August 4, 2009 Planning Board Minutes
Chairman Kevin McKinnon called the meeting to order at 7 pm. Board members present were Danny Lyons, Sandra Riendeau and alternate Charles Baldwin.
Others present were Jimmy Jeffers, Janey Moore, Millie and Vern Ricker, Benoit Lamontagne, Donna Jordan, Wendell Woodard and Sheila Beauchemin.
Building Permits:
Nash Equipment, Inc. – 32’ x 40’ storage shed for parts to be placed on a slab on their property at 331 Route 26. Danny Lyons made a motion to approve the permit, conditional on receiving the fee. Sandra Riendeau seconded and all present agreed. CONDITIONAL APPROVAL - #2009-42
It should be noted that on August 12, 2009, Susan Nash, the owner of Nash Equipment, called to state they would not be constructing the addition for a parts shed as requested due to the fact that Public Service would charge $8,000 to move a utility pole.
Wendell Woodard – 20’ x 40” wide exterior stairway and 4’ x 40” landing to allow for a second egress from the building located at 18 Lombard Street. The right property line setback indicated equaled 4.5 feet. The Town of Colebrook Zoning Ordinances state “every structure placed on a lot shall be at least twenty (20) feet from the front property line and at least ten (10) feet from the side and rear property lines…”(Article IV.1) Therefore, the Planning Board had no option but to deny this permit. State law does not allow the Board to grant a variance.
It was questioned if the exit had been mandated to the second floor due to fire codes. Mr. Woodard explained that it was not mandated, however would serve as a second fire exit.
Mr. Woodard was advised of his right to appeal the determination to the Colebrook Zoning Board of Adjustment. DENIED
Mary Hammond – Place an 8’ x 20’ camper trailer (existing septic on property) on property owned by Anita Hammond located on Carlton Hill Road (252-29). Landowner permission was obtained. Danny Lyons made a motion to approve the permit, conditional on receiving the fee; Sandra Riendeau seconded and all present agreed. CONDITIONAL PERMIT - #2009-43
Jeff Brooks – 16’ x 26’ carport and wheelchair ramp with extension on current roof at 76 Stevens Hill Road (214-27). Sandra Riendeau made a motion to approve the permit; Danny Lyons seconded and all present agreed. APPROVED - #2009-44
Scott & Lucie Grassette – 16’ x 16’ storage shed to be placed on their property at 134 Fish Hatchery Road (227-8). Daniel Lyons made a motion to approve the application; Sandra Riendeau seconded and all present agreed. APPROVED - #2009-45
Sign Permits:
Vernon & Mildred Ricker – 3’ x 5’ sign, stating “Ricker’s Kiddie Korner…”, on the side of the building at 68 Parsons Street. Property owner, Paul Fillion, indicated his agreement with the sign. Sandra Riendeau made a motion to approve the permit; Danny Lyons seconded and all present agreed. APPROVED - #2009-46
Work Force Opportunity Council – Benoit Lamontagne presented an application for a 5’ x 5’ sign, stating “Worker’s Assistance Center for the States of New Hampshire and Vermont…” to be placed on the building at South Main Street, formerly known as the Century 21 building. Sandra Riendeau made a motion to approve the permit and waive the fee. Danny Lyons seconded and all present agreed. APPROVED - #2009-47
North Woods Dental, PA – Dana Bartlett applied to place a sign, approximately eight foot square, on posts to the left of the building located at 75 South Main Street. The sign will read “North Woods Dental …”. Sandra Riendeau made a motion to approve the permit; Danny Lyons seconded and all present agreed. APPROVED - #2009-48
John Strickland – 1.8 inch x 6’ sign, stating “Any Blooming Thing”, to be placed on the building at 106 Main Street. Property owner, Rose James, indicated her agreement with the sign. Sandra Riendeau made a motion to approve the permit; Danny Lyons seconded and all present agreed. APPROVED - #2009-49
Request for Waiver of Site Plan Regulations:
Vernon & Mildred Ricker - Request for a waiver of site plan regulations for the use of the property located at 68 Parsons Street. Mr. & Mrs. Ricker proposed to provide child care and a preschool daycare at this site. Their grounds for a waiver were that the site had previosuly been a daycare for fifteen years. Mrs. Ricker stated every aspect of the general physical setup will remain the same and hours of operation will be from 6:30 am to 5:30 pm. Danny Lyons made a motion to approve the waiver; Sandra Riendeau seconded and all present agreed. Mr. & Mrs. Ricker were 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
Benoit Lamontagne – Request for a waiver of site plan regulations for the use of the property located at 69 Main Street. Mr. Lamontagne, on behalf of the State of NH DRED department, proposed to establish a worker’s assistance center at this site. His grounds for a waiver were that the site had previously been used for a business. He related that the center is a collaboration between the State of New Hampshire and State of Vermont to primarly help displaced workers from the closure of the Ethan Allen Manufacturing plant. Other displaced workers will also be assisted in filling out paperwork and hopefully finding employment. It is felt the center will be oeprating for up to six months at the minimum. Sandra Riendeau made a motion to approve the waiver and
waive the fee; Danny Lyons seconded and all present agreed. Mr. Lamontagne 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
Conceptual Boundary-Line Adjustment:
Janey Moore – Miss Moore questioned the board regarding any problems that might exist should she continue with a boundary-line adjustment of her property on Main Street. The boundary-line requirements were explained, stressing that the remaining lot after a boundary line adjustment must equal at least 22,500 square feet. The conceptual appeared to meet all subdivision regulations.
Conceptual Site Plan Review:
Christopher Bean – Mr. Bean approached the Board regarding the possibility of placing above ground storage bulk tanks for fuel on the site currently known as Bruce Haynes garage. This will mean additional traffic as both the log trucks and fuel trucks will be using the site together for at least one year. Chairman McKinnon explained the process for a full site plan and public hearing. It was agreed that a survey of the property or a drawing would be needed showing the location of the tanks, buildings, location of snow removal, drainage, etc. Mr. Bean was also advised to speak with the Department of Transportation regarding the driveway as it might need to be reviewed by the State of New Hampshire.
Review of Capital Improvement Plan Material:
The Board reviewed the Capital Improvement Plan charts recently received from Carol Bont at North Country Council, focusing primarily on the pink areas which were questions prompted by Ms. Bont:
Exhibit 3: Chairman McKinnon stated he felt the net evaluation indicated was too high, given the recent job and tax base losses. He felt the net evaluation should show a decline for at least the next two years and then might level off. He also felt the Local Education Tax should show a decrecease due to the bond declining.
Exhibit 7: (Should items be considered capital reserve or operating expense)
Page 1 of 10:
Peramulation of Town Line – Capital Expense
Tax Map Update – Capital Expense
Digital Mapping – Operating Costs if considering yearly update
Software Upgrades – Operating Costs
Maintenance & Repair – Agreed that major is Capital Expense, minor is Operating Expense
Hardware upgrade – Capital Improvement
Page 2 of 10:
All items in pink should be Capital Expenditures
Radio Dispatch – Consideration: Other towns are kicking in revenue
Page 3 of 10:
Highways & Streets – All equipment is capital expense
Retaining Wall – Should be capital expense
Sidewalk Repair – Feel should have a capital expense
Water & Sewer - Enterprise account
Selectboard acts as Board of Commissioners and do not have to ask approval to spend
Selectboard responsible to make sure repairs & upgrades can be done
Truck – Water department – Should be Capital Expense
Landfill Closure Plan – Capital Expense
Landfill Feasibility Study – Capital Expense
Lagoon Monitoring Wells – Operating Expense
Lab Addition – Paid for by Casella
Page 4 of 10:
Water Wells – (New Wells) Should be Capital Expense
Page 5 of 10:
Grant Projects – Industrial Park / Wastewater Improvement
One time Shot – all grant monies / no matching funds
Exhibit 8: Currently there is no money set aside for Bridges. Planning Board members felt this might be a Capital Improvement Project to fund.
It was also questioned if the Biomass District Heating Costs should be included in Capital Improvement.
Exhibit 10: It was questioned if the Used Oil Grant which is received every year should be addeded to this exhibit, along with the Solar Bee Porject for the lagoons.
Exhibit 12: Chairman McKinnon felt that the increase projected for the sewer budget was incorrect since the $40,000 due to Solar Bee was not considered.
Exhbit 14:
a. Highways & Streets – New equipment since the Plan was originally considered:
2010 Peterbuilt, Model 367, Dump Truck – $96,159
1994 John Deere Grader
1996 Ford Plow Truck retro-fitted to become a water truck for lagoons
Airport – Why is this listed? (page 3 of 8)
Depending on answer, should railroads be listed?
Water Wells (p. 7 of 8)
Dig 2 new wells – Charts shows 2010 – This has already been done
Old Business:
The Board reviewed the letters requested to be written to Mike Largesse, Joe Koller and David Noon regarding the completion of the certificate of occupancy.
Danny Lyons made a motion to approve the July 7th minutes as written. Sandra Riendeau seconded and all present agreed.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Sheila M. Beauchemin
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