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Meeting report · Zoning Board of Adjustments
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Zoning Board of Adjustments — February 5, 2026

The meeting was collegial throughout — marked by a warm send-off for the outgoing chair, a straightforward special exception approval with no public opposition, and administrative housekeeping, with no meaningful conflict or community pushback evident.

Date Thursday, February 5, 2026 Duration 1.3h Speakers 7 Decisions 2 Routine
▶ Video

Public ⁠impact

Issues from this meeting with documented community impact.
01

Commercial Boat Storage Special Exception in Rural Residential Zone

Single-property special exception allowing up to approximately 25 commercial boat storage spaces; final capacity to be determined by Planning Board during site plan review Affected: Abutters and Route 103 corridor residents near 249 Route 103
zoning change

Decisions ⁠logged

Every recorded vote, with timestamps and dissents.
Approved Special Exception SEU 26-1 for boat storage at 249 Route 103
Approved with three conditions: 1) Planning board to establish maximum storage spaces and confirm adequate sight distance from driveways, 2) Building/bathrooms and septic system cannot be used by business clients, 3) No water use that impacts septic system
Unanimous approval
Motion to adjourn meeting
Final motion to end the meeting
Approved

Topics ⁠discussed

Click a topic to expand quotes and full context.
▶ 02:24 Board Chair Recognition and Gift Presentation

The board recognized outgoing Chair Jeff Claus for his service with gifts including a golf wedge and baked treats from Jim Lyons. Discussion of Jeff returning as an alternate member.

Speakers: Speaker A (Jeff Claus), Unidentified speaker
▶ 13:24 Special Exception Request for Boat Storage - Case SEU 26-1

Ben Willow requested special exception to allow boat storage at 249 Route 103 on 1.4 acres in rural residential district. Property has two driveways and applicant estimates capacity for up to 25 storage spaces.

Speakers: Speaker A (Jeff Claus), Speaker G (Ben Willow), Speaker E (Allison Trager)
▶ 15:51 Septic System and Building Use Restrictions

Discussion of grandfathered septic system from 1971 and requirement that business cannot use house facilities or septic system to avoid impacting flow rates requiring state approval.

Speakers: Speaker E (Allison Trager), Speaker G (Ben Willow)
▶ 34:34 Site Distance and Safety Considerations

Board evaluated sight lines from both driveways onto Route 103 (50 mph speed limit) for safe boat trailer access, determining adequate visibility exists.

Speakers: Speaker A (Jeff Claus), Unidentified speaker, Speaker E (Allison Trager)
▶ 43:33 Parking Capacity and Planning Board Review

Board discussed whether to set specific parking limits versus allowing planning board to determine capacity through site plan review process.

Speakers: Speaker A (Jeff Claus), Speaker C (David Andrews), Speaker B (Yara Lassard)
▶ 1:09:54 March Meeting Cancellation

Discussion confirmed likely cancellation of March meeting due to no pending applications, with one applicant requesting extension to April.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 1:11:03 Zoning Board Vacancy Issue

Board discussed that no candidate filed for upcoming zoning board position, requiring either write-in campaign or Select Board appointment to fill vacancy.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 1:16:03 Select Board Election Discussion

Brief discussion about upcoming Select Board election with a speaker running against Cindy Spears and Patrick Fine for one position.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker

Controversy & ⁠dissent

Where the board, the community, or the agenda diverged.

Potentially controversial issues

01

Special Exception for Commercial Boat Storage in Rural Residential District

Introducing commercial boat storage on a 1.4-acre rural residential property raises questions about preserving rural character, traffic safety on a 50 mph Route 103, and whether up to 25 storage spaces is appropriate density for the zone.
Board position: Unanimously approved with three conditions delegating capacity and sight-distance determinations to the Planning Board, and restricting septic/building use by business clients.
low concern
02

Zoning Board Vacancy with No Filed Candidates

No candidate filed for the open zoning board seat, meaning the position will be filled by write-in vote or Select Board appointment rather than standard democratic election. This raises questions about board continuity.
Board position: Board acknowledged the vacancy and discussed the write-in and appointment pathways, but no resolution was reached at the meeting.
medium concern
03

Parking Capacity Determination — Board vs. Planning Board Jurisdiction

Board members debated whether the Zoning Board should set a firm cap on storage spaces (e.g., 25) or defer entirely to the Planning Board. This reflects a question about where regulatory authority lies and whether the special exception approval provides sufficient guardrails.
Board position: Resolved by deferring maximum capacity determination to the Planning Board through site plan review, rather than fixing a number in the ZBA approval.
low concern

Community vs. board tension

Action ⁠items

Who owes what, by when.
Send follow-up email to applicant with approval conditions and information for planning board meeting
Assigned: Allison Trager (Land Use Administrator) · Due: Tomorrow
Proceed to Planning Board for site plan review
Assigned: Ben Willow (Applicant) · Due: Not specified - cannot proceed in February meeting
Send email confirming no March meeting scheduled
Assigned: Allison Trager (Land Use Administrator) · Due: Not specified
Prepare meeting minutes for December, January, and February meetings for April review
Assigned: Board members · Due: April meeting

Notable ⁠statements

This was not necessary... I just commented on getting on this. That's what I'm like. What's the chances? — Jeff Claus · Expressing surprise and gratitude for recognition gifts upon stepping down as chair ▶ 07:07
I'm a risk control consultant... I want to put. I want it to be distinguished. I don't want boats parking all over the place. I'm going to make it nice so that it looks good as curb appeal. — Ben Willow · Explaining his approach to developing the property aesthetically ▶ 45:24
The intent of rural residential is to maintain rural character and residentially focus rather than non residential focus. — Allison Trager · Explaining why boat storage requires special exception in rural residential district ▶ 54:08
I had some people come up to me the other night about where the board is now and they were very complimentary of where we are because where we used to be, it's just a different way. — Unidentified speaker · Reflecting on improvement in board operations and public perception ▶ 1:15:39
We're not gonna let the DNA of the board change — Unidentified speaker · Commitment to maintaining current board culture and effectiveness ▶ 1:15:48

Member ⁠positions

4 issues · 0 explicit · 4 inferred
Jeff Claus
Chair (outgoing)
Present
Special Exception Request for Boat Storage - Case SEU 26-1 YES ~
Led discussion and approval; supported with conditions deferring capacity to Planning Board.
Parking Capacity and Planning Board Review ✓
Favored deferring maximum storage spaces determination to Planning Board rather than fixing a number.
Pierre Lessard
Vice Chair
Present
Special Exception Request for Boat Storage - Case SEU 26-1 YES ~
Voted in favor as part of unanimous approval.
Parking Capacity and Planning Board Review ✓
Engaged in discussion on parking capacity limits during deliberation.
David Andrews
Board Member
Present
Special Exception Request for Boat Storage - Case SEU 26-1 YES ~
Voted in favor as part of unanimous approval.
Parking Capacity and Planning Board Review ✓
Participated in discussion on capacity determination and Planning Board jurisdiction.
Zoning Board Vacancy Issue ✓
Engaged in discussion about vacancy and appointment pathway; no specific position recorded.
Jim Lyons
Board Member
Present
Board Chair Recognition and Gift Presentation ✓
Presented gifts including baked treats to outgoing Chair Jeff Claus.
Special Exception Request for Boat Storage - Case SEU 26-1 YES ~
Voted in favor as part of unanimous approval.

Positions marked ~ are inferred from context and may not reflect the member's explicitly stated position.

Public ⁠comment

What residents said — verbatim, with timestamps.
No public comments were identified in this meeting.
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Report composed by claude-sonnet-4-20250514, claude-sonnet-4-6, claude-opus-4-6 · analyzed 2026-05-19.