Canton, Massachusetts · Saved source text
05-20-2020 MINUTES
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TOWN OF CANTON PLANNING BOARD MEETING WEDNESDAY, MAY 209 2020 Virtual "Zoom" Meeting 7:00 P.M. Present- Thomas C. Sully, Chairman Robert Panico, Vice Chairman Patricia McDermott, Clerk David McCarthy, Member Kathy Gibbs McCormack, Member Also Present- Thomas Houston, Professional Services Corporation Laura Smead, `I'ovvn Planner Chairman Scully called to order the Planning Board "Zoom" naceting of May 20, 2020 at 7:00 p.mo A motion was made by Chairman Scully and seconded by Ms. McDermott to open the public meeting. Motion Approved 5-0. A roll call was taken of each member, Mr. Panico, Ms. McDermott, Ms. McCormack, and Chairman Scully, all present. A motion was made by Chairman Scully and seconded by Ms. McDermott to open Item #1. Motion Approved 5-0. First Item on the Agenda (i) HEARING ON SPECIAL TOWN MEETING ZONING ARTICLE: AMEND ZONING BYLAWS — CHANGE `BOARD OF SELECTMEN" TO "SELECT BOARD" Chairman Scully read the Article into the record: "Article 4: To see if the Town will vote to amend the Town of Canton's Zoning By-laws by replacing, in each instance in which they appear: (1) the words "Board of Selectmen", "Board of Selectman", "Board", or "Selectmen", when such terms reference the entire Board, the term "Select Board"; (2) the term "Selectman" with "Select Board member"; (3) the term "Chairman" with the term "Chair"; and the term "Vice Chairman" to "Vice Chair" and to change any other gender specific pronouns to general neutral pronouns or to take any action related thereto, provided, however, that this bylaw amendment shall take effect only after all the provisions of M.G.L. C. 40 Section 32 have been met; or to take any other action related thereto. Board o Selectmen
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Planning Board Minutes May 20, 2020 Page 2 of 4 Ms. Smead explained that this is self-explanatory and it is appropriate to make these changes. A motion was made by Chairman Scully and seconded by Ms. McDermott to send a favorable recommendation to amend the Town of Canton's Zoning By-laws by replacing Board of Selectmen" to "Select Board", in accordance with language in this Article. Motion Approved 5-0. (Roll Call Taken) A motion was made by Chairman Scully and seconded by Ms. McDermott to close the public hearing. Motion Approved 5-0 (Roll Call Taken) A motion was made by Chairman Scully and seconded by Ms. McDermott to open General Business. Motion Approved 5-0 (Roll Call Taken) Next Item on the Agenda - GENERAL BUSINESS (1) Update on late Community Preservation Commission application for a short-term rental assistance program for Canton residents Lisa Lopez of the Community Preservation commission was introduced. Ms. Smead explained that she sent out a revised draft for the Community Preservation Committee application based upon the Planning Board's discussion on May 6th. She is also working on gathering quotes from housing service offices, and also reaching out to various potential stakeholders who may offer letters of support including Council on Aging (Diane Tynan has been extremely busy during the pandemic); the Housing Authority; Planning Board; Board of Selectmen; and maybe from the general public. She is looking for some direction from the Planning Board. If anyone has any changes, please let her know since she would like to send the final application as soon as she can. The CCPC will be presenting to the Finance Committee tonight and will probably not be able to take a final position since it is not the final application. The Article is in response to the loss of income to Canton households due to Covidi9 and the Town has created an emergency Housing Relief Program utilizing its Community Preservation Act funds. This is designed to provide assistance and is temporary in nature and funding is limited. To qualify, an eligible renter is required for the following: Currently lives in Canton; has reduced income because of COVID19 and can demonstrate financial hardship; earns less than l00% of the Area Median Income. Households currently receiving rental assistance are not eligible for this program.