HALIFAX- John LaFlamme, the new selectboard chair, visited the regular Wednesday meeting of the planning commission to ask for recommendations for zoning administrator. Current ZA Rick Gay will complete his term as of April 1. Norman Fajans recommended reappointing Gay. “Rick has done a good job,” said Fajans, “and he knows the book (of zoning regulations).” Paul Placentino suggested a second candidate, acting ZA Rick Miruki. Board chair Christina Moore suggested Frank Maltese as a possible acting ZA. The list was voted on and passed.

Moore asked LaFlamme if the selectboard plans to replace commission members Maltese, Howard Alboum, and Allan Dacy, whose terms expire in April. “I don’t know,” LaFlamme replied. “So, we’ll put off our reorganization until the next meeting,” said Moore. The board then took up the possible repercussions of the voters’ decision to approve town plan amendments by Australian ballot. Because board members have been occupied with zoning board business, no work has been done on plan revision for several months, and the current plan expires in mid-June.

The board agreed that the current plan should be readopted, allowing sufficient time to work out possible changes with care. Moore had some reservations. “The downside,” she said, “is that this takes the pressure off us (to finish proposals for revision).” “What’s the rush?” Fajans asked. Since the board is considering a number of changes, including the major one of establishing a commercial/industrial zone, members concluded that haste would not be well-advised. The logistical problem is that readoption will require public hearings by the planning commission and selectboard, and a subsequent vote, just as amending the plan would. Board secretary Phyllis Evanuk reminded members that copies of the plan must be sent 30 days before the planning commission hearing to abutting towns, the regional planning commission, the department of housing and community affairs, and to any community organizations that have requested them.

LaFlamme suggested contacting Windham Regional Commission representatives Brian McNeice and Maggie Bartenhagen to find out whether letting the current plan lapse would carry any major consequences for the town. If not, hearings and a vote on readoption could be skipped. Fajans said he would call the representatives and would also ask them to check with the secretary of state’s office.