Town of Colebrook, NH

James & Mary Ellen Hesselbacher – Construct a driveway access road entrance to their property on South Hill Road (214-7). The public works director indicated the location of the driveway would be across the road from Dick’s Pond, midpint from the knoll at the west and the curve at the east of South Hill Road. The width of the driveway entrance could be 20 feet minimum, not to exceed 60 feet with a fifteen-inch culvert to be utilized. Mike Ouellet made a motion to approve the permit; Sandra Riendeau seconded and all present agreed. #2009-25

Stephen Brungot – 26’ x 24’ garage to be placed on his property at 7 Russell Road (254-33). Mike Ouellet made a motion to approve the permit; Sandra Riendeau seconded and all present agreed. #2009-26

LeRendez-vous – 18’ x 20’ addition to back of building located at 121 Main Street. This permit was reviewed in Feburary, however, more information was needed regarding the actual boundary lines. The property was recently reviewed by a surveyor and notes show that there is 32 feet from the building to the property line with the new addition being fourteen feet from the boudary line. Mr. Ounis stated that both accesses for fire trucks will still be available. The new addition will be no closer to the State or Town highway than the existing structure. Mike Ouellet made a motion to approve the permit; Sandra Riendeau seconded and all present agreed. #2009-27

Dave Radun – 14’ x 28’ family room addition to his residence at 40 Cunnington Lane (102-9). Per the new administrative rules for DES, a new approval for construction of a septic system is requaired. The system does not have to be installed, just the design on record. Mike Ouellet made a motion to approve the permit, conditional on a new septic system design. John Jolles seconded and all present agreed. #2009-28

Gail Nugent – Six foot fence to replace the existing fence between 117 Main Street and 9 Bridge Street. Mrs. Nugent needed to be aware that the good side needs to be out. Mike Ouellet made a motion to approve the permit; John Jolles seconded and all present agreed. #2009-29

Sarah Gagne & Maxime Letourneau – 16’ x 26’ addition on sonar tubes to their residence at 85 Angels Road. Mike Ouellet made a motion to approve the permit; Sandra Riendeau seconded and all present agreed. #2009-30

Dana Weir – Three-foot square sign, stating “Photograph, Life’s Moments”, to be placed on the building at 114 Main Street. Permission from the landowner was received. Mike Ouellet made a motion to approve the permit; Sandra Riendeau seconded and all present agreed. #2009-31

Clayton & Michelle Hinds -- Merge Lots 17 and 18 on Tax Map 108, along with Lots 46, 47, 48, & 49 on Tax Map 107, located on Abenaki Lane. These lots were created for the Abenaki Green condominium site plan proposal which did not occur. Mr. Hinds understood that the voluntary merger would null and void the site plan. As this merger does not create a violation of current ordinances or regulations, Mike Ouellet made a motion to accept; Sandra Riendeau seconded and all present agreed. It is understood by Mr. & Mrs. Hinds that no such merged parcel shall be separately transferred without subdivision approval.

Dana Weir - Request for a waiver of site plan regulations for the use of the property located at 114 Main Street. Mrs. Weir proposed to establish a photography studio at this site. Her grounds for a waiver were that the property has been used for commercial business in the past. Mrs. Weir explained that she would be using the same sign as presently on the building, just repainting it. A letter of permission from the owner of the property was submitted, along with statements of approval from abutters. Mike Ouellet made a motion to approve the waiver; Danny Lyons seconded and all present agreed. Mrs. Weir was advised that, should there be a problem regarding this site in the future, the Planning Board had the right to ask for a full site plan review and public hearing. APPROVED

Colebrook Fire Chief Robert Lawton and State Fire Inspector Charles Chalk appeared before the Board to discuss the issue of furnace inspections. Currently the Town of Colebrook’s certificate of occupancy requires that the homeowner of a new structure contact the Fire Chief to complete a furnace inspection. In the past, this has included oil, propane and wood. There has been some confusion regarding the issue and it was determined all parties should meet to “get on the same page.”

Mr. Chalk informed the Board that furnace inspections are part of the State Building Code and State Fire Code. Oil burner permits are required (both new and replacement) and should be completed by the installer. All these items are considered fire safety and the State Fire Marshall’s office helps local communities whenever possible.

Mike Ouellet remarked that, currently there is not a building inspector in Colebrook, but it appears most obvious that in the future we may need someone to perform that duty. The certificate of occupancy requires Master Electrician and Plumbers sign and indicate their license number; however, the form falls short for heating system. The Board appreciates the time involved for the Fire Department to complete this inspection.

Mr. Chalk indicated that there is nothing in the state building code addressing propane or wood fire heating. He continued that there is nothing to say Colebrook cannot create its own safety inspection for all three heating systems. Chief Lawton stated he understood the Board required inspections on new buildings, but he was getting caught in the middle and being called by people replacing furnaces.

Mike Ouellet questioned if a designee could do the inspections. Mr. Chalk stated that the Fire Marshall’s office could provide oversight and training. The state has checklists which could be used. Chief Lawton remarked that completing the inspection on new structures takes approximately one hour. It was questioned if the Board should be considering a stipend.

Kevin McKinnon asked if any problems had incurred since the personnel installing the furnace have been required to have a license. Mr. Chalk stated that many installers are not pulling permits for installation but are leaving it on the homeowner’s shoulders. He remarked that just replacing the burner assembly requires a permit. This prompted the Board to question if they should be asking for a copy of the permit. Mr. Chalk reminded the Board that, if they become concerned with other forms of heating besides oil, the Board would have to create their own permit form. It was noted that propane installers are required to be licensed.

John Jolles remarked that the need is there and it might be time fo rthe Planning Board to appoint someone to do the inspections and add the stipend fee to the cost of the permit. Mr. Chalk offered to drop off copies of the State’s checklist and information regarding inspections. The Board will review the information and decide on a procedure at a subsequent meeting.

45^th Parallel EMS – Clayton Hinds appeared before the Board to update them on the new design plans for the 45^th Parallel EMS building to be built on Ramsay Road. Mr. Hinds related that the footprint of the building will remain the same; however, there will be no second floor due to budget constraints. The site plan originally approved has had minor changes, such as the elimination of sidewalks.

Scott Nash – Mr. Nash informed the Board that the septic design has been completed by Karen Dickson and sent to DES. It may take a little longer to obtain approval due to his drainage system. The company building his garage will be able to set the forms on June 8^th. Mr. Nash understand that, should approval for his septic system not be received, he could be asked to remove the structure.

Susie Nash – Miss Nash questioned if it was permissible to place a second home on her property on Hughes Road. She was advised that an approval for construction of a septic system would be needed. Mike Ouellet stated consideration must also be paid to the fact that the second home could never be sold unless the property was subdivided and the lot would need to meet all the subdivision requirements at that time. Kevin McKinnon stated that, should the driveway to the new home be separate from her present one, a new driveway permit would be necessary.

Colebrook Automotive LLC – The Board reviewed and signed the retail vehicle permit application from the State of New Hampshrie for Colebrook Automotive LLC to be conducted at 113 Colby Street. The owners are Marc Bigney and David MacLean.

The Board reviewed the information for HB 530, regarding access standards for public buildings and a requirement for certification of compliance for all new construction, additions or alterations to public buildings. Municipalities are already required by state and federal law to comply with the state building code and federal access requirements; HB530 will require municipalities to prove it and pay for such proof. Board members felt this was another unfunded mandate and would email Representative Larry Rappaport regarding there dissent.

Capital Improvement Plan -- Carol Bundt of North Country Council is reviewing the material sent to her and should get back to the Town mid-June. A meeting will be set up for all interested in meeting with her.