Minutes of the Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting on 9-27-07
Meeting convened at 7:40 pm in the Lower Level Conference Room at Town Hall. Present: John Kimball, Chair, members Anna Hardman, Joel Freedman, and Jeff Macklin, and Dorothy Blakeley, ZBA clerk.
New Matters:
1) Richard and Janice McQuaid, 26 Lincoln Road, M/P 74 13 0, for a special permit to construct additions to their existing home; the applicants represented themselves. Mr. and Mrs. McQuaid would like to enlarge their kitchen and master bedroom and add a deck off the back of their house. The first floor currently has a back porch and they would like to push the back wall out 6 feet which would create a new dining area and a new deck. The applicants would also like to add a new side entry. It was noted that everything that will be added will be in back except for the proposed side entry. The McQuaid’s have hired an
architect, Steve Hart. It was noted that the site plan set backs are the correct figures. Two neighbors, Stacey Parks, 39 Weston Road, and Ron McDougald, 22 Lincoln Road, came to this meeting to show their support for the proposed project. A letter from John and Carol Caswell, dated 8/1/07, supporting the McQuaid’s proposed project was entered into the record. It was noted that the applicants have already received approval from the Historical and Conservation commission boards. Motion to close the record approved unanimously.
Action: Motion to approve this application approved unanimously. Panel consists of John Kimball, Anna Hardman, Joel Freedman and Jeff Macklin. Jeff Macklin is the Decision Writer.
2) Mark Conway, 9 Morningside Lane, M/P 22 4 0, for a special permit to reconstruct a garage with a family room and mudroom. Mr. Conway appeared with his architect, Jacob Lilly of Lilly Dadagian Architects. Mr. Conway explained he would like to take down the existing two car garage and construct a new garage with a family room above the garage and also renovate a former breezeway turned family room into a mudroom. Mr. Conway stated he renovated the existing family room and bedroom about 10 or 12 years ago and had a site plan prepared by Snelling and Hamil to ensure the expansion fit within the setbacks. Mr. Conway said he
plans to move the new garage about 2 feet forward and angle it a little to make the mass of the house more appealing. Mr. Conway stated he wanted to receive the approval from the Zoning Board first and then he will appear before the Planning Board, scheduled for October 17th. Mr. Conway added that he would like to relocate their washer and dryer from the basement to the new mudroom. Mr. Conway said he also would like to add living space and functionality and be able to get his car in his garage. Move to close hearing approved unanimously.
Action: Motion to approve this application approved unanimously. Panel consists of John Kimball, Anna Hardman, Joel Freedman, and Jeff Macklin. The Decision writer is Anna Hardman.
Administrative Matters:
Public Safety Tower Replacement Informal Discussion. Present for this informal discussion were Anita Scheipers, Assistant Town Administrator, Artie Cotoni, Fire Chief, and John Caswell, Chairman of the Selectmen’s Public Safety Radio Study Committee. Mr. Cotoni stated that the hardware problems are currently being fixed; replacing radios with fiber optic cables and comparators which will transmit signals and switches to send signals. Mr. Cotoni noted that he submitted a proposal to the Department of Homeland Security for payment of this replacement. Mr. Cotoni said the 100 foot replacement tower is comprised of 10 foot sections. The plan is to replace the existing 40 foot tower with another 40 foot tower and put the rest in storage. Mr. Cotoni noted that the FAA has approved
this and has granted a waiver for the present tower and the 40 foot height. John Kimball asked if there is anything in writing. Ms. Scheipers noted they received verbal confirmation today from Washington, DC. and that they are expecting something in writing shortly. Mr. Cotoni added that the waiver is good for replacing the existing telephone pole and that the present height is well below the tree line. Mr. Cotoni summarized the situation as follows: there are two telephone poles there currently; both will be coming down and replaced with one tower; no lighting. The replacement tower will be approximately the same height as the existing tower but with better signals and computer generated coverage. There will be no change in the existing footprint, but they will pour new foundation. Mr. Cotoni added that the existing poles have been there over 42 years and need to be replaced. John Kimball stated this is a repair without changing the
envelope. Ms. Scheipers added we are committed to keeping it the same height. John Kimball polled the other board members for their opinions on whether this is a repair and all agreed, it is. John Kimball will draft a letter to the Town Administrator regarding the Board’s opinion on this matter.
Accessory Apartment Procedures
John Kimball asked the Board to think about the process of renewing accessory apartments in advance of our next meeting. John Kimball prepared a packet of accessory apartment information for board members to review.
Signed completed decisions.
Reviewed potential fall meeting dates.
Meeting adjourned at 8:50 pm.
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