Ron Bement

The key discussion centered on two applications. The first involved the subdivision of a three-acre property at 2600 Brickyard Road into two 1.12-acre lots, necessitated because the prospective buyer only wanted the existing residence and retained the vacant lot. The board approved this subdivision, noting that the existing septic system on the residential lot will be decommissioned and the property will connect to public sewer. The second major item was a revised and relocated cell tower application (CPN 20265) on County Route 8. The board reviewed responses to engineering comments, including information regarding Mercy Flight's concerns and a request for a waiver concerning the county's requirement for immediate removal of all infrastructure upon decommissioning. The board also addressed requests for waivers regarding the two-year limitation for special use permits and the requirement for a Certificate of Need from the Public Service Commission, which the proposer stated is issued by the FCC instead. Furthermore, discussions covered the required federal NEPA process completion before a building permit application and details concerning tree removal and grading for the tower's access easement.

The meeting featured discussions and actions related to land use and development applications. Key agenda items included the continuation of a subdivision review for a property at 2314 Brickyard Road, involving the creation of two one-acre lots which required variances from the Zoning Board of Appeals concerning lot area and frontage, complicated by the presence of a pipeline easement. The board also addressed a modification to the site plan for CPN 2025135 concerning Mobile Road extension, where the applicant requested a waiver of road dedication at that time, intending for the road to serve as temporary access, with final dedication tied to a future, larger development plan. Ultimately, due to unresolved compliance comments from town engineering regarding road improvements, paving requirements, hammerhead turnarounds, and potential fire department concerns, the application was tabled to allow the applicant to address these detailed conditions.

The meeting included a public hearing regarding a three-lot subdivision on Gribble Road, which resulted from a prior lot line revision that unintentionally created three lots instead of the originally intended two. Discussion centered on the insufficient frontage of one resulting parcel, mitigated by an existing farm lane and a prior variance, and concerns about sight distance and safety for future driveways. The board discussed imposing conditions on the subdivision approval, specifically regarding future development of the parcels, considering options like environmental or conservation easements to restrict development on specific lots, particularly in light of an agreement where an adjacent out-of-town property owner intends to merge one newly created lot into their property upon purchase.

The meeting, identified as the first of 2026, involved the reorganization of the board, including the selection of a vice chairman, board secretary, board attorney, and board engineer, as well as adopting the meeting calendar and rules of procedure. Key agenda items included a public hearing for a Special Use Permit (CPN 2025088) regarding the installation of a ground-mounted Tier One solar array at 4410 Middle Road, which was approved with conditions, notably that existing trees hiding the view shed must remain. The board also addressed a reopening of a subdivision application (2025125 and 126) for Ashton Place South development, involving 38 single-family homes under conservation subdivision regulations, which was tabled to allow the applicant to finalize addressing town and agency comments, particularly concerning conservation buffer adjustments for lots eight and nine.

The committee discussed several key updates and projects. A moment of silence was observed for Karen Parkhurst, a longtime member of the parks committee who recently passed away. Project updates included the completion and positive reception of the new pickleball courts, which are available for rental. The Halloween event at House Park was deemed a major success and will likely become the permanent location. Progress on the Pierce Park Pines Trail completion and signage installation was noted. Significant discussion surrounded the non-parks uplands project, particularly the restroom construction, which was reduced in cost from one million to half a million dollars while maintaining ADA compliance and utility access. There were discussions regarding the senior card expansion program and expanding programming, including bus trips, which may necessitate small fees. The committee also explored partnership opportunities with the Notream Retreat House for monthly lunch-and-learn events. Budget details showed $621,093 remaining. Discussions included purchasing games like cornhole for the Fourth of July, acquiring pickleball and bocce ball sets for local use, and ongoing discussions about extending concession services to Babcock store, potentially modeled after the successful Motion Junction concession stand format. Finally, updates were given on the cabin updating project, which faced initial funding allocation hurdles, and consideration for starting kayak and paddle board rentals.