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Board appoints Dylan Pine to planning board amid ethics complaints and calls to suspend TB1
Summary
The Town Board voted to appoint Dylan Pine to the Planning Board, drawing public criticism and ethics complaints from planning‑board allies who say the board rushed TB1 and appointment procedures. Supervisor Paul Feiner abstained from the Pine vote and urged further review of TB1’s legality.
The Town Board appointed Dylan Pine to a Planning Board seat that had been vacant since Dec. 31, 2023, after a motion and roll call at the Aug. 14 meeting. Supervisor Paul Feiner said he would abstain from the appointment vote citing concerns about process and timing and urged the board to seek outside guidance on TB1, a resolution several speakers argued was poorly drafted and rushed.
Longstanding volunteers and planning‑board members used public comment to press the board on procedure and ethics. Murray Bowden said the board had not made requested documents available and faulted staff for handling meetings remotely, saying, “I will not be put upon the way I have been without being able to answer” and raising broader concerns about transparency and staff control of the Zoom host. Johan Snaggs said he and others filed an ethics complaint and urged that written comments be entered into the public record; he argued TB1 had been framed in the meeting as an affordable‑housing issue and criticized changes made to accessory dwelling unit (ADU) legislation.
Walter Simon, a planning‑board member, told the board to view the work‑session video and recommended seeking a second legal opinion when town leadership faces advice that differs from outside counsel. In his remarks, Simon said the board’s timetable and communications “reflect what has taken place in our larger society” and called for better process.
Feiner said he had proposed a resolution earlier seeking advice from the Association of Towns and argued TB1 may be legally defective unless adopted as a local law; he urged the board to work with the planning board and other volunteers to avoid disruption. The board approved Pine’s appointment after an amendment to the motion; Feiner said he would abstain from the vote and described concerns about a lack of transition time for the incoming member.
Several public commenters warned that abrupt or poorly explained appointments could prompt resignations, slow planning work and expose the town to litigation. The board also appointed Ken Jones to the Greenberg Housing Authority and Dara Boyd to the Board of Ethics; those motions passed by voice vote.
Next steps: the board’s personnel actions take effect per the dates stated on the motions; Feiner asked that colleagues consider outside review and dialog with volunteer boards before finalizing matters that affect planning and ethics.
