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Planning Board Regular Meeting Materials (minutes)

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Planning Board Meeting Minutes                                                               September 10, 2026 
 
 
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Town of Salem, NH                                                                                                                                        Page 1 
 
  
 MINUTES OF THE PLANNING BOARD 
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MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 10, 2026 
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A meeting of the Planning Board was held on September 10, 2026, in Knightly Meeting Room, 
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Salem Town Hall  
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PRESENT: Joseph Feole, Chair; Sean Lewis, Vice Chair; Paul Pelletier, Town Council Rep; Jim 
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Harvey; Chuck Saba; Jeremy Guilbeault, Alt.; Victor Helenic, Alt.; 
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Mr. LaFontaine was present from the Planning Department.  
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Mr. Feole reviewed the agenda. 
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REVIEW OF MINUTES 
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1. August 11, 2026 – Regular Meeting 
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Mr. Feole tabled the minutes until the Board secretary returns. 
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2. August 25, 2026 - Regular Meeting 
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Mr. Feole tabled the minutes until the Board secretary returns. 
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OLD BUSINESS 
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1. Bluebird Salem, LLC Site Plan – Public Hearing for self-storage facility containing one 
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155,457 sq. ft. storage building and two 4,050 sq. ft. single-story traditional storage 
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buildings with conditional use permit for reduced parking. Continued from 7/14/2026. 
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Abutters: Hook Holdings, 3 Industrial Way, CB Goodnow and Associates, 2 Industrial Way Condo, Lucia 
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Investments LLC, Fast Break Investments LLC, 2 Industrial Way NH LLC, Lemons Direct LLC, NPM 
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Realty Trust, Salem Athletic Club, Silveria, Sunset Rock LLC, Omni Point Inc., Industrial Way 
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Associates, Nets Realty,  
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Abutters present: None 
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Mr. LaFontaine said the plan was last heard in July 2026. He said since that meeting, they have responded 
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to the Engineering comments. They have responded to the comments for drainage and utilities. They 
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noted the comments for drainage and utilities. They added additional erosion control. They have added 
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windows to the North elevation. He said they have noted that they will address the truck turnaround plan. 
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They have responded to RCCD comments. They have added the building's height. They added 
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landscaping on the frontage of I-93. They have identified the proposed tree line along the I-93 landscape 
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plan.  
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Mr. LaFontaine said there were a few items that came up at the last meeting relative to the landscape plan. 
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He said the previous plan had additional trees. He said they have since increased the tree count, and the 
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total number of plantings are still reduced. He said there is still a reduction in the number of shrubs. The 
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overall number of plantings is reduced; he said they did provide the windows. He said there was talk 
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about this because this parcel is highly visible. He said they are not going to clear cut the entire parcel, but 
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        Planning Board Meeting Minutes                                                               September 10, 2026 
 
 
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Town of Salem, NH                                                                                                                                        Page 2 
 
  
the portion closes to route 93. He said there is also a grade change. He said they do have some blank 
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facades, and the Board should consider that. 
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Mr. LaFontaine said the amended permit was submitted to the State. He said the erosion control was a 
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major concern, and they do have blank facades. He said it is one of those things you do not know until the 
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trees are cleared to see what kind of screening there is. 
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Mr. LaFontaine said they did talk about a masonry block. He said they have not done that, but they do 
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have changes in colors and materials. He said they still have not received final comments from the Fire 
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Department on the truck turn plan. He said the other items have been addressed. 
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He said they do have comments from the engineering department and the third-party traffic consultant, 
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both which raise concerns that have fire to address. 
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Bridget Sousa was present for this application. She said she has provided a truck turnaround plan in the 
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plan set. She said the specs from the Town were used on that plan. She said it can make a complete turn 
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around and there is circulation in the site. She said this was the concerns. She said they might need 
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another hydrant on the site. She said she attached the landscaping that was formally approved with the 
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other design. She said she added a majority of plantings that were mostly trees to bring the trees up to the 
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last count. She said they had a smaller retaining wall before, so they had smaller plantings. Now they 
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have a larger retaining wall and larger plantings.  
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There was no public participation. 
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Mr. Pelletier asked what the elevation was between the Cul de sac and the top of the parking lot was.  
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Ms. Sousa said the retaining wall is 2 feet tall, and as you go down Manor Parkway, it becomes 15 feet. 
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She said that is why they wanted to make the landscape change.  
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Mr. Pelletier asked if it was a guard rail. 
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Ms. Sousa said yes, it is to protect the vehicles from the pond.  
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Mr. LaFontaine showed the Board the 2022 proposal. He showed the Board what was approved. He noted 
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the landscape and the elevations. He noted that it is highly visible on route 93. He said they had concerns 
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with the lack of the false windows. He said they did make enhancements, and they added those.  
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Mr. LaFontaine showed the Board on the north-bound side there is a blank facade. He said they did have 
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widows there before. He also showed the Board the side on Manor Parkway that also had a blank facade. 
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He said they are most concerned about 93, but they still want to pay attention to Manor Parkway. He 
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showed the Board the colors of the building to the Board. He said they will be visible because of the 
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grade change. He said they are proposing 6 white bitches on the bottom of the site, and they are proposing 
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the vegetation next to the athletic club. 
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He said one thing to consider is that the proposed tree is the proposed tree line. He said they did look at it 
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back to ensure they are able to maintain it. They want to make sure the vegetation stays. He showed the 
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Board multiple views.  
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Mr. Pelletier said the building looks fantastic, and he thinks this is a nice plan. 
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Mr. Harvey asked what the setback is from route 93 and the foundation. 
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Ms. Sousa said it is a 20-foot set back, and there is about 25 feet in the top corner. In total, about 50 feet.  
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She described the grade change. 
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Mr. Guilbeault asked what the largest truck would be to go in here. 
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Ms. Sousa said the fire truck. She said Bluebird does not allow anything over 40 feet.   
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Mr. LaFontaine said it is important they call out what the level of clearing is going to be and that they 
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could have this as a condition. He said the Board should decide how comfortable they are with the facade, 
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especially the one on Manor Parkway.  
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Mr. LaFontaine said the conditions of approval are prior to building permit submit staff approvals, pay for 
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outside inspections per direction of engineering division, submit state permits and approvals, submit lot 
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consolidation form, prior to occupancy pay road impact fee of $5,609.38, and a public safety impact fee 
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of $44,1060.39, provide certified as built plan, construct all site improvements in accordance with the 
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        Planning Board Meeting Minutes                                                               September 10, 2026 
 
 
      DRAFT 
 
 
 
 
Town of Salem, NH                                                                                                                                        Page 3 
 
  
approved plan, limits of proposed tree line shall not be disturbed in accordance with plan, note conditional 
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use permit for reduced parking on plan, applicant must operate business so parking lot capacity is not 
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exceeded, all representations made by applicant or agent all notes on the plan are incorporated as part of 
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the approval.  
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Ms. Sousa said the conditional use permit for reduced parking is a slight reduction from the 2022 plan. 
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She said the traffic engineer stated in their letter that they were in support of the cup.  
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Motion: Mr. Lewis made a motion to grant conditional use for the parking deficit the Bluebird site 
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plan and note the letter dated June 23, 2026, and further move to approve the site plan with all 11 
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conditions noted by Mr. LaFontaine. 
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Second: This was seconded by: Mr. Pelletier. 
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Vote: 7-0-0 
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PUBLIC MATTERS 
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1. Birches Academy 
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Mr. Lafontaine said Birches Academy is on South Broadway. The dean is present tonight. He said there is 
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an area in front that they want to fence in and use as a patio space. He said it is a change to a commercial 
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space and wanted to discuss it with the Board. 
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The dean came up and showed the Board the pictures of what they wanted to do. She said it is for the 
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kids.  
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Mr. LaFontaine said charter schools are now viewed the same as public schools. He said they have an 
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advisory role in this. The Board and a and the applicant reviewed the landscape. 
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The Board was ok with this. 
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2. The residences  
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Mr. LaFontaine said the residents would like o a celebration on September 15. It is invite only and they 
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have submitted a plan. He said they will have a tent are and parking on site.  
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The Board was ok with this.  
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3. 34 Pelham Road 
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Mr. LaFontaine said they would like to have an event for a car show on October 4 from 4-5pm. It is open 
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to the public, and they will also serve food.  
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Mr. Feole said he would like them to have a police detail.  
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PLANNING BOARD MATTERS 
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1. Correspondence 
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2. Other 
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Motion: Mr. Harvey made a motion to adjourn at 7:31p.m.  
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Second: This was seconded by Mr. Lewis.  
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The meeting adjourned at 7:31 p.m.   
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        Planning Board Meeting Minutes                                                               September 10, 2026 
 
 
      DRAFT 
 
 
 
 
Town of Salem, NH                                                                                                                                        Page 4 
 
  
Minutes:  
Jennifer Hernandez, Planning Board Recording Secretary 
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Approved: 
Planning Board 
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Date: 
 
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