Planning Board Meeting: May 7, 2025

Attendance

• Board Members present in-person: John Mirick, Corey Burnham-Howard, Ian Catlow, Larry DeBlois, Ann Neuburg, and alternate member Scott Peoples
• Board Members present, remote: none
• Other Participation, in person: Harry Pape, Jen Shenk
• Other Participation, remote: none

Call to Order

7:30 PM

Review and Endorse ANR Plans

No plans were submitted for review.

Public Hearing on Application for Special Permit for Home Occupation(Boarding) at 69 Mirick Road

The public hearing commenced at 7:30 pm. John Mirick owns property which abuts 69
Mirick Road. He recused himself. As Chair of the Planning Board, he appointed
alternate member Scott Peoples to the hearing panel, and asked member Corey
Burnham-Howard to chair the public hearing.

Jen Shenk (“the Applicant”) applied for a special permit for a home occupation
(boarding) pursuant to Section XVIII.1.(B)(1). She included a copy of the relevant
assessors’ map. The property consists of approximately 5.95 acres with a house and
an attached garage with entrances on two levels, and a separate barn. The Applicant
and her husband and an adult child attending college live in the house. The adult child
is likely to move out in the near future. Her mother lives in an accessory apartment for
which the Planning Board had issued a special permit in 2017.

The Applicant seeks a special permit to use two bedrooms for boarders, although
initially she expects to rent only one bedroom. Both of the bedrooms have separate
bathrooms. There will not be any increase in the number of bedrooms. Boarders would
use the common kitchen. There are separate driveways to the two levels of the garage,
and a total of seven garage bays. There is ample off-street parking. No interior or
exterior construction is planned. No changes in exterior lighting are planned.

The panel reviewed with the Applicant the provisions of Section XVIII.1.(B)(1), including
the limitation of no more than 2 adults in a bedroom, the personal nature of the special
permit, and the requirement for annual renewal.

There were no comments from the public.

The public hearing was closed at approximately 7:45 pm. The panel reviewed the
information provided by the Applicant, the provisions of Section XVIII.1.(B)(1), and the
provisions of Section XII (site review). The panel concluded that the proposed use was
consistent with Section XVIII.1.(B)(1) and that the applicable site plan criteria were
satisfied.

Motion: To issue a Special Permit to take in boarders as a home occupation
and to approve site plan
Motion: Ann Neuburg; second Larry DeBlois
Vote: Unanimous

A draft decision will be drafted for review at the May 21, 2025 meeting

Public Comment

Jen Shenk addressed the Board on the subject of foundations in Massachusetts
crumbling as a result of concrete using aggregate containing pyrrhotite. This is an
increasingly serious situation requiring expensive repairs – essentially replacing the
foundation. This work is not covered by homeowners’ insurance. The costs are beyond
the means of many homeowners. While most of the publicity has involved houses in
Connecticut, there are now a significant number of homes in central Massachusetts that
are affected. To date, there has been a very limited response by the Massachusetts
legislature. As a realtor, she is working at raising awareness of the problem.

Trash Container Sheds

The ZBA denied the setback variance requested by Kathy Sweeney. She has relocated
her shed. The Board will take up this topic after Town Meeting.

Preparation for Town Meeting

John and Corey have prepared a report on the proposed zoning amendments for Town
Meeting. John invited Board members to send him any proposed edits. Corey has
revised the slide deck. Harry Pape suggested that Corey arrange with the Town
Administrator to get the slide deck loaded onto the Town’s projector for Town Meeting.

This year, there will be tables in the corridor to encourage residents to have pre-meeting
discussions on articles on the warrant. John and Corey have prepared a Report and a
FAQ sheet to hand out. Ian will see about a large format plan for the proposed highdensity multi-family overlay district, and one FEMA map. John and Corey will be at the
table. Other members are more than welcome to participate.

Joint Meeting with ZBA on Thompson Road Setback Variance and Site Plan Review

This will be on Tuesday, May 20, in addition to the regular Board meeting on May 21.
The quorum for site plan review is 3 Board members John, Larry, and Scott expect to
attend.

Review and Approve Minutes for April 16, 2025 Meeting

MOTION to approve minutes
Motion: Larry DeBlois; second Ann Neuburg
Vote: unanimous

Next Meeting

• May 20, 25 at 5:00 pm– joint meeting with ZBA on Thompson Road Variance and site plan review
• May 21, 2025 – regular meeting at 7:30 PM

Meeting adjourned

approximately 8:30 PM

Respectfully submitted

John Mirick

Documents Reviewed

• Application for special permit at 69 Mirick Road
• Draft Report to Town Meeting
• Minutes for 4/18/25 meeting