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Chair selection deferred pending clarification of town code
Summary
The Onancock Planning Commission debated whether the town council or the commission appoints its chair after members read town code language and agreed to seek clarification; the commission postponed selecting a new chair until council appointments are finalized.
The Onancock Planning Commission postponed selecting a new chair and vice chair after members disagreed about who has appointment authority.
At the meeting, the acting chair opened the discussion of the third agenda item — selection of a new chair and vice chair — and asked whether anyone wished to assume the posts. Commissioners debated whether the planning commission selects its own chair or whether the town council appoints a member to serve as chair. One participant read from the town code and reported that “the council will assign a member of a board committee and commission as chair,” citing what was referred to in discussion as §0.218. The chair countered that the commission has historically selected its own chair.
Commissioners agreed they needed clarification about the code interpretation before making appointments, noting upcoming turnover and council appointments in January. The body voted to delay the selection until after the council has made its appointments so the commission’s membership and potential council designees are known.
The commission plans to request a formal interpretation or guidance from town counsel or the council before scheduling new chair and vice chair votes.
