Planning Commission elects Commissioner Sawish as chair and Commissioner Drechman as vice chair

Commissioner Sawish was elected chair of the Town of Erie Planning Commission on June 3, 2026, and Commissioner Drechman was elected vice chair, each to serve one-year terms, the commission announced during a brief ballot vote.

The commission opened nominations under a procedure the outgoing chair had circulated in advance. Vice Chair Bridal nominated the incumbent; another commissioner nominated Commissioner Sawish, who said, "I accept that nomination." Staff collected and counted ballots; the secretary announced that Sawish received five votes and "will assume the role as chair for one year."

Nominations for vice chair followed. After ballots were cast, staff reported the successful candidate received five votes and "Commissioner Drechman will assume the role of vice chair for one year." The commission used anonymous paper ballots collected and tallied by staff, with the chair explaining a two-round numbering system in case no candidate received a majority.

The commission did not elect a secretary at the meeting. Commissioners asked the deputy town attorney whether an officer slate must include a secretary; the deputy attorney cited Section 3-1-4(A) of the municipal code, which provides boards must elect a chair, vice chair and secretary, and recommended noticing the secretary election for the next meeting because the agenda did not specifically reference election of a secretary. The commission agreed to defer that vote and directed staff and counsel to advise on logistics and whether any ordinance or bylaw is needed.

The commission also adopted routine consent items earlier in the meeting, approving the agenda and the May 20, 2026 meeting minutes unanimously before proceeding to officer elections. The body adjourned following closing remarks.