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PLANNING COMMISSION
Meetings are held at the Town Office |
Newfane Planning Commission, April 26, 2005, 7:00 p.m. Present: T. Bedell, D. Clarkson, J. Feifel, J. Spencer, K. Robinson Absent: J. Borta, G. Garbe 1. Chairman Jim Spencer called meeting to order at 7:08 2. Minutes of April 19, 2005 meeting read and approved. (5:0) 3. D. Clarkson reviewed mail and communications: --Letter from Jim Matteau pertaining to his attendance at April 19 PC meeting and summarizing his understandings. --Oct. 9, 1998 letter from WRC re the findings and recommendations on the 1998 plan. --Letter from Charles ‘Bud’ Bergmann --Minutes of the Selectboard 3/17 --Notices of meetings: > Special meeting of Selectboard and PC at 6:30 on 4/28 > Village Enhancement committee, 4/28 > Traffic Calming Committee, 5/2, 7 pm > New Conservation Commission, 5/5, 7 pm 4. D. Clarkson suggested a meetings procedure to make meeting go quickly and efficiently—set times and a timekeeper to keep things to order. The matter was discussed and while no definite plan was effected, the members wanted to keep the notion in mind. 5. The letter from Jim Matteau was reviewed in greater depth. The general feeling was that Jim was leaning toward the PC putting a plan through now. He outlined possible times and a contact with WRC staff member Sue Fillion for assistance and suggested a member be appointed as a point contact. D. Clarkson was so selected. He’ll discuss a schedule with Sue (pending the PC’s subsequent meeting with the Selectboard on 4/28). It was noted that Jim’s reminder about Plan maps not being in the GIS was in the works. 6. The PC’s financial status was discussed in terms of funds on hand (about $6,000), possible grant monies, and how the funds should be utilized. J. Spencer outlined some of the computer hardware and software pertaining to PC work he would like to obtain, including a plotter and possibly a high-speed connection that might benefit the entire town office. This prompted further discussion about the accessibility of PC files to other town officers. The general feeling was that in an effort to fully modernize the PC operation, we could quickly exhaust the current funds on hand. 7. The financial discussion dovetailed with one concerning the PC’s upcoming meeting with the Selectboard on 4/28, with the PC intent on making the case for the Selectboard to give an early-approval of a Plan subsequent with simultaneous submission to the WRC. (As discussed at the 4/19 PC meeting.) The main motivation for this was to meet the necessary deadlines and qualify for funding in the current time frames. A few main talking points to bring before the Selectboard were decided upon: --That we were serious about modernizing the PC and would need more funding than we have currently; --That part of the result of the modernization would be to give the public greater awareness and ultimately greater input into the Plan; --That we were looking at the Plan as a continuous process, and that if necessary, we wouldn’t wait five years for a revision, but would go back to do it again in two years, if that was what was best; --That we would ultimately have a progressive town plan that comes up to and even surpasses other local town plans. The meeting was adjourned at 8:39 pm. Calendar:
Tom Bedell, Secretary *** Agenda for next meeting, May 10, 2005, 7 pm 1. Review calendar in light of recent developments 2. To consider any business that may come before the Planning Commission |
 Town Offices: Route 30, P.O. Box 36, Newfane VT 05345, Tel. (802) 365-7772 Please send all comments, suggestions and questions to info@newfanevt.com |