Earlier this month Heather Mallozzi, building and planning coordinator for the town of Malta, was recognized by the New York State Planning Federation for her accomplishments in that position since accepting the job four years ago.
Mallozzi was awarded the 2006 Heissenbuttel Award for Planning Excellence at the planning federation conference held Oct. 8-11 in Saratoga Springs.
The award is given to an individual, municipality or agency for outstanding or innovative accomplishments in the planning field, or for consistent support of the New York Planning Federation in its efforts toward better planning, said Katherine Daniels, a senior planner with the federation.
In his nomination, Glenn Rockwood, one of the deputy supervisors for the town, said, `The skill set Heather has brought to Malta and her position is nothing short of incredible.`
Rockwood said he first thought about nominating Mallozzi after the 2005 conference when he was serving as alternate to the Malta Planning Board.
`Given all the work she’s done in the community and all her forward thinking,` said Rockwood, `I think it’s appropriate.`
Rockwood was not alone in his admiration for Mallozzi’s vision. He asked members of the town board and planning board as well as department heads to write letters in support of his nomination.
`Ms. Mallozzi garnered 14 letters of enthusiastic support for her work,` said Daniels, who added that number is probably the highest number they have ever received for a nominated person. `Letters of support state that Ms. Mallozzi has developed excellent, positive working relationships with the various town boards, as well as the business community and developers.`
`The adjectives used to describe her ` tenacity, personality, commitment and creativity ` by her supporters are numerous,` said Daniels.
Other letters referred to her as dazzling and a model of forward thinking. Mallozzi’s positive attitude, ability to empathize with people of differing opinions and diplomacy were other attributes described in her letters of support, said Daniels.
Mallozzi graduated from Western Illinois University in 2000 with a master’s degree in geography and planning with a focus on economic development. Hired by the town at a time when the town was facing `unprecedented growth,` Mallozzi is credited by town officials for being a driving force behind many new initiatives the town has taken on in recent years. These include revising the town’s comprehensive plan and updating the zoning in an effort to balance development with open space protection, recreation and trails. She has worked diligently to create the town’s vision for a downtown area as well as creating a plan for the Route 9 corridor.
Working in conjunction with the town board, Mallozzi said she has molded her job to what she and they felt it should be. This has included the creation of another full-time planning position, implementing a geographic information system, and completing a townwide generic environmental impact statement to assist the town in its efforts to properly plan for future growth.
While Mallozzi was surprised by the award, kept a secret from her until the day it was presented, she said she was not at all surprised by the outpouring of support expressed by the other members of the `town family.`
In addition to drafting the many letters, Mallozzi said a number of people showed up to watch her be recognized for her work and accept the award.
`That’s typical of Malta,` she said. `We’re very close knit.`
Although she appreciates being recognized for her work, Mallozzi is quick to note that the accomplishments listed were not hers alone. She counts the many volunteers in Malta as partners in the planning process.
`They all do such a great job,` said Mallozzi who noted that the committees and boards that help create the various documents, plans and legislation are made up of volunteers from the community who dedicate a great deal of their personal time for the betterment of the community.
`It’s not me. It’s everybody around me that contributes to this great work,` she said. “
