WHITINGHAM- The selectboard met with members of the town’s planning and zoning boards Wednesday evening, November 16, to continue their discussion regarding the formation of a development review board. Planning commissioner Linda Donaghue, zoning board of adjustment chair Dave Dumaine, and zoning board member Dana Dix were on hand for the talk. Shirley Kasanoff, board assistant, outlined the steps necessary to establish a development review board. After apprising the planning commission and zoning board of their intention to create a DRB, the town is required to hold an informational meeting before the selectboard can hold a vote. Dix suggested that the selectboard should meet with the full planning commission and the zoning board of adjustment. Donaghue said that any planning commission and zoning board member appointed to the development review board would be required to attend extra meetings. Donaghue said that the planning commission is facing a lot of work with rezoning.

Selectboard member Greg Brown said that the idea of a development review board was to help reduce the work of the zoning board and planning commission. Brown said that in the past there was a problem getting permits approved in a timely manner and the selectboard has been considering this move for four years.

Dumaine said that there had been no problem with permits since he had been on the zoning board. The selectboard decided that they will schedule a meeting with the full planning commission and zoning board of adjustment to consider the ramifications of establishing a development review board in Whitingham. Brown suggested that the selectboard review the pros and cons of a development review board before their meeting with the two boards.

Dix also met with the board as cemetery commissioner, to request a financial report that would give the commission an idea how much money is left in their budget. Dix requested quarterly reports and the board said that the request could be accommodated. Town administrator Bonnie Jo Radasch requested that the cemetery commission have their new budget request ready by January 2, 2012. Dix told the board that the commission had to solicit quotes for mowing next year and that there was damage to a wall at the Whitingham Cemetery due to flooding caused by Tropical Storm Irene. The board approved the payables and payroll warrants.

Radasch gave the board a memo on an eligibility requirement for self-paying insurance for town workers who work more than 17.5 hours per week. The board approved the memo. The board also approved a step increase for town employee Jack Kincella with a note that they would review it again at the end of the fiscal year.

Radasch said that there was a potential overage of $100 for the holiday lights budget. The board approved a motion to take the money from the miscellaneous section of the budget. Radasch informed the board that the Rotary Club would light a tree by the church in Whitingham.

The board discussed a complaint of barking dogs in the Van Lane neighborhood. The board instructed the dog officer to take the dogs since they were unregistered and the owners had ignored letters instructing that the dogs be registered.

The board went into executive session at 8:20 pm.