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Conservation Commission

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1. What is a wetland?

The wetlands found in East Longmeadow are inland wetlands which are areas where water is at or just below the surface of the ground, such as marshes, wet meadows, bogs, and swamps.

Please note: wetlands can dry up during some parts of the year. Just because there is not currently water in the wetlands does not mean they are no longer protected under the Wetlands Protection Act

2. What is the Rivers Protection Act?

Click to view frequently asked questions regarding Mass Rivers Protection Act

3. Why are wetlands important?

It is important to preserve wetlands because they can help clean drinking water supplies, prevent flooding and storm damage during storm events, and support a huge variety of wildlife. Since the colonization of MA half of the state’s wetlands have been destroyed making it even more important to protect the remaining wetlands.

4. How can I find out if I live near a wetland?

Visit the Town's GIS maps and click on the Environment Data layer. For greater accuracy, consider obtaining the services of a wetlands surveyor to flag the wetlands boundary.

5. Where can I find wetlands rules and regulations?

310 CMR: 10.00 Wetlands Protection Act

6. What is a buffer zone?

A buffer zone is the area of land that extends 100-feet outward from the outer boundary of the resource area. The buffer zone is protected under the MA Wetlands Protection Act (M.G.L. 131,Section 40) and its Regulations (310 CMR 10.00) 

7. What activities are prohibited in the buffer zone?

Any activity that alters the wetland or surrounding buffer zone must be approved by the Conservation Commission. These activities can include but are not limited to: draining, dumping, landscaping and construction, and vegetation clearing. 

8. I live within the buffer zone and want to do some work to my property, how do I get permission?

If you are unsure whether your proposed work site is in a resource area or if your work will alter a resource area, first apply for a Request for Determination of Applicability (RDA). If the Commission determines through your RDA that the work will alter a resource area you must then file a Notice of Intent (NOI) with detailed explanations regarding the project plans, wetlands, buffer zone, and precautionary measures used to protect them. Following a hearing of the Conservation Commission, coupled with an on site visit, the Commission will issue an Order of Conditions either approving or denying your request.

RDA’s should be filed at least two weeks prior to the targeted meeting date in order to ensure an appearance on the Commission’s agenda.

Note: all paperwork must be submitted to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection office in Springfield, MA as well as to the Commission

9. What can I do on my property to help maintain the health of the wetlands?

There are many things you can personally do to protect local wetlands, including but not limited to:

• Removing trash from wetland resource areas
• Avoid or minimize the use of de-icing salts, fertilizers, or pesticides near wetlands or drainage systems
• Apply proper erosion control measures to surrounding areas

10. Which areas of the town are under the jurisdiction of the Commission?

The following areas are subject to protection under the M.G.L. c. 131 Section 40:

• (a) any bank, freshwater wetland, coastal wetland, beach, dune, flat, marsh or swamp bordering on the ocean, any estuary, creek, river, stream, pond or lake
• (b) any land under any of the water bodies listed above, ( C) land subject to tidal actions, (d) land subject to coastal storm flowage, (e) land subject to flooding, (f) riverfront areas.
• If you are unsure if your property is under jurisdiction, please contact the Conservation Commission.

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ELCAT

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1. How do I order DVDs of ELCAT programs?

Please submit all DVD requests by email. Please provide the program title or subject, and the date of the event, if applicable.

DVD copies of ELCAT Programs are $6 per disc. We will notify you by email when your order is ready to be picked up at the high school front office. Please pay by check made payable to the Town of East Longmeadow, with ELCAT DVD in the memo line.

We will mail up to three discs for an additional $1.50 per order. Please be sure to include your mailing address.

2. How do I submit an item for the Community Bulletin?

Local government, clubs, community organizations, churches, schools, and other not-for-profit entities may submit notices for the electronic bulletin board. Limit submissions to the most pertinent information, as space is limited to the equivalent of a single PowerPoint slide.

We will not accept press releases as bulletin submissions, nor can we include your graphic files. Submit the information at least one week in advance by email.

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Emergency Preparedness > CERT

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1. What is CERT?

CERT is a training program that prepares you to help yourself, your family, and your neighbors in the event of a disaster. During an incident emergency service personnel may not be able to reach everyone right away. By getting trained in CERT, you will have the skills to help emergency responders save lives and protect property. As a member of a CERT team, you can respond to disasters, participate in drills and exercises, and take additional training. CERT teams are known and trusted to emergency responders and their communities.

In 95 percent of all emergencies, the victim or bystander provides the first immediate assistance on the scene. Would you know what to do?

Doing the greatest good for the greatest number!

2. What do CERT teams do in an emergency?

Under the direction of local emergency responders, CERT teams help provide critical support by giving immediate assistance to victims, provide damage assessment information, and organizing other volunteers at a disaster site. Volunteers trained in CERT also offer a potential workforce for performing duties such as shelter support, crowd control, and evacuation. The role of a CERT volunteer is to help others until trained emergency personnel arrive.

3. How does CERT help the community?

In addition to supporting emergency responders during a disaster, the CERT program builds strong working relationships between emergency responders and the people they serve. CERT teams also help the community year-round by helping with community emergency plans, neighborhood exercises, preparedness outreach, fire safety education, and workplace safety.

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Emergency Preparedness > Medical Reserve Corps

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1. Do I have to be a medical professional to be part of the team?

The Medical Reserve Corps consists of both medical and non-medical volunteers.

2. Why should I volunteer?

Volunteering with the Medical Reserve Corps is a simple and effective way to use and improve skills while helping to keep your family, friends, and neighbors safe and healthy.

Volunteering can give the great satisfaction of helping others. For many individuals, volunteering gives them a sense of purpose and meaning in their lives. It helps broaden their social networks and provides opportunity for social interactions.

3. What would I do as a volunteer?

Many MRC volunteers assist with activities to improve public health in their community – increasing health literacy, supporting prevention efforts, and eliminating health disparities. In emergencies, local resources get called upon first, sometimes with little or no warning. As an MRC member, you can be part of an organized and trained team.

4. Is training required?

Some training is required, but offered to you free of charge. Training is offered in a classroom setting or through on-line courses.

5. How often do I have to volunteer?

You can choose your level of participation. We understand that your work and personal commitments will determine your availability at any given time.

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Health Department

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1. Where can I bring tires?

Most tire stores that sell tires will take them back for free or for a small fee. 

2. What do I do with styrofoam?

Polystyrene "peanuts" can be taken to Mailboxes etc, UPS, to be recycled. Styrofoam can be taken to Gold Circuit E-recycling on Silver St in Agawam for $20. 

3. What time will my trash and recycling be picked up?

Republic trucks will be begin pickups at 7 am. Your pick up might not be at the same time each pickup day. If your trash/recycling is not collected by 6 pm, please call the Health Dept. (413)525-5400 x 1103.

4. What do I do with wire hangers?

Wire hangers are accepted by local dry cleaners or can be brought to the Transfer Station in the metal dumpster.

5. Where can I dispose of latex paint?

• Latex paint can be left at curbside with your weekly trash. Remove the lid and let dry completely to a solid state. To aid in drying, add kitty litter to paint and stir---usually happens overnight.
• Oil based paint--- save for a Household Hazardous Waste event or call the Health Dept, Recycling Coordinator (413)525-5400 x 1108.

6. Where do our recyclables go?

All of East Longmeadow's recyclables are brought to the MRF, the Massachusetts Recycling Facility in Springfield a facility that separates the material. The material recycling facility (MRF, pronounced merf) uses a combination of sorting equipment and people to separate the paper, glass, cans, and plastic. Once each material is separated it is baled. The glass is crushed. After this process, they are hauled to a variety of companies that use the material as feedstock for new products.

7. What happens to the materials that aren’t recyclable? Don’t they just get recycled anyway?

As much as the MRF would like to recycle everything we receive, market demand limits what can be recycled. The MRF cannot collect and process materials if there is no one to buy them. Similarly, if we include too much “junk” with our materials (such as plastic pools or laundry baskets mixed in with milk jugs), we risk losing buyers or getting a lower price for our materials.  In fact, the recycling facility has to pay a disposal fee for materials that can’t be recycled.

8. What effects do waste prevention and recycling have on global warming?

Everyone knows that reducing waste is good for the environment because it conserves natural resources. What many people don’t know is that solid waste reduction and recycling also have an impact on global climate change.

The manufacture, distribution, and use of products — as well as management of the resulting waste — all result in greenhouse gas emissions. Greenhouse gases, which trap heat in the upper atmosphere, occur naturally and help create climates that sustain life on our planet. Increased concentrations of these gases, though, can contribute to rising global temperatures, sea level changes, and other climate changes.

Waste prevention and recycling — jointly referred to as waste reduction — help us better manage the solid waste we generate. But reducing waste is a potent strategy for reducing greenhouse gases because it can:

Reduce emissions from energy consumption. Recycling saves energy. Manufacturing goods from recycled materials typically requires less energy than producing goods from virgin materials. When people reuse goods or when products are made with less material, less energy is needed to extract, transport, and process raw materials and to manufacture products. When energy demand decreases, fewer fossil fuels are burned and less carbon dioxide is emitted into the atmosphere.

Reduce emissions from incinerators. Recycling and waste prevention divert materials from incinerators and thus reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste combustion.

Reduce methane emissions from landfills. Waste prevention and recycling (including composting) divert organic wastes from landfills, reducing the methane that would be released if these materials decomposed in a landfill.

Increase storage of carbon in forests. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it in wood in a process called “carbon sequestration.” Waste prevention and recycling paper products allows more trees to remain standing in the forest, where they can continue to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

9. How does recycling save energy?

Harvesting, extracting, and processing the raw materials used to manufacture new products is an energy-intensive activity. Reducing or nearly eliminating the need for these processes, therefore, achieves huge savings in energy. Recycling aluminum cans, for example, saves 95 percent of the energy required to make the same amount of aluminum from its virgin source, bauxite. Making recycled steel saves 60%, recycled newspaper 40%, recycled plastics 70%, and recycled glass 40% of the energy needed to make products from raw materials. The amount of energy saved differs by material, but almost all recycling processes achieve significant energy savings compared to production using virgin materials.

10. Where does my trash go?

Our trash goes to the landfill.

11. Are pizza boxes recyclable?

Pizza boxes are recyclable. Remove the round cardboard disk that they pizza sat on and throw it in the trash. The box then can be recycled.

12. Do I need to clean my containers?

As long as the containers are empty and reasonably clean, you do not need to wash your containers. 

13. Why can't I put my recyclables in a plastic bag to be put out on the curb?

Our recycling facility does not accept recyclables in plastic bags. The plastic bags get caught in the shredder and shuts production down. Please put your recyclables directly in the recycling bin. 

14. What can I do with bubble wrap?

Bubble wrap is made from the same type of plastic as grocery, dry cleaning, newspaper, and bread bags. All these types of plastics are accepted at local grocery stores such as Big Y, Stop and Shop etc. They are also accepted at stores like Staples, and Office Max. Usually these stores have a bin close to the doors when you enter the store. If you have a large amount, just bring your bag to a store employee.

15. What can I do with plastic bags?

You can recycle them at your local grocery store, Target, Staples, Walmart. These bags need to be clean and dry. Other types of plastic can be recycled at these locations as well. Ziplock baggies, trash bags, bags from grocery stores, can be recycled.

16. Dual Stream versus Single Stream recycling?

East Longmeadow participates in dual stream recycling. Although single stream is convenient, mixing everything together leads to wet paper and bits of broken glass that can't be sorted. For the many cities that have now switched to single-stream with the goal of increasing their capture rates, these rising costs have been an unwelcome result. Single-stream wins in volume, but it sacrifices in quality and that costs our town more money. In December our town received $8 per ton for recyclables. Single stream communities received $0.

17. Where can I recycle boat wrap?

Round the Bend Farm located at 92 Allen Neck Rd, South Dartmouth, MA 02748. Its a year round, fee based program available to Massachusetts residents. Phone # 508-938-5127

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Main

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1. How do I contact a town department?

Visit the Staff Directory to find all department and staff contact information.

2. Where can I find the answers to my frequently asked questions?

Use the FAQs module to easily find answers to the questions you ask the most.

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Planning Board

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1. What to Expect in a Public Hearing?

The notice you received in the mail tells you when the public hearing is scheduled. It is also published in the legal notice section of the local newspaper. At the first hearing, the applicant will present plans and explain what is proposed for the Board and the audience. The Board will ask questions. Generally where clarification is needed. There will be an opportunity for those in the audience to ask questions or offer opinions. Comments may also be submitted in writing. Since the Board often hears several projects in an evening, hearings last a specified period of time. At the end of this time, the hearing may be either closed or continued.

Occasionally, for simple projects, hearings can be completed in one night and are closed; meaning that no further testimony is taken. More often, hearings will be continued with direction given by the Board to the application on revisions to the plans or information that is needed. Continued hearings may be several weeks or months in the future depending on how long it takes the applicant to gather the required information and the Board's workload.

Occasionally, the hearing process is delayed due to weather, the absence of a Board member or at the applicant's request. To verify that a hearing is being held on a scheduled date, you can call the Planning and Community Development office.

If a Public Hearing is continued or delayed, abutters notices will not be sent back out. Please refer to the Agenda Center and Bulletin Boards.

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Recreation

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1. Where is the Recreation Department located?

The Recreation Department is located at 328 North Main Street, East Longmeadow. We share a building with the Council on Aging.

2. What are the Recreation Department hours of operation?

The Recreation Department office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.

3. How can I contact the Recreation Department?

If you need to contact the Recreation Department, you can either call us during office hours at (413) 525-5437 or email us.

4. How do I register my child for EL recreation programs?

• Walk-In: Visit our office to pay with cash or check.
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  Mail-In: Download a registration form from our website and mail with payment payable to the Town of East Longmeadow.
• 
  Online: Go to the Recreation page to register with a debit or credit card.

Recreation Department Page

5. What forms do I need to complete the registration process?

• EL Recreation Department Registration Form
• Updated Medical Form
• Copy of Birth Certificate, if registering child for the first time

6. When is my child eligible to participate in EL recreation programs?

For all programs, please sign your child up according to the grade he/she is currently enrolled in. For preschool programs, the child must be the specified age by the last day of the activity. Exceptions to these rules are at the discretion of the Recreation office or instructor of the desired program.

7. What is the deadline to sign up for recreation activities?

Deadlines to register for the various recreation activities are listed in our seasonal program listing. Seasonal Program Listing Page

8. If I am late to register my child for an activity, what are my options?

If you are late to register for an activity, your child’s name will be added to a waiting list and you will be contacted as openings for that activity become available.

9. What if I register my child for an activity and they choose not to participate, either due to lack of interest, injury or a conflict with another in-town recreation activity?

If your child is unable to participate in an activity and we are notified within a reasonable amount of time, we will be able to refund the fees paid. Check our refund policy for a complete description and timelines.

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School Building Committee

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1. What is the East Longmeadow High School Project?

The East Longmeadow High School Project encompasses all aspects of the planning and construction of the High School, including the selection of the Owner's Project Manager (OPM), designer, and contractor, as well as oversight of the project.

The Town of East Longmeadow is participating in the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) process for the design and construction of a new High School. Acceptance to the MSBA program does not guarantee state funding. The MSBA approval process must be completed successfully for the state via the MSBA to provide significant financial assistance to the project.

In June 2021, the Town approved funds for the East Longmeadow High School Feasibility Study. The final product of the Feasibility Study will be a construction project proposal for which the Town must approve funding via a Town Vote.

2. Who is on the East Longmeadow HS Building Committee, and when does it meet?

The School Building Committee represents school and town leadership, School Committee, Facilities Department, educators, architects, residents, industry professionals, parents, town meeting members, and more. The Building Committee meets monthly in the School Committee Conference room and via Zoom. The meetings are open to the public, and participation is encouraged. Click here to view the Building Committee calendar. 

3. Who is the MSBA, and what is their role in this project?

The  Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) is a funding partner for the East Longmeadow HS project and projects across the Commonwealth.

The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) is a quasi-independent government authority created to reform the process of funding capital improvement projects in the Commonwealth's public schools. The MSBA strives to work with local communities to develop affordable, sustainable, and energy-efficient schools across Massachusetts.

 The Legislature created the MSBA in 2004 to replace the former school building assistance program administered by the Department of Education (now the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education).

The MSBA, which has a dedicated revenue stream of one penny of the state's 6.25-percent sales tax, is collaborating with municipalities to equitably invest in finding the right-sized, most fiscally responsible, and educationally appropriate solutions to create safe, sound, and sustainable learning environments.

4. Why does East Longmeadow need a new or renovated High School building?

The MSBA offered East Longmeadow HS a grant opportunity for the following reasons:

• Most academic spaces are below MSBA guidelines.
• Technology and Special education areas are under current MSBA guidelines by 50+%. This fact makes it very challenging to meet students' needs.
• Undersized science labs are easily overcrowded, raising safety concerns.
• The library is inconveniently located and antiquated, prohibiting it from serving as a 21st-century learning environment.
• The electrical system is at capacity, disallowing for additional air conditioning and expansion of technology.
• The transformer is overheating due to excessive electric loads for the ELHS building. Electrical wiring and equipment failures lead to power outages and are very disruptive for classes.
• The current HVAC system was original to the building (1960). Mechanical issues are prevalent and often cause disruptions to the learning environment.
• The roof is 29 years old and out of warranty. The membrane is deteriorating and pulling away from the metal edging in some areas, resulting in leaks and causing classrooms to be temporarily relocated.
• Old asbestos tiling is becoming worn down, presenting a possible health hazard.

5. Will the new school be renovated or rebuilt?

As part of the MSBA Feasibility Process, the School Building Committee and Project Team are required to explore each of the three options:

1. renovation to code
2. addition/renovation 
3. new construction

Through Module 3 of the Feasibility Process, the School Building Committee will narrow down the options based on findings and input from the community. The evaluations are based on cost, district needs, which option best supports the educational plan, and which option responds best to the community needs.

The MSBA does not decide on the final option that goes forward for a Town-wide vote. The School Building Committee will decide which final option to pursue.

A cost assessment will also be done to show the cost of doing nothing as a result of a failed vote for project funding.

6. Has the East Longmeadow High School design finalized?

No. Current design renderings are preliminary conceptual diagrams that have not yet been developed to include the District's input. Design concepts will be presented at monthly School Building Committee meetings and Community Forums throughout the feasibility process.

7. What is the project schedule?

8. Is a pool included as part of the project?

Swimming pools do not qualify for state funds from MSBA. With direction from the School Building Committee, the Project Team will explore saving the existing pool or building a new pool, understanding that all costs associated with pool construction would need to be approved by the Town with no funding from the state.

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Senior Work-Off Abatement Program (SWAP)

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1. At what age can you apply for the SWAP?

Taxpayers must be aged 60 prior to January 1st to earn property tax abatement under this program. Proof of age will need to be provided at time of application by completing the Form I-9.

2. Do I have to own the property in order to apply for the SWAP?

Yes, the taxpayers must be the assessed owner of the property as of January 1 of the applicable assessment year or, if the property is subject to a trust, the senior must have legal title, (i.e. be one of the trustees) to the property on which the tax to be abated is assessed. Where there is a question, the Board of Assessor’s will make a final determination.

3. Is there a minimum amount of years I have to own and occupy a property in East Longmeadow to apply for the SWAP?

Yes, the taxpayer must have owned and occupied a home in East Longmeadow for a minimum of five (5) years prior to January 1st. If the ownership and occupation is not a consecutive five years, the taxpayer must provide details of previous ownership and occupation (ie, address, dates) at the time of application which will be confirmed by the Assessor.

4. Will I be able to participate in the SWAP if I owe back taxes?

Yes

5. What is the maximum amount of hours I could work during the year in the SWAP?

The maximum abatement taxpayers may earn will be based on 125 hours for the period January 1 through November 30th. The taxpayer cannot receive credit for their services at an hourly rate higher than the state’s current minimum wage.

6. How will my hours worked in the SWAP be documented?

Hours worked must be documented in the time sheet provided at orientation and signed off on by the volunteer and his/her supervisor.

7. Can more than one qualifying owner participate in the SWAP per fiscal year?

No, only one qualifying owner of the parcel may earn an abatement under this program per fiscal year.

8. What happens if I am participating in the SWAP and due to circumstances, I cannot complete all of the hours?

If a selected owner cannot fulfill the commitment for all hours, another owner of the same property may complete the program if he/she also meets the SWAP requirements.

9. Where can I obtain an application for the SWAP?

Applications are available at the Council on Aging at 328 North Main Street and on the Town website.

10. Will everyone who applies receive a position in the SWAP?

No. There are a limited number of available positions each year. Taxpayers may be asked to interview for a position and the person who best meets the needs of a position will be selected. If there are more applications than available job positions, a lottery will be used.

11. When should I submit my completed application for the SWAP?

Completed applications must be received by October 1st to be considered for the SWAP for the upcoming calendar year. No late applications will be accepted.

12. Where do I submit my completed application?

All applications will be submitted to the Council on Aging at 328 North Main Street.

13. The application says that a CORI & SORI check will be done. What is a CORI & SORI check and why is one being done?

CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) and SORI (Sexual Offender Registry Information) is a record of all criminal court appearances in Massachusetts for a particular individual, including arrests, convictions, dismissals, and serious violations. All employees of the Town of East Longmeadow, including SWAP applicants, are subject to a CORI & SORI check as required by policy. This information is kept strictly confidential.

14. Am I ensured this position from year to year?

No, program selection is valid for one year. Applicants must reapply annually if they wish to participate again.

15. Who is responsible for administering SWAP?

A five-member committee consisting of the Executive Director of the Council on Aging, the Director of Assessing, the Director of Municipal Finance, the Human Resource Director, and a member at large will beresponsible for overseeing this program.

16. When will I receive my Senior Work-off Abatement?

All hours must be completed between January 1st and November 30th. You will receive a certificate of completion and a W-2 by January 31st of the following year. The abatement is applied to the following year’s tax bill (i.e. hours worked and credit earned between January 1, 2019 and November 30, 2019 will be applied to FY 2020 beginning on July 1, 2019). Therefore, you will be able to use it for your remaining unpaid taxes for your third and fourth quarter bill (which will be split in half between the two quarters). However, you will not see it credited on your bill statement until your fourth quarter bill dated May 1st.

17. Since participation in the SWAP is considered income earned, will there be taxes deducted?

Yes, the abatement is subject to federal social security withholdings (FICA and Medicare) and the taxpayer is responsible for filing the income earned. The abatement is not subject to state income tax withholdings. The Town will pay the employer share of the federal withholdings and issue a W-2 in the same manner as it does for all other employees. The employee’s share of these deductions will be deducted from the abatement amount. This means that the actual amount abated from the tax bill will be the amount earned less federal tax withholding.

18. Who should I contact if I have additional questions?

Questions regarding the program may be directed to the SWAP Committee at swap@eastlongmeadowma.gov. You may also go to the Council on Aging at 328 North Main Street, East Longmeadow, MA or call 413-525-5400 ext. 1401.

19. What if I sell my property before I see the abatement on my real estate taxes?

You will notify your closing attorney to ensure that you are properly credited for your abatement as part of your closing.

20. Will I qualify to participate in the SWAP program if I currently receive a Statutory Exemption on my real estate taxes?

Providing your Statutory Tax Exemption and your Senior Work-off Tax Abatement combined does not exceed your total tax liability you would qualify to participate.

21. If I do not receive a SWAP position can I still volunteer with no compensation?

Volunteering in your community is always encouraged.

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Zoning Board of Appeals

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1. What Matters are Considered by the Board of Appeals?

The Building Commissioner, as the Zoning Administrator for the Town, is charged with enforcing all zoning bylaws of East Longmeadow. In East Longmeadow, the Zoning Board of Appeals has the power to hear and decide a reversal of the decision made by the Zoning Administrator. The Zoning Board of Appeals has the power to hear and decide petitions for Variances.

Also, the East Longmeadow Board of Appeals reviews and approves Comprehensive Permits under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 40B [Sections 20-23] for development of affordable housing proposals. Decisively, the Board of Appeals hears repetitive petition cases and appeals to Site Plan approval if parties of interest should be aggrieved by the findings of the Planning Board. All discussion of matters must be conducted in public under the Open Meeting Law.

To submit a Variance Petition, submit an Appeal to a decision of the Building Commissioner, submit an appeal to Site Plan Approval by the Planning Board, or discuss a matter that could be considered a Repetitive Petition, or discuss a Comprehensive Permit under Chapter 40B, please contact the Department of Planning and Community Development by phone or email.

2. What to Expect in a Public Hearing?

1. Public Notice

Abutters and others who have expressed interest in keeping abreast of Zoning Board of Appeals cases receive a letter, via the US Postal System, informing them of a scheduled public hearing. This “Notice” is also published in the legal notice section of The Republican newspaper.  This information may also be found under the Local Notice Classifieds on MassLive:  If someone desires to express their opinion regarding a matter before the Zoning Board of Appeals, but is unable to be present at a meeting, persons of interest are welcome to submit written comment via email or letter to the Department of Planning and Community Development. Comments are provided by the department to the ZBA for consideration. Applicants/Petitioners are required to be present at the Board of Appeals hearing

2. Public Hearing

 At the first hearing, the applicant will describe their intent, or give testimony, to the Zoning Board of Appeals.  Plans that have been submitted by the petitioner to the Department of Planning and Community Development were made available to the ZBA in advance of the hearing so its members could review the information prior to the meeting and be well prepared for discussion of the petition at the hearing. During the hearing, the Board of Appeals may also consider any comments regarding the petition received from other municipal departments. Written comments from parties of interest unable to attend the hearing may be taken under advisement by the Board of Appeals. Those in attendance may voice comment in support or against the petition to the Board of Appeals. All are requested to please maintain civil, respectful, and courteous discourse and behavior which is conducive to the democratic and harmonious airing of concerns and decision making. The Board may pose questions to the applicant/petitioner. Since the Board often hears several projects in an evening, hearings last a specified period of time. Should additional information to render a decision be required, the ZBA and applicant/petitioner may agree to continue the hearing to a definitive date and time.

 3. Close of Hearing

After all testimony is duly considered by the ZBA, the hearing is closed and the Board of Appeals votes on the specific matter that has come before them.

• Staff prepares the Decision for an Appeal or Variance within fourteen (14) days of the close of hearing.
• The Decision is delivered to the office of the Town Clerk by staff where it is received and date stamped to start the 20 day appeal period.
• Occasionally, the hearing process is delayed due to weather, the absence of a Board member or at the applicant's request. To verify that a hearing is being held on a scheduled date, you can call the Planning and Community Development office at 413-525-5100 x 1700 or check the Agenda and Minutes page
• If a Public Hearing is continued to a definitive date or delayed because of matters beyond the control of the Department of Planning and Community Development, abutter notices will not be resent, nor will the public hearing be re-advertised in the local newspaper.