roughly 6:30 August 6. I'm going to start the zoning board of appeals with the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all. >> In accordance with Mass General Law Chapter 38, section 20F, this meeting is being recorded. First petition is 37 Fisher Road. Application of Thiago Riberio.
Okay. How do you pronounce it? >> Ribero. >> Ribero. Okay. For a special permit to keep up the seven dogs for recreational purposes only in a residential area only six of which are allowed by zoning by article 5 section 5.1 subject properties located at 37 Fisher Road, Westport,
Mass, and shown as a separus map 40 lot 25. Uh voting on this will be Jerry Cino, myself, Raja Manard, Constance D, Ray Elias, and Cynthia Kazakowitz. So the way we're going to run this is I'll have the petitioner come up, provide
whatever appropriate information they have. The board will uh ask questions and then once the board is finished, I'll open it up to the public. So the applicant can come forward and uh state your name and address and then uh again, whatever information you think is
pertinent. My name is Thiago Rivero, address 37 Pitcher Road, West Mass. Um, I have everything I need here, documents you guys need on all those vaccines and everything.
Other than that, >> well, I know you've applied for a um kennel license. Have they I I talked to the clerk this morning. I know they were working on it. Any further on that?
>> Have they inspected it? Yes, we had an inspection today from Nick. >> Okay. >> See a copy of that, Maria? >> Yes. Can you make Yes. >> You want to take a look at that? >> It's on the back of hand that I gave you
on the last page. >> Okay. Okay. Okay. So, can you just give us sort of a a beef brief description of what you have and >> like how many dogs? >> So, we have two labs and
six five legals. Uh most of them we used for uh trials and uh like an AKC event. So, you do show dogs >> similar to that. Yeah. Um, we travel all over the place. So, we keep the dogs in tip-top shape. We take care of them like
we take care of our kids pretty much. They don't go without, that's for sure. Uh, other than that, we were just kind of hoping we could get the the kennel license. >> Did you say again how how which dogs you have? Two labs. You said
>> two labs. Two labs and five beagles. >> Five beagles. >> Now, is that going to fluctuate? >> That was what we It It could fluctuate, >> you know, >> higher or lower. >> Uh we don't >> lower is, you know, his ide would be
would be ideal, but we time to time. >> No more in the house if you're asking that question. Because originally we had none in the house and then um uh one of our labs passed away. >> Well, you would have no no more than 10.
>> No, no more than no more than 10. No. >> How long have you had more than five? >> For at least at least 10 years that I can >> We've had that. We've been in the house for 10 years. >> So, did you not know? Did you >> I did not I I didn't know I would have
came forward and got this a lot sooner. >> You know, I like I told Nick today, we have nothing to hide. More than welcome to come by and inspect anytime he wants. You know, >> you've been registering your dogs, right? >> What's that? >> But you've been registering your dogs. >> All my dogs are registered through the
AKC vaccines every year. >> License for the town. >> I We Nobody had ever told us that we needed that. So, we never >> No, a license with each v individual dog. a dog license. >> Yeah. >> So, we never got that. >> We never got that. No,
>> I never licensed. And how did it come about that? >> So, we have a a younger dog now and uh I guess we while we were on vacation, she came out and did a little bit of barking >> and one of the neighbors was a little worried because the dog was barking at a
late hour. So, I guess Nick came by, everything was fine. I guess there was few other dogs in the neighborhood barking, so she joined the party and continued making those >> vehicles. And then he found out the dogs weren't registered. So, and
>> yeah, he came by and he just, you know, told me to to get on it. >> You have to get on that and because we had more, you know, three inside the house and four outside. That's why he had said, you know, that's considered a special permit and a kennel license.
I I I just want to say um I have I've worked into this. Um there is a there's a there's a big disconnect between our our town requirements and the state law that that are going to have to be corrected in in the next town meeting
because we are no longer in sync with with the state. And uh uh I was talking with a with a with attorney Blake. There's I've always been uh concerned that there seem to be a disconnect
between a kennel license and a special permit for up to six. >> And why do you need both? Because I talked about this. >> Yes, I remember. I finally figured this all out and I and so I want to
so I want to sort of uh go over that a little bit so that we all understand how this works. Okay. Uh the the the clerk can issue a kennel license for some amount of dogs. Uh what that entails is is mostly a
health and wellness kind of thing. uh uh making sure that and that the dogs are you know are properly kennled that the kennel is is safe. Uh they don't need individual license but you can see that they do need it's like it's like a group
license. There's a group license you know for the for the kennel. So you can see that they all they they all have to have baby shots all that kind of stuff but but they aren't individually licensed. The license is the kennel. So I said, "Okay, but if if the if you can
issue a a kennel license for seven dogs or eight dogs or 10 dogs, then why do you need a special permit?" Right? It makes Well, there is a reason, and it finally became clear to me why in a kennel license does not involve the neighbors
or any open town discussion. It the special permit does that. So having both of them is a way to make sure that that uh if somebody wants to have six or
seven or eight or 10 dogs that uh that the neighbors all the abutters have some say in in in that in that process. If there's a lot of issues then the then the abutters can then bring that up as a special permit. They can't bring that up
to the clerk for the kennel license because that's not what they do. They're only there to make sure that the kennel has is appropriate >> and that's they and they and once we grant a special once we grant a special permit to have the kennel then every year they still have the the kennel
license and the clerk can keep going. >> Right. Right. Okay. So the special permit is what protects the neighbors. >> Yeah. The kennel permit protects the >> dogs and the licensing requirement to the state of all and that and and the
other conflict we have is the different is the is up to six is always been an issue. The state doesn't have that as a requirement. The state now the new law for the state says the first four are by
right. It used to be three but the first four are by right. You don't have to have a special permit to have four dogs. Anything above that then you need a special permit for. And then at that point you also need the kennel license because again one of them protects the neighbors, one of them protects the
dogs. So I I think what we need to do at least from my perspective is we need to abide by the state law on on how we administer this. Up to four is by right. Anything above four is special permit, which is how the state manages it. And
and that then gets us out of the conflict of whether it's six or seven or eight, you know, it it doesn't make any sense that they that the kennel can be for seven or eight, but I can only special permit six. It doesn't make any sense
because it's in conflict. So uh and and again that's in violation of the state regulation and we need to actually abide by the state regulation overseas uh the um our local town regulation. So
anyway uh that's how I got all of this because it was it was very very confusing on special permit versus kennel. >> Yeah. >> And and this is the first one we've had in 10 years. So it's not like something we do every day. We had a we had a >> we had one we had one in 10 years
>> and and we made a we >> made a condition right and uh what I'm saying now is personally I don't think we need to do that anything above four whatever the number is is a special permit whether it be five six seven or eight
>> and that a special permit has to be I mean how often does do they >> we only do that once the kennel license has to be renewed annually And >> and what what Raj is saying too is is we we need to change our bylaw. >> We need to change our >> because our our list says
>> you can't do this in a residential area, >> right? While the state says you can >> Yeah. >> So >> you can or can >> can >> Well, we can can >> we can issue a special permit, but we we can't issue can't say a kennel licenses allowed. Can our zoning laws be more
restrictive than the state similar to their title and >> so but next >> still listen table of use our bylaw is so far out of date with the state bylaw that we've already taken the the planning board has already set this on
the agenda to be uh to be corrected at the town meeting next year. Yeah, but similar to what we did with the with the um uh accessory departments is we really have to abide by the state law now
>> because it really overrides our local law. >> Yes. We can't be more Yeah. Okay. >> So, um >> our law will eventually catch up with the state law essentially. >> And then if we issue them for a special permit and they're saying they only have
seven dog and what if I mean it's in perpetuity. What if all of a sudden they have 50? >> Yeah. >> Because they have a they only have a license for so many they only for so many. >> But what if they go back what if what if next year when they go back for their kennel license they say I have 50 dogs here
>> for $25 more dollars they can have 11 or more dogs. But then they have to do that and then they have to actually go back and they'll check you know there there are different criteria for for more that that's the the above 10 is is mostly for commercial >> is is the way the clerk handles that.
>> So basically if we say yes to a federal permit tonight they they're limited at 10. >> Yes. >> Unless they make another trip back to us. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Well I was told sorry I don't want to interrupt you. I was told by Nick that it couldn't be more than 10 because we are a residential area
>> which I was >> that's totally fine. >> Puppies don't count, right? As long as like if you were breeding I think the puppies don't count. >> Puppies under 6 months old. >> Oh, don't count because you're assuming you're going to >> you're going to turn those over and >> correct. Jeff has >> I I also think you could you could put
as a condition to the special permit that the um benefits for $7 for my right. and three additional in order to interpret your bylaw to be consistent with state law. Um it's a total of seven, but you're only going
three above the the by right. And I think you could say in there the special permit is for seven dogs. If you're worried about, >> you know, kennel between seven and 10, I don't find a big problem. I between seven and 50 it could get, you know. >> No, I mean that's if that's a
>> if that's an issue, you can condition this micro. >> Okay. and and uh the the other guy that came through here um a few years ago um he was told that uh he could only have seven because he had more than was
allowed and that once one died he couldn't get right that's correct >> now he can come back for another >> permit we really it's a and that violated state law even I think back then >> you know now that we've looked into again we've only had one of these 10 years I've been
Uh I I think even and that was a few years ago. I and I can't remember if anything had changed other than that, but I know the state law changed just recently for the minimum and and some other small aspects of uh >> of what a kennel does. Uh and even just
a couple of years ago, the uh >> can't hear. >> Yeah. Yeah. It was um >> quiet. uh even a few years ago the uh the kennel licensing was not uh managed the same way it is now uh by the by the by
the town clerk clerk now has you know a form that that they fill out and they make sure that in fact the the kennel is inspected and whatever and that hadn't been done previously. >> So now now there is a process in place for establishing uh a kennel
>> and in a residential area is a certain amount of property required. Well, but but uh no, but that's what the dog officer does. They go out and I believe the uh the health inspector also goes and and and reviews it to make sure that in fact it's an appropriate uh you know
that for the safe safety of of the dogs >> and the and the surrounding property. And yeah, they have to make sure that in fact, you know, they can be managed under all the old weather conditions. And you know, >> because I mean, the last thing probably most people want is to be living
in close proximity to somebody that has 10 dogs, especially beagles yapping. >> Uh I like beagles. I mean, my first dog was a beagle, but I mean, but they're, you know, they are barkers. >> They can be hippie >> and uh so I mean, but and so >> that's but that's why you have a special
permit >> and Okay. Right. >> So that the neighbors can be heard and if they have an objection we can then >> try to >> adjudicate that. >> And prior to that it was a public hearing in front of the board of health
which about notified. >> Right. So now this at least makes a little bit of sense to me where where before this disconnect between the license and the and the permit was seemed to be out of joint and and really still is until you actually look at the
state law that sort of over that that that actually manages this. So anyway, that's my two cents. U any other questions? any other I mean I know I I drove by the uh uh place and she was actually nice enough to actually
show me the uh the dogs and it's actually a nice looking uh you know facility. Uh you have a shed there that they can go into and when it gets >> cold they sleep inside AC in the summer heat in the winter. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> They're completely out of the elements.
And our neighbors, we've been there for 10 years, like we said, and we have lawyers on one side and firefighter on the other, and they've they love the dogs. They come out, they play with them. >> My labs go in and out of the yard. They'll play around with their chickens, and it's never been a problem.
>> Now, um, if you didn't, if you only had the three, you realize you would have had to have them individually licensed now. >> Yes. Correct. So now that you have this kennel permit, then it um all se all all
seven of them are listed and as um matter of fact, they actually show all the uh uh the uh rabies tags, I guess. >> Yep. Yep. >> And all the names and their ages. >> Mhm. >> So a witch voice then you don't need to
individually if because of the kennel license. See that? And that's another disconnect. If we give them a special permit and didn't have the kennel license, then they would have had to individually be licensed at the town clerk. >> Yeah. >> Another another another disconnect that I could never fathom. Uh now that we
have this kennel license application, uh you only renew that once a year and it's a one it's a one charge rather than you know seven individual licenses. >> Yeah. >> Right. Okay. And and just to be clear,
and so a commercial kennel is 11 or more dogs, >> correct? >> Yes. Correct. >> That's what that's what >> But I mean that's not that can't be a personal kennel. That's what I said. And that has to that can't be in a residential area. Correct. No, that's what Nick said as well.
>> How did you arrive at the name of that kennel? >> What is it, sir? >> How did you arrive at the name of your kennel? >> Mayhem kennels. That's been that was the name of my boat and then I just carried it from the boat to the >> It's just not not foretelling the future, I hope.
>> No, >> no. >> Thank you. >> No, >> thank you. >> So, does everybody understand that? I mean, it it took me a while to to thrash through this because I just it it just made no sense to me.
>> Yeah, it makes good sense. >> Matter of fact, I think when I talked to you, I I I told you the exact opposite. you only need one or the other. >> And I said, I don't know about that. >> And that's I talked to I talked to attorney Blake and he said, no, you need both. And I and I said, this doesn't
make any sense. What happens if we fail one that if we don't pass the special permit, but you get the kennel license, who who overrides who? It it just didn't make any sense. >> Now it makes at least a little bit of sense, >> at least to me. Anyway,
>> I appreciate that. So any u question before we open it up to the no any comment from uh from the audience? Well, I guess your neighbors uh must be okay because nobody showed up to
>> No, they like us. They're good people. >> We got good neighbors. Really good neighbors. >> We do. We are blessed. [Music] >> Good dogs, I guess. >> What is it? >> Good dogs. >> We do have good dogs. We are blessed. >> Well behaved. Like I said, we had none in the house and then I wasn't the same.
So, one turned into three in the house. >> You know how that goes. You know how that goes. >> Kind of like kids. >> Who's in the house and who's in the kennel? >> So, I have two labs in the house and one beagle. >> Yeah. >> You know, >> I snatched her up. He was He was trying to put her in the show and uh I snatched
her up. She's got this signature little patch and I said, "Nope, Molly's going in the house." So, >> okay. Since there is no other comment, I'll entertain a motion to close the hearing. >> I'll make a motion to close the hearing. >> We have a second. >> Second. >> All in favor say I.
>> I. >> I. Oppose. No. All that means is now we don't take any further input and and and we will discuss it. >> Um I personally I don't see any issue with this. I've been to the facility. The dogs all look well cared for. Um and
and I and and again I believe that we should abide by the state law and until our local law catches up with the state law in that the first four are by right and anything above that is a special permit. So I believe that you know I I
would be fine with issuing a special permit for and the idea the only thing is whether it be for up to seven or uh >> 10 >> or two and I would agree with with being
consistent with the uh with the kennel license. >> Yeah, I'd say 10 because I mean there's no there has been no complaints for seven >> and they don't really have room for a whole lot more. I think you have room for one more. >> Yeah. >> Yep. And no more in the house, please. >> No more in the house style home. It's tiny.
>> Yeah. I mean, you got five bagels and neighbors aren't complaining. I got to say that's pretty good. >> I I do have a question of a legality uh for uh for Jeff. Um when this was publicly advertised, it was advertised
for up to seven. Can we go over that? which in other words was I as a neighbor I could say well seven I'm okay with but nine I I don't like >> I just want to know make sure we're on
side >> yeah thank you um I I think that you know the posting doesn't necessarily have to be exact showed that you were here for a kennel license it showed the the property and it showed that there were going to be a number of dogs so I
think going a little further um maybe if You said 50. >> Yes. >> You're looking. But I think here it's it's not a it's not a huge jump. >> Most likely it's not going to happen. >> No. >> Please. No.
>> Every year. >> Well, it's it's further not a concern. >> Roger. >> Because they have good neighbors. >> The kennel license has >> it would be the neighbors would be correct. >> I I believe so. >> Yeah. Just like our licenses. It's the same one but it's a blanket instead of getting them individually licensed. Did they tell you?
>> Because there's another section license. >> Nick did say that today. So we'll >> the kennel license has to renew it. Every year >> we'll renew it and then he will come out and do another come out. >> I gave Nick permission to come by anytime he would like
>> stop by and do whatever he needs to do. >> So it sounds like the the barking of the one dog when you guys were away is more out of concern for the dogs than actually of being a nuisance. Yes. >> Yeah. It was because >> they knew you were away and all a sudden your dog is barking and they're like,
>> "Yep, they were so nickn, oh, somebody's here." >> Yeah, >> somebody wants to play. >> So, no other anybody want to uh propose some a motion? >> I'll make a move. >> Okay. I'll make a motion to approve the special permit for up to 10 dogs for
Thiago Rebella at 37 Fisher Road, Westport, Mass shown on assessor's map 40, lot 25. >> Yeah. I mean, the only thing I want to add that and it's just a clarification in order to be consistent with the
kennel license, the 10 dogs. >> So moved. >> Yes. Okay. >> Okay. How about uh for recreational purposes only as opposed to commercial? That's what that was in the posting. >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> You want to include that? >> Yes. >> Okay.
>> I'll include that. Yes. >> We have a motion. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Discussion. >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> I. >> I. I just uh Yeah. Yeah. I mean I this
adding in 10 dots is a little questionable I think. I mean since this was about seven. >> Mhm. >> Um and we're doing it so that we are I just want to be clear so that we are consistent with the kennel
>> right >> the state law. >> Yeah. >> I think you need to vote one way or the other. >> I think it could vary anyway. That's why I asked the question earlier because uh you know sometime they have
>> some dogs have >> and every year the uh uh the end of controlled office has to go back out and review it anyway. If something changes where where the kennel is no longer providing a health and safe environment for the dogs then
they can refuse the kennel license. Mhm. >> And if neighbors start to have a problem with 10, if they decide to get 10, >> is there any recourse? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> They can call the animal the animal control and complain it and I think there could be they could end up going
back for us, right? Or take to have their special permit revoked because they're not complying with >> like if they're if it's 10 and they're they don't even they would have to be reinspected because they don't even have room for 10. So they would have to come
back to get another building built and I think we would know about it. >> What do we need for a special four to one? >> Oh, I I should have said that. Um special permit requires four affirmative votes. We already have four formative votes. So
>> um >> vote your cons. >> Well, I mean I u I guess so. I just am concerned about that. >> I understand. Yes. Yes. But you have to vote yes or no. I'll I'll go to prove it. >> Prove it. Okay. So, it's unanimous. Um,
it is a uh 20-day appeal. Oh, you already have them there, so it doesn't make a lot of difference, but anyway, there is a 20 uh 20-day appeal. >> So, uh, thank you for coming. Um, >> thank you everyone. We appreciate your time. And I promise we won't have 10. And >> it's actually good that we actually did
this because I think this straightens out a lot of issues that we've had and and if we get another one, I think it'll go a lot a lot >> quicker. >> The appeal purpose is is that is that also papered in the paper or is it just that people know that you have 20 days after this hearing that they could
appeal or find go back to you and find out the decision? So if somebody was that concerned could go to Maria. Oh yes. >> And get the decision and say, "Whoa." >> Yeah. If an abutter, >> you know, because she's going to send out a letter to all the abutters and
they're going to have 20 days to say, "Oh, wait a minute." >> Yeah. And just make sure it's clear that it's up to 10. And then they can >> That'll be in the decision that they'll send out to everybody. >> So they can then appeal. >> That happens. >> We're just trying to make you feel more comfortable.
>> Yeah. Thanks. Yeah. >> We appreciate everyone. >> Appreciate it. Thank you. Have a good night. Yeah. Thank you everyone. >> Okay. So much for this. Um >> mayor this one
>> I print out the state laws. I was like >> okay. The second is a The second petition is a continuation hearing 28 uh Gahun Lane continuation
hearing on application of uh Brendan Lord applicant and Quinton Dean Lord and and Brendan Lord owners for a variance from the front requirement as the subject property lacks frontage on the street or way for purposes of maintaining the property of agricultural
use as well as constructing a single family dwelling as mandated by zon article 7 section 7.1 the subject is probably located at 28 Kahun's lane westport mass shown on assessor's map 2 lot 13 and again this is a continuation
so the same rules apply we're going to have the applicant uh continue to provide information uh our our attorney uh attorney bake is here to uh uh help us with this and um once we are done
then I'll open it up again to the So, >> thank you. >> And I know we've got a lot of documentation that's come across. Um, it's lengthy, so I'm not going to read it. It's all in the public record. Um, so >> thank you. For the record, my name is Pete. I'm sorry. >> Excuse me. >> Oh, wait a minute. Before I do that
again, voting on that will be uh Jerry Catino, myself, Roger Manard, Constansky Rail, and Cynthia Kazak. No, we can't. >> You weren't here. I well I have reviewed all the documents and the um and watched the video. However, I think since uh
Janice was here that I I I'm going to defer. >> Okay. So So I'm I'll I'll accept that it will be uh Jerry Patino, Roger Manard, Janice Day, Ray Elias, and Cynthia. And um if this is a variance, it would be a
again a four vote to grant. Um there's issues about whether it is a variance or not, and we'll get into that, I think, as as we uh uh as we go go through this. >> Thank you. So, for the record, my name is Peter Celino. I represent the applicant owner, Brendan Lord, who is
immediately to my right. Uh as Mr. chairman said this is a continuation from the last hearing. Um, and what the applicant would like to do is make a motion to withdraw this petition without prejudice. >> Oh,
okay. >> Okay. Knight, >> do we have we have a we have a request from the applicant to withdraw without prejudice. Do we have a do we hear a motion? We have one. Oh, a motion to do. I'd
like to ask a question. Um, is do you expect to come back? >> We don't know right now, Jerry. We're evaluating options based on filings and things that are in the record. >> Okay. Well, I'll make a motion then to
to to grant the request for a motion to withdraw without prejudice the uh petition of 28 Gahun Lane. Uh, Attorney Blake, you got any
>> I will say I'm I'm frankly surprised, but I it's >> So, is there a motion? Do I have a second? I second >> discussion. >> No discussion. >> Motion to >> We had initially previously talked about
wanting to do an onsite >> and um >> I guess they can't hear you. Jerry >> Jerry >> Jerry >> talk off. I'm sorry. Uh yes. In a previous discussion, we had mentioned
wanting to do an on-site uh on this and I have mixed feelings about allowing a withdrawal at this point. Uh but um because I know nothing about the actual property itself and uh the condition and
so forth. It's why I was asking if they're intending to come back cuz we have sometimes when we do this um they never come back but they do what they want anyway and I don't want to see that
happen. So, uh, anyway, I I just want to express that, uh, I I I I guess, um, I would consider, uh, doing an on-site and then vote to to do it, but I'm not going to bother.
>> Okay, we have a motion and we have a second. Correct. >> Uh, all in favor say I. >> I. >> I. Oppose. No. >> That's unanimous. Uh, again, it's a 20-day uh >> appeal. Um, thank you for coming and I
or everybody else had to, you know, to be here for this. Thank you all. [Music] >> They could have saved the town some money if they'd let us go. >> Sure. >> Well, we had to be here anyway. >> Not us. >> Sure. >> Oh, yes.
>> We need him for the kennel. >> We need him for the kennel as well. >> Okay. Um, >> for attorneys, >> couple of forward business. We have security meeting minutes from u from July 9th.
[Music] >> Okay, >> Cynthia, I'm going to make I'll make make a motion to approve the meeting minutes from July 9th, 2025. We have a second. >> I'll second that. >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> I. All oppose? No. That's uh what that
um I'm going to plan on I'm going to go I'm going to go talk with your >> Okay. It was a pleasure seeing everybody. I >> anticipate I'm planning next meeting to have um uh voting for officers for the next year. I've been putting it off because I
didn't want to do it when the >> during the 40B. That was just too at the end I think we're all all our minds were too fried. I think next the next meeting I think is going to be relatively short. It's only one thing and so I I think I want to do the um voting of the
officers. I'm also going to suggest a minor change to our our own rules and regulations. Uh and you'll see that uh next week. But essentially what I'm going to propose is that right now what it says is is that
the chairman always runs the meeting unless the chair isn't here in which case the vice chair always runs the meeting and if the chair and the vice chair don't aren't here then the remaining uh members vote for the chair and that becomes the chair of the of the
day. That's what our current the u what I'm going to suggest is and I and I'll put this in writing for the next and so that we can discuss it further is that the chair be allowed to assign the vice chair to be the chair for a meet for a
given meeting. Uh and the my rationale is is that I want to be able to um essentially to to give the vice chair and uh thank you >> to to grow expertise in the vice chair
so that they can turn so they can become the chair >> so that say say uh uh you know uh so that so that I could be here >> as an as sort of an advisor if if I'm the chair for the vice chair to to run
and then So that so that it's it's an easier turnover. So it's like it's like growing expertise. >> I I agree with that. >> So it's a minor change but we need to do it in order to >> and both of you have been chairs before and nobody else has. So it's nice to put
somebody in training roles as the vice chair. >> Right. Correct. I'd like to comment on on that. Uh I agree with the concept by the way even more than agree with it. Um, it always bothered me that we have two alternates and they sit there and
particularly those who come to the meetings. Uh, we have had some in the past that really didn't come to the meetings. Uh, so it doesn't apply. But for those who do, I
always felt badly about that that they didn't have the opportunity to actually act on on some of the hearings. So, I actually did one, but I've been told I I guess I wasn't supposed to do it. uh and
that is that I would rec recuse myself uh from a thing even though I didn't have a reason or a conflict but I wanted to have let the alternates have an opportunity to actually act on these uh
and uh and and so I did that and I was told later that I couldn't do it uh I'm not allowed to do it. And I I I never followed that to the end. I don't know why uh I couldn't do that. Um but um and
still be here, you know, and sit in the audience or sit in the chair. Um but uh uh so for that reason because it surprised me. I didn't Why not, you know? Uh I I would just think we need to
just check that out and make sure that we can do that. >> Exactly. >> Yeah. He may not know it. May it may be a different expertise. >> Yeah. I've already approached this with with attorney Blake. >> Okay. >> He's fine with that. >> Okay. >> Now, we can also discuss and and I agree
with you. You know, I think uh uh you know, you know, we have, you know, a couple of very good alternates, right? that u occasionally it would be I think beneficial to have them involved in the voting processes but especially you know and you got to sort of pick your cases that you know
>> you know to to assign but um uh we could also uh look into incorporating that as well maybe as a you know a vote to allow uh an alternate to be become a a voting member even though we have five regular
members. So we can we can also discuss that. >> What I found throughout the years is even with myself when I first got on. >> I remember Peter Bordon I saying well I'm just I'm just here listening >> and then you you find yourself getting active because you can participate. That's what Peter told me. So you don't
you don't have to be a voter argument. You can participate. >> Right. >> I think that the people that we have as alternates right now do participate on a regular basis and within a year's time they've been active on >> some some things already. >> Right. I just feel like I feel like I'm
on a big learning curve here. I'm not sure that I >> Yeah, it was a learning curve for me, too. >> Well, that's that's why tonight, even though I had reviewed the materials and stuff, since I wasn't at the first hearing for the Cahoon
>> um case, um I thought it would be good and I thought it was going to be quite a complex thing. So, I thought it would be great since Janice was here and was a voting member that I would defer and step back and let her take it because I
think that is important. Um, >> so that was my thinking in that. So, sometimes when you know when we're not able to be at a hearing and yet it gets continued, that might be a great opportunity instead of you know I mean you
>> instead of instead of taking it back just let them have it. I mean, >> yes, >> probably in the 40 we all had, you know, that there's more requirements for that or if it's a complic but when it's you've been here every
other time and then >> you were here not the one not the one time. Yeah, it makes sense for you. >> Yeah, I really I think >> as again voting I don't think is as much. You don't really get much experience voting. You get the experience by listening and participating. >> I feel like a little >> Yes. Yeah. So anyway, that we can discuss that and and I'll come up with
with uh draft um updates to for the uh our our bylaws and again that's just our vote. We we manage that so we can do that uh for the for the next meeting which is next week, right? >> Yes. >> Which I won't be at.
>> Oh okay. >> Uh so um I cleared that and I know that you're going to be here. >> Yes. What do we um meeting complex? But that's not the Pine Ridge. >> No, I can't miss that.
>> Pierce. >> Okay. >> Pierce Road. >> Mhm. >> Okay. Any other any other business? >> That's this. >> Okay. You want to nudge? >> Oh. >> Oh, I make a motion to adjourn to meet second.
>> All in favor say I. I. >> I. I'll code now.