TOWN OF SOMERS

ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

SPECIAL MEETING/PUBLIC HEARING

MEETING MINUTES

TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2002

These minutes are not official  until approved at a subsequent meeting.

 

 

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 7:37p.m. by Chairman John Torres.

 

Members Present

Present were:  John Torres, Edward Mack, James Beaulieu, Kenneth Young, and Daniel Scully.

 

Also present were Town Attorney Carl Landolina and Zoning Enforcement Officer James Taylor.

 

Public Hearings:

1.         Sebastian Garofalo

Mr. Torres opened the public hearing at 7:50 p.m. 

 

The legal notice for all three applications was read by acting secretary James Beaulieu

 

Members discussed Mr. Garofalo’s application for a side yard variance.  After discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Mack, seconded by Mr. Beaulieu, and unanimously voted to close this public hearing.

 

2.         Diane King

Members discussed Ms. King’s application for a variance from the residential basement requirement.  After discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Scully, seconded by Mr. Young, and unanimously voted to close this public hearing.

 

3.         Richard P. Berne, Continuation of Public Hearing

Members continued discussion of Mr. Berne’s request that the Cease and Desist Order issued by the Zoning Enforcement Officer be overturned.  After discussion and public comment by audience members, all of whom were in favor of overturning the Order, a motion was made by Mr. Mack, seconded by Mr. Beaulieu, and unanimously voted to close this public hearing.

 

The public hearing portion of the meeting was closed at 8:57 p.m.

 

The regular meeting was called to order by Chairman John Torres at 9:00 p.m.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Mack, seconded by Mr. Scully, and unanimously voted to add Mr. Landolina, Town Attorney, to the agenda.  After being informed by Mr.

ZBA Special Meeting Minutes/Public Hearing

January 15, 2002

Page 2

 

Landolina that a special meeting agenda cannot be amended, a motion was made by Mr. Mack and seconded by Mr. Young to rescind the original motion.  Voted unanimously.

 

Minutes Approval – December 11, 2001

A motion was made by Mr. Mack, seconded by Mr. Beaulieu, and unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the meeting of December 11, 2001 as presented.

 

Public Hearing Discussion/Decision

            1.         Sebastian Garofalo

Members discussed Mr. Garofalo’s application.  A motion was made by Mr. Scully, seconded by Mr. Young, and unanimously voted to close discussion and vote on this application.  Vote was unanimously in favor of the variance.

 

            2.         Diane King

Members discussed Ms. King’s application.  A motion was made by Mr. Scully, seconded by Mack, and unanimously voted to close discussion and vote on this application.  Motion was unanimously in favor of the variance.

 

            3.         Richard P. Berne

Members discussed Mr. Berne’s application at length.  A motion was made by Mr. Mack, seconded by Mr. Scully, and unanimously voted to closed discussion and vote on this application.  Motion was unanimously in favor of overturning the Cease and Desist Order.  The Board felt that the State regulations pre-empted the local Zoning Regulations.

 

Old Business

A letter from Richard H. Jackson, III, 1st Selectman regarding vacancies on the Zoning Board of Appeals was read.

 

New Business

                        Review & Approve 2002/2003 Budget Proposal

Mr. Torres read a letter from Ed Sullivan, Town Treasurer regarding the 2002/2003 budget.  All departments are requested to maintain an increase of 4% or less.

 

After brief review, a motion was made by Mr. Mack, seconded by Mr. Young, and unanimously voted to accept the proposed 2002/2003 budget.

 

Correspondence

A thank you note from Miss Swiatek was read. 

 

Bills

A motion was made by Mr. Scully, seconded by Mr. Mack, and unanimously voted to pay all outstanding bills. 

ZBA Special Meeting Minutes/Public Hearing

January 15, 2002

Page 3

 

Adjournment

A motion was made by Mr. Mack, seconded by Mr. Scully, and unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 9:34 p.m.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

 

James Beaulieu,

Acting Secretary

 

 

THESE MINUTES ARE NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVED AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING.