Minutes of the Greenfield Planning Board,
August 28, 2006
Attendees:
Mike Borden
Dario Carrara, Chairman
Marilyn Fletcher
John Halper
Kevin O’Connell
Sheldon Pennoyer, Alternate
George Rainier
Gil Morris
Minutes from August 14 were read, and the following correction was made:
Under “Deliberation on the Proposed O’Donnell Major Subdivision – Holden Road”, the last paragraph should read:
Member Halper made a motion to approve the application for a major subdivision on Holden Road. The motion was seconded, and the vote to approve was unanimous.
The minutes were approved as amended.
Mail:
Resignation letter from Sheldon Pennoyer. He will be a trustee for the Monadnock Conservancy.
Municipal Law Lecture Series Fall brochure.
Selectman’s Meeting Minutes from August 10, 2006
Newsletter from SPACE (Statewide Program of Action to Conserve our Environment)
Copy of Hancock’s Draft Driveway Regulations, from Peter Hopkins
Invoice from Upton Hatfield for $179.50
Invoice from Peterborough Transcript $74.00
Preliminary Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRMs) for Greenfield from the University of New Hampshire.
Chairman Carrara made a motion to recognize Sheldon Pennoyer for his many contributions to the Board over the last 4 years of his membership. We wish him well.
7:30 CIP Meeting with Department Heads and Members of the Public
Department heads attending:
Wyatt Fox, Highway Department
Loren White, Fire Department
Brian Gianmarino, Police
Mary Ann Grant, Library
John Halper presented an overview of the Capital Improvements Program to bring everyone up-to-date on where the Board is with the process of updating the plan, and to explain the process of putting the plan together.
Total estimated cost of projects submitted for this year’s CIP (over the next 10 years) is $4,165,647 (in 2006 dollars).
Wyatt Fox discussed the needs of the Highway Department and the Recycling Department:
Highway-Roads
There is a 22% increase over last year, mostly due to increases in material costs. The department is 8 years and 6 miles into the program of re-paving the 13 miles of paved roadway.
DPW Facilities
Security fencing is necessary as a major subdivision maybe going in next to the facility. Many materials are current stored outside and unsecured. Developer may be asked to pay an exaction fee to provide the fence.
State is tightening requirements for salt and sand storage, the existing storage building will need to be upgraded to meet the new requirements..
Highway Department building is 4 bays short. Expensive equipment is being left outdoors.
Additional land is needed for expansion of the building. Cost for this is included in the estimate.
Vehicles
Caterpillar 920 Loader is 29 years old – costs too much to keep up with the repairs. Current value is less than $5000. A new 4-wheel drive loader is needed to replace it.
Recycling
Paving will be combined with paving needed by the Highway Dept. Paving may also necessary for environmental protection.
Storage building just needs to be a roof – no heat or sides.
There is a volunteer committee working on a “master plan” for the recycling center.
Brian Gianmarino discussed the Police Dept.:
The existing 2003 cruiser is in great shape, it will need to be replaced in 5 to 6 years, when it passes 100,000 miles. The following year, the 2004 cruiser will need to be replaced.
New Facility
Looking for more space – possibly the old town offices. May not be needed for another 10 years, but will be needed someday.
Down the road, another full-time officer will be needed. As calls for duty increase, an additional person will be needed to handle the calls.
Vice Chairman Halper discussed population growth projections for Greenfield as published by SW Regional Planning Commission.. These projections show population increasing each year by 6 to 10%.
Crotched Mountain is a large user of police services.
Loren White discussed the needs of the Fire Department.
CIP proposal are the same as last years, with three changes – replacement of pagers, replacement of fire hoses and replace Fire Engine #1.
Replace pagers – they’re taking a lot of abuse. New pagers have better reception, which is something they really need to have. The department has 30 pagers.
Replacement of fire hose – hose used to be replaced in sections every year, but has not been done in a while. Hose deteriorates with age, and now needs to be replaced.
Replace Fire Engine #1 – a Federal grant has been applied for, they will find out in December.
Lifetime of new truck will be 25 years.
Replace Tanker – existing tanker will be 25 years old in 2011.
Replace Rescue Vehicle – existing older vehicle will be 30 years old in 2015. Currently it is used to transport Jaws of Life and other tools.
Replace Extrication Equipment – Existing equipment works well, but is heavy and difficult to handle. Newer, easier to handle equipment is available.
Fulltime Fire Chief – department would stay as a volunteer department with a paid chief. Call volume has been increasing, 75% of calls are rescue calls. Currently volunteers handle most of the paperwork, but it may be necessary to add clerical assistance in the future.
Mary Ann Grant discussed the Library
Not much changed from last year, except that completion of the downstairs room was removed from the plan.
Paving costs may be higher than estimated. Perhaps this could be combined with paving done at the highway department.
Roof is the original slate roof (1910) – right now there are no leaks.
Most urgent need is for shelving for the Adult Section. Mary Ann estimates that the shelving will cost at least $5000. She will submit a revised CIP sheet. There is no place to put new books.
There is a possibility of wood being donated. Volunteer labor could eliminate most of the cost.
George Rainier discussed Parks and Recs – there are no changes from last year.
Gil Morris discussed the Town Clerk and Tax Collector.
More space, and fire-proof storage is needed for both. Approximately the same dollar amount is needed for both.
Gil Morris discussed Admin/Accounting
Windows are a great loss of heating.
Boiler is ancient – is not efficient.
Parking lot lights may be paid for by funds from the Rural Development Grant.
Elevator – needed to be ADA compliant.
Next meeting on CIP will be September 11 at 8:30 to prioritize the items for each department.
A public hearing will be held on October 16.
Discussion on Landmark
Chris Stewart has requested a meeting with the Planning Board and town counsel, Landmark and Landmark counsel. Chairman Carrara suggested that they come in for a Design Review or a PCC, with either just the Planning Board, or as a combined meeting with the ZBA.
Chairman Carrara reminded Mr. Stewart that there is no current application before the Board.
After discussion, the Board agreed that a PCC, a design review, or submission of a new application are the next steps available to Landmark. New plans should comply with Zoning Ordinances and Subdivision Regulations.
Town counsel should be present if the Landmark Counsel is present to argue the validity of or interpretation of the Zoning Ordinances or Subdivision Regulations.
The Board feels that a new application would be charged the same fees as the original application.
Discussion on Hall Way
A letter will go out to the four property owners on Hall Way, Beechwood Builders and Peter Hopkins, Code Enforcement Officer to attend a meeting on September 25 at 7:30 for the purpose of discussing a resolution to the driveway problem.
Meeting adjourned at 9:30 pm
Marilyn Fletcher
| 
