MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE VIENNA
PLANNING BOARD HELD MAY 27, 2026
The meeting began at 7:00 PM at the Town House. Regular members present were
Waine Whittier, Creston Gaither, and Tim Bickford. Alternate member Steve Trehu was also present, as were Jill Swift, Mark Rains, and Neil Sotirakopoulos. Steve was appointed a voting member in the absence of other members. Minutes of the April meeting were read and accepted.
Neil Sotirakopoulos wants to install some plumbing at the end of his driveway on his Tower Road land shown on tax map 11 as lot 26; this is not in the shoreland zone; he was advised that he will need a SSWD permit from Plumbing Inspector Erin Quimby.
Mark Rains asked about any regulations that might apply to the construction of a driveway from Mountain Road onto his property near the Plymouth Line shown on tax map 10 as lot 75. Tim outlined the process of getting a road address for it. Mark was advised that Vienna appears to have no requirements regarding driveway widths or setbacks outside of the shoreland zone.
Regarding the Swift parcel on Whittier Pond, Waine’s email responding to Josh Platt’s email of April 22 was briefly reviewed. Waine distributed copies of Josh’s “Slope Replanting Recommendations - April 2026.” Point allotment outlined in the “South Side of Stairs” section of the recommendations was discussed. Jill noted that Section B already has a few large trees, and that planting fewer trees than Josh recommends might avoid some potentially damaging soil disturbance. It was agreed that the trees to be planted should be somewhat small. Jill said that hand planting without heavy equipment is planned. She would like to get the trees planted soon and avoid disturbing sensitive areas with Erosion Control Mix.
In general the Board agrees with the Plan with these modifications:
1). Required planting by sector to be smaller trees that will be monitored by survival and growth: Sector A: 3 trees; Sector C: 3; Sector D: 5; Sector E: 5; Sector F: 0.
2). Hay berms will be maintained this year but replaced by erosion control berms during 2027.
3). Live stakes planted last year will be monitored and replaced.
4). Tree plantings are to be completed by November 2026. Gary Ladner of Gardiner is contracted to do this (he is said to be certified for shoreland zone work).
The Code Enforcement Officer is to inspect the site annually. Jill says they have installed the gutters required in the permit issued to Kirk Hiscock in 2005.
Waine will draft a letter outlining all this and get it to the Swifts.
The meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM.
Creston Gaither, secretary