The audience members were Keith Graham, Randy Howe, Homer Howe, Laurie Carver, and Michael Benson.
David Gulbrandsen called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M...
II. Additions & Corrections
There were none.

III. Approval of Minutes: October 13, 2010
Graham Hunter made a motion to move approval of the minutes to after the public hearings. Ted Goddard seconded it. All were unanimous.
Ted Goddard made a motion to approve the minutes of October 13, 2010 as written. Graham Hunter seconded it. All were unanimous.
IV. Public Hearings
A. #10.1910A by Homer Howe for a Home Industry permit with multiple variances at 1181 Route 131
David Gulbrandsen opened the hearing at 7:02. The Board did a site visit on November 13, 2010. No testimony was given at the site visit. There was no exparte communication. Randy Howe, Homer Howe, and deForest Bearse affirmed. Randy Howe and Homer Howe are interested parties.
deForest Bearse stated that the Howe's would like to build a garage that would be used as a machine shop. It would be 44 feet x 20 feet x 15 feet. It is on 3.7 acres in a RR1 zoning district. The setbacks are as follows; rear is 55 feet, front is 47 feet, east is 74 feet, west is 309 feet and from the nearest abutter is 195 feet. The variances will be needed for 53 feet from the front, 26 feet from the east, 45 feet from the rear, and 105 feet from the setback to the nearest residence. David Gulbrandsen mentioned that they will also need a conditional use along with the variances.
Randy Howe stated that the garage will be only one bay with 3 to 4 small machines in the back. There will be nothing outside, no signs, any excessive noise, and the roof will be more like a shed. Then the roof would be less noticeable from the neighbor. David Gulbrandsen stated the roof height is now 15 feet and wanted to know if that would change. Also, he wanted to know how they determined the height. Randy Howe stated that he measured the site from the board, distance to neighbors, used trigonometry, height elevation, and used a digital protractor. The roof height would stay the same.
Graham Hunter said that there is a steep slope between the road and the proposed building. There is an area that is flat and then it goes up again. It seems that this area is the only reasonable area considering the distance from the abutter's property. Graham Hunter stated that Route 131 is a heavily travelled State highway. There is good visibility coming out onto Route 131.
Randy Howe stated that there is only one tree that they would like to cut down due to exposed roots. Trucks going up there would be single axle for delivery of steel. Propane trucks go up there now.
Exhibit 1 is the original packet and site plan page 1 and 2. Exhibit 2 is the four colored photographs taken in the beginning of October. Exhibit 3 will be the lot sketch.
The Board went over the variance criteria and conditional use checklist. Graham Hunter stated that from the site visit if the proposed building was moved to the west, it would impact the use of the driveway safely.
deForest Bearse stated that the abutter's were notified of this hearing and no one responded. She sent out letters to the police and highway departments. She did not receive anything from them. Darrin Spaulding, the fire chief, would like more information in regards to the materials that will be used there. Randy Howe stated that he has been in touch with Darrin Spaulding and they are going to meet. Darrin Spaulding wanted the material safety data sheets.
Randy Howe stated that they will be getting electricity from the pole next to the road and will bring his scrap material to the landfill or to a bigger recycling center. Graham Hunter wanted to know if they would be seeding the bank area that will be disturbed. Randy Howe said that within a year the weeds and shrub should come back. The slope has been cleaned out before and the vegetation has always been there. They need to send the State a copy of the roof and building.
Graham Hunter made a motion to close the hearing at 7:40. Ted Goddard seconded it. All were unanimous to close the hearing.

B. #10.2510A by Laurie Carver for multiple variances to add onto a nonconforming building at 2277 Route 5
David Gulbrandsen opened the hearing at 7:40. Laurie Carver, Michael Benson, and deForest Bearse affirmed. Laurie Carver and Michael Benson are interested parties. Exhibit 1 will be the application and the site plan drawing. David Gulbrandsen said that the Board did a drive by on November 13, 2010. deForest Bearse stated that the abutter's were notified.
deForest Bearse stated that there have been several additions made to this property. It is on one acre in a RRR3-5 zone. The setbacks are as follows; north is 24 feet, Route 5 is 127 feet, south is 60 feet, 70 feet to the top of the bank of the river, and 146 feet as the tape lies to the Connecticut River. The proposed additions to the rear and north will not comply. The variances will be needed for 29 feet from the 100 feet required and 26 feet from the 150 feet required.
Laurie Carver showed the Board the existing house compared to the proposed house on the site plan. The side to side will be 63 feet 10 inches and the front to back will be 38 feet 8 inches. The house was built in 1938. They are trying to make it square.
deForest Bearse said that there are two setback concerns. The stream buffer is 140 feet and it will be 146 feet. The setbacks on the Connecticut River is 100 feet horizontal of the high water mark which will be 71 feet from the top of the bank which should be 100 feet.
Michael Benson said that the proposed building will just increase 5 feet in the back. The front will stay the same. The height of the structure will change with the second floor being added. It will be less than 35 feet.
The Board went over the variance checklist. Graham Hunter made a motion to close the hearing at 8:00. Ted Goddard seconded it. All were unanimous to close the hearing.

V. Public Comment
There was none.

VI. Other Business
The Board discussed the screening at Getaway Campground. The trees used for screening are dying from the bottom up. deForest Bearse will look at the conditions for the campground and make recommendations.

VII. Adjournment
Graham Hunter made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:18. Ted Goddard seconded it. All were unanimous to adjourn.

Respectfully submitted,

Diana Day