Reporting from Monday, June 2, 2008 :

PB Appointments

From the June 2 Regular Meeting of the Town Council (TC)

The TC unanimously appointed John Roberts PB chair, open following the resignation of Cindy Lu Hilscher.  The TC will interview candidates for the open membership positions (Hilscher’s and Martha Meier’s) before the July 7 TC meeting.

Reporting from Monday, May 5, 2008 :

Appointment of PB Members

From the May 5 Regular Meeting of the Town Council (TC)

Councilperson Edwards said that PB Chair Cindy Lu Hilscher’s resignation required appointment of another PB member to fill the remainder of her term.  The TC agreed that this position should be advertised with a May 23 cutoff date for letters of interest.  Ms. Edwards then said that since the letters of interest in the PB position from which Martha Meier had resigned all came from people who had been interviewed several times, she moved that the position be filled by Joyce Thompson; Councilperson LaSalvia seconded.  Councilpersons Skoda and Young voted nay.  Supervisor Young asked Councilperson Skoda if he had a motion he would like to make.  He then nominated Erik Tyree for the position and Supervisor Young seconded.  Ms. Edwards and Mr. LaSalvia voted nay, with Ms. Edwards expressing the view that it would not be proper to appoint Mr. Tyree since a member of his household is already serving on the ZBA.  Councilperson Sammons was absent.  When no applicant received the required 3 votes, Supervisor Young said a new advertisement would be placed for both positions.

Reporting from Tuesday, April 29, 2008 :

Appointment of PB Alternate Member

From the April 29 Special Meeting of the Town Council (TC)

Four TC members (Councilperson Edwards was absent) unanimously appointed Erik Tyree and then agreed that candidates for the open full member position resulting from the resignation of Vice Chair Martha Meier would be interviewed on May 16.  When asked why a special meeting had been called to appoint an alternate when a regular town board meeting was set for only a few days later (at which Ms. Edwards would be present) Supervisor Young said that she “wanted it done” and had wanted all of the board members to be present but “it didn’t work out.”

Reporting from Monday, April 7, 2008 :

Interview Procedures

From the April 7 Regular Meeting of the Town Council (TC)

TC discussed a draft resolution regarding interview procedures for candidates interested in serving on appointed town boards.  Councilperson LaSalvia expressed concern about a proposal to limit each TC member to asking only one question of each applicant and to limiting the total number of questions any applicant may be asked to five.  TC members were also concerned about rescheduling interview appointments for good cause, whether all of the applicants had to be interviewed by every TC member, whether the PB or ZBA chairpersons should have any role in the interview or selection process, and other issues.  The resolution was tabled for further discussion.

PB Alternate Member Appointment

From the April 7 Regular Meeting of the Town Council (TC)

The alternate selection, tabled at the March meeting when no applicant received the required 3 votes, was tabled again for the same reason.  Supervisor Young, who had voted for Joyce Thompson in March, without explanation switched and voted for Erik Tyree this month, joining her daughter, Councilperson Sammons.  Councilperson Skoda, who also had voted for Mr. Tyree in March, was absent.  Councilpersons Edwards and LaSalvia voted for Ms. Thompson.
When Ardith Truhan, an audience member, asked Supervisor Young what had happened over the past month to cause her to change her vote, she replied “I just thought it over and I changed my mind.” When Ms. Truhan expressed her unhappiness at being given no reasons for the switch, Supervisor Young told her that “It’s my prerogative to change my mind if I so choose, madam, and so that’s what I’ve chosen to do; I don’t owe you an explanation of anything.”