Wales Planning Board

· Lori distributed the following items to the board: April 26 minutes, meeting agenda; updated draft copies of the road ordinance, the land use ordinance, the proposed amendments to the comp plan, the page updated in the definitions ordinance, the highlights of changes to town ordinance, and changes from the March 8 hearing document.

· The meeting was called to order at 7:15. The minutes were read and approved as written. Lori indicated she would clean up the area with the ???’s for final as no one could clarify that section any further.

· Ed distributed copies of the engineer’s report on the road(s) in DeerField Estates subdivision on Route 126 (by B.H. Enterprises LLC). Ed indicated that Paul had said that the selectmen had approved the use of the newer mix for pavement for that road. Lori indicated that in a conversation with Horton in mid April he expressed concern that the road was not up to specs. He had done a site visit and said there wasn’t a wearing course. Ed said that with the new mix, you don’t need a wearing course and that it wasn’t required for the existing ordinance anyway. There was discussion as to the fact that while the 2 – 2 1/8” depth indicated in the engineer’s report was adequate for the old pavement mix that it didn’t meet the standards that we’re putting in the updated ordinance for the new type mix. The question was whether the paving that has been done on those roads meets the specifications (mdot) required for the new mix. A motion was made and seconded to hold off on releasing the escrow and accepting the road as a road that can be presented as a town road until we have more information from the selectmen on authorization of the use of the new mix and how they wish us to proceed regarding meeting specifications for town road acceptance. It was voted unanimously to hold on the decision until we had additional information. Ed will contact the selectmen to get further details and explain our concerns. He will advise Lori if we need to draft another letter or call the engineers to ask specifically whether the road meets the standard requirements (mdot) for the new pavement mix. It was also discussed as to whether acceptance of the road(s) was added to the warrant for the town meeting. Ed indicated to Paul that he couldn’t specify whether we would accept the engineer’s report as written and that it was their decision. It was also noted that although the letter is dated March 30, Paul indicated that he received it on April 30^th.

· Discussion of the land use ordinance changes was opened. Lori went through the changes made as a result of the last meeting. The allowed uses section was reviewed to see if there were any further changes the board felt might be required. After some discussion, it was determined that we had not intended to discourage ANY type of business in the general use areas so added neighborhood stores & services and public buildings and churchs as allowed uses for that district. It was also determined that we would add bed and breakfast to the limited rural district as suggested by a citizen at the last meeting. Forestry (which a definition of for the purposed of this ordinance forestry is limited to selective cutting will be added.).

· Discussion moved to section 4.1.B – specifically around the 40,000 square foot contiguous building envelope with no wetlands or slopes of greater than 20%. Some board members and Mr. Nadeau believed that the 20% slope was too shallow. Lori indicated that we needed to get the bulk of these ordinance changes through and that we should try to come up with a compromise to be able to finalize these changes such that they will be passed. After some more discussion it was determined that we could live with the language of this section if the following section was eliminated “or slopes of greater than 20% sustained for more than 25 feet” – Lori will remove that language from the final draft. The 40,000 sq. ft. with no wetlands will remain. During this discussion Lori also noted an incorrect section reference and will fix that as well.

· There was some discussion about section 5.8.C and what it meant. It was clarified that the 50% of each parcel statement was referencing subdivisions not single house lots that might be sold or built upon.

· The board went over the changes to the road ordinance from the last meeting. Everyone was in agreement that the language was appropriate. Lori will finalize this ordinance for the public hearing along with the others. Board members indicated that the proposed amendments to the comprehensive plan were fine as written.

· The board scheduled a tentative meeting for May 24^th in the event any major change requests come in at this late time prior to the public hearing from townspeople. We don’t feel we’ll need it but it’s best to have it on the schedule. We’ll cancel by the 19^th if nothing has come in. Lori will present the highlights of the ordinance changes at the May 31 public hearing and indicate changes that have been made as a result of the previous hearings. It will be made clear that this hearing is to overview these documents and that they will be going to town meeting for a vote as presented.

· The board discussed if anyone knew who was hired as CEO and how we could get it so that we at least got copies of all permits issued. That would enable us to question or do site visits on questionable developments or building starts. We will pursue this further at later meetings. Lori also passed out an e-mail from Mark Andrews describing the washed out leech bed on a house lot prepared by Glen Dube on the Andrews Road. Lori will make sure Paul gets a copy so that the new CEO can look it over if appropriate.

· Lori passed out the DOT entrance permit application. She indicated she would like to model our updated application based on this. The board thought that was a good idea. Ralph thought it would be nice to be able to have the application and the signed permit section on the one sheet. Lori indicated she’d try to mock something up to have after adoption at town meeting of the ordinance. Other forms that will need to be modified were discussed. We will need to focus on that after we know what ordinances are adopted.

· Board members will meet at the school on May 31 at 6:45 or so. Meeting adjourned – 9:05 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Lori Blier, WPB Secretary