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Select Board appoints Robert Depalma to DRB, confirms dozens of committee seats
Summary
The Select Board appointed Robert Depalma to a three-year Development Review Board seat, assigned other committee appointments, and recorded public concerns about DRB civility during the reappointment discussion.
The Richmond Select Board on May 19 confirmed a slate of volunteer appointments across town committees, including appointing Robert Depalma to a three-year seat on the Development Review Board (DRB) and leaving an alternate seat open after debate over public engagement.
Roger Peterson and Robert Depalma both applied for a DRB vacancy. Roger Peterson spoke in favor of reappointment, citing his experience; resident Bradley Halt urged the board to weigh public engagement concerns and alleged a past incident in which DRB members told a speaker to "shut up." "This is just one of the most obvious, observable, and egregious examples of Roger's attitude toward public engagement," Halt said. Peterson responded that he did not intend any personal disrespect and explained his remarks were intended to discourage repetition of voluminous written material at hearings.
After discussion, the board voted to appoint Robert Depalma to the full three-year DRB term and left the alternate seat open; the vote was recorded by roll call. The meeting then proceeded through a long list of committee and advisory appointments (Andrews Community Forest Committee, Trails Committee, Conservation Commission, Recreation, Fourth of July committee, CCRPC representatives, and many others). Most motions carried by unanimous or near‑unanimous roll-call votes.
Town staff said application materials for most candidates are available on the town website packet. Several board members emphasized the value of volunteers and thanked appointees for stepping forward.
