Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Board Appointments topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council questions two Board of Appeals nominees and two chair candidates on equity, process and record-keeping
Summary
Council interviewed William Feller and Donald Silverstein for a Board of Appeals vacancy and interviewed Karen Hynes and Richard Melnick for the chair position, pressing nominees on racial equity, time commitments, conflicts and protection of the administrative record.
Montgomery County Council held interviews Oct. 8 for two nominees to fill a vacancy on the Board of Appeals and for two current members seeking the board chairmanship.
Council President Andrew Friedson opened the session by describing the Board of Appeals as a five-member quasi-judicial body that hears zoning variances, special exceptions and appeals of administrative actions. The council asked each nominee about their understanding of the board’s duties, time availability and how they would advance racial equity.
William Feller told the council he has worked in commercial real estate for more than 30 years and would use his experience to help residents navigate zoning processes, simplify burdensome procedures, and ensure hearings are accessible to applicants without legal resources. "I would use my position as a potential board member to help the community as individuals who don't have the financial resources to hire an attorney," Feller said.
Donald Silverstein described a 45-year residency in Montgomery County, a civil engineering degree and a decades-long career in the built environment. He said he would bring collaborative problem-solving to cases and help those unfamiliar with the appeals process obtain equitable access to hearings.
Councilmembers asked both candidates how they would consider racial equity in decisions. Both said they would operate within the law while giving particular attention to disadvantaged residents and looking for alternatives and accommodations where permitted.
The council then interviewed two current members seeking the chair role, Karen Hynes and Richard Melnick. Hynes described prior service on the board and said the chair’s role is to guide deliberations while protecting the record and ensuring hearings are orderly and accessible. Melnick, who has served as vice chair, said he would prioritize full, fair hearings and consensus building where possible, and outlined examples from his legal and municipal experience.
No appointments were made during the session; the council said it would follow up with the nominees after deliberation.
