ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT MEETING

SEPTEMBER 17, 2008

Present:  Chair Myra Mansouri, Leo Carignan, Jan Galloway-LeClerc, Mary Therese Lester, and alternates: Ernie Vose, Peggy Pschirrer, and Bill Webb.

Absent:  David Calhoun and Larry Britton.

Chair Mansouri called the meeting to order at 7:31.  Chair Mansouri appointed Alternate Jan Galloway-LeClerc to replace Committee Member David Calhoun for the evening.  Chair Mansouri appointed Bill Webb to replace Committee Member Larry Britton for the evening.

AUGUST MINUTES were read.  Mary Therese Lester indicated there were corrections that needed to be made to the minutes:

1.      under new business – change wording from where the arrow on the sign now blinks the new sign will, change to  “were the arrow on the current sign blinks, the new sign will not”.

2.      under new business – Margaret Dangler- delete the word ”to” on the second line- where it reads – was in for a variance of Article to of the Walpole Zoning Ordinance – it should read, “was in for a variance of Article of the Walpole Zoning Ordinance.” And change second barn floor apartment to “second floor barn apartment”.

3.      Change spelling of R.N. JOHNONS to R.N. JOHNSON

4.      under OTHER – change from- Ernie Vose indicated the property is in the Rural/Agricultural Zone to Ernie Vose indicated the property is in the Industrial Zone and would required a Special Exception. 

Mary Therese Lester moved to approve the minutes with corrections being made.  Jan Galloway-LeClerc seconded the motion.  All in favor, so voted.

At this time Larry Britton arrived and Chair Mansouri requested Bill Webb revert to his Alternate position.

NEW BUSINESS: 

SCHOPPMEYER HEARING:  Steve Schoppmeyer was present for a Hearing regarding his request for expansion of a Non-conforming use.  Chair Mansouri noted the Hearing was noticed and all abutters notified.  Mr. Schoppmeyer explained he would like to construct a porch on the west side of his house.  Walpole Zoning Ordinance setback from the middle of the road is 65 feet.  Mr. Schoppmeyer informed the Board the porch would be 15 feet into the setback area.  The end of the porch will be only 50 feet from the center of the highway.  The porch would not extend any further out than the existing house.  Larry Britton moved to approve the request for an expansion of a non-conforming use.  Seconded by Jan Galloway-LeClerc.  All in favor, so voted.

Peter Dexter was in to discuss his options regarding running an auto repair shop in the Industrial Park.  The existing building he would be using is 2800 sq. feet.  The building was previously used as an Auto Repair Shop.  Discussion followed and Mr. Dexter was informed he would have to apply for a Variance.  It was determined that as he is not an industry he will not have to go to the Planning Board.  Larry Britton moved to set a Hearing date of October 15, 2008 for Mr. Dexter.  Mary Therese Lester seconded the motion.  All in favor, so voted.

BENSONWOOD HOMES- represented by Peter Wotowicz.  Mr. Wotowicz was in reiterate the construction going on at Huntington Lane is a phased in project.  Phase 1 being a 3500 sq. ft building, well under the total project of 5,000 sq. feet.  There  will be minor floor plan changes.  Mr. Wotowicz stated he was at the meeting informally to explain this is not a substantial change, just part of the phase-in project. Mr. Wotowicz submitted drawings of both the original plans and the new plans.  Jan Galloway-LeClerc stated the two maps should be together for later reference if needed.  The Board thanked Mr. Wotowicz for coming before the Board and keeping them informed.

GRAVEL PITS:  Chair Mansouri stated Hodgkins and Sons is gathering information and will present their paperwork soon.  Elaine Moore informed the Board Joe Sawyer is still working on his paperwork.

Chair Mansouri informed the Board that a gravel pit must take out a viable amount yearly or the pit will lose its Grandfather status.  She spoke with one town and was told their town attorney indicated 1,000 cubic yards was a viable amount.  Walpole has no criteria as to “viable amount”.

The Board will be inspecting gravel pits in Walpole.  As some of the reports are not back there was discussion as to whether to wait another month before doing inspections giving the owners time to submit their required reports to the ZBA.  After discussion the Board decided to start inspections this month rather the reports are submitted or not.

Mary Therese Lester and Larry Britton will inspect both of Hodgkins and Sons pits and the one pit owned by George and Freda Graves.

Chair Mansouri and David Calhoun will inspect the three pits owned by Lane Construction.  Peggy Pschirrer will attend the inspections with Chair Mansouri and David Calhoun.

Jan Galloway-LeClerc and Leo Carignan will inspect the Joe Sawyer pit and Ernie Vose and Bill Webb will inspect the two Donald Wood pits.

Chair Mansouri noted the Board meet on August 27, 2008 at 4:00 PM at the Industrial Park to view property owned by Hodgkins and Sons.  C&D Salvage is working with Hodgkins and Sons to purchase the property.  Mr. Jeffery Ruggiero, owner of C&D Salvage requested the Board view the property so he could explain his plans if he purchases the property.  Meeting was duly posted and 8 Board members plus the Zoning Board Secretary viewed the property.

Leo Carignan moved to adjourn to meeting at 8:40 pm.  Seconded by Jan Galloway-LeClerc. All in favor.  Chair Mansouri closed the meeting.

Respectfully submitted,

Elaine Moore

Zoning Board Secretary