Meeting of the Master Plan Committee

Monday, July 21, 2008

7:20 PM

After the opening items were conducted, the Master Plan Committee moved to another part of the meeting room to discuss the ongoing Master Plan items.  Paul Violette chaired this session. 

Also taking part in this session were:   Committee members Hank Duhamel from the Planning Board; Ted Young from the ZBA and Jim McLaughlin from the Conservation Commission.  (Recording: Jean Lightfoot)  In addition, coming late were Sharon Wason and Emily Norton from the Central NH Regional Planning Commission. 

Mr. Violette reported that there are about 130 survey responses so far.  There was some discussion on how to assure that people know that the deadline has been extended to August 15^th. 

Mr. McLaughlin explained the Natural Resources Inventory Report that the Conservation Commission is working on with the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests.  He said it will include protected lands, town owned property and conservation easements, recreational features like trails and access points for boating, forestry and farm property, water resources like wetlands, ponds, streams, watersheds, aquifers, and flood plains, wildlife habitat and scenic resources, like viewpoints. A number of maps have been compiled to show the different features.  The draft report is done, except for some minor corrections and the addition of the recreation portion.  He said they hope to have the final draft in a month or so.  He added that it will be digitized so it should be easily incorporated into the Master Plan.  He had some of the maps prepared by the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests which can be used in the Master Plan.  Mr. Duhamel suggested that the Historical Society may be able to add some historical sites to the listing for the Master Plan.  Mr. McLaughlin said he would talk with Rebecca Courser to see what they can do to help.  

Ms. Wason and Ms. Norton then arrived.  Mr. McLaughlin reviewed for them what he had just reported.  Ms. Wason said she thought the Master Plan would reference the natural resources inventory report from the Conservation Commission, not incorporate it.  

Ms. Wason then talked about the visioning session which is scheduled for Monday, October 20^th.  It is planned that the results of the survey will be shown then and discussed.  She discussed whether the Committee wanted the visioning session to be very broad or have a narrow focus.  The maps from the Conservation Commission can be on easels around the room, as well as other maps prepared by the Central NH Regional Planning Commission.  She suggested specific topics could include alternative energy and affordable housing.  It was suggested that resource people, such as Department Heads, be at the visioning session to help answer questions.  Ms. Wason said that perhaps we could identify major issues to deal with as Warner goes into the future.   Then, perhaps from there, another visioning session could be scheduled in a year or 15 months. 

There was some discussion about the Hazard Mitigation Plan and whether it must be included in the Master Plan or not. 

The meeting concluded at 9:00 p.m.