Present: Bruce Johnson, Mark Whitehill, Stuart Draper, Neil Faiman, Betsy Castro, Alec MacMartin, Matt Fish, NRPC Rep. Steve Wagner, Alt. David Holder & Alt. Brian Sullivan.  David Holder will be sitting on the Board for Matt Fish, who is off the Board because he is an abutter.

Meeting called to order by Chairperson Mark Whitehill at 7:30pm.

VOTE: Mr. MacMartin made a motion to withdraw the prior motion to allow further review and study including review by engineering firm to be selected by the Planning Board.  Betsy Castro seconded the motion.  Mr. Faiman would be agreeable to withdraw the motion.  No vote was taken on this motion.

Mr. Whitehill read Mr. Faiman’s motion from the minutes of January 15, 2003.

The Board discussed the process and timeframe of the engineering firm, Normandeau, conducting a study of the application.  A work session would be scheduled to set up the process.  At this point, the Board would like the study to include blasting, runoff, abutter’s issues, review of the state of the plans once the site is complete, ground water, drainage-make sure it is all retained on site, dry period, dust, particulates; everything that goes along with the operation.

The work session to open to the public, except if the Board is consulting with legal counsel.
 
The pit is operating at 100% at this time.

VOTE: Mr. MacMartin made a motion to withdraw the current motion that that we are operating under from Mr. Faiman on the January 15, 2003 meeting.  Mr. Faiman seconded it.  Motion passed.  Unanimous.

VOTE: Mr.  MacMartin made a motion to sub the material that we received to date and such other items as deemed appropriate by the Board and further pursue review by an engineering firm selected by the Planning Board at the cost of the applicant.  Ms. Castro seconded it.  Motion passed.  Unanimous.

Mr. Wagner suggested that town counsel provides their advice and review previous cases and the rational for their decisions and to build a proper record.

Mr. Whitehill asked GSC’s attorney if the Board could continue on a monthly basis without asking for permission each month.  The study won’t be done by the 16th of April.  Mr. Pollack responded that it is acceptable on a month to month basis to GSC.  They would grant a continuance to get the case to a work session and the following public hearing.

Dates for the work session were discussed.  It was determined to get three (3) dates from Normandeau on their availability and set the date for the work session at the April 16, 2003 meeting.

VOTE: Mr. MacMartin made a motion to continue the hearing until the 16th of April 2003.  David Holder seconded it.  Motion passed.

On April 16, 2003 there will be no action taken until we give the reports to the engineering firm.  Mr. Pollack wanted to clarify if the 16th meeting was only to determine Normandeau’s schedule and limited to that topic since he prefers to be prepared and have GSC’s experts available when needed.  Mr. Faiman said there might be a give and take of information if needed.

The Board responded to a few questions from the public and GSC on the process.  The work session will be noticed.

Carol Roberts asked if the Board will be taking testimony form the abutters and applicant.  From this point on it is open until we make a decision responded Chairperson Whitehill.  Quick little reviews are all right but we are not going to do hour-long testimony he continued to say.

Mr. Johnson suggested that once the Board develops a list of reviews they might want to impose a deadline on submissions.  Yes, and then we start to review it, responded Mr. Whitehill.

Ken Sullivan who lives on Isaac Frye Highway was curious about the decision to have the zoning issues be in with the others.  In his experience an issue with a zoning side to it would be referred to the Zoning Board before it will continue to discuss the matter.  Mr. MacMartin responded there are 2 reasons.  One is on its face value if it is not allowed, if it is not a permitted use.  Secondly, this is a permitted use that will be allowed in the zone on a case by case basis.  Mr. Faiman added that this specific one calls upon the Planning Board to making the decision.

Their site plan review was discussed.  Some concerns are parking, catering/preparing food for the functions, a ZBA variance for special exception as well as the permitted use of the B&B.

VOTE: Mr. Johnson made a motion to adjourn and Ms. Castro seconded the motion.  Time is 8:25pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Kathleen Humphreys
Secretary