PLANNING BOARD MEETING

April 10, 2007 - 7:30pm Town Hall

MINUTES

Presiding:  Jeff Miller, Ch.

Members Present:  Chas. Miller, Selectman, Henry Fletcher, Eric Merklein, Robert Miller, V-Ch., David DeCoste, Ben Daviss, Fred Dill, alt.

Recording:  Pamela Aslinger, alt. and Secretary

These minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed at the May 8, 2007 meeting for error, omissions and corrections. (There were over 25 persons in attendance.)

I.            Meeting opened at 7:35pm

            A.  No alternates were designated. All members were present.

            B.  Minutes from March 13th and 27th were approved as presented.

C.  Membership:  Jeff Miller was nominated for Chairman for one year the vote was unanimously in favor.  Bob Miller was nominated for Vice Chairman for on year the vote was unanimously in favor.  Ch. Miller announced Mr. David Edkins has resigned his alternate position effective immediately.  Ch. Miller nominated Shane O’Keefe as alternate for 2 years the vote was unanimously in favor.  Ch. Miller nominated Jeff White as alternate for 1 year the vote was unanimously in favor.  Ch. Miller nominated Pamela Aslinger as alternate for 3 years the vote was unanimously in favor.  New members received a membership binder and were asked to be sworn in prior to the next meeting, Sec. Aslinger will notify the Town Clerk and prepare a new contact list.  V-Ch. Miller prefers the Board use a rotational designation of alternates, when required, as a general procedural policy depending on who has attended prior meetings and minus any conflicts.

II.            Review application submitted:  Alyson’s Orchard Inc./Robert Jasse - Minor 3 lot subdivision  Purpose is to re-configure Lot 1 of 13.75 acres and Lot 2 of 11.01 acres to include “conservation areas” and create new Lot 3 “not to be developed” of 13.03 acres accessed by a 50 ft. ROW across Lot 1.  Mr. Joe DiBernardo of DiBernardo Assoc. presented.  The application materials were duly received and complete.  A motion was made and seconded to accept the application as complete, motion carried. located on Wentworth Rd., Map 5 Lot 2-9 in the Rural Ag. zone.

III.       Ch. Miller closed the meeting and opened the Public Hearing.  Mr. Joe DiBernardo described the intent and pointed out the delineations on the map for the Board and public, noting Lot 3 “not to be developed” has no frontage but a 50ft. ROW across Lot 1 and the conservation areas on Lot 1 and 2 both with required frontage.  Ch. Miller liked seeing the conservation land designated.  He called for questions.  Mr. Steve Donovan abutter asked how long Lot 3 would remain undeveloped?  Answer was for as long as it does not have the required frontage.  Mr. Donovan owns the only possible frontage.  Mr. Jasse agreed, however, if he were to acquire frontage it could be developed.  Ch. Miller said if so, the plans would be brought before the Planning Board again to go through required reviews, abutters would be notified and a Public Hearing held.  Being no further questions -

IV.       Ch. Miller closed the Public Hearing and re-opened the meeting.

V.         Action on Alyson’s Orchard Inc./Robert Jasse - Being no further questions or discussion from the Board a motion to approve the subdivision as presented was made and seconded.  Motion carried unanimously.   The maps and mylar were signed.  Mr. DiBernardo agreed to record the mylar at the County Registry of Deeds.

Walpole Planning Board Minutes 4/10/07 page 2

VI. VII.Unfinished Business - Site Plan Review Amendment, Meeting Closed Public Hearing Opened - Ch. Miller stated the hearing had been tabled from the March 13, 2007 meeting due to a legal question from Attny. Tom Hanna regarding whether the Board could place this type of wording within the Site Plan Review as opposed to the Zoning Ordinance.  Sec. Aslinger reported she had contacted the NH Municipal Association’s legal department who offered their opinion - since the wording conformed to what is allowable under the site plan review regulations and because it could be waived in certain circumstances they felt the Board could go forward with the amendment as written and hold the public hearing.  They suggested the Board propose a companion zoning amendment sometime in the future.  Ms. Aslinger read aloud the wording for the public, see hearing notice.  Ch. Miller called for questions.

Mr. Shane O’Keefe asked if a water body is considered open space?  Ms. Aslinger and others thought it could be seen as allowable in the wording but noted the wording states “undeveloped”.  Because the amendment is within the Site Plan Review regs, if a situation came before the Board where a retention pond or existing pond was within a development, depending on the circumstances the Board has the discretion of waiving the restriction based on an entire projects merits.  She said the Board would need determine if a “manmade” retention pond was considered “undeveloped open space”.  Being no further comments Ch. Miller closed the Public Hearing and re-opened the Meeting.

VIII.    Board discussion/action on Site Plan Review amendment:  Ch. Miller said because the amendment is to the Site Plan Review regulations the Planning Board can approve it without the vote of the Town after holding a public hearing unlike a Zoning Ordinance amendment that requires placement on the official warrant for a town vote.  A motion to approve the amendment to the Site Plan Review under Section VIII General Standards: B. “Undeveloped Open Space Standards” in its final form was made and seconded.  Motion carried unanimously.  Sec. Aslinger will incorporate the change into the regulation and distribute amended copies.

IX.       New Business - Preliminary Review - Applications

            A.  Board of Selectmen - Bandstand Town Project - Selectman Sawyer read from a letter presebted to the Planning and Zoning Boards stating their authority to determine whether either of the two Town projects on the Walpole Common were substantial changes in use or substantial new uses.  The Selectmen made the determination that neither project would require land use board review due to their governmental use on government property and are not substantial changes in use or new uses.  According to NH RSA’s the Selectmen have been given the authority to accept these two gifted projects and the Bandstand has been voted on by the Town.  He said the RSA’s allow for the Planning Board to make comments on the placement or to make other suggestions, but they are non-binding and since the Town voted in favor of it the Selectmen are basically keeping the Board informed only.  He asked Mr. Bailey for comment.  Mr. Bailey’s attorney, Mr. Casper presented a 4 page simple drawing showing the bandstand building, noting it was slightly smaller than the 20 x 32 Town approved size.  He described it being located on the southerly side of the flagpole with 45 ft. being the centerline of the flagpole and bandstand.  Ch. Miller asked if there would be any plantings around the base of the building, answer was no, the base would be skirted with lattice or wood.  Mr. Bailey said he didn’t want to interfere with an Eagle Scout’s volunteer plantings discussed at previous Selectmen’s meetings.  Mr. Bob Miller asked about lighting and electricity.  Mr. Bailey said it would be lighted and house two ceiling fans, on locked switches.  He said the building would be the same size as the rented tents minus the poles in order to accommodate the largest usual band.  Mr. Merklein asked if the project would be reviewed under Site Plan Review?  Answer was no, Town projects on governmentally owned land are not required to meet either zoning or land use requirements.  Ch. Miller said, in the past the Selectmen have decided to go through the Site Plan Review process even though it is not required because it has been useful in some cases. Also because of  

Walpole Planning Board Minutes 4/10/07 page 3

significant changes to property such as the recycling center  impacting the abutting landowners.  He said in this case it is a substantial change but the Selectmen are determined to do what they want, so this is only a comment period given to the Planning Board to keep it informed.  Mr. Merklein requested care be taken not to have excessive lighting disturb the neighborhood.  Ch. Miller confirmed it would be interior lighting only, no security lighting.  Ch. Miller asked about the maintenance and if the Town was willing to do the upkeep?  Attny. Casper said a maintenance trust was being set up to cover the costs in accordance with Article 20 voted on by the Town. 

Selectmen Sawyer updated the Board on the new Veteran’s Memorial.  In order to put it in the best place, it will need to be more south of the existing hedge footprint.  The Christmas tree will be removed and a new tree planted at the north end of the Common hopefully kept in better shape than the current one with trimming etc.  Attny. Casper said the Women of Walpole had been contacted earlier in the day and ok’d the removal and replanting of a Christmas tree.  Mr. Sawyer said the sycamore tree given in memory of Guy Bemis is diseased and will need to be replaced, which is their intention but the best place to put it involves a large cistern so they are not sure.  Ch. Miller asked if there was a final overall design plan for the Veteran’s Memorial?  Attny. Casper said the design had been set in stone for a couple of months.  Ch. Miller said he knew the monument design was determined but was asking about the placement, asked about benches, cannons, direction?  Attny. Casper said there would be no benches and the cannons would return.  David DeCoste asked for clarification of whether the new memorial was going to be on the same footprint as the old one but being moved?  Ch. Miller said he understood the Christmas tree and the Memorial were switching places.  Mr. Sawyer said it would be the same but bigger and the direction changed and moved more southerly.  Mr. DeCoste said he understood it to be placed in the exact same footprint, the new stones put in where the old hedge was, but facing the Christmas tree and flagpole.  He said he could understand if people wanted it that way, but it would be nice to know exactly what it was going to look like.  Attny. Casper said it would be larger than the old single monument/tablet but the same size of the old hedge, not as tall as the hedge.  Mr. Miller thought it was going to be a lot larger than the hedge and old monument.  Mr. Sawyer said by turning it around it seemed larger and encroaches on the Christmas tree.  Mr. DeCoste said he was further confused, asked if it was being turned in the opposite direction?  Answer was yes, facing south.  Ms. Aslinger said part of the confusion on the Memorial is the fundraising photo was a different picture and pictures that were posted were different and the models changed twice so the public was confused as to what it will end up looking like.  Selectman Miller agreed noting the current model isn’t accurate either.  Ms. Aslinger said it would have been helpful to know exactly what it was going to look like.  Ch. Miller agreed saying he thought it appeared much larger from the photos.  Attny. Casper said the original artists rendition was out of scale making it appear much taller than it is.  He said the height is lower than the old hedge.  Ch. Miller said he thought turning it around was not as good as leaving it accessible to people walking on the sidewalk and leaving the Christmas tree where it is, it was appropriate to leave it in its natural direction.  Attny. Casper said when they removed the hedge and once the sycamore is removed they have found the cistern interferes with the placement of the new turned memorial so they decided to move the stones southerly to accommodate the cistern.  Mr. Sawyer said the cistern would not interfere with the new Christmas tree placement.  Selectmen Miller said switching the memorial and Christmas tree had taken place at noon earlier in the day.  He said the old stone monument is on a very firm cement foundation so a larger piece of equipment must be brought in to finish the removal, now they are able transfer the tree agreed upon with the Women of Walpole, the American Legion and the Selectmen.  Mr. Sawyer said previously the Women of Walpole had agreed to the removal of the tree if the placement of the memorial interfered.  Ch. Miller called for further comments, being none thanked them for coming to the Board and wished them luck on the project.

           Walpole Planning Board Minutes 4/10/07 page 4

B.  Walpole D & D - Preliminary discussion and application submission for a 13 lot subdivision and lot line adjustment on Hooper Rd. Map 8 Parcel 15.  Mr. Fred Dill presented the plans.  He stated it is a 40 plus acre parcel, the new lots conform to the zoning requirements for frontage and are larger than the acreage requirements.  He pointed out a lot line adjustment between the old farmhouse lot 1 and lot 2 to allow for wetlands.  Lots 9 and 10 are pending test pits and lots 2-12 are pending state subdivision approvals.  Ch. Miller asked if there was major impact state approval required for a large number of lots proposed in a subdivision?  Mr. Dill said yes, but thought they were under the number of lots, they would be applying for state subdivision approvals because all but two of the lots were less than 5 acres.  Mr. Bob Miller asked about access for lots 11 and 12 not having access from the Old Keene Rd.  Mr. Dill said they felt access off Hooper Rd. was more aesthetically desirable.  Access off Old Keene Rd. was not as feasible as allowing a 50 ft. ROW from Hooper Rd.  He noted both lots 11 and 12 meet frontage requirements on the Old Keene Rd.  The land is very steep on the back of the lots.  Ch. Miller said having recently walked Hooper Rd. and with the substantial development being proposed he suggests the road be upgraded to allow for the increased traffic and development.  He said the current condition of the road is a dirt road with patches of paving.  He said it was his impression in the very near future, providing the lots are sold, the road will be inadequate and unsafe especially with the increased traffic.  He asked if Mr. Dill had any plans to bring the road up to a better standard so the Town doesn’t have to pay for it?  Mr. Dill said he had no plans to improve the road but there are two ways to look at it, one being it is an aesthetically pleasing country lane and by straightening it, it would become a race course and he is not looking at putting up the money to upgrade the road.  Secondly, he said since they are going to be expensive homes, the taxes generated would provide the Town with money to upgrade the road.  Ch. Miller said it is incumbent upon the developer who is proposing a substantial change to pay for the upgrade, he said perhaps the “s” curve may add to the scenic quality but he feels the Town shouldn’t have to insure the profitability of a developer.  He said it would happen - at the expense of the Town to upgrade the road to benefit the development within the next 5 years.  He said it is the responsibility of the developer to pay for the increase and noted the Sand Hill development included a cut through road that was upgraded at the expense of the developer, brought up to a Class V standard and accepted by the Town.  He said Hooper Road is a back road with very light traffic, it will be impacted by the increased traffic from the development.  He asked Selectmen Sawyer to comment.  Selectmen Sawyer said they did not view Hooper Rd. as a heavy traffic road but a light traffic road for residential use.  Ch. Miller said the development would create a great deal more traffic than the road could handle or was designed for.  Mr. Sawyer said three years ago they did upgrade the road, it was an experimental surfacing that did not perhaps turn out as well as planned, but it is a Class V road and will need to be resurfaced at some point.  It is included in the 5-7 year overall plan for the Town.  He said he didn’t think the road was so narrow 2 cars couldn’t pass safely.  He said the BOS does not see it as an unsafe road and because of the shortness of the road and the nature of the people using it, it would not need to be upgraded.  Ch. Miller disagrees saying the road does have safety issues especially on the Old Keene Rd. end, being an “s” curve, hill and blind side. 

Mr. Gordon Hunt, abutter said the damage to the road from the logging operations going on day and night shows the road cannot handle the construction traffic required for the building of 12 houses over time.  He said there is no question the Town would have a big expense repairing the road from the construction phase plus the normal daily traffic from the houses on the little road will be enormous.  Ch. Miller asked how he would like to drive up and down Old Keene Rd. with this new amount of generated traffic.  Mr. Hunt said he would not like it at all, he drives large trucks all over the area, damage from logging trucks and heavy trucks to Town roads is substantial.  He said the road is not able to withstand that kind of abuse.

Walpole Planning Board Minutes 4/10/07 page 5

Doug Faxton stated he built Hooper Rd. back in the 1980’s. The Town had a chance to give the road to the Helff’s but they didn’t want it.  He said he worked with the road agent back then, they went to Whitcomb’s pit to get a little gravel.  He went with a loader to get the gravel, about 3” worth and he put 10 loads of hot mix on top with a bucket loader.  He said there is no road there, nowhere to drain, no ditches.  From the north end to Stu Bailey’s is all swamp.  He said the road has no shape or base, was meant for rap and is nothing but ground up asphalt from Rte. 12 or somewhere with no oil in it, better for a barnyard but not a road, he knows because he built the road. 

Selectman Miller thought the road shown on the map was in error, he will be certain to check it out this week.  Mr. Dill said the road is shown on the plans as it exists.

Mr. Merklein asked how much it would cost to have the road improved or could the Board ask to have an estimate?  Mr. Faxton offered it could cost up to $200,000.00 with the increased costs materials, oil and gas.  Mr. Bob Miller noted school buses would add extra daily traffic.  Mr. Faxton said it had only been cold patched over the years, every time they plow it they loose another 20 feet and there is no daylight that gets to it.  He said there is absolutely no shape to the road; he knows he’s a road builder.  He’s built the Keene airport and a number of roads.  Mr. Merklein said knowing it could cost as much as $200,000.00 does the Planning Board require the developer to provide the funds?  Ch. Miller said it can be considered during the subdivision review process as an expense to the Town and it is not the responsibility of the Town to upgrade the road for the developer.  He said there are bond requirements, road standards etc. in the subdivision regulations. 

Mr. Hunt asked the Board to consider an engineering study to be conducted during the review process to determine the cost.  He thinks the developer should bear the costs because it is for their benefit.  He said on another note he has a real concern about the availability of groundwater with so many additional lots.  He said the area has a water shortage, most houses have more than one well, and he has had problems; his neighbors also.  He said if the vein is tapped by several or more houses he worries if they will have enough water.  He suggested a geological study be done.  His well is 400 ft. but they barely have enough for their needs.  He said it is a high saturation of wells in a small area and will affect both Wentworth and Old Keene Rds.

Mr. Dill said it was one of those problems you address when you drill for a well.  He said all of the houses on Old Keene Rd. were 450 ft. down.  He said it’s hard to know.  Ch. Miller said he had always heard there were water problems in that area.  Mr. Faxton said all the way from his house to Stu Bailey’s most people have two wells, you brush you teeth with one and switch to the other to rinse.  Mr. Dill commented they could run the Town water lines up there.  Mr. Sawyer said he has plenty of water in his well, but it’s not drinkable. 

Mr. Miller asked what Mr. Dill wanted to do with his plans.  Mr. Dill said he wanted to submit the plans and application tonight and hold the public hearing for the May 8, 2007 meeting; he’ll try to have some answers to the concerns.  He said he understood the concerns.  Mr. Leo Carignan, abutter asked if the two untested lots could be sold without a test pit.  Mr. Dill said he wasn’t sure but thought they could be sold, noting they would undergo state subdivision approval.

He said Lawrence Stevens designer could design a septic for both of the lots.  He said they intended to test pit them but it was delayed due to weather or snow cover.  Ch. Miller noted the State could offer some conditions as well.

            Mr. Hunt asked if Mr. Dill had considered fewer lots and designating some of the land to conservation.  Mr. Dill said Board members had asked about that at the prior meeting and he had answered that so much of the land the Town has in conservation is not maintained, he didn’t want to contribute to it since it isn’t managed.  He said the Board just passed a restriction on Commercial property to keep 30% open space, he said he supposed the same could be applied to a development like this.  He said in order to keep the cost of the lots reasonable, giving away a portion of the land and then having to fix the road also, it becomes difficult.  He said also the

Walpole Planning Board Minutes 4/10/07 page 6

property does not lend itself to a public park or common land.  Mr. Hunt said he was more concerned about providing a buffer to the neighboring lots as opposed to providing a public park.  He said he moved to the Old Keene Road because he didn’t want to be on top of other people.  Mr. Dill agreed but noted he wouldn’t be any closer to these lots than he is to Mr. Carignan’s lot.  He said there is a standard along the road; there is a house every 200 ft.  Mr. Hunt said he is content the way things are right now, but to have 12 more houses on top of them is less appealing.  He said when they moved to Walpole they accepted some growth but it is still a farming town and the character is rural.  Mr. Dill said there had been many subdivisions along both of the roads over the past few years, they wouldn’t have had the lots they own if Walpole had closed its doors back then.  Mr. Hunt said he understood there has to be a movement towards growth in the future but he feels this subdivision seems unreasonable, considering the area and the road.  Ch. Miller said for instance you would rather see 5 lots as opposed to 13?  Mr. Hunt said yes, look at what Mr. Jasse has done with lots over 10 acres and protected conservation areas, it is more in keeping with what Walpole represents.  Mr. Merklein asked if the development rights could be sold on the large lot.  Mr. Dill said he wasn’t sure there was enough land to make it feasible.  Mr. Anderson asked Mr. Dill about the deed restrictions mentioned at a prior meeting.  Mr. Dill said he wasn’t prepared with a copy of the deed restrictions but some included, the size of the garage, the size of the building, no sectional homes, certain roof pitches, he said there are two pages of restrictions.  Mr. Dill said they are trying to have the homes stay in keeping with the neighborhood. 

Mr. Merklein asked about the well situation, if at the public hearing persons continue to express concerns about water supply could the Planning Board insure the water rights are protected?  Ms. Aslinger said the subdivision regulations provide for a more stringent review process to answer this type of concern.  Being a major subdivision and having a major impact on the area especially regarding the road and water allows for other review possibilities.  She suggested going through the road specifications as well.  She noted that Mr. Dill was simply submitting his application at tonight’s meeting, the public hearing should raise and address many more concerns to be reviewed by the Board during the formal review period, that tonight’s application submission does not allow the board to get further involved in the details.  Ch. Miller called for a motion to place the application on the agenda and schedule the public hearing for the May 8, 2007 meeting, so moved and seconded.  Motion carried.  V-Ch. Miller encouraged members to drive the road between now and the next meeting to get a better idea of its condition and size.  Members agreed.  Mr. Dill provided the application, fees and 3 sets of maps.

            C.  Charlie and Sheila Lennon - Minor 2 lot subdivision on High St.  Mr. Joe DiBernardo described the subdivision, Map 21 Lot 23 being divided into Lot 1 of 1.13 acres and Lot 2 of 1.00 acre.  Both meet the frontage requirements (150ft) and lot sizes (25,000) for the Res. B zone.  He submitted the application, fees and maps.  There is an existing access for lot 1 but no access yet for lot 2.  He said they plan to hook up to the municipal sewer and water services.  They will be applying to the road agent for a driveway permit and talk to the water commissioners.  Selectman Sawyer mentioned complaints about the drainage from High St. especially on the top portion of Lot 2 and the Sellerole driveway that washes into the top of Lot 2.  A motion to place the application and schedule the public hearing for the May 8, 2007 meeting was moved and seconded.  Motion carried.  Application materials and fees were submitted.

            F.  Alyson’s Apple Orchard Inc./Robert Jasse - Request for Voluntary Merger Application.  Mr. Joe DiBernardo presented the Board with an application and fee along with the official Planning Board voluntary merger form completed and notorized as required.  Two lots located on (1400 ft.)Wentworth Rd and (230 ft.)on Rte. 12 to be merged into one lot of 98 acres +/-.  Map 4 lots 33 and 46 in the Rural Ag. zone.  Sec. Aslinger stated the Board procedure on a voluntary merger does not require a public hearing or notification of the abutters.  An application

and fee are required and a completed form as presented.  The board votes to approve the merger and signs the form that is recorded at the registry of deeds, no maps are required to be recorded. A motion to approve the voluntary merger as presented was moved and seconded.  Motion carried.  The form was signed and given to Mr. DiBernardo, Sec. Aslinger asked to have a copy mailed back to her for the files.  Mr. Jasse will record the letter at the Registry.

            G.  Alyson’s Apple Orchard Inc./Robert Jasse - Lot Line Adjustment located on Lot 3 of earlier approved subdivision located on Wentworth Rd. Map5 Lot 2-9 in the Rural Ag. zone.  Purpose is to annex 2.83 acres from “not to be developed” Lot 3 now 11.10 acres to Daniel and Jeanne McAllister making their Lot 5, 11.59 acres.  Maps were submitted but the application, fees and abutter list are pending.  Mr. DiBernardo will submit the additional materials prior to the April 26th deadline.  A motion to place the lot line adjustment on the agenda and schedule the public hearing upon receipt of the completed application was made and seconded.  Motion carried.

            D.  Mary McMahon - Minor 2 lot subdivision located on Whipple Hill Rd. Map 2 Lot 1-1 in the Rural Ag. Zone.  Mr. Joe DiBernardo submitted the application and preliminary maps but no fees.  Lot 1 is 102 acres with 438.3 ft. of frontage and Lot 2 is 74.05 acres with 4353.95 ft. of frontage on the Class VI portion of Whipple Hill Rd.  He pointed out the ROW’s and lanes providing access to Mary’s house.  He pointed out the O’Keefe lot between the two lots.  Ch. Miller said the map shows where the Class V road ended and shows that Lot 2 does not have frontage on a Class V road, so it cannot be subdivided.  Frontage must be on a Class V or better road for subdivision.  He said he remembered seeing this proposal a couple of years ago and it has not changed to reflect where exactly the Class V road ends.  He remembered discussing the Class V ended at Adams Lane but he suggested the applicant determine exactly where the Class V road ends with the Board of Selectmen and return to the Board with a plan that shows Lot 2’s frontage on a Class V road.  Mrs. McMahon said she had spoken with Mr. Terrell road agent and thought they had clarified that the Town plows and maintains the Class V portion up to the stonewall and turnaround at Mr. Alabbadi’s property line.  Mr. Miller said if so the map needs to show it before it could be subdivided, if it ends where it is shown on the map it cannot be subdivided.  Mr. DiBernardo asked if she could petition the Selectmen to reclassify the small section to a Class V?  Ch. Miller said to do further research and return to the Board at the May meeting with their findings and a corrected plan showing 200 ft. of road frontage on a Class V road for Lot 2.  He said there is some history the Board of Selectmen is aware of.  Mr. Shane O’Keefe asked if the lot could be designated as “not to be developed” and then subdivided.  Ch. Miller thought the Board could subdivide it with that stipulation but suggested clarifying the Class V, VI issue instead.  He reiterated the need to clarify where the Class VI begins with the entire Board of Selectmen and their minutes.  Mr. DeCoste asked to clarify whether the Board could allow it to be subdivided if it was designated “not to be developed”, answer was yes.  It will be put on the agenda for the May 8 meeting for a preliminary review or if they can clarify the road status they can submit the application prior to the April 26th deadline by arrangement with the Secretary.  No fees were collected. 

            E.  Tom Bogar agent for Kimberly Bogar - Lot Line Adjustment located at 286 Old Keene Rd. Map 7 Lot 25 in the Rural Ag. Zone.  Proposal is to change Lot 7-25-1 to 22.2 acres adding 114 ft. of frontage for a total of 600.20 frontage and to change Lot 7-25 to 12.1 acres with 250 ft of frontage from 19 acres.  Lot 1 includes the existing house.  Purpose is to revise the lot line between the two lots.  Application, fees and maps were presented.  A motion to place the application on the May 8, 2007 agenda and to schedule the public hearing was made and seconded, motion carried.

            H.  Other - none.

            A.  Handouts were distributed to members prior to the meeting, no discussion.

            B.  Master Plan Update:  Website - Secretary Aslinger said she, Ben Daviss, Dave DeCoste and Chuck Bingaman had met with Harry Bernard on Sunday April 1 to learn about setting up a Planning Board website.  Originally Mr. Bernard suggested we use the Town’s website but due to a technical complication regarding the security of Town records it was decided  to have our own host and server, if the Board agrees.  Mr. Bernard is donating his time to do the set up and maintenance.  It will cost $5.99 per month for the hosting site.  Teresa has offered to provide a link to the Town’s website.  Ch. Miller thought it would be very helpful to include as many citizens as possible when updating the Master Plan.  Mr. Dill asked who would be responsible for putting the information on.  Mr. Daviss said along with Mr. Bernard, two or three other Planning Board members would be responsible for adding to the text; a second blog section would be created for various citizen input.  He said any questionable comments would be removed if deemed inappropriate.  Mr. Dill wondered how Board members would interact on the site.  Ch. Miller said it would not be a venue for Board members opinions on official matters, instead used to post minutes, agendas and take public input on the master plan and regulations updates only.  Ms. Aslinger said the interactive part would be allowed on sections of the Master Plan update such as the vision statement and implementation plan.  No personal exchanges back and forth would be available on the website or encouraged.  Mr. Dill is concerned that non Board members would be viewed as making official comments on behalf of the Board.  Ch. Miller said any subcommittee member as designated by the Planning Board would be allowed to be part of the site but it would be made clear they are an ad hoc member of an ongoing update specifically.  He said the Planning Board would oversee the sight.  Ms. Aslinger said before the address was circulated the entire Board needs to look over the sight to make certain everyone agreed with its design.  Members agreed to proceed. 

SWRPC - Mr. Daviss announced a meeting on Tuesday April 17th at 10:30am with SWRPC in Keene to go over the progress on the Master Plan update.  Members attending are Jeff Miller, Bob Miller, Pam Aslinger, Ben Daviss and Mel Schupack meeting with Jeff Porter and Janet Carr, Chief Planner.  Mr. Dill asked if it was a quorum, answer was no, Pam is attending as an undesignated alternate.

XI.  Meeting adjourned at 9:30pm

Cc:  All PB, ZBA, MPU, WCC, Town Offices, Water Comm., Road Agent

Posted:  Town Hall, Lobby, Burdick’s Market, www.walpolenh.us, www.thewalpolean.com