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Richmond Planning Board sets Jan. 27 hearing on landscaping amendment, approves two ballot amendments and appoints alternate
Summary
At its Jan. 13 meeting, the Richmond Planning Board scheduled a second hearing for a clerical correction to the "Normal Landscaping" definition for Jan. 27 at 7:00 PM, voted to place Amendments #1 and #2 on the March ballot, and appointed Melissa Axtman as an alternate.
The Richmond Planning Board on Jan. 13 scheduled a follow-up hearing for Jan. 27 at 7:00 PM to correct a clerical error in Amendment #3 and voted to place Amendments #1 and #2 on the March ballot. The board also appointed Melissa Axtman to a two-year alternate seat.
Doug Smith, chairman, opened the meeting at 6:08 PM at Vets Hall and introduced a proposal to amend Planning Board procedures to allow public hearings on new ordinances, master plan items and regulation hearings to open at 7:00 PM to improve public participation. The board introduced the change but did not record a formal vote on that procedural proposal during the meeting.
The board then called a hearing on proposed amendments for the March ballot. Smith said any ordinance update must conform at minimum to the applicable State RSA; he told the hearing Amendments #1 and #2 reflect those required changes. During public comment, one participant asked, “Who will monitor home health care facilities?” A board response noted, “The town has no authority to regulate the operation; it is up to the State; the town may allow facilities but not regulate the function.” The board identified a clerical posting error in Amendment #3 (the definition of “Normal Landscaping”) and — following guidance from NHMA — set a second hearing for Jan. 27 at 7:00 PM to clarify the language. The board closed the hearing at 6:28 PM.
Returning to old business, Melissa Axtman expressed interest in serving as an alternate. Doug Smith moved to appoint Axtman to replace Carl Phillips for the two-year alternate term; Doug Bersaw seconded. Lisa Traeger, Greg Butko, Doug Bersaw and Smith voted yes; the motion carried. Axtman will serve once she is sworn in.
On amendments, Doug Bersaw moved to approve and move Amendment #1 and Amendment #2 to the March ballot; Traeger seconded. Votes recorded in the minutes show Traeger Yes; Butko Yes; Bersaw Yes; Smith Yes. The motion carried; the board recorded that Amendments #1 and #2 will appear on the ballot as written.
Other agenda items: subdivision regulation amendments and minutes from Jan. 6 were on the agenda but not discussed; the board said the zoning-ordinance book update remains on hold while numbering issues are researched. The board continued review of the Master Plan survey through question 22 and will resume review in coming weeks. The meeting was adjourned at 6:40 PM.
Votes at a glance - Appointment of Melissa Axtman as alternate: Mover: Doug Smith; Second: Doug Bersaw; Recorded votes: Lisa Traeger (Yes), Greg Butko (Yes), Doug Bersaw (Yes), Doug Smith (Yes). Outcome: approved. - Motion to place Amendment #1 and Amendment #2 on the March ballot: Mover: Doug Bersaw; Second: Lisa Traeger; Recorded votes: Lisa Traeger (Yes), Greg Butko (Yes), Doug Bersaw (Yes), Doug Smith (Yes). Outcome: approved.
What happens next The board will hold a second hearing on Amendment #3 (Normal Landscaping) on Jan. 27 at 7:00 PM to correct the clerical posting error; Amendments #1 and #2 will appear on the March ballot as written. Melissa Axtman will assume her alternate seat after taking the oath of office.
