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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984-07-09 Planning Board MinutesMINUTES OF THE MEETING OF JULY 9. 1984 Chairman Rich called the meeting to order in Room 1, Town Hall at 7:25 P.M. with Board members J. Wood, D. Devine, B. Mitchel present. The Board was scheduled to meet with the Board of Selectmen at 7:30 P.M. to discuss "office consolidation". Office Consolidation - Board of Selectmen Meeting Selectmen Chairman O'Brien met with the Board and outlined the proposed new office consolidation arrangement. The 3 Boards (Building Inspector, Conservation Commission and Planning Board) will be sharing the first floor library space. The Building Inspector and Conservation Administrator will have private offices. The staff positions will share the common open space. The work program for each staff will be kept separate and the current Conservation staff will be offered a full time position to handle both the Conservation Commission and Building Inspector's business. There will be 2 telephone lines into the office. It is expected that whichever staff person is free will answer and direct the telephone calls to the proper office. The Board members questioned the Selectmen on the current staff's flex time arrangement and stated that they did not want their flex time hours to be structured hours as the flex time arrangement allows the Board efficient use of the staff time and results in savings to the Town and a more efficient use of the 900 hours allotted in their budget. The Selectmen stated that this arrangement could continue, but questioned the mechanics of how it is currently working. The Board stated that the hours worked are the hours that are paid and that these may vary from 5 hours per week to 39 hours per week depending upon the Board's work load. Selectmen O'Brien stated that it might be wise for the Board to look into this arrangement as "contract" help rather than a staffed union position, a matter which she left for further discussion until a later date. Currently, the Selectmen's view is that the Board has the authority to move the physical plant of any department where it is chooses, but would not want to have to rely on a "heavy handed" attitude, and would rather see the Boards cooperate and move willingly. After much discussion, the Boards discontinued discussion on that topic. Chairman Rich presented a letter to the Selectmen asking for their endorsement and signature on a letter to MAPC requesting technical assistance and funds to study the Industrial land off John Street. Selectmen O'Brien deferred this matter as she works for a branch of MAPC (CTPS) and Vice-Chairman Paul Dustin reviewed the letter and stated that the Selectmen will be happy to sign this letter after the signature line for Chairman O'Brien is changed to Vice-Chairman Dustin. The Board will retype the letter and submit it to the Selectmen for their endorsement and signature. The Board then reconvened in Room 19, Community Center, to continue discussion on the listed agenda items. Correspondence Mail was reviewed. Chairman Rich presented an overview of a conversation that she had with EOCD regarding funding for the proposed business expansion in the John Street area. Chairman Rich was asked for a $ figure to present to the funding review committee. After discussionwith several- of the PlanningBoard members- and a conversation with Mr. Curt Nitzche of the Industrial Development Commission, Chairman Rich asked for a study grant figure in the sum of $35-50,000. Matching funds have to be provided and Chairman Rich stated that she would be seeking some study grant assistance and funding from MAPC and other local funding has already been appropriated by Town Meeting for the Board of PUblic Works relocation facility. The Board will await word from EOCD regarding their awarding of their grants. Board reviewed the letter to MAPC seeking technical assistance and funds to study the John Street Industrial land business expansion and its overall impact on the traffic, safety and neighboring residential properties. Law Committee - Criterion Road After the Board of Appeals decision to grant variances for the violations (houses too close to lot lines) on the buildings erected on Criterion Road by C&C Associates, Chairman Rich presented the facts to the Law Committe regarding the granting of a variance and the necessary 4 factors that must be present under law. Town Counsel was present at the Law Committee meeting and presented the facts in the case. There was a major problem with the granting of the variances according to Town Counsel, but the final decision on this matter will have to await the written decision by the Board of Appeals. Town Counsel is also faced with a dilemma in this matter. Under Town charter, he must defend whichever Board asks for his assistance. Under State statute, he must defend the Board of Appeals. Chairman Rich stated that Board of Appeals member Kathy Quimby was present at this meeting, and she stated that had she been more aware of the facts and problems in this case, would not have voted in favor of granting the variance. Town Counsel then stated that if the Board of Appeals does not want to defend its decision in Court, then Counsel will be free to present the Planning Board's case in Court. After this discussion, the Law Committee went into Executive Session to continue discussion on the matter. The Planning Board was asked for their decision as to how best to proceed in this regard: have the builder take down the buldings and erect them according to the Town's Zoning By-laws or see if some sort of fine can be levied on the builder for damages. it was the Board's decision to see if we could not proceed with finding a way to levy a fine against the builder. Chairman Rich will present this to the Law Committee. The next meeting of the Law Committe will be on July 17th, which will still allow time for an appeal to be filed on this matter. West Street Board members have noted that the roadway on West Street has been scarified (close line depressions dug into roadway) in different areas. An inquiry will be made to the BPW as to the reason for this procedure. Minutes After review and discussion, the Board approved the following minutes: February 9, 1984 with corrections February 14, 1984 with corrections March 1, 1984 with corrections March 15, 1984 with corrections March 22, 1984 with corrections April 12, 1984 with corrections The Board then reconsidered their previous vote on the minutes of April 5, 1984 and unanimously approved these minutes as corrected. Somerset Nursing Home - North Main Street Attorney 0. Bradley Latham presented the site plans for the proposed nursing home to the Board for their review. Salem Street - Adams-Gentile Propert Attorney Latham was asked for a copy of Chapter 40B, the chapter under which the proposed development off Salem Street (Adams-Gentile property) will be seeking funds to build a townhouse complex. Attorney Latham will send a copy of the law to the Board for their review. Finances The Board approved payment from FY84 funds for the $50 fee for a word processing course for the Administrative Assistant to be taught by Margaret Starreet at the High School. Meeting Schedule