Harrisville Planning Board
Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, February 12, 2020
The Harrisville Planning Board held its regular monthly meeting at the town office building located on Chesham Road on Wednesday, February 12, 2020.
Meeting called to order at 7:00 pm.
Members present– Ryan Stone Co-Chair, Lisa Anderson Co-Chair, Peter Thayer, Courtney Cox, Don Scott alternate, Ned Hulbert, Andrea Hodson Selectboard Representative, Kate Neary Alternate, Jon Miner Alternate
Members absent– Noel Greiner
Voting members
Ryan Stone noted that the voting members for the meeting included himself, Lisa Anderson, Ned Hulbert, Courtney Cox and Andrea Hodson.
Agenda
Following agreement to move up the items PB Membership and Broadband update, members voted to approve the agenda as distributed.
Minutes of previous meeting 1/15/2020
Lisa Anderson moved to approve the minutes as written. Pete Thayer seconded. All voted in favor.
New members
PB Chairs welcomed new Alternate Members Kate Neary and Jon Miner. A training session with review of orientation materials will be scheduled.
Proposed Zoning Amendments for Town Meeting Ballot
LisaAnderson noted that only grammatical changes were made since the PB last reviewed and recommended the amendments be forwarded for ballot vote. During discussion on how best to distribute the complete text of the amendments to the public in advance of Town meeting, the group agreed they should be included as part of the printed Town Report, as a sample copy of the ballot also is done. The Ordinance Review Committee will try to have volunteers available to answer questions at the entrance to Town Meeting.
Planning Board budget
Ryan Stone noted that the Select Board has agreed to the proposed PB budget as submitted, with the line item for professional services to be $2,500.
PB resource materials
Ned Hulbert and Courtney Cox will install the wall rack so that resource materials can be moved from the upstairs filing cabinet into the downstairs meeting room for easier access.
Town Meeting, Tuesday 3/10
Members reviewed the draft Warrant Articles as prepared by the Select Board. Andrea Hodson explained the proposed budget. Lisa Anderson, speaking for herself and for neighbors, expressed concerns related to the proposed purchase by the town of the gravel pit on Jaquith Road, including concerns about noise, reclamation of excavated land, and commitment of future Select Boards to the intentions of the current board. Andrea Hodson and Ned Hulbert encouraged Ms. Anderson to attend the next SB meeting to discuss these concerns. The PB would like to see a workable solution for all as members understand the value such a purchase could be for the town, both for road material and any future use once gravel operations ceased. Ms. Hodson also noted proposed Warrant Article number 8 , which proposes creating a capital reserve fund for management and reclamation which could involve a working plan. Mr. Hulbert emphasized the importance of continued dialogue between the PB and the SB on this matter.
PB agenda in the year ahead
Members discussed that priority areas in 2020 will include continued Ordinance Review and Transportation Committee work, review of the Master Plan Vision Statement, and continued updating of PB application forms.
Broadband update
Two bond hearings and public benefit hearings on the broadband improvement project are scheduled for Thursday, February 13, at 6:00 pm and Thursday, February 20, at 6:00 pm. Both are at town offices.
At 8:50 pm, members moved and voted unanimously in favor to adjourn.