GROTON PLANNING BOARD
April 29, 2009
Present: Deb Johnson, Celine Richer, Steve (Slim) Spafford, Jenny Burnett, Steve Lindsey, Kyle Andrews, Selectboard liaison.
Absent: Russ Carruth
Meeting convened at 7:04 pm.
Minutes of March 25th were read and corrected in paragraph beginning with “Alan Barnard presented…”, fourth sentence, “ Chair noted that in Subdivision Regulations “(NOT Masterplan) “ subdivision roads are required to be…” Board voted unanimously to accept minutes as corrected.
Chair recognized Barry Sawyer, Bailey Hill Rd. who informed the board that he has installed two wind powered generators. To be eligible for a state rebate he needs documentation from a municipal body or official that the town has no restrictions against his generators. Steve moved, Celine 2nd to have Chair sign such documentation. A unanimous vote of approval was given.
Under Old Business, Site Plan Review Fees were discussed at length, after which Steve moved, Celine 2nd, to charge a flat application fee of $100 and use current rate of certified postage, return receipt for notification of the applicant, and use current fees for registering plans at the Grafton County Registry of Deeds. The vote on this motion was unanimous in approval. This fee information will be inserted into the Site Plan Review Regulations.
Also under old business, the subject of road classifications was brought up, with a decision to resume discussion next meeting. Deb will set time aside to research this. Steve has already looked through the AA’s file and Deb will do the same. She feels that the town must know the status of each road for both taxation and emergency vehicle passage.
This tied in with a New Business topic, that of Victoria Mt. Way, aka Fletcher Mine Rd. Discussion centered around past history of subdivision of property and road ownership. Further research must occur.
Back to Old Business, a definition of Home Based Business. This will be continued to next month’s meeting so that Deb can bring in several definitions from different sources.
Also under Old Business, Road Building Requirements as now in the Subdivision Requirements, were discussed at length as to their confusion. Clarification of the language is needed. This subject must be revisited at a later date.
New Business
Since the Selectmen have been recently dealing with a number of property owners who are building without a permit, they want the “Building Permits Required” signs, already purchased, to be put up.
Since it is the business of the Selectmen to issue building permits, Steve moved and Celine 2nd to give those signs to the Selectboard. All members voted in agreement.
Chair brought up the question of whether the Site Plan Review Regulations need to be ratified. Much discussion ensued. Chair read the opinion of Local Government Center attorney Sanderson, who feels that the vote of the townspeople has clearly provided the Planning Board with authority to pass Site Plan Review Regulations. Celine moved, Steve 2nd, to accept LGC Counsel’s recommendation. Kyle voted against this motion. All other members voted in favor.
As to charging fees for making copies of Subdivision and/or Site Plan Review Regulations, the board voted unanimously to table the issue until gaining clarification from the AA.
Chair read a letter from John March, surveyor for Upper Birch Holdings, asking the board to approve a change in the previously approved subdivision. After the board looked over the revised plat, the Chair moved to consider this a Lot Line Adjustment, which will require a hearing, and only the four abutters to the changed area will need to be notified. Celine 2nd and all voted in agreement. Chair will call Mr. March.
Adjournment at 9:20 pm was voted for unanimously.
Sharon Nelson
Clerk