ZBA Minutes

Brimfield Zoning Board of Appeals  

Business Meeting Minutes Dec 12, 2019 - Town Hall Annex 
 

In attendance were Kevin Moore, Pat Leaming, Jon Fagerstrom, and Debra Fagerstrom 

Call to order: 6:07 pm - KM, 2nd by JLF 

PL wanted to make a clarification for point of order when an applicant applies for a variance or a special permit, even if there’s a special permit already, that we still can put conditions on that.  That’s why we have a hearing about it.  If someone has an issue, we can still put a reasonable condition on it, but we can not retract anything that’s already been done.  We want to make sure the public is comfortable to share their concerns during open meetings so we can consider those concerns. 

Clarification and signing of minutes from Oct 10, 2019.  Review and signing of minutes from November 21, 2019 - CF hearing.  KM motioned to approve minutes, PL seconded. 

Went through mail.  No payables.  Discussion of possible joint meeting with Planning Board for Jan 8 to get up to speed with the other current projects in town. Deb will reach out to MLS, PB clerk to discuss.   

KM talked about joint meeting with select board and personal computers.  ZBA and other boards should have their clerks email from the assigned town email addresses instead of anyone using their personal ones.  Discussion about ZBA getting a new laptop for the clerk to use solely for this purpose and to be able to bring to meetings.  Need to find a budget for this.  Also can ZBA members have additional email addresses for other members for official emails.  We need to start planning our budget for next year and settle clerk salary for next year.   

PL shared, and the other board members discussed, what he’s come up with for a revamp of estate lots.  He researched several other towns to come up with the best definition for the creation of lots for single family dwelling units with less than the required frontage, in exchange for increased square footage, for the purpose of preservation of open space and decreasing density in given areas. Using verbiage from various towns, he came up with a drafted proposed change of wording to revamp that would be easier to understand than the current written by-law.  After discussion of each section, the other board members liked his ideas.   

Discussion about clerk salary and how to compensate for time other than hearings.  Since ZBA clerk is also town shared clerk, possibility of pay per hour from that account when current budget has been depleted, until next year’s budget has been established.  KM motioned to pay clerk the remaining funds in budget to cover time from July 1 through end of year, working with finance.  PL seconded.  

PL asked Deb to check with Carol when deadline is to get a potential by-law change in at the annual town meeting. 

KM motioned to close the meeting at 7:07pm, seconded by JF. 

Respectfully submitted, 
 

Debra Fagerstrom - ZBA Clerk December 12, 2019  
 

Kevin Moore             _________________________________ 

Harold Pat Leaming  _________________________________ 

 Jon Fagerstrom       _________________________________