Joint committee confirms two Maine Land Use Planning Commission nominees

The Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry voted to recommend confirmation of two nominees to the Maine Land Use Planning Commission after public hearings and supporting testimony from local officials.

Senate Chair Rachel Talbot Ross and House Chair Bill Plucker convened the confirmations for Jenny Lee Ward of Harford's Point and Donald A. Tardy of Ashland. Each nominee spoke to committee members and members of the public testified in support before the committee took roll-call votes.

Jenny Lee Ward, introduced by Senator Paul Davis and presented herself to the committee, described nearly a decade of work with the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Maine Woods Initiative and service on the Greenville Planning Board and regional economic development organizations. Senator Davis told the committee the Piscataquis County commissioners selected Ward based on her long residence in and experience with the region. Supporters at the hearing, including John Contrini, chair of the Greenville Planning Board, and others, described Ward’s local planning experience and multi‑stakeholder project work. The committee vote to recommend confirmation was 9 in favor, 0 opposed, with three members recorded absent; the committee instructed staff to notify the Senate president per 3 MRSA §157.

Donald A. Tardy, nominated by the Aroostook County commissioners and introduced by Commissioner Daniel DeVoe, described a career in forestry, service in the Maine Army National Guard, and leadership of local economic development efforts in Ashland. Multiple witnesses — including James Robbins, Trevor Lennon, Tom Doak and Patrick Strauch — spoke in favor, citing Tardy’s forestry management background and community involvement. After public comment, the committee voted 9 in favor, 0 opposed, with three members absent, to recommend his confirmation to the Legislature.

Why it matters: The Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC) oversees land-use and resource management in Maine’s unorganized and deorganized territories. Appointments to the commission shape policy affecting forestry, economic development and conservation across large tracts of northern and interior Maine.

Committee process and next steps: Under the joint rules and 3 MRSA §157, the committee sent written recommendations to the Senate president. The Senate will consider the nominations at a later date; the committee’s recommendation is advisory to that confirmation process.

Votes and formal actions recorded at the hearing are included below.