Select Board discusses hiring contracted planner and four planning-code amendments

The North Haven Select Board reviewed Article 13 on March 5 proposing a contracted code-enforcement/planner position and four planning-board ordinance amendments.

Board members described the proposed planner as a contracted position budgeted at $40,000 to support hazard-mitigation projects, grant-writing and an outdated comprehensive plan. The board said contracting the role avoids paying benefits and allows remote or part-time arrangements; the planner was described as expected to average about 20 hours per week and help onboard through overlap with current fellows.

Chair summarized the four planning-board amendments adopted for town consideration: extending the rebuild period for nonconforming structures after a fire; simplifying the method for measuring setbacks from public roads; clarifying requirements to convert single-family dwellings to multi-family (three or more units); and establishing a process for when the CEO does not issue a written decision within 30 days so the planning board will take up the application.

Board members asked clarifying questions about the 30-day-decision proposal and the conversion standard; Chair said the amendments address gaps in the current ordinance, including the lack of an appeal or follow-up step when a CEO fails to act. No final vote on the ordinance amendments was recorded at the session; the discussion was framed as explanation prior to the town meeting and possible floor amendments.

The board also discussed outreach for candidates and the administrative steps the planning board and town will take to present the changes to voters.