TOWN OF NEWTON, NEW HAMPSHIRE
Newton Planning Board
Work Session
October 25, 2005
1. CALL TO ORDER
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. The meeting was posted in four town locations: Newton Post Office, Newton Junction Post Office, Rowe’s Corner Variety and Newton Town Hall. There was no challenge to the legality of the meeting.
2. ATTENDANCE
The following members were present:
Mary M. Allen - Chairman
Elliott Estey – Vice-Chairman
Rich LeClaire
James Doggett
Ann Miles
Also present:
Reuben Hull– RPC Circuit rider/planner
3. APPROVAL OF PAST MEETING MINUTES
The Board decided to wait to approve the minutes of October 11, 2005 because all members had not received a copy of them. This will be done at the October 25, meeting.
4. 2006 BUDGET
The Chair said that she had developed a new schedule for the A.A., which is as follows and would become effective January 1, 2006:
Tuesday: 9-5 Open to the Public
Wednesday: 9-5 Closed to the Public
Thursday: 1-7 Open to the Public
Friday: 1-5, Closed to the Public
Also included would be meeting time so that meeting weeks there would be a total of 29 hours and non-meeting weeks there would be a total of 25 hours. She said that she would also like to increase the hourly rate from $12.01 to $13.00.
It was decided that a level budget would be submitted with the exception of the increase of hours for the A. A. at an increased hourly rate. Line amount for Salaries was proposed at $17,000.00.
*****ACTIION ITEM***** The A.A. was requested to obtain a copy of the Wage and Salary Matrix and to find out what the board’s amount was for Salaries – FICA and Medicaid Tax.
There was discussion about the Circuit Rider’s Contract and besides the hourly rate being increased to $50.00 per hour per RPC, the board recommended a five hour per month increase for services. It was decided to increase this line to $11,500.00.
Ms. Miles suggested that the Board lease office equipment such as computers and copiers so that when they were broken, they could be replaced and the cost to the town would be nominal.
Proposed 2006 Planning Board Budget (preliminary) - $48,650.00
5. PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS
It was proposed to amend Section XVIII, Item 9 of the General Provisions by adding the following words: “demolition or construction materials.”
The Board received information regarding Plaistow’s Business Condominium Conversion Ordinance for examples to adopt one that was similar. Mr. Hull will ask Ms. Robinson for further examples.
It was suggested that the Home Occupation Ordinance be amended and to remove the following words under Application Procedure: < in the relevant sections of the Site Plan Review Regulations of the Newton Planning Board.>. Examples of Home Occupations from other surrounding towns were provided to the Board by Ms. Robinson and Ms. Cockerline.
There was some discussion about requirements for Accessory Apartments such as maximum square footage and egresses.
Ms. Miles inquired about criteria concerning water for subdivision. Mr. Hull said that the water issues were handled by NHDES.
6. COMMUNICATIONS
A letter was received from Robert Woodhouse requesting expected direction from the board with regards to his preliminary subdivision review and its continuation. Mr. Estey said that it had been continued so that the applicant would not have to re-notice his abutters. The AA said that this had not been a formal application and it would have to be resubmitted as such and re-noticing would be required. Mr. Woodhouse was present and inquired about utilities and Mr. Estey told him that all utilities were required to be underground and that all of the houses were to be sprinkled. He added that it was not the responsibility of the Board to engineer his plan for him and direction had been provided. Ms. Miles added that the Board could not educate him and he should look at what worked well. Ms. Allen said that a preliminary application was a formal submittal. Ms. Miles suggested that he review his engineer’s other projects. Ms. Allen said that the board was not telling him to do a
cluster development. Ms. Miles disagreed and said that Mr. Woodhouse needed to spend quality time researching. It was mentioned that there were some irate abutters who were opposed to this project. Mr. Estey said that the abutters should be spoken with first. Mr. Hull asked what would happen if Mr. Woodhouse was not ready with a new plan for November 8th. Ms. Allen said that the Board would continue and continue. Mr. Hull agreed that this was a preliminary plan and a formal submission was needed. Mr. Woodhouse said that he might send a letter to the Board that his plan was not ready and would re-submit at a later date.
A request for a bond reduction was received from David Storey.
Motion made by Mr. Estey with a second from Ms. Miles to grant the bond reduction, as requested, to Mr. Storey. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Estey asked how long it took following a vote for the bond reductions to actually be done. The A.A. said that they were usually typed immediately unless there was erroneous information provided, and submitted to the Town Treasurer. Mr. Estey said that he had been told that it took weeks and in the future, the Board would like a copy of the final letter from the bank as to when the reduction was done.
The Chairman declared the meeting adjourned at 9:40 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Sally E. Cockerline
Administrative Assistant
Newton Planning Board
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