Volunteers still needed for other seats
By Michael Turton
The Cold Spring Village Board appointed Stephanie Hawkins to the Planning Board by a 4-0 vote during its Oct. 24 meeting. Mayor Dave Merandy, who is married to Hawkins, abstained.
In a letter to the mayor and trustees, Planning Board Chair Matt Francisco wrote that his five-member board unanimously supported the appointment, citing Hawkins’ experience as a former village trustee, her time spent as a member of the Special Board for a Comprehensive Plan and the Recreation Commission, along with her role as a board member for the Cold Spring Film Society.
Trustee Fran Murphy commented that the opening had been advertised in the Putnam County News and Recorder and posted on the village’s Facebook page. “One person stepped forward,” she said. “I enthusiastically support Stephanie.”
The village is looking for two additional Planning Board members as well as a member for the five-person Zoning Board of Appeals to succeed Gregory Gunder, who is moving to Florida.
Merandy noted that three Planning Board members — Arne Saari, Dave Marion and Ezra Clementson — plan to leave for various reasons. (The fifth member is Judith Rose.) While they have continued to serve, their availability has decreased, a situation which Francisco said has made it difficult at times to achieve a quorum.
Letters of interest can be submitted to the village clerk.
