PLANNING BOARD

MEETING

Monday, June 10, 2002

Corner Meeting House

Belmont, New Hampshire

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

Members Absent:  G. Flack, W. Peterson and C. Patten.

Alternates Present:  C. Shibles.

Alternates Absent:  G. Bolduc.

Staff:  C. Daigle and E. Murphy.

The chairman opened the meeting at 7:05 p.m.

MASTER PLAN – SECOND MONDAY:

J. Bolduc stated he attended the last steering committee meeting and it was productive. He will have the second draft of the Master Plan ready for the June 21^st meeting. SEA wrote some notes for each section to help the committees write their chapters. He distributed copies of the draft agenda for the June 21, 2002 Public Hearing. The meeting will take the form of a municipal meeting presentation to public and last no more than 1 ½ hours. They will take testimony from the public during a question and answer session. Ballots will also be available as another avenue for the public to voice their concerns. The ballots have to be returned by July 19. The exhibits will include land use maps and posters of the chapter summaries with the goals and objections. The question and answer segment will be verbal input and written input can be submitted by ballots and on the website. Staff and members of committees will be available for a brief discussion with public at the close of the meeting.

J. Pike had concerns about the timetable and the rush to complete the Master Plan. He stated that holding the Public Hearing on a Friday night in summer is not a good idea. They may only get half of the representation they had in fall. People are involved in family affairs, baseball, graduations and weekend getaways etc. He will not be available on June 21^st. He stated that the beginning of the week is better than a Friday. P. Harris stated that this is an on going process. Everyone has an opportunity to participate that is why there are meetings in the spring, fall and summer. D. McLelland wanted to know why J. Pike feels that the process is being rushed.  J. Pike explained that when they started the process the timetable that was discussed was a couple of years. We have been working on it only a year and we are coming to the final stages. The timetable has been moved forward. He wanted to know where the changes came from. We are ahead of where we thought we would have been a year ago. D. McLelland stated that subcommittees have been meeting and in order for them to remain  interested and involved then it has to have to a closure date. L. Frawley stated that June was picked because November was the completion date and they worked backwards. J. Pike wanted to know where the November date came from. C. Daigle stated that she is not sure but to make changes to the ordinance they need to be completed to put any changes on the ballot. The date in November is the regular work session meeting. Comments can be taken after the November 18^th goal date. J. Pike stated that the steering committee, Planning Board and Board of Selectmen need to have others groups and organization input into the master plan. He wanted to make sure that these people been invited and wanted to know why they haven’t come forth with their input. The organizations, Police Department, Fire Department, Conservation Commission and others involved in the everyday decisions have not been very involved and haven’t attended the meetings. Those are the people that carry out what the town wants to happen. D. McLelland stated that as employee of the Town the Department Heads have to carry out the goals of the Master Plan. Everyone has been invited and it is up to them to follow through. W. Brunkhardt stated that there isn’t anything you can do if the people won’t come forward. P. Harris stated that those groups may become more involved in the CIP. C. Shibles stated that this situation is not unique and the only ones interested in getting involved are those that are personally affected. P. Harris stated that the public is aware of the meetings. D. McLelland stated that if the Planning Board wants to talk to the Department Heads he can arrange it. P. Harris stated that the public trusts the Planning Board and the Town Officials. L. Frawley stated that a neighboring town have separated their Master Plan into three or four separate reports and she wanted to know if that could be done because our Master Plan is not readable at this time. J. Bolduc stated that he would have it drafted by the June 21^st meeting.

J. Pike stated that Master Plan committees should be working together with the school to understand each other’s strategic plans for the community. D. McLelland stated that general services have increased and the Master Plan must address them and then proceed. Everyone can’t be everywhere all time. He explained that the staff is taxed and would need additional staff to take on any new projects. J. Bolduc stated that if the other groups won’t come to the Master Plan meeting than he could go to them. He suggested the Planning Board prioritize whom they want to make contact with and he can attend some of their meetings. D. McLelland stated that the groups have to come before the whole Board not just a representative. J. Pike wants to make sure everything they do in November is true and precise. D. McLelland suggested a joint meeting with School Board, Board of Selectmen and the Planning Board and he will set that meeting up L. Frawley suggested having a cost of Community Services Plan. D. McLelland wanted to know who is going to do it as it everyone is taxed. L. Frawley stated that she thought it was just a simple formula.

J. Pike wanted to know if the Planning Board could develop growth management as part of the Master Plan. C. Daigle stated the Town could adopt growth management if they have all the research and facts to back it up. A one-year emergency growth management can only be adopted if there is a crisis. J. Pike stated Belmont is headed for one. The Planning Board does everything it can to be fair, just and easy. D. McLelland stated that they should continue with the June 21^st meeting and the Master Plan and address the other concerns after. The Planning Board, Board Of Selectmen and School Board need to discuss the future plans for Belmont. L. Frawley stated that she has already initiated an opportunity for discussion with the School Board and the time for the meeting just needs to be set up. L. Frawley stated that Mr. Tuthill stated that it made sense to wait until they finished the strategic plan and now would be a good time meet. C. Shibles agreed that a joint meeting is needed. Mr. Elson Moody stated that it is the Town Administrator and the BOS job to run this town. They need to regulate the town building permits and only allow permits for elderly housing, as the economy is not improving. P. Harris explained that it is everyone’s constitutional right to be able to develop his or her land and it is not the Planning Board’s jurisdiction to stop all development. Mr. Moody also stated that he agreed with J. Pike about the Friday night meeting everyone is busy on Friday evenings.

J. Bolduc acknowledged that some information is still needed but he is continuing to get input and everything will be ready for the June 21^st meeting. L. Frawley stated that letters to the leaders in the town would be sent out this week. The advertisement for the Laconia Citizen and Laconia Sun is ready for publication.

The chairman asked if anyone in the audience had any questions or comments. There being none, he closed the Master Plan meeting.

Public Hearing: Proposed Amendments to the Site Plan Regulations.

C. Daigle stated that on J. Marden’s recommendation she noticed the proposed amendments to the Site Plan to support the wildlife buffer. The Board commended J. Marden on his research and reference material. L. Frawley stated that J. Marden showed a positive compromise concerning wildlife.

BOARD'S ACTION – Proposed Amendments to the Site Plan Regulations.

MOTION:  W. Brunkhardt moved to adopt the amendments to the Site Plan Regulations. The motion was seconded C. Shibles and carried. (5-0)

OTHER BUSINESS:

BOARD'S ACTION-MINUTES:

MOTION:  On a motion by W. Brunkhardt, seconded by J. Pike, it was voted to approve the minutes of the May 22, 2002, meeting as submitted. (5-0) 

L. Frawley wanted to clarify the point she made about Verizon buying a fire truck for the town. She explained that the comment was made because of the money that Verizon would be saving by not having to erect a tower disguised as a tree. She also stated that a flag pole tower was requested because of high travel count on Rte 106.

STAFF REPORT:

ATF MEETINGS:

J. Marden wanted to know if the ATF meetings are something that the Board wants to help out with. Does the Board want to go as a group? They have talked about changes to the downtown area and this may be time to do something about it. He will be available when the ATF meets and supply information from the Board to them. Mr. Alex Voit is willing to work with town on the intersections. C. Daigle stated that if the Board is interested in designing some intersections then they should get together and design a proposal to submit to ATF as soon as possible.

HARVEY & EVELYN BEETLE TAX LOTS 112-002 & 112-003:

The Board signed the merger for the Beetle’s lots.

ADJOURNMENT:

MOTION:  On a motion by W. Brunkhardt, seconded by J. Pike, it was voted unanimously to adjourn at 8:38p.m. (5-0)

Respectfully submitted,