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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-07-07 Zoning Board of Appeals MinutesZONING BOARD OF APPEALS READING, MA MINUTES - JULY 7, 1988 Members Present: Catherine Quimby John Jarema Sally Nitzsche Stephen Tucker Ardith Wieworka Chairman Quimby openend the meeting at 7:30 PM, July 7, 1988 in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 6 Lowell Street, Reading, MA. The first item on the agenda for the evening was the approval of previous minutes. After review, minutes of May 19, 1988 were approved as submitted, June 2, 1988 minutes were approved as amended, and June 16, 1988 minutes were approved as amended. The next topic of the evening was reorganization of the Board. Chairman Quimby stated she would accept nominations for Chairman. Stephen Tucker then nominated Catherine Quimby for a second term as Chairman. Sally Nitzsche seconded the motion. When questioned as to why he was not seeking the position of Chairman, Stephen Tucker stated his work requirements were taking up much of his free time, which was the main factor in his not seeking the Chair at this time. A motion was then made and seconded to close nominations. The Board then voted unanimously to re-elect Catherine Quimby as Chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals. Chairman Quimby then spoke briefly about the efforts being made during her first term to establish a daytime staff and good organized procedures with the support of the Director of Community Development, Jonathan Edwards. These efforts would remain ongoing. Nominations were then opened by Chairman Quimby for the position of vice-Chairman. John Jarema nominated Stephen Tucker. Catherine Quimby then seconded the motion. After closing nominations, the Board voted unanimously upon the election of Stephen Tucker to the position of Vice-Chairman. Following the reorganization, items for discussion included mail received, upcoming hearings, and schedules of Board members for the remainder of the summer. At 8:15 PM, the scheduled public hearing was opened for the purpose of reviewing and amending the Rules and Regulations of the Reading Zoning Board of Appeals. The following amendment was made to Subsection 3.1 (page 4) as the second paragraph: "As part of the application, an applicant shall provide a list of all abuttors, owners of land directly opposite on any public or private street or way, and abuttors to the abuttors within 300 feet of the property line of the petitioner. Said list shall be certified by the Board of Assessors in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 40A, Section 11; and shall provide two Zoning Board of Appeals July 7, 1988 Page 2 complete sets of stamped business-size envelopes addressed to each abuttor indicated on the above certified list." John Jarema moved that the above be incorporated into existing Rules and Regulations, the motion was seconded, and it was unanimously agreed to adopt the amendment. An additional amendment was made to the "Application for Hearing" form to add at the bottom the following: "This application certified complete and authorized for filing with Town Clerk. Signed: Director, Department of Date Community Development Stephen Tucker then moved to accept this amendment, Sally Nitzsche seconded, and it was voted unanimously to adopt the amendment. Discussion then followed regarding the unwillingness of the Town Clerk to stamp in all applications as received complete, thus, officially beginning the process of allotted time allowed by law relating to public hearings. Chairman Quimby would relay the feelings of the Board to the Town Manager on this topic, i.e., making this a function of the Town Clerk's office. Stephen Tucker then moved that the public hearing be closed. It was voted unanimously to do so. The next item of discussion under "general business" was Ted Cohen's suggestion that the Board officially close the public hearing before openly discussing issues among themselves. Stephen Tucker stated that if information was requested as a point of fact from a member of the public and the suggested format was in effect, no dispute could be heard from other members of the public. The Board did agree, however, to make some attempt to put into effect the suggestion of Town Councel. Further discussion included the. need to establish and adhere to a procedure for handling public complaints and problems directed at staff members during office hours. Catherine Quimby would discuss this item with Jonathan Edwards. The need for a more timely mailing of the packets for upcoming hearings was also discussed. Zoning Board of Appeals July 7, 1988 Page 3 At 9:30 PM, Stephen Tucker moved that the meeting be adjourned, John Jarema seconded, and it was voted unanimously to adjourn. Respectfully submitted by Pamela A. Spang, Recording Secretary. Signed: Date: