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Swansea ZBA defers Eversource special-exception hearing after recusals shrink panel
Summary
The Swansea Zoning Board of Adjustments on March 16 postponed a public hearing on ZBA 26-003, a special exception for utility-pole work, after two members recused themselves, leaving a three-member panel that would require a unanimous vote; the applicant agreed to continue to the next meeting to allow fuller review of floodplain impacts and abutter concerns.
The Swansea Zoning Board of Adjustments on March 16 agreed to continue a public hearing on ZBA 26-003, a special exception linked to an Eversource pole-replacement project, after two board members recused themselves and the applicant asked for a deferral.
Vice Chair Jay Ward, who presided after the chair recused, told the attendees that because two members had declared conflicts, the remaining three members would need to reach a unanimous decision on a special exception. "You understand that that's considered has to be a unanimous decision. All three of us have to say yes," Ward said.
Board members and residents heard a project description that limited the Swansea special-exception request to four poles within the town's floodplain district, while the broader utility project would replace roughly 25 existing wooden poles with steel poles across several jurisdictions. An applicant representative described the work as a like-for-like replacement in the same locations: "the project we would basically just swap those out for steel," the presenter said.
Residents raised concerns about property impacts and notification. John McCarthy, a resident who identified himself by name, said neighbors had been told a shed on a neighboring lot might be removed and asked whether properties would be taken. The board said planning staff and the applicant must clarify whether any takings or removals are involved before the item returns to the board.
Board and staff members explained why the applicant notified an unusually large number of people. Planning staff said New Hampshire's RSA definition of "abutter" can require notification of every parcel that touches the project parcel, producing a mailing list of about 120–130 addresses in this case. Staff described the extra notices as a legal precaution: compiling the notices took hours, but it reduces the risk of a procedural challenge.
Given the recusals, the applicant agreed to defer the hearing so the board can provide clearer information about property impacts, maps and the floodplain. Vice Chair Ward closed the public hearing for now and advised residents to consult the town planning office or the applicant's outreach contact for follow-up questions. The board indicated the matter will be placed on the agenda at the next meeting, scheduled for April 20.
What happens next: planning staff and the applicant are expected to clarify parcel-level impacts and provide clearer maps and outreach contact information before ZBA 26-003 is reheard.
Provenance: topicintro SEG 076, topfinish SEG 441.
