Planning director seeks formal zoning official designation, proposes small handyman assistance program

Planning Director Doug (last name not specified) told the council he is proposing to formalize duties commonly performed by the planning office by designating the planning director as the town's zoning official. The formal designation will come by ordinance that the solicitor is preparing; the director said the change aligns practice with state law and gives the office a clear signatory for zoning enforcement and related actions. The council was told the director would receive an associated salary increase to reflect the formalized duties.

Separately, planning staff proposed a small, locally funded Housing Assistance Maintenance Program with an initial allocation of $3,000 to cover short, limited handyman repairs for income\-eligible residents whose needs do not rise to the level of a full CDBG project. The program would set modest per\-household caps (staff discussed examples like an hourly cap or a $300 maximum per household), require proof of income eligibility, and ask independent contractors to carry insurance to limit town liability.

Why it matters: formalizing the zoning official role clarifies decision authority and recordkeeping; the proposed $3,000 pilot is intended to address minor, immediate housing repair needs that the larger CDBG process is not designed to serve.