The meeting commenced with the activation of an associate member, Jeff, to participate in the review of two specific cases. The first case involved the site plan review for an accessory apartment on Leverett Road, represented by contractor Zenia Stetson. Prior to voting, members had already visited the property to assess its compliance with zoning regulations. John, the chair, reported that the site conformed to the required setbacks and received no objections from the Select Board or other town boards. The Conservation Commission had approved the project, and the Board of Health confirmed the septic design was adequate for the proposed number of bedrooms. The fire chief also approved the plans for smoke detectors.

A motion to approve the site plan review application was made and received unanimous support. The chair outlined the subsequent steps, including writing a letter to the Building Commissioner and drafting a site plan review decision form. A conversation followed regarding the completion of paperwork and the 20-day appeal period, which could impact the project’s timeline. Zenia confirmed that her stop work order had been lifted, allowing the project to proceed without delay.

The discussion then transitioned to the town’s vacant land use clerk position, revealing ongoing challenges in filling the role due to low compensation. The chair remarked on the difficulty of retaining qualified individuals, stating, “we’ve just created too small of a job here that we’re not going to get anybody for very long.” This sentiment was echoed by another member who cited neighboring towns’ success in employing clerks to manage multiple boards.

The next significant topic involved Russ Greco’s proposal to build a freestanding garage on Wend Road. Russ explained that changes in regulations two years after he started construction on his home now imposed a 25-foot setback requirement. He described his lot as only 1.32 acres, with a ravine and a Hemlock forest limiting the available building area. Moving the garage closer to the property line by 10 feet would alter the aesthetics and create an undesirable narrow corridor between the house and garage. Russ also highlighted the garage’s potential for solar panel installation, preferring not to place panels on the house for aesthetic reasons.

The board clarified that the discussion was a preliminary conversation regarding the special permit process, which requires a public hearing and notification to neighboring properties. Russ confirmed that he had spoken with his neighbors, particularly the abutter to the north, who he believed would not oppose the garage’s construction. A board member noted the differences in zoning regulations for neighboring properties, raising questions about the perceived inequity in zoning classifications.

A discussion ensued about the process for applying for a special permit, including obtaining an application from the town and the responsibilities involved in notifying abutters. John offered to meet with Russ at Town Hall to help him gather the necessary application and documents. The conversation also touched on the importance of the special permitting process, designed to accommodate unique situations based on zoning considerations.

Towards the end of the meeting, an attendee mentioned participating in a state webinar discussing changes to accessory apartments. They shared insights gained from the session, particularly regarding setbacks and special permit requirements for properties on Wend Road.

The absence of a land use clerk was a critical point of discussion, with concerns about how this gap affected various boards’ functionality. Participants suggested the potential benefits of a combined clerk position to serve multiple boards. The conversation included a proposal to analyze the costs and efficiency of the current clerks versus a consolidated position.