Skip Navigation
This table is used for column layout.
Planning Board Minutes 06/15/2010
TOWN OF FARMINGTON
PLANNING BOARD
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
356 Main Street, Farmington, NH

Board Members Present:  Paul Parker, Glen Demers, Dave Kestner, Cindy Snowdon, and Jim Horgan

Board Members Absent:           Charlie Doke (excused) and Tracy Major
Selectmen’s Representative:     Charlie King(excused)
Town Staff Present:     Director of Planning and Community Development Kathy Menici and Fire Chief Rich Fowler  
Public Present: Neil Johnson, Arthur Cardinal, Terry Weatherly and Steve Roberts
At 6:07pm, Chairman Paul Parker opened the meeting and seated Jim Horgan for Charlie Doke.
BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD:
  • Review and Approve Meeting Minutes of 5-18-10 and 6-1-10:
Jim Horgan motioned to approve the minutes of 5-18-10 as written, 2nd Dave Kestner.  Motion carried with all in favor.

Jim Horgan motioned to accept the minutes of 6-1-10 as amended, 2nd Glen Demers.  Motion carried with Cindy Snowdon abstaining.
  • Other Business to Come Before the Board:
Kathy stated that the Board should have received copies of letters from Pike Industries and Aggregate Industries requesting an extension.  Aggregate Industries requested a 90 day extension because they are in the process of selling the property and would need the time to complete the sale and allow the new owner time to complete the reclamation.  Kathy informed Aggregate Industries that she would like a letter stating the new owner would be responsible for all reclamation and this letter was received today from the office of Malcolm Bradsher, the new owner.  

Jim Horgan motioned to approve the 90 day extension from today for Aggregate Industries to come into compliance with RSA 155E and the town’s excavation regulations, 2nd Dave Kestner.  Discussion followed where Cindy stated that if the sale does not go through then the 90 day extension will still be in effect and the responsible party will be required to comply.  Motion carried with all in favor.

A letter was received from Pike Industries dated June 11, 2010 to request a 60 day extension to review their files and gather information in order to come into compliance with RSA 155E and the town’s excavation regulations.  The letter states they are under the impression that they received verbal approval on their earth removal permits and Kathy explained that this is not a true statement, Dennis sent them a letter stating they needed to come into compliance by June 21 or a Cease and Desist order will be in effect.  Kathy stated that in her opinion an additional 60 days is more than adequate for them to come into compliance as they were aware of these issues in March.  Cindy suggested reducing the extension to 30 days because they have had ample time to come into compliance and they are a large company that is fully aware of the state regulations.

Jim Horgan motioned to grant Pike Industries a 60 day extension from today to come into compliance with RSA 155E and the town excavation regulations, 2nd Dave Kestner.  Motion carried with all in favor.

PUBLIC HEARING 6:32 P.M.
CONTINUED CASES:
  • Application for Minor site Plan Approval By: Arthur Cardinal (Tax Map R31, Lot 017) to allow wood processing on this property in the Industrial Business (IB) Zoning District.  Parcel is located on Precinct Road.
Paul informed the Board that a request for waivers from the Site Plan Regulations was received from Mr. Cardinal, but the specific sections of 8-19 should be received.  Kathy reminded that there are no proposed structures or changes to the lot except to designate a work area where they can continue the wood processing they have been doing.  Hours of operation are 9am to 4pm to Monday through Friday and Saturdays 9am to 12pm.

Jim Horgan motioned to accept the application for a minor site plan approval by Arthur Cardinal (Tax Map R31, Lot 017) as substantially complete, 2nd Glen Demers.  Discussion followed where Dave stated he feels more information could have been given, such as where on the property the processing would be occurring.  Motion carried with Dave Kestner opposed.

Paul opened the public hearing and there were no comments.

Kathy asked where the left over debris, like sawdust and chips, will be stored.  Mr. Cardinal stated that right now they are on site but they will be periodically removed from this site with a dumpster.  The discussion was held that quarterly removal of the debris would be acceptable.  Dave then asked about the storage of fuels on the site and Mr. Cardinal stated that there are five gallon containers of gas and some oil on site, but he is unaware of any larger amount of storage.  Dave then asked if there is any means of fuel spill clean-up on site and Mr. Cardinal replied that he is unsure.  Mr. Cardinal suggested requiring the fuel be kept in spill proof plastic containers.  Dave suggested that having 40-50 pounds of Speedy Dry or cat litter be kept on site in case of fuel spillage.

Paul closed the public hearing.

Jim Horgan motioned to grant the waivers for paragraphs 8-19 of the Site Plan Regulations contingent upon the receipt of the written request for the waivers by Arthur Cardinal, 2nd Cindy Snowdon.  Motion carried with Dave Kestner opposed.

Jim Horgan motioned to approve the minor site plan application by Arthur Cardinal (Tax Map R31, Lot 017) with the following conditions of approval; 1. Hours of operation Monday through Friday 9am – 4pm and Saturday 9am to 12pm, 2. Quarterly removal of all debris (sawdust and wood chips), 3. Submission of a letter clearly stating the sections of the regulations to be waived, and 4. Proper safeguard and storage of all petroleum products, 2nd Cindy Snowdon.  Motion carried with all in favor.

  • Compliance Hearing for Energy Resources Group, Inc. (ERG).
Paul explained that this hearing was continued to allow ERG to complete their amended site plan review and suggested the Board continue the hearing until the next meeting.
Paul Parker motioned to table the compliance hearing for ERG to July 20, 2010, 2nd Jim Horgan. Motion carried with all in favor.

NEW CASES:
  • Pre-Application Discussion to Amend Site Plan Approval of 2-5-08 for Powerhouse Machines, LLC (Tax Map R3, Lot 17-1).  Parcel is located on 23 Commerce Parkway.
Attorney Steve Roberts explained that he is representing for Powerhouse Machines tonight along with Terry Weatherly the Facilities Manager for Powerhouse Machines.  He supplied the Board with photographs taken this week of the property and the photos showed a remarkable difference on the site in the amount of material and how it is being stored outside the building.  The applicant also submitted a sketch for the proposed use of the property. They would propose trailer storage on the north side of the property.  The plan depicts two trailers adjacent to the north side of the building; these trailers are registered trailers that travel off-site to work locations.  The applicant also proposes a 25 foot buffer from the conservation easement.  The area between the buffer and the fire lane is proposed for the outdoor storage of components used in the course of the business activities, specifically cranes.  Nine convex storage containers are proposed to be located opposite the retention pond and adjacent to the rear of the building and are stationary.  They would not like to limit themselves to the nine storage containers because their business is expanding.  Mr. Roberts also stated there are no hazardous materials being stored on-site.

Jim Horgan commented that he would like to see the proper management of the on-site storage continued and this storage to be kept to the rear of the building.  He would also like to see fire lane clearly delineated.  He also commended the work that has been done on the site and the remaining Board members all stated that they were also thoroughly impressed with the amount of work that has been done on the site and would like to see the storage kept up in this manner.

Paul stated that during the Board’s site walk they noticed some sandblasting material left outside and Mr. Weatherly explained that it was all cleaned up and all future materials will be stored in barrels inside the building until they are picked up by the disposal company.  Paul then noted that in the event that there are ever hazardous materials on-site the fire chief should be made aware so that in the unfortunate event there is a fire he can respond appropriately.  Paul then added that some type of reasonable limit of outside storage of materials should be considered.  Jim suggested maybe setting this limit by limiting the square footage of the storage area and Mr. Roberts agreed this would be reasonable.

Jim Horgan motioned to change the continuance date for the compliance hearing from July 20, 2010 to August 17, 2010, 2nd Glen Demers.  Motion carried with all in favor.

At 7:49pm, Jim Horgan motioned for a short recess, 2nd Glen Demers.  Motion carried with all in favor.

The Board reconvened at 7:56pm.
  • Application for Major Site Plan Approval By: Catherine Natale (Tax Map R29, Lot 12-4); To allow for a 576 sq.ft. structure to house a small scale retail store.  In the Agricultural Residential (AR) Zoning District.  Parcel is located at 576 Ten Rod Road.
The applicant requested a continuance in writing because they were told they needed to seek a variance from the ZBA and have done so.

Jim Horgan motioned to continue the site plan application by Catherine Natale (Tax Map R29, Lot 12-4) to August 20, 2010, 2nd Dave Kestner.  Discussion followed where Paul pointed out that many of the items on the checklist are missing and Kathy said she would review it before it comes back to the Board.  Motion carried with all in favor.

At 8:01pm, Jim Horgan motioned to adjourn, 2nd Glen Demers.  Motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Brandy Sanger
Recording Secretary


_________________________________________
Chairman, Paul Parker