PLANNING BOARD WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY – JUNE 21, 2005
356 Main Street – Farmington, NH
Members Present: Charlie King, Hiram Watson, Don MacVane, Jim Horgan, David Kestner-Alternate, Jason Lauze-Alternate
Absent: Gary White - Without notification
Mark Paulin - With notification
Selectmen’s Rep: Paul Parker
Staff Present: Paul Esswein, Doreen T. Hayden
Public Present: John Huckins, Lorie Chase, Christine Claus, Thomas Cox, Joseph Roy, Patricia Roy, Norma Russell, Margaret Russell, Paul Proulx,
Chairman King called the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m. Chairman King seats David Kestner-Alternate in place of Secretary-Troy Robidas and Jason Lauze-Alternate for Gary White.
OLD BUSINESS:
Continuation of presentation by Farmington's Conservation Commission to address criteria used on development of setbacks for Class II to Class I Wetlands.
Note; there is no representation from the Conservation Commissions Board to address this, Chairman King motions to move this item to later in the meeting to allow time for a representative to show, 2nd Don MacVane, no further discussion, all those in favor, motion passes.
NEW BUSINESS:
Presentation by Lorie Chase - Cocheco Watershed Coalition; Discussion on the Cocheco Watershed Study.
Lorie Chase opens her presentation by thanking Paul Esswein for the invitation and for the board's interest in the Cocheco Watershed Coalition and how delighted she is to be here. Lorie hands out a few copies of a report that she brought along.
Paul Esswein advises that he has been in discussion with the Conservation Commission regarding the watershed study.
Don MacVane speaks of his concern of E-coli between Spring Street and Central Avenue, has been following this for 5-6 years, presentations have been made to the Selectmen, noting that some grants are available.
Lorie Chase advises that this is a group of concerned citizens that have been working together since 1998 and have outlined some goals to follow; (1) river as an asset, (2) healthy fish population, (3) coalition wants citizens of the river are to enjoy clean healthy water.
Lorie Chase is also working with DES consultants in developing data converting from scientific studies to understandable context. Her presentation covers a wide range of topics within the Cocheco River Watershed; she explains various definitions of some of the terminology that she has used.
Paul Esswein and Lorie Chase have discussion on funding that is available to assist homeowners of failed septic systems. Hiram Watson asks what studies were done? Lorie Chase - High School students were used to monitor certain areas. Hiram Watson - how many homes were involved in this study? Lori Chase - 10 to 12 homes; as well as 7000 ft were viewed by the students in their analysis. Don MacVane - If we had better studies maybe only a small number of homes would be affected.
Lorie Chase - comments that they monitor at Pike Industries bridge; the river moves down stream, at the point you take a reading only is an indication at that one point, does not constitute what runs down.
The details of the student reports were give to Paul Parker by Lori Chase, Paul Parker indicated that he did not bring them with him tonight, Lorie Chase - will send another report out to the Town of Farmington.
Chairman King briefly talks about the cap put in for 350K, Paul Parker interjected with was 500K, but went back to 350K.
Chairman King addresses Lori Chase and comments that he and the board certainly appreciate Lorie coming before the Planning Board and giving her presentation and shortly will be opening the floor to the public for comment. Lori Chase - I have a request and would like some input; there will be a meeting on 6-27-2005 to work on development of a restoration plan any board volunteers? Chairman King volunteers to act as the board liaison, Hiram Watson and Don MacVane gave brief indication of interest.
Chairman King asks if the Town of Farmington would be able to sponsor a septic review and if grant monies would be available to assist. Paul Esswein - the RDA has several available programs.
Paul Parker had meeting with Selectmen and it was indicated that more study needs to be evolved on this issue.
Paul Esswein questions the extent of the study to determine what source of pollution is.
Chairman King directs to the Secretary that Jim Horgan will be stepping away for approximately 1 hour -
6:50 p.m.
Lorie Chase has one other comment to advise that the fish habitat was reviewed all the way from Mad River to Hornetown Road.
Chairman King opens the floor for public comment; 7:00 p.m.
John Huckins - asks if there is an MTBE report, Lori Chase - no MTBE testing.
Paul Parker makes a suggestion to a question that was posed earlier by Lorie Chase for assistance with river sampling and studies, that being his sister works with a Girl Scout Troop aged 14-15 years and they might be able to assist now that it's summer.
7:05p.m.
Chairman King motions to re-open discussion of the Class II to Class I wetlands, 2nd Paul Parker, no further discussion, all those in favor, motion passes.
Chairman King addresses the board members and the public that is present for the no show of the Conservation Commission.
John Huckins questions what is it they are proposing? Chairman King - 12 Class II Wetlands to Class I Wetlands with a buffer of up to 100'. John Huckins voices his understanding & concerns about buffers and what is fair, particularly in sub-divisions. Don MacVane & John Huckins have discussion about the uplands and what various setbacks are in relation to wetlands.
Joseph Roy - vegetation is 50' already on his parcel, if you go 100' you will be in my driveway.
John Huckins addresses Joseph Roy's concerns about the upland definition and open water bodies; John Huckins comments included discussion about prime wetlands and jurisdictional wetlands as well as other ponded areas.
Paul Esswein believes the Conservation Commission was talking about some other things that are different than what John Huckins has addressed and commented on.
The authority of the Conservation Commission is a large discussion between John Huckins, Paul Esswein and Chairman King. John Huckins refers to a certain RSA rule that states the Conservation Commission reports to and makes suggestions to the Planning Board for their ultimate decision.
Paul Parker enters into discussion and motions to continue the scheduled presentation by the Conservation Commission to the next Planning Board Workshop Meeting of 7-19-2005 and request a written statement from the Conservation Commission that they will be in attendance to address the board and the public on the criteria that they used in the determination of Class II to Class I Wetlands, 2nd Hiram Watson, no further discussion, all those in favor, motion passes.
Don MacVane comments that the Planning Board should keep an eye on and has the responsibility to maintain that the efforts are fulfilled; otherwise the Conservation Commission can do what they want with the wetlands.
Chairman Kings voices his opinion that the re-classification of the subject wetlands should go before the voters and he also agrees with the statement by Don MacVane to watch dog this. Chairman King feels that the Town of Farmington needs to decide on what the setbacks ultimately will be.
In response to a questions posed by Hiram Watson about the authority of the Conservation Commission, Paul Esswein comments (1) does ordinance supersede state statue (2) does ordinance give explicit authority to Conservation Commission to make decision or are they required to go through the Planning Board.
AMENDMENT OF PLANNING BOARD RULES OF PROCEDURE:
Chairman King turns the floor over to Paul Esswein for presentation and discussion on the suggested changes he's incorporated in and to the Planning Boards Rules of Procedures. Paul Esswein feels and Chairman King concurs that there should be 2 subsequent meetings to allow for changes to be implemented into the Planning Boards Rules of Procedure. Don MacVane motions to have this added to the next 2 Planning Board Meetings, 2nd Jason Lauze, any further discussion; Paul Parker for discussion the application form as presented by Paul Esswein, the board members discuss amongst themselves this new suggested form, questions arise as to whom will takes notes and how the process of filling out this form will go. Also noted that the suggested change to the Rules of Procedure are noted on page 3; Doreen T. Hayden also makes
comment that the start time and end time of the meetings need to be changed.
DISCUSSION OF PRIVATE ROAD / ROAD STANDARDS, CLASS 6 ROADS, DRIVEWAY - SHARED ROADS:
Paul Esswein opens the discussion noting that the ZAMPS Committee recommends in the Master Plan establishing 1 standard for Site Review and Sub Division Regulations, presently is based on trips per day usage.
Chairman King acknowledges that Jim Horgan has rejoined the Planning Board Workshop Meeting 8:00 p.m.
Paul Esswein comments that his interpretation of a is for 1 or 2 homes, he then presents his findings on the definition of private road and road standards, he additionally talks about the 2nd section that bases the definition on state stands and DOT.
Hiram Watson comments that half the roads in Town of Farmington are not town roads - and that if all those people came together and petitioned the Town of Farmington would then be required to maintain those roads in question.
Paul Esswein and Chairman King discuss required changes to the Site Review and Sub Division Regulations. Paul Esswein does not think such detail should be included in either of those regulations.
Jim Horgan - weighing the lesser standards; should weigh the tougher standard going out to a main road and list of exceptions that might be addressed.
Chairman King thinks a sub-committee should be appointed to address, research and work out the road standards for Site Review and Sub Division Regulations.
Paul Parker believes sub-committee is the way to go and a discussion evolves about road standards and the requirements and feels it is a very valid issue.
Chairman King states that if you want to add another meeting he's all for it; however - he feels if we take this on as a Planning Board then we will; however in his opinion a separate sub-committee should be formed to review.
Paul Parker motioned to add a Special Planning Board Meeting to further discuss the road standard requirements, he suggested it not be done at the Boards next Workshop Session but an added meeting for Tuesday, July 12, 2005 at 6:00 p.m.; 2nd Jim Horgan, no further discussion, all those in favor, motion passes.
Jim Horgan motions to continue this topic to the next Planning Board Workshop Meeting of 7-19-2005, 2nd Hiram Watson, Don MacVane thinks that the road commissioner for the Town of Farmington should be in attendance for input, a couple of members reminded Don that Clark Hackett has retired and there is no full-time replacement, Richard Page is acting Supervisor. Comments were stated that UNH has students that study characteristics of rural roads, as does the Strafford Regional Planning Commission to whom the Planning Board could ask either for assistance. Chairman King adds a friendly amendment to the above motion for the purpose of adding another meeting for further discussion on this topic, 2nd Jim Horgan, no further discussion, all those in favor, motion passes.
8:34 p.m.
David Kestner motions for a 5-minute recess, 2nd Jim Horgan, no further discussion, all those in favor, motion passes.
8:46 p.m.
Chairman King calls the meeting back to order and motions to move the next 3-items (1) Handouts-priority list summary, (2) Application Checklist and (3) Planning Board Work Plan to the next Planning Board Workshop of 07-19-2005, 2nd Jim Horgan, no further discussion, all those in favor, motion passes.
Continuation of Master Plan review Chapters 2, 3, 7 and 8:
Master Plan Chapters 7 & 8; Paul Esswein was to make corrections to Chapter 7 document and then it will be a done deal; Jim Horgan comments that Page 8-2 last line; paragraph 1; Map_______; needs to be filled in as yet; Paul Esswein has read over several times and needs to read the issues as addressed with this Chapter.
Paul Proulx - talks about Chapter 9 as the implementation tool; Margaret Russell also comments the Planning Board would determine / make suggestions / recommendations for implementation to the Master Plan.
Chairman King polls the other board members for comments; Don MacVane - nothing - should leave the door open so we can re-visit. Hiram Watson - nothing. Jason Lauze - nothing. David Kestner -feels we should refine a little more and at special meeting talk about road standards in the Master Plan.
Paul Parker comments that page 8-2 "transportation improvement plan" same statement as used on page 8-10 paragraph 4. Margaret Russell explains that the Chapters were written (1) Summary, (2) actions, (3) final.
Jim Horgan motions to accept Chapter 8 as written with some changes as indicated, 2nd Don MacVane, no further discussion, all those in favor, motion passes.
Paul Esswein - ready to do changes to Chapter 3 at the next meeting, Chapter 2 is complete and accepted.
Paula Proulx noted that chapters 4, 5 and 6 are still under construction and that they are working with the other ZAMPS Committee Members as well as Russ Thibeault and Jeff Taylor.
Chairman King motions to open the discussion on the Natural Resource Chapter, no 2nd, motion dies.
Paul Parker motions to move Chapter 3 to the Planning Board Workshop Meeting of 07-19-2005; 2nd Don MacVane, discussion; Jim Horgan comments that all pertinent information should be available at that time; no further discussion, all those in favor, motion passes.
Don MacVane motions to adjourn, 2nd Jim Horgan, no further discussion, all those in favor, motion passes.
APPROVED AS WRITTEN 07-05-2005 WITH THE ADDITION OF A PARAGRAPH ON PAGE 4 OF 5; (IN BOLD TYPE) ADDING MOTION FOR SPECIAL MEETING BY PAUL PARKER.
_________________________________ ________________________
Charlie King, Chairman Date
Farmington Planning Board
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