Town of Pittsfield Planning Commission Meeting Minutes, October 19, 2021

Members Present: Sarah Gallagher, Micheline Bissell and Marsha Hopkins, along with AJ Ruben from Zoning. 

1. Call to Order

Meeting called to Order at 6:05pm.

1. Agenda Modifications: None

 

1. Correspondence:

Sarah updated   Commission on BRIC Technical Assistance. The town was accepted; nine regions in the country were designated and Pittsfield was accepted for the town in our region.  We are asking for technical assistance, no money involved, to have an engineer come and assess the town for some mitigation projects such as flood, emergency, etc, including FEMA stirring Pittsfield in the right direction for obtaining relevant grants.                                                                 

1. Approval of Minutes from April 13, 2021 meeting.

Motion to approve by Marsha, seconded by Micheline, all in favor
Approval of Minutes from July 13, 2021.
Motion to approve by Micheline, seconded by Marsha, all in favor.

1. Public Present

Kimberly Gilbert from TRORC.  Introduction

1. Town Plan Update:

Kimberly provided a status update for the Commission on what has been done and what remains to be done. Sarah suggested everyone go back and review and if we have edits, we can discuss in January.  Kim informed Commission that some of the census data still has not been released for the Demographics, Housing and Economic Development. TRORC is monitoring and waiting on the release for further updates.
 
The Energy Section appears overwhelming for a small town but is necessary for the Enhanced  Energy Review at the regional level which will require larger scale energy developers to adhere to the Town Plan per Kimberly. Sarah said that Matt is the Energy Coordinator and Joyce is the alternate but we do not have an Energy Committee.  When the plan goes before Select Board, AJ suggested that might be the time to suggest the formation of an Energy Committee. AJ liked the census detail that was detailed in the plan regarding consumption within Pittsfield. Marsha felt all you could do in Pittsfield was educate people unless you put more restrictions in the plan as to placement, noise, location etc. Kimberly said the plan has generic requirements for sites. AJ suggested the plan opens up the space for the Select Board or Planning Commission to revisit this in the future whether it by ordinance or something else. The Planning Commission asked Kimberly to send us some of the requirements for Preferred and Prohibited sites that other towns have put into their plans for our review.
 
Kimberly said the important part of this section is the policies and goals.  Sarah reworded the third bullet to make more sense.  Marsha did not know there was a new parking ordinance.  Sarah said overnight spots have no signage but it is allowed in certain spots to encourage carpooling.  The Commission questioned the PACE program and if it was relevant to Pittsfield. Kimberly was not sure which towns actually use it. Kimberly said the goal was to have the Select Board discuss it.  Kimberly said Act 45 would have all the info. Sarah reworded 5th policy as well.
 
AJ said he would check into the status of the Capital Budget, Marsha wanted to reword the section.
 
Kimberly asked if we wanted to include Health and Emergency Services or have it stand alone as a chapter.  The Commission preferred to have it stand alone as its own chapter.
 
Further discussion ensued regarding timing of plan, public forum and Select Board approval.

1. Next meeting January 11, 2022.

 

1. Adjournment – Meeting adjourned, motion by Micheline, seconded Marsha, all in favor

 
 
Respectfully Submitted,
Marsha Hopkins
Secretary
 
 
The Minutes of October 19, 2021 were duly APPROVED on ______________________________
 
By __________________________________________