Williamsport finance committee forwards Steven Petro nomination, discusses ending lifetime Waste Garden appointments

The Williamsport Finance Committee advanced a nomination to fill a vacancy on the Waste Garden Commission and debated whether the commission’s current "lifetime" appointment language should be replaced with fixed terms.

Committee members said the vacancy arose after long-time member Paul Nyman recently stepped down and that other commission members recommended Steven Petro as a replacement. Committee members said Petro was expected to appear before the full city council on Thursday for formal consideration and swearing-in if approved.

Members noted the Waste Garden has seen recent improvements and growing public use, including weddings and community events, and described the commission as an active group that has overseen upgrades such as new signage, fencing and a pergola. Several committee members said lifetime appointments are unusual and suggested five-year terms to align Waste Garden appointments with other city boards and to provide a routine review mechanism.

Janice Frank, responding to questions about the legal mechanism for the change, said staff can draft the ordinance language and that the administration had no specific objections to moving to term-limited appointments. The committee did not take a vote on the ordinance language at the meeting; staff will bring a draft ordinance to a future meeting and the nomination of Steven Petro will be presented to the full city council on Thursday for final action.

Proper names mentioned in committee discussion included Paul Nyman (former Waste Garden Commission member) and Steven Petro (nominee). The transcript indicates the recommendation came from current commission members and that Petro is expected to attend the full council meeting for formal action.