WASHINGTON PLANNING BOARD

Minutes

April 22, 2010

Planning Board meeting to work with Ed Thayer on updating the Road standards in the Subdivision Regulations and Town Road Policy.

PB Members present: Lynn Cook, Tom Marshall, Nan Schwartz, Ken Eastman, Jim Crandall, Lionel Chute

3:00 PM - The meeting was called to order by Lynn Cook.

Ed spoke about his concerns with the current regulations and said that in the early 90's the town voted to adopt the Subdivision Regulations as the town standards. These regulations look at new construction in fine detail but don't speak at all to maintenance and reconstruction, which is what the Public Works Department is mostly concerned with. They are also not consistent with today's standards. Ed believes we need a separate document for maintenance and reconstruction that would become town policy, which thy Selectmen would have in their policy book. Ed identified things he would add to Appendix G and shared them with us.

He mentioned the following things:

In Section 1.02 where we reference "crushed stone" should read "crushed gravel" in town road policy, keep as crushed stone for new construction/development (in subdivision regs.)

In section 1.02 D – AASHO should be "AASHTO"

In section 1.04 add geotextiles of the proper type may be used to stablize soft or unsuitable subgrade material in addition to the placement of select materials. The type of geotextile material will be approved by the town's Public Works Director prior to use to both Subdivision Regs. and new town policy. Lionel asked about geotextiles and whether they can be recycled along with asphalt when pavement is ground up or removed. Ed said they can be recycled.

In Section 1.06 C – Method, (for Town Policy only, keep as is for subdivision regs.)

While hot mix asphalt is desirable for town road construction and maintenance, cold mix asphalt may be used at the discretion of the Public Works Director. The same base material preparation will be used for both asphalt types. A combination of cold mix binder base and 2" hot mix asphalt top wearing course may be used at the discretion of the Public Works Director. Pavement textiles may be used between the binder and wearing courses or between wearing course and proposed overlay when necessary. A liquid asphalt tackifier will be used when 2 or more courses of asphalt are placed on top of one another.

In section 1.07 - Drainage Structures (for both town policy and subdivision regs)

Ed suggested we revise the 1^st paragraph to read - Culverts shall be constructed of concrete, galvanized corregated metal pipe, aluminized steel or aluminum corrugated metal pipe or polymer pipe.

In section 1.07 A - revise to read Culverts shall be constructed for proper strength classification. A professional engineer may be required to design culverts and culvert replacements where shoreline and standard dredge and fill permits are needed. He said all crossings need to be consistent with the state's environmental rule in place at the time of construction. It should address Shoreland and Dredge and Fill rules and require professional engineering if required.

Lionel asked Ed whether he had concerns about needing engineers plans looking forward on any town projects. Did he feel he could handle all the new regulations? Ed feels he can handle it and anyone the Selectmen might hire in the future would also handle it. His job has changed over the years and he spends 90% of his time now in the office.

He wants us to add to B - Headwalls - that dry laid headwalls are permissible at the discretion of the Public Works Director.

In section 1.07 D - remove Planning Board approval for town policy, to subdivision regs add Public Works Director approval.

In section 1.07 E - add Construction sequences and Practices shall comply with the NH DOT Guidelines for Temporary Erosion and Sediment Control and Storm Water Management. (BMPs for both). Lionel asked if the book reflects the newest guidelines from DES and DOT. Nan will research online and see if DES has any newer guidelines for construction. We discussed adding design guidelines (for ex. permeable pavement and other new technologies).

In section 1.07 H - add - When backfilling around and over a pipe or culvert, like materials shall be used to reduce differential settlement and heaving from frost action.

In section 1.07 J - we should require the town to secure deeded drainage easements on new construction and on existing to allow for future maintenance and reconstruction. Ed's words: The Town shall secure drainage easements on projects as necessary to allow for future maintenance or replacement activities.

Ed felt the drawings in the Subdivision Regulations were good and didn't need updating at this time.

Nan will type up Ed's notes, incorporate them into a new document, email out and we can all read them over and see what else needs updating. We can meet again if/when needed and work on the documents together.

In other business the Planning Board members also discussed changing their regular monthly meeting time to 6:30 PM. Ken made a motion to change the meeting time, Tom seconded, all voted in favor. Nan asked Michelle to change the PB meeting time on the Selectmen's calendar of "Important Dates" in their weekly minutes.

At Jim's suggestion we also discussed having everyone read the meeting minutes as soon as they are done (sent to members by email) and then we should let Michelle know our changes within a few (3?) days, so the posted minutes have corrections made to them. He felt this would also cut down on the meeting time we spend reading over the minutes and suggesting corrections. Everyone was favorable to this idea and we will try it next month.

Tom made a motion to adjourn, Jim seconded, all voted in favor.

Meeting adjourned at 4:15 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Nan Schwartz

Planning Board Secretary