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Planning Board Minutes 2/8/12
Becket Planning Board
Approved Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, February 8th, 2012


Planning Board Members Present:  Gale LaBelle , Robert Ronzio, Beth VanNess, Ann Krawet, Howard Lerner .  
                                                      
Planning Board Members Absent: Marty Schlanger

Members of the public present: Robert Gross, Harris  Aaronson, Dale Rozon, Mary Alarie, Matt Kearns, Dennis Levin, Josh Bagnalo,   Mark Karlberg, Jeanne Pryor, Craig Klemen, John Amato, Alexandra Glover, Jeremiah Pollard, Ronald Fortune, Karen Karlberg.

Meeting opens at:  7: 04 pm

Chairperson , Gale LaBelle,  opens the  meeting and announces that agendas are on the table for anyone who wants them. She advises 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. The board has 90 days to make a decision after the close of a public hearing and 14 days to file paperwork with the Town Clerk once a decision is made. Any Appeals of decisions can be made only to the court and must be made pursuant to Section 17, MGL 40A as amended, and must be filed within 20 days after the date of filing of the decision with the Town Clerk.

Approval of Meeting Minutes from January 11th, 2012-  Ms. Ann Krawet  makes a motion to approve the meeting minutes from January 11th , 2012; Mr. Robert Ronzio seconds motion; Unanimous Approval.

Approval of Meeting Minutes from January 18th, 2012-Ms. Ann Krawet makes a motion to approve the meeting minutes from January 18th, 2012: Mr. Robert Ronzio seconds motion; Unanimous Approval.


Public Hearing for Mr. Ronald Fortune, Andrews Road, Map 404 Lot 42.3.
7:10 pm. Ms. LaBelle opens the public hearing and requests that Ms. Heather Hunt, secretary, reads Mr. Fortune’s Application aloud.  Ms. Hunt reads the application, as presented, aloud and Mr. Jeremiah Pollard, attorney for Mr. Fortune, stands up and approaches the board. Mr. Pollard explains to the board members present that there was an Enforcement Action brought by the Building Inspector, against Mr. Fortune and thus the application and the public hearing. Mr. Pollard also advises that his client’s  request  to extend a barn on his property has also been sent to K. Doyle (Kopleman and Paige) for her review. Mr. Lerner asks Mr. Pollard why he decided to wait until tonight’s meeting to give out additional information to the board members, stating that he has had at least 60 days or so  to do this. Mr. Pollard explains that the additional information that he is furnishing the board with is actually for their benefit and that he was trying to make sure they had as much information as possible.  Mr. Lerner then asks Mr. Pollard what is Mr. Fortune using the barn for? Mr. Pollard advises that the use is storage. Mr. Fortune explains that he would like to build his retirement home on the property and would also like to bring cattle on the property. Mr. Ronzio asks Mr. Fortune when it was that he purchased the property? Mr. Fortune advises that he purchased the property in 1985. Mr. Fortune goes on to explain that the property was subdivided in 1990. Mr. Ronzio brings up the fact that there is also a foundation, a well and a septic system on this property. Mr. Ronzio confirms that he has checked with the assessors’ office and that Mr. Fortune has never had to pay any taxes on the structure. Mr. Ronzio goes on to advise Mr. Pollard and his client that there is no building permit on record for this property and that the planning board will need to know the history of the property as well as what Mr. Fortune’s intentions for the property are. Mr. Pollard states that there is no residential use at this point. Member of the public, as well as an abutter to Mr. Fortune’s property, Mary Alarie confirms that a letter, sent via email to the planning board , from her husband was received by the board. Mr. Robert Ronzio reads aloud  letter written by Mr. Robert Alarie.
Ms. Gale LaBelle asks the board members if they would like to propose a continuance to Mr. Fortune. Ms. LaBelle requests that Mr. Pollard submits a letter of extension, on behalf of his client, Mr. Fortune. Mr. Howard Lerner makes a motion to continue the public hearing until Wednesday, March 14th, 2012, Mr. Robert Ronzio seconds motion; Unanimous Approval.

Presentation  from First Wind Corporation-   Representatives from  “First Wind” Corporation , approach board and introduce themselves.  In place of Mr. Ryan Chaytors who originally contacted the board, three associates from the company are present and ready to do a  brief presentation to the board  regarding a future proposal. Josh, Matt and Dennis, all representatives of “First Wind” take turns speaking. Josh states that they have read the Town of  Becket Bylaws and  feel that  they will have no problem staying within their guidelines. He goes on to advise that they would request a 197 ft. monopole, and goes on to explain what the application process  for this “Met Tower”  will be.  Josh goes on to explain that he does not have the exact location at this time, however it will be near the Becket/Chester line. He proposes that they would like to erect one tower, that would allow them to measure the amount of wind and to see if there is enough wind in general to have a Wind turbine in place at this location. Josh advises that  the piece of land that they are looking at is owned by the Town of Chester, “Chester Water Supply Co.” Ms. Krawet inquires as to what the wind speed will be?  She is advised that it is 6 ½ meters per second, up to 7 plus meters per second.  Mr. Ronzio asks the representative from First Wind what their next step would be if they find favorable Wind Data ;  Josh  explains that at that point they  would fill out an application for a Special permit. Ms. Krawet confirms that they are taking into consideration the noise impact, Josh confirms that they would meet all sound standards in the bylaws. Mr. Amato adds that  a tower up to 200 ft. is allowed by right and that  over 200 ft. is when a special permit is needed.


 

Informal Discussion- Michael Rhein; Crystal Pond Homeowners Association and Alexander Glover-representing Crystal Pond.

Ms. Alex Glover, re-introduces herself to the board members present and reminds them that she is the attorney that is representing the Crystal Pond Homeowner’s Association. She  goes on to explain to the planning  board that Crystal Pond is looking for a temporary, moveable, rope, chain  or barrier to eliminate the safety and other problems caused  to the homeowners, living in Crystal Pond from the significant public traffic on their private roads, as a shortcut between Wade Inn Road and Route 8. Ms. Glover goes on to state that keys would be provided to all safety personnel in Town, as well as any other Town office as requested, and to every homeowner in the Association. Ms. Glover advises planning board members that they can always waive their subdivision bylaws if they choose to, they can waive strict compliance.  Ms. Glover  advises that the planning board can just state their approval , informally, and that this is not considered a modification under the original subdivision plan. Mr. Howard Lerner asks if the planning board would need to have a sign-off from all of the homeowners; Ms. Glover states that they do not need a sign-off from each of the property owners. Ms. LaBelle advises that the fact that there is not a turn-around, is a huge concern. Mr. Robert Ronzio shares in the concern’s of Ms. LaBelle and also adds that the subdivision map is a problem because there is no effective turn-around and the road is longer than 500 ft. Ms. Glover reminds board members that the closure would only be from  May-Oct.
Mr. Howard Lerner makes a motion to approve the request for a temporary, seasonal , chain or gate at the Intersection of Big Bass Lane and Wade Inn Road,  all emergency services  will be provided with as many keys as they request, along with bolt-cutters.  The gate will only remain locked from May 1st- Nov. 2nd.  Ms. Jeanne Pryor asks if there was a road district within a subdivision, would the same rules apply? Ms. Pryor advises that not all roads in Sherwood Greens , belong to the road district. Board members briefly discuss. Mr. Robert Ronzio seconds the motion previously made by Mr. Lerner; Ms. LaBelle polls board for a vote, Unanimous Approval. At this time, Ms. Ann Krawet requests that it goes on record that Ms. Glover represents the Homeowners Association, not necessarily  the residents . Ms. Glover advises that their decision can always be rescinded if need be.   

Robert Gross - Indian  Lake Estates – Represented by Atty. Harris Aaronson-
Attorney Aaronson approaches planning members , introduces himself and explains that he is present on  behalf of Indian Lake Estates. He goes on to explain that Indian Lake Estates is having a problem with burglaries and houses being broken into, and that the problem is getting worse.  Atty. Aaronson explains that these break-ins are largely due to the fact that Indian Lake Estates is a very sparsely populated community. Mr. Aaronson and  Mr. Gross hand out a Form A, along with a map of their proposal to close off four roads, seasonally to help deter the break-in problem that they are currently experiencing. Mr. Gross advises that Indian Lake Estates held a meeting on  last Sunday and at that meeting they took a unanimous vote to close four of the seven roads, seasonally, from May-October. He explains that the closure is for the purpose of property protection. Mr. Howard Lerner asks Mr. Gross how they will handle the issues that may arise from different service trucks ( oil trucks, plow trucks, delivery trucks, etc.) that may enter the community, unaware of the road closings. Mr. Gross advises that Mr. Danny Hamilton is in charge of  plowing the roads in the community, and assures that he will be given a key. Mr. Gross also advises that signs could be placed at each of the chains and that he will also contact all service providers. Mr. Gross advises that he has contacted resident, Gloria Rosenthal, and that she is in agreement with the placement of chains.  Ms. LaBelle advises that as far as she knows, the Ambulance Department did not sign-off on the proposal.  Mr. Ronzio asks why the ambulance department is hesitant? Mr. Gross advises that he has talked to Jim Kupernik , ambulance director, and that his concern is response time and liability. Ms. Krawet also expresses serious concern as to who would be held responsible in certain situations. Mr. John Amato suggests that the Town get a series of locks, bill Indian Lake for the cost and one key will be able to operate all of them.  
Mr. Ronzio advises that in 1971, Becket Hills trust was formed, on Upper Goose Pond. He advises that it is also a gated community and that all emergency personnel have a keys to  unlock the gate.  
Mr. Lerner requests that the planning board would like to see a sign off, to make sure it is clear who the responsible parties are, Mr. Ronzio agrees.
Mr. Robert Ronzio makes a motion to approve the request from Indian Lakes Association to temporarily close ( October through May ) the four roads previously discussed, contingent on the Association providing an appropriate number of keys and bolt cutters to all emergency personnel, as well as being contingent on the board’s acceptance of  the reason why the Ambulance Department’s refusal to sign-off is, Mr. Howard Lerner seconds the motion; Unanimous Approval.
Mr. Ronzio makes a motion to request a letter from Jim Kupernik, explaining his reason for not approving the request from Indian Lake; no response from the Ambulance Department would cancel the contingency previously made, motion is seconded; Unanimous Approval.    

 

Public Participation-
Member of the public, Mary Alarie, questions the number of animals a property owner can keep on their property. Mr. Ronzio advises that in the case of Mr. Ronal Fortune, he can have a farm if he chooses to.


New Business-
 Secretary, Heather Hunt, presents a “Notice of Waiver” from the Town of Chester, in regards to small and large wind turbines. Board members briefly review, and decide that they would like to read through the Town of Chester’s Wind by-law.


Correspondence-  Read  and Reviewed

Budget- Read and Reviewed    
 

Mr. Howard Lerner makes a motion to adjourn the meeting; Ms. Beth VanNess seconds motion;  Meeting is adjourned at 9:40 pm.

Schedule next meeting for March 14th, 2012
   

Respectfully submitted,

Heather Hunt
Administrative Assistant

Signed______________________________    Date_______________
          Gale LaBelle

Signed______________________________    Date_______________
          Robert Ronzio


Signed______________________________    Date_______________
         Beth VanNess

Signed_______________________________   Date_______________
          Ann Krawet

Signed_______________________________ Date_________________
         Howard Lerner