ANTRIM PLANNING BOARD OF MEETING
TEEN CENTER SITE WALK AT THE ANTRIM MILL BUILDING
September 13, 2007 Meeting
Members & Staff Present:
Bob Edwards |
Bradley Houseworth |
Joe Koziell |
Laurie Lemons |
Andrew Robblee |
Steve Schacht |
Sandy Snow |
Kathy Wasserloos |
Member & Staff Absent:
Mary Allen |
Scott Burnside |
Brian Sawich |
Chris Stephenson |
Public Attendees:
Leslie Belliveau |
Paul Belliveau |
Dave Kirkpatrick |
Kristen Vance |
The Grapevine Family & Community Resource Center; File # 2007-12PB; Teen Center Proposal: Chair Pro Tem Edwards continued the public meeting for a site walk at the request of the Grapevine Family and Community Resource Center for a Minor Site Plan Review/Change of Use to establish a teen center in the Antrim Mill Building on property located at 42 North Main Street, Antrim, NH 03440 (Tax Map 104, Lot 106), in the Village Business District.
Ms. Lemons asked Mr. Kirkpatrick if he has spoken with any of the local school districts to see if they would be willing to donate some computer systems to the Teen Center. Mr. Kirkpatrick stated he had a few older computers that he was considering bringing into the Teen Center, which could be used to access the internet and to check email. Ms. Wasserloos suggested that Mr. Kirkpatrick contact her directly to see if there are any donations she may be able to get from Great Brook Middle School for the Teen Center. Ms. Lemons also suggested contacting the Conval School District for donations.
Chair Pro Tem Edwards asked Ms. Belliveau to lead the site walk and orient the Board to the layout of the Teen Center. Ms. Belliveau gave the Board an update on improvements. She explained that they recently replaced the lighting and windows to make the Teen Center more energy efficient, as well as added a new sprinkler system that meets all contemporary codes. Ms. Belliveau also stated that they are in the process of adding a unisex bathroom with a sink and toilet, which will be wheel chair accessible. Mr. Belliveau stated that the company that replaced the sprinkler system stated to him that they thought this was a great location for a Teen Center. They have done work for other towns and cities and this location impressed them the most. She also pointed out a room to the left of the entrance door as you
walk into the Teen Center, which is proposed to be used by Mr. Kirkpatrick as his office. A Board member asked if they are considering cutting a window in the back side of Mr. Kirkpatrick’s office wall for better supervision and viewing access. The Teen Center will take this suggestion into consideration but Mr. Kirkpatrick doesn’t view this as a major concern.
Chair Pro Tem Edwards asked Ms. Vance if she had anything she would like to add to the site walk meeting; she stated she had nothing to add but would be willing to answer anyone’s questions. Chair Pro Tem Edwards stated that Mr. Parson’s will be reviewing the building to make sure it is up to code. Mr. Schacht asked if Mr. Parson’s would be mandating that a rail be installed outside the Teen Center entrance for safety purposes. Mr. Schacht’s concern was that the road can be very busy and if a child runs out quickly into the road it could be dangerous.
Ms. Belliveau pointed out a recently added sound proof wall, which is 1 ½ inches thick of drywall, provides a 2hr burn, and cuts the room in half. She stated that the additional space on the other side of the wall will be used as an office space. Mr. Belliveau stated that there are plenty of windows in this space, which make the room very appealing. Mr. Kirkpatrick and Ms. Vance explained that they are thinking about putting in a pool table, ping pong table, foosball, some computers with tables, a futon, couch, and any other donations that they may receive. Ms. Vance stated that the feedback from the teens has been positive so far, because they haven’t asked for a television or video games.
When asked about the capacity of the Teen Center, Ms. Vance explained that they have received recommendations from the Fire Chief and Building Inspector, which range from under fifty (50) teens to up to seventy (70) teens, depending on what is required by the building code and/ or the fire code. Ms. Vance stated that they are looking to target the Conval School District, along with teens in the Great Brook School area, including Hancock, Bennington, and Francestown. The Grapevine feels that this location for the Teen Center is ideal because it will be convenient for parents to pick up their teens on their way home form work. Mr. Kirkpatrick indicated that maybe there could be a possibility for the school buses to stop in front of the Teen Center for drop-offs.
Chair Pro Tem Edwards asked about an advisory committee. Ms. Vance and Mr. Kirkpatrick both anticipate that there will be an advisory committee and they would be looking mostly for volunteers whose teens use the Teen Center, along with Chief Feyrer and Peter Brigham, who have offered to join the advisory committee for the Teen Center. Chair Pro Tem Edwards asked if there was anything on the approval list that the Board could address at this time during the site walk; Mr. Houseworth replied that everything on the checklist had already been discussed or addressed. Ms. Lemons asked whether or not they will have a sign in sheet at the door. Mr. Kirkpatrick said that he would consider implementing a sign in sheet because it is helpful in a number of ways. Ms. Vance asked if the Board would be making a final decision
at the September 20th meeting and Mr. Edwards felt that we have sufficient information to make a decision.
Mr. Robblee moved to close the site walk meeting and continue the public meeting to the September 20, 2007 Board meeting, which was seconded by Mr. Schacht and was unanimously approved by the Board. Mr. Edwards adjourned the meeting at 5:45 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Laurie Lemons
Planning Assistant, Antrim Planning Board
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