Plymouth’s Zoning Board of Appeals has one brave member when it comes to the 71 Hedges Pond Road development. Alternate ZBA member, David Peck, did his homework. The other Zoning Board of Appeals members relied on the opinions of Plymouth’s special town counsel and the director of inspectional services to render a decision on the two appeals brought by the group represented by volunteer Attorney Meg Sheehan. The group appealed the permit which was issued by Inspectional Services Director, Jason Silva, for 71 Hedges Pond Road. The group also appealed the ZBA ‘s denial of a cease-and-desist order to stop the clear cutting and ground moving at the site.
The other ZBA members on April 7 did not deviate from the status quo of town officials dismissing anything that has to do with Meg Sheehan. Have you heard the town manager’s diatribes on Meg Sheehan?
It was obvious at the hearing that the other members were not prepared. They had to rely on the answers given by town counsel and ignored the volumes of law specific testimony presented from the appellants.
It is time for the Zoning Board of Appeals to show independence without bias. Thank you to David Peck for showing his integrity and independence. I wonder how long David will be allowed to serve? Will the appointing authorities punish his integrity by not reappointing him?
By the way, initially an appeal was considered by a small group of Cedarville residents who were told that there was just cause for an appeal: the special permit process was not followed and the earth being excavated was more than incidental and necessary. Those Cedarville residents did not have the $1,000 filing fee and the abutter notice fees that the town charges to file an appeal.
It is overwhelmingly difficult for private citizens to exercise their right of appeal and to compete with the resources of the developers and the town departments that are supposed to work for all Plymouth residents. How fair is this appeal process?
– Pat Adelmann