Town of Walpole, Walpole, NH 03608
PLANNING BOARD WORK SESSION
September 25, 2007–7:00PM
Town Hall
MINUTES
Present: Ben Daviss, Fred Dill, Mel Schupack, Mary Lou Montgomery
Recording: Pamela Aslinger
Planning Board members Robt. Miller and Dave DeCoste stopped in on their way to an American Legion meeting to solicit input from the group regarding the Master Plan Update. Despite the few attendees and an error on the agenda for the meeting date, the meeting was held.
Meeting opened at 7:20pm. Secretary Aslinger presented the agenda items.
A. Reports on group meetings regarding master plan revision. As noted, Bob Miller and Dave DeCoste were making a presentation to the American Legion. Mr. Schupack and Chick Miller had earlier met with the Senior Citizens Group, their report is on file. Mr. Schupack mentioned Chick Miller and he had revised the presentation format, Mr. Miller has run off 100 copies of the questions for presenters to use. It is best to give citizens a copy of the questions to fill out later rather than discussing each one individually it takes too much time and is confusing.
All present agreed it is time to prompt presenters to set their meeting dates with a December deadline.
B. Next step in master plan process, posting goals and objectives. Ben Daviss said it might be time to readjust the text and wording on the website to encourage responses on the goals and objectives. Mel Schupack raised the question of a mailed questionnaire due to the meager response on the vision statement and website. He thought many citizens were unable to be heard, feeling things are being done behind closed doors by a small group. He said and Mary Lou agreed the conservation commission’s survey was well worth the response. Suggestions were made to offer questions related to the goals and objectives, being mindful of opening with the right questions and how the answers are tallied. All present agreed it would include a wider range of participants and deemed more inclusive. Mary Lou suggested from the Conservation Commissions experience it is best to send it to all taxpayers. Ben Daviss will have a mock questionnaire prepared for planning board review at its 10/9/07 meeting.
C. Website management policy questions. Ben Daviss asked about deleting comments on the website no longer pertinent to current issues such as the Hubbard property comments. It was suggested to have Harry add an “archive” section, perhaps eventually it could be downloaded onto a disk and filed. It was discussed about whether the website is an appropriate venue for official public comments on matters before the planning board. Sec. Aslinger will inquire of the Office of Energy and Planning regarding how e-mails and blog site information is officially handled, or not. She thought public comment encouraged in the published public hearing notice clearly states it must be mailed prior to the hearing and becomes part of the official record, whether or not it is read into the record. Some thought the website/blog could be used in addition to handwritten comment.
D. Discuss 2008 amendments to zoning ordinance: ZBA home business in Rural Ag, BOS request for new zoning map. Sec. Aslinger said the ZBA would present the planning board with a format for the suggestion they made at the prior planning board meeting. She said the BOS has
made a written request of the planning board to budget monies for revising and creating an updated zoning map since the current one is from 1965. Mel Schupack mentioned the Conservation Commission is a month and a half away from presenting the Town with a conservation value overlay map showing by parcel how each is rated for its conservation value and can be used to determine where industrial and commercial uses may not be best. There was discussion on the need to completely revise the zoning ordinance noting the present ordinance leads to constant interpretation and reinterpretation.
Mr. Daviss asked for comment on an idea presented to him recently regarding the land between the commercial strip on Rte. 12 and the river plus the other side as well. Would it be possible to designate it as a mixed use resource protection zone? All uses allowed as long as certain benchmarks and milestones for resources are presented, using a point system. He said Epping recently adopted a “green building” ordinance on the point system, such as 10 points granted for rainwater collection. There was discussion mostly in favor of the idea, all agreeing it should be considered. Perhaps it would be helpful to find working examples to better illustrate the concept through the usual State resources.
E. Discuss adding an economic development chapter to the master plan. All were in favor of including a chapter to guide the various boards in determining best uses of potential industrial and commercial sites. Without specific wording devoted to economic development, it is upon the boards to wait for a project to come in and determine its viability within the ordinances and regulations. There was discussion about “anticipating” projects, the need to review some of the Hubbard sites for instance as to how they should be used in the future. Perhaps some are better suited to remain “nodal” light industrial commercial uses or those closest to the Village would be better suited to residential only uses. Some zoning re-designations should be presented for 2008 amendments. There was discussion of the Town’s responsibility to bring water sewer and three phase power to sites designated for light industrial or commercial uses, to actually facilitate infrastructure. There was discussion regarding the inherent need to provide for economic development but to protect valuable resources such as the town wells and farmland.
F. Other - nothing
Miscellaneous - Ch. Miller was not present to sign a bill for legal expenses. It was noted Ch. Miller has been designated representative to the Project Team for the Charlestown Walpole Public Involvement Plan mentioned in the minutes of the BOS for 9/06/07. Sec. Aslinger and Mr. Dill will not be present for the October 9, 2007 meeting. Sec. Aslinger reported a bill from Weston Sampson water study has been received and sent to Walpole D & D for remittance. She noted a letter has been sent to Mr. Frost regarding the possible revocation. These items will be continued to the October 9, 2007 meeting.
Meeting Adjourned 8:30pm. Next work session set for October 23, 2007.
Cc: file, PB, MP, BOS, ZBA
Posted: Town Hall, Lobby, Burdick’s Market, websites