Zoning Board
MINUTES July 5, 2022
Meeting via Zoom
7:00 pm – 7:35 pm
ZBA Members: (Present) Geoffrey Geane, Therese Gould, RoseAnn DeRupo, Wayne Woczyna, Travis Ward
ZBA Members: (Absent) James Kauffman
Clerk: (Present) Trisha Tetreault
Public Attendees: Thomas Pease, Carl Russ, David Donahue, Ann ODonnell, Jeff D, Ryan Nelson, Michele Zalot
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 explained the application process. Introductions of the board members were made. There was a quorum; five voting members present. Member James Kauffman was unable to attend, Chair Geane named Wayne Woczyna and Travis Ward to act as voting members for this meeting.
Agenda item #2 – To hear and act upon the application of Michele Zalot, for a Zoning By-Law Special Permit under Sec. 3.3.3 of the Otis Zoning by-laws to demolish and reconstruct a single-family home on a dimensionally nonconforming lot. The proposed construction requires a special permit to address changes to the house location and size. The new construction will have a reduced footprint and would be less encroaching. A portion of the current structure is on land owned by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Demolition and reconstruction will remove this encroachment and provide a rear setback of one foot- two inches (1’2”).
Discussion: Ryan Nelson of R Levesque Associates stated Michele Zalot owns an existing cottage at 752 Tolland Road. Part of existing structure is on land owned by the Commonwealth. Conservation has approved to demolish the existing building and reconstruct. Segment on the state land will be removed. The abutters have been notified. No communication was received prior to meeting. Tom Pease, an abutter diagonally across the street stated the proposal will be a valuable improvement to the neighborhood. The board discussed distance from the road is 13’ to the edge of pavement. Public comments closed. Terry Gould made a motion to approve the special permit with the plans presented, Wayne Woczyna seconded. Roll call vote was taken. Members voted as follows:
Therese Gould – Aye
RoseAnn DeRupo – Aye
Wayne Woczyna- Aye
Travis Ward- Aye
Geoffrey Geane – Aye
The motion passed unanimously.
Agenda item #3 – To hear and act upon the application of Pease Realty Trust, for a Zoning By-Law Special Permit under Sec. 3.3.3 of the Otis Zoning by-laws to demolish the one existing bedroom and expand the structures footprint for a family room with bedroom upstairs. The new construction will have an increased encroachment along the front setback and thus be less conforming.
Discussion: Thomas Pease, Trustee of the Pease Realty Trust stated the bedroom in the home has low ceilings, limited windows and is above the DCR high water line. The family would like to demolish the existing bedroom and replace with a family room. They plan to add a second story for a bedroom, expanding 5’ towards the reservoir and approx. 3’ South. All abutters were notified, and no correspondences were received. The structure would not be closer to the street. Travis spoke to an abutter who supported the project. Public comments were closed. The board members had no additional questions. Travis Ward made a motion to approve the sight plan change for the Pease Realty Trust project. RoseAnn DeRupo seconded. Roll call vote was taken. Members voted as follows:
Therese Gould – Aye
RoseAnn DeRupo – Aye
Wayne Woczyna- Aye
Travis Ward- Aye
Geoffrey Geane – Aye
The motion passed unanimously.
Agenda item #4 – Approve minutes from previous meeting. Unable to approve minutes from previous meeting due to technological issues
Agenda item #5 – Associate Member Nominations Members and Clerk have asked around and will keep looking. Geoff asked if it is possible to use the clerk as a member, Terry stated the clerk would need to apply to be an associate member with the town. Travis suggested running an ad in the Otis Observer. Terry said it should have been posted on the town website, but Larry hadn’t seen it posted yet. Geoff will work on getting something to Lyn.
Agenda item #6 – Selection of Chairperson for the period July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023. Geoff asked if anyone wanted to submit their name to become the new chair. Terry feels a year isn’t enough to be a Chair and nominated Geoff Geane for another year, Travis seconded the motion.
Therese Gould – Aye
RoseAnn DeRupo – Aye
Wayne Woczyna- Aye
Travis Ward- Aye
The motion passed unanimously.
Agenda item #7 – Old Business and New Business/ Items unanticipated by the chair
Discussion: Terry stated hard copies of the applications should be available for the board in the ZBA mailbox. The majority of the board wants a digital copy. RoseAnn asked if we would continue to do Zoom meetings. Trish stated the law allowing Zoom meetings put into place by the Governor ends on July, 15, 2023. As of now our next meeting will be in person unless it is extended. Larry stated when a meeting is held in person, the voting quorum must be in person, but the other participants can attend remotely. The equipment at town hall used to include remote participants is on a rolling cart and can be used anywhere the meeting is held within town hall.
Agenda item #8 – Update from the Building Inspector
Discussion: Larry stated an application was coming in, but not received yet. Trish stated the deadline for applications was today.
Agenda item #9 - Next Meeting
Discussion: We will not have a meeting in August. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 6, 2023
Agenda item #10 - Adjournment
Discussion: Motion made by Member Terry Gould to adjourn. Member RoseAnn DeRupo seconded. Members voted as follows:
Therese Gould – Aye
Jim Kauffman – Aye
Wayne Woczyna- Aye
Travis Ward- Aye
Geoffrey Geane – Aye
The motion passed unanimously.
Meeting adjourned at 7:35 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Trisha Tetreault
Zoning Board Clerk