Development Review Board Minutes – August 5, 2009

Members Present: J. Heyer, B. Murphy, J. Beers, C. Rainville

Public Present: Skip Taylor-ZA

7:00 PM Site visit to the Clokey/Crawford property on Buck Hollow Road.

7:20 PM J. Heyer called the meeting to order. The General Minutes from 06/17/2009 were reviewed.

J. Beers made a motion to approve the Minutes from 6/17/2009 without adjustment. C. Rainville

second. All in favor. Additionally, the Workshop Minutes from 07/09/2009 were reviewed. J. Beers made a motion to approve the Workshop Minutes from 07/09/2009. C. Rainville second. All in favor.

7:30 PM – CLOKEY/ CRAWFORD – (ANIMAL) COMPOSTING CONDITIONAL USE/SITE PLAN

HEARING

8:40 PM - T-MOBILE CELL TOWER – CONDITIONAL USE/SITE PLAN HEARING

9:15 PM The Board reviewed the Mylar Map submitted for the Morin Project. C. Rainville made a motion to approve the Mylar for the Morin Project. B. Murphy second. All in favor. J. Heyer signed the Mylar for the DRB. There are no hearings scheduled until September 2, 2009. The Board agreed to hold a workshop for deliberative sessions on August 19, 2009 at 7:00 PM.

9:20 PM J. Beers made a motion to adjourn. C. Rainville second. All in favor.

Respectfully Submitted,

Susie Posner Jones, DRB Alternate

Approved: ________________________________ Date: _________________2009

For the Development Review Board

CLOKEY/ CRAWFORD – (ANIMAL) COMPOSTING CONDITIONAL USE/SITE PLAN

720 BUCKHOLLOW ROAD

Members Present: J. Heyer, B. Murphy, J. Beers, C. Rainville

Public Present: J. Clokey, Jim Webb, Robert Ovitt, Kevin Munger, Skip Taylor – ZA

7:20 PM J. Heyer called the meeting to order. The site visit report for the proposal at 720 Buckhollow Road was submitted. The public notice was read and attendees signed in. Interested parties were sworn in. The applicant Jeff Clokey made the presentation. He presented the plan to allow for a “licensed collector of equine mortality” to use a combination of wood chips and organic materials to compost equine carcasses into a rich compost. J. Clokey has received a State Certification from the Vermont Waste Management Division; a copy was submitted for the file. J. Clokey produced photographs from Cornell University, of land used for the same purpose. S. Taylor asked for clarification of certification dates. J. Clokey clarified. J. Heyer asked about inspections to insure compliance. J. Clokey responded that inspections only occurred following a complaint. He also asserted that no more odor than regular farm odors emanated from this product.

B. Murphy asked for details about the process and product. J. Clokey stated that the process takes six months to one year, and that product will be spread on farm fields. Once approved, he hopes to sell the product on the market. C. Rainville asked about bone decomposition. Discussion ensued about temperature/heat required to compost. J. Beers asked about the potential for additives to speed up the process; S. Taylor asked whether there was a different composting rate between winter and summer months; B. Murphy asked about the availability of wood chips to support the process. J. Cokey stated that he would not collect animals if he does not have sufficient material to compost, and that he is required to report in detail to the State of Vermont, for every animal composted the cause of animal death (such as euthanasia –including the substance used). J. Heyer asked where animals would be collected. J. Clokey said this would be statewide as this would be the first composting facility in Vermont, with an anticipated one hundred head per year. The permit covers up to 100 tons per year (approximately 200 head). C. Rainville asked whether other animals were allowed under this permit. J. Clokey responded that they were permissible, but that there was sufficient demand for equine product as there was no facility currently in operation, and the resulting product was particularly rich. Animals would be processed as quickly as possible once identified. J. Beers asked whether animals would be covered during collection and transportation. J. Clokey confirmed they would.

General discussion indicated that predator populations are up in Vermont because people are disposing of dead animals in their back yards. J. Clokey viewed this proposal as a renewable service. B. Murphy questioned the need for a field access permit for this use (as distinct from regular agriculture). J. Clokey responded that he would be the sole operator, and that there would be no public access. B. Murphy asked how the facility would be advertized; J. Clokey responded that this would occur through state veterinarians. J. Beers asked how the product would be kept moist. J. Clokey answered that rainwater alone was sufficient for this process. J. Heyer asked if leaching of product into groundwater was a problem. J. Clokey stated that ground water was far away, and that proper methods were employed to avoid leaching. He also stated that screening of the cause of death would prevent risk of pathogens. S. Taylor asked specifically about risk to a local daycare (400 feet away from proposed site). J. Clokey said that children play on the other side of the house. Additionally, a silt fence would be in place around the composting area to cover visibility. Families of daycare children would also be notified. Normal hours of operation for the composing business will be Monday through Friday between 7:00am to 5:00pm.

PUBLIC QUESTIONS: B. Ovitt expressed concern over other animals digging at the site, the possible smells produced, as well as the possibility of “unknown” causes of death for animals used in product that may cause disease. Additionally, he questioned the impact on real estate values with the site being 75 ft from the road. B. Murphy clarified the distance to be 150 ft. J. Clokey suggested that trees and fencing may be used to further cover the site from view. K. Munger asked what the available recourse was if there were problems with odor. J. Clokey stated that the state has a complaints process. There could be an annual inspection according to the state permit, and the town could consider additional conditions. B. Ovitt asked for details on the length of the

windrows for the carcasses. J. Clokey responded that sixty animals would require five to six rows. K. Munger asked who would buy the product. J. Clokey said that he would sell it on the open market once approved, requiring a one- to two-year cycle to produce solid waste. In the interim period prior to such approval, he would use the product on his own site only. Further discussion concerned possible town regulations for spreading of product, hours of operation, point of sale of product, ensuring death certificates for every animal from veterinarians, removal of compost product from the site, and additional odor ordinance.

B. Murphy made a motion to close the hearing to public input and to move to deliberative. J. Beers second. All in favor.

Respectfully Submitted,

Susie Posner Jones, DRB Alternate

Approved: ________________________________ Date: _________________2009

For the Development Review Board

T-MOBILE CELL TOWER – CONDITIONAL USE/SITE PLAN HEARING

21 NICHOLS ROAD

Members Present: J. Heyer, B. Murphy, J. Beers, C. Rainville

Public Present: G. Kreisburg; J. Davis; A. Duling; A. Nichols; M. Hale; S. Taylor, ZA

J. Heyer called the meeting to order. The public notice was read and attendees signed in. Interested parties were sworn in. M. Hall made the presentation for a one hundred (100) foot tall tower located on the Nichols Farm. B. Murphy clarified that T-Mobile would use the high point of the tower, and that other providers could tag on at lower levels. J. Heyer stated that power would come from batteries. The unit is a locked unit that sits on a slab, with a maintenance road required for anticipated monthly access. The tower would be visible, but would be painted green to blend with the countryside. The location is not considered one of high visibility. This is the first such proposal from T-Mobile in the state and is critical in addressing black hole coverage. The local regulations are based on a model from the Vermont League of Cities and Towns. This proposal is currently one year behind schedule, so construction could start immediately. Nichols farm existing access would be used. B. Murphy facilitated discussion of a Section 504 Waiver to allow for existing access in the interest of allowing the project to move ahead without delay. Federal tower standards would still have to be conducted (such as soil boring tests). Photographs were presented to demonstrate what the tower would look like. Towers that are less than two hundred feet high do not require lighting for aviation in accordance with AFA.

The hearing was opened for public discussion. A. Duling asked a question regarding possible impact on television signals; no interference will occur.

J. Beers made a motion to close the hearing to public input and move to deliberative session. C. Rainville second. All in favor.

Respectfully Submitted,

Susie Posner Jones, Zoning and Planning Assistant

Approved: ________________________________ Date: _________________2009

For the Development Review Board

These minutes are unofficial until approved at the next regularly scheduled meeting.

All motions were unanimously approved unless otherwise indicated.