Pittsfield Planning Board
Town Hall, 85 Main Street
Pittsfield, NH 03263
Minutes of Public Meeting

DATE: THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2009

ITEM 1. Call to Order at 7:00 P.M. by Bill Miskoe, Vice Chairman.

ITEM 2. Roll Call

Members Present:

Bill Miskoe (BM), Vice Chairman, Larry Konopka (LK), Selectman Ex Officio, Daniel Greene (DG), Jim Pritchard (JP), Dan Schroth (DS), Clayton Wood (CW), Alternate, Hank Fitzgerald (HF), Alternate and Rory Cadorette, Recording Secretary.

Members Absent:

Rich Hunsberger (RH), Ted Mitchell (TM).

Clayton Wood (CW) and Hank Fitzgerald (HF) were seated on the Board.

ITEM 3. Approval of Minutes of November 5, 2009

(BM) Motion to approve Minutes of November 5, 2009. (LK) Second. Carried 5-0 (HF) Abstain.

ITEM 4. New Business.

1. Rich Hunsberger, Chairman, Resignation as Chairman

(LK) Motion to accept Rich Hunsberger resignation as Chairman.
(HF) Second. Carried 6-0.

2. Elected Board

(BM) Board to establish term limit for Alternates that are appointed. It is proposed that (HF)’s term will end in 2010.

(LK) Motion to approve Hank Fitzgerald, Alternate term to end in 2010. (CW) Second. Carried 4-1 (CW). (HF) Abstain.

(HF) Motion to approve Clayton Wood, Alternate term to end in 2010.
(JP) Second. Carried 6-0.

3. West Meadow Development

BI checked proposal checked and a site visit was accomplished. No PB opinion. Will go into files as an “As built.”

4. Capital Improvement Program

Planning Board to establish a committee with member, School Representative, Town Administrator and interested citizens. They will survey all departments and make a five to ten year expenditure prediction schedule. This is a Planning Board requirement.

(HF) The growth plan sent to Sunset, so we do not need a CIP, technically. Matt Monahan (MM) It would be helpful. Plan to get it done in the summer. (BM) We need for a member to volunteer to pull together this committee. Board was suggesting that (HF) participate, he declines. (MM) Creating a subcommittee is a good idea. You can talk to Department Heads right up front and get them to see the benefit of the CIP.

(HF) Does the subcommittee need to have Board or subcommittee members on it or not? (BM) will write a letter to Town Hall to empower citizens to join the committee. (MM) Only one Board member is needed officially, but the public call for help is the right way to go. (BM) will write up an ad for The Sun. (MM) CIP rules are under RSA 674:5 and will provide Planning Board with a format to assist them.

5. Master Plan Update

Ralph Odell gave an overview of the Master Plan including:

Demographics: Many between the ages of 20-34 are moving out of Pittsfield. Many 45-54 are returning to Pittsfield.

Changes: Education – majority of residents in Pittsfield are high school graduates. Housing, Majority of Pittsfield are single family homes followed by multi-family homes. There are more single family units with a decrease in multi-family units. Affordable Housing – 38 % of Pittsfield is rental properties. Historic Buildings – contributions to community that cannot be quantified financially. There are a lot of beautiful areas in Pittsfield. Transportation – how Route 28 going North/South is a major route and the image of the Town from this major route. Alternate Transportation – lack of sidewalks make it difficult to have an opportunity for alternate transportation. Community Facilities and Services – Fire Department, Ambulance, Police Department, and Public Works – some have pressures to bring in volunteers, while some agencies are not properly trained for certain situations. Wastewater Treatment, water supply and solid waste are all doing well currently.

Youth Workshop – non-profit program playing a vital role in the lives of young people. Community Center – reaching out to youth and the elderly and can become a vital service. Carpenter Library – looking to expand on types of services to offer to the public. Education – 650 students to date, a 71 student decrease in enrollment over the last few years. Salaries for staff are lower. A proposed rule: minimum of 18 years of age before eligible to drop out. Recreation – Parks & Recreation and Volunteer Programs – there is a lot of participation from residents. Town has three little league fields and such events as Balloon Rally. Natural and Historic Resources – water (well utilized with kayaks, and other water activities), vegetation. Wildlife and Soils – Pittsfield has many things to offer. Historic – Pittsfield is a Historic district rare for the county. Many valuable historic resources in the Town. Land Use – Zoning: largely Rural at 81% followed by Suburban at 12%, Commercial is at 1%. Rural area is very protected by residents so any project that plans to take away from that are opposed emphatically. Maintain qualities while adjusting for change. Economic Development – lower unemployment rate of 3.5% since 2005. Goods Producing – increase; Service Providing Industry – increase; Government – increase; Private Industry – increase. Fastest Growing Occupations in Merrimack County- personal care aid, but young people are leaving because they feel they can get better salaries elsewhere.

Summary- The committee has interviewed residents and observed findings and there is an overall positive outlook and feeling about the Town. Downtown Area, Historic, Water, Sewage, Recreation, Existing Buildings, School, and Natural Resources – residents are loyal and are involved through children and public committees. More data can be applied.

(BM) Has the community thought about extending five acres zoning in Berry Pond area? Mr. Odell: No, but maybe something will come up through Planning Board or Zoning Board. (LK) Can this be presented to Zoning Board? Mr. Odell: Outside of typos, it is pretty much ready.
Helen commends Ralph for the hard work and amount of effort taken.

2. Appointment: Matt Monahan – Proposed Changes to Planning Board Rules of Procedure.

Matt Monahan (MM) These procedures will dictate what the Planning Board is expecting and how it works. It will help the public work with Planning Board. Important dates are covered, fee schedules given, application forms revised – one page and simplified with important questions, check list – shortened list by excluding the same questions, site plan and subdivision regulations are defined and clarified, application instructions packet – clarified and a map added showing visual procedure.

(BM) Is there a need to have two site plans, Major and Minor? (MM) Yes, it would be easier. The Planning Board will need to look further into proposals. A work session may be needed.

(MM) We need time to read material before opinions or questions can be asked. (BM) A January work session will be scheduled for significant input. (CW) What is the process for adoption? (BM) A work session, public hearing, and then the vote. The Planning Board adopts its own rules after a public hearing. We need to be in agreement first.

(MM) Can I add anything else? (JP) It looks pretty decent upon first glance. (BM) Any questions from people, who have read this information, please send questions to Matt or Dee Fritz to be answered prior to the scheduled work session. (DS) I have a question on the checklist. (BM) Let’s address at work session on January 7, 2010. (MM) will attend.
(LK) asked Kyle his input on code enforcement. Kyle simply replied that he will look it over.

(HF) Motion to schedule a January 7, 2010 Work Session after regular business. (LK) Second. Carried 6-0.

3. FEMA- Modifications to Floodplain Regulations

RSA 674:57- change to the flood ordinance maps soon to be adopted.

ITEM 5. Selectman’s Report – Larry Konopka, Selectman Ex Officio

(LK) Budgets are about done. $17,500 in escrow to pay CNHRPC has been encumbered, passed and approved.

(DS) How is the budget – lower? (LK) No exact numbers yet but, it looks good.

ITEM 6. Building Inspector Report

Nothing major to report.

ITEM 7. Members Concerns

(DS) Ten years worth of Town Budgets given out to PB to review. Police budget went up 100%. It has some interesting points on it. (HF) Take into account that the value of the dollar is different from ten years ago.
(DS) You can still make a comparison. (BM) Looking for relevance.

(LK) We have accepted Rich’s resignation.

(HF) Motion to have Vice Chair, Bill Miskoe continue to act as Acting Chairman. (DS) Second. Carried 6-0.

Discussion: (JP) not vote for a Chairman at this time.

ITEM 8. Public Input

None.

ITEM 9. Adjournment

(BM) Motion to adjourn. (LK) Second. Carried 6-0.

Meeting adjourned at 8:35 P.M.

Approved: January 7, 2010

____________________________ _________________________
Bill Miskoe, Acting Chairman Date

II Tapes