Call to Order 7:05 pm
Roll Call: Present: Katie Olohan (Chair), Carol Troy (Vice Chair), Shanna Griffin, Rich Olohan.
Also attending, Matt Monahan (remote)
Review & Consideration of the November 28, 2023 minutes.
Motion: Rich Olohan moved to accept the November 28, 2023 minutes as written
Second: Shanna Griffin
Decision: 4-0, all in favor
Public Hearing: Continuation of November public hearing- establish new article: Surface Water Overlay District. In the interest of time for those appearing, Katie suggested that the public hearing be opened after the appearances.
Motion: Rich Olohan moved that the public hearing be postponed until after the appearances.
Second: Carol Troy
Decision: 4-0, all in favor
Appearances:
Richard & Judith Curless – Application for a lot line of adjustment Map 22 Lots 29 & 30.
Application was received on November 9, 2023. Katie said the application is in good order. She requested that Nick send a copy of authorization from the Zoning Board to the Planning Board. Katie acknowledged acceptance of the application by the Planning Board.
Site walk is scheduled for Thursday, January 18, 2024 at 10:00 am.
Public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, January 23, 2024 at 7:30 pm.
Pete Fenton- Conceptual discussion to expand Appleseed Kitchen. Peter appeared to discuss a proposed expansion of the kitchen and storage space at the Appleseed Restaurant. The building is non-conforming on a non-conforming lot. The proposed expansion would be into areas that are now decking attached to the building. Carol Troy asked about the proximity of the expansion to the lake. Peter replied that the proposal is on the inland side of the 50-foot buffer. Peter will prepare an application for the Planning Board. There will also be an application for the Zoning Board, then a site plan approval.
Public Hearing: Continuation of the November Public Hearing- establish new article: Surface Water Overlay District.
Public Hearing opened: 7:21pm. Katie asked that those appearing make their comments in two minutes. After comments the Planning Board will discuss and make a decision.
Ann Eldridge, Conservation Commission. Ann asked a question about the map used for the SWOD. Matt answered that the map was withdrawn from the ordinance and use of the definition. A list of comments and edits listing the differences between the SWOD and the wetlands regulations was submitted by someone unidentified (Doug Southard?).
Rory Letvin, Rowe Mountain Road. Spoke to the 25’ mowed buffer around a pond. Rory also spoke to the enforcement of the ordinance. His opinion is that the ordinance is overreaching.
Brooks McCandlish, West Road. Brooks spoke in support of the comments made by Doug Southard. He said the Conservation Commission supports the work of the Planning Board on the SWOD ordinance. He thinks the ordinance needs to be clarified in definition of surface water and how enforcement will happen.
Barb Southard, Rowe Mountain Road. Barb spoke to the public hearing process. She thought the public hearing should be better publicized.
Ann Eldridge, Conservation Commission. Spoke to public understanding of the SWOD as it will affect many residents. She suggested another year of study before bringing it to a vote.
Rory Letvin, Rowe Mountain Road. Spoke to clarifying the ordinance and integrating it with the current wetlands conservation plan.
Doug Southard, Conservation Commission. Asked how to obtain the latest ordinance. Katie said the documents are available as recent posts on bradfordnh.org.
Public Hearing closed to public comments at 7:45 pm and open board discussion. Matt Monahan joined the discussion.
Katie spoke to public notice about Planning Board hearings saying that the Board has followed NH RSAs regarding public notice of hearings which required posting in two places and on the town website, bradfordnh.org. Those posting have been made and in the interest of impartiality the Chair and Board have fulfilled their legal obligation to post hearings. If members of the public would like to participate in meetings, they are welcome to do so on the fourth Tuesday of the month.
Carol Troy recognized the hard work that Carol Meise and Matt Monahan have done on the ordinance. She welcomed the opportunity for more collaboration between the Conservation Commission and residents to bring a clear, enforceable ordinance to the voters in 2025.
Katie asked about comments made by Brooks about a part of Bradford that was not covered by the ordinance. Brooks replied that the Ayer’s Pond watershed isn’t under threat that this time and borders another town. About one-third of Bradford’s brooks originate there.
Matt Monahan suggested that if the Board wanted to continue this process rather than place it on the ballot, that a working group be established.
Motion: Carol Troy moved to continue the public hearing to Tuesday, January 9, 2024.
Second: Shanna Griffin
Decision: 4-0, all in favor
Public Hearing closed at 8:04 pm and continued to January 9, 2024 at 7:00 pm.
Adjourn:
Motion: Rich Olohan moved to adjourn the meeting
Second: Carol Troy
Decision: 4-0, all in favor
Meeting adjourned at 8:10 pm
Next meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 23 at 7:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted, Kathleen Bigford, Recording Secretary