ZBA inspects Marsh property for proposed special exception; abutter asks for project time limit

The Town of Temple Zoning Board of Adjustment held a site walk at the Marsh residence on West Road on May 5 so board members could see the proposed locations for buildings tied to a Special Exception application.

Chair Emily Sliviak opened the site walk at 4:30 p.m., told attendees that the public may observe but that "no comments will be accepted from the public, photographs are banned, and all persons attending are to stay with the ZBA," and called the hearing to order at 4:32 p.m.

Alan Marsh, who led the tour of his property, warned that "the ground is uneven and rough" and pointed out where the larger and smaller buildings would be sited. Marsh demonstrated a buffer between the proposed large building and his abutters, the Collettes, and said he intends to maintain an existing bridle path in the woods.

Board member Lynessa Huntley asked whether Marsh would need to regrade to build; Marsh said he plans "to level the land and have it pitch in one direction." Board member Allan Pickman noted the parcel is about 450 feet from the old elementary school; Marsh said he would move the proposed building site within the allotted boundaries.

During the walk Marsh showed an area in the woods he intends to use to take material to fill and level the building pad; when Clay Lennartz asked whether stone walls would need protection, Marsh replied no. Sliviak asked about vehicles and stored equipment; Marsh said "about half of the vehicles run," that most equipment is not hydraulically operated, and that the clay soils on the property would soak up any hypothetical spills. He opened an enclosed trailer to show generators and parts and confirmed those trailers and other stored items would need to be relocated during construction.

Russell Wilson raised questions about junkyard-related regulations and best practices for keeping parts; Marsh said the property underwent an environmental assessment and "they were found to be operating under the best environmental practices," adding that as landowner and a collector of antique vehicles he has an interest in addressing environmental issues promptly.

As the tour concluded, Marsh said he plans to stage equipment on the far side of his property while construction proceeds. Abutter Murray Collette told the ZBA he wants assurance of a time limit for the project so work will not continue indefinitely.

Chair Sliviak moved to adjourn, Clay Lennartz seconded, and the site walk was adjourned at 5:14 p.m. The hearing on the Marsh Special Exception will continue at 6:30 p.m. on May 14.

The board’s next steps are to review the site-walk observations alongside application materials at the scheduled continuation; no formal vote on the Special Exception was recorded during the site walk.