Planning board member opening

[gorja]

Melvin Szymanski will not be seeking another term on the planning board

[Lee Chowaniec]

Melvin Szymanski will not be seeking another term on the planning board

Unusual in that Mr. Szymanski did not submit a personal notification that he would not seek another term on the Planning Board to the Supervisor or Clerk’s Office. Hope all is well with Mel.

As the email submitted by Planning Board Chair Connelly was dated December 5th and has not appeared on the town website under job postings (or elsewhere to my knowledge) that leaves only two weeks for the town to receive applications for the position, for board members to review the applications / applicants and come to a consensus as appointing best candidate – unless a candidate has already been decided upon (wink, wink).

With only two weeks remaining before the town board appoints the planning board members this position should remain vacant until appropriate time takes place to post the opening, an adequate timeline is given to receive applications and where candidates are interviewed before selection is made based on candidate qualifications.

[gorja]

According to the
NEW YORK STATE
PLANNING BOARD OPERATION
A Guidebook for Local Officials
2015

To be qualified for a local planning board you must be
- at least 18 years of age,
- a United States citizen, and
- a resident within the municipality

All of us over 18 US citizens are qualified

http://efc.syr.edu/wp-content/upload...BoardGuide.pdf

[Lee Chowaniec]

According to the
NEW YORK STATE
PLANNING BOARD OPERATION
A Guidebook for Local Officials
2015

To be qualified for a local planning board you must be
- at least 18 years of age,
- a United States citizen, and
- a resident within the municipality

All of us over 18 US citizens are qualified

http://efc.syr.edu/wp-content/upload...BoardGuide.pdf

Qualified to apply for the position, but one would hope that individual would have the knowledge, talent and commitment to serve with the community’s best interest in mind – and without partisan influence / direction.

Two years ago, a Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) member died in the month of June. An individual applied for the position in July but soon withdrew her application for stated political reasons. Another individual applied in late July, did have the background and knowledge to warrant approval, but was denied and later told by the Supervisor that she was not qualified for a seat on the ZBA; better suited for a Planning Board position. The ZBA position remained open the remainder of the year and was filled by an individual appointed by the town board for 2018.

The circumstances then parallel today’s situation. The ZBA position opening was not posted and yet an individual applied for the position in July and was being seriously considered for appointment (resolution) - until there was an outcry from the public that the job had not been posted, and the position opening was then posted. There should be no rush to judgment here as well. Protocols should be followed. The most qualified individual should be elected – not based on political party affiliation and influence.

IMHO, the ZBA and Planning Board are functioning several grades above past boards and have two strong, committed, attentive Chairs directing the boards. As such, no rush to appoint just anyone is requisite because of the 11th hour resignation notice - especially considering 10 days have already lapsed since the resignation notice was received by the town and there is still no job posting.

[yaksplat]

So like most government positions, you need a pulse, and that's it.

[WNYresident]

So like most government positions, you need a pulse, and that's it.

If you are a democrat you don't don't even need that to vote.

[gorja]

IMHO, I believe former councilman John Abraham would be a good planning board member selection.

[Lee Chowaniec]

IMHO, I believe former councilman John Abraham would be a good planning board member selection.

John did a good job when he was a town board member acting as liaison to the Planning Board. I wonder if he has entered a letter of intent to fill that position.

Now that the town has posted on its website that there is a vacancy on the planning board it will be interesting to see how many letters of intent the town will receive under such short notice. The appointment day could be delayed to some time after the Organizational Meeting - first board meeting in January - to ensure proper time is allotted for word to get out and interested applicants file their letters of intent.

Surprised that the Bee reporter was present at the Monday night town board meeting when Planning Board Mel Szymanski's resignation was mentioned and where it appeared in the agenda communications as well, and nothing was printed in the paper to make the opening known.

Or will this be a rush to judgment to fill the job with friends and family and without outside competition?

[gorja]

Originally posted by Lee Chowaniec:
Surprised that the Bee reporter was present at the Monday night town board meeting when Planning Board Mel Szymanski's resignation was mentioned and where it appeared in the agenda communications as well, and nothing was printed in the paper to make the opening known.

At last night's planning board meeting, Mr Szymanski received a proclamation and accolades from the town board for his service to the town. No reporters at the meeting

[gorja]

After the planning board meeting concluded on Wednesday night, there was about an hour of discussion with Erie County Deputy Commissioner of Planning and Economic Development, Julie Barry and Erie County Senior Planner Mark Rountree

https://audiomack.com/song/jumpinjiminy/181219-001

[gorja]

Unusual in that Mr. Szymanski did not submit a personal notification that he would not seek another term on the Planning Board to the Supervisor or Clerk’s Office. Hope all is well with Mel.

As the email submitted by Planning Board Chair Connelly was dated December 5th and has not appeared on the town website under job postings (or elsewhere to my knowledge) that leaves only two weeks for the town to receive applications for the position, for board members to review the applications / applicants and come to a consensus as appointing best candidate – unless a candidate has already been decided upon (wink, wink).

With only two weeks remaining before the town board appoints the planning board members this position should remain vacant until appropriate time takes place to post the opening, an adequate timeline is given to receive applications and where candidates are interviewed before selection is made based on candidate qualifications.

Here you go, Breezy,
The deadline to submit cover letters and resumes for Lancaster Industrial Development Agency, Planning Board and Ethics Board vacancies has been extended to January 2015.

[Lee Chowaniec]

Here you go, Breezy,
The deadline to submit cover letters and resumes for Lancaster Industrial Development Agency, Planning Board and Ethics Board vacancies has been extended to January 2015.

I believe you meant to write January 15, 2019.


That's a good thing, especially for the Planning Board. It gives added time for interested individuals to submit letters of intent and resumes. IMHO, we have a good planning board that is especially trying to do the right thing to set up zoning districts that are in the best interest for future development and in the best interests of the community. A qualified candidate should be considered and appointed; and not just for patronage reasons.


To get the word out, more is needed then a Town of Lancaster posting on its website or on some wall in Town Hall. I have yet to see any notification in our crack Lancaster news outlets. Have I missed something?

[gorja]

Originally posted by Lee Chowaniec:
I believe you meant to write January 15, 2019.

Yes, thanks for correcting that Lee

To get the word out, more is needed then a Town of Lancaster posting on its website or on some wall in Town Hall. I have yet to see any notification in our crack Lancaster news outlets. Have I missed something?

Haven't seen anything either

[Lee Chowaniec]

I wonder if John Abraham is considering applying for the open Planning Board position.

IMHO, he is well qualified for the position having gained much experience and knowledge while acting as liaison to the planning board while serving as a Town Council Member.

Is he still committed to serving the community as an appointed member of the planning board or is his goal to seek a future town elected position? Or has his outlook soured because of his last political outcome and he chooses not to become involved?

What do you think, Gorga? If anything, his letter of intent would add spice to the mix.

[mark blazejewski]

Is he still committed to serving the community as an appointed member of the planning board or is his goal to seek a future town elected position?

When Frank Sedita wanted to retire in 1973, he resigned to give Stan Makowski a leg-up with an eight-month incumbency.

When Nelson Rockefeller decided to call it quits later the same year, he resigned to give the hapless Malcolm Wilson a year to show his stuff before standing for election in his own right.

Artel Metz was defeated for re-election in 1971 by David Sisti. Sisti held that office for a little over a year before resigning. Metz's defeat notwithstanding, he was appointed to fill the exact same position for which he was defeated.

I understand that the current Supervisor wants to retire, and the Democrat front-runner may not be to the incumbent's liking.


Artel Metz was defeated for re-election in 1971 by David Sisti. Sisti held that office for a little over a year before resigning. Metz's defeat notwithstanding, he was appointed to fill the exact same position for which he was defeated.

Hmm, Repeat-history and genetic inclinations?

Even though Mr. Abraham was soundly defeated, and apparently lost the confidence of the Lancaster voters, perhaps he has not submitted a letter for the Planning Board because his eyes are set on another, more substantial appointed office for at least eleven months?

Just mussing.