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Minutes of September 7, 2006

September 7th, 2006

These minutes of the Town of Carroll Planning Board have been recorded by its Secretary. Though believed to be accurate and correct they are subject to additions,
deletions, and corrections by the Planning Board at its next meeting when the Board votes its final approval of the minutes. They are being made available at this time to conform to the requirements of New Hampshire RSAS 91-A:2.

Members of the Board present: Vice Chairman Evan Karpf, Bill Wright, Ernie Temple, John Sweeney, Connie Oliver

Members of the Public: John Warren, Thomas Hildreth, Steven Russell, Edith Tucker, Alan Strasser, Matthew Malkiewicz, Gardner Kellogg, Patricia Kellogg, John Gardiner

Minutes taken by Maryclare Quigley, Secretary:

Pledge of Allegiance

Meeting called to order at 7:00 PM

The Board reviewed the minutes of August 3, 2006. Vice Chairman, Evan Karpf entertained a motion to accept the minutes with the request that the Secretary change the word �?"opined” (pg. 4, paragraph 4) to "of the opinion." Ernest Temple made a motion to accept the minutes as corrected. John Sweeney seconded. All were in favor and the minutes were approved unanimously.

Dr. Karpf briefly explained a mailing from the Office of Energy and Planning regarding a Planning and Zoning Conference on Saturday, October 28, in Waterville Valley. Any members who wish to attend should get in touch with Maryclare.

Draft of a checklist to accompany subdivision application forms was handed out and members should look over for other ideas, etc.

Next was the continuation of the August Public Hearing for the John Warren Subdivision on Cherry Mountain Road, Map 407, Lots 55 and 57. Gardner Kellogg was in to represent Mr. Warren. Dr. Karpf was in receipt of a letter from Provan & Lorber, the engineering company who review plans for the Town of Carroll. They raised a number of issues which they said once addressed, the plan would then meet the requirements of the Town. Dr. Karpf then led discussion of each item as noted:

1. Mr. Kellogg advised the benchmark has been placed.
2. The Zone in which the property lies is with the RU Zone, and will be indicated on the revised plan.
3. The boundary line on the small lot was adjusted only to give a little more area, but because it is "grandfathered in"�, it does not need a variance
(the developer advised nothing will be built on it, that it is to remain as is)
4. The name given to the proposed roadway is Dilligas Road and has been
approved by Cpl. Smalley, who is in charge of 911 addresses.
5. The flow of water is quite insignificant according to Mr. Kellogg and Mr.
Warren, but they believe the drainage of the driveway is more than sufficient.
6. Permission must be granted from the abutting landowner where the flared
end encroaches on the land owned by the abutter. This is in process and will be in the
driveway permit.
7. The roadway is preexisting and approved. It will be available to other
homeowners.
9. The name is simply "The John Warren Subdivision."
10. The lots are over five acres, so test pits are not required. However, the soil
type is adequate for septic. Mr. Kellogg advised the septic design has been
approved for Lot 2. It was decided that they will show a pit for each lot on the final
mylar.
11. Water and septic systems will be on-site.
12. Mr. Kellogg advised no building or drives will be within the 100' and 200'
limitations.

Regarding an easement listed in the deed, this applies to land the State has gotten from the Merrill property for a scenic overlook, and does not affect this parcel. Also, with regard to the term "Homestead Premises" this is a very old legal term having to do with the ability of placing a lien and does not affect this subdivision.

Dr. Karpf brought up public safety and asked if any thought had been given to placing a hydrant and if there is enough space for fire trucks to get in and turn around. Messrs. Kellogg and Warren both feel there is plenty of room. The water line stops in the vicinity of Lennon Road, so placing a hydrant is not possible.

Dr. Karpf reiterated his concern for accessibility for future homes. He then requested that they have the Fire Chief review it and report back. Mr. Temple asked if it was the plan of the subdivision that there eventually be houses on each lot, to which the answer was yes. If the house meets all the set backs, then only a building permit would be required.

Mr. Temple made a motion to approve the subdivision plan contingent that before any building permits are issued, accessibility to the lot be approved by the Fire Dept. and that the abutter's approval of the flare end of the driveway be received. Mr. Sweeney seconded.

Discussion then ensued about safety issues if the housesite should be changed from that on the plan – Mr. Kellogg said it is his opinion that the contingency will address that. All agreed. Mr. Warren advised that though the Fire Chief has not reviewed the plans, Billy Rines, the Road Agent, has. The developer and surveyor were reminded that the test pits should be added to the mylar.

The motion was approved unanimously.

Dr. Karpf advised that he will defer to Mr. Birknes for signing, when the revised mylar and copies are brought in. However, if Mr. Birknes is unable to do so for any reason, he will sign it.

The next item was the site plan review/Application for Special Use Permit by Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless - Map 418, Lot 13. Attorney Thomas Hildreth and engineer Stephen Russell, representing the applicants, introduced themselves.

Attorney Hildreth then proceeded to discuss research and charts showing the growth in wireless subscribers � number of wireless overtook landlines by 65,000 in 2005 � to help establish the need for more towers.

Also on display were maps showing the coverage area. As was explained, because of the "challenging"� terrain (steep hills, forest), the focus is currently on Rt. 302, thus the location on Harmony Hill was chosen. This will also be a major link for possible future tower sites. This is considered advantageous because of the mountain in the background making it less conspicuou� unlike one placed right on top of a mountain or ridgeline. Dr. Karpf asked about improvements in the poles themselves� such as those made to look like "trees." This led to discussion of current designs for natural, tree likeness poles. Atty. Hildreth said these are getting better and he would bring pictures with him. Discussion included the antennas already in place at the Mount Washington Hotel, as well as a possible future location at the town-owned land on New Straw Road near the recycling center. The latter would be considered for north-south reception after the eastern (Route 302) location was established.

The original plan showed the lattice-type style, but has since been changed to a monopole, which the company feels would be a better structure for complying with the ordinance asking that it be sensitive to the area. It can be engineered to accommodate other carriers who might wish to use it, also complying with the ordinance requesting that space be shared. In response to various questions, it could eventually be used to cover wireless internet, broadband, etc., but that would be several years away.

While discussing the location, the Board was advised that Verizon has requested a waiver variance because of a small area that goes into the WMNF. They will require a connection to a local landline and power. Regarding marking or a lighting requirement, they do not expect there to be one in that it will not be the highest point, and likewise, feel quite confident that seeing it from Rt. 302 will be extremely minimal at most. They are also working to place the access where the least amount of cutting, etc. would be required.

Describing each page of the plans also called attention to the equipment shelter on-site at the base of the pole. It was noted that the light on this building will not be on a timer, but on a motion-sensitive device, and thus will not be on all the time. The site will be monitored about once a month. When asked how they plan to get to the pole during the winter, the thought was most likely by snow machines, ATV's, 4-Wheel Drive vehicles and the like depending on the season.

When asked if any thought had been given to what it might look like from Sugarloaf Mountain (as an example) -- as this is a tourist area, with hotels, motels, campgrounds, etc., the thought is that it might be something that ought to be considered.

When asked about other cell services, subsequent attachments would have to request permission, but space will be available as the infrastructure will already be done. Attorney Hildreth commented that it would cost approximately a million dollars to establish the electronic workings inside not including the building or the road, etc.

Dr. Karpf confirmed that the owners of the property, where it will be located, have given their permission.

As there was no further discussion, Mr. Temple made a motion to accept the application and Ms. Oliver seconded.

Attorney Hildreth advised there will be a balloon test prior to the meeting and asked if there were any preference as to the date. A back-up date for inclement weather would be set at the same time and this will be scheduled with Maryclare.

The application was accepted unanimously, and Messrs. Hildreth and Russell were advised that there would be a Public Hearing at the next board meeting on Thursday, October 5.

Dr. Karpf reminded the Members of the law lecture series beginning September 27, at the AMC. He asked that any who are not signed up and wish to be, to contact Maryclare.

Dr. Karpf advised that Ms. Oliver will represent the Board at The Rocks on September 13, at a seminar on �?"Affordable Housing.”

Dr. Karpf discussed the budget briefly and added $100 for �?"good and welfare” this evening, the total came to $20,550. This is substantially higher than the prior year’s, but Dr. Karpf explained that he increased parts due to a greater amount of business and included those amounts which are actually paid by the applicant, but need to be included in order to be able to spend the money. John Sweeney moved that it be accepted as presented. Mr. Temple seconded, and it passed unanimously.

In other business, Jean Monahan Stapleton stopped at the Town Office regarding tree cutting on the Elworthy property on Route 3. Evan Karpf was in the office at the time and spoke with Ms. Stapleton, after which he contacted the forester, Charlie Baylies. They walked the property to investigate Ms. Stapleton's complaints. They questioned if an -Intent to Cut- had been applied for and/or filed and also discovered that wetlands may be a problem a federal permit for "alteration of terrain"� may be required if there is to be land disturbance. In the interest of time, Dr. Karpf asked Ms. Stapleton to contact DES herself.

As a result of discussion, it was decided that we should request Provan & Lorber to inspect this property� and if any permits are required, costs incurred would be passed on to the developer, and if not, then the Planning Board would cover them. John Sweeney made a motion to have Provan & Lorber walk the property. Bill Wright seconded, and it passed unanimously.

Dr. Karpf requested that Maryclare call Provan & Lorber to make the arrangements.

Dr. Karpf met with Kevin Scribner from North Country Council. The Selectmen had approved money previously, so Mr. Scribner will be able to work with the town on the C I P.

Board member Charlie Cohn has been in the hospital and is currently undergoing treatment at Dartmouth-Hitchcock. The Board talked about sending him and his wife a small fruit/cheese basket and flowers. Mr. Sweeney made a motion to do so at a cost up to $50. Mr. Temple seconded and it passed unanimously. They requested that Maryclare take care of it.

Alan Strasser presented a letter (copy attached) to the Board which among other things charged the Planning Board with the duty of revising the Master/CIP. When asked, Mr. Strasser advised that he was submitting this letter as a private citizen and not as a Selectman. He read his letter with discussion during it, and much of it focusing on building a fire station in Bretton Woods.

John Gardiner, Chairman of the Buildings Committee, advised that he had had a meeting with Mr. Adams, a partner in the company that recently purchased the Mount Washington Hotel and surrounding properties. As a result of this, Mr. Adams will be sending a letter to Mr. Gardiner with copies to the Planning Board and the Board of Selectmen regarding their conversation about land and a new fire station, with a possible location in Bretton Woods. This precipitated further discussion of various other locations for a new station including the former Mooseland site and the current highway garage property. At this point, John Sweeney reiterated that Mr. Strasser was in front of the Planning Board as a private citizen, and Mr. Strasser assured him that this was the case.
Mr. Gardiner stated that no options had been weighed out yet and that when the time comes, it will be the voters who make the decision. He also advised that Mr. Adams will be holding a meeting in town, October 3, to inform the public of their future plans.

Dr. Karpf stated that he believed the Selectmen must ask the Planning Board work on the Master Plan, that they don't just take it on. At the end of the meeting, Dr. Karpf advised that it is RSA 674:5 that says the Select Board must vote to authorize the Planning Board to prepare and amend the CIP.

There being no further discussion, Mr. Temple made a motion to adjourn. Everyone seconded.

Vice Chairman Karpf declared the meeting over at 9 p.m.

Town of Carroll, New Hampshire ®2024