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TOWN OF STERLING PLANNING BOARD MEETING January 2, 2017 A regular meeting of the Town of Sterling Planning Board was held on Monday January 2, 2017 at the Sterling Town Hall at 7:00 pm with the following members present: June Ouellette ~ Chairman Sue Allen ~ Member Vernon Bishop ~ Member Excused: Member Scott Crawford Also Present: Highway Supervisor Brian Soper, Carolyn Waterman and Virginia Fichera. Chairman Ouellette called the meeting to order at 7:01 pm. Member Crawford had arrived briefly to determine if any business was scheduled that his attendance was necessary for – if not, he was unable to attend because of a schedule change at work. A quorum was present for the review of the Comprehensive Plan, Member Crawford was excused. There was some discussion on changing the regular meeting night to either Thursday or Friday, which will be discussed further at the February meeting. BUSINESS Comprehensive Plan Review The Board members had received copies of the Comprehensive Plan (pages 46-58) from Town Board member June Smith for their input on any needed revisions. The review began as follows: Goal 1, Objectives #1and #5 - Extend the X under Short term to be ongoing to Long term. Goal 1, Objective #6 – Chairman Ouellette stated that the Sterling Nature Center is still looking for a full-time director. Some discussion ensued between Members Bishop and Allen that the terms (short, medium and long) are too general and that target dates should be set to motivate action by either a committee or a resident group. They questioned the process of implementation for the goals and objectives that were initially established because there hadn’t been much action taken on many of the short term items. Member Bishop questioned whether there was a source of Sterling resident volunteers willing to work on projects, or if a committee could be organized to authorize investigations and update to Town Board of progress. Goal 2, Objective #7 - The objectives of the goal ‘Cultural and Historical Resources’ depends largely on volunteer participation – an example is the Sterling Historical Society which is very active with the railroad tracks and tower. Goal 2, Objectives #5 and Items such as historic boat tours and Light Program are insurmountable projects because of insurance and cost issues. Goal 2, Objective #4 – Add Town of Sterling to opportunities for Collaboration because they supply primary funding at present. Goal 2, Objective #1 – Add possibility of bike/hiking trails development of existing and abandoned railroad trails. Goal 3, Objective #2 – Add Sterling Nature Center to list of Opportunities for Collaboration, because they are actively pursuing the funding to build a larger facility that would serve community needs, especially since neighboring Villages of Red Creek and Cato have resource centers. ---PAGE BREAK--- Goal 4, Objective #1 – Member Bishop questioned whether a report of the roads condition is made annually as stated in the objective. Highway Supervisor Brian Soper stated that he is required to submit a yearly report. Goal 4, Objective # 2 – Extend arrow from medium term to be ongoing to long term, and add Town Planning Board to Opportunities of Collaboration because of the applications submitted by Verizon and such to build/alter cell towers. Goal 4, Objective #4 – Should be removed from the list entirely because the existing mills and dams are privately owned. Goal 4, Objective #5 – Has been ongoing in the Town through a couple of housing grants received and dispersed through the Codes Office for home improvements. Goal 4, Objective #6 – Should be moved to listing under Goal 2, and add Town Board under Opportunities for Collaboration as a funding source. Goal 5, Objective #3 – Has been ongoing in the Town by adding Cluster Development and PDD to the Land Use Regulations. Goal 6, Objective #1 - Extend the X under Short term to be ongoing to Long term. Goal 6, Objective #2 – Has been ongoing in the Town because Sterling Highway performs all paving and road work for the Village of Fair Haven. Goal 6, Objective #5 – Should be removed completely and perhaps added to the Village of Fair Haven’s Goals because Fair Haven owns the West Barrier Bar. Goal 6, Objective #6 – Has been ongoing in that Highway Supervisor Brian Soper stated that he attends 9 meetings a year. Goal 6 – Member Bishop stated that a new objective should be added that deals with property assessments by Sterling Assessor – similar wording of objective 1. Goal 7, Objective #2 – Add Sterling Historical Society to both columns because they have open meetings that offer information and publish books on the area. Goal 8, Objective #1 – Add the existing Youth Committee to the Opportunities for Collaboration. Goal 8, Objective #2 – The Sterling Nature Center is trying to connect the County trails to the Nature Center. Goal 8, Objective #3 – Add Private snowmobile clubs to the opportunities for Collaboration. The review of remaining pages 54 thru 58 to commence at the next meeting on February 6, 2017. The Clerk will contact Town Board Member Smith for direction of preferred format to receive review information. MINUTES A motion to approve meeting minutes with corrections for November 7, 2016 was moved by Member Bishop and seconded by Chairman Ouellette. All were in favor without further discussion and the motion passed. A motion to approve meeting minutes with corrections for December 5, 2016 was moved by Member Allen and seconded by Chairman Ouellette. All were in favor without further discussion and the motion passed. ADJOURN On a motion by Member Bishop and seconded by Chairman Ouellette, the meeting was adjourned at 8:13 pm. Approved Minutes, Respectfully submitted, Lisa Somers, Planning Board Clerk