Regular Meeting of

HOUSING CODE BOARD OF APPEALS

February 12, 2007

In the absence of Chairman Francis Halle, Richard Pellegrine volunteered to serve as temporary Chair.  Mr. Pellegrine called the meeting of the Town of Mansfield Housing Code Board of Appeals to order at 5:07 p.m. in Conference Room C of the Audrey P. Beck Building.  The location of this meeting was altered just prior to the start of the meeting to accommodate preparations for the Town Council meeting also being held this evening.

I.                     ROLL CALL

Members present: Brian McCarthy, Richard Pellegrine, and Robert Kremer.  Jennifer Thompson and Derek A. Debus were also present at the meeting.

Member(s) absent: Francis Halle and Agatha Hoover

Upon confirmation that a quorum was present, the meeting proceeded. 

II.                   OLD BUSINESS

A.                 Approval / Revision of Organizational Meeting Minutes

Chairman called for a motion to accept or revise the minutes of the November 30, 2006 organizational meeting.  Motion was so made by Robert Kremer and seconded by Brian McCarthy.  All being in favor, motion passed.

B.                 Approval / Revision of Procedures for Conduct of Hearing

Upon notation by the members present that the Application for Appeal, General Information and Notice of Decision forms were simple and straight forward, the Board proceeded to review the procedures for conduct of appeal hearings. 

Brian McCarthy questioned the term “full board” at the time an appeal application is presented for hearing and its implications.  Discussion ensued regarding having quorum versus full board.  Derek Debus assured the members that the “full board” issue is on a list for review by Town Council.  Robert Kremer asked if an alternate’s vote would be counted in the event of a hearing.  A few scenarios where presented by the members for each other’s consideration.  It was the consensus that the thoughts of an alternate present at a hearing would be taken into account when members were voting and all of the Board, member or alternate, should participate in discussion.  All agreed that they would like to be actively involved if in attendance at a meeting and further clarification is needed as to the role of the alternate.  Richard Pellegrine mentioned that, for example, the zoning board has alternates.  He wife serves on this board and she is called if someone cannot attend the meeting then she needs to assure that an alternate will be there.  Members need to contact or notify the secretary so that she can verify the intent to attend and alternates will know they will be participating and voting.  Those present at this meeting noted that the differential of this board from other town boards is that there really are no on-going issues.  Richard Pellegrine said he would not be against giving alternates full rights.  Robert Kremer indicated the distinction for such a small board is up to Council for the oversight of procedures.  Brian McCarthy remarked upon the value of alternates for quorum and acknowledged that it would be difficult to have consistency without further clarification of the role. 

Richard Pellegrine made a motion that future agenda include a line item for the acceptance or addition to meeting agenda since the board will meet regularly.  No additions may be made to the agenda in the event of special meeting limitations or with regard to appeal applications made beyond the required receipt date for that particular meeting.  Brian McCarthy and Robert Kremer seconded.  All being in favor, motion passed. 

Chairman voiced concern with “revision” to meeting minutes as it might affect the record.  Jennifer Thompson stated that any changes to the minutes of a previous meeting would be reflected in the format of those minutes – strikethrough for deletions, brackets and bold for additions.  Brian McCarthy reminded the group that hearings would be tape-recorded as well as the secretary taking notes.  Robert Kremer agreed.  Further discussion on this matter was dropped.

III.                  NEW BUSINESS

Upon call for new business by the Chairman, the Secretary noted that (1) there were no applications for appeals received to date and (2) a webpage for the Housing Code Board of Appeals, including such information as membership, calendar, agenda, minutes, and forms was now on-line and linked through the Building Department page of the Town of Mansfield website. 

IV.               ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to be presented to the members, Brian McCarthy moved to adjourn the meeting.  Robert Kremer seconded.

Motion so passed and the meeting was adjourned at 5:32 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Jennifer Thompson, Secretary