WALPOLE ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT

Meeting of July 16, 2008

 

 

Present:  Chair Myra Mansouri, Leo Carignan, David Calhoun, Mary Therese Lester, and alternates - Peggy Pschirrer, Bill Webb, Jan Galloway-LeClerc, and Ernie Vose.  Absent:  Larry Britton.

 

Chair Myra Mansouri called the meeting to order at 7:35 PM.  Chair Mansouri noted Larry Britton was absent and appointed alternate Peggy Pschirrer to sit in as a regular, replacing Larry Britton for the evening.

 

MINUTES:

The June 18, 2008 minutes were read.  Chair Mansouri made one correction.  The minutes should have read that Whitcomb Construction could no have any employee vehicles or company trucks parked on the proposed gravel site on Old Drewsville Road.  Elaine Moore, Secretary to the Board, provided a copy of the revised minutes showing this change had been made to the minutes.   Mr. Richard Frazier requested the sign on Old Drewsville road be changed from “Right Turn Only” to No Left Turn”.  This would allow company trucks to go directly across Old Drewsville Road from the pit to the office parking area.  Peggy Pschirrer moved to approve the change to no left turn.  Seconded by Leo Carignan.  All in favor, so voted.  Peggy Pschirrer moved to approve the new minutes as changed.  Seconded by Leo Carignan.  All in favor, so voted.

The May 21, 2008 minutes were read and a motion was made by Mary Therese Lester to approve the minutes as written.  Seconded by Peggy Pschirrer.  All in favor, so voted.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

FAIRPOINT COMMUNICATIONS – Requests replacing the Verizon sign on the Westminster Street telephone building with a new Fairpoint Communications sign.  The sign will be non-illuminated and is within the Walpole Zoning Ordinance Regulations regarding signage.  The Board was unanimously in agreement the sign could be placed on the building and no hearing was necessary.  Secretary Elaine Moore will contact Fairpoint Communications of the outcome of their request.

 

R.N. JOHNSON Signage request – Mr. Terry Robison, representing R.N. Johnson has requested permission to place a 4’x 8’ sign 192 feet North of the Agway sign on  Route 12.  The sign will be 58 feet from the edge of Route 12 highway.  The property is owned by Dale Hubbard.  Mr. Hubbard has given R.N. Johnson permission to place the sign on the property providing the Zoning Board gives their approval.  The sign would say R.N. Johnson Inc. Suppliers of Fine Equipment Since 1929 – Next Left. 

 

Jan Galloway-LeClerc indicated the Walpole Zoning Signage Ordinance indicates signs must be placed at least 60 feet from the edge of the road and if Mr. Robison would agree to the 60 feet there would be no need for a Variance.  Mr. Robison informed the Board this would be no problem and the sign would be placed 60 feet from the edge of Route 12.

Peggy Pschirrer moved to approve R.N. Johnson’s request provided the placed was at least 60 feet from the edge of the Route 12 highway.  Seconded by Leo Carignan.  All in favor, so voted.   Chair Mansouri informed Mr. Robison when the State permit was approved a copy of the approval letter needs to be sent to the Zoning Board.  Mr. Robison indicated a copy would be forwarded.

 

MARGARET DANGLER – Expansion of Non-Conforming Use - Egress Request- Cindy Westover, representing Margaret Dangler indicated Mrs. Dangler has a two (2) story apartment in the barn that is attached to the house.  There is no egress from the second floor of the apartment.   The porch on the house is 16’ from the property line and the new steps will also be 16’ from the property line.  A variance to Increase the Non-Conforming use is needed.  Mrs. Dangler is requesting building an egress from the second floor by having a slide by window to a step-out landing with wooden stairs on the side of the building.  The steps would not be conforming to the requirement by the Zoning Regulations placing a structure at least 20 feet from an abutting property line.  The placement of the stairs would be a distance 16 feet from the abutters’ property line. 

Mary Therese Lester made a motion to set a hearing for August 20, 2008.  Seconded by Peggy Pschirrer.  All in favor, so voted.  Chair Mansouri informed Mrs. Westover an application for a variance would  need to file by Mrs. Dangler.  The application must be submitted no later than August 05, 2008 to be heard at the August 20th 2008 Zoning Board Meeting.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

F.W. WHITCOMB:  Frank W. (Chip) Whitcomb and Richard Frazier attended the Zoning Board meeting to apply for permission to excavate on their 3.7 acre lot of Old Drewsville Road and to discuss a Bond for the Excavation.  Chair Mansouri informed the Board that in her research regarding Bonds she proposes a Bond in the amount of Four to Five thousand dollars.   David Calhoun made a motion to approve a bond in the amount of Five Thousand Dollars to be placed in the bank by the Town Treasurer.  Seconded by Peggy Pschirrer.  All in favor, so voted.  Mr. Whitcomb informed the Board the Bond Check will be forthcoming.   An application for Gravel Excavation was given to Mr. Whitcomb to be submitted to the Select Board for approval.

 

VICKERS AUTOMOTIVE LLC:  Chair Mansouri informed the Board the State a copy of the approval for Vickers Automotive LLC has been sent to the Board and will be filed.

 

OTHER:

Alternate for One year – Mary Therese Lester made a motion to appoint Ernie Vose as an Alternate to the Zoning Board for one year.  Seconded by Leo Carignan.  All in favor, so voted.

 

By-Laws: Chair Mansouri distributed a copy of the proposed By-Laws of 2005.

Peggy Pschirrer moved to change the fees to read:  Fee:  The Board may, from time to time, establish a fee schedule for public hearings, permits, notices, and other such items or procedures as may be needed.  The fee schedule shall be posted publicly and attached to these by-laws thereby incorporating the schedule in its entirety.  Mary Therese Lester seconded the motion.  All in favor, so voted.

 

Leo Carignan moved to amend the Zoning by-laws regarding Alternates.  At this time the by-law reads the Zoning Board may have three (3) alternates.  State law dictates the Zoning Board may have five (5) alternates.  Amend to read.  The Zoning Board of Adjustment may appoint up to five alternate members for a term of three years each. (RSA 673:6-II,a).  The terms of the alternates shall be reviewed annually in the month of May.  Seconded by Peggy Pschirrer.  All in favor, so voted.

 

Peggy Pschirrer will rewrite the By-Laws and send a copy to all Board members.

 

GRAVEL PERMIT INSPECTIONS were discussed.  Bill Webb suggested reviewing all gravel pit application approvals at the next meeting.    All members agree to look at the applications at the next meeting.

 

Meeting Adjourned:  David Calhoun moved to adjourn the meeting.  Seconded by Leo Carignan.  All in favor, so voted.

 

Chair Mansouri closed the meeting at 8:37 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Elaine Moore

Zoning Board Secretary

 

 

Posted:  Town Hall, Town Bulletin Board

 

( Note: These are unapproved minutes.  Corrections, if necessary, may be found in the Minutes of the August 20th Zoning Board meeting)