Chichester Planning Board
Minutes of Meeting
May 23, 2012
Members Present: Chairman Kevin Mara, Ex-Officio Mike Paveglio, Richard Arell, Stan Brehm, Allen Mayville, Richard Moore, Thomas Houle, Alan Williams, and Jamie A Pike, Secretary.
Chairman Mara called the meeting to order at 6:30pm.
Pursuant to RSA 673:11, Chairman Mara appointed Mr. Williams as a voting member for the purposes of this meeting in the absence of Mr. Jameson.
Chairman Mara opened the public hearing upon the application of Unitil Energy Systems, for permission to maintain electric distribution lines upon scenic roads.
Chris Moultroup, Forestry Supervisor for Unitil, was present to speak on the merits of the application.
Others present: Lucille Noel and Michelle Plunkett (Chichester Heritage Commission)
The application presented requests permission to cut and trim trees along Towle, Lane, Blackman and Garvin’s Hill Roads. These roads have all been designated as scenic roads.
Chairman Mara read a letter that was presented by Doug and Kate Hall of Lane Road. (Letter Attached) The letter explains the scene of Lane Road and how it came to be designated as a scenic road. The letter also requests the following covenants be placed on any consent issued by the Planning Board:
1. All trees and branches that are clearly dead and without leaves or buds may be removed;
2. All branches that are within 6 feet of transmission lines and could sag onto the cables under weight of snow or ice may be removed;
3. No living trees of any size may be cut down;
4. No living branches more than 6 feet above the transmission lines may be cut.
Ms. Noel expressed concern with cutting of trees along non-scenic roads.
Mr. Moultroup, an arborist and forestry supervisor for Unitil, stated that the standard for trimming is 10 feet to the sides of the transmission lines, 15 feet above the lines and to clear cut everything directly below the lines. Unitil has a new Forestry Section, and intends to maintain its lines on a new 5 year rotating schedule.
The Board members engaged in spirited discussion regarding the level at which to allow for the trimming. Some concerns that were brought forward were that if standard trimming was not allowed, power interruption could be more frequent, and others that do not live on scenic roads would be infringed upon by the desires of those that do live on scenic roads. There was also discussion about how the general welfare and safety of the community is benefitted by allowing the standard trimming to occur.
A motion was made by Mr. Mayville and seconded by Mr. Arell to provide consent to Unitil Energy Systems to trim those trees necessary to maintain their lines with the following conditions:
1. No tree having a circumference of 15 inches or more at a point 4 feet from the ground shall be removed completely;
2. All land owners living along scenic roads, shall be re-notified of the intent to trim;
3. All pruning shall be conducted in accordance with ANSI A300 Part 1 (American National Standard for Tree Care Operations) as well as the Best Management Practices – Tree Pruning publication companion.
Motion passes 6:1.
The Board performed a preliminary review upon an application for Lot Line Adjustment, Map 1 Lots 19 & 21A.
A few comments were made, and shall be transmitted to the applicant and surveyor for inclusion. The application will be officially before the Board on June 7, 2012.
Ms. Plunkett asked some questions regarding Junk Yards. Mr. Paveglio stated that any concerns she has with a particular property should be addressed to the Board of Selectmen for investigation and enforcement.
Dr. Mara briefly shared with the Board, a grant that is being applied for to provide assistance in the development and revision of Site Review and Subdivision regulations and the restructuring of the Zoning Ordinance.
The July 5th meeting will be moved to July 12th due to the Holiday.
Being no further discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Mayville and seconded by Mr. Paveglio to adjourn the meeting at 8:01pm. Motion passes.
Respectfully submitted,
Jamie A Pike
Kevin J Mara, DVM Not approved until signed.
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