on. Okay. All right. It's March 23rd, 2026 at 5:32. I'm opening the Grahamby Planning Board meeting. We have a quorum. I don't have minutes. >> What's that? >> I don't have minutes from the board.
>> You don't have minutes? Okay. No correspondence over there from anybody? >> Uh the only correspondence is the um abutters motiv uh abuing communities and their
um public hearings. There's one in Ammerst for a special permit uh modification for battery capacity um on
this doesn't tell me which street it's on and then in Lello for a definitive subdivision and special permit for lots
on 1252 East Street and Ventura Street. >> Okay, that's the only thing. So, the town of Bing. >> Okay. And I just signed the the uh decision from the uh last meeting for uh Dressels Smith and
Merrill Inc. DBA dress service station for their new car lot. Okay. >> So, yeah, take it away. >> So, yeah, um we've been talking about this. So, you know, with regards to the planning goes to work plan, I think that
there's a couple of things that just have been ongoing. Um you have had over the past couple of months, also development applications that you've kind of been navigating. Um but one of the big things that we have outstanding is for the board to
review and you know contemplate the rules and regulations for the board. I think as I brought up a couple of months ago, this is a document that basically is the guidance for the board to
um have its meetings to have um to have its meetings to also have uh the proper information for when an application is forthcoming, what needs to be submitted. I think also in this document is where you would keep your
fees. I think the big thing with regards to rules and rags is that it is not meant uh you do not need to have uh public hearings to change the UN it any anything in it. You have to have a
public hearing to adopt it but then after that amendments are done at um a regular scheduled meeting that we would post accordingly. Um so again you know I think if you look at the table of contents the various things that are located in this document are your
organization the organization of your um board in addition to how meetings are supposed to be happening hearings your fees what you mean what what it means to wave the rules uh your administration and then
your various uh review processes. Um, and then because your bylaw states that there should be rules promulgated for open space communities and site plan development submission procedures, that's also located in number 10. The idea here is anything
else that's in the bylaw that that suggests that you have a set of rules and regulations, they would be listed in that location. um or the bylaw would list that you should adopt rules and regulations in
your rules and regulations. Um so you know this is a draft um I you know for the board it's I think it's helpful for you to review mark up draw questions um and then for a future meeting um
maybe workshop this to a to a certain extent where you would be identifying things that wanted to be changed things that you might want some additional clarification things you might want to add. Um but again at the same time these are things that you do as a board that
are documented um and it's documented here. So this also will you know when the chair is no longer sitting on the board or any members of the board the next board members will be able to understand uh you know what happens in a board uh in a
board meeting their responsibilities are laid out there etc. So that is the goal of these rules and rags. Many towns adopt them or many planning boards adopt them for the purposes of um having a document where things like fees are
listed um because those can be amended from time to time without town meeting. Um, in addition for the board to um just reference as needed as there are probably different things that you do
that maybe you don't remember the next time you do it, right? And so it will be listed in this document. So that's the rules and ranks. Um, again, not zoning, but a document of the board that is to administer the various things that you
do >> for the fees. Yeah. >> Um, where did you pull like a lot of these from stuff that's already existing? And >> so it is existing. These are fees that the town is charging
>> um for the various applications that that the board has. >> Um, and so this comes from the subdivision regulations, the current subdivision regulations along with um there was one other location where I saw this and I would just put it on this
document. Okay. >> Um, but I think one of the conversations we were having a couple months ago or maybe a year ago, um, was whether or not it made sense these fees continuing as
is or if there was a way to think about increasing fees. Um but at the same time I think compared to many of the other communities I think you're already at a space where the fees are appropriate.
>> Now this is this whole document is pretty much from scratch. >> Uh it comes from a variety of places because we've adopted this this particular rules and regs from many other planning boards that it's just reflective to what Graham like you know
I mentioned the various board members you have here. You have commission, you have elections every July after town meeting or after town election. Um and you have the the um offices here, officers here. Um and again, it is to
the best of my ability customizing it to the to Gran, but a lot of the language is probably you're going to see similar language in other rules and rags. It's just a matter of the various things that the town currently
does. I think I've captured it here. >> So, we've been So, I I guess we've been abiding by it. Yeah. >> By this. It's just >> collecting it, keeping it all in one source,
>> which I think is a good idea. >> Can could we ever get into conflict with this document and the zoning bylaw? Um, I don't think so because again a lot of this I mean probably the thing that we have to look the closest at is
um what you require for your planning for your me for your applications because that's the thing that's usually where we find in other communities where the bylaw might say the applicant must submit nine copies at this but then your
rules and regs you you've discovered in that time. You do not need nine large copies of a plan and you might only need 11 by7s for all the board members and then two large copies for the topic. Um, so I think it's it's those types of
things. And I think as we navigate this, we probably would also want to go talk to Kathy as she navigates, you know, development review among all the departments, talk to those department heads, see what they want. Um but it it would be that type of cleanup. It would
be like when you do a housekeeping um bylaw amendment with of which we've identified some where you would want that to align or you would want the bylaw to say go to the rules and rags to determine what you need to submit and
how you how you submit it. >> Okay? >> Right? So you change the bylaw so you never have to put have nine copies of 24x36 plans ever again. and you say go to the rules and ranks and you would have adopted the rules and ranks. >> Yeah, it's it's just in recent years we
require thumb drives to that that we haven't it's not in it's in here I hope but it's it >> that's never been part of the >> it's it's that and and also require requesting uh electronic copies. So
thumb drives yes but also please email like a electronic copy. So between now and our next meeting, we can review these. >> Mhm. >> And by our next meeting, do you think we
could have the the zoning changes formatted so that we can we can start a hearing process? Was >> we can have the to workshop or to public hearing? >> Um not a public hearing. We could a
rough draft that we're going to submit to the select board. Sure. I think we can. Okay. Yeah. I think I think also the conversation that we're having here um after this in addition for so we would amend the housekeeping to make sure those are reflected but also
anything else that the board wants to maybe tackle in a public hearing for a future town meeting. >> I just want to be ready to go. Yeah. and and because I don't know when they're going to have a special town meeting where we can sneak it in.
>> I don't know what the time frame is for this town meeting. Is it like is this doable? >> I don't think so. So then we'd have to just contemplate like in 6 months because once you have your public hearing, you have 6 months. So presumably we could do a special like we
could have a public hearing in the next month or two and then when the town typically does a special which I think is late October should be sufficient timing. >> Yeah. I don't think we're going to make a May meeting. >> I don't think so.
>> Uh I mean I think we would need to work backwards and try to see. >> Let's not rule it out. Let's just let's try and we don't have to again we don't have to let's get some of the main things we want to get done you know the
>> and and put that put some language around that send that to the the select board for approval then we can get then we can do our hearings and then have the articles ready potentially ready for the next meeting okay in Okay. Um, change gears a little bit
here. >> Yeah. The next item is um the up bylaw update project and bylaw work. And I have just a couple of various bullet points, but obviously, you know, we can navigate through conversation. what what are those
lowhanging fruits for um you know the next meeting for you to to review in addition to um anything else that you might want to be looking at over the next couple of months. >> All right.
So, we have a guest tonight, uh Kim Goldmith, animal control officer. She That's your right title, right? Is that correct? >> Yes. >> Yeah. Um, she called me the other day about an incident that took place with a uh a dog bite for somebody that
was operating a large operation, I guess. So, why don't why don't you why don't you go ahead fill us fill us in on the details so everybody hears it. >> So, I responded for a dog bite. A dog
got loose. Um but the bite actually took place at the home. Um the person where the dog went to went over to the house to approach the owners about the dog getting loose and when he was on their property is when he got bit. So it
wasn't why the dogs were loose. They had two dogs licensed with the town and come to find out they have 17. They're all their personal dogs. Um they're not owned by anyone else. there there were essentially two litters of
puppies. So there's two mothers, a father, and their litter of puppies, and that's how they ended up having so many dogs. Um, so at the time, I just did the quarantine for the dog bite. I did go back with their permission a few days
later to do an inspection. What I ended up doing with the advice of the police department was giving a 45day notice for licensing because we wanted to come together to figure out what the licensing would be if we are going to
issue them a license to keep the 17 dogs. And that's when I started just reaching out to different departments in town to see what the suggestion would be um for the situation. And I did tell her the dogs, you know, need to be watched
outside that they are unable to roam free even in their fenced in yard to try to keep them contained from getting out from the fence. I guess they ended up pulling some of the fence in and that's how they got loose to begin with. Um, to
my surprise, the house is very clean. The dogs are very well cared for. She cooks their meals. They're all looking healthy. Um, so my advice wouldn't be to remove all of the dogs from the property, but again, this set sort some
sort of precedents, right? Like if we allow one person to keep a certain amount of dogs just for a personal use, I guess. Um, there are many that are not spayed and neutered, so I did reach out
for some assistance with that. Um, and I haven't gone back to her yet because I just wanted to have this meeting tonight to see what everybody's thoughts were. Um, but as far as like the board of health, there was no reason to get them involved because everything was clean. Um, the incident where the
dogs got loose is there was a delivery and when they opened the front door, a few of the dogs slipped out. So, even since that incident, they fenced in the front of their deck. So now there is a point where if they do get out of the door, the gate then stops them as long
as the gate of course is shut. Um so they were working on trying to fix that from happening again in the future. Um last year when I did kennel inspections, the most that someone had was 13 on the
property and that was a woman that is a vet in town and a breeder and she shows. So, it wasn't really personal use. It was more of she does things with the dogs, I guess, than just having them at the house.
>> This lady's not a breeder. >> She's not. No. Like I said, she essentially had two accidental litters and then was just unable to find homes for them. Essentially got attached to them right as they got old. There's no none of the dogs I believe are under a
year old. They're all grown. Um, I mean, my as animal control, my biggest thing is making sure these dogs get fixed. She doesn't want to have any more puppies. Um, but I wouldn't be happy about her adding to the numbers cuz 17 is a lot to
care for, but she is doing a good job taking care of them. So, so from my perspective, the planning board wouldn't get involved in it unless they were unless they were doing it as a business, >> right? >> And they and they were boarding
these dogs and people coming and going, we'd want to make sure that there's proper parking and where they where are they keeping them and you know that sort of thing, >> right? So, I guess my reach initially was because of Ali's law, which I had sent you a link to. Um, anybody now that
has more than four dogs has to have a kennel license. So, I guess I'm just trying to figure out as I'm doing inspections, like what the board suggests, you know, if uh someone's taking in a dog to babysit for the weekend and getting paid 50 bucks, are
they supposed to come in front of the planning board to get permission for that or am I issuing kennel licenses for everyone? That's kind of where my gray area is with our bylaws because we had the hobby kennel, which isn't even a
thing anymore, but we have it now. It's a personal kennel in the state laws. Um, so I'm just kind of before I go handing all of these out, I want to make sure that I'm doing things properly, I guess. So again, we don't usually get into site
plans on resident residentials unless they're operating some sort of a business that is is um bringing the public in, >> right? So if someone is watching somebody else's dog, that would be bringing the public in.
So, so with that being said, again, we wouldn't look at it unless you were issuing them a license to do so. >> Right. So, if I am, my instructions would be to come in front of the board. So
>> you're you currently have in your zoning bylaw, it's not worded. I think it would probably need to be amended, but currently you have a use veterinary establishment place for boarding animals or raising pets for
gainful purpose. And in the residential single family zone requires a special permit site plan approval from the planning board. in the general business and industrial zones to site plan approval from the planning board. So you could suggest place for boarding
animals or raising pets and then remove for gainful purpose because that would imply that people that live in that particular zone, they're not raising them for gainful purpose. They're just raising them that maybe that would apply to
them. that particular use could apply to them. I was also googling as you know we were talking talking and and maybe you you all know the town had a proposed dog bylaw a couple years ago
or when >> Yeah. It didn't go anywhere. >> Okay. >> That was a leash that they were looking at a leash law. >> A leash law. Oh, okay. Um Okay. That was a public nuisance. Um, yeah. I mean, the thing is if the zoning
enforcement officer were to determine that by by using the kennel as some blade because it seems as if kennels you would issue a kennel license even though they were not
using the dogs for gain for like you earning money from it. They would just be raising dogs and they happen to have 17 of them. And for your definition, kennel suggests that you would need to be issuing them a kennel
license. Is that the common >> correct? Yeah, cuz they have more than four dogs. So they would be getting a kennel license. >> So if it was a business, right? Well, so so what I think what Kim is saying, even if they're
even if it's their own dogs, she has to issue them a license. >> Correct. >> From my perspective, again, I don't really care what they're doing unless they're doing it for for
for uh monetary gain. So I have issued license previously for people before Ali's law that you know cuz we had the hobby license it was or the yeah the hobby license it was called in town um that people that you know for
example I have I breed labs so I have a license that I've had previously there's um like I said the vet in town she breeds she shows so there's some sort of monetary gain right um this is another just personal kennel that just has more
than four dogs. There's another woman that shows. Uh this woman breeds. She has nine at Well, she had nine last year. Um the only license I did this year was the commercial one up the street so far because it's valid. It was a commercial license that she went
through the planning board for um that has the training and kennel and everything up the street, but she's the only one I've issued so far this year because I wanted to make sure that I should continue issuing these as we have been. Um the chief did reach out to town council and he said that no one's
grandfathered. >> Yeah. I I don't think we want So you said well you know uh somebody babysit somebody's dog while they're on vacation and you know it's they're not
advertising. It's it's it'd be like I don't know. Well, there's a lot of people that go through Rover, you know, like Rover is a company that you can hire somebody to babysit your dog or what have you. And according to Ali's law, anybody doing Rover is supposed to
have a kennel license. >> So, so I I'm not I'm not disagreeing with that. But as far as a site plan review for us, I mean it it would have to be a kennel, you know, with
multiple kennels, I would say. You know, do we want to get involved in I mean, it's no different than somebody dropping their kid off the babysitter and you're paying them. Yeah. >> Every baby's rescue license now, >> right? Well, like even the daycare, I had gotten the kennel license for the
daycare because you're supposed to have a kennel license for the daycare business. So, how does our bylaw read again? So, there's a use in your schedule of uses that's that has
a use specifically for um veterinary establishment, place for boarding animals, comma, or raising pets for gainful purpose. And it is allowed in the residential single family zone.
So that's the majority of the town with a special permit and site plan approval from the planning board. In the general business and industrial zones, only a site plan approval from the planning board. But the gain of purpose like he's saying is that it's for money for
business. She just has them like someone has birds or cats or whatever. >> She has to issue a kennel license for any dogs over >> any people that have more than four dogs. I have to issue a kind of license for now with all these law >> whether it's their own dogs.
>> Really? >> Yes. >> Wow. Talk about. >> So that's why before I go and start doing this this year, I just wanted to check in and make sure I'm giving everybody the proper advice and not just issuing these when I shouldn't be.
So, hypothetically, if if people do it in this town, I'm sure they have four dogs and no kennel license and then for some reason the neighbor calls or something to code enforcement >> or there's a something, >> right? >> Then we would have to I mean, they'd be
in violation. They would have to get a kennel license. >> They would have gotten they would Yeah. They would get a license from her if she didn't know about that. >> Yeah. um based on that violation. Yeah. But
then we probably in that discovery would have either learned whether or not that particular person is operating a cattle for money or those are their own dogs. >> Yeah. >> Um
this particular bylaw suggests and we've used this once, right? We've talked about it for down the street. Yeah. No, there was another one that came before us that never came about over on Bachelor Street. They were going to put a building in. Okay.
>> That was in the last >> last year or something. >> Yeah. It never came about. They never came back to us, but that was their plan. >> Okay. But those presumably were for someone operating a commercial kennel. Correct.
So, so if if so if you're issuing a license to somebody that has four or more dogs and that's their own dogs, I don't think we want to see it. I don't think we want to do a site plan review. >> It doesn't seem like it would be applicable because how our bylaw is
reading is it's for personal gain. >> Is there a >> is there a light does the license that you issue separate those particular? So, the license that I I have a copy here of one that from last year that I issued. Um,
and it does say kennel type check all that applies. And there's a personal personal, commercial, daycare, training, boarding, or veterinary. >> So, I would say anything but personal. Anything but personal we want.
>> There's also protection dogs, uh, shelter, rescue, animals for sale, breeder, parents on site. It's going to cover cats, too, cuz I know people that >> cat No, cats aren't included in this. Um, there's also a housing section, uh,
saying if they're kept in crates in a kennel or if they're freeranged. Um, and they are going to come up with regulations. There aren't any regulations right now, but they're working on them. They're supposed to come out in July, and then that would be like square footage per pet. You know,
how many square footage for cats, too? >> Just dogs. >> Oh, just dogs. >> Yeah. Yeah. So again, this board's only charged one site plan and we wouldn't get involved with how
many kennels are inside, let's say. >> Mhm. >> With the exception of needing to know how much how much traffic it's going to um that's going to occur there. So in other words, will you have plenty of You
went through it. How much parking do you have? you got 50 a place for 50 dogs and they're it's a daycare. You got people coming and going, you know, that's that's the kind of thing we we we'd have to look at to see what the
but for for personal use, you know, for four dogs, you have to go get a license. I think, you know, that's that's the state, right? >> But what about the other people that have gotten it previously that do use them for a gainful purpose? According
to the bylaw, they're supposed to come before the board and get a site plan. >> Is it an annual license that you >> So, yeah, I would say that because they're not grandfathered according to council. Is that who said that? >> Yes. The chief reached out to town
council. >> Yeah. I would feel like that would require then them to come for come to the board >> to get >> and mind you these people already own all these dogs. They have you know what I mean? >> They own them. They're their dogs. We don't we're not interested in
>> even if they breed them. >> Well, if they breed them, there'd be a business. Then we'd have to look at it, right? >> Yeah. But it's not like it's not like it's it's a home business. It's it's tough cuz like even livestock protection, right? Like if you have more
than four dogs for livestock protection, you still need the kennel permit. >> There's different regulations for like dogs. >> What was like one of the You read like a category for like protection. What was
that? um shelter, rescue, animals for sale, and breeder. So, not like dogs that are like watching over flocks of sheep. >> They do have their own. >> Mhm. So, you're saying because
they have the dogs, they are breeding them, but it's not necessarily people coming and going every day like a daycare, right? >> Correct. >> And if they're breeding them, they've got six puppies they're looking to it's
it's a onetime deal, right? >> Yeah. Previously, we were allowed to have up to four litters. That was with our bylaws. We have four litters a year. >> And this Ali's law supersedes that bylaw.
>> Yeah. Ali's law doesn't have any regulations yet. Right now, all that they said was that everybody over four dogs has to have a kennel license. That's what they're and everybody has to have um rabies on file, town license is
on file, and dogs are supposed to wear tags on their collars. What is this called again? Holly's law is something new. Okay. That's a new state law. Anyone has more than four dogs has to correct. >> And the town had to report all of these
kennels last year, like yearly as we issue them. They have to now report the kennels to the state. >> So, okay. So, I get that. So, go ahead. >> I was going to say because of illegal breeding mills. Maybe they're just
trying to >> No. What happened? Well, originally it started because of this dog, Olly. He was in East Long Meadow in a daycare. The daycare wasn't even licensed through the town. The dog got hurt. There was only one employee working. Uh the dog
was outside with a group of dogs. The employee was inside. Didn't know what was going on. Eventually found the dog injured. Brought the dog inside. and waited for the owner to come instead of bringing it to a vet that was right next door and the dog ended up having to be
euthanized. Um, and then they essentially pushed for Ali's Law, which is named after Olly, the dog that got hurt. But it is not just daycarees. It's now commercial kennels, personal kennels,
uh, daycares. The only thing that isn't included is brewing shops and cats. It's just dogs. So, >> so the >> so these licenses that we issued expire >> March 31st. So, the licenses are
expiring and they need to be renewed >> each year and the state has changed the the laws around them, the parameters around them. They've been operating
prior to this legally. >> Not this partic particular person with the 17 dogs, but the pile of people that I have here. >> That's what I'm I'm I'm referring to as an a general statement. If if >> if there's if they've been operating
prior to this new law coming out with and our bylaws don't allow it without a sight plan. They weren't they weren't they weren't conforming even though the the the licenses was a different issue. They
weren't conforming to the bylaws, the zoning bylaws. >> Well, we had it was called a hobby license. So, we've always had a hobby license where if you owned under 10 dogs, you could have this hobby license, you could have up to four litters a year.
>> And we're and I don't and that and you can still do that without a site plan without a plan if it's just a hobby. It's when it's for for uh monetary gain.
Yeah, I think I think Kim has identified some of these new things like greeting that is probably not something that was contemplated when the zoning by came out. like is there a requirement for the
town to do a site special permit or a site plan approval depending on where it's located for something like breeding um and some of these other type I think you can read using these these
particular activities that you know you can from what she's listed make a determination whether or not that permit is required But I think there's also things like breeding that may not have been talked about or some of the other things that
she's listed there. Again, we're talking two different things. The licensing and all that one thing for they're being they're being more strict or stringent on people that are doing this but no monetary gain.
Mhm. >> I think she's saying that basically anyone that has more than four, you have to get a license. It doesn't matter. >> But the license has nothing to do with, >> right? It doesn't do anything. >> I don't if if the state says you can have 10 dogs without and you're doing that without that's But now they dropped
it down to four dogs, you need a license. We don't have any say on that. I and I I wouldn't want to, but if they're if they're running a business where they're bringing a a daycare, right? Are any of these
licenses that you're referring to running a daycare? >> Just mine when I had the site plan done and everything. >> Okay. And so what else is that? What >> And Elise, but she had her site plan done. >> So is there anybody else here that's doing it that that way? >> Not for a daycare. No, it's mostly
people that show people that breed >> essentially. And then just the two commercial ones were me and Elise. >> So I think breeding falls under the farm as general law. I don't think they need a site plan,
you know. And a site plan, let's let's let's talk about why we do a site plan is because there's people in and out. There's parking. There's lighting. what type of what but if they're doing something in their own home to and why would we want to get involved in that?
>> Yeah, I would agree because I think the daycare is in and out, in and out, in and out like you said, but breeding maybe you have one litter of the entire year, right? It's going to be a very small window of time where you're going to
have people coming in and out. >> Yeah. It's Yeah. And now they're regulating how many dogs you can have with the license. And that's all got to be registered, right? The when they when they have litters, those all those licenses and
the shots, all that's regulated by you guys. >> Yeah. As far as like town licensing and things like that, but we don't keep track of like how many puppies would be born or where the puppies go or who buys them or anything like that. But you'll know the following year when
they go to pull their renew their license. Unless they're not telling you the truth. They've got 10 dogs and they're only pulling a license for four or whatever. >> Right. Well, I'm essentially the dogs should be there when I go, you know, like I'm >> So, you have to do an inspection. >> So, I have to inspect every year before the town issues these. I have to go do
an inspection. So, for example, like Anna from Belure Town comes and does my inspection for my place. So, it's not like a conflict of interest. So, she comes and inspects for me yearly. >> Can we take a look at one of those?
>> This is just my inspection report. It's not the actual license, but that's my inspection report from last year. I don't know if I have my license on me. My face all >> So you're reluctant to do what, Kim?
You're reluctant to do what with the public to ask them if they need or >> you just want to know if you need to tell them to come here or not. Right. >> Correct. Yeah. I just want to make sure that I'm issuing all of these and it's the proper thing to do.
>> Yeah. So for kennel type, you have personal, commercial, daycare, training, boarding, veterinary. And we already said we know definitely personal they wouldn't need to come to
us. Correct. What we're saying now commercial we have two. We would say that they do. Right. >> Commercial they would have to come to us >> cuz previously anyone so pre so previously anyone over 10 dogs even if
they were their personal dogs cuz it was over the number 10 got a commercial kennel license. >> Okay. So, everybody that's on my list that had more than 10 dogs last year got a commercial kennel license.
>> So, it's almost it's almost like it's it's not categorized correctly on your end cuz you're saying if you got more than those those dogs, it's a commercial license we're issuing you >> instead of the hobby license. Correct. >> Correct. But now there's no such thing
as a hobby license according to the state. There's personal dogs, commercial, there is no hobby anymore up to 10 dogs. >> So So I I'm looking at the animal law that was just passed in 2025. And I think
what Tim is referring to, there is a definition in this Massachusetts general law that's called personal kennel. A pack or collection of four or more more than four dogs three months old or older owned or kept under single ownership for
private personal use. Provided however that creating or personally own dogs may take place for the purpose of approving, exhibiting or showing the breed or for use of local legal sporting activity or for other personal reasons. Provided
further that selling, trading, bartering, or distributing such breeding from a personal kennel shall be to other breeders or individuals by private sale only and not to wholesalers, brokers, or pet shops. Provided further that a personal kennel shall not sell, trade,
barter, or distribute a dog not bred from its personally owned dog. and provided further that dogs temporarily housed at a personal kennel in conjunction with an animal shelter or rescue registered with the department may be sold, traded, bartered or
distributed if the transfer is not for profit. So even here this I think suggests too that you can use one of your a dog in a personal kennel for showing
and breeding but there's also other regulations attached to that. So in that case, if you're breeding, you would still be checking off personal here. >> Yeah.
>> Now, is that correct, Jim? Is that the correct? If you're using the dog for breeding, would you is there a breeding or is there >> There is a a place to check off for breeding
>> under kennel type. Yeah, where it says um yeah, veterinary, protection dog, shelter, rescue, animals for sale, breeder, parents on site. >> Okay. So, I would almost be leaning towards
like if you check off personal and breeder, that wouldn't apply for site plan. Correct. >> In what? >> Uh not selling. Shelling. >> Shelling. Yeah,
it says however that breeding of personally owned dogs may take place for the purpose of improving, exhibiting or showing the breed or for use in legal sporting activity or for other personal reasons. >> What does our bylaw say for
for for that? >> What is the use? Veterinary establishment, comma, place for boarding animals, comma, or raising pets for gainful purpose requires what? >> A special permit and a site plan
approval in the residential single family zone and then a site plan approval in both the general business and industrial zone. >> So, what check boxes would that apply to here? again she's issued because it's over so
so many dogs now they're calling it a commercial license I would still say no but if the commercial license is checked and any of the others daycare training boarding veterinarian
sale then they would need a site plan review I Because commercial, the way you're saying it, commercial is still the commercial license could still be that they're not there's no there's no uh monetary gain.
It just you're calling it a commercial because it it went over a threshold, >> right? >> You have to call a commercial over four. Correct. So, anything that's checked off personal or commercial and doesn't have any of the other ones checked off, then we don't need I don't
think you can breed even if it has breer checked off. I would say no. >> Yep. You follow what we're saying? Un unless unless it's for sale, daycare, training, boarding, veterinarian,
those one of the one of those would have to be checked off in order for us to >> all for gainful purposes. >> For not for gainful purp ones I just said are for gainful purposes. Mhm.
Now does it it says special permit or just site plan >> in the residential zone it requires special. So if it's anything outside outside that >> in residential zone requires >> special permit, right? >> Anything in the commercial or business
zone the >> So for example, there's a woman in town that watches a couple of dogs here and there, she should essentially because she's boarding in her house, come in front of the board and get the site plan and whatever else in order to have a commercial.
>> Technically, yes. >> Right. based on what our our conversation and what the bylaws read. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. I think that's pretty clear placement boarding animals. >> Yeah. Cuz you also said, what was that um website?
>> Rover. Cuz a lot of people will go on Rover and, you know, take people's dogs in here and there, >> you know, just for some extra money. So, they don't essentially have a kennel, but the dogs are boarding at their house through Rover. >> Now, what if they're under four, though? in that case, right? Because then you
wouldn't be >> but they're still boarding dogs. >> So that's so that that falls under the commercial license anyway. >> And um through Ali's law, anyone's personal dogs are in this count. So say you have three dogs and then you watch
your neighbors two dogs. Now that puts you over four. So with that being said, those those types of special permits require uh on a butters list.
It's not a major site plan. It's not like we're going to be looking at storm water and major parking and and curb cuts and any of that. They'd have to come in and explain to us, yeah, we watch two dogs, you know, once a week or or whatever it is.
But it's doesn't mean it can't be a nuisance to the neighbors. So the neighbors the butterers have to be notified. So we'd have to go through the whole process unfortunately. >> Right. >> So if any of those boxes are checked off then yeah they would have to come before
the >> other than personal we said. >> Yeah. and then commercial with any of the other boxes checked. I would agree with that.
And we may want to clarify that too down the road in our bylaws just to make it a little bit more coincides with the the licensing.
>> Yeah. And the other thing is that there are no like you can't do that in the residential multif family district right before the village center. That'll be right here. >> Huh? >> That'll be right here. The village center.
>> No. Well, I also one of the comments that I have about the zoning is that overlays should not be included in your use districts. So, village center is an overlay and shouldn't be included on your scheduled uses. I talked about in your bio
but yeah this >> so right now if somebody like were to >> me with no license I I sign up for Rover I got a dog of my my own and take care of four other dogs on Rover an incident
happens you you would get involved with an incident somebody bad something and what would you do then? Do you have to say this is for profit now or because code enforcement would have to be involved I guess?
>> Right. If I didn't already know about the >> Yeah. If you didn't know. >> Yeah. So, you know, like for example, over Christmas, you know, Anna had posted on Facebook and at the animal control for um Vulture Town, and she was like, basically, these are the kennels that we have registered in town, and if
you put your dog somewhere else and we find out, you better come home from vacation and get your dog or have someone that can come and pick it up because it's not essentially supposed to be there. >> I got you. I got you.
almost like roses perhaps like finders or something. They probably do something. >> Yeah, I don't know. >> I haven't worked with them, but >> I got you. >> And there's got to be a lot of kennels in Belchure Town. It's a big town.
Everyone's got a dog. I mean, >> yeah, there's only there's only a couple that are registered. >> Oh, yeah. Yeah, exactly. you know, in town, but I know there's people that do daycare that aren't, and you know, >> people that watch dogs that aren't >> right. >> So,
>> well, hopefully we answered your question. >> Yeah. Again, I just didn't want to issue these if I wasn't supposed to be, >> you know, to certain people. And then I did have people approaching me saying, "Okay, well, I, you know, I do watch dogs at my house occasionally. What am I
supposed to do?" >> That's too bad. >> So, I wanted to have some sort of answer for them. >> So, with that being said, if they fill out the application, then they shouldn't get a license
until there's a site plan review, >> right? >> Based on that, so you can say when that comes up, you can say, "Look, you're going to have to you're going to have to run before the board." And then uh once they give you the okay then then you can >> then you can come to us for kind of license.
>> Yeah. >> It's kind of like the you know when the food trucks come they go to the board of health they get the license but they didn't but they don't know that they also have to go to the the fire department for an inspection.
And I don't know, there's something else they have to do, too. But >> yeah, they got they they need a common vic license. So, there's they don't know that. So, um and they're working on that right now.
So, that they know what they're supposed to do and they'll they need to sign off on all three. That's kind of like this. The license will need would need to be signed off on, >> right? Yeah. cuz there's nowhere for anybody else to sign off on this other
than myself. >> Correct. But but you knowing you knowing that they're operating for profit, >> right? >> I won't sign off on >> you don't sign off on it. You get the you can send them in our direction, >> right? We can explain to them what they
need to do, the process to go through and then and then if we approve it, we would we would give them a a letter of condition approval with conditions what whatever the the board decides. Then they can
take that to you and say, "I've been I've been cleared. I can they've allowed up to 20 parking spaces, you know, and and I'm good to go." And then you can issue the license. >> Those expire when did you say end of
this month? >> Yeah. So the kennel license that I issued last year expired at the end of March, March 31st. >> Okay. So this would need to like start. >> So like I said, I issued only the one that was a commercial kennel that I knew had already been in front of everybody
and was fine. >> Mhm. I mean, if somebody's operating currently and this takes the the license, I wouldn't I I don't know as if I'd want
to say you have to stop doing business. You could you could issue them maybe a temporary until they get through the process because we wouldn't really be giving them any time right now, >> right? >> Yeah, it wouldn't be fair. Yeah, this is our change and it's it's >> Yeah, unless you did like a zoning. I
mean the thing is obviously it's all through how you would navigate how that particular applicant would navigate with the board knowing that they're not in current compliance based on the zoning that the board would be amendable to that that the zoning enforcement officer
would not be issuing cease and assists that you know there could be an allowance of time. >> Yeah. So that's that's what I would say >> until we and why hold them up if it's if it's going to be a rubber stamp anyway. >> Neighbors don't complain. There's only
they don't need it any additional part. It's you know it's it's an easy it's an easy approval then then uh I think I think we can be lenient while we're getting them through the process so we're not hurt hurting their their revenue,
>> right? But they have to pay $400. >> Would that be a cost? >> If you adopt these regulations, then you can say for >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Now that I I can look at it. Exactly. >> It just seems like >> Yeah. Those seem
>> I'm doing hardship on people that are doing over like you said it might be maybe $100 a year or something. Yeah, it's a small project. >> Yeah, >> we talked about that small project, but this is a site. This is a special permit
which requires a butters mailing advertising. >> Yeah, even more, huh? 500. >> Yeah. So, right here, special permit with site plan approval, small project, any residential use in a residential zone, 400 plus 10 cents per square foot
structures. I mean, is this something we should spend a little more time talking about another time instead of making >> Well, I think what the the power of the planning board has is to wave fees. I mean, that's what they've done what the board has done in the past. So presuming
that a special permit comes before the board for something like this. Obviously I think that you probably would want to ensure that there was some sort of fee that was collected. But does it need to
be $400? Probably not, >> right? >> Mhm. >> Because they're already paying for the notification. We pay for the newspaper. >> We need to know our bottom line. Like if there's 10 letters, what does it truly cost to send out 10 letters? Right. >> Right. Well, that and you have to post
in the newspaper for us. >> Yeah. That's at least 50, I think. >> Uh yeah, it could be already over. >> It could be over that. Yeah. >> The only time we wave fees is when it's for the municipal. >> That's correct. That's what Yeah. We
can't pick and choose that we're waving it for you and and then only so much for somebody else, you know, the nonprofit, you know, >> but the board can come up with a different criteria, >> come up with a different use here.
>> Sure. Because I'm sure there are other fees, other things in here that do you want to be collecting $400 for something? Pretty simple. >> We we we could say $100 plus expenses. Sure. >> Yeah.
>> So, whatever the advertising is, you're going to pay the advertising. It's only eight of butters, it's 20 bucks. If it's 120 of butters, it's, you know, $400, what whatever it is. So, >> $100 plus
>> plus any other incurred cost, >> which is fair to both the talent and that's not your problem. much. >> Yeah. Well, I think it's I think the penalty with Ali's law, I think, is $500 if you get caught doing it without the
proper licensing. >> So, this would be cheaper. >> So, it's still cheaper to do it the right way than to do it the wrong way. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. Especially if they made it $100. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> Good luck.
>> Thanks. All right, I said an hour. We're at the hour. What else do we have? So, I mean, it is talking about a zoning and what you might want to be seeing for the next meeting. Um, is it going to be
a list with proposed changes and then it's kind of like a menu of things that you might want to be tackling for a public hearing? Um I don't I don't know if we would make time the time frame for the May um town meeting just because
like in other communities that have made committings um those select boards have already like closed that conversation. That's not to say though that we can't we couldn't do it. But I think we would want to know what that date is and then kind of work backwards
if you wanted to make the main. But that that also means though if you have a public hearing in in April, you could presumably also have that extend to a special if the town has their special meeting in October. >> Well, let's let's get it ready. Sure.
>> Right. And then then we'll determine whether when we'll have the hearing. >> Yep. >> Based on um but we'll be prepared. >> Yeah. Okay. Um that is great. I I did so the thing is
um one of the and this is separate from this. I don't know if there was any other discussion regarding zoning. I do want to bring something up to the board otherwise um is there anything else on zoning that you're seeing? >> Just the stuff that we've been highlighting over the last last year or
so. Um, the other thing was I got a I'm working with other communities on the community onetop for growth grant and it has been flagged multiple times, three times because I got three three different phone calls and three
different pings regarding towns that have not yet received that grant. And they were like, Graanby and I was like, okay, let me bring this before the town. I'm sure you have an idea of maybe something that the community wants that
grant can fund. I think there probably are some opportunities. Um there's also there's also um an opportunity here and this might be a conversation with the select board. you Jim as you have wear
multiple hats in town government maybe also the chief um is the discussion of ear marks that has been something that the the planning board has in the or the planning commission in the past has kind of navigated with some of our rural
communities if rural communities are identifying buildings infrastructure that maybe your elected officials can be you putting that forward in legislation at the federal level. That is something that
I have been asked to identify. I know that the municipal building that you're working on is something I I said maybe the uh the um the legislators that represent Grandby would maybe include that. I don't know. But those
conversations >> So what kind of what what type of grants are they? >> So these are earmarks. Um, these are in federal legislation that there will be funds for something like there was funds for the city of East Hampton um for
their old town hall which they're using as a cultural building now. They're using that as a theater space. They're using that as >> what what do the funds go to? What do they you said earmarked >> construction? Okay. >> Yeah. So, construction, rehab, things like that. And so East Hampton got 3.5
million to finish the funding for that particular space. Um, and I know the senator was in East Hampton a couple weeks ago um, celebrating it, but at the same time that that was funding that was in legislation that now the city is
getting to complete that building. >> So, who has to write the grant for that? >> It's not a grant. I think it's the legislature working with the town to identify what project needs to be funded possibly. Um >> there any deadlines or >> No, I think it's just getting that
particular project in those particular offices and the awareness of them >> tell like Jacob Oliver or maybe >> No, I would say it would be your um federal legislator. So I don't is it Jim Jim McGovern or is it Neil? I don't know
who's the >> used to be Neil. I have no idea who >> whoever it is, but someone like that. even your senators, even like uh Senator Warren or Senator Marky. Um and so we have access or the staff has
in the past approached PVPC like do you know of any you know projects uh and we obviously community development particularly but this has been now opened up to me as the director of land use um and since I worked with many
communities. Well, the West Street building could certainly use some funding. >> And you were identifying a grant opportunity, right? >> I was looking for that earlier. >> Yeah. I wonder if they're talking about the same thing, but they I was told there was a three uh an April 3rd
deadline to get something in on. It might. But I think what I will do is >> it it might be where Jim I tell my colleagues talk to Jim but he knows everything. Jim will do it
>> and he might have that information readily available and give the the specifications that would be needed for a request like that. But I also think if you're identifying some grant opportunity, it probably would be helpful to understand what that is. >> I'm sending it to you though.
>> Okay. >> Yeah. So, with that said, with a community onetop, those are things for infrastructure. That's things for different types of plans. I don't know um if the select board if there are
other committees in town that have thought of applying for that particular grant but I think now if the state is saying and has informed me three times that Graanby has not received any of that funding that probably is a good time to have a project >> and you were saying that's not even
necessarily a grant it's just getting it on the legislator's radar >> that's right yeah so that particular thing is yes getting the legislators uh getting on the legis legislator's radar which could be that municipal >> I think it's the same thing with what I just said you read it you'll
>> yes congressionally directed spending that is it um >> but there's not there's not an April 3rd deadline >> I don't know I I don't know the deadline I just was informed of what are your ear marks um so I'm sure I think it's
informing the legislative offices that we we have heard this particular need and then we're letting them know to see what followup they probably will need to do with the towns. >> Well, after you read that, call me tomorrow.
>> Sure. Are you are you >> I'm not leaving till the evening. So, I'm working I'm working for a couple of hours in the morning. >> Give me a buzz. Sure. So, I know what I need to do. I don't want to miss out on something if Yes. >> Well, and I'll try to follow up. I'll send some emails and see if I can >> Richie Neil's phone number. I'll give
him >> um but that yes, that's something and I I wonder with regards to the community onetop if there is a an identified need of either a plan or
a or um some other type of funding that the community can fund. So something I feel sometimes mostly it's born out of the plan like the planning board the planning department especially with people that are aware of some of the things that are going on or
the history of either grants being successful or not. Um but also usually it starts at the planning board where there's some idea of how to spend money. Well, depending on how much how
much money is available, there's there's been a lot of talk about using the entire building for other things. >> Has there been a study? The thing is, so those types of community onetop funds,
they there can be construction money, but also it's also for design money. So if if that has not yet been studied, maybe that's something that you would have monies for to determine like the remainder of the building how that can be used and then you would obviously
have then a component to then go to the next phase which but that could be something or or maybe using it towards a study on what would what would be the best way to bring in
infrastructure. Okay. So what I'm going to do is I will my colleagues are working on the infrastructure and utilize reutilize buildings type applications. I'm only doing the planning applications. So I
will connect the town I'll probably copy you Jim and the town administrator um with my colleagues who are we had a meeting this morning with other communities and these are the types of projects that they're looking at.
Great. Well, that's it. Anybody else over there? Okay. With that being said, I'll entertain a motion to adjourn. >> Everybody jump at once now. >> I make a motion to adjourn the planning
board meeting. >> Have a second. >> I'll second the motion. >> Any further discussion? All in favor? Hi I meeting ajourned.