TOWN OF PALMER
Planning Board Meeting Minutes
September 21, 2009, 7:00 pm,
Town Administration Building, Meeting Room.
Chairman Michael Marciniec called the meeting of the Planning Board to order at
7:00 PM. Present were members Norman Czech, Diane France, James Haley, Jr. and Thomas Skowyra. Also present were Town Planner Linda Leduc and Principal Clerk Mary Watson recording minutes.
There were no public hearings scheduled for this meeting.
Discussion Items:
Ray Breton of Breton Estates and Brian Kelly manager of the Palmer Agway Lawn and Garden Center were present. A fire destroyed the store on August 10; therefore they are requesting an amendment to the Site Plan for 1511 Park Street as a temporary location. This temporary location is owned by Breton Estates.
Discussions were held regarding the Site Plan entitled Agway Revisions dated September 17, 2009 prepared by Sherman and Frydryk and prepared for Breton Estates.
The Site Plan indicated that there would be a seasonal outdoor display area, a proposed sign for Agway on the face of the building, seasonal outdoor storage area, two dumpsters, a propane tank to be located in the existing chain link enclosure, a proposed one way do not enter sign and the reduction of three parking spaces including moving the handicap space to a new location.
T.Skowyra asked about the proposed propane tank.
B.Kelly stated he would be speaking with the Palmer Fire Chief regarding the requirements for the tank.
There will be no additional lighting on the site.
The hours of operation would be Monday-Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
A motion was made by N.Czech to approve the amended Site Plan for 1511 Park Street, Palmer. T.Skowyra seconded. The vote passed (5:0).
The Board reviewed the amended plan for Sherry Granger whose property is located on 81 Flynt Street, Palmer. The Board at their meeting on August 24 issued a Finding, however the Conservation Commission had required the proposed house to be located outside of the 50-foot buffer zone.
A motion was made by J.Haley, Jr., to approve the amended plan for 81 Flynt Street. D.France seconded. The vote passed (5:0).
Detector Technology-A letter dated August 31, 2009 was received requesting a new completion date for the project located on 7 Third Street.
A motion was made by J.Haley, Jr., to approve a new completion date of April 30, 2010 for Detector Technology. N.Czech seconded. The vote passed (5:0).
L.Leduc discussed the FY10 Commonwealth Capital Application with the Board. Last year the Board committed to adopting a Right to Farm Ordinance, writing Clean Energy Regulations and facilitating bicycling and walking trails along the Ware River between Church Street, Thorndike and Route 181 in Three Rivers.
The Board discussed the Right to Farm Ordinance and N.Czech stated he had been working with Robert Ring of the Conservation Commission on finalizing the ordinance along with forming an Agricultural Commission.
Discussions were held regarding the Community Preservation Act and an Energy Committee.
East Street Public Way-L.Leduc stated that discussions have been held with Attorney Johnson regarding if East Street is a public way. Roger Brach owns parcels located on East Street and Cavin Street and is in the process of trying to subdivide this lot for his daughter, however they do not meet the required frontage and they would have to prove that East Street is a public road.
Cumberland Farms-located on 1472 Main Street, Palmer. An email was received on September 25 from Scott Ricker in regards to a site visit being conducted on the property. A compliant has been filed against Cumberland Farms for the ramp/walkway located on the North Main Street side of the building.
As stated in a letter dated September 10, 2009 from Attorney Mark Beglane, the ramp/walkway was installed as a convenience to access the store from the public sidewalk and done at the request of the Palmer Planning Board.
The Board indicated that this was never a requirement discussed at the meetings and therefore the information provided by Attorney Beglane is false.
Also mentioned in the email by Attorney Beglane is that the Planning Board failed to mention in the Special Permit that all ADA requirements must be met, however L.Leduc stated she spoke with Attorney Michael Ciota and this information does not need to be indicated on the permit.
L.Leduc stated that she would write a letter to Attorney Beglane, rather than attend the site visit on September 25.
Patty Gambarini of the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC) had emailed a flyer on September 21 for a public meeting regarding the Upper Bondsville Dam to be held on October 1 from 7-9 p.m. at the Belchertown High School.
L.Leduc discussed the Green Community Designation and gave updates regarding the Energy Committee, Community Preservation Act and the Grant Trunk Trail Blazers meeting on October 28 at the Palmer Library.
Knox Pond Construction Report #22-for the property located on 1094 Thorndike Street, Palmer.
A motion was made by N.Czech acknowledging receipt of the report. T.Skowyra seconded. The vote passed (4:0:1). Member J.Haley, Jr., abstained.
Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions (MACC) nomination-the Palmer Conservation Commission will be nominating David Johnson as the commissioner of the year.
A motion was made by J.Haley, Jr., to provide a letter of support for the nomination. N.Czech seconded. The vote passed (5:0).
Meeting Minutes of August 24, 2009-A motion was made by T.Skowyra to approve the minutes. D.France seconded. The vote passed (5:0).
The Board discussed the meeting dates for October to be held on the 5th and the 19th.
8:05 PM- A motion was made by D.France to enter into executive session under M.G.L. Chapter 39, Section 23b, Purpose #3, to discuss strategy with respect to litigation and not return to open session. T.Skowyra seconded. The vote passed (4:0).
A roll call vote was taken as follows:
Diane France-Yes
Thomas Skowyra-Yes
James Haley, Jr.-Yes
Norman Czech-Yes
Michael Marciniec-Yes
James Haley, Jr., Clerk
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