COLONIE — The town is looking for someone to fill a vacancy on the Planning Board.
Brian Austin, who has served on the Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals for the last decade, opted to step aside at what would have been the start of another three-year term.
Serving on the seven-member board, chaired by Peter Stuto, is demanding, and does require a “significant time commitment,” according to the town.
It pays $3,639 a year.
The board meets twice a month to review proposals by developers who want to build in the town. The board is charged with balancing the desires or residents concerned about the character of their neighborhood and the town in general, and the legal right of developers drawn to Colonie because of its relatively low tax rate, two solid school districts and its centralized location.
Supervisor Paula Mahan will review resumes – both from people who are submitting during this latest round of requests and those already on file – then interview prospective board members and make a recommendation to the Town Board, which will have the final say on who to appoint.
There was a vacancy in 2018 and that was filled by Frederick Ashworth, who was recently appointed to a new three-year term by the Town Board.
Austin, who was narrowly defeated for Town Board twice including last year, said he is stepping down to fulfill family obligations.
Anyone interested in serving on the Planning Board can get more information online at the town’s website, or send a resume to Town Hall at Memorial Town Hall, P.O. Box 508, Newtonville NY, 12128-0508. Applications are being accepted until Jan. 31.
