Commentary by Frank Schroth

Nothing is easy.

Especially the primary matter before the Planning Board: the redevelopment of the Temple Shalom property. It is a matter of tremendous significance to the town in general and to the immediate stakeholders in particular: the Temple congregation and the neighborhood residents.

The advent of the new year is an appropriate time to look back and review. The question is not whether the board has handled this well or poorly, but how it can do better going forward. Feelings of uncertainty, doubt and anxiety can be alleviated in part by improved clarity, consistency, respect, and courage from the board. With the belief that tomorrow is an opportunity to improve upon yesterday, we suggest the following New Year’s resolutions to the Planning Board. These qualities are certainly not absent but they can be improved:

Be clear and over communicate. Ensure clarity of purpose, policy, procedure, and process with yourselves and the public. Define the powers and responsibilities you have and the laws, rules, and regulations that you need to enforce and / or guide your decision making as they apply to the issue at hand. What is spot zoning? Is the current article an example of spot zoning or not? What is the relationship between a special permit and site planning? Is there an appeals process and who can file an appeal? What is the process going forward and how does it work? How are protections contained in the proposed article enforced?

Be consistent. Establish process(es), set an agenda, and adhere to them. Citizen Speak should be a fixed agenda item with a deadline to sign up and an allotted time to speak. Don’t change the agenda on the fly.

Be courteous. Having a difference of opinion and being respectful are not mutually exclusive. Board members should be polite to each other and to the public. Avoid side conversations. Let the chairman chair the meeting. Demonstrate behavior consistent with the seriousness of the issue and the public you are addressing.

Be courageous. Absent a master plan for Town development, navigating this issue is challenging, but that’s precisely why thoughtful and courageous leadership are required. Will this opportunity set a precedent the town may regret or is it an example of how thoughtful, conscientious development can occur? Lead.  Have a point of view and express it clearly. In the New Year, we hope the the board members will each provide clear statements of what they think and why.

This has been arduous and we share the sentiment voiced by many in thanking the board for their time, energy, and commitment. This is hard and taxing; but has one board member told me, “It is what I signed up for.”