Zoning Board of Appeals: August 5, 2025
Image of the July 1, 2025 Zoning Board of Appeals meeting from the RCTV Youtube page.
(4 minute read)
At the August 5, 2025, Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) meeting, I read a prepared statement into the record in response to remarks made by Amanda Haley, the wife of Select Board Chair Chris Haley, during the July 1, 2025, meeting. (Read our recap of the July 1 meeting.)
The Town’s official video recording of the August 5 meeting does not include my prepared statement, beginning instead during another resident’s variance request. To ensure my remarks are part of the public record, they are published here in full.
57 Pearl Street Variance [0:00]
The homeowner sought a variance to reconfigure the front door and steps as part of a larger addition project that would otherwise be allowed by right. The request included a portico roof, which would increase the nonconformity in the front yard setback.
An abutting neighbor expressed strong opposition, arguing the renovation would place the front entry too close to the street and negatively impact the neighborhood’s character. After the discussion, the homeowner agreed to proceed without the portico roof. This compromise reduced the nonconformity from approximately 4.5 feet to 3.5 feet. The ZBA approved the variance in a 4-1 vote.
102 John Carver Road [47:42]
The applicant requested a Special Permit to replace an existing single-story garage with a two-story addition that would include a new bedroom. While the home is legally nonconforming, the proposed project would not extend the existing nonconformity and would improve the home’s functionality. The ZBA approved the Special Permit in a 5-0 vote.
“At the July 1 ZBA meeting, I was shocked and dismayed when Amanda Haley, wife of Select Board chair Chris Haley, questioned my integrity and called me a liar when I presented my Special Permit application to add a deck to my and my husband’s legally nonconforming home.
Mrs. Haley expressed during public comment that I had not disclosed a conflict of interest to her personal expectations, noting that she believed that I should have disclosed the conflict during the town volunteer reappointment process. I never would have expected to be singled out and held to different standards from other volunteers, as decided by the wife of an elected official. What should have been a routine procedural request turned into an upsetting personal attack on me and my husband, Andrew.
During the intense back-and-forth with Mrs. Haley, I did mistakenly say I was on the deed to our home. While we are in the process of updating the deed, it is worth noting that who is on the deed is not relevant to having a deck built and has nothing to do with this official process.
As an associate member of the ZBA, I took extra steps during my application to make sure there were no conflicts of interest. I spoke with town staff about the appropriate actions to take, I did not discuss my case with any members of the ZBA, and I recused myself from the case before it was read into the record. I not only followed state law requirements, but I exceeded them out of respect for the public trust. I am proud to be a volunteer in this town and look forward to continuing that work on the ZBA. Thank you.”
