Town of Otis, Massachusetts
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
MINUTES September 8, 2020 Approved 10/5/20
Meeting via Zoom
7:00 pm – 7:15pm
ZBA Members: (Present) Therese Gould, Michael Ernst, James Kauffman, RoseAnn DeRupo,
Wayne Woczyna, Geoffrey Geane
ZBA Members: (Absent)
Clerk: Kathy Couch
Applicants: Mark Anthony and Wendy Medeiros-Anthony
Public Attendees: Larry Gould, Building Inspector, Donnie Chaffee, Christopher and Jeanette Porter
The meeting was held via ZOOM; host Larry Gould
All votes are via role call
Agenda item #1 - Open Meeting: The meeting at convened 7:00 pm. Chairperson Terry Gould
opened the meeting and read the public notice. Introductions of the board members and clerk
were made. There is a quorum; there are five voting members and one alternate present tonight.
Agenda item #2 - To hear and act upon the special permit application of Mark Anthony and Wendy Medeiros-Anthony. This is a continuation of the August 3, 2020 meeting. Chairperson Gould stated that the Anthony’s have submitted a request for another continuation. Chairperson Gould stated since the applicants are requesting a continuance there will be no discussion regarding the application. It will be just the vote to allow them to continue the special permit hearing. Member Michael Ernst asked why they are requesting a continuance. Chair Gould stated that they were no able to get all the paperwork done.
Donnie Chaffee, builder for the Anthonys, is requesting a continuance until the next scheduled meeting. Due to the schedule of the architect; the plans have not been completed. Chair Gould asked if Donnie believed that it would be enough time to have everything ready. Donnie stated that everything should be ready for the October meeting as it is already in the process.
Chair Gould asked for a motion from the floor to accept the request for a continuation. Geoff Geane made the motion.
Vote to allow Continuance:
Therese Gould – aye
Geoff Geane- aye
Michael Ernst – aye
Jim Kauffman – aye
RoseAnn DeRupo -aye
Wayne Woczyna – aye
As a point of order Clerk Couch asked if the Anthonys would be willing to “Agreement for the continuance of Hearing” this will stop the “timeclock” on the application. She explained once the board receives and starts the hearing process an application the board has 100 days to make their decision. When a meeting the is continued
the time on the clock still ticks, unless the Anthonys decide to stop the timeclock. This grants the Anthonys and the board more time especially if they need to continue the hearing again. Applicants Mark Anthony and Wendy Medeiros-Anthony stated that they would be willing to sign the paperwork. Clerk Couch stated that she will email them the paperwork and they will need to return it to the Zoning Board. Once the board receives the paperwork back the members will sign it and it will be filed with the Town Clerk.
Vote to allow to stop the time clock for the hearing:
Therese Gould – aye
Geoff Geane- aye
Michael Ernst – aye
Jim Kauffman – aye
RoseAnn DeRupo -aye
Wayne Woczyna – aye
Donnie Chaffee asked if there was a penalty for stopping the timeclock. Clerk Couch stated that there was not any penalty, It is advantageous for the applicant to have the time clock stopped. Chair Gould stated it gives the applicanat more time in case they have another hiccup.
Christopher and Jeanette Porter asked if the hearing was done and if the application was approved. (They joined the meeting late.) Chair Gould stated that the meeting has been continued
Agenda item #3–Approve minutes from previous meeting:
Discussion: Clerk Kathy Couch stated that the minutes from the August 3, 2020 are being approved at this meeting. She is waiting on the Zoom recording of the meeting from Heather Morgan, selectmen’s’ secretary.
Agenda item #4–Receive update from Building Inspector, Larry Gould
Discussion: Larry expects one application for the upcoming in for the next meeting.
Agenda item #5–Approve meeting dates for FY 21
Discussion: This was on the agenda in error. No discussion as this was approved at the July meeting
Agenda item #6 - Next Meeting
Discussion: Monday, October 5, 2020 at 7:00 pm. The meeting will probably be held remotely using
Zoom.
Agenda item #7 – Old Business and New Business/ Items unanticipated by the chair
Discussion: Member Michael Ernst stated that he will be leaving at the end of October. Members wished him well. The board will need a full member at that point and two alternates are needed.
Agenda item #8 - Adjournment
Discussion: Motion made by Michael Ernst to adjourn. Member RoseAnn DeRupo seconded
the motion. Member Wayne Wosczyna voted in favor, Member Jim Kauffman voted in favor,
Chairperson Therese Gould voted in favor. Motion carried 5-0. Meeting adjourned at 7:15 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Katherine Couch
Clerk Zoning Board