Lakeville ZBA Continues Firewood Dispute, Grants Carriage Garage Permit

Zoning Board · Meeting of April 16, 2026

Lakeville's Zoning Board of Appeals continued a firewood-operation enforcement dispute for a second time, voting 4 to 1 to delay a final ruling until May 21. Chair John told the board that town counsel from Goldman and Paige advised the ZBA it cannot legally restrict the use of specific equipment — such as a conveyor belt or skid steer — on residential property absent a town bylaw expressly prohibiting it, narrowing the board's enforcement options. Building Commissioner Darling reported in an email read into the record that he has not personally observed production activity at 11 School Street since the last meeting, and that property owner Walsh has voluntarily offered to stop using the firewood conveyor.

Neighbor Paul Turner of 1 Ledgewood Drive pushed back, arguing that removing the conveyor does not cure the alleged commercial use and citing case law holding that inactivity does not make an illegal use legal. In a separate matter, the board unanimously approved a special permit for a 28-by-28 two-story carriage-style garage at 5 Christian Brook Lane for applicants Charles and Jessica Salaby.

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Source: the Zoning Board meeting of April 16, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.