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Planning Commission letter prompts resignation and dispute over Belmont General Store actions
Summary
A letter from the Planning Commission chair prompted a public response at the Jan. 22 meeting: Alissa Chronert and Ron Unterman disputed statements attributed to the Planning Commission regarding actions on the Jurisdictional Opinion for the Belmont General Store; Andrew Seward announced his resignation from the Commission. The Select Board tabled further discussion pending the chair's response and said it will address the matter in executive session.
The Select Board heard public remarks Jan. 22 in response to a letter from the Planning Commission chair about the Jurisdictional Opinion on the Belmont General Store. With the chair, Jon McCann, absent, Alissa Chronert read a prepared statement reiterating points from a prior written submission and defended her work on the store.
Ron Unterman summarized recent events and, citing consultation with his lawyer, questioned the Planning Commission chair's claim that the Commission had voted to take actions in relation to the Jurisdictional Opinion. Unterman said he could find no record of those decisions in meeting minutes and challenged the suggestion that two members of a five-member board can act on an issue without a quorum or formal record. Andrew Seward, whom the transcript identifies as a member of the Planning Commission, informed the Select Board of his resignation.
Mark Turco said Mount Holly is one community and tabled further discussion until the Planning Commission chair can respond; he said the board would take up the issue in executive session at a future meeting. Several speakers defended Chronert's contributions to the town and the store, while others emphasized the need for recorded minutes and clear commission procedures.
Ending: The Select Board deferred substantive action and scheduled further review in executive session pending a response from the Planning Commission chair and a review of meeting records.
