Board rubber stamps it and then it goes to the Town Manager and Selectmen.  Mr. Paradis also explained that there was a warrant article a couple of years ago in which the Planning Board attempted to put this in the hands of the Selectmen as they had not had time to get to it.  This was turned down and a motion from the floor was passed naming a committee to do this.  The motion was found to be illegal and it became the Planning Board’s responsibility once again.  The committee was then made up of Planning Board members only.  After two years, they are now comfortable enough to take in candidates not on the Board. 

 

 

 

-2-

Planning Board Minutes

3/25/09

 

CIP CANDIDATE continued:

Mr. Dingman added that there have been other committees formed and we seemed to be re-inventing the wheel every year.  Mr. Dingman commended the present committee on sticking to it and doing a fine job.

 

E. Seeler made a MOTION, second by C. Dingman, to ELECT STEVE CARTER TO THE CIP COMMITTEE.  The motion PASSED.

 

Mr. Carter gave the secretary his e-mail address at this time.

 

MINUTES OF MARCH 11, 2009:

The following amendments were made:  Page 1, Boundary Line Adjustment, 1st paragraph, 4th line, change “Includes” to “includes”.  Line 5, following the first “Bruno” insert “)”.  Page 2, Selectmen, 1st paragraph, line 4, replace “am.  The” with “am).  Safety issues of the”.  Line 5, following “Noah” insert “Munro”.  Page 3, Central Square Survey, 3rd paragraph, 2nd line, delete “It was his idea to do the survey.”

 

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

 

REPORTS:

Historic District Commission:  Nothing new.

 

Selectmen:  Absent.

 

Capital Improvements Program:  Mr. Campbell reported that we now have a new member.  The requests for any new capital items will go to the Department Heads on April 1st.  Our next meeting will be held April 21st.

 

Survey:  To date, we have about 84 surveys that have been returned.  Mr. Paradis felt that they seemed to be scattered all over and it will be hard to determine priorities, he feels.  He believes that, by the way things were answered, that some people did not read the directions and prioritized as if a 5 is the highest priority instead of a 1. 

 

TAC:  Mr. Favorite said that the TAC is to look at the various projects that have been applied for on Friday (3/27).  They will be in Bristol about 1:00 pm.  DOT is to accompany them as well as a police officer and it will be filmed for TV.  Eleven people will be doing the touring. 

 

 

 

 

-3-

Planning Board Minutes

3/25/09

 

TAC continued:

Mr. Favorite also mentioned that Weirs is looking for a 4’ path from there to Meredith by McDonald’s as well as a round-about to be placed on the old Dexter Shoe side of the bridge.  Danbury is looking for a change to High Street and Andover has 2 projects that tie together.  Mr. Favorite feels that the Bristol application looks good.

 

Master Plan:  Chapter VI Update

Mr. Paradis stated that the critical portion begins with 6-4,C which may be deleted.  D needs updating to the current information.  Mr. Dingman felt that he could do this.  Section IV needs updating of the pictures.  Mr. Dingman stated that when the Historic District Commission was working on determining these buildings, they tried to reach David Rule for help and could never reach him.  Mr. Paradis felt that we should consider any additional properties, as well.  Some names, such as Alias Smith and Jones Restaurant need updating, also. 

 

Mr. Dingman volunteered to go through the Chapter and e-mail updated copies based on information that the HDC has.  He added that his wife, Sandra Heaney, and Dorcas Gordon began working on this and he will ask if they would be willing to help.  Mr. Paradis mentioned that Don Martin took the last pictures that we have.  A discussion followed as to the blank forms to use.  It was felt that Mike Izzard of LRPC (Lakes Region Planning Commission) could help with these.  Mr. Paradis asked Mr. Dingman to report on his progress at our next meeting.

 

Some buildings mentioned to consider adding were St. Timothy’s, E. Seeler’s home, the old Firehouse, Masonic Hall and the next two houses to it. 

 

2009 POSSIBLE CONSIDERATIONS:

Mr. Paradis produced a list of considerations to work on this next fiscal year.  He asked the Board to prioritize and/or list others for our next meeting.  Ms. DeStefano stated that she and Michelle Bonsteel still had a second part to complete for Smartgrowth.  Mr. Paradis mentioned updating impact fees. 

 

Ms. DellaCroce asked how we determine Zoning Ordinance changes.  Mr. Paradis answered that we accumulate issues as they come to us.  We have been pro-active with some, such as the wind power, cell towers, and sexual businesses.  We may want to look at building codes, he added.

 

OTHER:

Ms. DellaCroce mentioned that Blue Skies Health Foods has moved and is adding a bakery.  She asked how we handle change of use.  Mr. Paradis answered that we look to see if it is an allowed use in the district and if there is no change to parking requirements.  The criteria can be found in our Subdivision/Site Plan regulations.  Ms. DellaCroce asked about going from 2 to 5 businesses and Mr. Paradis stated that this is an increase of use.  Ms. Seeler felt that we need to be reasonable for businesses.  Ms. DeStefano felt that this gets to be too objective.  Mr. Paradis felt that the Board could look at Industrial, perhaps comparing to Commercial.

-4-

Planning Board Minutes

3/25/09

 

NEXT MEETING: 

Our next meeting will be held April 8th.  We have a Site Plan for Foley Oil Co. to convert to a Convenience Store (previously approved but never implemented). 

 

There is also a Site Plan application for MaryAnn Parkhurst to put Kathleen’s Cottages Restaurant in the tack shop end of her parents’ business.  Plans have not been completed so this shall not be heard until May, at the earliest.

 

REQUEST:

Mr. Favorite requested that members check out the round-about in North Andover or Andover, Ma.  He stated that all the businesses left due to the long construction time he has heard.

 

With no other business, C. Dingman made a motion, second by J. McGwin, to adjourn at 8:10 p.m.

 

                                                                                    Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                    Jan Laferriere, secretary