The Maple Street property transaction emerged as a concern, as the parcel had been sold without an Approval Not Required (ANR) application, raising questions about the regulatory oversight of such sales. Board members expressed confusion and concern, inquiring how the property could have been sold without the necessary surveying or planning board endorsement. One member questioned the legitimacy of the transaction, saying, “How can this happen?” after reviewing records and finding no relevant documentation. The board found it troubling that the Registry of Deeds accepted a plan lacking planning board endorsement and a Professional Engineer (PE) stamp, which added to the skepticism about the sale’s validity.

The board discussed the potential non-conformity of the lot, given the absence of proper survey documentation. Members were particularly worried about the implications for property owners and the attorney involved in the deed signing. The conversation also touched on the possibility of separating primary and secondary structures on the property, with prior experiences raising red flags over similar zoning compliance issues. This led to the proposal that the assessor should inform property owners about the correct legal processes to follow.

Discrepancies in the presented documentation further fueled the debate. The board noted that exhibits detailing the parcel’s boundaries were dated from the late 1970s, raising questions about their current relevance and accuracy. The lack of up-to-date, properly stamped documents left the board uneasy, and there was consideration of escalating the issue to a legal review or seeking action from the Board of Assessors. The board proposed ensuring communication with the property owners regarding the potential legal implications of the sale.

In another significant matter, the board discussed financial constraints affecting consulting services. The planning board’s revolving account, previously over $15,000, had diminished to about $3,000 due to consultant fees. This financial strain necessitated a reduction in a contract with consultant Richard Harris, limiting it to $2,500 to preserve funds for future expenses. Harris had been working on updating town policies and procedures.

The board also reviewed a building permit application for a solar installation on Cook Road. The project involved a ground-mounted solar installation slightly exceeding the small ground-mount threshold at 11 kW, approved under older regulations. With new regulations facilitating easier processing, the board unanimously approved the building permit, expressing no concerns.

Additionally, the board considered updates to the town’s Open Space and Recreation Plan, which included sections on potential zoning modifications to promote affordable housing. Members highlighted the complexity and burdensome nature of the plan, with one member raising concerns about whether the board had previously discussed such modifications. With the implementation of new regulations for accessory dwelling units (ADUs), there was uncertainty about the plan’s requests compared to enacted measures. The board emphasized the need for a detailed review before making commitments.

Further discussion highlighted potential conflicts within the plan’s goals, particularly balancing the protection of natural resources with housing needs. The board recognized the importance of addressing these conflicts to ensure alignment with the master plan. Concerns were raised about previous discussions around affordable housing and exclusionary zoning, which had not yielded desired outcomes. The board decided to take more time to review the document thoroughly and discuss it in their next meeting.

The meeting concluded with discussions on new opportunities for municipal assistance. Members noted a new Mass DOT program offering high-level planning and engineering services to municipalities. This program aims to address safety concerns and evaluate infrastructure needs on state-owned roadways. The board expressed enthusiasm for leveraging state funds to enhance municipal standards.