Plaistow ZBA fails to appoint alternate member after 2-2 vote

The Plaistow Zoning Board of Adjustment voted on July 30 on whether to appoint an alternate member submitted as an application from Peter Belo, but the motion to appoint failed on a recorded 2‑2 roll call and the applicant was not appointed.

Board Chair Michael Murray opened the discussion by noting the board had received the applicant’s materials and asked whether members wished to vote or delay until a full five‑member board could consider the matter. A board member who raised concerns about the application asked that his written remarks be entered into the record and argued members should be held to the town’s zoning ordinances. In explaining his position, that member said: "I represent the interests of the people of the town of Plastow as those interests are expressed through the zoning ordinances." (Member’s full remarks were read for the record.)

After discussion and a short nonpublic consultation with counsel, a motion to appoint the alternate was made and seconded. The motion text, as read aloud, was: "I’ll make a motion to appoint mister Bilodeau as an alternate to the zoning board of adjustment." The roll‑call recorded votes as follows: Michael Murray — yes; Brian LeBreck — no; Jim Unger — yes; Theresa Kane — no. Because the tally did not produce a majority in favor, the appointment did not pass and the candidate was not seated.

The record contains two spellings of the applicant’s name — "Peter Belo" in the item introduction and "Bilodeau" in the motion — reflecting a discrepancy in the transcript. The board did not adopt the appointment at this meeting; members did not schedule further action on the application during the public session.

What happens next: the board did not appoint an alternate tonight. Members discussed whether to revisit the item at the next meeting when a full five‑member board might be present.