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Lewiston Planning Board elects officers, adopts 2025 handbook and names Forestry Board liaison
Summary
At its Jan. 13 meeting the Lewiston Planning Board elected Shanna Cox chair, selected Mark Roy as vice chair and chose Amy Smith as secretary; the board adopted its 2025 policies and procedures handbook and appointed Zoe Lindstrom as its liaison to the Forestry Board. The board tabled approval of its Dec. 9 minutes for later revision.
Shanna Cox was elected chair of the Lewiston Planning Board at the board’s Jan. 13 meeting. The board also elected Mark Roy as vice chair and Amy Smith as secretary, adopted the 2025 policies and procedures handbook and appointed Zoe Lindstrom as the Planning Board’s liaison to the Forestry Board. The board tabled approval of its Dec. 9, 2024 minutes for later amendment.
The nominations and elections were conducted by roll call after members nominated candidates from the floor. Members discussed the handbook excerpted duties for chair, vice chair and secretary before taking the adoption vote. Staff member Shelley Norton reviewed the handbook election procedures and the board voted to adopt the policies and procedures and protocols for 2025.
Why it matters: Leadership and process rules shape how the board will operate through the year. Appointing a liaison to the Forestry Board restores the Planning Board’s representation on that body and can increase coordination on tree and vegetation matters; the handbook adoption establishes the formal procedures the board will use for officer elections and related duties.
Details of the elections and administrative votes
- Election of chair: After a nominations period, members voted by roll call and announced their choices. The presiding member called the votes and declared Shanna Cox elected chair. The transcript records statements from both nominees accepting the nominations.
- Election of vice chair: Members nominated Mark Roy for vice chair. A roll-call vote was held; the transcript records a roll-call count discussed aloud ("That's 5 for Mark and 2 for Mike") followed by the presiding member declaring Mark Roy elected vice chair.
- Election of secretary: Two nominations were on the table and members voted by roll call; Amy Smith was declared elected secretary after the roll call.
- Adoption of 2025 policies and procedures and protocols: Lucy Bissman moved to adopt the handbook; Michael Marcotte seconded. The board conducted a roll-call vote and the motion passed. Members on the record said “yes” during the vote; no substantive changes were recorded other than minor formatting and a handful of spelling corrections noted in discussion.
- Forestry Board liaison: Zoe Lindstrom offered to serve as the Planning Board’s liaison to the Forestry Board. The board moved and seconded a motion to appoint Lindstrom as the Planning Board representative; the motion passed on a recorded roll call. Lindstrom explained the Forestry Board meets monthly (third Thursday, 6 p.m., Senior Center at Pettengill Park in Auburn) and that she has served there as an at-large member and a professional forester.
- Minutes: A member raised concerns about wording in the Dec. 9, 2024 minutes related to a public discussion and asked for an amendment. The board voted to table adoption of the Dec. 9 minutes so the suggested language can be drafted and circulated prior to approval.
What board members said (selected)
Shelley Norton, Deputy Director, Planning (staff): reviewed the election procedures and reminded members of officer eligibility rules and the order of elections (chair, vice chair, secretary).
Shanna Cox (nominated, then elected chair): "I appreciate the nomination and would be happy to serve." (accepting nomination)
Zoe Lindstrom, Planning Board member (appointed Forestry Board liaison): described the Forestry Board’s schedule and said she would be willing to serve as the Planning Board’s liaison.
Next steps and context
- The board’s new officer slate will preside over future meetings and is responsible for carrying forward agenda priorities and the LCIP (capital improvement plan) review schedule.
- The appointment of a Planning Board liaison to the Forestry Board restores formal representation; staff said they will send a letter to the mayor to notify about the vacancy the appointment creates on the at-large roster.
- The Dec. 9 minutes will be revised off-line per the board’s direction and returned for approval at a future meeting.
Speakers (selection): Lucy Bissman (presiding/officer), Shanna Cox (elected chair), Mark Roy (elected vice chair), Amy Smith (elected secretary), Zoe Lindstrom (appointed liaison), Shelley Norton (staff), Jonathan Connor (Director of Planning), Roger Dupree, Michael Marcotte, Alex Pine, Penthea Burns.
Ending: The board concluded administrative business and moved on to consider the city’s disposition list and the capital improvement plan review later in the meeting.
