MINUTES January 4, 2022
Meeting via Zoom
7:00 pm – 7:18 pm
ZBA Members: (Present) Geoffrey Geane, James Kauffman, Therese Gould, RoseAnn DeRupo, Wayne Woczyna, Travis Ward
ZBA Members: (Absent) Robin Peterson
Clerk: (Present) Trisha Tetreault
Public Attendees: Mary Fischer, Robert Fischer, Stuart Masters
The meeting was held via ZOOM; Host Larry Gould, Building Inspector
All votes are via roll call
Agenda item #1 - Open Meeting: The meeting convened at 7:00 pm. Chairperson Geoffrey Geane
opened the meeting and read the agenda. Introductions of the board members were made. There was a quorum; five voting members and one associate member present. Member Peterson was unable to attend, Chair Geane named Wayne Woczyna to act as a voting member for this meeting.
Agenda item #2 – To hear and act upon the application of Mary Fischer, for a Zoning By-Law Special Permit under Sec. 3.3.5 of the Otis Zoning by-laws to convert a nonconforming screen porch and deck to a new kitchen and dining area and build a less encroaching screen porch and deck increasing the East side setback from three feet seven inches (3’ 7”) to four feet one inch (4’ 1”). The lot is listed in the Otis Assessor’s records as Lot 2 on Map 16A; located at 355 Stanley Road, Otis, MA.
Discussion: The homeowners explained they need a new roof. They would like to expand the house by extending the kitchen into an area where a screen porch currently exists and would like to complete both at the same time. This would make their footprint slightly smaller. Their abutter, Stuart Masters, stated he was in favor of the application being approved. All public comments were closed. The board members had no additional questions. RoseAnn DeRupo made a motion to approve the application. Wayne Woczyna seconded the approval. Roll call vote was taken. Members voted as follows:
Therese Gould – Aye
RoseAnn DeRupo – Aye
Jim Kauffman – Aye
Wayne Woczyna- Aye
Geoffrey Geane – Aye
The motion passed unanimously.
Agenda item #3 – Approve minutes from previous meeting.
Discussion: Therese Gould made a motion to approve the minutes. Jim Kauffman seconded the approval. Roll call vote was taken. Members voted as follows:
Therese Gould – Aye
RoseAnn DeRupo – Aye
Jim Kauffman – Aye
Wayne Woczyna- Aye
Geoffrey Geane – Aye
The motion passed unanimously.
Agenda item #4 – Review and determine if a recommendation to the Select Board to increase the application fee for ZBA filings is warranted
Discussion: Geoff discussed the idea of increasing the ZBA application fees. A draft letter to the Select board and chart showing what other towns are currently charging had been distributed to the board ahead of the meeting. Terry stated the fees haven’t been increased in 5 plus years and the cost of postage is set to increase. RoseAnn, Travis, Wayne and Jim all supported the increase and felt $300 was a fair amount. Wayne Woczyna made a motion to approve the letter to the Selectboard as written recommending the fee be increased to $300. Jim Kauffman seconded the approval. Roll call vote was taken. Members voted as follows:
Therese Gould – Aye
RoseAnn DeRupo – Aye
Jim Kauffman – Aye
Wayne Woczyna- Aye
Geoffrey Geane – Aye
The motion passed unanimously.
Agenda item #5 – Review and approve the contents of the ZBA’s submission for the Otis Annual Town Report
Discussion: Chair Geoffrey Geane stated the Zoning Board of Appeals had 6 applications in 2021. The board approved 4 of those applications and denied 2. Wayne Woczyna made a motion to approve the submission for the town report as written. Jim Kauffman seconded the approval. Roll call vote was taken. Members voted as follows:
Therese Gould – Aye
RoseAnn DeRupo – Aye
Jim Kauffman – Aye
Wayne Woczyna- Aye
Geoffrey Geane – Aye
The motion passed unanimously.
Agenda item #6 – Old Business and New Business/ Items unanticipated by the chair
Discussion: No Old/New business to discuss.
Agenda item #7 – Update from the Building Inspector
Discussion: We have not received an application as of the time of the meeting. We will not have a meeting next month.
Agenda item #8 - Next Meeting
Discussion: The next meeting will be on Monday, March 7, 2022.
Agenda item #9 - Adjournment: Motion made by Member RoseAnn DeRupo to adjourn. Member Therese Gould seconded the motion Roll call vote was taken. Members voted as follows:
Therese Gould – Aye
RoseAnn DeRupo – Aye
Jim Kauffman – Aye
Wayne Woczyna- Aye
Geoffrey Geane – Aye
The motion passed unanimously.
Meeting adjourned at 7:18 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Trisha Tetreault
Zoning Board Clerk