May 17, 2018

Ms. Durkin addressed Chairman Buechler and said that he is putting words in her mouth because she never said that. She said, based on some of the questions from the Board at the last meeting, she researched the issue because the question she had in her head was if the Board had the right to deny this application because this child in a wheelchair cannot choose to live in a certain home because it requires a variance to make that property handicap assessable. Ms. Durkin stated that she did not think the Board’s intentions were to be discriminatory. Ms. Durkin stated that she has a Planner that will address the issue the Board had regarding the suitability of this property. Ms. Durkin called the applicant’s architect as her first witness. Kevin Pellon approached the podium and was sworn under oath. Ms. Durkin stated that Mr. Pellon was accepted by the Board at the last meeting as a qualified licensed architect. Mr. Pellon presented ten (10) pages of photos with two (2) photos on each page for a total of twenty (20) photos that was marked as Exhibit A-2 for identification. Mr. Pellon stated that he prepared Exhibit A-2 and began to detail the photos. Mr. Pellon stated that the first two aerial photos were from Google Earth; he said that the remainder of the photos were taken by his team which included Ms. Durkin, Chuck Stewart and himself. Mr. Pellon stated that the photos were all taken within the last week. Mr. Pellon referred to Exhibit A-2 and detailed the photos. Ms. Durkin stated that at the last meeting Vice Chairman Neuer asked if the large evergreen tree at the north side of the property had to be removed; Ms. Durkin stated that it does not have to be removed. Mr. Pellon stated that there is a small dogwood tree and some bushes that will have to come out. Vice Chairman Neuer asked Mr. Pellon if they applied for a tree removal permit; he said no. Vice Chairman Neuer asked Mr. Pellon if the construction of the ramp will hinder the roots of the evergreen tree; he said there is always danger but they are using the same footings that are used to build a deck so the tree should be fine. Vice Chairman Neuer asked Mr. Pellon if he spoke to the town’s Forester; he said no. Ms. Durkin asked Mr. Pellon if the proposed ramp design is the most feasible for this house; he said yes. Mr. Pellon stated that they did explore different options, such as lifts,

ester; he said no. Ms. Durkin asked Mr. Pellon if the proposed ramp design is the most feasible for this house; he said yes. Mr. Pellon stated that they did explore different options, such as lifts, but none of them would work because of Ethan’s needs.