Seated: Vicky Arico, Jim Bird, Dave Hall Jr., Annette Immorlica and Tom McKinney

Selectmen’s Representative: Gerry Griffin

7:03 PM Immorlica called the meeting to order. Immorlica introduced David Hall Jr to the board and stated that he was appointed to the board by the Selectmen to take John Quinlan’s place. Immorlica then went through mail and announcements. Immorlica announced that Ann Zahn will be going before the Zoning Board of Adjustments (ZBA). The board had a brief discussion regarding the amount of information the ZBA has about the Zahn property. Immorlica felt that the planning board should give the ZBA more information. Arico stated that she sent the minutes from the Zahn hearing to Walter Collins, chairperson of the ZBA. Griffin felt the board should let the ZBA handle it.

7:13 PM The board read David Hall Sr.’s development agreement for Hartshorn Woods subdivision and then signed it. Bird mentioned that the town should have the right of enforcement not the responsibility of enforcement in the development agreements. Bird thought he had seen in development agreements that the town has the responsibility of enforcement.

7:22 PM The board elected officers for the next twelve months. Bird moved to appoint Immorlica as chairperson, McKinney as vice chairperson, and Arico as secretary. Arico seconded. All were in favor. The motion passed.

Arico moved to approve the minutes of February 13, 2007 as amended. Griffin seconded. Hall Jr. abstained. Arico, Bird, Immorlica, Griffin, and McKinney were in favor. The motion passed. McKinney added a sentence to the minutes of February 27, 2007 that stated the planning board suggested to Carl Zahn that he purchase frontage from the Wilkins family. McKinney motioned to approve the minutes of February 27, 2007 as amended. Arico seconded. Griffin and Hall Jr. abstained. Arico, Bird, Immorlica and McKinney were in favor. The motion passed. McKinney motioned to approve the minutes of March 27, 2007 as amended. Arico seconded. Hall Jr. abstained. Arico, Bird, Griffin, Immorlica and McKinney were in favor. The motion passed.

Immorlica stated Bullard Construction is going before the Lyndeborough Planning Board and part of their land is in Mont Vernon. Immorlica stated that she asked the administrative assistant to contact them and have them come see the planning board and the planning board will have to sign the mylar as well.

7:31 PM CIP Report John Quinlan was present as the chair of the CIP committee. Quinlan stated a lot of the information they received was incomplete, especially from the school board. Quinlan stated that the committee did the best they could with the information they received. Quinlan stated that the CIP report can be adopted but they are still looking to improve it. Bird stated that the CIP report is the bullets behind the Master Plan. Quinlan added that the Master Plan needs to be updated within the next couple of years. Immorlica stated that they would have a public hearing on the CIP report at the first meeting in May. Immorlica asked Quinlan to attend the public hearing.

7:46 PM Bird mentioned that the planning board needs to sign the Conservation Commission’s plan of Hebert lot. Griffin moved to authorize the chairperson and secretary of the planning board to sign the Conservation Commission’s plan of Hebert lot, approval not required. McKinney seconded. Hall Jr. abstained. Arico, Bird, Griffin, Immorlica and McKinney were in favor. The motion passed.

7:52 PM Rules of Procedures Immorlica stated that Bird sent out information on the Rules of Procedures and she wanted to highlight some things. Immorlica stated that the board needs to be more consistent about giving reasons for approval and denials and added that Riggins Rules suggests doing a roll call with the reason. Griffin stated that he doubted an attorney would recommend that they do a roll call with the reason. Arico stated that the law states they do a roll call when they give a final approval and added that the only time they need to give a reason is when they deny someone. Immorlica stated that Riggins Rules also suggests a more formal meeting but added that she is comfortable with the way things are.

8:00 PM Setting Bounds Immorlica stated the issue of setting bounds came up with the Barfuss subdivision and she thought it was Eddie Gilbert’s job to check bounds but it is not. Griffin stated that typically the Selectmen check the bounds when they check the road. Griffin thought they should ask the surveyor if the bounds are set because he is the one that signs the plan. Bird suggested that they pay Vollmer to check the bounds. Griffin stated that if they find that the bounds are not set then they have a problem with the surveyor. Arico liked Griffin’s idea. Bird stated that he would like a letter, not a phone call, from the surveyor stating that the bounds are set.

8:10 PM Checklist Revisions Angela Wilson, the administrative assistant, discussed the changes she made to the checklists. Most of the changes included deleting redundant information. Arico asked if senior housing should be in the checklists. Arico stated that she will put together a section for senior housing in the checklist. Immorlica stated that they will start using the new checklists.

The board had a brief discussion regarding the 4-year exemption. Immorlica was concerned about the wording of active and substantial in the development agreements. Overall, the board was not concerned about the 4-year exemption and liked the wording in Hall Sr.’s development agreement.

Immorlica stated that the board may be able to tackle some hot button issues this year. Immorlica stated that Atty. Drescher strongly suggests that they have a standard development agreement to hand out to developers. Bird stated that he would also like to have a standard conservation easement. Arico stated that she would like to see the Conservation Commission take that on. Hall Jr. stated that he would be willing to research alternative zoning that would be a tax benefit to the town and not a burden to the school systems. Bird stated that he would like to see some commercial development. Griffin stated that when they start talking about affordable housing, no matter the number of bedrooms, they are going to get kids that impact the schools. Hall Jr. stated that in Amherst, they are getting singles, young professionals and young couples without children.

Arico stated that she would be interested in looking at expanding their commercial district to help taxes. Griffin stated that there are not many commercial properties that do not need septic and water and that is hard to do in Mont Vernon. Immorlica asked if they want to extend their limited commercial district. Griffin stated that he would work on eatery zoning. Bird stated that he would like something near the village so there is reason for people to come there.

Bird stated that they could also look at transfer of development rights and added that it could help keep development near the center of town. Immorlica stated that she will ask Chip Spalding to come in and discuss specifications for pavement. Arico stated that she will look at possible places to put limited commercial zoning.

9:02 PM Griffin moved to adjourn the meeting. Bird seconded. All were in favor. The meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Angela Wilson, Administrative Assistant

Action Items:

1. Griffin will work on eatery zoning and will come to the next meeting with jobs for other board members.
2. Hall Jr. will research alternative zoning.
3. Arico will look at possible places to put limited commercial zoning.