PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
April 2, 2008
Call to Order: 6:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Present were: Timothy E. Moore, Chairman; Steven Ranlett, Vice-Chairman; Peter Bealo; Robert Gray, Selectmen Ex- Officio; Neal Morin, Alternate; and M. Senter, Alternate. Barry Weymouth was absent.
Also present were Leigh G. Komornick, Planner, and P. Michael Dorman, Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer.
T. Moore appointed N. Morin as a voting member in place of B. Weymouth.
Minutes of March 19, 2008, Planning Board Meeting
P. Bealo moved, second by S. Ranlett, to accept the minutes from the March 19, 2008, meeting as written. There was no discussion on the motion. The vote was 5-0-0U/A.
Continuation of a Final Public Hearing on a Commercial Site Plan Review Application for a proposed 3-story, 3,400 square foot professional office space addition to the existing building. The property is Tax Map 11, Lot 5 located at 23 Atkinson Depot Road. This is a 1.30 +/- acres parcel with 265.62 feet of frontage located in the CI Zone, and contains an existing 2,000 square foot building. The owner of record is Little River Properties II, LLC. (Request for Continuance Received to Continue to 4/16/08 meeting)
T. Moore stated that this public hearing was continued to April 16, 2008.
Committee Assignments – Master Plan
T. Moore noted that May 7, 2008, workshop will be dedicated to the Master Plan.
M. Senter noted that she would like to work on the Master Plan, noting that she was on the Regional Master Plan Sub-Committee for the (Rockingham) Planning Commission. She offered an update of the status of that plan.
There was a discussion of what chapters were the focus of the current update and how it would affect the Regional 10-Year Plan.
Committee Assignments – CIP
T. Moore noted there were two (2) members from Planning Board; two (2) members from the Board of Selectmen (BOS) and two (2) members from the Budget Committee. He added that the chairman of the Planning Board served as the chairman of the CIP Committee.
There was a discussion of the time table for the first meeting of the CIP Committee and what would be updated this year.
R. Gray stated that he wanted to pursue an ordinance similar to Salem, NH’s that requires business licensing for business who operate on Sundays. He noted that he would like to find out how Salem legally does it and where their collected funds are used. R. Gray added that he had been talking about the ordinance proposal for five (5) years and would like pursue as many ways to offset taxes as much as possible.
M. Dorman asked if it would be all businesses in Town who operated on Sundays or just Route 125, noting it would be important that there be consistency.
R. Gray said that would be up to discussion of the Board as to who would have to pay. He noted that the justification could be an increase in police calls due to business operations on Sundays.
There was a discussion regarding how to best proceed with gathering information on how Salem does their ordinance.
L. Komornick offered that she would contact Salem (“Ross”) and discuss it with him.
Other Short and Long-Range Planning Activities
Transit Station Project Development including CEDS (Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies)
L. Komornick noted an e-mail from Marie Capello (Rockingham Economic Development Corporation) and that she had a discussion with Jason Hoch regarding keeping an active project on the economic development plan for the region in order to keep a place-holder in the CEDS plan.
T. Moore noted that there would be an April 30, 2008 meeting between New Hampshire and Maine DOTs regarding funding of the Downeaster Stations and the role that the counties can play in funding. He added that would tie in to CEDS as well.
CART (Cooperative Alliance for Regional Transportation)
T. Moore noted that information on this service should be tied into the Transportation Chapter update.
L. Komornick offered that she had seen more of the CART vans around and that it would be good to get the information to include in updating that chapter.
R. Gray noted that Lee Morley (Executive Director of CART) would be coming to an April BOS meeting to talk about ridership funding for CART and it would be good for her to have updated information.
M. Senter reported on a discussion at the CART Executive Committee meeting regarding the funding and budgets that had been approved and not been paid.
R. Gray asked if there were things that could be done to advertise it more. He asked if it had been on the message channel.
There was a discussion on how to better promote the services of CART, including better representation on the cable station running on the message portion of the programming as well as a spotlight program on cable. It was suggested that the Vic Geary would be the best place to tape such a program.
M. Senter reminded that CART is not just a service of elderly and disabled residents, but for all residents of the Town.
There was discussion regarding how Plaistow’s lack of funding would affect Plaistow’s ability to use CART services.
R. Gray noted that he was looking for better ways to promote CART.
M. Senter offered that her greatest frustration with both the BOS and Planning Board is the lack of public relations getting the word out about what was happening at the meetings.
There was a discussion regarding the lack of newspaper coverage for Plaistow as a whole and for the CART program specifically.
There was also a discussion on what town’s there were needs for rides to and how that was changing from when the original destinations list was developed.
There was further discussion regarding tax-payer perceptions of how Plaistow tax dollars may be being used to bring others in or out of the community to work on for other services and the monies that were not staying here in Plaistow. It was also questioned if Plaistow tax-payers wanted to bear the burden of supporting the commercial district on their own. It was suggested that the emphasis for CART in Plaistow needed to highlight the transportation benefit to Plaistow residents, without alienating other towns.
Haseltine Street
T. Moore presented an overview of the widening of Haseltine and the coordination with businesses and the City of Haverhill regarding the completion of this project. The project will widen Haseltine; block the plaza entrance closest to the Route 125 intersection; and opening the plaza entrance closest to the Main Street intersection. It was noted that Route 125 Impact Fees were to be used to fund this project.
T. Moore reminded that there had also been previous discussions with discussions with MVPC (Merrimack Valley Planning Commission) regarding possible changes to the Main Street/Cushing Street/Route 125 intersection.
L. Komornick showed a plan (Alternative V) that had been developed as part of the meetings between Plaistow, Haverhill and MVPC for the intersection. She added that Haverhill has been collecting money from the businesses that have moved in since the development of the plan with the intention to implement the plan.
S. Ranlett asked if there was a date from Haverhill as to when they may start to redevelop the intersection.
L. Komornick replied that there was not.
R. Gray asked if there had been any calls made to find out the information.
L. Komornick answered it was difficult to get any information since there is no one in Haverhill taking the initiative to get this project going.
M. Dorman added that was why Plaistow was moving forward with the plans for Haseltine Street, noting that once the widening was completed it was the hope that it would become the new Main Street and that the old Main Street would become a one-way north town roadway from the intersection of Haseltine Street south to Route 125.
R. Gray noted that this sounded like former discussions with Haverhill and their lack of cooperation and response.
M. Dorman noted that Haverhill was on-board but there were problems getting the businesses on the Haverhill side of the line to agree to changes.
There was discussion on what traffic issues were currently being observed on Route 125 at the MA/NH line.
R. Gray offered that there needed to be discussion as part of the Transportation Chapter regarding bringing rail service to Plaistow.
There was discussion as to what was currently known about being the possibility of bring MBTA rail service, including a lay-over station, moving it out of Bradford and train stop in Plaistow. It was noted that the State seemed to be open to the possibility.
R. Gray noted that it needed to be thought about as a regional transportation project.
There was discussion that the Park and Ride Lot was originally built the way it was with the intent of there possibly being rail service as well as bus service that would bring commuters to Plaistow to use the rail service.
R. Gray asked what the next step was for Haseltine.
L. Komornick noted that this was more of an update to keep the Board in the loop.
M. Dorman offered that the next step would be for the BOS to accept the land once he received the deed transfer from the current plaza owners. He added that SEC Associates was ready to go to come up with the design as soon as that happens. He added that the State of New Hampshire (Steve Ireland) was also onboard with the plan.
Route 125 Widening Project – Sidewalks on Danville Road
L. Komornick noted information about having the NHDOT incorporate sidewalks along the west side of Danville Road and also the possibility of working with the Timberlane Regional School District to apply for a grant to construct sidewalks from the Middle School, down Greenough Road to Danville Road.
The Board was shown maps of the proposed Route 125 widening project. It was noted that changes in traffic patterns due to the installation of the median strip would occur and what accommodations are being made for turning truck traffic.
L. Komornick explained that there were no sidewalks included in the widening project and that she and M. Dorman had been discussing the addition of a sidewalk from Greenough Road, down Danville Road to Route 125. She added that M. Dorman had been discussing the possibility with the property owners along that route and there was positive feedback.
M. Dorman noted that it would not be a land taking but an easement over the included properties for the sidewalk.
L. Komornick noted that she had spoken with NHDOT officials and they were in favor of including the project if Plaistow provided assistance and the required match.
N. Morin asked who would be responsible for the maintenance of the sidewalks.
M. Dorman replied that nobody would, they would be handled that same as the rest of the sidewalks now. He added that the State is building sidewalks on both sides of everything they are redeveloping and they are not maintained, but are usable nine (9) months or more out of the year.
S. Ranlett noted that if the Town doesn’t maintain them then they do not become liable for someone who might slip and fall on them.
R. Gray asked if there were Town’s in NH with ordinances that state that the property owner where sidewalk runs is required to maintain them.
There was discussion regarding the need for sidewalks to be put in this area as it was really well traveled and was a dangerous situation.
R. Gray suggested that when sidewalks are put in it’s implied that the purpose is to lead someone to a destination.
L. Komornick said that she disagreed in this case as people were already going somewhere, and the installation of the sidewalk would just be making it safer.
There was additional discussion about the need for sidewalks in this area as well as crosswalks to get to Cumberland Farms across Danville Road.
L. Komornick said that she would be happy to write the letter to the State of New Hampshire to ask for the inclusion of the sidewalks in their widening project.
P. Bealo moved, second by S. Ranlett, to direct L. Komornick to write a letter to NHDOT stating plans to install a sidewalk from Middle School down Greenough Road to Danville Road and continuing down Danville Road to a pedestrian crosswalk at the newly proposed signalized intersection at Danville Road and Route 125.
T. Moore suggested it would be nice to have the BOS write a letter of support of the sidewalk as well as pursuing the grant application.
R. Gray offered that he felt it was important that it be stressed to the School District that these sidewalks are not going to be maintained by the Town.
There was no further discussion regarding the motion. The vote was 5-0-0 U/A.
There was a brief discussion regarding the status of the current Route 125 widening project. It was noted that the Old Country Road/Route 125 intersection project was once again underway and that it should be finished, including the signal, this summer.
Public Safety Impact Ordinance Update and Adoption of New Fees
T. Moore noted that Bruce Mayberry was hired to review the Public Safety Impact Fee and there was a preliminary report available. (Mr. Mayberry’s preliminary report is to be sent to all members)
L. Komornick added that Mr. Mayberry was looking to have a wrap up meeting as he was done with his portion of the update. She explained it would then be up to the Board whether or not to adopt his changes to the Fee schedule.
Review of Ordinances and Regulation Dates
T. Moore noted that the Board had just been through a review and change cycle for ordinances and this was a reminder to look forward to what if any changes would be needed to be made for next March.
R. Gray said that he had spoken with L. Komornick regarding changes to the zoning lines in the area of Crane Crossing where properties are split between the Industrial and Low Density Residential zoning districts. He suggested that it be included in the next cycle of changes.
L. Komornick reminded that the Board had made changes two years ago in the commercial districts so that the zoning lines followed property lines and it was working well. She suggested that similar changes now be looked at for the residential zoning districts as well.
M. Dorman agreed that it was working well.
L. Komornick suggested that the only problem had been with people who where not aware of the changes that were proposed and in some instances it was a problem when they found out. She said that the Town did nothing wrong in making the changes but that notification was a problem.
GIS - Maps Online
L. Komornick noted there had been significant progress in getting the assessing data base joinable to the GIS system. She added that this will allow the Assessing Department to update their field cards easier.
There was additional discussion on the potential of having this information online and tied into the website for all users.
2010 Census Update
L. Komornick noted that she had been receiving notifications that there will be a census update. She added that the Town had been asked to participate in surveys and specific updates and she would thought that it would be helpful to have a committee.
M. Dorman noted that he had previously done it and it was very time and information intensive.
L. Komornick added that while the paperwork itself would be completed by staff she felt it was important for the members to know what happened to the census data and how it was used after it is collected.
R. Gray said that he was unaware that there was anything to a census beyond the Government sending out cards asking who lived in a town.
There was a discussion regarding whether or not there was a need to participate in this voluntary request to update the census and whether or not it would benefit the Town.
R. Gray said that he understood why the Town would use census data, but he didn’t understand why it would fall in the “planning lap.” He suggested that whether or not to participate should be the determination of the BOS. R. Gray asked that the information be forwarded to him to be discussed with the BOS.
There was discussion about what information the BOS would need to make a determination. What would be the benefit/risks to participating or not in the census update would be to the Town, including what not updating the information could mean, how it could affect future participation in the census, as well as the time (man-hours) and materials that may be involved.
Invoices for Wetlands Preservation – Public Safety Impact Fee Payments
T. Moore noted invoices from Wetlands Preservation, Inc., in the amounts of $113.00 and $91.00 for work being done in regards to the expansion of the Public Safety Complex
S. Ranlett moved, second by P. Bealo, that payment of the Wetlands Preservation, Inc., invoices is in keeping with the intent of the Public Safety Impact Fee Ordinance. There was no discussion on the motion. The vote was 5-0-0 U/A.
Misc. Notices, Letters, Newspaper Articles and other Correspondence from Dept. of Building Safety, Planning and ZBA;
L. Komornick noted there was a copy of the court document that was filed regarding the Ron Brown legal matter. She noted that there should be meetings and hearings scheduled in the near future. L. Komornick added that she had heard that attorneys for other elderly housing projects being held up were possibly going to make some filings of the court.
T. Moore offered that it could be that the courts just hand it back to one of the Town’s boards to make a decision and whether or not other Boards and/or the applicant accepts the decision of whatever that Board says will decide whether or not things continue on smoothly or start allover again.
S. Ranlett moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:00, R. Gray second, and the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully Submitted as recorded by Dee Voss.
Approved by the Planning Board on _________________________
________________________
Timothy Moore, Chairman
| 
