Responsibilities Of Planning Director Examined

Stonington town officials don’t know if they can fill the now vacant director of planning position. They also don’t know if the town needs someone in job or what the responsibilities of the job should entail. 

passed away after a lengthy battle with cancer in April. Currently, Town Planner Keith Brynes is serving as acting director of planning while the town decides what to do with the position.

Just what to do with the position was made more complicated when the Board of Finance decided last week to cut $50,000 in .

“I think it was easy pickings, but I don’t think it was the right decision,” Planning and Zoning Commission Chair Rob Marseglia.

The Planning and Zoning Commission Haberek Jr., at their Tuesday meeting but didn’t come to a resolution on position.

In light of the Board of Finance’s decision the PZC questioned whether state statue and the town charter gives the PZC the authority to say they need the position and leave the funding up to the Board of Finance.

“You hold the statuary obligations, but they hold the purse strings,” Haberek said.

Haberek said he wanted the town to consider re-examining the responsibilities of the position.

“The position if filled needs to encompass more responsibilities,” Haberek said, adding that he would want the position to be responsible for the town building official, more management and also outside projects such as grants like the .

Haberek said he felt the Planning and Zoning Office was not as busy as it once was and the planning director position needed to reflect that.

PZC Member Frances Hoffman said she would like to have an idea of what other towns are doing in regards to their planning directors.

The PZC seemed uncertain given the now limited salary for the position if they could find anyone to fill the position. Haberek had suggested at the Board of Finance meeting waiting to hire for the position until later in the year, which would give the town time to decide what it wants of a planning director.

“This was a good dialogue, it’s critical to know what your needs are as we examine the process,” Haberek said.