STRATHAM PLANNING BOARD
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
Agenda: The
Town of Stratham, Planning Board conducted a Public Hearing on
2005
Capital Improvements Program.
Any
other business which may be appropriate to come before the Board.
a.
The Hills at
Crockett Farm
Members Present: Chairman
Ken Cornwell, Frank Catapano, Kirk Scamman, Bruno Federico, Janet Johnson, Mary
Jane Werner, and Town Planner, Charles (Chuck) Grassie. Mary Jane Werner arrived late to the meeting.
2005 Capital Improvements Program:
Town Administrator Paul
Deschaine was present to discuss the 2005 Capital Improvements Program (CIP). He passed out copies of the 2005 CIP
information to the Board members. He
explained the reasons for the CIP, and how he obtains the information to do the
projection. He went over the CIP in
detail. There were brief discussions
regarding the office technologies upgrade figure; the Municipal Center Space
Utilization Study; the signalization of Winnicutt Road/Portsmouth Avenue
because of the new Public Safety Complex; and playing field improvements. Highway Agent Fred Hutton said he would like
to put the purchase of a new 1-ton pickup truck with a plow back into the CIP
for this year, and gave his reasons.
There was a great deal of discussion on this request, the reasons for
moving the request for funds to 2007, and the Boards recommendations on the
funding. Mr. Federico made a motion to
move the projected funding for a 1-ton pickup truck with a plow from 2007 to
2006 and to increase the amount to $43,000.
Ms. Johnson seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
The Hills at Crockett Farm:
Mr. Grassie reminded the Board
about the issue that came up with the number of bedrooms vs. the number of
units allowed at the subdivision known as The Hills at Crockett Farm. He gave a brief outline of this issue. Mr. Grassie stated that the Town Attorney
Lynn Morse had reviewed this issue. Mr.
Morse had recommended that there be an amendment to the site plan which would
limit the development to no more than sixty four 4 bedroom units and no more
than seventy five total dwelling units.
He had submitted a proposed amendment, which would be recorded once
signed. Mr. Grassie indicated that
Attorney Malcolm McNeill, attorney for the applicant, had agreed to certain
conditions and the proposed amendment.
Mr. Grassie paraphrased the proposed amendment. There was a discussion on the proposed
amendment. Mr. Scamman made a motion to
amend the site plan for The Hills at Crockett Farm as reflected in the letter
from Attorney Malcolm McNeill dated
Other:
Mr. Grassie informed the Board
members that the 2005 Ballot Questions are in their packets for their review.
Mr. Deschaine noted that there
had been an inquiry into what the balances were for funds received from
different developers for Offsite Improvements that the Town is holding. He had
created a chart showing the information, which he distributed. He went over the chart in detail. There was a discussion on the information,
and where the money can and cannot be used.
Mr. Cornwell reminded the Board members that they need to decide
where to use the money received from the Vineyards/ Cabernet Builders.
Mr. Catapano mentioned that
there had been a heated discussion regarding the proposal to expand the General
Commercial Zone. He noted that there
had also been talk about forming a committee to work on this issue. Mr. Catapano said that Mark Sykas and Bob
Goodrich had indicated that they would like to be on the committee. Mr. Cornwell and Mr. Catapano would also like
to be on the committee. Mr. Cornwell
said Gordon Barker, Chairman of the Conservation Commission, had indicated that
there should be someone from the Conservation Commission on the committee. There was a discussion about who would be on
the committee, combining the expansion committee with the road committee, and
educating the public. Mr. Cornwell
stated that there was a news article in the newspaper last Thursday about this
issue. Marty Wool, from the audience,
commented that the Master Plan Committee should start meeting again. There was a discussion on scheduling a
meeting of the Master Plan Committee, who is on the committee, and getting more
new members on the committee. The Master
Plan Committee will meet next Wednesday,
Highway Agent Fred Hutton
brought up a problem that he has become aware of recently. He stated that at the Hills at Crockett Farms
Subdivision the electrical utilities, houses and mailboxes are set too close to
the road. That as well as the curbing,
makes it very difficult to plow snow. He
encouraged the Board to look very closely at these issues for any new
subdivisions. Mr. Hutton also indicated
that reduced sized lollipop cul-de-sacs are also causing problems when
plowing. Mr. Cornwell stated that he
would like to strongly suggest to the Selectmen that they hold a staff meeting
once a month with all department and board/committee/commission heads so
everyone is kept informed of what is going on in town.
Ms. Johnson made
a motion to adjourn at
Respectfully submitted,
Linda A. Beaudoin,
Secretary Stratham Planning Board