Wales Planning Board Meeting

March 12, 2007

Minutes

 

Board Members In Attendance:  Alice DiPaolo (Chair), Lori Blier (Secretary), Eric Gagnon (WPB), Lyndon Spaulding (WPB)

 

Ø      Alice opened the meeting at 7:05.  The minutes, draft definitions ordinance, and Adopted By-Laws document were distributed.  The minutes were reviewed by board members and unanimously accepted as written. 

Ø      Lori presented the Tile 30-A § 4403.3.A section information indicating that by state statute the board is responsible for notifying the abutters of a subdivision application.  There was discussion about notification times and the fact that the board as constructed with volunteers might not have the lead time to notify the abutters with the current 14 day submission requirements for proposed subdivisions.  Because subdivision applications are submitted to the CEO, the board may not always be made aware of an upcoming application in time to make the abutter notifications should the applicant not choose to take on this responsibility when asked by the board in the sketch plan phase.  It was also noted that the board does not always have adequate time to review the subdivision proposals prior to the presentation by the applicant at the next board meeting with the current submission requirements.  Board members determined that the proposed change to 5.2.D could be revised to indicate that “the Board, applicant or his/her designee” will have the responsibility to notify abutters; this keeps the ordinance in compliance with state regulations while adding in the expectation that the applicant may take on this responsibility.  Board members discussed whether we should modify the subdivision application submission requirements to a time period other than 14 days.  After some discussion, it was determined that we should modify the time period to 21 days to give the board adequate time to review and send any required notices that may need to go out.  Lori will finalize the draft subdivision ordinance with the changes discussed for the Public Hearing which has been scheduled for April 2 at the Wales Central School Gymnasium.

Ø      Lori gave an update on the Shoreland Zoning Ordinance changes.  She has sent the document to her contact Rich Baker at the DEP and he is currently reviewing it.  He indicated we would need to include an updated shoreland zoning map including any moderate or high value freshwater wetlands.  Lori will ask him if he can provide us with an updated map to include with the modified ordinance.

Ø      Lori hasn’t yet drafted the letter to the selectmen on the recommended changes to Article VI of the town charter, but will try to get that completed by the next regular meeting.  Eric didn’t get the opportunity to call DEP regarding the implications of our proposed mining ordinance, so the board has decided not to pursue trying to have that ordinance ready for a vote at the upcoming town meeting.  The board has decided to table work on the proposed ordinance until following the public meeting.  We will have draft copies available for review at the public hearing and will accept any comments on the proposed ordinance for future work in that area.

Ø      The board discussed the details for the April 2nd Public Hearing.  Lori will pull together a meeting notice and send it to Alice for publication in the newspaper.  Alice will post notices at the town office, post office, and the store on Rt 202.  Lori will post the notice at Oak Hill Cash Market and South Monmouth Market.  Lori will get copies of the draft ordinances and the public hearing notice to Paul to have copies made for the hearing.  Lori will also provide copies of the final draft ordinances for the selectmen and the CEO.  The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.  Next regular meeting will be April 8, 2007 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Lori Blier, Secretary