Minutes 8/14/18
This meeting was recorded for the secretary’s records.
Location: Town Hall Annex 246 Main Street
Open: 6:32pm
Present: Norm Anderson (chair), Marilyn Sidoti, Dick Williams, Shawn Moore, Ron Barron (CMPRC), and Tim Nahrwold (note: Tim arrived after the minutes were reviewed and before the public hearings occurred)
Guests: Harold Reader (ZPT), Chris Anderson (Hannigan Engineering), James Basile (Hannigan Engineering), Jim Gusha (Resident)
Minutes: The board reviewed the minutes from the 7/10/18 meeting. Dick moved to accept the minutes. Marilyn 2nd. Norm, Marilyn and Dick voted favorably. Shawn abstained. The board reviewed the minutes from the 7/24/18 public hearing for the 0 Campbell Street Solar Project. Norm noted that the applicant mailed out letters to the abutters of the driveway which will be used for the access point to the project. Shawn made a motion to accept the minutes. Dick 2nd, all in favor. The board reviewed the minutes from the 7/24/18 public hearing for the 309 East County Road solar project. Dick questioned if the board had received the operator/installer information from the applicant. The answer was yes. Dick made a motion to accept the minutes. Marilyn 2nd, all in favor.
ANRS: None
General Conversation: Norm received an email from Quinn Engineering. They have worked for ZPT in the past. They felt it might be a conflict of interest for them to be reviewing these plans. Dick made a motion to accept Quinn Engineering as peer review agent for the ZPT Solar Projects. Shawn 2nd, all in favor. Norm will call Quinn to let them know to proceed.
Three new solar projects were submitted. Norm questioned if the 3 applications were complete. The first application for assessors map 65 C 1 owned by Elbag was reviewed. The first application is complete.
Public Hearing – ZPT Energy Solar Project 0 Campbell Street Continuation
Open: 7:03pm
Guests: Harold Reader, Chris Anderson, James Basile, Jim Gusha
There was a request made by the applicant to continue the public hearing. The applicant is still working on the access way to the solar project. It was noted that the installer / operator information has now been submitted. Tim will not be present at the 8/28/18 meeting. At the last meeting the board had requested a letter from the applicant’s attorney regarding the conversation restriction. The board found the letter to be a conflict of interest because the attorney is George Kiritsy. Kiritsy had done the conservation restriction for this property for the town of Rutland. The applicant met with the conservation commission. The conservation restriction had come from the planning board so concom would like a letter from the planning board that states that the board acknowledges that there is a restriction
and that this project is not in violation of this restriction. Dick suggested that the applicant go and speak to Teddy Mahan, an applicant, to see if his property could possibly be the access route to the solar project. Dick made a motion to continue the hearing on 9/11/18 at 7pm. Shawn 2nd, all in favor.
Public hearing recessed: 7:09pm
Public Hearing – ZPT Energy Solar Project 309 East County Road Continuation
Open: 7:15pm
Guests: Harold Reader, Chris Anderson, James Basile
The installer / operator information has been submitted. The plans have been sent to Quinn Engineering. Quinn Engineering has not reviewed the project yet as they were waiting to hear opinion from the board on the possible conflict of interest. The board does not feel this is a conflict as long as there is full disclosure to the public that Quinn has done work for ZPT in the past. Dick suggested that Quinn be sent a copy of the approved minutes after our next meeting giving them permission to proceed. The board agreed. The applicant did not have any new information to present. There was conversation about the waiver the applicant is requesting for the setback. Norm said he needs specifics as to what they are asking for with this waiver as far as location and length of where they are they requesting the waiver. The
applicant requested that it just be worded as shown on the plan. Tim requested the GPS coordinates of the setback line. Dick made a motion to continue the hearing on 9/11/18 at 7:15pm. Shawn 2nd, all in favor.
Public hearing recessed: 7:26pm
The board would like to set the public hearing dates for the next 3 solar projects at our next meeting. The board reviewed the solar project labeled Glenwood Place Lot 66 A 5. The board found the application to be complete. The applicant requested that the plans be sent to Quinn Engineering for review before the public hearing. The board was in agreement.
The board reviewed the solar project for assessor’s map 65 lot A5. It was noted that there was an error in the cover page with the wrong assessor’s map and parcel.
The board accepted checks for the 3 new solar projects. Each check was for $500.00. Check number 1823 was for Glenwood Place assessor’s map 66 lot A5 from pro-tech energy solutions. Check number 2272 was for assessor’s map 65 lot C1 from ZPT Energy Solutions. Check number 2270 was for assessor’s map 65 lot A5 from ZPT Energy Solutions.
Brice Lemon: Dick noted that the ponds are loaded with silt. The board discussed the letter that was sent to Clea Blair on 7/26/18. Clea did respond to the letter that same day requesting clarification. Norm has met with Clea since this letter was sent and has explained some of the things the board is looking for. As an example, in the conditions of approval it states a gravel turnaround is required before phase 2 can be started. Norm requested that Clea read the conditions of approval and make sure they are being followed as they continue through this project.
Charnock Hill: The board conversed about the recent correspondence between Blair and the Board of Selectmen. (For reference see letter dated 7/2/18 from BOS to Blair and response letter dated 7/9/18.) This is regards to Blair paving this road. General discussion ensued.
Bear Hill: Nothing new to report.
Town Planner Update: Norm said they have chosen an applicant and will be offering the job soon. The name is not public yet. The applicant’s references have been checked and came back with excellent reports. More details to follow at the next planning board meeting. Norm asked Ron to please attend the next 2 meetings. He said that if there isn’t funding for this the planning board will pay him out of their budget. Ron believes there is still money in the budget to cover the next 2 meetings. He will not hold office hours.
Zoning Bylaws and Subdivision Regulations: Nothing new to report. The board would like to discuss these items once the new town planner is in place.
Marilyn motioned to close the meeting. Shawn 2nd, all in favor.
Close: 8:47pm
Respectfully submitted,
Laurie Becker, Secretary
Minutes approved on 8/28/18
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