Town of Warner – Planning Board

Minutes of Work Session

Monday, September 22, 2008     7:00 PM

Warner Town Hall , Lower Level

 

Members Present:      Barbara Annis, Paul Violette, David Hartman, Ed Mical, Dan Watts

Members Excused:      None

Members Absent:       Hank Duhamel, George Pellettieri

Members Late:            None

Alternates Present:    Rick Davies (voting for Hank Duhamel)

Alternates Excused:   None

Alternates Absent:     Harold French, Robert Ricard

Alternates Late:         None

Presiding:                    Barbara Annis

Recording:                   Jean Lightfoot  

Open Meeting at 7:00 PM

Roll Call  

Ms. Annis opened the meeting at 7:05 p.m.   The roll call was taken.  Ms. Annis asked Mr. Davies to sit and vote for Hank Duhamel.  

1.  SHARON WASON, CENTRAL NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION  

Ms. Annis recognizes Sharon Wason and Emily Norton from the Central New Hampshire Regional Planning Commission who began the summary of the results of the Warner Community Survey.  

Ms. Wason said there were 230 respondents which, given the number of surveys which were sent out, would result in a statistically significant response.  She said what was clear is that there is a real division in the town between those who think things are going very well and those who want the town to be much more restrictive on growth and change in town.  She then began to review the survey results in detail, noting that there is general agreement that the townspeople cherish the rural character and the natural environment of the town.  She commented that there was overwhelming agreement on the care of the roads in town, which is that the people are happy with the road maintenance.  She provided a summary of the results of each question on the survey to the Board and reported the results of each question.  In addition, there were some spreadsheets provided showing the specific comments on some questions.  Ms. Norton said she was in the process of preparing spreadsheets for each question where there were comments and those will be provided to the board.  

After reviewing the current survey questions, Ms. Wason then reviewed a comparison of the answers to questions from the 1998 survey that were also asked in the 2008 survey.  She said that in general there was not a significant change in the results of the answers to these questions.  However, she did note that one question had a significant difference between the 1998 and 2008 responses.  That was the following:  “Would you support enacting local tax benefits or zoning changes to improve the town’s fiscal structure by encouraging local businesses on Main Street ?”  In 1998, 52% said yes.  In 2008, of those saying yes or no, but not unsure, 74% said yes.  There were about 247 responses to the 2008 survey which is about the same as the current survey, but given the increase in the population, perhaps one would have hoped for a larger response in 2008.  Nancy Ladd said that perhaps the reduction in the 2008 responses had to do with the confusion over the dates.   

Ms. Wason concluded by asking what the Board would like her to do with the results.  Mr. Violette said that they would like her to write a synopsis of the results and for Ms. Norton to categorize the various comments and prepare a summary of those for the Board.  They agreed to do that.  Mr. Hartman requested that they prepare a comparison of answers to similar questions from other towns in the region.  Ms. Wason said she would do that.   

Ms. Wason then asked about the scheduling of the Visioning Session.  It was originally scheduled for October 20, but it was agreed to change it to sometime after Election Day, with no specific date being set.  There was a discussion about how to bring people out to the session, with various ideas of publicizing it around town, as well as getting out information about the results of the survey.  Ms. Wason said she could provide maps that have been prepare of demographics and the Forest Society maps which could be displayed.  There was some thought about having information available on Election Day for people to come and see it and perhaps pick up something to take home to think about ideas for the visioning session.   

Ms. Annis then asked about the second phase of the Master Plan and asked for numbers from Ms. Wason for the budget currently being prepared.  She asked if the contract is not concluded by the end of the year, if it is possible to extend it.  Ms. Wason said yes.  She said she would get together with Mr. Violette on Wednesday this week to arrive at some proposed numbers and they will communicate with Ms. Annis.  Ms. Wason and Ms. Norton then left the meeting.  

2.  COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS  

Mr. Hartman said that the Transfer Station site has been approved for acquisition between the State and the Town and will be concluded after the first of the year.  He also asked if the Planning Board members wanted any input on the planned Town Bulletin Board.  He said that Warner Connects is responsible for the funding and has four possible places in mind for it:  Replace where it is now; in front of the Town Hall on the lawn facing the sidewalk; behind the newly planted fruit tree on the Town Hall front lawn; or behind the other newly-planted tree on the Town Hall front lawn.  The consensus was that the issue is one for the Selectmen and not the Planning Board.  

Ms. Annis noted that the brochure for the Local Government Center Fall Meeting has come out.  There is only one hard copy, but people may see the schedule and register online at the Local Government Center website.  

Ms. Annis said there is a letter that has been received in regard to the Wagner Subdivision approval with conditions.  It is reproduced below:  

“To:  The Town of Warner Planning Board

“From:  James and Faye Vadnais

“Reference:  Commercial Major Subdivision

                 Alan & Lee Ann Wagner, Jr.

                Unapproved Minutes of September 8th, 2008 Meeting

“Date:  September 22, 2008  

“We are concerned that condition #7 of the approval does not include any reference to hours of work operations.  This was discussed on August 18, 2008 , and Mr. Toth indicated that Monday through Friday, 7 A.M. to 5 P.M. seemed reasonable.  

“Also noted in relation to #7 is that Mr. Wagner requested one-half days be allowed on Saturdays.  Discussion referenced no blasting but the vote reflects a full day on Saturday without any exclusions for blasting.  

“This has implications to 24 hours of rock crushing, trucking, blasting, drilling and associated construction on 6 days of the week.  We hope that we have misinterpreted what can occur during the construction of Hudson Lane and the associated rock-crushing operation.  

“Thank you for your consideration.  We look forward to hearing from you.”  

Ms. Annis said that she believes that it was an oversight in the approval with conditions to specifically reference blasting on the time of work and not refer to all work.  Other members of the Board agreed that the intent was that no work will be done between the hours of 6:00 P.M. and 7:00 A.M. and on Sundays and holidays.  Ms. Annis said she did not know at this point how the Notice of Decision could be changed without court action.  Mr. Watts suggested that perhaps writing a letter to Mr. Wagner to clarify that the intent was that there be no work during those hours.  After some discussion, it was agreed to bring up the issue at the next regular meeting of the Board on October 6.   

Ms. Annis said that there are only two small items on the agenda for October 6, a request for extension of time on a site plan review and a lot line adjustment.  She asked if the Board would approve looking at potential Zoning changes after these items have been addressed since the time is getting late for them.  It was agreed to add that item to the agenda.   

Ms. Annis said that Mr. Duhamel had resigned from his position as Chair of the CIP Committee and that Mr. Mical had agreed to continue with the work on it.  Mr. Mical reported that the CIP draft should be nearly complete by Tuesday and it will be sent to the Board members in their packets for the October 6 meeting.  He said that he hopes to continue that meeting to October 20 and hold the public hearing then.  He said that he hopes to meet with his committee within the next week.  

Ms. Annis asked if there was any other business.  There was none.  

Mr. Hartman MOVED to adjourn.  Mr. Violette, seconded.  The motion was PASSED unanimously.  The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.