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Planning‑board appointment debate highlights friction over term limits and succession
Summary
A contentious sequence of nominations for two planning‑board seats exposed tensions about term limits and board succession after the planning chairman (Art Weber) urged reappointing outgoing chair Paul Croce; other councilors pushed back, calling the intervention inappropriate while candidates vied for appointments.
The Town Council’s appointments session Monday produced a notable dispute during nominations for three planning‑board seats, centering on outgoing Planning Board Chair Paul Croce and candidate Steven Huttler.
Art Weber, who identifies himself as chairman of the planning board in public comment, urged the council to reappoint Paul Croce to maintain continuity because the board faces two major tasks—the Gaudet School development review and the West Main Road corridor work. Weber said Croce had “led us through” a difficult transition and was the preferred pick for continuity.
Several councilors reacted negatively to Weber’s characterization, with one councilor saying Weber had overstepped by telling a candidate not to apply and objecting to “cherry‑picking” nominees. The exchange grew terse before councilors proceeded with nominations and votes. Ultimately the council appointed two candidates (Charlie Valancourt and Paul Croce) and left one seat to be re‑advertised after multiple candidates were nominated and voting did not produce a third appointee.
The episode also reopened discussion about term limits for planning and zoning volunteers: in public comment earlier in the meeting, a resident urged removing term limits for the planning and zoning boards because several experienced members are reaching term limits as major reviews approach. The council did not take immediate action on charter changes but agreed to advertise vacancies and proceed with appointments.
Ending: The council appointed two planning‑board members and will re‑advertise the remaining vacancy; the exchange highlighted local sensitivity about appointment processes and board succession planning.
