Planning Board

CBNA Site Walk Minutes

September 4, 2009

Official as of September 24, 2009

Site Walk - Coe Brown Northwood Academy

Members present: Chair Pete Jones, Vice-chair Bob Strobel, Victoria Parmele and Herb Johnson.  Also present: town planner Elaine Planchet; Coe Brown agent Geoff Aleva from Civil Consultants and abutters Brian and Marcia Severance

Mr. Jones called the meeting to order at 2:09. 

Mr. Aleva passed out copies of the plans and guided the board on the walk through the site.  The walk began at the location of the proposed maintenance building.  Mr. Aleva described the proposed building and that it would use the existing grades of the property.  The board then proceeded to the proposed location for the athletic field and access way.  The board noted and Mr. Aleva discussed wetlands, the athletic field and erosion control during construction.  The board noted some drainage issues along the route even with limited activity at this point.

Mr. Aleva noted the utility pole with the light that was mentioned by an abutter as having the light on during the night and visible to her.  He mentioned they would change the light so the light would not reflect onto their property. 

Mr. Aleva noted an elevation change above the athletic field; it will slope down quite a bit.  He indicated there would be some infiltration. Mr. Aleva mentioned the area had been a gravel pit at least 50 years ago.

The group passed over the stone wall which was the property line for the former Davidson property. 

Ms. Severance asked if there were any plans for gating the access way during the summer, for example. She mentioned that it would be possible for folks to use it for a short cut when school is not in session. Mr. Aleva said they would consider that. 

The board also discussed with Mr. Aleva the traffic study and possible recommendations.  He noted that whatever would be required would be the school’s responsibility to maintain, such as painting or lighting.  Ms. Parmele questioned DOT’s involvement.  Mr. Aleva indicated they reviewed the plans and they had no issues and would not require a traffic study.  Mr. Aleva stated that at that meeting were Mr. Jim Colburn, Coe Brown Board of Trustees president who is retired from the DOT and also Steve Ireland, a Northwood resident who spoke at the first public hearing on this proposal who is the District 6 Regional Engineer.  He said Bob Talon was also at that meeting and another DOT employee.  Mr. Aleva stated that DOT has a set number that would require a light at the intersection and they believe they are not up to that number at this point.

Ms. Severance asked if there were any future plans that given the volume of traffic on Route 4, would the access on Bow Lake Road ever be considered as the main entrance for Coe Brown.  Mr. Aleva responded there were not.

Mr. Aleva indicated that there were future plans for Coe Brown to construct a music/arts building to alleviate classroom space and that it could possibly be near the current senior parking area.  Then they would have to consider parking and re-work the geometry.

Site walk was adjourned at 3:15.

Respectfully submitted,
Elaine Planchet
Town Planner