Town of Otisfield
Planning Board Meeting Minutes
July 6, 2010
1. Call to Order: The regular meeting was called to order at 7:01 PM.
2. Attendance: Members present were, Chair – Stan Brett, Vice Chair - Dan Peaco, Karen Turino, Herb Olsen, Recording Secretary - Beth Damon & Alternate – Dave McVety.
Code Enforcement Officer: Richard St. John
Planning Board Secretary: Tanya Taft
3. Quorum: Board had a quorum.
4. Secretary’s Report:
A. Regular Meeting Minutes from June 1, 2010 *Motion to accept minutes. DP/BD –Unanimous.
5. Discussion & Comments from Public:
A. None.
6. Residence - Based Business Applications:
A. Sarah Shraiberg DBA Avalon Meadows, Tax Map R-4, Lot 037. For background: The Otisfield Planning Board (PB) met in regular session on Tuesday, June 1, 2010. A citizen came before the Board to express his concern (and others) over this Equestrian Center, more specifically, people from this business who are riding horses into the water at Saturday Pond. He asked if the PB and/or Board of Selectmen had any jurisdiction or oversight into this type of activity, and its effects upon the pond. This gentleman and the Saturday Pond Association members are concerned that this activity is extremely detrimental to the ecosystem of the pond, as the disturbance to the pond bottom (from the horses) is being released and floating to the top. This disturbance includes mud, leaves, plant life, etc.. The Planning Board asked
applicant by letter to come before them to review the original Residence Based Business application on file.
Sarah Shraiberg as applicant states that this is a day camp from 9-1. Children ride for two hours and they learn how to take care of horses. Her rides to the lake do not involve the children taking the horses in to “swim”. That would be too dangerous for the children as the horses are very powerful. Sarah has suggested to adult individuals who board horses w/ her that they not take the horses swimming in the water. CEO: The Town BOS, PB or himself have no jurisdiction once in the water, Inland Fisheries & Wild Life have jurisdiction. Upon review of the application on file, all information remained current except for the question about employees and signs. Currently this business has (1) full time employee who is the owner/applicant (lengthy discussion point about “employee”) and (1)
part-time employee. The business has several kids that they do bartering with, but they do not get paid cash, (another discussion point about “employee”). CEO will contact MMA about the definition of an employee per the PB’s request. The number of signs has changed from one (1) to two (2). *Application on file was updated as of today, July 6, 2010. CEO will contact applicant and board with the legal advice and if she needs to come back before the board.
7. Shoreland Zoning Applications:
A. None.
8. Site Plan Applications:
A. None.
9. Subdivision Application:
A. None.
10. Miscellaneous:
A. None.
11. Upcoming Dates:
A. Planning Board Regular Meeting July 20, 2010 @ 7:00 PM, unless there are no items on the Agenda.
12. Discussion & comments from Code Enforcement Officer:
A. An Appeal for a variance for reduction in Shore line setback will be going before the BOA on Thursday, July 22, 2010 @ 7:00PM. Anyone who wishes to have more information on this may stop by the CEO office during normal business hours.
13. Discussion & comments from Board:
A. *Mike McAllister, PB member – Resigned from Planning Board at the June 2nd BOS Meeting to allow an Alternate a chance to step up as a regular voting member. The BOS & Planning Board thanked him for all his time and effort as a Planning Board member. *Karen Turino is no longer an Alternate as she was next to move up.
14. Pending Applications:
A. None.
15. Adjournment:
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:15 PM. HO/DP – Unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Tanya Taft, Secretary.
Approved by: Stan Brett, Chair
Otisfield Planning Board
Approved on: August 3, 2010
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