At the 2020 Northborough Town Meeting The Voters Have Spoken

After much discussion Northborough's Annual Town Meeting was held outside on July 18, 2020. The 4 hour 35 minute Town Meeting commenced in 90° weather where over 200 Northborough residents got involved with asking questions and making decisions.

The longest discussion took place over Zoning Article 39 Revised Definition of Kennels

Although Article 39 was never read aloud, F. Bakstran of Cedar Hill Rd. moved to pass over this article along with articles 41-45. Over 150 residents felt that this motion to pass over was not in their best interest.

J. Benedetto of Newton St. said it best: "I'm 78 and have been sitting in the sun for hours and I'm not going to pass over anything. At my age, I've come here to vote, lets vote!"

The discussion took many twists and turns and continuously wove in Article 42 Home Occupation with Article 39 Definition of Kennel. Town residents heard about a strong love for dogs and that dog walking businesses might be in jeopary if this article passed. A few residents voiced their concern that amending the bylaw definition of kennel would remove ZBA oversight or felt that these bylaws were unduly narrowing or unnecessary. Eight minutes shy of an hour discussion and a recount, the amendment to the kennel definition was passed by the 2/3rds required (168-32).

When Article 42 was presented, the same arguments used against Article 39 were heard. The description of Home Occupation was misinterpreted over and over again.

"If my aging-in-place parents have nursing help come in to their home, is that considered Home Occupation and will it be banned by this bylaw?" No. The nursing care described would be considered a service offered by a third party or business. Home Occupation is considered to be work in the home that is secondary to the use as a home for dwelling.

"I have a friend that is a quilter and she uses an entire room to work on her quilts, that exceeds the 25% floor space provision, will she be prevented from doing this work if this article passes?" No. The quilter's main use of her home is to live in. The quilting is incidental to her dwelling.

When the original language of the definition of Home Occupation was written the % used for floor space was to substantiate a secondary use. The language of bylaws can be confusing but to have so many questions that bear little resemblance to the actual articles was curious.

G. Roody of 28 Moore Lane stated: "Pass over these articles--they are premature, inflexible and have red flags all over them. The biggest red flag is that they are removing ZBA oversight from a number of the articles, That's ridiculous."

The Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) is not an oversight committee. It handles appeals of a decision made by the Zoning/building Officer. They do not make bylaws or have any jurisdiction over making or amending them. They are appointed by the Board of Selectmen.

The board that is entrusted with making or amending bylaws is the Planning Board, whose members are elected, as the Board of Selectmen, School Committees and the Moderator are — elected on equal footing.

The Zoning Board of Appeals listens to appeals to uphold or deny a decision made by the Zoning/building Officer and applies the framework made by Mass General Law to grant or deny variances and special permits.

The full meeting can be accessed with the link below: