Planning Board Minute - July 5, 2016

The following minutes are a summary of the Planning Board meeting of July 5, 2016. Interested parties may request an audio recording of the meeting from the Board Secretary for a fee.

Call to Order & Statement of Compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act: Mayor Knudsen called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Following members were present: Mayor Susan Knudsen, Joel Torielli, Richard Joel, Councilman John Voigt, David Thurston, Isabella Altano, Melanie McWilliams, Debbie Patire, and Kevin Reilly. Also present were Board Attorney Katie Razin, Village Planner Blais Brancheau, Village Engineer Chris Rutishauser, and Board Secretary Michael Cafarelli.

Reorganization of Planning Board

Administration of Oaths of Office to New Members and/or Reappointments – Ms. Razin administered the oaths of office to Mayor Knudsen, Class I Member; David Scheibner, Class II Member; Jeff Voigt, Class III Member; Joel Torielli, Class IV Member and Melanie McWilliams, Alternate Member 1.

Elections of Officers

Chairman – Councilman Voigt nominated Mr. Torielli, Mr. Reilly nominated Mr. Joel. Mr. Thurston seconded Mr. Joel's nomination and Mr. Joel was elected chair.

Vice Chairman – Mayor Knudsen nominated Mr. Torielli, Ms. Altano seconded. Mr. Joel nominated Mr. Reilly and Mr. Thurston seconded. After discussion, Mr. Torielli was elected vice-chairman.

Board Secretary – Mr. Joel nominated Mr. Cafarelli, Mayor Knudsen seconded. Mr. Cafarelli was appointed secretary.

Site Plan/Subdivision Review Committee – Mayor Knudsen, Councilman Voigt, and Isabella Altano were appointed to this committee.

Site Plan Exemption Committee – Mr. Rutishauser said the committee meets during the day and would need someone who would be available.  Mr. Scheibner was appointed to this committee.

Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) – Mayor Knudsen said there was a member of the Board of Adjustment who was interested in the Historical Preservation Commission. However, to have a member of the Board of Adjustment sit on the Historical Preservation Commission, no one from the Planning Board can be on the Commission. Ms. Knudsen asked that the appointment of a Planning Board member to the Historical Preservation Commission be tabled until they receive a response from the individual from the Board of Adjustment. Mr. Brancheau discussed the terms of the Commissioners and that Council appoints them.

Resolution re: Compliance with the Requirements of the Open Public Meetings Act. Mr. Brancheau said that the Planning Board usually meets on the first and third Tuesday of every month. However, in 2017 the first meeting in July 2017 falls on July 4, a national holiday and therefore the reorganization meeting date in 2017 was moved to July 18, 2017 in the meeting schedule. Mayor Knudsen motioned to adopt the Resolution and all voted to adopt.

Planning Board Attorney – Mayor Knudsen asked that the motion be tabled and discussed in executive session, Councilman Voigt seconded, and the vote was seven to three to meet in closed session to discuss the appointment of a Planning Board attorney.

Other Experts - Mr. Brancheau said the Planning Board would need to consider retaining a traffic consultant. The Board discussed the options and process – RFQ and the timing of the multifamily housing applications. The Board decided to move forward with an RFQ.

Planner – Mr. Joel nominated Mr. Brancheau. Councilman Voigt asked if Mr. Brancheau needed additional help. There was a discussion about the timeliness of reports and workload and if it made sense to hire someone to work with Mr. Brancheau. After the discussion, the Board appointed Mr. Brancheau as Planner.

Village Engineer – Mr. Rutishauser was appointed as the Village Engineer.

Reorganization portion of the meeting was closed.

Public Comments on Topics not Pending Before the Board – No one came forward.

Committee/Commission/Professional Updates for Non Agenda Topics, Correspondence Received by the Board – Mr. Brancheau said he received a memorandum from the acting Zoning Officer that included several issues he felt should be discussed at the next Planning Board meeting.

Resolution Memorializing Adoption of Housing Element of the Master Plan – Mayor Knudsen reiterated her opposition to the multifamily housing density. Ms. Altano said the location of vacant property should be identified in the resolution. The resolution was adopted as drafted.

Approval of minutes from March 1, 2016 - The minutes were adopted with two corrections.

Executive Session – The Board moved to executive session.

The Board reconvened and adjourned the meeting at 10:45 p.m.

                                                                                                Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                                Michael Cafarelli

                                                                                                Board Secretary

  Date approved: November 1, 2016