Planning Board
Town of Princeton, MA Planning Board
Meeting Minutes
August 16, 2023
Town Hall Annex and GoToMeeting
Board Members present in-person: Ian Catlow, John Mirick, and Tom Sullivan
Board Members present, remote: none
Absent: Members Rud Mason and Ann Neuburg, and Alternate Members Corey Burnham-Howard and Larry DeBlois
Public Participation, in person: Doug Andrysick, Carl Thomas, Frances Thomas, and 25+ residents Havenwood Drive neighborhood
Public Participation, remote: none
Call to order: 7:30 PM
ANR Plan for 27 Worcester Road
Doug Andrysick presented a proposed ANR plan for approximately 18 acres of land at 27 Worcester Road owned by Anne Littlefield. The plan creates two lots: 5 acres with the house and frontage on Worcester Road, and approximately 13 acres of back land that is designated as “not a building lot.” There is a stream through the easterly end of the backland located as part of the survey. This plan is a revision of an ANR plan endorsed at the July 19, 2023 meeting. That earlier ANR plan was not recorded. The only change is that the house lot has been expanded to 5 acres, and the back lot reduced accordingly.
MOTION to give ANR endorsement to the plan
Motion: Tom Sullivan; second: Ian Catlow
Vote: unanimous
Informal Discussion of lawnmower repair activity at 4 Havenwood Drive
The Zoning Enforcement Officer asked Carl Thomas to meet with the Board concerning his repair of lawnmowers at his home at 4 Havenwood Drive. A neighbor had suggested that the activity might be a zoning violation. The Board sent Mr. Thomas a copy of Section XVIII of the Zoning By-Laws and invited him to meet with the Board for an informal discussion.
Mr. Thomas explained that he does not operate a business. He does repair lawnmowers and other small motors for friends and neighbors, but does this to be a hobby and to be a good neighbor. They only pay out-of-pocket expenses for parts. He does not charge for his labor. The work is done inside his garage, although if he gets backed up there may be lawnmowers parked outside his garage until he can get to them. He primarily works on repairs during the day. He drains and properly disposes of oil, lubricants, and gas.
The neighborhood consists of single family houses on one acre lots on Sharon Drive, Havenwood Drive, Redwood Drive, and Pinewood Drive. Mr. Thomas is at the corner of Sharon Drive and Havenwood Drive. The neighbor who had suggested that this activity might be a zoning violation did not attend the meeting. That neighbor lives directly across Havenwood Drive from Mr. Thomas. More than 25 residents of the neighborhood did attend, including abutters to Mr. Thomas. They all spoke in support of Mr. Thomas, and said that his activity was in no way disruptive of the residential neighborhood. He is the “go to” person when there are problems with lawnmowers and other small motors, and is a great help.
The Board parsed through the applicable provisions of the Zoning By-Laws. Pursuant to Section III.1 (G) (a), a home business workshop as defined in Section XVIII (1) (A) is a permitted use. While a small motor repair business is not specifically enumerated in Section XVIII(1)(A), the sense of the Board was that a small motor repair business was within the intent of that section and would be a “similar trade” if conducted in accordance with the “General Regulations for Home Occupations” as set out in Section XVIII.2. The testimony of Mr. Thomas and the neighbors indicated that the small motor repairs done by Mr. Thomas were conducted in accordance with those regulations.
It was the sense of the Board that Mr. Thomas was not operating a business when he repaired lawn mowers and other small motors for neighbors and friends. He does not earn a living or supplement his income from these activities. He generously provides his time and skills to help out neighbors and friends. After extended discussion, the Board decided to take a formal vote:
MOTION to declare that repairing lawnmowers and other small motors for neighbors and friends at no charge is not a business and is an allowed activity
Motion: Tom Sullivan; second: Ian Catlow
Vote: unanimous
The Chair will inform the Zoning Enforcement Officer of the Board’s reasoning and determination.
ANR Requirements
The Board decided to postpone discussion on the proposed draft amendments to ANR requirements, and on the proposed checklist for ANR applications until all members an alternate members could participate.
Review and Approve meeting minutes of July 19, 2023
MOTION to approve minutes
Motion: Ian Catlow; second: John Mirick
Vote: unanimous
Next Meeting
The next meeting will be September 6, 2023.
Meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.
MOTION to adjourn passed unanimously
Respectfully submitted,
John Mirick
Documents reviewed: ANR Plan and Application for 27 Worcester Road
Zoning Enforcement letter to Thomas, 7/20/23
Planning Board letter to Thomas, 7/24/23
Assessors Map 15C (Havenwood Drive neighborhood)
Draft Minutes for July 19, 2023 meeting