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 _______________, 2018 were duly APPROVED
on_______________________________, 2018

​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

​Town of Pittsfield, Vermont
Planning Commission
Minutes of August 16, 2017
MEMBERS PRESENT: Suana Rubin, Marsha Hopkins and Jennifer Howard.
1. The meeting was called to order by Suana at 6:30pm at the Town Office.
2. The minutes from the July 11th, 2017 meeting were read. Jennifer made a motionto accept, seconded by Suana, all in favor.
3. Agenda Modifications: Mail
None
4. Discussion re Energy Grants – correction to Agenda, MPG Economic Vitality Grant

• Jennifer lead discussion regarding grant opportunities. The grant’s main purpose is for economically disadvantaged and disabled populations and how to make the town more viable to accommodate those needs. After discussion with everyone present, it was decided that Pittsfield needed a specific purpose and have the plan and the details of plan worked out so when applying for grant monies, the funds could be utilized to their best advantage. The Commission decided to pass on this grant and start working with the community members to see what we needed to do in town, who the players would be, designate locations and investigate costs associated with the specific need. The Commission decided to start working on this and would discuss at October meeting.

5. Planning for table at Town Picnic

• Marsha said she went to Neighborworks and got all their information for display and was given an overview by one of their employees. She also said she had commitments from Green Mountain Power and Efficiency Vermont and both would have booths for the event. Sarah Gallagher let the commission know by email that she had a commitment from Catamount Solar. Marsha is waiting on Erica Hurd to find out where and when all these vendors could set up.

6. Comments
None
7. Adjournment

Next meeting scheduled for October 10 at 6:30pm. Meeting adjourned at 7:20pm.

Respectfully Submitted,
Marsha Hopkins
Secretary
​
The MINUTES of August 16,2017 were duly APPROVED on October 10, 2017 
Signed: Suana Rubin, Chair

​Town of Pittsfield, Vermont
Planning Commission
​7 p.m. Town Office

 Minutes of July 11, 2017

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

1. The meeting was called to order by Jennifer at 7:00pm at the Town Office.
2. Agenda Modifications: Mail

• Jennifer read letter from Two Rivers announcing Municipal Planning Grant opportunities relating to increasing economic vitality of the community. Jennifer said she would investigate the opportunities on lineand report back to everyone. The applications would be due shortly after the October meeting so all present decided if the grants were suitable for Pittsfield, the commission would meet prior to the planned October meeting to get the application completed and submitted on time.
• Jennifer reviewed the Act 250 permit application and hearing notice for the Riverside Farm. The commission looked the application up on line for more detailed information. The commission agreed to request George Deblon, Road Commissioner, attend the Act 250 hearing since there could be a substantial impact on road maintenance resulting from the additional vehicular round trips being requested on the application. Marsha would attend the next Select Board meeting and make the request directly to the Board. Jennifer made a motion, seconded by Marsha to have either Suana or Sarah represent the Planning Commission at the Act 250 hearing. All were in favor.

3. The minutes from the May 9, 2017 meeting were read. Sarah made a motion to accept, seconded by Jennifer, all in favor.
4. Discussion: Energy table at Town Picnic August 27
Marsha could not get Neighborhood Works heat squad to attend, however she did get them to agree to provide pamphlets and provide some orientation for Marsha so she could set up a table and answer questions. Marsha felt that just one table
without professional help would not draw much attention. She said she would also like to see some hands on things for the attendees. Sarah and Jennifer said they would contact some solar companies to see if they would attend the event. Marsha said she would contact GMP at Sarah’s suggestion since they have been advertising those TESLA batteries. Marsha would also see if CV Oil would like to display something. If no outside vendors attend, the Commission concluded that the outreach would need to be postponed.
5. Comments – None
6. Adjournment-
Next meeting dates set for October 10 at 6:30pm. Meeting adjourned at 8:09pm, moved and seconded, all in favor.

Respectfully Submitted,
Marsha Hopkins
Secretary

The MINUTES of July 11, 2017 were duly APPROVED
on August 16, 2017
Signed: Suana Rubin

​Town of Pittsfield, Vermont
Planning Commission
Minutes of May 9, 2017

MEMBERS PRESENT: Suana Rubin, Marsha Hopkins, Jennifer Howard and Sarah Gallagher.
​
1. The meeting was called to order at 6:30pm at the Town Office.
2. The minutes from the October 11, 2016 meeting were read. Jennifer made a motion to accept, seconded by Suana, all in favor.
3. Agenda Modifications:
Suana read the correspondence from Two Rivers concerning the development of an Enhanced Energy Plan which conforms with the newly passed Act 174. The state is asking Towns to compile an enhanced energy plan that will meet the goals for renewables set for the year 2050. A discussion ensued. After reviewing the template sent by Two Rivers breaking down sources of energy by household numbers Jennifer noted the number of households was incorrect for Pittsfield and that wood would be a very hard source to track unless every household was called. Sarah mentioned that the Eric Lantiegne was appointed as the Energy
Coordinator for the Town. The commission agreed they would attend the Select Board meeting on the 23rd of May to discuss this issue with the board and assess a plan of action. Marsha said she would contact Eric to see if he could make the meeting. Sarah said she would let Patty know to put the Planning Commission on the agenda for the 23rd.
4. Town Plan Matrix – Continued Discussion and Review
Jennifer said she would contact RPC to find out if a study was done on possible groundwater resources in the town (for the Flood Resiliency section) and she would also try to find out if the town’s wetlands had been identified by the state (for the Natural Scenic & Historic section). Sarah noted that the Select Board had new members and they might not know about the matrix. Suana said we could go over the matrix with the Board when we go to the meeting on the 23rd. In particular, there was the Capital Budget, Energy,
and Health and Human Services. Suana suggested we ask them if they wanted to do an energy forum with us so we could meet the Energy educational piece for residents and businesses in town. Joining together might result in a larger turn out for a meeting. All agreed and Jennifer suggested getting Sun Common to come back. The housing energy efficiency standards and practices was done; state standards are posted on the town website. Marsha said she would make copies of the matrix and highlight the items that were the Select Board’s responsibility. Sarah said she would distribute to the Board. The Commission concluded the Flood Resiliency, Relationship to Other Plans, and the Educational and Childcare services sections were done to date.
6. Comments –
Sarah said she recently attended Town Officers Education Training at UVM and the Orton Family Foundation Heart & Soul workshop. The workshop helps towns find methodologies to gain feedback concerning what residents wanted their towns to look like in the future. Suana suggested Sarah contact them and find out what is involved. All agreed it might be something we could do.
7. Adjournment-
Next meeting dates set for July 11 at 6:30 pm and October 10th at 6:30 pm. Meeting adjourned at 7:30pm, moved and seconded, all in favor.

Respectfully Submitted,
Marsha Hopkins
Secretary
​
The MINUTES of May 9, 2017 were duly APPROVED
on July 11, 2017
Signed
Jennifer Howard