The December Planning Board meeting was canceled because of Gov. Chris Sununu’s mandate to Covid-19 mandate so the Select Board decided to close the Town Hall from in-person meetings and other activities. Since there were Public Hearings on the agenda and questions from abutters or the public about these hearings, the Board via email made these decisions.
Due to the increase in cases of Covid-19 in the state, the December meeting was canceled. Since the items on the agenda need discussion and input from the public as well as the WPB board members, the December items will be addressed in January via Zoom. Mr. Jeff Harrington agreed to be host of the meeting.
But the Board was asked to weigh in on the following items via email:
Public Hearing No. 1: Subdivision: Jay Landry two lots into four lots, Map 17, Lots 5 and 5-1, land between Old Keene Rd. and Wentworth Rd. All lots have 200 feet road frontage and 40,000 square feet, Residential A. Rather than giving conditional approval, the Board voted to give abutters a chance to weigh in on the subdivision proposal. Three abutters had questions they wished to ask Mr. Landry.
Board vote: Unanimous to hold meeting via Zoom in January. Board vote: 7-0.
Public Hearing No. 2: Short-term Rentals, Zoning amendment to Walpole Zoning Ordinances.
Board vote: Unanimous to hold meeting via Zoom in January. Board vote: 7-0.
However since this item was to go on the March 2021 warrant, Select Board member Steve Dalessio asked the Zoning Board of Adjustment Chair, Jan Galloway-Leclerc, to postpone this hearing, which means it wouldn’t go on the warrant until 2022. Although Ms. Leclerc felt this ordinance was time sensitive, she also understood that zoom hearings might present challenges to people wanting to participate in the hearing. This hearing will take place when it is determined by the Select Board that the Town Hall is safe to hold in-person hearings.
New Business: Request for a Public Hearing: Watkins Tavern, site plan, 166 Prospect Hill Road, Map 8, Lot 16-1, Residential A, owner-occupied Bed and Breakfast. Mr. Marcom made a motion to hold a Public Hearing for the Watkins Tavern site plan. Mr. Harrington seconded the motion. Unanimous Board vote of 7-0.
Request for a Public Hearing: ZBA amendments on signage – temporary signs andfeather flags. Mr. Marcom made a motion to hold a Public Hearing for ZBA ordinance on signage to be held in January. Mr. Harrington seconded the motion. Unanimous Board vote of 7-0.
Board vote: Unanimous to hold meeting via Zoom in January. Board vote: 7-0.
However since this item was to go on the March 2021 warrant, Select Board member Steve Dalessio asked the Zoning Board of Adjustment Chair, Jan Galloway-Leclerc, to postpone this hearing, which means it wouldn’t go on the warrant until 2022. Although Ms. Leclerc felt this ordinance was time sensitive, she also understood that zoom hearings might present challenges to people wanting to participate in the hearing. This hearing will take place when it is determined by the Select Board that the Town Hall is safe to hold in-person hearings.
The regular January 2021 meeting of the Walpole Planning Board will take place via Zoom on January 12, 2021, at 7 pm.
zoom.us
Meeting ID is 931 6255 6866
Respectfully submitted,
Marilou Blaine
The Walpolean 
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