Planning Board Meeting Minutes January 3, 2017
The January 3, 2017 meeting of the Easthampton Planning Board was held at 6:00 p.m. in the 2nd floor
conference room of the Easthampton Municipal Building located at 50 Payson Avenue, Easthampton.
The meeting was video recorded.
Chair: Jesse Belcher-Timme
Committee Members: Harry Schumann, James Zarvis, Jim Vaillancourt
Absent: Chester Seklecki
Recording Clerk: Amanda Bernier
City Planner: Jessica Allan
Guest(s): Attorney Thomas Murphy of Murphy McCoubrey, Ross Galloway of Cumberland Farms, Tom
Coupack of Cumberland Farms and 17 Kingsberry Way, Kevin Rizzo of Cumberland Farms, David Boyle of
A to Z Storage, Dan Hagan of 24 Highland Avenue.
1. Call to Order: 6:00 p.m.
2. Public Speak: none
3. Minutes: Minutes from the December 20, 2016 meeting were reviewed. Jesse Belcher-Timme
pointed out two corrections, which Jessica Allan will correct. James Zarvis motions to approve
the minutes from the December 20, 2016 meeting with the two mentioned changes. Jim
Vaillancourt seconds. All in favor, 4-0.
4. ANR:
a. none
5. Old Business:
a. 221 Northampton Street – Cumberland Farms
i. Tom Murphy introduces the two operational department employees to the
Board: Tom Coupack and Kevin Rizzo. Jesse clarifies that they are here to further
discuss the policies regarding waste and trash.
ii. Kevin Rizzo explains that the cleaning process at each store: 10 minute walks are
when the employee walks the entire lot checking the trashcans at the pumps,
vacuums, air machines, doorway, etc. Landscapers visit the site once a week.
Jesse asks for clarification on the 10 minute walks. Kevin replies that they are
done for 10 minutes every hour. James Zarvis mentions that he is impressed by
this. Jesse asks if there needs to be any other clarification on the walks, and
there does not.
iii. Jesse asks about the pump audio. Kevin explains that that the audio comes
down from the canopy, and is controlled by the employees inside of the store. It
can be turned down if there are complaints; most stores keep the level at 4;
Southampton turns the audio off since there are apartments nearby. No more
ads run on the pumps. Jesse mentions that there is concern that the audio will
disturb the residents of the wetlands. James Zarvis asks if it is audio only, to
1
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
viii.
which Kevin replies that it is, and that there are ads without audio. Harry asks if
pedestrians will be able to hear it. Kevin says that they will not, however it does
depend on the time of day, and that the sound does not really carry. The
speakers at the Memorial Drive Chicopee location are set to 2. Jesse states that
there needs to be a compromise, to which Kevin replies that they are flexible.
Jesse inquires about delivery times. Kevin states that they are also flexible, and
that delivery times depend on the area. Jesse asks if the deliveries are made by
third party vendors. Kevin responds that groceries and gas are delivered by
Cumberland Farms, but they do use third party vendors on rare occasions for
gas deliveries. Third party vendors are used for Coca-Cola, Frito Lays, and other
name brand products.
Jessica and Jesse both inquire about dumpster removal. Kevin states that there
are separate haulers for trash and recycling, and that they are not always local
vendors; there can be an issue with employees parking right in front of the
dumpster area. Jesse clarifies that it is in fact employee-only parking, and Kevin
replies that it is. The spaces are typically marked as a no-parking zone. Kevin
states again that they are willing to be very flexible with the community. James
Zarvis points out again that the volume should be kept no louder than 4 due to
the animals living in the wetlands.
Jesse asks if there are any other questions. Jessica mentions the drainage
easement. Tom Murphy says that there is a timing and approval process, and
that he spoke with David Boyle. David is agreeing to give the easement to First
Hartford. James Zarvis asks if the sale is in process, to which David Boyle
responds that it is not yet. Jesse asks if they should make it a condition, which
Jessica replies yes.
Dan Hagan inquires about signs within the zone. Tom Murphy replies that there
is no anticipation for a request; Jesse replies that there is no request for sign
variance.
Jesse reads the special permit criteria. Everything agrees with the criteria. James
Zarvis asks about the conditions. Jesse then reads the draft conditions. James
Zarvis states that a fourth condition for the drainage easement belong to the
owner be added. Jesse inquires if it should be added for the building permit.
Jessica states that the last draft discusses it in the findings. It was taken out
prior to the issuance of the building permit. There is discussion over how it
should be worded in the decision.
James Zarvis motions to approve the special permit with the four conditions:
1.
The Applicant will meet the standards and conditions set by the
Easthampton Conservation Commission under the applicable Order of
Conditions and local Stormwater Permit.
2.
The Applicant shall provide at least one bike rack on site for use by
employees and customers of the project.
3.
Applicant shall prepare and submit an as-built survey of postconstruction site conditions, stamped by a professional land surveyor,
2
4.
with an affidavit of site compliance from the Professional Engineer of
Record, confirming that construction was completed in accordance
with all drawings, specifications, and permit conditions, and that all
site elements are functioning as designed and described. Documents
will be submitted to the City Engineer in PDF and AutoCAD format.
Prior to the issuance of a building permit, the applicant will submit to
the Planning Board for endorsement an Approval Not Required (ANR)
plan including the full depth of the subject property to accommodate
stormwater drainage.. Harry Schumann seconds. All in favor, 4-0.
6. New Business:
a. None
7. Administration Items:
a. There are two ZBA requests that need action – these will be discussed at a future
meeting.
b. Jessica states the recreational marijuana deadlines have been pushed back 6 months.
c. Jessica also mentions that she is working on recruiting a new board member to replace
Libby Reinish whose last meeting was December 20, 2016.
8. Adjourn:
a. James Zarvis motions to adjourn. James Vallaincourt seconds. All in favor. (5-0)
3