Planning Board Minutes, August 13, 2013

TOWN OF SEDGWICK
PLANNING BOARD MEETING
August 13, 2013

Planning Board members present:  Peter Neill, Michael Rossney, Nicole Gray, Secretary Sylvia Wardwell, Chairman John Allen

Also present:  Selectmen Victor Smith, Nelson Grindal, CEO Duane Ford, Assistant to the Selectmen Barbara Grindle

Chairman Allen called the meeting to order at 7 pm.

The board welcomed new member Nicole Gray.

There being no one in for business, the CEO presented several reports.
Anyone coming in to make changes in a subdivision plan must come back to the planning board with a new survey showing all changes to be made.  The planning board will review the plan and when it is approved, they will sign a copy of the new survey for recording at the registry.  There are at least two subdivisions considering these changes.  The planning board members agreed that this process must be followed.  The planning board also discussed developers taking land out of subdivision status for tax purposes and when land begins to sell again putting it back into a  subdivision.  They feel that there should be a time limit before the property can be put back into subdivision.  This can be done with a note on the survey map that back taxes would be charged if returned to subdivision status within 10 years.
The mediation with The Maine Trust concerning the two bunkhouses was discussed.  There will be a public hearing on the mediation results Thursday at the special town meeting called for that purpose.  Present at the mediation were the three Sedgwick selectmen, the code enforcement officer, and the lawyer representing the town, Judge Pierson, the mediator, Mr. Cartter Patten, Mrs. Lee Patten, Ashley Patten, Ron Cote, and the lawyer representing the Maine Trust.  The two bunkhouses are to be torn down within 90 days after receiving the permits from DEP, paying a $2,500 fine, and restoring the shore of Walker Pond.  In return they will receive the renewal of the boathouse permit, and the director’s cabin will be allowed to return to nature naturally.
Selectman Grindal updated the Board on the Carter Point Road situation.  Philip McCarthy has claimed ownership of the road and is threatening to remove a culvert installed be the Everdells for entry into their driveway.  The culvert is on their side of the road in the town right of way.  Mr. McCarthy claims that it is going to divert water on to his property. A package has been put together for the lawyer to review regarding the town’s claim to the road, including maintenance for many, many years.
The Board will review the Site Review, Shoreland, and Subdivision ordinances.

Barbara Grindle, Assistant to the Selectmen