The board’s decision to approve the site plan for the veterinary facility was contingent on key conditions, notably addressing lighting and waste management issues. A participant raised concerns about the facility’s current lighting, noting its brightness and suggesting compliance with night sky standards. This was agreed upon by board members, who moved to include lighting adjustments as a condition for approval. Waste management was another focal point, with the facility’s representative, Deb Sapienza, explaining plans for handling medical and pet waste. Medical waste would be stored in specialized bins and managed by a medical waste service, while pet waste would be bagged and disposed of in regular trash. However, the exact location for dumpsters was undecided, prompting the board to stress the importance of situating dumpsters away from residential areas to mitigate odors.

Concerns about noise were also addressed, with assurances that the facility would cater mainly to older, sedated animals receiving chemotherapy, thus minimizing potential disruptions. Operational hours were clarified as Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM, with no overnight care or boarding, further alleviating noise concerns. The board unanimously approved the site plan with these conditions in place.

Another topic was a proposed zoning bylaw amendment aiming to restrict adult-use marijuana cultivation and clarify odor control requirements. This followed a canceled public hearing due to weather, with plans to reschedule. The board considered adopting either the original draft, which proposed a complete prohibition of marijuana cultivation among micro-businesses, or an amended version. The consensus favored promoting the original draft.

The board also discussed updates to floodplain bylaws, with a focus on defining roles and responsibilities clearly. A suggestion was made to designate the Building Commissioner as the floodplain administrator, aligning with State Building Code recommendations. The board moved to bring the proposed bylaw forward to a hearing at the next meeting.

Additionally, the board touched on accessory dwelling units (ADUs), separating this discussion from short-term rentals, which were not considered an issue. The board plans to take a thoughtful approach to updating the ADU bylaw, awaiting state guidance while considering a timeline for future implementation. Training opportunities for understanding ADU principles were noted, emphasizing the benefits of collective board member participation.

Finally, planning department updates included a $120,000 housing grant aimed at assisting homeowners with critical repairs, especially for aging communities. The affordable housing trust is collaborating with elder and human services on this initiative, with the next round of community grants due by June 4. The board also approved a new three-year peer review contract with Green International.