TOWN OF STODDARD

PLANNING BOARD

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD June 18, 2008

MEETING CONVENED AT 7:04 PM

 

Members attending included: Dale Smith, George Preston, Amy Rokoszak, Beverly Gay, Sandy Holland, Michael Oldershaw and Terry McMahon.

 

Correspondence: None

 

Minutes of previous meeting: None

 

Public rudimentary questions: None

 

General business: 7:00 Public Hearing on the National Flood Insurance Program.  Jennifer Gilbert from New Hampshire Office of Energy and Planning presented the basics of the NFIP and answered questions about the program.  She explained that the plan started about 40 years ago in 1968 as an agreement between the community and FEMA for affordable flood insurance.  Now, if the community does not participate in the program the only flood insurance available is with Lloyds of London, is hard to get and very expensive.  It represents between 2 and 3 times as expensive as flood insurance available from FEMA with community participation.  One attendee reported that he is paying $2,000. per year for his flood insurance now.  She estimates that the average flood plain insurance through FEMA is $800.00 per year with maximum building coverage of $250,000 and personal belongings of $100,000.  If a parcel is not in a flood plain and the owner wants coverage the average cost is $250.00 as preferred risk insurance.

She also explained that a non-participating community couldnÕt receive FEMA assistance for flood damage.

The requirements for insurance coverage include a building to be at or above the Ò100 yearÓ flood level.  The Selectmen are required to establish a permit to be issued for anyone to develop within a flood plain.

The benefits of participating in NFIP:

  1. All residents in a community are eligible to participate.
  2. FEMA mitigation grants are available.
  3. 70% of buildings built to FEMA specifications are less likely to be damaged during a flood.
  4. The building permit form must add a question – does the parcel lie in a flood plain.
  5. The Planning Board will adopt subdivision wording to include NFIP requirements.

The question of a pre-existing dwelling came up and Mrs. Gilbert said that with no substantial improvement (more than 50% of fair market value) that resident would be able to purchase the insurance and FEMA would subsidize the insurance premiums to allow affordable insurance.

A model ordinance for NFIP is in the Planning Board File and when it is adopted, by a Town Meeting, it must be sent to Jennifer Gilbert and she will make sure it includes all necessary wording.  She will then submit it to FEMA for enactment.  She said she has seen ordinances approved in as little as 2 weeks and not more than 30 days.

If a Community does not participate and there is a disaster, it has 6 months to get NFIP enacted after the Presidential declaration of a disaster in order to participate in FEMA advantages.

The public hearing ended at 7:48 PM.

 

Subdivision applications: None

 

Site Plan Review: The issue of Hayes Car and TruckÕs Site Plan Review site visit was addressed.  There has been no response from Michael Hayes, as yet.  The board decided to await his answer to the boardÕs letter requesting a site visit.  Dale Smith reported that he had followed up with NH DES, Underground storage division, and talked with Mitchell Looker.  Mr. Looker reported that an inspector has visited the site and ascertained that the floor drains were filled and the holding tank removed (referred to in a letter from NH DES – in the Hayes file).

 

Other business:  Dale Smith asked when the board would address the Growth Management and NFIP.

Terry McMahon referred to the CIP as an ongoing document, which needs a timeline for updating.  He also thought that Performance Standards Zones would be the way to make Ògood neighborsÓ to set standards such as no junk cars being allowed.  The board felt that budget time is the proper updating time.

George Preston asked the board to consider electing a chairman for the new year.  Dale Smith asked that the board wait until July 1, 2008 to address that issue.  The board agreed.

The new work session meetings were discussed.  Amy Rokoszak moved and Beverly Gay seconded to start at the beginning of the Community Planning Ordinance and work with the first few sections and then move forward at each session, the board approved.

 

Adjourned:  George Preston moved and Terry McMahon seconded to adjourn at 8:58 PM, the board approved.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Patricia E. Putnam

Secretary