Zoning board hears appeal over 10 kW generator at 63 Sassafras Street; board signals likely denial

Summary

The Zoning Board of Appeals reviewed a variance request to allow a 10 kW standby generator sited inside required setbacks at 63 Sassafras Street. The owner and contractor cited medical needs and chronic basement flooding; the board agreed two of four variance criteria were met but said two were not and made no formal decision while written findings are drafted.

The Zoning Board of Appeals met on Aug. 26 to hear an appeal from Mitchell Sparrow and co‑owner Denise Spina seeking a variance to reduce setback requirements for a 10 kW Generac standby generator at 63 Sassafras Street. The unit was installed without a finalized permit and sits within the town’s setback requirements, the board heard.

Appellant testimony and contractor statements emphasized medical necessity and repeated basement flooding. Mitchell Sparrow said he requires multiple refrigerated injectable medications and that ‘‘they must be refrigerated precisely between 37 and 42 degrees,’’ and that the installed generator preserves medications and powers sump pumps that otherwise allow water to damage the basement. Contractor representatives from Moriarty Electric told the board the unit was installed 7 feet from the rear property line and 18 inches from the house and that they could find no other on‑site location that met setback and building‑opening constraints while also protecting the homeowners’ medical needs.

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Zoning board hears appeal over 10 kW generator at 63 Sassafras Street; board signals likely denial

Summary

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