Planning Board
Wednesday, May 8, 2024
Meeting Minutes
The Planning Board held a regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at Town Hall, 705 Chesham Road.
Members present: Ryan Stone Co-Chair, Kathy Scott Select Board Representative, Jonathan Miner, Don Scott, and Lisa Anderson. Absent: Courtney Cox Co-Chair; Peter Thayer
Attendees: Jon Buschbaum, Earl Horn, Barbara Watkins, Mary Day Mordecai, Ned Hulbert, Paul Clark
The meeting opened at 7:00 pm.
Agenda and voting members – Ryan Stone noted the voting members for the evening would include Ryan Stone, Jon Miner, Don Scott, Kathy Scott and Lisa Anderson. Members voted unanimously in favor to approve the agenda.
Minutes of previous meeting, 4/10 – Members voted unanimously in favor to approve the minutes.
Acceptance of application for a minor, 2-lot subdivision – Members acknowledged submission by Jon Buschbaum of Envirespect Land Services, on behalf of property owners Marcus Poisson and Ellen Hayes, of an application for a minor subdivision for Map 20 – Lot 2, a 32.84-acre lot off Cherry Hill Road and Sunfish Lane. The board noted the application would be reviewed for completeness and the applicant would be contacted within 7 days should any additional information be required.
Transportation Committee (TC) – Mary Day Mordecai and Transportation Committee representatives reiterated their proposal of last month to streamline TC reporting activities, due to the nature of the committee’s work over the last several years and due to membership transition. Much of the TC’s work, which is related to existing roads and improvements, has required Select Board approval and, as such, the TC requests a shift from dual reporting to both the PB and SB to reporting primarily to the SB. The TC proposes to still meet with the PB twice annually, or more if necessary, and welcomes a PB member on the TC. The committee is looking to save time for both the committee and the PB.
Having followed up on the PB’s request to research how other towns structure their Transportation Committees’ reporting relationship, Ms. Mordecai shared that, of the 10 towns asked, 7 of the Transportation Committees report to the Select Board, 1 reports to the PB, 1 reports to both the PB and SB, and one town did not respond.
The TC also checked with the Southwest Region Planning Commission on its process and organization on transportation issues. SWRPC’s board of directors does have a transportation advisory committee, which handles only regional projects but not anything related to Complete Streets. Harrisville is welcome on that committee but SWRPC isn’t sure it would help Harrisville, as the town is already in the loop through emails and meeting notices, and the Harrisville TC already works closely with SWRPC and consults with them for project advice. SWRPC further noted that most towns have staff members who handle transportation work and only one other area town, Keene, has a transportation committee.
Ryan Stone expressed concern that the TC has already reduced how frequently it meets with the PB. He prefers continuing communication given the upcoming Church and School Street project. Mr. Stone also noted concern with some of the Complete Streets processes, given the existing road standards and the importance of maintaining them. Kathy Scott stated her belief that transportation is a planning matter and advocated maintaining the line of reporting to the PB.
A lengthy discussion ensued, with PB and TC members presenting different perspectives. Subsequently, the co-chair called for a motion. Lisa Anderson moved that the PB change the Transportation Committee’s mechanism of functioning such that they report to the SB for oversight and continue communication with the PB on a regular/semi-annually or as needed basis and further to recommend PB representation by one or more members on the TC. Don Scott seconded. The vote was 3-2 against and did not pass.
Master Plan – no update on this topic.
Ordinance Review Committee – The board will keep the list of potential topics going and bring back to the PB for review at a later date.
PB Membership – Discussion tabled to a future meeting.
Housing topic – Volunteers Ned Hulbert and Paul Clark interviewed PB members to get a sense of their positions on the housing shortage in town, and what aspects of the town’s vision and goals, as outlined in the Master Plan, would present challenges to increasing available and affordable housing. Members focused on conservation/preservation, quality of life and sustainability and cost-effective public education as critical features of a strong and healthy community. All also agreed that supporting local food production, local farms and forestry, adding small businesses, and bringing back some manufacturing are critical to Harrisville’s viability.
The two volunteers shared a summary of a proposal which, initially, involves a conversation with as many people as possible on the topic, and works toward launching a housing project with a working group of 5-6 people. They hope a PB member will be part of it. Lisa Anderson expressed interest. SWRPC has offered support in conducting a survey. Mr. Clark and Mr. Hulbert will keep the PB posted.
Two agenda items for June will include the minor subdivision application hearing, and review of the major subdivision application and checklist forms.
Eversource request for public hearing – The PB agreed to have the Select Board host the public hearing with Eversource for tree trimming on town and scenic roads.
The meeting adjourned at 9:05 pm.