TOWN OF STODDARD
PLANNING BOARD
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD January 5, 2010
MEETING CONVENED AT 7:00 PM
Members attending included: Ruth Ward, Terry McMahon, George Preston, Dale Smith, Sandy Holland, Harry Power and Margo Santoro, alternate. Excused were Beverly Gay and Robert Fee. Margo Santoro was invited to fill in for Robert Fee.
Correspondence: various emails from George Preston and Ruth Ward; letter from Silas Little re: Shot Clock rule concerning Cell Towers.
Minutes of previous meeting: Terry McMahon moved and Dale Smith seconded to approve the minutes of December 1, 2009 as presented, the board approved. Terry McMahon moved and Dale Smith seconded to approve the minutes of December 15, 2009 as corrected, the board approved. The correction made was that Harry Power, not Terry McMahon, suggested a separate warrant article for the Deliberative Democracy project.
Public rudimentary questions: None
Old Business:
- Discussion was held on the Deliberative Democracy Project and it was generally agreed to include the fee in the 2010-2011 budget with the idea that a Grant might fund it. Harry Power is in favor of addressing the updates to Site Plan Review, Community Planning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations prior to investing considerable time and money in the Deliberative Democracy Project. Dale Smith felt the project wouldn’t change the general suspicion of boards in town. Sandy Holland has a problem with how to get people to attend and participate in the process. Margo Santoro recalled a similar program held in Mason where the survey scared landowners into subdividing their parcels because they felt the process would bar them from doing so in the future. She reported a very sad experience from the process.
Terry McMahon said there was no survey involved in the DD Project. It was merely to encourage residents with differing opinions to get together and discuss those opinions s the board will be informed of these opinions and craft ordinances that will allow the participants to feel comfortable with the results.
- Final draft of the budget was agreed upon and is ready to submit to the Selectmen when requested to do so.
- March 20, 2010 Public Hearing on National Flood Insurance Program, Sexually Oriented Business and Dark Sky Ordinance was recalled. Dale Smith will present the National Flood Insurance Program Ordinance, Robert Fee will present the Sexually Oriented Business Ordinance and Beverly Gay will submit the Dark Sky Ordinance for final board approval before the March 20th date and the board will familiarize themselves on each ordinance to be able to answer questions at the public hearing.
- The status of the Hayes Car and Truck Site Plan was investigated. Just driving by it is hard to decide if a tree planting has been accomplished. Terry McMahon said he has observed a few evergreen trees that might be the required plantings. Margo Santoro agreed to visit Mike Hayes and learn where the trees have been placed and try to get a picture for the Hayes’ folder.
- Status of the Town and City Magazine subscriptions: They were budgeted for the next fiscal year so there will not be any issues prior to the passing of the budget in May. The Record Retention Committee has not met to work on that issue as of today. Terry McMahon reported on the pilot issue of the Planning Board Quarterly Newsletter. He has requested input from the various boards and committees in town and has had response from a few. The board was notified that the Selectmen want to review the content of such newsletters prior to them being released. After heated discussion, Terry McMahon agreed to submit the draft of his newsletter to the Planning Board for their approval and then to run it by the Selectmen for their review.
- Reconciling the Stoddard regulations and Ordinances to changes in state law brought George Preston to move and Ruth Ward to second the establish a subcommittee to review the current Site Plan Review regulations and to report back to the full board, the board agreed. The subcommittee is made up of Ruth Ward, Harry Power and Dale Smith.
New Business:
1. Each member of the board was given a copy of the Attorney’s letter concerning a “Shot Clock” rule in a declaratory ruling by the Federal Communications Commission. A quick review showed that any future applications for Cell Tower applications must meet the new 150-day period of time to act on new applications. This 150-day period starts at the date of filing.
2. Harry Power reported on the Workforce Housing ruling where the State decreed that every town must provide workforce housing that will allow, for an example, a family of 4, earning $70,000 (aprox & rounded off), to acquire reasonable housing for not more than 30% of their income. He figured that out to mean that they could afford a house of $280,000. with a 30-year mortgage allowing for $200/month for taxes, $70/month for insurance leaving $1545/month for mortgage payment @ 6% interest currently available (approx & rounded off). As most houses in Stoddard are assessed under that level and the New Hampshire Housing Financing has ruled that $236,000. is the max. in Cheshire County. He noted that Stoddard is well under that max.
Dale Smith reported that he has attended a Municipal law Lecture where the issue really was for new homes in subdivisions to have some homes that are affordable under the formula Harry Power laid out. Harry also pointed out that Stoddard allows cluster housing, which might make a single home affordable under the workforce housing criteria.
Subdivision applications: None
Site Plan Review: None
Other business: None
Secretary’s Cumulative Hours: 17.50
Adjourned: Harry Power moved and George Preston seconded to adjourn at 8:30 PM, the board approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia E. Putnam
Secretary