Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Appointments topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning commission recommends Dante DeNault as zoning administrator; names Keith Oborne acting official
Summary
The Richmond Planning Commission voted unanimously Dec. 17 to recommend that the Select Board appoint Dante DeNault as Zoning Administrative Officer and designate Keith Oborne as Acting Zoning Administrative Officer; the recommendation will be considered by the Select Board on Jan. 5.
The Richmond Planning Commission on Dec. 17 voted unanimously to forward a recommendation to the Select Board to appoint Dante DeNault as the town’s Zoning Administrative Officer and to name Keith Oborne as Acting Zoning Administrative Officer in the administrator’s absence.
The action came after a motion to recommend the appointment was made and seconded during the commission’s meeting. Commission members then heard a statement of support from Keith Oborne, who described DeNault’s legal background: “he is uniquely qualified. He holds a JD,” and noted DeNault’s experience with the Vermont Judiciary and the Vermont Attorney General’s Office. Oborne also said there had been a three‑month training and oversight period and expressed confidence DeNault is ready to take on the role.
DeNault gave a brief statement about his background and reasons for taking the position, describing his work in environmental law and water protection and noting that he will be based in the office four days a week and work remotely one day. He told commissioners he has prepared a list of suggested edits to the zoning regulations and said he looked forward to collaborating with staff and the commission.
With no further questions on the motion, the commission recorded five affirmative votes and called the recommendation unanimous (5–0). The vote sends the recommendation to the Select Board for final action; the Select Board is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the draft town plan and related materials on Jan. 5 and will consider the appointment recommendation at a forthcoming meeting.
The commission framed the appointment as administrative: members said they expect DeNault to consult town staff and, when needed, the town attorney on ambiguous zoning language and to coordinate with the planning commission on substantive code changes. The commission’s recommendation does not itself fill the position but is the formal step that transmits a candidate to the Select Board for final appointment.
