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Town of Buxton Planning Board
Minutes
Monday, April 13, 2015 at 7 p.m.
Recorded by: Krystal Dyer
Members in attendance: Keith Emery, Larry Curtis, Christopher Carroll, Jeremiah Ross, III, Mark Blier, Chad Poitras and Chris Baldinelli.
Members not in attendance:
Others in Attendance: Geoffrey Trott, Nancy Peirce, Ed Powell, Jean Harmon, Henry Huntley, Paul Salacain, Jerome Williams, Code Officer Fred Farnham, Cliff Thomas and Cliff Emery.
Keith call the meeting to Order at 7 p.m. with the pledge of allegiance.
Geoffrey Trott of EOS Design, LLC is requesting a Conditional Use permit for a Light Manufacturing Research Facility (for composting toilets for boats) to be located at 306 Simpson Road. Tax Map 11, Lot 31-1.
Geoff Trott owner of EOS Design, LLC, has been in business for about 15 years. Started in Ohio and moved to Maine for a better quality of life. This composting toilet diverts two human products into two different containers, allowing them to decompose rapidly. This was designed specifically for boats, the first of its kind back in 2001. They continue to upgrade the design and are used in boats, RV’s and cabins. They are shipping all over the world, in the US they ship directly to their customers by way of the U.S. Mail, Fedex, and UPS. They also ship to Australia, Sweden and the United Kingdom. MR. Trott passed around an Ipad containing pictures of the existing manufacturing location and operation
process at 89 Bell Street in Portland. The molded parts come in from New York, they do some machining, a little cutting, drilling and then put it together. When the metal parts come in, they are bent to the shape needed, drop them in a cleaning bath and then a passivation bath. The molding process requires natural gas, which they will not have in Buxton, so the parts will come in all molded. The applicant’s current building on Bell Street in Portland, is about 3,500 sq. ft. and everything fits now. This old chicken barn is about 18,000 sq. ft. with three levels. The intent is to use the second floor for the operations, hoping to add a deck on the back for a relaxing lunch area. A gray water system has been designed and submitted, because nothing goes into the septic. The parts are washed with simple green, they are rinsed and then followed by the passivation step, which is citric acid (lemon juice). The citric acid dissolves
the residual iron left on the stainless steel parts. The only waste would be the left over citric acid. EOS Designs has used approximately two and a half gallons in four years. This is a small operation, but is growing. Mr. Trott would prefer to locate in a rural area, connecting with the land, rather than an industrial park. Mr. Trott is a product designer by heart and will need a workshop area. He would love to grow organic crops and possibly have poultry in the fields.
Traffic generated – Currently they utilize the mail service, will be one mail truck a day. They have about seven truck deliveries a year. As the company grows, there will be larger truck loads with same amount of trucks.
The plan is to build out the second floor, they will need improvements to the site in regard to the parking. They are proposing space for a trailer truck to turn around and a maximum of 10 employee parking spaces. There is natural vegetation along the road, but can add more if needed. He has swapped emails with Chief Schools and they are still in the review process.
Questions from the Board: Chad confirms that the only difference will be a little more traffic and improvements around the yard. Mr. Trott added that the building is structurally sound, but he will have a structural engineer come in. The floors will need re-enforcement and he is not considering the use of the third floor at this time. He is currently under contract with the owner. Hours of operation will be five days a week, from 9 to 5, but he is flexible with his employees.
The noise level will be like what a workshop would be, except they use plastic and metal.
Jere verifies that the septic system is designed for 10 employees. The gray water system will be used with a composting toilet. The citric acid is minimal and does not feel it will have any effect on the septic system.
Mr. Trott understands that if the employee number changes, he will have to return to the Board for an amendment. The employees will not be working Saturdays.
The Simple Green takes grease off the metal parts. The used simple green waste mixed with oil, while stored does an anaerobic digestion that breaks down the oil. The plan is to add these beads that allow for bacteria to grow in them. Bubbling air through it will create an aerobic bacterial situation and will evaporate all the water. Leaving a minimal amount of residue to discard in trash. It will not be going into the gray water system. There is no hazardous waste involved with this project.
Chris B. clarifies page three of the application, under truck traffic “U.S. Mail carrier less than one per day.” They would not be shipping product every day. Larry asks about the truck traffic route. They would most likely use the Buxton roads since the bridge on Simpson Road to Saco is closed. The type of machinery used are hand drills, routers, band saw, table saw. There is no need for a dust collection system, the cuttings produce large flakes of plastic. The employees only wear ear protection only, no eye protection is required. Made of Polyethylene, Mr. Trott stays away from harmful materials, and does not use chemicals. A very small amount of rubbish, we recycle most everything. A small
trash bag a week, a dumpster would not be needed, Keith suggested he check at the Transfer Station. Lighting has not been thought about at this time, but will do what is needed. Code officer, Fred Farnham has no comments at this time.
The Board is in agreement that they have enough pertinent information to schedule a Site walk:
- Motioned by Jere, seconded by Larry, to schedule a site walk for Geoffrey Trott from EOS Designs for a conditional use permit for a Light Manufacturing Research Facility located at 306 Simpson Road. Tax Map 11, Lot 31-1, for Wednesday, April 15th, at 6 pm, the motion passed with a 7 – 0 vote.
Keith welcomed the abutter to attend the site walk and suggested they send any concerns into the Code Enforcement Office for the Board to consider at the next meeting.
CEO Report: none
Approval of Minutes:
March 23, 2015
- Jere motioned to approve as amended, seconded by Chris B. the motion passed with a 6 – 1, Larry abstained.
Approval of Bills: for Maine Today Media, Inc. (formally Portland Press Herald) the legal ads printed twice for the proposed ordinance amendment public hearings. Printed once on March 9th and again on March 16th in the amount of $40.80 each (combined total of $81.60).
- Motioned by Larry, seconded by Chris B, a unanimous vote.
And Maine Today Media, Inc. for $312.08 to cover two legal ads for the proposed zone change, paid by Galen Cunning of 4 Pease Road.
- Motioned by Larry, seconded by Chris C., a unanimous vote.
Communications:
MMA Workshops and trainings. - May 5th at the Bridgton town office.
Shoreland Zoning News
Other Business:
~Set Public Hearing for proposed single-family dwelling ordinance amendment.
Function Hall – after some discussion the Board agreed to change the Land Use Table to not allow function hall in the residential & Shoreland zones.
- Jere motioned to schedule a public hearing for ordinance amendments the 9.8. Land Use modifying Table B for function halls and 9CB Table eliminating single family dwellings in the Business commercial zone, on May 11th at 7 pm, seconded by Chris B. the motion passed with a 7 - 0 vote.
Attendees may address the Board on the evening’s business: none this evening
Adjourn:
- Motioned by Chris B. seconded by Larry to adjourn at 7:58 pm, a unanimous vote.
Approval Date: ________
________________________ ___________________
Keith Emery, Chairman Date
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