The proposal for a property on Liberty Street was one of the primary focuses of the meeting. The application, submitted by 8 Liberty Street, LLC, involved raising an existing single-family dwelling and constructing a new one on the property. Attorney Van O’Brien and Richard Peter Levo represented the applicant, addressing issues previously raised. These included the removal of construction fencing that had obstructed sightlines and adjustments to building height measurements to ensure compliance with zoning bylaws. The height was modified to 34 feet 11 inches, following grading adjustments. The board emphasized the importance of verifying the foundation and overall height throughout the construction process to ensure ongoing compliance.

A local resident expressed gratitude for the removal of the obstructive cloth barrier but raised concerns about potential sightline issues if a fence were constructed adjacent to her property. Additional requests for noise mitigation during construction hours were noted due to the proximity of her bedroom to the site. The board clarified that no fence was currently planned, and any future plans would require mutual agreement between neighbors.

The discussion also touched on groundwater testing, revealing high levels two to three feet below grade. Concerns were raised that if groundwater levels were higher than anticipated during construction, the elevation of the house might need to be adjusted accordingly. This could require further board approval. After deliberations, the board approved the application with conditions to adhere to submitted plans and stipulations from the Board of Health.

Moving on to 16 Westfield Road, the board examined revised plans that reduced the home’s gross floor area by 14% to 4,185 square feet. However, concerns persisted regarding the building’s height and overall mass relative to the undersized lot of 11,647 square feet. The applicant agreed to install a fence and expressed willingness to work with residents to mitigate impacts. Nonetheless, the board was divided on whether the reductions were sufficient to warrant approval.

Another topic was the self-storage facility on Mill Street, where John Christopher of RLJD Corp sought to renew and extend a special permit previously granted in 1997 and modified in 2018. The proposal included refurbishing a building in disrepair, with no changes from the 2018 approval. However, a local resident raised concerns about ongoing violations related to outside storage and unauthorized vehicles on the property. The board advised reporting such violations to the building commissioner for enforcement. The resident urged the board to reiterate the original permit’s conditions in the new approval, emphasizing the need for aesthetic improvements and operational restrictions to prevent the facility from resembling a used car lot.

The board’s dialogue underscored the importance of ensuring compliance with existing conditions while considering new modifications. Acknowledging discrepancies between the proposed plans and prior conditions, the board decided to continue discussions to the next meeting to allow for further clarification.

As the meeting progressed, additional applications were reviewed, including a proposal for a property on Warren Road, where the owner planned to raise an existing structure and construct a new dwelling. Concerns about driveway design, tree preservation, and the impact on neighboring properties were discussed. The board approved the application, contingent upon adherence to submitted plans and town recommendations.