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Lakeville neighbors press appeals board over large-scale firewood operation; hearing continued to Feb. 12
Summary
Neighbors testified that heavy equipment, repeated truck trips and large wood piles at 11 School Street amount to commercial firewood processing in a residential zone. The building commissioner said he lacked conclusive proof of sales; the board continued the appeal to Feb. 12 to allow follow-up enforcement or additional filings.
The Lakeville Zoning Board of Appeals heard two hours of testimony Thursday about whether a resident’s large-scale firewood processing at 11 School Street amounts to a prohibited commercial use in a residential neighborhood.
Attorney John Markey, representing petitioner Paul Turner and other neighbors, presented photos, Ring-camera clips and a timeline he said showed repeated truck deliveries and 13 outbound truck trips in November alone. "This is about getting back the quiet and the peace that these folks invested their lives in," Markey said, asking the board to reinstate a cease-and-desist order the building commissioner had lifted in November.
Building Commissioner Nathan Darling told the board he followed his standard enforcement protocol—taking complaints, visiting the site and reviewing file materials—and initially issued a cease-and-desist. He said he later lifted it because he had not found conclusive proof of a sale or other clear evidence of commercial activity. "I can't tell somebody they're being untruthful without evidence," Darling said, describing the limits of enforcement without documentation such as advertisements, receipts or on-site employees.
Several neighbors described sustained noise, large piles of wood and frequent truck traffic. Elvis Lopes, who lives across the street, said the operation sometimes ran on weekends and shouted that the owner had told neighbors he was making money from the activity. "He said, 'F them'—he wasn't respectful of neighbors," Lopes said, adding he has not seen smoke from a wood stove at the property and believes the wood is shipped in and removed.
Town counsel and others discussed the legal standard the board must apply. Counsel explained that under the applicable state zoning process the board reviews the building commissioner’s November decision de novo and may consider new evidence presented at the meeting. Counsel also noted the board’s limited authority over fines and that enforcement options include a new complaint that could lead the building commissioner to issue a fresh cease-and-desist.
After hearing residents and discussing enforcement mechanics, board members coalesced around allowing the building commissioner and the neighbors time to file and gather new evidence rather than immediately reinstating enforcement. The board voted to continue the appeal to Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. at the Lakeville Public Library. Members approved minutes from Dec. 18 and adjourned at 9:08 p.m.
What happens next: Neighbors’ attorney said petitioners could file a new enforcement request that would give the building commissioner a fuller record to act on; if new evidence appears the commissioner said he could reissue a cease-and-desist, which the board would then review.
