PLANNING BOARD AND MASTER PLAN

MEETING

Friday, June 21, 2002

Belmont Corner Meeting House

Belmont, New Hampshire

The Planning Board chairman, P. Harris, opened the meeting at 7:05 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.

P. Harris explained that tonight’s Public Hearing is to give everyone an opportunity to present their ideas for the betterment of Belmont. He explained that this is the first major Public Hearing since November and the Boards and committees working on the Master Plan welcome everyone’s input. The information gathered for the Master Plan will help with the development of the Capital Improvement Program and Economic Development. The Master Plan is an ongoing process and the volunteers have been very cooperative. There has been good communication between the committees. 

P. Harris commended the Town Administrator, the Land Use staff and all the committees who have been working on the Master Plan on doing a great job. They have been compiling information since the November meeting and through the 2^nd Monday Master Plan meetings and sending the information on to SEA Consultants for their expertise and knowledge. All this work has lead us to the draft Master Plan that is available tonight.

Ms. Linda Frawley, Steering Committee Chairman, recognized and thanked the subcommittees, steering committee, Town staff, SEA Consultant, Lakes Region press, public access TV and all the volunteers that have worked on the Master Plan. She stated that Belmont has a lot happening, as it is a crossroad location, which gives it many advantages. The Master Plan is moving ahead since it first assembled it volunteers last summer and formed it eight sub-committees and a steering committee. There have been numerous meetings on the subcommittee level as well as the 2^nd Monday Master Plan meetings. In November they had the first community gathering designed as an outreach method to gather information and research material.  At the Town Meeting in March a Master Plan update was presented. Tonight’s meeting is to present the first draft of the Master Plan and to get new information, ideas and suggestions from the public before the Master Plan is finalized. She congratulated the subcommittees for writing the first draft and commended them on job well done. She explained that they are at a critical stage and still need information on how and where the public wants Belmont to grow. The community needs to communicate their needs and dreams for Belmont as we are in it together.

Mr. Jim Bolduc, SEA consultant, outlined the Master Plan process and stated that there still is a long way to go before it is finalized in November. He explained that there are ballots available for public comment and can be dropped off or mailed to Town Hall before July 19^th. He used a timeline to outline the progress the subcommittees have made over the last year. He outlined all the chapters of the Master Plan by reading the mission statements for the chapters and reviewing their goals and objectives (see attached).

J. Bolduc explained that the Community Facility Committee did an excellent job examining each public facility in town to come up with their Mission Statement. They reviewed the present facilities and what impact the future development will have on them and how to make that development pay for itself.

He stated that a major concern of the Conservation and Preservation Committee is to preserve the rural character of Belmont while maintaining the quality of life. Preserving open space, farmland and natural and historic resources are important issues that face Belmont. They are taking a proactive stance anticipating the future.

He stated that the Construction Materials Chapter of the Master is a new section. The State law requires it, as it is important to protect the growth in towns.

He explained that the Housing Committee is looking at new ways to design houses and are looking at having an international code. There has been a 16% growth since 1990. The seasonal dwellings have decreased as a number of them have been converted to permanent residences.     

He stated that the Land Use Chapter is another excellent chapter who studied the growth and changes in Belmont and how to protect them.

He explained that the Recreation Committee has researched a number of recreational resources available in the Town of Belmont.

He explained that the Transportation Committee studied the sixty-four miles of Town maintained road in Belmont. The busiest are: Rte 3/11, Rte 106, Province Road and Dearborn Street. Belmont is about moving people from one corridor to another.

He explained that the Utilities and Public Services Committee has researched the public and the private utilities available in Belmont.

P. Harris thanked everyone for the excellent work they have done and their continuing dedication to the Town of Belmont. Belmont has a good image and people are interested in moving into Belmont. The Master Plan is an important tool the Boards work with when reviewing applications for development. He wants everyone to turn in their ballots as everyone’s opinion counts. They don’t have all the answers but will research any that they don’t know. The Master Plan is an ongoing project and they will be working on it to keep it updated.

P. Harris opened the meeting up to questions and explained that committee members will also be available after the meeting for anyone who wants to talk to them on an individual basis. Any additional questions or comments after the meeting can be addressed through the website, the ballots, any committee member or the Land Use office.

Question:       The issue of Economic Development was not addressed in the Master Plan how is it going to be addressed?

                        P. Harris stated that they are still in the early stages and it will be followed up at the Board of Selectmen level. It is too much to take on the Master Plan and Economic Development at the same time. It is important to update the data in the eight chapters being worked on so Economic Development can be best coordinated.

Question:        It is important to the tax base to maintain existing business and attract new ones, should this be part of the Master Plan? 

                        P. Harris stated the Jeff Marden has been working hard on the Master Plan and supports different businesses such as businesses that would support a trail system like lodging and supplies.

Question:       Is having a Health Care Section appropriate for a Master Plan?

J. Bolduc stated that it is not traditional part of one. Master Plans do not deal with private health and businesses such as hospitals, doctors or health facilities.

J. Pilliod stated the health issues are addressed to some extent in the Master Plan through maintaining the air and water quality.

R. Mitchell stated that Belmont has a good Fire Department and ambulance service.

Mr. George Condodemetraky stated that there still is a lot of work that needs to be done. They still have to proceed with the strategies. P. Harris thanked everyone for coming and stated members will be available to answer any additional questions. He closed the public portion of the meeting at 8:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,