MONSON PLANNING BOARD
MINUTES FEBRUARY 21, 2012
MEMBERS PRESENT: Karen King, Kevin Haley Paul Hatch and Tara Hengeveld.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Craig Sweitzer.
The Board endorsed an ANR plan submitted by Eldon & Mary Nothe for property located on Lower Hampden Road.
The Board received a letter from Daniel Ochs stating he is unable to continue to serve as the Monson Planning Board’s representative to the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission because of work commitments.
Karen King moved to appoint Marilyn Gorman Fil, as the Planning Board representative to the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission.
Tara Hengeveld seconded the motion.
It was so voted unanimous.
The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission has questioned if the Board would be willing to take a second look at its Valley Vision 2 plan?
When the Planning Board reviewed the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission’s Valley Vision 2 plan at its meeting on July 19, 2007 it had concerns that there was not a lot of substance to the plan. Valley Vision 2 recommended saving farmland but there was nothing in the material submitted that would save farmland, and the stormwater proposals in the material provided were at odds with the State. The Board was also uncomfortable with a Regional Board that oversees planning for the region because economic structure differs greatly from town to town and what may be appropriate for West Springfield would not benefit Monson. The material submitted did not appear to contain restrictions or limitations on the authority the PVPC would have over local decisions regarding planning.
It was the consensus of the members that if the material is different it would be more than willing to take a second look, but if there are no changes to the material the concerns expressed at the July 19, 2007 meeting and the decision not to commit to a Memorandum of Agreement would remain the same.
Paul Hatch removed himself to avoid the appearance of a conflict.
On January 23, 2012 the Board sent a letter to the Board of Trustees of the First Church of Monson regarding the temporary Cell on Wheels (COW) currently located on the church property. The First Church has a lease agreement with A.T. & T allowing use of the church steeple for communications equipment. The steeple was destroyed by the June 1, 2011 tornado and A.T. & T met with the Planning Board to discuss the installation of a COW while plans were prepared to install six antenna panels on the church cupola. A.T. & T advised that it would take two to three months to complete the change over. The Board discussed the time schedule at its January 17, 2012 meeting and voted to send a letter to the First Church, as three months had passed without evidence of work on the cupola or
removal of the COW.
The Board received a letter from the Board of Trustees dated February 18, 2012 expressing its frustration with A.T. & T and the lack of progress in installing the antenna panels and removal of the COW. After consultation with A.T. & T the Board expects the panels to be installed on the cupola and the COW removed from the site by the end of March 2012.
Paul Hatch returned.
Tara Hengeveld moved to approve the minutes of January 17, 2012 as presented.
Paul Hatch seconded the motion.
It was so voted.
Voting Aye: Paul Hatch, Tara Hengeveld and Karen King.
Kevin Haley abstained because he did not attend the meeting.
Karen King moved to adjourn at 8:20 P.M.
Tara Hengeveld seconded the motion.
It was so voted, unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda A. Hull
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