​Town of Pittsfield, Vermont
Planning Commission
Minutes of October 11, 2016

MEMBERS PRESENT: Suana Rubin, Marsha Hopkins, Jennifer Howard and Emily Jarecki.

1. The meeting was called to order at 6:30pm at the Town Office.
2. Agenda Modifications –
    Two pieces of mail, review under correspondence
3. The minutes from the April 12th meeting were read-
    Emily noted that plaque was spelled incorrectly. Suana corrected and made a motion to accept the corrected minutes, Jennifer seconded, all in favor.
4. Correspondence
    One item from Two Rivers which was expired Sept 26-Oct 7 was Way to Go Commuter Challenge
    Notice from Town of Rochester that they will be making improvements on the West Branch of the Tweed near Wing Farm.
5. Discussion on the Matrix
    Utilities and Facilities Capital Budget was left with Selectboard to discuss, PC will follow up in a while.
    Flood Resilience – Flood Hazard Regs have been updated, no further discussion needed, up to date. Watershed level planning will move to 2017 with Selectboard and RPC
    Energy- Increase public awareness, Marsha will contact library to see if they want to do something with us along the lines of a public forum on energy saving practices and products. The PC will meet with the Selectboard again to discuss the formal appointment of an Energy Committee.
    Economic Development- PC already inventoried local businesses to determine services and goods available in town and where market gaps may exist.
    Natural, Historic, Scenic Resources- Suana will find out if our wetlands have been identified by the state. Public access to rivers is being improved on new park area through Grant program. Jen already contacted Fish and Game, no wildlife corridors in Pittsfield, since we are 90% forest land. Jen will contact RPC regarding a possible study that might have been done on groundwater resources in town. Marsha said town website already advises on management of invasives.
    Relationship to other plans-held until next meeting. PC felt this was an ongoing issue already being accomplished.
6. Comments –
    Emily said she was resigning as of October 12, 2016 as she will be moving up to Burlington. Suana said Sarah Gallagher may be interested and she will contact her.

Next meeting set for January 10, 2017.

7. Adjournment-
    Meeting adjourned 7:20pm, motion by Suana, seconded Emily, all in favor.

Respectfully Submitted,
Marsha Hopkins
Secretary

The MINUTES of October 11, 2016 were duly APPROVED
on May 9,  2017
Signed
Suana Rubin, chair

Town of Pittsfield, Vermont
Planning Commission
Minutes of April 12, 2016

MEMBERS PRESENT: Suana Rubin, Marsha Hopkins, Jennifer Howard and Emily Jarecki.

1. The meeting was called to order at 6:30pm at the Town Office.
2. Agenda Modifications –
None
3. The minutes from the February 9th meeting were read-
Emily noted the meeting date under “Adjournment” should be corrected to read April 12th. Jennifer made a motion to accept the minutes as corrected, seconded by Suana, all in favor.
4. Correspondence
 One item from UNRC regarding a meeting from March
5. Discussion of Town Park
Jennifer briefed the Commission on the results of the vote taken regarding the park options taken by Australian ballot. All items were approved except the benches, the dedication plaque to Don Flynn and the walking path. The Commission was
pleased with the results.
6. Discussion and Plans for the Matrix
The commission discussed time frames on items and decided priority should be given to the items whose responsible party was the Select Board. It was decided that the Commission would attend the May 17 Select Board meeting to discuss those items
with the Select Board members. Suana said she would check with Patty and have us put on the agenda.
Identification of wet lands areas was also discussed; Jen said that Fish and Wild Life just put out new information which might be helpful. Suana suggested checking with Two Rivers as well.
7. Comments –
Suana discussed the commission’s timetable for accomplishing matrix responsibilities and it was agreed that meetings could be held quarterly going forward. Next scheduled meetings – July 12, 2016, October 11, 2016 and January 10, 2017.
8. Adjournment-
Meeting adjourned 7pm, motion by Suana, seconded Emily, all in favor.
​
Respectfully Submitted,
Marsha Hopkins
Secretary
​
The MINUTES of April 12, 2016 were duly APPROVED
on October 11, 2016
Signed: Suana Rubin, Chair

Minutes of February 9, 2016

MEMBERS PRESENT: Suana Rubin, Marsha Hopkins, Sarah Gray and Jennifer Howard. Guests - Emily Jarecki from Pittsfield, MB Neisner PC from Killington and Joel Rhodes from Sun Common.
​
1. The meeting was called to order at 6:30pm at the Town Office.
2. Agenda Modifications –

• Letter from Two Rivers informing Pittsfield they were about to update their regional plan. They did not foresee any updates in the land use section for Pittsfield since our plan and their current plan are in sync with state mandates.
• New member – Emily Jarecki has volunteered to join the Planning Commission and will notify the select board in writing that she is interested so they can proceed to get her appointed at town meeting.

3. The minutes from the December 8, 2015 meeting were read. Sarah made a motion to approve, seconded by Suana.
4. Correspondence – None
5. Guests –

• MB Neisner – attended representing CV Oil in the possible purchase of the Baker property for use as a fuel farm. MB had read the town plan and did not readily see any conflicts but wanted to get our opinion before moving forward with his clients. The Commission was in agreement that the Martin’s would be considerate in their planning and that the project fell within the light industrial confines of the plan with no conflict. The only potential conflict could come at an Act 250 hearing where noise, smell and sight concerns could come from abutters. Sarah expressed some concern over that part of town becoming an industrial as Colton Firewood is already there.
• Joel Rhodes – attended to represent Sun Common, a solar energy company. He briefed the commission on the company and potential residential solar and community solar opportunities available. He hoped the commission could pass on contact information for potential customers. The commission said they would relay his information to one particular party whose land might be a good potential site for a community solar project and that after his open forum at the Wild Fern, Pittsfield might consider holding their own forum.

6. PC Plan for the Future
The commission discussed the energy segment some more as it related to solar. Sarah suggested if we do an informative event, we give Sun Common’s competitors a chance to make a presentation as well. The rest of the matrix was tabled until the next meeting.
7. Comments – None
8. Adjournment-

The next meeting is scheduled for April 12, 2016, meeting adjourned at 7:40pm.

Respectfully Submitted,
Marsha Hopkins
Secretary
​
The Minutes of the February 9, 2016, meeting were duly approved on April 12, 2016.
​Signed: Suana Rubin