PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
May 19, 2010
Call to Order: 6:35 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Present were: Timothy E. Moore, Chairman; Peter Bealo, Vice-Chairman; and Robert Gray, Selectmen Ex-Officio. Lawrence Gil and Charlie Lanza were excused.
Also present was Leigh Komornick, Planner. P. Michael Dorman, Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer was excused.
Minutes of May 5, 2010, Planning Board Meeting
P. Bealo moved, second by R. Gray, to approve the minutes of the May 5, 2010, meeting. There was no discussion on the motion. The vote was 3-0-0 U/A.
Workshop Session – Master Plan Update
L. Komornick updated the Board on what was being done to prepare for the upcoming public forum on the Master Plan Update. It was noted that all boards and committees, as well as Plaistow residents, were being invited to attend and participate. Focus will be on reviewing the recommendations and goals currently listed in each chapter to make sure that they still match the forward-moving direction Town.
There was discussion as to how the forum will be conducted. It was decided that each Board member will take the lead on discussion for at least one (1) chapter. The list of goals and recommendations will be available in advance in hard copy (in the Planning Office) as well as on the website. There will not be break-out sessions for the discussion as this would limit people from participating in multiple categories of interest.
The format of the meeting was discussed. There will be Power Point slides prepared for display on the overhead projector. Ideas generated as part of the discussion will be written on newsprint pads with different colored markers.
P. Bealo offered to lead the discussion on the Population and Housing Chapter.
L. Komornick noted they would be trying to bring out an Economic Development Chapter as part of the discussion.
R. Gray said that he would like to lead that discussion.
T. Moore added that they were hoping to have two (2) new chapters: Economic Development and Energy.
It was determined that the History Chapter did not have to be updated unless it is noted that an event of significance has occurred since the last update.
R. Gray reminded that there had been previous discussion about tying the CIP (Capital Improvement Plan) to the Master Plan.
T. Moore added that each project in the CIP should appear as a goal or recommendation in the Master Plan. He added that there wasn’t much in the CIP that wasn’t already in the Master Plan somewhere, but it needed to be more clearly spelled out with language that directly links the two.
R. Gray asked where a CIP item like a new vehicle would fit in the Master Plan.
L. Komornick offered it would be under the Community Facilities Chapter.
There was additional discussion of how best to bring about participation and discussion in the public forum. It was noted that some topics may be mentioned in more than one chapter.
P. Bealo, noting the Town of Newton had been able to draw a very large crowd for a recent meeting there, suggested they be contacted for advice on how to get participation.
L. Komornick explained that Newton had a grant to do more of a charette and that it wasn’t really a Master Plan kick-off event.
There was a brief discussion of Newton’s recent event. L. Komornick will follow-up with her counterpart in Newton to see if there is anything that can be of use for the Plaistow public forum.
T. Moore directed that a letter of invitation be sent to all other boards and committees.
Route 125 Impact Fee – Approval of Final Payment of Taurus Legal Fess for Haseltine Street Expansion
R. Gray moved, second by P. Bealo, to recommend that Board of Selectmen approve payment of $11,000.00, final payment of legal expenses related to the expansion of Haseltine Street, to Taurus Plaistow Investment Limited Partnership. The Board confirms that the payment is consistent with the intent stated in the Route 125 Impact Fee Ordinance. There was no discussion on the motion. The vote was 3-0-0 U/A.
Letter from Stillwell’s Ice Cream Regarding Summer Car Shows
T. Moore read a letter from Peg Marcelonis, Stillwell’s Ice Cream, requesting to continue their weekly summer car shows.
R. Gray asked if this event would be the same as before. It was confirmed that it would be.
P. Bealo noted that he had attended the event a few times last summer and it was well run and not over attended.
R. Gray moved, second by P. Bealo, to allow Stillwell’s Ice Cream to continue their weekly summer car shows as requested in their May 12, 2010, letter. There was no discussion on the motion. The vote was 3-0-0 U/A.
Email Request for a Lemonade Stand at Wal-Mart on Saturday, June 12, 2010
T. Moore read an email request from Jennifer Higgins to conduct a lemonade stand outside of Wal-Mart on June 12. The email noted that the profits of the event would be donated to the “Alex’s Lemonade Stand” foundation, seeking a cure for children’s cancer.
T. Moore noted that he didn’t have a problem with the lemonade stand concept. He said that Wal-Mart is a busy place on a Saturday and he would be looking for the lemonade stand to be on the sidewalk, but not obstructing any walking traffic, particularly for handicap access.
L. Komornick offered that she didn’t have the chance to check the intended location but she would make sure they understood it had to be out of the way.
P. Bealo stated that he wasn’t sure whether or not this would be considered a “tagging” event or not, adding that all such events needed to be coordinated with the Selectmen’s Office to make sure there wasn’t another group already scheduled to be there. He added that he thought the Better Business Bureau should be consulted to make sure the named charity is sending 85% of their income to their stated charity.
L. Komornick noted that the Board does not do that with other charities that make similar requests.
P. Bealo added that since people are deluged with repeated requests he didn’t want to appear as endorsing an event where a minimal percentage of the profits made it to the charity.
R. Gary said that his only issue was making sure that, since they were selling a food product, that the Health Officer is satisfied.
L. Komornick noted that the Health Officer is aware as she is the one who alerted the Planning Office of Ms. Higgins’ plan.
T. Moore offered that when the Board approves a minor site plan they are approving the location of the event, not giving a tacit approval of the charity or their methods.
L. Komornick stated that she would make sure that Ms. Higgins checks with the Selectmen’s Office for availability of the location and she makes sure that event is out of the way and does not impede foot traffic.
Other Business – Resignation of Dee Voss
T. Moore noted the letter of resignation, as minute taker, submitted by Dee Voss.
Other Business – Rockingham Church
It was noted that the Eagle Tribune had done a nice article about the impending opening of the Rockingham Church on Newton Road.
Other Business – Outstanding Projects
The status of the dog day care project on 118 Sweet Hill Road was discussed.
L. Komornick reminded that Board that they had granted an extension to delay the pre-construction meeting until May, 2010. She said that she would follow-up with them.
L. Komornick noted that Kelly Ward, 19 Walton Road, may be looking to getting his stalled plan started again. She noted that mylar on that project was never recorded (fees were not submitted) so there was no time issue.
Other Business – Recent Visit by Commissioner Bald, REDC
T. Moore noted that there was a copy of the presentation at the recent visit by Commission Bald of REDC (Rockingham Economic Development Commission)
T. Moore summarized the discussion that occurred, noting the focus was on two projects, development of town water and sewer and a rail station. He noted that the presentation concluded with a short bus ride to show the Commissioner some of the Plaistow points of interest.
R. Gray noted that once plans for either project are better developed there will be public hearings on the process.
T. Moore agreed, reminding that the State of New Hampshire does not have to request Planning Board approval of their plans, but have always included public hearings to get input. He cited the Park and Ride (Westville Road) as an example.
Other Business - Miscellaneous
P. Bealo asked if Auto Exchange (87 Plaistow Road) was planning to host their car shows this summer.
L. Komornick noted that she had not yet heard.
T. Moore reminded that they would have to come before the Board to do so.
Other Business – Town Forest
T. Moore reminded there will be an official opening of the Town Forest on May 29, 2010 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. He added that the Boy Scouts would be there to conduct official tours. T. Moore added that the Scouts would also be hosting a spaghetti dinner at the Fish and Game that same evening.
There were no additional matters before the Board and the meeting was adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted as recorded by Dee Voss.
Approved by the Planning Board on _________________________
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Timothy E. Moore, Chairman
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