Washington Planning Board

Meeting Minutes

March 3, 2020

0.0       Assembly:  6:30PM, Town Hall

0.1       Members present: Hatch, Revane, Dulac, Crandall (phone) and Schwartz

            0.2       Alternates present: Chidester

0.3       Members and Alternates Absent: Kluk, Shifflett and Terani

0.4       Visitors: None

Hatch opened the meeting at 6:30 PM.

1.0       Minutes: February 4th meeting– There were no changes requested Dulac made a motion to approve as written, Revane seconded the motion and all voted in favor.

2.0       New Business: Hatch said that he spoke with Erik Shifflett, who informed him that he couldn’t continue as a PB Alternate. Hatch asked Dulac if he could continue as an alternate but he has another commitment that meets on the same night. We all thanked Dulac for his time on the board and as our RPC representative.

3.0       Old Business:

3.1       Ballots for the petitioned change to RV section 306.0 and the Noise Ordinance - Schwartz said there are 2 separate ballots for the petition and the Noise Ordinance. Hatch said that the petitioners have taken to social media to ask people not to vote for the change. Crandall asked if Hatch was going to make a statement before the polls are opened. Revane said the petitioners want to work with us next year to edit the section for next Town Meeting. Chidester asked what their concerns are. Revane said that it removes the other categories of permitted RV uses. Dulac said the other PB issue is that this would allow residency in a wheeled vehicle, which aren’t taxed like a home. Revane said there would be some upgrading of the property with utilities but the taxes wouldn’t go up much. Hatch said he will speak to the issue but avoid electioneering. He said the handout will explain our position. He will make a statement on the Noise Ordinance and will repeat what was written about it for the BoS minutes. Everyone was comfortable with that. He read his other statements for Town Meeting, mentioning the work on the LUO and the TCV subcommittee.

3.2       LUO review – Hatch read through Article V and we noted some edits and additions that need to be made, i.e. change the building permit to Land Use Compliance Permit where ever it is referenced and adding to 502.1 that a certificate of occupancy has been issued by the Select Board and under d. that all state building codes have been met. We read through Article VI and Revane said that the Health Officer asked that we look at 403.3 to change the time period to be designated by the Health Officer. We will consider this.

3.3       Town Center Vision project – Chidester said since there is no money for the walkway and driveway right now, do we want to keep them on the sketch plan? Schwartz said yes and we need to start the conversation. Schwartz said we will have the sketch on display at Town Meeting and solicit comments. Hatch should also state that there will be a public gathering this summer to work out ideas and a plan for the project. Hatch said that renovation of the School House is continuing and was part of the TCV subcommittee work followed up by the BoS. Revane said we should get estimates for the work we want done on the grounds and it can be budgeted for next year. Dulac said strategic planning is not new to this town and we have gotten a lot done, an overall plan is a good thing. Hatch said there is no emergency on this project and Crandall reminded him that DOT and Thayer are doing work this summer.

Schwartz said the TCV subcommittee is meeting tomorrow (Wednesday) morning.

3.4       Old Schoolhouse project update – Revane said the contractor for the annex is firm, they will put a new roof on the whole building, construct the annex, tie into the sprinkler system, do the electric, heat and plumbing. There will be underground wires to the SH and a tie-in to the generator and sprinkler system. He said they haven’t gotten the report from Eversource. They are considering a heat pump for the downstairs but will also hook up the furnace for backup. They will insulate downstairs and rehab the existing windows, maybe adding interior storms downstairs. They aren’t sure how far they will get this year with inside or siding. They will do the brick veneer on the foundation and put in granite steps out front. He reported that he looked into eliminating the pole by the Town Pound but the electrician said that the transformer (that is now on the pole) would have to sit on a poured pad on the ground. They didn’t think this would work at that location so we may be stuck keeping the pole.

3.5       Master Plan – this is a placeholder.

3.6       ZBA Report – Hatch said the ZBA met last week and they felt it was a successful outcome for the appeal. They started with 4 requested variances and got them down to 2 by suggesting some changes to the applicant. He said all members are going to attend the OSI spring conference on May 30^th. He said they are looking seriously at procedures.

3.7       UVLSRPC - Dulac passed out the latest e-bulletin from UVLSRPC. He said they have enjoyed having a representative from Washington and would like us to find another willing to serve. He thinks it is a good thing for the town to be represented. Hatch will consider it.

4.0       Driveway Permits:

4.1       David Barkie, Valley Road, TM 15-14 and 15-15. Hatch said that Barkie is seeking 2 driveway permits for abutting lots, where he is building houses. Hatch said the 911 numbers on the application were incorrect or missing. He said Ed checked the lots and had no problem with the locations. He also checked the lots and approved. Schwartz said we don’t need a 911 number to approve them; they are assigned after the driveway goes in. Hatch signed the permits. 

5.0       Mergers: None

6.0 Communications:

6.1       Intent-to-cut – Krone, Rte. 31 north, TM 7-51

7.0 Meeting date for next Planning Board meeting – April 7, 2020, at 6:30 PM at the Town Hall.

8.0 Adjournment:                      Time: 8:07PM

            Motioned by Revane, seconded by Dulac, all voted in favor.

Respectfully Submitted,  Nan Schwartz