The appointments of two Jenkins Park Advisory Board members were tabled again during the Thursday, Feb. 7, Ballston Town Board meeting, fueling outrage among several town residents, who said the motion by the board was a personal attack.
It’s a personal slight, said Michael Willwerth, a member of the Jenkins Park Advisory Board, who spoke on behalf of the appointees. `We’re volunteers.`
He said the seven-member advisory board has worked together for several years and advocated for the park.
`We try to formulate these budgets, and these people have helped,` Willwerth said.
Peter Petrillose, whose reappointment was tabled for the second time since the beginning of January, has served on the board for 19 years. The positions are unpaid and are on a volunteer basis. Arlene Ida’s reappointment to the board was also tabled.
`It’s not in a manner that’s meant to be insulting or personal,` said Town Council Member Mary Beth Hynes.
Town Council Member Kim Ireland said that at the public forum, Wednesday, Feb. 6, several residents expressed interest in serving on the advisory board, and that they wanted to look into those candidates before reappointing anyone to the board.
In addition to the two reappointments, there are two vacancies on the advisory board.
The advisory board held a public forum, Wednesday, Feb. 6, to gain input from residents about how to update the 55-year-old park, which is funded through a portion of the park district’s taxes.
Sue Macejka, chairwoman for the advisory board, said that the challenge by the Town Council has been disappointing because the members of the advisory board have been advocates for the park for several years.
Deputy Town Supervisor George Seymour, who was acting on behalf of Patti Southworth, said, `I recognize and realize there is a lot of disappointment, and I include myself in that. I think you do a tremendous disservice to the [advisory] board.`
The appointments were first tabled during the town’s organizational meeting Thursday, Jan. 3.“