Planning Board, February 25, 2014
Planning Board Meeting Minutes
February 25, 2014
Memorial Hall
Members Present: W. Ritter, O. Lies, D. Lindberg, S. Carlson, J. Michalak, T. Stratis
Members Absent: J. Head, S. Carlson
Others Present: P. Harding, Town Planner, Debra Sciascia, Recording Secretary,
Peter Lukes, Asst. Town Manager
7:00 PM: W. Ritter called the Planning Board meeting to order.
2014 GOALS:
Sewer Capacity:
P. Harding Mark Elbag is working on the information.
Marijuana Treatment Facilities:
35 licenses will be issued in the State of Massachusetts with no more than 5 licenses permitted in each county for cultivations centers and dispensaries. One license has been issued in Worcester County to the City of Worcester. The proposed site is located on Harrison Street and will include cultivation. One cultivation center can supply a maximum of three dispensaries.
P. Harding spoke to Town Counsel, who thought a 500’ buffer was too restrictive. She also spoke to Police Chief George Sherill, and he thought the Industrial area would be an easy area to monitor, the Chief also didn’t think access to Dawson Recreation Facility would be a problem.
The Board discussed the 500’ buffer and didn’t see a problem with reducing that to 300’ to a building, not lot lines. They also discussed industrial and quarry zones.
The Board agreed to conduct Public Hearing March 25, 2014, and forward to the May 19, 2014, Town meeting.
O. Lies said to notify the police dept., the industrial park, EDC, Agricultural Committee, & the Board of Health.
Documents presented during review can be viewed in the Town Planners office.
Sign Bylaw:
Sign Bylaw Methodology for determining square footage was added to the Bylaw:
- The area of all signs will be calculated by utilizing the exterior dimensions of the perimeter of a sign. If a sign entails stand alone lettering and/or symbols a perimeter must be drawn encompassing all of the lettering/symbols and the perimeter will be utilized to calculate the area, spacing and line separation must be contained within the same perimeter to calculate the area.
The Board reported back on their opinion of some of the signs in town:
T. Stratis prefers the wooden signs like Gushas and Mulroy dentist offices.
D. Lindberg likes the library sign, and ladder sign at the fitness center. The second sign at the pink building is an example of a bad sign.
P. Harding reported that there have been complaints from businesses on restrictions on ladder signs.
D. Lindberg likes the lettering on the high school on the wall.
W. Ritter stated that he thinks Papa Gino’s did a good job on their sign, landscaping and parking. He also liked Friendly’s, and the Commerce Bank signs, and dislikes the old Holden Plaza sign.
O. Lies mentioned that there are some signs that are in disrepair. He also thinks the Police Station sign is too small, and the Reserve on Salisbury sign is too large. He would like to encourage people to paint their signs.
J. Michalak noticed a lot of similarities in the ladder signs.
D. Lindberg said the Board should come up with something to scale signs to fit the buildings, and distance from the road.
The Board discussed using their discretion reviewing the scaling issues for signs in the site plan/special permits & waivers.
Dennis Lipka, Building Inspector will be invited to the next meeting to discuss signs.
O. Lies asked what a ‘portable signs’ was. No one seemed to know. P. Harding will investigate the definition of a portable sign.
J. Michalak pointed out incorrect numbering to the Sign Bylaw draft.
Documents presented during review can be viewed in the Town Planners office.
OTHER BUSINESS:
CRA Property: D. Lindberg inquired if anyone knew what was going on at this site. T. Stratis said she heard Holden Baseball was installing batting cages.
NEXT MEETING: March 11, 2014
O. Lies motioned to adjourn. T. Stratis seconded. All in favor.
Adjourned 7:50 PM.
February 25, 2014 Minutes approved: