People navigating the twists and turns of the land use review process often found answers to their questions when they found Ann Mazur, who, as the town Land Use Agency’s administrative assistant, kept track of the many developmental details required for submission before construction approvals are granted.

Ms Mazur of Sandy Hook, who has worked at the agency since 2001, has been a town staff member in various capacities for almost 25 years.

Starting in 1990, she worked for Bennett Transportation, driving local public schoolchildren about town. From 1991 to 1993, she worked as an educational assistant at Head O’ Meadow School. From 1993 to 1995, Ms Mazur was a secretary at the Public Works Department. In 1995, she moved to the town Finance Department, where she worked as a secretary in accounts payable until 2001.

Then in 2001, she joined the Land Use Agency, from which she will retire on March 6.

Since 1995, Ms Mazur has worked, for various periods, as the night clerk for the Edmond Town Hall Board of Managers, Newtown Forest Association, Commission on Aging, Public Building & Site Commission, Police Commission, Economic Development Commission, Legislative Council, and the Board of Finance.

As those agencies’ night clerk, Ms Mazur took thorough minutes of those organizations’ proceedings, reducing to writing for those who did not attend those meetings accurate, detailed accounts of what had transpired.

Simply put, Ms Mazur has a broad knowledge of local government, having closely watched and recorded its actions for many years.

While working for town, Ms Mazur has worked under five first selectmen — the late Zita McMahon, Bob Cascella, Herb Rosenthal, Joseph Borst, and Pat Llodra.

“I enjoyed working with the public and my co-workers,” Ms Mazur said this week, reminiscing on her many years in town service. She explained that a motivating force in her work was learning about how local government functions.

Ms Mazur spoke in a meeting room at Newtown Municipal Center, which in 2009 became the home of town government after many years during which the functions of government were located in multiple buildings across town.

The spaciousness of Newtown Municipal Center has allowed the multiple functions of government to consolidate, she said. That consolidation has allowed people seeking permits from the town to acquire those permits is a single place, rather than traveling about to do so, she said.

Land Use Agency

While at the Land Use Agency since 2001, members of the public often have requested information from her concerning mapping, Ms Mazur said.

To that end, she explains to them that the town maintains an elaborate “geographic information system” (GIS) to which the public has free access via the Internet. Much of the data which the public seeks is available on such electronic mapping, she said.

“A lot of people aren’t aware of it,” she said of the GIS network.

The GIS is a municipal planning tool which does not have the accuracy of surveyor-grade mapping.

“We have more staff now … I think the staff is very helpful” in explaining land use matters, including applications, to the public, Ms Mazur said.

Ms Mazur is one of eight Land Use Agency staff members.

“I really liked all the people I have worked with,” she said. “Everyone tries to help everyone,” she said.

“Ninety-nine percent of the people are great,” she said of the public seeking help with land use maters. The most complex situations she has encountered involve people who, for whatever reasons, have trouble accepting that the town government cannot solve all of their problems, she said.

Ms Mazur said that the most satisfying aspect of her job has been “being able to help people.”

“First and foremost, we’re here to serve the public and help them any way we can,” she said.

Ms Mazur, who will be departing with much institutional knowledge about land use, said she has formulated a book of information for her successor listing the many procedures required in land use applications.

Of Ms Mazur’s departure, George Benson, town director of planning, said, “She trained me when I came in … She’s been a resource for everybody.”

“She was a great worker and we’re going to miss her,” he added.

Mr Benson said he expects the Land Use Agency will be touch in with Ms Mazur for advice as situations arise in the future.

After leaving town service, Ms Mazur plans to travel to the Caribbean for a vacation with her husband Al.

During retirement, the Mazurs plan to travel extensively. Ms Mazur said that she and her husband plan to acquire a travel trailer and see various parts of the country, especially some of the warmer parts. Through such travel, they plan to eventually find a retirement home.

The couple plans to return to Newtown for visits.

The Mazurs are the parents of three grown children – Kristen, Jen, and Al.

Ms Mazur said she expects to pursue her favorite pastimes during retirement – reading, gardening, and fishing.