Town of Otis, Massachusetts
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
MINUTES June 5, 2023
Meeting via Zoom
7:06 pm – 7:45 pm
ZBA Members: (Present) Geoffrey Geane, James Kauffman, Therese Gould, RoseAnn DeRupo, Wayne Woczyna, Travis Ward, Gordon Middleton
Clerk: (Present) Trisha Tetreault
Public Attendees: None
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 7:08 pm. Chairperson Geoffrey Geane opened the meeting and explained the application process. Introductions of the board members were made.
- There was a quorum; seven voting members.
Agenda item #2 – Approve minutes from May 2,2022 and February 13, 2023.
Discussion:
- The board had concerns about the layout and clarity of information in both sets of minutes.
- Travis and RoseAnn will work together to document process and template for minutes.
- Motion to table May 2022 minutes by Therese Gould, seconded by James Kauffman.
- Members voted as follows:
- Therese Gould – Aye
- James Kauffman – Aye
- RoseAnn DeRupo – Aye
- Wayne Woczyna- Aye
- Travis Ward- Aye
- Gordon Middleton – Aye
- Geoffrey Geane – Aye
- The motion passed unanimously.
- Motion to table February 2023 minutes by Therese Gould, seconded by James Kauffman.
- Members voted as follows:
- Therese Gould – Aye
- James Kauffman – Aye
- RoseAnn DeRupo – Aye
- Wayne Woczyna- Aye
- Travis Ward- Aye
- Gordon Middleton – Aye
- Geoffrey Geane – Aye
- The motion passed unanimously.
Agenda item #3 – Election of Board Chair for period July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024
Discussion:
- Therese Gould felt that rotation of the chair, as done with other boards, is good for the board.
- Motion to have Geoffrey Geane continue as Chair by Wayne Woczyna, seconded by RoseAnn DeRupo.
- Members voted as follows:
- Therese Gould – Nay
- James Kauffman – Aye
- RoseAnn DeRupo – Aye
- Wayne Woczyna- Aye
- Travis Ward- Aye
- Gordon Middleton – Aye
- Geoffrey Geane – Abstained due to conflict of interest.
- The motion passed with 5 members in favor, Geoffrey Geane abstained and Therese Gould against.
Agenda item #4 – Review and approve Meeting Schedule and Application Deadlines for 2022/2023
- Motion to approve meeting schedule by James Kauffman, seconded by Therese Gould.
- Members voted as follows:
- Therese Gould – Aye
- James Kauffman – Aye
- RoseAnn DeRupo – Aye
- Wayne Woczyna- Aye
- Travis Ward- Aye
- Gordon Middleton – Aye
- Geoffrey Geane – Aye
- The motion passed unanimously.
Agenda item #5 – Old Business and New Business/ Items unanticipated by the chair
Discussion:
- Letter from Beverly Lambert read into record.
Agenda item #6 – Update from the Building Inspector
Discussion:
- No application has been received.
- The building inspector offered clarification regarding Non-conforming lots which were divided prior to the existing Zoning Bylaws.
Agenda item #7 - Next Meeting
Discussion:
- Next meeting will be July 3, 2023
Agenda item #8 - Adjournment
Discussion:
- Motion to adjourn by James Kauffman, seconded by Wayne Woczyna.
- Members voted as follows:
- Therese Gould – Aye
- James Kauffman – Aye
- RoseAnn DeRupo – Aye
- Wayne Woczyna- Aye
- Travis Ward- Aye
- Gordon Middleton – Aye
- Geoffrey Geane – Aye
- The motion passed unanimously.
- Meeting adjourned at 7:45 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Trisha Tetreault
Zoning Board Clerk