PLANNING BOARD

Meeting

Monday, February 11, 2002

Belmont Corner Meeting House

Belmont, New Hampshire

 

Members Present:  Chairman P. Harris; C. Patten, J. Marden and W. Brunkhardt.

Members Absent:  G. Flack, W. Peterson and J. Pike.

Alternates Present:  C. Shibles.

Alternates Absent:  G. Bolduc.

Master Plan Subcommittee Members:  Chairman L. Frawley; Town Administrator D. McLelland, N. Caldwell, K. Knowlton, R. Ashbaugh, and F. Pugh.

Staff:  C. Daigle and E. Murphy.

 

The chairman opened the meeting at 7:04 p.m.

 

P. Harris explained that the first part of tonight’s meeting would be dedicated to the Master Plan. He has received mission statements from the Recreation and Conservation & Preservation subcommittees. They are both well thought out. He invited all the subcommittees to share their progress.

 

R. Ashbaugh stated that the Construction Subcommittee will be meeting Tuesday February 12th at 4:00 pm at the Town Hall.

 

J. Marden stated that the Housing Subcommittee has a new member Ginger Wells-Kay. She has met with Linda Harvey of the Greater Regional Land Trust. The committee also has met with Donna Cilley to discuss rental properties and affordable housing in Belmont. The housing growth plays an important part of community facilities, economic and environmental development. 

 

J. Marden handed out the mission statement for the Recreation Subcommittee. P. Harris wanted to know if a list of existing recreation activities and groups has been compiled. J. Marden explained that they have a basic list of school activities and trails maps but they still need more information on the Scouts, BBO and other groups. L. Frawley wanted to know if the 4 H Club would be considered recreational. J. Marden stated it is along with the Belmont Bogie Busters & Belknap ATV Family Adventurers and all school sports.

 

D. McLelland made some suggestions about the wording in the first paragraph of the Recreation mission statement. He suggested rewording the last sentence to read “To seek out opportunities to create new and expand recreational areas and activities as an integral part of new development and facilities expansion in Town”. His other concern was including Canterbury in Goal IV, which reads “To enhance and create recreational opportunities for adults and families in Belmont/Canterbury (our school system partners).” 

 

J. Marden explained that Canterbury is included because they are part of our school system and some activities take place on school property and they can’t be excluded. The Recreation committee hopes to enhance adult recreation and may end up using the school grounds for some of the activities and that is why Canterbury is included in the goals. D. McLelland stated that he is only suggesting revisiting Goal IV because he doesn’t feel that Canterbury should be included in Belmont’s Master Plan. The activities pertain to the school system and they should be the one to address those issues.

 

W. Brunkhardt stated that the Utility & Public Services committee has set a goal of February 15th to have their draft ready and have something in to C. Daigle by February 28th .The meeting with SEA was very successful.

 

K. Knowlton stated that the Conservation & Preservation mission statement and goals are a work in progress. They want their mission statement to be strong because the last Master Plan wasn’t as acutely aware of the need to conserve and preserve land. L. Frawley stated that she has received draft soil maps from Mike Lynch. The committees reviewed some of the maps on display around the room. C. Daigle explained that the Current Use map included all the properties that are in Current Use but that doesn’t mean all of the property is in current use it may only include part of the land. L. Frawley wanted to know if the Registered Tree Forest are included on the map since some of them are less than 10 acres. C. Daigle explained that Managed Forest does get a tax break but it is included under Current Use and is included on the map.

 

F. Pugh stated that Community Facilities mission statement is in progress and they are working on their goals, they just need to make a few modifications. L. Frawley wanted to know if there is a technology inventory that would include buildings that are wired for future technology. F. Pugh stated they do not have an inventory but know that the library needs to be updated. L. Frawley stated that grants are available that help update wiring in buildings and an inventory would be helpful in trying to obtain them. F. Pugh stated that the library did receive a grant to update the wiring. The inventory has not been addressed at this time because they need to address other issues first.

 

P. Harris stated that goal of the Planning Board and the Master Plan Committees is to keep the Master Plan updated and to make changes as needed.

 

L. Frawley stated that they need to address what they plan to do at the elections and the Town Meeting. This will be the focus of the February 26th meeting. C. Daigle stated that the agenda for Town Meeting is being worked on and they have to decide where on the agenda they would like to discuss the Master Plan. P. Harris stated that they would like to give a brief update towards the end of the meeting. C. Daigle stated that she would have them put the Master Plan under the section for “Reports from other committees”. L. Frawley wanted to know if they could include anything in the Town Report. D. McLelland stated that the deadline for the Town Report was 5 o’clock today.

 

K. Knowlton stated that he would like to have a meeting when the Master Plan is completed to discuss the benefits of the Master Plan. They can discuss what the expectations are and what the expected results will be and how to meet those goals. Meeting with all the subcommittees will provide an opportunity for cross referencing and making sure that everyone is on the same page. C. Daigle stated that the Master Plan will be an excellent tool for the Conservation Commission and provide a guide for conservation and preservation of the land in Belmont. P. Harris stated that it would also be a guide to help the Planning Board when reviewing applications.

 

C. Shibles stated that the Master Plan is a good tool but needs to be kept updated. He stated that it needs to be addressed annually and always looking to the future. The Master Plan is an ongoing project and does not end once it is adopted. P. Harris stated that their goal is to keep it updated but the hardships are that Boards are elected and priorities can change. C. Daigle explained that in 1992 instead of amendments to the Zoning Ordinance they had one amendment that was to rewrite the zoning ordinance. This may have to be done once the Master Plan is complete. If the subcommittees can keep their section updated then the community will be able to follow through with their goals. This will help the staff keep the ordinances updated and keep the Master Plan updated.

 

L. Frawley stated that P. Harris has done a great job with the public recognition of the Master Plan. Visibility serves the committee well and keeps the public interested in the Master Plan. She would like to see more students become part of the Master Plan as it is their future. Anyone who has contacts at the schools are encouraged to recruit more students. She also invites any member of the subcommittees to join the steering committee at their next meeting.

 

P. Harris thanked everyone for coming and sharing their progress. The next meeting will be March 11th at the Corner Meeting House.

 

OTHER BUSINESS:

PROVINCE ROAD MEETING HOUSE TAX LOT 212-065:

Mr. Brian Watterson wanted to speak to the Board about some proposed changes to the Province Road Meeting House. He explained that the Meeting House applied for a building permit and it was denied for setbacks and an addition creating more usable space. He is asking the Board if they need a Site Plan. They plan to move the building to put in a new foundation and then move it back to the original location. They will use the original stone on the outside of the foundation to keep the historic look. They will be putting in a parking lot and putting on a handicap entrance in the back. J. Marden wanted to know the height of the entrance and if the ramp could be done with natural landscaping. C. Shibles stated it is 3 ½’ and a ramp would be more feasible. B. Watterson stated that there will be two entrances, one to the upstairs and one to the downstairs meeting room. There will be bathrooms on both floors. He explained that the Historic Society has asked that a $15,000 line item be included in this year’s budget and the rest of the money will be coming from donations. They plan to have Phase I completed by September. Phase I will include the well, septic, foundation and returning the building to its original location. They have applied to the State for a driveway permit and are waiting for a decision on if a culvert is necessary or not. Mr. Watterson explained that Mr. Kevin Sturgeon will be doing the site work. He will also be designing and installing the septic system. P. Harris stated that the septic and well designs are not that different than a site plan. C. Daigle stated that the pins are already in place and there is already a survey of the property. Creating the community building and the change of use is why the SP is required. They will have to meet all ADA requirements and parking will be based on occupancy. There is no topography for the site and they will need to know the soil types and where the wetlands are located. There is also concern about the possibility of runoff and erosion around the pond.

 

J. Marden wanted to know how big the parking area is going to be. C. Daigle explained that the Fire Department determines that by the number of people permitted in the building. It is also determined by the size and type of activities in the building. Mr. Watterson stated that he anticipates upward of 30 or 40 parking spaces. C. Daigle reminded him that there would be no parking on the street allowed. P. Harris stated that the number using the building would be needed in order to determine the size of the septic. C. Daigle stated that if there is a kitchen then that also would determine the septic size. P. Harris stated that all the plumbing and electrics would have to be updated to meet safety codes.

 

J. Marden wanted to know about the trail system in that area. There is a nice walking and cross country skiing trail in the area and this would be a great place to park for these activities. Mr. Watterson stated that he hasn’t heard any discussion about it.   

 

BOARD'S ACTION‑MINUTES:

 

MOTION:  On a motion by W. Brunkhardt, seconded by C. Patten, it was voted to approve the minutes of the January 28, 2001, meeting as submitted. (5-0) 

 

STAFF REPORT:.

 

A.            CONSERVATION LAND:  C. Daigle proposed a joint meeting of the Planning Board, Board of Selectmen and Conservation Commission to go over the process of accepting conservation land. This will help facilitate the process and make it easier for the applicants and all the Boards involved. It will also outline who is responsible for the maintenance of the land. J. Marden stated that all the taxpayers own the land and a Municipal Trail Committee could be established for the active maintenance of Conservation Land. The Board agreed to schedule this joint meeting for their March work session.

 

B.        JOB DESCRIPTIONS:  The Board received copies of job descriptions for C. Daigle and E. Murphy. C. Daigle explained that the Municipal Association is updating and revising the current job descriptions to fit in with the current labor market. If the Board has any concerns or changes they will let C. Daigle know.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

MOTION:  On a motion by W. Brunkhardt, seconded by C Patten, it was voted unanimously to adjourn at 9:08 p.m. (5-0)

 

Respectfully submitted,

Elaine M Murphy, Administrative Assistant