Maine Association of Planners
Annual Meeting
June 6, 2003
Spruce Point Inn- Boothbay Harbor
Executive Board members present: Noel Musson, Fred Marshall, Jim Fisher, Doug Webster and Sarah Flaks. Several MAP members were present in the audience.
President Fisher opened the meeting at 8:45 A.M.
The President acknowledged the meetings sponsors including Wright-Pierce and Woodard & Curran.
Presidents Report
President Fisher reported to the membership that the number of MAP members was stable overall although some past members have not paid their annual dues.
The President reported that the MAP sponsored MMA workshop on user fees was well attended and helpful to those who attended.
The President thanked those persons involved with compiling and sending the newsletter with special thanks to the past student editor, Jennel Carter and Maureen for her oversight. A theme is needed for the next newsletter.
President Fisher felt that the legislative component of MAP was probably the area that needs to be addressed for the upcoming year.
The President thanked the Executive Board members for their participation during the past year. Many Board members are continuing. David Galbraith was helpful with the awards for the meeting and Thersa did most of the coordination for the annual meeting. David Schmidt, David Sanbourne, Karen Martin, J.T. Lockman, and Sarah Flaks will not be on next year's Executive Board.
Treasurers Report
Treasurer Fred Marshall reported that MAP presently has $19,000 in three accounts. He reminded the membership that 50% of any years surplus is transferred into the reserve account. The association lost $2,000 during 2002 but is presently $2,000 ahead. There are some outstanding upcoming expenses related to the annual meeting.
Theo suggested that MAP send an e-mail to MAP members who have not paid their yearly membership dues.
Theo moved that the membership accept the Treasurers report as presented. The motion carried unanimously.
2003-3004 Executive Board
1. Jim Fisher, President
2. Noel Musson, Vice President
3. Fred Marshall, Treasurer
4. Doug Webster, Recording Secretary
5. Mat Nazar, Membership Secretary
6. Ann Krieg
7. David Galbraith
8. Jean Marshall
9. Maureen O’Meara
10. Theresa Oleksiw
11. Rich Roedner
12. Hugh Cox
Theo moved to close nominations. The vote was unanimous to close nominations.
Theo moved to accept the next Executive Board. The motion carried unanimously.
Discussion of MAP Priorities for 2003-2004
There were several comments from the membership including the following;
Matt - membership is an issue
Maureen - MAP needs someone to chair the legislative committee. She suggested that MAP have a legislative coordinator that would oversee the subcommittee but perhaps not testify or work on comments to bills. MAP had almost no presence in the legislature.
Sarah - MAP should have a more formal structure with shared responsibilities. She suggested further outreach to PB members and Planning Commissions.
JT - Certain legislators often present bills about planning. He suggested that it might be appropriate for a MAP representative to meet with the bills sponsor so that there can be better understanding.
MAP might consider an autumn meeting
Sarah-MMA conference might be a venue for a legislator presentation
Matt- CPAC might be a group to include
Maureen - A topic is needed for the Fall MMA - ask the legislators to attend
Theo stated that he does not expect much from MAP but does enjoy annual meeting, newsletter, e-mail about legislation. He suggested that the Association try to maintain these three "core" MAP components.
President Fisher announced that the Executive Board had changed the beginning of the MAP fiscal year to work with the Municipal year (July 1 to June 30). The Board had confirmed in the by-laws that they have the authority to do so. There were no comments from the membership.
Matt Nazar moved to close the business meeting portion of the annual meeting. The motion carried unanimously. The Business Meeting was adjourned at 9:15 A.M.
Presentations
Steve Pelletier - www.woodlotalt.com
Transition between upland and wetland
There are three criteria to be deemed a "wetland";
• hydrology
• soils
• vegetation
Definition of Wetland: Areas inundate or saturated sufficiently to support wetland vegetation
1:12,000 color ortho infra red photos, create a mosaic
Cheaper if towns organize
Photos for towns - $7,000
Interpretation - $13,000
Liz Hertz - Wetlands Characterization
- urgency - wetlands are being filled in Maine, particularly southern Maine.
Get ÷ Wetland Regulation under the NRPA
SPO Website will be adding model ordinances and local planning guides to their website this summer.
Long model ordinance - 27 pages, stricter than the short form.
short model ordinance - 11 pages, stand alone. Many pages can be dropped by the towns governments when they have other land use ordinances
Compensation required for more than 20,000 square feet
Aram Calhoun - Vernal Pools
Hydrologic connections are more than water movement - can include movement of animals,
Size .1 to 2 acres
Indicators
Wood frogs, fairy shrimp, spotted salamanders, blue spotted salamanders
Frogcycles (frozen wood frogs)
Health of the frog population is an indication of the life of the upland woods as well as the pool.
Because vernal pools dry out periodically, they don't support fish and invertebrates. Drying out may also reduce disease
Vernal pools - fast food joints for later breeders like bull frogs
Shrews create the burrows that the salamanders use. The shrews eat the salamander eggs?
Game species also visit the pools
• Student - Natalia Kasatova
• Professional - Jim Lysen
• Project - Map Kit – “Kids and Transportation in York County”
• Plan - Metropolitan Planning Organization for the Portland Urbanized Area.
- nice budget for planning and GIS
- worked with woodlot alternatives to map 20%of town
- use NWI for shore land zoning map
- Watershed protection zone - protects much of the inland
- challenge is an intermediate area with lots of growth areas
recommendations of the comp plan
growth control is extremely popular with voters
LUZO is very confused after years of revisions. Originally written for three villages
Nancy Reagan approach - Just say no to filling wetlands. At least as a short term measure. Many voters prefer to keep this policy / moratorium in place.
Maps are or will be on IMS www.yorkmaine.org
Ordinances in the planning section - contact sburns@yorkmaine.org (?)
The cost of housing is very high now. Very challenging to build affordable housing.
They currently have about 6 property rights cases.
Soils can become hydric after just 3 to 5 years of flooding.
3) Aram Calhoun - case study of a non-regulatory process for wetlands preservation.
recommendations for protection vernal pool wetland areas
Three zones around vernal pool - Pool, 100 feet, 750 feet
The more common practice of a 50 foot buffer is not adequate. This is a loss and should be classified as such.
Can put site visits into a contract for a building permit.
Timing the site visits is tricky. Egg masses are most visible in late spring.
Criteria
- Biological value
- State listed species
- Two or more indicator species breeding
- 15 or more egg masses
- Critical terrestrial habitat
- 75% of the envelope habitat undeveloped
- Should not clear up to the pool
- 15%b clearing leads to 75% loss of species
Meeting ended at 3:30 PM