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Zoning Board of Appeals elects Chris O'Havy chair; meetings to move during elevator repairs
Summary
At its Jan. 7 organizational meeting, the Town of Stratford Zoning Board of Appeals unanimously elected Chris O'Havy chair and Mike Carroll vice chair, approved minutes from Dec. 3, 2024, and heard that meetings will relocate for about six months while an elevator is out of service.
Chris O'Havy was unanimously elected chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Town of Stratford at the board's Jan. 7, 2025, organizational meeting. The board also elected Mike Carroll as vice chairman, approved the Dec. 3, 2024, minutes and was told regular meetings will be held at alternate locations while the town's elevator is repaired.
The leadership votes were conducted under a call for nominations citing Robert's Rules of Order (chapter 15, section 47 11). After nominations, board members responded with a voice vote: “Aye,” and the chair announced Chris O'Havy was “unanimously elected to serve as the chairman of the Zoning Board of appeals for 2025.” After taking the chair, O'Havy said, “I consider it an amazing honor to serve as the chairman of this board and to work with all of you.”
The board then elected Mike Carroll as vice chairman. The vice chair nomination was seconded by board member Sweeling and carried by voice vote, announced as unanimous. The board approved the minutes of the Dec. 3, 2024, meeting on a motion moved by Poisson and seconded by Lynch; that motion also carried unanimously by voice vote.
During the meeting, staff member Brennan told the board the building elevator will be out of service for an estimated six months while renovations proceed. Brennan said the town is still confirming an alternate meeting location and that the two primary options under consideration are Birds Eye and the Baldwin Center. He advised members to watch email notices for confirmation of location and dates. Brennan noted the elevator outage will affect ADA access to the second floor, and the board discussed ensuring audio and video recording equipment remains available so meetings continue to be recorded for public access and records.
The board also observed a moment of silence for former board member and municipal official William O. Cabral, who died Dec. 16; the chair said Cabral's seat would be left empty in tribute at this meeting. Finally, the board was told one petition—an application related to a residential staircase—is expected on next month's agenda.
No other public hearings were listed on the Jan. 7 agenda. The meeting adjourned by motion at 7:06 p.m.
