The following is an open letter to Planning and Zoning Chairwoman Danielle Dobin from Carolanne Curry, spokesperson for Save Old Saugatuck.
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I believe we are long past the need to invoke state law that says ” there will be no physical location” for the P&Z meetings.
I must express my frustration that you remain fearful and are committed to only having remote P&Z meetings on a timeline that now goes far beyond the COVID requirements of recent years.
I asked you about this remote-only commitment recently, and you spoke of the convenience this format offers to many who would not be able to access the meetings otherwise ….
While I am in agreement with this reasoning, it is absolutely not enough. The failure to have an open meeting in Town Hall, (as well as Zoom participation) … is a failure to fully serve the residents, taxpayers, and voters of our town.
The number of contentious and controversial land-use issues that have been on the P&Z agenda these past few years have not had the full healthy hearing environment that the Town Hall auditorium has always provided … the results of which has been vitally needed input has been suppressed.
While I hope that a live Town Hall audience is one you’d want to have as chair of P&Z meetings, the pattern of the past few years doesn’t show that inclination.
Please promote a more open government process. State law encourages this action as well.
Thank you,
Carolanne Curry
Save Old Saugatuck
29 Hiawatha Lane Ext., Westport
Carolanne, thank you for taking the time to publicly express what so many of us have been privately muttering under our breath. To P&Z, as well as the other boards and commissions who are still clinging to that which was only meant to be temporary: it’s enough already with the flimsy, self-serving excuses. Time re-establish regular order.
Morley,
I’d even considered a petition with signatures, but so many petitions have been out there of late addressing other concerns…such as Parker Harding that I think it might be futile.
There is no reason for the absence of this vital public service to be sacrificed for nothing more than personal selfishness.
I just hope this doesn’t turn out to be a twenty year battle over something inherently wrong….like the Summit Saugatuck battle.
I have to agree with Bertram, as a member of the RTM it would be nice if the P&Z returned to Thursday meetings. We have so much going with Long Lots School remodel, redistricting, and school security, that it is virtually (ha ha) impossible for members of the RTM to attend by meetings.
I was told this move was voted on by members of the P&Z. Regardless of politics, I think it would be in the best interest of our community that the P&Z returns their regular meetings back to Thursday. As for Zoom, why not offer both if our town technology department can make it feasible.
I wanted to watch last weeks P&Z meeting, as another “text amendment” was coming into play. Unfortunately tonight there is an RTM Transit Committee Meeting conflicting with the rescheduled P&Z meeting. I will be able to attend what I feel is a very important P&Z meeting.
I am urging our volunteer, elected P&Z Commission members to please consider moving your regularly scheduled meetings back to Thursday in September, as the issues facing both our P&Z and BOE will need the full attention of our RTM and Public.
Thank you for your consideration
Jimmy Izzo
RTM 3
Why can’t we do both? Zoom if you can’t be there and live meeting for those who can attend.