​Town of Pittsfield Planning Commission
Minutes of January 12, 2021
 
Members Present: Sarah Gallagher, Jen Howard, Tim Carter, Micheline Bissell and Marsha Hopkins, along with AJ Ruben.  Kimberly Gilbert from TRORC.

1. Call to Order

Meeting called to Order at 6:35pm, members participating via Zoom.

1. Agenda Modifications

None

1. Correspondence:

• FY21 Better Connections Grant Info- Sarah is waiting on more info from Tory Littlefield and Stephanie Smith (VEM) to present to the Select Board.
• Planning Commission did receive the Planning Grant.  The grant does hold a stipulation for a public forum regarding Land Use.

 

1. Approval of Minutes from October 13, 2020 meeting.

Motion to approve by Jen, seconded by Tim, all in favor.

1. Public Present

Kimberly Gilbert from TRORC.  Introduction

1. Commission Appointments

Jen Howard accepted appointment, Marsha Hopkins pending

1. Grant Application for Generator

Update, Pittsfield did not fit the criteria for outage times but Sarah feels we may be able to apply for other grants for this purpose.

1. Town Plan Update, Review of Chapters 1-6

Conclusions from group discussions on working revised draft
Chapter 1 Town History- updates for local private businesses will be inserted on page 9. Sarah said she would be happy to craft language.
Page 11 will be updated to reflect Plan Life Cycle, group will revisit Purpose and Objectives of Plan later with more chapters complete, page 11
Chapter II- Demographics- Need the new census data
Chapter III – Housing - Waiting on new census data as well as the new Community Survey for Housing Data, the group concluded more Air BNB’s in the area should be noted. Tax Dept will provide new census data for affordability section. Elderly housing needs updating if anyone from Pittsfield resides at Park House, Sarah will call. Kimberly will rearrange some of the goals, policies and recommendations in this section. Discussion ensued regarding some of the goals listed, will revisit.
Chapter IV - Education and Child Care Services- census data on local school attendance will be published in town report at the end of January for the updates needed for this section. Discussed adding OSHA Lifelong Learning and UVM Extension for post-secondary education in Adult Learning section. Under Policies, changed “provide access” to “encourage”.
Chapter V - Utilities and Facilities- Town Garage section and Town Hall updates will be updated from the Town Report due out at the end of the month. Parks and Public Lands will be updated to reflect Velomont project and other biking trails. Communication Facilities will be updated to reflect current options for residents of Pittsfield, Municipal Solid Waste may be changing, need to wait to update until after Town meeting.
Chapter VI – Health and Emergency Services – Tim will update Fire Dept section. Police protection services will be updated to reflect Pittsfield’s decision to end contracts with Rutland County Sheriff’s Dept. Hazard Mitigation Plan was updated last fall and will be reflected in this section.
 
New Forestry Grant funding for this new section of the plan needs to be expended by May.  Kimberly suggested we hold the required public forum on this at our April meeting.  Members were concerned that holding a forum without sufficient background information would not be beneficial.  Kimberly suggested we communicate through email in February and if we felt we needed to discuss further we will hold another meeting prior to the forum. The Town does have the option to change corridors in this section. All agreed to proceed on these terms.
 
Micheline asked about other forums for Town Plan. Kimberly said the Planning Commission will hold one when we have a finalized draft and then the Select Board will need to hold an additional public forum before it the plan is approved.

1. Next meeting April 13, 2021

 

1. Adjournment

Meeting adjourned 8pm, motion by Tim, seconded by Marsha, all in favor
 
 
Respectively Submitted,
Marsha Hopkins
Secretary
 
 
The Minutes of January 12, 2021 were duly APPROVED on ______________________________
 
By __________________________________________

Minutes of the Pittsfield Planning CommissionTuesday, October 13, 2020, 6:30 p.m. via freeconferencecall.com

Present:  Sarah Gallagher, Micheline Bissell, Jen Howard, Tim Carter, A.J. Ruben (Zoning Administrator), Kimberly Gilbert (TRORC)

1. Call to Order:  Sarah called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m.
2. Agenda Modifications:  A.J. to report briefly on process with owners of property of Route 100 south of town (across from Fellows Rd).  A.J. reported the owners are seeking to subdivide the property into 3 lots.  It was determined that they are not in the flood zone or river corridor.  They will need an Act 250 permit from the State in order to proceed.  A.J. will forward information to the Town Clerk and TRORC.
3. Approval of Minutes from September 1, 2020, meeting. Tim motioned to approve, seconded by Micheline, all in favor.
4. Public Present: Kimberly Gilbert, TRORC
5. Grant applications for generator: Sarah confirmed with Tory Littlefield (TRORC) that there is not enough time to meet the 11/6/20 deadline for the HMGP, but we will proceed with the BRIC application due on January 6.  
6. Town Plan update, next steps.  Kim Gilbert (TRORC) outlined the process and we agreed on a plan going forward.  The grant application has been submitted, though it is doubtful it will be approved.  However, there are other funds available through TRORC and the cost to the Town will be minimal.  We are budgeting $500 in 2021 and will plan on the same in 2022, unless something changes.  One of the new requirements for the Plan is a ‘Forest blocks & habitat connector’ section.  This will require a public hearing to seek input and it was suggested that we do this once we have drafted the section. We will strengthen the Land Use chapter for Act 250 purposes, mainly by using stronger language throughout, i.e. using ‘must’ and ‘shall’ instead of could or should.  We will add a budgeting section, to include capital budget priorities.  Optional elements include an enhanced energy chapter and a public health element. Kim will provide some explanation and templates for review. For our January meeting, members are asked to read and make notes on the first six chapters of the 2015 plan.  Kim will do the background data updates (tables, charts, etc) but we will need to review and provide local information.  Note that Chapter 5 is the Health and Emergency Services where the Public Health element may be added (it can also be a stand-alone chapter).
7. Next meeting: January 12, 2020, 6:30 p.m.
8. Adjournment:  Motion to adjourn was made at 7:17 p.m. by Jen, seconded by Tim.  All in favor.

Compiled from notes by Jen, Micheline, and Kim.  Submitted by Sarah Gallagher.
​
Approved:  January 12, 2021                                        By:  s/Sarah Gallagher

​Town of Pittsfield, Vermont
Planning Commission
Minutes of September 1, 2020

MEMBERS PRESENT: Sarah Gallagher, Marsha Hopkins and Micheline Bissell

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 July 14, 2020 meeting were read. Marsha made a motion to accept, seconded by Sarah, all in favor.

4. Public Present:  Tory Littlefield, TRORC

5. Review and Approve Municipal Planning Grant
Tory explained that we had to tell a story to justify the need for the Grant. She disussed what was included in the draft. She asked Commission members if they had anything else to add.
     • Marsha wanted her to emphasize the need for a bullet proof town plan since Pittsfield does not have zoning. In addition, she wanted emphasized the new commission members' status and that only a few had ever participated in a revision before.
     • Sarah wanted something added regarding the Green Mountain Trails and recreation in Pittsfield as well adding the need for affordable housing in the Village Center.
     • Tory agreed to add those items.
     • The Commission discussed the budget and felt it would be sufficient, not wanting to ask for too much and risking rejection.
     • The commission discussed approving the draft application and then working on revisions over email to shore it up.
     • Sarah made a motion to Approve the draft Municipal Planning Grant application, seconded by Marsha, all in favor.
     • Sarah asked about the time line for approval and Tory said it would be somewhere in the October-November time frame.

6. Next Meeting:  October 13, 2020 at 6:30pm.

7. Adjournment:  Meeting adjourned at 7:15pm

Submitted by:  Marsha Hopkins

Approved:  October 13, 2020                 By: s/Sarah Gallagher, Chair

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 was 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 September 1, 2020
By: s/Sarah Gallagher,chair

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

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

1. Sarah called the meeting to order at 6:35 pm. The meeting was conducted via conference call due to COVID 19.

2. Agenda Modifications:  None

3. The minutes from the January 14, 2020 meeting were read.  Charlie made a motion to accept, seconded by Sarah, all in favor.

4. Public Present:  None

5. Correspondence: None

6. Open Issues:

• Generator grant possibilities – Sarah asked if Peter or Tory had let Charlie know when the grant application process was going to begin. Charlie said it might be June or July but he would check.
• Route 100 Crosswalk – Sarah asked what the status was.  Charlie said AOT was busy delivering PPE Equipment and other projects were on hold right now. Charlie said they were working on the design plan for the repaving project. Sarah asked for Eric’s information; she was interested in constructing better signage along Route 100 alerting traffic to the Fire Department, school buses etc. Sarah asked if VTRANS was still planning to conduct the traffic study. All members thought it was a good idea to contact them to see what the timeline was since traffic patterns have been altered due to the pandemic. Charlie said Winterset was due to start resetting trees. Marsha said most construction is on hold now, even with VTRANS.
• Speed Sign – After discussion, the commission was in agreement to table the parking of a speed trailer this spring due to the change in traffic pattern and would discuss again at next meeting if the“stay at home” orders were lifted.
• Town Plan – Sarah asked commission if they wanted to start working on the Town Plan revisions to get a head start. Charlie thought it was a good idea, Marsha thought we should not do it without Two Rivers. Marsha said the grant application could be out soon and their help was invaluable. Jen agreed. Commission decided to wait until next meeting to see if grant was available.

7. New Business:
• New member- Sarah informed commission that Colleen was no longer participating in the commission and that we needed another member. Charlie suggested someone who had experience with RASTA and the bike trail network planned for this area.  Sarah asked everyone to think about a possible suggestion and she would post the opening on the website and at the Town Office.
• River Corridor Permitting Process- Charlie said that since Pittsfield was part of the River Corridor Protection Plan, it has saved us money with disaster recovery through FEMA.  NRCS sent map over and the setbacks Pittsfield indicated are larger than what is required.  It will be up to the Planning Commission and Select Board to come up with permit process. Charlie said he would try to get some language from John Campbell that would be helpful in this process. 

8. Next Meeting:  July 14, 2020 at 6:30pm. 

9. Adjournment:  Meeting adjourned at 7:10pm

Respectfully Submitted,
Marsha Hopkins
Secretary

​The MINUTES of April 14, 2020 were duly APPROVED 

On July 14, 2020. s/Sarah Gallagher

​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