Planning Board Meeting – February 9, 2006
Members present: Maggie Leonard, presiding; Janet Cathcart, Cindy Hoogs, Stephen Rose, Wayne Buckhart, Beth King arriving 7:35
Peter Chait was present as an interested member of the community.
Maggie Leonard called the meeting to order at 7:10. Michelle Miller, a member of the Monterey Select Board, asked to be recognized. She described her
presence as a “courtesy call,” and said she regretted any misunderstanding by the Planning Board as to the infringement of its power by the Select Board.
The Board again reviewed the letter of December 21, 2005, from Jerome Scully, Town Counsel, to Ms. Janet Cathcart, Member of the Monterey Planning
Board. Janet Cathcart reiterated that it was clear to that “(N)othing in Section 23B prohibits an individual member from having discussions with any one
regarding general matters or Planning Board issues” as stated in Scully’s letter. Miller stated that according to her reading, Town counsel said that members of quasi-judicial boards (boards who issue special permits) cannot gather information independently. Janet responded that, yes, that is correct and the Planning Board is not a judicial board in Monterey because we do not issue special permits. Michelle offered her expertise on completion of Monterey’s Master Plan, as she was instrumental in writing the Open Space section of the Community Development Plan. Wayne Buckhart recognized the cooperation among Boards, and said, “although misunderstandings arise, the Planning Board must concentrate on doing its work.”
The Board expressed a need to review input from the Building Inspector in the process of revising its bylaws, and Maggie agreed to bring in information on
“ordinary repairs” from the minutes of a previous meeting with the Inspector.
March 23 at 7:00 was set as a date for the public hearing on proposed zoning changes. At the next meeting the Board will clarify its definitions (recommended by Robert Hoogs) and refine the wording of bylaw changes. The Board agreed that ADU’s by right would allow 800 square foot ADU conversion attached or on existing dwellings. Members also discussed the possibility of misuse of the State Chapter 40B in regard to the use of land for contractors building a percentage of affordable housing in cluster groupings. Beth Kind reported she read some demographic information in the Eagle stating that there were 852 homes in Monterey, fifty-two percent of which are second homes.
The minutes from the meeting of January 26 were approved.
The Board formulated a budget for the coming fiscal year, including cost for printing and compilation of the Master Plan.
Stephen Rose intends to run for a seat on the Planning Board in the upcoming election, and Beth King is undecided.
Maggie announced that Mike Gilmore received his special permit. Also she noted the correct date for Warrant articles as April 18.
Respectfully submitted,
Esther Heffernan
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