MINUTES
OF THE SHAFTSBURY PLANNING BOARD
SEPTEMBER
2, 2008
COLE
HALL
SHAFTSBURY,
VERMONT
Board Absent:
Craig Bruder, Bob Carter,
Others Present:
Susan Swasta (Recording Secretary)
1. Call Meeting to
Order:
Vice Chairman Chris Williams called the meeting to
order at 7:00 PM.
2. Minutes:
August 12, 2008 Minutes
Bill Pennebaker made motion
to approve minutes. Chris Williams seconded.
Motion carried 3-0-0.
3. Actions to be
Taken:
There were no actions to be taken.
4. Old Business:
A. Town Plan
Revision
The review of the rough draft of the revised Town
Plan resumed with section 9.2, Solid Waste. In paragraph one it was agreed to
strike "mobile" and to change wording to reflect that the TAM
contract runs through this year with option to renew in 2009. Mr. Pennebaker
said he would get figures on the Town recycling rate and solid waste tonnage
for the end of the section.
In the first round of revision Planning Commission
members had decided to retain numbers 3, 4 and 5 under "Goals." It
was agreed to change the heading from "Goals" to
"Recommendations," and change the wording of 5 to reflect that a swap
shed is in the works.
Mr. Williams suggested adding a statement at the end
of the narrative section of 9.2 saying that the recommendations of the previous
Town Plan are now incorporated in the new zoning bylaw. All agreed. It was also
agreed to add a sentence on ongoing methane remediation to the second paragraph
of 9.2, which deals with landfill capping. Mr. Pennebaker will work out the
wording.
In section 9.3, on public buildings and land, Mr.
St. Onge asked if something should be added on lack of progress on Cole Hall
maintenance. Mr. Pennebaker said that the second sentence on Cole Hall,
referring to ongoing renovations, should be struck. Mr. Williams suggested
adding language on Cole Hall maintenance under recommendations.
In section 9.4, Mr. Pennebaker noted that
"sheriff" is misspelled. There were no changes for section 9.5. In
9.6, Policies, Mr. Pennebaker recommended replacing "shalls" and
"musts" with "shoulds." He also recommended striking
"small in scale" in item 2. All agreed.
In 9.7, Recommendations, under item 1, it was agreed
to replace "the North Bennington water system reservoirs"
with "open water which feeds the North Bennington water system."
Under item 2, Commission members agreed to add a statement that any planned
growth in the village center would require consideration of a sewer and water
system. Revised figures on the number of water users and water system reserve
capacity will be added to section 9.1.
A third recommendation on high speed Internet and
cell phone service was added to 9.7. Commission members agreed on the
importance of these services in supporting commercial and educational activity
and in attracting and retaining a young population. A fourth recommendation was
added on Cole Hall and the Town Garage. It states that the garage, located on a
congested site and nearing the end of its useful life, should be replaced by a
new facility at the Town landfill property. It also states that Cole Hall's
deteriorating condition reflects poorly on the Town, so the building should be
spruced up.
Section 10.1 was discussed next. Mr. Williams noted
that this section requires updating, which will require getting figures from
school reports and the school office. It was decided to leave Recommendation #1
as is.
There was discussion of the paragraph on child care
centers. It was agreed to strike the last two sentences. It was also agreed to
replace Recommendation #2 with new wording to the effect that it's too early to
foresee the impact on child care services of incorporating pre-K into the
public school system. The Town should monitor the new program to see that it
provides an effective level of service.
Mr. Williams asked if they should add a
recommendation on school consolidation. Mr. St. Onge suggested including
something on monitoring school population. Mr. Williams said that they need
demographic projections. He will talk to the School Board president, Betty
Benedict, on this.
There were no changes to 11.1, 11.2, 11.3. In 11.4,
on natural resources, Mr. Williams noted that it should be Shaftsbury Town
Forest, not State Forest. Under 11.5, Mr. Pennebaker suggested adding something
concerning a trail system and ATV's, to be based on the Ancient Roads study now
underway. It was agreed to add a #4, recommending development of a Town-wide
multi-use trail system.
In section 12, on housing, Mr. Williams suggested
changing RANC to Regional Affordable Housing Corporation.
In section 13, on energy, Mr. Pennebaker suggested
changing "enforced" to "encouraged" in the first paragraph.
All agreed. It was also agreed to break up the current last paragraph and make
it into a set of recommendations on tax abatement for low-energy consumption
building and encouragement of energy conservation in retrofitting or
constructing new Town facilities.
In section 14, on municipal finance, Mr. St. Onge
stated that they need updated numbers for the first section. Mr. Williams said
that Jim Sullivan of the Bennington County Regional Commission (BCRC), will
help with this section, which is required by the state. Commission members
agreed to add a recommendation on developing a strategic plan for Town
facilities to the section on capital programming.
In section 15, Implementation Program, Mr. Williams
suggested adding language on promoting energy efficiency and conservation to
the fourth bullet point. Mr. St. Onge will number the bullet points. It was
agreed to strike the bullet point on the Conservation Commission. Under the
next bullet point, Mr. Pennebaker suggested adding language to the effect that
work on a strategic plan for Town facilities should begin as soon as possible.
In section 16, on relationships with neighboring
towns, Mr. Pennebaker recommended changing wording in the fourth paragraph to
state that increase in truck traffic is a concern instead of
"becoming" a concern. All agreed.
Mr. Williams agreed to do needed research for the
section on schools. He reported that Craig Bruder had said that the BCRC will
help update chapter three and any other factual content. Jim Sullivan had said
that this is not a big enough project to justify a planning grant. The BCRC
will do the work as part of its mission.
Mr. St. Onge will have updates incorporated into a
revision by the weekend. Mr. Williams said someone needs to contact Josh Gorman
for input on stream and aquifer information. Mr. Pennebaker suggested that Mr.
Bruder may be able to contact Mr. Gorman.
Mr. Williams made motion to
adjourn. Mr. St. Onge seconded.
Meeting adjourned at 8:50
PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Swasta