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Select Board, Planning Board appoint resident Thomas to planning seat after interviews
Summary
After interviewing four candidates for an unexpired planning‑board seat, the joint Select/Planning Board appointed a candidate referred to in the meeting as Thomas to fill the seat through May 2027; the boards also agreed to delay one ZBA alternate appointment to confirm outreach to additional applicants.
The Select Board met jointly with the Planning Board on June 23 to interview four candidates for an unexpired planning‑board seat that runs through May 2027.
Candidates gave short statements about their backgrounds and interest in the role. Applicants included civic volunteers and residents with municipal experience: Megan O’Connell (engineering and regulatory background), Titus Palmer (longtime volunteer, assessors and water commissioner experience), Tom (developer/site‑plan experience), and Ming Sam (Route 40 advisory committee member and community engagement volunteer).
After public comment and discussion, the joint body considered nominations and held a vote. The majority selected the candidate identified in the transcript as “Thomas” to fill the seat until the May 2027 election. Board members noted it can take a year or more to become fully accustomed to planning‑board technical work and emphasized expectations for new appointees to follow meeting packets and engage with staff and committee work.
During the same session the board discussed a recommended Zoning Board of Appeals alternate (Ryan Welbley). A public commenter said a previous volunteer applicant had not been contacted; Select Board members asked staff to confirm outreach and follow up with the ZBA before the Select Board acts on that appointment. The ZBA appointment was deferred for staff to check the volunteer contact list and ensure the process was complete.
What’s next: the newly appointed planning‑board member will receive an appointment letter and will fill the seat until contested election at the May 2027 town election. The ZBA alternate appointment will be revisited after staff confirms outreach to all volunteer applicants.
