Good evening. Uh my name is Art Sprew. I'm chair of the planning board. This is the Town of Chadam planning board hybrid meeting April 13, 2026. It's 5:30 p.m. Please no note this meeting is being recorded and will be available shortly
hereafter for scheduled and on demand viewing on any smartphone or tablet device. If anyone else is recording the meeting, including the use of AI note-taking apps, please notify the chair. I don't see anyone.
Pursuant to Governor Healey's March 28th, 2025 signing of chapter 2 of the acts of 2025 extending certain COVID 19 measures adopted during the state of emergency suspending certain provisions of the open meeting law general laws
chapter 38 section 20 until June 30th 2027. This meeting of the Chattam Planning Board is being conducted in person and via remote participation. Every effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately access the
proceedings as provided for in the order. A reminder that persons who would like to listen to this meeting while in progress may do so by calling the phone number 508-945-4410 conference ID 335067211 hashtag or join the meeting via uh
online via Microsoft Teams through the link in the posted agenda. While this is a live broadcast and simal cast on Chattam TV Xfinity channel 1072, despite our best efforts, we may not be
able to provide real time access. We will post a record of this meeting on the town's website as soon as possible. I'll begin with a roll call vote. Katherine Halburn, >> present. >> Uh Bob Worsher, >> present. >> Bob Dubis,
>> present. Uh Frank Shear and Warren Chain are absent tonight. Uh Charlene Greenhall >> here >> and Arts Bro, I'm present. Uh let's begin with uh the minutes. Um I noted that uh and we've checked this
with uh with staff. our March 9th, we hadn't uh approved those minutes, but I've been um notified by staff that the board members who were not present at that meeting, we can just vote for approval of the minutes uh without the
uh quorum present. >> Oh, >> is there any objection to that? >> Mr. Chairman, I move approval. >> Okay. Any comments? >> No. And then we'll do a roll call vote. March 9th, 2026 minutes. Uh uh Katherine
Halpern. >> Well, I'll abstain because I was absent. Or should I shall I vote? >> No, we're going to vote on this anyway. >> Yes. Then then I approve. >> Uh Bob, approve. Uh Bob approve. Uh Charlene >> approve.
>> And Arts Brew, I approve the March 9th, 2026 minutes. Uh now the March 23rd, 2026 minutes. Um any comments? I have no comments on that. Anyone have any comments on that?
>> Do I have a motion to approve? >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Uh, do a roll call vote. Katherine, >> I approve. >> Borcher, >> approve. >> Abdubis, >> I approve. >> Uh, Charlene, >> approve. >> And Harts, I approve.
Uh, next we'll do a site plan review for 39 George Ryder Road. as the applicant or someone presenting on behalf of the uh applicant present. Um if you could uh introduce yourself, my name is Ed Sebring and I live in a
tiny house in West Chatam. >> Yeah. That was from the last meeting and yeah, never got that. uh if you could introduce yourself, talk to you about your project and all of
that so that uh we can what I did is I leased what used to be the Archable woodworking shop and the left side I'm trying to put in a clothing store, a repurposed clothing store for men and
boys that would have like resort wear shorts, bathing suits, uh coats, uh short sleeve, long sleeve Hawaiian shirts, anything that men would wear and
boys would wear. It would be 70% Puritan and 30% Yankee ingenuity. It's the easiest way to describe it. >> I've worked on it for a year and a half. It's been a long expensive hall, but
hopefully we'll get over the hump here. >> Um, okay. So, >> so to give >> Yeah, go ahead. >> to give you a little bit background. Um, the applicant had come before us a few months ago, um, or came in with an application, I should say. Um, we've
been working on the application, um, recently. Dave Dave Clark completed an existing conditions of the um plan that was should have been in your packets. Um just showing you where the existing there are seven parking spaces. He did a
calculation and with the um the uh amount of floor area that the uh the the applicant is going to use. He still will require seven spaces. He's also got some storage and he's got some uh bathrooms within the facility and things like that. Um, there are no, like I said,
there are no site improvements proposed at all at this time. It's pretty straightforward. It's just the internal piece of it. Um, so I saw no issues with it at this point. And um, Art has in front of him a draft statement of conditions that he can go
over um for this for the statement of conditions and add to it if you feel the need. >> Uh, board members, if you have any comments, let's begin. Katherine, any comments or questions of the applicant? I I don't I I have no comments or questions. I think it's all explained in
the report. >> U Bob Warch. >> Same here. >> Bob Duvvice, >> I'm glad to see the building being used. >> Yep. Okay. Uh Charlene Greenhol, you have any comments or questions of the epicut? >> Just what Bob just said, it's it's good to see this building being used again.
And what an innovative um use to have um you know men's clothes and and boys clothes because usually these types of shops are pretty much all for women. So it's good to see that uh the guys are going to be included in this.
>> Thank you. >> Um and um um I confirmed with uh Christine that seven spaces is what's required and that's what's provided. Um uh just want to note that you're working with the building official on the handicap ramp.
Um that should be put on the asbuilt plan >> towards construction. >> Yeah. >> Working with them on it. >> Yep. So >> that's the next step. >> Yeah. So when when you get that just add that to the asbuilt plan um on this and I have no other comments or questions.
So with that uh we have a >> all can you review the statement of conditions? I can uh conditions as set forth below and plan approval shall run with the title of property physical features and date shown on the existing condition plan for Ed Sebring 39 George
Ryder Road chat of Massachusetts issued March 20th 2026 prepared by Clark Engineering LLC represents the approved design and layout on the subject property and de aviation for the specific uses layout and constitutes a violation of plane board approve
approval unless it's reviewed and approved by the planning board. Number two is certifi certified by a licensed professional that all site improvements is completed in compliance with the approved plan is required prior to issued a certificate of use and occupancy by the building commissioner.
All exterior lighting shall be downward casting and shall be designed so as not to illuminate areas off the property and for an asbelt required to be submitted to the planning board office for inclusion in the prop property file.
And you will just be adding um those other comments are all of your standard comments. So you will just be adding the the little note that that Art just gave about the um handicap ramp to that last comment. >> Right. >> Was that in our packet? >> So that that's the statement of
conditions. Do I have a um motion to approve this? M >> Mr. Mr. Chairman, I'll be happy to make the motion to approve the site plan uh review application with the conditions as just highlighted by you um including
the handicap ramp which would be shown in an asbelt plan that would be submitted for the proposed uh men's clothing store because the application meets the necessary requirements and criteria for approval pursuant to the protective zoning bylaw.
>> All right. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> All right. All right, we'll do a roll call vote. Katherine Halpern, >> I approve. >> Worshiper, >> I approve. >> Abdubis, >> I approve. >> Uh Charlene Greenhall, >> approve. >> And Arts Brew, I approved. >> So, I'll reach out to you in a couple of
days after we get the signed paperwork and then um you'll be good to go. I I'll just let you know so you can pick. >> I have to apply for a permit for the work for Ford's construction or will they >> So, you'll work that out with the with the building commissioner.
I mean, is there paperwork that I have to do for that? >> No. Oh, yeah. You'll have to do something with the building commissioner um to do your the ramp as you had suggested and then whatever you need for internal. >> The building commissioner is in your office. >> Oh, yes. He's in my office. I'm sorry.
Yes. His name is Jay Briggs and he's in community development upstairs. Um you can do that application right online. His application is available online. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you. Um, next is a request for
comment from the zoning board of appeals for 655 Main Street. Um, this is a filing for formula business. U, I believe uh Chase Bank is
going to be going into this property. It's been at the corner there of the roundabout in downtown. So, you will be receiving this application um on the 27th meeting. Um they'll be coming before you for site plan review, but at this point, the the CBA meeting is prior
to our meeting on this, which is, you know, unusual case. Um so, we're going to just give them a letter. We have a draft letter in your package that you receive just saying that you will be reviewing it later on. They are making some minor changes to the exterior
layout of the parking lot. um changing the uh the angle of the parking, adding a dumpster enclosure, those type of things. The um drive-thru is be going to become a um uh an ATM drive-thru. There will be no teller at the window anymore.
Um so they will handle some of those other things. Again, they're looking at it strictly because it is a formula business. Um and you will be looking at it in great detail at the next meeting. So, >> so the the letter is all we're going to provide at this point. No recommendation
until after our site plan review in the next meeting. >> I move that we uh send a positive re recommendation, >> but we're not going to do that till after we review the site plan. >> I I would say after we do the site plan, we would render error. >> That's fine. But I don't see any
difference between what was there and what is going there. >> So, it's a moot point to me really. >> Right. Okay. So, does your motion want to be that you want to send the letter to the ZBA? >> Yeah. I mean, >> just the the draft letter that we have in our packet, >> right?
>> Right. Which is not a positive recommendation. It's just a letter saying that we'll make our recommendation after we review the project on April 27th. >> Like I said, I don't see any difference because a bank's going in there and there was a bank there before. There's no change of use. Not not very there's
not very much you can do with that piece of property. >> So, Mr. Charlene, go ahead. >> ZBA is only approving the use because it's formula, >> right? >> We'd be approving the site plan. So, I
kind of agree with Bobby that we can make a positive recommendation for the use, okay, of the property as the Chase Bank. >> Okay, I'm I'm okay with that. All right. So, do is there a uh motion second
motion? >> All right. So, >> could I make a motion that we send we that we revise the letter >> to say that we make a positive recommendation regarding the use, but that we'll be doing the full site plan review on April 27th and that we can
make a full recommend, you know, complete recommendation at that time. >> Well, we don't need to recommend that for them. >> Send one out now, right? And we'll review the thing. Yeah. >> And, you know, it's going to be kind of stuff. So, >> okay. All right. With that, we're got one
There's been a motion and it's >> we get a new motion. >> So, so we are now going to make a motion to send a positive recommend >> regarding the change of use, >> right, >> to formula business. >> All right. >> Okay. >> So, moved. >> And the second was you, Bob. Right.
>> She just seconded it. >> No, she moved it. >> She I'll second it. All right. >> We got that straight this time. All right. So, we'll do a roll call vote. Um, Katherine Halpern. >> Yes, I approve. Bob Worch, >> I approve. Bob Dubis, >> I approve.
>> Uh Charlene Greenhall, >> approve. >> And Art Sprew, I approve. >> All right, that's that. >> All right. Uh just a couple of things on Long Range uh planning. I decided to put together a spreadsheet.
Um I I suggest we just defer uh any kind of prioritization further discussion this until all more of our members are present. And um >> okay. >> Um this was just intended for me to get my head around what we have to do in the upcoming year. I think I have to work
out some details with with staff about who's going to be start with the point on some of these. Uh I think it won't necessarily be all of our board. Uh but we'll definitely have to formalize all of these before uh the main town meeting
next year as I >> Mr. Chairman. >> Yes. Um, as I as I noted, um, you we are going to have to have a public hearing on the conservancy resilient
con conser resilient uh uh bylaw. The conservancy uh bylaw that's going to come before us, >> you think so? >> Yes. Okay. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> So, just to make sure it stays on the
agenda. So, um, is that something that anyone's going to share with us in advance or or >> Oh, yeah. Okay. Yeah. >> Great. >> I I it by the time it gets to us, I think it's going to be all figured out. >> All right. So, that would be in 2027
though, right? Not not 2026. >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. >> Okay. Good. >> Well, well, it will be for the 8 annual 2027 meeting, >> right? Okay. Well, um, that's >> this is the planning board for 2026 27. So, it is that's correct. It is on our
agenda for next year. >> All right. >> Okay. >> Art, it's Thanks for putting this together. I think you did a really good job on this. >> Well, it's just my way of doing my homework and making sure I'm prepared for this upcoming year. It's it's a full
slate. Um, we may want to think about uh having separate meetings just to focus on some of these and and if that works with the board members once once I get my act together with uh with the uh community
development staff then maybe we can set some dates aside to do that. Um that way we just do that not other business get through that and move on with some of these. I try to pick pick and choose which ones we can uh knock off uh
earlier and uh let you know what my my thinking is on that. >> I have a question. >> Yes. >> What about subdivision rules and regulations? >> Um in addition to what I have here, right? >> Yeah, I'm if it's too much to put on our
on our plate, I understand that. I'm just kind of reminding you. Well, I went back and I looked at some of the things I put together in a draft and they're in a way too early state. I I need to do a little bit more work on putting them
into what would make sense of some suggested things to do. Um, I think the the thing I would like to do first is perhaps um make a listing of the other subdivision rules and regulations that
we may um want to amend. And the reason for it, I have my own list. Uh I can go down through that and maybe I can put that on a long range planning piece later on. I'd like to get through the storm water ones first and those are
fairly welldeveloped. Uh, I just think we would have one session to go through the nitty-g gritties of it. I can walk everybody through um how I developed the draft and where I got my sources from. They're all local sources, so this isn't
something that would be foreign to uh uh to Chadaman here. It's really what all the other towns have done and pretty much what the regulations say. So, but I can go through the specifics on that in one meeting. Um, I don't have the priority yet on which ones we should
tackle first, second, third. So, like to I don't want to do them all at once. Do them one at one at a time. So, I'll come up with that next time. Um, and then I think Christine has something on the ADU that she wants to update us. >> So, we are going to um have you do a
floor motion. I think that um because we had some things that came up that town council had brought up uh after your public hearing or when your public hearing went out. So, he recommended that we delete the word satisfactory from one of the things and then he recommended that we delete um footnote
seven from another item. So, we're going to just do two deletions. Um and I the satisfactory was brought up at um the select board meeting as well um because they wanted to use a different tense of it which would have been more appropriate but we're going to delete
the word anyway. Um so I just kind of wanted to give you all a heads up that those two things are going to happen at town meeting. Um and I'll keep you a breast of anything else that might be take transpiring. Um the next meeting I will say to you is the like I said the 27th we will have
the um center for active living on there and we will have Chase Bank um and then like any last minute things for town meeting so that we have a plan for the for the May 11th meeting. Um the other thing I would just mention to you just
as side notes is the um uh the community development uh community services and natural resources is working with a group to um a consultant to uh develop an open space
and recreation plan which um the town needs basically to get approved by the state um so that we can apply for grants and things like that. You kind of have to have something in place. We haven't had one in years. Um there was a draft that never went forward. So we are we
are working with a group with that. And so as part of that there is a survey that is out that I will be publicizing everywhere. So if you can all get on and do this sub this survey when the time comes, you know, it just asks about which if any of the um the recreation type things that you use or don't use,
you know, um that would be helpful to me. And then um the only other thing would again to remind you the storm watcher thing for the natural uh weather services is going to be on the 29th I believe. Um and um that might be kind of
cool to see uh for anybody who's interested in those type of things. Um I'm promoting that one because we are also working on the hazard mitigation plan and so the more information we get out to people the better the better everything is. And that's all I have.
Okay. Um I don't >> Yes, go ahead. Uh Charlene, >> so just I was just looking for clarification. Are we going to be making a motion to amend the mo the motion that the board
of selectment is going to make? Or are we moving to um to approve article 51 but to include these changes? Go. >> We we are going to be the way I
understand it and I will ask the question again. We do have another question into town council. We are going to um recommend these two changes like the bylaw is already you know already prepared. The warrant is already prepared. >> No, no, I understand that. But are we is
the main motion going to include these two changes or is there going to be a motion made on the floor and then this is to amend that main motion? >> It'll be on the floor to amend that main motion because everybody else has already voted on
>> the previous >> the select the select board and the finance committee had already approved or had already made their recommendations. So everybody's recommendations were made prior to us getting these. So this will be a floor motion. >> Okay.
>> We'll have to work that out though on whether to be I'm the I'll be the one up there re reading through it. So >> if you think of of some reason why it should be done some other way, just let me know. We can
>> I I mean if if the board of selectmen and the finance committee particularly the board of selectmen are fine with these proposed changes then I mean the clear cleaner way to do this is to include these changes in the main
motion. But if that's not doable um it's just sometimes making amendments on the floor. >> Yeah. especially for zoning can be really muddy for people and they can get confused. Um, but if it's part of the main motion just to and it can be
explained that it was deemed that you know the wording works better this way than what was originally proposed or something along those lines. But if there's one motion including those changes, oftentimes it's smoother sailing. But whatever, >> you know,
>> I I >> whatever the boards recommend, whatever town council recommends. >> Yeah, I almost agree with you on that. Uh Charlene, and and if I get the town council and moderator to agree with that, then that's what I'll propose to them, too.
>> Yes. Go ahead, Katherine. >> No, I was just going to agree it makes sense. They're going to be confused enough. >> Yes. All right. Uh there is no other comments
or discussion. Um I have a motion to adjurnn. >> Is this your >> I move that we adjourn. >> I second. >> All right. We'll do a roll call vote. Katherine Halpern, >> I approve. >> Bob Shaft, >> approve. >> Abdubis, >> I approve. >> Uh Charlene,
>> approve. and art spur. I approve. Time is uh 5:55 p.m.