Becket Planning Board
Approved Meeting Minutes
Wednesday , May 14th , 2008
Board Members Present: Gale LaBelle; Chairperson, Robert Ronzio; Vice Chairperson; Beth VanNess, Martin Schlanger, Robert Podolski:clerk
Board Members Absent: Joseph LaCascia
Members of the Public Present: Stephen Buoniconti, Winston and Kathy Saville, Jack Conboy, Barbara Stuhlman, Robert Gorden, Susan Miller .
Meeting called to order: 7:09 pm.
Mrs. Gale Labelle, Chairperson, opens meeting and announces that agendas are available for anyone who wishes to have one. Mrs. LaBelle states that the meeting is being held in accordance with Massachusetts General Law Chapter 40A and the By-Laws of the Town of Becket. A decision to issue a Special Permit requires a minimum of four positive votes from a five member board. Mrs. LaBelle goes on to introduce the planning board members present .
Approval of Minutes of April 9th, 2008 Meeting
Mr. Schlanger makes a motion to accept the minutes of the April 9th, 2008 meeting as presented . Mr. Ronzio seconds motion. No discussion, unanimous approval.
Public Hearing; Mr. Steven Buoniconti, 209 Sherwood Drive, Assessor Map 216 Lot 826.
At this time, the applicant, Mr. Buoniconti, approaches the board and introduces himself to the board members present. He presents each board member with a site plan that he had prepared by Sackett Surveys. Mr. Buoniconti goes on to explain the plan to the board members, stating that the house fits within all setbacks. Mrs. LaBelle asks if any of the members of the public would like to say anything. Hearing nothing, Mrs. LaBelle confirms with secretary that all fees have been paid and that notices have been sent to the abutters. At this time Mrs. LaBelle asks if the board members have any additional questions. Mrs. LaBelle closes this portion of the hearing at 7:11pm and asks that opinion slips be passed out.
Gale LaBelle- Approve- because it is essential for improvement of the Forest and the positive aspect of the community. It also encompasses the bylaws of Becket.
Beth VanNess- Approve- because it will be a benefit to the community to have a new house in the area and also all of the guidelines have been met.
Robert Podolski- Approve- applicant meets all criteria defined by Becket Zoning codes plus Planning Board requirements.
Martin Schlanger- Approve- applicant meets requirements of our zoning bylaws, I don’t see any problems with the proposal.
Robert Ronzio- Approve- it conforms to the existing bylaw requirement.
Joseph LaCascia-Absent.
Public Hearing: Mr. and Mrs. Winston Saville, 42 Washington Street, Assessor Map 206 Lot 37.
Hearing opens at 7:18 pm.
Mrs. LaBelle confirms that all fees have been paid and that the abutters were all notified via certified mail. Mr. and Mrs. Saville approach board members. Mr. Saville explains to the board members that he and his wife are now retired and would like to open this antique store and run it as a little business in town. Mr. Saville states that he would most likely be open some time in July and would not expect to be overly busy at that time. Mr. Saville also states that it is their intentions to have things priced reasonably so that there will be something for just about everyone.Mr. Podolski asks the applicant about the sign for the business. Mr. Saville explains that the sign will be 2ft X 3ft. and will be hung from the front of the store, in the same spot that the postal sign once hung. Mr. Saville also
states that he has met with the building inspector, has paid the fee and has his permit in place. At this time, Mrs. LaBelle states that there have been two letters received by the planning board on behalf of the Savilles. Both letters received are in favor of the Saville’s proposed antique store. Mrs. LaBelle first reads the letter received, written by the Cestaris, the owners of Bird’s Eye View Antiques. Next, Mrs. LaBelle reads a letter written by Rob Gorden, on behalf of the Historical Commission, again showing strong support for the Saville’s proposed Antique shop. Mrs. LaBelle asks if any member of the public would like to comment and then closes this portion of the hearing at 7:23 pm. Mrs. LaBelle asks that opinion slips be passed out.
Gale LaBelle- Approve-I approve this application as it is vital for the character of Becket Village and the business will enhance the village.
Beth VanNess- Approve- I approve because it will be a terrific asset to Becket Village and it meets all town zoning and bylaw requirements.
Martin Schlanger- Approve- A good addition to Becket Center. Hope it revitalizes the area. I do not foresee any problems.
Robert Ronzio- Approve- This business is vital to the revitalization of the North Becket area and it will be a definite asset to our community at large.
Robert Podolski- Approve- Meets all criteria of Town of Becket Zoning bylaws as well as the planning board requirements. This is the highest use for this building and will further enhance the Historic Becket Village.
Joe LaCascia- Absent.
Public Hearing: Jack and Michael Conboy, 2727 Jacobs Ladder Road, Assessor Map 204 Lot 57.
Mrs. LaBelle confirms that all fees have been paid and that all abutters have been notified via certified mail. Mr. Jack Conboy approaches the board. Board member Beth VanNess excuses herself from the hearing and moves her seat to the public side of the room. Mrs. LaBelle explains to the applicant that because Ms. VanNess has excused herself from this public hearing that he now has a 4 member board to work with. Mrs. LaBelle carefully explains to the applicant that in this case, he would need all 4 members present to approve. Mr. Schlanger states to the applicant that he would need a super majority, and that would require all four positive votes. Mr. Ronzio also explains that if only one member of the board does not approve the application, then the application would then be denied and the applicant would
not be allowed to come before the board for 2 years. Mrs. LaBelle states that a site plan review would be necessary . Mr. Ronzio states that the applicant already has one accessory use and that now a second is being requested. Mrs. LaBelle again states that according to the bylaws, a site plan review would be necessary. Mr. Ronzio explains that the applicant may need to withdraw application with out prejudice and come back with both the accessory use (more than one primary use on lot) and the accessory use of a sign will need to be a separate issue. Mrs. LaBelle explains to Mr. Ronzio that the sign should not be the problem. Mr. Ronzio states that the applicant has a principal use and is now applying for a secondary use. Mrs. LaBelle reads aloud the Berkshire Eagle Public Notice, confirming that all the information had been stated properly. Mr. Podolski cites section 3.2.2, stating that a site plan approval must be submitted. Mr. Ronzio states that the bylaws have changed since Mr.
Conboy’s original application. Mr. Conboy requests that his original site plan be passed out to the board for their viewing. Mr. Schlanger states that he would except the same site plan. Mr. Ronzio states that only a registered land surveyor should be allowed to perform a land survey, and that the plan submitted by Mr. Conboy was clearly prepared by a architect.Mr. Conboy states that he would be alright with hiring a registered land surveyor to prepare the site plan and then bring it back to the planning board to continue his hearing then. Mr. Ronzio motions to allow the applicant to get his site plan prepared by a registered land surveyor and will have his hearing continued until June 11th, 2008 @ 7:00 pm at the Town Hall, at this point, applicant will have survey with him and ready to present.
Public Participation- None
Old Business- Special Permit Guidelines- Reg. Land Surveyor
Mr. Ronzio states that it was only recently when he was in the process of having some work done personally, that he was made aware that only registered land surveyors should be conducting the plans for the applicants that come before planning board. Mr. Ronzio states that he has contacted both Foresight as well as Hill Engineering on this matter.
Mr. Podolski says that he would like to see the wording for 250 CMR.
Mr. Ronzio makes A motion to amend the requirements for a special permit, to modify the special permit guidelines; striking the words (section 1, bullet 1) Engineer, Architect, or and leaving the wording REGISTERED LAND SURVEYOR . This motion will be pending the approval of Town Counsel, Sally Bell. If Sally says that this is OK, then the application will be modified, and the motion will be made and carried.
At this point, Mrs. LaBelle states that she will call applicant, Jack Conboy and make him aware of the fact that at the June 11th meeting there still may only be 4 members to sit on the board for his hearing. Mrs. LaBelle passes out the new information and updates from the last Zoning Review Meeting. She explains briefly to board members what some of the points are concerning the contractor’s yards. Mrs. LaBelle informs the board members that she would like to have an informational meeting to discuss these new amendments further.
Correspondence- All correspondence is read and reviewed .
Budget- Read and reviewed.
Schedule Next meeting for Wednesday June 11th, 2008.
Mr. Schlanger makes a motion to adjourn. Ms. VanNess seconds motion. Meeting adjourned at 8:20 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Heather Hunt
Administrative Assistant
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Martin Schlanger
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Robert Ronzio, Vice Chairperson
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Gale LaBelle , Chairperson
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Beth VanNess
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Robert Podolski
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