Planning Board Minutes

                                                

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Planning Board was called to order at 7:00 pm by Mr. Doherty. He stated that the meeting was being recorded and asked if anyone in the audience was recording the meeting.

Introduction of Board & Welcome New Member  7:00 pm

The Board welcomed Michelle Ackerman as a new Board Member.

Restructure Board  7:04 pm

A MOTION was made by Mr. Sutton and seconded by Mr. Phelps to elect Mr. Doherty as Chairperson. The motion passed unanimously.

A MOTION was made by Mr. Utzinger and seconded by Mr. Sutton to elect Mr. Phelps as Vice Chair to the Planning Board. The motion passed unanimously.

A MOTION was made by Mr. Doherty and seconded by Mr.Utzinger to appoint Mr. Sutton as representative to the Community Preservation Committee. The motion passed unanimously.

A MOTION was made by Mr. Utzinger and seconded by Mr. Sutton to appoint Mr. Phelps as representative to the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission. The motion passed unanimously.

PLANNER’S REPORT:  7:10 pm

1. Met with the representatives of Depot Square Homeowners Association. They were made aware of the existing punch list of items that will become their responsibility when the Contractor is finished. Such as drawings, sidewalks, access gate.

2. Met with owners of Tree 413 business in regards to modifying a Special Permit for outside sales of construction equipment. Retail use is the correct use with a Special Permit.

3. Had a phone conversation with Mr. Arata of Carbon Finance Solar about phase II proposed solar installation south of Congamond Road.

4. Noble Stead delivered a Home Owners Declaration of bond information, deeds, easements and other information to be approved by the Planning Board.

5. *Discussion followed concerning that the documents that were written by Attorney Beglane, a Town attorney. The question was what attorney could review the documents. Each Board member was given a list of the documents. The applicant was asking for the Board to approve the documents. There was a discussion of past problems with bonds and concerns about letters of credit. The Board wanted a letter of approval from the DPW Director. Mr. Slessler said the Planning Board did not have to sign anything just give their approval. Mr. Slessler said these need to be approved before the Developer can sell lots. Mr. Slessler said he would talk t o Mr. Steinhart to find out what lawyer can review these documents. The Board decided to continue the discussion at the end of the meeting.

6. Shared sign information sent by the Fire Department for a grant available for the numbering of Senior Citizens’ homes. This will make it easier for Firefighters to find a home in an emergency. The signage is allowed in the Town Sign Bylaw.

7. Christine Back inquired into Marijuana growing and production. He would like to build a 200,000 square foot structure worth $3,000,000 and will hire between 25 and 75 employees.

8. Received a request from EverSource for large solar farm off Feeding Hills Road.

 

 

Dan Scibelli from the Mobil Station is doing an image change at the gas station. Mobil Oil has changed their fuel to Synergy which is supposed to get increased gas mileage He said they would like to introduce it by adding four permanent red apertures to the front of the pumps. They say synergy on them and they do not light up. The business sign will also change, thou the size will not change, the information on the sign will change. Mr. Doherty said he should apply for a sign permits from the Building Department.

 

John Dross and Phillip Chaffee from the International School of Training Operators  came to discuss the proposed project on 98 Hudson Drive that will become a training school for the operation of heavy duty  excavating equipment. They said they have 35 acres. They wanted to know if the Board knew of any issues with the property for the training facility. He said they are a not-for-profit educational industry. Mr. Phillips said it is open to Union members. It is a closed facility to the public. He said nothing leaves the site. He said the compound will be fenced in. They plan to construct two buildings one will be a maintenance building and the other building will have class rooms and office space. Mr. Doherty said the largest issue is being located over the aquifer. Mr. Chaffee said the hours of operation will be two nights a week and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. till 4:00 pm. Mr. Doherty said they will need to apply for a Special Permit and a Wellhead Protection Permit.

 

Ryan Pease inquired about the Marijuana Sub Committee. Mr. Doherty said two more members need to be appointed from the Planning Board. He said the Board needed to wait until after the Town Elections since a new member would be coming on the Board. He said the Planning Board needs to appoint two members from the Board and they will be appointed at the June 6, 2017 meeting.

 

Mr. Doherty read a letter from Rob Lévesque requesting the Public Hearing for 31 Sam West Road be continued to the next Planning Board meeting.

A MOTION was made by Mr. Utzinger and seconded by Mr. Phelps to continue the Public Hearing for 32 Sam West Road to June 6, 2017 at 7:35 pm The motion passed unanimously

 

Lauren Harris of 340 Riverside Drive, Northampton with an application for a 720 square foot Ground Mounted Solar Panels on 131 Granville Road located in the Residential (R40) zone feet. Mr. Slessler said it is allowed in this zone as long as it is less than 1,000 square feet. He said it will be located 400 feet from all abutters.

A MOTION was made by Mr. Phelps and seconded by Mr. Utzinger to approve the site plan for a 720 square foot ground mounted solar panels on 131 Granville Road. The motion passed unanimously.

 

Mr. Phelps discussed the bond and was concerned about the use of a covenant in lieu of bond. He said he would like to see a copy of the letter of credit from the DPW Director. Mr. Saltmarsh said he offered to the DPW Director a letter of credit because he had some concerns. He said legally he is not required to provide this security. Mr. Doherty said Mr. Saltmarsh is offering a covenant in lieu of a bond so the Town has some recourse if a problem arises that you cannot take care of. He said the Town has had issues in the past with subdivisions as a result the Board is being cautious. Mr. Saltmarsh said a letter of credit allows the Town an immediate access to money. He said there would be $22,000 held at his bank for the Town of Southwick. Mr. Phelps asked if Mr. Saltmarsh would be the president of the Homeowners Association until sometime when the project is complete. Mr. Saltmarsh agreed and said the open space will be released to the Home Owners’ Association on completion.

A MOTION was made by Mr. Sutton and seconded by Mrs. Ackerman to approve the Home Owners Declaration of bond information, deeds, easements and other information on condition of the following requirements #1. There must be sign off with details of the agreement by the DPW Director #2. The conflict of interest with Attorneys Beglane’s submittal of the afore mentioned document is resolved. The Motion passed with one abstention.

 

A MOTION was made by Mr. Utzinger and seconded by Mr. Phelps to accept the minutes of May 2, 2017. The motion passed unimously. 

Being no further business to be brought before the Board, A MOTION was made by Mr. Sutton, SECONDED by Mr. Phelps to adjourn at 8:40 pm  Vote was unanimous.

Respectfully submitted,

Ruth Preston

Planning Board Administrative Assistant