Zoning Board of Adjustments

Minutes

September 22, 2008

Official as of October 27, 2008

Vice Chair Roy Pender calls the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

PRESENT: Vice-Chairman Roy Pender, Robert Bailey, Tom Lavigne, Nona Holmes, Alternate Jean Lane, and Board Administrator Linda Smith.

ABSENT: Chairman Bruce Farr

VOTING MEMBERS: Vice-Chairman Roy Pender, Robert Bailey, Tom Lavigne, Nona Holmes, and Alternate Jean Lane.

MINUTES:
Tom Lavigne makes a motion, second by Jean Lane, to approve the minutes of August 25, 2008, as written. Motion passes; 5/0.

Internal Business:
2009 Proposed Budget: Worksheets were provided last month for review. Mr. Lavigne requests an explanation of encumbrances. Ms. Smith explains that encumbered funds are monies that have been allocated through a blanket purchase order for a specific reason. She adds that money allocated that is not used is returned to the general fund at the end of the year.

Ms. Smith also explains that there are amounts provided within lines that are over expended. She refers to lines relative to contracted services and printing/advertising. Ms. Smith explains that an example of contracted services would be for recording notice of decisions at the registry of deeds. She adds that this line is a revenue item as the applicant pays for the recording fees with their separate check of $25.00, which is a part of the application process. Ms. Smith adds that there is a similar situation with the printing and advertising line.

Additional discussion is held regarding if the fees received from the applications cover the costs of the department. Ms. Smith explains that the total cost to run the department is not known until the end of the year. However, she adds that the department’s revenues do not cover all of the expenditures. Ms. Smith refers to the town report for last year and reports that the ZBA’s revenue for 2007 was $6,695.

Further discussion is held regarding the amount of cases this year. Ms. Smith notes that as far as case load she is not sure if there were more in 2008; however, she explains that there was much more work involved this year than in 2007 due to the rehearings. She adds that there were also legal fees related to the rehearings as well. Mr. Pender does not believe that there will be a large case load for the board. He adds that he has already seen a reduction at the state level. Ms. Smith states that in tough economical times people tend to add on rather than do bigger projects. Mr. Bailey notes that with the waterfront setback change, there may be less activity for the board. 

Further discussion continues regarding budget items. Ms. Smith refers to the postage line and explains that the postage amount noted is for 6 months only as this line is updated twice per year. In addition, she explains that the equipment line is budgeted as a cost share with the other boards for replacements of the recorder, computer, laptop, etc. Mr. Lavigne states that the training line is not typically expended.

Discussion ensues regarding the board level funding the budget. Mr. Lavigne makes a motion, second by Jean Lane, to propose the following as the ZBA’s 2009 budget:
Line 41913-330: Contracted Services - $600.
Line 41913-820: Training - $300.
Total budget: $9,350.
Motion passes unanimously; 5/0.  

Correspondence
All correspondence is reviewed.

Other
Mr. Pender reads a memo sent from the code enforcement officer regarding two residential structures on one lot, Beauregard, 10 Overlook Road; Map 210; Lot 22. A deadline of September 11 was given to Ms. Beauregard relative to her decision to this illegal residence.

Adjournment:
Mr. Lavigne makes a motion, second by Mr. Pender, to adjourn at 7:40 p.m. Motion passes unanimously; 5/0.

Respectfully submitted,
Lisa Fellows-Weaver
Zoning Board Secretary