Westmoreland Planning Board
Present: Jim Starkey, Bob Harcke, Bruce Smith, Lauren Bressett
Excused: Nancy Zeller, Laurie Burt
Vi Robinson will likely not present to the boards as it appears her two lots meet ordinances for her plans.
Panel Pro may want to come before the board regarding outside storage at their site in the Industrial Park
Jim Blake from the Conservation Commission talked with Lauren about the addition of more wetlands verification on the site plan checklist. The Commission is concerned that any residential construction should verify any potential wetlands issues before building. Lauren pointed out that most residential lots do not require planning board site review. She referred the Commission to the Zoning Administrator and Building Inspector who do review all potential construction in town.
Jim discussed potential conflict if the Burt’s have a hearing with the board and announced intentions to recuse himself from that hearing. Bruce announced that he would recuse himself if Panel Pro has a hearing. As Lauren will be at a conference during the August meeting, we will need to insure we have a quorum for any potential hearings. Lauren will have Elaine remind members that they must let her know if they cannot attend a meeting.
Jim asked if the Selectmen have verified terms of membership for the board. Lauren will follow up with Tina to get dates of appointment for all members. She will also request complete copies of the ordinances for board members.
Bob announced that Southwest Regional Planning is working on a template for towns to use to help consider Planned Unit Development. After some discussion about the pros and cons of clustered development, the board indicated interest in looking at what Southwest develops.
James Fredette came in for information regarding a potential
site plan review for a residential construction on
Peter Remy, Zoning Board stopped by to update the board on
the Myers special exception and some questions that were raised during their
hearing including the status of
The status of the town in reclassifying roads was discussed. The board directed the Chair to write a letter to the Selectmen requesting them to stop reclassification of roads until such time as verification can be provided showing that the town did indeed grant the authority to the selectman to reclassify roads. If verification cannot be provided, the board requests that the selectman petition the town to grant this authority at the next town meeting.
The minutes of the June meeting were approved as submitted.
Bruce Smith moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Jim
Starkey. All in favor.
Chairperson Lauren Bressett adjourned the meeting at
Respectfully submitted,
Elaine Moore
Planning Board Secretary
TO: Westmoreland Selectman
FROM: Westmoreland Planning Board
RE: Reclassification of Roads
The Planning Board respectfully requests that the Selectman cease reclassification of any roads in town until such time as they can provide verification to the Planning Board that the town did indeed grant such authority to the Selectman. After a board search of the Town Meeting Minutes, no granting of this authority could be found. Our concern is the legality of decisions made based upon these classifications.
If no verification of this authority can be provided, the Planning Board asks that the Selectmen petition the town for this authority at the next Town Meeting. Until either verification is provided or the Town grants this authority, no other road reclassification should be undertaken.
We thank you in advance for considering this request and await your response in this matter.
Lauren Bressett
Chair, Westmoreland Planning Board