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Residents and select board debate planning-board appointment process after contentious meeting
Summary
Public commenters and select board members discussed a heated February 6 Planning Board meeting and debated whether appointments or reappointments should be vetted by interviews, public comment or left to existing boards; a petition warrant article to elect planning board members also drew attention.
A public comment period at the Plymouth Select Board meeting focused on disagreement over the Planning Board's recent handling of nominations and whether the town should change how planning-board members are selected.
Several residents and board members described a contentious Planning Board discussion on Feb. 6 about two reappointments and said the Select Board should consider revising appointment procedures. Phil Lemireau (identified in discussion as a planning-related commenter) said soliciting consensus from a board on nominations can put that body in a difficult position. "I just don't think it's the right thing to do," he said, arguing that asking boards to come to consensus about reappointments can be inappropriate when topics are heated.
Other commenters suggested alternatives, including a formal interview process before the Select Board that would allow nominees to answer questions directly and permit the Select Board to solicit public comment. Resident Jason Ninos recommended that any applicant for appointment or reappointment appear before the Select Board so members can seek information directly and hear public input.
The conversation touched on a pending petition warrant article to elect Planning Board members rather than appoint them. Supporters and opponents debated the effects of elected versus appointed members, including concerns about continuity when alternates are seated at hearings and the potential politicization of regularly occurring alternate seating.
Select Board members acknowledged the complexity of the issue and suggested following up in future meetings. The board did not take a formal action on changing appointment procedures at the session recorded in the transcript.
