Ordinance Review Committee
Minutes
September 6, 2007
Present: James Foster, Jack Goosetrey, Richard Bibber, Gary Foster, Wade Trudel*arrived after initial vote,
Others: Margaret Hutchins, Jeanne Adams, Kinderly Hodgdon, Fire Chief Ricky Plummer,
Richard Bibber called the meeting to order at 7:00p.m.
1. Approval of August 15, 2007 meeting minutes
Mr. G. Foster moved; Mr. Goosetrey seconded to approve minutes as presented
Vote 4-Yes
2. Removal of AOZ from Zoning Ordinance
Mr. G. Foster reported the town council has voted on the removal the AOZ and George Thebarge is going through ordinances to note all of the references to the AOZ that would need to be removed. Councilor Hutchins noted the council had the first reading Tuesday evening. Mr. Foster believed it should be changed, but not eliminated. Mr. Bibber noted the committee would need to wait to see the language
3. Fire Suppression Ordinance
Fire Chief Plummer noted he was familiar with the basics and would be happy to see it passed. Councilor Hutchins noted anything in bold in the draft are questions that the Public Safety Committee needed to go back and discuss.
Mr. Goosetrey questioned which was preferred by the fire department a cistern or a fire pond. Mike from the Public Safety Committee noted cisterns had less maintenance, were more reliable, and available year round without the worry about them drying up in the summer time. Fire pond, if put in right, would be more expensive and would require more maintenance. Sometimes there is a natural water supply in the area that may work better than a cistern and that may be a better water supply for the fire department. A clause was put in ordinance that 120,000 gallons has to be available year round and that has to be certified by a hydrologist and must take into consideration ice buildup. The 120,000 gallons figure is taken from the NFPA standards. The 1,000 gallons per minute would not apply to cisterns. Cisterns are designed
to give the initial attack and then replenished as the fire attack continues.
Mr. Goosetrey questioned if there was any rule of thumb for 60,000 gallon cistern versus 30,000 gallon cistern for a five family subdivision. Mike suggested the layout of the development of a subdivision be looked and the need to have water source close to dwellings if the buildings are spread out. Mr. Goosetrey suggested the fire department make the recommendation
Mike noted once a cistern is installed it is tested by the fire department and once performance is acceptable, the fire department will accept. All agreed it should be stated in the ordinance. Once a cistern is accepted, the fire department would maintain it and do the annual testing. The fire department would ask a homeowners association to keep a cistern clear and free of debris.
Mr. Bibber questioned if there is a time element when the cistern is to be in operation. Chief Plummer noted most developers put in the cistern while building the road. Mike understood a cistern would be operational before any occupancy permit is handed out.
It was questioned if the requirement for hydrants “within 6 feet of pavement” would be allowed with state highway limits. Mike noted the requirement was added so trucks may be off the road to allow traffic to go around. The Public Safety Committee will look at what the state requires. Mr. J. Foster suggested a change be made to make it more flexible to “six feet or greater as approved by authority with jurisdiction.” All agreed.
Mr. Bibber suggested under 6.a, density bonus should not be less than 2,000 square feet. Mike noted under 6.b. automatic sprinkler system is boiler plate language as the State of Maine is looking at a sprinkler ordinance. We wanted to have standards to give to a homeowner if they wanted to put sprinklers in their home;.
Mr. Goosetrey questioned under 6.c., additional requirement, the fire department may recommend for dwelling separated less than 100 feet would need to be sprinkled. The type of building should be spelled out. Mike agreed to rework the paragraph. Mr. G. Foster noted any types of businesses that may require special circumstances may need to be spelled out. Ms. Hodgdon agreed to help with the language. Mike agreed to take the draft back to the Public Safety, Committee and bring the revision back to ORC.
Corrections to the draft were noted and agreed to.
· On page 2, article 12, definition of dry hydrant should be changed from “6” national standard to “4-1/2”.
· Mr. J. Foster recommended “6” schedule 40 steel” be changed by removing “schedule 40” and adding “cement lined”.
· Ms. Hodgdon suggested “AHJ” be changed to “fire chief or designee” to eliminate possible confusion.
· Under 8.b., Exemptions, “Minor subdivisions and any” to be deleted.
· Ms. Hodgdon suggested “major” be removed and leave “subdivision” in 8 and 6.
· Under 6, Performance Standards, reference to “2,000” should be taken out.
Ms. Hodgdon suggested an administration process with some type of review sheet be developed so there is something that may be handed to the fire department once a permit is received and the fire department be the contact point until the cistern is accepted. The fire department may then sign off and the sheet returned to the planning office. It was suggested to put process on the application and then reference the application in the ordinance. The application should spell out everything public safety is looking for, so the fire department has all the information they need before signing off and accepting the dry hydrant or cistern.
4. Zoning Map
5. Other
6. September 19, 2007 Agenda
Election for chair vice chair to be discussed at
7. On the radar screen
Zoning district for Area 8
Village Center District
The Master Plan Advisory Committee sent documents on examples on other towns’ standards. A basic document has been generated, and will forward it. The VMPAC is thinking of some very simple design standards. The designs are general and directed to new nonresidential. The VMPAC member noted the connecter has made a difference in the center of town and we need to seize the moment now. Mr. G. Foster noted the ORC need to some language to convert the visual into ordinance.
Adjournment
Gary Foster moved; Wade Trudel seconded to adjourn at. 9:10 p.m.
5-Yes
Meeting adjourned at 9:10p.m.
| 
