Zoning board upholds home business ruling at Ponton Street

Zoning Board · Meeting of March 18, 2026

Sturbridge Zoning Board of Appeals upholds contested home-business ruling, adds new limits. The board voted 6-0, with member Stephen Possemato not participating, to uphold Building Inspector Bill LePage's finding that Danny Truax's contracting business, Guaranteed Building Maintenance, is a lawful accessory use at 20 Ponton Street, a decision attorney Spencer Karen had challenged on behalf of neighbor Patricia McCleary. Karen argued the operation amounted to "not someone with a hobby, this is Mr.

Truax's livelihood," while Truax told the board "I busted my ass my whole life" building the business since 1998. The board capped the business at two employees plus the owner, barred storage visible from the Plimpton-Ponton intersection, and prohibited storage containers without permits. Separately, the board unanimously granted Stanley and Catherine Iwanicki a special permit to demolish and rebuild a home at 21 Long Avenue, with lot coverage rising from 11 percent to 19 percent.

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Source: the Zoning Board meeting of March 18, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.