by Kieron Kramer
The Grafton Planning Board took only five minutes to approve the minutes of the previous meeting, to accept two applications for minor subdivisions and to schedule two public hearings. The meeting began at 7 pm on Monday, November 17, and adjourned at 7:05. A quorum was formed by three Planning Board members, Owen Grandjean, Art Surprise and Planning Board Chairman Tom Withcuskey. [private]Surveyor Bill Darling, who seems to represent the lion’s share of the people applying for subdivision applications in Grafton, represented both applicants for subdivision permits at this meeting. Surveys for the subdivisions had been submitted by Darling and were tacked on the wall for any interested party to inspect.
North Shore Road Subdivision
Michael Longo applied for a minor subdivision at 132 North Shore Road at Babcock Lake. Darling described the subdivision. Longo wants to separate a 40 foot wide strip from his property to sell to a neighbor across the road. The strip is on the east side of the Longo property and will provide the neighbor with access to Babcock Lake next to Inspiration Point. Chairman Withcuskey said, after consulting earlier with the Town’s attorney Sal Ferlazzo, that this was a “non-realty subdivision” because the new lot is less than five acres (it’s .19 acres), will have no construction on it and no electricity or water. Withcuskey then made the motion to accept the Longo application, and the Board voted unanimously to accept it. Withcuskey accepted a check for the application fee of $150.
Jay Hakes Road Subdivision
Kenneth Maxfield applied for a simple subdivision at 321 Jay Hakes Road. Darling explained that Maxfield wanted to separate 6 acres out of the 75 acre parcel he had purchased from his mother, Maud Maxfield. The 75 acre parcel from which the new parcel will be separated is a rather odd shape, surrounding three lots which are owned by Leon and Florence Maxfield, starting northerly on the Jay Hakes Road, Kenneth Maxfield and Michael Slover, ending southerly on the road. The new 6 acre parcel is an irregular trapezoid south of Slover with the small end on Jay Hakes Road with 117 feet of frontage. Access to the remaining Maxfield lot behind it is provided by a 40 foot wide right of way on the edge of the new parcel, abutting Slover. Two other means of access would also be available by right of way along two other boundary lines if necessary. Withcuskey asked Maxfield if the 69 acres he will retain will be subdivided in the future. “Do you have the intention of creating a major subdivision in the back?” he asked. Maxfield replied, “No, this is probably the last time I will sell.” Withcuskey made the motion to accept the application, and the Board voted unanimously to do so. If a future owner wants to subdivide the 69 acre back lot, the issue will be dealt with at that time.
The next Planning Board meeting will be on December 15. A public hearing on the Longo subdivision was scheduled for 6:40 pm before the regular meeting. A public hearing on the Maxfield subdivision will follow at 6:50 pm.[/private]