Zoning Board of Adjustment — June 16, 2026
The meeting featured spirited debate regarding legal procedures and included significant off-agenda decisions regarding board staffing.
Public impact
Zoning Board Staffing Expansion
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The board discussed the need to increase the number of members to ensure full coverage of positions and reliable meeting attendance.
The board passed a unanimous motion for the Land Use Office to draft a letter to the Select Board requesting the additional positions.
The Land Use Office is tasked with drafting the formal request letter.
Decisions logged
Topics discussed
00:00 Special Exception: 25 Bradley Point Ln
Request to demolish an existing seasonal home and build a new, larger structure (1,400 sq ft) set further back from the lake.
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The applicant, Jim Diven, proposed replacing a 1965 structure that sits only 5 feet from the lake with a new home 20 feet from the shoreline. Discussion focused on the increase in square footage (from 978 to 1,400), the impact of moving from piers to a full foundation, and potential environmental impacts on the lake and shoreline trees. The board reviewed whether the use would remain a seasonal family home and if septic/well facilities were adequate.
The Board approved the special exception with a condition that all necessary NHDES permits must be obtained prior to construction.
00:00 Motion for Rehearing: 91 Maple Street
Discussion regarding an appeal by Mary Jurta to rehear a previously denied variance application.
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Mary Jurta argued that her previous variance denial was based on inaccuracies regarding lot compliance and a failure to adequately consider hardship. While one board member felt no new information was presented, others noted procedural errors in the original decision, specifically the failure to list required criteria in the written decision as mandated by state law. Jurta expressed frustration with the process and requested a full reconsideration of her arguments.
The Board granted the motion for a rehearing, provided that Jurta refiles her application with any new information.
Jurta may schedule the rehearing for the July 14, 2026, meeting, provided the application is filed and abutters are notified.
00:00 Request for Additional Zoning Board Members
A motion to ask the Select Board to appoint more members to the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
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Jeff Newcomb requested that the board formally ask the Select Board to increase the number of members to ensure full coverage of positions.
The motion passed unanimously to have the Land Use Office draft a letter to the Select Board.
The Land Use Office is tasked with drafting a letter to the Select Board requesting two full-time members and one alternate.
Controversy & dissent
Potentially controversial issues
Motion for Rehearing: 91 Maple Street
Request for Additional Zoning Board Members
Split votes
Community vs. board tension
Action items
Notable statements
She felt her rights were violated when the board did not adequately consider hardship in her proposal. — Mary Jurta · Discussing the denial of her variance application for 91 Maple Street. 00:00
State law indicates that each criterion be listed in the decision and it was not included. — Andrew Guptill · Arguing in favor of granting a rehearing for the Maple Street application due to procedural issues. 00:00
Member positions
Positions marked ~ are inferred from context and may not reflect the member's explicitly stated position. UNCLEAR means the vote was split but the record did not name how this member voted — it is not a “yes.”
Public comment
Accountability flags
Topics discussed — not on agenda
Transcript vs. official minutes
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gemma-4-26b, grok-4.20-0309-reasoning, grok-4-fast · analyzed 2026-06-22.