The Mason Zoning Board of Adjustment unanimously adopted two new meeting policies Tuesday, establishing rules for attendance and the application appeal process.
The board began reviewing the policies in July and slightly modified both before passing them.
Under the first policy, if a quorum exists but the full five-member board is not present, applicants may choose to continue their hearing to a later date or proceed with the members present. However, if an applicant chooses to proceed and the application fails, the lack of a full board cannot serve as grounds for a rehearing.
In the final draft, the board struck the word “solely” from the original phrase “shall not solely constitute grounds,” deeming it redundant.
The second policy addresses unexcused absences and removal procedures for board members.
If a full member misses three consecutive meetings without advance notice or a reasonable explanation, the member will first be asked to resign. If the member declines, the board chair will notify the Select Board in writing and recommend the member be removed and the seat declared vacant.
“What we do here is very important, and when you join the board, you accept a certain amount of responsibility,” Board Chair Bob Dillberger said. “If you can’t be at meetings, in my opinion, you should find some other way to serve the town.”
Dillberger noted a recent instance where an appointed member missed multiple consecutive meetings and attended sporadically.
During discussions, board member Dotsie Millbrandt questioned what constituted a valid excuse under the original draft. Member Charlie Moser suggested requiring “advance notice,” which he argued was most helpful for board planning. Dillberger noted that emergencies might prevent advance notice. The board compromised by requiring “advance notice or reasonable explanation.”
The board also considered applying the policy to sporadic attendance — such as missing a set number of meetings within six months or a year — but left the wording unchanged.
Alternate Tom Tramontozzi, sitting as a voting member Tuesday, suggested adopting the policy as written to “lay a foundation,” noting it could be amended later if necessary.
The board meets next on Sept. 15 at 7 p.m. at the Mann House.