Planning Board

Town of Washington

July 7, 2009

0.0            Assembly

Members Present: Jack Sheehy, Lynn Cook, Nan Schwartz, Ken Eastman and Tom Marshall

Alternates Present: Dennis Kelly, Jim Crandall and Bill Cole

Members and Alternates absent:

Visitors: Dave Dailey, tom Burt, Bob Willliams, Bob Wright, Jim Russell, Carolyn Russell, Ron Jager and Steve Boisvert

1.0            Minutes- Marshall motioned to approve the meeting minutes of June 2, 2009 with corrections. Eastman seconded the motion.

1.0 Driveway Permits-

James Tyler, TM#16-7-2, Highland Haven Road, Thayer reviewed and approved the driveway application; the fee had been paid. Sheehy had reviewed and approved the location. The Board reviewed the application. Schwartz motioned to approve the application. Eastman seconded the motion. All voted in favor, the driveway permit was approved.

2.0 Mergers-

2.1 Daniel Lafleur, TM#25-067 and TM#25-074 the fee had been paid. Cook found a copy of the deeds on file at Town Hall. The Board reviewed the application and the deeds and found it to be complete. Eastman motioned to approve the merger. Marshall seconded the motion. All voted in favor. Schwartz to register. 

2.2 Town of Washington, TM#18-6 and TM#18-7 and TM#18-34, no fee required and the deeds had been provided. This merger intention is to improve the Town forest. The Board reviewed the application and found it complete. Schwartz motioned to approve the application. Marshall seconded the motion. All voted in favor the merger was approved.  Schwartz to register.

3.0 Old Business

3.1 Bob Williams, a resident of Lake Ashuelot Estates (LAE) voiced his opinion against the relocation project of moving the LAE equipment garage. He said he had sent a letter last month but it was after the last Planning Board meeting. The secretary provided the Board a copy of the letter.  He said that he was concerned by the comments made at the last Planning Board meeting by the LAE Board representative stating that there is no maintenance done on the equipment at the current location. This is a false statement.

3.2 Tom Burt, a resident of LAE, voiced his opposition to the relocation of the LAE garage. He stated that he felt a bunker would be a better solution. He also said that he agreed with the Planning Board member's opinion at the last meeting that the present site is a better location in reference to containing a spill. Marshall at the last Planning Board meeting stated that the present site would be a better location to contain any spills.

3.3 Bob Wright, a resident of LAE, said even with a variance there would be no room for the storage of equipment and agreed with the bunker system idea. Wright said that there is no present hazard at the current garage location.

3.4 Dave Dailey, a resident of LAE, voiced his opposition to the variance request of LAE to relocate the maintenance garage. Sheehy said that the Board would take the information provided into advisement, if the issue came before the Planning Board again, but at this time the applicant has not approached the Planning Board.

3.5 Space Needs Task Force – Kelly updated the Board of the progress that has taken place since the last meeting. Kelly said that while talking to employees of the Town he was informed that Department Heads used to get together once or twice a year to discuss issues in each Department, which led to continuity. Kelly suggested a possible sub-committee for such a meeting and including Town buildings on the agenda. Jim Russell suggested that a meeting of this nature come before the Planning Board for the reason that the Planning Board is in charge of the long-term financial planning for the Town. Carolyn Russell suggested that the Department Heads come to a new way of thinking and buildings should be included in the CIP. Eastman said that the Selectmen are open to any new ideas and asked what should be on the agenda of such meetings. Jim Russell said anything that has a 10-year or a 100-year life span. Eastman suggested a meeting to kick off the CIP process. Kelly updated the Board on the previous comments made with the possibility of drilling under the buildings. Kelly said that the information he received was that the two buildings (police department and Town Hall) could be drilled at an angle and an engineering report could be provided. Another option was to dig down to see if there was any ledge. Kelly did not approve one way or another of the drilling being done but he wanted to let the Board know what the process was. Kelly said that the drilling might ease some townspeople's concerns of what is under the Town Hall. Kelly said there are other concerns besides ledge there could be unstable soil. Kelly advised that the Task Force is meeting with Chief Marshall this week and then moving onto the Town Hall employees. Schwartz asked if they would be ready for their meeting within the next few weeks. Kelly said yes. Carolyn Russell asked if the Task Force was looking at the needs of the employees and not the condition of the structure (Town Hall). Kelly said that we do need to look at the facility when discussing environmental concerns from the Town employees, but we and have a wide opened mind and may need to speak with the architect (Mr. Monahon). Eastman thanked the Municipal Task Force for all of their hard work.

4.0 New Business –

4.1 Steve Boisvert TM#24-138, asked the Planning Board what was the process of selling his abutter some land for a septic system. Boisvert said what would he have to do to sell other abutters land in order to create more conforming lots. The Board reviewed a proposed site plan. Eastman said that the Board has approved a lot line adjustment in the past. Cook said that the abutter wants to build a garage. Cook informed Boisvert of the lot requirements. Mr. Boisvert was provided many options and he will return to the Board after speaking with his abutters.

4.2 CIP – Jack Sheehy informed the Board that would get the letters out this week and set a date to return the paperwork by August 21, 2009.

4.3 Hazardous Mitigation Plan working group. – Marshall will attend to represent the Planning Board.

6.0            Communications:

6.1 Town and City Magazine. – Filed

6.2 Memorandum from NHOEP requesting updated LUO and survey. –Filed

6.3 NH AIA sent CD with last year’s Community Planning Project. – Filed

6.4 LGC’s annual conference reminder postcard, November 18-20. – Filed

6.5 LGC, postcard announcing 2009 edition of "Knowing the Territory", ordering information. – Filed

6.6 Petition on behalf of residents of Lake Ashuelot Estates against the application to relocate the equipment garage.

7.0            Adjournment- Eastman motioned to adjourn and Cook seconded the motion. All voted in favor. The meeting was adjourned 8:45PM. 

The next Planning Board Meeting will be held August 4, 2009 at 7:00PM

Respectfully submitted,

Michelle Dagesse