Becket Planning Board
Approved Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, February 13th, 2013
Planning Board Members Present: Robert Ronzio ( Chairperson), Gale LaBelle, Marty Schlanger ( Clerk), Beth VanNess ( Asst. Clerk), Howard Lerner (Alternate).
Planning Board Members Absent: Marty Schlanger, Ann Krawet.
Members of the public present: Karen Karlberg
Meeting opens at: 7: 15 pm
Chairperson , Robert Ronzio, opens the meeting and announces that agendas are on the table for anyone who wants them. He 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. Mr. Ronzio asks if there is anyone who is going to make a video or an audio recording of the
meeting; no recordings are announced. Lastly Mr. Ronzio informs everyone present that no person shall address this meeting without the permission of the chair and that all people, at the request of the chair shall be silent. Mr. Ronzio advises all present that it is the intention of this board to proceed with the posted agenda in the order in which they are listed, and again reminds everyone that agendas are on the table for anyone who wants one. Mr. Ronzio formally introduces the members of the planning board.
Approval of January 9th, 2013 Meeting Minutes- Ms. LaBelle makes a motion that the review and approval of the January meeting minutes shall be tabled until planning board member, Beth VanNess arrives, and thus a voting quorum will be present. Mr. Lerner seconds the motion; Unanimous Approval.
Old Business-Rules and regulations review-Mr. Ronzio advises that this will be tabled for discussion until a full quorum can be present.
New Business- Ms. LaBelle advises that the Town of Otis has expressed interest in the Town of Becket sharing in a Community Center. Ms. LaBelle explains that she was asked to present this to the Becket Planning Board on behalf of the Town of Otis. Mr. Ronzio advises that it is more than likely something that should be brought to the Selectmen rather than the Planning Board. Mr. Lerner states that he would like to hear what it is she has to say and asks Ms. LaBelle to briefly outline the possibility of the proposal. Ms. LaBelle goes on to explain that the Community Center would service both adults as well as children, and will include many activities and services. Ms. LaBelle reminds members present that at this point, everything is preliminary. Member of the public, Ms. Karen Karlberg states that she feels
that the citizens of West Becket would be in favor of such a shared project, as they are located quite a distance from just about everything. Mr. Lerner suggests that a committee be put in place so that they can do all the research necessary to make an informed decision. Mr. Lerner suggests that if we were to really push for a grant, then maybe the Town could have a Community Center on their own. Mr. Lerner and Ms. VanNess both volunteer themselves to be part of any future committee that may be formed.
Ms. VanNess informs all present that it may be a good idea to locate a Community Center close to the Senior Housing that is currently being proposed. Beth goes on to explain that Senior Housing would go hand in hand with Low Income Housing. She also advises that a proposal has already been made to the Finance Committee.
Ms. LaBelle also advises that she and Ms. VanNess attended a conference on digital signs, she reports that the information given was really intended more for cities and did not really relate to Becket.
Approval of January 9th Meeting Minutes- (tabled from earlier in the meeting) Mr. Howard Lerner makes a motion to approve the January meeting minutes as presented, Ms. VanNess seconds motion; Unanimous Approval.
Budget- Read and Reviewed. Ms. LaBelle and Ms. VanNess request to be able to attend the upcoming training at Holy Cross Community College. Ms. LaBelle advises that the topic is medical marijuana, a topic previously discussed at a planning board meeting. Board members briefly discuss and concur that it may be a good idea to draft a bylaw and try to have it ready to go to Town Meeting in the month of May.
Correspondence- Read and Reviewed.
While reviewing all correspondence received, Mr. Ronzio advises that Planning Board has received a letter from Ms. Karen Karlberg, Mr. Ronzio goes on to read the letter aloud for board members. After listening to the letter , Mr. Lerner asks Ms. Karlberg if she has received any response as of yet; Ms. Karlberg advises that she has not yet received any response to her letter from anyone at all and further informs Mr. Lerner that at this point, the Selectmen, Code Enforcer, Conservation Commission, and the Zoning Board of Appeals have all received the letter making them aware of the ongoing problem. Karen states that the letter is referring to work that has been going on since August of 2012. Mr. Lerner states that he agrees with Ms. Karlberg and sympathizes with her, however
does not feel that this is necessarily a Planning Board issue. Ms. Karlberg explains to Mr. Lerner that she was informed by a dcr person that she should be contacting the planning board. Ms. Karlberg asks the board what recourse does she have when trying to deal with these ongoing problems. Mr. Ronzio suggests that the abutters could get together and consider taking legal action as a group. Mr. Ronzio further adds that if the fill that is being brought to the property is contaminated, that the Board of Health would then get involved. Ms. LaBelle suggests that it may be a good idea to call Berkshire Regional Planning , explain to them the situation and then ask them for advice on what to do next and where the responsibility lies. Mr. Lerner further suggests that a letter should be written to the Building Inspector on behalf of Ms. Karlberg. Mr. Lerner advises that this letter should notify him of the fact that the Planning Board has been approached by a group
of residents that would like this problem looked into and that they need to know what violations are being committed. Mr. Lerner advises that the Planning Board needs to be in support of finding the answers to all the questions that are being raised. Mr. Ronzio also reminds Ms. Karlberg that she needs be sure to notify the Board of health so that they can also check into the possibility of soil contamination. Ms. Karlberg also explains to the board members that much of the work is being done late in the night and that the timing is never consistent.
Mr. Ronzio reads aloud different sections of the bylaws, board members briefly discuss. Mr. Lerner makes a motion to write a letter, on behalf of Ms. Karlberg and send it to the Building Inspector , Ms. LaBelle seconds motion; Unanimous Approval. Ms. VanNess goes on record stating that she disapproves of the motion. Mr. Lerner also suggests to Ms. Karlberg that she should write a letter to the State DEP.
Board members briefly discuss the Large Wind Turbine Committee. Mr. Ronzio brings to the table a request from Ms. Ann Krawet to allow Mr. Ronzio to call Town Counsel and to seek advise concerning Large Wind Turbines. Howard Lerner makes a motion to allow Mr. Ronzio to call Town Counsel and seek requested advice, Ms. LaBelle seconds motion; Unanimous Approval.
The rest of the correspondence is read and reviewed. Ms. LaBelle reads aloud the “Keystone Project” application request, board members briefly discuss.
Lastly, Mr. Ronzio asks the secretary to briefly update the board members on what is on the agenda for the March meeting, secretary reviews agenda items to date.
Mr. Lerner makes a motion to adjourn the meeting, Ms. VanNess seconds motion; Unanimous Approval.
Schedule next meeting for Wednesday, March 13th 2013.
Respectfully submitted,
Heather Hunt
Administrative Assistant
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Robert Ronzio
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Gale LaBelle
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Howard Lerner
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Beth VanNess
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