The Zoning Board of Appeals shall consist of five regular and two alternate members appointed by the Mayor, with the approval of the Town Council. The regular members of the Board shall elect all officers of the Zoning Board.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended during codification.
A. 
The Chairperson shall vote and be recorded on all matters coming before the Board. Subject to these rules, he/she shall decide all points of order, unless overruled by a majority of the Board in session at the time. He/She shall appoint such committees as may be found necessary or desirable.
B. 
In addition to the powers granted by the General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Zoning Ordinance of the Town of Greenfield and subject to these rules and further instructions of the Board, the Chairperson shall transact the official business of the Board, supervise the work of the Clerk, request necessary help, direct the general work of the Board, and exercise general supervisory power. He/She shall at each meeting report the official transactions that have not otherwise come to the attention of the Board.
In the event that the Chairperson is absent, disabled or otherwise unable to perform his/her duties, the Board may elect by majority a regular member to serve as Acting Chairperson.
The Clerk shall be the Permits Manager, and shall, subject to review by the Board and its Chairperson, supervise all of the clerical work of the Board, including all correspondence of the Board, sending of all notices required by law, preparation of rules and orders of the Board, receive and scrutinize all applications for compliance with the rules of the Board, keep dockets and minutes of the Board's proceedings, compile all required records, maintain necessary files and indices, and record the roll at all Board meetings. If the Clerk is absent, the Chairperson shall appoint an Acting Clerk.
Alternate members shall sit on the Board in case of the absence, inability to act or apparent conflict of interest on the part of any Board member, or as part of a regularly scheduled rotation among the regular members.
Four members shall constitute a quorum.
A. 
Regular meetings of the Board of Appeals are normally held on the second Thursday of each month at the Police Department Meeting Room, 321 High Street. If a regular meeting day falls on a holiday or any day of a national, state, or municipal election or caucus or primary or is in conflict with a session of a Town Meeting, the meeting may be held on the succeeding Thursday. Regular meetings shall be open to the public in accordance with MGL c. 30A, §§ 18 through 25. Except in an emergency, a notice of each Board meeting shall be filed with the Town Clerk, and a notice or a copy thereof shall be publicly posted in the office of said Clerk or on the principal or official bulletin board in the Town Hall at least 48 hours, including Saturdays but not Sundays and legal holidays, prior to such meetings.
B. 
Business at regular meetings shall include site and other plan examinations and all other matters in the province of the Zoning Board, including petitions for special permits and variances and appeals from the decision of the Building Inspector. Hearings on petitions and appeals before the Board may be held prior to or following the regular meeting, as designated by the Chairperson. Regular meetings, while open to the public, are not public hearings. The Board will seek information or testimony as it deems necessary. Unsolicited comments from the public may, at the discretion of the Chairperson, be ruled out of order.
C. 
Site plans which come to the Zoning Board of Appeals shall be sent to the Planning Board for an advisory opinion and to the Zoning Enforcement Officer as required by the ordinance. Site plans need not be approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals until those boards have had opportunity for review, as specified by the Zoning Ordinance.
Special meetings may be called by the Chairperson or at the request of three members. Written notice thereof shall be given to each member and alternate member at least 48 hours before the time set, except that an announcement of a special meeting at any meeting attended by all members shall be sufficient notice of such meetings. Notices shall be posted publicly as provided in § 590-7.