HomeMy Public PortalAbout20211110 - Board of Appeals - Meeting MinutesTOWN OF HOPKINTON
OFFICE OF
BOARD OF APPEALS
_____________________________
TOWN HALL
18 MAIN STREET – THIRD FLOOR
HOPKINTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01748-3209
(508) 497-0012
MARK J. HYMAN,Chairman WWW.HOPKINTON.GOV
JOHN COUTINHO, VICE CHAIR & CLERK ZBA@Hopkintonma.gov
Minutes of the
Board of Appeals
Minutes: November 10, 2021 Called to Order: 7:05 PM
Remote Zoom Meeting Adjourned: 7:40 PM
Members Present:Mark Hyman,Chairman;John Coutinho,Clerk;John Savignano;Jerry Tuite;Walter
Garland; Ria McNamara; Kevin Baxter; James Burton
Members Absent:Michael DiMascio
Others Present:Elaine Lazarus, Assistant Town Manager;Adina DePaolo, Administrative Assistant
Mr.Hyman called the name of each Board member,and each responded affirmatively that they were
present and could hear him.Mr.Hyman then called the names of each staff member who responded
affirmatively that they were present and could hear him.Mr.Hyman also called the names of anticipated
speakers on the agenda, Michael McClay, who responded affirmatively.
Mr.Hyman stated that the meeting is being conducted remotely consistent with Governor Baker ’s
Executive Order of March 12,2020 and recently amended and extended,due to the current State of
Emergency in the Commonwealth due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus.He noted that in order to
mitigate the transmission of the virus,the Board is complying with the Executive Order that suspends the
requirement of the Open Meeting Law to have all meetings in a publicly accessible physical location.He
stated that the Executive Order allows public bodies to meet entirely remotely as long as the public body
makes provisions through adequate,alternative means to ensure that interested members of the public are
provided reasonable access to the deliberations of the meeting.He noted that for this meeting the Board
is convening by video conference via Zoom App as posted on the Town’s web meeting calendar and the
Board’s agenda identifying how the public may join.He noted that the meeting is being recorded and
attendees are participating by video conference.Mr.Hyman stated that all supporting materials that have
been provided to the Board are available on the Town website via the web meeting calendar,unless
otherwise noted.
7:10 PM Administrative Session of the Board of Appeals
Minutes
The Board reviewed the minutes of October 27, 2021. Mr. Coutinho moved to adopt the minutes of
October 27, 2021. The motion was seconded and passed 8-0. The votes were: Mr. Hyman: Yes; Mr.
Coutinho: Yes; Mr. Savignano: Yes; Mr. Tuite: Yes; Mr. Garland: Yes; Ms. McNamara: Yes; Mr. Baxter:
Yes; Mr. Burton: Yes.
Documents Used:
Draft minutes from October 27, 2021
7:12 PM Application for Special Permit
7 Meserve Street – McClay
Members Sitting: Mr. Hyman, Mr. Coutinho, Mr. Savignano, Mr. Tuite, Mr. Burton
Other Members: Mr. Garland, Ms. McNamara, Mr. Baxter
Michael McClay - Applicant
Tom Timko - Architect
Mr.McClay stated he has a detached garage and is hoping to attach it to the house with a mudroom and
add an inlaw apartment for his mother.Mr.Timko stated the setbacks are non-conforming.He stated it is
a strange lot and the existing garage is non-conforming.He stated they would like to connect the house
and garage with a mudroom and add an inlaw apartment above the garage.Mr.Hyman asked if they will
be staying within the footprint for the garage.Mr.Timko stated they will not exceed the footprint on the
non-conforming side but will add to it on the conforming side.Mr.Hyman asked what the current square
footage of the existing house is.Mr.McClay stated it is approximately 2,000 square feet.Mr.Tuite
asked if the applicant's mother would occupy the unit and Mr.McClay stated it possibly would be but if
not it will be a family member.Mr.Hyman asked about the parking.Mr.Timko stated it is a double wide
driveway and with the garage there would be at least 4 to 7 parking spots.
Mr. Hyman asked if there were any public comments and there were none.
Mr. Timko stated they submitted letters from the neighbors in support of the proposal.
Mr.Savignano moved to close the public hearing.The motion was seconded by Mr.Coutinho and passed
unanimously.The votes were:Mr.Hyman:Yes;Mr.Coutinho:Yes;Mr.Savignano:Yes;Tuite:Yes;Mr.
Burton: Yes.
Documents Used:
Uniform Application for Special Permit/Petition for Variance with supporting documents
Email dated November 9, 2021 from Michael Shepard
Mr. Tuite stated he liked Mr. Shepards comments about what relief to grant.
Mr.Tuite moved to find the proposed change would not be substantially more detrimental to the
neighborhood and grant a special permit under 210-128b as requested with construction consistent to the
plans submitted.The motion was seconded by Mr.Coutinho and passed unanimously.The votes were:
Mr. Hyman: Yes; Mr. Coutinho: Yes; Mr. Savignano: Yes; Tuite: Yes; Mr. Burton: Yes.
Board of Appeals
November 10, 2021
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Mr.Tuite moved to grant a special permit under 210-126 for an accessory family dwelling unit on a
finding it will not be substantially more detrimental to the neighborhood with the normal conditions.The
motion was seconded by Mr.Coutinho and passed unanimously.The votes were:Mr.Hyman:Yes;Mr.
Coutinho: Yes; Mr. Savignano: Yes; Tuite: Yes; Mr. Burton: Yes.
Mr.Tuite asked about the next version of the bylaws.Ms.Lazarus stated the 2021 version should be
approved soon.
Mr.Coutinho moved to adjourn the meeting.The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.The
votes were:Mr.Hyman:Yes;Mr.Coutinho:Yes;Mr.Savignano:Yes;Mr.Tuite:Yes;Mr.Garland:Yes;
Ms. McNamara: Yes; Mr. Baxter: Yes; Mr. Burton: Yes.
Meeting Adjourned: 7:40 PM
Adina DePaolo, Administrative Assistant
Approved: December 8, 2021
Board of Appeals
November 10, 2021
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