TOWN OF WALPOLE

PLANNING BOARD MEETING

SEPTEMBER 10, 2013

Presiding:         Robert Miller (Vice-Chair); James Aldrich, Henry Fletcher, Dennis Marcom, Eric Merklein

Alternates:       Steve Dalessio, Ed Potter, Jeff White

Recording:      Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

These Minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed at the October 08, 2013, meeting for corrections, additions and/or omissions.  There were four people present in the audience.

Meeting Opened:  Mr. R. Miller, Vice-Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.  He advised that meetings are tape recorded therefore asked anyone that wishes to speak to identify themselves.

Roll Call:  Mr. R. Miller noted that Mr. Jeffrey Miller, Chair, was not present therefore he called upon alternate member, Mr. Ed Potter, to sit on the PB in that seat.   Regular member, Mrs. Jamie Teague, is also absent however as the Selectboard representative an alternate member cannot be called upon to replace her.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING on August 13, 2013, and Workshop Session on August 27, 2013: 

Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Minutes of the regular PB meeting on August 13, 2013, and the Workshop Session on August 27, 2013, as printed.  Seconded by Mr. Marcom.  With all members in favor, the Minutes were approved.

PUBLIC HEARINGS:

Mr. R. Miller called this Public Hearing to order at 7:04 PM.

Lot Line Adjustment – Stephen H. Bryan & Elisabeth Lacher Bryan and Glenn Barcome, on Town Map #005, Lots #046 & #047, Zoning District:  Rural Residential:  Mr. R. Miller advised that all abutters were notified of the Public Hearing by certified mail, it was duly advertised and posted and the fees were paid.

Mr. Aldrich moved to accept this application for a Lot Line Adjustment for Stephen H. Bryan & Elisabeth Lacher Bryan and Glenn Barcome  as complete.  Seconded by Mr. Fletcher.  With all members in favor, the motion was approved.

Mr. Joe DiBernardo, Land Surveyor with DiBernardo Associates, LLC, was representing the applicants.  He displayed the proposed Lot Line Adjustment plan.  The Bryan property is off Stevens Lane; the Barcome property is off Stevens Lane and Watkins Hill.  This triangular piece of land of .37 acres will be annexed off the Barcome land and added to the Bryan land.  After the annexation, the Bryan property will be increased from 14.51 acres to 14.88 acres and the Barcome property will be reduced from 7.87 acres to 7.50 acres.  Both parties have agreed that no structures will be erected in the annexed parcel.  There were no public comments.

Mr. R. Miller declared this Public Hearing closed at 7:09 PM. 

Mr. R. Miller opened the meeting up for discussion.

Mr. Aldrich moved to grant approval for this Lot Line Adjustment for Stephen H. Bryan & Elisabeth Lacher Bryan and Glenn Barcome as submitted.  Seconded by Mr. Marcom.  With all members in favor, the motion was approved.

Mr. R. Miller called this Public Hearing to order at 7:10 PM.

Continuation of:  “Changes and Alterations In An Approved Site Plan”:  Mr. Dalessio reported that the PB began discussions on this back in July.  The existing Site Plan does not mention amending previously approved applications so a decision was made to add this wording just to make it clear that they can amend.  In August it was determined that they should have a review of the wording in the document by an attorney, they now have those comments from the Town attorney, Attorney Hockensmith.  He mentioned that they are not imposing any hardships or burdens for the developer and that it would stand-up in the event of a court order.  Mr. Marcom said it seems to make sense to have proposed changes reviewed by the Town attorney.  Mr. R. Miller feels it is prudent to do this and they will keep this legal opinion on file for future reference.  Mr. Merklein questioned if they should make sending all proposed changes to the attorney a part of the Site Plan Review.  Mr. R. Miller would rather keep that option open for each situation; not make it mandatory to send every change to the Town attorney as they would lose flexibility.  Mr. R. Miller closed this Public Hearing at 7:16 PM.

Mr. Aldrich moved to approve this Amendment to the Site Plan “Changes and Alterations In An Approved Site Plan”, as presented at this meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Marcom.  With all members in favor, the motion was approved.

NEW BUSINESS:

Well Source Protection Committee:  Mr. R. Miller reported that Mr. Dalessio, Mr. Marcom and he are members of the Well Source Protection group.  This committee is going over the document that was adopted by a Town vote on March 2004 and amended March 2008, which is the Town Well Source Protection Ordinance.  The Planning Board is mentioned several times throughout this document.   It contains language such as “the Planning Board issues permits” however the PB does not issue permits therefore the group asked that the PB take this subject up at a meeting.  Mr. Dalessio and Mr.  R. Miller feel that a discussion during a Workshop Session would be appropriate therefore he would like to put it on the next Workshop Session Agenda.  Mr. Dalessio noted that Section 4 is of particular interest to the PB.  They need to focus on that.  Copies of the document were distributed to the PB members.  Mr. R. Miller noted that the Well Source Protection Committee will be meeting on the Wednesday following the Workshop.  Mr. Dalessio advised that the Department of Environmental Services has re-delineated the areas around the wells so it is important to have copies of those maps.  To do this, the committee requested funding from the Selectboard.  It is also important that the PB talks about the Conditional Uses and understands the wording in the document.  Another part of the document that needs to be looked at is the wording of “20% impervious surfaces” because the Site Plan Review requires “30% impervious surfaces” so there is a discrepancy.  Mr. Fletcher asked about granting the Conditional Use if it is something that was prohibited by the Ordinances.  Mr. Dalessio feels it is worth a discussion.  A Public Hearing will be scheduled after the document changes have been finalized by the committee.  They need to make a presentation on proposed changes at the Annual Town Meeting.

Other Business:

Workshop Session:  There will be a Workshop Session on Tuesday, September 24, 2013, at 7:00 PM in the Town Hall Downstairs Office.  The PB members will review the “Town Well Source Protection Ordinance”.  Mr. Marcom will be unable to attend this Workshop.

Adjournment:  Mr. Aldrich moved to adjourn this meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Fletcher.  With all members in favor, the motion was approved.  The time was 7:29 PM.

Respectfully submitted, Regina Borden, Recording Secretary