I. Introductions:

Commission members present were Bruce Cox, Michael Todd, Ed Williams, Alan Hudson, Gil Whittemore, Julia Lloyd Wright (ex-officio), and deForest Bearse (Land Use Administrator).

The audience members present were Doug Best, Chris Tomberg, Jason Kelley, Bill McNamara, Shana Duval, Alexandra Rowe, Jose Sebastiao, Peter Daniels, Gary Rapanotti, Darrin Spaulding, John Arrison, Dick Clattenburg, Al Martin, Chris Harris, Jim Mullen, and Dagman Rendley-Martin.

II. Review Meeting Agenda - additions, corrections
Michael Todd would like to have an executive session at the end of the meeting.

III. VELCO-presentation on proposed new substation
Bruce Cox recused himself for this presentation since he is an employee of CVPS. deForest Bearse stated that this is not an application. VELCO is just here to explain the project.
Jose Sebastiao, project manager, presented the Commission with a hand out. He stated that there are weaknesses that need to be addressed. The weaknesses were identified in 2006 and 2009. He reviewed the packet with the Commission members. VELCO has investigated the minimal impact. They will be removing equipment from Route 131 and moving it to the new site. The areas will be brought down to grass level. Some equipment will remain there. They are only taking VELCO's equipment and leaving CVPS's equipment. There will be a safety fence around the new site. There will be some lighting that will come on for emergencies only.
Bill McNamara stated that the tallest pole will be 95 feet tall with five wires. There are 3 phases on each pole. Jose Sebastiao stated that they will try to condense to single pole. They really want to make less of an impact. There will be some noise, but will not be adding any more equipment. They will also do a noise study. Bill McNamara said that there is a 45 day plan. There could be some reduction to the 95 foot pole. There will be no new poles going north.
Jose Sebastiao said that the fuel tanks will stay for the generators. They will just reconnect the wires. deForest Bearse asked if anything was combustible. Jose Sebastiao said that there is oil there to power some of the equipment. Doug Best said that VELCO has never had a large fire to the best of his knowledge. VELCO would need to be there first to deal with the electricity before the responders could go in. It is designed to clear and isolate the problem. deForest Bearse wanted to know what the response time would be. Doug Best said that CVPS would need to be contacted since they would be the first ones to respond. Jose Sebastiao said that it is monitored 24/7 with communication equipment. There is no fire suppression system there. The oil will go into a containment system.
John Arrison asked if the access would be off of Route 5 or Tenney Hill Road. Jose Sebastiao said it would be off of Route 5. There might be some traffic on Tenney Hill Road. John Arrison wanted to know what exactly it would look like. Jose Sebastiao said the equipment would be lower. It is similar to the Coolidge design. Michael Todd wanted to know if Downers would benefit. Jose Sebastiao said no. This is to improve the whole system for the area and state.
Al Martin wanted to know if it would affect the right of way on Weatherbee Road. Jose Sebastiao said no. He said construction would start in the spring of 2012 with completion the end of 2012.
Dagman Rendley-Martin wanted to know who would be paying for this. Jose Sebastiao said that it is a regional project. The money would come from Rhode Island, Connecticut, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. It is a complex calculation. The value of the project is $15 to $20 million.
Jim Mullen wanted to know if VELCO took the 100 year and 500 year flood plan into account. Chris Tomberg said that it should stop at Route 5. The 500 year flood would be up to the substation.

IV. Approval of Minutes: Meetings of January 10, 2011, January 24, 2011, and February 14, 2011

Michael Todd made a motion to move approval of the minutes to the end of the meeting. Alan Hudson seconded it. All were unanimous.

Ed Williams made a motion to approve the minutes of January 10, 2011 with corrections. Alan Hudson seconded it. All were unanimous.

Ed Williams made a motion to approve the minutes of January 24, 2011 as written. Alan Hudson seconded it. All were unanimous.

Ed Williams made a motion to approve the minutes of February 14, 2011 with corrections. Michael Todd seconded it. All were unanimous.

V. Requests/Reviews:
A. Sketch Plan Review-Fire LLC
Bruce Cox made that it is in RRR3-5 zoning district. There are approximately 50 acres involved in the subdivision. Gary Rapanotti stated that the septic plan is ready to be sent to the State for Lot 1 & 3 and replace Lot 2. According to the ancient road map, the ancient road is in the northeast corner of Lot 1. It is 1500 feet to the east. deForest Bearse said it is in Volume 2, page 69.
Chris Harris is an abutter on the east side. He stated the road goes on the west side. His boundary is the brook. The ancient road goes across the brook and to the west side. It is almost entirely on Lot 1. Michael Todd wanted to know how it would affect the subdivision. deForest Bearse said there is no clear answer. There is no law for Class IV roads. The Town has a right of way, but is does not cause a subdivision. The property owner recognizes that there is a right of way.
Bruce Cox wanted to know who would determine exactly where it is located. deForest Bearse said that to do a line, you need to end points. It depends on the accuracy of the end points. It is described by a survey of meets and bounds. It is on the Town Highway map and the State has accepted it.
Gary Rapanotti said there is no firm starting or ending point. It needs to be identified. Gil Whittemore said that if no one agrees with the exact location; just put a note as to the book and page. Ed Williams said that Gary Rapanotti has to do a stamp for accuracy. He cannot legally put it on the survey. Gary Rapanotti said that there could be a note about the Town claims as to a possible ancient road on Lot 1.
deForest Bearse said that the property owner was notified of an ancient road on his property. He did not come to the meeting(s). Gary Rapanotti said with the note, attorneys and mortgage companies would get nervous. He stated that there is no physical evidence of the ancient road.
Gary Rapanotti needs to talk with the property owner. The description of the ancient road needs to be pinned down. He wants to see if the property owner wants to approach the Select Board about having it removed.
Al Martin is opposed to a house on the hill. It would be overlooking their house and pond. It has been private and secluded there. The farm lands are being divided up. They just wanted to state that they are opposed to this subdivision. Dagman Rendley-Martin said they do not want to see any trees cut down. It would be opened up and change the whole area. The Commission stated that the subdivision does not violate anything. Bruce Cox said that some trees might need to be cut for the driveway. deForest Bearse read the Weathersfield Conservation Commission letter dated February 6, 2011.
Ed Williams made a motion to continue this hearing on April 11, 2011. Alan Hudson seconded it. All were unanimous to continue this hearing.

B. Conditional Certificate of Occupancy

C. Access Approval

VI. Discussions:

A. Bylaw/Regulation Revisions-
(1) Section 7.18 Abandoned and Damaged Structures
Gil Whittemore made a motion to move this to the April 11, 2011 meeting. Ed Williams seconded it. All were unanimous.

B. Town Plan Revisions:

VII. Public Comment:

There was none.

VIII. Set or reinforce the agenda, date, time, and place for the next meeting

IX. Adjournment:
Michael Todd made a motion to go into executive session at 9:15 for personnel policy. Ed Williams seconded it. All were unanimous.

Respectfully submitted,

Diana Day