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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPB Minutes 2012-09-18TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING BOARD 215 North Tioga Street Ithaca, New York 14850 Tuesday. September 18. 2012 AGENDA 7:00 P.M. Persons to be heard (no more than five minutes). 7:05 P.M. SEQR Determination: Comell University Niemand-Robison Softball Field Replacement, 240 Pine Tree Road. 7;05 P.M. PUBLIC HEARING: Consideration of Preliminary and Final Site Plan Approval and Special Permit for the proposed Comell University Niemand-Robison Softball Field Replacement project located at 240 Pine Tree Road, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 60-1- 8.2, Low Density Residential Zone. The project involves replacing the existing grass field playing surface with synthetic turf and relocating the bull-pens. The project will also involve new drainage and stormwater facilities, changes to the perimeter chain link fence, removal of the irrigation system, and improvements to the access road to the seating area. Comell University, Owner/Applicant; Robb Champlin, Clark Companies, Agent. 7:25 P.M. SEQR Determination: Groundswell Incubator Farm Pond, 100 Rachel Carson Way. 7:25 P.M. PUBLIC HEARING: Consideration of Special Permit for the proposed Groundswell Incubator Farm Pond project located at EcoVillage at Ithaca, Inc., 100 Rachel Carson Way, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 28.-1-26.22, Planned Development Zone No. 8. The project involves the removal of approximately 3,600+/- cubic yards of soil in order to expand an existing irrigation pond that will serve the new Groundswell Incubator Farm and the existing West Haven Farm. The project also involves the creation of an embankment around the north side of the farm pond, installation of a temporary diversion swale, and associated grading, erosion and sedimentation controls, seeding and mulching. EcoVillage at Ithaca, Inc., Owner; Devon Van Noble, Incubator Coordinator, Applicant; David Herrick, T.G. Miller, P.C., Agent. 6. Approval of Minutes: September 4, 2012. 7. Other Business: 8. Adjournment Susan Ritter Director of Planning 273-1747 NOTE: IF ANY MEMBER OF THE PLANNING BOARD IS UNABLE TO ATTEND, PLEASE NOTIFY SANDY POLCE AT 273-1747. (A quorum of four (4) members is necessary to conduct Planning Board business.) TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING BOARD NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS Tuesday. September 18.2012 By direction of the Chairperson of the Planning Board, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Public Hearings will be held by the Planning Board of the Town of Ithaca on Tuesday, September 18, 2012, at 215 North Tioga Street, Ithaca, N.Y., at the following times and on the following matters: 7:05 P.M. Consideration of Preliminary and Final Site Plan Approval and Special Permit for the proposed Cornell University Niemand-Robison Softball Field Replacement project located at 240 Pine Tree Road, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 60-1-8.2, Low Density Residential Zone. The project involves replacing the existing grass field playing surface with synthetic turf and relocating the bull-pens. The project will also involve new drainage and stormwater facilities, changes to the perimeter chain link fence, removal of the irrigation system, and improvements to the access road to the seating area. Cornell University, Owner/Applicant; Robb Champlin, Clark Companies, Agent. 7:25 P.M. Consideration of Special Permit for the proposed Groundswell Incubator Farm Pond project located at EcoVillage at Ithaca, Inc., 100 Rachel Carson Way, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 28.-1-26,22, Planned Development Zone No. 8. The project involves the removal of approximately 3,600+/- cubic yards of soil in order to expand an existing irrigation pond that will serve the new Groundswell Incubator Farm and the existing West Haven Farm. The project also involves the creation of an embankment around the north side of the farm pond, installation of a temporary diversion swale, and associated grading, erosion and sedimentation controls, seeding and mulching. EcoVillage at Ithaca, Inc., Owner; Devon Van Noble, Incubator Coordinator, Applicant; David Herrick, T.G. Miller, P.C., Agent. Said Planning Board will at said times and said place hear all persons in support of such matters or objections thereto. Persons may appear by agent or in person. Individuals with visual impairments, hearing impairments or other special needs, will be provided with assistance as necessary, upon request. Persons desiring assistance must make such a request not less than 48 hours prior to the time of the public hearing. Susan Ritter Director of Planning 273-1747 Dated: Friday, September 7,2012 Publish: Wednesday, September 12,2012 TOWN OF ITHACA AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING AND PUBLICATION I, Sandra Polce, being duly sworn, depose and say that I am a Senior Typist for the Town of Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York; that the following Notice has been duly posted on the sign board of the Town of Ithaca and that said Notice has been duly published in the local newspaper, The Ithaca Journal. Notice of Public Hearings to be held by the Town of Ithaca Planning Board in the Town of Ithaca Town Hall. 215 North Tioea Street. Ithaca, New York, on Tuesday. September 18. 2012 commencing at 7:00 P.M.. as per attached. Location of Sign Board used for Posting: Town Clerk Sign Board - 215 North Tioea Street. Date of Posting: September 7,2012 Date of Publication: September 12, 2012 Sandra Polce, Senior Typist Town of Ithaca STATE OF NEW YORK) SS: COUNTY OF TOMPKINS) Sworn to and subscribed before me this 12'*^ day of September 2012. Notary Public DffiORAH4<ELLEY Notary PUbliC; State of New York No. 01KEo025073 Qualified in Schuyler County t ^ Commission Expires May 17, 20 _L:i n^A^A,JOURNAL.COM • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2012 TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING BOMD ' NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS Tuesday, Saptsmbar ; 18,2012 8y direction' o1 the Chair person of the Planning Board, NOTICE IS OVB^I that Pubic Heeritm ^beheldbythePlanim ^^lard oF the To^ of Hhtjp ^ Tuesday. September ^ ||)12. at 215 North Tl^ tthace. N.Y.. at m ^jgloiMing timee end on ^ 'flowing matters; i^onsideratlon of Preilmma- ij^ and Fmal Site Plan Ap- woval and Sp^l Permit the proposed Cornell Unfvem!^ Niemand- Robison Softball Field Fle- placement project located et 240 Rne Tree Road, Town of Ithapa Tax Parc^ hto. 30-1-8.2..Low Density RiBsidei^ Zone. The proj ect involves r^siacing the existing grass held playing surfttce ^th synthetic turf and relocating the bull- pens. The project will also Involve new dralrtage artd stormweter ^Uties. changes to the perimeler chain finfc fer>ce, removal of the Irrigation system, and imprcpvements to the ac cess road to the seating area. Cornell University. Owher/AppUcani; Rolib' Champlln, Clark Compa-' nies. Agent 7:25 P.M." Conslderallon of Special Permit for the proposed Gtouttdsw^l Incubator Farm Pond project located at EcoVllage at Ithaca, ItK., lOO Rachel Carson Way. ■Tovm of Ithaca Tax Parcel iNo. 28,-:-26,22, FHanned development Zone No. 8. Tie project invoh/es the re- novel of approximately i;600*/- cubic yards of soil n order to expand an exist- ng Intgation pond that will teuyh&new Cisundsweil Incubator Farm end the ex isting West Haven Farm. The project also involves the creation of an embank ment around the north side of the farm pond, installa- lion of a temporary diverr sion swale, and associated grading, erosion and sedi mentation controls, seeding and mulching. EcoViXage at Ithaca. Inc.. Owner; Devon Van Noble. IncutMlor Coor dinator. Af^llcant; Oevtd Harrick, T.G. MHIer, P.C., Agent. Said Rarming Board will at said times and sM piece hear persons In support of such mtfttere or objec- tlQnsthefsta Persons maya^i^ by agent or in per- ebh. Individuals with iHsusI n^rmenls, hearing' impalnnents or other spe cial needs, wil be provided with assistance as neces- s«y, upon, request Per sons lieslrlng assistance (bust mate such a requed not less than 48 hours prior to the,time of the pihUcheerio^ SusafilCtter Town of Ithaca Planning Board 215 North Tioga Street September 18,2012 7:00 p.m. PLEASE SIGN-IN Please Print Clearly. Thank You Name Address ^^/lOk Plaj^di Ti^-yh C, WU Ca<»ofin;f> T>/ti: XPV "Yi.-'-KV'.Vi-e.S ^ TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING BOARD MEETING Tuesday, September 18, 2012 215 N. Tioga Street, Ithaca, NY 14850 Board Members Present: Fred Wilcox (Chair), Linda Collins, George Conneman, John Beach, Ellen Baer, Jon Bosak, Hollis Erb Staff Present: Susan Ritter, Director of Planning; Chris Balestra, Planner; Bruce Bates, Director of Code Enforcement; Creig Hebdon, Town Engineer; Susan Brock, Attorney for the Town; Deb DeAugistine, Deputy Town Clerk Call to Order Mr. Wilcox called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. and accepted the secretary’s posting of the public hearing notices. He announced that Eric VanderMaas submitted his resignation. He also announced that the public hearing regarding the EcoVillage Incubator Farm Pond had been postponed. Ms. Rit- ter explained that as a result of a GML letter from the County and because a neighbor downstream expressed concerns, the applicant requested more time to prepare. It will be on the agenda for the October 16th meeting. The ZBA has asked for a formal referral from the Planning Board. Ms. Brock added that there is a question as to whether streamside wetlands exist, and if they do, that changes where the stream setback is measured from. AGENDA ITEM Persons to be heard – No one came forward to address the Board. AGENDA ITEM SEQR Determination: Cornell University Niemand-Robison Softball Field Replacement, 240 Pine Tree Road Tammi Aikin, Cornell, and Jim Catella, Clark Companies, were present. Ms. Aiken stated that the softball field has been without a playable surface for some time and the team has been unable to host home games because the field is too often wet. The replacement is to allow them to play more games on their field and be more competitive with other universities that have synthetic turf fields. It will also bring them into Title IX compliance. The NCAA has synthetic turf field guidelines and recom- mendations. The maintenance on a synthetic field is also much lower. Mr. Catella introduced himself by saying that he works with Clark Companies and is also a licensed professional engineer with Catella Engineering. All he does is outdoor athletic fields. Clark builds them; he designs them. He stated that they are not changing the limits of the field. There are two bullpens outside the fence and they will adjust their location. They will turn the clay infield and natu- ral grass outfield to all synthetic with the exception that the mound will still be clay. The natural grass field has an underdrain system that outlets into the back two corners; they will tie into these existing six-inch pipes. There will be a reservoir storage capacity under the field, which will decrease the dis- charge velocity and time. Because of the retention storage capacity, they’ll be able to hold it back, keep it in reserve, and outlet it – there will be no sheet drainage off the field, as these fields vertically drain. The synthetic turf is not like AstroTurf – this is a longer fiber and much softer than AstroTurf. The infield and outfield will be two different colors. Mr. Catella passed around a material sample. He stated that with the synthetic turf, you don’t need a shock pad. There will be no need for pesticides, Planning Board 09-18-2012 Page 2 of 7 herbicides, fungicides, fertilizer, or irrigation. They need to take the topsoil off the field or else the organics of the topsoil would decompose over time. That excess will be taken to Cornell’s facility where they will stockpile and reuse it. They will take it down to the existing gravel layer and the un- derdrain system already in place, put porous stone on top, and build a better reservoir. As part of the SWPPP, they calculated that they will decrease the runoff for the one-year storm through the 100-year storm. The one-year storm will produce a fifth of the runoff. They’ve put in 175-plus synthetic fields in the northeast and are familiar with the DEC’s rules and regulations. Mr. Bosak noted that the ERC memo cites two studies that indicate strongly the possibility that there’s a significant environmental impact. Mr. Wilcox added that the memo showed up on the day of the meeting. He did not try to find the studies that are quoted, but found another Norwegian Building Research Institute study from 2004. They looked at synthetic turf and rubber granulate turfs (old tires ground up) and concluded that the leachate concentration of zinc is higher than the Norwe- gian Pollution Control authorities find safe but lower than the zinc concentration found in Canadian drinking water. Mr. Catella said the fields last ten to twelve years, and nobody warranties them for more than that. What degrades them is ultraviolet light, not so much wear and tear. When the field is replaced, none of the infrastructure is disturbed and his company recycles all the turf. Mr. Bosak asked whether any- one had done a large-scale study of the total impact, in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, etc, of growing the grass for 12 years versus the cost of the embedded energy that goes into synthetic turf. Mr. Catella said that it has been done. He pointed out that they build natural grass fields also. He passed out a memo that addresses each of the County’s bullet points. Stormwater: Mr. Catella stated that the SWPPP addresses stormwater quantity and how it will be handled. The County claims there will be more and it will go out faster, whereas it’s the opposite: the same amount of stormwater will fall on the field, but they’ll be able to store it and hold it back. Mr. Bosak asked what the figures would look like if it were a natural grass field. Mr. Catella responded that the natural grass on that field is topsoil (which is made of silts and clays), which sheet drain, so not much water gets to the underdrain system. Synthetic turf is much more porous. The figures that appear in the SWPPP are very conservative because those are the guidelines set by the DEC. Flooding of the Pine Tree Road/Mitchell Street intersection: Mr. Catella pointed out that the average elevation of the field is significantly lower (six feet) than the street. Stormwater from the field is not going to cause flooding. Reason for converting from natural grass to synthetic turf: Ms. Aiken already addressed this point. Potential zinc leachate from synthetic turf fields: Mr. Catella stated that a lot of studies have been out there for a long time that are basically theoretical, mathematical, and talk about potential risks. For the synthetic fields in this country (there are five in this area that he knows of), the study he finds most relevant is the one done by the New York State DEC and the New York State Department of Health that addresses all of these factors. They’ve done in-place studies and studies over time. None of the studies cited by the ERC have been validated by the reality in the field. There is the potential for zinc to leach out, but the New York State study says that is from truck tires, and Clark doesn’t use any in their fields. They don’t get old tires from old dumps – the tires they use come off the rims of pickup trucks and below. The New York State study stated that the levels of leachate were not harm- Planning Board 09-18-2012 Page 3 of 7 ful and many were similar to and equal to what was in the native soils. His studies are product- specific. The studies from New York State and Connecticut are dealing with the leachate from crumb rubber. His turf has a small amount of crumb rubber in it, but it will not leach into the soil. The plas- tic on top is an inert fiber, polyethylene, and the backing is porous. All the focus on leachate has al- ways been on crumb rubber. The New York State studies were funded by the State legislature and have indicated that synthetic turf fields are safe. Mr. Hebdon said he did the stormwater analysis and basically they’re building a large storage pond under the existing field, and the project will in no way the affect the problems the County is having with the roadway above – that has other problems that the County needs to address. He stated that he has no problem with the first three bullet points and that he is not an expert on artificial turf. He mentioned that he got an email that day regarding the exact storage site of the topsoil (Palm Road). They have existing stockpiles, so he sees no problem with the site. The trucking route looks good. Mr. Wilcox pointed out that Title IX played a role in this decision: the men have a synthetic turf field so the women should get one also. He asked about clay mounds in the bullpen areas, and the appli- cant verified that they will be clay since that’s what the pitchers are used to. To a question from Ms. Erb, Mr. Catella responded that 75 to 85 truckloads of soil will potentially need to be removed. The only material they need to take away is the topsoil and some areas where silts and clays have migrated into the gravel. Ms. Erb said she wanted to make clear that she likes the truck route and that the topsoil will be reused, but is concerned that the trucks not be sent through difficult intersections at rush hour. Mr. Hebdon responded that they will be trucking materials for a very small time period. There will not be a convoy – more likely two or three trucks running back and forth. Mr. Catella said it’s a small area, just over an acre, and doesn’t lend itself to a production oper- ation. There will also be one or two dumpster loads of debris to be removed, such as the irrigation system and fencing. Ms. Erb pointed out that there is an important habitat close to this site (Hawthorne Woods). Mr. Pat Graham, whose crew does the mowing, said they stay away from that area because they realize it’s sen- sitive. Ms. Erb sees getting rid of the typical fertilization, irrigation, and mowing as a good thing. PB Resolution No. 2012-068: SEQR, Preliminary and Final Site Plan & Special Permit, Cornell University Niemand-Robison Softball Field Replacement, 240 Pine Tree Road, Tax Parcel No. 60- 1-8.2 Moved by Hollis Erb; seconded by Linda Collins WHEREAS: 1.This action is consideration of Preliminary and Final Site Plan Approval and Special Permit for the proposed Cornell University Niemand-Robison Softball Field Replacement project, located at 240 Pine Tree Road, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 60-1-8.2, Low Density Residential Zone. The project involves replacing the existing grass field playing surface with synthetic turf, relocating the bull-pens, installing new drainage and stormwater facilities, modifying the perimeter chain link fence, removing the irrigation system, and improving the access road to the seating area. Cornell University, Owner/Applicant; Robb Champlin, Clark Companies, Agent, and Planning Board 09-18-2012 Page 4 of 7 2.This is an Unlisted Action for which the Town of Ithaca Planning Board is acting in an uncoor- dinated environmental review with respect to Site Plan Approval and Special Permit, and 3.The Planning Board, on September 18, 2012, has reviewed and accepted as adequate a Short Environmental Assessment Form (EAF) Part I, submitted by the applicant, a Part II prepared by Town Planning staff, drawings included in a packet titled “Niemand-Robison Softball Field Re- placement Cornell University Ithaca, NY,” prepared by Clark Companies and Catella Engineer- ing LLC, including Sheet 1-titled “Existing Site Plan,” Sheet 2-titled “Demolition and Erosion Control Plan,” Sheet 3-titled “Layout and Grading Plan,” Sheet 4-titled “Drainage and Utilities Plan,” and Sheet 5-titled “Details,” dated 8/15/12; Sheet 2alt.-titled “Demolition and Erosion Control Plan,” and Sheet 3at.-titled “Layout and Grading Plan,” dated 8/22/12; and Sheet 6- titled “Details2,” dated 8/29/12; and other application materials, and 4.The Town Planning staff has recommended a negative determination of environmental signifi- cance with respect to the proposed Site Plan Approval and Special Permit; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the Town of Ithaca Planning Board hereby makes a negative determination of environmental significance in accordance with Article 8 of the Environmental Conservation Law and 6 NYCRR Part 617 New York State Environmental Quality Review for the above referenced actions as proposed, based on the information in the EAF Part I and for the reasons set forth in the EAF Part II, and, therefore, a Draft Environmental Impact Statement will not be required. Vote: Ayes – Wilcox, Collins, Conneman, Beach, Baer, Bosak, Erb AGENDA ITEM Public Hearing : Consideration of Preliminary and Final Site Plan Approval and Special Permit for the proposed Cornell University Niemand-Robison Softball Field Replacement project located at 240 Pine Tree Road, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 60-1-8.2, Low Density Residential Zone. The project involves replacing the existing grass field playing surface with synthetic turf and relocating the bull- pens. The project will also involve new drainage and stormwater facilities, changes to the perimeter chain link fence, removal of the irrigation system, and improvements to the access road to the seating area. Cornell University, Owner/Applicant; Robb Champlin, Clark Companies, Agent Mr. Wilcox opened the pubic hearing at 7:49 p.m. Ms. Erb said she would like to see the trees protected. Mr. Catella agreed to provide protection and said they have no intention of harming any trees. Ms. Erb asked about staging and contractor parking. Mr. Catella responded that most of the staging will be done on the field initially. When they get ready to put the turf down, staging will come into play. It will be staged close by, and they will most likely not need to use the parking lot. Contractor parking will also be near the site, so they will not use the parking lot. Contractors will use pickup trucks with tool boxes and fuel tanks, so they have to be near the site. Mr. Wilcox closed the public hearing at 7:55 p.m. Planning Board 09-18-2012 Page 5 of 7 Mr. Beach inquired about the start and completion dates. Ms. Aiken responded that they will start as soon as the site plan is approved and complete the project for the spring season. Their target is to be done before Thanksgiving. Ms. Balestra pointed out that a building permit is not required for the turf – only for the fences. PB Resolution No. 2012-069: Preliminary and Final Site Plan & Special Permit, Cornell Univer- sity Niemand-Robison Softball Field Replacement, 240 Pine Tree Road, Tax Parcel No. 60-1-8.2 Moved by John Beach; seconded by George Conneman WHEREAS: 1.This action is consideration of Preliminary and Final Site Plan Approval and Special Permit for the proposed Cornell University Niemand-Robison Softball Field Replacement project, located at 240 Pine Tree Road, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 60-1-8.2, Low Density Residential Zone. The project involves replacing the existing grass field playing surface with synthetic turf, relocating the bull-pens, installing new drainage and stormwater facilities, modifying the perimeter chain link fence, removing the irrigation system, and improving the access road to the seating area. Cornell University, Owner/Applicant; Robb Champlin, Clark Companies, Agent, and 2.This is an Unlisted Action for which the Town of Ithaca Planning Board, acting in an uncoordi- nated environmental review with respect to the project has, on September 18, 2012, made a nega- tive determination of environmental significance, after having reviewed and accepted as adequate a Short Environmental Assessment Form Part I, submitted by the applicant, and a Part II pre- pared by Town Planning staff, and 3.The Planning Board, at a Public Hearing held on September 18, 2012, has reviewed and accepted as adequate, drawings included in a packet titled “Niemand-Robison Softball Field Replacement Cornell University Ithaca, NY,” prepared by Clark Companies and Catella Engineering LLC, in- cluding Sheet 1-titled “Existing Site Plan,” Sheet 2-titled “Demolition and Erosion Control Plan,” Sheet 3-titled “Layout and Grading Plan,” Sheet 4-titled “Drainage and Utilities Plan,” and Sheet 5-titled “Details,” dated 8/15/12; Sheet 2alt.-titled “Demolition and Erosion Control Plan,” and Sheet 3at.-titled “Layout and Grading Plan,” dated 8/22/12; and Sheet 6-titled “Details2,” dated 8/29/12; and other application materials, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the Planning Board hereby grants Special Permit for the proposed Cornell University Niemand- Robison Softball Field Replacement project, finding that the standards of Article XXIV Section 270- 200, Subsections A – L, of the Town of Ithaca Code, have been met, AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: 1.That the Town of Ithaca Planning Board hereby waives certain requirements for Preliminary and Final Site Plan Approval, as shown on the Preliminary and Final Site Plan Checklists, having de- termined from the materials presented that such waiver will result in neither a significant altera- Planning Board 09-18-2012 Page 6 of 7 tion of the purpose of site plan control nor the policies enunciated or implied by the Town Board, and 2.That the Town of Ithaca Planning Board hereby grants Preliminary and Final Site Plan Approval for the proposed Cornell University Niemand-Robison Softball Field Replacement project, locat- ed at 240 Pine Tree Road, as described in the packet of drawings titled “Niemand-Robison Soft- ball Field Replacement Cornell University Ithaca, NY,” prepared by Clark Companies and Catella Engineering LLC, subject to the following conditions: a.Submission of one original set of the final site plan drawings, revised to show protection or the large trees on the western side of the project, signed and sealed by the registered land sur- veyor(s), engineer(s), architect(s), or landscape architect(s) who prepared the site plan materi- als, to be retained by the Town of Ithaca, prior to the application for any building permits, and b.Receipt of any necessary variances from the Zoning Board of Appeals, prior to the application for a building permit for the backstop and bull pen fences, and c.Submission of record of application for and proof of receipt of all necessary permits from county, state, and/or federal agencies, prior to the issuance of any certificates of occupancy, 3.If the applicant does not receive the necessary variances from the Zoning Board of Appeals for the proposed fence heights, the applicant may revise its final site plan drawings and build replacement fences that are the same height as those currently in place, or up to the heights approved by the ZBA, without the need to return to the Planning Board for a modification of this approval. Vote: Ayes – Wilcox, Collins, Conneman, Beach, Baer, Bosak, Erb AGENDA ITEM Other Business Mr. Wilcox stated that Ms. Baer got in touch with him regarding a resident who asked her about get- ting material on the Groundswell Incubator Farm. He talked to Ms. Brock and Mike Smith, who agreed that people should be directed to contact town staff directly with questions and requests for materials. Staff know to redact personal information and supply everyone with the same information. Ms. Erb commented that she is on the Friends of Pine Tree Road listserve. She will sometimes post a neutral statement regarding the public hearing when a nearby project, such as the horse barn, is to come before the Board. Mr. Wilcox said he would be comfortable if she cut and pasted the public hearing notice into her email. Ms. Balestra suggested referring people directly to the staff person on the project. Mr. Wilcox said it’s okay to answer questions regarding the process, but to refer people to staff with any questions about the project. Mr. Conneman mentioned that he went to a neighborhood meeting on the Greenway project. The Board generally agreed that they can attend public meetings in their own neighborhoods. Mr. Wilcox thought all Board members should have equal access to the same information. A Board member might hear opinions that the other members haven’t heard. Mr. Bosak said that just makes the person a better informed member of the Planning Board. Each Board member has past experiences that make him or her more informed than others. He agreed that information gained should be shared and added that it’s unwise to say much at such events. Planning Board 09-18-2012 Page 7 of 7 AGENDA ITEM Adjournment Upon a motion by Linda Collins, the meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m. Respectfully submitted, aJj a. Debra DeAugi^tine, Deputy To\^ Clerk