April 21, 2023 |
Photo – Saratoga Town Hall – Bigfoot99 file photo
Back-to-back resignations caused the Saratoga Planning Commission to lose half of its members.
The Saratoga Planning Commission’s stated purpose is to promote the health, safety, and general welfare of the community and foster appropriate land development in the town.
According to the planning commission by-laws, adopted in November of 2014, “The Saratoga Planning Commission shall be composed of seven members.” Following the departures of Judy Doms, Theresa Manley, and Joe Schwartz, the planning commission is down to four members, Lindy Glode, Mike Lamprecht, Chairwoman McCall Burau, and Mayor Chuck Davis.
During Tuesday’s town council meeting, Mayor Davis said he shouldn’t be a member of the planning commission at all. The Wyoming Association of Municipalities, or WAM, recommends council members not participate in the town’s boards and commissions.
The planning commission requires at least half of the members be present to form a quorum, or the minimum number of people needed for a meeting. If the mayor chose to abstain, the commission might not have a quorum and couldn’t vote on ordinance or zoning changes. New members are needed to fill the three empty seats.
The planning commission by-laws state members must live in Saratoga or within a one-mile buffer zone. Terms last for five years and a person is limited to serving two consecutive terms. Interested people should have some knowledge of the town’s zoning ordinances or a willingness to learn.
Mayor Davis has said that limiting the 5-year term to only two-years may help attract more people to the position. However, a change of the planning commission by-laws would be required. Others say two years is not time to learn the job.
Mayor Davis said he received a letter of interest from Nancy Ford. Town Clerk Marie Christen read Ford’s letter to the council.
The council was unable to vote on Ford’s inclusion in the planning commission until after the advertising phase ends next week. Open positions must be advertised in the local newspaper and online for two weeks before they can be filled.
To apply for an open planning commission seat, simply write a letter of interest and bring it to the town hall.
