WASHINGTON PLANNING BOARD

Minutes

February 26, 2010

Planning Board meeting with the Task Force members to go over their edited summary report, intended for a mailing out before Town Meeting.

PB Members present: Jack Sheehy, Tom Marshall, Nan Schwartz, Ken Eastman, Lynn Cook, Dennis Kelly

Task Force members present: Tom Taylor, Steve Hanssen, Dennis Kelly

11:00 AM called to order by Jack Sheehy.

Kelly handed out the edited Task Force summary document and everyone read through it.

Discussion of the document followed. Lynn asked them to add "including upgrade of electrical/mechanical infrastructure to bring up to code" in the section on the town offices, all agreed. Jack found a couple of typos that needed fixing.

Ken questioned the use of the term "historic district" as it could be a hot button term. Tom said it is designated on the register as the Washington Historic district consisting of 22 acres, 3 buildings, 3 objects and 1 structure, it is called the "Registry of Historic Places". We all agreed to have them change it to "historic town center".

Ken objected to the part that mentioned the "significant number of foreclosures and impact of the great recession". Lynn feels that the foreclosures were warranted and not so much of a negative. Lynn asked what this has to do with space needs. Dennis felt that if people lost homes or jobs it is significant to the people in town and the people paying taxes. Lynn would like to keep the piece positive and it was agreed that they would remove the "we must be aware" sentence.

Ken asked when the full report and materials will be available. Tom answered that they would be available at the Town Hall and Library on March 3^rd. He said there will be multiple copies available, it is 60 or more pages long and it takes the reader through the process and shows the results and options. There is a 4^th step and that would be hearings conducted by the Planning Board.

Lynn had a question about the charts and asked if we were keeping it simple enough, is the funding section necessary to add to the other pages. Tom thinks it is important to let the taxpayers know the impacts of taking on bonding and paying for large projects.

Lynn wanted to know if we should be considering a savings plan for town buildings (using the CIP). Nan said we had put $50K in the CIP this year to start just such a fund but unfortunately it was removed during budgeting. Lynn said this is how Bradford did their town building, by saving before spending. She felt it is important to have a plan for all the buildings where we know there are needs and start saving. Tom said there needs to be a referendum and understanding about where we are going. Nan asked Ken about the energy grant and how that was going to work into a bigger plan. Ken wasn't sure.

Tom M. agreed with Lynn about the CIP funding and saving for projects. Jack said it will have to wait until next year now. We decided that they should add a line to the funding section saying something about the CIP and saving. Ken commented that the CIP is a two-edged sword because it makes people always think they are saving for new vehicles and they pass up good used vehicles. Nan disagreed saying that the fire truck committee had bought used vehicles and would always consider one that met their needs.

Tom M. mentioned article 33 in the warrant that sets up a fund for the Town Hall but all decided that this wasn't the same thing, we intend that all town buildings should be able to use money from a fund as needed.

Lynn wanted to stay positive and suggest that there are things that can be done for the future. We worked together to come up with a line that said "Imperatively, the town should focus on solutions for town real assets and commence saving in a Capital Reserve Program to plan for the financial requirements."

Jack asked everyone if with the discussed changes can the Task Force go ahead and print and send the mailing piece out.

Lynn asked if we really want to mail it out or just make it available to voters at Town Meeting? They feel that the piece should go out to all the voters.

Lynn made a motion to let them make the agreed changes and go to the printer with the piece. Tom seconded, Jack, Lynn, Tom and Nan voted yes, Ken was opposed.

Tom made a motion that the piece gets mailed out if it is cost effective. Nan seconded saying it should be printed duplex to save paper and weight for postage. We want it to go with a 44 cent stamp. Jack, Tom and Nan voted yes, Ken and Lynn opposed, motion carried.

Nan asked if there will be copies available for Meet the Candidates Night. Dennis said no it will be mailed next Wednesday and that day the full report will be available also.

Meeting adjourned at 12:30 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Nan Schwartz

PB Secretary