Town of Pittsfield, Vermont
Planning Commission
Minutes of July 14, 2020

MEMBERS PRESENT: Sarah Gallagher, Marsha Hopkins, Micheline Bissell and Tim
Carter from the Planning Commission. AJ Ruben, Zoning Administrator.
1. Sarah called the meeting to order at 6:45 pm. The meeting was conducted via
conference call due to COVID 19.
2. Agenda Modifications:
None
3. The minutes from the April 14, 2020 meeting were read. Marsha made a motion to
accept, seconded by Sarah, all in favor.
4. Public Present:
Tory Littlefield, TRORC
5. Correspondence:
None
6. Open Issues:

​• Revision of 2015 Town Plan – Sarah introduced Tory from TRORC who led
the discussion regarding the revision of the town plan due in 2023. Tory
explained that the grant funds available for the project will be highly
competitive this year. Most funding is being redirected toward COVID 19
recovery like most of the grant funding available from the state currently.
Tory stated there was other funding ($1300) in Forest Grant funds which
could help with new requirements. Tory said our 2015 plan was revised so
extensively that the new revisions would not be as complicated. New
requirements for plan revisions include adding forest habitat protections and
census data updates to mapping along with changing language from shall to
must. Optional items include Enhanced Energy, and Health and Wellness
chapters. Marsha asked about application deadlines. Sarah said Tory would
complete the application. Tory said the Commission would need to approve
the application in August through a motion; it was agreed the Commission
would meet briefly in August to do this. Tory explained if we did receive
grant funds the process would be more rigorous to include a more involved
public process; mailings and public forums. Tory said if the grant were not
awarded, we had three years to complete and could budget the funding
needed to hire TRORC. Sarah said there was $500 in our current budget for
this year and we could stagger funding in 2021 and 2022 at a $2000/year
ask. The Commission was in agreement with this strategy.
• Generator Grant- Sarah asked Tory if she knew when the funds were going
to be released. Tory said she had not heard anything on it and would keep us
posted.
• Route 100 Crosswalk– Sarah shared her correspondence with John Kelly
regarding crosswalk requirements and additional signage for Route 100.
Marsha said installing a crosswalk in Pittsfield would be dangerous since
traffic does not slow down and we do not meet the warrants required. John
Kelly, in his correspondence did suggest Pittsfield apply for a grant from the
VTrans Bike and Pedestrian Program Manager in the spring to do a scoping
study of the entire village area to determine if and where pedestrian facilities
could be located. The Commission was in agreement that extra signage was
needed along Route 100 for firetruck advance warning signs. John Kelly
did state in his letter that he put in a work order for those signs. Sarah
explained that school bus warning signs (SBSA) do not apply to buses
leaving the green. SBSA signs are used to alert drivers to sudden stops by
buses along Route 100. The Commission would have to supply John with
the bus stop locations along Route 100 and they would have to conduct a
site evaluation.
• Commission Vacancy –The Town Select Board, after receiving a
resignation from Charlie Piso, appointed Micheline Bissell and Tim Carter
to the Planning Commission. Welcome.
• River Corridor Plan permitting Process- Sarah shared all documentation she
received regarding this permitting process with the Commission. Marsha
asked if this was more of the Zoning Administration responsibility. AJ said
he would be glad to get up to speed on this being the newly appointed
Zoning Administrator. Micheline explained the process she used when
building her house; there was no application or approval process for her site
and she had to do all the research herself. Site lines changed before and after
Irene and resulted in her moving her house site several feet. She explained
that her own due diligence was required to ensure they would not be in
violation of any flood hazard regulations. Sarah said the town had no way of
knowing who was building anything and where. As a remedy, each spring
the listers drive around town to take a look themselves. Sarah thought a site
plan application should be required. Tim said we would have to distinguish
between a shed, a barn, a house, a garage etc. Tim suggested the application
carry a fee. Marsha still thought this crossed into the Zoning Administration
lane. AJ said he would look into this and get back to us since it did not look
like there was a hard fast deadline in the very near future. He said any
permitting process would require a big change.
7. New Business:
None
8. Next Meeting:
October 13, 2020 at 6:30pm with a tentative short meeting to be scheduled in early
August for approval of the grant application.
9. Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 7:45pm
Respectfully Submitted,
Marsha Hopkins
Secretary
The MINUTES of July 14, 2020 were duly APPROVED
On _______________________
Signed

​Town of Pittsfield, Vermont
Planning Commission
Minutes of January 14, 2020

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Sarah Gallagher, Marsha Hopkins, Jennifer Howard, Colleen Wilcox and Charlie Piso. 

1. The meeting was called to order by Sarah at 6:30 pm at the Town Office.

2. Agenda Modifications:
• Charlie wanted to update Commission on the need to create permitting regulations under the Town’s River Corridor Plan.  Currently we have them for the Flood Plain but not the River Corridor Plan. The River Corridor Plan saves the town money when FEMA steps in to help us fund flooding repairs. Charlie said we also need a Zoning Administrator however temporarily Matt has stepped up to fill in when needed.  He also said that the Commission may have to play a part in establishing the permit regulations.  Jennifer said the permitting regulations would probably be similar to the ones created under the Flood Hazard Plan.
• Jennifer inquired about the lack of sidewalk or crosswalk after completion of the new bridge on Route 100. Charlies said he convinced VTRANS to do another speed study since the bridge was wider now and traffic was flowing faster. Depending on the speed study results the possibility of a crosswalk could be an option the state would entertain.

3. The minutes from the October 8th meeting were read.  Colleen made a motion to accept, seconded by Sarah, all in favor.

4. Public Present:  Peter Gregory and Tory Littlefield from TRORC.

5. Correspondence:
• Sarah read the Flyer announcement concerning Transportation and Climate Initiative Public Meetings.  Meetings to be held in different locations in the state; Jan 29, Jan 30, Feb 6 and Feb 13th if anyone was interested in attending.
• Charlie added the select board was notified on Jan 10 by the VT Council on Rural Development that applications were due by the end of the month for towns wanting to participate in a new leadership program to create climate solutions at the local level. Applications should include a specific project in mind.

6. Open Issues:
• Generator grant possibilities – Charlie updated the commission on the background benefit analysis that has been completed by the town.  Charlie asked Greg and Tory to let him know when the grant application process opens again since we are ready to apply.
• Act 250 Applications for CV Oil and Colton Enterprises – Sarah informed commission that CV Oil was seeking an amendment and that Colton Enterprises is appealing; some new conditions were approved but some older conditions were taken out of the permit.
• Speed Sign – Charlie said paving would not even begin on Route 100 until the summer of 2021.  Marsha said she would contact the sheriff and have him place his speed trailer in town this spring since we did not have to hold off because of paving.

7. New Business
The commission invited representatives from TRORC to explain how we work together and what the process will be for the new town plan due in 2023.  Tory explained how regional commissions work with towns and the legislature to make sure issues were taken care of.  In addition, they provide the necessary information to the state which in turn brings funding down to the local level.  TRORC helps with the town’s grant writing and is currently working with the Road Commissioner for the construction of the new salt shed and also working with Pittsfield on the Better Back Roads program.  The TRORC helps us to navigate through the government requirements.  Peter said any issues that should be brought before the legislature should be brought to his attention; he works closely with the state and is frequently in DC working with Peter Welch, Bernie Sanders and Patrick Leahy.

Charlie asked how we can get Pittsfield connected to the VT Alerts Program. Peter said they had cards that could be enclosed in town mailings and that they had printed materials if we wanted to set up a booth at town meeting.

Marsha asked about new requirements for the town plan and also the timetable.  Tory said so far the only change concerns the Forest Blocks and Habitat Connectors. She said including a map in the town plan would be helpful.  Other suggestions in that section could be building homes closer to the road and keeping driveways shorter so as not disturb habitats and crossings.   Other issues would be just to beef up the Act 250 and Section 248 parts of the plan using firmer terms.  She suggested replacing “should” with “must”.  Town participation was also a requirement; informational meetings would need to be held.  Reporting on the matrix was also discussed. TRORC suggested if we continue to meet quarterly then we should apply for the grant in July of 2020.  Jen said the 2023 version of the plan might not be as hard since the last version was rewritten sentence by sentence.  Charlie suggested we add a section on the new recreational opportunities happening all around Pittsfield. New biking connectors are going in all over the state spearheaded by RASTA and Pittsfield has an opportunity to join in on this.  Peter suggested our application could include Utility, Facility and Capital Planning.  Tory said the application was long and she would help us with it.

The commission thanked TRORC members for coming
   
8. Adjournment
Meeting Adjourned at 8:00 pm, next meeting scheduled for April 14, 2020 at the Town Office, 6:30 pm.

Respectfully Submitted,
Marsha Hopkins
Secretary

The MINUTES of January 14, 2020 were duly APPROVED 

On April 14, 2020
s/Sarah Gallagher

​ Town of Pittsfield, Vermont
 Planning Commission
 Minutes of October 8, 2019
  
MEMBERS PRESENT:  Sarah Gallagher, Marsha Hopkins and Colleen Wilcox.
 
1.The meeting was called to order by Sarah at 6:30 pm at the Town Office.
 
2.Agenda Modifications:
  None
 
3.The minutes from the July 9th meeting were read.  Sarah made a motion to accept, seconded by Colleen, all in favor.
 
4.Public Present:
   None
 
5.Correspondence:

• Two Rivers thanked Pittsfield for their annual dues
• Two Rivers notified Planning Commission of upcoming Energy Grant meeting on September 5, 2019

 
6.Open Issues:

• Speed Sign- Discussion ensued, no change in status, portable speed sign will be set up after all road work on Route 100 was completed and caution and speed warning signs were removed by VTrans
• Generator grant possibilities – Still waiting on update from Charlie Piso, funds are said to be available
• Route 100 crosswalk and bike path – Sarah believes there will be at least one side of the new bridge with a pedestrian path but waiting on official update from Charlie Piso
• Act 250 Applications for CV Oil and Colton Enterprises – Sarah believes the Act 250 Commission has all the documentation they requested and we are just waiting on announcement

 
7.New Business
 
The commission discussed the energy awareness that could be brought to town with grant funds; local button up awareness, training, home heating workshops, setting up an energy committee.  Current grant funding deadline passed but Commission decided to look for other funding opportunities
Sarah was going to be meeting with Peter Gregory in late October and would let us know about the updates required for the next version of the Town Plan. It was decided that everyone would go through the existing plan and highlight what they thought needed updating as a pre-emptive measure before the Commission goes to the actual update phase.
 
         The Matrix was discussed and the Commission will attempt to meet with the
          Select Board to make sure they are working on tasks assigned; capital fund was
          Completed.   
 
8.Adjournment
 
Meeting Adjourned at 6:57 pm, next meeting scheduled for Jan 14, 2020 at the Town Office, 6:30 pm.
      
 
Respectfully Submitted,
Marsha Hopkins
Secretary
  
The MINUTES of October 8, 2019 were duly APPROVED
 
On January 14, 2020
  
s/Sarah Gallagher

 Town of Pittsfield, Vermont Planning Commission
 Minutes of July 9, 2019
 
 MEMBERS PRESENT:  Marsha Hopkins, Jennifer Howard, Sarah Gallagher and Colleen Wilcox.
 
1.The meeting was called to order by Sarah at 6:35pm at the Town Office.
 
2.Agenda Modifications: None
 
3.The minutes from the May 28th meeting were read.  Jen made a motion to accept, seconded by Sarah, all in favor.
 
4.Public Present: None
 
5.Correspondence: None
 
6.Open Issues: 

• Speed Sign- It was decided that the portable speed sign might have to wait until sometime in late 2020 or early spring 2021 due to VTrans construction and paving schedule.
• Generator grant possibilities – Jen had looked into several grants and forwarded the information to Trish to forward to the select board for the Building Community Grant Program but the deadline is July 31. Sarah said she attended the Municipal Planning Grant Conference and did not see anything that might cover the generator.  Sarah said she would reach out to Two Rivers to see if they had any leads.  Marsha asked if anyone had contacted FEMA directly, Sarah said Charlie would know more about that and she would check with him and get back to us.
• Route 100 crosswalk and bike path – Charlie was not in attendance to give an update.  Concerns were raised about whether the new bridge would have a sidewalk like the original did for pedestrian traffic.  The commission said they would try to check with the construction workers at the bridge.
• Act 250 Applications for CV Oil and Colton Enterprises – Sarah attended both hearings and gave the commission an update.  Colton Enterprises was given an extension until July 31st to supply information; most of the issues rested with disturbances to one abutter. CV Oil was given until July 18th to furnish additional information to the Act 250 Commission.  The main issue was disturbance to earth due to truck traffic and run off.

 
7.New Business: None
 
8.Adjournment
 
The meeting was adjourned at 7:10 pm.  The Commission set the next meeting for October 8th but agreed that if something came up regarding a grant for the generator that another meeting could be called.
       
 
Respectfully Submitted,
Marsha Hopkins
Secretary
  
The MINUTES of July 9, 2019 were duly APPROVED
 
On: October 8, 2019
  
Signed: s/Sarah Gallagher 

​Town of Pittsfield, Vermont
Planning Commission
Minutes of May 28, 2019
Pittsfield Town Office, 6:30 p.m.
 
Present: Jen Howard, Sarah Gallagher, Charles Piso
 
1.  The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m.
 
2.   Agenda Modifications:  Charles asked to add discussion about researching a grant for a generator for the Town Office Building.
 
3.  The minutes of the April 9, 2019, meeting were approved by motion of Jen, seconded by Sarah, all in favor.
 
4.  Public present:  None.
 
5.  Correspondence
            a. Act 250 Application and Hearing, Ray & Lynda Colton.  The Coltons seek to amend their existing permit by, 1) eliminating the existing condition that restricts operations from May 1 to August 14 each year, and 2) adding the ability to chip wood into an insulated storage building during operating hours in addition to the 24 hours per year of chipping that is currently allowed outside the building.  After some discussion, the Commission agreed that the project continues to be in conformance with the Town Plan, and the requests have more to do with the Settlement Agreement executed by the Coltons and the Grays. The Hearing will begin with a site visit at 9:00 a.m. on May 29, 2019.
            b. Act 250 Application and Hearing, CV Oil. CV Oil seeks to construct a cold equipment/vehicle storage structure, a propane tank storage and loading area, an empty tank storage area with a chainlink fence, a small electrical equipment storage building, as well as the future construction of a garage and office, on a 4.94 acre parcel on Baker Road.  Following discussion, the Commission agreed that the project is in conformance with the Town Plan and has no objections to the project. The Hearing will begin with a site visit at 9:00 a.m. on June 5, 2019.
            c. VTrans Bicycle and Pedestrian Program.  The Select Board passed along information on this program to see if there was interest in any Bike/Ped projects.  There was some discussion about a possible crosswalk on Route 100 at the north end of the park.  Charles will ask Eric at VTrans if it is possible to put a cross walk on a State highway, and he will find out if there will be a walk/bike way on the new   bridge. We also talked generally about signage warning of increased pedestrian traffic and school bus stops.
            d. Chittenden Town Plan, Village Center designation.  As abutting neighbors, the Town was informed of Chittenden’s intent to apply for Village Center Designation an seeks to amend its Town Plan to reflect this intention. We support their application.
            e. Grant possibilities for a generator for the Town Office building.  The Select Board has forwarded a quote for the purchase of a generator, and asks that the Planning Commission research grant possibilities through the Vermont Dept of Emergency Management.  Charles will forward contact information and Jen will follow up.
 
6. Open issues
            a) Speed Sign.  The Commission has tabled this item as the Sheriff’s Dept was unable to deliver the sign before the end of May.  We will revisit once the bridge is complete and the road has been repaved, probably in 2020 or 2021.

Next Meeting: July 9. 2019, 6:30 p.m.
 
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:34 p.m. upon motion from Jen, seconded by Sarah, all in favor.
 
Respectfully submitted,
 
Sarah Gallagher
 
Approved:  July 9, 2019
 
By:  s/Sarah Gallagher

Town of Pittsfield, Vermont
Planning Commission
Minutes of April 9, 2019


MEMBERS PRESENT: Marsha Hopkins, Jennifer Howard, Sarah Gallagher and Colleen Wilcox. Town guest, Suana Rubin.

1. The meeting was called to order by Jen at 6:30pm at the Town Office.

2. The minutes from the August 15th meeting were read. Sarah made a motion to accept, seconded by Colleen, all in favor.

3. Agenda Modifications: None

4. Annual Reorganization and Transition

• Marsha made a motion to elect Sarah as Chair, seconded by Jen, all in favor
• Sarah made a motion to elect Marsha as secretary, seconded by Jen, all in favor.
• Suana turned over notes and Planning Commission documents. Topics discussed were status of Matrix, next Town Plan and possible new Flood Zone regulations.
• Sarah told Suana to turn in her key to the town so they had a record of it.
• Discussion of town meeting outcomes, Sarah suggested that the new librarian might be able to help us when we needed to research historical town items.
• The Commission thanked Suana for her service.

5. Speed Monitoring Follow On

• Sarah informed everyone that she had gotten an extension on the state permit allowing the town to park the speed monitoring trailer along the highway. The town clerk had the paperwork and the new expiration date was June 30, 2019.
• The Commission discussed the upcoming roadwork on Route 100. Since all traffic would be slowed for many months, it was decided that if the Sheriff could not park his trailer during the weeks of May 13 or May 20, then we would delay this process until next year when regular traffic resumed on Route 100.
• Marsha said she would email the sheriff and let the commission know if he was amenable to those dates. Marsha also said she would get a new permission letter from Elaine Sackreider; the original had an expiration date.

6. Comments and Possible New Business
None

7. Adjournment
The next meeting was scheduled for July 9th at 6:30. Meeting adjourned at 7:20pm.
​
Respectfully Submitted,
Marsha Hopkins
Secretary
The MINUTES of April 9, 2019 were duly APPROVED on May 28, 2019.
Signed: Sarah Gallagher

​Town of Pittsfield, Vermont
Planning Commission
​6:30 p.m.
Minutes of August 15, 2018

MEMBERS PRESENT: Suana Rubin, Marsha Hopkins, Jennifer Howard, Sarah Gallagher and Colleen Wilcox.

1. The meeting was called to order by Suana at 6:30pm at the Town Office.

2. The minutes from the April 10th meeting were read. Jen made a motion to accept, seconded by Sarah, all in favor.

3. Agenda Modifications: Mail
      Announcement for the Town Fair October 3-4, 2018 sponsored by VLTC. Sarah said she was going, no other members of 
     Planning Commission committed at this time
      Announcement of 2019 Municipal Planning Grants due October 1. The Commission had a brief discussion on the types
     of things the funding might possibly be used for; burying electrical lines on green, fixing gazebo stairs if ADA did not trigger
     and anything on town matrix that might be helpful for the Select Board to accomplish. No definitive plans yet.

4. Speed Signage
     Marsha informed the Commission of her findings since the last meeting:
          Two Rivers confirmed that because Pittsfield does not have any form of law enforcement that can police speeders, we could            not get any federal or state funding to pay for speed monitoring signs
         Pittsfield missed Elan City’s sale on speed monitoring equipment, however after contacting several companies, Marsha                     determined it would cost approximately $2500 for each sign. They would be affixed to speed limit signs and would be
         solar powered and relatively small.
         Marsha has still not been able to find a contact at the state level who is in charge of speed signage. She said she
         would  continue because the 35 mile/hour speed limit sign coming from the North on Route 100 might not be the ideal
         place to put a monitoring sign, should Pittsfield come up with the money. Marsha said she felt if we could place another
         sign somewhere within the speed limit change, it might be a better option to attach a monitoring sign. She is trying to
         avoid blinking lights entering residential windows and is looking for a spot where speeds tend to increase, i.e. coming
         down the hill from the cemetery. She asked the other members of the Commission to take a drive and really think about
         a good location. The sign at the other end when driving south from Killington was in a good place.
        Marsha also contacted the Rutland County Sheriff’s office and they would be willing to put up their mobile monitoring sign
         for a week. The Planning Commission said they would attend the next Select Board meeting and get permission from
         Select Board to have the mobile device delivered. Once a location was chosen the Commission would get permission from
         the private homeowner. Marsha said the sheriff would have to have enough room on a flat area to back up his truck and
         trailer. The sheriff informed Marsha that he needed to coordinate with the Pittsfield’s Road Commissioner. The Sheriff
        also informed Marsha that the town’s reduced speed limit signs were out of date. He said the new signs are colorful
        and bring more attention to the speed limit change. The Commission will bring this up when they attend the Select Board
        Meeting.
      Marsha also thought that after a week of data collection from having the mobile speed monitoring device up, we could
        see if we get someone to fundraise for the town’s own signs if people had favorable attitudes toward the monitoring device.
        The Commission felt the town would be receptive to slowing down traffic through town.

5. Comments
     None

6. Adjournment
     Meeting adjourned at 7:40pm.

Respectfully Submitted,
Marsha Hopkins
Secretary

The MINUTES of August 16, 2018 were duly APPROVED
on April 9, 2019
Signed
s/Sarah Gallagher

Planning Commission
Minutes of April 10, 2018

MEMBERS PRESENT: Suana Rubin, Marsha Hopkins, Jennifer Howard, Sarah Gallagher and Colleen Wilcox.

1. The meeting was called to order by Suana at 6:30pm at the Town Office.

2. The minutes from January 9, 2018 meeting were read. Sarah made a motion to accept, seconded by Jennifer, all in favor.

3. Agenda Modifications: Mail

• Notice of the Spring Planning and Zoning Forum to be held May 23rd at the Franklin Conference Center was read
• Notice from Norwich Star Technologies regarding Municipal solar was read
• Notice regarding speed monitoring signs was read from Elan City
• Letter dated Nov 9th regarding ongoing Act 250 permit alterations for the Riverside Farm; attorney response. Letter had already been distributed to the Planning Commission previously
• Negative response from VTRANS regarding Pittsfield’s request to lower the town speed limit.

4. Select Board and Capital Plan
Suana and commission discussed whether we should contact the Select Board again in light of the issue raised with the vote concerning purchase of a new firetruck. All agreed that Suana would contact the Select Board after the revote for the firetruck and ask if they were going to begin compiling a capital budget. Although this item is in the Town Plan matrix, the commission concluded that the Select Board is the one responsible for this but we would help if needed.

5. Heart and Soul Discussion lead by Sarah
Sarah presented the commission with materials she received from Heart and Soul. Sarah read their Community Readiness Self-Assessment Questionnaire. Jennifer said the town already addresses certain issues on the form. Colleen thought
Pittsfield was already moving away from just being a bedroom community to Killington. In addition, it was concluded that the town may be a bit too small to for this kind of visionary work and Heart and Soul may better serve larger towns like
Rutland and Randolph with downtown centers.

6. Speed Limit Signage Discussion
Sarah presented the AARP grant application and Marsha presented pricing on speed monitoring signs. The Commission discussed whether residents would object to any form of blinking lights and concluded that were two spots at either end of town the signs could go without presenting a problem. The commission felt we did not have enough time to meet the AARP grant deadline on May 16 but would look into other grants. Sarah suggested checking with other state agencies other than VTRANS since we do not have enforcement. Marsha said she would check with Two Rivers, Elan City and the Golub Foundation suggested by Suana.

7. Comments
None

8. Adjournment

Next meeting scheduled for July 10th at 6:30pm. Meeting adjourned at 7:50pm.

Respectfully Submitted,

Marsha Hopkins
Secretary
The MINUTES of April 10, 2018 were duly APPROVED on August 15, 2018.
Signed: Suana Rubin

​TOWN OF PITTSFIELD, VERMONT
PLANNING COMMISSION
Minutes of the January 9, 2018, Meeting

Present:  Suana Rubin, Marsha Hopkins, Colleen Wilcox, Sarah Gallagher

1.  The meeting was called to order by Suana at 6:34 p.m. in the Town Office building.

2.  The minutes from the October 10, 2017, meeting were read. Sarah moved to accept, seconded by Suana, all in favor.

3.  New member for Planning Commission. Colleen Wilcox joined us for the meeting and agreed to an appointment to take Sarah Gray’s place.  Suana moved to accept Colleen on the Commission, Sarah seconded, all in favor.  Sarah will ask the Select Board to do the official letter of appointment.  Welcome, Colleen!

4.  Marsha spoke briefly about the process for speed limit changes on Route 100.  Briefly, a request is made to VTrans, with Route #, location, mile markers, any locating signs or buildings, with an explanation as to why the change is being requested.  As this is properly a Select Board request, Marsha asked if the Commission should take it to the next Select Board meeting to gain their support.  The Commission would do the legwork provided the Select Board approves the request.  Sarah will ask for time for the Commission on the January 16, 2018, Select Board meeting agenda.

5.  Sarah provided print-outs of information from the Orton Foundation’s Community Heart & Soul program.  She had asked if a representative would be willing to attend a meeting and had received this information in response.  The Commission asks that all members please read the information so that we can decide if this is something we want to pursue.

6.  Grid discussion. Suana felt that we were doing well with the grid. Sarah suggested that the Commission remind the Select Board of their part(s) after Town Meeting in March. 

7.  Reminder that the Act 250 Permit Application for Riverside Horse Farm, LLC, hearing will be reconvened on Tuesday, January 16, 2018, at 9:00 a.m. in the Town Office building.  This has to do with increased traffic and parking, addressing Criteria 5, Traffic Safety; Criteria 8, Congestion; and Criteria 9K, Impact on Public Investments; and others, if necessary.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:29 p.m.

Next meeting is Tuesday, April 10, 2018, at 6:30 p.m. in the Town Office building.

Respectfully submitted,
Sarah Gallagher, clerk pro-tem

The minutes of January 9, 2018, were duly APPROVED on April 10, 2018.

Signed: Suana Rubin

​Town of Pittsfield, Vermont
Planning Commission
Minutes of October 10, 2017

MEMBERS PRESENT: Suana Rubin, Marsha Hopkins, Jennifer Howard and Sarah Gallagher.
1. The meeting was called to order by Suana at 6:30pm at the Town Office.
2. The minutes from the August 16, 2017 meeting were read. Jennifer made a motion to accept, seconded by Suana, all in favor.
3. Agenda Modifications: Mail
Mail from Act 250 Commission regarding the Riverside Farm permit.Commission dismissed 600 parking spaces and reiterated 50 roundtrips allowed. Commission still deliberating on other issues.
Two Rivers notified the Commission that our town plan was now valid through August 18, 2023. New ruling; all plans that were approved after July 1,2015 now are good for an 8-year period of time. Pittsfield’s was approved July 1, 2015.
4. Additional Member for PC
The Commission discussed the need to add one more member to make sure we are able to maintain a quorum for meetings. Several names were mentioned, Sarah Gallagher said she would contact several people to see if they were interested.
5. Possible Grants Available
The Commission discussed ways of determining what grants or opportunities would be beneficial to the Town. Sarah suggested we meet with the Orton Family Foundation because of their innovative methods in community outreach and participation. The Commission decided to have them come and speak with us. Sarah said she would see if they could come to our next meeting.
Further discussion of town development, changes, safety lead the Commission to discuss private speed containment signs posted throughout town. It was decided Marsha would contact the state and gather information regarding obtaining a register that checked vehicular mph along the roadways that the town could rent or possibly buy like the one in Rochester placed on Route 100. Marsha would also look into the requirements for a 25 mile per hour zone through town. Suana suggested that possibly a grant was available for those type of safety issues.
6. Adjournment
Next meeting scheduled for January 9 at 6:30pm. Meeting adjourned at 7:30pm.

Respectfully Submitted,
Marsha Hopkins
Secretary

The MINUTES of October 10, 2017 were duly APPROVED on January 9, 2018
Signed: Suana Rubin