Panel grants shoreland and floodplain permits for barn repairs in town meeting

The committee voted to grant shoreland and floodplain permits for repairs to a barn property after staff said the recently added electrical panel and other new infrastructure would be above the mapped flood elevation.

Presenter Steve told the panel that the mapped flood elevation in the area is 173.1, while the barn floor sits at about 171.4, roughly 1.5–2 feet lower than the flood elevation, and that elevations must be verified for compliance before additional work proceeds. Staff said a building permit and a limited residential shoreland zoning permit were pending and that contractors had stopped work after town inspectors visited.

The chair invited questions about the scope of the work and whether the barn was being converted to residential use; staff said the current permit relates to foundation and electrical work and did not appear to meet the 50% valuation threshold that would require bringing the entire structure to current building‑code standards. Committee members asked for a record of elevations and any additional documentation needed to ensure compliance with floodplain management requirements.

One committee member moved to grant the permits; the chair seconded, and the motion passed. The transcript records the action and a voice vote but does not list individual vote tallies by name. After the approval staff thanked the panel and confirmed they would finalize permit paperwork and notify the contractor when work may resume under the permit conditions.

The meeting will return to the shoreland zoning item (originally listed under new business) at a later date for fuller review of proposed ordinance changes.