The Zoning Board of Appeals, expecting to face two hearings in September, is back in business after selectmen appointed two members Monday. Aug. 19.
Walter Fey, an accountant, and Christian Klein, an architect, were named in 5-0 board vote.
They fill spots on the five-member board left vacant after longtime chairman Joseph F. Tulimieri was not reappointed last June.
In response to the appointment of Roger A. Dupont, Eugene Lucarelli resigned and Paul Maloy Jr., reappointed with Dupont, also quit. Both expressed support for Tulimieri, whose unauthorized pay raises in connection with the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority led Selectman Chairman Daniel Dunn not to appoint him.
Dunn said he had interviewed four candidates. The other two zoning board members are Suzanne Rivitz and Pamela Heidell.
Other Board of selectmen action
In other business, the board:
— Voted, 4-1, to reduce from four days to three the license suspensions for Shanghai Village and Szechuan’s Dumpling. Selectman Steve Byrne was opposed.
— Heard Bartlett Avenue resident Carol Band ask on behalf of neighbors for a traffic study in the light of Whole Foods’ expected opening in late September. The board referred the request to the Transportation Advisory Committee.
— Voted, 5-0, to revoke Scugnizzi’s operating and beer and wine licenses, closing the 450 Mass. Ave. restaurant, after reporting the owner had moved to Mexico following nonpayment of rent.
— Unanimously approved the transfer of the operating license for Golden Taste, at 14 Medford St.
— Granted, 5-0, outdoor seating for three tables to Yummy’s, a self-serve frozen yogurt spot at 474 Mass. Ave. The town’s Planning Department must approve details.
— Unanimously agreed to the police recommendation that no traffic-calming measures be brought to Bates Road. Office Corey Rateau said Maria Romano and Sheri Baron had withdrawn their request for measures after police effort to track speeding showed changes were unwarranted.
Open Meeting Law ruling favors resident
— Heard Richard Langone read a statement that alleged the targeted ticketing of vehicles in the spring of 2012 on Swan Place. He noted that a state Open Meeting Law complaint that he had brought last year had been decided in his favor and that the town had failed to post two notices, as required. YourArlington has previously reported about Swan Place parking issues.
Some background about liquor case, traffic
As to the violations for serving those underage, the penalty reductions were the same as the one given in July Not Your Average Joe’s. All three were first-time offenders.
Selectmen Diane Mahon and Kevin Greeley said they thought that NYAJ was given a lesser punishment because of language issues.
Dunn apologized to Shanghai Village owner Hun Mei Tsai Lo for a misunderstanding at July’s meeting.
Byrne and Joseph Curro supported the board’s using its discretion and said their decision in July was based on commitment to change, not communication.
In July, the two restaurants, along with second-time offender Manna House, were asked to submit new plans of action after the board found their policies insufficient.
Selectmen have to approve the restaurants’ new policies, which included contracts and training programs for employees and signs on coolers or tables reminding servers to check IDs.
As to Whole Foods, Band, a Town Meeting member, said residents are concerned about overflow parking on Bartlett and the street used as a cut-through to Route 2 and Belmont. She suggested a no-left-turn sign at the parking lot’s exit, directing customers back to Mass. Ave.
Band asked that a traffic study be done before and after Whole Foods opens, but selectmen said that doing so after opening made sense. A study done now wouldn’t take into account what traffic was like when Johnnie’s was open, they said.
Whole Food is scheduled to open Sept. 18.
This story was published Thursday, Aug. 22, 2013, and updated Aug. 31.
