April 10th 2008
Planning Board Minutes
Meeting to order: 7:05 P.M
Meeting adjourned: 8:45 P.M.
Members Present: Cindy Hoogs, co-chair; Brian Puntin, co-chair; Stephen Rose; Maggie Leonard; Alan Salomon
Public Present: Sara Isaac and Melissa Provencher from Berkshire Regional Planning
· Maynard Forbes and Don Torrico were contacted regarding the new driveway bylaws.
· The board was concerned about the tone of the comments made in the town news and the Select board meeting minutes regarding the new bylaws. The board is interested in writing up a letter for Will to publish in the next edition of the Monterey News. They are going to look into it.
· Sara Isaac and Melissa Provencher from Berkshire Regional Planning came to the meeting to discuss the town’s master plan. The contract the board had with them has expired. The question was how would the board like to proceed? They would like to know how to best assist the board in the Master Plan process. Members of the board were curious if there were grants available to help defer the cost of someone assisting them in writing the grant? The estimated costs to have Berkshire Regional Planning create the Master Plan for the board is $30,000.
· Open space plans expire within five years of being accepted. Approximately 26 out of 32 towns in Berkshire County have a community plan. More don’t than do have a Master Plan.
· The question arose as to whether or not it was possible to have our town be someone’s thesis project and therefore they would assist in the creation of a Master Plan.
· The current members of the planning board don’t feel like they have the ability to write the plan.
· Alan feels that the select board should be made aware that we don’t have a master plan and the cost it would take to create one and then see what they feel the next step should be.
· Berkshire Regional Planning agreed to write a proposal as to what needs to be done and how much it will cost as well as the benefits of a plan and the negatives
· A sign permit application was submitted for 115 New Marlborough Road by Robert Lowe. The house is owned by Roger Tryon. The sign will read RN Construction Company Building Services. The size will be 2 feet by 1 foot. Cindy Recused due to conflict of interest. Stephen motioned to approve, Maggie seconded it and the permit was unanimously approved.
· A special permit application was submitted by Robert Johnson of 2 Elephant Rock Road to remove the existing entry way and kitchen and replace it with a more updated kitchen and porch. Of 789 square feet 74 square feet of that will be removed and 148 square feet added back on with the renovation. There will only be a 19% increase in habitual square footage. It is a non-conforming lot and a non-conforming structure. The set-back is also non- conforming. The board cannot recommend for or against due to a lack of a site plan.
· The board opened the mail.
· The meeting minutes from February 28th have not yet been approved.
· The board secretary was out for the month of March.
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