NEWTON PLANNING BOARD
MINUTES OF PUBLIC HEARING AND MEETING
May 25, 2010
1. Call to Order:
Chairman Jim Doggett called the meeting to order at 7:03 pm. In attendance were: Chairman Jim Doggett; Vice Chairman Barbara White; Planning Board members Ann Miles and Kim Vaillant, Alternate Rick Milner, and Trisha McCarthy, BOS ex officio. Minutes were transcribed by Administrative Assistant Lisa Babcock.
Also in attendance: Brian Groth, Circuit Rider Planner.
Doggett appointed Milner to stand in for Kim Pettit.
2. Karl N. LaCroix, of Newton, NH continuation of a public hearing for a 2-lot subdivision at 44 Whittier Street. The property is referenced as Tax Map 5, Block 5, Lot 5.
Mr. LaCroix was in attendance. Vaillant said that she and Mr. Milner had attended the recent site walk at the property. Ms. Vaillant verified that Mr. LaCroix appeared to be sifting through the soil on the property to remove old debris that had been buried there by a previous owner. The debris includes old fencing and equipment. Vaillant said she didn't think the gravel driveway should be abandoned as it provides access to this back area and is not as close to the wetlands as the board previously thought.
Milner said he believes that Mr. LaCroix is improving the property by removing the trash from the ground. The soil is being sifted and then being used as fill on the same piece of property.
Ms. McCarthy asked if hay bales and silt fences are being used to protect the wetlands. Mr. LaCroix said yes.
Miles asked when Mr. LaCroix plans to build on the lot. He said he does not plan to build but wants the flexibility to sell each lot independently.
Vaillant moved to approve the plan subject to the following conditions: A note must be added to the plan and mylar stating that the driveway corresponding to NHDOT Permit # 06-341-282 shall be abandoned by June 1, 2012 or prior to the sale of the lot referenced as Tax Map 5, Block 5, Lot 5-1, whichever comes first. Second by White. Motion carried 5-0-1 with Miles abstaining.
Doggett closed the public hearing for a two-lot subdivision at Tax Map 5, Block 5, Lot 5 for Karl N. LaCroix.
3. Town of Newton, NH continuation of a public hearing to review a proposed addition to the Newton Zoning Ordinance pertaining to Village District Zoning.
The board reviewed the tax maps of the proposed village district areas in order to set the limits of the districts. Groth brought in an application for the Land Use/Transportation Planning Project Assistance grant.
The board reviewed the budget and determined that it allows for a match of $5,000 out of the consulting fee line.
Miles asked if the grant could be used to reconfigure the roadways in the Rowe's Corner area. She also asked if Rowe's could be checked for compliance with zoning and regulations given that its ownership is changing hands.
Some board members felt that that did not fall under the purview of the planning board. Doggett said they would have to come before the board if there was a change in use.
McCarthy said she would ask the building department and health officer to see what they have on file concerning the lot.
The board determined that the priorities of the project will be the Rowe's Corner area traffic issues and digital mapping of the Rowe's Corner area.
White moved to authorize RPC to develop the Transportation Grant application. Second by Milner. Motion carried unanimously.
Milner moved to encumber $5,000 from the consulting fee line as a match for the Transportation Grant. Second by White. Motion carried unanimously.
Doggett asked the board members to review the maps they received in their packets to continue to define the boundaries of the village districts.
Groth clarified that the Targeted Block Grant will be used to fund the village zoning and boundary determination and the Transportation Grant will be used to conduct a traffic study.
White moved to continue the public hearing to June 8th. Second by Vaillant.
4. Circuit Rider: Groth suggested that the board dismiss him from meetings when his services are not needed to save on his hours. The Board agreed and Doggett said he will keep that in mind when developing the agenda.
5. Subdivision Approval Checklist: The Board reviewed a checklist for subdivision approval.
Valliant moved to include an item on the checklist stating that existing trails be noted on plans. Vaillant accepted a friendly amendment from Miles that only trails that have been in existence for 20 years or more are required to be noted. Second by White. Motion carried unanimously.
6. Acceptance of Minutes:
Vaillant moved to accept the minutes of 5/11/10 as written. Second by White. Motion carried unanimously.
7. RPC Commissioner's Meeting: Doggett asked about Newton hosting an RPC Commissioner's Meeting possibly in the fall. Groth will look into what needs to be done.
Groth departed at 9:05 pm.
8. Manifests:
Motion by White to authorize the chair to sign the operating budget manifest dated 5/25/10 in the amount $55.46. Second by Milner. Motion carried unanimously.
There was no NPREA manifest.
8. Request for Extension – Sarah's Way Subdivision Approval: The board reviewed a letter from Ann M. Araki requesting a four month extension on the conditional approval for the 4-lot subdivision at Sarah's Way (Tax Map 10, Block 2, Lot 10-7).
White moved to grant an extension of 4 months for the conditional approval of the 4-lot subdivision at Sarah's Way, Tax Map 10, Block 2, Lot 10-7). The approval shall lapse on October 8, 2010. Second by Milner. Motion carried 5-0-1 with Miles abstaining.
9. Walnut Farm Culvert – The board discussed the issue with a culvert at the Peaslee Crossing end of Walnut Farm Road. A resident has been cleaning out the culvert which is being blocked up by beavers. The board directed the secretary to send a memo to the selectmen to inform Mr. Storey of the problem and have him clean out the culvert regularly.
10. Metro PCS mylars: Metro PCS submitted a corrected mylar. Doggett will sign the mylar for recording.
11. Letter from River Bank: A letter requiring the chairman's signature had been received from River Bank in reference to the letter of credit held for Katherine Drive. The letter is dated 5/11/2010
White moved to have the secretary verify the bond amounts noted in the letter and to authorize the chair to sign the letter if the amounts are correct. Second by Vaillant. Motion carried unanimously.
12. Letter from the Law Offices of Andrew D. Myers: The board reviewed the letter requesting approval for a liquor license at 1 Pond Street (Rowe's Corner Market).
Motion by White to forward the letter to the Board of Selectmen. Second by Vaillant. Motion carried unanimously.
13. Other Board Business: The board reviewed the remaining correspondence.
McCarthy stated that the road agent had been in contact with a resident concerning a driveway at 17 Bear Hill Road. She said the road is a state road so the driveway is under state jurisdiction.
McCarthy also stated that a trails committee meeting has been scheduled for Jun 8th at 6:00 pm.
14. TRC Minutes:
Vaillant moved to accept the TRC minutes of 5/17/10 as written. Second by White. Motion carried unanimously.
15. Adjourn: The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lisa Babcock
Administrative Assistant
Newton Planning Board
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