MINUTES OF THE SHAFTSBURY PLANNING BOARD
OCTOBER 21, 2008
COLE HALL
SHAFTSBURY, VERMONT

Board Present: Bill Pennebaker, Norm St. Onge, Craig Bruder (Chairman), Bob Carter

Board Absent: Chris Williams

Others Present:  Susan Swasta (Recording Secretary)

1.      Call Meeting to Order:

Chairman Craig Bruder called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.

2.       Minutes:

          October 14, 2008 Minutes

The October 14 minutes had not yet been submitted.

3.       Old Business:

          A.  Working Session on Updates to Town Plan

Planning Commission members went over Select Board Chairman Lon McClintock's and Economic Development Committee member Cinda Morse's suggested revisions. On page one, Mr. McClintock's change of wording to "regulations that implement the Town Plan" was adopted. In section 2.2, wording will be added to reflect his suggestion that diversity of Town landscapes be protected. In 2.4, his suggestion of adding "agricultural land" was adopted. Bill Pennebaker suggested wording on changes from dairy farms to smaller, more diverse agriculture. In the fifth paragraph of 2.4, on reclamation, Mr. McClintock's suggested change from "every effort should be made" to wording to the effect that economically feasible effort should be made was accepted.

Mr. McClintock had stated that section 2.10, on energy, seemed incomplete and should be expanded upon. Planning Commission members agreed with this change. Bob Carter added that this section might be tied to section 13. Mr. McClintock had felt that the wording "high quality" in 2.11 is vague, and had said that he would come up with suggestions for a change, but has not yet done so.

Chairman Bruder stated that Jim Sullivan is working on section 3. Skipping ahead to section 4,  Planning Commission members agreed to adopt Mr. McClintock's suggestion that the expansion of Peckham's precast plant be mentioned.

Mr. McClintock had said that the term "prime agricultural land" in section 5.1 should be retained, and this was agreed upon. There was discussion of how to incorporate Josh Gorman's new section on water-related resources. Parts of it will be added to sections 5.1.2 and 5.2, paragraphs 1-4. Mr. Pennebaker noted that they will need to go back and look at how this new addition may affect policies and recommendations.

On page 12,  Mr. McClintock had recommended adding more information on the reason for needed water system improvements, giving details on the danger from contamination during low-pressure situations. This will be added.

On pages 16-17, items 20-21, Mr. McClintock had suggested adding wording specifying "in collaboration with companies involved in extraction." All agreed on this change.

In section 6.1, changes suggested by Mr. McClintock and Ms. Morse were made. A sewer reference will be made in the last paragraph of 6.1. In 6.2, a section will be added on the two newly designated village centers. Maps will be included. In 6.1.2, on rural residential districts, a direct reference to the list of conditions will be added.

Ms. Morse suggested adding a third option, language on sewers for multiple family dwellings, to 6.5. All agreed on this addition.

On page 35, in recommendations for 7.4,  Mr. McClintock had suggested stronger language on preserving historic districts. Mr. St. Onge will come up with wording.

Chairman Bruder said that he will check with Ms. Morse on what she intended for page 39, section 9.1, because her wording does not seem to be any different from theirs. In section 9.2, Mr. McClintock had noted that wording should be changed to reflect that a remediation system has been installed, and this will be changed. An addition will also be made to the effect that a swap shed has opened.

There was discussion on whether biking should be deleted from section 11.6, on recreational trails, as suggested by Ms. Morse. Chairman Bruder will check with her on this.

On page 48, both Ms. Morse and Mr. McClintock suggested having more on alternative energy forms. Mr. Pennebaker said that there might be information in the North Bennington Town Plan on that topic. (Mr. Carter had brought a copy of that town plan, noting that it is well written.) Chairman Bruder recommended using language from that document on Efficiency Vermont and energy efficiency methods. There was further discussion of how to change recommendation 2 to make a broader statement on alternative energy.

Chairman Bruder will invite a Bennington Banner reporter to next week's meeting. People from committees and from the Historical Society will also be invited. A meeting notice will be placed in the newspaper,

Meeting adjourned at 8:22 PM.

Respectfully submitted,   

Susan Swasta