Planning Board
Preliminary Meeting Minutes –
Recorded by Sharon Rossi
July 23, 2012
Members present: JFletcher, PRenaud, MBorden, RWimpory, SChicoine
7:02 p.m. Minutes
PRenaud read the minutes of the July 9, 2012 meeting. Minor spelling and punctuation were done. No substantive changes were made. JFletcher motioned to accept the minutes as amended. PRenaud seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried.
7:12 p.m. Mail received:
1. Cash receipt from Northeast Utilities for Public Hearing on tree trimming presented by PSNH
2. A brochure requesting nominees for a Shining Star for municipal volunteer of the year
3. A revised listing dated 7/12/12 of town officers and committees
4. Planning Board budget y-t-d summary
5. Certified notice from KLandry (Sawmill)
6. Letter from Jeffrey H. Taylor congratulating the Planning Board on being a recipient of the NH Regulations and Master Plan Grant
7. Town & City Magazine - topic, “Public Safety”
7:15 p.m. Dick Ludders, Piscataquog River Local Advisory Chair
M.r Ludders presented a synopsis of the goals that the committee is trying to achieve:
1. To provide guidance to protect the Piscataquog River watershed (River Management
Plan).
2.The Land Conservancy Plan identifies land areas within the Piscataquog River watershed
that have particularly high, natural values and are worthy of consideration for conserving
through a variety of methods described in the plan.
LMurphy introduced the Revised Plan at the July 9th meeting stating that a stream located in Greenfield feeds into the Piscataquog River. The River Management Plan is a plan for the 21st century outlining the best practices for the river. The Land Conservation Plan was developed by SWRPC as a means of identifying areas that are high in value that could be put in land conservation.
DLudders read a statement identifying the two plans and what each plan’s goal is. JFletcher asked if both plans are advisory. DLudders said, “Yes, and that the committee is asking each town in the Piscataquog watershed to adopt the guidelines and to include them in their Master Plan so that when discussions of development or any other activity which could affect the river, a clear plan will be outlined.” LMurphy passed around a map showing the Piscataquog River watershed area. She said manuals are advisory only, with lots of information that are useful to the individual towns. She also commented, “It’s nice when these grants come around and these plans take place.” She will also be working on a hazardous mitigation committee within the next year and it will be something
that will be useful in the Master Pan.”
7:32 p.m. LMurphy Master Plan – Draft #2 Vision
LMurphy said she tried to incorporate everyone comments into the Master Plan statement focusing on the Vision Statement as the voice of the residents, and not necessarily the Planning Board’s. She started with item #2
2. Preservation of Natural Resources, Open Space, and Farmland. After discussion, the
Planning Board deleted “…from development before it is too late.”
3. Economic Development. LMurphy stated economic development is a catch-22 situation.
We need economic development in order to grow and to pay for services and having
housing is part of that. Businesses will help lower tax base. GMitchell commented, “58%
of the community is taxable, is it great to protect everything, but we only have a real
narrow area to play in to satisfy everyone. No matter what you do, you will not be able
to satisfy everyone.” LMurphy said, “When making a motion to approve something, it
certainly would be consistent with Master Plan after consultation.” RWimpory
commented, “The Master Plan is a ’living’ document and needs to be compliant with the
state’s regulations.” After discussion, the Planning Board inserted “Adequate internet
access will help to attract potential businesses…..” and also changed “Without this
service, ….”
4. Housing Choices. The Planning Board changed the first sentence to read, “A mix of
housing options, senior housing, single family and modification of existing structures, is
needed to serve all ages and income levels of Greenfield residents.”
LMurphy said she will make changes and will send them to the Planning Board and if you see anything you’d like to change ahead of time, call me or e-mail me and I will make the change before the Public Hearing.
8:43 p.m. GMitchell commented, “I was originally scheduled to have a hearing on 7/9, but I didn’t receive a notice. My mistake as I didn’t put my name on the labels. I’ve had correspondence from Bob and he says that a discussion about the application is set for August 13, 2012. Why is it a discussion and not a hearing?” MBorden and the other board members said to contact BMarshall for the answer. GMitchell asked if he should come to the 13th meeting with his plans. MBorden said, “You might want to come and be part of the discussion.”
JFletcher said, “We expected to have the public hearing, but you didn’t show. Bob mentioned that it would be tentatively held on the first meeting of September. The 13th meeting is where we are having a discussion about the application.”
8:54 p.m. Adjournment PRenaud motioned to adjourn. JFletcher seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
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