Planning Board minutes for Thursday October 9, 2014
The meeting opened at 7:07 p.m.
Members present: Tom Sawyer, Larry Klein, Maggie Leonard, co-chair, Stephen Enoch, co-chair, Roger Tryon, Alan Salamon, and Barry Karson.
Public present: Residents of Cronk Road and Chestnut Hill Rd.; Karen Allen, Everett Williams, Bella Williams, Bettina Schwartz, Linda Schweitzer, Jon Schweitzer, Jake Krans.
Residents of Cronk Road met with the board to discuss the activity associated with Hume Camp on Chestnut Hill Rd.
The residents (with the exception of Jake Krans) voiced the following concerns:
•Cronk road, the dirt road that accesses Hume Camp, has greatly increased traffic in the form of log trucks and construction vehicles. There is also increased traffic with regard to the camp operation itself and in the form of food and other delivery vehicles. The residents report that there are tractor trailers that are “going fast” and the activity was described as “all day long and sometimes at night.”
•Due to the small size and curvy nature of the road residents are concerned that there is going to be a bad accident. There have already been multiple accidents on that section of Cronk Rd prior to Hume Camp’s tenure. Residents fear that the increased size, speed, and frequency of the traffic will increase the likelihood of an accident.
•The camp uses a public address system and amplified music throughout the day and into the evening. The residents noted that Hume has made an effort to stop amplification at 10 p.m.
•Construction and associated activity goes on “at all hours” and “everyday.”
•Residents would like to see police monitor the speed of vehicles on Cronk Rd.
•Residents were concerned that they had no communication from the town or from Hume about the construction and expansion that they feel is having a negative impact on their lives.
•Residents reported that Hume has plans for as many as 500 campers and concerns were voiced about the ground water and surrounding wells.
Jake Krans, a resident of Cronk Rd., stated that he has lived on Cronk Rd for ten years and that there has always been an active camp on Chestnut Hill Road. He said that they have always gotten deliveries and always had amplified sound and always had increased traffic on the weekends in the summer. Krans indicated that he has no particular problem with the Hume Camp.
The other residents left the board with the following questions:
•Does the town have the ability to set limits on the increased activity at Hume Camp?
•Is there a noise ordinance, or can one be enacted, to control the decibel level and times of amplified noise from the camp?
•What can be done about the increase in the frequency and size of the traffic on Cronk Rd.?
•Is it sustainable to have 500 or more children at the camp? Are there any limits?
The Cronk Rd. residents left the meeting at 8:42 p.m.
The board read the minutes from September 11, 2014; Alan suggested that we replace “At this time no building permits have been sought…” with, “When future building permits are sought…”. The board approved the amendment and approved the minutes as amended.
The board reviewed the special permit application from David and Jennifer Quisenberry of 30 Bidwell Rd. The board made the following findings:
•The plans submitted are not adequately marked and do not distinguish which are pre-existing structures which are newly constructed structures.
•There is a shed in the 40-foot setback from Lake Garfield.
•There are stone steps in the 25-foot side lot setback in two locations.
Leonard agreed to write a finding for review at the October 23rd Planning Board meeting.
Alan Salamon suggested that the board formulate a response to the concerns of Cronk Road residents:
•Ask Town Counsel why Hume did not need a special permit.
•Ask Mark Bobrowski his consult fee.
•Find out how much money is in the Planning Board budget.
•Review a selection of noise ordinances and the state statute on noise
The mail consisted of BRPC newsletter with the schedule for the Citizen Planner Training workshops.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Maggie Leonard, co-chair
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