Triple T Trucking ignores Winchester's voters

Despite sending a resounding message that Winchester's residents do not want any type of facilities designed to process, recycle, treat and transport solid waste, refuse and putrescible materials as defined by RSA’s in our town; article #40 of this year's warrants, which by the way was not recommended by the Planning Board, Triple T Trucking, knowing full well the results is still going ahead and attempting an end run around the voters to get their facility built in town.

The following letter was sent out certified mail to all abutters of this property. You can bet your last dollar that our Zoning and Planning Boards will be handing out waivers like candy at Christmas and this project will be approved unless every voter in Winchester goes to the upcoming meetings and voices their disapproval; though even that may not deter them from rubber stamping this application as their track record would indicate. Looks like this could turn into another expensive lawsuit for the people of Winchester.

STEVENS & ASSOCIATES, P.C.
Consulting in the Design & Development of Livable Communities
Engineers Landscape Architects Planners


April 16, 2009

RE: Triple T Materials Recovery Facility
Winchester, New Hampshire
S&A #: 08-002

Dear Abutters ( name and address removed for privacy )

In accordance with the New Hampshire Comprehensive Shoreland Protection Act (RSA 483-B), we are notifying you of a project that proposes improvements within 250’ of a protected resource, the Ashuelot River. Certified mail notification to the Town of Winchester, the Ashuelot River Local Advisory Committed and all abutters within ¼ mile of the proposed improvements is required when a Shoreland Protection Permit application is going to be submitted.

The proposed project is located on Route 119 in Winchester, across from the Old Ashuelot Road/Route 119 intersection. Refer to the attached USGS map showing the location of the project parcels and the approximate limits of work on those parcels.

N&M Winchester Properties had originally proposed a Materials Recovery Facility for the site which would take a waste product (organic wastes) and convert it into a saleable commodity (compost). However, local zoning changes would be required for such a facility and these changes are being pursued by the property owner. However, the parcel may be used for other industrial purposes in a small industrial park. As the varying uses on the project site do not alter the proposed work within the Shoreland Protection area, we are proceeding with permitting for the Shoreland Protection Act.

Portions of the project within the 250’ Shoreland Protection Area are generally limited to access roads, utilities, stormwater management systems, and the removal of existing houses and their associated driveways and utilities. No industrial uses will be located within the 250’ zone.

Once certified mail receipts have been received for all parties, a complete copy of the application will be sent to the Winchester Town Clerk, Ashuelot River Local Advisory Committee (ARLAC), and New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services.

Sincerely,

Kathleen D. Williams, P.E.
Project Manager

Cc: Peter Gaskill

Winchester Deserves Better Leaders

The following was submitted to the Reader Opinion section of tonight's Keene Sentinel. Thought it was a very interesting opinion based on fact and should be made available to everyone that does not subscribe to the paper.

On March 10th, Winchester residents voted on a zoning warrant article submitted by the board of selectmen to override an existing ordinance and allow composting of various wastes -- and their smells, dust, noise, etc.

The 25 to 155 tons of waste per day would be brought ion from out of state by a Vermont company; but would mostly be Massachusetts garbage.

The company, Triple T Trucking of Brattleboro, is a commercial hauler and has never run a waste/composting/transfer station.

Triple T never made an application to introduce composting; however, the chair of the planning board and the board of selectmen met with Triple T on Dec. 3rd, 2008.

At that time, minutes from the meeting reflect, the planning board did not want to propose an amendment for the people to vote on.

The planning board had a public information meeting with one member of the public attending; at a second meeting, no more than six members of the public were present. Then, on Dec. 18th, a legal notice was finally placed in The Sentinel.

That is it folks, -- that is all the notice you get.

Fortunately, 865 of the 2,902 registered voters turned out and voted and the article failed, 524 - 300.

Article 35, as submitted by the board of selectmen, called to allow composting, recommended by the planning board.

The selectmen voted 4-0 in favor, the one opposing selectman was sick that day and did not vote. There are 7 people on the planning board.

Never, never has there been a properly advertised notice of a public meeting to discuss composting -- my God, 22 - 155 tons per day !

At the deliberative session, the board of selectmen chairman suggested that since the article could not be changed as written, that there was no need to discuss it.

Remember, this is a deliberative session. Only because the minority selectmen, along with state Rep. Robert Carr, spoke up, was it even discussed.

There was one motion to close discussion and adjourn, by the chairman. This makes it seem like someone is hiding something, or attempting to "slip" something in.

At minimum, an ordinance should not be changed until an application is submitted.

And something this serious should require notice of at least two public meetings solely pertaining to the issue.

That is not what democracy is all about.

Winchester needs openness and transparency and free and open debates. Also, selectmen should be required to have a published telephone number.

Winchester, we can do a lot better.

J. Keenan
Winchester

Town Headed To Court ...again.

The Town's Planning Board has been sued in Superior Court by the abutters and several other concerned citizens over their handling of the proposed Robert Van Dkye condominium development on Franklin Mountain off Route 10 next to Shamrock Realty. The board had not only looked the other way on many violations of their own rules and regulations, they have time and time again gone against their own regulations in this ongoing process despite protests from the abutter's attorney and others. Their total disregard for the Town of Winchester's Subdivision and Planned Rural Development regulations and the concerns of the property owners abutting this project has prompted this lawsuit. A hearing will be held on May 12th at 9:00am at the Superior Court House in Keene. Any interested parties are invited to attend.

The hearing has been continued to Friday, May 29th at 1:00pm in courtroom #2 on the second floor of Superior Court.

Town Employees Threaten Union

Word has it that our town employees are threatening the Selectmen with forming a union. The reasoning behind this is that several employees, despite receiving substantial wages, a yearly cost of living raise, performance bonuses, a full benefits package that costs them next to nothing, overtime, uniform and shoe allowance and other perks, they feel that they are not being treated fairly.

Sherman Tedford confirmed that the Water, Sewer, Highway and Police Departments are now actively examining union options and that the whole process could take up to a year to take effect due to the contract negotiations. All hourly employees will be involved with voting for or against the union. The governing body has no say in this creation and can not discourage it from happening; but if created, it will definitely have an effect on our Town Budget.

Talk about greed and looking out for themselves while the rest of us scramble just to stay afloat.

Count down to raceday at WSP.

Countdown To Race Day

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