PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
APRIL 21, 2015
MEMBERS PRESENT: Craig Sweitzer, Paul Hatch, Tara Hengeveld and Karen King
MEMBERS ABSENT: Kevin Haley
7:10 Tara Hengeveld moved to accept the minutes of March 10, 2015.
Karen King seconded.
It was so voted.
Paul Hatch abstained, as he was not present at the meeting.
Voting aye: Craig Sweitzer, Tara Hengeveld and Karen King.
7:15 Continuation of a Public Hearing for a Special Permit for an Estate Lot on Cote Road, property owners are Evan & Karen Carrara.
Mr. Carrara made a written request to the Planning Board to continue the hearing until the June 2015 meeting to allow him time to hire a new engineer.
Paul Hatch moved to continue the hearing to June 16, 2015 at 7:15 PM. as requested by the applicants.
Karen King seconded the motion.
It was so voted, unanimous.
7:30 The Chairman convened a Public Hearing to review an amendment to Sections 6.14.1.2 and 6.14.1.3 Wireless Communications Facilities Regulations, General Use Restriction of the Monson Zoning Bylaws. The proposed amendments bring the Bylaw into compliance with Federal Regulations.
The Chairman read the legal notice as it appeared in the Republican newspaper the weeks of April 3, & 10, 2015.
Craig Sweitzer stated the revised language requires Site Plan Review only if there is an increase in the total square footage size of the antennas/cells.
Paul Hatch questioned if this would apply if the height of the tower was changed?
Craig Sweitzer stated that is addressed in the revised language in Section 6.14.1.3 that requires wireless communications facilities in existence at the time of adoption of these regulations to be reconstructed, altered, extended or replaced on the same site by Site Plan Review by the Planning Board.
Paul Hatch moved to approve the amendments to the bylaw and to recommend to the Board of Selectmen that the changes to the Wireless Communications Facilities bylaw be placed on the warrant for the next Special Town Meeting.
Karen King seconded the motion.
It was so voted, unanimous.
Paul Hatch moved to close the public hearing at 7:45 P.M.
Karen King seconded the motion.
It was so voted, unanimous.
7:45 The Chairman convened a Public Hearing to add a new section to the Monson Zoning Bylaws Section 7.5 Associate Member of the Planning Board. The proposed new bylaw establishes the position of an Associate Member of the Planning Board.
The Chairman read the legal notice as it appeared in the Republican newspaper the weeks of April 3, & 10, 2015.
Craig Sweitzer stated the proposed bylaw does not clarify the role of an Associate member.
The language of the proposed bylaw is as follows:
“There is hereby established the position of Associate Member of the Planning Board, to be appointed by the Selectmen for a term of two years, who shall act on all matters within his or her jurisdiction under this by-law and under Chapter 40A of the Massachusetts General Laws.”
The Board revised the language to read as follows:
“There is hereby established the position of Associate Member of the Planning Board, to be appointed by the Selectmen for a term of two years, who shall act on all matters within his or her jurisdiction, upon request of the Chairman/Acting Chairman due to the inability of an appointed member to vote under this bylaw and under Chapter 40A of the Massachusetts General Laws”.
Paul Hatch moved to approve the change to the language of the proposed bylaw and make a recommendation to the Board of Selectmen to place the new bylaw on the warrant for the next Special Town Meeting.
Karen King seconded the motion.
It was so voted, unanimous.
Paul Hatch moved to close the hearing at 8:05 P.M.
Craig Sweitzer seconded.
It was so voted, unanimous.
8:05 The Chairman convened a public hearing to review and adopt Rules and Regulations governing the organization and conduct of the Board.
The Chairman read the legal notice as it appeared in the Republican newspaper the weeks of April 3, & 10, 2015.
Paul Hatch stated he would like to add a section to Article 1 General Organization and Conduct as follows;
Section 5: Associate Member An Associate Member shall act a s a member of the Board in consideration and determination of any matter in which he/she is requested so to act by the Chairman or Acting Chairman of the Board, when and in the event that a member does not act by reason of illness, conflict of interest, absence, or other incapacity.
The Board made the following changes to Article II Meetings.
Section 1 Regular Meetings. Change the sentence to read “Regular meetings of the Board shall be held on that day or days of each month set by the Board at its annual organizational meeting.”
Section 4 Special Meetings. Change the sentence to read “The Clerk or the Board’s agent shall be responsible for posing notice thereof in accordance with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Open Meeting Law.
Section 4 Special Meetings. Change the sentence to read “The Clerk or the Board’s agent shall be responsible for notifying all members. In all cases the Clerk or the Board’s agent shall be responsible for informing members of the agenda of the meeting.
Section 6 Quorum. Change the sentence to read “At any of the aforementioned meetings a quorum shall consist of three (3) voting members of the Board. In the absence of any one of the full members of the Board, an Associate member shall have full voting power, and can help constitute the quorum.”
Article III Public Hearings.
Section 2 Site Visit. Change sentence to read “The Board, its designee, or a designated subcommittee, may make a site visit to the property that is the subject of the application. The applicant will be notified of the site visit.”
Article IV Special Permit and Site Plan Review Decision.
Section 4 Withdrawal. Change sentence to read “An application may be withdrawn without prejudice by notice in wiring to the Town Clerk, with a copy submitted to the Building Department any time before the hearing is closed.”
Article V Consultant Review Fee Regulation.
Section 2 Notification of Applicant and Assessment of Fees. Change the last sentence to read “The applicant shall make deposit in the amount of this estimate within ten (10) days of receiving such notification.”
8:45 Paul Hatch moved to close the public hearing.
Tara Hengeveld seconded the motion.
It was so voted, unanimous.
Paul Hatch moved to approve the Planning Board Rules and Regulations as amended.
Tara Hengeveld seconded the motion.
It was so voted, unanimous.
8:45 Paul Hatch moved to adjourn.
Karen King seconded the motion.
It was so voted, unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda A. Hull
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