Board of Appeals

Purpose:

The Board of Appeals consists of three full time members and five associate members. Board members are appointed by the Board of Selectmen for staggered three-year terms.

The Board of Appeals has the following statutory powers:

  1. To hear and decide an appeal taken by any person aggrieved by reason of his or her inability to obtain a permit or enforcement action from the Inspector of Buildings or other administrative officers under the provisions of Chapter 40A General Laws, by the regional planning agency or any person, including an officer or official board of the Town of Raynham, or an abutting city or town aggrieved by an order or decision of the Inspector of Buildings or other administrative official in violation of Chapter 40A General Laws or the Raynham Zoning By-laws.
  2. To hear and decide applications for special permits upon which the Board is empowered to act under Article Seven of Raynham Zoning By-laws.
  3. To hear and decide petitions for variances, and to authorize upon appeal or upon petition with respect to particular land or structures a variance from the terms of Raynham Zoning By-laws where the Board specifically finds that owing to circumstances relating to the soil conditions, shape or topography of such land or structures and especially affecting such land or structures but not affecting generally the zoning district in which it is located, a literal enforcement of the provisions of the ordinance or by-law would involve substantial hardship, financial or otherwise, to the petitioner or appellant, and that desirable relief may be granted without substantial detriment to the public good and without nullifying or substantially derogating from the intent or purpose of the by-laws. The Board shall not have the power to grant a use variance.

The Board of Appeals shall adopt and file with the Town Clerk rules of procedure, as required by Chapter 40A, and shall follow the procedural requirements of Chapter 40A, including but not limited to the receipt of applications, hearing notices, public hearings, referal to other agencies and filing of decisions. The Board of Appeals shall establish and may from time to time amend by vote a schedule of fees, which shall be incorporated into its rules of procedure.

Staff Contacts

Name Title Phone
Maureen McKenney Administrative Assistant (508) 824-2745

Board Members

Name Title
Karl Vrana Chairman (June 2026)
Francis McGuirk Vice Chairman (June 2026)
Peter Schondek Clerk (June 2024)
Charles Carey Associate Member (June 2025)
Barrett Johnson Associate Member (June 2026)
Rob Costa Member (June 2025)
Paul Beaulieu Associate Member (June 2024)
John Texiera Associate Member (June 2025)