Planning Board Minutes, Jan 13, 2009

The Sedgwick Planning Board met at the Town Office on Jan. 13, 2009 for their first meeting of the year.  Present were Board members Victor Smith, David Webb, John Allen, Alternate James Wood, Secretary Sylvia Wardwell and Chairman Palmer Little. 

            Also present were CEO Duane Ford, Richard Duffy, Jonathan Thomas of the Weekly Packet, Selectman Nelson Grindal, Assistant to the Selectmen Barbara Grindle and five members of the public.

            Mr Duffy presented revised maps, topographical maps, test site results, letters from the road commissioner and fire chief, a traffic impact study and some possible covenants to the Board in response to a letter presented last month listing concerns of  adjacent landowners and neighbors to his proposed subdivision, Eggemoggin Heights.  He stated that most of the homes would be located in wooded areas and therefore only minimally visible from the road.  Others would be located on blueberry fields but would be expected to plant buffer areas around their homes. 

            Since the public hearing was held last month, questions from the public were only addressed after the board had heard the presentation, looked over the materials and questioned Mr Duffy.  They agreed that this presentation was one of the best they had ever received, and that they would need time to read and study all of the material.  The application process will continue next month with Vice Chairman Victor Smith in charge as Chairman Little will be out of town.  Questions from the public still regarded the vernal pools and wetlands.  Greg Burr of Inland Fisheries will be asked for a letter stating his findings and DEP will be asked to return to the site again to confirm previous results.

            The Planning Board Chairman asked about requesting the selectmen to put a warrant article in the town report for the annual Town Meeting to be held in March regarding a moratorium on wind mills and towers for six months to give time to study and prepare an ordinance.  The board amended his request to commercial towers, rather than all towers.  He will prepare language for the warrant article. 

            Also entered into discussion was an application-after-the-fact and a check from Ricky Spofford.  The CEO is to return the paperwork to Mr Spofford because he only paid half of the fee, and his application regarded the wind farm, not the tower that he has erected.  The tower was erected before any permits from the town were obtained.  He must get permits from the town as well as any required from the state agencies involved.

            The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 pm.

            Barbara Grindle, Assistant to the Selectmen