ZBA Minutes
Minutes of the Zoning Board of Appeals August 4, 2021
Present: Chairperson Meg Nelson, Board Members Keith Carter and Ed Perkins, Town Administrator Brendhan Zubricki, member of the Planning Board and Select Board and members of the public.
Member Mike Davis is participating remotely.
Meeting called to order at 7 pm by Chairperson Meg Nelson. This meeting contains the continuation of the April 21, 2021 ZBA public hearing for Tower North Development LLC, which was acknowledged by Chairperson Nelson and the ZBA resumed the hearing.
The Board members will hear from the applicant to answer the questions they were left with on June 8th at the public meeting.
Attorney Klasnick addressed his supplemental materials to the application by Tower North Development LLC with support from a Verizon Wireless representative. David Maxson from Isotrope (Town’s Peer Reviewer) asked questions on this material.
Scott Adams of Advanced Engineering Group spoke again on the balloon test as well as Keith Vellante who spoke about the clarification of capacity issue.
There was some discussion about other sites such as Conomo Point and Attorney Klasnick does not view these as viable or potentially available for lease - which requires a Town Meeting vote.
There were presentations from:
Save Essex Landscape who asked the ZBA to deny this application based on deficiency of standards, application does not meet variance standards and there is no capacity issue.
Shelly Bradbury who did a power point presentation that showed full cell coverage and how intrusive cell tower would be. She feels it will ruin the the town, property values and scenery.
Attorney Klasnick asked the ZBA members if they needed any more information from the applicant and reminded them of their purview. He reminded them that the Telecommunications Act needs to be remembered when making this decision.
The ZBA members asked if Tower North Development LLC would consider doing more due diligence for 32 Haskell Ct. Attorney Klasnick said it is surrounded by wetlands. Town Attorney Amy Kwesell asked why it was rejected if it was surrounded by wetlands; what made them have it on their list to begin with.
The ZBA members want to see an affidavit from the applicant that proves that the applicant dropped off a proposal in hand to the owner of 32 Haskell Court, which the owner never followed up on, since the applicant stated such. Attorney Klasnick said they will look at this.
Save Essex Landscape asked if the applicant can supply proof of how prospective owners were contacted. The site manager spoke and stated that they identify a property, send a letter and knock on doors.
Ed Perkins made a motion to continue the hearing until September 1, 2021 at 7 pm and Keith Carter seconded with all in favor.
Keith Carter made a motion to accept the minutes of the June 16, 2021 meeting with Ed Perkins seconding and all in favor.
Keith Carter made a motion at 10:30 pm to adjourn the meeting with Ed Perkins seconding and all in favor.
Repsectfully Submitted, Natalie Luca Fiore