Planning Board
Preliminary Meeting Minutes
Recorded by Mike Borden
April 23, 2012
Members present: RWimpory; PRenaud; KO’Connell, JFletcher; MBorden; SChicoine; RMarshall; MSteere, Alternate
7:00 p.m. Minutes
JFletcher read the minutes of the April 9, 2012 meeting. Several punctuation and spelling changes were made.
The only substantive change was to add to Line 42, RSA numbers so that it reads “…RSA’s (231:145, 231:157 and 231:158) and suggested developing a Town plan to deal with tree cutting on any road.” JFletcher moved to accept the minutes as amended. PRenaud seconded the motion. All in favor, the motion carried.
7:10 Mail
· Town and City Magazine from Local Government Center
7:14 Zoning Ordinance 2012
New copies of the Zoning Ordinance were handed out to PB members to reflect changes brought by town elections. A new feature this year was to add dates when various parts of the Ordinance were introduced, amended etc. Hopefully, this will make them more useful for both public and Planning Board uses. It was also stated that the Town may want to compile all of the regulations from various departments in one document such as Zoning, Police, Fire, etc. to make it easier for the public to find the regulations.
7:20 Master Plan
RMarshall reminded the Board of the public Round Table discussion scheduled for Saturday, April 28 at 9:00 a.m. at the Stephenson Library. The meeting will be publicly noticed in the Post Office and Town Hall as well as on the Town Website. PRenaud and MSteere reported on progress on the Master Plan Survey results from the hand written surveys. They hope to have the results compiled within two weeks.
7:30 Preliminary Conceptual Consultation
Edward Bergeron asked the PB what he would need to do to create a home-based business at his property on 336 Francestown Road. He would like to begin a Dot Com business involving sales of hunting and fishing equipment as well as possible gun sales. He would need to obtain a Federal Firearms License. His property is located in the Rural /Agricultural district. After a brief discussion, the PB suggested that he complete a Site Plan Review Application and submit it to the Board for review.
7:47 DPW Tree Maintenance Plan
The PB reviewed the DPW’s Tree/Brush Maintenance plan submitted by Tim Murray, DPW Supervisor dated April 12, 2012. Discussion was postponed until later in the meeting.
8:00 Dumas Site Plan Review
Conrad and Ellen Dumas submitted an application for a Site Plan Review for a home based business at 420 Slip Road. They had already consulted with the PB at a meeting on April 9, 2012. They would be selling farm products related to the sheep they are raising. They have been a registered farm with the Secretary of State for 10 years. Hours of operation would be by appointment. They presented a narrative of what they would be doing and a sketch of the property involved, parking etc. PRenaud moved to waive the requirements of a full Site Plan Review, as provided for in the Site Plan Review process. KO’Connell seconded the motion. All in favor, the motion carried.
The Dumas’ agreed that if, in the future, they decided to expand and post hours of operation, they would return for consultation. CDumas will complete the application sheet so that a formal permit can be issued. After payment of a fee of $10, KO’Connell moved to accept the application. PRenaud seconded the motion. All in favor, the motion carried.
8:10 DPW Tree Maintenance Plan
The PB began discussion of the DPW Tree maintenance Plan. K’OConnell read from RSAs 231:145 and 231:146 Scenic Roads. He also noted that in RSA 231:172, Utility companies were required to seek property owner’s permission for cutting. A general discussion ensued about what could be cut and what notice was required. The PB recognized the need of the DPW to maintain the Town roads. RWimpory suggested that the PB direct the DPW to develop a set of criteria for general road trimming work. MSteere suggested that 3 weeks prior to cutting trees or limbs, the DPW should notify affected abutters of such action. RMarshall suggested that land owners be notified that if they had a problem with the cutting, they could contact the DPW Supervisor for discussion. The PB reviewed the DPW Plan of April 12, 2012 bullet by bullet.
SChicoine reminded the PB of their decision, as reflected in the minutes of April 9, 2012, that they had required that the PB should have a site walk of any cutting to be done. The PB reconsidered its decision. The PB agreed that any tree to be removed should be flagged and a Site Walk planned for review of that/those cut(s). General maintenance trimming in the traveled way would not require a site walk.
The PB then suggested amendments to the DPW Cutting Plan. The intent was to create a uniform practice that could be applied to any Town roads. RMarshall volunteered to draft the revised plan (attached) and circulate it to Board members. The PB will finalize their recommendation to the DPW at the May 14,, 2012 meeting.
9:57 Adjournment
PRenaud moved to adjourn. KO’Connell seconded. All in favor, the motion carried.
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