Zoning Board Set to Hear Impact Fee Appeal for Salem Rep

A Salem state representative will head before the town's Zoning Board of Adjustment next week to appeal an administrative decision related to impact and betterment fees.

Salem Rep. Ronald Belanger (R) came before the Board of Selectmen in mid-May to argue that the fees were improperly assessed for an accessory apartment above a two-door garage at his home.

Since the fees were put in place on March 9, 2005, his argument indicated that the apartment was created between 2001 and 2003 and has never been occupied.

During the meeting, Belanger publicly clashed with Community Development Director Bill Scott, calling Scott arrogant. Belanger said that when he tried to retrieve his file from the Planning Department, the folder was empty except for a septic design from 2003, a statement that Scott refuted.

"None of that is true," said Scott in May. "His file was full. You cannot insult me and my staff like that."

Earlier this week, Scott permanently left Salem to take a job in Amesbury, Mass.

Belanger's petition is the sixth on the agenda for July 2. The meeting will take place at 7:30 p.m. in the Knightly Meeting Room at Town Hall.