MONSON PLANNING BOARD
MINUTES 11/18/2014
MEMBERS PRESENT: Kevin Haley, Craig Sweitzer & Paul Hatch, Tara Hengeveld
ABSENT Karen King.
ALSO PRESENT: Dan Laroche
The Board reviewed an ANR plan for property located on Upper Palmer Road, submitted by Bedrock Financial LLC. It was the consensus of the Board that Parcel A was not a buildable lot and before endorsing the plan Parcel A should be identified as a non- buildable lot.
7:12 Craig Haldeman Protec Systems met with the Board to discuss the screening at the solar facility on Macomber/Upper Palmer Road.
Craig Haldeman stated they had difficulty getting the plants and this was the size available.
Craig Sweitzer questioned if he would agree that they do not meet standard?
Craig Haldeman stated he would acknowledge that the rhododendron were small but believed that most of the other species were at minimum height.
Dan Laroche stated he looked at the plantings and all of them were at the minimum or below. The real issue for the Board is that the idea of this was to provide screening for abutters and at the end of the day abutters do not have good screening between their properties and the project. Part of the Site Plan Review for this type of facility is to provide a buffer and that is not there. The property owners knew that screening was required and should have made provisions to purchase the plants and get them in the ground at the appropriate time of the year. The Board is looking for a plan for next spring that demonstrates how and what the property owner proposes for a robust screening in the spring.
Craig Sweitzer questioned if the plants that are there would grow a foot by August of next year?
Craig Haldeman stated a lot of the smaller plants are starting to die off.
Craig Sweitzer stated the likelihood is for a substantial die off.
Craig Haldeman stated they were willing to meet requirements of the plan.
Dan Laroche stated the Board needs a clear plan of plantings, sizes and schedule, when the public hearing was held for the project screening was one of the main concerns of the abutters.
Craig Haldeman stated they would plant as soon as they could.
Dan Laroche stated it is too late now but the Board would like to see a schedule clearly showing time of planting and sizes.
Craig Sweitzer stated it appeared it was the consensus of the Board that the plantings were marginal in terms of size and health of the plants. It is the hope of the Board that the property owners would go beyond the marginal and minimum with the screening they propose for the spring.
Craig Haldeman stated they wanted to do the right thing.
Tara Hengeveld stated she would feel more comfortable if the Board gave the owners a date by which the work would be completed.
Paul Hatch stated the Board should put it in writing that it anticipates the screening to be completed no later than May 1, 2015.
Craig Haldeman stated they owned up to the mistakes and would make it right.
Paul Hatch moved to send a letter stating the Board expected the replanting and replacement of plants to be concluded no later than May 1, 2015 and plants should conform to the upper limits in size, spacing and vigor as shown on the Landscape plan presented by Craig Haldeman.
Kevin Haley seconded the motion.
It was so voted, unanimous.
Paul Hatch recused himself to avoid the appearance of a conflict.
Dan Laroche stated the question to the Board is whether Park Road is a way in existence having suitable width and grade for the purpose proposed?
The Board reviewed a letter from the Monson Fire Department stating that Park Road had suitable width and surface for the Departments emergency vehicles.
Dan Laroche stated the road is actively used to access the Towns’ ball fields and there is an existing house on the road.
Craig Sweitzer stated the Board had a communication from Town Counsel Kenneth Albano stating the Board should consider it a private road that was in existence prior to zoning. John Morrell, Highway Surveyor plows the road and it is actively used to access recreation fields.
The Board endorsed the ANR plan submitted by Robert McConochie.
Paul Hatch returned.
The Board reviewed an ANR submitted by Frederick Shaw for land located on Moulton Hill Road.
The Board found that the plan was not clear because the notes referenced Lot 8 but there was no Lot 8 shown on the plan. Lot 9 was shown on the plan but the plan did not identify the origin of that lot and it appeared Lot 7 was being created by the plan.
Tara Hengeveld moved to deny the plan.
Craig Sweitzer seconded the motion.
It was so voted, unanimous.
Tara Hengeveld stated she would not be available for the January, February, April and May Planning Board meetings and questioned if the Board members thought she should resign?
The Board members unanimously agreed that Ms. Hengeveld should not resign.
Paul Hatch stated the Board appreciated the different perspective Ms. Hengeveld brought to the table.
Tara Hengeveld moved to accept the minutes of September 16, 2014 as presented.
Kevin Haley seconded the motion.
Voting Aye: Craig Sweitzer, Kevin Haley and Tara Hengeveld.
Paul Hatch abstained.
9:15 Paul Hatch moved to adjourn.
Kevin Haley seconded the motion.
It was so voted, unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda A. Hull
| 
