Erie sustainability board recommends four candidates to town council to fill vacancies

The Erie Sustainability Advisory Board on March 4 recommended four candidates to the town council to fill upcoming advisory-board vacancies and provided a ranked list of alternates. The board described the action as a recommendation for council consideration rather than a final appointment.

Board members listed Anne (last name not specified in the meeting record), Karen (the chair), and Kathleen as recommended for three-year terms, and Megan Anders for a one-year term to fill the seat left by a recent resignation. The board also provided a ranked list of alternates led by Robert Cohen, followed by William Thomas and Enrique (last name not specified).

The chair noted the personnel process and timeline for filling vacancies: three of the open seats are three-year terms (2026–2029) and one is a one-year term (through 2027) created by a recent resignation. She told members that the rankings should be submitted to the town clerk the next morning so staff can offer seats in order if a candidate declines.

Earlier in the meeting the chair said a board member, Ronaldo, had announced a verbal resignation but had not submitted a written resignation with an effective date; the town requires written notice, so Ronaldo remained technically a member until written resignation is received.

The board also discussed recusal for applicant review. The chair announced she would recuse herself for parts of the review and indicated that Mackenzie McClaskey would take the floor to run the applicant-review portion. After the discussion the body recorded a recommendation and forwarded its ranking to staff for processing.

The recommendation step was described repeatedly as advisory: the town clerk and council retain the authority to complete official appointments. No formal council appointment occurred at the March 4 meeting. The board adjourned at 7:28 p.m.; the next meeting is scheduled for April 1.