Conservation alternate withdraws application, cites meeting handling and transparency concerns

David Luesinger, who had been under consideration for an alternate Conservation Commission seat, told the Select Board he rescinded his application because he was uncomfortable with how the commission advanced the Vernon Family Farm discussion and the way the meeting was handled. “I consider myself what most of Newfields is about as far as Vernon Family Farm is concerned,” Luesinger said, and added he had no prior involvement in the communications that created controversy.

Luesinger said he had attended screening interviews and made himself available to answer questions but felt the reading of an email and the subsequent acceleration of the Vernon Family Farm discussion left him placed in the middle of a dispute he did not want to join. Commission vice chair Trish Shannelaris and other residents said the process for appointing alternates was novel and may have suffered from insufficient communication to potential members and commissioners; the Select Board reiterated its intent to clarify appointment procedures and improve liaison communications.