Committee confirms Jenny Lee Ward for Maine Land Use Planning Commission

The Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry recommended confirmation of Jenny Lee Ward of Harford's Point to the Maine Land Use Planning Commission on a 9-0 roll-call vote, with three members recorded as absent.

Ward, introduced to the committee by Senator Paul Davis, described her background in sustainable economic development, multi‑stakeholder conservation projects and local planning. She told the committee she has worked on recreation‑based region building, rezoning for renewable energy and telecommunications, and planning‑board work in Greenville and the Moosehead Lake region.

Supporters who spoke at the hearing said Ward’s combination of conservation and community development experience fits the commission’s mission. John Contrini, chair of Greenville’s planning board, told the committee Ward had been a highly prepared and collaborative local planning board member and cited her role on crafting local ordinances including solar, cannabis and outdoor lighting rules in the Moosehead Lake region.

The committee clerk called the roll for the confirmation under 3 M.R.S. §157. Members recorded as voting “yes” were Representative Mark Cooper, Representative Dean Kray, Representative Steve Bunker, Representative Caldwell Jackson, Senator Rachel Talbot Ross, Representative Bill Plucker, Representative Tim Jarette, Representative Jim Dillard and Representative Sharon Frost. Senators Black and Ingorsen and Representative Hepler were absent from the vote.

With the committee’s recommendation, the written notice will be sent to the President of the Senate as required by law, and the nomination moves on consistent with statutory timelines.

The committee closed the public hearing on Ward’s nomination and proceeded to other business.