Nominations Elicit Strong Pushback

With the expiration of the current West Concord Task Force, and unfinished business left to do, the Board of Selectmen proposed a slate of new and continuing members, and got a sharp rebuke from some residents over the nomination of a developer in town.

Selectman Greg Howes said the names he wants to reappoint are based on feedback he got from residents and that the current WCTF has no issue with the slate of new members. The WCTF has another two years to finish its work, said Chairman Dan Holin.

But included in Howes' list are a father and daughter, and a West Concord developer. At least three people at the selectmen's meeting Monday night objected to the three new nominations.

Holin said while he likes the idea of a "big tent" which Howes expanded to 13 from 11, he thinks the town regulations would make two members of the same family ineligible. Holin also objected to developer John Boynton IV because he has developed parcels in West Concord and would be unfairly advantaged if he sat on the task force.

But Howes said the task force is about reviewing the zoning laws and drawing up studies. He said having Boynton on the task force would not benefit him financially, a state ethics violation.

Furthermore, Howes said other residents with specific professional backgrounds serve and sometimes chair other boards and committees to no ill effect.

Howes read one e-mail post from resident Debbie Bier that made him angry. In her post, Bier said the town was looking at a lawsuit if a developer were on the task force over a conflict of interest. Howes said Bier has made negative personal comments about him.

"There are personally negative comments which do a disservice to the task force members and to the selectmen," said Howes. He accused Bier of "bullying" online.
"I've had no negative feedback on the nominees from the West Concord Task Force," said Howes.

The slate of nominees will likely be appointed June 14 after a period of consideration between nomination and appointment.

Selectman Elise Woodward said the conflict of interest would be no different if there were residential property owners on the task force or business property owners on it.

"If there is a direct financial interest, that is a violation," said Howes. "This is not the case."

He said other professionals are "not precluded from public life" because of their jobs.

Holin said the bitterness of some West Concordians began with the defeat by 13 votes of Article 46 at Town Meeting. The article would have made "formula businesses" ineligible for zoning permits so that the town could maintain its plethora of family-owned and operated places, particularly in West Concord.

The article was also up for a vote late on one of the Town Meeting nights and needed a two-thirds majority to be enacted. A prominent developer spoke against the article.

"The loss of Article 46 caused resentment," said Holin. He questioned the appropriateness of adding a Concord developer that might be unfairly advantaged if he sat on the task force.

Jimi Two Feathers told selectmen he "objected to any developer" on the WCTF.
Board Chairman Jeff Weiand brought the discussion to a close saying residents were free to email the board, but the nominees stood until their appointment in mid-June.

Nominations to the West Concord Task Force:

For a term expiring May 31, 2012

John Boynton, IV

Matthew Jhnson

William Kussin

Louisa Yamartino

Phil Adams

Gary Kleiman

Barbara Brennan

Reappointments for a Term Expiring May 31, 2012

Nancy Carey

Sue Felshin

David Holdorf

Dan Holin

Christopher Sgarzi

Betsy Stokey

Jimi Two Feathers