Planning Board Meeting

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Wednesday, September 14, 2022, 6:00 pm until 11:45 pm
Google Meet - See Details Below
A meeting of the Planning Board

Planning Board Meeting
Wednesday, September 14 · 6:00 – 11:30pm
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/xei-qwye-abj
Or dial: (US) +1 318-479-2257 PIN: 815 938 218#
More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/xei-qwye-abj?pin=4863486790895

Meeting of Planning Board

Members: (Quorum)

• Remote: Sara Wik, Member, at 6:00 PM
• Remote: Robert Slowinski, Chair, at 6:00 PM
• Remote: Loren Feinstein, Secretary, at 6:08 PM
• Remote: Gregory Olchowski, Member, at 6:00 PM
• Remote: Marybeth Chichester, Member, at 6:00 PM
• Remote: David Greenberg, Member, at 6:00 PM

Also Present:

• Zara Dowling of the University of Massachusetts
• Cynthia Lively of Thompson Rd Colrain

See original Agenda Final Minutes

Meeting opened: 6:00 PM

Meeting closed: 7:25 PM

0. Meeting Preliminaries

   • Meeting Opened / Attendance Taken (see above).

   • Minutes Approved: Wed, Aug 3 - Planning Board Meeting

1. New Business

   • 6:00PM: UMASS Solar Project

     General Discussion...
     Marybeth has agreed to be the first point of contact for the UMass student reviews, unless other members step forward for consideration.
     
     A paragraph or two with a general synopsis of the town, in particular its history with any solar projects.
     
     

     MOTION, moved by David Greenberg, seconded by Sara Wik: A motion to move forward in a meaningful capacity with the UMass Solar Project.

     Pass: Aye: David Greenberg, Sara Wik, Gregory Olchowski, Marybeth Chichester, Robert Slowinski, Loren Feinstein.

2. Old Business

   • 6:15PM: Review of Town Counsel Redline of Short Term Rentals Bylaw Draft

     General Discussion...
     The board reviewed the comments from town counsel.
     
     There is a general intention for the Planning Board not to be involved in grievance reviews, but to have a clear process delinneated that incorporated input from town departments, such as the building department (building inspector), public safety (police and/or fire chief), Select Board, and concerned neighbors or townspeople. There is a voiced intention to construct the process to allow permits by assumption, and that would make it necessary to receive a complaint to prevent a permit.
     
     There is discussion about formalizing a grievance process and Gregory will draft something up for our review at the next meeting.

   • 7:23: Flood Plain Bylaw Update and Review - General discussion on where the process of the town Flood Plain Bylaw update is at, including the creation and appointment of a Flood Plain Manager position.

3. Meeting Wrap-up

   • Next Meetings:
     1. Wed, Oct 5, at 6:00 PM "Planning Board Meeting" -- Google Meet - See Details Below
     2. Wed, Nov 2, at 6:00 PM "Planning Board Meeting" -- Google Meet - See Details Below
     3. Wed, Dec 7, at 6:00 PM "Planning Board Meeting" -- Google Meet - See Details Below
     4. Wed, Jan 11, at 6:00 PM "Planning Board Meeting" -- Google Meet - See Details Below
     5. Wed, Feb 1, at 6:00 PM "Planning Board Meeting" -- Google Meet - See Details Below

The listing of matters is those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law.

Minutes prepared by Planning Board Secretary

Minutes approved on Wednesday, Oct 5, 2022