Planning director Linda Weber to retire; interim leadership named

Planning Director Linda Weber told the Middlesex County Planning Board that she will retire next month and that this meeting was her last as planning director. “This is gonna be my last planning board meeting, and I just I wanted to share that with you,” Weber said.

Weber said an interim director will lead the office until a permanent director is hired. At the meeting the administration identified an interim lead and the board introduced Vijay (transcript identifies him when he spoke) as stepping into the interim planning director role. Vijay said he has previously served as deputy planning director and currently works with county operations; he told the board he looks forward to assisting with the transition and supporting the office while a permanent director is hired.

Board members and county officials thanked Weber for her service and praised her leadership, stability and contributions to planning work that continues to guide county policy. Several commissioners and members of the planning board individually offered congratulations and best wishes during a period of transition.

The board also approved the planning director’s report and accepted staff changes noted in the packet, including the promotion of Katie Panella to supervisor planner. Weber and county staff said office operations will continue during the transition and that the interim director will work with county leadership to maintain continuity of ongoing projects, including cross-acceptance work, the greenways and bike-and-ped plans.

The board did not take formal action on hiring; county officials said a permanent director will be appointed through the county’s hiring process.