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Minutes

Document

August 20, 2026 
Sandwich Planning Board 
Page 1 of 2 
Approved 9/3/26 
 
 
Planning Board 
Town of Sandwich 
PO Box 194 
Center Sandwich, NH 03227 
Minutes August 20, 2026 
 
Members Present: Mike Babcock, Alix Coolidge, Julie Dolan, Brewster Lee, Maureen Westrick, ex 
officio Joanne Haight, Alternate Ben Fullerton  
Absent with notice: Ray Cameron, Alternate Gerry Ives 
Also Present: Susan Bryant Kimball, Chip Kimball, Dwight Emery, Katy Holmes, Rick Van de Poll, 
Nancy Walser, Lee Warren  
 
Call to Order: Chair Babcock called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 
 
New Business: Public Hearing: Adoption of 2026 Town of Sandwich Master Plan: Ms. Coolidge 
Motioned to Open the Public Hearing. Ms. Haight seconded. All in favor. Mr. Babcock opened the 
floor for comments. Points made: The Plan was well crafted to include all the special interests and 
varied perspectives that may be in conflict and closely referenced the survey results. It was important 
to acknowledge all that may be in conflict and include all recommendations to be worked on 
balanced approaches to meet the needs of the community. Good job in integrating all the different 
voices in the writing. The extensive public outreach was noted as an effort over the last year. A 
submitted comment was that it was an enjoyable read. Many comments of thanks to the committee, 
writers and editors for a locally produced document that reflects the community. The committee was 
thankful for the participation in the two listening sessions where the audience was engaged and 
invested in the Plan.  
Ms. Dolan Motioned for the Planning Board to adopt the 2026 Master Plan. Ms. Coolidge 
seconded. All in favor. 
Question was asked about the next steps. The Plan is a “living document” and the 
Implementation Guide is the blueprint for the actions. The next step is for the Planning Board to form 
a subcommittee and set its mission statement, goals and procedures. It will track the progress of all 
the recommended actions and periodically report to the Board and annually report to the community 
in the Annual Town Report. Initial work has been done to set up a spreadsheet as a tool, thanks to 
Dwight Emery who has been recruited to serve on the committee. Ms. Dolan and Susan MacLeod 
will continue. The intent is to guide all the identified responsible parties to prioritize actions, examine 
options, consider budgets as necessary and provide updates in a transparent process.  
With no further questions or comments, the hearing was considered closed. 
6:19 pm: Mr. Babcock Motioned to go into a nonpublic session “RSA 91-A:3, II (l) 
Consideration of legal advice provided by legal counsel, either in writing or orally, to one or more 
members of the public body, even where legal counsel is not present”. Public left the room. Roll call 
vote to enter nonpublic session: Mr. Babcock, yes; Ms. Dolan, yes; Ms. Coolidge, yes; Mr. Lee, yes; 
Ms. Haight, yes; Ms. Westrick, yes; Mr. Fullerton, yes. Session began at 6:20 pm. 
6:33 pm: Motion by Mr. Babcock to leave nonpublic session. Second by Ms. Westrick. All in 
favor. Mr. Babcock Motioned to seal the minutes for 90 days, seconded by Ms. Coolidge because it 
is determined that divulgence of this information likely would affect adversely the reputation of any 
person other than a member of this Board. Roll call vote to seal the minutes: Mr. Babcock, yes; Ms. 
Dolan, yes; Ms. Coolidge, yes; Mr. Lee, yes; Ms. Haight, yes; Ms. Westrick, yes; Mr. Fullerton, yes. 
6:34 pm: public meeting resumed. 
Member status: Mr. Babcock reported that he had received an email from Alternate Gerry Ives 
who, due to health issues, is stepping off the Board for now. Mr. Babcock has offered his support. 

 
August 20, 2026 
Sandwich Planning Board 
Page 2 of 2 
Approved 9/3/26 
 
 
Case 2026-19 Home Occupation (HO) for Ms. Westrick for use of barn space for events. Ms. 
Westrick recused herself and Alternate Mr. Fullerton appointed to vote. Ms. Westrick presented the 
proposal and noted that another approved HO is currently on the property, an architect’s office. Ms. 
Dolan made a point of order that the need for approval for more than one HO is not a requirement in 
the zoning ordinance. Discussion that it is good process to recognize each HO so submitting a form 
for a second one is appropriate. The new HO form is now online and answering all the questions 
should suffice without necessitating coming before the Board to explain the occupation.  
Ms. Dolan Motioned to approve the form. Mr. Babcock seconded. All in favor. Further 
discussion on a need to distinguish event venues as beyond what has been considered a home 
occupation – low impact offices, studios, and farmstands. The question on number of employees for 
an event space came up with homeowner technically not employing anyone, but event organizers, 
caterers and the like may have many employees onsite for an event. Before changing the zoning 
ordinance, it should be the Select Board to set standards for traffic, assembly numbers, and health & 
safety issues (sanitation) for permitting events. It can be addressed with a local ordinance by the 
Select Board to be more flexible and responsive to changing when necessary. Generally agreed that it 
should be explored to require a site plan review for event venues. 
 
Minutes of August 6, 2026: Ms. Westrick Motioned to approve as written. Mr. Fullerton 
seconded. 6 in favor, 1 abstained. Ms. Dolan had a question triggered by the reference in the 
minutes to add a suggestion by Jim Hambrook, “Where required, the applicant shall provide (at 
the applicant’s expense) a report of a licensed engineer, surveyor, or certified soil scientist 
demonstrating that the lot contains sufficient contiguous unrestricted area to satisfy the 
Structures Envelope minimum and accommodate a compliant ISDS and principal structure with 
all required setbacks”. She wanted clarification that this is not a new, costly requirement for 
someone with a lot who now wants to build on it. Explanation: All lots of record were surveyed 
to meet requirements of the time, and if passed, this amendment would apply to new 
subdivisions. On existing lots, the Building Permit process addresses this and it would not come 
to the Planning Board. Mr. Lee reported that he is still waiting for feedback from Noah Hodgetts 
at OPD, the NH Association of Natural Resources Scientists, and a response from Greg Howard. 
He spoke with Shanna Saunders at LRPC and she offered assistance as a consultant and the 
question was asked whether the HOP grant funds could be used to pay for this service. Mr. 
Babcock will follow up on relating need for this information to addressing creating opportunity 
(lot size) for affordable housing. Ms. Haight suggested keeping Ms. Delaney and Ms. Cox in the 
loop on these zoning issues.   
 
Other: Revised Scenic Tree cut application form. Mr. Babcock drafted a revised form to clarify 
terms and process for utility applicants and Ms. Dolan set up a fill-in form to be reviewed at the 
next meeting. 
 
Adjournment: 7:24 pm  
 
Scheduled Meetings: Regular meeting September 3, 2026; September 17, 2026 work session  
 
Respectfully submitted, 
 
Susan MacLeod, Land Use Secretary