BERLIN PLANNING BOARD MEETING
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Members Present: Fran Cusson, Chairperson; Ernie Allain, Ralph Collins, David Morin, Aline Boucher, Tom McCue, Nicole DeCosta, Andre Duchesne, Richard Merrill, and Laura Jamison. Pamela Laflamme, City Planner.
Members Excused: Julie Cooney, Lucien Langlois
Members Absent: Richard Cassidy
Others Present: Mayor David Bertrand, Pat MacQueen, City Manager; Councilor Lucie Remillard, Jim Wagner, Jay Poulin, HEB Engineers; Robert Barbin, and Barbara Tetreault, Media.
Chairperson Fran Cusson appointed Nicole DeCosta and Laura Jamison as voting members for this meeting.
Chairperson Cusson introduced new City Council ex-Officio Member, Tom McCue.
Public Comments: There were no public comments.
January Minutes: Richard Merrill moved, seconded by Ernie Allain to approve the January 2008 minutes, with the notation to be made on the January minutes - to add the name of David Morin as excused. Motion carried.
Site Plan Review - Greenova, LLC - Proposed Wood Pellet Plant: Presenter - Jay Poulin, HEB Engineers.
Jay Poulin of HEB Engineers, representing Greenova, LLC, stated they are ready for a full plan review. He discussed the proposed site improvements - what has been done about the wood pellet facility location loop in the industrial park. Project will occupy four lots - three on outside perimeter and one inside perimeter. He showed his designs including the chip and wood pile areas. Process of logs will be debarked and chipped - chips are dried and go through emission control and then oxidizer. Chips eventually go into warehouse and are stored in one of six silos.
Due to the liability involved, the company proposes to limit access on industrial park road where company would be operating on both sides of road. They will be crossing back and forth with front loader throughout the day. They will be gating both ends of road. On the south end they have made provisions for a turn-around large enough for a fire truck. Along the north side, vehicles will be able to use the adjoining paved area off the loading docks for a turn around.
Still need to mitigate for environmental impacts on 2.3 acres of wetlands. One is conservation easements, one is on site, - and state would like to see as much as they can. Water Works has agreed to allow an easement on some of the Water Works land down by the water treatment plant. The site of #3 easement would be near Mt. Jasper.
Mr. Poulin indicated they have been to BIDPA and have received the Board's support. They have gone to City Council, gave a review of the project and they believe have the Council's support - but will need to go back to City Council. Have gone to the Zoning Board of Adjustment and received approval on requested special exception on process relating to 65' silos. Mr. Poulin showed plans reflecting full review of what project would look like.
Ms. Laflamme, City Planner, noted application is complete. Richard Merrill moved, seconded by Dave Morin, to accept application as presented. Motion carried.
Review continued - This project will be designed for heavy traffic. Ernie noted full compliance should be reflected in detail of easements. Mr. Poulin agreed this would be done.
There will be approximately 75 trucks total a day, within 12 to 14 daytime hours. A truck will enter every fifteen minutes. Trucks will be moving along. On the matter of noise levels, Jay noted, this will be taken care of through the zoning ordinance. They will work with whatever options are needed to comply with the City's zoning ordinance.
Regarding the run-off issue EPA wants Greenova to maintain a 50' distance from Horne Brook. Run off - impact 2 acres of land to be reviewed by the state - run off must be taken care of prior to project. There will be an increase but it will have zero effect on the river. Submissions have been made to the State and they are not concerned with it.
Fran opened Public Hearing - Questions were asked - Mr. Poulin's response - Will operate 24 hours a day. Trucks will come in during daytime operation. This project impacts 3.2 acres of land. Construction schedule - The equipment will be state of the art and they need 8 to 9 months order time - this is a $30M project. Company needs to have permits by March, pre-approvals. Equipment will not be here for another year. Possibly start site work this summer. The company will employ approximately 40 people at the facility and approximately 200 workers indirectly. Lighting meets all the requirements. There will be no lights on two of the lots - no need. Lights will be in other areas of the property.
Chairperson Cusson closed the Public Hearing at 7:18 PM.
Ms. Laflamme discussed the letter from Berlin Water Works. She has spoken to BWW regarding the company they wanted us to work with - GeoInsight Manchester. She will authorize this Company to do a review on the project's impacts on the wellhead which they have agreed to do and complete within two to three weeks at an estimated cost of $2500. Greenova, LLC is agreeable to pay for this review.
Richard Merrill asked if these pellets will be shipped overseas - Mr. Poulin responded yes, the bulk will be shipped overseas.
David Morin moved, seconded by Ralph Collins, that this hearing be tabled until next meeting when report from BWW has been completed, as well as the report by the Zoning Board of Adjustment approving special exception be submitted to the Planning Board, and written strip payment to be done in the easements. Motion carried.
Small Pond Holdings - Major Subdivision update: Three items - conditional approvals - Small Pond received alteration of terrain permit, wetland permit, and are awaiting approval of their mitigation plan. One change on their plan is to combine two lots - one over five acres another less than five acres. This is to be in conformance with septic system. They have received from DOT their curb cut approval and new radius on cul-de-sac. They are currently working with Fire Department on suppression plan. The company was pleased with outcome.
NAD update: North American Dismantling has finished the work on the easements and all rights-of-way but it has not been reviewed by their attorneys. Burke York has prepared this plan. The owner still needs to give approval to the locations as well.
Tom & C Realty update: Ms. Laflamme told the board some adjustments were being made to the original plan. The house built on Cates Hill by Mr. Hamel had a right of way through both of the western and eastern properties that connected to the Riverside Heights property. A new owner purchased both of those two properties and has determined the easement is not appropriate and they are proposing relocating right of way and having a lot line adjustment with Tom & C Realty. This will bring Tom & C much closer to their land. This matter will be brought to the Board next month for the lot line adjustment.
Capital Improvements Plan discussion: Per statute, annually, the Planning Board must comment on annual Capital Improvements Plan and to submit to City Council. Discussion ensued about Route 110 and the status thereof. It was indicated most other items have been in prior years' capital improvements, but not done due to limited funds. No amendments by the board were made. David Morin moved, seconded by Richard Merrill, to accept the 2009-2014 Capital Improvements Plan. Motion carried.
Master Plan Progress - update: Ms. Laflamme gave a recap from the first public vision session. The committee is still working on survey - we will have final look at tomorrow night's meeting and survey should be out to the public by end of month. The first visioning meeting was held at the NH Vocational College and was well attended by approximately sixty people. Individuals worked in four groups with great feedback. Overall emphasis was on heritage and preserving our downtown and river.
The next Master Plan meeting will be on Wednesday, at 6 P.M., in the new "Mount Washington Room" (old Riverside II Area) at the AV Hospital.
Membership Review: Ms. Laflamme welcomed ex-officio member, Councilman Tom McCue. She announced Mr. Allain is retiring and Sue Tremblay has expressed interest in replacing him. Mr. Allain is interested in being an alternate, as well as outgoing City Councilor Jennifer Boucher has indicated interest. Mr. Morin and Ms. Cooney have both expressed an interest in remaining on the Board and Ms. Laflamme will speak to Richard Cassidy. Ms. Laflamme indicated she will have a full slate to bring to City Council.
Public Comments: None
Member Comments: Asked about Route 110 - Ms. Laflamme noted they are now proposing a 2nd phase study to the one done a couple of years ago. It is projected to take five months which will bring them to the end of June 2008. There will be an informational meeting in the spring and public can offer feed back at public hearing scheduled for the fall. Hopefully, within one year, they will be in a position to pick the site.
Planner Comments: Planner passed out notice of Spring Conference to be held April 26, 2008 in Manchester. Members should let Ms. Laflamme know if they wish to attend.
Next Planning Board meeting will be held March 04with a Master Plan vision meeting to be held Wednesday, March 05, 2008.
David Morin moved, seconded by Ralph Collins, to adjourn meeting at 7:45 PM. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Aline Boucher, Planning Board Member
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