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
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
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