August 6, 2015
Minutes of Meeting
In attendance: JS, BS, AP, BW, JJ and JF
LR
(JD absent)
7:00 PM
JS opened the meeting.
40 Mansion Street – Cynthia Booth
Request for a Special Permit for Animal Kennel
Sitting In: JS, BS, AP, BW and JJ
LR noted the fees have been paid.
Cynthia Booth (CB), applicant and owner explained she breeds and shows Australian Shepherds. She currently has 4. She is asking for 5 to 10. She explained there is a 6 foot fence on her lot. When she is working the dogs are in crates. She has a friend come in and let them out. They do not stay out. If they are barking outside she calls at them. Their waste is disposed of 1 to 2 times a week at her work dumpster. She is asking for the Special Permit as she has dogs come to her home for breeding and/or transporting to their new owners. They may stay one day or a few. She does have one or two litters per year. They are not allowed to go to new owners until at least 8 weeks old. They are examined by the vet, AKC papers and have their
shots. Tracey Taddeo, Animal Control Officer was in attendance. She stated that this all came about due to a complaint on July 14th of continual barking and dogs charging at the fence. They went out, there were 6 dogs on the property. She (CB) stated they belonged to friends of hers and they wouldn’t be staying. We advised her that if she wanted to keep more dogs she needed a kennel license. The yard is very clean, there is a section with fencing for the pups and a bigger yard for the older with agility training. The dogs only barked when they first arrived. Tracey stated if she has 2 bitches the pups can be kept up to 6 months old. Her recommendation, if the Special Permit is approved, is that it be capped at no more than 8 dogs (other than the pups). CB stated she would not have a total of 8 at once; they are coming and going at different times. The board was concerned about the noise, the waste and the size of
the lot, which is only 15,000 square feet and is surrounded by neighbors. There were many abutters in attendance with concerns of noise, odors, containment of the dogs and an overall detriment to the neighborhood. They felt that having the current 4 dogs was enough for that area and adding to it would only create more nuisances. The direct abutter, Mary Martel of 191 South Main Street, was concerned about the noise as she stated she cannot go in her yard and make any bit of noise as the dogs bark and charge the fence. She has had continual flies, understands waste can be picked up but not the urine. She felt adding any more dogs at this property would be a detriment to the neighborhood. Two abutters stated they were not bothered by the current dogs and stated there are many dogs in the neighborhood that bark and howl at times. The board listened to all comments and concerns.
AP-motion to close.
BS second.
All in favor to close the hearing.
Discussion
JS stated he felt the lot size, the noise and the criteria for a Special Permit should be considered and he felt allowing more dogs would not be appropriate here. BS/AP were in agreement and felt it was not the right area to allow more dogs.
AP motion to grant the Special Permit to allow a maximum of 8 dogs on the property as requested.
BS second.
In favor – None
Opposed – 5
The Special Permit is denied. There is a 20-day appeal period from the day the decision is put in with the Town Clerk.
Other Business:
There was a resident in the audience to ask questions pertaining to a proposal with the New England Country Club the town may be purchasing. BS stated there has been nothing put forward to the ZBA or Planning Board as of yet.
JS gave the board handouts (basic zoning procedures) from Town Counsel that would possibly be discussed at October Meeting. JS stated he would not be in attendance at the September Meeting.
Minutes – July 2, 2015
AP motion to accept the minutes as amended.
BS second.
All in favor to accept the minutes as amended.
Meeting adjourned 8:45 PM.
Approved 9/3/2015
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