PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Zoning Board of Appeals is hoping to find a compromise between neighbors over a beekeeping operation.

 

William and Aaron Slater began beekeeping in the back yard of their Burke Street home earlier this year. However, Jim Saldo owns and maintains the lot next door and he's got a serious allergy to them. Saldo had sought out the city's assistance is alleviating his concerns of being stung, and the Zoning Board of Appeals, which has the authority to issue permits for such operations, wasn't sure what to do.

 

A little over a week ago, the board visited the site and on Wednesday rendered a decision that the Slaters can keep the bees, but need to move the hive to the other side of the yard. 

 

"I think it would abate some of his concerns if we moved the hives to the other side so there would be a lesser chance," said ZBA member John Fitzgerald.

 

The board is also asking for a structure to control the bees entrances and exits to the two hives, and shrubs to redirect the flight paths. 

 

"I think they can be done in a safe manner," Fitzgerald said.

 

Resident Joseph Guzzo spoke on Wednesday, vouching for William Slater's integrity. He said the Slaters can be counted on to care for the bees properly and handle any issues that could arise.

 

"Bill is a man of high integrity," Guzzo said. "He will do right by being allowed to do the beekeeping he and his son want to do as a hobby."

 

Moving the hives to the other side, however, brings it closer to another neighbor. Saldo doesn't live on the property but he owns and maintains it. ZBA member Esther Bolen said moving it would affect more people than the current location, but ultimately she went along with the consensus of the rest of the board. 

 

The issue was a new one for the Zoning Board of Appeals, which wasn't sure how to handle the request when it was first presented. On one hand, the Slaters are trained in beekeeping, the bees themselves are not aggressive, the hives were kept on their property, and they presented a plan that they felt limited Saldo's exposure. 

 

Saldo, however, didn't want to take any chances. Beyond just an allergy, he has heart arrhythmia so he can't use an EpiPen unless it is a last resort. The idea of 120,000 bees on the lot next door gives Saldo pause.

 

A secondary issue, which the board touched on only briefly, is that the beekeeping began without the special permit needed. Fitzgerald is reminding people to check with the city about permitting for operations before doing it.