Commission asks absent alternate to resign, recommends local architect to selectmen

At its June 25 meeting the Historic District Commission discussed several appointment and attendance issues, voted to ask an alternate member who has not been attending scheduled meetings to resign, and formally recommended a local architect to the appointing authority to fill the commission’s architect seat.

The board reviewed three applications: reappointments for Claire Albert and Geraldine Bazikas and a new application from an applicant introduced as Ian Robert (architect). Commissioners discussed the role of alternates, the need to post openings, and whether the commission or the appointing authority (selectmen) should make final appointments.

A motion to ask the alternate member (referred to in the transcript as Jen) to resign because she "cannot make the meetings as they are scheduled" was made and seconded. During roll call James Dorian recorded an abstention; other members present voted in favor, and the motion carried. The Chair said the request for resignation would be sent as a letter.

Commissioners also debated process and timing: they discussed a 30‑day window for appointments, whether reappointments must be posted, and said they would seek a legal opinion to clarify posting and appointing procedures. Several members emphasized the commission’s preference to interview and vet candidates before sending recommendations to the selectmen.

After discussion the commission moved to recommend the locally introduced architect (Robert) for the architect position; the present voting members approved that recommendation and agreed to forward the commission’s preference to the selectmen. The motion and roll call were recorded during the meeting.

The personnel items concluded without alterations to the commission’s schedule; members asked the clerk to pursue posting and legal clarification where required and to forward the candidate recommendations to the appointing authority.