Town of Kensington

Planning Board Minutes

September 15, 2005

Approved October 6, 2005

In Attendance:  Michael Schwotzer, Chairman, Joan Whitney, Bob Solomon, Richard Powers, Steve Wilson, and Michael Motherway, Selectmen’s Representative.  Peter Merrill joined the Board at 7:22 pm.

The Meeting was called to order at 7:09 pm by the Chairman. 

PUBLIC HEARING

Unitil (Unitil Energy Systems, Inc.) requesting written consent, in Accordance with RSA 231:158 to trim trees for utility maintenance of their overhead wires on all roads in the Town of Kensington including those designated as Scenic Roads as listed in Chapter II, Article 5.1a of the Zoning Ordinance and Land Use Regulations: North road, Hilliard Road, Trundle Bed Lane, New Boston Road, Highland Road, Wild Pasture Road, Moulton Ridge Road, Muddy Pond Road, Stumpfield road, and Osgood Road.

Sam Horton (phone: 777-5543 / email: horton@unitil.com) represented Unitil and stated that he had already met with the Board of Selectmen on August 22^nd  Present at that meeting were the Fire and Police Chiefs with the Fire Chief agreeing that there were several problem areas but especially on Trundle Bed, Muddy Pond, Stumpfield and Moulton Ridge. From Unitil records, Mr. Horton reported that so far this year there were 15 wire related fires on scenic roads with a maximum outage effecting 146 customers for 173 minutes. These problems are a direct result of the growth of customers and resulting increase in line voltage. This increase in line voltage requires an increase in the open area around the wires. The standard clearance from the wires are eight (8) feet to the side, ten (10) feet below and twelve (12) feet above.

The board asked several questions: Does Unitil do the work themselves? Answer: No, mostly contractors, for example Asphland Tree Service. One member of those crews has been working in Kensington for an estimated thirty years and so knows the situation quite well. Why doesn’t Unitil bury the wires? Answer: the cost is prohibitive, in the order of one hundred times more expensive. Will there be police details to assist with traffic? Answer: yes, the Kensington Police will be contacted to schedule officers with the cost being paid by Unitil. Does the tree contractor remove the stumps? Answer: not usually but if the homeowner requested it, Unitil would work with them regarding a solution. What happens to the wood from the downed trees? Answer: the wood is left for the homeowner and if they do not desire it, arrangements can be made to remove it for them. How long is needed to do all the tree work. Answer: On the four problem roads, at least two months but Unitil is seeking permission to continue working in town through next fall.

When questioned regarding notification, Mr. Horton stated that “door knockers” (cards asking permission to trim trees) are left at all the properties and if a homeowner does not wish their trees to be cut, a Unitil representative will visit with them to discuss the problem further. In the end, the homeowner’s wishes will be followed.

The idea of “donation in kind” was discussed by Mike Motherway and Mr. Horton. This would entail the Unitil tree crew assisting the Road Agent in clearing some of the dangerous intersections on some of the roads. This issue will be followed up by the Board of Selectmen.

Steve Wilson motioned to “Allow Unitil a thirteen month period (through the end of October 2006) to trim the trees as needed along all the roads in Kensington including those designated as scenic roads.” The motion was seconded by Mike Motherway with all in favor. The public hearing was closed at 8:01pm.

There was some discussion of the need to remove and trim trees on Stumpfield Road during road reconstruction. The board suggested the Board of Selectmen address this at the Selectmen’s meeting to inform residents what the work will entail.

OLD BUSINESS:

CP Lumber – request for a continuance for presenting a revised plan, with calculations and engineering review. A motion was made by Steve Wilson to grant a continuance until the October 6, 2005 meeting. It was seconded by Joan Whitney with all in favor.

OTHER BUSINESS

Mike Schwotzer motioned at 8:04 pm for the Board to enter a non-public session for the purpose of reviewing confidential legal information from Town Council. The motion was seconded by Mike Motherway. A roll call vote was taken and all voted in the affirmative. Town Council’s information was reviewed and discussed. No motions or other actions were taken. At 8:32 pm, Bob Solomon motioned with Steve Wilson seconding to leave the non-public session and resume the public meeting. A roll call vote was taken and all voted in the affirmative.

Mike Schwotzer then distributed an article from the September 2005 edition of New Hampshire Town and City entitled “Ossippee Ordered to Amend its Exclusionary Multifamily Housing Ordinance”. He felt it might be of use with regards to revising the Elderly Housing Ordinance.

Rich Powers asked about the status of the CIP (Capital Improvements Project). Mike Motherway reported that the Fire Department has determined that there is currently no need for expanded facilities. The Police Department is looking to the FBI and Local Government Center for statistics to use in projecting manpower requirements as it relates to growing population.

Bob Solomon stated that the CIP Committee is at the same place it was a year ago and that he believes that outside assistance is necessary if any progress is to be forthcoming. The issue of financing this effort was raised and Mike Motherway said that though the budget was tight, he would see if there might be some monies available. Mike Schwotzer agreed to contact the Rockingham Planning Commission prior to the next Planning Board meeting and inquire if they could assist in writing the initial CIP report and what would be the costs.

With no other business before the Board, Peter Merrill motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:47 p.m., seconded by Bob Solomon with all in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Michael Schwotzer

Chairman