Washington Planning Board
Public Hearing Minutes
June 2, 2015
0.0 Assembly: 6:30PM
0.1
Members
present: Cook, Crandall, Schwartz, Williams
0.2 Alternates
present: Kluk, Terani
0.3
Members and
Alternates Absent: Marshall,
Dagesse, Dulac, Russell
0.4
Visitors: Lolly
Gilbert, Carolyn Bullock, Kathy West, Kitty West, Gwen Gaskell, Pete Martin,
Diana Hanssen, Steve Hanssen, Jack Sheehy, Joan Sheehy, Christopher Krone, Tara
Van Meter, Jon Gibson, John Butcher, Michael Kluk, Dennis Kelly, Al Krygeris,
Mary Krygeris, Andrew Hatch, Jed Schwartz
1.0 Crandall
called the Public Hearing to order at 6:30PM.
He
welcomed the public and explained that this is a public hearing on the six
Master Plan Update chapters and Vision Statement. He explained that the
pictures used on the cover of the document are some of the paintings done by
Washington Elementary School students last year for the Community Workshop and
depict what Washington means to them. Crandall spoke about why we are updating
the Master Plan, touching on guiding growth, state RSAÕs that recommend
updating every 5 to 10 years and providing planning guidance for the town. He
mentioned the Community Survey and Community Workshop components of the update
that took place in 2013 and 2014. He listed the chapters that will comprise the
finished Master Plan and what they will contain. He said that this hearing is
the publicÕs chance to have input on the Vision Statement and the specific
goals and recommendations for the six drafted chapters.
He
gave the public time to read over the Vision Statement in the handout and asked
for comments. There being no comments, he turned the
presentation over to Jean Kluk to run through the draft chapters. He stated
that if anyone had comments to make after the hearing, they could email them to
the Planning Board or contact a member.
Kluk
then introduced the chapters. Kitty West had a comment on zoning, she said we
have one zone now and she doesnÕt think we need to change that. Crandall said
that he realizes zoning is a bad word for some people but 8 to 1 people wanted
separate lot sizes for different uses (75% were in favor of this approach
according to the survey).
Kluk read
through the goals for the Land Use and Zoning Chapter and asked for comments on
them. Kitty West asked about what would be considered appropriate commercial
development. Kluk answered that it would be a business that didnÕt conflict
with the rural character and the neighborhood. West asked about a Laundromat.
Kluk said the board would have to consider the location and appropriateness for
the location in addition to other considerations. Jon Gibson commented that in
the May Planning Board minutes a suggestion was made that we would not want to
have a Heritage Commission in Washington. Kluk said that we are still considering
one and it is talked about in the Cultural/Historic chapter of the Master Plan.
He said that the summary states that history is important to the town. Kluk
pointed out the ÒConstraints to DevelopmentÓ map displayed at the back of the
room.
Next
she covered the Natural Resources Chapter goals and there were no comments
made.
Economic
Development was next and Kitty West asked about the townÕs uniqueness. Kluk
said that the town is rich in its own history, there are unique artisans that
live in town and we should embrace all that is special in town. We have the
highest (altitude) town center in the state. Gwen Gaskell mentioned the Civil
War Monument. Kluk said that we can utilize these to
our benefit. Gibson asked about communications and how could we pressure the
phone company to bring in faster broadband service. Kluk said that we are
covering this issue in the Utilities Chapter. Schwartz said that fast fiber
service is available on Washington Drive, as a trial for Granite State
Communications and they may expand it to more in town. Dennis Kelly said that
there is a federal movement to improve broadband in rural regions, such as
ours.
Kluk read
through the goals of the Recreation Chapter and no comments were made.
She then
presented the Cultural and Historical Resources Chapter goals and pointed out
that there was a map of the cultural and historic sites at the back of the
room. Kitty West asked about the preservation of cellar holes. Kluk said they
are a historical resource and feels it would be worthwhile to survey and
inventory them. She was at a session at the NHOEP Planning Conference where the
NH Historic Alliance said they have a program where they will come out to train
volunteers to do inventories of sites. Steve Hanssen mentioned that dam sites
are also historic sites and should be noted. Kelly said that there is a problem
when property rights can interfere with inventorying of historic sites. Kluk
said that it would be discussed with owners and their thoughts would be
respected. Jack Sheehy said that you could identify them without saying where
they are. Pete Martin commented that there is always a danger of treasure
hunters taking artifacts from a site. Gaskell said that much of this
information is in the Historical Society Building in a notebook and they have
maps and pictures that you can look at. She offered to take anyone interested
on a tour of the Historic Society building and Museum. It is full of
educational items and there is a pictorial tour of old Washington. They have
changing displays and she invites everyone to appreciate what is available by
visiting often. Andrew Hatch asked about the ordering and priority of the goals
in each chapter. Kluk said we would come up with a priority list of goals when
we are all done.
Kluk read
the Population Chapter goal and asked for comments. She pointed out the chart
of demographic information at the back of the room. Dianna Hanssen commented
that she was fascinated reading this chapter and the information in it, Kluk
agreed.
Kluk said
that there is some repetition in the chapters because they all interrelate.
There is a common theme of town communication and collaboration between town
boards.
She then
covered the next steps in the process of finishing up the Master Plan update,
which include considering public input from this evening, continuing to draft
the rest of the chapters, then implement the recommendations over the next 10
years. Kitty West asked how we would do that. Crandall said that our plan is to
have an all town boards meeting and divvy up goals and recommendations to the
appropriate town boards/committees/commissions. Kluk said that if there are
things that are near and dear to your heart, you should attend meetings and
speak with the boards and give your input. West said that means she should
attend a Planning Board meeting because she is interested in zoning. She said
we now have 4 acre zoning but there are over 1000 lots under 2 acres that are
grandfathered. She wanted to know how we can stop
creating new ones. Kluk commented that not all the small lots are buildable.
Steve Terani commented that we need young people more involved in town affairs.
Gibson asked about when the Master Plan Update Committee meets and whether they
are public. Kluk said they are always public and posted and our next meeting is
Wednesday, June 16th at 2PM.
Kelly
said he has travelled all of New England and no one knows where Washington is, he thinks promotion is a mixed blessing.
Kluk
introduced the Master Plan Update Committee members – Lolly Gilbert, Carolyn
Bullock, Annie Bissonnette, Bob Williams, Steve Terani, Jim Crandall, herself,
Jean Kluk, as chair and Nan Schwartz as co-chair.
Crandall
stated that we would continue to take comments from the public and the
recommendations are still as work-in-progress. Kluk said that we might try to
include things we have accomplished each year in the TownÕs Annual Report.
Hatch asked about the timeline for the completion of the rest of the Mater
Plan. Kluk said we would continue to draft the rest of the chapters this summer
and hold another public hearing in September, with an all boards meeting in the
fall. Hatch asked if we might do a presentation at Town Meeting. Both Crandall
and Kluk thought that was a great idea.
Crandall
thanked the public for coming and closed the public hearing at 7:12PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Nan Schwartz