WASHINGTON PLANNING BOARD

Town Center Vision Subcommittee – Working Meeting Minutes

November 22, 2019

Members Present: Lolly Gilbert, Jim Crandall, Ron Jager, Nan Schwartz and Noah Chidester

Also attending: None

Gilbert opened the meeting at 9 a.m. The meeting began with acceptance of the minutes of the previous meeting, as they had been sent out by Lolly Gilbert; no additions or corrections noted.

OLD BUSINESS:

1. Parking at the Center - Jim Crandall asked if we agree that there should be two drives to the rear parking lot. Jager wants to know what the neighbors think. Schwartz said that we should make sure the snowmobile trail is accommodated. We looked at Ed Thayer’s sketch with the approved driveway cut indicated. We discussed several scenarios for placement and traffic patterns. Gilbert thinks that if the existing drive can be improved a circular traffic is better. Chidester proposed coming down above the community garden and enter the parking area there. The drive needs to accommodate the handicap church parking. Schwartz suggested turning the church parking and widening it to work better with the drive. We all agreed that burying the utilities would be a good idea. Schwartz asked Chidester to look at that and talk to Thayer about it. Chidester asked about lighting in the rear, he suggested a few period appropriate lanterns like they have at the Library parking area. Gilbert asked about solar lights with sensors.

Chidester asked about the parking spaces in front near the church and Schoolhouse. We may remove some of this and grass it in. We agreed the parking area should be gravel. Chidester suggested delineating the edge of the parking area. We discussed the playground and a walkway up to he buildings from the parking area. We discussed the width of the road and decided a one-vehicle width is needed. We need to accommodate the fire trucks/rescue vehicle. Jager said esthetics are important and we agreed. Chidester said public wifi should be available near the playground area. He suggested adding a few trees in the rear for interest. We discussed the front of the common area and decided that the front drive could be narrowed to add a little more green space in front of the buildings. Chidester reminded us to think about snow removal and storage and that we should talk to Thayer about this. Schwartz asked Chidester to give the PB an invoice so we can pay him for his retainer.

2. Town Pound. Bert spoke with Rouse and Trimarco about what was done. They hoped that more of the stone-walls would be exposed. We thought that more of the south and west sides could be exposed. Crandall was hoping for fully exposed walls and putting a retaining wall for the parking area away from the pound (so you could see more of the wall). Ron had new wording for a proposed plaque for the site, which gives a brief history of the pound. He hopes we could come to a consensus on the pound. Gilbert likes the new wording. We will continue the discussion.

3. Historic walking tour – Gilbert said that she and Schwartz are meeting with Jean Kluk about the tour.

4. Town Entrance sign – The speed sign that Antrim has installed coming into town was mentioned and it was suggested that we look at one of those (it is solar powered). It gives your speed and asks you to slow down. Schwartz will look into this type of sign and may speak with Thayer about it.

NEW BUSINESS -- None

Next Meeting: December 18^th at 9:00 a.m.

The meeting adjourned at 10:40 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Nan Schwartz, Planning Board Secretary