ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT

Meeting of October 15, 2008

Present:  Myra Mansouri-Chair, Leo Carignan, and David Calhoun.  Alternates: Jan Galloway-Leclerc, Bill Webb and Peggy Pschirrer. 

Absent:  Larry Britton, Ernie Vose, and  Mary Therese Lester.

Myra called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Chair Mansouri appointed Bill Webb and Jan Galloway-Leclerc to act as regular members in the absence of Larry Britton and Mary Therese Lester.

Minutes of September 17, 2008 meeting.  Jan Galloway-Leclerc moved the Minutes of September 17, 2008 be approved as distributed.  Leo Carignan seconded the motion and it was so voted.

NEW BUSINESS:  Members of the Walpole Leadership Academy will attend the ZBA meeting at 6:30 pm on November 19, 2008 for the purpose of understanding the function and activities of the ZBA.  Myra Mansouri, David Calhoun, and Bill Webb will be present for ABA.  The Walpole Leadership Academy will then attend part of the ZBA regular meeting that begins at 7:30 pm.

OLD BUSINESS:  Special Exception Meeting – Auto repair Business in Industrial. Park. Map 001-003-000.  Peter Dexter appeared before the ZBA to request a Variance for his Auto Repair business, which he wishes to open in the Industrial Park. Chair Mansouri informed the Board all notices were posted and certified letters sent to all abutters.

After some discussion it was agreed he should also request a Special Exception.  Peter completed the application for the special exception during the meeting.  His application for the Variance had already been prepared.   Mr. Dexter’s lease allows him to have up to forty (40) cars on site.  His trailer will also be parked on the property.

The ZBA considered the criteria for a variance one at a time and passed each unanimously because Mr. Dexter’s application met each one of the criteria: 1.  no decrease in value of the surrounding  properties would be suffered; 2.  Granting the variance must not be contrary to the public interest; 3.  denial of the variance would result in unnecessary hardship to the owner seeking it; 4. By granting the variance substantial justice would be done; 5. The use must not be contrary to the spirit and intent of the ordinance.  Mr. Dexter was granted a variance.

Mr. Calhoun moved that a Special Exception be granted to Mr. Dexter for his auto repair business in the Industrial Zone.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Carignan and so voted.    Mr. Dexter will return the Special Exception application with his landlord’s signature.

Mr. Dexter presented his plans for signage, which will be 4 feet in diameter and placed flat on the front of the building.  It was agreed by the ZBA that he met the signage requirements.  His signage was approved.

GRAVEL PITS:

Myra Mansouri and Dave Calhoun visited the gravel Pits of Lane Construction on Brewery Road and Whipple Hill.

Jan Galloway Leclerc and Leo Carignan visited Sawyers’ Pit and reported that 50 yards of gravel had been removed; Part of the pit is being naturally reclaimed.

Bill Webb and Ernie Vose visited Mrs. Woods gravel pit, which is reclaiming itself.   They observed no activity at the pit.

Myra Mansouri will check with the state re: pits not being used.  Do they revert to their former real estate position? 

Larry Britton and Mary Therese Lester visited other sites and will be asked to report next month.

The meeting adjourned at 8:40 pm

Respectfully submitted,

Elaine Moore

Secretary