Westmoreland Planning Board
Members present: Nancy Zeller, Bob Harcke, Bruce Smith, Jim Starkey, Russ Austin, Lauren Bressett. Excused absence: Laurie Burt
In Laurie’s absence Bob agreed to serve as acting chair, Lauren as acting secretary.
The August minutes were corrected as follows:
· In fourth paragraph, move last 2 sentences (Jim made………..Russ second……..) to a separate paragraph.
· Move first sentence of sixth paragraph to become last sentence of fifth paragraph. Also in sixth paragraph start with “The hearing was opened to abutters and the public.”
· Change second & third sentences to “Walter and June Derjue made comments in reference to runoff from steep slope and concern of their spring which is about 50’ from property line. They also were concerned about the existing steep driveway.”
· Also in same paragraph correct next sentences to read “George Duke made comments in reference to erosion and asked if this should be submitted to the conservation commission.”
· Page 2 first paragraph, after 8th sentence begin new paragraph with “Discussion on the plan included that there will be 1 or 2 employees and”
·
Change motion sentence to read “Jim moved,
Pam Martens raised an issue in reference to the July minutes,
third paragraph as noted in August correction. Martens states that Pam Wallace
made the site visit with Michael Cersosimo, not Andrew
Geffert, and at the time was told that the buffer was
200 feet from the property line. She suggested that Pam Wallace be contacted in
reference to this in order to set the record straight. Jim moved,
Old Business
Russ noted that there continues to be an error in the May 13 minutes – it should be noted that the minutes accepted at this meeting were the April 8th minutes. Correction was approved.
Russ also discussed the board Secretary position. The Selectmen have not made any progress in filling this position. The Selectmen feel that it should be a resident. Lauren said that in conversation with the LGC (local government center) it is apparent that the position should be filled by a person that can have regular access to the town hall and that the majority of active records be kept at the office. Lauren noted that an option to working at the town office is duplication of records but that becomes an unwieldy task on active files where things are constantly being updated. Russ stated that the Selectmen feel that the position should be filled with a resident. Pam Martens stated that residency should not be an issue, any candidate should be considered. The Selectmen feel personal contact with possible candidates is the best recruiting tool. Bob Harcke noted that the planning board voted previously that the position be advertised. Feeling of the board is that the position needs to be advertised and we ask the Selectmen to follow through with this.
Russ also stated that Gary Hudson reported that there is one culvert and one driveway that were installed without permit or approval. The Selectmen are following up.
Russ reported that Mary Ellen Russell called and needs their site plan map in order to make the Mylar for filing, Lauren will follow up with where the location of the map is currently.
Gary Hudson drafted Road, Bridge, and Culvert Standards. The Selectmen have reviewed it and are requesting our comments. The Board requests a month to review it and will put it on the agenda for the October meeting.
Pam Martens raised the issue of what she said was a 30 day extension of Cersosimo hearing. The board clarified that the extension was pending the outcome of the appeal to the Zoning Board. Pam then raised the issue of whether the appeal was filed in a timely manner and if the appeal was scheduled. She also asked why she was not informed in accordance with her right to know request to the Selectmen. A discussion between Pam and Russ as selectman ensued. Bob Harkay requested that Pam bring her issues to the Selectmen as the board had other issues to attend to. Pam stated that these issues relate to board performance.
The Board continued with their review of ordinances. We started with 403. Ordinances marked for further discussion were: 403, 413, 414. We ended with 414. Bruce Smith also pointed out that we need to verify what is online and being given out at the town offices and whether these the most current version.
Jim asked for clarification of RSA 36 A and the purpose and functions of the conservation commission. The board reviewed the statutes as to the definition of the conservation commission.
The board also discussed the filling of the alternate board position. No suggestions for candidates were made.
The meeting adjourned at
Lauren Bressett
Acting Secretary
Unapproved minutes