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Date: 4/20/2021
WILLIAMSBURG – During the Williamsburg Zoning Board of Appeals April 13 meeting, the board opened a public hearing regarding an application for a used car dealership on 146 Main St.
To start the hearing, Zoning Board of Appeals Chair Charles Dudek said that one of his concerns with approving the permit for the dealership was because of back taxes Haydenville Gas and Electric owed at the property.
“The town has a bylaw regarding license or permit renewals and essentially the bylaw says that the permit granting authority may deny an application for a permit based on the fact that the applicant has neglected or refused to pay any local taxes, fees, assessments, betterments, or municipal charges,” he said.
Applicant Robert Ross acknowledged the taxes that are owed and explained that he was in contact with the treasurer about a potential payoff.
“Yes, there are taxes due, and I have been in contact with the treasurer for Haydenville Gas and Electric. I have been trying to get a pay off, but communications have been difficult with COVID-19,” he said.
After one of the site’s abutters asked about the inventory on site, Ross said he had to halt all sales back in October 2020.
“My inventory generally turns over pretty rapidly but between COVID-19 and the fact that I was putting a halt on selling cars where the building inspector was monitoring my Facebook and eBay sales, all manner of selling and liquidating my vehicles was overseen by the Building Department,” he said.
One of the concerns brought up by Board member Gerald Mann was complaints from residents over the appearance of the lot.
“At our initial conversation when the town administrator was present, she mentioned there were loads of complaints coming into the town offices based upon the general appearance of your facility, that it looked more like a junkyard than an auto sales place, and driving by, it looks like a junkyard,” he said.
Ross said that because of COVID-19, it has been hard to get some of his inventory off his property.
“In the last year it has been extremely difficult to liquidate items. And the numerous complaints were about me having tag sales on the weekends, which were estate sales and are perfectly acceptable and allowable under the town bylaws,” he said.
After Mann suggested doing a site visit, Dudek agreed and said he wanted to speak to the treasurer about the taxes to eliminate one potential concern.
“I think it is a good idea for us to have a site visit and I also would like an update on working with the treasure to resolve the tax issue because if we can get some assurances on that question then it eliminates the consideration of denying the permit on the tax issue,” he said.
Ultimately the Board agreed to continue the hearing to its next meeting on April 27 pending the site visit on April 22.