I.          Staff present:  Bill DePasquale, Planner and Dixie Foisy, Clerk

    II.          CALL TO ORDER:

Chair Chris Palmer called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m.

  III.          PUBLIC COMMENT:

None

  IV.          WORK SESSION:

A.    Introduction and Welcome: New Town Planner, William DePasquale

Chair Chris Palmer introduced our new Planner, Bill DePasquale.  

Mr. DePasquale spoke about making the decision to join the Planning office in Exeter and stated that he appreciates the opportunity.  Bill shared that he appreciates the Planning Board’s hard work during the last few months and keeping the projects moving.  He stated that he has started to review current files to get up to speed.

B.    Discussion with New Town Planner, William DePasquale: Planner’s Role and Goals going forward

Chair Palmer stated that he would like Bill to ask questions of the Board, and the Board to ask questions of Bill as a way of introduction.  Chair Palmer shared that he anticipates a busy January and February with some big agendas to come.

Bill DePasquale thanked everyone again for the opportunity and stated that he was first taught to listen; to listen to the community, and feels that the community speaks through its Town Council, Planning Board and Zoning Board.  He shared that he has begun reading through the last years meeting minutes and understands the Town has had some land use issues that this Town has had to deal with over a period of time and knows there is some outstanding Comprehensive Plan work that needs to be done.  Bill stated that he has reached out to Statewide Planning to see where we are to determine if we can revise the plan or if we need a brand-new Comprehensive Plan.  The Town Council has requested that he report back to them on the status.  He stated that there is a lot of work to do and that he believes people get a false impression that there’s not a lot going on here in Exeter.  Bill stated that as he looks through reams of files of great detailed work, he can see that everyone has worked really hard and without a lot of the resources that we may be accustomed to in other communities.  He continued that he feels there needs to be discussion as to the direction that he will be given to where we direct the resources, what our timelines are, what the deliverables would like to be.  Bill stated that there are a lot of carry-on items that he is just getting up to speed with, and that it is up the Planning Board to direct him as to how he can most effectively serve the Board and the Town Council and that he takes this very seriously.  He touched on addressing sustainable energy, while keeping the rural character of the Town, but moving it forward at the same time.  He has read the Comprehensive Plan and understands the desire to keep the rural character of the Town, and the property rights and balancing those with the needs of the greater electorate. Bill also mentioned that marijuana cultivation and hemp cultivation is at our doorstep and questioned how to go forward with enacting the 2004 Comprehensive Plan in its form and the vision of Exeter.  He stated that Exeter did a great plan with growth centers and overlay districts. Bill posed the question if Exeter wants to add more overlay districts?  He stated that he understands there is a need to diversify the tax base a bit, but not to the extent that some of the neighboring communities have done.  He added that this could be done in a smart, effective way, that allows business development with an aesthetic keeping within the character of Exeter and is done in a way that is better and uniquely Exeter.  He stated that there is great opportunity off of Rt. 95 on the land abutting West Greenwich.  Bill questioned how we look at this land and reimagine a tax base where we can increase some of these opportunities if that’s what the Town desires.  Bill further discussed everything that will need to be incorporated into the Comprehensive Plan and the time that will need to be devoted to revising and/or a total re-write.  He stated being a part-time Planner, working 21-hours a week, he feels at some point, there will need to be a discussion about taking resources outside to assist with some of these challenges.  At this point, Bill asked the Board what they expect from him going forward in 2-years/5-years/10-years.

Chair Chris Palmer stated that Bill brought up some great points.  The Chair briefly reviewed the Planning Board application process in Exeter.  In reference to the Comprehensive Plan, the Chair agrees that community outreach/holding a public hearing to allow the community to voice what they want in their Comprehensive Plan is a great idea.

Scott Millar stated that first and foremost, the Board needs Bill to be the Administrative Officer which will take up a good amount of time.  The most pressing need is clearly to update the Comprehensive Plan; he also stated it’s great that Bill has already contacted Statewide Planning to confirm that we can do an update or a total re-write is necessary.  Scott Millar stated if a total re-write is necessary, he’s not sure what the Town’s available resources are.  In relation to what the Chair had mentioned about community outreach, Mr. Millar reminded everyone that the Town spent over 4 years working with professional consultants, held public informational meetings, design for a project called “A Vision of Exeter.”  He went on to state that this document is now close to 10 years old and times have changed, but this may be a good place to start.

Bill DePasquale asked what kind of implementation came out of that study?

Scott Millar stated that the Town crafted Zoning ordinances for transfer development rights and a new village overlay that was adopted.  Unfortunately, that was around the time that the economy tanked and never had anyone come forward with a serious proposal to use the ordinance, and added that the ordinance now probably needs to be revisited.  However, he feels the Comprehensive Plan should be the main focus.  

Bill DePasquale understands, but did voice concerns regarding time constraints and resources.

Scott Millar suggested that the Board introduce themselves, to give Bill some background on each member.

Chair Chris Palmer stated that he is a professional land surveyor; also, a certified forester.  He deals with all kinds of land development projects from minor subdivisions to major land development.  He works all over the State so he sees the differences in regulations from one town to the next.  

Michael DeFrancesco stated that he has been on the Planning Board for 25 years and have served as the Chair in the past.  He has lived in Exeter for almost 50 years; moved here from Providence.  He was a registered civil and environmental engineer in five different states, retired now for several years.  He was a partner is his own engineering firm here in RI and in Florida, working with mostly Public Works.  Mike stated his career was in engineering, but has a heart for Planning.  In order to save time tonight, Mike stated he would like to meet Bill for coffee sometime to discuss the Schartner development on Rt. 2.

William Haas shared that he is a retired school teacher, a member of the #2 Fire Department and on the Fire District Board which is the taxing authority for the Fire Department and Rescue.  He has lived in Exeter for 50 years and stated that the rural character of the Town is important to the residents in Exeter.  The Planning Board wrote an ordinance to keep big box stores out by putting a limitation on the size of the store.  Bill Haas emphasized the importance of the Comprehensive Plan and getting it finished and off our plate.  He stated that they are a Planning Board but they don’t plan, they react, and would like to get to a point where they can plan.

Bill DePasquale noted that he continues to hear “rural character” and has read the Comprehensive Plan, but feels he should remind everyone that there are mandatory sections now that weren’t in place in 2004, some of which is out of our hands. We need to address these sections in order to get approval from the State.  Bill DePasquale then asked Bill Haas how solar fits in with the idea of rural?  Bill Haas replied that solar does fit, but it has its place.  The Planning Board completed a solar ordinance that he feels covers it, as it includes three different sizes, where they go and where they can’t go.  He suggested that Bill DePasquale read the ordinance thoroughly and that it will answer his questions.

Scott Millar stated that he worked for Statewide Planning for a number of years; he was there when the Comprehensive Planning Act, zoning enabling and land development regulations were all adopted.  He spent most of his career – almost 25 years – at RI Department of Environment Management in non-regulatory roles.  Scott shared that he provided technical assistance and financial assistance to communities so they could use their land use authority to accommodate growth in a way to minimize the impact on natural resources.  He currently works for Grow Smart RI doing similar work on a part-time basis.  Scott was on the Planning Board for about 15 years, and left, but came back about two years ago.  He was involved in the Exeter Village Vision project as a special assistant to the Town Council as there was grant money available.

Michael Viveiros stated that he is still “new” to the Planning Board in comparison to the rest of the members; he is still learning about the process.  He shared that he is an architect and principal of a 30-person company that’s involved in a lot of large projects in both Massachusetts and Connecticut.   He stated that they do a wide variety of project types – from affordable housing to adaptive reuse of historic structures.  His client base is very diverse and gets to see how a lot of other communities’ work.  Michael shared that he moved to Exeter when he was young, moved away and came back.  He stated he has a passion for Exeter and that he worked for Bill Warner years ago.  Michael went on to discuss his concerns for Exeter and how small businesses survive in the world today, and how the Town gets ahead without raising taxes much more.  

Bill DePasquale stated that he couldn’t agree more and appreciates and values those comments.  Further discussion ensued.

Donna Di Donato stated she is an attorney and has practiced in Providence for the majority of her career, but has lived in Exeter for 27 years.  Donna said she would like Exeter to stay as rural as when she first moved here, and thanks to the Planning Board, the Zoning Board and Town Council, they have maintained the two areas of business development – Rtes. 2 and 3; and maintained Rt. 102 to be the scenic highway.  With advancing us forward, they have always kept in mind the ultimate goal of keeping us rural.  She continued to state that the Planning Board members are all from diverse backgrounds, but have one common goal – to keep Exeter the way it is.  A discussion ensued regarding the Comprehensive Plan.

Donna Pari stated she has been an Exeter resident for 25 years.  She shared that she started her career in architecture (went to school with Michael Viveiros); was in architecture for about 15 years before becoming a school teacher in Exeter/WG.  Donna said she is very passionate about the environment and is more concerned with the historical rural character in the community.  She stated she agrees with being more proactive than reactive, and tends be very honest and direct.

Chair Chris Palmer stated that he expects us to have an action-packed year and shared some information on upcoming applications for the end of this month.  The Chair also shared that Peter Ruggiero is leaving the Planning Board for the Zoning Board, and Steve Sypole, the solicitor from the Zoning Board will be joining the Planning Board.  The Chair stated that he is glad to have Bill DePasquale on board and that he will be the “gate keeper.”  He added that the more information we can gather from the applicants, the better the decisions can be made by the Board. Further discussion ensued regarding the expectations of the Board in regards to the Planners limited hours and resources.

ADJOURNMENT:

Motion by Bill Haas to adjourn, seconded by Michael DeFrancesco; voted all in favor.  MOTION PASSED.  Chair Chris Palmer adjourned the meeting at 8:24 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,  

M. Dixie Foisy

Planning Board Clerk