Date: Fri 12-Jun-1998
Date: Fri 12-Jun-1998
Publication: Bee
Author: ANDYG
Quick Words:
land-use-changes
Full Text:
Changes Continue In Land Use Office
BY ANDREW GOROSKO
Personnel changes continue at the town land use office in Canaan House at
Fairfield Hills.
In the latest changes, Jean St Jean, who has been serving as the building
department's administrator, has been named the town's zoning coordinator and
liaison official. Besides serving as zoning coordinator, Ms St Jean will
continue in her role as the borough's zoning enforcement officer and also as
the aide to both the Borough Zoning Commission and Borough Zoning Board of
Appeals. She will be a factotum in town and borough zoning matters.
For now, the post of building department administrator will remain vacant,
according to First Selectman Herbert Rosenthal.
Also, Janet Burns, who most recently served as the land use department's
administrative aide, leaves her post June 12 to take a job with a private
firm. Ms Burns, who has worked in the land use office in different capacities
for six years, will now be working for the National Shooting Sports
Foundation, Inc, on Mile Hill Road.
The town is advertising to fill Ms Burns' post, which will be reduced in
scope.
Mr Rosenthal said he was surprised by Ms Burns' departure from the land use
office. "We're sorry to see her go," he said.
Of the many personnel changes that have occurred in the land use department
since he took he took office late last year, Mr Rosenthal said, "I think it's
a complete overhaul now."
Starting in July, Elizabeth Stocker, the town's community development
director, will be spending more time on town planning matters, the first
selectman said. Ms Stocker's planning duties will complement Ms St Jean's work
in zoning, he said.
Having Ms St Jean as the zoning coordinator, Gary Frenette as the town zoning
enforcement officer, and C. Stephen Driver as the conservation enforcement
officer makes for a strong team in enforcing the town land use regulations, Mr
Rosenthal said.
The town land use office is now well-structured to deal with the pressures
resulting from the rapid pace of development, he said.
"I will continue to take an active involvement in land use issues," Mr
Rosenthal added.
Rita Macmillan oversees the land use department as its director. Ms Macmillan
has replaced Town Engineer Ronald Bolmer as department head. Ms Macmillan
returned to town service in March, after a year's absence.
Earlier this year, William Nicholson resigned as zoning enforcement officer
citing dissatisfaction with his situation, Christopher Majewski left his post
as conservation official, and Kathy Reymers departed from her job as land use
secretary.
Mr Nicholson's replacement, Mara Porwitzki, was on the job for only four days
before she left for another post elsewhere. She was replaced by Mr Frenette.
Mr Majewski, who had replaced David Thompson as conservation official, was
only on the job here for nine months before he left and was replaced by Mr
Driver.
Ms Reymers was on the job for less than a year before she left and was
replaced by Melissa Morin.
Similarly, the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) and Conservation
Commission have seen rapid membership turnover as the blistering pace of
development has continued.