Will Planning Commission Chairman Keep His Seat?

Numerous emails from town residents have been sent to members of the North Kingstown Town Council regarding Richard "Dick" Pastore’s leadership as chairman of the Planning Commission. With the council set to make appointments to the commission tonight, some are taking the opportunity to press for term limits and new faces on North Kingstown’s boards and commissions.

Some residents, including Stephen Filonew, director of training and workforce development with the Arpin Group, have complained about the organization and structure of recent Planning Commission meetings.

“All of the meetings I attended clearly lacked a formal structure and purpose," Filonew said. "While there was always a stated agenda for each meeting, it was abandoned after a few minutes and replaced with a rambling, disorganized flow that seemed to run in circles rather than a straight line. While I was certainly frustrated with the project, I was much more frustrated with the unprofessional leadership of the process.”

Filonew went on to say one of the meetings he attended had a “third-world” feel that was “very disconcerting.” Though Filonew said he applauds Pastore’s service, he also said, “I believe [Pastore’s] enthusiasm for it has evaporated. In my opinion, the Town Council should refresh the planning commission with a new chairperson.”

Though the Town Council doesn’t have the power to elect the chairperson of the Planning Commission, it does have the power to appoint or reappoint the commission’s members per Section 415 of the Town Charter. 

Pastore has his supporters, both on the commission and on the council. Planning Commission Member Jim Grundy said Pastore is “very knowledgeable” and that it’s important to have a chairman with an engineering background.

“I think [Pastore’s] done a great job. He's taught me a lot the four years I’ve been on the commission. Change isn’t always popular,” Grundy said, referring to some residents’ reactions to potential zoning alterations in South County. “It’s a difficult balance, but [Pastore’s] taken a lot of time and tried to explain things to people.” 

Though Grundy said he hadn’t heard council members were dissatisfied with Pastore’s leadership, he did say some are uncertain about the longevity of Pastore’s service on the commission. “The only resistance I’d heard is how long he’d been there,” said Grundy.

Pastore has been on the Planning Commission for 18 years, 10 as chairman. “Some people on the council think that 18 years is a long time,” said Grundy. “I’m sure [the decision’s] not going to be unanimous either way."

As for Pastore, he sees nothing wrong with the way the commission operates. 

“I don’t think there’s an issue with leadership. I don’t think there’s an issue with the functionality of the Planning Commission,” Pastore said. “Our attendance is great. We all get along. We thrash things out among us and everybody’s friends, so I really am at a loss as to the criticisms."

Pastore said he suspects the most controversial issue in town may be dictating people's emotions.

“I think perhaps those criticisms were leveled because people are [upset] about the , and that’s their reaction to it,” he said. “I think that when people are dissatisfied with something, or they don’t like change or are afraid of something they don’t know ... I think things get personal and, you know, I’m not sure that’s very professional. You’re not going to please all the people all the time, and you have to expect that.”

Asked if he thinks he’ll still be around when it comes time for the town council to make its appointment, Pastore said, “I asked for a reappointment; I’ll just leave it at that.”

The Town Council meets at 7 tonight at Beechwood Senior Center, 44 Beach St.