The Harrisville Planning Board held its regular monthly meeting at the town office building located on Chesham Road on Wednesday, January 10, 2018.

Meeting called to order at 7:00 pm.

Members present: Sherry Sims, Ned Hulbert, Ryan Stone Alternate, Andrew Maneval Selectman, Heri Tryba, Craig Thompson Alternate, Courtney Cox, Pete Thayer Alternate, Noel Greiner Alternate

Members absent: Lisa Marie Anderson Alternate, Jonathan Miner Selectman Alternate

Members of the public: Carol Ogilvie, Winston Sims, John Cucchi, Anne Cucchi

Attendance and voting members
The voting members present were Ned Hulbert, Sherry Sims, Andrew Maneval, Heri Tryba and Courtney Cox.

Approval of Agenda
After presentation of the agenda by Ned Hulbert, Noel Greiner moved to approve. Andrew Maneval seconded. All voted in favor.

Minutes of previous meeting 12/13/17, special meeting 1/3/18 and Jaquith Road 12/16/17
Noel Greiner moved to approve the minutes of December 13, 2017. Andrew Maneval seconded. All voted in favor. Following Sherry Sims’s discussion of the December 16 visit by Ned Hulbert, Courtney Cox and Ms. Sims to inspect the O’Neil gravel pit on Jaquith Road, which is in its final year of excavation on a non-renewable contract and remains in compliance, Ms. Cox motioned to approve the minutes of the visit. Mr. Hulbert seconded. All voted in favor. Subsequently, Noel Greiner moved to approve the special meeting minutes of January 3, 2018. Ryan Stone seconded. All voted in favor.

Voluntary Merger:  Pamela Worden, Skatutakee Rd. Map 30, Lots 51-1, 87, 32-1
          Item deferred until next month as Pamela Worden was unable to attend.

Excavation Rte 137, Map 10, Lot 6

Sherry Sims updated the board on her discussions with Steve Buckley and Silas Little. The PB then discussed RSA 155(E), including the permitting from the PB that may be required under this RSA, and the proper procedure required of the owner/excavator based on the history of the operation and the necessary documentation which the owner is obligated to provide. Sherry Sims noted that she believes an overlay USGS map would indicate that the property sits atop a major aquifer in East View. She notified the board of the letter she sent to the excavator and property owner, Hillsborough Aggregates, requesting copies of necessary documentation and that she had not yet received a response.
Andrew Maneval, after more thoroughly reviewing RSA 155 (E), recommended that an additional letter be sent to supplement Ms. Sims’s, clarifying the burden of proof and obligations of the excavator. He shared a draft with the board, explaining that, under the statute, should the owner seek an exemption from the permitting process, he needs to furnish a report detailing excavation and reclamation plans. Mr. Maneval also noted that the exempt status can be lost by virtue of abandonment and read aloud the relevant language pertaining to this and other requirements related to any expansion of operations. Mr. Maneval then moved that, subject to Ms. Sims’s confirmation of the propriety of the letter with town counsel, the PB send the letter to the new owners of the subject property. Sherry Sims seconded. The board then further discussed specific language within RSA 155 (E), including language related to reclamation standards and plans and the PB’s rights and duties, and proposed additions or edits to the letter. Ms. Sims confirmed she would consult with the town attorney and, subsequently, all voted in favor of Mr. Maneval’s motion.

CIP Master Plan Infrastructure Items: Potential Warrant Article
Members discussed their views of the PB’s involvement with CIP priorities as they relate to the Master Plan and the best approach to ensuring the PB’s priorities are considered. After a lengthy discussion, members agreed that, given that ongoing collaboration and communication with the SB on infrastructure items is the most effective way to help implement PB priorities, at this time proposing a warrant article as a means of furthering Master Plan related goals was not recommended.  No action was taken.

Community Conversation
          Ned Hulbert suggested holding off on deciding the topic for the next Community Conversation and resuming discussion in April. All agreed.

Transportation Committee
Ned Hulbert stated that members would meet with the Select Board tomorrow night, January 11, to present the Complete Streets Resolution recently adopted by the PB for a hoped-for endorsement and commitment by the SB. Mr. Hulbert emphasized that the document is not a mandate but guidelines for addressing important transportation issues for the town, including crosswalks, intersections, a possible transportation center and other ideas. He also stated he believes the town’s endorsement of the resolution would put the town in a better position to obtain grant money for projects. Ms. Sims offered that the recent collaboration with the DOT to have white lines painted on the state roads was an example of the productive work to come out of Complete Streets. Members discussed the level of commitment, financial and otherwise, required or not, if the resolution is adopted by the SB.
PB returned to last month’s discussion of the idea of a $5 vehicle tax to raise money for a transportation fund, an idea which was not formally taken to the SB.  The Transportation Committee discussed it further at its meeting this week. Based on those discussions, Sherry Sims moved that PB vote not to pursue the $5 vehicle tax at this time, in accordance with the wishes of the Transportation Committee. Heri Tryba seconded. All voted in favor.

Updates
Water Protection – Given the transition of membership on the board and current workload, members agreed to put further work of a water protection committee on hold until spring. Ms. Sims noted that the interest in water protection is widespread and that, over the next six months and year, assessment of current zoning ordinances related to this subject will give the PB a better perspective on its focus. Winston Sims offered that he would provide a proposed outline for discussion for a Community Conversation on watershed and related issues. Mr. Hulbert stated the subject would be put on the May agenda.
January 3, 2018 Organizational Review – Beyond noting Ms. Sims’s summary provided in her meeting minutes, there was no further discussion.
Zoning Ordinance / Carol Ogilvie – Mr. Maneval stated he believes the priority should be the actual drafting and not a focus on the procedural matters, given all understand the work involved in communicating any proposed changes and soliciting feedback. He believes input from the consultant would most helpful on the drafting and offering insight into best regulation practices based on other towns’ ordinances and processes. PB agreed, assuming the warrant article allowing for the budgetary resources would pass, that it would address the focus of Ms. Ogilvie’s work at an upcoming agenda preparation meeting. The group then discussed the options for moving forward and that the proposal put forth by Ms. Ogilvie was a good starting point. Additionally, PB discussed the original charge of the ordinance subcommittee and how this committee should be integrated with the proposed work of the consultant. PB then agreed to set a date for an agenda preparation meeting for the February meeting, inviting anyone on the ordinance subcommittee to participate as well. The date was set for January 31. Mr. Maneval added that the SB scheduled a budget meeting for February 1 at 6:30 pm.

As a final matter, PB expressed deep appreciation to Heri Tryba for his dedication and valuable input and contribution to the PB over the years. This was Mr. Tryba’s last meeting as a member of the board.

Meeting adjourned at 9:12 pm.